-ridden
-ridden
  1. adj.suffix full of, controlled by s.t.: That crime-ridden city is a dangerous place to live.
-skinned
-skinned
  1. suffix related to skin: a fair-skinned person
-ware
-ware
  1. n.suffix things of the same general kind: Dishes, pots, and utensils make up kitchenware.
4-H Club
4-H Club
  1. n. a farm youth club set up by the U.S. Department of Agriculture: the H's stand for head, heart, hands, and health: The 4-H Club helps young people learn about modern farming.
401(k) plan
401(k) plan
  1. n. (in USA) a savings plan offered by some companies and institutions in which an untaxed portion of an employee's salary is invested and not used until retirement: Many employees take advantage of our company's 401(k) plan.
.com
.com
  1. suffix & abbr. for commercial enterprise in an Internet address for a business: www.heinle.com See: .gov, dot.com.
'd
'd
  1. contr.
    1 would: He said he'd eat with us.
    2 had: He said he'd already eaten.
    3 did: Where'd he eat?
.gov
.gov
  1. suffix & abbr. for government organization, used in Internet addresses: www.whitehouse.gov. See: .com.
.org
.org
  1. suffix & abbr. for the Internet address for non-profit organizations, such as public television stations and the United Nations (UN): www.un.org
'til or till
'til or till
  1. infrml. prep. short for until: We'll wait 'til six o'clock, then leave.
a
a
  1. or an indef. article
    1 used before a noun or noun phrase to show one person or thing: A man stopped me to ask what time it was.
    2 used before terms that show a general number, amount, or quantity (a few, a lot, etc.): A lot of people went to the concert.||That item costs $10 a pound (a dozen, a ton, etc.). See: an USAGE NOTE; APIECE.
a.m.
a.m.
  1. abbr. for ante meridiem, the time between 12:00 midnight and 11:59 in the morning: My meeting was at 9:00 A.M. today. See: ante meridiem.
aardvark
aardvark
  1. n. a small, strong African animal with long ears and a long nose (or snout): The aardvark digs for insects with its long snout.
aback
aback
  1. adv. taken aback:
    1 surprised, startled: He was taken aback when she ran suddenly into the room.
    2 unpleasantly surprised, offended,
    THESAURUS
    shocked: I was taken aback by his rudeness.
abacus
abacus
  1. n. -es a device made of beads and rods used for counting: The abacus has been used for solving arithmetic problems for thousands of years.
abandon
abandon
  1. v. [T]
    1 to stop: We abandoned the project because it was too expensive.
    2 to leave s.o. or s.t.: The people abandoned the village before the soldiers came.n. [U] wildness,
    THESAURUS
    recklessness: The guests danced at the party with abandon. -n. [U] abandonment.
    THESAURUS
    abandon v.
    1 to discontinue, terminate. Ant. to maintain.
    2 to desert, leave (s.o./s.t.) forever. Ants. to keep, stay.
abandoned
abandoned
  1. adj.
    1 left behind,
    THESAURUS
    forsaken: The abandoned puppies were hungry.
    2 empty,
    THESAURUS
    deserted: Abandoned houses look sad.
abase
abase
  1. v.frml. [T] abased, abasing, abases
    1 to cause oneself or s.o. else to feel bad or ashamed: She won't abase herself by listening to his criticism.
    2 to lower in rank, office, or respect: The lazy soldier was abased by an officer. -n. abasement.
abashed
abashed
  1. adj.frml. ashamed or embarrassed: The student was abashed at failing the exam. -v. abash.
abate
abate
  1. v. abated, abating, abates
    1 [I] to lessen, decrease: The pain in my shoulder abated after a day.
    2 [T] (in law) to lower, reduce: The town abated taxes on new businesses. -n. abatement.
abbey
abbey
  1. n. a place where monks or nuns live, (syns.) a monastery, convent: We visited an old abbey near Westminster.
abbot
abbot
  1. n. the male head of the monks in an abbey
abbreviate
abbreviate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to shorten, esp. a word: This dictionary abbreviates the word "noun" by using "n." -n. abbreviation.
abdicate
abdicate
  1. v. [I;T] -cated, -cating, -cates to give up s.t., to step down as from a high office: The king abdicated his throne and left the country. -n.[C;U] abdication.
abdomen
abdomen
  1. n. the belly, stomach area: My abdomen hurts. -adj. abdominal.
abduct
abduct
  1. v. [T] to take away by force,
    THESAURUS
    to kidnap: A stranger abducted the child outside a store. -n.[C;U] abduction.
abed
abed
  1. adv.frml. old usage in bed: My grandfather's abed with the flu.
aberration
aberration
  1. n. an unusual happening,
    THESAURUS
    a deviation: The fact that he is late for our meeting is an aberration; he's normally on time.
abet
abet
  1. v.frml. [T] abetted, abetting, abets to help, encourage: That man was jailed because he aided and abetted a friend who robbed a bank.
abeyance
abeyance
  1. n.frml. [U] to hold in abeyance: delay,
    THESAURUS
    suspension: A decision is being held in abeyance until more information is available.
abhor
abhor
  1. v.frml. [T] -horred, -horring, -hors to hate,
    THESAURUS
    to detest: She abhors bad table manners. -n. [U] abhorrence.
abhorrent
abhorrent
  1. adj. hateful,
    THESAURUS
    detestable: His cruelty to animals is abhorrent.
abide
abide
  1. v. [T] abided, abiding, abides
    1 to suffer, stay in,
    THESAURUS
    to endure: I can't abide the hot weather.
    2 to abide by: to comply with, to agree to s.t.: I will abide by the judge's decision. -n. [U] abidance.
abiding
abiding
  1. adj. enduring, lasting: I have an abiding desire to become a teacher.
ability
ability
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] skill: She has great ability at playing the piano.
    2 [C] power to do s.t.: He has many abilities, but he doesn't always use them.
    THESAURUS
    ability
    1 competence | talent, gift. Ant. unskilled
    2 capacity. Ant. inability.
abject
abject
  1. adj.
    1 in the worst condition, miserable,
    THESAURUS
    wretched: In a slum, people live in abject poverty.
    2 not worthy of respect: He is an abject liar.
ablaze
ablaze
  1. adj.frml.
    1 on fire, burning: The building is ablaze.
    2 fig. highly motivated, filled with strong emotion: My heart is ablaze with love for you.
able
able
  1. adj.
    1 skilled, competent: She is a very able teacher.
    2 having the power to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    capable: After the surgery, he was able to walk again.
    3 free to do s.t., ready: I am able to leave now; let's go.n.pl. people who can move around and care for themselves: My grandparents are still among the able at the home for old people. See: ready.
ably
ably
  1. adv. in a skilled manner,
    THESAURUS
    competently: He fixed my car very ably.
abnormal
abnormal
  1. adj. not normal, unusual: The high temperatures are abnormal for this time of year. -adv. abnormally.
abnormality
abnormality
  1. n. -ties an unusual mental or physical condition: It is an abnormality to have six toes on one foot.
aboard
aboard
  1. prep. on a ship, train, airplane, or other vehicle: The train conductor says "All aboard" before the train leaves the station.
abode
abode
  1. n.frml. a place where one lives,
    THESAURUS
    a residence: The phone book lists his abode as 370 West 58th Street.
abolish
abolish
  1. v. [T] to end s.t.: The government abolished the tax on food.
    THESAURUS
    abolish to cancel, eliminate | to prohibit, ban. Ants. to establish | restore.
abolition
abolition
  1. n. [U] the stopping of s.t. by law,
    THESAURUS
    prohibition: The abolition of slavery in the USA occurred in the 19th century. -n. [U] (act) abolitionism; (person) abolitionist.
abominable
abominable
  1. adj.frml. hateful, disgusting: Her cruel treatment of others is abominable. -adv. abominably.
abomination
abomination
  1. n.frml. s.t. that causes disgust or hatred: The murder of those children was an abomination.
aborigine
aborigine
  1. n. a person whose ancestors were the original people living in a place, a native: The aborigines of Australia have lived there for thousands of years. -adj. aboriginal.
abort
abort
  1. v. [T]
    1 to end a pregnancy before the normal time of birth: The doctor aborted the baby to save the mother's life.
    2 fig. to stop an action before its end: The general aborted the attack and ordered his soldiers back to their camp. -n.[C;U] abortion.
abortive
abortive
  1. adj. failed, unsuccessful: The politician made an abortive attempt at running for mayor.
abound
abound
  1. v. [I] to exist in great numbers, (syns.) to teem, be abundant: Deer and rabbits abound in this forest.
about-face
about-face
  1. n.frml.
    1 (in the military) an order to soldiers to change direction to the reverse: On command, the soldiers did an about-face.
    2 fig. a complete change (of attitude, opinion, etc.): He did an about-face and became pleasant when his angry behavior hurt his business.
about
about
  1. prep.
    1 related to,
    THESAURUS
    concerning: The meeting was about a new product.
    2 occupied with, doing: He goes about his business every day.adv.
    1 around,
    THESAURUS
    approximately: About 20 people attended the meeting.
    2 almost: Are you about done with that project?
    3 ready to: I'm just about to go out the door.
    4 How about: asking s.o. if he would like s.t.: How about a movie (dinner, drink, etc.) tonight?
    5 not about to: showing strong disagreement: I am not about to drive in a bad snowstorm.
    6 to come about: to change direction to the reverse: The ship came about and headed for home.
above
above
  1. prep.
    1 higher than: The sky above 10,000 feet is clear for flying.||She raised her hands above her head.
    2 more or greater than: We have only a few products priced above $100.
    3 above all: most important: Above all, we must do more business this year.
    4 above and beyond: in addition to, most importantly: Above and beyond everything else that's wrong with her, she has an angry attitude.
    5 above s.o.'s head: too difficult for s.o. to understand: Fixing computers is above my head!
    6 to be above it all: to be too important to deal with daily problems: The President doesn't have to cook his meals or clean the White House; he's above it all.
    7 to be above s.t.: to be too honest or moral to do s.t. wrong: He would never tell your secrets; he is above that.adv.
    1 overhead, aloft: The clouds above are dark.
    2 upstairs: A family lives on the floor above.n.frml. [U] an earlier part of a document: The above states that the contract lasts for one year.
    THESAURUS
    above prep.
    1 and
    2 over. Ants. below, under. —adv. 1 and 2 over, higher than (s.o./s.t.). Ant. below.
aboveboard
aboveboard
  1. adj. honest: He is an honest businessperson; he is aboveboard with everyone.
abrasion
abrasion
  1. n.
    1 [U] wear caused by rubbing: Constant abrasion from shoes wore down the wooden floor.
    2 [C] a small wound where skin has been rubbed off,
    THESAURUS
    a scrape: Her knees were covered with abrasions after she fell on the sidewalk.
abrasive
abrasive
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that is rough to the touch and can cause wear and tear: Concrete is an abrasive.
    2 a substance that causes a small amount of abrasion in order to clean (smooth, polish, grind, etc.): Use an abrasive, such as a strong soap with sand in it, to clean the kitchen sink.adj.fig. rough, making people feel bad,
    THESAURUS
    irritating: His abrasive manner makes people want to stay away from him. -adv. abrasively.
abreast
abreast
  1. adv.
    1 aware of what is happening in the world or in an area of work or study, (syns.) current, up-to-date: She keeps abreast of what is happening by reading newspapers.
    2 side-by-side, together: Students walk into school two abreast.
abridge
abridge
  1. v. [T] abridged, abridging, abridges to shorten, remove parts, esp. from a written work: Reader's Digest abridges long books so that people can read them quickly. -n. [C] abridgment.
abridged
abridged
  1. adj. shortened: I read an abridged version of the report.
abroad
abroad
  1. adv.
    1 out of the country: Our company ships goods abroad.
    2 far and wide: The wind carried the seeds abroad.
    THESAURUS
    abroad adv.
    1 overseas, to a foreign country. Ants. at home | domestically.
abrupt
abrupt
  1. adj.
    1 quick and unfriendly, rude: He talks to everyone in an abrupt manner.
    2 sudden, happening by surprise: The bus came to an abrupt halt. -adv. abruptly; -n. abruptness.
abscess
abscess
  1. n. -es an infected sore or wound filled with a white liquid: He has an abscess in his mouth.v. [I] to form an abscess
abscond
abscond
  1. v.frml. [I] to leave quickly to avoid being caught: The thief absconded with the jewels.
absence
absence
  1. n.
    1 [C] a situation of not being present: His absence from work was because of his illness.
    2 [U] a lack of s.t.: An absence of sleep left her tired.
    3 a leave of absence: an approved time of being absent: She took a three-month leave of absence from her job to have a baby.
absent
absent
  1. adj. not present: The student is absent from class. -n. absentee.
absenteeism
absenteeism
  1. n. [U]
    1 a condition of people being absent: The rate of absenteeism at that school is very high.
    2 being absent from work or school without a good reason: That worker was fired because of her high rate of absenteeism; she missed ten days of work in one month.
absentminded
absentminded
  1. adj. not remembering things, forgetful: He's so absentminded that he often forgets where he put his car keys. -adv. absentmindedly.
absolute
absolute
  1. n. s.t. that does not change, such as a rule (law, requirement): You must be at work from 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M.; that is an absolute.adj.
    1 complete, without question, total: The king has absolute authority over the kingdom.
    2 certain, definite: She told you the absolute truth. -adv. absolutely ; -n. [U] absolutism.
absolute monarchy
absolute monarchy
  1. n. the form of government in which a hereditary ruler (usually a king or queen) governed a country without any limits or restrictions: An absolute monarchy was based on the idea that the king or queen was chosen by God to rule.
absolution
absolution
  1. n. [U] the formal removal of guilt (sin, crime, etc.), forgiveness: In some religions, a priest can give absolution to s.o. who has done s.t. wrong.
absolve
absolve
  1. v. [T] -solved, -solving, -solves
    1 to free of responsibility or guilt: A judge absolved a woman of punishment for killing a man because she was protecting herself.
    2 (in religion) to forgive,
    THESAURUS
    to pardon: After praying for forgiveness, he was absolved of sin.
absorb
absorb
  1. v. [T]
    1 to soak up, take in: The sponge absorbed water from the sink.
    2 to accept a loss (expense, punishment): Sending the wrong refrigerator is our mistake, so we'll absorb the cost of sending the right one.
    3 fig. to learn and remember: She absorbs new ideas very quickly.
    4 to concentrate completely,
    THESAURUS
    to immerse oneself: He is absorbed in his work.
absorbent
absorbent
  1. adj. able to absorb liquids: That paper towel is very absorbent.
abstain
abstain
  1. v. [I]
    1 not to allow oneself to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to refrain from: He abstains from drinking alcohol (eating meat, smoking, etc.).
    2 (in politics) not to vote: Two senators abstained on the vote on the new law to raise taxes.
abstention
abstention
  1. n. not voting: The vote was 10 in favor of the plan, one against it, and two abstentions.
abstinence
abstinence
  1. n. [U]
    1 refusal to use s.t., such as alcohol or cigarettes: He must have total abstinence from drinking because of his heart problem.
    2 refusal to have sex: The Catholic Church demands abstinence of its priests. -adj. abstinent.
abstraction
abstraction
  1. n. a vague, general idea not related to concrete things: "Love" and "faith" are abstractions.
abstruse
abstruse
  1. adj.frml. difficult to understand, unclear: That writer's ideas are abstruse. -adv. abstrusely.
absurd
absurd
  1. adj. foolish, stupid: He made some absurd comments about taxes being too low.
    THESAURUS
    absurd adj. unreasonable, ridiculous. Ants. reasonable | wise.
abundance
abundance
  1. n. [U]
    1 many of s.t., plenty: Flowers grow in abundance in our garden.
    2 wealth,
    THESAURUS
    affluence: North America is a land of abundance.
abundant
abundant
  1. adj. plentiful,
    THESAURUS
    profuse: Food is in abundant supply in this country. -adv. abundantly.
abuse
abuse
  1. v. [T] abused, abusing, abuses
    1 to hurt badly, either physically or emotionally: The man abused his wife by yelling at her often.
    2 to give hard use to s.t.: He abused his car by not changing the oil, and now it needs major repairs.
    3 to take unfair advantage of: He abuses his job by coming to work late and leaving early.n.
    1 [U] cruel treatment,
    THESAURUS
    neglect: The boy was beaten and starved; he was a victim of abuse.
    2 [C;U] misuse, such as cheating or stealing: There were several abuses of the honor system at the military academy last year.
    3 [U] vulgar language or criticism: He made a mistake, and the boss shouted abuse at him.
    THESAURUS
    abuse v.
    1 to mistreat, hurt, assault
    3 to exploit, misuse (privileges). Ants. to care for/about | respect.
abusive
abusive
  1. adj.
    1 using vulgar language or criticism: Two cars collided and the drivers shouted abusive language at each other.
    2 unfair,
    THESAURUS
    exploitative: He's abusive of his parents by borrowing money from them and not repaying it. -adv. abusively.
abut
abut
  1. v.frml. [T] to touch on one side, border on: In New York City, buildings abut each other and there's no open space between them. -n. abutment.
abuzz
abuzz
  1. adj. full of talk (noise, buzzing sound, etc.): The office is abuzz with the latest news.
abysmal
abysmal
  1. adj.frml.
    1 too deep to be measured
    2 fig. terrible, awful: That movie was an abysmal failure. -adv. abysmally.
abyss
abyss
  1. n. -es
    1 frml. a dark bottomless crack,
    THESAURUS
    a chasm: The earthquake opened up a huge abyss.
    2 fig. too deep to be measured: That event happened so long ago that it has been buried in the abyss of time.
academia
academia
  1. n. frml. [U] the world of students and teachers, esp. colleges and universities: She entered the world of academia as an assistant professor. -n. academe.
academic
academic
  1. adj. related to studying and learning: His academic work is excellent.n. a professor: He is an academic at the university. -adv. academically; -n. [C] academician.
academy
academy
  1. n.
    1 a private school or college: My daughter attends the police (military, naval, etc.) academy.
    2 higher education
accede
accede
  1. v.frml. [I] -ceded, -ceding, -cedes to agree,
    THESAURUS
    to acquiesce: Her father finally acceded to her demands to move into an apartment of her own.
accelerate
accelerate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to speed up, move faster: The automobile accelerated to a speed of 100 miles (160 km) per hour. -n. [U] acceleration.
accelerator
accelerator
  1. n. a device, usu. a floor pedal in a vehicle, that increases the speed of an engine: I stepped on the accelerator to increase my car's speed and pass another car.
accent
accent
  1. n.
    1 a particular sound in speech typical of a country or region: He speaks English with a Spanish accent.
    2 a mark on a word to show how it is pronounced: The accent is on the "i" in "sí" for "yes" in Spanish.
    3 a mark on part of a word to show where stress is put as it is spoken: In the word "accent" there is a heavier accent on the first part of the word.v. [T]
    1 to show the importance of,
    THESAURUS
    to emphasize: The teacher accented her desire for quiet in the classroom by raising her voice.
    2 to decorate,
    THESAURUS
    to complement: Her hat was accented with flowers.
accentuate
accentuate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to show the importance of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to emphasize: The Mayor's speech accentuated the need to get rid of poverty and disease.
accept
accept
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take willingly: He accepted my apology for being late.
    2 to say "yes," that you will do s.t.: Are you going to accept his invitation to the party?
    3 to allow to join: They accepted the new girl as a member of their group of friends.
    4 to become used to s.t. that one cannot change: He finally accepted his wife's death (defeat in the election, etc.).
    5 to accept with open arms: to welcome,
    THESAURUS
    to embrace: Her boyfriend's parents accepted her with open arms when they met her.
    THESAURUS
    accept v.
    1 to receive, obtain
    2 to agree to s.t.
    3 to support, approve of
    4 to :understand, be convinced (of). Ant. to reject.
acceptable
acceptable
  1. adj.
    1 satisfactory: We received an acceptable price for our house.
    2 all right to do: Wearing a shirt without a tie is acceptable dress for dinner here. -adv. acceptably.
    THESAURUS
    acceptable
    1 sufficient, decent, tolerable
    2 permissible, civilized, decent. Ants. unacceptable | uncivilized.
acceptance
acceptance
  1. n.
    1 favor, approval: His work received acceptance by his peers.
    2 the act of accepting: She received an acceptance for admission to college.
accepted
accepted
  1. adj. agreed upon,
    THESAURUS
    standard: Calling the doctor's office is the accepted way of making an appointment.
access
access
  1. v. [T] to get into s.t., enter: He accessed the computer program by typing in the correct password.n. [U]
    1 entrance, permission to use: I got access to the library by showing my identity card.
    2 a way or means of reaching or entering a place: The only access to the island is by boat or plane.adj. related to entering: This is your access code for the computer.||Please use the access road behind the building.
accessible
accessible
  1. adj.
    1 able to be entered or reached: The opera house is accessible by bus, subway, or car.
    2 easy to get to,
    THESAURUS
    approachable: He is an important man, but always accessible to his workers. -n. [U] accessibility.
accessory
accessory
  1. n. -ries
    1 s.t. that adds to or enhances an item: Accessories to cars, like a stereo or telephone, make them more useful and enjoyable.
    2 small items of clothing, such as jewelry, shoes, belts, purses, and ties: She bought a new suit, then shopped for accessories, including shoes and a purse to go with it.
    3 a person who helps a criminal or takes part in a crime: The police charged him with being an accessory to a robbery.
accident-prone
accident-prone
  1. adj. likely to have accidents: She is always hurting herself by falling; she's accident-prone.
accident
accident
  1. n. s.t. harmful or unpleasant that happens by surprise: He had an accident on the way to work; he fell and broke an ankle.
    THESAURUS
    accident a mishap | crash, wreck. Ants. good luck | close call.
accidental
accidental
  1. adj. by chance,
    THESAURUS
    unforeseen: I didn't know she was on my plane; our meeting was accidental. -adv. accidentally.
acclaim
acclaim
  1. n.frml. [U] public congratulations, praise: The athlete received great acclaim for winning a medal in the Olympics.v.frml. [I] to give congratulations, praise: She was acclaimed as the greatest writer of her generation. -n. [U] acclamation.
acclimate
acclimate
  1. v. [I;T] -mated, -mating, -mates to become used to a climate or place,
    THESAURUS
    to adapt: We acclimated ourselves to the hot weather in Florida. -n. acclimation ; -v. [I;T] acclimatize.
accolade
accolade
  1. n.frml. praise: The student was given accolades for her high grades.
accommodate
accommodate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates
    1 to have enough space: That hotel room accommodates four people.
    2 to make an extra effort to do what s.o. asks: The company accommodated the customer's wish and sent the delivery overnight.
accommodating
accommodating
  1. adj. helpful, cooperative: The hotel staff is very accommodating with its guests. -adv. accommodatingly.
accommodation
accommodation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 pl. rooms and other parts (restaurants, swimming pool, etc.), esp. in a hotel; lodgings: The accommodations at that hotel are first-class.
    2 arrangements made for s.o.: We had to make special accommodations for food because our friend is a vegetarian.
accompaniment
accompaniment
  1. n. [U]
    1 s.t. that goes along with s.t. else
    2 music played to go with a soloist (another musician, singer, dancer, etc.): The singer's accompaniment was piano music.
accompanist
accompanist
  1. n. a musician who plays for others, such as a soloist: The singer's accompanist was a piano player.
accompany
accompany
  1. v.frml. [T] -nied, -nying, -nied
    1 to go with s.o. else,
    THESAURUS
    to escort: I accompanied my friends to the party.
    2 to play music in support of a singer or musician
accomplice
accomplice
  1. n. a partner in crime: The police caught the thief and his accomplice, who was driving the car.
accomplish
accomplish
  1. v. [T]
    1 to finish: We accomplished the job in an hour.
    2 to achieve, do important things: She has accomplished much in her short career.
    THESAURUS
    accomplish
    1 to complete, get s.t. done, pull s.t. off
    2 to do, attain. Ant. to fail.
accomplished
accomplished
  1. adj.
    1 finished, done: The task was accomplished in an hour.
    2 skilled, experienced, and honored: She is an accomplished musician who has won many prizes.
accomplishment
accomplishment
  1. n. a difficult task done well, success,
    THESAURUS
    an achievement: Climbing that high mountain was an accomplishment for the hikers.
accord
accord
  1. n.frml. [C] agreement: Two countries reached an accord and avoided war.||The politicians acted in accord with the President.v.frml. [T] to give, grant,
    THESAURUS
    to bestow: Our host accorded us a warm welcome.
accordance
accordance
  1. n.frml. [U] agreement,
    THESAURUS
    harmony: The teams played the game in accordance with the rules.
according to
according to
  1. prep.
    1 in accordance with, in agreement with: According to the law, you must pay a small fine.
    2 as stated by, by the authority of: According to John, Sue was home at 8:00 P.M.||According to the teacher, all homework must be handed in on time.

    USAGE NOTE: According to is not used with me.
accordingly
accordingly
  1. adv. in agreement with what is already known or expected, therefore,
    THESAURUS
    consequently: Accordingly, now that you have completed your classes, the school will give you a diploma.
accordion
accordion
  1. n. a musical instrument played with the hands by forcing air out through holes that are opened and closed with the fingers: My father plays country music on the accordion.
accost
accost
  1. v.frml. [T] to come up to a stranger and speak in an unfriendly way: A man accosted a woman on the street, asking her for her name and phone number.
account
account
  1. n.
    1 money kept in a bank for present or future use: I have a checking and a savings account at Metropolitan Bank.
    2 a line of credit given by a business: I have an account at the big department store.
    3 a description, narrative: The police wrote an account of the accident.
    4 on account: to be extended a line of credit by a business, to make a partial payment: I paid some money on account, but still owe more at that clothing shop.
    5 on account of: because of: On account of bad weather, the picnic was cancelled.
    6 on no account: never, in no way: On no account will I let you go to that wild party.
    7 on one's own account: on one's own responsibility or
    THESAURUS
    behalf: I didn't go to visit my sick aunt out of kindness; I went on my own account.
    8 fig. to give a good account of oneself: to perform well: He played tennis against more experienced players, but he still gave a good account of himself.
    9 to hold s.o. to account or call s.o. to account: to hold s.o. responsible: He must pay the fine or the police will hold him (or) call him to account.
    10 to take into account: to consider with other matters in a decision: The judge took into account that the young man had never been in trouble before and let him go free.v. [T] to explain: He accounted for the missing items as lost but found them later. See: no account.
account balance
account balance
  1. n. the amount of money in a bank account (checking, savings, etc.) at any time: Our checking account balance is $486.42.
account executive
account executive
  1. n. a person who takes care of a customer's account, a sales representative: The account executive from our insurance company called this morning to ask about our policy.
accountability
accountability
  1. n. [U] responsibility: The accountability for the project's success is hers.
accountable
accountable
  1. adj.
    1 responsible: He is accountable for the missing money.
    2 to be held accountable: to be obligated to answer for s.t. or s.o.: He will be held accountable for any missing money.
accountant
accountant
  1. n. a person who keeps records and provides information about a company's or person's money: She is an accountant who works for our company.|| My accountant prepares my tax returns every year. -n. accounting.
accredit
accredit
  1. v. [T]
    1 to approve, for meeting a set standard: A committee of professors accredits colleges and universities in the USA.
    2 to give s.o. credit for having or doing s.t.: She is accredited with writing that poem.
accreditation
accreditation
  1. n. [C;U] approval,
    THESAURUS
    endorsement: Our school received accreditation from the state education department.
accredited
accredited
  1. adj. approved,
    THESAURUS
    endorsed by an authority: That school is accredited to receive government funds for its students' financial aid.
accrue
accrue
  1. v. [I;T] -crued, -cruing, -crues
    1 to grow slowly,
    THESAURUS
    to accumulate: Interest accrues to my savings account monthly.
    2 to include in a business's financial accounts an expected earning or expense that has not yet been paid. -n. accrual.
accumulate
accumulate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to add up, increase: Interest accumulates in my savings account month by month.
accumulation
accumulation
  1. n. [U] an increase, adding up: His accumulation of wealth amazes his friends.
accuracy
accuracy
  1. n. [U]
    1 s.t. that is correct and true, (syns.) exactness, precision: He is a professional, and the accuracy of what he says is not to be questioned.
    2 the ability to hit a target: Her accuracy with the gun surprised everyone.
accurate
accurate
  1. adj.
    1 exact, correct: The numbers in the report are accurate.
    2 able to hit a target, having good aim: She is extremely accurate with a bow and arrow, hitting the bull's-eye every time. -adv. accurately.
    THESAURUS
    accurate
    1 error free | true (story, description). Ants. inaccurate | untrue.
accusation
accusation
  1. n. a charge of crime or wrongdoing,
    THESAURUS
    an indictment: The judge read accusations of theft to the criminal.
accuse
accuse
  1. v. [T] -cused, -cusing, -cuses to charge s.o. with wrongdoing, to blame: The police accused him of theft. -adj. accusatory ; -adv. accusingly; -n. accuser.
    THESAURUS
    accuse to indict s.o. for s.t. frml. Ant. to support.
accused
accused
  1. n. a person charged with crime or wrongdoing: The accused sat in the courtroom with her lawyer.adj. charged, blamed: The accused murderer's trial is set for next week.
accustom
accustom
  1. v. [T] to become used to s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to adapt: I will accustom myself to studying hard at the university.
accustomed
accustomed
  1. adj. used to,
    THESAURUS
    adapted to: I am accustomed to the cold in Alaska.
ace
ace
  1. n.
    1 in the USA, a playing card marked with a letter "A" for "Ace": In card games, the ace is often the card with the highest value.
    2 an expert, esp. the pilot of a fighter plane: He was a flying ace during World War II.
    3 ace in the hole (or) up one's sleeve: a secret advantage: The exam was supposed to be very difficult, but she had an ace up her sleeve; she had seen a copy of the questions before the exam.v. [T] aced, acing, aces
    1 (in tennis) to make the first serve so that one's opponent cannot return the ball: My opponent aced me three times during the match.
    2 infrml.fig. to do s.t. very well,
    THESAURUS
    to excel: He aced his exam with a score of 98.
acerbic
acerbic
  1. adj.frml.
    1 harsh,
    THESAURUS
    biting: The critic wrote an acerbic review of the play.
    2 sour or bitter: Lemon has an acerbic taste. -adv. acerbically.
ache
ache
  1. n. a dull, lasting pain: I have an ache in my leg from walking too much.||a toothache, headache, etc.v. [I] ached, aching, aches
    1 to feel a dull pain, hurt: My back aches every morning.
    2 fig. to desire: I am aching to go on vacation.
achieve
achieve
  1. v. [T] achieved, achieving, achieves to reach, gain (success, happiness, one's goals, etc.): The movie star achieved success and wealth.||He has achieved his goals in life by having a good job and raising a family.
    THESAURUS
    achieve to acquire, attain, accomplish. Ant. to fail.
achievement
achievement
  1. n. success,
    THESAURUS
    accomplishment: He had many achievements in his career.
achiever
achiever
  1. n. [C] a person who accomplishes things, a doer: She was a high achiever in college, always getting the best grades in her class.
achy
achy
  1. adj. having a dull pain: My body feels achy all over today, so I think I'll stay in bed.
acid
acid
  1. n.
    1 [C] (in chemistry) a substance or liquid that has a sour taste, makes blue litmus paper turn red, or can react with a base to make salt: Acids are widely used in industry.
    2 infrml. [U] slang for the dangerous illegal drug LSD: When he took acid, he could see, hear, and feel things that weren't really there.adj.
    1 having a sour, acid taste: Vinegar has a strong acid taste.
    2 harsh,
    THESAURUS
    biting: She made some acid comments about the poor quality of his writing. -adj. acidic ; -n. [U] acidity.
acid test
acid test
  1. n.frml.
    1 fig.a test of the real worth or value of s.t.: The agreement to buy the house is signed, but the acid test is whether the buyer can make the first big payment on it.
    2 a test for the quality of gold
acknowledge
acknowledge
  1. v. [T] -ledged, -ledging, -ledges
    1 to respond: I acknowledged his offer by sending him a letter saying I had received it.
    2 to admit: He acknowledges the fact that he is wrong.
acknowledged
acknowledged
  1. adj. recognized: She is the acknowledged leader in her field of chemistry.
acknowledgment
acknowledgment
  1. n. answer, response: I received an acknowledgment of my order in the mail.
acme
acme
  1. n. the highest point of achievement, success, etc.: She reached the acme of perfection as an artist.
acne
acne
  1. n. [U] a skin condition of red spots (pimples), esp. on the face, common among teenagers: The doctor cured the boy's acne with a special cream.
acorn
acorn
  1. n. the nut of the oak tree: "Mighty oaks from little acorns grow."
acoustic
acoustic
  1. or acoustical adj. relating to a musical instrument whose sound is not electronically changed: She plays an acoustic guitar. -adv. acoustically.
acoustics
acoustics
  1. n.pl.
    1 used with a sing. verb the scientific study of sound: Acoustics is an interesting field for engineers.
    2 the effect of sound: The acoustics in the lecture hall are poor.
acquaint
acquaint
  1. v. [T]
    1 to learn about (usu. a place),
    THESAURUS
    to familiarize: I acquainted myself with my new neighborhood.
    2 to know s.o., but not well: We met several times and are acquainted.
acquaintance
acquaintance
  1. n. a person whom one knows, but not well: We are acquaintances and talk now and then.
acquainted
acquainted
  1. adj.
    1 familiar with (a person): We are acquainted with each other, but are not friends.
    2 familiar with, informed about (a subject): I am acquainted with the neighborhood (mathematics, the matter, etc.).
acquiesce
acquiesce
  1. v.frml. [I] -esced, -escing, -esces to agree to s.t. but usu. not willingly,
    THESAURUS
    to yield: He acquiesced to her demands for money. -n. [U] acquiescence.
acquire
acquire
  1. v. [T] -quired, -quiring, -quires
    1 to buy: She acquired property in the town.
    2 to build up: Over time, he acquired much wealth.
    3 to gain: She acquired a knowledge of Spanish while living in Latin America.
    THESAURUS
    acquire
    1 to purchase
    2 to accumulate
    3 to get, obtain frml. Ants. to do without, forgo.
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)
  1. n. a disease of the immune system caused by the HIV virus: The acquired immune deficiency syndrome is called AIDS in English and SIDA in Spanish and French.
acquisition
acquisition
  1. n.
    1 [C] the purchase, the process of getting ownership of s.t.: My parents' latest acquisitions are a dishwasher and a new car.
    2 (in business) a business or part of a business taken over or bought by another company: The software company's acquisition of Acme Company will help it compete in the hardware market.
    3 [U] building up of skill, knowledge, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    attainment: The acquisition of the knowledge of medicine takes years of study.
acquisitive
acquisitive
  1. adj.
    1 wanting to own things: She has an acquisitive nature and collects everything of value.
    2 greedy,
    THESAURUS
    avaricious: Some politicians are acquisitive of power. -n. [U] acquisitiveness.
acquit
acquit
  1. v. [T] -quitted, -quitting, -quits
    1 (in law) to clear s.o. of a crime,
    THESAURUS
    to exonerate: The jury acquitted a man accused of theft.
    2 frml. to perform or behave esp. well: She lost the game to a better tennis player but acquitted herself very well.
acquittal
acquittal
  1. n. (in law) the clearing of charges or accusations against s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    exoneration: His acquittal of all charges was a big victory for him.
acre
acre
  1. n. a square piece of land measuring 69.57 yards (63.57 m.) on each side: The farmer owns 150 acres of land.
acrid
acrid
  1. adj. irritating to the senses, harsh: Acrid smoke from the fire burned my throat and eyes.
acrimonious
acrimonious
  1. adj. angry,
    THESAURUS
    bitter feelings: The issue of raising taxes causes acrimonious arguments. -adv. acrimoniously; -n. [U] acrimony.
acrobat
acrobat
  1. n. a person who performs gymnastic movements, usu. in the air: Three acrobats swung high above the circus floor. -adj. acrobatic.
acrobatics
acrobatics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. jumping, running, flying through the air, walking on wires, etc., in dangerous ways: A family of acrobats performs acrobatics in the circus.
acronym
acronym
  1. n. a word formed from the first letters or parts of other words: "SCUBA" is an acronym for "self-contained underwater breathing apparatus."
across-the-board
across-the-board
  1. adj. complete, including a whole group of things or people: The company gave an across-the-board salary increase of 5 percent.
across
across
  1. prep. in a motion on or over s.t.: We walked across the bridge.adv. from one side to the other: We swam across the lake to get to the island.v.
    1 infrml. [I] to come across as: to make people think about one in a certain way,
    THESAURUS
    to create an impression: He comes across as an honest guy.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come across: to encounter or find by chance: I came across a pen that I had lost last week.
acrylic
acrylic
  1. n.adj. [U] a type of plastic: Acrylic windows break less often than glass windows.
act
act
  1. v.
    1 [I] to take action, proceed: The boss acted right away on my suggestion.
    2 [I] to show, esp. an emotion: He acts as though he is pleased.
    3 [I;T] to perform a role: He acted in a Shakespeare play.
    4 [T] to work, to function: That medicine acts fast to relieve pain.
    THESAURUS
    act v.
    1 to do s.t. Ant. to ignore.
    2 to behave
    3 to have a part in, play in
    4 to operate. —n.
    1 an event, happening: Attacking another nation is an act of war.
    2 a part of a play: We especially enjoyed the third act of the play.
    3 (in acting) a routine: He is a comedian with a funny act.
    4 infrml. to get one's act together: to organize oneself and do s.t. useful: Tomorrow there will be an important meeting, so I'd better get my act together and prepare for it.
    5 to put on an act: to make believe, pretend,
    THESAURUS
    to feign: He put on an act of being sick so he could leave work early.
    6 phrasal v. sep. to act out s.t.: to perform, cary out: We acted out a story in English class.||We acted it out.
    7 phrasal v. to act up: a. to behave badly, inappropriately: The children acted up in class and broke a chair. b. to function badly: If your car is acting up again, take it back to the mechanic.
acting
acting
  1. n. [U] performing in plays or movies: She chose acting as a career.
action
action
  1. n.
    1 [U] happenings, movement: We watched the action of the football game on TV.
    2 [C] the effect or force of s.t. on s.t. else: The action of the waves hitting the beach made the sand wash away.
    3 to take action: to bring s.o. to court,
    THESAURUS
    to sue: The company took action against an employee who stole a computer.
activate
activate
  1. v. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates to put in motion, start: She activated the machine by pressing a button. -n. [U] activation.
active
active
  1. adj.
    1 busy,
    THESAURUS
    involved in: She is active in politics.
    2 up and about, moving: He was sick but is active again. -adv. actively.
activist
activist
  1. n. a person who works at changing s.t., esp. in politics: She is a political activist who works on lowering taxes. -n. [U] activism.
activity
activity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] the state of being busy,
    THESAURUS
    movement: There isn't much activity on the roads after midnight.
    2 [C] a planned event: The activities at the school include sports and dances.
    3 [U] rapid movement: People were running everywhere; there was a lot of activity.
actor
actor
  1. n. a person who acts in plays or movies: My friend is an actor in the movies.
actress
actress
  1. n. -es a female actor
actual
actual
  1. adj. real, exact: Our actual expenses for food and clothes for last year were much lower than we thought.
actuality
actuality
  1. n. [U] fact,
    THESAURUS
    reality: In actuality, our costs are higher than we thought.
actualize
actualize
  1. v. [T] to put into action,
    THESAURUS
    to realize: The government actualized its plan to stop crime. -n. [U] actualization.
actually
actually
  1. adv.
    1 in truth or in fact,
    THESAURUS
    really: Actually, that student needs to study more to pass the exams.||The Liberal Party actually has the power in that country.
    2 as surprising as it may seem, contrary to appearances: He seems so quiet, but actually he likes to talk.
acumen
acumen
  1. n.frml. [U] the ability to see opportunities and dangers,
    THESAURUS
    insight: She handles her business with much acumen.
acupuncture
acupuncture
  1. n. [U] a part of Chinese medicine that treats diseases and pain by putting needles into the body: I thought acupuncture would hurt, but I couldn't even feel the needles.
acute
acute
  1. adj. great,
    THESAURUS
    severe: An acute lack of food brought hunger to the people. -adv. acutely.
ad-lib
ad-lib
  1. v.n.adj.infrml. [I;T] to speak, sing, or act without a script, saying whatever words come into one's mind: When the actor forgot her lines, she ad-libbed her part.
ad
ad
  1. n.infrml. short for advertisement
ad hoc
ad hoc
  1. adj. (Latin for) put together for a purpose, temporary: The teacher created an ad hoc committee of five students to discuss the textbook.
adage
adage
  1. n. a saying that contains truths or helpful information: There is an adage that says: "When threatened, it is better to run away and live to fight another day."
adamant
adamant
  1. adj. not willing to change one's opinion, stubborn,
    THESAURUS
    unbending: She is adamant about not seeing her old boyfriend anymore. -adv. adamantly.
adapt
adapt
  1. v. [I] to change, to function in a new way, to adjust: She adapted herself (or) adapted quickly to her new job. -n.[C;U] adaptation.
adaptable
adaptable
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being changed and used for s.t. else: The movie producers think that book is adaptable because it's full of adventures; it should make a good movie.
    2 capable of handling changes, flexible: The child is very adaptable; she will be happy in her new house and school.
adapter
adapter
  1. n.
    1 s.o. or s.t. that adapts
    2 a device that allows s.t. to be used in a new way: My computer uses an adapter to change the type of electrical current that it runs on.
add
add
  1. v. [T]
    1 to combine two or more numbers into a total: The cashier added up the bill.
    2 to increase the size or amount of s.t.: We added a room to our house.
    3 to add insult to injury: to be insulted as well as harmed: A guy hit my car while it was parked, and to add insult to injury, he yelled at me.
    4 phrasal v. insep. to add up: to make sense, seem true: What he says does not add up.
addendum
addendum
  1. n. -da (Latin for) a piece of writing that is added to a larger one, such as at the end of a contract or book: The lawyer wrote an addendum to the contract that says how much money she will be paid.
addict
addict
  1. n.
    1 a person physically or emotionally dependent on a substance, such as a drug: He is a heroin addict.
    2 infrml.fig. a fan,
    THESAURUS
    a devotee: He is a golf addict; he plays every day.v. [T] (of a substance) to make s.o. dependent: Heroin addicts many people. -n. [C;U] addiction ; -adj. addictive . See: drug, narcotic.
addition
addition
  1. n.
    1 [U] the arithmetic process of adding things or numbers: The addition of 2 + 2 = 4.
    2 [C] s.t. more, an extension: We built a one-room addition to our house. -adj. additional ; -adv. additionally.
    THESAURUS
    addition
    1 a counting up of s.t., a totaling of s.t. Ant. subtraction.
    2 s.t. extra | (building) a wing. Ant. exclusion.
additive
additive
  1. n. s.t. added, esp. to food or medicine: Food companies put vitamin additives in breakfast cereals.
address
address
  1. n. -es
    1 the specific location (street number, city, state, etc.) of a person, business, or institution: My business address is 2 Wall St., New York, NY 10002.
    2 a speech: She gave an address to the United Nations.v. [T]
    1 to write an address: Our secretary addressed the envelopes before mailing them.
    2 to speak to: He addressed a large group of doctors.
    THESAURUS
    address v.
    2 to make a speech to s.o. | discuss, deal with (issues). Ant. to ignore.
addressee
addressee
  1. n. a person, business, etc. to whom s.t. is addressed: The addressee of that letter no longer lives here.
adept
adept
  1. adj. skillful, clever: She is adept at playing the guitar (swimming, solving problems, etc.). -adv. adeptly; -n. [U] adeptness.
adequate
adequate
  1. adj.
    1 enough,
    THESAURUS
    sufficient: He makes an adequate salary, enough to pay his bills.
    2 not bad, but not very good,
    THESAURUS
    minimal: Her work is only adequate; I'm not impressed. -n. [U] adequacy ; -adv. adequately.
adhere
adhere
  1. v. [I] -hered, -hering, -heres
    1 to hold, stick to a surface: That glue does not adhere to the wall.
    2 to obey, pay attention to: Car drivers must adhere to the rules of driving or be punished. -n. adhesion.
adherence
adherence
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 ability to hold, such as glue,
    THESAURUS
    adhesion: The glue does not have enough adherence to stick to the surface of the wall.
    2 attention to laws, rules, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    obedience: He pays strict adherence to the rules in his work.
adherent
adherent
  1. n.frml. a believer, member: She is an adherent of Christianity (Judaism, Islam, etc.).
adhesive
adhesive
  1. adj. able to stick or join s.t. to s.t. else: I used adhesive tape to stick a note on the door.n. a substance that sticks: Glue is an adhesive.
adjacent
adjacent
  1. adj. next to,
    THESAURUS
    neighboring: We live in the house adjacent to the church.
adjective
adjective
  1. n. a word that describes a noun: In the sentence "The boy made a large sandwich," the word "large" is an adjective. -adj. adjectival.
adjoin
adjoin
  1. v.frml. [T] to be next to,
    THESAURUS
    to abut: The bathroom adjoins the bedroom.
adjourn
adjourn
  1. v. [T] to stop a meeting for a while,
    THESAURUS
    to recess: The judge adjourned the trial so people could go to lunch. -n. [C;U] adjournment.
adjunct
adjunct
  1. n. an addition or attachment that is often not essential: That small building is an adjunct to the main library.adj. attached to, connected: She is an adjunct professor at the law school; she's a lawyer and teaches one class a year.
adjust
adjust
  1. v.
    1 [I] to feel comfortable: I adjusted to the increased work load when my coworker went on vacation.
    2 [T] to change: I adjusted the air conditioner to stay cool.
    3 [T] to fix, repair: The mechanic adjusted the engine to make it work better. -adj. adjustable.
    THESAURUS
    adjust
    1 to adapt, become accustomed to | acclimate frml.
    2 to regulate (temperature) | modify (one's writing, one's behavior)
    3 to fine tune, tweak. Ant. to leave alone.
adjustment
adjustment
  1. n.
    1 [U] a change in feeling or behavior,
    THESAURUS
    an adaptation: I made the adjustment to life in the big city when I moved to Chicago.
    2 [C] a small change,
    THESAURUS
    a modification: The store made an adjustment to the price of meat by lowering it.
administer
administer
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give, (syns.) to dispense, mete out: The doctor administered medicine to the patient.
    2 to manage, supervise: She administered the committee meeting to make sure that everything worked smoothly. -v. [T] administrate.
administration
administration
  1. n.
    1 [C] in the USA, the executive branch of the federal government, esp. the President: The administration in Washington is usually criticized by the newspapers and TV.
    2 [U] control of the business, management: The administration of a company requires hard work.
administrative
administrative
  1. adj. managing, controlling the business of: The administrative work in the company is done by four men and women. -adv. administratively.
administrative assistant
administrative assistant
  1. n. a secretary who performs many clerical tasks: I work with an administrative assistant who answers the phone and organizes meetings for me.
administrator
administrator
  1. n. a person who supervises or manages: She is an administrator in the Department of Health.
admirable
admirable
  1. adj. worthy of approval or respect: The way she manages her company is admirable. -adv. admirably.
admiral
admiral
  1. n. the highest rank of naval officers: He is an admiral in the US Navy.
admiration
admiration
  1. n. [U] an attitude of approval or respect,
    THESAURUS
    awe: I have great admiration for the way he plays football.
admire
admire
  1. v. [T] -mired, -miring, -mires
    1 to respect, approve of: I admire how well she speaks English.
    2 to like, be pleased by s.t.: He admires her good looks.
    THESAURUS
    admire
    1 to think highly of s.o./s.t. Ants. to disrespect, hold a low opinion of.
    2 to be
    THESAURUS
    attracted to (a man/woman | nice things). Ant. to dislike.
admirer
admirer
  1. n. a person who thinks highly of another: He is an admirer of her fine writing.
admissible
admissible
  1. adj.
    1 (in law) according to rules, acceptable: The judge ruled that what the witness to the crime said is admissible in the court.
    2 allowable, following standards of good behavior: His jokes were admissible but not really proper.
admission
admission
  1. n.
    1 [U] entrance fee, the right to enter a place: Admission to the concert was $10 per person.
    2 [U] acceptance at a university or school: She was offered admission to the local university.
    3 [C] revealing s.t. secret, confession: He made an admission that he had stolen a candy bar. See: admittance.
admit
admit
  1. v. [I;T] -mitted, -mitting, -mits
    1 to confess, reveal s.t. held secret: He admitted that he had made a mistake.
    2 to allow to enter, pass through: We were admitted to the party by the hostess herself.
    3 to admit to s.t.: to accept responsibility: She admitted to stealing the money.
admittance
admittance
  1. n.frml. [U] entrance,
    THESAURUS
    admission: Admittance to the movie is only half price on Mondays. See: admission.
admittedly
admittedly
  1. adv. clearly, obviously: Admittedly, I made a mistake, and I'm sorry.
admonish
admonish
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to warn,
    THESAURUS
    to caution: The boy's mother admonished him to be careful crossing streets.
    2 to criticize,
    THESAURUS
    to scold: When he behaves badly, she admonishes him. -n.frml.[C;U] admonition.
adobe
adobe
  1. n. [U]
    1 a building material made of clay and straw hardened in the sunlight: We lived in New Mexico in a house made of adobe.
    2 a style of houses and other buildings common in the American Southwest.
adolescence
adolescence
  1. n. [U] the teenage years between puberty and adulthood: During her adolescence, she argued a lot with her parents.
adolescent
adolescent
  1. n.adj. a teenager, esp. ages 13-17: The person you are looking for is an adolescent (or) an adolescent boy of 15.
adopt
adopt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take legal responsibility for acting as parents to a child: We adopted two children whose parents were killed in an accident.
    2 (in law) to make into a law: The legislature adopted a law to stop the sale of guns.
    3 to copy: The boy adopts the same way of talking that his father has.
    THESAURUS
    adopt
    1 to become the legal parent of
    2 to enact | formally approve s.t. (legislation)
    3 to imitate. Ant. to reject.
adoption
adoption
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 (in law) taking legal responsibility for parenting: The process of adoption can be lengthy.
    2 to put s.o. up for adoption: to offer a child or an animal for others to adopt: The young mother put her child up for adoption.
adoptive
adoptive
  1. adj. (in law) related to adoption as parent or child: The girl's adoptive parents take good care of her.
adorable
adorable
  1. adj. lovable, cute,
    THESAURUS
    darling: That little girl is just adorable! -adv. adorably.
adoration
adoration
  1. n. [U]
    1 religious worship,
    THESAURUS
    veneration: Adoration of God is an act of religious faith.
    2 frml. love,
    THESAURUS
    infatuation: She was so beautiful that she was an object of adoration by many men.
adore
adore
  1. v. [T] adored, adoring, adores
    1 to worship as a god or God, to love deeply: He simply adores his wife.
    2 fig. to like very much: I just adore roses!
    THESAURUS
    adore
    1 to idolize, revere, like very much | (religion) to worship, venerate frml.
    2 to relish, delight in. Ant. to hate.
adorn
adorn
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to make beautiful, to decorate: She adorned the dinner table with flowers.
    2 fig. to enliven,
    THESAURUS
    to ornament: Many interesting people adorned the party. -n.[C;U] adornment.
adrenaline
adrenaline
  1. n. [U] a natural chemical produced by the body because of danger or anger that makes one ready to fight or run away: That was some argument; your adrenaline was really flowing!
adrift
adrift
  1. adj.
    1 frml. without power and floating helplessly: The motor on our boat died, leaving us adrift in a calm sea.
    2 fig. without purpose, confused: The young man seems adrift in life, unsure of what to do.
adroit
adroit
  1. adj.frml. skillful, clever: She is adroit at getting people to do what she wants. -adv. adroitly.
adulation
adulation
  1. n.frml. [U] extreme praise, worship: The actor enjoyed the adulation of his audience. -v. [T] adulate.
adult
adult
  1. n. a person or animal who has finished growing physically and mentally: At 21 years of age, he is now an adult.adj.
    1 able to make one's own decisions, mature: Her adult behavior made her parents feel she was ready to rent her own apartment.
    2 showing or using sex, violence, or dirty language: That nightclub features adult entertainment, such as nude dancing. -n. [U] adulthood .
    THESAURUS
    adult n. a grown-up | man | woman. Ant. child. —adj.
    1 self-directing, self-sufficient
    2 pornographic | obscene. Ant. childlike.
adulterate
adulterate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to mix with harmful or unwanted substances: The orange juice was adulterated with insect poison. -n. [U] adulteration.
adultery
adultery
  1. n. [U] sex between a married person and s.o. other than his or her spouse: He committed adultery and his wife left him. -n. adulterer; (female) adulteress ; -adj. adulterous.
advance
advance
  1. n.
    1 an improvement,
    THESAURUS
    a breakthrough: New advances in medicine improve the quality of health care.
    2 a forward movement: Troops made an advance into enemy territory.
    3 an attempt at sexual contact, a pass: The young man made advances to the woman by asking if he could buy her a drink.
    4 a payment made to a writer before his or her book is published —v. -vanced, -vancing, -vances
    1 [I] to move forward: The hikers advanced up the mountain.
    2 [I;T] to improve, progress: Medical science advances by finding new treatments and medicines.
    3 [T] to make an early payment: My company advanced me a week's salary when I had to pay for emergency car repair.
    THESAURUS
    advance n.
    1 progress, innovation. Ants. a setback, decline.
    2 a thrust, an offensive. Ant. a retreat. —v.
    1 to progress. Ants. to retreat | be set back.
    2 to innovate.
advanced
advanced
  1. adj. difficult, complex: He took advanced courses in mathematics.
advancement
advancement
  1. n. [U]
    1 success, getting ahead, esp. in a career, promotion: His job advancement was rapid, with three promotions in five years.
    2 [C;U] progress, improvement: The advancement of medicine is based on discovering new medicines and techniques.
advantageous
advantageous
  1. adj. good to do,
    THESAURUS
    beneficial: I found it advantageous to combine a business trip with a vacation. -adv. advantageously.
advent
advent
  1. n.frml. [U] beginning,
    THESAURUS
    outset: Since the advent of modern science, many wonderful discoveries have been made.
adventure
adventure
  1. n. an exciting time (incident, event),
    THESAURUS
    an exploit: Our camping trip turned into an adventure when we became lost and had to be rescued.
adventurer
adventurer
  1. n. a person who looks for adventure: Most mountain climbers are adventurers, for they often must face danger.
adventurous
adventurous
  1. adj.
    1 daring, bold: She is an adventurous young woman who rode across the country alone on a motorcycle.
    2 exciting,
    THESAURUS
    stimulating: She had an adventurous time. -adv. adventurously.
adverb
adverb
  1. n. a word that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb: The word "truly" in the sentence "I can truly say I like her" is an adverb. -adj. adverbial.
adversarial
adversarial
  1. adj. against s.o., opposing: The two leaders are in adversarial positions over how to handle the problem.
adversary
adversary
  1. n. -ries an opponent,
    THESAURUS
    a foe: Two politicians (boxers, teams, etc.) are adversaries in the election.
adverse
adverse
  1. adj.
    1 angry,
    THESAURUS
    hostile: The politician has suffered adverse criticism in the newspapers.
    2 difficult, unfavorable: He lost all of his money and now lives in adverse circumstances as a poor man. -adv. adversely.
adversity
adversity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C] bad luck,
    THESAURUS
    misfortune: She has suffered much adversity in her life.
    2 [U] a difficult situation (poverty, illness, etc.): She lives in adversity as a result of losing her job.
advertise
advertise
  1. v. -tised, -tising, -tises
    1 [I] to sell,
    THESAURUS
    to promote a product or service: Our company advertises on television and in newspapers.
    2 fig. [T] to announce, make known publicly: He advertised the fact that he is getting promoted.
advertisement
advertisement
  1. n. a notice of a product or service: We place advertisements about our products in the newspapers every week. See: commercial, USAGE NOTE.
advertising
advertising
  1. n. [U] the field of making print, radio, or TV descriptions to promote products and services: My friend who works in advertising makes TV commercials.adj. related to advertising: She is an advertising manager at a big company.
advice
advice
  1. n. [U]
    1 opinion(s) given to s.o. about what to do: She took my advice and did not drop out of school.
    2 direction, warning: On the advice of her doctor, she no longer smokes cigarettes.
    THESAURUS
    advice
    1 guidance, useful suggestion, recommendation
    2 professional opinion (doctor, lawyer).
advisable
advisable
  1. adj. strongly suggested for good reasons, recommended: It is advisable that you do your homework.
advise
advise
  1. v. -vised, -vising, -vises [I;T]
    1 to give s.o. an opinion about what to do: My teacher advised me to go to college.
    2 to caution, warn: His doctor advises him not to take his medicine with alcohol.
    THESAURUS
    advise
    1 to counsel, suggest, recommend
    2 to counsel, urge (by a doctor/lawyer).
advised
advised
  1. adj. informed, notified: Please be advised that your rent is due.
advisor or adviser
advisor or adviser
  1. n. a person who gives opinions to s.o. on what to do,
    THESAURUS
    a counselor: My college advisor said I should take courses in mathematics.
advisory
advisory
  1. adj. helping by giving opinions,
    THESAURUS
    guiding: The personnel manager has an advisory role with company employees.
advocate
advocate
  1. n.
    1 a worker for a cause, a supporter: He is an advocate of human rights.
    2 an attorney, lawyer: She is an advocate for the poor.v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to propose or support an idea: She advocates lower taxes. -n. advocacy.
aegis
aegis
  1. n. control,
    THESAURUS
    sponsorship: That school is operated under the aegis of a religious group.
aerial
aerial
  1. adj. taking place in the air: The airplane did aerial tricks such as flying upside down. -n. aerialist.
aerobic
aerobic
  1. adj. of hard exercise, such as running or swimming, that conditions the heart and lungs: He does an aerobic workout for 30 minutes four times per week.
aerodynamic
aerodynamic
  1. adj.
    1 of the science of air flowing against and over objects
    2 having the ability to move (through the air) smoothly: Automobiles with good aerodynamic designs save fuel. -adv. aerodynamically; -n. aerodynamics.
aerospace
aerospace
  1. n.
    1 the air surrounding the earth
    2 the earth's atmosphere and outer space —adj. related to flight in outer space: The country's aerospace program has made much progress.
aesthetic
aesthetic
  1. adj. related to understanding and liking beauty and art: As an artist, she has a well-developed aesthetic sense. -adv. aesthetically; -n. [U] aestheticism.
aesthetics
aesthetics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v.
    1 the study or philosophy of beauty and art: I took a course in aesthetics last semester.
    2 a sense of beauty: The carpenters just want to build the house and not worry about its aesthetics.
afar
afar
  1. adv.frml. a long way away: We had visitors who came from afar.
affable
affable
  1. adj.frml. friendly,
    THESAURUS
    approachable: He is an affable man, always willing to stop and talk. -adv. affably.
affect
affect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to change: Very hot weather affects my sleeping habits.
    2 to touch one's emotions: His mother's death deeply affected him.
    3 to behave in a fake way: She affects a French accent, but she doesn't speak French.
    THESAURUS
    affect v.
    1 to influence, have an impact on
    2 to have an emotional effect on, touch s.o. (emotionally), move s.o.
    3 to pretend. Ant. to bore.

    USAGE NOTE: The verb affect means to have an influence or cause a change. The noun effect means the result of this change: The flood affected the town. The effects were homelessness and disease. See: effect.
affectation
affectation
  1. n. [C;U] false behavior,
    THESAURUS
    pretension: He speaks with a British accent, but that is just an affectation, because he's not British.
affection
affection
  1. n. [U]
    1 a feeling close to love, warmth for s.o.: He feels affection for his grandchildren.
    2 tender actions, such as hugging and kind words: The child needs his mother's affection.
    THESAURUS
    affection
    1 love, tender feelings
    2 hug(ging), kiss(ing), caress(ing). Ant. hate.
affectionate
affectionate
  1. adj. loving, warm: She is an affectionate child and loves to be hugged and kissed. -adv. affectionately.
affidavit
affidavit
  1. n. a written statement that a person swears is true before a notary public or other official: I gave an affidavit to the judge about the accident I witnessed.
affiliate
affiliate
  1. n. a business or person associated with another business or person: Our New York company has an affiliate in Los Angeles.v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to join with, become part of: We became affiliated with this company last year.
affiliation
affiliation
  1. n. [C;U] an association, relationship: There is no affiliation between our organization and theirs, even though our names are similar.
affinity
affinity
  1. n.frml. -ties
    1 [C] a liking, attraction to: He has an affinity for fine food.
    2 [C;U] a likeness, similarity: You can see the affinity in appearance between mother and daughter.
affirm
affirm
  1. v. [T] to repeat s.t. as being true, to confirm: He affirmed his plan to make payments on time. -n.[C;U] affirmation.
affirmative
affirmative
  1. adj. positive, saying "yes": He replied in the affirmative to my question. -adv. affirmatively.
affirmative action
affirmative action
  1. n. [U] employment practices that look for and encourage minorities, women, and the handicapped to apply for jobs: Our company has an affirmative action program to avoid discrimination in hiring.
affix
affix
  1. v.frml. [T] -ed, -fixing, -fixes to put on, attach: He affixed the sign to the wall.
afflict
afflict
  1. v.frml. [T] to cause pain, make suffer: Disease and poverty afflict many people. -n.[C;U] affliction.
affluence
affluence
  1. n. [U] wealth,
    THESAURUS
    prosperity: There is a lot of affluence in this part of the state because it has many businesses.
affluent
affluent
  1. adj. wealthy,
    THESAURUS
    prosperous: He is an affluent man.n.pl. prosperous people: The affluent are located mainly in towns near big cities. -adv. affluently.
afford
afford
  1. v. [T]
    1 to be able to pay for s.t. without difficulty: We can't afford that expensive car.
    2 to risk: He can't afford to travel alone for fear of being kidnapped.
    3 frml. to provide, give: The tall building affords a beautiful view of the ocean.
affordable
affordable
  1. adj. capable of being paid for without difficulty, not too expensive: There are few affordable apartments in big cities.
affront
affront
  1. n.frml. an insult,
    THESAURUS
    an outrage: His refusal to see me was an affront.v. frml. [T] to insult,
    THESAURUS
    to offend: I was affronted by his actions.
afield
afield
  1. adv. away, esp. from a familiar area: Once he starts talking, he will go far afield from his original topic.
afire
afire
  1. adj. on fire, burning,
    THESAURUS
    ablaze: The house is afire!
aflame
aflame
  1. adj.
    1 ablaze, in flames: The curtains are aflame!
    2 fig. full of emotion,
    THESAURUS
    impassioned: Her heart is aflame with love for him.
afloat
afloat
  1. adj. on or above the water: The boat is afloat in the lake.adv. fig. not in bad trouble, surviving: His business is having difficulty, but it is staying afloat.
afoot
afoot
  1. adj.adv.
    1 on foot
    2 fig. happening, esp. s.t. dishonest, negative, or strange: There's s.t. afoot here, but I don't know what it is.
aforementioned
aforementioned
  1. adj.frml. stated before, said earlier in writing or speech: The aforementioned person was at the scene of the accident.
afraid
afraid
  1. adj.
    1 fearful: The child is afraid of dogs.
    2 feeling sorry, not wanting to tell s.o. s.t.: I'm afraid that I have bad news for you.
    THESAURUS
    afraid
    1 (to be) frightened about s.t., scared, apprehensive. Ant. brave.
    2 worried, hesitant, concerned about.
afresh
afresh
  1. adv. from the beginning,
    THESAURUS
    anew: I wrote a letter that I didn't like, so I started afresh on a new one.
after
after
  1. prep.
    1 in back of, behind: I told my dog to stay home, but he followed after me.
    2 in search of, toward: A police officer chased after the criminal.
    3 later in time: We had dinner after the movie.conj. later than: She arrived at the party after I did.adv. after all or after all is said and done: all things considered: He should do well at college; after all, he is a very smart boy.
aftereffect
aftereffect
  1. n. a problem directly resulting from an experience: He was at a party all night and felt the aftereffects, a headache and a stomach ache, the next day.
afterlife
afterlife
  1. n. [U] life after death: People of many religions believe in an afterlife.
aftermath
aftermath
  1. n. [U] the usu. bad result, or
    THESAURUS
    consequence, of s.t.: In the aftermath of the hurricane, many people's homes were destroyed.
afternoon
afternoon
  1. n. the time between noon and evening: At school, we play sports in the afternoon.
afterthought
afterthought
  1. n. idea(s) that s.o. thinks of after an event: After he wrote the report, he had several afterthoughts that were too late to put in it.
afterward
afterward
  1. or afterwards adv. after an event,
    THESAURUS
    subsequently: We went for a walk, and afterward we ate lunch.
again
again
  1. adv.
    1 another time, once more: Oh, it's raining again!
    2 again and again: repeatedly, frequently: I've told you again and again not to spend so much money!
against
against
  1. prep.
    1 touching, next to, near: The bookshelves are against the wall.
    2 in strong contact with: Hurricane winds hit against the buildings.
    3 in opposition to, feeling negative toward: The people voted against that new tax.
    4 subtracted from: I wrote two checks against my bank account.
    5 as against: in comparison to: I like my new car, as against the old one which did not run well.
age
age
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] how many years s.o. has lived: The boy is 15 years of age.
    2 [U] a time period in life: Middle age starts after 40.||That lady died of old age, not disease.
    3 [C] a historical time period: The ancient Greeks spoke of a Golden Age.v. [I]
    1 to grow older: He is 60 years old but has aged well.
    2 to ripen, mature: Wine ages in barrels before it is put into bottles.
    THESAURUS
    age n.
    1 longevity | childhood, adolescence, young adult(hood), maturity
    2 childhood, youth, adulthood, maturity, middle age
    3 era, epoch, millennium. —v.
    1 to mature | get along in years
    2 to mellow with age (old people | wine, cheese).
age of consent
age of consent
  1. n. the legal age at which a person may agree to have sex: The age of consent in this state is 18.
agency
agency
  1. n. -cies
    1 a part of government: The Environmental Protection Agency tries to stop pollution.
    2 a type of business that helps people do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a bureau: She found a job through an employment agency.
agenda
agenda
  1. n.
    1 a list of topics to be talked about: The three-day meeting of scientists covered a long agenda.
    2 a calendar or date book.
agent
agent
  1. n.
    1 a person who does business for others, representative: A travel agent makes airline and hotel reservations.||She is a literary agent who represents authors.
    2 a spy or special government employee: He is an FBI agent.
    3 a person or thing that causes an effect: People use chemical agents to clean things.
    THESAURUS
    agent
    1 a negotiator, intermediary
    3 a force/power (an agent of change).
aggravate
aggravate
  1. v. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates
    1 to irritate, annoy: He aggravates me by complaining all the time.
    2 to worsen,
    THESAURUS
    to exacerbate: I hurt my foot, then aggravated it by trying to walk on it too soon. -n. aggravation. See: angry, USAGE NOTE.
aggregate
aggregate
  1. n.[C;U] adj.v. -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 s.t. made of separate parts: The population of Los Angeles is an aggregate of people from nearly all the world's countries.
    2 in the aggregate: with all things considered: In the aggregate, I am happy with my life at this moment. -n. [U] aggregation.
aggression
aggression
  1. n. [U] unfriendly or harmful action against s.o.: He committed an act of aggression by walking up to the man and hitting him. -n. aggressor.
aggressive
aggressive
  1. adj.
    1 unfriendly,
    THESAURUS
    hostile: That dog always barks at strangers; he's very aggressive.
    2 competitive,
    THESAURUS
    assertive: Our company has several aggressive salespeople. -adv. aggressively; -n. aggressiveness.
aggrieved
aggrieved
  1. adj. wronged, esp. in a moral or legal way, mistreated: She is the aggrieved person whose fiancé did not show up for their wedding.
aghast
aghast
  1. adj. shocked, esp. with one's mouth open in surprise,
    THESAURUS
    horrified: He was aghast when he learned that all his retirement money was lost.
agile
agile
  1. adj. quick and skillful in moving,
    THESAURUS
    nimble: She is such an agile dancer! -adv. agilely; -n. [U] agility.
aging
aging
  1. n.
    1 the process of growing old: His aging does not permit him to work anymore.
    2 the process of growing mature or ripe: Wine growers put wine in a cellar for aging.
agitate
agitate
  1. v. -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 [I] to argue or fight for a cause,
    THESAURUS
    to incite: He is a politician who agitates constantly for change.
    2 [T] to irritate, disturb: Bad news agitates me. -n. [U] (act) agitation ; [C] (person) agitator.
aglitter
aglitter
  1. adj. shining brightly,
    THESAURUS
    sparkling: At night, the New York City skyline is aglitter with lights in tall buildings.
aglow
aglow
  1. adj.
    1 frml. giving off (light, warmth),
    THESAURUS
    radiating: The wood stove is aglow with heat.
    2 fig. happy,
    THESAURUS
    delighted: He is aglow with the feeling of success.
agnostic
agnostic
  1. n.adj. s.o. who believes God may exist but is unknowable: He was an agnostic until he was cured of cancer; then he became very religious. -n. [U] agnosticism.
ago
ago
  1. adv. in the past,
    THESAURUS
    previously: We met for the first time five years ago.
agonize
agonize
  1. v. [I] -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 to suffer great pain: He broke his leg and agonized for hours before s.o. found him.
    2 to suffer mental or emotional pain about s.t.: She agonized for days over whether to take a job in another city.
agonizing
agonizing
  1. n. [U] adj. the suffering of physical pain or indecision: He did a lot of agonizing before deciding to quit his job; it was an agonizing decision for him. -adv. agonizingly.
agony
agony
  1. n. [C;U] -nies great pain: She burned herself on the stove and was in agony.
agrarian
agrarian
  1. adj.frml. related to farming and farmland: People are leaving an agrarian way of life to go to the city. -n. [U] agrarianism.
agree
agree
  1. v. agreed, agreeing, agrees
    1 [I] to have the same idea or opinion: He agreed with what I said.
    2 [T] to approve, esp. after disagreeing: He agreed to buy the more expensive watch.
    THESAURUS
    agree
    1 to think alike | concur
    2 to consent to s.t. | OK/okay infrml. Ant. to disagree.
agreeable
agreeable
  1. adj.
    1 willing,
    THESAURUS
    amenable: The buyer is agreeable to paying the price that we asked.
    2 friendly,
    THESAURUS
    congenial: He is an agreeable man who always wants to make people happy. -adv. agreeably.
agreed
agreed
  1. adj.
    1 accepted, approved: Are you willing to pay that price? Yes, agreed.
    2 acceptable to everyone involved,
    THESAURUS
    in accord: I will pay the agreed-upon price.
agreement
agreement
  1. n.
    1 [C] a decision between two or more people, an understanding: We have an agreement not to talk about certain things.
    2 [C] a written arrangement: We reached an agreement and signed it yesterday.
    3 to be in agreement: sharing the same view or opinion
    THESAURUS
    agreement
    1 a mutual understanding, having like thoughts, accord
    2 a deal, contract. Ant. disagreement.
agriculture
agriculture
  1. n. [U] the science of growing food: Agriculture is a big business in North America. -adj. agricultural.
aground
aground
  1. adv.adj. stuck on or in sand, soil, rocks, etc.: Our ship ran aground on some rocks in the fog; it was aground for several hours.
ah
ah
  1. exclam. expression of surprise, disgust, pain, understanding, pleasure, etc.: (disgust) Ah! This is a waste of time!||(pleasure) Ahhhhh! The taste of a cold beer on a hot day is great!
ahead
ahead
  1. adv.
    1 forward: The traffic is bad, but I am moving ahead slowly.
    2 in the distance: There is a car accident ahead causing this traffic jam.
    3 to a better position: She works very hard to get ahead in life.prep. ahead of: in front of: He stepped ahead of everyone else in line.
ahoy
ahoy
  1. exclam. (among sailors) a greeting, upon sighting another ship
aid
aid
  1. v. [T] to help financially or physically, to assist: I aided my friend by giving him some money.n.
    1 [U] help, assistance: The Red Cross gives aid in the form of both money and material goods to those in need of it.
    2 [C] s.t. useful, such as tools or other equipment: A computer is an aid in writing.||She doesn't hear well and wears a hearing aid.
    THESAURUS
    aid v. to support, lend a hand to s.o. | provide money (or) credit. Ant. to hinder —n.
    1 support. aide or aid -n. a helper, assistant: She is a nurse's aide.
aide or aid
aide or aid
  1. n. a helper, assistant: She is a nurse's aide.
ail
ail
  1. v. [T]
    1 to be sick,
    THESAURUS
    to suffer illness: The patient is ailing from his fever.
    2 to be bothered by s.t., to be annoyed: I wonder what's ailing him today; he's so irritable.
ailment
ailment
  1. n. an illness, esp. a lasting condition: His ailments include a mild heart condition and arthritis.
aim
aim
  1. v.
    1 [T] to direct s.t., such as a gun or ball, at a certain point: He aimed the basketball at the net and shot the ball.
    2 fig. [I] to direct one's words or actions toward a person or group: The boss's comments were aimed at you.
    3 [I] to plan to do s.t.: She aims to go to college.
    THESAURUS
    aim
    1 to point (weapon)
    2 to address (one's comments to)
    3 to intend, have as a goal.
aimlessly
aimlessly
  1. adv.
    1 without purpose: She talked aimlessly, because she disliked silence.
    2 without direction: He walked around aimlessly trying to find a way out of the woods.||He went aimlessly through life. -adj. aimless.
ain't
ain't
  1. infrml.slang contr. of is not or are not: I (we, they, he, etc.) ain't ready to leave yet.

    USAGE NOTE: Ain't is common in some dialects of English: She ain't here yet.||I ain't seen her. Most people avoid using it in school or business situations.
air-condition
air-condition
  1. v. [T] to cool the air with an air conditioner; to install an air-conditioning system: We air-conditioned our house to stay cool during the hot summer. -n.(machine) air conditioner.
air-conditioning
air-conditioning
  1. n. [U] a machine or a system used to cool air in buildings
air
air
  1. n. [U]
    1 the gases that surround the earth and the gas we breathe: The air in the countryside is cleaner than the air of the city.
    2 the actions or appearance: She has the air of a lady.
    3 n.pl. false behavior: He sometimes puts on airs pretending that he's rich, when he is not.
    4 in the air: a general feeling, scent: Spring is in the air.
    5 on or off the air: to start or stop showing or playing on TV or radio: My favorite radio station goes on the air at 5:00 A.M. and goes off the air at 1:00 P.M.
    6 to be full of hot air: to speak foolishness, nonsense: He doesn't know what he's talking about; he's full of hot air.
    7 to take the air: to go for a walk: It's hot in here; I think I'll take the air.
    8 to walk on air: to be very happy,
    THESAURUS
    elated: When she heard about her acceptance to college, she was walking on air for days.
    9 up in the air: undecided,
    THESAURUS
    uncertain: We planned on leaving tomorrow, but our plans are up in the air because I feel sick.v. [T]
    1 to put out in the air, esp. to dry or freshen: He hung his clothes in the yard to air.
    2 to speak about: He aired his feelings about love and marriage.
    3 to show or play on television or radio: Channel 7 aired a show about lions in Africa.
    THESAURUS
    air n.
    1 atmosphere | wind, breeze
    2 the manner
    3 affectations. —v.
    1 to ventilate (a room). Ant. to stagnate
    2 to express to others (feelings, beliefs)
    3 to broadcast. Ant. to remain silent.
air force
air force
  1. n. the part of a nation's military force that flies planes: The air force flies planes around the country's border.
air raid
air raid
  1. n. an attack by military airplanes dropping bombs and shooting at a ground target
airborne
airborne
  1. adj. moving in the air: Our plane has lifted off the runway and is now airborne.
aircraft
aircraft
  1. n. -craft an airplane, glider, or other flight vehicle: The Air Force maintains many kinds of aircraft.
aircraft carrier
aircraft carrier
  1. n. a large ship that acts as a military airport at sea: The aircraft carrier has 5,000 workers and 50 airplanes.
airfare
airfare
  1. n. the cost of an airline ticket
airfield
airfield
  1. n. an area from which airplanes take off and land, usu. smaller than an airport and without buildings
airing
airing
  1. n. [C;U] public discussion: Politicians gave the matter of a new health care plan an airing on television.
airlift
airlift
  1. n. a system that delivers goods or people by airplane: The government ordered an airlift of medical and food supplies to the disaster area because the roads were destroyed.
airline
airline
  1. n. a business that carries passengers and cargo by airplane: Airlines compete with each other for passengers.
airliner
airliner
  1. n. an airplane made especially to carry passengers, baggage, and light cargo
airmail
airmail
  1. n. [U] adj. letters, packages, etc. shipped by air: A letter sent airmail will get to Europe quickly.
airplane
airplane
  1. n. a machine for flying passengers or goods: The airplane allows people to travel large distances quickly.
airport
airport
  1. n. a place where planes take off and land with buildings for passengers and cargo
airs
airs
  1. n.pl. See: air, n., 3.
airspace
airspace
  1. n. the sky above a country: The nation reported that a foreign aircraft was in its airspace.
airstrip
airstrip
  1. n. a small path or field for planes to take off and land: We flew over the jungle to an airstrip near a river.
airtight
airtight
  1. adj.
    1 not allowing air to enter or leave s.t., sealed: The fish is packed in airtight cans.
    2 fig. completely believable, able to be proved: The police officer has an airtight case against the criminal.
airtime
airtime
  1. n. [U]
    1 the amount of time a pilot spends flying in the air: Student pilots must put in a lot of airtime before getting licensed.
    2 the amount of time that a radio or TV show is on the air: The government hearings on crime used a lot of airtime on TV.
airwaves
airwaves
  1. n.pl. all radio and television signals as a group: News that the war had ended was sent out over the airwaves.
airy
airy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest open,
    THESAURUS
    breezy: All the windows were open, giving the house an airy feeling. -adv. airily.
aisle
aisle
  1. n. a long open path between rows of seats: We walked down the aisle to our seats in the theater.
ajar
ajar
  1. adj. slightly open: The door was ajar, so the cat was able to come in.
akin
akin
  1. adj. like, similar to: He writes romantic adventure stories akin to those of earlier writers.
alarm
alarm
  1. n.
    1 [C] a warning device, such as a bell, siren, or buzzer: A prisoner set off an alarm as she tried to escape.
    2 [C] a warning call or signal: A guard shouted an alarm as he saw the prisoner running away.
    3 [U] shock, fear: The other guards saw the escape with alarm.v. [T] to warn, signal danger: The escape of the dangerous prisoner alarmed people who lived in the area.
    THESAURUS
    alarm n.
    3 terror, anxiety, distress. Ant. calm.
alarm clock
alarm clock
  1. n. a clock that can be set to give a signal at a later time: I set the alarm clock to wake me up at 7:00 A.M.
alarmist
alarmist
  1. n. a person who gives others false or misleading alarms: She always talks about the worst that can happen; she's an alarmist.
alas
alas
  1. frml. exclam. of sadness, regret, or disappointment: Alas, my love, I must leave now.
albatross
albatross
  1. n. -es
    1 a large seabird
    2 fig. a problem, s.t. stopping progress: The man cannot read, which is an albatross around his neck.
albeit
albeit
  1. conj.frml. even though, despite: Albeit difficult, the job is getting done.
albino
albino
  1. n. -nos a person or animal without skin pigment: That albino horse has a white coat and blue eyes.
album
album
  1. n.
    1 a book with blank pages for holding photographs, newspaper articles, and other things: We have a photo album full of family pictures.
    2 a collection of musical pieces: My parents have a lot of Frank Sinatra's old record albums.
alchemist
alchemist
  1. n. a scientist of the Middle Ages who tried to change other metals into gold -n. [U] alchemy.
alcohol
alcohol
  1. n. [U]
    1 a colorless liquid that can be made naturally from grains or fruits: Alcohol burns easily and can be used as a fuel.
    2 the many beverages made from grains and fruits, such as wine, vodka, and gin: You should not drink alcohol and then drive.
alcoholic
alcoholic
  1. adj. related to alcohol: The alcoholic content of some beers and wines is as high as 12-13 percent.n. a person who has great difficulty not drinking alcohol, because he or she suffers from the disease of alcoholism: He is a recovering alcoholic; he used to drink a lot of alcohol, but now he never drinks. -n. [U] alcoholism .
    THESAURUS
    alcoholic n. a heavy drinker | drunk.
alcove
alcove
  1. n. a small, partly enclosed area that opens off a room: We eat breakfast at a table in an alcove in our kitchen.
alderman
alderman
  1. n. -men a low-level government official, esp. an elected member of a city council: My brother won an election as alderman for our area in Wyoming. -n. alderwoman.
ale
ale
  1. n. [C;U] an alcoholic beverage similar to beer but with a higher alcohol content: I sometimes enjoy a pint of ale.
alert
alert
  1. adj.
    1 aware,
    THESAURUS
    attentive: The guard stayed alert to watch for anything unusual.
    2 bright, intelligent: Their son is an alert little boy.
algae
algae
  1. n.pl. simple tiny plants that live in water: The green covering on top of the water in that pond is algae. -n.sing. alga.
algebra
algebra
  1. n. [U] a branch of mathematics using signs and symbols to represent unknown numbers in a problem: The letter x represents 4 in the algebra problem x + 3 = 7. -adj. algebraic ; -adv. algebraically.
alias
alias
  1. n.adv. -es a name used to hide one's identity, esp. by criminals, a false name,
    THESAURUS
    a pseudonym: His real name is John Smith, but he lives under an alias, Johann Schmidt.
alibi
alibi
  1. n. (in law) proof that a person was not near a crime scene and therefore could not have committed the crime: The police think that he committed the crime, but he has a good alibi proving he was out of town at the time.
alienate
alienate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to make an enemy of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to estrange: He alienated most of his friends by drinking too much.
    2 to make one feel that one does not belong, to separate: Many people feel alienated in new places. -n. [U] alienation.
alight
alight
  1. v. [I] alighted or alit , alighting, alights to land, descend upon: A bird flew through the air and then alit on the telephone wire.
align
align
  1. v. [T]
    1 to place one or more objects in line with another: The worker aligned the chairs in straight rows in the meeting hall.
    2 to join,
    THESAURUS
    to affiliate: Two small political parties aligned themselves so that together they would have more power. -n.[C;U] alignment.
alike
alike
  1. adj. similar, comparable: The two dresses look alike in shape, length, and color.
    THESAURUS
    alike adj. identical, the same. Ant. different.
alimony
alimony
  1. n. [U] regular payments a person makes to his or her former spouse: He paid alimony to his former wife until she married again.
alive
alive
  1. adj.
    1 living, functioning: After the accident, he was barely alive.
    2 fig. energetic, full of life: The football stadium is alive with excitement.
all-around
all-around
  1. adj. complete, total: He is an all-around athlete who can play many sports very well. See: well-rounded.
all-inclusive
all-inclusive
  1. adj. complete, including everything: The price of the vacation tour is allinclusive (of hotel, meals, and transportation).
all-purpose
all-purpose
  1. adj. with many uses: Swiss Army knives are all-purpose instruments, with a knife, screwdriver, saw, scissors, and other tools.
all-star
all-star
  1. adj. among the best players in sports or the best entertainers (movie stars, singers, etc.): The all-star football game will be played this weekend.
all-time
all-time
  1. adj.
    1 for all time, forever: The band is playing my all-time favorite song.
    2 the best, worst, highest, etc. so far: The temperature was at an all-time low last night; it has never been that cold before.
all-American
all-American
  1. adj.
    1 of an honor given to the best college athletes in the USA: He is an all-American football player from Notre Dame.
    2 a person who has all the best American qualities: She is an all-American girl.n. a male athlete awarded such an honor: He is an all-American from Notre Dame.
all
all
  1. adj.
    1 of a total: All the students (adults, citizens, etc.) came to the meeting.
    2 regarding the most of s.t.: In all honesty, I hate my job.
    3 all in: to be exhausted, totally fatigued: The runner finished the race, but afterwards he was all in.n.
    1 all or nothing: unless s.t. is done, all will be lost: We either put more money in the business or close it; it's all or nothing.
    2 adv. all the same: no difference: It's all the same to me if he leaves or stays.
    3 infrml.fig. and all that or and all that jazz: et cetera, and all else: We moved our furniture, books, refrigerator, and all that jazz to a new apartment.
    4 on all fours: a. (people) on both hands and knees: He got down on all fours to look for the pin that he had dropped. b. (animals) on all four legs: Dogs and cats walk on all fours.
    5 the be all and end all: (usu. ironic) a total solution, ultimate happiness: My boss has bought a new computer system, which he sees as the be all and end all of his problems.
    6 to give one's all: to give one's total energy (effort, commitment): She gave her all to finish the job on time.pron.
    1 everyone, everything: My friends and I attended a party and all had a good time.
    2 all but: most, all except: All but a few people ran toward the speaker.adv.
    1 totally, completely: Jack was upset because he came late and the beer was all gone.
    2 for a given time period: It rained all night (day, week, etc.).
    3 all along: at the same time, for the whole time s.t. else was happening: He knew all along that he was dying of cancer, but he stayed cheerful.
    4 all at once: suddenly, abruptly: The crowd was quiet; then all at once it began to applaud.
    5 infrml. all fired up: excited,
    THESAURUS
    eager: The audience is all fired up by what the speaker has said.
    6 all in all: considering everything: It rained for a while, but all in all we had a good time at the picnic.
    7 all in good time: eventually: Don't worry; that problem will be taken care of all in good time.
    8 all of a sudden: abruptly, by total surprise: We were driving in the country when all of a sudden a deer ran across the road.
    9 all out: with total effort,
    THESAURUS
    completely dedicated: We have to go all out to finish the job on time.
    10 all over: a. everywhere, covered completely: The dog knocked over the dish, and water spilled all over. b. finished,
    THESAURUS
    terminated: Our relationship is finished; it's all over between us.
    11 all right: a. well, healthy: I feel all right today. b. OK, yes: Would you like to join us? All right. c. satisfactorily: The motor in the car works all right. d. exclam.infrml. wonderful, great: The football team scored, and a fan shouted, "All right!"
    12 vulg. all the way: (to have) sex: The couple hugged and kissed, but she refused to go all the way.
    13 all things considered: taking everything into account: We made a profit this year, so all things considered, we did well.
    14 all told: in total, in sum: All told, five thousand people were at the concert.
    15 at all: (used with a negative) totally: I don't like the way that you are behaving at all, so stop it!
allay
allay
  1. v.frml. [T] to calm, to make (fears, doubts, etc.) less strong: The leader allayed the fears of his followers by telling them success was near.
allege
allege
  1. v. [T] -leged, -leging, -leges to claim but not yet prove that s.o. has committed a crime: The police allege that man stole the car, but they must go to court to prove it. -n. allegation.
allegiance
allegiance
  1. n. [C;U] loyalty, strong feeling for a country, leader, political cause: Some schoolchildren say the Pledge of Allegiance to the US flag every morning.
allegory
allegory
  1. n. [C;U] -ries a story, poem, or play in which the people, things, and events have a secondary or symbolic meaning, usu. religious or moral -adj. allegorical ; -adv. allegorically. See: fable.
allergic
allergic
  1. adj. very sensitive to some plants, chemicals, dust, or foods: When I go near plants that I'm allergic to, I start sneezing.
allergy
allergy
  1. n. -gies an unusually high sensitivity to substances such as certain plants, chemicals, foods, animals, or dust: She has an allergy to cats that makes her sneeze.
alleviate
alleviate
  1. v.frml. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to make less difficult (painful, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    to relieve: The medicine alleviated the pain. -n. [U] alleviation.
alley
alley
  1. n. -leys
    1 a path between or behind buildings: We walked down an alley and entered the building from the back door.
    2 infrml. to be up one's alley: (to have) a job or activity that one likes very much: Using computers is right up my alley; I love them! See: blind alley.
alliance
alliance
  1. n. [C;U] a group of countries (political parties, people, etc.) joined for a purpose: The two nations formed an alliance to make peace between them. See: ally.
allied
allied
  1. adj. united, joined for a purpose
alligator
alligator
  1. n. a large animal (reptile) of the crocodile family, but with a shorter, broader head: Both alligators and crocodiles have long bodies and tails, short legs, and strong jaws with sharp teeth.
alliteration
alliteration
  1. n. [U] the repetition of the same sound, usu. at the beginning of words: The sentence,"Happy Harry hates to hurry" uses alliteration. -adj. alliterative.
allocate
allocate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to plan to use an amount of money for a specific purpose,
    THESAURUS
    to allot: The city government allocated money for schools and the police in this year's budget. -n. [U] allocation.
allot
allot
  1. v. [T] -lotted, -lotting, -lots to allocate, plan on a sum of money for a specific use: I allotted money from my household budget for a new car. -n. allotment.
allow
allow
  1. v. [T]
    1 to let, permit: We allowed our son to use the family car.
    2 to agree reluctantly: The mother allowed her children to yell and scream at the birthday party.
    3 to assign; permit a certain amount of time or money for s.t.: Allow yourself four hours to get to New York from here. -adj. allowable.
    THESAURUS
    allow
    1 to agree to, consent to. Ant. to prohibit.
allowance
allowance
  1. n.
    1 money for everyday expenses: We give our son a weekly allowance.
    2 (in business) money set aside to cover a loss or debt: We set aside an allowance for bad debts this year.
    3 to make allowances for: to forgive s.o.'s weaknesses: She made a few mistakes playing the violin, but you should make allowances for her since she's only been playing for a year.
alloy
alloy
  1. n. -loys a mixture of metals: Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin.
allude
allude
  1. v.frml. [T] -luded, -luding, -ludes to talk or write about s.t. indirectly,
    THESAURUS
    to intimate: The politician alluded to the idea that she might not run for office again.
allure
allure
  1. v.frml. [T] -lured, -luring, -lures to attract with s.t. desirable,
    THESAURUS
    to tempt: He was allured by the hope of making a lot of money easily.n. [U] attractiveness: She is a woman with great allure.
allusion
allusion
  1. n. talking or writing about s.o. or s.t. indirectly: He made an allusion to his wife without saying her name.
ally
ally
  1. n. -lies a partner, friend: The USA and Great Britain were allies in World War II.v. [I;T] -lies to combine, unite: Several political parties allied with each other against higher taxes. See: alliance.
    THESAURUS
    ally n. supporter | friendly country. Ant. enemy.
alma mater
alma mater
  1. n.
    1 (Latin for) the university, college, or high school where one studied: My alma mater is Williams College.
    2 the school song
almanac
almanac
  1. n. a book giving the days of the year, holidays, and the times, tides, and phases of the moon: The Old Farmer's Almanac is a favorite publication of many people, esp. for its weather forecasts.
almighty
almighty
  1. adj.infrml.fig. great,
    THESAURUS
    extreme: He is always in an almighty hurry to go somewhere.n. All Mighty God, the Supreme Deity: He prays to the All Mighty every day.
almond
almond
  1. n.
    1 a nut tree first grown in Mediterranean countries
    2 the nut itself: In California, I ate fresh almonds right off the tree!adj. a light brown color: He wore an almond sweater.
alms
alms
  1. n.pl.frml. money, food, etc. given to poor people: The Bible speaks of giving alms to the poor.
aloft
aloft
  1. adv.
    1 in flight, in the air: All the planes are aloft.
    2 up in a ship's sails: Sailors go aloft on a ship to set the sails.
alone
alone
  1. adv.
    1 by oneself, without anyone else: He is not married and lives alone.
    2 by itself, only: The cost of the hotel alone is very high; meals and air travel cost extra.
    3 to go it alone: to act or work by oneself: She had a business partner, but she's going it alone now.
    4 to leave s.o. or s.t. alone: not to disturb or bother s.o. or s.t.: Leave me alone; I don't feel well.
    5 to leave or let well enough alone: to avoid more action on s.t.: My car works all right, so I left well enough alone and did not try to make it work better.
    THESAURUS
    alone
    1 without others. Ants. with others, socially.
    2 separately.
along
along
  1. prep.
    1 by the side of: Cars are parked along the sides of the street.
    2 in the route or path of: Trucks are moving along the highway at high speed.adv.
    1 forward, into the future: I have to move along now; see you later.
    2 with another person: Joe brought his girlfriend along to the party.
    3 to be along: to arrive: He's left his house; he'll be along soon.
    4 phrasal v. insep. to come or go along for the ride: to go with s.o. for the fun of it: She had to take a business trip to Chicago, so she asked her husband if he would like to come along for the ride.
    5 phrasal v. insep. to get along: a. to leave: I have to get along now; see you later. b. to be friendly with, to be on good terms with: My boss and I get along just fine together.
    6 phrasal v. insep. to go along with: a. to go with s.o.: I'll go along with you to do some shopping. b. to agree with, support: He goes along with my idea of starting a new business. c. to agree reluctantly,
    THESAURUS
    to acquiesce: I didn't want to argue, so I went along with his idea.
alongside
alongside
  1. prep.adv. beside, close to: Another boat pulled alongside . The boat is now alongside our boat.
aloof
aloof
  1. adj.
    1 distant, not willing to participate: The President should remain aloof from everyday politics, but often does not.
    2 emotionally distant,
    THESAURUS
    snobbish: She acts aloof toward people because she is very shy.
aloud
aloud
  1. adv. out loud, spoken: The student read her poem aloud in class.
alpha
alpha
  1. n. the first letter of the Greek alphabet See: omega.
alphabetical
alphabetical
  1. adj. in order of the alphabet (from A to Z): He put the words in the list in alphabetical order. -adv. alphabetically; -v. [T] alphabetize.
alpine
alpine
  1. adj. of or relating to high mountains, like the Swiss Alps: We stayed in an alpine cabin for a week.
already
already
  1. adv. earlier,
    THESAURUS
    previously: The planning has already been done, so we can begin work.
alright
alright
  1. adv.infrml. all right, OK
also
also
  1. adv. in addition, too: We bought a new sofa and also a new coffee table.
    THESAURUS
    also plus, as well.
altar
altar
  1. n. a raised flat surface like a table, where religious ceremonies are performed: The priest said a prayer at the altar.
alter
alter
  1. v. [T]
    1 to change,
    THESAURUS
    to falsify: A student altered the grade on his paper to make it seem higher than it actually was.
    2 to make small changes,
    THESAURUS
    to modify: The tailor altered the waistband on my pants because it was too tight. -adj. alterable.
alter ego
alter ego
  1. n. egos
    1 another side of one's personality: Although she is usually relaxed, her alter ego sometimes gets the best of her and she becomes anxious and tense.
    2 a companion, esp. one similar in personality and looks: John seems to have Ed, his alter ego, with him wherever he goes. See: ego.
alteration
alteration
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a small change,
    THESAURUS
    a modification: The dress didn't fit, so I took it to the tailor for alterations.
    2 s.t. changed falsely,
    THESAURUS
    a deception: The alteration of the amount of money on the check was obvious.
altercation
altercation
  1. n.frml. a struggle, such as a fight; a heated argument: Two men had an altercation about who should get the parking space.
alternate
alternate
  1. n.adj. another, s.t. different: If that business does not make what we want, we can always find an alternate one that does.v. [I;T] -nated, -nating, -nates to move or switch back and forth: We alternate between living in Florida in the winter and Maine in the summer. -n. alternation.
alternating current
alternating current
  1. See: AC, 1.
alternative
alternative
  1. n. another choice (way, means, etc.): We can take a boat to Florida or, as an alternative, we can fly.adj. different: An alternative way would be to travel by railroad. -adv. alternatively. See: lifestyle, USAGE NOTE.
although
although
  1. conj. even though: Although he is heavy, he can still run fast.
    THESAURUS
    although though, despite the fact that.
altitude
altitude
  1. n. distance above sea level: Our airplane is flying at an altitude of 35,000 feet (10,660 meters).
alto
alto
  1. n. a low, female singing voice: She sings alto in the chorus.adj. having an alto musical range: He plays an alto saxophone.
altogether
altogether
  1. adv.
    1 completely, totally: He is altogether wrong in what he says.
    2 in total, counting all: Altogether, 200 people attended the conference.
    3 everything considered, on the whole: Altogether, the conference went well.
altruistic
altruistic
  1. adj. giving without thinking of oneself,
    THESAURUS
    charitable: That rich woman is altruistic; she pays the expenses for poor students to go to college. -adv. altruistically; -n. [U] altruism.
aluminum
aluminum
  1. n. [U] a light-weight, silver gray metal with many uses: Beer and soda cans are made of aluminum.
alumna
alumna
  1. n. -nae a female graduate of an educational institution: She is an alumna of Yale University.
alumnus
alumnus
  1. n. -ni a male graduate of an educational institution: He is an alumnus of Harvard University.
always
always
  1. adv.
    1 forever: I will be with you always.
    2 anytime: You can always leave the party if you get tired or bored.
    3 regularly, every time: We always go to the mountains for our vacation.
    THESAURUS
    always
    1 eternally
    2 certainly
    3 consistently, continually. Ants. never | seldom.
amalgamate
amalgamate
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -mated, -mating, -mates to combine, unite: Two labor unions amalgamated into one large one. -n.[C;U] amalgamation.
amass
amass
  1. v. [T] -es to put together,
    THESAURUS
    to accumulate: Over the years, she amassed a fortune making cosmetics.
amateur
amateur
  1. n.adj. a person who does activities, such as sports, for pleasure and without pay: He is an amateur at golf, but he loves the game; he is an amateur golfer. -n. [U] amateurism.
amateurish
amateurish
  1. adj. unprofessional, poorly done: His artwork is amateurish and not good enough to sell.
amaze
amaze
  1. v. [T] amazed, amazing, amazes to favorably impress: She plays tennis so well that she amazes me! -n. [U] amazement; -adv. amazingly.
    THESAURUS
    amaze to surprise, astonish, stun, take your breath away.
ambassador
ambassador
  1. n. the highest level official who represents a government in a foreign capital city: The United States ambassador to France works in Paris. -n. ambassadorship; -adj. ambassadorial.
amber
amber
  1. n. [U] a hard, clear substance of yellow or light brown color used in making jewelry: She is wearing a pin made of amber.adj. the color of amber
ambiance or ambience
ambiance or ambience
  1. n. [U] atmosphere, the appearance and feeling of a place: The ambiance in that hotel is one of warmth and charm. -adj. ambient.
ambidextrous
ambidextrous
  1. adj. capable of doing things equally well with either hand: He's ambidextrous and can write with either hand.
ambiguous
ambiguous
  1. adj. confusing, able to be understood in different ways: The teacher's explanation was ambiguous, so the students still didn't understand the grammar point. -adv. ambiguously; -n.[C;U] ambiguity.
ambition
ambition
  1. n.
    1 [U] desire to succeed,
    THESAURUS
    drive: He has ambition and works hard to get a salary increase.
    2 [C] a goal, objective: Her ambition is to become a chef.
ambitious
ambitious
  1. adj. wanting success: He is very ambitious and wants to make more money. -adv. ambitiously; -n. ambitiousness.
    THESAURUS
    ambitious determined, eager to succeed, driven | industrious. Ant. unambitious.
ambivalent
ambivalent
  1. adj.frml. uncertain,
    THESAURUS
    ambiguous: Although she loves the man, she is ambivalent about marrying him, because she's not sure he's right for her. -n. [U] ambivalence; -adv. ambivalently.
amble
amble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to walk in a slow, easy manner,
    THESAURUS
    to stroll: The two old men ambled along toward the lake. See: walk, USAGE NOTE.
ambulance
ambulance
  1. n. a vehicle used to bring sick or injured people to a hospital: An ambulance came to the car accident in two minutes.
ambulatory
ambulatory
  1. adj.frml. walking or capable of walking: Her parents are very old but are still ambulatory.
ambush
ambush
  1. n. -es an attack made from a hidden position: A soldier hid in a tree and set an ambush for any enemy soldiers passing below.v. [T] -ed, -ing, -es to attack from a hidden position: The mugger ambushed them from behind.
ameba
ameba
  1. n. -bas or -bae var. of amoeba -adj. amebic.
ameliorate
ameliorate
  1. v.frml. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to lessen the difficulty of s.t., improve: The government ameliorated the lives of the poor by giving them food. -n. [U] amelioration.
amend
amend
  1. v. [T] to change (especially a rule or law),
    THESAURUS
    to modify: The politicians amended the law to provide more money. -adj. amendable. See: amends.
amendment
amendment
  1. n. a change,
    THESAURUS
    a modification: It is difficult to make amendments to the US Constitution.
amends
amends
  1. n.pl.
    1 an apology or gift to pay back for s.t. wrong that one has done: No amends could take away the pain of the insult.
    2 to make amends: to do s.t. to pay back for s.t. wrong that one has done: I promised to make amends by taking him out to dinner.
amenity
amenity
  1. n.frml.pl. -ties
    1 a pleasant, polite introduction, esp. at the beginning of a social gathering: The host of the party began with the usual amenities of introducing himself and his guests.
    2 s.t. that adds to people's comfort, convenience, and pleasure (such as a restaurant, a swimming pool, air-conditioning): The only amenity at that hotel is a swimming pool.
amethyst
amethyst
  1. n. a violet or purple semiprecious stone often used in jewelry: The amethyst was set in a pretty gold ring.
amiable
amiable
  1. adj. friendly, cheerful: The owner of this candy store is always amiable to her young customers. -n. [U] amiability ; -adv. amiably.
amicable
amicable
  1. adj. friendly, esp. in resolving a disagreement: We had an argument, but eventually reached an amicable agreement. -adv. amicably.
amid
amid
  1. prep. amidst, among, in the middle of: Amid all her other troubles, she now has a bad back.
amino acid
amino acid
  1. n. a chemical that forms into chains of protein: Amino acids are necessary to life.
amiss
amiss
  1. adj. wrong, not in order: We were worried that s.t. was amiss when we came home and found our apartment door open.
ammo
ammo
  1. n. infrml. [U] short for ammunition
ammonia
ammonia
  1. n. [U] a strong-smelling gas that, when mixed with water, is used as a cleanser: He used ammonia to wash the bathroom floor.
ammunition
ammunition
  1. n. [U] objects that can be fired from a gun or made to explode, such as bullets, cannon shells, hand grenades, etc.
amnesia
amnesia
  1. n. [U] loss of memory, usually from shock or injury: The accident victim has amnesia and can't remember her name. -n. amnesiac.
amnesty
amnesty
  1. n.[C;U] -ties a pardon for a crime, esp. for political prisoners: The government granted amnesty to all protestors.
amoeba
amoeba
  1. n. [C] -bas or -bae a tiny one-celled animal, microorganism: Amoebas do not stay one shape, but change shape as they move. -adj. amoebic.
among
among
  1. or amongst prep.
    1 included within, in the midst of: Among her many friends, John is her favorite.
    2 with each other, between: In our family, we do not argue among ourselves.
amoral
amoral
  1. adj.
    1 having no idea of or interest in what is right or wrong: He has an amoral view of life in which anything he wants to do is all right.
    2 neither moral nor immoral
amorous
amorous
  1. adj.
    1 feeling love and affection for s.o.: He is feeling amorous toward his new girlfriend.
    2 of sexual love: She rejected his amorous advances. -adv. amorously; -n. amorousness.
amorphous
amorphous
  1. adj.frml.
    1 shapeless, without clear form
    2 fig. general,
    THESAURUS
    vague: An amoeba is amorphous, changing from one shape into another.
amortize
amortize
  1. v. [T] to repay a loan in monthly payments: We amortized our $30,000 loan into $300 per month for several years.
amount
amount
  1. n. a total, sum: The amount of the bill is $100.v. [I]
    1 to total, add up: The bill amounts to $20.
    2 to amount to s.t.: to succeed,
    THESAURUS
    to flourish: I hope that my son amounts to s.t. when he grows up.
amperage
amperage
  1. n. [U] the strength of an electrical current -abbr. amp.
ampersand
ampersand
  1. n. the sign (&), meaning "and": Many people use the ampersand in note taking and informal letter writing.
amphibian
amphibian
  1. n.
    1 a type of animal that can live both in water and on land, such as frogs, toads, and newts
    2 an airplane that can land and take off on water or land; a vehicle that can go across land and in water: The military uses amphibians for landing troops on beaches. -adj. amphibious.
amphitheater
amphitheater
  1. n. a theater or arena with a central stage or playing field with rows of seats rising above it: The Coliseum in Rome is a famous amphitheater.
ample
ample
  1. adj. more than enough, plenty: We have an ample supply of food in the house to feed our guests. -adv. amply.
amplification
amplification
  1. n.[C;U]
    1 an increase in sound level: The amplification of the sound on the stereo was too high.
    2 more information about s.t., an explanation: The teacher gave an amplification of her thoughts to the class. -v. [I;T] amplify.
amplifier
amplifier
  1. n. a device that increases an electronic signal, esp. the level of sound: The amplifier in my stereo is very powerful.
amplitude
amplitude
  1. n. [U]
    1 the size of a radio wave See: AM.
    2 frml. size, space: The football stadium has seating space of great amplitude.
amputate
amputate
  1. v. [T] to cut off surgically: The doctor amputated the patient's leg, because it was too infected to cure. -n. [C;U] amputation.
amputee
amputee
  1. n. a person with arm(s) or leg(s) removed
amuck
amuck
  1. or amok adv. to run amuck: doing damage in an angry, violent way,
    THESAURUS
    (to be) on a rampage: The elephant escaped and ran amuck, destroying the village.
amulet
amulet
  1. n. a charm or object worn around the neck to prevent evil or harm: He wore an amulet of tigers' teeth around his neck.
amuse
amuse
  1. v. [T]
    1 to please, delight: Our friend's jokes amused us all evening.
    2 to hold the attention of s.o.: The little girl amuses herself for hours by playing with her toys.
    THESAURUS
    amuse
    1 to entertain | find funny
    2 to keep busy, occupy (one's time), engross. Ant. ore.
amusement
amusement
  1. n.
    1 [U] pleasure, delight: When our friend starts to tell jokes, our amusement doesn't stop.
    2 [C;U] entertainment, fun: For amusement, we go to the movies once a week.adj. related to pleasure and entertainment: The amusement park has camel and elephant rides.
    THESAURUS
    amusement n.
    1 enjoyment
    2 recreation. Ant. boredom.
amusing
amusing
  1. adj. causing laughter or pleasure: We found the new movie very amusing.
an
an
  1. strong form indef. article one, some: I have an idea for a good vacation; let's go to the mountains.

    USAGE NOTE: Use an before vowel sounds: an apple||an expensive gift. Use a before consonant sounds: a door||a good book. Note that the sound of the following word, not its spelling, determines whether to use a or an: an umbrella but a unit; an hour (h is silent) but a historical novel (h is sounded); a YMCA but an RV. an indef. article one, some: I have an idea for a good vacation; let's go to the mountains.

    USAGE NOTE: Use an before vowel sounds: an apple || an expensive gift. Use a before consonant sounds: a door || a good book. Note that the sound of the following word, not its spelling, determines whether to use a or an: an umbrella but a unit ; an hour (h is silent) but a historical novel (h is sounded); a YMCA but an RV .
anachronism
anachronism
  1. n. s.t. out of its time and place,
    THESAURUS
    a throwback to another era: It is almost an anachronism to use a typewriter these days, since computers are used everywhere. -adj. anachronistic ; -adv. anachronistically.
anal
anal
  1. adj. related to the anus
analgesic
analgesic
  1. n.adj. a pain-relieving drug that allows one to stay awake while it works: Aspirin is an analgesic.
analogous
analogous
  1. adj.frml. similar, nearly the same: This summer is analogous to last summer, which was also hot and rainy.
analogy
analogy
  1. n.pl. -gies a situation or story similar to another that helps one to understand: An analogy works like this: As a reservoir stores water, the mind stores knowledge.
analysis
analysis
  1. n. -ses
    1 work done to find facts and solutions to problems, a study: We did an analysis of the problem and proposed solutions to it.
    2 a written report of that study
analyst
analyst
  1. n. a person who studies and gives information about analyses: She is an economic analyst for the government.
analytic
analytic
  1. or analytical adj. having the ability to understand problems,
    THESAURUS
    insightful: She has an analytical mind and can solve problems easily. -adv. analytically.
analyze
analyze
  1. v. [T] -lyzed, -lyzing, -lyzes to examine s.t. to understand what it is and means, to study: A scientist analyzed data from a study of cancer patients.
    THESAURUS
    analyze to look closely at, evaluate. Ants. to ignore | skim, scan.
anarchism
anarchism
  1. n. [U] a political belief that there should be no government -n. anarchist.
anarchy
anarchy
  1. n. [U] a condition without governmental control, laws, military, etc.: The nation experienced anarchy after the revolution.
anathema
anathema
  1. n. [U]
    1 a curse by a religious authority
    2 s.t. that is hated: The thought of changing to another religion is anathema to many people.
anatomy
anatomy
  1. n. -mies
    1 [U] the study of the structure of living things and their parts, such as bones, nerves, etc.
    2 [C] usu. sing. the structure of a living thing: Is the anatomy of a frog similar to that of a toad? -adj. anatomical ; -adv. anatomically.
ancestor
ancestor
  1. n. the persons from whom one is descended (great-grandmother, great-grandfather, etc.): She can name her ancestors all the way back to sixteenth-century England. -adj. ancestral.
ancestry
ancestry
  1. n. [U] one's descent, heritage,
    THESAURUS
    lineage: My grandfather came from Italy, so I am of Italian ancestry.
anchor
anchor
  1. n.
    1 a heavy metal device used to keep boats from moving: Sailors put the ship's anchor into the water.
    2 s.t. that gives stability, to set or fasten s.t.: She tied rocks to the kite strings to serve as anchors on a windy day.
    3 fig. something that gives emotional or mental support: He moved around the country often, but his family was an anchor for him.v. [T]
    1 to use an anchor,
    THESAURUS
    to moor: They anchored their ship in the harbor.
    2 to coordinate and comment on a news show in which several reporters are participating: She anchors the 6:00 news.
anchorage
anchorage
  1. n. a place where boats can be anchored,
    THESAURUS
    a mooring: We used the mouth of a river as an anchorage, and we went on land.
anchorman
anchorman
  1. n. -men a man who reports news and coordinates and comments on the reports in a news show: Stanley Stunning is the anchorman on the television news program. -n. anchorwoman.
anchovy
anchovy
  1. n. [C] -vies a small fish that is often salted: I like anchovies in my salad and on pizza.
ancient
ancient
  1. adj.
    1 very old, usu. dating from more than 5,000 years ago to the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 A.D.: In school, we studied the ancient Greek and Roman civilizations.
    2 infrml. old, uninteresting: I used to date him, but that's ancient history now.
    THESAURUS
    ancient
    1 prehistoric | antique
    2 obsolete, passé. Ants. modern | current.
ancillary
ancillary
  1. adj.frml. subordinate: The poor economic situation was an ancillary cause of the war.
and
and
  1. strong form conj.
    1 in addition, plus: She likes to fish and to play tennis.
    2 added to, plus: 20 and 20 equals 40.
    3 then, thereafter: She stopped at the store and bought some groceries.
anecdotal
anecdotal
  1. adj. related to or based on stories, reports, or observations: His manner of speaking is anecdotal; he tells lots of little stories.
anecdote
anecdote
  1. n. a short story, esp. about one's own experiences: The sailor tells amusing anecdotes about his travels around the world.
anemia
anemia
  1. n. [U] a medical condition of not having enough oxygen-carrying red cells in one's blood: Anemia can be caused by not eating the right foods. -adj. anemic.
anesthesia
anesthesia
  1. n. [U] the loss of sensation or feeling in the body, esp. as produced by a drug: The patient was under anesthesia during the operation. -n. [U] anesthesiology.
anesthetic
anesthetic
  1. n. [C;U] a substance (often a gas) used by doctors to prevent a patient from feeling pain: The patient was given an anesthetic before surgery.
anesthetist
anesthetist
  1. n. a person trained to administer anesthetic: Before the surgeon began the operation, the anesthetist gave the patient a shot to numb the patient's leg. -v. [T] anesthetize.
anew
anew
  1. adv. over again,
    THESAURUS
    afresh: His report had incorrect numbers, so he began anew and did them correctly.
angel
angel
  1. n.
    1 a spiritual being, esp. a messenger of God: Angels of many kinds are found in the Bible.
    2 fig. a term of affection for a person who is well-behaved, beautiful, or as kind as an angel: That child is so wellbehaved; what an angel!
    3 fig. a financial supporter, esp. of a musical or theater production: The elaborate staging for the play was made possible by the many angels of the theatre troupe. -adj. angelic ; -adv. angelically.
anger
anger
  1. n. [U] a strong feeling often with a show of hate about what s.o. or s.t. is doing to you: After their argument, he expressed his anger by punching the other man in the face. See: aggravate; angry, USAGE NOTE. —v. [T] to enrage: Her constant criticism finally angered me.
    THESAURUS
    anger n. rage, fury | frustration. Ants. peace | calm. —v. to infuriate | frustrate.
angle
angle
  1. n.
    1 the figure formed by two or more straight lines coming together at one point: A 90-degree angle has one line that is straight up which meets with another line that is level with the floor.
    2 infrml.fig. to have an angle on s.t.: to hold an opinion or
    THESAURUS
    perspective on s.t.: What's your angle on this problem?
    3 infrml.fig. to have an angle: to have an improper method for gaining personal profit or advantage: That guy has an angle in everything he does.v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 to be shaped like an angle: One road angles to the left while the other continues in a straight line
    2 to fish: He angles in Bear Lake in the summer. See: angling.
angling
angling
  1. n. [U] sport fishing: My friend likes to go angling in the spring. -n. angler.
angry
angry
  1. adj. -grier, -griest feeling rage: His wallet was stolen, and he is very angry about it. -adv. angrily .
    THESAURUS
    angry mad, upset | furious. Ants. peaceful, calm | serene.

    USAGE NOTE: One becomes annoyed or irritated before one becomes angry. If one is very angry, one may be described as being infuriated or enraged.
angst
angst
  1. n.frml. [U] (German for) great anxiety, often accompanied by depression: Her angst about the future drove her to seek counseling.
anguish
anguish
  1. n. [U] painful sadness: She felt anguish when her 15-year-old dog died.v. [I]
    1 to suffer painful sadness: She anguished over the death of her dog.
    2 to be unable to decide on s.t., which makes one feel pain: She anguished for days over whether or not she should try to keep the dog alive.
angular
angular
  1. adj. having angles: The roofs of the houses are not flat; they are angular. -n. [U;C] angularity.
animal
animal
  1. n.
    1 any creature, living or dead, that is not a plant or human: Horses are animals.
    2 infrml. a person of very bad habits or behavior: He's angry all the time, eats with his fingers, and is dirty; he's an animal!
animate
animate
  1. v.frml. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates
    1 to enliven, make s.o. or s.t. full of life and fun: He is so lively that he animated the party last evening.
    2 to draw, design, or produce (e.g., a cartoon) in a manner that creates motion: Walt Disney animated characters including Mickey Mouse and Snow White. -n. animator ; -adj. animated; -adv. animatedly.adj.frml. alive, living: Creatures or things that have life are animate.
animation
animation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the process of giving life, spirit, motion, or activity: Through animation, the newspaper comic strip became a popular cartoon on television.
    2 frml. [U] having life, liveliness: The animation of the figures in the toy store window was very cleverly done.
animosity
animosity
  1. n. [C;U] -ties hostility, hatred: The two men have a mutual animosity for each other.
ankle
ankle
  1. n. the joint connecting the foot and lower leg: She tripped on the sidewalk and twisted her ankle.
annals
annals
  1. n.pl.frml. a written record or collection of historical events, discoveries, etc., on a certain subject: He was the greatest player in the annals of football.
annex
annex
  1. n. -es
    1 an addition to an existing building
    2 a separate building of smaller size near a main building: Our rooms were in the annex close to the main hotel.v. [T] -es to take possession of another country: Germany annexed Austria just before World War II. -n. annexation.
annihilate
annihilate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to eradicate by force, destroy totally: The army annihilated the enemy soldiers; all were killed. -n. [C] annihilation ; annihilator.
anniversary
anniversary
  1. n. -ries the date one year (and in following years) after the date on which an event took place: Our first wedding anniversary was last Tuesday.
anno Domini
anno Domini
  1. adv.frml. See: A.D.
annotate
annotate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to write notes on s.t.: The businesswoman annotated the report with her comments and suggestions. -n. [C;U] annotation.
announce
announce
  1. v. [T] -nounced, -nouncing, -nounces
    1 to make public, declare: The parents announced the wedding of their daughter in the newspaper.
    2 to act as an announcer: He announces the Giants' football games, commenting on and explaining the players' movements. -n. announcement .
    THESAURUS
    announce
    1 to communicate (formally), proclaim
    2 to broadcast. Ant. to keep (a) secret.
announcer
announcer
  1. n. a person who tells what will happen or what is happening in an event, e.g., a parade, a sports event, etc.: He is the television announcer for football games.
annoy
annoy
  1. v. [T] to cause mild anger: The constant noise from the street traffic annoyed me. See: angry, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    annoy to bother, irritate. Ant. to please.
annoyance
annoyance
  1. n. [C;U] an irritation, bother: His constant complaining is an annoyance.
annual
annual
  1. adj. occurring every year: The annual rainfall in this area is light.n. a yearly publication of important events, etc., from the past year: The annual of the Graphic Artist Society presents beautiful pictures and designs. -adv. annually.
annuity
annuity
  1. n. -ties an investment (often in the form of an insurance policy) that provides fixed payments for a lifetime or other specified amount of time: The businessman bought an annuity for his daughter that pays her a monthly income for life.
annul
annul
  1. v. [T] -nulled, -nulling, -nuls to declare s.t. nonexistent, state legally s.t. never existed or happened: The couple had their marriage annulled. -n. annulment.
anoint
anoint
  1. v. [T] to pour oil or an oily substance on s.o. as in a religious ceremony,
    THESAURUS
    to sanctify: The bishop anointed the priest's head with holy oil.
anomaly
anomaly
  1. n.frml. -lies a departure from the normal, a mystery: The flying machine was unlike any craft the engineers had ever seen; it was an anomaly. -adj. anomalous.
anonymous
anonymous
  1. adj. not being named, unknown: An anonymous person called the police and identified the thief. -adv. anonymously; -n. [U] anonymity.
anorexia
anorexia
  1. n. [U] prolonged loss of appetite, resulting in low body weight and possible death: Her weight loss and eating habits led the doctor to suspect she suffered from anorexia. -adj. anorectic ; -adj.n. anorexic.
another
another
  1. pron.
    1 a different person (animal, thing): She no longer loves him; she loves another.
    2 an additional thing (person, animal, etc.): He ate one hamburger, then ordered another.adj. different,
    THESAURUS
    alternative: She loves another man now.
answer
answer
  1. n. a spoken or written response, reply: I received an answer to my letter yesterday.v.
    1 [I;T] to reply: The company answered that it is interested in my offer.
    2 phrasal v. [I;T] to answer back: to reply: When the teacher told the student to be quiet, he answered back, "No!"
    3 phrasal v. [T] to answer for: to be held responsible for: The criminal will have to answer for his crimes by going to jail.
    4 phrasal v. [T] to answer to: to work for, be judged by: I do not have to answer to you, you're not my boss.
    THESAURUS
    answer n. a response, acknowledgement. -—v. to respond, acknowledge. Ant. to ignore.
answerable
answerable
  1. adj. responsible for,
    THESAURUS
    liable: He is answerable to society for his crimes.
ant
ant
  1. n. an insect with a narrow waist, two bent antennae, and biting jaws, noted for living in colonies and for working hard: Having left their food uncovered while they played softball, the picnickers returned to find the ants eating it.
antacid
antacid
  1. n.adj. a pill or liquid used to stop an acid, burning feeling: He took an antacid (or) antacid tablet for his upset stomach.
antagonism
antagonism
  1. n. [C;U] the state of acting against s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    hostility: Our neighbor's antagonism toward us is obvious; he is always throwing things in our yard. -n. antagonist; -adj. antagonistic; -adv. antagonistically.
antagonize
antagonize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes to cause others to feel angry,
    THESAURUS
    to offend: He antagonizes his neighbors by playing his stereo loudly, day and night.
ante
ante
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 (in card games) money or chips put into a pot that the winner takes: We played poker with a $1 ante.
    2 infrml.fig. to up the ante: to raise the cost of s.t.: We made an offer to buy a house for $100,000, but the owner upped the ante to $125,000.v. -ted or -teed, -teing, -tes
    1 [T] (in cards) to put money in a pot
    2 infrml.fig. [I;T] to ante up: to pay for s.t.: You owe me $10, so ante up.
ante meridiem
ante meridiem
  1. See: A.M.
antecedent
antecedent
  1. adj.frml. that which comes before,
    THESAURUS
    the preceding: The antecedent noise and smoke were signs that the volcano might explode.n.
    1 (in grammar) the word, phrase, or clause to which a pronoun refers: "Scientist" is the antecedent of "he" in the sentence: The scientist became famous because he discovered a vaccine.
    2 pl. antecedents ancestors, forbears: Her antecedents came from England.
antedate
antedate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates to occur earlier, predate: The discovery of Africa antedated that of America.
antelope
antelope
  1. n. any of various fast, hoofed, four-legged animals with horns: Most antelopes are found in Africa, but some are found in Asia.
antenna
antenna
  1. n. -nas
    1 a rod, wire, dish, etc., used to receive or send electronic signals: The antenna for my car radio is a fine wire in the windshield.
    2 plural -nae a thread-like feeler on the heads of some animals: An ant has two antennae on its head.
anterior
anterior
  1. adj.frml. located in front: The head of an insect is located on the anterior part of its body.
anthem
anthem
  1. n.
    1 a song of devotion or admiration: The national anthem is sung before every baseball game.
    2 a religious song of praise, written for different types of voices
anthill
anthill
  1. n. a pile of earth made by ants as their house: Some anthills found in Africa are five feet high.
anthology
anthology
  1. n. -gies a collection of writings by one or many writers: She received an anthology of the works of 20th century American poets as a gift for her birthday. -v. [T] anthologize.
anthrax
anthrax
  1. n. [U] a disease, often deadly, of warm-blooded animals, esp. cattle and sheep: Countries take strong action against anthrax spreading among their sheep and cattle.
anthropology
anthropology
  1. n. [U] the study of humans and their cultures: In their anthropology course, the students learned about the Mayan civilization. -n. anthropologist; -adj. anthropological ; -adv. anthropologically.
anti-
anti-
  1. prefix against,
    THESAURUS
    contra: She is antismoking.
anti-Semite
anti-Semite
  1. n. a person who is hostile toward or discriminates against Jews: Hitler was an anti-Semite. -adj. anti-Semitic ; -n. [U] anti-Semitism.
antiabortion
antiabortion
  1. adj. opposed to the practice of terminating a pregnancy: The antiabortion group provided information on alternatives to abortions. See: abort, 1.
antiauthoritarian
antiauthoritarian
  1. adj. against authority: He has an antiauthoritarian attitude toward his boss.
antibiotic
antibiotic
  1. n. a type of medicine made from tiny microorganisms that are effective in fighting off other disease-causing microorganisms: Penicillin and tetracycline are widely used antibiotics. || I took an antibiotic for my ear infection.
antibody
antibody
  1. n. pl. -bodies a type of substance produced by the body against disease-causing germs: A mother's milk passes antibodies on to her baby.
anticipate
anticipate
  1. v. [T] -pated, -pating, -pates
    1 to await, expect: I anticipate that the weather will improve soon.
    2 to believe s.t. will happen in the future,
    THESAURUS
    to envision: I anticipate that the economy will improve next year. -n. [U] anticipation.
anticlimax
anticlimax
  1. n. -es a disappointing, uneventful result: Having seen the champion skate so well in the past, her poor performance was an anticlimax. -adj. anticlimactic.
antics
antics
  1. n.pl. foolish acts,
    THESAURUS
    clowning: The little boy danced on his chair, and the teacher punished him for his antics. -adj. antic.
antidote
antidote
  1. n. (in medicine) a substance that stops the action of a poison or other harmful substance: The doctor prescribed an antidote for the poison the boy had swallowed.
antifreeze
antifreeze
  1. n. [U] a liquid used in engine radiators to lower their freezing point: Because he forgot to put antifreeze in his car radiator, his car wouldn't start in the subzero weather.
antihistamine
antihistamine
  1. n. a type of medicine used to reduce the symptoms of allergies and colds: I took an antihistamine to relieve my hay fever.
antipasto
antipasto
  1. n.[C;U] -ti or -tos Italian-style snacks used to start a meal: Antipasto often includes sausage, cheese, and olives with bread.
antipathy
antipathy
  1. n.frml. [C;U] -thies a strong feeling ranging from dislike to hatred: The antipathy that exists between the two men has lasted for years. -adj. antipathetic.
antiquarian
antiquarian
  1. n.adj. a person who has to do with or deals in antiques or other old, rare objects: The antiquarians of Paris have their showrooms along the river Seine.
antiquated
antiquated
  1. adj. old, having been replaced by s.t. more advanced,
    THESAURUS
    obsolete: Our typewriter is not as efficient as a computer system, so it is antiquated. v. [T] antiquate.
antique
antique
  1. n.adj. an object that has particular value because of its age: The clock in the hallway is an antique (or) an antique clock.
    THESAURUS
    antique n. a relic, a historical object. —adj. very old, rare. Ants. modern, new.
antiquity
antiquity
  1. n. -ties
    1 the time of ancient societies: In antiquity, Greek and Roman civilizations lasted for many hundreds of years.
    2 ancient objects, such as statues and vases: The museum has many antiquities from ancient Egypt.
antiseptic
antiseptic
  1. n.adj. a chemical, such as iodine or hydrogen peroxide, that stops harmful bacteria from causing disease: I put antiseptic on the cut on my hand. -adv. antiseptically.
antisocial
antisocial
  1. adj.
    1 preferring to be alone, (syns.) unfriendly, withdrawn: He seldom goes out and never goes to parties; he's antisocial.
    2 causing trouble in society: Riots and crime are antisocial.
antithesis
antithesis
  1. n.frml. -ses the opposite of s.t.: Good is the antithesis of evil. -adj. antithetical.
antitrust
antitrust
  1. adj. preventing one company from taking over all the sales of a certain good or service in an effort to control the price: The USA's antitrust laws have helped keep telephone rates down. See: monopoly.
antler
antler
  1. n. a branched horn grown in pairs on the heads of male deer, elk, etc.: We saw a deer with large antlers.
antonym
antonym
  1. n. a word that means the opposite of another word: "Happy" is an antonym of "sad." See: synonym.
anus
anus
  1. n. -es the opening in the lower colon between the human buttocks: Human waste is discharged through the anus.
anvil
anvil
  1. n. an iron or steel platform on which hot metal is hammered into desired shapes: A blacksmith hammers horseshoes into shape on an anvil.
anxiety
anxiety
  1. n. [C;U] -ties worry, nervous fear with or without reason about what will happen in the future: As the man waited to learn the extent of his wife's injuries, his anxiety rose.
    THESAURUS
    anxiety concern, fearfulness. Ants. peace, calm.
anxious
anxious
  1. adj.
    1 wanting to do s.t.: The student was anxious to finish the final examination.
    2 worried, nervously fearful: The examination was very difficult, and he was anxious that he may have failed it. -adv. anxiously.
    THESAURUS
    anxious 1 impatient
    2 concerned, apprehensive frml. Ant. calm.
any
any
  1. pron.
    1 some, an amount of s.t.: My friend asked me for some money, but I didn't have any with me.
    2 all, a total amount: I told him that later he could have any I have at home.
    3 each person or thing in a group: Among our friends, any could see I was poor.adj.
    1 some: I don't have any money.
    2 all: I'm going fishing, and I will give you any fish that I catch.
    3 each of a group: Any student could pass that test; it was easy.adv. at all: I was ill yesterday and don't feel any better today. See: at, 13.
anybody
anybody
  1. pron. anyone: Anybody can learn to sing.
anyhow
anyhow
  1. adv.
    1 in any way, by whatever means: He can pay for the purchase anyhow he wants.
    2 slang no matter, whatever (indicating unimportance): Anyhow, I don't care as long as he pays.
anymore
anymore
  1. adv.
    1 now, any longer: They moved away; they don't live here anymore.
    2 from now on,
    THESAURUS
    henceforth: I have done enough for today; I won't work anymore.
anyplace
anyplace
  1. adv. anywhere, somewhere: You can sit anyplace you would like.
anything
anything
  1. n.pron. [U]
    1 any object, occurrence, or matter: I would give anything to be beautiful.
    2 anything but: except, not that: I will eat anything but broccoli.
    3 anything goes: all behavior, even improper or illegal, is permitted: When they have a party and start drinking, anything goes!
    4 anything like: similar to: She looks old in that picture; it doesn't look anything like her!
anytime
anytime
  1. adv. whenever, at any time or moment: We can leave anytime you are ready.
anyway
anyway
  1. adv.
    1 either, in addition (to strengthen a decision): It's OK that we can't go for a walk because I didn't feel like going anyway.
    2 and so (to continue a discussion): Anyway, to make a long story short, we finally found out what the problem was.
anywhere
anywhere
  1. adv.
    1 at any place, wherever: You can sit (walk, go, etc.) anywhere you want.
    2 to not get anywhere: to get nowhere, to achieve nothing: We have had meeting after meeting, but we haven't gotten anywhere in reaching an agreement.
aorta
aorta
  1. n. the main blood artery coming from the left side of the heart: Blood flows from the aorta throughout the body.
apace
apace
  1. adv.
    1 at a fast pace,
    THESAURUS
    quickly
    2 according to a schedule: Our work on the project proceeds apace.
apart
apart
  1. adj. not together, separated: When my parents are apart, they telephone each other every day.adv. in parts or pieces: The mechanic took the engine apart.
apartment
apartment
  1. n. a room or set of rooms designed as living space in a build-ing or house: We have a two-bedroom apartment in a building containing 100 apartments.
apathetic
apathetic
  1. adj. not interested,
    THESAURUS
    indifferent: The voters are apathetic about the candidates running for office. -adv. apathetically.
apathy
apathy
  1. n. [U] indifference, lack of interest: The apathy of voters was shown by the low number of votes cast.
aperitif
aperitif
  1. n. an alcoholic beverage taken before a meal: Sherry is a typical aperitif.
aperture
aperture
  1. n. a hole or other opening: The aperture controls the amount of light allowed in a camera.
apex
apex
  1. n. -es the top,
    THESAURUS
    the pinnacle: The climber reached the mountain's apex.
aphorism
aphorism
  1. n. a short saying containing a truth: "The great die young" is an aphorism.
aphrodisiac
aphrodisiac
  1. n. a substance thought to cause sexual excitement: In many parts of the world, alcohol is drunk as an aphrodisiac.
apiary
apiary
  1. n. -aries a place where honeybees are kept: The beekeeper has an apiary of 10 beehives from which he collects honey.
apiece
apiece
  1. adv. per piece, each: Those tennis balls cost $1 apiece.
    THESAURUS
    apiece individually, singly, for one (of s.t.). Ants. as a group, together.
aplenty
aplenty
  1. adv.frml. in great amount, much or many: In this lake, there are fish aplenty.
aplomb
aplomb
  1. n. [U] calm, esp. in a difficult situation,
    THESAURUS
    composure: People yelled at the speaker, but she never lost her aplomb.
apocalypse
apocalypse
  1. n. the end of the world: The earthquake was so terrible that many thought that the apocalypse had come.adj. apocalyptic See: Armageddon.
apolitical
apolitical
  1. adj. not done for political reasons, nonpartisan: When the country is threatened, politicians become apolitical and agree with each other to defend it.
apologize
apologize
  1. v. [I] -gized, -gizing, -gizes to express regret for doing s.t. wrong and usu. to ask forgiveness: The young man apologized to the woman for spilling coffee on her dress. -adj. apologetic ; -adv. apologetically.
    THESAURUS
    apologize to say you are sorry, beg s.o.'s pardon.
apology
apology
  1. n. -gies an expression of regret for doing s.t. wrong: The woman accepted his apology for spilling coffee on her dress.
apoplectic
apoplectic
  1. adj.
    1 appearing to faint, become unconscious: When he heard the bad news, he became apoplectic.
    2 fig. very angry, furious -n. [U] apoplexy . See: stroke.
apostle
apostle
  1. n.
    1 a follower and missionary: Christ had 12 apostles who spread the word of Christianity.
    2 a leader of a new cause: She is an apostle for working parents' rights. -adj. apostolic.
apostrophe
apostrophe
  1. n. the punctuation mark ('): An apostrophe is used in contractions ("isn't," "doesn't") and in possessives ("that man's wife").
apothecary
apothecary
  1. n.frml. -caries
    1 a place where one can buy medicine, (syns.) a pharmacy, drugstore: The patient had his prescription filled at the apothecary.
    2 a person who mixes the medicine in such a store: The apothecary carefully counted out the prescribed number of pills.
appall
appall
  1. v. [T] to shock, deeply offend: The murder of the child appalled everyone in the city. -adj. appalling; -adv. appallingly.
apparatus
apparatus
  1. n.[C;U] -uses or -us a device or group of devices (machines, tools, wires, etc.) designed to perform a certain task: With their sophisticated apparatus, the scientists were able to determine the epicenter of the earthquake. See: device, appliance.
apparel
apparel
  1. n. [U] a general term for clothing, such as suits or dresses: XYZ Company is a manufacturer of ladies' apparel.
apparent
apparent
  1. adj. obvious, clear: He's very unhappy, and it is apparent that he wants to leave now. -adv. apparently.
    THESAURUS
    apparent evident, noticeable. Ant. unclear. apparently adv. clearly, obviously.
apparition
apparition
  1. n.frml. a spirit of the dead appearing to s.o., a ghost: The old man says that he saw an apparition in that cave.
appeal
appeal
  1. v.
    1 [I] to attract, please s.o.: The idea of spending two weeks on vacation appeals to me.
    2 [I] to ask for, plead for help: The Red Cross appealed for money to help people after the hurricane.
    3 [T] (in law) to bring a decision by a lower court to a higher court for review: He was found guilty but appealed the decision to a higher court.
    THESAURUS
    appeal v.
    1 to satisfy, please, gratify frml. Ant. to displease.
    2 to plea for. —n.
    1 [U] attractiveness, a pleasing aspect or quality: A winter vacation holds a lot of appeal for me.
    2 [C] a plea, request: The Red Cross made an appeal for money and clothing.
    3 [U;C] (in law) a request for higher court review: The decision in the case is now on appeal in a higher court.
appear
appear
  1. v. [I]
    1 to become visible: The sun suddenly appeared from behind a big cloud.
    2 to seem, be likely: It appears the weather will be nice.
    THESAURUS
    appear
    1 to come into view, arrive | emerge. Ant. to disappear.
    2 to seem like, look like, strike s.o. as.
appearance
appearance
  1. n.
    1 [C] the arrival, the coming into public view: The singer's appearance on the stage caused everyone to applaud.
    2 [U] how one looks and dresses: The woman has such a nice appearance.
    3 to make an appearance: to show oneself: The movie star made a brief appearance at the party and then left.
    THESAURUS
    appearance
    1 showing up, being present. Ant. disappearance.
    2 (a person's) image, looks (s.o.'s/s.t.'s) outward aspect.
appease
appease
  1. v. [T] -peased, -peasing, -peases
    1 to make s.o. feel better about being wronged,
    THESAURUS
    to placate: The man appeased his wife's anger about forgetting her birthday by taking her out to dinner.
    2 to surrender or to make concessions: The small, weak country appeased its strong neighbor by giving up part of its land. -n. [U] appeasement.
appellate
appellate
  1. adj. (in law) able to review and change a decision of a lower court: The attorneys submitted their briefs to the appellate court.
append
append
  1. v. [T] to add on,
    THESAURUS
    to affix: The lawyer appended two more pages to the contract.
appendage
appendage
  1. n. an extension of s.t.: Fingers and toes are appendages of the hand and foot.
appendectomy
appendectomy
  1. n. -mies the surgical removal of the human appendix: Our daughter had an appendectomy at the hospital.
appendicitis
appendicitis
  1. n. [U] infection of the appendix causing swelling and pain: Our daughter was suffering from appendicitis.
appendix
appendix
  1. n. -dixes or -dices
    1 a bodily organ located on the right side of the abdomen: The appendix is apparently a useless organ that, when infected, can cause serious illness.
    2 s.t. added on, esp. to the end of a book: The geography textbook has an appendix in which all the countries of the world and their capital cities are listed.
appetite
appetite
  1. n. [C;U] desire and capacity for food, drink, or pleasure: Our son is a football player and has a big appetite for steak.
appetizer
appetizer
  1. n. a small amount of food served before the main meal: We served some crackers and cheese as an appetizer. See: hors d'oeuvre.
appetizing
appetizing
  1. adj. stimulating or appealing to the appetite: The roast beef is very appetizing.
applaud
applaud
  1. v. [T]
    1 to clap one's hands in approval: The audience applauded the orchestra's performance.
    2 fig. to express admiration: The boss applauded my efforts by praising my work.
applause
applause
  1. n. [U] hand clapping in approval of a performance: The speaker was shocked at the lack of applause from the audience.
applesauce
applesauce
  1. n. [U] apples crushed and cooked into a soft and pulpy state: Before they get teeth, babies enjoy eating applesauce.
appliance
appliance
  1. n. a device used for a specific function, usu. electrical and used in the home: Major appliances include stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, and dishwashers.
applicable
applicable
  1. adj.
    1 belonging to, for the purpose of: This payment is applicable to my rent.
    2 having meaning, significance: His earlier comments were not applicable to our later discussion. See: apply, 4.
applicant
applicant
  1. n. a person seeking a specific job: We have 10 applicants for the position of secretary.
application
application
  1. n.
    1 [C] a document or blank form for writing down information for a specific purpose, such as requesting a job or a loan: I filled out an application for a job at the factory.
    2 [C] a use in s.t.: Mathematics has applications in science.
    3 [C;U] the act of putting s.t. on: An application of paint improved the appearance of the house.
    THESAURUS
    application
    1 a request for (job, driver's license)
    2 the relevance to (or) of, suitability of
    3 spreading on, a treatment with (paint, face cream).
applicator
applicator
  1. n. a tool, such as a sponge or stick, used to apply things: I used an applicator to put glue on the paper.
applied
applied
  1. adj. put to practical use, esp. in one's work: She studied applied science at college and is a computer programmer now. See: theoretical.
appliqué
appliqué
  1. n. a decoration made from cloth, then cut out and fastened to a larger piece of cloth: I put an appliqué of the moon and stars on my T-shirt.
apply
apply
  1. v. -plies
    1 [T] to request or seek admission or assistance: I applied for a visa to travel abroad.
    2 [T] to put on, or upon: The nurse applied a bandage to the wound.
    3 [T] to credit, enter into account: The bookkeeper applied a payment to a debt.
    4 [I;T] to be meaningful to, to be relevant to: His answer does not apply to the test question.
    THESAURUS
    apply
    1 to ask for, submit a form for (job, driver's license)
    2 to spread on, cover with (bandage, paint, face cream)
    4 to be suitable, relate to s.t. Ant. to misapply.
appoint
appoint
  1. v. [T] to choose s.o. for a position,
    THESAURUS
    to designate: The President appointed scientists to a committee on the environment.
appointee
appointee
  1. n. a person named to a position: The scientist is the President's new appointee to the committee on the environment.
appointment
appointment
  1. n.
    1 [C] a time, place, and date to see s.o.: I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow.
    2 [C;U] the act of giving s.o. a job or position: The appointment of the new judge by the governor took place last week.
    THESAURUS
    appointment
    1 a meeting, a date | engagement frml. Ant. cancellation.
    2 a job offer, naming. Ant. dismissal.
apportion
apportion
  1. v. [T] to divide s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to allocate: The federal government apportioned money among the states. -n. [U] apportionment.
appraisal
appraisal
  1. n. [C;U] an estimate of the value of s.t., usu. made by an expert: The insurance company required a written appraisal before it would insure the jewels.
appraise
appraise
  1. v. [T] -praised, -praising, -praises to estimate the value of property: He appraised the necklace at $100,000. -n. appraiser.
appreciable
appreciable
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being estimated or perceived: I can find no appreciable differences in the witnesses' descriptions of the accident; they seem the same.
    2 capable of increasing (in value): We bought an appreciable piece of property. -adv. appreciably.
appreciate
appreciate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [T] to be thankful for: The elderly lady appreciated help in getting on the bus.
    2 [T] to understand the value or importance of s.t.: He appreciates modern art.
    3 [T] to sympathize with, have a feeling for: I can appreciate how sad you are because of your dog's death.
    4 [I] to increase in value: The value of our company's stock has appreciated greatly.
    THESAURUS
    appreciate
    1 to be grateful for. Ant. to be ungrateful.
    2 to admire, esteem. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    to disrespect.
    3 to identify with,
    THESAURUS
    understand. Ant. to be insensitive to.
appreciation
appreciation
  1. n. [U]
    1 gratitude, thankfulness: The man showed his appreciation to the waiter by leaving him a big tip.
    2 esteem for the beauty or complexity of s.t.: She has an appreciation of painting and sculpture.
    3 understanding,
    THESAURUS
    sympathy: He has an appreciation for how difficult it is to write well.
    4 increase in the value of s.t.
appreciative
appreciative
  1. adj.
    1 thankful, grateful: He is appreciative of the gift.
    2 understanding a reason for s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    sympathetic: I am appreciative of the fact that you were late because you were delayed in traffic. -adv. appreciatively.
apprehend
apprehend
  1. v.frml. [T] to capture, arrest: The police apprehended the criminal. -adj. apprehensible.
apprehension
apprehension
  1. n. [U;C] worry, fear: The parents were filled with apprehension about letting their 19-year-old daughter drive across country alone. -adj. apprehensive.
apprentice
apprentice
  1. n. one who is learning a skill or trade from an expert (usu. a master craftsman or artist): My son is an apprentice in a furniture maker's workshop.
apprenticeship
apprenticeship
  1. n. a period of time, often three to four years, spent working with a master craftsman or expert artist to learn a skill or trade: That great artist served an apprenticeship before becoming well-known.
apprise
apprise
  1. v.frml. [T] -prised, -prising, -prises to inform: I apprised my boss of my reasons for leaving my job.
approach
approach
  1. n. -es
    1 a course of action, a way of handling a situation: She took a quiet, friendly approach in dealing with her daughter about the problem.
    2 means of access: The pilot made a slow, gradual approach to the airport runway.v. [T] -es
    1 to near, move toward: As I approached the house, I noticed that the door was open.
    2 to begin to handle a situation or work on s.t.: I approached the problem of reducing costs by making a list of them.
    THESAURUS
    approach n.
    1 a method of handling s.t., endeavor | proposal (to s.o.)
    2 a pathway. —v.
    1 to come toward (or) near (a person or place). Ant. to go away.
    2 to make a proposal to. Ant. to avoid.
approachable
approachable
  1. adj. friendly, willing to talk,
    THESAURUS
    accessible: Even though she is famous, she is still quite approachable.
approbation
approbation
  1. n.frml. [U] formal approval: The committee of professors gave approbation of my application to go to graduate school.
appropriate
appropriate
  1. adj. correct, suitable: That school is excellent, so she made the appropriate choice in going there.v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to allocate, make (money) available: The government appropriated funds for the construction of a park.
    2 to take by force of law, confiscate: The state appropriated the farmer's land to build a highway on it. -n. [C;U] appropriation .
    THESAURUS
    appropriate adj. right, proper. Ant. inappropriate.
approval
approval
  1. n. [U]
    1 permission, consent: The owner gave his approval for a salary increase for all employees.
    2 admiration, praise: The violinist's performance met with the approval of the audience.
    THESAURUS
    approval
    1 (give one's) agreement to, consent to. Ants. disapproval, rejection.
    THESAURUS
    2 (one's) acceptance of, liking of (behavior,
    THESAURUS
    appearance). Ant. dislike.
approve
approve
  1. v. -proved, -proving, -proves
    1 [T] to consent, permit: The consulate approved my request for a travel visa.
    2 [I] to admire, praise: His mother approves of his new girlfriend's family. -adv. approvingly.
    THESAURUS
    approve
    1 agree to | endorse frml. Ants. to disapprove, reject.
    2 to like, accept (behavior, appearance). Ant. to dislike.
approximate
approximate
  1. adj. estimated, not exact: The builder gave an approximate cost for the roof repairs.v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates to estimate, guess: The mechanic approximated the cost of a new engine for my car. -adv. approximately; -n. [U;C] approximation.
apricot
apricot
  1. n. a small, peach-like fruit: I like apricots for dessert.
apron
apron
  1. n.
    1 a covering, usu. made of a piece of cotton cloth, worn over the front of one's body to keep one's clothes clean while cooking or cleaning: The cook was preparing spaghetti sauce and his apron was covered with tomato juice.
    2 n.pl.fig. apron strings: usu. used with "tied" to indicate s.o. is totally controlled and protected: The young man is still tied to his mother's apron strings and won't do a thing without consulting her.
apropos
apropos
  1. prep. about, regarding, concerning: Apropos your request for money, I agree to loan it to you.adj. relevant: I felt that her comments were apropos.
apt
apt
  1. adj.
    1 appropriate, suitable for a situation: The speaker made apt remarks when answering questions from the audience.
    2 intelligent, capable: She is a very apt student and learns quickly.
    3 likely to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    liable: She is apt to make mistakes if you pressure her too much. -adv. aptly; -n. [U] aptness.
aptitude
aptitude
  1. n. [C;U] capacity for, to be good at doing s.t.: That student has an aptitude for mathematics.
aptitude test
aptitude test
  1. n. a test to determine the type of work and activities a person may be successful at or to determine a person's potential for learning: My brother took an aptitude test that showed that he is well suited for photography.
aqua
aqua
  1. adj. a light bluish green color: The ocean was a lovely shade of aqua.
aquamarine
aquamarine
  1. n. a jewel colored light blue to darkish blue: My wife wears a gold ring with a large aquamarine in it.
aquarium
aquarium
  1. n. -iums or -ia a glass tank of varying sizes used to house fish and other water creatures: The Boston Aquarium has many tanks of fish.
aquatic
aquatic
  1. adj. related to water: Aquatic sports include swimming, diving, and boating.
aqueduct
aqueduct
  1. n. a waterway made of stone blocks: Many aqueducts from ancient Roman times still stand today near the Mediterranean Sea.
arable
arable
  1. adj. fit for plowing: Farmers must have arable land in order to grow crops.
arbiter
arbiter
  1. n. s.o. with the power to decide, a judge; an arbitrator: The court named an arbiter to decide the disagreement between the factory's workers and owners.
arbitrary
arbitrary
  1. adj. unwilling to use reason or listen to others,
    THESAURUS
    dogmatic: He made an arbitrary decision to sell the house without asking his wife. -adv. arbitrarily.
arbitrate
arbitrate
  1. v. [I;T] -trated, -trating, -trates to help others reach a decision,
    THESAURUS
    to referee: The judge arbitrated a disagreement between workers and management.
arbitration
arbitration
  1. n. [U] the process of solving disagreements with the help of an impartial person or group: The wage disagreement is under arbitration.
arbitrator
arbitrator
  1. n. [C] a mediator, judge: The lawyer acts as an arbitrator in labor disagreements.
arbor
arbor
  1. n. a shaded place in a garden, often made by climbing vines or branches that have grown together or by latticework that has become covered with climbing vines or roses: The rose arbor was beautiful when the roses were in bloom.
arboretum
arboretum
  1. n. -tums or -ta a garden for the scientific study and public showing of trees and usu. other plants: The city has an arboretum that is nice to walk through on a sunny day.
arc
arc
  1. n.v. [I]
    1 a curved path, such as of electricity between two metal rods: An arc of electricity arced between the two points.
    2 (in geometry) a section of a curve: The diagram showed an arc between the two points.
arcade
arcade
  1. n. a building or covered passageway with many shops or amusements in it: We go to the amusement arcade on Saturdays to play the electronic games.
arch
arch
  1. n. arches
    1 (in architecture) a curved structure of stone or metal, usu. rounded or pointed in the middle: The arches inside a big church are marvelous to see.
    2 the middle portion of the underside of the foot, usu. raised: The poor man has fallen arches; that is, flat feet.v. [I;T] to curve in the shape of an arch: The dancer arched her back then straightened it.
archaeology
archaeology
  1. n. [U] the study of human life and civilizations through items of the past such as buried houses, statues, pots, etc.: I took a course in archaeology before we traveled to Egypt. -adj. archaeological ; -adv. archaeologically; -n. archeologist.
archaic
archaic
  1. adj. old and useless,
    THESAURUS
    antiquated: The company does some things in archaic ways, such as not using computers for bookkeeping.
archdiocese
archdiocese
  1. n. (in Catholocism) the head office of a group of churches: The archdiocese is headed by an archbishop.
arched
arched
  1. adj. curved in the shape of an arch: The arched windows inside the church are beautiful.
archeology
archeology
  1. var. of archaeology
archer
archer
  1. n. a person who shoots arrows,
    THESAURUS
    a bowman: In the 12th century, warfare was often carried out by archers.
archery
archery
  1. n. [U] the sport of using a bow to shoot arrows at targets: I took a class in archery and learned to hit the bull's-eye.
archetype
archetype
  1. n. the most typical of a group: Old Mr. Higginbotham is the archetype of the elderly British gentleman.
archipelago
archipelago
  1. n. -gos or -goes a string of islands in a sea: Indonesia is a nation of archipelagos.
architect
architect
  1. n. a trained professional who designs buildings and is often in charge of their construction: My friend is an architect who designs school buildings.
architecture
architecture
  1. n.
    1 [U] the art and science of designing buildings and other structures: She studied architecture and art history at the university.
    2 a style of design and construction: The architecture of New York City is mostly tall buildings. -adj. architectural ; -adv. architecturally.
archives
archives
  1. n.pl. a place or collection of records and books of historical interest: The emperor's decrees and letters were in the national archives. -n. archivist.
archway
archway
  1. n. the passage under an arch or group of arches: We walked under the archway and into the palace.
arctic
arctic
  1. adj. very cold or related to the Arctic: An arctic wind blew during the snow storm.
ardent
ardent
  1. adj. full of devotion, passionate loyalty: She is a beautiful woman and has many ardent admirers. -adv. ardently.
ardor
ardor
  1. n. [U] passion, extreme devotion: He is full of ardor for her.
arduous
arduous
  1. adj. difficult, tiring: The refugees made an arduous journey through the mountains. -adv. arduously.
are
are
  1. strong form v. [I] present pl. of to be
area
area
  1. n.
    1 [C] a place, location: The picnic area is near the parking lot.||The New York area has high rents.
    2 [C] part of a room or a building: My kitchen has a dining area.||My apartment building has a storage area in the basement.
    3 [C] one's field of knowledge or expertise: Sales is not my area; I'm in accounting.
    4 [C;U] the size of a flat surface measured by multiplying the length by the width: What's the area of your garden?
    THESAURUS
    area
    1 locality, section, expanse | region (New York area)
    2 space
    3 subject, field (math, English)
    4 the measurement of (a rug/floor).
area code
area code
  1. n. [C] in USA and Canada, the first three numbers of a telephone number, used in making a long-distance call: My telephone number in Michigan is 555-6543, area code 313.
arena
arena
  1. n. a large building for the presentation of sports and other events, such as concerts: The sports arena has basketball games and rock concerts.
arguable
arguable
  1. adj. capable or worthy of being argued, doubted: That fellow has opinions about everything, but what he says is arguable.
argue
argue
  1. v. -gued, -guing, -gues
    1 [T] to fight with words: His mother and father argue with each other all the time.
    2 [I] to disagree, contest what s.o. says in a formal, logical way: The two lawyers argued their case in court. -adj. arguably.
    THESAURUS
    argue
    1 quarrel about (or) over, fight about, wrangle. Ant. to agree.
    2 to discuss formally, present logically.
argument
argument
  1. n.
    1 a difference of opinion, disagreement: There are at least two sides to every argument.
    2 a verbal fight,
    THESAURUS
    a wrangle: Every discussion with him turns into an argument.
argumentative
argumentative
  1. adj. liking to argue, combative: He is very argumentative.
aria
aria
  1. n. a song for a single voice in an opera: The audience applauded after the soprano sang the aria so beautifully.
arise
arise
  1. v.frml. [I] arose , arisen , arising, arises
    1 to get out of bed: He arose at noon.
    2 to occur, happen: Trouble arises when people have no food.
aristocracy
aristocracy
  1. n. -cies
    1 a group of people named as nobles by the king or queen in a country: Much of the aristocracy was killed during the French Revolution.
    2 the upper class: Doctors and lawyers are often considered the aristocracy in our city.
aristocrat
aristocrat
  1. n. a noble, member of the aristocracy: The countess is an aristocrat from an old family. -adj. aristocratic.
arithmetic
arithmetic
  1. n. [U] the branch of mathematics dealing with addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division: All that most businesspeople need to know of mathematics is arithmetic.
ark
ark
  1. n. a large, ancient ship: Ancient Egyptians sailed in arks.
arm-twisting
arm-twisting
  1. n.fig. [U] pressuring or persuading s.o. to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    coercion: After much arm-twisting, the CIA was able to make the spy reveal his secret mission.
arm
arm
  1. n.
    1 one of two parts of the upper human body that extends from the shoulder to the hand: The mother wrapped her arms around her child.
    2 the sleeve of a shirt, blouse, jacket, dress, etc., designed to cover the human arm: Is the shirt long enough in the arms?
    3 the part of a chair or sofa designed to support the human arm: The arms of the chair were too high.
    4 any of the long, usu. narrow parts of a machine: The arm of the turntable is broken, so we can't listen to the old records on the stereo.v. [T]
    1 to provide weapons to s.o.: The military arms its soldiers with modern weapons.
    2 to prepare for war: The citizens armed themselves against their enemies.
armada
armada
  1. n. a large fleet of warships: An armada of ships sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in World War II.
armadillo
armadillo
  1. n. -los an animal that digs for food and shelter in the ground and has tough skin made of hard plates: The armadillo is found in the American South and in Central America.
armament
armament
  1. n.
    1 military weapons and supplies: The unit had insufficient armament with which to do battle.
    2 pl. armaments: the weaponry owned or sold by a nation: A small number of nations provide the world with armaments.
armband
armband
  1. n. a piece of cloth worn around an arm, usu. black and worn to symbolize the death of s.o. or s.t.: He wore a black armband when his mother died.
armchair
armchair
  1. n. a chair with armrests: The armchair in the living room is very comfortable.
armed
armed
  1. adj. equipped with a weapon: The criminal is armed and dangerous.
armed forces
armed forces
  1. n.pl. the military of a nation: The armed forces in the USA are the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and the Coast Guard.
armistice
armistice
  1. n. a military truce, a temporary agreement to stop military fighting: The two nations signed an armistice.
armor
armor
  1. n. [U] a protective covering worn by a soldier or on a piece of military equipment: King Arthur's knights wore a suit of armor when going into battle. -v. armor.
armory
armory
  1. n. -ies a large building for keeping military equipment: An armory often serves as a military headquarters.
armpit
armpit
  1. n. the hollow under the arm where it joins the shoulder: He applies deodorant to his armpits after he showers.
arms
arms
  1. n.pl. weapons of war, such as rifles and cannons: Countries sell arms to other countries for defense and war.
army
army
  1. n. -mies
    1 a military land force of soldiers and tanks: The army gathered on the border to invade its neighbor.
    2 a great number (of people, ants, etc.): An army of helpers arrived to clean up after the hurricane.
aroma
aroma
  1. n. a pleasant smell, esp. of cooking: The aroma of coffee filled the air.
aromatic
aromatic
  1. adj. having an aroma, pleasant smell: The pipe tobacco that he smokes is aromatic.
arose
arose
  1. past tense of to arise
around-the-clock
around-the-clock
  1. adv. nonstop, going for 24 hours: They worked around-the-clock to finish the project on time.
around
around
  1. prep.
    1 in a circular motion: The teacher told the student to turn around in his seat and stop bothering the student behind him.||The crowd gathered around the movie star.
    2 infrml. approximately, about: I'll meet you at the restaurant around noon.adv. about: We visited the shopping center and simply looked around.
arouse
arouse
  1. v. [T] aroused, arousing, arouses
    1 to awaken s.o.: I was aroused by traffic noises at 6:00 A.M.
    2 to excite, stimulate: The leader aroused the people to fight.
arraign
arraign
  1. v. [T] (in law) to force s.o. to appear before a court to answer a legal complaint: The young man was arraigned in criminal court for theft. -n. [C;U] arraignment.
arrange
arrange
  1. v. -ranged, -ranging, -ranges
    1 [I;T] to make specific plans: I arranged the airline reservations for my trip.||He arranged for a babysitter so we could go out to dinner.
    2 [T] to put in order: The manager arranged the papers on her desk and then began work.
    3 [T] to change a musical composition: The composer arranged the song, which was originally written for the piano, for the orchestra.
    4 [T] to come to an agreement: The lawyers arranged a purchase agreement between the two businesses.
    5 [T] to put s.t. in a pleasing way: He arranged the flowers in a vase.
    THESAURUS
    arrange
    1 to plan, schedule (meetings, parties)
    2 to organize, sort
    4 to agree,
    THESAURUS
    reach an understanding
    5 to group together, position (things, flowers).
arrangement
arrangement
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] agreement, understanding: By arrangement with our neighbor, our lawn will be mowed once a week while we are away.
    2 [C] something made by putting things together: The flower arrangements at the wedding were beautiful.
    3 [C] an adaptation, changed piece of music: The guitarist wrote a new arrangement of the old song.
    4 to make arrangements for s.t.: to schedule, prepare, such as hotel and airline reservations: I have made all the arrangements for our summer vacation.
    THESAURUS
    arrangement(s) plans, preparations.
array
array
  1. n. [C;U] a grouping, a way that things are put in order: An array of TV antennas stands on the roof.v. [T] to form into a group: The military arrayed its soldiers against the enemy.
arrears
arrears
  1. n.pl.
    1 overdue payments, such as rent or car payments not made on time
    2 in arrears: The payments on that car loan are in arrears (or) are in arrears by three months. -n. [U] arrearage.
arrest
arrest
  1. n.
    1 the seizure or holding of a person, usu. by police, for breaking the law: She was placed under arrest after robbing the grocery store.
    2 [C;U] a stopping or delay: Strong medicine brought an arrest to the spread of his cancer.v. [T]
    1 to seize or hold s.o. by legal authority: The policeman arrested the thief and took him to jail.
    2 to stop, delay: A bandage placed over the wound arrested the flow of blood.
    3 to seize the attention of s.o.: The beautiful sunset arrested our attention, and we stopped to watch it.
    THESAURUS
    arrest n.
    1 the capture of, apprehension of a suspect (or) criminal.
    THESAURUS
    v.
    1 to take s.o. into custody, capture, apprehend. Ant. to release.
arrival
arrival
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the coming to a place, appearance: The arrival of my airline flight will be at gate 10.
    2 [C] a person who has recently reached a new destination: That student is a new arrival on campus.
arrive
arrive
  1. v. [I] -rived, -riving, -rives
    1 to reach a place or destination: We arrived in town yesterday.
    2 fig. to reach financial or social success: After years of hard work, she has finally arrived.
    THESAURUS
    arrive
    1 to come to (a place), get there | land. Ant. to depart.
arrogance
arrogance
  1. n. [U] self-importance usu. offensive to others,
    THESAURUS
    haughtiness: The arrogance of that man annoys everyone.
arrogant
arrogant
  1. adj. self-important: Ever since he met the Queen, he's been quite arrogant. -adv. arrogantly.
    THESAURUS
    arrogant overbearing, conceited. Ant. humble.
arrow
arrow
  1. n.
    1 a long thin piece of wood, metal, or plastic with a point at one end and feathers at the other: People shoot arrows at targets. See: archery.
    2 a sign or symbol shaped like an arrow to show direction: An arrow pointed to the building's exit.
arsenal
arsenal
  1. n. a storehouse of weapons and explosives: The military maintains arsenals all over the country.
arsenic
arsenic
  1. n. [U] adj. a type of deadly poison: Workers put out meat containing arsenic in order to kill the rats in the warehouse.
arson
arson
  1. n. [U] the deliberate setting of fires by s.o.: The store burned down, and the police suspected arson. -n. arsonist.
art
art
  1. n.
    1 [U] making or expressing of that which is beautiful: painting, sculpture, architecture, music, literature, drama, dance, etc.: That museum has a great collection of art.
    2 [U] the skill to do s.t. well: She knows the art of making good conversation with people.n.pl.
    1 the arts: dance, music, painting, sculpture, poetry, plays, and other writings
    2 the liberal arts: literature, music, languages, etc., as distinguished from the sciences: He was a liberal arts major in college.
art gallery
art gallery
  1. n. a place, esp. a showroom, to display works of art, such as paintings, sculpture, etc.: The artist had a showing of her works in a well-known art gallery.
artery
artery
  1. n. -teries
    1 one of several large blood vessels going from the heart: One of the patient's heart arteries is blocked.
    2 a highway: The main arteries out of the city are filled with holiday traffic. -adj. arterial.
artful
artful
  1. adj.
    1 showing skill and ability: The new ballet is an artful combination of traditional ballet and modern dance.
    2 skilled in gaining one's purpose, esp. through cunning means: The thief was artful in hiding his loot before he was questioned.
arthritis
arthritis
  1. n. [U] inflammation of one or many joints, such as in the hands, hips, and knees, resulting in pain: My mother has arthritis in her knees and hips. -adj. arthritic.
artichoke
artichoke
  1. n. a small green plant with leaves, whose flower head is cooked and eaten as a vegetable: The growing of artichokes is a big business in California.
article
article
  1. n.
    1 a thing, object: Articles of clothing are kept in the dresser.
    2 a short written piece, such as a newspaper story: I read a magazine article on a new type of medicine.
    3 a part of a longer piece of writing, such as a contract or constitution: Article I of the contract names the buyer and the seller of the property.
    4 (in grammar) any of a set of words used to limit a noun: The English definite article is "the"; the English indefinite articles are "a" and "an".
articulate
articulate
  1. v. -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 [T] to express s.t. in clear and effective language: The leader articulated the needs of his group for better housing.
    2 [I] to speak distinctly: People cannot understand what he says because he does not articulate well. -adv. articulately; -n. [U] articulation . —adj. able to express oneself in clear, effective language; good with words
artifact
artifact
  1. n. an object used by humans a very long time ago: Archaeologists dig for artifacts, such as old pots and bones of ancient peoples.
artifice
artifice
  1. n.frml.
    1 a trick: Through artifice the magician created the illusion that he had sawed his assistant in half.
    2 a clever device or plan: The general's artifice enabled him to surprise the enemy.
artificial limb
artificial limb
  1. n. an arm, hand, leg, or foot made to replace the living one,
    THESAURUS
    a prosthesis: He lost his leg in an accident and wears an artificial limb.
artillery
artillery
  1. n. [U] large, powerful guns,
    THESAURUS
    cannonry: The artillery fired its shells against the enemy.
artisan
artisan
  1. n. a craftsman, one skilled in a trade, such as bricklaying, painting houses, etc.: The man is an artisan in a woodworking shop.
artist
artist
  1. n. a person who creates art, such as a painter or musician: The singer is a recording artist with Passion Records.
artistic
artistic
  1. adj.
    1 related to art or artists: Picasso's painting Guernica is an artistic impression of war's horrors.
    2 having ability in art or sensitivity to it: She loves to decorate and has an artistic sense of colors. -adv. artistically.
artistry
artistry
  1. n. [U] artistic expression: The violinist displayed her artistry in an exciting performance.
artsy or arty
artsy or arty
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest wearing clothes or behaving in a way intended to be like an artist: She wears very arty clothes and likes to be around actors.
artwork
artwork
  1. n. [U] pieces of art, such as paintings and sculpture: The artwork in the museum is displayed with just the right lighting.
as
as
  1. strong form adv.
    1 to the same amount, just as much as s.o. or s.t. else: He is blind as a bat.
    2 for example, for instance: We enjoy playing sports, such as golf and tennis.conj.
    1 to the same extent (degree, amount): She is as intelligent as she is pretty.
    2 because: He fell asleep on the sofa, as he was so tired.
    3 in the same way: Walk as fast as I am walking.pron. that, which, or who, used after such or same: He thinks the same as I do.prep.
    1 in the role of: He works as a business consultant.
    2 in the same way: We agree as a group on how to handle the matter.
    3 as far as it goes: to a limited extent, not enough: That report is acceptable as far as it goes, but it leaves out important ideas.
    4 as for: with regard to: As for raising salaries, we should discuss that next week.
    5 as if: in such a way that it would seem to be true (or not true); as though: (true) He is acting as if he's tired. ||(untrue) He's spending money as if he were a millionaire.
    6 as is: in its present condition, unchanged: I offered my car for sale as is, without any repairs.
    7 as it were: as if it is so, when it isn't: This so-called antique, as it were, is a fake.
    8 infrml.fig. as long as your arm: extensive, very lengthy: She has a shopping list as long as your arm.
    9 as such: the way it is, in its present state or condition: The plan is big and as such requires a lot of money to make it succeed.
    10 as though: apparently, as if: He acts as though he owns this company, but he doesn't.
    11 such as: for example, for instance: I need some supplies, such as pencils, a notebook, and a ruler.
asbestos
asbestos
  1. n. [U] a fibrous, fire-resistant material used in building materials (it is believed to cause cancer): Asbestos was used to cover pipes in old buildings.
ascend
ascend
  1. v.
    1 [I] to rise, climb: The airplane ascended into the sky.
    2 [T] to attain, gain a more important position: The prince ascended the throne after the king died.
ascendancy
ascendancy
  1. n.frml. [U] domination: The superpower's ascendancy in world trade was the topic of much debate among the world's struggling nations.
ascendant
ascendant
  1. adj.
    1 rising, climbing: The sun is ascendant in the eastern sky.
    2 frml. in control, superior: The young woman is in an ascendant position in the company. -n. ascendance.
ascension
ascension
  1. n. [U] the elevating of s.o. to s.t., ascent: The politician's ascension to power was slow but sure.
ascent
ascent
  1. n. [U;C] climb, upward path: His ascent up the mountain was slow and difficult.
ascetic
ascetic
  1. adj. severe in self-denial,
    THESAURUS
    austere: Ascetic practices include eating little, not drinking any alcoholic beverages, and living very simply.n. a person who leads a life of severe self-discipline, esp. for religious reasons -adv. ascetically.
ascribe
ascribe
  1. v.frml. [T] -cribed, -cribing, -cribes to give s.t. as a reason for,
    THESAURUS
    to attribute: The politician ascribed the failing economy to high taxes.
asexual
asexual
  1. adj. nonsexual, having no sex: Some bacteria are asexual and multiply by cell division. -adv. asexually.
ash
ash
  1. n. ashes
    1 [U;C] the powdery substance left after s.t. has burned: He dropped his cigarette ash in the ashtray.
    2 [U] a type of hardwood tree: Baseball bats are made from ash.
ashamed
ashamed
  1. adj. feeling guilt, chagrined: He failed the test and was ashamed of himself.
    THESAURUS
    ashamed feeling guilty, feeling shame | embarrassed, humiliated. Ant. proud.
ashen
ashen
  1. adj. pale, having a white, sickly look: His illness made his face ashen for several weeks.
ashore
ashore
  1. adv. on shore: After arriving in port, the ship's passengers went ashore to see the sights.
ashtray
ashtray
  1. n. a type of dish for tobacco ashes: I put my cigarette out in the ashtray.
aside
aside
  1. adv. to one side, away: He put his newspaper aside and watched TV.adv.phr. aside from: except for: Aside from the chilly weather, our vacation was fun.n. a comment made off the main point,
    THESAURUS
    a digression: We are talking about costs, but, as an aside, the product quality is excellent.
asinine
asinine
  1. adj. stupid, completely foolish: His ideas about politics are asinine.
ask
ask
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to pose a question: I asked my friend how she felt.
    2 to ask for it or for trouble: to do s.t. that is sure to get one in trouble: By not paying her bills, she asked for it; I'm taking her to court!
    3 fig. to ask for the moon: to ask for too much: When the vice president demanded double his present salary, he was asking for the moon.
    THESAURUS
    ask
    1 to inquire, query frml. Ant. to answer.

    USAGE NOTE: To ask is the most common verb used to request information or an answer from s.o. To inquire is more formal and often used in writing. To question s.o. implies doubt, such as in: The police questioned a man about the theft.
askance
askance
  1. adv.frml. with disapproval, distrust, or suspicion: My father thinks I'm too young and looks askance at my drinking beer.
askew
askew
  1. adj.frml. crooked, out of position: That picture on the wall is askew and needs straightening.
asleep
asleep
  1. adj.
    1 sleeping, dozing: The baby is asleep now.
    2 infrml.fig. asleep on the job or asleep at the switch: lazy, not aware, not active: He never catches any mistakes; he's always asleep on the job.
asp
asp
  1. n. a small, poisonous snake of Africa and Asia: In ancient times, people committed suicide by having an asp bite them near the heart.
asparagus
asparagus
  1. n. [C;U] -gus a green vegetable with long pointy stems
aspect
aspect
  1. n.frml.
    1 [C] a feature, part of s.t.: What aspect of the show did you like the best, the dancing or the music?
    2 [U;C] point of view, consideration: From the cost aspect, the product is not expensive.
aspersion
aspersion
  1. n.frml. a remark that says s.t. bad about s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    a slur: He hates his competitor and casts aspersions on him constantly.
asphalt
asphalt
  1. n. [U] a black coal-based substance used for covering roads or roofs: Our driveway is made of asphalt.v. [T] to coat with this substance: The new road was asphalted.
asphyxiate
asphyxiate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to kill by cutting off s.o.'s supply of air,
    THESAURUS
    to suffocate: The mine roof fell in, and a miner was asphyxiated. -n. [U] asphyxiation.
aspic
aspic
  1. n. [U] a clear firm jelly made from fish, beef, or other gravy in which food is usu. placed: We enjoy eating chicken in aspic in the summer.
aspirant
aspirant
  1. n. [C] one who has a strong desire to advance or gain a higher position: All the aspirants for the directorship had superb qualifications.
aspiration
aspiration
  1. n.frml. a strong desire, a great ambition: She has aspirations to be company president some day.
aspire
aspire
  1. v.frml. [I] -pired, -piring, -pires to desire strongly, hope to do or to be: He aspires to be a great actor someday.
aspirin
aspirin
  1. n. [C;U] -rin or -rins a painkiller (salicylic acid) in tablet form: I had a headache and took two aspirin(s) for it.
ass
ass
  1. n. asses
    1 a donkey: The ass is often used as a pack animal in remote mountain terrains.
    2 vulg.slang the buttocks
    3 infrml.fig. to make an ass of oneself: to behave stupidly: When he drinks too much, he makes an ass of himself.

    USAGE NOTE: To describe a part of the body, ass is a vulgar term and should not be used in polite company. In American English, the terms posterior and buttocks are used in formal speech and writing: The firefighter was badly burned on his legs and buttocks. Bottom is an informal term used around friends and acquaintances: My mother spanked my bottom when I hit my baby brother.
assail
assail
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to attack physically, storm: Soldiers assailed the enemy.
    2 to criticize or attack verbally: The two politicians assailed each other with insults.
assailant
assailant
  1. n. a person who attacks s.o.: The police caught the victim's assailant.
assassin
assassin
  1. n. a person who kills another, usu. for a reward or political reasons: He is a hired assassin for a radical political group.
assassinate
assassinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to murder s.o. in a planned way: President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. -n. [C;U] assassination.
assault
assault
  1. v. [T] to strike with force,
    THESAURUS
    to attack: A thief assaulted me with a club.n.
    1 [C;U] a violent attack, physically or verbally: The knights' assault on the castle was successful.
    2 [U] assault and battery: (in law) an attack (assault) in which physical harm is done to s.o. (battery): A police officer caught the fleeing man and arrested him for assault and battery.
assemblage
assemblage
  1. n.
    1 [U] putting parts of s.t. together,
    THESAURUS
    construction: The assemblage of the motor parts took several hours.
    2 [C] frml. a grouping of people: The assemblage of important people at the political gathering was impressive.
assemble
assemble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [T] to put together, make: The workers in that factory assemble trucks.
    2 [I] to gather, come together: The crowd assembled in the meeting hall.
    THESAURUS
    assemble
    1 to construct, join, build. Ants. to take apart, disassemble
    2 to get together (people). Ant. to disband.
assembler
assembler
  1. n. a worker who puts together parts of an item being manufactured: She works as an assembler in a factory that manufactures computers.
assembly
assembly
  1. n. -blies
    1 [U] putting parts of s.t. together: The assembly of a rifle by a soldier can be done in seconds.
    2 [C] a grouping of people, gathering: The assembly of students takes place in the auditorium.
assemblyman
assemblyman
  1. n. -men a member of a local or state legislature: The assemblyman from our district has an office near city hall. -n. assemblywoman -women.
assent
assent
  1. v.frml. [I] to agree to, to approve: The father assented to his daughter's marriage.n. [U] affirmative response, permission
assert
assert
  1. v. [T]
    1 to claim, say s.t. is true: The lawyer asserts that his client is not guilty.
    2 to put oneself forth forcefully, become aggressive: She asserted herself on the job and won a promotion.
assertion
assertion
  1. n.
    1 [C] a claim, statement s.t. is true: The lawyer made an assertion that his client was not guilty.
    2 [U] the aggressive use of s.t.: The President's assertion of his power to stop the fighting succeeded.
assertive
assertive
  1. adj. bold, confident, aggressive: His assertive nature helped him attain his goals. -adv. assertively; -n. [U] assertiveness.
assess
assess
  1. v. -es [T]
    1 to evaluate, analyze: I assessed how much it would cost to build a new house.
    2 to place a value on s.t., esp. as a basis for taxation: Our house is assessed at $50,000. -n. [C] assessor.
assessment
assessment
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an evaluation, analysis: The planner made an assessment of what should be done next.
    2 a valuation, estimate of worth as a basis for taxation: We have a low assessment on our property.
asset
asset
  1. n.
    1 an advantage, an important person, thing, or quality: She is very talented and is a real asset to our company.
    2 assets: (in accounting) items of value to a person, business, or institution: The company assets include a building, equipment, and cash.
assiduous
assiduous
  1. adj.frml. hardworking,
    THESAURUS
    diligent: Being very assiduous, he completed the report well before the deadline. -adv. assiduously -n. [U] assiduousness.
assign
assign
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give a job or tasks to s.o. to do,
    THESAURUS
    to designate: My boss assigned me the task of finding new offices to rent.
    2 to transfer, sign over property, rights, or interests: I assigned the ownership (rights, deed, etc.) of the property to my son.n. (in law) a person, business, etc., to whom one transfers rights and other assets,
    THESAURUS
    assignee: The contract that I signed transfers ownership of the property to my heirs and assigns.
assignable
assignable
  1. adj. capable of being given or sold to another: My house mortgage is assignable, meaning that my bank can assign it to another owner if I sell it. -n. [U] assignability.
assignment
assignment
  1. n.
    1 a task, duty, or other obligation given to s.o.: His manager gave him the assignment of planning the sales meeting.
    2 (in law) the transfer, signing over of rights, etc., to another: The assignment of the property deed will take place tomorrow.
assimilate
assimilate
  1. v.frml. -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 [T] to eat and absorb food,
    THESAURUS
    to digest: People assimilate nutrients from food.
    2 [T] to take in, absorb into the mind: The student assimilates knowledge rapidly.
    3 [I;T] to become part of a nation's culture or to absorb into a culture: The culture/nation assimilated the immigrants. -n. [C;U] assimilation.
assist
assist
  1. v. [I;T] to aid, help s.o. do s.t.: My friend assisted me in moving to a new apartment.n. in sports, esp. baseball and ice hockey, the official credit given for helping a teammate (by throwing the ball or passing the puck) to score: His teammate was given an assist when he scored the winning goal.
assistance
assistance
  1. n. [U]
    1 aid, help in doing s.t.: My friend's assistance in helping me to move was much appreciated.
    2 public assistance: welfare; money or food given by the government to the homeless and other people in need of financial aid, such as the elderly or people living in an area struck by a disaster: He lost his job and is now living on public assistance.
assistant
assistant
  1. n. a person who helps another at work: Her assistant types letters and answers the telephone.
associate
associate
  1. n. a coworker or a person with whom one works as a partner: My associates and I work for the city government.v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I] to work, socialize, or mingle with: We associate with our neighbors at church.
    2 [T] to connect in the mind, to correlate: I associate his bad behavior with his difficult childhood.
    THESAURUS
    associate v.
    1 to be with, mix with, join together with (people)
    2 to correlate, group with, link together (ideas). Ant. to disassociate.
association
association
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group with common interests,
    THESAURUS
    an alliance: Our company belongs to the National Association of Manufacturers.
    2 [U] relationship, affiliation: We work in association with our neighbors to improve the community.
    3 [C] a connection,
    THESAURUS
    a correlation: Experts have found an association between poverty and crime.
assorted
assorted
  1. adj. of different kinds, mixed: The bowl contains assorted hard candies. -v. [I;T] assort.
assortment
assortment
  1. n. a group of things of different kinds, a mixture: That store sells an assortment of shoes, boots, and sneakers.
assuage
assuage
  1. v.frml. [T] -suaged, -suaging, -suages to calm: The king assuaged the fears of his nobles about a war.
assumable
assumable
  1. adj. capable of being taken on by another: We have an assumable mortgage, so any qualified buyer can assume it.
assume
assume
  1. v. [T] -sumed, -suming, -sumes
    1 to believe s.t. is true without knowing, conjecture: I assume that the moving van will be here this morning.
    2 to presume, take for granted: He assumed that we would give money, so he put our names on the givers' list.
    3 to take on responsibility: The winner of the election assumed the office of senator.
    THESAURUS
    assume
    1 to suppose, believe, imagine. Ant. to know for sure.
assuming
assuming
  1. conj. thinking that s.t. will happen or has happened, or is a certain way,
    THESAURUS
    supposing: Assuming that he arrives on time, we can start our meeting soon.
assumption
assumption
  1. n.
    1 [C] a belief that s.t. will happen,
    THESAURUS
    a supposition: It is only an assumption on my part that what he says is true.
    2 [U] acceptance, a taking on of responsibility: His assumption of the duties of mayor takes place in January.
    3 based on the assumption that: based on the belief that: Based on the assumption that she does want to marry him, we can go ahead with the wedding plans.
assurance
assurance
  1. n. a guarantee, pledge: I give you my assurance that I shall pay you on time.
assure
assure
  1. v. [T] -sured, -suring, -sures to promise that s.t. is so,
    THESAURUS
    to guarantee: I assure you that I'm telling you the truth.
assured
assured
  1. adj. guaranteed, made certain: The policy offers an assured income of $800 per month upon retirement. -adv. assuredly.
aster
aster
  1. n. a flower with a round center button and white, pink, or purple petals: We grow asters in our garden.
asterisk
asterisk
  1. n. the symbol (*); the asterisk is often used in writing to show that there is a comment at the bottom of the page or that something has been omitted
astern
astern
  1. adv. of the back part of a boat: The captain has gone astern.
asteroid
asteroid
  1. n. any of thousands of usu. irregularly shaped heavenly bodies: Ceres is the largest asteroid in our solar system.
asthma
asthma
  1. n. [U] a chronic medical condition which causes difficulty in breathing: My friend suffers from asthma and must use an inhaler to relieve her breathing difficulties. -n. adj. asthmatic.
astonish
astonish
  1. v. [T] to greatly amaze, surprise overwhelmingly: I am astonished at how beautifully that little girl dances.
astonishment
astonishment
  1. n. [U] great amazement, surprise: The crowd reacted with astonishment when the speaker suddenly dropped dead.
astound
astound
  1. v. [T] to amaze, astonish: The high repair bill astounded me.
astray
astray
  1. adv.
    1 in a wrong (evil, bad) way: The boy is leading his younger brother astray by teaching him bad habits.
    2 to go astray: to fall into bad or evil ways: His younger brother has gone astray and has become a thief.
astride
astride
  1. prep. mounted on or over s.t. with one's legs on either side: The rider is astride her horse. -adv. astride.
astringent
astringent
  1. n.adj. a substance, esp. a liquid, capable of shrinking body tissues, such as the skin: These astringents are used to freshen and tighten facial skin.
astrology
astrology
  1. n. [U] a system of belief in the influence of heavenly bodies (stars, planets, sun, moon) upon human affairs and events: Millions of people believe in astrology and read their horoscope daily. -n. astrologer; -adj. astrological ; -adv. astrologically.
astronaut
astronaut
  1. n. a person who flies into outer space: The astronauts trained for years in how to navigate their spacecraft.
astronomer
astronomer
  1. n. a scientist who studies heavenly bodies and outer space: Many astronomers work at night, looking at the stars.
astronomical
astronomical
  1. adj.
    1 related to astronomy: The institute's budget for astronomical research was cut back as the institute refocused its research on the earth's environment.
    2 fig. huge, extremely high: The cost of the new government program is astronomical; it's billions of dollars! -adv. astronomically.
astronomy
astronomy
  1. n. [U] the science of outer space, of heavenly bodies, and related phenomena: I took a course in astronomy in college, because I was interested in the planets.
astute
astute
  1. adj. intelligent, keen in judgment: She is an astute investor in the stock market and always knows which stocks to avoid. -adv. astutely.
asunder
asunder
  1. adv.frml. torn or broken into parts or pieces: The bomb blew the building asunder.
asylum
asylum
  1. n.
    1 [U] a safe place, a refuge from harm: The refugee sought asylum in the Swiss embassy.
    2 [C] a type of hospital, esp. for people with mental illness: He became insane and was sent to an asylum.
asymmetrical
asymmetrical
  1. adj. not of equal size or similar shape: That rabbit has one ear missing, and it looks asymmetrical. -adv. asymmetrically.
at
at
  1. strong form prep.
    1 toward, in the direction of: I looked at her and smiled.
    2 during, while: He works at night.
    3 located in, in the position of: The important information is at the bottom of the page.
    4 in the location of: She is at her office.
    5 related to time: He leaves at five o'clock.
    6 doing, engaged in: She is hard at work on a project.
    7 in the condition of: The country is at peace now.
    8 in the manner of: The horse ran off at a gallop.
    9 in a superlative description: at most, at least, at best, at worst, etc.: At least you can tell me what's going on here!
    10 at all: most definitely not: I don't like what he says at all.
    11 at all costs: whatever is necessary: The company must increase its sales at all costs.
    12 at a loss: a. frml. at a price less than original cost: I had to sell my house at a loss of $5,000. b. fig. not knowing what to do: I am at a loss as to how to solve the problem.
    13 at any rate: anyhow, whatever the situation is: We lost some of our business in Chicago; at any rate, we made up for it with increases in California.
ate
ate
  1. v. [T] simple past tense of to eat: This morning, I ate eggs for breakfast.
atheism
atheism
  1. n. [U] a belief that God does not exist: She was raised as a Protestant, but as an adult she realized she believed in atheism.
atheist
atheist
  1. n. a person who does not believe in the existence of God: She is an atheist, and finds no need for religion in her life. -adj. atheistic.
athlete
athlete
  1. n. a person who is trained in or has a natural talent for exercises and sports: His son was an outstanding athlete who played several team sports.
athlete's foot
athlete's foot
  1. n. [U] a type of skin disease that causes cracking and itching in the skin between the toes: The doctor suggested he use a certain cream to alleviate the itching caused by his athelete's foot.
athletic
athletic
  1. adj.
    1 related to sports: She entered many athletic competitions just for fun.
    2 having ability in sports: Despite her advanced years, she is very athletic. -adv. athletically.
athletic supporter
athletic supporter
  1. n. a garment worn to support and protect the male genital area,
    THESAURUS
    jockstrap: He puts on an athletic supporter before he goes running.
athletics
athletics
  1. n.pl. sports in general: He was good in athletics in high school, where he played baseball and football.
atlas
atlas
  1. n. -es
    1 a collection of maps in book form: We have a world atlas that has maps of every country on earth.
    2 Atlas: a. (from Greek mythology) a Titan who was forced by Zeus to support the heavens on his shoulders b. a strong man: He can lift hundreds of pounds; he's an Atlas.
atmosphere
atmosphere
  1. n. [U;C]
    1 the air space above the earth: The atmosphere is becoming more polluted each day.
    2 the special tone or mood of a particular place or created by a place or thing: A reading room in a library has a quiet atmosphere. -adj. atmospheric .
    THESAURUS
    atmosphere
    1 the air we breathe, sky, environment
    2 a certain feeling, a mood | the ambiance frml., the milieu frml.
atom
atom
  1. n. the smallest unit of matter, a nucleus surrounded by protons and electrons: Atoms form into molecules that make up matter.
atom bomb
atom bomb
  1. n. a bomb of great destructive force powered by the splitting of atoms: Dropping atom bombs on Japan brought the end of World War II.
atomic
atomic
  1. adj.
    1 of or relating to an atom: He studied atomic reactions in his physics course.
    2 of or using nuclear energy: The atomic submarine was on patrol in the Pacific Ocean.
atomic bomb
atomic bomb
  1. n. See: atom bomb.
atomic energy
atomic energy
  1. n. [U] energy made from splitting atoms in a nuclear reactor, usu. for electricity: Atomic energy is a major source of electrical power for many nations.
atone
atone
  1. v. [I] atoned, atoning, atones to ask for forgiveness, esp. for sin, and to do good works to pay for it: The man atoned for his bad behavior by working for a charity. -n. [U] atonement.
atrium
atrium
  1. n. atria or atriums in modern buildings, an area often on the ground floor, with a high ceiling that has a skylight: The atrium in our building is open to the public for sitting and eating.
atrocious
atrocious
  1. adj.
    1 very cruel: The military committed atrocious acts of violence in shooting women and children.
    2 disgusting, sickening: His manners are atrocious. -adv. atrociously; -n. atrocity -ties.
atrophy
atrophy
  1. v. [I] -phied, -phying, -phies to harden, grow small and useless: From lack of exercise, the muscles in his legs atrophied.
attach
attach
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to put s.t. on: I attached a note to my report with a paper clip.
    2 to affiliate with, associate with: That official is attached to the government's treasury.
    3 to be in love with, emotionally dependent upon: They are a loving couple and are quite attached to each other.
    4 to assign, attribute: I attach no importance to what he says.
    THESAURUS
    attach
    1 to fasten s.t., to, connect
    2 to be associated with. Ant. to unattach.
attachment
attachment
  1. n.
    1 [C] an accessory, s.t. added on: A vacuum cleaner has various attachments, such as a narrow nozzle and a brush.
    2 [U] the process of joining, putting s.t. together: The attachment of parts of the child's crib took a long time.
    3 [C] an emotional bond, love: His attachment to his dog was very strong.
attaché
attaché
  1. n. an embassy official responsible for reporting information in a specific area: My brother is the economics attaché at the British embassy.
attaché case
attaché case
  1. n. a case with a handle for carrying work-related papers,
    THESAURUS
    a briefcase: My attaché case is made of leather.
attack
attack
  1. v. [T]
    1 to assault, strike: The criminal attacked his victim with a club.
    2 to find fault with: The critics attacked the writer's latest book as weak.
    3 to make a serious effort to do s.t., to undertake: Relief organizations attacked the problem of hunger by seeking to increase the food supply.n.
    1 [C;U] the use of violent force, an assault: The military attack began at dawn.
    2 [C] criticism, faultfinding: The critic's attack on the novel was sharp.
    3 [C] a serious undertaking, particular approach: The scientist made an attack on solving a difficult problem by running a simulation on his computer.
    THESAURUS
    attack v.
    1 to hit, fight
    2 to criticize severely, condemn, assail
    3 to take on, tackle. Ant. retreat. —n.
    1 a strike, an offensive
    2 severe criticism, condemnation. Ant. praise.
attacker
attacker
  1. n. a person or group, such as a military unit or gang, that assaults: The victim's attacker was caught by the police.
attain
attain
  1. v. [T] to achieve, reach: The salesperson attained her sales goal for the month. -adj. attainable; -n. [U] attainment.
attempt
attempt
  1. v. [T] to try to do s.t., strive for: He attempted to pass the examination and succeeded.n. an effort, endeavor: She made an attempt to telephone, but no one was home.
    THESAURUS
    attempt v. to try, undertake, endeavor frml. —n. a try, an undertaking.
attend
attend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to be present at: I attended the wedding at the church.
    2 to take care of, see to: One secretary attends to all of the paperwork in my office.
    THESAURUS
    attend
    1 go to, be at. Ant. to miss.
attendance
attendance
  1. n. [U]
    1 presence: My attendance at my brother's wedding was required.
    2 to take attendance: to check on people's presence: Every morning the teacher takes attendance to determine who is absent.
    THESAURUS
    attendance
    1 one's presence at, one's appearance at.
attendant
attendant
  1. n. a person who performs a service, esp by waiting on others: The attendant in the washroom hands out towels and brushes off people's clothes.adj.frml. accompanying or in connection with: The politician negotiated the peace settlement and its attendant problems.
attention
attention
  1. n. [U]
    1 looking and listening: His attention to his work was constantly interrupted by the ringing telephone.
    2 work, care: Sick people need attention from doctors and nurses.
    3 a military command to stand in a still, straight way: The sergeant ordered the troops to stand at attention.
    THESAURUS
    attention
    1 one's concentration on s.t., one's interest
    2 treatment. Ant. inattention.
attentive
attentive
  1. adj.
    1 paying attention,
    THESAURUS
    alert: Students should be attentive in class.
    2 concerned, considerate: As his parents age, he becomes more attentive to their needs. -adv. attentively.
attest
attest
  1. v. [I;T] to swear s.t. is true, certify: I attest to the fact that this is my signature on the contract.
attic
attic
  1. n. a space, often used as storage, under the roof of a house: We put trunks and old books in our attic.
attire
attire
  1. n.frml. [U] clothing, dress: We wear formal attire when we attend the opera.
attitude
attitude
  1. n. feeling about or toward s.o. or s.t.: She has a good attitude toward work; she's always cheerful.
    THESAURUS
    attitude a view toward s.o. or s.t., an outlook | stance.
attorney
attorney
  1. n. a legal counselor, lawyer: The attorneys for the company were present in court today.
attorney general
attorney general
  1. n. attorneys general the chief lawyer for a nation or state: Citizens were so upset by an investment scandal that they wrote to the state attorney general about it.
attract
attract
  1. v. [T] to draw interest: San Francisco attracts millions of tourists each year.
    THESAURUS
    attract to charm, enchant (people) | appeal, interest (things). Ants. to disgust | repel.
attraction
attraction
  1. n.
    1 [U] appeal: Because she is afraid of heights, the long trip by airplane had little attraction for her.
    2 [U;C] a popular place, entertainment: Niagara Falls is a major attraction for people visiting the United States.
    3 [U;C] the ability and quality in a person to attract,
    THESAURUS
    charm: His winning smile and easy manner were attractions that drew the public to him.
attractive
attractive
  1. adj.
    1 appealing, interesting: I have an offer of a new job at an attractive salary.
    2 causing interest, charming: She is a very attractive woman with many admirers. -adv. attractively.
    THESAURUS
    attractive 1 good, substantial
    2 pretty, good-looking, beautiful. Ants. unappealing, unattractive.
attributable
attributable
  1. adj. be the reason for, assignable to: Her success is attributable to her intelligence and hard work.
attribute
attribute
  1. n. a characteristic, quality of a person or thing: He is a handsome man with many other good attributes.v. [T] -uted, -uting to credit, be the reason for: I attribute his success to his talent and hard work. -adj. attributable ; -n. [U] attribution.
attrition
attrition
  1. n. [U] a slow lessening in number or strength through resignation, retirement, or death: Through attrition, the police department went from 40 members to 23 members in one year.
attuned
attuned
  1. adj. aware and sensitive to s.o. or s.t.: The husband and wife are attuned to each other's needs.||The reporter is attuned to what is going on in the city. -v. [T] attune.
atwitter
atwitter
  1. adj. chirping rapidly like a bird or chattering nervously: The guests arrived late and were all atwitter about a bad car accident they had seen.
atypical
atypical
  1. adj. not typical, unusual: He is always on time; it is atypical of him to be late. -adv. atypically.
au gratin
au gratin
  1. adj. (French for) covered with melted cheese and bread crumbs: I had potatoes au gratin with fish for dinner.
au pair
au pair
  1. n. (French for) a young person who goes to live with a family (usu. in a foreign country) to care for the family's children in return for room, board, and usu. an opportunity to learn the family's language: Jane was an au pair for a year in Germany. See: nanny, USAGE NOTE.
auburn
auburn
  1. n. adj. reddish brown to brown in color: The color of her hair is auburn.
auction
auction
  1. n. a public sale of property in which items are sold to the person who bids the highest: When the old woman died, her son held an auction of her furniture.v. [T] to sell property by auction: Her family auctioned off her jewels.
auctioneer
auctioneer
  1. n. a person who runs an auction: Some auctioneers repeat buyers' offers very rapidly.
audacious
audacious
  1. adj.
    1 bold, adventurous,
    THESAURUS
    brave: The buyer was audacious in his attempt to take over another company.
    2 offensive, brazen: The boy was audacious in yelling at his father.
audacity
audacity
  1. n. [U] brazenness, insolence: The son had the audacity to demand that his mother resign so that he could take over the company.
audible
audible
  1. adj. capable of being heard: The music and laughter were audible from the street outside the nightclub. -adv. audibly; -n. [U] audibility.
audience
audience
  1. n.
    1 the people who gather to listen to and watch an event: The audience at the rock concert was very enthusiastic.
    2 a group of customers who are likely to buy a particular book or other printed matter: The audience for her textbook is university students.
audio-lingual
audio-lingual
  1. adj. related to a method of learning a language that stresses intensive listening and speaking: My French teacher uses the audio-lingual approach to teaching.
audio
audio
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 of or relating to sound, the transmission and production of recorded sound: The audio portion of the broadcast was not good.
    2 short for audio equipment: The audio is broken on that TV.
audiovisual
audiovisual
  1. adj. related to the educational use of a variety of teaching aids, such as charts, films, videos, television, overhead transparencies, and other forms of nonwritten instruction: During the 1940s, audiovisual education was introduced.
audiovisuals
audiovisuals
  1. n.pl. materials, such as charts, films, videos, and television programs, that combine sound and visual images: We made our own audiovisuals for use in our company training program.
audit
audit
  1. n. an official examination by an accountant or accounting firm of an individual's or company's financial records: An accountant did a year-end audit of our financial records.v. [T] to officially examine the financial records of a person or company: The accounting firm audits the company every year.

    USAGE NOTE: Internal audit means a company is having its own financial records examined. An audit conducted by an outside organization is called an independent audit, and an audit by the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is called a tax audit.
audition
audition
  1. v. [I] (in the theater) to try out for a role: Fifty actresses auditioned for the lead in the new play.n. a performance as a tryout: The dancer's audition for the ballet company went well.
auditor
auditor
  1. n. an accountant or public official who does auditing: The auditors from the accounting firm began looking at our books.
auditorium
auditorium
  1. n. a large room with seats and often a stage for delivering lectures and usu. entertainment: Our class was called to the auditorium to hear a speech on job opportunities.
auditory
auditory
  1. adj. related to hearing and sound: The auditory canal in my left ear is blocked.
augment
augment
  1. v. [T] to increase, add to: We augmented the advertising budget in order to increase sales. -n. [U] augmentation ; -adj. augmentative.
augur
augur
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to predict: All signs augur well for success in the future. -n. augury -ries.
august 
august 
  1. adj.frml. illustrious, renowned: A young professor was invited to dinner with an august group of scientists.
aunt
aunt
  1. n. one's father's or mother's sister, or one's uncle's wife: My aunt Betty, who is my mother's sister, visits us every Thanksgiving.
auntie
auntie
  1. n.infrml. aunt
aura
aura
  1. n. an effect or feeling that is given off or surrounds a thing or person: He has an aura of wealth, with his fine clothes and expensive car.
aural
aural
  1. adj. related to hearing and the ear: He has an aural disorder, so you need to speak clearly. -adv. aurally.
auspices
auspices
  1. n.pl. with the support,
    THESAURUS
    patronage: The concert is presented free under the auspices of the city government.
auspicious
auspicious
  1. adj. favorable, good: This party is an auspicious occasion to announce the marriage plans of my daughter. -adv. auspiciously.
austere
austere
  1. adj.
    1 (a person) cold and self-disciplined: The chairman has an austere appearance in his black suit.
    2 (a place) with no human warmth or comfort: The desert is an austere place, hot by day and cold by night. -adv. austerely; -n. [C;U] austerity.
authentic
authentic
  1. adj. genuine, real: That dealer in precious coins sells only authentic ones, not fakes. -adv. authentically.
authenticate
authenticate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to prove s.t. is genuine,
    THESAURUS
    to substantiate: Experts authenticated the painting as a Picasso. -n. [U] authentication.
authenticity
authenticity
  1. n. [U] the genuineness, validity of s.t.: The authenticity of the painting as one of Picasso's was proven by an expert.
author
author
  1. n. a person who writes a work (book, article, poem, etc.): Cervantes is one of the most famous authors in the Spanish language.
    THESAURUS
    author writer, novelist, poet, playwright, essayist.
authoritarian
authoritarian
  1. adj. demanding or requiring others to do exactly what you tell them to do without questioning that it is right or wrong: The authoritarian government has been in power for many years.n. a person who demands that others do exactly what he or she says without questioning if the orders are right or wrong: The Commanding General was an authoritarian.
authoritative
authoritative
  1. adj. the most reliable,
    THESAURUS
    definitive: Dr. Harry Gray wrote the authoritative book on chemistry. -adv. authoritatively.
authority
authority
  1. n.
    1 [U] power, control: The company's owner granted each manager authority to spend up to $10,000 on travel and entertainment.
    2 [C] -ties expert, master: Professor Smith is an authority on chemistry.
    3 pl. authorities people in charge, specifically government: Government authorities arrested a swindler.
    4 to be in authority: to be in charge: Teachers are in authority in the classroom.
    5 to have the authority: to have permission (the power, right, etc.): Managers have the authority to use money from their budgets.
    THESAURUS
    authority
    1 the right, authorization. Ant. powerlessness.
    3 the police, powers that be.
authorization
authorization
  1. n. [U;C] the granting of permission (authority, the right, etc.): The company gave authorization to all managers to spend money as they wished.
authorize
authorize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to grant permission (authority, the right, etc.): Congress authorizes the government to tax the people.
authorship
authorship
  1. n. [U] the source of a piece of writing: The authorship of some of Shakespeare's works is still being questioned.
auto
auto
  1. n. -tos short for automobile, a four-wheel passenger vehicle: Too many autos are on the highways.adj.infrml. short for automatic: The pilot put the airplane on auto control after takeoff.
autobiography
autobiography
  1. n. -phies the story of a person's life written by that person: The famous film star wrote her autobiography. -adj. autobiographical ; -adv. autobiographically.
autocracy
autocracy
  1. n.[C;U] -cies an extremely strict government run by one person, despotism: Before the revolution, the government of the country was an autocracy.
autocrat
autocrat
  1. n. s.o. who rules alone with unlimited power, (syns.) a despot, dictator: Louis XIV (1638-1715) was an autocrat who ruled France by himself. -adj. autocratic.
autograph
autograph
  1. n. one's signature given to an admirer: The boy asked a famous baseball player for his autograph.v. [T] to write one's signature on s.t.: The player autographed the boy's baseball.
automaker
automaker
  1. n. a manufacturer of automobiles: American automakers face strong competition from both Japan and Europe.
automate
automate
  1. v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates to use machinery to do jobs once done by hand: We automated our order department with computers.
automated teller machine
automated teller machine
  1. n.abbr. ATM [C] a computerized bank machine for obtaining cash, seeing one's account balances, and making deposits: Automated teller machines are very convenient, especially on weekends.
automatic
automatic
  1. adj. self-operating, working by itself: Once he turns on his computer, the appearance of the main menu is automatic.n. an automatic weapon (pistol, rifle, machine gun): Once I pull the trigger, my automatic fires all nine bullets. -adv. automatically.
automation
automation
  1. n. [U] the use of machines, esp. computers, to do the work once done by people: Automation has taken over the car industry, causing some people to lose their jobs.
automobile
automobile
  1. n. a four-wheeled motor vehicle used to transport people from place to place: The invention of the automobile has resulted in great personal freedom to go places.
    THESAURUS
    automobile car | passenger vehicle.
automotive
automotive
  1. adj. related to the automobile: Many automotive parts are made overseas now.
autonomous
autonomous
  1. adj. indepen-dent, self-governing: Each of the 50 US states has an autonomous government that runs that state. -adv. autonomously; -n. [U] autonomy.
autopsy
autopsy
  1. n. -sies a medical examination of a dead human body to determine what caused death: The autopsy revealed that the man died of poisoning.
autoworker
autoworker
  1. n. an employee in the automobile industry: The autoworkers went on strike for higher wages.
autumn
autumn
  1. n. [U;C] the season between summer and winter,
    THESAURUS
    the fall: Maple trees turn bright red and yellow in autumn. -adj. autumnal.
auxiliary
auxiliary
  1. adj. kept for use in case another fails,
    THESAURUS
    standby: An auxiliary electricity generator is kept in working condition in case the main power unit fails.n.pl. -ries a reserve unit: The police auxiliary works evenings and weekends to help the regular police force.
avail
avail
  1. n. [U] benefit, advantage, use, help: The old man's heart stopped, and a doctor tried to save him to no avail.v.frml. to avail oneself of: to take advantage of, use: While working in Paris, I availed myself of the opportunity to visit the museums.
available
available
  1. adj.
    1 free, uncommitted: I am available tomorrow to see you.
    2 in good supply: Office supplies are available at many stores in the city. -n. [U] availability .
    THESAURUS
    available
    1 ready to meet, accessible (person)
    2 obtainable, on hand | vacant (property). Ant. unavailable.
avalanche
avalanche
  1. n.
    1 a sudden breaking away of snow, rocks, or mud down a hill or mountain: Several skiers were buried in the avalanche.
    2 fig. a response from a great number of people: An avalanche of protest came from those opposed to a tax increase.
avant-garde
avant-garde
  1. n.adj. [U] pathbreakers, people in the forefront (of art, fashion, literature, social thought, product development, etc.): The avant-garde in fashion this summer are wearing short skirts.
avarice
avarice
  1. n. [U] extreme desire for money,
    THESAURUS
    greed: The avarice of the country's dictator had no end.
avaricious
avaricious
  1. adj. desiring money,
    THESAURUS
    greedy: The avaricious politician used his position to become rich. -adv. avariciously.
avenge
avenge
  1. v. [T] avenged, avenging, avenges to seek revenge, repay s.o. for a wrong: He avenged his brother's murder by sending the murderer to jail.
avenue
avenue
  1. n. a wide street, often a main street and one lined with trees: People love to walk down the avenues of Paris. See: street, USAGE NOTE.
average
average
  1. n. the number found by adding all items in a group, such as test scores, and then dividing the total by the number of items: The average of the sum of 10, 16, and 4 is 10; that is, 10 plus 16 plus 4 equals 30, and 30 divided by 3 is 10.adj. ordinary, common, neither very good nor very bad: He's not exceptional; he's just an average child.v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to take an average: We bought 10 of those fasteners over the past year, and the price averaged $1.43 per item.
    THESAURUS
    average adj. everyday, run-of-the-mill. Ants. exceptional, superior. —v. to be about (a specific number, such as $5.00), approximate. Ant. to be exactly.
average Joe
average Joe
  1. n.infrml. an ordinary guy, the common man: The average Joe doesn't care about international politics.
averse
averse
  1. adj.frml. against, disinclined: I am averse to spending much money.
aversion
aversion
  1. n.frml.
    1 [C;U] dislike, disinclination: I have an aversion to traveling during the heat of August.
    2 [C] repugnance, revulsion: She has an aversion to eating cow liver; it makes her ill.
avert
avert
  1. v.frml. [T] to avoid, prevent from happening: We averted a loss in the stock market by selling our shares early, before the stock fell.
aviation
aviation
  1. n. [U] the manufacture and use of aircraft, esp. airplanes: My friend has a career in aviation; he is a pilot.
aviator
aviator
  1. n. a person working aboard an airplane, esp. in the military: My grandfather was an aviator during the war.
avid
avid
  1. adj. keenly dedicated, enthusiastic: My sister is an avid golfer; she golfs every weekend. -adv. avidly.
avocado
avocado
  1. n. -dos a pear-shaped tropical fruit with a green interior: I love California avocados stuffed with shrimp.
avocation
avocation
  1. n. a hobby: Her avocation is reading about history.
avoid
avoid
  1. v. [T]
    1 to stay away from: She avoids walking on dark streets at night.
    2 to elude, evade: The thief avoided capture by the police.
    3 to not do s.t., abstain from doing: We avoid eating fattening foods. -adj. avoidable; -adv. avoidably.
    THESAURUS
    avoid
    1 to bypass, keep away from, shy away from s.o. or s.t.
    3 to refrain from, shun frml. Ant. to seek out.
avoidance
avoidance
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of bypassing s.t., going around s.t.: The avoidance of dangerous areas is a good idea.
    2 an evasion, escape: The criminal's avoidance of arrest mystifies the police.
    3 not using s.t., abstention from s.t.: His avoidance of cigarettes and alcohol has made him healthier.
avow
avow
  1. v.frml. to say openly and clearly,
    THESAURUS
    to declare: He avowed his innocence to the crime. -n. [C;U] avowal.
await
await
  1. v. [T] to wait for s.t., to anticipate: I am awaiting an answer to my application for admission to law school.
awake
awake
  1. v. awoke, or awoken, awaking, awakes
    1 [T] to get someone up from sleep: The mother awoke the baby from its afternoon nap so it would sleep through the night.
    2 [I] to wake up, to come out of a sleeping state: I awoke to find I was late for work. awake adj. to be alert, not sleeping: The baby is awake now and wants to eat.
awaken
awaken
  1. v. [T]
    1 to cause to wake up: I awakened her early so she would be sure to get her train.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to awaken to, to arouse, make others feel s.t.: The invasion by a foreign army awakened patriotism in people's hearts.
    3 to realize, become aware of: The athlete finally awakened to the fact that he was growing too old to compete.
    THESAURUS
    awaken
    1 to wake up. Ant. to sleep.
    3 to understand | see the light. Ants. t emain oblivious, unaware.
award
award
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give a prize (honor, praise, etc.) to s.o.: The school principal awarded a prize in history to the best student.
    2 to give, grant: A buyer awarded a contract to the supplier.n. a prize (honor, praise, etc.) given to s.o. for outstanding performance: The teacher gave her best student an award.
aware
aware
  1. adj.
    1 conscious of, alert to: He is out of the coma, but he can't speak. He is aware of people around him though.
    2 knowledgeable about, understanding of: A newspaper reporter must be aware of current events. -n. [U] awareness.
awash
awash
  1. adj. flooded with, covered with: After the flood, the ground floors of houses were awash with water and mud.
away
away
  1. adv.
    1 somewhere else, afar: When no one answered the doorbell, the stranger went away.
    2 absent, not present: I was away on vacation for two weeks.
awe
awe
  1. n. [U] a feeling of great admiration or respect: The boy was in awe of the famous football player and couldn't believe he was going to meet him.v. [T] awed, awing, awes to create a feeling of awe or admiration: The player awed the boy.
awesome
awesome
  1. adj. creating awe, worthy of great admiration: The size of the cathedrals in France is awesome.
awful
awful
  1. adj.
    1 bad, dreadful: We've been having awful weather lately.
    2 offensive, repugnant: What an awful odor is coming from that dump!
    THESAURUS
    awful
    1 terrible
    2 disgusting, horrible. Ant. wonderful.
awfully
awfully
  1. adv.
    1 badly, dread-fully: He lost his job, his wife left him, and his son had a bad accident; things have been going awfully for him.
    2 very, exceptionally: I must hurry; I'm awfully late for work!
awhile
awhile
  1. adv. for a short time, briefly: I'll stay awhile; then I must leave.
awkward
awkward
  1. adj.
    1 ungainly, clumsy: He runs with an awkward gait.
    2 embarrassing, disconcerting: The speaker experienced an awkward moment when people interrupted him. -adv. awkwardly; -n. [U] awkwardness.
    THESAURUS
    awkward
    1 uncoordinated (person)
    2 unpleasant (situation). Ant. graceful.
awning
awning
  1. n. a sunshade usu. hung outside at an angle to shield a window from the sun's rays: Stores in our area have awnings that they use on sunny days.
awoke
awoke
  1. v. past tense of awake
awry
awry
  1. adv. wrong,
    THESAURUS
    astray: Our flight has been cancelled, and our trip has gone awry.
axiom
axiom
  1. n. an obvious truth, a saying: "All that glitters is not gold" is an axiom.adj. axiomatic.
axis
axis
  1. n. axes
    1 a straight line on which points are marked: I drew a horizontal and a vertical axis on a sheet of paper.
    2 a straight line around which an object turns: The earth rotates on its axis.
axle
axle
  1. n. a metal pole on which wheels turn: My car's rear axle needs grease.
ayatollah
ayatollah
  1. n. a male Shiite Muslim religious leader: The ayatollahs believe in basic Muslim teachings.
azalea
azalea
  1. n. a green shrub with brightly colored flowers: The azaleas burst into blossom in the springtime.
azure
azure
  1. adj. a bright blue: She wore a dress of azure.
babble
babble
  1. n.v. [I;T] -bled, -bling, -bles to talk without making sense: The baby can't really talk yet; she just babbles.
babe
babe
  1. n.
    1 frml. a baby: He held a young babe in his arms.
    2 a person as innocent or unknowledgeable as a baby: He had no idea that they were cheating him; he was just a babe (or) a babe in the woods.
    3 infrml.pej. an attractive young woman: Who is that babe I saw you with last night?
baboon
baboon
  1. n. a large primate that lives in Africa and southeast Asia: Baboons have sharp teeth and powerful jaws.
baby
baby
  1. n. -bies
    1 a child younger than two, an infant: His wife had a baby.
    2 a very young animal: Look at the young kangaroo; he is still a baby.
    3 infrml.fig. the youngest person in a group, esp. a family: She is the baby of the family.
    4 infrml. a favorite, important project or special interest: That old car is his baby; he works on it all the time.v. [T] -bied, -bying, -bies to treat like a baby: This plant is very delicate; you have to baby it. -adj. babyish.
    THESAURUS
    baby n.
    1 a newborn, little one | kid infrml.
    4 a pet project, hobby. —v. to pamper, coddle.
babysit
babysit
  1. v. [I;T] -sat, -sitting, -sits infrml. to watch a child while the parents are away: She babysits her friends' daughter. -n. babysitter. See: nanny, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    babysit to look after s.o., watch out for s.o.
baccalaureate
baccalaureate
  1. n. See: B.A.
bachelor
bachelor
  1. n. an unmarried man: He was a bachelor for years, then finally married.
    THESAURUS
    bachelor a single man, unattached man. Ant. a married man.
back
back
  1. n.
    1 the side of the human body opposite the stomach and chest: I hurt my back when I lifted a heavy box.
    2 the top of an animal, from the neck to the tail: Cowboys ride on horseback.||The cat put her back up and hissed.
    3 backbone, spine: She broke her back.
    4 the rear part of s.t., opposite the front: The back of the house needs to be painted.
    5 behind s.o.'s back: to do or say s.t. without s.o.'s knowledge: They are nice to her when she is with them, but they say mean things about her behind her back.
    6 to break one's back: to work very hard: Workers broke their backs to get all the orders out on time.
    7 infrml. to get off s.o.'s back: to stop criticizing or annoying s.o.: I repaid the money that I owed my friend so he would get off my back.
    8 to get (or) put one's back up: to become (or) make angry or offended: Comments about losing his hair always get his back up.
    9 to have one's back to the wall: to have a bad problem, usu. with no solution: He can't find a job and has his back to the wall without any money.
    10 in back of: behind, at the back of: The garage is in back of the house.
    11 on one's back: a. to be sick and have to stay in bed: She's been on her back for a week with the flu. b. bothering, annoying s.o.
    12 to turn one's back on: a. to refuse to help s.o. in trouble: How can you just turn your back on those poor children? b. to show anger, rejection, disdain: When he married a woman that his parents disapproved of, they turned their backs on him and never spoke to him again.adv.
    1 in the direction from which one came: A tree fell across the road and we had to drive back home.||Put things back where you found them!
    2 back and forth: from one side to another,
    THESAURUS
    to and fro: The tree moved back and forth in the wind.v.
    1 [T] to support s.o., esp. by giving money: Some rich people backed a politician running for mayor. See: backer.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to back away: to move away from a position,
    THESAURUS
    to retreat: He backed away slowly from the snake.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to back down: to stop one's demands,
    THESAURUS
    to retreat: She demanded a bigger salary, but she backed down when her boss said, "No."
    4 phrasal v. [I] to back off: to move backwards, draw away: The dog barked at the man, and the man backed off.
    5 phrasal v. to back out: a. [T] to go backwards: She backed the car out of the garage. b. [I] to withdraw,
    THESAURUS
    to cancel: He backed out of the business agreement.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to back s.o. or s.t. up: a. s.o.: to support, help: Two police officers backed up another one who was arresting a criminal.||They backed him up. b. s.t.: to copy computer records: She backed up her day's work on the computer.||She backed it up. c. [I;T] s.o. or s.t.: to go backwards: The driver backed up his car and stopped.||He backed up.
    THESAURUS
    back v.
    1 to support, favor, sponsor.
back burner
back burner
  1. n.infrml. fig. inactive status: The company put its plans for a new building on the back burner until business gets better.
back order
back order
  1. v. [T] n. [C;U] to place an order for s.t. that is not available at the moment: Having no desks in his warehouse, the store owner back ordered two for me.||He put the desks on back order.
back taxes
back taxes
  1. n. overdue taxes: It took him two years to pay his back taxes of $20,000 to the government.
backbite
backbite
  1. v.infrml. [I;T] n. -bit -bitten -biting, -bites to criticize people cruelly, esp. when they are not present: The backbiting that goes on in that company is awful.
backbone
backbone
  1. n.
    1 lit. the spine
    2 fig. the moral strength to do the right thing,
    THESAURUS
    character: He has a lot of backbone; he always tells the truth.
    3 fig. the main support: Good citizens are the backbone of society.
backbreaking
backbreaking
  1. adj.infrml. fig. taking great effort: Picking vegetables by hand in the hot sun is backbreaking. -n. backbreaker.
backdrop
backdrop
  1. n.
    1 (in the theater) the scenery at the back of the stage: The backdrop for that play is the scenery of a forest.
    2 fig. the general events during which s.t. else, such as a person's life, happens: Her childhood happened against the backdrop of a war.
backer
backer
  1. n. a supporter, esp. s.o. who gives money: That politician has many wealthy backers. See: back v. 1.
backfire
backfire
  1. v. [I] -fired, -firing, -fires
    1 to go off, explode (backwards): He was injured when his gun backfired during target pratice.
    2 fig. to produce an undesired result: Her plan to steal her friend's boyfriend backfired; he married her friend, and the couple never spoke to her again.
backgammon
backgammon
  1. n. a game played by two people using dice to move pieces on a board: Many people play backgammon for money.
background
background
  1. n.
    1 s.t. behind s.t. else: The hunter waited in the background of the trees for deer to pass by.
    2 a person's family, education, and experience: What is your background? I was educated at Harvard and have 10 years' business experience. See: foreground.
    THESAURUS
    background
    1 the surroundings, backdrop | setting
    2 one's personal history,
    THESAURUS
    education,work history.
backhand
backhand
  1. v. [T] n. (in tennis, hockey, etc.) to hit a ball with the back of the hand pointed in the direction of the hit: The tennis player hit a backhand to her opponent.
backhanded
backhanded
  1. adj.
    1 (in sports) hit with a backhand
    2 not said directly: She paid me a backhanded compliment by telling me I was not as fat as I used to be.
backing
backing
  1. n. [U] support, esp. giving money: She started her own business and got backing from a bank.
backlash
backlash
  1. n. -es a strong action against s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a reaction: There was a backlash of anger when the university closed the library on Sundays.
backlog
backlog
  1. n. unfinished work or unfilled orders: The factory has a 30-day backlog of orders to fill.
backpack
backpack
  1. n. a type of sack carried on the back with two shoulder straps and often with a metal frame,
    THESAURUS
    a knapsack: Backpacks are used to carry things like books, clothes, or food.v. [I] to hike, go walking in the country wearing a backpack: We backpacked for two weeks in the mountains. -n. backpacker; backpacking.
backpedal
backpedal
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to try to pedal backwards
    2 fig. [I] to take back s.t. one said,
    THESAURUS
    to retract: She started to call him a mean person and backpedaled and said he was strict.
backroom
backroom
  1. adj. hidden, often dishonest (acts): Political decisions in that big city are backroom.
backscratching
backscratching
  1. n.infrml. fig. [U] doing a favor for s.o. and getting s.t. good in return: I'll buy your product if you give my son a job; that's backscratching.
backseat
backseat
  1. n.
    1 lit. the rear seat of a car or bus
    2 infrml. a backseat driver: s.o. who constantly tells a car's driver what to do: Most people are irritated by backseat drivers.
    3 infrml. to take a backseat to: to be less important than s.o. or s.t. else: The younger brother takes a backseat in that family to his older brother, a baseball star.
backside
backside
  1. n.infrml. the buttocks: She fell down and hurt her backside.

    USAGE NOTE: The part of the body upon which a person sits is called the buttocks; backside is a polite synonym.
backstabber
backstabber
  1. n.infrml. fig. a person who seems friendly but says bad things about people,
    THESAURUS
    a malicious gossiper: Paul is a horrible backstabber; George told him secrets, and then Paul used them to get George in trouble.
backstage
backstage
  1. n.adv. the area behind the stage in a theater: After the performance, I went backstage to meet the actors.
backtalk
backtalk
  1. n. [U] rude replies to a question,
    THESAURUS
    sass: I asked you five times for the reports and all you do is give me a lot of backtalk!
backtrack
backtrack
  1. v. [I]
    1 to return along the same path: The hunter got lost in the snow and had to backtrack home.
    2 to reverse or take back what one has said: When the politician realized that her new policy angered the voters, she backtracked, saying that it was only one approach to the problem.
backup
backup
  1. n.
    1 support, such as having more people help to do a job: A police officer saw a robbery happening and called for back-up (more officers).
    2 a copy of computer work: The computer operator has a backup of her work on a diskette.adj. back-up: more information: The report had back-up information attached to it. See: back, v. 6.
backwoods
backwoods
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. forest land far from any village or town: Not many people live in the backwoods.
backyard
backyard
  1. n. the land behind and belonging to a house: We have a flower garden in our backyard.
bacon
bacon
  1. n. [U]
    1 salted, smoked meat from a pig's side: Bacon with eggs and toast is good for breakfast.
    2 to bring home the bacon: to earn a living: For 40 years, he brought home the bacon with a weekly paycheck.
bacteria
bacteria
  1. n.pl., sing. -terium tiny living things, microorganisms: Many bacteria cause diseases. -adj. bacterial. See: virus.
    THESAURUS
    bacteria germs | disease-causing agents. Ant. germfree.
bad
bad
  1. adj. worse worst
    1 evil: He lies and steals and does many other bad things.
    2 poorly behaved: She was bad, so her mother punished her.
    3 not of good condition or quality: He has some bad teeth.
    4 incorrect, wrong: The letter was returned because the address was bad.
    5 not good to eat or drink: The milk has gone bad; it is sour.
    6 with a feeling of guilt: I feel bad about the nasty things I said to you.
    7 with a feeling of sympathy: I feel bad that you are sick.
    8 s.t. extreme, severe, esp. very sick: She has a bad sore throat (toothache, cold, etc.).
    9 slang very good: Oh man, can that guy dance; he's bad!
    10 bad at: not to do s.t. well: She is bad at spelling words. 11 bad news: a. lit. information about s.t. disappointing: He learned the bad news that he failed the exam. b. slang an annoying or troublemaking person: She never pays back the money she owes; she's bad news!
    12 It's too bad: to feel sorry,
    THESAURUS
    to regret: It's too bad that you have to leave now.
    13 infrml. not (so) bad: fair, alright: That movie wasn't so bad. -n. [U] badness.
    THESAURUS
    bad
    1 wrong, criminal
    2 naughty, disobedient
    3 poor
    5 become spoiled
    THESAURUS
    6 ashamed, guilty
    7 sorry. Ant. good.
    9 excellent, wonderful.
badge
badge
  1. n.
    1 a sign or mark worn to show honor or membership, position, etc. in a group: The military officer wore a badge showing his rank.
    2 a name tag, such as a plastic plate with one's name on it: He pinned his name badge on his shirt.
badger
badger
  1. n.lit. an animal that digs and lives in the ground: Badgers have a wide, furry body, short legs, and long front claws.v.fig. [T] to tell or criticize s.o. about s.t. repeatedly,
    THESAURUS
    to pester: Her boss badgered her to do the sales report early.
badlands
badlands
  1. n.pl. (in USA) areas where few plants grow and it is difficult to live: The badlands of North Dakota stretch to the Rocky Mountains.
badly
badly
  1. adv. worse worst
    1 in a bad way, not well: He sings badly.
    2 not well, doing poorly, such as with one's health, money, or life: She is very sick and doing badly.
    3 very much, a lot: He badly wants to be healthy again.
badminton
badminton
  1. n. [U] a court game like tennis in which one hits a small object across a high net: Badminton can be played by two or four people.
badmouth
badmouth
  1. v.slang [T] to say bad things about s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to slander: After he divorced her, she badmouthed him to everyone.
baffle
baffle
  1. v. -fled, -fling, -fles [T] not to understand s.t. at all, to confuse completely: His disappearance baffled the police. -n. [U] bafflement; -adj. baffling.
bag
bag
  1. n.
    1 a sack, a container made of paper, plastic, cloth, etc.: I carried the groceries home in a shopping bag.
    2 pej.slang disagreeable old woman
    3 slang my bag: an interest, favorite pastime,
    THESAURUS
    a hobby: I really like to play the guitar; it's my bag!
    4 in the bag: infrml.fig. a. certain, sure: That business deal is in the bag. b. drunk, intoxicated: After drinking five beers, Amy was in the bag.
    5 to let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret by mistake —v. bagged, bagging, bags
    1 [T] to bag groceries: to put food purchases in bags
    2 [T] to bag game: to kill animals by hunting
    3 [I] his pants bag: to hang loosely See: bag lady; mixed bag.
    THESAURUS
    bag n.
    1 a shopping bag, plastic bag, paper bag, sack.
bag lady
bag lady
  1. n.slang a homeless woman who lives on the street: A bag lady carries her belongings in shopping bags.

    USAGE NOTE: It is considered rude to call s.o. a bag lady; a more polite term is homeless person.
bagel
bagel
  1. n. a round piece of thick bread with a hole in its middle: I had a toasted bagel and tea for breakfast.
baggage
baggage
  1. n. [U] bags, suitcases, etc. used to carry clothing and other goods while traveling,
    THESAURUS
    luggage: I carried my baggage onto the train.
baggy
baggy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest loose fitting (clothes): His pants are so baggy that they are nearly falling off.
bagpipes
bagpipes
  1. n.pl. a musical instrument that makes sounds by forcing air from a bag out through pipes: Bagpipes are common in Scotland.
bailiwick
bailiwick
  1. n.
    1 a person's area of authority, importance, etc.
    2 not to invade s.o.'s bailiwick: I don't want to invade the accountant's bailiwick by giving you advice on money matters.
bait
bait
  1. n.sing. [U] animal food used to catch animals and fish,
    THESAURUS
    a lure: A fisherman used chopped fish as bait on his hooks.v. [T]
    1 to use bait: He baited his fishhooks.
    2 to anger s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to torment: A soldier baited a captured enemy by laughing at him.
bake
bake
  1. n.v. [I;T] baked, baking, bakes to cook in an oven usu. slowly, for a long time: The baker bakes fresh bread every morning. See: clambake.
baker
baker
  1. n.
    1 a person who bakes bread, cakes, etc. for sale: Our supermarket has a butcher, a florist, and a baker who bakes wonderful cakes.
    2 baker's dozen: thirteen of s.t.: I bought a baker's dozen of bread rolls.
bakery
bakery
  1. n. -ies a business where bread, cakes, etc. are baked and offered for sale: I bought an apple pie at the bakery.
balance
balance
  1. n.sing. [U]
    1 the ability to stand, walk, etc. without falling down: She lost her balance and fell down.
    2 to keep in equal strength, weight, etc.: When his mother died, he tried to keep his emotions in balance.v. [T] -anced, -ancing, -ances
    1 to keep s.t. from falling: For fun, he balanced a ball on his nose.
    2 (in accounting) to make sure that the financial records of a business, government agency, etc. are accurate: Every month the company balances the books. See: to hang in the balance.
    THESAURUS
    balance n.
    1 one's equilibrium, stability. Ant. imbalance.
balance of power
balance of power
  1. n. a condition where one country or group within a country is not stronger than the other: In the USA, there is a balance of power between the Congress and the President.
balance sheet
balance sheet
  1. n. statement of what a company owns, or assets (property, products, cash, etc.), and owes, or liabilities (loans, debts, etc.): The accountant prepared the company's balance sheet for the year. See: profit and loss statement.
balcony
balcony
  1. n. -nies
    1 a platform, such as a porch, built on the outside of a building: That hotel has balconies where people can sit outside their rooms.
    2 rows of seats upstairs in a theater or hall
bald-faced
bald-faced
  1. adj. fig. obvious; shameless,
    THESAURUS
    brazen: He told a bald-faced lie.
bald
bald
  1. adj.
    1 with little or no hair on the head: His bald head shines in the light.
    2 plain, undecorated: the bald truth -n. [U] baldness.
bald eagle
bald eagle
  1. n. a large, dark brown bird with a white head: The bald eagle is a symbol of the USA.
bale
bale
  1. n. a large bunch of s.t. tied together, esp. cotton, hay, cloth, etc.: The farmer put bales of hay into his barn for his horses.
baleful
baleful
  1. adj.frml. showing evil desire, esp. to harm s.o., (syns.) sinister, ominous: The criminal gave the man a baleful look before hitting him. -adv. balefully.
balk
balk
  1. n.v. [I] to stop, be unwilling to continue: He balked at the high price of the car and refused to buy it.||The horse balked at jumping the fence.
ball game
ball game
  1. n.
    1 lit. sporting event, such as baseball or football
    2 fig.infrml. situation: With a new product coming on the market, it is a new ball game (a new competitive situation).
ballad
ballad
  1. n.frml. a poem or song that tells a story with simple words including a group of words, called a refrain, repeated after each stanza
ballast
ballast
  1. n. [U] weights kept in the bottom parts of ships
ballerina
ballerina
  1. n. a female ballet dancer: Ballerinas dance on their toes.
ballet
ballet
  1. n. [C;U] a type of dancing with formal movements, usu. to classical music: We went to see the ballet (or) we went to the ballet last evening. -n. ballet dancer.
ballistics
ballistics
  1. n. the study of the flight of objects, such as bullets, that fly or are thrown through the air: Ballistics is a necessary science for the military. -adj. ballistic; -n. ballistic missile.
balloon
balloon
  1. n.
    1 a small bag of thin rubber filled with a gas: Children have fun with balloons at birthday parties.
    2 a large bag of soft material filled with gas so it can float through the air: We went on a balloon ride for my birthday. -n. balloonist.
ballot
ballot
  1. n.
    1 a piece of paper used in secret voting, sometimes with a list of candidates: People vote for politicians by marking their ballots.
    2 the system of secret voting -n. ballot box.
ballpark
ballpark
  1. n.
    1 baseball stadium, a place where ball games are played
    2 infrml.fig. ballpark figure: a guess, estimate: I don't need the exact cost of the computer, just a ballpark figure.
    3 infrml.fig. in the ballpark: s.t. in a general area or range, s.t. likely to be expected or acceptable: To pay one million dollars for that office building is in the ballpark.
ballpoint pen
ballpoint pen
  1. n. a writing instrument with a ball-shaped tip
ballroom
ballroom
  1. n. a large hall for dances —adj. a type of close dancing in which partners move together with set steps to the music: The waltz and the fox-trot are favorite ballroom dances.
balm
balm
  1. n.frml.
    1 [C;U] a cream that stops pain or heals the skin: He put a soothing balm on his cut.
    2 [C] fig. s.t. that makes one feel better: A good vacation is a balm for bad nerves.
balmy
balmy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 (of weather) pleasant, mild, and breezy
    2 infrml.fig. crazy,
    THESAURUS
    highly eccentric: He is under so much pressure that he's become balmy.
balsa
balsa
  1. n. [C;U] a light tropical wood: Model airplanes are made of balsa wood.
balsam
balsam
  1. n. [U] a substance from the balsam fir tree: Balsam is used in making cough medicine and perfumes.
bamboo
bamboo
  1. n. [U] a tall plant of the grass family used in construction and furniture: Bamboo is lightweight, hollow, and strong.
bamboozle
bamboozle
  1. v.infrml. [T] -led, -ling, -les to cheat,
    THESAURUS
    to swindle: I was bamboozled when I bought that bad used car.
ban
ban
  1. n. a stop, block: The government put a ban on the sale of that drug.v. [T] banned, banning, bans to block,
    THESAURUS
    to forbid: They banned pornography in that city.
banal
banal
  1. adj. not interesting, boring: Life is banal in the town; all people do is eat, sleep, and watch television. -n. [U] banality.
band
band
  1. n.
    1 a group of s.t.: There was a great musical band at the party.||A band of thieves has been robbing the neighborhood.
    2 a strip of material (rope, tape, cloth): A worker tied cloth bands around a box.
    3 in radio, a range of wavelengths
    4 a ring: He wore a gold wedding band.v.
    1 [I] to group together: The workers banded together to stop the sale of the company.
    2 [T] to tie together: He banded the box before mailing it.
    THESAURUS
    band n.
    1 a dance band, musical group, orchestra | group, crowd, party (of people), gang.
bandage
bandage
  1. n. a fabric covering for a wound or injury: A nurse put a bandage over the cut.
    THESAURUS
    bandage n. a dressing, Band-Aid™, compress. —v. [T] -daged, -daging, -dages to cover or tie up a wound with bandages: She bandaged the cut.
bandana
bandana
  1. n. a large, colorful handkerchief: That cowboy wears a red bandana around his neck to keep out the dust.
bandit
bandit
  1. n. an armed thief, esp. one who attacks travelers on the road: A group of bandits stole a truck on the highway.
bandstand
bandstand
  1. n. a platform on which a musical band plays, usu. outdoors: A small orchestra played on the bandstand in the park.
bandwagon
bandwagon
  1. n.
    1 a decorated truck with a flat open back on which a musical band can play
    2 infrml.fig. to jump on the bandwagon: a popular idea or cause, esp. political: When a cause like reducing taxes becomes popular, politicians jump on the bandwagon to support it.
bandy
bandy
  1. v. [T] -died, -dying, -dies
    1 to talk back and forth informally; to argue, disagree: They bandied several ideas about.
    2 to talk about s.o. unfavorably,
    THESAURUS
    to gossip: His arrest was bandied about in his neighborhood. adj. curved outward at the knees,
    THESAURUS
    bowed: The cowboy had bandy legs from sitting on horses all his life.
bane
bane
  1. n.
    1 frml. one's ruin or death: Alcoholism was his bane.
    2 the bane of one's existence: one's worst problem: A bad, aching back is the bane of her existence.
bang-up
bang-up
  1. adj.infrml. very good, excellent: She did a bang-up job on her report.
bang
bang
  1. n.
    1 a loud noise: The gunshot made a loud bang.
    2 a hard blow, bump: The cars crashed into each other with a bang!
    3 infrml.fig. enjoyment, delight: The kids got a bang out of going to the circus.
    4 to go over with a bang: accepted with enthusiasm: His speech about workers' rights went over with a bang at the workers' meeting.
    THESAURUS
    bang n.
    1 an explosion, boom. —v.
    1 [I] to make a loud noise or hit: The door banged shut.
    2 [T] to hurt: She fell and banged her knees.
    3 phrasal v. [I;T] to bang away: a. to ask questions without stopping,
    THESAURUS
    to interrogate: The police banged away at the prisoner, but he wouldn't tell them anything. b. to work hard at s.t.: When I went by his office he was still banging away at the project.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to bang s.t. up: to damage, injure s.t.: When she fell, she banged up her leg. || She banged it up. bang v.
    1 to slam, clap
    2 to injure. —adv.infrml. exactly, directly: She called me bang in the middle of dinner.
bangle
bangle
  1. n. a metal band worn on the wrist as jewelry, a stiff bracelet: He bought her silver bangles for her birthday.
bangs
bangs
  1. n.pl. hair combed over the forehead: She has long brown hair and bangs.
banish
banish
  1. v.frml. [T] -ishes to send s.o. away (usu. from a country): The king banished the murderer from the land. -n. [U] banishment. See: exile.
banister
banister
  1. n. a railing next to stairs for people to hold onto: Children like to slide down a banister.
banjo
banjo
  1. n. -jos or -joes a musical instrument with strings: A banjo is played like a guitar in country and western music.
bank account
bank account
  1. n. an amount of money in a bank that one adds to or subtracts from: She has two bank accounts: a savings account and a checking account.
bankbook
bankbook
  1. n. a record of the activities of a bank account: I have a bank book for my savings account. See: checkbook, passbook.
banker
banker
  1. n. an officer or manager of a bank
banking
banking
  1. n. [U] the business of a bank: She entered banking right after college and is now a vice president.
bankroll
bankroll
  1. n. a sum of money, esp. cash to deposit in a bank —v. [T] to finance s.t., make money available for a purpose: A rich lady bankrolled a new business that a friend wanted to start.
bankrupt
bankrupt
  1. v.adj. without money or credit, unable to pay one's bills: That company is bankrupt.||The managers bankrupted the company by buying too much equipment.
    THESAURUS
    bankrupt (person) broke, ruined, wiped out | (business) insolvent, failed. Ants. solvent, prosperous.
bankruptcy
bankruptcy
  1. n. -cies [C;U]
    1 the legal state of being without money or credit, unable to pay bills
    2 to declare or file for bankruptcy: to file formal statements of bankruptcy with a legal court: The company declared bankruptcy when it ran out of money.
banner
banner
  1. n. a large flag or piece of cloth or plastic with writing on it used for decoration or business: The company banner is displayed at meetings.adj. excellent, successful: Sales were up 40 percent; it was a banner year.
banquet
banquet
  1. n. a formal dinner with many people, often for a purpose: The wedding banquet seated 200 people.
banter
banter
  1. n. [U] lively, light conversation —v. [I] to talk in a lively way: The couple bantered with each other at the party.
baptism
baptism
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a religious ceremony in which a person is covered with or touched by water to join a church and considered cleansed of sin: The baby's baptism will be next Sunday.
    2 fig. baptism by fire: s.t. that tests one's abilities, courage, etc., esp. in war: The new soldiers went through a baptism of fire when they were ambushed. -adj. baptismal ; -v. [T] baptize.
barb
barb
  1. n.
    1 a sharp point that sticks out from the main point on an arrow, fishhook, etc.
    2 fig. sharp criticism: The irritated teacher shot barbs at the lazy student.
barbarian
barbarian
  1. n. a crude, uncivilized person -n. [C] barbarism [C;U] barbarity; -adv. barbarically.
barbaric
barbaric
  1. adj. wild, uncivilized,
    THESAURUS
    barbarous: Some people think capital punishment is barbaric.
barbed wire
barbed wire
  1. n. [U] a wire with sharp points on it used as a fence: Farmers use barbed wire to keep cattle and sheep in their pastures.
barbell
barbell
  1. n. a metal bar with weights at each end: People exercise with barbells to strengthen their muscles.
barber
barber
  1. n. a person who cuts the hair of and shaves men, a hairdresser: He goes to the barber every two weeks.v. [I;T] to cut hair -n. barber shop.
    THESAURUS
    barber haircutter | hairdresser for men.
barbiturate
barbiturate
  1. n. a drug that calms, a sedative: Her doctor gave her a barbiturate to help her sleep
bard
bard
  1. n.frml. a poet: Shakespeare is known as the Bard of Avon.
bare
bare
  1. adj.
    1 uncovered, nude: The baby lies in bed as bare as the day he was born.
    2 plain, simple, without extras: Just give me the bare facts; I can find out the details later.||She earns enough money only to buy the bare necessities.v. [T] bared, baring, bares to show: I don't usually tell my secrets, but I bared my soul to her.||He took off his shirt and bared his chest. -n. [U] bareness.
    THESAURUS
    bare adj.
    1 naked, undressed, in the buff infrml., uncovered (floor, table). Ants.
    THESAURUS
    dressed, clothed.
    2 essential, basic. Ants. complicated, elaborate. —v. to expose.
barebones
barebones
  1. adj.infrml.fig. with the basics,
    THESAURUS
    essentials only: The company is a barebones operation with a small staff, old furniture, and two telephones.
barefoot
barefoot
  1. adj.adv. without shoes: Holding hands, the couple walked barefoot on the beach.
bareheaded
bareheaded
  1. adj. without a hat: She went bareheaded in the sun and got sunburned.
barely
barely
  1. adv.
    1 almost not at all, just, hardly: I hurt my foot and can barely walk.
    2 in a bare way: The concert was barely attended.
    3 barely (do s.t.), let alone (do s.t. else): just able to do s.t. and unable to do s.t. more difficult: I can barely speak Spanish, let alone write a business letter in it.
barf
barf
  1. v. slang [I] to vomit: He drank so much beer that he barfed all night.
barfly
barfly
  1. n.infrml. -flies s.o. who spends a lot of time in bars, a heavy drinker
bargain
bargain
  1. n.
    1 a good, low price for s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a deal: I got a bargain when I bought that suit for half price.
    2 an agreement: If you agree to sell me the car for $10,000, you and I have a bargain.
    3 to drive a hard bargain: to negotiate well: You drive a hard bargain; I'll give you the radio free with the car.
    4 into the bargain: as well, in addition —v. [I]
    1 to ask for a lower price, (syns.) to barter, haggle: In some cultures it is common for buyers and sellers to bargain.
    2 phrasal v. to bargain for: to expect: Her stay in the hospital cost her $30,000, which was a lot more than she bargained for.||I invited him to visit and he stayed for three weeks, which was longer than I had bargained for.adj. very inexpensive: The goods were for sale at a bargain price.
bargaining chip
bargaining chip
  1. n. item to be offered or taken away in a negotiation: The threat of a strike is a strong bargaining chip that a union brings to a negotiation with management.
barge
barge
  1. n. a long, low boat that carries heavy loads: The load of wheat was carried up river by barge.v. barged, barging, barges [I]
    1 to move by barge
    2 phrasal v. insep. to barge in or into s.t.: to interrupt often and rudely: He barged into our conversation and took over.
barhop
barhop
  1. v.slang [I] -hopped, -hopping, -hops to drink in one bar after another: After work on Friday we barhopped all over town.
baritone
baritone
  1. n. a male singer with a voice lower than tenor but higher than bass
barley
barley
  1. n. [U] a grain used for food and drink: I had mushroom barley soup for lunch.
barn
barn
  1. n. a building for storing crops and keeping animals and their food: We keep horses, sheep, and chickens in the barn.
barnacle
barnacle
  1. n. a small shellfish that grows on rocks and ships' bottoms: Barnacles slow down a ship.
barnstorm
barnstorm
  1. v. [I] to give many political speeches in different places: The politician barnstormed through the western part of the state.
barnyard
barnyard
  1. n. an area fenced off beside a barn for animals: Barnyards are often muddy in the springtime.
barometer
barometer
  1. n. an instrument that measures air pressure: A barometer shows possible changes in the weather. -adj. barometric
baron
baron
  1. n.
    1 the lowest ranking nobleman: A baron's wife is a baroness.
    2 fig.a powerful businessperson,
    THESAURUS
    a magnate: He is a newspaper baron. -adj. baronial.
barracks
barracks
  1. n.pl. building where soldiers live
barracuda
barracuda
  1. n. a fish with sharp teeth of warm (tropical) oceans that attacks meanly: Swimmers get out of the water quickly when they see barracudas.
barrage
barrage
  1. n.v. [T] -raged, -raging, -rages
    1 many weapons shot at the same time: Soldiers fired a barrage of machine guns at the enemy.
    2 fig. a heavy fast response: The politician's remarks caused a barrage of criticism.
barrel
barrel
  1. n.
    1 a large, round container made of metal or wood: Oil is sold by the barrel.
    2 the amount that a barrel holds, usu. between 117 and 159 liters (31 to 42 gallons)
    3 a cylinder, esp. the straight, hollow tube of a gun: The barrel of a gun guides the bullet.
    4 infrml.fig. to have s.o. over a barrel: to give s.o. no choice: The government had the man over a barrel by demanding that he sell his land for little money or they would take it for nothing.adj. big like a barrel: Many well-fed workers are barrel-chested.phrasal v. [I] to barrel along: to drive fast: He barrels along in his car at 80 mph on the highway.
barren
barren
  1. adj.
    1 having no life, no animals, plants, or people: Some deserts are barren, with no life.
    2 not able to have children: Because of an illness, she is barren.
    3 lacking s.t., such as interest or creativity. -n. barrenness. See: fertile.
barricade
barricade
  1. n. a barrier that stops people from passing: Firefighters put up barricades so traffic could not drive by the burning house.v. [T] -caded, -cading, -cades to block entrance with a barricade: A criminal barricaded himself in a house.
barrier
barrier
  1. n. s.t. that blocks the way: A tree fell across the road and made a barrier to traffic.||Being a woman has not been a barrier to her success.
    THESAURUS
    barrier an obstacle, obstruction, blockage | fence, wall, (police) barricade.
barring
barring
  1. prep. unless, except: Barring bad weather (if it doesn't rain), we will have a picnic tomorrow.||Barring the boss, we all went out for drinks on Friday.
barrio
barrio
  1. n. -os a mainly Spanish-speaking neighborhood in a USA city: There are many barrios in Los Angeles and Miami.
barroom
barroom
  1. n. a business where alcohol is served: In the USA, you must be 21 years old to enter many barrooms.
bartender
bartender
  1. n. a person who makes and serves alcoholic drinks as a job: She is a bartender at a popular restaurant.
barter
barter
  1. v. [I;T] n. [U] the exchange of materials for other goods, not money: Years ago, hunters bartered furs for guns.
base
base
  1. n.
    1 the lower part of s.t., foundation: That vase is on a wooden base.
    2 the point where a part of s.t. is connected to the whole: The boxer hit the base of his opponent's neck.
    3 s.t. (a fact, an assumption, etc.) from which a start is made: We will begin with your salary as a base and give you a 5 percent increase.
    4 the main place where one works or lives,
    THESAURUS
    headquarters: They use their apartment in New York as a home base from which they travel frequently.
    5 (in chemistry) a bitter-tasting substance that turns litmus paper blue
    6 a military camp, building, airport, etc.: The Air Force planes flew back to their base.
    7 (in baseball) one of four squares touched by runners
    8 infrml. to get to first base: a. to start: He tried to get a new job but did not get to first base. b. slang to kiss
    9 infrml. off base: wrong: She is off base in her ideas about what is wrong with the economy.
    10 infrml. to touch all the bases: (from baseball) to address all major points: He touched all the bases in his talk about the new product.phrasal v. insep. [T] based, basing, bases: to base s.t. on s.t.: to use as a reason for doing s.t.: She based her decision to marry him on love, not money.adj. baser, basest:
    1 basic,
    THESAURUS
    fundamental: These are the base figures for the house's value.
    2 low,
    THESAURUS
    undesirable: That man operates from base desires: sex, drugs, and greed. -adv. basely; -n. [U] baseness.
basement
basement
  1. n. rooms under a house or building,
    THESAURUS
    a cellar: They keep old furniture in their basement.
bash
bash
  1. n.slang bashes a lively and usu. expensive party or celebration: For her 50th birthday, her husband threw a big bash.v. [T] bashed, bashing, bashes
    1 to hit with a heavy instrument,
    THESAURUS
    to smash: Firefight-ers bashed in the door of the burning house with an ax.
    2 fig.infrml. to criticize: The newspapers bashed the politician daily.
bashful
bashful
  1. adj. afraid to talk to people, shy, timid: He was too bashful to ask her for a date. -n. [U] bashfulness; -adv. bashfully.
basic
basic
  1. adj.
    1 having the simple facts or ideas about s.t.: He has a basic understanding of the problem.
    2 (in chemistry) having to do with a base -adv. basically.
    THESAURUS
    basic
    1 essential, elementary, rudimentary frml. | required, necessary. Ants. unimportant, secondary.
basics
basics
  1. n.pl. the necessary parts, fundamentals of s.t.: She is just starting the job, so she has to learn the basics first.
basil
basil
  1. n. an herb with a sweet smell like mint, used in cooking: Pesto is a sauce made from basil.
basilica
basilica
  1. n. a type of church or public building in an oblong shape
basin
basin
  1. n.
    1 a hollow pan (for liquids): He put water in the basin to wash his hands.
    2 a sink, a bathroom washbasin
    3 a low, bowl-shaped, valley: The land in that basin is good for growing crops.
basis
basis
  1. n. bases
    1 the main reason(s) for s.t., foundation: What is the basis of your opinion?
    2 on the basis of s.t.: based on: On the basis of his research, he says that the earth is round.
    THESAURUS
    basis
    1 base, source.
bask
bask
  1. v. [I] to sit and enjoy heat, sun, or s.t. enjoyable: Birds and animals sit on the rocks and bask in the sun.||She basked in the admiration of her colleagues.
basket
basket
  1. n.
    1 an open, light-weight container made of straw, reeds, or strips of wood: He bought a basket of fruit.||She put dirty clothes in a laundry basket.
    2 a hoop, usu. metal, with an open-ended net (used in basketball). See: wastebasket.
basket case
basket case
  1. n.slang s.o. who is very tired and can't function: After her mother died, she was a basket case for a month.
basketball
basketball
  1. n. a game played by two teams of five players, each who throw a large ball through a basket to score points
bassoon
bassoon
  1. n. a musical instrument of the woodwind variety
bastard
bastard
  1. n.
    1 a child whose parents are not married,
    THESAURUS
    an illegitimate child
    2 vulg. a nasty, difficult person -v. [T] bastardize; -adj. bastardized.
baste
baste
  1. v. [T] basted, basting, bastes
    1 to pour cooking juices over s.t.: I basted the chicken roasting in the oven.
    2 to sew with long, loose, temporary stitches: You can baste the pants until you have time to hem them correctly.
bastion
bastion
  1. n.
    1 part of a fortress that stands out
    2 a fortress or other defense, esp. one near an enemy
    3 fig.a source of strength: He was a bastion of support to his wife while her father was dying.
batch
batch
  1. n. batches
    1 a group of people or things,
    THESAURUS
    a set: He made a batch of cookies.
    2 an amount of s.t. made at one time: Computers can work on a number of jobs in a batch.
bated
bated
  1. adj. with bated breath: anxious, hardly breathing from fear: She waited with bated breath to learn if she passed the exam.
bath
bath
  1. n. baths
    1 a washing, esp. all of one's body at one time: I took a hot bath last night. See: bathe.
    2 a tub in which to wash oneself: The faucet in the bath is dripping.
    3 infrml. to take a bath: to lose a lot of money: When the stock market crashed, he took a bath.
    4 baths: a building for bathing or swimming
bathe
bathe
  1. v. [I;T] bathed, bathing, bathes
    1 to wash, clean oneself: He bathes daily in the bathtub.
    2 to swim: The family likes to bathe in the ocean. -n. bather.
bathing suit
bathing suit
  1. n. clothing worn to go swimming,
    THESAURUS
    a swimsuit: She wears a bikini bathing suit at the beach.
bathrobe
bathrobe
  1. n. a long, loose-fitting piece of clothing to wear at home: After a bath, I put on my bathrobe and slippers.
bathroom
bathroom
  1. n. restroom, room with a bath and toilet: "Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom."

    USAGE NOTE: In the USA, bathroom usu. means a room with a toilet and bathtub or shower in a house, but restroom refers to a toilet facility in a public building. See: ladies' room; men's room; powder room.
bathtub
bathtub
  1. n. a large basin for bathing: I tested the water and got into the bathtub.
baton
baton
  1. n.
    1 a short, thin piece of wood: The leader of the orchestra moves a baton so that the players can see the rhythm.
    2 a long, round club, stick: The police took out their batons to frighten the rioters, but they didn't hit anyone.
bats
bats
  1. adj.slang to go bats: to get upset or go crazy: That poor guy went bats when he heard the bad news. See: bat (1); batty.
battalion
battalion
  1. n.
    1 a unit of 500- 1000 soldiers
    2 fig.a large group of people: The politician brought a battalion of supporters to the demonstration.
battery
battery
  1. n. -ies
    1 a storage container for electricity: I put two batteries in my flashlight.
    2 a military unit with mounted guns
    3 a group of things used or put together,
    THESAURUS
    an array: Students take a battery of tests.
    4 a beating
    5 to recharge one's batteries: to rest, feel strong again: Tired, she took a three-week vacation to recharge her batteries. See: assault and battery.
battle
battle
  1. n.
    1 a fight between enemy soldiers (airplanes, warships, etc.)
    2 fig. a struggle: Our company is fighting a legal battle.v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [I] to fight: Two armies battled for days.
    2 [T] to struggle against: She has been battling cancer for years.
    THESAURUS
    battle n.
    1 (armies) a combat, conflict
    2 (people have) an argument, fight, dispute
    THESAURUS
    (over s.t., money).
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 (armies, nations) to attack, wage war. Ant. seek peace.
battlefield
battlefield
  1. n.
    1 a place where battles are fought
    2 fig. a place where people are always arguing: Arguments between employees turned the company into a battlefield.
battleground
battleground
  1. n. battlefield
battleship
battleship
  1. n. a large warship with long guns: A battleship can shoot its guns over 20 miles (32 km).
batty
batty
  1. adj.infrml. -tier, -tiest crazy,
    THESAURUS
    insane: She's quite batty; she talks to people who don't exist.
bauble
bauble
  1. n. a piece of cheap jewelry or decoration: Earrings and necklaces made of plastic are baubles.
bawdy
bawdy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest funny in a crude, indecent way, esp. about sex: They saw a bawdy movie. -n. [U] bawdiness.
bawl
bawl
  1. v.infrml.
    1 [I] to cry loudly: The baby bawled for her milk.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to bawl s.o. out: to scold, yell at s.o.: His boss bawled the manager out for his accounting mistake.||He bawled him out.
bay
bay
  1. n.
    1 a large body of water around which the land bends: Ships are anchored in the bay.
    2 a curved area set into or coming out of a wall,
    THESAURUS
    an alcove: There was a small couch and table in the bay.||a bay window
    3 a section set off from the other parts of a building,
    THESAURUS
    a wing
    4 a long, high sound a dog makes: The sound of the dog's baying filled the air.
    5 a reddish brown color, esp. of a horse: She rode a handsome bay mare.
    6 a tree with shiny, thick leaves used in cooking
    7 to bring to bay: to put s.o. in a situation from which there is no escape: The dogs brought the fox to bay.
bayou
bayou
  1. n. a stream that moves slowly through a swamp: There are many bayous in Louisiana.
bazaar
bazaar
  1. n.
    1 a group of outdoor shops: People shop for food in a bazaar.
    2 a fair, usu. for charity, where things are sold in booths: Our church had a bazaar last weekend.
beach
beach
  1. n. beaches a sandy area by a lake or ocean: We went to the beach yesterday. v.
    1 [T] to pull or push a boat onto a beach.
    2 to get beached: to be left, stranded: The whales got beached on the shore.
    THESAURUS
    beach n. the shore, seashore, coast. Ant. the interior.
beach ball
beach ball
  1. n. a large, round ball: People play with a beach ball by throwing it to each other.
beachcomber
beachcomber
  1. n.
    1 a person who looks for pretty things on a beach: The beachcomber looks for seashells.
    2 a person who sells things he or she finds on the beach.
beacon
beacon
  1. n. a strong guiding light usu. on a tall tower: Tall buildings near airports have red beacons to warn airplanes away at night.
bead
bead
  1. n.
    1 a small round piece of material with a hole for stringing: Her necklace is made of red glass beads.
    2 a small amount of liquid: Beads of sweat fell from the tennis player's face.v. [I] to form into beads: The sweat beaded up and fell into his eyes.
beady
beady
  1. adj. -ier, -iest (of the eyes) shiny, sharp, angry: The criminal gave the policeman a beady look and ran away.
beagle
beagle
  1. n. a type of short hunting dog usu. with three colors of hair
beak
beak
  1. n. the nose and mouth of a bird, turtle, etc.: Some birds have long beaks.
beaker
beaker
  1. n.
    1 a clear, glass container for liquids: Chemistry students use beakers to measure materials in laboratories.
    2 frml. a drinking glass
bean
bean
  1. n.
    1 an edible seed of many plants: I like to eat lima beans and black beans.
    2 infrml.fig. the head
    3 infrml. a hill of beans: a small, unimportant amount: That wet, sandy land isn't worth a hill of beans.
    4 infrml. full of beans: full of energy, very active: Those kids run all day; they're full of beans.
    5 infrml. to spill the beans: to tell a secret by mistake: He spilled the beans when he told her about her surprise party.v.infrml.fig. [T] to hit s.o. on the head: A boy beaned his friend with a baseball.
bear market
bear market
  1. n. a financial market in which the value of stocks and bonds goes down: Investors usually lose money in a bear market.
bearable
bearable
  1. adj. able to be withstood, endurable,
    THESAURUS
    tolerable: The hot weather is uncomfortable but bearable. -adv. bearably. See: unbearable.
beard
beard
  1. n. hair on the face,
    THESAURUS
    whis-kers: My father has always worn a beard and moustache. -adj. bearded. See: sideburns.
bearer
bearer
  1. n. a carrier, person who brings s.t.: Paul was the bearer of bad news.
bearing
bearing
  1. n. [U]
    1 importance to s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    influence: Good weather has a bearing on farmers' growing good crops.
    2 a direction on a compass: That ship is on a southerly bearing.
    3 the way one holds one's body: Dancers have a graceful bearing.
beast
beast
  1. n.
    1 frml. an animal: Donkeys are beasts of burden that carry heavy loads.
    2 fig. an evil, badly behaved person, esp. a man: That beast (of a man) punched the guard and robbed the bank. -adv. beastly.
beat
beat
  1. v. beat, beating, beats
    1 [T] to hit again and again: A man beat another man with a club.
    2 [T] to mix or blend: She beat the eggs with a spoon.
    3 [T] to move regularly: The bird beat its wings as it flew away.
    4 [T] to defeat an opponent: Our team beat the other team again.
    5 [T] to get around the rules: He beat the system by getting unemployment payments while he was still working.
    6 [I] to throb: He could hear his heart beat loudly as he ran.
    7 [T] to cause s.t. to make a sound by striking it: She beat a rhythm on the drum.
    8 [T] to flatten by hitting again and again: They had beaten a trail from the house to the lake.
    9 infrml. to beat it: leave quickly: You're not wanted here—beat it!
    10 infrml. it beats me: not to know: What is the answer? It beats me!
    11 infrml. to beat a dead horse: to do or say s.t. that will not succeed, a useless effort: She's beating a dead horse when she talks about opening foreign offices, because no one listens to her.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to beat s.o. or s.t. back: to stop or make go backwards: Our competitors took sales away from us, but we beat them back with an improved product.
    13 infrml. to beat the bushes: to search: Salespeople beat the bushes for sales by visiting many customers.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to beat s.t. down: to convince s.o. to lower a price: We beat down the price of the car to $6,000.||We beat it down.
    15 infrml. to beat one's brains out: to try very hard: She beat her brains out trying to solve the math problem.
    16 infrml. to beat s.o. to it or the punch: to do s.t. first: I beat my competitor to the punch by selling a new product first.
    17 infrml. [T] to beat s.t. out of s.o.: to cheat: The drug dealer beat his boss out of some profits and then was murdered.
    18 phrasal v. sep. [T] to beat s.o. up: to hurt badly: When I was little, the other kids used to beat up my brother and me.||They beat us up.
    19 off the beaten path or track: where few people go: We went off the beaten path to a small island for our vacation.
    THESAURUS
    beat v.
    1 to strike, pound
    2 to stir, whip
    3 to flap, flutter
    4 to conquer, triumph over. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    to lose.
    5 to go around, evade, circumvent frml.
    6 to pound, pulsate. —n. tempo, rhythm of music: The beat of the music makes me want to dance.adj.infrml.fig. tired: I am really beat from working hard all week.
beater
beater
  1. n.
    1 a tool or machine used to mix and soften food: I used an egg beater to whip some cream.
    2 one who beats: That woman is a child beater.
beating
beating
  1. n.
    1 the act of hitting repeatedly
    2 to take a beating: a. to be hit or punched badly b. fig. to lose a lot of money: I really took a beating because I had to sell my house for much less than I paid for it.
beautician
beautician
  1. n. a person who cuts hair, gives manicures, etc.: A beautician put on the bride's makeup before the wedding.
beautiful
beautiful
  1. adj. pleasing to the sen-ses or the mind: The mountains are beautiful in the summer. See: handsome, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    beautiful (women) very pretty, stunning, gorgeous | (places/things) lovely,
    THESAURUS
    magnificent, wonderful. Ants. ugly, unattractive.
beautify
beautify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make s.t. pretty: She beautified her garden by planting flowers.
beauty
beauty
  1. n. [C;U] -ties
    1 s.t. pleasing to the senses or the mind: People see beauty in paintings.
    2 an advantage: The beauty of leaving early is that we avoid traffic.
    THESAURUS
    beauty
    1 splendor, magnificence
    2 appeal. Ant. ugliness.
beaver
beaver
  1. n.
    1 an animal that looks like a large rat with a long flat tail: Beavers build dams by cutting down trees with their sharp teeth.
    2 infrml. eager beaver: a hard worker: He is an eager beaver who does every job with enthusiasm.
bebop
bebop
  1. or bop n.slang a style of jazz music
because
because
  1. conj. for the reason that, as: I cannot go to work today, because I am sick.prep. because of: by reason of: I worked late because of a deadline.
beck and call
beck and call
  1. n. ready to obey: The servant was at the beck and call of his master.
beckon
beckon
  1. v. [I;T] to motion or call someone to come to you: The teacher beckoned the student to her desk.
become
become
  1. v. [T] -came, -coming, -comes
    1 to grow, come to be: She wants to become a doctor.
    2 to make s.o. look good, to flatter: The new hairstyle really becomes you.
    3 phrasal v. to become of: to happen to: What has become of John?
    THESAURUS
    become
    1 to turn into, develop into
    2 to suit s.o., look good on, flatter.
becoming
becoming
  1. adj. pleasing, attractive to the eye: That new dress is very becoming on you.
bed
bed
  1. n.
    1 a piece of furniture for sleeping: I have a single bed in my bedroom.
    2 a platform for other things: That house is built on a bed of cement.
    3 formations of the earth: The bottom of the ocean is called the seabed.
    4 a small area of land used for growing s.t.: Keep the dog out of the flower bed.
    5 infrml. a bed of roses: a good, easy situation in life: Working in a coal mine is no bed of roses.
    6 infrml. to get up on the wrong side of the bed: to be irritable, angry: She got up on the wrong side of the bed and was irritable all day.
    7 to make a bed: to put on or make neat the sheets, blankets, etc. of a bed: I make the bed every morning by smoothing the sheets and putting on the bedspread.
    8 to put to bed: to take a child to its bed
    9 to take to one's bed: to go to bed, esp. when sick: He had a terrible headache and took to his bed to rest.v. bedded, bedding, beds phrasal v. [I] to bed down: to find or make a place to sleep for the night: Campers bed down in sleeping bags on the ground after they put up their tent.
bed and breakfast
bed and breakfast
  1. n. a private home that rents rooms to guests and serves breakfast: We stayed at a bed and breakfast last night. See: room and board.

    USAGE NOTE: A bed and breakfast (or B & B) is a private home that offers guests a bedroom, bathroom, and a full breakfast. B & Bs are usually located in the countryside. An inn is a small hotel, also often in the country. A hotel is usually larger than an inn, and may be located in the city or country. A motel is a small, usually one-story hotel along a highway where guests can park their cars in front of their rooms.
bedbug
bedbug
  1. n. a tiny insect that sucks blood and lives in beds,
    THESAURUS
    bed louse: The bite of a bedbug really itches!
bedclothes
bedclothes
  1. n.pl. sheets, blankets, pillows, etc. used to cover beds: I changed the bedclothes after I had slept in them for a week.
bedding
bedding
  1. n. [U]
    1 material that animals sleep on: A horse's bedding can be chips of wood.
    2 bedclothes: I put some fresh bedding on the bed.
bedeck
bedeck
  1. v.frml. [T] to decorate,
    THESAURUS
    to adorn: The walls were bedecked with flags and the tables with flowers.
bedevil
bedevil
  1. v. [T] to annoy s.o. a lot,
    THESAURUS
    to distress: She is bedeviled by a bad back that hurts often. -n. [U] bedevilment.
bedfellow
bedfellow
  1. n.
    1 a person who shares a bed with s.o. else
    2 fig. a partner, associate: Business makes bedfellows of people who would not usually work with each other.
bedlam
bedlam
  1. n. [U] a wild place full of noise and chaos,
    THESAURUS
    a madhouse: With three children, our house is bedlam sometimes.
bedpan
bedpan
  1. n. a shallow pan used as a toilet by people who cannot get out of bed: A nurse took the bedpan away to empty it.
bedraggled
bedraggled
  1. adj. messy, bad- looking from wrinkled clothes, etc.: He walked in the rain without an umbrella and looked bedraggled. -v. [T] bedraggle.
bedridden
bedridden
  1. adj. staying in bed because of illness or weakness
bedrock
bedrock
  1. n. [U]
    1 solid rock under the earth: That building is built on bedrock.
    2 a firm foundation
    3 the very bottom of s.t.
bedroll
bedroll
  1. n. a thick, soft piece of material used as a bed, esp. in camping
bedroom
bedroom
  1. n. a room for sleeping: The house has two bedrooms.
bedside
bedside
  1. n. the area near or to the side of a bed: The family came to the old man's bedside.
bedspread
bedspread
  1. n. a covering, usu. decorative, put over the bedding
bedtime
bedtime
  1. n. [C;U] the time to go to sleep: The parents told the babysitter that 9:00 P.M. is bedtime for the children.
bee
bee
  1. n.
    1 an insect with wings that stings and makes honey
    2 to have a bee in one's bonnet: always to be talking about a single idea, an obsession: She has a bee in her bonnet; she is always talking about the dangers of illegal drugs. See: busy bee.
beech
beech
  1. n. [C;U] beeches a tree with edible nuts and a smooth gray trunk
beef
beef
  1. n. [U]
    1 the meat of cattle: We had roast beef for dinner.
    2 fig.slang a beef: a complaint: He always has a beef about something.phrasal v. sep. [T] to beef s.t. up: to strengthen, add more: Fearing war, the country beefed up its defenses.||It beefed them up.
beefy
beefy
  1. adj.slang -ier, -iest muscular, strong, sometimes fat: Football players are big, beefy guys.
beehive
beehive
  1. n.
    1 a home for bees: I stuck my hand in the beehive and was stung three times!
    2 fig. a very busy place: The office was a beehive of activity. See: hive.
beeline
beeline
  1. n. a path directly to s.t., esp. walked quickly: The boy makes a beeline for home after school every day.
been
been
  1. past part of to be
beep
beep
  1. n.v.infrml. [T] the sound of a car horn or electronic device: He beeped his horn, then heard a beep from his electronic beeper.
beeper
beeper
  1. n. an electronic device that beeps to tell you to call s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    a pager: He wears a beeper on his belt when he is away from his office.
beer
beer
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a bitter alcoholic drink usu. made from grain: She had a sandwich and a beer for lunch.
    2 a drink made from a plant or root: ginger beer, root beeradj.infrml. beer belly: a big stomach,
    THESAURUS
    a paunch: That guy has a beer belly.
beeswax
beeswax
  1. n. [U] wax made by bees to hold honey in their hive, used in candles, furniture polish, etc.
beet
beet
  1. or beet root n.
    1 a plant with a thick red root eaten as a vegetable
    2 sugar beet: a variety of beet from whose white root sugar is made
beetle
beetle
  1. n. a hard-shelled, winged insect: Beetles crawl slowly on the ground.
befall
befall
  1. v.frml. [T] -fell, , -falling, -falls to have s.t. bad happen: A car accident befell him.
befit
befit
  1. v.frml. [T] -fitted, -fitting, -fits to be suitable and correct: As befits a wedding, the bride wore a white dress. -adj. befitting.
before
before
  1. prep. in front of: He stood before me.adv.
    1 earlier than: It is 10 minutes before 12 o'clock.
    2 ahead of: The child ran before her classmates.conj.
    1 ahead of in time: I hope he quits his job before it makes him crazy.
    2 rather than, instead of
beforehand
beforehand
  1. adv. before s.t. happens, earlier: We had decided to make airline reservations beforehand.
befriend
befriend
  1. v. [T] to become friends with s.o.: The man befriended the boy and showed him how to play chess.
beg
beg
  1. v. begged, begging, begs
    1 [I;T] to ask for s.t., usu. money, on the street: A poor woman begged for coins.
    2 [I;T] to ask strongly,
    THESAURUS
    to plead: He begged her to stay with him, but she left anyhow.
    3 frml. to beg the question: a. to know the answer to a question: "He has found a job hasn't he?" "The fact that he leaves at the same time every morning dressed for work begs the question." b. to try not to answer the question.
    THESAURUS
    to evade: When his mother asked him if he had finished his homework, the student begged the question by saying it was difficult.
    4 frml. to beg to differ: to disagree politely: I beg to differ with you, but it was not sunny last Thursday.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to beg off: to make excuses and not do s.t. one has agreed to: He agreed to work on Saturday, then begged off at the last moment.
began
began
  1. past part. of begin
beget
beget
  1. v.frml. [T] -got , -getting, -gets
    1 to produce: The mother begets a child.
    2 to cause to happen: War begets more war.
beggar
beggar
  1. n.
    1 a person who asks for money,
    THESAURUS
    a panhandler: The beggar stopped me on the street and asked for change.
    2 infrml. beggars can't be choosers: not to be too particular in an emergency: I ate the sandwich she made even though I hate ham, because beggars can't be choosers.
begin
begin
  1. v. [T] -gan , -ginning, -gins
    1 to start: We began our trip on August 1.
    2 to begin with: first of all, to start
    THESAURUS
    begin
    1 to start (on), commence | set s.t. in motion, initiate s.t. Ant. to stop.
beginner
beginner
  1. n.
    1 s.o. starting,
    THESAURUS
    a novice: He is a beginner at golf.
    2 infrml. beginner's luck: success the first time one does s.t.: She had beginner's luck by playing golf well her first time.
beginning
beginning
  1. n. [C;U] a start,
    THESAURUS
    the commencement: At the beginning, our business grew slowly.
begonia
begonia
  1. n. a garden plant with small, pretty flowers
begrudge
begrudge
  1. v. [T] -grudged, -grudging, -grudges to envy, not want s.o. else to have or do s.t.: I begrudge him his wealth because he did not earn it. See: grudge.
beguile
beguile
  1. v. [T] -guiled, -guiling, -guiles
    1 to cheat,
    THESAURUS
    to delude: She was beguiled by the man and lost all her money to him.
    2 to charm: She is so beautiful that she beguiles every man she meets.
begun
begun
  1. past part. of begin
behalf
behalf
  1. n.
    1 on behalf of: as the representative of: As her lawyer, I act on behalf of Mrs. Jones by going to court.
    2 in behalf of: for the benefit of: The couple gave to charity in behalf of disabled children.
behave
behave
  1. v. [I] -haved, -having, -haves
    1 to act in a certain way: As a manager, she behaves with competence.
    2 to act well: Children, behave yourselves! See: misbehave.
    THESAURUS
    behave
    1 to perform, conduct oneself | work. Ant. to misbehave.
behavior
behavior
  1. n. [U] a way of acting: She refused to work closely with anyone and was fired for bad behavior.
behead
behead
  1. v.frml. [T] to cut s.o.'s head off,
    THESAURUS
    to decapitate: The traitor was beheaded at the king's order.
behest
behest
  1. n.frml. command, order: At the behest of the captain, the soldiers began to march.
behold
behold
  1. v.frml. [T] -held , -holding, -holds to see, look at: Behold how beautiful the sunset looks! -n. beholder.
beholden
beholden
  1. adj. owing, obligated to s.o.: I feel beholden to my friend, because he loaned me money.
behoove
behoove
  1. v.frml. [T] -hooved, -hooving, -hooves to be required by duty: It behooves students to study.
beige
beige
  1. adj. a light-brown or tan color: His beige sweater did not look good with his orange pants.
being
being
  1. n. pres. part. of be
    1 in existence: The United States of America came into being with the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
    2 a living thing: Every being on earth depends on the environment.
    3 one's basic nature: He loves painting with his whole being.adj. for the time being: for the present, meanwhile: They are looking for a house, but for the time being they are staying in a hotel.
    THESAURUS
    being n.
    2 a person, human being | life form, creature, organism.
belabor
belabor
  1. v.frml. [T] to work or talk too long, repeat a point too often: She belabored how angry she felt until no one listened anymore.
belated
belated
  1. adj. too late, after s.t. has happened: His birthday was last week, but I sent him a belated birthday card today. -adv. belatedly.
belch
belch
  1. v. belches
    1 [I] to have gas come out of the mouth,
    THESAURUS
    to burp: He belches after every meal.
    2 [T] to throw forcefully: The car's tail pipe belched black smoke. -n. belch.
beleaguer
beleaguer
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make many demands on s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to harass: That man is beleagued by debts.
    2 to surround with soldiers
belfry
belfry
  1. n. -fries
    1 bell tower: The belfry is in the top of the church.
    2 infrml.fig. to have bats in one's belfry: to be foolish or crazy: The man walks around the streets barefoot in all weather; they say he has bats in his belfry.
belie
belie
  1. v. [T] -lied, -lying, -lies to give a wrong idea: His soft words belied a hard heart.
belief
belief
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an idea, condition, or way of behaving that one thinks is true: She has the belief that he loves her.
    2 trust: She has belief in her daughter's good judgment.
    3 a religious principle or moral standard: She is a woman with strong religious beliefs.
    4 beyond belief: untrue, incredible
    THESAURUS
    belief
    1 a conviction
    2 confidence
    3 faith. Ant. doubt.
believable
believable
  1. adj. capable of being thought true: His description of the crime was believable. -adv. believably.
    THESAURUS
    believable convincing, credible. Ant. unbelievable.
believe
believe
  1. v. -lieved, -lieving, -lieves [T]
    1 to be convinced of s.t., know or feel that an idea, situation, or way of behaving is true: She believed her son when he said he didn't start the fight.
    2 to think: I believe he is coming on Friday.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to believe in s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to support, trust in s.o.: His mother believes in him and knows he would never hurt anyone. b. s.t.: to have faith, hold as a principle: Do you believe in God?||She doesn't believe in lying.
    4 to make believe: to pretend: The boys make believe they are cowboys.
    THESAURUS
    believe
    1 to trust, be certain | confident that. Ant. to doubt.
    2 to assume, presume, expect
    3 to have faith in s.o. Ant. to question.
believer
believer
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who has an idea or principle: He is a believer in working hard for a living.
    2 a follower, a supporter of s.o. or s.t., esp. in religion: She is a believer in the principles of Judaism.
belittle
belittle
  1. v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles to make s.t. seem small or not important,
    THESAURUS
    to disparage: The father belittled his son's good grades in school.
bell-bottoms
bell-bottoms
  1. n.pl. a style of pants popular in the 60s and 70s that widen near the ankles
bell
bell
  1. n.
    1 a hollow metal object that makes pleasant sounds when hit: The mail carrier rang the doorbell.
    2 infrml. to ring a bell: to recognize, cause to remember: You mentioned his name, but it doesn't ring a bell as to who he is.
bellboy
bellboy
  1. n. a person, usu. male, who carries luggage to hotel guests' rooms
belle
belle
  1. n. a pretty and popular woman: She was the belle of the ball (dance) last night.
bellhop
bellhop
  1. n. See: bellboy.
bellicose
bellicose
  1. adj.frml. angry, ready to fight: That nation is bellicose, always threatening to go to war. -n.frml. [U] bellicosity.
belligerent
belligerent
  1. adj. angry, ready to fight: His belligerent attitude made it difficult to work with him. -n. [U] belligerence.
bellow
bellow
  1. v. [I;T] n. to shout or make noise loudly: The teacher bellowed orders at the students.
bellows
bellows
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. a tool used to blow air on a fire to make it bigger: I pumped the bellows to heat up the fire.
belly
belly
  1. n.infrml. -lies
    1 the abdomen, stomach: I lay on my belly all day at the beach and sunburned my back.
    2 a curved part of s.t.
    3 infrml. fire in one's belly: a strong desire to succeed: He has fire in his belly, because he wants badly to succeed.
    4 infrml.fig. to go belly up: to fail: That business had so many debts that it went belly up. See: beer belly.
belly button
belly button
  1. n.infrml. the navel
bellyache
bellyache
  1. n.infrml. stomach pains: I have a bellyache from eating too much.v.fig. [I] -ached, -aching, -aches to complain,
    THESAURUS
    to whine: Every time you listen to her, she is bellyaching.
bellyful
bellyful
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a stomach full of s.t.
    2 fig. too much: He was working 18 hours a day before he finally had a bellyful and quit his job.
belong
belong
  1. v. [I]
    1 to be the property of, be owned by: That car (house, guitar, etc.) belongs to me.
    2 to go together naturally,
    THESAURUS
    to suit: That couple belongs together; they really get along well.
    3 to be a member of a group: He belongs to the health club.
    4 to be part of s.t., connected: That part belongs to the engine.
belongings
belongings
  1. n.pl. personal property, such as clothes, etc.: He packed his belongings in a suitcase and left.
beloved
beloved
  1. adj. (s.o. who is) highly loved: a beloved daughter
below
below
  1. prep.
    1 lower than, under: The foot is below the knee.||The gold ore was located below the earth's surface.
    2 on a later page or part of s.t.: See page 17 below for more information.adv. to the lower part of s.t.: I went down below into the cellar.
    THESAURUS
    below prep.
    1 beneath, underneath. Ant. above.
belt
belt
  1. n.
    1 a piece of leather, plastic, etc. worn around the waist: Belts are used to hold up pants.
    2 an endless strap used as part of a machine: The conveyor belt took the packages to the loading platform.
    3 an area of land with special qualities: Most wheat grown in the USA is from the Grain Belt.
    4 to hit below the belt: to attack unfairly: Criticizing her accent is hitting below the belt; she speaks perfect English.
    5 to tighten one's belt: to economize, spend less money: When my father lost his job, we all had to tighten our belts.v.slang [T] to strike, hit: If he says one more word, I'll belt him in the mouth.
bemoan
bemoan
  1. v.frml. [T] to feel sad about s.t., regret: She bemoans the fact that she did not finish high school.
bemused
bemused
  1. adj. a little annoyed and a little amused: The teacher was bemused by the fact that no one in the class could answer her question. -adv. bemusedly.
bench
bench
  1. n. benches
    1 a long seat, often made of wood: People sit on benches in the park.
    2 judicial authority: The lawyers went to the bench for a conference with the judge.v. [T] benched, benching, benches to order s.o. to stop playing or working,
    THESAURUS
    to inactivate: He made so many mistakes in the game that the coach benched him.
benchmark
benchmark
  1. n.
    1 a point from which distances are measured
    2 fig. a level or standard of excellence or achievement: The company's first million dollars in sales was a benchmark. See: milestone.
bend
bend
  1. n.
    1 a turn, curve: I followed the bend in the road.
    2 pl. a. pains after coming up from deep water too quickly b. infrml.fig. exhausted, unable to work: He started up a new company by himself and now has the bends.
    3 infrml. to bend over backwards: to try very hard to please s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to accommodate: The director of personnel bends over backwards to help each new employee. See: bent. —v. bent bending, bends [I;T]
    1 to turn, make s.t. curved: I bent a stick and broke it in two.
    2 to lean over at the waist: She bent over and picked up a piece of paper.
    THESAURUS
    bend v.
    1 to twist
    2 to flex. Ant. to straighten.
beneath
beneath
  1. prep.
    1 below, under: Solid rock lies beneath the earth.
    2 not worthy of s.o.: He used to be a corporate manager, so he thinks driving a taxi is beneath him.adv. below: The dog was sleeping beneath the front porch.
    THESAURUS
    beneath
    1 underneath
    2 undignified. Ant. above.
benediction
benediction
  1. n. a request for divine favor,
    THESAURUS
    a blessing: The priest gave the benediction on Sunday morning.
benefactor
benefactor
  1. n. a person who helps s.o. or s.t., esp. by giving money: A rich woman was a benefactor to a young artist. -n. [U] benefaction ; -adj. beneficent.
beneficial
beneficial
  1. adj. good, advantageous: The vacation was beneficial to his health. -adv. beneficially.
beneficiary
beneficiary
  1. n. -ries s.o. who receives s.t. good,
    THESAURUS
    a recipient, esp. from s.o. who dies: His wife was the beneficiary of his will and got all his money when he died.||I am the beneficiary of his kindness.
benefit
benefit
  1. n.
    1 gain, positive result: She received a benefit for her good work, which was a large raise.
    2 social event to raise money for charity: The fire department organized a benefit to raise money for poor children.
    3 to give s.o. the benefit of the doubt: not to judge s.o. too quickly: It looks as though she made a bad mistake, but let's give her the benefit of the doubt, until we talk with her.v. [I] -fited, -fiting, -fits to gain from s.t.: The company benefited from selling a new product. See: fringe benefits.
    THESAURUS
    benefit v. to profit from, be helped by. Ant. be damaged by.
benevolence
benevolence
  1. n. [U] an act of generosity and kindness: As an act of benevolence, she helped her unemployed son pay his rent -adj. benevolent; -adv. benevolently.
benign
benign
  1. adj.
    1 harmless, gentle: Though he talks in a rough manner, his actions are benign.
    2 not having cancer: The doctor took out a benign tumor. -adv. benignly. See: malignant.
bequeath
bequeath
  1. v. [T] to give by a will after death, leave: The man bequeathed his house to his children. -n. bequeathal.
bequest
bequest
  1. n. a benefit from a will,
    THESAURUS
    a legacy: He left his house as a bequest to his wife.
berate
berate
  1. v.frml. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to criticize s.o. severely, (syns.) to scold, rebuke.
bereave
bereave
  1. adj. experiencing the death of a loved one: She was bereaved when her husband died. -n. [U] bereavement.
bereft
bereft
  1. adj. without (s.o. or s.t.), lacking: The room is bereft of any furniture.
beret
beret
  1. n. a round, soft woolen cap common in France: He wears a beret in cold weather.
berry
berry
  1. n. -ries a small, juicy fruit, such as a strawberry or blueberry: I baked muffins with berries in them.
berserk
berserk
  1. adj. crazy, insanely violent: When his son was killed, the man went berserk.
berth
berth
  1. n.
    1 a place near a dock where a ship can stay: The ship needed fuel, so it spent an extra night in its berth before leaving.
    2 a bed on a ship or train: The berth was so narrow that I was afraid of falling out in the middle of the night.
    3 to give a wide berth to: to stay away from: You should give a wide berth to illegal drugs.
beseech
beseech
  1. v.frml. [T] -seeched or -sought -seeching, -seeches to ask strongly,
    THESAURUS
    to beg: The woman beseeched the thief not to steal her purse.
beset
beset
  1. v.frml. [T] -set, -setting, -sets
    1 to attack from all directions
    2 annoy
beside
beside
  1. prep.
    1 next to: He sat down beside her.
    2 apart from, other than: The fact that you like your old car is beside the point; it is so old that it does not work.
    3 compared with: Beside me, she seems tall.
    4 infrml. beside oneself: upset or excited: After she left him, he was beside himself with unhappiness.adv.prep. besides: also, in addition to: Besides talking to him, she wrote him a letter.
    THESAURUS
    beside prep.
    1 alongside, at the side of, close to. Ant. away from.
besiege
besiege
  1. v. [T] -sieged, -sieging, -sieges to attack from all sides: An army besieged the fortress for days. See: seige.
besmirch
besmirch
  1. v.frml. [T] to ruin, make dirty,
    THESAURUS
    to soil: The scandal besmirched his reputation.
besotted
besotted
  1. adj.frml. foolish or drunk from alcohol, drugs, power, love, etc.: He was besotted with his girlfriend.
best-seller
best-seller
  1. n. a book or recording (music, comedy, etc.) that sells many copies: Her novel about life in Canada was a best-seller.
best man
best man
  1. n. the witness and attendant for the groom in a marriage ceremony: The best man carries the wedding rings for the groom. See: maid of honor.
bestial
bestial
  1. adj.
    1 like an animal: He is bestial; he runs around without any clothes on.
    2 fig. inhuman, cruel,
    THESAURUS
    brutal: The killing of the little girl was a bestial act. -n. [U] bestiality.
bestow
bestow
  1. v.frml. [T] to give s.t. formally: The President bestowed a medal on a soldier. -n. [C;U] bestowal.
betray
betray
  1. v. [T]
    1 to be disloyal to one's country,
    THESAURUS
    to commit treason: The spy betrayed his country by selling its military secrets to an enemy country.
    2 to harm people who count on your loyalty: The soldier betrayed his friends by telling the enemy where they were hiding.
    3 to show s.t., usu. without meaning to,
    THESAURUS
    to reveal: She tried to look calm, but her weak voice betrayed her fear.||His white hair betrays his age.
    4 to betray a confidence: to tell the secrets of others: He betrayed her confidence by talking about her secrets to his friends. -n. [C;U] betrayal, betrayer.
betrothal
betrothal
  1. n. [U] a promise to marry,
    THESAURUS
    an engagement: The couple announced their betrothal after dating for five years. -v. betroth; -adj. betrothed.
betterment
betterment
  1. n.frml. improvement: The government helps the poor for the betterment of society.
between
between
  1. prep.
    1 in the space separating two things: The cat was between the wall and the fence.||Airplanes fly people between New York and Washington every half hour.
    2 connected to, esp. in being in love: They seem to like each other, but there is nothing between them.
    3 infrml. between you and me: to show that s.t. is a secret: Between you and me, I know that John loves Mary.

    USAGE NOTE: between: In American English, many people say, "Between you and I" which is incorrect. "Between you and me" is correct.
bevel
bevel
  1. v. [T] to cut an edge so it is curved or sloped —n. a rounded or sloped edge: He used a file to make a bevel in the picture frame. -adj. beveled.
beverage
beverage
  1. n.frml. a drink, usu. not water: Restaurants and hotels serve hot and cold beverages.
    THESAURUS
    beverage a soft drink like Coke™, hot drink like coffee/tea | beer, wine (an alcohol beverage).
bewail
bewail
  1. v.frml. [T] to express great sadness,
    THESAURUS
    to lament: He bewailed the death of his wife. See: bemoan.
beware
beware
  1. v. [I;T] to be careful about s.t., aware of danger: "Beware of the dog" means that a dog might attack you.
bewilder
bewilder
  1. v. [T] to confuse greatly: He was fired without warning and is completely bewildered about the reason. -n. [U] bewilderment.
bewitch
bewitch
  1. v. [T] -ches to charm,
    THESAURUS
    to captivate: She is so charming that men are bewitched by her. -adj. bewitching.
beyond
beyond
  1. prep.
    1 on the other side of: The campground is beyond the next field.
    2 to a greater amount or degree: She is educated beyond everyone in her family.
    3 too difficult for: Understanding mathematics is beyond him.
    4 further in time than, later: Looking beyond this year, I see a good future.
    5 besides, in addition: I don't know anything about him beyond what I've told you.
bi
bi
  1. short for bisexual
biannual
biannual
  1. adj. happening twice a year, semiannual
bias
bias
  1. n. -es
    1 a general tendency: She has a bias against wasting money.
    2 prejudice: He has a bias against people who wear glasses.
    3 on the bias: (of clothing) on a slant, angled —adj. biased: inclined: He is biased against spending (glasses, the plan, etc.).
bib
bib
  1. n. a cloth with strings to tie around the neck: Babies wear bibs when they eat.
bible
bible
  1. n.
    1 (cap.) the holy writings of Christianity and Judaism,
    THESAURUS
    the Scriptures: She reads the Bible every day.
    2 a book or writings that cover a field expertly: That professor wrote the bible on European history. -adj. biblical.
bibliography
bibliography
  1. n. -phies a list of sources of information (author, title, publisher, date) often used as references in formal writing
bicameral
bicameral
  1. adj. (in government) referring to a legislative system that has two groups or houses of lawmakers
bicentennial
bicentennial
  1. n.adj. a 200-year anniversary: The USA's bicentennial celebration of independence from Britain was in 1976.
bicep
bicep
  1. n. the upper-arm muscle: The boy lifts weights to strengthen his biceps and shoulders.
bicker
bicker
  1. v.infrml. [I] to argue about little things,
    THESAURUS
    to quarrel: The couple bickers often about which roads to take to get to certain places.
bicycle
bicycle
  1. n. a two-wheeled vehicle moved by pedaling: I bought a new bicycle.v. [I] -cled, -cling, -cles to travel by bicycle: The students bicycled through Europe last summer. -n. [U] bicycling; [C] bicyclist.
bid
bid
  1. v.frml. bid, bidding, bids
    1 [T] to ask or command: She bid the child stand still.
    2 [I] to make a monetary offer: We bid to sell at $10 per pound.n.
    1 an offer to sell s.t. at a certain price: Our company made a bid to sell coffee beans at $10 per pound.
    2 an attempt, try: She bid for the job opening, but did not get the job.
bidding
bidding
  1. n. [U]
    1 offers to buy or sell things: The bidding at auctions can go very fast.
    2 instructions: I did my wife's bidding and changed the baby's diapers.
bide
bide
  1. v. [T] bided, biding, bides; to bide one's time: to wait until the right time to do s.t.: He is biding his time until he feels ready to ask her to marry him.
biennial
biennial
  1. n.adj. happening every two years: There is a biennial art exhibition in Venice. -adv. biennially.
bifocals
bifocals
  1. n.pl. eyeglasses with two sets of lenses, one for seeing close and the other for distance: When I reached age 45, I needed bifocals to read. -adj. bifocal.
big-hearted
big-hearted
  1. adj. generous, warm, and friendly,
    THESAURUS
    compassionate: She is always doing s.t. good for s.o.; she's big-hearted.
big-ticket item
big-ticket item
  1. n. s.t. that costs a lot of money: A new car is a big-ticket item
big-time
big-time
  1. adj.infrml. important: She is a big-time politician in the national government.n. in the big time: at the top level of business, sports, etc: He began by playing guitar for fun and is now in the big time.
big
big
  1. adj. bigger, biggest
    1 large in size, shape, etc.: She has big feet.
    2 important: Our company has a big meeting next month.
    3 a big fish in a small pond: an important, powerful person out of place: Working in the regional county office, she is a big fish in a small pond.
    4 infrml. big on s.t.: enthusiastic: He is very big on baseball and goes to a game twice a week.
    5 infrml. bigger fish to fry: more important things to do: The company president has bigger fish to fry and can't be bothered by the problems of a little employee like me.
    6 big of (s.o.): generous: It's big of you to drive me home so late at night.
    THESAURUS
    big adj.
    1 (person) tall, fat, muscular | (area, building) large, huge, spacious. Ant. small.
    2 significant, vital. Ant. insignificant.n.infrml. Mr. Big: important person: He is Mister Big in that company.
big cheese
big cheese
  1. n. fig.slang an important person: She is the big cheese in that bank.
big deal
big deal
  1. n.infrml.
    1 an important person or situation: She is a big deal in her company.||He is angry all the time and makes a big deal out of every little thing.
    2 an unimportant situation: "The queen is visiting town." "Big deal; I'm not interested."
big leagues
big leagues
  1. n.infrml. (from baseball) highest level of competition, major leagues: He worked in a small town, then moved to New York and hit the big leagues.
big name
big name
  1. adj.n. famous person or reputation: That musician works for big-name bands.||The young scientist made a big name for herself in the computer industry.
big shot
big shot
  1. n.slang a person who acts important or arrogant: He's just an office manager, but he acts like a big shot.
big talk
big talk
  1. n.infrml. untrue talk about important things: Buying his wife a new car and a second home is just big talk.
big thing
big thing
  1. n.
    1 great concern about small matters,
    THESAURUS
    a fuss: She made such a big thing about plans for her trip.
    2 a style that doesn't last,
    THESAURUS
    a fad: The big thing now is wearing red ties and socks. See: big deal.
big top
big top
  1. n.infrml. a circus: The main tent of a circus is called the "big top."
big wheel
big wheel
  1. n.infrml.fig. an important, powerful person: She is a big wheel in government.
bigamy
bigamy
  1. n. [U] being married to two people at the same time: Bigamy is illegal in the USA -n. bigamist; -adj. bigamous.
bigmouth
bigmouth
  1. n.slang s.o. who talks or says things too soon: That guy is a big-mouth. See: loudmouth.
bigot
bigot
  1. n. s.o. who has strong, unreasonable opinions or beliefs about others' race, religion, etc: He is a bigot who hates everyone not just like him. -n. bigotry. See: prejudiced.
bigwig
bigwig
  1. n.infrml. an important, powerful person: He's a bigwig in that bank.
bike
bike
  1. n.v. [I] biked, biking, bikes infrml. bicycle or motorcycle: I ride my bike to work every day. -n. biker.
bikini
bikini
  1. n. a small two-piece swimsuit for women or one-piece swimsuit for men —adj. small underpants: Some men wear boxer shorts for underwear, others wear bikini briefs.
bilateral
bilateral
  1. adj.frml. with or involving two sides equally: The officials of two countries held bilateral talks. -adv. bilaterally. See: unilateral.
bile
bile
  1. n. [U]
    1 a liquid from the liver that helps digest food: Bile breaks down fats.
    2 frml. anger,
    THESAURUS
    bitterness: She is unhappy and filled with bile. -adj. bilious.
bilge
bilge
  1. n.
    1 dirty water at the bottom of a ship
    2 fig. nonsense or foolish talk or writing
bilingual
bilingual
  1. adj.
    1 able to communicate well in two languages: She is bilingual in English and Chinese.
    2 written or spoken in two languages: Bilingual instructions are included in every page of the manual.
bilk
bilk
  1. v. [T] to trick s.o. for money, to cheat: He bilked the old lady out of her life savings.
bill of sale
bill of sale
  1. n. a piece of paper showing the change of ownership of property: When I bought my new car, the dealer gave me a bill of sale.
billboard
billboard
  1. n. a large, flat board for advertisements, usu. by the side of the road: That billboard near the highway is advertising a motel.
billfold
billfold
  1. n. a small case with pockets for carrying money, etc., a wallet: She took out her billfold and paid for lunch.
billiards
billiards
  1. n. [U] a game played with balls and (cue) sticks on a table: In billiards, players hit the balls off other balls and the inner cushions of the table.
billing
billing
  1. n. [U]
    1 sending out bills,
    THESAURUS
    invoicing
    2 pl. the amount of business that a company does in a month or year
billion
billion
  1. n.adj. (in USA) 1,000,000,000: That company sells a billion dollars of shoes a year. -adj. billionth.
billionaire
billionaire
  1. n. a person who has a billion dollars or property of that worth
billow
billow
  1. v. [I] to fill with air and become larger: The sails on the boat billowed in the wind.n. a wave or gust (of water, smoke, etc.) -adj. billowy.
billy club
billy club
  1. n. a short, thick stick used to hit people, used by police officers: The police officer hit the criminal with her billy club.
billy goat
billy goat
  1. n. a male goat
bimbo
bimbo
  1. n.pej.slang -bos or -boes a person seen as stupid and mostly interested in sex, usu. a woman with a bad repu-tation: Her neighbors called her a bimbo, because she went out with many different men.
bimonthly
bimonthly
  1. n.adj.adv. every two months (approx. 60 days), or twice a month: They publish a bimonthly magazine.
bin
bin
  1. n. a large, open container: That store keeps nails and screws in bins.
binary
binary
  1. adj.
    1 having two parts, double
    2 using the numbers 0 and 1: Some computers use 0 and 1 as a binary system.
bind
bind
  1. v. [T] bound binding, binds
    1 to wrap with bandages: Doctors bind wounds.
    2 to tie, esp. with string: She bound the package.
    3 to stick together: Milk and eggs bind the flour in the cake batter.
    4 to obligate, compel: His duty to his parents binds him to live near them.n.infrml. in a bind: in difficulty: He is in a bind for cash, because he lost his wallet.
binder
binder
  1. n.
    1 a firm removable cover for documents: A three-ring binder has rings inside that open and close to hold papers.
    2 a machine or person that binds books
    3 a sum of money given to hold property for a time period at a fixed price
binding
binding
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the cover on a book or document: My textbook has a cloth binding.
    2 material put on the edge of s.t. to strengthen or decorate it —adj. permanent, unbreakable: A marriage agreement is considered binding for life.
binge
binge
  1. v. [I] binged, binging, binges to eat, drink, or do too much of s.t., esp. to consume alcohol or food, gamble, have sex: He binged and ate a whole chocolate cake by himself.n. the act of binging,
    THESAURUS
    a spree: She went on a shopping binge and bought 10 pairs of shoes.
bingo
bingo
  1. n. [U] a gambling game in which players cover the numbers printed on their cards as s.o. calls out the numbers: When he had five numbers in a row, the player shouted "Bingo!" and won a prize.
binoculars
binoculars
  1. n.pl. glasses that make distant objects seem closer and larger: The biologist looked through his binoculars to see birds far off. See: telescope.
biochemistry
biochemistry
  1. n. [U] the science of the chemistry of living things
biodegradable
biodegradable
  1. adj. capable of breaking down to be absorbed by nature, esp. without harming it: Those paper plates are biodegradable. See: recycle.

    USAGE NOTE: Biodegradable means that the material in s.t. can break down naturally and be absorbed by the earth. Recyclable means that the materials in a product, such as paper, plastic, glass, aluminum, etc., can be recycled. Recycled means that the materials in a product have been processed to be used again.
biofeedback
biofeedback
  1. n. [U] a way of controlling the mind to lower the blood pressure and heartbeat
biography
biography
  1. n. [C;U] -phies the history of a person's life: He read a biography of a baseball hero. -n. biographer; -adj. biographical ; -adv. biographically. See: autobiography; fiction, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    biography a life story, memoir.
biology
biology
  1. n. [U] the science and study of life: In the biology class students looked at leaves under a microscope. -adj. biological -adv. biologically; -n. biologist.
bionic
bionic
  1. adj. using mechanical and/or electrical devices to increase a person's power
biopsy
biopsy
  1. n. -sies a piece of the body cut out and examined for disease: The doctor took a biopsy of a lump in her neck to test it for cancer.
biotechnology
biotechnology
  1. n. [U] the business of using biochemistry to develop new medicines and other advances to improve health: Biotechnology develops new drugs to fight cancer and AIDS.
bipartisan
bipartisan
  1. adj.frml. involving two political parties: The new law was passed with bipartisan support.
bipartite
bipartite
  1. adj.frml. in two parts or sides: The two countries made a bipartite agreement.
biped
biped
  1. n. s.t. that has two feet: Humans are bipeds. -adj. bipedal . See: quadruped.
biplane
biplane
  1. n. an airplane with two sets of wings: A biplane can go up and down easily with its four wings
birch
birch
  1. n. -es a northern tree with smooth white bark: Beautiful birches line the road.
bird
bird
  1. n.
    1 an animal with feathers, wings, and a beak: Most birds can fly.
    2 a bird's-eye view: a sight from a high place: On the hilltop, we had a bird's-eye view of the valley below.
    3 a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush: s.t. of small value is worth more than s.t. that is unsure
    4 infrml. the birds and the bees: sex: The father told his son about the birds and the bees.
    5 early bird: s.o. who gets up or goes somewhere early
    6 infrml. for the birds: no good, inferior: That film was so boring; it's for the birds.
    7 to kill two birds with one stone: to do two things with one effort: I had a business appointment in the city, then met my friend there for lunch, so I killed two birds with one stone.
bird dog
bird dog
  1. n. a dog used for hunting birds —v.fig. [T] to watch s.t. very closely
birdbrain
birdbrain
  1. n.slang a stupid person: That birdbrain delivered the wrong box again. -adj. birdbrained.
birdseed
birdseed
  1. n. grain and other seeds used to feed birds: In the winter, I put birdseed in the bird feeder outside my window.
birth
birth
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a. the time and act when a baby comes out of its mother or an egg: The time of her birth was 3:00.||Our cat gave birth to three kittens. b. to cause or produce s.t.: The woman's courageous actions gave birth to a movement for freedom among her people.
    2 fig. the beginning of s.t.: Astronomers watched the birth of a star.
    3 one's origin or ancestry (parents, grandparents, etc.): He is German by birth, but is now a citizen of Venezuela.
    THESAURUS
    birth n.
    1 a. the delivery, childbirth, giving birth
    2 the beginning, commencement
    THESAURUS
    3 one's descent, descendants, family background. Ant. death.
birth certificate
birth certificate
  1. n. legal document stating when and where one was born
birth control
birth control
  1. n. [U] a method, such as a condom or medication that prevents pregnancy,
    THESAURUS
    contraception: She uses birth control regularly.
birthday
birthday
  1. n.
    1 the date when one was born: She bought me a present for my birthday.
    2 infrml. birthday suit: the naked body: Little children ran on the beach in their birthday suits.
birthmark
birthmark
  1. n. a spot on the body that one is born with: He has a birthmark, a red spot on his cheek.
birthplace
birthplace
  1. n. where one was born: Her birthplace is San Francisco, but she lives in New Orleans.
birthrate
birthrate
  1. n. the number of births for each 100, 1000, or 100,000 people in an area (country, city, region, etc.) in a time period: The birth rate is going up in this country.
biscuit
biscuit
  1. n. small airy roll: He had biscuits and gravy for breakfast.
bisect
bisect
  1. v. [T] to cut, cross, or divide into two equal parts: That road bisects a farm. -n. bisection.
bisexual
bisexual
  1. n.adj.
    1 attracted to both sexes: She is a bisexual who dates men and women.
    2 having the qualities of both sexes -n. [U] bisexuality . See: heterosexual; homosexual.
bishop
bishop
  1. n.
    1 a high-ranking official in Catholicism: A bishop supervises many priests or ministers.
    2 a piece in the game of chess that can only move in a diagonal direction -n. bishopric.
bison
bison
  1. n. bison or bisons a large four-footed animal with a shaggy coat and short, curved horns, like the buffalo: Thousands of bison once lived on the North American plains.
bisque
bisque
  1. n. a thick, rich soup made with cream: I had lobster bisque for lunch.
bistro
bistro
  1. n. -tros (French for) a small bar, nightclub, or restaurant that serves food and drinks
bit
bit
  1. n.
    1 a small amount of s.t.: She brushed a bit of dirt off of her pants.
    2 a little, some: I am having a bit of trouble (bad luck, difficulty, etc.) with my car.
    3 little-by-little: He is building a house bit-by-bit.
    4 one's part, contribution to a cause: Do your bit for your political party by working hard during the election.
    5 in computers, a unit of information in a language that has two units: Eight bits is equal to one byte.
    6 a bar (on a bridle) that goes into a horse's mouth to control it: He pulled on the reins, and the bit put pressure on the horse's mouth, causing it to stop.
    7 a small piece: The bowl broke into many bits.
    8 a grooved, pointed metal part of a tool: I lost one of the bits for my drill. See: two-bits.
bite-size or bite-sized
bite-size or bite-sized
  1. adj. a small piece of food that fits easily into the mouth: Those pieces of chocolate are bite-size and delicious!
bite
bite
  1. v. bit biting, bites
    1 [T] to cut, put teeth into: Some dogs will bite you.
    2 infrml.fig. [I] to cause pain, hurt: The increase in my rent payments is beginning to bite.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to bite s.t. back: to hold in, control: She bit back words of anger at her boss.||She bit them back.
    4 infrml. to bite off more than one can chew: to try to do s.t. that is too difficult: That course in physics was too hard for him; he bit off more than he could chew.
    5 to bite s.o.'s head off: to speak in anger, rudely: When I asked her to move, she bit my head off.
    6 infrml. to bite the bullet: to do an unpleasant job: We have to bite the bullet and fire 20 percent of our workers.
    7 infrml. to bite the dust: to die: We must cut expenses or the company will bite the dust.
    8 infrml. to bite the hand that feeds one: to anger or harm a person who gives you s.t. good: She argues with her boss so often that she bites the hand that feeds her.n.
    1 an act of biting: The cat's bite hurt my hand.
    2 a small amount of food: I had a bite to eat for breakfast.
    3 a painful event: a tax bite, the bite of a cold wind
    4 to grab a bite to eat: to eat quickly, esp. a small, simple meal: I'm going to grab a bite to eat, a sandwich maybe, before we leave. -n. biter. See: bark (2), 2.
    THESAURUS
    bite v.
    1 to sink your teeth into s.t., chew off a piece | nibble (people, horses), gnaw (dog)
    2 to sting, pinch.
biting
biting
  1. adj. causing pain, bitter: I feel the biting cold wind on my face.
bitter
bitter
  1. adj.
    1 having a sharp, acid taste: That black tea has a bitter taste.
    2 giving pain, hurtful: It was a bitter cold winter.
    3 angry, hateful: The two friends became bitter enemies.
    4 until or to the bitter end: lasting until the end of an unpleasant experience: The man and wife argued and fought over their divorce until the bitter end. -adv. bitterly; -n. [U] bitterness.
bittersweet
bittersweet
  1. adj.
    1 having a mixture of good and sad feelings: She had bittersweet thoughts about moving to a new city.
    2 a type of chocolate that has little sugar —n. a plant, climbing vine with orange and yellow berries
biweekly
biweekly
  1. n.adj. every two weeks (14 days): They publish a biweekly newspaper. See: bimonthly.
bizarre
bizarre
  1. adj. very strange, (syns.) odd, weird: She died under bizarre circumstances—no one knows how. -adv. bizarrely.
blab
blab
  1. v. [T] blabbed, blabbing, blabs to tell a secret to everyone: His secretary blabbed his secret love affairs to the office.
blabbermouth
blabbermouth
  1. n.infrml. -mouths a person who gossips and/or tells secrets about others
black eye
black eye
  1. n.
    1 an eye discolored black and blue from an injury
    2 infrml.fig. a bad reputation: The scandal gave the politician a black eye among the voters.
black hole
black hole
  1. n.
    1 a body in outer space whose gravity draws everything into it including light
    2 fig. a hopeless, bad situation: After she made a bad mistake, her career fell into a black hole.
black magic
black magic
  1. n. [U] a demonic practice that tries to harm others,
    THESAURUS
    witchcraft: He used black magic to make his enemies get sick.
black market
black market
  1. n.adj. the illegal economy, not approved by a government: They buy radios on the black market.
black widow
black widow
  1. n. a spider of which the female is highly poisonous: Black widow spiders are found in the Americas.
blackball
blackball
  1. v. [T] not to allow s.o. to become a member or to do s.t.: A club member blackballed a man from joining the club. See: blacklist.
blackbelt
blackbelt
  1. n.
    1 the rank of expert, such as in martial arts
    2 a person holding that rank
    3 the black belt worn as the symbol of rank
blackberry
blackberry
  1. n. -ries a sweet berry, black in color when ripe: blackberry jam
blackbird
blackbird
  1. n. any of various small North American birds, the male of which has black feathers: Female blackbirds have brownish feathers.
blackboard
blackboard
  1. n. a flat surface to write on in classrooms, a chalkboard: The teacher wrote on the blackboard with chalk.
blacken
blacken
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make s.t. become black: Cooking the meat for too long blackened it.
    2 to make others think badly of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to slander: She blackened his reputation by telling lies about him.
blackhead
blackhead
  1. n. a small, black spot on the skin, like a pimple: As a teenager, he had blackheads on his face.
blackjack
blackjack
  1. n.
    1 a small club or stick: A thief hit me over the head with a blackjack.
    2 a card game, often played in gambling, also called 21: The goal in blackjack is to get the sum of the cards to reach 21 without going over it.
blacklist
blacklist
  1. v. [T] n. to put people's names on a list to stop them from doing certain activities, going places, or receiving benefits: In the 1950s, movie companies blacklisted some actors they thought were communists. See: blackball.
blackmail
blackmail
  1. v. [T] n. [U] to demand actions or money by threatening to tell a harmful secret about s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to extort: She had sex with a married man and then blackmailed him by saying that she would tell his wife. -n. blackmailer.
blackout
blackout
  1. n.
    1 controlled darkness, turning off electricity: The city used blackouts to hide from nighttime enemy bombings.
    2 an electrical power failure: The city had a blackout when one of the main power generators was hit by lightning.
blacksmith
blacksmith
  1. n. a skilled worker who makes and fixes things of iron: A blacksmith can make horseshoes.
blacktop
blacktop
  1. n. a thick black substance made from coal used to cover roads
bladder
bladder
  1. n.
    1 a small bag of skin that holds and forces out urine from the body: My bladder is so small that I constantly have to go to the bathroom.
    2 a small sack of rubber, leather, etc. that holds liquids or gas
blade
blade
  1. n. narrow, flat piece of s.t.: The blades of an airplane propeller turn very fast.||a blade of grass
blame
blame
  1. v. [T] blamed, blaming, blames to say s.o. is responsible for s.t. bad: I blame him for the accident.n. [U]
    1 a charge, accusation of wrongdoing: I put the blame on him for causing the accident.
    2 to take the blame: (be forced to) accept guilt: Others were responsible too, but he took the blame for it. -adj. blameless; -adv. blamelessly.
    THESAURUS
    blame v. to hold s.o. responsible, find s.o. guilty, accuse. Ants. to clear, acquit. —n.
    1 guilt, responsibility. Ant. innocence.
blanch
blanch
  1. v. -ched, -ching, -ches
    1 [I] to become pale with shock: She blanched when she saw the dead man.
    2 [T] to boil vegetables quickly: He blanched the broccoli for five minutes.
    3 [T] to make s.t. colorless: blanched almonds
bland
bland
  1. adj.
    1 having little taste,
    THESAURUS
    mild: Some foods, like white rice, taste bland.
    2 mild, boring,
    THESAURUS
    nondescript: He has a very bland personality. -n. [U] blandness; -adv. blandly.
blanket
blanket
  1. n.
    1 a warm bed covering: To keep warm, she has two blankets on her bed.
    2 fig. any type of covering: A blanket of snow covered the ground.
    3 infrml. a wet blanket: a person who spoils the fun of others: He's such a wet blanket—he always wants to leave when the fun is just beginning.v. [T] to cover completely: A heavy rain blanketed the fields with water.adj. including everyone or everything, all cases: a blanket statement
blare
blare
  1. v. [I] blared, blaring, blares, to make a horn sound loudly: Car horns blared in the traffic jam.
blasphemy
blasphemy
  1. n. [C;U] -mies saying disrespectful things about God, religion, or anything sacred: Long ago, people were killed for blasphemy. -adv. blasphemously; -v. [T] blaspheme ; -adj. blasphemous.
blast-off
blast-off
  1. n. (of a rocket) leaving the ground
blast
blast
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to explode: A bomb blasted a hole in the road.
    2 infrml.fig. [T] to criticize harshly: My mother blasted me for staying out late.
    3 phrasal v. [I;T] to blast off: to leave the ground forcefully: The rocket blasted off the launch pad. See: blast-off. —n.
    1 an explosion: You could hear that blast for miles.
    2 a strong movement of air
    3 infrml. to have a blast: to have a great time: We had a blast at the beach with our friends.
    THESAURUS
    blast v.
    1 to blow, knock. —n.
    1 a detonation
    2 a gust.
blasé
blasé
  1. adj. (French for) not caring, without emotion,
    THESAURUS
    indifferent: She is blasé about her new job; she doesn't love it, she doesn't hate it.
blatant
blatant
  1. adj. obvious, going against one's sense of honesty (truth, reason),
    THESAURUS
    shameless: That report is full of blatant lies. -adv. blatantly.
blazer
blazer
  1. n. a type of jacket that does not match the pants worn, esp. by men: He wore a blue blazer to the party.
bleach
bleach
  1. v. [T] n. [U] -es a strong liquid chemical used to whiten clothes: Those pants were so dirty that he put some bleach in the washing machine with them.||The sun bleached the curtains hanging out to dry.
bleak
bleak
  1. adj.
    1 cold, gray, and unfriendly: On a cold, rainy day the beach area looks bleak.
    2 with little or no hope: He has no job and his future is bleak. -n. [U] bleakness; -adv. bleakly.
bleary
bleary
  1. adj. -ier, -iest unable to see well, unclear: When she wakes up in the morning, her eyes are bleary. -adv. blearily.
bleed
bleed
  1. v. bled bleeding, bleeds
    1 [I] to lose blood: She cut her hand and it is bleeding.
    2 [I] fig. to suffer or feel pain at another's suffering: My heart bleeds for those people in a civil war.
    3 [T] to take out or let out sap, juice, etc.: That plant has been damaged; it is bleeding sap.
    4 [I] (of colors) to run together: My red shirt bled onto my white socks in the washer; now my socks are pink.
    5 [I] to show through: They didn't put enough new paint on the wall, and the old color is bleeding through.
    THESAURUS
    bleed
    1 to hemorrhage
    3 to ooze. Ant. to coagulate.
bleeding
bleeding
  1. n. [U]
    1 the flowing of blood: The doctor stopped the bleeding with a bandage.
    2 fig. bleeding heart: a person who cares deeply about the poor and oppressed of society
bleep
bleep
  1. v. [I;T] n.
    1 to make a quick, sharp, usu. electronic sound
    2 to block out another sound: On the TV show, dirty words were bleeped out by a technician.
blemish
blemish
  1. v. [T] n. -ishes
    1 a spot or mark (pimple, scar, etc.): That pretty woman has a blemish on her cheek.
    2 a bad reputation: That report was so poor it will certainly leave a blemish on his record. -adj. blemished.
blend
blend
  1. v. [I;T] n.
    1 to mix together: I blended milk and butter into the flour.
    2 to fit well: She blends in well with other students in her class.
    THESAURUS
    blend v.
    1 to combine s.t. with s.t. else. Ant. to separate.
    2 to harmonize with.
blender
blender
  1. n. a small kitchen machine used to cut and mix foods together: I mixed eggs and milk in the blender.
bless
bless
  1. v. [T] blessed, blessing, blesses
    1 to make holy, esp. by asking God: The priest blessed the people in church.
    2 to be lucky, fortunate: She was blessed with a healthy long life.
blessing
blessing
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an act of making s.t. holy: She asked for God's blessing for her new baby.
    2 a good event (situa-tion or condition): It is a blessing to have good health.
    3 approval: I have my teacher's blessing to do a special project.
    4 a blessing in disguise: a hidden, unexpected benefit: After he was fired, he found a better job, so his firing was a blessing in disguise.
blew
blew
  1. v. past of blow
blight
blight
  1. n. [U] v. [I;T]
    1 a disease of plants that makes them turn brown and die: The blight left no leaves on the trees.
    2 a bad condition: Houses in many cities suffer from urban blight.
blimp
blimp
  1. n. a long, rounded aircraft filled with gas: In the USA, blimps with advertising on their sides fly over outdoor sports events.
blind date
blind date
  1. n.fig. an arranged meeting with s.o. one has not met: I went out on a blind date with a friend of my sister.
blind spot
blind spot
  1. n.
    1 an area where one cannot see: Most cars have blind spots, so one has to be careful when passing other cars.
    2 being unreasonable, unwilling to see or do s.t.: The owner has a blind spot about paying people; he pays them poorly and many leave the company.
blinders
blinders
  1. n.pl. coverings placed next to the eyes of horses so they can only look straight ahead
blindfold
blindfold
  1. n. a piece of cloth tied over the eyes so a person cannot see —v. [T] to put a blindfold on s.o.: The thief blindfolded his victim.
blink
blink
  1. v.n.
    1 [I] to open and close the eyelids rapidly: If you don't blink, your eyes will dry out.
    2 [T] to go on and off quickly: The car blinked its lights to signal me.
blinker
blinker
  1. n. a light that goes on and off as a warning, such as a directional signal on a car
blip
blip
  1. n. a short electronic signal (sound, picture, etc.): An airplane makes a blip on a radar screen. See: bleep.
bliss
bliss
  1. n. [U]
    1 extreme happiness: After they got married, they lived in bliss.
    2 a state of extreme religious joy,
    THESAURUS
    ecstasy: She knelt, praying, in a state of bliss. -adj. blissful; -adv. blissfully.
blister
blister
  1. n.
    1 (in medicine) a pocket under the skin filled with liquid: A burn caused blisters on her hand.
    2 a swelling on a painted surface, etc.
blithe
blithe
  1. adj.
    1 happy, not worried
    2 not concerned, casual: He made some blithe remarks about the coming hurricane. -adv. blithely.
blithering
blithering
  1. adj. nonsensical: Don't be a blithering idiot!
blitz
blitz
  1. n. blitzes
    1 a rapid attack using great power: The bomber blitz flattened the city.
    2 fig. a lot of advertising: Before an election, politicians often do a media blitz to get lots of coverage.
blizzard
blizzard
  1. n. a severe snowstorm
bloated
bloated
  1. adj. too big as from eating too much food,
    THESAURUS
    swollen: After a big meal, his stomach felt bloated.
blob
blob
  1. n.
    1 a soft, shapeless drop or mass: A blob of butter fell onto the table.
    2 a small amount: a blob of ink, a blob of mashed potatoes
    3 pej.slang a fat, lazy person
bloc
bloc
  1. n. a group of nations or politicians acting together in a cause: The liberal bloc voted for the tax increase.
blockade
blockade
  1. v. [T] n. -aded, -ading, -ades to close off an area to stop supplies (food, weapons, etc.) and communication: Warships blockaded the seaport.
blockage
blockage
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that prevents flow or movement,
    THESAURUS
    an obstruction: That man had a blockage in a blood vessel and almost had a heart attack.
blockbuster
blockbuster
  1. n.fig. a big surprise or great success: That new movie is a blockbuster.
blockhead
blockhead
  1. n.infrml. stupid person: That blockhead delivered the wrong box!
blog
blog
  1. n. [C] v. [T] blogged, blogging, blogs to provide information on a website, or simply to express one’s thoughts on it: I write my <n.> blog on politics. I <v.> blogged yesterday about the President. adj. bloggable.
blond
blond
  1. adj.n. having light, yellowish hair: That man has blond hair.
blonde
blonde
  1. n. a woman with blond hair See: brunette, redhead.
blood
blood
  1. n. [U]
    1 the red liquid pumped by the heart through the body: Blood carries food to and takes waste away from the cells in our bodies.
    2 relatives,
    THESAURUS
    kin: She is my father's sister, so we are related by blood.
    3 national or racial family origins: He is of Scandinavian blood.
    4 interests or temperament: She gets angry easily; she has very hot blood.
    5 bad blood: long-lasting anger or hatred: The couple's divorce was very bitter; there is a lot of bad blood between them.
    6 blood is thicker than water: family ties are stronger than other ties (business, friendship, etc.)
    7 in cold blood: deliberately and without emotion: He walked up to the man and shot him in cold blood.
    8 new blood: new people with lots of energy: The company's owners are old and tired; the company needs some new blood.
    9 out for blood: wanting to kill or harm s.o.: When her daughter was murdered, she was out for blood to find the killer.
    10 to have s.o.'s blood on one's head or hands: to be responsible for s.o.'s injury or death: She sent the boy on a dangerous job, and he was killed; his blood is on her hands.
    11 to make one's blood boil: to make one angry or bitter: His cruelty to animals makes my blood boil.
    12 to make one's blood run cold: to fill one with fright and horror: The terrible screams made our blood run cold.
blood pressure
blood pressure
  1. n. [U] measurement of the force with which blood moves through the body: High blood pressure can cause heart attacks.
blood type
blood type
  1. n. one of four classes of blood a person can have: His blood is type A; hers is B.
blood vessel
blood vessel
  1. n. a small tube (artery, vein, capillary) that carries blood through the body: A blood vessel to his heart became blocked and caused a heart attack.
bloodbath
bloodbath
  1. n. the murder of many people at one time,
    THESAURUS
    massacre: Soldiers killed the people of that village in a bloodbath.
bloodhound
bloodhound
  1. n.
    1 a large dog with the ability to follow a person's or animal's smell: The police used a bloodhound to find the lost girl.
    2 fig. s.o. who pursues without giving up: That detective is a bloodhound; he always catches the criminal.
bloodless
bloodless
  1. adj. without blood or injury; The 1974 revolution in Portugal was bloodless; nobody died. -adv. bloodlessly.
bloodshed
bloodshed
  1. n. [U] acts of killing and injury: Soldiers shot the villagers, causing much bloodshed.
bloodshot
bloodshot
  1. adj. having a red look in the eyes: After staying up all night, her eyes were bloodshot.
bloodstain
bloodstain
  1. n. a spot of blood: Bloodstains on his shirt showed where he was knifed. -adj. bloodstained.
bloodstream
bloodstream
  1. n. the flow of blood through the vessels: Her bloodstream was blocked in her right leg.
bloodthirsty
bloodthirsty
  1. adj. liking or wanting to kill others: While laughing, the bloodthirsty soldiers murdered their enemies.
bloody
bloody
  1. adj. -ier, -iest covered with blood: After a fight, his face was bloody.
bloom
bloom
  1. v. [I] (of plants) to flower: Our apple tree bloomed last week.n. a flower in bloom See: blossom.
blooper
blooper
  1. n. a mistake: The announcer on the radio made a blooper by saying "good morning" instead of "good evening."
blossom
blossom
  1. n. a flower as it opens: The blossoms on the apple tree appeared last week. See: bloom. —v. [I]
    1 to flower: The roses blossomed last week.
    2 fig.to develop into s.t. very good: She blossomed into a top student in school.
blot
blot
  1. n.
    1 a spot that makes s.t. dirty or stained,
    THESAURUS
    a blotch: an ink blot
    2 fig. a shameful event: The crime he committed is a blot on his record.v. [T] blotted, blotting, blots
    1 to soak up a liquid: She blotted water off the table with a towel.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to blot s.t. out: to prevent from seeing, cover up: The fog blotted out our view of the road. See: blotter.
blotch
blotch
  1. n. -es a spot, such as an ugly stain: He has a blotch of ink on his shirt. -n. [U] blotchiness.
blotchy
blotchy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having spots, badly stained
    2 discolored: Her skin is blotchy, with lots of red spots.
blotter
blotter
  1. n. a soft, flat sheet of thick paper that soaks up liquid and protects a surface: A blotter on his desk protects it from spills and scratches.
blouse
blouse
  1. n.frml. a woman's shirt: She wears white silk blouses.
blow-dry
blow-dry
  1. v. [T] -dried, -drying, -dries to dry hair with a hand-held machine that blows hot air -n. blow-dry; blow-drier.
blowhard
blowhard
  1. n.pej.infrml. a person who talks for a long time, but says little,
    THESAURUS
    a windbag: That blowhard never stops talking.
blowout
blowout
  1. n. a tire that becomes flat while a vehicle is moving: She had a blowout on the highway.adj.n. a huge discount sale: Some stores have a blowout sale twice a year.
blowtorch
blowtorch
  1. n. -torches a hand-held tool that sends out a flame: He melted the metal with a blowtorch.
blowup
blowup
  1. n.
    1 a large photo: They have a blowup of their baby on their living-room wall.
    2 an explosion of anger: When the company lost money, there was a big blowup between the owner and some employees.
blubber
blubber
  1. n. [U]
    1 thick fat on ocean animals: whale blubber
    2 fat on a person: He can hardly squeeze all that blubber into his clothes.v. [I] to cry,
    THESAURUS
    to sob: She blubbered when her pet dog died.
bludgeon
bludgeon
  1. n. a short, thick club used to hit people,
    THESAURUS
    a truncheon —v. [T] to hit with a bludgeon: The man was bludgeoned to death.
blue-chip
blue-chip
  1. adj.fig. high quality: Companies that have performed well for a very long time are called blue-chip companies.
blue
blue
  1. adj.
    1 having the color of: My car is blue.||Blue and yellow make green.
    2 sad,
    THESAURUS
    depressed: She is blue (or) feels blue today.
    3 once in a blue moon: almost never: He visits once in a blue moon; we almost never see him.n.
    1 the sky: The bird flew off into the blue.
    2 the sea: She threw her wedding ring over the side of the ship and watched it sink into the blue.
    3 infrml. out of the blue: suddenly, unexpectedly: Out of the blue, I got a phone call from a friend I hadn't seen in years. -adj. bluish. See: blues.
blue blood
blue blood
  1. n.fig. a person from the upper classes,
    THESAURUS
    an aristocrat: She is a blue blood from the French aristocracy.
blue bonnet
blue bonnet
  1. n. a plant with small flowers, found in the Texas region
blue cheese
blue cheese
  1. n. a rich, sharp, thick white cheese with blue areas: Would you like blue cheese or Italian dressing on your salad?
blue jay
blue jay
  1. n. a bird with blue and gray feathers, common in North America: Bluejays are noisy birds.
blue jeans
blue jeans
  1. n. blue pants made of a thick cloth, usu. cotton: People wear blue jeans all over the world. See: jeans.
blue laws
blue laws
  1. n.pl. laws that make certain activities, such as working or selling alcoholic beverages on Sundays illegal
blue streak
blue streak
  1. n.fig. a stream of words: Once he gets started, he'll talk a blue streak for hours.
bluebell
bluebell
  1. n. a plant with blue flowers shaped like bells
blueberry
blueberry
  1. n. -ries
    1 a bush that produces small, dark berries
    2 the berries themselves: Blueberries taste delicious with cream and sugar.
bluebird
bluebird
  1. n.
    1 a small North American bird with blue feathers
    2 fig. symbol of happiness
bluefish
bluefish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes a large blue-colored fish with sweet, good-tasting meat: Bluefish are found in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans.
bluegrass
bluegrass
  1. n. [U]
    1 a type of grass found in the southern USA, esp. Kentucky
    2 a type of country music: Bluegrass is lively music played on violins, guitars, and banjos.
blueprint
blueprint
  1. n.
    1 a detailed drawing of s.t. to show how to make it,
    THESAURUS
    a pattern: Workers read blueprints to see how to construct a building.
    2 fig. a plan: Our company has a blueprint for its future.
blues
blues
  1. n.pl.
    1 sadness, depression: He has the blues, because his girlfriend left him.
    2 slow jazz music about sad feelings: Blues music is popular in New Orleans and Memphis.
    3 to sing the blues: to complain about s.t.: She flunked a course and is singing the blues. See: blue adj., 2.
blunder
blunder
  1. n. a mistake, esp. a bad or stupid one: He made a blunder by calling his boss by the wrong name.v. [I]
    1 to make a mistake: She blundered by entering the wrong room in the middle of the class period.
    2 to move as if one is blind: She blundered through the dark house.
blunt
blunt
  1. adj.
    1 direct in,
    THESAURUS
    frank: She is blunt, because she tells people exactly what she thinks.
    2 not sharp,
    THESAURUS
    dull: a knife with a blunt edgev. [T] to reduce the effect of s.t.: His heavy drinking blunted his chances for success. -n. [U] bluntness.
blur
blur
  1. v. [I;T] blurred, blurring, blurs to make s.o. unable to see clearly, (syns.) to cloud, obscure: Her terrible headache blurred her eyesight.||Fog blurred our view of the hills.n. s.t. unclear: Time has gone so quickly; this summer was just a blur.
blurb
blurb
  1. n. a brief piece of writing: The famous writer wrote a blurb about the new author to put on the book jacket.
blurt
blurt
  1. phrasal v. [T] to blurt out: to speak suddenly: He blurted out the truth, that he committed the crime.
blush
blush
  1. v. [I] -es to become red in the face from nervousness or shame: Some boys blush when a pretty girl smiles at them.n.
    1 a reddened face
    2 red makeup put on the cheeks,
    THESAURUS
    rouge
boa
boa
  1. n.
    1 a long, powerful snake: Boa constrictors wrap themselves around animals and crush them.
    2 a long scarf of feathers or fabric: a feather boa
boar
boar
  1. n.
    1 a wild male pig
    2 a male farm pig that can father young
board
board
  1. n.
    1 [C] a thin, flat piece of wood: Workers nail boards together to build a house.
    2 [C] a group of people that oversees a business or institution: the company's board of directors, the school board
    3 [C] a flat piece of material: a blackboard, a bulletin board
    4 [U] meals: The cost of room and board at college is high.
    5 above board: totally honest and open in one's interactions
    6 across the board: in general, including everyone
    7 to go by the boards: to let an opportunity disappear without acting on it: He had several chances to go to college, but he let them go by the boards. See: drain, n., 3.
    8 on board: a. on a ship, airplane, train, etc.: There are 150 passengers on board this jet. b. included: We have a new employee on board.v.
    1 [T] to enter a ship, train, etc.: Sailors boarded their ship.
    2 [I] to pay to live somewhere (not one's home): He boards at a friend's house.
    3 phrasal v.sep. [T] board s.t. up to cover with boards: During the storm, we boarded up the house's windows.
boarder
boarder
  1. n. a person who pays to live in another person's house: She has three boarders in her large house. See: tenant.
boarding school
boarding school
  1. n. a school where students live and study
boardinghouse
boardinghouse
  1. pl. -houses n. a private house where people rent rooms to live: She runs a boardinghouse where eight students live.
boardwalk
boardwalk
  1. n. a path made of wooden boards: The boardwalk is built above the sand next to the ocean. See: promenade.
boast
boast
  1. v. [T] n. [C]
    1 pej. to praise oneself,
    THESAURUS
    to brag: He boasted about how strong he is.
    2 to be proud of s.t.: He boasted about his three grandchildren. -adj. boastful; -adv. boastfully; -n. [U] boasting.
boat
boat
  1. n.
    1 an open vessel smaller than a ship that sails on water,
    THESAURUS
    a craft: We watched the boats sail by.||We went fishing on the river in a rowboat.
    2 fig. in the same boat: in the same situation or condition: When it started to rain at the picnic, we were all in the same boat; we all got wet.
bob
bob
  1. v. [I] bobbed, bobbing, bobs
    1 to move up and down on water: The little boat bobbed on the waves
    2 phrasal v. to bob up: to appear suddenly: A good opportunity to buy a car just bobbed up.
bobbin
bobbin
  1. n. a small roller that holds thread in a sewing machine
bobby pin
bobby pin
  1. n. a small metal clip with tight ends used to hold things: Bobby pins are used to hold your hair off your face. See: safety pin.
bobcat
bobcat
  1. n. a wild cat with light brown spotted fur and a short tail, native to North America
bobsled
bobsled
  1. n.v. [I] -sledded, -sledding, -sleds a small vehicle with blades that is shaped like a boat and goes down an icecovered race course: Bobsledding is a Winter Olympic sport.
bodice
bodice
  1. n.
    1 the front of a woman's dress that is buttoned
    2 a laced vest
bodily
bodily
  1. adj. of the body: no bodily harmadv. the whole body: I'll move you bodily if I have to.
body
body
  1. n. -ies
    1 the physical form usu. of a human or animal, not including the mind or soul: The old man's body is healthy, but his mind is weak.
    2 a dead person: They buried the body in the graveyard.
    3 the main part of s.t.: The body of the newspaper article is quite long.
    4 an object in the sky: The stars and moon are heavenly bodies.
    5 a large amount: body of water
    6 body and soul: one's whole being: I love that woman with all my body and soul.
    7 to keep body and soul together: to survive: That elderly woman is so poor that it's all she can do to keep body and soul together.
    THESAURUS
    body
    2 a dead body, corpse | (at funerals) the remains, deceased | carcass (of an
    THESAURUS
    animal).
body odor
body odor
  1. n. [C;U] the unpleasant smell of sweat: Athletes create strong body odor as they exercise. See: B.O.
body shop
body shop
  1. n. an auto repair business: My car had a dent in it, so I took it to a body shop to get it fixed.
bodybuilding
bodybuilding
  1. n. [U] the sport of lifting weights and eating special foods to strengthen the body
bodyguard
bodyguard
  1. n. a person whose job is to keep another person safe: That famous movie star has a big bodyguard. See: lifeguard.
bodywork
bodywork
  1. n. [U] repairs on the body of a car, truck, etc: I took my car to the garage for bodywork.
bog
bog
  1. n. a wet, muddy area that is difficult to cross, (syns.) a swamp, a quagmire —v. [I;T] bogged, bogging, bogs bogged down: to have too much work,
    THESAURUS
    to be overburdened: She is bogged down in a big project.
bogeyman
bogeyman
  1. n. -men See: boogieman.
boggle
boggle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to be difficult to understand, to confuse: The U.S. government's debt is so huge that it boggles the mind.
bogus
bogus
  1. adj. false,
    THESAURUS
    counterfeit: That $20 bill is bogus.
bohemian
bohemian
  1. n.adj. [C;U] an artist or musician and the unconventional lifestyle connected to them: Greenwich Village in New York is a bohemian place.
boil
boil
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to heat a liquid until it reaches the temperature of 212°F or 100°C: I boiled the water to cook the eggs.
    2 [T] to cook: I boiled the vegetables.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to boil away: to boil s.t. until it has disappeared: The milk boiled away and ruined the sauce.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to boil down to: to reduce s.t. to its basics: It boils down to the fact that I was injured and it wasn't my fault.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to boil over: to spread or spill over: Unhappiness with the government boiled over from the cities into the rest of the country.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to boil up: to get to a dangerous level: Frustration is boiling up in the workers who lost their jobs.
    7 [T] to make one's blood boil: to make s.o. very angry: Every time my brother takes s.t. of mine without asking me, he makes my blood boil.n.
    1 [U] liquid when boiling: I heated the water to a boil.
    2 [C] a painful inflammation of the skin: I have a boil on my back.
    3 to bring to a boil: to heat liquid until it bubbles: I brought the water to a boil and dropped the vegetables in.
boiler
boiler
  1. n. a tank for heating water: Our boiler is in the cellar.
boilermaker
boilermaker
  1. n.
    1 a technician who fixes boilers
    2 slang a beer with whiskey: He drinks boilermakers after work.
boilerplate
boilerplate
  1. n.fig. standard legal language used in many contracts: The contract (lease) to rent the apartment was just boilerplate with a few blank lines to fill in one's name, date, and the rent.
boiling mad
boiling mad
  1. adj. to be very angry,
    THESAURUS
    enraged: She was boiling mad when her briefcase was stolen.
boiling point
boiling point
  1. n.
    1 the temperature at which a liquid boils: The boiling point of water is 212° Fahrenheit and 100° Celsius.
    2 fig. the time when s.t. violent happens: Her temper reached the boiling point and she started screaming.
boisterous
boisterous
  1. adj. noisy and playful,
    THESAURUS
    rowdy: Children in the classroom became boisterous. -adv. boisterously; -n. [U] boisterousness.
bold
bold
  1. adj.
    1 courageous, willing to take risks: Business leaders like to think of bold plans.
    2 pej. rude, too direct
    3 strong and clear (in art, buildings, ideas): a building with bold lines -adv. boldly; -n. [U] boldness.
    THESAURUS
    bold
    1 daring, adventuresome | brave. Ant. cowardly.
    2 brash, impolite (a bold child). Ant. timid.
boldface
boldface
  1. n.adj. heavy black print
bollix
bollix
  1. v. [T] to mess up, confuse: The sales clerk bollixed my order and gave me the wrong things.
bolster
bolster
  1. v. [T] to strengthen, improve,
    THESAURUS
    to enhance: By going to graduate school at night, the young manager bolstered her reputation.n. a long, narrow pillow: She held up her neck with a bolster while she read in bed.
bomb
bomb
  1. n.
    1 an explosive device: A bomb blew up a building.
    2 infrml. a failure: The play was a bomb; everyone left at intermission.v.
    1 [I;T] to damage or destroy with a bomb: Terrorists bombed the mayor's office.
    2 [I] infrml.fig. to fail: She bombed her driver's test.
    3 slang to get bombed: to get drunk: He got bombed last night at a party.
    THESAURUS
    bomb n.
    1 a time bomb, car bomb | grenade | land mine
    2 infrml. a flop, dud. Ant. a success.
bombard
bombard
  1. v. [T]
    1 to hit with explosive shells (from big guns, artillery, etc.): Cannons bombarded enemy lines.
    2 fig. to criticize heavily: The TV and newspapers bombarded the politicians with criticism. -n. [C;U] bombardment.
bombast
bombast
  1. n. speech or writing that sounds very important -adj. bombastic .
bomber
bomber
  1. n.
    1 a person who bombs
    2 a military airplane used for bombing: Bombers flew low over the city.
bombshell
bombshell
  1. n.
    1 a big explosion
    2 fig. a sudden shock: Their mother's death was a bombshell.
    3 fig.vulg. a sexy woman: That movie star was known as the "Blonde Bombshell."
bona fide
bona fide
  1. adj. (Latin for) real, honest,
    THESAURUS
    genuine: That painting is a bona fide original, not a fake.
bonanza
bonanza
  1. n. sudden riches: Oil was discovered under her property, which was a bonanza. See: gold mine.
bonbon
bonbon
  1. n. a candy with chocolate on the outside and nuts or sweet filling inside
bond
bond
  1. n.
    1 a relationship of trust (cooperation, friendship, love), connection: There is a strong bond between the two sisters.
    2 (in chemistry, physics) the forces that hold matter together: a chemical bond
    3 a certificate of debt: Companies sell bonds to raise money.v.
    1 [I] to become friends, esp. to trust, like, or love s.o.: People often bond when they face danger together.
    2 [T] to insure against loss: Companies bond employees who handle money against their stealing it. -adj. bondable. See: bind.
    THESAURUS
    bond n.
    1 a tie, link. Ant. a separation. —v.
    1 to connect, tie together, link together. Ant. to separate.
bondage
bondage
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of freedom,
    THESAURUS
    slavery: Slaves are in bondage to their masters.
    2 being physically tied up or restrained
bone-dry
bone-dry
  1. adj. very dry,
    THESAURUS
    arid: The desert is bone-dry, with no water at all.
bone
bone
  1. n.
    1 a hard, white part that makes up the frame of the body, the skeleton: Our bones give us our shape.
    2 a bone of contention: a point of disagreement, problem: His low salary is a bone of contention with his boss.
    3 a bone to pick: a complaint, problem: He told his boss that he has a bone to pick with her about his low salary.
    4 to make no bones about s.t.: to speak directly, complain: He made no bones about feeling that his salary was too low.
    5 to the bone: to the minimum,
    THESAURUS
    to the core: With the drop in sales, the company cut the number of employees to the bone.||chilled to the bonev. [T] boned, boning, bones
    1 to remove bones: She boned the chicken before cooking it.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to bone up on s.t.: to study, review: He is boning up on chemistry for his exam tomorrow. -adj. boneless.
bonfire
bonfire
  1. n. a large fire made outside for pleasure: We built a bonfire to celebrate Independence Day.
bongo
bongo
  1. n. -goes or -gos a type of drum, often in pairs: Bongos are played with the hands.
bonkers
bonkers
  1. adj.infrml. crazy, confused, and upset: The boss is so nervous that he drives everyone bonkers.
bonnet
bonnet
  1. n.
    1 a soft hat that ties under the chin: The baby's bonnet keeps the sun out of her eyes. See: bee.
    2 Brit. the hood of a car
bonus
bonus
  1. n. -nuses
    1 a payment, usu. in addition to regular pay: Our company pays everyone a bonus at the end of the year.
    2 something unexpected but positive: I didn't think anyone would remember my birthday, so when all my friends sent cards, it was a real bonus.
boob
boob
  1. n.slang
    1 a stupid person
    2 a woman's breast
boob tube
boob tube
  1. n.slang television: I watched the baseball game on the boob tube.
boobie
boobie
  1. n.slang var. of booby
booby
booby
  1. n.infrml. -bies
    1 a stupid person
    2 booby hatch: an insane asylum: He lost control of his life and ended up in the booby hatch.
    3 booby prize: a funny prize given to s.o. who finishes last in a competition
booby trap
booby trap
  1. n.v. [T] trapped, trapping, traps a hidden device or situation meant to harm or kill s.o.: A soldier was killed when a booby trap exploded in his face.
boogie
boogie
  1. n.v.slang [I] -ied, -ying, -ies dance, have a good time: We're going to boogie tonight!
boogieman
boogieman
  1. n.infrml. -men a frightening, evil, imaginary man: At night, the little boy is afraid that the boogieman is hiding under his bed.
book
book
  1. n.
    1 pages of words kept together with a paper or hard cover: We read two books for our English class.
    2 things put together in book form: a book of stamps
    3 by the book: strictly by the rules: That police officer goes by the book; when she sees s.o. doing s.t. wrong, she arrests the person.
    4 to keep the books: to record money going in and out of a business: The accountant keeps the company books.
    5 to throw the book at s.o.: to punish severely: The judge threw the book at the killer and gave her 100 years in jail.
    6 to write the book on s.t.: to be an expert: Katharine Hepburn wrote the book on acting.v. [T]
    1 to save a seat, room: I booked an airline flight and a room at a hotel.
    2 to charge with a crime: The police booked her for shoplifting.
    THESAURUS
    book n.
    1 a paperback, hardback | textbook, workbook | cookbook. —v.
    1 to reserve.
bookcase
bookcase
  1. n. shelves with sides and usu. a back: My bookcase holds almost 100 books.
bookend
bookend
  1. n. one of a pair of objects used to hold up a row of books: Bookends on my desk keep my dictionary and reference books standing up.
bookie
bookie
  1. n. slang short for bookmaker
booking
booking
  1. n. [C;U] a place saved for s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    a reservation (hotel, flight, etc.): That passenger ship already has 1,000 bookings for its next trip. See: book v., 1.
bookish
bookish
  1. adj. liking books, intellectual,
    THESAURUS
    studious: He's a bookish guy who prefers reading to playing sports.
bookkeeper
bookkeeper
  1. n. a person who maintains the accounts of a business, accountant: A bookkeeper notes money received and paid in the company's books. -n. [U] bookkeeping.
booklet
booklet
  1. n. a small book with a paper cover,
    THESAURUS
    a pamphlet: That company's booklet describes its products.
bookmaker
bookmaker
  1. n. (in gambling) a person who takes illegal bets,
    THESAURUS
    a bookie: Bookmakers take bets on horse races, ball games, etc.
bookmark
bookmark
  1. n.
    1 a small item placed between pages of a book to remind one where one stopped reading
    2 an electronic shortcut to a location on the World Wide Web: I created a bookmark for my favorite website, so now I can easily visit the site every day. See: URL.
bookrack
bookrack
  1. n. shelves, usu. of metal, for displaying books: That bookstore has bookracks along its walls.
bookstore
bookstore
  1. n. a shop that sells books: That bookstore on the corner carries lots of books.
bookworm
bookworm
  1. n.
    1 fig. a person who reads books or studies most of the time: After she learned to read, she became a bookworm.
    2 insects that destroy books by eating the paste in the books' binding
boomerang
boomerang
  1. n. a flat, curved piece of wood used as a weapon that will return to the thrower if thrown correctly —v.fig. [I] to produce the opposite result from what one wanted: Her criticism of her boss boomeranged when she was fired.
boon
boon
  1. n. s.t. good, an important help: Having a good library at the school is a boon for the students.
boondocks
boondocks
  1. n.pl.infrml. usu. pej. a simple, country area far from city life,
    THESAURUS
    the sticks: They live in the boondocks far in the north.
boonies
boonies
  1. n.pl. infrml. short for boondocks
boor
boor
  1. n. a crude, unpleasant person: He's an insensitive boor. -adj. boorish; -adv. boorishly.
boost
boost
  1. v. [T] n.
    1 to lift or push up,
    THESAURUS
    to raise: The mother boosted her child into a high chair.
    2 to improve one's emotions: He was feeling sad, so his friends boosted his spirits by giving him a party.
booster
booster
  1. n.
    1 a supporter,
    THESAURUS
    enthusiast: She is a booster of the local girls' club.
    2 the part of a rocket that contains fuel and an engine to send it into space
    3 a later, additional dose of a vaccine that one has already received
boot camp
boot camp
  1. n. a place soldiers go for training: Boot camp can be a difficult experience for soldiers.
booth
booth
  1. n.
    1 a small closet-like place with a door: She went into a telephone booth to make a phone call.
    2 in a market, a table that displays products: That booth sells handmade jewelry.
    3 the space for such a display: Our company rented a booth at the big conference hall.
    4 in a restaurant, unmoveable cushioned benches on both sides of a table
bootie or bootee
bootie or bootee
  1. n. a small shoe for babies
bootleg
bootleg
  1. adj.v. [I;T] -legged, -legging, -legs to make and sell illegal goods, esp. liquor: That man sells bootleg whiskey. -n. bootlegger.
bootstraps
bootstraps
  1. n.pl.
    1 ties or laces on a boot
    2 fig. by one's (own) bootstraps: by one's own hard work: She started with no money and pulled herself up by her bootstraps to run her own company.
booty
booty
  1. n.
    1 [U] valuable things stolen, esp. in war,
    THESAURUS
    loot: Pirates took booty from ships they captured.
    2 slang the buttocks
booze
booze
  1. n.slang [U] alcoholic beverages: He went out to buy some booze.v. slang [I] boozed, boozing, boozes to drink alcoholic beverages -n. boozer; -adj. boozy.
bordello
bordello
  1. -los n. a place where one pays to have sex, (syns.) a brothel, a house of prostitution: Bordellos are illegal in most parts of the USA.
border
border
  1. n.
    1 the edge of s.t.: The border of that rug is torn.
    2 the legal line separating two states or countries: We crossed the Mexican border into the USA.v.
    1 [T] to make a line: Trees border the road on both sides.
    2 [I] phrasal v. insep. to border on/upon s.t.: to seem like s.t.: His behavior borders on being crazy.
    THESAURUS
    border n.
    1 the rim | frame
    2 the frontier, boundary. Ant. the center of s.t. —v.
    1 to rim, frame.
borderline
borderline
  1. adj. on the edge of, almost: He's borderline crazy.
boring
boring
  1. adj. uninteresting: He is so boring; he never says anything interesting but talks a lot.
    THESAURUS
    boring dull, fatiguing. Ant. interesting.
born
born
  1. past part. of to bear
    1 given life: The child was born on December 25.
    2 born out of: forced to do s.t.: The cost-cutting plan was born out of the need (necessity, requirement) to lower expenses.adj.
    1 having a natural ability to do s.t.: She is a born out athlete.
    2 born and bred: raised from childhood: He is a born and bred New Yorker. See: silver spoon.
borne
borne
  1. past part of to bear
borough
borough
  1. n. a political division and geographical area of a city: Manhattan is one of the five boroughs of New York City.
borrow
borrow
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to receive a loan of s.t. with the promise to return it: She borrowed $2,000 from the bank.
    2 to copy or take words, ideas, etc.: English has borrowed many words from French.adj. on borrowed time: time that one did not expect to have: Several years ago the doctor told her she would die from cancer in a few months; two years later, she is still alive and is living on borrowed time. -n. borrower.
borrowing(s)
borrowing(s)
  1. n. (in business) loans, usu. of money: The company's borrowings must be repaid to the bank.
bosom
bosom
  1. n.
    1 the human chest, esp. the breasts: She held her infant child to her bosom.
    2 fig. bosom buddy or friend: very close friend: Those guys have been bosom buddies since childhood.
boss
boss
  1. n. bosses
    1 the person in charge of others, manager, owner: She is the boss at that publishing company.
    2 pej. a politician who controls a political organization or party: Whatever the party boss wants gets done immediately.v. [T] to give orders: She bosses everyone around.
    THESAURUS
    boss n.
    1 the supervisor, person over/above you | chief, superior | honcho infrml. Ant. a subordinate.
bossy
bossy
  1. adj. pej. -ier, -iest telling others what to do in a self-important way,
    THESAURUS
    domineering: He is bossy with everybody. -n. [U] bossiness.
botany
botany
  1. n. [U] the study of plant life -adj. botanical ; -adv. botanically; -n. botanist.
botch
botch
  1. v. [T] botched, botching, botches to do s.t. badly: The printer botched the job with spots on every page; he really botched it up.
both
both
  1. adj. of two things or people: Both friends arrived at the same time.||They had both traveled on the same plane.||He held her with both arms.
bother
bother
  1. v.
    1 [T] to give unwanted attention: She told him to stop bothering her.
    2 [T] to hurt, pain: My back (liver, throat, etc.) is bothering me today.
    3 [I;T] to pay attention to (usu. negative): The company president does not bother with small details.n. [U] an annoyance, an irritation: For him, details are a bother. -adj. bothersome.
    THESAURUS
    bother v.
    1 to irritate, annoy s.o.
    2 to trouble
    3 to worry about, concern oneself (with s.t.).
    THESAURUS
    Ant. to please.n. a worry, hassle, trouble. Ant. a pleasure.
bottle
bottle
  1. n.
    1 a round container for liquids: I bought a bottle of wine.
    2 infrml. to hit the bottle: to drink alcohol: He hit the bottle when he got laid off from work.v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 to put into bottles: That company bottles soft drinks.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to bottle up: to hold emotions inside oneself
bottleneck
bottleneck
  1. n.
    1 a narrow part of a road, passageway, etc.: The four-lane road narrows into a bottleneck as you get near the city.
    2 fig. a place where an activity slows or stops: An accident on the road caused a bottleneck in traffic.
bottom
bottom
  1. n.
    1 the lowest part of s.t.: There is mud on the bottom of the lake.
    2 the lowest point s.t. reaches: The price of oil hit bottom last week.
    3 infrml. the buttocks,
    THESAURUS
    the behind: She fell on her bottom.
    4 (at) the bottom: the cause, source of s.t.
    5 bottom of the barrel: the worst: Drug addicts and drunks are seen as the bottom of the barrel in society.
    6 Bottoms up!: a drinking toast: She poured wine for everyone and said, "Bottoms up!"
    7 from the bottom of my heart: most sincerely: I tell you that I love you from the bottom of my heart.
    8 to get to the bottom of s.t.: to learn the truth about s.t.: I don't know how my window was broken, but I will get to the bottom of this mystery.v.
    1 [I] to reach the lowest level: A submarine bottomed on the ocean floor.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to bottom out: to reach the lowest point then begin to rise: The economy bottomed out in the spring.
bottom line
bottom line
  1. n.
    1 the line on a company's accounting statement that shows profit or loss: She cut $500,000 from the company's expenses, which went right to the bottom line.
    2 fig. the important,
    THESAURUS
    crucial point: The bottom line is that we have to increase our sales or take a cut in pay.
bottomless
bottomless
  1. adj.
    1 without a bottom, extremely deep: the bottomless ocean
    2 a bottomless pit: a. an opening in the earth that has no visible bottom,
    THESAURUS
    an abyss b. fig. a very difficult problem: The government's debt is a bottomless pit.
botulism
botulism
  1. n. [U] bad food poisoning caused by bacteria in some meat and vegetables
bough
bough
  1. n. a large tree branch: A bough of the pine tree broke and fell to the ground.
bought
bought
  1. adj. paid for,
    THESAURUS
    purchased: That crooked politician is a bought man; he takes bribes.
boulder
boulder
  1. n. a large rock: A boulder came down the mountain and crushed the car.
boulevard
boulevard
  1. n. a wide major street in a city, often with trees lining it See: street.
bounce
bounce
  1. v. bounced, bouncing, bounces
    1 [I;T] to spring off a surface,
    THESAURUS
    to rebound: A ball bounces off the sidewalk.
    2 [T] to move up and down: The mother bounced her little boy on her knee.
    3 slang [I;T] to have a check returned to the owner of a bank account for lack of money: My rent check bounced, because I'd forgotten to deposit my paycheck in my account.
    4 [I] to force s.o. to leave,
    THESAURUS
    to expel: She was bounced out of the bar for her wild actions.n.
    1 a spring,
    THESAURUS
    a rebound
    2 liveliness, energy: She walks with a bounce in her step. -adj. bouncy; -adv. bouncily; -n. [U] bounciness.
bouncer
bouncer
  1. n. a strong person who makes people leave bars if they behave badly: A bouncer threw a drunk out on the street.
boundary
boundary
  1. n. -ries
    1 a legal line dividing two places, a border: The boundary between the two towns (countries, cities) is shown by a line on the map.
    2 a limit of s.t.: Some things are beyond the boundaries of human understanding.
    3 in sports, the limit of the court, field, etc.: A ball must be within the boundary, not "out of bounds," to be played.
    THESAURUS
    boundary
    1 city line, state line, frontier
    2 level | capacity.
boundless
boundless
  1. adj.
    1 unlimited: She is a worker with boundless energy.
    2 without limits,
    THESAURUS
    endless: The boundless universe is waiting to be explored. -adv. boundlessly.
bountiful
bountiful
  1. or bounteous adj. much of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    abundant: The harvest of wheat and corn was bountiful this year.
bounty
bounty
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C] a price or reward paid to kill or capture s.o. or s.t.: There were too many raccoons in the town, so the government paid a $25 bounty for each animal killed.
    2 [U] plenty, a generous amount: The bounty of wheat and cattle from the farms is great.
bouquet
bouquet
  1. n.
    1 a bunch of flowers: He sent her a beautiful bouquet of roses.
    2 a smell,
    THESAURUS
    a scent: The wine has a fine bouquet.
bourbon
bourbon
  1. n. [C;U] an American whiskey
bourgeois
bourgeois
  1. adj. (French for)
    1 middle-class
    2 pej. interested only in money and material things: That man is very bourgeois, only thinking about money. -n. [U] bourgeoisie .
bout
bout
  1. n.
    1 (in boxing) a fighting match: The boxer fought a 12-round bout.
    2 fig. a short, difficult time, esp. with illness: Every winter, I have a bout of the flu.
boutique
boutique
  1. n. a small, usu. fashionable, shop: He owns a women's clothing boutique.
bovine
bovine
  1. adj.frml. relating to cows or oxen
bow tie
bow tie
  1. n. a short necktie for men fastened into a bow: He wears bow ties with stripes.
bowel
bowel
  1. n.
    1 the tubes from the stomach where wastes are prepared to go out of the body,
    THESAURUS
    lower intestine
    2 bowel movement: an expelling of solid waste from the body —pl.fig. in the deepest inner places: The coal mines go into the bowels of the earth.
bowl
bowl
  1. n. a dish with upward curved sides: I'd like a bowl of soup, please.v.
    1 [I;T] to roll a ball on a flat surface (bowling alley, green): We bowl every Thursday night.
    2 phrasal v. [T] to bowl over: to surprise: He was bowled over by the good news. -n. bowler.
bowlegged
bowlegged
  1. adj. having legs that curve outward: Some cowboys are bowlegged from riding horses.
bowling
bowling
  1. n. the game of rolling a ball on a flat surface: When I go bowling with my friends, I always try to get the highest score.
box number
box number
  1. n. an address, in a post office: She sent a letter to Mr. John Smith, Post Office Box Number 20, Radio City Station, New York, NY 10019.
box office
box office
  1. n. a place that sells tickets to entertainment and sports events,
    THESAURUS
    ticket office: We bought our movie tickets at the box office. ticket or box office -n. a place, such as in a theater, that sells tickets: The ticket office at the theater opens one hour before the performance begins.
box spring
box spring
  1. n. a base with hard sides and metal coils that goes under a mattress
boxcar
boxcar
  1. n. a large container shaped like a box used on railroads,
    THESAURUS
    freight car: Boxcars carry heavy loads of coal, wheat, and metals over long distances.
boxer
boxer
  1. n.
    1 a person who fights with his fists: Boxers try to knock each other down and out.
    2 a medium-sized dog with short golden-brown fur
boxer shorts
boxer shorts
  1. n.pl. men's underwear with loose legs: Boxer shorts are longer and looser than briefs.
boxing
boxing
  1. n. [U] the sport of fistfighting: Boxing is a rough sport in which one boxer tries to knock the other out in a boxing match.
boy
boy
  1. n.
    1 a young human male: When he was a boy, he loved sports.
    2 a son, esp. young —exclam. of delight, surprise, or disgust: Boy! This hot weather is too much for me! -n. [C;U] boyhood; -adj. boyish.
boycott
boycott
  1. n.v. [T] a refusal for political reasons to buy certain products or do business with a certain store or company: Protesters boycotted grapes and lettuce because of the bad treatment of the farm workers.
boyfriend
boyfriend
  1. n. male friend or companion, usu. romantic: Her boyfriend brings her flowers. See: girlfriend.
    THESAURUS
    boyfriend friend | companion | fiancé | lover.

    USAGE NOTE: A boyfriend can describe a man of any age who has a romantic friendship with s.o. Girlfriend can describe both a romantic friend and a platonic (nonromantic) friend who is female.
bozo
bozo
  1. n.infrml. -zos a fool: She dislikes her boss and tells everyone he is a bozo.
bra
bra
  1. n. short for brassiere
brace
brace
  1. n.
    1 a support, such as a heavy wooden beam, for part of a building, tunnel roof, etc.
    2 a piece of medical equipment used as support: She wears a brace on her bad knee.
    3 pl. wires made of metal or strong plastic used to straighten teeth —v. [T] braced, bracing, braces
    1 to put up a support: Workers braced the falling roof with metal poles.
    2 to prepare oneself to be strong: Sailors braced themselves before hitting a big wave.
bracelet
bracelet
  1. n. jewelry worn around the wrist or arm: She wears gold bracelets.
bracing
bracing
  1. adj. a feeling of freshness,
    THESAURUS
    invigorating: The cold air of autumn is bracing.
bracket
bracket
  1. n.
    1 a metal or wooden support used to hold things, such as wall shelves
    2 a pair of marks [ ] used to set off words: [This sentence is in brackets.]
    3 a level or range in which people (salaries, taxes, etc.) fit: That doctor's salary is in the top tax bracket.v. [T]
    1 to support s.t., such as a shelf, with brackets
    2 to mark words with brackets
brackish
brackish
  1. adj. of a mixture of fresh and salt water: The water from a river becomes brackish when it meets the sea. -n. [U] brackishness.
brag
brag
  1. v. [I;T] bragged, bragging, brags to praise one's own successes,
    THESAURUS
    to boast: He brags about his own strength and good looks.
braggart
braggart
  1. n. a person who brags
braid
braid
  1. v. [T] to put pieces of hair (rope, grass, etc.) around and between each other,
    THESAURUS
    to weave: She braids her hair every morning.n. a length of woven hair, rope, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    a plait: She wears her hair in a braid.||She has gold braid on her uniform.
braille
braille
  1. n. [U] a system of reading and writing for the blind that uses raised dots to show letters, numbers, and symbols: He reads braille with his fingertips.
brain
brain
  1. n.
    1 the organ in the head used for thinking and feeling: Humans have large brains.
    2 fig. intelligence: She is so bright; she's a real brain.||He has a lot of brains.
    3 infrml. on the brain: in one's mind
    4 infrml. to pick s.o.'s brain: to find out what s.o. knows or thinks: I picked my friend's brain about a good place to go on vacation.
    5 to wrack one's brain: to think very hard: I wracked my brain, trying to remember her telephone number.v. infrml.fig. [T] to hit s.o. hard on the head: A branch fell off the tree and brained the child below. See: brainy.
brain trust
brain trust
  1. n. a group of experts (usu. serving a politician): The President has a brain trust of professors to help him with the economy.
brainchild
brainchild
  1. n.fig. an important project or idea of a person: That new product is the owner's brainchild.
brainless
brainless
  1. adj.fig. stupid: Walking on thin ice on a lake is a brainless thing to do. -adv. brainlessly.
brainstorm
brainstorm
  1. v. [T] to think of as many ideas as possible without criticizing them: Every month, we brainstorm ideas for new products.n. a good idea that comes to s.o.'s mind suddenly: I just had a brainstorm about what to make for dinner.
brainwash
brainwash
  1. v. [T] to make s.o. think and act as one wants,
    THESAURUS
    to indoctrinate: Prisoners of war are often brainwashed by their enemy.
brainy
brainy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest very intelligent: She is brainy; she is first in her class. -n. braininess. See: brain.
    THESAURUS
    brainy brilliant, smart | intellectual | sharp, quick. Ant. dumb.
braise
braise
  1. v. [T] braised, braising, braises to cook the outside of s.t. fast over high heat, then slowly in liquid: We braised then ate the beef and potatoes for dinner; they were delicious.
brake
brake
  1. n.
    1 a device that stops a wheel from turning: I stepped on the brakes and slowed the car down.
    2 fig. to put the brakes on: to stop: The public put the brakes on using coins instead of paper money.v. [I;T] braked, braking, brakes to put on the brakes: I braked suddenly and the car stopped.
bramble
bramble
  1. n. a type of bush with thorns: Raspberries and blackberries grow on brambles.
bran
bran
  1. n. [U] the outer covering of grains such as wheat, rye, etc.: This bread is made of flour with the bran still on it.
branch
branch
  1. n. branches
    1 a tree limb: A bird is standing on a branch of a tree.
    2 fig.a smaller office of a company or institution: Our New York company has a branch (branch office) in San Francisco.v. [I] branched, branching, branches
    1 to divide into two or more directions: The river branches into two smaller rivers south of here.||The river branches (off) south of here.
    2 phrasal v. to branch out: to go in new directions: Our company branched out from making shoes to making suits as well.
    THESAURUS
    branch n.
    1 bough (of a tree) | twig. Ant. tree trunk.
    2 local office, subsidiary. Ants.
    THESAURUS
    main/home office, headquarters. —v.
    1 to fork.
brand-new
brand-new
  1. adj. new and never used before: That is a brand-new television, not secondhand.
brand
brand
  1. n.
    1 the commercial name of a product made: IvoryTM is a brand of soap known nationwide.
    2 a mark put on animals to identify their owner —v. [T] to call s.o. a name: The man branded her a liar.
    THESAURUS
    brand n.
    1 make (Ford, IBM), brand name, product line. —v. to label.
brand name
brand name
  1. n. a product often of excellent quality that costs more, because it is heavily advertised: Bayer AspirinTM is a pain reliever with a brand name. See: generic, name brand. trade name or brand name -n. the name a person, business, or product uses commercially: The trade name for George Smith's product is Sterofertilizers, but it is sold under other names to the public.
brandish
brandish
  1. v.frml. [T] -dished, -dishing, -dishes to wave s.t. in the air, to threaten with a weapon: A woman brandished a knife at a police officer.
brandy
brandy
  1. n. -dies [C;U] an alcoholic beverage made from boiled (distilled) wine or fruit juice: She likes apricot brandy.
brash
brash
  1. adj.
    1 pej. rude,
    THESAURUS
    pushy
    2 hasty, foolish: It was very brash to run out into the street without looking. -adv. brashly; -n. [U] brashness.
brass
brass
  1. n. [U]
    1 a hard bright metal made from zinc and copper
    2 decorations and railings made of brass: A worker polished the brass in the restaurant.
    3 musical horns (trumpet, French horn, etc.): He plays in the brass section of a jazz band.
    4 top officials: The military brass (or) brass hats (generals, admirals, etc.) arrived in Washington.
    5 too much self-confidence,
    THESAURUS
    gall: That young man has the brass to suggest that he run the company.
    6 (to get down to) brass tacks: to talk about specific points of business: We stopped talking about the weather and got down to the brass tacks about specific items on the contract. See: brassy.
brass knuckles
brass knuckles
  1. n.pl. a bar of metal that fits around the fingers, used to hurt s.o.: A criminal broke the man's jaw with brass knuckles.
brassiere
brassiere
  1. n.frml. a garment that supports a woman's breasts See: bra.
brassy
brassy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 like brass in color
    2 like the sound of brass instruments
    3 (a person) loud and pushy: New Yorkers have a stereotype as being loud and brassy, but I find them to be very friendly.
brat
brat
  1. n.pej. a spoiled, badly behaved child: Her children act like brats; they won't obey anyone. -adj. bratty.
bravado
bravado
  1. n. [U] unnecessary bravery,
    THESAURUS
    false courage: He is full of bravado about how he will climb that tall mountain someday.
brave
brave
  1. adj. unafraid of danger: Firefighters are brave in saving people from burning buildings.n. a native American warrior -adv. bravely; -n. [U] bravery .
    THESAURUS
    brave adj. fearless, heroic, courageous | bold, daring. Ant. cowardly.
bravo
bravo
  1. exclam. of approval and admiration: After the singer performed, the audience shouted, "Bravo!"
brawl
brawl
  1. n.v. [I] a noisy fistfight: Two men were in a barroom brawl. -n. brawler.
brawny
brawny
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having strength, strong muscles: Two brawny men lifted the heavy furniture. -n. [U] brawn.
bray
bray
  1. v.[I] n. a loud sound of a donkey: The donkey brayed and would not move.
brazen
brazen
  1. adj. shocking and annoying,
    THESAURUS
    cheeky: What a brazen man! He got ahead of everyone in line for the bus. -adv. brazenly.
brazier
brazier
  1. n. a metal pan that holds hot coals: He poured hot coals out of the brazier to start a fire.
breach
breach
  1. v. [T] breaches
    1 to do s.t. wrong,
    THESAURUS
    to violate a contract: She breached her loan contract by not making payments.
    2 to make a large hole in s.t.: Workers breached a wall by driving a tank through it.n. -es
    1 an act of not doing s.t. formally agreed on,
    THESAURUS
    a violation: He sued the company for breach of contract when it did not finish the work he had paid for.
    2 a large hole: The pounding waves made a breach in the sea wall.
    3 an interruption or breaking off of a good relationship: Their friendship developed a breach when she found out that he had lied to her.
bread
bread
  1. n. [U]
    1 a food made of baked flour (from grain such as wheat or rye), water or milk, and yeast: I baked a loaf of bread.
    2 food in general, the basics: They work hard just to put bread on the table.
    3 money and the things needed to live,
    THESAURUS
    livelihood: She earns her bread and butter.
    4 fig.slang money: Hey, man, can you give me some bread?adj. bread and butter issue or matter: basic concerns: The workers talked about bread and butter issues, like a wage increase and vacation time.v. [T] to cover with bread crumbs, flour, etc. for cooking: The cook breaded the fish and fried it. See: breadwinner; butter.
breadbasket
breadbasket
  1. n.fig. the region where a lot of food is produced,
    THESAURUS
    the heartland: The Midwest is the breadbasket of the USA.
breadboard
breadboard
  1. n. a flat piece of wood or plastic on which bread is sliced
breadline
breadline
  1. n. a line of poor people waiting to be given food
breadth
breadth
  1. n.
    1 [C] the size of s.t. from side to side,
    THESAURUS
    width
    2 [C;U] fig. an area of knowledge, character, etc.: The professor has great breadth of knowledge. See: length.
breadwinner
breadwinner
  1. n.fig. a person who works to support others: She is a breadwinner who supports two children.
break-in
break-in
  1. n. a forced entry into a building (house, store, etc.): During a break-in in our apartment, the TV was stolen. -v. break in.
break
break
  1. n.
    1 the act or result of breaking, a crack: He has a break in his leg from an accident.
    2 a change from s.t. usual: Going out to dinner is a nice break from cooking.
    3 a stop or interruption of s.t. constant: The light went out because of a break in the supply of electricity.||There was a break in the hot weather yesterday.
    4 an escape from prison: There was a break at the city jail last night; two prisoners escaped.
    5 a beginning to appear: The break of day started activity at the camp as people woke up.
    6 a quick, downward move: There was a break in the stock market (prices) today.
    7 the breaks: bad luck: I lost my wallet! Well, I guess that's the breaks.
    8 to get a break: to have good or bad luck: The factory fired 300 workers; they got a bad break. But I got a break (or) they gave me a break; I still have my job.
    9 infrml. to give s.o. a break: a. to stop annoying s.o.: Give me a break; stop criticizing me. b. a lower price, a discount: She gave me a break on the price, $20 off. c. to not punish s.o.: I'll give you a break this time, but if you steal again, I'll call the police.
    10 to take a break: to relax for a short time: We worked hard all morning, then took a break.
    THESAURUS
    break n.
    1 a fracture, separation | split, opening
    2 a change of pace, (take) a
    THESAURUS
    breather | respite frml.
    5 an emergence
    6 a sharp decline. —v. broke breaking, breaks
    1 a. [I;T] to turn into pieces: The dish broke when it hit the floor. b. [T] to crack: She broke the vase, so there's a crack in it now.
    2 [I;T] to damage s.t. so that it doesn't work: The refrigerator broke, because it was so old.
    3 [I] to fall apart: The dam finally broke and the waters flooded the land.
    4 [I] to push through: The child's tooth broke through the skin.||These flowers are the first to break through the ground each spring.
    5 [I;T] a. to stop constant activity: Bad storms break the flow of electricity to buildings.||The cold weather broke. b. to pause to relax: Let's break for lunch now.
    6 [T] to disobey the law: She broke the law by stealing that money.
    7 [T] to destroy s.o.'s spirit: His biggest customer did not pay him and that broke him financially and emotionally.
    8 infrml. break a leg! to wish s.o. good luck.
    9 to break a habit: to stop s.t.: He finally broke the habit; he stopped smoking cigarettes.
    10 phrasal v. [I] to break away: to escape: The child broke away from his mother's hand and ran out of the yard.
    11 to break cover: to come out of a hiding place: The hunters broke cover when ducks flew overhead.
    12 phrasal v. sep. to break s.t. or s.o. down: a. [I] to stop working,
    THESAURUS
    to malfunction: This old car breaks down all the time. b. [I] to lose control of one's feelings: When his mother died, he broke down and cried. c. [T] to separate s.t. into small steps or pieces: The cookbook breaks down how to cook the meal.||It breaks the process down.
    13 phrasal v. [I] to break in: a. to enter a building by force,
    THESAURUS
    to burglarize: A thief broke in and stole my TV. b. to interrupt: She broke in on the conversation.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to break s.o. or s.t. in: a. s.o.: to become able to do s.t.: It took me a month to get used to my new job; my boss helped by breaking in all the new employees.||She broke us in. b. s.t.: to make s.t. more comfortable: I have to break in my new shoes; they hurt me.||I have to break them in.
    15 phrasal v. sep. to break s.t. off: a. [I] to snap off: That tree branch broke off and fell. b. [T] to stop doing s.t., to cease: That man and woman broke off their relationship.||They broke it off.
    16 phrasal v. [I] to break out: a. to develop a disease, esp. a rash: The child broke out with red spots (the measles, etc.). b. to escape: The prisoner broke out of jail.
    17 [I] to break right (or) badly: to have events go a certain way: If things break right for her, she will get a new job this month.||If things break badly for her at work, she will lose her job.
    18 phrasal v. insep. [T] to break through s.t.: a. to force through: Firefighters broke through the door to the house. b. to make a scientific discovery
    19 phrasal v. [I] to break up: a. to laugh or cry: His girlfriend made funny faces, and he broke up (laughing). b. to separate: Their marriage broke up after a year.
    20 phrasal v. insep. [T] to break with s.o. or s.t.: to stop being in agreement with, conforming to: It was a very unusual wedding; the couple broke with tradition.
    21 to go broke: to lose all of one's money: He went broke without even a penny. See: broke.
    THESAURUS
    break v. 1 a. to smash to pieces, shatter b. to fracture
    2 to stop working | go kaput infrml.
    THESAURUS
    3 to rupture, collapse
    4 to pierce (or) penetrate through s.t.
    5 a. to interrupt, stop
    THESAURUS
    b. to stop.
breakable
breakable
  1. adj. fragile: Those glass lamps are breakable, so pack them carefully.
breakdown
breakdown
  1. n.
    1 a stopping, ceasing to work,
    THESAURUS
    a malfunction: The truck had a breakdown on the highway.
    2 a collapse: She had a nervous breakdown.||He worked so hard that he had a complete physical breakdown.
    3 the separation of s.t. into parts to explain it, (syns.) an outline, a summary: I made a breakdown of this 200-page report.
breaker
breaker
  1. n.
    1 a large wave that comes close to or on a beach
    2 a device that stops the flow of electricity, water, etc.: An electrical circuit breaker blew out in the storm.
breakfast
breakfast
  1. n. [C;U] v. [T] the morning meal: We ate bacon and eggs for breakfast.
breaking point
breaking point
  1. n. the time when s.o. or s.t. will change or fall apart, a crisis: Her nerves are at the breaking point.
breakneck
breakneck
  1. adj. too fast, dangerous,
    THESAURUS
    risky: The car was going at breakneck speed.
breakthrough
breakthrough
  1. n.
    1 the act, result, or place of pushing past s.t. that blocks one's way: We finally had a breakthrough in negotiations with management.
    2 an advance: The discovery of penicillin was an important breakthrough in stopping many diseases.
breakup
breakup
  1. n.
    1 a coming apart,
    THESAURUS
    a split: In the spring, you can hear the breakup of ice on the lake.
    2 a separation,
    THESAURUS
    a dissolution: That man and woman had a breakup of their relationship.
breakwater
breakwater
  1. n. a wall of rocks, cement, or earth used to stop waves: A breakwater crosses part of the harbor.
breast-feed
breast-feed
  1. v. [T] -fed , -feeding, -feeds to give milk to a baby from a woman's breasts: She breast-feeds her baby several times a day. -n. [U] breastfeeding.
breast
breast
  1. n.
    1 one of a pair of glands on a woman's chest: The baby drank milk from her mother's breast.
    2 the front part of the body, between the neck and the stomach: The baby slept next to her father's breast.
    3 the front part of an animal: She cooked a chicken breast.
    4 to make a clean breast: to confess wrongdoing: He made a clean breast of things by telling the police he had robbed the store.
breastbone
breastbone
  1. n. the flat chest bone attached to the ribs
breaststroke
breaststroke
  1. n. a way of swimming like a frog, pulling the arms to the side then backwards: The breaststroke and freestyle are Olympic swimming races.
breath
breath
  1. n.
    1 a taking in of air,
    THESAURUS
    an inhalation: She opened her mouth and took a deep breath.
    2 the air taken in or let out while breathing: His breath smelled like coffee.
    3 a small amount: A breath of perfume came from the flowers.||Add just a breath of mint to the ice cream.
    4 a breath of fresh air: a new person who brings energy or a new viewpoint to a situation
    5 to catch one's breath: to try to breathe normally: He stopped and tried to catch his breath.
    6 out of breath: needing air: He ran so fast that he is out of breath.
    7 to take one's breath away: to be made unable to speak from surprise, love, etc.: The sunset took my breath away; it was so beautiful.
    8 under one's breath: in a whisper,
    THESAURUS
    muttering: She criticizes her boss under her breath, but not directly.
breathe
breathe
  1. v. breathed, breathing, breathes
    1 [I;T] to take air into and out of the lungs: She breathes deeply and slowly while she sleeps.
    2 [I] to live: "Is he breathing?" she asked, looking at the injured man.
    3 [T] to speak softly: She breathed a few words of love into her daughter's ear.
    4 [I] to rest, relax: Take some time to breathe before you begin your next paper.
    5 to breathe down s.o.'s neck: to put pressure on s.o. to do s.t.
    6 to breathe easy or freely: to stop worrying: The doctor says that you don't have cancer, so you can breathe easy now.
    THESAURUS
    breathe
    1 to inhale and exhale, draw in air
    2 to be alive
    3 to whisper, murmur
    4 to slow
    THESAURUS
    down, pause and relax. Ant. to rush. —adj. breathing room (or) space: time to work or live normally: The due date on the project has been moved to next month, so we have some breathing room to finish it.
breather
breather
  1. n.slang a break: We have worked for two hours; let's take a breather.
breathless
breathless
  1. adj. out of breath from running, hurrying, etc.
breathtaking
breathtaking
  1. adj. so beautiful one cannot breathe for a moment: The view from the mountaintop was breathtaking. -adv. breathtakingly.
breeches
breeches
  1. n.pl. or britches a knee-length style of pants usu. made of strong material: She wears breeches for horseback riding.
breed
breed
  1. n. a specific type of animal with characteristics passed down from generation to generation: A French poodle is a breed of dog.v. bred , breeding, breeds
    1 [I;T] to have babies: Animals breed in the springtime.
    2 [T] to be the source of: Familiarity breeds contempt (a lack of respect).
    3 [T] to raise animals for fun or profit: That woman breeds dogs professionally. -n. breeder.
    THESAURUS
    breed n. a type, kind, sort of s.t. | variety. Ants. a mixed breed, mongrel (dog). —v.
    1 to procreate
    2 to engender.
breeding
breeding
  1. n. [U] good social conduct, manners: She is so polite; she has such good breeding.
breeding ground
breeding ground
  1. n.
    1 a place where animals raise their young: That park is a breeding ground for birds.
    2 fig. a place where ideas are born and behavior is formed: Universities are breeding grounds for new theories.||Caring communities are breeding grounds for good citizenship.
breeze
breeze
  1. n.
    1 a light wind: The breeze felt good on a hot day.
    2 fig. an easy task: That exam was a breeze.v. [I] breezed, breezing, breezes fig.to move quickly and easily: She breezed by me without saying a word.
    THESAURUS
    breeze n.
    1 a gentle wind, puff of air | zephyr frml. Ant. a gale.
    2 a pushover, cinch
    THESAURUS
    infrml.
breezy
breezy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 windy,
    THESAURUS
    gusty: breezy weather
    2 fig.(said of people) light: He has a breezy manner; nothing bothers him. -adv. breezily; -n. [U] breeziness.
brethren
brethren
  1. n.frml. people who belong to the same group, including women and children: The brethren gathered in the church.
brevity
brevity
  1. n. [U] shortness, esp. of speech or writing: She says what she wants to with brevity. See: brief.
brew
brew
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make a beverage by boiling, mixing, or soaking solids, such as tea leaves or coffee beans: I brewed a pot of coffee in the coffeemaker.
    2 [I;T] to make beer
    3 [I] fig. to plan s.t. bad: The crowd began to get loud and angry; trouble was brewing.n.
    1 a mixture, esp. a heated one
    2 fig. a bad combination: a witch's brew
    3 slang a beer: Let's go to the bar and have a few brews. -n. brewer.
brewery
brewery
  1. n. -ies a place where beer is made (brewed): That brewery brews light beer.
briar or brier
briar or brier
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a plant with needles
    2 a wood from the root of the briar: Fine pipes for smoking tobacco are made from briar.
bribe
bribe
  1. n. money or actions given illegally for s.t.: She gave the official a bribe so she could get a driver's license in another state.v. [T] bribed, bribing, bribes to give or take (money, goods, etc.), to have s.o. act dishonestly or illegally: She bribed the official. -n. [U] bribery.
bric-a-brac
bric-a-brac
  1. n. used with a sing. or pl.v. small decorative items: The bric-a-brac on her table includes little vases and china animals.
brick
brick
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a block of hard clay used as building material: Apartment buildings are made of thousands of bricks.
    2 s.t. shaped like a brick: a brick of cheese
    3 a ton of bricks: with a lot of force or anger: That old tree fell on my car and crushed it like a ton of bricks.
    4 to run into or beat one's head against a brick wall: to be stopped: She ran into a brick wall when officials would not give her permission to leave the country.phrasal v. sep. [T] to brick s.t. up: to fill in, block up with bricks: Workers bricked up the windows in that old house.
bricklayer
bricklayer
  1. n. a worker who puts down bricks: Bricklayers build walls. -n. [U] bricklaying.
bridal
bridal
  1. adj. of a bride or wedding: She wore a pretty bridal gown.
bride
bride
  1. n. a woman who is getting married, a female marriage partner: She became a bride at age 24.
bridegroom
bridegroom
  1. or groom n. a man who is getting married: The bridegroom waited for his bride in the church.
bridesmaid
bridesmaid
  1. n. the bride's unmarried attendant: There were six bridesmaids at the wedding. See: best man; maid of honor.
bridle
bridle
  1. n. leather straps on a horse's head to control it —v. -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 [T] to put a bridle on a horse
    2 [I] fig. to refuse to cooperate,
    THESAURUS
    to balk: She bridled at the idea of spending so much money. See: unbridled.
brief
brief
  1. adj.
    1 short, to the point: The manager made a brief statement to open the meeting.
    2 in brief: in summary —v. [T] to inform: The generals briefed the President on the military situation. -n. briefing. n. a legal document: Our lawyer filed a brief with the court. -adv. briefly. See: debrief.
    THESAURUS
    brief adj.
    1 concise, succinct | quick. Ant. lengthy.
briefcase
briefcase
  1. n. a soft, flat piece of luggage for holding books and papers: She put her laptop computer and papers in her briefcase.
briefs
briefs
  1. n.pl. short, tight-fitting underwear used by both men and women See: boxer shorts; panties.
brig
brig
  1. n. a military prison: The navy sailor was put in the brig for stealing.
brigade
brigade
  1. n.
    1 a group of soldiers, smaller than a division and larger than a regiment
    2 a group organized for a purpose: a fire brigade, a workers' brigade
bright-eyed
bright-eyed
  1. adj.fig.
    1 quick and eager: He is a bright-eyed child.
    2 bright-eyed and bushy-tailed: quick of mind and eager to work: Companies like workers who are bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
bright
bright
  1. adj.
    1 having a strong shine or glow: The sun is so bright that it hurts my eyes.
    2 having strong colors, vivid, radiant: She wears bright red dresses.
    3 intelligent: He has a bright mind.
    4 promising: With an accounting degree, she has a bright future.
    5 the bright side: the positive part of a situation -adv. brightly; -n. [U] brightness.
    THESAURUS
    bright
    1 brilliant, dazzling
    2 bold, colorful, intense
    3 brainy, smart
    4 exciting, rosy. Ant. dull.
brighten
brighten
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to become lighter (or) clearer: The clouds left and the sky brightened.
    2 to become cheerful, happy: His face brightened with a smile.
brilliant
brilliant
  1. adj.
    1 having a very bright surface,
    THESAURUS
    sparkling: Diamonds are brilliant.
    2 extremely intelligent: She has a brilliant mind.
    3 perfect: The violinist gave a brilliant performance.
    4 extremely successful, (syns.) magnificent, illustrious: She has a brilliant future as a musician. -n. [U] brilliance; -adv. brilliantly.
brim
brim
  1. n.
    1 the top of a glass, pot, jar, etc.: She filled the glass full to the brim.
    2 the bottom outer edge of a hat: His hat has a wide brim.v. [I] brimmed, brimming, brims
    1 to be full to the top: The baskets were brimming with wheat and potatoes.
    2 phrasal v. to brim over: to be full of happiness, excitement, etc.: He's brimming over with stories about his recent trip. -adj. brimful.
brine
brine
  1. n. [U]
    1 a mixture of salt, water: Pickles are soaked in brine.
    2 the ocean: He fell off the ship, into the brine. -adj. briny.
bring
bring
  1. v. [T] brought , bringing, brings
    1 to carry s.t.: I bring an umbrella with me in case it rains.
    2 to go with s.o.: She brought a friend to the party.
    3 to cause to happen: He brought the conversation to a close (the water to a boil, grief to his parents).
    4 to sell for: That house will bring $100,000.
    THESAURUS
    bring
    1 to take s.t. | lug. Ant. to leave s.t.
    2 to accompany, escort s.o. Ant. to go alone.
    THESAURUS
    3 to make s.t. begin or end, initiate
    4 to bring in (money), produce, result in.
brink
brink
  1. n.
    1 the top edge of a steep incline, such as a cliff: She looked over the brink at the water below.
    2 on the brink of disaster: a point after which s.t. terrible may happen: The economy is in such bad shape that it is on the brink of disaster.
brinkmanship
brinkmanship
  1. n. the art of threatening one's opponent to gain an advantage: The Cold War was full of Russian and American brinkmanship about using nuclear weapons.
brisk
brisk
  1. adj.
    1 rapid and energetic: We took a brisk walk around the block.
    2 sharp and cool,
    THESAURUS
    invigorating: A brisk wind blew through our hair. -n. [U] briskness; -adv. briskly.
brisket
brisket
  1. n. meat cut from the chest of an animal: brisket of beef
bristle
bristle
  1. n. [C;U] short, stiff hair: Some brushes are made from pigs' bristles.v. [I] -tled, -tling, -tles (of hair) to stand up from anger: The dog bristled at the sight of the cat.
britches
britches
  1. n.infrml.
    1 pants made of strong material,
    THESAURUS
    breeches
    2 too big for one's britches: acting too important,
    THESAURUS
    arrogant: That young man is too big for his britches; he thinks he's smarter than he is in business.
brittle
brittle
  1. adj. hard and easy to break,
    THESAURUS
    fragile: The bones of elderly people become brittle and easily broken. -n. [U] brittleness.
broach
broach
  1. v. [T] broaches to introduce a topic of conversation: My manager broached the subject of when I planned to retire.
broad-minded
broad-minded
  1. adj. open to different ideas,
    THESAURUS
    tolerant: She is broad-minded and accepts the customs, traditions, habits, etc. of all the people she meets. -n. [U] broad-mindedness. See: narrow-minded.
broad
broad
  1. adj.
    1 big from side to side; wide: The avenues of big cities are often broad.
    2 covering a large amount, many topics, etc., large in scope: That professor has a broad knowledge of history.n.pej.slang a woman -adv. broadly.
    THESAURUS
    broad
    1 large, expansive
    2 vast, extensive. Ant. narrow.
broadcast
broadcast
  1. v. [T] -cast or -casted, -casting, -casts
    1 to send over the air (radio, TV): Some radio and TV stations broadcast programs 24 hours a day.
    2 to make widely known: She broadcasted her marriage plans to all her friends.n. an act of broadcasting,
    THESAURUS
    a transmission: I heard the good news on the TV broadcast. -n. broadcaster.
broaden
broaden
  1. v. [T] to make s.t. wider or larger: Workers broadened the road.||She broadened her knowledge of accounting by taking more courses. See: narrow.
broadside
broadside
  1. adv. from (or) against the side: The car hit the bus broadside.n. an angry verbal or written attack: He jumped up and began a broadside against the government.
broccoli
broccoli
  1. n. [U] a vegetable with thick green flowers and stems: He eats boiled broccoli with cheese on it.
brochure
brochure
  1. n. a small, short, printed booklet describing a company's products or services: The travel agency mails out brochures about trips to wonderful places.
brogue
brogue
  1. n. an accent, esp. Irish: The man from Dublin speaks with a brogue.
broil
broil
  1. v. [T] to cook (meat, fish) with direct heat,
    THESAURUS
    to grill in an oven: She broiled a steak in her new oven.
broiler
broiler
  1. n.
    1 the part of an oven that has a direct source or heat: He put the steak under the broiler.
    2 a medium-sized chicken: We cooked a broiler for dinner.
broke
broke
  1. past tense of break —adj.infrml.
    1 without money: I am broke (or) stone cold broke.||That company went broke last month.
    2 to go for broke: to risk all to accomplish s.t., try very hard: She started a new business, and she went for broke by investing all of her money in it. See: broken.
broken-down
broken-down
  1. adj. not working,
    THESAURUS
    in disrepair: My car is a broken-down mess; the wheel fell off.
broken
broken
  1. adj.
    1 s.t. that is cracked, smashed, or is not working: His arm is broken.
    2 not kept: He reminded her of her broken promise.
    3 extremely sad, crushed in spirit: She has a broken heart.
    4 (of a language) imperfect: When I lived in Costa Rica, my Spanish was not good; I spoke broken Spanish.
    THESAURUS
    broken
    1 shattered, fractured | ruined, gone, kaput infrml. Ants. whole, in working order.
    2 unfulfilled, violated. Ant. fulfilled.
brokenhearted
brokenhearted
  1. adj. extremely sad,
    THESAURUS
    crushed: He was brokenhearted when his wife died. -adv. brokenheartedly.
broker
broker
  1. n. a person who matches buyers and sellers,
    THESAURUS
    an agent: She works as a real estate broker (a stockbroker, cattle broker, etc.).
brokerage
brokerage
  1. n. the business of a broker: He runs a coffee brokerage in the city.
bromide
bromide
  1. n. a boring saying that is used too often,
    THESAURUS
    a platitude: "Have a nice day" is a bromide.
bronchitis
bronchitis
  1. n. a disease of the bronchial tubes that go from the windpipe to the lungs
bronco
bronco
  1. n. -cos a wild horse of the USA's western region See: mustang.
bronze
bronze
  1. n. [U] a gray to reddish-brown metal made of tin and copper: a bronze statuev. [T] bronzed, bronzing, bronzes
    1 to make or cover with bronze
    2 frml.fig. to suntan: She was bronzed by the sun.
brooch
brooch
  1. n. -es a pin that is worn near the neck
brood
brood
  1. n.
    1 a group of young, esp. of birds: There is a brood of chickens in the barn.
    2 fig. children: A husband and wife took their brood to the circus.v. [I]
    1 to sit on eggs (a hen)
    2 to think deeply and worry: He brooded over whether or not to quit his job.
brook
brook
  1. n. a small stream: A brook runs in front of their house in the country.v.frml. [T] to agree to,
    THESAURUS
    to tolerate: She would brook no delay in the repairs to her car.
broom
broom
  1. n. a cleaning tool made of long, stiff bristles attached to a handle: He used a broom to sweep the floor.
broth
broth
  1. n. [C;U] a clear soup made from vegetables, fish, or meat: On a cold day, he likes to eat a bowl of beef broth for lunch.
brothel
brothel
  1. n. a place where sex is bought, (syns.) a bordello, a house of prostitution: In some countries, brothels are legal.
brother-in-law
brother-in-law
  1. n. brothersin-law a brother of one's husband or wife or the husband of one's sister: My brother-in-law Ken married my sister Maria in 1996.
brother
brother
  1. n.
    1 the male of two or more children of the same parents: My brother Richard lives in New York.
    2 a male member of a religious order but not a priest,
    THESAURUS
    a monk: Most of the brothers are working in the fields.
    3 slang (in USA) a close male friend -n. [U] brotherliness; -adj. brotherly.
brotherhood
brotherhood
  1. n.
    1 [U] the state of being a brother
    2 [C;U] a group with a common interest: the brotherhood of street cleaners
brow
brow
  1. n. the front upper area of the head between the eyes and hairline,
    THESAURUS
    the forehead: He has wrinkles in his brow from worry.
browbeat
browbeat
  1. v. [T] -beat, -beating, -beats to demand s.t. from s.o. again and again,
    THESAURUS
    to nag: The husband browbeats his wife about not working late every night.
brown
brown
  1. n. [C;U] the color that is a mixture of red, yellow, and black: Chocolate and dirt are both brown.v. [T] make s.t. look brown: He browned the potatoes in a pan.
brownbag
brownbag
  1. v. [T] -bagged, -bagging, -bags to bring one's lunch to work (in a paper bag): That man is a millionaire, but he still brownbags his lunch every day.
brownie
brownie
  1. n.
    1 a small, flat piece of chocolate cake: American children love brownies and cookies with milk.
    2 Brownies an organization for young girls, ages 6-10, which they join before Girl Scouts
brownstone
brownstone
  1. n.
    1 a reddish-brown rock used in building
    2 a house made of that rock: New York City has many brownstones.
browse
browse
  1. v. browsed, browsing, browses
    1 [I] to look over in a slow, relaxed way: She browsed through some books in the library.
    2 [I] to feed on (grass, leaves, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    to graze
    3 [T] (in computers) to go from place to place on the World Wide Web without a clear goal,
    THESAURUS
    to surf the Web: I browsed the Web looking for interesting Web sites.
bruise
bruise
  1. n.
    1 a discoloration of the skin made by a blow that does not break the surface of the skin,
    THESAURUS
    a contusion: He fell on the sidewalk and got a bruise on his arm.
    2 a similar mark on plants, fruit, etc.: This banana has a bruise on it.v. [T] bruised, bruising, bruises
    1 to make bruises: He bruised his knee.
    2 fig. to hurt s.o.'s feelings: Her boss yelled at her and bruised her feelings.
brunch
brunch
  1. n. [C;U] brunches (a combination of breakfast and lunch) a meal in the late morning: We had brunch on Sunday morning at 11:00 A.M.
brunet(te)
brunet(te)
  1. n. a person with dark hair See: blonde, redhead.
brunt
brunt
  1. n. the main part of s.t., usu. unpleasant: The sales manager took the brunt of the criticism for low sales.
brush-off
brush-off
  1. n. a refusal without an explanation,
    THESAURUS
    an abrupt rejection: She gave him the brush-off.
brush
brush
  1. n. brushes
    1 a tool made of bristles (of nylon, wire, hair, etc.) on a hard back: Brushes can be used to clean, polish, smooth, or paint.
    2 a light touch in passing —v. [T] brushed, brushing, brushes
    1 to use a brush: She brushed her teeth with a toothbrush.
    2 to touch or bump s.o. or s.t. lightly while passing: Her coat brushed me as she ran past.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to brush s.o. or s.t. away or aside: to ignore, esp. problems: She brushed aside our concerns.||She brushed them aside.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to brush s.o. off: to reject: He brushed off his boss at the company picnic.||He brushed her off.
    5 phrasal v. sep. to brush s.t. up (on): to improve one's knowledge of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    review: He needs to brush up on his math before taking the exam.||He needs to brush up on it.
brutal
brutal
  1. adj.
    1 violent without feeling, cruel: It was a brutal murder.
    2 difficult to bear,
    THESAURUS
    harsh: Last winter was so cold that it was brutal. -n. [U] brutality ; -v. [T] brutalize ; -adv. brutally.
brute
brute
  1. n.
    1 a large animal,
    THESAURUS
    a beast
    2 a violent person who does not care about hurting others —adj. involving strength, not intelligence: He used brute force to knock down the door.
btw
btw
  1. adv. & abbr. for by the way, for adding a new thought to the message: Btw, you were right.
bubble
bubble
  1. n. a small ball of gas, esp. air, found in or on top of a liquid: Bubbles in soft drinks don't last long.v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [T] to make bubbles: Boiling water bubbles.
    2 to blow bubbles: to make bubbles for fun: Children blow bubbles with soapy water.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to bubble over: to be cheerful or enthusiastic: She bubbles over with enthusiasm. See: bubbly.
bubble gum
bubble gum
  1. n. [U] a chewing gum that can make bubbles: People blow bubbles with bubble gum.
bubbly
bubbly
  1. adj. -blier, -bliest
    1 having bubbles: Soda pop, beer, and champagne are all bubbly.
    2 fig. cheerful,
    THESAURUS
    enthusiastic: She has a bubbly personality.n.infrml.fig. champagne: Can I pour you some bubbly?
bucket
bucket
  1. n.
    1 a round container with an open top,
    THESAURUS
    a pail: He filled a bucket with water.
    2 in buckets: a lot (of rain)
    3 infrml. to kick the bucket: to die
buckle
buckle
  1. n. a metal fastener, esp. for a belt —v. -led, -ling, -les
    1 [I;T] to close a buckle: I buckled the seat belt in the car.
    2 [I] to bend, (syns.) to give way, yield: A wooden beam in the tunnel buckled, then fell.||The thief finally buckled under pressure from the police and told them where to find the stolen car.
    3 phrasal v. infrml. [I] to buckle down: to start to work hard: As the deadline got closer, we really buckled down on the project. See: unbuckle.
bucktoothed
bucktoothed
  1. adj. having teeth that stick out over the lower lip
bud
bud
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a young, not fully grown leaf or flower
    2 infrml.short for buddy —v. [I] budded, budding, buds to grow buds: Trees and flowers bud in the springtime.
buddy
buddy
  1. n. -dies a friend,
    THESAURUS
    a pal: My buddies and I go fishing every Saturday.
budge
budge
  1. v. [I;T] budged, budging, budges to move a little, give way: This door is stuck; it won't budge.
budget
budget
  1. n.
    1 a plan of expected income and expenses over time (one year, five years, etc.): Our company does a budget every year.
    2 an amount of money set aside for a purpose: We try not to spend more than is in our food budget.v. [I] to make financial predictions: We budget how much money we expect to make and to spend. -adj. budgetary.
    THESAURUS
    budget n.
    1 a financial plan, financial statement
    2 money, resources.
    THESAURUS
    —v. to plan income and expenses, allocate (money).
buff
buff
  1. v. [T] to rub s.t. to make it shiny,
    THESAURUS
    to polish: I buffed my shoes with a cloth.n.
    1 s.o. who enjoys and knows a lot about a subject: Ask her anything about movies; she's a big film buff.
    2 a shine: I gave my shoes a buff.
    3 a soft, thick, pale-yellow leather made from the skin of buffalo, oxen, or elk
    4 infrml. in the buff: without any clothes,
    THESAURUS
    nude: She likes to sunbathe in the buff.adj. a brownish-yellow color: He wore a buff jacket.
buffalo
buffalo
  1. n. -los, -loes or -lo
    1 a large, four-legged, hoofed animal: In Asia, farmers use water buffalos to pull plows.
    2 the North American bison
buffer
buffer
  1. n.v. [T]
    1 s.o. or s.t. (a layer, an area, etc.) that softens or stops a blow,
    THESAURUS
    a cushion: The mountains are a buffer against the storms from the sea.
    2 a tool used to shine: a fingernail bufferadj. buffered: a chemical that stops (neutralizes) the effect of an acid or a base: Buffered aspirin is supposed to avoid damage to the stomach.
buffoon
buffoon
  1. n. a loud and foolish person
bug
bug
  1. n.
    1 an insect: There are bugs in that dirty kitchen.
    2 infrml.fig. a tiny organism that causes diseases,
    THESAURUS
    a germ: I'm sick; I've caught a flu bug.
    3 fig. a hidden listening device: The spy hid a bug in the lamp.
    4 fig. a fault in an electrical or mechanical device or system: My computer program has a bug in it; every time I type "n", it goes to the bottom of the page.
    5 infrml.fig. an interest, fad: the travel bugv. bugged, bugging, bugs
    1 infrml. [T] to annoy: His boss keeps bugging him to work faster.
    2 fig. [T] to use a listening device,
    THESAURUS
    to eavesdrop: Police bugged the criminal's telephone.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to bug off: to leave, go away: Bug off! You annoy me!
    4 phrasal v. [I] to bug out: to leave quickly: As the police arrived, the thief bugged out.
    5 infrml. a bug in s.o.'s ear: a suggestion
buggy
buggy
  1. n. -gies a horse-drawn carriage —adj. -ier, -iest
    1 full of insects: The garden at sunset is buggy.
    2 fig. very worried, crazy: She is driving herself buggy about preparing for the exam.
bugle
bugle
  1. n.v. -gled, -gling, -gles type of musical horn without keys: A soldier plays a bugle at military funerals. -n. [C] bugler; [U] bugling.
build
build
  1. v. built , building, builds
    1 [T] to make s.t. from parts, materials, etc.: Workers built a house (car, airplane, etc.).
    2 [I] to base on: Theories should be built on facts.
    3 [T] to create: He built an industrial empire.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to build s.t. up: a. to add to over time: She built up a successful business.||She built it up. b. to improve an image or reputation through advertising or publicity: The local newspapers really built up the state fair this year.||They built it up. c. to add buildings: Developers have built up this area in recent years.||They've built it up.n. the shape of a person's body: He has a strong (fat, short, weak, etc.) build. See: bodybuilding.
    THESAURUS
    build v.
    1 to construct, put up | erect (buildings, bridges)
    2 to establish, ground (syn.THESAURUS
    .t. on s.t.
    3 to develop. Ants. to tear down, destroy.n. physique.
builder
builder
  1. n. a company or person who builds (buildings, houses, organizations): He is a big builder of houses in this area. See: contractor; developer.
building
building
  1. n.
    1 [C] a permanent structure, such as a house or office building: She owns some office buildings in this area.
    2 [U] the business of making buildings
    3 [U] growth: The building of a country (business, career) can take many years.
    THESAURUS
    building
    1 structure, edifice frml. | a house, store, office building.
buildup
buildup
  1. n.
    1 growth,
    THESAURUS
    an increase: There was a heavy buildup of dust in our house when we came back from vacation.
    2 improving an image or reputation through advertising,
    THESAURUS
    a publicity campaign: The British rock stars got a big buildup before their tour.
built-in
built-in
  1. adj. constructed into or onto a wall, not movable
built-up
built-up
  1. adj. crowded with buildings: We live in a built-up part of the city.
bulb
bulb
  1. n.
    1 the round root of some plants: a tulip bulb
    2 the glass in an electric light, of this shape: The bulb in that lamp has burned out. -adj. bulbous.
bulge
bulge
  1. n.v. [I] bulged, bulging, bulges to swell or stick out,
    THESAURUS
    to protrude: Her stomach bulged, because she was pregnant.
bulk
bulk
  1. n. [U]
    1 large size: Big animals, such as elephants and whales, have huge bulk.
    2 the most of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    the majority: The bulk of the students passed the exam.adj. a bulk shipment: a large quantity: The bulk shipment was 500 boxes of shoes.
bulky
bulky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest large and difficult to handle,
    THESAURUS
    unwieldy: A mattress is bulky for one person to carry.
bull
bull
  1. n.
    1 the male of cattle that can produce young: A bull is feeding in a field.
    2 the male of some other animal types: a bull elephant
    3 vulg.slang nonsense: What he says is a lot of bull.
    4 a person who believes that the stock market will go up,
    THESAURUS
    an optimist
    5 like a bull in a china shop: a careless person in a delicate situation, (syns.) clumsy, tactless: He makes big mistakes; he's like a bull in a china shop.
    6 to take the bull by the horns: to face a difficult or dangerous situation boldly: She took the bull by the horns and told her family that she had lost her job.
bull's-eye
bull's-eye
  1. n.
    1 the center of a circular target: People shot arrows at the bull's-eye.
    2 to hit the bull's-eye: to produce an excellent idea, point, or job: Her solution to the problem hit the bull's-eye.
bulldog
bulldog
  1. n. a dog with big jaws and short legs: Bulldogs don't let go easily when they bite.
bulldozer
bulldozer
  1. n. a large, powerful machine with a shovel and a blade in front: Bulldozers move earth for the building of roads, buildings, etc. -v. [T] bulldoze.
bullet
bullet
  1. n.
    1 a round, usu. pointed piece of metal shot out of a gun: A bullet hit the man in the leg.
    2 the metal casing used to hold the bullet,
    THESAURUS
    the cartridge See: bite, 6.
bullet train
bullet train
  1. n. a very fast passenger train: Bullet trains run in Japan and France.
bulletin
bulletin
  1. n.
    1 a short public announcement (on television, radio, etc.): A TV news bulletin said there was a big earthquake in California.
    2 a small periodical publication: The college bulletin lists all of the classes offered this semester.
    THESAURUS
    bulletin
    1 a news report, news flash | official statement, communiqué
    2 a newsletter, flyer, posted notice.
bulletin board
bulletin board
  1. n.
    1 a board on a wall where notices, information, etc., are displayed: I saw our class schedule on the school bulletin board.
    2 an electronic mail system that allows computer users to leave general messages for anyone to read
bulletproof
bulletproof
  1. adj. capable of stopping bullets: The police wear bulletproof vests.
bullfight
bullfight
  1. n. a fight between a bull and a man (matador) as sport in an arena: In a bullfight, the matador tries to kill the bull with a sword. -n. [C] bullfighter, [U] bullfighting. See: bullring.
bullfrog
bullfrog
  1. n. a large male frog
bullheaded
bullheaded
  1. adj. determined to have one's way,
    THESAURUS
    stubborn: He won't cooperate; he's bullheaded.
bullion
bullion
  1. n. [C;U] bars of precious metals (gold, silver, platinum): The bank keeps bullion locked in its cellars.
bullish
bullish
  1. adj.fig. believing s.t. will succeed,
    THESAURUS
    optimistic: She is bullish on the stock market now. See: bull; bear.
bullring
bullring
  1. n. a flat area surrounded by rows of seats used for bullfighting,
    THESAURUS
    an arena: A bullring is a dangerous place.
bully
bully
  1. n. -lies a person who forces others to do things by using fear or strength: That big boy is a bully in the schoolyard.v. [T] -lied, -lying, -lies to force others to do things: He bullies smaller boys into giving him money and food.
bulwark
bulwark
  1. n.
    1 a wall or high pile of earth, etc. used for defense,
    THESAURUS
    rampart
    2 fig. s.t. that protects: The law is a bulwark for a person's freedoms.
bum
bum
  1. n.
    1 pej. a person who asks for money, food, etc., (syns.) beggar
    2 pej. a bad person: He drinks and does not take care of his family; he's a bum.
    3 vulg. the buttocks —adj.
    1 infrml. bad, no good: Those cheap shoes are of bum quality.
    2 infrml. a bum rap: an unfair accusation: She was accused of stealing, but got a bum rap because she didn't do it.
    3 infrml. bummed out: disappointed: She was bummed out when I said, "I don't have any cigarettes." See: bummer. —v. bummed, bumming, bums
    1 [T] to ask for s.t. without repaying it: Can I bum a cigarette from you?
    2 phrasal v. [I;T] to bum around: to wander from place to place: He bummed around the country for the summer.
bumble
bumble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to do s.t. in a stupid, clumsy way,
    THESAURUS
    to blunder -n. [C] bumbler, [U] bumbling.
bumblebee
bumblebee
  1. n. a large, flying insect that makes honey: Bumblebees fly from flower to flower.
bummer
bummer
  1. n. slang a bad or disappointing experience: She complains so much that talking with her is a bummer.
bump
bump
  1. n.
    1 a rounded piece of s.t. (earth, skin, etc.): There is a bump on my arm where a mosquito bit me.
    2 the feeling of a bump or bang: Bumps in the road make driving uncomfortable.v. [T]
    1 to hit with force: I bumped my leg on the table.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to bump into s.o.: to meet by accident: Two friends bumped into each other on the street.
    THESAURUS
    bump n.
    1 a lump | swelling
    2 a jolt. —v.
    1 to hit, knock against s.t. or s.o.
bumper
bumper
  1. n. a bar on the back or front of a vehicle to protect it: The car bumper hit the wall.adj. bumper-to-bumper: crowded and close together: Bumper-to-bumper traffic made us all late.
bumper sticker
bumper sticker
  1. n. a strip of paper with a message on it put on a car bumper: The bumper sticker on my car says "I'd rather be sailing than working."
bumpkin
bumpkin
  1. n. a simple person from the country
bumpy
bumpy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with bumps, having an uneven surface: The dirt road was very bumpy.
    2 moving suddenly up and down, (syns.) rough, jerky: The airplane flight was bumpy.
bun
bun
  1. n.
    1 a small, roundish bread: I had an egg on a bun for breakfast.
    2 hair coiled into a round shape, usu. at the back of the head
    3 fig.vulg. a buttock. See: muffin.
bunch
bunch
  1. n.pl. -es
    1 a group of s.t. growing or put together: She bought a bunch of bananas and a bunch of carrots at the store.
    2 infrml.fig. a large amount of s.t.: That dress cost a bunch.||They bought a bunch of things at the store.v. [I;T] to crowd together: People bunched together (or) up in the crowded bus.
    THESAURUS
    bunch n.
    1 a handful, cluster | pack
    2 a large quantity of s.t., large number | group, crowd. —v. to pack, cluster, cram together.
bundle
bundle
  1. n.
    1 things close together, usu. tied or fastened: I put a bundle of clothes in the washing machine.
    2 fig. a lot of money: A new car costs a bundle.v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 to put together, to wrap up: She bundled dirty clothes in a bag.
    2 phrasal v. [I;T] to bundle up: to dress warmly: Bundle up; it's cold outside!
bung
bung
  1. n. a short, round piece of wood (cork, rubber) put in a hole in a jug or barrel: A worker closed a beer barrel with a bung. -n. bunghole.
bungalow
bungalow
  1. n. a small house on one level,
    THESAURUS
    a cottage: We have a bungalow by the sea.
bungle
bungle
  1. n.v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles to do s.t. badly,
    THESAURUS
    to botch: He bungled a report; it had many mistakes. -n. bungler.
bunion
bunion
  1. n. a painful swelling of the big toe: A foot doctor operated on her bunions.
bunk
bunk
  1. n.
    1 [C] a narrow bed, often placed one above the other: Soldiers sleep in bunks.
    2 [U] nonsense: What he says is bunk!v. [I] to sleep at s.o.'s house as a guest: Don't go to a hotel; bunk with us in our guest room. See: bunkhouse.
bunker
bunker
  1. n. a room, usu. underground, with thick walls: When the enemy came near, the soldiers ran into their bunker.
bunkhouse
bunkhouse
  1. n. a simple building with beds for workers, cowboys, etc.
bunkum
bunkum
  1. n.infrml. nonsense, esp. by politicians: The mayor's plan to bring new jobs to the city was pure bunkum.
bunny
bunny
  1. n.infrml. -nies
    1 a baby rabbit, small rabbit: She petted the bunnies in the children's zoo.
    2 infrml.fig.pej. an active, attractive young woman: She is a ski bunny in winter and a beach bunny in summer.
bunting
bunting
  1. n. decorations made of cloth or paper: Bunting hangs on the stage where the politicians are speaking.
buoy
buoy
  1. n.
    1 a marker floating in the water used to warn of danger or mark a passageway (channel): Don't swim out beyond the red buoy.
    2 a device made from material that floats, used to keep a person from sinking,
    THESAURUS
    a life preserver: She threw the drowning man a buoy.v. [T]
    1 to lift up, to keep afloat in the water
    2 fig.to make s.o. feel good: The good news buoyed his spirits.
buoyant
buoyant
  1. adj.
    1 able to float: Fallen trees are buoyant in water.
    2 fig. cheerful, happy: She has a buoyant personality. -n. buoyancy; -adv. buoyantly.
burden
burden
  1. n.
    1 a heavy weight: Elephants can carry heavy burdens, such as tree logs.
    2 fig. a worry, trouble: Having cancer is a burden on both body and mind.
    3 fig. a responsibility: She has the burden of running a business.
    4 burden of proof: the responsibility of s.o. to prove s.t.: He has paid his phone bill, but he must show his canceled check, because the burden of proof is on him.v. [T]
    1 to weigh down: He was burdened with two big suitcases.
    2 fig. to worry, trouble: She is burdened by money troubles and she burdens others with them. -adj. burdensome .
    THESAURUS
    burden n.
    1 a heavy load, heavy pack | cargo
    2 strain, stress, hardship
    3 worry, care.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. freedom. —v.
    1 to load s.o. down
    2 to saddle s.o. with (syn.THESAURUS
    .t. Ant. to free s.o. from s.t.
bureau
bureau
  1. n. bureaus or bureaux
    1 a piece of furniture with drawers, a dresser: She keeps her towels and sheets in a bureau.
    2 a government agency: the Federal Bureau of Investigation
    3 a business with a purpose: travel bureau
    THESAURUS
    bureau
    1 a chest of drawers
    2 an administration (usu. of government), agency, department, division.
bureaucracy
bureaucracy
  1. n. -cies a group of government or business departments with complex rules and slow decision making: Her application for citizenship has not gotten through the bureaucracy.
bureaucrat
bureaucrat
  1. n.
    1 an employee of a bureaucracy
    2 pej. a slow person without imagination: He is a nice guy, but he thinks like a bureaucrat. -adj. bureaucratic ; -adv. bureaucratically.
    THESAURUS
    bureaucrat
    1 a civil servant, government employee, federal/state/city worker. Ant. entrepreneur.
burgeon
burgeon
  1. v.frml. [I] to grow quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to mushroom: Our company's business is burgeoning now.
burger
burger
  1. n.infrml. short for hamburger
burglar
burglar
  1. n. a thief who illegally enters a building to steal: A burglar broke the door lock and stole my TV. -v. [I;T] burglarize ; -n. [C;U] burglary.
burial
burial
  1. n. putting a dead person in a grave,
    THESAURUS
    interment See: bury; cremate.
burlap
burlap
  1. n. [U] a rough cloth used to make bags for holding coffee beans, onions, etc.
burlesque
burlesque
  1. n. a type of theater comedy that makes fun of people and events
burly
burly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest (of men) with strong muscles,
    THESAURUS
    tough
burner
burner
  1. n.
    1 the part of a stove, heater, furnace, etc. that creates a flame: There is a pot boiling on the front burner.
    2 on the back burner: stopped, delayed,
    THESAURUS
    on hold: The owner put plans for building a new factory on the back burner until the company's sales improve.
burning
burning
  1. n. [C;U] an act of burning,
    THESAURUS
    combustion: the burning of candles in a churchadj.
    1 on fire: The burning house (forest, building, etc.) attracted a large crowd.
    2 fig. having a strong wish: She has a burning desire to succeed in business.
    3 fig. causing arguments or worry: High taxes are a burning issue.
burnish
burnish
  1. v. [T] -es to polish: He burnished the metal on his rifle.
burnout
burnout
  1. n.
    1 [C] the failure of a machine, esp. because of heat from too much friction: Don't run the engine without oil, or you'll have a burnout.
    2 [U] extreme fatigue: Many students have burnout after taking exams.
    3 [C] a person who is burned out
burnt
burnt
  1. adj. about s.t. that is burned: He made a burnt offering to God.
burp
burp
  1. n.v. [I;T] gas coming from the stomach through the mouth,
    THESAURUS
    a belch: The man burped after eating lunch.
burro
burro
  1. n. -ros a donkey: Even small burros can carry heavy loads.
burrow
burrow
  1. n. a hole in the ground where animals live,
    THESAURUS
    a den: Rabbits live in burrows.v. [I] to dig into the ground: Some animals burrow with their paws.
bursar
bursar
  1. n. the person in charge of finances, esp. at a college: I paid my tuition at the bursar's office.
bursitis
bursitis
  1. n. a painful condition of the joints: He has bursitis in his shoulder.
burst
burst
  1. n.
    1 a sudden outpouring: There was a burst of laughter from the audience.||A cloud burst got us wet on our way home.
    2 a fast action: She ran by me in a burst of speed.v. [I;T] burst, bursting, bursts
    1 to break open suddenly, esp. because of inside pressure: A pipe burst, shooting water into the air.
    2 to burst at the seams: to overflow: Her suitcase is so full that it is bursting at the seams.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to burst in on s.o. or s.t.: to interrupt, esp. noisily: The children burst in on our conversation.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to burst into or onto s.t.: a. to enter or come to notice, suddenly and forcefully:|| The young actor burst onto the Hollywood scene. b. to suddenly express s.t., such as an emotion: She burst into laughter.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to burst out: to begin doing s.t. suddenly: She burst out laughing when I told her a funny joke.
    THESAURUS
    burst n.
    1 an explosion | downpour (rain), rupture, split (pipe, blood vessel)
    2 sudden
    THESAURUS
    move. —v.
    1 to explode, split open, rupture.
bury
bury
  1. v. [T] -ied, -ying, -ies
    1 to put a dead person in a grave,
    THESAURUS
    to inter: He buried his father yesterday.
    2 to hide, esp. in the ground: A dog buried a bone.
    3 fig.not to tell s.t., (syns.) to cover up, to conceal: They buried the scientist's discoveries, because they didn't want to believe them.||She buried a secret deep inside herself.
    4 to sink into,
    THESAURUS
    to imbed: The dog buried its teeth in the steak.
    5 fig. to give one's full attention,
    THESAURUS
    to immerse: She buried herself in her reading.
    6 fig. to forgive: The business partners buried their differences and shook hands.
bus
bus
  1. n. buses or busses a large, often public vehicle used to carry passengers: He takes the bus to work every day.v. [T] bused or bussed, busing or bussing, buses or busses to travel by bus: Schoolchildren are bused from their home to school and back. See: busing.
bus stop
bus stop
  1. n. a specific place usu. marked with a sign where buses let off and pick up passengers
busboy
busboy
  1. n. a person who takes away dishes in a restaurant: First I worked as a busboy, and then I became a waiter.
bush-league
bush-league
  1. adj.
    1 (from baseball) teams that are worse than top professional ones
    2 weak, (syns.) inferior, second-rate: He runs a bush-league business.
bush
bush
  1. n. bushes
    1 a plant shorter than a tree, usu. with branches and leaves, (syns.) shrub, hedge: I trimmed the bushes in the front yard.
    2 [U] the bush: land far from towns and cities,
    THESAURUS
    wilderness, esp. in Africa and Australia
    3 pl. an area of land with many shrubs: Birds hide in the bushes.
    4 to beat around the bush: to talk about s.t. without getting to the point,
    THESAURUS
    to hint: Say what you have to say and stop beating around the bush.
bushed
bushed
  1. adj. very tired,
    THESAURUS
    worn out: I worked fourteen hours today; I'm bushed.
bushel
bushel
  1. n.
    1 a unit of dry measure equal to 2,150.42 cubic inches (35.24 liters) in the USA
    2 an amount equal to a bushel or a large basket: She bought a bushel of corn.
bushwhack
bushwhack
  1. v. [I;T] to make a path through bushes and trees -n. bushwhacker; [U] bushwhacking.
bushy
bushy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with bushes: The path went down a bushy hillside.
    2 thick: He has a bushy moustache. -n. [U] bushiness.
business
business
  1. n. -es
    1 [U] activities of people buying and selling goods and services: Business is good in today's economy.
    2 [C] an organization of people, buildings, and products or services, a commercial enterprise: The businesses on Main Street include a supermarket, a candy store, and a dry cleaners.
    3 [C;U] a type of work, an occupation: She is in the furniture (real estate, fashion, etc.) business.
    4 sing. activities necessary for daily living, such as shopping, eating, working, and paying bills: People attend to (or) go about the business of daily living.
    5 [U] the amount of money coming into a business: Our business is increasing (going down, etc.).
    6 [U] one's own interest or responsibility, a duty: It is the parents' business to care for their children.
    7 [U] matter, event: That murder last month was a strange business.
    8 funny or monkey business: s.t. illegal or dishonest: That house has strange people coming and going; I think there is funny business there.
    9 to get down to business: to start talking about business: After talking about the weather, we got down to business about the contract details.
    10 to mean business: to be serious, to be earnest: They really mean business. If you don't pay them by next week, they're going to take you to court.
    11 to mind one's own business: not to interfere in the lives of others: You mind your own business and stay out of mine!
    12 no business: no right (to do s.t.): You have no business reading my mail!
    13 none of your business: not of concern to you
    14 to take care of business: to discuss business before pleasure: We met at his office to take care of business, then went for a pleasant lunch.
    THESAURUS
    business
    1 commerce, trade, industry. Ants. inactivity, unemployment.
    2 big business, (syn.THESAURUS
    mall business, e-business | private sector, public sector | company, store, factory,
    THESAURUS
    office
    3 job, line of work, career | calling (clergy, teaching)
    4 tasks, duties, chores
    THESAURUS
    5 sales volume
    6 affair, concern, obligation
    7 affair.
business card
business card
  1. n. a small paper with a person's name, business address, and telephone number, etc.: Business cards are often given to customers so that they remember you.
business suit
business suit
  1. n. a man's or woman's suit that is often dark-colored and well-made: That lawyer always wears a business suit to court.
businesslike
businesslike
  1. adj. working carefully and seriously: The owner is very businesslike and never talks about the weather or her weekend activities.
businessman
businessman
  1. n. -men a man who does business: Business-men travel all over the world.

    USAGE NOTE: Businessperson is used to discuss both men and women in business.
businesswoman
businesswoman
  1. n. -women a woman who does business: Businesswomen can earn high salaries in Los Angeles.
busing
busing
  1. n. (in USA) transporting public school students by bus to schools in other neighborhoods for racial integration of white with nonwhite students
buster
buster
  1. n.
    1 a person who stops s.t.: He is a crime buster.
    2 a form of address to men, usu. impolite: Hey, buster, what do you think you're doing?
bustle
bustle
  1. v. [I] -tled, -tling, -tles to hurry, do s.t. with energy: At mealtime, that restaurant bustles with activity. See: hustle. —n. a frame, pad, or bunch of material used to make a skirt stick out: Women rarely wear bustles today.
busybody
busybody
  1. n.pej. -ies a person too interested in other people's lives: He is always asking others what they are doing; what a busybody! See: gossip.
busywork
busywork
  1. n. [U] easy work that takes a lot of time: Folding invoices and putting them in envelopes is busywork.
but
but
  1. strong form conj.
    1 in contrast, on the other hand: She is pretty, but he is ugly.
    2 except for, save: No one but John saw the accident happen.
    3 except that: We wanted to buy that house, but the price was too high.
    4 instead of the expected,
    THESAURUS
    however: It rained all day, but we still had a good time.
    5 without the result that,
    THESAURUS
    unless: It never rains, but it pours.
    6 that (after a negative): I don't doubt but you're telling the truth.
    7 other than: She has no goal but to win the tennis match.prep. with the exception of,
    THESAURUS
    save: I want nothing but the truth from you.adv.
    1 frml. only: If you had but told her in time.
    2 only,
    THESAURUS
    merely: She's but a baby.n. no ifs, ands, or buts: no excuses or exceptions: Let's get the job done now with no ifs, ands, or buts.
butcher
butcher
  1. n.
    1 a person or business that cuts and sells meat: I went to the butcher to buy a chicken.
    2 fig. a violent killer,
    THESAURUS
    a mass murderer: He's killed 24 people; that man is a butcher!v. [T]
    1 to kill animals and cut their meat
    2 to kill violently
    3 infrml. to do s.t. badly: A person with a bad singing voice can butcher even the most beautiful music. -n. [U] butchery.
butler
butler
  1. n. the main male servant in a household: The butler poured the wine.
butte
butte
  1. n. a hill with a flat top and steep sides: Buttes are found in the USA's Southwest.
butter
butter
  1. n. [U] a yellowish fat made from milk or cream and used in cooking: I spread some butter on my bread.v. [T]
    1 to put butter: She buttered her toast.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to butter s.o. up: to get s.o.'s help by being nice,
    THESAURUS
    to flatter: The boss butters up his assistant to work late by buying her theater tickets.||He butters her up.
    3 fig. to know which side one's bread is buttered on: to know who and what is good for one's best interests: He knows which side his bread is buttered on, so he is nice to his boss.
butterball
butterball
  1. n.pej. a fat person: He's a butterball from eating too much ice cream.
buttercup
buttercup
  1. n. a wild plant with small, round yellow flowers
butterfingers
butterfingers
  1. n.pl. s.o. who cannot hold on to things,
    THESAURUS
    clumsy person: He is always dropping things on the floor; he's a butterfingers.
butterfly
butterfly
  1. n. -flies
    1 an insect with a narrow body and four wings: There are many types of butterflies, most of which are very pretty and colorful.
    2 pl.fig. nervousness, often causing an unsettled feeling in the stomach,
    THESAURUS
    the jitters: Before she sings to an audience, she gets butterflies in her stomach.
buttermilk
buttermilk
  1. n. the thick, sour milk left over after butterfat has been removed from whole milk
butterscotch
butterscotch
  1. adj.n. [U] a candy of melted butter and brown sugar: I like butterscotch sauce on vanilla ice cream.
buttocks
buttocks
  1. n.pl. the part of the body where one sits, the behind, the posterior See: bottom; butt (2).
    THESAURUS
    buttocks the behind, bottom, butt slang.
button
button
  1. n.
    1 a small round fastener for holding clothing together: A button on his shirt fell off.
    2 a part of a machine that is pushed: Press that button on the answering machine to listen to the messages.
    3 a pin or badge with a message: The candidate gave out campaign buttons.adv. right on the button: accurately, exactly right: She hit the answers to the exam questions right on the button; she got all of them correct.v. [T]
    1 to fasten a button: He buttoned his shirt.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to button s.t. up: a. to fasten with buttons: He buttoned up his shirt. ||He buttoned it up. b. to finish s.t.: Let's button up the business deal by signing the contract.||Let's button it up.
buttonhole
buttonhole
  1. n. an opening on fabric for a button —v.fig. [T] -holed, -holing, -holes to prevent s.o. from leaving by talking to them: I was walking down the hallway, and my boss buttonholed me.
buttress
buttress
  1. n. -tresses a structure that supports a wall or building —v. [T] to support as with a buttress: Workers buttressed the weak wall with steel beams.
buxom
buxom
  1. adj. large-chested: Marilyn Monroe was a buxom blonde.
buy
buy
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that one buys, a purchase
    2 infrml. s.t. bought at a low price: That house (car, TV, etc.) is a great buy.v. bought , buying, buys
    1 [I;T] to pay for s.t.: I buy a newspaper every morning.
    2 [T] fig. to agree: John says to Paul, "I think the economy is in trouble." Paul says, "I'll buy that."
    3 infrml. [T] to pay s.o. to do s.t. illegal or dishonest: The criminal was let go, because his friends bought the judge.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to buy in or into s.t.: to be convinced s.t. is good or true: I bought into his plan to start a restaurant; I liked the opportunity, so I bought in.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to buy s.o. off: to pay s.o. not to talk or complain: He buys off his children with expensive toys, because he never spends any time with them.||He buys them off.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to buy s.o. out: to purchase another's share of s.t. so that one owns all or most of it: She bought out her partners' shares in the business.||She bought them out.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to buy s.t. up: to purchase all that is available: She bought up all the shrimp in the store for her party.|| She bought it up.
    THESAURUS
    buy n.
    2 a bargain.
    THESAURUS
    v.
    1 to purchase s.t., to get | invest in, put
    THESAURUS
    money into. Ant. to sell.
    2 to believe, accept as true
    3 to bribe, influence, pay off.
buyer
buyer
  1. n.
    1 a person who buys s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a purchaser: I have a meeting with the buyer of my house.
    2 a person whose job is to purchase items for a business,
    THESAURUS
    a purchasing agent: She is a women's shoes buyer for a department store.
    3 a buyer's market: a market condition of low prices: If you're buying a house, you would rather have a buyer's market than a seller's market.
buyout
buyout
  1. n.v. [T] the purchase of a controlling interest in a business
buzzard
buzzard
  1. n.
    1 a large bird that eats dead meat,
    THESAURUS
    a vulture: Buzzards gathered around the dead deer.
    2 fig.pej. an old man, usu. irritable: That old buzzard complains about everything.
buzzword
buzzword
  1. n. popular words from a particular field or industry that people use to impress others: People use buzzwords from the business and computer worlds, like "bottom line," "input," and "output."
by-product
by-product
  1. n.
    1 a product created while making another product: Molasses is a by-product of making sugar from sugar cane.
    2 s.t. that happens as a result of s.t. else: His red face is a by-product of his being angry all the time.
by
by
  1. prep.
    1 next to: The chair is by the door.
    2 through the action of s.t.: She was hit by a car.||The letter was brought by a messenger.
    3 across or past: The bird flew by the window.||The highway runs by the town.
    4 not later than: You must wake up by 8 o'clock.
    5 during: They traveled by night.
    6 according to: He's five minutes late by my watch.
    7 in the authority or presence of: If you hurt her, by God, I'll kill you!
    8 for,
    THESAURUS
    in behalf of: She's done well by her children.
    9 in the amount, extent, or degree of: He takes pills by the dozen.||That star in the sky is brighter by far.
    10 adding one direction of measurement to another: The room is 8' by 10', meaning that it is eight feet long and ten feet wide.adv.
    1 by and by: after a short period of time,
    THESAURUS
    after a while: He's not ready yet, but he'll be here by and by.
    2 by and large: looking at the whole situation, (syns.) on the whole, overall: He made a few mistakes, but by and large he did a good job.
    3 by the by: by the way,
    THESAURUS
    incidentally: By the by, have you seen her today?
    4 infrml. by the seat of one's pants: casually, thoughtlessly: He runs the company by the seat of his pants.
    5 by the way: introducing a new topic of conversation See: large.
bye-bye
bye-bye
  1. interj. good-bye, so long: Bye-bye, I'll see you tomorrow.
bygone
bygone
  1. adj.
    1 in the past, long ago: In bygone years (or) days, people traveled by horse or paddle boats.
    2 to let bygones be bygones: to not blame s.o. about past injuries anymore: We used to argue all the time, but now we have let bygones be bygones and are friends.
bylaw
bylaw
  1. n. a law for special purposes in a business or other organization (not a national or state law): The bylaws of our business say that we can sell only furniture.
bypass
bypass
  1. n. -passes
    1 a temporary road around a road being repaired
    2 a blood vessel going around a blocked vessel in the heart: He had a bypass (or) bypass surgery.v. [T] to find a way around: The problem is so difficult that we must find a way to bypass it.
bystander
bystander
  1. n. s.o. near but not participating in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    an onlooker: My brother was an innocent bystander when he saw a robbery happening across the street.
byte
byte
  1. n. a unit of measurement for computer data, equal to eight bits: One character (such as the letter "a") takes up one byte of space.
byway
byway
  1. n. a smaller, unimportant path or road: We traveled on the highways and byways of eastern Canada.
c/o
c/o
  1. abbr.for (in) care of (used in an address so that s.o. will pass it on to the right person): You can write to Mr. Jones in care of his company. Address the letter: Mr. John Jones, c/o XYZ Company, 123 Main St., Anywhere, USA.
c.v.
c.v.
  1. abbr. for curriculum vitae
cab
cab
  1. n.
    1 a car that carries passengers for a fare (price), a taxicab: Let's take a cab to the office.
    2 a closed-in section where the driver sits in a large vehicle or piece of machinery: Trucks, train engines, bulldozers, etc., have cabs.
    THESAURUS
    cab
    1 a taxi | limo.
cabaret
cabaret
  1. n.
    1 [C] a type of nightclub where people eat and drink during a performance: We went to a cabaret last night.
    2 [U] a type of music and dance entertainment
cabbage
cabbage
  1. n. [C;U] a large, round, green or purple leafy vegetable similar to lettuce, eaten cooked or raw: Coleslaw is a kind of salad made of finely chopped cabbage and mayonnaise.
cabdriver
cabdriver
  1. n. a person who drives a taxicab: Cabdrivers work long hours in some cities.
cabin
cabin
  1. n.
    1 a small, usu. inexpensive, simply built house: We own a cabin in the mountains.
    2 a room for sleeping on a ship: We had a pleasant cabin on the cruise ship.
    3 an enclosed section of a boat or plane: The passengers and crew (pilot, copilot, etc.) are in the cabin.
    THESAURUS
    cabin
    1 a cottage, hut, small house | shelter. Ant. mansion.
    2 sleeping quarters.
cabin cruiser
cabin cruiser
  1. n. a boat with a cabin or cabins for sleeping: They sailed down the coast in their cabin cruiser.
cabin fever
cabin fever
  1. n. [U] a feeling of restlessness and a desire to be outdoors: By the end of winter, many people suffer from cabin fever.
cabinet
cabinet
  1. n.
    1 a piece of furniture with shelves and doors used to store dishes, food, supplies, etc.: We keep dishes and canned food in the cabinets over the kitchen sink.
    2 a group of high-level government officials who give advice to the nation's leader, such as to the President of the USA: The Secretary of State, Secretary of Education, and Secretary of Transportation are all members of the President's cabinet.
    THESAURUS
    cabinet
    1 a cupboard
    2 a board of advisors.
cable
cable
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] strong, thick rope, usu. made of many wires twisted together: Steel cables support that bridge.
    2 [C;U] a covered bundle of wires that carries electronic messages
    3 [C] a message sent by underwater cable: I received a cable from London this morning.
    4 [U] a type of television service: Do you get cable? See: cable television. —v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to send a message electronically: The newspaper reporter cabled a story to his newspaper.
cable car
cable car
  1. n. a type of trolley car pulled by a cable up and down hills as it carries passengers: San Fran-cisco is famous for its cable cars.
cablecast
cablecast
  1. v. -cast, -casting, -casts to send TV broadcasts by cable television: That TV station cablecasts news events.
caboose
caboose
  1. n. the last car on a freight train
cabstand
cabstand
  1. n. a place where taxis wait for passengers: There is a cabstand in front of our hotel.
cacao
cacao
  1. n. [C;U] -os a tree of Latin America that bears seeds (beans) from which chocolate and cocoa are made: Cacao beans are made into fine soaps, medical products, and chocolate.
cache
cache
  1. n.
    1 a hidden storage place, esp. for valuable items: She kept the jewelry in a cache under the stairs.
    2 an amount of valuable things (jewels, money, guns, etc.) hidden away: She had a cache of gold hidden in the wall.
cachet
cachet
  1. n.
    1 [C] a seal on an official letter or document
    2 [U] a special quality, a mark of distinction: That fine jewelry store has a certain cachet; many wealthy people buy jewelry there.
cackle
cackle
  1. n.v. [I] -led, -ling, -les
    1 to make a sound like that of a hen: The hen cackled after she laid an egg.
    2 a loud, high-pitched laugh: The old witch whispered, then let out a cackle.
cactus
cactus
  1. n. -ti or -tuses a green desert plant with sharp needles: There are many cactuses in the deserts of Mexico.
cad
cad
  1. n.frml. a man with bad manners,
    THESAURUS
    an ungentlemanly fellow: That cad knocked over the old woman and never even looked back!
cadaver
cadaver
  1. n.frml. a dead human body,
    THESAURUS
    a corpse: Medical students study cadavers at medical school.
cadence
cadence
  1. n. a balanced rhythm and flow (of poetry, voice, dance, etc.): That poetry has a pleasing cadence.
cadet
cadet
  1. n. a student in military school: Cadets must wear military uniforms to class.
cadre
cadre
  1. n. a group of trained personnel who manage and teach others: A cadre of military officers trains new soldiers.
caesarean
caesarean
  1. or caesarian section n. See: cesarean.
cafeteria
cafeteria
  1. n. a restaurant where customers serve themselves: Our college has a big cafeteria. See: café, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    cafeteria a lunch counter, snack bar.
caffeine
caffeine
  1. n. [U] an ingredient in coffee and tea that energizes the heart and breathing,
    THESAURUS
    a stimulant: The caffeine in coffee makes me nervous. See: decaffeinate.
cage
cage
  1. n. an area enclosed with metal bars to keep animals from escaping: At the zoo, you can see many animals in cages.v. [T] caged, caging, cages
    1 to enclose an animal in a cage: Birds are caged to keep them from flying away.
    2 infrml.fig. to rattle s.o.'s cage: to startle s.o. into action or a change in behavior: I'm going to rattle his cage about that problem and get him to fix it.
    THESAURUS
    cage v.
    1 to lock up, fence in, enclose. Ant. to release.
cahoots
cahoots
  1. n.pl.infrml. in cahoots (with): working or acting together, often secretly on s.t. dishonest: The two men are in cahoots to cheat on taxes.
cajole
cajole
  1. v. [T] -joled, -joling, -joles to persuade s.o. gently, usu. with humor and charm: Her boyfriend cajoled her into giving him a kiss.
cake
cake
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a sweet baked food made of a mixture of flour, eggs, milk, sugar, etc.: He ate some chocolate cake.
    2 [C] s.t. shaped like a cake: She bought a cake of soap.
    3 [C] a flat, round baked or fried portion of batter (potatoes, chopped fish, etc.): We had pancakes (fishcakes, etc.) for dinner.
    4 a piece of cake: s.t. that is simple to do, an easy task: That job is so easy; it's a piece of cake!
    5 to have one's cake and eat it too: to want to keep s.t., like money, but also want to spend or use it: He wants to save money, but he buys fancy cars and expensive clothes; he wants to have his cake and eat it, too.v. [T] caked, caking, cakes to put s.t. on s.t. in large amounts or layers that harden: Mud (was) caked on the farmer's boots.
calamity
calamity
  1. n.frml. [C;U] -ties a major disaster,
    THESAURUS
    a catastrophe: An earthquake that kills people is a calamity.
calcium
calcium
  1. n. [U] a white, metallic mineral that is found in bones, shells, and milk: People need calcium to have strong bones.
calculate
calculate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to do math (to add, subtract, etc.), figure s.t. (cost, price, equation, problem): The businesswoman calculated the cost of producing a car.
    2 to estimate: Her sales manager calculates the number of cars that must be sold each year.
    THESAURUS
    calculate
    1 to add (up)
    2 to evaluate, assess, work out. Ant. to guess.
calculated
calculated
  1. adj. carefully planned: The politician made a calculated attempt to persuade the voters to accept more taxes.
calculating
calculating
  1. adj. coldly and carefully arranging things or manipulating people for one's own selfish purposes,
    THESAURUS
    manipulative: She is a calculating woman, always trying to get other people to do what she wants.
calculation
calculation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an act of doing math: Scientists use computers to help them make their calculations.
    2 careful planning, often for selfish purposes
calculator
calculator
  1. n. a small electronic device for doing math: Calculators let you do calculations fast and accurately.
calculus
calculus
  1. n. [U] a type of advanced mathematics
calendar
calendar
  1. n. a chart of the days and months of a year or years: She writes the names and times of her meetings in her appointment calendar.
    THESAURUS
    calendar a datebook, agenda.
calf
calf
  1. n. calves
    1 a baby cow or bull: The young of some large animals, such as the cow and hippopotamus, are called "calves."
    2 the back part of the lower leg: He is a ballet dancer and has big calves.
caliber
caliber
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the measurement of the size of the hole in the barrel of a pistol, rifle, etc.: She has a .25 caliber pistol.
    2 [C;U] the size of a bullet
    3 fig.sing. [U] the quality of s.t.: He is a lawyer of high caliber.
calibrate
calibrate
  1. v. [T] -brated, -brating, -brates to check, adjust, or measure s.t. exactly: The worker calibrated a cutting tool. -n. calibrator; calibration.
calico
calico
  1. n. [U] adj. rough cotton cloth usu. printed with bright designs: She wore a red and white calico dress.
calisthenics
calisthenics
  1. n.pl. exercises done to strengthen the body: Push-ups and sit-ups are forms of calisthenics.
call
call
  1. n.
    1 a telephone conversation: I will give you a call at home tonight.
    2 a shout: He gave a call to his friend across the street.
    3 a short visit: I made a call at my aunt's house before going home.
    4 a sound made by animals: Bird calls filled the air.
    5 a close call: a. almost an accident, injury, or death: That car almost hit me; that was a close call! b. (in sports) a difficult decision for a referee: It was difficult to see who got to the base first; it was a close call.
    6 to be on call: ready to work if needed: Firefighters are always on call to respond to any emergency.
    THESAURUS
    call n.
    1 a phone call, telephone call
    2 a yell, cry frml. Ant. a whisper.
    3 a stop (on your
    THESAURUS
    way)
    4 a cry, song (birds). —v.
    1 [I,T] to telephone: I called you yesterday.
    2 [T] to shout or say s.t. loudly: She called her friend's name.
    3 [I] to cry out: A swimmer in difficulty called for help.
    4 [T] to ask s.o. to come to you: The mother called her children inside the house.
    5 [T] to order to appear: He was called before a court of law.
    6 [T] to name s.o. or s.t.: We live in a town called San Marcos.
    7 to be called on the carpet: to be held responsible and harshly corrected for s.t.: A worker made a bad mistake and was called on the carpet for it.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to call for: to need,
    THESAURUS
    to require: This situation calls for immediate action.
    9 to call into question: to question the value or authenticity of s.t.: His honesty was called into question.
    10 to call it a day: to stop doing s.t.: We've been working for ten hours and we're tired; let's call it a day.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [T] to call on or upon s.o.: a. to visit s.o.: We called on our new neighbors. b. frml. to request that s.o. do s.t.: The governor called on state residents to conserve water.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to call s.o. or s.t. back: a. s.o.: to ask to come back: The director called back two actors.||She called them back. b. s.o.: to return a telephone call: I called you back, but there was no answer. c. s.t.: to ask that s.t. be returned for repairs: The car manufacturer called back some cars to fix the brakes.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [I] to call s.o. or s.t. in: a. to telephone into a place (office, home, etc.): During your trip, please call in once a day. b. [T] s.o.: to ask s.o. for help: They called in an expert.||They called her in. c. [T] s.t.: to ask for the return of s.t.: Our company called in the orders from last week.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to call s.o. out: to (officially) request s.o.'s assistance: The President called out the National Guard to help stop the flooding.||He called them out.
    15 to call s.o.'s bluff: to challenge s.o. to prove s.t. or carry out a threat (when you think the person is faking): I called his bluff when he pretended to have a winning hand (in cards).
    16 phrasal v. sep. [T] to call s.o. up: a. to telephone s.o.: I called up the police for help.||I called them up. b. to tell s.o. to come for military duty,
    THESAURUS
    to draft: He was called up for duty last week.
    17 phrasal v. sep. [T] to call s.t. down: to ask a higher power to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to invoke: The preacher called down the power of God.||He called it down.
    18 phrasal v. sep. [T] to call s.t. forth: to bring into being or action,
    THESAURUS
    to evoke: The music called forth memories of my childhood.
    19 phrasal v. sep. [T] to call s.t. off: a. to order away,
    THESAURUS
    to restrain: The owner called off his dog when it barked at the child. b. to stop or put off, (syns.) to cancel, postpone: We called off the picnic when it began to rain.
    20 to call the shots: to have the power to say what will be done: The owner calls all the shots in that company.
    21 to call to account: to demand that s.o. explain and be responsible for his or her actions: He stole money and the owner called him to account and had him arrested.
    22 to call to mind: to cause to remember,
    THESAURUS
    to remind s.o. of: The sight of my old house called to mind my childhood days.
    THESAURUS
    call v.
    1 to phone, call up, give a call
    2 to yell, shout, holler infrml.
    3 to shout, yell,
    THESAURUS
    holler infrml. Ant. to whisper.
    4 to summon frml.
    5 to summon frml.
    6 to be known as, eferred to as.
call girl
call girl
  1. n. a woman who is paid to have sex,
    THESAURUS
    a prostitute
call waiting
call waiting
  1. n. [U] one or two sounds made in a telephone receiver to tell a person speaking that another caller is waiting to speak with him or her: My call waiting makes two beeps in my ear and lets me know that another caller is trying to reach me.
callback
callback
  1. n. a return telephone call or return visit: You left 10 phone messages yesterday. Did you receive any callbacks today?
caller
caller
  1. n.
    1 a person who telephones another person: The caller on the phone is from your bank.
    2 a visitor: Come downstairs, you have a caller.
calligraphy
calligraphy
  1. n. [U] the art of fine, elegant handwriting
calling
calling
  1. n.
    1 one's life's work (or) great desire: Buddhist ministry is his calling in life.
    2 to go calling: to go visit s.o.: We went calling on our friends.
calling card
calling card
  1. n. See: business card, cash card.
callous
callous
  1. adj. not caring about others, (syns.) unfeeling, insensitive: She has a callous attitude toward the suffering of others. -adv. callously; -n. callousness.
callus
callus
  1. n.v. [I] -luses a hard place on the skin of the hands or feet: I have calluses on my hands from working in the garden.
calm
calm
  1. adj.
    1 peaceful: I feel calm now that my exams are over.
    2 almost or totally motionless, tranquil: The ocean is calm today; it looks like a mirror.n.
    1 sing. [U] peace,
    THESAURUS
    tranquillity: At night, a calm settled over the battlefield.
    2 the calm before the storm: a time of quiet before s.t. bad happens —v. [T] to make quiet, peaceful: She calmed her nerves with a cup of tea. -adv. calmly; -n. [U] calmness.
    THESAURUS
    calm adj.
    1 untroubled, composed, relaxed. Ant. agitated.
    2 quiet, still | inactive. Ant. stormy.
caloric
caloric
  1. adj.
    1 related to heat and calories
    2 fattening: Red meat and chocolate cake are highly caloric; both are fattening.
calorie
calorie
  1. n.
    1 a unit used to measure the amount of heat in s.t.
    2 a unit used to measure the amount of energy produced by food: Potatoes with gravy and butter have a lot of calories.
    3 calorie conscious: being careful not to eat fattening foods: She's trying to lose weight; she's very calorie conscious.
calve
calve
  1. v. [I;T] calved, calving, calves to give birth to a calf: The cow calved today.
calves
calves
  1. n.pl. of calf
calypso
calypso
  1. n. -sos or -soes a type of lively music originally from the Caribbean (Trinidad): I love dancing to calypso music.
camaraderie
camaraderie
  1. n. [U] a good feeling of togetherness, friendship
came
came
  1. v. past tense of come
camel
camel
  1. n. a large, four-legged animal with a long neck and hump(s) on its back: Camels can live in the desert without water for a long time.
camellia
camellia
  1. n. a plant with large white flowers: She wore a camellia in her hair.
cameo
cameo
  1. n. -os
    1 a piece of jewelry made of a picture cut from a gemstone: She wears a cameo on her blouse.
    2 a brief appearance by a famous person in a movie or play: Alfred Hitchcock made cameo appearances in several of the movies he directed.
camera
camera
  1. n. a device used to take pictures, such as photographs, movies, or pictures for TV: She used her camera to take pictures on her vacation.
cameraman
cameraman
  1. or camerawoman n. -men or -women a person who uses a camera professionally: In the TV studio, the cameraman stands behind the camera.
camouflage
camouflage
  1. n. [C;U] a way of hiding s.t. by making it look like its surroundings: Soldiers put camouflage over a big gun to hide it from the enemy.v. [T] -flaged, -flaging, -flages to cover s.t. to hide it,
    THESAURUS
    to conceal: Soldiers camou-flaged themselves to blend in with the jungle by wearing green uniforms.
camp
camp
  1. n.
    1 a place outdoors where people live in tents: Lisa and Rumi set up camp in the woods.
    2 a cabin in the countryside: Her parents have a camp by a lake in Canada.
    3 an organized program set in cabins or other simple living shelters (tents, huts): The children were looking forward to summer camp.
    4 a group of people that support a particular cause, idea, or movement: That whole camp is sure to vote for him.v. [I]
    1 to set up a camp and sleep outdoors: People camp (out) in the woods in the summer.
    2 to go camping: They like to go camping.adj. related to an obviously fake manner or style: Movies that are camp are meant to be funny.campy.
    THESAURUS
    camp n.
    1 (one's) campsite, (one's) campground
    4 a faction.
    THESAURUS
    campaign n.v. [I] an organized effort by people to reach a goal: A politician runs a political campaign to get elected to office.
    THESAURUS
    campaign a movement, operation | battle, fight, drive.
campaign
campaign
  1. -n. v. an organized effort by people to reach a goal: A politician runs a political campaign to get elected to office.
camper
camper
  1. n.
    1 a person who goes camping: Campers enjoy the outdoors.
    2 a ve-hicle used for camping trips that usu. includes a place to sleep
campground
campground
  1. n. a place or area for camping: The campground is located in the woods.
campus
campus
  1. n. [C;U] the land and buildings of a college, university, or some business headquarters: I study on campus in the college library.
can-do
can-do
  1. adj.infrml. enthusiastic, willing: She has a can-do attitude.
can't
can't
  1. aux.v. contr. of cannot: I can't speak French. See: cannot.
canal
canal
  1. n.
    1 a waterway, often dug by workers, for boats to carry goods and passengers: The Panama Canal connects the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean.
    2 (in medicine) a tube in the body that holds or carries fluid: the ear canal
    THESAURUS
    canal
    1 a manmade waterway, passage.
canary
canary
  1. n. -ies a small, usu. yellow bird that sings: People keep pet canaries in cages.
cancel
cancel
  1. v. [T]
    1 to stop s.t. previously agreed on or planned, to nullify: I canceled my airline (hotel, dinner) reservations.
    2 to mark a check as paid: A canceled check is proof that it was paid.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to cancel s.t. out: to make two things equal in strength, importance, etc., (syns.) to neutralize, to counterbalance: The team got a new player and canceled out their rivals' advantage.||They canceled it out.
    THESAURUS
    cancel
    1 to call off, put a stop to | postpone, abandon. Ant. to confirm (reservation).
cancellation
cancellation
  1. n. [C;U] stopping s.t. previously agreed on: The restaurant had some cancellations of reservations because of bad weather.||The doctor had a cancellation, so she can see you today.
cancer
cancer
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a disease that causes lumps (tumors) to grow in the body and which may be fatal: Smoking causes lung cancer.
    2 [C]fig. a dangerous, quickly spreading condition: The use of illegal drugs is a cancer on society.
candid
candid
  1. adj.
    1 saying what one thinks even if it is unpleasant, (syns.) frank, forthright: The owner was candid with her employees about the financial problems the company was having.
    2 natural, not practiced or posed: The photographer took some candid shots of the wedding.
    3 not favoring one side or view over another, (syns.) unbiased, impartial: The judge will give a candid opinion. -adv. candidly. See: candor.
candidate
candidate
  1. n.
    1 a person running for a political office: She and two other politicians are candidates for mayor.
    2 a person or thing ready for s.t.: He is a candidate for a job promotion. -n. candidacy
    THESAURUS
    candidate
    1 a contender, nominee
    2 an applicant, aspirant frml.
candle
candle
  1. n.
    1 a round, usu. long piece of wax with a wick (piece of string) that is burned for light: The candles lit the dining room with a soft glow.
    2 not to hold a candle to s.o.: not to compare favorably with s.o.: A man named Pele was the greatest soccer player ever; no one can hold a candle to him.
    3 to burn the candle at both ends: to tire oneself out with too much work or play: She stays up late partying and gets up early for class; she's burning the candle at both ends.
candlestick
candlestick
  1. n. a holder for a candle: Candlesticks are often made of metal, like brass, silver, or gold.
candor
candor
  1. n. [U] saying what one thinks even if it is unpleasant,
    THESAURUS
    frankness: The manager spoke of the company's mistakes with great candor. See: candid, 1.
candy
candy
  1. n. [C;U] -dies sweet food made with sugar and often with chocolate, nuts, or fruits: I ate some chocolate candy.v. [T] -died, -dying, -dies to cook or cover with sugar: He candied the plums for Christmas.
    THESAURUS
    candy n. sweets, chocolate.
cane
cane
  1. n.
    1 a stick made of wood or metal used to help a person walk: The old man walks with the aid of a cane.
    2 any of a variety of plants with thin, woody, usu. flexible and hollow stems: Bamboo and rattan are types of cane.
    3 dried pieces of these plants used to weave baskets and chairs: The furniture on our porch is made of cane.
    4 a tall green plant used to make sugar, molasses, and rum: Workers cut the cane and crush it to get the juice out to make sugar.v. [T] caned, caning, canes to beat s.o. with a cane: Some countries cane criminals as punishment.
    THESAURUS
    cane
    1 a walking stick.
canine
canine
  1. n.adj.
    1 one of two long, sharp teeth: People have two canines (or) canine teeth in their mouth.
    2 frml. a dog: All canines in the city of San Diego must have a license.
canister
canister
  1. n. a metal or plastic container for dry goods: There is a canister of flour (coffee, bubble bath, etc.) on the shelf.
cannabis
cannabis
  1. n.frml. [U] hemp, the plant dried and smoked as a drug (marijuana): Cannabis grows wild in many places. See: joint, 4.
canned
canned
  1. adj. & past part. of can (2)
    1 sealed in a can: I bought some canned fruit, canned beans, etc.
    2 slang fired from a job: She got canned yesterday.
    3 fig. prepared beforehand, not real: That TV program uses canned laughter recorded from other shows.
cannery
cannery
  1. n. -ies a business where food is prepared and put in cans: a fish cannery
cannibal
cannibal
  1. n. a person who eats other people: Cannibals once lived on islands south of the USA, including Cuba and Haiti. -n. [U] cannibalism.
cannibalize
cannibalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes fig. to destroy s.t. for use in s.t. else: The sales of the company's new product cannibalized the sales of their old product.
cannon
cannon
  1. n. -nons or -non a large gun, usu. mounted or attached to wheels, used to fire shells long distances: A ship fired its cannons against soldiers on land.
    THESAURUS
    cannon artillery.
cannonball
cannonball
  1. n. a heavy metal ball fired from a cannon
cannot
cannot
  1. aux. v. negative of can (1)
    1 to be unable to do s.t.: I cannot play the piano.
    2 to not have permission: Her boss told her that she cannot take the day off from work. See: can't.
canny
canny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest careful and intelligent, esp with money,
    THESAURUS
    shrewd: She has a canny sense for finding bargains.
canoe
canoe
  1. n.v. [I;T] -noed, -noing, -noes a light, narrow type of boat: Native Americans used canoes to travel on rivers. See: kayak.
canon
canon
  1. n.frml.
    1 a law or body of laws, esp. in a religion: Priests obey religious canons.
    2 a basic standard of behavior: His bad behavior violates the canons of good conduct. -adj. canonical.
canonize
canonize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to declare a dead person to be a saint
canopy
canopy
  1. n. -pies a cloth covering usu. held up by poles: The canopy over the bed is made of red cloth. -adj. canopied.
cant
cant
  1. n. [U]
    1 words and talk special to a field of work: They speak in the cant of computer experts.
    2 meaningless, insincere talk, (syns.) trite phrases, clichés: The politician's speech didn't contain anything important; it was just cant.
cantaloupe
cantaloupe
  1. n. [C;U] a round melon with rough skin and sweet, light-orange insides: Cantaloupe tastes good for dessert on a hot day.
cantankerous
cantankerous
  1. adj. bad-tempered, always wanting to argue,
    THESAURUS
    grumpy: The cantankerous old man won't pay his rent.
canteen
canteen
  1. n.
    1 a container for liquid: When we take a long walk, we carry water in our canteens.
    2 a military store or snack bar: Soldiers buy sandwiches and cigarettes in the canteen.
    3 an area for relaxing and eating in an institution, such as a school: We had lunch in the canteen.
canter
canter
  1. n.v. [I] the smooth run of a horse, faster than a trot, slower than a gallop: Horses cantered around the show ring.
canvas
canvas
  1. n. -vases
    1 [U] a thick, rough cloth used for ships' sails, tents, and coverings: The canvas in sails is so strong that it lasts for years.
    2 [C;U] cloth stretched over a wooden frame for painting pictures: She paints with oil on canvas.
    3 [C] a painting itself: She has many canvases for sale.
canvass
canvass
  1. v. [I;T] -vassed,-vassing, -vasses
    1 to ask people their opinions about other people and products,
    THESAURUS
    to conduct a poll: Workers canvassed 1,000 people by telephone to get their opinion of the President's performance.
    2 to go around asking people for their votes: Politicians canvass voters for their votes. -n. canvasser; [U] canvassing. See: opinion poll.
canyon
canyon
  1. n. a long, deep crack in the earth's surface: The Colorado River flows through the Grand Canyon.
    THESAURUS
    canyon a gorge, deep valley.
cap
cap
  1. n.
    1 a removable top to a bottle, jar, etc.: Please put the cap back on the medicine bottle.
    2 a soft hat, often with a visor: She wears a baseball cap when she runs.
    3 a soft hat with no visor: a nurse's cap, a soldier's cap
    4 a limit on s.t.: The government put a cap on its spending.v. [T] capped, capping, caps
    1 to cover with a cap: Workers capped an oil well to prevent oil from spilling.
    2 to add s.t. special at the end of (one's career, a special occasion, etc.): The businesswoman capped her career by starting another successful company just before she retired.
    THESAURUS
    cap n.
    4 a restriction.
    THESAURUS
    v.
    1 to plug, top s.t.
    2 to finish off s.t., round off, top off.
capability
capability
  1. n. [C;U] -ties the ability or power to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    competence: He has the capability to speak four languages.
capable
capable
  1. adj. having the ability or power to do s.t., or things in general, well: She is a very capable doctor. -adv. capably.
    THESAURUS
    capable able, competent, proficient. Ant. incapable.
capacity
capacity
  1. n. -ties
    1 sing. [U] the ability to contain, hold, or absorb: That restaurant has a 100-seat capacity.
    2 sing. [U] the greatest amount that s.t. can contain, the maximum volume: There is no more room in the bottle; it is filled to capacity.
    3 [C;U] the ability to do s.t.: He has the capacity to work long hours.
    4 [C;U] the power to learn and remember knowledge: She has a great capacity for learning.
    5 [C] the power that goes with a certain position or role: She signs the company checks in her capacity as owner.
    6 [U] the best or maximum amount of production: That factory is working at capacity.
    THESAURUS
    capacity
    1 the capability
    2 the limit
    4 the mental ability, intelligence, power
    5 the
    THESAURUS
    position, job
    6 the limit.
capillary
capillary
  1. n. -ies (in medicine) a tiny blood vessel: Capillaries feed blood to the smallest parts of the body.
capital asset
capital asset
  1. n. property owned by a business: Land, offices, warehouses, factories, equipment, and furniture are capital assets.
capital gain
capital gain
  1. n. the increase in value of an asset above its purchase price: When the price of a stock goes up above the cost you paid for it, that is a capital gain.
capitalism
capitalism
  1. n. [U] an economic system based on private ownership, competition, and a free market: After the Soviet Union broke up, the government there began to move from communism toward capitalism. -adj. capitalistic . See: communism; socialism.
    THESAURUS
    capitalism free enterprise, private enterprise. Ant. socialism.
capitalist
capitalist
  1. n. a wealthy person, esp. one who loans money to businesses for interest payments,
    THESAURUS
    an investor
capitalization
capitalization
  1. n. [U] the value of the stock shares in a company: The capitalization of that company is $10 million.
capitalize
capitalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to provide a business with capital (money): The bank capitalized the new business with $10 million.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to capitalize on s.t.: to take advantage of an opportunity: She started a successful store, then capitalized on its success by opening more of them in other cities.
    3 to make a letter uppercase: Don't forget to capitalize the first letter of an English sentence.
capitol
capitol
  1. n.
    1 the building in which the governing body of a state meets: Elected representatives discussed new laws in the capitol.
    2 the Capitol: the building where the Congress of the USA meets in Washington, DC See: capital (1), USAGE NOTE.
capitulate
capitulate
  1. v.frml. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to surrender on agreed terms: The owners capitulated to the workers' demands by giving them a 5% pay increase.
    2 to give up, stop resisting,
    THESAURUS
    to acquiesce: She finally capitulated and agreed to go to the party. -n. [C;U] capitulation.
cappuccino
cappuccino
  1. n. a frothy, Italian-style coffee drink: I love cappuccino with pastries for breakfast.
caprice
caprice
  1. n.frml. [C;U]
    1 a foolish change of behavior, usu. without a good reason
    2 a sudden desire to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a whim: They went on an unplanned trip to the mountains as a caprice last weekend.
capricious
capricious
  1. adj.frml.
    1 doing s.t. unexpected, (syns.) undependable, unreliable: He changes his mind in a capricious manner.
    2 changing frequently: The weather has been capricious this winter; one day it is cold and rainy, the next day it is hot and sunny. -adv. capriciously.
capsize
capsize
  1. v. [I;T] -sized, -sizing, -sizes to tip over: The ship capsized and sank in the storm.
capsule
capsule
  1. n.
    1 a dose of medicine contained inside a soft, clear, usu. rounded coating: Capsules dissolve in your stomach, releasing the medicine.
    2 the part of a vehicle that usu. contains people and/or special equipment for air or space flight: a space capsuleadj. small, short, or brief: She gave a capsule summary of the long report.
    THESAURUS
    capsule
    1 a pill, tablet.
captain
captain
  1. n.v. [T]
    1 the top officer in command of a ship: The captain went on board his ship.
    2 in the USA, a military officer rank in the Army, Air Force, or Marines, below major and above first lieutenant; in the Navy, below rear admiral and above commander
    3 general head of a group or team: The captain of the football team encouraged the players.
    THESAURUS
    captain
    1 the skipper
    3 a leader, boss, chief. Ant. a follower.
caption
caption
  1. n.v. [T] an explanation written above, below, or beside a picture: Newspapers have captions that name the people in the pictures.
captivate
captivate
  1. v.frml. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates to capture the admiration or love of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to charm: Her beauty and intelligence have captivated many men. -adj. captivating; -n. captivation.
captive
captive
  1. n.adj. s.o. taken and held by force against their will, prisoner: Soldiers put an enemy captive in prison.||fig. The rock star had a captive audience.
    THESAURUS
    captive a hostage.
captivity
captivity
  1. n. [U] a condition of holding s.o. or s.t. by force against their will, (syns.) confinement, imprisonment: The zoo holds animals like lions and tigers in captivity.
captor
captor
  1. n. s.o., such as a police officer or a soldier, who captures another: His captors are enemy soldiers.
capture
capture
  1. v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures
    1 to take s.o. or s.t. by force: The police captured a criminal.
    2 to hold the attention of: The thought of going to the moon captured her imagination.
    3 to preserve information: Cameras capture special memories.n. [U] an act of capturing s.o. or s.t.: The capture of the criminal involved a fight.
    THESAURUS
    capture
    1 to seize, trap, arrest
    2 to catch
    3 to catch. Ant. to release.
car
car
  1. n.
    1 an automobile: I drive my car to work every day.
    2 a vehicle that runs on tracks or wires: a railroad car, a subway car, a cable car, an elevator car
    THESAURUS
    car an auto, motor vehicle | convertible, station wagon, SUV.
car pool
car pool
  1. n.v. [T] a travel arrangement to and from work (school, etc.) in which the riders share a car and travel expenses: My high-school son car pools to school with two of his friends.
car wash
car wash
  1. n. washes a business where cars are washed, polished, etc.: We took our car to the car wash to have it cleaned and waxed.
caramel
caramel
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a candy made with sugar, butter, and milk or cream: Caramel candy is smooth, rich, and chewy.
    2 burnt sugar used as a flavoring in cooking
carat
carat
  1. n. a measurement of the weight of precious stones (diamonds, rubies, etc.) or gold equal to 200 milligrams: Her diamond is five carats. See: karat.
caravan
caravan
  1. n. a group of people making a trip together: A caravan of merchants and their camels crossed the desert.
carbohydrate
carbohydrate
  1. n. any of a group of nutrients, such as sugar and starch, that provide the body with energy: Grains and fruits are high in carbohydrates.
carbon
carbon
  1. n. [U] the chemical element found in coal, graphite, and diamonds: The black lead in pencils is made of soft carbon.
carbon copy
carbon copy
  1. n. -ies
    1 a duplicate copy of s.t. made with carbon paper: He made carbon copies of the company's reports in the 1970s; today he uses a copy machine.
    2 s.t. that looks just like s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    an imitation: His style of playing tennis is a carbon copy of his teacher's. See: carbon paper; photocopy.
carbon dioxide
carbon dioxide
  1. n. [U] a gas with no color, taste, or smell, formed when people and animals exhale, and used in fire extinguishers and carbonated drinks: About 1% of the air around the earth is made up of carbon dioxide.
carbon monoxide
carbon monoxide
  1. n. an extremely poisonous gas with no color, taste, or smell, and occurring esp. in the exhaust from gasoline engines: Breathing too much carbon monoxide can kill a person in a few minutes.
carbon paper
carbon paper
  1. n. [U] a paper covered on one side with dry ink and put between pieces of paper to make duplicate copies of written documents: Before photocopy machines, carbon paper was used to make copies.
carbonated
carbonated
  1. adj. containing carbon dioxide gas bubbles: Soft drinks, like Coca-Cola™, are carbonated. See: fizz.
carburetor
carburetor
  1. n. a device on an engine that mixes fuel and air so the engine can burn it: When the carburetor is not working, a car won't run.
carcass
carcass
  1. n. -casses the body of a dead animal: Lions fed on the carcass of a zebra.
card
card
  1. n.
    1 a piece of stiff paper or plastic used for many purposes, such as a credit card, business card, greeting card, or postcard
    2 a playing card: There are 52 cards in a deck.
    3 fig. a person who makes others laugh: He is always joking; he's a card.
    4 a piece of lined paper for keeping score in a game or sport: At the end of play, the golfer handed in her card.
    5 to lay one's cards on the table: to say what one thinks, reveal all, be frank: After many meetings, she finally laid her cards on the table and offered me the job.v. slang [T] to be carded: to be asked to prove that one is old enough to drink, usu. at a bar: If you're carded at a bar, you must show an I.D. card such as a driver's license to prove your age.
    THESAURUS
    card
    3 a comedian, joker, funny person.
cardboard
cardboard
  1. n.adj. [U] flat, stiff, thick paper: The gift arrived in a cardboard box.
cardiac
cardiac
  1. adj. related to the heart
cardiac arrest
cardiac arrest
  1. n. [C;U] heart failure,
    THESAURUS
    a heart attack: The man died of cardiac arrest.
cardigan
cardigan
  1. n. a type of long-sleeved sweater that buttons up the front: He wears a wool cardigan in winter.
cardinal
cardinal
  1. n.
    1 a Roman Catholic clergyman ranking below the Pope: Cardinals from all over the world meet in Rome.
    2 a red songbird common in North America —adj.
    1 related to numbers used in counting: Some cardinal numbers are 1, 2, 3, and 200.
    2 of great importance: This is a matter of cardinal importance. See: ordinal.
cardiology
cardiology
  1. n. [U] medical treatment or study of the heart and its disease
care
care
  1. v. cared, caring, cares
    1 [I;T] to worry about the well-being of others: She cares about everyone; she is interested in and concerned about people.||He doesn't care about anyone but himself.
    2 [I;T] to be concerned about s.t.: She cares about the quality of her work.||I really want to buy that car; I don't care if it costs too much!
    3 not to care for: not to like or love: (love) I don't care for her.||(like) He doesn't care for carrots or beans.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to care for s.o. or s.t.: to look after s.o.'s health: When she was sick, he cared for her day and night.
    5 to not care less: to not care at all: He is such a bad manager; I could not care less if he leaves the company.n.
    1 [U] concern for others: He shows care for every one of his children.
    2 [U] supervision of s.o.'s health or well-being: The nurses and doctors took good care of me in the hospital.
    3 [U] close attention: She did her school report with great care.
    4 concern not to damage: You should handle those dishes with care.
    5 to take care: a. to be careful: Take care not to break any glasses. b. to stay safe and well: I will talk to you again tomorrow; take care (of yourself).
    6 to take care of: to do, handle, or solve: I'll take care of the problem myself. -adj. caring.
    THESAURUS
    care v.
    1 to feel concerned about
    2 to worry about s.t., take pains with. Ants. to hate, put (s.o. or s.t.) down.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 kindness
    2 pay close attention to s.o.
    3 thought, precision, attention to detail
    4 gentleness.
careen
careen
  1. v. [I] to go fast and usu. out of control: The car careened down the hill and hit a wall.
career
career
  1. n. a life's work, esp. in business or in a profession: I have a great career. I teach high school English.
    THESAURUS
    career one's profession, occupation, job.
carefree
carefree
  1. adj. without worry or cares: He always seems happy; he has a carefree attitude.
careful
careful
  1. adj.
    1 being aware of danger, cautious: Be careful when you cross the street.
    2 attentive to detail: He was very careful to say exactly what he meant in his report.
    3 good with money: She is very careful; she never goes out to restaurants for dinner, and always takes the bus instead of a taxi. -adv. carefully; -n. [U] carefulness.
    THESAURUS
    careful adj.
    1 watchful, alert, wary
    2 thorough, meticulous | well-organized
    3 frugal, thrifty. Ant. careless.
careless
careless
  1. adj.
    1 not caring enough about danger: She is careless when she drives a car.
    2 not caring enough about detail, sloppy: That report is full of mistakes; he did a careless job on it.
    3 thoughtless: That was careless of you to make a joke about cancer, since her mother died of cancer. -adv. carelessly; -n. carelessness.
    THESAURUS
    careless adj.
    1 reckless, heedless, uncaring. Ants. cautious, careful.
    2 slapdash | messy,
    THESAURUS
    inaccurate. Ants. careful, methodical.
    THESAURUS
    3 insensitive, inconsiderate. Ants. sensitive, considerate, thoughtful.
caress
caress
  1. n. -resses a gentle touch or pat, showing affection: She gave the baby a caress on the cheek.v. [T] -ressed, -ressing, -resses to rub lightly or pat tenderly: He caressed her shoulders with his hands.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare caress, massage, and rub, which are all ways of touching people. A caress is a soft touch to show s.o. that he or she is liked or loved. A massage is a firm squeezing of muscles, often used to make painful muscles feel better: The athlete massaged her sore leg. Rub is a way of touching in which the hand is moved back and forth firmly and regularly: The child rubbed her eyes because she was tired.||The cat rubbed against his legs.
caretaker
caretaker
  1. n.
    1 a person who takes care of a piece of property,
    THESAURUS
    a custodian: Large houses often have a caretaker who does the gardening and repairs.
    2 a person who does a job temporarily until s.o. permanent takes over
careworn
careworn
  1. adj. tired from worry, or showing signs of worry and tiredness,
    THESAURUS
    haggard: He is careworn from all the trouble in his life.
carfare
carfare
  1. n. money to pay for rides on subways, buses, taxis, etc.: Make sure you take enough money for carfare.
cargo
cargo
  1. n. -goes or -gos [C;U] goods usu. in large amounts, freight: Cargo is carried on ships, airplanes, and trucks.
    THESAURUS
    cargo n. a load, shipment.
caribou
caribou
  1. n. -bou or -bous a large reindeer of North America
caricature
caricature
  1. n. [C;U] -tured, -turing, -tures
    1 a drawing or imitation of s.o. or s.t. that exaggerates distinctive features, either as a joke or to point out faults: Cartoonists in the USA like to draw caricatures of the Presidents.
    2 an imitation so poor that it is laughable: She tries to dress and act like that movie star, but the result is so funny; it's a caricature.
carload
carload
  1. n. a full load of cargo on a truck or train: That truck is carrying a carload of coal.
carnage
carnage
  1. n. [U]
    1 the killing of many people or animals,
    THESAURUS
    a massacre
    2 the dead bodies of a massacre: The carnage after the battle was horrifying.
carnal
carnal
  1. adj.frml. related to bodily or worldly desires, esp. related to sex,
    THESAURUS
    sensual: To have carnal knowledge of s.o. means to have had sex with that person.
carnation
carnation
  1. n. a sweet-smelling, long-stemmed flower with white, red, yellow, or pink blossoms: He wore a red carnation in the buttonhole of his suit.
carnival
carnival
  1. n.
    1 a celebration with singing, dancing, and usu. a parade, festival: The carnival in Rio in Brazil is world-famous.
    2 a group of entertainers, including salespeople and amusement rides, that goes from place to place: The carnival is coming to town next week. See: festival.
    THESAURUS
    carnival n.
    1 a street party, fair, festivities
    2 a fair.
carnivore
carnivore
  1. n. an animal that eats meat to live: Lions are carnivores who like to eat zebras. -adj. carnivorous.
carol
carol
  1. n.v. [I] -oled or -olled, -oling or -olling, -ols a song of joy and praise, esp. for Christmas: We sang carols in church.
carouse
carouse
  1. n.v. [I] -roused, -rousing, -rouses to have a good time, esp. to drink heavily: They caroused all night, going from one bar to another. -n. carouser.
carousel
carousel
  1. n. See: merry-go-round.
carpal
carpal
  1. adj. (in medicine) related to the wrist: She has a carpal injury and moves her wrist with difficulty.
carpenter
carpenter
  1. n. a person who earns a living by making and building things with wood: A team of 12 carpenters built that house. -n. [U] carpentry.
carpet
carpet
  1. n. [C;U] a floor covering of woven fabric or other material,
    THESAURUS
    a rug: The carpet needs cleaning; someone dropped food on it.v. [T] to cover with or as if with a carpet: The field was carpeted with flowers.
carrel
carrel
  1. n. a desk in a library used for quiet, individual study: I am studying at a carrel on the third floor of the library.
carriage
carriage
  1. n.
    1 [C] a wooden, four-wheeled vehicle: Long ago, people traveled in horse-drawn carriages.
    2 [C] a four-wheeled vehicle for a baby, pushed by s.o. on foot: He put the baby in her carriage and took her for a walk.
    3 [U] the manner of carrying one's head and body, (syns.) posture, bearing: She is very graceful; she has excellent carriage.
    4 [C] a part of a machine that moves another part: The carriage in my old typewriter holds the roller that moves the paper.
    5 [U] old usage the cost of carrying,
    THESAURUS
    the transport charge: Carriage for that item will be $12.
carrier
carrier
  1. n.
    1 a means of transportation, esp. by truck, airline, or railroad: We used a trucking company as the carrier to ship our products.
    2 a person or animal that is not ill from a disease, but gives it to others: Some mosquitoes are carriers of malaria.
    3 a warship that carries aircraft,
    THESAURUS
    an aircraft carrier: A dozen fighter jets took off from the aircraft carrier.
carrion
carrion
  1. n. [U] the flesh and bones of a dead animal that is unfit for human food: After the lion ate the zebra, birds fed on the carrion.
carrot
carrot
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a plant whose orange-colored root is eaten as a vegetable
    2 fig. a reward offered, often falsely, to get s.o. to do s.t.: The director waved a carrot in front of the young actress by telling her that he would make her famous if she took a role in his horror movie.
carry-on
carry-on
  1. adj. describing a bag that is carried on an airplane, bus, etc., instead of being stored in the luggage compartment: I took two small bags as carry-on luggage on my plane trip.
carry
carry
  1. v. [T] -ried, -rying, -ries
    1 (syns.) to transport, bring, take s.o. or s.t. somewhere: The bus carries people to work. The bus transports people to work.||The diplomat carried a letter from the President to the Prime Minister. The diplomat brought (or) took a letter from etc.
    2
    THESAURUS
    to support, esp. a heavy load: Those thick wires carry the weight of that bridge. Those thick wires support the weight of that bridge.
    3 (syn.) to bring s.t. (along) with one: She always carries her purse. She always carries her purse (or) brings her purse along with her.
    4 (syn.) to influence s.o.: Management always listens to her; her opinions carry a lot of weight with them. Management always listens to her; her opinions influence them a lot.
    5
    THESAURUS
    to include, esp. a guarentee, warranty, or penalty: That car carries a five-year warranty. That car includes a five-year warranty.||The parking ticket carries a $50 fine. The parking ticket includes a $50 fine.
    6
    THESAURUS
    bear, esp. worries: He is very sick; he carries a heavy load on his shoulders. He is very sick; he bears a heavy load on his shoulders.
    7 (syns.) to win, convince s.o., esp. voters: In the election, the President carried the South. In the election, the President won the South.
    8 (syns.) to move, walk (one's body in a certain way): She carries herself with poise. She walks with poise.
    9 to become or get carried away: to do too much of s.t. and lose control of oneself: He got carried away and talked for hours.
    10 phrasal v. sep. [T] to carry s.o. through: to help s.o. to do s.t. despite trouble, illness, etc.: Her friends and family carried her through her breakdown, they were a great support to her.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [T] to carry s.t. forward or over: a. to move ahead: We carried our plans forward and started the new project. b. (in accounting) to move money into a later time period
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to carry s.t. off: a. to take away: The thief carried off the TV.||He carried it off. b. to succeed: Despite the bad weather, we still carried off the family picnic.
    13 phrasal v. sep. to carry s.t. on: a. [T] s.t.: to bring s.t. on: She carried her bag on the airplane. b. [I] s.t.: to continue an activity despite an interruption or change: Ms. Valdez told her assistant, Mr. Khan, to carry on while she was away. c. [I] (with s.o.): to conduct a love affair: They have carried on an affair for years. d. [I] to flirt: Ed and Nora carry on during coffee breaks. e. [I] to behave badly: As soon as their parents left, the children began to carry on.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to carry s.t. out: a. to remove s.t.: He carried his groceries out of the supermarket. b. to do s.t. completely,
    THESAURUS
    to fulfill: She carried out her plans to get a divorce.||She carried them out.n. the distance traveled by a voice, ball, bullet, etc.
carryout
carryout
  1. n. [U] a restaurant meal that is packaged and carried out to eat at home, (syns.) take-out: That Chinese restaurant does a lot of carryout business.
carryover
carryover
  1. n. (in accounting) money that is transferred to a later time period: That debt is a carryover from last year.
cart
cart
  1. n. a small, light vehicle: Shopping carts are pushed by hand.v. [T]
    1 to carry s.t. by hand, cart, truck, etc.: Trucks carted garbage to the dump.
    2 to carry s.t. heavy in a rough or awkward manner: I had to cart my luggage from one end of the airport to the other.
carte blanche
carte blanche
  1. n. [U] (French for) freedom to do whatever needs to be done, esp. with authority and money: Her company gave her carte blanche to start a new project; she has carte blanche to spend whatever she needs to spend.
cartel
cartel
  1. n. a group of companies working together to control prices and markets: The oil cartel controls the prices of crude oil.
cartilage
cartilage
  1. n. [C;U] a tough but flexible substance found in parts of the body: Parts of our ears and nose are made of cartilage.
cartography
cartography
  1. n. [U] the art and science of making maps: He learned cartography at the university. -n. cartographer.
carton
carton
  1. n. a container made of stiff, usu. thick paper or cardboard: I bought a carton of milk.
cartoon
cartoon
  1. n.v. [I;T]
    1 a picture or group of pictures, often with words, drawn to make people laugh: I like to look at the cartoons in the morning newspaper.
    2 a short usu. funny film containing animated characters. -n. cartoonist.
    THESAURUS
    cartoon n. comics, a comic strip.
cartridge
cartridge
  1. n.
    1 a bullet with gun powder inside a round, metal case: She loaded the cartridges into the gun.
    2 a small, removable container in a larger device: I changed the ink cartridge in my ballpoint pen.||The film for some cameras comes in a cartridge.
cartwheel
cartwheel
  1. n.
    1 a jump in which one puts one's hands on the ground and one's legs in the air and turns sideways in a circle, moving like a wheel: Many children learn to do cartwheels in gym class.
    2 to turn cartwheels: to feel delighted, joyful: When he heard the good news, he turned cartwheels.
carve
carve
  1. v. carved, carving, carves
    1 [I;T] to cut (meat, vegetables) into pieces: She carved the turkey at the table.
    2 [T] to shape s.t. by cutting it with artistry and exactness, sculpt: She carves jewelry out of precious stones.
    3 [T] to cut designs, letters, etc., into the surface of s.t.: He carved his name on the tree.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to carve s.t. up: to divide s.t., esp. in order to favor oneself: After their father died, the children carved up the family business.||They carved it up. -n. carver.
    THESAURUS
    carve
    1 to slice, cut up
    2 to fashion
    3 to engrave.
carving
carving
  1. n. [C;U] an art object that has been carved: There is a wood carving of a man's head on my table.
cascade
cascade
  1. v. [I] -caded, -cading, -cades to fall fast and steeply: After a rainfall, water cascades down from the mountains.n. a steep waterfall, often one in a series of waterfalls
case study
case study
  1. n. -ies a study in detail of a person or event for its educational value, esp. in business and medicine: A case study of the family showed that they all had too much fat in their diet.
casework
casework
  1. n. [U] (in social work) working to solve the problems of a specific person (case): Casework with the elderly man involved helping him with his health and rent. -n. caseworker.
cash
cash
  1. n. [U]
    1 paper currency, such as dollar bills, and metal coins used in making daily purchases: I am going to the bank to get some cash.||Will you pay in cash or by credit card? ||I will pay cash.
    2 (in business) money in a company's bank account(s) that can be used to pay bills —v. cashes
    1 [T] to exchange a check for currency: I cashed a $100 check at the bank.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I] to cash in (on s.t.): to make a lot of money: He bought some houses at low prices and waited for their value to go up; then he cashed in.
    3 to cash in one's chips: to stop investing or gambling: She bought stocks for 10 years, then cashed in her chips.
cash bar
cash bar
  1. n. a bar where drinks are paid for by each person rather than being for free, usu. at a big party: Our company paid for the dinner, but we had a cash bar before the meal.
cash cow
cash cow
  1. n. a highly profitable business or product: Ivory Soap™ sells all over the world and is a cash cow for its manufacturer.
cash flow
cash flow
  1. n. [U] the amount of money coming into a person's, a business's, or an institution's account(s), minus the amount of money being spent: The cash flow in our company is good, because we take in much more money than we spend.
cashew
cashew
  1. n.
    1 a tree of the tropical Americas that produces curved edible nuts
    2 the nut itself: Cashews are shaped like the letter "C".
cashier
cashier
  1. n. a person responsible for accepting payment from customers in a store, restaurant, etc.: The cashiers at the supermarket ring up sales, take your money, and give you change. See: teller.
cashmere
cashmere
  1. n.adj. [U]
    1 wool from a type of goat found in Kashmir and Tibet
    2 the cloth made from this wool: Cashmere sweaters are soft and expensive.
casing
casing
  1. n. a covering around s.t.: The electric wires in the wall have a protective metal casing around them.
cask
cask
  1. n. a type of barrel, esp. made of wood: Wine casks sit in rows in the wine cellar.
casket
casket
  1. n. a box-shaped container for burying the dead,
    THESAURUS
    a coffin: Six men carried the casket into the church.
casserole
casserole
  1. n.
    1 [C] a deep dish for baking and serving mixed foods
    2 [C;U] the food contents of a casserole: We had a casserole of pasta and cheese.
cassette
cassette
  1. n. a container (cartridge) with photographic tape or sound tape used to record or play back sights or sounds: I put a cassette in the tape player and listened to some jazz. -n. cassette player.
cast iron
cast iron
  1. n. [U] a hard metal often used in making heavy cooking pots and pans —adj. cast-iron
    1 not to be changed,
    THESAURUS
    rigid: This is a cast-iron rule.
    2 a cast-iron stomach: the ability to eat almost anything without trouble: He eats hot, spicy food every day; he must have a cast-iron stomach.
castanets
castanets
  1. n.pl. a musical instrument made of a pair of ivory or hardwood shells, held in one hand by a cord or ribbon over the thumb: The Spanish dancer clicked her castanets in rhythm to the music.
castaway
castaway
  1. n. a person from a wrecked ship, forced to live in a strange land: The castaways swam ashore to a deserted, tropical island.
caste
caste
  1. n. [C;U] a social class of people, membership in which is passed from parents to children: She belongs to the highest caste in India, the Brahmins.
castigate
castigate
  1. v.frml. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to criticize or punish severely,
    THESAURUS
    to rebuke: A judge castigated a vicious criminal and sent him to jail. -n. [U] castigation.
casting
casting
  1. n.
    1 [C] s.t. shaped in a mold: Workers poured metal in a mold and made castings of little statues.
    2 [U] the selection of actors for a play, film, etc.: She is in charge of casting for the new film.
castle
castle
  1. n.
    1 a large building or group of buildings with thick walls and other defenses against attack: Europe has many old castles.
    2 fig. a place of peace, privacy, and comfort: "A man's home is his castle."
    3 a playing piece in chess, shaped like the tower on a castle
    THESAURUS
    castle n.
    1 a palace, fortress.
castoff
castoff
  1. n.adj. anything cast aside as useless or unwanted: She wears castoff clothes unwanted by others.
castor oil
castor oil
  1. n. [U] a thick oil made from seeds of the castor tree, used to reduce friction (lubricate) or to help empty the bowels: He took a teaspoon of castor oil to help clean out his digestive system.
castrate
castrate
  1. v. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates to remove the sex organs, esp. of a male: Animal doctors sometimes castrate male horses. -n. [C;U] castration.
casual
casual
  1. adj.
    1 informal: In the summer, people dress in casual clothes, like T-shirts and shorts.
    2 not very serious, relaxed, slang laid back: He has a casual attitude toward his work. -adv. casually; -n. [U] casualness.
    THESAURUS
    casual adj.
    1 sporty, untailored. Ant. formal.
    2 easygoing, unconcerned, low-pressure. Ant. serious.
casual Friday
casual Friday
  1. n. a practice in some businesses of dressing informally on Fridays, instead of wearing suits and dresses: On casual Friday, I wear jeans, sneakers, and a polo shirt to work.
casualty
casualty
  1. n. -ties a person hurt or killed in an accident, a war, or by epidemic disease, esp. a soldier, sailor, etc. wounded, captured, or killed in battle: We won the battle, but had several hundred casualties.
cat
cat
  1. n.
    1 a general term for a group of four-legged, furry animals with sharp teeth and claws: Cats include lions, tigers, leopards, house cats, etc.
    2 a small cat with soft fur,
    THESAURUS
    a house cat: People love having cats as pets.
    3 the cat's meow: the very best: They love their new house; they think it's the cat's meow.
    4 to let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret, usu. by mistake: He let the cat out of the bag when he accidentally told his wife about her surprise birthday party.
    5 to rain cats and dogs: to rain very heavily: I wouldn't go out right now; it's raining cats and dogs.
cataclysmic
cataclysmic
  1. adj.frml. relating to a violent event, such as an earthquake, flood, or revolution,
    THESAURUS
    catastrophic: The huge fire was a cataclysmic event that destroyed the town. -n. cataclysm.
catacombs
catacombs
  1. n.pl. underground passages for burying the dead: The ancient catacombs under Rome are a tourist attraction.
catalyst
catalyst
  1. n.
    1 a chemical that changes or speeds up a reaction between other chemicals
    2 a person, idea, or event that creates important changes: The invention of the telephone was a great catalyst in improving communications.
catapult
catapult
  1. n. long ago, a machine used in war to shoot big rocks against an enemy —v. [T] to throw or propel suddenly and with great force or speed: Her role in the movie catapulted her to fame.
cataract
cataract
  1. n.
    1 a disease of the eye that clouds its lens and causes blindness if not treated
    2 the cloudy spots caused by the disease: He had his cataracts operated on and can see now.
    3 a huge waterfall, or a downpour like a waterfall: The melting snow caused water to come rushing down the mountain in cataracts.
catastrophe
catastrophe
  1. n.
    1 a great disaster: Strong earthquakes are catastrophes that kill thousands of people.
    2 a great defeat, failure: The company lost its biggest customer and that was a catastrophe for its future. -adj. catastrophic .
    THESAURUS
    catastrophe n.
    1 and
    2 a great misfortune, tragedy | calamity frml. Ant. a success.
catbird
catbird
  1. n.
    1 a gray North American songbird
    2 the catbird's seat: to have choices that are very desirable: She sits in the catbird's seat because she has two excellent job offers.
catcall
catcall
  1. n.v. [I;T] a whistle or shout of disapproval or insult: The audience disliked the performance and made catcalls at the singer.
catch-as-catch-can
catch-as-catch-can
  1. n.adj. doing s.t. by whatever way is possible: We ran out of paper for the photocopier; it was catch-as-catch-can, so we used company stationery instead.
catch
catch
  1. n. catches
    1 an act of taking hold of s.t. in motion, (syns.) a grasp, snatch: One player threw the ball and the other made a good catch.
    2 a fastener: I opened the catch on the door.
    3 a hidden difficulty or unpleasant requirement: There is a catch in that contract where you have to pay all the money now, but wait six months for delivery of the product.
    4 s.t. that has been caught: The catch of the day is bluefish.
    5 a good catch: a. s.o. who is very desirable to marry: He married a beautiful, rich woman; she was a good catch. b. the prevention of a mistake: She found and corrected a big mistake in an order before it was shipped; it was a good catch.
    6 to play catch: to throw a ball back and forth between people: The children are playing catch in the playground.
    THESAURUS
    catch n.
    2 hook, clasp, lock
    3 a problem with s.t., drawback to. Ant. an advantage. —v. caught / catching, catches
    1 [I;T] (syn.) to grab (s.t. in motion): Here, catch the ball! Here, grab the ball!
    2 [I] (syns.) to overtake s.o., close the distance with s.o. else: A runner caught up with the others and passed them. A runner overtook the others. A runner closed the distance with the others.
    3 [T] (syns.) to come down with, get (a sickness): I catch a cold every winter. I come down with a cold every winter.
    4 [T] (syn.) to get (somewhere on time): Hurry, we have a plane to catch! Hurry, we have a plane to get!
    5 [T] (syns.) to capture, seize: The police catch criminals every day. The police capture (or) seize criminals every day.
    6 [T] (syns.) to trap, capture: We caught a skunk by putting food in a cage. We trapped (or) captured a skunk.
    7 [T] (syns.) to snag, hook s.t.: I caught my sleeve on a door handle. I snagged (or) hooked my sleeve.
    8 [T] (syn.) to understand: Did you catch what he said? Did you understand what he said?
    9 [I] (syns.) to close, latch: Did the lock catch? Did the lock close?
    10 [T] (syns.) to discover, find: I caught a mistake in his report and corrected it. I discovered (or) found a mistake in his repoirt.
    11 [T] (syns.) to reach, contact s.o., esp. suddenly: I caught her just as she was leaving the office. I reached her just as she was leaving the office.
    12 fig. not or never to catch s.o. (doing s.t.): to never see s.o. doing s.t. because one dislikes and avoids it: I hate carrots (TV, big cities, etc.); you won't catch me eating them (watching it, visiting there, etc.).
    13 to catch hold: to grab s.t. suddenly: The boat rolled, but he caught hold of the rail.
    14 to catch it (or) catch hell: to be punished: You are always late; you are going to catch it or catch hell from the boss!
    15 phrasal v. [I] to catch on: a. to understand,
    THESAURUS
    to comprehend: She is a bright student; she catches on to new things quickly. b. to become popular: That new product (actor, film, etc.) has really caught on.
    16 to catch one's breath: a. to begin to breathe normally: The runner stopped and caught her breath. b. fig. to rest: I've been doing so many things that I haven't had time to catch my breath.
    17 to catch s.o. in the act: to capture s.o. as he or she commits a crime: The police caught the thief in the act of robbing the bank.
    18 to catch s.o. off guard: to surprise s.o. when he or she is distracted or relaxed: The thief stole her pocketbook while she was looking in a store window; he caught her off guard.
    19 to play catch-up: to try to complete late work or catch up to a competitor: He is out of the office so often that he has to play catch-up on his paperwork all the time.
catch phrase
catch phrase
  1. n. a saying, idea, etc. in popular use: "You know" is a catch phrase in this sentence: "New York is an exciting place, you know." See: catchword; buzzword.
catching
catching
  1. adj. likely to go from one person to another, as a disease,
    THESAURUS
    contagious: I have the flu and it's catching, so stay away from me.||Her enthusiasm is catching.
catchword
catchword
  1. n. a word or phrase expressing a shallow thought, (syns.) a cliché, slogan: The man did not know how to manage a company; all that he offered was catchwords, like "Time is money." See: catch phrase; buzzword.
catchy
catchy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest lively and pleasant: She played a catchy song on the piano.
catechism
catechism
  1. n. a question and answer book used to teach the basic ideas of a religion: To understand her husband's church better, she read their catechism.
categorical
categorical
  1. adj. with complete certainty, (syns.) absolute, unequivocal: He made a categorical statement that he did not commit the crime.
categorize
categorize
  1. v. [T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to place (things, ideas, etc.) into categories: Would you categorize the company's problems as financial? -n. categorization.
category
category
  1. n. -ries a group or type of thing (idea, problem, etc.): I place him in the category of being a troublemaker.
    THESAURUS
    category n. a class, grouping.
cater
cater
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to provide food and beverages as a business for parties: The Good Food Company catered our high school graduation party with a chicken dinner and ice cream.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to cater to s.o. or s.t.: to satisfy s.o.'s special needs and desires: He caters to his wife by buying her flowers and jewels. -n. caterer.
caterpillar
caterpillar
  1. n. a small, usu. fuzzy worm-like creature with many legs: A caterpillar turns into a butterfly or moth at a later stage in its life. See: larva.
catfish
catfish
  1. n. [C;U] -fish a scaleless, edible freshwater fish with whisker-like feelers around the mouth: I had broiled catfish for lunch.
cathedral
cathedral
  1. n. the main church in the area (called a "diocese") that a bishop is responsible for: St. Patrick's Cathedral stands tall and gray on New York's Fifth Avenue.
Catholic
Catholic
  1. n.adj. of or belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, one of the branches of the Christian religion: She is Catholic (or) a Catholic. -n. [U] Catholicism.
catnap
catnap
  1. n.v. -napped, -napping, -naps a short, light sleep: I take a 20-minute catnap in the afternoon.
catnip
catnip
  1. n. [U] a type of intoxicating herb containing an oil that some cats love to rub their noses against
catsup
catsup
  1. n.var. [U] of ketchup
cattle
cattle
  1. n.pl. cows, bulls, and oxen as a group: Cattle are raised for meat, milk, and leather.
    THESAURUS
    cattle n. pl. livestock, farm animals.
catty-cornered
catty-cornered
  1. adv.adj. at an angle, in a diagonal position: The car skidded in the snow and got stuck cattycornered in the street.
catty
catty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest saying bad things about s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    spiteful: She made catty remarks about how much weight I've gained.
catwalk
catwalk
  1. n.
    1 a narrow walkway like those on the sides of a bridge: Workers stood on the catwalk and painted the bridge.
    2 the platform where models walk at a fashion show,
    THESAURUS
    the runway: The models walked down the catwalk in very fashionable dresses.
caucus
caucus
  1. n.v. [I;T] -cused, -cusing, -cuses a meeting of a special group of people, closed to all others, for policy making, esp. in politics: The political party's caucus met to decide what issues they would concentrate on.
caught
caught
  1. v. past tense & past part. of catch phrasal v. to be caught up: a. to have all one's work done: I am caught up on all my studying. b. to be trapped in s.t.: He was caught up in the scandal (lawsuit, bad situation). c. to want to do only one thing, (syns.) to be absorbed, engrossed: She was so caught up in the project that she worked night and day on it.
cauliflower
cauliflower
  1. n. [C;U] a plant in the cabbage family whose white, densely flowered head is eaten as a vegetable: Boiled cauliflower tastes good with melted cheese on it.
caulk
caulk
  1. v. [T] n. [U] to put a type of cement in cracks: The plumber caulked the sides of the bathtub to keep water from going into the wall.
causal
causal
  1. adj. related to or being a cause or reason for s.t.: Icy roads are a causal factor in some auto accidents.
cause
cause
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a reason why s.t. happens: The cause of fire was a broken electric wire.
    2 an effort concentrated on a goal, movement: She works for a political cause against higher taxes.v. [T] caused, causing, causes to make s.t. happen: His carelessness caused the car accident.
    THESAURUS
    cause n.
    1 the source, origin. Ant. the effect.
    2 a campaign, crusade. —v. to lead to, be the cause of, bring about.
causeway
causeway
  1. n. an elevated road or walkway: Many cars travel on the causeways over the wetlands outside of New Orleans.
caustic
caustic
  1. adj.
    1 able to burn, wear away, or dissolve things,
    THESAURUS
    corrosive: Lye is a caustic substance.
    2 humorous in a cruel way, (syns.) biting, sarcastic: She makes caustic remarks about the people she works with.
cauterize
cauterize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to close a wound by burning it shut: The doctor cauterized a mole on my nose because it was bleeding a lot.
caution
caution
  1. n.
    1 [U] concern about not making a mistake: He uses caution when he puts money into the stock market.
    2 [C;U] warning about danger: A big sign blocking the road says, "Caution! Danger Ahead."v. [T]
    1 to warn s.o. about s.t. The street sign cautions people to be careful when crossing the street.
    2 to criticize, usu. gently: The father cautioned his son about using dirty language. -adj. cautionary .
    THESAURUS
    caution n.
    1 care, prudence
    2 beware, watch out.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to put s.o. on their guard | advise, notify.
cautious
cautious
  1. adj.
    1 careful: He has a cautious attitude about spending money.
    2 concerned about danger, wary: She is very cautious when she goes out alone at night. -adv. cautiously.
    THESAURUS
    cautious
    1 prudent
    2 alert, on one's guard. Ant. reckless.
cavalcade
cavalcade
  1. n. a line of cars, horses, or carriages,
    THESAURUS
    a procession: A cavalcade of black, expensive cars and police on motorcycles took the President to the airport.
cavalier
cavalier
  1. n.
    1 an armed man on horseback,
    THESAURUS
    a knight
    2 a stylish and well-mannered gentleman —adj.
    1 not caring,
    THESAURUS
    arrogant: He has a cavalier attitude toward people he doesn't know.
    2 free and easy, (syns.) nonchalant, offhand: This is a serious problem; stop treating it in such a cavalier manner.
cavalry
cavalry
  1. n. [U]
    1 soldiers trained to fight on horseback
    2 a military unit with armored vehicles that can move fast: The cavalry attacked the enemy with lightning speed.
cave
cave
  1. n. a hole in the ground, usu. with an opening in the side of a hill or mountain: People lived in caves long ago.v. caved, caving, caves phrasal v. [I] to cave in: a. to fall in, collapse: The tunnel caved in on the workers. b. to stop resisting, surrender, give in: After arguing a lot, he finally caved in to her demands for money.
    THESAURUS
    cave n. a cavern, grotto.
caveman
caveman
  1. n. -men old usage humans as they first lived long ago: Cavemen lived thousands of years ago and hunted wild animals.
cavern
cavern
  1. n. a large cave: We stood in the cavern and shined a flashlight on its high ceiling.
caviar
caviar
  1. n. [U] the eggs of various fish, esp. the sturgeon: Caviar tastes salty and costs a lot.
cavity
cavity
  1. n. -ties
    1 a hole or hollow place: The explosion left a cavity in the ground.||Your intestines are in your abdominal cavity.
    2 a hole caused by decay in a tooth: I went to the dentist to have two cavities filled.
cavort
cavort
  1. v.frml. [I] to run and jump in a happy way,
    THESAURUS
    to frolic.
cayenne
cayenne
  1. n. a hot-tasting seasoning for food,
    THESAURUS
    red pepper
cease-fire
cease-fire
  1. n. a stop to shooting in a war,
    THESAURUS
    the cessation of military hostilities: The two countries agreed to a cease-fire while they discuss a peace plan.
cease
cease
  1. v.frml. [I;T] ceased, ceasing, ceases to stop an action: The government ordered the company to cease selling the bad medicine. See: cessation.
ceaseless
ceaseless
  1. adj. without stopping, continuous: The ceaseless noise from the city streets makes sleeping difficult. -adv. ceaselessly.
cedar
cedar
  1. n. [C;U] a type of tree with green needles and a reddish good-smelling wood: We have a chest of drawers made of cedar.
cede
cede
  1. v. [T] ceded, ceding, cedes
    1 to give, (syns.) to surrender, yield by necessity: After losing the war, the country ceded land to the winner.
    2 to leave to s.o., esp. in a will: He ceded the property to his nephew.
ceiling
ceiling
  1. n.
    1 the top part of a room: The ceilings in our house are covered with white plaster.
    2 an upper limit: The congress put a ceiling on government spending.
    THESAURUS
    ceiling
    2 a restriction | maximum, maximum amount. Ant. the floor.
celebrate
celebrate
  1. v. [I;T] -brated, -brating, -brates
    1 to do something special (like having a party) to mark an occasion: I celebrated my birthday with friends in a restaurant.
    2 to honor: Many people celebrate Christmas by going to church. -n. [C;U] celebration .
    THESAURUS
    celebrate
    1 and
    2 to commemorate frml.
celebrity
celebrity
  1. n. -ties a famous, living person: Popular movie stars are celebrities, recognized wherever they go.
    THESAURUS
    celebrity a star, big name.
celery
celery
  1. n. [U] a pale green plant whose crunchy, juicy stalks are eaten as a vegetable: Celery makes a crunching noise when you eat it raw.
celestial
celestial
  1. adj. of the sky or heavens: Celestial navigation uses the positions of the stars to chart the course of ships and airplanes.
celibacy
celibacy
  1. n. [U] the condition of not having sex,
    THESAURUS
    sexual abstinence: In Roman Catholicism, priests and nuns take a vow of celibacy. -adj. celibate.
cell
cell
  1. n.
    1 the basic unit of living things: Our bodies are made up of cells.
    2 a small room locked from the outside: The police put the thief in a prison cell.
    3 a unit for making or storing electricity: Some cells change chemical energy into electrical energy.
cellar
cellar
  1. n. the space below ground level under a building: We keep canned food and some old furniture in the cellar of our house.
    THESAURUS
    cellar a basement.
cellist
cellist
  1. n. a musician who plays the cello: Pablo Casals was perhaps the greatest cellist of the twentieth century.
cellmate
cellmate
  1. n. a person sharing a prison cell with another: The two cellmates planned an escape.
cello
cello
  1. n. -los a stringed musical instrument held between the knees and played with a bow: The cello produces lower sounds than the viola, and higher sounds than the double bass.
cellophane
cellophane
  1. n. [U] a clear, thin, flexible wrapping material that keeps moisture in: Meat is wrapped in cellophane to keep it fresh.
cellular
cellular
  1. adj. of the cell: Doctors must study the cellular structure of a disease in order to cure it.
celluloid
celluloid
  1. n.adj. [U] photographic film made from natural substances: Old movies were made on celluloid film.
cellulose
cellulose
  1. n.adj. [U] a basic substance in nearly all plant cells: Cellulose is important in the manufacture of paper and explosives.
cement
cement
  1. n. [U]
    1 a building material that can be poured or spread when mixed with water, then hardens like rock: That sidewalk is made of cement.
    2 a soft substance that holds things together when it hardens, glue: rubber cementv. [T]
    1 to cover with cement: They're cementing the sidewalk today.
    2 to make s.t. firm, bind (a relationship): The couple cemented their friendship.
    THESAURUS
    cement v.
    2 to make stronger, strengthen, reinforce. Ant. to weaken.
cemetery
cemetery
  1. n. -ies a burial place for the dead, graveyard: His parents are buried in a cemetery near the center of town.
    THESAURUS
    cemetery n. a burial ground, memorial park.
censor
censor
  1. v. [T]
    1 to remove parts of printed or filmed materials that are considered offensive: School (government, church, etc.) officials disapproved of certain parts of the book and censored it.
    2 to stop publication,
    THESAURUS
    to ban s.t.: Some governments censor books that point out faults in the government.n. a person, committee, or institution that censors: A government censor removed parts of the book. -n. [U] censorship.
censure
censure
  1. v. [T] n. -sured, -suring, -sures to disapprove of s.o. officially,
    THESAURUS
    to rebuke: The Congress censured one of its members for bad behavior.
census
census
  1. n. -suses a count of the people in a country by the government: The census is taken in the USA every ten years.
cent
cent
  1. n.
    1 1/100 of a dollar, a penny: That pen costs just 20 cents to make.
    2 fig. two cents' worth: advice given without being asked: I know that you have made up your mind, but I'd like to put in my two cents' worth.
centenary
centenary
  1. n.adj. -ries a 100th anniversary,
    THESAURUS
    a centennial: The company celebrated the centenary of its founding.
centennial
centennial
  1. n.adj. a year that is 100 years after the date that s.t. happened or began, a 100th anniversary: The town celebrated its centennial with a parade and fireworks. See: bicentennial.
center
center
  1. n.
    1 a point that is equally far from all the points on the outer limits of s.t., the middle: the center of the earth (of a target, of a crowd)
    2 the main location of some activity: Hollywood is the center for American filmmaking.
    3 a position in politics between extremes, a moderate
    4 (in sports) a player that occupies a middle position: He's the center on that football team.v.
    1 [T] to put s.t. in a central position: She centered the picture on the wall.
    2 [I;T] to concentrate or focus around a point: Their argument centered around money issues.
    THESAURUS
    center n.
    1 the core, midst | heart. Ant. the perimeter.
    2 the headquarters, hub, focal point. —-v.
    2 to focus (on), revolve around s.t.
centerpiece
centerpiece
  1. n.
    1 a decoration placed in the center of a table: The centerpiece was a bowl of flowers.
    2 fig. the most important feature of s.t.: Cutting taxes was the centerpiece of the politician's campaign.
centigrade
centigrade
  1. n. See: Celsius.
centimeter
centimeter
  1. n. a unit of length in the metric system equal to 1/100 of a meter: One centimeter is .3937 inch long. -abbr. cm.
centipede
centipede
  1. n. a worm-like creature with many body segments, each of which has a pair of legs: Centipedes crawl along the ground.
central
central
  1. adj.
    1 in, at, near, or forming the center: That store has a central location in the town square.
    2 main, most basic or important: The Prime Minister is the central figure (or) central force in the government. -adv. centrally.
    THESAURUS
    central
    2 dominant, ruling, pivotal. Ant. unimportant.
central air conditioning
central air conditioning
  1. n. a system using a central machine to produce cool air that is spread evenly throughout a building: The central air conditioning in our house cools upstairs and downstairs.
central heating
central heating
  1. n. [U] a furnace to produce heat that is spread evenly throughout a building by pipes: Central heating makes our house comfortable in winter.
centralize
centralize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to move to a central location: Brazil centralized its government offices from different areas into the city of Brasilia.
    2 to concentrate in one place, esp. power: The power in that company was centralized; now all decisions are made by its president. -n. [U] centralization.
centrifuge
centrifuge
  1. n.v. [T] -fuged, -fuging, -fuges a machine that separates materials with different densities by spinning them at high speed: The outward spinning (centrifugal) force of a centrifuge can also be used to create an effect similar to gravity. -adj. centrifugal.
centurion
centurion
  1. n. an army officer of ancient Rome: A centurion commanded a company of about 100 soldiers.
century
century
  1. n. -ries
    1 a time period of 100 years
    2 one of the 100-year time periods before or after the birth of Christ: Many scientific discoveries were made during the twentieth century (1901-2000). See: A.D.; B.C..
ceramic
ceramic
  1. adj. of or related to a hard, baked material usu. made of clay, used in industry and art: Square ceramic tiles cover the bathroom walls.
ceramics
ceramics
  1. n.
    1 [U] the art of making vases, pots, and other things out of clay: Ceramics is difficult to learn but fun to do.
    2 used with a pl.v. the objects themselves (vases, pots, etc.): Ceramics are on sale at the store.
cerebral
cerebral
  1. adj.
    1 (in medicine) of the brain or cerebrum: The cerebral cortex covers the two parts of the cerebrum.
    2 very intelligent,
    THESAURUS
    intellectual: Our physics professor is a very cerebral woman.
cerebrum
cerebrum
  1. n. -brums or -bra the large, front part of the brain that is involved in thinking and other conscious processes
ceremonial
ceremonial
  1. adj. involving or used in a ceremony, (syns.) formal, ritualistic: The new mayor's swearing into office was a ceremonial occasion attended by many officials.
ceremony
ceremony
  1. n. -nies [C;U] a formal event usu. with rituals (customary words and actions done many times before): The priest performed a marriage ceremony. -adj. ceremonious .
    THESAURUS
    ceremony a rite, observance.
certain
certain
  1. adj.
    1 definite, without any doubt: Are you certain you saw him leave?
    2 sure to happen: If he jumps off the bridge, he goes to a certain death.
    3 not specific, but real: She has a certain charm about her.
    4 one who is not named, but is usu. known: A certain person has been stealing cookies from the kitchen.
    5 some, a limited amount: There is a certain amount of truth to what he says.
    6 of a certain age: roughly 45-70 years old: He is a man of a certain age who has a lot of experience.
    7 to make certain: to make sure: I made certain that I had my keys before I left the house.
    THESAURUS
    certain
    1 sure, positive. Ants. uncertain, doubtful.
    2 definite, guaranteed, indisputable. Ant. questionable.
    3 special
    4 particular.
certainly
certainly
  1. adv.
    1 of course, yes: "Will you help me with my homework?"—"Certainly, I will."
    2 for sure, definitely: It is so cold outside that you will certainly freeze unless you wear a heavy coat.
    THESAURUS
    certainly
    1 absolutely, by all means, no question
    2 surely, no doubt, undoubtedly.
certainty
certainty
  1. n. -ties [C;U] s.t. that is certain,
    THESAURUS
    a certitude: With the bad weather, it is a certainty that the planes will not fly.
certificate
certificate
  1. n. a formal document that states, under oath, a fact, qualification, or promise: I showed my birth certificate when I applied for a passport.
    THESAURUS
    certificate documentation, credential, official document.
certification
certification
  1. n. [C;U] formal recognition, usu. with a printed license, of having met requirements to perform a function: He has his certification as a math teacher.
certified check
certified check
  1. n. a check stamped (certi-fied) by your bank, showing that funds have been set aside in your account to guarantee its payment: I went to the bank and got a certified check for payment on a new car.
certified mail
certified mail
  1. n. [U] in the USA, mail that is signed for by the person who receives it, using a green postcard attached to the piece of mail (letter, package) that is then returned to the sender to show that the mail was delivered: I sent an important check payment to my bank by certified mail.
certify
certify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to state formally that s.t. is true, esp. in writing: The witness signed a document certifying that what she had said about the accident was true.
    2 to provide an official document about s.o.'s or s.t.'s qualifications and rights: The State of New York certified that the secretarial school is allowed to do business in the state.
    3 to certify mail, to send mail in a special package that must be signed for by the person receiving it -adj. cert-ifiable.
certitude
certitude
  1. n.frml. [U] the state of knowing that s.t. is sure or true,
    THESAURUS
    certainty: I can say with certitude that the man has died.
cervix
cervix
  1. n. -vices or -vixes
    1 the neck
    2 the neck-shaped outer opening of the uterus, the female reproductive organ: During childbirth, a woman's cervix widens so the baby can pass through it. -adj. cervical.
cesarean
cesarean
  1. or cesarean section n. a surgical operation in which a baby is delivered by cutting open the mother's stomach and uterus: The doctor delivered the baby girl by cesarean.
cessation
cessation
  1. n.frml. [C;U] a stop to an activity, a halting: The cessation of war between the two countries brought peace.
cesspool
cesspool
  1. n. a covered hole in the ground to receive human waste (urine, feces, etc.): The cesspool is located behind the farmhouse.
chafe
chafe
  1. v. chafed, chafing, chafes
    1 [I;T] to rub together so as to irritate: My shoes are too tight; they're chafing my feet.
    2 [T] to irritate, annoy,
    THESAURUS
    to vex: The slow traffic chafed her as she hurried to work.
chaff
chaff
  1. n. [U]
    1 the outer covering of a seed of grain (wheat, oats, etc.) separated from the edible insides
    2 to separate the wheat from the chaff: to separate unwanted, useless things (chaff) from useful ones (wheat): The manager separated the wheat from the chaff by dropping unpopular products and selling only the good ones.
chagrin
chagrin
  1. n. [U] v. [T] extreme embarrassment or disappointment: He made a bad mistake, much to his chagrin.
chain
chain
  1. n.
    1 a flexible line of (usu. metal) rings or loops locked inside each other: The dog pulled on its chain but could not get loose.||She wore a pretty silver chain around her neck.
    2 a series of related things or events: The king's murder started a chain of events that led to a war.
    3 a group of stores, restaurants, etc., owned by the same person or company: That restaurant is part of a large chain; you can find it in cities all over the country.v. [T] to limit with or as if with a chain: The owner chained her dog to a fence.||The accountant was chained to her desk during tax season.
    THESAURUS
    chain n.
    1 a leash (dogs), fetters (criminals)
    2 a succession, string
    3 a set, collection. —v. to tie, leash.
chain reaction
chain reaction
  1. n.
    1 a chemical or physical action that creates other actions
    2 a series of events in which one event causes the next: The revolution in that country set off a chain reaction of other revolutions in neighboring countries.
chain saw
chain saw
  1. n. a saw driven by a motor: Lumberjacks use chain saws to cut down trees.
chain smoker
chain smoker
  1. n. a person who smokes one cigarette after another: Chain smokers often don't live long.
chain store
chain store
  1. n. a store owned by a person or company that has others by the same name in many locations: Chain stores buy products in large amounts to offer cheaper prices.
chair
chair
  1. n.
    1 a piece of furniture with a back, for one person to sit on: We bought some new chairs for the apartment.
    2 an office or seat of authority and importance —v. [T] to be in charge of a meeting, committee, or school department: We would like you to chair this committee.
    THESAURUS
    chair v. to preside over, lead, manage.
chairperson
chairperson
  1. n. -persons a male or female head of a meeting, committee, or school faculty: She is the chairperson of the history department at the University of South Florida. -n. chairman ; chairmanship; chairwoman.
chaise longue
chaise longue
  1. or chaise lounge n. a type of chair with a long flat part to support the legs
chalet
chalet
  1. n.
    1 (French for) a Swiss mountain cabin: The sheep herder left his chalet early each morning.
    2 a country house with a sharply sloping roof: They have a chalet in the woods near a lake.
chalice
chalice
  1. n.
    1 a type of drinking cup with a stem that spreads into a base,
    THESAURUS
    goblet: Chalices are often made of gold or silver with jewels.
    2 (in Christianity) the cup used to hold the wine for Holy Communion: The priest raised a golden chalice from the altar.
chalk
chalk
  1. n.
    1 [U] a soft, white type of rock made from ancient seashells and used to make lime
    2 [U] a stick (of chalk) used for writing and marking: The teacher writes on the blackboard with chalk.v.
    1 phrasal v. [I] to chalk s.t. up: to earn,
    THESAURUS
    to score: She chalked up a lot of points with her manager when she saved a failing project.
    2 to chalk up s.t. to experience: to learn from one's mistakes: He failed in his new store; but his friends told him to chalk it up to experience and try s.t. different. -adj. chalky.
chalkboard
chalkboard
  1. n. a blackboard used to write on with chalk: In the USA, many classrooms have a chalkboard.
challenge
challenge
  1. v. [T] -lenged, -lenging, -lenges
    1 to ask or dare s.o. to play a game or sport: I challenged her to a game of tennis.
    2 to test one's abilities: The difficult courses at school challenged his ability to make good grades.
    3 to question: The police challenged the suspect's story.n.
    1 an invitation to play a game or sport: I accepted her challenge to a tennis match.
    2 a difficult job: She found her new sales job to be quite a challenge. -n. challenger.
    THESAURUS
    challenge v.
    1 to invite to do s.t.
    2 to try (s.o.'s ability) frml., to tax s.o. frml.
    3 to dispute,
    THESAURUS
    object to, argue with. Ant. to agree with.n.
    1 a dare
    2 a test, trial, difficult task.
chamber
chamber
  1. n.
    1 often pl. chambers a judge's private room: Two lawyers talked with the judge in her chambers.
    2 a hall where politicians hold formal meetings: the legislative chambers of Congress
    3 an opening in the barrel of a gun, or in the body of a person or animal: He put the bullets into the gun's chamber.||The heart has four chambers.
    4 old usage a room: a bedchamber
chamber of commerce
chamber of commerce
  1. n. an association to which businesses belong in a town, city, or region: Business people talk about increasing their business at chamber of commerce meetings.
chambermaid
chambermaid
  1. n. a cleaning woman, esp. in a hotel: The chambermaids in the hotel clean the rooms and make the beds.
chameleon
chameleon
  1. n.
    1 a small lizard that can change its skin color to match the color of the things around it: The chameleon changed to green while sitting on green leaves.
    2 a person who adopts the behaviors of others around him or her: He's a real chameleon; when he's with liberal friends, he says he's a liberal, but when he's with conservative friends, he tells them he's conservative.
chamois
chamois
  1. n. chamois
    1 a goat-like animal living in the mountains of Europe
    2 a soft leather made from the skin of a chamois: He used a chamois to clean his car.
champ
champ
  1. v. to champ at the bit: a. to chew hard and nervously: Horses champed at the bit before the race. b. fig. to be impatient and eager to do s.t.: She is champing at the bit to get started on her new job.n.infrml. short for champion: Joe Louis was boxing champ of the world for many years.
champagne
champagne
  1. n. [U] a type of wine with bubbles in it: People drink champagne to celebrate New Year's Eve.
champion
champion
  1. n. the winner of a final contest: She is the national champion in tennis.v. [T] to support eagerly: He championed the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
    THESAURUS
    champion a victor, title holder, champ. infrml.
championship
championship
  1. n. the last in a series of contests, the winner of which will be champion: He won the championship in golf.
    THESAURUS
    championship the finals.
chance
chance
  1. n.
    1 [U] the way some things happen for no obvious reason, by accident, etc., luck: When she arrived late for her train, chance was on her side; the train was running late and had not yet left.
    2 [C;U] the possibility of s.t. happening, probability: There is a good chance that it will snow tomorrow.
    3 [C] an opportunity: I had the chance to go to San Francisco on vacation.
    4 as chance would have it: luck was (or) was not helping me: As chance would have it, my old girlfriend and my new girlfriend live in the same apartment building.
    5 by chance: accidentally: We met by chance at the library.
    6 [U] games of chance: games of luck: Some people like to play games of chance, such as cards, dice, and slot machines.
    7 on the (off) chance that: on the possibility that: On the chance that he was going to the store, I asked him to buy toothpaste.
    8 [C] to take a chance: to take a risk: She took a chance by crossing the busy street against the traffic light, but was not hurt.v. chanced, chancing, chances
    1 [I] to happen accidentally: I chanced to run into her at the library.
    2 to chance it: to risk s.t.: I know that snow has made the roads very bad, but I am going to chance it and try to drive anyway. -adj. chancy.
    THESAURUS
    chance n.
    1 (one's) fate, fortune, destiny
    2 prospect
    3 possibility.
chancellor
chancellor
  1. n.
    1 the president of some American universities
    2 a high government official: The Chancellor of Germany runs the government.
chandelier
chandelier
  1. n. a fancy, decorative holder hung from a ceiling with metal branches for lights or candles: The crystal candlesticks on the chandelier sparkle in the light.
change
change
  1. v. changed, changing, changes
    1 [I;T] to become s.t. different, transform: I changed my life by going back to college, because doing so helped me get a better job.
    2 [T] to make s.t. different: The painter changed the color from red to green.
    3 [T] to exchange, switch: The two people changed places with each other.
    4 [T] to convert money: a. to give or receive an equal amount of money for bills or coins that are smaller: "Can you change (or) make change for a $20 bill?"—"Yes, I have two $10s." b. to give one country's money for an amount of another's: I changed my dollars into Euros at the bank.
    5 [I;T] to put on different clothes: I went home and changed from jeans to a suit.||After work, I changed into my jeans.
    6 to change hands: to have a new owner: That store on the corner has changed hands often.
    7 to change one's mind: to think differently: I changed my mind and stayed home instead of going out.
    THESAURUS
    change v.
    1 to modify, adjust, reorganize
    2 to modify, alter, turn
    3 to reverse, swap infrml.
    THESAURUS
    4 a. and b. to exchange. —n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. different, a transformation: There was a change in the weather from sun to rain (change of government, administration).
    2 [C] an exchange, switch: He removed one painting and replaced it with another, but no one noticed the change.
    3 [U] coins: I have a pocket full of change; can you give me dollar bills for these quarters?
    4 small change: a small,
    THESAURUS
    insignificant amount: The cost of operating that expensive car is small change compared with its purchase price. -n. changer.
    THESAURUS
    change n.
    1 a shift, transition, turn
    2 an alteration, revision, swap infrml.
change of life
change of life
  1. n. See: menopause.
changeable
changeable
  1. adj. becoming different,
    THESAURUS
    variable: The weather is very changeable in the springtime.
changeover
changeover
  1. n. a change (from one group of people, procedures, machinery to another): The company bought a new telephone system and the changeover from the old one to the new took two months.
channel
channel
  1. n.
    1 a television station's place on the dial and its broadcasts of news, sports, etc.: We watch the news on Channel 2 every evening.
    2 a waterway: The English Channel separates England from France.
    3 a pathway of communications: Our government opened a channel of communications with the top officials of a foreign government.
chant
chant
  1. n.v. [I;T]
    1 a short, simple song, often religious in nature
    2 a short saying,
    THESAURUS
    a slogan: "No more war! No more war!" is a war protesters' chant.
chaos
chaos
  1. n. [U] extreme, usu. violent disorder,
    THESAURUS
    mass confusion: After the earthquake, the area was in chaos: there was no electricity, roads were blocked, and there were injured people everywhere. -adj. chaotic.
chap
chap
  1. n.infrml. Brit. a man or boy,
    THESAURUS
    fellow: He's a good chap.v. [T] chapped, chapping, chaps to dry and crack, such as the skin on lips or hands: In the winter my lips get chapped from the cold.
chapel
chapel
  1. n. a small church: At that school, students go to chapel every evening.
chaplain
chaplain
  1. n. a member of the clergy, esp. in a college or military post: The college chaplain led the church service on Sunday.
chaps
chaps
  1. n.pl. leather coverings worn over a cowboy's trousers: Cowboys wear chaps to protect their legs against scratches and bruises.
chapter
chapter
  1. n.
    1 a section of a book: I read Chapter 11 of my history book.
    2 fig. a time period: Starting a new job opens a new chapter in one's life.
    3 a local branch of a large organization: She is president of her chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
    THESAURUS
    chapter
    2 a phase, part | section
    3 a section, division.
char
char
  1. v. [T] charred, charring, chars to blacken by burning,
    THESAURUS
    to scorch: The fire in the house charred the walls and furniture.
character
character
  1. n.
    1 [U] the combination of qualities or features that make one person, place, or thing different from others: the character of a neighborhood
    2 [U] the general tendency of a person's behavior: He is a man of good (bad, strong, etc.) character.
    3 [U] honesty, moral strength: She has a lot of character; I admire her.
    4 [C] infrml. one whose behavior is very strange or funny, an eccentric: He's quite a character; you never know what to expect from him.
    5 [C] a single letter or mark used in writing: "Letter" is a word with six charac-ters.||Chinese characters
    6 [C] a person in a novel, play, or film: I didn't like the main character in that book.
    7 [U] in or out of character: like or unlike a person's usual behavior: It was out of character for her to be so rude. See: cast (1).
    THESAURUS
    character
    1 the nature | spirit
    2 temperament
    3 integrity
    4 an oddball.
characteristic
characteristic
  1. adj. typical: It is characteristic of him to say positive things.n. a special quality,
    THESAURUS
    a trait: The ideal person for the job has these characteristics: ten years' experience and an advanced degree. -adv. characteristically.
characterize
characterize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to describe the character of: Right now, the situation can be characterized as excellent.
    2 to be a special quality or typical feature of: writing that is characterized by its clarity -n. [C;U] characterization.
charade
charade
  1. n.
    1 a faked situation,
    THESAURUS
    a pretense: The couple pretended to be happy, but it was just a charade.
    2 pl. charades used with a sing. v. a game in which players try to guess a word described only with the face and gestures (in pantomime)
charcoal
charcoal
  1. n.adj.
    1 [U] a black form of carbon made by partially burning wood in an airless container: Charcoal can be used as a fuel, a filter, a gas absorbent, etc.
    2 [C;U] a pencil or crayon made from charcoal, or a drawing done with such a pencil: He did a drawing of a house in charcoal.
    3 dark gray: She wore charcoal pants.
charge
charge
  1. n.
    1 [C] price: What is the charge for a night in that hotel?
    2 [C] a purchase made on credit: Will you pay cash or will this be a charge?
    3 [C] a fast move forward, surge: The soldiers made a charge up the hill.
    4 [C;U] a. an ability in some substances to cause electrical events: There are two types of electrical charges, negative and positive. b. a measure of the amount of this ability in s.t.: The charge in my car battery is low.
    5 [C] a statement of blame against s.o.: a charge against s.o. in a court of law||The charge of drunk driving, if one is found guilty, carries a large fine.
    6 [C] s.o. put in another's care: The baby-sitter took her two young charges to the park.
    7 [C] frml. a responsibility, mission: As sales manager, my charge is to hire 20 new sales representatives.
    8 sing.infrml. excitement: She gets a charge out of cliff diving.
    9 to be in charge (of): to be in control or command (of): I'm leaving you in charge while I'm gone.||She's in charge of the new project.
    THESAURUS
    charge n.
    1 a cost, fee, rate
    3 an attack
    5 an allegation, accusation
    7 a requirement, role.v. charged, charging, charges
    1 [I;T] to put a price on: They're charging $25 for these jeans.
    2 [T] to purchase on credit: I charged a new pair of shoes on my credit card.
    3 [T] to ask for payment from: The store is charging her for the glass that she broke.
    4 [T] to give s.o. a responsibility: She charged him with watching the children while she was gone.
    5 [T] to blame s.o. for s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to accuse: She was charged with drunk driving.
    6 [I;T] to rush forward,
    THESAURUS
    to surge: Soldiers charged at the enemy.
    7 [T] to put the ability to produce electricity back into s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to energize: to charge a dead battery
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to charge s.o. or s.t. up: a. to make s.o. enthusiastic, to excite: The football coach charged up the team to win the game. b. to fill with electricity: The mechanic charged up my dead battery.
charge account
charge account
  1. n. the right and privilege to buy things from a business and pay for them later: I opened a charge account at the department store.
charge card
charge card
  1. n. a type of credit card that must be paid completely each month: American Express offers a charge card. See: credit card.
chargeable
chargeable
  1. adj.
    1 (of an expense) capable of being charged: The cost of business travel is an expense chargeable to the company.
    2 (in law) able or likely to bring punishment: Theft is a chargeable crime punishable by time in prison.
chariot
chariot
  1. n. in ancient times, a two-wheeled vehicle drawn by horse(s): Roman soldiers rode chariots into battle -n. charioteer.
charisma
charisma
  1. n. [U] the attractiveness of a person for others; charm and appeal: That popular movie star has charisma. -adj. charismatic ; -adv. charismatically.
charitable
charitable
  1. adj.
    1 giving help or money to those who need it: He puts a great deal of his time and money into helping needy children; he is a very charitable man.
    2 of or for charity: Charitable organizations help the poor.
    3 not judging, forgiving: He was charitable in his gentle criticism of the man. -adv. charitably.
    THESAURUS
    charitable
    1 generous, kindly, compassionate. Ant. uncharitable.
    2 benevolent, humanitarian.
charity
charity
  1. n. -ities
    1 [C] an organization that helps poor people: People give money to charities to help the homeless.
    2 [U] an act or condition of giving without thinking of being paid back: He believes in charity and gives generously.
    3 [U] the act of stopping oneself from judging others,
    THESAURUS
    forgiveness: She showed a lot of charity by not saying anything bad about the woman who stole her husband.
charlatan
charlatan
  1. n.pej. a person who tricks others, esp. one who claims to have special knowledge, (syns.) a quack, fake: Charlatans trick people out of their money.
charley horse
charley horse
  1. n.infrml. a cramp or stiffness in a muscle, esp. in the leg, from injury or too much exercise
charm
charm
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the ability to please, attractiveness: She is a woman with a great deal of charm.
    2 [C] s.t. worn because it is thought to be magical: He wore a charm to protect himself from evil spirits.
    3 [C] a little ornament (figure, etc.) hanging on a bracelet: The silver charms on her bracelet jingle when she moves her arm.
    4 [C] a set of actions or words thought to produce a magical effect, a spell: The witch cast a charm on the prince to make him fall in love.
    5 to work like a charm: (of a plan, idea, etc.) to be very successful or effective —v. [T] to please s.o. with warmth and pleasantness: He charms everyone he meets. -n. charmer.
    THESAURUS
    charm n.
    1 (one's) allure, charisma
    2 a good-luck piece.
charming
charming
  1. adj. pleasing, attractive, delightful: We vacationed in a charming little village.||a charming man
    THESAURUS
    charming pleasant, appealing, sweet. Ant. dull.
chart
chart
  1. n.
    1 a map, esp. one of the oceans
    2 a display of information in the form of a diagram, graph, etc.: The accountant made a chart comparing the company's sales over the last five years.v. [T]
    1 to record information on a chart: He charted their progress on a graph.
    2 to chart a course: to plan the way to go: The ship's captain charted a course to China.
    THESAURUS
    chart n.
    2 a graphic representation.
charter
charter
  1. n.
    1 a document from a government or other authority giving rights to others to do certain things: The United Nation's charter states its activities and powers.
    2 (the hiring or leasing of) a plane, boat, or other vehicle for special use: a fishing charterv. [T]
    1 to officially give power to (a corporation, organization, etc.)
    2 to purchase seats as a group for special trips on airplanes, buses, trains, etc.: Our church group chartered a plane to go to Jerusalem for the holidays.
charter flight
charter flight
  1. n. an airplane rented or hired for a special trip and not part of a regular airline: We took a charter flight from San Francisco to Tokyo.
charter member
charter member
  1. n. one of the first members of an organization, club, etc.: In the 1950s, people became charter members of the American Express charge card.
chary
chary
  1. adj.frml. -ier, -iest worried about danger,
    THESAURUS
    cautious: She is chary about losing money in the stock market. -n. [U] chariness.
chase
chase
  1. v. chased, chasing, chases
    1 [I;T] to hurry quickly after s.o. or s.t. to catch them: The police chased (after) the thief and caught her.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to chase s.o. or s.t. away or off: to frighten or force away: The farmer used a rifle to chase off tres-passers.||He chased them off.n.
    1 an act of chasing: The movie began with a police chase through the streets of San Francisco.
    2 the chase: a. hunting animals as a sport: He loves the chase. b. the animal being hunted: Hunters followed the chase deep into the forest.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to give chase: to chase after: A criminal robbed a bank and the police gave chase.
    THESAURUS
    chase v.
    1 to run after, follow, pursue.
chaser
chaser
  1. n. a milder drink taken after a strong one: She drank a chaser of water after a whiskey.
chasm
chasm
  1. n.
    1 any deep break in the earth,
    THESAURUS
    a rift: The Grand Canyon is a long, deep chasm.
    2 fig. a big difference of opinion or belief between people or nations: There is a great chasm between those two systems of government.
chassis
chassis
  1. n. chassis the rectangular frame on which a vehicle's body rests: The chassis of that car is made of steel.
chaste
chaste
  1. adj. not having had sexual intercourse,
    THESAURUS
    virginal: That couple was chaste until their marriage. -adv. chastely.
chasten
chasten
  1. v.frml. [T] to punish so as to improve: His loss of a lot of money in real estate chastened him.
chastise
chastise
  1. v.frml. [T] -tised, -tising, -tises
    1 to punish, as by beating
    2 to criticize severely: The newspaper chastised the politician for bad behavior. -n. [C;U] chastisement.
chastity
chastity
  1. n. [U]
    1 the condition of not having sexual intercourse
    2 the practice of avoiding sexual activity: Members of some religious orders take vows of chastity.
chat
chat
  1. n. casual, friendly talk: My friend and I have a little chat every day.v. [I] chatted, chatting, chats to talk informally: We chatted on the phone this morning.
    THESAURUS
    chat n. small talk, gossip, chitchat frml. —v. to chitchat, shoot the breeze infrml.
chat room
chat room
  1. n. (in computers) a place on the Internet where you can communicate directly with people through typed conversation: I met my friend John in a chat room for people interested in world travel.
chateau
chateau
  1. n. -teaus or -teaux
    1 a French castle
    2 a large French country house,
    THESAURUS
    a manor: They grow wine grapes around their chateau.
chatter
chatter
  1. n. [U]
    1 informal conversation about unimportant matters: The teacher told her students to stop their chatter.
    2 rapid sounds made by some animals: The chatter of monkeys filled the zoo.
    3 the sound of teeth clicking from shivering in the cold or from fear —v. [I]
    1 to talk rapidly about unimportant matters,
    THESAURUS
    to jabber: At the party, people chattered about the weather and movies.
    2 to click the teeth from shivering in the cold or from fear: The winter weather makes my teeth chatter.
chatterbox
chatterbox
  1. n.infrml. -boxes a person who talks much about little: She is such a chatterbox that no one else can speak when she talks.
chatty
chatty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest inclined to talk in a friendly, informal way,
    THESAURUS
    talkative: I sat next to a very chatty man on the plane.
chauffeur
chauffeur
  1. n.v. [T] a person whose job is driving others in a vehicle: Their chauffeur drove the rich couple to the opera.
chauvinist
chauvinist
  1. n. [T] a person who believes their sex (male or female) or nation is superior to others': He regards women as weak; he is a male chauvinist. -n. [U] chauvinism; -adj. chauvinistic.
cheap
cheap
  1. adj.
    1 costing very little, inexpensive: The hotel room was cheap, so we could afford to stay an extra night.
    2 of poor quality, shoddy: The clothes from that store are cheap; they fall apart.
    3 not generous with money, stingy: Everything that he buys has to be a bargain; he's really cheap.
    4 infrml.fig. a cheap shot: an unfair, hurtful criticism: One politician called his opponent's wife an alcoholic; that was a cheap shot. -adv. cheap; cheaply; -n. cheapness. See: cheapskate.
    THESAURUS
    cheap adj.
    1 low-cost, economical. Ant. expensive.
    2 inferior, substandard
    3 mean, tightfisted. Ant. generous.
cheapen
cheapen
  1. v. [T] to lower the quality of s.t.: The manufacturer used lower quality cloth in the dresses and cheapened them.
    THESAURUS
    cheapen to devalue.
cheapskate
cheapskate
  1. n.infrml. a person who is not generous with money,
    THESAURUS
    a miser: He is such a cheapskate that he refuses to tip waiters.
cheat
cheat
  1. v.n.
    1 [I] to do s.t. dishonest for gain: She cheated on her examinations; she is a cheat.
    2 [T] to take from (s.o.) unfairly: That store cheated me out of $10 on that sweater by charging me too much. -n. cheater.
    THESAURUS
    cheat v.
    1 to deceive
    2 to defraud s.o., swindle, trick.
check-in
check-in
  1. n.adj. a registration area or counter, as in a hotel or airport: The hotel check-in is in the lobby.
check
check
  1. n.
    1 [C] a piece of printed paper used as an order to a bank to pay s.o. the amount of money one writes on it,
    THESAURUS
    a bank draft: Every month, I write checks to pay my bills.||I pay them by check.
    2 [C] a type of ticket, such as for storing things: I lost my luggage claim check.
    3 [C] the bill in a restaurant or bar: The waiter handed me the lunch check.
    4 [C] a mark as with a pen or pencil, usu. (Ã), (syns.) a checkmark, Brit. a tick: I put a check by each item on my grocery list as I took it from the shelf.
    5 [C] an examination to see that s.t. is correct or in good condition: I added up some figures, then asked my coworker to give my answer a check (for accuracy).
    6 [C;U] a. a pattern of small squares b. material with such a pattern on it: Her dress was a black and white check.
    7 a stop,
    THESAURUS
    restraint: She was eating too much and now keeps her eating in check. See: checking account; checks and balances. —v.
    1 [I;T] to test to see if s.t. is correct: I checked my report for any errors.
    2 [I] to ask about: Oh, I was just checking to see how you are feeling.||I checked for messages at the office.
    3 [T] to give for safekeeping: She checked her coat in the restaurant coatroom.
    4 [T] to put a checkmark beside s.t.: I checked (off) each item on the list.
    5 [I] to agree: The printed list of items checks with what we received.
    6 [T] to stop, hold back: She was about to speak but checked herself and waited.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to check in or into s.t.: to register at a hotel, motel, airport, etc.: The tourist checked into the hotel.||She checked us in this morning.
    8 phrasal v. insep. to check into s.t.: to find out if s.t. is true,
    THESAURUS
    to investigate s.t.: The company checked into the worker's background before hiring him.||They checked into it.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to check on s.o. or s.t.: to look at or investigate briefly: I checked on my facts before going to the meeting.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [I] to check out: to pay the bill and leave a hotel: He checked out (of his hotel) in the morning.
    11 phrasal v. sep.infrml. [T] to check out s.o. or s.t.: a. to look at s.o. or s.t.: Have you checked out the new teacher?||Check her out. b. to ask many questions so as to investigate s.t. thoroughly: The police checked out the man's story with witnesses before they would let him go.||They checked it out. c. (of library books, tapes, etc.) to borrow: I checked out two novels from the library.||I checked them out.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [T] to check up on s.o. or s.t.: to examine, usu. with suspicion: When the owner saw that items were missing from the store shelves, he checked up on them and found that they had been stolen. -n. checker. See: check-in; checkout.
    THESAURUS
    check v.
    1 to review, inspect, examine
    2 to inquire, look in on s.o. | call
    5 to conform with | verify, confirm
    6 to restrain, curb.
checkbook
checkbook
  1. n. a folder containing checks: When I write checks to pay my bills, I keep a list of those checks in my checkbook.
checkered
checkered
  1. adj.
    1 divided into squares
    2 marked by both good and bad luck or behavior: He has a checkered past, including time in prison but is a good citizen now.
checkers
checkers
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. a game played by two people, each with 12 small, round black or red pieces (checkers) moved on a board divided into squares of two different colors: Checkers is easy to learn and fun to play. -n. checkerboard.
checking
checking
  1. n. [U] the service provided by a bank to accept or pay checks: That bank does not offer checking; it is a savings bank only.
checking account
checking account
  1. n. an account at a bank against which checks can be written: I opened a checking account with a $500 deposit. See: savings account.
checklist
checklist
  1. n. a list of items reviewed by checking them off: Students in computer repair use a checklist to be sure that they have all of their equipment.
checkmate
checkmate
  1. n. a winning move in the game of chess: When players win, they say "Checkmate."v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates
    1 to make a winning move in chess
    2 fig. to totally block and ruin s.o.'s plans,
    THESAURUS
    to defeat
checkout
checkout
  1. n.adj. [C;U]
    1 an area for making payment before leaving a hotel or store: The checkout (or) checkout counter is near the front door.
    2 an examination of a machine before operating it: The repairman did a checkout of the copier before leaving.
    THESAURUS
    checkout
    1 a cashier
    2 an inspection.
checkpoint
checkpoint
  1. n. an area for examining identity cards: The military in that country maintains checkpoints at all border crossings.
checks and balances
checks and balances
  1. n.pl. a system in which one group limits the power of another: In the USA, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Executive Branch limit each other's power in a system of checks and balances.
checkup
checkup
  1. n. a medical examination of a person by a doctor: I am going to my doctor for a checkup.
cheekbone
cheekbone
  1. n. the bone below and beside each eye: She put some makeup on her cheekbones.
cheer
cheer
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to shout with delight, admiration, or support: The crowd cheered when their team scored.||They cheered for their team.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to cheer up (s.o.): a. [I] insep. to become happier: He cheered up when he heard the good news. b. [T] sep. to make s.o. feel happier: Her visit to the hospital cheered up the patients.||It cheered them up.n.
    1 [C] a shout of delight, approval, or support: The crowd gave a cheer for their team.
    2 [U] a feeling of warmth and good spirits among people: There is a feeling of good cheer during the holidays.
    3 n.pl. cheers a toast to good health: They lifted their drinks and said "Cheers" to each other.
    THESAURUS
    cheer v.
    1 to applaud, root for 2a. to be
    THESAURUS
    comforted, be encouraged 2b. to comfort, encourage.
cheerful
cheerful
  1. adj.
    1 happy, pleasant: She whistled a cheerful tune.
    2 believing the future will be good: She has a cheerful attitude toward life. -adv. cheerfully; -n. [U] cheerfulness.
    THESAURUS
    cheerful
    1 jolly, cheery, merry
    2 positive, optimistic. Ant. unhappy.
cheerleader
cheerleader
  1. n.
    1 one who leads a crowd in cheering for a sports team
    2 fig. a leader who strongly encourages others: The company president is the cheerleader for her employees.
cheery
cheery
  1. adj. -ier, -iest showing joy or good spirits: She's always cheery on her birthday.
cheese
cheese
  1. n.
    1 [U] a solid or soft food made from the thickest part of milk: She likes Cheddar cheese.
    2 infrml.fig. a big cheese: an important person: That man is a big cheese at Empire Bank.
cheeseburger
cheeseburger
  1. n. a hamburger with melted cheese on top, served on a roll: I'll have a cheeseburger with fries, please.
cheesecake
cheesecake
  1. n. [C;U] a cake made from cream cheese or cottage cheese, eggs, sugar, etc.: I ordered chocolate cheesecake for dessert.
cheesecloth
cheesecloth
  1. n. [C;U] a cotton cloth with spaces between the threads, often used to pour foods and liquids through to catch unwanted pieces
cheetah
cheetah
  1. n. a large, fast African cat with spotted fur: Cheetahs are among the fastest animals in the world.
chef
chef
  1. n. a cook, esp. the head cook in a restaurant: The chef changes items on the menu each day.
chef's salad
chef's salad
  1. n. a salad made with lettuce and pieces of ham and cheese
chemical
chemical
  1. adj.
    1 having to do with chemistry: She is studying chemical engineering.
    2 having to do with chemicals: There was a chemical fire at a warehouse last night.||"Chemical abuse" refers to the use of illegal drugs or too much alcohol.n. a substance made from or used in a chemical process: Many household cleaners contain dangerous chemicals. -adv. chemically.
chemistry
chemistry
  1. n. [U]
    1 the science of matter, how it is structured, and how it combines and changes: She took a course in chemistry in college.
    2 fig. a. the quality of personal relationships: There is good chemistry between the teacher and her students. b. sexual attraction: She says he's a nice guy, but there's just no chemistry between them. -n. chemist.
chemotherapy
chemotherapy
  1. n. [U] strong chemical medications given esp. as a treatment for cancer
cherish
cherish
  1. v. [T] -ishes
    1 to love most dearly: She cherishes her children and does everything for them.
    2 to hold dear in one's mind: He cherishes the idea of retiring to Florida someday.
cherry
cherry
  1. n. -ries a small, round, usu. dark-red fruit that grows on a tree: Ripe cherries taste sweet.
cherub
cherub
  1. n. -ubs or -ubim a winged child in paintings and sculptures often chubby and rosy: In old paintings, cherubs are seen floating like angels in the sky. -adj. cherubic.
chess
chess
  1. n. [U] a board game for two players, each starting with 16 pieces (chessmen) that are moved across a board divided into squares (chessboard) in an attempt to capture the other player's pieces: You have won the game of chess when your opponent has nowhere to safely move his king. See: checkmate.
chest
chest
  1. n.
    1 the front of the human body above the stomach
    2 a strong box used for storing or shipping goods
    3 a small cabinet, usu. hanging on a wall: There's some aspirin in the medicine chest in the bathroom.
    4 to get s.t. off one's chest: to say what is troubling you: He was upset about his low salary and got that off his chest by telling his boss about it.
chestnut
chestnut
  1. n. a tree and its brown nut: Many people like to roast chestnuts and eat them.adj. deep reddish-brown: chestnut hair||a chestnut horse
chesty
chesty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having a large chest
chew
chew
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to move the lower jaw to grind (food) with the teeth: She chewed on a piece of meat.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to chew s.o. out: to criticize s.o. severely: She chewed out her assistant when he forgot to send an important package.||She chewed him out.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to chew s.t. over: to spend time thinking about s.t.: Let's chew over this idea.||Let's chew it over.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to chew s.t. up: a. to destroy by chewing: My dog chewed up my shoe and ruined it.||He chewed it up. b. fig. to waste, squander: That project chewed up too much time and money before it was finally finished.
    5 infrml. to chew the fat: to talk in a friendly way: Two friends chewed the fat about football.n. [U] a piece of tobacco chewed in the mouth: It is very rude to spit chew on the sidewalk. -n. chewer; [U] chewiness; -adj. chewy.
    THESAURUS
    chew
    1 to nibble, eat, consume
    2 to scold, tell s.o. off, yell at. Ant. to praise s.o.
chewing gum
chewing gum
  1. n. [U] a soft, sweet substance made for chewing: She put a stick of chewing gum in her mouth.
chic
chic
  1. adj.n. [U] having an attractive, stylish look: Her little black dress and pretty hat made her look chic. -n. [U] chicness.
chicanery
chicanery
  1. n.frml. [U] trickery or deceit, usu. illegal: A politician accused his opponent of using chicanery to win the election.
chichi
chichi
  1. adj. fashionable, often in a showy way: People going to that fancy party wore chichi clothes.
chick
chick
  1. n.
    1 a baby bird, esp. a baby chicken
    2 slang a young woman: She is a cool chick!
chickadee
chickadee
  1. n. a small North American bird, esp. a light gray bird with a black cap: The name of the chickadee sounds like its call.
chicken
chicken
  1. n.
    1 [C] a farm bird raised for its eggs and meat: The chickens pecked at their food.
    2 [C;U] its meat: We had fried chicken for dinner.
    3 [U] infrml.fig. a person without courage: I asked him to go skiing with me, but he's a chicken; he's afraid he might get hurt.
    4 to count one's chickens before they hatch: to rely on s.t. that may not happen: She spent a lot of money before she knew whether her bank loan was approved; she counted her chickens before they hatched.phrasal v. slang [I] to chicken out: to agree to do s.t., then not do it because of fear: He said he would go skiing, but he chickened out at the last minute. See: chick, 1; hen; rooster.
    THESAURUS
    chicken
    1 a hen, rooster, poultry
    3 a sissy, coward.
chicken feed
chicken feed
  1. n. [U]
    1 grain (corn, soybeans, etc.) given to chickens to eat
    2 fig. a small, unimportant amount of money: The cost of the computer equipment is chicken feed in comparison with the salaries of the people needed to run it.
chicken pox
chicken pox
  1. n. [U] a mild disease, mainly of children, with fever and itchy, red, pus-filled spots (a rash) on the skin: Our little girl had the chicken pox for 10 days.
chicory
chicory
  1. n. [U]
    1 a plant with blue flowers and leaves that are used in making salads
    2 its dried and roasted root, used in making tea or coffee: Chicory in that coffee gives it a special flavor.
chide
chide
  1. v.frml. [T] chided or chid , chiding, chides to criticize s.o. to improve their behavior,
    THESAURUS
    to reprimand: The mother chided her son about the necessity of washing his hands before eating.
chief
chief
  1. n. the top person in an organization: The leader of a Native American tribe is known as the chief.adj. most important: What is that country's chief export?
    THESAURUS
    chief the boss, leader, head.
    THESAURUS
    —adj. main, leading, principal.
chiefly
chiefly
  1. adv.
    1 most importantly, especially: We are chiefly concerned for your safety.
    2 mostly but not completely: This fruit drink is chiefly made from apple juice.
chieftain
chieftain
  1. n. the head of a tribe or tribal nations, a chief: Chieftains met to discuss peace among their tribes.
chiffon
chiffon
  1. n. [U] a light cloth made of thin silk or rayon: That pretty scarf is made of chiffon.
child
child
  1. n. children
    1 a very young person, who is no longer a baby but not yet an adolescent
    2 a son or daughter: The couple has three children, all married and in their thirties now.
    3 a person with a bad temper or little experience: When the company's owner does not get what he wants, he behaves like a child.
    4 frml. with child: pregnant: She is with child now.
    THESAURUS
    child
    1 a youngster, youth, kid. Ant. an adult.
    2 an offspring.
child's play
child's play
  1. n.fig. [U] s.t. easy to do: Fixing that door handle is not difficult; in fact, it is child's play.
childbearing
childbearing
  1. adj. (of women) capable of having children: At 38, she is still of childbearing age.n. [U] an act of giving birth to a child
childbirth
childbirth
  1. n. [U] the act of giving birth: Childbirth was difficult with her first baby.
childhood
childhood
  1. n. [C;U] the period from birth to about age 13: She had a happy childhood.
    THESAURUS
    childhood (one's) youth, upbringing.
childish
childish
  1. adj. unreasonable, failing to be adult,
    THESAURUS
    immature: Oh, don't be so childish! Take your medicine! -adv. childishly; -n. [U] childishness.
childless
childless
  1. adj. not having had a child: Theirs is a childless marriage.
childlike
childlike
  1. adj. looking or acting like a child: She looked up at him with large, childlike eyes.
childproof
childproof
  1. adj. unable to be opened by a child: Her medicine bottles are childproof, so her kids cannot poison themselves accidentally.
children
children
  1. n.pl. of child
    THESAURUS
    children the youngsters, kids, youths.
chili
chili
  1. n. -ies or chili pepper
    1 any of a variety of peppers with a hot, spicy taste, used fresh or dried in cooking
    2 a dish made with beans in a hot, spicy sauce made with chili powder. See: chili con carne.
chili con carne
chili con carne
  1. n. a dish of bits of meat and often beans in a hot, spicy sauce made with chili peppers or chili powder
chilly
chilly
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 a little cold: We have chilly weather in the early winter.
    2 unfriendly: She doesn't like him and gave him a chilly hello. -n. [U] chilliness.
    THESAURUS
    chilly
    1 nippy, cool | icy, frosty. Ant. warm.
    2 unwelcoming, cool, indifferent.
chime
chime
  1. n.
    1 a set of bells, each of which makes a different note when struck
    2 an electronic device that produces a bell-like sound: I heard the chime of the doorbell.v. chimed, chiming, chimes
    1 [I;T] to make the sound of chimes: Our doorbells chime.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to chime in: to suddenly join a conversation,
    THESAURUS
    to interrupt: The husband and wife were arguing when one of their children chimed in that it was time to leave.
chimney
chimney
  1. n. -neys the large metal pipe or hollow brick structure for passing smoke from a fire or furnace into the open air: The chimneys of that factory rise high into the air.n. chimney sweep.
chimpanzee
chimpanzee
  1. n. a type of African ape with long arms: Chimpanzees are intelligent animals.
chin
chin
  1. n.
    1 the front of the lower jaw beneath the lips
    2 to do chin-ups: to exercise by pulling oneself up on a bar until one's chin is just above it
    3 to keep one's chin up: to keep (up) one's courage: Keep your chin up; you will do well on the exam.
    4 to take it on the chin: to suffer a bad loss: He took it on the chin when he lost all his savings in the stock market crash.
china
china
  1. n. [U]
    1 fine dishes, cups, plates, and bowls: We use our best china only for Sunday dinner.
    2 the white clay used in making fine china
chinchilla
chinchilla
  1. n. a small South American animal like a squirrel, or its soft valuable fur: a chinchilla coat
chink
chink
  1. n.
    1 a narrow opening, like a crack,
    THESAURUS
    fissure: Light came through a chink in the wooden wall.
    2 a short metallic sound
chinos
chinos
  1. n.pl. pants made of a soft, long-wearing cotton cloth: He wears chinos to school every day.
chintz
chintz
  1. n. [U] cotton cloth printed with bright patterns: Those red and yellow curtains are made of chintz.
chintzy
chintzy
  1. adj.infrml. cheap and bright: Do not buy that chintzy dress; you can see right through it.
chip
chip
  1. n.
    1 a piece of wood, paint, etc. knocked or fallen off s.t.: Chips of paint fell on the floor from the old wall.
    2 a crisp, usu. salty slice of fried food: a bag of potato chips
    3 a round piece of plastic used for money in gambling: She counted her chips before placing her bet.
    4 short for microchip, the part of an electronic device that controls it: A computer chip allows the computer to store and process information.
    5 a chip off the old block: s.o. who is very much like one of his or her parents
    6 to have a chip on one's shoulder: to be bitter or resentful and become angry easily: He has a chip on his shoulder and will argue about the littlest thing.
    THESAURUS
    chip n.
    1 a fragment, bit, small portion. —v. chipped, chipping, chips
    1 [I;T] to break or cut off a small piece or small bits: I've chipped a tooth.||The hunter chipped pieces of wood off a branch to use in a fire.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to chip away at s.t.: to reduce s.t. slowly: She chipped away at the man's authority until he had none left.
    3 phrasal v. [I;T] to chip in: to put in one's share of money: We all chipped in and bought the boss a birthday present. chip v.
    1 to crack
    3 to contribute, pitch in.
chipmunk
chipmunk
  1. n. a small squirrel-like animal with brown fur and black stripes on its back: Chipmunks like to eat seeds and nuts.
chipper
chipper
  1. adj.infrml. happy and full of energy,
    THESAURUS
    cheerful: My uncle is 80 years old and still as chipper and active as ever.
chiropractor
chiropractor
  1. n. a licensed professional who lines up people's bones, esp. the spine, with pressure of the hands: Chiropractors try to free people of back pain. -n. chiropractic.
chirp
chirp
  1. n.v. [I] a high, short, sharp sound: Birds chirped in the early morning.
chisel
chisel
  1. n. a metal tool with a V-shaped point for cutting wood or stone: Sculptors use chisels to carve statues.v.
    1 [T] to carve with a chisel: A worker chiseled stones to fit together to make a wall.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to chisel s.o. out of s.t.: to cheat or trick s.o. and take their money: That man chiseled me out of $100. -n. chiseler.
chit
chit
  1. n.
    1 a note signed for money owed for food and drink in a restaurant or bar
    2 a printed piece of paper used as a substitute for money: That government paid its soldiers in chits, not real cash.
chitchat
chitchat
  1. n.v. [I] -chatted, -chatting, -chats [U] friendly conversation about unimportant matters: Entering the house, we could hear the chitchat at the party.
chivalrous
chivalrous
  1. adj.frml.
    1 having good manners, esp. toward women,
    THESAURUS
    gallant: That chivalrous gentleman helped the elderly lady across the street and into a taxi.
    2 related to the rules of good behavior among male nobility (knights) in the Middle Ages -n. [U] chivalry.
chive
chive
  1. n. a small, onion-like plant with long, thin, green leaves used to flavor food: I put chives in my salad for flavor.
chlorinated
chlorinated
  1. adj. treated with chlorine to kill germs: Our drinking water is chlorinated. -v. [T] chlorinate.
chlorine
chlorine
  1. n. [U] a yellowish, poisonous gas used to kill germs, in industry, etc. —adj. containing chlorine: I used chlorine bleach to whiten my laundry.
chloroform
chloroform
  1. n.v. [T] [U] a colorless, heavy liquid chemical: Chloroform can be used in refrigeration, pressured cans, and as an anesthetic.
chlorophyll
chlorophyll
  1. n. [U] the green substance in plants
chock
chock
  1. n. a thick piece of wood or metal used to block s.t. from moving: She put a chock under the rear tire while she changed a flat in the front.
chockfull
chockfull
  1. adj.infrml. full to overflowing,
    THESAURUS
    crammed: The football stadium is chockfull of people.
chocolate
chocolate
  1. n.
    1 [U] a light to dark brown candy, powder, or syrup made from roasted cacao beans: He sent a box of chocolates to his sweetheart.
    2 hot chocolate: a drink made from sweet chocolate powder and hot milk —adj. a reddish brown: He wore a chocolate-colored sweater.
choice
choice
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the power or right to choose: The choice is yours; tell us what you decide.
    2 [C] a variety of things from which to choose: The college offers a wide choice of courses.
    3 [C] s.o. or s.t. chosen: His first choice for a vacation would be Disney World.adj. choicer, choicest
    1 special, very desirable: They bought a choice piece of property near the water.
    2 being a high grade of meat below prime meat: choice steak See: choose.
    THESAURUS
    choice n.
    1 a decision
    2 a selection, assortment, array
    3 an option, pick, alternative.
choir
choir
  1. n. a group of singers: Our neighbors sing in the church choir.
choke
choke
  1. v. choked, choking, chokes
    1 [I] to stop breathing because of a block in the air passage in the throat: He choked on a piece of meat that stuck in his throat.
    2 [T] to cut off s.o.'s air supply by squeezing the neck, strangle: The murderer choked his victim to death.
    3 [I;T] to be unable to speak, esp. because of sadness: She choked on her tears at her mother's burial.
    4 [I] infrml. to become so nervous under pressure as to fail: In the final game, the tennis player choked (or) choked up and lost by repeatedly missing the ball.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to choke s.t. back: to control anger, etc.: He choked back his anger.||He choked it back.
    THESAURUS
    choke
    1 to gag
    2 to suffocate, smother.
cholera
cholera
  1. n. [U] a serious, often deadly disease of the stomach and intestines found mainly in tropical countries: Those poor people caught cholera from bad drinking water.
cholesterol
cholesterol
  1. n. [U] a slippery white crystal-like substance found in the body, including the blood and the brain: Too much cholesterol can block the blood vessels and cause a heart attack.
choose
choose
  1. v. [I;T] chose or chosen , choosing, chooses
    1 to pick (one or more) out of a greater number, to make a choice: I had to choose between two job offers.
    2 to decide: I chose to go to the movies alone.
    THESAURUS
    choose
    1 to select, decide between
    2 to opt for s.t., prefer, want | elect.
choosy
choosy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest selecting only what one wants, and often difficult to please,
    THESAURUS
    finicky: He is very choosy about what he eats.
chop
chop
  1. v. [T] chopped, chopping, chops
    1 to cut with hard, sharp blows: She chops wood for the fire with an ax.
    2 to cut into small pieces: She chopped carrots and onions with a knife.n.
    1 a sharp blow: the chop of an ax, a karate chop
    2 a cut of meat, usu. on a bone: She had lamb (pork, veal) chops for dinner.
    3 slang the lower part of the face, jaw: He punched the man right in the chops.
    THESAURUS
    chop v.
    1 to split, chop up s.t.
    2 to slice, dice.
chopper
chopper
  1. n.
    1 a sharp metal tool for cutting
    2 slang a helicopter: The army uses choppers to carry soldiers by air.
choppy
choppy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest
    1 (said of oceans and lakes) having waves, esp. high ones: We had a rough boat ride on a choppy sea.
    2 not smooth,
    THESAURUS
    jerky: choppy movements||choppy speech -adv. choppily; -n. [U] choppiness.
chopsticks
chopsticks
  1. n.pl. two thin sticks of wood, ivory, etc., used to take hold of food and put it in the mouth: Chopsticks are commonly used in China and Japan.
choral
choral
  1. adj. having to do with a chorus or choir (singing group): She sings in a church choral group.
chord
chord
  1. n.
    1 (in music) three or more musical notes played together
    2 fig. a feeling: The sound of her voice on the telephone struck a chord (of love) with him.
    3 a straight line connecting two points on a circle or curve
chore
chore
  1. n. a boring but necessary act: I have to do the chores at home, like taking out the garbage and washing the dishes.
choreography
choreography
  1. n. [U] the art of arranging dance steps for dancers to perform: The choreography of that ballet was done by a famous choreographer. -v. choreograph ; -n. choreographer.
chortle
chortle
  1. v. [I] n. -tled, -tling, -tles to laugh softly with delight: I chortled at his funny joke.
chorus
chorus
  1. n.v. [I;T] -ruses
    1 a usu. large group of singers,
    THESAURUS
    a choir: My daughter sings in the high-school chorus.
    2 a piece of music for a chorus
    3 a part of a song that is repeated after each verse,
    THESAURUS
    refrain: The audience joined the folksinger in singing the chorus.
    4 a group of people who sing and dance together, esp. in a musical comedy: She started her career as a chorus girl on Broadway.
    5 words spoken by a group at the same time: Everyone complained all at once about the new taxes; there was a chorus of protest.
chose
chose
  1. v. past tense of choose
chosen
chosen
  1. v. past part. of choose
chow
chow
  1. n. slang food —phrasal v. slang [I] to chow down: to eat: It's lunchtime and I'm going to chow down.
chowder
chowder
  1. n. [U] a thick soup, usu. made with some type of fish, milk, and vegetable: She ordered a bowl of fish (corn, clam) chowder.
christen
christen
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make s.o., usu. a child, a Christian and/or give them a first name in a church ceremony,
    THESAURUS
    to baptize: The minister christened our son and we named him Joseph.
    2 to formally name and launch a new ship -n. [C;U] christening.
chrome
chrome
  1. n. [U] v. [T] chromed, chroming, chromes
    1 a shiny, hard, steel-gray metal,
    THESAURUS
    chromium: Chrome is used to make stainless steel.
    2 a shiny coating of chromium on metal: The bumpers on that car are made of steel covered with chrome. -adj. chrome-plated.
chromium
chromium
  1. n. [U] a basic metal that is shiny, hard, and gray: Chromium has many uses, including to harden steel and as a shiny coating over metal.
chromosome
chromosome
  1. n. the part of a plant or animal's cells that contains the characteristics that are passed on from parent to offspring: Chromosomes look like tiny threads and contain the DNA in each cell.
chronic
chronic
  1. adj.
    1 long lasting,
    THESAURUS
    persistent: She has had chronic pain in her back for years.
    2 failing to change,
    THESAURUS
    habitual: He is a chronic troublemaker. -adv. chronically.
chronicle
chronicle
  1. n. a written and/or photographic record of events as they happen —v. [T] -cled, -cling, -cles to record (historical events): Newspapers and television chronicle world events each day.
chronological
chronological
  1. adj. of the order of events as they happen over time,
    THESAURUS
    sequential: A television reporter gave a chronological description of the football game. -adv. chronologically.
chronology
chronology
  1. n. -ogies a list or description of events in the order in which they happen: That history book gives a chronology of battles in World War II.
chrysanthemum
chrysanthemum
  1. n. a plant with large, showy flowers in late summer and fall: They planted many different colors of chrysanthemums in their garden.
chubby
chubby
  1. adj. -bier, -biest fat,
    THESAURUS
    plump: Many babies are chubby.
chuck
chuck
  1. v.infrml. [T]
    1 to throw: I chucked the ball to him.
    2 to gently pat in an upward motion: He chucked the baby under the chin.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to chuck s.o. or s.t. out: a. s.o.: to force to leave: They chucked out the protestor.||They chucked him out. b. s.t.: to throw out,
    THESAURUS
    to discard: She chucked out some old shoes.n.infrml.
    1 [C] a gentle pat in an upward motion: He gave the baby a chuck under the chin.
    2 [C] a throw
    3 [C] a holder for a tool
    4 [U] a cut of beef from the neck and shoulder
    5 [U] infrml. (in Western USA) food
chuckle
chuckle
  1. v. [I] n. -led, -ling, -les to laugh softly: He does not laugh out loud; he only chuckles.
chug
chug
  1. v.n. chugged, chugging, chugs
    1 [I] to make short, explosive sounds, like an engine working hard
    2 [I] to move while making these sounds: The train chugged through the mountains.
    3 infrml. [T] to drink rapidly, causing the throat to make chugging sounds as one swallows: He felt ill after chugging a beer.
chum
chum
  1. n. a good friend, esp. among boys — chummed, chumming, chums phrasal v. insep. to chum around together or with: to go places with one's chums: Those boys chum around with each other after school.
chummy
chummy
  1. adj. -mier, -miest friendly: They are very chummy (with each other).
chump
chump
  1. n. slang s.o. easily tricked by others,
    THESAURUS
    a fool: He was a chump to believe those lies.
chunk
chunk
  1. n. a thick piece: He cut off a chunk of meat from the roast turkey. -adj. chunky.
church
church
  1. n. churches
    1 a building for worship, esp. a Christian one: I go to church every Sunday.
    2 sing. [U] the church: the whole of a Christian institution including all its churches, members, and beliefs: the Catholic church||the Protestant church

    USAGE NOTE: Jews go to worship in a synagogue or schul, and Muslims go to a mosque.
churchyard
churchyard
  1. n. the area around a church: Part of a churchyard is often used as a cemetery.
churlish
churlish
  1. adj.frml. rude, unpleasant,
    THESAURUS
    surly: His churlish behavior annoys everyone. -adv. churlishly; -n. [U] churlishness.
churn
churn
  1. v.
    1 [T] to beat cream or milk until it becomes butter
    2 [I] to mix and move violently: Water churns under a waterfall.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to churn s.t. out: to produce in large amounts: That newspaper reporter churns out many stories each week.||He churns them out.n. a device used to churn cream or milk into butter: a butter churn
chute
chute
  1. n. an open slide with sides,
    THESAURUS
    an inclined trough: In some apartment buildings, people throw waste down a garbage chute.
chutzpah
chutzpah
  1. n. [U] infrml. boldness without shame,
    THESAURUS
    brazenness: He had the chutzpah to ask for a raise after working here one week!
cider
cider
  1. n. [U]
    1 juice squeezed from fruit, esp. apples
    2 hard cider: an alcoholic beverage made from apple cider
cigar
cigar
  1. n. a round, wrapped roll of tobacco leaves made for smoking: Some cigars are very expensive.
cigarette
cigarette
  1. n. a round roll of finely cut tobacco wrapped in paper for smoking: She lit a cigarette.
cinch
cinch
  1. n. cinches
    1 [C] a type of belt usu. made of thick leather: The cinch on a saddle holds it tight on the horse.
    2 sing.infrml. an easy task: Passing that driver's test was a cinch.
    3 sing.infrml. s.t. certain to happen: It's a cinch that our team will win the tournament.v. [T] cinches
    1 to tighten a belt
    2 infrml. to make secure or certain: We offered to pay what they asked and cinched the deal right there.
cinder
cinder
  1. n. a piece of burned substance (coal, wood) not completely burned to ashes: He cleaned out cinders of coal from the stove.
cinder block
cinder block
  1. n. a large gray block made of concrete and cinders, used in building: The walls of that factory are made of cinder blocks.
cinema
cinema
  1. n. the cinema: the industry of making movies: He is an actor in the cinema in Hollywood.
cinematographer
cinematographer
  1. n. a person who operates the camera in making a movie
cinnamon
cinnamon
  1. n. [U] a brown spice from Asia: The baker put cinnamon on the doughnuts.
cipher
cipher
  1. n.
    1 [C] the number zero
    2 [U] a secret code for written messages: The spy sent the information in cipher.
    3 [C] pej. a person who is not good for much of anything
circa
circa
  1. prep.frml. (used with dates) about,
    THESAURUS
    approximately: The war ended circa 1917 (or) c. 1917. -abbr. c.
circle
circle
  1. n.
    1 a closed curved line whose every point is equally far from the center: The teacher drew a circle on the blackboard.
    2 a group of people with a shared interest: a circle of friends||political circles
    3 a seating area in a theater above the main floor
    4 to go in or around in circles: to be confused and make no progress: I have been going around in circles all day trying to solve that problem.
    5 to come full circle: to return to the starting point: The company started out as a small one, grew large, then had to cut back sharply; it has come full circle.v. -cled, -cling, -cles
    1 [T] to draw a circle around: The student circled the answers on the test.
    2 [I;T] to go around: The soldiers circled around their enemy to avoid them.
    THESAURUS
    circle n.
    1 a ring, sphere
    2 the crowd, bunch, set.
circuit
circuit
  1. n.
    1 a closed path for an electrical current: electrical circuits
    2 a route with regular stops: That truck driver makes a circuit of the stores in this area.
circuitous
circuitous
  1. adj. taking a long, indirect course,
    THESAURUS
    roundabout: We took a circuitous route to avoid driving through the center of the city.
circular
circular
  1. adj.
    1 having a round shape or design: The dancers made circular movements.
    2 marked by reasoning in a circle: His circular argument persuaded no one.
    3 infrml. the circular file: a wastebasket: I threw that letter in the circular file.n. a printed advertising piece: A boy handed out circulars on sales items for the local grocery store.
circulate
circulate
  1. v. -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 [T] to pass around: I circulated the report to everyone on the committee.
    2 [I;T] to flow: Blood circulates in the body.
    3 [I] to move around: The hostess circulated among her guests at the party. -adj. circulatory.
circulation
circulation
  1. n.
    1 [U] the motion of s.t. about a circular path
    2 [C;U] the motion of the blood as it is pumped through the body by the heart: For an old man, he has good circulation.
    3 [C] the number of copies of a newspaper, magazine, etc., sold at one time: The circulation of the Sunday newspaper is over one million.
    THESAURUS
    circulation
    1 the flow, movement.
circumcise
circumcise
  1. v. [T] -cised, -cising, -cises to cut the tip of the skin off the human male sex organ (penis) or cut the clitoris of the female: The doctor circumcised the baby boy shortly after birth. -n. [C;U] circumcision.
circumference
circumference
  1. n.
    1 the distance around a circle
    2 the distance around the outer boundary of s.t. round or circular: The circumference of the earth is over 40,000 km (nearly 25,000 miles).
circumstance
circumstance
  1. n.
    1 a condition (fact, situation, etc.) that affects s.t. else: Icy roads and a bad storm are circumstances that may lead to car accidents.
    2 in difficult circumstances: in trouble, such as with money: He is in difficult circumstances because he has no job.
    3 under no circumstances: never, in no way: The mother told her daughter that under no circumstances is she to go out alone at night.
    4 under the circumstances: because the situation requires it: His father was having his eyes operated on; so under the circumstances, the son stayed with him until he could see. -adj. circumstantial .
    THESAURUS
    circumstance n.
    1 an event, issue, occurrence
    4 thus, therefore, consequently.
circumstantial evidence
circumstantial evidence
  1. n. [U] indirect evidence about a crime that no one actually saw happen: Police found the man's knife at the murder scene, but that was only circumstantial evidence.
circumvent
circumvent
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to find a way around, avoid: The company was going bankrupt and the owner circumvented the problem by getting a bank loan.
    2 to go around s.t., esp. by dishonest means: to circumvent the law -n. [U] circumvention.
circus
circus
  1. n. -cuses
    1 a traveling show of performers (clowns, acrobats) and trained animals
    2 fig. a busy, often funny situation: With 25 children at the birthday party, the house was a circus.
cirrhosis
cirrhosis
  1. n. [U] a disease of the liver that finally causes it to fail: He died of cirrhosis of the liver.
cistern
cistern
  1. n. a container or tank for holding water: A cistern in the village catches and holds rainwater.
citadel
citadel
  1. n. a military fortress in or near a city: A citadel overlooks the old city.
citation
citation
  1. n.
    1 an order to appear in court to answer charges,
    THESAURUS
    a summons
    2 praise for doing s.t. good,
    THESAURUS
    a commendation: The police officer received a citation for saving a man's life.
    3 frml. a mention or quotation of s.o. else's words
cite
cite
  1. v. [T] cited, citing, cites
    1 to issue a citation (legal summons): A policeman cited her for illegal parking (drunk driving, speeding, etc.).
    2 to honor s.o. officially: A policewoman was cited for bravery.
    3 to mention or quote as an example or authority: In his report, the scientist cited the work of other researchers.
citify
citify
  1. v. [T] -fied, Öfying, Öfies to make s.o. behave like city people with fine clothes and interests in city entertainments
citizen
citizen
  1. n.
    1 a legal member of a country, state, or city: She is a US citizen.
    2 a non-military person: ordinary citizens -n. citizenry.
citizens band
citizens band
  1. n. in the USA, radio frequencies available to ordinary citizens to communicate with each other: Truck drivers often talk with each other on their CB radios. -abbr. CB.
citizenship
citizenship
  1. n. [U] the legal status of belonging to a country, usu. including the right to vote: I had to wait five years, but I now have my US citizenship.
citric acid
citric acid
  1. n. [U] the acid found in citrus juice
citrus
citrus
  1. n. [U] -ruses
    1 a general term for trees bearing citrus fruits
    2 the fruits themselves, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruit: A lot of citrus is grown in Florida and California.
city
city
  1. n. -ies
    1 an area with many thousands of people living and working close together,
    THESAURUS
    a metropolis: Many tourists visit the city of London.
    2 the city: the part of a city where people work and shop, usu. its center: I live in a suburb and commute to the city every day.
    3 infrml.fig. fat city: an excellent, secure life with money: He has a high-paying job; he's sitting in fat city.
    4 the big city: city life with entertainment, restaurants, and bright lights: She is a city girl; she likes (the life of) the big city.
city hall
city hall
  1. n.
    1 [C] a building where a city's government is located
    2 [C;U] a center of power that will force you to do or not do s.t.: You can't fight city hall (and win); I tried for years to build a garage next to my house, but they wouldn't let me do it.
city slicker
city slicker
  1. n.infrml. s.o. who is used to the comforts of the city, and is not used to country life: City slickers go everywhere in the country during vacation.
civic
civic
  1. adj. of a city, citizenship, or a citizen: It is your civic duty to vote.
civics
civics
  1. n. [U] a branch of political science that deals with the rights and responsibilities of citizens: She took a course in civics at her high school.
civil
civil
  1. adj.
    1 of citizens in general, not religious or military: A judge married the couple in a civil ceremony at City Hall.
    2 (in law) of a citizen's rights and responsibilities: Civil courts deal with cases like divorce and business disagreements, not criminal matters.
    3 polite, esp. without being friendly,
    THESAURUS
    courteous: to behave in a civil manner -adv. civilly; -n. civility.
civil disobedience
civil disobedience
  1. n. [U] peaceful noncooperation with governmental policy and laws, as a way of saying that you disagree with them: As an act of civil disobedience, protesters blocked traffic to the capitol.
civil law
civil law
  1. n. [U] the body of law dealing with the rights of individual citizens (not criminal law)
civil rights
civil rights
  1. n.pl. in the USA, the rights of each citizen guaranteed by the US Constitution, such as the rights to vote and not be discriminated against because of race, ethnic background, etc.: The political movement for civil rights was strongest during the 1950s and 1960s. See: nonviolent, USAGE NOTE.
civil service
civil service
  1. n. [C;U] government employees and the governmental work that they do: The civil service does not include the lawmaking, military, or judicial parts of government. See: bureaucracy. -n. civil servant.
civil war
civil war
  1. n.
    1 a war between groups in a country
    2 the Civil War: in the USA, the war between the North and the South: The Civil War lasted from 1861 to 1865.
civilian
civilian
  1. n.adj. s.o. who is not a member of the military or police forces, an ordinary citizen: He has left the army; he's a civilian again.
civilization
civilization
  1. n. [C;U] a high level of government, laws, written language, art, music, etc., within a society or culture: Ancient Greek civilization had important effects on Roman culture.
    THESAURUS
    civilization n. a society, culture.
civilize
civilize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes
    1 to improve the behavior or manners of, (syns.) to refine, polish: A good education civilizes people.
    2 to bring from a lower level of human social organization to a higher one
clack
clack
  1. v. [I;T] n. to make a sharp, loud sound: A worker clacked two wooden boards together to knock the dust off them.
clad
clad
  1. adj.
    1 litr. clothed: He was clad only in his underwear.
    2 suffix covered with s.t.: a copperclad frying pan See: ironclad.
claim
claim
  1. v. [T]
    1 to state s.t. as being true, esp. when there is some doubt, maintain: She claims that she has a college degree.
    2 to take possession of as a right: After the airplane landed, I claimed my luggage. See: claim check. —n.
    1 a right to s.t.: He has a claim on part of the money left by his dead father.
    2 a demand for s.t. that one has a right to: He filed an insurance claim after his car was stolen.
    3 a statement that s.t. is true: The police don't believe her claim that she knows who the thief is.
    4 infrml. a claim to fame: s.t. important about a person or place: His claim to fame is that he played professional football years ago. -n. claimant .
    THESAURUS
    claim v.
    1 to allege, assert
    2 to find. —--n.
    3 an assertion, allegation.
clairvoyant
clairvoyant
  1. adj.n. able to tell what will happen in the future: She was clairvoyant when she said that she would later marry the man that she had just met. -n. clairvoyance.
clam
clam
  1. n.
    1 a sea creature with two hard shells: In New England, many people eat fried clams.
    2 slang a US dollar: That shirt cost me 50 clams.v. [I] clammed, clamming, clams
    1 to dig for clams
    2 phrasal v. to clam up: to shut one's mouth and not speak: When I asked him where he had heard the news, he clammed up.
clambake
clambake
  1. n. a party where clams, lobster, corn, etc., are baked and served, usu. on a beach: We celebrated the end of summer with a big clambake by the sea.
clamber
clamber
  1. v. [I] to climb with difficulty: The baby clambered onto the sofa.
clammy
clammy
  1. adj. -mier, -miest
    1 moist, damp: clammy weather
    2 unpleasantly wet: He has a clammy handshake.
clamor
clamor
  1. v. [I;T] to make loud, noisy demands or protests: Outside the factory, the protesters clamored for higher pay.n. a loud protest: They created quite a clamor.
clamp
clamp
  1. n. a tool used to hold things tightly: I used a clamp to hold the board still while I sawed it in half.v.
    1 [T] to put a clamp on s.t.: She clamped the two pieces of wood together while the glue dried.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I] to clamp down on s.t.: to stop s.t., esp. by use of authority or force: The police clamped down on crime. -n. clampdown.
clan
clan
  1. n. a large group of relatives or families, usu. with the same ancestor: The Highlanders of Scotland have many clans.
clandestine
clandestine
  1. adj. done in secret,
    THESAURUS
    covert: The government carries on clandestine activities, like spying. -adv. clandestinely.
clang
clang
  1. v. [I;T] n. to make a loud sound of metal hitting metal: The heavy prison door clanged shut.
clangor
clangor
  1. n. a loud or continuing clanging sound: The clangor coming from the street woke me early in the morning.
clank
clank
  1. v. [I] n. to make a loud, dull sound of metal hitting s.t. hard, not as loud as a clang: A hammer clanked as it hit the floor.
clannish
clannish
  1. adj. loyal to family members and usu. showing dislike of strangers: That family is very clannish and distrustful of outsiders. -n. [U] clannishness.
clap
clap
  1. v. clapped, clapping, claps
    1 [I;T] to strike the hands together in approval, applaud: The audience clapped after the concert.
    2 [T] to slap with the open hand in a friendly way: I clapped him on the back and said, "Congratulations!"
    3 infrml. [T] to put or send quickly: The police clapped the thief in jail.n.
    1 a very loud noise: I heard a clap of thunder in the distance.
    2 the sound of hands being struck together: There was not a single clap from the audience.
    3 a friendly slap
    THESAURUS
    clap v.
    1 to give a round of applause. —n.
    1 a crash, boom, crack.
clapboard
clapboard
  1. n. [C;U] a long, narrow board that overlaps with others to form the outer walls of a building: Clapboards are used to cover the outside of houses.
clapper
clapper
  1. n. the piece of metal with a ball-shaped end found inside a bell: The clapper struck and made the bell ring.
clarification
clarification
  1. n. [C;U] an explanation or correction: Government officials often issue clarifications of their earlier statements.
clarify
clarify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make clear, explain: The student was confused and the teacher clarified the idea.
    2 (of liquids) to make pure
    THESAURUS
    clarify
    1 to make s.t. understandable, spell s.t. out
    2 to filter, purify, refine.
clarinet
clarinet
  1. n. a usu. wooden musical instrument shaped like a long, narrow black tube with a bell-shaped end
clarion
clarion
  1. n.adj. a loud, high, clear sound, usu. made by a trumpet or bugle, calling people to action:(fig.) A politician sounded the clarion call to reform the government.
clarity
clarity
  1. n. [U]
    1 clearness of ideas, writing, or situations: She speaks with great clarity on difficult matters.
    2 clearness or purity of physical things: the clarity of a diamond, the clarity (purity) of water
    THESAURUS
    clarity
    1 precision | lucidity frml. Ant. ambiguity.
clash
clash
  1. v. [I] n. clashes
    1 to hit together violently,
    THESAURUS
    to strike: the clash of armies in battle
    2 to argue heatedly,
    THESAURUS
    to quarrel: The man and wife clashed over spending too much money.
    3 to not look good with: That bright red tie clashes with his green suit.
clasp
clasp
  1. n.
    1 a fastener made of two parts that lock together: She fastened the clasp on her necklace.
    2 a firm hold of the hands —v. [T]
    1 to hold tightly: He clasped his hands together and prayed.
    2 to lock together with a clasp: She clasped her necklace.
class-conscious
class-conscious
  1. adj. aware of what part of society one belongs to: He's so class-conscious that he feels too good to associate with some people, and he worries that he isn't good enough for others.
class
class
  1. n. classes
    1 [C;U] a level in society based on money, education, and family standing: There are four social classes in the USA, namely the upper class, middle class, working class, and lower class.
    2 [C] a group whose members have at least one similarity,
    THESAURUS
    category: A motorcycle belongs to a different class of vehicle from cars and trucks.
    3 [C] a. a meeting between teacher and students for educational purposes: My English class meets at 10:00 A.M. b. the students in such a meeting: The class listened and took notes.
    4 [C] a group of students who will finish school in the same year: He graduated with the class of 1995.
    5 in a class by itself: much better than everything else of its kind
    6 slang to have class: to show high quality in appearance and manners: She always looks great and knows the right thing to say; she has a lot of class. See: classy.
    THESAURUS
    class
    1 (one's) socioeconomic group, rank, station
    2 a classification, kind, type 3a a course, lesson.
class action suit
class action suit
  1. n. a lawsuit brought against s.o. or s.t. by a group of people with the same complaint: When the chemical plant blew up and killed thousands of people, a lawyer brought a class action suit against it.
classic
classic
  1. n.
    1 an object regarded as an example of the best of s.t.: That 1950 Mercedes is a classic.
    2 a musical or literary work (novel, play, etc.) that has been regarded as important for a long time, timeless: The novel The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is a classic of American literature.
    3 pl. classics: the literature of ancient Greece, and of Rome: Homer's Odyssey is considered one of the classics.adj.
    1 among the best of its kind: He collects classic cars.
    2 of the highest order: a classic novel
    3 typical of its kind: a classic example
    THESAURUS
    classic n.
    2 a standard, masterpiece. —adj.
    1 superior, excellent, top-notch infrml.
    2 timeless
    3 classical, ideal, model.
classical
classical
  1. adj.
    1 proven and accepted: classical methods of raising children
    2 related to 18th-century European music: Beethoven and Mozart were classical composers.
    3 related to the literature, art, architecture, etc., of ancient Greece and Rome: classical literature -adv. classically; -n. classicism ; classicist.
classification
classification
  1. n. [C;U] a category, esp. one used for formal purposes by government or science: The classification of steel is as a metal.
classified ad
classified ad
  1. n. a brief advertisement printed in a special section of a newspaper or magazine with others of the same kind, offering or asking for goods or services, jobs, etc.
    THESAURUS
    classified ad a want ad.
classify
classify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to put (things, ideas, etc.) in groups with similar characteristics,
    THESAURUS
    to categorize: The biologist classified that big plant as a flower, not a tree.
    2 to mark as secret: Governments classify military plans, so only a few know about them.
classmate
classmate
  1. n. a student with whom one attends school: She was one of my classmates in high school.
classroom
classroom
  1. n. a room where students are taught by a teacher: My classroom is on the fourth floor.
classy
classy
  1. adj. infrml. -ier, -iest among the best in appearance or behavior, elegant: They live in a very classy neighborhood.
    THESAURUS
    classy stylish, fashionable, chic.
clatter
clatter
  1. n.sing. v. [I;T] a loud sound of hard things hitting other hard things: I heard the clatter of horses' hoofs on the street.
clause
clause
  1. n.
    1 a part in a document that requires s.t. to be agreed on and/or done,
    THESAURUS
    a stipulation: The rent clause in my apartment lease says I must pay on the first day of each month.
    2 one part, with its own subject and verb, of a complex or compound sentence: There are two clauses in this sentence, and they are divided by a comma.
claustrophobia
claustrophobia
  1. n. [U] a fear of small, closed-in places: She gets claustrophobia in elevators and closets. -adj. claustrophobic.
clavicle
clavicle
  1. n. the collarbone: He fell and broke his clavicle.
claw
claw
  1. n.
    1 one of the sharp nails on an animal's paw or toe: a bear claw, a lion's claws
    2 the pincers of certain sea animals, used to catch and hold things: a lobster clawv.
    1 [I;T] to scratch or strike with claws: My cat clawed me on the hand.
    2 fig. to claw one's way: to work very hard,
    THESAURUS
    to struggle: He clawed and fought his way to the top and lost many friends in the process.
    THESAURUS
    claw v.
    1 to scrape, tear, graze.
clay
clay
  1. n.adj.
    1 a type of fine-grained ma-terial from the ground that can be shaped when wet, and will hold the shape when dried or baked: She likes to make dishes out of clay.
    2 to have feet of clay: to have bad characteristics while seeming to be perfect: That politician seemed so fine, yet his personal life was a mess; he has feet of clay.
clean-cut
clean-cut
  1. adj. (said of men and boys) with shaved face, well-cut short hair, and neat clothes
clean
clean
  1. adj.
    1 free of dirt, dust, or soil: I just finished the wash, so now I have clean clothes.
    2 without any marks: Please get me a clean piece of paper to write on.
    3 with everything in the proper order: His desk hasn't been clean in months.
    4 slang to come clean: to confess the truth: The thief came clean and admitted that he stole the watch.v.
    1 [I;T] to free from dirt, such as by wiping or washing: She cleaned her eyeglasses with a handkerchief.
    2 [I;T] to put in proper order: The boy cleaned his room by putting his toys and clothes back where they belong.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to clean s.o. or s.t. out: a. s.o.: to leave s.o. without any money: His friends won all his money playing cards; they really cleaned him out. b. s.t.: to remove dirt or objects from s.t.: After seven years, we finally cleaned out our closets in our apartment. c. s.o. or s.t.: to steal everything from: The robbers cleaned out the store.||They cleaned it out.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to clean (s.o. or s.t.) up: a. s.o. or s.t.: to make a place or oneself cleaner: After the party, I cleaned up (the glasses, ashtrays, etc.).||I cleaned them up. b. to make a lot of money: She invested in good stocks and really cleaned up.
    5 slang to clean up one's act: to get free of bad habits: He was on drugs, but finally cleaned up his act.adv.infrml. completely: I didn't buy bread because I clean forgot.
    THESAURUS
    clean adj.
    1 washed, spotless, unsoiled, infrml. clean as a whistle. Ants. dirty, filthy.
    THESAURUS
    2 blank
    3 neat, tidy. Ant. messy.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to wash, cleanse | vacuum, dust. Ants. to soil, get s.t. dirty | pollute (the environment).
    THESAURUS
    2 to pick up, tidy, neaten, straighten up s.t.
cleaner
cleaner
  1. n.
    1 a substance, like strong soap, used to clean surfaces,
    THESAURUS
    a cleanser
    2 a person who cleans (offices, houses, etc.)
    3 a cleaning business for clothes,
    THESAURUS
    a dry cleaner: I took my suit to the cleaner (or) cleaners to be cleaned and pressed.
    4 fig.infrml. to take s.o. to the cleaners: to charge s.o. too much money or cheat s.o.: My car broke down, and the garage that fixed it took me to the cleaners.
cleaning
cleaning
  1. n. [U]
    1 the ordinary household and office work of making bathrooms and kitchens clean, vacuuming rugs, etc.: That couple shares the cooking and the cleaning.
    2 clothes taken to the cleaner: She picked up her cleaning on the way home from work. See: cleaner, 3.
cleanse
cleanse
  1. v. [T] cleansed, cleansing, cleanses
    1 to remove dirt from: The nurse cleansed a bloody cut in the patient's hand.
    2 to make pure and free from guilt: She asked God to forgive her sins and cleanse her soul.
cleanser
cleanser
  1. n. [C;U] a substance, like strong soap, used to clean surfaces: I used a strong cleanser to clean the bathroom.
cleanup
cleanup
  1. n. the cleaning of any mess and/or putting things back in their proper places: For the cleanup after the party, we washed the glasses and vacuumed the rugs.
clear-cut
clear-cut
  1. adj. definite, without question: The criminal's guilt was clear-cut because two people saw him steal.
clear-headed
clear-headed
  1. adj. having a clear mind: He was out all night drinking and is not clear-headed.
clear
clear
  1. adj.
    1 easy to understand, lucid: clear writing, clear instructions
    2 easy to see through, transparent: clear glass||clear water
    3 having no rain or snow and few clouds: clear weather
    4 free of objects that block the way: The road is now clear after the storm.
    5 to make it clear or oneself clear: to state strongly so that there is no misunderstanding: He made it quite clear what he wanted.adv.
    1 free from s.t.: She finally got clear of legal difficulties.
    2 infrml. completely: He hit the baseball clear out of the park.v. [T]
    1 to remove things that block the way: Workers cleared fallen trees from the road.||They cleared the road.
    2 to get approval for or from: He cleared the project with his boss.||She cleared customs at the airport.
    3 to gain as a profit: We cleared $15,000 on the sale of our house.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to clear s.t. away: to remove: A waiter cleared away dirty dishes from the table.||He cleared them away.
    5 phrasal v. to clear off: to leave a place, usu. quickly: When they heard the police car coming, they decided to clear off.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to clear s.t. out: to clean out: She cleared out her desk drawers.||She cleared them out.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [I] to clear out (of some place): to leave suddenly: When a fire started, people cleared out (of the building) quickly.||They cleared out of there.
    8 phrasal v. (sep.) [T] to clear (s.t.) up: a. to become free of bad weather: The sky is clearing up and the sun is coming out. b. sep. to clarify or explain s.t.: She cleared up the misunderstanding.||She cleared it up. c. sep. to finish, put in order,
    THESAURUS
    to tidy: He decided to clear up his desk before going on vacation.||He cleared it up.n. to be in the clear: to be free of danger or blame: The judge said that she is not guilty, and she is now in the clear. -n. [U] clearness.
    THESAURUS
    clear adj.
    1 straightforward, understandable, evident. Ant. unclear.
    2 crystal clear. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    opaque.
    3 cloudless, fair, fine
    4 open.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to clean, tidy
    2 to get clearance (for or on), O.K. infrml.
    3 to make, earn, net.
clearance
clearance
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a statement that s.t. will be allowed, approval: The airport gave the airplane clearance to land.
    2 enough space, headroom: There was enough clearance for the big truck to go under the bridge.
    THESAURUS
    clearance
    1 permission, authorization, (one's) consent.
clearing
clearing
  1. n. an open space, as in the woods: There is a cabin in a clearing in the forest.
clearinghouse
clearinghouse
  1. n. -houses an office in which checks, accounts, or information is processed: Banks maintain clearinghouses to settle checks drawn between them.
clearly
clearly
  1. adv.
    1 without being blocked or blurred: After I hit my head, I could not see clearly.
    2 it is obvious that: Clearly, she must improve her grades in school.
    THESAURUS
    clearly
    2 obviously, without a doubt, undoubtedly.
cleat
cleat
  1. n. a short, pointed piece of metal or plastic,
    THESAURUS
    spike: Baseball and golf shoes have cleats to keep the player from slipping.
cleavage
cleavage
  1. n.
    1 [C] a separation: a cleavage in a rock
    2 [C;U] the space between a woman's breasts: When women wear low cut dresses, they show cleavage.
cleave
cleave
  1. v. [T] cleaved or cleft or clove cloven , cleaving, cleaves to divide into two parts by or as if by cutting forcefully: The boat cleaved the water as it sped across the lake.
cleaver
cleaver
  1. n. a heavy, hand-held cutting tool: A butcher uses a meat cleaver to cut meat.
clef
clef
  1. n. a symbol put on a set of lines of music (a staff) to show what pitch the lines and spaces represent
cleft
cleft
  1. adj.n. & past tense and past part. of cleave: split, divided: Children born with a cleft palate can be operated on successfully.
clemency
clemency
  1. n. [U]
    1 a show of forgiveness, esp. to a criminal: The governor gave clemency to the murderer and stopped the order for his death.
    2 mildness, esp. of weather: The clemency of the winter surprised us. -adj. clement.
clench
clench
  1. v. [T] clenches to force together, grip tightly: She clenched her fists and teeth in anger.
clergy
clergy
  1. n.pl. the group of ministers, priests, rabbis, mullahs, etc., as a whole: The government asks advice from members of the clergy.
clergyman
clergyman
  1. n. -men a minister, priest, rabbi, mullah, or other religious leader: The clergyman blessed the church members.
clergywoman
clergywoman
  1. -women a woman who is a member of the clergy
cleric
cleric
  1. n. a member of the clergy
clerical
clerical
  1. adj.
    1 of basic office work, such as answering the telephone, writing down orders, etc.: He is a clerical worker with a clerical job.
    2 of the clergy: a clerical collar
clerk
clerk
  1. n.
    1 a person who keeps records, accounts, etc., in an office
    2 a salesperson in a store: My friend is a (sales)clerk in the store's shirt department.v. [I] to work or serve as a clerk
    THESAURUS
    clerk n.
    1 a bookkeeper, secretary
    2 a cashier, sales associate.
clever
clever
  1. adj.
    1 intelligent and quick at understanding: She is a clever student.
    2 skillful, esp. in solving problems, ingenious: He solves computer problems that no one else can; he is clever. -adv. cleverly; -n. cleverness.
    THESAURUS
    clever
    1 bright, sharp, smart
    2 skilled, competent | adroit frml.
cliché
cliché
  1. n.pej. a saying or idea used too often to be meaningful: Her report is full of clichés, and contains no useful ideas. -adj. clichéd.
click
click
  1. n. a light, snapping sound: the click of a camera shutterv.
    1 [I] to make a clicking sound: The key clicked as it turned in the lock.
    2 [T] to move s.t. that makes a click: He clicked the light switch on.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to click with s.o.: to get along well with or be a success with s.o.: The young couple clicked with each other the first time that they met.||The product (idea, solution, etc.) clicked with customers and became popular.
client
client
  1. n. a customer of s.o. who provides a professional service, such as a lawyer, tailor, hairdresser, etc.: He likes to take his clients to lunch. See: customer, USAGE NOTE.
clientele
clientele
  1. n. a group of customers: That expensive store has a rich clientele.
cliff
cliff
  1. n. a high rock formation with a steep drop: She stood on the cliff and looked down at the ocean below.
    THESAURUS
    cliff n. a precipice, bluff.
cliffhanger
cliffhanger
  1. n. a situation or story where the result is not known until the last moment: That basketball game was a real cliffhanger, won by one point in the last second of play.
climactic
climactic
  1. adj. producing a climax: The graduation ceremony was a climactic moment after four years of hard work.
climate
climate
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the type of weather that a place or region has: Places can have cold, warm, or hot climates.
    2 a general condition: The business climate is very good (bad, uncertain, etc.) now.
climatic
climatic
  1. adj. of a climate: During the summer, the climatic conditions in southern California are warm and sunny.
climax
climax
  1. n. -maxes
    1 [C] the most exciting or intense point in a series of events: The game came to a climax with our team winning in the last second of play.
    2 [C;U] the most intense moment of pleasure during sexual activity,
    THESAURUS
    an orgasm —v. [I] -maxes to reach the most exciting moment: The game climaxed with a winning score in its final seconds.
climb
climb
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to move upward: The airplane took off and climbed above (or) climbed up above the clouds.||Prices climbed higher on the stock exchange.
    2 [I] to rise slowly and steadily in power, rank, etc.: He climbed from selling newspapers on the street to owning several newspaper companies.
    3 [I] to slant up: The ground climbed steadily toward the mountains.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to climb down: to go down, esp. using the hands and feet, descend: The painter climbed down the ladder to the ground.
    5 to climb out on a limb: to put oneself in a position where one can easily be criticized or harmed: He climbed out on a limb when he told his boss that she could fire him if he did not make a sales increase.n. an upward movement on land or into the air,
    THESAURUS
    an ascent: Our group made the climb up the mountain.
    THESAURUS
    climb v.
    1 to rise, go up, ascend 2 and 3 to ascend. Ant. to descend.
climber
climber
  1. n.
    1 a person who climbs: a mountain climber
    2 a plant or animal that climbs
    3 social climber: a person who tries to move into a higher social class, such as by marrying s.o. with money
clinch
clinch
  1. v. [T] n. clinches fig. to finish an agreement finally and definitely: Her boss congratulated her on clinching the deal.
cling
cling
  1. v. [I] clung , clinging, clings
    1 to hold closely, tightly: The baby clings to her mother.
    2 to refuse to release or let go: The sick woman clung to the idea that she would be well again.
clinic
clinic
  1. n.
    1 a medical building: In that health clinic, doctors treat patients who go back home afterwards.
    2 a group of doctors in the same field
    3 a meeting for educational purposes: I'm going to a clinic on money management next week.
    THESAURUS
    clinic
    1 a health center, small hospital
    3 a training session.
clinical
clinical
  1. adj.
    1 related to a clinic
    2 involving direct examination of s.o. or s.t.: The doctor made a clinical evaluation of the sick man.
    3 done scientifically, usu. without emotion, analytical: a clinical approach -adv. clinically; -n. clinician.
clink
clink
  1. v. [I;T] n. to make a short, light, high sound: The glasses clinked together as the waiter picked them up.
clip
clip
  1. n.
    1 a device that holds things together, a fastener: a paper clip, a hair clip
    2 infrml. speed, pace: He ran past me at a good clip.
    3 a short part of a film: Before the showing of the movie, we saw clips from other films.v. clipped, clipping, clips
    1 [T] to fasten with a clip: I clipped my papers together with a paper clip.
    2 [I;T] to cut with short strokes: The hairdresser clipped her hair with scissors.
    3 infrml. [T] to hit with a short, sharp blow: That car clipped our bumper as it sped by.
clipboard
clipboard
  1. n. a flat board with a clip at the top to hold papers
clippers
clippers
  1. n.pl. a cutting tool in many shapes and sizes: Barbers use electric clippers to cut people's hair.
clipping
clipping
  1. n. an article cut out of a newspaper, magazine, etc.: My friend showed me a clipping about her school.
clique
clique
  1. n. a group of people who keep others out: A clique runs the local school district and they all vote for each other. -adj. cliquish.
clitoris
clitoris
  1. n. -rises a small place on a woman's outer sexual organ where she can experience sexual pleasure
cloak-and-dagger
cloak-and-dagger
  1. adj. mysterious and full of adventure, esp. spying: He writes cloak-and-dagger stories about spies.
cloak
cloak
  1. n.
    1 [C] a loose-fitting outer garment that hangs from the shoulders: Cloaks are open in the front.
    2 sing.fig. s.t. that hides or covers: The thieves worked under a cloak of darkness.v. [T] to hide or keep secret,
    THESAURUS
    to conceal: How the woman disappeared is cloaked in mystery.
cloakroom
cloakroom
  1. n. a room in a public place where coats and other articles are left for a short time: I checked my hat in the cloakroom.
clobber
clobber
  1. v. [T]
    1 slang to strike with s.t. heavy: A thief clobbered his victim with a club.
    2 slang to defeat decisively: Our basketball team clobbered the other team 112 to 70.
clock
clock
  1. n.
    1 an instrument for showing the time (that is not a wrist or pocket watch): an alarm clock, a wall clock
    2 around the clock: all day and night without stopping: Rescue workers worked around the clock to help victims of the earthquake.
    3 to punch the clock: to record the time, usu. on a card, when one starts and stops work: Workers at that factory punch the clock when they arrive and leave.
    4 to race the clock: to work against a deadline: Workers raced the clock to finish the job by five o'clock.
    5 infrml.pej. to watch the clock: to have little interest in one's work: He watches the clock and leaves with work not done.v.
    1 [T] to measure time: Officials clocked the races at the Olympics.
    2 to clock in/out: to record the time that one starts and stops work See: o'clock.
clockwise
clockwise
  1. adv. in the direction that the hands of a clock move: Starting at 12, looking at the clock, the hands move clockwise to the right. See: counter-clockwise.
clockwork
clockwork
  1. n. [U]
    1 like clockwork: smoothly, according to plan: The whole operation went like clockwork.
    2 the insides of a clock, its mechanism: The clockwork needs oil.
clod
clod
  1. n.
    1 a lump of earth: The horse kicked a clod of earth into the air.
    2 fig. a clumsy, stupid person, lacking good manners: He may be a great football player, but he behaves like a clod.
clog
clog
  1. n.
    1 a blockage: a clog in a water pipe
    2 a type of shoe, usu. with a thick wooden bottom —v. [I;T] clogged, clogging, clogs to block: My nose is all clogged up from a cold.
cloister
cloister
  1. n.
    1 a covered walkway along the wall of a building, one side of which is open to a garden or courtyard
    2 a place, esp. a monastery or convent, for religious peace and prayer —v. [T] to put in a place away from the ordinary world: While writing her book, she cloistered herself in a small cabin in the woods.
clone
clone
  1. v. [T] n. cloned, cloning, clones
    1 to make a duplicate copy of a living thing
    2 fig. to make a copy of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to imitate: Many cars look like clones of each other, because their makers cloned their competitors' designs. See: knockoff.
clop
clop
  1. n.v. [I] clopped, clopping, clops a loud, dull click like the sound made by a horse's hoofs: I can hear the clop of horses on the street below.
close-fitting
close-fitting
  1. adj. fitting tightly around the body: Professional bicycle riders wear close-fitting clothes.
close-knit
close-knit
  1. adj.
    1 (of cloth) with the threads very close together
    2 (of people) bound together, trusting and helping each other: That family is close-knit, and they help each other when trouble strikes.
close-mouthed
close-mouthed
  1. adj. saying little,
    THESAURUS
    secretive: He is close-mouthed about his past.
close-up
close-up
  1. n.
    1 a picture taken close to the subject: The photographer took a close-up of the woman's face.
    2 a detailed look at s.t.
close quarters
close quarters
  1. n.pl.
    1 a very close, face-to-face position: Soldiers fought at close quarters with knives.
    2 crowded conditions: Sailors live in close quarters on submarines.
close shave
close shave
  1. n.fig. a close call See: close (1), 6.
closed-circuit television
closed-circuit television
  1. n. [U] TV broadcasts sent out over wires, instead of through the air: That big university holds some of its classes over closed-circuit television.
closed shop
closed shop
  1. n. a business where only union members can work: Only a small part of the US workforce is in closed shops.
closeout
closeout
  1. n.adj. a special sale of reduced prices to sell the last pieces of some product: The store had a closeout of summer dresses as the fall fashions arrived.
closet
closet
  1. n.
    1 a small room for storing clothes, towels, sheets, etc.: We keep our coats and umbrellas in the closet by the front door.
    2 to come out of the closet: to make known s.t. that was secret, esp. one's homosexuality: When he was 20, Julio came out of the closet by telling his family that he was gay. See: gay.
closure
closure
  1. n. [C;U] frml. a finish of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a conclusion: We achieved closure on an agreement after months of talks.
clot
clot
  1. v. [I] n. clotted, clotting, clots to form a semifirm mass of s.t., esp. blood: The blood clotted in the cut.
cloth
cloth
  1. n. [C;U] cloths material woven from synthetic (nylon, rayon) or natural (cotton, wool) threads: That suit is made of woolen cloth.
    THESAURUS
    cloth fabric, material.
clothe
clothe
  1. v. [T] clothed or clad , clothing, clothes to provide with clothing: Parents feed and clothe their children.
    THESAURUS
    clothe v. to dress, outfit | dress up. Ant. to unclothe.
clothes
clothes
  1. n.pl. coverings for a person's body, (syns.) garments, apparel: She likes to wear expensive clothes.
clothesline
clothesline
  1. n. a line or rope on which washed clothes are hung out to dry: The wash is hung on the clothesline in the backyard.
clothespin
clothespin
  1. n. a pin used to fasten clothes to a line to dry them
clothing
clothing
  1. n. [U] clothes in general,
    THESAURUS
    attire: Food and clothing are basic necessities.
cloud
cloud
  1. n.
    1 a mass of water droplets in the sky: The sky is full of gray clouds today.
    2 a mass of smoke, fog, or dust: A dust cloud followed the galloping horses.
    3 many rapidly moving things close together: A cloud of bees came out of the hive.
    4 fig. s.t. causing sadness, gloom: Each year, on the date that her son died, a cloud of sadness hangs over her.
    5 to be on cloud nine: to be very happy: They are in love and are on cloud nine.
    6 to have one's head in the clouds: to be a dreamer,
    THESAURUS
    to be idealistic: He has his head in the clouds, because he is always dreaming of becoming famous.
    7 under a cloud: under suspicion, out of favor: After he was caught in a lie, he worked under a cloud (of suspicion) because no one trusted him.v.
    1 [I] to become covered with clouds: The sky is clouding up now.
    2 [I;T] to make s.t. difficult to see or understand: Mud has clouded the water.||The new plan is clouded with difficult problems.
    THESAURUS
    cloud v.
    1 to darken, become overcast, foggy
    2 to blur (objects), muddy, taint (plans, ideas). Ant. to (become) clear.
cloudburst
cloudburst
  1. n. a sudden, hard rainfall
cloudy
cloudy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with clouds: The weather is cloudy today.
    2 unclear: The mud in the water made it cloudy.||It is not clear who is right; the issue is still cloudy.
    THESAURUS
    cloudy adj.
    1 overcast, gray, hazy
    2 blurry (water), murky (ideas). Ant. clear.
clout
clout
  1. n.
    1 [C] a heavy blow: He gave him a clout on the head.
    2 [U] fig. power and influence: As a rich woman in a small town, she has a lot of clout with the mayor.v. [T] to strike with a heavy blow
clove
clove
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the brown, dried flower bud of a tropical tree, used as a spice
    2 a section of a bulb of a plant, esp. garlic: a clove of garlic
clover
clover
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a small green plant, usu. with three heart-shaped leaves
    2 infrml. in clover: living a comfortable, easy life: His uncle died and left him a lot of money, and now he is in clover.
cloverleaf
cloverleaf
  1. n. -leafs or -leaves a connected set of roads that allow vehicles to circle on and off of a main highway,
    THESAURUS
    an interchange: Cars go on the cloverleaf to go in a different direction.
clown
clown
  1. n. a performer in colorful clothes who makes people laugh by doing funny things: She liked the circus clown with the big red shoes and the red nose.v. [I]
    1 to act like a clown: Don't mind him; he's just clowning.
    2 phrasal v. to clown around: a. to amuse others: He likes to clown around by putting on a funny hat and dancing. b. to act stupidly or foolishly: Stop clowning around and get to work! -adj. clownish; -adv. clownishly; -n. [U] clownishness.
cloying
cloying
  1. adj. causing sickness or distaste from too much sweetness or pleasure: She saw five movies in five nights, and she found the experience was cloying.||a cloying dessert -v. cloy [I;T].
club
club
  1. n.
    1 a group of people who meet because of a common interest: He belongs to a book club that reads and discusses one book each month.
    2 a social gathering place where people pay for sport, food, etc.: a tennis club
    3 a long, round, thick stick used to hit people: Police officers carry billy clubs.
    4 (in golf) a stick with a specially shaped head for hitting the ball
    5 in the USA, a playing card with black cloverleafs on it
    THESAURUS
    club n.
    1 a group, organization | guild
    2 an association, union. —v. [T] clubbed, clubbing, clubs to strike with a club: Police clubbed the rioters.
club sandwich
club sandwich
  1. n. -wiches a thick sandwich made with three pieces of bread
club soda
club soda
  1. n. [C;U] soda water, clear water with bubbles
clubhouse
clubhouse
  1. n. -houses a building where players of a sport gather: a golf clubhouse
cluck
cluck
  1. v.n.
    1 [I] to make a sound like a chicken: Chickens clucked in the hen house.
    2 [I;T] (of people) to make a sound of disapproval: She clucked her tongue as she watched the couple arguing loudly.
clue
clue
  1. n.
    1 a thing or fact that helps provide an answer to a question, evidence: Police look for clues at the scene of a crime, like the criminal's gun or fingerprints.
    2 infrml. not to have a clue: not to understand at all: Why did she do it? I don't have a clue.v. clued, cluing, clues phrasal v. insep. [T] to clue s.o. in on s.t.: to tell s.o. what is happening, usu. s.t. that is important and not well known: My friend clued me in on a job opportunity.
    THESAURUS
    clue n.
    1 a sign, hint, indication.
clueless
clueless
  1. adj. describing a person who does not know or understand s.t. important that he or she should know: That woman is clueless about the fact that her husband is seeing another woman.
clump
clump
  1. n.
    1 a group or mass,
    THESAURUS
    a cluster: a clump of bushes (trees, flowers)
    2 the dull sound of s.t. heavy falling onto a hard surface: We could hear the clump of boots on the street.v. [I]
    1 to make a dull, heavy sound, esp. when walking,
    THESAURUS
    to thud: The tired man clumped up the stairs.
    2 to group together in a clump: The child's toys are clumped together in a box.
clumsy
clumsy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest not able to do things in careful way,
    THESAURUS
    awkward: He is so clumsy that he is always bumping into people. -adv. clumsily; -n. [U] clumsiness.
clung
clung
  1. v. past tense & past part. of cling
clunk
clunk
  1. v. [I;T] n. to make a dull, heavy sound,
    THESAURUS
    to thump: He dropped a hammer, and it clunked on the floor.
cluster
cluster
  1. n. a tight grouping of s.t.: a cluster of grapes||a star clusterv. [I;T] to bring or come into a tight grouping: The children clustered around the teacher.
clutch
clutch
  1. v. clutches
    1 [T] to grasp tightly with the hand(s): She clutched her pocketbook as she walked.
    2 [I] to reach for s.t. quickly and desperately,
    THESAURUS
    to snatch: The man in the water clutched at a rope to save himself.n. clutches
    1 the grip of a hand
    2 a handful of s.t.: a clutch of flowers
    3 a device for shifting gears: the clutch in a car
    4 s.o.'s clutches: the control or possession of s.o., esp. s.o. evil: We can't let this information fall into the clutches of the enemy.
    5 in the clutch: in an important situation where what you do means winning or losing: Our basketball star came through in the clutch by scoring the winning basket in the last seconds of the game.
clutter
clutter
  1. n. [C;U] a mess: There is a clutter of papers on his desk.v. [T]
    1 to mess up: People have cluttered the street with papers and cans.
    2 to confuse: Her mind is cluttered with bad ideas.
co-
co-
  1. prefix together with, joint: coauthor, cochairman
co-op
co-op
  1. n.adj. short for cooperative: She owns a co-op (or) a co-op apartment.
co-opt
co-opt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take control of s.t. from s.o. else: The president gradually co-opted the power of the vice president.
    2 to put s.o. on a committee without electing that person,
    THESAURUS
    to appoint s.o.
coach
coach
  1. n. coaches
    1 a person who leads, teaches, and trains people in sports or in acting, singing, etc.: a football coach||a voice coach
    2 Brit. a railroad passenger car or bus —v. [T] coaches to lead, train, and teach others in sports, singing, etc.: He coaches a baseball team.
    THESAURUS
    coach n.
    1 a trainer, teacher, tutor (for individuals).
coagulate
coagulate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to change from liquid to firm or hard form: Blood coagulates and closes a cut. -n. [U] coagulation.
coal
coal
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a mineral made of carbon, black or dark brown, dug from the ground and burned for heat, that also provides gas for burning: That stove burns coal, not wood.
    2 to carry coals to Newcastle: to do s.t. unnecessary or unwanted by providing s.t. that there is already a lot of (A great deal of coal can already be found in Newcastle.): I took her a bunch of flowers when I went to visit, but then I saw her beautiful gardens and realized that I'd carried coals to Newcastle.
    3 to rake or haul s.o. over the coals: to criticize s.o. severely: The worker made a mistake, and his boss raked him over the coals.
coalesce
coalesce
  1. v.frml. [I] -lesced, -lescing, -lesces to come together and form a whole: Our plans for a long trip finally coalesced when we mapped out exactly where to go. -n. [U] coalescence.
coalition
coalition
  1. n. two or more groups who get together for a common purpose: Three political parties formed a coalition against higher taxes.
coarse
coarse
  1. adj. coarser, coarsest
    1 of poor quality: The poor woman could only afford coarse clothing.
    2 rough, not smooth: That sweater is made of coarse wool.
    3 made of large particles: coarse sand
    4 lacking good manners, crude, rude: He is a coarse man who uses dirty language. -v. [I;T] coarsen .
    THESAURUS
    coarse adj.
    1 poorly made, rough
    4 offensive, vulgar, ill-mannered.
coast
coast
  1. n.
    1 land near the ocean: the coast of Panama
    2 infrml. the coast is clear: there is no danger of being seen or stopped: When the guard fell asleep, the coast was clear and we escaped.v. [I]
    1 to move without power: The sled coasted down the hill.
    2 to work without pressure: He worked day and night for a year, then coasted for several months. -adj. coastal.
    THESAURUS
    coast n.
    1 the shore, seaside, coastline. Ant. the interior. —v.
    1 to slide
    2 to take it easy infrml.
coaster
coaster
  1. n. a small, round, flat piece of metal, paper, etc., put under a glass containing a drink: I put my beer glass on a coaster to prevent the wet glass from marking the tabletop.
coastline
coastline
  1. n. the land along an ocean: The Maine coastline is beautiful on a sunny day.
    THESAURUS
    coastline n. the shore, seaside, coast. Ant. the interior.
coat
coat
  1. n.
    1 an outer garment: She is wearing a fur coat.
    2 a covering spread over a surface: A worker put a coat of paint on the walls.v. [T] to cover with s.t.: The furniture was coated with dust.
coax
coax
  1. v. [T] coaxes to try patiently to ask s.o. to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to persuade: The mother coaxed her child to take some badtasting medicine.
cob
cob
  1. n.
    1 an ear of corn without any corn left on it, a corncob: After the meal, I threw the cobs in the garbage.
    2 a male swan
cobalt
cobalt
  1. n. [U] a hard but easily breakable metal combined with others for industrial purposes, or used in blue dyes —adj. bright blue: Her shoes are cobalt blue.
cobble
cobble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [T] to make or fix shoes and boots
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to cobble s.t. together: to put together in a crude way: He cobbled together a living by working three part-time jobs.||He cobbled it together. -n. cobbler.
cobblestone
cobblestone
  1. n. a stone shaped like a small loaf of bread and used to cover streets: Most of the cobblestone streets are covered over with tar now.
cobra
cobra
  1. n. a highly poisonous snake of Asia and Africa: A bite from a cobra can kill in minutes.
cobweb
cobweb
  1. n. a net of thin, sticky threads made by spiders to catch food: She cleaned away the dust and cobwebs in the old house.
coca
coca
  1. n. [U] the shrub and leaves from which cocaine is made: Coca is grown in many places high in the mountains.
cocaine
cocaine
  1. n. [U] the drug made from coca leaves: Cocaine is used by doctors as a painkiller but mainly by people as an illegal drug.
cock
cock
  1. n.
    1 a male chicken,
    THESAURUS
    a rooster
    2 infrml. a cock-and-bull story: a false story or excuse: He has never repaid the money that he owes me, because he always has some cock-and-bull story about having to pay medical expenses.v.
    1 [T] to pull back a gun's hammer before shooting: She cocked the pistol.
    2 infrml. to go off half-cocked: to do things without thinking,
    THESAURUS
    to be impulsive: He goes off half-cocked when he is in a panic and often does foolish things.
cocker spaniel
cocker spaniel
  1. n. a type of small dog with long ears and long, soft fur
cockeyed
cockeyed
  1. adj.fig.
    1 hopelessly wrong, foolish: He has a lot of cockeyed ideas.
    2 crooked: The photos on that page are cockeyed, and some are even upside down.
cockpit
cockpit
  1. n.
    1 the front area of an airplane where the pilot sits and flies it: The pilot climbed into the cockpit.
    2 a sunken area for cockfighting
cockroach
cockroach
  1. n. -roaches a type of brown, flat-bodied insect found esp. in dark wet places and houses that are not properly cleaned: We kill cockroaches with traps and an insecticide.
cocktail
cocktail
  1. n.
    1 an alcoholic drink made by mixing several liquors: She likes to have a cocktail before dinner.
    2 a type of food presentation: A shrimp cocktail has several shrimp in a glass with sauce.
cocky
cocky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest feeling very sure of one's importance and abilities,
    THESAURUS
    arrogant: The young boxer won his first fight; now he's cocky. -n. [U] cockiness.
cocoa
cocoa
  1. n. [U]
    1 chocolate powder made from crushed cacao: The cake recipe called for 2/3 cup of cocoa.
    2 a hot chocolate-flavored drink,
    THESAURUS
    hot chocolate: She had some cocoa for breakfast.
coconut
coconut
  1. n. [C;U] the large nut of the palm tree: The juice inside coconuts is called coconut milk.
cocoon
cocoon
  1. n. a silk-like protective covering of some insects when young: The butterfly came out of its cocoon.
cod
cod
  1. or codfish n. [C;U] cod or cods a fish found in the North Atlantic Ocean: For hundreds of years, the cod was an important food for North Americans.
coddle
coddle
  1. v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles to treat in a loving and (too) protective way, to baby: He accused his wife of coddling their son.
code
code
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a way of hiding the true meaning of communications from all except those people who have the keys to understand it: Spies use secret codes.
    2 [C] a written set of rules of behavior: That school has a dress code requiring boys to wear shirts and ties but no jeans.
    3 [C] a formal group of principles or laws: a code of ethics for doctors||the legal code in a countryv. [T] coded, coding, codes to put s.t. into code,
    THESAURUS
    to encode: A spy coded a message.
    THESAURUS
    code n.
    1 secret writing, a cipher
    2 (pl.) regulations, a policy
    3 standard, system.
codeine
codeine
  1. n. [U] a drug and painkiller made from opium
cod
cod
  1. or codfish -n. [C;U] cod or cods a fish found in the North Atlantic Ocean: For hundreds of years, the cod was an important food for North Americans.
coeducational
coeducational
  1. adj. referring to the education of both male and female students in the same school or college: My son and daughter both go to coeducational colleges. -n. [U] coeducation.
coefficient
coefficient
  1. n. In an algebraic quantity or term, the number or symbol that is multiplied by a variable: The coefficient of 4ab is 4.
coequal
coequal
  1. n.adj. a person who is equal to another (in importance, rank, authority, etc.): Heads of governments regard themselves as coequals in discussing agreements between their countries.
coerce
coerce
  1. v. [T] -erced, -ercing, -erces to make s.o. do s.t. against their will by force or threats,
    THESAURUS
    to compel: The son coerced his elderly mother into selling her house. -n. [U] coercion ; -adj. coercive.
coexist
coexist
  1. v. [I]
    1 to exist at the same time or place
    2 to live peacefully with a person (or people) with whom one has differences in opinion, religious beliefs, lifestyle, political policy, etc.: We hope that someday all people can coexist. -n. coexistence.
coffee
coffee
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a dark brown, energy-giving drink made by brewing the ground-up beans (seeds) of a tropical tree, usu. served hot: She drinks coffee for breakfast each morning.
    2 [U] the beans themselves, often ground up into a powder
coffee shop
coffee shop
  1. n. a type of restaurant for serving coffee and usu. inexpensive food. See: café, USAGE NOTE.
coffee table
coffee table
  1. n. a long, low table often set in front of a sofa: After dinner, we drank coffee and put the cups on the coffee table.
coffeehouse
coffeehouse
  1. n. -houses a type of restaurant for serving and drinking coffee See: café, USAGE NOTE.
coffer
coffer
  1. n.frml.
    1 a type of box that can be locked to keep coins, jewels, etc.: The treasure was locked away in coffers.
    2 fig. the money available to a government or business: The government's coffers are empty and it must raise taxes.
coffin
coffin
  1. n. a box-like container in which a dead person is put for burial: Workmen lowered the dead man's coffin into a grave.
    THESAURUS
    coffin n. a casket | tomb.
cog
cog
  1. n.
    1 one of many teeth on a wheel that fit into teeth on another wheel and turn it: I have an old-fashioned wristwatch where cogs inside turn its hands.
    2 infrml. a cog in a wheel: s.o. with a low-level job in a large organization
cogent
cogent
  1. adj. well-presented and creating belief in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    convincing: My lawyer's statement to the judge was so cogent that the judge dismissed the complaint against me. -n. [U] cogency; -adv. cogently.
cogitate
cogitate
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -tated, -tating, -tates to think,
    THESAURUS
    to reflect: The professor cogitated about a difficult problem. -n. [U] cogitation.
cognac
cognac
  1. n. brandy, esp. from France: She had a glass of cognac after dinner.
cognition
cognition
  1. n. [U] the process of thinking or perceiving -adj. cognitive.
cognizant
cognizant
  1. adj.frml. having knowledge, aware: He is cognizant of the fact that he must pay back the money he borrowed. -n. [U] cognizance.
cohabit
cohabit
  1. v. [I] to live together as partners or husband and wife, although unmarried: That couple has cohabited for many years. -n. [U] cohabitation.
coherent
coherent
  1. adj.
    1 clear, logical: His plan is a coherent presentation of each step that we need to take.
    2 awake and clear-headed: After the accident, the driver was hurt but coherent. -v. [I;T] cohere; -n. [U] coherence.
coil
coil
  1. n. s.t. wrapped in a circle or spiral: a coil of wire||a spring shaped in a coilv. [I;T] to wind or wrap into a circle: A workman coiled the garden hose. See: spiral.
coin
coin
  1. n. a piece of metal money, usu. small, round, and flat: She has some old silver coins.v. [T]
    1 to make coins
    2 to coin a phrase: to invent a special way of describing s.t.
    3 on the other or the flip side of the coin: considering the opposite side of the same situation: That artist is difficult to work with, but on other side of the coin, his art is beautiful. -n. coinage.
coincide
coincide
  1. v. [I] -cided, -ciding, -cides
    1 to happen at the same time: My trip to New York coincided with Thanksgiving, so I had a big turkey dinner there.
    2 to agree: Two different people saw the accident, and their stories coincide about what happened.
coincidence
coincidence
  1. n. [C;U] the happening of two or more events at the same time by chance: By coincidence, she met an old friend on the street whom she had not seen in years. -adj. coincidental ; -adv. coincidentally.
coke
coke
  1. n. [U]
    1 coal with the gases removed: Coke is used as fuel and in making steel. 
    2  slang cocaine: He’s been snorting coke.
COLA
COLA
  1. n.abbr. for cost of living adjustment: an increase in wages and pensions usually given each year
colander
colander
  1. n. a type of bowl with many small holes, used to let water fall through when rinsing fruit, vegetables, pasta, etc.: I washed some lettuce and put it in the colander to drain.
cold-blooded
cold-blooded
  1. adj.
    1 having a body temperature that varies with the outside temperature: Snakes and insects are cold-blooded animals.
    2 pej. having no feeling or emotion: a cold-blooded murder||a killing in cold blood
cold-hearted
cold-hearted
  1. adj. having no feeling for the needs of others,
    THESAURUS
    insensitive: He is a cold-hearted businessman who shows no kindness to others.
cold
cold
  1. adj.
    1 having a low temperature: Many people do not like cold weather.
    2 feeling uncomfortable because of a lack of warmth, feeling chilled
    3 lacking warmth, not friendly: He has a cold personality in his dealings with people.
    4 infrml. out cold: unconscious: The boxer lay on the floor, out cold.
    5 to get cold feet: to agree to do s.t., then not do it, because of fear or nervousness: He agreed to marry her, then got cold feet and left her.
    6 to give s.o. the cold shoulder: to avoid s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to snub s.o.: She left her boyfriend and now gives him the cold shoulder every time they happen to be near each other.
    7 to have s.t. (down) cold: to know s.t. perfectly: The actor had his part down cold.
    8 to leave s.o. cold: to fail to interest or impress s.o. —n.
    1 [C] an illness, usu. with a blocked runny nose, fever, and general achiness, also called the common cold: He has a bad cold.
    2 [C] to catch cold or a cold: to get this illness: She caught cold yesterday.
    3 [U] the cold: a condition of low temperature: I don't like the cold.
    4 to be out or to get left out in the cold: to be left with nothing: When the owner closed his company, the employees got left out in the cold with no jobs. -adv. coldly; -n. [U] coldness.
    THESAURUS
    cold adj.
    1 wintry, frigid, chilly. Ant. hot.
    2 shivering, freezing. Ant. hot.
    3 aloof, snobbish.
cold cream
cold cream
  1. n. [C;U] a creamy beauty product for cleaning and softening the skin: She used some cold cream to take makeup off her face.
cold cuts
cold cuts
  1. n.pl. cold slices of meat, such as bologna, salami, or beef: She put some cold cuts on the table for the family to make sandwiches.
cold front
cold front
  1. n. a wave of cold air moving into a region: New York experienced a cold front moving down from Canada.
cold sore
cold sore
  1. n. a sore on or near the lips produced by a virus
cold turkey
cold turkey
  1. n.adv. fig.slang to quit or go cold turkey: to stop a bad habit (cigarettes, drugs, alcohol) suddenly and completely: I smoked cigarettes for 20 years; then one day I quit cold turkey.
cold war
cold war
  1. n. a competition between great nations, such as in building powerful weapons, that does not go into real fighting: The cold war between the USA and the Soviet Union began after World War II.
coleslaw
coleslaw
  1. n. [U] a salad containing raw cut cabbage in a mayonnaise dressing
colic
colic
  1. n. [U] an illness of severe pain in the stomach area, esp. suffered by babies -adj. colicky.
coliseum
coliseum
  1. n. a large round or oval building with seats that rise gradually away from the open area in the center, used for holding sports events or other exhibitions: We saw a basketball game at the coliseum last night.
collaborate
collaborate
  1. v. [I] -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 to work with s.o.: Two writers collaborated in writing a textbook.
    2 to help an enemy,
    THESAURUS
    to commit treason: The army officer collaborated with the enemy, giving them information about the army's plans. -n. [U] collaboration ; collaborator; -adj. collaborative.
collage
collage
  1. n. [C;U] pieces of paper, cloth, and photos glued on a flat surface to make a picture: The artist made a collage that showed pictures of her family.
collapse
collapse
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a falling into ruin,
    THESAURUS
    a caving in: Heavy rainfall caused the collapse of the roof.
    2 a loss of strength: She worked so hard that she suffered a collapse.v. [I] -lapsed, -lapsing, -lapses
    1 to fall into ruin: The stock market collapsed, and many people lost a lot of money.
    2 to lose strength and fall down: The runner collapsed at the finish line.
    3 to fold up s.t. so it needs less space: to collapse an umbrella -adj. collapsible.
    THESAURUS
    collapse v.
    1 to fall, cave in
    2 to drop, fall, break down. Ant. to strengthen.
collar
collar
  1. n.
    1 the material around the neck of a shirt, coat, etc.
    2 a round leather or cloth strap or chain: He puts a collar on his dog before walking it.
    3 slang an arrest by police —v. [T]
    1 to place a collar on: to collar a dog
    2 slang to suddenly stop or arrest s.o.: She collared the boy, who was running wildly around the house.
    THESAURUS
    collar n.
    1 a lapel, neckline.
collarbone
collarbone
  1. n. a bone on each side of the lower neck running to the top of the shoulder,
    THESAURUS
    the clavicle: He fell and broke his right collarbone.
collate
collate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to place papers in correct order: The photocopy machine collated the report as it printed it. -n. collator.
collateral
collateral
  1. n. [U] money or property signed over to a bank to insure that a loan will be repaid,
    THESAURUS
    loan security: I took out a loan at the bank and gave them my savings passbook as collateral.adj. related to s.t. but not the main point: a collateral issue
colleague
colleague
  1. n. a person with whom one works, esp. in a profession: My colleagues in the office (university, club, etc.) agree to the proposal.
collect
collect
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to come or bring together as a group, assemble: The teacher collected the homework.||A crowd collected in front of the burning building.
    2 [T] to get and keep things as a hobby: He collects stamps.
    3 [I;T] to ask for and receive money: Businesses have workers who collect payments from their customers.
    4 [T] to get back control of: to collect one's thoughts (emotions, oneself)
    5 to call collect: to telephone s.o. who pays the cost: The student called her mother collect from college.
    THESAURUS
    collect
    1 to gather. Ant. to scatter.
    2 to save
    4 to compose, rein in.
collectible
collectible
  1. n.adj.
    1 s.t. that is worth being collected: Paintings and stamps are among many collectibles.
    2 money owed that can be collected: That debt is not collectible, as the company is out of business.
collection
collection
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of similar objects brought together by s.o. as a hobby or by a museum: I have a coin collection.||That museum has a collection of Chinese paintings.
    2 [C;U] a request for payment of money owed a business
    3 [C;U] the act of collecting money, or the money given, for some good cause: a church collection See: collection agency.
    THESAURUS
    collection
    1 an assortment, compilation.
collection agency
collection agency
  1. n. -cies a business that collects money owed other businesses who are unable to collect it themselves: Some of our customers refuse to pay, so we gave their names to a collection agency.
collective
collective
  1. n. an organization where people and businesses group together to help each other: The farm collective stores their grain in a big warehouse that they bought together.adj. of a group: the people's collective concern about high taxes, poverty, etc.
collective bargaining
collective bargaining
  1. n. [U] negotiations between representatives of workers and management over wages, working conditions, and extra benefits: Collective bargaining started between officials of the workers' union and management.
collector
collector
  1. n. a person, business, or museum that collects objects or money: The Internal Revenue Service in the USA is a collector of taxes.
college degree
college degree
  1. n. in the USA, a diploma from a university or four-year college: She has a college degree in chemistry.
collide
collide
  1. v. [I] -lided, -liding, -lides to hit against s.t. with force, to crash: Two cars collided on the street. ||They collided with each other.
collie
collie
  1. n. a large dog with a thin, pointed nose and long, light-brown, black, and white fur: Some farmers use collies to control sheep.
collision
collision
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a crashing together: Two cars were involved in a collision.
    2 to be on a collision course: a. to be headed toward crashing together: two cars on a collision course b. to be headed for an argument or other conflict: The two politicians are on a collision course over raising taxes.
collocate
collocate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates (of two words) to be used together regularly, to sound correct together: The word "heavy" collocates with "rain," but "weighty" does not; we say "a heavy rain," not "a weighty rain." -n. [U] collocation.
colloquial
colloquial
  1. adj. typical of informal spoken or written language: Talk among friends uses colloquial language. -n. colloquialism; -adv. colloquially.
colloquium
colloquium
  1. n. -quiums or -quia a meeting, such as among professors, to exchange ideas: The chemistry department held a colloquium on new developments.
collusion
collusion
  1. n. [U] a secret agreement to cheat or steal,
    THESAURUS
    a conspiracy to defraud: Two employees were in collusion to steal money from the company. -v. [I] collude.
cologne
cologne
  1. n. [C;U] a type of perfume: He puts cologne on his face after he shaves.
colon
colon
  1. n.
    1 the lower intestine: He had cancer of the colon.
    2 the punctuation mark (:): Colons are used in this dictionary to introduce the sample sentence.
colonel
colonel
  1. n. a military rank below general and above lieutenant colonel: In the USA, there are colonels in the Army, Air Force, and Marines, but not in the Navy.
colonial
colonial
  1. adj.
    1 related to colonies (nations governed by other nations): Colonial America was controlled mainly by the Spanish, French, and British.
    2 Colonial: related to the 13 original American colonies
    3 in the style, esp. of buildings, common during the time that people lived in colonies in America: They live in a four-bedroom colonial house.
colonization
colonization
  1. n. [U] the process of gaining control of another country or land, esp. by sending groups of people, who are still governed by their home countries, to live there: The colonization of the Americas by the Spanish took many years.
colonize
colonize
  1. v. [I;T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 to send people to live in another area of land or country, while still governing them from the home country: The Spanish, British, and French colonized the Americas.
    2 to go live in a colony
    THESAURUS
    colonize
    1 to inhabit, settle, take possession of.
colony
colony
  1. n. -nies
    1 a group of people who have moved to another area of land, but are still governed by their home country
    2 a region, country, or land of colonization, esp. one controlled by a foreign power: the (former) French colonies of North Africa
    3 a group of people with similar backgrounds or interests living in one area: That seaside resort is an artists' colony. -n. (a person) colonist.
    THESAURUS
    colony
    1 a protectorate, settlement, outpost.
color
color
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a shade, hue, or tint: Red, yellow, and blue are colors.
    2 [C;U] paint, ink, pastel, chalk, etc., used to create color: She paints with watercolors.
    3 [U] skin color as related to race: Some people are discriminated against because of their color.
    4 [U] the look of one's skin, esp. the face, that shows one's health: That little boy is almost well again; he's getting his color back.
    5 [U] liveliness, brightness: Your decorations certainly add color to the room.
    6 to show one's true colors: to show what one is really like: He seems pleasant but shows his true colors by becoming angry when he does not get what he wants.
    7 with flying colors: very well: She passed the exam with flying colors, a perfect score.v.
    1 [T] to apply color to: The child colored the picture yellow and red.
    2 [T] to give a special effect to, influence: A bad car accident has colored his attitude, and he is very cautious while driving now.
    3 [T] to present in an unfair or untrue way: She colors her group's reports so that it sounds as if she does all the work.
    4 [I] to have one's face, esp. the cheeks, turn red,
    THESAURUS
    to blush: She colored with embarrassment as she realized her mistake. See: colored.
colorblind
colorblind
  1. adj.
    1 not able to see the difference between some or all colors: He could not fly for the Air Force because he was colorblind.
    2 not concerned by s.o.'s skin color and race,
    THESAURUS
    unprejudiced: Most people like to think of themselves as colorblind. -n. [U] colorblindness.
colored
colored
  1. adj.
    1 having color: The invitations can be printed on white or colored paper.
    2 containing incorrect information, (syns.) slanted, biased: This report is colored, because the authors put in only the information that they agreed with.
colorful
colorful
  1. adj.
    1 having bright colors: She wore a colorful dress with red and orange flowers on it.
    2 full of interesting behavior or activity: She is a colorful person who is a pilot, explorer, and writer.
    THESAURUS
    colorful
    1 vivid, vibrant, lively. Ant. colorless.
    2 dramatic.
coloring
coloring
  1. n.
    1 [U] the color of the skin, esp. of the face, indicating good or poor health
    2 [C;U] a substance added to s.t., such as food, to give it a color
colossal
colossal
  1. adj. huge,
    THESAURUS
    immense: Some of the tall buildings in that city are colossal.
colt
colt
  1. n. a young male horse: The mare gave birth to a colt. See: filly.
column
column
  1. n.
    1 in some buildings, a tall, thick beam used as support or decoration, pillar: Those stone columns hold up the roof.
    2 a row, esp. a vertical one: He added up a column of numbers.||A column of ants crawled through the yard.
    3 an article in a newspaper or magazine written regularly by a writer (called a columnist): She writes a weekly column about politics for The New York Times.
    THESAURUS
    column
    3 a feature, editorial, piece.
coma
coma
  1. n. a medical condition like a long, deep sleep,
    THESAURUS
    unconsciousness caused by disease or injury: He injured his head in a fall and fell into a coma for a month. -adj. comatose.
comb
comb
  1. n. a flat piece of plastic (wood, metal) with teeth used to neaten the hair: —v. [T]
    1 to pass a comb through the hair: I washed my face and combed my hair.
    2 to search thoroughly: The police combed our neighborhood for a thief who was hiding.
    THESAURUS
    comb v.
    1 to untangle
    2 to search, scour.
combat
combat
  1. n. [C;U] a violent struggle: Soldiers shoot at each other in combat.v. [T] -bated or -batted, -bating or -batting, -bats to fight against: Police combat crime. -n. combatant.
combative
combative
  1. adj. eager to fight or argue,
    THESAURUS
    pugnacious: The young boys were combative; they argued about everything with everyone. -n. [U] combativeness.
combination
combination
  1. n. two or more things, ideas, or events put together: Chicken soup is a combination of pieces of chicken, vegetables, and water.
    THESAURUS
    combination n. a mixture, blend | union.
combustible
combustible
  1. adj. capable of burning: Wood and coal are combustible substances.
combustion
combustion
  1. n. [U] the act or process of burning
come-hither
come-hither
  1. adj. inviting s.o. to come over, esp. by a sexy look: She gave the handsome guy a come-hither look.
come-on
come-on
  1. n. slang
    1 s.t. offered to get s.o. to do s.t.: The offer of a free clock by that store was just a come-on to get you to buy an expensive TV.
    2 a sexual invitation: She flirts and laughs with him; she is giving him a big come-on.
come
come
  1. v. [I] came , come, coming, comes
    1 to move toward the speaker or a certain place: Come here and look at this!||He came to my party.
    2 to arrive: The train comes at 9:09.||Labor and management finally came to an agreement.
    3 to be located in a certain position: Five comes before six.||That law comes under article 3 on page 10.
    4 to reach: The coat comes down to my knees.||That typist does not come up to our standards of accuracy.
    5 to be available: Ice cream comes in many flavors.||Do those shoes come in my size?
    6 to result in: All my work came to nothing when it burned up in the office fire.
    7 to become: My shoelaces have come untied.||A button on my jacket came loose and fell off.
    8 to have importance, to rank: For him, his job always comes first.||His family comes before anything else.
    9 to begin: I hope you will come to like your new school.
    THESAURUS
    come
    1 to approach (s.o. or s.t.), show up. Ants. to leave, depart.
    2 to reach (a destination, ending), draw near
    3 to be positioned
    4 to meet
    5 to be offered
    6 to add up to, total, amount to
    7 to get
    9 to grow to (like/dislike).
    10 Come on: a. an expression of encouragement: Come on, you can do it! b. an expression of skepticism: Oh come on, you don't really believe that! c. an expression of impatience: Come on, we're going to miss the train!
    11 Come off it: an expression of annoyance: Oh, come off it! Stop talking that nonsense!
    12 infrml. How come: why: How come you got a salary increase and I didn't?
    13 in the days (weeks, months, etc.) to come: in the future: In the years to come, I hope to stay healthy.
    14 phrasal v. [I] to come about: a. to happen: How did the accident come about? b. to turn around: The ship came about and headed home.
    15 phrasal v. insep. to come across (s.t.): a. infrml. [I] to make an impression: He comes across badly in meetings, but he is really just shy. b. [I] s.t.: to do or give what is wanted: He finally came across with the money. c. [T] s.t.: to find, discover: In cleaning out a desk, I came across (or) came upon some $100 bills.
    16 phrasal v. [I] to come along: to progress: How is your mother coming along after her operation?
    17 to come and go: to come into and go out of fashion quickly: Wide neckties, then thin ones; they come and go.
    18 phrasal v. [I] to come apart: to fall into pieces: That car is so old that it is coming apart.
    19 phrasal v. [I] to come around: a. to visit: She came around to my place at eight o'clock. b. to come back to consciousness,
    THESAURUS
    to come to: He came around a few hours after the surgery. c. to agree after a time of disagreement: She will come around to our way of thinking.
    20 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come at s.o. or s.t.: to approach in a threatening way, to attack: The dog came at me with its teeth bared.
    21 phrasal v. [I] to come back: a. to return to one's memory: I can't remember his name at the moment, but it'll come back to me. b. to return to a good level of success: The singer was unpopular for many years; then he came back as a big success. See: comeback.
    22 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come between s.o. or s.t.: to divide or cause trouble between people, or between a person and a thing: They were a happy couple until money problems came between them.
    23 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come by (s.t.): a. to visit: Come by my office when you have time to talk. b. s.t.: to get,
    THESAURUS
    to acquire: How did you come by that new car (information, idea, etc.)?
    24 to come down in life or in the world: to make less money and live less well than before
    25 phrasal v. insep. [I] to come down on s.o. or s.t.: to punish: The attorney general has promised to come down hard on fraud.
    26 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come down to s.t.: to re-sult in, be reduced to: Her concerns come down to worries about losing money.
    27 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come down with s.t.: to get an illness, to contract a disease: I came down with a cold yesterday.
    28 phrasal v. [I] to come forward: to present or offer oneself: He came forward and told the police that he saw the crime happen.
    29 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come from s.t.: a. to be a native or resident of: He comes from London (Texas, Japan, etc.). b. to be produced by: Honey comes from bees.
    30 phrasal v. insep. [I] to come in (on s.t.): to begin to participate in, to join: Another company came in on the project, and a third company may come in and join us as well.
    31 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come into s.t.: to inherit: When her rich uncle died, she came into a lot of money.
    32 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come of s.t.: to be the result of: What do you think will come of your investigation?
    33 phrasal v. [I] to come off: to happen, esp. to succeed: The big party we gave came off well; everyone liked it. See: come, 11.
    34 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come on to s.o.: to make sexual advances to s.o.: While we were having dinner at the restaurant, he kept coming on to me.
    35 phrasal v. [I] to come out: a. to state one's beliefs: The politician came out in favor of (for, against, etc.) lower taxes. b. to become known: When the truth about his past came out, everyone was shocked. c. to appear: The sun will come out tomorrow at 6:15 A.M. d. to be presented to society at a dance: The young lady came out at the December ball. e. to announce one's homosexuality: He came out to his parents after college.
    36 phrasal v. insep. to come over (s.o.): a. [I] to pay a visit: My friend came over (to my house) to play cards. b. [T] s.o.: to become clear to, be understood by: It suddenly came over me that I had forgotten my keys.
    37 to come s.o.'s way: to happen for s.o. (after a long wait): After ten years of being alone, love finally came my way.
    38 phrasal v. [T] to come through: to do what is needed or expected, esp. after a wait: My citizenship papers finally came through.
    39 phrasal v. insep. to come to: a. [I] to come back to consciousness,
    THESAURUS
    to come around: She fainted, then slowly came to. b. [T] s.o.: to return to s.o.'s memory: His name? Wait a minute and it will come to me.
    40 phrasal v. [I] to come up: a. to come to s.o.'s attention, be spoken of: The topic of money came up in our conversation. b. to approach: A man came up (to me) on the street and asked for money.
    41 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come up against s.t.: to meet or face difficulty or trouble: She came up against a stone wall when she asked her boss for a raise; he just said, "No."
    42 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come up with s.t.: to think of, invent, discover: She came up with a good solution to the problem.
    43 phrasal v. insep. [T] to come upon s.t.: to find,
    THESAURUS
    to come across: A man on a bicycle came upon a dead body by the road.
comeback
comeback
  1. n.
    1 a return to the top level of success: That singer retired at 35, then made a comeback at 50 with a new hit song.
    2 a quick, funny reply,
    THESAURUS
    a retort: People tease her a lot, but she always has a comeback.
comedian
comedian
  1. n.
    1 a man or woman who says and often does funny things for a living: The comedian made the audience laugh.
    2 a person who does or tries to do funny things: Juan is always joking around; he's quite the comedian.
comedown
comedown
  1. n. a lowering of one's standard of living: It was a big comedown for him when he had to sell his house and move into a tiny apartment.
comedy
comedy
  1. n. [C;U] -dies
    1 a funny movie, play, piece of writing, etc.: That movie I saw was a really good comedy.
    2 s.t. so wrong as to become very amusing: He did everything wrong; it was a comedy of errors.
    THESAURUS
    comedy
    1 humor, jokes, wit. Ant. tragedy.
comely
comely
  1. adj.frml. -lier, -liest good-looking, (syns.) pretty, handsome: She is a comely child.
comet
comet
  1. n. a fast-moving heavenly body with a solid head surrounded by a glowing cloud of gases that circles the sun: As a comet gets closer to the sun, a long, glowing tail of gas forms behind it.
comeuppance
comeuppance
  1. n. [C;U] well-deserved punishment: That man has been cheating people for years; he got his comeuppance when s.o. finally caught him and had him arrested.
comfort
comfort
  1. n.
    1 a peaceful feeling of freedom from pain or worry: People like to live in comfort.
    2 kind and gentle care: Nurses give comfort to sick people.
    3 s.o. or s.t. that gives comfort: She is a comfort to her parents in their old age.||It is a comfort to know that our son will be well taken care of while we're out of town.
    4 s.t. that makes life easier or more comfortable: Today, we enjoy many comforts that people did not have in the past (cars, air conditioning, microwave ovens, etc.).v. [T] to soothe s.o. in pain or worry: Mothers comfort their sick children.
    THESAURUS
    comfort v. to calm, reassure. Ant. to upset.
comfortable
comfortable
  1. adj.
    1 relaxed and restful: I sat on the big, soft sofa and made myself comfortable.
    2 s.t. that provides comfort: The big, soft sofa is very comfortable.
    3 enough to be satisfied and happy: She earns a comfortable living.||The front runner has a comfortable lead.
    4 feeling s.t. is all right: She is comfortable with the idea of moving to a new city. -adv. comfortably.
    THESAURUS
    comfortable
    1 at ease, snug, comfy infrml. Ant. on edge.
    2 snug, cozy, comfy infrml.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. uncomfortable.
    3 satisfactory, decent. Ants. inferior, poor.
    4 content, satisfied,
    THESAURUS
    pleased.
comfy
comfy
  1. adj.infrml. -fier, -fiest short for comfortable: She took off her shoes and made herself comfy.||This is a comfy chair.
comic
comic
  1. n. a comedian: We watched a comic on TV.adj. funny,
    THESAURUS
    amusing: a comic opera
comic book
comic book
  1. n. a book of comic strips (color drawings that tell a story): Children love to read about the adventures of their favorite superheroes in comic books.
comic strip
comic strip
  1. n. a picture story, amusing or adventurous, by one artist: The comic strips are in the back of my newspaper.
comical
comical
  1. adj.
    1 funny, amusing: Everyone laughed at her comical remarks.
    2 stupid but amusing, ludicrous: It was comical watching the thief with the stolen wallet trying to tell the police that he'd found it.
    THESAURUS
    comical
    1 humorous, comic, hilarious. Ant. tragic.
    2 laughable.
comics
comics
  1. n.pl. picture stories of fun and adventure in newspapers: He reads the comics every morning.
    THESAURUS
    comics n. pl. comic strips, cartoons.
coming
coming
  1. n.
    1 sing.a formal arrival,
    THESAURUS
    advent: We look forward to the coming of peace after five years of war.
    2 to have it coming: a. to deserve a reward: She works so hard that she deserves a vacation; she has it coming to her. b. to deserve punishment: He robbed a store and is going to jail; he has it coming to him.adj.
    1 arriving next: I am leaving on a trip this coming Sunday.
    2 up and coming: seeming likely to be successful: She is an up and coming young lawyer.
comma
comma
  1. n. the punctuation sign (,): The comma is used to separate parts of a sentence.
command
command
  1. n.
    1 [C] an instruction on what to do, an order: An army officer gave a command to the soldiers to shoot at the enemy.
    2 [U] the act of using one's authority over a person, group, etc.: The officer is in command, and the soldiers must obey on (his) command.
    3 [C] a group of officers in charge of the military: the army's high command
    4 [C;U] one's skill or ability to do s.t. well: She has a good command of English.
    5 [C] a signal containing instructions given to a machine or device: She typed a command into the computer (alarm system, VCR, etc.).v.
    1 [I;T] (in the military) to have control over a person or group: The general commands the Third Army.
    2 frml. [T] to demand with authority that s.o. do s.t.: He commanded the dog to leave the house.
    3 [T] to be skilled at or able to use s.t.: She commands a broad knowledge of history.
    4 [T] to be worth s.t.: That car is so well built that it commands a very high price.||She has accomplished many things, and commands a great deal of respect.
    THESAURUS
    command n.
    1 a mandate, directive
    2 control, power
    4 a mastery, grasp of.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to control, be in charge of
    2 to instruct, order | tell
    3 to possess
    4 to require, demand.
commandant
commandant
  1. n. the chief military officer of a fort or military post
commandeer
commandeer
  1. v. [T] to take s.t. suddenly without permission or payment, esp. by police or military authority: The police officer commandeered a taxi cab to chase the bank robbers.
commander
commander
  1. n. a person in charge, esp. of military personnel or police: In the USA, the President is the commander in chief of all military forces.
commanding
commanding
  1. adj.
    1 in command,
    THESAURUS
    in charge: The officer responsible for directing you is your commanding officer.
    2 looking important and powerful,
    THESAURUS
    impressive: The President is a man with a commanding presence (appearance).
    3 in a position of control,
    THESAURUS
    dominating: Our team has a commanding lead of 50 to 10.
commandment
commandment
  1. n.
    1 an order,
    THESAURUS
    a mandate
    2 any of the Ten Commandments in the Bible: God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.
commando
commando
  1. n. -dos or -does a highly trained soldier used to make quick, deadly attacks against an enemy: Commandos swam ashore and captured an enemy general as he slept.
commemorate
commemorate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to celebrate the memory of s.o. or some event: In the USA, they commemorate Independence Day on July 4th. -n. [U] commemoration ; -adj. commemorative.
commence
commence
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -menced, -mencing, -mences to begin: Our company commenced business on January 2 last year.
commencement
commencement
  1. n.frml.
    1 [C;U] a beginning: a commencement of political negotiations
    2 [C] graduation ceremonies at a school or college: Parents attended the commencement of their sons and daughters from high school.
commend
commend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to praise: The teacher commended the students for doing well on the exam.
    2 to say that s.o. or s.t. is worthy and good,
    THESAURUS
    to recommend: She commended the hotel in her letter to me.
    3 to place in s.o. else's care: The minister commended the dead man's spirit to heaven. -adj. commendable; -n. commendation.
comment
comment
  1. n. a remark, opinion (often criticism): The teacher wrote a comment on the student's paper about how good it was.v. [I;T] to express an opinion about s.t., to remark: The boss commented on how poorly the work had been done.
    THESAURUS
    comment n. an observation, statement, note.
commentary
commentary
  1. n. [C;U] -ies a written or spoken opinion about s.t., explaining and/or criticizing it: A TV sports announcer gave the commentary on the football game, explaining what the players were doing, and how well they were doing it. -v. [I] commentate.
commentator
commentator
  1. n. a person, esp. on TV or radio, who explains and/or criticizes events
commerce
commerce
  1. n. [U] business in general in the buying and selling of goods and services within a country and with other countries: Commerce between the USA and Asia is good.
commercial
commercial
  1. adj. related to business: He is a Chinese businessman with commercial interests in both China and New York.||There are only businesses, no homes, in this area; it is a commercial district.n. a radio or television advertisement: Television programs are often interrupted by commercials.
    THESAURUS
    commercial adj. for profit, money-making | industrial, business.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare commercial and advertisement. Commercials are a kind of advertising on TV or radio. Advertisements in newspapers, magazines, billboards, and on the World Wide Web are not called commercials.
commercial bank
commercial bank
  1. n. in the USA, a bank offering checking and savings accounts, and mortgages for both individuals and businesses: There is a commercial bank, like Citibank, on nearly every corner in New York City.
commercialize
commercialize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to change s.t. so that making money is its main goal: This used to be a quiet beach that few people knew about, but it's been commercialized, and is now covered with hotels.
    2 to cheapen the quality of s.t. for larger profits: A large company commercialized that wonderful mustard to make more money from its good name.
commiserate
commiserate
  1. v.frml. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to share feelings of sadness with s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to sympathize with s.o.: When my friend's mother died, I commiserated with her. -n. [C;U] commiseration.
commission
commission
  1. n.
    1 [C] an amount of money paid, esp. to a sales representative, for making sales of products and services: Our company pays the salespeople a 10-percent commission.
    2 [U] a doing, a committing,
    THESAURUS
    perpetration: The commission of the crime was quick.
    3 [C] a. authorization (permission) to do a certain duty or task: I have a commission to paint a picture of the mayor. b. the document giving s.o. this permission: I have the commission to organize a new committee for the president. c. the task so given: What is your commission?
    4 [C] a group of people authorized, usu. by a government, to do s.t.: The town council created a commission to protect its historical landmarks.
    5 [C] a formal document of acceptance as an officer into the military: She received her commission as a lieutenant in the Navy today.v. [T]
    1 to set up a group of people as a commission: They commissioned a group of engineers to study the problem.
    2 to accept a person as an officer in the military
    3 to ask formally for s.t. to be done: to commission a painting or study. See: commitment, USAGE NOTE.
commissioned officer
commissioned officer
  1. n. an officer in the military with the rank of lieutenant, captain, colonel, or general
commissioner
commissioner
  1. n.
    1 an official in charge of a government department or an athletic association: The police commissioner of New York||the baseball commissioner
    2 a member of a commission
commit
commit
  1. v. [T] -mitted, -mitting, -mits
    1 to do s.t.: He committed a crime.
    2 to give money for a purpose: to commit funds to a project
    3 to commit oneself: to promise to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to dedicate oneself: The priest committed himself to a life of poverty.
    4 to obligate or bind by a promise: My aunt feels committed to go to my wedding, but she does not want to.
    THESAURUS
    commit
    1 to perpetrate
    2 to pledge, hand over, entrust.
commitment
commitment
  1. n.
    1 [C] a promise: The mayor made a commitment to speak at the celebration.
    2 [C] a decision: The company made a commitment to spend a million dollars on advertising.
    3 [C;U] deep loyalty to a person or cause, dedication: That husband and wife have a strong commitment to each other.
    4 to honor or meet one's commitment(s): to do what one promises to do,
    THESAURUS
    to fulfill one's obligations: She honors her commitments.
    THESAURUS
    commitment
    1 a pledge, vow
    2 a pledge, choice
    3 devotion.

    USAGE NOTE: When a crime has been committed, one speaks of the commission of a crime; commitment is not used in this sense.
committee
committee
  1. n. a group of people organized for a purpose: The company has a committee to handle complaints from employees.
    THESAURUS
    committee n. a team | board.
commodity
commodity
  1. n. -ties a general word for items or substances for sale, like grains and metals: Some important commodities are wheat and corn, or silver and gold.
commodore
commodore
  1. n. a former Navy rank above captain and below rear admiral: The commodore was in charge of a group of ships.
common
common
  1. adj.
    1 happening or appearing often: Car accidents are a common occurrence.||"Smith" is a very common name.
    2 ordinary, having no special position or quality: The common people go to work and raise families.
    3 shared by two or more people or things: They became friends because of their common interest in bird watching.||The two countries share a common border.
    4 related to the people in general, involving the whole community: During the war, people made sacrifices for the common good.
    5 common ground: what people agree on, esp. when they disagree about other things: They disagreed on many issues, but found some common ground in their concern for poor children.
    6 pej. rude and unpolished in looks, manners, or speech,
    THESAURUS
    vulgar: She is very common; she needs to be taught some manners.n. to have s.t. in common: to share the same interests, experiences, or qualities: I hardly ever talk to my brother; we just don't have anything in common. -adv. commonly.
    THESAURUS
    common
    1 everyday, normal, regular. Ant. rare.
    2 everyday, commonplace, unexceptional.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. exceptional.
    3 joint
    4 universal, general. Ant. individual.
common knowledge
common knowledge
  1. n. what most people know: It is common knowledge that the national debt is huge.
common law
common law
  1. n. [U] unwritten law based on customs and previous court judgments, rather than laws passed by Parliament or Congress: British common law was developed over hundreds of years and brought to North America in the 17th century.
common property
common property
  1. n. [U] property belonging to both husband and wife: For their divorce, the couple agreed to divide common property on a 50-50 basis.
common sense
common sense
  1. n. [U] the understanding of s.t. from thinking intelligently and from everyday experience,
    THESAURUS
    good judgment: He knows about the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes, so it is common sense to stop.
common stock
common stock
  1. n. [U] shares of a company that have a claim on that company's assets after all other debts are paid: The New York Stock Exchange trades the common stock of thousands of companies.
commonplace
commonplace
  1. adj. frequent or usual: Car accidents are commonplace in the city.
commonwealth
commonwealth
  1. n.
    1 a state or a nation governed by the people for the common good (commonwealth),
    THESAURUS
    republic: Virginia and Massachusetts are commonwealths, as is the nation of Australia.
    2 the Commonwealth: the free association of former British colonies and dominions: Canada, India, and Kenya are all members of the Commonwealth.
commotion
commotion
  1. n. [C;U] a disturbing confusion: Two men made a commotion by yelling at each other in the theater.
communal
communal
  1. adj. for a community,
    THESAURUS
    public: Parks are communal property for all the people to enjoy.
commune
commune
  1. v. [I] -muned, -muning, -munes to feel as one with s.t., to communicate: to commune with God||She goes to the country to commune with nature. See: communion. —n.
    1 a group of people and property organized for their common purpose: a religious commune
    2 (in France, Italy, Spain) the smallest political area with a mayor and council
communicable
communicable
  1. adj. capable of being communicated or given to others: The common cold and the plague are communicable diseases.
communicate
communicate
  1. v. -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 [I;T] to give information to others: People communicate with each other by spoken or written language or by gestures.
    2 [I] to understand one another: My boss and I communicate well with each other.
    3 [I] to contact others: People can communicate by telephone easily.
    THESAURUS
    communicate
    1 to correspond with, convey information to
    2 to convey meaning/information
    THESAURUS
    to s.o.
    3 to talk, be in touch/contact with, converse frml.
communication
communication
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act of passing on information, feelings, etc.: the communication of the news on TV
    2 [C] the message itself: That communication is clear.
    3 [U] understanding: There is no communication in this company; no one knows what is going on.
communicative
communicative
  1. adj.
    1 willing and able to communicate: She is communicative about how she feels.
    2 about the ability to communicate: one's communicative skills, like speaking and writing
communion
communion
  1. n.
    1 [U] a feeling of oneness: I feel a sense of communion with my cousin; we both love nature.
    2 [C] a religious grouping,
    THESAURUS
    a denomination
    3 Holy Communion: the Christian religious act (church rite) of taking wine and bread as a sign of one's faith in Christ and God,
    THESAURUS
    the Eucharist: He takes Holy Communion every Sunday. -n. communicant.
communiqué
communiqué
  1. n. an official communication,
    THESAURUS
    bulletin: The government issued a communiqué giving the military officers their instructions.
community
community
  1. n. -ties
    1 the people as a group in a town, city, or other area: The community is concerned about crime.
    2 people forming a group in a racial, religious, occupational, etc., way: The Dominican community in New York City is very large.adj. to have community spirit: to think about and work for the good of a community: The children in that neighborhood pick up the garbage in the park every weekend; they have a lot of community spirit.
community college
community college
  1. n. in the USA, a two-year college,
    THESAURUS
    junior college: She is studying at a community college.
commute
commute
  1. v. -muted, -muting, -mutes
    1 [I] to travel to and from one's work or school regularly: He commutes between his house in the country and his office in the city every day.
    2 [T] to make punishment less severe: The official commuted the criminal's sentence from death to life in prison.n. a regular trip, usu. between home and workplace: He has a long commute to work from home. -n. commutation.
commuter
commuter
  1. n. a person who travels regularly, esp. between home and the workplace: At five o'clock, commuters leave their offices and rush to buses and trains.
compact
compact
  1. adj.
    1 small compared with others, taking up little space: That compact suitcase is easy to carry.
    2 close together,
    THESAURUS
    dense: The equipment in that case is packed in a compact way.n. a small case used to hold women's face powder and a mirror —v. [T] to pack or pound tightly: to compact garbageadv. compactly: It fits compactly behind the door for storage. -n. [U] compactness; (machine) compactor.
compact disc
compact disc
  1. or CD n. a disc used to record music, other sounds, images, and other information that is read by a laser: We use compact discs to play music on our stereo.
companion
companion
  1. n.
    1 a person who goes with another person: a traveling companion|| a working companion|| John was her companion at the party.
    2 a thing that goes with another to form a pair: a companion volume (book) -adj. companionable.
companionship
companionship
  1. n. [U] a condition of being together with s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    friendship: She has a pet dog for companionship.
company
company
  1. n. -nies
    1 [U] visitors, guests, often to a home: We had company over for dinner.
    2 [C] a business: She owns a company that makes fancy clothes.
    3 [U] companionship: He likes her company.
    4 [C] a military unit: a company of 50 soldiers
    5 to keep company: to go with, associate with: He keeps bad company with rough guys.
    6 to keep s.o. company: to go with s.o. for companionship: He kept her company while she went to the doctor.
    7 to part company: to no longer spend one's time with s.o.: She and her boyfriend had an argument and parted company.
comparable
comparable
  1. adj.
    1 similar to: The two cars are comparable in appearance.
    2 equal to in value: They are also comparable to each other in price.
comparative
comparative
  1. adj.
    1 as compared with s.t. else, whether that thing is mentioned or not,
    THESAURUS
    relative: The comparative worth of a car is much greater than that of an old bicycle.
    2 being the form of an adjective or adverb that compares one thing with another: "Taller" (not "tall" or "tallest") is the comparative form of "tall."
    3 comparing things in order to study them: I'm taking a course in comparative literature. -adv. comparatively.
compare
compare
  1. v. [T] -pared, -paring, -pares
    1 to look for similarities and differences between two or more things, ideas, people, etc.: The company's sales this year are excellent compared to (or) compared with last year's.
    2 to compare apples and oranges: to attempt to compare things that are not at all alike: Comparing s.o. who uses heroin to s.o. who smokes cigarettes is like comparing apples and oranges.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to compare with s.o. or s.t.: to be worth a comparison: His cooking is good, but it can't compare with yours.
    THESAURUS
    compare
    1 to contrast, evaluate against
    3 to match, measure up to/against.
comparison
comparison
  1. n. [C;U] an analysis of similarities and differences between things, ideas, people, etc.: The student made a comparison between what people do at Christmastime in her country and what people do in the USA.
compartment
compartment
  1. n. an enclosed space within s.t. larger, often with a cover or door: Some trains have sleeping compartments.
compartmentalize
compartmentalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to put s.t. or s.o. into a category: Students are compartmentalized into separate classes for beginning, intermediate, and advanced speakers of English.
compass
compass
  1. n. -passes
    1 a device to determine direction (north, south, east, west, etc.): Sailors use a compass to know in which direction their ship is headed.
    2 A v-shaped device for drawing circles, arcs, or other geometric figures: She used a compass to draw a perfect circle.
compassion
compassion
  1. n. [U] sympathy for s.o., esp. in doing s.t. kind for him or her: She suffered cold, starvation, and the death of her family during the war, so she has great compassion for other people who suffer, too. -adj. compassionate.
compatible
compatible
  1. adj. capable of working or living well together,
    THESAURUS
    harmonious: That husband and wife are very compatible; they'll never get divorced.||Those computer programs are compatible with each other; they can run at the same time. -n. compatibility.
compel
compel
  1. v. [T] -pelled, -pelling, -pels to force s.o. to do s.t.: His illness compelled him to stay in bed.
compensate
compensate
  1. v. -sated, -sating, -sates
    1 [T] to pay s.o.: That company compensates its employees well.||The insurance company compensated the man for his injuries.
    2 [I] to overcome a weakness with a strength: He is not intelligent, but he compensates for that with his warmth and charm. -adj. compensatory.
compensation
compensation
  1. n.
    1 sing. [U] payment in money: Her compensation from the company is $50,000 per year.
    2 [U] payment in satisfaction: That teacher is not paid much, but he gets compensation from his love of teaching.
    THESAURUS
    compensation
    1 a salary, wage
    2 a reward.
compete
compete
  1. v. [I] -peted, -peting, -petes to participate in a contest,
    THESAURUS
    to vie: Our basketball team competed against another team and won.
competent
competent
  1. adj. having the ability to do s.t. well, having good or excellent skills: She is competent in accounting.||He is a competent manager. -n. competence; -adv. competently.
competition
competition
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an organized event in which people try to do a specific activity better than everyone else: She is an excellent runner, and she enters every competition that she can.
    2 [U] the competition: the people, as a group, that one is trying to do better than, esp. in business: The competition in the computer field is made up of hundreds of companies.
competitive
competitive
  1. adj.
    1 s.o. who likes to compete: He is very competitive in football; he likes to win.
    2 s.t. that is as good or better than s.t. else, esp. worthy of purchase: Our company's soap products are competitive with other companies'. -n. [U] competitiveness.
    THESAURUS
    competitive
    1 aggressive. Ant. passive.
    2 viable, equal to.
competitor
competitor
  1. n.
    1 a person or team that participates in sports: The Olympic Games attract competitors from all over the world.
    2 a product or company that competes with others for the same customers: He's losing business to his competitors.
compile
compile
  1. v. [T] -piled, -piling, -piles to put s.t. together item by item: She compiled a list of things to take on vacation. -n. [C;U] compilation.
compiler
compiler
  1. n.
    1 a central computer program that translates other programs into usable ones
    2 a person who compiles: She is a compiler of dictionaries.
complacent
complacent
  1. adj.
    1 [T] quiet, satisfied: He likes his job and has a complacent attitude toward life.
    2 feeling superior and not worried,
    THESAURUS
    smug: He remained complacent even though the lawyer threatened to sue him. -n. [U] complacency; -adv. complacently.
complain
complain
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to express dissatisfaction, such as with pain or s.t. that is wrong: She complains that her back hurts.
    2 [I] to annoy others with complaints, gripe: He is always complaining about the weather or the government. -n. complainer.
    THESAURUS
    complain
    1 to whine, grumble. Ant. to tolerate.
    2 to whine, grumble.
complaint
complaint
  1. n.
    1 an expression of unhappiness or irritation about s.t.: I went to the doctor with a complaint about my bad back.
    2 criticism: That customer has a complaint about a bad product.
    THESAURUS
    complaint
    1 a problem
    2 grievance, dissatisfaction.
complement
complement
  1. n. a useful, appropriate addition to s.t.: The new lamps are a beautiful complement to the living room.v. [T] to be an appropriate addition that makes s.t. more effective or complete: The delicate sauce perfectly complemented the fish.
complementary
complementary
  1. adj. An angle that, when added to a second angle (or angles), will combine to form a 90-degree angle: A 31-degree angle is complementary to a 59-degree angle, because their sum is 90 degrees. See: compliment.
complete
complete
  1. adj.
    1 finished, done: Repair of the bridge is now complete.
    2 whole, having all its parts: He has a complete collection of Elvis Presley records.v. [T] -pleted, -pleting, -pletes to finish s.t.: He completed the report yesterday.
    THESAURUS
    complete adj.
    1 accomplished
    2 entire, inclusive, unabridged frml. Ant. partial.
completion
completion
  1. n. [U] the finishing of s.t., its end: The completion of the work is scheduled for next week.
complex
complex
  1. adj.
    1 having many parts or details that make s.t. hard to understand or deal with: Finding a cure for cancer involves complex scientific research.
    2 having many related parts: That powerful computer has complex wiring inside.n. -plexes
    1 a group of buildings and parking lots: That shopping complex has five restaurants, ten stores, and a day-care center.||My apartment complex contains 20 separate units.
    2 a psychological problem, a constant concern with s.t.: He has a complex about cleanliness, and he washes his hands 20 times a day.
    THESAURUS
    complex adj.
    1 intricate, involved. Ant. simple.
    2 multipart, multifaceted.
complex fraction
complex fraction
  1. n. a fraction that contains another fraction or fractions in its numerator or denominator: The complex fraction 3 + 5/8/9 can be simplified to 9.
complexion
complexion
  1. n.
    1 the appearance and condition of the skin of the face: She has a good (clear, bad, reddish, etc.) complexion.
    2 fig. the appearance or condition of a situation: Bad weather put a different complexion on our picnic plans; we didn't go.
complexity
complexity
  1. n. -ties a situation or condition with many difficult parts to it: He prefers the simplicity of checkers to the complexity of chess.
compliance
compliance
  1. n. [U] cooperation with a requirement (law, wish): When you pay your taxes according to the rules, you are in compliance with the tax regulations. -adj. compliant.
complicate
complicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to make more difficult, more complex: He complicated our agreement by asking for many more changes before he would sign it.
complication
complication
  1. n. difficulty, problem: A serious complication came up during the operation; her heart stopped beating.
complicity
complicity
  1. n. [U] participation in s.t. bad: The police suspect him of complicity in several recent crimes. -adj. complicit.
compliment
compliment
  1. n.
    1 to pay s.o. compliments: an expression of praise, admiration, or congratulations: People paid her compliments on her pretty dress.
    2 with one's compliments or compliments of the house: s.t. given free as a courtesy or repayment: The restaurant owner gave me a glass of wine with her compliments for being a good customer.v. [T] to express praise, admiration, etc., to s.o.: She complimented the nine-year-old boy on his good manners.
    THESAURUS
    compliment n.
    1 an admiring comment. Ant. a criticism. —v. to praise, congratulate | flatter.
complimentary
complimentary
  1. adj.
    1 expressing praise,
    THESAURUS
    admiring: She made complimentary remarks to the restaurant owner about the good food.
    2 free, without charge: The owner gave her a complimentary glass of wine.
comply
comply
  1. v.frml. [I] -plied, -plying, -plies to cooperate with a requirement (law, wish): Her husband complied with her wishes that he stop drinking.||Our company complies with governmental regulations on paying taxes every three months.
component
component
  1. n. a part of a whole of s.t.: Tires, the engine, the body, and the seats are components of a car.
comportment
comportment
  1. n. [U] frml. behavior, manners -v. comport.
compose
compose
  1. v. -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 [T] frml. to put together with care, esp. writing: She composed a letter to her lawyer.
    2 [I;T] to create art: to compose music or poetry
    3 [T] to calm oneself: He cried at his wife's funeral but was able to compose himself after a few minutes.
composer
composer
  1. n. a person who writes music: The music of great composers, like Beethoven and Mozart, is played around the world.
composite
composite
  1. adj. grouping together different pieces or elements to form a whole: Police talked to witnesses and came up with a composite picture of how the accident happened.
composition
composition
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the writing of s.t.: She began the composition of a letter to her mother.
    2 [U] the artistic creation of music, poetry, literature
    3 [C] a written report, esp. an essay: A student wrote a composition for her English class.
    4 [C;U] how s.t. is put together,
    THESAURUS
    its makeup: That medicine is a composition of three different drugs.
compost
compost
  1. n. [U] v. decayed grass, leaves, or manure, etc., usu. used for fertilizer: I put compost in the garden to make the flowers grow.
composure
composure
  1. n. [U] control of one's emotions: She lost her composure and cried at her mother's funeral.
compound
compound
  1. n.
    1 s.t. made by combining two or more parts or elements: Water is a chemical compound made from hydrogen and oxygen.
    2 an area with a fence around it: The soldiers live inside a military compound.v. [T]
    1 to make s.t. more difficult,
    THESAURUS
    to complicate: Our car broke down, and heavy rain compounded our problem of getting help.
    2 to add s.t. on top of s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    to accumulate: Interest compounds monthly in my savings account.adj. made up of two or more parts: The compound word "bookstore" is formed from the words "book" and "store."
comprehend
comprehend
  1. v. [I;T] to get the meaning of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to understand: That student comprehends that he must improve his work, or fail the course.
comprehensible
comprehensible
  1. adj. capable of being understood, (syns.) clear, intelligible: Her writing is quite comprehensible.
comprehension
comprehension
  1. n. [U]
    1 an event of understanding
    2 the ability to get the meaning of s.t.: His comprehension of what is said in class is good.
comprehensive
comprehensive
  1. adj. that which includes everything, (syns.) all encompassing, total: Our company has a comprehensive health plan that covers expenses for doctors, hospital, medicine, and dental care.
compress
compress
  1. v. [T] -presses to press together,
    THESAURUS
    to compact: That big garbage truck compresses cartons and tin cans until they are flat.n. -presses a soft pad used to cover a wound, soothe a headache, etc: She put a cold compress on her aching head.
compression
compression
  1. n. [U] a pressing together: The compression of gases in the earth can cause a volcano.
comprise
comprise
  1. v. [T] -prised, -prising, -prises to include, contain: Our company's product line comprises 2,500 different items.
compromise
compromise
  1. n. [C;U] an agreement reached where each side gets some, but not all, of what it wants, while the other side also gets some, but not all, of what it wants: My boss and I reached a compromise on my salary increase where I get what I asked for, but I have to wait six months for it.v. -mised, -mising, -mises
    1 [I] to reach a compromise: We compromised, so I get the increase I asked for, but I have to wait for it.
    2 [T] to put s.o. in a position of harm or difficulty
comptroller
comptroller
  1. n. the chief accountant in a business: Comptrollers usually work for the treasurer in a company. See: controller.
compulsion
compulsion
  1. n. [C;U] a need to do s.t. that cannot be stopped,
    THESAURUS
    an obsession: He has a compulsion to smoke cigarettes.
compulsive
compulsive
  1. adj. needing to do s.t. and not being able to stop : She has a compulsive need to talk a lot.
compulsory
compulsory
  1. adj. related to s.t. that must be done,
    THESAURUS
    required: It is compulsory for children to attend school until the age of 16 in the USA.
compunction
compunction
  1. n. [C;U] a sense of feeling bad (guilty) about s.t.: He has no compunctions about lying; he does it all the time.
compute
compute
  1. v. [I;T] -puted, -puting, -putes to do arithmetic or other calculations: He computed the cost of building a new house. -n. [C;U] computation.
computer
computer
  1. n. an electronic device that stores and allows changes in information through the use of instructions (programs) to do various types of tasks, like word processing and accounting: She uses her computer to write her books. See: PC.
computer language
computer language
  1. n. a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do with information
computerize
computerize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to equip a business (or person) with computers: The owner computerized his business; now, all of the accounting is done automatically.
    2 to put information into a computer: We did our accounting by hand for years, then we computerized it.
    THESAURUS
    computerize v.
    1 to automate, mechanize.
comrade
comrade
  1. n.
    1 a soldier or worker in one's group: During the war, he fought with his comrades.
    2 a form of address in groups such as Communist societies: Good morning, comrade. -n. [U] comradeship.
con man
con man
  1. n.infrml. men short for confidence man
concave
concave
  1. adj. curving inward: The inside of those eyeglasses is concave. See: convex.
conceal
conceal
  1. v. [T]
    1 to hide s.t.: The thief concealed a pistol under his coat.
    2 to keep s.t. secret, esp. to trick s.o.: The owners of the company concealed last year's finan-cial losses from the new buyer. -n. [U] concealment.
concede
concede
  1. v. -ceded, -ceding, -cedes
    1 [I;T] to admit that s.t. is true: The person who caused the accident finally conceded to the police that he had done it.
    2 [T] to give over as s.t. justly deserved,
    THESAURUS
    to yield as a right: to concede victory to an opponent
conceit
conceit
  1. n. [U] too high an opinion of oneself,
    THESAURUS
    vanity: His conceit about being so intelligent annoys everyone.
conceited
conceited
  1. adj. too high an opinion of oneself,
    THESAURUS
    vain: He is so conceited that he acts like he's a movie star.
conceivable
conceivable
  1. adj. possible, believable,
    THESAURUS
    imaginable: My grandmother left her glasses somewhere in the house; we have looked for them in every conceivable place but have not found them. -adv. conceivably.
conceive
conceive
  1. v. -ceived, -ceiving, -ceives
    1 [T] to think of s.t.: I can't conceive of why he did such a stupid thing!
    2 [I;T] frml.to become pregnant: She conceived and had a son.
concentrate
concentrate
  1. v. -trated, -trating, -trates
    1 [I] to think hard about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to focus one's attention: During exams, students concentrate hard on answering the questions.
    2 [T] to reduce the amount of s.t. and increase its strength,
    THESAURUS
    to condense: Orange juice that is concentrated can be stored in the freezer.n. [C;U] a condensed form of s.t.: a chemical concentrate
concentration
concentration
  1. n.
    1 [U] total attention to s.t.: He studies his textbook with complete concentration.
    2 [C] a close grouping of s.t.: There is a concentration of five Japanese restaurants on 14th Street.
concentration camp
concentration camp
  1. n. a type of prison camp where captured soldiers or ordinary people thought to be enemies of the state are kept: Millions of people died in Nazi concentration camps.
concentric
concentric
  1. adj. having the same center.
concept
concept
  1. n. a general idea that usu. includes other related ideas: Democracy is a concept that includes, among other things, the ideas of individual freedom and the right to vote. -adj. conceptual ; -v. [I;T] conceptualize.
conception
conception
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the creation of life: The conception of a baby happens when a man's sperm fertilizes a woman's egg.
    2 [U] a beginning: At the conception of this project, our company had five employees; now, three years later, the company has 20 employees.
    3 [C;U] an idea,
    THESAURUS
    an understanding: Most people have no conception of how difficult it is to write a book.
concern
concern
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] care, attention: He shows constant concern about how his mother is feeling.
    2 [U] worry: When she was sick, he regarded her condition with great concern.
    3 a going concern: a business that is successful: He opened a business last year, and it is now a going concern.
    4 no concern: When you want to tell s.o. to mind their own business, you can say, "That is no concern of yours."v. [T]
    1 to be about: This letter concerns payment for my new TV.
    2 a. to deal with, care about, or worry about: His mother's sickness concerns him a great deal. b. to concern oneself: She concerns herself with her business and nothing else.
    THESAURUS
    concern n.
    1 interest, regard
    2 anxiety, alarm, unease. Ant. indifference.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to involve, relate to 2 a. to feel anxious about, be distressed about.
concerning
concerning
  1. prep. about, with regard to: I am writing concerning my order for shoes that have not arrived yet.
concert
concert
  1. n.
    1 a musical event: I went to a rock concert last night.
    2 in concert (with): together with: Two countries acted in concert (or) in concert with each other to stop a war.
    THESAURUS
    concert n.
    1 a performance, recital, show.
concerted
concerted
  1. adj. strong,
    THESAURUS
    intense: He made a concerted effort to finish the job on time.
concerto
concerto
  1. n. -tos or -ti a piece of classical music, shorter than a symphony, with a soloist and orchestra: We listened to a wonderful violin concerto.
concession
concession
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] (a surrender to) a special demand by s.o.: To sell our house, we made a concession to the buyer by agreeing to put on a new roof.
    2 [C] a right to do business, esp. on government land or other area (sea): She owns the restaurant concession that sells food in the public park.
concierge
concierge
  1. n. a person in a hotel who sits in the lobby and helps guests with problems or answers questions: The concierge at the hotel suggested a wonderful Korean restaurant.
conciliate
conciliate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to win back the good feelings of s.o., (syns.) to soothe, placate: The owner conciliated the anger of her employees at having to work longer hours by giving them wage increases. -n. [U] conciliation.
conciliatory
conciliatory
  1. adj. seeking to please, esp. to stop s.o.'s anger: After arguing with her, he made conciliatory remarks about how much he loves her.
concise
concise
  1. adj. said in few words with much meaning,
    THESAURUS
    succinct: The speaker made a concise statement of his ideas. -adv. concisely; -n. [U] conciseness.
conclave
conclave
  1. n. a meeting held in secret: Generals held a conclave to plan a surprise attack.
conclude
conclude
  1. v. -cluded, -cluding, -cludes
    1 [I;T] to bring to an end: The concert concluded with an exciting song.
    2 [T] to form an opinion: After not getting a salary increase, I concluded that I must find a new job.
    3 to reach or come to a conclusion: to come to an agreement: The agreement was concluded and signed in 1945.
    THESAURUS
    conclude v.
    1 to end, finish, wind up infrml. Ant. to begin.
    2 to determine, figure out, deduce.
conclusion
conclusion
  1. n.
    1 the end of s.t., the finish: At the conclusion of the show, everyone clapped their hands.
    2 an opinion, a judgment: The police reached (or) came to the conclusion that the murder was done by a friend of the dead man.
    THESAURUS
    conclusion n.
    1 an ending, close. Ant. a start.
    2 a decision, determination.
conclusive
conclusive
  1. adj. without doubt,
    THESAURUS
    convincing: The police have conclusive proof about who stole the money.
concoct
concoct
  1. v. [T]
    1 to mix together, usu. in a strange way: He concocted a drink made from five different liquors.
    2 to invent a story or excuse that is not true: He concocted a story about why his homework wasn't done. -n. concoction.
concordance
concordance
  1. n.frml.
    1 an agreement: The two countries signed a concordance on trade.
    2 an alphabetical list of important words and their meanings -n. [U] concord.
concourse
concourse
  1. n. an open place or building hall where people can gather or walk through: The concourse in the railroad station leads to the trains and the street.
concrete
concrete
  1. n. [U] a building material made of cement and small rocks: Workers poured concrete to build the bridge.adj.
    1 dealing with facts and certainties: The police have concrete evidence (proof, facts) about who committed the crime.
    2 about real, specific things and situations, not general ideas: She gave some concrete examples of how to put their new knowledge to use.
    3 made of concrete: This is a concrete sidewalk.
    THESAURUS
    concrete adj.
    1 solid, existing
    2 actual, specific, real.
concur
concur
  1. v.frml. [I] -curred, -curring, -curs
    1 to have the same opinion,
    THESAURUS
    to agree: Two doctors concurred that the man needs a heart operation.
    2 to happen at the same time: Jonah's wedding anniver-sary concurs with his parents' anniversary. -n. [C;U] concurrence; -adj. concurrent.
concussion
concussion
  1. n.
    1 a violent shock: A bomb was dropped nearby, and the concussion knocked us off our feet.
    2 an injury to the head and brain: He got a concussion while playing football.
condemn
condemn
  1. v. [T]
    1 to find legally guilty or unfit: The judge condemned the criminal to life in prison.||He condemned the old house as unfit to live in.
    2 to express disapproval of s.o. or s.t. strongly: The wife condemned her husband for drinking too much. -n. [C;U] condemnation.
condensation
condensation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a piece of writing made shorter,
    THESAURUS
    an abridgment: This 10-page summary is a condensation of a 100-page report.
    2 [U] liquid formed from a gas: In cold weather, condensation forms on the kitchen window.
condense
condense
  1. v. -densed, -densing, -denses
    1 [T] to shorten: The writer condensed his letter from six pages to two pages.
    2 [T] to make thicker, esp. by removing water
    3 [I;T] to form liquid from a gas: Moisture condensed (out of the air) on the window. -n. condenser.
condescend
condescend
  1. v. [I]
    1 to act toward others in a self-important manner,
    THESAURUS
    to patronize: She owns a big hotel and condescends to the workers who dislike working for her.
    2 to agree to do s.t. that one thinks is below one's importance or rank: The queen condescended to speak to the peasant. -n. [U] condescension.
condescending
condescending
  1. adj. having a self-important manner toward others, (syns.) disdainful, patronizing: He has a condescending attitude toward everyone.
condiment
condiment
  1. n. seasoning for food: Condiments, like mustard and soy sauce, add flavor to food.
condition
condition
  1. n.
    1 [U] the state of s.t. (good, bad, weak, strong): The condition of his health is excellent.||The condition of that machinery is bad.
    2 [C] a disease, medical problem: My grandmother has a heart condition.
    3 [C] a requirement: Our book contract has two special conditions in it; we must pay $10,000 in advance, and we must renew the contract annually.
    4 [C] external factors: My living conditions were terrible at my old apartment building; I had no running water or heat for two months.
    5 on the condition that: provided that: Yes, we will renew the contract next year on the condition that we make money on the deal.v. [T] to shape the attitudes or behavior of: We conditioned our children to not watch TV during the week.
    THESAURUS
    condition n.
    1 the status
    2 a disorder, ailment
    3 a provision, clause.
conditional
conditional
  1. adj. dependent upon, requiring that (s.t. be done): Our purchase of the house is conditional upon our making the first payment on it by tomorrow.
conditioner
conditioner
  1. n. [C;U] a cream for the hair that makes it easier to comb: She puts conditioner on her long hair every time she washes it.
condo
condo
  1. n. -dos short for condominium
condolence
condolence
  1. n. [C;U] expression of sympathy upon s.o.'s death: I wish to express my condolences on your father's death.
condominium
condominium
  1. n. housing, usu. in an apartment building, in which each apartment is privately owned: She owns a two-bedroom condominium in that building. See: co-op, cooperative.
condone
condone
  1. v. [T] -doned, -doning, -dones to accept, but not approve of s.t., esp. s.o.'s bad behavior: The boss condoned her lateness to work because of her family problems.
condor
condor
  1. n. a very large bird of the western Americas: Most condors live high in the mountains of South America.
conducive
conducive
  1. adj. helping to produce: Exercise is conducive to good health.
conduct
conduct
  1. n. [U]
    1 behavior, comportment: Good conduct is expected of students in school.
    2 the process of doing s.t.: the conduct of diplomacy||the conduct of businessv.
    1 [T] to behave: The students conducted themselves well in class today.
    2 [T] to do s.t.: That store conducts business from 9:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.
    3 [I;T] to direct an orchestra, band, etc.: He conducts the London Philharmonic Orchestra.
    THESAURUS
    conduct n.
    1 one's manners | demeanor frml.
    2 the ways, handling, administration.
conductor
conductor
  1. n.
    1 a person who sells and checks tickets on a train, bus, etc.
    2 a person who directs an orchestra: The conductor told the musicians how he wanted the music to be played.
cone
cone
  1. n. an object pointed at one end and then becoming wider at the other end: An ice-cream cone is wide at the top but may be pointed at the bottom.
confection
confection
  1. n.frml. s.t. sweet: Candy is a confection. -n. confectionery.
confederacy
confederacy
  1. n. -cies
    1 a union of people or states
    2 the Confederacy: in the USA, the 11 southern states that separated from the United States in 1860 and 1861: The Civil War began with the Confederacy against the North.
confederate
confederate
  1. n.
    1 a person or state that joins in a confederacy
    2 a partner in crime or a plot,
    THESAURUS
    accomplice: His confederate is a tall man with red hair and a mustache; that's all they know about him.
confederation
confederation
  1. n. an organization of people, states, etc., united in a common purpose: A confederation of workers formed a labor union.
confer
confer
  1. v.frml. -ferred, -ferring, -fers
    1 [I] to talk to, discuss s.t. in a formal way: The judge conferred with the two lawyers.
    2 [T] to give an honor to s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to bestow: The queen conferred a knighthood on the man in honor of his brave deeds.
conference
conference
  1. n.
    1 [C] a professional meeting, convention, usu. at a big hotel: Members of every profession, from architects to zoologists, go to conferences to learn about the newest ideas and equipment in their field.
    2 [C;U] a private business meeting among people: Mr. Smith cannot talk to you now; he is in a conference with his boss.
conference call
conference call
  1. n. a telephone call made between three or more people: We organized a conference call among employees in New York, Chicago, and Denver.
confess
confess
  1. v. [I;T] -fesses to admit s.t., esp. guilt, for s.t. bad: The criminal confessed his guilt in committing the robbery.
    THESAURUS
    confess to own up to, declare, plead guilty. Ant. to deny.
confession
confession
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an admission of guilt: The criminal gave (or) made a confession of guilt.
    2 [U] the religious act of confessing sin: Catholics go to confession as part of their religion.
confetti
confetti
  1. n. [U] little bits of brightly colored paper: Guests threw confetti as the newlyweds left the church.
confidant
confidant
  1. n. a special friend one can talk to about secret and personal matters: The President's lawyer is also a friend and confidant.
confide
confide
  1. v. [I;T] -fided, -fiding, -fides to tell secrets to s.o.: Throughout his lifetime, the owner confided only in his wife.
confidence
confidence
  1. n.
    1 [U] belief in one's abilities, self-esteem: That salesman has a lot of confidence in his ability to sell to difficult customers.
    2 [C;U] a secret, esp. one told to another person that one trusts: I told my friend in confidence (as a secret) how much money I have in the bank.||He kept that confidence (a secret) and told no one. See: betray.
    THESAURUS
    confidence
    1 self-assurance, self-confidence.
confidence man
confidence man
  1. n. men a person who cheats others out of their money, (syns.) a con man, a swindler: A confidence man swindled the old lady out of her savings. See: con man.
confident
confident
  1. adj. with strong belief in one's ability or that s.t. will definitely happen: She behaves in a confident manner.||He is confident that next year's sales will be excellent.
    THESAURUS
    confident positive, self-confident (manner) | sure, certain (about a fact). Ant. unsure.
confidential
confidential
  1. adj. intended for only a few people to know, almost secret: The doctor keeps his patients' health records confidential; only his nurse and the patient can see them. -n. [U] confidentiality ; -adv. confidentially.
    THESAURUS
    confidential private, restricted. Ant. public.
configuration
configuration
  1. n. an arrangement of things, usu. related to each other: With the furniture in this configuration, we have much more space. -v. [T] configure.
confine
confine
  1. v. -fined, -fining, -fines [T] to keep within certain limits,
    THESAURUS
    to restrict: You should stop making jokes and confine your attention to what the teacher is saying.||The police confined the criminal to a jail cell.n. confines pl. the limit(s) of s.t.: The criminals must stay within the confines of the prison.
confinement
confinement
  1. n. [U] the state of being kept within certain limits: When a prisoner is kept in solitary confinement, he or she is the only one in a prison cell.
confirm
confirm
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make sure s.t. is right by checking it again: I made my airline reservations last month, and I called the airline to confirm them today.
    2 to make s.t. certain that was only suspected before: The police came to our house and confirmed my worst fears that my son was injured in a car accident.||The rumor that the President is resigning is not confirmed.
    3 to make s.t. legal: The Senate confirmed the judge as the new member of the Supreme Court.
    4 a confirmed bachelor: a man who never intends to get married
    THESAURUS
    confirm v.
    1 to verify, double-check
    2 to prove, corroborate, validate. Ant. to deny.
confirmation
confirmation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 written or spoken proof that s.t. is done,
    THESAURUS
    verification (of an order, reservation, fact, etc.): The store sent me written confirmation of my order for a new sofa.
    2 an act of making s.t. legal or formally accepted: the confirmation by the Senate of a judge to the Supreme Court||the confirmation of a rumor as true
confiscate
confiscate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to legally take s.t. away without getting permission from the owner,
    THESAURUS
    to seize: The police confiscated the criminal's pistol. -n. [C;U] confiscation.
conflagration
conflagration
  1. n.frml. a large, destructive fire: The conflagration destroyed the entire town.
conflict
conflict
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a difference, disagreement: There is a conflict between what you are saying and what the contract says.
    2 [C] an argument: The two men had a conflict over who would run the company.
    3 [C;U] a war: The Persian Gulf War was an armed conflict between Iraq and a group of other nations.v. [I] to differ, disagree: What the contract says and what you say conflict.
    THESAURUS
    conflict n.
    1 an inconsistency, variance
    2 a quarrel, dispute, clash. Ant. an agreement.
conflict of interest
conflict of interest
  1. n. conflicts of interest one activity that conflicts with another, thereby questioning the person's ability to act honestly: He's a government official who sets controls for the auto industry, so his owning stock in that industry represents a conflict of interest.
confluence
confluence
  1. n. [C;U] the place where two or more streams of water flow together: Pittsburgh built Three River Stadium near the confluence of three rivers.
conform
conform
  1. v. [I]
    1 to obey legal re-quirements: Our company conforms to government regulations on worker safety.
    2 to act in the same way as others do: Many of those students walk, talk, and dress alike; they conform to each other rather than picking an individual style. -n. [U] conformity.
conformist
conformist
  1. n. a person who acts in the same way that most others do: She is a conformist who dresses and talks like all of her friends in school.
confound
confound
  1. v. [T] to make a person or group surprised or worried as to why they are wrong: The great football player's critics said that his career was over, but he confounded them by playing an exciting game.
confront
confront
  1. v. [T]
    1 to demand that s.o. explain s.t. that he/she may have done wrong: The owner confronted the employee with the stolen supplies found in his desk.
    2 to deal boldly with s.t. difficult or dangerous: I confronted the problem of losing my job by working hard to find another one.||The letter carrier confronted the growling dog and made it move away. -n. [C;U] confrontation.
confuse
confuse
  1. v. [T] -fused, -fusing, -fuses
    1 to mix things up: He sent the wrong reports because he confused them with other ones.
    2 to mix up mentally so that one cannot understand or think clearly: The teacher's question confused him.
    THESAURUS
    confuse
    1 to make a mistake
    2 to puzzle, bewilder, baffle.
confusion
confusion
  1. n. [U]
    1 a mixed-up situation: We went to the wrong classroom, so there was confusion as to which room was the correct one.
    2 disorder, (syns.) commotion, panic: When the bomb went off in the center of Paris, there was confusion everywhere. -adj. confused; confusing.
congeal
congeal
  1. v. [I] to become solid, harden: When water freezes, it congeals into ice.
congenial
congenial
  1. adj. friendly, warm: She's very congenial, always smiling and saying nice things.
congestion
congestion
  1. n. [U]
    1 a condition of overcrowding: Traffic congestion caused us to be late.
    2 a condition of overfilling: I have congestion in my nose and chest from a cold. -v. [I;T] congest.
conglomerate
conglomerate
  1. n. a large corporation, usu. with many different kinds of businesses: That conglomerate has some companies that make clothing, some that make candy, and others that make cigarettes.
congratulate
congratulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to praise for s.t. well done or important: I would like to congratulate you on your promotion to manager.
congratulations
congratulations
  1. n.pl. an expression of praise or pleasure for s.t. well done or important: Congratulations on the new baby! -adj. congratulatory .
    THESAURUS
    congratulations Best wishes! Many happy returns! Well done!
congregate
congregate
  1. v. [I] -gated, -gating, -gates to gather together: People congregated to watch the house burn.
congregation
congregation
  1. n. a group of people, esp. those at a church service: The minister spoke to the congregation.
congress
congress
  1. n. -gresses
    1 in the USA, a governing group made up of the elected members of the House of Representatives and the Senate: Congress passes laws that must be obeyed by the people.
    2 a group of people chosen to represent organizations: The Congress on Racial Equality reported that very few African-Americans are presidents of companies in the USA. -adj. congressional ; -n. congressman ; congresswoman.
congruent
congruent
  1. adj.
    1 (in math) having a similar size and shape: congruent triangles
    2 frml. agreeing with: Martin and I have the same philosophy on life; we share congruent beliefs. -adj. congruous.
conic
conic
  1. adj.n. (s.t.) cone-shaped: Most ice-cream cones are conic. -adj. conical.
conifer
conifer
  1. n. a general term for trees, such as pines and firs, that bear seeds on cones and don't lose their leaves in the winter time
conjecture
conjecture
  1. n. [C;U] v. [I;T] -tured, -turing, -tures the forming of an opinion or conclusion without having enough evidence, (syns.) guesswork, speculation: The police have few real facts about the crime, so all they have is conjecture about who did it.
conjugal
conjugal
  1. adj.frml. related to marriage: conjugal happiness
conjugate
conjugate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to give the forms of a verb: I conjugated "to be" as "I am, you are, he/she/it is." -n. [C;U] conjugation.
conjunction
conjunction
  1. n.
    1 a type of word that joins other words, phrases, etc.: "And," "but," and "whereas" are conjunctions.
    2 in conjunction with: together with: We are working in conjunction with a builder in planning our new house.
conjure
conjure
  1. v. [I;T] -jured, -juring, -jures
    1 to do magic tricks
    2 to conjure up: to imagine: I have never met your girlfriend, but from your stories I can conjure up a picture of her. -n. conjurer.
connect
connect
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to attach, join together: I connected the TV antenna to the TV.
    2 [T] to plug into an electrical supply: Then, I connected the TV to an outlet. See: to disconnect.
    3 [I] to reach s.o. by telephone: After waiting 10 minutes, I was connected with my boss.
    4 [I] (transportation) to join for another part of a trip: The bus line connects with the trains at the railroad station.||I fly from New York to Chicago, and then connect on another flight to San Francisco.
    5 [T] to make an association with: The police connected that man to the robbery.
    6 [I] infrml. to make s.o. understand: We talked and talked, then I finally connected with the guy; he now understands that I want my money back.
    THESAURUS
    connect
    1 to hook up, join, link. Ant. to disconnect.
    2 to plug s.t. in
    3 to be put through
    4 to link
    5 to associate.
connected
connected
  1. adj.
    1 related, linked: There were several unanswered questions connected with the accident.||The two events were not connected.
    2 well-connected: knowing many important people: She is well-connected with officials in the government.
connection
connection
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an attachment, a joining together: I fixed the loose connection between the TV antenna and the TV.
    2 [C] a wire or line that joins two telephones or other modes of communication: I telephoned my office from my car phone, but we had a bad connection, and I couldn't hear what they were saying.
    3 [C] a change to another vehicle or mode of transportation: She got off the bus and made her connection with the train.
    4 [C] a relationship (between people, actions, ideas): (people) She has connections with officials in the government. ||(actions) The police found a clear connection between that man and the murder. -adj. connective.
    THESAURUS
    connection
    1 a link
    4 a contact (people), association, link.
connivance
connivance
  1. n. [U] secret cooperation with s.o.: The soldier's connivance with the enemy caused many deaths. -v. connive; -n. conniver.
connoisseur
connoisseur
  1. n. a person with much knowledge of fine things: He is a connoisseur of fine wines (art, rare books, etc.).
connotation
connotation
  1. n. the meaning(s) that a word can have beyond its basic one: The color red has connotations of warmth and passion. -v. connote.
conquer
conquer
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to fight and take control, vanquish: A huge army conquered that country.
    2 [T] to defeat, to overcome (fears, illness, bad habits): She conquered her fear of heights; now she works on the 28th floor of that building. -n. conqueror.
    THESAURUS
    conquer
    1 to defeat, overpower
    2 to triumph over, beat | surmount frml. Ants. to give in to, yield to.
conquest
conquest
  1. n.
    1 [U] a military victory: the Roman conquest of Gaul (early France)
    2 [C] the winning of s.o.'s love: He is so charming that he has made many conquests; many women have fallen in love with him.
    THESAURUS
    conquest
    1 a take-over, invasion, capture.
conscience
conscience
  1. n. [C;U] one's sense of right and wrong, esp. feelings of guilt: After he stole the money, he had a guilty conscience and returned it.
conscientious
conscientious
  1. adj. careful about doing things one is supposed to do and doing them well, (syns.) thorough, painstaking: She does all her work in a conscientious manner. -adv. conscientiously; -n. [U] conscientiousness.
conscious
conscious
  1. adj.
    1 awake: The boxer was knocked out, but he was conscious again after one minute.
    2 knowing or noticing s.t.: The salesman is conscious of the fact that he must increase sales.||He felt very conscious of his foreign accent.
    3 with deliberate intention: She made a conscious effort to do her homework nightly. -adv. consciously.
    THESAURUS
    conscious adj.
    1 aware, alive to. Ant. unconscious.
    2 aware, mindful, cognizant frml.
    3 strong, deliberate.
consciousness
consciousness
  1. n.adj. [U]
    1 the state of being awake: The boxer regained consciousness after a minute.
    2 awareness: Minority groups in the USA have consciousness-raising events to make others aware of their concerns and problems.
consecrate
consecrate
  1. v. [T] -crated, -crating, -crates
    1 to make or announce that s.t. is holy: The ground in the church's cemetery is consecrated.
    2 to set aside for a special purpose: The priest consecrated his life to religion. -n. [C;U] consecration.
consecutive
consecutive
  1. adj. following one after the other in regular order: She had a pain in her stomach for three consecutive days—Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
consensus
consensus
  1. n. agreement reached among members of a group: The three owners of the company reached a consensus that they must sell it.
consent
consent
  1. v. [I]
    1 to agree to s.t.: She consented to marry John.
    2 to approve, sanction: Her father consented to her marrying John.n. [U]
    1 agreement: She gave John her consent.
    2 approval, sanction: John asked for her father's consent. See: age of consent.
    THESAURUS
    consent v.
    1 to say yes. Ant. to refuse.
    2 to permit, allow, let (s.o. do s.t.).
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    2 (one's) permission, okay infrml. | blessing. Ant. (one's) refusal.
consequence
consequence
  1. n.
    1 [C] the result of doing s.t.: He drank heavily and died as a consequence.
    2 [U] importance: World War II was an event of great consequence in human history.
    3 to pay the consequences of: to suffer for: Henry paid the consequences of his drinking by dying at the age of 45. -adj. consequent; consequential.
consequently
consequently
  1. adv. following as a result: She lost a lot of weight and consequently feels better.
conservation
conservation
  1. n. [U]
    1 keeping s.t. from getting into bad condition,
    THESAURUS
    preservation, esp. of nature: Conservation of forests by law keeps them looking beautiful.
    2 protecting s.t. from becoming weak: conservation of one's energy, wealth, etc. See: conserve.
conservative
conservative
  1. adj.
    1 having a political view toward keeping old and often proven ways of doing things: In the USA, Republicans are the conservative party.
    2 slow to change, cautious
    3 not too much or too high: She is conservative in her spending.||He made a conservative estimate of the costs.
    4 not showy, restrained in manner and dress: Tomiko is a banker who wears a conservative business suit to work.n. a person who is a conservative -adv. conservatively. See: Republican, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    conservative
    2 conventional, old-fashioned, wary
    3 careful, prudent, moderate
    4 traditional, dark-colored. Ant. showy.
conservator
conservator
  1. n. a person appointed to administer a trust or to settle a dead person's estate: The old man's daughter is the conservator of his estate.
conservatory
conservatory
  1. n. -ries
    1 a school for music: She studied the piano at a conservatory.
    2 a glass greenhouse structure, usu. attached to a house: On summer evenings they dined in the conservatory.
conserve
conserve
  1. v. [T] -served, -serving, -serves
    1 to save: In winter, some people conserve energy by lowering the heat at night.
    2 to keep from becoming weak, less, or bad: The sick man conserves his strength by resting in bed.
consider
consider
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to think about s.t.: I will consider your offer and tell you my decision tomorrow.
    2 [T] to debate: Congress considered the new tax and voted it down.
    3 [T] to have an opinion about s.t.: He considers this to be the best book on the subject.
    4 all things considered: in view of everything: All things considered, our old car is no good, so we should buy a new one now. See: considering.
    THESAURUS
    consider
    1 to weigh, reflect on
    3 to regard, think, believe. Ant. to ignore.
considerable
considerable
  1. adj. much, a lot: That family owns a considerable amount of land. -adv. considerably.
considerate
considerate
  1. adj. sensitive to the feelings and comfort of others: He is always considerate of others; he is kind and sympathetic. -adv. considerately.
consideration
consideration
  1. n.
    1 [U] careful thought: The buyer gave the offer careful consideration and said, "Yes."
    2 [U] careful attention to the feelings and wishes of others: After my mother's death, many people showed consideration for my sadness.
    3 to take into consideration: to treat s.o. or s.t. specially,
    THESAURUS
    to make allowances for: We must take the rainy weather into consideration and allow more time to travel to the airport.
    4 to take s.t. under consideration: to think about seriously: I asked my boss for a raise, and she said she will take the matter under consideration.
    5 in consideration of: because of, in view of: In consideration of my good work, she gave me a raise.
    6 for (a) consideration: payment of money: The lawyer said that he would handle the company's legal problem for a consideration, that is, $500 an hour.
considering
considering
  1. prep. in view of,
    THESAURUS
    having evaluated s.t.: Considering the large amount of work involved, the study should take a year to complete.||Considering how sick he is, he should go to the doctor.
consignment
consignment
  1. n. [U] the act of leaving in care of, usu. for sale: Our company shipped 12 chairs on consignment to a store; the store will pay us after the chairs are sold. -v. consign.
consist
consist
  1. phrasal v. insep. [T] to be made up of,
    THESAURUS
    to be composed of: The problem consists of two parts.
consistency
consistency
  1. n. -cies
    1 [C;U] the degree of thickness, softness, etc., of s.t.: The consistency of a steak is firm and thick.
    2 [U] the condition of doing things in the same way: The consistency of the teacher's making the students work hard helps them learn a lot.
consistent
consistent
  1. adj.
    1 in accord with: His description of the accident is consistent with what the police reported.
    2 repeated in the same way: His high performance is consistent day after day. -adv. consistently.
consolation
consolation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] comfort from a loss: Her car was wrecked, but she received consolation from the fact that the insurance company paid for a new one.
    2 [C] a prize awarded to a loser: He lost the final t ennis match, but received a prize of $100 as consolation.
consolidate
consolidate
  1. v. [I;T] -dated, -dating, -dates to group together to reduce in number: I had so many bank accounts at different banks that I consolidated them all into one. -n. [C;U] consolidation.
consommé
consommé
  1. n. [C;U] a clear soup made from meat and/or vegetables: I heated up some chicken consommé for lunch.
consonance
consonance
  1. n. [U]
    1 harmony
    2 frml. in consonance with: in agreement with: In consonance with your request for more information, I am enclosing a copy of our catalog.
consonant
consonant
  1. n. any letter of the alphabet that is not a vowel: The letters "b," "c," "d," "f," etc., are consonants.adj.frml. in agreement,
    THESAURUS
    consistent
consort
consort
  1. n. the wife or husband of a king or queen: Prince Philip is Queen Elizabeth II's consort.phrasal v. insep. [T] to associate with: She consorts with bad people.
consortium
consortium
  1. n. -tia a group of companies, schools, or other organizations joined in a common purpose: A consortium of oil companies agreed to cooperate in finding oil in Siberia.
conspicuous
conspicuous
  1. adj. evident, noticeable, often causing negative comments or suspicion: Everyone at the wedding was well-dressed, but she was conspicuous in jeans and a cowboy hat. -adv. conspicuously.
conspiracy
conspiracy
  1. n. [C;U] -cies a secret plan to do s.t. (harm, fraud, revolt): The generals joined in a conspiracy to overthrow their country's dictator.
conspire
conspire
  1. v. [I] -spired, -spiring, -spires
    1 to join in a plan to harm, defraud, or revolt: The generals conspired to take over the government.
    2 to work together,
    THESAURUS
    to combine for an effect: He made a fortune in real estate, then events conspired against him as the market crashed and he lost everything. -n. conspirator ; -adj. conspiratorial.
constable
constable
  1. n. a police officer, esp. in a small town: The constable arrested a driver for speeding.
constancy
constancy
  1. n.frml. [U] loyalty to a person or purpose,
    THESAURUS
    faithfulness: The constancy of that couple's love for each other is admirable.
constant
constant
  1. adj.
    1 happening all the time, continuous: I can't sleep because of the constant noise of the cars and trucks on the street.
    2 unchanging: For 15 years, I have had a constant problem with a bad back.
    3 frml. faithful: He is constant in his love for her.n.
    1 a quantity or quality that does not change: In Rhode Island, the speed limit is a constant at 55 miles per hour.
    2 a quantity in a mathematical equation or expression that has a fixed value and no variable: In the equation y = 3x + 5, the number 5 is a constant. -adv. constantly
    THESAURUS
    constant adj.
    1 steady, unending, continual. Ant. irregular.
    2 regular, consistent, (the) (syn.THESAURUS
    ame. Ant. irregular.
    3 loyal, true.
constellation
constellation
  1. n. a grouping of stars that looks like an animal or other thing: The Big Dipper and Little Dipper are constellations that we see in the sky at night.
consternation
consternation
  1. n. [U] surprise, confusion, and often anger: We were full of consternation when the speaker failed to appear at our celebration.
constipation
constipation
  1. n. [U] difficulty in moving waste from one's bowels: He suffers from constipation, because he eats too much bread and meat, but he doesn't eat fruit. -v. [T] constipate ; -adj. constipated.
constituency
constituency
  1. n. -cies
    1 a group of people who are loyal to a politician
    2 the voters in a politician's area, district, or state: The Senator sent a newsletter to her constituency about what she had accomplished. -n. adj. constituent.
constitute
constitute
  1. v.frml. [T] -tuted, -tuting, -tutes
    1 to make up, compose: Crime and illegal drugs constitute the city's major problems.
    2 (legal) to give lawful form to: The mayor constituted a committee to study the city's problems.
constitution
constitution
  1. n.
    1 the principles and rules, set forth in a written document, governing a country: The American constitution guarantees that the people have certain rights.
    2 one's body and its strength: He has a strong constitution and is seldom sick. -adj. constitutional.
constrain
constrain
  1. v. [T] to limit, control: A law constrains the government from spending more money than it takes in.
constraint
constraint
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that holds back or controls,
    THESAURUS
    a limitation: That manager works under a lot of constraints, because he cannot do anything without the owner's approval.
constrict
constrict
  1. v. [T] to narrow, make smaller: Cholesterol constricts his blood vessels. -n. [C;U] constriction; -adj. constrictive.
construct
construct
  1. v. [T] to build, to put together piece by piece: Builders construct buildings.||Managers construct plans for businesses. -n. constructor. See: contractor.
    THESAURUS
    construct to put up (buildings | make, assemble, (objects) | form (plans). Ant. to destroy.
construction
construction
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act(s) of building s.t.: That house has been under construction for two months now.
    2 [U] the way in which s.t. is built: The finest materials are being used, so the house will be of solid construction.
constructive
constructive
  1. adj.
    1 useful: The office manager has a lot of constructive ideas for solving problems.
    2 helpful, positive: She always has a constructive attitude; whenever I have a problem, she helps me find a solution.
construe
construe
  1. v. [T] -strued, -struing, -strues to understand s.t. in a certain way,
    THESAURUS
    to interpret it: He construed my joke as a serious comment, not as a funny comment. See: misconstrue.
consul
consul
  1. n. an official who represents his or her country's citizens and trade in a foreign city and is the head of a consulate: The Brazilian consul in San Francisco likes his assignment. -adj. consular . See: ambassador.
consulate
consulate
  1. n. the offices (and sometimes living quarters) of a consul: Most countries have consulates in New York to help their citizens and to increase tourism and business.
consult
consult
  1. v. [T]
    1 to ask or seek the opinion of s.o.: The President consults his top officials.
    2 to act as a consultant: My husband consults for many major corporations.
    3 to look s.t. up, esp. in a reference book: I consulted the telephone directory for his phone number.
    THESAURUS
    consult
    1 to confer with, discuss (issues) with
    2 to advise, counsel.
consultant
consultant
  1. n. a person who provides advice for pay: The professor acts as a consultant to the government.
    THESAURUS
    consultant an advisor, expert.
consultation
consultation
  1. n.frml. [C;U]
    1 the act of consulting with s.o.: Doctors have consultations with their patients.
    2 a private talk with s.o.: Mr. Jones is in consultation and cannot be disturbed.
consume
consume
  1. v. [T] -sumed, -suming, -sumes
    1 to eat and drink: That big guy consumed six bottles of beer and three hamburgers. See: eat.
    2 to use up, (syns.) to spend, deplete: Her work consumes most of her time and energy.
    3 to destroy: Fire consumed the building.
    4 to be consumed: to be controlled by strong emotion,
    THESAURUS
    to be obsessed: He is consumed by his hatred of others.
consumer
consumer
  1. n. the ordinary person who buys and uses goods and services: Companies do research on what the consumer thinks about their products.adj. related to the consumer: Advertising reports are referred to as "research in consumer preference."
    THESAURUS
    consumer n. a user, buyer, purchaser.
consumer credit
consumer credit
  1. n. [U] the funds (money) made available to the public by banks and businesses through credit cards and delayed payments to finance the purchase of consumer goods (TV's, cars, etc.): Last year, the amount of consumer credit that was not paid was $50 billion.
consumer goods
consumer goods
  1. n.pl. articles necessary for daily living, such as food, clothes, and everyday things: The market for consumer goods is huge, but so is the competition.
consummate
consummate
  1. v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates
    1 to finish,
    THESAURUS
    to bring to a conclusion: We consummated an agreement after a year of negotiation.
    2 frml. to have sex after a marriage ceremony: José and Antonia consummated their marriage at a beautiful hotel in Miami.adj. perfect: consummate happiness -n. [C;U] consummation.
consumption
consumption
  1. n. [U] the process of consuming (eating, drinking, using things): The consumption of alcohol in that country is high.
contact
contact
  1. n.
    1 [U] touch: My clothes come in contact with my skin.
    2 [C] a person one knows, esp. who can get s.t. done: She has contacts with top officials in the government.
    3 [C] an electrical point: The contact on the car battery is broken.
    4 communication with s.o.: He made contact by telephone with his friend.v. [T] to communicate with, to get in touch with: He contacted his friend by telephone. -adj. contactable.
    THESAURUS
    contact n.
    2 a relationship, connection.
contagious
contagious
  1. adj. (a disease) capable of being given to others through physical contact or by air: The common cold is a contagious disease. -n. [U] contagion.
    THESAURUS
    contagious communicable, infectious.
contain
contain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to hold within s.t.: That can contains peanuts.||The story contains a lot of action.
    2 to hold back, stop: The students could not contain their laughter in class.
    THESAURUS
    contain v.
    1 to be full of
    2 to control.
container
container
  1. n. an object for holding things, such as a can, carton, box, or bottle: I went to the store to buy a container of milk.
contaminate
contaminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to make unclean, impure, unfit for use or consumption: The drinking water was contaminated with gasoline. -n. [U] contamination.
contemplate
contemplate
  1. v.frml. [T] -plated, -plating, -plates
    1 to think about s.t. seriously: The manager contemplated the results of the report for hours.
    2 to look forward to,
    THESAURUS
    to anticipate: She contemplates a good future in business after her graduation from college. -n. [U] contemplation ; -adj. contemplative.
contemporaneous
contemporaneous
  1. adj.frml. occurring at the same time as s.t. else: Two scientists at the university worked on separate but contemporaneous experiments.
contemporary
contemporary
  1. adj. of today,
    THESAURUS
    modern: We like contemporary furniture in our apartment.n. -ies another person of the same age or sharing the same time period: George was a contemporary of mine at my old job; we both worked there in the 1980s.
contempt
contempt
  1. n. [U] a low opinion of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    scorn: She has contempt for anyone who is not as intelligent as she is. -adj. contemptuous.
contemptible
contemptible
  1. adj. worthy of contempt: He is so cowardly that he behaves in a contemptible manner.
contend
contend
  1. v.
    1 [T] to state formally that s.t. is true,
    THESAURUS
    to assert: The lawyer contends that the criminal is guilty.
    2 [I;T] to fight,
    THESAURUS
    to struggle: The two armies contended for possession of the fort.||Young doctors have to contend with long hours and hard work. -n. contender.
contention
contention
  1. n.
    1 argument, controversy: There is some contention over who should get the award.
    2 competition, esp. for s.t. important: Our team is in contention to win the championship.
    3 a point that one is trying to prove: It is my contention that these new taxes will only hurt the city.
contentious
contentious
  1. adj.frml. ready to disagree,
    THESAURUS
    argumentative: He is a contentious man, always arguing with everyone.
contentment
contentment
  1. n. [U] a feeling of satisfaction, happiness: He gets great contentment from gardening.
contest
contest
  1. n.
    1 a competition: The teacher organized a spelling contest in her English class.
    2 a struggle or fight —v. [T]
    1 to fight for: The two armies contested every inch of ground.
    2 to disagree formally,
    THESAURUS
    to dispute: to contest a dead person's will in court
contestant
contestant
  1. n. a competitor in a competition: She is the youngest contestant in the piano competition.
context
context
  1. n. the information surrounding a word or phrase that determines exactly how it was meant: Repeating a statement out of context can change its meaning.
contiguous
contiguous
  1. adj.frml. touching, having a common boundary: In the USA, 48 of the 50 states are contiguous.
contingency
contingency
  1. n. -cies a surprise event, esp. one causing difficulty: A fire in our warehouse was a contingency that we had not expected.
contingent
contingent
  1. adj.frml.
    1 likely but not certain to happen,
    THESAURUS
    possible: After days of heavy rain, we were on guard for contingent flooding.
    2 depending upon s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    conditional: We will buy this house contingent on selling our current home.n. a group: a contingent of soldiers
continual
continual
  1. adj.
    1 occurring again and again: That dog's barking is a continual annoyance.
    2 never stopping, incessant: The continual ticking of the grandfather clock could be heard throughout the house. See: continuous. -adv. continually.
    THESAURUS
    continual adj.
    1 ongoing, repeated
    2 unending, constant.
continuance
continuance
  1. n.
    1 the continuing of s.t.: The continuance of business at our company depends on our getting a bank loan.
    2 (legal) the postponement of s.t. (a hearing, trial date, etc.) until a later date: The company lawyer asked the judge for a continuance of a month on the trial so he could locate his most important witness.
continuation
continuation
  1. n.
    1 [U] unbroken activity: Continuation of business was not interrupted by the bad storm.
    2 [C] the continuing of s.t., esp. after a pause: Part 2 of the movie on TV was a continuation of Part 1.
continue
continue
  1. v. [I;T] -ued, -uing, -ues
    1 to carry on for a period of time: The storm continued for three days.
    2 to proceed after a pause: The movie on TV continued after the commercial break.
    THESAURUS
    continue v.
    1 to go on, persist. Ant. to stop.
    2 to resume, carry on.
continuity
continuity
  1. n. [U] the fact or quality of continuing without change over a period of time, esp. in a way that makes sense, (syns.) logical sequence, coherence: People in the State Department change so often that there is no continuity in how the USA treats foreign nations.
continuous
continuous
  1. adj. continuing without pause: Our homes and offices need a continuous supply of electricity. -adv. continuously.
contort
contort
  1. v. [I;T] to twist the body in an unnatural manner -n. contortion.
contour
contour
  1. n. the shape, esp. curves of s.t.: The contours of cars are smooth, but those of trucks are mostly square.
contraband
contraband
  1. n. [U] adj. goods that are brought illegally into a country or state: Those American cigarettes secretly trucked into Canada without payment of the import tax are contraband.
contraception
contraception
  1. n. [U] the use of any method that prevents a woman from becoming pregnant,
    THESAURUS
    birth control: That couple practices contraception by using a condom.
contraceptive
contraceptive
  1. n.adj. a device or drug such as a condom, diaphragm, or pill used to prevent pregnancy (making babies): She takes the (birth-control) pill, which is an oral contraceptive.
contraction
contraction
  1. n.
    1 a shortened word or words, as in "can't" for "cannot" and "I'm" for "I am": Contractions are common in spoken English.
    2 a pain, often muscular, esp. starting the birth of a baby,
    THESAURUS
    spasm: Elaine is having contractions every two minutes.
    3 [U] the act of contracting, as a muscle
contractor
contractor
  1. n. a business or person who agrees to do s.t. under contract, esp. a builder: He is a contractor who builds small houses.
contractual
contractual
  1. adj. related to a contract: Our business has a contractual agreement with a company to provide us with office supplies.
contradict
contradict
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to tell s.o. what he or she says isn't true,
    THESAURUS
    to dispute: They contradict each other all the time: when he says, "It's white," she says, "It's black."
    2 [T] to be different,
    THESAURUS
    to disagree: The police report about the crime contradicts what a witness says about it. -n. [C;U] contradiction; -adj. contradictory.
contralto
contralto
  1. n. -tos adj. the lowest level of a woman's voice, below soprano,
    THESAURUS
    alto: She is a contralto in the singing group.
contraption
contraption
  1. n. a device put together in a strange or awkward way: He made a fan to cool himself out of a car battery tied to some old wires; it was quite a contraption but it worked well.
contrary
contrary
  1. adj.
    1 different from, opposite: He holds an opinion contrary to mine.
    2/ difficult, uncooperative: She has a contrary attitude and disagrees with everything that you say.n. on the contrary: the opposite of what has been said: "You hate jazz." "On the contrary, I love it." -n. (person) contrarian ; [U] (attitude) contrariness.
contrast
contrast
  1. n.
    1 [C] a difference in color or meaning: The photograph has good contrast between the blue lake and green hills.||There is a big contrast between what that man says and what he does.
    2 [U] a comparison between two objects, etc., which shows a difference: Her work shows the contrast between the artist's early and late works.v. [I] to differ in color or meaning: The blue and gold colors in the painting contrast beautifully with each other.
contravene
contravene
  1. v.frml. [T] -vened, -vening, -venes to cancel or violate: The general contravened the captain's order to attack. -n. [C;U] contravention.
contribute
contribute
  1. v. -uted, -uting, -utes
    1 [I;T] to give (money, one's time, etc.): She contributes money to her church.
    2 [I] to participate positively in s.t.: Everyone on the team contributed to winning the game. -n. contributor.
    THESAURUS
    contribute v.
    1 to donate
    2 to add, be a factor. Ant. to subtract.
contribution
contribution
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a giving of money, one's time, etc., donation: That rich man makes big contributions to charity.
    2 positive or helpful participation: She made an important contribution to the company's success.
    THESAURUS
    contribution n.
    1 a gift, payment
    2 (to play) a role/part, (to have) a say, (to have) input/ involvement in s.t.
contributory
contributory
  1. adj.
    1 involving or requiring a contribution: Our company has a contributory health plan where each employee must pay 20 percent of the cost.
    2 helping to make s.t. happen: Bad weather was a contributory factor in the accident.
contrite
contrite
  1. adj.frml. feeling sorry for having done s.t. hurtful or bad: The boy was contrite after he broke the lamp. -adv. contritely; -n. [U] contrition.
contrive
contrive
  1. v. [T] -trived, -triving, -trives
    1 to plan or act with evil intent: He contrived a plan to cheat people out of their money.
    2 to make s.t. up that is not true: Then he contrived excuses for why the money had disappeared.
    3 to manage to do s.t., often by cleverness or scheming: She somehow contrived to get tickets to the Academy Awards.
control
control
  1. n.
    1 [U] the power and authority to decide or tell others what to do: The owner has control over (or) of the company.
    2 [C] a device used to guide a vehicle or aircraft: The pilot is at the controls of the airplane.
    3 in control: a. in charge: She is in control of the company. b. managing one's behavior: She gets upset but keeps her anger in (or) under control.
    4 out of control: a. behaving badly: When he gets angry, he gets out of control. b. not in one's authority or power: After that package is put on a truck, when it is delivered is out of my control.
    5 (to get, have, or keep) under control: to manage s.t. properly: The pilot kept the plane under control during the storm.
    6 to take control: to put oneself in power or authority: The military took control of the government.v. [T] -trolled, -trolling, -trols
    1 to have power or authority: Mr. Shin controls the company, but he cannot control his anger.
    2 to guide s.t.: The pilot controls the airplane from the cockpit. -adj. controllable.
    THESAURUS
    control v.
    1 to be in charge of, run, manage s.t.
    2 to be in command of, manipulate.
controller
controller
  1. n.
    1 the chief accountant in a business See: comptroller.
    2 a person who directs or controls s.t.: He works as an air-traffic controller.
controversial
controversial
  1. adj. causing disagreement: Religion and politics are very personal and controversial subjects.
controversy
controversy
  1. n. [C;U] -sies public disagreement, usu. involving strong opinions and an important subject: There is a lot of controversy about the effect of television violence on children. -v. [T] controvert.
convalescence
convalescence
  1. n. [C;U] usu. used in the sing. a time of rest to recover from an illness,
    THESAURUS
    recuperation: After his heart attack, he went through a long convalescence at home. -v. [I] convalesce; -adj. n. convalescent.
convection
convection
  1. adj.n. [U] the transfer of heat in the air or in a liquid: My new convection oven cooks food much faster than my old oven, because it has a fan that circulates the heat.
convene
convene
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -vened, -vening, -venes to call (or) gather together for a meeting: The manager convened the committee members at 9:00 A.M.||The committee members convened for a meeting at 9:00 A.M.
convenience
convenience
  1. n.
    1 [U] a situation suitable to one's time or needs: She has the convenience of being able to walk to work.
    2 at your convenience: at a time and place suitable to you: We can meet at your convenience any time next week.
    3 [C] s.t. useful that helps make life more comfortable, such as a household appliance: The apartment has a microwave oven, a dishwasher, and other modern conveniences.
convenience store
convenience store
  1. n. a store that stays open late into the evening for the convenience of its customers: That convenience store sells beer and cigarettes as well as basic groceries, like bread and milk.
convenient
convenient
  1. adj.
    1 acceptable and suitable to one's time or needs: Is it convenient that I meet you in your office at noon today?
    2 easy and comfortable to do or get to: We live in a neighborhood that is convenient to the stores and subway. See: inconvenient. -adv. conveniently
    THESAURUS
    convenient
    1 agreeable
    2 close to, near to, handy to. Ant. inconvenient.
convent
convent
  1. n.
    1 a group of unmarried religious women (nuns) who live and often work together: She belongs to the Convent of the Sacred Heart.
    2 the building(s) where nuns live and often work
convention
convention
  1. n.
    1 [C] a gathering of people of similar interests who listen to speakers: We always go to the yearly convention of English teachers at a big hotel.
    2 [C;U] rule of behavior, a standard custom: Guests observe the conventions at parties by always speaking first with the person(s) giving the party.
    3 [C] a formal agreement among countries: Countries agreed in the Geneva Conventions on how prisoners of war should be treated.
    THESAURUS
    convention
    1 a meeting, conference, symposium.
conventional
conventional
  1. adj. based on or conforming to accepted ways of doing things,
    THESAURUS
    traditional: People give conventional greetings to each other, like, "Hi, how are you?" -adv. conventionally.
converge
converge
  1. v. [I] -verged, -verging, -verges to meet at a common point: On hot days, people converge on the beach to cool off. -adj. convergent.
conversant
conversant
  1. adj.frml. to be familiar with s.t.: He is very conversant with computers and can answer any questions you may have.
conversation
conversation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a talk: I had a conversation about the party with my friend.
    2 to make conversation: to talk to be friendly and polite: While waiting at the bus stop, I made conversation with a stranger about the weather. -adj. conversational.
    THESAURUS
    conversation
    1 a chat, discussion.
converse
converse
  1. v.frml. [I] -versed, -versing, -verses to talk: Two officials conversed about their government's interests.
conversion
conversion
  1. n. [C;U] a change from one condition or status to another: The conversion of that hotel to an apartment building required a lot of construction work.||They were upset by their son's conversion to another religion.
convert
convert
  1. v. [I;T] to change the condition or status of s.t.: The owner converted the hotel into an apartment building.||He wants to convert to Catholicism.n. a person who changes status, esp. religions: He was Catholic, but now he is a convert to Buddhism.
convertible
convertible
  1. adj. capable of being changed from one form to another: That bond is convertible into common stock.n. a car that has a top that can be rolled or folded down
convex
convex
  1. adj. curved outward: The outside surfaces of my eyeglasses are convex, and the insides are concave.
convey
convey
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to carry from one place to another: A messenger conveyed a message from the king to his nobles.
    2 (legal) to transfer: to convey ownership of property from one person to another -n. [C] conveyance.
convict
convict
  1. v. [T] to find s.o. guilty of a crime in a court of law: The jury convicted him of murder.n. a person sentenced to jail for a crime,
    THESAURUS
    a prisoner: The police are searching the area for an escaped convict.
conviction
conviction
  1. n.
    1 [C] the act of finding s.o. guilty in a court of law for committing a crime: He received a murder conviction from the jury.
    2 [C;U] a strong belief: She has strong convictions about being honest and working hard.
    THESAURUS
    conviction
    1 a guilty verdict
    2 an idea, principle. Ant. a doubt.
convince
convince
  1. v. [T] -vinced, -vincing, -vinces to cause s.o. to believe s.t. is worth doing or true,
    THESAURUS
    to persuade: The young man convinced the beautiful woman to marry him.||He convinced her that he loves her.
convivial
convivial
  1. adj.frml. friendly, cheerful: During the holidays, people are in a convivial mood.
convocation
convocation
  1. n. [C] a formal calling together: The priest spoke at a convocation of church members, opening with a prayer. -v.frml. [T] convoke.
convoluted
convoluted
  1. adj.
    1 twisted in form, (syns.) coiled, like a snake
    2 difficult to understand, complex: That lawyer presented a convoluted argument to the judge, who rejected it. -n. [C] convolution.
convoy
convoy
  1. n. an organized group or formation, esp. of ships or trucks: When we drove from San Diego to Phoenix, we passed a convoy of trucks on the highway.
convulsion
convulsion
  1. n., usu. used in the pl. a violent movement of the body,
    THESAURUS
    a spasm: He began to choke and went into convulsions. -v. [I] convulse ; -adj. convulsive.
coo
coo
  1. n. a soft sound made by pigeons and doves —v.
    1 [I] to make such a sound
    2 [I;T] fig. to talk in a soft, breathy way, usu. about love: The man and woman cooed about their love for each other.
cook
cook
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to prepare food either cold or by heating it in various ways (frying, boiling, etc.): She cooks dinner for us every evening.
    2 infrml. to cook s.o.'s goose: to ruin s.o.: First, he lost a lot of money in the stock market, and then when his house burned down, that really cooked his goose.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to cook s.t. up: to cheat,
    THESAURUS
    to scheme: That man is so tricky that he's cooking up a plan to give us trouble.||He's cooking it up.
    4 slang to cook the books: to enter false numbers in a company's accounting records: The owner cooked the books to give the impression that the company has made no profit.n. a person who prepares and cooks food: My mother is a terrific cook!
    THESAURUS
    cook
    1 to heat, roast, bake.
cookbook
cookbook
  1. n. a book of recipes for preparing food to eat: I looked in the cookbook for a recipe for apple pie.
cookie
cookie
  1. n. a small, flat, sweet, often crisp cake: I like chocolate chip cookies.
cooking
cooking
  1. n. the art and practice of preparing and serving food: She studied cooking in Paris.
cookout
cookout
  1. n. a meal prepared and eaten outside with a group of people, often including hamburgers, hot dogs, and potato salad: On Labor Day, we have a cookout for friends and family in our back yard; we grill hamburgers and hot dogs, and then eat watermelon for dessert. See: barbecue. —v. [I;T] to cook out: to prepare a meal outside: If the weather is good tonight, we can cook out on the back porch. See: barbecue, USAGE NOTES.
cool-headed
cool-headed
  1. adj. calm and able to think or work under pressure: She works in a hospital emergency room, but she always stays cool-headed.
cool
cool
  1. adj.
    1 neither warm nor very cold, but more cold than hot: San Francisco has a cool climate.
    2 calm, composed: My boss never gets nervous or upset; she has a cool manner.
    3 not friendly: He made a cool reply to a question.
    4 slang excellent, admirable: He's a cool guy!n.
    1 one's calm,
    2 to keep one's cool: to stay calm,
    THESAURUS
    to remain unruffled: The house was on fire, but the mother kept her cool and led her kids to safety.v.
    1 [I;T] to lose or take away heat: The beer is cooling in the refrigerator.
    2 [I] to become unfriendly, distant: Relations between the two countries cooled.
    3 [T] slang Cool it: to stop or calm down: Cool it! Stop shouting for a second while I explain!
    4 phrasal v. to cool down or off: a. [I;T] to stop sweating: Let's go for a swim and cool off. b. [I] to calm down: Two men in a bar argued, and the bartender told them to go outside and cool off. See: cool-headed.
    THESAURUS
    cool adj.
    1 chilly, nippy, cold
    2 easygoing, tranquil, serene
    3 unfriendly, distant
    THESAURUS
    4 awesome infrml. —n.
    1 one's composure.
    THESAURUS
    —v. 1 and 2 to chill.

    USAGE NOTE: Americans of all ages understand the word cool when it means "very good". Sometimes people use cool to respond to good news:"I bought a new CD by your favorite band." "Cool!" Cool also describes a thing in a positive way: He was wearing a really cool T-shirt. Cool can also refer to a person's behavior: My dad was really cool when I wrecked the car. Instead of yelling at me, he hugged me and said he was glad I was safe.
cooler
cooler
  1. n. a container with ice for cooling food and beverages: The beer is in the cooler.
coop
coop
  1. n.
    1 a small house for chickens and small animals: Seven chickens live in the chicken coop on my farm.
    2 a small uncomfortable place
    3 fig. to fly the coop: to leave hurriedly or escape —phrasal v. sep. [T] to coop s.o. or s.t. up: to enclose or limit s.o. or s.t., to feel uncomfortable in a small place: The bad snowstorm had us cooped up in a small apartment for three days.
cooperate
cooperate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to agree to help s.o. toward a common goal: The two workers cooperated with each other to fix the broken pipe.
    THESAURUS
    cooperate to help, collaborate, work together.
cooperation
cooperation
  1. n. [U] the act of working with s.o. toward a common goal: It takes cooperation between employees to make a business run well.
    THESAURUS
    cooperation teamwork, collaboration.
cooperative
cooperative
  1. adj. willing to do what is needed or being asked: He has a cooperative attitude.n.
    1 an apartment building owned by the people who live there: She owns a twobedroom cooperative. See: co-op.
    2 a business owned jointly with others: I have five cousins in Wisconsin who have formed a farm cooperative; their five small farms are now one big farm.
    THESAURUS
    cooperative adj. helpful, obliging, accommodating. Ant. uncooperative.
coordinate
coordinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to bring together various people and activities for a common purpose: She coordinated a research project by telling each scientist what to do and sharing the results with all of them.
    2 to harmonize: We coordinated the colors of wall paint and furniture in our living room.n.
    1 a point of location on a map or graph: The teacher asked us to find the coordinates of Iceland on a map.
    2 coordinates a set of two or more numbers used to determine the position of a point (or other geometricalfigure): Point A was defined by coordinates (3, 2) on the x-axis and y-axis. -n. coordinator.
    THESAURUS
    coordinate v.
    1 to direct, manage, organize
    2 to match, synchronize frml.
coordination
coordination
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of making arrangements for a purpose: The coordination of that project is done by the teacher.
    2 harmony of various elements
    3 the ability to move the body well, basic athletic ability: Baseball players need to have good coordination; their eyes, arms, and legs need to work together.
coot
coot
  1. n.
    1 a gray ducklike waterbird of North America and Europe
    2 pej. a foolish, stupid, or senile person, esp. a man: That old coot forgets where he lives.
cootie
cootie
  1. -n. slang a blood-sucking insect, a louse: Don't put his hat on your head because it will give you cooties.
cooties
cooties
  1. n.pl.slang A term meaning a blood-sucking insect, a louse, used often by children to offend s.o.: Don't sit next to Chris, he has cooties.
cop-out
cop-out
  1. n.slang a weak excuse: What a cop-out! He promised to help us in the office, but then he called in sick. See: to cop-out.
cop
cop
  1. n.slang a police officer: After he hit me, I called the cops to come get him.v.slang copped, copping, cops
    1 [T] to steal s.t.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to cop out: to agree to do s.t., then not do it: He promised to help us with the work, but didn't show up, so he copped out on us. See: cop-out. —v. to cop a plea: (in law) to plead guilty to a lesser charge to be free of a more severe one: He copped a plea, so the judge let him off with a small fine.
copacetic
copacetic
  1. adj.slang excellent, in good shape: "How are things going? Great! Everything is copacetic."
cope
cope
  1. v. [I] coped, coping, copes to face difficulties and try to overcome them: He coped with the pain of cancer and finally got well again.
copier
copier
  1. n. a machine used to make copies of s.t., a photocopier: The copier in our office gets heavy use. See: Xerox.
copilot
copilot
  1. n. the second pilot on an airplane
copious
copious
  1. adj.frml. many, much,
    THESAURUS
    abundant: She took copious notes of the professor's lecture.
copper
copper
  1. n. [U]
    1 a brownish red metal and basic chemical element: The pipes in that building are made of copper.
    2 slang a police officer See: cop. —adj. related to or made of copper: a copper mine||a copper kettle
copperhead
copperhead
  1. n. a brown poisonous snake of North America
copter
copter
  1. n. short for helicopter
copulate
copulate
  1. v.frml. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to perform sexual intercourse: Animals copulate during their mating seasons. -n. [U] copulation.
copy
copy
  1. n. -ies
    1 [C] a duplicate of s.t., esp. a photocopy: I made three copies of my report on the copy machine.
    2 [C] an imitation of s.t., esp. a fake: What a mistake! That museum paid $1,000,000 for a copy of a painting by Monet; the museum thought that the painting was an original.
    3 one of a number of identical books, magazines, newspapers, etc.: This book has sold over 50,000 copies.
    4 [U] material to be printed: She sent her copy to the editor. See: cc, USAGE NOTE. —v. -ied, -ying, -ies
    1 [I;T] to duplicate s.t.: I copied into my notebook what the teacher said.
    2 [T] to imitate s.t.: The art student copied a great painting for practice.
    3 [I;T] to steal someone else's written work,
    THESAURUS
    to plagiarize: The student copied part of his paper from a textbook and did not credit the author.
    4 to copy down: to write down: Students copy down what professors say and write in class.
    THESAURUS
    copy v.
    1 to reproduce, photocopy
    2 to replicate. Ant. to originate.
copyright
copyright
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 ownership of written or visual material (books, music, paintings) by authors, composers, and painters
    2 an act of registering the copyright: Publishers register their copyrights with the US Library of Congress in Washington, DC.v. [T] to register a copyright under protection of the copyright laws
coquette
coquette
  1. n. a girl or woman who teases men with sexual talk and facial expressions: That coquette makes eyes at men.
coral
coral
  1. n. [U] a type of brightly colored stone made of tiny sea animals, used in making jewelry: My sister has a coral necklace.adj. having a reddish-pink color
cord
cord
  1. n.v.
    1 [C;U] strong string or rope: I tied the package with some cord.
    2 a pile of wood measuring 4 x 4 x 8 feet: She bought a cord of wood for use in her fireplace.
cordial
cordial
  1. adj. warm, friendly: Everyone at the party was cordial to each other.n. an alcoholic drink, such as fruit brandy or sweet sherry: We had a cordial before dinner. -n. [U] cordiality ; -adj. cordially.
cordless
cordless
  1. adj. being a device powered by batteries: When I talk on my cordless telephone, I can walk around my house.
cordon
cordon
  1. n. a line of police, soldiers, etc., placed around an area as protection: There was a cordon of police between the protestors and the museum entrance.phrasal v. sep. [T] to cordon s.t. off: to enclose an area: The soldiers cordoned off the military base.||They cordoned it off.
corduroy
corduroy
  1. n.adj. [U] strong, thick cloth with soft raised lines, used to make pants, jackets, and suits: Those corduroy pants will last for years.
core
core
  1. n.
    1 the hard center of some fruits, containing the seeds: an apple core
    2 the center of anything: a computer's memory core
    3 the most important part of s.t.: At the core of the problem is the fact that the company needs a bank loan to grow.
    4 rotten to the core: totally corrupt, bad: He lies, steals, and is rotten to the core.v. [T] cored, coring, cores to remove a core: I cored some apples to make an apple pie.
    THESAURUS
    core n.
    2 the nucleus, foundation, central part
    3 the heart, nucleus, focal point.
cork
cork
  1. n.v. a bottle stopper: The waiter pulled the cork out of the wine bottle.
corkscrew
corkscrew
  1. n. a device with a twisting metal piece that ends in a point, used to pull a cork out of a bottle
cormorant
cormorant
  1. n. a large black seabird with a long neck: Fishermen can train cormorants to catch fish for them.
cornbread
cornbread
  1. n. a type of sweet cake made of ground corn (cornmeal): He likes cornbread and coffee for breakfast.
cornea
cornea
  1. n. the outer covering lens of the eye: She had an operation on her corneas and can see better now.
corner
corner
  1. n. the area where two streets, walls, etc., meet: I will meet you on the corner of Main St. and 3rd Ave. at noon.v. [T] to force s.o. or s.t. into a position from which escape is impossible: The police chased a criminal down a narrow street and cornered him so he could not escape.
    THESAURUS
    corner v. to trap, block s.o. | bring s.o. to bay frml.
cornerstone
cornerstone
  1. n.
    1 a stone placed in the corner of a building with its date of completion
    2 fig. the centerpiece or foundation of s.t.: The cornerstone of the President's plan is a tax cut for everyone.
cornflakes
cornflakes
  1. n.pl. breakfast cereal made from corn cooked into dry flakes: He eats cornflakes with milk and sugar.
cornice
cornice
  1. n. the decorative top of a building or wall: cornices of carved wood
cornmeal
cornmeal
  1. n.adj. [U] coarsely ground corn: I had a yellow cornmeal muffin and some coffee for breakfast.
cornrow
cornrow
  1. n. a narrow braid of hair —v. [T] to arrange the hair in rows of narrow braids close to the head: Many Jamaicans cornrow their hair.
cornstalk
cornstalk
  1. n. the long narrow (stem) part of a corn plant: Farmers cut down cornstalks to feed cattle.
cornstarch
cornstarch
  1. n. [U] a white, tasteless powder made from corn and used in cooking: She put some cornstarch in the gravy to make it thicker.
cornucopia
cornucopia
  1. n.
    1 a horn-shaped basket flowing over with good things to eat, used as a symbol for good times, prosperity
    2 a large supply,
    THESAURUS
    abundance: American farmers grow a cornucopia of food for people.
corny
corny
  1. adj. -ier, -iest too obvious, old-fashioned, or unsophisticated to be effective, esp. relating to jokes that are meant to be funny but are not: He tells corny jokes and bores everyone.
corollary
corollary
  1. n. -ies an expected result or outcome of s.t.: Disease is a corollary of poverty.
coronary
coronary
  1. adj. related to arteries and veins of the heart: a blocked coronary arteryn. -ies a heart attack,
    THESAURUS
    a coronary thrombosis: He was taking the train home from work and had a coronary.
coronation
coronation
  1. n. the ceremony of crowning a king or queen: When Princess Elizabeth became Queen Elizabeth II, England celebrated her coronation.
coroner
coroner
  1. n. the city or town official who investigates suspicious deaths for possible murder
corporate
corporate
  1. adj. related to a business, esp. one that is incorporated: The owner opened a corporate checking account at the bank.
corporate culture
corporate culture
  1. n.phr. the values, behavior, and success stories especially important in a particular company: Making high quality products in a relaxed, friendly way is central to our company's corporate culture.
corporation
corporation
  1. n. a business with a legal status (incorporated) where the assets and debts belong to shareholders who are not responsible for them beyond the value of their stock: When a corporation becomes bankrupt, its stock is of no value anymore.
corps
corps
  1. n. [C] corps an organized and usu. highly trained group: The Marine Corps is trained to fight.||A fife and drum corps makes music. See: esprit de corps.
corpse
corpse
  1. n. a lifeless human body (as opposed to a carcass of an animal),
    THESAURUS
    a cadaver: The murder victim's corpse lay in the street.
corpulent
corpulent
  1. adj.frml. fat, very overweight: He weighs 350 lbs; he is so corpulent that he can hardly walk. -n. [U] corpulence.
corpus
corpus
  1. n. frml. [C] -pora or -puses a body of written work: There is a large corpus of literature on medicine.
corpuscle
corpuscle
  1. n. [C] a red or white blood cell: White corpuscles in the blood kill germs.
corral
corral
  1. n. an area with a fence around it to keep horses, cattle, etc., inside: Cowboys leave their horses in the corral after work.
correct
correct
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make (s.t.) accurate: The teacher corrected the student's spelling mistake.
    2 to change s.o.'s or one's own behavior to the right way: He was lazy and irresponsible, but two weeks in army camp corrected his behavior.adj.
    1 accurate: The student gave the correct answer to the question.
    2 honest, proper: She found the man's wallet and returned it to him, because that is the correct thing to do. -adj. corrective; -adv. correctly; -n. correctness.
    THESAURUS
    correct adj.
    1 right, exact, perfect. Ants. incorrect, wrong.
    2 right, decent | truthful. Ant. wrong.
correction
correction
  1. n.
    1 a change made to correct a mistake: I spelled that word incorrectly, but have made the correction now.
    2 an adjustment: The ship made a correction in its course.||The stock market made a correction by dropping 100 points.
    THESAURUS
    correction
    2 an alteration, modification.
correlate
correlate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to show or see how one thing relates meaningfully to another: We can correlate the increase in profits to the increase in our sales.
correlation
correlation
  1. n. a meaningful connection between things: There is a direct correlation between an increase in sales volume and an increase in profits.
correspond
correspond
  1. v. [I]
    1 to write to s.o.: I correspond regularly with a friend in Seoul.
    2 to agree, match: The article in the newspaper does not correspond to what the politician actually said.
correspondence
correspondence
  1. n.
    1 [U] letters or E-mail sent between people: She answers the correspondence from her customers every day.
    2 [C] an agreement, matching: There is a correspondence between spending less money and being able to save more.
    THESAURUS
    correspondence
    1 communication, mail, messages
    2 a correlation.
correspondent
correspondent
  1. n.
    1 a reporter for a publication or TV: The news report was made by the TV's correspondent in Rio de Janeiro.
    2 a business that cooperates with another located elsewhere: The Bank of New York has a correspondent in Tokyo.
    3 a person to whom you write letters: My correspondent in Chicago is named Talani Smith.adj. related to s.t., corresponding: An increase in the amount of time that you study brings a correspondent (or) corresponding improvement in your grades.
corridor
corridor
  1. n. a hallway: That corridor leads to the classrooms.
corroborate
corroborate
  1. v.frml. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to indicate s.t. that another person said is true: A witness to the robbery corroborated the victim's description of what happened. -n. [U] corroboration.
corrosive
corrosive
  1. adj.
    1 wearing away by chemical action: The corrosive effect of air pollution on great buildings and statues eventually turns them to powder.
    2 fig. having a negative attitude,
    THESAURUS
    abrasive -v. [I;T] corrode ; -n. [U] corrosion.
corrugated
corrugated
  1. adj. having a wavy surface: Corrugated boxes are stronger than others.
corrupt
corrupt
  1. adj. dishonest: That official is corrupt because he takes bribes.v. [T]
    1 to make dishonest: He corrupts everyone around him.
    2 to change s.t. to a bad state or wrong purpose,
    THESAURUS
    to pervert: The French are very concerned that their language is being corrupted by the use of foreign words. -adj. corruptible; -n. [U] corruption.
corsage
corsage
  1. n. a flower or small group of flowers worn by a woman on special occasions
corset
corset
  1. n.v. [T] an old-fashioned, tight-fitting undergarment, worn esp. by women, to shape and support the hips and stomach: She wears a corset every day.
cosign
cosign
  1. v. [T] to add one's signature to, and guarantee one's responsibility for, a contract, loan, or check signed by s.o. else: My daughter wanted to buy a car, so I cosigned her bank loan to guarantee that I would repay the loan if she could not. -n. cosigner.
cosine
cosine
  1. n. abbr. cos a basic ratio in trigonometry between of the length of the side adjacent to a given acute angle in a right triangle and the length of the hypotenuse, or longest side: cosine of 45 degrees.
cosmetic
cosmetic
  1. n. a beauty preparation, like makeup, lipstick, and skin cream, used on the body, esp. on the face: She likes European brands of cosmetics.adj.
    1 meant to hide s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    superficial: The wooden house was rotting, but the owner gave it a cosmetic coat of paint in order to sell it.
    2 related to improving one's appearance: He had cosmetic surgery done to straighten his nose.
cosmetology
cosmetology
  1. n. [U] the art and science of beauty care, including hair dressing, manicuring, and skin care
cosmic
cosmic
  1. adj. throughout the universe (cosmos), universal: An exploding star is a cosmic event.
cosmonaut
cosmonaut
  1. n. an astronaut, esp. a Russian: Russian cosmonauts were the first people in space.
cosmopolitan
cosmopolitan
  1. adj. from or of many parts of the world,
    THESAURUS
    international: Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city with people from all over the world.n. [C] a sophisticated person who is comfortable anywhere: She is a cosmopolitan who speaks seven languages and has apartments in several foreign cities.
cosmos
cosmos
  1. n. the cosmos all space, stars, planets, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    the universe: Astronomers study the cosmos.
cost-benefit analysis
cost-benefit analysis
  1. n.phr. the cost of goods or services in comparison to the money and/or good will they bring to a business: We did a cost-benefit analysis on building new offices compared with refurnishing our old ones, and decided to build new ones.
cost-effective
cost-effective
  1. adj. worth its cost (goods and services): We found that building a new building was more cost-effective than fixing up the old one.
cost-of-living index
cost-of-living index
  1. n. (in USA) a measurement by the government each year of the cost-of-living: The cost-of-living index went up 5% this year.
cost
cost
  1. n.
    1 the price of s.t.: What is the cost of a loaf of bread in Vancouver?
    2 usu. used in the sing. the sacrifice of time, effort, or hurt of s.t.: That terrible war was won at a cost of 50 million lives.
    3 at all costs: regardless of the money or sacrifice involved: We must rescue those lost sailors at all costs.v. [T] cost, costing, costs
    1 to have a certain price: That car costs $30,000.
    2 to cause a loss: That car accident cost five lives.
    3 to figure out a group of costs to find a total cost or price of s.t.
    THESAURUS
    cost n.
    1 the asking price, price tag | fee.
cost of living
cost of living
  1. n. the cost of necessities of life, such as food, housing, clothes, transportation, etc.: The cost of living in cities like New York, Paris, and Tokyo is very high.
costar
costar
  1. n.v. [I] -starred, -starring, -stars a star in a movie, play, or concert who is of equal importance to another star: Clark Gable costarred with Vivien Leigh in "Gone with the Wind."
costly
costly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 expensive: Their dinner was costly but delicious.
    2 hurtful in time, effort, money, or pain: That was a costly mistake. -n. [U] costliness.
    THESAURUS
    costly
    1 high-priced, pricey. Ants. inexpensive, cheap.
costume
costume
  1. n.v. [T] -tumed, -tuming, -tumes a style of clothes worn esp. by an actor or for entertainment: We went to a Halloween party where everyone wore historical costumes.
    THESAURUS
    costume an outfit, attire.
cot
cot
  1. n. a simple bed that usu. can be folded up and moved easily: I took a cot out of the closet for my friend to sleep on.
cottage
cottage
  1. n. a small, simple house usu. in the country: She lives in a cottage by the lake.
cottage cheese
cottage cheese
  1. n. [U] a soft, white cheese made of sour milk: He had cottage cheese and fruit for lunch.
cottage industry
cottage industry
  1. n. -tries work that can be done at home, such as typing, knitting, etc.: Making clay pots is a cottage industry in that small town.
cotton-picking
cotton-picking
  1. adj.infrml. no good, unwanted: Keep your cotton-picking hands off my money!
cotton
cotton
  1. n. [U]
    1 a plant whose seeds are covered with soft, white fiber that is made into thread and cloth
    2 cloth made from this fiber: His shirts are made of cotton.phrasal v. insep. [T] to cotton to s.o. or s.t.: to like s.o. or s.t.: Cowboys cotton to cowgirls.
cottontail
cottontail
  1. n. a rabbit with a short white tail: Cottontails live in the western USA.
cottonwood
cottonwood
  1. n. a tree with white cotton-like seeds: Cottonwoods grow by rivers and streams.
couch
couch
  1. n. couches a piece of furniture for sitting or lying on, a sofa: The couch in our living room is soft and comfortable.v.frml. [T] couches to say s.t. in a certain way, express: She couched her complaint in a pleasant way.
cougar
cougar
  1. n. a large cat found in mountains of western North, Central, and South America: Cougars attack sheep and cows.
cough
cough
  1. v.
    1 [I] to push air out of the throat suddenly with a sharp sound
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to cough s.t. up: infrml. to produce s.t. unwillingly: He had to cough up the money to pay the fine or go to jail.||He coughed it up.n. a pushing of air from the throat because of irritation or sickness: She has a bad cough from a cold.
could
could
  1. auxiliary v. & past tense of can
    1 used to indicate that s.t. is possible: The volume was on high so everyone could hear the radio program.
    2 used to make a suggestion or give permission: You could go to the movie, if you want to.
    3 used to make a request: Could you pass me the salt and pepper, please? See: can (1); may; would.
council
council
  1. n. a group of officials or advisors, esp. to a politician: The city council advises the mayor on what to do. -n. councilor.
counsel
counsel
  1. n. [U]
    1 advice, usu. given by an expert
    2 a lawyer —v. [T] (usu. of an expert) to give advice: My lawyer counseled me not to start a lawsuit over my car accident.
countdown
countdown
  1. n.
    1 a counting of numbers from higher to lower: The countdown for a space rocket goes, "... 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Blastoff!"
    2 the time period and actions just before an important event: The countdown for the election next Tuesday begins as politicians go on TV for the last time.
countenance
countenance
  1. n.frml.
    1 the face and its expression: The countenance on the father's face brightened when he saw his child emerge from the group of other children.
    2 approval —v.frml. [T] -nanced, -nancing, -nances to give approval of s.t.: I will not countenance your stealing that money!
counteract
counteract
  1. v. [T] to stop or neutralize s.t., esp. with an opposite force: The doctor counteracted the poison by giving the patient medicine (an antidote). -n. [C;U] counteraction.
counterattack
counterattack
  1. v. [I;T] n. to attack an attacker: When the enemy attacked our army, our soldiers counterattacked with cannon fire.
counterbalance
counterbalance
  1. n.
    1 a weight equal to another,
    THESAURUS
    counterweight
    2 fig. an action, force, or influence equal to another —v. [T] -anced, -ancing, -ances to give a counterbalance: The President, Congress, and Supreme Court counterbalance each other in sharing the power of the U.S. government.
counterclaim
counterclaim
  1. n.v. [I;T] an accusation or charge made against s.o. who has made an accusation: Our company says that a customer owes us money, but that customer makes the counterclaim that we owe him money. See: to countersue.
counterclockwise
counterclockwise
  1. adv.adj. moving in the direction opposite to which the hands of a clock move: I turn my key counterclockwise to open my door.
counterculture
counterculture
  1. n. people who are against the traditional values and lifestyles of most people: The counterculture of the 1960s rejected the North American desire for money and property. See: bohemian; hippie.
counterfeit
counterfeit
  1. adj. fake, false, esp. referring to a copy of s.t., such as money or a work of art: Counterfeit money in fake $20 bills was found in stores all over the city.v. [T] to copy s.t. to deceive: Criminals counterfeited the $20 bills by printing them secretly -n. counterfeiter. See: forge.
countermove
countermove
  1. n.v. [I] -moved, moving, -moves a move made to match or defeat an opponent's move: An unfriendly company tried to buy our company, but our boss made a countermove by finding a friendly buyer.
counteroffer
counteroffer
  1. n. a different offer made as a response to s.o. else's offer: I offered to sell my house for $100,000 and the buyer made a counteroffer of $90,000. See: counterproposal.
counterpart
counterpart
  1. n. a person or thing that is like another or does the same type of job: The owner talked with her counterpart, the owner of another company.
counterproductive
counterproductive
  1. adj. not useful, damaging: Correcting every mistake students make can be counterproductive by making them nervous.
counterproposal
counterproposal
  1. n. a different plan, offer, idea, etc, made in response to one made earlier: My company offered to buy another company, but they made a counterproposal that we buy some of their products, not their whole company.
countersign
countersign
  1. v. [T] n.
    1 to sign s.t. again, esp. a check to show that the signature is real: I signed the check on the front, then with a bank official watching me, I countersigned it on the back.
    2 to sign a contract, will, etc. signed by s.o. else: I signed a contract to buy the apartment and the seller countersigned it. -n. countersignature.
counterspy
counterspy
  1. n. -spies a spy who tries to find and to work against enemy spies.
countersue
countersue
  1. v. [T] -sued, -suing, -sues (in law) to sue s.o. who has sued (you) first: An employee sued us for firing him and our company countersued him for stealing our secrets. -n. countersuit.
countess
countess
  1. n. -esses a noblewoman ranked above a baroness
countless
countless
  1. adj. too many to be counted, without number: The mother told the child countless times to stop sucking his thumb.
countrified
countrified
  1. adj.
    1 (land) looking like areas outside cities with fields, woods, usu. farms
    2 (people) simple,
    THESAURUS
    unsophisticated: He has a countrified look with jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat.
country
country
  1. n. -tries
    1 [C] a nation: the country of Canada
    2 [C] a rural area outside cities and towns: We drive to the country to relax.
    3 [U] land suitable for a particular purpose: farm countryadj. typical of the country, esp. in being simple, rough, or old-fashioned: country furniture
countryman
countryman
  1. n. -men a citizen of the same nation: When I traveled to South America, I met some of my countrymen from New York at the hotel. -n. countrywoman.
countryside
countryside
  1. n. [U] the land outside a city or town with trees, farms, and few houses: The countryside near our city is full of hills and farms.
county
county
  1. n. -ties adj. (in USA) a smaller political and geographical area within states: County governments are often responsible for some of a state's highways.
coup
coup
  1. n. coups
    1 taking control suddenly of a government,
    THESAURUS
    a coup d'état
    2 a big, unexpected success: When the movie star decided to make a film with a small new company, it was a coup for them.
coup d'état
coup d'état
  1. n. coups d'état taking control suddenly of a government by force
couple
couple
  1. n.
    1 two people (usu. of the opposite sex) who are married, living together, or on a date: Jane and Tom are a couple that love to go dancing.
    2 several, usu. two or three: Can you lend me a couple of dollars? Yes, for a couple of days. See: pair. —v. -pled, -pling, -ples
    1 [T] to put or link together: to couple railroad cars
    2 [I] (said of animals) to have sex,
    THESAURUS
    to mate
    THESAURUS
    couple n.
    1 a pair, twosome
    2 a few.
coupon
coupon
  1. n.
    1 a piece of paper that offers a payment, service, or reduction in the price of goods, esp. food: to clip coupons from the newspaper||He gives coupons to the supermarket cashier who takes money off the price of the food.
    2 an order form to write in one's name, address, credit card number, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    order blank: to fill in the coupon and mail it to buy a pair of shoes See: rebate.
courage
courage
  1. n. [U] bravery, the strength of mind and/or body to face and overcome danger and/or difficulties: The police officer showed great courage by jumping into the cold lake to save a drowning boy. -adj. courageous ; -adv. courageously.
    THESAURUS
    courage daring, valor, guts infrml., mettle frml.
courier
courier
  1. n. a messenger, esp. one on important business: The jeweler sent a courier to pick up the diamonds.
course
course
  1. n.
    1 a series of lessons in a subject, usu. at a school: I took a college course in English literature.
    2 an area for sports events: a race course, a golf course
    3 a planned route: That ship headed for China is on course/off course.
    4 a period of time: In the course of events (time, progress), we finally learned the truth about the crime.
    5 as a matter of course: routinely: As a matter of course, the judge told the jury to listen equally to both sides.
    6 course of action: a way of doing s.t.: Our company faces a lawsuit, so what course of action will we take—to pay the money or fight it in court?
    7 in due course: eventually, finally: In due course, we decided to fight the lawsuit in court.
    8 of course: naturally, clearly: Of course, I'll come to your wedding.v.frml. [I] coursed, coursing, courses to travel or run fast: Water courses over a waterfall.
    THESAURUS
    course n.
    1 a class
    2 a track, path
    3 an itinerary
    4 a chain, order (of events).
court-martial
court-martial
  1. n. courtsmartial or court-martials [C;U] v. [T]
    1 a military court to judge those who may have broken military law
    2 a trial in a military court
    3 to try someone in a military court: That soldier received a court-martial for stealing and was put in jail.They court-martialed him.
courteous
courteous
  1. adj. having good manners, polite: The taxi driver is very courteous to his customers. -adv. courteously.
    THESAURUS
    courteous adj. well-mannered, considerate, civil. Ant. rude.
courtesy
courtesy
  1. n. [U] -sies
    1 good manners, politeness: The telephone operator treats all callers with courtesy.
    2 to do s.o. a courtesy: to do s.o. a favor: Please do me the courtesy of calling my office to say I'll be late.
    THESAURUS
    courtesy n.
    1 respect, good behavior, civilty.
courthouse
courthouse
  1. n. -houses the building in which courts of law and other legal activities are located: I went to the court-house to get a copy of my birth certificate.
courtier
courtier
  1. n. a person who is often present at the court of a king or queen
courtly
courtly
  1. adj. polite, dignified
courtroom
courtroom
  1. n. the room in which a court of law meets: The judge sits at the back of the courtroom behind a high desk.
courtship
courtship
  1. n. [C;U] a period of getting to know s.o. you are planning to marry as the relationship develops, formal dating: The couple had a two-year courtship before marrying.
courtyard
courtyard
  1. n. an enclosed outdoor area next to a house or building: Cars drove into the courtyard to let people out at the building's front door. See: patio.
cousin
cousin
  1. n. a child of an aunt or uncle: My cousins live in Florida.
couth
couth
  1. n.adj. (often used in the negative) good manners and good taste in clothes and actions: That rude young man has no couth. See: uncouth.
cove
cove
  1. n. a small bay, a sheltered area in the coastline of a sea, lake, or river: Our boat waited in the safety of a cove for the storm to pass.
coven
coven
  1. n. a group of witches: She is the head of a coven.
covenant
covenant
  1. n.
    1 (in law) a contract, formal written agreement
    2 a part of a formal agreement: We sued that company for breaking three of the covenants in our contract.
    3 (in religion) one of God's agreements with the human race or an agreement among members of a congregation
cover-up
cover-up
  1. n. an act of hiding s.t. bad,
    THESAURUS
    concealment (of the truth): Officials managed a cover-up of scandal.
cover letter
cover letter
  1. n. a letter sent to explain s.t.: I sent a cover letter with my résumé to apply for a job.
coverage
coverage
  1. n. [U]
    1 reporting by TV, newspapers, or other media: When important politicians speak, there is a lot of coverage in the press and on television.
    2 insurance: My policy gives coverage against fire and theft.
covering
covering
  1. n. s.t. put on or over s.t. else: Bushes and grass make a ground covering.
covert
covert
  1. adj. secret,
    THESAURUS
    concealed: Spies had a covert plan to steal secrets.
covet
covet
  1. v. [T] to want s.t. with great desire and envy: She covets her neighbor's big house and fancy car. -adj. covetous ; -n. [U] covetousness.
coward
coward
  1. n. a person without courage: She was a coward when she ran out of the burning house and left her children to die. -adj. cowardly.
cowardice
cowardice
  1. n. [U] lack of courage, the shameful behavior of a coward: When the boat turned over, the man showed cowardice by saving himself while leaving his wife to drown.
    THESAURUS
    cowardice n. weakness of character, fear. Ant. heroism.
cowboy
cowboy
  1. n.
    1 a man who works on a cattle ranch or rodeo, taking care of the cattle
    2 fig.slang a person who drives too fast and usu. recklessly: The cowboy driving that subway train scared the passengers. See: cowgirl.
cower
cower
  1. v. [I] to move back in fear and submission,
    THESAURUS
    to cringe: The little boy cowered in fear when his father yelled at him.
cowgirl
cowgirl
  1. n. a woman who works on a cattle ranch or rodeo, taking care of cattle See: cowboy.
cowhide
cowhide
  1. n.adj. the thick, strong leather made from the skin of a cow: He wears boots made of cowhide.
cowl
cowl
  1. n.
    1 a long, loose robe with a hood, as worn by a monk
    2 the hood itself: The monk pulled the cowl over his head as it started to rain.
    3 (on women's clothes) a neckline style with loose folds of material
coworker
coworker
  1. n. a person with whom one works, (syns.) colleague, fellow worker: My coworkers and I went out for a beer after work.
cowslip
cowslip
  1. n. a wild plant with small, sweet-smelling yellow flowers: Cowslips flower in the springtime.
coxswain
coxswain
  1. n. a person who steers a rowboat in races: After winning the race, the crew threw the coxswain in the water to celebrate.
coy
coy
  1. adj. pretending to be shy, evasive esp. in a playful, mocking manner: She likes him, but is coy about telling him so. -adv. coyly; -n. [U] coyness.
coyote
coyote
  1. n. -tes or -te a kind of wolf similar to a medium-sized dog found mainly in western North and Central America: Coyotes often hunt rats and mice at night.
cozy
cozy
  1. adj. -zier, -ziest
    1 warm, friendly, and comfortable: We had dinner at a cozy restaurant with a fireplace.
    2 involving a close relationship, esp. a dishonest one —phrasal v. insep. [I] -zied, -zying, -zies to cozy up to s.o.: to try to become friendly with s.o.: The politician cozied up to some rich people so they would give him money.
    THESAURUS
    cozy adj.
    1 snug, pleasant, welcoming.
crab
crab
  1. n.
    1 a shellfish with a flat shell, four pairs of legs, and two claws
    2 [U] the meat of crabs: We ate crab (or) crab meat.
    3 infrml.fig. a difficult, irritable person: That man is such a crab, angry all the time.v. crabbed, crabbing, crabs
    1 [I] to fish for crabs
    2 infrml.fig. [I;T] to complain -adj. crabby.
crack
crack
  1. n.
    1 a line of separation in a material, a split: That drinking glass has a crack in it.|| a wall with cracks
    2 a small amount of space: He opened the window a crack.
    3 a break in a surface, fissure: After the earthquake, the ground had wide cracks running through it.
    4 a sudden, very loud noise: the crack of a whip
    5 a funny and/or critical remark See: wisecrack.
    6 slang a strong, highly addictive form of cocaine: He smokes crack.
    7 to fall between the cracks: to become lost or ignored: She had a great idea for a new product; but no one would listen to her, so it fell between the cracks.
    THESAURUS
    crack n.
    1 a break, fracture
    2 a little, a bit
    3 a split, fracture
    4 a snap, bang, pop
    5 a joke, comment. —v.
    1 [I;T] to break without coming apart: A small stone hit the window and cracked it.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I] to crack down or s.o. or s.t.: to take strong actions to stop s.t., to discipline severely: The government cracked down on drug dealers by putting them in jail.||It cracked down on them. See: crackdown.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to crack s.t. open: to break apart with force: He cracked open the coconut with a knife.||He cracked it open.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to crack up: a. [I] to have a nervous breakdown: She was under so much pressure at work that she cracked up. b. [I] s.o.: (used negatively) not to be as good as one's reputation: That singer is not all that she is cracked up to be. c. [I;T] sep. s.o.: to break out into laughter: That comedian is so funny that he cracks up his audiences every time.||He cracks them up. d. [T] to ruin, wreck: He cracked up his car by hitting a tree.
    5 to get cracking: to begin work with energy: We know what we have to do, so let's get cracking! crack v.
    1 to split
    2 to clamp down. —adj. excellent; expert: a crack shot with a rifle
crackdown
crackdown
  1. n. strong actions taken to stop s.t., severe discipline: The government began a crackdown on crime by hiring more police.
cracker
cracker
  1. n.
    1 a small, thin piece of unsweetened baked dough: She likes to eat cheese on crackers.
    2 pej. a poor, white person of the southern USA
crackerjack
crackerjack
  1. adj.n. having excellent ability, the best: He is a crackerjack mechanic.
crackle
crackle
  1. v. [I] n. -led, -ling, -les usu. used in the sing. a sound like that of small things breaking, snapping: The oil crackles in the hot frying pan.
crackpot
crackpot
  1. n. a person with strange ideas or behavior,
    THESAURUS
    an eccentric: That crackpot thinks he will lead a world revolution.
crackup
crackup
  1. n.
    1 a bad accident with a vehicle: She had a crackup in her car on the highway.
    2 a nervous breakdown: He has so many problems that he finally had a crackup last month.
cradle
cradle
  1. n.
    1 a baby's bed, esp. one that moves back and forth on rockers
    2 the place where s.t. begins, origin: Ancient Greece was the cradle of western civilization.
    3 from the cradle to the grave: from birth to death —v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles to hold gently: She cradled the baby in her arms.
craft
craft
  1. n.
    1 a skilled trade: the craft of carpentry
    2 skill in making things by hand: the craft of basketweaving, the craft of making pottery.
    3 a boat, airplane, or space vehicle: watercraft, aircraft, spacecraft
    4 skill in tricking people See: crafty. —v. [T] to make s.t with skill: He crafts fine furniture by hand. -n. craftsman ; [U] craftsmanship.
crafty
crafty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest good at tricking people: The criminal was crafty and hid his crimes well. -adv. craftily; -n. [U] craftiness.
crag
crag
  1. n. a high, steep rock formation: He stands on a crag and looks out to sea.
craggy
craggy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest
    1 rocky, steep
    2 rough, rugged: He has a craggy face. -n. [U] cragginess.
cram
cram
  1. v. crammed, cramming, crams
    1 [T] to force s.t. into a small space, stuff: She crammed clothes into her suitcase.||He crammed food into his mouth.
    2 [I] to study quickly and hard: He crammed all night for the exam the next day.adj. a cram course: a course that teaches or reviews a lot of material quickly in preparation for a test: She took a one-week cram course for a real estate license.
cramp
cramp
  1. n.
    1 a painful tightening of a muscle,
    THESAURUS
    a spasm: After running, he got a cramp in his leg.
    2 to have cramps: to have pains in the stomach or abdomen —v.
    1 [I;T] to have muscle spasms: His leg muscles cramped up.
    2 to cramp s.o.'s style: to prevent s.o. from doing s.t. freely
cramped
cramped
  1. adj. small and uncomfortable: She lives in a cramped little apartment.
cranberry
cranberry
  1. n. -ries a small, sour red berry grown in wetland esp. in New England, or the plant it grows on: Cranberries are cooked and made into a kind of jelly that is served with turkey on Thanksgiving.
crane
crane
  1. n.
    1 a large waterbird with long legs and neck
    2 a large machine used to lift heavy loads —v. [I;T] craned, craning, cranes to lift one's head and stretch one's neck like a crane: People craned their necks to see the accident scene as they passed by.
cranium
cranium
  1. n. -niums or -nia the bones of the head around the brain: He has an injury to the cranium. -adj. cranial.
crank
crank
  1. n.
    1 a metal rod used for starting an engine or lifting heavy objects
    2 fig. an eccentric, a person who complains all the time —v.
    1 [I;T] to use a crank: He cranked the engine to get it started.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to crank s.t. out: to produce quickly, manufacture a lot of: She cranked out cakes for the party. ||She cranked them out.adj. a crank call: an anonymous telephone call made to bother or scare s.o.
cranky
cranky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest angry and complaining, irritable: That child is cranky and needs to sleep.
cranny
cranny
  1. n. -nies an opening or crack in a wall See: nooks and crannies.
crap
crap
  1. n.vulg.slang
    1 useless nonsense: What he says is a lot of crap.
    2 useless or poorly made things,
    THESAURUS
    junk
    3 excrement, feces —v. [I] crapped, crapping, craps to defecate -adj. crappy.
crash-land
crash-land
  1. v. [T] to land an airplane in an emergency: The airplane's engines failed and the pilot crash-landed it (or) made a crash landing. -n. crash landing.
crash
crash
  1. n. crashes
    1 a violent hit against s.t., usu. with damage, an accident, smashup: a car crash, a plane crash
    2 the loud, violent sound of a crash: Cars hit together with a loud crash.
    3 a failure or collapse, esp. an economic ruin: the stock market crash of 1929v. crashes
    1 [I] to smash against s.t. violently: The bus went out of control and crashed against cars and telephone poles.
    2 [I;T] to fail or collapse: The computer crashed and all its data was lost.
    3 fig. [T] to enter a party, concert, etc. without an invitation or ticket See: gate crasher. —adj. using speed and concentrated effort to get quick results: He took a crash course in Spanish before a vacation to Mexico.
    THESAURUS
    crash n.
    1 a collision, wreck
    2 a bang, smash, slam
    3 a bust infrml.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to collide against, bump into, hit
    2 to break down
    3 to sneak in.
crass
crass
  1. adj.
    1 stupid and insensitive,
    THESAURUS
    coarse: He was drunk and made crass remarks about a woman being too fat.
    2 obvious, outrageous, or deceitful: She made a crass attempt to sell me a coat that was too big for me. -adv. crassly; -n. crassness.
crate
crate
  1. n.
    1 a box made of wood used to ship things: That store has crates of oranges and tomatoes.
    2 slang an old car,
    THESAURUS
    a jalopy —v. [T] crated, crating, crates to put in crates: Farmers crated lettuce and apples to ship to stores.
crater
crater
  1. n. a large hole in the ground: the crater of a volcano||A meteor hit the earth and made a huge crater.
cravat
cravat
  1. n.frml. a colorful cloth worn as a necktie,
    THESAURUS
    ascot: He wears silk cravats.
crave
crave
  1. v. [T] craved, craving, craves to desire greatly or uncontrollably: She craves chocolate.||He craves to be loved. -n. craving.
craw
craw
  1. n.
    1 the stomach of some animals
    2 an area above the stomach of some birds where food is stored
crawfish
crawfish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes var. of crayfish
crawl
crawl
  1. v. [I]
    1 to move slowly and close to the ground,
    THESAURUS
    to creep: Ants and spiders crawl along the ground.||Babies crawl on their hands and knees.
    2 to be covered with s.t.: The ground was crawling with ants.
    3 fig. to ask for forgiveness,
    THESAURUS
    to grovel: He made his girlfriend angry, but he crawled back to her.n.
    1 a slow movement: Traffic is moving at a crawl today.
    2 the crawl: the fastest swimming stroke in which one lifts the arms over the head and kicks the feet
crayfish
crayfish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes a small, lobster-like animal with a hard shell, or its meat: Crayfish live in freshwater streams and lakes.
crayon
crayon
  1. n.v. [I] a stick made of colored wax used for drawing: Children love to draw with colored crayons.
craze
craze
  1. n. a popular style that passes soon,
    THESAURUS
    fad: Wearing black shoes with thick soles was the craze during my last year of high school.v. [I;T] crazed, crazing, crazes to become insane, crazy: Fighting in the jungle crazed many soldiers.
crazed
crazed
  1. adj. crazy, insane: A crazed man killed the child.
crazy
crazy
  1. adj. -zier, -ziest
    1 sick in the mind, insane: The crazy man talked to himself all the time.
    2 making no sense, foolish: He is crazy if he thinks that he is going to make $1 million next year.
    3 wildly enthusiastic: When she saw that new car, she went crazy over it.||John is crazy about Jane.
    4 like crazy: actively, hard: She ran like crazy to catch the bus. -adv. crazily; [U] -n. craziness.
    THESAURUS
    crazy
    1 mentally handicapped, mad | loony infrml. Ant. sane.
    2 stupid, silly, unwise. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    practical.
    3 wild, passionate. Ant. indifferent.
creak
creak
  1. n. the sound of s.t. that cannot move freely,
    THESAURUS
    a squeak —v. [I] to make a creaking sound: That old wooden floor creaks when we walk on it.
creaky
creaky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 making creaking noises: a creaky door
    2 feeling old and full of aches: After playing football, I feel creaky today.
cream
cream
  1. n.
    1 [U] the fatty part of milk that goes to its surface: Butter is made from cream.
    2 [U] the yellowish-white color of cream: a cream-colored shirt
    3 [C;U] a thick, smooth substance used in cosmetics and medicine: She put cold cream on her face.
    4 fig. the cream of the crop: the best among people: That college admits only the cream of the crop of high school students.v. [T]
    1 to blend or mix, usu. with cream: He creamed the spinach and carrots.
    2 slang to defeat or harm badly: Our basketball team got creamed 110 to 70.
cream cheese
cream cheese
  1. n. a soft, white, smooth cheese made of milk and cream: She put cream cheese on her toast.
creamery
creamery
  1. n. -ries a business that makes cheese and butter and processes milk and cream: That farmer runs a creamery. See: dairy.
creamy
creamy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 (food) smooth and thick like cream: I like a creamy salad dressing.
    2 (appearance) light colored and smooth like cream: She has a creamy complexion.
    THESAURUS
    creamy
    1 rich, velvety. Ant. watery.
crease
crease
  1. n.v. [T] creased, creasing, creases a fold in cloth or paper,
    THESAURUS
    a wrinkle: The cleaners put a crease in my pants with an iron.
create
create
  1. v. [T] -ated, ating, ates
    1 to give life to: Parents create their children.
    2 to make s.t. in a special way, usu. with skill or artistry: That company created a new product.||That artist created great paintings.
    3 to create a scene: to do s.t. bad or rude in front of others: He created a scene at the party by drinking too much and acting crazy.
    THESAURUS
    create
    1 to produce, make. Ant. to destroy.
    2 to compose, craft, invent/form (a product).
creation
creation
  1. n.
    1 [U] the beginning of existence of s.t.: the creation of the universe
    2 the Creation: (in religion) the creating by God of the world
    3 [C] the making of s.t. often using special skill or artistry: That statue of Venus is a great artistic creation.
creative
creative
  1. adj.
    1 showing artistic skill and imagination: That artist has the creative ability to paint beautiful pictures.
    2 having the ability to think well and solve problems, clever: a creative solution to a problem -adv. creatively; -n. [U] creativity .
    THESAURUS
    creative
    1 artistic, inventive, imaginative. Ant. unimaginative.
    2 innovative esourceful.
creator
creator
  1. n.
    1 a person who creates s.t.: He was the creator of television many years ago.
    2 the Creator: God
creature
creature
  1. n. a living being: The creatures on earth include humans and animals.
credence
credence
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 belief
    2 to give or lend credence to: to support a belief: The bank records give (or) lend credence to his story that he borrowed the money and did not steal it.
credentials
credentials
  1. n.pl.
    1 identity papers: That government inspector carries his credentials with him to show who he is.
    2 papers (diplomas, awards, references of good employment) that show one's accomplishments: She has excellent credentials for the job.
credibility
credibility
  1. n. [U] the quality of making other people trust you and feel confident that you will do what you say: She treats her workers well and she has credibility with them.
credible
credible
  1. adj. believable: That student told the teacher a credible story that she missed classes because she was sick.
credit card
credit card
  1. n. a small, flat plastic card that allows a person to buy goods and services on credit: I used my credit card to pay for dinner. See: charge card; cash card, USAGE NOTE.
credit limit
credit limit
  1. n. a limit on the amount of money available on credit: The credit limit on my Visa card is $7,000.
credit line
credit line
  1. n. an amount of money available at a bank or on a credit card for a person or business to use when needed and repay with interest: Our company has a $1 million credit line at Commercial Bank.
credit rating
credit rating
  1. n. the amount of credit that can be given to a person or business without too much risk: That company has a good credit rating, because it pays all its bills on time.
creditor
creditor
  1. n. a person, bank, or business that gives credit: My creditors are Visa credit card and my bank for a car loan. See: debtor.
credo
credo
  1. n. -dos
    1 system of beliefs
    2 a statement of one's beliefs,
    THESAURUS
    motto: Our company's credo is: "Quality Products—Customer Education—Service."
credulous
credulous
  1. adj.frml. believing too quickly or easily in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    naive: She was credulous when she listened to the salesman and bought the car for too much money. -n. [U] credulity.
creed
creed
  1. n.frml.
    1 a formal statement of one's religious beliefs: The church published its creed about belief in God.
    2 a system of beliefs, principles, etc.
creek
creek
  1. n.
    1 a small stream: We went fishing in the creek.
    2 fig. to be up the creek (without a paddle): to be in a difficult situation: When he lost his job and could not pay his bills, he was up the creek without a paddle.
creep
creep
  1. v. [I] crept , creeping, creeps
    1 to move slowly and quietly, usu. with care or fear: The husband came home very late and he crept by his wife so he would not wake her up.
    2 to move slowly: Cars creep through a traffic jam.
    3 to move or grow close to the ground —adj. growing close to the ground: creeping plantsn.
    1 a slow movement
    2 a person with offensive usu. sneaky behavior, a jerk: That creep has been following me from the train station.
    3 to give s.o. the creeps: to cause a feeling of disgust or fear: That man is so dirty that he gives me the creeps.
creeper
creeper
  1. n.
    1 a plant, like ivy, that grows and spreads along the ground or over walls
    2 an animal, such as an insect, that moves along with its body close to the ground: Spiders are creepers.
creepy
creepy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest causing fear and disgust, scary: a creepy movie full of horror scenes||He is a creepy guy with an evil look.
cremate
cremate
  1. v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates to burn a dead body to ashes for burial: My father wanted to be cremated after his death. -n.[C;U] cremation.
crematorium
crematorium
  1. n. -riums or -ria a building or furnace in which dead bodies are cremated
crepe
crepe
  1. n. [C] a thin fabric with a wrinkled surface
crepe paper
crepe paper
  1. n. paper with a wrinkled surface that comes in strips and is used for decoration: They hung colored balloons and crepe paper for the party.
crept
crept
  1. v. past tense and past part. of creep
crescendo
crescendo
  1. n. -dos
    1 a gradual increase in loudness in a piece of music
    2 a high-energy ending: Our talks ended with a crescendo of agreement and friendliness.
crescent
crescent
  1. adj. shaped like part of a circle: A full moon changes to a crescent moon.n. a crescent-shaped area or object: a parking crescent in front of a building
cress
cress
  1. n. [U] a plant of the mustard family with strong flavor: I put cress in my lettuce salad. See: watercress.
crest
crest
  1. n.
    1 the top of s.t.: the crest of a hill, the crest of a wave
    2 feathers that stick up from the top of a bird's head or a soldier's helmet
    3 a shield with the special markings of one's ancestors: the family crestv. [I;T] to reach the top of s.t.: After the heavy rain, the river crested at 20 feet, then went down to 10 feet.
crestfallen
crestfallen
  1. adj. sad, disappointed: When she failed her exams, she was crestfallen.
cretin
cretin
  1. n.
    1 a person who is deformed and mentally retarded because of a thyroid disease
    2 fig. a person who is stupid or offensive, an idiot: That cretin stole my car!
crevasse
crevasse
  1. n. a deep crack, esp. in ice or a snow-covered mountain: The mountain climbers fell into a crevasse.
crevice
crevice
  1. n. a narrow crack in rock: Water dripped from a crevice in the cave.
crew
crew
  1. n.
    1 the workers (often except the officers) on a ship, airplane, train, space vehicle, etc.: the captain and crew on a cruise ship
    2 a group of workers: the stage crew in a theater
    3 rowers on a racing boat —v. [I] to work as a sailor: to crew for s.o.
crew cut
crew cut
  1. n. a haircut with the hair cut very short: He wears a crew cut.
crib sheet
crib sheet
  1. n. a copy of answers or information used to cheat on an examination: He hides a crib sheet up his sleeve so he can crib on his exams.
crick
crick
  1. n. a pain or muscle cramp: I have a crick in my neck this morning.
cricket
cricket
  1. n.
    1 a small, dark brown insect that makes a high-pitched noise: I can hear the crickets chirp at night.
    2 an outdoor ball game popular in the British Commonwealth played by two teams using a ball, bat, and a set of sticks
crier
crier
  1. n. old usage an official who makes public announcements by speaking in a loud voice
crime
crime
  1. n.
    1 [C] a serious, illegal act: the crime of murder
    2 [C] serious illegal acts in general: The police fight crime, murder, theft, and drug dealing.
    3 [C] a bad situation that should not happen, s.t. shameful: It is a crime that such a nice man has so much trouble in his life. See: misdemeanor.
criminal
criminal
  1. n. a person who commits a serious crime, like theft or murder, felon —adj. related to crime: Robbery is a criminal act.
    THESAURUS
    criminal n. a robber, crook, lawbreaker.
criminology
criminology
  1. n. [U] the study of crime and criminals
crimp
crimp
  1. v. [T] to press or shape into small, regular folds,
    THESAURUS
    to pleat —n.
    1 a small, regular fold
    2 fig. to put a crimp in s.t.: to make s.t. difficult,
    THESAURUS
    to hinder: He had to work late, and that put a crimp in his dinner plans.
crimson
crimson
  1. adj. a deep, dark red: Red roses have crimson flowers.
cringe
cringe
  1. v. [I] cringed, cringing, cringes to show distress in one's face and move back in fear,
    THESAURUS
    to cower: She cringed when the dirty man touched her.
crinkle
crinkle
  1. v. [I;T] n. -kled, -kling, -kles to form into folds or thin lines: The leaves of the plant crinkled up because it needed water.
cripple
cripple
  1. n. a person or animal unable to walk or use limbs normally: The taxi driver had a bad car accident and now he is a cripple.v. [T] -pled, -pling, -ples
    1 to injure so that one cannot walk or use one's limbs normally,
    THESAURUS
    to disable: He was crippled during the war.
    2 fig.to hurt or weaken s.t. so that it cannot function normally: The city was crippled by the big snowstorm. -adj. crippled. See: handicapped.
crisis
crisis
  1. n. -ses an emergency: The hurricane caused a crisis because there was no shelter or food for people.
    THESAURUS
    crisis a disaster, catastrophe.
crisp
crisp
  1. adj.
    1 having a fresh, firm feel: crisp lettuce||crisp, new $1 bills
    2 cool, refreshing: crisp sea air
    3 done in a quick, sure way: The student gave a clear, crisp answer to the teacher's question. -adv. crisply; -n. [U] crispness; -adj. crispy.
    THESAURUS
    crisp
    1 crispy. Ants. soggy, worn out.
    2 brisk
    3 clear, articulate, clear-cut.
crisscross
crisscross
  1. v. [T] n. -crosses to make lines that cross each other: Roads and highways crisscross the country.
criterion
criterion
  1. n. -ria , -rions a rule used to judge s.t., standard of measurement: Our company must make a 10% profit; that is the criterion of success that we use.
critic
critic
  1. n.
    1 a person who reviews and gives opinions about art, music, film, etc.: She is the movie critic for our local newspaper.
    2 a person who criticizes s.t. or s.o.: That critic of government policies was put in jail.
    THESAURUS
    critic
    1 a reviewer | pundit frml.
    2 an opponent, detractor.
critical
critical
  1. adj.
    1 pointing out faults, derogatory, disparaging: The teacher wrote critical remarks on my paper about mistakes that I made.
    2 very important: It is critical that you study for the exam or you will fail it.
    3 dangerous, urgent: Her illness is at the critical stage where she may die.
    4 analytical: That reviewer published his critical comments on art in the newspaper. -adv. critically.
    THESAURUS
    critical
    1 criticizing, unfavorable, faultfinding
    2 crucial, urgent, key
    3 very serious, grave,
    THESAURUS
    life-threatening. Ant. stable.
criticism
criticism
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 evaluation, esp. as a profession, of the good and bad points of art, music, film, etc.: He takes a class on film criticism.
    2 the pointing out of bad points about s.o. or s.t.: The teacher's criticism was very helpful.
criticize
criticize
  1. v. -cized, -cizing, -cizes
    1 [I;T] to evaluate art, music, theater, etc. as a profession: The newspaper's theater critic criticized the new play as dull.
    2 [T] to point out faults in s.o. or s.t: The teacher criticized the student's poor spelling.
    THESAURUS
    criticize
    1 to judge, assess, review | knock infrml.
    2 to find fault with. Ant. to praise.
critique
critique
  1. n. [C;U] v. [T] -tiqued, -tiquing, -tiques a formal evaluation of s.t. (a book, plan, proposal, s.o.'s work, etc.): I wrote a critique of a book for my English class.
critter
critter
  1. n.slang (used humorously) an insect or animal,
    THESAURUS
    a creature: That old house has critters in it, mostly mice and cockroaches.
croak
croak
  1. n. a deep sound such as that made by a frog —v.
    1 [I;T] to make such a sound: Frogs croaked in the pond.
    2 [I] fig.slang to die: The old man was sick and finally croaked yesterday.
crochet
crochet
  1. v. [I;T] -cheted , -cheting , -chets n. [U] to make sweaters, scarves, etc. with a hooked needle and thread: She crocheted a tablecloth. See: knit.
crock
crock
  1. n.
    1 a pot or jar made of clay
    2 fig.vulg. nonsense: What that guy says is a crock!
crocked
crocked
  1. adj.slang drunk: He got crocked again last night.
crockery
crockery
  1. n. [U] dishes, pots, jars, etc. made of clay
crocodile
crocodile
  1. n.
    1 a very long, thin reptile with hard skin and a long mouth with sharp teeth
    2 fig. crocodile tears: pretended sadness or regret: He fired one employee after another and each time cried crocodile tears about having to do it. See: alligator.
crocus
crocus
  1. n. -cuses a small plant with purple, white, or yellow flowers: The crocuses are the first flowers to bloom in the spring.
croissant
croissant
  1. n. (French for) a light, flaky pastry shaped in a crescent
crony
crony
  1. n. -nies (often used negatively) a good friend in business or government to exchange favors with: The mayor always gives city business to one of his cronies. -n. cronyism.
crooked
crooked
  1. adj.
    1 bent, not straight: a crooked stick (nose, path, piece of wire, etc.)
    2 criminal, dishonest: a crooked businessman||a crooked deal
    THESAURUS
    crooked
    1 curved, winding, twisted. Ant. straight.
    2 corrupt, untruthful, deceptive. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    honest.
croon
croon
  1. v. [I;T] n. to sing softly: Frank Sinatra crooned about love. -n. crooner.
crop
crop
  1. n.
    1 a planting and harvest of grain, vegetables, or fruit: Farmers had a good crop of rice this year.
    2 fig.a group of things or people: Our school had a good crop of freshman students this fall.
    3 a short haircut
    4 a short whip used in riding horses —v. cropped, cropping, crops
    1 [T] to chew the tops off plants: Sheep cropped the grass in the pasture.
    2 to cut hair short
    3 phrasal v. [I] to crop up: to appear unexpectedly: Some problems cropped up in our new computer system but we fixed them.
    THESAURUS
    crop n.
    1 yield
    2 collection, assembly.
croquet
croquet
  1. n. [U] a game played on short grass where one hits a ball through wickets (metal arches) with a mallet (long hammer): Croquet is fun to play on a summer's day.
cross-examine
cross-examine
  1. v. [I;T] -ined, -ining, -ines (in law) to ask a witness questions about what she or he has said in a court of law: My lawyer cross-examined the witness to the accident to show that she did not actually see it happen. -n. [C;U] cross-examination.
cross-eyed
cross-eyed
  1. adj. having one or both eyes pointed toward the nose: She has a cross-eyed cat.
cross-legged
cross-legged
  1. adj. with one leg placed over the other: She sat cross-legged on the floor.
cross-purposes
cross-purposes
  1. n.pl. at cross-purposes: doing or saying s.t. that conflicts with or involves misunderstanding of what s.o. else is doing or saying: working at cross-purposes||talking at cross-purposes
cross-reference
cross-reference
  1. v. [T] n. -enced, -encing, -ences to tell s.o. about related information in another part of a book, file, index, etc.: The English textbook cross-references nouns and verbs to the section on grammar. -v. cross-refer.
cross
cross
  1. n. crosses
    1 a vertical wooden pole with a horizontal piece of wood running across it near the top, on which people were killed in ancient times
    2 the Cross: (in Christianity) the cross on which Jesus Christ was killed (crucified)
    3 a representation of the Cross as jewelry or a medal
    4 a sign made like a + or an X
    5 such a sign written as a signature by people
    6 such a sign made as a gesture by Christians in religious devotion
    7 a mix of two different things,
    THESAURUS
    hybrid: That dog is a cross between a collie and a Great Dane.
    8 to have a heavy cross to bear: to have many problems, worries: She has a bad heart and her husband is an alcoholic; so she has a heavy cross to bear.adj.
    1 horizontal: a cross bar used in building
    2 angry, bad-tempered: She is very cross today; she complains about everything. -n. [U] crossness.
    THESAURUS
    cross adj.
    2 mad, annoyed, irritable. —v. crosses
    1 [I;T] to go over or across s.t.: I crossed the street to catch the bus.
    2 [I] to pass while going in opposite directions: Our letters crossed in the mail.
    3 [T] to oppose, to anger s.o.: He crossed his friend by not paying back the money that he owed him. See: to double-cross.
    4 to cross one's fingers: to wish for good luck: I have my fingers crossed that I pass the exam today.
    5 to cross one's heart: to promise, swear s.t. is true: I cross my heart that I will not tell anyone your secret.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to cross s.t. off: to remove, draw a line through: I make a list of things to do, then cross off the ones that are done.||I cross them off.
    7 to cross one's mind: to be a brief thought: The thought never crossed my mind to tell anyone about your secret.
    8 to cross oneself or to make the sign of the cross: to touch the head, heart, and shoulders with the hand: In the Catholic church, worshipers make the sign of the cross before approaching the altar.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [T] to cross s.t. out: to draw a line through: Please cross out the spelling mistakes.||Cross them out.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [T] to cross over s.t.: a. to go across s.t.: I crossed over the bridge. b. to vote for the candidate of a different political party from one's own: In the last election, many Democrats crossed over and voted for a Republican President. See: crossover.
    11 to cross that bridge when one comes to it: to deal with a problem later: I know that we will need to buy a new computer, but not for six months; so let's cross that bridge when we come to it.
    12 to cross swords: to argue with s.o.: Two politicians crossed swords about raising taxes.
    THESAURUS
    cross v.
    1 to traverse
    2 to crisscross
    6 to strike out, mark off, check off, eliminate. Ant. to add.
cross section
cross section
  1. n. a part or sample that is typical of a larger group or body: The mayor asked a cross section of business owners and workers for their opinions on the city's transportation system.||The biology teacher showed us a cross section of a tree. -v. [T] cross-section.
crossbeam
crossbeam
  1. n. a strong piece of metal or wood resting on two support beams used in making buildings: Floors are built on crossbeams.
crossbow
crossbow
  1. n. a bow-like weapon used long ago that shoots arrows
crossbreed
crossbreed
  1. n.v. [T] -bred , -breeding, -breeds a combination of two types of plants or animals,
    THESAURUS
    a hybrid: A farmer made a crossbreed between an orange and a grapefruit; he crossbred them.
crosscheck
crosscheck
  1. v. [T] n. to check one thing against another for accuracy: I crosschecked the list of goods delivered with the list of what I ordered.
crossfire
crossfire
  1. n. [U] shooting (such as by soldiers, police, or criminals) that comes from two sides and crosses the same point: The soldiers were caught in the crossfire from enemy soldiers shooting from buildings on opposite sides of the square.
crossing
crossing
  1. n.
    1 a place where a street, river, etc. can be crossed,
    THESAURUS
    an intersection: The river crossing is about a mile south of here.||The school crossing is on the next corner.
    2 a trip, usu. across the ocean
crossover
crossover
  1. adj.
    1 (a vote) changed from one political party's candidate to another: There was a big crossover vote by Republicans voting for the Democratic candidate for Senate.
    2 moved from one group or category to another: Her country and western song was a crossover hit in rock music too.
crossroad
crossroad
  1. n. or crossroads n.pl. used with a sing. v.
    1 the place where one road crosses another road: I will meet you at the crossroads of Main St. and First Ave.
    2 fig. a time of decision about what to do next: At age 65, she is at a crossroads about whether to retire or keep on working.
crosswalk
crosswalk
  1. n. a place on a street marked with lines for people to cross while vehicles stop: School children are told to cross the street only at the crosswalks.
crossword puzzle
crossword puzzle
  1. n. a printed word game with numbered squares to be filled in with answers from numbered clues: Crossword puzzles are fun to do if you like words.
crotch
crotch
  1. n. crotches
    1 the area at the top of the human legs,
    THESAURUS
    genital area
    2 the place where two branches of a tree meet: Birds built their nest in the crotch of a tree.
crotchety
crotchety
  1. adj. irritable, complaining,
    THESAURUS
    crabby: That crotchety man will not listen to anyone.
crouch
crouch
  1. v. [I] n. crouches to bend down at the knees: The grandfather crouched down to talk to his small granddaughter.
crow
crow
  1. n.
    1 a large black bird with a loud cry
    2 the cry made by a rooster
    3 to eat crow: to have to admit that one was wrong —v. [I]
    1 to make the sound of a rooster: The rooster crows every morning at sunrise.
    2 fig. to brag or boast about s.t.: She is crowing about how beautiful her new baby is.
crowbar
crowbar
  1. n.v. [T] -barred, -barring, -bars a thick, heavy metal bar used to open things: A worker pushed a crowbar into the stuck door and forced it open.
crowd
crowd
  1. n.
    1 a large group of people close together: the crowd at the football game||Some people push their way through the crowd.
    2 a group of friends, similar people: That crowd takes illegal drugs!
    3 to gather a crowd: to attract many people: That movie star gathers a crowd wherever she goes.v.
    1 [I;T] to form into a crowd: The people crowded into the theater.
    2 [T] to pressure s.o.: She likes her freedom and her boyfriend crowded her so much that she left him.||Don't crowd me! I'll make up my mind when I'm ready!
    THESAURUS
    crowd n.
    1 a mob, pack, throng
    2 a bunch, gang, clique.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to pack, jam, shove, squeeze.
crowded
crowded
  1. adj. full of people packed: That subway train is so crowded that no one else can get on.
    THESAURUS
    crowded full, congested, jam-packed. Ant. empty.
crown
crown
  1. n.
    1 a decoration for the head usu. made of gold and jewels to show high position: The queen of England wears her crown for special ceremonies.
    2 usu. used in the sing. the title held by the winner or top player in a sport: He wears the boxing crown.
    3 the top back part of the head or a hat —v. [T]
    1 to place a crown on s.o.'s head: The high priest crowned the new king.
    2 to declare s.o. a winner: She was crowned Miss Universe in a beauty contest.
    3 slang to hit s.o. on the head —adj. crowning achievement: the best after many other good actions: Winning the Nobel Prize was the crowning achievement of her brilliant scientific career.
crown jewels
crown jewels
  1. n.pl. the jewels of a king or queen: The queen wears some of the crown jewels on special occasions.
crucial
crucial
  1. adj. extremely important, (syns.) critical, decisive: It is of crucial importance that we sign that contract for our future success. -adv. crucially.
crucible
crucible
  1. n. [C]
    1 (in chemistry) a pot in which metals are melted
    2 fig. a situation where strong action changes things: The political scandal became public in the crucible of people searching for the truth.
crucifix
crucifix
  1. -fixes n. a cross with the image of Christ on it: She wears a crucifix on a chain around her neck.
crucifixion
crucifixion
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an act of killing by nailing or tying s.o. to a cross: In ancient times, officials killed criminals by crucifixion.
    2 the Crucifixion: the killing of Christ on the Cross
crucify
crucify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to nail or tie s.o. to a cross as punishment
    2 fig. to punish s.o. severely
crud
crud
  1. n.slang dirt, filth: His clothes are covered with crud from working on his car. -adj. cruddy.
crude
crude
  1. adj. cruder, crudest
    1 rough, unfinished: He lives in a cabin with crude chairs and a table made of unpainted wood.
    2 ill-mannered, offensive: The child was sent to his room because of his crude behavior -adv. crudely; -n. [C;U] crudity ; [U] crudeness.
    THESAURUS
    crude
    1 basic, simple | imperfect. Ant. polished.
    2 rude, vulgar. Ant. polite.
cruel
cruel
  1. adj.
    1 willing to cause others mental or physical pain, mean, vicious: She makes cruel remarks about her husband being too fat.
    2 painful, very difficult: Cancer is a cruel disease because of the suffering it causes. See: kind adj.
    THESAURUS
    cruel
    1 nasty, harsh, unkind. Ant. kind.
    2 grim, severe, merciless. Ant. benign frml.
cruelty
cruelty
  1. n. -ties an act of causing others mental or physical pain: His cruelty to his dog by beating and not feeding it is sad.
cruet
cruet
  1. n. a small glass bottle of oil, vinegar, etc: I poured oil and vinegar from cruets onto my salad.
cruise
cruise
  1. n. a pleasure trip on a boat or ship: We took a cruise in the Caribbean.v. cruised, cruising, cruises
    1 [I] to sail on a boat or ship in a pleasant, comfortable manner: We cruised down the coast in our sailboat.
    2 [I] to move in a vehicle or airplane at its best, fast, comfortable speed: Jet planes cruise at 600 miles (960 km) per hour.
    3 [I;T] infrml. to walk or drive around, sometimes looking for a sexual partner
cruise ship
cruise ship
  1. n. a large ship that offers entertainment to its passengers: The cruise ship had music, dancing, sports, and good food.
cruiser
cruiser
  1. n.
    1 (in USA) a police car: A cruiser came right after the accident.
    2 a fast powerful warship
crumb
crumb
  1. n.
    1 a small piece of dry bread, cake, or other baked foods: She feeds bread crumbs to the pigeons.
    2 fig. a small amount of s.t., bit: The article contained only a few crumbs of real information.
    3 slang an unimportant, offensive person: That crumb borrowed my radio and then disappeared.
    THESAURUS
    crumb
    1 a morsel, scrap
    2 a scrap, fragment, tidbit.
crumble
crumble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [I;T] to fall into pieces, esp. from age: Over many years, that old church crumbled into ruins.
    2 that's the way the cookie crumbles: bad things do happen: I lost my job, then had a car accident; oh, well, that's the way the cookie crumbles. -adj. crumbly.
crummy
crummy
  1. or crumby adj. slang -mier, -miest
    1 no good, cheap: Those shoes are crummy; they fell apart in three weeks.
    2 acting in a bad way (unfair, cheating, etc.): The shoe store refused to give me my money back, which was a crummy thing to do.
crummy
crummy
  1. or crumby adj.slang -mier, -miest
    1 no good, cheap: Those shoes are crummy; they fell apart in three weeks.
    2 acting in a bad way (unfair, cheating, etc.): The shoe store refused to give me my money back, which was a crummy thing to do.
crumple
crumple
  1. v. [I;T] -pled, -pling, -ples to crush or press, usu. by hand: The teacher crumpled (or) crumpled up a piece of paper into a ball and threw it away.
crunch
crunch
  1. n. crunches
    1 a sound like teeth biting an apple: You hear the crunch when she bites into a raw carrot.
    2 a difficult, high-pressure situation or a tight deadline: Two employees did not come to work today, so we are in a crunch to do their work too.v. [I;T] crunches to make a crunching sound: Her teeth crunched into the apple. -adj. crunchy.
crusade
crusade
  1. n.v. -saded, -sading, -sades
    1 [I;T] an organized effort to reach an idealistic goal: a crusade for world peace||He crusades for peace by marching in front of the United Nations building.
    2 pl. the Crusades: religious wars made by European Christians against Muslims in the eastern Mediterranean in the 11th to 13th centuries: The Crusades began in 1096 and lasted for hundreds of years.
crush
crush
  1. v. [I;T] crushes
    1 to push, press hard: She crushed a piece of paper in her hand.
    2 to smash violently: The roof fell in and crushed the furniture in the building.
    3 to make s.o. feel very bad, devastate: When her business failed, she was crushed.||When his wife left him, he was crushed.
    4 to defeat badly: Our basketball team crushed the other team with a score of 110 to 75.n. crushes
    1 a moving crowd of people: the crush in the subway of people going to work
    2 a brief love, infatuation: He has a crush on the girl next door.
    THESAURUS
    crush v.
    1 to squeeze, compress, crumple
    2 to squash, mash
    3 to mortify, to feel
    THESAURUS
    terrible
    4 to beat, kill, trounce frml.
crust
crust
  1. n.
    1 a hard covering: the earth's crust
    2 a firm outer layer (of food): a pie crust ||Bread crust is brown and often crunchy.
    3 the upper crust: the top class in a society
crustacean
crustacean
  1. n. an animal with a hard outer shell, such as a lobster, shrimp, or crayfish: Most crustaceans live in the water.
crusty
crusty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having a hard crust: crusty bread
    2 fig. irritable, or rude: No one can talk to that crusty old man.
crutch
crutch
  1. n. crutches
    1 a support made of metal or wood to put under the arm of injured or handicapped people to help them walk: He broke his foot and is on crutches now.
    2 fig.(used negatively) s.t. used for support: He drinks alcohol as a crutch to face life.
crux
crux
  1. n. usu. used in the sing. the central point, main issue: The crux of the matter is that he must find a job to pay his rent.
cry
cry
  1. n. cries
    1 a loud sound made by living things: a cry of pain, a cry for help
    2 a normal sound made by some animals and birds: the cry of a bird
    3 an act or period of tears running from the eyes from strong emotion: She had a good cry when the heroine died at the end of the movie.
    4 a far cry: very different, far from: His life as a dishwasher here is a far cry from his job as a doctor in his own country.v. cried, crying, cries
    1 [I] to have tears running from the eyes because of sadness, pain, or strong emotion: He cried when his mother died.||fig.He cried his eyes out.
    2 [I;T] to make a loud sound from the mouth in pain or fear: The swimmer cried out for help.
    3 For crying out loud: an expression of annoyance: For crying out loud, will you stop complaining!
    4 to cry for joy: to weep from happiness: When her lost son was found, the mother cried for joy.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to cry out against s.t.: Voters are crying out against new taxes.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to cry out for s.o. or s.t.: to demand, need: That problem is crying out for attention. See: milk.
    THESAURUS
    cry n.
    1 a shout, howl, call. Ant. a whisper.
    2 a call, song (birds).
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to weep, shed tears, sob.
    2 to shout, call.
crybaby
crybaby
  1. n. -bies fig. a person who complains frequently without good reason.
    THESAURUS
    a wimp: He is such a crybaby that every time he catches cold, he thinks he is going to die.
crying
crying
  1. adj. bad, needing attention: It's a crying shame they don't fix those stairs.
crypt
crypt
  1. n. an underground room of a church, a chamber used for burying the dead,
    THESAURUS
    a vault: The family has a crypt where 10 of its ancestors are buried.
cryptic
cryptic
  1. adj. containing a hidden meaning: The criminal left a cryptic message as to where the dead body can be found. -adv. cryptically.
crystal
crystal
  1. n.
    1 [U] clear, high quality glass: Those fine wine glasses are made of crystal.
    2 [U] a clear mineral
    3 [C] a small regular shape of some substance: ice crystalsadj.
    1 made of crystal: crystal glasses
    2 fig. crystal clear: a. very clear,
    THESAURUS
    transparent: The water is crystal clear; we can see the ocean bottom. b. clear, obvious: It is crystal clear what we must do.
    3 a crystal ball: s.t. that tells the future, as a fortuneteller's ball: I wish I had a crystal ball to tell me how our actions will work out.
crystallize
crystallize
  1. v. [I;T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes
    1 to form into a crystal: Cold rain crystallized into snow.
    2 fig. to come together clearly,
    THESAURUS
    to jell: After weeks of work, our plan for a vacation trip crystallized. -n. [U] crystallization.
cub
cub
  1. n.adj.
    1 the young of some wild animals (bear, wolf, fox, etc.): Lion cubs depend on their mother to feed them.
    2 a beginner: a cub reporter for a newspaper
cube
cube
  1. n. a square object with four sides, a top and a bottom: an ice cubev. [T] cubed, cubing, cubes
    1 to cut into cubes: The cook cubed a piece of cheese to put on a salad.
    2 to multiply a number by itself twice: Two cubed is 2 x 2 x 2 = 8, or 23. -adj. cubic.
cubicle
cubicle
  1. n. a small area with walls on three sides for work or study: She studies in a cubicle in the school library. See: carrel.
cuckold
cuckold
  1. n.v. [T] a man whose wife has had sexual relations with another man: He was cuckolded by his best friend.
cuckoo
cuckoo
  1. n. -oos
    1 a gray bird whose call sounds like "cuckoo"
    2 slang a crazy person —adj. slang
    1 crazy, foolish
    2 to go cuckoo or drive s.o. cuckoo: to become or to make s.o. insane: The noise on the street is so loud that it is driving me cuckoo.
cucumber
cucumber
  1. n.
    1 a long, round fruit with green skin and crisp white flesh, or the plant it grows on: Cucumbers are used to make pickles or are cut in slices for salads.
    2 as cool as a cucumber: calm, composed: Her boss was yelling at her, but she was as cool as a cucumber.
cuddle
cuddle
  1. v. [I;T] n. -dled, -dling, -dles to hold tenderly and close, to hug gently: The mother cuddled her baby in her arms. -adj. cuddly.
cuff
cuff
  1. n.
    1 an upward fold at the bottom of a pair of pants
    2 the bottom part of a long sleeve: I unbuttoned my shirt cuffs.
    3 pl. infrml. cuffs handcuffs
    4 infrml. a blow with the open hand, a slap
    5 off the cuff: without planning: She gave a speech off the cuff.v. [T]
    1 to make cuffs on shirts or trousers
    2 to put handcuffs on s.o.: A police officer captured a thief and cuffed him.
    3 infrml. to hit s.o. with the open hand, to slap: The boy cuffed a younger boy on the ear and was sent to the principal's office.
cuff links
cuff links
  1. n.pl. jewelry used to hold shirt cuffs together: He wears gold cuff links.
cuisine
cuisine
  1. n. [U]
    1 the art and science of cooking
    2 a style of cooking: He likes French cuisine and his wife enjoys Mexican cuisine.
cul-de-sac
cul-de-sac
  1. n. cul-de-sacs or culs-de-sac a dead-end street or path
culinary
culinary
  1. adj. related to the kitchen and cooking: She is studying culinary arts, like baking fine cakes, in school.
cull
cull
  1. v. [T]
    1 to select, gather from various sources: I culled information for this report from newspapers, magazines, and the Internet.
    2 to remove unwanted things from those that are wanted: Farmers cull herds of cattle by killing sick cows and leaving the healthy ones.
culminate
culminate
  1. v. [I;T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to reach the highest point of an activity
    2 to result in: All our hard work culminated in a good year for our business. -n. [C] culmination.
culpable
culpable
  1. adj.frml. guilty, esp. of committing a crime,
    THESAURUS
    blameworthy: The judge found the man culpable and put him on trial. -n. [U] culpability.
culprit
culprit
  1. n. a person guilty of doing wrong, esp. committing a crime: The police put the culprit in jail.
cult
cult
  1. n.adj.
    1 a religious group considered extreme or false: The members of that cult do anything their leader says.
    2 extreme devotion to a person or idea: That rock musician has a cult following. See: religion; sect.
cultivate
cultivate
  1. v. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates
    1 to prepare the land to grow food crops, trees, and flowers; to plow, plant seed, water, and fertilize the land: From ancient times, people have cultivated crops, like wheat, for food.
    2 to study and develop a fine understanding, such as of art, music, books, etc.: She has cultivated her knowledge of art.
    3 to develop friendships with people: He cultivates important people.adj. She is a cultivated woman.
    THESAURUS
    cultivate
    1 to farm, grow, tend to
    2 to develop, refine
    3 to pursue, court.
cultivation
cultivation
  1. n.
    1 preparation of land, such as plowing, planting seed, etc. to grow crops
    2 growth in understanding fine things (art, music, books, etc.)
    3 fine manners and tastes
cultural
cultural
  1. adj. related to culture and its activities: In New York City, there are many cultural events, such as the ballet, concerts, and plays. -adv. culturally.
culture
culture
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the ideas, activities (art, foods, businesses), and ways of behaving that are special to a country, people, or region: In North American culture, men do not kiss men when meeting each other. They shake hands.
    2 [U] the achievements of a people or nation in art, music, literature, etc.: The Chinese have had a high culture for thousands of years.||She is a person of culture and refinement.
    3 [C] (in medicine) a small piece of material from the body tested for a disease: The doctor took a culture from my sore throat to see if I have a strep throat.
    THESAURUS
    culture
    1 society, way of life.
cultured
cultured
  1. adj.
    1 having knowledge of art, music, books, etc.: He is a cultured man who knows a lot about music and dance.
    2 grown with the help of people: Cultured pearls are grown by putting grains of sand in oysters.
cumbersome
cumbersome
  1. adj.
    1 heavy and difficult to handle, (syns.) awkward, bulky: That new TV is in a big, cumbersome box.
cumulative
cumulative
  1. adj. adding amounts gradually over time: The cumulative effects of drinking too much alcohol finally killed him.||Seven percent cumulative interest on $100 = $7 in the first year and $7.49 in the second.
cunning
cunning
  1. n. [U] careful deception, (syns.) slyness, shrewdness: A spy used cunning to find out secrets.adj. cute, lovable,
    THESAURUS
    precious: a cunning little girl
cup
cup
  1. n.
    1 a small, round, open container, usu. with a handle, for drinking liquids: She drinks coffee from a cup.
    2 a measure of 8 fluid ounces or 16 tablespoons: The recipe called for a cup of flour.
    3 a prize for winning a sports competition,
    THESAURUS
    a trophy
    4 either side of a brassiere
    5 one's cup of tea: (often used negatively) a favorite thing: Driving in a bad snowstorm is not my cup of tea.
    6 to be in one's cups: to be drunk —v. [T] cupped, cupping, cups to form one's hands into a cup: The farmer cupped his hands to drink water from the stream.
cupboard
cupboard
  1. n. a piece of furniture or a closet with shelves and doors, esp. for dishes and canned food: I put the cans of beans in the cupboard.
cupful
cupful
  1. n. -fuls the amount of s.t. held in a cup: She put two cupfuls of milk in the cake batter.
cupidity
cupidity
  1. n. [U] frml. greed, a strong desire for money and property: Her cupidity for owning cars, houses, and bank accounts is well-known.
cur
cur
  1. n. old usage a bad-tempered, often ugly dog,
    THESAURUS
    a mongrel: That cur tried to bite me!
curable
curable
  1. adj. capable of being cured: Tuberculosis is a curable disease.
curate
curate
  1. n. (in religion) a clergyman or clergywoman who helps run a parish: The curate helped the minister prepare for Sunday services.
curator
curator
  1. n. the person in charge of a museum, library, or a collection within it: The curator of paintings put on an exhibition of some of them.
curb
curb
  1. n.
    1 the edge and border area of a sidewalk, a curbstone: Two boys sat on the curb and watched the cars go by.
    2 a check, s.t. (an idea, law, order) that stops or slows an activity, a restraint: She put a curb on her spending.v. [T] to restrain or restrict: I went on a diet and curbed my appetite for food and drink.
    THESAURUS
    curb v. to control, limit | cut back, reduce. Ant. to expand.
curbstone
curbstone
  1. n. the curb, border area of a sidewalk: Years ago, curbstones were long narrow pieces of stones laid next to each other. See: curb.
curd
curd
  1. n. [C;U] a soft lump made when milk turns sour: Curds are used to make cheese.
curdle
curdle
  1. v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles to thicken, turn into curds: The sour milk curdled.
cure
cure
  1. v. [T] cured, curing, cures
    1 to make s.o. healthy by using medicines and treatments, to heal: A doctor cures sick people.
    2 to solve problems or bad conditions: The government cured poverty by giving jobs to poor people.
    3 to preserve food by cooking, salting, etc. it so it will last a long time: He cured fish by smoking them over a fire.n.
    1 the healing of a disease: a cure for cancer
    2 a solution to a problem or bad condition: a cure for poverty
    THESAURUS
    cure v.
    1 to make (s.o.) well, treat
    2 to resolve (a problem).
curfew
curfew
  1. n. a period of time when people may not go outdoors, usu. imposed by the government: Some cities enforce a 10 P.M. curfew for teenagers.
curio
curio
  1. n. -os a small, unusual decoration: That store in Paris sells curios of the Eiffel Tower.
curiosity
curiosity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] interest in knowing about things: He has a natural curiosity about how machines work.
    2 [U] asking too much about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    inquisitiveness: The old man shows curiosity about everything his neighbors are doing.
    3 [C] s.t. unusual, strange, or worthy of interest: That huge, old house is a curiosity for all who pass by it.
    4 curiosity killed the cat: being too curious can be dangerous: When you walk in the woods, stay away from those dangerous caves; remember, curiosity killed the cat!
curious
curious
  1. adj.
    1 interested in knowing about things: I am curious; where did you buy that beautiful dress?
    2 too interested in the lives of others, nosy: She is always curious about what her neighbors are doing.
    3 strange, unusual, puzzling: His curious behavior has many people worried. -adv. curiously.
    THESAURUS
    curious
    1 wondering
    2 inquisitive, snooping, prying
    3 odd, weird, peculiar.
curl
curl
  1. n.
    1 hair formed into a spiral: Her hair is full of pretty curls.
    2 s.t. formed like a coil: a curl of ribbon||a curl of smokev.
    1 [I;T] to form hair into curls: The hairdresser curled her hair.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to curl around s.t.: to wrap around s.t.: That plant curls around the tree branch.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to curl up: a. to fold up: She curls up (her legs) in bed and reads a book. b. to dry up: Without water, the plant curled up and died.
    THESAURUS
    curl v.
    2 to twist, bend, wind around 3b. to wither.
curly
curly
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having curls: The little boy has curly hair. -n. [U] curliness.
currant
currant
  1. n.
    1 a small, dark type of raisin (dried grape), used esp. in baking
    2 a small black, red, or white berry, or the bush it grows on: I like jam made of black currants on bread.
currency
currency
  1. n. -cies
    1 [C;U] the money used to pay for goods and services in a country: The currency in the USA is made up of dollar bills and coins.
    2 [U] frml. wide acceptance,
    THESAURUS
    relevance: Socialist ideas have little currency in the USA.
current
current
  1. n.
    1 a flow of s.t., such as electricity or water: The current in the river is slow.
    2 a way of doing things, tendency: the currents of change in countriesadj.
    1 belonging to present time, contemporary: The current situation is peaceful.
    2 knowing what has happened, up-to-date: She reads the newspaper to stay current with what is happening in the world.
    3 having all one's bills paid: All our bills are current and we owe no one anything.
    THESAURUS
    current adj.
    1 present, existing
    2 aware of, knowledgeable about.
currently
currently
  1. adv. at this time, now: We are currently fixing up our old house.
curriculum
curriculum
  1. n. -la , or lums the courses offered at an educational institution (school, college, etc.): The curriculum at that college is heavy on science and engineering.
curriculum vitae
curriculum vitae
  1. n.frml. usu. used in the sing. a résumé of one's personal information (name, address, telephone number, education, etc.) and work history: In the business world, you send in your résumé for a job opening and in the world of education, you send a curriculum vitae. See: c.v.
curse
curse
  1. n.
    1 a request or prayer to God, the Devil, etc., for harm to be done to s.o.: That evil man put a curse on his neighbor.
    2 s.t. that causes harm: Those flies are a curse in the kitchen.
    3 dirty word(s), swear word(s) —v. cursed, cursing, curses
    1 [T] to put a curse on s.o.
    2 [I] to speak or write swear words: That guy curses all the time! See: cuss.
    3 to be cursed with or by: to have bad luck: She is cursed with a bad back that hurts her all the time.
cursor
cursor
  1. n. an arrow, black line or other sign on a computer screen that shows where you are writing: I put the cursor on the word I want to correct.
cursory
cursory
  1. adj. quick, without paying attention,
    THESAURUS
    superficial: She gave the newspaper a cursory look, then put it down.
curt
curt
  1. adj. rude and short (in manner),
    THESAURUS
    abrupt: He asked his boss a question, but got a curt reply, "I have no time for you now!" -adv. curtly.
curtail
curtail
  1. v. [T] to cut back, (syns.) to diminish, shorten: After his heart attack, he curtailed all his activities and worked only a few hours a day.
curtain
curtain
  1. n. a cloth covering usu. hanging in front of a window, bathtub, shower stall, or theater stage: We have a plastic shower curtain to keep water in the bathtub.
curvaceous
curvaceous
  1. adj.frml. curvy, shapely: That young woman has a curvaceous figure.
curvature
curvature
  1. n. a curved line or surface: From outer space you can see the curvature of the earth's surface.
curve
curve
  1. n.
    1 a line or surface that bends without angles: There is a curve in the road ahead.
    2 (from baseball) to throw s.o. a curve (ball): to surprise, deceive s.o.: He threw me a curve ball by telling me the meeting was at three when it was at two and I missed it.v. [I;T] to bend in a curved line: The highway curves to the left about a mile from here. -adj. curvy.
    THESAURUS
    curve n.
    1 a bend, turn. —v. to turn.
cushion
cushion
  1. n.
    1 a type of soft pillow: The cushions on the sofa are covered with silk.
    2 fig. s.t. extra, a margin of safety,
    THESAURUS
    a reserve: We keep an extra $3,000 in our checking account as a cushion for emergencies.v. [T] to soften the force or harm of s.t.: Her company fired her, but cushioned the blow by paying her for six months while she looks for another job.
cushy
cushy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest easy, comfortable, and not demanding: He has a cushy job working for his father.
cusp
cusp
  1. n. a point: The cusp of his tooth is broken.
cuss
cuss
  1. v.infrml. [I] cusses to curse, speak, or write dirty words,
    THESAURUS
    to swear: That woman cusses like a truck driver.n. infrml. cusses an odd or unpleasant person or animal: That man is an old cuss. -n. cussword.
custard
custard
  1. n. [U] a soft, yellowish dessert made of baked milk, eggs, sugar, and flavorings: I like a sweet custard for dessert.
custodian
custodian
  1. n.
    1 a person who cleans and makes repairs in a building, janitor
    2 a person, bank, etc. that keeps valuables safe for s.o. else: That bank is the custodian of the woman's stock certificates and savings. -adj. custodial.
custody
custody
  1. n. [U]
    1 safekeeping, protection: After the parents divorced, the mother got custody of the children.
    2 into and in custody: being held under arrest by the police: The police found the criminal and took him into custody; he is in custody in jail now.
custom-built
custom-built
  1. adj. made the way s.o. wants it, made to one's specifications: Their house is custom-built with a large kitchen.
custom-made
custom-made
  1. adj. made the way s.o. wants it: She wears custom-made suits that she has made by a tailor.
custom
custom
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a habitual way of behaving that is special to a person, people, region, or nation: It is his custom to smoke a cigar after dinner.||It is British custom to drink tea at four o'clock each afternoon.
    2 customs taxes on goods brought into a country,
    THESAURUS
    duties: I paid the customs on some wine and perfume from France.
    3 used with a sing.v. customs the branch of government and its workers who keep track of the goods brought into a country: I had to go through customs when I came to this country.
    THESAURUS
    custom
    1 a habit, ritual, routine | tradition.
customary
customary
  1. adj. expected and traditional way to behave: It is customary to thank the people who invite you to their party.
customer
customer
  1. n. a person or business that buys from another person or business, client: Our company treats its customers well with fast service and good products.
    THESAURUS
    customer a buyer, shopper, purchaser.

    USAGE NOTE: Businesses have customers. Providers of services, such as lawyers have clients. Doctors, dentists, etc. have patients. A person who stays at a hotel or motel is a guest. Business people and companies that sell to others are called vendors or suppliers.
customize
customize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make s.t. to the way s.o. wants it, often by hand: That company customizes kitchens by making cabinets just the way you want them. See: custom-built; custom-made.
customs
customs
  1. n.pl. See: custom 2, 3.
cut-and-dried
cut-and-dried
  1. adj.
    1 done earlier and not going to be changed
    2 without surprises, routine: The yearly meeting of that company is cut-and-dried, because they elect the same people to run it each year.
cut-rate
cut-rate
  1. adj.
    1 sold at a lower price
    2 of poor quality, cheap: Those cut-rate shoes will fall apart quickly.
cut and paste
cut and paste
  1. v. phr. [T] to move text and/or graphics from one place to another in a document on a computer screen: Cut and paste that quotation from the first paragraph into the middle of your essay.
cutback
cutback
  1. n. a reduction in s.t.: Business is not good, so the company made a cutback in workers from 50 to 25.
cute
cute
  1. adj. cuter, cutest
    1 pleasing to look at, darling: a cute baby
    2 attempting to deceive s.o., shrewd, clever: She was being cute with the boss trying to get a raise. -adv. cutely; -n. [U] cuteness. See: handsome, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    cute
    1 adorable, charming, pretty
    2 coy, cunning.
cuticle
cuticle
  1. n. a hard layer of skin at the bottom of a fingernail or toenail
cutlery
cutlery
  1. n. [U] knives, forks, and spoons: We keep the cutlery in the kitchen.
cutlet
cutlet
  1. n. a small slice of meat: I had veal cutlets for dinner. See: chop n. 2.
cutoff
cutoff
  1. n. an interruption or stopping of s.t.: After the accident, there was a cutoff of electricity to the train tracks.adj. related to a limit or deadline when s.t. must stop: The cutoff date for the talks to finish is tomorrow.
cutter
cutter
  1. n.
    1 a person or tool that cuts things
    2 a small, fast boat with one large sail
cutthroat
cutthroat
  1. n. a murderer: That mean man is a cutthroat.adj. very competitive, (syns.) vicious, dog-eat-dog: That chemistry course is cutthroat; none of the students will help each other.
cutting
cutting
  1. adj.
    1 sharp, painful: a cold, cutting wind
    2 meant to hurt s.o.'s feelings,
    THESAURUS
    sarcastic: He made cutting comments about his wife being too fat.n. [C]
    1 editing, taking out pieces of film: An editor does the cutting of film to shorten a movie.
    2 a piece of a plant used to grow a new plant: She gave me a cutting of her plant that I liked.
cyanide
cyanide
  1. n. [U] a white, poisonous chemical: Cyanide is used to kill insects.
cyberspace
cyberspace
  1. n. the world (space) of communications, information, and entertainment created by the use of computers: She turns on her computer and travels in cyberspace by sending messages to friends around the world. See: virtual reality.
cycle
cycle
  1. n.
    1 an event or activity that changes from time to time from one characteristic to another and then back to the first one: We have weather cycles of good rainfall, then dry weather, then rain again.||a business cycle
    2 a bicycle or motorcycle —v. [I] -cled, -cling, -cles
    1 to go through a cycle (weather, business)
    2 to ride on a bicycle or motorcycle: He cycles to work on his motorcycle. -adj. cyclical ; cyclic.
    THESAURUS
    cycle n.
    1 a sequence, phase.
cyclist
cyclist
  1. n. a person who rides a bicycle or motorcycle: Cyclists pedal around the park.
cyclone
cyclone
  1. n. a violent windstorm: A cyclone tore up trees and houses. See: tornado.
cylinder
cylinder
  1. n.
    1 a shape or object with a flat, circular top and bottom and straight sides
    2 a usu. hollow metal object with this shape, esp. a mechanical part: One of the cylinders in my car engine does not work. -adj. cylindrical.
cymbal
cymbal
  1. n. one of a pair of thin, round, metal plates used in music by hitting them together
cynic
cynic
  1. n. a negative person, s.o. who thinks others do things only for money and pleasure: She is a cynic about politics and politicians. -n. [U] cynicism.
cynical
cynical
  1. adj. having the negative attitude of a cynic, (syns.) mocking, sneering: The manager has a cynical attitude toward everyone. -adv. cynically.
cypress
cypress
  1. n. -presses a tall tree (evergreen) with small dark needles instead of leaves: Cypresses grow in places with warm, humid climates, like Florida and Louisiana.
cyst
cyst
  1. n. a growth that contains liquid: He has a harmless cyst in his mouth.
czarina
czarina
  1. n. a Russian empress
dab
dab
  1. n. a small amount of s.t.: I put a dab of butter on my bread.v. dabbed, dabbing, dabs
    1 [T] to apply a small amount of s.t.: She dabbed paint on a canvas (antiseptic on a cut, makeup on her nose, etc.).
    2 [I;T]to touch with quick strokes: He dabbed at the spot on his tie with a napkin. -n. dabber.
dabble
dabble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to do or engage in an activity in a casual manner, to play at: She dabbles in painting as a hobby.
    2 to invest money in small amounts: They dabble in the stock market (in real estate, in art, etc.). -n. dabbler.
dachshund
dachshund
  1. n. a small dog, usu. brown or black, with a long body and very short legs
dad
dad
  1. n.infrml. short for daddy, one's father: Dad, can I have some money? See: daddy.
daddy
daddy
  1. n.infrml. -dies one's father, a word usu. used in the Southern USA or by small children: My daddy works for the government. See: dad; granddaddy.
    THESAURUS
    daddy dad, papa. Ant. mommy.
daffodil
daffodil
  1. n. a yellow flower: Daffodils are among the first flowers to bloom in the spring.
daffy
daffy
  1. adj.infrml. -fier, -fiest
    1 strange, (syns.) eccentric, zany: That comedian sometimes acts a bit daffy.
    2 foolish: Buying an old car like that was a daffy thing to do!
dagger
dagger
  1. n. a short knife used as a weapon in the past: Long ago, pirates carried daggers.
daguerreotype
daguerreotype
  1. n. an early form of photography co-invented by Jacques Daguerre: Some families have daguerreotypes in picture albums from the mid-1800s.
dahlia
dahlia
  1. n. a brightly colored flower native to Central America: Dahlias make beautiful table decorations.
daily
daily
  1. adv. each day: I take a walk daily.adj. related to a day: Do you read a daily newspaper?
    THESAURUS
    daily adv. every day, once a day | routinely.
dainty
dainty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest
    1 small and finely made,
    THESAURUS
    delicate: They drank tea in dainty cups.
    2 small and beautiful: The little girl wore a dainty dress. -adv. daintily.
daiquiri
daiquiri
  1. n. a rum drink made with lime and ice: Daiquiris are popular drinks in hot weather.
dairy
dairy
  1. n. -ies
    1 a building in which cows are kept and milked: Cows are milked at the dairy each morning.
    2 a business that produces milk, cheese, butter, etc. —v. [I] to engage in the dairy business -n. [U] dairying.
dairy farm
dairy farm
  1. n. a farm for raising and keeping milk cows: He runs a dairy farm in Illinois.
dais
dais
  1. n. -ises a platform, usu. with chairs, a long table, and a podium for speakers (at a banquet, lecture, etc.): There are 20 people sitting on the dais, but only the guest of honor will speak.
daisy
daisy
  1. n. -sies a flower with a flat wheel of long, thin white or yellow petals: Daisies grow wild in many places.
dale
dale
  1. n.frml.
    1 a valley
    2 fig. up hill and down dale: in many directions: He had me running up hill and down dale, looking for his lost wallet.
dalliance
dalliance
  1. n. a love relationship, usu. a brief and casual one: Their dalliance lasted only a month.
dally
dally
  1. v. [I] -lied, -lying, -lies
    1 to toy with an idea: He dallied with the idea of becoming an actor.
    2 to waste time,
    THESAURUS
    to dillydally: She dallied in the stores instead of going back to work.
    3 to undertake a casual love affair See: dalliance.
dalmatian
dalmatian
  1. n. a white dog with black spots often kept as a pet by firefighters
dam
dam
  1. v. [T] dammed, damming, dams to build a barrier across a river to stop or limit its flow, often to produce electrical power: Governments often dam large rivers to generate electrical power.n. the barrier itself: Beavers build dams with logs and sticks.
    THESAURUS
    dam v. to block, stop up | obstruct, hinder. Ant. to unblock.
damage
damage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages
    1 to hurt, injure (s.o.'s property, business, reputation, etc.): They damaged the car badly in the crash.
    2 to ruin: The hurricane damaged the entire island.n.
    1 harm: How much damage did the storm do?
    2 to sue for damages or to seek damages: (in law) to ask in court for compensation: That newspaper hurt our business with its story, so we are suing it for damages. -adj. damaging.
    THESAURUS
    damage v.
    1 to hurt, harm | break. Ant. to repair.
    2 to wreck. —n.
    1 injury, destruction.
dame
dame
  1. n.
    1 in England, a title given to a lady: Dame Margot is Margot Fonteyn, the great ballerina.
    2 a title assumed by the wife of a knight: Dame Elizabeth, wife of Sir John Winters
    3 slang a woman
damn
damn
  1. v. [T]
    1 to condemn to hell: Christians believe the Lord damns sinners.
    2 to curse with bad luck: Bad weather has damned farmers' chances for good crops this year.n.exclam.
    1 a strong, offensive expression of anger: Damn! I hurt my finger!
    2 slang to not give a damn: to not care: I don't give a damn what you say! -adj. damning.
damnable
damnable
  1. adj. shameful, deserving strong blame: Killing that child was a damnable act.
damnation
damnation
  1. n. [U] condemning to hell or to a bad fate: They believe he will suffer damnation for his sins.
damned
damned
  1. adj.
    1 cursed, condemned: That woman is damned with endless bad luck.
    2 vulgar trouble-causing: Get that damned dog out of here!
    3 slang I'll be damned!: a phrase indicating surprise or disbelief
damp
damp
  1. adj. a little wet,
    THESAURUS
    moist: He wiped the tables with a damp cloth. -n. [U] dampness.
dampen
dampen
  1. v. [T]
    1 to wet,
    THESAURUS
    to moisten: to dampen a cloth with water
    2 to dampen s.o.'s spirits: to sadden,
    THESAURUS
    discourage: The bad news dampened our spirits.
damper
damper
  1. n.
    1 a flat, movable metal plate used to block or open the flow of air, as in a chimney: When the fire is cool, close the damper in the chimney.
    2 to put a damper on s.t.: to block, discourage: Their child is sick, and that puts a damper on their vacation plans.
damsel
damsel
  1. n.litr. damsel in distress a girl or young woman in trouble: The hero in an old silent movie always saves the damsel in distress.
dance
dance
  1. v. [I;T] danced, dancing, dances to move the body rhythmically, usu. in tune with music: I danced for joy on hearing the good news.n.
    1 an act of dancing: He did a little dance of joy.
    2 the art of dance: She teaches dance.
    3 a dance lasting the length of one piece of music: Please save the next dance for me.
dancing
dancing
  1. n. [U] dance as recreation: Dancing is my favorite nighttime activity.
dandelion
dandelion
  1. n. a weed with a yellow blossom and green leaves that can be eaten: I want to remove all the dandelions from my lawn.
dander
dander
  1. n. [U]
    1 loose, dry skin on cats, dogs, and horses
    2 to get s.o.'s dander up: to become angry: Losing money gets his dander up.
dandruff
dandruff
  1. n. [U] dry skin that flakes from the scalp: Every winter he has a problem with dandruff in his hair.
dandy
dandy
  1. n. -dies a man who dresses in extravagantly fine clothes: That man is quite a dandy; he always wears expensive new clothes.adj.infrml. excellent, wonderful (often used ironically to mean awful, bad): That's just dandy! The baby broke a vase! -adj. dandified ; -v. [T] dandify.
danger
danger
  1. n.
    1 [U] a harmful situation, peril: Driving too fast puts people in danger.
    2 [C;U] risk, hazard: There is danger in borrowing too much money.
    THESAURUS
    danger
    1 jeopardy, threat, menace. Ant. safety.
dangerous
dangerous
  1. adj.
    1 harmful: Smoking is dangerous to your health.
    2 risky, hazardous: It can be dangerous to gamble in Las Vegas. -adv. dangerously.
    THESAURUS
    dangerous adj.
    1 threatening, unsafe, menacing | perilous frml. Ant. safe.
    2 chancy.
dangle
dangle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 to hang down, swing freely: She likes earrings that dangle.
    2 to dangle s.t. (money or another attraction) in front of s.o.: to tempt,
    THESAURUS
    to entice: The saleswoman dangled a 5,000-mile warranty in front of them to get them to buy the car. -adj. dangling.
danish
danish
  1. n.sing. or pl. a type of pastry made of sweet dough baked with a sugary topping and filled with cheese or fruit: I'll have a danish and coffee, please.
dank
dank
  1. adj. -er, -est unpleasantly damp and cool: They went downstairs into the dank cellar. -n. dankness.
dapper
dapper
  1. adj. (said of men) dressed with style,
    THESAURUS
    natty: I enjoyed watching the dapper gentlemen strolling down the avenue.
dappled
dappled
  1. adj. spotted, covered with spots: He rode a white horse dappled with gray.||We sat in the dappled shade under the trees.
dare
dare
  1. n. a challenge to do s.t. that is dangerous or difficult, a bet: He walked along the top of a fence on a dare.v. dared, daring, dares
    1 [T] to challenge, bet s.o.: His friend dared him to do it.
    2 [I] to have enough courage, nerve: His mother said, "Don't you dare do that again!"
    THESAURUS
    dare v.
    1 to provoke, taunt s.o.
    2 to risk.
daredevil
daredevil
  1. n. s.o. who risks harm or death in performing difficult acts,
    THESAURUS
    a stunt person: The daredevil rode his motorcycle over 15 parked cars.adj. daring, courageous: The firefighter made a daredevil attempt to save the boy from the fire.
daring
daring
  1. adj.n. [U] courageous, risky: The policewoman made a daring leap from one building to another.
dark
dark
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 without light, unlit: a dark cave
    2 shadowy, with little light: a dark movie theater
    3 not light in color: He wore a dark blue suit.||She has dark eyes.
    4 without hope: He takes a dark view of life.n.
    1 nighttime, darkness: Don't try to work in the dark.
    2 in the dark: in ignorance, unknowing: I didn't know that the owners were selling the business; they kept me in the dark about it.
    THESAURUS
    dark
    1 black. Ant. light.
    2 dim
    3 a deep shade of color
    4 pessimistic. Ant. optimistic.
dark horse
dark horse
  1. n.adj.fig. a person who is not well-known and then becomes a possible winner, esp. in an election: The Senator from Oregon was a dark horse (or) a dark-horse candidate who nearly won the Presidential election.
darken
darken
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to lose light: Each day darkens into night.
    2 [T] to make (draw, paint) dark in color: The artist darkened the sea in her painting.
    3 [I] to show anger, pain: His eyes darkened at the news of the war.
darkness
darkness
  1. n. [U]
    1 nighttime, a condition without light: We enjoyed sitting outdoors in the darkness of night.
    2 ignorance, unfamiliarity: They grew up in the darkness of ignorance and poverty.
    THESAURUS
    darkness
    1 the dark, blackness, shadows. Ant. daylight.
darkroom
darkroom
  1. n. a room for developing film: A photographer works in a darkroom.
darling
darling
  1. adj.
    1 adorable, sweet: a darling little girl
    2 adored, beloved: my darling sonn.
    1 a loved one: His wife is his darling.
    2 a favorite, pet: Their youngest son is the darling of the family.
    THESAURUS
    darling adj.
    1 cute, delightful
    2 dearest, precious. —n. a sweetheart.
darn
darn
  1. v. [T] to mend, to sew repairs in worn or torn cloth: You should darn those socks.n.v.exclam. a mild expression of anger or dismay: Darn! I burned the toast!|| Darn it! I forgot my keys!
dart
dart
  1. v. [I] to move quickly: A child darted out in front of the car.n.
    1 [C] a small object with a sharp point to be thrown, blown, or shot: Some tribes in South America blow poison darts to kill animals for food.
    2 darts: [U] a game of throwing darts at a target: Darts is his favorite game. See: dartboard.
dartboard
dartboard
  1. n. a circular board used as a target for the game of darts
dash
dash
  1. v. -es
    1 [I] to run quickly over a short distance,
    THESAURUS
    to sprint: I dashed into the house to get out of the rain.
    2 [I] to leave quickly: I have to dash now; see you later!
    3 [T] to throw down with violence, smash: The storm at sea dashed many boats against the rocks.
    4 to dash off: a. to leave hurriedly: Sorry, but I have to dash off now. b. to write s.t. hurriedly: I dashed off a letter to my mother to tell her when I would arrive.n. dashes
    1 a short, rapid run,
    THESAURUS
    a sprint: Let's make a dash across the street while there's no traffic.
    2 an athletic event: He runs the 100-meter dash.
    3 a short, horizontal line used for punctuation in writing or printing: (—)
    4 a small amount of s.t.: Put a dash of pepper in the soup.
    5 the dash: the dashboard of a car See: dashboard.
    6 to make a dash for it: to move fast to try to avoid danger or discomfort: The soldiers were nearly surrounded, and they made a dash for it through enemy lines.
dashboard
dashboard
  1. n. in a vehicle, the front panel covered with instruments: On the dashboard of a car, you can see the gas gauge, the mileage, etc.
dashing
dashing
  1. adj. stylish, dynamic: a dashing young man
data
data
  1. n.pl. used often with a sing. v. [U] raw or organized information: Scientists gather data, then study it for its meaning. ||Computers process data to create information.
    THESAURUS
    data statistics, known facts, evidence.
data entry
data entry
  1. n. -tries the preparing and typing of information into a computer: Our data entry department has 10 operators who input data.
data processing
data processing
  1. n. [U] the encoding (preparation), inputting (typing), and retrieval (printing out) of data by computer: The data processing department of a bank processes the information about accounts.
database
database
  1. n. information on a general topic stored in a computer system,
    THESAURUS
    a data bank: When I go to the bank, the teller checks the customer database for information about my account.
dated
dated
  1. adj.
    1 marked with a date: The letter was dated June 10, 1997.
    2 old and so no longer valid,
    THESAURUS
    obsolete: Information that is dated is not useful.
daub
daub
  1. v. [T] n. to coat or apply (grease, paint, cement, etc.), usu. quickly, on a surface: He daubed some grease on the door hinge.
daughter-in-law
daughter-in-law
  1. n. daughters-in-law the wife of one's son: She became our daughter-in-law last year.
daughter
daughter
  1. n. a female child: They are married and have two daughters. See: son.
daunt
daunt
  1. v. [T] to make afraid, discourage,
    THESAURUS
    to intimidate: The thought of starting a business daunted him, but he decided to try it anyway. -adj. daunting.
dauntless
dauntless
  1. adj. courageous and unstoppable: She was dauntless in fighting cancer.
dawdle
dawdle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to delay, waste time: I dawdled over a cup of coffee instead of working. -n. dawdler.
dawn
dawn
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 sunrise: We see the light of dawn in the east.
    2 fig. a beginning: She is studying the dawn of civilization in ancient Egypt.v.
    1 [I] (used with "the sun" ) to come up: The sun is dawning over the land.
    2 fig. to dawn on: to become clear to: It dawned on him that he was safe at last. -n. [U] dawning.
    THESAURUS
    dawn n.
    1 daybreak, sunrise
    2 birth, start, origin.
day-to-day
day-to-day
  1. adj. related to the daily routine of usual living and business affairs: My partner takes care of the day-to-day operations of the company.
day
day
  1. n.
    1 the time period between sunrise and sunset: Most people work during the day and sleep at night.
    2 the 24-hour period from midnight to midnight: There are seven days in a week.
    3 not to give s.o. the time of day: to treat s.o. with no respect: She won't give him the time of day because she doesn't like him.
    4 to call it a day: to stop working: We've done enough, so let's call it a day.
    5 infrml. to make s.o.'s day: to make s.o. very happy: Receiving your letter really made my day.adv.
    1 day in and day out: all the time, in a steady, dedicated way: He works hard day in and day out.
    2 days: during the day: She works days and her husband works nights.
    3 (just) the other day: one day recently: I saw that movie (just) the other day.
    4 these days: now (but not in the past): These days many students have personal computers.
day care
day care
  1. n. [U] a service of caring for preschool-aged children while the parents work: She drops her child off at day care on her way to work.
day care center
day care center
  1. n. a school-like place where parents pay to have small children cared for while the parents work: He takes his child to the day care center each morning.
daybreak
daybreak
  1. n. [U] dawn, sunrise: They left on their trip at daybreak.
daydream
daydream
  1. n. thoughts that are pleasant but not real,
    THESAURUS
    a fantasy: The boy has daydreams about being a baseball star.v. [I] to allow the mind to think pleasantly,
    THESAURUS
    to fantasize: I daydream about winning the lottery. -n. daydreamer.
daylight
daylight
  1. n. [U]
    1 the light from the sun during the day: She opened the curtains to let the daylight in.
    2 to see (day)light at the end of the tunnel: to see the end of a long process (difficult job, task, etc.): We have worked for months to solve that problem, and now we are happy to see (day)light at the end of the tunnel.
daytime
daytime
  1. n.sing. [U] the daylight hours: During the daytime, I play golf and at nighttime, I work in a restaurant.
daze
daze
  1. v. [T] dazed, dazing, dazes to make semiconscious,
    THESAURUS
    to stun: A blow on the head dazed him.n. in a daze: unable to think clearly (after a shock, a blow, etc.): She was in a daze after learning the bad news.
dazzle
dazzle
  1. v. [T] -zled, -zling, -zles
    1 to blind with bright light: The sunlight dazzles me.
    2 to amaze, (syns.) to awe, astound: The Olympic athletes dazzled the audience.n.sing. the quality of creating a bright light or amazing effect: The dazzle of her smile left him unable to speak. -adj. dazzling.
de-escalation
de-escalation
  1. n. [C;U] a lowering of intensity: The deescalation of the war made peace talks possible.
de facto
de facto
  1. adj. true or real, but not recognized or spoken of: Everyone knows that the General, not the President, is the de facto leader of that government.
de rigueur
de rigueur
  1. adj. (French for) required of everyone who wishes to be considered fashionable: Red ties (this style of shoes, earrings like those, etc.) are de rigueur now.
deacon
deacon
  1. n. a person who assists the minister or pastor in some Christian churches: He has the honor to be a deacon in the local Baptist Church. -n. deaconess.
deactivate
deactivate
  1. v. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates to take out of active service: They deactivated that military unit and sent the soldiers home. -n. deactivation.
dead
dead
  1. adj.
    1 lifeless, no longer living: The old man is dead; he died yesterday.
    2 not working, without power: The batteries in this flashlight are dead.
    3 infrml. lacking activity, lifeless: That small town is dead on Saturday nights.
    4 dead (and buried): not important anymore: Don't waste time discussing it; that issue is dead and buried.
    5 infrml. dead (tired) or dead on one's feet: very tired
    6 dead to the world: in a deep sleep —n.pl. the dead: people who have died: We bury the dead in cemeteries.adv.
    1 directly in the middle of: He hit the target dead center.||There's s.t. standing in the road dead ahead.
    2 slang exactly: You're dead right about that.
    3 wouldn't be caught dead: would never agree to doing s.t. thought horrible: He hates to dance so much that he wouldn't be caught dead on a dance floor.
    THESAURUS
    dead adj.
    1 deceased, departed | six feet under infrml., late. Ant. alive.
    2 gone, out
    3 lifeless, dull. Ant. lively.
dead duck
dead duck
  1. n.slang a person who is sure to be punished: If I drive without a driver's license and the police catch me, I'll be a dead duck.
dead end
dead end
  1. n.adj.
    1 a road without an exit: We live on a dead end (or) dead-end street.
    2 a situation that leads nowhere: We tried all sorts of solutions to that problem, and they all came to a dead end.
dead heat
dead heat
  1. n. [C;U] a tie among competitors in an athletic event: The two horses finished the race in a dead heat.
dead weight
dead weight
  1. n.
    1 a heavy, motionless weight: A load of bricks is all dead weight.
    2 fig. a difficult, hopeless situation: Thoughts of the coming exam were a dead weight on her mind.
deadbeat
deadbeat
  1. n.adj.slang a person or business that does not pay their bills: I loaned him some money last month and that deadbeat has not paid me back.|| "Deadbeat dads" are fathers who leave their families and don't support their children.
deaden
deaden
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make less, reduce: I take aspirin to deaden the pain of a headache.
    2 to make less noisy: We put soundproofing in the walls to deaden the noise from the road outside.
deadeye
deadeye
  1. n. an expert shot: She's a deadeye who hits her target every time.
deadline
deadline
  1. n. a time or date by which s.t. must be finished: The deadline for the project is two o'clock tomorrow.
    THESAURUS
    deadline time limit, due date.
deadlock
deadlock
  1. n. total disagreement between parties in a negotiation,
    THESAURUS
    an impasse: The management and the workers have reached a deadlock in contract talks.v. [I;T] to bring to or arrive at a deadlock: The owners and the union have deadlocked over the pay increase.
deadly
deadly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 so dangerous as to cause death: deadly weapons, deadly poison
    2 fig.destructive, terrible: His deadly remark about her work made her want to quit her job.
    3 slang very boring: It was a deadly lecture.
    THESAURUS
    deadly
    1 lethal, fatal, poisonous
    2 mean, awful
    3 very dull, tedious. Ant. lively.
deadpan
deadpan
  1. adj.n.v. [I;T] showing an expressionless face while saying s.t. funny or shocking: He is famous for his deadpan humor.
deadwood
deadwood
  1. n. [U]
    1 dead trees, fallen tree branches: There is a lot of deadwood in that forest.
    2 fig. employees who no longer perform well or who do little: The company has too much deadwood on its staff.
deaf
deaf
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 unable to hear: He is deaf in one ear.
    2 to turn a deaf ear: to pay no attention: The boy wants a new car, but his mother turns a deaf ear to his wishes. See: disabled, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    deaf
    1 hearing-impaired | hard-of-hearing
    2 to ignore, be oblivious to.
deafen
deafen
  1. v. [T] to cause an inability to hear, esp. for a short time: I was deafened by the noise of the train passing by. -adj. deafening.
deal
deal
  1. v. dealt , dealing, deals
    1 [I;T] to give, esp. cards to players of a card game: First, deal each player five cards.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to deal in s.t.: to buy s.t. from producers and sell it to customers: This business deals in furniture (toys, watches, etc.).
    3 frml. to deal s.o. a blow: to hit hard: Life dealt her a blow when her son died.
    4 infrml. to deal s.o. in: to include or involve s.o.: You can deal me in; your plan sounds like a great opportunity.
    5 infrml. to deal s.o. out: to exclude, to keep out: Deal him out; he's not interested in the project.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to deal with s.o. or s.t.: a. to interact with s.o. or s.t., esp. in business: Have you ever dealt with this company before? b. to treat, to manage: Her job is dealing with customer complaints. c. to concern, to be about: This book deals with tax laws.n.
    1 an agreement, trade, or transaction, esp. in business: We have made a deal to buy that building.
    2 infrml. a good transaction: You paid only $5 for this? Wow, what a deal!
    3 a turn to give out the playing cards in a game: Give me the cards; it's my deal.
    4 infrml. a big deal: s.t. important: Don't worry about that; it's no big deal.
    5 a good or great deal (of): a lot: He has a great deal of money (experience, free time, etc.).||The price was a good deal higher than I expected. See: wheel and deal.
    THESAURUS
    deal v.
    1 to distribute, hand out
    2 to handle, buy and sell.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a contract, pact, understanding
    2 a bargain.
dealer
dealer
  1. n.
    1 a person who deals cards: She's a dealer in a casino in Las Vegas.
    2 a businessperson who buys from producers and sells to customers: a car dealer, a drug dealer
    THESAURUS
    dealer
    2 a merchant, retailer | trafficker (esp. illegal business).
dealership
dealership
  1. n. the business of a dealer, esp. the store or other place where the products are shown and sold: I bought my car at a dealership on Main Street.
dealings
dealings
  1. n.pl. discussions and transactions, esp. in business: I have had some dealings with those people (ABC Company, that governmental agency, etc.), and they have been very helpful.
dealt
dealt
  1. v. past part. of deal
dean
dean
  1. n.
    1 an academic administrator: He is the Dean of Students at a small college.
    2 a well-known, senior authority in a field or area of study: She is called the dean of architecture in the USA.
dean's list
dean's list
  1. n. a listing of students who have earned high grades: She made the dean's list in her first year at the university.
dear
dear
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 loved, cared for: She's a dear friend.
    2 dear to: important to: He's an old friend and very dear to me.
    3 Brit. expensive, costly —n.
    1 a sweet, good person: You brought me flowers? What a dear you are!
    2 my dear: an expression of affection and caring for s.o.: Angela, my dear, how are you?
    THESAURUS
    dear adj.
    1 close, beloved
    2 precious to. —n.
    1 darling, sweetheart. —exclam. Oh, dear! or Dear me!: expressions of surprise or dismay: Oh, dear! What a sad situation.salutation a polite word to greet s.o. in a letter: Dear Mr. Lee, I am writing this letter to ask for your help.
dearly
dearly
  1. adv.
    1 with strong (good) feeling: I dearly hope you will succeed.
    2 to pay dearly: to pay a high price (in money, time, trouble, etc.): I paid dearly for not checking the map; we were lost for two hours.
dearth
dearth
  1. n.sing. little or none of s.t.: The dearth of information made it hard for me to write my report.
death
death
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the end of life: His death came in his sleep.
    2 [C] an occurrence of death: There were two deaths in that accident.
    3 sing. end, destruction: In 1989 we saw the death of communism in East Germany.
    4 a matter of life or death: a serious emergency: He's having a heart attack! Call an ambulance; it's a matter of life or death!
    5 to catch one's death of cold: to become very sick: Dress warmly, or you will catch your death of cold!
    6 to death: very, extremely: I was worried to death when you didn't come home.
    THESAURUS
    death
    1 passing away, demise. Ant. life.
    2 loss of life
    3 defeat, annihilation. Ant. birth.
death penalty
death penalty
  1. n. -ties the punishment of death for a crime: He was given the death penalty for killing a police officer.
death rate
death rate
  1. n. the number of people who die in a nation or other area in relation to its total population, usu. measured on a yearly basis: The US death rate from cancer increased last year.
death wish
death wish
  1. n. wishes a desire to die or to do dangerous things, risking death: He keeps trying to commit suicide; he has a death wish.
deathbed
deathbed
  1. n. the last stage before death: The old lady lay on her deathbed for a week before dying.
deathblow
deathblow
  1. n.
    1 a hard hit that causes death: The deathblow came from a rock that hit him on the head.
    2 fig. the final act that makes s.t. end: They had several problems, but the bank's refusal of more credit was the deathblow to the business.
deathtrap
deathtrap
  1. n. a very dangerous situation: Terrorists set a deathtrap for the President.
deathwatch
deathwatch
  1. n. -watches the act of waiting (usu. near the bedside) as a person is dying: When news spread that the rock star was dying, fans held a deathwatch outside the hospital.
debacle
debacle
  1. n.
    1 a sudden, terrible event, destruction: The country was beaten in a two-week war; it was a total debacle.
    2 a complete failure: The new automobile was laughed at by the public; it is a debacle for the company.
debark
debark
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to leave a ship,
    THESAURUS
    to disembark: The passengers debarked at noon. -n. [U] debarkation.
debase
debase
  1. v. [T] -based, -basing, -bases
    1 to lower in value: Our government debased our money by printing too much of it.
    2 to lower the quality of: The manufacturer debased their products by using cheaper materials in them.
    3 to lower the opinion of other people: She debased the reputation of the company when she accused them of dishonesty. -n. [U] debasement.
debatable
debatable
  1. adj. open to debate, questionable,
    THESAURUS
    doubtful: His innocence of the crime is debatable.
debate
debate
  1. v. [I;T] -bated, -bating, -bates
    1 to argue, present differing views on a question: The two political parties debated the merits of the bill before voting it into law.
    2 to consider, discuss: She debated with herself about going to college.n.
    1 a formal argument: The two presidential candidates agreed to hold a debate on TV.||US high schools often have debating teams.
    2 an argument, discussion: There was a debate during the committee meeting about the new budget.
    THESAURUS
    debate v.
    1 to take sides on, dispute, contest
    2 to deliberate.
debauch
debauch
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -es to have a bad influence on the morals and usually the health of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to corrupt: Drugs debauch the youth of this nation.
debauchery
debauchery
  1. n. [U] too much participation in physical pleasures: That rock star led a life of debauchery.
debilitate
debilitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to weaken, esp. by disease or neglect: His health is debilitated from not getting enough good food. -adj. debilitating; -n. [U] debilitation.
debility
debility
  1. n. [C;U] -ties a weakness,
    THESAURUS
    a frailty: He suffers from the debility of old age.
debit
debit
  1. v. [T] to enter an amount of money owed on a personal or business account: When the XYZ Co. bought fuel oil, the oil company debited XYZ's account for the cost.n. a debt charged against s.o.'s account: The XYZ Co. has a debit of $1200.
debit card
debit card
  1. n. a plastic card that looks like a credit card, but is used instead of checks to make purchases and to withdraw cash from ATMs: I pay my monthly bills by check and do all my shopping with my debit card.
debonair
debonair
  1. adj. well-dressed and cheerful (usu. a man),
    THESAURUS
    dapper: He's a debonair gentleman! -adv. debonairly.
debrief
debrief
  1. v. [T] to ask and usually record what s.o. knows about a particular event or subject: They debriefed the spy when she returned from her mission. -n. [C;U] debriefing.
debris
debris
  1. n. [U] ruins, remains of s.t. broken,
    THESAURUS
    refuse: Old newspapers, dead leaves, and tin cans formed the debris in the park.
debt
debt
  1. n.
    1 a sum of money owed to another: He owes a debt of $50 to a friend.
    2 an obligation: I owe a debt of gratitude to you for helping me.
    3 in debt: owing money
    4 out of debt: having paid money owed
    THESAURUS
    debt
    1 money due, charge, note | loan.
debtor
debtor
  1. n. a person, business, or government that owes money: The debtors of the bank had trouble making payments. See: creditor.
debug
debug
  1. v. [T] -bugged, -bugging, -bugs to find and correct errors, esp. in a computer program: I've debugged the program and now it runs well. -n. [U] debugging.
debunk
debunk
  1. v. [T] to show the falseness of s.t.: He wants to debunk the story of ghosts being in that old house. -n. [C;U] debunking.
debut
debut
  1. v. [I;T] to appear for the first time, esp. a play, film, or artist: The actress debuted on Broadway last year.n. a first appearance: The debut of the play was a great success.
debutante
debutante
  1. n. a young woman who is presented to upper-class society at a special ball or party: She was a debutante early this year.
decade
decade
  1. n. a period of 10 years: the decade of the 1990s||The development of the park took a decade to complete.
decadence
decadence
  1. n. [U]
    1 a low level of moral behavior: Decadence among the leadership was widespread.
    2 a period of lowering or worsening standards,
    THESAURUS
    the decline, decay: Their immoral behavior led to the decadence of the Empire itself. -n. [U] decadency.
decadent
decadent
  1. adj.
    1 showing decadence, (syns.) degenerate, dissolute: The decadent lifestyle of the leaders led to a revolution by their people.
    2 weakened, in decline: As the nation became decadent, its power and influence lessened. -adv. decadently.
decaf
decaf
  1. n. [U] decaffeinated coffee: Would you like regular coffee or decaf?
decaffeinate
decaffeinate
  1. v. [T] adj. -nated, -nating, -nates to remove or lessen the caffeine, esp. in coffee: He drinks decaffeinated coffee in the evening.
decal
decal
  1. n. a picture or design usu. on plastic and stuck to s.t. as a decoration or permit: The decal on my car window is my parking permit.
decanter
decanter
  1. n. a fancy container often of clear crystal used to hold wine or other alcohol: The host poured a fine sherry from the decanter. -v. decant.
decapitate
decapitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to cut the head off: The guillotine decapitated French King Louis XVI.
decathlon
decathlon
  1. n. a track-and-field competition of 10 events with the highest combined score determining the winner: The Olympic Decathlon is a very difficult event.
decay
decay
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to rot: Fallen leaves and trees decay into the ground over time.
    2 to fall into ruin or poor condition: The Roman Empire slowly decayed and lost its power.n. [U]
    1 rot or breakdown of a substance: Tooth decay can result from poor care of your teeth.
    2 ruin: That old house is in complete decay.
    3 lowering of standards of behavior, decline, decadence: The moral decay of the leadership destroyed the nation.
    THESAURUS
    decay v.
    1 to decompose, break down, disintegrate
    2 to collapse, crumble, decline.
deceased
deceased
  1. v. past part. of decease —adj. dead —n. the deceased: the dead person(s): The body of the deceased was removed from his home.
    THESAURUS
    deceased n. the dead, departed one.
deceit
deceit
  1. n. [U] dishonesty, trickery: The salesman disappeared before people learned of his deceit.
    THESAURUS
    deceit cheating, deception, fraud. Ant. honesty.
deceitful
deceitful
  1. adj. dishonest,
    THESAURUS
    deceptive: She used deceitful promises of big profits to attract the investors she cheated. -adv. deceitfully.
deceive
deceive
  1. v. [T] -ceived, -ceiving, -ceives to fool: He deceived me when he said he loved me because he really doesn't.
    THESAURUS
    deceive to trick, mislead, dupe s.o.
decelerate
decelerate
  1. v. [I;T] -rate, -rating, -rates to slow down, move more slowly: The train decelerated as it ap-proached a station. -n.[C;U] deceleration.
decency
decency
  1. n. [U]
    1 respectful concern for doing the right thing,
    THESAURUS
    propriety: As a matter of common decency, you should tell him the truth.
    2 to have the decency to do s.t.: to be polite enough to do s.t.: When he could not attend the wedding, he had the decency to call and apologize.
decent
decent
  1. adj.
    1 proper, correct (behavior, attitude): To help the poor is the decent thing to do.
    2 well-behaved and kind: a decent human being
    3 properly clothed: Wait outside until I put some clothes on; I'm not decent.
    4 infrml. good enough: It's not a great job, but the pay is decent. -adv. decently.
    THESAURUS
    decent
    1 honorable, respectable. Ant. indecent.
    2 good, virtuous
    3 dressed
    4 adequate, acceptable.
decentralize
decentralize
  1. v. [T] -ized, izing, -izes to move from one large center of activity, authority, etc., out into several smaller centers: The large corporation decentralized its manufacturing operations into five regional facilities. -n. [U] decentralization.
deception
deception
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. that causes s.o. to believe what is not true: She spread false information as a deception to mislead investors.
    2 [U] trickery,
    THESAURUS
    betrayal: His deception of the people who trusted him was a shock to them all.
deceptive
deceptive
  1. adj. causing s.o. to believe what is not true,
    THESAURUS
    misleading: She made deceptive remarks about the property to persuade us to buy it. -adv. deceptively; -n. deceptiveness.
decibel
decibel
  1. n. a unit of measurement of sound levels: A sound level of 90 decibels is extremely loud.
decide
decide
  1. v. -cided, -ciding, -cides
    1 [I;T] to reach a conclusion (opinion, choice, plan, etc.), to make up one's mind: We've decided to go on vacation August 1.
    2 [T] to determine, to bring to a certain end: One point decided the football game.
    THESAURUS
    decide
    1 to make a decision, choose, elect frml.
    2 to conclude, settle.
decided
decided
  1. adj.
    1 definite, clearly seen: The medicine made a decided difference in the patient's health.
    2 without hesitation or doubt: She has a decided manner of giving her opinion. -adv. decidedly.
deciding
deciding
  1. adj. decisive, key: The deciding factor (reason, vote) in his keeping the job was the big increase in pay.
deciduous
deciduous
  1. adj. related to shedding or falling off: Maples, oaks, and elms are deciduous trees, because their leaves fall off in the autumn.
decimal
decimal
  1. n. a fraction expressed in tens to the right of a dot: .1=1/10, .01=1/100, .001=1/1000 —adj. related to decimals: a decimal fraction
decimal point
decimal point
  1. n. a dot placed to the left of a decimal: In .23, the dot to the left of the 2 is a decimal point.

    USAGE NOTE: The number .23 is read as "point two three."
decimate
decimate
  1. v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates to destroy much of s.t. (a population, army): Smallpox decimated half of the army. -n. decimation.
decipher
decipher
  1. v. [T] to puzzle out, figure out the meaning of s.t., esp. a code: In the military, he deciphered messages written in numbers.||His handwriting is so bad that I can't decipher his note.
decision
decision
  1. n.
    1 a choice made, conclusion: She made a decision to go on vacation.
    2 a determination: The jury has come to the decision that the accused man is not guilty.
    3 the ability to make judgments and act on them: She was a poor leader because she lacked decision.
    THESAURUS
    decision
    1 a choice
    2 a finding | result
    3 firmness, resolution.
decision maker
decision maker
  1. n. a person who has the power to make decisions: The decision makers in government have great influence on policy.
decisive
decisive
  1. adj.
    1 showing a clear result, unquestionable: The team had a decisive victory by winning 20 to 2.
    2 determining, with great influence: a decisive factor (event, battle, vote) that changed public opinion.
    3 bold, able to make decisions quickly and follow them firmly: a decisive leader -adv. decisively.
    THESAURUS
    decisive
    1 conclusive, definitive
    2 crucial, pivotal, significant
    3 unwavering. Ant. indecisive.
deck
deck
  1. n.
    1 the various horizontal levels of a ship: the main deck, quarter deck
    2 a pack of playing cards: A deck has 52 cards.
    3 a wooden platform attached to a house: Let's have lunch out on the deck.
    4 a double or triple-decker: s.t. with two or three layers or levels: a double-decker sandwich ||We live on the top floor of a triple-decker (house).
    5 on deck: ready and waiting for one's turn to do s.t. —adj.slang decked out: decorated, dressed especially well —v. [T]
    1 to decorate: We decked (out) the room with balloons for the party.
    2 slang to knock s.o. down, usu. with a punch: The boxer decked his opponent in the third round.
declaim
declaim
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to speak loudly and often critically about: The Senator declaimed his opposition. -n. declamation.
declaration
declaration
  1. n.
    1 a serious oral or written statement: He made a quiet declaration of his love for her.
    2 an important statement, esp. a formal written one: the Declaration of Independence, a declaration of war
    3 a written statement to Customs of taxable goods
    4 (in law) a statement of complaint by s.o. bringing a case to court
    THESAURUS
    declaration
    1 an announcement
    2 a decree, edict, proclamation.
declarative
declarative
  1. adj. related to making a statement: "Today is July 10" is a declarative sentence.
declare
declare
  1. v. -clared, -claring, -clares
    1 [T] to state s.t., usu. formally: She declared her love for him in a letter.
    2 [I;T] to state publicly and officially: The President declared May 1 a national holiday.
    3 [I;T] to make a declaration of taxable goods: At the airport, the customs officer asked if I had anything to declare.
    THESAURUS
    declare
    1 to assert, avow
    2 to proclaim, decree.
declassify
declassify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to remove the classification, esp. from secret documents: The government declassified the papers, so they are available to the public now.||They are now declassified.
decline
decline
  1. v. -clined, -clining, -clines
    1 [I;T] to refuse, usu. politely: He declined our invitation to dinner.
    2 [I] to move downward: Prices (the markets for goods, wages, etc.) have declined to record lows.
    3 [I] to weaken,
    THESAURUS
    to deteriorate: My grandfather's health (strength, mind, etc.) is declining.
    4 [I] to descend, to slope downward: From the hilltop, I walked down a path that declined toward a lake.n.
    1 a lowering (of prices, markets, temperature, etc.): The decline in the stock market scared investors.
    2 a weakening,
    THESAURUS
    deterioration: The old woman's health is in decline.
    3 a downward slope: The steep decline of the road down the mountain made me nervous.
    4 a refusal, usu. polite, of an offer
decode
decode
  1. v. [T] -coded, -coding, -codes
    1 to translate a message from code into plain language: The spy decoded the secret message and read it.
    2 to figure out a mystery,
    THESAURUS
    to decipher: Scientists are trying to decode the structure of human genes.
decolonize
decolonize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes to remove a nation's colonial status, to permit (a colony) self-government: Several African nations were decolonized by European powers after World War II. -n. [U] decolonization.
decompose
decompose
  1. v. [I;T] -posed, -posing, -poses to rot, decay: Over time, dead leaves (bodies, plants, etc.) decompose into the ground. -n. [U] decomposition.
decompress
decompress
  1. v. [I;T] to lessen pressure so it returns to normal: Deep-sea divers decompress by returning to the surface of the water slowly. -n.[C;U] decompression.
decongestant
decongestant
  1. n. a medication used to lessen nasal congestion: I use a decongestant to clear my nose when I have a cold or allergy. -v. decongest.
decontamination
decontamination
  1. n. the process of removing contaminants (poisons, radiation, germs, etc.) from s.t.: After being exposed to radiation, the workers had to go through decontamination. -v. [T] decontaminate.
decontrol
decontrol
  1. v. [T] n. -trolled, -trolling, -trols to remove (governmental) controls: The minister of finance decontrolled prices.
decorate
decorate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 to beautify, make festive: We decorated our house for the holidays.
    2 to present a mark or medal of merit to s.o.: They decorated the soldier for his bravery. -n. [U] decorating; decorator.
    THESAURUS
    decorate
    1 to make attractive | adorn, deck out infrml.
decoration
decoration
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. added to create a beautiful effect: The decoration on the picture frame consists of pretty flowers on gold paint.||We had balloons and colored paper decorations for the party.
    2 [C] a mark or medal of merit: The soldier wore many decorations.
decorative
decorative
  1. adj.
    1 making more beautiful and attractive: The balloons, bright-colored hats, and streamers for the party are very decorative.
    2 related to the style of a room, house, etc.: The decorative plan for the building is conservative. -adv. decoratively.
decorum
decorum
  1. n. [U] proper behavior: Children are instructed to be quiet in order to maintain decorum in church. -adj. decorous.
decoy
decoy
  1. v. [T] n. to mislead or deceive s.o. (with a fake model or other attraction): The hunter set out duck decoys meant to decoy live ducks into flying near to be shot.
decrease
decrease
  1. v. [I;T] -creased, -creasing, -creases
    1 to grow smaller in number: The population (prices, sales, rainfall, etc.) decreased last year.
    2 to lessen in strength or intensity: Light decreases at sunset.n.
    1 a reduction of an amount: a decrease in temperature (salary, prices, economic activity, etc.)
    2 a lessening in strength or intensity: a decrease in light (interest, popularity, etc.)
    3 to be on the decrease: in the process of decreasing: The crime rate is on the decrease compared with last month.
    THESAURUS
    decrease v.
    1 to go down, decline, diminish
    2 to fade, weaken. Ant. to increase. —n.
    1 a fall, decline
    2 reduction.
decree
decree
  1. n. an order given by an authority: We were shocked by the governmental decree banning all public meetings.v. [T] -creed, -creeing, -crees to give out a decree: The dictator decreed that no one could leave the country.
decrepit
decrepit
  1. adj.
    1 (person) very weak, usu. from bad health or old age: His illness has made him decrepit.
    2 (structure) in terrible condition, run-down,
    THESAURUS
    delapidated: a house in a decrepit state -n. [U] decrepitude.
decriminalize
decriminalize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes to make s.t. no longer illegal or criminal: Some states may decriminalize the use of marijuana.
decry
decry
  1. v. frml. [T] -cried, -crying, -cries to condemn or criticize publicly: He is a rebel who decries society as it is.
dedicate
dedicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to give completely: She dedicated herself to her career (to religion, to her children, etc.).
    2 to formally open in honor of s.o.: The park is dedicated to a poet named Walt Whitman.
    3 to put aside, give for a special purpose: We must dedicate funds to house the poor.
    THESAURUS
    dedicate
    1 to commit to, devote
    2 to name s.t in honor of s.o.
    3 to set aside.
dedicated
dedicated
  1. adj.
    1 given completely to s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    devoted: She is a dedicated athlete who practices every day.
    2 (in technology) used only for one purpose: The modem is on a dedicated phone line, so you can't use the phone to make a call.
dedication
dedication
  1. n.
    1 [U] personal devotion, commitment to s.t.: That doctor has great dedication to her work.
    2 [C] a formal ceremony to open a building, etc.: The mayor will attend the dedication of the new park.
deduce
deduce
  1. v. [T] -duced, -ducing, -duces to reach a conclusion by reasoning from the general to the specific: My friend becomes quiet when his girlfriend is angry with him; today he is quiet and so I deduce she is angry.
deduct
deduct
  1. v. [T] to take away, subtract: They offered a discount: they said they would deduct 20 percent from the retail price.
    THESAURUS
    deduct to take out, remove.
deductible
deductible
  1. adj. capable of being deducted: Interest charges on a mortgage are deductible from your income tax payments.n. (in insurance) the amount a person must pay before their insurance company makes a payment: The damage done to my car cost $5,000 to fix, so with the $500 deductible, the insurance paid $4,500 and I paid $500.
deduction
deduction
  1. n.
    1 an amount taken away, a subtraction: Can I get a tax deduction if I give money to The Cancer Fund?
    2 a conclusion deduced: I think we will find that your deduction is correct.
deductive
deductive
  1. adj. based on deduction (reasoning): He used deductive reasoning to reach his conclusion.
deed
deed
  1. n.
    1 the official paper showing ownership of real estate: This is a photocopy of the deed to my house and land.
    2 frml. an act done by s.o.: The man was hated for his evil deeds.v. [T] to transfer property by a deed: She deeded her land to her daughter.
    THESAURUS
    deed n.
    1 a legal document
    2 an action | accomplishment, achievement.
deem
deem
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to consider, believe: Do you deem him an honest man?
deep-fry
deep-fry
  1. v. [T] -fried, -frying, -fries to fry food, such as chicken or fish, in hot oil: I deep-fried some potatoes to make French fries.
deep-rooted
deep-rooted
  1. adj.
    1 with deep roots: Oak trees are deep-rooted.
    2 fig. strongly fixed in place: She has deep-rooted loyalties to her family (nation, land, etc.).
deep-sea
deep-sea
  1. adj. related to the deeper or deepest parts of an ocean or sea: He goes deep-sea fishing (diving, exploring, etc.) in the Caribbean.
deep-seated
deep-seated
  1. adj.fig. deep-rooted: Deep-seated loyalties (customs, practices, etc.) change very slowly.
deep-six
deep-six
  1. v.slang [T] to dispose of, throw in the waste basket: You should deep-six that silly letter of complaint (stupid idea, expensive proposal, etc.).
deep
deep
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 going far below or back from the surface of s.t.: a deep river, a deep hole, a deep closet
    2 serious, intense: in deep thought, in deep trouble, a deep sleep
    3 hidden, mysterious: a deep secret
    4 difficult to understand: a deep thinker
    5 (of sound) low: a radio announcer with a deep voice, a deep note from a cello
    6 (of color) rich and dark: the deep green of the forest
    7 in deep water: in trouble
    8 infrml. to go off the deep end: to become crazy, act careless of danger: He was very successful until he began drinking and went off the deep end. -adv. deeply. See: deep-rooted; deep-seated.
    THESAURUS
    deep adj.
    1 far down. Ant. shallow.
    2 profound
    3 buried
    4 unfathomable
    5 resonant
    6 vivid, intense.adv.
    1 below the surface of s.t.: The water here is only two feet deep.
    2 far down or in: They live deep in the jungle.||We talked deep into the night.
    3 to dig deep: a. to pay or give a lot of money: The mother dug deep to help her son start a business. b. to investigate, examine very carefully: The police are digging deep into this case to solve it.
    4 to run deep: to be intense, go to great depth (feelings, ties, etc.): The love of opera runs deep in Italy.n. the deep: the deep part of an ocean: The ship was lost in the deep and never found.
deepen
deepen
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make deeper: We deepened the hole by digging more.
    2 [I] to become deeper: A boy's voice deepens as he grows older.
    3 [I;T] to extend, make larger: The student deepened her knowledge of mathematics.
deer
deer
  1. n. deer a hoofed, four-footed mammal, usu. with antlers: There are many deer in the woods behind our house.
deerskin
deerskin
  1. n. soft leather made from the hide (or skin) of a deer: The Indian woman made deerskin clothes.
deface
deface
  1. v. [T] -faced, -facing, -faces to damage the appearance of: The protesters defaced the government building with spray paint. -n. defacement.
defamation
defamation
  1. n.frml. [U] hurting the reputation of s.o. with lies: When a newspaper accused him of cheating on his taxes, the businessman took the paper to court for defamation of character. -adj. defamatory ; -v. [T] defame.
default
default
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to fail to pay an obligation on time: He defaulted on the loan by missing three payments.
    2 to fail to perform: They defaulted on our contract when they didn't deliver the materials promised.n. [C;U]
    1 an act of defaulting: The unpaid loan is now in default.
    2 to win by default: to win because the opposing team or player can't or won't compete
defeat
defeat
  1. v. [T]
    1 to beat, win a victory over: They defeated the enemy after a long war.
    2 to make fail: Taking work with you defeats the purpose of a vacation.n.
    1 a victory over: They celebrated their defeat of the enemy.
    2 a failure, loss: We suffered many small defeats before our business finally succeeded.
    THESAURUS
    defeat v.
    1 to conquer | get the better of s.o.
    2 to thwart.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a win, conquest, rout
    2 a setback, reverse.
defeatism
defeatism
  1. n. [U] an attitude of feeling unable to progress in life: She has had so many disappointments that she has an attitude of defeatism. -n.adj. defeatist.
defecate
defecate
  1. v.frml. [I] -cated, -cating, -cates to move the bowels: The hospital patient defecated into the toilet.
defective
defective
  1. adj. imperfect: A defective part stopped the machine from working.
    THESAURUS
    defective flawed, faulty.
defend
defend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to protect against attack: The army defended the city.
    2 (in law) to protect the rights of s.o. accused of a crime: You'll need a lawyer to defend you in court.
    3 to explain, argue in support of: to defend one's views (opinion, position, etc.)
    THESAURUS
    defend
    1 to keep safe, guard, secure
    2 to stand up for s.o. or s.t.
    3 to justify. Ant. to attack.
defendant
defendant
  1. n. a person or group (business, organization, etc.) accused of wrongdoing and called into court: The defendant in this trial is accused of stealing a car. See: plaintiff.
defense
defense
  1. n.
    1 [C] a protection against attack: This soccer team has a strong defense.
    2 [C] (in law) the protection of a defendant: The lawyer presented an effective defense of her client.
    3 [C;U] an explanation, an argument to support a position, a choice, etc.
defense mechanism
defense mechanism
  1. n. a response, either instinctive or learned, to protect oneself against danger: She immediately tells you that you are wrong as a defense mechanism to give her time to think.
defenseless
defenseless
  1. adj. without a defense, unprotected: Soldiers were killed and so were defenseless civilians.
defensible
defensible
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being defended: The military has a good defensible position behind high walls to protect the city.
    2 deserving defense,
    THESAURUS
    justifiable: Is there any defensible argument for the bad thing he did?
defensive
defensive
  1. adj.
    1 good for defense: defensive weapons, defensive players on a team
    2 protective of oneself (from criticism): She's so defensive that it's hard to discuss her ideas with her. -adv. defensively.n. on the defensive: ready to protect oneself against criticism
defer
defer
  1. v.frml. [T] -ferred, -ferring, -fers
    1 to delay, move to a later time,
    THESAURUS
    to postpone: We wish to defer our decision for a week.
    2 to defer to: to give preference to or accept the opinion (wishes, advice, etc.) of another person over one's own: I defer to your judgment.||He defers to his wife in matters involving the children. -n.[C;U] deferral. See: deference.
deference
deference
  1. n. [U] respect for another's preferences, polite concern: She showed deference to the wishes of her parents in planning her wedding.
deferential
deferential
  1. adj. respectful, considerate: He has a deferential attitude toward important visitors. -adv. deferentially.
deferment
deferment
  1. n. [C;U] a delay,
    THESAURUS
    a postponement: The lawyer got a deferment of the trial to a later date.||I have a deferment from military service while I am a student.
deferred
deferred
  1. adj. delayed,
    THESAURUS
    postponed: The meeting (decision, party, etc.) has been deferred until tomorrow.
defiance
defiance
  1. n. [U]
    1 open refusal to obey (an authority),
    THESAURUS
    rebelliousness: The people marched in the streets in defiance of the new military government.
    2 an attitude showing lack of fear or respect: His defiance toward the boss cost him his job. -adj. defiant; -adv. defiantly.
deficiency
deficiency
  1. n. -cies 1 [C;U] a lack, an amount that is not enough: The child grew poorly because of a vitamin deficiency in her diet.
    2 [C] a failing, substandard quality: to have a deficiency in the quality of work
deficient
deficient
  1. adj.
    1 not enough,
    THESAURUS
    insufficient: Her diet is deficient in protein.
    2 of poor quality, substandard: They fired him because his work was deficient. -adv. deficiently.
deficit
deficit
  1. n. a lack of money created by spending more than one's income: Our business did poorly last year; we must reduce our deficit this year! See: surplus.
deficit financing
deficit financing
  1. n. [U] a government practice of borrowing money to cover the deficit: Deficit financing pushes up interest rates.
deficit spending
deficit spending
  1. n. [U] a government practice of spending more money than it takes in and so creating a deficit: Deficit spending stimulates the economy, then creates inflation.
defile
defile
  1. v.frml. [T] -filed, -filing, -files
    1 to make unclean and so unusable (s.t. that is sacred): Someone used paint to defile the church (synagogue, monument, etc.).
    2 to destroy in the opinion of others: They have tried to defile her reputation.
defilement
defilement
  1. -n. a narrow rocky place through which soldiers pass in a line
define
define
  1. v. [T] -fined, -fining, -fines
    1 to explain the meaning of: Dictionaries define words.
    2 to describe exactly: Please define the terms of the agreement.
    3 to show the shape of: Can you define the limits of the property on this map?||She defined her eyes with make-up.
    THESAURUS
    define
    2 to specify
    3 to outline.
definite
definite
  1. adj.
    1 sure, without doubt: Do you have a definite date for their arrival?
    2 clear, easy to see: a definite improvement in his health
    3 clearly explained, precise: definite wording for a contract
    THESAURUS
    definite
    1 certain, exact. Ant. indefinite.
    2 obvious, marked
    3 clear-cut.
definitely
definitely
  1. adv. clearly, without doubt: He is definitely right (the best, going out, etc.).
definition
definition
  1. n.
    1 [C] an exact explanation: The teacher gave definitions of the new words.
    2 [U] clearness of an image (picture, photo, etc.): a small TV screen with poor definition
definitive
definitive
  1. adj.
    1 clear and leaving no further question: I received a definitive answer to my question.
    2 complete and without equal: She has written the definitive book on modern poetry. -adv. definitively.
deflate
deflate
  1. v. -flated, -flating, -flates
    1 [T] to let the air out of s.t.: Someone deflated the tires of our car; we're stuck!
    2 [I] to lose air or gas: The balloon deflated and went flat.
    3 [T] fig. to cause a loss of self-confidence or sureness: Any criticism quickly deflates him.
    4 [T] to lower the prices of goods and services: The economic recession has deflated prices.
deflation
deflation
  1. n. [C;U] a drop in prices of goods and services: We have seen a sharp deflation in the price of oil. See: disinflation.
deflator
deflator
  1. n. s.t. that causes a deflation: The end of fighting in the Middle East is a deflator of oil prices.
deflect
deflect
  1. v.
    1 [T] to turn away, redirect: He deflects criticism from himself by blaming others.
    2 [I;T] to change direction: A bullet deflected off the wall and hit the table. -n.[C;U] deflection.
defogger
defogger
  1. n. an electronic heating device, as in a car, that clears mist, frost, and ice from a window: Turn on the rear window defogger.
defoliant
defoliant
  1. n. a chemical that causes trees and other plants to drop their leaves: Planes dusted trees with a defoliant to destroy hiding places for the enemy. -v. [I;T] defoliate.
deforest
deforest
  1. v. [T] to remove the trees from an area as by fire, flood, logging, etc.: Loggers deforested a valley by cutting its trees. -n. [U] deforestation.
deform
deform
  1. v. [T] to force s.t. out its nor-mal shape or appearance: An earthquake deformed steel beams in a bridge.||The child was born deformed because of a genetic problem. -n. [U] deformation.
deformity
deformity
  1. n. -ties s.t. not normal in a person's appearance, such as a harelip or missing fingers caused by a birth defect, accident, etc.: The baby suffers two deformities from birth defects.
defraud
defraud
  1. v. [T] to steal money by trickery or deceit,
    THESAURUS
    to swindle: He defrauded the government by cheating on his taxes.
defray
defray
  1. v. [T] to arrange to pay the costs of s.t.: He defrayed the costs of a new car by taking a second job.
defrock
defrock
  1. v. [T] to remove the right of a clergyman (lawyer, doctor, etc.) to work at his or her profession: A Catholic priest was defrocked because he married.
defrost
defrost
  1. v. [I;T] to cause frost and ice to melt, such as from a freezer or frozen food: You can defrost a frozen cake by putting it in a microwave oven on low power.
defroster
defroster
  1. n. a blower system used to clear mist, frost, or ice from windows of a car or other vehicle: Turn on the defroster to clear the windshield.
deft
deft
  1. adj. -er, -est skillful and quick: What a deft typist you are! -adv. deftly; -n. [U] deftness.
defunct
defunct
  1. adj. no longer functioning or living: That company is now defunct; it closed last month.
defuse
defuse
  1. v. [T] -fused, -fusing, -fuses
    1 to remove the fuse from: They defused the bomb, so it couldn't explode.
    2 fig. to reduce the danger of: to defuse the threat of a riot (conflict, war, scandal, etc.) by calming the people involved
defy
defy
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to oppose openly, refuse to obey: The union defied management and went on strike.
    2 fig. to resist: The lock defied all my efforts to open it.
    3 to dare or challenge s.o. to do s.t. thought impossible: I defy you to find anything wrong with this plan.
degeneration
degeneration
  1. n. [U] the process of falling to a lower condition or standard: They left New York because of the degeneration in the quality of city life.
degradable
degradable
  1. adj. capable of being decomposed or broken down: This garbage is degradable into compost for the garden.
degrade
degrade
  1. v. [T] -graded, -grading, -grades
    1 to lower in the opinion of others or in self-respect: Don't degrade yourself by accepting such a poor job offer.
    2 to lower the quality or worth of s.t.: They degraded the value of the house by letting it fall into ruin.
    3 to break down and lose effectiveness: Medicine (chemicals, materials, etc.) can degrade over time. -n. [U] degradation.
degrading
degrading
  1. adj. causing shame,
    THESAURUS
    humiliating: The new soldiers suffered degrading comments about their abilities.
degree
degree
  1. n. 1 [C] a unit of measurement, such as for temperature, angles, or geographical direction and location: Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit (32° F).||The corner of a square is a 90-degree angle.
    2 [U] amount or intensity: a high degree of intelligence (skill, respect for s.o., etc.)
    3 [C] a diploma from a college or university: She has a degree in chemistry.
    4 [U] measurement of the seriousness of s.t.: second-degree burns, first-degree murder
    5 by degrees: little by little,
    THESAURUS
    gradually
    6 to give s.o. the third degree: to question sharply,
    THESAURUS
    to interrogate: The young man had a car accident and his father gave him the third degree as to what happened.
dehumanization
dehumanization
  1. n. [U] a removal of civilized human qualities,
    THESAURUS
    a degradation: The dehumanization of work can turn people into machines. -v. [T] dehumanize.
dehumidify
dehumidify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to remove water from the air: An air conditioner cools and dehumidifies the air. -n. dehumidifier.
dehydrate
dehydrate
  1. v. [T] -drated, -drating, -drates to remove moisture: Too much heat dehydrates the body.
dehydration
dehydration
  1. n. [U] a lack of water, esp. in the body: Long distance runners often suffer from dehydration.
deice
deice
  1. v. [T] -iced, -icing, -ices to remove ice: It's important to deice a freezer (airplane wings, windshield). -n. deicer.
deify
deify
  1. v.frml. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make into a god: The Roman Senate deified Emperors after death. -n. [U] deification.
deign
deign
  1. v. [I] to lower oneself to do s.t. considered below one's status or dignity,
    THESAURUS
    to condescend: He deigned to visit his poor relatives.
deism
deism
  1. n. [U] the belief in a god who created the physical universe but since then has had no more influence over it or life: Christians do not believe in deism.
deity
deity
  1. n. -ties
    1 a god or goddess: Jupiter was the most powerful of the Roman deities.
    2 Supreme Deity: God: Many people believe in a Supreme Deity. -adj. deistic.
dejected
dejected
  1. adj. sad, in low spirits: A man with a dejected look sat waiting for a bus. -adv. dejectedly.
dejection
dejection
  1. n. [U] a feeling of sadness or tiredness, as from overwork or failure: We could see the dejection on the faces of the losing players of the baseball team. -v. [T] deject.
delay
delay
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to slow or stop for a time: We must delay our decision for a day.
    2 [T] to cause to be late: Her late arrival delayed the start of the meeting.
    3 [T] to move to a later time: They have delayed the court hearing until next month.n.
    1 a time that s.t. is slowed or stopped: a brief delay in finishing the job, a long delay in traffic
    2 a stopping or slowing of s.t.: This delay puts us behind schedule.
    3 (in law) a postponement: The lawyers asked for a delay in the trial date.
    THESAURUS
    delay v.
    1 to put off, defer. Ant. to hurry, hasten.
    2 to hold s.t. back
    3 to postpone. —n.
    1 a wait
    3 a stay.
delectable
delectable
  1. adj. tasty, delicious: What a delectable meal!
delegation
delegation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of official representatives: He is a member of the Brazilian delegation to the United Nations.
    2 [U] the act of giving (power or authority to s.o. to act in one's place): Her delegation of so much authority to her assistant upset her business partners.
delete
delete
  1. v. [T] -leted, -leting, -letes to take out, to eliminate: By mistake, the secretary deleted a paragraph from the letter he was typing.
    THESAURUS
    delete to erase, remove.
deleterious
deleterious
  1. adj.frml. harmful, unhealthy: Smoking cigarettes can be deleterious to your health.
deletion
deletion
  1. n. [C;U] erasing or taking out of a word or words: I have made deletions in the document.
deli
deli
  1. n.infrml. short for delicatessen: I'm going to the deli for some cheese.
deliberation
deliberation
  1. n. [C;U] an act of discussing or debating: The Senate began its deliberations yesterday.
deliberative
deliberative
  1. adj. characterized by deliberation: The United Nations is a deliberative body.
delicacy
delicacy
  1. n. -cies
    1 [C] special food that tastes great and is hard to get: Caviar is a delicacy.
    2 [U] careful, sensitive attention not to upset or offend: Diplomats must treat difficult matters with delicacy.
    THESAURUS
    delicacy
    1 a treat, luxury
    2 sensitivity, tact.
delicate
delicate
  1. adj.
    1 easily broken or hurt: This teacup is made of delicate china.
    2 made in a fine, sensitive manner: These china plates have a lovely, delicate flower pattern.
    3 needing sensitive treatment: He is upset at failing the course, so talking to him about it is a delicate matter. -adv. delicately.
    THESAURUS
    delicate
    1 fragile, breakable
    2 dainty, exquisite
    3 awkward, tricky.
delicious
delicious
  1. adj.
    1 good-tasting: Thank you for the delicious meal.
    2 Brit. pleasing or exciting: a delicious rumor -adv. deliciously.
    THESAURUS
    delicious
    1 tasty, appetizing, scrumptious | yummy infrml.
    2 titillating.
delight
delight
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make happy, bring joy to: Their beautiful gift delighted her.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to delight in s.t.: to enjoy greatly: She delights in telling funny stories.n.
    1 [C;U] happiness, pleasure: He finds delight in giving to others.
    2 [C] s.t. that gives pleasure, joy: The child is so loving and sweet that she's a delight.
    THESAURUS
    delight v.
    1 to thrill, please, enchant. —n.
    1 enjoyment, joy | satisfaction
    2 a treasure.
delighted
delighted
  1. adj. very happy, pleased: I am delighted to accept your invitation to dinner.
delightful
delightful
  1. adj.
    1 very enjoyable, thrilling: We had a delightful time at your party.
    2 very pleasing: He has a delightful personality. -adv. delightfully.
    THESAURUS
    delightful
    1 lovely, pleasant, wonderful
    2 agreeable, attractive. Ant. horrid.
delimit
delimit
  1. v. [T] to set the limits or boundaries of s.t.: Company policy delimits a supervisor's spending authority to $1,000 and no more.
delineate
delineate
  1. v.frml. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to describe, usu. in specific detail: You must delineate exactly what you want in a contract.
    2 to show by drawing,
    THESAURUS
    to depict: The buyer delineated the kind of house she wants on a sheet of paper.
delinquency
delinquency
  1. n. [U] lawbreaking, esp. by young people: Juvenile delinquency means antisocial actions and crimes by children and teenagers.
delinquent
delinquent
  1. adj. late in paying a bill: The company has too many delinquent customers.n. a lawbreaker, esp. a youth: Juvenile delinquents can be sent to a special school by the courts. -adv. delinquently.
delirious
delirious
  1. adj.
    1 suffering from confusion and wild imaginings: She was delirious from a high fever.
    2 wildly excited,
    THESAURUS
    ecstatic: delirious with joy -adv. deliriously.
delirium
delirium
  1. n.
    1 a state of confusion and wild imaginings, usu. from fever: The patient was very sick and in a delirium.
    2 great excitement,
    THESAURUS
    ecstasy: in a delirium over wonderful news
delirium tremens
delirium tremens
  1. delirium trem-ens or D.T.'s n.pl. A violent delirium with tremors caused by drinking too much alcohol: Alcoholics with delirium tremens should go to the hospital.
deliver
deliver
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to take goods to a place of business, a home, etc.: Trucks deliver food to supermarkets.
    2 [T] to give, pass on: to deliver a speech, deliver a message
    3 [T] to help (a baby) to be born: Which doctor delivered your baby?
    4 [I;T] infrml.fig. to produce good results: I'd call her a great salesperson because she really delivers!
    5 frml. to deliver from: to free, save from (danger)
    6 to deliver on one's promises: to do what one has promised: The voters were angry that the man they elected failed to deliver on his promises.
deliverance
deliverance
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 saving from danger,
    THESAURUS
    liberation: We hope for deliverance from the enemy.
    2 (in religion) salvation: Many Christians pray to Jesus for deliverance. -n. deliverer.
delivery
delivery
  1. n. -ies
    1 [C;U] the taking of goods to a place of business, a home, etc.: This company promises fast delivery.
    2 [C;U] the giving or passing on of s.t.: delivery of a message
    3 [C] the act of giving birth: She had a difficult delivery, but the baby is fine.
dell
dell
  1. n. a small valley with grass and trees: There is a farmer in the dell with his cows.
delta
delta
  1. n. a flat, low area shaped like a triangle made by a river entering a sea: The Mississippi delta and the delta of the Nile are huge areas.
delude
delude
  1. v. [T] -luded, -luding, -ludes to fool or mislead, esp. oneself: He deluded himself into thinking that he is an important man.
deluge
deluge
  1. n.
    1 a heavy rain, usu. brief and sudden: The deluge caused flooding.
    2 fig. a great outpouring: a deluge of praise for a great achievementv.fig. [T] -luged, -luging, -luges to come down on in a heavy outpouring,
    THESAURUS
    to inundate: Reporters deluged the President with questions.
delusion
delusion
  1. n. an unrealistic thought or expectation,
    THESAURUS
    self-deception: That poor woman has delusions of fame and fortune.
deluxe
deluxe
  1. adj. representing the finest quality: They had deluxe rooms in an expensive hotel.
    THESAURUS
    deluxe luxurious, elegant, first-class.
delve
delve
  1. v. [T] delved, delving, delves to look deeply into, examine: Good students delve into a subject to understand it thoroughly.
demagogue
demagogue
  1. n. a political leader who gets power by exciting the people's emotions, esp. fears and prejudices: Hitler was a demagogue. -adj. demagogic.
demagoguery
demagoguery
  1. n. [U] acting like a demagogue: Watch out for politicians who engage in demagoguery.
demand
demand
  1. v. [T]
    1 to ask for very strongly: They demand payment today.
    2 to require, have a strong need for: This problem demands immediate attention.n.
    1 a command, claim: This is our second demand for payment.
    2 in demand: much wanted: After two successful films, that actor is in great demand in Hollywood.
    3 to make demands on: to have strong need of, make claims on: Small children make great demands on parents' time and energy.
    THESAURUS
    demand v.
    1 to insist on, order, command
    2 to necessitate, call for s.t.
demanding
demanding
  1. adj.
    1 requiring high performance,
    THESAURUS
    exacting: My boss is very demanding of others.
    2 requiring great effort,
    THESAURUS
    arduous: Climbing a mountain is a demanding task.
demarcation
demarcation
  1. n. [U] a line of separation drawn to show a boundary or limit: A line of demarcation has been drawn between the two countries. -v. demarcate [T].
demean
demean
  1. v.frml. [T] to treat in a way that hurts one's pride or dignity,
    THESAURUS
    to humiliate: The soldiers demeaned their prisoners by giving them dirty jobs to do. -adj. demeaning.
demeanor
demeanor
  1. n.frml. manner, way of behaving: I like his gentlemanly demeanor.
demented
demented
  1. adj. insane, crazy: Don't listen to her advice, because she's talking like a demented person.
demerit
demerit
  1. n. a bad mark against a person's record: The sergeant gave a soldier 10 demerits for not cleaning his rifle properly.
demilitarize
demilitarize
  1. v. [T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to remove the military from an area: The two nations at war agreed to demilitarize a zone between them.
demise
demise
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 death: He met his demise in an accident.
    2 end,
    THESAURUS
    ruin: The demise of the business left 100 workers without jobs.
demission
demission
  1. n. a resignation from a position: The Prime Minister accepted the demission of the Minister of Justice. -v. demit.
demitasse
demitasse
  1. n. (French for) a small cup: I had a demitasse of coffee after dinner.
demo
demo
  1. n. short for demonstration: Our sales people do demos of our new equipment for customers.
demobilize
demobilize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes to return members of the military to civilian life: After the war, the army was demobilized and the soldiers came home. -n. [C;U] demobilization.
democracy
democracy
  1. n. [C;U] a gov-ernment based on a written constitution and laws made by representatives elected by the people: Democracy guards and respects the rights of the individual. -v. [T] democratize .
    THESAURUS
    democracy a republic | constitutional government.
democratic
democratic
  1. adj.
    1 related to a democracy and democratic ideas
    2 treating people as equals: Even though she comes from a very rich family, she treats others in a democratic manner. -adv. democratically.
    THESAURUS
    democratic
    1 popular, representative, self-governing | constitutional. Ants.
    THESAURUS
    authoritarian, undemocratic.
    2 unsnobbish | common, populist.
demographics
demographics
  1. n.pl. demographic information about groups of people used esp. in politics and marketing: The demographics of New York show a great variety of people.
demography
demography
  1. n. [U] the study of characteristics of large groups of people (local, regional, or national), analyzing size, growth, age, sex, income, etc.: Experts in demography advise politicians and advertisers. -adj. demographic ; -adv. demographically.
demolish
demolish
  1. v. [T]
    1 to pull down,
    THESAURUS
    to raze: A wrecking team demolished the old building.
    2 to destroy: They demolished the enemy. -n.[C;U] demolition.
demon
demon
  1. n.
    1 a supernatural evil creature, a devil: demons in a nightmare
    2 infrml.fig. a person known for very special abilities: That runner is a speed demon. -adj. demonic.
demonstrable
demonstrable
  1. adj. able to be shown or demonstrated: Our company's product has demonstrable advantages over theirs. -adv. demonstrably.
demonstrate
demonstrate
  1. v. [I;T] -strated, -strating, -strates
    1 to show (how s.t. works, its advantages, etc.): I'll demonstrate for you how our new computer works.
    2 to march in protest: Students demonstrated in the streets outside the Capitol.
    THESAURUS
    demonstrate
    1 to describe, illustrate | prove
    2 to protest publicly.
demonstrative
demonstrative
  1. adj.
    1 showing feelings openly, esp. affection: She's quiet and reserved, not a demonstrative person.
    2 showing, (syns.) indicative of, suggestive of: Their written offer of a job is demonstrative of their very real interest.
demonstrator
demonstrator
  1. n.
    1 a protester: Demonstrators carried signs as they marched and shouted.
    2 a person who explains s.t.: a demonstrator of a new product
    3 a product used as an example: a demonstrator model of a new car
demoralize
demoralize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to lower the spirits or morale of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to discourage: Poor leadership demoralized the workers.
demote
demote
  1. v. [T] -moted, -moting, -motes to lower in position or rank: The editor was angry when the general manager demoted her to assistant editor.
demotion
demotion
  1. n. [C;U] a lowering in position or rank: He was given a demotion because of his poor performance on the job.
demur
demur
  1. v.frml. [I] -murred, -murring, -murs to object, speak against: She demurred when asked to take a salary cut.
demure
demure
  1. adj. quiet, modest: The demure young man waited to be asked to dance. -adv. demurely.
demystify
demystify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make s.t. clear, to remove the mystery from: We must demystify science by improving people's understanding of it.
den
den
  1. n.
    1 the home of certain animals: a bear's (lion's, fox's) den
    2 a room for relaxation and study: Our family watches TV in the den.
denationalize
denationalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, izing, izes to sell to private businesses, to remove government ownership: France and England have denationalized much of their industry.
deniable
deniable
  1. adj. capable or worthy of denial: All the accusations made in court against the defendant were deniable. -adv. deniably.
denial
denial
  1. n.
    1 [C] a statement saying that s.t. is not true: The Senator issued a denial of the story connecting her to organized crime.
    2 [C] refusal, rejection: I was angry at his denial of my request for a day off.
    3 [C;U] refusal to accept s.t. as true: Her denial of her heart condition keeps her from getting the medical care she needs for it.
denigrate
denigrate
  1. v. [T] -grated, -grating, grates to speak against the value, importance, character, or quality of, (syns.) to disparage, belittle: Some players denigrated the abilities of the other team.
denim
denim
  1. n.adj. [U] a strong fabric made of cotton and used in jeans: The cowboy wore a denim jacket and jeans.
denizen
denizen
  1. n. s.o. or s.t. living in a particular place: A bear is a denizen of the forest.
denomination
denomination
  1. n.
    1 a religious group with its own set of beliefs within a larger religion: Within Christianity, there are many denominations, such as Catholocism, Methodist, and Lutheran.
    2 an amount (of money): The bank robbers got only bills in small denominations, such as fives and tens. -v. [T] denominate; -adj. denominational.
denominator
denominator
  1. n.
    1 the number below the line in a fraction: In the fraction 1/4, 4 is the denominator.
    2 (lowest) common denominator: an indicator of a quality shared by all the members of a group: Although my sisters and brothers are always fighting, they have one common denominator: they all belong to the same political party.
denote
denote
  1. v. [T] -noted, -noting, -notes to show clearly, signify: The high quality of her writing denotes clear thinking.
denounce
denounce
  1. v. [T] -nounced, -nouncing, -nounces to speak strongly against, condemn: The Presidential candidate denounced his opponent as a liar. -n. [U] denouncement.
dense
dense
  1. adj. denser, densest
    1 stupid: He's too dense to understand our plan.
    2 crowded together: a dense forest, dense traffic -adv. densely.
density
density
  1. n. [C;U] -ties a degree of concentration: The population density in Tokyo is very high.
dent
dent
  1. n.
    1 a hollow or depression made by a blow or impact: The accident left a dent in my car door.
    2 infrml.fig. to make a dent in: to progress a little: We finally made a dent in our competitor's market, and we have 5 percent more market share now.v. [T] to make a dent in s.t.: Another car hit mine and dented the back fender.
dental
dental
  1. adj. related to teeth and dentistry: She runs a dental office (practice, clinic, etc.).
dentist
dentist
  1. n. a person qualified in dentistry: The dentist examined my teeth.
dentistry
dentistry
  1. n. [U] the branch of medicine specializing in care and treatment of the teeth and gums: He practices dentistry in Chicago.
denture
denture
  1. n. false teeth, an artificial dental plate: She wears a denture in her lower jaw.n. pl. dentures: a complete set of false teeth: My seventy-year-old father has dentures.
denude
denude
  1. v. [T] -nuded, -nuding, -nudes to remove the covering from s.t.: The hurricane denuded the trees of their leaves.
denunciation
denunciation
  1. n. [C;U] strong statement against, condemnation (usu. in public): The government issued a denunciation of the terrorist group.
deny
deny
  1. v. [T] -nied, -nying, -nies
    1 to say s.t. is not true: The defendant denied the accusations made against her in court.
    2 to refuse, reject: They denied their son permission to go.
    THESAURUS
    deny
    1 to contradict, refute, disavow. Ant. to admit.
    2 to turn down.
deodorant
deodorant
  1. n. [C;U] a substance that contains a perfume to hide unpleasant smells, esp. of the human body: I wish he would use an underarm deodorant!adj. related to deodorants: a deodorant product. See: antiperspirant, USAGE NOTE.
deodorize
deodorize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to cover the odor of s.t., to use a disinfectant that removes a bad smell: The cleaning woman deodorized the bathroom with Lysol™.
depart
depart
  1. v. [I]
    1 to leave, begin a trip: The plane to Paris will depart at 3:00.
    2 to depart from: to move away from: The secretive author departed from his custom of privacy when he agreed to give an interview.
    3 to die: The old woman departed in her sleep last night.n. the departed: a dead person: The departed will be buried tomorrow.
    THESAURUS
    depart
    1 to go, start off, go away. Ant. to arrive.
    2 to deviate from s.t. frml.
department
department
  1. n.
    1 a division (of a business, college, organization, etc.) with a specific function: He works for a newspaper in the art (editorial, advertising, etc.) department.
    2 a branch of government: the Department of Defense -adj. departmental ; -adv. departmentally.
department store
department store
  1. n. a store that carries a wide variety of goods, such as clothes, furniture, dishes, etc.: Macy's in New York City is a famous department store.
    THESAURUS
    department store a retail outlet | discount store.
departmentalize
departmentalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to organize into departments: They departmentalized the military into the Department of the Army, the Department of the Navy, etc.
departure
departure
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an act of departing, a leaving: My departure for Los Angeles is at 8:00 A.M. tomorrow.
    2 [C] a different way from the usual way of doing s.t.: We were surprised by their departure from their normal practice.
    THESAURUS
    departure
    1 start, take off. Ant. arrival.
    2 a deviation frml.
depend
depend
  1. v. [I]
    1 to rely on, trust: I depend on you to be on time.
    2 to need (for support): Her family depends upon her salary from that job.
    3 to vary with, be controlled by: Tomorrow's picnic depends on our having good weather.
    THESAURUS
    depend
    1 to count on, put one's trust in
    2 to be dependent on
    3 to hinge on, rest on | be contingent on frml.
dependable
dependable
  1. adj. responsible, reliable, trustworthy: A good friend must be dependable. -adv. dependably.
    THESAURUS
    dependable steady, sure, tried and true.
dependence
dependence
  1. n.
    1 sing. [U] reliance, a need for support: The son has a dependence on his parents for money.
    2 [C;U] addiction: She has a dependence on alcohol.
dependency
dependency
  1. n. -cies
    1 [C;U] a strong need for, an addiction: He has a dependency on drugs.
    2 [C] a nation or territory dependent on another power: The island of Guam is a dependency of the United States.
dependent
dependent
  1. adj.
    1 in need of support from: A dog is dependent upon its owner for food.
    2 controlled by, varying with: Our bonuses are dependent on good profits.n. a person who depends on another for food, clothes, housing, etc.: He has three dependents, his wife and two children.
    THESAURUS
    dependent adj.
    1 reliant upon. Ant. independent.
    2 subject to, contingent on frml.
depersonalize
depersonalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to make impersonal,
    THESAURUS
    to dehumanize: The use of computers can depersonalize service by treating people as mere numbers.
    2 to change the focus of a situation from a person to the issue: We must depersonalize this discussion and focus on the problem, not on who is to blame.
depict
depict
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to paint, draw: The artist depicted a landscape in bright colors.
    2 to describe,
    THESAURUS
    to portray: Her letters depict the situation as wonderful. -n.[C;U] depiction.
depilatory
depilatory
  1. n. -ries a product that removes hair: She uses a depilatory to remove unwanted body hair.
deplane
deplane
  1. v. [I] -planed, -planing, -planes to leave an airplane: We deplaned in Chicago and then drove to Milwaukee.
deplete
deplete
  1. v. [T] -pleted, -pleting, -pletes to reduce by using much of: That country has depleted its natural resources completely. -n. [U] depletion.
deplorable
deplorable
  1. adj.
    1 very bad,
    THESAURUS
    distressing: Poor people live in deplorable conditions.
    2 worthy of strong criticism or condemnation: the deplorable actions of a dictator -adv. deplorably.
deplore
deplore
  1. v. [T] -plored, -ploring, -plores
    1 to feel or express sadness or regret over: Every citizen must deplore the poor housing conditions in the city.
    2 to strongly disapprove of, condemn: The newspaper printed an editorial deploring police brutality.
deploy
deploy
  1. v. [T] to spread out for use, esp. for military action: The general deployed his forces along the battlefront. -n.[C;U] deployment.
depoliticize
depoliticize
  1. v. [T] -cized, -cizing, -cizes to remove the politics from a situation: The President depoliticized poverty issues and has all parties working together on solving their causes.
depopulate
depopulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to remove the population from an area, usu. by a disaster: A long period without rain depopulated the region. -n. [U] depopulation.
deport
deport
  1. v. [T] to force s.o., usu. a foreigner or criminal, to leave a country, esp. by taking away his or her citizenship: The government deported the spy. -adj. deportable .
    THESAURUS
    deport to expel, exile, banish.
deportation
deportation
  1. n. [C;U] forced removal of s.o. from a country by law: Prison officials took her to the airport for deportation.
deportee
deportee
  1. n. a person who is deported: Deportees must find a country prepared to take them.
    THESAURUS
    deportee an exile | refugee.
deportment
deportment
  1. n.frml. [U] conduct, behavior: His deportment in college was excellent; he worked hard and never got into trouble.
depose
depose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to remove s.o. from power, such as a dictator, king, or other powerful person: The army deposed the dictator.
    2 (in law) to take a deposition, usu. oral testimony put in writing by a stenographer, to discover facts from a person in a lawsuit before a court trial: A lawyer deposed a witness in her office.
deposit
deposit
  1. v.
    1 [T] to place s.t. valuable, such as money, in a bank or brokerage account: I deposit my paycheck in the bank.
    2 [T] to place valuables for safekeeping: to deposit jewelry in a safe; to deposit your children with a baby sitter
    3 [I;T] to come down, settle: Sediment deposits slowly on the ocean bottom.n.
    1 the act of placing money in an account: I made a deposit at the bank this morning.
    2 a partial payment to hold goods or property until the buyer makes complete payment: to make (or) leave a deposit on a new TV set
    3 s.t. put down or left through a natural process: deposits of sand at the mouth of a river
deposition
deposition
  1. n.
    1 (in law) statements sworn to be true that are recorded before a trial: I gave a deposition to the court, because I was excused from testifying at the trial.
    2 a deposing (from power)
depository
depository
  1. n. -ies
    1 a place of safekeeping,
    THESAURUS
    a repository: Stock certificates are kept in a depository at the brokerage house.
    2 a vault-like container for safekeeping, such as those found outside banks: A store employee puts the day's receipts in the bank depository at night.
depot
depot
  1. n.
    1 a bus or train station: Meet me at the bus depot.
    2 a place to store goods, a warehouse: Military supplies are stored at the depot.
depraved
depraved
  1. adj. of low moral character: That depraved man abused children.
depravity
depravity
  1. n. [U] moral corruption,
    THESAURUS
    degeneracy: After he lost his job, he fell slowly into a life of drugs and depravity.
deprecate
deprecate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to express disapproval of: She doesn't like to hear her parents deprecate her husband.
    2 to speak of s.t. as if it is of little value,
    THESAURUS
    to belittle: She is a modest person, so she deprecates her musical talent. -adj. deprecatory.
depreciable
depreciable
  1. adj. capable of being reduced in value, esp. for tax deduction purposes: They were wise to invest in depreciable real estate.
depreciate
depreciate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I] to go down in value: This house has depreciated since we bought it.
    2 [T] to take a deduction from taxes for the loss over time in value of property and equipment: Our accountant advised us to depreciate the office building at 3 percent a year.
    3 [T] to speak of as not valuable or important, (syns.) to disparage, belittle: The boss depreciated the abilities of a worker.
depreciation
depreciation
  1. n. [U] reduction in value, esp. for tax purposes: How do you calculate the rate of depreciation for taxes?
depredation
depredation
  1. n.frml. [C;U] robbing and destruction: World leaders protested the depredations of the invading army on the civilian population.
depress
depress
  1. v. [T]
    1 to sadden, dismay: The loss of his job depressed him.
    2 to press down: To stop, you must depress this button (lever, computer key, etc.).
    3 to make less active, weaken: Uncertainty about the coming Presidential election depressed the stock market. -adj. depressing; -adv. depressingly.
    THESAURUS
    depress
    1 to discourage, dishearten, weigh down
    2 to push down. Ant. to lift up.
depressant
depressant
  1. n. s.t. that depresses (the mind, spirit, bodily systems): Too much alcohol acts as a depressant, esp. on the heart and nerves. -adj. depressive.
depressed
depressed
  1. adj.
    1 saddened, in low spirits: I feel depressed in bad weather.
    2 suffering from little business activity and high unemployment: a depressed region in the state
    THESAURUS
    depressed
    1 blue, dejected | down in the dumps, infrml.
    2 poor.
depression
depression
  1. n.
    1 a feeling of temporary sadness: She's in a depression over the death of her husband.
    2 a mental illness: The doctor is treating him for depression.
    3 a long period of economic slowdown and much unemployment: the Great Depression of the 1930s
    4 a great decline in business activity
depressor
depressor
  1. n. a tool for pressing down: Doctors use tongue depressors to examine your throat.
deprivation
deprivation
  1. n. [C;U] a condition of want and need: The people of that country live in a state of deprivation without freedom or enough food.
deprive
deprive
  1. v. [T] -prived, -priving, -prives
    1 to take s.t. away from,
    THESAURUS
    to dispossess: The military dictatorship deprived people of their freedom (rights, peace of mind, etc.).
    2 to keep s.t. from,
    THESAURUS
    to deny: Her illness deprived her of a chance to go to college.
deprived
deprived
  1. adj. prevented from having basic rights or necessities: He is away from home and feels deprived of his loved ones.
depth
depth
  1. n.
    1 a distance below a surface: The swimmer went down to a depth of five meters.
    2 a large amount: I respect her depth of knowledge (understanding, feeling, etc.).
    3 a distance on a horizontal flat surface: a building lot with a depth of 100 feet
    4 in depth: carefully and completely, in detail: The accountant studied the company's financial position in depth.
    5 out of one's depth or beyond one's depth: beyond one's understanding: I am out of my depth when it comes to understanding higher mathematics.
deputize
deputize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to give power to an assistant to act in one's place: A sheriff can deputize ordinary citizens to find and arrest a criminal. -n. [U] deputation.
deputy
deputy
  1. n. -ties a person, usu. in a police function, given power to act as an official: The deputy sheriff arrested a thief.
derail
derail
  1. v. [I;T] to go off the track: The train derailed after it hit another train. -n. [C;U] derailment.
deranged
deranged
  1. adj.
    1 crazy, insane: Traffic was stopped by a deranged man shouting at the sky.
    2 in disorder, confused: deranged papers spread across the floor -n. [U] derangement.
derby
derby
  1. n. -bies
    1 a race: That horse won the Kentucky Derby.
    2 a type of man's hat that is stiff and round: He wears a black derby.
deregulate
deregulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to take away governmental rules and limits on,
    THESAURUS
    to decontrol: The government deregulated the airlines and allowed them to compete with each other on prices and routes. -n. [U] deregulation.
dereliction
dereliction
  1. [U] n. failure to take proper care, esp. of one's duty or work: The soldier went to prison for dereliction of duty.
deride
deride
  1. v.frml. [T] -rided, -riding, -rides to make fun of, to speak of as foolish,
    THESAURUS
    to ridicule: That newspaper columnist derides the mayor whenever she can.
derision
derision
  1. n. [U] speech or actions showing s.o. or s.t. is considered foolish, (syns.) ridicule, belittling: His idea was greeted with derision; people laughed at him.
derisive
derisive
  1. adj. showing derision, (syns.) mocking, belittling: That controversial artist has suffered many derisive comments about her paintings. -adv. derisively.
derivative
derivative
  1. n. s.t. that comes from s.t. else: The English word "derelict" is a derivative of the Latin "derelictus."adj. copying s.t. else (instead of showing new ideas): That poet doesn't interest me; his poems are too derivative.
derive
derive
  1. v. -rived, -riving, -rives
    1 [T] to get,
    THESAURUS
    to obtain: She derives her income from freelance work.
    2 [I] to come from,
    THESAURUS
    to originate: The word "apple" derives from the Old English word "aeppel." -n. derivation.
dermatology
dermatology
  1. n. [U] the branch of medicine dealing with disorders and diseases of the skin: She studied dermatology to treat acne and rashes. -n. dermatologist.
derogate
derogate
  1. v.frml. [I] -gated, -gating, -gates to lessen, take away from: His bad behavior derogates from his reputation. -n. [U] derogation.
derogatory
derogatory
  1. adj. showing lack of respect, (syns.) critical, disparaging: The two candidates for mayor criticized each other's ideas, but without making derogatory remarks.
derrière
derrière
  1. n.infrml. (French for) the buttocks: He slipped and fell on his derrière.
descend
descend
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go down: He descended the stairs.||A plane descends in preparation for landing.
    2 [I] to slope downward: This road descends to the river.
    3 to descend from: to be a descendant of: She says she's descended from the first English settlers in America.
    4 fig. to descend on: to arrive suddenly, as in an attack: The opera star's fans descended on him, begging for autographs.
    5 to descend to: to lower oneself to unacceptable behavior: The couple descended to arguing over even the smallest expense.
    THESAURUS
    descend
    1 to come down, climb down. Ant. to ascend.
    2 to drop, drop down, dip | sink. Ant. to rise.
descendant
descendant
  1. n. s.o. born into a certain family line: She is a descendant of our first President.
descendent
descendent
  1. adj. moving downwards: He threw the baseball low with a descendent curve.
descent
descent
  1. n.
    1 a move downward: The airplane made a long descent before landing.
    2 family origin: She is of Chilean descent.
describe
describe
  1. v. [T] -scribed, -scribing, -scribes
    1 to explain: The teacher described how to do the experiment.
    2 to tell what s.t. looks like, to report: The reporter described the event as it was happening.
    THESAURUS
    describe
    1 to state, detail, outline
    2 to depict frml., relate, recount.
description
description
  1. n.
    1 an explanation: His book gives a description of how a house is built.
    2 a report: You can hear a description of the ball game on the radio.
    THESAURUS
    description
    1 an account, depiction frml. | sketch
    2 a narrative.
descriptive
descriptive
  1. adj. giving an explanation of s.t. (people, events, places, etc.): The book is full of descriptive passages about life in Russia. -adv. descriptively.
desecrate
desecrate
  1. v. [T] -crated, -crating, -crates to damage or misuse (s.t. considered sacred),
    THESAURUS
    to defile: The invading army desecrated this holy place when they camped here. -n.[C;U] desecration.
desegregation
desegregation
  1. n. the ending by law of racial segregation or separation of races, esp. in public places: Desegrega-tion of the school system brought black and white students into the same public schools. -v. desegregate [T].
desensitize
desensitize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to lessen or remove the sen-sitivity: Does watching violence on TV desensitize people to violence so that it disturbs them less? -n. [U] desensitization.
desertion
desertion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an abandonment, esp. of one person by another: The father's desertion of the family left them with no support.
    2 [C;U] leaving military service without permission: During a war, there are often desertions from the losing army.
deserve
deserve
  1. v. [T] -served, -serving, -serves to merit, be worthy of: A good worker deserves good pay.
    THESAURUS
    deserve to be entitled to s.t., earn | warrant frml.
deserving
deserving
  1. adj.
    1 worthy, meriting: A job well done is deserving of praise.
    2 worthy of special consideration: She's a deserving young woman and should be given a college scholarship.
desiccant
desiccant
  1. n. [U] a substance that absorbs moisture: My stereo was shipped with little bags of desiccant to keep it dry.
design
design
  1. n.
    1 style, form: Their house was built in a modern design.
    2 a picture or layout to show how s.t. will be made: Here is the design (or layout design) for our next magazine cover.
    3 the art of making designs: She studies fashion design.
    4 a pattern that decorates: I like the design on his tie.
    5 a mental plan: a grand design for a new social order
    6 to have designs on: to make secret plans for getting s.t. or s.o.: I think he has designs on her job, so she should be careful of him.v.
    1 [I;T] to draw sketches or plans for: They've designed a new airplane.
    2 [I;T] to form mental plans for: We must design a better advertising campaign.
    3 [T] to intend for a certain goal or purpose: a movie designed to appeal to teenagers
    THESAURUS
    design n.
    1 a motif | pattern
    2 a drawing, blueprint, sketch.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to create, draw up
    2 to conceive, devise, plan
    3 to create, fashion.
designate
designate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to appoint: An official designated his aide to represent him at the conference.
    2 to mark or point out, indicate: Some cars on the train are designated as no smoking areas. -n. [U] designation.
designer
designer
  1. n. a person who creates and draws plans for things, usu. beautiful objects: She is a great designer of women's clothes (book covers, home interiors, etc.).
designing
designing
  1. adj. tending to make secret plans,
    THESAURUS
    calculating: He is a designing individual, always trying to figure out how he can get others to do his work for him.
desirable
desirable
  1. adj.
    1 worthwhile, valuable: They own a desirable piece of property by the sea.
    2 attractive, appealing: She is a beautiful and intelligent woman; any man would think she is desirable. -adv. desirably; -n. [U] desirability .
    THESAURUS
    desirable
    1 worth having | in demand, sought after
    2 alluring.
desire
desire
  1. v.frml. [T] -sired, -siring, -sires
    1 to wish, want: The President desires that we leave tomorrow.
    2 to want very strongly: She desires to succeed in business, no matter the cost.n.
    1 a wish, want: She expressed a desire to go on vacation.
    2 a strong wish: The refugees were filled with the desire to see their homeland again.
    3 a strong sexual want, lust: The sight of him filled her with desire.
    THESAURUS
    desire v.frml.
    2 to aspire, long for, yearn | covet, hunger for. —n.
    1 a fancy
    2 a craving
    3 longing, passion.
desirous
desirous
  1. adj.frml. wanting, longing for: The President is desirous of your presence at dinner this Tuesday.
desist
desist
  1. v.frml. [I] to stop doing s.t., discontinue: The court has ordered him to desist from bothering his neighbor.
desk
desk
  1. n. a piece of furniture like a table, usu. with drawers and used to write on: She reads, writes, thinks, and works at her desk every day.
desolate
desolate
  1. adj.
    1 empty of people,
    THESAURUS
    barren: After the terrible fire, we looked out over the desolate landscape.
    2 depressed, lonely and sad: The death of his wife left him desolate. -adv. desolately.v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to cause great destruction of,
    THESAURUS
    to ravage: War has desolated the city of Beirut.
    2 to depress, deeply sadden: Her death desolated him. -n. [U] desolation.
despair
despair
  1. n. [U] sadness without hope of relief: When she learned that she had cancer, she fell into the depths of despair.v. [I] to completely lose hope: His family despaired for him when he was lost at sea.
    THESAURUS
    despair n. hopelessness, depression, misery. Ant. hope.
despatch
despatch
  1. v. See: dispatch.
desperado
desperado
  1. n. -does or -dos a desperate, dangerous criminal: Tourists were afraid to travel outside the city for fear of attacks by desperadoes on lonely roads.
desperate
desperate
  1. adj.
    1 in immediate, very strong need: The refugees are desperate for food (money, help, etc.).
    2 wild and dangerous: a desperate criminal willing to kill anyone to escape -adv. desperately; -n. desperation.
despicable
despicable
  1. adj. shamefully bad, (syns.) contemptible, vile: He was drunk and his behavior at the party was despicable. -adv. despicably.
despise
despise
  1. v. [T] -spised, -spising, -spises to hate, detest: The two teenage gangs despised each other.
despite
despite
  1. prep. even though, in spite of: Despite the fact that she is short, she is an excellent basketball player.
    THESAURUS
    despite notwithstanding | regardless of.
despondent
despondent
  1. adj. sad and without hope,
    THESAURUS
    melancholy: He is despondent over his inability to find a job. -adv. despondently.
despot
despot
  1. n. a dictator, tyrant: The king was a despot and his people lived in terror of him. -adj. despotic ; -n. [U] despotism.
dessert
dessert
  1. n. the last course in a meal, usu. a sweet dish, such as cake, fruit, etc.: We had apple pie and coffee for dessert.
destabilize
destabilize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes to upset the stability of and make open to a change of political leadership: Revolutionaries destabilize a government by forcing leaders to resign. -n. [U] destabilization.
destination
destination
  1. n. the place where s.o. is going or s.t. is being sent: The destination of our trip is San Francisco.
    THESAURUS
    destination an end | goal, target.
destined
destined
  1. adj. intended by fortune or heavenly forces, fated: She was destined to be a great singer (failure, writer, etc.) from childhood.
destiny
destiny
  1. n. -nies
    1 [U] the influence of uncontrollable forces on the course of life and its events, fate: It was destiny, not an accident, that brought the two lovers together.
    2 [C] the future, final result: The destiny of the planet depends on how humans control themselves.
destitute
destitute
  1. adj. without money or hope of having any,
    THESAURUS
    penniless: With no inheritance, he left his family destitute. -n. [U] destitution.
destroy
destroy
  1. v. [T]
    1 to pull or break down: The storm destroyed every house on the coast.
    2 to ruin, put an end to: to destroy one's reputation, hopes, chances
    THESAURUS
    destroy
    1 to wipe out, demolish, smash
    2 to wreck, spoil. Ant. to restore s.t.
destroyer
destroyer
  1. n.
    1 a heavily armed warship: Destroyers fought in the Atlantic in World War II.
    2 s.o. or s.t. that destroys: Disease is a destroyer of lives.
destruct
destruct
  1. v. [I;T] to fall apart, usu. by force, such as an explosion: A bomb destructs when it explodes.||A missile that is off course self-destructs.
destructible
destructible
  1. adj. capable of being destroyed: The army wanted vehicles that were not easily destructible.
destruction
destruction
  1. n. [U]
    1 terrible and complete ruin: A hurricane causes great destruction to buildings and trees.
    2 the act of pulling or breaking down: The destruction of the old building will take two weeks.
    THESAURUS
    destruction
    1 devastation, desolation, havoc
    2 demolition | downfall (of people). Ant. construction.
destructive
destructive
  1. adj. causing great damage: Hurricanes bring the destructive force of high winds.||A destructive drug habit ruined her career. -adv. destructively.
    THESAURUS
    destructive devastating, ruinous | deadly. Ant. constructive.
desultory
desultory
  1. adj. aimless in moving from one thing to another without completion: She works in a desultory way and completes nothing.
detach
detach
  1. v. [T] -taches
    1 to remove, disconnect: We need a carpenter to detach this bookshelf from the wall.
    2 to move away, distance: The Board of Directors tried to detach themselves from the company president and his illegal actions.
    THESAURUS
    detach
    1 to separate, unfasten | loosen, take apart
    2 to isolate, disassociate oneself.
detached
detached
  1. adj.
    1 removed from, distant: The company president is detached from the day-to-day operations of the business.
    2 free from emotional involvement,
    THESAURUS
    aloof: Through all the arguments among other committee members, she kept a detached attitude.
detachment
detachment
  1. n.
    1 [U] emotional distance,
    THESAURUS
    aloofness: Her attitude of detachment toward the problem hides the real concern that she feels.
    2 [U] an act of removal, separation, disconnection: The detachment of cables from the computer will take an hour.
detail
detail
  1. n.
    1 a small point: There is one detail in the plan (contract, agreement, etc.) that is unclear to me.
    2 a small item of little or no importance: Forget the details for now so we can focus on the overall plan.
    3 small, fine parts (of a work of art): This painting is rich with detail.
    4 in detail: with specifics: She explained the problem in detail to the store manager.v. [T]
    1 to describe fully, with all the fine points: The letter detailed the company's requirements for a new product.
    2 to choose s.o. to do a job, esp. in the military: They have detailed a squad of soldiers to guard the prisoner.
    THESAURUS
    detail n.
    1 a particular, item, component
    2 a technicality
    3 intricacies.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to go over, spell out, enumerate
    2 to assign.
detain
detain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to keep waiting, delay: I am late because I was detained in traffic.
    2 to hold at a police station: The police detained a man for questioning in the crime. -n. [U] detainment.
detect
detect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to uncover, find: They detected a problem in the computer program and fixed it.
    2 to notice, observe: I detect a sense of frustration among my employees.
detection
detection
  1. n.
    1 [U] a discovery: The city worker won praise for his detection of a break in a water pipe.
    2 [U] close watching,
    THESAURUS
    surveillance: The store has a detection system for security.
detective
detective
  1. n. a police officer whose work is getting information about crimes: a police detective || I will do some detective work to find out what is happening.
    THESAURUS
    detective n. an investigator, agent, private eye infrml.
detector
detector
  1. n. a device used to locate the presence of s.t.: Metal detectors are used in airports to find guns.
detention
detention
  1. n. [U]
    1 holding or keeping from moving freely or going away: The man was held in detention by immigration authorities until his citizenship was known.
    2 jail: a prisoner held in detention or in a house of detention
deter
deter
  1. v. [T] -terred, -terring, -ters to stop or prevent from acting: A woman deterred a criminal from attacking her by yelling for the police.
detergent
detergent
  1. n. [C;U] a strong synthetic soap made to remove dirt and stains caused by grease, tea, blood, etc.: This laundry detergent can remove grass stains from clothes.
deteriorate
deteriorate
  1. v. [I;T] -rated, -rating, -rates to fall into bad condition, become weak: The old man's health has deteriorated. -n. [U] deterioration.
determinant
determinant
  1. n.adj. s.t. that influences or decides, an important consideration: The salary that a new job offers is the determinant (or) the determinant factor in my changing jobs.
determinate
determinate
  1. adj.frml. precisely limited, counted, or defined: They have a determinate amount of money to invest.
determination
determination
  1. n.
    1 [U] strong will, resoluteness: She has great determination to succeed.
    2 [C] a finding, conclusion: The detective made a determination as to the cause of the car accident; he found that the brakes had failed.
    THESAURUS
    determination
    1 drive, resolve | backbone, conviction
    2 a judgment.
determine
determine
  1. v. [T] -mined, -mining, -mines
    1 to conclude, decide,
    THESAURUS
    to ascertain: The judge determined that the defendant was guilty.
    2 to influence or control: The weather will determine if we have the party outdoors or not. -n. determiner.
determined
determined
  1. adj. of strong will,
    THESAURUS
    resolute: The workers are determined to finish the job on time.
deterrence
deterrence
  1. n. [U] prevention, usu. by frightening with force: By threatening a nuclear attack, they achieved their goal, the deterrence of an invasion.
deterrent
deterrent
  1. n. s.t. that prevents (an attack, a crime, etc.): Police serve as a deterrent to crime.||a nuclear deterrent
detest
detest
  1. v. [T] to hate,
    THESAURUS
    to loathe: The two political rivals detest each other. -n.frml. [U] detestation.
detestable
detestable
  1. adj. deserving hatred, (syns.) odious, repulsive: He deserves life in prison for his detestable act.
dethrone
dethrone
  1. v. [T] -throned, -throning, -thrones to remove from power, depose: The palace guard dethroned the emperor. -n. dethronement.
detonate
detonate
  1. v. [I;T] -nated, -nating, -nates to explode or cause to explode: The bomb detonated.||They detonated a bomb.
detonation
detonation
  1. n. [C;U] an explosion: The detonation of the bomb blew the house up.
detonator
detonator
  1. n. s.t. used to set off an explosive: Police bomb squads know how to remove the detonator from a bomb so that it will not explode.
detour
detour
  1. n.
    1 a temporary road opened while the main road is under repair: Signs directed traffic to a detour.
    2 a move away from the direct or planned way to go: On the way home, she made a detour to the store for milk.v. [I;T] to make a detour: Let's detour around the downtown traffic.
    THESAURUS
    detour n.
    1 and
    2 an alternate route, bypass. —v. to skirt, bypass | circumvent frml.
detox
detox
  1. n.v. [T] adj.infrml.short for detoxification (from drug use): The patient is in detox now in a detox facility; he detoxes each time he overdoses.
detoxification
detoxification
  1. n. [U]
    1 the cleaning out of drugs from a drug user's body: Drug addicts go to that clinic for detoxification.
    2 the removal of poisons: the detoxification of an area that was used as a dump -v. detoxify.
detract
detract
  1. v. [I;T] to take s.t. good from, lower the value of s.o. or s.t.: Her heavy makeup detracts from her good looks. -n. detraction.
detractor
detractor
  1. n. s.o. who speaks against (s.o. or s.t.), a critic: His detractors say that he is handsome but not smart.
detriment
detriment
  1. n.
    1 [C] s.t. that causes damage or loss: Being unable to write well is a detriment to professional success.
    2 [C;U] harm, injury: She failed to eat and sleep enough, to the detriment of her health. -adj. detrimental.
detritus
detritus
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 debris: The road was blocked by the detritus from a rock slide.
    2 remains, waste: the detritus found in an archaeological dig
deuce
deuce
  1. n.
    1 a playing card with the number two: I have a pair of deuces in my hand.
    2 on dice, the surfaces with two spots
    3 exclam.infrml. the deuce: expression used to show anger or frustration: What the deuce are you doing to my car?!
devaluate
devaluate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to lower the value of money: The Canadian government has devaluated the dollar by 10 percent. -n.[C;U] devaluation.
devalue
devalue
  1. See: devaluate.
devastate
devastate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to destroy completely, lay waste to: A storm devastated the island.
    2 to crush emotionally (spiritually, financially, etc.): Her father's sudden death devastated her.||It was a devastating loss.
devastation
devastation
  1. n. [U] complete, widespread ruin: War and famine bring devastation to a country.
develop
develop
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make into s.t. more complete, greater or bigger: They developed a program to stop teenage drinking.
    2 [I] to happen, occur,
    THESAURUS
    to transpire: Before making any plans, let's see what develops when the storm hits (business increases, etc.).
    3 [T] to change a place by building: They're going to develop this open land into a shopping center.
    4 [T] to process: to develop photographic film
    5 to develop from/into: to grow, progress,
    THESAURUS
    to evolve: A girl develops into a woman.||This giant corporation developed from a small business.
    6 to develop on: to make larger or fuller: The professor gave a short overview of his thoughts and then developed on them at length.
developer
developer
  1. n.
    1 a person or company that develops land: She's a real estate developer.
    2 the chemicals used to develop photographic film: to put film in the developer
developing
developing
  1. adj.
    1 in process, moving towards completion or maturity: We must keep close watch on the developing situation (storm, opposition, etc.).
    2 economically weak, but growing: A developing nation often wants trade with superpowers.n. [U] film processing: The developing of the film will take two days.
development
development
  1. n. [U]
    1 growth, progress: We are responsible for the development of our children's bodies (our students' minds, the country's economy, etc.).
    2 [C] an important event or occurrence: the latest development in computer technology||TV news reports of further developments in a murder case
    3 [U] making larger or fuller amplification: the development of an idea
    4 [C] a housing or business complex of buildings, roads, etc.: They live in a new development (or) housing development.
    5 [U] under development: in the process of being analyzed or created: A new computer is under development in the laboratory.
    THESAURUS
    development
    1 the advancement
    2 an advance, progression, evolution
    3 an elaboration
    4 a community | neighborhood.
deviant
deviant
  1. n.adj. a person who deviates from socially accepted standards of behavior: As a pornographer, he is a deviant.|| sexually deviant behavior -n. deviance; -adv. deviantly.
deviate
deviate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to act in a socially unacceptable way: He deviated from society by becoming a drug addict.
    2 to vary from the rule or standard: He deviated from his normal good habits by becoming drunk once.
deviation
deviation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a move away or a difference (from what is expected): The storm caused a deviation from the plane's planned route.||The girl's friendliness is a deviation from her parents' shyness.
    2 [C] an antisocial act: Drug-taking is a deviation from accepted norms.
    3 (in statistics) the difference between a number and the mean of the set it is in
device
device
  1. n.
    1 an electrical or mechanical machine: The computer is an electronic device.
    2 a tool or implement: An electric can opener is also a device.
    3 a trick or secret means to an end: His outbursts of anger are just a device to move everyone's attention from his guilt.
    4 to leave to one's own devices: to leave s.o. alone without help or interference
    THESAURUS
    device
    1 an instrument, mechanism
    2 an appliance, contraption, gadget
    3 a scheme, stratagem.
devil
devil
  1. n.
    1 (in Judaism and Christianity) Satan, the most powerful of evil spirits and enemy of God: The Devil rules in Hell.
    2 a person who has caused mischief or trouble, esp. a boy: That little devil has eaten all the cookies again!
    3 between the devil and the deep blue sea: in an impossible situation: She may be killed if she tells what she saw, but she'll go to prison if she doesn't, so she's between the devil and the deep blue sea.
    4 like the devil: with great energy: work like the devil to finish on time
    5 to give the devil his due: to admit s.t. good about s.o. who is disliked: I must give the devil his due and say that my opponent did an excellent job.
    6 exclam. the devil: expression of annoyance: Where the devil did I put my reading glasses?
    7 the devil to pay: serious trouble as a result: If the company is late with this shipment, we'll have (or) there'll be the devil to pay.
    8 the devil you know is better than the devil you don't: it is better to stay with a known difficulty than to risk a possibly worse one: The workers dislike their manager but they don't want a new one, because the devil you know is better than the devil you don't. -n. [U] deviltry.
    THESAURUS
    devil
    2 a wicked person | demon, fiend.
devil's advocate
devil's advocate
  1. n.
    1 a person who tests an idea (plan, argument, etc.) by asking critical questions of another person to uncover possible weaknesses in it
    2 to play the devil's advocate: to act as a friendly critic: When I proposed an expensive project, a coworker played the devil's advocate to show what could go wrong with it.
devilish
devilish
  1. adj.
    1 evil, like the devil: She is a devilish enemy.
    2 fig. complex and risky: We have a devilish problem in disposing of nuclear waste.
devilishly
devilishly
  1. adv. in a very frustrating way: I had a devilishly difficult problem to solve.
devious
devious
  1. adj. not direct or honest, (syns.) underhanded, deceitful: Their accountant used devious methods to cheat them out of a lot of money. -adv. deviously.
devise
devise
  1. v. [T] -vised, -vising, -vises
    1 to create, develop: She has devised a plan for company expansion.
    2 to invent (s.t. clever), dream up: to devise a scheme to get rich quick
devoid
devoid
  1. adj. empty, lacking: Her writing is clear, but her ideas are devoid of substance.
devolve
devolve
  1. v. [I;T] -volved, -volving, -volves frml. to pass or be passed: These responsibilities will devolve on the next President. -n. [U] devolution.
devote
devote
  1. v. [T] -voted, -voting, -votes
    1 to give: He devotes a great deal of time (money, effort, etc.) to his garden (church, politics, etc.).
    2 to use for a special purpose: to devote an area to housing for the poor
    THESAURUS
    devote
    1 to dedicate, commit, spend
    2 to set apart, assign.
devoted
devoted
  1. adj.
    1 attentive, loving: They are a devoted couple.
    2 dedicated, showing great care: This doctor is devoted to her work. -adv. devotedly.
devotee
devotee
  1. n.frml. s.o. who greatly admires s.t.: She is a devotee of the opera.
devotion
devotion
  1. n. [U]
    1 dedication, loyalty: The soldier won praise for his devotion to duty.
    2 loving attention: She is full of devotion to her family.
devotional
devotional
  1. adj. religious: The priest reads only devotional literature.
devour
devour
  1. v. [T]
    1 to eat quickly and completely: The lions devoured a zebra in a short time.
    2 to use up, usu. in a wasteful manner: The heavy spending of the dictator devoured the country's resources.
devout
devout
  1. adj.
    1 deeply religious: She is a devout Catholic (Baptist, Jew, Muslim, etc.).
    2 serious, deeply felt: a devout wish to help the poor -adv. devoutly; -n. [U] devoutness.
dew
dew
  1. n. [U] drops of water, esp. on grass and other plants, that come from the night air: You'll wet your shoes walking through the morning dew.
dexterity
dexterity
  1. n. [U] skill or ability, esp. with the hands: She plays the guitar with great dexterity.
dexterous
dexterous
  1. or dextrous adj. skillful or clever, esp. with the hands: His fingers are very dexterous in carving figures out of wood. -adv. dexterously.
dextrose
dextrose
  1. n. [U] a form of glucose (plant sugar) contained esp. in fruits and used in making candies, jams, and other foods: Dextrose is a good source of energy for humans.
dexterous
dexterous
  1. or dextrous -adj. skillful or clever, esp. with the hands: His fingers are very dexterous in carving figures out of wood.-adv. dexterously.
diabetes
diabetes
  1. n. [U] a disease involving a body's inability to absorb sugar properly: She has had diabetes since childhood but controls it with insulin.
diabetic
diabetic
  1. n.adj. a person with diabetes: He is a diabetic.||She had a diabetic reaction but is okay now.
diabolic
diabolic
  1. adj. evil, devilish: He has a diabolic mind, always making evil plans. -adj. diabolical; -adv. diabolically.
diagnose
diagnose
  1. v. [T] -nosed, -nosing, -noses to discover or identify (as disease, sickness): Doctors diagnose illnesses.
    THESAURUS
    diagnose to figure s.t. out, pinpoint, recognize.
diagnosis
diagnosis
  1. n. -ses a finding, conclusion: The doctor has made a diagnosis of the illness as diabetes.
    THESAURUS
    diagnosis an explanation, analysis.
diagnostic
diagnostic
  1. n.adj. an analysis made to find the cause of an illness or the source of a problem: The medical laboratory ran a diagnostic analysis (or) a complete diagnostic on the patient.
diagonal
diagonal
  1. n.adj.
    1 a line connecting two opposite corners of a four-sided figure, such as a square
    2 a straight line that slants or slopes: It's much easier to park in a parking lot with diagonal paking spaces. -adv. diagonally.
diagram
diagram
  1. n.v. [T] -grammed, -gramming, -grams a drawing with markings to show how s.t. is put together or works: The engineer drew a diagram of a telephone circuit (a machine, ventilation system, etc.). ||He diagrammed it. -adj. diagrammatical .
    THESAURUS
    diagram n. a plan of s.t., illustration, chart.
dial
dial
  1. n. a surface, usu. round, divided into markings with meaning: the dial of a watch (telephone, radio, water meter, etc.)v. [T] to make a call (usu. using a rotary telephone): If you want to phone long distance, dial the Operator. See: dial tone.
    THESAURUS
    dial n. a control, face, gauge, indicator.
dial tone
dial tone
  1. n. a humming sound made when a telephone receiver is picked up: There's no dial tone, so I guess the phone isn't working.
dialect
dialect
  1. n. a regional variety of language differing from other varieties in pronunciation, grammar, and/or word usage: The characters in the movie spoke in a Scottish dialect that was strange to the American audience.
dialectic
dialectic
  1. n.adj. a method of argument for discovering the truth of ideas: He is a student of dialectics (or) of Marxian dialectic materialism.
dialog or dialogue
dialog or dialogue
  1. n.v. [I;T] -logged, -logging, -logs
    1 conversation between people in a book, play, etc.: You should read this story; the dialogue is very funny.
    2 discussion, esp. of differing ideas and opinions: When the fighting is stopped, a dialogue between the two countries can begin. Their representatives can dialog about the problems.
dialysis
dialysis
  1. n.adj. [U] a process used to clean the blood: A patient with kidney disease undergoes dialysis on a dialysis machine.
diameter
diameter
  1. n. the width of a circle, measured by a straight line through its center from side to side: She drew a circle two inches in diameter.
    THESAURUS
    diameter breadth, width (of a circle).
diametrically
diametrically
  1. adv. directly (opposite or opposed): She is diametrically opposed to everything he says.
diamond
diamond
  1. n.adj.
    1 [C;U] the hardest gemstone, made of colorless carbon and very valuable: What a beautiful diamond ring!
    2 [C] a figure with four straight sides and pointed at the top, bottom, and sides
    3 [C] a playing card with one or more red diamonds: the six (king, ace, etc.) of diamonds
    4 [C] a baseball playing field
diaper
diaper
  1. n. a soft thick cloth (or thick paper with a plastic covering) used to cover the area between the legs, esp. for babies: Parents can put cloth diapers or disposable diapers on their babies.
diaphanous
diaphanous
  1. adj.
    1 light and see-through fabric: The movie star wore a diaphanous gown.
    2 not strong or long-lasting: diaphanous dreams of riches and fame
diaphragm
diaphragm
  1. n.
    1 the muscle separating the chest and lungs from the stomach: Do deep breathing to exercise your diaphragm.
    2 a small device worn inside a woman to prevent pregnancy: She went to a doctor to get fitted for a diaphragm.
diarist
diarist
  1. n. a person who keeps a diary, esp. an author who publishes diaries: Samuel Pepys is a famous English diarist.
diarrhea
diarrhea
  1. n. [U] a disorder in which bowel movements are too watery and too frequent: He ate too much unripe fruit and has diarrhea now.
diary
diary
  1. n. -ries a personal record written about one's daily activities and feelings or with accounts of important events: She has kept a diary since she was a child.
    THESAURUS
    diary a daily journal, chronicle.
diatribe
diatribe
  1. n. very strong criticism, an attack with words: The politician launched into a diatribe against the government policy.
dibs
dibs
  1. n.slang a right to have (s.t.): I have dibs on that last piece of cake.
dice
dice
  1. n.pl. of die
    1 small cubes with a set of one to six dots on each side and rolled in games of chance: With one roll of the dice, he won $50.
    2 infrml. no dice: an expression meaning "no" (strongly): I wanted to go to the movies, but my father said, "No dice!"
dicey
dicey
  1. adj.infrml. uncertain, risky: His chances of living after the accident are dicey.
dichotomy
dichotomy
  1. n.frml. -mies a division into two parts, esp. opposing ones: We have a dichotomy of opinion about what to do: I want to go and he wants to stay.
dicker
dicker
  1. v. [I] to argue about the price of s.t., (syns.) to haggle, bargain: The woman dickered with the salesman over the price of a camera.
dictate
dictate
  1. v. -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 [T] to speak s.t. to be recorded or written down exactly by s.o.: He dictated a letter to his secretary.
    2 [I;T] to command, say what s.o. must do: The winner of a war can dictate to the loser the terms for peace.n. a demand, absolute requirement: He accepts the dictates of his job and works the long hours required by it.
dictation
dictation
  1. n. [U] a communication (letter, memorandum, etc.) spoken so that it can be written down: The manager gave dictation to her secretary for an hour.
dictator
dictator
  1. n. a ruler with total power, (syns.) a despot, tyrant: The leader of that country is a dictator and no one dares to speak against him.
dictatorial
dictatorial
  1. adj. using power like a dictator, (syns.) domineering, high-handed: The owner has a dictatorial way of dealing with people. -adv. dictatorially.
dictatorship
dictatorship
  1. n. a form of government with complete power in the hands of one person: The dictatorship in that country has lasted for 30 years.
diction
diction
  1. n. [U] the ability of a person to pronounce words clearly: Actors must have excellent diction so that the audience can understand them.
dictionary
dictionary
  1. n. -ies a book or computer program listing words in alphabetical order with their meanings: For a definition of that word, consult the dictionary.
    THESAURUS
    dictionary a lexicon, glossary, vocabulary.
dictum
dictum
  1. n. dicta a command, an order that must be obeyed: Tyrants issue dicta that limit their people's rights and freedoms.
did
did
  1. v.
    1 past tense of do: I did all my work yesterday.
    2 past auxiliary verb: Did she go home?
    THESAURUS
    did
    1 completed, finished. Ant. did not, didn't.
diddle
diddle
  1. v.infrml. -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 [I] to waste time: He diddled for days trying to fix the motor, but couldn't.
    2 [T] to cheat, get s.t. from s.o. by tricking them: The repairman diddled me out of $50 but didn't fix my car.
didn't
didn't
  1. short for did not
diehard
diehard
  1. n. a person who does not change old habits (ideas, ways) easily, despite pressure to change: He's a diehard who always votes Conservative even though the party keeps losing.
diesel
diesel
  1. n. a vehicle, usu. a truck or bus, with a diesel engine: That truck is a diesel.
diet
diet
  1. n.v. [I]
    1 one's regular foods: The boy lives on a diet of junk food.
    2 a weight loss program: I have to go on a diet to lose 15 pounds.||My friend diets all the time.
    3 a formal law-making assembly, a congress
dietary
dietary
  1. adj. related to diet: People with diabetes must follow certain dietary rules, like not eating sugar.
dietician
dietician
  1. n. a person who specializes in planning food combinations for healthy meals: Most hospitals employ a dietician to prescribe meals for the patients.
differ
differ
  1. v. [I]
    1 to vary, be different from: Our new product differs from the earlier model in many ways.
    2 to hold a different opinion, disagree: The second doctor differed with the first on the reason for the patient's condition.
    3 frml. to beg to differ: to disagree: Oh, my good friend, I beg to differ with you on that point.
difference
difference
  1. n.
    1 a way of being different,
    THESAURUS
    a dissimilarity: What is the difference between the new model and the old one?
    2 the amount by which two numbers differ: The difference between 7 and 9 is 2.
    3 a difference of opinion: a disagreement, argument: He quit his job after a difference of opinion with his boss.
    4 it makes no difference: it doesn't matter, it's not important
    5 to have their (our) differences: to have arguments or an unfriendly relationship: She and her sister have had their differences, but now they're close.
    6 to make a difference: to bring a change (for the better): She received an increase in pay and it has made a big difference in her attitude.
different
different
  1. adj.
    1 unlike, not the same: The new and old models are very different from each other.
    2 varied, several: This model comes in different colors; which one would you like?
    3 strange, unusual: I agree that he's different, but I like him. -adv. differently.
    THESAURUS
    different
    1 dissimilar, distinct
    2 assorted, various, diverse
    3 odd, peculiar, unique. Ant. similar.
differential
differential
  1. n.adj.
    1 the amount of a difference, esp. in comparisons of money (pay, cost of living, rates of interest, etc.): We must consider the differential in the cost of living between New York and New Orleans.
    2 the mathematics of variations: differential calculus
    3 differential rate: a difference in rates of pay to workers: The company pays a differential rate in wages, more for employees in New York than in Alabama.
differentiate
differentiate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I;T] to describe or show differences: The speaker differentiated between a partnership and a corporation as types of business ownership.
    2 [I;T] to see, or
    THESAURUS
    to discern, differences: These two plans seem the same; I can't differentiate between them.
    3 [T] to make (develop, manufacture, etc.) differences: We have differentiated our product from the competition by its higher quality.
difficult
difficult
  1. adj.
    1 hard, requiring effort (mental or physical): We have a difficult problem to solve (job to do, race to run, etc.).
    2 causing trouble or worry: She's having a difficult time finding a job.
    3 unwilling to agree or cooperate: a difficult person to work with, a difficult child
    THESAURUS
    difficult
    1 challenging, not easy, tough | arduous frml. Ant. easy.
    2 tough | problematic,
    THESAURUS
    taxing
    3 troublesome, uncooperative, hard to deal with. Ant. easy.
difficulty
difficulty
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. requiring effort or time: I had difficulty understanding the directions.
    2 [C] s.t. that creates problems: There's one difficulty in the plan you propose, and that is it costs too much.
    3 [C;U] trouble: in difficulty with the law, in financial difficulties
    THESAURUS
    difficulty
    1 a hard time, trouble
    2 an obstacle, snag | hardship
    3 to be in a jam, in a mess. Ant. ease.
diffident
diffident
  1. adj. showing little self-confidence, shy about giving one's ideas: He is a diffident student; he never speaks in class. -n. diffidence; -adv. diffidently.
diffraction
diffraction
  1. n. [U] the changing of light waves: We studied the diffraction of light through various openings.
diffuse
diffuse
  1. v. [I] -fused, -fusing, -fuses to spread, or cause to spread,
    THESAURUS
    to scatter: The sunlight was diffused in the darkness of the room.adj.
    1 spread out widely or thinly: Don't read in such diffuse light.
    2 using too many words so that the ideas are not clear: a diffuse paper, speech, etc. -n. [U] diffusion.
dig
dig
  1. v. dug , digging, digs
    1 [T] to make (a hole or opening) by taking away earth: They used heavy equipment to dig a hole for the building foundation (a tunnel through a mountain, etc.).
    2 [I;T] to break up or turn over earth: She's digging in the garden.
    3 [T] slang a. to like: Hey, man, I dig this music! b. to understand: So that's the plan, do you dig?
    4 to dig deep: to give money generously: When they asked me to give to the fund for hungry children, I dug deep.
    5 to dig for: a. to look for by digging: to dig for gold, oil, coal, etc. b. to look for (information),
    THESAURUS
    to investigate: A newspaper reporter digs for the facts.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to dig in: a. to begin eating or working with great energy: Lunch is ready, so dig in! b. to fix oneself in a certain position: The soldiers dug themselves in for battle.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to dig (s.t.) into s.o. or s.t.: to push s.t. into: A woman dug her elbow into my side.
    8 phrasal v. [T] to dig (s.o. or s.t.) out: a. to escape by digging: The coal miners dug themselves out of the fallen tunnel to safety. b. to find out (by looking for information): Reporters try to dig out the truth.
    THESAURUS
    dig v.
    1 to excavate
    2 to shovel, hoe, scoop. —n.
    1 a place where archaeologists dig: They're on a dig in Egypt. See: diggings.
    2 infrml. s.t. said that is both funny and critical,
    THESAURUS
    a gibe: She got in a few digs at her husband as she told us the funny story of their vacation trip.
digest
digest
  1. n. a collection of articles in short form: Here is a digest of today's news.||Do you know the magazine called the Reader's Digest?v.
    1 [I;T] to process in the stomach: Meat digests slowly.||He can't digest milk.
    2 [T] to think over and come to understand: He received the report, but wanted to digest it slowly before commenting on it. -adj. digestible.
    THESAURUS
    digest v.
    1 to absorb into, transform food
    2 to consider, absorb (mentally), ponder frml.
digestion
digestion
  1. n. [U] the process of breaking down food in the body: She has good digestion; she can eat anything! -adj. digestive.
digger
digger
  1. n.
    1 a person who digs: He found work as a grave digger.
    2 a machine, esp. a backhoe, used to dig: The construction team uses a digger.
diggings
diggings
  1. n.pl. a dig; a place where digging occurs: We visited archaeological diggings near the pyramid.
digit
digit
  1. n.
    1 one of the Arabic numerals from 0 to 9: The sum 1,234 is a four-digit number.
    2 frml. a finger or toe: The hand has five digits. -adj. digital.
digital recording
digital recording
  1. n. the recording of sound, esp. music, by a series of numbers (digits) producing clarity close to the original sound: Digital recording does not get worse in quality as copies are made.
digitalis
digitalis
  1. n. [U] a strong heart stimulant made from the plant foxglove: Doctors prescribe digitalis for people with heart trouble.
digitize
digitize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to put into digital form: We digitized the files to make them easier to use.
dignified
dignified
  1. adj. with a formal, serious, and calm manner: The students at the graduation listened in dignified silence to the college president.
dignify
dignify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to give dignity, honor, or prestige to: The presence of the ambassador dignified the party (occasion, reception).
dignitary
dignitary
  1. n. -ies an important person, esp. a high official: The dignitaries from the foreign ministries dined with the President.
dignity
dignity
  1. n. [U] self-respect, a calm and formal manner: My doctor is a woman of great dignity.
digress
digress
  1. v. [I] to move away from the main point in speaking or writing: The speaker talked about modern art, then digressed into a discussion of a painter from 500 years ago.
digression
digression
  1. n. [C;U] a move away from the main topic: The writer made a digression from discussing politics to discussing rock music. -adj. digressive.
digs
digs
  1. n.pl.slang short for diggings, or one's place of living (room, apartment, etc.): I'm going back to my digs to change clothes.
dike
dike
  1. n. s.t. built to hold back sea water, a river, etc.: We visited the dikes of Holland.
dilapidated
dilapidated
  1. adj. falling apart, in disrepair: Those poor people live in a dilapidated house with holes in the roof and broken windows. -v. [I;T] dilapidate.
dilate
dilate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to make larger, widen: When there is less light, the pupils in our eyes dilate. -n. [U] dilation; dilator.
dilatory
dilatory
  1. adj.frml. slow in doing s.t.: The company has no patience for employees with dilatory work habits.
dilemma
dilemma
  1. n. a difficult choice between two (usu. undesirable) alternatives,
    THESAURUS
    a quandary: She was in a dilemma over staying in her tiny apartment or taking the time and trouble to move.
dilettante
dilettante
  1. n. a man or woman with some understanding of and a taste for the arts and fine things: His occasional trips to the opera show he is a dilettante in the arts. -adj. dilettantish; -n. dilettantism.
diligence
diligence
  1. n. [U] continuous effort and dedication, esp. to one's work,
    THESAURUS
    perseverance: She works with diligence because she loves her work.
diligent
diligent
  1. adj. hard-working, (syns.) persevering, dedicated: He raised his grades by being a very diligent student. -adv. diligently.
dilly-dally
dilly-dally
  1. v. [I] -lied, lying, -lies
    1 to waste time,
    THESAURUS
    to dawdle: My children try to dilly-dally before going to bed.
    2 to delay,
    THESAURUS
    to procrastinate: She dilly-dallied for weeks before deciding.
dilute
dilute
  1. v. [T] -luted, -luting, -lutes
    1 to weaken by adding s.t.: My tea was too strong, so I diluted it with more water.
    2 to reduce the value of: The corporation issued more stock and diluted the shareholders' equity.
dilution
dilution
  1. n. [U]
    1 the weakening of the force of a liquid: Follow the instructions for the dilution of the acid with water.
    2 a reduction in value: Stockholders protested the dilution of their equity in the corporation.
dim
dim
  1. v. [I;T] dimmed, dimming, dims
    1 to lower the force of, esp. a light: The driver dimmed the headlights.
    2 to make less possible: Rebellion dims the chances for peace.adj.
    1 (of light) weak: Don't work in dim light.
    2 not very possible: His chances of recovery (from illness) are dim. -adv. dimly.
    THESAURUS
    dim adj.
    1 dull, faint | lackluster. Ant. bright.
    2 unlikely.
dim sum
dim sum
  1. n. a Chinese meal made up of small portions of steamed foods, such as dumplings: I often eat dim sum at a Chinese restaurant near my office.
dime
dime
  1. n.
    1 in USA, a 10-cent coin: Ten dimes equal one dollar.
    2 to not be worth a dime: to have very little value: The house burned down and isn't worth a dime now.
dimension
dimension
  1. n.
    1 [C] a measurement of s.t. in one direction: The dimensions of a room (package, building lot, etc.) are its length, width, and depth (or height).
    2 [C;U] size: a problem of great dimension
diminish
diminish
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to lessen in force: The need to take action has diminished.
    2 to lessen in number: The supply of oil in that country has diminished.
    3 to lessen in quality: The company's reputation for quality has diminished; it has a diminished reputation.
diminishing returns
diminishing returns
  1. n.pl. an economic idea that, after a certain point, continued investment brings smaller profits: Our investment and sales have tripled, but our profits have stayed the same; we have reached the point of diminishing returns.
diminution
diminution
  1. n.frml. [C;U] a lessening, reduction: The company is experiencing a diminution in productivity.
diminutive
diminutive
  1. adj.
    1 frml. very small: a diminutive child
    2 a form of a word used to show small size, affection, or informality: A diminutive for "Robert" is "Bobby."
dimmer
dimmer
  1. n. a device used to lower the intensity of light: We have dimmers on our living room lights; we dim the lights when we watch TV.
dimple
dimple
  1. n. a little dent or hollow in the skin, esp. of the face: She has lovely dimples when she smiles.
dimwit
dimwit
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person: That dimwit sent the wrong form!
din
din
  1. n. [U] a loud, annoying, persistent noise: There was a terrible din made by the crowd waiting for the rock concert.
dine
dine
  1. v.frml. dined, dining, dines
    1 [I] to eat a meal, esp. a special or formal one: They dined at a fancy restaurant.
    2 [T] to dine on: to eat (a particular food): We dined on lobster at the Ritz Hotel.
    THESAURUS
    dine
    1 to have supper, feast | do lunch, eat out.
diner
diner
  1. n.
    1 a person who dines: There are few diners in the restaurant tonight.
    2 a type of restaurant with low prices, fast service, and simple food: Truck drivers stop to eat at diners on the highway.
    THESAURUS
    diner
    1 a patron, paying guest
    2 a coffee shop, sandwich shop, lunch counter.
dinette
dinette
  1. n.
    1 a small informal dining area: We usually eat in the dinette in the kitchen.
    2 a dinette (set): table and chairs used in a dinette: Come see our new dinette (set).
ding-a-ling
ding-a-ling
  1. n.
    1 the sound of a small bell: Did you hear that ding-a-ling?
    2 infrml. a stupid person: Sometimes he acts like a ding-a-ling.
ding-dong
ding-dong
  1. n. the sound of a bell: The doorbell went ding-dong when I rang it.
ding
ding
  1. n.v. [I;T] a sharp metallic ringing sound: The ding of the bell at the hotel's front desk brought s.o. to serve the people waiting there.
dingbat
dingbat
  1. n.
    1 a small symbol used esp. to decorate chapter openings in books
    2 slang a stupid person
dinghy
dinghy
  1. n. -ghies a small rowboat often carried on a larger boat: The captain uses the dinghy to go from the ship to the shore.
dingy
dingy
  1. -gier, -giest adj. gray and dirty-looking: He could find only a dingy room in an old rundown hotel.
dining
dining
  1. adj. related to eating: We ate in the dining room (a dining car on a train, etc.).
dinky
dinky
  1. adj.slang -kier, -kiest foolishly small: My clothes won't fit in this dinky little suitcase.
dinner
dinner
  1. n. the main meal of the day (in USA, usu. in the evening): We go out to dinner one evening a week. See: supper.
    THESAURUS
    dinner a supper | feast, banquet, buffet.
dinosaur
dinosaur
  1. n.
    1 any of a variety of small to huge reptiles that lived millions of years ago: Tyranno-saurus Rex was a large, meat-eating dinosaur.
    2 infrml. s.o. who stubbornly keeps to old ways and ideas: He is an old dinosaur; he won't touch a computer.
dint
dint
  1. n. [U]
    1 force, effort
    2 by dint of: by means of: By dint of hard work, she rose in her profession.
diocese
diocese
  1. n. an area or the churches under the care of a (Catholic) bishop: The dioceses of New York raised money to help refugees. -adj. diocesan.
diode
diode
  1. -n. a semiconductor device used in electronic circuits: There are many diodes in a transistor radio.
diorama
diorama
  1. n. a small to life-size model of some event or scene: The museum displayed a diorama of the battle fought in this town.
dioxin
dioxin
  1. n. [U] a cancer-causing chemical: We must clean up the dioxin found in chemical waste dumps.
dip
dip
  1. n.
    1 a small drop: There has been a dip in the price of sugar.
    2 a short swim: We took (or) went for a dip in the ocean.
    3 a creamy mixture for dipping chips, crackers, vegetables, etc.: Try this delicious dip!
    4 slang a jerk, a stupid person —v. dipped, dipping, dips
    1 [I] to go down a little: The price of oil dipped today by $1.00 a barrel.
    2 [T] to put (s.t.) into a liquid for a moment: The artist dipped his brush in the paint.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to dip into s.t.: to use some of: She dipped into her savings to buy him a present.
    THESAURUS
    dip n.
    1 a fall, reduction, slip. Ant. a rise.
    2 a plunge, soak
    3 a sauce.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to drop, fall, slip
    2 to dunk, plunge, submerge.
diphtheria
diphtheria
  1. n. [U] a serious contagious disease affecting the throat and breathing: Diphtheria has almost disappeared in the USA.
diphthong
diphthong
  1. n. a unified sound made from two vowel sounds: The "æw" in "cow" is a diphthong.
diploma
diploma
  1. n. an academic certificate, an official paper stating that s.o. has passed a course of study: He has a high school (trade school, college, etc.) diploma.
diplomacy
diplomacy
  1. n. [U]
    1 skill in handling personal, business, or governmental relationships: You must use diplomacy in convincing s.o. to do a difficult job.
    2 the formal conduct of relations between countries: Officials in the U.S. Department of State practice the art of diplomacy with foreign nations.
    THESAURUS
    diplomacy
    1 tact, finesse, discretion
    2 statesmanship, international relations, statecraft | negotiation.
diplomat
diplomat
  1. n.
    1 a person who acts as a diplomatic representative of a nation: Diplomats from many countries met in Geneva for a conference on world peace.
    2 a person who acts with care and sensitivity towards others: She is a diplomat with all her friends and business contacts.
    THESAURUS
    diplomat
    1 an envoy, attaché, foreign service officer | ambassador, member of the diplomatic corps.
diplomatic
diplomatic
  1. adj.
    1 related to diplomacy: a diplomatic service (mission, channel, corps, etc.)
    2 showing skill at handling people sensitively: She gave a diplomatic response to a hostile question and brought calm to the situation. -adv. diplomatically.
diplomatic corps
diplomatic corps
  1. n. an organized group of diplomats and other governmental employees responsible for managing relations with other countries: The diplomatic corps of the USA has its central office in Washington, DC.
diplomatic immunity
diplomatic immunity
  1. n. [C;U] protection given to foreign diplomats by a government so they cannot be arrested for certain crimes: Under diplomatic immunity, the diplomat could tear up tickets he received for parking violations.
dipper
dipper
  1. n.
    1 a large spoon that looks like a cup or small bowl with a long handle: I used a dipper to drink water from a barrel.
    2 the Big Dipper, the Little Dipper: constellations of stars in the shape of cups (in Ursa Major and Ursa Minor)
dippy
dippy
  1. adj.slang -pier, -piest foolish, silly: She often acts a little dippy.
dipsomaniac
dipsomaniac
  1. n. a person who can't stop drinking alcohol after he or she begins: He is a dipsomaniac (or) a dipso; once he starts drinking, he doesn't stop until he passes out. -n. dipsomania.
dipstick
dipstick
  1. n.
    1 a long metal rod put into a liquid to measure its level: I used the dipstick to check how much oil there was in my car's engine.
    2 slang a jerk, a stupid person: Don't be such a dipstick!
diptych
diptych
  1. n. a painting in two panels, often hinged together: A beautiful diptych hangs behind the altar in that church.
dire
dire
  1. adj. grave, very serious: His business is bankrupt and he is in dire trouble.
direct
direct
  1. v. [T]
    1 to guide, control: The police officer directed traffic.
    2 to manage and guide in the arts: She directed a film (orchestra, play).
    3 to lead, manage: Chief Executive Officers direct the affairs of large corporations.
    4 to order, command: An officer directed the soldiers to attack.
    5 to focus, turn: We directed our attention to the speaker.
    6 to point, aim: A computer directs a missile to its target.
    7 to send, route: The government directs aid to a disaster zone.adj.
    1 straight, without interruptions: We have little time, so we must go the most direct route.
    2 open and honest: She liked his direct answers to her questions.
    3 without anyone or anything coming between: direct sunlight, a direct result, direct knowledge of an event
    THESAURUS
    direct v.
    1 to supervise | handle
    3 to administer, conduct | steer
    4 to instruct, tell.
    THESAURUS
    adj.
    1 straightforward. Ant. indirect.
    2 frank, plain
    3 firsthand.
direct action
direct action
  1. n. an act, like a labor strike, work slowdown, or sabotage, meant for such goals as wage and benefit increases: The union took direct action and called a strike.
direct current
direct current
  1. n. [U] electrical current that flows in only one direction: Direct current is used in Europe. See: AC; DC.
direct flight
direct flight
  1. n. a flight with one or more stops on its way, but no change of plane: She took a direct flight from New York to Denver with a short stop in Chicago. See: nonstop.
direct mail
direct mail
  1. n. [U] advertising, political literature, requests for donations, etc., mailed to many people: Their company has had great success in selling their products by direct mail.
direct object
direct object
  1. n. usu. a noun or pronoun acted on by a verb: The word "ball" in the sentence "The boy hit the ball" is a direct object.
direction
direction
  1. n.
    1 [C] a route, line of movement geographically: We walked (flew, ran, drove) in a northerly direction.
    2 [C;U] leadership, guidance toward goals: The new manager gave direction to the company's efforts.
    3 [U] artistic management and control: The orchestra is under the direction of Sir George Smith.
    4 [U] an approach, a line of thought, or action: What direction would you like to take in solving this problem?
    5 n.pl. directions: a. instructions (how to do s.t.), guidance: The teacher gave me directions for the experiment. b. instructions (how to go somewhere): We followed the policeman's directions and got to the museum.
    6 sense of direction: the ability to sense where one is and which way to go: Because of her good sense of direction, she got us there even without a map.
directional
directional
  1. adj.
    1 showing direction: Drivers use the directional signals to show that they are going to make a right or left turn.
    2 coming from or going to a geographical point: The airplane was helped by a directional signal from the airport.
directive
directive
  1. n.frml. an order, command: An administrator (military commander, government agency, etc.) issues directives to personnel to do s.t. or to follow certain rules.
directly
directly
  1. adv.
    1 in a direct manner: Go directly to school and do not stop on the way.
    2 openly and honestly: He answers questions directly and without hesitation.
    THESAURUS
    directly
    1 at once, instantly, immediately. Ant. indirectly.
    2 candidly, bluntly.
director
director
  1. n.
    1 the manager, head: She is the director of personnel (operations, the computer department, etc.).
    2 artistic manager and guide: a film director, the director of the Metropolitan Opera
    3 a member of the Board of Directors of a corporation
directorate
directorate
  1. n.frml. a board of directors, a group that governs or controls an organization, corporation, or institution: That decision will be made by the directorate of the United Nations.
directorship
directorship
  1. n. the position of director: His directorship ends next year.
directory
directory
  1. n. -ries a listing of items, such as names, addresses, businesses, etc., usu. in alphabetical order: You can find my phone number in a telephone directory.
    THESAURUS
    directory an index, guide | inventory.
dirge
dirge
  1. n. slow, sad music to honor the dead: A band played a funeral dirge at the service for the dead President.
dirigible
dirigible
  1. n. an airship filled with a lighter-than-air gas,
    THESAURUS
    a blimp: A pilot flies a dirigible from a cockpit attached under it.
dirt-cheap
dirt-cheap
  1. adj. very inexpensive: I think I will buy that rug; it is dirt-cheap.
dirt
dirt
  1. n. [U]
    1 loose soil, earth: I planted flowers in the dirt.
    2 s.t. unclean: What's that dirt on your shirt?
    3 information about bad behavior, esp. about sex: I can't believe they print that dirt in the newspaper.
    THESAURUS
    dirt
    1 clay, loam, dust
    2 stain, filth
    3 gossip, sensationalism.
dirt bike
dirt bike
  1. n. a motorbike made for use off roads: They rode their dirt bikes up the mountain trail.
dirty
dirty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 unclean: The girl came home from the playground wearing a dirty shirt.
    2 dishonest: Your hiding his book when he needed it was a dirty trick to play on him.
    3 impolite and offensive: dirty jokes, dirty languageadv. phr. to play dirty: to play unfairly, without respect for rules: The opposing team played dirty, but the referee didn't see it.v. [T] -tied, -tying, -ties to make or become dirty: She dirtied her hands in the garden.
    THESAURUS
    dirty adj.
    1 soiled, grimy, stained. Ant. clean.
    2 underhanded, devious
    3 rude | filthy, obscene, pornographic. —v. to soil. Ant. to clean.
dirty old man
dirty old man
  1. n.infrml. men a man, esp. an old one, with too strong an interest in sex: He is 80 years old and chases young women; he's a dirty old man.
dirty pool
dirty pool
  1. n.slang fig. [U] dishonest, tricky acts intended to harm: The company promised him a raise, then fired him with no notice; that was dirty pool.
dirty tricks
dirty tricks
  1. n.pl. dishonest or tricky practices, esp. in politics: The campaign manager put out false information about the opposing candidate; he played dirty tricks on him.
dirty word
dirty word
  1. n. a curse word, bad language: I don't like it when she uses dirty words in the presence of my children.
dirty work
dirty work
  1. n. [U]
    1 work that causes the hands and clothes to get dirty: Being a mechanic is dirty work.
    2 fig. work that is esp. disagreeable (unpleasant or demeaning): The manager decided to fire 50 people, so now I have to do the dirty work of telling them.
disability
disability
  1. n. -ties
    1 s.t. that takes away a normal ability, esp. as a result of a birth defect, accident, or disease: She lost her hearing as a child, but she has led a happy, successful life despite that disability.
    2 short for disability insurance payments: After he broke his foot, he couldn't work, and his family lived on disability for six months.
disable
disable
  1. v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to make (esp. a person) unable to do s.t. anymore: The accident disabled her so she lost the use of her legs.
disabuse
disabuse
  1. v. [T] -bused, -busing, -buses to correct s.o.'s wrong idea or illusion: He thinks that he can say whatever he wants, but I will disabuse him of that idea.
disaccord
disaccord
  1. n. [U] v.frml. disagreement, lack of harmony: There was a long argument because of the disaccord among committee members.
disaccustom
disaccustom
  1. v.frml. [T] to stop a habit or custom: She disaccustomed herself to smoking gradually; she finally stopped.
disadvantage
disadvantage
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that hurts or gets in the way (of success): The high cost of living is a disadvantage to living in a big city.
    2 at a disadvantage: in a bad position: The team was at a disadvantage because their star player was sick.
    THESAURUS
    disadvantage
    1 a drawback, downside | problem, obstacle.
disadvantaged
disadvantaged
  1. adj. without the normal benefits of society, esp. because of poverty or racial prejudice: He comes from a disadvantaged family and had to quit school at 16 to get a full-time job.n. the disadvantaged: poor people: The disadvantaged are helped by government programs.
disadvantageous
disadvantageous
  1. adj. related to a disadvantage or drawback,
    THESAURUS
    detrimental: A bad storm has started, so it is disadvantageous for us to travel. -adv. disadvantageously.
disaffected
disaffected
  1. adj.
    1 no longer satisfied, content, or loyal: She has become disaffected by her work (situation, pay, etc.).
    2 feeling set apart,
    THESAURUS
    alienated: He is disaffected from his coworkers because of their unfriendliness.
disagree
disagree
  1. v. [I] -greed, -greeing, -grees
    1 to differ, hold a different opinion: I disagree with what you say.
    2 to show different opinions: They never disagree in public.
    3 to make sick, upset: That meal disagreed with me; I feel ill.
    THESAURUS
    disagree
    1 to dispute, oppose, take issue with
    2 to argue, clash. Ant. to agree.
    3 to nauseate.
disagreeable
disagreeable
  1. adj.
    1 unfriendly (uncooperative, difficult to deal with): She is so disagreeable that no one will work with her.
    2 unpleasant: a disagreeable job to do -adv. disagreeably.
disagreement
disagreement
  1. n.
    1 a difference of opinion: We are in disagreement about what to do.
    2 an argument, conflict: They had a violent disagreement over money.
    3 a difference, a failure to be the same: There is a disagreement between the two descriptions of what happened.
    THESAURUS
    disagreement
    1 a misunderstanding. Ant. an agreement.
    2 a dispute, clash, falling out
    3 a disparity frml.
disallow
disallow
  1. v. [T] to refuse to accept, reject: The controller for the company disallowed my travel expenses, so I had to pay them myself.
disappear
disappear
  1. v. [I]
    1 to go out of sight: The little dog was just here, then he disappeared.
    2 to pass out of existence: Dinosaurs disappeared from the earth long ago.
    THESAURUS
    disappear
    1 to leave, vanish, leave no trace of | dissolve, evaporate. Ant. to appear.
    2 to die (off).
disappearance
disappearance
  1. n. [C;U] an act of disappearing: The disappearance of the diamond necklace is still a mystery.
disappoint
disappoint
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to sadden s.o. by failing to meet their expectations or hopes: I was disappointed when she cancelled our date.
    2 to keep s.t. from happening: Our hopes for a picnic were disappointed by the rain storm. -adj. disappointing.
    THESAURUS
    disappoint
    1 to let down, upset
    2 to frustrate, block.
disappointment
disappointment
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] sadness over the loss of s.t. expected or hoped for,
    THESAURUS
    disillusionment: He suffered disappointment when she refused to marry him.
    2 [C] s.t. that disappoints: It was a disappointment when rain prevented the family picnic.
disapprobation
disapprobation
  1. n.frml. strong moral disapproval,
    THESAURUS
    condemnation: After he got out of prison, the criminal had to leave town because of the disapprobation of the community.
disapproval
disapproval
  1. n. [U]
    1 bad opinion, objection: The teacher showed her disapproval by making the class stay after school.
    2 criticism, condemnation, rejection: widespread disapproval of the government's programs
    3 refusal, rejection: His request for a larger office met with disapproval.
disapprove
disapprove
  1. v. -proved, -proving, -proves
    1 [I] have a bad opinion of: Her father disapproved of her behavior.
    2 [I] to express a bad opinion of, criticize: The public disapproves of that government program.
    3 [T] to refuse to accept, reject: The agency disapproved his request for money.
    THESAURUS
    disapprove
    1 to frown on, object to | deprecate frml. Ant. to approve.
    2 to condemn, denounce
    3 to turn down s.o., deny.
disarm
disarm
  1. v.
    1 [T] to take away weapons: The policeman disarmed the criminal by taking away his gun.
    2 [I] to lay down or destroy arms (weapons, armed forces, etc.) voluntarily, esp. by treaty: The two nations agreed to disarm.
    3 [T] to drive away (s.o.'s) anger or distrust: She disarmed her opponent with her friendly manner.
disarmament
disarmament
  1. n. [U] the process of reducing or destroying weapons and armed forces: The two nations began negotiations on disarmament.
disarming
disarming
  1. n. [U] an act of removing weapons: the disarming of the criminal by the policeadj. charming, tending to make s.o. less angry or distrustful: I was very angry when his car hit mine, but he apologized so nicely that I found it disarming.
disarrange
disarrange
  1. v. [T] -ranged, -ranging, -ranges to disorder, disorganize: A thief broke into the house and disarranged the contents of the drawers while looking for valuables.
disarray
disarray
  1. n.frml. [U] disorder, disorganization: Her hair and clothes were in disarray after she fell.
disassemble
disassemble
  1. v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to take apart: I had to disassemble the bookshelves in order to move them.
disassociate
disassociate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to separate, esp. oneself: He disassociated himself from a group of bad people (a dishonest act, an organization, etc.). -n. [U] disassociation.
disaster
disaster
  1. n.
    1 a sudden great act of destruction and loss: The earthquake created a disaster.
    2 fig. a total failure: The party was a disaster; the food was bad and the band was lousy.
    THESAURUS
    disaster
    1 a catastrophe, calamity | tragedy, emergency
    2 a big mistake, flop.
disastrous
disastrous
  1. adj.
    1 related to a disaster,
    THESAURUS
    catastrophic: The island was in a disastrous situation because of the hurricane.
    2 fig. related to a total failure: The results of the election were disastrous for the Republican Party. -adv. disastrously.
disavow
disavow
  1. v. [T]
    1 to deny,
    THESAURUS
    to disclaim: She disavowed any knowledge of the crime.
    2 to reject, refuse: He disavows any further connection with what we now know is a criminal organization. -n. disavowal.
disband
disband
  1. v. [I;T] to separate, dissolve: The group (army, meeting, etc.) disbanded and everyone went home. -n. disbanding.
disbar
disbar
  1. v. [T] -barred, -barring, -bars to officially force (a lawyer) out of the legal profession: The state bar association disbarred that lawyer for dishonest uses of his clients' money. -n. [U] disbarment.
disbelief
disbelief
  1. n. a refusal or unwillingness to believe: When the nuclear disaster was first announced, the public received the news with shock and disbelief.
disbelieve
disbelieve
  1. v. [I;T] -lieved, -lieving, -lieves to doubt or refuse to believe: She disbelieves what he says because he often lies.
disbursal
disbursal
  1. n.frml. a payment: The business makes monthly disbursals to its creditors. -n. [U] disbursement.
disburse
disburse
  1. v.frml. [T] -bursed, -bursing, -burses to give out,
    THESAURUS
    to dispense: The federal government disburses tax money to the states. -n. disburser.
disc
disc
  1. var. of disk, a thin flat circular plate: Her collection includes old phonograph records and compact discs.
disc jockey
disc jockey
  1. n. See: disk jockey.
discard
discard
  1. v. [T] to throw away, dispose of as useless: We must discard this trash (those old ideas, etc.).
discern
discern
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to see (differences between),
    THESAURUS
    to differentiate: He discerned major differences between the two job offers.
    2 to see and understand: He discerned the importance of those differences.
    3 to see, spot: to discern a ship in the distance -n. [U] discernment.
discerning
discerning
  1. adj. intelligent,
    THESAURUS
    perceptive: She has a discerning mind and quickly understood how to solve our problem.
discharge
discharge
  1. v. -charged, -charging, -charges
    1 [T] to ask or allow (s.o.) to leave: Management discharged 100 workers.||The navy discharged the sailor.
    2 [T] to fulfill, perform (a responsibility): Management discharged its obligation by reducing the workforce.
    3 [I;T] to fire, explode (guns, cannons, bombs, etc.): A rifle discharged by accident.
    4 [I;T] to let or send out (s.t. from within): The cut discharged blood.||The volcano (chimney, fire) discharged smoke.
    5 [T] frml. to pay (s.t. owed): I must discharge my debt to him.n.
    1 [U] a fulfillment of responsibility: She completed the discharge of her obligations under the contract.
    2 [C] a release from military service: The sailor received his discharge and went home.
    3 [C;U] a firing of a weapon, explosion: the discharge of a gun
    4 [C;U] s.t. that is let out or sent out: the discharge of pollution from a factory
disciple
disciple
  1. n. a student of a teacher or school of thought who spreads their teachings: She is a disciple of the British school of economics.
disciplinarian
disciplinarian
  1. n. a person who believes in and demands obedience to rules: The teacher is a strict disciplinarian in his classroom.
disciplinary
disciplinary
  1. adj. characterized by punishment: The university administration took disciplinary action against the students on strike.
discipline
discipline
  1. n.
    1 [U] obedience to rules of good behavior and order: The students were quiet because their teacher insisted on discipline in the classroom.
    2 [U] control of the mind and body: College students need self-discipline to succeed in their studies.
    3 [C] a field of study: In which discipline does that teacher work? She teaches mathematics.v. [T] -plined, -plining, -plines
    1 to punish for breaking the rules: The student disrupted the class, so the teacher disciplined him by giving him extra work to do.
    2 to train to control the mind and body: He disciplined himself to keep to a demanding work schedule.
    THESAURUS
    discipline n.
    1 strictness, orderliness | rules
    2 will-power, self-control
    3 field, area (of (syn.THESAURUS
    tudy), subject matter. —v.
    1 to penalize
    2 to condition (oneself).
disciplined
disciplined
  1. adj. showing control resulting from training of mind and body: The military training school produced highly disciplined soldiers.
disclaim
disclaim
  1. v.
    1 [T] to deny,
    THESAURUS
    to disavow: She disclaimed any knowledge of the missing money.
    2 [I] (in law) to give up a right or to deny an obligation: The defendant disclaimed his right to trial by jury and chose instead trial before a judge.
disclaimer
disclaimer
  1. n.
    1 a statement that s.t. is not true: The man accused of murder issued a disclaimer of any knowledge about the crime.
    2 (in law) the giving up of a right, esp. to sue: Before the operation, the doctor's patient signed a disclaimer of any right to sue.
    3 a denial of legal responsibility: The doctor's disclaimer gave her legal protection against a suit by a patient.
disclose
disclose
  1. v. [T] -closed, -closing, -closes to tell or show, esp. that which was kept hidden or secret,
    THESAURUS
    to divulge: He disclosed new information on the project (his secrets, his innermost feelings, etc.).
disclosure
disclosure
  1. n. [C;U] the telling of s.t. that was secret: The disclosure in the newspapers of a scandal involving the Senator ruined her career.
discolor
discolor
  1. v. [I;T] to change (to a worse) color,
    THESAURUS
    to stain: Smoking has discolored my teeth. -n. [U] discoloration.
discombobulate
discombobulate
  1. v.infrml. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to confuse, upset,
    THESAURUS
    to disorient: The noise discombobulates him so that he can't think.
discomfit
discomfit
  1. v.frml. [T] -fitted, -fitting, -fits to distress, upset: The king was discomfitted by the loss of the battle. -n. discomfiture.
discomfort
discomfort
  1. n. [U] (mental or physical) pain that is not serious: The patient suffered discomfort in her legs.||He felt some discomfort about asking his boss for a raise in pay.v. [T] to make uncomfortable, upset: The bad news discomforted her.
disconcert
disconcert
  1. v. [T] to cause to feel doubt and nervousness, disturb: I was disconcerted by the sight of a strange man at my door. -adj. disconcerting.
disconnect
disconnect
  1. v. [T] to break a connection: Disconnect the wires from the machine before you try to fix it.
    THESAURUS
    disconnect to detach, separate | uncouple, disengage. Ant. to connect.
disconnected
disconnected
  1. adj.
    1 removed, detached: The machine doesn't work because of a disconnected wire.
    2 having lost contact during a telephone call: We were disconnected during our conversation.
    3 (of ideas) unclear because of poor connections between parts,
    THESAURUS
    incoherent: a disconnected story (set of remarks, presentation, etc.) -n.[C;U] disconnection.
disconsolate
disconsolate
  1. adj.frml. hopelessly sad,
    THESAURUS
    melancholy: She was disconsolate over the death of her dog. -adv. disconsolately.
discontent
discontent
  1. n. [U] dissatisfaction, unhappiness: She suffers discontent with her life and wants a major change. adj. discontent or discontented: dissatisfied, unhappy: He is discontented (or) discontent with his small pay increase. -v. [T] discontent.
discontinue
discontinue
  1. v. [T] -ued, -uing, -ues
    1 to stop, end: The company has discontinued manufacturing that item.
    2 to stop for a period of time, interrupt: to discontinue peace talks for a week -n. [U] discontinuation.
discontinuity
discontinuity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C;U] a lack of continuity or logical order: I was confused by the discontinuity in his argument.
    2 [C;U] interruption, break: Mechanical problems caused discontinuities in the production process.
discontinuous
discontinuous
  1. adj. not continuous, interrupted: A discontinuous supply of steel caused a slowdown in automobile production. -adv. discontinuously.
discord
discord
  1. n.
    1 [U] disagreement, conflict: A meeting full of discord left everyone with headaches.
    2 [C;U] an unpleasant combination of notes or sounds: The children trying out musical instruments produced a terrible discord.
discordant
discordant
  1. adj.
    1 full of conflict and disagreement: A discordant meeting ended without agreement.
    2 harsh-sounding, disagreeable in sound: They live in a discordant household full of arguing.
discotheque
discotheque
  1. n. See: disco.
discount
discount
  1. n. an amount subtracted from a price: The discount on this item is 10 percent off the retail price.v. [T]
    1 to reduce a price by an amount: The store discounted the item by 10 percent.
    2 to doubt, not accept completely as true: You have to discount what he says, because he exaggerates often.
    THESAURUS
    discount n. a markdown, reduction, percentage off s.t. | rebate.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to mark down, lower the price, slash, take off | rebate.
    2 to disregard, ignore.
discount rate
discount rate
  1. n. the interest rate charged by the US Federal Reserve Bank to other banks: The discount rate has a big effect on interest rates in general.
discount store
discount store
  1. n. a store that offers discounts on all or most merchandise in order to attract many customers: This chain of discount stores has sales every week.
discourage
discourage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages
    1 to take away one's confidence or hope: Poor grades on her exams discouraged her.
    2 to advise against, try to prevent: I discouraged him from staying in college any longer. -n. discouragement; -adj. discouraging.
    THESAURUS
    discourage
    1 to dishearten, demoralize, depress.
    2 to urge against, dissuade. Ant. to encourage.
discouraged
discouraged
  1. adj. feeling a loss of confidence or hope,
    THESAURUS
    disheartened: He felt discouraged after receiving bad grades.
discourse
discourse
  1. n.frml. [C;U] spoken or written (formal) communication: College students become familiar with academic discourse.
discourteous
discourteous
  1. adj. impolite, rude: I spoke to the manager after a salesperson was quite discourteous to me. -adv. discourteously.
discourtesy
discourtesy
  1. n. [C;U] impoliteness, rudeness: The discourtesy of the taxi driver made me angry.
discover
discover
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to learn, find out: When she got to her door, she discovered she had lost her key.
    2 [T] to find, see, or learn of (s.t. no one knew before): Galileo discovered the planet Jupiter.
    3 [T] to invent: Scientists in England discovered penicillin.
    THESAURUS
    discover
    1 to realize, recognize, see | come across s.t.
    2 to identify, detect, locate, uncover.
discovery
discovery
  1. n. -ries
    1 the finding of s.t. new: Since the discovery of penicillin, millions of lives have been saved with it.
    2 s.t. that is discovered or learned: His discoveries in physics made him famous.
discredit
discredit
  1. v. [T]
    1 to show that s.t. is of little or no truth or value: Scientists have discredited many popular beliefs, like the belief the world was flat.
    2 to cause a loss of trust or belief (in s.o.): After the scandal, the Minister was discredited and he then resigned from the government.
discreet
discreet
  1. adj.
    1 careful not to tell embarrassing or secret information: People tell her their secrets and she is very discreet; she never speaks about them.
    2 (in general behavior) polite, modest: He never shouts or does anything wild; he's discreet. -adv. discreetly.
discrepancy
discrepancy
  1. n. -cies a disagreement between what s.t. should be and what it appears to be: The published price is $100, but your check is made out for $90; there is a discrepancy there. -adj. discrepant.
discrete
discrete
  1. adj. separate, apart, having a distinct identity or existence: That company is a discrete entity from the others, which are all owned by the parent company. -adv. discretely.
discretion
discretion
  1. n. [U]
    1 the quality of being discreet, (syns.) prudence, caution: Lawyers and doctors must act with discretion and not speak to others about their clients.
    2 at (s.o.'s) discretion: as (s.o.) chooses or decides: Use the money at your own discretion.
discretionary
discretionary
  1. adj. allowing to the responsible use of one's own judgment: A discretionary account is one where the owner allows a stockbroker to make and act on decisions to trade.
discriminate
discriminate
  1. v. -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 [I;T] to see the differences (between): The expert discriminated between two periods of art.
    2 [I] to discriminate (against): to treat (s.o.) unfairly, esp. because of prejudice based on race, sex, age, religion, etc.: Some whites discriminate against blacks.
discriminating
discriminating
  1. adj. having good taste or judgment, (syns.) discerning, refined: She dresses beautifully and is a woman of discriminating tastes.
discrimination
discrimination
  1. n. [U]
    1 unfair treatment, esp. because of race, sex, age, religion, etc.: There is much racial discrimination in the world.
    2 the ability to appreciate small differences, (syns.) discernment, refinement: He is a man of discrimination in his tastes.
discriminator
discriminator
  1. n. a person who treats others unfairly: That employer is a discriminator against women; he pays them less than men.
discriminatory
discriminatory
  1. adj. resulting in unfair treatment (due to prejudice): That business was taken to court for discriminatory practices against minorities in its hiring procedures.
discursive
discursive
  1. adj. (of a person or s.t. written) passing with many words from one subject to another: Her writing is discursive but thorough. -adv. discursively.
discus
discus
  1. n. [T] -cuses a heavy plate thrown in an athletic competition: The discus is hurled as far as possible by a discus thrower, as a sport.
discuss
discuss
  1. v. [T] -es to talk about, examine: Please discuss the problem with the other employees.
    THESAURUS
    discuss to talk over, review, confer about frml.
discussion
discussion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a talk, serious conversation: We had a discussion about solving the problem.
    2 a formal conference: They are holding a discussion in Geneva about international banking.
    3 under discussion: being talked about: A new contract is now under discussion.
disdain
disdain
  1. n. [U] the feeling that s.o. or s.t. deserves no attention or respect,
    THESAURUS
    contempt: I left my job because my boss treated the workers with disdain.v. [T]
    1 to refuse because of disdain: He disdained going to the office party.
    2 to consider or treat with disdain: He disdains his coworkers and avoids speaking to them.
disdainful
disdainful
  1. adj. showing no respect,
    THESAURUS
    contemptuous: The oldest students sometimes have a disdainful attitude toward the newly arrived students. -adv. disdainfully.
disease
disease
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a sickness or serious disorder that is inherited or caused by infection or bad living conditions: Disease destroys many lives in poor parts of the world.
    2 fig.an abnormal social condition: The love of money can spread like a disease.
    THESAURUS
    disease
    1 illness, ailment, infirmity | disorder, syndrome. Ant. health.
diseased
diseased
  1. adj. sick, suffering from disease: The refugee camps were filled with hungry and diseased people.
disembark
disembark
  1. v. [I;T] to leave a ship or airplane after a voyage: They disembarked in Amsterdam after crossing the Atlantic Ocean. -n. [U] disembarkation.
disembody
disembody
  1. v. [T] -died, -dying, -dies to free the human soul or spirit from the body: Many people believe that at the moment of death, a person's soul becomes disembodied.
disembowel
disembowel
  1. v. [T] to cut the bowels out: The hunter disemboweled the deer that he had killed.
disenchanted
disenchanted
  1. adj. no longer believing in (s.t. that was valued),
    THESAURUS
    disillusioned: Her boss made her promises but didn't keep them; now she is disenchanted with him. -n. [U] disenchantment.
disenfranchise
disenfranchise
  1. v. [T] -chised, -chising, -chises to take away s.o.'s rights, esp. the right to vote: The white majority disenfranchised the black minority by creating a poll tax they could not pay, so they could not vote. -n. [U] disenfranchisement.
disengage
disengage
  1. v. -gaged, -gaging, -gages
    1 [I;T] to take apart: The technician disengaged the wiring from a large device.
    2 to disengage the gears (on a vehicle's transmission): to shift a clutch: Be sure to disengage the gears when you park the car.
    3 [I] to stop fighting and move apart: The two armies disengaged.
disentangle
disentangle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 to clear away knots from and make straight: The hairdresser disentangled the woman's hair.
    2 fig. to free from confusion,
    THESAURUS
    to extricate: The bookkeeper disentangled the records and cleared up mistakes.
disequilibrium
disequilibrium
  1. n. [U] lack of balance, instability: This chemical solution (government, financial situation, etc.) is in disequilibrium.
disestablish
disestablish
  1. v. [T] to remove s.t. from an official position: The new government disestablished the church (as the official church of the state).
disfavor
disfavor
  1. n. [U] frml. disapproval, dislike: The politician (representative, businessman, etc.) is in disfavor with his colleagues for acting against their wishes.v.frml. [T] to disapprove of, dislike: Some businesspeople disfavor that approach to marketing.
disfigure
disfigure
  1. v. [T] -ured, -uring, -ures to spoil or hurt the appearance of: In the car accident, she hit the windshield and it disfigured her face. -n. [U] disfigurement.
disgorge
disgorge
  1. v. [T] -gorged, -gorging, -gorges
    1 to throw out from the throat: A mother bird disgorged food for her young.
    2 to pour or put out forcefully: A volcano disgorges smoke and dust.
disgrace
disgrace
  1. n.
    1 [U] dishonor, a state of rejection (for an offense): He suffered disgrace for stealing.
    2 [C;U] a cause of shame or dishonor: She's a disgrace to her family.
    3 in disgrace: in a state of dishonor, public rejection: The official left office in disgrace.v. [T] to dishonor, bring shame to: The official disgraced himself (his family name, his country, etc.) by his dishonesty.
disgraceful
disgraceful
  1. adj.
    1 shameful, shocking: Her parents were angered and embarrassed by her disgraceful behavior.
    2 dishonorable,
    THESAURUS
    ignominious: The idea of winning-at-any-cost led to disgraceful actions by some competitors. -adv. disgracefully.
disgruntled
disgruntled
  1. adj. discontented and dissatisfied: He is disgruntled about not receiving an increase in pay.
disguise
disguise
  1. v. [T] -guised, -guising, -guises
    1 to change one's appearance to fool others: The secret agent disguised his identity (or) disguised himself to look like a farmer.
    2 to hide, cover up: She disguised her evil intentions by pretending to be friendly.n.
    1 a change of appearance made to hide one's true identity: The robber wore a ski mask as a disguise.
    2 s.t. that hides the truth,
    THESAURUS
    a ruse: His friendly manner was just a disguise for his brutal intentions.
disgust
disgust
  1. v. [T] to cause feelings of strong dislike: Garbage on the streets disgusts everyone.n. [U] a feeling of strong dislike: The terrible smell filled me with disgust.
    THESAURUS
    disgust v.
    1 to offend, revolt | sicken, nauseate —n. revulsion | aversion, distaste.
disgusted
disgusted
  1. adj.
    1 feeling strong dislike and impatience,
    THESAURUS
    offended: She is disgusted with dirty politics.
    2 sickened,
    THESAURUS
    nauseated: The neighbors are disgusted by the smell from his pigs. -adv. disgustedly.
disgusting
disgusting
  1. adj.
    1 causing strong dislike and impatience,
    THESAURUS
    offensive: The politicians can't solve anything; it's disgusting!
    2 sickening,
    THESAURUS
    nauseating: That garbage in the streets is disgusting.
disharmony
disharmony
  1. n. [C;U] -nies lack of agreement, (syns.) discord, friction: There is constant disharmony among members of that family; they're always arguing.
dishcloth
dishcloth
  1. n. a cloth used to wash dishes, dishrag: Leave the dishcloth to dry on the sink.
dishearten
dishearten
  1. v. [T] to take away the will to continue, discourage: A lack of cooperation disheartened him in his effort to find a solution to the problem.
dishevel
dishevel
  1. v. [T] to disorder,
    THESAURUS
    to muss: The wind disheveled her hair.
disheveled
disheveled
  1. adj. to have one's appearance (hair, clothes, etc.) in disorder: After falling down, he was all disheveled.
dishonest
dishonest
  1. adj. not honest, untruthful: That company is dishonest; it cheats on its taxes. -adv. dishonestly.
    THESAURUS
    dishonest lying, crooked infrml., deceitful | untrustworthy. Ant. honest.
dishonesty
dishonesty
  1. n. [U] the failure or refusal to be honest or truthful,
    THESAURUS
    deceit: The liar is guilty of dishonesty in what he says and does.
dishonor
dishonor
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to cause a loss of honor, bring shame to,
    THESAURUS
    to disgrace: The scandal dishonored him in polite society.
    2 to insult, treat without respect: Burning a nation's flag dishonors its citizens.n. [U]
    1 disgrace, public shame: She brought dishonor on her family by defecting to the enemy.
    2 an insult, lack of respect: to show dishonor to a nation by burning its flag
dishonorable
dishonorable
  1. adj. disgraceful, shameful, offensive to moral standards: His stealing money that was entrusted to him was dishonorable. -adv. dishonorably.
dishpan
dishpan
  1. n. a pan for washing dishes: I soaked the dishes in the dishpan, then washed them.
dishrag
dishrag
  1. n. See: dishcloth.
dishtowel
dishtowel
  1. n. a cloth towel used to dry dishes after washing: Pass me the dishtowel, so I can dry the dishes.
dishware
dishware
  1. n. [U] dishes in general (plates, bowls, cups, etc.): We store the dishware in a kitchen cabinet.
dishwasher
dishwasher
  1. n.
    1 a machine used to wash dishes: Our dishwasher uses a lot of water.
    2 a person whose job is washing dishes: He's a dishwasher in a Chinese restaurant.
dishwater
dishwater
  1. n. [U]
    1 the water in which dishes were washed: I poured the dishwater out of the dishpan.
    2 s.t. unpleasant or undesirable, esp. to the taste: This soup tastes like dishwater.
disillusion
disillusion
  1. v. [T] to take away (s.o.'s) pleasant belief or faith: He did not keep his promises and that fact disillusioned her. -n.[C;U] disillusionment.
disillusioned
disillusioned
  1. adj. unhappy from a loss of belief or faith: He doesn't vote anymore because he's disillusioned with politics.
disinclined
disinclined
  1. adj. unwilling, reluctant: She is disinclined to accept the job offer because the pay is too low.
disinfect
disinfect
  1. v. [T] to clean by killing germs or bacteria: He disinfected the bathroom with a germicide.
disinfectant
disinfectant
  1. n. [C;U] a germ killer: Hospitals use strong disinfectants to keep the rooms clean.
disinflation
disinflation
  1. n. [U] a slowing of the increase in prices of goods and services (as contrasted with deflation, which is a drop in prices): We are in a period of disinflation during this recession.
disinformation
disinformation
  1. n. [U] false information spread on purpose, esp. by a government to confuse an enemy: The military spread disinformation that it was going to attack from the south, when it really planned to attack from the west.
disingenuous
disingenuous
  1. adj. not open and honest, insincere: She is disingenuous when she says that she loves him; she doesn't. -adv. disingenuously.
disinherit
disinherit
  1. v. [T] to take away rights of inheritance, remove (s.o.) from one's will so that person gets nothing when one dies: The old man disinherited his son after years of disagreements and arguments.
disintegrate
disintegrate
  1. v. [I] -grated, -grating, -grates to break into small pieces, fall apart: The papers were so old that they disintegrated when touched.
disintegration
disintegration
  1. n. [U] a breakdown into small pieces: Autumn leaves begin a process of disintegration after they fall.
disinter
disinter
  1. v. [T] -terred, -terring, -ters to dig up (a body that was buried): A gravedigger disinterred a body by court order.
disinterest
disinterest
  1. n. [U] freedom from self-interest or bias,
    THESAURUS
    impartiality: Her disinterest in the case means that she can judge it fairly.
disinterested
disinterested
  1. adj. not influenced by the chance of personal gain: We need a disinterested person to decide what is fair. -adv. disinterestedly.
disinvestment
disinvestment
  1. n. [U] a reduction of capital investment by selling off assets or by not investing further: A recession is often a period of disinvestment when companies sell assets.
disjointed
disjointed
  1. adj.fig. not well connected, awkward: Feeling confused and embarrassed, he made a disjointed speech (argument, presentation). -adv. disjointedly.
disjunction
disjunction
  1. n. a condition of being disjointed: A disjunction in computer logic caused the problem. -adj. disjunctive.
disk
disk
  1. n.
    1 var. of disc, a thin flat circular plate: A computer disk is for data storage and retrieval. See: diskette.
    2 a pad between two bones in the spine: A slipped disk is causing the pain in her back.
disk drive
disk drive
  1. n. the place (in a computer or compact disc player) where the disk is inserted
diskette
diskette
  1. n. (in computers) a portable, plastic plate on which computer data is stored and read magnetically: We still use three-inch diskettes in our computer systems. floppy disk or diskette -n. a square piece of plastic used to store computer information: His computer has two openings for 3.5-inch floppy diskettes.
dislike
dislike
  1. v. [T] -liked, -liking, -likes to not like or enjoy: He dislikes pickles, so he never eats them.n. a feeling of not liking: She has a dislike for fruits and vegetables.
    THESAURUS
    dislike v. to not care for, object to, mind | disapprove of. Ant. to like.
    THESAURUS
    —n. a distaste for, aversion to | disinclination frml.
dislocate
dislocate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to move s.t. out of its normal place: The skier fell and dislocated a shoulder.
dislocation
dislocation
  1. n. [C;U] the movement of s.t. from its normal place: He suffered a dislocation of his knee in an accident.
dislodge
dislodge
  1. v. [T] -lodged, -lodging, -lodges to force s.o. or s.t. from its present place: They tried to dislodge the enemy from its position (a rock from a cliff, a bureaucrat from his job, etc.).
disloyal
disloyal
  1. adj. unfaithful, not loyal: Giving away secrets is disloyal to one's friends (company, boss, country, etc.). -adv. disloyally.
disloyalty
disloyalty
  1. n. [U] unfaithfulness, lack of loyalty: Her disloyalty to her friend ended their friendship.
dismal
dismal
  1. adj. causing sadness or depression, (syns.) dreary, gloomy: Dismal weather (rain and fog) brought everyone's spirits down. -adv. dismally.
dismantle
dismantle
  1. v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles to take apart, break down into pieces: A mechanic dismantled the engine to replace one part.
dismay
dismay
  1. v. [T] to shock and discourage,
    THESAURUS
    to dishearten: The loss of his job dismayed him.
dismember
dismember
  1. v. [T] to cut off the arms and legs (of a human or animal): The mad killer dismembered his victim with an axe. -n. [U] dismemberment.
dismiss
dismiss
  1. v. [T]
    1 to send away: The teacher dismissed the students at the end of class.
    2 frml. to end s.o.'s employment: The company dismissed the employees.
    3 to ignore as unimportant,
    THESAURUS
    to brush off: She dismissed the accusation (proposal, idea, etc.) as not worth thinking about.
dismissal
dismissal
  1. n.
    1 [U] end of the school day: Dismissal is at 3:00 P.M.
    2 frml. [C;U] the end of (s.o.'s) employment: His dismissal took place yesterday.
    3 [U] rejection as unimportant: His dismissal of her idea angered her.
dismount
dismount
  1. v. [I;T] n. to get off s.t., such as a horse or motorcycle: The horseman dismounted and walked to the stable.||It was a graceful dismount.
disobedience
disobedience
  1. n. [U] refusal to follow an order or rule: Disobedience of orders is a serious offense in the military. -adj. disobedient; -adv. disobediently.
    THESAURUS
    disobedience defiance, insubordination, noncompliance. Ant. obedience.
disobey
disobey
  1. v. [T] to refuse to follow an order, not to do what one is told: The girl disobeyed her mother and broke the rule.
    THESAURUS
    disobey to defy, resist | disregard. Ant. to obey.
disorder
disorder
  1. n.
    1 [U] a state of rebellion and confusion: Mass demonstrations threw the nation into disorder.
    2 [U] lack of order, a mess: a room in a state of disorder
    3 [C] a sickness or disturbance (of the mind or body): a stomach disorderv.frml. [T] to disturb, throw into disorder: The experience disordered her mind.
disordered
disordered
  1. adj.
    1 lacking order, messy: We couldn't understand her disordered presentation.
    2 physically or mentally ill
disorderly
disorderly
  1. adj.
    1 using violence in public,
    THESAURUS
    rowdy: The protesters became disorderly and were arrested.
    2 disorganized, messy: His disorderly manner of leading a meeting causes confusion.
disorderly conduct
disorderly conduct
  1. n. [U] (in law) behavior in public that disturbs the peace: He became drunk and noisy, so the police arrested him for disorderly conduct.
disorganize
disorganize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to confuse, put out of proper order: The late airline flight disorganized her plans.
disorganized
disorganized
  1. adj. confused, not in order: She is so disorganized that she can never find anything.
    THESAURUS
    disorganized disorderly, messed up infrml. (people) | out of place, jumbled, chaotic (things). Ant. organized.
disorient
disorient
  1. v. [T] to confuse, esp. as to where one is and what to do: A fall disoriented him for a few minutes.
disown
disown
  1. v. [T]
    1 to reject all connection with,
    THESAURUS
    to disinherit: The woman disowned her two children.
    2 frml. to refuse to accept, deny: He disowned any responsibility for making a mistake.
disparage
disparage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to speak of (s.o. or s.t.) as having little value or importance,
    THESAURUS
    to belittle: He called his opponent a fool and disparaged his abilities. -n. [U] disparagement.
disparaging
disparaging
  1. adj. making (s.o. or s.t.) seem of little value or importance, (syns.) belittling, deprecating: She is too polite to ever make disparaging remarks about another person.
disparate
disparate
  1. adj. different, unconnected: He had no speech prepared, so he only made disparate remarks.
disparity
disparity
  1. n. -ties a difference or inequality: There is a disparity between what he says and what he does (between their ages, between their salaries, etc.).
dispassion
dispassion
  1. n. [U] neutrality, disinterest without emotion: A judge must consider matters objectively, with dispassion.
dispassionate
dispassionate
  1. adj. neutral, calm and fair: The judge takes a dispassionate attitude toward matters before her. -adv. dispassionately.
dispatch or despatch
dispatch or despatch
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to send (s.o. or s.t.): The Ministry dispatched a message (representative, car, etc.).
    2 frml. to kill quickly: The injured horse was suffering, so we dispatched it with a shot to the head.n. -es
    1 a message or report sent with speed: An officer brought the general the dispatches from the battlefront.
    2 with dispatch: with efficiency: He performs his duties with dispatch by quickly doing what his boss asks.
dispatcher
dispatcher
  1. n. a person who sends and keeps track of people, vehicles, messages, etc.: She works as a taxi dispatcher, using a radio to tell the taxis where to go.
dispel
dispel
  1. v. [T] to cause to go away,
    THESAURUS
    to dissipate: The wind dispels a fog.||He dispelled her fears by telling her he was faithful to her.
dispensable
dispensable
  1. adj.
    1 not necessary,
    THESAURUS
    expendable: We have too much luggage now; let's leave anything that's dispensable at home.
    2 capable of being given out: dispensable drugs, dispensable candy (from a vending machine)
dispensary
dispensary
  1. n. -ries a place from which medical supplies are given out: I went to the hospital dispensary for some bandages.
dispensation
dispensation
  1. n. [C;U] a right or permit given as an exception to a rule, law, or custom: The town gave the school a dispensation to allow school buses to park in the no-parking zone.
dispense
dispense
  1. v. [T] -pensed, -pensing, -penses
    1 to distribute, give out: The Red Cross dispensed medical supplies to the refugees.
    2 to administer, deal out: The judicial system dispenses justice to the people.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to dispense with s.o. or s.t.: to do or manage without,
    THESAURUS
    to eliminate: The participants in the meeting dispensed with the usual formalities and started negotiating immediately.
dispenser
dispenser
  1. n. a device used to give out s.t.: There's a soap dispenser next to the sink.
dispersal
dispersal
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 giving out, distribution: She is responsible for the dispersal of funds to each department in the company.
    2 a breaking up and sending or going away: Police began the dispersal of the crowd around the scene of the accident.
disperse
disperse
  1. v. -persed, -persing, -perses
    1 [T] to give out, dispense: The federal government disperses funds to the states.
    2 [I] to break up and send or go away,
    THESAURUS
    to scatter: The crowd dispersed after the demonstration.
dispersion
dispersion
  1. n.
    1 [U] flow or movement, esp. in a scientific sense: The experiment showed the dispersion of particles in a liquid.
    2 [C;U] a breaking up, scattering in different directions: the dispersion of light into its spectrum of colors
    3 [U] a spread over an area: He studied the dispersion of plants throughout that region.
dispirited
dispirited
  1. adj.frml. discouraged, disheartened: She feels dispirited by the loss of her job.
displace
displace
  1. v. [T] -placed, -placing, -places
    1 to remove, take the place of: The younger executive displaced his boss as department head.
    2 to make a refugee: The war displaced her and her whole family. -adj. displaced; -n. [U] displacement.
display
display
  1. v. [T]
    1 to place in a position to be seen: The store displays merchandise in glass cases.
    2 to allow to be seen: He displayed his bad temper by shouting at me.n. [C;U]
    1 a presentation: What a beautiful display of clothing in that store window!
    2 a demonstration: The child's display of bad temper surprised his teacher.
    THESAURUS
    display v.
    1 to show, exhibit | feature
    2 to expose, reveal. Ant. to hide.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a show, exhibit
    2 an act, exhibition frml.
displease
displease
  1. v. [T] -pleased, -pleasing, -pleases frml. to cause displeasure, (syns.) to offend, annoy: Her little boy's lack of good manners displeased her. -adj. displeased.
displeasure
displeasure
  1. n. [U] annoyance, irritation: She showed her displeasure at his bad manners by frowning at him.
disposable
disposable
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being thrown away after use: Paper napkins are disposable.
    2 disposable income: money one is free to spend after taxes are taken out
disposal
disposal
  1. n.
    1 [U] the throwing away or dumping of: the disposal of trash
    2 at (s.o.'s) disposal: available for (s.o's) use: I was at her disposal whenever she needed my advice.
    3 [C] garbage disposal: a small machine attached under a kitchen sink for cutting up food waste as it passes through
dispose
dispose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to make, be ready for s.t.: The police were disposed to enter the criminal's house.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to dispose of: a. to throw away, put in a trash container: After your picnic, please dispose of the trash (garbage, litter, etc.). b. to deal with s.t. and bring to a conclusion: At the meeting, the committee quickly disposed of the first matter on the agenda.
disposed
disposed
  1. adj.frml.
    1 willing: I think the President is disposed to listen to our idea.
    2 disposed toward: friendly toward, favoring: The people in both countries were well disposed toward the peace plan.
dispossess
dispossess
  1. v.frml. [T] -es to force out of a home or land by legal action or by wrongful act: The court dispossessed the family from their house for not paying their taxes.
disproportion
disproportion
  1. n. [U] s.t. that is too large or small in relation to s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    an imbalance: The price that he wants is in disproportion to the property's value; it's too high. -adj. disproportional.
disproportionate
disproportionate
  1. adj. too large or small compared to s.t. else: The size of the mirror is disproportionate to that of the dresser, so we should get a smaller one. -adv. disproportionately.
disprove
disprove
  1. v. [T] -proved, -proving, -proves to prove that s.t. is untrue
    THESAURUS
    to refute: The lawyer disproved her opponent's claim, so her client went free.
disputable
disputable
  1. adj. questionable, doubtful: What he says is disputable; I don't believe it.
dispute
dispute
  1. n.
    1 an argument, quarrel: The couple had a dispute over money.
    2 a lawsuit, court case: The two landowners have a dispute over water rights.||These two disputants will meet in court.v. -puted, -puting, -putes
    1 [T] to argue against, quarrel over: One person disputes what the other says.
    2 [I;T] to question the truth of: The two people disputed each other's claims in court.
disqualification
disqualification
  1. n. [C;U] a forcing out of a person or group, such as a sports team, from participation: When the soccer team suffered a disqualification for breaking the rules, they couldn't play for the rest of the season.
disqualify
disqualify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to take away the right to participate: The referee disqualified the player after tests showed he had used drugs.
disquiet
disquiet
  1. v.frml. [T] to make uneasy or anxious: City life disquieted the poet, so she returned to the countryside. -adj. disquieting.
disregard
disregard
  1. v. [T] to pay no attention to,
    THESAURUS
    to ignore: Please disregard my last letter, as I now have new information for you.n. [U] lack of attention to or care for: He has complete disregard for the needs of others.
disrepair
disrepair
  1. n. [U] a condition of being broken down and needing to be fixed: The house has fallen into disrepair with broken windows and a leaky roof.
disreputable
disreputable
  1. adj. having a bad reputation, not to be trusted: She advised us not to do business with that disreputable company. -adv. disreputably.
disrepute
disrepute
  1. n. [U] disgrace, bad reputation: Dishonest dealings have brought that company into a state of disrepute.||The owner is considered to be dishonest, and he is in disrepute.
disrespect
disrespect
  1. n. [U] lack of respect: The customer treated the waiter with disrespect by shouting at him. -adj. disrespectful; -adv. disrespectfully.
    THESAURUS
    disrespect rudeness, impoliteness, discourtesy. Ant. politeness.
disrobe
disrobe
  1. v. [I] -robed, -robing, -robes frml. to remove clothing, undress: The patient disrobed in the doctor's examination room.
disrupt
disrupt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to interrupt, cause a break in the flow of: The storm disrupted our telephone service, so we could not make phone calls for two days.
    2 to cause a disorder in, upset: A protester disrupted a meeting of the Board of Directors by shouting slogans. -n.[C;U] disruption.
disruptive
disruptive
  1. adj. upsetting, disturbing: The angry young man has a disruptive influence on the work of others. -adv. disruptively.
dissatisfaction
dissatisfaction
  1. n. [U] lack of satisfaction, discontent: There is much dissatisfaction with the low salaries at our company.
dissatisfactory
dissatisfactory
  1. adj.frml. not good enough, unsatisfactory: Since the student's performance is dissatisfactory, she received low grades. -adv. dissatisfactorily.
dissatisfy
dissatisfy
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to displease, discontent: The violin performance dissatisfied the critical audience. -adj. dissatisfied; dissatisfying.
    THESAURUS
    dissatisfy to disappoint, make unhappy, frustrate, vex. Ant. to satisfy.
dissect
dissect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to cut apart for analysis: The biology student dissected a frog in the laboratory.
    2 fig. to examine s.t. piece by piece with great care: The lawyer dissected the story told by the witness. -n. [C;U] dissection.
dissemble
dissemble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles frml. to hide the truth, pretend: He dissembled about his past employment history.
disseminate
disseminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates frml. to make known,
    THESAURUS
    to promulgate: The newspapers disseminate information to the public. -n. [U] dissemination.
dissension
dissension
  1. n. [C;U] a difference of opinion, esp. resulting in argument: There was a great deal of noisy dissension among the arguing committee members.
dissent
dissent
  1. v. [I]
    1 to have or give a different opinion: One member of the Supreme Court dissented from the majority opinion.||She wrote a dissenting opinion.
    2 to speak in protest, esp. politically: Students dissented against the government. n. [U] opposition, disagreement: The people rose in dissent over food shortages. -n. dissenter.
dissertation
dissertation
  1. n. a long formal treatment of a subject, esp. one written for a higher university degree: After years of writing her doctoral dissertation, it was accepted and she received her Ph.D.
disservice
disservice
  1. n.sing. an action that creates a problem for s.o.: That company did me a great disservice when they made a mistake that hurt my credit rating.
dissidence
dissidence
  1. n. [U] disagreement, opposition: He started a campaign of political dissidence.
dissident
dissident
  1. n. one who dissents: Political dissidents are often put in jail in that country.
dissimilar
dissimilar
  1. adj. different, unlike in some way: The girls are identical twins, but dissimilar in that one likes sports and the other does not.
dissimilarity
dissimilarity
  1. n. -ties a difference: The two products are much alike, but they do have dissimilarities.
dissipate
dissipate
  1. v. -pated, -pating, -pates
    1 [I] to disappear or to lessen in intensity,
    THESAURUS
    to disperse: The fog slowly dissipated in the morning sunlight.
    2 [T] to spend or use up carelessly,
    THESAURUS
    to squander: The dictator dissipated the riches of his country.
dissipated
dissipated
  1. adj. foolish and careless in living only for pleasure: Her dissipated lifestyle has destroyed her health. -n. dissipation.
dissociate
dissociate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates frml. to separate, set apart: The candidate tried to dissociate himself in the minds of the voters from the past failures of his party. -n. [U] dissociation.
dissoluble
dissoluble
  1. adj. capable of being dissolved: Aspirin is dissoluble in water.
dissolute
dissolute
  1. adj. lacking good character and morals,
    THESAURUS
    immoral: He is dissolute; he cheats on his taxes every year. -adv. dissolutely.
dissolution
dissolution
  1. n.
    1 a breaking down into parts or pieces,
    THESAURUS
    disintegration: Sadly, we watched the dissolution of the government (the team's spirit, the patient's courage, etc.).
    2 [C;U] a formal breaking of an association, group, or contract: the dissolution of a marriage
    3 [U] immoral behavior,
    THESAURUS
    degeneracy: Drinking and using drugs, she fell into dissolution.
dissolve
dissolve
  1. v. -solved, -solving, -solves
    1 [I;T] to put s.t., like sugar or powder, into a liquid and make it seem to disappear: The powder dissolved in water.
    2 [T] to end (an association, group, or contract): to dissolve a marriage (a formal meeting, business, etc.)
    3 [I] fig. to break down emotionally: She dissolved into tears at the news.
dissonance
dissonance
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 discord, harsh sound: I dislike the dissonance in serious modern music.
    2 conflict, lack of agreement: They ended their marriage because of the dissonance in their relationship. -adj. dissonant.
dissuade
dissuade
  1. v. [T] -suaded, -suading, -suades frml. to persuade s.o. not to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to deter: My father dissuaded me from taking a job in another city. -n. [U] dissuasion.
distance
distance
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 amount of space between two points: What is the distance between the earth and the moon (or) the distance from the earth to the moon?||The distance between Boston and New York is 250 miles (400 km.).
    2 sing. an unfriendly relation,
    THESAURUS
    an aloofness: There is a distance now between those two friends.
    3 in the distance: far away: We saw dark clouds in the distance.
    4 to keep one's distance: a. to stay away because of safety: When I'm out walking, I keep my distance from strange dogs. b. to be unfriendly, aloof: Since our argument, she's kept her distance from me and never even says hello.v. [T] -tanced, -tancing, -tances to put or keep at a distance: After he became rich, he distanced himself from old friends.
distant
distant
  1. adj.
    1 far away: She's studying the distant stars (the distant past, her distant relatives, etc.).
    2 not friendly, cold: She used to have a close relationship with her sister, but now they are distant toward each other. -adv. distantly.
    THESAURUS
    distant
    1 far off, remote, outlying. Ant. close.
    2 aloof, cool, unfriendly. Ant. friendly.
distaste
distaste
  1. n.sing. [U] a dislike: He has a distaste for red meat (opera, arguing, etc.).
distasteful
distasteful
  1. adj. unpleasant, causing dislike: I find his loud voice in public to be distasteful. -adv. distastefully.
distemper
distemper
  1. n. [U] a viral disease, esp. suffered by dogs: Our dog had distemper, but is OK now.
distend
distend
  1. v.frml. [I;T] adj. to grow large because of pressure inside: The starving children had distended stomachs. -n. [U] distention.
distill
distill
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make (a liquid) into gas by boiling it and then collecting the condensation, esp. to make alcohol: Whisky is distilled from grain.
    2 to reduce s.t. to its central or most important quality: The student distilled the general ideas of the course into a few pages of notes. -n. [C;U] distillation.
distillate
distillate
  1. n. the product of distillation: Vodka is a distillate of wheat, corn, or potatoes.
distillery
distillery
  1. n. -ies a business or factory where drinking alcohol, esp. whiskey, is distilled: They own a whiskey distillery in Scotland. -n. distiller.
distinct
distinct
  1. adj.
    1 clear, easy to see: Medical care has made a distinct improvement in his health.
    2 separate, different: Those two types of birds are quite distinct (from each other). -adv. distinctly.
distinction
distinction
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a clear difference: The history teacher made (or) drew a distinction between the customs of the past and present.
    2 [U] excellence: She achieved distinction in the field of history.
    3 sing. s.t. that sets s.o. apart, esp. an honor: She had the distinction of graduating first in her class.
distinctive
distinctive
  1. adj. different from others, special: Spices give that dish its distinctive flavor. -adv. distinctively.
distinguish
distinguish
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to see or understand differences,
    THESAURUS
    to discriminate: That child cannot distinguish between right and wrong!
    2 [T] to show as different, set apart: What distinguishes our company from our competitors is our excellent record of customer satisfaction.
    3 [T] to distinguish oneself: to gain notice, honor, or respect: He distinguished himself as a leading writer of books.
distinguished
distinguished
  1. adj. famous for excellent achievement: She is a distinguished novelist.
distort
distort
  1. v. [T]
    1 to twist, bend out of shape: Anger distorted his face.
    2 to change so as to make false,
    THESAURUS
    to misrepresent: He distorts the truth.
distortion
distortion
  1. n. [C;U] a change that makes (s.t.) false,
    THESAURUS
    a misrepresentation: The story she told was a distortion of the truth.
distract
distract
  1. v. [T] to pull (s.o.'s) attention away: Noise distracts him, so he can't study for exams.
distracted
distracted
  1. adj.
    1 having one's attention pulled away: Distracted from her reading by a noise outside, she ran to the window.
    2 very upset or troubled: The distracted father ran looking for his lost child. -adv. distractedly.
distraction
distraction
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that interrupts, a disturbance: Noise is a distraction when I'm trying to study.
    2 entertainment, pleasing places and events: He goes to London on business, but finds many pleasant distractions there as well.
distraught
distraught
  1. adj. very upset, extremely troubled: She was distraught by the death of her aunt.
distress
distress
  1. n. -es [U]
    1 emotional pain or suffering: We could see her distress over the death of her aunt.
    2 difficulty, danger: That ship is in distress; it is sinking.v. [T] to cause emotional pain: Her aunt's death distressed her deeply.
distribute
distribute
  1. v. [T] -uted, -uting, -utes
    1 to give out or deal out: The government distributes free food to the poor.
    2 to spread out, place at separate points: The population in the desert is distributed over a wide area.
    THESAURUS
    distribute
    1 to hand out, issue | allocate, dispense, dole out
    2 to scatter, divide up.
distributing
distributing
  1. n. [U] the business and occupation of a distributor, esp. of goods: He is in distributing; he distributes office supplies.
distribution
distribution
  1. n.
    1 [U] a giving or dealing out (of s.t.): The Red Cross was responsible for the distribution of medical supplies.
    2 [C;U] a supplying of (s.t.), a shipment: the distribution of goods from a factory
    3 [C;U] spread, placement (over an area): War brought change in the distribution of population over the country. -adj. distributive.
distributor
distributor
  1. n.
    1 a person or business that distributes goods, usu. at wholesale prices: She is a distributor of cosmetics to stores locally.||She has her own distributorship.
    2 a small device that passes electric current to the spark plugs in an engine
district
district
  1. n.
    1 an area of special character: Wall Street is in the financial district of New York.
    2 an area officially marked for a purpose: a postal district, a political districtv. [T] to divide into districts: The legislature districts the state, and each district elects a representative.
    THESAURUS
    district n.
    1 quarter, region, community
    2 locality, precinct.
district court
district court
  1. n. a Federal court in the USA, usu. with power over a wide area: The case is being tried before a jury in the District Court for the Southern District of New York.
distrust
distrust
  1. v. sing. [T] to lack trust in, doubt the honesty, intentions, or ability of: The two nations (people, relatives, etc.) have distrusted each other for years.n.sing. [U] doubt, lack of trust: Enemies have a distrust for each other.
    THESAURUS
    distrust v. to mistrust, have misgivings | suspect. Ant. to trust.
distrustful
distrustful
  1. adj. doubtful, suspicious: The two business partners are now distrustful of each other. -adv. distrustfully.
disturb
disturb
  1. v. [T]
    1 to interrupt: Bad dreams disturbed her sleep.
    2 to worry, upset: The bad news disturbed him.
    THESAURUS
    disturb
    1 to bother, intrude on, butt in infrml.
    2 to concern, trouble, perturb frml.
disturbance
disturbance
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a break in the peace or quiet: I heard a disturbance in the hallway outside my apartment; two people were arguing.
    2 an interruption: a disturbance in telephone service
disturbed
disturbed
  1. adj.
    1 worried, upset: She is disturbed about her mother's poor health.
    2 mentally ill or not normal: He is emotionally disturbed and needs a doctor's care.
disunite
disunite
  1. v. [I;T] -nited, -niting, -nites
    1 to move apart: The two political parties broke their coalition and disunited.
    2 to break apart: The country became disunited and fell into a state of disorder and lawlessness. -n. [U] disunion.
disunity
disunity
  1. n. [U] lack of agreement or organization,
    THESAURUS
    discord: The leaders do not agree, so there is disunity in their political party.
disuse
disuse
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of use: After he broke his leg, his muscles became weak from disuse.
    2 to fall into disuse: to gradually stop being used: I never hear that word anymore, so I guess it has fallen into disuse.
ditch
ditch
  1. n. -es a long narrow hole dug in the earth, esp. to hold or carry water: I fell into the ditch that runs by the side of the road.v. [T]
    1 infrml.fig. to throw away quickly: The thieves ditched the stolen goods, so the police won't find them.
    2 slang to suddenly break a relationship with: She ditched her boyfriend for another man.
    THESAURUS
    ditch n. a trench, gutter, furrow.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to abandon, discard, cast off
    2 to dump infrml.
dither
dither
  1. v. [I] to hesitate in a confused way, delay: The manager dithered over the decision for days.n.sing. a state of confusion and nervousness: He is always in a dither about s.t.; he should try to calm down.
ditto
ditto
  1. n. -tos exclam.
    1 [U] an expression of agreement: "He thinks she's a terrific worker!"—"Ditto!" (meaning that I do, too)
    2 the symbol (") placed under a word (phrase, another symbol, etc.) to indicate that it repeats itself
ditty
ditty
  1. n. -ties a short song: We sang little ditties last night.
diuretic
diuretic
  1. n.adj. a chemical that reduces the water content of the blood and causes an increase in urine: He uses a diuretic to control his blood pressure.
diurnal
diurnal
  1. adj.frml. daily: Sunlight affects the diurnal rhythms of life. -adv. diurnally.
diva
diva
  1. n. a female opera star: She was a famous diva for many years.
divan
divan
  1. n. a sofa: We sit on the divan and watch television at night.
dive
dive
  1. v. [I] dove , or dived, diving, dives
    1 to jump (into the water) head first: The swimmer dove into the pool.
    2 to go down sharply: The plane (submarine, stock market) dove suddenly.
    3 infrml. to dive into: to begin with energy: She dives into her work early each morning.n.
    1 a headfirst jump into the water: She made a graceful dive.
    2 a fast downward movement: a dive in the stock market
    3 slang a cheap, not respectable nightclub
    4 to take a dive: (in boxing) to pretend to be knocked out: The boxer was paid to take a dive.
    THESAURUS
    dive v.
    1 to plunge, jump headlong
    2 to plunge, fall, drop.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a headlong jump
    2 a fall, drop, plunge.
diver
diver
  1. n. a person who goes down into deep water or jumps from an airplane: He is a deep-sea diver (or) skydiver.
diverge
diverge
  1. v. [I] -verged, -verging, -verges to separate and go in different directions, esp. in conflict: The nation was united, then political opinion diverged and several political parties were formed. -n. divergence.
divergent
divergent
  1. adj. moving apart and differing: She and I hold divergent opinions.
diverse
diverse
  1. adj. varied, different from each other: New York City has a diverse population, including many Asians, African-Americans, and Puerto Ricans.
diversification
diversification
  1. n. [U] a spreading of assets among different investments to lessen the risk by remaining in one or a few: Many businesses follow a program of diversification to reduce the chance of a big loss.
diversify
diversify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make or become varied: The college biology department has diversified by adding new courses in biotechnology.
    2 to enter new types of businesses See: diversification.
diversion
diversion
  1. n.
    1 a break from normal activity (esp. work), entertainment: While on business in Chicago, I went to a football game as a diversion.
    2 an action designed to distract and trick s.o.: Two men pretended to fight as a diversion while their friend stole wallets from people watching them.
diversity
diversity
  1. n. [U] -ties
    1 variety: Diversity in one's diet—such as eating vegetables, fruit, fish, and grains—is important for good health.
    2 [U] differences among people in race, ethnic group, religion, etc.: the diversity of the American people
    3 [C] a diversity of opinion: disagreement: There is a diversity of opinion about what to do.
divert
divert
  1. v. [T]
    1 to distract, cause to turn away: A loud noise diverted everyone's attention from their work.
    2 to direct away, esp. from an intended purpose: The bookkeeper diverted company funds to his own bank account.
    3 frml. to amuse, entertain: She diverted the child with a game.
divest
divest
  1. v. [T]
    1 frml. to take away (rights or property): He was divested of all parental rights by the court.
    2 to divest oneself of (assets, investments, etc.): to sell off: The corporation divested itself of realestate holdings.
    3 frml. to undress: The knight divested himself of his armor.
divestiture
divestiture
  1. n. [U] an instance of selling off an asset: They advised the divestiture of real-estate holdings.
divide
divide
  1. v. -vided, -viding, -vides
    1 [T] to separate (s.t. into shares): Divide the candy between the two children.
    2 [I;T] to separate (into parts), break up: They have divided the first floor into five rooms.||The huge corporation divided into smaller companies.
    3 [T] to break up, cause to disagree: Arguments over politics divided the two brothers.
    4 [I;T] to figure how many times one number contains another: 4 divided by 2 is 2.n. mountains that divide watersheds: The Rocky Mountains form the Great Divide in North America.
    THESAURUS
    divide v.
    1 to split s.t. up, distribute, measure out
    2 to split up, partition | carve
    3 to split up, alienate.
dividend
dividend
  1. n.
    1 money paid to stockholders in a company as a share of company profits: The board of directors of this company declares a quarterly dividend, then sends out checks.
    2 infrml. a benefit or advantage, usu. surprising: He went there just for a vacation, so meeting his true love was an unexpected dividend.
    3 a number to be divided: In dividing 20 by 5, the number 20 is the dividend and 5 is the divisor.
divider
divider
  1. n. anything used as a separator, esp. as to divide a room into two parts: The carpenter built a divider to make two rooms out of one.
divine
divine
  1. adj.
    1 heavenly, related to a godly force: Do you believe in a divine power that controls all life?
    2 fig. excellent, wonderful: We attended a divine party last night. -adv. divinely.v. [I;T] -vined, -vining, -vines to guess, know by intuition: The wise man divined the truth.n.frml. a Christian minister or priest
divine right
divine right
  1. n. [U] the belief that a king's right to rule came from God: The Bourbon kings ruled France by divine right.
diving
diving
  1. n. [U] various (under)water sports: My friend has gone scuba diving in the Caribbean Sea.
diving board
diving board
  1. n. a flat, flexible board used for the fun or sport of springing into water: Swimmers run onto the diving board and jump into the pool.
diving suit
diving suit
  1. n. a tough, flexible covering with equipment for breathing used for work and exploration: The deep-sea diver put on his diving suit.
divining rod
divining rod
  1. n. a forked stick used to find underground water: Some people have special talent for finding water with a divining rod.
divinity
divinity
  1. n. -ties
    1 a god
    2 the Divinity: God: Many people pray to the Divinity.adj. related to religion: She is a divinity student.
divisible
divisible
  1. adj. capable of being divided: All even numbers, such as four and eight, are divisible by two.
division
division
  1. n.
    1 [C] a separation, breaking up (into parts, shares, etc.): We need to agree on a fair division of labor.
    2 [C] a unit within a larger organization: The marketing division is the largest unit in this company.
    3 [U] the mathematical operation of dividing one number by another: An example of division is "4 divided by 2 equals 2."
    4 a large military unit: an army division of 30,000 men
    5 a separation, esp. through disagreement: There is a division in the union membership over accepting the new contract.
    THESAURUS
    division
    1 a split, allotment, apportionment
    2 a part, section, group.
divisive
divisive
  1. adj. causing disagreement and division between people: He spreads false information and is a divisive force among the workers.
divisor
divisor
  1. n. a number by which another one is divided: In 4 divided by 2, the number 2 is the divisor and 4 is the dividend.
divorce
divorce
  1. n. [C;U] a legal ending of a marriage: She sued her husband for divorce.v. -vorced, -vorcing, -vorces
    1 [I;T] to end a marriage by law: He divorced his wife.
    2 [T] to separate: She believes in divorcing her personal life from her work life.
    THESAURUS
    divorce n. a break-up, split-up, parting of the ways | separation, annulment.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to break up, split, call it quits infrml. | annul
    2 to detach.
divorcé
divorcé
  1. n. a divorced man: He became a divorcé last year.
divorcée
divorcée
  1. n. a divorced woman: She is a divorcée now.
divulge
divulge
  1. v. [T] -vulged, -vulging, -vulges to tell (s.t. that was secret),
    THESAURUS
    to disclose: He divulged his feelings to his closest friend.
divvy up
divvy up
  1. v. [T] -vied, -vying, -vies infrml. to divide into shares: The partners divvied up the profits from the sale.
dizziness
dizziness
  1. n. [U] lightheadedness, a feeling of losing consciousness and balance: Her high fever caused dizziness and she fell.
dizzy
dizzy
  1. adj. -zier, -ziest
    1 lightheaded, faint: He felt dizzy from the heat (turning in circles, looking down from the top of the building).
    2 infrml.fig. foolish, silly: She changes her mind constantly; she's just a dizzy person.
dizzying
dizzying
  1. adj. highly exciting: I went on a roller coaster ride and it was a dizzying experience.
do-it-yourself
do-it-yourself
  1. adj. requiring planning and work with one's own hands, rather than having s.t. done for you: Many Americans like do-it-yourself projects, from putting together furniture to repairing their own cars.
do-nothing
do-nothing
  1. adj. not active or effective: At work she talks and reads the newspaper; she's a do-nothing employee.
doable
doable
  1. adj. possible, capable of being done: Building a dam across that river will take a great effort, but it is doable.
docile
docile
  1. adj. easy to teach, lead, or command: Some teachers prefer docile students, but others prefer students with creative minds. -n. [U] docility.
dock
dock
  1. n.
    1 a type of wharf or pier where boats or ships stop for (un)loading or repairs: We got on our boat at the dock.
    2 the place where a prisoner stays in court: The accused man stood in the dock.v. [T]
    1 to approach and then tie a boat to a dock: We carefully docked our boat.
    2 to attach a space vehicle to another one: The two spacecraft docked high above Africa.||The docking in space was successful.
    3 to take away money from, usu. as punishment or to force repayment of a debt: The company docked his pay because he was late to work.
    THESAURUS
    dock n.
    1 a boat landing, slip, quay | marina.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to moor, maneuver s.t. into s.t.
    2 to couple s.t. (in space)
    3 to cut, reduce, penalize.
docket
docket
  1. n. a listing (of people, court cases to be called up): Our case was the third one on the court docket.
dockworker
dockworker
  1. n. a person who works on the docks, esp. at loading and unloading ships' cargo: The dockworkers unloaded the large crates and moved the freight to the warehouse.
dockyard
dockyard
  1. n. a business concerned with selling, repairing, and storing boats: We plan to have our boat stored at the dockyard for the winter.
doctor
doctor
  1. n.
    1 a physician: I visited the doctor yesterday for a medical examination.
    2 a person with an advanced university degree: The English professor's name is Dr. Smith. See: PhD. —v. [T]
    1 infrml.to treat medically: Who doctors the players on the team?
    2 to change, esp. to make false: The job of the observers was to stop anyone from doctoring the results of the election.
    THESAURUS
    doctor n.
    1 an M.D., medical practitioner | doc infrml. | surgeon
    2 a Ph.D. —v.
    2 to tamper with.
doctorate
doctorate
  1. n. an advanced university degree: She has a doctorate in physics. See: Ph.D.
doctrinaire
doctrinaire
  1. adj. keeping stubbornly to a way of thinking (doctrine, idea, etc.), without caring about practical matters: He is a conservative (liberal, radical, etc.) and quite doctrinaire in his opinions.
doctrine
doctrine
  1. n. a statement of beliefs or principles made to guide human behavior or relations between countries: The Monroe Doctrine of 1823 says that no foreign power may create a colony on the American continents.
document
document
  1. n.
    1 a paper, such as a formal letter, contract, record, etc.: The official documents showing who owns land are kept in the courthouse.
    2 a letter, report, etc., created on a computer: Documents can be stored on diskettes or on the computer's hard drive.v. [T] to provide written evidence: The police documented their case with accounts of the accident by people who saw it.
documentary
documentary
  1. n. -ries a film or television program based on facts and historical records: We saw a television documentary on the Civil War.adj. related to documents: The police have documentary evidence.
documentation
documentation
  1. n. [U]
    1 evidence (written documents, tape recordings, photographs, etc.) to prove s.t. is true: We have documentation in the form of canceled checks to show that we paid the bill.
    2 a record, usu. written, of a business meeting, agreement, or transaction
    3 (in computers) a written description of a computer program, made to help s.o. using the program
dodder
dodder
  1. v.adj. to move in a shaky way as from old age: The doddering old man almost fell on the stairs.
dodge
dodge
  1. v. dodged, dodging, dodges
    1 [I;T] to move quickly out of the way: The boxer dodged the punch.
    2 [T] to avoid (a responsibility): Politicians dodge hard questions from reporters.n.infrml. a trick,
    THESAURUS
    a deception: That telephone call was an offer for a free vacation, but it was just a dodge to sell me s.t. -n. dodger.
dodgy
dodgy
  1. adj.Brit. -ier, -iest risky, dangerous: Hiking in those mountains could be dodgy; be careful!
dodo
dodo
  1. n. -does or -dos
    1 a flightless bird that no longer exists
    2 infrml.fig. a stupid person: He's so stupid; he's a dodo.
    3 dead as a dodo bird: clearly finished, no longer possible: That building is as dead as a dodo (or) dodo bird!
doe
doe
  1. n.
    1 a female deer: Does give birth to fawns.
    2 doe-eyed: with large beautiful brown eyes: She is a lovely doe-eyed girl.
doer
doer
  1. n.infrml. s.o. who takes action rather than just talking: She is a doer; she gets things done.
does
does
  1. third person sing., pres. tense of do: He does carpentry for a living.
doesn't
doesn't
  1. aux. verb, contr. of does not: She doesn't like spinach.
doff
doff
  1. v. [T] to take off: The man doffed his hat to the woman.
dog-ear
dog-ear
  1. v. to turn down the corner of a page in a book: My favorite paperback books have lots of dog-eared pages.
dog-eat-dog
dog-eat-dog
  1. adj. fiercely competitive, trying to win with no care for what is fair: It's a dog-eat-dog world in the printing business now.
dog
dog
  1. n.
    1 any of a variety of four-legged meat-eating animals usu. kept as pets or to work (for farmers, police, etc.): Americans have a saying, "A dog is man's best friend."
    2 infrml. a guy: He won Lotto? What a lucky dog he is!
    3 infrml.pej. s.o. who is not good-looking
    4 dog days of summer: very hot summer weather: August usually brings the dog days of summer.
    5 infrml. to go to the dogs: to get into bad condition: No one has taken care of the grass or equipment at our local playground, so it's gone to the dogs.
    6 fig. to let sleeping dogs lie: to leave things as they are, so as not to start up trouble: I know we should get her to do more of the work, but I'd rather let sleeping dogs lie.
    7 infrml. top dog: the winner or person with most power: In the competition among the salespeople, she came out as top dog. See: underdog.
    8 fig. to teach an old dog new tricks: to get s.o. to change old ways and habits: I've tried to show him how much easier his job would be with a computer, but you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
    9 infrml. to work like a dog: to work hard without rest: We worked like dogs to finish the job on time.v. [T] dogged, dogging, dogs to follow closely,
    THESAURUS
    to pursue: Her new friend dogs her footsteps wherever she goes.
dogfight
dogfight
  1. n.
    1 a loud, hard fight between dogs: The owners stopped a dogfight.
    2 fig. a fight in the air between warplanes: In World War II, there were dogfights between German and American aircraft.
dogged
dogged
  1. adj. not giving up easily, (syns.) determined, tenacious: She finished a difficult job because of her dogged devotion to it. -adv. doggedly.
doggerel
doggerel
  1. n. [U] bad poetry, usu. with awkward rhymes: He writes doggerel, not real poetry.
doggie bag or doggy bag
doggie bag or doggy bag
  1. n. a bag to hold and carry away leftover food from a meal at a restaurant: I couldn't eat all of my meal, so I asked the waiter for a doggie bag.
doggone
doggone
  1. exclam.of annoyance or surprise: Doggone it! I've lost my pen (or) my doggone pen!
doghouse
doghouse
  1. n.
    1 a small house, usu. in a backyard, used for a dog
    2 fig. in the doghouse: to be treated with dislike, usu. because one has done s.t. wrong: He forgot his wife's birthday and now he's in the doghouse.
dogma
dogma
  1. n. [C;U] a statement of belief (principle, custom, etc.) made by an authority that people are supposed to accept without question: Church dogma has remained unchanged for many, many years.
dogmatic
dogmatic
  1. adj. insisting on one's own belief as the only truth, opinionated: She is dogmatic about there being only one way to win an election. -adv. dogmatically; -n. [U] dogmatism; dogmatist.
dogooder or do-gooder
dogooder or do-gooder
  1. n. a person who works for the good of others in society but is unrealistic: She's a do-gooder who thinks she can change the world by doing volunteer work among the poor.
dogwood
dogwood
  1. n. a tree with pink or white flowers: The dogwoods are lovely in the spring.
doily
doily
  1. n. -lies a small, round, or rectangular pretty cloth: There is a lace doily under the flower vase on the dinner table.
doings
doings
  1. n.pl. parties and other social events: There are a lot of doings at school graduation time.
dolce vita
dolce vita
  1. n.sing. (Italian for) a carefree, pleasure-filled lifestyle: He dreams about living la dolce vita on the French Riviera.
doldrums
doldrums
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v.
    1 an area of the ocean with little or no wind
    2 infrml. in the doldrums: in low spirits: Her career is going nowhere and she's feeling depressed; she's in the doldrums.
dole
dole
  1. v. [T] doled, doling, doles to give in small amounts (money, food, clothes): The boy's mother doles out an allowance to him.n. Brit. on the dole: receiving money from the government because of being out of work: He lost his job and now he's on the dole.
doleful
doleful
  1. adj. sad: She has a doleful expression on her face. -adv. dolefully.
doll
doll
  1. n.
    1 a child's toy that looks like a small person or baby: Many little girls play with dolls.
    2 infrml.fig. a pretty girl or woman: Your baby is very pretty; she's a doll!
dollar
dollar
  1. n.
    1 the unit of money used by USA, Canada, and Australia: The price of oil is given in US dollars.
    2 dollars and cents: thought of only in terms of money: Her choice of a career was simply a matter of dollars and cents, not one of personal desires.
    3 the almighty dollar: a. (symbol of) a love of money: He'll do anything for the almighty dollar. b. (symbol of) financial strength: Governments try to lower its value, but the almighty dollar stays strong!
    THESAURUS
    dollar
    1 a dollar bill, a buck infrml. | currency, legal tender.
dollar diplomacy
dollar diplomacy
  1. n. [U] the use of US foreign aid and other economic support to influence world events: The USA often uses dollar diplomacy with foreign nations to persuade them to take certain actions.
dollar sign
dollar sign
  1. n. the symbol ($) used to mean the US dollar: I bought that coat for $100.
dollop
dollop
  1. n.infrml. a small mass of s.t., such as from a serving spoon: My father put a dollop of mashed potato on my plate.
dolly
dolly
  1. n. -lies
    1 (used by or with children) a doll: Do you like to play with your dolly?
    2 a platform on wheels for moving heavy things: The delivery man wheeled the sofa into the house on a dolly.
dolphin
dolphin
  1. n. an intelligent ocean mammal that can swim at great speed: Dolphins are a delight to watch as they perform in an aquarium. See: porpoise.
dolt
dolt
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person: That guy is a dolt!
domain
domain
  1. n.
    1 a land area controlled by s.o.: The lion (king, principal, etc.) looks out over his domain.
    2 an area of responsibility or knowledge: Deciding on accounting procedures is (in) the comptroller's domain.
dome
dome
  1. n. a rounded roof: The dome on the capitol building in Boston is painted gold.
domestic
domestic
  1. adj.
    1 related to one's home life: The couple has a happy domestic life.
    2 related to national concerns (not foreign relations): The President excels at domestic matters. -adv. domestically.n. a person employed as a household servant: She works as a domestic for a rich family. -n. [U] domesticity .
    THESAURUS
    domestic
    1 family, personal | household
    2 homeland, internal. Ant. foreign.
domesticate
domesticate
  1. v. [T] to tame (an animal that was wild), esp. for human use or life in a household: Cats and dogs are domesticated animals.
domicile
domicile
  1. n.frml. the place where s.o. lives: He has a house in the country, but his legal domicile is in the city.
dominant
dominant
  1. adj.
    1 having greater power, commanding: She is dominant in her relationship with her younger brother.
    2 holding the most important position or greatest influence: Football, basketball, and baseball are the dominant sports in the USA. -n. dominance.
dominate
dominate
  1. v. -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 [I;T] to have the most important place or greatest influence in: She is the greatest opera singer in the world; she dominates the field.
    2 [T] to have or use power or command over: He dominates his company with an iron hand. -n. domination.
domineer
domineer
  1. v. [I;T] adj. to force to obey,
    THESAURUS
    to tyrannize: She is a domineering mother whose children are afraid of her.
dominion
dominion
  1. n. [U]
    1 the right to rule or control: The King holds dominion over the people of his nation.
    2 [C] a selfgoverning country within the British Commonwealth: The Queen pays visits to the Dominions.
domino
domino
  1. n. -noes or -nos a black rectangular game piece with one to six white dots on each half of one surface: We like to play dominoes during a quiet evening.
domino effect
domino effect
  1. n. a series of events like the fall of one domino causing others to fall after it in a chain reaction: The closing of a large manufacturing plant led to a domino effect, causing the closure of other businesses dependent upon it.
domino theory
domino theory
  1. n. (in politics) the idea that the fall of one government to Communism would cause the fall of others: The domino theory held that if South Vietnam fell to the Communists, then the rest of Southeast Asia would soon follow.
don
don
  1. v.frml. [T] donned, donning, dons to put on, dress: She donned a beautiful dress and went to the opera.
don't
don't
  1. aux. v.,contr. of do not: Don't forget to call!
donate
donate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to give without charge: She donated blood when the Red Cross held a blood drive.
    THESAURUS
    donate to give away, contribute, present.
donation
donation
  1. n. a gift: The company makes donations of its products and also gives money for poor families.
    THESAURUS
    donation a contribution, offering, present.
done
done
  1. adj.v. past part. of do
    1 finished, completed: The task is done.
    2 cooked: My steak is too well-done.
    3 done for: ruined, dying: He's been shot; he's done for.
    4 done to a turn: perfectly cooked
    5 it isn't done: it is not socially acceptable: You can't ask them to invite you; it just isn't done.
    6 (over and) done with: completely finished: Don't keep thinking about the game we lost; it's over and done with.
donkey
donkey
  1. n. a type of horse, a long-eared animal, also called an ass: Donkeys are used for transportation and for carrying loads.
donor
donor
  1. n. a person who gives s.t. without charge: Blood donors visit the hospital to donate (or) give blood.
donut
donut
  1. See: doughnut.
doodad
doodad
  1. n.infrml. a small thing of any kind: He pins little doodads on his hat as souvenirs.
doodle
doodle
  1. n. a casual drawing: Her school notebook is covered with doodles that look like flowers.v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles to draw casually, often while doing s.t. else: He doodles while he talks on the telephone.
doohickey
doohickey
  1. n.infrml. a small thing of any kind, esp. one whose name is forgotten or not known: My stereo has a doohickey on it that lets me change stations fast.
doom
doom
  1. v. [T] to send to an unhappy, inescapable end (failure, ruin, destruction, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    to condemn: Heavy rains and floods doomed the corn harvest to failure.n. [C;U] a terrible fate, an unhappy end, esp. death: A sense of doom to come spread across the land at the start of war.
doomsayer
doomsayer
  1. n. a person who expects and often speaks about future troubles and misfortune: The doomsayers predict that the economy will get worse.
doomsday
doomsday
  1. n.
    1 the end of the world: According to the Bible, God judges all humans on Doomsday.
    2 a time when an important bad event occurs: When notice of the plant closing appeared, it was doomsday for the employees.
    3 infrml. till doomsday: forever: The memory of that terrible day will be with me till doomsday.
door
door
  1. n.
    1 a movable panel to permit entrance to or exit from a building, room, vehicle, etc.: I opened the refrigerator door and took out the milk.
    2 (a number of) doors away/up/down: (a number of) houses away: My sister lives in the blue house just three doors down the street.
    3 door-to-door: from house to house: Children sometimes sell candy door-to-door to raise money for their school.
    4 next door: in the next house or apartment: We have wonderful neighbors next door.
    5 to answer the door: to go to open the door when s.o. knocks or rings the doorbell
    6 fig. to open or close the door to: to make possible or impossible (progress, advances, etc.): The new trade agreement opens the door to better relations between the two nations.
    7 to show s.o. to the door: to go to the door with a guest who is leaving: Thank you for coming; let me show you to the door.
doorbell
doorbell
  1. n. a bell rung to show s.o. is at a door: I rang the (door)bell and waited for s.o. to come to the door.
    THESAURUS
    doorbell a buzzer, chime, ringer.
doorknob
doorknob
  1. n. a round handle used to open and close a door: I turned the doorknob and entered the room.
doorman
doorman
  1. n. -men an apartment-building, theater, or hotel employee, usu. in uniform, who opens doors (and announces visitors): The doorman in our building helps me with packages and calls taxis for me.
doormat
doormat
  1. n.
    1 a small rug placed before a door to catch dirt: We have "Welcome" written on our doormat.
    2 infrml.fig. s.o. who lets himself or herself be treated badly: When other children hit you or call you names, don't be such a doormat; tell them to stop.
doorstep
doorstep
  1. n.
    1 the top step of a staircase, esp. to a house
    2 infrml.fig. to arrive on one's doorstep: to enter one's life unexpectedly, esp. as a new responsibility: I wasn't looking for a new job; it simply arrived on my doorstep when I was talking to a friend about my skills, and she told me about a great job at her company.
doorway
doorway
  1. n. the opening through a door: The doorway is blocked by a guard.
    THESAURUS
    doorway an entrance, entry | gateway.
dope
dope
  1. n.
    1 infrml. [U] an illegal drug (cocaine, heroin, marijuana, etc.): He takes dope; in fact he's on dope now.
    2 [C] infrml.fig. a fool, a stupid person: I was a dope to forget my luggage at the airport.
    3 slang information: So what's the dope on this new guy?v. doped, doping, dopes 1 [T] to give drugs to: His friends doped him by putting drugs in his drink.
    2 to be doped or doped up: to be under the influence of narcotics: She just had surgery and she's doped up from the anesthetic.
dopey
dopey
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest 1 half asleep from the influence of drugs: She is feeling dopey after her surgery.
    2 foolish: He forgot his luggage; that was a dopey thing to do!
dorm
dorm
  1. n. short for dormitory dormitory or dorm -n. -ities a college or university building where students live: The dormitories can be noisy places to live because many students play loud music.
dormant
dormant
  1. adj. inactive: In winter, the plants are dormant; then they come to life again in the spring.
dormitory
dormitory
  1. or dorm n. -ities a college or university building where students live: The dormitories can be noisy places to live because many students play loud music.
dorsal
dorsal
  1. adj. related to the back: We were terrified to see the dorsal fin of a shark coming through the water.
dosage
dosage
  1. n. the giving of medicine in doses: The doctor decided on the dosage for the patient and counted out the pills for the dose. See: dose, 1.
dose
dose
  1. n.
    1 an amount (of medicine): The doctor prescribed a large dose of 20 pills for the infection
    2 an amount (of s.t. bad) that one receives: an accidental dose of radiation||a dose of hard luck
dossier
dossier
  1. n. a file containing written information: Interpol keeps dossiers on well-known criminals.
dot
dot
  1. n.
    1 a small point, mark: the dot over an "i"
    2 a round figure, either large or small, in a pattern: She wore a blouse with large polka dots on it.
    3 the period used for punctuation in an Internet address, when spoken as in: The President's address is www dot whitehouse dot gov.
    4 infrml. on the dot: exactly on time: He arrived at 9:00 on the dot. See: .gov. —v. [T] dotted, dotting, dots
    1 to mark with a dot or dots: The writer dotted an "i."||Small towns dot the map in farm country.
    2 to dot the i's and cross the t's: to finish the details: We have the general agreement; now it is time to dot the i's and cross the t's.
    THESAURUS
    dot n.
    1 a pin point
    2 a circle, spot, speck.
dotage
dotage
  1. n. [U] time of weakness of mind and body because of old age: The senile woman is in her dotage.
dotcom
dotcom
  1. n. adj.
    1 a company that does business mainly over the Internet: Amazon.com is a well-knowndot-com. Stock of many dot-com companies went way up in price, then crashed.
    2 a company that provides computer products that help other companies do business over the Internet.
dote
dote
  1. v. [T] doted, doting, dotes to pay too much loving attention to s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to fawn: The grandfather doted on his grandson.
double-breasted
double-breasted
  1. adj. (of a suit or jacket) with one side of the front covering a row of buttons and fastening to a second row of buttons: The executive wears double-breasted suits.
double-check
double-check
  1. v. [T] to look carefully at s.t. twice for correctness: I double-checked the numbers and found no mistakes.
double-cross
double-cross
  1. v.infrml. [T] to betray by agreeing to do s.t. but then not doing it, esp. to cause s.o. harm: The criminal's partner agreed not to talk to the police, then she did talk; she double-crossed her partner.
double-dealing
double-dealing
  1. n. [U] a dishonest act, cheating: The buyer made a good salary at his company, but was taking secret payments from suppliers; that was double-dealing.
double-decker
double-decker
  1. adj.n. having two similar layers: A double-decker bus has two levels for passengers.||My house is a double-decker; I live on the first floor and rent out the second-floor apartment.
double-digit
double-digit
  1. adj. characterized by a number between 10 and 99: Our company has had a double-digit sales increase this year; it is up 20 percent.
double-dip
double-dip
  1. v. [I] -dipped, -dipping, -dips to receive a pension from a company or the government as a retired employee, but continue to work for it and earn more money from it in another position: The retired military officer works for a civilian branch now as a consultant, so he's double-dipping. -n. double-dipper.
double-jointed
double-jointed
  1. adj. having joints that allow fingers, arms, or legs to move with unusual flexibility: She is double-jointed; she can wrap a leg around the back of her neck.
double-park
double-park
  1. v. [I;T] to park a vehicle in the street beside another one already parked at the curb: He double-parked his car, and the police gave him a parking ticket.
double-space
double-space
  1. v. [I;T] -spaced, -spacing, -spaces to leave two spaces between lines: The professor expects all student papers to be typed and double-spaced.
double
double
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [I;T] to make or become two times as much: She doubled her investment in a year.||In summer the demand for electricity doubles because of air conditioners.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to double as: to serve in two ways: She doubles as the company's lawyer and tax advisor.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to double back: to turn back in the direction one came from: The escaped prisoner led police toward the airport, but then doubled back into the city.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to double for: to look like s.o. else and take their place: A stand-in is s.o. who looks like an actor in a movie and doubles for him or her at times during the filming.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to double over (in laughter or pain): to bend over helplessly: He doubled over with laughter at the joke.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to double up: a. to share a room with s.o.: When he went to New York on business, he doubled up at the hotel with another salesman from the company. b. See: double over.
    7 to see double: to see two things where there is only one, to have double vision: She was hit on the head and saw double for a few moments.
    THESAURUS
    double v.
    1 to increase twice as much, duplicate. Ant. to halve. —n.
    1 s.o. who looks like s.o. else: Without his glasses, he's a double for the President, don't you think?
    2 a hotel room for two people: We reserved a double at the hotel.
    3 in baseball, a two-base hit
    4 doubles: a game (such as tennis) with two teams of two players each
    5 on the double: very quickly: The sergeant ordered the soldiers to hurry out on the double.adj.
    1 two times as much: I'd like a double order of mashed potatoes.
    2 made for two people: a double bed, a double room
    3 having two parts: a double door, a double-barreled shotgun, a word with a double meaning
double agent
double agent
  1. n. a person who is employed as a spy for one government but in reality works for another: The head of the secret service was discovered to be a double agent working for the enemy.
double bass
double bass
  1. n. bass or basses a musical instrument, the largest in the violin family: She plays the double bass with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
double chin
double chin
  1. n. a layer of fat from the chin to the throat: The fat man loves to eat and has a double chin to prove it.
double entendre
double entendre
  1. n. (French for) a word or phrase with a double meaning: His question "Are you free?" sounded to her like a double entendre; she wasn't sure if he was just asking if she had some free time or really asking if she was free to start a relationship with him.
double entry
double entry
  1. n. entries related to double entry bookkeeping: Our bookkeeper does double entries for each purchase and sale, so that each is entered both as a debit and as a credit.
double indemnity
double indemnity
  1. n. [U] an agreement in an insurance policy to pay double if the holder dies accidentally: I have a double indemnity clause in my life insurance policy.
double jeopardy
double jeopardy
  1. n. [U] (in law) putting s.o. on trial twice for the same crime: It is illegal in the USA to put a person in double jeopardy.
double negative
double negative
  1. n. the use of two negatives in speaking or writing: "I don't have no money" contains a double negative.

    USAGE NOTE: Use of the double negative is considered incorrect in English.
double standard
double standard
  1. n. a set of principles or a moral rule used in one case but not in another: The government will not allow trade with some countries because of human rights violations, but it allows trade with others who also violate those rights; that policy is a double standard.
double talk
double talk
  1. n. [U] talk that seems serious but means nothing, usu. to fool s.o.: She says that she doesn't have any money, but will pay me soon; all I get is double talk from her.
doubt
doubt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to be unsure but tend not to believe: I doubt that interest rates will come down soon.
    2 to question the truth of, disbelieve: I doubt the newspaper reports.n.
    1 uncertainty, lack of sureness: Our doubts about the weather made us cancel the picnic.
    2 disbelief, distrust: There's a lot of doubt that he's telling the truth.
    3 beyond or without (a) doubt: certainly, without question: He is without a doubt the best-looking man I've ever seen!
    4 to have one's doubts: to be doubtful: I have my doubts about the health of the economy.
    THESAURUS
    doubt v.
    1 to be uncertain, wonder if | be skeptical
    2 to distrust, discredit, be skeptical | dispute. Ant. to believe.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 misgivings, reservations
    2 mistrust, skepticism.
doubtful
doubtful
  1. adj.
    1 questionable, causing doubt: The accuracy of that information is doubtful.
    2 hesitant, distrustful: She is still doubtful about investing her money with them.
    THESAURUS
    doubtful
    1 uncertain, debatable, dubious
    2 skeptical, up in the air | dubious.
doubting Thomas
doubting Thomas
  1. n. s.o. who doubts until he or she sees proof: No one can convince him of anything; he's a doubting Thomas.
doubtless
doubtless
  1. adj. without doubt, certainly: She will doubtless keep her promise. -adv. doubtlessly.
douche
douche
  1. v. [T] douched, douching, douches to clean with a spray of liquid: The nurse douched the surgical wound.n. a liquid used by women for personal cleaning: Women can buy douches at the drugstore.
dough
dough
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a mixture of flour, liquid(s), and other ingredients to be baked: A baker makes dough for pie crusts (bread, pizza, etc.).
    2 slang money, wealth: He's a guy with a lot of dough.
doughnut or donut
doughnut or donut
  1. n. a small O-shaped cake deep-fried in oil: This morning we went out for coffee and doughnuts.
doughy
doughy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest like dough, thick and pasty: The bread was not baked enough; it tasted doughy.
dour
dour
  1. adj. unsmiling, (syns.) gloomy, sullen: A man with a dour look on his face lives alone in that house. -adv. dourly.
douse
douse
  1. v. [T] doused, dousing, douses
    1 to throw water on: The firemen doused the fire and it went out.
    2 frml. to put out (a light or fire): Please douse the lights.
dovetail
dovetail
  1. v. [I;T] to fit together closely: The joints of wood in that cabinet dovetail nicely.
dowager
dowager
  1. n.frml. an older woman usu. with property: Her husband died and now she is a dowager living in a great big house.
dowdy
dowdy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest poorly dressed in old-fashioned clothes: Why does that girl wear such dowdy clothes?
dowel
dowel
  1. n. a pin or peg usu. of wood: The cabinet is held together with dowels instead of screws.
down-home
down-home
  1. adj. informal, friendly: She is a big star but still has a down-home personality.
down-to-earth
down-to-earth
  1. adj. practical, realistic (in a friendly, informal way): The banker gives down-to-earth advice to his clients.
down payment
down payment
  1. n. a part payment at the time of buying s.t.: We made a down payment on the refrigerator and agreed to monthly payments on the rest.
    THESAURUS
    down payment an installment, partial payment, portion.
down under
down under
  1. adv.n.infrml. (in or to) Australia or New Zealand: He left London and sailed down under to breed kangaroos.
downcast
downcast
  1. adj.
    1 pointing downward: with downcast eyes
    2 sad, low in spirits: The downcast look on her face told me that she had failed the test.
downer
downer
  1. n.slang
    1 a tranquilizing drug that slows down the mind, heart, etc.: He takes downers to relax.
    2 a depressing experience: That movie about the war was a downer.
downfall
downfall
  1. n. s.t. that causes a fall from power or a high position: Her downfall was making too many promises she couldn't keep. -adj. downfallen.
downgrade
downgrade
  1. v. [T] -graded, -grading, -grades to lower in status (quality, rank, importance): When it was clear that the patient would live, the hospital downgraded his status from critical to serious.
downhearted
downhearted
  1. adj. feeling sad,
    THESAURUS
    discouraged: After failing the exam, she felt downhearted.
downhill
downhill
  1. adv.
    1 in a downward direction: We walked downhill toward the river.
    2 it's all downhill from here: from this point, it will all be easier: We have finished the biggest repairs to our house, so it's all downhill from here.
    3 to go downhill: to become worse,
    THESAURUS
    to degenerate: The quality of service is going downhill.
download
download
  1. v. [T] (in computers) to get computer files on a network or with a modem from a server
downplay
downplay
  1. v. [T] to speak of or treat as less important or serious: To keep us from worrying, he downplayed the dangers of his job.
downpour
downpour
  1. n. a sudden heavy rain, a cloudburst: We were caught in a downpour and ran for cover under a tree.
downrange
downrange
  1. adv. located in a gunnery area: The target is located 500 yards downrange.
downright
downright
  1. adj.infrml. completely, wholly: That idea is downright stupid!
downscale
downscale
  1. v. [T] -scaled, -scaling, -scales (in business) to lower the quality of products or services: In order to attract more customers, the expensive department store decided to downscale.
downsize
downsize
  1. v. [I;T] -sized, -sizing, -sizes to make smaller, esp. a work force or business: The management downsized (the work force) from 2,700 to 400 employees.
downstairs
downstairs
  1. adv. in the direction of or located on floors below: I walked downstairs to answer the doorbell.
downstate
downstate
  1. adj.adv. to or in the southern part of a state: I moved downstate last year; I now live in a downstate location.
downstream
downstream
  1. adv. in the direction of the water's flow, away from a stream's source: The town is located five miles downstream from here.
downswing
downswing
  1. n. a downward curve, esp. of prices or economic activity: There was a temporary downswing in stock prices last month.
downtime
downtime
  1. n. [U] the amount of productive time lost because a person, machine, or activity is forced to be inactive: Her computer is not reliable, so she has a lot of downtime while it is being repaired.
downtrend
downtrend
  1. n. a movement downward seen over time in prices or activity: The price of copper (stocks, bonds, silver, etc.) is on a downtrend.
downtrodden
downtrodden
  1. adj. treated badly by people in power,
    THESAURUS
    oppressed: She dreams of returning home to help the downtrodden people of her country.n. [U] the downtrodden: oppressed people in general: The downtrodden of the world must not be forgotten.
downturn
downturn
  1. n. the beginning of a downward movement in prices or activity: There was a downturn in interest rates this week.
downward
downward
  1. adv. toward a lower place: Prices moved downward.
downwind
downwind
  1. adv. in the direction that the wind is blowing: The wind carried the smell of the hunter downwind to the deer, who then ran away.
dowry
dowry
  1. n. -ries in some cultures, money or other valuables brought to a marriage by a woman: The bride's father could provide only a small dowry.
dowse
dowse
  1. v. var. of douse
doyenne
doyenne
  1. n. the oldest leading woman, esp. in a social group: She is the doyenne of Washington society. -n.(man) doyen.
doze
doze
  1. v. [I] dozed, dozing, dozes to sleep lightly for a short time: At home, he dozes (off) after dinner for an hour.
dozen
dozen
  1. n.
    1 a group of 12: I bought a dozen eggs (apples, doughnuts, etc.).
    2 a baker's dozen: a group of 13
drab
drab
  1. adj. drabber, drabbest
    1 dull brown or gray green: People in the army often wear olive drab uniforms.
    2 dull in color, uninteresting: She doesn't like bright colors, so she wears drab clothes.
    3 gloomy, depressing: He lives in a drab city neighborhood.
draconian
draconian
  1. adj. extremely severe or harsh: The invading army used draconian measures to control the people; they cut off the hands and feet of anyone who opposed them.
draft
draft
  1. n.
    1 one version of s.t. written: the first draft of a letter, the final draft of a report
    2 a system of requiring people by law to serve in the military,
    THESAURUS
    conscription: The army relies on volunteers now, not on the draft.
    3 air currents that chill the body: This room has a cold draft in it.v. [T]
    1 to write a version of s.t.: I drafted a letter and showed it to my lawyer.
    2 to draw the plans for s.t.: The architect drafted the blueprints for the building.
    3 to require military service of s.o.: The government drafted him into the army; he is a draftee now.adj.
    1 (of beer) poured from a barrel or keg: I'd like a draft beer (or) a draft, please.
    2 used for pulling heavy loads: draft horses -n. [U] drafting.
draftsman
draftsman
  1. n. -men a person who draws such things as blueprints: He works as a draftsman for an architectural firm.
drafty
drafty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest with unwanted cool air currents: Please close the window; this room is too drafty for me!
drag
drag
  1. v. dragged, dragging, drags
    1 [T] to pull with difficulty s.t. or s.o. that resists: I dragged the sofa across the room.||His wife drags him to the store to buy clothes.
    2 [I] to have s.t. touch the ground: The belt of her coat is dirty, because it was dragging on the ground all day.
    3 [I] to search or sweep the bottom (of a lake, river, etc.): They dragged the river for the sunken car.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to drag on: to continue for too long: The meeting dragged on for two hours.
    5 to drag one's feet or heels: to act slowly and unwillingly: The manager is dragging her heels on announcing the layoffs, because she doesn't want to face the workers' anger.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drag s.t. out: to make s.t. last too long: Everyone grew impatient when he dragged out the story with unnecessary details.||He dragged it out.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drag s.t. out of s.o.: to force s.o. to tell s.t.: She didn't want to talk about the accident, but I dragged the story out of her.n.sing.
    1 [U] infrml. s.t. that is boring or disliked, a chore: She hates to shop, so shopping is a drag for her.
    2 [C] s.t. or s.o. that holds s.o. back from advancing or progressing, a burden: He refused to marry, thinking that a wife would only be a drag on his career.
    3 [C] slang a taking in of breath on a cigarette: Let me have a drag on your cigarette, OK?
    4 slang a street or road: You'll find a lot of stores on the main drag in our town.
    5 infrml. in drag: (of a man) wearing women's clothes
    THESAURUS
    drag v.
    1 to lug, tug, yank | tow
    3 to search.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a bother, annoyance, bore
    2 a burden, obstacle
    3 a puff.
drag queen
drag queen
  1. n.slang a male homosexual who wears women's clothes
drag race
drag race
  1. n. a car race from a standstill with the winner being the first one across the finish line: We went to the drag strip and watched some exciting drag races.
dragnet
dragnet
  1. n.
    1 police checkpoints combined with searches to catch a criminal: After the murder, the police set up a dragnet to catch the criminal.
    2 a fishnet used by trawlers
dragon
dragon
  1. n.
    1 a large fierce, imaginary reptile usu. able to fly and breathe fire: Children's stories sometimes tell of firebreathing dragons.
    2 s.o. who frightens people by being fierce and severe: When she's angry, she is a dragon.
drain
drain
  1. v.
    1 [I] (of a liquid) to pass or flow out: The water drained slowly out of the sink.
    2 [T] to remove (liquid from s.t.): The mechanic drained the oil from the engine.
    3 [I] fig. (to cause) to pass or flow out, leaving s.o. weakened: With illness, her strength drained away.||The constant disagreement between the two men drained all their energy.n.
    1 a pipe that carries away liquid waste: With all the rain, the drains in the streets have overflowed.
    2 s.t. that uses up strength, energy, or resources: Emergency repairs to my car have been a drain on my bank account.
    3 infrml.fig. to go down the drain: to be wasted or lost: We worked for months on that project, and when it was stopped, all that time and effort went down the drain. -adj. draining.
    THESAURUS
    drain v.
    1 to empty, seep out of | trickle
    2 to empty, draw off | pump
    3 to decrease, reduce, deplete.
drainage
drainage
  1. n. [U]
    1 the system of draining away water, esp. rainfall, from an area: Our back yard is flooded by heavy rain because the drainage is poor.
    2 s.t. that is drained: drainage from a wound
drainpipe
drainpipe
  1. n. a pipe used to carry off waste water and other liquids: The drainpipe under the sink is leaking and needs repair.
dram
dram
  1. n.
    1 a small amount of liquid: I like a dram of whiskey before dinner.
    2 a unit of weight: There are 16 drams in an ounce.
drama
drama
  1. n.
    1 [C] a play, esp. a serious one, for acting on a stage: Our theater group is producing a drama by Shakespeare.
    2 [U] the writing and performance of plays: She's studying drama.
    3 [U] an event that excites strong emotion: Watching the drama of firemen battling the huge fire made many onlookers cry.
dramatic
dramatic
  1. adj.
    1 related to drama: He has written dramatic works for the stage.
    2 related to a high emotional point: a dramatic scene in a play
    3 making a big impression,
    THESAURUS
    striking: She wore an amazing dress for a dramatic entrance into the theater. -adv. dramatically.
dramatics
dramatics
  1. n. [U]
    1 the art and practice of presenting plays: Students who are interested in dramatics can take theater department courses.
    2 behavior or speech that is exaggerated: Don't pay any attention to his dramatics; he's not really as sick as he says.
dramatist
dramatist
  1. n. s.o. who writes plays,
    THESAURUS
    a playwright: Shakespeare was a brilliant dramatist.
dramatization
dramatization
  1. n. [C;U] a theatrical presentation (on film, radio, television, etc.) of a real-life situation: The play is a dramatization of her family's difficult move from Europe to Argentina.
dramatize
dramatize
  1. v. -tized, -tizing, -tizes
    1 [I] to present as a play: Their adventures in Africa will be dramatized in a TV series.
    2 [T] to describe in a startling way, exaggerate to impress others: He dramatizes events as important when they really are not.
drank
drank
  1. v. past tense of drink
drape
drape
  1. n.
    1 the flow of cloth: The drape of her long dress is beautiful.
    2 n.pl.infrml. drapes: draperies, curtains: In the morning we open the window drapes to let the sunlight in.v. [T] draped, draping, drapes to hang s.t. loosely: He draped his coat over the back of a chair.
drapery
drapery
  1. n. -ies [C;U]
    1 cloth arranged in loose folds: The drapery made a beautiful effect behind the display in the store window.
    2 n.pl. draperies: long heavy curtains: We have red velvet draperies over the windows in the living room.
drastic
drastic
  1. adj. sudden, extreme, and severe: We must take drastic steps to stop the disease. -adv. drastically.
drat
drat
  1. exclam.of annoyance: Oh, drat, I dropped an egg!
draw
draw
  1. v. drew or drawn , drawing, draws
    1 [I;T] to make a picture: The artist drew a pencil sketch of a boat.
    2 [T] to take out, remove: He drew a gun from his pocket (a playing card from the deck, $50 from his account, etc.).
    3 [T] to take out (a liquid): The nurse drew blood from the patient for testing.
    4 [I;T] to take in (air): He drew a deep breath and announced he was getting married.||The fire died because the chimney drew poorly.
    5 [T] to pull closer: The woman drew her husband to her for a kiss.
    6 [I] to move steadily: I was surprised when the police car drew alongside my car.
    7 [T] to attract: The sidewalk musician drew a crowd to hear him play his violin.
    8 to draw a blank: to not find or remember s.t.: I tried to remember her name but drew a blank.
    9 to draw and quarter: a. to tie s.o.'s hands and feet to four horses that pull the person apart and then cut him or her into four pieces b. fig. to punish severely: I am so mad at that man that I'll have him drawn and quartered!
    10 phrasal v. insep. [T] to draw away (from s.o. or s.t.): a. to move back, usu. quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to recoil: She drew away from the fire, when it started sparking. b. to gradually move ahead: One runner drew away from the rest and went on to win the race.
    11 phrasal v. [I] to draw back: a. to move back to avoid: The boy drew back in fear of the snake. b. to refuse to complete or fulfill: At the last minute, the union drew back from signing the contract.
    12 to draw blood: to wound with a weapon or with severe criticism: She spoke so harshly to the boy that she finally drew blood: he cried.
    13 phrasal v. [T] to draw down: to reduce or use up: The company is drawing down the money in its checking account.
    14 phrasal v. insep. [T] to draw even with s.o. or s.t.: to move up to the same level or place: The runner in second place drew even with the leader and then passed her.
    15 to draw fire: to do s.t. that brings criticism on oneself: His proposal to close the school drew fire from the community.
    16 phrasal v. sep. to draw near: a. [T] to move toward: The frightened girl drew near her mother.||Her mother drew the little girl near. b. [I] to come close (in time), approach: The deadline for paying taxes is drawing near.
    17 to draw one's own conclusions: to decide for oneself from the facts given: He arrives late, leaves early, and his work is full of mistakes, so draw your own conclusions about his future at this job.
    18 to draw s.o. a picture: to explain in clear detail (usu. said with impatience): The company is nearly bankrupt, so do I have to draw you a picture about our future there?
    19 phrasal v. insep. [T] to draw on (s.t.): to use s.t. as a resource,
    THESAURUS
    to rely on s.t.: She drew on her knowledge of American history to write the novel.
    20 phrasal v. sep. [T] to draw s.o. out: to get s.o. to talk by encouraging them: He's very shy and never speaks about himself, so I was surprised at how well she drew him out.
    21 to draw straws: to choose s.o. to do s.t. by pulling out straws (matchsticks, slips of paper, etc.), with the person who chooses the longest or shortest one getting the job: Let's draw straws to see who will have to give the boss the bad news.
    22 to draw the line: to fix a limit on what one is willing to do: I'll help her organize her term paper, but there I draw the line; I won't write it for her.
    23 phrasal v. sep. [T] to draw up: a. to prepare (s.t. written): The lawyer drew up a contract for the sale of the property.||She drew it up. b. (of a vehicle) to arrive and stop: A taxi drew up in front of the hotel.
    24 phrasal v. insep. [T] to draw upon s.t.: to make use of: The artist drew upon childhood memories in creating his paintings.
    THESAURUS
    draw v.
    1 to sketch, depict, trace | paint
    2 to bring out, pull out, produce
    3 to take, extract
    4 to inhale
    6 to pull up (beside s.o.). —n.
    1 a tie in a competition: The game ended in a draw, with a score of 12 to 12.
    2 the removal of a playing card from a deck: It was my draw, so I took a card from the deck.
    3 s.t. that attracts customers: There are four good films at that theater, but the horror movie is the biggest draw.
    4 quick on the draw: fast with a gun, or quick-witted: You'll see how intelligent she is when you talk with her; she's really quick on the draw.
    5 the luck of the draw: a bad or good result determined by chance: My brother inherited our father's height, while I ended up being short like Mom; it's just the luck of the draw.
    THESAURUS
    draw n.
    1 a deadlock, stalemate, standoff
    3 an attraction, appeal | drawing power.
drawback
drawback
  1. n. s.t. that can create a problem, (syns.) a disadvantage, a minus: The house is far from public transportation, which is a drawback since I don't own a car.
drawbridge
drawbridge
  1. n. a bridge over a waterway that can be lifted to allow tall ships to pass under it: We had to stop our car while the drawbridge was being lifted.
drawer
drawer
  1. n. a box-like compartment that slides in and out of a piece of furniture: The letters are in the top drawer of that desk (filing cabinet, bureau, etc.).
drawers
drawers
  1. n.pl.infrml. (men's) underpants: I can't go to the door; I'm in my drawers!
drawing
drawing
  1. n.
    1 a sketch: The artist did a drawing in pencil of a house.
    2 a random selection to choose a winner: After the dinner, there was a drawing of names from a barrel to choose winners of prizes.
    THESAURUS
    drawing
    1 a picture, illustration | depiction, plan | artwork.
drawing board
drawing board
  1. n.
    1 a flat surface made of wood or other material used to draw sketches, blueprints, etc.: The designer has a portable drawing board that he works on.
    2 (to go) back to the drawing board: to remake one's plans after a failed attempt: The customer rejected our proposal, so it's back to the drawing board to try again.
drawing card
drawing card
  1. n. a special attraction that brings an audience to an event: She is a well-known singer, so her name is a big drawing card.
drawl
drawl
  1. v. [I] n. to speak in a slow manner, lengthening words: He drawls when he speaks; he speaks with a Southern drawl.
drawn
drawn
  1. past part. of draw —adj. looking very tired or worried,
    THESAURUS
    haggard: She stayed up all night and looked drawn in the morning.
dread
dread
  1. v. [T] to fear (some future event or experience): I always dread going to the dentist to have a tooth pulled.n. [U] a strong fear (of s.t. that is coming in the future): She is full of dread about moving to a strange city.
dreadful
dreadful
  1. adj.
    1 frightening, terrible: We had a dreadful time driving on the icy roads.
    2 offensive, disgusting: He is so rude; he's a dreadful man! -adv. dreadfully.
dream
dream
  1. v. dreamed or dreamt
    1 [I;T] to experience fantasies while asleep: I dreamed last night that I was on an ocean voyage.
    2 [I;T] to imagine and hope for: She dreams of (or) about owning her own business.
    3 [T] to think of, consider: He would not dream of disappointing his mother.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to dream s.t. away: to spend time in dreaming: We dreamed away the afternoon, watching the clouds.||We dreamed it away.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to dream up: to invent or imagine: Who dreamed up that crazy idea?n.
    1 a fantasy experienced while asleep: The child has bad dreams.
    2 s.t. hoped for, aspiration: She has a dream about being an engineer.
    3 a beautiful person or thing: They're building their dream house. See: American Dream; daydream.
    THESAURUS
    dream v.
    2 to long for, daydream, picture
    3 to conceive.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a reverie | nightmare
    2 a vision of s.t., longing for, aspiration frml.
    3 ideal, idyllic.
dreamboat
dreamboat
  1. n.fig. a very desirable person: That pretty woman is his dreamboat.
dreamer
dreamer
  1. n. a person with unrealistic plans or ideas: I think he's just a dreamer and will never produce any of the inventions he describes.
dreamland
dreamland
  1. n.fig. a state of sleep: Little children go off to dreamland each night.
dreamy
dreamy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 soft and pleasant as in a good dream: That tropical island has a dreamy atmosphere.
    2 tending to daydream: Her teacher calls her a dreamy child.
dreary
dreary
  1. adj. -ier, -iest dark and sad,
    THESAURUS
    gloomy: That old house has such a dreary look.
dredge
dredge
  1. n.v. [T] dredged, dredging, dredges
    1 a large machine or type of ship used to dig up sand, mud, and debris from a harbor, river, etc.: The dredge is work-ing in the harbor; it has dredged sand to increase the depth so ships can pass.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to dredge up s.t.: to uncover information about the past: The politician dredged up old scandals to make his opponent look bad.||He dredged them up.
dregs
dregs
  1. n.pl.
    1 unwanted material in the bottom of a container of liquid,
    THESAURUS
    sediment: No one drinks the dregs in a bottle of old wine.
    2 fig. s.t. or s.o. undesirable: Some people think of homeless people on city streets as the dregs of society.
drench
drench
  1. v. [T] -es to make completely wet, (syns.) to soak, saturate: The heavy rain drenched our clothes. -n. drenching.
dress
dress
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to put clothes on, get dressed: I dressed quickly.||She dresses her twin boys in matching clothes.
    2 [I] to choose and wear clothes: He always dresses informally.
    3 [T] to clean, treat, and bandage: The nurse dressed the wound.
    4 [T] to prepare for eating or cooking: dress a salad, dress a turkey
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to dress s.o. down: to criticize, usu. severely: The boss dressed down the worker for making a mistake.
    6 to dress in one's Sunday best: to put on one's best clothes: When they go to see their grandfather, they dress in their Sunday best.
    7 phrasal v. to dress up or play dress up: a. to put on special, more formal clothes: She dressed up in her nicest outfit to attend the wedding. b. (usu. of (children) to put on adult clothes or costumes for fun: Little children love dressing up (or) playing dress-up. c. to make s.t. prettier or more interesting: dress up the room, dress up one's storyn. -es
    1 [C] an article of girl's or woman's clothing
    2 [U] a style of clothes: Soldiers parade in military dress.adj. (of clothing) formal: a dress shirt, a dress suit, a dress uniform
    THESAURUS
    dress v.
    1 to get changed, slip on clothes
    2 to clothe s.o., outfit s.o.
    3 to bind, tend.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 an outfit, gown, shift | skirt
    2 fashion, mode.
dress rehearsal
dress rehearsal
  1. n. the final practice before a performance: Actors wear their full costumes and make-up for a dress rehearsal.
dresser
dresser
  1. n.
    1 a large piece of bedroom furniture for storing clothes: I keep underwear and sweaters in my dresser.
    2 a person judged on his or her style of dressing: He is a sharp dresser.
    THESAURUS
    dresser
    1 a chest of drawers, bureau, cabinet.
dressing
dressing
  1. n. [C]
    1 a bandage: The nurse put a dressing on the wound.
    2 [C;U] sauce for salad: That restaurant bottles their "house" (own special) salad dressing.
    3 [U] stuffing cooked in chicken, fish, etc.: dressing for a Thanksgiving turkey
dressing room
dressing room
  1. n. a room or an area for dressing: The movie star is in her dressing room.
dressmaker
dressmaker
  1. n. a person who makes dresses: He is a dressmaker to celebrities.
dressy
dressy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest formal, stylish: The opening night at the opera is always a dressy occasion.
drew
drew
  1. v. past tense of draw
dribble
dribble
  1. v. [I;T] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to pour out in small amounts: The baby dribbled milk from its mouth.
    2 to bounce (a basketball): The basketball player dribbled the ball down the court.
dribs and drabs
dribs and drabs
  1. n. small, irregular amounts: The agency gives out news by dribs and drabs, now and then.
drier
drier
  1. adj. comparative of dry —n. See: dryer.
drift
drift
  1. v. [I]
    1 to float, carried by wind or water currents: An empty boat drifts with the current.
    2 to catch or get the drift: to understand the meaning in a discussion or other communication: After a few minutes, I caught the drift of what the speaker was saying.n.
    1 [C;U] a floating movement: A high wind is causing a drift in the airplane's course.
    2 [C] snow or sand blown into a pile by the wind: We had to dig the car out of the snow drift.
drifter
drifter
  1. n. a person who moves from place to place without regular work or goals in life: I hope she doesn't fall in love with that drifter; he'll never hold a good job or stay in one place.
driftwood
driftwood
  1. n. [U] logs and other pieces of wood afloat in a body of water: Boaters must be careful not to hit driftwood in the lake.
drill
drill
  1. n.
    1 [C] a tool with a long, sharp metal shaft that turns to bore holes: a carpenter's drill, a dentist's drill
    2 [C;U] a repetitive practice exercise: School children do arithmetic drills.v. [I;T]
    1 to bore (holes) with a drill: A carpenter drills holes for screws with an electric drill.
    2 to perform practice exercises: Soldiers drill with their rifles.
    3 to drill s.t. into s.o.: to force s.o. to learn s.t. by constant repetition: The coach drilled into his players the importance of a strong defense.
drink
drink
  1. n.
    1 an amount of liquid for drinking: I need a drink of water.
    2 an alcoholic beverage: She's had too many drinks.v. drank or drunk , drinking, drinks
    1 [I;T] to swallow a liquid: He drinks water with his meals.
    2 [I;T] to drink alcoholic beverages: It's dangerous to drink and drive.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drink s.t. in: to take s.t. in through the senses: She drank in all of her grandmother's stories.||She drank them in.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to drink to s.o. or s.t.: to wish success, good luck, etc. to s.o. or s.t.: We drank to their new business.
    THESAURUS
    drink n.
    1 a glass of s.t., sip | beverage
    2 liquor, booze infrml, hard stuff infrml.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to have a glass, take (a drink of s.t.) | sip, gulp
    2 to have a few infrml., indulge | get drunk.
drinkable
drinkable
  1. adj. OK to drink,
    THESAURUS
    potable: Is this drinkable water?
drinker
drinker
  1. n. a person who drinks alcoholic beverages, usu. too much: She's a heavy drinker.
drip-dry
drip-dry
  1. adj.v. [I] -dried, -drying, -dries wash-and-wear, wearable without ironing: I washed my drip-dry shirt and hung it to dry.
drip
drip
  1. n.
    1 a series of small drops of liquid or one of these drops: The kitchen faucet has a drip.
    2 infrml.fig. a weak and annoying person, a jerk: That guy is a drip.v. [I;T] dripped, dripping, drips to pour in drips: The faucet has dripped water for a week now.adj. dripping wet: completely wet,
    THESAURUS
    saturated: The dog got soaked in the rain and is dripping wet.
drive-in
drive-in
  1. n. an outdoor movie theater: We used to go to the drive-in on Saturday nights in the summer.
drive-up window
drive-up window
  1. n. a service area of a restaurant, bank, etc., for customers who remain in their cars: We drove up to the drive-up window at the fast-food restaurant and ordered a meal.
drive
drive
  1. v. drove or driven , driving, drives
    1 [I;T] to control and steer (a vehicle): She's 16 and learning to drive the family car.
    2 [I;T] to travel or take s.o. in a vehicle: We drove across the country on vacation.||He's driving her home.
    3 [T] to force in some direction: The increase in prices has driven away customers.||The carpenter drove a nail into the wood with a hammer.
    4 [T] to force into some (bad) state: His complaints drive me crazy (to drink, out of my mind, etc.).
    5 [T] to cause forcefully: Her parents have driven her to study hard.
    6 [T] to herd: Cowboys on horseback drove the cattle to market.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [I] to drive at s.t.: to mean s.t. without openly saying it,
    THESAURUS
    to imply: I don't understand what you're driving at (when you say that).
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drive s.t. home: to make a point, message, etc. well understood, state forcefully: The doctor drove home the importance of good nutrition.||He drove his point home.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drive s.o. or s.t. off: a. s.o.: to force away: The army drove off the attackers.||It drove them off. b. s.t.: to leave in a vehicle: They drove off in a hurry.||They drove the car off.
    10 to drive a hard bargain: to settle an agreement without giving up anything: Union members were nervous about the coming contract talks, knowing that management would drive a hard bargain.
    THESAURUS
    drive v.
    1 to operate a vehicle
    2 to go, give s.o. a lift or ride | chauffeur, go for a spin
    THESAURUS
    infrml.
    3 to push, prod, steer | hammer
    4 to make s.o. upset, incite
    5 to pressure, compel frml.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a ride, run, spin infrml. | joyride
    2 a route, way
    3 determination, initiative, enterprise. —n.
    1 [C] a trip in a vehicle: We went for (or) took a drive into the mountains.
    2 [C] a road or driveway: a scenic drive
    3 [U] high energy, force of mind and spirit: He works very hard; he has a lot of drive.||He's a harddriving man.
    4 [C] a strong instinctive need or urge: the sex drive
    5 [C] a strong, organized group effort to gain s.t.: The Red Cross held a blood drive.
    6 [C;U] the means for turning power from an engine into movement: a car with four-wheeled drive
    7 a herding of animals: a cattle drive
    8 the part of a computer where a disk goes: the disk drive
drivel
drivel
  1. n. [U] nonsense, stupid talk: What he says is drivel; don't believe him.
driven
driven
  1. v. past part. of drive —adj.
    1 acting on a strong need or desire,
    THESAURUS
    obsessed: She works seven days a week; she is a driven woman.
    2 suffix influenced or dominated by: The computer business (economy, society, etc.) is innovation-driven (price-driven, cost-driven, etc.).
driver
driver
  1. n.
    1 the person in control of a vehicle: The driver of the car sits behind the steering wheel.
    2 in the driver's seat: having the power of decision: She decides what will be done; she is in the driver's seat.
    THESAURUS
    driver n.
    1 a motorist, operator, licensed operator | chauffeur.
driveway
driveway
  1. n. a paved or unpaved roadway leading to a garage or house: We parked the car in the driveway and walked into the house.
driving
driving
  1. adj.
    1 striking with force: I can hear the driving rain against the window.
    2 forceful, energetic: Her driving personality sometimes overpowers people.
drizzle
drizzle
  1. n. a light rain: There is a fine drizzle this morning.v. [I] -zled, -zling, -zles to rain lightly: It drizzled all day.
droll
droll
  1. adj. -er, -est funny in a mild, odd way: He makes droll remarks that always make me laugh. -n. drollery.
drone
drone
  1. n.
    1 a low humming sound: We could hear the drone of a distant plane.
    2 a male honeybee who mates with the queen bee: Drones gather no honey and do no work.v. [I] droned, droning, drones to make a sound like a low hum: The speaker seemed to drone on endlessly.
drool
drool
  1. v. [I]
    1 to let saliva pass from the mouth: The dog drooled when he smelled his dinner.
    2 fig. to show great desire: That lady drools over the idea of vacationing in Europe.n. [U] liquid in the mouth, (syns.) saliva, spittle: The baby has drool on his chin.
droop
droop
  1. v. [I] to lean over or hang down with tiredness or weakness: The flowers drooped from lack of water.n. a hanging down,
    THESAURUS
    a sag: The droop of her shoulders told me that her spirits were low.
drop-in
drop-in
  1. adj. without an appointment: She hurt her hand and went to a drop-in clinic for medical attention.
drop-off
drop-off
  1. n. a sharp descent: That mountain road is dangerous because of the steep drop-off.adj. related to a place where s.t. is left for further transport: The school is a drop-off point for donations of clothing for refugees.
drop
drop
  1. v. dropped, dropping, drops
    1 [I] to fall: Apples drop from trees.
    2 [T] to let fall by mistake: She dropped her purse on the floor.
    3 [T] to cause to fall: The plane dropped bombs.
    4 [T] to suddenly stop and leave unfinished: I dropped what I was doing and ran to help.||This conversation is getting too personal, so please drop it.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [I] to drop by or drop in (on s.o.): to make an informal visit without an appointment: Drop by whenever you can.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to drop (or) fall behind s.o. or s.t.: to move ahead more slowly than others are moving: His teacher says he has dropped behind in the class.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to drop out: to leave or stop taking part in: She dropped out of the race because of an injury. See: dropout.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to drop off: a. infrml. to fall asleep: I dropped off on the sofa while watching TV. b. to lessen, decrease: Sales have dropped off sharply. See: drop-off, n.
    9 phrasal v. sep [T] to drop s.o. or s.t. off: a. s.o.: to take s.o. to a place in a vehicle: The bus dropped off its passengers in front of the library.||It dropped them off. b. s.t.: to deliver: We dropped off their order at noon.||We dropped it off.
    10 infrml. to drop s.o. a line: to write s.o. a note: I usually drop her a line on her birthday.
    11 to drop dead: to die suddenly (often used in insults): He's trying to threaten me, but he can just drop dead.
    12 fig. to drop the ball: to make a mistake or to fail to do something: He was supposed to set up a meeting, but he dropped the ball and now it's too late.n.
    1 a very small amount of liquid: I put a drop of medicine in my eye.
    2 a fall or a sharp movement down: There was a 20-degree drop in the temperature last night.
    3 a distance down: There's a 12-foot drop from that window.
    4 a delivery of supplies by parachute: The plane made a food drop to the refugee camp.
    5 a small candy: A lemon cough drop eased my sore throat.
    6 fig. (only) a drop in the bucket: a small unimportant amount: We have saved $1000, but that's only a drop in the bucket because we need $500,000.
    THESAURUS
    drop v.
    1 to fall off, plop
    2 and
    3 to let go of s.t.
    4 to quit, call off | cut s.t. short infrml.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a droplet, splash, drip
    2 a decline, decrease, dip, plunge
    3 a fall, descent.
droplet
droplet
  1. n. a small drop: I felt a few droplets of rain on my shoulder.
dropout
dropout
  1. n. a student who leaves school without graduating: He is a high school (college, trade school) dropout.
drought
drought
  1. n. a time of little or no rainfall: The farming region is experiencing a two-year drought.
drove
drove
  1. v. past tense of drive —n.pl. in droves : in large crowds: The people lined up in droves to buy tickets to the concert.
drown
drown
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to die by breathing in water or other liquid: The swimmer drowned in the lake.
    2 fig. [I] to be overpowered or overwhelmed (with work, strong feelings, disorder, etc.): That company is drowning in debt.
    3 to drown one's sorrows: to drink alcohol in order to forget one's problems: She went out to a bar to drown her sorrows.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drown s.o. or s.t. out: to cover (a sound) by making a louder one: We turned up the volume on the TV to drown out the sound of the neighbors' arguing.||We drowned it out.
drowning
drowning
  1. n. [C;U] an act of death by breathing in water or other liquid: The drowning took place in the swimming pool.
drowse
drowse
  1. v. [I] drowsed, drowsing, drowses to sleep lightly,
    THESAURUS
    to doze: The old man is drowsing in his chair.
drowsy
drowsy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest feeling the need for sleep,
    THESAURUS
    sleepy: I'm feeling drowsy, so I'm going to bed.
drudge
drudge
  1. n. a person who performs boring, low-level work: She is a drudge in a large accounting firm.v. [I;T] drudged, drudging, drudges to work very hard at boring work: She drudges away at clerical work all day long.
drudgery
drudgery
  1. n. -ies [U] boring, low-level work: I fasten screws on an assembly line and the work is pure drudgery.
drug
drug
  1. n.
    1 a medication: The doctor gave the patient a new drug.
    2 a narcotic, esp. an illegal one: Cocaine is a hard drug.
    3 on drugs: addicted to, or under the influence of, drugs: She is on drugs for the pain.v. [T] drugged, drugging, drugs to place under the influence of a drug: The kidnapper drugged his victim to keep her quiet.||He kept her drugged (up).
    THESAURUS
    drug n.
    1 a medicine, pill, prescription, remedy
    2 dope | pills.
drug dealer
drug dealer
  1. n. a person who buys and sells illegal narcotics: He is a major drug dealer in North America.
drug pusher
drug pusher
  1. n.infrml. a person who sells illegal drugs, usu. in small amounts: Police have arrested drug pushers near the school.
druggist
druggist
  1. n. the owner of a drugstore or the pharmacist at a drugstore: I'm going to ask the druggist for her advice about that new medicine.
drugstore
drugstore
  1. n. in the USA, a store with a registered pharmacy to sell medicine prescribed by doctors, as well as health and beauty supplies: She went to the drugstore to fill a prescription and buy some cosmetics.
drum
drum
  1. n.
    1 a musical instrument made of a round, hollow vessel with a skin stretched tightly over one or both ends, to be struck with a drumstick or by hand: My brother plays the drums in a band.
    2 a large drum-shaped container: an oil drumv. drummed, drumming, drums
    1 [I] to play the drums: He drummed loudly.
    2 [T] to create a rhythmic sound: When she's thinking, she drums her fingers on her desk.
    3 phrasal v. [T] to drum s.t. into s.o.: to put an idea, etc. into s.o.'s mind by repetition, practice, etc.: My mother drummed good manners into all her children.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to drum s.t. up: to get or increase (sales, interest, support, etc.): We need to drum up some new clients; let's increase advertising.||We need to drum them up.
drumbeat
drumbeat
  1. n. the rhythmic sound of a drum: The band is playing with a fast drumbeat.
drummer
drummer
  1. n.
    1 a person who plays the drums: the drummer in a band
    2 infrml.fig. a sales representative, esp. a traveling salesman: He is a drummer with a furniture manufacturer.
drunk
drunk
  1. v. past part. of drink —adj. -er, -est under the influence of alcohol: She has had too much to drink; in fact, she's drunk.n. a person addicted to alcohol: He's never sober; he's a drunk. -n. drunkard.
    THESAURUS
    drunk adj. drunken, intoxicated | loaded infrml., plastered infrml., smashed infrml. Ant. sober. —n. an alcoholic, heavy drinker.
drunken
drunken
  1. adj. related to drinking too much alcohol: Our neighbors had a drunken party last night. -adv. drunkenly.
druthers
druthers
  1. n.pl.infrml.
    1 preferences
    2 to have one's druthers: to be free to choose: If I had my druthers, I'd be at the beach and not at work.
dry-clean
dry-clean
  1. v. [I;T] to clean clothes, curtains, etc. by passing a cleaning fluid through them: The dry cleaner dry-cleans men's and women's suits without shrinking them.
dry
dry
  1. adj. drier, driest
    1 without water or moisture: I have dry skin in the winter.
    2 amusing but expressed in a serious manner: You have a dry sense of humor; I never know when you're serious or joking.
    3 where alcoholic drinks are not permitted, esp. in public places: In a dry town, stores can't sell alcohol.
    4 (of wine) not sweet or fruity: dry champagnev. [I;T] dried, drying, dries
    1 to remove moisture from s.t.: Dry the dishes with a dish towel.
    2 to preserve by drying: Fishermen dry fish in order to eat them at a later time without refrigeration.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to dry (s.o.) out: (to cause s.o.) to stop drinking alcohol: He decided to try to dry out his roommates.||He tried to dry them out.
    THESAURUS
    dry adj.
    1 bone-dry, dried up | arid, dehydrated, parched. Ant. wet.
    2 deadpan, droll, subtle.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to dry off, wipe off, soak up | dehydrate. Ant. to wet.
    2 to cure, smoke.
dry dock
dry dock
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a shipyard where boats can be stored out of the water: Each autumn, I put my boat in dry dock.
    2 an enclosed area on land in which a boat can be repaired: My boat is in dry dock now for repairs.
dry goods
dry goods
  1. n.pl. fabrics, clothing, bedding, and other textile articles: In the USA, most dry goods stores have been replaced by department stores.
dry ice
dry ice
  1. n. [U] ice made from solid carbon dioxide: We caught some fish and packed them in dry ice for transport.
dry measure
dry measure
  1. n. [C;U] a system of measurement by volume, not weight, used esp. for vegetables, fruits, and grains: The USA uses pints, quarts, pecks, and bushels as volumes of dry measure.
dry rot
dry rot
  1. n. [U] a disease that destroys wood: Dry rot turned the wooden roof beams to powder, and the roof fell in.
dry run
dry run
  1. n.
    1 an experimental test or rehearsal: We first drove the truck over difficult ground without a load as a dry run.
    2 a military exercise without live ammunition: The soldiers did a dry run with their new rifles.
dryer
dryer
  1. n. any of several electrical devices used to dry (hair, clothes, etc.): Hand-held blow dryers are popular for drying hair.
    THESAURUS
    dryer a hair dryer, clothes dryer.
dryness
dryness
  1. n. [U] a condition without moisture: The dryness of the soil in this area is a problem for farmers.
dual
dual
  1. adj. double, having two parts: He uses his van for a dual purpose, namely for business and personal use. -n. [U] duality.
dub
dub
  1. v. [T] dubbed, dubbing, dubs
    1 to replace the original spoken language of (a film): The voices in that English film were dubbed into French (Spanish, Chinese, etc.).
    2 to copy a recording, usu. from the original: The studio dubbed the soundtrack of the film and sold it as a CD.
    3 to name, describe as: The 1950s were dubbed as the "Age of Anxiety."
dubious
dubious
  1. adj.
    1 causing doubt about its value or truth: She gave a dubious excuse for her absence from class.
    2 having doubts, (syns.) suspicious, skeptical: I am dubious about what he says. -adv. dubiously.
duchess
duchess
  1. n. -es a woman holding a high hereditary rank, or the wife or widow of a duke: She is the Duchess of Kent.
duck
duck
  1. n.
    1 any of a variety of water birds with short, plump bodies, rounded beaks, and webbed feet: There are mallard ducks nesting in the pond nearby.
    2 lame duck: in the USA, a political official soon to leave office: If he is not reelected in November, the President will be a lame duck and have little influence during the rest of his term.v.
    1 [I;T] to lower (one's head or body) quickly to avoid being hit by s.t.: The tall man ducked his head to avoid a low tree branch.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to duck out (of) s.t.: to leave hurriedly and unnoticed: She ducked out the back door before the meeting began.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to duck s.o.: infrml. to avoid contact with s.o.: I keep trying to make an appointment to see him, but he has been ducking me.
    THESAURUS
    duck v.
    1 to bend over, dodge, stoop
    2 to escape, sneak out.
duckling
duckling
  1. n. a baby duck: The ducklings are swimming close to their mother.
duct
duct
  1. n.
    1 a tube in living things: Tears pass through tear ducts near the eyes.
    2 in buildings, a tube or passage, esp. for air: a ventilation duct in the ceiling
ductile
ductile
  1. adj.frml. (of metal) capable of being easily shaped,
    THESAURUS
    malleable: Lead and silver are ductile metals.
dud
dud
  1. n.
    1 a bomb or bullet that fails to explode
    2 infrml.fig. a failure, disappointment: That lousy play we saw last night was a dud. See: duds.
dude
dude
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a person from the city not tough enough for cowboy life: The dudes from New York can't ride horses all day.
    2 slang a man, guy: Ask that dude over there what time it is.
dude ranch
dude ranch
  1. n. -es a vacation resort like a ranch where city people can experience an outdoor life, esp. horseback riding: Every summer, we spend two weeks on a dude ranch in Wyoming.
duds
duds
  1. n.pl. slang clothes: I'm going home to change my duds.
due
due
  1. adj.
    1 required to be finished, submitted, paid, etc. (at the stated time): The report is due next week.||The rent is due tomorrow.
    2 expected, scheduled: The plane is due to arrive at 4:00.
    3 due to: because of, as a result of: Her good grades are due to her hard work.
    4 frml. in due time or course: at the proper time: The boss said to be patient, and I'll get a raise in due time.
    THESAURUS
    due adj.
    1 payable | mature, outstanding, unpaid. —n. [U] to give s.o. their due: to give s.o. what he or she deserves: I thought he would make a mess of it, but to give him his due, he did a good job. See: dues. —adv. due north (south, east, etc.): exactly (in the direction given): We'll fly due west from here.
due process
due process
  1. n. [U] (in law) the full use by an individual or institution of the legal system, including the right to a fair hearing and trial: The right to appeal the decision of a lower court is part of (the) due process (of law).
duel
duel
  1. n.
    1 in the past, a fight with swords or guns between two men over a question of honor: The nobleman who had been insulted challenged the other to a duel.
    2 fig. a competition or fight between two rivals: The two companies are fighting a duel to dominate the market.v.
    1 [I;T] to fight a duel: The noblemen will duel at dawn.
    2 [I] fig.to compete, fight: The companies dueled over market share.
dues
dues
  1. n.pl.
    1 the cost of membership in some organizations: Doctors, lawyers, and teachers pay yearly dues to their professional associations.
    2 to pay one's dues: to suffer before achieving success and respect: She paid her dues by singing in smoky nightclubs in small towns before becoming a big star.
    THESAURUS
    dues
    1 a contribution, assessment, initiation fee.
duet
duet
  1. n. music sung by two voices or played by two performers: The sopranos sang a duet in the opera.
duff
duff
  1. n. slang the buttocks, rear end: He finally got off his duff and finished the job.
duffel bag
duffel bag
  1. n. a large, heavy cloth bag used for luggage: Soldiers and athletes use duffel bags to carry their clothes and belongings.
dug
dug
  1. v. past tense and part. of dig
dugout
dugout
  1. n.
    1 a type of canoe made from a log with the passenger area dug or burned out: Native Americans fish from dugouts in the lake.
    2 a shelter dug in the ground: Soldiers crowded into the dugout.
    3 (in baseball) a team's shelter at the side of the field
duke
duke
  1. n. a man with a high hereditary rank below a prince: The Duke of Kent waved to the people outside the palace.
dukes
dukes
  1. n.pl. slang the fists, in boxing: One angry man said to another, "Put up your dukes and defend yourself!"v.slang to duke it out: to fight: The two boys duked it out on the playground.
dulcet
dulcet
  1. adj.frml. soft, musical: Poets write of ladies who speak in dulcet tones.
dull
dull
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 not shiny or bright: I need to polish that dull table top.
    2 not sharp: a dull knife, a dull pain
    3 boring, tiresome: That movie (lecture, party, etc.) was very dull.
    4 unintelligent, slow-witted: He has a dull mind; it takes him a long time to learn new things.
    THESAURUS
    dull adj.
    1 drab, faded | lackluster, washed-out
    2 blunt (knife)
    3 uninteresting, tedious.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. lively.
    4 dumb, dim-witted, slow. Ant. sharp. —v. [I;T] to make less bright or sharp: Does watching too much TV dull the mind? -n. dullard.
duly
duly
  1. adv. frml. in the correct way, properly: The prisoner was duly advised of her rights by the arresting police officer.
dum-dum
dum-dum
  1. adj. slang a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    a dumbbell: He does stupid things; he's a dum-dum.
dumb
dumb
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 incapable of speaking
    2 stupid: He's too dumb to succeed.
    THESAURUS
    dumb
    1 mute | silent, inarticulate, tongue-tied
    2 dense, dull-witted, slow. Ant. smart.
dumbbell
dumbbell
  1. n.
    1 a metal weight used to exercise the muscles
    2 fig. a stupid person: That person can't do anything right; what a dumbbell!
dumbfound
dumbfound
  1. v. [T] to confuse or shock and make speechless,
    THESAURUS
    to bewilder: She dumbfounds people with her outrageous opinions.
dumbstruck
dumbstruck
  1. adj. made speechless: I am dumbstruck by the crazy things that he says sometimes.
dumbwaiter
dumbwaiter
  1. n. a small elevator for carrying food between a kitchen and a higher floor: The cook puts food on the dumbwaiter and sends it to the upstairs dining room.
dummy
dummy
  1. n. -mies
    1 a stuffed figure or model of a person: a ventriloquist's dummy, a dressmaker's dummy
    2 fig. a stupid person, often used in a friendly way: That's not the right answer, you dummy!
dump
dump
  1. n.
    1 a place where trash is put: We put our garbage out by the street for a truck to pick up and take to the town dump.
    2 fig. a dirty, messy place: This apartment (room, house) is a dump!
    3 output of computer data: I did a dump of our inventory records.
    4 fig. down in the dumps: sad, depressed: He failed his exam and is down in the dumps about it.v. [T]
    1 to drop or unload suddenly or carelessly: The truck dumped a load of sand in the road.
    2 infrml.fig. to suddenly end a personal relationship with: She dumped her boyfriend for another guy.
    3 to sell (goods) in large quantity at a low price to reduce an oversupply or to win a greater share of the market from competitors: That company is dumping their products there, trying to secure a place in that market.
    THESAURUS
    dump n.
    1 a garbage dump, junk pile
    2 a pigsty, trash heap.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to empty, deposit, discharge
    2 to ditch s.o.
    3 to flood the market.
dump truck
dump truck
  1. n. a truck that drops its cargo by lifting its rear bed up: The dump truck poured gravel onto the street.
dumpling
dumpling
  1. n.
    1 a ball of mashed food, cooked with soup or served with dessert: We had chicken dumplings for dinner last night.
    2 fig. a term of affection, esp. for a well-fed person: I'm crazy about my daughter; she's my little dumpling!
dumpster
dumpster
  1. n. a very large container for trash: We throw our trash into the dumpster behind our apartment building.
dumpy
dumpy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest infrml.
    1 messy and in poor condition: What a dumpy place!
    2 (of a person) short and fat: She has a dumpy figure.
dunce
dunce
  1. n. a stupid person: He's such a dunce, with no brains at all!
dunce cap
dunce cap
  1. n. a tall pointed hat that shows the wearer is stupid: Many years ago, a bad student would have to wear a dunce cap and sit in the corner.
dune
dune
  1. n. a small hill of sand: The sand dunes on the desert are formed by the wind.
dune buggy
dune buggy
  1. n. -gies a car designed to travel on sand: She loves racing her dune buggy on the beach.
dung
dung
  1. n. animal manure,
    THESAURUS
    excrement: Farmers and gardeners use cow dung to enrich the soil for vegetables.
dungarees
dungarees
  1. n.pl. a type of blue jeans: Before the 1960s, people wore dungarees.
dungeon
dungeon
  1. n. a prison or cell in the cellar, esp. of a castle: The king had prisoners thrown into a dungeon for displeasing him.
dunk
dunk
  1. v. [T]
    1 to dip into a liquid: I like to dunk a doughnut in my coffee.
    2 (in basketball) to drop the ball through the hoop from above: She's not very tall, but she can jump high enough to dunk the ball.n.fig. a swim: I go for a dunk in hot weather.
duo
duo
  1. n. duos a pair of people, usu. musicians: She and her husband are a singing duo in nightclubs.
duodenum
duodenum
  1. n. the first 10 inches of the small intestine below the stomach: Liver and pancreatic juices mix with food in the duodenum. -adj. duodenal.
dupe
dupe
  1. v. [T] dupped, duping, dupes to trick and cheat: The dishonest bookkeeper duped his victim by making her trust him, then stealing her money.n. a person who is tricked: She was a dupe.
duplex
duplex
  1. n. -es an apartment or house that has two living quarters: Our house is a duplex, and we rent the other half to some students.adj. having two sections of living quarters: A duplex apartment has rooms on two floors with an inside connecting staircase.
duplicate
duplicate
  1. n. an exact copy: I'll make a duplicate of his letter and send it to you.v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to make an exact copy: I duplicated that letter for him.
    2 to repeat: I duplicated the original experiment, and it worked. -adj. duplicative. See: photocopy.
    THESAURUS
    duplicate n. a double of s.t., twin, reproduction, replica. —v.
    1 to copy, reproduce, replicate.
duplication
duplication
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a copy of an original: The vase is a duplication of a very expensive original.
    2 a repetition: Her work is an unnecessary duplication of my effort.
duplicity
duplicity
  1. n.frml. [U] actions disguised as friendly, but designed to trick s.o., (syns.) deceit, double-dealing: He acted with duplicity when he asked for my help only to use my information against me. -adj. duplicitous.
durable
durable
  1. adj. long-wearing, sturdy: The soles on those shoes have lasted a year; they are quite durable. -n. pl. durables. See durable goods; -n. [U] durability.
durable goods
durable goods
  1. n.pl. items, such as automobiles and kitchen appliances, that last a long time: The market for durable goods (or) durables is very, very big.
duration
duration
  1. n. [U]
    1 the time that s.t. continues or exists: We hope that the business recession (illness, rainy season, etc.) will be of short duration.
    2 for the duration: for as long as s.t. lasts: He entered the military at the start of the war and stayed for the duration.
duress
duress
  1. n.frml. [U] force or threats used to get s.o.'s cooperation: She signed a loan agreement with high interest payments under duress.
during
during
  1. prep.
    1 for all the time of: We took shelter in a store during the rainstorm.
    2 at some point (in a period of time): I hope to see him during the next few days.
    THESAURUS
    during
    1 at the time of, throughout
    2 in the course of, over.
dusk
dusk
  1. n. [U] the time of day between sunset and total darkness: It's hard to see at dusk, so I drive carefully.
dusky
dusky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest shadowy, rather dark: Even on sunny days, this room is dusky.
dust
dust
  1. n. [U]
    1 fine dry particles like powder: There's dust on the bookshelves.
    2 to turn to dust: to end as nothing, to be ruined: All of his dreams have turned to dust.v.
    1 [I;T] to remove dust: I dusted my bookshelves.
    2 [T] to cover with a light coat of s.t.: The baker dusted the cake with powdered sugar.
    THESAURUS
    dust n.
    1 dirt, grime, soot. —v.
    1 to clean, wipe
    2 to sprinkle, powder.
duster
duster
  1. n. a cloth or brush used to dust s.t.: I use a feather duster to dust my bookshelves.
dustpan
dustpan
  1. n. a flat pan used when sweeping to pick up dust and refuse: I emptied the dustpan into a garbage pail.
dusty
dusty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest covered with dust: My clothes are dusty from cleaning my apartment.
    THESAURUS
    dusty dirty, filthy, unswept.
dutiful
dutiful
  1. adj. devoted to fulfilling one's responsibilities: He is a dutiful son to his parents. -adv. dutifully.
    THESAURUS
    dutiful obedient, responsible, respectful.
duty-free
duty-free
  1. adj. not requiring payment of duty fees: Perfume, if bought at the airport for an international flight, is duty-free.
duty
duty
  1. n. -ties 1 [C;U] responsibility, obligation: Her duty is to see that the business runs well.
    2 [U] special service: jury duty, military duty
    3 [C;U] a tax, esp. on imported goods See: duty-free.
    4 on or off duty: working or not working (in a position of responsibility): A police officer usually wears a uniform when on duty.
    THESAURUS
    duty
    1 assignment, job, mission, charge
    3 an assessment, tariff.
dwarf
dwarf
  1. n. dwarfs or dwarves a small person with dwarfism: That man is a dwarf. He is only four feet tall.v. [T] to make s.t. seem small by comparison: California giant redwood trees dwarf the people who come to admire them.
dwarfism
dwarfism
  1. n. [U] smallness in size in humans due to abnormal development before birth: Not all short people suffer from dwarfism.
dwell
dwell
  1. v. [I] dwelt or dwelled, dwelling, dwells
    1 frml. to live,
    THESAURUS
    to reside: The princess dwells in a castle.
    2 to dwell on: to continue thinking or speaking about: The teacher dwelt on the topic too long.
dwelling
dwelling
  1. n.litr. a place where people live: She lives in an old dwelling on the edge of town.
dwelt
dwelt
  1. v. past tense & past part. of dwell
dwindle
dwindle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to lessen in number or intensity: By the end of the boring football game, the crowd had dwindled to a few fans.
dye
dye
  1. n. [C;U] a solution used to color cloth or hair: He used a blue dye to color the curtains.v. [T] dyed, dyeing, dyes to color with dye: She dyes her hair red. -n. [U] dyestuff.
    THESAURUS
    dye n. a pigment, shade, tint, stain. —v. to tint, stain.
dyed-in-the-wool
dyed-in-the-wool
  1. adj.
    1 dyed before being made into cloth
    2 fig. completely, deeply: He is a dyed-in-the-wool conservative.
dying
dying
  1. v. pres. part of die
dyke
dyke
  1. n. pej. a lesbian
dynamic
dynamic
  1. adj. energetic, very active: She is a dynamic executive and will bring lots of energy and ideas to our company. -adv. dynamically.
dynamics
dynamics
  1. n.pl.
    1 the study of force and motion
    2 the factors that shape a personal relationship: Their love and devotion are the key dynamics in their marriage.
dynamism
dynamism
  1. n. [U] (in a person) high energy and activity: He is full of dynamism, on the go all day long.
dynamite
dynamite
  1. n. [U] an explosive: a stick of dynamiteadj.infrml. fig. wonderful, excellent: She is a dynamite rock star.v. [T] -mited, -miting, -mites to blow up with dynamite: They dynamited the bridge and completely destroyed it.
dynamo
dynamo
  1. n. -mos
    1 an electrical generator
    2 infrml.fig. a forceful and very energetic person: He teaches gymnastics and is a dynamo at work.
dynasty
dynasty
  1. n. -ties a series of family members who hold power in politics or business: The Kennedys have a dynasty in American politics.
dysentery
dysentery
  1. n. [U] any of several intestinal infections marked by diarrhea, cramps, and weakness: I suffered from dysentery when traveling because I drank unclean water.
dysfunction
dysfunction
  1. n. [U] imperfect or abnormal functioning (of a system, a body part, etc.): The doctor is treating her for a dysfunction of the kidneys. -adj. dysfunctional.

    USAGE NOTE: A dysfunctional family is a family with serious emotional problems. The problems are often caused by alcoholism, drug abuse, or violence in the family.
dyslexia
dyslexia
  1. n. [U] a disorder marked by a difficulty recognizing written words: The reason he has trouble reading is that he has a learning disability called dyslexia. -adj. dyslexic.
dyspepsia
dyspepsia
  1. n. [U] indigestion: She suffered from dyspepsia and had trouble digesting her food. -n.adj. dyspeptic.
déclassé
déclassé
  1. adj. related to the lower class and unfashionable: That restaurant has become déclassé; we wouldn't be seen there.
décolletage
décolletage
  1. n. (French for) a low neckline of a woman's dress: The décolletage on that evening gown is too revealing.
décor
décor
  1. n. [C;U] the style of a room, house, etc.: Their office has a modern décor.
déjà vu
déjà vu
  1. n. the feeling that one is repeating an experience even though it is actually happening for the first time: When I entered the house, I had a strong sense of déjà vu, but I had never been there before.
dénouement
dénouement
  1. n. the final moment or outcome after a climax in action, as in a play or opera: In the death scene, the dénouement is the moment of death.
détente
détente
  1. n. [C;U] (French for) a period of calm between hostile nations when problems can be discussed: The USA and Soviet Union reached détente, and the arms race is over.
e.g.
e.g.
  1. abbr. for exempli gratia, (Latin for) for example: Our university offers strong programs in the sciences, e.g., chemistry, biology, and physics.
e pluribus unum
e pluribus unum
  1. adv. phr. Latin for "out of many, one"; used as the motto of the USA to express the ideal of unity among the many peoples living in the country
each
each
  1. adv. for one, per piece: Those toys cost $1.00 each.adj. every: Each toy is a different color.pron. every one: Each of the toys has a different shape. See: each other, every, all.

    USAGE NOTE: Always use a singular verb with each because it refers to one of a group of things or people: Each of the students has to meet with the teacher.||Each of the cars is blue.
each other
each other
  1. pron. an expression showing that each one in a pair or group (of people, animals, or things) does s.t. to the other one(s): The two friends smiled at each other.||The puppies all chased each other.
eager
eager
  1. adj. full of desire or interest: We are eager to go on our vacation. -adv. eagerly; -n. eagerness.
    THESAURUS
    eager enthusiastic, raring to go | ambitious, industrious. Ants. uneager | unmotivated.
eager beaver
eager beaver
  1. n.infrml. an enthusiastic person, esp. a hard worker who wants a better job, salary, and life: She works 12-hour days; she is a real eager beaver.
eagle-eyed
eagle-eyed
  1. adj. having excellent eyesight: That hunter is eagle-eyed; he can see animals a mile away.
eagle
eagle
  1. n. a large strong bird that kills smaller animals for food and can be found in the wilderness areas of North America and elsewhere: The symbol of the USA is the bald eagle.
ear
ear
  1. n.
    1 one of the two organs for hearing and balance, located on either side of the head: Rabbits have big ears.
    2 ear of corn: corn on the cob, the part of the corn plant that holds the kernels of corn together: At American barbecues, people eat hamburgers, hot dogs, and ears of corn with butter.
    3 to be all ears: to be eager to hear news or gossip: My friend was all ears when I told her about my new boyfriend.
    4 to go in one ear and out the other: for s.o.'s words or instructions to be heard but ignored or disregarded: She tells her children what to do, but it goes in one ear and out the other.
    5 to have a good or tin ear: to have good or poor ability to understand sounds: He has a good ear for music.
    6 to have an ear to the ground: to be aware of what is going on: He knows all the latest news; he always has his ear to the ground.
    7 to lend an ear: to listen carefully to s.o.
    8 to play by ear: to play (an instrument) without following written music
    9 to play it by ear: to react as events happen without planning: We can't plan for this meeting, so let's just go and play it by ear.
    10 to turn a deaf ear: not to listen: When I tell him to stop drinking, he turns a deaf ear to me.
    11 infrml. up to one's ears: having too much work or trouble: She's up to her ears in work.
earache
earache
  1. n. a pain inside the ear
eardrum
eardrum
  1. n. the part inside the ear that moves so that one can hear sound
earful
earful
  1. n.sing. to get or be an earful: to hear complaints, criticism, or gossip: The boss was angry with me; I really got an earful when she criticized me.
earl
earl
  1. n. a British rank of nobility: the Earl of Somerset
earlobe
earlobe
  1. n. the soft lower part of the outer ear where some people hang earrings
early
early
  1. adv. -lier, -liest
    1 at the beginning: early in the morning||early in the program
    2 before the expected time: The plane landed 15 minutes early.adj. -ier, -iest
    1 happening before the expected time: I was early for my appointment.
    2 happening toward the beginning of a period of time: Early morning is a good time to exercise.
    3 happening far back in time: Early civilizations discovered fire.
early bird
early bird
  1. n.fig.
    1 s.o. who gets up early or arrives early: She is at work before the others; she's an early bird.
    2 The early bird catches the worm.: the person who is early is usu. rewarded and has an advantage over other people
earmark
earmark
  1. n.fig. the sign of s.o.'s work or quality: That music has the earmark of excellence on it.v.fig. [T] to set aside or reserve for a special purpose: The city has earmarked funds for street repairs.
earmuffs
earmuffs
  1. n.pl. coverings placed over the ears to keep them warm in cold weather: He wears earmuffs in winter. See: hat; scarf.
earn
earn
  1. v. [T]
    1 to get (money) by working: She earns her living as a doctor.
    2 to get s.t. one deserves as the result of action or effort: She earned highest honors at school.
    3 to produce, esp. on an investment: His savings account earns 8 percent interest per year. See: salary; invest.
    THESAURUS
    earn
    1 to work as (a secretary, doctor, clerk, etc.) | make (money), take home, be paid
    2 to deserve, merit
    3 to yield. Ant. to lose.
earnest
earnest
  1. adj.
    1 eager to do right,
    THESAURUS
    sincere: She is earnest in her desire to help the poor.
    2 in earnest: seriously, intensively: They began to work in earnest when the boss arrived. -adv. earnestly; -n. earnestness.
earnings
earnings
  1. n.pl. wages, salary, or income from work or investments: Our earnings are taxed at the rate of 30 percent.
    THESAURUS
    earnings one's compensation, pay, take home pay | profit, proceeds. Ant. expenses.
earphone
earphone
  1. n. a device placed over or in the ear to provide sound: I use earphones to listen to tapes on my Sony Walkman™.
earplug
earplug
  1. n. a small object placed in the ears to keep out water or sound: She wears earplugs when she swims.
earring
earring
  1. n. jewelry worn on or hanging from the earlobe: She wore silver earrings along with a silver necklace.
earshot
earshot
  1. n. [U] the normal distance at which a human can hear sounds: I called to him, but he could not hear me because he was out of earshot.
earsplitting
earsplitting
  1. adj. extremely loud, so loud as to cause pain: The rock music was earsplitting and gave me a headache.
earth
earth
  1. n.sing.
    1 Earth or earth: the planet we live on: Earth is the third planet from the sun.
    2 the land masses surrounded by oceans: Plants grow in the oceans and on the earth of our planet.
    3 [U] soil, the surface layer: The workers dug a hole in the earth.
    4 down to earth: honest and simple in personality and behavior: She is really down to earth; she says what she thinks.
    5 exclam. Why (What, Who, How, etc.) on earth?: Why (what, who, how), of all possible choices: Why on earth did you say a stupid thing like that!||What on earth were you thinking?
    THESAURUS
    earth
    1 world, planet | globe
    2 and
    3 land, soil | dirt, ground, terrain. Ant. sky.

    USAGE NOTE: In formal writing, esp. in astronomy or geology, Earth is often spelled with a capital E to note that it is the planet Earth.
earthbound
earthbound
  1. adj. restricted to stay on earth: The ostrich is an earthbound bird that cannot fly at all.
earthen
earthen
  1. adj. made of earth or clay: She makes earthen jars in her pottery class.
earthling
earthling
  1. n. s.o. who lives on the planet Earth: Earthlings are trying to explore outer space.
earthly
earthly
  1. adj.
    1 related to everyday concerns on Earth, not heavenly: Most people worry about earthly concerns such as earning a living.
    2 (used in questions and negative statements) possible: It does no earthly good to complain! See: heavenly.
earthquake
earthquake
  1. n. sudden, violent movements of the earth's surface: The west-ern area of North America suffers from earthquakes.
earthshaking
earthshaking
  1. adj.fig. extremely important (often used in the negative): The President did not say anything earthshaking at his news conference.
earthworm
earthworm
  1. n. See: worm, 1.
earthy
earthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest vulgar in language and behavior, crude: The comedian uses earthy jokes in his act. -n. [U] earthiness.
ease
ease
  1. n. [U]
    1 a lack of difficulty: She climbed the mountain with ease.
    2 lack of worry, comfort: He is rich and lives a life of ease.
    3 ill at ease: uncomfortable or worried: The student felt ill at ease when he gave his report to the class.v. eased, easing, eases
    1 [I;T] to move gently and slowly: He eased into a comfortable bed and fell asleep.
    2 [I;T] to make or become less difficult or severe: Her son's phone call eased her worry.
    3 phrasal v. infrml. [I] to ease up or off: to do s.t. with less effort: She decided to ease up on her studies for a while; instead of taking five courses this semester, she will take three. -adj. easeful.
easel
easel
  1. n. a stand with three long legs and a narrow shelf in front used to hold a display or an artist's canvas
easily
easily
  1. adv. without difficulty, effortlessly: She can fix that motor easily.
    THESAURUS
    easily with no trouble, without problems.
east
east
  1. n.sing.
    1 the direction straight ahead when facing a sunrise: The sun rises in the east.
    2 the eastern part of the world or a country
    3 the East: in the USA, usu. the east coast: New York is in the East.
    4 back East: in the USA, how people on the west coast refer to the east coast: My brother lives back East in Providence, Rhode Island.adv. moving toward the east: We are heading (sailing, flying, etc.) east.adj.
    1 located in the east: The east side of Manhattan has some very fancy apartments.
    2 coming from the east: I feel the chill of that east wind off the ocean.
easterly
easterly
  1. adj.adv. from or to the east: Easterly winds blow from the east.
eastern
eastern
  1. adj. located in the east: Denver, Colorado, is on the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.
easterner
easterner
  1. n. a person from an eastern area: He is an easterner from Boston.
eastward
eastward
  1. adj.adv. toward the east: We are driving in an eastward direction.
easy
easy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 simple to do: Fixing the lock was easy.
    2 relaxed, smooth: She is very pleasant; she has an easy manner.
    3 pleasant, calm: He has an easy life with few worries.
    4 infrml. as easy as pie: very easy to do: The test was as easy as pie.
    5 easier said than done: easy to talk about but hard to do: To climb a mountain is easier said than done.
    6 easy money: money made with little effort: I made easy money on that job; I just sat around reading all day.
    7 infrml. easy on the eye: pleasant to look at: The view from the mountain was easy on the eye and so relaxing.
    8 infrml. on easy street: financially secure and content: He has been on easy street since he won the lottery. -n. [U] easiness; -adv. easily.adv.
    1 to go easy on: a. to be less strict or be gentle with: The judge went easy on the teenagers, because they had never been in trouble before. b. to use less of: Go easy on the salt; it's not good for you.
    2 to take it easy: to relax: After work, I watch TV and take it easy.
    THESAURUS
    easy adj.
    1 uncomplicated, straightforward, effortless
    2 friendly, laid-back
    3 comfortable, worry free. Ant. difficult.
easy chair
easy chair
  1. n. a soft, comfortable chair meant for relaxation: He reads in his easy chair by the fireplace.
easy mark
easy mark
  1. n.infrml. a person who can be easily stolen from (manipulated, cheated, etc.): Thieves look for easy marks to steal from.
easygoing
easygoing
  1. adj. relaxed, unhurried: Nothing annoys him; he is easygoing.
eat
eat
  1. v. ate , eaten , eating, eats
    1 [I;T] to take (food) into the mouth, chew, and swallow: He eats anything put in front of him.
    2 [I] to have a meal: Let's go out to eat.
    3 [I] fig. to annoy, irritate: He's angry; I wonder what's eating him?(syn.)eat
    1 to consume (food) | munch on, chew on | devour, wolf (down). Ant. to hunger for.
    3 to bother.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to eat away at or into s.t.: to corrode, waste away: The metal is eaten away by rust.
    5 to eat crow or eat dirt or eat humble pie or eat one's hat or eat one's words: to be forced to admit defeat or being wrong: Now that they've proved him wrong, he's eating crow (his words, etc.).
    6 to eat high off the hog: to dine or live very well: They are going out to dinner nearly every night; they are eating high off the hog.
    7 to eat like a bird or like a horse: to eat very little or a lot
    8 to eat one's heart out: to have strong and painful desires or regret: When his wife left him, he ate his heart out.
    9 to eat oneself up with s.t.: to be overcome with a negative feeling, such as jealousy, desire, guilt, etc.: He feels responsible for his son's death and is eating himself up with guilt.
    10 phrasal v. [I] to eat out: to dine in a restaurant: He is a bachelor and eats out frequently.
    11 to eat out of s.o.'s hand: to be controlled or influenced by s.o.: She has the group eating out of her hands; they agree with everything she says.
    12 to eat s.o. alive: to destroy in some way: He didn't know how to do the job and was eaten alive by his boss when he made mistakes.
    13 to eat s.o. out of house and home: to eat all the food in the house: When our cousin came to visit, he was so hungry that he ate us out of house and home.
    14 infrml.slang to eat s.t. up: to delight in s.t.: When his girlfriend praises him, he just eats it up.
    15 to have one's cake and eat it too: to spend s.t. or use it up, but also try to keep it: She wants to save money but also have expensive cars, vacations, and parties; she wants to have her cake and eat it too.
eatable
eatable
  1. adj.infrml. clean and good enough to be eaten: The food at that restaurant is eatable but not very good. See: edible.
eaten
eaten
  1. v. past part of eat
eau de cologne
eau de cologne
  1. n. [U] a diluted form of perfume: She wears eau de cologne since it is not as strong as perfume.
eaves
eaves
  1. n.pl. the overhang of a roof: Birds make their nests under the eaves and along the drainpipe.
eavesdrop
eavesdrop
  1. v. [I] -dropped, -dropping, -drops to listen secretly to other people's conversation: He liked to eavesdrop on his neighbors' conversations. -n. eavesdropper. See: overhear, USAGE NOTE.
ebb
ebb
  1. n. [U]
    1 a flowing away, esp. the ocean's water moving away from the shore: The tide is on the ebb now.
    2 ebb tide: the period when the tide flows out —v. [I] to flow away, decline,
    THESAURUS
    to recede: The tide ebbed early this morning.||The old man's strength ebbed as his illness got worse.
ebony
ebony
  1. n. [U] a black Asian hardwood: The dark keys on the piano were made of ebony.adj. a dark, lustrous black
ebullient
ebullient
  1. adj.frml. lively,
    THESAURUS
    exuberant: She has an ebullient personality, always very happy and smiling. -n. ebullience.
eccentric
eccentric
  1. adj. odd, unusual: The students are amused by the professor's eccentric habit of pulling his hair while he talks.n. an eccentric person: He is the neighborhood eccentric. -adv. eccentrically; -n. eccentricity.
ecclesiastic
ecclesiastic
  1. n.adj. a priest or minister: He is a strict ecclesiastic who closely follows tradition.
ecclesiastical
ecclesiastical
  1. adj. related to church matters: ecclesiastical laws, music, architecture, etc.
echelon
echelon
  1. n. a level of authority, power, or importance within a type of organization: That news reporter interviews people in the highest echelons of government.
echo
echo
  1. n. -oes the repetition of a sound caused by its bouncing off a hard surface: The echoes of our voices in the caves were scary.v. -oed, -oing, -oes
    1 [I] to be repeated as an echo: Our shouts echoed in the canyon.
    2 [T] to repeat s.t. that s.o. else has said: That official's assistant echoes all his opinions.
    3 [T] to show the influence of, to imitate: Some modern paintings echo the work of primitive artists.
eclectic
eclectic
  1. adj. choosing from a variety of sources or styles: She has eclectic tastes in collecting art. -n. [U] eclecticism.
eclipse
eclipse
  1. n. the partial or complete blocking out of one object when another passes in front: We saw a partial eclipse of the sun by the moon.v. [T] eclipsed, eclipsing, eclipses
    1 to cause an eclipse: The moon eclipsed the sun.
    2 to fade, diminish: His reputation slowly eclipsed with age.
    3 to be much better than, (syns.) to surpass, outshine: Great runners of the past have been eclipsed by today's top runners.
ecology
ecology
  1. n. [U] the study of the natural connections among plants, animals, people, and the environment: An understanding of ecology is central to keeping our planet safe from destruction. -n. ecologist; -adj. ecological.
economic
economic
  1. adj. related to economics: Investors watch the rate of economic growth closely.
economical
economical
  1. adj. getting good value for money spent, thrifty: That car burns so much gasoline that it is not economical to own it. -adv. economically.
    THESAURUS
    economical inexpensive, reasonably-priced, cost-effective | cheap, low-priced. Ants. uneconomical | expensive.
economics
economics
  1. n. [U] used with a sing.v. the study of how society uses resources, such as money, labor, raw materials, and factories: Economics is at the center of most governmental concerns.
economist
economist
  1. n. a person who specializes in economics: She is an economist who works for the government.
economize
economize
  1. v. [I] -mized, -mizing, -mizes to spend less than before: He lost his job, so he has to economize by not buying expensive things.
economy
economy
  1. -mies n. [C;U]
    1 the economic conditions on a worldwide, national, or regional scale: The national economy is strong now.
    2 careful use of time, money, resources, etc.: The design of the offices emphasizes economy of space.adj. with a lower price: economy class airfares||large economy-size cereal boxes
ecosystem
ecosystem
  1. n. an ecological unit in nature: A swamp and its plants, animals, and water supply form an ecosystem.
ecstasy
ecstasy
  1. n. [U] great delight,
    THESAURUS
    rapture: When she agreed to marry him, he went into a state of ecstasy. -adj. ecstatic ; -adv. ecstatically.
ecumenical
ecumenical
  1. adj. concerning the unity of Christianity throughout the world: The ecumenical movement is strongly supported by the Pope. -n. ecumenicalism.
eczema
eczema
  1. n. [U] a skin condition with itching and redness, most often caused by an allergic reaction to s.t.: She wore gloves to cover her hands, because she had a bad case of eczema.
eddy
eddy
  1. n.v. [I] -died, -dying, -dies a turning or swirling, esp. of water, into a pool that hardly moves: The river formed eddies near its banks.
edge
edge
  1. n.
    1 the border where two surfaces meet: He looked over the edge of the cliff.
    2 a sharp, thin side of a blade or cutting tool: She tested the edge of the knife blade.
    3 fig.sing. a small advantage: That horse can run fast; it has an edge over the others in the race.
    4 on the edge: in a dangerous state: He's a race car driver who likes living on the edge.
    5 to be on edge: to feel nervous or apprehensive: The patients are on edge waiting for the test results.v. edged, edging, edges
    1 [I;T] to move slowly and carefully: He edged toward the door, then ran for help.
    2 [T] to put a border or edge on: She edged the garden with tiny pink flowers.
    THESAURUS
    edge n.
    1 the rim | border, boundary line. Ant. the center.
    3 a plus. Ant. disadvantage.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to inch, creep
    2 to border, trim, fringe (with s.t.).
edgewise
edgewise
  1. adv.
    1 with the edge forward or first, toward the edge: I kept the door open by pushing a book under it edgewise.
    2 to get a word in edgewise: to get a chance to speak when s.o. else is speaking nonstop: On the phone, my friend talks so much I can hardly get a word in edgewise.
edging
edging
  1. n. [U] a border: The edging around the curtain is made of lace.
edible
edible
  1. adj. can be eaten, eatable: The fruit of that tree is not edible.n.pl. food: There are edibles in the refrigerator; help yourselves!
edict
edict
  1. n. a formal order given with the force of law, a command: A dictatorial government issues edicts on every aspect of life.
edification
edification
  1. n.frml. [U] improvement of one's understanding, enlightenment: For my edification, the teacher explained the idea. -v. edify [T].
edifice
edifice
  1. n.frml. a large, impressive building: Politicians like to build large edifices to honor one another.
edit
edit
  1. v. [T]
    1 to correct and clarify written or recorded works: A copy editor edits the manuscripts of books.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to edit s.t. out: to remove or delete s.t.: The filmmaker edited out some of the violent scenes in the movie.||He edited them out.
edition
edition
  1. n. a specific printing of a book or periodical: the evening edition of the daily newspaper||a new edition of a textbook
editor
editor
  1. n.
    1 a person in charge of publishing a periodical, a newscast, or a book series: She is an editor at The Washington Post.
    2 a person who corrects, clarifies, and shapes written and recorded works: He is the editor of a series of dictionaries. -n. editor-in-chief.
editorialize
editorialize
  1. v. [I] -ized, -izing, -izes to give one's opinion on a topic, not just the facts or news about it: That journalist can't tell a simple story without editorializing.
educate
educate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to give s.o. knowledge through schooling: He was educated in the public schools of Chicago. -n. educator; -adj. educable .
    THESAURUS
    educate to teach, instruct s.o. (about s.t.) | train, coach s.o. in s.t. | be schooled in s.t.
educated
educated
  1. adj.
    1 literate, having education, esp. the basic abilities to read, write, and do math: She went to school through the tenth grade and considered herself educated.
    2 having knowledge and powers of reasoning based on a good education: She has gone to the finest universities and is an educated person.
education
education
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] basic instruction or training in schools: The public schools in our neighborhood offer a good education.
    2 [U] the institutions for teaching and learning: He's in education; he works as a physics teacher.
    3 [U] the field of learning to teach, pedagogy: She is majoring in education at the teacher's college. -adj. educational; -adv. educationally.
    THESAURUS
    education
    1 teaching | instruction, schooling | training, coaching. Ant. illiteracy.
eel
eel
  1. n.
    1 a snake-like saltwater or freshwater fish: Many people like to eat eels.
    2 slippery as an eel: tricky, deceitful: That guy is as slippery as an eel; don't trust him.
efface
efface
  1. v. [T] -faced, -facing, -faces
    1 to erase,
    THESAURUS
    to eradicate, obliterate: The worker effaced the writing on the wall by painting over it.
    2 to efface oneself: to act so as not to attract attention or praise: That talented young man is too quick to efface himself; he's too self-effacing. See: deface.
effect
effect
  1. n.
    1 a result: One effect of being poor is not having enough food for your family.
    2 an influence: Lowering taxes had a strong effect on the taxpayers, who definitely liked it!
    3 pl. one's belongings: The retiree removed her personal effects from her office before leaving.
    4 in effect: a. active,
    THESAURUS
    operative: The new law is in effect as of today. b. in reality,
    THESAURUS
    actually: This law is, in effect, an increase in taxes.
    5 to take effect: to begin to be active: The new law takes effect today at 9:00 A.M.v. [T] to cause, esp. by law: The governor effected many changes to improve the tax situation. See: affect, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    effect n.
    1 consequence, outcome | upshot
    2 impact | end product. Ant. cause.
    3 pl.
    THESAURUS
    possessions. —v. to bring about s.t.
effective
effective
  1. adj.
    1 having the result that one wants, productive: The medication is quite effective; it relieves pain quickly.
    2 in use, current: The law was effective on January 1. -adv. effectively; -n. [U] effectiveness.
    THESAURUS
    effective
    1 successful, useful, helpful. Ant. ineffective.
    2 in operation, in force, in effect. Ant. inoperative.
effectual
effectual
  1. adj. producing the desired effect: The President was effectual in getting people to vote for his re-election. -adv. effectually.
effeminate
effeminate
  1. adj.pej. showing behavior in men that is more typical of women than of men -n. [U] effeminacy.
effervescent
effervescent
  1. adj.
    1 bubbly, sparkling with tiny bubbles: Champagne is effervescent.
    2 fig. cheerful, laughing, high-spirited: That lady has an effervescent personality. -v. [I] effervesce; -n. [U] effervescence; -adv. effervescently.
effete
effete
  1. adj.frml. weak, self-absorbed, and decadent: The young writer's book was too effete to interest readers.
efficacious
efficacious
  1. adj.frml. effective, practical: The improvements in the way we work proved efficacious. -adv. efficaciously; -n. [U] efficacy.
efficiency
efficiency
  1. n. -cies good productivity or performance: Management praised the workers for their efficiency.
efficient
efficient
  1. adj. productive, economical: She performs her job well and quickly; she is very efficient. -adv. efficiently.
    THESAURUS
    efficient competent, capable. Ant. inefficient.
effigy
effigy
  1. n. -gies a representation, such as a crude dummy, of a person hated by others: The demonstrators hanged an effigy of the politician outside the embassy.
effort
effort
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 physical or mental work, exertion: The workers made a great effort to finish the building on time.
    2 an attempt, a try, endeavor: Most students made an effort to improve their test scores.
    THESAURUS
    effort
    1 struggle, labor
    2 (to take) pains to do s.t., (take) the trouble to do s.t. Ant. laziness.
effortless
effortless
  1. adj. easy, not difficult: She skis beautifully; she makes it look effortless. -adv. effortlessly; -n. effortlessness.
effrontery
effrontery
  1. n.frml. [U] rudeness, (syns.) audacity, gall: That idiot had the effrontery to push ahead of everyone else waiting in line. See: affront.
effusive
effusive
  1. adj. with too much feeling,
    THESAURUS
    gushy: The critic was effusive in his praise of the movie. -adv. effusively; -n. effusiveness.
egalitarian
egalitarian
  1. n.adj. a believer in equal economic opportunity and equal legal and political rights for all people: He is an egalitarian, not an elitist. -n. [U] egalitarianism.
egg
egg
  1. n.
    1 a round or oval-shaped shell in which a baby bird, reptile, or insect grows: Chickens lay eggs, as do other birds.
    2 a bad egg: a bad or dishonest person: Don't trust your new friend; she is really a bad egg.
    3 to have egg on one's face: to make a fool of oneself: Our team was completely unprepared to answer questions at the meeting; when it was over, we had egg on our faces.
    4 to lay an egg: to fail miserably: The audience did not laugh at the comedian; he laid an egg.
    5 to put or have all of your eggs in one basket: to risk all that one has in one investment or situation: We were warned not to invest all our money in one stock so we wouldn't have all of our eggs in one basket.
egg roll
egg roll
  1. n. a small shell of egg-based dough stuffed with chopped vegetables and often with bits of meat, then deep-fried: We order egg rolls as an appetizer at Chinese restaurants.
egghead
egghead
  1. n.infrml.fig.pej. a person who thinks about intellectual ideas most of the time: Her mind is in another world; she is an egghead who spends hours studying everyday. See: bookish.
eggnog
eggnog
  1. n. [U] a traditional drink usu. made with light cream, eggs, sugar, liquor, and nutmeg: We serve eggnog at Christmastime.
eggplant
eggplant
  1. n. [C;U] a plant with edible fruit shaped like a pear, usu. with purple skin
eggshell
eggshell
  1. n.
    1 the hard outer covering of an egg
    2 to walk on eggshells: to behave with extreme caution: Everyone is afraid of him; they walk on eggshells when he's around.n.adj. off-white or pale yellow: The apartment walls are painted in an eggshell white.
ego
ego
  1. n. egos
    1 one's feeling about one's self: The awards he received for his talent as a painter strengthened his ego.
    2 a feeling of self-importance: He has a big ego; he thinks he's important.
ego trip
ego trip
  1. n.slang self-centered speech or behavior that adds to one's sense of importance: He's on an ego trip, because he won the scholarship to study in London for two years.
egocentric
egocentric
  1. adj. selfcentered, selfish: She doesn't consider the feelings of other people; she's an egocentric person.
egoism
egoism
  1. n.
    1 the belief that morality is based on self-interest
    2 too much concern with one's own interest or importance: His egoism made him think only about his own needs.
egomaniac
egomaniac
  1. n. a person who is completely self-centered: An egomaniac thinks only he or she is a great human being. -n. [U] egomania.
egotism
egotism
  1. n. [U] self-importance, self-centered behavior, such as boastfulness or conceit: Her egotism offends many; she's always talking about herself. -n. egoist ; -adj. egoistical ; -adv. egotistically.
egregious
egregious
  1. adj.frml. extremely bad, outrageous: Our supervisor unfortunately made an egregious mistake in the report and it had to be rewritten. -adv. egregiously.
egret
egret
  1. n. a tall waterbird with white feathers: Egrets increased in numbers in the USA in the 1950s after being hunted nearly to extinction.
eiderdown
eiderdown
  1. n. See: down, 2.
eight
eight
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 8: An octopus has eight legs.||She wanted children and now has eight.
eight ball
eight ball
  1. n.
    1 the black ball with an eight on it in the game of pool: You must hit the eight ball last in order to win.
    2 behind the eight ball: blocked or having bad luck: With no job, he is stuck behind the eight ball and can't do anything to help himself.
eighteenth
eighteenth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 18: She is the eighteenth (or) 18th person in line.||She is eighteenth.
eighth
eighth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 8: She is the eighth (or) 8th child in the family.||He is the eighth (or) 8th in line.
eightieth
eightieth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 80: his eightieth (or) 80th birthday
eighty
eighty
  1. adj.n. -ies the cardinal number 80: She is eighty years old.
either
either
  1. adj.
    1 one or the other: We can follow either route to go there.
    2 one and the other, each: Wildflowers bloomed on either side of the road.
    3 an either-or situation: a situation with only two opposite choices: It's an either-or situation; that is, we both go or neither of us goes.pron. one or the other: I'll take tea or coffee; either is fine.conj. either . . . or used to introduce two or more possibilities: Either we vacation this month or not at all.adv. (used with a negative) also, likewise: He doesn't smoke and she doesn't either.
ejaculate
ejaculate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to throw out semen from the penis with sudden force: Men ejaculate when they have sex.
    2 frml. to speak or cry out suddenly -n. [C;U] ejaculation.
eject
eject
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go out rapidly and with force: The pilot ejected from the falling airplane.
    2 [T] to throw out or force out: A troublemaker was ejected from the theater. -n. [C;U] ejection.
eke
eke
  1. v. [T] eked, eking, ekes to manage to make enough money to survive (usu. used with "a living"): He eked out a living by selling newspapers on the street.
el
el
  1. n. short for elevated railway: In Chicago, many people ride the el to work.
elaborate
elaborate
  1. v. [I] -rated, -rating, -rates to give more detail, explain: The manager elaborated on the plan to expand the business.adj. complex, detailed: It was an elaborate plan involving many steps. -adv. elaborately; -n. [U] elaboration.
    THESAURUS
    elaborate v. to add details, expand on s.t. | clarify. Ant. to condense.
    THESAURUS
    —adj. complicated, intricate | fancy, elegant (dinner, party preparations). Ant. simple.
elapse
elapse
  1. v. [I] n. elapsed, elapsing, elapses to go by, pass: Three years have elapsed since I saw my friends in Boston; that is a long time. See: lapse.
elastic
elastic
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being stretched, (syns.) flexible, pliant: These rubber gloves are elastic and will fit any size hand.
    2 elastic price: demand varies up or down with price: A market with elastic prices appears if the demand for goods goes down when the price is raised and vice versa.n. [C;U] a flexible fabric that can be stretched, or s.t. made of this fabric: These pants have an elastic sewn into the waistband. -n. [U] elasticity . elastic band or elastic -n. a rubber band: I put an elastic (band) around the package to hold it together.
elate
elate
  1. v. [T] elated, elating, elates to make happy, delight: The good news elated him. -adj. elated.
elation
elation
  1. n. [U] delight, happiness: How happy she looks; you can see the elation in her face.
elbow
elbow
  1. n.v. [I;T]
    1 the middle joint in the arm between the wrist and shoulder
    2 the back point of that joint: He hurt his elbow playing tennis.
    3 to elbow or give s.o. the elbow: to push with an elbow: He was in a hurry, and he elbowed people aside as he made his way through the crowd.
elbow grease
elbow grease
  1. n.infrml.fig. [U] hard work, esp. by scrubbing and cleaning: The floor was filthy, but with some elbow grease, I made it shine.
elbow room
elbow room
  1. n. [U] enough space to work or act freely: Our little apartment is too small; we need a place with some elbow room.
elder
elder
  1. adj.n. older than another person: Hans is the elder brother (or) the elder of the two brothers.n.pl. the village elders: the older people in positions of respect and usu. power in a community: The town mayor is one of the village elders.
elderly
elderly
  1. adj. old, aged: My aunt is elderly; she is 88 years old now. See: old. —n.pl. the elderly: old people: The elderly are taken care of by their children in most parts of the world.
    THESAURUS
    elderly adj. getting on (in years), along in years. Ant. young.
    THESAURUS
    —n. pl. senior citizens, retirees. Ant. the young.
eldest
eldest
  1. adj. oldest: She is the eldest child in the family.
elect
elect
  1. v.
    1 [T] to select by voting: The people elected her to the Senate.
    2 frml. [I] to choose, decide: The student elected to attend a university in Germany.n. the elect: the chosen people, the elite: She is among the elect, chosen to attend the national conference.adj. suffix -elect: chosen but not yet in office: the president-elect
electioneer
electioneer
  1. v. to try to get votes; to act as a candidate: The candidates for office electioneered for a month before election day.
elective
elective
  1. adj.
    1 filled or decided by election: The mayor's office is an elective one.
    2 having power to elect: an elective assembly
    3 n.adj. (a course) not required in school or college: The course on current films is an elective.
electoral
electoral
  1. adj. related to elections: The electoral system in the USA is part of the democracy. -n. elector.
electorate
electorate
  1. n. those citizens who can vote: The electorate voted the Democrats into office in 1996.
electric
electric
  1. adj.
    1 related to electricity: an electric charge (current, power plant, etc.)
    2 powered by electricity: electric lights (guitars, stoves, etc.)
    3 fig. charged with emotion, exciting: The atmosphere at the sports stadium was electric with excitement.
electric eye
electric eye
  1. n. a device that sends out an invisible electric beam that, when broken, sets off an alarm or opens a door
electrical
electrical
  1. adj. related to electricity: electrical engineering -adv. electrically.
electrician
electrician
  1. n. a person trained in putting in and repairing electrical wiring and devices: He is an electrician who works for the telephone company.
electricity
electricity
  1. n. [U]
    1 flow of energy used as a power source: Before moving into the new house, we had the electricity turned on.
    2 fig. intense excitement: There was electricity in the air at the big rock concert.
electrify
electrify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to provide with electricity: The government electrified farm areas in the USA in the 1930s.
    2 to excite: The singer electrified her audience. -n. [U] electrification; -adj. electrifying.
electrocardiogram
electrocardiogram
  1. n. a graph made by an electrocardiograph showing a patient's pattern of heartbeats and used by doctors to detect heart disease: An electrocardiogram is also called an EKG, ECG, or cardiogram.
electrocardiograph
electrocardiograph
  1. n. a device used to track heart activity
electrocute
electrocute
  1. v. [T] -cuted, -cuting, -cutes to kill with a powerful charge of electricity: The fallen power line electrocuted and killed the workers when they touched it by mistake. -n. [C;U] electrocution.
electrode
electrode
  1. n. the points at which a current enters or leaves an electrical device: The nurses put electrodes on the patient to test his heartbeat.
electrolysis
electrolysis
  1. n. [U] a method of permanently removing hair roots by applying electricity to them: She had hair removed from her face by electrolysis.
electron
electron
  1. n. a part of the atom with a negative charge: Electrons are parts outside the nucleus of an atom.
electron microscope
electron microscope
  1. n. a microscope using electrons to produce enlarged images of objects: The Biology Department has an electron microscope.
electronic
electronic
  1. adj.
    1 related to electronics: TVs and radios are electronic devices.
    2 related to a flow of electrons -adv. electronically.
electronic banking
electronic banking
  1. n. [U] the deposit, withdrawal, and transfer of money done with computerized machines: You can get your money 24 hours a day with electronic banking. See: ATM.
electronic music
electronic music
  1. n. [U] sounds produced electronically, such as by an electric guitar
electronics
electronics
  1. n. [U] used with a sing.v.
    1 the science that deals with electrons: With the study of electronics, the company continues to improve the quality of their products.
    2 the use of electrons in products like televisions and musical equipment: the electronics industry
electroplate
electroplate
  1. v. [T] -plated, -plating, -plates to coat with a layer of metal: That steel plate is electroplated with copper. -n. [U] electroplating.
elegant
elegant
  1. adj.
    1 stylish in appearance, graceful, refined: The living room of the model apartment has elegant furniture.
    2 refined in behavior: She has elegant manners. -n. [U] elegance; -adv. elegantly.
    THESAURUS
    elegant
    1 tasteful, attractive | exquisite
    2 refined, well-bred, polished | classy. Ant. crude.
elegy
elegy
  1. n. -gies a poem or song full of sadness for the dead,
    THESAURUS
    a lament: The choir sang elegies for the dead man at the funeral service.
element
element
  1. n.
    1 a part, aspect: The most negative element of the project is its high cost.
    2 a particular group of people: He belongs to a bad element in this city.
    3 any of more than one hundred basic chemical substances: The elements hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water.
    4 pl. the elements aspects of weather (wind, temperature, storms, etc.): People live in houses as protection against the elements.
    5 to be in or out of one's element: to be in or away from one's familiar and comfortable role or area of expertise: The farmer was out of her element in the big city.
elemental
elemental
  1. adj. basic,
    THESAURUS
    fundamental: The wheel is an elemental part of any vehicle.
elementary
elementary
  1. adj.
    1 simple, basic: She is studying elementary mathematics.
    2 beginning: We are still in the elementary stage of making our decision.
    THESAURUS
    elementary
    1 beginning
    2 starting, initial. Ant. advanced.
elementary school
elementary school
  1. n. in USA, the lower grades of schooling, (syns.) grammar school, grade school: He has two young children in elementary school; one is in the first grade and the other is in sixth grade. See: grade school.
elephant
elephant
  1. n. the largest earthbound mammal, with four legs, usu. gray skin, a trunk, and long tusks -adj. elephantine. See: white elephant.
elevate
elevate
  1. v. [I;T] -vated, -vating, -vates
    1 to raise: The machine elevated the heavy load off the ground.
    2 to promote, raise in rank: The company president elevated two employees to the position of vice president. -adj. elevated.
elevation
elevation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a place or height above sea level: Mountain goats live in the higher elevations above the valley.
    2 [C] an upward angle: The line is drawn at an elevation of 45 degrees.
    3 [U] frml. a move up in rank, a promotion: His elevation to company secretary pleased him.
    4 [C] a drawing of one side of a building
elevator
elevator
  1. n. a box-like car used to carry people and freight between floors in a building: We took the elevator to the tenth floor.
eleven
eleven
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 11: She is eleven years old.||There were eleven of us at the meeting.
eleventh
eleventh
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 11: She is the eleventh person in line.||She is the eleventh or the 11th.
eleventh hour
eleventh hour
  1. n.fig. the last possible moment for acting before difficulty or disaster: Labor and management reached an agreement at the eleventh hour and avoided a nationwide strike.
elf
elf
  1. n. elves a small, mischievous, imaginary person in folktales -adj. elfish. See: leprechaun.
elfin
elfin
  1. adj. small and mischievous like an elf, elfish: The little boy had an elfin smile.
elicit
elicit
  1. v.frml. [T] to get, bring out: Her letter of complaint elicited a quick response from the company.
eligible
eligible
  1. adj.
    1 having the right to do or be chosen for s.t., qualified: He graduated from high school with good grades, so he is eligible to enroll in the state college.
    2 not married and with good qualities for marriage: He is unmarried and has a good job, so he is an eligible bachelor. -n. [U] eligibility.
eliminate
eliminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to remove from consideration, to exclude: The losing team was eliminated from further competition.
    2 to remove or get rid of: The government eliminated the unpopular new tax. -n. [U] elimination.
    THESAURUS
    eliminate
    1 to erase, weed out
    2 to abolish, reject, throw out. Ant. to include.
elite
elite
  1. n. the leaders and professionals in the highest levels of a society: The ruling elite in that country is made up of political leaders and heads of large corporations.
elitist
elitist
  1. adj. related to the belief that an elite group in society should be recognized as superior: She has an elitist attitude that government should be run only by college graduates. -n. [U] elitism.
elixir
elixir
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an imaginary medicine with the power to cure all ills
    2 fig. s.t. that makes s.o. feel strong: A two-week vacation was an elixir for him; he returned full of energy.
elk
elk
  1. n. elk a large member of the deer family: Those elk are over six feet (two meters) tall at the shoulder.
ellipse
ellipse
  1. n. a symmetrical oval: The path of the earth around the sun is an ellipse. -adj. elliptical.
elm
elm
  1. n. a tall, leafy shade tree: The elms of New England are dying from Dutch elm disease.
elocution
elocution
  1. n.frml. [U] the study and practice of public speaking: As a young man, he took lessons in elocution. -n. elocutionist. See: speech.
elongate
elongate
  1. v. [I;T] -gated, -gating, -gates to make longer, stretch: The mirror was curved so that it elongated my image, making me look tall and thin. -n. [C;U] elongation.
elope
elope
  1. v. [I] eloped, eloping, elopes to marry secretly and simply without the permission or presence of one's parents: The couple eloped to Las Vegas, because they did not want a fancy church wedding. -n. [C;U] elopement.
eloquence
eloquence
  1. n. clear and persuasive speech or writing: The senator often speaks with eloquence before the Senate. -adj. eloquent; -adv. eloquently.
else
else
  1. adj.
    1 other, different: I did not do that; someone else did.
    2 more, additional: I haven't finished shopping yet; I have s.t. else to buy.adv.
    1 in a different time, way, or location: When else can I leave?||How else can I travel?||Where else can I go?
    2 or else: a. or suffer bad results: You do what I say, or else! b. used to introduce an undesirable possibility: We have to leave now or else we'll be late.
elsewhere
elsewhere
  1. adv. in some other place: She doesn't live here; she must live elsewhere.
elucidate
elucidate
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -dated, -dating, -dates to explain and make clear: The professor elucidated the main topics of the course.
elude
elude
  1. v. [T] eluded, eluding, eludes
    1 to escape capture by: The criminal eluded the police by hiding in the woods.
    2 to escape s.o.'s efforts to remember or understand: I knew her name, but it eludes me now. -adj. elusive ; -adv. elusively.
elves
elves
  1. n.pl. of elf
emaciate
emaciate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to make very thin and weak, esp. through lack of food: The captured soldier had not eaten in two weeks and became emaciated. -n. [U] emaciation.
emanate
emanate
  1. v.frml. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to come from: The sounds emanated from a room down the hall. -n. [U] emanation.
emancipate
emancipate
  1. v. [T] -pated, -pating, -pates to free from slavery, liberate: The Civil War emancipated the slaves in the USA.
emancipation
emancipation
  1. n. [C;U] a freeing,
    THESAURUS
    a liberation: The emancipation of slaves was announced in President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclama-tion in 1863.
emasculate
emasculate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to remove a male's sexual organs,
    THESAURUS
    to castrate
    2 fig. to weaken: Politicians emasculated the new law by making the penalties too light to stop criminals. -n.[C;U] emasculation. See: geld.
embalm
embalm
  1. v. [T] to preserve a dead body with chemicals: He embalmed the body so it wouldn't decay. -n. embalmer; [C;U] embalmment.
embankment
embankment
  1. n. a mound of earth or rocks built to support the sides of a roadway or to hold back flood waters: The rising water in the river will not flow over the embankment.
embargo
embargo
  1. n.v. [T] -goed, -going, -goes a restriction or total ban on trade with another nation: The USA placed an embargo on all imports from and exports to that country.||The United Nations voted to embargo that country.
embark
embark
  1. v. [I]
    1 to go onboard a ship or airplane: We embarked on the cruise ship in the Caribbean.
    2 to begin a journey, venture, or new activity: She quit her job and embarked on a new venture, her own business. -n. [C;U] embarkation.
embarrass
embarrass
  1. v. [T] to cause s.o. to feel self-conscious or ashamed: Her boyfriend embarrassed her by teasing her about her new hairstyle in front of others. -adj. embarrassing.
    THESAURUS
    embarrass to humiliate, make s.o. feel ill at ease | shame | mortify frml. Ant. to put s.o. at ease.
embarrassment
embarrassment
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a feeling of shame, discomfort, or self-consciousness: His face turned red with embarrassment.
    2 s.t. or s.o. that embarrasses: The child's bad behavior made her an embarrassment to her parents.
embassy
embassy
  1. n. -sies the offices of a country's ambassador and staff in a foreign country: I visited the US Embassy in Paris.
embattled
embattled
  1. adj. in a fight with one's enemies or critics,
    THESAURUS
    besieged: The embattled Prime Minister finally resigned.
embed
embed
  1. v. [T] -bedded, -bedding, -beds to put into another substance: The gardener embedded stones in the earth around each tree. See: implant.
embellish
embellish
  1. v.
    1 [T] to add decorations or details to, to make more beautiful: The artist embellished the design by adding flowers to it.
    2 [I;T] to add to (a story, a report, etc.), to exaggerate: The witness embellished the truth with her own opinions. -n. [C;U] embellishment.
ember
ember
  1. n. a glowing piece (coal, wood) remaining after a fire: The embers of the fire glowed red in the dark.
embezzle
embezzle
  1. v. [I;T] -zled, -zling, -zles to steal money one is trusted to care for: He embezzled company funds to pay for his vacation in Europe. -n. [U] embezzlement; embezzler.
embitter
embitter
  1. v. [T] to make s.o. feel bitter, hostile, angry: He was embittered by his company's refusal to pay his health insurance. -n. [U] embitterment.
emblazon
emblazon
  1. v. [T] to display in a bold manner: The company name is emblazoned in big letters on their office building.
emblem
emblem
  1. n. a sign or symbol for decoration or for a purpose: Her shirt has the company emblem on it. -adj. emblematic.
embodiment
embodiment
  1. n. [U] s.t. that represents the best, worst, or most typical of s.t. else: The devil is the embodiment of evil.
embody
embody
  1. v. [T] -ied, -ying, -ies to express, symbolize: The Statue of Liberty embodies the hope of a better life for all.
embolden
embolden
  1. v. [T] to make bold, encourage: His early success emboldened him to take even greater risks.
embolism
embolism
  1. n. a block in a blood vessel: Her heart attack was caused by an embolism.
emboss
emboss
  1. v. [T] to decorate with a raised pattern: Her writing paper is embossed with her name in gold.
embrace
embrace
  1. v. [T] -braced, -bracing, -braces
    1 to hold in one's arms as a sign of love or affection: He embraced his wife when she came home from work.
    2 to accept an idea: He embraced religion late in life.n. a hug: She gave her son a warm embrace.
embroider
embroider
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to decorate with fine needlework: She embroiders handkerchiefs.
    2 fig. to exaggerate with fanciful ideas: She often embroiders the truth. -n. [U] embroidery.
embroil
embroil
  1. v. [T] to involve in a complicated situation,
    THESAURUS
    to entangle: He became embroiled in a scandal that lasted for months.
embryo
embryo
  1. n. -os a fertilized egg, the early stage of growth before birth: The chicken embryo is growing inside the eggshell. -n. [U] embryology.
embryonic
embryonic
  1. adj.frml.
    1 related to the embryo
    2 fig. early, beginning: Our new business is in its embryonic stages of development.
emcee
emcee
  1. n.v. [I;T] -ceed, -ceeing, -cees short for master of ceremonies, the host of an event, esp. on a radio or television program: He emceed the television game show for years; he was its emcee.
emend
emend
  1. v. [T] to make improvements, esp. corrections, to a written document,
    THESAURUS
    to revise: We emended the contract before signing it. -n. [U] emendation.
emerald
emerald
  1. n.adj. a precious, green gemstone: She wore a ring of diamonds and emeralds.
emerge
emerge
  1. v. [T] emerged, emerging, emerges
    1 to appear: The hunter emerged from the forest and walked toward us.
    2 to become known or important: She emerged as the winner among those who tried out for the part in the play. -n. [U] emergence.
    THESAURUS
    emerge
    1 to come into view, come forth
    2 to develop into s.t., become apparent. Ant. to disappear.
emergency
emergency
  1. n. -cies a crisis, disaster: Call the police; this is an emergency!adj. related to an emergency: emergency exit
    THESAURUS
    emergency a crisis, dangerous situation | exigency frml. Ant. a routine situation.
emergent
emergent
  1. adj. new to come out or become noticeable: The personal digital assistant (PDA) is one of many products from emergent technologies.
emeritus
emeritus
  1. or emerita -adj. retired with honors: He is a professor emeritus from Princeton University; his wife is a professor emerita from Yale.
emeritus
emeritus
  1. or emerita adj. retired with honors: He is a professor emeritus from Princeton University; his wife is a professor emerita from Yale.
emery board
emery board
  1. n. a cardboard nail file coated with fine hard emery powder: A manicurist uses an emery board to file down long fingernails.
emetic
emetic
  1. n.adj. a substance that causes vomiting: The child ate poison, so the doctor gave her an emetic to bring it up.
emigrant
emigrant
  1. n. a person who leaves their country to live in another: My assistant is an emigrant from Romania. -n. émigré . See: immigrant.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare emigrant and immigrant. A person who goes to live permanently in another country becomes both an emigrant and an immigrant. This person is an emigrant from the homeland left behind and an immigrant to the new country.
emigrate
emigrate
  1. v. [I] -grated, -grating, -grates to leave one's country to live in another -n.[C;U] emigration.
eminent
eminent
  1. adj. widely recognized as important,
    THESAURUS
    distinguished: She is eminent in the field of linguistics. -n. [U] eminence; -adv. eminently.
eminent domain
eminent domain
  1. n. [U] the right of the government to take and pay for private property for better use by the public: The town took most of our land by eminent domain to build a high school.
emir or emeer
emir or emeer
  1. n. a prince or governor usu. in Islamic countries: the Emir of Kuwait -n. emirate.
emissary
emissary
  1. n. -ies a representative on a special mission, esp. from one government to another government: The President sent his personal emissary to the Middle East to talk to the leaders there.
emission
emission
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that is sent out,
    THESAURUS
    a discharge: Automobiles and trucks produce emissions that pollute the air.
emit
emit
  1. v. [T] emitted, emitting, emits
    1 to send out, transmit (radio waves, radiation, sound, etc.): The siren emitted a warning sound.
    2 frml. to let out (a cry, yell, sound, etc.): The victim emitted a scream.
emollient
emollient
  1. n. a substance used to soften or heal the skin: dishwashing liquid with emollients
emote
emote
  1. v.frml. [I] -ted, -ting, -tes to express emotion in a theatrical or exaggerated way: The grandmother emoted when she talked about the wonderful time of her youth. -adj. emotive.
emotion
emotion
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a feeling, such as love, hate, happiness, or sorrow: He felt mixed emotions when he thought of her.
    2 to deal with one's emotions: to control oneself: He struggled to deal with his emotions when his wife died.
    THESAURUS
    emotion
    1 a feeling, sentiment | reaction. Ants. apathy, coldness.
emotional
emotional
  1. adj.
    1 related to feelings: Her emotional health is good; she's happy.
    2 full of strong feelings, excited with emotion: When he disagrees with you, he becomes quite emotional. -n. [U] emotionalism; -adv. emotionally.
    THESAURUS
    emotional
    1 mental, psychological
    2 excitable, volatile | warm | hotheaded. Ants. cold, apathetic.
empathize
empathize
  1. v. [I] -thized, -thizing, -thizes to understand another's feelings (attitudes, reasons, etc.): He's fearful about his illness, and I empathize with him; it's scary when you're that ill. -adj. empathetic.
empathy
empathy
  1. n.sing. [U] the ability to share or understand another person's feelings (attitudes, reasons, etc.): I have empathy for you in your fear about speaking in front of a group.
emperor
emperor
  1. n. the male ruler of an empire: The ancient Roman Empire was ruled by emperors.
emphasis
emphasis
  1. n. -ses special importance placed on s.t.: She put great emphasis on beginning work immediately.
emphasize
emphasize
  1. v. [T] -sized, -sizing, -sizes to place importance on,
    THESAURUS
    to stress: The manager emphasized the need to reduce expenses.
emphatic
emphatic
  1. adj. stressed to the point of leaving no doubt, clear: Her explanation was detailed; she was emphatic about the need to cut expenses. -adv. emphatically.
emphysema
emphysema
  1. n. [U] a lung disease causing extreme difficulty in breathing: He got emphysema from smoking cigarettes.
empire
empire
  1. n.
    1 a group of nations ruled by a central government and usu. an emperor: the ancient Roman Empire
    2 fig. a very large business operation: The new organization has created a publishing empire.
empirical
empirical
  1. adj. based on knowledge or experience of the real world, observable: The paintings on cave walls are empirical proof that people were on Earth many thousands of years ago. -n. [U] empiricism; -adv. empirically.
employ
employ
  1. v. [T]
    1 to provide paid work to people: That company employs 1,000 workers.
    2 to use: The company employs computers to keep track of expenses.
    THESAURUS
    employ
    1 to hire, put s.o. on the payroll | engage the services of s.o. frml. Ants. to fire,
    THESAURUS
    dismiss, let go | lay off.
    2 to make use of, utilize.
employable
employable
  1. adj.
    1 ready and able to be employed: She has computer skills and a positive outlook; she's employable.
    2 frml. usable, workable: That computer is employable for accounting purposes. -n. employability.
employee
employee
  1. n. s.o. who works for a person, business, or government: She is an employee of this company.
    THESAURUS
    employee a worker, wage earner | staff member. Ants. employer, boss.
employer
employer
  1. n. a person, business, or government that employs people: My employer is United Chemical.
    THESAURUS
    employer a company, business, government | the boss, owner, department head. Ant. an employee.
employment
employment
  1. n. [U]
    1 a job paying a salary or wages: He is out of work and looking for employment.
    2 frml. use: The employment of force will lead to greater violence.
    THESAURUS
    employment a job, work | occupation, business, profession | trade, field. Ant. unemployment.
emporium
emporium
  1. n. -riums or -ria
    1 a center of trade: Chicago was a livestock emporium.
    2 old usage a large store with different types of goods, a department store
    3 a shopping mall: We bought some shoes and some CDs, and then had lunch at the emporium.
empower
empower
  1. v. [T] to give power to,
    THESAURUS
    to authorize: The judge empowered the police to search the house for stolen goods. -n. empowerment.
empress
empress
  1. n. -presses
    1 the wife of an emperor: Napoleon's Empress Josephine
    2 the female ruler of an empire
empty-handed
empty-handed
  1. adj. with nothing, without result: He tried to make a sale but came up empty-handed.
empty-headed
empty-headed
  1. adj. lacking in good sense or knowledge,
    THESAURUS
    vacuous: Some people never have anything to say; they seem empty-headed.
empty
empty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest
    1 without contents, having nothing or no one inside: There is nothing in the box; it is empty.||There is no one in the room; it is empty.
    2 fig. having no meaning, purpose, or emotion: He felt empty after his family left him.v. -tied, -tying, -ties
    1 [T] to remove the contents of: I emptied the drawer by taking my clothes out of it.
    2 [I;T] to become empty or cause to become empty: People emptied the movie theater after the film ended. -n. emptiness.
    THESAURUS
    empty adj.
    1 bare, void | vacant, unoccupied, uninhabited. Ants. full |
    THESAURUS
    occupied.
    2 meaningless, without substance. Ant. meaningful.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to pour out, drain out
    2 to leave, evacuate. Ant. to fill.
empty nest syndrome
empty nest syndrome
  1. n. feelings of loneliness and uselessness experienced by parents after their children grow up and move away from home: Their youngest son has gone away to college, and they're suffering from empty nest syndrome.
emulate
emulate
  1. v.frml. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to try to speak, act, or write like,
    THESAURUS
    to imitate: The boy tried to emulate the famous baseball player. -n. [U] emulation; emulator.
emulsion
emulsion
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a combination of liquids that do not mix well together: an emulsion of oil and water
    2 a coating on photographic film that forms a picture when exposed to light -v. emulsify.
en masse
en masse
  1. adv. as a group, in a mass of people or things: The crowd moved en masse from Amy's house to the city square.
en route
en route
  1. adj.adv. on the way, traveling: He is en route to a meeting in London.
enable
enable
  1. v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to make possible for,
    THESAURUS
    to empower: Their earnings enabled them to retire early. -adj. enabling.
enact
enact
  1. v. [T] to make or pass (a law), to legislate: The Congress enacted a new law. -n. enactment.
enamel
enamel
  1. n. [U]
    1 a hard, shiny substance used for decoration and as a coating: The sink is covered in white enamel.
    2 the outer covering of teeth: The enamel protects the inside part of the tooth.v. [T] to coat with enamel
enamored
enamored
  1. adj. filled with love for: He is enamored of the beautiful girl next door.
encamp
encamp
  1. v. [I;T] to set up camp: The soldiers encamped near the river. -n. encampment.
encapsulate
encapsulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to enclose in capsule form: The manufacturer encapsulates the medicine in jelly capsules.
    2 to summarize, make brief: The speaker encapsulated his main thoughts first, then gave details. -n. [U] encapsulation.
encase
encase
  1. v. [T] -cased, -casing, -cases to cover with protective material: The worker encased the pipe in a layer of cement. -n. [U] encasement.
enchant
enchant
  1. v. [T]
    1 to charm, delight: That lovely beach enchants everyone who sees it.
    2 to use magic to control: The witch enchanted the forest animals to do as she told them. -n. enchanter; [U] enchantment; -adj. enchanting; -adv. enchantingly.
encircle
encircle
  1. v. [T] -cled, -cling, -cles to make a circle around, surround: The soldiers encircled the enemy camp. -n. [U] encirclement.
enclave
enclave
  1. n. a small area controlled by people who differ in culture, social status, ethnic background, etc., from those in the surrounding area: Chinatown is an enclave in New York City.||an enclave of the rich. See: ghetto.
enclose
enclose
  1. v. [T] -closed, -closing, -closes
    1 to place within, put inside: I enclosed a check in the envelope with my rent bill.
    2 to shut in, close in: The animals were enclosed by a fence.
    THESAURUS
    enclose
    1 to include s.t., insert s.t.
    2 to encircle, fence in, rope in.
enclosure
enclosure
  1. n.
    1 an area with a fence or other barrier around it: During the day, the cattle are kept in an enclosure next to the barn.
    2 s.t. put in an envelope with a letter: The report is an enclosure with a letter explaining it.
encode
encode
  1. v. [T] -coded, -coding, -codes
    1 to change written material into secret symbols: During World War II, he encoded secret messages sent to the allies.
    2 to put s.t. into a computer language: She encoded the material so the computer could read it. -n. encoder.
encompass
encompass
  1. v. [T]
    1 to include: My history course encompasses the 19th and 20th centuries.
    2 frml. to encircle, surround: The wall encompasses the entire college campus.
encounter
encounter
  1. v. [T]
    1 to meet by chance, run into: We encountered some strangers on the road.
    2 to come face-to-face with,
    THESAURUS
    to confront: Our army encountered the enemy at the river and fought them.n. a meeting, usu. unplanned: She had an encounter with a drunk on the subway.
encourage
encourage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to give strength or hope to s.o., urge: She encouraged her son to go to college. -n. [U] encouragement; -adj. encouraging.
    THESAURUS
    encourage to inspire, give confidence to s.o. | hearten. Ant. to discourage.
encroach
encroach
  1. v. [T] to go beyond proper limits, (syns.) to intrude, trespass: Soldiers from the neighboring nation crossed our border and encroached upon our territory. -n. [C;U] encroachment.
encrust
encrust
  1. v. [I;T] to cover with a hard layer (a crust): His boots were encrusted with dried mud. -n. [C;U] encrustation.
encumber
encumber
  1. v. [T] to burden so as to make action difficult, handicap,
    THESAURUS
    to hinder: Too much debt encumbers her business. -n. encumbrance.
encyclopedia
encyclopedia
  1. n. a group of informative articles on general and specific topics that comes in book form or on CD-ROM (usu. arranged in alphabetical order): I like the Microsoft Encarta™ multimedia encyclopedia, because it has great pictures and video clips for many subjects. -adj. encyclopedic; -n. encyclopedist.
end
end
  1. n.
    1 the last part of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    the extremity: the end of a stick (wire, street, etc.)
    2 the last part in time, the finish, (syns.) the termination, conclusion: the end of a story (a class, a year, etc.)
    3 a serious conclusion, such as destruction or death: the end of all hope (one's marriage, a life, etc.)
    4 frml. a goal, purpose: The company wanted to improve its image, so to that end, it hired a popular athlete to appear in its advertisements.
    5 at s.o.'s end: in s.o.'s area of responsibility: Have there been any problems at your end of the project?
    6 at the end of one's rope: totally blocked and frustrated: He has tried everything to stop smoking, but he cannot do it, and now he is at the end of his rope.
    7 (at) the end of the line: (at) the final point of an activity or relationship where there can be no more progress: We argue all the time, so this is the end of the line. Good-bye!
    8 end to end: with the ends of objects touching each other: We put two tables end to end to make one long table.
    9 infrml. no end of: a lot of: The boy caused no end of trouble for his parents.
    10 on end: a. placed on an extremity, upright: A worker stood the table on end so that he could paint its underside. b. (of time) for a long time without stopping: She waited for days on end before his letter finally arrived.
    11 to bring to an end: to conclude, terminate: The manager brought the meeting to an end.
    12 infrml. to go off the deep end: to do s.t. that is very foolish or risky: He bought a boat he cannot afford; he went off the deep end!
    13 to hold up or keep up one's end: to do what one agreed to do: You promised to pay half the cost, so give me a check and hold up your end of the bargain.
    14 to make ends meet: to get enough money to pay for necessities and survive financially: I make just enough money to make ends meet, to pay the rent and buy food.
    15 to put an end to: to stop (usu. s.t. that is annoying): I put an end to her complaints by simply telling her to stop!v.
    1 [I;T] to make stop, bring to an end: We ended our conversation with a promise to see each other again.
    2 [I] to come to a stop, finish: The sandy beach ends two miles north of here.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I] to end in s.t.: to result in: The meeting ended in a confrontation.
    4 to end it all or to put an end to it all: to kill oneself, commit suicide: He had cancer and decided to end it all by shooting himself.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to end up: to come finally to a particular place or position: She ended up owning the company where she had gotten her first job. See: dead end.
    THESAURUS
    end v.
    1 to finish, conclude, terminate
    2 to leave off, run out. Ant. to begin.
endanger
endanger
  1. v. [T] to place in danger,
    THESAURUS
    to jeopardize: They went boating on the ocean in stormy weather and endangered their lives. -n. endangerment.
endangered species
endangered species
  1. n. used with a sing. or pl.v. a plant or animal whose population is so low that it is in danger of extinction: We give money to the wildlife fund to protect endangered species.
endear
endear
  1. v. [T] to create a liking or affection for (esp. oneself): She is so warm and generous that she endears herself to everyone. -adj. endearing; -n.[C;U] endearment.
endeavor
endeavor
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to try, attempt: He endeavors to do his best work all the time.n.
    1 frml.an effort, attempt: Despite his best endeavors, the company failed.
    2 a project, affair,
    THESAURUS
    a venture: She has many business endeavors; she is a partner in three businesses.
endemic
endemic
  1. adj.frml. often found within a particular area or group of people: Ill health is endemic to the poor.
ending
ending
  1. n. [C;U] the end, the finish: The ending of the novel (relationship, story, etc.) was quite sad.
endive
endive
  1. n. a plant with crisp, whitish leaves used in salads
endless
endless
  1. adj.
    1 without limits,
    THESAURUS
    infinite: Seen through a telescope at night, the universe appears endless.
    2 without stopping, continuous: The traffic on the highway makes an endless noise. -adv. endlessly.
endorse
endorse
  1. v. [T] -dorsed, -dorsing, -dorses
    1 to sign one's name on the back of a check or note: He endorsed his paycheck and deposited it in his bank.
    2 to approve an idea, act, or product: Famous athletes endorse sports equipment and other products. -n. [C;U] endorsement.
endow
endow
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give money or property for the support of (a school, organization, etc.): Graduates endow their colleges with funds to support their operation.
    2 to give a good quality or ability: Her parents endowed their daughter with high intelligence. -n. [C;U] endowment.
endurance
endurance
  1. n. [U] the ability to function (work, run, swim, etc.) properly over a long period of time,
    THESAURUS
    stamina: Olympic athletes have great endurance.
endure
endure
  1. v. -dured, -during, -dures
    1 [I] to last, survive: Great art endures for centuries.
    2 [T] to bear, tolerate: Athletes endure pain to win races. -adj. endurable; enduring.
endways
endways
  1. or endwise -adv.
    1 standing up, upright: We turned the sofa endways so it would fit through the door.
    2 with the end first
enema
enema
  1. n. liquid put into the rectum to clear out feces: The nurse gave the patient an enema before the operation.
enemy
enemy
  1. n. -mies a person, military, or nation that intends harm to another: During the Civil War in the USA, the Northern and Southern states were enemies.
    THESAURUS
    enemy an opponent, foe, antagonist | hostile nation | the bad guy slang. Ants. friend, ally.
energetic
energetic
  1. adj. having energy, active, vigorous: She is a very energetic woman with many interests. -adv. energetically.
energize
energize
  1. v. [T] -gized, -gizing, -gizes
    1 to fill with energy,
    THESAURUS
    to motivate: The sales manager energized her sales force with enthusiasm.
    2 to provide power to: The battery energized the motor and made it run. -n. energizer. See: enervate.
energy
energy
  1. n. [U]
    1 the power to do work: Energy to run machines sometimes comes from electricity.
    2 the capacity or power to be active (work, play): He is full of energy and is active all the time.
    THESAURUS
    energy
    1 electric power, hydroelectric/solar/ nuclear/atomic/coal power
    2 vitality, vim
    THESAURUS
    and vigor, get-up and go. Ant. inertia.
enervate
enervate
  1. v.frml. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates to drain of energy, weaken: The hot weather enervates me; I don't move around very much and am tired all the time. See: energize.
enfeeble
enfeeble
  1. v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to weaken, make feeble: His long illness enfeebled him.
enfold
enfold
  1. v.frml. [T] to wrap, encircle: The mother tenderly enfolded the child in her arms.
enforce
enforce
  1. v. [T] -forced, -forcing, -forces to make people obey (laws, rules, etc.): The police enforce the law by arresting lawbreakers. -adj. enforceable; -n. [U] enforcement; enforcer.
enfranchise
enfranchise
  1. v. [T] -chised, -chising, -chises to provide with a right, esp. to vote: The voting rights bill enfranchises thousands who could not vote before. -n. [U] enfranchisement.
engage
engage
  1. v.frml. -gaged, -gaging, -gages
    1 [I;T] to make things fit and move together, interlock: The driver engaged the car's gears.
    2 [I;T] to employ, hire: The company engaged 50 new workers.
    3 [I] to be involved, participate: She didn't want to engage in conversation.
    4 [T] to get and hold the attention of: The professor engaged his students in discussion.
    THESAURUS
    engage
    1 to put s.t. in motion | make s.t. work
    2 to take on
    3 to busy oneself with,
    THESAURUS
    enter into, embark on s.t.
    4 to engross s.o. | absorb. Ant. to let go.
engaged
engaged
  1. adj.
    1 having a formal agreement to get married: The engaged couple plan to get married in the spring.
    2 busy, occupied: My boss is engaged right now, but she should be free in an hour.
    THESAURUS
    engaged
    1 engaged to be married | betrothed frml. Ants. available, free.
    2 absorbed in s.t. (one's work). Ant. free.
engagement
engagement
  1. n.
    1 an agreement to marry: We announced our engagement last week.
    2 a meeting, appointment: I have an engagement this evening.
    3 a battle: The two armies fought an engagement.
engagement ring
engagement ring
  1. n. a gold or platinum ring with a diamond given to a woman by a man to show their agreement to marry
engaging
engaging
  1. adj. charming, captivating: She has an engaging personality. -adv. engagingly.
engender
engender
  1. v.frml. [T] to produce, bring into being: Poverty often engenders disease.
engine
engine
  1. n.
    1 a machine that produces force and motion: The engine in my car drives the wheels to make it move.
    2 a machine that pulls a train, a locomotive
engineer
engineer
  1. n.
    1 a person highly trained in science and mathematics who plans the making of machines (mechanical engineer, electrical engineer), roads and bridges (civil engineer), etc.: He is an electrical engineer who works for a computer company.
    2 the person who drives a train: The engineer slowed the train as it neared the station.v. [T]
    1 to plan the making of s.t. by using the skills of engineering: He engineered a tiny computer.
    2 to put together in a skillful or forceful way, manage: My boss engineered the purchase of another company.
engineering
engineering
  1. n. [U]
    1 the profession of an engineer: She studies automotive engineering.
    2 the scientific planning of a machine, road, bridge, etc.
engorge
engorge
  1. v. [T] -gorged, -gorging, -gorges to fill to the limit, swell: His wound was engorged with blood.
engrave
engrave
  1. v. [T] -graved, -graving, -graves to cut or carve words, pictures, or designs in metal, stone, etc.: She engraved a winter scene on a copper plate for printing. -n. engraver; [C;U] engraving.
engross
engross
  1. v. [T] to keep one's attention completely,
    THESAURUS
    to captivate: He engrossed himself in his writing for many months. -adj. engrossed; engrossing.
engulf
engulf
  1. v. [T] to enclose and swallow up, overwhelm: The flood waters engulfed the town.
enhance
enhance
  1. v. [T] -hanced, -hancing, -hances to improve, add to: She enhanced the value of her house by painting it.
enigma
enigma
  1. n. a mystery, puzzle: No one knows what happened to the airplane; its disappearance is an enigma. -adj. enigmatic; -adv. enigmatically.
enjoin
enjoin
  1. v.frml. [T] to stop, prevent: The court enjoined the prosecution from convicting an innocent man.
enjoy
enjoy
  1. v.
    1 [T] to get pleasure from, like: He enjoys music.
    2 frml. [T] to have, esp. s.t. that is good: She enjoys good health; she is very healthy.
    3 [I] to enjoy oneself: to have fun: We enjoyed ourselves at their wedding. -n. enjoyment.
    THESAURUS
    enjoy
    1 to be pleased with, delight in s.t., find happiness with
    2 to have the benefit of s.t., be blessed with. Ants. to dislike, hate.
enjoyable
enjoyable
  1. adj. pleasurable, pleasant: We had an enjoyable day at the zoo.
    THESAURUS
    enjoyable delightful | satisfying. Ant. unpleasant.
enlarge
enlarge
  1. v. [I;T] -larged, -larging, -larges
    1 to make larger, expand the size of: We enlarged our house by adding two new rooms.
    2 (in photography) to make a picture bigger -n. [C;U] enlargement; enlarger.
enlighten
enlighten
  1. v. [T] to make (s.o.) understand for the first time: The instructor enlightened his students on how to use adjectives in English. -adj. enlightened; enlightening.
enlightenment
enlightenment
  1. n. [U]
    1 an explanation: The professor provided enlightenment on the subject.
    2 the Enlightenment a movement in 18th-century Europe that emphasized scientific and rational thought, also known as the Age of Reason
enlist
enlist
  1. v.
    1 [I] to join the military voluntarily: I enlisted in the army when I was 18.
    2 [T] to ask for and receive (support, assistance, etc.): He enlisted the help of his friends in moving his furniture. -n. [C;U] enlistment.
enliven
enliven
  1. v. [T] to make lively, brighten up: Her funny stories enlivened the party.
enmesh
enmesh
  1. v. [T] to catch as in a net: The politician became enmeshed in a scandal.
enmity
enmity
  1. n.frml. [U] hatred,
    THESAURUS
    animosity: There is enmity between those two men; they once had a fight.
enormity
enormity
  1. n. [U] great evil,
    THESAURUS
    wickedness: People were appalled by the enormity of the crime; many people were hurt and killed.
enormous
enormous
  1. adj. extremely big, huge: The Sears Tower in Chicago is enormous; it's more than 100 stories tall! -n. enormousness; -adv. enormously.
    THESAURUS
    enormous immense, tremendous | gigantic, colossal. Ants. small, tiny.
enough
enough
  1. adj. as much or as many as needed, sufficient: We have enough money to pay the bills.||Do we have enough books to go around (or) enough books for everyone?adv. to the amount or degree necessary, (syns.) adequately, sufficiently: She plays the piano well enough.n. [U] an adequate amount, a sufficiency: The basketball game was boring; we saw enough and went home.exclam. Stop!: Enough! I don't want to hear anymore!
    THESAURUS
    enough adj. plenty, adequate. Ants. inadequate, insufficient.
    THESAURUS
    n. a sufficient amount, ample supply, full measure. Ant. a lack of s.t.
enquire
enquire
  1. v. [I] -quired, -quiring, -quires var. of inquire
enquiry
enquiry
  1. n. -ries var. of inquiry
enrage
enrage
  1. v. [T] -raged, -raging, -rages to make very angry, (syns.) to infuriate, incense: The lies said about him enraged him. See: angry, USAGE NOTE.
enrapture
enrapture
  1. v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures to fill with delight,
    THESAURUS
    to enthrall: The beautiful music enraptured her; what lovely sounds! See: rapture, ecstasy.
enrich
enrich
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make rich or richer: The growth of industry enriched the small town.
    2 to add good things to: The farmer enriched the soil with fertilizer. -adj. enriching; -n. [U] enrichment.
enroll
enroll
  1. v. [I;T] to join officially: I enrolled in college this autumn; I will graduate in four years. -n. enrollee .
    THESAURUS
    enroll to register for s.t., sign up | enlist (in the military). Ant. to drop out of.
enrollment
enrollment
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act of joining, as in a school or class: My enrollment in the fall classes took two hours.
    2 [C] the number of students enrolled in a class or school: My English course has an enrollment of 200 students.
ensconce
ensconce
  1. v. [T] -sconced, -sconcing, -sconces to place (esp. oneself) in a comfortable, secure position: She has ensconced herself in front of the TV for the evening.
ensemble
ensemble
  1. n.
    1 a musical group: a singing ensemble
    2 frml. a set of matching clothes: The model is wearing an attractive ensemble; a suit with matching shoes and belt.
enshrine
enshrine
  1. v. [T] -shrined, -shrining, -shrines to keep so as to honor the memory of (a person, event, or god): The remains of Napoleon Bonaparte are enshrined in Paris.
enshroud
enshroud
  1. v. [T] to cover with s.t. dark or sad: Gray clouds enshrouded the city. See: shroud, envelop.
ensign
ensign
  1. n.
    1 the lowest-ranking naval officer: She is an ensign, soon to be made a lieutenant.
    2 a national flag, emblem, or insignia
ensnare
ensnare
  1. v. [T] -snared, -snaring, -snares
    1 to catch as in a net, trap, or snare: The hunter ensnared a rabbit.
    2 to trap in difficult circumstances,
    THESAURUS
    to entrap: The criminal ensnared his victims in a scheme to steal their money.
ensue
ensue
  1. v. [I] -sued, -suing, -sues to result after an event, happen in sequence: As a result of heavy rain, bad flooding ensued.
ensure
ensure
  1. v. [T] -sured, -suring, -sures to make sure: He ensured that all the doors were locked before he left his apartment.||Your passport ensures your entry into your home country. See: insure.
    THESAURUS
    ensure to make certain, assure oneself | guarantee s.t. is so. Ant. to leave s.t. in doubt.
entail
entail
  1. v. [T] to make necessary, require: The loss of your wallet entails getting all new documents.
entangle
entangle
  1. v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 to cause to mix in with and be caught by s.t. else: The comb became entangled in her hair.
    2 fig. to involve others in a difficult situation or problem,
    THESAURUS
    to enmesh: She entangled her friends in foolish schemes to get rich. -n. [C;U] entanglement.
enter
enter
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go into: I entered the classroom.
    2 [I] to begin, engage in: She will enter college in the autumn.
    3 [T] to write down, record: The command on the computer screen told me to enter my name, so I typed it in.
    4 [T] phrasal v. insep. to enter into s.t.: to contract for, cooperate with: Our company entered into an agreement with a foreign government.
    THESAURUS
    enter
    1 to walk into, come in
    2 to start. Ant. to leave.
    3 to insert.
enterprise
enterprise
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act that requires courage, hard work, and intelligence, esp. in business: Her business has prospered because of her enterprise.
    2 [C] a business, company, esp. a new one: His enterprise is located in the financial district. -adj. enterprising.
entertain
entertain
  1. v.
    1 [T] to amuse, provide entertainment to: She is a singer who entertains at a local nightclub.
    2 [I;T] to give parties (dinners, cookouts, etc.): That couple often entertains on weekends.
    3 [T] to have in mind, consider: He refused to entertain my suggestion. -n. entertainment.
    THESAURUS
    entertain
    1 to give enjoyment to s.o., please, delight. Ant. to bore s.o.
    2 to have guests,
    THESAURUS
    play host, offer hospitality
    3 to think about, contemplate. Ant. to ignore.
entertainer
entertainer
  1. n. a person who entertains professionally: The singer, Frank Sinatra, was a well-known entertainer.
entertaining
entertaining
  1. adj. amusing, delightful: I enjoyed the movie that we saw last night; it was very entertaining. -adv. entertainingly.
enthrall
enthrall
  1. v. [T] to hold s.o.'s attention completely, (syns.) to captivate, spellbind: The dancer enthralls her audiences with the beauty of her movements.
enthuse
enthuse
  1. v.infrml. [I;T] -thused, -thusing, -thuses to fill with enthusiasm, excite: The thought of going to Europe enthused her greatly.
enthusiasm
enthusiasm
  1. n. [U]
    1 eagerness, zeal: He loves his job; he works with enthusiasm every day.
    2 strong interest, general good feeling: You can see the enthusiasm of the employees of that company.
    THESAURUS
    enthusiasm
    1 and
    2 excitement, passion, love for s.t. Ant. apathy.
enthusiast
enthusiast
  1. n. a person full of eagerness for s.t. or s.o.: He is a skiing enthusiast; in the winter, he skis every weekend.
enthusiastic
enthusiastic
  1. adj. eager, excited: She is enthusiastic about beginning her new job. -adv. enthusiastically.
entice
entice
  1. v. [T] -ticed, -ticing, -tices to attract or persuade: He enticed her into marrying him with promises of a house, car, and money. -n. [C;U] enticement; -adj. enticing.
entire
entire
  1. adj. complete, whole: Of course he is our landlord; he owns the entire building. -adv. entirely.
entirety
entirety
  1. n. [U] all of s.t., the whole: He painted the building in its entirety.
entitle
entitle
  1. v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 to allow, authorize: That pass entitles you to enter the concert for free.
    2 to call, name: That book is entitled Gone with the Wind.
entitlement
entitlement
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 legal authorization: She has an entitlement to one half of her husband's property.
    2 a right, esp. for governmental aid: The man has entitlements to Social Security and medical care.
entity
entity
  1. n. -ties a group viewed as a whole: All the buildings in this area are for sale as a single entity.
entomb
entomb
  1. v.frml. [T] to bury in a tomb: The dead queen is entombed near the palace. -n. [C;U] entombment.
entomology
entomology
  1. n. the study of insects: He's a professor of entomology; spiders are his specialty. -n. entomologist.
entourage
entourage
  1. n. a group of people who follow s.o. important,
    THESAURUS
    a retinue: The movie star has an entourage of employees and admirers.
entrails
entrails
  1. n.pl. the insides (intestines, liver, heart, kidney), esp. of an animal: Smaller animals feed on the entrails of zebras killed by lions.
entrance
entrance
  1. n.
    1 a door, gate, or other opening allowing one to enter: We walked through the entrance to the museum.
    2 the area around an entrance: We had waited for a friend at the entrance.
    3 an act of entering: He has formally announced his entrance into the race for President.
    4 to make an entrance: to appear, often in a dramatic fashion: The princess waited for all the other guests to arrive, then made an entrance in a beautiful gown.v. [T] -tranced, -trancing, -trances to hold s.o.'s attention and give delight,
    THESAURUS
    to enchant: Her beauty and intelligence entranced him. -adj. entrancing.
    THESAURUS
    entrance n.
    1 an entry, entrance way, entryway
    2 the foyer, lobby, reception area. Ant. exit.
entrant
entrant
  1. n. a person who enters a competition: She was one of 50 entrants in the race.
entrap
entrap
  1. v. [T] -trapped, -trapping, -traps
    1 to attract into difficulty or trick into harm: A criminal entrapped an elderly man in a bad investment and stole his money.
    2 to catch as in a trap: Workers were entrapped when the roof fell in on them. -n. [C;U] entrapment.
entreat
entreat
  1. v.frml. [T] to ask very seriously, to plead: The sick man entreated the doctor to ease his pain. -n. [C;U] entreaty.
entrench
entrench
  1. v. [T] to put in a firm and protected position: The owner's son entrenched himself in a job given him by his father. -n. [U] entrenchment.
entrepreneur
entrepreneur
  1. n. a person who starts a business with an idea, makes it grow, and takes the risk of failure: She was an entrepreneur who built a company around a new type of beauty product.
entrepreneurial spirit
entrepreneurial spirit
  1. n. [U] a positive attitude toward risking time and money on new business ideas or on better ways of doing business
entrust
entrust
  1. v. [T] to give for safekeeping, place in trust: Airline passengers entrust their safety to the pilot.
entry
entry
  1. n. -tries
    1 an act of entering: Many people opposed the entry of the USA into the war.
    2 a record of a transaction or event, such as a birth: The clerk made an entry of the sale in the company books.
    3 a word and its definition in a dictionary: College dictionaries have about 200,000 entries.
    4 entry-level: (of a job) in the lowest category See: data entry.
    THESAURUS
    entry
    1 an entrance. Ant. exit.
    2 an insertion, notation. Ant. omission.

    USAGE NOTE: Jobs that require the least experience are called entry-level positions. Many people begin their careers at entry-level positions and work their way up the ladder, or advance into high-level positions. She began at the entry level as a clerk and worked her way up the ladder to become president of the company.
entryway
entryway
  1. n. a place or way to go in, an access: There is only one entryway to the building.
entrée
entrée
  1. n.
    1 in USA, the main part of the meal at dinner or lunch: We started with soup and had steak as the entrée.
    2 special permission to enter a place: My friend is the secretary to the president of that company, so I have an entrée there.
    THESAURUS
    entrée
    1 the main course, main dish
    2 (to have an) in.
entwine
entwine
  1. v. -twined, -twining, -twines to wrap around: A climbing plant has entwined itself around that tree.
enumerate
enumerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to count off, list: She enumerated five things that she liked about the new apartment. -n. [C;U] enumeration.
enunciate
enunciate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I;T] to speak clearly: He enunciated his words so the foreigner could understand him.
    2 [T] to express, state: The buyer enunciated her conditions for buying the house. -n. [U] enunciation.
enure
enure
  1. v. [T] -ured, -uring, -ures var. of inure
envelop
envelop
  1. v. [T] to surround, enclose, cover completely: Fog enveloped the airport. -n. [U] envelopment. See: enshroud.
envelope
envelope
  1. n.
    1 a paper cover for letters (documents, computer disks, products, etc.): We put our bills in envelopes to mail to our customers.
    2 to push the envelope: to extend the limits of human achievement in an area: Test pilots push the envelope by setting faster speed records.
enviable
enviable
  1. adj. very desirable, worthy of envy, admiration: She is in the enviable position of having two excellent job offers.
envious
envious
  1. adj. wanting to have what s.o. else has: He is envious of my new car and wants one like it. -adv. enviously. See: envy; jealousy.
environment
environment
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the air, land, water, and surroundings that people, plants, and animals live in: The environment in big cities is usually polluted.
    2 [C] a set of social conditions that affect people, an atmosphere: That child is growing up in a bad environment. -adj. environmental; -adv. environmentally.
    THESAURUS
    environment
    1 the surroundings, habitat, locale
    2 atmosphere, condition | milieu frml.
environmentalist
environmentalist
  1. n. a person devoted to or employed in environmental concerns: She is an environmentalist working for the Pure Water Coalition. -n. environmentalism.
environs
environs
  1. n.pl.frml. a local area, neighborhood: She is living somewhere in the environs of Miami.
envisage
envisage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages See: envision.
envision
envision
  1. v. [T] to have in mind, (syns.) to envisage, foresee: What kind of career do you envision for yourself?
envoy
envoy
  1. n. a messenger, esp. a diplomatic representative of a government: The President sent a special envoy to the trade talks.
envy
envy
  1. v. [T] -vied, -vying, -vies to want the same things s.o. else has: He has a wonderful job (wife, house, life, etc.); I envy him.n.
    1 [U] a desire to have what belongs to another: She is full of envy of her friend's good looks. See: jealous.
    2 the envy of s.o.: s.o. or s.t. envied by others: The boy's new bicycle was (or) made him the envy of all his friends.
    THESAURUS
    envy n.
    1 jealousy | greed. Ant. admiration.
enzyme
enzyme
  1. n. a natural chemical in living cells that helps make them work: Enzymes in the mouth help digest food.
eon
eon
  1. n.
    1 an extremely long period of time, thousands or millions of years: The layers of rock on the ocean floor took eons to develop.
    2 in eons: in a long time: Where have you been? I haven't seen you in eons.
epaulet
epaulet
  1. n. a shoulder ornament, worn esp. on dress military uniforms
ephemeral
ephemeral
  1. adj.frml. of little importance and lasting only a short time: He had an ephemeral career as a professional ski racer: -n.pl. ephemera.
epic
epic
  1. n.adj. a poem, story, or adventure of heroic proportions: The journey of the Jews from Egypt was an epic (or) an epic event.
epicenter
epicenter
  1. n. the exact center of an important event, esp. a violent one: The epicenter of the earthquake that shook Los Angeles was 50 miles away.
epicure
epicure
  1. n. s.o. who greatly en-joys fine food and drink, esp. wines -adj. epicurean.
epidemic
epidemic
  1. n.adj. a disease that spreads quickly among many people: There are epidemics of influenza nearly every winter.
    THESAURUS
    epidemic n. an outbreak, widespread infection, contagion.
epidermis
epidermis
  1. n. -mises the outer layer of the skin
epigram
epigram
  1. n. a brief, wise saying, often in poetic form: "It is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all" is an epigram. -adj. epigrammatic.
epilepsy
epilepsy
  1. n. [U] a disorder of the nervous system with uncontrolled movements and sometimes loss of consciousness: Julius Caesar suffered from epilepsy.
epileptic
epileptic
  1. n.adj. a person who has epilepsy: He is an epileptic; he suffers from epileptic seizures.
epilogue
epilogue
  1. n. an addition at the end of a literary work or play, usu. about what has happened or will happen afterward: The book is about a terrible disease, and the author added an epilogue about recent research into a cure.
episode
episode
  1. n. one in a series of events: I watched an episode of a soap opera on television. -adj. episodic.
epistle
epistle
  1. n.frml. a letter,
    THESAURUS
    a missive: The Christian Bible includes the epistles of the apostles.
epitaph
epitaph
  1. n. an inscription on a gravestone about the dead person: His epitaph reads "John Smith, Born 1930—Died 1993." See: in memoriam.
epithet
epithet
  1. n.frml. a word of phrase used to describe s.o., often negatively or offensively: The enemies hurled epithets at each other.
epitome
epitome
  1. n. the ultimate of s.t., usu. the best but can be used to mean the worst: She sings beautifully; she's the epitome of what a singer should be.||Her singing is terrible; she's the epitome of what a singer should not be. -v. [T] epitomize.
epoch
epoch
  1. n. a period in geologic time or in history with a special character: The end of the nuclear arms race began a new epoch of peace and cooperation. -adj. epochal.
epoxy
epoxy
  1. n. -ies a very strong glue: I glued the handle back on the teacup with epoxy.
equable
equable
  1. adj. calm, eventempered: His equable manner makes him a good boss. -n. equability; -adv. equably.
equal
equal
  1. n. the same, an equivalent (in amount, size, appearance, power, etc.): Those two managers are equals; both are vice presidents of the company.adj.
    1 [T] being the same, equivalent, alike: The two tables are of equal length (importance, height, etc.).
    2 to be equal to: (of a person) to be strong or skilled enough for: It's a big responsibility to take on, so I hope she's equal to the task.
    THESAURUS
    equal adj.
    1 identical (to), on a par with s.o. or s.t. Ants. unequal, different. —v. [T]
    1 to be the same as, match,
    THESAURUS
    to correspond to: The two horses equal each other in speed.
    2 to result in (from adding, multiplying, etc.): Two plus two equals four. -adv. equally.
equal opportunity employer
equal opportunity employer
  1. n. a business that hires people based on their ability to do a job, not on their age, skin color, race, national origin, or any mental or physical disability: Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 required all businesses to become equal opportunity employers.
equal sign
equal sign
  1. n. [U] the symbol (=) that means terms on either side of it are equivalent: 2 + 2 = 4.
equality
equality
  1. n. [U] a condition of being equal (in importance, rank, power, etc.): Some countries are working toward economic equality.
    THESAURUS
    equality fairness, impartiality, justice. Ant. inequality.
equalize
equalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make equal (in weight, appearance, size, power, etc.): One boxer equalized his weight with his opponent's weight by losing ten pounds. -n. equalizer.
equanimity
equanimity
  1. n.frml. [U] peace of mind, calmness: to have equanimity of mind
equate
equate
  1. v. [T] equated, equating, equates to compare two things in importance (meaning, value, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    to liken: He equates wealth with success in life.
equation
equation
  1. n. a mathematical statement that two amounts are equal: The following is a simple equation: 2 + 2 = 4.
equator
equator
  1. n. a theoretical line around the middle of the earth that is equal in distance from the North and South Poles: The nations located on or near the equator have very hot climates. -adj. equatorial.
equestrian
equestrian
  1. n.adj. a person who rides horses: She is an equestrian, and she competes in equestrian events.
equidistant
equidistant
  1. adj. located halfway between two points: New York City is about equidistant from Boston and Washington, DC. -adv. equidistantly.
equilateral
equilateral
  1. adj. having sides of the same length: The four sides of a square are equilateral.
equilibrium
equilibrium
  1. n. [U] one's sense of balance: She lost her equilibrium and fell down.
equine
equine
  1. adj. related to horses
equinox
equinox
  1. n. -es the two days each year (around March 21 and September 22) when day and night are of equal length
equip
equip
  1. v. [T] equipped, equipping, equips to provide with equipment, to outfit: Our office is equipped with two powerful computers.
    THESAURUS
    equip to supply (with), furnish with, provide with. Ant. to take s.t. away.
equipment
equipment
  1. n. [U] useful items needed for a purpose (work, sports, etc.): I have sports equipment that includes golf clubs, tennis rackets, and ice skates.
    THESAURUS
    equipment gear | machines, tools.
equitable
equitable
  1. adj. reasonable to everyone concerned, fair: We made an equitable arrangement; the two of us will split the profits in half. -adv. equitably.
equity
equity
  1. n. [U]
    1 fairness, justice
    2 (in business, esp. real estate) the difference between the value of s.t. and the money owed against it: My equity in my brokerage account is $15,000 because I have $20,000 in stock but owe $5,000 as a loan.
equivalent
equivalent
  1. adj. equal, the same: The two computers are equivalent in speed.n. [U] s.t. that is the same: What is the equivalent of one US dollar in Japanese yen? -n. equivalence.
equivocal
equivocal
  1. adj.
    1 undecided, uncertain: He still remains equivocal about going ahead with the project.
    2 ambiguous, unclear: I asked him yesterday, and his answer was equivocal: "Maybe we will; maybe we won't." -v. [I] equivocate.
eradicate
eradicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to destroy completely,
    THESAURUS
    to eliminate: Modern medicine has eradicated some diseases. -n. [U] eradication.
erase
erase
  1. v. [T] erased, erasing, erases
    1 to clean off: The teacher erased the blackboard.
    2 to remove completely, eradicate: I erased the music on the audiotape before recording on the tape again.
    THESAURUS
    erase
    1 to wipe away s.t., rub s.t. off
    2 to delete, remove | expunge frml. Ants. to write, print, mark s.t.
eraser
eraser
  1. n. a stub or small block of rubber or felt used to erase pencil, chalk, or other marks: I like to use pencils with erasers on top. -n. erasure.
erect
erect
  1. adj. standing up, straight: She is elderly, but she stands erect.v. [T]
    1 to raise into position: Workmen erected a ladder against the building.
    2 to build, construct: A construction company erected a building across the street. -n. [C;U] erection; -adv. erectly.
ergonomics
ergonomics
  1. n. [U] the study of the best way to design machines for human comfort, convenience, and business efficiency: She is an expert in computer ergonomics.
erode
erode
  1. v. [I;T] eroded, eroding, erodes
    1 to wear away, wash away: Rain and wind eroded the topsoil from the farmland.
    2 to become worn away: The beach has eroded since the hurricane.
    3 to weaken, lessen: People demanded rights and eroded the king's power.
erogenous
erogenous
  1. adj. sexually excitable: The sex organs are among the erogenous zones of the body.
erosion
erosion
  1. n. [U]
    1 a wearing away,
    THESAURUS
    a deterioration: Erosion has washed away the earth from the hill.
    2 a weakening, lessening: The Presidency has suffered a steady erosion of power taken by the legislature.
erotic
erotic
  1. adj. about sexual desire: That store has a large section of erotic literature. -n.pl. erotica; -n. [U] eroticism ; -adv. erotically. See: sexual; sensual; sensuous.
err
err
  1. v.frml. [I] to make a mistake,
    THESAURUS
    to blunder: He erred when he added the numbers incorrectly.
errand
errand
  1. n. a short trip made for a specific purpose: I have to deposit money in the bank, pick up a package, and run (or) do some other errands.
    THESAURUS
    errand a chore, task.
errant
errant
  1. adj.frml.
    1 old usage looking for adventure
    2 in the wrong direction,
    THESAURUS
    off course: While golfing, he hit an errant shot into the woods.
errata
errata
  1. n.pl. errors, mistakes, usu. in printed material: We corrected the errata in the book before the new printing.
erratic
erratic
  1. adj. not working or performing consistently, irregular: Her heartbeat is erratic; it misses beats. -adv. erratically.
erroneous
erroneous
  1. adj. incorrect, wrong: He has the erroneous idea that I'm going to lend him money; I'm not. -adv. erroneously.
error
error
  1. n.
    1 [C] a mistake, an inaccuracy: He made an error in arithmetic.
    2 frml. [U] in error: mistaken: She was in error when she thought the meeting was today; it's tomorrow.
    3 frml. the error of one's ways: the wrong in one's behavior or lifestyle: The young man was always in trouble until he saw the error of his ways and made changes in his life.
    THESAURUS
    error
    1 a mistake, miscalculation, slip-up | fault, blunder, boo-boo infrml.
ersatz
ersatz
  1. adj.frml. substitute, artificial: That leather on the sofa is ersatz, not genuine. See: fake.
erstwhile
erstwhile
  1. adj.frml. former: He is her erstwhile boyfriend; she doesn't talk to him now.
erudite
erudite
  1. adj. learned, scholarly: an erudite professor -adv. eruditely; -n. [U] erudition.
erupt
erupt
  1. v. [I] to explode: A volcano erupts.||The audience erupted with laughter. -n. [C;U] eruption.
escalate
escalate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates (of prices, wages, or conflicts) to raise in level: The minor disagreement between the two countries escalated into war. -n. [U] escalation.
escalator
escalator
  1. n.
    1 a moving conveyor belt of steps: The escalators in the department store run to all six floors.
    2 an increase made on some agreed-upon basis: The wage contract has an escalator of a 5 percent wage increase on July 1.
escapade
escapade
  1. n. an adventure, esp. an illegal or dangerous one: Their last escapade got them a weekend in jail.
escape
escape
  1. v. [I;T] -caped, -caping, -capes
    1 to get away (from prison or another place of confinement): The lion escaped from its cage.
    2 to get free temporarily: We escaped to an island in the Pacific for our vacation.
    3 to manage to stay free of, to avoid: He escaped military service because of his bad eyesight.
    4 [T] to resist one's efforts to remember: Her name escapes me at the moment.n.
    1 an act of escaping: The criminal made an escape from prison.
    2 a temporary break from cares or worries: They enjoyed an escape from the city at their country house. -n. escapee.
    THESAURUS
    escape v.
    1 to break out of s.t., run away, flee
    2 to vacation, get away from it all
    3 to
    THESAURUS
    keep away from, steer clear of s.t. Ant. to remain confined.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a breakout, flight from, getaway
    2 a vacation | respite frml. Ant. confinement.
escape clause
escape clause
  1. n. a part of a contract stating conditions that would free a person, company, etc., from it: The actor insisted on an escape clause releasing him if filming did not begin by June 1.
escapist
escapist
  1. n.adj. s.o. who escapes boring or unpleasant realities of life through fantasy or entertainment: She prefers escapist romances for reading at the beach. -n. [U] escapism.
escargot
escargot
  1. n. an edible snail
escarole
escarole
  1. n. [U] a leafy green vegetable with frilled edges: Escarole tastes good in salads.
eschew
eschew
  1. v.frml. [T] to avoid He eschews arguments; he is quite a shy person.
escort
escort
  1. v. [T] to guide, lead: I escorted my guest to my office.n. s.o. who goes with another as a guide, guard, or companion: The Prime Minister's car has a police escort.
escrow
escrow
  1. n.
    1 money or property kept by s.o. until after two other persons, companies, etc., meet the conditions of an agreement between them: The lawyer held the escrow until the sale was complete.
    2 in escrow: in trust: The money was placed in escrow.
esophagus
esophagus
  1. n. -gi the tube running from the mouth to the stomach: Food passes down the esophagus to the stomach.
esoteric
esoteric
  1. adj. rare, specialized: That branch of mathematics is so esoteric that few study it. -adv. esoterically.
especially
especially
  1. adv.
    1 just (for a special purpose): I bought this present especially for you.
    2 to a very great degree, uncommonly: He is especially fond of Swiss cheese.
    THESAURUS
    especially
    1 solely, only, exclusively
    2 particularly, extraordinarily, above all. Ant. not especially.
espionage
espionage
  1. n. [U] an act of spying: The official was put in jail for espionage.
espouse
espouse
  1. v. [T] -poused, -pousing, -pouses
    1 to believe in and support: She espouses the view that the state should own all businesses.
    2 to speak in favor of, (syns.) to advocate, promote: He espouses socialism to all who will listen. -n. [U] espousal.
espresso
espresso
  1. n.adj. [U] a strong coffee: I like an espresso after dinner.
esprit de corps
esprit de corps
  1. n. [U] group enthusiasm,
    THESAURUS
    camaraderie: The ballet group has esprit de corps. See: élan.
essay
essay
  1. n. a short, written work on a topic presented as the author's opinion: I wrote an essay on Shakespeare for my English class.v.frml. [T] to attempt, try -n. essayist. See: fiction, USAGE NOTE.
essence
essence
  1. n.
    1 [U] the central point (issue, idea, etc.) of a subject, its substance: The essence of the matter is that the two people really love each other.
    2 [C;U] a pure substance made by crushing or boiling s.t., (syns.) a concentrate, an extract: The liquid from crushed rose petals is the essence we use.
essential
essential
  1. adj.
    1 central, major: The essential point is we must do what the contract says.
    2 necessary, required: It is essential that you deliver the message this morning.n.pl. the essentials: the things necessary to s.t.: The essentials of life are food, shelter, and clothing.
    THESAURUS
    essential adj.
    1 crucial, vital, important
    2 mandatory, obligatory. Ant. unnecessary. —n.pl. the basics.
establish
establish
  1. v. [T]
    1 to found, create: The English established a colony in Africa.
    2 to build in a secure, solid way: Over a period of years, she established a reputation as a fine lawyer.
    3 to prove, substantiate: The tourist established her identity by showing her passport.
    THESAURUS
    establish
    1 to set s.t. up, start | launch. Ant. to dissolve.
    2 to solidify, secure
    3 to verify, validate. Ant. to invalidate.
establishment
establishment
  1. n.
    1 [U] the creation or founding of s.t.: The establishment of a new business takes many years.
    2 [C] a place of business: He runs a clothing establishment in Boston.
    3 [U] the Establishment: the people with the power, influence, and money to control a society: Government officials and business leaders are part of the Establishment.
estate
estate
  1. n.
    1 a large house with much land
    2 the wealth (money, property) left by a dead person: His estate was worth a million dollars.
esteem
esteem
  1. n. [U] honor, respect, admiration: These students hold their English professor in high esteem.v.frml. [T] to honor, admire
esthetic
esthetic
  1. adj. related to art and beauty: She has a strong esthetic sense of color and texture.n.
    1 a principle of art and beauty: Harmony is an esthetic in music.
    2 pl. used with a sing. v. a branch of philosophy dealing with the nature of art and beauty: He took a course in esthetics at the university. -adv. esthetically.
estimable
estimable
  1. adj. valuable, worthy of respect: She has an estimable reputation for choosing wise investments.
estimate
estimate
  1. v. [T] -mated, -mating, -mates
    1 to make a judgment about (the price of s.t.): The dealer estimated the value of my painting at $1,000.
    2 to figure the amount or extent of, calculate: I estimated that the trip will take about two hours.n. a calculation or approximation of the value of s.t.: The mechanic gave me a rough estimate of two or three hundred dollars for the repairs to my car.
    THESAURUS
    estimate v.
    1 to evaluate, appraise, value s.t. at
    2 to figure, reckon. Ant. to know exactly. —n. an appraisal, evaluation | estimation.
estimation
estimation
  1. n. [U] evaluation of worth,
    THESAURUS
    appraisal: In my estimation, she is a good administrator.
estrange
estrange
  1. v. [T] -tranged, -tranging, -tranges to make unfriendly and distant,
    THESAURUS
    to alienate: He estranges people by his odd behavior. -n. [U] estrangement.
estranged
estranged
  1. adj. (of a married per-son or family member) separated: His estranged wife won't speak to him anymore.
estrogen
estrogen
  1. n. [U] a body chemical that regulates the production of eggs and determines other female characteristics
estuary
estuary
  1. n. -ies the place where a river meets the sea; the saltwater part of such a river: We sailed our boat down the estuary to the sea.
et al.
et al.
  1. n.pl.abbr. for et alia, (Latin for) and others: I sent a letter to everyone concerned, the chairperson, et al.
et cetera
et cetera
  1. adv. See: etc.

    USAGE NOTE: The term et cetera is used in this full-length form in speaking but not in writing. Its abbreviation, etc., is used in writing.
etc.
etc.
  1. adv.abbr. for et cetera, (Latin for) and other similar things, and so on: I told him all about the table that I need: the color, the width, the height, etc.
etch
etch
  1. v. [T] etched, etching, etches
    1 to cut lines in wood, metal, stone, or other hard substances, by using acid: The artist etched flowers in metal.
    2 fig. to leave a clear impression: Her beauty was etched deeply in his memory.
eternal
eternal
  1. adj. lasting forever, timeless: People of many religions believe that God is eternal. -adv. eternally.
eternity
eternity
  1. n.sing. [U]
    1 a time period without end: A billion years is an eternity.
    2 life after death, immortality: Many people wonder about eternity.
    3 fig. a boring time that seems endless: That play was so dull that it lasted an eternity.
ether
ether
  1. n. [U]
    1 an anesthetic (pain reliever) and agent with wide industrial uses, made from a distillation of ethyl alcohol and sulfuric acid: The doctor anesthetized the patient with ether before surgery.
    2 the highest atmosphere of the earth: The balloon flies to the upper ether.
ethereal
ethereal
  1. adj.
    1 delicate, light in weight: The ethereal ballet dancer seemed to float across the stage.
    2 not real, distant: He has vague, ethereal thoughts (ambitions, dreams, etc.). -adv. ethereally.
ethic
ethic
  1. n.
    1 moral or correct behavior: The priest spoke about the Christian ethic: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
    2 pl. a system of moral or correct conduct, moral principles: Her ethics in business are excellent.
ethical
ethical
  1. adj. related to moral or correct behavior: He found a woman's purse and did the ethical thing; he returned it to her. -adv. ethically.
ethnic
ethnic
  1. adj. related to group characteristics, such as race, country of origin, religion, or culture: The ethnic makeup of the USA is incredibly varied. -n. [C;U] ethnicity.
ethnocentric
ethnocentric
  1. adj. related to belief in the superiority of one's own people and culture
ethnology
ethnology
  1. n. [U] the study of human cultures See: anthropology.
etiquette
etiquette
  1. n. [U] the correct and expected way to behave,
    THESAURUS
    manners: Proper etiquette requires a bride to write thank-you notes for wedding gifts.
etymologist
etymologist
  1. n. an expert in the origin and history of words: She is an etymologist as well as an English professor. -n. [U] etymology.
eucalyptus
eucalyptus
  1. n. -tuses or -ti [C;U] a tall tree originally from Australia that provides wood, oil, and gum
eulogy
eulogy
  1. n.frml. -gies a speech or piece of writing full of praise for s.o. (usu. a dead person): The Vice President gave the eulogy at the general's funeral. -v. [T] eulogize.
eunuch
eunuch
  1. n. a human male whose sex organs have been removed
euphemism
euphemism
  1. n. [C;U] a mild (indirect, poetic, etc.) word or description used to replace a strong, hurtful, or offensive one: "Pass away" is a euphemism for the word "die." -adj. euphemistic; -adv. euphemistically.
euphoria
euphoria
  1. n. [U] great delight, happy excitement: He was full of euphoria when he heard the good news. -adj. euphoric; -adv. euphorically.
eureka
eureka
  1. interj. an expression of delight, esp. for a discovery: Eureka! I've found the answer!
euthanasia
euthanasia
  1. n. [U] the killing of a person who is suffering from an incurable illness,
    THESAURUS
    mercy killing
evacuate
evacuate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to leave or take people away from (because of danger),
    THESAURUS
    to vacate: The people evacuated the town because of the flood.||Soldiers helped evacuate the town.
    2 to empty, drain: The patient evacuated his bowels. -n. [C;U] evacuation; evacuee.
evade
evade
  1. v. [T] evaded, evading, evades
    1 to avoid (s.t. that one should do),
    THESAURUS
    to dodge: She evaded answering the reporter's question by changing the subject.
    2 to escape,
    THESAURUS
    to elude: The criminal evaded the police by hiding.
evaluate
evaluate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to study and make a judgment about: The committee evaluated the reports and reached a conclusion.
    2 to estimate worth, determine the value of s.t.: The buyer evaluated the property and offered $200,000 for it.
    3 to find the value of, often by substituting numbers for variables: Jeff evaluated the expression 3x to be equal to 15 when x equals 5.
    THESAURUS
    evaluate
    1 to think about s.t., judge s.t.
    2 to appraise (the value of).
evaluation
evaluation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an analysis, study: An accountant did an evaluation of the company's financial health.
    2 estimate of worth (ability, value, etc.): My boss did an evaluation of my job performance.
evangelical
evangelical
  1. adj. related to the preaching of the Gospel in the Bible: Evangelical ministers teach about Jesus Christ in their sermons. -n. [U] evangelism ; evangelist.
evaporate
evaporate
  1. v. -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 [I,T] to change from a liquid into a vapor: Water evaporates from lakes and oceans.
    2 [I] fig. to disappear, vanish: Without a job, her savings evaporated. -n. [U] evaporation.
evasion
evasion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a statement or action that avoids what should be said or done: tax evasion||an evasion of the truth
    2 [U] escape, avoidance: The criminal's evasion of the police lasted for days.
evasive
evasive
  1. adj.
    1 not direct, clear, or frank,
    THESAURUS
    ambiguous: He's always evasive and seldom gives a clear answer.
    2 designed to deceive or elude: An enemy airplane appeared, and we took evasive action to get away from it. -n. evasiveness; -adv. evasively.
eve
eve
  1. n.sing.
    1 the evening before an event, esp. a holiday: We celebrated on New Year's Eve.
    2 a period just before an event: In 1917, Russia was on the eve of revolution.
even-tempered
even-tempered
  1. adj. not easily angered, calm: Our family dog is very even-tempered, even if the children hurt her.
even
even
  1. adj.
    1 the same in measurement (distance, height, etc.): The pieces of wood are even in length.||The two children are of even height.
    2 the same (in place, score, etc.) in a contest, tied: The two runners were even at the finish line.
    3 smooth, level: The table has an even finish, with no bumps.
    4 (of numbers) exactly divisible by 2: The numbers 2, 4, and 6 are even; 1, 3, and 5 are odd numbers.
    5 fig. on equal terms after repayment of a debt: Here's the $20 that I owe you; now we're even.
    6 fig. on equal terms after repayment of some hurt or insult: One man insulted the other, and the other insulted him back; then they were even.
    7 to break even: to neither win nor lose: We finally broke even on the deal, as we got back the amount we invested in it.
    8 to get even: to (try to) punish s.o. for some hurt or insult: When the outlaw shot my brother, I vowed to get even.
    9 to get or give s.o. an even break: to treat s.o. fairly and honestly: With the new employment law, minorities will finally get an even break in being hired.
    THESAURUS
    even adj.
    1 the same
    2 tied, neck-and-neck
    3 clear, without imperfections
    5 paid up. Ants. uneven, unequal. —adv.
    1 more, to a greater extent: He makes things even better (worse, harder, etc.) than they were by acting the way he does.
    2 so little as: She left him without even a word of explanation.||She didn't even call her mother on Mother's Day.
    3 used to give force to a comparison: Even a child would have known what to do (so that adult should have known).
    4 even if: no matter if, although: He says he'll finish the job even if it kills him!
    5 even so: nonetheless, despite that: I know you are tired, but even so, you have to go to school.v.
    1 [I;T] to make equal, the same (height, length, etc., or smooth, flat, etc.): I'll even the surface of this table by sanding it down.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to even s.t. out: to come into balance or stability: He had some bad luck; then he evened out his business, and he's doing well now.||He evened it out.
    3 to even the odds: to put competitors on a more equal basis: Their team has beaten ours every year, but we have a new star player now, and that will even the odds.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to even up: a. to become equal: Our team evened up the score in the last half of the game.||We evened it up. b. to make the same: I evened up the length of those pieces of wood.||I evened them up. -adv. evenly; -n. evenness.
evenhanded
evenhanded
  1. adj. treating people justly, fair: The judge is evenhanded; she treats the poor and the rich with equal justice. -adv. evenhandedly.
evening
evening
  1. n. [C;U] the period generally between 6:00 P.M. and midnight: We went to a movie yesterday evening.adv. evenings usually or regularly in the evening: Evenings, we sit at home and watch television.
    THESAURUS
    evening n. (after) sundown, twilight hours, (after) dusk. Ant. morning.
event
event
  1. n.
    1 a happening, esp. an important one: The events that led to the war were complex and numerous.
    2 a competition, contest: I entered the 10K run, an event in which I specialize.
    3 an entertainment, gathering: The showing of Impressionist paintings at the museum is quite an event.
    THESAURUS
    event
    1 an occurrence, incident
    2 race, match, game
    3 activity, amusement.
eventful
eventful
  1. adj.
    1 full of important happenings: The evening was quite eventful, full of pleasant surprises.
    2 historic,
    THESAURUS
    momentous: The political meetings were eventful because of the agreements signed during them. -adv. eventfully.
eventual
eventual
  1. adj. happening later,
    THESAURUS
    ultimate: The tennis match was long, but he was the eventual winner. -adv. eventually.
eventuality
eventuality
  1. n. -ties a possible happening, situation, or result: In the eventuality that you are able to get tickets, would you buy one for me, too?
ever
ever
  1. adv.
    1 at any time: Is he ever on time?||Don't ever do that again!||It was the best movie I've ever seen.
    2 always, at all times: The instructor is ever patient with her students.
    3 (used to add force to a question): Where ever have you been all this time? ||Who ever would do such a crazy thing?prefix ever- always: the ever-popular chocolate chip cookie
everglade
everglade
  1. n. a flat, swampy area full of marsh grass and waterways: The Everglades in south Florida are famous for their beautiful pink birds called flamingos.
evergreen
evergreen
  1. n.adj. a conifer tree with needles as leaves that stay green all year: The pine on our lawn is an evergreen; it's an evergreen tree.
everlasting
everlasting
  1. adj.
    1 timeless,
    THESAURUS
    eternal: I love the everlasting beauty of nature.
    2 fig. boring without end,
    THESAURUS
    tedious: No one can stand his everlasting stories.
evermore
evermore
  1. adv.frml. from now on, forever: You should be thankful now and evermore for what he did for you. See: forever.
every
every
  1. adj.
    1 each: Every driver must have a license.
    2 once in each (period of time): You must take your medicine every two hours.
    3 every bit as: just as, equally: She is every bit as worried as you are.
    4 every man for himself: caring for one's own safety without regard for others: The ship is sinking! It's every man for himself!
    5 every now and then or every so often: once in a while, occasionally: She stops by to see me every now and then.
    6 every other: choosing one of each two in a sequence: The mayor serves a two-year term, so elections are held every other November.
    7 every Tom, Dick, and Harry: all ordinary people: Every Tom, Dick, and Harry wears jeans now.
    8 every which way: mixed up, out of order: No one can find anything on his desk, because he leaves his papers and files every which way.
everybody
everybody
  1. pron. everyone, all persons: Everybody who wants to go fishing should let me know.
    THESAURUS
    everybody one and all, every person. Ant. nobody.
everyday
everyday
  1. adj. ordinary, common, routine: She takes care of everyday decisions for her boss.
everyone
everyone
  1. pron. everybody, all persons: Everyone must eat in order to live.
    THESAURUS
    everyone one and all, every person. Ant. no one.
everything
everything
  1. pron.
    1 all things: Everything in the kitchen was destroyed by the fire.
    2 all that is important in life: Her health is everything to her.
    THESAURUS
    everything
    1 all, the whole lot
    2 the whole world, the main thing or concern. Ant. nothing.
everywhere
everywhere
  1. adv. in all places: I lost my keys and looked everywhere for them.
    THESAURUS
    everywhere all over, all over the place, far and wide. Ant. nowhere.
evict
evict
  1. v. [T] to force out of a property by threat, law, or physical force: They did not pay the rent on their apartment for three months, so the landlord evicted them. -n. [C;U] eviction.
evidence
evidence
  1. n.
    1 [U] words or objects that support the truth of s.t., proof: The lawyer presented the murder weapon as evidence in court.
    2 in evidence: present and easily seen: There were reporters in evidence at the scene of the crime.v.frml. [T] -denced, -dencing, -dences to show, demonstrate: The murder suspect evidenced surprise upon seeing the weapon in court. -adj. evidential .
    THESAURUS
    evidence n.
    1 support, confirmation | facts, data. —v. to display, express.
evident
evident
  1. adj. plain, clear, obvious: It is evident that he is guilty; his fingerprints were found at the crime scene.
evidently
evidently
  1. adv. as it appears, seemingly,
    THESAURUS
    apparently: Evidently, he likes music so much that he's taking piano lessons.
evil-minded
evil-minded
  1. adj. thinking of how to harm people,
    THESAURUS
    malicious: Criminals scheme to hurt people; they are evil-minded.
evil
evil
  1. adj. extremely bad, wicked: He tries to hurt people; he's evil. -adv. evilly.n. [C;U] extremely bad behavior, wickedness, corruption: The world is full of both good and evil.
    THESAURUS
    evil adj. immoral, sinful. Ant. good. —n. badness, immorality, sin. Ant. goodness.
eviscerate
eviscerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to cut the insides out of, to gut: The hunter eviscerated the dead deer. -n. evisceration.
evoke
evoke
  1. v. [T] evoked, evoking, evokes to bring out a feeling, response,
    THESAURUS
    to elicit: The poetry evoked a feeling of love in the reader. -adj. evocative.
evolution
evolution
  1. n. [U] the development of living things (cultures, ideas, etc.): The evolution of the computer was rapid. -adj. evolutionary.
evolve
evolve
  1. v. [I;T] evolved, evolving, evolves to develop, change: Agriculture evolved slowly over thousands of years.
ewe
ewe
  1. n. a mature female sheep: The ewes have a full coat of wool now.
ex
ex
  1. n. exes
    1 the letter x
    2 slang short for ex-wife or ex-husband, one's former spouse: My ex and I are still friends.prefix ex- former: She is ex-treasurer of the company, now retired.
ex post facto
ex post facto
  1. adv.adj.phr. (Latin for) after the fact: He should have stated his views first, rather than ex post facto, when it was too late.
exacerbate
exacerbate
  1. v. [T] -bated, -bating, -bates to make worse,
    THESAURUS
    to aggravate: I hurt my foot, and walking on it exacerbated the pain.
exact
exact
  1. adj. accurate, precise: He gave me the exact cost (measurements, requirements, etc.) of the item.v.frml. [T] to demand and get, extract: The law exacts severe penalties for not paying one's taxes. -n. exactness; [U] exactitude.
    THESAURUS
    exact adj. correct, specific. Ant. incorrect.
exactly
exactly
  1. adv.
    1 accurately, precisely: The job must be done exactly as she wants it done.||The race is exactly ten kilometers long.
    2 exclam. Right! I agree!: Exactly! You've said just what I was thinking.
exaggerate
exaggerate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to say s.t. is better, worse, more important, etc., than it really is, overstate: He said he caught a fish as long as his arm, but I think he was exaggerating. -n. [U] exaggeration.
    THESAURUS
    exaggerate to inflate s.t., magnify, tell tall tales | make a mountain out of a molehill. Ant. to downplay s.t.
exalt
exalt
  1. v. [T] to praise highly, honor: The nobles exalted the king by telling him how wonderful he was. -n. [U] exaltation . See: exult.
exam
exam
  1. n.short for examination: I have to take a science exam (driver's license exam, medical exam, etc.) tomorrow.
    THESAURUS
    exam examination, test, final | quiz, assessment.
examination
examination
  1. n.
    1 [C] a test of one's knowledge: I took an examination in English yesterday.
    2 [C;U] an inspection and analysis: The doctor gave me a physical examination. See: test, USAGE NOTE.
examine
examine
  1. v. [T] -ined, -ining, -ines
    1 to look at closely, scrutinize: The mechanic examined the motor for defects.||The doctor examined a patient.
    2 to question (s.o.) to test their knowledge or to get information: Lawyers examine witnesses in court.
    THESAURUS
    examine
    1 to inspect, study s.t. closely. Ant. to ignore.
    2 to probe into s.t., interrogate s.o.
examiner
examiner
  1. n.
    1 a person who gives spoken or written examinations to others: She is an examiner for the state government.
    2 an inspector: He is an insurance examiner and visits damaged property.
example
example
  1. n.
    1 a sample, case, or instance illustrating s.t.: The sales representative showed an example of her new product.
    2 for example: as a model of the kind of person or thing I mean: He wants a luxury car, a Mercedes, for example.
    3 to make an example of s.o.: to punish s.o. in order to make others behave correctly: The boy talked in class, and the teacher made an example of him by making him stand in the corner.
    4 to set an example or a good example: to behave in the way others should: She is an excellent worker; she sets an example for others in her company.
    THESAURUS
    example
    1 a sample, specimen | illustration, model.
exasperate
exasperate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to anger and frustrate: Time after time, he refused to cooperate; he exasperated me completely. -n. [U] exasperation; -adj. exasperating.
excavate
excavate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to remove the earth from an area: The workers excavated the earth to make a foundation for the building.
    2 to uncover by digging: Archeologists excavated ancient ruins in Egypt. -n. [C;U] excavation.
excavator
excavator
  1. n. a machine used to dig holes in the earth: A bulldozer is one kind of excavator.
exceed
exceed
  1. v. [T]
    1 to be more than (what is expected): Sales of the new product exceeded our estimates.
    2 to do or say more than (what is needed, allowed, etc.): The manager exceeded the bounds of her authority by spending too much money.
exceedingly
exceedingly
  1. adv. very, extremely: We had an exceedingly good (bad, boring, etc.) time at the party.
excel
excel
  1. v. [I] -celled, -celling, -cels
    1 to do very well: She excels at swimming (solving problems, singing, etc.).
    2 to perform much better than others: He excels in running; he's the fastest on the team.
excellent
excellent
  1. adj. very high in quality: The violinist gave an excellent performance; everyone applauded loudly. -n. [U] excellence; -adv. excellently.
    THESAURUS
    excellent outstanding, superior | first-rate, first-class | wonderful, awesome. Ants. inferior, second-rate.
except
except
  1. prep. excluding: Everyone was invited except me.conj. but: I would lend you the money except that I don't have any.v. [T] to exclude, leave out, omit: The army called men to serve, but they excepted men with wives and children.
exception
exception
  1. n. [C]
    1 s.t. unusual: He is usually on time; his lateness today is an exception.
    2 [C;U] s.o. or s.t. that is left out: Everyone is here with the exception of one person.
    3 an exception to the rule: s.o. or s.t. that is different from what is expected: Most basketball players are very tall, but he's an exception to the rule; he's short.
    4 to make an exception (to the rule): to depart from the usual practice: No one is allowed to enter without written permission, but we'll make an exception and let you go in.
    5 to take exception to s.t.: to disagree with s.t.
    THESAURUS
    exception
    1 a special case, rarity, oddity
    2 an omission, exclusion. Ant. a regularity.
exceptional
exceptional
  1. adj. unusual and excellent, (syns.) outstanding, admirable: The pianist gave an exceptional performance; it was great! -adv. exceptionally.
excerpt
excerpt
  1. n. a part quoted from a larger written or spoken work: The newspaper gave a short excerpt from the speech.v. [T] to quote such a part: The paper excerpted parts of her speech.
    THESAURUS
    excerpt n. a quotation, selection, extract, section of s.t. —v. to quote, select, extract s.t.
excess
excess
  1. n.
    1 an amount that is more than what is needed or wanted: We have an excess of paperwork under the present system.
    2 [C;U] an act of doing too much of s.t.: He spends too much money; his excesses put him into debt.
    3 in excess of: more than: Trucks weighing in excess of five tons cannot use this bridge.
    4 to be given to excess: to tend to do too much without considering the risks, to be reckless: She is given to excess; she goes on shopping binges she can't afford.
    5 to excess: too much: They drink to excess.
excessive
excessive
  1. adj. too much, beyond acceptable limits: Their drinking is excessive; they are drunk every night. -adv. excessively.
exchange
exchange
  1. n.
    1 [C] a place where transactions are made: At the stock exchange, securities are bought and sold.
    2 [C;U] a trade, transaction: I gave him $50 for his power saw, and the exchange was made at his house.||I gave him $50 in exchange for his saw.
    3 [C] a giving and receiving of words, ideas, etc., in speaking or writing: There was an exchange of opinion between the speakers.v. [T] -changed, -changing, -changes
    1 to give and receive (one thing in place of another), to trade: People exchange money for goods in stores.
    2 to return (s.t.) to a store and get another in its place: She went back to the store and exchanged the shirt, because her husband didn't like the color.
    3 to communicate: We exchanged ideas during the meeting.
    THESAURUS
    exchange v.
    1 to trade, swap, barter (s.t. for s.t. else)
    2 to switch, substitute (s.t. for s.t. else)
    3 to discuss, have a give-and-take.
exchange rate
exchange rate
  1. n. the price at which one country's money may be traded for another's: What is today's exchange rate for the Japanese yen?
exchange student
exchange student
  1. n. a student from another country or college who studies in a foreign country: That woman from Spain is now an exchange student at California State University, Northridge.
excise
excise
  1. v.frml. [T] -cised, -cising, -cises to remove, usu. by cutting: The doctor excised the man's appendix with a scalpel. -n. [C;U] excision.
excise tax
excise tax
  1. n. taxes in USA, a fee or tax on certain products or licenses: Governments place excise taxes on tobacco and liquor.
excitable
excitable
  1. adj. easily excited, (syns.) temperamental, emotional: He is very excitable; he gets angry very quickly.
excite
excite
  1. v. [T] -cited, -citing, -cites
    1 to cause s.o. to feel delight: The band played louder and excited the audience.
    2 to cause s.o. to act: The politician's speech to the crowd excited them into a frenzy. -adj. exciting; -n. [U] excitation .
    THESAURUS
    excite
    1 to thrill s.o., electrify
    2 to arouse s.o., inspire, provoke. Ant. to bore s.o.
excited
excited
  1. adj.
    1 filled with a strong pleasant feeling, (syns.) enthusiastic, eager: She is excited about going on vacation.
    2 thrilled, delighted: She was excited by the surprise party. -adv. excitedly.
excitement
excitement
  1. n. [U] a strong, pleasant feeling
    THESAURUS
    exhilaration: The children felt great excitement on the rollercoaster ride.
exclaim
exclaim
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to cry out, shout: "I'm insulted!" he exclaimed. -n. exclamation -adj. exclamatory.
exclamation point
exclamation point
  1. n. a punctuation symbol (!) used for emphasis or forceful expression (anger, surprise, delight, etc.): Ouch! I hit my finger with the hammer!
exclude
exclude
  1. v. [T] -cluded, -cluding, -cludes
    1 not to include, leave out,
    THESAURUS
    to omit: I put all but one ingredient into the soup; I excluded the hot peppers.
    2 to keep out, (syns.) to prohibit, ban: The restaurant excludes anyone who is not properly dressed from entering. -n. [U] exclusion.
exclusive
exclusive
  1. adj.
    1 limited to people with a lot of money and high social position, (syns.) restricted, prestigious: an exclusive club||an exclusive neighborhood
    2 belonging to one person, company, or contract: Our company has the exclusive rights to distribute that product.
    3 exclusive of: not including or considering —n.fig. a sole right: We have an exclusive on that product; no one else can sell it. -adv. exclusively; -n. [U] exclusivity.
excommunicate
excommunicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to prohibit from receiving the holy blessings, esp. in the Roman Catholic Church: When the divorced man remarried, he was excommunicated. -n. [C;U] excommunication.
excrement
excrement
  1. n.frml. [U] solid waste matter from the body, feces: Excrement is flushed away in toilets.
excrete
excrete
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -creted, -creting, -cretes
    1 to eliminate waste, esp. feces
    2 to send out, esp. waste products: Sweat is excreted through pores in the skin. -n. [C;U] excretion.
excruciating
excruciating
  1. adj. extremely painful,
    THESAURUS
    agonizing: I have an excruciating stomachache (headache, back pain, etc.). -adv. excruciatingly.
excursion
excursion
  1. n. a trip, esp. a short one, for pleasure: We took an excursion to Alaska on a cruise ship.
excuse
excuse
  1. v. [T] -cused, -cusing, -cuses
    1 to pardon: She excused him for being late.
    2 to allow to leave: The teacher excused the students, and they left class.
    3 to give acceptable reasons for a wrong: His being sick excused his absence from work.
    4 Excuse me: an expression used to get s.o.'s attention, esp. a stranger's, or to apologize for a small offense: Excuse me, is this seat free?||Oh, excuse me! I stepped on your toe!
    5 to excuse oneself: to leave a group of people politely: I excused myself from the dinner table to make a phone call.n. [C;U]
    1 a reason given to explain a wrong or an offense: He had a good excuse for not doing his report; his father had died.
    2 a poor excuse for: an inferior substitute for: What a poor excuse for a report; a child could have written a better one!
    3 to make excuses: to give reasons (usu. untrue or unacceptable ones) for not doing s.t. expected: She made excuses about being sick and not being able to pay her bills.
    THESAURUS
    excuse v.
    1 to forgive s.o. | overlook, disregard
    2 to dismiss s.o., release s.o.
    3 to
    THESAURUS
    justify s.t. Ants. to blame, accuse s.o. —n.
    1 justification, acceptable explanation.
exec
exec
  1. n.infrml.short for executive: After the meeting, the execs all went out to lunch.
execrable
execrable
  1. adj.frml. very bad,
    THESAURUS
    abominable: He made an execrable decision and was fired for it.
execute
execute
  1. v. [T] -cuted, -cuting, -cutes
    1 to put to death, kill, esp. by government or military: Soldiers executed the traitor by shooting him.
    2 to perform, carry out: A computer executes the commands given to it.
    3 to make s.t. legal, esp. by signing it: We executed the contract by signing it yesterday.
    THESAURUS
    execute
    1 to carry out capital punishment
    2 to put into effect, do | accomplish
    3 to sign, administer, fulfill.
execution
execution
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the act of putting s.o. to death: The execution of the murderer will take place tomorrow.
    2 [U] the performance or carrying out, such as of a contract or order: The execution of the plan will take weeks. See: capital punishment.
executioner
executioner
  1. n. a person who puts another to death
executive
executive
  1. n. a manager or administrator in a company or institution who has the power to spend money, hire, and fire employees, etc.: She is an executive with a bank.adj.
    1 related to the responsibilities of an executive: As a bank officer, she has the executive authority to approve loans.
    2 in USA, related to the President, his or her powers, cabinet, and staff: the Executive branch of government
    THESAURUS
    executive n. decision-maker, officer. Ant. worker.
    THESAURUS
    —adj.
    1 decision-making, managerial, administrative.
executive officer
executive officer
  1. n.
    1 a business executive in charge of day-to-day business: The executive officer in our company has all department heads reporting to her.
    2 a military officer second in command
executive secretary
executive secretary
  1. n. -ies a secretary with superior skills who works for an executive and often does important projects: My executive secretary writes all my letters and places purchase orders for the company. See: administrative assistant.
executor
executor
  1. n. a person appointed in the will of a dead person or by a court to carry out the wishes expressed in the will: The son is the executor of his father's estate.
exemplary
exemplary
  1. adj. outstanding, worthy of imitation: The young girl's playing at the piano recital was exemplary.
exemplify
exemplify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to serve as an example, illustrate: Her willingness to accept more responsibility exemplifies her desire to succeed. -n. exemplification.
exempt
exempt
  1. v. [T] adj. to exclude or free from a duty, restriction, etc.: The court exempted me from jury duty because I'm a minister.||My being a minister made me exempt.
exemption
exemption
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 freedom from a duty, requirement, or restriction: He received an exemption from military duty because he is disabled.
    2 s.t. that frees a person from owing tax money: You can claim these expenses as exemptions when you file your income taxes.
exercise
exercise
  1. v. -cised, -cising, -cises
    1 [I;T] to do physical activities to strengthen the body: I exercise by lifting weights and jogging.
    2 [T] frml. to use (one's rights, power, etc.): In a democracy, the people can exercise their right to vote.n.
    1 [C;U] physical movements to train and strengthen the body: Every morning, I do sit-ups and other exercises.||He doesn't get much exercise.
    2 [C] a question or task for mental training: The teacher gives the students exercises in math.
    3 sing. [U] a use of power: She stopped smoking cigarettes by an exercise of willpower.
    4 an exercise in futility: a useless activity: He tries to lose weight but puts it back on again; his dieting is an exercise in futility.
    THESAURUS
    exercise v.
    1 to work out, keep fit, be physically active. Ant. to be sedentary.
    2 to utilize, take advantage of.
exert
exert
  1. v. [T]
    1 to act with power, force, influence, etc.: The manager exerted her authority and demanded better performance from her employees.
    2 to exert oneself: to try hard, esp. physically: He exerted himself to get good grades (or) to reach the top of the mountain.
exertion
exertion
  1. n.
    1 [U] physical work: Walking up stairs requires exertion.
    2 [C;U] a use or an act of power, influence, force, etc.: The exertion of authority is to tell others what to do.
exhale
exhale
  1. v. [I;T] -haled, -haling, -hales to let out air from the lungs: The doctor told me to exhale as she listened to my heartbeat. -n.[C;U] exhalation.
exhaust
exhaust
  1. v. [T]
    1 to use completely, run out of: We have exhausted our supply of pencils and must order more.
    2 to treat thoroughly: We exhausted one topic of discussion and started another.
    3 to make very tired, wear s.o. out: Waking up several times a night to feed her baby exhausted the new mother.n. discharge in the form of smoke, steam, etc.: Exhaust from a car's engine escapes through the tailpipe.
    THESAURUS
    exhaust v.
    1 to deplete, use s.t. up, finish s.t. | consume. Ants. to build s.t. up, amass.
    2 to
    THESAURUS
    run through s.t., complete s.t.
    3 to fatigue, overtire s.o. Ant. to energize s.o.
exhausted
exhausted
  1. adj. & v.past part. extremely tired: After the long race, the runners felt exhausted.
exhausting
exhausting
  1. adj. very tiring: I've had an exhausting day, so I'm going to bed.
exhaustion
exhaustion
  1. n. [U] complete tiredness, fatigue: She worked all night and is suffering from exhaustion.
exhaustive
exhaustive
  1. adj. complete, thorough: A committee made an exhaustive study of the labor problem and gave recommendations. -adv. exhaustively.
exhibit
exhibit
  1. v. [T]
    1 to show, display: A museum exhibits paintings for people to see.
    2 frml. to demonstrate, perform: She exhibited great patience by not becoming angry with the noisy child.n. a display: We visited an art exhibit at the museum. -n. exhibitor.
    THESAURUS
    exhibit v.
    1 to put s.t. on view | make s.t. public
    2 to show, display s.t. Ant. to hide s.t. —n. a show, an exposition, public display.
exhibition
exhibition
  1. n.
    1 a display (of art, products, etc.): I enjoyed the art exhibition at the museum.
    2 to make an exhibition of oneself: to behave in a way that causes embarrassment: He drank too much and made an exhibition of himself at the wedding.
exhibitionist
exhibitionist
  1. n. a person who behaves or dresses in an unusual way to get attention: He dresses in bright pink clothes to shock people; he's an exhibitionist. -n. [U] exhibitionism.
exhilarate
exhilarate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to make s.o. feel strong and happy, (syns.) to invigorate, enliven: The cold autumn air exhilarates me. -adj. exhilarating; -n. [U] exhilaration.
exhort
exhort
  1. v.frml. [T] to urge with strong argument: The politician exhorted the people to vote for her. -n.[C;U] exhortation.
exhume
exhume
  1. v. [T] -humed, -huming, -humes to remove s.t., usu. a dead body, from its burial place -n. [C;U] exhumation.
exigency
exigency
  1. n. -cies an urgent need, emergency -adj. exigent.
exile
exile
  1. v. [T] -iled, -iling, -iles to force s.o. out of his or her home country,
    THESAURUS
    to deport: The government exiled him because of his radical politics.n.
    1 a forced absence from one's country: Napoleon died in exile in 1821.
    2 s.o. who has been exiled, (syns.) a deportee, a refugee: She fled her country and became an exile in Canada.
exist
exist
  1. v. [I]
    1 to be present physically or emotionally: Poverty and hatred exist all over the world.
    2 to live with difficulty, subsist: Poor people exist on very little money. -adj. existing.
    THESAURUS
    exist
    1 to occur, happen, take place. Ant. to disappear.
    2 to survive on, get by on. Ant. to prosper.
existence
existence
  1. n.
    1 [U] the presence of s.t. in the real world: The existence of poverty in America surprises many foreign visitors.
    2 sing. a type of life: People in the mountains lead a simple existence. -adj. existent.
    THESAURUS
    existence
    1 reality, actuality
    2 life | survival, subsistence. Ant. nonexistence.
exit
exit
  1. v. [I;T] to leave, depart: We exited the building through a side door.n. a door or passageway leading outside: A movie theater has exits on three sides.
exit poll
exit poll
  1. n. a survey asking voters as they leave the polling places which candidates and propositions they voted for: The exit polls done by the television stations indicate that the President will be reelected.
exodus
exodus
  1. n. -es
    1 a departure or withdrawal of large numbers of people: The exodus of the Jews from Egypt was a slow and dangerous journey.
    2 sing. a hurried escape by many people: When the people in the town learned their water was poisoned, there was a mass exodus from the area.
exonerate
exonerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to clear a person from guilt,
    THESAURUS
    to absolve: He was charged with fraud, but the trial exonerated him. -n. [U] exoneration.
exorbitant
exorbitant
  1. adj. much too high, (syns.) excessive, outrageous: During the lettuce shortage, many stores charged exorbitant prices for it. -n. [U] exorbitance.
exorcise
exorcise
  1. v. [T] -cised, -cising, -cises to remove evil from s.o.: The priest exorcised the devil from the young woman. -n. [U] exorcism; exorcist.
exotic
exotic
  1. adj. unusual and attractive, esp. from other countries: The exotic plants from the tropics are especially beautiful.
expand
expand
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to grow larger, (syns.) to enlarge, swell: The balloon expanded, then exploded.
    2 to increase, or make larger (in size, number, etc.): The company expanded its sales force from 10 to 20 representatives.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to expand on or upon s.t.: to explain or add details to,
    THESAURUS
    to elaborate: The speaker made a brief introduction, then expanded upon her subject. -adj. expanded.
expanse
expanse
  1. n. a large, wide open area: We left the mountains and entered the vast expanse of farmland.
expansion
expansion
  1. n. [C;U] an en-largement, increase: The company is hiring more people and is going through an expansion. -adj. expansionary; expansionist.
expansive
expansive
  1. adj. friendly and generous: The father was in an expansive mood and gave presents to all of his children. -adv. expansively.
expatriate
expatriate
  1. n.
    1 a person from one country who lives in another country
    2 a person who gives up (renounces) his or her country: A group of expatriates from the USA live in Paris.
expect
expect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to think (s.t. will hap-pen or s.o. will come): I expect him (to arrive) very soon.
    2 to want and believe (that s.o. will do s.t.): The mother told her little boy that she expected him to behave in school.
    3 to be expecting (a baby): to be pregnant: She is expecting a baby in May.
    THESAURUS
    expect
    1 to plan on s.t., look forward to | envision frml.
    2 to demand, require | count on. Ant. to disbelieve.
expectant
expectant
  1. pregnant: She is six months pregnant; she's an expectant mother. -n. [U] expectancy.
expectation
expectation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 hope, desire: He has expectations that he will make a lot of money.
    2 to live or come up to s.o.'s expectations: to be as good as s.o. expected: He tries hard to live up to his parents' expectations.
expedient
expedient
  1. adj.
    1 effective in quickly solving an urgent problem: My car broke down, so I rented one; it was the expedient thing to do so I could attend the meeting.
    2 based on one's interest rather than on what is right or just: The politician made an expedient decision to vote for the tax cut. -adv. expediently; -n.[C;U] expediency.
expedite
expedite
  1. v. [T] -dited, -diting, -dites to do s.t. faster than usual, process rapidly: The company expedited the shipment by sending it overnight by air. -n. expediter.
expedition
expedition
  1. adj. a journey usu. made by a group organized and equipped for a special purpose: Admiral Byrd made an expedition to reach the North Pole. -adj. expeditionary.
expeditious
expeditious
  1. adj.frml. done quickly and well: The airline handled my luggage in an expeditious manner; I got it back quickly. -adv. expeditiously.
expel
expel
  1. v. [T] -pelled, -pelling, -pels
    1 to send away for a reason, (syns.) to dismiss, eject: The principal expelled the troublemaking student from school.
    2 frml. to force out, (syns.) to emit, discharge: The volcano expels smoke.
expend
expend
  1. v. [T] to spend or use (resources such as money, time, energy, etc.): The company expends funds on purchases each week.||She expended a great deal of effort to learn French.
expendable
expendable
  1. adj. not needed,
    THESAURUS
    dispensable: When traveling, things that seem necessary at home may become expendable.
expenditure
expenditure
  1. n. [C;U] the spending or using (of resources such as money, time, energy, etc.): The company has made several big expenditures on new equipment.||The expenditure of so much time on that project was worthwhile; it's a success.
expense
expense
  1. n.
    1 [U] a cost, price: The expense of moving from one house to another is high.
    2 [C] s.t. that must be paid, (syns.) a disbursement, expenditure: The company expenses are increasing.
    3 at s.o.'s expense: with harm, suffering, or financial cost to s.o.: He got the praise at her expense, because she did most of the work.
    4 at the expense of: causing a loss to: He succeeded in business at the expense of his personal life.
expense account
expense account
  1. n. a budget to pay for s.o.'s business expenses, such as travel and entertainment: Advertising executives have large expense accounts they use for travel and taking clients to dinner.
expensive
expensive
  1. adj. costly, high-priced: He gives expensive gifts to his family at Christmastime. -adv. expensively.
    THESAURUS
    expensive pricey, dear frml. | overpriced, unreasonable. Ants. cheap, inexpensive.
experience
experience
  1. n.
    1 [U] an event, a happening: Our visit to Alaska was a pleasant experience.
    2 [U] understanding gained through doing s.t.: She has years of experience in teaching.v. [T] -enced, -encing, -ences to feel or know by personal involvement in: She has experienced difficulties (satisfaction, success, etc.) in her new job.
    THESAURUS
    experience n.
    1 an affair, episode, occurrence
    2 practice, training, personal
    THESAURUS
    knowledge. Ant. inexperience. —v. to be involved in s.t., sense, feel. Ant. to miss s.t.
experienced
experienced
  1. adj. having background in an area: She is an experienced secretary.
    THESAURUS
    experienced qualified, well-versed in s.t., skilled, veteran. Ant. inexperienced.
experiment
experiment
  1. n.
    1 a test done to see if s.t. works or happens: We do experiments in chemistry class each week.
    2 a test project undertaken to see whether more of s.t. should be done: We marketed the product in five cities as an experiment to see if we should market it nationwide.v. [I]
    1 to test: We experimented with magnetism in the physics laboratory.
    2 to try s.t.: The company experimented with different sales techniques. -n. [U] experimentalism; [U] experimentation.
    THESAURUS
    experiment n.
    1 a procedure, research
    2 a tryout, an exploration.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to research, follow procedures
    2 to try s.t. out, explore s.t. Ant. to remain inactive.
experimental
experimental
  1. adj. related to experiments: Our company opened an office in London on an experimental basis, then closed it after low sales. -adv. experimentally.
expert
expert
  1. n. a master at s.t., authority: She is an expert with computers.adj. very knowledgeable or skilled, highly competent: He is an expert shot with a pistol. -adv. expertly; -n. [U] expertness.
    THESAURUS
    expert n. an authority, specialist, whiz at s.t. —adj. highly trained, authoritative, professional. Ant. inexperienced.
expertise
expertise
  1. n. [U] a special skill in doing s.t.: He has expertise in computer programming.
expiration
expiration
  1. n. [U] a date at which s.t. is no longer valid: The expiration of my passport (driver's license, credit card, etc.) meant I had to get a new one.
expire
expire
  1. v. [I] -pired, -piring, -pires to cease to be valid,
    THESAURUS
    to lapse: My driver's license expires in June.
explain
explain
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to give information about, make clear, to explicate: The instructor explained the causes of the French Revolution.
    2 to give reasons for: He explained why he was late.
    THESAURUS
    explain
    1 to describe in detail, make s.t. plain, spell s.t. out | expound upon s.t. frml.
    THESAURUS
    2 to account for s.t., justify. Ant. to gloss over s.t.
explanation
explanation
  1. n. informa-tion given to help s.o. understand: The computer salesperson gave an explanation of how to use that computer. -adj. explanatory.
expletive
expletive
  1. n.frml. an obscene word or remark, usu. made in anger: That film is full of expletives.
explicable
explicable
  1. adj. capable of being explained: That situation is explicable if you understand the motives of the people involved.
explicate
explicate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to explain, make clear: The instructor explicated the theory of relativity. -n. [C;U] explication.
explicit
explicit
  1. adj.
    1 precise, clear: She gave explicit directions on how to get to the train station.
    2 giving every detail openly: That film has explicit sex scenes in it. -adv. explicitly; -n. [U] explicitness.
explode
explode
  1. v. -ploded, -ploding, -plodes
    1 [I;T] to blow apart with force, burst: A bomb exploded on the battlefield.||Terrorists exploded a bomb.
    2 fig. [I] to express sudden violent anger: He exploded when he heard the bad news.
    THESAURUS
    explode
    1 to blow up, go off, detonate
    2 to become enraged, furious. Ant. to remain calm.
exploit
exploit
  1. v. [T]
    1 to use or develop to a good purpose: The country exploits its natural resources in coal and timber.
    2 to treat unfairly, take advantage of: He exploited workers by paying them very little.n. an adventure, feat: Her exploits as a safari guide are legendary. -adj. exploitive; -n. [U] exploitation.
exploration
exploration
  1. n.
    1 [C] a journey of discovery, a search: the exploration of space (the moon, the oceans)
    2 [C;U] an examination, study: We began an exploration of ideas for new products. -adj. exploratory.
explore
explore
  1. v. -plored, -ploring, -plores
    1 [I;T] to travel into in order to learn about: The children went to explore the playground.
    2 [T] to investigate, study: Scientists explore theories of the beginning of the universe. -n. explorer.
    THESAURUS
    explore
    1 to scout s.t., travel over s.t., survey
    2 to look into s.t., examine, delve into. Ant. to ignore.
explosion
explosion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a blowing apart with force,
    THESAURUS
    a blast: A bomb explosion damaged the building.
    2 [C] a sudden large increase: There has been an explosion of growth in the computer industry.
    3 an expression of violent anger: An explosion came from the crowd of angry people.
explosive
explosive
  1. n. a substance, such as dynamite, used to make explosions: Soldiers used explosives to blow up a bridge.adj. related to an explosion: A hurricane tore apart houses with explosive force. -adv. explosively.
expo
expo
  1. n.short for exposition, a public show
exponent
exponent
  1. n.
    1 a person who believes in s.t., (syns.) an advocate, proponent: She is an exponent of vegetarianism.
    2 (in math) a number or symbol above and beside another indicating a mathematical operation: In 102, the 2 is an exponent meaning to square the 10. -adj. exponential ; -adv. exponentially.
export
export
  1. v. [I;T] to ship from one country to another, market in foreign countries: Canada exports wheat and lumber in great quantities.n. [C;U] an act of exporting or the item that is exported: Wheat is a big export for Canada. -n. exporter.
    THESAURUS
    export v. to sell s.t. abroad, ship or send s.t. overseas. Ant. to import.
    THESAURUS
    —n. a foreign sale, commodity shipped abroad | selling abroad or overseas. Ant. an import.
exportation
exportation
  1. n. [U] an act of exporting: The exportation of goods employs many workers in the seacoast cities.
expose
expose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to make known, reveal: A politician ex-posed a plot to overthrow the government.
    2 to leave unprotected: By swimming alone, he exposed himself to danger.
    3 to bare, uncover: By taking off his shirt, he exposed the hair on his chest.
    4 to allow light to reach (photographic film)
exposition
exposition
  1. n.
    1 [C] a show where manufacturers display their products: We attended a computer exposition (or) expo at the Trade Center.
    2 [C;U] a written work of explanation, an essay: She wrote an exposition of her views on politics.
expository
expository
  1. adj. serving to explain, explanatory: The students are taking a course in expository writing.
exposure
exposure
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] being unprotected, esp. from cold weather: The lost mountain climbers suffered from exposure.
    2 [U] risk of loss: We limit our exposure by investing only one quarter of the money.
    3 [C] a section of photographic film: That roll of film contains 36 exposures.
    4 [C] a position or view in relation to a direction on the compass (north, south, east, or west): The living room has a southern exposure.
exposé
exposé
  1. n. a disclosure that makes public a scandal: The newspaper ran an exposé on corruption at City Hall.
expound
expound
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to comment or talk, usu. at length: The professor expounded on the events leading up to the revolution.
express
express
  1. v. [T] -pressed, -pressing, -presses
    1 to speak about, declare: She expressed her worries about money to her friend.
    2 infrml. to send s.t. the fastest way: I expressed the package overnight.
    3 to express oneself: to demonstrate one's ability to communicate: She expresses herself well in French.adj.
    1 nonstop, rapid: an express train
    2 definite, clearly stated: His express wish is that you go with him to the house.
    THESAURUS
    express v.
    1 to state s.t., make s.t. known, verbalize frml.
    2 to overnight s.t.
    3 to put s.t.
    THESAURUS
    into words, articulate (one's thoughts). Ant. to remain silent.
expression
expression
  1. n.
    1 [C] the look on one's face: You should have seen his expression when we gave him a surprise party.
    2 [C;U] a sign, demonstration: He sent her roses as an expression of his love.
    3 [C] a group of words, a statement,
    THESAURUS
    an idiom: When you tell s.o. to "break a leg," it is just an expression meaning "good luck."
    4 in math, a phrase that defines a quantity that is not a complete equation: The expression 9/5 C + 32 tells the temperature.
expressive
expressive
  1. adj. showing obvious emotion: His gestures (speech, laughter, etc.) were very expressive of the happiness he felt. -adv. expressively.
expressly
expressly
  1. adv. with one clear purpose,
    THESAURUS
    explicitly: He sent flowers expressly for you (or) expressly to please you.
expressway
expressway
  1. n. a superhighway usu. with six to eight lanes and few roads leading to it: The expressway takes you into Boston quickly and avoids all those back streets.
expropriate
expropriate
  1. v.frml. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to take s.o.'s property by law, decree, or theft: The state expropriated the criminal's property as payment of a fine. -n. [C;U] expropriation.
expulsion
expulsion
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a sending out by force,
    THESAURUS
    an ejection: The expulsion of dust from the volcano was visible from miles away.
    2 a sending away for a reason, dismissal: The child's bad behavior resulted in her expulsion from school.
expunge
expunge
  1. v.frml. [T] -punged, -punging, -punges to erase, remove: His offense was expunged from the prison records because of his good behavior.
expurgate
expurgate
  1. v.frml. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to remove unwanted writing, esp. offensive words or errors: The author complained because the editor expurgated certain words from her manuscript. -n. [U] expurgation.
exquisite
exquisite
  1. adj.
    1 delicate, finely made: The detail on the watch face is exquisite.
    2 perfect, outstanding: Her singing of the opera was exquisite. -adv. exquisitely.
ext.
ext.
  1. n.short for (telephone) extension
extant
extant
  1. adj. still existing, used of s.t. that is rare: The few extant copies of the Gutenberg Bible are in museums.
extemporaneous
extemporaneous
  1. adj. not written down, unrehearsed: The politician made some extemporaneous remarks before his formal speech. -adv. extemporaneously; -v. [I;T] extemporize.
extend
extend
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make longer in space or time: I extended the antenna on my radio to its full length.||We're extending our vacation from two to three weeks.
    2 [I;T] to continue in space or time, reach: The roof extends a foot beyond the wall of the house.||The President's term extends until January.
    3 frml. [T] to offer or give: extend an invitation (a helping hand, a word of advice, etc.) -adj. extended; extendible.
    THESAURUS
    extend
    1 to stretch s.t. out, lengthen (vacation, meeting, etc.). Ant. to shorten.
    THESAURUS
    2 to continue beyond s.t.
    3 to bestow, hold s.t. out to s.o.
extended family
extended family
  1. n. an entire family includ-ing many generations and relatives who may live in other households: Our entire extended family will be here for Thanksgiving dinner. See: nuclear family.
extension
extension
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] more time: The businessman asked the bank for an extension on his bank loan.
    2 [C] an addition to a building: We added an extension for an extra bedroom onto our house.
    3 [C] any one of many connected telephone lines: Call the company's main number, 555-2000, and ask for my office extension, 245 (said "extension 2-4-5").
extensive
extensive
  1. adj. great in amount or area, considerable: She has extensive knowledge of Chinese history.||He owns extensive property. -adv. extensively.
extent
extent
  1. n.sing. [U] an amount, degree: Inflation has slowed to a great (small, certain, etc.) extent.
extenuating
extenuating
  1. adj. making (wrongdoing) seem less serious by pro-viding an excuse: The judge did not send the man to jail; there were extenuating cir-cumstances since the man had never broken the law before. -n.[C;U] extenuation.
exterior
exterior
  1. n.
    1 the outside of s.t., surface: The exterior of the house needs painting.
    2 appearance, looks: He has a rough exterior, but inside, he has a heart of gold.adj. outside: The exterior walls of the building are made of glass and steel.
exterminate
exterminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to kill all (of a group or type of people or other living things),
    THESAURUS
    to eradicate: Some people exterminate garden insects by spraying poison on the plants. -n. [U] extermination.
exterminator
exterminator
  1. n. a person or business that exterminates: An exterminator comes to our building every week to kill insects and rodents.
external
external
  1. adj.
    1 outside, exterior: The external surface of the airplane is very smooth and shiny.
    2 coming from the outside: Children's experiences in school are affected by many external influences. -adv. externally; -n. externality.
extinct
extinct
  1. adj. no longer in existence, esp. a kind of plant or animal: The passenger pigeon is an extinct species. -n. [U] extinction.
extinguish
extinguish
  1. v. [T] to stop, put out: Firefighters extinguished a fire.
extinguisher
extinguisher
  1. n.short for a fire extinguisher, a device that shoots out liquid to stop a fire
extol
extol
  1. v. [T] -tolled, -tolling, -tols to praise,
    THESAURUS
    to laud: The speaker extolled the accomplishments of the political candidate.
extort
extort
  1. v. [T] to force payment (of money) by threatening s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to coerce: Gang members extorted money from store owners by threatening to burn their stores. -n. [U] extortion; extortionist.
extortionate
extortionate
  1. adj. much too high in price, excessive: The rent she is demanding is extortionate!
extra
extra
  1. adj.
    1 more than the usual, additional, further: That store charges an extra amount for home delivery.
    2 spare, duplicate: We keep extra light bulbs in the closet.
    3 more than needed,
    THESAURUS
    superfluous: After the party was over, we had extra food.adv. very, exceptionally: That knife is extra sharp.n.
    1 pl. an addition, an add-on: The basic service costs $100, plus 20 percent for the extras.
    2 a spare, a duplicate: I used almost all the nails and left the extras in a box.
    3 an actor hired for a small role in a film: The movie director hired 1,000 extras for the battle scene.
extract
extract
  1. v. [T]
    1 to remove, pull out (s.t. firmly fixed): The dentist extracted a bad tooth.
    2 to get by using force or coercion: The police extracted a confession from the criminal.n.
    1 [C;U] a concentration or essence of a food or other substance: I use vanilla extract in baking cakes.
    2 [C] an excerpt from a written work: She used an extract from a novel in her term paper.
extraction
extraction
  1. n. [C;U] removal of a tooth: The dentist did the extraction quickly.
extradite
extradite
  1. v. [T] -dited, -diting, -dites (in law) to transfer a prisoner from one legal jurisdiction to another: The State of New York extradited a prisoner from Florida back to New York. -adj. extraditable; -n. [U] extradition.
extramarital
extramarital
  1. adj. outside of marriage: He had an extramarital affair with a woman he met at work.
extraneous
extraneous
  1. adj. unneeded,
    THESAURUS
    superfluous: The report contained extraneous information of no use to anyone. -adv. extraneously.
extraordinary
extraordinary
  1. adj.
    1 outstanding, wonderful: The violinist gave an extraordinary performance.
    2 unusual, uncommon: She is a woman of extraordinary strength (ability, intelligence, etc.). -adv. extraordinarily.
    THESAURUS
    extraordinary
    1 amazing, phenomenal, fantastic
    2 rare, unique, exceptional. Ants. ordinary, common.
extrapolate
extrapolate
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to infer a meaning or result from a few facts: That product has sold five units a month for six months, so I extrapolate 60 units for the year's sales. -n. [C;U] extrapolation.
extraterrestrial
extraterrestrial
  1. adj. related to outer space: Scientists search for extraterrestrial life.
extravagance
extravagance
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] wastefulness, esp. of money: He is known for his extravagance when shopping for sports equipment.
    2 [C;U] a too-expensive item or act: That family cannot afford any extravagances; they're not rich.
extravagant
extravagant
  1. adj.
    1 too generous or expensive: She gives extravagant gifts to her family for their birthdays.
    2 unreasonable, excessive: He made an extravagant demand on his employer by asking for a huge raise. -adv. extravagantly.
extravaganza
extravaganza
  1. n. a spectacular event: The carnival was a three-day extravaganza of parades, dancing, and eating.
extreme
extreme
  1. adj.
    1 the farthest away, outermost: You will find our house at the extreme end of the road.
    2 (of ideas) far from what is generally accepted, (syns.) radical, fanatical: She holds extreme political views.
    3 the greatest possible, (syns.) drastic, severe: The government took extreme measures to put down the rebellion.n.
    1 an extreme degree or amount: The climate there is mild, without extremes of heat or cold.
    2 to go to or be driven to extremes: to act in an exaggerated way: He was driven to extremes by financial pressures, and in the end he killed himself.
extremely
extremely
  1. adv. very: That movie was extremely funny (violent, sad, etc.).
    THESAURUS
    extremely exceptionally, exceedingly, unusually. Ant. not very.
extremism
extremism
  1. n. [U] extreme radicalism in thought or action,
    THESAURUS
    fanaticism: The group's policies are based on religious extremism. -n. extremist.
extremity
extremity
  1. n.
    1 the far end of something: the extremities of the earth
    2 pl. the feet and hands: The man was so cold that he lost feeling in his extremities.
extricate
extricate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to free: She extricated herself from financial difficulty by working two jobs. -n. [U] extrication.
extrinsic
extrinsic
  1. adj. external, outside of: What he says is extrinsic to the main idea. -adv. extrinsically. See: intrinsic.
extrovert
extrovert
  1. n. a person who likes others and social activities: She is a real extrovert, a cheerleader and president of her class. -n. [U] extroversion. See: introvert.
extroverted
extroverted
  1. adj. liking other people and outside events, sociable,
    THESAURUS
    outgoing: She is very extroverted, always talking with friends.
exuberant
exuberant
  1. adj. high-spirited, enthusiastic: She is exuberant about her new job offer. -n. [U] exuberance; -adv. exuberantly.
exude
exude
  1. v. -uded, -uding, -udes
    1 [I;T] to send out (a liquid) slowly,
    THESAURUS
    to ooze: As the weight lifter trained with heavier weights, moisture slowly exuded from his skin.
    2 fig. [T] to show in one's face and behavior,
    THESAURUS
    to display: She exuded happiness (confidence, pride, etc.).
exult
exult
  1. v.frml. [I] to feel great happiness, rejoice: The people exulted when their country won the war. -adj. exultant; -n. [U] exultation.
eye-catching
eye-catching
  1. adj. interesting and attractive: That's an eye-catching tie you're wearing.
eye-opener
eye-opener
  1. n. s.t. that surprises or shocks: The scandal at the bank was an eye-opener.
eye
eye
  1. n.
    1 the organ of sight: She has beautiful brown eyes.
    2 the center of s.t.: the eye of a hurricane
    3 the hole in a needle
    4 an eye for an eye: hurting s.o. in the same way they hurt s.o. else: That kid broke my brother's nose, so I broke that kid's nose; it's an eye for an eye!
    5 in the eyes of: in the opinion of, according to: I think you did the right thing, but in the eyes of the law, it was wrong.
    6 infrml. My eye! or In a pig's eye!: I don't believe it; I disagree.
    7 to catch s.o.'s eye: to get s.o.'s attention: I tried to catch the waiter's eye.
    8 infrml. to give s.o. the eye or to make eyes at: to show admiration, flirt: As soon as she walked into the room, he started giving her the eye.
    9 to have an eye for: to be a good judge of (esp. s.t. requiring a sense of beauty): She has an eye for color, and her house and clothes are very attractive.
    10 to keep an eye on s.o. or s.t.: to watch in a protective way: When we went away on vacation, I asked the neighbors to keep an eye on our house.
    11 infrml. to keep an eye on the ball: to pay close attention to what one is doing so as not to make mistakes: He makes mis-takes in his work; he needs to keep his eye on the ball.
    12 to keep an eye out for: to watch for,
    THESAURUS
    to be on the lookout for: We need a new sofa, so I'm keeping an eye out for a good sale on furniture.
    13 infrml. to keep one's eyes open or peeled: to watch carefully: We're going into a dangerous neighborhood, so keep your eyes peeled.
    14 to only have eyes for: to be interested only in (a person): Lots of men are attracted to her, but she only has eyes for her husband.
    15 to see eye to eye (with s.o.): to agree: We see eye to eye on the matter, so let's sign a contract.
    16 with an eye to: with a plan in mind to: He's buying land with an eye to building a house on it someday.
    17 with one's eyes open: knowing the risks of s.t.: It's a difficult job, but she went into it with her eyes open, so she has no right to complain now.v. eyed, eyeing or eying, eyes [T] to look at, esp. with interest or suspicion: The old man eyed his new neighbor with distrust.
    THESAURUS
    eye v. to gaze at s.t., observe, stare at (s.o. or s.t.)
eye shadow
eye shadow
  1. n. [U] cosmetics used mainly on the upper eyelid to highlight the eyes: She uses blue eye shadow.
eyeball
eyeball
  1. n. the entire ball-shaped eye: The eyeball is a delicate organ.v.slang [T] to look at closely, examine: What you are telling me about the place is interesting, but I want to go there and eyeball it for myself.
eyebrow
eyebrow
  1. n.
    1 the line of hair over the eye
    2 eyebrow pencil: a cosmetic pencil: She uses an eyebrow pencil to color her eyebrows.
eyed
eyed
  1. adj.suffix having eyes as described (bright-eyed, one-eyed, etc.): He is brown-eyed. See: cross-eyed.
eyeful
eyeful
  1. n.sing. a startling view: Two men had a fistfight right in front of us; we really had an eyeful.
eyeglasses
eyeglasses
  1. n.pl. a pair of lenses in a frame used for better sight: She wears eyeglasses for reading.
eyelash
eyelash
  1. n. -lashes a hair from the row of hairs on the eyelids: She wears false eyelashes that are long and black.
eyelet
eyelet
  1. n. a round opening usu. in clothing: He wears shoes with eyelets for the laces.
eyelid
eyelid
  1. n. the folds of skin over the eyeballs: She carefully applied make-up to her eyelids.
eyeliner
eyeliner
  1. n. [U] a cosmetic used to draw a line around the eye: She uses black eyeliner in pencil form.
eyesight
eyesight
  1. n. [U] ability to see,
    THESAURUS
    vision: He lost his eyesight in an accident.
eyesore
eyesore
  1. n. an unpleasant sight, esp. a building in ruins: That burned-out house is the eyesore of the neighborhood.
eyetooth
eyetooth
  1. n. -teeth
    1 one of two long, sharp teeth located beside the four upper front teeth
    2 to give one's eyeteeth for s.t.: to desire greatly: I'd give my eyeteeth for a vacation in Paris.
eyewitness
eyewitness
  1. n. -nesses a person who saw an event happen, esp. a crime: The two eyewitnesses to the theft testified in court.
fable
fable
  1. n. a story or poem, usu. with animals acting out a moral truth: The students discussed the meaning of the fable.
fabric
fabric
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] cloth, material: The sofa is covered with a soft cotton fabric.
    2 fig. [U] the composition, substance of s.t.: The fabric of our society has been torn by crime and a bad economy.
    THESAURUS
    fabric
    1 material, textile
    2 framework, structure.
fabricate
fabricate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to put together or make s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to manufacture: The furniture was fabricated from pieces of old wood.
    2 to lie,
    THESAURUS
    to falsify: The witness's statement to the police was fabricated.
fabrication
fabrication
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of making s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    manufacture: The fabrication of auto parts is a worldwide industry now.
    2 a lie,
    THESAURUS
    falsehood: The child's story is a complete fabrication.
fabulous
fabulous
  1. adj. great, wonderful: We had a fabulous time on our vacation!
facade
facade
  1. n.
    1 the front or outer covering of a building: The facade of that building is made of wood.
    2 a false appearance,
    THESAURUS
    veneer: He puts on a facade of being a rich man, but he is not.
face-lift
face-lift
  1. n. cosmetic surgery used to regain a youthful appearance: At age 60 the actor had a face-lift that made him look much younger.
face-saving
face-saving
  1. n. [U] an action designed to keep one's self-respect in an embarrassing situation: Face-saving is an important part of many Asian and other cultures.adj. keeping one's self-respect: The government allowed the man to resign as a facesaving measure; he didn't have to go to prison.
face
face
  1. n.
    1 the front of a being's head: That young woman has a pretty face.
    2 the front part of a structure: The face of that building (cliff, mountain, etc.) is gray and flat.
    3 on the face of it: on the surface: On the face of it, his offer seems genuine, but does he have the money to pay?
    4 to keep a straight face: to hold oneself back from smiling or laughing when s.t. is funny: When he tried to explain why he was late, she couldn't keep a straight face.
    5 to lose face: to lose status or the respect of others: When the man went to jail for stealing, he lost face among his family members.
    6 to make a face: to express dislike or disapproval by the expression on one's face: My son makes a face when I tell him to eat his vegetables.
    7 to save face: to keep one's dignity in an embarrassing situation: Instead of firing him, the company let him quit to save face.
    8 to show one's face: to appear somewhere when in difficulty or embarrassment: After failing his exams at college, he didn't dare show his face at home.
    9 to s.o.'s face: directly to s.o.: She could never tell him to his face that his jokes aren't funny.
    THESAURUS
    face n.
    1 features | a visage frml., countenance frml.
    2 the façade.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to be opposite | look out onto | have a view of (buildings)
    2 to confront, meet | deal with. Ant. to avoid. —v. faced, facing, faces
    1 [T] to present a front to s.o. or s.t.: I sat in the first row and faced the teacher.||The building that we work in faces a park.
    2 [T] to meet with courage: I decided finally to stand up and face my enemy.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to face down: to meet an enemy with courage,
    THESAURUS
    to intimidate: The king faced down his enemies on the battlefield.||He faced them down.
    4 to face facts or to face the fact: to understand a bad situation and do s.t. about it: We have to face the fact that the business is losing money.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to face off: to get into position prior to a fight or athletic event: The two boxers faced off before the fight started.
    6 infrml. to face the music: to step forward and accept punishment: The business is losing so much money that we must face the music and close it.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to face up to s.t. or face up to the fact(s): to accept a bad situation and be willing to suffer the consequences: We have to face up to the fact that he's not doing the job and fire him.
face cloth
face cloth
  1. n. a small towel used to wash one's face,
    THESAURUS
    washcloth: I wash my face with a face cloth every morning.
face mask
face mask
  1. n. a covering used to protect the face in sports or to hide one's identity: She couldn't describe the thief, because he had worn a face mask.
face value
face value
  1. n.frml.
    1 [U] the truthfulness of s.t. as it appears on the surface: I accept what he says at face value because he is an honest man.
    2 [C] the value written on a stock or bond versus its market value: The face value of the bond is $1,000, but its market value is only $900.
facet
facet
  1. n.
    1 one of many small, flat surfaces cut in a stone or jewel: A jeweler cuts facets in a rough diamond.
    2 fig. a part,
    THESAURUS
    aspect: The problem that we face now has many legal and financial facets.
facetious
facetious
  1. adj.frml. humorous in a way that can be rude or disrespectful: Many people at the party were offended by his facetious comments. -adv. facetiously; -n. [U] facetiousness.
facial
facial
  1. adj. related to the face: Her facial expression changed to happiness when she heard the good news.n. a treatment of the face's skin: She went to a beauty salon to have a facial.
facile
facile
  1. adj.
    1 done easily,
    THESAURUS
    skillful: The dancer's facile movements were beautiful to watch.
    2 smooth but untruthful: He has a facile tongue when he explains his mistakes.
facilitate
facilitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to help,
    THESAURUS
    to expedite: The tourist office sent us a guide who facilitated our travel through Japan.
facility
facility
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C] service(s), including the physical area, provided by an organization: The sports facility at that club includes tennis courts, a golf course, and a swimming pool.
    2 [U] ease, expertise: The facility with which she explains difficult topics is amazing.
    THESAURUS
    facility
    1 pl. the amenities
    2 one's skill, competence | readiness. Ant. inability.
facing
facing
  1. n. outside covering,
    THESAURUS
    facade: The facing on that building is made of stone.
facsimile
facsimile
  1. n.
    1 an exact copy,
    THESAURUS
    duplicate: That print is a facsimile of the original painting.
    2 an electronic transmission of printed materials via telephone wires: I sent my letter by facsimile to Mexico City this morning. See: fax.
fact-finding
fact-finding
  1. adj.n. related to finding out accurate information about s.t.: The President sent a diplomat on a fact-finding mission to the disaster area.||He finished his fact-finding in two days.
fact
fact
  1. n.
    1 a reality (as opposed to an opinion), such as an event, date, physical object, or number: The facts are that sales are up by 10%, but profits are down by 5%.
    2 the facts of life or a fact of life: a. usually an unpleasant reality that one must accept: Having to work for a living is a fact of life for most people. b. fig. information about sex: She knew it was time to explain the facts of life to her daughter.
    3 to get the facts: to find out accurate information about s.t.: The detective questioned the victim and witnesses to get the facts about the accident.
    THESAURUS
    fact
    1 the truth, actuality. Ants. fiction, fantasy.
faction
faction
  1. n. a group of people within a larger group,
    THESAURUS
    bloc: One faction within the Liberal Party wants a tax freeze.
factor
factor
  1. n.
    1 a fact to be considered: The high cost of labor is an important factor in the price of steel.
    2 a number by which a larger number can be divided: Two and four are factors of eight.v. [T] to consider, include in one's reasoning: We factored in all of the company's needs and decided to locate the office in Florida.
    THESAURUS
    factor n.
    1 an issue in, cause of. —v. to take into account. Ant. to ignore.
factory
factory
  1. n. -ries a building or group of buildings where goods are produced: The furniture factory has five buildings with a fence around them.
    THESAURUS
    factory plant, manufacturing plant | shop, workshop, mill.
factual
factual
  1. adj. true, based on facts: A reporter checked out the story and found it to be factual.
faculty
faculty
  1. n. -ties
    1 an ability, esp. of the mind: She has the faculty to express herself well.
    2 pl. mental powers: The old man has lost his faculties and cannot take care of himself.
    3 used with a sing. or pl. v. the teaching staff at a school or college: That university has an excellent faculty.
    THESAURUS
    faculty
    1 the aptitude to (or ) for s.t., flair for, power to
    2 awareness, mental capacity.
fad
fad
  1. n. a fashion that lasts a short time: The current fad among young people is to wear baseball caps.
    THESAURUS
    fad a trend, craze | whim.
faddish
faddish
  1. adj. related to a fashion that lasts a short time: Some students dress in a faddish manner.
fade
fade
  1. v. faded, fading, fades
    1 [I;T] to lose the original color, grow pale: The wallpaper has faded from red to pale pink.
    2 [I] to disappear gradually: The horseman passed by me and faded into the distance.
    3 [I] to appear or disappear gradually, esp. in films and television —n.v. [I]
    1 fade-in: a gradual appearance, esp. in films and television: The camera operator did a fade-in of the next scene.
    2 fade-out: a gradual disappearance: The camera operator did a fade-out of a scene in a house; she faded out to pick up action occurring outdoors.
    THESAURUS
    fade v.
    1 to lighten, become paler. Ant. to darken.
    2 to melt away, dissolve. Ant. to appear.
fag
fag
  1. n.
    1 pej.slang a male homosexual
    2 slang a cigarette: Can you give me a fag?

    USAGE NOTE: Many people consider the terms fag and faggot offensive. Gay is the preferred alternate term for homosexual.
faggot
faggot
  1. n. pej.slang a male homosexual
fail-safe
fail-safe
  1. adj. served by a device or action that saves s.t. from major or total failure: As a fail-safe action, my computer automatically copies my work every two minutes, so almost nothing can be lost.
fail
fail
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to not succeed: He failed his test in math.
    2 [I] to not operate when needed: The brakes failed on his automobile when he tried to stop.
    3 [I] to break: A wire failed on a bridge and fell over the roadway.
    4 [I] to lose strength and ability: The old man is failing rapidly and may die soon.
    THESAURUS
    fail
    1 to not pass, flunk infrml. Ant. to pass.
    2 to not work, stop working
    3 to crack, be (syn.THESAURUS
    evered | stop working. Ant. to mend.
    4 to weaken, decline, deteriorate. Ant. to improve.
failing
failing
  1. n. a fault,
    THESAURUS
    shortcoming: The student's failing is that he does not study enough.
failure
failure
  1. n.
    1 [C] a person who fails: He cannot keep a job, so he feels he is a failure in life.
    2 [C] an activity or project that does not succeed: That new play was a failure on Broadway.
    3 [C] a breakdown: A failure in the electrical system caused the lights to go out.
    4 [C;U] neglect, not caring about one's responsibilities: Her failure to act in time caused the company to suffer a big loss.
    THESAURUS
    failure
    1 a loser. Ant. a success.
    2 a disaster, flop, dud infrml.
    3 a collapse, malfunction
    4 negligence.
faint-hearted
faint-hearted
  1. adj. lacking courage, fearful,
    THESAURUS
    cowardly: He was too faint-hearted to climb the mountain with the others.
faint
faint
  1. v. [I] to fall unconscious, pass out: The summer sun was so strong that she fainted.adj.
    1 unclear, weak: The image on the photograph is too faint to see what it is.||The radio signal is too faint to be heard clearly.
    2 dizzy, weak: I feel faint from the heat.
    THESAURUS
    faint v.
    1 to black out, lose consciousness.
    THESAURUS
    —adj.
    1 faded, dim. Ants. clear, strong.
    2 light-headed, woozy. Ant. strong.
fair-haired
fair-haired
  1. adj.frml.
    1 with blond hair
    2 fair-haired boy: a favored boy or man: In his class, he is the teacher's fair-haired boy.
fair-minded
fair-minded
  1. adj. without showing favor to anyone,
    THESAURUS
    just, impartial: After hearing his decision, everyone agreed that the judge had been fair-minded.
fair-weather
fair-weather
  1. adj.
    1 related to good weather conditions: I wear a cap, sweater, and jeans as fair-weather clothing on our sailboat.
    2 fig. referring to people who are one's friends only in good times: After I lost my job and became ill, my fair-weather friends disappeared.
fair
fair
  1. adj.
    1 just, equitable: The judge's decision was fair to both sides.
    2 light-haired and light-skinned: Both she and her brother are fair.
    3 bright, sunny: We are having fair weather this week, so we will be able to work in our garden.
    4 neither good nor bad, average: The student's grades were just fair this semester.
    5 (in baseball) inside the foul line: The baseball player hit a fair ball to right field.
    6 a fair deal: an arrangement or purchase satisfactory to both sides: The couple felt they had gotten a fair deal on their new house.
    7 a fair shake: just treatment: He's an honest man and will give you a fair shake in his dealings with you.
    8 to be fair game: to be in danger of being taken advantage of: If you are careless and leave your purse open in public, you are fair game for a thief.n. an event at which goods are shown and sold: One of our pigs won first prize at the county fair.||There is a famous book fair in Frankfurt, Germany, every year.adv.
    1 fair and square: justly and honestly: I won the race fair and square.
    2 to play fair: to play a game and behave generally by the rules: That team uses dirty tricks to win; they don't play fair.
    THESAURUS
    fair adj.
    1 impartial, reasonable. Ant. unfair.
    2 blond, fair-haired, pale. Ant. dark.
    3 clear,
    THESAURUS
    pleasant. Ant. stormy.
    4 ordinary, adequate, so-so infrml. —n. a trade exhibition, trade event.
fair play
fair play
  1. n. [U] behaving according to commonly accepted rules of fairness: In the interest of fair play, you should hear both sides of the story.
fair trade agreement
fair trade agreement
  1. n. an agreement between a manufacturer and its distributors that its products will be sold at or above an agreed-upon price: Fair trade agreements prevent one store from selling a product at a much lower price than another.
fairground
fairground
  1. n. usu. used in pl. a large outdoor area, usu. with barns, to display farm animals and amusements: The fairgrounds have a place for animals on one side and some rides for children on the other.
fairly
fairly
  1. adv.
    1 justly,
    THESAURUS
    impartially: The boss acts fairly toward all her employees.
    2 moderately, not extremely: He should arrive here fairly soon. See: kind of, USAGE NOTE.
fairness
fairness
  1. n. [U]
    1 lightness of complexion and hair: The fairness of her skin prevents her from staying in the sun too long.
    2 justness,
    THESAURUS
    impartiality: The fairness of the judge's decision was admired by all.
fairway
fairway
  1. n. an area of carefully cut grass between tee and green: The golfer hit the golfball in a perfect line, straight down the fairway.
fairy
fairy
  1. n. -ies
    1 a small, imaginary creature with magical powers: When children lose their baby teeth, the tooth fairy puts money under their pillows.
    2 fig.pej. a male homosexual

    USAGE NOTE: Many people consider this term offensive. Gay is the preferred alternate term for homosexual.
fairy tale
fairy tale
  1. n.
    1 a children's story with magical creatures and interesting adventures: Parents read fairy tales to their children before bedtime.
    2 fig. a polite term for an untrue story: His adventures in Alaska are fairy tales; he's never been there.
fairyland
fairyland
  1. n. an imaginary place where fairies live: The little girl dreamed that she traveled to fairyland.
fait accompli
fait accompli
  1. n. sing.frml. (French for) a completed action that cannot be changed: Your daughter's marriage to that fellow whom you dislike is a fait accompli, so accept it.
faith
faith
  1. n.
    1 [U] belief in a favorable result with no factual proof, conviction: I have faith that my surgery will turn out well.
    2 [C] a specific religion: He belongs to the Jewish faith.
    3 to have faith in: to believe in s.t., esp. in God: My husband has faith in God.
    4 to keep the faith: a. to remain devoted to one's religion: He goes to church each Sunday to keep the faith. b. to remain devoted to one's efforts or goals: Whenever my work becomes too difficult, I tell myself to keep the faith.
    THESAURUS
    faith
    1 confidence, hope. Ant. disbelief.
    2 a denomination, sect.
faithful
faithful
  1. adj.
    1 devoted to a religion: Churchgoers are faithful to their religious beliefs.
    2 loyal to one's spouse by not having a sexual relationship with s.o. else: He has always been faithful to his wife.
    3 factual, accurate: Her book was a faithful account of the years she spent in jail as a political prisoner. -adv. faithfully.
    THESAURUS
    faithful
    1 loyal to, steadfast in
    2 true, devoted | trustworthy. Ant. unfaithful.
    3 exact, truthful. Ants. unrealistic, fake.
faithless
faithless
  1. adj. immoral, disloyal: The wife rejected her faithless husband.
fajitas
fajitas
  1. n.pl. a dish created in Texas and influenced by Mexican-style food, usu. with grilled meat or chicken placed inside a thin bread called a "tortilla": When I eat at Mexican restaurants, I always order fajitas. See: tortilla.
fake
fake
  1. n.
    1 a copy, imitation: That painting is a fake.
    2 person claiming to be s.o. or s.t. he or she is not, impostor, phony: That guy pretends to be a cop, but he's a fake.v. faked, faking, fakes
    1 [T] to make or write s.t. in order to deceive, forge: He faked his wife's signature on a check.
    2 to fake it: to do s.t. without preparation, out of necessity, (syns.) to improvise, to wing it: She was called upon suddenly to make a speech, so she had to fake it.
    THESAURUS
    fake n.
    1 a counterfeit, replica. Ant. an original.
    2 a fraud, faker. —v.
    1 to falsify, simulate.
falcon
falcon
  1. n. a bird that can be trained to hunt small animals: He spent the summer training the falcon. -n. [C] falconer; [U] falconry.
fall
fall
  1. n.
    1 a sudden move to the ground from a standing position, tumble: He took a bad fall and broke his ankle.
    2 a severe loss of status or power: The political leader had a fall from power.
    3 a decline, loss of value: The housing market experienced a fall in prices.
    4 the season between summer and winter,
    THESAURUS
    autumn: In the fall, the leaves change to bright colors.
    5 to be headed for a fall: to be on a dangerous path to ruin: We knew he was headed for a fall when the boss kept calling him into his office. See: rainfall; snowfall.
    THESAURUS
    fall n.
    1 a spill, tumble, header infrml.
    2 a decline, descent
    3 a drop, plunge, reduction. Ants. an increase, rise, hike infrml. —v. fell , fallen , falling, falls
    1 [I] to move suddenly to the ground from a standing position, tumble: She fell and hurt her head.||He fell over the low table.
    2 [I] to come down from a higher place: Some dishes fell off the table and broke.||He fell into the pool (out of the window, down the stairs etc.).
    3 fig. [I] to suffer a severe loss of status or power: The government fell and was replaced by another.
    4 [I] to decline: The price of oil fell sharply.
    THESAURUS
    fall v.
    1 to topple over, plunge, fall down
    2 to tumble, come crashing down infrml. | trip, stumble, topple over (a person)
    3 to be toppled, collapse. Ant. to triumph.
    4 to drop, plunge. Ants. to increase, rise.
    5 [I] to pass into a new state or condition: He fell asleep while watching TV.||She fell ill for a month.||He fell into alcoholism and was rejected by his friends.
    6 to fall all over oneself: to try hard, be eager: When he first got the job, he fell all over himself trying to please his new boss.
    7 to fall all over s.o.: to flatter s.o. in an attempt to please: He falls all over his girlfriend every time he sees her.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to fall back: to retreat, withdraw: The enemy forces fell back under the counterattack.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to fall back on s.o. or s.t.: to depend on in case of need: When she lost her job, she fell back on piano playing for money.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to fall behind s.o. or in/on s.t.: not to keep pace: One marcher fell behind the others.||The woman fell behind in her rent payments.
    11 to fall by the wayside: to disappear, no longer be of interest: He had big plans about starting a new business, but they fell by the wayside.
    12 to fall down on the job: to fail to perform in a satisfactory way: He fell down on the job and did not complete his assignment on time.
    13 to fall flat: to fail, meet disapproval: The new play fell flat and closed in a week.
    14 to fall flat on one's face: a. infrml. fig. to move completely to the ground from a standing position: He was ice skating and fell flat on his face. b. fig. to fail completely: She tried acting in New York but fell flat on her face.
    15 phrasal v. insep. [T] to fall for s.o.: a. to fall in love with: She was so charming that he fell for her right away. b. to be deceived by a trick: He told the teacher he hadn't done the assignment because he was sick, and she fell for it.
    16 to fall from favor or grace: to be no longer favored by s.o.: The count fell from favor with the queen, and she sent him away.
    17 phrasal v. [I] to fall in: (military) to join in a military formation: The sergeant ordered the troops to fall in.
    18 to fall in battle: to be killed or wounded: The soldier fell in battle.
    19 to fall in line: to cooperate with others after being unwilling to do so: The Senator first refused to cooperate, but she fell in line after meeting with the President.
    20 to fall in love: to suddenly form deep feelings of affection for s.o. or s.t.: He fell in love with her the first time that he met her.||She fell in love with California on a trip there.
    21 phrasal v. insep. [T] to fall in with s.o.: to join a group of people, esp. with troublemakers: In high school, he fell in with the wrong crowd and ended up in jail.
    22 to fall into (debt, trouble, difficulty, etc.): to suffer problems by poor management or bad luck: When her business failed, she fell into debt.
    23 phrasal v. [I;T] to fall into s.t.: to experience good fortune by pure luck: He made a small fortune on a business deal that he just fell into on information from a friend.
    24 phrasal v. [I] to fall off: to decline, decrease: Business has fallen off lately.
    25 phrasal v. insep. [T] to fall on/upon: to attack suddenly: The robber fell on him and stole his money.
    26 phrasal v. insep. [I] to fall out (with s.o.): to have an argument (with s.o.): They were best friends for years before they fell out over a business decision.
    27 to fall prey to: to be hurt by s.o. or s.t.: While traveling, he fell prey to some dishonest people who took his money.
    28 to fall short: to be lacking,
    THESAURUS
    inadequate: The trip fell short of our expectations and was not much fun.
    29 phrasal v. [I] to fall through: to fail to happen: The deal that we made fell through at the last minute.
    30 phrasal v. insep. [I] to fall to s.o. or s.t.: a. to begin to do s.t. energetically: When he sat down at the table, he fell to eating like a starving man. b. frml. to be conquered by: The city fell to the invading army.
    31 phrasal v. insep. [I] to fall under s.o. or s.t.: to be classified as: The matter fell under the authority of the lower court.
fall guy
fall guy
  1. n.infrml. s.o. chosen to take the blame for the wrongdoing of others,
    THESAURUS
    a dupe: My boss made a big mistake, but I was the fall guy, so they fired me!
fallacious
fallacious
  1. adj.frml.
    1 false, deceitful: The witness made several fallacious statements to the police officer.
    2 incorrect,
    THESAURUS
    erroneous: Some facts in the newspaper article were fallacious and later corrected.
fallacy
fallacy
  1. n. -cies a false belief, (syns.) misconception, misinterpretation: It is a fallacy that everyone is equal before the law, because people with money hire expensive lawyers to keep them out of jail.
fallen
fallen
  1. past part. of fall
fallible
fallible
  1. adj. capable of making errors, imperfect: All humans are fallible.
falling-out
falling-out
  1. n. a disagreement between people resulting in an end to their friendship: The two men had a falling-out over a woman and didn't speak to each other for many years.
falloff
falloff
  1. n. a slow period of activity,
    THESAURUS
    a decline: Our business had a falloff in sales in April and May.
fallopian tube
fallopian tube
  1. n. one of two tubes connecting the uterus with the ovaries: The woman had a blocked fallopian tube.
fallout
fallout
  1. n. [U]
    1 radioactive particles falling slowly to earth after a nuclear explosion or accident: The fallout from the nuclear power plant accident traveled 800 miles over Europe.
    2 unplanned side effects: Raising taxes produced negative fallout for the politicians responsible.
fallow
fallow
  1. adj.
    1 referring to farmland that is plowed but not planted with crops: to lie fallow: The farmer lets some of his land lie fallow each year.
    2 fig. unproductive,
    THESAURUS
    dormant: The new product design is just lying fallow until there is money to produce it.
false-hearted
false-hearted
  1. adj. deceitful, disloyal: He was a false-hearted man who only pretended to love her.
false
false
  1. adj. falser, falsest
    1 incorrect, untrue: The test consisted of questions that had to be answered as either true or false.
    2 disloyal, unfaithful: She pretended to be my friend, but her friendship was false.
    3 not real, made to deceive: She wears false eyelashes. -n. [U] falsity.
    THESAURUS
    false
    1 wrong. Ant. true.
    2 insincere, untrue. Ants. loyal, faithful.
    3 artificial, fake. Ant.
false alarm
false alarm
  1. n. an alarm sounded without the existence of a real emergency: False alarms anger firefighters, who have to respond to them.
false bottom
false bottom
  1. n. a section in a container, such as luggage, where things can be hidden: The box of oranges had a false bottom where stolen art objects were hidden.
false pretense
false pretense
  1. n. an action meant to deceive, (syns.) deceit, duplicity: He borrowed money from friends under the false pretense of needing to buy food, and then he spent it on a party.||He borrowed the money under false pretenses.
falsehood
falsehood
  1. n.frml. a lie, untruth: The boy's father punished him for telling a falsehood.
falsetto
falsetto
  1. n. [C;U] -tos an artificially high singing voice: The male quartet has a style of singing in falsetto.
falsie
falsie
  1. n.slang a padded bra: She wears falsies to improve her figure.
falsification
falsification
  1. n. an act of falsifying: The falsification of the documents was proved in a court of law.
falsify
falsify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make s.t. false by changing it, doctor, tamper with: The teacher falsified the student's records to protect himself.
    2 to present in a false way, lie about: He falsified his past in order to get the job.
    THESAURUS
    falsify
    1 to alter, rig | fake, misrepresent
    2 to make up, fib about, fabricate frml.
falter
falter
  1. v. [I]
    1 to walk, speak, or move in an unsteady way: The old man started to falter as he climbed the steps.
    2 to become weak, decline: The economy faltered last year but has now started to improve. -adj. faltering.
fame
fame
  1. n. [U] the state of being well-known and talked about, renown: Charles Darwin won fame throughout the world because of his theories.
    THESAURUS
    fame celebrity, recognition | notoriety. Ant. anonymity.
familial
familial
  1. adj.frml. related to the family: The couple's familial responsibilities are considerable because they have ten children.
familiar
familiar
  1. adj.
    1 knowing about, acquainted: I'm familiar with that neighborhood because I lived there for many years.
    2 more friendly than is proper, overbearing: When he tried to kiss her, she told him that he was getting too familiar.
    3 a familiar face: s.o. that one knows: After being alone in a strange city for two weeks, he was happy to see a familiar face. -adv. familiarly.
    THESAURUS
    familiar
    1 well-informed about, conversant about, aware of. Ant. unfamiliar.
    2 too friendly, forward | intimate.
familiarity
familiarity
  1. n. [U] knowledge of s.t.: My familiarity with the French language was helpful during my trip to France last year.
familiarize
familiarize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to learn about, to become acquainted with: I familiarized myself with a map of the city before visiting Boston.
family
family
  1. n. -lies
    1 one's closest relatives, usu. parents, children, brothers, and sisters: His family consists of his mother, a sister in Florida, and himself.
    2 a group of people related by blood or marriage: Most of my family lives on the West Coast, but I have some cousins in Chicago.
    3 a group of related plants or animals: A wolf is a member of the dog family.
    4 a group of similar things: That company produces a family of household products.
    THESAURUS
    family
    1 and
    2 one's relatives, relations, kin
    4 a set, range, host.
family name
family name
  1. n.
    1 one's last name: His family name is Cruz.
    2 a symbol of one's position in society: When he went to jail, he shamed the family name.
    THESAURUS
    family name
    1 a last name, surname
    2 reputation, status.
family planning
family planning
  1. n. [U] the use of birth control methods to limit the number of children one has: One can learn about family planning by reading books or by visiting social service clinics.
family tree
family tree
  1. n. a drawing that shows the relationship of a large number of family members: The couple has their family tree hanging on a wall in their living room.
famine
famine
  1. n. [C;U] a serious lack of food: Famine is sometimes caused by a long period without rainfall.
famished
famished
  1. adj. very hungry,
    THESAURUS
    starved: I am famished; I haven't eaten all day!
famous
famous
  1. adj.
    1 very well-known, renowned: She is a famous Hollywood actress.
    2 well-known in a bad way, notorious: Her husband is famous for his bad manners. -adv. famously. See: infamous, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    famous
    1 famed, prominent, recognized. Ant. unknown.
    2 legendary.
fan
fan
  1. n.
    1 an admirer: When the rock star appeared on stage, her fans went wild.
    2 a handheld or mechanical device that creates a current of air in order to cool: In the summer, we turn on the fan to keep cool.v. fanned, fanning, fans
    1 [T] to move air with a fan: I fanned the flames in the fireplace.
    2 [I;T] to spread out: The villagers fanned out across the countryside in search of the lost child.
    THESAURUS
    fan n.
    1 a supporter, follower | groupie infrml., enthusiast frml.
fan letter
fan letter
  1. n. a letter expressing admiration: Movie stars often receive fan letters.
fan mail
fan mail
  1. n. [U] letters sent by admirers to famous people: Rock stars receive tons of fan mail.
fanatic
fanatic
  1. n. a person who shows excessive enthusiasm for s.t., (syns.) a zealot, extremist: He is a political fanatic who is in favor of violent revolution.
fanatical
fanatical
  1. adj. showing excessive enthusiasm for s.t., (syns.) extremist, radical: She is fanatical in her political beliefs.||He is a vegetarian and fanatical about eating things such as brown rice.
fanaticism
fanaticism
  1. n. [U] excessive enthusiasm for s.t.: The political leader's increasing fanaticism has caused him to lose many of his followers.
fancier
fancier
  1. n. a person with a strong interest in s.t., such as a certain type of plant or animal: She is a cat fancier and has three cats of her own.
fanciful
fanciful
  1. adj. imaginative rather than real, (syns.) whimsical, playful: She has some fanciful ideas about becoming a movie star someday.||The artist was famous for his fanciful drawings.
fancy-free
fancy-free
  1. adj. See: footloose.
fancy
fancy
  1. adj. -cier, -ciest
    1 not plain or simple, elegant, elaborate: They wear fancy clothes and live in a fancy neighborhood.
    2 of superior quality, special: He enjoys eating and buys fancy foods at gourmet shops.v. [T] -cied, -cying, -cies
    1 to desire, find pleasing: I fancy eating out tonight.
    2 to imagine, fantasize about: He fancies himself a great storyteller.n. -cies a desire for s.t.: I have a fancy for some lobster for dinner.
    THESAURUS
    fancy adj.
    1 ornate, lavish, decorative (décor, clothes) | upscale (location). Ant. simple.
    2 gourmet, choice.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to want to
    2 to think, believe, consider.
fanfare
fanfare
  1. n. [C;U] a loud, showy introduction to an event, such as the sound of trumpets: The national political convention was opened with a fanfare of marching bands and cheering crowds.
fang
fang
  1. n. a long, sharp, pointed tooth, such as those of lions and wolves: Some snakes have long fangs that inject poison into the animals they kill. -adj. fanged.
fanny
fanny
  1. n.slang -nies the part of the body on which a person sits: I slipped while roller skating and fell on my fanny.
fanny pack
fanny pack
  1. n. a small bag worn around the waist for carrying money, keys, etc.: When Pedro rides his bike, he puts his money and some crackers in his fanny pack.
fantasize
fantasize
  1. v. [I;T] -sized, -sizing, -sizes to have imaginary desires and experiences: She fantasizes that she is a famous singer.
fantastic
fantastic
  1. adj.
    1 infrml. wonderful, fabulous: We had a fantastic time on our vacation in the Rocky Mountains.
    2 imaginative, strange, and unreal: The movie was filled with fantastic, strange-looking animals. -adv. fantastically.
    THESAURUS
    fantastic
    1 excellent, terrific. Ants. boring, bad.
    2 bizarre, extraordinary, out of this world infrml. Ants. ordinary, everyday.
fantasy
fantasy
  1. n. -sies
    1 a product of the imagination, daydream: He has fantasies about dating a beautiful movie star.
    2 the product of a creative imagination: This science fiction writer has created wonderful space fantasies.
    THESAURUS
    fantasy
    1 a dream, illusion | vision. Ant. reality.
far-fetched
far-fetched
  1. adj. not likely to happen, (syns.) improbable, ridiculous: He has some far-fetched ideas about building a huge company in only a year's time.
far-flung
far-flung
  1. adj. covering a wide area: Her travels have taken her to the most far-flung countries of the world.
far-off
far-off
  1. adj. distant, faraway: He dreams of visiting far-off lands.
far-out
far-out
  1. adj.slang very strange, incredible, (syns.) outlandish, mind-boggling: He has some far-out ideas on how to save the world. See: groovy, USAGE NOTE.
far-reaching
far-reaching
  1. adj. having a strong effect or influence: The head of state proposed some far-reaching changes in government.
far-sighted
far-sighted
  1. adj.
    1 able to see clearly only at a distance: He is far-sighted, so he needs glasses for reading.
    2 fig. able to plan effectively for the future: The political leader has far-sighted programs to benefit the country's future.
far
far
  1. adv. farther or further , farthest or furthest
    1 to a great distance: We had to walk far to get to the nearest gas station.
    2 to a great extent: The effects of the disaster will last far into the future.
    3 to a greater extent, much: He failed the test but promises to do far better next time.
    4 to a certain distance or extent (usu. used in questions): How far away is the nearest subway station?
    5 as far as: a. to a specific point in space: From the hill, we could see as far as the nearest village. b. to the extent that: As far as I know, the trains are running on time.
    6 by far: greatly, very much: He is by far the best football player in the league.
    7 far and away: without any doubt, (syns.) absolutely, unequivocally: She is far and away the best teacher on campus.
    8 far and wide: everywhere, all over the place: He looked far and wide for his lost wallet.
    9 far be it for me to say: I cannot say because I have the same or worse fault: Far be it for me to say that you should get married; I've been divorced twice.
    10 far from: not at all: We are far from happy with the results of the election.
    11 far from it: definitely not, not the way it is: I don't want to go on vacation; far from it, I need to look for a new job.
    12 far off: a. in the distant future: The date of our departure is not far off. b. incorrect: He is not far off when he says that the economy is improving.
    13 on the far right/left: (in politics) holding extreme views: Some politicians on the far right are becoming more powerful in that country.
    14 so far, so good: everything has been fine until now: I was worried that my math course was going to be difficult, but so far, so good.
    15 to go far: to succeed: She is a hard worker and will go far in her profession.adj.
    1 distant: Flying to China is a far journey.
    2 a far cry: very different, a long way from: That textbook is a far cry from being readable; no one can understand it.
    THESAURUS
    far adv.
    1 a long way. Ant. near.
    2 well, way
    3 much, considerably, significantly
    4 distant, far off, remote. Ant. near. —adj.
    1 long, lengthy. Ant. short.
faraway
faraway
  1. adj. very far,
    THESAURUS
    remote: On his vacations, he likes to go to faraway places.
farce
farce
  1. n.
    1 (in the theater) a type of humorous play filled with ridiculous situations: I thought the farce was funny, but my friend found it silly.
    2 [C] a ridiculous situation or event: That man's presentation was a farce; he was not prepared at all. -adj. farcical.
fare
fare
  1. n.
    1 [C] the cost of a ride, such as on a bus, train, or boat: You pay the fare when you get on the bus.
    2 [C] a passenger: The bus has 20 fares on it.
    3 [U] frml. food and drink: That restaurant has excellent fare.v. [I] fared, faring, fares to result in s.t. good or bad, make out: He fared well on his trip because he did some good business.
    THESAURUS
    fare n.
    1 the price, cost, fee. —v. to manage, do | get along.
farewell
farewell
  1. interj.old usage good-bye (for a long time or forever): The retiree said farewell to his co-workers and moved to Florida.adj. relating to a person's departure: We had a farewell party or dinner for him before he left.
farm-er
farm-er
  1. n. a person who farms: The farmer drove to the city each week to sell his fruits and vegetables.
    THESAURUS
    farmer a planter, grower, cultivator.
farm
farm
  1. n. a piece of land for raising crops and animals, usu. with a farmhouse, barn(s), and equipment: As a boy, I lived on a farm in Maine.v. [I;T] to raise crops and animals: Her family has farmed their land for a hundred years.
farming
farming
  1. n. [U] the business and practice of raising crops and animals: That man has been in farming all of his life.
farmland
farmland
  1. n. [U] land used in farming: The farmland in Iowa is so rich that it is called "black gold."
fart
fart
  1. n. slang
    1 gas coming from the anus
    2 an annoying or foolish person v.
    1 [I] to send out gas from the anus, (syn.) to break wind: In American culture, farting is considered impolite.
    2 to fart around: to waste time, fool around: After school, I fart around for an hour and then start my homework.
farther
farther
  1. adj. comp. of far: more distant: He moved farther away from the table and stood up.
    THESAURUS
    farther further | beyond.
farthest
farthest
  1. adj. superlative of far: Of all our friends, the Nelson family lives farthest away.
    THESAURUS
    farthest furthest, furthest away.
fascinate
fascinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to interest greatly, hold the attention of s.o., engross: The customs and traditions of other cultures often fascinate people.
    2 to strongly attract: She fascinates friends with her intelligence and charm.
    THESAURUS
    fascinate
    1 to intrigue, enthrall, mesmerize
    2 to charm, captivate | entice. Ants. to turn off, repel.
fascinating
fascinating
  1. adj.
    1 very interesting, (syns.) absorbing, engrossing: I find the study of history fascinating.
    2 attractive, (syns.) charming, captivating: She met a fascinating man at the party. -adv. fascinatingly.
fascination
fascination
  1. n. [U]
    1 s.t. that powerfully holds one's attention: I have a fascination for books on history.
    2 strong attraction,
    THESAURUS
    captivation: She creates a fascination in every man she meets.
fascism
fascism
  1. n. [U] a political system in which one party, run by a person with great power, has total control over industry, banking, and the military: She authored a book on the rise of fascism in Europe in the 1930s.
fascist
fascist
  1. n.adj. a follower of fascism: The fascist governments in Europe fell as a result of World War II.
fashion plate
fashion plate
  1. n.fig. a person who dresses in the latest style: He is a fashion plate, always dressed like a model.
fashionable
fashionable
  1. adj. in the latest style, stylish: Her clothes are very fashionable.
    THESAURUS
    fashionable stylish, chic, trendy | in, hip infrml., in vogue frml. Ants. unfashionable, dowdy.
fast
fast
  1. adv.
    1 rapidly, quickly: That athlete can run fast.
    2 faster than normal speed: My watch is running five minutes fast.
    3 deeply, soundly: The baby is fast asleep now.
    4 firmly, tightly: That door won't open; it is stuck fast.
    5 to live life hard and fast: to enjoy bad habits: He lives life hard and fast: drinking, smoking, and partying every night.
    THESAURUS
    fast adv.
    1 swiftly, speedily. Ant. slowly.
    2 ahead of time
    3 sound.
    THESAURUS
    —adj.
    1 speedy. Ant. slow.
    2 quick. Ant. slow.
    3 very good, devoted. —adj.
    1 rapid, quick: We took a fast train from New York to Boston.
    2 done quickly: He finished the job in half an hour, which was fast work!
    3 loyal, faithful: The two men have been fast friends for years.
    4 (of colors in fabric) firmly fixed, permanent: The colors in that sweater are fast, so they won't run when it's washed.
    5 acting freely in sexual relationships: He is fast and likes fast women.
    6 hard and fast rule: a strict rule: There is a hard and fast rule that no one may enter the library without showing an identification card.
    7 on the fast track: making rapid advancement in one's career: She is the youngest manager in the company and on the fast track to a top executive position.
    8 to live in the fast lane: to live one's life with high intensity: He lives life in the fast lane with a high-pressure Wall Street job and a fast-paced night life.
    9 to make a fast buck: to make some money rapidly, often in a dishonest way: The owner made a fast buck by selling his business before it failed.v. [I] to eat and drink little or nothing: From time to time, I fast for a day to lose weight.n. a period of fasting: The religious leader went on a fast for a week to protest the war in his country.
fasten
fasten
  1. v. [T]
    1 to attach, affix: He fastened pictures on the wall with hooks.
    2 to close (button, tie, etc.): She fastened the buttons on her blouse.
    3 fig. to direct one's eyes or attention to: The student fastened his attention on the teacher. -n. fastener.
    THESAURUS
    fasten
    1 to put, secure
    2 to do up (zip, button, snap). Ant. to undo.
    3 to focus, direct.
fastening
fastening
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that joins together two things: The fastening on the window is broken.
fastidious
fastidious
  1. adj.
    1 very careful, paying (too) close attention to details,
    THESAURUS
    meticulous: Our English teacher is fastidious about our spelling.
    2 hard to please,
    THESAURUS
    fussy: He is so fastidious about cleanliness that he always wipes his glass before drinking even though it's clean.
fat
fat
  1. adj. fatter, fattest
    1 overweight, heavy: She exercises every day to avoid getting fat.
    2 thick: The thief began to follow the man with the fat wallet.
    3 a fat check: a check for a large amount of money: I received a nice fat check in the mail this morning.
    4 fat chance: (used ironically) no chance at all: I told my friend that I'm going to win the lottery this week, and he said, "Fat chance!" See: overweight, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    fat adj.
    1 chubby, stout, plump | obese. Ants. thin, skinny. —n.
    1 the layer of flesh under the skin: He has a lot of fat around his middle.
    2 a soft solid or liquid oily substance found in animals or plant seeds: Some beef has a lot of fat in it.
    3 this substance specially prepared for use in cooking: There's a lot of butter in the cream sauce, so it's high in fat.
    4 to live off the fat of the land: to live well without having to work: That man has no intention of looking for a job; he's just going to live off the fat of the land as long as he can.
fatal
fatal
  1. adj.
    1 causing death: The poor man had a fatal heart attack.
    2 disastrous, tragic: She made the fatal mistake of returning to her country just as the war began. -adv. fatally.
    THESAURUS
    fatal
    1 deadly, lethal | mortal
    2 serious, catastrophic, ruinous frml.
fatalistic
fatalistic
  1. adj. related to the belief that everything that happens is determined in advance and cannot be changed by human effort: He has a fatalistic attitude about life and is never happy. -n. [U] fatalism.
fatality
fatality
  1. n. -ties a death resulting from accident, disease, natural disaster, or war: On long holiday weekends there is always a rise in the number of fatalities due to auto accidents.
fate
fate
  1. n.
    1 [U] a force or power believed to determine in advance everything that happens: Fate brought the two leaders together so that they might bring peace to the world.
    2 [C] a tragic end: It was while mountain climbing in Nepal that he fell and met his fate.
    3 as fate would have it: as a result of good or bad luck: As fate would have it, our flight was canceled because of a snowstorm and we missed an important meeting.
    THESAURUS
    fate
    1 destiny, fortune. Ants. chance, luck.
    2 doom.
fated
fated
  1. adj. determined by fate,
    THESAURUS
    destined: The ill-fated airliner crashed in heavy fog, and there were no survivors.
fateful
fateful
  1. adj. determined by fate, important, usu. involving harm or death: The fateful moment arrived when the two great armies met in battle for the last time.
fathead
fathead
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person: He's such a fathead; he won't listen to anybody. -adj. fatheaded; -n. [U] fatheadedness.
father-in-law
father-in-law
  1. n. fathers-in-law the father of either one's husband or one's wife: He and his father-in-law often have disagreements.
father
father
  1. n.
    1 one's male parent: His father lived to be 90 years old.
    2 Father: a. God: Oh Father, please listen to my prayer. b. the form of address for a Catholic or Anglican priest: Father Tomkins conducted the service.
    3 a person who starts s.t. new, (syns.) originator, founder: He was the father of modern medicine.v. [T]
    1 to cause a woman to become pregnant and give birth to a child: He fathered two children.
    2 to start s.t. new, (syns.) to originate, found: The leaders fathered a new nation. -n. [U] fatherhood.
father figure
father figure
  1. n. a man to whom others look for advice and support: Since the death of the boy's father, his uncle has acted as a father figure.
fatherly
fatherly
  1. adj. having the ideal characteristics of a father: That teacher has a fatherly attitude towards his students, and they often seek his advice.
fathom
fathom
  1. n. a measurement of six feet of water depth: A sailor measured the water depth at five fathoms.v. [T] to understand after deep thought,
    THESAURUS
    to comprehend: I cannot fathom why he would leave such a good job. See: unfathomable.
fatigue
fatigue
  1. n.
    1 [U] great tiredness: He is suffering from fatigue and wants to go to bed early.
    2 pl. military clothes: Soldiers wear fatigues.v. -[T] tigued, -tiguing, -tigues to make tired,
    THESAURUS
    to exhaust: The child has so much energy that she fatigues her mother.
    THESAURUS
    fatigue n.
    1 weariness, exhaustion. Ants. energy, pep.
fatten
fatten
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make fat, esp. farm animals used for food: The farmer started to fatten the turkey in preparation for the Thanksgiving Day meal.
    2 to grow fat: That baby has really started to fatten up.
fatty
fatty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest containing a lot of fat: I didn't buy the meat because it was too fatty.
fatuous
fatuous
  1. adj. stupid without appearing to know it: Everybody is always laughing behind his back at his fatuous statements. -adv. fatuously.
faucet
faucet
  1. n. a device through which the flow of water or other liquids is controlled, (syns.) a tap, spigot: The plumber said that I needed to buy a new faucet.
fault
fault
  1. n.
    1 an imperfection, flaw: There is a fault in the computer system.
    2 a weak point in s.o.'s character, shortcoming, foible: He has some faults, such as sometimes talking too much.
    3 blame, responsibility (for a mistake): Nobody knew who was at fault for the train accident.
    4 a large crack in the surface of the earth: The San Andreas fault lies near San Francisco, where the fault line runs north and south.
    5 to a fault: more than is necessary: That man is careful in his business dealings to a fault.
    6 to find fault with: to criticize usu. too often,
    THESAURUS
    to carp about: He complained that his boss was always finding fault with his work.v. [T] to criticize, blame: I fault him for not delivering the product on time. -adj. faultless; -adv. faultlessly.
    THESAURUS
    fault n.
    1 an error, defect
    2 a weakness, flaw. Ants. strong point, attribute.
    3 (to have the) responsibility for s.t.
    4 a split, fissure.
faulty
faulty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 not working properly, defective: The fire was caused by faulty electrical wiring.
    2 incorrect, flawed: Faulty thinking on his part caused the mistake.
    THESAURUS
    faulty
    1 damaged, broken down, defective. Ant. fine.
    2 wrong, erroneous. Ant. correct.
faun
faun
  1. n. an ancient Roman god of the woods and fields that was half-man, half-goat: The fauns liked to play tricks on people.
fauna
fauna
  1. n.frml. [C;U] -nas or -nae the animals in a specific place or time period: She spent a year studying the fauna of the Amazon.

    USAGE NOTE: Fauna is often used in the phrase flora (plants) and fauna. See: flora.
faux pas
faux pas
  1. n.frml. faux pas (French for) a socially awkward mistake: He made a faux pas when he called his new boss by the wrong name.
favor
favor
  1. v. [T]
    1 to prefer: I favor leaving today instead of tomorrow.
    2 to give preference to s.o., often unfairly: The mother favors her youngest daughter among all her children.
    3 to look like: Our daughter favors her mother's side of the family.
    THESAURUS
    favor v.
    1 to choose, opt for
    2 to have a special liking for | indulge, pamper, spoil
    3 to resemble, be like. Ant. to differ. —n.
    1 a helpful act, a good turn: He did me a favor by helping me get a loan.
    2 a little gift, usu. given out at parties: The children's table was covered with party favors, such as funny hats and candies.
    3 pl. favors intimate affections of a woman: He longs for her favors.
    4 in favor or out of favor with s.o.: (not) having the approval of s.o.: That union leader is currently out of favor with the mayor.
    5 in favor of: on the side of, in support of: The hospital workers voted in favor of the new contract.
    6 frml. to be looked upon with favor: to be approved of or supported: The nobleman's request for land was looked upon with favor by the king.
    7 to seek favor with: to attempt to gain the approval of s.o.: The new employee seeks favor with the boss by working late every night.
    THESAURUS
    favor n.
    1 (act of) kindness, good deed.
favorable
favorable
  1. adj.
    1 approving, positive: I received a favorable report from the doctor.
    2 pleasing: The first day of class, the instructor made a favorable impression on the students.
    3 advantageous, conducive: We have favorable weather for our sailing trip now.
    THESAURUS
    favorable
    1 good, encouraging. Ant. negative.
    2 good, positive
    3 good, fair. Ants. unfavorable, bad.
favorably
favorably
  1. adv.
    1 approvingly, positively: The bank looks favorably on your request for a loan.
    2 in an advantageous way,
    THESAURUS
    beneficially: I hope that your job interview turns out favorably for you.
favored
favored
  1. adj. preferred over others: Tea is favored over coffee in England.||The youngest is the favored child in that family.
favorite
favorite
  1. adj. most preferred: Mozart is his favorite composer.n.
    1 most preferred, chosen one: The father's older son is his favorite.
    2 the most likely to win: Last year's winner is the favorite in this year's race.
    3 favorite son: a politician preferred as a presidential candidate by his own state: As a candidate, he was the favorite son from Missouri.
favoritism
favoritism
  1. n. [U] preferential treatment, esp. when it is unfair: The owner of the company is guilty of favoritism in promoting her son because he is not qualified for the job.
fawn
fawn
  1. n. a young deer: Fawns are born in the springtime.v. [T] to seek s.o.'s favor through flattery and false humility,
    THESAURUS
    to grovel: He's always fawning over his rich uncle.
fax
fax
  1. n. faxes
    1 a document sent electronically through telephone lines: I sent a fax of my letter (order, illustration, etc.) to our Hong Kong office.
    2 a machine used to send an electronic document, a fax machine —v. [T] faxed, faxing, faxes to send a fax: I faxed it this morning. See: facsimile.
faze
faze
  1. v. [T] fazed, fazing, fazes to disturb, worry,
    THESAURUS
    to disconcert: The bad news did not faze him at all.
fear
fear
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a strong feeling of fright about danger (harm, trouble, etc.): The hunter was filled with fear when he saw the bear running toward him.
    2 [C] worry or anxiety that s.t. bad will happen: He has a fear that the economy will become worse.
    3 [C] a specific cause of fright or anxiety: She has had a fear of dogs ever since she was bitten as a child.v. [T]
    1 to feel a strong fright: He fears snakes.
    2 to view with anxiety: She fears that her son may be harmed on his way to school.
    THESAURUS
    fear n.
    1 fright, terror, alarm | dread
    2 worry, qualms | panic
    3 phobia | hang-up. Ant. calm. —v.
    1 to be afraid of. Ant. to like.
    2 to worry, be anxious about.
fearful
fearful
  1. adj.
    1 feeling afraid: He was fearful when he saw the elephant approaching him.
    2 anxious, worried,
    THESAURUS
    apprehensive: She is fearful of losing her job. -n. [U] fearfulness; -adv. fearfully.
fearless
fearless
  1. adj. without fear, (syns.) courageous, bold: Even though her fight for women's rights is unpopular, she is fearless in continuing it. -adv. fearlessly; -n. [U] fearlessness.
feasible
feasible
  1. adj.
    1 workable, possible: Your work plan is feasible, so we can build the bridge immediately.
    2 suitable, acceptable: There is no feasible alternative. -adv. feasibly; -n. [U] feasibility.
feast
feast
  1. n. a large, rich meal,
    THESAURUS
    a banquet: Every Thanksgiving, my whole family gets together and has a feast.v.
    1 [I] to have a feast: We feasted on turkey, sweet potatoes, and corn bread.
    2 to feast one's eyes on s.t.: to look at s.t. with admiration: Jane, feast your eyes on those diamonds in the store window.
feat
feat
  1. n. an impressive act, showing strength, courage, or unusual ability,
    THESAURUS
    an exploit: The soldier's feats of courage in battle were extraordinary.||Passing that exam without studying was a real feat!
feather
feather
  1. n.
    1 one of the many soft, thin growths that cover a bird's body: The feathers of the local pigeons are gray.
    2 a feather in one's cap: an honor for others to admire: His graduating first in his class is a feather in his cap.
    3 birds of a feather flock together: people with similar backgrounds and interests spend time with each other: I thought he was a good guy until I saw him with those troublemakers; as people say, birds of a feather flock together.
    4 as light as a feather: very light: The moving men lifted the heavy sofa as if it were as light as a feather.
    5 to ruffle s.o.'s feathers: to annoy, disturb: Her mother-in-law's negative comments about her cooking really ruffle her feathers.v. to feather one's nest: to profit by using s.o. else's money: We were shocked to discover that our local Congressman had been feathering his nest for years.
featherbedding
featherbedding
  1. n. [U] under a labor union rule, the hiring of more workers than are actually needed: The owner of the newspaper blamed featherbedding for the price increase.
featherbrain
featherbrain
  1. n. a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    birdbrain: She is such a featherbrain that she doesn't know what day it is.
featherhead
featherhead
  1. n. a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    dunce: What a featherhead!
featherweight
featherweight
  1. n.
    1 a boxer who weighs 118 to 127 pounds
    2 fig. a person of limited ability and importance,
    THESAURUS
    lightweight: Sally's boss is such a featherweight; nobody listens to him.
feathery
feathery
  1. adj.
    1 covered with feathers: Some men's hats have feathery headbands.
    2 light and soft: That plant has feathery leaves.
feature
feature
  1. n.
    1 an important part or characteristic of a product or service: The salesman described to us the car's many features.
    2 pl. features the mouth, chin, nose, eyes, etc. of the human face: That model has beautiful features.
    3 an important article in a newspaper or magazine: There was a feature in the local newspaper about the high cost of housing.
    4 a full-length movie: We saw a feature about a plane crash in the Amazon jungle.v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures to advertise as important, (syns.) to highlight, promote: The department store featured lamps and rugs in its annual sale.
    THESAURUS
    feature n.
    1 a quality, highlight | trait, attribute
    3 a column, story, piece.

    USAGE NOTE: One can also say feature film or feature-length film or movie.
febrile
febrile
  1. adj.frml.
    1 having a fever,
    THESAURUS
    feverish: The patient is febrile.
    2 fig. very active, (syns.) feverish, hectic: The pace of business here is febrile.
feces
feces
  1. n.pl. solid waste sent out from the bowels,
    THESAURUS
    excrement: A laboratory tested the feces for blood. -adj. fecal.
feckless
feckless
  1. adj. ineffective, irresponsible: The father was angry at his son's feckless performance in college. -adv. fecklessly.
fecund
fecund
  1. adj.frml. productive,
    THESAURUS
    fertile: The soil in this area is fecund. -n. [U] fecundity.
federal
federal
  1. adj. (in USA) related to the national government: The federal court system is large and spread out over the nation. -adv. federally.
    THESAURUS
    federal national. Ant. regional.
federalism
federalism
  1. n. [U] a political system in which power is divided between a central government that has control over foreign affairs, defense, etc., and state governments that decide local issues: Federalism is based on the concept of a strong federal government having superiority over the states. -n.adj. federalist.
federate
federate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to unite as in a group of states or unions: The states federated but left defense and foreign policy to the central government.
federation
federation
  1. n. a union of organizations or states: A federation of teachers' unions is working hard to improve the educational system.
fee-splitting
fee-splitting
  1. n. [U] a practice, usu. among lawyers and physicians, of sending clients to other members of their profession and then dividing the fees: I stopped going to that doctor when I discovered that he practiced feesplitting.
fee
fee
  1. n. a charge, cost,
    THESAURUS
    payment: We pay all sorts of fees: a parking fee, a license fee for driving a car, a registration fee, tuition fees, lawyers' fees, and doctors' fees.
feeble-minded
feeble-minded
  1. adj.
    1 having below-normal intelligence: The poor man has been feeble-minded since birth.
    2 mentally weak because of old age,
    THESAURUS
    senile: We knew the old woman was becoming feeble-minded when she started getting lost in her own neighborhood.
feeble
feeble
  1. adj. weak, without power or energy: The elderly lady has become feeble and unable to care for herself.||His feeble attempts at solving the problem are worthless. -adv. feebly.
feed
feed
  1. n.
    1 [U] grain or other food supplied to animals: Each morning the farmer gives the cows their feed.
    2 [U] infrml. a meal, esp. a large one: We've worked hard all day, so let's go have a good feed.
    3 [C] material supplied to a machine
    4 [C] the device used to supply material to the machine: The feed on the printer is broken.
    5 [U] chicken feed: a small amount of money (said with strong disapproval): He's crazy to think we will work on Sundays for chicken feed.v. fed , feeding, feeds
    1 [T] to provide with food: She gets up early every morning to feed her baby.||The farmer feeds his cows.
    2 [I] to take in as food: Big fish feed on smaller fish.
    3 fig. [T] to supply with s.t., such as information or material: The accounting department feeds information to the other departments in the company.||A worker feeds wood into the machine.
    4 to spoon feed: to inform s.o. in little steps as one feeds a baby with a spoon: Whenever he has a computer problem, I have to spoon feed him the solution. See: bite (the hand that feeds).
    THESAURUS
    feed v.
    1 to nourish
    2 to eat, consume | dine on
    3 to furnish, provide (information).
feedback
feedback
  1. n. [U]
    1 the return of some computer output into input in order to control a process: The feedback in the order process function updates inventory levels.
    2 the response to one's ideas (proposals, actions, etc.) in the form of approval, disapproval, suggestions, etc.: The radio station decided to cancel the show after receiving negative feedback from its listeners.
feedbag
feedbag
  1. n.
    1 a bag containing food placed over a horse's nose: Our horse is eating oats from a feedbag.
    2 infrml. to tie on the feedbag: to have a meal: Let's tie on the feedbag before doing any more work.
feeder
feeder
  1. n.
    1 a device that supplies food: We have a bird feeder in our backyard.
    2 a device used to feed material into a machine: The feeder on the printer isn't working properly.adj. a local transportation service (airline, railroad, etc.) that leads into a national one: The feeder airlines in Texas connect to the major airlines in Dallas-Fort Worth.
feeding
feeding
  1. n. [C;U] a meal, when referring to babies and animals: The baby is ready for her midnight feeding.adj. related to a meal: It is feeding time for the cats.
feel
feel
  1. v. felt , feeling, feels
    1 [I] to experience a sensation (warmth, cold, pain, hunger, etc.): I feel a little cold.
    2 [I] to touch in order to find or learn s.t.: He felt around in his pocket for the key.||The doctor could feel that the bone was broken.
    3 [I] to experience a condition: The patient feels better today.||She felt ill yesterday.
    4 [I] to experience an emotion (to feel afraid, angry, happy, etc.): She felt nervous on her wedding day.
    5 [I] to produce a certain sensation: Mountain air feels cool and fresh.
    6 [T] to experience a need or desire: After a few days in Mexico, he felt the need to improve his Spanish.
    7 [I;T] to have an opinion: He feels that smoking is bad for his health, so he quit.
    8 to feel for s.o.: to have sympathy for: I really felt for Tom when his wife died.
    9 to feel free: to be invited to do s.t.: My host told me, "Feel free to help yourself to coffee or tea."||A businessman wrote me a letter saying "Feel free to contact me with any questions that you have."
    10 to feel like: to have a desire for s.t.: I feel like having some ice cream.
    11 to feel like a million dollars: to feel unusually well: Having passed all of my examinations, I feel like a million dollars.
    12 to feel one's way: a. to move ahead without being able to see, using one's sense of touch: I felt my way down the stairs. b. to act with great care, usu. because of a lack of knowledge or experience: The first year our store was open, we were still feeling our way.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to feel (s.o.) out: to try to get information, esp. from s.o., in an indirect way: I felt out his intentions in asking me for help.||I felt them out.
    14 phrasal v. slang [T] to feel s.o. up: to excite s.o. sexually by touching: He felt her up in the back seat of his car.
    15 phrasal v. [I] to feel up to s.t.: to be ready to do s.t. difficult or unpleasant: He feels up to cleaning out the garage today.||She is still not well and doesn't feel up to going out.n.
    1 a touch: I gave the paint a feel to see if it was still wet.
    2 an understanding, a special skill: My daughter does well in math; she seems to have a real feel for numbers.
    3 the sensation produced by s.t.: The feel of fine leather is smooth and soft.
    4 to get the feel of s.t.: to become accustomed to: She drove around to get the feel of the new car.
feeler
feeler
  1. n.
    1 fig. a suggestion, polite question to determine s.o.'s interest: My friend is sending out feelers to see if other companies have a job opening for him.
    2 lit. a long, hair-like part of some animals used for feeling: Insects have feelers on their heads.
feeling
feeling
  1. n.
    1 [U] physical sensation, recognition of touch: His hands are so cold that he has lost feeling in them.
    2 [C] an emotion: The mother has a strong feeling of love for her family.
    3 [C] a belief that s.t. is true: My feeling is that he's an excellent teacher.
    4 pl. one's general sensitivity: Her strong criticism hurt her daughter's feelings.
    THESAURUS
    feeling
    1 a sensation, sensitivity, response
    2 a sentiment | passion
    3 an impression | opinion.
feet
feet
  1. n.pl. of foot
feign
feign
  1. v. [T] to pretend, to fake: He feigned illness so he would not have to work.
feint
feint
  1. v. [I;T] to make an action designed to distract or deceive an opponent: The fighter feinted with his left hand and then hit his opponent with his right hand instead.
feisty
feisty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest full of energy, tending to argue: She's a feisty child who isn't afraid of anyone.
felicitations
felicitations
  1. n.pl.frml. congratulations: Felicitations on your promotion!
felicitous
felicitous
  1. adj.frml. appropriate in an agreeable way: The speaker made a number of felicitous remarks that pleased his audience. -adv. felicitously.
felicity
felicity
  1. n.frml. [U] happiness: The children brought much felicity into their parents' lives.
feline
feline
  1. adj. related to cats: The feline world includes lions, tigers, panthers, jaguars, and house cats.
fellow
fellow
  1. n.
    1 infrml. a man or boy: Charles is a friendly fellow.
    2 frml. (at a university) a person who receives an award of money and a position for advanced study: She is a fellow at Yale University.adj. referring to people with whom one has something in common: He lunches with some of his fellow workers (students, scientists, etc.) each day.
fellow man
fellow man
  1. n. men other humans, (syns.) mankind, humankind: She shares the same everyday problems as her fellow man.
fellowship
fellowship
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of people joined together by common interests: We belong to a Christian fellowship and meet once a week.
    2 [U] the feeling of friendship gained through shared interests: After graduating from the university, she missed the warmth and good fellowship of her college roommates.
    3 [C] (at a university) an award of money and a position for advanced study: My professor is away on a fellowship to Oxford.
felon
felon
  1. n. (in law) a person guilty of a major crime, such as murder or rape: The company didn't want to hire him when they found out he had served time in prison as a felon.
felony
felony
  1. n. -nies adj. a major crime, such as murder or rape: He was sentenced to jail for committing two felonies (or) sentenced on two felony counts. -adj. felonious.
female
female
  1. adj.n. a human or animal of the sex that can produce young: Male and female students live in separate housing.||In the past, females were not permitted to join that club.

    USAGE NOTE: Many people avoid the use of female as a noun for a person and use woman instead.
feminine
feminine
  1. adj.
    1 having characteristics traditionally considered typical of women, such as warmth and softness: The dress she wore to the party made her look very feminine.
    2 (in grammar) referring to a certain class of words: The word for "house" is feminine in Spanish. -adv. femininely.
    THESAURUS
    feminine
    1 womanly, ladylike. Ant. masculine.
femininity
femininity
  1. n. [U] the characteristics traditionally considered typical of women: She does not believe that working as a police officer has caused her to lose her femininity.
feminism
feminism
  1. n. [U] the belief that women should have the same rights, opportunities, and treatment as men: Feminism is a strong movement in the USA.
feminist
feminist
  1. n.adj. a person who believes that women should have the same rights, opportunities, and treatment as men: Both she and her husband are active feminists.||They are active in the feminist movement.
femme fatale
femme fatale
  1. n. (French for) a woman who is very attractive and can easily seduce men: She is a femme fatale; men always fall in love with her.
femur
femur
  1. n. femurs or femora the bone in the leg that is above the knee: The skier broke his femur. -adj. femoral.
fence
fence
  1. n.
    1 a structure made of various materials, such as wood or wire, designed to prevent people or animals from entering or leaving an area: The fence around the factory is ten feet tall.
    2 slang a person who sells stolen property for thieves: He is a fence for stolen jewelry.
    3 on the fence or straddling the fence: undecided: She was on the fence about buying a new car.v. fenced, fencing, fences
    1 [T] to put a fence around an area: We fenced the property around the lake.
    2 slang [T] to sell stolen property: He fenced famous artwork before he was arrested.
    3 [I] to fight with a sword as a sport: He liked to fence for exercise.
    4 fig. [I] to argue with s.o.: The two of you should stop fencing and try to work together.
    5 to fence in: to limit s.o.'s freedom: My boss fenced me in so much that I couldn't do my job.
    THESAURUS
    fence n.
    1 a barrier, railing.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to enclose, fence off
    3 to duel
    4 to debate s.o., quibble with s.o.
fence sitter
fence sitter
  1. n.fig. a person who will not commit to either side of an issue: That politician is a fence sitter on the subject of raising taxes.
fencing
fencing
  1. n. [U]
    1 a fence or fences: Workers put up fencing around the house in one day.
    2 fighting with swords as a sport: Many students enjoy fencing as a university sport.
fend
fend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to defend oneself: He fended off the blows of his attacker.
    2 [I] to take care of oneself without anybody's help: When her parents died, she had to fend for herself.
fender
fender
  1. n. the outer covering above the tire of a car: The right front fender on my car needs to be repaired.
fennel
fennel
  1. n. [U] a tall plant with feathery green leaves whose seeds can be used as a seasoning: The cook flavored the soup with some fennel.
fens
fens
  1. n.pl. a low wet area of land: Fens are not good areas to walk in after it rains.
feral
feral
  1. adj.frml. wild, in the natural state: After living in the woods for many years, the dog had become feral.||We admired the feral beauty of the rain forest.
ferment
ferment
  1. v. [I;T] to mix together substances, esp. natural sugars and grains, which turn into alcohol: A winemaker ferments grapes into wine.n. [U] excitement, unrest,
    THESAURUS
    agitation: The sudden death of the political leader created ferment among his followers.
fermentation
fermentation
  1. n. [U] the changing of substances through the action of certain chemical processes: Grain changes into alcohol through fermentation.
fern
fern
  1. n. a type of flowerless green plant with feathery leaves: The ferns in her garden grow in the cool area under the trees.
ferocious
ferocious
  1. adj. violently cruel, (syns.) fierce, savage: The ferocious attack of the hungry lions left three zebras dead. -adv. ferociously.
ferocity
ferocity
  1. n. [U] violent cruelty, (syns.) fierceness, savagery: The storm (wild animal, soldier, etc.) attacked with ferocity.
ferret
ferret
  1. n. a small, dark brown, furry animal that can be kept as a pet and used to hunt rats and rabbits: I had a pet ferret when I was a child.v. to ferret out: to search and find s.o. or s.t., (syns.) to uncover, reveal: The detective ferreted out the truth by questioning many people.
ferrous
ferrous
  1. adj. containing iron: Steel is a ferrous metal.
ferry
ferry
  1. n. -ries a type of boat used to transport passengers and goods between two or more locations that are close to each other: You can take a ferry to the Statue of Liberty from lower Manhattan. -n. ferryman . —v. [T] -ried, -rying, -ries to transport people and goods a short distance: The boat ferried the soldiers from the ships to the island.
ferryboat
ferryboat
  1. n. a boat used to ferry passengers on short trips: The ferryboat leaves every hour.
fertile
fertile
  1. adj.
    1 able to produce offspring or new plants, productive: The farmland in Iowa is very fertile.||The doctor performed some tests to see if she was fertile.
    2 filled with new ideas,
    THESAURUS
    inventive, creative: The author of that book has a fertile imagination.
fertility
fertility
  1. n. [U]
    1 the ability to produce offspring or new plants: The fertility of the desert soil is poor.
    2 fig. the ability to produce new ideas,
    THESAURUS
    creativity: The fertility of his mind is impressive.
fertilization
fertilization
  1. n. [U]
    1 the union of egg and sperm that starts the development of new life: The fertilization of many plants is done by bees.
    2 the adding of a chemical or natural substance to soil to make plants grow well: Fertilization of the soil is done in the fall before snow falls. See: sperm; ovum.
fertilize
fertilize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to add fertilizer: Most farmers fertilize their farmland with chemicals.
    2 to start the development of new life: Male fish fertilize the eggs of female fish.
fertilizer
fertilizer
  1. n. [C;U] a chemical or natural substance used to make the soil richer and increase the productivity of plants: That farmer uses natural fertilizer from his cows.
fervent
fervent
  1. adj. intense,
    THESAURUS
    impassioned: Fervent cries for help came by radio from the disaster area. -adv. fervently.
fervid
fervid
  1. adj.frml. having intense beliefs or feelings,
    THESAURUS
    impassioned: The political leader gave a fervid speech calling for the government to end the war. -adv. fervidly; -n. fervor.
fester
fester
  1. v. [I]
    1 (of a wound) to become irritated, infected: The soldier's wound festered in the jungle heat.
    2 (of bad feelings) to become worse over time: The people's anger toward the dictatorship festered for many years. -adj. festering.
festival
festival
  1. n.
    1 a public celebration or feast, usu. of some special occasion: On Norwegian independence day, the Norwegians in my town hold a festival with singing and dancing.
    2 a series of events, such as films, plays, or concerts, occurring for a limited period of time: The New York Film Festival takes place every spring.
festive
festive
  1. adj. joyful, with feasting and good spirits: Our birthday parties are festive occasions with food, wine, and friends.
    THESAURUS
    festive happy, jolly, merry. Ant. sad.
festivity
festivity
  1. n. -ties
    1 the joyful celebration of a special occasion: There is a great festivity at Christmas time.
    2 pl. ways of celebrating a special occasion: Every New Year's Eve the festivities include a big dinner and dancing.
feta
feta
  1. n.adj. [U] white cheese made from the milk of a goat or sheep: My daughter loves feta (or) feta cheese in salads.
fetal position
fetal position
  1. n. having the knees bent up toward the head like a fetus, often when lying on one's side: He was asleep in the fetal position.
fetch
fetch
  1. v. [T] fetches
    1 to get s.t. and bring it back: If I throw a stick in the air, my dog will fetch it.
    2 to be worth: That painting will fetch $100,000 on the market.
fetching
fetching
  1. adj. attractive: She looked fetching in her new dress.
fete
fete
  1. n. a big party, usu. held outside
fetid
fetid
  1. adj. having a very bad smell, (syns.) stinking, foul: The polluted lake has a fetid smell.
fetish
fetish
  1. n. -ishes
    1 an object believed to have magical power,
    THESAURUS
    a talisman: The tri-bal leader wore a rabbit's foot around his neck as a fetish.
    2 s.t. to which one devotes an excessive amount of care and attention: She has a fetish about neatness and cleans her apartment every day.
    3 to make a fetish of: to devote an excessive amount of care and attention to s.t.: He makes a fetish of always being on time to meetings.
fetter
fetter
  1. n. a chain put on the ankle of a prisoner: The ship's captain put the prisoner in fetters.v. [T]
    1 to chain
    2 fig. to restrict s.o.'s freedom of action: He felt fettered by his having to care for a family.
fetus
fetus
  1. n. -tuses the developed embryo in humans and other mammals: The pregnant woman went to the doctor to make sure that the fetus was healthy. -adj. fetal.
feud
feud
  1. n. a long-lasting dispute, hatred (between persons, families, groups, etc.): The feud between the families has gone on for almost seventy years.v. [I] to have a feud: The two countries have been feuding over that island for years.
feudal
feudal
  1. adj. related to the feudal era or system: The feudal lords of Europe had to serve their king in times of war.
feudalism
feudalism
  1. n. [U] a political and social system in which a king and the people of the upper classes owned the land and people of the lower classes worked it: Feudalism existed in Europe from the ninth century to the fifteenth century.
fever
fever
  1. n.
    1 higher than normal body temperature, usu. due to infection: I have a fever and a terrible headache.
    2 a state of nervous excitement: There is a fever for freedom in many countries. See: headache, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    fever
    1 a temperature
    2 passion, enthusiasm, zeal.
fever pitch
fever pitch
  1. n.fig. high intensity,
    THESAURUS
    fervor: The enthusiasm of the crowd reached a fever pitch before the appearance of the star performer.
feverish
feverish
  1. adj.
    1 having a fever: The baby has been feverish for several days.
    2 fast, excited,
    THESAURUS
    vigorous: There was a lot of feverish activity before the opening of the new store. -adv. feverishly.
few
few
  1. adj.n. [U]
    1 (with "a") a small number: Those plastic rings cost only a few cents to make.||Most students come on time, but a few are always late.
    2 (without "a") not many, not enough: Few people registered for the course, so the college canceled it.
    3 few and far between: rare: Shoppers are few and far between today because of the bad weather.
    4 quite a few: a satisfactory number: She has received quite a few job offers.
    5 infrml. to have a few: to have too many alcoholic drinks: He has had a few.
    THESAURUS
    few adj.n.
    1 a couple | some, not many. Ant. many.
    2 hardly any | scarcely any. Ant. a lot.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare: He has a few friends with he has few close friends. We use "a" before "few" if we want to say that he has at least some friends, though not many. We omit "a" if we want to stress that he has almost no close friends.
fez
fez
  1. n. fezzes or fezes a round felt hat with a flat top, usu. dark red: The fez was a popular hat for men in the Mediterranean region at one time.
fiancé
fiancé
  1. n. a woman's future husband: Her fiancé is Brazilian.
fiancée
fiancée
  1. n. a man's future wife: His fiancée works as a lawyer.
fiasco
fiasco
  1. n. -cos or -coes a complete and usu. embarrassing failure: Her attempt to run for Senator was a fiasco.
fiat
fiat
  1. n.frml. [C;U] an order, (syns.) a dictate, decree: He runs his company by fiat, never discussing his decisions with anyone.
fib
fib
  1. v. [I] fibbed, fibbing, fibs to tell a harmless lie: The student fibbed when she said she was late to class because of an accident; actually, she overslept.n. a harmless lie,
    THESAURUS
    a white lie: She told the teacher a fib. -n. fibber.
fiber
fiber
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] threads from a natural (plant or animal) or synthetic source used for making cloth or rope: The fiber from the hemp plant makes good rope.
    2 [U] the material made from these threads: cotton, wool, nylon, silk fiber
    3 [U] the part of a plant taken in as food that cannot be absorbed by the body: Doctors say you should eat food that is high in fiber.
    4 [U] character: She is a woman of strong moral fiber.
fiberboard
fiberboard
  1. n. [U] building material made of plant fibers pressed into flat sheets: The inside walls of the house are lined with fiberboard.
fiberglass™
fiberglass™
  1. n. [U] a material made from glass fibers, with many commercial uses: Boats are sometimes made of fiberglass.
fibrous
fibrous
  1. adj. having fiber: Sugar cane plants are fibrous.
fibula
fibula
  1. n. -lae or -las the smaller of two bones in the lower leg: A skier broke the fibula in her right leg.
fiche
fiche
  1. n.abbr. of microfiche.
fickle
fickle
  1. adj. changeable,
    THESAURUS
    flighty: She is young and fickle, liking one boy this week and a different one next week.
fiction
fiction
  1. n. [U]
    1 a type of literature based upon the author's imagination as opposed to true stories: The author's new novel is a fine work of fiction.
    2 s.t. unreal, a lie: What that man says about his past is pure fiction.
    THESAURUS
    fiction
    1 creative writing, invented story. Ant. nonfiction.
    2 a falsehood, invention. Ants. the truth, a fact.

    USAGE NOTE: Novels and short stories are works of fiction. The class of nonfiction includes essays, biographies, and history books.
fictional
fictional
  1. adj.
    1 related to fiction, works of the imagination: Most of her fictional work consists of short stories.
    2 untrue, false: A suspect gave a purely fictional account of his activities at the time of the crime.
fictitious
fictitious
  1. adj. false,
    THESAURUS
    imaginary: The criminal used a fictitious name. -adv. fictitiously.
fiddle
fiddle
  1. n.
    1 a violin used for folk or popular music: My friend plays the fiddle in a country band.
    2 to play second fiddle: to be the less important person in a situation or activity: She was tired of always playing second fiddle to her talented older sister.v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 to play the fiddle: She fiddles in that band.
    2 to change s.t. in order to deceive: Some investors fiddled with the price of the stock to make money.
    3 to move s.t. around a little with one's fingers,
    THESAURUS
    to tinker: He fiddled with the wires and got the radio to work again.
    4 to waste time on useless activities: He fiddled around with going to college, and then dropped that to become a mechanic.
fiddlesticks
fiddlesticks
  1. interj.old usage a polite expression of displeasure at s.t.: Oh, fiddlesticks, I dropped an egg on the floor!
fidelity
fidelity
  1. n. [U]
    1 faithfulness, devotion to duty: His fidelity to his wife is very strong.
    2 the quality of a copy as compared to the original: The fidelity of that recording of the concert is excellent.
fidget
fidget
  1. v. [I] to move one's body, esp. the hands, in a nervous fashion: He fidgeted by tapping his desk with his fingers.
fidgety
fidgety
  1. adj. showing nervousness,
    THESAURUS
    restless: The boy becomes fidgety if he has to sit still for even a few minutes.
fiduciary
fiduciary
  1. n. a person or business that controls property or money for s.o. else: As the widow's fiduciary, he was responsible for the sale of her late husband's company.
field-test
field-test
  1. v. [T] n. to test s.t., such as a product or military weapon, under actual conditions: The automaker field-tested the new car on rough roads.||The field-test was successful.
field
field
  1. n.
    1 an area of land used for a specific purpose: a field of corn||an oil field||a baseball (football, soccer) field
    2 an area of activity, interest, or study: He works in the field of international law.||His daughter has always been interested in the field of medicine.v. [T]
    1 to answer questions: The politician fielded questions from reporters.
    2 (in baseball) to catch a ball: The pitcher fielded the ball.
    THESAURUS
    field n.
    2 a discipline, domain, subject.
field day
field day
  1. n.
    1 a day of festivities, esp. including outdoor contests such as footraces: We have a field day every Fourth of July.
    2 to have a field day: to have a good time: The reporters had a field day when they discovered the Senator's secret love affair.
field trip
field trip
  1. n. a trip taken outside the classroom, laboratory, or office for the purpose of study: The students went on a field trip to study the ocean.
fieldstone
fieldstone
  1. n. any of the large rocks found in fields: Farmers make stone walls from fieldstones.
fieldwork
fieldwork
  1. n. [U] work done on location: A social worker does fieldwork by visiting clients at their houses.
fiend
fiend
  1. n.
    1 an evil person, (syns.) monster, demon: The man who committed those terrible crimes is a fiend.
    2 a person with a very strong interest in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    fanatic: He is a football fiend.
fiendish
fiendish
  1. adj. evil, cruel,
    THESAURUS
    monstrous: She takes fiendish delight in hurting people. -adv. fiendishly.
fierce
fierce
  1. adj. fiercer, fiercest
    1 cruelly violent,
    THESAURUS
    ferocious: Fierce animals, such as the lion and bear, are very frightening when they attack.
    2 powerful, intense: A fierce storm struck the coastline.||The government ran into fierce opposition to its proposal. -adv. fiercely; -n. [U] fierceness.
fiery
fiery
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 full of flames: The building became a fiery trap for the firefighters.
    2 passionate: The Senator gave a fiery speech against his opponent.
fiesta
fiesta
  1. n. a public celebration frequently of a religious nature in Latin countries, with food, music, and dancing: During the fiesta, there was dancing in the street every day.
fife
fife
  1. n. a musical instrument similiar to a small flute: He played the fife in the military parade.
fifteen
fifteen
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 15: The wine is fifteen years old.|| Fifteen of those books are mine.
fifteenth
fifteenth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 15: Luiza's office is on the fifteenth floor.
fifth
fifth
  1. adj.n.
    1 the ordinal number 5: She is the fifth child in the family (or) the fifth.
    2 a liquid measure of one fifth of a gallon: He bought a fifth of Scotch for the celebration.
fifth wheel
fifth wheel
  1. n.fig. an unwanted person: He was invited out by two couples, but he refused, saying that he would feel like a fifth wheel.
fiftieth
fiftieth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 50: We celebrated his fiftieth birthday.
fifty
fifty
  1. adj.n. -ties
    1 the cardinal number 50: She gave me fifty dollars to add to my fifty.
    2 fifty-fifty: an equal share or chance: The plan has a fifty-fifty chance of succeeding.||My business partner and I divide the profits fifty-fifty.
fig
fig
  1. n.
    1 a soft, sweet fruit with many small seeds: Figs grow in the Mediterranean region.
    2 fig leaf: a leaf used in art to cover male and female sex organs
fig.
fig.
  1. abbr. for
    1 figurative, not real
    2 figure, as in a picture in a book: See fig. 4 on page 237.
fight
fight
  1. v. fought , fighting, fights
    1 [I] to argue, quarrel: That couple fights continually over (or) about money.
    2 [I;T] to make a great effort to get s.t.: Political parties fight each other for votes.||Women fought for the right to vote.
    3 [I;T] to make a great effort to stop s.t.: That organization was formed to fight racism.
    4 [I;T] to use physical force: The two children fought each other with sticks.||As a soldier, he fought bravely for his country.
    5 to fight a losing battle: to fight with no chance of winning: She fought a losing battle against drug addiction.
    6 phrasal v. to fight back: a. [I] to defend oneself: When the company accused her of stealing, she fought back by hiring a lawyer. b. [T] to hold back: She fought back her tears.
    7 phrasal v. [T] to fight it out: to argue or struggle until the matter is resolved: The two managers can fight it out until one agrees with the other.
    8 to fight like a tiger: a. to use strong physical force: During the attack, the father fought like a tiger to save his son. b. to make a very strong effort: She fought like a tiger to keep her job.
    9 phrasal v. [I] to fight on: to continue fighting in spite of obstacles: The soldier's companions were all killed, but he fought on alone.n.
    1 an argument, quarrel: Two friends had a fight over money.
    2 a struggle for or against s.t.: The politicians had a fight over legislation.
    3 a physical struggle, battle: The two teenagers had a knife fight.
    4 a boxing match: The championship fight took place in Manila.
    5 to put up a fight: to struggle mentally or physically: After discovering she had cancer, she put up a fight, but died six months later.
    6 a fight to the finish: to fight until one side can fight no longer: Neither fighter would give up: it was a fight to the finish.
    THESAURUS
    fight v.
    1 to bicker about infrml., clash over
    2 to battle for (or) over s.t. or s.o., struggle for
    THESAURUS
    3 to battle against, combat
    4 to beat, battle | wage war. Ant. to agree.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a dispute, disagreement
    2 a battle, contest
    3 a brawl, scrape. Ant. an agreement.
fighter
fighter
  1. n.
    1 a person who fights as a sport,
    THESAURUS
    boxer: He has been a fighter for many years.
    2 a courageous person: She was severely hurt in an accident, but she is a fighter and is fully recovered now.
    3 aircraft used to fight other aircraft: The fighters circled over the enemy lines.
fighting
fighting
  1. n. [U] an act of battle: The fighting on the border lasted for days.
fighting chance
fighting chance
  1. n. a possibility to succeed with great effort: Our team is way behind in the score but still has a fighting chance to win.
figment
figment
  1. n. fantasy: He says he saw some people from Mars, but that was a figment of his imagination.
figurative
figurative
  1. adj. related to a word or phrase that expresses meaning in a colorful way, usu. through comparison,
    THESAURUS
    metaphorical: When you call a timid, fearful person a mouse, you are using figurative language. -adv. figuratively.
figure
figure
  1. n.
    1 a number, sum: The figure for that project is a million dollars.
    2 a person's shape: That actor has a good figure.
    3 the form of a person: In the moonlight, we could see two figures in the distance.
    4 an important person: Martin Luther King, Jr. is a famous historical figure.
    5 a drawing in a book: The figure on page 63 shows how a car engine works.v. -ured, -uring, -ures
    1 [T] to believe, predict: I figure that the seller wants a better price than my first offer.
    2 [I] to be a part of: He figures largely in her dreams for the future.
    3 That figures!: to be expected, logical: That figures! He's always late.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to figure in: to add in, include: I figured in an extra 5% in the budget for possible additional costs.
    5 phrasal v. [T] to figure on: to plan, expect: You can figure on spending $800 for the plane fare.
    6 phrasal v. infrml. [T] to figure out: to solve, understand: The student figured out the solution to the math problem.
    THESAURUS
    figure n.
    1 an amount, cost
    2 a body, build
    3 an outline, shape
    4 personality, character
    5 an illustration. —v.
    1 to estimate, reckon
    2 to play a part in.
figure of speech
figure of speech
  1. n. a word or phrase that expresses meaning in a colorful way, usu. through comparison: A typical figure of speech is "They danced until the cows came home," which means they danced for a very long time.
figure skating
figure skating
  1. n. [U] the sport of ice skating in various patterns (or figures): People love to go figure skating on frozen lakes. -n. figure skater.
figurehead
figurehead
  1. n. a leader without power: The president is only a figurehead: the prime minister has the real power.
figurine
figurine
  1. n. a small statue of a person or animal: She collects figurines of horses.
filament
filament
  1. n. the thin metal thread of a light bulb: The light bulb has gone out because the filament is broken.
filch
filch
  1. v. [T] filches to steal s.t. of little value, (syns.) to pinch, swipe: He constantly filched pencils, paper, and tape from the supply room.
file clerk
file clerk
  1. n. a person employed to get files for use and then put them back: Computers have replaced file clerks in some businesses.
file name
file name
  1. n. the name of a computer file: The file name for that report is "Work.1A."
filet
filet
  1. n.v. [T] var. of fillet
filet mignon
filet mignon
  1. n. [C;U] a high-quality cut of beef: Filet mignon is very expensive.
filial
filial
  1. adj.frml. relating to relationships of children to parents: Their eldest son has a filial responsibility to care for his parents.
filigree
filigree
  1. n. detailed ornamentation, usu. of gold or silver: The picture has filigree on its frame.
fill-in
fill-in
  1. n. a substitute: The TV show's host was ill, so a comedian acted as a fill-in for him.
fill
fill
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to use all available space: Children filled the hole with sand.||The church was filled with people.
    2 [T] to pour liquid or pack a substance into a container: A machine fills cartons with milk.||A waiter filled my glass with water.
    3 [T] to cause s.o. to experience intense emotion: The child fills her mother's heart with joy.
    4 [T] to supply what is needed: A clerk fills orders for a product.||A pharmacist fills a prescription.
    5 phrasal v. infrml. [T] to fill 'er up or fill it up: to fill a gasoline tank in a car or truck: I told the gas station attendant to fill 'er up for our trip.
    6 phrasal v. to fill in: a. [I] to replace s.o. temporarily: The boss was ill, so his assistant filled in for him at the meeting. b. [T] to complete, supply information as on a form: I filled in the blanks on a job application.
    7 phrasal v. to fill out: a. [T] to complete: I filled out a form to apply for a driver's license. b. [I] to mature, become full-bodied
    8 phrasal v. [T] to fill s.o. in on: to give s.o. information, (syns.) to inform about, apprise: He missed the meeting, so I filled him in on all the details.
    9 to fill s.o.'s shoes: to replace s.o., esp. a highly successful person: The office manager does such a good job that no one will be able to fill her shoes when she leaves.n. [U]
    1 loose earth used to build up low-lying land,
    THESAURUS
    landfill: A construction company put fill into the low, wet land so they could build on it.
    2 to eat or drink one's fill: to eat or drink to one's capacity: After work, he drank his fill of beer and went home.
    3 to have had one's fill of s.o. or s.t.: to be dissatisfied,
    THESAURUS
    to be fed up: I have had my fill of bad weather and am going to Florida for a vacation.
    THESAURUS
    fill v.
    1 to seal, block, plug (object) | fill up, pack, jam (a room, building with people).
    THESAURUS
    Ant. to empty.
    2 to fill up
    3 to spread throughout
    4 to satisfy, complete (an order).
filler
filler
  1. n. material or food added to s.t. to increase the amount: The cook added bread to the meatballs as filler.
fillet or filet
fillet or filet
  1. n. a boneless piece of fish or meat: Fillet of sole is my favorite fish recipe.v. [T] filleted or fileted, filleting or fileting, fillets or filets
    1 to cut into thin pieces: The cook filleted the steak into thin slices.
    2 to remove bones: I filleted the fish before cooking. fillet or filet -n. a boneless piece of fish or meat: Fillet of sole is my favorite fish recipe. _v. filleted or fileted, filleting or fileting, fillets or filets
    1 to cut into thin pieces: The cook filleted the steak into thin slices.
    2 to remove bones: I filleted the fish before cooking.
filling
filling
  1. n.
    1 a usu. soft food put inside a cake, candy, or sandwich: Those chocolate candies have a creamy filling.
    2 a substance used to fill a cavity in a tooth: The dentist replaced two fillings I had lost.adj. (of food) making one feel full: Spaghetti is very filling.
filly
filly
  1. n. -lies a young, female horse: There was a special race for fillies.
film
film
  1. n.
    1 a thin coating: I washed away a film of grease on the frying pan.
    2 material used in photography: A tourist bought some film for his camera.
    3 a movie, motion picture: The movie theatres on Broadway show the latest films.v. [I;T]
    1 to cover with a coating of film
    2 to make a movie: The cameraman filmed a scene for a motion picture.
filming
filming
  1. n. [U] the act of making movies (TV shows, etc.): The filming of the motion picture took place in Kenya.
filmmaker
filmmaker
  1. n. a person or studio that makes movies: Orson Welles was a great filmmaker.
filmy
filmy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with a film: The water at the beach was filmy with oil from passing ships.
    2 very thin and light: The curtains were made of a filmy material.
filter
filter
  1. n. a device used to trap unwanted matter as liquids and gases pass through it: I use a filter in my coffee machine.v.
    1 [T] to pass through a filter: We filter our drinking water.
    2 [I] to move gradually: The audience slowly filtered into the concert hall.
    3 phrasal v. [T] to filter out: to remove through a filter: The fisherman filtered out the small fish with the net. -adj. filterable.
filth
filth
  1. n. [U]
    1 an excessive amount of dirt: The city streets were filled with filth.
    2 fig. offensive books, pictures, and films, usu. related to sex: That magazine contains filth.
    3 fig. indecent or immoral behavior, (syns.) vice, depravity: The police vice squad fights filth in that area of town.
filthy
filthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with filth, disgustingly dirty: The beggar's clothes are filthy.
    2 fig. offensive, usu. in a sexual way: That store sells filthy magazines.
    3 fig. immoral, indecent: People do filthy things in that place.
    4 filthy rich: very rich: Her family is filthy rich. -n. [U] filthiness.
    THESAURUS
    filthy
    1 very soiled, grubby, muddy. Ant. clean.
    2 obscene, pornographic
    3 depraved.
filtrate
filtrate
  1. v. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates to filter s.t.: This machine filtrates the water.n. the substance that is filtered: The filtrate is an improved product. -n. filtration.
fin
fin
  1. n.
    1 the flat wing-like part of a fish that it uses for movement and balance: One of the fish's fins got caught in a net.
    2 a guidance device (for aircraft): The pilot checked the tail fins on his plane.
finagle
finagle
  1. v.infrml. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to achieve one's goal through trickery and deception: He finagled his way into an exclusive club by lying about his past. -n. finagler.
final
final
  1. n.
    1 the last contest in a series (often pl. finals): The world tennis final will be played tomorrow.
    2 end of term examination: I have my chemistry final tomorrow.adj.
    1 last: I sat in the final row of the airplane.
    2 unchangeable,
    THESAURUS
    absolute: The judge's decision is final. -adv. finally.
finale
finale
  1. n. the last part of a musical piece, performance, or public event: The orchestra played some marching music as the grand finale.
finalist
finalist
  1. n. a participant in the last contest of a series of competitions: She was a finalist in the tennis tournament but lost to the champion.
finality
finality
  1. n. [U] a condition of definiteness about s.t.: Coming from the chairman himself, the company's announcement about closing the factory had an air of finality about it.
finalize
finalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to finish, complete in a definite fashion: We finalized the details of our contract and signed it.
finally
finally
  1. adv. in the end, at last: He finally arrived after driving for ten hours.
finance
finance
  1. n.
    1 [U] the science and art of raising and managing large sums of private and public money: My friend works in finance at an international bank.
    2 pl. finances the money that an individual, company, or institution has: He has difficulty managing his finances and is always in debt.v. [T] -nanced, -nancing, -nances to provide money: His bank just financed a large construction project in India.||She is financing her child's college education.
    THESAURUS
    finance n.
    1 money management, investment
    2 money, personal finances, accounts. —v. to fund, invest in s.t., pay for s.t.
finance charge
finance charge
  1. n. the interest charge on a loan, plus any fees: The finance charge on the loan is 10%, plus a $50 application fee.
financial
financial
  1. adj. related to finance: She was always careful with her money in order to have financial security when she retired. -adv. financially.
    THESAURUS
    financial economic | fiscal.
financial institution
financial institution
  1. n. a bank or company that handles money for business and individuals: Financial institutions in the USA are regulated by the government.
financial markets
financial markets
  1. n.pl. the bond markets, stock markets, commodities markets, etc. that accept money and turn it into equity instruments: The financial markets suffered in the recession.
financial statement
financial statement
  1. n. a report showing profit and loss for a business or institution: We received the financial statement of the company that is for sale.
financial year
financial year
  1. n. See: fiscal year.
financier
financier
  1. n. a person who provides money for a business: A well-known financier arranged for the funding of the new hotel.
financing
financing
  1. n. [U] money and credit needed by businesses and individuals: Financing for the company comes from individual investors.
finch
finch
  1. n. finches a type of small bird, such as canaries, sparrows, and house finches: Finches generally feed on seeds.
find
find
  1. v. [T] found , finding, finds
    1 (syns.) to come across (in discovery by chance), stumble on (or) across, chance upon: I found $10 on the sidewalk. I came across $10 on the sidewalk.
    2 (syns.) to realize, notice, as in learning from experience: She finds that she can lose weight just by eating less. She realizes that she can lose weight just by eating less. She notices that she can lose weight just by eating less.
    3
    THESAURUS
    to search for s.t. (and find it): He found a new job (apartment, school, etc.). He searched for a new job.
    4 (syns.) to reach s.t. or somewhere | regain, recover (one's way): The arrow found its target. The arrow reached its target.
    5
    THESAURUS
    to meet s.o.: We found our friends waiting for us at the restaurant. We met our friends as they waited for us at the restaurant.
    6
    THESAURUS
    to describe, as a reaction to s.o. or s.t.: She found the museum was fascinating. She described the museum as fascinating.
    7 to find for or against s.o.: (in law) to decide that s.o. is guilty or not guilty: The jury found for the defendant (or) found the defendant not guilty.
    8 to find it in one's heart: to search deeply within oneself for kind feelings: He could not find it in his heart to forgive her.
    9 to find it (odd, unusual, unlikely, etc.) that: to make an observation that s.t. is strange: I find it odd that my friend hasn't called recently; I hope he's not ill.
    10 to find oneself: to discover one's true abilities and be at peace with oneself: She is doing well as a lawyer and has finally found herself.
    11 to find one's way clear to do s.t.: to agree to do s.t. unlikely or difficult: After much discussion, the bank found its way clear to give me a loan.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to find s.o. out: to discover s.o. is guilty of a wrongdoing,
    THESAURUS
    to unmask: He was stealing from the company, but the manager found him out.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to find s.t. out: to learn,
    THESAURUS
    to uncover: I just found out that the payment is due tomorrow.||I found it out.
    14 to find the use of: to be able to use again, esp. an arm, leg, or sense: He was hurt but gradually found the use of his injured legs.n. a valuable discovery: The deep sea treasure was an exciting find.||The new secretary in my office is a real find.
finder
finder
  1. n. a device used to determine position: The military uses a range finder to determine the distance of a target from a weapon.
finder's fee
finder's fee
  1. n. a sum of money paid to s.o. for performing a service, such as finding a job or apartment: A company in Hong Kong paid a finder's fee to an agent in New York for finding new customers.
finding
finding
  1. n. a decision made after an investigation: The finding of the Senate committee is that the program should not be continued.
fine-tooth(ed) comb
fine-tooth(ed) comb
  1. n.fig. to go over with a fine-tooth(ed) comb: to examine carefully and closely: She went over the contract with a fine-toothed comb and asked many questions before signing it.
fine
fine
  1. n. money paid as punishment for wrongdoing: He paid a fine for parking illegally.v. [T] fined, fining, fines to order payment for wrongdoing: The court fined the company for dumping garbage illegally.adj. finer, finest
    1 excellent,
    THESAURUS
    advantageous: Now is a fine time to buy property.
    2 of superior quality: That store sells fine jewelry.||She has fine taste in furnishings (clothes, music, restaurants, etc.).||She is a person of fine character.
    3 deeply felt (senses, perception), heightened: He has a fine sense of hearing (smell, touch, etc.).
    4 sharp, pointed: That knife has a fine edge on its blade (or) a fine point on its tip.
    5 composed of thin threads or very small pieces: That scarf is made of a fine silk.
    6 well, healthy: I feel fine today.
    7 the fine print: a contract's small print which could alter the meaning of a document as a whole: They did not read the fine print in the written agreement and lost all their money. adv.infrml.
    1 well: You did fine on your exam.
    2 in small pieces, finely: Chop the nuts fine. -n. [U] fineness.
    THESAURUS
    fine adj.
    1 very good, terrific. Ants. poor, bad.
    2 classic, elegant | outstanding (one's
    THESAURUS
    taste)
    3 keen, sharp. Ant. dull.
    5 delicate. Ant. rough.
    6 all right, OK. Ant. unwell.
fine arts
fine arts
  1. n.pl. the arts of painting, drawing, music, dance, literature, drama, and architecture: She has a degree in fine arts from Columbia University.
finely
finely
  1. adv.
    1 well and delicately: The plates were finely painted.
    2 in small pieces: Chop the nuts finely.
finery
finery
  1. n.frml. [U] elegant, expensive clothes: Men and women dressed in their finery for the concert.
finesse
finesse
  1. n. [U] fine skill, smoothness,
    THESAURUS
    deftness: The chef makes elegant desserts with great finesse.||The owner handles complaints with finesse.
finger
finger
  1. n.
    1 one of the movable parts of the hand,
    THESAURUS
    digit: A hand has four fingers and a thumb (or) five fingers.
    2 infrml. a finger in the pie: to be involved, have influence: The sales manager is in charge of the project, but his boss has his finger in the pie.
    3 to give s.o. the finger: (a vulgar act) to show a strong dislike for s.o. by displaying the middle finger: When he passed the car in front of him, the driver gave him the finger.
    4 to keep one's fingers crossed: to wish strongly for s.t.: I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow; let's keep our fingers crossed.
    5 to not lift a finger: to make no effort to help: She made all the preparations for the party; her husband didn't lift a finger.
    6 to put one's finger on s.t.: to identify, say exactly what s.t. is: There's something strange about that man, but I can't put my finger on it.
    7 to slip through one's fingers: to miss or lose an opportunity: She had a chance to get a promotion, but she let it slip through her fingers.v. [T]
    1 to touch or rub with the fingers: The buyer fingered the cloth to check the quality.
    2 fig. to choose: The president of the company fingered his assistant to run the new project.
finger printing
finger printing
  1. n. the process of getting fingerprints: The finger printing of the suspect took place at the police station.
fingernail
fingernail
  1. n. the hard covering at the end of each finger: She puts red polish on her fingernails.
fingerprint
fingerprint
  1. n.v. [T] the fine pattern made by a person's fingertips when covered with ink and pressed against paper: The police fingerprint suspects and keep these fingerprints for their records.
fingertip
fingertip
  1. n.
    1 the end of the human finger including the nail and flesh on the bottom: The fingertip has many nerve endings that are very useful in the sense of touch.
    2 to have s.t. at one's fingertips: to have instantly available: With the aid of a computer, I have all the information I need at my fingertips.
finicky
finicky
  1. adj. difficult to please, unpredictable, (syns.) fussy, persnickety: Children can sometimes be finicky eaters.
finis
finis
  1. n. the end: The last page in the book says "Finis."
finish
finish
  1. v. -ishes 1 [I;T] to complete, accomplish: I finished my assignment in three hours.
    2 [T] to coat the surface of s.t.: The carpenter finished the table with furniture oil.n. -ishes
    1 the end, termination of an activity or event: We were present at the finish of the race.
    2 a covering or surface: That table has a smooth and shiny finish.
    THESAURUS
    finish v.
    1 to do, end, conclude. Ants. to begin, start.
finish line
finish line
  1. n. the line that marks the end of a race: Our horse crossed the finish line far ahead of the others.
finished
finished
  1. adj. no longer able to function,
    THESAURUS
    ruined: She's finished as a politician.||The business is out of money; it's finished.
finishing school
finishing school
  1. n. a two-year school for young rich women as preparation for taking their place in society: She went to finishing school in New England and then returned to Michigan to marry.
finite
finite
  1. adj. limited in number (quantity, availability), countable: The company has finite resources that must be divided among a limited number of projects.
fink
fink
  1. n.infrml. s.o. who tells about the wrongdoing of others,
    THESAURUS
    informer: That fink told the teacher that s.o. cheated on the exam.v.infrml. [I] to inform on s.o.: He finked on his friends.
fiord
fiord
  1. n. var. of fjord
fir
fir
  1. n. a type of tall pine tree with thin pointed leaves found in cool climates: Firs are often used as Christmas trees.
fire-eater
fire-eater
  1. n.
    1 an entertainer who creates the illusion of swallowing fire: At the circus the children especially enjoyed the fire-eater.
    2 fig. an angry person who likes to argue: People avoid him; he's a fire-eater when the subject is politics.
fire
fire
  1. n.
    1 [C] the process of burning, which produces heat and light: The fire in the stove is hot enough to cook now.
    2 [C] flames,
    THESAURUS
    a blaze: We sat around the fire to keep warm.||The restaurant was closed because of a fire.
    3 [U]fig. passion, intensity: His speeches are full of fire.
    4 on fire: burning, in flames,
    THESAURUS
    ablaze: The house next door is on fire.
    5 on the fire: to be cooking: The hamburgers are on the fire and will be ready soon.
    6 to be under fire: a. to be under attack: The soldiers on the bridge are under fire from enemy aircraft. b. fig. to suffer criticism: The politician is under fire from his conservative opponents.
    7 to catch (on) fire: a. to start to burn, (syns.) to ignite, become ablaze: If you're not careful, the rug will catch fire. b. fig. to become popular, widely accepted: After her great speech, the politician's election campaign caught fire with the people.
    8 to fight fire with fire: to use the same methods as s.o. else: He complains to the boss about us, so we'll fight fire with fire and complain to the boss about him.
    9 to have fire in one's eye: to be angry: I know she's determined to do what she wants; I can see the fire in her eyes.
    10 to have fire in the belly: to have a strong desire for advancement,
    THESAURUS
    to be ambitious: He has a real fire in his belly; he is so determined to succeed.
    11 to set a fire under s.o.: to pressure s.o. to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to prod: He has been delaying action for months; I'm going to set a fire under him to start the project.
    12 to set fire to or to set on fire: to start s.t. burning, (syns.) to torch, set ablaze: She accidentally set the bed on fire (or) set fire to the bed with a cigarette.
    13 to set the world on fire: to enjoy great success (usu. used negatively): She did not set the world on fire at college, but she did make some good grades.v. fired, firing, fires
    1 [I;T] to shoot a weapon: The soldier fired his rifle (missile, cannon, etc.) at the enemy.
    2 [T] to start a fire,
    THESAURUS
    to ignite
    3 fig. [T] to talk or shout at s.o. with intensity: The detective fired questions at the suspect.
    4 [T] to dismiss from employment,
    THESAURUS
    to terminate: The boss fired two workers.
    5 [T] to excite,
    THESAURUS
    to inspire: That speaker fires the imagination of his listeners.
    6 infrml. to be fired up: to be enthusiastic, highly motivated: He is fired up about his new job and wants to get started.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [I] to fire away at s.o. or s.t.: a. to shoot at s.o. with full force: The officer gave the signal, and the soldiers fired away at the enemy. b. infrml.fig. (you) go ahead: I'm listening to your idea; fire away!
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] fire s.t. off: to speak or write quickly: She fired off three letters in ten minutes.||She fired them off. See: quit, USAGE NOTE.
fire alarm
fire alarm
  1. n. a device that makes a loud sound to warn people of a fire: Everyone left the building when the fire alarm went off. See: smoke detector.
fire department
fire department
  1. n. the organization responsible for putting out unwanted fires in a city or town: The fire department put out a blaze in the building next door to my house.
fire drill
fire drill
  1. n. a procedure in which all people leave a building as practice for a real fire: The schools in our town have fire drills every month.
fire engine
fire engine
  1. n. a truck with equipment used to put out fires: A fire engine with six firefighters arrived and put out the grass fire.
fire escape
fire escape
  1. n. a series of platforms and ladders attached outside a building to let its occupants climb down and escape a fire: We can reach the fire escape by going out our living-room window.
fire extinguisher
fire extinguisher
  1. n. a container containing chemicals under pressure that are shot through a hose to put out fires: We keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.
fire hydrant
fire hydrant
  1. n. an upright metal container holding a pipe connected to an underground water supply,
    THESAURUS
    fireplug: Firefighters connected their hoses to the fire hydrant and sprayed water on the blaze.
fire sale
fire sale
  1. n.
    1 a sale at very reduced prices of goods damaged in a fire
    2 fig. any sale at very reduced prices: We bought some new dishes at a fire sale.
fire station
fire station
  1. n. See: firehouse.
firearm
firearm
  1. n. any of a variety of guns (pistols, rifles, machine guns, etc.): In order to use a firearm, you have to have a permit.
fireball
fireball
  1. n.
    1 any round mass on fire: Fireballs of burning grass rolled down the hill from the fire above.
    2 fig. a very energetic person: That woman is a fireball of energy; she's always full of good ideas.
firebomb
firebomb
  1. n.v. [T] a bomb that spreads fire: The airplanes firebombed the city.
firebrand
firebrand
  1. n.fig. a person very involved in a political cause: He was a firebrand in the civil rights movement.
firebug
firebug
  1. n.slang a person who maliciously sets fires,
    THESAURUS
    arsonist: The store fires were set by a firebug.
firecracker
firecracker
  1. n. a light, often colorful explosive intended for celebration: Some people like to set off firecrackers on Independence Day. See: fireworks.
firefighter
firefighter
  1. n. a person employed to put out fires: The firefighter went into the burning building to save the child.
firefly
firefly
  1. n. -flies a flying insect that sends out a light that can be seen at night: We enjoy watching fireflies flashing their lights in the early evening.
firehouse
firehouse
  1. n. a building where fire engines and equipment are kept, often with living space for firefighters,
    THESAURUS
    fire station: The new firehouse in this town holds three fire engines and ten firefighters.
fireman
fireman
  1. n. -men var. of firefighter

    USAGE NOTE: Many people find the term fireman sexist and prefer firefighter.
fireplace
fireplace
  1. n. a space built into the wall of a building, made of brick or stone, in which fires are set,
    THESAURUS
    hearth: Our family sits around the fireplace on cold winter nights.
fireplug
fireplug
  1. n. See: fire hydrant.
firepower
firepower
  1. n. the amount of weapons that a military unit can put into action: With its many fighter planes and guns, an aircraft carrier has enormous firepower.
fireproof
fireproof
  1. adj.v. [T] (to make) incapable of being harmed by fire: That building is fireproof, because the builders fireproofed it with steel doors, cement floors, and brick walls.
fireside
fireside
  1. n.adj. the area near or beside a fire, esp. a fireplace: I'll never forget those fireside talks we used to have on cold winter nights.
firetrap
firetrap
  1. n. a building that is dangerous during a fire because it burns easily or has few exits: That old theater is a firetrap and should be closed down.
firewater
firewater
  1. n.infrml.old usage [U] an alcoholic drink, such as cheap whiskey: The cowboy said to the bartender, "Give me some more of that firewater!"
firewood
firewood
  1. n. [U] wood used to start a fire or to keep it burning: They cut down the trees for firewood.
fireworks
fireworks
  1. n.pl. light, colorful explosives used for celebrations: The Independence Day fireworks are beautiful to see in the night sky. See: firecracker.
firing line
firing line
  1. n.
    1 a practice area or a battle line from which weapons are fired: Fresh troops moved up to the firing line to help the others.
    2 on the firing line: (of a person) in the position of having to defend against criticism: As the head of the company, he's always on the firing line.
firing squad
firing squad
  1. n. a small unit of soldiers who shoot to kill a prisoner on command: The firing squad consisted of five young soldiers commanded by a lieutenant.
firm
firm
  1. adj.
    1 (syns.) hard, solid: His muscles are firm from exercise. His muscles are hard (or) solid from exercise.||The mattress is firm. The mattress is hard.
    2 (syns.) definite, fixed: Her decision is firm and won't be changed. Her decision is definite and won't be changed.
    3 (syns.) strong, stable: That house is built on a firm foundation. That house is built on a strong, stable foundation.
    4 (syns.) definite, unyielding: The boy's mother was firm with him about not crossing the street alone. The boy's mother was definite (or) unyielding with him about not crossing the street alone.
    5 to be on firm ground: to know one's facts: My manager is on firm ground when she describes the costs of production.phrasal v. [T] to firm up: to become stable, solid: Food prices finally stopped falling and firmed up.n. a business of professionals: He belongs to a law firm (or) an accounting firm.adv. to hold or remain firm: to remain steady, dedicated: She holds firm to (or) remains firm in her religious beliefs. -adv. firmly; -n. [U] firmness.
firmament
firmament
  1. n.frml. [U] the sky,
    THESAURUS
    the heavens: He raised his eyes to the firmament and prayed for forgiveness.
first-born
first-born
  1. n. [U] adj. a couple's first child: He was their first-born or their first-born child.
first-class
first-class
  1. adj. referring to the best quality, usu. of service: They stayed at a first-class hotel.
first-generation
first-generation
  1. adj. being the first children of immigrants to be born in the new country: My parents came from Italy to America, and I was born in America; I am a first-generation American.
first-rate
first-rate
  1. adj. excellent, among the best: She is a first-rate lawyer; all the well-known criminals want her to represent them.
first-string
first-string
  1. adj. referring to athletes on a team who play regularly, as opposed to second-string players who act as substitutes: Martin Marvelous is the first-string quarterback for our football team.
first-time
first-time
  1. adj. occurring for the first time: She is a first-time lottery winner and hopes to win again.
first
first
  1. adj.
    1 located as number one in a series: She is the first person in line.
    2 at first glance: viewed quickly, on the surface,
    THESAURUS
    superficially: At first glance, the jewels looked real.
    3 first thing: at the beginning of a time period: I will do it first thing in the morning.
    4 first things first: The most important or necessary things must be done before any others: First things first, you must earn the money to pay for the trip before you go.
    5 in first place: the winner, the best: I thought my baseball team was in first place, but it turned out we finished second.
    6 in the first place: to be considered before other matters (often used to express frustration): In the first place, I don't understand what you are talking about, so how can I make a decision?pron.
    1 number one in a series: She was the first to hear the news.
    2 at first: in the beginning in comparison to later events: At first, I thought he was lying, but I later learned that he was telling the truth.
    3 first come, first served: those who arrive first are attended to first, and later arrivals wait: First come, first served is how the free clothing is given out at the church.adv.
    1 occurring before any other action, person, or thing: He cleaned the floors first before doing the windows.||The horse I picked finished first in the race.||This meeting will cover three issues: First, we shall discuss last year's sales; second, this year's new products; third, strategies for selling our product line.
    2. first, last, and always: forever: First, last, and always, she is the best dancer of our time.

    USAGE NOTE: Some prefer to use firstly, secondly, thirdly, etc. Either is correct.
first aid
first aid
  1. n. [U] emergency medical treatment given before the injured person receives whatever further treatment may be necessary: When the worker received a bad cut on his hand, a co-worker administered first aid and then took him to the hospital.
first base
first base
  1. n. [U]
    1 (in baseball) the base that must be reached first by the runner: The player hit the ball and ran to first base.
    2 to get to first base: a. to successfully complete the first step of a plan of action: He tried to sell that company a new health plan but could not get to first base with them. b. fig. to kiss s.o. on a romantic date: Carlos got to first base last night with Laura.
first cousin
first cousin
  1. n. the son or daughter of one's aunt or uncle: Two of my first cousins live in Chicago.
first edition
first edition
  1. n. the first printing of a book: I have a first edition of Gone with the Wind signed by the author.
first mate
first mate
  1. n. a ship's officer second in rank to the captain: The captain gave an order to the first mate.
first name
first name
  1. n. the name given one at birth, as opposed to one's family name: His first name is Thomas, but I can't remember his last name.adj. first-name basis: referring to a friendly, informal relationship: The owner and I are on a first-name basis.
first person
first person
  1. n. [U]
    1 (in grammar) the form of a pronoun or verb that refers to the speaker(s): For the verb "to be," "I am" is the firstperson singular form and "we are" is the first-person plural form.
    2 a style of storytelling in which the narrator is a participant in the story: The novel, told in the first person, began, "My father died before I was born."
firsthand
firsthand
  1. adj. direct, based on direct experience and knowledge of s.t.: She has worked with computers for years and has firsthand knowledge of how they work.
firstly
firstly
  1. adv. occurring before all others: Firstly, I would like to welcome you; secondly, let's discuss some serious matters.
fiscal
fiscal
  1. adj.
    1 related to taxation and spending of government money: The country's fiscal policy is to lower taxes and increase spending in order to stimulate the economy.
    2 fiscal year: related to a 12-month period of business activity: Our company's fiscal year is the calendar year, January 1 to December 31. -adv. fiscally.
fish
fish
  1. n. fish or fishes [C;U]
    1 an animal usu. with scales that lives in water and uses gills to breathe: I love to eat fish that I catch in the ocean.
    2 a big fish in a small pond: an important, usu. powerful person in a work or social setting where there is little competition: The well-known professor chose to stay at the small college rather than teach at a large university because he wanted to be a big fish in a small pond.
    3 a cold fish: a person who does not show warmth or affection: That man is such a cold fish; he never smiles!
    4 to be or feel like a fish out of water: to feel awkward, in the wrong place: I felt like a fish out of water at that fancy restaurant since I usually eat at fast-food places.
    5 to be neither fish nor fowl: not to fit into a clear category, confusing: The owners decided to make the newspaper less serious, but now it is neither fish nor fowl, because it limits its serious articles and still has too few of the lighter ones.
    6 to drink like a fish: to drink large amounts of alcohol: He used to hate beer, but now he drinks like a fish.
    7 to have other fish to fry: to have more important things to do: I cannot spend any more time on that project; I have other fish to fry.v. fishes
    1 [I] to try to catch fish: When I was little, my uncle used to fish with me.
    2 fig. [I;T] to search for s.t. with the hand, (syns.) to grope, fumble around: She fished in her bag for a pen.
    3 fig. [I;T] to search, inquire (often indirectly): The detective fished for information by asking neighbors if they had seen the crime.
    4 to fish for compliments: to ask questions to invite praise: The girl asked her boyfriend if he liked her hair and her dress; she was fishing for compliments.
    5 to fish or cut bait: to make a definite decision: He has been deciding whether or not to buy my car for a month now; he has to fish or cut bait because I need to sell it.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to fish s.o. or s.t. out: to pull out: Two women fished a little boy out of the water.||They fished him out.
fish and chips
fish and chips
  1. n. fried pieces of fish served with French fries: Every Friday, he enjoys fish and chips for lunch.
fish story
fish story
  1. n. -ries a story that is hard to believe,
    THESAURUS
    a tall tale: He wears a cowboy hat and tells fish stories about his former career as a movie actor.
fishbowl
fishbowl
  1. n.
    1 a bowl in which pet fish are kept: There are two goldfish in the fishbowl.
    2 fig. a place with little or no privacy: The President lives in a fishbowl; he has no privacy.
fishcake
fishcake
  1. n. a fried mixture of ground fish and potato, often with light spices: We're having fishcakes for lunch.
fishery
fishery
  1. n. -ies
    1 an area where fish are caught: The boats were headed towards the fisheries off the East Coast.
    2 the business of catching, processing, and selling fish: The fisheries in our state are now owned by one group.
    3 a place where fish are raised: That fishery sells to expensive restaurants in the city.
fishhook
fishhook
  1. n. a curved piece of thin metal with a sharp, pointed end designed to catch fish by the mouth: I put a worm on the end of the fishhook.
fishing
fishing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the sport of fishing: We like to go fishing during our vacation.
    2 the business of catching and selling fish: Fishing can be a difficult way to make a living.
fishing rod
fishing rod
  1. n. a long, metal stick, fitted with cord or plastic line and used to catch fish: We use a very strong fishing rod to go deep-sea fishing.
fishmonger
fishmonger
  1. n. a person who sells fish: My mother is a fishmonger at the outdoor market in Seattle.
fishnet
fishnet
  1. n. an open fabric of nylon, wire, or other material designed to capture fish: Some fishnets are so huge that they catch every creature in their path.
fishpond
fishpond
  1. n. a body of water smaller than a lake in which fish are kept: There's a fishpond in the park.
fishstick
fishstick
  1. n. finger-sized processed pieces of fresh or frozen fish: We have fishsticks for dinner once a week.
fishtail
fishtail
  1. v. [I] to move back and forth: Our airplane fishtailed as we landed in a strong wind.
fishy
fishy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having an odor of fish: The garbage has a fishy smell that is making me sick.
    2 fig. strange, possibly dishonest,
    THESAURUS
    suspicious: Strangers keep going in and out of that house; there is s.t. fishy going on there.
fission
fission
  1. n. [U] the splitting of an atom, producing a release of energy: Nuclear fission releases a powerful explosion of energy.
fissure
fissure
  1. n. a split, crack, (syns.) crevice, cleavage: Water has gotten into fissures in the rock.
fist
fist
  1. n. the closed hand, esp. when used for striking: He hit the table with his fist to get everyone's attention.
fistfight
fistfight
  1. n. a fight in which fists are used: An argument between two men outside a disco soon turned into a fistfight.
fistful
fistful
  1. n. a handful: The child grabbed a fistful of cookies and ran outside.
fisticuffs
fisticuffs
  1. n. (frequently used humorously) a fistfight: The fight between the two children began as an argument and ended in fisticuffs.
fit
fit
  1. v. fitted, or fit, fitting, fits
    1 [I;T] to be the right size and shape: These shoes fit well; I'll buy them.||The key fits into the lock.
    2 [I;T] to be suitable for a specific purpose: That telephone system fits our needs.
    3 if the shoe fits, wear it: if the description of s.o. is true, then it has to be accepted: My friend said, "My girlfriend just told me that I lived like a pig." I said, "Well, if the shoe fits, wear it; your apartment is a complete mess."
    4 to fit like a glove: to fit closely and comfortably, almost perfectly: These shoes fit like a glove.
    5 to fit the bill: to satisfy, provide just what is needed: The new paint job really fits the bill in brightening up the house.n.
    1 [C] a sudden strong display of anger,
    THESAURUS
    a temper tantrum: He nearly had a fit when he got a parking ticket.
    2 [U] the suitability of s.t.'s size and shape to its purpose: That suit looks good on you; it has a nice fit.
    3 [C] a sudden attack of a disease: a coughing fit
    4 to give s.o. fits: to worry,
    THESAURUS
    to exasperate: He gives me fits because he never does what he is supposed to do.adj. fitter, fittest
    1 in good physical condition, healthy: He looks fit after his vacation.
    2 suitable, proper: Because of his dishonesty, he isn't fit to be mayor.
    3 fit as a fiddle: to be healthy, in good condition: I've been jogging a lot lately, and I feel as fit as a fiddle!
    4 fit to be tied: very frustrated,
    THESAURUS
    exasperated: When she heard that her son had crashed the car again, she was fit to be tied.
fitful
fitful
  1. adj. irregular, disturbed: I slept badly; I had a fitful night. -adv. fitfully.
fitness
fitness
  1. n. [U]
    1 a person's physical condition: As part of her desire for fitness, she jogs two miles every day.
    2 suitability: His poor performance as assistant manager made us question his fitness for the position of manager.
fitting
fitting
  1. n. the act of trying on clothing in order to get the proper size: The costume designer asked the actor to come in for a fitting this week.adj. suitable,
    THESAURUS
    proper: It was a fitting end to the story.
five-and-dime
five-and-dime
  1. n.adj. See: five-and-ten.
five-and-ten
five-and-ten
  1. n.adj. a general store selling inexpensive household items: We did some shopping at the five-and-ten (or) at the five-and-ten store.
five
five
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 5: He gave me five dollars.|| Five of the children lived on the same street.
fix
fix
  1. v. [T] fixes
    1 (syn.) to repair s.t.: A mechanic fixed the brakes on my car. A mechanic repaired the brakes.
    2 (syn.) to correct s.t.: She fixed the mistakes in the report. She corrected the mistakes in the report.
    3 (syn.) to rig, as in to arrange in advance who will win a competition: The horse race was fixed. The horse race was rigged.
    4 (syn.) to prepare: He fixed dinner for his wife. He prepared dinner for his wife.
    5 (syn.) to neuter, as to cut out an animal's sex organ so it can't produce young: He didn't want his cat to have any more kittens, so he had her fixed. He had his cat neutered. —n. fixes
    1 difficulty, a troublesome situation: He used his credit card too freely and has gotten himself into a fix with high payments.
    2 slang an amount of narcotic: The drug addict started to shake because he needed a fix so badly.
    THESAURUS
    fix n.
    1 a dilemma.
fixate
fixate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I;T] to focus one's attention intensely on s.t.: As she looked at jewelry in the window, she fixated on a beautiful ring.
    2 [T] to spend an excessive amount of time thinking about s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to obsess: The young girl fixated on the handsome movie star as the man of her dreams.
fixation
fixation
  1. n. s.o. or s.t. one cannot stop thinking about, an obsession: He has a fixation on one of his professors.
fixative
fixative
  1. n.
    1 a substance used to hold two things together: People who wear false teeth use a fixative to hold them in place.
    2 a substance used to make s.t. permanent: The artist uses a fixative on her drawings to preserve them.
fixed
fixed
  1. adj.
    1 firmly in place: The computer is locked in a fixed position, so it can't be moved.
    2 definite, stable: That product is sold at a fixed price with no discounts.
    3 not able to be changed, (syns.) unyielding, insistent: She has fixed ideas on how to cook.
fixture
fixture
  1. n.
    1 internal part of a building, such as a faucet, a sink, or a bathtub: We are planning to replace the bathroom fixtures next year.
    2 fig. a person or thing connected to a place for a long time and unlikely to leave it: Mr. Kim is a fixture at the company; he's worked there for over thirty years.
fizz
fizz
  1. v. [I] fizzes to bubble: Champagne fizzes when it is poured into a glass.
fizzle
fizzle
  1. v. [I] -zled, -zling, -zles
    1 to fizz
    2 fig. to fail in a disappointing way,
    THESAURUS
    to peter out: Her interest in going back to college fizzled.||The new movie fizzled after it received bad reviews.
fjord
fjord
  1. n. a narrow body of sea water between tall cliffs: The fjords in Norway are a famous tourist attraction.
flab
flab
  1. n. loose, fatty flesh: That man has flab around his waistline.
flabbergast
flabbergast
  1. v. [T] to shock into disbelief: The news that he had won a million dollars flabbergasted him.
flabby
flabby
  1. adj. -bier, -biest having loose, fatty flesh: He is flabby from eating too much chocolate.
flaccid
flaccid
  1. adj. flabby: He is flaccid from lack of exercise.
flack
flack
  1. n.v. [I] a person employed to manage public relations for s.o., a press agent: John is a flack (or) he flacks for a local politician. See: flak.
flag
flag
  1. n.
    1 a piece of fabric, usu. with a design, used as a symbol: The flags of many countries fly near the United Nations building.
    2 to fly the flag: a. to display a flag in support of one's country: On Independence Day, we fly the flag in front of our house. b. fig. to indicate one's participation in a group gathering: We attended the trade show this year just to fly the flag.v. flagged, flagging, flags
    1 [I] to slow down, become weak, falter: My interest in poetry began to flag after I studied it for five years.
    2 phrasal v. [T] to flag down: to make s.t. (usu. a vehicle) stop by waving: I flagged down a cab to take me to the airport.
    THESAURUS
    flag n.
    1 the national emblem, the colors | a banner, pennant | (in the USA) Old Glory, the Stars and Stripes.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to weaken, diminish, wilt. Ants. to strengthen, increase.
flagellate
flagellate
  1. v. -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 frml. [T] to whip, esp. as religious punishment or for sexual pleasure
    2 [I] to move like a whip: The hair-like parts of some microorganisms flagellate to produce motion. -n. [U] flagellation.
flagging
flagging
  1. adj. becoming less,
    THESAURUS
    faltering: The bicyclist's energy is flagging as he struggles up a hill.
flagon
flagon
  1. n.
    1 a large bottle for wine or other liquids: People bought wine by the flagon and filled smaller bottles from it.
    2 a serving container with handle and lid: The host poured wine from a flagon.
flagpole
flagpole
  1. n. a tall pole from which flags are hung: The flagpole in the center of town flies the country's flag every day.
flagrant
flagrant
  1. adj. openly bad, (syns.) blatant, brazen: A trucker dumped toxic waste in a lake in flagrant violation of the law. -n. [U] flagrancy; -adv. flagrantly.
flagship
flagship
  1. n.
    1 (in military) the ship of a group's commander displaying his flag
    2 the major unit of a group: The New York Times newspaper is the flagship of a large publishing company.
flagstone
flagstone
  1. n. a flat section of stone used to make paths, patios, or floors: The flagstones in our patio are gray and black.
flagwaving
flagwaving
  1. n. [U]
    1 the waving of flags
    2 fig. an excessive display of strong loyalty or patriotism: The President's speech included a great deal of flagwaving.
flail
flail
  1. n. a machine used to separate the seed or grain from the rest of the plant —v.
    1 [T] to use a flail
    2 [T] to whip,
    THESAURUS
    to flog: A cruel owner flailed the dog for disobedience.
    3 [I] to move the arms or legs in an uncontrolled way: The skater slipped and then flailed his arms as he tried to regain balance.
flair
flair
  1. n. [U]
    1 a special talent: He has a flair for speaking well.
    2 good taste: She dresses with flair.
    THESAURUS
    flair
    1 a special skill, knack
    2 (with) style.
flak
flak
  1. n. [U]
    1 guns fired against aircraft
    2 the explosions from such a gun's shells
    3 infrml. strong criticism: My boss is always giving me flak about coming to work late.
flake
flake
  1. n.
    1 a small piece of s.t., light in weight with a rough or smooth surface: Americans love breakfast cereals in the form of flakes.
    2 slang a strange, crazy, or unpredictable person: My math professor is a flake; he always forgets to give us homework. See: snowflake. —v. [I] flaked, flaking, flakes
    1 to fall off in flakes: The paint on the wall is flaking.
    2 phrasal v. slang to flake out: to be forgetful or behave in an unusual way: She told me she would help me, but she flaked out and went to the movies instead.
flaky
flaky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 in the form of flakes: The wall paint is flaky and is peeling off.
    2 slang strange, crazy, or unpredictable: He's a flaky guy.
flamboyant
flamboyant
  1. adj. showy, colorful, (syns.) dashing, bold: The rock star acts and dresses in a flamboyant manner. -n. [U] flamboyance; -adv. flamboyantly.
flambé
flambé
  1. adj. referring to main dishes and desserts that are set on fire briefly before serving: My favorite flambé dish is crepes suzettes.
flame-retardant
flame-retardant
  1. adj. resistant to fire by not burning quickly: The materials used in some rugs (clothing, curtains, etc.) are treated with a flame-retardant chemical.
flamenco
flamenco
  1. n. -cos or -coes a spirited Spanish dance with foot stamping, handclapping, and castanets: That dancer performs the flamenco at a local nightclub.
flameproof
flameproof
  1. adj. completely resistant to fire: The high-quality steel used to make that door is flameproof. See: fireproof.
flamethrower
flamethrower
  1. n. a weapon that shoots fire: Soldiers fired flamethrowers into the enemy camp to force the enemy out.
flaming
flaming
  1. adj.
    1 in flames, burning: We could see the flaming ruins of the house for hours after the fire was under control.
    2 very bright: Her flaming red dress caught everyone's attention.
flamingo
flamingo
  1. n. -gos or -goes a tall, long-legged, bright pink water bird associated with Florida: Flamingos are colorful, attractive birds.
flammable
flammable
  1. adj. capable of catching fire: That company keeps flammable liquids in a special fireproof area. -n. [U] flammability.
flan
flan
  1. n. [U]
    1 a baked dessert made with milk, eggs, and sugar
    2 a pastry filled with custard, cheese, or fruit: We had flan for dessert with our coffee.
flange
flange
  1. n. an extended edge on various construction materials: The flange on the metal wheel kept it on the track.
flank
flank
  1. n.
    1 the side area of a human's or animal's body between the ribs and hip
    2 the outer sides or ends of a military formation: The enemy went around our right flank.v. [T]
    1 to be on one or both sides of s.o. or s.t.: Two police officers flanked the prisoner on either side.
    2 to go around the side of a military formation: Our soldiers flanked the enemy on their right. -n. flanker.
flannel
flannel
  1. n. [U] adj. a soft wool or cotton fabric: He wears gray flannel suits.
flap
flap
  1. v. [I;T] flapped, flapping, flaps to move up and down, or sideways: Birds flap their wings.n.
    1 an up-and-down or side-to-side motion: The bird took off with a flap of its wings.
    2 a piece of material used as a covering: The flaps on my jacket pockets keep things from falling out.
    3 infrml.fig. a dispute, minor scandal,
    THESAURUS
    controversy: Every year, there is a flap in Washington over salary increases for government employees.
flapjack
flapjack
  1. n. a pancake: He likes to eat flapjacks for breakfast.
flapper
flapper
  1. n.infrml. in the 1920s, a woman who didn't follow traditional standards of behavior: In her youth, she was a flapper and went out dancing every night.
flare-up
flare-up
  1. n.
    1 a sudden burst of light
    2 a rapid, intense build-up such as of light, anger, rebellion, or disease: I had a flare-up of my back problem yesterday.
flare
flare
  1. n. a flame-producing chemical device used to light up an area: The police put flares around the scene of the car accident.v. [I] flared, flaring, flares
    1 to burst forth with intense light: The fire flared when gasoline was poured on it.
    2 fig. to show sudden anger or to rebel: The argument grew heated, and tempers suddenly flared.
flash
flash
  1. n. -es
    1 a sudden burst of light: That flash of lightning startled us.
    2 (in photography) a device for adding light: The flash on my camera needs batteries.
    3 fig. a burst of mental activity: Suddenly, she had a flash of insight.
    4 a flash in the pan: a success that happens only once: Her first film won many awards, but it turned out to be only a flash in the pan.
    5 in a flash: very quickly: I'll be back in a flash.v. -es
    1 [I;T] to burst forth suddenly, esp. light or fire: Lightning flashed in the distance.
    2 [T] to display very briefly: The gambler flashed a roll of $100 bills.
    3 [I] to move rapidly: The race cars flashed by us.
flash card
flash card
  1. n. a small card with writing on both sides, used for memorizing information: Those flash cards have a question on one side and the answer on the other.
flash point
flash point
  1. n.
    1 the lowest temperature at which a substance produces fire
    2 fig. the moment at which a situation becomes serious, usu. resulting in violence: Events reached the flash point in the conflict, and both sides decided to go to war.
flashback
flashback
  1. n. (in literature and film) a movement in time from the present to the past: Film directors and novelists use flashbacks to explain earlier events.
flashbulb
flashbulb
  1. -n. a bulb that gives off a brief, intense light used for photography: As soon as the president walked into the room, many flashbulbs went off.
flasher
flasher
  1. n.
    1 a light that goes on and off repeatedly: Road workers place flashers near holes to warn drivers to avoid them.
    2 infrml.fig. a man who briefly displays his sexual parts to strangers: The police arrested the flasher; he was wearing a raincoat but no other clothes.
flashlight
flashlight
  1. n. a hand-held light operated by batteries: When the lights went out, we used a flashlight to find the exit.
flashy
flashy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest showy,
    THESAURUS
    ostentatious: He wears flashy clothes and drives an expensive sports car.
flask
flask
  1. n. a small container used for a variety of liquids: Her companion carries a flask of brandy in his pocket.
flat-chested
flat-chested
  1. adj. with small breasts: The sweater is too big for her because she's flat-chested.
flat-footed
flat-footed
  1. adj. with fallen arches of the feet: He is flat-footed and must wear special shoes.
flat
flat
  1. adj. flatter, flattest
    1 level: The farmland near the river is very flat.
    2 lying full length: He is flat on his back with the flu.
    3 fig. uninteresting: This dinner party has gone flat.
    4 fig. (business activity) the same as the previous period: Sales are flat this month; there has been no increase over last month's sales.
    5 referring to a drink that has lost its bubbles: The beer is flat.
    6 a flat tire or a flat: a tire that has lost air: During our trip across the country, we had a flat (or) a flat tire.
    7 as flat as a pancake: very flat: The land near the Mississippi River is as flat as a pancake in many areas.adv.
    1 completely, firmly: When I asked him for a favor, he turned me down flat.
    2 (of time) exactly: He ran the race in six minutes flat.
    3 to fall flat: to fail totally: The comedian's jokes fell flat; no one laughed.
    4 flat out: at top speed: We drove flat out for hours just to arrive in New York on time. -adv. flatly; -n. [U] flatness.
    THESAURUS
    flat adj.
    1 horizontal, even. Ants. uneven, hilly.
    2 stretched out
    3 unexciting, boring dull. Ants. interesting, lively.
    4 level. Ant. up.
flatcar
flatcar
  1. n. a railroad car with a flat bottom, no roof, and usu. no sides: Cars and trucks are transported by rail on flatcars.
flatland
flatland
  1. n. [C;U] level land without hills or valleys: The farmland in this area is flatland with a few streams.
flatten
flatten
  1. v. [T] to make horizontal: The cook flattens the ground beef into hamburgers.
    THESAURUS
    flatten to level, press down, compress.
flatter
flatter
  1. v. [T]
    1 to compliment s.o. usu. in order to win favor: He flatters his boss by telling her how intelligent she is.
    2 to increase one's feeling of self-importance: He was flattered when she told him that he looked young for his age. -n. flatterer.
    THESAURUS
    flatter
    1 to praise, sweet-talk | butter s.o. up infrml. Ant. to criticize.
flattery
flattery
  1. n. [U] praise or compliments that are excessive or insincere: She was never fooled by his flattery.
flattop
flattop
  1. n. something with a flat surface: The barber cut the marine's hair in a flattop.
flatulence
flatulence
  1. n. [U]
    1 gas sent out from the bowels
    2 fig. speech filled with unnecessary words and showy language: The professor was famous for his flatulence. -adj. flatulent.
flatware
flatware
  1. n. [U] tools for eating, such as knives, spoons, and forks,
    THESAURUS
    silverware: The flatware in that restaurant is rather elegant, but the plates are plastic!
flaunt
flaunt
  1. v. [T] to display in a showy way: She flaunts her wealth by driving big cars and wearing expensive jewelry.
flavor
flavor
  1. n.
    1 a specific taste: That steak has an excellent flavor.
    2 fig. a quality, impression: The furniture and artwork give that room the flavor of Spain.v. [T] to add a specific taste to s.t.: She flavored the sauce with salt, pepper, and garlic.
    THESAURUS
    flavor n.
    2 a feel, character | essence. —v. to season.
flavorful
flavorful
  1. adj. tasty,
    THESAURUS
    savory: The sauce on the fish is quite flavorful.
flavoring
flavoring
  1. n. any ingredient added to food to give it a specific taste: The company added vanilla flavoring to its ice cream.
flaw
flaw
  1. n. s.t. that is not perfect, a fault, imperfection: She noticed that there was a flaw in the diamond.
flawed
flawed
  1. adj.
    1 faulty,
    THESAURUS
    defective: He presented a flawed argument.
    2 imperfect,
    THESAURUS
    blemished: The decoration on those dinner plates is flawed.
flawless
flawless
  1. adj. perfect: The actor gave a flawless performance. -adv. flawlessly.
flax
flax
  1. n. [U]
    1 a plant with blue flowers, grown for its stem, from which linen is made
    2 the fibers of this plant, used for making linen cloth
flaxen
flaxen
  1. adj.
    1 woven from the flax plant
    2 light yellow, blond: The poet spoke of women with flaxen hair.
flay
flay
  1. v. [T]
    1 to pull the skin off: The company flays lambs to make lambskin gloves.
    2 to criticize strongly: The critics flayed Mr. Stark's writing.
flea
flea
  1. n. a very small jumping insect that feeds on blood: His dog has fleas.
flea market
flea market
  1. n. an informal outdoor marketplace where goods are sold at low prices: The flea market in our area sells used clothing and furniture.
fleabag hotel
fleabag hotel
  1. n. a cheap hotel,
    THESAURUS
    flophouse: He is a poor man who lives in a fleabag hotel.
fleck
fleck
  1. n. a very small spot or piece of s.t.: I wiped flecks of dust off the mirror.v. [T] to mark with very small spots or pieces of s.t.: A carpenter flecked the coffee table with paint to give it an antique look.
fledgling
fledgling
  1. n.
    1 a young bird ready to fly
    2 fig. a beginner,
    THESAURUS
    neophyte: He just joined the company and is the fledgling of our sales staff.
flee
flee
  1. v. [I;T] fled , fleeing, flees to run away, escape: After criticizing certain government leaders, the writer had to flee the country or go to prison.
fleece
fleece
  1. n. [U] the coat of wool of an animal, such as a sheep: The coat's lining was made of fleece.v. [T] fleeced, fleecing, fleeces
    1 to cut the woolly coat from an animal
    2 fig. to rob or cheat s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to swindle: A clever thief fleeced an old man out of his savings.
fleet
fleet
  1. n.
    1 all the ships in a navy or a group of ships: Honolulu is a major port for the U.S. naval fleet.
    2 a number of airplanes, trucks, or cars grouped together: American Airlines has a large fleet of planes.adj.frml. fast, quick: The runner is fleet of foot.
fleeting
fleeting
  1. adj. passing quickly: I saw a shooting star for a fleeting moment. -adv. fleetingly.
flesh
flesh
  1. n. [U]
    1 the skin and the soft substance beneath it: The doctor cut into the flesh to remove the bullet.
    2 the body as opposed to the mind or spirit: He enjoys pleasures of the flesh, such as food and sex.
    3 the soft inside of a fruit or vegetable: He bit into the sweet flesh of the ripe mango.
    4 flesh and blood: a. the human body: Those soldiers are made of flesh and blood; be careful with their lives. b. one's closest relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, children): I must help those children, for they are my own flesh and blood.
    5 in the flesh: the actual person,
    THESAURUS
    in person: She was very excited about finally seeing the famous movie actor in the flesh.
    6 to press the flesh: to meet voters and shake their hands: The politician felt the need to press the flesh, so he spent Saturday meeting many people.v. to flesh out: to add details, fill out: She wrote a brief report and then fleshed it out later with details.
fleshy
fleshy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 related to flesh: A bullet entered the fleshy part of his leg.
    2 having a lot of flesh, fat: He is a tall, fleshy man who eats a lot and never exercises.
flew
flew
  1. v. past tense of fly
flex
flex
  1. v. flexes
    1 [I;T] to stretch or bend one's limbs: She flexed her legs and yawned as she woke up.
    2 to flex one's muscles: a. to show one's muscles as a show of strength: He flexed his upper arm muscles to show how strong he is. b. fig. to perform an act to show one's power or authority: The manager flexed her muscles when she eliminated her employees' coffee break.
flexible
flexible
  1. adj.
    1 capable of bending easily: Rubber and plastic are flexible materials.
    2 fig. able to change easily in response to the situation: She is flexible and always open to new ideas. -n. [U] flexibility .
    THESAURUS
    flexible
    1 bendable, elastic. Ant. rigid.
    2 cooperative, accommodating. Ant. inflexible.
flextime
flextime
  1. n. [U] a system in which employees can choose their work schedule, as long as they work the required number of hours: I was very pleased when our company went on flextime; now I work 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. so that I can be with my children after school.
flibbertigibbet
flibbertigibbet
  1. n.infrml. a silly, talkative person: Everyone thought of her as a flibbertigibbet; no one took her ideas seriously.
flick
flick
  1. n.
    1 a quick movement of a finger or wrist: He removed the piece of dust from the chair with a flick of his finger.
    2 infrml. a movie: Did you catch that 1930s flick on TV last night?
    3 to go to the flicks: to see a movie: I went to the flicks last weekend.v. [I] to leaf through s.t.: She flicked through a photo album of her vacation.
flicker
flicker
  1. n. an unsteady movement of a light: The candle burned with a flicker in the wind.v. [I] to shine unsteadily,
    THESAURUS
    to glimmer: The flames of the campfire flickered in the night.
flier or flyer
flier or flyer
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a person who travels on an airplane: Frequent fliers receive free flights from airlines.
    2 a pilot: He is a flier in the Air Force.
    3 a small printed notice that gives information or advertises s.t.
    THESAURUS
    flier
    3 a leaflet, handout, circular.
flight-test
flight-test
  1. v. [T] to test an airplane's performance in the air: The pilot flight-tested a new airplane at high speed.
flight
flight
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the act of traveling through the air: The flight of birds seems very elegant.
    2 [C] a trip by air: Our flight from Chicago to Seattle was pleasant.
    3 [C;U] escape,
    THESAURUS
    exodus: The television news program showed the flight of families from the war.
    4 [C] a set of stairs,
    THESAURUS
    a staircase: The women's dress department is up one flight.
    5 in flight: a. to run away, esp. to escape punishment: The escaped prisoner is in flight from the law. b. to be in the air: We arrived late at the airport; our plane was already in flight.
    6 to take flight: a. to fly: Birds take flight in the morning to look for food. b. fig. to go far beyond the ordinary: Poets can make one's spirit (imagination, thoughts, etc.) take flight.
flight attendant
flight attendant
  1. n. a person who serves passengers on a plane and is responsible for their safety: The flight attendants served dinner on our flight from Los Angeles to Dallas.
flighty
flighty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest unsteady (usu. of behavior), (syns.) unpredictable, impulsive: My cousin is flighty; she has a different job every month.
flimflam
flimflam
  1. v.infrml. [T] -flammed, -flamming, -flams to trick, deceive, (syns.) to swindle, bamboozle: The politician flimflammed the public into voting for him by promising not to raise taxes, but he did raise them once in office.n.infrml. trickery, nonsense: What he says is just flimflam.
flimsy
flimsy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest
    1 poorly made, thin: The jacket is made of flimsy cloth.
    2 not strong, (syns.) unstable, rickety: That house was constructed with flimsy materials.
    3 fig. weak,
    THESAURUS
    feeble: Erika gave a flimsy excuse for being late. -n. [U] flimsiness.
flinch
flinch
  1. v. [I] flinches to move back suddenly without thinking, such as from a threat of being hit: The boy flinched when the ball flew by his face.n. a sudden backward movement: He reacted with a flinch.
fling
fling
  1. v. [T] flung, flinging, flings to throw, toss forcefully: When he is angry, he flings his jacket off.n.
    1 a forceful throw: He gave the ball a fling toward his friend.
    2 infrml. to have a fling: a. a brief, intense time of enjoyment: She had a one-week fling in New York going to nightclubs and discos every night before returning to Iowa. b. a brief romantic relationship: She was angry with her husband after discovering he had had a fling with her best friend.
flint
flint
  1. n. [U] a hard gray stone, used to make fire -adj. flinty.
flintlock
flintlock
  1. n. an old-fashioned rifle that uses flint to light the gunpowder: Flintlocks were used long ago by soldiers in the American Revolutionary War.
flip-flop
flip-flop
  1. v. [I] -flopped, -flopping, -flops to announce one decision now, but a different one later: The politician flip-flopped on taxation; first she was for the new tax, then against it.n.
    1 an act of flip-flopping: She did a flip-flop on the tax issue.
    2 an open summer shoe usu. made of rubber: I wore my flip-flops to the beach so that I could walk in the water.
flip
flip
  1. v. flipped, flipping, flips
    1 [T] to turn end over end: He flipped a coin into the air.
    2 [T] to throw lightly and quickly: He flipped the ball to me.
    3 [I;T] to turn over suddenly: The truck flipped over on its side on the icy road.
    4 [I;T] infrml.fig. to explode in anger, lose self-control: He flipped when the teacher told him that he had failed the exam.
    5 infrml.fig. [I;T] to react with intense pleasure or delight: She flipped when she learned that she had won the prize.
    6 to flip a coin: to decide a matter by each person choosing one side of a coin, tossing the coin in the air, and seeing how it lands: We flipped a coin to decide who would pay for dinner.
    7 to flip one's wig: to become very angry: If you wreck your mother's car, she'll flip her wig.
    8 to flip out: a. to become insane b. to be astounded: He flipped out when he won the lottery
    9 phrasal v. insep. [I] to flip through s.t.: to turn the pages quickly: She flipped through the magazine.n. a quick throw: He gave the ball a flip.adj.infrml. to be flip: to be disrespectful: I tried to talk to her, but she was flip with me.
flip chart
flip chart
  1. n. a display used by turning one large page over the other: The president used a flip chart with diagrams to illustrate her ideas.
flip side
flip side
  1. n.infrml. the other or opposite side of s.t.: The flip side of accepting this new job is I have to move away from my family.
flippant
flippant
  1. adj. not showing proper respect,
    THESAURUS
    impertinent: He made flippant remarks when I tried to discuss the problem. -n. [U] flippancy; -adv. flippantly.
flipper
flipper
  1. n.
    1 a wide flat limb on certain sea animals, used for swimming: Dolphins have front flippers.
    2 a large flat rubber attachment for the foot to help in swimming: The scuba diver put on his flippers before jumping in the sea.
flirt
flirt
  1. v.
    1 [I] to smile and talk with s.o. in a way that invites romantic interest: He flirts with every woman he meets.
    2 [I] to treat s.t. serious in a light manner: He flirted with disaster when he bet a lot of money at the horseraces.n. a person who flirts: Her brother is still a real flirt even though he's married.
flirtation
flirtation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an act of flirting
    2 a brief, usu. unimportant love affair: Their love affair was just a harmless flirtation.
flirtatious
flirtatious
  1. adj. related to behavior that invites romantic interest: She is flirtatious at parties. -adv. flirtatiously.
flirty
flirty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest var. of flirtatious.
flit
flit
  1. v. [I] flitted, flitting, flits to move quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to dart: Some birds flit from flower to flower.
float
float
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to rest or move on the top of water or other liquid: Logs floated downstream on the river.
    2 [I;T] to rest or move in the air: A balloon floats by us.
    3 fig. [I;T] move lightly and gracefully: The dancer floats through the air.
    4 to float s.o. a loan: to lend s.o. money: When I had no money last week, my friend floated me a loan of $100.n.
    1 an object resting on the surface of the water that holds a fishline or net: The fisherman left early in the morning to set up his floats.
    2 a flat, unmovable structure in a lake or pond: People sun themselves on a float near the beach.
    3 a colorful display mounted on wheels in a parade: Clowns wave from a float in the Easter parade.
    4 (in banking) the period of time between when a check is issued and when it is credited: The float for checks within the city is three days.
    THESAURUS
    float v.
    1 to drift, bob (up and down)
    2 to drift, glide | hover. Ant. to sink.
    3 to glide, soar. Ant. to sink.
floating
floating
  1. adj.
    1 capable of riding on top of water,
    THESAURUS
    buoyant: We will buy a floating raft to use at the beach this summer.
    2 moving from place to place: He is the floating accountant for three offices.
flock
flock
  1. n.
    1 a group of certain animals, such as sheep, goats, chickens, and geese: A flock of sheep came down from the mountain.
    2 fig. a group of many people: A flock of people crowded into the hall.v. [I] to gather or crowd together,
    THESAURUS
    to congregate: Thousands of people flocked to see the famous religious leader.
flog
flog
  1. v. [T] flogged, flogging, flogs
    1 to hit with a whip or stick, usu. as punishment: A guard flogged a prisoner.
    2 infrml.fig. to sell s.t. aggressively: I hate that store because the salespeople flog their products as soon as I walk in the door. -n. [C;U] flogging.
flood
flood
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to cover dry land with water, to overflow: The river ran over its banks and flooded the town.
    2 fig. to provide too much of s.t.: Several large manufacturers flooded the market with cheap goods.n.
    1 covering of dry land with water, an overflow: The flood caused great damage.
    2 fig. a large amount: The mayor received a flood of complaints from voters.
    THESAURUS
    flood v.
    1 to inundate
    2 to inundate, overwhelm.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a deluge, flooding, inundation. Ant. a drought.
    2 a deluge, large (or) huge number | a ton of s.t. infrml.
floodgate
floodgate
  1. n. a barrier, like a dam, allowing the level of water behind it to be raised or lowered: Workers opened the floodgates so that the spring rains could pass through.
floodlight
floodlight
  1. n.v. [T] -lit or -lighted, -lighting, -lights a type of powerful light used at night to light the outside of buildings or ground areas for security purposes: We use floodlights when we play baseball at night. -adj. floodlit.
floor
floor
  1. n.
    1 the bottom surface area inside a building: The floor in her apartment is made of wood.
    2 a level of a building,
    THESAURUS
    story: That skyscraper has 50 floors.
    3 a bottom limit placed on a price: The government placed a floor on the price of milk.
    4 to have the floor: to have the opportunity to speak at a public meeting: Right now Susan has the floor; please don't interrupt her.v.infrml.fig. [T] to shock s.o. so that he or she cannot speak: He was floored by all the good news.
    THESAURUS
    floor v. to stun, flabbergast.
floor plan
floor plan
  1. n. an architectural drawing showing the size and location of walls, doors, and windows of a building or a specific space within a building: We took a floor plan of our new apartment with us when we went to buy furniture.
floor sample
floor sample
  1. n. a piece of furniture or other item put on display for customers: The furniture store encourages you to sit on the floor samples to see how comfortable they are.
floor show
floor show
  1. n. nightclub entertainment, such as singers, dancers, and comedians: We had dinner and stayed for the floor show.
flooring
flooring
  1. n. [U]
    1 the bottom surface of a room or other area of a building: The wood flooring needs to be replaced.
    2 a covering on floors: The flooring is made of cement covered with industrial carpeting.
floozy
floozy
  1. n.infrml. -zies a woman with loose morals, esp. one who is a prostitute: She dresses like a floozy.
flop
flop
  1. v. [I] flopped, flopping, flops
    1 to move awkwardly,
    THESAURUS
    to thrash about: A fish flopped about on the beach.
    2 to drop heavily,
    THESAURUS
    to collapse: He was so tired that he flopped on the sofa and fell asleep.
    3 fig. to fail: The new play flopped and was closed promptly.n.fig. a failure: The play was a flop.
flophouse
flophouse
  1. n.infrml. -houses a cheap hotel: Arriving in town with very little money, he was forced to stay in a flophouse.
floppy
floppy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest
    1 loose and usu. oversized: She wears floppy hats, and her dog has big, floppy ears.
    2 easily bent, very flexible: We used to use floppy disks in our computer.n. -pies a computer diskette. See: floppy disk.
flora
flora
  1. n.frml. [C;U] -ras or -rae the plants in a specific place or time period: The flora in this part of the desert consists mainly of cactus. See: fauna, USAGE NOTE.
floral
floral
  1. adj. related to flowers: The restaurant has two beautiful floral arrangements in the dining room.
florid
florid
  1. adj.
    1 having a reddish color: He has a florid complexion from working outdoors in the cold.
    2 fig. very or too detailed,
    THESAURUS
    flowery: His novel is filled with florid descriptions of the Amazon rain forest. -adv. floridly.
florist
florist
  1. n. a person who owns or runs a flower shop: The florist sent flowers for Mother's Day.
floss
floss
  1. n. [U] soft thread used to clean teeth: I bought some dental floss at the drugstore.v. [I;T] flosses to use dental floss: He flosses twice daily.
flotation
flotation
  1. n. [U] the condition of floating
flotilla
flotilla
  1. n. a group of ships: A flotilla of war ships moved slowly up the coast of India.
flotsam
flotsam
  1. n. [U] the floating remains of a sunken ship and its cargo: We found an old boot among the flotsam. See: jetsam.
flounce
flounce
  1. v. [I] flounced, flouncing, flounces to walk or dance with showy movements: She flounced down the sidewalk in a tight dress.
flounder
flounder
  1. v. [I]
    1 to move about awkwardly and usu. with difficulty: He cannot swim, so he floundered even in the shallow water.
    2 to be unsure about what to say or do: When we asked him about his past, he floundered for a moment and then answered.n. [C;U] a common type of flatfish: In New England many people eat flounder.
flour
flour
  1. n. [U] finely ground grain: We use wheat flour to bake bread.
flourish
flourish
  1. n. -ishes a showy movement: The conductor ended the symphony with a great flourish of her baton.v. -ishes
    1 [I] to become rich, grow strong: People have flourished in America for centuries.||Many plants flourish in warm, humid climates.
    2 [T] to wave s.t. in a showy way: The soldier flourished his sword.
flout
flout
  1. v. [T] to openly oppose, (syns.) to defy, scoff at: She flouted nineteenth century standards of behavior by living with a man and not marrying him.
flow
flow
  1. v. [I] to move smoothly, stream: The river flows gently to the sea.n. [U] a steady movement: The flow of the water from the pipe is slow.
    THESAURUS
    flow v. to run to somewhere, pour into. Ant. to be blocked up.
flow chart
flow chart
  1. n. a drawing showing steps in a process: We drew a flow chart of our banking procedures.
flower
flower
  1. n.
    1 the colorful part of a plant or the plant itself: We planted flowers—roses and tulips—in the garden.
    2 frml. in the flower of youth: young and attractive: The photograph, taken on their wedding day, showed them in the flower of youth.v. [I]
    1 to produce flowers: The plant flowered overnight.
    2 to fully develop: At the Academy of Art my son flowered as a painter.
    THESAURUS
    flower n.
    1 a bloom, blossom.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to blossom, bloom, bud
    2 to flourish, blossom.
flowery
flowery
  1. adj.
    1 having flowers: She wears flowery dresses.
    2 showy,
    THESAURUS
    elaborate: After receiving the award, she gave a flowery acceptance speech.
flown
flown
  1. past part. of fly
flu
flu
  1. n. [U] short for influenza: He is sick with the flu.
    THESAURUS
    flu n. the grip (or) grippe, a virus | bug, the flu bug infrml.
flub
flub
  1. v. [I;T] flubbed, flubbing, flubs to make a mistake: The football player flubbed the ball as it was passed to him; he dropped it.
fluctuate
fluctuate
  1. v. [I] -ted, -ting, -tes to change, move up and down: During this past week, temperatures have fluctuated 50 degrees. -n. [C;U] fluctuation.
flue
flue
  1. n. the opening in a chimney: Smoke from the fireplace goes up the flue.
fluency
fluency
  1. n. [U] the ability to easily speak and write a language: She improved her fluency in both French and Mandarin by taking extra classes.
fluent
fluent
  1. adj. able to easily speak or write a language: She speaks fluent Japanese. -adv. fluently.
fluff
fluff
  1. n. [U]
    1 a soft loose particle on the surface of fabric
    2 the soft airiness of s.t., esp. pillows: The fluff in the pillow makes it very comfortable.v. [T]
    1 to pat so as to make s.t. soft and full of air: She fluffed the pillows on the sofa.
    2 to make a mistake, esp. to forget memorized lines,
    THESAURUS
    to botch: The actor became nervous and fluffed his lines.
fluffy
fluffy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest soft and airy: The pillows are fluffy.||The new snow is fluffy.
fluid
fluid
  1. n. [C;U] a liquid: The mechanic put fluid in the brake system.adj. smooth, graceful: The dancer's fluid movements were a pleasure to watch. -n. [U] fluidity .
    THESAURUS
    fluid adj. flowing, fluent, graceful. Ant. awkward.
fluke
fluke
  1. n.
    1 [C] a lucky surprise: That football player never scores, but today he did; what a fluke!
    2 [C;U] a commonly eaten type of flatfish, such as flounder -adj. fluky.
flummox
flummox
  1. v. [T] -moxes to confuse,
    THESAURUS
    to baffle: The test was so difficult that she was flummoxed by it.
flung
flung
  1. v. past tense and past part. of fling
flunk
flunk
  1. v.infrml.
    1 [I;T] to not pass, to fail: He flunked a test in history.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to flunk out: to be dismissed from school for poor performance: He flunked out of college in his first year.
flunky
flunky
  1. n. -kies a person who performs tasks for another person, (syns.) factotum, gofer: The politician arrived at the meeting with several flunkies.
fluorescent
fluorescent
  1. adj. bright and glowing: There is a fluorescent pink sign in the window that reads "RESTAURANT." -n. [U] fluorescence.
fluoride
fluoride
  1. n. [U] a combination of fluorine and another chemical element: Manufacturers add fluoride to toothpaste to reduce cavities.
flurry
flurry
  1. n. -ries
    1 a rush of activity: A flurry of buying took place in the stock market today.
    2 a strong rush of wind
    3 a light snowfall: A snow flurry left a thin layer of snow on the ground.v. [I;T] -ried, -rying, -ries to briefly intensify: The wind flurried and then died down.
flush
flush
  1. v. flushes
    1 [I;T] to wash with water,
    THESAURUS
    to rinse away: A doctor will flush the man's injured eye.||A child flushed the toilet.
    2 [I] to become red in the face,
    THESAURUS
    to blush: His face flushed after working in the heat.n. flushes
    1 an act of washing with a rush of water: John gave the toilet a flush.
    2 reddening of the face, a blush: After she has been dancing, her face has a light flush.
    3 (in poker) a hand of cards all of the same suit: One player has a flush of five hearts.adj.
    1 fitting tightly against s.t.: The bookcases are flush with the wall.
    2 proud and excited: He won the championship and is flush with success.
fluster
fluster
  1. v. [I;T] to upset s.o. so that he or she behaves awkwardly,
    THESAURUS
    to unnerve: The teacher's question flustered the little boy.
flute
flute
  1. n. a long, tube-shaped musical instrument made of metal with holes along the side
flutist
flutist
  1. n. a person who plays the flute: He's a flutist with the symphony orchestra.
flutter
flutter
  1. v.
    1 [I] to wave very quickly and lightly: The flag fluttered in the wind.
    2 [I] to shake: Her heart fluttered with excitement.
    3 [I;T] to move wings up and down rapidly: You could hear birds' wings flutter in the tree.n. rapid movement: I could also hear the flutter (or) the fluttering in that tree. -adj. fluttery.
flux
flux
  1. n. [U]
    1 a flow
    2 to be in flux or to be in a state of flux: to be always changing: Because our son is sick, our vacation plans are in flux.
fly-by-night
fly-by-night
  1. adj. a person or situation of uncertain honesty: His business is a fly-by-night operation.
fly
fly
  1. v. flew , flown , flying, flies
    1 [I;T] to move through the air: Birds fly north in the spring.
    2 [I;T] to guide an aircraft: He flies planes for Swissair.
    3 fig. [I] to move quickly, hurry: He was late and flew out the door to his next appointment.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to fly at s.o.: to attack physically or verbally: She didn't like what he said and flew at him in anger.
    5 to fly blind: a. fig. to fly (an aircraft) without being able to see where one is going: The pilot was flying blind in the fog. b. fig. to act without proper information: With no one to guide her, she was flying blind when she opened her business.
    6 to fly by the seat of one's pants: to act by guessing rather than by specific rules or behavior: He flies by the seat of his pants when he makes decisions.
    7 to fly in the face of: to be in direct opposition to, (syns.) to contradict, defy: Her lifestyle is odd and flies in the face of socially acceptable behavior.
    8 to fly into a rage or off the handle: to explode in anger: When he doesn't get what he wants, he flies into a rage (or) off the handle.
    9 to fly the coop: to leave hurriedly, escape: When the police arrived at the scene, the criminal had already flown the coop.
    THESAURUS
    fly v.
    1 to wing
    2 to pilot
    3 to take off, run, dash. Ants. to move slowly | walk | crawl. —n.pl. flies
    1 a small, usu. two-winged insect: A fly landed on the table.
    2 an opening in pants held together by a zipper or buttons: He zipped up the fly on his jeans.
    3 a fly in the ointment: a single negative factor that destroys a good situation: Everything was agreed on; then his refusal to cooperate became a fly in the ointment.
    4 to be a fly on the wall: to be an unseen observer: When the managers are deciding who will get a raise, I would like to be a fly on the wall at their meeting.
    5 to be on the fly: to be in a hurry: I'm on the fly and can't talk to you now.
flyby
flyby
  1. n. -bys the path of an aircraft or spacecraft past a specific location: The Voyager spacecraft did a flyby of Mars to take pictures of its surface.
flying
flying
  1. n. [U] guiding an aircraft or being a passenger on one: He likes flying as a hobby.||She has a fear of flying and prefers to take trains.adj.
    1 moving through the air: She took a flying jump and landed on top of the wall.
    2 with flying colors: very successfully: She passed her exams with flying colors.
flying saucer
flying saucer
  1. n. a spacecraft from another world: People frequently report seeing flying saucers.
flying start
flying start
  1. n. an excellent beginning: She made excellent grades at college her first semester and is off to a flying start.
flyswatter
flyswatter
  1. n. a device with a long handle attached to a flat piece of flexible material, used for killing flies
foal
foal
  1. n. a newborn horse —v. [I] to give birth to a foal: The mare foaled in the springtime.
foam
foam
  1. n. a liquid substance full of air bubbles acting as a covering: Ocean waves are covered with white foam.v. [I] to form into a foam: Shaving cream foams when it comes out of the can.
    THESAURUS
    foam n. froth, bubbles, spray | suds.
foam rubber
foam rubber
  1. n. [U] rubber filled with small pockets of air: There is foam rubber inside the chair to make it comfortable.
foamy
foamy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having a bubbly covering,
    THESAURUS
    frothy: That beer is foamy.
focal
focal
  1. adj. related to focus: The focal length is 6 1/2 feet between your face and the camera lens.
focal point
focal point
  1. n.
    1 a point at which an object is in focus in a lens system
    2 s.t. on which attention is focused: Democracy in that country is the focal point of political discussion.
focus
focus
  1. n. -cuses or -ci
    1 an adjustment (of the eye, camera lens, microscope, etc.) to a clear picture: I adjusted the focus of the camera to 6 feet.
    2 an object of attention: The focus of the news report was the state of the economy.v. [I;T] -cuses
    1 to adjust in order to get a clear picture: A scientist focused her microscope on the bacterium.
    2 to center one's attention on: The Senator's speech focused on health care reform.
    3 to be in or out of focus: to have a clear or unclear picture: We couldn't see their faces because the photograph was out of focus.
    THESAURUS
    focus n.
    2 the center, central point, focal point. Ants. detail | trivia. —v.
    1 and
    2 to center on, concentrate on.
fodder
fodder
  1. n. [U] food for farm animals: The farmer grows corn as fodder for his cattle.
foe
foe
  1. n. s.o. who is against you, (syns.) enemy, opponent: The conservative party is a foe of higher taxes.
fog
fog
  1. n. [U]
    1 a heavy gray vapor near the ground that makes it difficult to see: The heavy morning fog made driving difficult.
    2 to be in a fog: to be unable to think clearly: She is so tired from studying that she is in a fog.v. fogged, fogging, fogs
    1 [I;T] to cover or become covered with a gray vapor: The roads are fogged tonight; it will be difficult to drive.||The front window is fogged up, so the driver can't see well.
    2 fig. [T] to cause confusion: Heavy drink fogged his mind.
    3 to be fogged in: to be unable to travel because of fog: The airport in Chicago is fogged in, so no flights are leaving.
    THESAURUS
    fog n.
    1 a mist, haze.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to mist over, cloud up
    2 to cloud, confuse. Ant. to clear.
fogbound
fogbound
  1. adj. prevented from traveling because of fog: The plane is fogbound at the airport; we will leave tomorrow.
foggy
foggy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest
    1 covered with fog, full of fog: The weather is foggy tonight.
    2 fig. unclear, incomplete (one's memory, understanding, etc.): His memory of the accident is foggy.
    3 to not have the foggiest (idea): to have no understanding, information, etc. about s.t.: I don't have the foggiest idea what you are trying to say.
foghorn
foghorn
  1. n. a powerful air horn used to warn ships away from land or dangerous waters during foggy weather: The foghorn on Long Island can be heard from many miles away.
foible
foible
  1. n. a minor weak point in a person's character,
    THESAURUS
    shortcoming: One of her foibles is being disorganized, but she's very intelligent.
foil
foil
  1. v. [T] to prevent the success of s.t. or s.o.: Her plan to steal money from the company was foiled by a co-worker.n.
    1 [U] a very thin sheet of metal used to wrap or line things: The cook wrapped the chicken in foil.
    2 [C] a thin sword with a softened point to prevent injury
    3 pl. foils fighting with these swords for sport,
    THESAURUS
    fencing: We practice foils each day in the gym.
    4 [C] a person or an object used to show contrast: The princess kept an ugly servant woman as a foil to emphasize her own beauty.
foist
foist
  1. v. [T] to force s.t. on s.o.: My brother and sister-in-law went away for the weekend and foisted their children on me.
fold
fold
  1. v.
    1 [T] to turn one part of s.t. over another part: I folded a piece of paper in half.
    2 [T] to push movable parts of s.t. together: We folded the chairs together and set them against the wall.
    3 [T] to bend inward until against the body: The man folded his arms on his chest.
    4 [I] infrml.fig. to quit, stop completely: She played tennis so badly yesterday that she folded and went home.
    5 infrml. [I] (of a business) to fail: Sorry. We can't eat at that restaurant; it folded last year.n.
    1 one part of s.t. folded over another part: The folds in that napkin give it an elegant shape.
    2 a group of sheep: The shepherd watches over his fold.
    3 fig. the members of a church: A pastor greets his fold in church.
    4 to return to the fold: to return to one's earlier family, church, friends, home, beliefs, etc.: After serving as a Republican mayor for many years, he decided to return to the fold and become a Democrat again.
    THESAURUS
    fold v.
    1 to crease, bend. Ant. to unfold.
    2 to close up. Ant. to open.
    3 to cross
    4 to give
    THESAURUS
    up. Ant. to continue on.
    5 to close, go bankrupt. Ant. to open.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a crease, pleat, tuck
    2 a flock
    3 a congregation.
folder
folder
  1. n. a container for documents, made of a folded piece of heavy paper: The folder contained information on the company's investments.
foliage
foliage
  1. n. [U] leaves of plants and trees: The foliage in the jungle is very thick.
folio
folio
  1. n.
    1 a sheet of large paper folded in two: Expensive books are often published in folios.
    2 a page number: The folios in that book are on the bottom center of each page.
folk
folk
  1. n. folks or folk
    1 used with pl. v. ordinary people: The common folk are mostly farmers in this part of the country.
    2 used with pl. v. a certain group of people: His family are country folk; hers are city folk.
    3 pl.infrml. folks parents: Her folks live in New England.
    4 pl.infrml. folks used when speaking directly to friends, guests: You folks come in and sit down and make yourselves comfortable.
    THESAURUS
    folk n.
    1 the people, population, public
    2 and
    3 one's relatives. Ant. strangers.
folk dance
folk dance
  1. n. a traditional dance of a people, country, or region: The jig is a folk dance typical of Ireland.
folk singer
folk singer
  1. n. a person who sings folk songs: The most common instrument of the folk singers in the USA is the acoustic guitar. -n. folk song.
folklore
folklore
  1. n. [U] the traditional customs, beliefs, stories, etc. of a people, country, or region: People are fascinated by Native American folklore. -adj. folkloric -n. [C] folklorist.
folks
folks
  1. n.pl. See: folk.
folksy
folksy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest friendly, informal: That restaurant has a folksy atmosphere; the people are warm and friendly.
folktale
folktale
  1. n. a well-known story, often by an unknown author, passed down through earlier generations: Folktales make good bedtime stories for children.
follicle
follicle
  1. n. a very small hole from which a hair grows: There are thousands of hair follicles on top of your head.
follow-through
follow-through
  1. n. [U]
    1 (as in golf, tennis, and baseball) the arm movement that continues after a ball is hit: She plays tennis well and has a good follow-through.
    2 step(s) to completion: He has creative ideas, but is weak on the follow-through.
follow-up
follow-up
  1. n.adj. additional action, steps to be taken to finish s.t.: I gave my customer some ideas and have to do a follow-up (or) follow-up call to find out what she thinks about them.
follow
follow
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go after s.o. or s.t., to chase: A dog followed its owner down the street.
    2 [T] to go along a path, road, trail, etc.: We followed the dirt road until we reached the lake.
    3 [I;T] to happen after another event: Rain followed the dark clouds and lightning.
    4 [I;T] to replace (or come after) s.o. or s.t.: A younger professor followed the department chairperson in that position.
    5 fig. [I;T] to understand: I follow what you are saying.
    6 [T] to obey, cooperate with: Most members of the political party followed the orders of their leader.
    7 [T] to pay attention to: She follows the news closely.
    8 as follows: to introduce a particular order of actions or list of items: Her qualifications are as follows; an excellent education, previous experience in the field, and an excellent performance record.
    9 so it follows that: it is logical that, (syns.) hence, therefore: The company has no cash, so it follows that it must borrow money or go out of business.
    10 to follow in s.o.'s footsteps or tracks: to do the same as the person before you: She followed in her mother's footsteps and became a musician.
    11 to follow one's intuition: to act on feeling, rather than according to facts and reason: He wasn't sure what to do, so he decided to follow his intuition.
    12 to follow one's nose: to go in the direction in which you are pointed: The bookstore is located straight ahead, so just follow your nose.
    13 to follow suit: to do the same as another person: He asked for a raise, and soon other employees followed suit.
    14 to follow the crowd: to do the same as everyone else: She has an unusual style of dressing; she doesn't follow the crowd.
    15 phrasal v. sep. to follow s.t. through: a. [I] (as in golf, tennis, and baseball) to continue an arm movement after a ball is hit: She has a good golf swing; she follows through nicely. b. fig. [I;T] to complete a task once it is begun: He always follows through on projects he begins.||He follows them through.
    16 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to follow s.t. up: to take additional steps to further a previous action: You start with sales visits, and then you should follow up with telephone calls.||You should follow them up.
    THESAURUS
    follow
    1 to pursue, trail, tag along after. Ant. to precede.
    2 to walk along
    3 to come after (syn.THESAURUS
    .t. | succeed
    4 to take the place of, succeed
    5 to know, comprehend
    6 to heed, abide by | support
    7 to keep up with s.t.
follower
follower
  1. n. person who follows a leader, supporter: The religious leader and his followers entered the temple.
    THESAURUS
    follower an admirer, disciple, devotee | fan.
following
following
  1. adj. next,
    THESAURUS
    succeeding: She then moved to Mexico the following year.||Write down the following address; 123 Center Street.n.
    1 a group of admirers or followers: The writer has a following among college students.
    2 people or items (in a list): Bring one of the following as identification; a passport, birth certificate, or a driver's license.prep. after: Following the graduation ceremony, there was a party.
folly
folly
  1. n. [C;U] -lies foolishness, a thoughtless act,
    THESAURUS
    recklessness: Buying such an expensive car on your small salary was pure folly.
foment
foment
  1. v.frml. [T] to cause trouble (unrest, unhappiness, etc.), (syns.) to stir up, agitate: The political leader fomented rebellion against the government.
fond
fond
  1. adj.
    1 having warm feelings toward s.o. or s.t.: She is fond of children.||He has fond memories of his childhood.
    2 having a liking, preference for: He is fond of food and drink.
    THESAURUS
    fond
    1 attached to, mad about, hooked on (s.t. or s.o.) infrml. | warm, tender,
    THESAURUS
    warmhearted (thoughts, feelings)
    2 partial to, hooked on infrml.
fondle
fondle
  1. v. [T] -led, -ling, -les to touch tenderly, gently: The mother fondled her baby in her arms.
fondly
fondly
  1. adv.
    1 in a friendly, loving way: He fondly placed his children's photograph on his desk.
    2 in a hopeful way, sometimes without good reason: I fondly hoped that my brother would lend me his new car.
fondness
fondness
  1. n. [U]
    1 a warm feeling: He has a fondness for his nephew and helps him with loans.
    2 a liking, preference: She has a fondness for silk blouses.
fondue
fondue
  1. n. [C;U] cheese or chocolate melted in a heated pot: We dipped pieces of bread in the cheese fondue.
font
font
  1. n.
    1 a style of print: We changed the font to make the report easier to read.
    2 frml.fig. a source: He is a font of wisdom (knowledge, information, etc.).
food
food
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 s.t. to eat, nourishment: She likes to eat spicy food.
    2 food for thought: ideas to think about: The speaker gave us much food for thought about the future of planet Earth.
food poisoning
food poisoning
  1. n. [U] a stomach illness caused by eating contaminated food: A traveler got food poisoning from eating bad shellfish.
food processor
food processor
  1. n. a machine that cuts and mixes food: My father uses a food processor to make soup.
foodstuff
foodstuff
  1. n. any substance used as food: Flour, milk, and butter are several basic foodstuffs.
fool
fool
  1. v.
    1 [T] to deceive, trick: He fooled her into paying a large sum of money for the fake necklace.
    2 [T] to surprise, do s.t. unexpected: I thought that the exam would be difficult, but it fooled me—it was easy.
    3 [I;T] to pretend, feign: He appeared to be angry but said he was only fooling.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to fool around with s.o. or s.t.: a. to play with,
    THESAURUS
    to mess around with: On weekends he fools around with old cars for fun. b. to be unfaithful in marriage: Everyone but his wife knows that he fools around. c. to joke, have fun: Stop fooling around and do some work.
    5 phrasal v. infrml. [T] to fool with: to handle s.t. dangerous: Guns are dangerous; don't fool with them.n.
    1 a person with poor judgment: He is a fool who gambles his money away.
    2 a person who makes a silly mistake: I was a fool to buy that used car; it's no good.
    THESAURUS
    fool v.
    1 to mislead, dupe, con | cheat
    2 to mislead | throw (me, you) infrml.
    3 to tease, joke, clown around. —n.
    1 an idiot, moron, half-wit.
fool's gold
fool's gold
  1. n. [U]
    1 a mineral that looks like gold
    2 fig. s.t. that looks valuable but is not: The stock of that company turned out to be fool's gold and a total loss.
fool's paradise
fool's paradise
  1. n. a state of happiness based on an illusion: She's living in a fool's paradise if she thinks her job is secure.
foolhardy
foolhardy
  1. adj. risky, (syns.) reckless, rash: He was foolhardy to try to drive his car through a snowstorm. -n. [U] foolhardiness.
foolish
foolish
  1. adj.
    1 showing poor judgment: She was foolish to spend all her savings on an expensive vacation.
    2 stupid, risky: He does foolish things like climbing trees and not being able to get down again. -adv. foolishly; -n. [U] foolishness.
    THESAURUS
    foolish
    1 dumb, unwise. Ant. wise.
    2 dumb, reckless, idiotic. Ant. safe.
foolproof
foolproof
  1. adj.
    1 easily understood, not capable of going wrong: The computer comes with foolproof instructions on how to use it.
    2 safe, not capable of being misused: The bank has a foolproof security system.
foot-dragging
foot-dragging
  1. n. [U] deliberate slowness in doing s.t., delaying: He applied for a travel visa long ago, but because of foot-dragging the consulate has not approved it yet.
foot
foot
  1. n. feet
    1 the body part attached to the lower leg and used for walking: My right foot hurts.
    2 a length of measurement equal to 12 inches (approx. 26 cm.): That table is seven feet (or) 7' long.
    3 the lowest part: He stood at the foot of the stairs (mountain, hill, etc.).
    4 on foot: by walking: We took a train to the town and went the rest of the way on foot.
    5 to get a foot in the door: a get a chance on the first job opportunity of a career: He wanted to be an actor, but nobody would hire him; he couldn't get his foot in the door.
    6 to get cold feet: to become too nervous to act: She was about to ask her boss for a raise but then got cold feet.
    7 to get to one's feet: to stand up: She got to her feet and made a speech.
    8 to have one foot in the grave: to be old and sickly, near death: I didn't realize your father was so ill; he looks like he has one foot in the grave.
    9 to put one's best foot forward: to make one's best effort: He put his best foot forward and took his guests to the fanciest restaurant in town.
    10 to put one's foot down: to insist on s.t., demand obedience: When her son was getting poor grades in school, she put her foot down and made him study every night.
    11 to put one's foot in one's mouth: to say the wrong thing, usu. by mistake: He put his foot in his mouth by calling his mother-in-law by the wrong name.
    12 to sit at s.o.'s feet: to admire and learn from s.o.: He was a great teacher, and the students used to sit at his feet. See: inch. —v. to foot the bill: to pay the cost of s.t.: I footed the bill for my daughter's wedding.
footage
footage
  1. n. [U]
    1 a measurement, esp. of property in feet: There is enough footage behind the house to plant a garden.
    2 a length of film (movie, videotape, etc.): The television news program showed footage of the plane crash.
football
football
  1. n.
    1 [U] in USA, a sport played by two 11-person teams with the object of carrying or passing the ball over the opponent's goal line: My friends and I watch football on TV on weekends.
    2 [U] (non-USA) soccer: Football is an international sport followed by millions of fans.
    3 [C] the ball used in either sport
foothill
foothill
  1. n. usu. pl. a hill at the base of a mountain: They traveled through the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
foothold
foothold
  1. n.
    1 a firm position for one or both feet: The climber lost his foothold and fell down the mountain.
    2 fig. a small, but firm position in a situation as a means for progressing further: Our company's success in Taiwan gave us a foothold in the Asian market.
footing
footing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the firmness (or lack of it) of the ground under one's feet: She lost her footing on the icy steps.
    2 the solidity of a position: Our business in Asia is now on a firm footing.
footlights
footlights
  1. n.pl. lights in the floor at the front of a stage: The footlights went down and the curtain went up as the play began.
footlocker
footlocker
  1. n. a box, usu. made of metal, used for clothing and other belongings: The soldier keeps a footlocker at the end of his bed.
footloose
footloose
  1. adj. usu. in the phrase footloose and fancy-free: without responsibilities and free to travel: After military service, he was footloose and fancy-free, so he toured Europe.
footnote
footnote
  1. n. an explanation or some added information placed at the bottom of a page of a text: The footnote explained where the author had found this information.v. [T] -noted, -noting, -notes to place in a text a number or letter that refers to a corresponding number or letter on a footnote: She footnoted her text throughout.
footpath
footpath
  1. n. a narrow path for walking: We walked down a footpath from the house to the garden.
footrace
footrace
  1. n. a running or speedwalking competition, esp. of an informal nature: My friend and I had a footrace from our car to the beach.
footsie
footsie
  1. n. to play footsie: to secretly touch s.o.'s legs or feet under a table in a flirting way
footsore
footsore
  1. adj. pained in the feet: I was footsore from walking around Paris all day.
footstep
footstep
  1. n.
    1 the sound of feet moving on a surface: We could hear footsteps in the hallway.
    2 fig. the length of a step: The shop that we want to visit is a few footsteps away from our hotel.
footwear
footwear
  1. n. [U] shoes and boots, etc.: This shoe store has a large selection of footwear for both men and women.
footwork
footwork
  1. n. [U]
    1 movement of the feet, esp. in dancing and sports: He is a figure skater and practices his footwork every morning.
    2 fig. work done in preparation for s.t.: Wayne did a lot of footwork before the president's visit.
fop
fop
  1. n. a man who is very or too interested in clothes,
    THESAURUS
    a dandy: He is a fop and wears a new suit almost every day. -adj. foppish.
for
for
  1. strong form prep.
    1 with the purpose of: I am cutting some wood for fire.||She needs glasses for reading.
    2 in exchange, instead of: I'll give you twenty dollars for that watch.
    3 in relation to: The child is tall for his age.||Exercise is good for you.
    4 because of: San Francisco is famous for its fog.
    5 in the interest of: Mr. Chen speaks for all of us.||I baked a cake for you.
    6 in favor of: The Senator is for raising taxes.
    7 as long as (used to express time): She has lived in Miami for five years.
    8 as far as (used to express distance, length): We walked for many miles.
    9 in the direction of, as a destination: Our plane is headed for Taipei.
    10 for nothing: a. with no payment in return: I did some work for a friend for nothing. b. with no gain, uselessly: My computer failed, so I did a lot of work today for nothing.conj. for the reason that, because: The government provided food, for the people were hungry.
    THESAURUS
    for prep.
    1 used for, meant for, designed for
    2 as a price for
    3 with respect to
    4 on
    THESAURUS
    account of
    5 for the benefit of, on behalf of/on s.o.'s or s.t.'s behalf
    6 supportive of,
    THESAURUS
    on the side of
    7 during the past
    8 a distance of
    9 to.
forage
forage
  1. v. [I] -aged, -aging, -ages (esp. of animals) to search for food: The deer foraged for food beneath the snow.
foray
foray
  1. n.v. [I;T] an attack with the purpose of taking away food, animals, and weapons: Armed rebels made a foray on the town at dawn.||They forayed for horses and guns.
forbear
forbear
  1. v.frml. [I] -bore , -borne , -bearing, -bears to hold back, be patient: Although she was very angry, she forbore from taking any action. See: forebear.
forbearance
forbearance
  1. n. [U] self-control, patience: He is a politician who is often attacked for his views, but he always acts with forbearance.
forbid
forbid
  1. v. [T] -bade -bidden , -bidding, -bids to not permit, prohibit: The law forbids selling alcohol to anyone under the age of twenty-one.
    THESAURUS
    forbid to bar, ban, outlaw | stop. Ants. to allow, permit.
forbidding
forbidding
  1. adj. uninviting, possibly dangerous, (syns.) intimidating, daunting: The old house had a forbidding appearance, and we were afraid to enter.
force-feed
force-feed
  1. v. [T] -fed, -feeding, -feeds to force food into an animal or person: Farmers force-feed ducks to make them fat and tasty.
force
force
  1. n.
    1 [U] a source or instrument of power or energy: The force of the wind knocked over a tree.
    2 [U] the use of power to make s.o. do s.t., compulsion: The police took the suspect to jail by force.
    3 [C] a military, police, or other unit organized to use physical power: New York City has a large police force.
    4 [C] political power, influence: The Congresswoman is a force for reform in the government.
    5 [U] persuasiveness, power of mind or personality: The force of his argument (logic, reasoning, etc.) is convincing.
    6 force of habit: repetition of s.t. done out of habit, without thinking: He smokes cigarettes by (or) from force of habit.
    7 in force: (in law) to be in effect, active: The law that says one cannot smoke in public buildings is in force (or) is no longer in force.v. [T] forced, forcing, forces
    1 to use power or energy: Strong winds forced boats onto the beaches.
    2 to use power to make s.o. do s.t.: The police forced a confession from a suspect.
    3 to use physical strength to open s.t.: The police forced open the door and entered the apartment.
    4 to push beyond normal limits: The singer forced his voice and now has a sore throat.
    THESAURUS
    force n.
    1 strength, might. Ant. weakness.
    4 important figure of, authority of
    5 strength | effectiveness. Ant. weakness.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to push, throw, hurl
    2 to coerce
    3 to force s.t. open, to break s.t. open, thrust open
    4 to strain.
force field
force field
  1. n. a field of energy: The spacecraft produces a force field that protects it against enemy attack.
force majeure
force majeure
  1. n. (French for) an act of God, referring to damage to goods by flood, fire, accident, etc.: According to the agreement, the company is not responsible for force majeure.
forced
forced
  1. adj.
    1 unconvincing,
    THESAURUS
    artificial: His arguments sound forced.
    2 s.t. done out of necessity: The plane had to make a forced landing because of the storm.
forceful
forceful
  1. adj.
    1 using force, strength: The police used forceful methods to get the suspect to confess to the crime.
    2 powerful, effective: That woman has a forceful personality. -adv. forcefully; -n. [U] forcefulness.
forceps
forceps
  1. n.pl. (in medicine) an instrument used to hold firmly and pull, such as one occasionally used in childbirth: Sometimes doctors use forceps when a baby has difficulty being born.
forcible
forcible
  1. adj. referring to the use of force: The broken lock on the door showed that there had been forcible entry. -adv. forcibly.
ford
ford
  1. n.
    1 a shallow crossing place in a river or stream: The ford in the river is a mile away.
    2 Ford™: the name of an automobile manufacturer: We drive a Ford.v. [T] to cross the shallow part of a river or stream: The soldiers forded the river with little difficulty.
fore
fore
  1. n.
    1 the front
    2 the public's attention: Portable telephones have come to the fore in recent years.
fore and aft
fore and aft
  1. adv. regarding the front and back (of a boat): The sailors searched fore and aft for the missing boxes.
forearm
forearm
  1. n. the part of the arm between the wrist and elbow: She exercises a lot and has big, strong forearms.
forebear or forbear
forebear or forbear
  1. n.frml. ancestor: His forebears came to America from Japan. See: forbear.
foreboding
foreboding
  1. n. a fear that s.t. bad is going to happen: He thought of the sea voyage ahead with foreboding. -v. [I;T] forebode.
forecast
forecast
  1. n. a statement about what one thinks will happen in the future,
    THESAURUS
    a prediction: According to the weather forecast, it's going to snow tonight.v. [T] -cast, -casted, -casting, -casts to try to say what will happen in the future: The President's advisers forecast that the economy will improve this year.
foreclose
foreclose
  1. v. [I] -closed, -closing, -closes
    1 to stop s.t. before it happens,
    THESAURUS
    to preclude: His death forecloses the possibility of changing his will.
    2 (in real estate) to take possession of a property by court order for nonpayment of a mortgage: The bank foreclosed on his house -n.[C;U] foreclosure.
forefather
forefather
  1. n. ancestor (usu. pl.): Our forefathers founded a great democracy.
forefinger
forefinger
  1. n. the first finger beside the thumb,
    THESAURUS
    index finger: The tips of each forefinger contain very sensitive nerves.
forefront
forefront
  1. n. [U] the most advanced part,
    THESAURUS
    vanguard: She is in the forefront of scientific research on cancer.
forego
forego
  1. v. [T] See: forgo.
foregoing
foregoing
  1. adj. referring to what has just come before,
    THESAURUS
    preceding: The foregoing information is accurate as of this date.
foreground
foreground
  1. n. [U] the part of a picture or photograph that seems closest to the viewer: In the foreground of the photo we can see a young couple sitting on a bench.
forehead
forehead
  1. n. the part of the face above the eyebrows
foreign
foreign
  1. adj.
    1 (from) outside one's own country: This country imports a great variety of foreign goods.
    2 fig. not typical of s.o. or s.t., uncharacteristic: Being late is foreign to him; he is usually on time.
    THESAURUS
    foreign adj.
    1 overseas, international, nonnative. Ants. domestic, native.
    2 unusual,
    THESAURUS
    abnormal, uncommon. Ants. characteristic, common.
foreign exchange
foreign exchange
  1. n.
    1 payments made between foreign governments, countries, and businesses
    2 the process of changing the type of money used in one country into that of another's
    3 the system for this: The value of the dollar has gone down on the foreign exchange.
foreign policy
foreign policy
  1. n. -cies the set of beliefs guiding a government's relations with other countries: Many people disagree with the President's recent foreign policy decisions.
foreign service
foreign service
  1. n. [U] the government department representing the interests of the nation in foreign countries: She began her career in the foreign service working at the American Embassy in Tokyo.
foreigner
foreigner
  1. n. s.o. from outside one's own country: Many foreigners from Europe and Asia enjoy visiting Disneyland in California.
foreknowledge
foreknowledge
  1. n. [U] knowledge about s.t. before it happens: He made the trip into the jungle with the foreknowledge that the area was dangerous.
foreman
foreman
  1. n. -men a boss of a group of workers: He is a foreman in that factory.
foremost
foremost
  1. adj.
    1 most important, best: She is the world's foremost authority on tropical diseases.
    2 first, most urgent: Finishing that project is foremost in my mind.
forensic
forensic
  1. adj.
    1 related to using scientific, medical methods to get information about a crime: He has a degree in forensic medicine.
    2 related to public debate
foreplay
foreplay
  1. n. [U] activities such as kissing and touching that come before sexual intercourse: Always in a hurry, he never engaged in foreplay when he made love to his wife.
forequarters
forequarters
  1. n.pl. the chest, shoulders, and legs of an animal: The forequarters of that racehorse are welldeveloped.
forerunner
forerunner
  1. n.
    1 fig. ancestor,
    THESAURUS
    predecessor: The wolf was a forerunner of the dog.
    2 fig. a first step that leads to better things: The invention of the transistor was the forerunner of great advances in electronics, such as the development of better computers.
    3 lit. a person who goes before another to announce him or her: The king sent his forerunner ahead to the next town.
foresee
foresee
  1. v. [T] -saw , -seen , -seeing, -sees to have knowledge of future events, (syns.) to predict, foretell: She foresaw the troubles ahead and took steps to avoid them. -adj. foreseeable.
foreshadow
foreshadow
  1. v. [T] to be a sign of future events,
    THESAURUS
    to portend: The failure of that bank foreshadowed a general financial crisis.
foreshortening
foreshortening
  1. n. [U] (in drawing or painting) the technique of making a figure short to show depth and distance: Ancient Greek artists discovered foreshortening. -v. [T] foreshorten.
foresight
foresight
  1. n. [U] the ability to be prepared for future events,
    THESAURUS
    prudence: She had the foresight to pack some warm clothes as they were needed for her summer trip.
foreskin
foreskin
  1. n. the piece of skin over the end of a penis: The foreskin is sometimes removed soon after birth in a process called circumcision.
forest
forest
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a large area with many trees: In some national parks, the forest continues for miles and miles.
    2 to not see the forest for the trees: to see only details and not understand their larger meaning: The owner of the company couldn't see the forest for the trees; he was so busy dealing with the daily problems of running the factory that he didn't realize that the business was headed towards failure.v. [T] to plant trees, cover with trees: Workers forested the land to improve the soil.
    THESAURUS
    forest n.
    1 woods, wooded area, woodland | jungle.
forestall
forestall
  1. v. [T] to prevent an unwanted event by taking action before it happens: She forestalled the closing of her company by getting a loan from the bank.
forester
forester
  1. n. a person who works in forestry: He is a forester for the National Parks Service.
forestland
forestland
  1. n. [C;U] land covered with trees: The farmer has forestland behind his fields.
forestry
forestry
  1. n. [U] the scientific field of forest management: Her son went to Yale University to study forestry.
foretaste
foretaste
  1. n. an advance experience of s.t.: Those beautiful days in March are a foretaste of spring.
foretell
foretell
  1. v. [T] -told , -telling, -tells to know and tell about future events,
    THESAURUS
    to predict: The religious leader foretold the arrival of an age of peace.
forethought
forethought
  1. n. [U] the ability to prepare for future events,
    THESAURUS
    prescience: Although it was sunny in the morning, he had the forethought to take an umbrella.
forever
forever
  1. adv.
    1 always, for an unlimited time: Our love will last forever.
    2 continually, constantly: The little boy is forever asking questions.
    THESAURUS
    forever adv.
    1 eternally. Ant. temporarily.
    2 endlessly, perpetually, without end.
forevermore
forevermore
  1. adv.frml. always, for an unlimited time,
    THESAURUS
    eternally: A stranger saved her life, and she is thankful to him forevermore.
forewarn
forewarn
  1. v. [T] to warn in advance,
    THESAURUS
    to caution: The guide forewarned tourists about dangers in the jungle.
foreword
foreword
  1. n. an introductory statement in a book: The author wrote a foreword to be used as the first page of her book.
forfeit
forfeit
  1. v. [T] n. to give up s.t. because of a failure to perform according to the rules, agreement, etc.: When he failed to appear, the tennis player forfeited the match to his opponent.||The tennis match was won by forfeit.
forfeiture
forfeiture
  1. n. [C;U] the act of giving up s.t. because of a failure to perform according to the rules, agreement, etc.: When he failed to repay the loan, the bank repossessed his car as forfeiture.
forge
forge
  1. n.
    1 a machine or apparatus used for melting and shaping metals
    2 a place where such equipment is used —v. forged, forging, forges
    1 [I;T] to falsify, produce a fake copy of s.t.: She forged her husband's signature on the check.||An artist forged a painting.
    2 [T] to set up: The two countries have recently forged a new trade agreement.
    3 [T] to melt, soften, and shape metals: A metalworker used a hammer to forge a sword from heated steel.
    4 to forge ahead: to proceed with strength or speed despite problems or difficulties: Despite problems, she forged ahead with her plans to have her own business. See: forging.
forger
forger
  1. n. a person who fakes s.t., such as money, a signature, or piece of art: The $100 bills were made by a forger.
forgery
forgery
  1. n. -es 1 [C] a false copy of s.t. made and offered as real, a fake: The painting, which sold for $500,000, turned out to be a forgery; it was only really worth $10,000.
    2 [U] an act of forgery: He was put in jail for forgery; he had been printing false bank notes.
forget-me-not
forget-me-not
  1. n. a small plant with blue flowers
forget
forget
  1. v. -got , -gotten , -getting, -gets
    1 [I;T] to not remember, drop from memory without intending to: I've forgotten how to play the piano.||I forgot my keys (my purse, a ten o'clock appointment, etc.)!
    2 [I;T] to stop thinking about s.t.: You should forget about going to Europe on vacation; it costs too much.
    3 to forget oneself: to lose one's self-control: He generally follows a strict diet, but forgets himself when he goes out to eat.
    THESAURUS
    forget
    1 to not recall how to | fail to remember (s.t. or s.o.)
    2 to disregard (an idea) | overlook.
forgetful
forgetful
  1. adj. often not remembering things,
    THESAURUS
    absent-minded: He is forgetful and leaves behind umbrellas or even his briefcase. -adv. forgetfully; -n. [U] forgetfulness.
forging
forging
  1. n. [U] the science and craft of melting and shaping metals: Forging is an ancient craft dating back to 4,000 B.C. in Egypt and Asia.
forgive
forgive
  1. v. [I;T] -gave , -given , -giving, -gives
    1 to pardon, excuse: He forgot his wife's birthday, but she forgave him.
    2 to free s.o. from repaying a loan: She still owed $1,000 to her father, but he forgave the debt.
    THESAURUS
    forgive v.
    1 to disregard, overlook s.t. wrong
    2 to release s.o. from, waive.
forgiveness
forgiveness
  1. n. [U] freeing from guilt or obligation, pardon: He told a lie but later asked his friend for forgiveness.
forgo
forgo
  1. v. [T] -went , -gone , -going, -goes to do without,
    THESAURUS
    to abstain from: Let's forgo dessert; I'm full.
fork
fork
  1. v.
    1 [I] to divide into two parts at a certain point,
    THESAURUS
    to branch: The road forks about a mile from here.
    2 phrasal v. sep.slang [T] to fork s.t. over: to give to s.o. or s.t.: I want you to fork over the money that you owe me.||Fork it over now!n.
    1 a division into two parts,
    THESAURUS
    branching: To get to the town, turn left at the fork in the road.
    2 an instrument for eating, with a handle and at least two long points: The dinner table is set with knives, forks, and spoons.
forked
forked
  1. adj. divided into two parts at a certain point,
    THESAURUS
    branched: The trunk of that tree is forked near its base.
forklift
forklift
  1. n. a vehicle with two long narrow pieces of steel in front used to lift and carry heavy loads: The forklift carried the boxes from the truck to the factory.
forlorn
forlorn
  1. adj.frml. sad and alone without hope, (syns.) wretched, miserable: Victims of the earthquake sat forlorn outside their ruined homes. -adv. forlornly.
form
form
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to shape, make an object: She formed a dish from clay.
    2 [I;T] to become the shape of: The children formed a circle.
    3 [T] to arrange s.t., put it together: The manager formed a committee to study the project.
    4 [T] to produce, cause to happen: I haven't yet formed an opinion about this.
    5 [I] to come into existence: Ice forms on the river in the winter.
    6 [T] to make up, constitute: Good eating habits form the basis of a healthy diet.n.
    1 [C] the shape of s.t.: The human form can be quite graceful.
    2 [C] a type, kind: People live under different forms of government, such as democracies or dictatorships.
    3 [C] a printed paper with spaces to be filled in: When you apply for a visa, you must fill out some forms.
    4 [U] a way of doing s.t.: The political leader responded to the criticism in the form of a letter to the newspaper.
    5 [C] an empty container used for creating shapes, a mold: A company made a form to produce a new toy.
    6 fig. [U] correct and proper behavior: Good form requires you to attend the funeral.
    7 in good (bad, great, etc.) form: the quality of a performance, such as in athletics, music, or acting: The singer is in good form tonight.
    THESAURUS
    form v.
    1 to mold, create, fashion. Ants. to destroy, ruin.
    2 to make
    3 to start, organize
    THESAURUS
    4 to develop, formulate
    5 to develop, appear
    6 to create.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a figure
    2 sort, variety | structure
    3 an application, document, paper
    5 a pattern, configuration
    6 etiquette.
form letter
form letter
  1. n. a general letter from a company or organization sent to many people, usu. to sell a product or ask for money: We receive form letters all the time from companies trying to sell their merchandise.
formal
formal
  1. adj.
    1 according to rules, laws, customs, etc.: I received a formal invitation to the wedding today.
    2 very or too proper: He's a difficult person to get to know because he's always so formal.
    3 official: A formal meeting between the President and the Prime Minister will take place today.
    4 elegant, typical of official occasions: They wore formal clothes to the dinner party.
    5 (of written or spoken language) used in serious writing, such as literature, or in official situations rather than in common speech: Formal words in this dictionary are marked "frml."n. a dance where one wears elegant clothes: Many high school students go to a formal at the end of the school year. -adv. formally.
    THESAURUS
    formal adj.
    1 official, proper
    2 reserved, dignified | stiff
    3 ceremonial
    4 black-tie and
    THESAURUS
    evening gown, dressed-up. Ants. informal, casual.
formaldehyde
formaldehyde
  1. n. [U] an unpleasant-smelling gas with many industrial uses: Formaldehyde is used in making plastics and fertilizers.
formalism
formalism
  1. n. [U] strict observance of forms of conduct, style, procedure, etc.: In his lecture the professor discussed the formalism of the artist's early work.
formality
formality
  1. n. [C;U] -ties
    1 customary behavior, observances, procedures (usu. to observe the formalities): We must observe the formalities and introduce ourselves to the other guests at the party.
    2 the meaningless observance of a rule or custom: All visitors must sign in at the front desk as a formality.
formalize
formalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make s.t. definite and official: We formalized the business deal with a written agreement. -n. [U] formalization.
format
format
  1. n.
    1 the visual style of a publication: That magazine's new format makes it easier to read.
    2 any general arrangement of s.t.: The format of the lesson was a short lecture followed by a discussion.v. [T] -matted, -matting, -mats to design or arrange s.t.: The designer formatted the pages of a magazine.
formation
formation
  1. n.
    1 [U] a bringing together, creation: The formation of a committee on health issues took several days.
    2 [C;U] a group of people or things arranged a certain way: Soldiers marched by in military formation.
formative
formative
  1. adj. in the process of growing or being shaped or organized: Children must have good nutrition during their formative years.
former
former
  1. adj.
    1 previous, past: He is a former employee of this company.
    2 referring to the first thing or person named in a pair —n. the first thing or person named in a pair: We eat lots of fish and chicken, but we prefer the former (meaning "the fish"). See: latter.
formerly
formerly
  1. adv. in the past, some time ago,
    THESAURUS
    previously: She was formerly president of that organization.
formfitting
formfitting
  1. adj. fitting close to the body: Those biking shorts are made of formfitting material.
formidable
formidable
  1. adj. strong, difficult to defeat,
    THESAURUS
    daunting: The people of that country must overcome formidable obstacles to win their freedom. -adv. formidably.
formless
formless
  1. adj. without form, shapeless: That report is a formless collection of facts; it needs to be rewritten. -adv. formlessly; -n. [U] formlessness.
formula
formula
  1. n. -las or -lae
    1 (in math) a rule expressed in symbols
    2 (in chemistry) a group of symbols representing a chemical
    3 a fixed combination of ingredients: Each manufacturer of cough syrup has its own formula.
    4 a formula for (success, defeat, etc.): a combination of factors leading to a result: Lee Iaccoca wrote a book about his formula for success at Chrysler Motors. -adj. formulaic.
formulate
formulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to create, combine: The manager formulated a marketing plan for the year.
    2 to state in a clear way: She formulated her ideas about solving the drug problem.
    3 to prepare, blend: The chemist formulated various ingredients into an effective cold medication.
formulation
formulation
  1. n. [U] careful preparation, creation of s.t.: The formulation of a new environmental policy required months of study.
fornication
fornication
  1. n.frml. [U] an act of sexual intercourse between two unmarried persons: Religious warnings against fornication are not often obeyed. -v. [I] fornicate.
forsake
forsake
  1. v.frml. [T] -sook , -saken , -saking, -sakes to leave, give up, (syns.) to abandon, desert: He forsook his homeland and emigrated to a new country.
forswear
forswear
  1. v.frml. [T] -swore , -sworn , -swearing, -swears
    1 to give up s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to renounce: The partner sold his half of the company and forswore any further interest in the business.
    2 to not tell the truth in a court of law: The judge determined that the witness's testimony was forsworn and rejected it.
forsythia
forsythia
  1. n. [C;U] a bush that produces bright yellow flowers: Forsythias bloom early in the spring.
fort
fort
  1. n.
    1 a group of buildings surrounded by high walls and used for military purposes: Enemy soldiers attacked the fort.
    2 fig. to hold (down) the fort: to handle another person's responsibilities for a short time: The store manager asked her assistant to hold the fort while she was away.
forte
forte
  1. n. a skill, s.t. that a person does well: His forte is money management; hers is sales.
forth
forth
  1. adv.
    1 frml. forward, ahead: Explorers went forth to discover a new world.
    2 and so forth: and other similar things, (syns.) et cetera, and so on: She complained that the city was dirty, dangerous, expensive, crowded, and so forth.
    3 back and forth: between two points: She flies back and forth between Chicago and Los Angeles for her work.
    4 to come forth: to present oneself: Several witnesses came forth to give a description of the criminal.
forthcoming
forthcoming
  1. adj.frml.
    1 arriving in the future, due to be delivered: More information will be forthcoming shortly.
    2 helpful,
    THESAURUS
    cooperative: The neighbors were forthcoming in helping us settle in our new house.
    3 usu. used in the negative willing to provide information: She was not forthcoming about the source of her sudden wealth.
forthright
forthright
  1. adj. honest, open,
    THESAURUS
    frank: The politician was forthright in stating his views on the issues. -n. [U] forthrightness.
fortieth
fortieth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 40: He celebrated his fortieth birthday with a party (or) the birthday was his fortieth.
fortification
fortification
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act of strengthening a military position or fort: Fortification of the town went ahead quickly.
    2 [C] usu. plural the walls and other structures of a military position: The fortifications were ten feet thick.
fortify
fortify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to strengthen with fortifications: Workers fortified the castle by building an outer wall.
    2 to strengthen oneself, usu. with food or drink: He fortified himself with a glass of whisky before going out in the cold weather.
fortitude
fortitude
  1. n. [U] courage in the face of difficulties: He showed fortitude in his battle against cancer.
fortnight
fortnight
  1. n.frml. a period of two weeks: He issued a report on his activities each fortnight.
fortress
fortress
  1. n. -tresses a building, group of buildings, or town well-protected against attack: Soldiers attacked the fortress high on a hill. See: fort.
fortuitous
fortuitous
  1. adj.frml.
    1 by chance, accidental: Meeting my mother at the train station was completely fortuitous.
    2 lucky, fortunate: By fortuitous circumstances, we were able to take a bus after our car had broken down. -adv. fortuitously.
fortunate
fortunate
  1. adj.
    1 lucky at a particular time: We were fortunate to escape the accident without injury.
    2 lucky in general: We are fortunate to have money and good health.
    THESAURUS
    fortunate
    1 blessed with luck, in luck
    2 blessed, happy. Ants. unfortunate, unlucky.
fortunately
fortunately
  1. adv. luckily: Fortunately, I found my passport.
fortune
fortune
  1. n.
    1 [C] wealth, riches: He made a fortune in the oil business.
    2 [U] chance, (good or bad) luck,
    THESAURUS
    fate: Then he had the bad fortune to fall ill.
fortune cookie
fortune cookie
  1. n. a cookie containing a small piece of paper that gives advice or tells one's future: Chinese restaurants offer fortune cookies as dessert.
fortune teller
fortune teller
  1. n. a person who tells one's future: The fortune teller said that I would live to be a hundred.
forty-five
forty-five
  1. n. a powerful handgun that shoots .45 caliber bullets: He was shot dead with a forty-five.
forty
forty
  1. n. -ties the cardinal number 40 —adj. forty of s.t.: He is forty years old.
forum
forum
  1. n.
    1 a square in ancient Rome where public business was conducted: The forums were busy places.
    2 a place for the open exchange of ideas, opinions, and information: This radio talk show is a forum for political discussions.
forward
forward
  1. or forwards adv. ahead (in space or time): We are moving forwards with our plans to open a new store.||Walk three steps forward and turn left.adj.
    1 front: Our cabin is in the forward section of the ship.
    2 bold, brazen: The little boy is forward in asking for favors even from strangers.
    3 forwarding address: a new address to which mail should be sent: She moved without leaving a forwarding address.v. [T] to send ahead to s.o.'s address, ship to another: While we are away in the summer, our neighbor forwards our mail to us. -n. [U] forwardness.
    THESAURUS
    forward adv.
    1 onward. Ant. backward. —adj.
    2 pushy, brash, overfamiliar. Ant. shy. —v. to transmit, send s.t. on. Ant. to hold.
forwarder
forwarder
  1. n. a business that ships goods to a new destination: Our company uses a freight forwarder for overseas shipments.
forward
forward
  1. or forwards -adv. ahead (in space or time): We are moving forwards with our plans to open a new store. || Walk three steps forward and turn left. _adj.
    1 front: Our cabin is in the forward section of the ship.
    2 bold, (syn.) brazen: The little boy is forward in asking for favors even from strangers.
    3 forwarding address: a new address to which mail should be sent: She moved without leaving a forwarding address. _v. to send ahead to s.o.'s address, ship to another: While we are away in the summer, our neighbor forwards our mail to us.-n. [U] forwardness.
fossil
fossil
  1. n.
    1 the remains of ancient animal or plant life preserved in rock: We know about dinosaurs from the fossils that they left behind.
    2 fig.pej. an old person with oldfashioned ideas: He's the fossil in the English department that nobody listens to; he hasn't had a new idea since 1963.
fossil fuel
fossil fuel
  1. n. fuel, such as coal and oil, produced by the change of ancient plant and animal life into carbon: Fossil fuels produce substantial air pollution.
fossilize
fossilize
  1. v. -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 [I;T] to turn into a fossil: The remains of dinosaurs have fossilized in rock.
    2 fig. [I] to become fixed, rigid: As he became older, his political ideas fossilized.
foster
foster
  1. v. [T] to help to develop, (syns.) to encourage, nurture: Her trainer fostered her career as a champion skater.adj. related to a system in which adults receive money from the government to take care of children who are not their own: That woman cares for three foster children.
fought
fought
  1. v. past tense & past part. of fight
foul-up
foul-up
  1. n.infrml. a mistake often resulting in a serious problem: The foul-up in the computer system will take several weeks to fix.
foul
foul
  1. v.
    1 [T] to dirty, often with mud, bodily waste, etc.: The farmer fell in the mud and fouled his clothes.
    2 [T] (of rope, string, etc.) to get twisted together and not be able to work: The two little boys fouled the lines of their fishing rods.
    3 [I;T] to make an improper move in certain sports: A basketball player fouled an opponent.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to foul s.t. up: to make a mistake, often one causing serious problems: The repairman attached the wrong wires and fouled up our telephone system.||He fouled it up.adj.
    1 very dirty,
    THESAURUS
    filthy: His clothes were foul with mud.
    2 rude, offensive, (syns.) vulgar, obscene: When she gets angry, she sometimes uses foul language.
    3 bad-smelling,
    THESAURUS
    rank: His muddy clothes smelled foul.
    4 very unpleasant,
    THESAURUS
    mean: She's been in a foul mood all day.n.
    1 an improper move in certain sports: The basketball player committed a foul.
    2 (in baseball) a ball hit outside the foul lines: The batter hit a foul. -adv. foully; -n. [U] foulness.
foul play
foul play
  1. n. [U] a criminal act, esp. murder: A man was found dead; I think that he was a victim of foul play.
foundation
foundation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a base on which a physical structure is built: The foundation for our house is made of cement.
    2 [C] the basis on which an institution or system of beliefs is founded: The right to vote is one of the foundations of a democracy.
    3 [U] the creation of s.t., such as an institution,
    THESAURUS
    establishment: She contributed money towards the foundation of a new library.
    4 [C] an organization, usu. nonprofit, that provides money for projects in education, politics, science, and the arts: The Ford Foundation supports many educational projects.
founding father
founding father
  1. n.
    1 a person who sets up or originates s.t.: He is the founding father of that law firm.
    2 Founding Fathers: in the USA, the people who created the country's political system, esp. a signer of the Declaration of Independence: The Founding Fathers met at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.
foundling
foundling
  1. n. a child left by his or her mother, usu. in a public place, for others to find and take care of: He was a foundling who was left on the doorstep of a church.
foundry
foundry
  1. n. -ries a workshop or factory in which metal is melted and shaped: Machine parts can be made in foundries.
fountain
fountain
  1. n.
    1 an ornamental structure that sends water into the air for display: The water fountain in the square attracts tourists each summer.
    2 a device usu. found in public buildings that provides water for drinking: There's a water fountain outside the restrooms.
    3 fig. an active source of information, ideas, etc.: The librarian is a fountain of knowledge about the community. See: font.
fountain pen
fountain pen
  1. n. a pen that contains an ink container or is filled from an ink bottle: She always uses a fountain pen for her personal letters.
fountainhead
fountainhead
  1. n. source of a river or stream,
    THESAURUS
    wellspring: The fountainhead of that river lies deep in the jungle.
four-footed
four-footed
  1. or four-legged adj. describing animals with four feet: Horses and dogs are four-footed animals.
four-leaf clover
four-leaf clover
  1. n. a small green plant with four leaves, seen as a symbol of good luck: It's difficult to find a four-leaf clover.
four-footed
four-footed
  1. or four-legged -adj. describing animals with four feet: Horses and dogs are four-footed animals.
four-letter word
four-letter word
  1. n. any of several rude, offensive words in general typically containing four letters: He uses four-letter words constantly.
four-wheel
four-wheel
  1. adj. related to vehicles in which all four wheels have power: Vehicles with four-wheel drive are used in mountainous areas.
four
four
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 4: The child had four toys.
fourfold
fourfold
  1. adj. four times s.t.: The sale of that product has had a fourfold increase in the last ten years.
fourposter
fourposter
  1. n.adj. a bed whose frame has four tall posts for curtains: The couple bought a four-poster made of wood.
fourscore
fourscore
  1. adj.old usage 80 (4 times 20): Lincoln began his Gettysburg Address with "Fourscore and seven years ago . . . "
foursome
foursome
  1. n. a group of four people: Golfers play in foursomes.
foursquare
foursquare
  1. adj.
    1 frml. having four equal sides
    2 fig. direct, honest,
    THESAURUS
    forthright: In dealing with him, you will find him foursquare and dependable.
fourteen
fourteen
  1. n.adj. the cardinal number 14: The meal cost 14 dollars.||Only fourteen (of the passengers) survived the plane crash.
fourteenth
fourteenth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 14th: He is the fourteenth person on the list (or) he is fourteenth.
fourth
fourth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 4th: She is the fourth child in the family (or) she is the fourth.
fourth dimension
fourth dimension
  1. n. (in physics) time in addition to the three dimensions of height, width, and depth: Science fiction writers sometimes explore the fourth dimension.
fourth estate
fourth estate
  1. n. newspapers and magazine journalists: The fourth estate has great influence on public opinion.
fowl
fowl
  1. n. fowls or fowl birds such as chickens, ducks, and geese: Hunters shoot fowl in the autumn.
fox
fox
  1. n. foxes or fox
    1 [C] a variety of small dog-like animal with a thick furry tail, considered to be clever: In the UK, people hunt foxes (or fox) on horseback.
    2 [U] the fur of a fox: Women often wore coats made of red fox in the 1940s.
    3 fig. [C] a clever, tricky person: In business matters, he is a smart fox.v. [T] foxes to gain s.t. through cleverness and trickery, to confuse others,
    THESAURUS
    to outwit: In business, he foxed his competition. See: outfox.
foxhole
foxhole
  1. n. a hole dug in the ground where soldiers stay for protection against enemy gunfire: It is necessary for a foxhole to be deep so it can protect a soldier.
foxhound
foxhound
  1. n. a large, short-haired hunting dog: Foxhounds were used originally to hunt foxes or rabbits.
foxtrot
foxtrot
  1. n.v. [I] a ballroom dance with quick steps: The foxtrot was a popular dance in the 1940s.
foyer
foyer
  1. n. an entrance room of a house, apartment, or public building: I met my guest in the foyer of our office building.
fracas
fracas
  1. n. -cases a noisy fight,
    THESAURUS
    commotion: Two men started a fracas in a barroom.
fraction
fraction
  1. n.
    1 a portion of s.t.: A large fraction of the workforce is employed.
    2 a small portion of s.t.: She spoke so quickly that I understood only a fraction of what she said.
    3 a portion less than a whole number, expressed in symbols: The fraction one-half can also be expressed as .5 or 1/2. -adj. fractional; -adv. fractionally.
    THESAURUS
    fraction
    1 a part | section
    2 a little bit, small part. Ants. all, a whole.
fractious
fractious
  1. adj.
    1 easily upset, (syns.) petulant, cranky
    2 unwilling to obey rules, (syns.) rebellious, unruly: That little boy is a fractious child. -adv. fractiously; -n. [U] fractiousness.
fracture
fracture
  1. v. [I;T] -tured, -turing, -tures to break, crack: She fractured her leg while skiing.n. a break, crack: They found a small fracture in the wing of the plane.
fragile
fragile
  1. adj. easily broken, delicate: That dish is fragile, so be careful. -n. [U] fragility.
fragment
fragment
  1. n. a bit or piece of s.t.: The clay pot broke into fragments long ago.v. [I;T] to break, divide into bits and pieces: His eyeglasses fragmented as they hit the ground.
fragmentary
fragmentary
  1. adj. partial, incomplete: The witness could give only a fragmentary description of the accident.
fragmentation
fragmentation
  1. n. [U] the process of breaking into pieces: The fragmentation of political parties makes governing difficult.
fragrance
fragrance
  1. n.
    1 [U] pleasant smell, bouquet: The fragrance of roses filled the air.
    2 [C] perfume: She uses an expensive fragrance.
    THESAURUS
    fragrance
    1 a scent, aroma
    2 cologne.
fragrant
fragrant
  1. adj. pleasant smelling, perfumed: Freshly cut grass has a fragrant smell. -adv. fragrantly.
frail
frail
  1. adj. physically weak: His mother has grown old and frail.
frailty
frailty
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] the condition of being physically weak: Her frailty prevents her from going out to shop.
    2 [C] human moral weakness,
    THESAURUS
    fallibility: Jealousy and selfishness are common human frailties.
frame-up
frame-up
  1. n.infrml. the arrangement of proof of a crime so that an innocent person appears guilty: The thief put some stolen jewels in my pocket as a frame-up to save himself.
frame
frame
  1. n.
    1 a border placed around s.t.: She put the photo in a plastic frame.||The window frames need painting.
    2 a supporting structure on which s.t. is built: The frame of the sailboat was constructed in two weeks.
    3 the human body: He is a man with a large frame.
    4 pl. the part of a pair of eyeglasses into which the lenses are set: Her reading glasses have red frames.
    5 the section of a roll of film that develops into a picture: Several frames didn't come out clearly.
    6 frame of mind: one's mental attitude at a specific time: She's ill, but in a good frame of mind today.
    7 frame of reference: the knowledge and beliefs that affect one's understanding of new information: The philosophy professor's introductory lecture gave us a frame of reference for our first assigned readings.v. [T] framed, framing, frames
    1 to place a frame around s.t.: She framed the painting and hung it in the living room.
    2 to put together, devise: She framed her response in the form of a question.
    3 fig. to arrange the proof of a crime so that an innocent person appears guilty: The accused murderer said that he was framed by his brother.
    THESAURUS
    frame v.
    1 to encase, enclose s.t.
    2 to prepare, draft, construct
    3 to falsely accuse s.o., railroad s.o.
framework
framework
  1. n.
    1 a structure used to support other things: The framework of that house is made of wood.
    2 fig. an organization of ideas: The framework for our project is described in this 10-page proposal.
framing
framing
  1. n. [U] a frame: The framing around that painting is made of metal.
franc
franc
  1. n. unit of money formerly used in France, Switzerland, and Belgium, replaced by the euro
franchise
franchise
  1. n. a legal agreement giving an individual or company the right to sell another company's goods or services: He bought a McDonald's franchise.
franchisee
franchisee
  1. n. the person or business who buys a franchise: My friend is a franchisee of a fast-food restaurant.
franchiser
franchiser
  1. n. the company that sells franchises: McDonald's is the franchiser of hundreds of fast-food restaurants.
frankfurter
frankfurter
  1. n. a meat mixture usu. made with beef or pork in the shape of a tube; a hot dog: Hamburgers and frankfurters are two popular American foods.
frankincense
frankincense
  1. n. [U] a substance found in certain trees and used to make incense and perfume: Frankincense has been used in religious ceremonies since ancient times.
frankly
frankly
  1. adv.
    1 with openness and honesty,
    THESAURUS
    candidly: The official spoke frankly about the region's problems.
    2 stated directly and honestly but not necessarily politely: Frankly, he thinks that your ideas are completely wrong.
frantic
frantic
  1. adj.
    1 very rushed,
    THESAURUS
    frenzied: Rescuers made a frantic effort to save the drowning man.
    2 almost crazy with fear (grief, anxiety, etc.): The mother was frantic after she lost her child. -adv. frantically.
frat
frat
  1. n.infrml. a college fraternity
fraternal
fraternal
  1. adj.
    1 related to the relationship between brothers, like a brother: He belongs to a fraternal order of firemen.
    2 fraternal twins: non-identical twins -adv. fraternally.
fraternize
fraternize
  1. v. [I] -nized, -nizing, -nizes to be friendly with people from a different, sometimes opposing group: He was arrested during the war for fraternizing with the enemy.
fratricide
fratricide
  1. n. [U] the murder of one's brother: In the Bible, Cain committed fratricide by killing his brother, Abel.
fraud
fraud
  1. n.
    1 [U] deceit with the purpose of gaining another's money or property: The company offered property for sale in Arizona, but it was a fraud; the property didn't exist.
    2 [C] s.o. or s.t. that is not what he, she, or it appears to be: He said he was an Italian prince, but he was a fraud.
    THESAURUS
    fraud
    1 a scam, sham, hoax
    2 an impostor, phony.
fraudulent
fraudulent
  1. adj. dishonest, false,
    THESAURUS
    deceitful: The company made fraudulent statements in its television commercials for its shampoo. -n. [U] fraudulence; -adv. fraudulently.
fraught
fraught
  1. adj.frml. full of, filled: That plan is fraught with difficulties.
fray
fray
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to cause a small piece of cloth to become thin from rubbing: The cuffs on his shirt (raincoat, pants, etc.) have frayed.
    2 fig. [T] to irritate, annoy: The constant noise has frayed her nerves.n. [U] a fight that can be either physical or verbal, a battle: Two men started to fight, and others jumped into the fray.
frazzle
frazzle
  1. v. [I;T] -zled, -zling, -zles n. to make very tired, upset, or nervous: The summer heat frazzled her (or) she is in a frazzle from the heat.
freak
freak
  1. n.
    1 a person or animal with an abnormal shape: The animal was a freak, born with two heads.
    2 infrml. a person with a very strong interest in s.t.: She's an exercise freak and goes to the gym every day.adj. strange, as in a very unusual happening: In New York, there was a freak snowstorm last year in June.phrasal v. infrml. [I;T] to freak out: to lose self-control, become crazy, esp. as a result of taking drugs: When a stranger insulted him in a bar, he freaked out and started screaming.
freckle
freckle
  1. n.v. [I;T] -led, -ling, -les, a small light brown spot on the skin, often from being in the sun: She develops freckles in the summer. -adj. freckled; freckle-faced.
free-floating
free-floating
  1. adj. (in finance) responding to natural market forces without government interference: The exchange rates between currencies are free-floating as they change hourly.
free-for-all
free-for-all
  1. n.
    1 a noisy fight involving a group of people,
    THESAURUS
    a melee: A fight started between two men at a football game and then turned into a free-for-all.
    2 a disorganized discussion: The town meeting became a free-for-all, with everyone talking at once.
free-form
free-form
  1. adj. done without restrictions, loose and informal: The meeting turned into a free-form discussion.
free-living
free-living
  1. adj. always seeking pleasure,
    THESAURUS
    hedonistic: He is a free-living guy who enjoys nightclubs, good food, and long vacations.
free
free
  1. adj. freer, freest
    1 not under the control of another person or institution: After twenty years in prison, he was a free man.
    2 without political, religious, or economic restrictions: We live in a free country.
    3 completely without: The property is free of any debt.||The river is not yet free of pollution.
    4 without payment: Admission to the concert is free.
    5 not in use, available: The telephone (hotel room, bathroom, etc.) is free now.
    6 not busy: Are you free to talk now, or should I come back later?
    7 generous: She is free with help and advice for those who need it.
    8 giving or spending (too) easily, careless: She is free with her money when she has it.
    9 free and clear: without financial obligations, such as debt: The property is free and clear for you to buy.
    10 free and easy: relaxed, without worries: Your father is feeling free and easy today, so you can ask him for money.
    11 free hand: complete control over s.t.: The couple gave the architect a free hand in designing their new house.
    12 to have free rein: to have the power to take any action one wishes: The owner has given her free rein to reorganize the company.v. [T] freed, freeing, frees
    1 to let go, release from s.t. unpleasant, liberate: The jailer freed the prisoner.||Winning the lottery freed him of financial worries forever.
    2 to clear away, remove an obstacle: The workers freed the road of the fallen trees.
    3 to free s.o.'s mind: The mother learned that her lost son was safe, and that freed her mind of fear.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to free s.o. or s.t. up: to make available: The state government freed up funds to build housing for the poor.||It freed them up.adv.
    1 moving around without restrictions: The children can run free in the park.
    2 for free: without payment: You can visit the museum for free on Tuesdays.
    3 to set free: to let go, release,
    THESAURUS
    to liberate: The judge set the prisoner free.||We opened the cage and set the bird free. -adv. freely.
    THESAURUS
    free adj.
    1 liberated
    2 democratic, independent, self-governing
    3 devoid of.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. full of.
    4 complimentary, free of charge, on the house infrml.
    5 empty, unoccupied,
    THESAURUS
    vacant. Ants. occupied, taken.
    6 available
    7 liberal, bighearted. Ant. stingy. —v.
    1 to turn loose, discharge
    2 to unblock.
free agent
free agent
  1. n. a person without ties to any company or institution: The baseball team's owner made their star a free agent.
free associate
free associate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates (in psychiatry) to say all the things that come to mind on a given topic: The therapist encouraged the client to free associate on all the things he remembered about his mother.
free enterprise
free enterprise
  1. n. [U] an economic system in which individuals and companies conduct business with minimal government control: Free enterprise encourages competition between businesses.
free fall
free fall
  1. n. a rapid downward movement, (syns.) a plunge, dive: The skydiver went into a long free fall before opening his parachute.||During the stock market panic, prices went into a free fall for several days.
free lunch
free lunch
  1. n.fig. There is no such thing as a free lunch: a saying that means one always has to pay for s.t. of value
free market
free market
  1. n.adj. an economic market, both domestic and international, that is allowed to compete freely without government restriction: Free markets allow the most efficient manufacturer to succeed.||We live in a free market economy.
free port
free port
  1. n. a ship's port or a section of an airport where goods are sold tax-free: The ship stops at free ports in the Caribbean so that passengers can buy perfume, watches, and other luxury items.
free ride
free ride
  1. n.fig. a service or favor done for s.o. without payment: The sales manager's wife goes to conferences with him at company expense; she gets a free ride.
free trade
free trade
  1. n.adj. the movement of trade between countries with few government restrictions, such as import duties: Free trade among nations results in increased competition and lower prices.||The United States signed a free trade agreement with Mexico in 1994.
free will
free will
  1. n. [U] the power to make one's own choices: He joined the Army of his own free will.
free zone
free zone
  1. n. a tax-free area in a city or port: Goods can be brought into a free zone in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and then shipped to many countries in Latin America.
freebie or freebee
freebie or freebee
  1. n.infrml. a gift, s.t. free: My friend gave me a concert ticket and other freebies.
freedom
freedom
  1. n.
    1 [U] the condition of being free, having the power to act and speak without restrictions: The boy has the freedom to go where he wants to go.
    2 [C] a set of legal rights protected by the government, such as freedom of speech or religion: Our various freedoms are the foundation of our nation.
    3 [U] release from prison or slavery: The jury found the suspect not guilty, and the judge gave him his freedom.
    4 [U] protection against, release from s.t.: The medication gave him freedom from pain.
    5 [U] ability to move s.t.: His leg was broken, but he gradually regained freedom of movement.
freehand
freehand
  1. adj.adv. (of drawing) by hand, without the aid of mechanical devices: The artist did a freehand drawing of the building (or) drew the building freehand.
freelance
freelance
  1. v. [I] -lanced, -lancing, -lances to work as an independent, selfemployed person who performs jobs usu. for a variety of companies: She is a writer who freelances for several health magazines.adj. related to freelancing: He is a freelance artist (journalist, photographer, etc.). -n. freelancer. See: moonlight.
freeload
freeload
  1. v.infrml. [I] to accept the food, money, and housing offered by others without repayment: He's been freeloading off his sister for years. -n. freeloader.
freestanding
freestanding
  1. adj. standing without attachment to a wall or supporting device, unattached: There are several freestanding bookshelves in the living room.
freestyle
freestyle
  1. n.adj.
    1 (in gymnastics or skating competitions) the participant's choice of moves
    2 (in swimming) the swimmer's choice of a stroke: She does the crawl in the freestyle or the freestyle competition.
freethinker
freethinker
  1. n. a person who develops his or her own beliefs independently of accepted beliefs and tradition: He is a freethinker who has many exciting ideas about educational reform. -adj.n. [U] freethinking.
freeway
freeway
  1. n. a wide road for high-speed travel: Los Angeles is famous for its many freeways. See: expressway; highway.
    THESAURUS
    freeway a throughway, thruway, interstate.
freewheeling
freewheeling
  1. adj.fig. acting boldly, without concern for rules or proper behavior: His freewheeling style of doing business caused him to lose many customers. -v. [I] freewheel; -n. freewheeler.
freeze-dry
freeze-dry
  1. v. [T] -dried, -drying, -dries to preserve s.t. (food, coffee, etc.) by freezing it and then removing its water: Coffee makers freeze-dry beans to make instant coffee. -adj. freeze-dried.
freeze
freeze
  1. v. froze , frozen , freezing, freezes
    1 [I;T] to change into a solid state due to low temperature: The water in the pond freezes in winter.
    2 [I;T] to have the temperature drop below the freezing point: It's going to freeze tonight.
    3 [I;T] to preserve food by keeping it very cold: We froze the soup we made yesterday.
    4 [I] to stop and stand completely still: A man pointed a gun at me and told me, "Freeze or I'll shoot!"
    5 [T] to stop the movement of s.t.: The Senator wants to freeze government spending.||The bank froze my account for two days, so I couldn't use it.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to freeze s.o. or s.t. out: to prevent from participating,
    THESAURUS
    to exclude: He froze out his competition by lowering his prices.||He froze them out.
    7 phrasal v. [I;T] to freeze over: to solidify into ice: The surface of the pond froze over last night.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to freeze up: a. to be unable to move or function because of ice: We had no water last night because the pipes froze up. b. to be unable to perform because of nervousness: As soon as she saw the large audience, she froze up and couldn't make her speech.n.
    1 a condition of freezing by low temperature: The freeze last night destroyed the farmer's tomatoes.
    2 an action that stops movement: The company put a freeze on salaries; nobody is going to get a raise.
    THESAURUS
    freeze v.
    1 and
    2 to ice over, ice up, freeze up. Ant. to thaw.
freezer
freezer
  1. n. a compartment or a separate unit in a refrigerator designed to freeze food and to keep it frozen: We put some steaks in the freezer for future use.
freezing
freezing
  1. adj. very cold: It's freezing outside; put on your winter coat.
freezing point
freezing point
  1. n. the point at which water freezes: The freezing point is 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius.
freight
freight
  1. n. [U] transported goods,
    THESAURUS
    cargo: A truck brought a load of freight to the warehouse.v. [T] to ship, transport: We freighted the goods to the warehouse by truck.
freight car
freight car
  1. n. a railroad car designed to carry freight: For years, freight cars were painted brown.
freight train
freight train
  1. n. a train with one or more powerful engines pulling a large number of freight cars: Some freight trains have so many freight cars that they are a mile long.
freightage
freightage
  1. n. [U]
    1 a technical term for transportation of freight in general
    2 the cost of freight: The freightage for those goods was minimal, because they went by ship and not by air.
freighter
freighter
  1. n. a ship designed to carry freight: The freighter carries a few passengers in addition to its cargo.
frenetic
frenetic
  1. adj. very rushed, nervously excited,
    THESAURUS
    frenzied: The activity backstage before the show was frenetic. -adv. frenetically.
frenzied
frenzied
  1. adj. very rushed, panicked, (syns.) frantic, frenetic: The boy's friends made a frenzied attempt to save him from drowning. -adv. frenziedly.
frenzy
frenzy
  1. n. -zies [C;U]
    1 a state of panic, causing a wild display of emotion,
    THESAURUS
    hysteria: When she learned of her son's death, she went into a frenzy, tearing at her hair and screaming.
    2 very great excitement: When the singer finally appeared on stage, the crowd was in a frenzy.
frequency
frequency
  1. n. -cies
    1 [U] the rate at which s.t. happens, occurs: The buses stop here with regular frequency.
    2 [U] s.t. that happens often: The article discussed the reasons for the frequency of violent crime in urban areas.
    3 [C] the number given to a transmission wave, esp. of a radio station: The various frequencies on the radio are crowded together in large areas such as New York.
frequent
frequent
  1. adj. often: Car theft is a frequent occurrence in this area.v. [T] to visit: He frequents the local restaurants often. -adv. frequently.
    THESAURUS
    frequent adj. regular, common, repeated. Ant. rare. —v. to patronize, go to, hang out at infrml.
fresco
fresco
  1. n. -coes or -cos a wall painting: The frescoes in these churches are magnificent.
fresh
fresh
  1. adj.
    1 recently picked, (prepared, produced, etc.), not canned or frozen: We enjoy fresh vegetables and fruit, straight from the garden: fresh orange juice, fresh fish, fresh bread.
    2 bright, new: The house has a fresh coat of paint.
    3 different, exciting, original: New people with fresh ideas joined the company.
    4 pleasantly cool: A fresh breeze feels wonderful on a hot day.
    5 rude, impudent: The little boy was fresh to the teacher.
    6 having recently arrived from: She's fresh out of college and looking for work. -adv. freshly; -n. freshness.
    THESAURUS
    fresh
    1 raw (fruit, vegetables), unprocessed | healthy. Ants. canned, frozen.
    2 brand new,
    THESAURUS
    clean. Ant. old.
    3 modern, up-to-date, innovative
    4 refreshing
    5 bold, sassy,
    THESAURUS
    cheeky. Ants. polite to, respectful of.
    6 just, newly arrived.
freshen
freshen
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make or become fresher: I'll freshen your drink with more soda and ice cubes.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to freshen s.o. or s.t. up: to make s.o. or s.t. feel or look better by washing, cleaning, etc.: She freshened up the room with some flowers.||She freshened it up.
freshman
freshman
  1. n. -men adj. a student in the first year of high school or college: She is a freshman at the University of Notre Dame; she lives in the freshman dormitory.

    USAGE NOTE: First-year high school and college students are called freshmen; second-year students are sophomores; third-year students are juniors; and fourth-year students are seniors.
freshwater
freshwater
  1. adj. of inland water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds: Trout and bass are two types of freshwater fish.
fret
fret
  1. v. [I] fretted, fretting, frets to worry, express anxiety: She fretted when her children came home late from school.
fretful
fretful
  1. adj. complaining and irritable: The baby was fretful because he didn't sleep. -adv. fretfully.
friable
friable
  1. adj.frml. breaking apart easily: The pages of the old book are yellowed and friable.
friar
friar
  1. n. a male member of a usu. Roman Catholic religious order: He is a Dominican friar.
fricassee
fricassee
  1. n. meat cut into pieces and cooked slowly in its own juices: We like to eat chicken fricassee.
friction
friction
  1. n.
    1 [U] resistance that results when two surfaces are rubbed together,
    THESAURUS
    abrasion: When you rub your hands together rapidly, the friction produces heat.
    2 [C;U] conflict,
    THESAURUS
    strife: The friction between the two secretaries created tension in the office.
fridge
fridge
  1. n.infrml.short for refrigerator: I put the milk and meat in the fridge.
fried
fried
  1. past tense & past part. of fry —adj.infrml.fig. drunk,
    THESAURUS
    inebriated: He got really fried at the party last night.
friend
friend
  1. n.
    1 a person whom one likes and trusts, pal: She's a good (=close) friend of mine.||Anna and Paul are just friends (=not lovers).
    2 a person who supports one's cause or group: The Senator, who is from an agricultural state, is a friend of the farmer.
    3 a person who gives money to support an institution, such as a college, museum, or hospital, benefactor: The new chemistry lab was paid for by friends of the college.
    4 to make friends with s.o.: to form a relationship with s.o. one likes and trusts: She made friends with some of her co-workers. -adj. friendless; -n. [C;U] friendship.
    THESAURUS
    friend
    1 buddy, mate, confidante | acquain-tance. Ant. stranger.
    2 ally, supporter. Ant. enemy.
    3 a donor, contributor.
friendly
friendly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 helpful, pleasant, agreeable: She has a friendly manner with customers.||This bar has a friendly atmosphere.
    2 referring to a relationship of mutual fondness and trust: He is friendly with his supervisor; they often go out to lunch together.
    3 friendly fire: a situation in which soldiers are accidentally killed or wounded by other soldiers from their own side: She discovered that her brother was killed by friendly fire. -n. [U] friendliness.
    THESAURUS
    friendly
    1 warm, welcoming, hospitable. Ant. unfriendly.
    2 close with, sociable with, on good terms with. Ant. distant.
fries
fries
  1. n.pl.infrml. French fries: A hamburger and fries are my favorite meal.
frieze
frieze
  1. n. architectural wall ornamentation consisting of a band of designs: The living room has a frieze of flower designs carved in wood.
frigate
frigate
  1. n. a fast warship: The British navy was famous for the power and speed of its frigates.
frigging
frigging
  1. adj.slang terrible,
    THESAURUS
    damnable: What a frigging mess he's made of things!
fright
fright
  1. n. [C;U] sudden fear, shock: A tree fell on the house and gave him a fright.
frighten
frighten
  1. v. [T] to cause fear, shock: Strange sounds in the night frightened the child.
    THESAURUS
    frighten to scare s.o., terrify | startle, upset. Ants. to calm, soothe.
frightened
frightened
  1. adj. afraid: The child is frightened of dogs.
frightening
frightening
  1. adj. causing fear: The horror movie was very frightening. -adv. frighteningly.
frightful
frightful
  1. adj.
    1 causing fear, shocking: The boat trip in the storm was frightful.
    2 offensive, terrible: His behavior at the wedding party was frightful. -adv. frightfully.
frigid
frigid
  1. adj.
    1 freezing, very cold: Dress warmly; it's frigid out there.
    2 unfriendly, distant: The atmosphere at the meeting was frigid.
    3 sexually unresponsive, cold: He is a frigid man. -adv. frigidly; -n. [U] frigidity.
frill
frill
  1. n.
    1 an ornamental border on a piece of clothing: She wore a dress with frills on the sleeves.
    2 no frills: basic, without extras or luxuries: The airline offered a flight with no frills: food service, drinks, or movies. -adj. frilly.
fringe
fringe
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the border of a piece of clothing, rug, tablecloth, etc., made of hanging threads or other material: His jacket had fringes on the arms.
    2 [C] the outer edge or limit of s.t.: The building is located on the fringes of the city.||The criminal lives on the fringes of society.
    3 to be on the fringe: to have very odd behavior, be mentally ill: He's on the fringe; he just sits alone in his room all day with the lights off.
    4 the lunatic fringe: a group of people who want to completely change or destroy society: A member of the lunatic fringe planted bombs on the subway.adj. minor, very unlike most of the other members of a particular group: She is a member of a liberal fringe group within the Republican Party.v. [T] fringed, fringing, fringes to add, be a border: Trees fringe the park.
fringe benefit
fringe benefit
  1. n. a valuable service or privilege provided to an employee by an employer in addition to salary, such as medical, dental and life insurance, or a retirement plan: The fringe benefits at that company are excellent.
frippery
frippery
  1. n.frml. [U] very showy clothes: The men and women arrived at the party in their frippery.
frisk
frisk
  1. v.
    1 infrml. [T] to search a person for hidden weapons: The police frisked the suspect for a knife or pistol.
    2 [I] to run in a playful manner,
    THESAURUS
    to gambol: The kittens frisked about on the kitchen floor.
frisky
frisky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest lively, playful: My cat feels frisky this morning. -adv. friskily.
fritter
fritter
  1. phrasal v. [I;T] to fritter away (time, money, opportunity): to waste, spend unwisely: He fritters away his money on silly things.
frivolity
frivolity
  1. n. -ties [C;U] lighthearted fun, high spirits: The atmosphere of frivolity grew as friends told jokes.
frivolous
frivolous
  1. adj.
    1 unimportant, unnecessary: She spends money on frivolous things.
    2 silly, stupid: He often makes frivolous comments. -adv. frivolously; -n. [U] frivolousness.
frizz
frizz
  1. v. [T] frizzes (of hair) to become very curly: Her hair frizzes (or) frizzes up in the rain. -adj. frizzy.
fro
fro
  1. adv.frml. usu. in the phrase to and fro: first in one direction and then back again,
    THESAURUS
    back and forth: In the park, there were children running to and fro.
frock
frock
  1. n.
    1 a long robe, usu. of heavy material with a hood, worn by monks: The monk's frock is made of brown woolen cloth.
    2 old usage a woman's dress: She was dressed in a blue cotton frock. See: defrock.
frog
frog
  1. n.
    1 a small usu. green or brown animal with a large mouth and long, powerful legs: The children like to catch frogs at the pond.
    2 fig. difficulty in speaking caused by a sore throat: I can't speak clearly, because I have a frog in my throat.
frolic
frolic
  1. v. [I] -icked, -icking, -ics to play about happily: Children went on a picnic and frolicked in a field.n. a happy, carefree time: They had a frolic in the country.
from
from
  1. strong form/ prep.
    1 showing a starting location, source: She moved from Los Angeles to Chicago.||This beer is imported from Mexico.||The letter is from my sister.
    2 showing a beginning point in time: We worked on the project from May to July.||I'll meet with you again a week from Friday (=showing a future time).||The two of them have been friends from that day on (=since that day).
    3 showing origin, material s.t. is made of: Coffee comes from beans.||Those gloves are made from leather.
    4 showing distance: Those boats are two miles from the shore.||Boston is 250 miles from New York.
    5 showing a range, esp. of sizes and numbers: That type of fish measures from three to six feet in length.
    6 showing a reason or cause: His death from heart failure was shocking news.
    7 showing difference: I don't know one type of computer from another.
    8 showing separation: He removed his hand from her arm.
frond
frond
  1. n. leaf of a fern plant or palm tree
front-runner
front-runner
  1. n. in a competition, the person who is in the lead: A Democrat is the front-runner in the race for governor.
front
front
  1. n.
    1 [C] the forward area or side of s.t.: The front of the store has a toy display.||To enter the building, you have to go around to the front.
    2 [U] outward appearance, demeanor: He is a funny, relaxed man, but always puts on a serious front for strangers.
    3 [C] in war, the area where there is fighting: The general sent fresh troops to the front.
    4 [U] a political movement with popular support: They started a reform movement called the Popular Front.
    5 [U] a strip of land bordering on a body of water: The restaurant is located on the beachfront.
    6 [C] a person, organization, business, etc. acting as a cover for an illegal activity: That store is a front for an illegal gambling operation.
    7 [C] a mass of air of the same temperature: A warm or cold front will arrive in our area tomorrow.
    8 false front: to appear to be what one is not: He gives the impression of wealth, but that is a false front.
    9 to put on a brave front: to act bravely when one is actually fearful: The soldier put on a brave front as he went into battle.adj.
    1 forward: The front windows of our house overlook the park.||The front row of seats in the theater is full.
    2 in front: ahead of all others, first: The fastest runner is very far in front.||In the race for governor, the Republican candidate is in front.
    3 in front of: a. directly ahead of: In the class photo, Maria is sitting in front of Tony.||There are some trees in front of the building. b. facing: He stood in front of the mirror. c. in the presence of: Don't talk about that in front of the children.
    THESAURUS
    front n.
    1 entrance. Ant. back.
    2 fa&phon30;ade, face
    3 battle line, front line
    4 coalition party
    5 waterfront
    6 disguise, cover.
front man
front man
  1. n. -men a person who acts for another individual or for a group, often to hide the other's identity: The lawyer is a front man for big investors.
front office
front office
  1. n. (in business) office where the most important decisions are made: Orders came from the front office to change accounting procedures.
frontage
frontage
  1. n.
    1 the forward part of a building or piece of land: The frontage of the factory is on a main street.
    2 the amount of land in front of a building: The factory has a 50 foot (15.15 m) frontage from the front entrance to the street.
    3 the width of that frontage: The frontage is 300 feet (95m) wide.
frontal
frontal
  1. adj. toward or from the front: The enemy made a frontal attack on our troops. -adv. frontally.
frontier
frontier
  1. n.
    1 the outer edge of land exploration: The American West was still a frontier a century ago.
    2 unknown area of a field of knowledge: She is a biochemist who works on the frontiers of biology.
    3 the border between two countries: There have been reports of fighting on the frontier.
    THESAURUS
    frontier
    1 wilderness, unexplored land
    2 the cutting edge, front line.
frontiersman
frontiersman
  1. n. -men a man living on a frontier: He is a frontiersman who lives alone in a cabin in the woods.
frontispiece
frontispiece
  1. n. an illustrated page at the beginning of a book: The frontispiece has a picture of the Queen and a dedication to her.
frosh
frosh
  1. n.pl.infrml. college or university freshmen: The frosh have arrived at the university and are at the dorm.
frost
frost
  1. n.
    1 [U] white icy covering on a surface formed when water vapor in the air freezes: There was frost on my window this morning.
    2 [C;U] weather condition when the temperature drops below freezing: An early frost destroyed much of the orange crop.v.
    1 [I] to form frost: The car windows have frosted over in the autumn air.
    2 [T] to apply a sugary covering to a cake: After frosting the cake, we put it in the refrigerator.
frostbite
frostbite
  1. n. [U] a condition of frozen flesh, with blood circulation having stopped: A mountain climber suffered frostbite in his toes. -adj. frostbitten.
frosting
frosting
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a sugary covering, such as on cakes: That cake has delicious chocolate frosting.
    2 frosting on the cake: s.t. especially pleasing in a pleasant situation: I found a new job, but the frosting on the cake is that I get six weeks' vacation in the first year.
frosty
frosty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 related to cold weather: It is frosty out today.
    2 covered with frost: The kitchen windows are frosty this morning.
    3 cool, distant in manner: She was very frosty to him when they met. -adv. frostily; -n. [U] frostiness.
froth
froth
  1. n. [U]
    1 a coating of white bubbles,
    THESAURUS
    foam: Froth on the waves contrasts with the ocean's blue color.
    2 unimportant, empty talk: Political speeches contain a lot of froth.v. [I] to produce froth: The dog growled and frothed at the mouth. -adj. frothy.
frou-frou
frou-frou
  1. n.infrml. unnecessary ornamentation, showiness, esp. of clothing: She always dresses with a lot of frou-frou.
frown
frown
  1. n. a look of disapproval (doubt, annoyance, etc.) made by pulling the eyebrows downward and tightening the mouth: He had a frown on his face after being unfairly criticized.v.
    1 [I] to have a frown on one's face: She frowned when she heard the bad news.
    2 phrasal v. [T] to frown on: to disapprove of: The teacher frowns on talking in the classroom.
    THESAURUS
    frown n. a scowl | glare, grimace. Ant. a smile. —v.
    1 to scowl.
froze
froze
  1. past tense of freeze
frozen
frozen
  1. adj. & past part. of freeze
    THESAURUS
    frozen adj. icy, freezing | unfriendly.
fructose
fructose
  1. n. [U] a natural sugar found in fruit and honey: Fructose gives you quick energy.
frugal
frugal
  1. adj.
    1 careful about spending money or wasting things,
    THESAURUS
    thrifty: Having been frugal all their lives, they can now live on their savings.
    2 small and costing little: We had a frugal meal. -adv. frugally; -n. [U] frugality.
fruit
fruit
  1. n.
    1 the part of a plant that contains the seed, esp. when used as food: Apples, pears, and oranges are some common types of fruit.||You should eat at least three servings of fruit a day.
    2 often pl. result, product: The fruits of his labors resulted in a large fortune.
    3 pej. slang a male homosexual
    4 to bear fruit: to produce s.t.: Years of research finally bore fruit with the development of a new drug for treating cancer.
fruit cup
fruit cup
  1. n. a serving of mixed fruit cut into small pieces: We had a fruit cup for dessert.
fruit fly
fruit fly
  1. n. flies a type of tiny fly that feeds on and lays its eggs in fruit: Fruit flies are an annoyance in households where fruit is left in the open.
fruitcake
fruitcake
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a heavy, rich cake made with chopped nuts and candied fruit: We have fruitcake only at Christmastime.
    2 infrml. a crazy person: That old lady is a fruitcake.
fruitful
fruitful
  1. adj. productive, profitable: Representatives from the hospital and labor union had a fruitful discussion concerning the new contract. -adv. fruitfully; -n. [U] fruitfulness.
fruition
fruition
  1. n. [U] production of favorable results: After months of hard work, our efforts finally came to fruition with the development of a new and exciting product.
fruitless
fruitless
  1. adj. without benefit, useless: After several fruitless attempts to start his own business, he went to work for his father. -n. [U] fruitlessness; -adv. fruitlessly.
fruity
fruity
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having the sweet taste of a fruit: That drink has a fruity taste.
frump
frump
  1. n.pej. a woman who wears plain, unstylish clothes and has a generally sloppy appearance: She's such a frump; it's hard to believe she used to be a fashion model. -adj. frumpy.
frustrate
frustrate
  1. v. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates
    1 to prevent s.o. from doing s.t., thwart: Their attempts to climb the mountain were frustrated by winter storms.||Her husband frustrated all her attempts to be happy.
    2 to have the feeling (of irritation, disappointment, anger, etc.) that results from this: She felt frustrated when she didn't get a promotion after all her hard work.||It was frustrating to work for such a demanding boss.
    THESAURUS
    frustrate
    1 to discourage, upset. Ants. to achieve, fulfill.
    2 (to be) annoyed, discouraged, upset. Ant. to encourage.
frustration
frustration
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the feeling (of irritation, disappointment, anger) that results when one is prevented from doing s.t. one wants to do: She suffered frustration in trying to find happiness.
    2 [U] interference, obstruction: He found only frustration in searching for a new job.
fry
fry
  1. v. [I;T] fried, frying, fries
    1 to cook in a fatty substance, such as butter or vegetable oil: He fried eggs in a frying pan.
    2 infrml. to feel very hot: We really fried at the beach today.
    3 slang to die, esp. in the electric chair: He's going to fry for that murder.
    THESAURUS
    fry
    1 to stir-fry, fry up, sauté
    2 to sizzle, get burnt, get cooked infrml.
fryer
fryer
  1. n.
    1 a deep pan used to fry foods: We cooked some chicken in the fryer.
    2 a chicken for frying: She bought a fryer for dinner.
frying pan
frying pan
  1. n.
    1 a shallow pan with a handle used for frying food: She used the frying pan to cook some onions and potatoes.
    2 out of the frying pan and into the fire: from one difficult situation to an even worse one: First he lost his job, and then he was called into court for nonpayment of debts; he really went out of the frying pan and into the fire.
fuchsia
fuchsia
  1. n.
    1 [C] a garden plant that produces usu. pink, purplish-red, or red hanging flowers
    2 [U] a purplish-red color
fuddy-duddy
fuddy-duddy
  1. n.pej. -dies a dull person with old-fashioned ideas: He's an old fuddy-duddy who does nothing but complain.
fudge
fudge
  1. n. [U] a rich sweet made of sugar, butter, and milk, usu. with chocolate: We had chocolate fudge with coffee for dessert.v. [T] fudged, fudging, fudges to respond in an indirect way, falsify, usu. to avoid blame: The Senator fudged when the reporter asked him why he had broken his campaign promise to cut taxes.
fuel
fuel
  1. n. [C;U] a substance, such as coal, oil, or gasoline, that when burned releases heat to provide energy and power: Gasoline is the fuel used in most motor vehicles.v.
    1 [I;T] to provide with fuel, fill with fuel: The plane is being fueled right now.
    2 fig. [T] to provide energy, intensify: Her desire to help the poor was fueled by her strong religious beliefs. -n. [U] fueling.
    THESAURUS
    fuel v.
    2 to increase, heighten, boost.
fuel cell
fuel cell
  1. n. a device that provides continuous electricity: The fuel cells in the space vehicle lasted the entire flight.
fugitive
fugitive
  1. n. a person who is running away,
    THESAURUS
    an escapee: The prisoner escaped from prison and is now a fugitive.
fugue
fugue
  1. n. a musical form in which a basic melody is repeated and developed in different ways: Bach's fugues are a delight to hear.
fulcrum
fulcrum
  1. n. -crums or -cra
    1 a point on which a lever is supported
    2 fig. a person, organization, or object used to apply power and get results: He is considered the fulcrum in the company and the reason for its success.
fulfill
fulfill
  1. v. [T]
    1 to perform, complete: He fulfilled his obligations by making loan payments on time.
    2 to satisfy, accomplish: She fulfilled her dreams of becoming an actress.
    THESAURUS
    fulfill
    1 to carry out, finish. Ant. to neglect.
    2 to realize, achieve.
fulfillment
fulfillment
  1. n. [U]
    1 performance or completion of s.t.: The fulfillment of obligations under the contract will take two years.
    2 a feeling of satisfaction, success: She found great fulfillment in her acting career.
full-blooded
full-blooded
  1. adj. having a single ethnic ancestry: The writer is a full-blooded Comanche Indian.
full-blown
full-blown
  1. adj. complete with everything, in the final stage of development: The storm turned into a full-blown hurricane.||He has full-blown AIDS.
full-bodied
full-bodied
  1. adj. rich with flavor: That red wine has a full-bodied taste.
full-length
full-length
  1. adj.
    1 complete, of the appropriate length: This is her first full-length novel (film, play, etc.).
    2 floor-length, from head to toe: She wore an elegant full-length dress to the dance.
full-scale
full-scale
  1. adj.
    1 (of a drawing or other representation) of the actual size of the original object: The sales representative showed us a full-scale drawing of the new product.
    2 with the most power or force possible: The generals were planning a full-scale invasion of the neighboring country.
full-tilt
full-tilt
  1. adv.infrml. at maximum speed, as fast as one can go: The schoolboy was hungry, so he ran home full-tilt.
full-time
full-time
  1. adj.adv. 35-40 hours a week: He works full-time (or he is a full-time employee) during the day and goes to school at night. See: part-time.
full
full
  1. adj.
    1 filled to the limit: That bottle won't hold any more water; it's full.||I'm not going to order dessert; I'm full.
    2 containing a large amount of s.t., filled with: The report is full of errors.||That meat is full of fat.
    3 complete: We've already spent a full week on this project.||I need to get a full night's sleep.
    4 to the maximum: The ship traveled at full speed.
    5 having as its most important characteristic: That argument is full of nonsense.||His speech was full of hope about the future.
    6 to go full blast: to do s.t. with the most possible energy (speed, dedication, etc.): My co-workers and I worked full blast for a week to finish the plan.
    7 to be full of baloney (it, beans, slang bull, crap, etc.): to be all wrong: He's full of it; he doesn't know what he's talking about.
    8 to be full of oneself: to have too high an opinion of one's abilities: He's so full of himself that no one can stand him.adv.
    1 forcefully, completely,
    THESAURUS
    squarely: A bullet hit the soldier full in the chest.
    2 full well: with certainty: He knows full well that it's his turn to cook dinner tonight.
    3 in full: with the complete amount: I've repaid the loan in full.
    THESAURUS
    full adj.
    1 filled, brimming (a container) | bursting, stuffed, sated (one's appetite). Ant.
    THESAURUS
    empty.
    2 packed with, packed full of
    3 entire
    4 top
    5 jam-packed with, packed with,
    THESAURUS
    bursting with. Ants. empty of, void of.
full dress
full dress
  1. n. [U] adj. formal dress for formal and ceremonial occasions: The officers were in full dress (or in full-dress uniforms) for the party at the embassy.
full house
full house
  1. n. a theater that is full: The musical played to full houses every night.
full moon
full moon
  1. n. the moon when fully lit by the sun so that it appears completely round: Some believe that the full moon makes people do strange things.
full plate
full plate
  1. n.fig. a full workload, too much to do: The manager has a full plate and cannot take on any additional responsibilities.
full stop
full stop
  1. n.
    1 a complete stop: Your car must come to a full stop at the red light.
    2 a period at the end of a sentence
fully
fully
  1. adv. completely: I didn't fully understand your question.
fulminate
fulminate
  1. v. [I;T] -nated, -nating, -nates to criticize strongly and at length: The politician fulminated against corruption. -n. [U] fulmination.
fulsome
fulsome
  1. adj.frml. excessive, insincere, or offensively flattering: His fulsome comments about her dress annoyed her.
fumble
fumble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [I;T] to struggle with s.t., handle in an awkward fashion: She fumbled with the keys as she tried to open the front door.
    2 [T] to drop, lose control of: The baseball player fumbled the ball.n. (in football) a drop, loss of control: He made a fumble. -n. fumbler; [U] fumbling.
fume
fume
  1. v. [I] fumed, fuming, fumes
    1 to give off gas, smoke, or strong odors: Clouds of black smoke fumed from the burning building.
    2 fig. to feel and/or show great anger: When s.o. insulted her, she fumed and walked out of the room.n. usu. pl. fumes the gas, smoke, or odor given off usu. from a chemical: The gas fumes from the broken stove were very strong.
fumigate
fumigate
  1. v. [T] -gate, -gating, -gates to destroy (disease, insects, etc.) with chemicals: Workers fumigated the house to kill cockroaches. -n. fumigator; [U] fumigation.
fun
fun
  1. n. [U]
    1 pleasurable activity, enjoyment: We had fun at the picnic.
    2 a source of pleasure: She's a lot of fun at parties.||Going to the dentist is no fun.
    3 for the fun of it: to do s.t. for pure enjoyment, without a serious purpose: When we went on the picnic, we decided to have some footraces just for the fun of it.
    4 fun and games: pure pleasure: Life is not just fun and games, but a lot of work and some grief.
    5 to make fun of s.o. or s.t.: to laugh at s.o. or s.t. in an unkind way: He often makes fun of his sister by imitating her.adj.infrml. giving pleasure or enjoyment: Waterskiing is a fun sport.
    THESAURUS
    fun n.
    1 a good time. Ant. a bad time.
    THESAURUS
    —adj. entertaining, enjoyable. Ants. boring, uninteresting.
fun house
fun house
  1. n. a building at an amusement park where one walks through a series of rooms with strange noises and frightening man-made creatures that move: Children like to visit the fun house because it's so scary.
function
function
  1. v. [I]
    1 to perform a task, serve as: She functions as both administrator and teacher.
    2 to work (well, poorly, etc.): The new computer has been functioning well.n.
    1 purpose, use: The computer has a number of important functions.
    2 a formal social occasion: They attended a function at the museum last night.
    3 A pair (or set) of variables that have a relationship in which defining a value for one of the variables determines the value for the second variable (or others): The graph of y = 2x + 1 is a function because each value for x corresponds to a unique y value.
    THESAURUS
    function v.
    1 to operate as, work as
    2 to run, operate, go.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a duty, task, operation
    2 a party, event, reception.
functional
functional
  1. adj.
    1 useful, practical: The furniture is not fancy, just functional.
    2 capable of working,
    THESAURUS
    operative: The elevator was out of order, but is functional now. -adv. functionally.
functionary
functionary
  1. n. -ies a person with an official position but not a lot of power, esp. in a large organization: The President visited Europe and brought functionaries along.
fund
fund
  1. n.
    1 a sum of money for a specific purpose: The company pension fund is well-managed.||I'm short of funds at the moment; I can't buy that new car.
    2 a large amount of s.t.: We were impressed by his fund of knowledge about foreign trade.
    THESAURUS
    fund n.
    1 portfolio | savings, nest egg
    2 wealth. —v. to support, subsidize, sponsor. —v. [T] to provide money for a purpose: The school lunch program is funded by the government.
fund raiser
fund raiser
  1. n.
    1 a person who collects money for public, charitable, or political purposes: She is an excellent fund raiser for her political party.
    2 a party held to raise funds for public, charitable, or political purposes: We attended the fund raiser held at the governor's mansion. -n. [U] fund-raising.
fundamental
fundamental
  1. adj.
    1 basic, primary: Honesty is a fundamental principle in dealing with others.
    2 essential, necessary: Food, shelter, and clothing are fundamental needs.n.
    1 a basic, primary principle (matter, concept): Openness to new ideas is a fundamental in business.
    2 an essential, necessity: Having work is a fundamental in life.
    THESAURUS
    fundamental adj.
    1 primary, elementary. Ant. secondary.
    2 indispensable, crucial. Ant. unnecessary.
fundamentalism
fundamentalism
  1. n. (in religion) an insistence on a traditional interpretation of basic religious documents, such as the Bible, and strict obedience to their teachings and laws: Fundamentalism has had a rebirth in many parts of the world. -n.adj. fundamentalist.
funeral
funeral
  1. n. the ceremony that accompanies the burial or burning of a dead person: His aunt's funeral will be held tomorrow.
    THESAURUS
    funeral memorial service, wake (1).
funereal
funereal
  1. adj. serious, sad like a funeral: The day before the company closed, the atmosphere in the office was funereal.
fungible
fungible
  1. adj.frml. (in business) exchangeable (goods, merchandise): The goods were damaged in shipment, but the manufacturer says they are fungible.
fungicide
fungicide
  1. n. a substance that kills a fungus: Farmers sometimes use fungicides on their crops.
fungus
fungus
  1. n. fungi or funguses an organism that feeds on living or dead plants or animals and cannot survive apart from them: Mushrooms are a type of fungus. -adj. fungal.
funicular
funicular
  1. n. a small railroad used to travel up and down hills and mountains: The funicular takes tourists up the mountain.
funk
funk
  1. n. [U]
    1 in a funk: feeling sad and low,
    THESAURUS
    depressed: She's been in a funk since she found out she didn't get a promotion.
    2 a type of popular music with a heavy beat and strong emotional effect that has elements of jazz, blues, and soul music
funky
funky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 referring to a fashionable style with an often boldly original, unusual look: It's a funky restaurant with very interesting art on the walls.
    2 referring to funk music: They were playing some funky music at the party last night.
    3 infrml. having an unpleasant odor,
    THESAURUS
    smelly: These sneakers smell really funky.
funnel
funnel
  1. n. a utensil with a wide opening on top leading into a narrow bottom and used to control the flow of a liquid: She used a funnel to pour water from a pitcher into a bottle.v. [I;T] to use a funnel or to control as if with a funnel: The bank funnels loans into small businesses.||Small streams funnel water into the river.
funnies
funnies
  1. n.pl. a section of some newspapers containing a number of humorous hand-drawn picture stories, often with a familiar set of characters,
    THESAURUS
    funny pages: Sometimes I turn to the funnies first before reading the serious news.
funny
funny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest
    1 humorous, comical: Her story was so funny that we couldn't stop laughing.||She's a funny person.
    2 odd, strange: Something funny is going on in that house next door.
    3 a little sick: I started to feel funny about an hour after I ate lunch.
    4 referring to a coincidence, s.t. interesting: Funny that you should mention that, I was thinking about doing the same thing myself. -n. [U] funniness.
    THESAURUS
    funny
    1 amusing, comical, entertaining. Ant. serious.
    2 mysterious, suspicious, curious
    3 strange, queasy, nauseated
    4 odd, strange.
funny bone
funny bone
  1. n.infrml. a sensitive spot in the elbow: Ouch! I hit my funny bone against the door!
funnyman
funnyman
  1. n. -men a comedian: We saw a funnyman at the show.
fur
fur
  1. n.adj.
    1 [U] the hairy coat of an animal: The cat's fur is soft and shiny.
    2 [C] clothing made from this: She always wears her fur (or) fur coat on cold winter days.
    3 to see or watch the fur fly: to see a heated argument: While we were waiting in the long line to buy tickets, one person tried to get ahead of another; you should have seen the fur fly.
    THESAURUS
    fur n.
    1 a coat, pelt
    2 a fur coat.
furbish
furbish
  1. v.frml. [T] -bishes to put s.t. into better condition, make s.t. look brighter or fresher: She furbished the house before trying to sell it. See: refurbish.
furious
furious
  1. adj.
    1 very angry, (syns.) enraged, infuriated: He is furious over the theft of his wallet.
    2 very rushed, intensive, (syns.) frantic, all out: Rescuers made a furious attempt to save the trapped child. -adv. furiously.
furl
furl
  1. v. [T] to roll up: Two soldiers furled the flag. See: unfurl.
furlong
furlong
  1. n. 220 yards: A furlong is an old unit of linear measurement today used mainly in horse racing.
furlough
furlough
  1. n. (in the military) a vacation: Some soldiers went on furlough for two weeks.v. [T] to put on vacation, esp. to dismiss with the possibility of being recalled: The Navy furloughed him and never called him back to active duty.
furnace
furnace
  1. n. a heavy container for burning fuel esp. to provide heat: That old house has a coal furnace.
furnish
furnish
  1. v. [T] -nishes
    1 to provide, give s.t.: The travel agency furnished me with the information that I needed for my trip.
    2 to provide with furniture, lamps, curtains, etc.: She furnished the apartment with modern furniture.
    THESAURUS
    furnish
    1 to supply with. Ant. to take away.
    2 to equip, outfit.
furnishings
furnishings
  1. n.pl.
    1 furniture, curtains, rugs, and other objects for homes and offices: The furnishings in that house are quite elegant.
    2 clothing
furniture
furniture
  1. n. [U] articles such as tables, chairs, beds, sofas, and other objects for homes and offices: The house is filled with antique furniture.
    THESAURUS
    furniture furnishings | stuff infrml.
furor
furor
  1. n. an angry disturbance,
    THESAURUS
    uproar: The government's attempt to raise taxes created a furor across the country.
furrow
furrow
  1. n.
    1 the line cut into a layer of soil by a plow
    2 a deep line in the skin of the face: He has furrows in his forehead from worry.||He has a furrowed brow.v. [T] to plow or make furrows: The plow furrowed the garden.
furry
furry
  1. adj. -rier, -riest
    1 having a coat of fur: Furry animals grow long coats in winter.
    2 having a soft fur-like covering: The child received a furry toy rabbit for her birthday.
further
further
  1. adv.
    1 more, additionally: We can discuss the plan further tomorrow.
    2 comp. of far more ahead, more distant: I can't walk any further.||He is further away from his goals than ever before. adj. more, additional: Have you received any further news about the accident?v. [T] to help move forward, progress: He is taking business courses to further his career.
    THESAURUS
    further adv.
    1 in greater detail
    2 farther —v. to advance.

    USAGE NOTE: Further (and furthest) may be used instead of farther (and farthest) to express physical distances, as in "He has moved his business farther (or) further from town." However, you cannot substitute farther for further to express abstract meanings, as in "After further consideration, he rejected the plan."
furtherance
furtherance
  1. n.frml. [U] continuation, advancement: In furtherance of meeting sales objectives, we are increasing our advertising budget.
furthermore
furthermore
  1. adv. in addition, also,
    THESAURUS
    moreover: You have arrived late to the office every day this week; furthermore, your work has been unsatisfactory.
furthermost
furthermost
  1. adj. most distant, farthest away: Hurting anyone is furthermost from his mind.
furthest
furthest
  1. adj. superlative of far: most distant, farthest away: Lowering salaries is the furthest option in the company's plan.||Pluto is the furthest planet from the sun. See: further.
    THESAURUS
    furthest most extreme | farthest (distance).
furtive
furtive
  1. adj. hidden from public view, secret, and possibly deceitful: The teacher was suspicious of the student's furtive behavior during the exam.||He gave her a furtive smile. -adv. furtively -n. [U] furtiveness.
fury
fury
  1. n. violent anger,
    THESAURUS
    rage: The storm attacked the coast with the fury of a hurricane.
fuse
fuse
  1. n.
    1 a safety device designed to break if an excessive amount of electricity passes through it: The air conditioner caused a fuse to blow.
    2 a flammable string or other device used to set off an explosive: The miner lit the fuse that set off the dynamite.
    3 to blow a fuse: a. to cause a fuse to break: When we had the electric heater and the microwave on at the same time, we blew a fuse. b. fig. to become angry suddenly,
    THESAURUS
    to lose one's temper: He blew a fuse when his flight was canceled.
    4 to have a short fuse: short-tempered, to become angry quickly: You have to be careful with him, because he has a short fuse.v. [I;T] fused, fusing, fuses to melt together, become one: A worker fused together two hot metals into an alloy.
fuse box
fuse box
  1. n. -boxes a box set into the wall of a house, apartment, or other building that contains the structure's fuses: The fuse box is in the basement.
fuselage
fuselage
  1. n. the main body of an aircraft: The passenger section of an airplane is contained within the fuselage.
fuselage
fuselage
  1. n. the main body of an aircraft: The passenger section of an airplane is contained within the fuselage.
fusillade
fusillade
  1. n. a burst of shots from weapons: The gangster was killed in a fusillade of gunshots.
fusion
fusion
  1. n. [C;U] the fusing or melting together of such things as metals, ideas, or cultures: The fusion of ideas results from trade between nations.
fuss
fuss
  1. n. [U]
    1 a show of great concern over s.t. unimportant: What a fuss over such a small mistake!
    2 to make a fuss: to show great annoyance, complain noisily about s.t. unimportant: He makes a fuss if his breakfast eggs aren't cooked right.v.
    1 [I] fusses to act anxious, to handle s.t. nervously: Stop fussing with your hair; it's time to go.
    2 phrasal v. [T] to make a fuss over (or) fuss over s.o.: to pay a lot of attention to,
    THESAURUS
    to dote on: Every time her son comes to dinner, his mother makes a fuss over (or) fusses over him.
fussbudget
fussbudget
  1. n. See: fusspot.
fusspot
fusspot
  1. n.infrml. a person who is never satisfied with anything: She is a fusspot and is constantly complaining.
fussy
fussy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 critical, difficult to please,
    THESAURUS
    picky: He is so fussy about what he eats that nothing pleases him.
    2 very careful, selective, (syns.) particular, choosy: She is quite fussy about her clothes and shops only in the most elegant stores. -adv. fussily; -n. [U] fussiness.
futile
futile
  1. adj. useless, unsuccessful: He made a second and futile attempt to pass the examination. -adv. futilely.
futility
futility
  1. n. [U]
    1 hopelessness, uselessness,
    THESAURUS
    pointlessness: She finally saw the futility of trying to save her marriage.
    2 an exercise in futility: a useless act: Searching for peace in that part of the world is an exercise in futility.
future
future
  1. n.
    1 [U] the state of life and events ahead, things to come: No one knows what will happen in the future.
    2 [C] one's life ahead in time, esp. a career: She is planning for a future in medicine.
    3 [U] the possibility of success: He has no future with this company.adj. related to the future: Future relations between the two countries should im-prove.||She introduced him as her future husband.
    THESAURUS
    future n.
    1 the coming years, the years to come. Ant. the past.
    2 career
    3 potential, prospects, hope. Ant. the past. —adj. upcoming, potential. Ant. past.
futuristic
futuristic
  1. adj. very modern, advanced
fuzz
fuzz
  1. n. [U]
    1 a layer of short, soft hair or threads: The baby's hair is fuzz.||A peach has fuzz on it.
    2 slang used with "the": the police: The fuzz picked up his friend for selling drugs.
fuzzy
fuzzy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with short soft hair or threads: The surface of that cloth feels fuzzy.
    2 unclear, blurry: The image in that picture is fuzzy. -adj. fuzzily; -n. [U] fuzziness.
    THESAURUS
    fuzzy
    1 fluffy, furry
    2 indistinct, blurred, dim. Ant. clear.
führer
führer
  1. n. (German for) leader: The Führer was the title of Adolf Hitler.
gab
gab
  1. v. [I] gabbed, gabbing, gabs to talk informally,
    THESAURUS
    to chat: Students like to gab while they eat lunch.
gabby
gabby
  1. adj. -bier, -biest talkative,
    THESAURUS
    chatty: My friend is gabby; he loves to talk.
gable
gable
  1. n. the triangular section of a house formed under a pointed roof: Gables make a house look elegant.adj. gabled: That house has a gabled roof.
gadfly
gadfly
  1. n. -flies
    1 a type of fly that sucks blood from animals
    2 fig. a person who offers many critical, but also helpful comments and questions: He is a political gadfly who always asks difficult questions that make politicians think hard.
gadget
gadget
  1. n. any small or unusual and useful object (an electronic device, machine, tool, etc.): She has many electronic gadgets in her house, from computers to an electric toothbrush.
    THESAURUS
    gadget a gismo | whatchamacallit infrml., thingamabob infrml.
gadgetry
gadgetry
  1. n. a group of small or unusual and useful objects: The engineer has a house full of gadgetry.
gaff
gaff
  1. n.v. [T] a pole with a hook on one end: A fisherman stuck a gaff in a fish's gill and hauled it aboard his boat.
gaffe
gaffe
  1. n. an embarrassing social mistake,
    THESAURUS
    a faux pas: A guest made a gaffe at the wedding; he called the bride by the wrong name.
gag
gag
  1. v. gagged, gagging, gags
    1 [I] to choke for a moment,
    THESAURUS
    to retch: The child gagged on the strong medicine.
    2 [T] to put s.t. into the mouth to stop s.o. from speaking: The robber gagged his victim with a towel.
    3 fig. [T] to stop s.o. from speaking freely: The police gagged people who did not agree with the president.n.
    1 tape or other material that covers, or is put into, the mouth: The burglar covered the man's mouth with a gag made of tape.
    2 infrml. a joke,
    THESAURUS
    a prank: A friend told some funny gags at lunch today.
gag order
gag order
  1. n. (in law) a court decision not permitting discussion and reporting of a court case: In the trial of a well-known criminal, the judge issued a gag order to stop reporters from writing about the story.
gag rule
gag rule
  1. n. an order that stops discussion for a limited time: The Senate made a gag rule; for two days lawmakers could not talk about a new tax proposal.
gaga
gaga
  1. adj.pej.
    1 slightly crazy, (syns.) insane, senile: He is so old that he has gone gaga.
    2 to go gaga over: to be very excited about,
    THESAURUS
    to be infatuated with: From the moment they met, he was gaga over her.
gage
gage
  1. n. See: gauge. gauge or gage -n.
    1 an object for measuring size, fuel, pressure, etc.: The gauge showed that the steam temperature is normal.
    2 a standard of measurement: As a gauge of our success, we want sales volume to increase each month. _v. gauged, gauging, gauges
    1 to measure, (syn.) to evaluate: We gauge our progress by increasing company profits.
    2 to gauge s.o.'s reaction: to find out how s.o. feels about s.t., (syns.) to assess, determine: I told him just a little about the problem to gauge his reaction.
gaggle
gaggle
  1. n. a number of geese together,
    THESAURUS
    a flock of geese: A gaggle of Canadian geese swam in the lake.
gaiety
gaiety
  1. n. [U] high spirits,
    THESAURUS
    merriment: The laughter and gaiety at the party made everyone feel good.
gain
gain
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to obtain, acquire: Students gain useful knowledge by taking a computer course.
    2 [I;T] to make money, profit: An investor gains by buying stocks that go up in value.
    3 [T] to come closer to s.o. or s.t.: The runner gained on her opponent and finally won the race.
    4 [I;T] to go up: Prices gained yesterday on the stock exchange.
    5 nothing to gain: no benefit from doing s.t.: You have nothing to gain by becoming angry; anger will not solve the problem.
    6 to gain ground: a. frml. to move ahead,
    THESAURUS
    to advance: The soldiers gained ground by pushing the enemy back. b. fig. to move closer to s.o. or s.t. in a spirit of competition: To gain ground on his opponent, the politician promised to cut taxes.
    THESAURUS
    gain v.
    1 to get, collect, pick up s.t.
    2 to earn, win
    3 to overtake, close with (or) on (syn.THESAURUS
    .o.
    4 to increase, advance, grow. Ants. to decrease, fall. —n.
    1 a profit: A banker made a big gain on his investment.
    2 an increase, advance: The discovery of a new kind of star was a gain for science.||Stocks made a gain in today's trading.
    3 one man's gain is another man's loss: one person benefits from the loss of another person: When two people bet money against each other, one man's gain is another man's loss.
gainful
gainful
  1. adj. related to earning a living,
    THESAURUS
    profitable: My friend found gainful employment in another city. -adv. gainfully.
gains
gains
  1. n.pl.
    1 winnings: When she won money in the lottery, the woman took her gains and bought a new car.
    2 ill-gotten gains: money made illegally or by clever practices: The dishonest banker used his ill-gotten gains to buy a vacation house.
gait
gait
  1. n. the way a person (or horse) walks (runs, gallops, etc.): He walks with a slow, uneven gait because of a bad leg.
gal
gal
  1. n.old usage (used in a friendly context) a girl or woman: She's a wonderful gal; everyone loves to talk with her.
gala
gala
  1. n. a special public event (social, artistic, sporting, etc.), usu. with famous people: Opera stars from all over the world sang at the gala last night.
galaxy
galaxy
  1. n. -ies a large system of stars: Our galaxy is called the Milky Way. -adj. galactic.
gale
gale
  1. n.adj.
    1 a strong wind (of approx. 60 miles per hour): The gale knocked over trees in our area.
    2 gale-force winds: The gale-force winds knocked down the old tree in the garden.
gall
gall
  1. n.
    1 a liquid produced by the liver,
    THESAURUS
    bile
    2 fig. rudeness, (syns.) nerve, cheek: After nearly knocking me down, she had the gall to demand an apology.v. [T] to annoy,
    THESAURUS
    to humiliate: It galled me when my best friend stopped speaking to me.
gallant
gallant
  1. adj.
    1 (of a man) polite to women, considerate,
    THESAURUS
    frml. chivalrous: Women like him because he is gallant; he always asks them what they want to do.
    2 brave: The man's gallant act saved my life. -adv. gallantly.
gallantry
gallantry
  1. n. -ries
    1 politeness toward women
    2 bravery, courage: The soldier was honored for gallantry in battle.
gallbladder
gallbladder
  1. n. an organ attached to the liver that stores and sends out bile: The gallbladder helps the body digest fat.
gallery
gallery
  1. n. -ies
    1 a room or building used to display or sell art, usu. smaller than a museum: He saw many art galleries in the Soho area of New York City.
    2 a raised section of a theater or public hall where people watch a performance or event: Visitors sat in the gallery to watch the Senate debate.
galley
galley
  1. n.
    1 the kitchen of a ship: The cook serves excellent meals from a small galley.
    2 a sailing ship in former times, rowed by many men: Galleys sailed the seas in ancient times.
gallivant
gallivant
  1. v.infrml. [I] (used humorously) to look for fun by going from one place to another: On Saturday nights, he likes to go gallivanting around to different bars.
gallon
gallon
  1. n. in the USA, a liquid measurement equal to four quarts of 32 ounces each: Yesterday, I bought five gallons of juice for the party.

    USAGE NOTE: A gallon is equal to 3.8 liters: Gasoline, paint, wine and other liquids are commonly sold in gallons: My car is old, but gets about 20 miles to the gallon. A quart equals one-fourth of a gallon or .95 liters: We need eggs, bread, and a quart of milk.
gallop
gallop
  1. n. the fastest run of four-legged animals, esp. horses: The horse raced to the rescue at full gallop.v. [I] (usu. of horses) to run at a gallop: Race horses gallop around the race track.
gallows
gallows
  1. n. -lows a raised, wooden structure used to hang criminals: A murderer was sent to the gallows to die.
gallstone
gallstone
  1. n. a hard stone formed in the gallbladder: The sick man is in pain from gallstones.
galore
galore
  1. adj. plenty of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    in abundance: There are flowers galore in the garden every spring.

    USAGE NOTE: Galore is placed after the word that it modifies.
galoshes
galoshes
  1. n.pl. rubber overshoes that protect ordinary shoes from the rain or snow: He wears galoshes when it rains.
galvanize
galvanize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 to cover metal (usu. iron or steel) with zinc
    2 fig. to stimulate, make s.o. act: The politician's ideas galvanized the opposition against him.
gambit
gambit
  1. n.
    1 an opening move in a chess game where one piece is given up to gain a more important piece later
    2 a statement or an action designed to gain an advantage over s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    a ploy: The businessman's gambit is to say that his investment will double in value.
gamble
gamble
  1. n.
    1 the playing of games of chance: A gamble on a horse at the racetrack costs as little as $2.00.
    2 a risk: She took a gamble that it would not rain when she decided to go camping in cloudy weather.v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [I] to play games of chance: He gambles on the stock market.
    2 [I;T] to take a risk: She gambled that he would fall in love with her.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to gamble s.t. away: to lose money in games of chance or by taking bad risks: He gambled away all his money on dog races.||He gambled it away.
    THESAURUS
    gamble n.
    1 a wager on s.t., bet
    2 a chance | speculation. Ant. a sure thing.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to wager, speculate on s.t. | try one's luck at s.t.
    2 to take a chance on s.t. Ant. to
    THESAURUS
    play it safe.
gambling
gambling
  1. n.
    1 betting of money in games of chance,
    THESAURUS
    wagering: His wife put a stop to his gambling.
    2 risk-taking: She likes gambling in real estate. See: casino.
gambol
gambol
  1. v. [I] n. to run and jump in a playful way,
    THESAURUS
    to cavort: The sheep gamboled happily in the field.
game
game
  1. n.
    1 an activity or sport, often with rules, that people play: A favorite children's game is hide-and-seek.
    2 Games pl. athletic events: The Summer Olympic Games take place every four years.
    3 wild animals, birds, and fishes captured or killed for sport: The hunters captured deer and other wild game.
    4 to be fair game: to be a person or institution that may with reason be criticized or attacked: Politicians are fair game for criticism from reporters.
    5 to give the game away: to reveal information by accident: The chocolate around the little boy's mouth gives the game away; he ate all the chocolate cookies.
    6 to play games: to try to get people to do what one wants by changing decisions, tricks, etc.: At first, he said that he would sell at that price and now he's playing games to see if he can get more money from us.
    7 to play the game: to act or play according to the rules: She didn't like the company's methods of doing business, but she played the game because she needed the job.adj.
    1 related to hunting animals: Game animals like deer and ducks are hunted for food.
    2 to be game: to be ready and willing to do s.t. new, unusual, or difficult: I wanted to climb a tall mountain nearby, and my grandmother said she was game to do it too.
    THESAURUS
    game n.
    1 an amusement, pastime, recreation. Ant. work. | (in sports) a match,
    THESAURUS
    contest, competition.
game plan
game plan
  1. n.
    1 a number of steps and goals planned by a team in a sporting event: The football team's game plan is to control the ball as much as possible.
    2 fig. a plan of action, esp. in business: Our game plan is to make a low first offer and then to increase it until we have an agreement.
game show
game show
  1. n. a television program featuring a game for prizes: Her friend won a new car on the game show.
gamekeeper
gamekeeper
  1. n. an employee who watches over wild game animals and protects them from danger: The gamekeeper on the African preserve worries about hunters shooting the elephants there.
gamesmanship
gamesmanship
  1. n. the method of winning a game (in business, life, etc.) by disturbing the other players, but without breaking the rules: It is gamesmanship to make a loud noise when the other player is trying to play. See: sportsmanship.
gamma ray
gamma ray
  1. n. high energy radiation often from nuclear sources: Gamma rays can come from the waste of nuclear power plants.
gamut
gamut
  1. n.
    1 a range of things,
    THESAURUS
    spectrum
    2 to run the gamut: to have examples of a wide range of possibilities: The many colors in her dress run the gamut of the rainbow from red to yellow to blue.
gamy
gamy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest tasting or smelling like wild animals killed for food: That bear meat has a gamy taste.
gander
gander
  1. n.
    1 a male goose
    2 infrml. a quick look: This new magazine may interest you; give it a gander.
gang
gang
  1. n.
    1 a group of (young) people (usu. used in a negative way) joined together for support and protection: She joined a street gang when she was 12 years old.
    2 a group of criminals
    3 a group of friends: Where is the gang going on Friday night?
    THESAURUS
    gang n.
    1 a crowd, pack
    2 a mob, the mob, band (of thieves)
    3 one's companions | one's
    THESAURUS
    pals, buddies, the guys, the gals. —v.
    1 [I;T] to join together and act against s.o. or s.t.: The boys ganged together to take control of their neighborhood.
    2 [T] to group things together: We ganged the order forms and worked on them all at one time. -n. gangland.
gangbuster
gangbuster
  1. n.
    1 infrml. an officer of the law
    2 like gangbusters: with force, vigor: Our sales have started off the new year like gangbusters.
gangling
gangling
  1. adj. tall, thin, and awkward: He is tall with gangling arms.
gangplank
gangplank
  1. n. a wooden or metal board that is used as a bridge between a ship and the land: The sailors walked up the gangplank to get on their ship.
gangrene
gangrene
  1. n. death of tissue in the body usu. requiring surgical removal: Gangrene developed in the boy's fingers from the cold. -adj. gangrenous.
gangster
gangster
  1. n. a member of an organized group of criminals: The police arrested three gangsters after the shooting in Las Vegas yesterday.
gangway
gangway
  1. n.
    1 a passageway in a ship: Passengers walked a gangway to their cabins.
    2 a gangplank
gantry
gantry
  1. n. -tries a tall metal structure used to support and service space rockets or support a crane that moves heavy loads: A crane operator moved the gantry to unload the ship's cargo.
gap
gap
  1. n.
    1 an empty space between two things: He has a gap between his two front teeth.
    2 an unfilled period of time: After a gap of five years, she returned to school to finish her college degree.
    3 a pass between mountains: The climbers walked through the gap in the mountains to the next valley.
    4 to bridge the gap: a. to fill an empty moment: He bridged the gap in the conversation by offering some drinks. b. to fill an empty place: The teacher bridged the gaps in the textbook with her own lectures.
gape
gape
  1. v. [I] gaped, gaping, gapes
    1 to look at s.o. or s.t. with the mouth open, usu. in surprise: The children gaped at the big elephant in the zoo.
    2 to open wide or come apart: After the earthquake, holes in the walls of the house gaped open. -adj. gaping.
garage
garage
  1. n.
    1 a building where a vehicle is kept: I keep my car in the garage next to my house.
    2 a place where cars can be repaired —v. [T] -raged, -raging, -rages to park in a garage: We garaged our car for the winter.
garb
garb
  1. n.frml. type of clothing,
    THESAURUS
    attire: The soldiers paraded in their military garb (uniforms).
garbage
garbage
  1. n.
    1 things you do not want any more, (syns.) trash, refuse: I put the garbage from last night's party in the trash can this morning.
    2 ideas and opinions that are considered stupid or worthless, (syns.) nonsense, foolishness: What he says is just garbage!
    3 garbage can: a container that you put trash into, usu. in the kitchen
    4 to take out or put out the garbage: to remove trash from a household: I take out the garbage every day.
garbled
garbled
  1. adj. mixed up, confused (words, message, thoughts, etc.): I couldn't read the garbled message on my computer screen. -v. [T] garble.
garden-variety
garden-variety
  1. adj. ordinary, common: It's just your ordinary garden-variety mystery novel, nothing special.
garden
garden
  1. n. an area of land used to grow flowers and vegetables: We have a small flower garden behind our house.v. [I] to work in a garden -n. gardener; gardening.
    THESAURUS
    garden n. a plot, flower garden, vegetable garden | a small park, botanical garden | a
    THESAURUS
    paradise. Ant. a wasteland.
gardenia
gardenia
  1. n. a plant with large white or yellow flowers: Gardenias are pretty flowers.
gargantuan
gargantuan
  1. adj. very big, huge,
    THESAURUS
    colossal: The statues of past presidents were gargantuan in size.
gargle
gargle
  1. v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to soothe and clean the throat and mouth: Each morning, he gargles with mouthwash. -n. gargling.
gargoyle
gargoyle
  1. n. an ugly animal made of stone used as a decoration on many old European buildings: The gargoyles on the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris are famous.
garish
garish
  1. adj. showy,
    THESAURUS
    ostentatious: The chairs and rugs in that apartment are garish: red, orange, and purple.
garland
garland
  1. n. a circle of flowers usu. worn in the hair: The little girl wore a garland on her birthday.
garlic
garlic
  1. n. a member of the onion family used as seasoning in food: We put garlic in our spaghetti sauce. -adj. garlicky.
garment
garment
  1. n.adj. a general term for an article of clothing: That company makes garments, mainly dresses, and is located in the garment district in New York City. See: apparel.
garment bag
garment bag
  1. n. a thin luggage bag with a zipper used to carry suits and dresses: She carries a garment bag right on the airplane when she travels.
garner
garner
  1. v.frml. [T] to collect or store (information, knowledge, wealth),
    THESAURUS
    to amass -n. garnering.
garnet
garnet
  1. n. a red stone used in jewelry: My new ring has three garnets in it.
garnish
garnish
  1. n. a food decoration: Restaurants often use parsley and lemon as a garnish for fish.v. [T] (in law) to take part of a person's wages/salary in repayment of a debt
garret
garret
  1. n. a small room at the top of a house: The author lived in a garret while writing his book.
garrison
garrison
  1. n.
    1 a group of soldiers who guard a town or building
    2 a camp or post where soldiers live: The garrison consisted of 50 soldiers to protect the town.v. [T] to provide a place with soldiers and supplies: The government garrisoned the fort with a company of soldiers.
garrulous
garrulous
  1. adj.frml. talking too much, talkative,
    THESAURUS
    loquacious: The crowd grew garrulous before the speaker arrived. -adv. garrulously.
garter
garter
  1. n.
    1 an elastic band worn around the leg to hold up socks or stockings: His socks were too big, so he wore garters to keep them up.
    2 a decorative band worn usu. around the upper leg: The nightclub dancers wore pink garters.
gas
gas
  1. n. gases [C;U]
    1 any air-like substance, which usu. cannot be seen, that is not a liquid or solid: Oxygen is a gas that exists in large quantities in the air.
    2 a substance used for cooking and heating: She turned on the gas (or) gas stove to boil some water.
    3 infrml.short for gasoline: I stopped the car for gas at the local gas station.
    4 infrml. wind from the stomach or intestine: Eating onions gives me gas.
    5 a substance (e.g., nitrous oxide) given to you by a dentist or doctor to prevent pain,
    THESAURUS
    an anesthetic: The dentist gave me gas before he pulled out my tooth.
    6 infrml. a very funny thing: The new comedy show is a real gas.
    7 to run out of gas: a. to have no more gasoline: Our car ran out of gas on the highway. b. fig. to become very tired, unable to continue: I worked very late last night; then I ran out of gas and went to bed.v. [T] gassed, gassing, gases
    1 to kill or injure with poisonous gas: The army gassed the village with mustard gas and killed many people.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to gas s.t. up: to fill s.t. with gasoline: I'm going to gas up the car for our long trip.||I'm going to gas it up.
gas main
gas main
  1. n. a pipe carrying gas under the streets
gas station
gas station
  1. n. a place that sells gasoline and repairs vehicles: I stopped at the gas station to fill up the tank.
    THESAURUS
    gas station a filling station | garage, repair shop.
gaseous
gaseous
  1. adj. in the form of gas: Gaseous clouds are released from the factory into the atmosphere every day.
gash
gash
  1. n.v. [T] a long, deep cut,
    THESAURUS
    a slash: The boy fell and gashed his cheek.
gasket
gasket
  1. n.
    1 a soft, flat piece of material placed between two surfaces (usu. metal), so that liquids and gases cannot come out: That engine was so old that the gaskets needed replacing.
    2 infrml. to blow a gasket: to become very angry, explode with anger: When a salesclerk was rude, the customer blew a gasket and complained to his manager.
gaslight
gaslight
  1. n.
    1 light from burning gas
    2 an old-fashioned lamp that uses gas: Gaslights were used on streets and in houses before electricity replaced them.
gasohol
gasohol
  1. n. a fuel made from a mixture of gasoline and alcohol: Some vehicles can use gasohol instead of gasoline.
gasoline
gasoline
  1. n. a liquid produced from petroleum, used as an engine fuel. See: gas, 3.
    THESAURUS
    gasoline regular (gasoline), premium, unleaded.
gasp
gasp
  1. v. [I] n.
    1 to breathe in quickly, usu. from surprise or shock: I heard a gasp from the crowd when the speaker made the surprising announcement.
    2 to take short quick breaths usu. with difficulty: She gasped for air after she finished the marathon.
gassy
gassy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest full of gas, esp. bubbles in liquids: The soda was very gassy; it had a lot of bubbles.
gastric
gastric
  1. adj. related to the stomach and the system that breaks down food in the stomach: He has a gastric ulcer.
gastronomy
gastronomy
  1. n. [U] the art and study of fine food and drink: My father is an expert in French gastronomy. -adj. gastronomic.
gasworks
gasworks
  1. n.pl. a place that provides gas to the public for use in the home: The gasworks is located outside of the city.
gate
gate
  1. n.
    1 a moveable barrier that closes an open space in a wall, fence, city, etc.: A gate in the fence opens into a flower garden.
    2 an entrance or exit, usu. at an airport: My flight to Paris is leaving from gate number four.
    3 the total number of people who attend a concert or sports game, or the total amount of money paid by them
    4 suffix -gate: a political scandal often named for the place it is connected with: Watergate, Irangate
    THESAURUS
    gate
    1 a door, entrance, gateway
    2 boarding area (airplanes, busses, etc.). Ant. an exit.
gatecrasher
gatecrasher
  1. n. a person who enters a private social event, usu. a party, without an invitation or ticket: There were about 20 gatecrashers at my party; it was terrible. I'd never met any of them before.
gatekeeper
gatekeeper
  1. n. a person who is in charge of opening and closing a gate to control who enters: The gatekeeper at the rich family's estate keeps strangers away.
gatepost
gatepost
  1. n. a wooden or metal post on which a gate is hung: The gatepost in front of the house has a lamp on it.
gateway
gateway
  1. n.
    1 a passage where there is a gate
    2 fig.a way of reaching s.t., usu. better opportunities: A good education can be the gateway to a good job.
    3 a machine that connects two networks and passes information between them
gather
gather
  1. v.
    1 [T] to bring together: He gathered his clothes together and packed them in the suitcase.
    2 [I] to meet: Townspeople gathered in the town hall to talk about the new school.
    3 [T] to understand: I gather from what I hear that your business is doing well.
    4 [T] (in sewing) to pull together material into small folds: She wore a gathered skirt.
    5 [T] to bring in, pick: Farmers gather their corn when it is ready.||We gathered flowers by the river.
    6 to gather steam or momentum: to become quicker, speed up: Our sales of the new product are gathering steam (or) momentum with new increases every month.
    THESAURUS
    gather
    1 to collect, pile s.t. up. Ant. to scatter.
    2 to assemble, get together. Ant. to
    THESAURUS
    disperse.
    3 to conclude, think, assume (s.t. to be true). Ant. to doubt.
    5 to harvest. Ant. to
    THESAURUS
    plant.
gathering
gathering
  1. n.
    1 a group of people: A gathering of fans formed near the movie star's hotel.
    2 a meeting, social function: We had a social gathering at the church last night.
    THESAURUS
    gathering
    1 a crowd | throng
    2 a party, get-together | assembly, conference.
gauche
gauche
  1. adj.
    1 uncomfortable in social situations, (syns.) clumsy, awkward: He's gauche; he doesn't know how to behave at formal meetings.
    2 doing or saying the wrong things, (syns.) tactless, insensitive: She made several gauche remarks about how fat I've become.
gaudy
gaudy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest too brightly colored,
    THESAURUS
    ostentatious: At the Mardi Gras carnival, dancers were wearing gaudy costumes in the parade. -adv. gaudily; -n. [U] gaudiness.
gaunt
gaunt
  1. adj. thin and unhealthy, (syns.) emaciated, haggard: The prisoners were gaunt after many years in prison. -n. [U] gauntness.
gauntlet
gauntlet
  1. n.
    1 a metal glove worn by soldiers in former times
    2 a long, heavy glove that protects the hand, usu. worn for sports or industry
    3 to pick up or take up the gauntlet: to accept s.o.'s invitation to fight or disagree: I picked up the gauntlet when she challenged my new health care plan.
    4 to run the gauntlet: to be open to, suffer an unpleasant or violent experience: After making an expensive mistake, the manager must run the gauntlet of questions from his superiors.
    5 to throw down the gauntlet: to invite s.o. to fight or disagree with you: The Democrat threw down the gauntlet to the Republican over her new health care plan.
gauze
gauze
  1. n. a very thin, light material with very small holes, usu. used as a covering in medicine or as a curtain: The doctor covered the cut with a piece of gauze.
gave
gave
  1. past tense of give
gavel
gavel
  1. n. a small wooden hammer used by officials to get attention or to bring order to a gathering: The judge banged the gavel to bring silence to the court.
gawk
gawk
  1. v. [I] to look at s.o. or s.t. with the mouth open, usu. in a stupid or rude way: The crowd gawked at the man with blue hair.
gawky
gawky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest awkward, uncomfortable in the way one moves,
    THESAURUS
    ungainly: The boy from the country looked gawky in the big city.
gay
gay
  1. adj.
    1 relating to the lives and concerns of homosexual people: There are large communities of gay people in New York and San Francisco.||My friends Amy, Sally, and Michael volunteer at the Miami Lesbian and Gay Center.
    2 old usage: merry, happy: Everyone at the party is having a gay time.n. a person who is homosexual, usu. a man: American gays have formed a political organization called the Human Rights Campaign. See: lesbian, homosexual, bisexual.

    USAGE NOTE: The term gay applies to both male and female homosexuals, but many gay women prefer the term lesbian: She is active in the Gay and Lesbian Alliance. The term queer is pej.
gaze
gaze
  1. v. [I] n. gazed, gazing, gazes
    1 to look steadily at s.o. or s.t. for a long time, usu. without giving it much attention: The students gazed out of the window because their class was boring.
    2 to look steadily at s.o. or s.t., usu. with pleasure or admiration: She gazed at her beautiful new diamond ring.
gazebo
gazebo
  1. n. -bos a small building, usu. in a pleasant place, away from a main building: The lady has a gazebo in her garden where she reads in the summer.
gazelle
gazelle
  1. n. -zelles or -zelle an animal like a small deer: Most gazelles are found in African plains.
gazette
gazette
  1. n. a newspaper or periodical: The Police Gazette is published once a week.
gazpacho
gazpacho
  1. n. [U] a cold soup made from tomato, onion, cucumber, and pepper: Gazpacho is a favorite soup in the summer.
gear
gear
  1. n.
    1 a flat, round piece of metal with teeth around the edge that turns other gears in machinery: The gears in my old clock need repair.
    2 one of several speeds in a vehicle: I put the car into high gear and drove away.
    3 equipment, usu. connected with sports: The climber gathered up his gear and headed toward the mountain.v.
    1 [T] to provide with gear, equip
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to gear s.t. to: to make s.t. suitable: Educational programs should be geared to the ages of children who watch them.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I] to gear up for s.t.: to get ready for s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to prepare: We're all geared up for our trip.
    THESAURUS
    gear n.
    3 equipment, machines, tools.
gearshift
gearshift
  1. n. a handle used to change from one gear to another: The gearshift in this car is located on the floor to the driver's right.
gee
gee
  1. exclam. an expression of wonder or surprise: Gee, I didn't know that you found a new job!
gee whiz
gee whiz
  1. exclam. a mild expression of surprise (dismay, annoyance): Oh, gee whiz, my computer isn't working right again!
geese
geese
  1. n.pl. of goose: One goose, two geese
geezer
geezer
  1. n.infrml.pej. an old man: That old geezer is always in the coffee shop.

    USAGE NOTE: It is better not to use geezer to describe a difficult old man, because this word is impolite. Elderly man is the term of respect: An elderly man gave us directions to the park. It is also polite to refer to old people as elderly folks or senior citizens.
geisha
geisha
  1. n. a type of Japanese waitress who also sings and dances: The traditional tea ceremony was performed by five elegantly dressed geishas.
gel
gel
  1. n. a soft, clear substance between a liquid and a solid state, such as jelly: She uses gel in her hair to keep the style in place.v. [I] gelled, gelling, gels
    1 to form into a gel
    2 to come together,
    THESAURUS
    to coalesce: All our work finally gelled into an excellent new product. See: jell.
gelatin
gelatin
  1. n.
    1 a clear substance made from boiled animal bones that has no taste, usu. used to make jellies, medicines, and glue: Gelatin has many food and industrial uses.
    2 Jello™ or other gelatins used for desserts: The salad contained pieces of orange-flavored gelatin. -adj. gelatinous.
geld
geld
  1. v. [T] to remove the testicles (male sexual organs), usu. of animals,
    THESAURUS
    to castrate
gelding
gelding
  1. n. a castrated male horse: That gelding has won many competitions.
gem
gem
  1. n.
    1 a jewel or precious stone, usu. cut into a shape: The rich lady keeps her gems, mostly diamonds and rubies, in the bank.
    2 fig. a thing or person that is esp. pleasing or valuable: The baby is a real gem; he never cries.
gemstone
gemstone
  1. n. a jewel or precious stone, usu. before it is cut into a shape: South America exports many gemstones, such as diamonds and emeralds.
gender
gender
  1. n.
    1 the grouping of words into masculine, feminine, or neuter classes: The gender of "la maison" is feminine.
    2 The classification of male and female living things: Most companies do not discriminate based on race, age, gender, or sexual orientation. See: sex.
gene
gene
  1. n. the basic part of a living cell that contains characteristics of one's parents: You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time.
genealogy
genealogy
  1. n. -gies the names and history of one's family: My uncle is the expert in our family's genealogy. -n. genealogist; -adj. genealogical.
genera
genera
  1. n.pl. of genus
general anesthetic
general anesthetic
  1. n. a substance that stops the feeling of pain throughout the whole body: The patient was given a general anesthetic for major surgery on his stomach.
general election
general election
  1. n. an election (as opposed to a primary) in which citizens choose members of local, state, and national governments: The general election for Congress is held in November every other year.
general partner
general partner
  1. n. one of two or more partners in a company who are responsible for any financial problems in that company: The general partners in that law firm make a lot of money.
generalist
generalist
  1. n. a person who has knowledge and ability in many areas: She is a generalist in management.
generalization
generalization
  1. n. a general statement about s.t. without reference to details or important differences: Politicians are famous for making speeches full of generalizations.
    THESAURUS
    generalization a generality, sweeping statement, an all-encompassing statement |
    THESAURUS
    imprecise thinking. Ant. a specific.
generalize
generalize
  1. v. [I] -ized, -izing, -izes to make general statements without reference to details, important differences, etc.: He generalizes when he speaks and leaves out important details.
generally
generally
  1. adv.
    1 usually: We generally take the bus to work.
    2 by most people: The bad news was generally accepted well, but some people were unhappy.
    3 without referring to details, in general: Generally speaking, the weather has been mild this winter.
    THESAURUS
    generally
    1 ordinarily, as a rule, typically. Ants. rarely, seldom.
    2 for the most part, in
    THESAURUS
    the main
    3 all things considered.
generate
generate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to produce, create: The local power station generates electricity.
    2 to make happen, to produce,
    THESAURUS
    to initiate: The sales force has generated a big sales increase.
generation
generation
  1. n.
    1 the making of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    production: The generation of electricity is done with nuclear power.
    2 any of the different age levels in a family, such as grandparents, children, and grandchildren
    3 a group of people of approximately the same age: The older generation is always complaining about the younger generation.
generation gap
generation gap
  1. n. the differences in interests and ideas between older and younger people
generator
generator
  1. n. a machine used to produce electricity: The hospital has two emergency generators in case of a power cut.
generic
generic
  1. adj.
    1 shared by a group of things: The generic term for bananas, apples, oranges, etc. is "fruit."
    2 referring to a basic product that does not have a trademark: We buy generic cola, if possible, because it is cheaper than Coca-Cola™. -adv. generically.
generosity
generosity
  1. n. [U]
    1 readiness to give, giving: Her generosity in support of the arts allowed the museum to buy many new paintings.
    2 big-heartedness, a forgiving nature: His generosity toward those people who attacked him is wonderful.
    THESAURUS
    generosity
    1 openhandedness. Ant. stingi-ness.
    2 kindness | magnanimity frml.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. meanness.
generous
generous
  1. adj.
    1 ready to give, giving: My brother is very generous; he gave me $20,000 to buy a new car.
    2 given freely, plentiful, ample: The cook gave us generous portions of food.
    3 not unkind, forgiving: He was generous to his enemies and released them from prison. -adv. generously.
    THESAURUS
    generous
    1 openhanded, willing to give | charitable. Ant. stingy.
    2 large, copious,
    THESAURUS
    bountiful
    3 kind, magnanimous frml.
genesis
genesis
  1. n.frml. -ses
    1 a beginning, origin: Many people disagree about the genesis of life.
    2 Genesis: the first book of the Old Testament
genetic
genetic
  1. adj. related to genes or genetics -adv. genetically.
genetic code
genetic code
  1. n. the organization of genes that controls the development of living things: His heart problems are a result of his genetic code; his father also had heart problems.
genetics
genetics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the scientific study of the passing of physical characteristics from parents to children -n. geneticist.
genitalia
genitalia
  1. n.pl. genitals
genitals
genitals
  1. n.pl. the external sexual organs: The doctor examined the boy's genitals for infection.
genius
genius
  1. n. -iuses
    1 a person of great intelligence and ability: Albert Einstein was a genius in physics.
    2 a special ability: I have a genius for learning languages; I can speak 10 languages fluently.
    THESAURUS
    genius
    1 a brilliant intellect, prodigy
    2 a natural talent, gift for doing s.t. Ant. an idiot.
genocide
genocide
  1. n. the systematic killing of a population, such as a country, race, or local group: Genocide still takes place in many parts of the world.
genre
genre
  1. n. a specific type of literature, art, or music grouped according to a style or subject: Comedy and horror movies are different genres.
gent
gent
  1. n.infrml. short for gentleman
genteel
genteel
  1. adj. characterized by being very polite: She is a genteel lady of fine breeding. -n. gentility.
gentile
gentile
  1. n. a person who is not Jewish (esp. a Christian or Muslim)
gentle
gentle
  1. adj. -tler, -tlest
    1 kind, soft, not rough: The mother is very gentle with her newborn baby.
    2 well-behaved, docile: My dog is very gentle; he would never bite.
    3 light, slow: A gentle breeze comes from the ocean.
    4 gentle slope: a slanted area that is not steep: It was easy to go up the gentle slope on our bicycles. -n. gentleness; -adv. gently.
    THESAURUS
    gentle
    1 tender, loving. Ant. rough.
    2 tame, friendly, harmless. Ant. vicious.
    3 soft,
    THESAURUS
    balmy. Ant. violent.
gentleman
gentleman
  1. n. -men
    1 a polite and honorable man: He is a real gentleman; he always helps me carry the heavy bags to my car.
    2 a man who does not have to work for a living, usu. of a high social position: He is a gentleman who inherited all his money and land from his family.
    3 n.pl. used as a form of address: "Gentlemen, thank you for coming this evening."
gentleman's agreement
gentleman's agreement
  1. n. a spoken, unwritten agreement made between people who trust each other: We have a gentleman's agreement to share expenses for a summer house with five others.
gentrification
gentrification
  1. n. the process of changing a poor (housing) area into a middle-class area by people with money who move there and make the area too expensive for poorer people to live in: Gentrification is taking place in parts of Harlem, New York, and rent prices are going up quickly. -v. [T] gentrify.
gentry
gentry
  1. n. people of a high social position and with lots of money: Many of the gentry from Newport, Rhode Island, live in very large, famous houses.
genuflect
genuflect
  1. v.frml. [I] to bend the knee in respect,
    THESAURUS
    to kneel: The people in the church genuflected in prayer.
genuine
genuine
  1. adj.
    1 true, real: That old vase is a genuine antique.||We ate genuine Egyptian food in Cairo.
    2 honest: Her sadness over the death of her cat is genuine; she cried all night. -adv. genuinely; -n. genuineness.
    THESAURUS
    genuine
    1 authentic, bona fide. Ant. fake.
    2 sincere, heartfelt. Ant. insincere.
genus
genus
  1. n. genera (in biology) a type of classification: Humans belong to the genus Homo.
geography
geography
  1. n.
    1 the scientific study of the earth's surface, features, climate, people, etc.: I bought a new atlas for my geography class.
    2 the way parts of a place are positioned within it,
    THESAURUS
    layout: I can't meet you inside the mall, because I don't know the geography of the place, and I might get lost. -adj. geographic.
geology
geology
  1. n. the scientific study of the earth through its rocks, soil, etc.: In geology we studied the rocks and deserts of California. -n. geologist; -adj. geologic.
geometric
geometric
  1. adj. with regular shapes and lines: The mosque's walls are decorated with geometric designs.
geometry
geometry
  1. n. the study in mathematics of lines, angles, shapes, etc.: It is important to study geometry if you want to be an architect.
geophysics
geophysics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the study in geology that uses physics to examine the movements and activities of the earth
geopolitics
geopolitics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the study of how geography affects the politics of a country
geothermal
geothermal
  1. adj. related to heat found deep inside the earth: The geysers in Yellowstone National Park are geothermal because of hot water coming from inside the earth. See: geyser.
geranium
geranium
  1. n. a garden plant with attractive red, pink, or white flowers: His mother grows geraniums in window boxes.
geriatrics
geriatrics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. the branch of medicine that specializes in illnesses and cures of elderly people: Many doctors in Florida specialize in geriatrics, because so many elderly people live there. -adj. geriatric.
germ
germ
  1. n.
    1 a very small living thing or organism that can cause illnesses or disease: She washes her hands with soap before cooking to kill any germs.
    2 a very small living thing or organism from which another may grow: Apple seeds have a germ from which apple trees grow.
    3 fig. the beginning or seed of s.t., such as an idea, that may grow: The technician has the germ of an idea for a new computer program.
    THESAURUS
    germ
    1 a microorganism, bacterium, pl. bacteria, virus
    2 a bud, sprout, seed (of a
    THESAURUS
    plant)
    3 a spark, seed, first stage (of an idea). Ant. an outcome.
germane
germane
  1. adj. connected in an important way, (syns.) pertinent, relevant: My new hairstyle is not germane to this discussion about politics.
germicide
germicide
  1. n. a substance used to kill germs: We use a germicide to clean the bathroom.
germinate
germinate
  1. v. [I;T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 (in biology) to make s.t. begin growing from a seed,
    THESAURUS
    to sprout: In the springtime, plants germinate.
    2 fig. to begin developing, growing: The early success of television germinated into a multi-billion-dollar industry. -n. germination.
gerontology
gerontology
  1. n. the scientific study of elderly people: Boston City Hospital does a lot of research in gerontology.
gerrymander
gerrymander
  1. v. [I;T] to redraw the lines of a political district to give one political party an advantage over another -n. gerrymandering.
gestation
gestation
  1. n.
    1 the time a baby or young animal is carried in the mother's body before birth, pregnancy: Baby elephants have a long gestation period; it is 23 months before they are born.
    2 gestation period: the period of time in which an idea (plan, project, etc.) develops: The concept for a new product went through a long gestation period of testing before it reached the market. -v. [I;T] gestate.
gesticulate
gesticulate
  1. v.frml. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to make movements with your arms and hands, usu. when talking,
    THESAURUS
    to gesture: The speaker gesticulated to stress the importance of the point. -n. gesticulation.
gesture
gesture
  1. n.
    1 a body movement to show s.t. (a feeling, an idea, etc.): She made a gesture to the right with her hand to show the direction of the park.
    2 s.t. you do or say to show your feelings: We gave some money to the hospital as a gesture of support.v. [I] -tured, -turing, -tures to make a movement with your hand or head to show s.t.: He gestured to me to sit down.
get-together
get-together
  1. n. an informal meeting for fun, a gathering: After work, some of us had a get-together at a friend's apartment.
get-up
get-up
  1. n.infrml. an unusual set of clothes: He wore a strange cowboy get-up for work yesterday.
get
get
  1. v. got , gotten or got, getting, gets
    THESAURUS
    1 [T] (syns.) to go for, fetch frml.: The hunter got some water from the river. The hunter went for (or) fetched some water from the river.
    3 [T] (syns.) to buy, purchase, obtain frml.: She got some food at the supermarket. She bought (or) purchased some food at the supermarket. She also [T] (syns.) to go, arrive: When you get home, please call me. After you [T] (syns.) to catch (or) come down with an illness: I got the flu. I caught the flu. I came down with the flu yesterday.
    8 [T] (syns.) to have s.t. done, arrange for s.t.: I [I; T] (syn.) to be allowed to do s.t.: When I was a boy, I got to go to the movies by myself. When I was a boy, I was allowed to go to the movies by myself.
    14 [T] (syn.) to affect s.o., usu. to delight: The beauty of the mountains really gets (to) me, beautiful! The beauty of the mountains [T] (syns.) to hit, hurt (or) punish s.o.: The bullet got him in the leg. The bullet hit him in the leg.||He got four months in jail for the robbery. He was punished with four months in jail for the robbery.
    17 to get going or cracking: to begin work on s.t.: Let's get going on the new contract
    18 to get nowhere or somewhere: to see no results/progress: I am getting nowhere with this math homework; I don't understand anything.||After my friend explained it to me, I really got somewhere and understood it.
    19 phrasal v. [I] to get about: See: to get around.
    20 phrasal v. sep [T] to get s.t. across: to cause s.t. to be understood: The speaker was able to get her point across to the audience.
    21 phrasal v. [T] to get ahead: to succeed, improve oneself: She got a good job and is getting ahead in life.
    22 phrasal v. [I] to get along: a. to leave, depart: I must get along now; I'll talk to you later. b. insep. to have a friendly relationship with: My coworkers and I get along well together.
    23 phrasal v. to get around: a. [I] to circulate, spread: The rumor has gotten around that you are leaving. b. insep. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to find a way to do s.t.in spite of a problem: You can get around your parking problem by using my permit.
    24 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get (a)round to s.t.: to find the time to do s.t., usu. after a delay: I finally got around to replying to your letter; I am sorry it took so long.
    25 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get at s.o. or s.t.: a. to reach s.t.: The book is on the top shelf and I can't get at it. b. to try to say, explain s.t.: It is often difficult to understand what politicians are getting at.
    26 phrasal v. insep. [I] to get away (from s.o. or s.t.): a. to escape: The criminal got away from the police. b. to go on vacation: I got away for a week in the Caribbean.
    27 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get away with s.t.: to escape punishment for doing s.t. bad: That driver got away with speeding because the police didn't see him.
    28 phrasal v. to get back: a. [I] to return: She got back from vacation last week. b. [T] to reply, respond: I will get back to you with an answer tomorrow.
    29 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get back at s.o.: to hurt s.o. who has hurt you: He hurt her feelings, so she got back at him by not speaking to him for a week.
    30 phrasal v. insep. to get behind: a. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to support, help succeed: Many people got behind the politician and helped her win the election. b. [I] in s.t.: to be late with, one's work, payments, etc.: He got behind in his rent payments and had to leave the apartment.
    31 phrasal v. [I] to get by: a. to have enough room to pass s.o. or s.t.: I'll move my chair so that you can get by. b. to have just enough of s.t. to manage: My grandmother gets by on her social security check.
    32 phrasal v. sep. [T] to get s.o. or s.t. down: a. s.o.: to make one feel unhappy, to depress: Her work is really boring and it is starting to get her down. b. s.t.: to write down, to record: He spoke too quickly; I couldn't get the number down.
    33 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get down to s.t.: to begin doing s.t., usu. seriously: After talking about the job in general, we got down to the specifics, such as the salary.
    34 phrasal v. insep. [I] to get in s.t.: a. to enter: We got in the house by the back door.||She got in her car. b. to arrive: I got in at 9:00 A.M.||The bus gets in at 4 o'clock. c. (in politics) to be elected: A Republican mayor got in at the last election.
    35 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get in on s.t.: to join in, participate: Our company got in on buying a building with another company.
    36 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get into s.t.: a. to enter (a vehicle): She got into her car. b. to put oneself or s.o. else into a certain situation, usu. bad: The children are always getting into trouble.||He has gotten himself into debt with the bank. c. to become used to s.t.: I can't get into this new style of music.
    37 phrasal v. insep. to get off s.t.: a. [T] to leave (a vehicle): They got off the bus/train/plane. b. [T] to step down from: He got off the horse/bicycle/roof. c. [I;T] to (cause to) escape punishment: The lawyer got me off and I didn't go to prison.
    38 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to get off with s.t.: to escape serious punishment: The robber got off with only one year in prison.
    39 phrasal v. insep. to get on s.t.: a. [I;T] to enter (a vehicle): She got on the bus/train/plane. b. [I;T] to step up and sit on: He got on the horse/bicycle. c. [I] to leave, depart: I must get on now; I'll talk to you later. d. [I] to become more advanced in time, age, etc.: My grandfather is getting on in years now.||It's getting on; we should leave soon.
    40 phrasal v. insep. to get onto s.t.: a. [I;T] to enter (a vehicle): She got onto the bus/train/airplane. b. [T] to begin talking about a particular topic: Suddenly, she got onto the topic of new software for her computer.
    41 phrasal v. insep. to get on with s.t. or s.o.: a. [T] s.t.: to start doing or continue with s.t., often after interruption: Stop watching television and get on with your homework! b. [I;T] s.o.: to have a friendly relationship with: How do you get on with your boss?
    42 phrasal v. to get out: a. [I] to leave: He will get out at 4 P.M., when his classes are finished. b. sep. [T] s.t.: to re-move: This new soap gets chocolate stains out. c. [I] to become known (as of news),
    THESAURUS
    to leak out: The news of his secret marriage has gotten out. d. sep. [T] s.t.: to produce: Our company got the new product out before our competitors.
    43 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get out of s.t.: a. to escape from: The prisoner got out of jail by hiding in a truck. b. to escape from the responsibility or obligation for s.t.: I got out of washing the car by saying I had work to do. c. to receive a benefit from s.t.: I didn't get anything out of that computer course I took. d. to obtain or learn s.t. by force: She finally got the truth out of her son.
    44 phrasal v. [T] to get over (s.o. or s.t.): a. insep. to return to a normal state after a bad experience or illness,
    THESAURUS
    to overcome: She still hasn't gotten over her mother's death. b. insep. can't get over: to be very surprised: I can't get over how quickly he recovered after the accident. c. sep. with: to come to the end of s.t.: Hurry up! Let's get this trial over with! d. sep. to make s.t. clear or understood: The professor got her ideas over to the students.
    45 phrasal v. insep to get through: a. [I] to s.o.: to make contact, reach: I was finally able to get through to my friend on the telephone. b. [T] to s.o. to: cause s.o. to understand: The doctor finally got through to him that smoking was dangerous for his health. c. [I;T] with s.t.: to finish: After I got through with my work, I went to bed. d. sep. [T] s.t.: to come through a difficult situation or experience: My sister helped me get through the difficult days after our mother's death.
    46 phrasal v. [I] to get together: to meet,
    THESAURUS
    to socialize: Let's get together for lunch next week.
    47 phrasal v. to get up: a. [I;T] to awaken, arise: I get up at 6 A.M. every morning.||She got up from her seat and left the room. b. [T] to s.t.: to reach a certain point: I got up to page 200 in the textbook.
    48 phrasal v. insep. [T] to get with s.t.: to become aware, alert, to show an interst in s.t.: Get with the program and do your work!
    49 to have got: See: have.
getaway
getaway
  1. n.
    1 an escape: The thief made his getaway in a stolen car.
    2 a vacation: A week in the mountains is a great getaway.
geyser
geyser
  1. n. a natural hot spring that sends water into the air from time to time: Many tourists come to photograph the geysers in the state park.
ghastly
ghastly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 very bad, terrible: a ghastly dinner
    2 causing horror or shock: We saw a ghastly accident on the highway.
    3 very pale, sickly: Right after the operation, he looked ghastly, but he is okay now.
gherkin
gherkin
  1. n. a small green cucumber, usu. pickled in vinegar See: pickle.
ghetto
ghetto
  1. n. -tos an area in a city where many people of a particular nationality, race, or religion live, usu. a poor area: There are many types of ghettos in New York City.
ghost
ghost
  1. n.
    1 the spirit of a dead person: People say ghosts haunt that old house.
    2 a ghost of a chance: to have no chance, or a very small chance, of success: The other runners are too fast; he doesn't have a ghost of a chance of winning the race.
    3 a ghost of s.t.: a very small or slight amount of s.t.: After her illness, she was a ghost of her former self.||a ghost of a smile
    THESAURUS
    ghost
    1 a phantom, an apparition | demon
    3 a shadow, remnant.
ghost town
ghost town
  1. n. a town that is now empty because people no longer live there: The Old West has many ghost towns.
ghostly
ghostly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest with a strange light or shape like a ghost: The ghostly lights in that empty old house frightened children at night.
ghostwrite
ghostwrite
  1. v. [I;T] -wrote , -written , writing, writes to write s.t. (article, books, speech) for s.o. and not accept any personal credit for it: He ghostwrites books for famous people. -n. ghostwriter.
ghoul
ghoul
  1. n. a bad or evil spirit: That old horror movie has ghouls living in a castle. -adj. ghoulish.
giant
giant
  1. n.
    1 a person, animal, plant, or object much larger than normal: This tomato plant is a giant.
    2 (in fairy stories) an imaginary person who is very big and strong
    3 fig. a very big company: IBM is a giant in the computer industry.adj. much larger than normal: The giant redwood trees in California are very beautiful.
gibberish
gibberish
  1. n. words without meaning,
    THESAURUS
    nonsense: He is speaking gibberish.
gibe
gibe
  1. n. a remark that makes fun of s.o., or points out s.o.'s faults: The speaker made gibes at his political opponent's statement. See: jibe.
giblets
giblets
  1. n.pl. the liver, heart, etc. of a turkey, chicken, or other bird: My mother makes soup from chicken giblets.
giddy
giddy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest
    1 lightheaded, a little dizzy: The summer heat makes me feel giddy.
    2 lightheaded from enjoyment, lighthearted: We had some giddy moments at the party. -adv. giddily; -n. giddiness.
gift
gift
  1. n.
    1 s.t. given freely to another, a present: My father gave me a watch as a birthday gift.
    2 a special natural ability: She has a gift for languages; she can speak 10 different languages.
    THESAURUS
    gift
    1 a present | reward, award, prize. Ant. nothing.
    2 talent, aptitude, flair for s.t. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    inability.
gifted
gifted
  1. adj. having a special natural ability: She is a gifted violinist.
gig
gig
  1. n.
    1 infrml. a performance by musicians or comedians: The group had a gig last night at a local club.
    2 short for gigabyte
gigantic
gigantic
  1. adj. very large, huge: Elephants are gigantic creatures.
    THESAURUS
    gigantic very tall or big, colossal | titanic. Ant. miniature.
giggle
giggle
  1. v. [I] n. -gled, -gling, -gles to laugh in a silly, uncontrolled way, usu. when nervous, amused, or embarrassed, titter: The schoolchildren giggled when the famous football player walked into their classroom.
    THESAURUS
    giggle v. to laugh nervously, chuckle | snicker. Ant. to frown.
gigolo
gigolo
  1. n. -los a man whom a woman pays for romantic companionship
gild
gild
  1. v. [T] gilded or gilt , gilding, gilds to cover with gold: He gilded the picture frame.
gilt-edged
gilt-edged
  1. adj.
    1 with a border of gold
    2 fig. of the highest quality
    3 gilt-edged stocks or securities: stocks or securities sold by the government for people to invest in for a fixed time at a fixed interest rate; therefore considered very safe
gimlet
gimlet
  1. n. a small tool for making holes in wood
gimmick
gimmick
  1. n.
    1 a clever or unusual method or object used to attract attention: The sales assistant gave me a free shopping bag as a sales gimmick when I entered the store.
    2 s.t. used to trick s.o. into believing s.t. and/or buying it -n. gimmickry ; -adj. gimmicky.
gin
gin
  1. n.
    1 a strong, clear alcoholic beverage made from grain and berries: Gin and tonic is a popular before-dinner drink.
    2 a machine used to separate seeds from cotton fiber
gin rummy
gin rummy
  1. n. a card game for two or more people: We like to play gin rummy with friends once a week.
ginger
ginger
  1. n. the root of a plant from Asia used in cooking for a hot, spicy flavor: I like slices of ginger with Japanese food.adj. n. a bright orange-brown color: She has ginger hair.
ginger ale
ginger ale
  1. n. a carbonated soft drink flavored with ginger: A glass of cool ginger ale is refreshing on a hot day.
gingerbread
gingerbread
  1. n.adj. a cake or cookie flavored with molasses and ginger: My mother makes gingerbread cookies in the shape of little people.
gingerly
gingerly
  1. adv. in a careful and controlled way: She picked up the expensive glass vase gingerly.||He gingerly walked around the snakes.
gingersnap
gingersnap
  1. n. a flat, dry gingerbread cookie
gingham
gingham
  1. n.adj. a cotton or linen material, usu. woven in checks: Diane made a yellow and white gingham dress.
gingivitis
gingivitis
  1. n. (in dentistry) a disease of the gums
gipsy
gipsy
  1. n. -sies See: gypsy.
giraffe
giraffe
  1. n. an African animal with long legs, a very long neck, and a spotted coat: Giraffes eat leaves located high in trees.
gird
gird
  1. v.frml. girded or girt , girding, girds
    1 [T] to put on a belt, strap, etc.
    2 [I;T] to get ready for a difficult task: Soldiers girded themselves for battle.
girder
girder
  1. n. a horizontal or vertical metal or wooden beam used in building: The steel girders support the roof of the new building.
girdle
girdle
  1. n. an elastic piece of women's underwear that fits very tightly around the hips and stomach to change her shape. See: corset. —v. [T] -led, -ling, -les to go around,
    THESAURUS
    to encircle: The equator girdles the globe.
girl
girl
  1. n.
    1 a female child
    2 a daughter: They have two boys and a girl. -adj. girlish.
girlfriend
girlfriend
  1. n.
    1 a female friend: His wife goes bowling with her girlfriends once a week.
    2 a male's female friend with whom he has a romantic relationship: He bought his girlfriend a gold watch.
    THESAURUS
    girlfriend
    2 a lady friend, sweetheart, fiancée | lover, woman.

    USAGE NOTE: Women may use girlfriend to refer to any female friend, but when men use the term, it usu. indicates a romantic relationship: Bill said his girlfriend made him a sweater. The term boyfriend always indicates a romantic relationship: Mary's new boyfriend is very good-looking.
girth
girth
  1. n.
    1 the measurement around the body of s.t.: He is a man of large girth.
    2 a (leather) band put around a horse's stomach to keep the saddle in place: The cowboy tightened the saddle girth before riding off.
gist
gist
  1. n. the general idea (of a discussion, situation, writing, etc.): The speaker gave many details and examples, but the gist of her presentation was that the economy will get better soon.
give-and-take
give-and-take
  1. n. a willingness of people on both sides to listen to each other and to accept (some of) the other's wishes or opinions,
    THESAURUS
    a compromise: There must be give-and-take from both countries if this war is to end.
give
give
  1. v. gave , given , giving, gives
    THESAURUS
    1 [T] (syns.) to hand (or) pass s.t. to s.o.: I gave my friend a birthday present. I handed a birthday present to my friend.|| Please [T] (syn.) to provide: Good food gives you energy. Good food provides you with energy.
    3 [T] (syn.) to cause s.o. to get or to have s.t.: He gave his wife the flu. He caused his wife to get the flu.
    4 [T] (syns.) to make (or) do s.t.: I will give a phone call to my doctor for an appointment. I will make a phone call to my doctor for an appointment.
    5 [T] (syns.) to allow (or) permit (esp. time): You should give yourself an hour to drive to the meeting. You should allow yourself [T] (syn.) to pay: That savings account gives a good return of 5%. That savings account pays a good return of 5%.
    7 [T] (syn.) to perform: Musicians give concerts. Musicians perform [I] (syns.) to loosen (or) compromise: These shoes are so tight they won't give. These shoes are so tight they won't loosen up.||Manage-ment is so tough that they won't give on a wage increase for workers. Management is so tough that they won't [I;T] (syn.) to have a view of s.t.: The front of our house gives onto the park. The front of our house has a view of the park. s.o.: to present a woman to her husband at a wedding: The mother and father both gave away the bride.||They gave her away. b. s.t.: to offer s.t. freely, to make a gift of: They are giving away prizes at the new store.||They are giving them away. c. s.o. or s.t.: to reveal a secret, usu. unintentionally: The children said they didn't eat the cake, but the chocolate around their mouths gave them away.||It gave them away.
    12 to give away the store: to pay too much for s.t.: He wanted to buy his competitor's business so badly that he gave away the store to get it.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to give s.t. back: to return s.t.: The labor union gave back last year's wage increase in order to keep their jobs.||They gave it back.
    14 phrasal v. insep. [I] to give in (to s.o. or s.t.): to surrender,
    THESAURUS
    to yield: The little boy cried so much that his mother finally gave in to him and bought some candy.
    15 phrasal v. insep. [T] to give off s.t.: to send out (a smell, heat, light, etc.): She gives off a smell of roses.||She gives it off.
    16 to give one's life for/to: a. to die for a cause: The soldier gave his life for his country. b. to spend one's life doing s.t., to dedicate oneself to s.t.: The priest gave his life to the service of God.
    17 give or take: more or less, approximately: Boston is 250 miles (400 km) from New York City, give or take a few miles.
    18 phrasal v. sep. to give (s.t.) out: a. [T] s.t.: to hand out: Our volunteer group gives out free food to the homeless.||We give it out. b. [I] to come to an end,
    THESAURUS
    to wear out: The air conditioner gave out, so we bought a new one. c. See: to give off .
    19 to give rise to: to cause to happen: Electricity gave rise to the electronic age of computers, TVs, and telephones.
    20 infrml. to give s.o. a hard time: to make things difficult for s.o.: She gave the police officer a hard time by not answering any questions.
    21 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to give s.o. or s.t. up: a. to stop doing s.t.: I gave up smoking last year.||I gave it up. b. to surrender: After weeks of fighting, the rebels gave up the fortress.||They gave it up.
    22 phrasal v. insep. [T] to give up on s.o. or s.t.: to stop hoping or wishing for s.o. or s.t. to arrive, happen, etc.: We gave up on the missing mountain climber after he had been missing for 13 days.
    23 phrasal v. insep. to give way: a. [I] to fall down, collapse: The ceiling in the tunnel gave way and killed a worker. b. [T] to s.o.: to let others pass,
    THESAURUS
    to yield: Before I drive onto the highway, I give way to the cars already on the highway, so that they don't hit me. c. [T] to s.t.: to let s.t. through, esp. emotions: When the baby saw the candy, her cries gave way to smiles.n. willingness or ability to bend or yield: These shoes are too tight; there is no give in them.||Both negotiators are firm; there is no give in their positions.8
giveaway
giveaway
  1. n.
    1 a sign or s.t. that shows the truth of a situation, usu. that s.o. is trying to hide: The shoes under the curtain were a giveaway that the man was hiding there.
    2 s.t. given away, usu. for free: Our company provides small product samples as giveaways to customers.
given name
given name
  1. n. first name(s): The given names of Mr. and Mrs. Smith's daughters are Jane and Nicole.
gizzard
gizzard
  1. n. the second stomach of a bird, where food is broken up
glacial
glacial
  1. adj.
    1 related to ice or glaciers: A glacial mass is moving slowly down to the sea.
    2 cold, silent: The man made her angry and she looked at him with a glacial stare.
glacier
glacier
  1. n. a large mass of ice that moves slowly, usu. down a mountain: Glaciers are similar to slow-moving rivers of ice. -v. glaciate.
glad
glad
  1. adj. gladder, gladdest pleased: I am glad that you had a good time at the party. See: happy, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    glad happy, delighted | elated. Ant. sad.
glad hand
glad hand
  1. n. a warm (and often insincere) handshake: The candidate for governor gave everyone a glad hand. -v. [I;T] glad-hand.
gladden
gladden
  1. v. [T] to please, make happy: It gladdened her to be home after traveling for so long.
glade
glade
  1. n.frml. an open space in the woods or forest,
    THESAURUS
    a clearing
gladiator
gladiator
  1. n. (in ancient Rome) a man (usu. a slave or prisoner) who fought with other men or animals for show: Gladiators fought before large crowds in ancient Rome.
gladiola
gladiola
  1. n. -li a garden plant with orchid-like flowers growing out of a single long, vertical stalk: We keep gladioli in a vase in the living room.
gladly
gladly
  1. adv. with enthusiasm, (syns.) willingly, eagerly: I'll gladly help you with your French homework; I studied French for many years.
glance
glance
  1. v. glanced, glancing, glances
    1 [I] to take a quick short look at s.t.: I glanced at the newspaper in the elevator this morning.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to glance off s.t.: to hit s.t. and then bounce away immediately: The bullet glanced off the wall and broke the window.n.
    1 a quick, short look at s.t.: She took a quick glance at her watch.
    2 at a glance: at once, with one look: I could tell at a glance that the numbers were wrong.
    3 at first glance: at first, initially: At first glance I thought I had lost an important file, but then I found it in my desk drawer.
    THESAURUS
    glance v. to look quickly at s.t., skim, scan s.t. Ant. to stare at s.o. or s.t.
gland
gland
  1. n. one of the many small organs in the body that sends out substances to change body chemistry: The sweat glands produce perspiration. -adj. glandular.
glare
glare
  1. n.
    1 a strong, blinding, reflected light: The sun's glare on the car's windshield made driving difficult.
    2 a look of anger or hatred, a harsh stare —v. [I] glared, glaring, glares
    1 to shine with a strong, blinding light: The sun glared off the metal.
    2 to look hard at s.o. with anger or hatred: The woman glared at the man after he shouted rudely at her.
glaring
glaring
  1. adj.
    1 very bright, shiny: I put on my sunglasses because of the glaring lights.
    2 (of a color) too bright: He wore a glaring green tie with a red shirt.
    3 very clear, noticeable: She made a glaring mistake in her calculations. -adv. glaringly.
glass
glass
  1. n. glasses
    1 [U] a hard transparent material used in windows (buildings, ornaments, objects, etc.): Be careful with that vase; it is made of glass.
    2 [U] objects that are made of glass; glassware: She collects antique glass.
    3 [C] a drinking container made of glass: I had toast and two glasses of milk for breakfast.
    4 pl. glasses two pieces of glass or plastic in a frame that one wears in front of the eyes to see better, eyeglasses,
    THESAURUS
    spectacles: She wears glasses (or) eyeglasses for reading.
    5 people who live in glass houses should not throw stones: people who are not perfect should not say bad things about other people
glassblowing
glassblowing
  1. n. the art of forming glass into bottles, glasses, ornaments, etc., by blowing through a tube into a ball of hot liquid glass: Glassblowing is a famous industry in Italy.
glassful
glassful
  1. n. the volume contained in a glass: The child had a glassful of milk at lunch.
glassware
glassware
  1. n. [U] used with a sing.v. household objects, such as drinking glasses and ornaments, made of glass: She has glassware made of fine crystal.
glassy-eyed
glassy-eyed
  1. adj. with eyes showing signs of dullness, tiredness, or illness: After the accident she was glassy-eyed from shock.
glaucoma
glaucoma
  1. n. [U] an eye disease that can end in loss of sight if left untreated: Medication helped reduce the pressure on her eyes due to glaucoma.
glaze
glaze
  1. v. glazed, glazing, glazes
    1 [T] to cover or fit with glass: We glazed the windows with new glass.
    2 [T] to put a thin (usu. shiny) cover over s.t.: I glazed the donut with sugar.||After making the ceramic plate, he glazed it to protect it.
    3 to glaze over (of eyes): to look uninterested, dreamy, usu. when tired or bored: The audience was so bored that you could see their eyes glaze over.n. a thin, shiny cover on s.t. (ceramics, food, etc.) -n. glazing.
glazier
glazier
  1. n. a worker who fits and repairs windows and doors made of glass or plastic: The store window was broken, so the owner called a glazier to repair it.
gleam
gleam
  1. v. [I] to shine brightly: Diamonds gleam.n.
    1 a bright light
    2 fig. a sudden light in a person's face or eyes that shows a strong feeling for s.t.: You could see the gleam in the writer's eye as he thought of an idea for a new book. See: glimmer.
glean
glean
  1. v. [T] to collect (usu. with difficulty) in small amounts: Reporters gleaned information by conducting numerous interviews.
glee
glee
  1. n. a feeling of delight, joy: He jumped up and down with glee when he won the prize. -adj. gleeful.
glee club
glee club
  1. n. a chorus of singers: The glee club practices every Thursday night.
glib
glib
  1. adj. glibber, glibbest
    1 able to talk easily and well with little thought or preparation: a glib salesperson
    2 spoken quickly and easily without thought, usu. not true: He gave the police officer a glib excuse for not stopping at the red light. -adv. glibly; -n. glibness.
glide
glide
  1. v. [I] glided, gliding, glides
    1 to fly through the air without power: Birds and kites glide in the air.
    2 to move easily and quickly over a surface: Skaters glided across the ice.n. a smooth motion or movement: The airplane reached a high altitude, then went into a glide.
    THESAURUS
    glide v.
    1 to float, soar, coast. Ants. to fall, plummet.
    2 to sail across s.t. (ice), float, (syn.THESAURUS
    kim. Ant. to stumble.
glider
glider
  1. n. a type of airplane that rides air currents without an engine
glimmer
glimmer
  1. n.
    1 a weak, unsteady light: The glimmer of candlelight made the restaurant romantic.
    2 fig. a small, weak sign of an idea (fact, information, etc.): I don't have a glimmer of an idea as to what is wrong with that machine.v. [I] to give out a weak, unsteady light: Moonlight glimmered through the clouds.
glimpse
glimpse
  1. n.
    1 a short look at s.t., often not very clear
    2 to catch a glimpse of s.t.: to see briefly: I only caught a glimpse of the thief before he ran away.v. [T] glimpsed, glimpsing, glimpses to see s.t. quickly, often not very well: I glimpsed the house through the trees. See: glance.
glint
glint
  1. v. [I] to produce or reflect small flashes of light: The diamond glinted in the sunlight.n.
    1 a small flash of light
    2 fig. (to have) a glint in one's eye: (of eyes) to shine showing a particular feeling: There was an angry glint in his eye when he saw the report wasn't finished.
glisten
glisten
  1. v. [I] to shine, usu. as if from wetness: After he stopped crying, his eyes glistened.
glitch
glitch
  1. n.infrml. glitches a small (technical) problem: A glitch in the computer is stopping the printer from working.
glitter
glitter
  1. v.
    1 [I] to shine brightly with flashes of light,
    THESAURUS
    to sparkle: Her jewels glittered.
    2 all that glitters is not gold: everything that looks or seems attractive is not always attractive in reality: You can be rich and still be unhappy because all that glitters is not gold.n. sparkle, (syns.) glamour, showiness: The glitter of Hollywood attracts tourists. -adj. glittering.
glitz
glitz
  1. n. a show of fancy clothes, cars, glamour, etc. (usu. used in a negative way),
    THESAURUS
    ostentation: Some actors dislike the glitz of Hollywood; they choose to live in San Francisco, New York, or another city. -adj. glitzy.
gloat
gloat
  1. v. [I] to take or show great pleasure in oneself: The young boxer gloated over his defeat of the champion. -n. gloating.
glob
glob
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a portion of s.t. soft, often a thick liquid, with a round or undefined shape,
    THESAURUS
    a blob: Globs of oil washed up on the beach from passing ships.||a glob of lotion
    2 short for globule
global
global
  1. adj. relating to all the world, worldwide: We have a global economy today. -n. globalization; -adv. globally.
    THESAURUS
    global international, universal. Ant. local. | total, comprehensive, large scale. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    limited.
globalization
globalization
  1. -n. the spread of s.t. worldwide: The globalization of illegal drug use has taken only several decades.-v. globalize /
globe
globe
  1. n.
    1 the earth, world: Airplanes circle the globe in hours these days.
    2 a circular shell with a map of the world on it: The students used a globe to measure the distance between two cities.
globetrotter
globetrotter
  1. n. a person who travels overseas frequently: The Secretary of State is a globetrotter who visits foreign countries constantly.
globule
globule
  1. n. a very small drop of liquid or melted solid: Globules of water fell from the umbrella to the floor. -adj. globular.
gloom
gloom
  1. n.
    1 a feeling or atmosphere of sadness or depression: After the child's death, the house was full of gloom.
    2 darkness
gloomy
gloomy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 sad, depressed: After the death, the family felt gloomy.
    2 dark: After the light went out, the house looked gloomy.
    3 with little hope: With the recession, the economic outlook is gloomy.
    THESAURUS
    gloomy
    1 unhappy, melancholy, despondent
    2 dim, dreary
    3 depressing, pessimistic,
    THESAURUS
    bleak. Ants. bright, cheerful.
glop
glop
  1. n.slang a thick liquid mass of s.t.: The cook put a glop of mashed potato on the plate.
glorify
glorify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to give honor, fame, and admiration: Poets glorified the Roman emperors in their poems.
    2 to make s.t. or s.o. seem more important than is true: He glorified the description of his house as a castle, but it is just an old stone house. -n. glorification .
    THESAURUS
    glorify
    1 to sing the praises of s.o. or s.t., pay homage to s.o. | venerate s.o. frml. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    to criticize.
    2 to exaggerate, overstate, inflate s.t. Ant. to understate.
glorious
glorious
  1. adj.
    1 full of great honor and fame,
    THESAURUS
    illustrious: The Roman Empire had a glorious history.
    2 wonderful: We went for a picnic because it was a glorious day. -adv. gloriously.
glory
glory
  1. n. -ries
    1 [U] great honor, fame, and admiration: The candidate accepted the glory of winning the Presidency.
    2 pl. glories great beauty, special attraction: The Empire State building is one of New York's glories.v. [I] ried, -rying, -ries to glory in: to enjoy the feeling of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to revel in: The writer gloried in the public's admiration.
gloss
gloss
  1. n. glosses
    1 a shiny appearance: I put a gloss on the table by waxing it.
    2 an explanation of a word or idea: A chemistry textbook is full of glosses.v. glossed, glossing, glosses
    1 [T] to put a shiny coating on s.t.
    2 to gloss over: to hide the truth, make s.t. seem acceptable by not giving all of the important information: In his job interview, he glossed over the fact that he had been in prison for five years, and they gave him the job.
glossary
glossary
  1. n. -ries an alphabetical list of terms and their definitions: A glossary at the end of the book gives explanations of foreign words.
glossy
glossy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest smooth and shiny: I washed and polished my car and now the metal is glossy.n. -ies a photograph on shiny paper: I had several glossies made of my favorite photo.
glove
glove
  1. n.
    1 a covering for the hand with a separate part for each finger and thumb: In the winter, she wears leather gloves.
    2 to go hand in glove: to be closely related to s.t.: How well a person lives goes hand in glove with a good job that pays well.
    3 to fit like a glove: to fit perfectly: She wears body suits that fit like a glove.
glove compartment
glove compartment
  1. n. a small box in front of the passenger's seat in a car that holds small items and has a door that opens and closes: We store maps in the glove compartment.
glow
glow
  1. n.
    1 a reflection of light and heat: The warm glow of a fire in the fireplace on a cold night gives comfort.
    2 a slightly reddish color to the skin, usu. in the face: After her vacation, she has a glow of good health.v. [I] to give off light, usu. without a flame: The cigarette glowed in the dark.
    THESAURUS
    glow n.
    1 a soft light, glimmer | soft heat, low flame. Ant. a blaze.
    2 a healthy look,
    THESAURUS
    radiance. Ant. paleness. —v. to burn softly, smolder | warm. Ant. to
    THESAURUS
    blaze.
glower
glower
  1. v. [I] n. to look at s.t. angrily: The teacher glowered at the students who arrived late for class. -adj. glowering.
glowing
glowing
  1. adj. showing enthusiasm for s.t.: We loved our visit to Boston, and we gave a glowing report of the city to all our friends.
glowworm
glowworm
  1. n. an insect that gives off light in the dark
glucose
glucose
  1. n.
    1 a type of natural sugar found in plants and animals: Glucose is the main source of energy for your body cells.
    2 a sugar mixture used in baking
glue
glue
  1. n. a sticky liquid or solid that joins things together,
    THESAURUS
    an adhesive: I use glue to stick pictures on paper.v. [T] glued, gluing, glues
    1 to join things together with glue: I glued the pictures to a piece of paper.
    2 fig. to watch s.t. with all your attention for a long period: The children stay glued (or) glue themselves to the television set.
    THESAURUS
    glue v.
    1 to paste s.t. to s.t. else, stick, attach. Ant. to unattach.
glum
glum
  1. adj. glummer, glummest sad, unhappy: She failed the exam and was glum for several days.
glut
glut
  1. n. a supply of more goods on a market than is necessary,
    THESAURUS
    an excess: There is a glut of office space available now as many buildings are empty.v. glutted, glutting, gluts
    1 [T] to supply too much of s.t.
    2 [I;T] frml. to overeat,
    THESAURUS
    to gorge: Lions glutted on a newly killed zebra.
gluten
gluten
  1. n. a substance found in wheat and corn, used as glue and as flour
glutton
glutton
  1. n.
    1 a person or animal that eats too much, (syns.) slang a pig, hog: That man is a glutton; he eats three portions of everything.
    2 a glutton for s.t.: a person who is always ready for more of s.t. difficult or unpleasant: She is a glutton for hard work; she works every weekend. -n. gluttony.
gnarled
gnarled
  1. adj. twisted with a rough surface: Old trees have gnarled branches.
gnash
gnash
  1. v. [T] gnashes to rub s.t. (usu. one's teeth) together, usu. with noise to show anger, worry, or pain: The man was so angry that he gnashed his teeth. -n. gnashing.
gnat
gnat
  1. n. a small fly that bites: There are many gnats in the woods in early summer.
gnaw
gnaw
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to keep biting at s.t. over a period of time: Rats gnaw through cartons to get at food inside.
    2 [T] to cause worry or pain: My money problems are gnawing (away) at me. -n. adj. gnawing.
gnome
gnome
  1. n. (in stories) a short person, usu. a man, living under the ground
go-ahead
go-ahead
  1. n. permission to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    approval: The manager gave the go-ahead to buy new computers.
go-around
go-around
  1. n.
    1 an argument: My boss and I had a big go-round today; I got angry and then I quit.
    2 See: run-around.
go-between
go-between
  1. n. a person who carries information or messages between two or more people or groups who cannot meet,
    THESAURUS
    an intermediary: The diplomat acts as a go-between between his government and foreign representatives.
go-cart
go-cart
  1. n. a small toy wagon that children pull or push: The boy pulled his little sister in a go-cart.
go-getter
go-getter
  1. n.infrml. an energetic person who is determined to be successful: As the company's best salesperson, he's a real go-getter.
go-go
go-go
  1. adj.infrml. related to discotheques or the music or dancing performed at discotheques: She is a go-go dancer at a local disco.
go
go
  1. v. went , gone , going, goes
    THESAURUS
    1 [I] (syns.) to run (or) operate: The engine is still going; shut it off. The engine is still running (or) operating; shut it off.
    5 [I] (syn.) to become: He went crazy. He became crazy.||The value of the dollar went down. The value of the dollar [I] (syns.) to reach (or) extend somewhere: That high-way goes from Minnesota to Washington. That highway reaches from Minnesota to Washington. That highway extends from [I] (syns.) to perform (or) to be: My business is going well now. My business is performing [I] (syns.) to belong (or) be placed (in, on, with s.t.): This cap goes on the bottle. This cap belongs on that bottle.||Empty bottles go in this barrel for recycling. Empty bottles are placed in this barrel for recycling.
    10 [I] (syn.) to continue in the same way: That hole in the roof went unnoticed until the rain came in. That hole in the roof [I] (syns.) to spread or circulate: The flu goes from one person to the next. The flu spreads (or) circulates from [I] (syn.) to say or read (with specific words): The famous speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet goes, "To be, or not to be; that is the question." The famous speech in Shakespeare's Hamlet [I] (syn.) to die: The old man went last night. The old man died last night.
    19 anything goes: anything is possible or acceptable (often referring to behavior that is usu. restricted): You can wear jeans or shorts to school; at this school anything goes.
    20 to be going to do s.t.: shows the future, what is planned or determined: It's going to snow tomorrow.||They're going to get married next year.
    21 Go, man, go!: exclam.infrml. showing that one likes s.t., giving encouragement, said esp. to a musician: Hey, he can really play that guitar. "Go, man, go!"
    22 to go: a. to remain (of time): I have four days to go before my vacation ends. b. to take out (of food) for eating at home: I got some Chinese food to go and ate it at home.
    23 that (just) goes to show: that proves: He didn't do his homework again; that just goes to show (you) how lazy he really is.
    24 phrasal v. [T] to go about: a. to move or spread from place to place: A rumor went about that he had lost all his money. b. with: See: to go around (c). c. s.t.: to work at s.t.: I talked with my friends for a while, then I went about my business.
    25 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go after s.o. or s.t.: to try (hard) to obtain, chase: The police went after the thief.
    26 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go against s.t.: a. to place against: That bookshelf goes against the wall. b. to disagree,
    THESAURUS
    to oppose: She went against her mother's wishes by staying out late.
    27 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go ahead: a. of: to go before,
    THESAURUS
    to precede: My father went ahead of us and made hotel reservations before we arrived. b. with: to begin or continue to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to proceed: We went ahead with our plans for a vacation.
    28 phrasal v. [I] to go along: to do s.t. at the same time as one is doing s.t. else: She tried to calculate the total as she went along.
    29 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go along with s.o. or s.t.: a. to accompany: I will go along with you to the bus stop. b. to agree with: I go along with what you are saying.
    30 to go and do s.t.: to do s.t. (said in surprise or shock, often showing disapproval): She went and bought two new gold watches!
    31 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go around: a. See: to go about (a). b. s.o. or s.t.: to avoid s.o. or s.t.: We avoided the city traffic by going around it. c. with: to spend time with, socialize: I go around with my friends from college on weekends d. to be enough of s.t.: There aren't enough computers to go around in the class; the students are sharing.
    32 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go at s.o. or s.t.: a. to attack with words or physically: The senator really went at the journalist when he asked her another personal question. b. to work hard: He went at it until he had finished his math homework.
    33 phrasal v. [I] to go away: to leave, depart: My son went away to college this year.
    34 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go back: to return: He went back home after the game.
    35 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go back on s.t.: to break one's promise (agreement, deal, etc.): He promised to pay back my money, but he went back on his word and didn't pay.
    36 phrasal v. insep. to go by s.t.: a. [I] to pass by: We went by our favorite restaurant but it was too crowded. b. [T] to be directed or guided by s.t., to follow: You can't go by what he says; he lies sometimes.
    37 phrasal v. [I] to go down: a. to go lower, descend: I went down the stairs and out the door.||House prices are going down. b. to stop working or functioning: The air-conditioning in our office went down and it became very hot. c. to sink: The boat went down after it was hit. d. slang to happen: There is a police raid going down at that club tonight. e. to be received (of a reaction): My proposal for the new L.A. office went down very well/badly.
    38 phrasal v. [I] to go far: to succeed: He is very smart and will go far in life.
    39 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go for s.o. or s.t.: a. to do s.t., fetch s.t.: I went for a driver's license test this morning. b. See: to go at (a). c. infrml. to like, adore: He really goes for blonde women. d. to be sold for: That antique vase went for $15,000. e. See: to go after.
    40 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go in s.t.: to enter: The swimmer went in the water.
    41 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go in for s.t.: a. to enter a competition: She went in for the college tennis tournament. b. to do s.t. often, esp. for pleasure: She doesn't go in for cooking; she usually eats in restaurants.
    42 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go into s.t.: a. to enter (a place): She went into town. b. to enter a profession: He went into the law. c. to look at closely: I went into the contract in detail before signing it.
    43 phrasal v. to go off: a. [I] to leave, depart: My friend went off and left me alone. b. [I] to shut off, go out (said of mechanical devices): The lights went off. c. [I] to explode: A bomb went off in the post office. d. [T] insep. s.t.: to lose interest in s.t.: I went off cigarettes last week.||I went off the idea of a picnic when it began to rain.
    44 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go off with s.o. or s.t.: to leave with s.o. or s.t., usu. without permission: He went off with the keys to my new car.||She went off with another woman's husband.
    45 phrasal v. insep. [I] to go on: a. to happen: What's going on in that meeting? b. to continue (a trip, journey): After visiting Paris, we went on to Berlin.||She will go on working, even after her car accident. c. to turn on, begin working (said of mechanical devices): The alarm went on when he left the house. d. to talk too much: He went on and on about their wonderful trip. e. to have useful information (facts, evidence): The police could not solve the crime, because they have nothing to go on. f. to pass (said of time): As life goes on, I find money more important.
    46 phrasal v. [I] to go out: a. to stop working or operating: The power went out because of the storm.||The fire went out in the rain. b. to leave one's home or office: Miss Jones has gone out to lunch. c. to leave one's home in order to have fun: That evening, she and a friend went out (to a movie, play, dinner, dance, etc.). d. to spend time with s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to date: They went out for two years before getting married. e. no longer to be fashionable: Wide neckties went out in the 70s.
    47 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go out for s.t.: to try out in hope of being chosen as a player or member of a team, society, etc.: He went out for the college football team.
    48 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go over: a. s.t.: to climb or jump over s.t.: The horse went over a fence. b. to visit: I went over to my friend's house. c. s.t.: to look at s.t. carefully: I went over the contract, then signed it. d. to: to change one's preference for s.t. (e.g., a political party, football team, etc.): She's gone over to the Democrats.
    49 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go through s.o. or s.t.: a. to pass through: The needle goes through the cloth easily. b. to be processed, approved: Laws go through the Congress to the President. c. to experience, usu. s.t. painful,
    THESAURUS
    to endure: He went through a difficult time after his wife died. d. See: to go over (c).
    50 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go through with s.t.: to finish s.t. (a difficult event or situation): She was nervous about getting married, but finally she went through with the marriage ceremony.
    51 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go to s.t.: to cause oneself to experience s.t.: My new company went to a lot of trouble to make me feel welcome.
    52 phrasal v. [I] to go together: a. to be suitable, match: Those blue shoes and that blue skirt go well together. b. to have a personal relationship: That man and woman have been going together with each other for a year now.
    53 to go too far: to do s.t. unacceptable (not good manners): He went too far when he asked to borrow his boss's new car.
    54 phrasal v. [I] to go under: to fail, go bankrupt: The corporation went under last year.
    55 phrasal v. [I] to go up: to rise,
    THESAURUS
    to ascend: The sun is going up at the moment.
    56 phrasal v. insep. [T] to go with s.t.: to be suitable, match: Those blue shoes go well with your blue dress.
    57 to go without saying: to be obvious, evident: The President is visiting and it goes without saying that everyone wishes to see him.
    58 to have s.t. going: a. to have good business or other exciting opportunities: I met the company owner, and we really have something going with that new product. b. to have a love affair: He has something going with her.
    59 to have to go: to need to go to the toilet: I have to go badly. Where's the men's room?
    60 to tell s.o. where to go: to tell s.o. to go or leave: He annoyed her, so she told him where to go.
    61 what goes around, comes around: when you do wrong to s.o., the wrong will come back to hurt you: When he was the boss, he was mean to everyone. Now that he's out of work, no one will hire him. What goes around, comes around.n. goes
    1 a try, attempt at s.t.: I couldn't solve the problem, so I asked my friend to have a go at it.
    2 to be on the go: to be very busy: I've been on the go all week and am very tired.
    3 to have a go situation: to be free to proceed: Our new budget is approved, so we have a go situation in hiring more people.
    4 to have get-up-and-go: to be energetic, vigorous: She is very athletic; she has a lot of get-up-and-go.
    5 to make a go of (things, it, etc.): to succeed: She started a new company and is making a go of it.
goad
goad
  1. v. [T] to cause s.o. to do s.t. by making him or her angry with words or actions,
    THESAURUS
    to incite: The woman goaded her husband into getting a job by calling him "lazy."n. a pointed stick used for making animals go forward
goal
goal
  1. n.
    1 a score in some sports, such as soccer or hockey: The player scored two goals during the last game.
    2 the place used for scoring points: In both soccer and hockey, the goal is a metal frame with a net.
    3 an objective, purpose: Our goal is to increase company sales by 10 percent this year.
    THESAURUS
    goal
    1 a score, point, run (baseball), field goal (football)
    2 the finish line, goal line,
    THESAURUS
    tape, wire
    3 an aim, purpose, target.
goal post
goal post
  1. n. one of two upright pieces of wood or metal used to mark the scoring area: The football player kicked the ball between the goal posts for a score.
goalie
goalie
  1. n.infrml. a goalkeeper
goalkeeper
goalkeeper
  1. n. a player who stands in the goal and tries to stop the other team from scoring,
    THESAURUS
    goaltender: Our goalkeeper stopped 20 of the other team's shots today, and we won the game.
goaltender
goaltender
  1. n. See: goalkeeper.
goat
goat
  1. n.
    1 a small four-legged animal, related to a sheep, that has horns and a rough coat and gives milk: Many wild goats live in the mountains.
    2 an unpleasant old man, esp. one who is active sexually,
    THESAURUS
    a lecher
    3 to get s.o.'s goat: to make s.o. angry,
    THESAURUS
    to annoy, provoke: He really gets my goat; he never stops talking.
goatee
goatee
  1. n. a small beard on the point of the chin: He doesn't like long beards; he just has a goatee. See: sideburns, USAGE NOTE.
gob
gob
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a small amount or lump of s.t.: The server put a gob of mashed potato on my plate.
    2 pl. gobs a lot of s.t.: She has gobs of money.slang v. [T] gobbed, gobbing, gobs to place in gobs: He gobbed the potato onto my plate.
gobbledygook
gobbledygook
  1. n.infrml. language used by specialists that is difficult to understand and usu. has no important meaning: The company report was mostly gobble-dygook; it didn't give any useful information.
gobbler
gobbler
  1. n. a male turkey
goblet
goblet
  1. n. a drinking container (usu. for wine) made of glass or metal with a long stem and often decorated: She serves wine in silver goblets.
goblin
goblin
  1. n. (in stories) a small, ugly person or spirit who does bad things to people
god-awful
god-awful
  1. adj.infrml. terrible,
    THESAURUS
    dreadful: The traffic was so bad that we had a god-awful time getting here.
god
god
  1. n.
    1 God: the Supreme Being, Creator in many religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism)
    2 any of a number of beings or spirits worshipped in various cultures: Mars was the ancient Roman god of war.
    3 God forbid (that): to hope that s.t. will not happen: God forbid that he lose his job again.
    4 God knows: infrml. it is difficult or impossible to say: God knows what time she will finally come home.
    5 God willing: if all goes well: He is going to have major surgery today, and, God willing, we'll visit him tomorrow.
    6 to play God: to think you have power to do anything you want: She's the boss and thinks that she can play God with her workers' lives.
    THESAURUS
    god
    1 God, the Father, Lord, the Almighty, the Supreme Being, Allah
    2 a god, deity, divinity. Ant. the devil.
godchild
godchild
  1. -children n. the child (godson or goddaughter) of s.o. else for whom one promises to take responsibility if the natural parents die: My best friend's daughter is my godchild.
goddaughter
goddaughter
  1. n. See: godchild.
goddess
goddess
  1. n. -desses
    1 a female god
    2 a beautiful woman: Marilyn Monroe was a goddess among film stars.
godfather
godfather
  1. n.
    1 See: godparent.
    2 fig. the head or leader of a criminal organization, esp. in the Mafia
godforsaken
godforsaken
  1. adj. (of a place) far from civilization with very little of interest or attraction, usu. depressing,
    THESAURUS
    desolate, bleak: The travelers rode their horses for weeks through the godforsaken land before arriving at the farm.
godless
godless
  1. adj.frml. without religion,
    THESAURUS
    pagan: Athiests don't believe in a supreme being; they believe in a godless world.
godlike
godlike
  1. adj. looking like a god: The statue was huge and represented the dictator as godlike.
godly
godly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest believing in God, very religious,
    THESAURUS
    devout
godmother
godmother
  1. n. See: godparent.
godparent
godparent
  1. n. a person (godfather or godmother) who promises to take responsibility for s.o. else's child if the child's parents die: My godparents are my mother's best friend and her husband.
godsend
godsend
  1. n. unexpected help often needed in an emergency: Fresh water and food sent quickly to earthquake victims was a godsend.
godson
godson
  1. n. See: godchild.
gofer
gofer
  1. n.infrml. a person or employee who carries things and messages for other people: He does some paperwork and acts also as the company gofer.
goggle
goggle
  1. v.infrml. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to look at s.t. with one's eyes wide open, usu. in surprise: The children goggled at the man's blue hair.
goggles
goggles
  1. n.pl. plastic glasses that protect the eyes: In the laboratory, she wears goggles to protect her eyes from chemicals.
going-over
going-over
  1. n. goings-over complete examination: The doctor gave me a good going-over and found nothing wrong.
going
going
  1. adj.
    1 related to the rate or fee charged at that moment: The going rate for a lawyer is $150 an hour.
    2 a going concern: a successful, profitable business: He started his business three years ago and now it's a going concern.
    3 going on: almost approaching: My mother is 50 years old, going on 51.n.
    1 the act of leaving, departure: His going means we need to find a new salesperson.
    2 the condition of the ground, the road, etc. for walking, driving, etc.: When it rains, the going is hard on this old road.
    3 while the going's good: while it is still possible: The storm is coming closer; let's leave now while the going's good.
goings-on
goings-on
  1. n.pl. happenings, events, often used negatively: Some people were selling drugs on our street and the neighbors reported those goings-on to the police.
gold-plated
gold-plated
  1. adj. covered with gold -n. gold plating.
gold
gold
  1. n.
    1 a precious yellow metal used for jewelry, coins, etc.: Her bracelet and rings are made of gold.
    2 s.t. of great value: The land in Minnesota is so rich that the farmers call it "black gold."
    3 to have a heart of gold: to be a kind and generous person: She gives the impression of being tough, but she has a heart of gold.
    4 worth one's or its weight in gold: of great value: She is an incredibly good worker; she's worth her weight in gold. See: glitter. —adj. made of or related to gold
gold digger
gold digger
  1. n.infrml. a person, esp. a woman, who tries to attract rich people, usu. men, to get money and presents from them: She is a gold digger who goes out with men just for their money.
gold leaf
gold leaf
  1. n. a very thin layer of gold: That picture frame is covered with gold leaf.
gold mine
gold mine
  1. n.
    1 a place, usu. underground, from which gold is taken
    2 fig. a business or activity that is very successful: That business of his is a gold mine.
gold rush
gold rush
  1. n. a sudden rush of people into a newly discovered gold mining area: The California gold rush of 1849 made some people millionaires. See: prospector, USAGE NOTE.
golden
golden
  1. adj.
    1 yellow, gold colored: The sunset turned from a golden yellow to orange.
    2 made of gold or gold leaf: That picture has a golden frame.
    3 very valuable, excellent: She was accepted by Harvard University; she has a golden opportunity to receive an excellent education.
    4 senior, late middle age: The couple spent their golden years living in a mountain village.
    THESAURUS
    golden
    1 bright yellow, gilt
    2 gilt, gilded (with gold)
    3 splendid, terrific, promising.
    THESAURUS
    Ant. disappointing.
golden oldie
golden oldie
  1. n.infrml. a song, movie, or idea remaining popular for many years: Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" is a golden oldie.
goldenrod
goldenrod
  1. n. a plant with small yellow flowers: In late August I love to see the goldenrod blooming along the sides of the roads.
goldfish
goldfish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes small tropical, usu. yellow-orange, fish kept in a bowl or tank by people: Her hobby is collecting goldfish.
goldfish bowl
goldfish bowl
  1. n.
    1 a bowl in which goldfish are kept
    2 fig. a small place without privacy: My office is like a goldfish bowl; people can see everything I do.
goldsmith
goldsmith
  1. n. a person who makes jewelry, etc. out of gold: A goldsmith made my wife a gold ring.
golf
golf
  1. n. a game in which people try to hit a small hard ball with a special stick (a club) into a small hole over a large outdoor course: I like to play golf on weekends. -n. golfer.
golf club
golf club
  1. n.
    1 one of 14 standard sticks used to hit a golf ball: I carry my golf clubs in a leather bag.
    2 a social club organized for playing golf: I belong to a local golf club.
golf course
golf course
  1. n. the outdoor area where golf is played, with 9 or 18 holes: The local golf course is public, so anyone can play.
golly
golly
  1. exclam. an expression of surprise
gonad
gonad
  1. n. a sexual organ that produces sperm or eggs
gondola
gondola
  1. n.
    1 a long narrow boat with a flat bottom used on canals in Venice
    2 the passenger cabin on a suspended cable of a cable car or airship: We took the gondola to the top of the mountain and then skied down. -n. gondolier.
gone
gone
  1. past part. of go —adj.infrml. in love with,
    THESAURUS
    , infatuated: He's gone on the girl next door.
goner
goner
  1. n.infrml. a person or thing that will die soon or be in a hopeless situation: He is very sick—he's a goner.
gong
gong
  1. n. a large, flat, round musical instrument made of metal: A slave hit the gong to announce the king's entrance.
gonorrhea
gonorrhea
  1. n. a sexually transmitted disease: Gonorrhea can be treated with an antibiotic medication.
goo
goo
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a thick, sticky substance: The baby dropped his food and now there's goo on the floor.
    2 a sound made by a baby
goober
goober
  1. n.infrml. a peanut: Farmers grow goobers near Atlanta, Georgia.
good-bye
good-bye
  1. n. an expression used when one is leaving: When we finished our conversation, I said good-bye to her and left. See: bye-bye.
    THESAURUS
    good-bye bye now, so long, see you soon, see you later, bye-bye infrml. | farewell,
    THESAURUS
    adieu frml. Ants. hello, hi.
good-for-nothing
good-for-nothing
  1. n. a lazy, undependable person: He never keeps his promises; he's a good-for-nothing.
good-humored
good-humored
  1. adj. feeling or sharing happiness, cheerfulness, often about s.t. unpleasant: My manager was goodhumored about the mistakes in my report. -n. good humor.
good-looking
good-looking
  1. adj. attractive, handsome: She is a good-looking woman.
    THESAURUS
    good-looking (a man) handsome, clean-cut | sexy, cute | (a woman) pretty, beautiful | (syn.THESAURUS
    exy, cute. Ant. unattractive.
good-natured
good-natured
  1. adj.
    1 having or showing kindness and friendliness: Our babysitter is very good-natured; all the children love her.
    2 gentle,
    THESAURUS
    docile: That dog is very good-natured; he has never attacked anybody.
good-sized
good-sized
  1. adj. fairly large: The portions of food at that restaurant are good-sized.
good
good
  1. adj. better , best
    1 (syns.) pleasant, nice | (in general) having a pleasant, appealing quality: She had a good time on her vacation. She had a pleasant time . . .||You look good; I like your new hairstyle. You look nice; I like your new hairstyle.
    2 (syns.) reasonable, beneficial to s.o., having the right quality: Housing prices are (syns.) talented, skillful: He's good at playing the piano. He is talented at playing the piano.||I am no good at numbers; I always need help with my taxes. I am not skillful with (syns.) wholesome or beneficial for one's body or mind: Milk and cheese are good for your teeth and bones. Milk and cheese are beneficial for (syns.) useful or suitable for s.t.: This software program is good for doing financial documents. This software program is useful for doing financial documents.
    8 (syns.) fresh, not spoiled: The bread from yesterday is still good. The bread from yesterday is still fresh.
    10 (syns.) valid, in force, able to be used legally: Her driver's license is good for five years. Her driver's license is valid for five years.
    12 (syns.) genuine, authentic: That gold coin is good, not fake. That gold coin is genuine, not fake.
    13infrml. a good deal: a sizeable amount of s.t.: There was a good deal of anger when the employees lost their jobs.
    14 all in good time: when s.t. is ready, unhurried: You will learn the answer all in good time.
    15 as good as: almost, practically: I washed those old curtains and now they look as good as new.
    16 as good as done (finished, taken care of): s.t. that will be done quickly: We will start immediately; you can consider the job as good as done.
    17 for good: forever: He is gone for good and won't be back.
    18 good and ready: expressing firmness about acting only when one wants to: I'll answer your question when I'm good and ready.
    19 good enough: adequate, satisfactory: That dress is simple but good enough just to wear around the house.
    20 no good: useless, worthless: It's no good turning the computer on; the system is down.
    21 that's a good one: a phrase usu. said about a joke or funny situation: That's a good one! That joke is very funny!n.
    1 not evil, that which is considered good: In many movies, good always beats evil.||There is some good in him; don't send him to jail.
    2 s.t. that is beneficial: Her long summer vacation did her good.||The government works for the good of the people.
    3 for your own good: in one's own best interest (said to s.o. who should do s.t. difficult for their own benefit): You should stay away from those troublemakers for your own good.
    4 It's no good: it's useless, there is no point in doing s.t.: It's no good trying to run; the police will catch you.
    5 to come to no good: to develop into a bad situation or person: He runs around with bad people and he will come to no good someday.
    6 to do good: to benefit others, perform a kindness: The church does good by helping the poor.exclam.
    1 wonderful, excellent: Good! The rain has stopped.
    2 Good for you: congratulations: Good for you; I'm really happy that you won the tournament!adv.
    1 to make good: to succeed: She made good in a banking career.
    2 to make up for s.t.: The printer made a mistake on my order, but they made good on their mistake by giving me a discount. See: dogooder, soft goods.

    USAGE NOTE: Good should not be used as an adverb in formal speech or writing, such as in, He did good on the test. It should be: He did well on the test.
good luck
good luck
  1. n. said to wish s.o. well: "Good luck! Call me when you get back from your trip."||He wished me good luck in my new job.
    THESAURUS
    good luck I hope all goes well, I wish you well | May the wind be at your back. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    bad luck.
goodhearted
goodhearted
  1. adj. kind,
    THESAURUS
    generous: She is a goodhearted woman.
goodly
goodly
  1. adj. old usage large in amount,
    THESAURUS
    substantial: I pay a goodly amount of money in taxes every year.
goodness
goodness
  1. n.
    1 the quality or state of being good: The goodness of the life in that region was the reason we moved there.
    2 the part of s.t., esp. food, that is good or healthy: There is a lot of goodness in fresh fruits and vegetables.
    3 kindness —exclam. My goodness! or Goodness!: used to express surprise: "My goodness! You're two hours early!"
    THESAURUS
    goodness n.
    1 worth, value
    2 benefit, wholesomeness, nourishment
    3 thoughtfulness, consideration. Ant. badness.
goods
goods
  1. n.pl.
    1 items that can be bought or sold: The goods that you ordered have arrived in the warehouse.
    2 to deliver the goods: to do what is expected of you, usu. under difficult circumstances: We worked all night to finish the job and we delivered the goods at 9:00 A.M.
    3 to get the goods on s.o.: to prove that s.o. did wrong: The police got the goods on the bank robber by finding his picture on the bank's video camera.
goody-goody
goody-goody
  1. or goody-two-shoes n.infrml. goody-goodies a person who behaves very well in order to make other people happy, not because he or she is really good, often used negatively: He's a real goody-goody and so is his sister.
goody-goody
goody-goody
  1. or goody-two-shoes -n. infrml. goody-goodies a person who behaves very well in order to make other people happy, not because he or she is really good, often used negatively: He's a real goody-goody and so is his sister.
gooey
gooey
  1. adj.infrml. gooier, gooiest sticky: The chocolate became gooey in the sun.
goof-off
goof-off
  1. n.infrml. a person who does not work hard,
    THESAURUS
    a shirker, loafer: He's a big goof-off and doesn't study.
goof
goof
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a stupid, careless mistake: He made a goof and ordered the wrong part.
    2 a foolish or stupid person: He's a big goof; he always forgets our meetings.v.infrml. [I]
    1 to make a stupid mistake, blunder: He goofed when he ordered the wrong part for the computer.
    2 phrasal v. to goof off: not to work hard, to waste time: He goofs off all day when the boss is away.
goofy
goofy
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest silly, often in a strange way: He wore a goofy yellow tie with a red jacket.
goon
goon
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a violent person, often a criminal employed to attack or frighten people: The company owner hired goons to try to make the striking employees go back to work.
    2 a silly person: Stop making that stupid face! Stop being such a goon!
goon squad
goon squad
  1. n.infrml. a group of goons
goose-step
goose-step
  1. v. [I] -stepped, -stepping, -steps a special way of marching in which one does not bend the knees: Soldiers goose-stepped down the boulevard. -n. goose step.
goose
goose
  1. n. geese
    1 a water bird with a long neck, larger than the duck: Geese fly south for the winter.
    2 the female of this bird See: gander.
    3 infrml. to be a silly goose: to make a mistake or hold a foolish opinion: He's such a silly goose; he always says the wrong thing to his manager.
    4 infrml. to cook s.o.'s goose: to ruin s.o., get s.o. in trouble: A witness cooked the thief's goose by telling the police where the thief was hiding.v. [T] goosed, goosing, gooses
    1 vulg.slang to touch s.o. on the buttocks: He goosed her and she hit him.
    2 to cause s.t. to increase suddenly: High discounts goosed sales this week.
goose bumps
goose bumps
  1. n.pl.infrml. very small raised points on the skin caused by cold, fear, or disgust: The horror movie gave me goose bumps.
goose pimples
goose pimples
  1. n.pl. goose bumps
gopher
gopher
  1. n.
    1 a small animal of North America that makes holes in the ground: Many gophers live in the flat grasslands of the USA.
    2 Gopher: a program that makes it easier for computers on the Internet to link to information sources all over the Internet
gore
gore
  1. v. [T] gored, goring, gores to make a hole and injure with the horn or tusk of an animal: The bull gored the bullfighter and he had to go to the hospital.n. blood from a person or animal, esp. after an accident: There was a lot of blood and gore in the horror movie. -n. goring.
gorge
gorge
  1. n. a high, narrow opening between mountains, usu. with a stream: After the heavy rain, the stream rushed through the mountain gorge.v. [T] to fill oneself quickly with a lot of food until one cannot eat anymore,
    THESAURUS
    to stuff oneself: The hungry children gorged themselves on chocolate until they felt sick.
gorgeous
gorgeous
  1. adj. beautiful: She is a fashion model and a gorgeous woman.||The flowers in the window have a gorgeous color.
    THESAURUS
    gorgeous stunning, magnificent. Ant. ugly.
gorilla
gorilla
  1. n. the largest of the great apes (man-like monkeys) and native to western Africa: There are only a few mountain gorillas left in the world.
gory
gory
  1. adj. -ier, -iest bloody, full of gore: The accident scene was gory with broken bodies and bloody clothing. -n. goriness.
gosh
gosh
  1. exclam. expression of surprise or disappointment: Gosh, that exam was difficult.
gosling
gosling
  1. n. a baby goose
gospel
gospel
  1. n.
    1 an idea that cannot be questioned: In that company, the owner's wishes are the gospel (or) gospel truth that everyone must follow.
    2 Gospel: any of the first four books of the New Testament in the Bible
gospel music
gospel music
  1. n. a type of American religious music with strong rhythms and harmonies: My mother sings gospel music in the church choir.
gossamer
gossamer
  1. n.
    1 very thin silky threads made by spiders
    2 a very soft, thin material: The nightgown looks as though it is made of gossamer.
gossip
gossip
  1. v. [I] to talk or write about other people's actions or lives, sometimes in an untruthful way: The whole country was gossiping about the recent political scandal.n.
    1 talk or writing about other people's actions or lives, sometimes untruthful: "Did you hear the gossip about the new manager?"
    2 a person who likes to gossip: The old man is the town gossip. -adj. gossipy.
    THESAURUS
    gossip v. to spread rumors. Ant. to keep quiet.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 the grapevine, rumor mill | rumor(s), idle talk
    2 a rumormonger.
gossipmonger
gossipmonger
  1. n. a person who spreads gossip: She is a gossipmonger; she will tell you about everyone's business.
got
got
  1. v.past tense & part. of get
    1 to be necessary, must do s.t.: I have got to leave now; it is very late.
    2 to have s.t. or s.o.: I've got $100 to spend this evening.
gotten
gotten
  1. v.past part. of get
gouge
gouge
  1. v. [T] gouged, gouging, gouges
    1 to press, shape, or force out of s.t.: The children gouged out a big hole in the old tree and played in it.
    2 to overcharge: That storekeeper gouges his customers; I never shop there.
goulash
goulash
  1. n. a stew of vegetables, meat, and seasonings, usu. paprika, cooked together: We had beef goulash with potatoes for dinner.
gourd
gourd
  1. n. a fruit with a hard outer shell that usu. cannot be eaten: People use gourds to hold drinking water.
gourmet
gourmet
  1. n.adj. a person who knows a lot about and enjoys fine food and drink: He is a gourmet of French food.||This restaurant serves gourmet Italian food.
gout
gout
  1. n. a disease that makes joints, esp. toes and fingers, big and painful
govern
govern
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to rule a country, city, etc.: The President governs the USA.||The mayor governs any new policies in the city.
    2 [T] to have influence over s.t.: The weather governs the prices of fresh fruit and vegetables every year.
    3 [T] to control the actions or behavior of s.t.: She tried to govern her temper when she heard about the car crash.
    4 [T] (in grammar) to require, make necessary
    THESAURUS
    govern
    1 to administer, direct, exercise power over s.o. or s.t.. Ant. to misrule.
    2 to
    THESAURUS
    control, determine
    3 to restrain s.t., rein s.t. in, hold s.t. in check. Ants. to let s.t. loose,
    THESAURUS
    give free rein to s.t.
government
government
  1. n.
    1 a system of political and social representation and control: Governments are classified by who holds power, such as a dictator.
    2 the people who rule: The government decided to cut taxes for the middle classes. -adj. governmental .
    THESAURUS
    government
    1 the political system, the state
    2 the administration, politicians | members of
    THESAURUS
    Congress. Ant. the people.
governor-general
governor-general
  1. n. a governor of a large territory to whom other governors report
governor
governor
  1. n.
    1 a government official in charge of a state in the USA: The state governors meet annually to discuss common problems.
    2 a manager or head of a business or institution: The hospital board of governors decided to open a new building.
governorship
governorship
  1. n. the office or term of a governor: The governorship of our state belongs to a Democrat.
gown
gown
  1. n.
    1 a long, formal evening dress for women: She wore a blue silk gown to the opera.
    2 a long, usu. black coat worn in special ceremonies by judges, professors, etc.
grab
grab
  1. v. [T] grabbed, grabbing, grabs
    1 to take quickly and roughly: A thief grabbed the woman's purse and ran.
    2 to take an opportunity with enthusiasm: She grabbed the chance to work for the company and accepted the job immediately.n.
    1 an attempt to take s.t. roughly: He made a grab for her purse and ran.
    2 infrml. up for grabs: available for anyone to take or win: This election year, the mayor's office is up for grabs because the present mayor is not running for reelection.
    THESAURUS
    grab v.
    1 to snatch, seize, catch hold of s.t. Ant. to release.
    2 to seize an opportunity,
    THESAURUS
    jump at the chance to do s.t. Ant. to not act.
grab bag
grab bag
  1. n.
    1 a container filled with a mixture of small items that people choose from at a social occasion
    2 a collection of varied things: The economic plan was a grab bag of politicians' favorite projects.
grace
grace
  1. n.
    1 beauty of motion or style: She dances with grace.||He writes with grace.
    2 kindness: My mother had the grace not to tell my father that I had crashed his car.
    3 a short prayer of gratitude said before a meal: I said grace before Thanksgiving dinner.
    4 favor,
    THESAURUS
    mercy: The prisoners asked for the King's grace.
    5 a form of address of a duke, duchess, archbishop, or bishop: What is your wish, Your Grace?
    6 to be in the good/bad graces of s.o.: to be on good/bad terms with: She is an excellent student and in the good graces of all her teachers.
    7 with good grace: nicely, willingly: He took his daughter's bad exam results with good grace.v. [T] graced, gracing, graces to favor, decorate: The beautiful lady graced us with her company.||Flowers graced the dinner table.
grace period
grace period
  1. n. a time period after a payment is due in which that payment may be made with or without penalty but no legal action: Most mortgage and insurance contracts have grace periods in which late payments can be made without the contract being canceled.
graceful
graceful
  1. adj. with beauty of motion or style: She is a graceful dancer. -adv. gracefully.
    THESAURUS
    graceful elegant, fluid. Ants. awkward, clumsy.
graceless
graceless
  1. adj. without grace, tasteless
gracious
gracious
  1. adj. kind and polite: She is a gracious hostess who provides her guests with everything they need. -adv. graciously; -n. graciousness.
    THESAURUS
    gracious friendly, generous. Ants. cold, distant.
grad
grad
  1. n.infrml. short for graduate: He is a Harvard grad.
grad school
grad school
  1. n. short for graduate school: Juan is in grad school at Cal State, Fullerton.
gradation
gradation
  1. n. gradual progressions or degrees of s.t.: Different gradations in the strength of steel are needed according to building requirements.
grade
grade
  1. n.
    1 an educational class level: Her son goes into the 7th (1st, 12th, etc.) grade this year.
    2 an academic mark, score: He makes good grades in school.
    3 a level of quality: That store sells an excellent grade of fruits and vegetables.
    4 a degree of incline or decline as in a road: The road goes up a steep grade from the valley to the mountaintop.
    5 to make the grade: to achieve proficiency, prove oneself, succeed: She has made the grade as a professional singer.v. [T] graded, grading, grades
    1 to score, mark: The teacher grades tests every week.
    2 to separate into groups according to quality or size: The chicken farmer grades eggs by color and size.
gradient
gradient
  1. n.
    1 the degree of change in a slope, as in a road: The railroad rises in a small gradient.
    2 a rate of change, as in temperature: The pressure gradient in the water heater is rising.
gradual
gradual
  1. adj. happening slowly or by small steps: A gradual increase in prices has slowed inflation. -adv. gradually; -n. gradualness.
    THESAURUS
    gradual slow-but-steady, incremental frml. Ants. rapid, steep.
graduate
graduate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to receive a degree from an academic institution: He graduates from high school in June.
    2 to increase or progress gradually: The housing development graduates up a hillside.n. a person who has received a degree: She is a college graduate.||She is a graduate of UCLA.
    THESAURUS
    graduate v.
    1 to receive a diploma, complete one's studies. Ant. to drop out.
    THESAURUS
    —n. an alumnus (man), alumna (woman), recipient of a degree/diploma. Ant. a
    THESAURUS
    dropout.
graduate school
graduate school
  1. n. an academic institution where students study for a higher degree (M.A., M.S., etc.) after they have received a first college degree: Sylvia is in graduate school at Georgia State University.
graduation
graduation
  1. n.
    1 the awarding of an academic degree; the ceremony at which diplomas are presented to graduating students of colleges or high schools: My family came to my college graduation in the summer.
    2 a degree of increase or decrease in s.t.
graffiti
graffiti
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl.v. writings and drawings on walls, often rude, funny, or political
graft
graft
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to join part of one living thing to another: A farmer grafts branches on fruit trees to produce better crops.||The doctor grafted new skin onto the burned leg.
    2 to gain money or influence by illegal methods often for political purposes —n.
    1 an implantation: Doctors do bone grafts.
    2 money or influence gained illegally: Graft in the mayor's office is a serious problem.
grain
grain
  1. n.
    1 a single seed of a plant (wheat, corn, oats, etc.)
    2 [U] the grasses from plants which produce such seeds, esp. wheat and corn: Europe imports a lot of grain from Russia every year.
    3 a very small, hard piece of s.t.: Grains of sand form a beach.
    4 a small amount of s.t.: There is not a grain of truth in what he says.
    5 the natural flow of a surface: You can feel the grain of the wood (leather, grass, etc.) by its smoothness.
    6 to go against the grain: to be unnatural, s.t. that one is not comfortable doing: It goes against the grain for her to accept help from her parents.
    7 to take s.t. with a grain of salt: not to believe all that is said, to doubt: You have to take what he says with a grain of salt, because he doesn't always tell the truth.
    THESAURUS
    grain
    3 and
    4 a granule, particle, speck. Ants. a chunk, hunk.
grainy
grainy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 rough, having a grain: The wood in those shelves is unfinished and very grainy.
    2 (said of pictures) cloudy, not very clear: That old picture of my grandmother is grainy. -n. graininess.
gram
gram
  1. n. a measure of weight equal to one 1,000th of a kilogram or about .04 oz.
grammar
grammar
  1. n. a system of rules that apply to a language: We study grammar in order to write good sentences.
    THESAURUS
    grammar language rules, sentence structure | syntax.
grammar school
grammar school
  1. n.old usage elementary school
grammarian
grammarian
  1. n. a person who studies and knows a lot about grammar
grammatical
grammatical
  1. adj.
    1 related to the rules of grammar: My grammatical knowledge of Spanish is very poor.
    2 correct according to the rules of grammar: This sentence is grammatical. -adv. grammatically.
granary
granary
  1. n. -ries a storage area for grain: After the harvest, the granaries are full.
grand
grand
  1. adj.
    1 large and impressive in size: We had our party in the grand ballroom.
    2 splendid in appearance, wonderful: There is a grand view of Manhattan from the Empire State Building.
    3 frml. pleasant, enjoyable: We had a grand time on our vacation. -adv. grandly.n. infrml.
    1 a grand piano: We have a baby grand in our living room.
    2 slang $1,000: That computer cost me two grand.
    THESAURUS
    grand adj.
    1 big, huge, mammoth. Ant. small.
    2 magnificent, majestic. Ant. ordinary.
    THESAURUS
    3 wonderful, delightful. Ant. unpleasant.
grand jury
grand jury
  1. n. (in law) a group of 12-23 citizens who review evidence against s.o. accused of a crime and decide if a trial is necessary: The grand jury dismissed the charges against the company because there was not enough evidence.
grand piano
grand piano
  1. n. a large, concert-type piano.
grand prix
grand prix
  1. n.
    1 a racing event for sports cars: Mario won the Grand Prix in Monte Carlo this year.
    2 the top prize: The pianist won the grand prix in the competition in Moscow.
grand slam
grand slam
  1. n.
    1 in baseball, a home run hit with players on all three bases
    2 in tennis and golf, the winning of all the major championships in the same year: Pete Sampras has won the grand slam in tennis.
granddad
granddad
  1. n.infrml. grandfather
granddaddy
granddaddy
  1. n.infrml. -dies
    1 grandfather
    2 fig. the oldest and most impressive of s.t.: That huge alligator is the granddaddy of them all.
granddaughter
granddaughter
  1. n. a daughter of one's child
grandeur
grandeur
  1. n. splendor, beauty on a large scale: The grandeur of the mountain scenery is wonderful.
grandfather
grandfather
  1. n. the father of one's father or mother
grandfather clock
grandfather clock
  1. n. a clock in a tall wooden frame that stands on the floor: The grandfather clock standing in the corner chimes every hour.
grandiose
grandiose
  1. adj.
    1 magnificent, splendid: Many palaces in France were built on a grandiose scale.
    2 s.t. that is bigger or more impressive than is necessary, often used negatively,
    THESAURUS
    pretentious: He has grandiose plans for his future.
grandma
grandma
  1. n.infrml. grandmother
grandmother
grandmother
  1. n. the mother of one's father or mother: My grandmother lives in Houston.
grandpa
grandpa
  1. n.infrml. grandfather
grandparent
grandparent
  1. n. a parent of one's father or mother
grandson
grandson
  1. n. the son of one's daughter or son
grandstand
grandstand
  1. n. rows of seats outdoors sometimes covered with a roof, for watching sporting events: We sat in the grandstand to watch the baseball game.
granite
granite
  1. n. a hard, gray rock: That building is made of granite and will last for centuries.
granny
granny
  1. n.infrml. -nies grandmother
granola
granola
  1. n. a breakfast food or snack made of whole oats, nuts, dried fruits, and honey
grant
grant
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to give or allow what is asked for: The governor granted my request for an interview for my newspaper.
    2 to accept as true: I grant what you say is correct, but you still owe me the money.n.
    1 money given for a specific purpose: The Ford Foundation gave the writer a grant for research.
    2 a formal transfer of ownership: The king gave the lord a land grant in the new colony.
    THESAURUS
    grant v.
    1 to consent to s.t., agree to s.t. Ant. to refuse.
    2 to concede, admit. Ant. to deny.
    THESAURUS
    —n.
    1 a gift (of money), subsidy. Ant. a loan.
granular
granular
  1. adj. shaped in granules: Sand has a granular texture.
granulate
granulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to form into granules: Workers granulate sugar so that it will pour easily. -n. granulation.
granule
granule
  1. n. a tiny, grain-like piece,
    THESAURUS
    particle: The machine crushes salt into granules.
grape
grape
  1. n. a small round fruit, usu. green or dark purple, that grows in bunches and can be used to make wine: Grapes are grown in great quantities in California and New York.
grapefruit
grapefruit
  1. n. -fruits or -fruit a large round citrus fruit, usu. yellow with a thick skin, that has a tart taste: I have a half grapefruit for breakfast.
grapevine
grapevine
  1. n.
    1 the climbing plant on which grapes grow
    2 to hear s.t through/on the grapevine: to hear news unofficially: I heard through the grapevine that you are planning to get married.
graph
graph
  1. n.v. [T] a drawing that shows changes in quantities: I made a line graph that shows sales increases from year to year.
graph paper
graph paper
  1. n. paper with horizontal and vertical lines on which graphs can be drawn: We use graph paper to show our monthly sales figures.
graphic
graphic
  1. adj.
    1 related to graphs
    2 concerned with drawing See: graphics.
    3 described in a very clear and detailed way: The victim explained the attack in graphic detail. -adv. graphically.
    THESAURUS
    graphic
    3 vivid, realistic, lifelike. Ant. unclear.
graphics
graphics
  1. n.pl.
    1 illustrative, decorative parts of s.t. (photographs, drawings, etc.): The graphics in that art book (computer program, etc.) are beautiful.
    2 engineering and architectural drawings: Engineers take a course in graphics in college.
graphite
graphite
  1. n. a black substance that is a form of carbon: Graphite is used to make pencil lead.
graphology
graphology
  1. n. the study of handwriting as a guide to personality: Some companies use graphology to help them choose new employees. -n. graphologist.
grapple
grapple
  1. v. -pled, -pling, -ples
    1 [I;T] to take hold of and fight or struggle with s.o. or s.t.: The two wrestlers grappled with each other.
    2 [I] to try hard to solve a problem,
    THESAURUS
    to struggle: The technicians grappled with the broken computers all day.
grasp
grasp
  1. v. [T]
    1 to hold firmly, take hold of: I grasped the door handle with both hands and pulled hard.
    2 to succeed in understanding s.t. often complex: After reading the text again, I finally grasped the main points of the story.
    3 phrasal v. to grasp at: to try to take hold of, to reach for s.t.: As she fell, she grasped at the window to try to stop her fall.
    4 to grasp at straws: to hope for miracles: He is grasping at straws if he thinks his money problems will be solved by winning the lottery.n.
    1 a firm hold on s.t.: I got a grasp on the stuck faucet and forced it open.
    2 understanding, comprehension: She has a good grasp of the facts in the situation.||This problem is beyond her grasp.
    THESAURUS
    grasp v.
    1 to seize, grab, grip s.t. Ant. to let loose.
    2 to comprehend, catch on to s.t. | get
    THESAURUS
    it infrml. Ant. to not understand. —n.
    1 a grip, handhold. Ant. a slip.
    THESAURUS
    2 knowledge, mastery. Ant. ignorance.
grasping
grasping
  1. adj. wanting more, usu. money,
    THESAURUS
    greedy, avaricious: He is a grasping person, always after money.
grass
grass
  1. n. grasses
    1 [U] any of a variety of green plant that covers the ground: I like to play tennis on grass.
    2 [C] a tall green plant with flat leaves
    3 slang marijuana: He stopped smoking grass because it made him feel sick.
    THESAURUS
    grass
    1 and
    2 lawn | field, meadow, pasture, prairie. Ant. desert.
grass roots
grass roots
  1. adj.fig. located with ordinary people, not with the leaders or those in power: Some politicians have grass roots support.
grasshopper
grasshopper
  1. n. a plant-eating insect that can jump high and that makes a loud noise: A swarm of grasshoppers got into our flower garden and ruined it.
grassland
grassland
  1. n. flat land covered with wild grass: The cows feed themselves on the grassland in the summer months.
grassy
grassy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest covered with grass: The grassy areas around the building make it an attractive place to work.
grate
grate
  1. v. grated, grating, grates
    1 [I] to make a sharp unpleasant sound by rubbing against s.t.: When one piece of metal grates against another, it produces a terrible noise.
    2 [T] to make into small pieces by rubbing against a rough surface: The cook grated a piece of cheese.
    3 [I;T] to make s.o. annoyed, (syns.) to irritate, rankle: That rude fellow grates on my nerves. -n. grater.n.
    1 bars that hold the wood and coal in a fireplace
    2 bars put over a window to keep out thieves
grateful
grateful
  1. adj. thankful: I am grateful for the help that you have given to me. -adv. gratefully.
    THESAURUS
    grateful appreciative, full of gratitude | obliged, indebted. Ant. ungrateful.
gratification
gratification
  1. n. a sense of pleasure and satisfaction: Teachers find gratification in the success of their students.
gratify
gratify
  1. v.frml. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to give pleasure and satisfaction: His children's success gratified him.
    2 to satisfy a desire: She gratified her hunger by eating chocolate cake.
grating
grating
  1. adj. annoying, usu. related to a loud, unpleasant noise: That singer has a grating voice.n. a covering of metal bars over a window, hole, etc.: The grating over the hole in the road stops large objects from falling in.
gratis
gratis
  1. adv.adj. without charge, free: He did the work gratis.||When he told me that the work was gratis, I couldn't believe it.
gratitude
gratitude
  1. n. thankfulness,
    THESAURUS
    appreciation: She showed her gratitude by saying, "Thank you!"
gratuitous
gratuitous
  1. adj. unnecessary, unasked for: He made gratuitous comments about my clothes that I didn't like at all.
gratuity
gratuity
  1. n. -ties a gift of money for service,
    THESAURUS
    a tip: The standard gratuity at good restaurants is 15 percent of the bill.
grave
grave
  1. adj. graver, gravest serious, worrying: The patient is very ill and in grave condition.n.
    1 a place in the ground for placing a dead person: He is buried in a grave next to his wife's.
    2 to dig one's own grave: to harm one's own interests: He is digging his own grave by complaining about his boss so openly.
    3 to drive s.o. to an early grave: to constantly make s.o. do s.t. that is often bad for the health, (syns.) to hound, harass: His friends are always pushing him to smoke cigarettes with them; they'll drive him to an early grave.
    4 to have one foot in the grave: to be close to death: He's 95 and has cancer; he has one foot in the grave.
    5 to turn over in one's grave: said of a dead person who would not be happy with the actions of the living: Their mother would be turning over in her grave if she could see how badly her children behave. -adv. gravely.
    THESAURUS
    grave adj. dangerous, precarious frml. Ant. good.
grave robber
grave robber
  1. n. a person who steals bodies or valuables from graves: Grave robbers stole gold from many Egyptian tombs.
gravedigger
gravedigger
  1. n. a person who digs holes in the ground for dead people's graves
gravel
gravel
  1. n. rock crushed into very small pieces: The gardener put gravel along the walkway.
graveyard
graveyard
  1. n. an area of land, sometimes near a church, where dead people are buried: We visited the graveyard where my grandmother was buried.
    THESAURUS
    graveyard cemetery, burial ground | church yard.
gravitate
gravitate
  1. v. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to react to the force of gravity: Objects gravitate naturally downward toward the ground.
    2 to feel attracted to s.t. or s.o.: The major industries gravitated toward the outer parts of the city where rents were cheap. -n. gravitation.
gravity
gravity
  1. n.
    1 a natural force pulling objects to the ground: Objects fall to earth because of the force of gravity.
    2 seriousness, severity: When the shooting started, the gravity of the situation became clear.
gravy
gravy
  1. n.
    1 a warm liquid made of the juices and fats from cooked meat, combined with a thickener, such as flour: I like brown gravy on my mashed potatoes.
    2 infrml.fig. extra money, a bonus: After we pay off our expenses, the rest is gravy for us.
    3 gravy train: a job requiring little effort and offering good compensation: He has a gravy train as he works part-time for his father at a full-time salary.
gray matter
gray matter
  1. n.infrml. intelligence, brain power: You should use your gray matter to help you solve that problem.
grayscale
grayscale
  1. n. the use of different shades of gray rather than different colors, e.g. in television, computer graphics, etc.
graze
graze
  1. v. grazed, grazing, grazes
    1 [I;T] to feed on grass: The sheep graze in the field.
    2 [T] to touch lightly against s.t. and injure the skin: The child fell and grazed her hand.
    3 [T] to touch s.t. lightly as it passes: I grazed the side of the car when I tried to park.n. a light wound, scrape on the surface of the skin
grease
grease
  1. n.
    1 animal fat that has been softened by cooking: There was too much grease on the plate; I couldn't eat my dinner.
    2 any thick oily substance, esp. used to make moving parts of machines work more smoothly: The mechanic put grease on the bike's wheels.v. [T] greased, greasing, greases
    1 to put grease on: He greased the wheels.
    2 infrml. to grease s.o.'s palm: to give money to s.o. in order to persuade them to do s.t. for you: I greased the headwaiter's palm and he gave us a good table.
grease monkey
grease monkey
  1. n. pej.fig. a mechanic: Oh, he's just a grease monkey at the local garage.
grease paint
grease paint
  1. n. makeup used by actors: Clowns cover their faces with grease paint.
greasy
greasy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having grease: That sausage is very greasy.
great
great
  1. adj.
    1 large, huge: A great big bear blocked our path.
    2 renowned, monumental: Alexander the Great never saw the Great Wall of China.
    3 excellent, superior: That company has a great reputation.
    4 infrml. pleasant, wonderful: We had a great time on our vacation. -n. greatness.
    THESAURUS
    great
    1 immense, enormous. Ant. small.
    2 famous, distinguished. Ant. unknown.
    THESAURUS
    3 marvelous, splendid, first-rate. Ant. weak.
    4 outstanding, fantastic | cool, awesome.
    THESAURUS
    infrml. Ant. bad.
great aunt
great aunt
  1. n. the sister of one's grandparent
great uncle
great uncle
  1. n. a brother of one's grandparent
greatly
greatly
  1. adv. very much: Crime has increased greatly in the city over the last year.
    THESAURUS
    greatly immensely, enormously. Ant. a little.
greed
greed
  1. n. a strong desire for money, food, etc.: Greed made the child take the last piece of cake.
greedy
greedy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest wanting more of money, food, etc., than one has or is fair,
    THESAURUS
    avaricious: He overcharges customers because he is greedy.
green-eyed
green-eyed
  1. adj. having green eyes: She has a green-eyed cat.
greenback
greenback
  1. n.infrml. old usage the US dollar: There are $80 billion in greenbacks floating around the world as an unofficial currency.
greenery
greenery
  1. n. plants and trees in general: We like the greenery in the mountains.
greengrocer
greengrocer
  1. n. a shop where fruits and vegetables are sold: I'm going to the greengrocer to buy some carrots.
greenhorn
greenhorn
  1. n.infrml. a beginner, esp. in an outdoor activity, such as hiking, riding, etc.: He doesn't know how to ride a horse; he's a greenhorn.
greenhouse
greenhouse
  1. n. -houses a building with glass walls and a glass roof, used to grow and protect plants: Those flowers were grown in a greenhouse during the winter.
greet
greet
  1. v. [T]
    1 to say hello to s.o.: When I met the president, she greeted me in a very friendly way.
    2 to meet, welcome: The host of the party greets his guests at the door. -n. greeter.
    THESAURUS
    greet
    1 to speak to s.o., address s.o. frml. Ant. to ignore s.o.
greeting
greeting
  1. n.
    1 the first words or actions used on meeting s.o., such as "Hello" or "Hi": We passed on the street and gave each other a friendly greeting.
    2 pl. greetings good wishes, usu. written: "Greetings on your birthday and Congratulations!"
    THESAURUS
    wishes, best regards. Ant. a snub.
greeting card
greeting card
  1. n. a card, usu. folded and printed with a message inside, such as "Get well" or "Happy Birthday": I sent my friend a greeting card for her birthday.
gregarious
gregarious
  1. adj. liking to be with other people, friendly,
    THESAURUS
    sociable: He is a very gregarious fellow who enjoys company.
gremlin
gremlin
  1. n. an imaginary little creature who causes problems: That computer has got gremlins; there is always s.t. wrong with it!
grenade
grenade
  1. n. a hand-sized, small bomb: A soldier threw a grenade into a building.
grew
grew
  1. past tense of grow
greyhound
greyhound
  1. n. a thin racing dog with long legs: People love to watch greyhounds race at the track.
grid
grid
  1. n.
    1 a group of vertical and horizontal lines: In many cities, the streets form a grid.
    2 a group of powerful electrical wires over a region: The electrical grid was overloaded in the hot August weather.
griddle
griddle
  1. n.v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles a flat iron surface used for cooking: I put some bacon and eggs on the griddle.
griddlecake
griddlecake
  1. n. a hotcake, pancake: We eat griddlecakes for breakfast once a week.
gridiron
gridiron
  1. n.
    1 a frame of metal bars used to cook (grill) foods over a fire
    2 fig. an American football field: In high school, my friend became a hero on the gridiron.
gridlock
gridlock
  1. n. the traffic that blocks an intersection: Cars are blocking the main intersections because of the accident, and the central city is in gridlock.
grief
grief
  1. n.
    1 great sadness, sorrow, anguish: Her brother's sudden death caused her grief.
    2 to give s.o. grief: to make trouble for s.o.: My boss gives me a lot of grief about my poor computer skills.
    THESAURUS
    grief
    1 heartache, misery, heartbreak. Ant. joy.
grievance
grievance
  1. n. a complaint, esp. of being treated unfairly: Labor has a grievance over low wages.
grieve
grieve
  1. v. [I;T] grieved, grieving, grieves to feel great sadness over s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to mourn: She grieved for weeks over the death of her mother.
grievous
grievous
  1. adj. causing pain, suffering, or sorrow; very serious: The death of her brother was a grievous loss.
grill
grill
  1. n. a frame of metal bars on which food is cooked, usu. outside: I put some hamburgers on the grill.v.
    1 [I;T] to cook on a grill: I grilled some burgers for lunch.
    2 [T] to ask s.o. many questions for a long period of time: Police grilled the suspect for hours until he confessed that he had robbed the bank. See: barbecue, USAGE NOTE.
grim
grim
  1. adj. grimmer, grimmest
    1 serious, solemn: The prisoner has a grim look on his face.
    2 expecting the worst, foreboding: He suffered a severe injury and his prospects for living are grim. -adv. grimly; -n. grimness.
    THESAURUS
    grim
    1 hard, severe, or stern (look). Ant. pleasant.
    2 bleak, dismal, depressing. Ants.
    THESAURUS
    bright, good.
grimace
grimace
  1. v. [I] -aced, -acing, -aces to twist the face,
    THESAURUS
    to wince: He grimaced at hearing the bad news.n. a twisting of the face often in pain,
    THESAURUS
    a wince: He has a grimace on his face.
grime
grime
  1. n. [U] dirt or grease on the surface of s.t.: The city's buildings are covered with grime. -adj. grimy.
grin
grin
  1. n. a big smile: He greeted his friend with a big grin. See: smile, USAGE NOTE. —v. grinned, grinning, grins
    1 [I] to give a big smile: He grinned at his girlfriend.
    2 to grin and bear it: to suffer pain or embarrassment without complaining
grind
grind
  1. v. ground , grinding, grinds
    1 [T] to make into small pieces or powder by rubbing: The worker is grinding metal.||I ground the coffee beans.
    2 [T] to rub two hard surfaces together, usu. to make smooth: He grinds his teeth together when he sleeps.
    3 fig. [I] to work very hard, usu. for a long time without pleasure: She grinds at her studies, day and night.n.
    1 the process of grinding
    2 infrml.fig. a tiring job: Her job is a daily grind; she works on the computer eight hours a day.
    THESAURUS
    grind v.
    1 to mill | file, sharpen, polish.
grinder
grinder
  1. n.
    1 any device used to grind substances: We put leftover pork in a meat grinder to make sausages.
    2 a sandwich on a long crusty roll, often served hot: I had a steak and cheese grinder for lunch.
grindstone
grindstone
  1. n.
    1 a piece of stone or other material used to smooth or sharpen metal
    2 to keep one's nose to the grindstone: to work very hard and steadily
gringo
gringo
  1. n.slang -gos a foreigner in Latin America, esp. one who is white and speaks English (usu. used in a negative way)
grip
grip
  1. n.
    1 a strong hold: The thief had a firm grip on the money.
    2 command, control: He has a good grip on his emotions.
    3 See: grippe. —v. [I;T] gripped, gripping, grips to hold firmly: He gripped the club with both hands.
    THESAURUS
    grip n.
    1 a grasp, grab. Ant. a release.
    2 hold on, grasp of. —v. to grasp, hold, clench. Ant. to release. grippe or grip -n. influenza: I have the grippe and will stay home today.
gripe
gripe
  1. n.infrml. a complaint,
    THESAURUS
    a grievance: The worker has a gripe with the boss.v. [I] griped, griping, gripes to complain: He gripes all the time about the bad weather.
grisly
grisly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest frightening or disgusting, usu. because of the connection with death,
    THESAURUS
    gruesome: She told a grisly story about a murder.
gristle
gristle
  1. n. tough part of meat that is difficult to eat: I don't like meat with a lot of gristle. -adj. gristly.
grit
grit
  1. n.
    1 very small pieces of stone or sand: The desert sand left a layer of grit on our car.
    2 infrml. courage,
    THESAURUS
    spunk: He broke his finger, but continued to play; he has grit.v. [T] gritted, gritting, grits, to grit one's teeth: to press one's teeth together hard, usu. during difficult moments: He gritted his teeth and lifted the heavy box. -adj. gritty.
grizzled
grizzled
  1. adj. with gray parts, usu. of hair: As he became older, his hair became grizzled.
grizzly
grizzly
  1. adj. -zlier, -zliest quite gray, grizzled: He has a grizzly beard.n. -zlies See: grizzly bear. grizzly bear or grizzly -n. -zlies a large gray and brown bear of western North America: The grizzly bear frightens people because of its power and aggressive nature.
groan
groan
  1. v. [I] n. (to make) a deep sound from the throat to show pain, worry, disapproval, etc.: He groaned when the other team scored another goal.
grocer
grocer
  1. n.
    1 a person who sells food and other household things
    2 a grocery store: I'm going to the grocer to buy some groceries.
groceries
groceries
  1. n.pl. food and other household things: I buy groceries at the supermarket.
grocery
grocery
  1. n. -ies a food store: The local grocery (or) grocery store is open seven days a week.
    THESAURUS
    grocery grocery store, supermarket, market. Ants. restaurant, deli.
groggy
groggy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest unsteady and with an unclear mind, as from illness, shock, etc.: The hit on the head made her groggy. -adv. groggily.
groin
groin
  1. n. the area of the body around the sex organs: The athlete pulled a muscle in his groin.
groom
groom
  1. n.
    1 a bridegroom: The groom wore a tuxedo to the wedding. See: bride; best man.
    2 a man who takes care of horses —v.
    1 [I;T] to dress well, keep the hair neat: She grooms herself well; she is a well-groomed woman.
    2 [T] to help s.o. improve, esp. for a better job: The boss groomed his son to take over the family business.
    3 [T] to brush and care for horses: The boy grooms the horses every morning. groom -n.
    1 a bridegroom: The groom wore a tuxedo to the wedding. See : bride; best man
    2 a man who takes care of horses _v.
    1 to dress well, keep the hair neat: She is a well-groomed woman.
    2 to help s.o. improve, esp. for a better job: The boss groomed his son to take over the family business.
    3 to brush and care for horses: The boy grooms the horses every morning.
groove
groove
  1. n. a long narrow hole for s.t. to move smoothly in: The doors on that cabinet slide open on grooves.v. grooved, grooving, grooves
    1 [T] to make grooves
    2 slang [I] to delight in, find appealing: That band plays well together; they really groove with each other.
grope
grope
  1. v. [I] groped, groping, gropes to feel about, search for s.t. with the hands as if in darkness or with difficulty: The room was completely dark and I groped for the light switch.
gross domestic product
gross domestic product
  1. n. a measure of the total value of goods and services produced by a nation
grotesque
grotesque
  1. adj.
    1 very ugly, (syns.) hideous, repugnant: The grotesque monster frightened the children.
    2 not natural, (syns.) deformed, bizarre: The burned and leafless trees presented a grotesque landscape.
grotto
grotto
  1. n. -toes or -tos
    1 a small cave
    2 a holy place cut out of rock
grouch
grouch
  1. n. grouches a person who complains often: That man is an old grouch; he never likes the food I cook.v.infrml. [I] grouched, grouching, grouches to complain often about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to grumble: He grouches at everyone. -adj. grouchy.
ground crew
ground crew
  1. n. workers who support an airline by doing work on the ground at airports, such as reservation agents, baggage handlers, and maintenance workers: She is a member of the Northwest Airlines ground crew in Seattle.
ground floor
ground floor
  1. n.
    1 in the USA, the first floor, one at ground level: The reception is on the ground floor.
    2 to get in on the ground floor: to be present at the beginning of an excellent opportunity: He got in on the ground floor with that small company and grew with it.
ground rules
ground rules
  1. n.pl. (originally from baseball) a set of rules, such as for a sport or formal discussion, particularly for an specific occasion or place: As ground rules, the lawyers agreed that each could speak for five minutes without interruption.
ground zero 
ground zero 
  1. n. 
    1 [C] the place where a nuclear bomb explodes: After the bomb exploded, all that was left at ground zero was a huge crater.
    2 [U] usu. as: Ground Zero the site of the World Trade Center after it was destroyed on September 11, 2001: The names of the victims are listed on the memorial at Ground Zero.
    3 [U] the starting point or most basic level.  After all the students failed the test on fractions, the teacher returned to ground zero and started again from the beginning.
grounding
grounding
  1. n. education and usu. experience in some area: She has a good grounding in computers.
groundless
groundless
  1. adj. without good reason or basis in fact,
    THESAURUS
    baseless: He made groundless accusations.
groundswell
groundswell
  1. n.
    1 a rising or rolling of the ocean as caused by a storm or an earthquake
    2 fig. a sudden increase of s.t.: After the politician announced his candidacy, there was a groundswell of support from across the nation.
group
group
  1. n.
    1 a number of people or things placed together: A group of people protested against the new law.
    2 two or more singers, musicians, etc.: A singing group performed at the local theater.
    3 (in mathematics) a type of set: He is an expert in group theory.v. [I;T]
    1 to put together in a group, assemble: The grocer groups apples by variety: Golden Delicious, McIntosh, etc.
    2 to come together, gather: People grouped on the street to watch the parade.
    THESAURUS
    group n.
    1 a crowd | mob. Ant. an individual.
    2 an ensemble frml.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to put together, sort. Ant. to scatter.
    2 to crowd together, cluster. Ant. to disperse.
groupie
groupie
  1. n.infrml. a person, esp. a girl, who follows rock stars, movie stars, etc. in a group of admirers: Groupies shouted with delight as the rock group arrived.
grouping
grouping
  1. n.
    1 a group of s.t.: A grouping of roses looks pretty by the door.
    2 a category, classification: The authorities placed immigrants into different groupings by country.
grouse
grouse
  1. n. grouse
    1 a medium-sized bird with dark, spotty coloring: Grouse run into the woods when frightened.
    2 infrml. a complaint —v. [I] groused, grousing, grouses to complain,
    THESAURUS
    to gripe: He grouses all the time about his low salary.
grove
grove
  1. n. a small grouping of trees: A pine grove grows near the farmhouse.
grovel
grovel
  1. v.
    1 [I] to lie flat on the ground to show fear or obedience before s.o. or s.t.: The servant groveled before his master.
    2 fig. to behave in a way that shows one has no self-respect, usu. in order to obtain s.t.: He groveled in front of his boss so he could leave work early.
grow
grow
  1. v. grew , grown , growing, grows
    1 [I;T] to plant and harvest: A farmer grows corn and wheat.
    2 [I] to develop, mature: The boy has grown into a man.
    3 [I] to become: She grew impatient (sad, angry, etc.) with the delays.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to grow away from s.o.: to feel less close to s.o.: We were friends in school, but we grew away from each other.
    5 to grow by leaps and bounds: to increase rapidly: Our business is growing by leaps and bounds.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to grow into s.t.: a. to develop into, become: He's grown into a delightful person. b. to become big enough for s.t.: She's grown into her new bicycle.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to grow on s.o.: to become more pleasing to s.o. over time: Living in the country grows on you after a while.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to grow out of s.t.: a. to become too old for s.t.: She sucked her thumb as a baby, but she grew out of it. b. to become too large for s.t.: He has to buy new shoes, because he's grown out of the old ones.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [I] to grow to (understand, appreicate, etc.): to change one' understanding over time: He grew to understand why his immigrant parents missed the old country.
    10 phrasal v. [I] to grow up: a. to mature: Our daughter has grown up now. b. to live in a place during one's youth: She grew up in the San Francisco area. c. to act responsibly (said in anger): Oh, why don't you grow up and behave?!
    THESAURUS
    grow
    1 to produce, cultivate, raise. Ant. to plow s.t. under.
    2 to become, get bigger/
    THESAURUS
    taller/older. Ant. to decline.
    3 to feel | experience, suffer s.t.
grower
grower
  1. n. a person or business that raises food plants: He's a coffee grower from Brazil.
growing pains
growing pains
  1. n.pl. difficulties resulting from growth, esp. of a business: We have growing pains because our warehouse is too small and can't keep up with the orders.
growl
growl
  1. n. a low sound made in anger,
    THESAURUS
    a snarl: The dog let out a growl when the stranger came near.v. [I] to give a growl: The boss growls when things aren't going well. -n. growler.
grown-up
grown-up
  1. n. an adult: Many grown-ups have dinner after the children are asleep.
    THESAURUS
    grown-up a mature person, man, woman. Ant. child.
growth
growth
  1. n.
    1 an increase: The growth of US exports overseas was 10% last year.
    2 s.t. in the process of growing: The growth of the corn crop was hurt by lack of rain.||There is a growth of pine trees near the highway.
    3 an abnormal lump on or in the body: He has a growth on his neck.
    THESAURUS
    growth
    1 expansion. Ant. a decline.
    2 natural development, maturation. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    death.
    3 a tumor, cyst.
growth fund
growth fund
  1. n. a mutual fund dedicated to growth of capital, instead of its preservation: Growth funds carry greater risk.
growth rate
growth rate
  1. n. the amount of change in a financial area of a company
grub
grub
  1. n.
    1 an insect that looks like a small worm: I killed the grubs in the garbage can.
    2 infrml. food: Let's get some grub for lunch.
grubby
grubby
  1. adj. -bier, -biest dirty,
    THESAURUS
    grimy: The children's hands are grubby from playing in the garden.
grudge
grudge
  1. n. a feeling of anger toward s.o. for s.t. a person did wrong to you,
    THESAURUS
    resentment: He has a grudge against me for stealing his girlfriend.||He holds a grudge against his former boss for firing him. -adj. grudging.
gruel
gruel
  1. n. oatmeal that is watery and not tasty: The prisoner was given only gruel to eat.
grueling
grueling
  1. adj. very difficult and tiring,
    THESAURUS
    harsh: The trip through the desert was grueling.
gruesome
gruesome
  1. adj. horrifying, usu. because it is connected with death,
    THESAURUS
    grisly: The murder scene was gruesome.
gruff
gruff
  1. adj. rude,
    THESAURUS
    curt: That truck driver has a gruff manner. -adv. gruffly; -n. gruffness.
grumble
grumble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles n. to complain in a quiet, unhappy manner: He grumbled about having to clean the bathroom.
grump
grump
  1. n. a person who complains often: He's an old grump!
grumpy
grumpy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest badtempered,
    THESAURUS
    irritable: He's grumpy in the morning.
grunt
grunt
  1. v. [I] n. (to make) a short deep sound from the throat, usu. to show great effort, disgust, or boredom: He grunted as he lifted the heavy rock.
guacamole
guacamole
  1. n. a creamy green food made from avocados: Guacamole tastes good with tortilla chips. See: enchilada, USAGE NOTE.
guano
guano
  1. n. bird or bat excrement
guarantee
guarantee
  1. n.
    1 a written promise of satisfaction with a product or service, or that s.t. is genuine: Under the courier's guarantee, if I send the letter today, he'll have it tomorrow.
    2 a document stating conditions of a guarantee See: warranty. —v. [T] -teed, -teeing, -tees to give a guarantee: The shipper guaranteed next-day delivery.
    THESAURUS
    guarantee n.
    1 a guaranty, promise, one's word
    2 a warranty, written assurance, pledge. —v. to guaranty, give a written promise (of quality) | give one's word.
guarantor
guarantor
  1. n. the person or business giving a guarantee: Ford is the guarantor of its cars' quality.
guaranty
guaranty
  1. n. -ties v. [T] -tied, -tying, -ties See: guarantee.
guard
guard
  1. n. a protector of property: The headquarters has guards at each entrance.v.
    1 [I;T] to protect property: They guard against entry by unauthorized persons.
    2 [I;T] to be very careful: Banks guard against making risky loans.
    3 to catch s.o. off guard: to catch s.o. unprepared: The exam caught me off guard; I hadn't studied at all.
    4 to stand guard: a. to perform guard duty: A policeman stood guard at the door. b. to watch carefully for wrongdoing: The public stands guard against corruption in government.
    THESAURUS
    guard n. a security guard, security | soldier | bodyguard. Ant. an attacker.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to watch over s.t., safeguard. Ant. to attack.
    2 to take precautions.
guarded
guarded
  1. adj.
    1 protected by a guard: The President lives in a guarded building.
    2 fig. careful,
    THESAURUS
    cautious: The senator made some guarded comments about the scandal. -adv. guardedly.
guardian
guardian
  1. n.
    1 a person legally responsible for another, esp. a child: After the girl's parents died, her uncle became her guardian.
    2 a guard: Guardians watch over the museum's galleries. -n. guardianship.
guardrail
guardrail
  1. n. a railing or barrier used to stop falls: Guardrails on the ship's deck stop people from falling into the water.
guardsman
guardsman
  1. n. -men in the USA, a member of the National Guard: Guardsmen were called in to stop the rioting.
gubernatorial
gubernatorial
  1. adj. related to governors: The gubernatorial election is held every four years.
guck
guck
  1. n.slang any sticky, messy substance,
    THESAURUS
    goop: The engine is covered with guck; I have to clean it.
guerrilla
guerrilla
  1. n. a member of a nonregular military group that is trying to attack and defeat the regular military: Guerrillas hide in the jungle and attack government installations.
guess
guess
  1. n. guesses
    1 a try at saying what might happen or is true: I made a guess at the cost of that computer.
    2 an educated guess: an estimate or prediction based on experience or special knowledge: The sales manager made an educated guess that she would sell 5,000 units next year.v. guessed, guessing, guesses
    1 [I;T] to make a guess: I guess that it will rain today.
    2 [I;T] to say politely what one will do: "Oh, I guess I'll go home now."
    3 to keep s.o. guessing: to not tell s.o. what is true or will happen: She keeps him guessing by not saying whether she loves him.
    THESAURUS
    guess n.
    1 an estimate, guesstimate, prediction | speculation. Ant. a certainty.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to predict s.t. (about the future), speculate | estimate. Ant. to know (for sure).
guesstimate
guesstimate
  1. n.infrml. an estimate or prediction made mostly by guessing: He made a guesstimate that he would sell 100 cars this year because he had sold 90 last year.v. [I;T] -mated, -mating, -mates to make an educated guess
guesswork
guesswork
  1. n. the process of guessing: The team did a lot of guesswork before they found the answer.
guest
guest
  1. n.
    1 a visitor who comes to s.o.'s home for a short time, or to stay for a short time: We had guests for dinner last night.
    2 s.o. who stays in a hotel, patron: Guests check out of the hotel each morning.
    3 a person who is invited to a restaurant, the movies, etc., and who is paid for by the host: "I'll pay; you're my guest this evening."
    THESAURUS
    guest
    1 company, friend(s)
    2 customer, client. Ant. host.
guff
guff
  1. n.infrml. rude talk,
    THESAURUS
    insolence: Don't give me any of your guff!
guffaw
guffaw
  1. v. [I] n. (to give) a loud laugh: He guffawed when I told him a joke.
guidance
guidance
  1. n.
    1 advice: The teacher gave the student guidance on how to pass the exam.
    2 an electronic mechanism used to direct space vehicles (weapons, computers, etc.): The missile operates by the guidance of radar and computers.
    THESAURUS
    guidance
    1 help, recommendations | counsel. Ants. wrong (or) bad advice, misguidance.
guide
guide
  1. n.
    1 a person who shows the way and often gives information, esp. to tourists: A tour guide gave some history as we passed each important building.
    2 a reference book: We looked at a map in our city guide to find the museum. an idea, rule, or measure used to do s.t.: Being honest is my guide to dealing with people. | I use a ruler as a guide for drawing a straight line.v. [T] guided, guiding, guides
    1 to show the way, give information: A professor guided us through the museum.
    2 to direct, define: Religious teaching guides us to be kind to others. See: guidelines.
    THESAURUS
    guide n.
    1 a group leader, escort | counselor, advisor. Ant. a follower.
    2 a
    THESAURUS
    handbook, manual
    3 a principle, motto, guiding light. Ant. intuition.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to lead, direct, point s.t. out. Ant. to mislead.
    2 to instruct, inform. Ant. to
    THESAURUS
    misguide.
guidebook
guidebook
  1. n. a book with detailed information about a place or subject: Tourists use guidebooks to find their way around cities.
guided missile
guided missile
  1. n. a rocket directed by such devices as radar, videocameras, and computers: The pilot fired a guided missile at a target.
guidelines
guidelines
  1. n.pl. ideas or rules on what to do (or not to do): The teacher gave us guidelines for writing our paper; it had to be typed, double-spaced, and 10-12 pages long.
guidepost
guidepost
  1. n. See: signpost.
guild
guild
  1. n. a group of skilled workers organized to control the way their work is practiced: The guilds controlled business in Northern Europe in the Middle Ages (1400-1700).
guile
guile
  1. n. clever trickery, (syns.) cunning, deceit: The swindler used guile to cheat people out of their money.
guileless
guileless
  1. adj. straightforward, without deceit: He is guileless, almost childlike in his behavior.
guillotine
guillotine
  1. n.v. [T] -tined, -tining, -tines (to use) a machine that cuts off a criminal's head with a large, sharp blade
guilt
guilt
  1. n.
    1 the state of having broken the law: A jury decides the guilt or innocence of an accused person.
    2 fault: The guilt for the breakdown of the talks lies with the lawyers.
    3 a feeling of having done s.t. wrong or shameful, remorse
    THESAURUS
    guilt
    1 criminality | misconduct, misdeeds. Ant. innocence.
    2 blame, responsibility |
    THESAURUS
    burden
    3 the feeling of shame, self-disgust, regret (for doing s.t. wrong). Ants. pride, (syn.THESAURUS
    elf-respect.
guiltless
guiltless
  1. adj. not guilty, innocent
guilty
guilty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having broken a law, at fault, culpable: The jury found the man guilty of the murder.
    2 having or showing a feeling of shame, of having done s.t. wrong: He feels guilty about hurting his friend. -adv. guiltily.
    THESAURUS
    guilty
    1 responsible (for). Ant. innocent.
    2 guilt-ridden, remorseful. Ant. proud.
guinea pig
guinea pig
  1. n.
    1 a small animal resembling a big rat with short ears and no tail, often kept as a pet
    2 fig. a person or animal used for scientific or medical tests: People were used as guinea pigs without their knowledge to test effects of a new drug.
guise
guise
  1. n.
    1 frml. appearance, look
    2 fig. disguise, camouflage: Under the guise of night, the soldiers marched forward.
guitar
guitar
  1. n. a musical instrument with strings: She plays the guitar beautifully.
gulch
gulch
  1. n. gulches a narrow valley cut by a river: Cowboys chased cattle down a dry gulch.
gulf
gulf
  1. n.
    1 a large area of a sea or ocean surrounded on three sides by land: The Gulf of Mexico goes from Florida over to Texas and down to Mexico.
    2 a deep, wide hole in the ground,
    THESAURUS
    a chasm
    3 fig.a wide difference, esp. between opinions: There was a wide gulf between my ideas for the new plan and my manager's ideas.
gull
gull
  1. n. a type of common seabird usu. white in color with white, gray, or black wings: Sea gulls stay near the ocean.
gullet
gullet
  1. n. the tube between the throat and the stomach: A gull swallowed a fish down its gullet.
gullible
gullible
  1. adj. easily tricked,
    THESAURUS
    naive: My sister is very gullible; she believes everything I tell her. -n. gullibility.
gully
gully
  1. n. -lies a long, narrow hole in the earth: Rainwater ran off the hill into the gullies.
gulp
gulp
  1. v. [I;T] n. to swallow whole mouthfuls, usu. quickly: The thirsty man gulped (down) the water.||The bird swallowed an insect in one gulp.
gum
gum
  1. n.
    1 a sticky substance from inside a tree
    2 chewing gum: He likes to chew gum and watch TV.
    3 the pink flesh surrounding the teeth: Her gums are swollen.v. [T] gummed, gumming, gums to stick s.t. together with gum: A worker gummed the address labels on envelopes.
gumbo
gumbo
  1. n. -bos a thick soup (stew) made with okra and often meat, fish, or vegetables: I like shrimp gumbo.
gumdrop
gumdrop
  1. n. a small, sugar-coated, fruit-flavored candy: I like orange gumdrops.
gummy
gummy
  1. adj. -mier, -miest soft, usu. sticky
gumption
gumption
  1. n.
    1 common sense,
    THESAURUS
    initiative
    2 the will to do s.t. difficult, courage: She had the gumption to start her own business.
gun-shy
gun-shy
  1. adj.
    1 afraid of loud noises, such as the sound of a gunshot: My horse is gun-shy and runs when a rifle is shot.
    2 fig. fearful about certain situations: He lost money in the stock market and is gun-shy about investing again.
gun
gun
  1. n.
    1 a weapon that fires bullets or cannon shells: Hunters use guns to kill animals.
    2 any device with barrels that shoot substances: A worker used a paint gun to paint the wall.
    3 infrml. big gun: an important person: He is a big gun in city government.
    4 to go great guns: to make great progress: Our new product is going great guns.
    5 to jump the gun: to act too soon: He jumped the gun in advertising the new product, because it is not ready for market yet.
    6 to stick to one's guns: to keep one's opinion or position in spite of oppo-sition
    7 son of a gun: a. exclam. expression of surprise, gee whiz, gosh: Son of a gun, what a success! b. rascal, devil: You son of a gun, I didn't think you could win, but you did.v. [T] gunned, gunning, guns
    1 to cause an engine to run very quickly: Racers gunned the engines of their cars.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to gun s.o. or s.t. down: to shoot s.o. or s.t. with a gun, causing a fall to the ground or death: The police gunned down a criminal in the street.||They gunned him down.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to gun for s.o. or s.t.: to chase, follow,
    THESAURUS
    to pursue: She's gunning for a promotion.
    THESAURUS
    gun n.
    1 a weapon, firearm | pistol, rifle, shotgun.
gunfire
gunfire
  1. n. a shooting of guns (rifles, pistols, etc.): The sound of gunfire was heard in the hills.
gung ho
gung ho
  1. adj.infrml. very enthusiastic: He is gung ho to join the army.
gunk
gunk
  1. n.infrml. any thick, unpleasant greasy substance: The car leaked oil and made a pool of gunk on the floor.
gunman
gunman
  1. n. -men a criminal using a gun: A gunman held up the bank.
gunner
gunner
  1. n. a soldier trained to use a heavy gun: The gunners on our ship fire machine guns. -n. gunnery.
gunpoint
gunpoint
  1. n.
    1 the end of a gun
    2 at gunpoint: being forced to do s.t. by s.o. who is pointing a gun at s.o.: I was robbed at gunpoint in the city.
gunpowder
gunpowder
  1. n. a mixture of chemicals that explodes to shoot bullets and cannon shells
gunrunning
gunrunning
  1. n. illegal trade and transport of weapons -n. gunrunner.
gunshot
gunshot
  1. n.
    1 the loud sound of a gun (rifle, pistol, etc.) being fired: The po-lice heard a gunshot and ran after the criminal.
    2 the range of a gun: She fired the gun when the bear came within gunshot.
gunsmith
gunsmith
  1. n. a person who repairs and sells guns
gurgle
gurgle
  1. v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles n. (to make) a sound of bubbling liquid: The baby gurgled when she saw her father. -n. adj. gurgling.
guru
guru
  1. n.
    1 an Indian spiritual leader
    2 a leader or expert in a field or cause: She is a guru to artists from all over the world.
gush
gush
  1. v. [I;T] gushed, gushing, gushes
    1 (of liquids) to rush or flow out suddenly in large quantities: Water gushed out of the broken pipe.
    2 to show too much enthusiasm or emotion over s.t.: Everyone gushed over the new baby.n. gushes a sudden rush or flow of s.t.: a gush of oil, emotion, interest, etc. -n. adj. gushing.
gusher
gusher
  1. n. an oil well that suddenly shoots a lot of oil into the air
gushy
gushy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest emotional,
    THESAURUS
    effusive: The hostess was gushy in welcoming her guests.
gusset
gusset
  1. n. a triangular piece of cloth placed in a garment to make it stronger or bigger: a gusset on the back of a jacket
gust
gust
  1. n. a sudden strong wind: A gust of wind knocked over the sailboat. -adj. gusty.
gusto
gusto
  1. n. enthusiasm,
    THESAURUS
    zest: He ate the delicious meal with gusto.
gut
gut
  1. n.
    1 the food canal, esp. the intestines or stomach
    2 slang stomach area: He overeats and has a big gut.
    3 a strong thread, esp. used for strings of musical instruments, made from this part of ani-mals
    4 pl.infrml. guts: the intestines
    5 courage, determination: He's got guts to fight a man bigger than he is.
    6 to hate s.o.'s guts: to dislike, hate s.o. very much: I hate his guts because he crashed my new car.v. [T] gutted, gutting, guts
    1 to cut out the inside of s.t., esp. an animal,
    THESAURUS
    to eviscerate: The hunter gutted the deer.
    2 to completely empty or destroy the inside or contents of a building: The fire gutted the office building.adj.infrml. (of a reaction or fleeing) strong, often unexplained,
    THESAURUS
    intuitive: I can't explain it but I have a gut feeling that she's telling the truth.||My gut reaction to the news was one of horror.
gutless
gutless
  1. adj. having no courage, (syns.) cowardly, spineless: He's gutless and won't fight for his rights.
gutsy
gutsy
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest brave,
    THESAURUS
    courageous: She is gutsy; she defended herself against a robber.
gutter
gutter
  1. n.
    1 a low, narrow area on the side of a street, or open pipe on a roof for water to run off: Water runs along the gutter into the sewer.
    2 a lowly or poor place: He uses language of the gutter.
guttural
guttural
  1. adj. related to the throat: "Grrr" as in "growl" is a guttural sound.
guy
guy
  1. n.infrml. a man: He is a nice guy; he always helps me with my taxes.

    USAGE NOTE: In speaking informally to a group (male, female, or mixed) of two or more people, you may say, "Do you guys know what time it is?" In referring to the group, however, you may say, "I asked some guys to tell me the time," only if they were all men.
guzzle
guzzle
  1. v. [I;T] -zled, -zling, -zles to drink or eat greedily, often quickly: He guzzled all the beer at the party before he left. -n. guzzler.
gym
gym
  1. n. short for gymnasium: I'm going to the gym to play basketball.
gymnasium
gymnasium
  1. n. a large sports hall, usu. with seats for people to watch games: The college gymnasium has seats for 15,000 spectators.
    THESAURUS
    gymnasium gym, sports center | fitness center, exercise room.
gymnast
gymnast
  1. n. a person who does gymnastics: She is a gymnast on the Olympic team.
gymnastics
gymnastics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the sport of doing various acrobatic exercises to develop strength, balance, etc.: Gymnastics is his favorite sport.
gynecology
gynecology
  1. n. the branch of medicine that specializes in human females' sex organs: Her doctor studied gynecology in medical school. -n. gynecologist; -adj. gynecological.
gyp
gyp
  1. v.infrml. [T] gypped, gypping, gyps to cheat: That store gypped me by charging me too much.
    THESAURUS
    gyp to con s.o., rip s.o. off infrml.
gyrate
gyrate
  1. v. [I] -rated, -rating, -rates to move in circles around a fixed point,
    THESAURUS
    to revolve: The space rocket gyrated as it returned to earth. -n. gyration.
gyroscope
gyroscope
  1. n. a device that helps airplanes and ships to stay level
ha or hah
ha or hah
  1. exclam.
    1 used to express laughter, surprise, delight: Ha, ha, ha, that's a very funny joke!
    2 used to make fun of s.t.: Ha! What a stupid thing to say.
haberdashery
haberdashery
  1. n. [C;U] -ies a store that sells men's clothing: Harry Truman, former President of the USA, once owned a haberdashery. -n. [C] haberdasher.
habit
habit
  1. n. [C;U] a repeated behavior: He has the bad habit of lighting a cigarette every time that his telephone rings.
    THESAURUS
    habit a custom, routine, tendency.
habitable
habitable
  1. adj. fit to live in: Their old cabin in the woods is habitable but not very comfortable.
habitat
habitat
  1. n. (in biology) the area in which an animal or plant normally lives: The habitat for deer is mainly the valley, not the mountains.
habitation
habitation
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 the act of making one's home in, (syns.) inhabiting, dwelling, occupancy: The buildings in this area are in bad shape; they are unfit for human habitation.
    2 a place to live,
    THESAURUS
    a dwelling
habitual
habitual
  1. adj. done as a habit; constant: She is a habitual liar (smoker, drinker).
habituate
habituate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to make s.o. used to s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to accustom: He is habituated to eating breakfast in the morning and does not leave the house without eating it. -n. [U] habituation.
hacienda
hacienda
  1. n. (Spanish for) a large ranch or estate: Rich families in Latin America own haciendas.
hacker
hacker
  1. n.
    1 a person who plays golf or tennis poorly: She plays golf every day, but is still a hacker.
    2 a computer fanatic, often s.o. who illegally enters computer systems: He's a hacker who often stays up all night working on a project.
hackles
hackles
  1. n.pl.
    1 hairs that angry animals can raise on their necks and backs: The dog raised its hackles, growled, and attacked the robber.
    2 to raise the hackles: to make s.o. feel angry,
    THESAURUS
    to enrage: When politicians promise to lower taxes and then don't, it always raises my hackles.
hackney
hackney
  1. n. a horse-drawn carriage that one pays to ride in: We hired a hackney and rode around the park.
hackneyed
hackneyed
  1. adj. dull, uninteresting: She writes hackneyed stories for a local newspaper. See: trite.
hacksaw
hacksaw
  1. n.v. [T] a saw used to cut metal: The prisoner used a hacksaw to cut the bars of his cell.||He hacksawed through the cell's bars.
had
had
  1. weak form/ past tense & part. of have
    1 I had a good time at the party.
    2 infrml. to be had: to be victimized, taken advantage of: When the cab driver charged me 20 dollars to go one mile, I knew that I had been had.
haddock
haddock
  1. n. [C;U] an edible whitefish
hag
hag
  1. n.pej. an ugly old woman: The witch in the movie is an old hag.
haggard
haggard
  1. adj. tired and weary, (syns.) drawn, gaunt: The student looked haggard after studying all night.
haggle
haggle
  1. v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to argue about price,
    THESAURUS
    to bargain: The salesman and customer haggled over the price of a coat. -n. [C] haggler; [U] haggling.
hail
hail
  1. n. [U] rain that freezes and falls as balls of ice: Hail ruined the farmer's wheat crop.v.
    1 [T] to greet, esp. with enthusiasm: The President hailed the astronauts when they returned from space.
    2 [I] to pour down hail: It hailed this morning for a few minutes.
    3 [T] to speak loudly to get attention: Standing on the sidewalk, I hailed a passing cab.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to hail from: to come from: The cowboy hails from Texas.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to hail s.o. or s.t. as s.t.: to praise s.o. or s.t. for good qualities: He hailed his new boss as a fair woman.
hailstone
hailstone
  1. n. a ball of hail, an ice pellet: Hailstones sounded like small rocks when they fell.
hair-raising
hair-raising
  1. adj.fig. scary, (syns.) frightening, terrifying: Being trapped in an elevator was a hair-raising experience.
hair
hair
  1. n.
    1 [U] a thin, fine growth on the skin of a person or an animal: Most people have lots of hair on their heads.
    2 [C] one strand, or piece, of the growth found on the body of a person or an animal: I found a cat hair in my food.
    3 sing.a very small amount or distance: Move the picture a hair to the right.
    4 to be or get in one's hair: to annoy: That boy won't leave me alone; he's really getting in my hair.
    5 to let one's hair down: to relax, act naturally, not formally: The business executive let her hair down at the office party and was friendly with everyone.
    6 to make one's hair stand on end: to frighten: That horror movie was so scary that it made my hair stand on end.
    7 to split hairs: to disagree about very small and usu. unimportant differences,
    THESAURUS
    to quibble: He likes to argue by splitting hairs.
    THESAURUS
    hair
    1 locks, mop infrml. | beard, whiskers, moustache
    3 a whisker, sliver.
hairbrush
hairbrush
  1. n. -brushes a brush for taking care of the hair: She uses a hairbrush every morning to do her hair.
haircut
haircut
  1. n. the cutting and usu. styling of hair: I went to the barber for a haircut today.
    THESAURUS
    haircut a trim | hairdo, hairstyle, coiffure frml.
hairdo
hairdo
  1. n. -dos See: hairstyle.
hairdresser
hairdresser
  1. n. a person who cuts and styles hair: My brother works as a hairdresser in a local salon.
    THESAURUS
    hairdresser a hair stylist, stylist, barber | beautician.
hairline
hairline
  1. n. the dividing line between the hair and the face: His hairline recedes as he grows bald.adj. extremely narrow, fine: The vase has a hairline crack down its center.
hairnet
hairnet
  1. n. a netting or mesh placed over the hair: Food workers often wear hairnets.
hairpiece
hairpiece
  1. n. a covering of hair that is not one's own used to cover baldness or to make one's natural hair look thicker,
    THESAURUS
    a toupee: He wears a hairpiece to look younger than he is. See: wig.
hairpin
hairpin
  1. n. a U-shaped wire used to hold hair in place: When women began to use hair sprays, they stopped using hairpins.adj. (of a road) having a sharp curve like a hairpin: The road made several hairpin turns going up the mountain.
hairsplitting
hairsplitting
  1. n. [U] adj. arguing over small or unimportant differences,
    THESAURUS
    quibbling: He argued with me for four hours about whether we save money with our new phone company; his hairsplitting drives me crazy!
hairstyle
hairstyle
  1. n. the way that one's hair is cut and shaped: Her hairstyle is simple, but her clothing is wild! -n. hairstylist.
    THESAURUS
    hairstyle a hairdo | coiffure.
hairy
hairy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with hair: That man has a hairy chest.
    2 fig.slang difficult or dangerous: The situation got hairy when a bad storm shook the airplane from side to side. -n. [U] hairiness.
hale
hale
  1. adj.
    1 healthy,
    THESAURUS
    vigorous
    2 to feel hale and hearty: She feels hale and hearty after her long vacation.v. [T] haled, haling, hales to order s.o. to go,
    THESAURUS
    to summon: She was haled into court to tell the judge what she saw.
half-and-half
half-and-half
  1. adj. being equal parts of s.t.: I'd like my tea half-and-half, half milk and half tea.n. [U] a mixture of half milk and half cream: Put a little half-and-half in my coffee.
half-baked
half-baked
  1. adj.fig. without good judgment or common sense,
    THESAURUS
    ill-conceived: She has these half-baked ideas on how to make money.
half-hearted
half-hearted
  1. adj. without interest or energy,
    THESAURUS
    feeble: He made a half-hearted attempt at solving the problem, then gave up. -adv. halfheartedly.
half-hour
half-hour
  1. n. 30 minutes: A flight to New York leaves from Washington every half-hour.
half-mast
half-mast
  1. n.
    1 a position approx. halfway between the top and bottom of a mast or flagpole
    2 to fly at half-mast: to show respect for the dead by lowering the flag: Flags flew at half-mast when the mayor died.
half-truth
half-truth
  1. n. a statement that leaves out some facts: He told a half-truth when he said that he worked on Saturday; in reality, he worked only for one hour on Saturday morning.
half-wit
half-wit
  1. n. a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    an idiot: He must be a half-wit to suggest such a silly idea! -adj. half-witted.
half
half
  1. n. halves
    1 one of two equal parts of s.t.: I ate half a sandwich.
    2 half a loaf is better than none: part of what one wants is better than nothing: The bank gave me only a small loan, but half a loaf is better than none.
    3 to do s.t. by halves: to do s.t. halfway, incompletely: He's lazy; he always does things by halves.
    4 to go halves: to split s.t. (usu. the price) in half, to go fifty-fifty: My girlfriend and I went halves on a new TV.
half brother
half brother
  1. n. a brother with whom s.o. shares only one biological parent: My half brother and I have the same father but different mothers.
half shell
half shell
  1. n.
    1 one part of a two-part shell, usu. of an oyster, clam, mussel, etc.
    2 on the half shell: in one part of the opened shell: She likes to eat oysters on the half shell.
half sister
half sister
  1. n. a sister related through only one biological parent: My half sister usually visits her mother in New York for the holidays.
halfway
halfway
  1. adv.adj.
    1 in the middle, between two points: New York is approximately halfway between Boston and Washington, D.C.
    2 to meet s.o. halfway: to reach an agreement where each person gives up part of what he or she wanted: You want $1000 for the car, and I offered $500. I will meet you halfway; will you take $750?
    THESAURUS
    halfway adv.adj.
    1 half the distance, equidistant | in the midst of s.t. | fifty percent of s.t. adv.
    2 to compromise.
halibut
halibut
  1. n. [C;U] -but or -buts a fish of the North Pacific and Atlantic Oceans: I like the taste of halibut, but many people do not.
halitosis
halitosis
  1. n.frml. [U] bad breath: Her dentist suggested that she use a mouthwash because she has halitosis.
hall
hall
  1. n.
    1 a large room usu. used for classes, meetings, or entertainment: The concert hall was filled with people who came to see the show.
    2 a hallway: Your friend is waiting for you out in the hall.
    3 a large building where students live: What residence hall do you live in?
    THESAURUS
    hall
    1 an auditorium, meeting room | building
    2 a corridor, passageway | lobby
    3 a dormitory.
hallelujah
hallelujah
  1. exclam. used to express joy, lit. Praise be to God!: The church chorus sang "Hallelujah."||Hallelujah! I finally finished my college degree!
hallmark
hallmark
  1. n.
    1 a mark to indicate purity in silver or gold: My grandmother's gold plate has a hallmark on the bottom.
    2 a sign of excellence: A hallmark of a good tennis player is the ability to hit the ball from both sides.
hallowed
hallowed
  1. adj. holy, sacred: Many people died in battle on this hallowed ground. -v. [T] hallow.
hallucinate
hallucinate
  1. v. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to imagine unreal things, esp. scary or horrifying events: His high fever made him hallucinate last night.
hallucination
hallucination
  1. n. [C;U] unreal events imagined by s.o., esp. scary or horrifying things: She has hallucinations that demons are chasing her.
hallucinogen
hallucinogen
  1. n. a drug that causes hallucinations: The drug LSD is a strong hallucinogen. -adj. hallucinogenic.
hallway
hallway
  1. n. a passageway between rooms: That hallway goes to the president's office.
    THESAURUS
    hallway a hall, corridor.
halo
halo
  1. n. -los or -loes
    1 a circle of light around the head: Angels are often shown with halos around their heads.
    2 a halo effect: when one good action makes a person look better in a general, overall way: The President's visit to the fire victims had a halo effect, because now everyone thinks he is a kinder, better person.
halt
halt
  1. v. [I;T] to stop: The marching soldiers halted when their sergeant shouted, "Halt!"||The car halted at the traffic light.n.sing.
    1 an end
    2 to bring to a halt: to stop: The cowboy brought his horse to a halt.
    3 to put a halt to: to stop s.t. by using authority: The police put a halt to robberies in the town.
    THESAURUS
    halt v. to come to a stop, come to a standstill | wait. Ants. to start, proceed. —n.
    1 a stop, cessation.
halter
halter
  1. n.
    1 an article of women's clothing worn around the upper body and tied behind the neck, leaving the shoulders and arms bare: In summer, she wears a halter and shorts.
    2 a type of strap put on a horse's head: We put halters on horses' heads to control them.
halting
halting
  1. adj. uncertain,
    THESAURUS
    hesitant: He spoke in a halting way, as if he wasn't sure what to say. -adv. haltingly.
halve
halve
  1. v. [T] halved, halving, halves
    1 to cut in half: He halved the apple with a knife.
    2 to make smaller by half: The boss halved the budget for this year.
    THESAURUS
    halve
    1 to cut s.t. in two, divide equally, split in half | bisect
    2 to reduce by fifty percent.
halves
halves
  1. n.pl. of half
ham
ham
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the meat of a pig, usu. from the thigh: I would like a sandwich of sliced ham with cheese.
    2 [C] s.o. who overacts or draws attention to himself or herself in a funny way: My daughter would make a good comedian; she's such a ham!v. [T] hammed, hamming, hams to ham it up: to make s.t. funny by overdoing or exaggerating it: You should see him pretend he's the teacher; he really hams it up!
hamlet
hamlet
  1. n. a little village: We drove through hamlets in the German countryside.
hammer
hammer
  1. n. a tool with a handle and metal head used for pounding: Carpenters use a hammer to pound nails.v.
    1 [I;T] to strike with a hammer: He hammered nails into the plywood.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hammer s.t. home: to say something over and over, in different ways: The speaker hammered home her point by giving us many different facts that showed she was right.||She hammered it home.
    THESAURUS
    hammer n. a mallet, sledgehammer. v.
    1 to pound s.t., bang, beat.
hammock
hammock
  1. n. a net or strong material that is hung between two poles or trees and used for sleeping: After lunch, she likes to nap in her hammock in the yard.
hamper
hamper
  1. v. [T] to make s.t. hard to do,
    THESAURUS
    to hinder: Rescue work was hampered by heavy rains.
hamster
hamster
  1. n. a small animal in the mouse family that some people keep as a pet: My hamster likes to eat carrots.
hamstring
hamstring
  1. n. a large tendon at the back of the knee —v. [T] -strung , -stringing, -strings
    1 to cut the hamstring tendon and prevent from walking (usu. a horse)
    2 fig. to make s.t. hard to do,
    THESAURUS
    to impede: The student president tried to hamstring the school senate, because she didn't agree with its decision.||The senate was hamstrung by the president's refusal to help.
hand-me-down
hand-me-down
  1. n.adj. a used article, esp. of clothing, given to another person: The youngest boy in a big family usually wears hand-me-downs from his older brothers.||He wears hand-me-down clothes.
hand-to-hand
hand-to-hand
  1. adj. involving close body contact, usu. in battle: Soldiers were fighting in hand-to-hand combat with fists and knives.
hand
hand
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] one of two parts of the human body below the wrist made up of four fingers, a palm, and a thumb: I write with my left hand.
    2 [C] a pointer, as on a dial or clock: On a watch, when the little hand is on 11 and the big hand is on 12, the time is 11 o'clock.
    3 [U] a promise, esp. in marriage or business: She gave her hand in marriage to a wonderful man.
    4 [C] one play in a game of cards: We played a few hands of cards (poker, bridge, etc.), then went home.
    5 [C] the cards that one is dealt in a game of cards
    6 [C] an ordinary worker: The farmer hires field hands to pick corn.
    7 [U] handwriting: She is 90 years old, but still writes in a clear hand.
    8 all hands: all members of a group, esp. a ship's crew: All hands on deck!
    9 at hand: ready to use,
    THESAURUS
    nearby: He keeps a radio close at hand to listen to the news.
    10 at the hands of: done by s.o.: A poor old man died at the hands of a robber, who stabbed him.
    11 by hand: done by hand: He washes his car by hand.
    12 clean hands: free of guilt, blameless: The police chief has clean hands even though some of the police officers are dishonest.
    13 hand in hand or in glove: closely connected: A good education goes hand in hand with getting a good job.
    14 hand over fist: quickly and in large amounts (handfuls): He is making money hand over fist in his new business.
    15 hand over hand: using one hand after the other hand to hold s.t.: She climbed up the rope hand over hand.
    16 Hands up!: to surrender by putting one's hands in the air: Police caught the thief and shouted,"Hands up or we will shoot!"
    17 hand to mouth: when one spends all of one's pay just on necessities with nothing left for fun: She lives hand to mouth; all of her salary goes to pay for food and rent.
    18 off one's hands: to be free of a responsibility or problem: I have too much work to do; could you take some of it off my hands?
    19 on hand: a. taking part in some activity, to be present: Thirty guests were on hand to sing "Happy Birthday" at my birthday party. b. (to have) available,
    THESAURUS
    in stock: The store has plenty of merchandise on hand for the holiday sale.
    20 on the one hand . . . on the other hand: viewed one way, then another way: On the one hand, he is very intelligent, but on the other hand, he does not work very hard.
    21 One hand washes the other: cooperation benefits both parties: The owner is very good to her employees and, as one hand washes the other, they work hard for her.
    22 out of hand: a. immediately, without thinking about s.t.: He said,"No!" out of hand to my offer. b. out of control,
    THESAURUS
    disorderly: The kids were so noisy that order in the classroom got out of hand.
    23 to bite the hand that feeds you: to do wrong to s.o. you depend on for your life's basic necessities: She is hateful to her boss, and she is biting the hand that feeds her.
    24 to give s.o. a hand: a. to help,
    THESAURUS
    to give assistance: Let me give you a hand with your bags. b. applause, clapping: The audience gave the singer a big hand.
    25 to have a hand in: to have a role or part: His wife had a hand in starting his business.
    26 to have in hand: a. to control: Students rioted, but the police now have the situation in hand. b. to own,
    THESAURUS
    to possess: The store has the art pieces in hand and will sell them.
    27 to have one's hands full: to have too much to do, (syns.) to be overburdened, overwhelmed: She has her hands full with three unruly children to take care of.
    28 to keep one's hand in: to stay active in s.t., esp. in a former job or skill: The owner left the company, but still keeps her hand in by visiting once a month.
    29 to throw up one's hands: to give up in frustration: He tried to fix the motor, but threw up his hands and walked away.
    30 upper hand: power over s.o: She has the upper hand with her husband, because she will leave him unless he does what she wants.
    31 with a heavy hand: with hard demands, insensitively: He runs the company with a heavy hand and simply fires anyone who disagrees with him.
    THESAURUS
    hand n.
    1 a fist
    3 a pledge
    4 a round | turn. —v.
    1 [T] to give s.t. to s.o. with your hands, to pass, transfer: I handed the contract to my lawyer.||The thief handed the stolen jewels over to the police.
    2 infrml. [T] to hand it to s.o.: to admire, praise: I have to hand it to him; he's done a wonderful job!
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hand s.t. down: a. (in law) to announce, declare: The judge handed down her decision yesterday.||She handed it down. b. to transfer to one's children or other heirs upon one's death: His parents handed down a big house and land to their son.||They handed it down to him.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hand s.t. in: to submit, present: The student handed in her term paper right on time.||She handed it in.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hand s.t. on: to give s.t. to s.o. else: When you're finished, please hand on this memo.||Hand it on.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hand s.t. out: to give out,
    THESAURUS
    to distribute: A person handed out free samples of a "new cigarette on a street corner.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hand s.o. or s.t. over: to turn in, surrender: A criminal handed over his pistol to the police officer.||He handed it over.suffix related to the hand(s): She is left-handed.
    THESAURUS
    hand v.
    1 to deliver s.t., pass, turn over s.t. to s.o.
hand basket
hand basket
  1. n.
    1 a basket, usu. woven, used to carry small things: We filled a hand basket with soda and sandwiches for a picnic.
    2 to go to hell in a hand basket: to fall apart rapidly: After the owner died, that company went to hell in a hand basket.
handbag
handbag
  1. n.
    1 a woman's purse: She carries her handbag wherever she goes.
    2 a small carrying case
    THESAURUS
    handbag
    1 a pocketbook, shoulder bag, evening bag.
handball
handball
  1. n. [U] a game in which players hit a ball off the wall, using their hands: In handball, you try to hit the ball in a way that makes it hard for your opponent to return it.
handbook
handbook
  1. n. a manual of information: The Boy Scout Handbook is sold in many countries.
handcraft
handcraft
  1. v. to make by hand, not machine: We handcrafted everything in the store, including the candles, the pottery, and the holiday decorations. See: handicraft.
handcuff
handcuff
  1. n.v. [T] a short chain with round rings on each end that open and close around a prisoner's hand; used to hold a prisoner's hands together: A policeman put handcuffs on a criminal. He handcuffed him.
handful
handful
  1. n.
    1 an amount of s.t. held in the hand: I ate a handful of popcorn at the movies.
    2 fig. a difficult person: That child is a handful; he screams all day long!
    3 fig. a small number of s.t.: Only a handful of people attended the concert.
handgun
handgun
  1. n. a pistol: Police officers usually carry handguns.
handhold
handhold
  1. n. a strong hold,
    THESAURUS
    a grip: The climber got a handhold on a rock and pulled herself up.
handicap
handicap
  1. n.
    1 a disability: He lost a leg in an accident and now has a handicap.
    2 (in horse racing, golf) a calculation made to give each player a chance to win: He has a low handicap in golf because he is such a good player.v. [T] -capped, -capping, -caps
    1 to cause a disability: A bad accident handicapped him for life.
    2 to calculate handicaps in sports: He handicaps the horseraces. -adj. handicapped; -n. handicapper.
    THESAURUS
    handicap n.
    1 a physical or mental impairment, chronic disorder, challenge. —v.
    1 to disable, impair.
handicraft
handicraft
  1. n.
    1 skilled work with the hands: My grandmother does handicrafts.
    2 objects made with skill by hand: Some of the handicrafts that she makes are woven baskets and holiday decorations.
handily
handily
  1. adv. easily,
    THESAURUS
    effortlessly: She won the tennis match handily.
handiwork
handiwork
  1. n. [U]
    1 work done by hand: The boy built a doghouse and asked his father to come see his handiwork.
    2 s.t. done or made by s.o.: Who made such a mess? It must be the cat's handiwork!
handkerchief
handkerchief
  1. n. a square of cloth usu. used for cleaning the nose or mouth: He wiped his nose with a handkerchief.
    THESAURUS
    handkerchief a hankie | tissue.
handknit
handknit
  1. v. [I;T] -knit or -knitted, -knitting, -knits to knit by hand: She handknits sweaters for her children.adj. referring to s.t. knit by hand: That sweater is handknit. See: knit.
handle
handle
  1. n. a part on an object used to pick it up or open it: I took hold of the knife handle and cut the meat.||I pulled the handle and opened the refrigerator door.v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 to take in one's hands: Workers handle objects in the museum very carefully.
    2 to take care of s.t.: I will handle some business, then go home early today.||She handles all of the billing for the law firm.
    3 infrml. to get a handle on s.t.: to gain control or understanding of s.t.: I have to get a handle on the problem before I can do anything about it.
    THESAURUS
    handle n. a knob, grip, shaft. —v.
    1 to touch, grasp, hold
    2 to deal with, manage.
handler
handler
  1. n. a trainer, esp. of animals: The handler of elephants in the circus is highly skilled.
handmade
handmade
  1. adj. fashioned by hand: Those sweaters are handmade from the best materials.
handout
handout
  1. n.
    1 information given out on paper, usu. informally, such as a flyer or photocopy: The professor gave the class handouts that explained the homework.
    2 s.t. given free,
    THESAURUS
    charity: The beggar on the corner receives handouts of money from people who walk by him.
handpick
handpick
  1. v. [T]
    1 to gather by hand: Raspberries are handpicked.
    2 fig. to choose with great care: The manager handpicked each member of the special research team. -adj. handpicked.
handrail
handrail
  1. n. a railing held on to by people for support: Be sure to hold the handrail when you come down the stairs.
hands-off
hands-off
  1. adj. left alone, not to be touched: The mayor told the police to have a hands-off policy toward beggars; in other words, not to arrest them.
hands-on
hands-on
  1. adj. active in the day-to-day work of a job or activity: He is a hands-on manager; he pays close attention to every part of his business.
handshake
handshake
  1. n. a way people greet or leave each other, or agree on a decision, by grasping each other's hand: The two men greeted each other with a handshake.
handsome
handsome
  1. adj.
    1 good-looking, attractive (usu. of a man): He is a handsome man, tall and slim.
    2 (of things) large: She was paid a handsome price for her jewels. -adv. handsomely.
    THESAURUS
    handsome
    1 fine-looking, elegant | gorgeous. Ant. ugly.
    2 generous, ample, considerable. Ants. skimpy, frugal.

    USAGE NOTE: While many male movie stars are described as handsome, female stars are usually called beautiful or pretty. People who are handsome, beautiful, or pretty may also be called good-looking. The word attractive may be used to describe anyone who looks nice, but not beautiful: I wouldn't say she's pretty, but she's a very attractive person. Cute is often used to describe children or animals, but may also describe an adult whose face has a child-like quality: Is he handsome? Well, not really, but he's cute.
handstand
handstand
  1. n. a movement in which one places one's hands on the ground and feet up in the air: He does a handstand every morning as part of his exercises.
handwoven
handwoven
  1. adj. woven by hand: He sells small, handwoven rugs.
handwriting
handwriting
  1. n. [U] writing produced by hand (rather than by machine): She has very clear handwriting.
handwritten
handwritten
  1. adj. written by hand: She sent a handwritten note of thanks to her boss.
handy
handy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 close at hand, ready for use: He keeps his tools handy in a toolbox.
    2 infrml. good at fixing or making things: My sister is handy; she always fixes broken things in her house.
    3 to come in handy: to be useful: A map sure would come in handy right now; I'm lost!
handyman
handyman
  1. n. -men s.o. who knows how to fix many things: We called the handyman to fix our broken fence.
hang-up
hang-up
  1. n.infrml. s.t. that a person finds very difficult, usu. for emotional reasons: He has a hang-up about flying; he would rather drive hundreds of miles than get into a plane.
hang
hang
  1. v. hung , hanging, hangs
    1 [I;T] to attach s.t. from the top: I hang my clothes in the closet every night.
    2 [I;T] to swing while attached from above: Wires are hanging loose from telephone poles after the storm.
    3 [I;T] to put on a wall or window: A worker hung new wallpaper on the living room wall.||I am hanging new curtains on the windows.
    4 past hanged: to put a rope around the neck to kill s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to execute: The authorities hanged a murderer.
    5 [I;T] to stay in one place,
    THESAURUS
    to float: Smoke hangs in the air in most barrooms.
    6 to hang around: a. to attach,
    THESAURUS
    to drape: A pearl necklace hangs around her neck. b. fig. to spend time doing nothing, (syns.) to loiter, idle: He hangs around the street corner every evening.
    7 to hang back: to be slow to decide or act, (syns.) to hesitate, remain cautious: She does not make decisions quickly, but hangs back before deciding.
    8 to hang in the balance: to be uncertain about an important situation that must be decided,
    THESAURUS
    to be at stake: Can the doctor save the sick woman? Her life hangs in the balance.
    9 infrml. to hang in there: to keep going in a difficult situation,
    THESAURUS
    to persist: My business is very slow, but I'm hanging in there, hoping it will improve.
    10 infrml. to hang loose: to relax in a tense situation: The company will come out of its slow period, so you should hang loose and stop looking for another job.
    11 phrasal v. [I] to hang on: to wait: Hang on a minute while I change my shoes.
    12 phrasal v. [I] to hang on (to): to hold tightly, (syns.) to clutch, grasp: The swimmer hung on to the rope and was pulled to safety.||Hang on! This road is really bumpy!
    13 phrasal v. insep. [T] to hang onto s.o. or s.t.: to (try to) keep: She wants to sell their old car, but her husband wants to hang onto it.
    14 to hang out: infrml. to spend time with others informally: He hangs out at the local bar in the evening.
    15 to hang s.o. or s.t. up: a. to attach s.t. from the top,
    THESAURUS
    to suspend: He hung his coat up on a hook. b. to stop or delay s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to obstruct: The owner will simply not decide on the budget, so he's hung up the entire project.
    16 to hang up: to put down the telephone to end a conversation: He said good-bye and hung up.||She was angry yesterday and hung up on me.
    17 to leave s.o. hanging: to leave s.o. waiting for an answer: She promised to marry him but would not set a date, so she left him hanging.n. [U]
    1 the way in which s.t., esp. clothes hangs: The hang of that skirt is loose and comfortable.
    2 slang to get the hang of s.t.: to understand, be able to do: It took me a while to get the hang of how to do word processing.
    THESAURUS
    hang v.
    1 to put on a hanger or hook, suspend
    2 to dangle, droop
    3 to put s.t. up.
hang gliding
hang gliding
  1. n. [U] the sport in which a person flies through the air attached to a large set of wings: She loves the thrill of hang gliding. -n. [C] hang glider.
hangar
hangar
  1. n. a large, covered area for airplanes: The planes in the hangar are being repaired.
hanger-on
hanger-on
  1. n. hangers-on s.o. who stays around a group that he or she is not part of: He is one of the hangers-on around the university; he wants people to think he belongs here.
hanger
hanger
  1. n. a device used to suspend clothes from: She keeps her suits on hangers in the closet.
hanging
hanging
  1. adj. suspended, dangling: apples hanging from an apple treen. [C;U] a way of killing by suspending a person from the neck with a rope: Hanging was a commonly used method of putting people to death in the 1800s.
hangout
hangout
  1. n. a place where people gather informally to talk, drink, and eat: The café on Main Street has become a hangout for basketball players.
hangover
hangover
  1. n. headache and sickness from drinking too much alcohol: The morning after the party, she woke up with a bad hangover.
hanker
hanker
  1. v.infrml. [T] to desire,
    THESAURUS
    to crave: Europeans in America often hanker for a good cup of coffee. -n. hankering.
hankie
hankie
  1. n.infrml. a handkerchief: She keeps a hankie in her purse.
hanky-panky
hanky-panky
  1. n. [U] dishonest behavior, usu. related to sex or corruption: All sorts of hanky-panky are going on in that company.
haphazard
haphazard
  1. adj. by chance, without planning: He works in such a haphazard way that no one can figure out what he has done. -adv. haphazardly.
hapless
hapless
  1. adj.frml. unlucky,
    THESAURUS
    unfortunate: He drowned in a hapless way, with no one near to help.
happen
happen
  1. v.
    1 [I] to take place: The accident happened this morning.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to happen on or upon s.o. or s.t.: to see or discover s.t. by chance: We happened upon the accident on our way to work.
    THESAURUS
    happen
    1 to occur, come about, transpire frml.
    2 to come upon s.t., stumble upon s.t.
happening
happening
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that happens, an event
    2 an informal or improvised performance or event: The musicians had a happening at a friend's house by playing music together for fun.
happenstance
happenstance
  1. n. [U] a chance occurrence: It was just happenstance that I saw her at the party; I didn't know she would be there.
happiness
happiness
  1. n. [U]
    1 a state of contentment: The U.S. Constitution guarantees people the right to pursue happiness.
    2 delight, joy: Their wedding was a time of true happiness for both of them.
    THESAURUS
    happiness
    1 satisfaction, tranquility
    2 bliss, gladness, merriment. Ant. unhappiness.
happy-go-lucky
happy-go-lucky
  1. adj. carefree, easygoing: He's a happy-go-lucky guy, always relaxed and cheerful.
happy
happy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest
    1 joyful: His birthday party was a happy occasion.
    2 pleased: I am happy to meet you. -adv. happily.
    THESAURUS
    happy
    1 cheerful, joyous, jovial | ecstatic. Ant. unhappy.
    2 delighted, gratified.

    USAGE NOTE: A happy person is positive, light-hearted, and good-humored: I'm really happy in my new job; it's just what I wanted. If you accept things without complaint and don't wish for what you don't have, you are content: Some people look for excitement, but my parents are content to stay at home and read. Glad describes how we feel about s.t. specific: I'm glad I brought my umbrella.||I'm very glad to meet you. The words ecstatic and overjoyed both describe extreme happiness: He was ecstatic when he won the lottery.||They were overjoyed by the birth of their first grandchild.
happy hour
happy hour
  1. n. one or more hours between 4:00 and 7:00 P.M. in which people get together and drink alcoholic beverages at a lower price than usual
harangue
harangue
  1. n.v. [T] -rangued, -ranguing, -rangues a long, loud speech,
    THESAURUS
    a tirade: A candidate for mayor harangued his opponent about governmental injustice.
harass
harass
  1. v. [T] to criticize or attack s.o. again and again,
    THESAURUS
    to badger: She harassed me for days about the mistake I made. -n. [U] harassment.
harbinger
harbinger
  1. n.frml. s.t. that announces the beginning,
    THESAURUS
    a messenger, forerunner: Warm weather is a harbinger of spring.
harbor
harbor
  1. n. a port: Ships sail into the harbor at night.v. [T]
    1 to hide s.o. in order to protect him or her: She harbored a criminal in her house to hide him from the police.
    2 to harbor a grudge: to hold a bad feeling about s.o.: She harbored a grudge against the authorities for putting him in jail.
    THESAURUS
    harbor n. an anchorage. —v.
    1 to conceal, shelter.
hard-bitten
hard-bitten
  1. adj. tough, determined: She is a hard-bitten fighter against crime.
hard-boiled
hard-boiled
  1. adj.
    1 (said of eggs) cooked solid: We take hard-boiled eggs on picnics.
    2 fig. tough, unsentimental: He is a hard-boiled police officer.
hard-hitting
hard-hitting
  1. adj. very effective, forceful: The journalist wrote a hard-hitting article against government bureaucracy.
hard-line
hard-line
  1. adj. following rules or dogma exactly: She is a hard-line socialist from the old school. -n. hard-liner.
hard-nosed
hard-nosed
  1. adj. tough, resistant to pressure: He is a hard-nosed police captain who allows no joking among his officers.
hard-working
hard-working
  1. adj. diligent, industrious: She is a hard-working employee.
hard
hard
  1. adj.
    1 firm, solid: The surface of stone is hard and cold.
    2 difficult: Poverty is a hard problem to solve.
    3 true, unquestionable: The hard fact of the case is that a murder was committed.
    4 of s.o. who requires people to work a lot but shows them little kindness: The officer is a hard man on his troops.
    5 joyless: She has led a hard life on a small farm.
    6 hard and fast: unbreakable: We have a hard and fast rule that no one may smoke in this office.
    7 hard as nails: an uncompromising, demanding person: That drill sergeant is as hard as nails.
    8 hard luck: bad luck: She had hard luck when she lost her job and then her house burned down.||She told a hard luck story about her situation.
    9 hard of hearing: deaf, a hearing loss: The old man is hard of hearing.
    10 hard times: when a person or an economy is not doing well: Many people are jobless in these hard times.
    11 hard to take: difficult to believe or accept: The news of her death is very hard to take.
    12 hard up: to be without money: He lost everything in a flood and is hard up now.
    13 hard water: water containing minerals
    14 to be hard at it: working: He started fixing the roof this morning and has been hard at it all day.
    15 to be hard on: a. to treat harshly or severely: Don't be too hard on him; he didn't know any better. b. to be especially difficult or unpleasant for: The cold weather was hard on the elderly.
    16 to do things the hard way: to make things more difficult than they need to be: Why are you retyping your paper instead of just correcting your mistakes? Do you always do things the hard way?
    17 to drive a hard bargain: to insist on an agreement that meets one's demands: He always wants lower prices; he drives a hard bargain on everything he buys.
    18 to have hard feelings or no hard feelings: anger, bad feelings,
    THESAURUS
    resentment: If you decide not to buy my product, I will have no hard feelings toward you.
    19 to play hard to get: to refuse to respond to flirting or attention: I have asked her for a date often, but she plays hard to get.
    20 to take a hard line: to follow rules exactly: Congress wanted to increase spending, but the President took a hard line and said, "No."
    21 to take a hard look: to examine closely and critically: The top manager took a hard look at the company's budget to see where she could cut costs.adv.
    1 with much effort: She works hard every day.
    2 with great force, a large amount: It was snowing hard last night, and now there are 13 inches of snow on the ground.
    3 to be hard put: not to know, to be unable to answer: That question is difficult, and I am hard put to give you an answer.
    THESAURUS
    hard adj.
    1 rigid, inflexible, stiff. Ant. soft.
    2 complicated, tough, daunting, thorny. Ant.
    THESAURUS
    easy.
    3 undeniable, irrefutable
    4 rough, severe
    5 harsh, austere.
hard copy
hard copy
  1. n. copies a printed copy of computerized or spoken material: After I edited the report on my computer screen, I printed a hard copy of it.
hard drive
hard drive
  1. n. (in computers) a disk drive and disk that can store a lot of information
hard hat
hard hat
  1. -n.
    1 in USA, a helmet worn by construction workers to keep them from being hurt
    2 fig. a construction worker _adj. n.fig. having conservative values, esp. patriotism: Hard hats place an American flag atop skyscrapers after they finish building them.
hard rock
hard rock
  1. n. [U] loud, driving rock music: I prefer hard rock to soft rock. See: rock and roll.
hard sell
hard sell
  1. n. high-pressure salesmanship: That car dealership gives everyone the hard sell by making you feel you've made a mistake if you don't buy a car.
hardball
hardball
  1. n. [U]
    1 (in U.S. sports) baseball (versus softball)
    2 to play hardball: to act to destroy an opponent: Our competitor is playing hardball by lowering his prices below ours and advertising widely.
hardcover
hardcover
  1. n.adj. a book bound with a stiff cover: Hardcover books cost more than paperbacks but last longer.||I bought the hardcover.
harden
harden
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make hard, firm: To fix a broken vase, first use glue, then hold the vase together until the glue hardens.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to harden s.o. to s.t.: to toughen mentally: Difficulties, like having little money, only hardened her desire to succeed. -n. hardener.
    THESAURUS
    harden
    1 to set, solidify. Ant. to soften. hard hat n.
    1 in USA, a helmet worn by con-struction workers to keep them from being hurt
    2 fig. a construction worker —adj.n.fig. having conservative val-ues, esp. patriotism: Hard hats place an American flag atop skyscrapers after they finish building them.
hardheaded
hardheaded
  1. adj. tough-minded,
    THESAURUS
    stubborn: The boss is hardheaded about office policies; she will not change the rules for anyone. -n. hardhead.
hardhearted
hardhearted
  1. adj. without feelings of kindness, (syns.) insensitive, cruel: He is a hardhearted man who won't even help his own parents.
hardly
hardly
  1. adv.
    1 almost no, (syns.) scarcely, barely: We have hardly any money left.
    2 most certainly not: He's so stupid; I hardly think I'll want to talk with him!
hardness
hardness
  1. n.
    1 firmness: The hardness of oak wood makes it a good choice for floors.
    2 harshness, grimness: The hardness of life in the desert is well-known.
hardship
hardship
  1. n. [C;U] difficulty related to one's living conditions: He suffered financial hardship after he lost his job.
hardware
hardware
  1. n. [U]
    1 tools and small building supplies (not wood): She bought some hardware at a store.
    2 machines, esp. computer equipment: That store sells computer hardware, such as PCs, printers, and modems. See: software.
hardwood
hardwood
  1. n. [U] adj. wood, such as oak, maple, or apple, with a hard surface and texture (versus softwoods like pine): We have hardwood oak floors in our house.
hardy
hardy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest strong, able to survive bad weather, illness, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    robust: New Englanders are a hardy people; their winters can be very cold. -n. [U] hardiness.
hare
hare
  1. n. hares or hare an animal that is very similar to a rabbit, but larger: Hares run rapidly through the fields.
harebrained
harebrained
  1. adj. stupid, foolish: He has these harebrained ideas for getting rich that always fail.
harelip
harelip
  1. n. a split upper lip: The child was born with a birth defect, a harelip.
harem
harem
  1. n.
    1 (in Muslim culture) a part of a house reserved for women, where men are not allowed: Traditional Muslim households have harems, where men cannot enter.
    2 (popular) a group of women associated with one man: Romantic stories often involve adventure and harems.
hark
hark
  1. v.frml. [I]
    1 to listen: "Hark, I hear the sound of horses," shouted a castle guard.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to hark back to s.t.: to refer to things which happened in the past: The priest's sermon harked back to biblical days.
harken
harken
  1. var. of hearken
harlequin
harlequin
  1. n. a type of clown: The harlequin is dressed in a costume with black diamond shapes on a white surface.
harlot
harlot
  1. n. a woman who trades sex for money,
    THESAURUS
    prostitute
harm
harm
  1. n. [U] hurt: No harm came to the girl as she crossed a busy highway.v. [T] to injure, or damage: A speeding car could harm her.
    THESAURUS
    harm n. injury, damage, misfortune | abuse. —v. to hurt, wound | mistreat, abuse.
harmful
harmful
  1. adj. causing hurt or damage: Smoking cigarettes can be harmful to your health. -adv. harmfully.
    THESAURUS
    harmful bad, damaging, hurtful | toxic, poisonous. Ant. harmless.
harmless
harmless
  1. adj. not harmful,
    THESAURUS
    benign: Don't be afraid; that snake is harmless. -adv. harmlessly.
harmonica
harmonica
  1. n. a musical instrument played with the mouth,
    THESAURUS
    a mouth organ: He plays the harmonica in a country band.
harmonious
harmonious
  1. adj.
    1 (in music) having harmony: That music is harmonious and pleasant to listen to.
    2 in agreement, working well together: The departments within the company have a harmonious relationship. -adv. harmoniously.
harmonize
harmonize
  1. v. -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 [I] (in music) to play or sing in harmony: Our school's choral group loves to harmonize.
    2 [I;T] to blend together well: She dresses beautifully and harmonizes her colors well.
harmony
harmony
  1. n. -nies
    1 [C;U] (in music) the art and science of relationships among musical sounds: In her course in harmony, she learned how a Beethoven symphony works.
    2 [U] peaceful cooperation,
    THESAURUS
    accord: Harmony among the races exists throughout most of this city.
harness
harness
  1. n. -nesses straps and a collar that horses and other animals wear to pull loads: I put the harness on the horse so he can pull the wagon.v. [T]
    1 to put a harness on an animal: Napoleon's army harnessed horses to pull cannon and supplies.
    2 to capture the power of s.t.: When we built a dam across the river, we harnessed the river's power to produce electricity.
harp
harp
  1. n. a musical instrument with 46 strings going from top to bottom in a frame and played with the fingers: She plays the harp in a symphony orchestra.phrasal v. insep. [T] to harp on or about s.t.: to talk about continually, in a way that annoys others: He keeps harping on how much money he has lost. -n. harpist.
harpoon
harpoon
  1. n.v. [T] a type of spear thrown by hand or shot from a cannon to kill fish and whales: A sailor threw a harpoon at a whale.||He harpooned it.
harpsichord
harpsichord
  1. n. a musical instrument like a piano, whose strings are pulled rather than pushed
harrow
harrow
  1. n. a farming tool with spikes used to make the ground smooth after it has been plowed —v. [T] to use a harrow: The farmer harrowed his fields after he plowed them.
harrowing
harrowing
  1. adj. extremely upsetting: We ran into a bad storm at sea, and it was a harrowing experience.
harry
harry
  1. v. [T] -ried, -rying, -ries to upset by constant attacks,
    THESAURUS
    to harass: Fighter planes harried ground troops with continuous attacks. -adj. harried.
harsh
harsh
  1. adj.
    1 causing pain or irritation: The soap is too harsh for my skin.
    2 severe: Winter in the Arctic is harsh.||The punishment was too harsh for such a young child. -adv. harshly; -n. [U] harshness.
harvest
harvest
  1. v. [T] to gather crops: We harvest corn in the early autumn.n. the gathering of crops: This year's harvest was a very good one; we picked hundreds of oranges. -n. harvester.
    THESAURUS
    harvest v. to pick, collect, reap. —n. a crop, yield, output.
has-been
has-been
  1. n. a person who was, but is not now, successful: He was a top manager in banking, but is a has-been now.
has
has
  1. weak form v. third person singular, present tense of have: He has lots of money.
hash
hash
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 chopped-up potatoes and meat, usu. beef: I enjoy eating some corned beef hash once in a while.
    2 infrml. the drug hashish
    3 to make a hash of: to make a situation complicated and messy: He has made a hash of that project.v.infrml.fig. -es
    1 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hash s.t. over: to discuss, talk about: We sat down and hashed over what we need to do.|| We hashed it over.
    2 to hash things out: to discuss all sides of a problem until a solution is found: We met for hours and finally hashed things out.
hash browns
hash browns
  1. n.pl. chopped, fried potatoes: He likes fried eggs with hash browns for breakfast.
hashish
hashish
  1. n. [U] a narcotic drug made from marijuana plants: The authorities put her in jail for smoking hashish.
hassle
hassle
  1. n.infrml. an unpleasant task or chore that is harder than it should be: Her car broke down in the country, and getting it fixed was a big hassle.v. [T] -sled, -sling, -sles to annoy, give s.o. a hard time: An employee of the bank hassled me about correcting an error in my account.
haste
haste
  1. n. [U]
    1 speed,
    THESAURUS
    rapidity: He left in haste to catch a train.
    2 the act of going too fast,
    THESAURUS
    recklessness: He made that decision in haste and now wishes he could change it.
    3 frml. to make haste: to move rapidly: We have to make haste if we are going to catch the train.
hasten
hasten
  1. v. [I] to move or act quickly: His mother said she is ill, so he hastened to her house to help.
hasty
hasty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest too fast, done without thought,
    THESAURUS
    reckless: He made a hasty decision about investing his money and lost thousands of dollars. -adv. hastily.
hat
hat
  1. n.
    1 a head covering: He wears a warm hat in wintertime.
    2 to keep s.t. under one's hat: to keep s.t. secret: Keep this under your hat; don't tell the boss, but I am looking for a new job.
    3 to pass the hat: to collect money: When Sara left the company, we all passed the hat and collected some money for a going-away present.
    4 to take one's hat off: to praise, admire: I take my hat off to her; she has done a wonderful job.
    5 to talk through one's hat: to speak in a stupid way: He doesn't know what he's talking about; he's talking through his hat.
    6 to toss one's hat in the ring: to enter a contest: A local businessman tossed his hat in the ring to run for election.
    THESAURUS
    hat
    1 a cap | headgear, hood.
hatch
hatch
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] (birds, chickens) to bring a bird's eggs to life by sitting on them: The hen hatched three eggs this week.
    2 [I;T] to come out of an egg: Four chicks hatched yesterday.
    3 [T] fig. to create,
    THESAURUS
    to conceive (an idea): He hatched a plan to get more business.n. -es a door that opens by going up, esp. on boats: A sailor opened a hatch and climbed onto the deck.
hatchback
hatchback
  1. n. a small car with a back door that swings up: We bought a hatchback because it is so easy to put things in the back.
hatcheck
hatcheck
  1. n.adj. a room for coats in a restaurant or public hall: I left my hat and coat at the hatcheck and sat down in the restaurant.||The hatcheck girl gave me a ticket for my coat.
hatchet
hatchet
  1. n. a small ax: I use a hatchet to chop wood for the fire.
    THESAURUS
    hatchet a short-handled ax, tomahawk.
hatchway
hatchway
  1. n.
    1 an opening with a hatchdoor: I opened the hatchway and climbed on deck.
    2 a passageway leading to a hatch
hate
hate
  1. v. [T] hated, hating, hates to dislike strongly, to loathe: The two peoples have hated each other since the war began.n. [U] a feeling of strong dislike,
    THESAURUS
    loathing: Hate between two men can lead to murder.
    THESAURUS
    hate v. to detest, despise, abhor. Ant. to love. —n. hatred, contempt, animosity. Ant. love.
hateful
hateful
  1. adj. causing strong dislike,
    THESAURUS
    odious: She has a hateful attitude toward anyone who disagrees with her. -adv. hatefully.
hatemonger
hatemonger
  1. n. a person who creates and spreads hate: Hate-mongers are often racists, too.
hatred
hatred
  1. n. [U] hate,
    THESAURUS
    loathing: The couple lived with feelings of hatred for many years before getting a divorce.
haughty
haughty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest proud in a snobbish way,
    THESAURUS
    arrogant: That rich, haughty woman thinks she is better than everyone else. -n. [U] haughtiness; -adv. haughtily.
haul
haul
  1. v. [I;T] to carry a load: Trucks haul sand to build a new road.n. distance: It is a long haul between Chicago and San Francisco.
    THESAURUS
    haul v. to transport s.t., tow | drag, pull. —n. way.
haunches
haunches
  1. n.pl. the buttocks of an animal: The lion sat on its haunches and looked around.
haunt
haunt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to visit in a ghostly form: When a ghost haunts a house, strange things can happen.
    2 to think about continually and be bothered by continually: He is haunted by his son's death.n. a favorite place, hangout: When she is home from college, she likes to visit her old haunts, such as restaurants and movie houses. -adj. haunted; haunting.
haute cuisine
haute cuisine
  1. n. [U] the very best cooking, esp. French: That restaurant serves only haute cuisine.
have-not
have-not
  1. n.
    1 a person with little or no money
    2 pl. the poor as a social class: The have-nots usually vote for the Democrats.
have
have
  1. weak form/ ; before "to" v. [T] had weak form / , having , has weak form / ; before "to" /
    THESAURUS
    1 (syns.) to own, possess frml.: I (syns.) to be sick with, suffer from s.t.: He has a bad cold. He is sick with (or) suffering from (syns.) to enjoy, meet, as in experiencing life in general: We have fun (syn.) to feel, as an emotion: She has a lot of sadness in her house after her mother's death. She feels a lot of sadness in her house after her mother's death.
    5 (syn.) to arrange for s.t., as in cause to happen: I had my house painted last month. I arranged for (syns.) to order, choose (often food or drink): At the restaurant, I had the chocolate cake for dessert. At the restaurant, I ordered (or) chose the chocolate cake for dessert.
    8 (syns.) to give birth to, deliver (a child): She had a baby boy yesterday. She gave birth to (or) delivered a baby boy yesterday.
    9 had better: must, ought to: We had better get going, or we will be late.
    10 to be had: to be cheated: He bought some gold coins and then learned they were fake—he's been had.
    11 infrml.fig. to have a ball: to have a wonderful time: We had a ball at the party.
    12 to have a feel for: to have a good sense of: The salesperson has a good feel for what customers like.
    13 to have a fit: to be angry or lose control: He had a fit when he heard the bad news.
    14 to have a gift for: to have a natural ability for s.t.: She has a gift for playing the piano.
    15 to have a go at: to try s.t., take a turn: I can't loosen this screw; you have a go at it.
    16 to have a heart: to show pity or sympathy: Have a heart; don't kill that little mouse!
    17 to have a knack for: to have a special ability: He has a knack for fixing things around the house.
    18 to have all one's marbles or buttons: to function well mentally: He may be old, but he still has all his marbles.
    19 to have an eye for: a. to have a special visual ability: The artist has an eye for color. b. to enjoy the good looks of members of the opposite sex, esp. a man for women: He has an eye for the ladies.
    20 to have an eye on: a. to watch, observe: I have an eye on that guy to be sure he doesn't cause trouble. b. to desire: I have my eye on a great pair of shoes at the shoe store.
    21 phrasal v. insep. [T] to have at s.o. or s.t.: to attack physically or verbally: He made a big mistake, and his boss really had at him for it.||When I asked if I could help clean the kitchen, he said, "Have at it!"
    22 to have a way with: to get along well with: She has a way with animals.
    23 to have done with: to finish, esp. s.t. unpleasant: This project has taken too long, so let's have done with it and move on.
    24 to have had it: to have reached one's limit, to be disgusted: I have had it with this old car breaking down all the time!
    25 to have had one's day or have seen better days: to be worse now than before: She used to be a great lawyer, but she's had her day (or she has seen better days).
    26 to have it: to possess talent, ability, etc.: She sings beautifully; she really has it!
    27 to have it coming: to deserve punishment: He is mean to everyone, so when that guy hit him, he had it coming.
    28 to have it in for: to wish to harm s.o.: Ever since I was robbed, I've had it in for the guy who robbed me.
    29 to have it made: to be in a good financial situation: He has it made; he just sold his business for a million dollars and retired.
    30 to have it out with s.o.: to discuss or argue until agreement is reached: He says the job must be done his way, but he's wrong—I am going to have it out with him.
    31 to have it your (his, her, etc.) way or to have your way: to get what one wants: I want to vacation in Spain, but have it your way; we will go to Paris instead.
    32 to have kittens: to become upset, panic: She had kittens when she found out her house was robbed.
    33 to have on: a. to wear: He has on a ski jacket and ski boots. b. to have plans for: What do you have on this evening? I have a party with friends on tonight.
    34 to have one's day in court: to have one's chance to appear before a judge: Even a thief should have his day in court.
    35 to have s.t. going: a. to be close to making a business deal: He has s.t. going now; two people made offers to buy his house. b. to have a love affair: The two of them have s.t. going.
    36 to have s.t. or be on the ball: to be intelligent, hard-working: He's a smart kid and has a lot on the ball.
    37 phrasal v. sep. [T] to have s.t. out (with s.o.): a. to remove s.t., usu. through surgery: He had out his appendix last week.||He had it out. b. to resolve a problem, etc. by discussing it openly, often angrily: She and her roommate had out their disagreement about cleaning.||She had it out.
    38 to have the last laugh: to win at the end of a struggle: Her boss gave her a hard time day after day, but she had the last laugh when she found a better job and left.
    39 to have things well in hand: to have things under control: She is new on the job, but already has things well in hand.
    40 to have to: to be required to: I have to pay the rent on the first of the month.
    41 to have to do with: to be about: That letter has to do with the new rental agreement.
    42 to have to go: to need to urinate: I have to go, or I'll wet my pants.
    43 infrml. to let s.o. have it: to attack s.o. physically or with words: I was so angry with him that I wanted to let him have it.auxiliary verb
    1 auxiliary verb used with a past participle to show completed action: She has learned an important lesson today.
    2 to have been around: a. to have existed for a long time: That old chair has been around for many years. b. fig. to have experienced a lot in life: He has been around; he was a truck driver, then a carpenter, and now he's a salesman.
haven
haven
  1. n. a place of safety, such as a harbor: A ship sought a haven from the storm.
haves
haves
  1. n.pl. people with money, the wealthy: The new government gives to the haves and forgets the poor.
havoc
havoc
  1. n. [U]
    1 general destruction:
    2 to wreak havoc: to cause destruction: The hurricane wreaked havoc in central Florida.
haw
haw
  1. v. to hem and haw See: hem, v., 4.
hawk-eyed
hawk-eyed
  1. adj. able to see at a great distance: That hunter is hawk-eyed; he can see a deer from a mile away.
hawk
hawk
  1. n.
    1 a large bird that hunts animals and birds: Hawks fly overhead looking for rabbits to catch and eat.
    2 fig. a person in favor of military action: This President is a hawk who believes in using force.v. [T] to sell, esp. by loud presentation: To make a living, she hawks jewelry in the street, by shouting, "Bargains, check it out!" -n. hawker.
hay
hay
  1. n. [U]
    1 grass cut and dried for animal food: The horses have plenty of hay to eat this winter.
    2 infrml.fig. a small amount of money: He won $10,000 in the Lotto, and that's not hay!
    3 make hay while the sun shines: get as much as possible from a good opportunity: The newspaper just advertised her new products, and she is looking for new customers. She is making hay while the sun shines.
    THESAURUS
    hay
    1 dried grass, straw, fodder.
hay fever
hay fever
  1. n. [U] reaction to some trees and flowers, consisting of sneezing and a runny nose: She has hay fever, and her nose won't stop running.
haystack
haystack
  1. n. a pile of hay: After mowing the hay, the farmer piled it into haystacks.
haywire
haywire
  1. adj.infrml.fig. to go haywire: to go wrong, badly: A power outage caused all our computers to go haywire.
hazard
hazard
  1. n. a danger: A road under construction is full of hazards to drivers.v. to hazard a guess: to give an opinion that is not based on facts -adj. hazardous.
haze
haze
  1. n. [C;U] a condition in the air similar to light fog, caused by water, dust, or smoke: There is always a blue haze on the Virginia mountains.v. [T] hazed, hazing, hazes to make fun of, embarrass, or hurt people when they join a club or fraternity: At our school it is illegal to haze freshmen. -n. [C;U] hazing.
hazel
hazel
  1. n. a small tree that produces edible nuts called hazelnuts —adj. light brown or greenish brown in color: She has lovely hazel eyes.
hazy
hazy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 filled with haze: The air in Los Angeles is nearly always hazy with smog.
    2 vague, unclear: His memory is hazy about the details of the accident.
he
he
  1. weak form pron. third-person singular masculine: Do you know Antonio? Yes, he lives near me. See: who, USAGE NOTE.
head-on
head-on
  1. adv. with the front parts meeting or hitting: One car drove head-on into another.adj. front-to-front: It was a terrible head-on collision.
head-to-head
head-to-head
  1. adj.
    1 knocking heads: The two football players are going at each other head-to-head.
    2 direct,
    THESAURUS
    confrontational: The two politicians are in an intense head-to-head campaign.
head
head
  1. n.
    1 [C] the part of the body that contains the face, ears, hair, skull, and brain: That boy shaved his head.
    2 [C] the place where thinking happens: I can't seem to get this idea out of my head.
    3 [C] ability: She has a good head for numbers.
    4 [C] intelligence: She used her head in solving that difficult problem.
    5 [C] leader, chief: She is the head of the finance committee.||The heads of state met to discuss the peace plan.
    6 [U] the position at the beginning, top, or front: He is standing at the head of the line.||She is at the head of her class.
    7 [U] each person: The entrance fee is $10.00 per head.
    8 [U] foam on beer: German beer produces a thick head.
    9 head and shoulders above: much better than: He is head and shoulders above the other students.
    10 head over heels: a. to fall down: He fell head over heels down the stairs. b. fig. to fall in love: He fell head over heels in love with her.
    11 heads or tails: the side of a coin showing a person's face and head, as opposed to the other side: Which do you choose, heads or tails?
    12 Heads up! Watch out!: Heads up; I'm coming through with boiling hot water!
    13 not to make head or tail of or out of: not to be able to figure out, comprehend: This map is so confusing that I can't make head or tail of where we are.
    14 over one's head: beyond one's abilities: That project is too technical for him; it's over his head.
    15 to come to a head: to reach a critical point, require action: He has not paid his rent, and things have come to a head; his landlord is evicting him.
    16 to give s.o. his or her head: to give s.o. freedom to act: He has acted responsibly, and it is time to give him his head to run the business on his own.
    17 to go to one's head: a. to make s.o. drunk, intoxicated: The beer has gone to his head. b. to cause s.o. to become overly proud or arrogant: His promotion has gone to his head; now he thinks he's better than everyone else.
    18 to have a good head on one's shoulders: to act intelligently: Many smart people do stupid things, but this girl has a good head on her shoulders.
    19 to keep one's head: to stay calm: The doctor keeps her head in an emergency.
    20 fig.infrml. to lose one's head: to act irrationally, recklessly: He lost his head and started a fight.adj. first or most important: She is sitting at the head table next to the head man.v.
    1 [T] to lead, be in charge of: My father heads a large corporation.
    2 [I;T] to move in a certain direction: Let's head for home (Canada, port, etc.).||Our ship is headed west.
    3 [T] to move toward a condition or result: That fellow is headed for trouble.||She is a great swimmer and is headed for victory.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to head for s.t.: to go in the direction of: Instead of going to the beach, we headed for the mountains.
    5 phrasal v. sep. to head s.o. or s.t. off: a. [I] to leave: I have to head off now and will see you tomorrow. b. [T] to prevent: He headed off financial trouble by selling his stocks before the crash.||He headed it off.
head count
head count
  1. n. the number of people in a group: The sergeant called the soldiers by name to get a head count of those present.
head start
head start
  1. n.
    1 an advantage over a competitor or an opponent: She gave her younger brother a head start in the race.
    2 Head Start: in USA, a government program for young children: Head Start has helped many inner city children with early education.
head wind
head wind
  1. n. a wind blowing against the direction s.o. or s.t. is moving: The head wind was so strong that our boat had difficulty sailing against it.
headache
headache
  1. n.
    1 a pain in the head: I have a headache and need to lie down.
    2 a difficult problem: Fixing the roof is a real headache.
    THESAURUS
    headache
    1 a splitting headache | migraine
    2 a hassle, nuisance, burden.

    USAGE NOTE: A headache is a common physical complaint. Others are stomachache, sore throat, stuffy nose, and a temperature. (Everyone has a body temperature, but Americans say, "He has a temperature," when they mean, "He has a fever.") None of these ailments is serious in itself, but may suggest another illness: "My son has a stomachache and a temperature, so I'm keeping him home from school today."
headband
headband
  1. n. a piece of cloth wrapped around one's head: That athlete wears a headband to keep sweat out of his eyes.
headfirst
headfirst
  1. adv. with the head leading the body's movement: He dove headfirst into the water.
headgear
headgear
  1. n. [C;U] helmets, hats, and other items worn on the head: Motorcyclists are required to wear headgear to protect themselves.
headhunter
headhunter
  1. n. [C]
    1 a person who hunts other humans and keeps their heads
    2 fig.infrml. a person who tries to find good jobs for well-qualified people,
    THESAURUS
    an executive search firm: The headhunter offered the banker a better job at a different bank. -n. [U] headhunting.
heading
heading
  1. n.
    1 [C] the words used to summarize writing,
    THESAURUS
    title: I can't think of a heading for this page.
    2 [U] a direction: The ship is on a northeast heading.
headland
headland
  1. n. a high, narrow point of land overlooking the sea: From our ship the headland appeared on the horizon.
headlight
headlight
  1. n. a light used for night driving on cars or other vehicles: The headlights of the cars are very bright.
headline
headline
  1. n. the title of a news article, esp. a title printed in large type on the front page: The headline in today's Times says "Peace declared!"
headlock
headlock
  1. n. in wrestling, a hold in which one wrestler's arm is locked around the other's head: He got his opponent in a headlock and threw him to the mat.
headlong
headlong
  1. adv.
    1 headfirst: He fell headlong down the stairs.
    2 without thought: She jumped headlong into the project without stopping to think about its high cost.
headmaster
headmaster
  1. n. the male principal of a private school: The headmaster of our prep school comes from a wealthy family.
headmistress
headmistress
  1. n. the female principal of a private school: Our headmistress spoke at the graduation ceremony.
headphones
headphones
  1. n.pl. two earphones connected over the top of the head with a band,
    THESAURUS
    a headset: Radio personalities wear headphones while they are on the air.
headquarters
headquarters
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl. v.
    1 a military commander's office: The military headquarters is near the airfield.
    2 a central place for an activity: My office is the headquarters for our company's work on that project.
headrest
headrest
  1. n. the part of a chair or seat that the head rests upon: She put her head on the headrest, and the dentist cleaned her teeth.
headroom
headroom
  1. n. [U] (in vehicles) the space between an occupant's head and the inside roof: Some small cars don't have enough headroom for tall people.
heads-up
heads-up
  1. adj.infrml. alert, quick acting (from sports): She made a great catch; what a heads-up ball player.
headset
headset
  1. n. two earphones connected by a band,
    THESAURUS
    headphones: I wore a headset to listen to music.
headstone
headstone
  1. n. a marker for a grave in a cemetery, a gravestone: Carved on his headstone is "Rest in Peace."
headstrong
headstrong
  1. adj. stubborn, willful: The boy is headstrong and won't obey his mother.
headwaiter
headwaiter
  1. n. the waiter in charge in a restaurant's dining room: The headwaiter showed us to a cozy table in the corner. -n. headwaitress.
headwaters
headwaters
  1. n.pl. the place where a river begins: Finding the headwaters of the Nile was a great discovery.
headway
headway
  1. n. [U]
    1 forward movement
    2 to make headway: to progress: We are making headway in building a new factory.
heady
heady
  1. adj. -ier, -iest thrilling, exciting: Winning the championship is a heady experience.
heal
heal
  1. v.
    1 [T] to cure, restore s.o.'s health: A doctor heals patients.
    2 [I] to become healthy, recover: The soldier's wounds gradually healed. -n. healer.
    THESAURUS
    heal
    1 to treat, attend to, mend. Ant. to harm.
    2 to feel better, improve, recuperate.
health
health
  1. n. [U] the condition of a living thing's body and mind: Although she is 84 years old, my mother's health is good.adj. related to well-being: The drugstore has hundreds of health and beauty products.
    THESAURUS
    health n. well-being | fitness, soundness of mind and body. Ant. infirmity.
health care
health care
  1. n. [U] medical care: Health care in the USA is very expensive. See: health maintenance organization.
health club
health club
  1. n. a place where people pay to exercise: I belong to a health club that has weight machines and two locker rooms.
healthful
healthful
  1. adj. good for the health, wholesome: Walking and swimming are healthful activities. -adv. healthfully.
healthy
healthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest in good health: His wife had a healthy baby boy.
    THESAURUS
    healthy strong, sound, fit | in good shape. Ant. unhealthy.
heap
heap
  1. n. a pile of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a mound: The garbage dump contains heaps of trash.v. [T] to pile up: The party guests heaped gifts on the table.
hear
hear
  1. v. heard , hearing, hears
    1 [I;T] to receive sound with the ears: I hear the sound of traffic on the street.
    2 infrml. [I;T] to understand s.o.'s meaning: I hear what you are saying, but I disagree.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to hear about s.o. or s.t.: to learn about, become acquainted with: He was surprised when he heard about my promotion.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to hear from s.o.: to have news from s.o.: She heard from her parents this morning.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to hear of s.o. or s.t.: to know about s.o. or s.t.: I've never heard of Grand Island before.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hear s.o. out: to listen to what s.o. says from beginning to end: She was very angry, but she agreed to hear out our side of things.||She heard us out. See: listen, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    hear
    1 to listen to, perceive, detect
    2 to comprehend, know.
hearing-impaired
hearing-impaired
  1. adj.n.
    1 having a reduced sense of hearing, but not deaf: Jonah has a very hard time understanding me when I speak; he's <adj.> hearing-impaired.
    2 unable to hear,
    THESAURUS
    deaf: My mother works as a sign-language interpreter for the hearing-impaired.
hearing
hearing
  1. n.
    1 [U] the sense of receiving sound through the ears: His hearing is not good; he's becoming deaf.
    2 [C] a discussion of a subject, usu. in a formal, public setting: a hearing on proposed tax increases
    3 [C] a legal session: The lawyers asked the witness questions during the hearing.
hearing aid
hearing aid
  1. n. a very small device placed in or near the ear to make sound louder: Since she wears a hearing aid, my grandmother can hear the phone ring in another room.
hearsay
hearsay
  1. n. [U] information heard from s.o. else: My neighbor said he heard that the burglar drove a blue car, but that is just hearsay.
hearse
hearse
  1. n. the funeral car carrying a dead person: The black hearse entered the cemetery.
heart-rending
heart-rending
  1. adj. causing distress, sadness: The death of their child is a heart-rending tragedy.
heart-to-heart
heart-to-heart
  1. adj.n. telling one's true feelings, honest: My boss and I had a heart-to-heart talk, and I told him that I'm leaving the company for a better-paying job.
heart
heart
  1. n.
    1 [C] the organ in the chest that pumps blood through the body: He has a weak heart and must not exercise too hard.
    2 [C;U] kindness, goodness: She has a kind heart; she helps the poor.
    3 [U] courage: You must have the heart to overcome difficult situations.
    4 [C;U] the important or central issue: Let's avoid the minor topics and get to the heart of the matter.
    5 pl. a card game
    6 [C] one of the four suits of playing cards: I had three clubs and two spades but no diamonds or hearts.
    7 [C] one's deepest feelings: He knew in his heart that he was wrong.
    8 a light or heavy heart: happy or sad: When she heard the good news, she left with a light heart.||He has a heavy heart after learning of his friend's death.
    9 by heart: by memory: She learned the names of all 50 states by heart.
    10 from the heart: from one's deepest emotions: She spoke from the heart, but her argument was still logical.
    11 heart and soul: with total belief, dedication: She believes heart and soul in her artistic career.
    12 heart of gold: great human warmth, generosity: He gives money to poor people; he has a heart of gold.
    13 in one's heart of hearts: from one's deepest beliefs and desires: In her heart of hearts, she does not love him enough to marry him.
    14 one's heart goes out to s.o.: to sympathize deeply with s.o.: I am so sorry your husband died; my heart goes out to you.
    15 to have a heart: have compassion, be kind: Try to have a heart and forgive the impolite child.
    16 to have one's heart in the right place: to be well-intentioned, decent: He has rough manners, but his heart is in the right place.
    17 to lose heart: to become discouraged: His job became so boring that he lost heart and stopped trying.
    18 to one's heart's content: as much as one likes: He is retired now and plays golf to his heart's content.
    19 with all one's heart: totally, in all sincerity: With all my heart, I hope you believe me.
heart attack
heart attack
  1. n. a heart seizure,
    THESAURUS
    infarction: He had a mild heart attack but won't need an operation.
heartache
heartache
  1. n. [U] sorrow, grief: They felt such heartache when their daughter ran away.
heartbreak
heartbreak
  1. n. [U] a great disappointment or sorrow: Their child's death is a heartbreak for them.
heartbroken
heartbroken
  1. adj. emotionally hurt, (syns.) devastated, brokenhearted: The couple was heartbroken over their dog's death.
heartburn
heartburn
  1. n. [U] pain in the chest caused by acid in the stomach,
    THESAURUS
    indigestion: Every time he eats spicy food, he later has heartburn.
hearten
hearten
  1. v. [T] to encourage, to make optimistic: He was heartened by the good test results.
heartfelt
heartfelt
  1. adj. very sincere, true: She made a heartfelt apology for her mistake.
hearth
hearth
  1. n.
    1 a fireplace, esp. used for cooking: The hearth glowed red from the wood fire.
    2 symbol for the pleasures of daily life: Away at sea for months, the sailor missed hearth and home.
heartily
heartily
  1. adv. strongly,
    THESAURUS
    earnestly: I heartily agree with what you say.
heartland
heartland
  1. n. the part of a country that represents its basic values, typical image, and usu. food production: The USA's midwest is the heartland of the country.
heartless
heartless
  1. adj. unfeeling, cruel: He is heartless in that he will not talk to his own parents.
heartsick
heartsick
  1. adj. very saddened, feeling great pain: She was heartsick over the death of her husband.
heartthrob
heartthrob
  1. n.fig. s.o. one loves romantically,
    THESAURUS
    an idol: Elvis Presley was the heartthrob of millions of people.
heartwarming
heartwarming
  1. adj. causing good feelings,
    THESAURUS
    gratifying: The whole family was together for Thanksgiving dinner, and the gathering was heartwarming.
hearty
hearty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 large, plentiful: We ate a hearty breakfast before starting the trip.
    2 with feeling, warm: Our friends gave us a hearty welcome when we arrived.
heat
heat
  1. n. [U]
    1 high temperature: The heat from the fire is intense.
    2 intense, busy activity: In the heat of battle, soldiers fight for their lives.
    3 (of female animals) ovulation: The dog is in heat; she is ready to become pregnant.
    4 slang the authorities, esp. the police: The heat is on; the cops are after us.
    5 a stage of an athletic competition to reduce the number of people in the next round: He didn't do well in this heat, so he won't go on in the bicycle race.
    6 dead heat: a tie, a race with no single winner
    7 If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen: If you cannot deal with problems (pressure, criticism, etc.), then do not become involved.
    8 to give or throw off heat: to send out heat: The fireplace gives off lots of heat.||That engine throws off a lot of heat.
    9 infrml. to give s.o. heat: to criticize, pressure, or threaten: My boss is giving me heat about high expenses.
    10 to take or stand the heat: a. to be comfortable in high temperatures in the weather: It is so hot outside that I can't take the heat. b. infrml.fig. to get criticism (disapproval, threats, etc.): I am taking the heat from the company president over a mistake one of my workers made.v.
    1 [I;T] to warm, raise the temperature: We heat our house with an oil burner.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to heat s.t. up: a. [T] to warm up, reheat: I'll heat up some coffee for you.||I'll heat it up. b. [I] to increase in temperature: It was cool outside this morning, but now it is heating up.
    THESAURUS
    heat
    1 hotness, warmth
    2 excitement, fervor, passion.
heat wave
heat wave
  1. n. a period of unusually hot weather: Last August we had a heat wave of ten days when temperatures were above 90°.
heated
heated
  1. adj.
    1 warmed: That empty house is not heated in the winter.
    2 intense: Two men are having a heated argument. -adv. heatedly.
heater
heater
  1. n. a machine that produces warmth: In winter, we use electric space heaters under our desks.
heath
heath
  1. n. open fields with small plants: Hikers love to walk on the heaths of Scotland.
heathen
heathen
  1. n. -thens or -then a person not believing in one's religion,
    THESAURUS
    a pagan: The missionaries thought that the natives were heathens because they did not believe in Christianity.adj. pagan: The missionaries criticized the heathen religious ceremonies.
heather
heather
  1. n. [U] a wild, short plant with pink flowers: When the heather is in bloom in Ireland, it's a beautiful sight.
heave-ho
heave-ho
  1. n.infrml. dismissal, ejection: The nightclub bouncer gave a drunk customer the heave-ho.
heave
heave
  1. v. heaved, heaving, heaves
    1 [T] to lift or throw with great effort: Two strong men heaved a big rock onto a truck.
    2 slang [I] to vomit,
    THESAURUS
    to retch: He was sick and went to the bathroom and heaved.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to heave to: (of ships) to stop moving: Yachts heave to at the harbor entrance.n.
    1 a lift, a hurl: They gave the rock a heave over the cliff.
    2 slang the act of retching
heaven
heaven
  1. n.
    1 [U] (in some religions) the place of God, angels, and the souls of dead people who have been given eternal life: The woman died and went to heaven.
    2 [U] s.t. wonderful: Our vacation in the mountains was heaven.
    3 pl. the sky above the earth: Astronomers watch the heavens for new stars.
    4 Good Heavens! or Heavens to Betsy!: expression of surprise: Good heavens! Those children make a lot of noise!
    5 Thank heaven: Thank God or good fortune: Thank heaven you haven't left yet.
heavenly
heavenly
  1. adj.
    1 related to God's home
    2 wonderful: The weather during our vacation was heavenly.
heavily
heavily
  1. adv. very seriously, in a large amount: His business is heavily in debt.||She drank heavily, but has stopped.||This part of the city is heavily populated during the day.
heavy-duty
heavy-duty
  1. adj.
    1 strong, durable: He has heavy-duty tires on his truck.
    2 slang serious, impressive: The lawyers working on the case are heavy-duty.
heavy-handed
heavy-handed
  1. adj. unkind, insensitive,
    THESAURUS
    overbearing: She gave orders to people in a heavy-handed manner.
heavy
heavy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having a lot of weight: The rock is very heavy.
    2 fat, overweight: He eats too much and has become heavy.
    3 infrml. dealing with a serious topic: We had a heavy discussion about our relationship.
    4 of a large amount: He's a heavy smoker and drinker.||There is always heavy traffic in the morning in my town. -n. [U] heaviness.
heavy metal
heavy metal
  1. n. [U] adj. loud rock music: The words to most heavy metal rock groups are hard to understand. See: rock and roll.
heavyweight
heavyweight
  1. n.adj.
    1 (in boxing) the heaviest of the classes of weight, at 175 pounds (80 kilos) or more: Joe Louis was a great heavyweight, and he was heavyweight champion of the world.
    2 fig. a person with a lot of knowledge and power: He is a heavyweight in the banking business.
heck
heck
  1. exclam. mild expression of dismay: Ah, heck, I forgot my keys!
heckle
heckle
  1. v. [T] -led, -ling, -les to interrupt a public speech by s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to jeer at: Two protesters heckled the speaker at a political demonstration. -n. heckler.
hectic
hectic
  1. adj. rushed, fast-paced,
    THESAURUS
    frenzied: I had a very hectic week; I worked late every night, and my child was sick.
hector
hector
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to harass, bully,
    THESAURUS
    to badger: The mayor was hectored by her critics.
hedge
hedge
  1. n.
    1 a row of bushes, shrubs: The hedge in front of the house keeps out the sun.
    2 a protection or defense: Buying real estate is a hedge against bad times.v. hedged, hedging, hedges
    1 [I] to withhold information, evade,
    THESAURUS
    to equivocate: He hedged when asked his opinion about who should be elected President.
    2 [T] (in business) to invest money in various ways to avoid the financial risk of only one investment
    3 to hedge one's bets: (in stock market, gambling, etc.) to take action to prevent a loss: He hedged his bets by taking two jobs in case one didn't work out well.
hedgehog
hedgehog
  1. n. a small insect-eating animal covered with sharp hairs: Hedgehogs make tunnels near fields.
hedonism
hedonism
  1. n. [U] the placing of great importance on seeking pleasure,
    THESAURUS
    self-indulgence: Hedonism is a way of life for many people. -n. [C] hedonist; -adj. hedonistic.
heed
heed
  1. v. [T] to follow the advice of s.o., obey: I heeded my doctor's advice and stopped smoking.n. to pay heed: to give attention: I paid heed to his advice.
heedless
heedless
  1. adj. not paying attention, reckless
heel
heel
  1. n.
    1 the rounded back part of the foot: My heels hurt from walking so far.
    2 the bottom back part of a shoe or boot: The heels on my shoes are worn down.
    3 s.t. similar to the heel of the foot: I pushed the door with the heel of my hand.
    4 infrml.fig. a bad man,
    THESAURUS
    a scoundrel: He's a heel who can't be trusted with anything.
    5 (close) on the heels of: quickly, right after: The police followed close on the heels of the criminal.
    6 down at the heels: to look shabby, have hard luck: Since he lost his job, he looks down at the heels.
    7 to cool one's heels: to wait for a long time: I had to cool my heels in the doctor's office while she took care of an emergency patient.
    8 to fall head over heels in love: to fall suddenly and deeply in love: He met her just once and fell head over heels in love.
    9 to kick up one's heels: to dance, have fun: She went to a party and kicked up her heels.v.
    1 [T] to put a new heel on a shoe or boot: I had my shoes heeled.
    2 well-heeled: to be well dressed, wealthy
heft
heft
  1. n. weight, bulk: Those sacks have a lot of heft.v. [T]
    1 to check the weight of by lifting: He hefted a sack of wheat to see how heavy it was.
    2 to lift: He hefted it onto the truck. -adj. hefty.
hegemony
hegemony
  1. n. [U] rule, area of influence: Former colonies lived under the hegemony of Great Britain for more than a century.
heifer
heifer
  1. n. a young female cow that has not had a calf
height
height
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] vertical measurement: The building has a height of six stories (of 60', approx. 19 meters, etc.).||The space capsule flies at a height of 200 miles (320 km) above the earth.
    2 [C] the top, the apex: She is at the height of her career in law.
    3 sing. the ultimate, extreme: That action is the height of stupidity.
    4 heights: (in geography) high points, such as cliffs or hills: The heights above the city provide a beautiful view.
    THESAURUS
    height
    1 elevation | altitude
    2 the peak, pinnacle, zenith
    3 the epitome, definition.
heighten
heighten
  1. v. [I;T] to intensify, increase: The storyteller heightened the suspense in the mystery story.||Workers heightened the building by adding two stories on top of it.
    THESAURUS
    heighten to boost, add to, raise.
heinous
heinous
  1. adj. bad, wicked, monstrous: A madman committed a heinous crime when he killed four people in a restaurant.
heir
heir
  1. n. the person legally in line to receive property (or title of nobility) when s.o. dies: John D. Rockefeller's sons were heirs to a great fortune.||Prince William is heir to the British throne.
heir apparent
heir apparent
  1. n. heirs apparent
    1 the child first in line to become king or queen: The Prince of Wales is the heir apparent to the British throne.
    2 a person in business most likely to replace the president or CEO: The company owner's son-in-law is his heir apparent.
heiress
heiress
  1. n. a female heir
heirloom
heirloom
  1. n. an object of real or sentimental value passed from one generation to another: The silver tea set is a family heirloom.
heist
heist
  1. n.slang a robbery or holdup —v. [T] to steal at gunpoint, hold up: Thieves heisted the jewels from the shop.
held
held
  1. past tense & part. of hold
    THESAURUS
    held clutched, grasped | believed.
helicopter
helicopter
  1. n. an aircraft with one or two motorized blades on its top: A police helicopter rescued passengers on a sinking boat.
heliport
heliport
  1. n. a landing place or airport for helicopters
helium
helium
  1. n. [U] a gaseous element lighter than air: We filled balloons with helium and watched them fly into the sky.
helix
helix
  1. n. helices or helixes a three-dimensional object in the shape of a spiral: DNA is called "the double helix" because of its shape.
hell-bent
hell-bent
  1. adj.infrml.fig. totally determined to do s.t., obsessed: He is hell-bent on joining the Marine Corps.
hell
hell
  1. n. [U]
    1 (in religion) the place where the souls of bad people are sent to after death
    2 infrml.fig. a place of suffering or misery: It was hell working for my old boss because he often lost his temper and shouted at workers.
    3 expression of anger and disgust: Oh, hell! I lost my watch!
    4 infrml. Come hell or high water: No matter what happens: Come hell or high water, he is going to climb Mt. Everest!
    5 for the hell of it: for no reason, for fun: I didn't need anything; I just went shopping for the hell of it.
    6 infrml. Go to hell!: Leave me alone! Go away!
    7 infrml. hell-on-wheels: unstoppable, awesome: He is a terrific football player; he's hell-on-wheels.
    8 infrml. like a bat out of hell: very quickly: When the fire started, he ran like a bat out of hell.
    9 infrml. like hell: a. very quickly: When the shooting started, I ran like hell. b. absolutely not: Like hell I'm going to pay you!
    10 infrml. snowball's chance in hell: no chance of success: She doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of passing that math exam she didn't study for.
    11 infrml. to catch or get hell: to be punished, reprimanded: If you come home late, you will catch hell from your mother.
    12 infrml. to give s.o. hell: a. to criticize severely,
    THESAURUS
    to scold: My father gave me hell for crashing his car. b. to beat an opponent: A soccer player shouted to his teammates, "Let's give'em hell!"
    13 to go through hell: to survive a difficult experience: She had cancer and went through hell from the radiation and chemotherapy.
    14 infrml. to go to hell and back: to push oneself to the limit: He went to hell and back to prove his innocence.
    15 to have a hell of a time: a. to have much difficulty: He had a hell of a time finding this place; it's so far away. b. to have fun
    16 infrml. to have hell to pay: to be punished: You will have hell to pay if you are caught cheating on your taxes.
    17 infrml. to raise hell: a. to criticize severely,
    THESAURUS
    to upbraid: The boss raised hell with the staff for working too slowly. b. to make noise, cause a commotion: On Saturday night, beer drinkers raise hell in the barroom.
    18 exclam.infrml. What the hell: of surprise, disgust, anger: What the hell are you doing here?
    19 infrml. when or until hell freezes over: never, forever: He can wait until hell freezes over before I forgive him.
hellfire
hellfire
  1. n. [U]
    1 the fires of hell
    2 fig. strong punishment for sin: The minister warned the congregation about damnation and hellfire if they behaved badly.
hellhole
hellhole
  1. n. a place of corruption, decay, and danger: Areas of drug dealing are hellholes of addiction, poverty, and murder.
hellish
hellish
  1. adj. similar to hell, terrible,
    THESAURUS
    dreadful: Traffic leaving the city on a holiday weekend is hellish.
hello
hello
  1. exclam. a greeting: Hello, how are you today?
helluva
helluva
  1. adj.slang intensifier used in positive or negative sense: He is a helluva nice guy.||We had a helluva time getting through traffic.
helm
helm
  1. n.
    1 the steering mechanism of a ship,
    THESAURUS
    the tiller
    2 at the helm: in control: Who's at the helm in this office?
helmet
helmet
  1. n. a protective head covering: Bicyclists wear helmets to protect their heads.
helmsman
helmsman
  1. n. -men the person at a ship's helm: The helmsman steered the ship into the wind.
help
help
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to aid, assist, support: My neighbor helped me fix my roof.
    2 [I;T] to improve, make better: What will help my upset stomach?
    3 [I;T] to prevent, refrain from: He is depressed and cannot help crying.
    4 cannot help but: to do s.t. unavoidable: When I think of all my mother has done for me, I cannot help but say I love her.
    5 It can't be helped: It's unavoidable: I don't want to leave early, but it can't be helped.
    6 not to be able help oneself: unable to change or stop doing s.t.: I know I shouldn't eat so much chocolate, but I can't help myself.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to help oneself to s.t.: to serve oneself: She helped herself to food in the refrigerator.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to help s.o. out: to aid, support: My father helped out our neighbors by mowing their lawn.||He helped them out.n.
    1 [C;U] aid, support: I gave my friend help with his homework.
    2 [U] rescue: Help was sent to the hurricane victims.
    3 [U] employees, esp. servants: The boss doesn't pay the help very well.
help desk
help desk
  1. n. [C] (in computers) a web site or telephone site with answers to questions about software or equipment: Some big companies have help desks with technical support people to help solve your computer problems.
helper
helper
  1. n. an assistant: The plumber's helper passes him tools and gets new parts.
helpful
helpful
  1. adj. aiding, useful: The lawyer gave me some helpful advice. -adv. helpfully.
    THESAURUS
    helpful valuable, worthwhile, constructive.
helping
helping
  1. n. a portion, serving: The cook gave me a helping of mashed potatoes.adj. to give s.o. a helping hand: to be supportive: She gave the old lady a helping hand off the bus.
helpless
helpless
  1. adj. unable to do s.t., defenseless: The accident victim fell helpless on the street.||He's helpless at changing a tire. -adv. helplessly.
helter-skelter
helter-skelter
  1. adj. confused, rushed: She does things in a helter-skelter way; she should try to be better organized.
hem
hem
  1. n.
    1 the lower edge of a piece of cloth, turned up and sewn: The hem on her skirt needs sewing.
    2 a short cough —v. hemmed, hemming, hems
    1 [T] to sew a hem: She hemmed her skirt.
    2 [T] to surround, enclose: The soldiers were hemmed in on all sides.
    3 [I] to cough or clear one's throat
    4 to hem and haw: to go back and forth in one's ideas about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to hesitate: He hemmed and hawed about which suit to buy.
hematology
hematology
  1. n. [U] the medical science and study of blood -n. [C] hematologist.
hemisphere
hemisphere
  1. n.
    1 half of a sphere or a ball
    2 half of the earth: The earth is divided by the equator into the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
hemline
hemline
  1. n. the bottom edge of a skirt or dress: Hemlines go up and down depending on the fashion.
hemlock
hemlock
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a type of evergreen tree
    2 [U] the poison made from the hemlock tree: People drank hemlock to commit suicide in ancient times.
hemoglobin
hemoglobin
  1. n. [U] the component of blood that carries oxygen
hemophilia
hemophilia
  1. n. [U] a disease, usu. of males, in which the blood does not stop flowing after a cut: People who have hemophilia can bleed to death. -adj. hemophilic.
hemophiliac
hemophiliac
  1. n. a person with hemophilia
hemorrhage
hemorrhage
  1. n. [C;U] a large flow of blood that cannot be stopped: Because of the car accident, he had a hemorrhage.v. [I] -rhaged, -rhaging, -rhages to bleed uncontrollably: He hemorrhaged to death.
hemorrhoid
hemorrhoid
  1. n. swollen blood vessels in the rectal area: Her hemorrhoids make sitting uncomfortable.
hemp
hemp
  1. n. [U] a tall, annual herb grown for the manufacture of rope, cloth (canvas), and as a source of marijuana: The heavy ropes used in ships are made from hemp.
hen
hen
  1. n. a female fowl (chicken, pheasant, etc.): Hens lay the eggs we eat for breakfast.
hence
hence
  1. adv.frml.
    1 therefore, for this reason: It is raining outside; hence, I will wear my raincoat.
    2 from now, from this time: Two weeks hence we are meeting at the club.
henceforth
henceforth
  1. adv.frml. from now on: Henceforth, all students must have ID cards.
henchman
henchman
  1. n. -men a helper, supporter of an evil person: The gangster and his henchmen collected money from shopowners every month.
henna
henna
  1. n. [U] a reddish-brown dye made from the leaves of a small Asian tree or shrub: Henna is used as a hair dye and conditioner.
hepatitis
hepatitis
  1. n. [U] liver disease, usu. caused by a virus
her
her
  1. weak form / pron.
    1 the objective form of she: I saw her leave the room.
    2 the possessive form of she: She took her purse when she left.
herald
herald
  1. n. a messenger, announcer,
    THESAURUS
    a proclaimer: Shorter days are the herald of wintertime.
heraldry
heraldry
  1. n. [U] the study of coats of arms and family history: Heraldry is still studied in Europe.
herb
herb
  1. n.
    1 a soft-stem plant used as seasoning or medicine: People use herbs to season food and to heal.
    2 slang marijuana
    THESAURUS
    herb
    1 a flavoring, seasoning, spice | natural remedy.
herbal
herbal
  1. adj. related to herbs: She loves to drink herbal teas, such as peppermint and cinnamon.
herbalist
herbalist
  1. n. a person who grows and sells herbs for health
herbicide
herbicide
  1. n. a weed killer: We put an herbicide on our lawn to kill the weeds.
herbivore
herbivore
  1. n. an animal that eats only plants: Cows and horses are herbivores. -adj. herbivorous.
herd
herd
  1. n.
    1 a group of animals of one kind: Herds of horses run wild in the American West.
    2 pej. a crowd of people who think the same: She follows the herd and never thinks for herself.
    THESAURUS
    herd
    1 a pack, brood, drove
    2 a group, pack, mob.
herdsman
herdsman
  1. -men or herder n. an owner or keeper of a herd of animals, esp. cattle, sheep, or goats: Herdsmen guard their sheep.
here
here
  1. adv.
    1 at or in this place: We have lived here (in this house) for ten years.
    2 used to present or show s.t.: Here are the keys to my car.
    3 here and there: in different places
    4 Here's to: offering a toast for someone: Here's to a long and happy life together.
    5 neither here nor there: not relevant or important: Who broke the window is neither here nor there; we must fix it.
    6 the here and now: the immediate, this time and place: We have to deal with the problems of the here and now before we think about future problems.
hereabouts
hereabouts
  1. adv. in this area: That company has had various offices hereabouts for years.
hereafter
hereafter
  1. adv. in the future, at a later date: I will excuse your mistake this time, but hereafter be more careful.n. in the hereafter: after death: In the hereafter, she hopes to go to heaven.
hereby
hereby
  1. adv.frml. by this means, in this manner: In the marriage ceremony, the minister said, "I hereby pronounce you husband and wife."
hereditary
hereditary
  1. adj.
    1 (in biology) related to the passing of physical characteristics through genes: Some disorders, such as hemophilia, are hereditary.
    2 related to the inheritance of property and rights: The oldest son of a nobleman has a hereditary right to his title.
heredity
heredity
  1. n. [U] the passing of genes and their characteristics from parents to children: People argue about whether heredity or the environment has more influence on a person's behavior.
herein
herein
  1. adv. in this: The national debt is too large, and herein lies our worst problem.
heresy
heresy
  1. n. [C;U] -sies a belief that goes against accepted practice, esp. religious belief: Her belief that taxes should be higher was heresy.
heretic
heretic
  1. n. a person who commits heresy: Heretics were burned at the stake long ago.
heretical
heretical
  1. adj. characterized by heresy, unorthodox: The minister's beliefs were heretical against the state religion.
heretofore
heretofore
  1. adv.frml. before now: Heretofore, we sent out bills on the first of each month; now we bill continually.
herewith
herewith
  1. adv.frml. with this
heritage
heritage
  1. n. [U]
    1 beliefs, traditions, history, etc. passed from one generation to the next: This country has a heritage of freedom and independence.
    2 inheritance: That family has a heritage of wealth and power.
    THESAURUS
    heritage
    1 a legacy, birthright, culture
    2 legacy.
hermaphrodite
hermaphrodite
  1. n. a plant, animal, or person with both male and female reproductive organs: Most flowering plants are hermaphrodites. -adj. hermaphroditic.
hermetic
hermetic
  1. adj. sealed so that air cannot enter, airtight: Canned foods have a hermetic seal.
hermit
hermit
  1. n. a person who avoids society,
    THESAURUS
    a recluse: The hermit lives in the woods in a log cabin.
hernia
hernia
  1. n. [C;U] an opening in the muscles of the abdomen: He had a hernia operated on and is now well.
hero sandwich
hero sandwich
  1. n. -es a large bread roll with cold meats, cheese, and other ingredients: For lunch today, I ate a hero sandwich with Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, turkey, salami, pastrami, and bologna! See: grinder.
heroin
heroin
  1. n. a strong, addictive, narcotic drug that is illegal in the USA
heroine
heroine
  1. n.
    1 a woman who performs great actions: Amelia Earhart was a courageous pilot and heroine to many.
    2 the main female character in a novel, film, play, etc.: In the movie Gone With The Wind, the actress Vivien Leigh plays the heroine.
heroism
heroism
  1. n. [U] an act of courage or great skill: The daily heroism of firefighters is remarkable.
heron
heron
  1. n. a wading bird with a long neck, legs, and beak: White herons in the pond are graceful.
herpes
herpes
  1. n. [U] any of several infections of the skin that are sometimes transmitted sexually from one person to another
herring
herring
  1. n. -rings or -ring any of a variety of small fishes such as sardines and anchovies: I enjoy eating pickled herring once in a while. See: red herring.
hers
hers
  1. possessive pron. of she belonging to her: The coat in the closet is hers.||Hers was the best test result.
herself
herself
  1. weak form/ feminine pron. of she
    1 as a reflextive: She does all the work herself.
    2 for emphasis: I spoke with the actress herself.
    3 one's usual manner of being: She doesn't feel herself today.
hertz
hertz
  1. n. hertz unit of frequency of one cycle per second: This computer has a processing speed of 33 megahertz.
hesitancy
hesitancy
  1. n. [U] reluctance, delay because of doubt or fear: His hesitancy about buying the house is based on his poor job opportunities.
hesitant
hesitant
  1. adj.
    1 unsure, reluctant: She is hesitant about marrying him.
    2 indecisive,
    THESAURUS
    diffident: He has a hesitant manner in his speech.
hesitate
hesitate
  1. v. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to pause, delay: He hesitated before crossing the street.
    2 to pause out of politeness, doubt, or fear: She hesitated to criticize the child who was trying so hard.
    3 he or she who hesitates is lost: a person who doesn't take an opportunity as it comes up will miss out
    THESAURUS
    hesitate
    1 to wait, stall, think twice
    2 to balk from, demur from.
hesitation
hesitation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a pause, delay: Each hesitation in his speech bored the audience even more.
    2 [U] doubt, fearfulness: Her hesitation about signing the contract was based on financial concerns.
heterogeneous
heterogeneous
  1. adj. mixed, made up of different parts (objects, ideas, etc.): People of all races made a heterogeneous group at the conference. See: homogeneous.
heterosexual
heterosexual
  1. n.adj. attracted to the opposite sex,
    THESAURUS
    straight: He is a heterosexual and dates heterosexual women.
heuristics
heuristics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. verb learning through investigation and discovery: Heuristics is called the discovery approach in education. -adj. heuristic.
hew
hew
  1. v. [I:T] hewed, hewed or hewn, hewing, hews
    1 to cut, esp. with an ax, to fell: The woodsman hewed down the tree with his ax.
    2 to follow, conform: Followers hewed to the political party's program.
hewn
hewn
  1. adj. & past part. of hew, cut: Hewn trees lie on the ground.
hex
hex
  1. v. [T] hexes to prevent, stop by using witchcraft,
    THESAURUS
    to jinx: He hexed the deal by saying it would never work.n. a spell or curse put on s.o. or s.t. by using witchcraft: She put a hex on her old boyfriend's new girlfriend.
hexagon
hexagon
  1. n. a geometric figure with six sides -adj. hexagonal.
hey
hey
  1. exclam.
    1 used to get s.o.'s attention: Hey, Joe, come look at this.
    2 an expression of surprise, happiness, etc.: Hey, I didn't know that you won first prize!
heyday
heyday
  1. n. a period of success (health, power, wealth, etc.): In his heyday, he was the best lawyer in town.
hi-tech
hi-tech
  1. See: high-tech.
hi
hi
  1. exclam.infrml. a greeting, hello: Hi, how are you today?
hiatus
hiatus
  1. n.frml. -tuses a gap, pause, break: The miners' strike caused a hiatus in coal production.
hibernate
hibernate
  1. v. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to enter a period of long sleep: Bears hibernate during the winter. -n. [U] hibernation.
hiccup or hiccough
hiccup or hiccough
  1. n.v. [I] a small, involuntary spasm in breathing accompanied by a sharp sound: He had the hiccups from eating too fast.||She hiccuped for a few minutes, then stopped.
hick
hick
  1. n.pej. an unsophisticated country person,
    THESAURUS
    a yokel: He is a hick with no education.
hickey
hickey
  1. n.infrml. a bruise made by sucking or biting in lovemaking: She had two hickeys on her neck.
hickory
hickory
  1. n. [C;U] -ries a northeastern American tree with edible nuts and useful wood: We have furniture made out of hickory.
hid
hid
  1. v. [I;T] past tense & past part. of hide (1), to conceal: She hid candy in a closet so the children could not find it.
hidden
hidden
  1. adj. & past part. of hide, concealed: Guests were hidden behind the door at the surprise party.
    THESAURUS
    hidden adj.and past part. of unseen, out of sight, secluded | secret.
hide-and-seek
hide-and-seek
  1. n. [U] a game in which children hide while one child closes his or her eyes, then tries to find the other children: The children played hide-and-seek at the birthday party.
hideaway
hideaway
  1. n. a secluded place, a refuge: We have a hideaway, a cabin in the mountains, where we go on weekends. See: hideout.
hideous
hideous
  1. adj. frightening in looks,
    THESAURUS
    repulsive: The horror film was about a hideous monster. -adv. hideously.
hideout
hideout
  1. n. a secret place,
    THESAURUS
    a refuge: The criminals have a hideout in the swamp.
hiding
hiding
  1. n. in hiding: in concealment: Bandits are in hiding in the woods.
hierarchy
hierarchy
  1. n. [C;U] -chies organization from higher to lower by rank, social status, or function: Generals and admirals are at the top of the military hierarchy. -adj. hierarchical.
hieroglyph
hieroglyph
  1. n. a picture of a word or idea: Mayan hieroglyphs are difficult to decode.
hieroglyphic
hieroglyphic
  1. n.adj. a system of writing using hieroglyphs as symbols: Some Egyptian hieroglyphics are beautiful works of art.||They are hieroglyphic symbols for words.
high-class
high-class
  1. adj. related to upper social classes: That restaurant has a high-class clientele.
high-flown
high-flown
  1. adj. unrealistic,
    THESAURUS
    pretentious: He has high-flown ideas about becoming rich.
high-grade
high-grade
  1. adj. of the purest or highest amounts of s.t.: High-grade ore produces the most gold.
high-handed
high-handed
  1. adj. overbearing, not thinking of the rights of others: He speaks to others in a high-handed manner.
high-minded
high-minded
  1. adj. devoted to high ideas or principles, such as of religion, civic responsibility, and justice: He is a high-minded politician and always does what is morally right.
high-pitched
high-pitched
  1. adj. loud and high,
    THESAURUS
    shrill: The factory whistle lets out a high-pitched signal at noon.
high-powered
high-powered
  1. adj.
    1 having much force: His car has a high-powered engine.
    2 having much power (talent, ability, influence): She is a high-powered lawyer in Washington; even the President asks her for advice.
high-pressure
high-pressure
  1. adj. pushy, insistent: I don't like to do business with him because he is a high-pressure salesman.
high-priced
high-priced
  1. adj. costly, having a large price tag: That store carries only high-priced merchandise.
high-rise
high-rise
  1. n.adj. a tall building: We live in a high-rise or a high-rise apartment building in New York.
high-sounding
high-sounding
  1. adj. lofty, pretentious: That politician proposes high-sounding solutions to the nation's problems.
high-spirited
high-spirited
  1. adj. lively, full of fun: That horse is very high-spirited, so only experienced riders should ride him.
high-strung
high-strung
  1. adj. tense, energetic in a nervous way: She is very high-strung and cannot relax.
high-tech
high-tech
  1. adj. using complex engineering, usu. in the latest technology: Advances in computer technology need high-tech solutions.
high-tension
high-tension
  1. adj. related to wires carrying high-voltage electricity: High-tension wires run across miles of open country to big cities.
high-toned
high-toned
  1. adj. elegant, high-class: The social gathering was a high-toned party with well-known people.
high-water mark
high-water mark
  1. n. the highest point a flood or tide reaches: The river overflowed and left a high-water mark on the cliffs next to it.
high-wire
high-wire
  1. n. a wire stretched high above the ground, on which acrobats perform —adj. risky, thrilling: He made some high-wire investments in foreign currencies.
high
high
  1. adj.
    1 describing vertical measure: The statue is 10 feet high (3 m).
    2 related to great intensity: Emotions at the protest rally were high.
    3 having an elevated rank: She is a high official in the government.
    4 intoxicated, usu. referring to illegal drug use: He got high on marijuana last night.
    5 high as a kite: drunk, intoxicated: He drank all night and got high as a kite.
    6 high horse: arrogance, snobbery: I told him to get off his high horse and act normally.adv. 1 with an elevated location: Cliffs stand high above the ocean.
    2 high and dry: abandoned, deserted,
    THESAURUS
    stranded: When her secretary quit suddenly, she was left high and dry.
    3 high and low: everywhere: I looked high and low for my eyeglasses, but could not find them.
    4 high on the hog: well, richly: Since they won the lottery, they have lived high on the hog.n.
    1 a feeling of excitement, elation: He felt a high from winning the race.||She won the tennis match and was on a high.
    2 intoxication: She got a high from drinking wine.
    3 from on high: from God, heaven, or a person of high rank: The writer gets inspiration from on high.
    4 highs and lows: happy and sad times, ups and downs: He has had highs and lows in his life.
    5 to come off a high: to return to reality, become normal: After winning, he came off that high and felt that his usual life was boring.
high beams
high beams
  1. n.pl. vehicle headlights that are brighter and more intense than low beams: I use the high beams on country roads at night.
high chair
high chair
  1. n. a tall chair for feeding a young child: The baby loves to throw food on the floor from his high chair.
high jinks
high jinks
  1. n.pl. jokes, harmless pranks, and laughter: The children's high jinks were all in good fun.
high life
high life
  1. n. a luxurious lifestyle: My friend married a rich woman and lives the high life of parties and exotic vacations.
high noon
high noon
  1. n.
    1 exactly 12 o'clock noon
    2 a time of decisive confrontation: The two superpowers reached high noon in their conflict and faced nuclear war.
high road
high road
  1. n.
    1 a road that goes over hills: We drove along the high roads to see the scenery.
    2 fig. a glamorous, direct path to success: Her brother took the high road as a successful banker, while she became a high school teacher.
high roller
high roller
  1. n. a person who takes big financial risks: He is a high roller in real-estate investing.
high school
high school
  1. n. [C;U] in USA, a school for grades 9-12 or 10-12: He graduated from high school in 1996. See: grade school, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    high school a secondary school.
high tide
high tide
  1. n. [C;U] the time each day when the ocean is at the highest place on the shore: Sailors wait for high tide before sailing from the harbor.
high time
high time
  1. n.
    1 sing. fun: We had a high time at the party.
    2 [U] It's high time: an expression of impatience: It's high time you got a job and started supporting yourself.
highball
highball
  1. n. a tall glass of liquor and soda or water: I like a highball before dinner.
highborn
highborn
  1. adj. born into the nobility or upper class: She is a highborn lady from London whose family owns many beautiful houses.
highboy
highboy
  1. n. a tall chest of drawers: We keep clothes in a highboy in our bedroom.
highbrow
highbrow
  1. adj. well educated and cultured, refined: He has very highbrow tastes in music and literature. See: lowbrow.
higher-up
higher-up
  1. n. one's superior in business or government: He sent the proposal to the higher-ups in his company for approval.
higher education
higher education
  1. n. [U] education after high school,
    THESAURUS
    postsecondary education: Higher education in the USA is composed mainly of universities, four-year colleges, and two-year colleges.
highfalutin
highfalutin
  1. adj.infrml. pretentious, affected: She has the highfalutin idea that she's a great singer, when in reality she's terrible.
highjack
highjack
  1. v. [T] See: hijack.
highland
highland
  1. n. hills and level fields in mountain areas: The Highlands of Scotland are world famous.
highlander
highlander
  1. n. a person from the highlands
highlight
highlight
  1. v. [T] -lighted, -lighting, -lights to single out, emphasize: Students highlight important parts of their textbooks.||The speaker highlighted the important ideas in his talk with a diagram.
highlighter
highlighter
  1. n. a thick pen with transparent ink, usu. used for marking important parts of text
highly
highly
  1. adv. to a high level or degree: A highly placed source in government gave the newspaper secret information.||She is highly respected as an excellent lawyer.
hightail
hightail
  1. v.infrml. to hightail it out of here: to run rapidly: The students hightailed it out of the classroom when the fire alarm went off.
highway
highway
  1. n. a major, usu. longdistance road: An interstate highway passes near our town.
    THESAURUS
    highway an expressway, freeway, turnpike | beltway.
highway patrol
highway patrol
  1. n. the police who travel in cars on major roads
hijack
hijack
  1. v. [T] to control an airplane or vehicle by threatening its pilot, usu. with a weapon: A desperate man hijacked a plane from New York to Cuba. -n. [C] hijacker; [C;U] hijacking.
hijinks
hijinks
  1. n.pl. See: high jinks.
hike
hike
  1. n.
    1 a long walk in the country: We went for a hike (or) we took a hike in a national park.
    2 infrml. a sudden increase (in prices): The manufacturers gave wholesalers a hike in the price of all products.
    3 infrml. to take a hike: (to tell s.o.) to stop, go away: The salesman tried to get me to buy a car, and I told him to take a hike. -n. hiker.v. hiked, hiking, hikes
    1 [I;T] to take a long walk: We hiked through the hills of Yosemite Park.
    2 infrml. [T] to raise (prices): Manufacturers hiked prices this month.
hilarious
hilarious
  1. adj. extremely funny,
    THESAURUS
    uproarious: The new comedy was absolutely hilarious. -n. [U] hilarity.
hill
hill
  1. n.
    1 (in geology) an elevation of land shorter than a mountain: The hills above the city offer a lovely view.
    2 a pile, mound: A truck deposited a hill of earth in the yard.
    3 a hill of beans: s.t. unimportant,
    THESAURUS
    inconsequential: That political scandal doesn't amount to a hill of beans.
    4 over the hill: old, ineffective: He was a great lawyer at one time, but he's over the hill now.
    THESAURUS
    hill
    1 a slope, bluff, foothill | mountain
    2 a load, pile.
hillbilly
hillbilly
  1. n.infrml.pej. -lies a coun-try person, (syns.) a hick, yokel (esp. from the U.S. southern hill country): He's a hillbilly from a small mountain town.
hillock
hillock
  1. n. a small mound or hill: The hillocks of New England make farming difficult.
hillside
hillside
  1. n. the side of a hill: Trees cover the hillsides in this area.
hilltop
hilltop
  1. n. the top of a hill: There is a good view of the lake from the hilltops above the town.
hilly
hilly
  1. adj. hillier, hilliest having many hills: Parts of West Virginia are very hilly.
    THESAURUS
    hilly full of hills, rolling, sloping | mountainous.
hilt
hilt
  1. n.
    1 the crossbar between the handle and blade of a sword or knife: He pushed the knife into the animal to the hilt.
    2 to the hilt: to the extreme, completely: When she criticizes s.o., she does it to the hilt.
him
him
  1. weak form / object pron. of he: I gave him the book.
himself
himself
  1. weak form / masculine pron. of him:
    1 as a reflexive: He did all the work himself (or) by himself.
    2 for emphasis: I spoke with the President himself.
    3 one's usual manner of being: He doesn't feel himself today; he might have the flu.
hind
hind
  1. adj. related to the rear or posterior part: the hind legs of a dog See: fore. —n. the female red deer: A hunter shot a hind.
hinder
hinder
  1. v. [T] to slow the progress of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to impede: Lack of modern equipment hinders efficient manufacturing.
hindmost
hindmost
  1. adj. last, at the farthest end of s.t.: A worker fixed the hindmost part of the fence.
hindquarters
hindquarters
  1. n.pl. posterior of animals,
    THESAURUS
    the haunches: The farmer hit the horse's hindquarters to make it move faster.
hindrance
hindrance
  1. n. obstacle, handicap: She won't cooperate with us, which is a hindrance in our work.
hindsight
hindsight
  1. n. [U] an opinion about s.t. after it has happened: The stock market has dropped so badly that in hindsight, I should never have bought stock. See: foresight.
hinge
hinge
  1. n. a metal device with two parts that act like a joint: The hinges on doors allow them to open and close.v. [T] hinged, hinging, hinges phrasal v. insep. to hinge on or upon: to depend on, result from: Peace between the two nations hinges on the result of their negotiations.
hint
hint
  1. v. [I;T] n. to make reference to s.t. in an indirect way,
    THESAURUS
    to intimate: He hinted to his wife that he wanted a new watch for his birthday.||She took the hint and bought one.
hinterland
hinterland
  1. n. a remote region: We lived in the city, then moved to the hinterland of northern Vermont.
hip
hip
  1. n.
    1 the part of the body where the leg joins the pelvis: He fell and hurt his hip.
    2 the area around the hip joint: She has wide hips.adj. slang informed, aware, esp. of youthful fashions: Hey, man, that guy is really hip!
hippie or hippy
hippie or hippy
  1. n. -pies a person, esp. of the 1960s, who is against traditional values and lifestyles: In the 1960s my father was a hippy who lived in San Fran-cisco, played the guitar on the streets, and cooked food for poor people.
hippo
hippo
  1. n. -pos short for hippopotamus
hippopotamus
hippopotamus
  1. n. -muses or -mi a large African animal with a heavy body, gray skin, and a very large head and mouth: Hippopotamuses live near rivers.
hippy
hippy
  1. n. var. of hippie
hire
hire
  1. v. [T] hired, hiring, hires
    1 to pay for the services of, employ: The company hired her last week.
    2 to rent, pay a fee for: I hired a limousine to take me to the airport.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hire s.o. out: to do work for money: Temporary agencies hire out workers to other companies.||They hire workers out.n. a person who is hired: New hires go through a training program.
hired hand
hired hand
  1. n. a low-level employee hired for simple jobs: He is a seasonal hired hand on a ranch.
hireling
hireling
  1. n. pej. a low-level employee usu. hired for temporary or unskilled work: The man brought along several hirelings to clean up the mess.
hirsute
hirsute
  1. adj.frml. hairy: His chest is hirsute.
his
his
  1. weak form / possessive pron. of he: He hung his coat in the closet.||He tried his hardest on the test.
hiss
hiss
  1. n. hisses a low-pitched sound of air forced from the mouth: The cat hissed at the dog.v. [I] hisses to make the sound of a hiss: The snake hissed at the mouse, then attacked it.
histology
histology
  1. n. [U] the microscopic study of plant and animal tissues: Dermatologists study the histology of the skin.
historian
historian
  1. n. a person who teaches, studies, and writes about history: The professor is a historian at the University of Chicago.
historic
historic
  1. adj. important in history, famous: We visited places of historic interest in Paris.
historical
historical
  1. adj. related to history: The French Revolution was of great historical importance. -adv. historically.
    THESAURUS
    historical historic, concerning the past | ancient, non-fictional.
history
history
  1. n. -ies
    1 [C;U] the study of past events (people, civilizations, etc.): She studied European history at college.
    2 [C] past events, a written account of past events: My family history is very interesting; I plan to write it all down some day.||She read a history of Peru.
    3 that's history or past (ancient) history: s.t. that is no longer important: His bad behavior is past history; he's a good boy now.
    4 to make history: to do s.t. memorable, important
    THESAURUS
    history
    1 the past of | antiquity
    2 the past, an account, narrative, chronicle | memoir.
histrionics
histrionics
  1. n.pl. frml. dramatic emotional behavior used to make others do what one wants: His histrionics do not work on those who know him; they just ignore his yelling and crying. -adj. histrionic.
hit-or-miss
hit-or-miss
  1. adj. by chance,
    THESAURUS
    unpredictable See: hit, adj. 2.
hit
hit
  1. v. [T] hit, hitting, hits
    THESAURUS
    v.
    1 (syns.) to pound, strike: He hit the nail with a hammer. He pounded the nail with a hammer.
    2 (syns.) to punch, slap: The boxer hit his opponent with his right fist. The boxer punched his opponent with his right fist.
    3 (syns.) to collide with, crash into: One car hit the other. One car collided with the other (or) crashed into the other.
    4 (syns.) to upset badly, stun: The death of his mother hit him hard. The death of his mother upset him badly (or) stunned him.
    5 (syn.) to score (points in sports): The player hit the goal for two points. The player scored a goal for two points.
    6 (syn.) to strike (a target): A bullet hit the soldier in the leg. A bullet struck the soldier in the leg.
    7 (syns.) to reach, attain: The stock market hit a new high. The stock market reached a new high.
    8 (syn.) infrml. to kill: A gangster hit another gang member. A gangster killed another gang member.
    9 to be hit with: to be shocked, surprised by: My father was hit with a big dental bill.
    10 to hit it off: to like one another: My two friends met for the first time yesterday and hit it off.
    11 phrasal v. insep. to hit on or upon s.o. or s.t.: a. slang to flirt, make a pass at s.o.: All the men at the party hit on her. b. to discover, find s.t. useful: My boss hit on a new way of making our product.
    12 to hit pay dirt: to reach success, be rewarded: The salesman talked to many possible customers before he hit pay dirt with a big order.
    13 to hit s.o. like a ton of bricks: to stun,
    THESAURUS
    to overwhelm: His boss fired him suddenly, and it hit him like a ton of bricks.
    14 phrasal v. insep. to hit s.o. up for s.t.: to ask s.o. for s.t.: My friend John hit me up for a loan that I can't really afford.
    15 to hit the books: to study hard: I'm going to hit the books this weekend to study for my exams.
    16 to hit the bottle or sauce: to drink too much alcohol: Since his girlfriend left him, he has been really hitting the bottle.
    17 infrml. to hit the brakes: To stop a car quickly: When a dog ran in front of my car, I hit the brakes.
    18 to hit the bull's-eye: a. to strike a target's center b. fig. to be accurate, very good in describing s.t. or solving a problem: She hit the bull's-eye when she described him as a jerk.
    19 infrml. to hit the deck (dirt, floor): to fall to the ground to avoid danger: I hit the deck when the shooting started.
    20 infrml. to hit the hay or sack: to go to bed: I hit the hay early last night.
    21 to hit the nail on the head: to describe s.t. accurately: You hit the nail on the head when you said that debt will destroy the economy.
    22 infrml. to hit the panic button: to panic, alarm others: When sales went down, the manager hit the panic button and told all the workers to sell more.
    23 infrml. to hit the road: to leave, go on a trip: The sales manager told the salespeople to hit the road and sell.
    24 infrml. to hit the roof: to become mad: When sales went down, she hit the roof and started yelling at everyone.
    25 to hit the spot: to satisfy well: An ice-cold drink on a hot day in August really hits the spot.n.
    1 a blow, impact: The fighter plane got a hit from enemy fire.
    2 a great success: The new movie was a big hit.
    3 slang a murder: One gang made a hit on the leader of another gang.
    4 to score a hit: to succeed greatly: The good food and nice decorations scored a hit with our guests.
    5 (in computers) a response to an Internet site by an interested person: The Heinle dictionary site receives thousands of hits a year.adj.
    1 hit-and-run: leaving the scene of an accident: I was in a hit-and-run accident where the car that hit me took off right away.
    2 hit-and-miss: unreliable,
    THESAURUS
    erratic: The buses never run on time here; their schedules are hit-and-miss.
hit list
hit list
  1. n.infrml. a list of people to be hurt or killed: That gangster has a hit list of his enemies.
hit man
hit man
  1. n.infrml. men a hired murderer, esp. a gangster: The mob sent a hit man to kill a police detective.
hitch
hitch
  1. v. -es
    1 [T] to attach, connect, esp. to harness an animal: The farmer hitched the horse to a wagon.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hitch s.t. up: a. to pull up quickly: She hitched up her pants. b. to attach s.t. by hitching: The boy hitched up his pony to the cart and drove away.
    3 [T] to hitch a ride: to hitchhike: I hitched a ride with a truck driver to get here.
    4 slang to get hitched: to marry: Susan and I are planning to get hitched in June.n. hitches
    1 a harness or device used as a hitch: The railroad cars' hitches locked together.
    2 a difficulty: The seller is demanding more money and caused a hitch in the sale.
hitchhike
hitchhike
  1. v. [I] -hiked, -hiking, -hikes to stand on the road and ask for a ride from others, to thumb a ride: I hitchhiked from Baltimore to Washington. -n. hitchhiker.
hither
hither
  1. adv.frml.
    1 to here, toward s.o.
    2 hither and thither or yon: here and there, all over: We traveled hither and thither on vacation.
hive
hive
  1. n.
    1 a box-like structure where bees live: Beekeepers keep bees in hives.
    2 fig. a busy place: The stock exchange is a hive of activity.v. [I] hived, hiving, hives (of bees) to gather into hives
hives
hives
  1. n.pl. a rash or bumps on the skin: I have a food allergy that gives me hives.
ho-hum
ho-hum
  1. exclam. of tiredness, boredom —adj. boring: We attended a ho-hum concert.
ho
ho
  1. exclam. a laugh or expression of disapproval: Santa Claus laughs, "Ho, ho, ho!"
hoagie
hoagie
  1. -n. a long sandwich with meat, cheese, lettuce and tomato, (syn.) grinder
hoard
hoard
  1. v. [T] to hide a lot of s.t. for future use or sale: People hoard gold when their national currency is weak.n. a group of hoarded items: They keep their hoard of gold in a safe place. -n. [C] hoarder, [U] hoarding.
hoarse
hoarse
  1. adj. hoarser, hoarsest having a scratchy, husky voice caused by overuse or a virus: The politician is hoarse from giving speeches. -adv. hoarsely; -n. [U] hoarseness.
hoary
hoary
  1. adj. -ier, -iest old and gray: The graveyard has a hoary look. -n. [U] hoariness.
hoax
hoax
  1. n.v. [T] hoaxes s.t. false, a deception, trick: The bomb threat turned out to be a hoax.
hobble
hobble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [I;T] to restrain, handicap: Our efforts are hobbled by a lack of funds.
    2 [I] to limp: He broke his leg and hobbles along on crutches.n.
    1 a restraint, such as a rope tying a horse's legs together: The farmer put a hobble on his horse to keep it from walking off.
    2 a limp, an awkward gait: She walks with a hobble because of a leg injury.
hobby
hobby
  1. n. -bies an activity done often for pleasure: His hobby is gardening.
    THESAURUS
    hobby a pastime, favorite pursuit, avocation.
hobbyhorse
hobbyhorse
  1. n.
    1 a child's toy rocking horse: Our little boy loves to ride his hobbyhorse.
    2 fig. a subject or idea that s.o. continually talks about
hobgoblin
hobgoblin
  1. n. a scary ghost, evil spirit: Hobgoblins are said to come out on Halloween.
hobnob
hobnob
  1. v. [I] -nobbed, -nobbing, -nobs to socialize with, be friendly with: He hobnobbed with rich friends on vacation last summer.
hobo
hobo
  1. n. -boes or -bos a homeless wanderer,
    THESAURUS
    a vagabond: Old Joe is a hobo who rides the trains from place to place.
hock
hock
  1. n.
    1 the ankle area of an animal
    2 a cut of meat from this area: My mother cooks a ham hock in the pea soup to give it flavor.
    3 in hock: in debt: He looks rich, but he's in hock up to his ears.v. [T] to pawn: He hocked his watch to pay the rent.
hockey
hockey
  1. n. [U] a sport played on ice with a puck or on a field with a ball: The team that makes the most goals in hockey wins the game.
hockshop
hockshop
  1. n.infrml. a pawnshop
hocus-pocus
hocus-pocus
  1. n. [U] words or tricks used to deceive or to pretend to do magic: What fortune tellers do is just a lot of hocus-pocus.
hodgepodge
hodgepodge
  1. n. a mixture of different things,
    THESAURUS
    a jumble: His ideas are a hodgepodge of unproved theories.
hoe
hoe
  1. n.v. [I;T] hoed, hoeing, hoes a digging tool with a metal blade on a long handle: I use a hoe to hoe weeds from my garden.
hog-tie
hog-tie
  1. v. [T] -tied, -tying, -ties
    1 to tie the legs together
    2 to prevent from acting, obstruct: We were hog-tied by laws preventing us from buying the land.
hog-wild
hog-wild
  1. adj. to go hog-wild: to act crazy, reckless: She went hog-wild and bought risky stocks.
hog
hog
  1. n.
    1 a large domesticated pig: Hogs are raised for ham, pork, bacon, and lard.
    2 fig. s.o. who eats or takes a lot of s.t.: He's a real hog with the ice cream.
    3 infrml. to go whole hog: to do s.t. completely —v. [T] hogged, hogging, hogs to take more than one's share of s.t.
    THESAURUS
    hog n.
    1 a swine
    2 a pig, greedy person, glutton.
hogback
hogback
  1. n. (in geology) a geologic formation of a sharp ridge with steep sides: Hogbacks create barriers that can make travel difficult.
hogwash
hogwash
  1. n. [U]
    1 leftover food used to feed pigs
    2 infrml.fig. nonsense: His ideas are pure hogwash.
hoi polloi
hoi polloi
  1. n.pl. (Greek for) the masses, ordinary people: He's a snob and doesn't mix with the hoi polloi.
hoist
hoist
  1. v. [T] to lift and move an object: The father hoisted his small child onto his shoulders.n. a device used to pick up and place s.t.: A mechanic used a chain hoist to lift an engine from an automobile.
hoity-toity
hoity-toity
  1. adj. snobbish, snooty: She puts on hoity-toity airs and thinks she is better than other people.
hokey
hokey
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest
    1 corny, unsophisticated: Her jokes are hokey.
    2 phony, fake: He has these hokey schemes that never work.
hokum
hokum
  1. n. [U] nonsense, empty talk
holder
holder
  1. n.
    1 a device to hold s.t.: I put the pen in the holder on my desk.
    2 the person who controls a place or possessions: The bank is the mortgage holder on the house.
holding
holding
  1. n. ownership of an asset, s.t. valuable: She has holdings (buildings, land) in real estate.
holding company
holding company
  1. n. -nies a company that owns stock in and usu. controls other companies: The businessman formed a holding company to control all his assets.
holdout
holdout
  1. n. a person who does not agree to do s.t., usu. waiting for s.t. better: Everyone agreed to the plan, except for one holdout who wanted more money.
holdover
holdover
  1. n. a person or thing from the past that exists in new times: The whole management team was new except for one holdover from the old group.
holdup
holdup
  1. n. a robbery with a weapon (gun, knife, etc.), a stickup: A holdup at gunpoint happened in the local grocery store.
    THESAURUS
    holdup n. an armed robbery, mugging.
hole-in-the-wall
hole-in-the-wall
  1. n. a small place, usu. dark and run-down: His store is a hole-in-the-wall, but he does good business.
hole
hole
  1. n.
    1 an opening in a surface: I repaired a hole in my shirt.
    2 an animal's home or nest: A rabbit jumped into its hole.
    3 an unclear point: The witness's story had holes in it.
    4 infrml. an unpleasant place: His small, messy apartment is a hole.||The police threw the prisoner into a hole.
    5 (in golf) a. the cup into which the ball is hit b. one of 18 links: We played 18 holes of golf today.adj.
    1 slang in the hole: in debt: He is in the hole to his landlord for three months' rent.
    2 to poke holes in s.t.: to criticize too much —v. holed, holing, holes
    1 [I;T] to make a hole in s.t.: The workman holed the garden for plants.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to hole out: to finish a hole in golf
    3 phrasal v. [I;T] to hole up: to hide: The criminal holed up in a mountain cabin.
    THESAURUS
    hole n.
    1 a tear, crack, split | cavity, space
    2 a burrow, den, tunnel
    3 a gap
    4 a mess.
holiday
holiday
  1. n.
    1 a day of celebration or rest: Many companies in the USA give their employees ten legal holidays.
    2 usu. Brit. a vacation: We go on holiday in August.
    THESAURUS
    holiday
    1 a day off, vacation day.
holiness
holiness
  1. n. [U]
    1 the quality of being holy: The holiness of a church is widely respected.
    2 Holiness a title of the Pope: His Holiness, Pope John Paul II, visited the cathedral.
holistic
holistic
  1. adj. related to a total being, such as the body and mind: Many doctors practice holistic medicine and focus on their patients' emotions as well as their illnesses.
holler
holler
  1. v.infrml. [I;T]
    1 to yell, shout: My friend hollered at me to come over to her quickly.
    2 to complain,
    THESAURUS
    to bellyache: He started hollering that he hurt his ankle. -n. [U] hollering.
hollow
hollow
  1. n. (in geology) a shallow depression in the ground: Deer were eating down in the hollow.v. [T] to remove the contents of s.t.: We hollowed out a pumpkin and made a jack-o'-lantern.adj.
    1 empty, with no center: The tree trunk was hollow from insects feeding inside.
    2 fig. false, empty: His arguments are hollow.
    THESAURUS
    hollow adj.
    1 not solid, unfilled
    2 inadequate, unsound, meaningless.
holly
holly
  1. n. -lies any of a family of trees and shrubs with shiny, pointed leaves and red berries, used for Christmas decorations: The leaves and berries of holly make beautiful decorations.
hollyhock
hollyhock
  1. n. a tall plant with large flowers along a tall stem
holography
holography
  1. n. [U] a process of forming three-dimensional images by using light waves: Companies use holography to create special images on credit cards. -n. hologram ; -adj. holographic.
holster
holster
  1. n. a leather holder for a gun: The cowboy drew his pistol from his holster.
holy
holy
  1. adj. -lier, -liest sacred, coming from or connected with God: Christmas is a holy day. See: holiness. —exclam. Holy cow or Holy smoke: expression of surprise: Holy cow! What a great play that team made!
    THESAURUS
    holy adj. blessed, hallowed, consecrated | spiritual. Ant. unholy.
homage
homage
  1. n. [U] to pay homage: to show great respect, esp. publicly: The nobles paid homage to the queen by bowing to her.
home-grown
home-grown
  1. adj. grown locally or in one's garden: Home-grown tomatoes taste better than any sold in the grocery store.
home
home
  1. n.
    1 the place where one lives: My home is an apartment in Manhattan.
    2 one's birthplace: My home was originally in Boston (in America, North America, etc.).
    3 a place where s.t. comes from: New Orleans is the home of jazz music.
    4 (in baseball) home plate
    5 at home: a. comfortable and welcome, as you would feel in your own house: I feel at home at my friend's house.||When she visits me, I tell her to make herself at home. b. comfortable with s.t.: She's at home working with computers.||He's at home with horses; he's ridden them for years.
    6 there's no place like home (or) home sweet home: related to one's sense of belonging or comfort: I am so sick of traveling for a month; there's no place like home.adj.
    1 related to or prepared at home: When I went away to college, I really missed my mother's home cooking.
    2 related to or being a base of operations: The company's home office is in Chicago.adv.
    1 to hit home: to disturb, affect deeply: His wife's criticism of his bad habits hit home, and he changed them.
    2 towards home: where one lives: We were driving towards home when we saw the accident.v. homed, homing, homes
    1 [I] (said of pigeons) to head to one's place of origin: Homing pigeons released into the air far away home for their nests.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to home in on s.t.: to move toward, sight on: Guided missiles home in on their target and hit it.
home page
home page
  1. n. (in computers) the main page on the Internet about a person, product, or organization, often with a listing of contents: She has a home page on the Internet describing her business. See: Web site.
home plate
home plate
  1. n. (in baseball) the fourth base, where the batters stand to hit the ball and then cross after they run around all bases to score: He hit a home run and crossed home plate to win the game.
home room
home room
  1. n. in USA, the room to which students go first in a school day
home run
home run
  1. n. (in baseball) hitting a ball within bounds, allowing the batter to run around all the bases and back home; usu. the ball goes over the fence around the outfield: The batter hit a home run, and the fans started yelling.
home shopping
home shopping
  1. n. buying goods and services without leaving the home, via the Internet, TV, telephone, and mail order: Home shopping has spread from mail order to the Internet.
homebody
homebody
  1. n. -ies a person who prefers to stay at home and not travel or go out: He's a real homebody who would rather read a good book than go out at night.
homeland
homeland
  1. n. one's native country: The USA (China, Poland, etc.) is my homeland.
    THESAURUS
    homeland one's native land, nation.
homeless
homeless
  1. n.pl. people who have no home, formerly (in USA) called vagrants: The government built shelters for the homeless.adj. without a home: The earthquake left hundreds of people homeless.
homely
homely
  1. adj. -lier, -liest not good-looking, ugly: He is a homely guy; she is a homely girl.
homemade
homemade
  1. adj. made at home or by hand: That bread is homemade.
homemaker
homemaker
  1. n. a person who takes care of his or her family's house and children: Zora is a homemaker, and her husband is a teacher.

    USAGE NOTE: The term homemaker describes anyone who creates and cares for a home. It is a more contemporary term than housewife or househusband.
homeopathic
homeopathic
  1. adj. (in medicine) related to the treatment of an illness by giving a small dose of a medicine that, in a larger dose, would cause the symptoms of that illness -n. [U] homeopathy.
homeowner
homeowner
  1. n. a property owner, esp. of a house or apartment: She is a homeowner; she owns a condominium.
homesick
homesick
  1. adj. feeling sad when away, missing one's home: After traveling for a month, I was homesick.
    THESAURUS
    homesick longing for home, pining for home, sentimental.
homespun
homespun
  1. adj.
    1 referring to thread spun in a home
    2 fig. folksy, plain: Her homespun humor is dry, but funny.
homestead
homestead
  1. n. a piece of land with a simple house, often given by a government to settlers in return for working on the land: He has a 150-acre homestead in Alaska. [C] homesteader; [U] homesteading.
homestretch
homestretch
  1. n.
    1 the final distance on a racetrack before the finish line: The horses have made the final turn and are in the homestretch.
    2 the time just prior to the end of an activity: We're almost finished with our work; we're in the homestretch.
hometown
hometown
  1. n. the city or town where one grew up, often one's birthplace: Seattle is my hometown.
homeward
homeward
  1. adv.adj. toward home: We walked homeward after the concert.
homework
homework
  1. n. [U] schoolwork for students to do at home: Our math teacher gives us a lot of homework.
    THESAURUS
    homework an assignment, schoolwork | outside reading.
homey
homey
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having the comfort or familiarity of one's home: That restaurant has a homey atmosphere.
homicidal
homicidal
  1. adj. likely to commit homicide, kill s.o.
homicide
homicide
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the killing of one person by another, murder: Her death was a homicide from a knife wound to the heart.
    2 [C] a person who kills s.o., a murderer
homily
homily
  1. n. -lies a sermon, talk: The priest talked about good works in his homily.
homo
homo
  1. n. -mos pej.short for homosexual See: gay USAGE NOTE.
homogeneous
homogeneous
  1. adj. of the same kind: The population of Japan is homogeneous, with few foreigners. -n. [U] homogeneity See: heterogeneous.
homogenize
homogenize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes to make the same throughout: The milk is homogenized so that the cream is mixed evenly throughout the carton.
homonym
homonym
  1. n. a word spelled the same as another but with different meanings: "Wind" is a homonym that as a noun means the motion of the air and as a verb means to turn s.t., as in winding a watch.
homosexual
homosexual
  1. n. a person who is emotionally and sexually attracted to people of the same sex: Scientists estimate that 10% of the people in the world are homosexual. See: gay USAGE NOTE. —adj. related to being homosexual or gay: He has homosexual preferences. -n. homosexuality.
honcho
honcho
  1. n.infrml. -chos the boss, head person: He is the head honcho in that company.
hone
hone
  1. n. a stone used to sharpen knives, razors, etc. —v. [T] honed, honing, hones
    1 to sharpen: He honed the blades on his hunting knife to a fine edge.
    2 fig. to improve, sharpen: She honed her piano playing by practicing eight hours a day.
honest
honest
  1. adj.
    1 truthful and trustworthy: He is honest in his business with others.
    2 solid, real: She did an honest day's work on the project. -adv. honestly.
    THESAURUS
    honest
    1 ethical, sincere, virtuous. Ant. dishonest.
    2 genuine, good.
honesty
honesty
  1. n. [U] truthfulness and trustworthiness: You can trust her honesty both in what she says and in her business dealings. See: dishonesty.
honey
honey
  1. n.
    1 [U] the sweet, syrupy liquid produced by bees from plant nectar: I like honey on toast in the morning.
    2 [C] a term of affection similar to "dearest" or "sweetheart": Honey, would you pass me the salt, please? -adj. honeyed.
    THESAURUS
    honey
    2 dear, sweetie, darling | one's girlfriend or boyfriend, sweetheart.

    USAGE NOTE: Honey is a common term of affection between two people. Names like sweetie, darling, pumpkin, and angel are also used as affectionate terms by adults or by an adult speaking to a child.
honeybunch
honeybunch
  1. n.infrml. a term of affection: My daughter is my little honeybunch.
honeycomb
honeycomb
  1. n. a group of cells that bees make of wax to keep honey and to plant pollen and their eggs: Beekeepers take honeycombs out of the hives to get honey.
honeydew melon
honeydew melon
  1. n. [C;U] a large, light-green sweet fruit: Honeydew melons are delicious for dessert.
honeymoon
honeymoon
  1. n.
    1 a trip people take after they get married: We went to Paris on our honeymoon.
    2 fig. a period when one's opponents do not attack: The President went through a month-long honeymoon before the press criticized him.
honeysuckle
honeysuckle
  1. n. [C;U] any of a variety of climbing plants with small, trumpet-shaped, sweet-smelling flowers: The honeysuckle shrubs in our backyard flower in June.
honk
honk
  1. v. [I;T] n.
    1 to make a sound like a goose: Geese honk on their way south each autumn.||You can hear their honks.
    2 to blow a car horn: I honked at a pedestrian to warn him, and he heard my honk and stopped.
honky-tonk
honky-tonk
  1. n.
    1 [C] a cheap nightclub: She sings in honky-tonks.
    2 [U] a kind of music played at such nightclubs
honor
honor
  1. n.
    1 [U] one's good reputation (for honesty, integrity, etc.): He is a man of honor and is totally trustworthy.
    2 [U] (for a woman) virtue, morality: Her honor is above question.
    3 [C;U] praise, recognition from others: She has the honor of being given an award.
    4 sing. privilege, distinction: The mayor has the honor of introducing the President to the audience.
    5 [U] a term of address for a mayor or a judge: His Honor the Mayor attended the meeting.
    6 on one's honor: an agreement to do s.t. based on one's word, integrity: You may take the examination without supervision, and you are on your honor not to cheat.
    7 with honors: with high academic marks: He graduated with honors.v. [T]
    1 to praise, give recognition to: She was honored by the mayor with a good citizenship award.
    2 to show respect: The son honors his parents by caring for them.
    3 to fulfill a promise or obligation: She honored her student loans by paying them.
honor roll
honor roll
  1. n. an academic honor given to students who achieve high enough grades at the end of a school term: She is an honors student and is on the honor roll.
honorable
honorable
  1. adj. respectable, reputable: He is an honorable man who keeps his promises. -adv. honorably.
honorarium
honorarium
  1. n. -iums or -ia a one-time fee paid for work: The company paid the teacher an honorarium for the speech she gave to its workers.
honorary
honorary
  1. adj.
    1 elated to an honor given to s.o. who has not earned it the normal way: The university gave an honorary degree to a politician.
    2 of an unpaid position: the honorary president of the theater club
hooch
hooch
  1. n.slang [U] homemade alcoholic drinks: He sold hooch out of his car.
hood
hood
  1. n.
    1 a cloth covering for the head and neck (as part of a robe, coat, or jacket): It started to snow, and she put up the hood on her jacket.
    2 the metal cover of the front of a car
    3 infrml.short for hoodlum —v. [T] to cover with a hood: Monks hooded their heads as they left the church. -adj. hooded.
hoodlum
hoodlum
  1. n. s.o. who is violent and rough, and often young, (syns.) a thug, gangster: Hoodlums robbed the store.
hoodwink
hoodwink
  1. v. [T] to trick, deceive,
    THESAURUS
    to swindle: A swindler hoodwinked an old man into buying counterfeit coins.
hooey
hooey
  1. n.infrml. [U] nonsense,
    THESAURUS
    hogwash: What he says is a lot of hooey; don't believe it.
hoof
hoof
  1. n. hooves or hoofs
    1 the hard part of certain mammals' feet, such as cattle and horses: The hooves of horses are protected by horseshoes.
    2 on the hoof: (of animals) unbutchered, alive: The price of cattle on the hoof is low.v.infrml. to hoof it: to walk: We could not find a taxi, so we hoofed it to the park.
hoofed
hoofed
  1. adj. having hooves: Hoofed animals include cattle, horses, and many wild species.
hook
hook
  1. n.
    1 a tool with a shaft and curved end: We catch fish with hooks and worms.
    2 by hook or by crook: by one means or another: I will fix that computer for you by hook or by crook.
    3 hook, line, and sinker: the whole thing: The teacher believed my story hook, line, and sinker.
    4 on one's own hook: by one's own actions: I paid my way through college on my own hook with no help from anybody.
    5 to be off the hook: a. to be thought not responsible for s.t., to have a problem fixed: His father paid his rent, and that got him off the hook with the landlord. b. (said of telephones) to be disconnected: Her telephone is off the hook; it doesn't ring.v. [T]
    1 to catch with a hook: We hooked some fish in the pond.
    2 to close, fasten with a hook: She hooked her jacket closed.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to hook on to s.t.: a. to place on, attach to: He took off his jacket and hooked it on to the coat rack. b. fig. to get s.t. good: Your new job is high paying and interesting; you've really hooked onto something!
    4 phrasal v. sep. to hook s.t. or s.o. up: to connect: He hooked up the radio antenna and listened to broadcasts.||She hooked two friends up who were both interested in theater.
hooked
hooked
  1. adj.
    1 shaped like a hook, curved: He has a hooked nose.
    2 addicted, obsessed: She is hooked on television; she watches it 12 hours a day.||He is hooked on drugs.
hooker
hooker
  1. n.vulg.slang a prostitute: Hookers look for customers near the big hotels.
hookup
hookup
  1. n. a connection, linkage: Stock exchanges have a satellite hookup to send data between countries.
hooligan
hooligan
  1. n. a thug, troublemaker: Hooligans turned over cars and set them on fire.
hoop
hoop
  1. n. a circular tube or band: Basketball players shoot the ball through a hoop.
hoopla
hoopla
  1. n. [U] loud excitement,
    THESAURUS
    ballyhoo: Band music and speeches created hoopla at the political rally.
hoot
hoot
  1. n.
    1 the cry made by an owl or a ship's horn
    2 a shout of contempt
    3 infrml. not to give a hoot: not to care, to disdain: I don't give a hoot what he says; he's wrong.v. [I;T]
    1 to let out such a cry: Owls hoot at night.
    2 to make a sound of contempt: The audience hooted the performer off the stage. -n. hoot owl.
hooves
hooves
  1. n.pl. of hoof
hop
hop
  1. n.
    1 a forward jump: The girl took little hops down the sidewalk.
    2 a quick trip: San Diego is a short hop from Los Angeles.v. [I] hopped, hopping, hops to move with a hopping motion: Rabbits hop very quickly.
hope
hope
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] faith that a situation will improve: He has hope that his cancer will not be fatal.
    2 [C] s.o. or s.t. that can improve a situation: That doctor is my last hope.
    3 [C;U] desire that s.t. will happen: Her hopes center on having a successful career in law.
    4 to have high hopes: to have high expectations: He is doing well at college, and he has high hopes of graduating this June.v. [I;T] hoped, hoping, hopes
    1 to wish, desire: I hope that you feel better soon.
    2 to aspire, desire success: She hopes to be a doctor someday.
    THESAURUS
    | dream.
hopeful
hopeful
  1. adj.
    1 having faith that s.t. good will happen: She is hopeful that she will be cured soon.
    2 optimistic, positive: There are hopeful signs that she will recover completely. -adv. hopefully; -n. [U] hopefulness.
hopeless
hopeless
  1. adj. without hope,
    THESAURUS
    dire: The situation with his bad health is hopeless. -adv. hopelessly; -n. [U] hopelessness.
hopper
hopper
  1. n.
    1 a container that receives and sends out things: Farmers pour grain into hoppers, which release the grain into railroad cars.
    2 s.t. that hops: Grasshoppers and frogs are hoppers.
    3 in the hopper: in the works, in process: Our company has some excellent new projects in the hopper for future sales.
hops
hops
  1. n.pl. the dried flowers of a plant of the hemp family: Hops are used in the brewing of beer.
hopscotch
hopscotch
  1. n. [U] a children's game of hopping across numbered squares to pick up a stone that has been tossed onto them: Youngsters play hopscotch on the sidewalk.v. [I] -scotches to move or act as though playing hopscotch: Our airplane flight hopscotched at stops all over the Northeast before landing in Boston.
horde
horde
  1. n. a mass of people: Hordes of people came to hear the President speak.
horizon
horizon
  1. n.
    1 the place in one's view where the earth's surface forms a line with the sky: Sailors could see another ship coming over the horizon.
    2 a person's chances for success: She is so smart that her future holds unlimited horizons.
    THESAURUS
    horizon
    1 skyline | vista, boundary
    2 pl. prospects, possibilities, limits.
horizontal
horizontal
  1. adj. parallel to the ground: When horizontal and vertical lines meet, they form angles. -adv. horizontally. See: vertical.
    THESAURUS
    horizontal flat, level, straight across.
hormone
hormone
  1. n. a chemical from body organs that stimulates activity in living systems: Testosterone is the male sex hormone.
horn
horn
  1. n.
    1 a pointed growth on the heads of some animals: Goats have horns.
    2 a musical instrument, usu. made of metal, that creates sounds with air: The French horn has a beautiful sound.
    3 a device that gives a warning sound: a car horn
    4 to take the bull by the horns: to take control, struggle: My father could not solve the difficult problem, so I took the bull by the horns and solved it for him.phrasal v. insep. [T] to horn in on s.t.: to interupt against the wishes of others, (syns.) to intrude, butt in: He horned in on our conversation and monopolized it. -adj. horned.
hornet
hornet
  1. n. a type of wasp noted for its aggressiveness and sting
horny
horny
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 rough, hard: His feet were horny from walking barefoot.
    2 vulg.slang wanting sex,
    THESAURUS
    lustful
horology
horology
  1. n. [U]
    1 the making of watches and other timepieces
    2 the study of time -n. horologist; -adj. horological.
horoscope
horoscope
  1. n. (in astrology) prediction of a person's future by interpreting the positions of the stars and planets around the time she or he was born: My horoscope for today is full of good news.
horrendous
horrendous
  1. adj. extreme, terrible: He is having horrendous difficulty with his health.
horrible
horrible
  1. adj.
    1 causing horror, terrifying: A horrible snake came out of the jungle.
    2 infrml. very unpleasant or annoying: We had a horrible time getting through traffic. -adv. horribly.
horrid
horrid
  1. adj.
    1 monstrous, repulsive: That snake is horrid.
    2 very annoying: We had a horrid time with customs authorities.
horrific
horrific
  1. adj.
    1 frml. terrifying
    2 infrml. very annoying: We had horrific difficulties in fixing the computer. -adv. horrifically.
horrify
horrify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to terrify, sicken with fear: The sight of his murdered friend horrified him.
horror
horror
  1. n.
    1 [U] fear (terror, revulsion) caused by ugliness or s.t. lifethreatening: The sight of that monster created horror in the crowd.
    2 [C] s.t. causing terror: That monster was a horror to see.
    3 [C] infrml. a terrible situation, incident: Driving through terrible traffic was a horror. -adj. horror-stricken.
    THESAURUS
    horror
    1 fearfulness, panic, alarm
    2 a fright, shock | disgust, hatred.
hors d'oeuvre
hors d'oeuvre
  1. n. d'oeuvres (French for) an appetizer,
    THESAURUS
    a canape: We served hors d'oeuvres to our guests before dinner.
horse
horse
  1. n.
    1 a large, four-footed, domesticated animal with hard hooves used for riding, work, and in some places for meat: The Arabian horse is one of the earth's most beautiful creatures.
    2 a dark horse: s.o., usu. a politician, who has little chance of winning: She was a dark horse in the race for mayor, but she won.
    3 a horse of a different color: s.t. different from what one expected: We wanted to go on vacation in Hawaii, but when the tickets were twice as expensive as we had thought, that was a horse of a different color!
    4 not to look a gift horse in the mouth: don't examine or criticize s.t. too much if you get it for free: My parents gave me their old car, and I did not look a gift horse in the mouth by asking if it needed repairs.
    5 straight from the horse's mouth: directly from the person who said s.t.: The boss told me she is going to give everyone a good salary increase; I heard it straight from the horse's mouth (the boss).
    6 to be on a high horse: to be too proud, arrogant: I wish that he would get off his high horse and act sensibly.
    7 to hold one's horses: to wait, not act carelessly: Hold your horses; we're not ready to leave yet!
    8 to put the cart before the horse: to do s.t. before the right time for it: At the meeting, our sales manager started talking about the design of the company's product catalog before we decided what to include in it, so he put the cart before the horse.v. horsed, horsing, horses, phrasal v. infrml. [I] to horse around: to play,
    THESAURUS
    to roughhouse: Those boys are always horsing around with each other. See: horseplay.
horsefly
horsefly
  1. n. -flies a kind of large, blood-sucking fly: Horseflies can really be annoying.
horseplay
horseplay
  1. n. [U] noisy play, wild behavior,
    THESAURUS
    roughhousing: Boys engage in horseplay after school.
horsepower
horsepower
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 a force equal to 746 watts or lifting 550 pounds a distance of one foot in one second
    2 a measurement of engine power: His car has a 200-horsepower engine.
horseradish
horseradish
  1. n. [U] a plant with a hot-tasting root that is made into a sauce: He likes to put horseradish on his roast beef sandwiches.
horseshoe
horseshoe
  1. n. a U-shaped piece of metal nailed to horses' hooves for protection
horticulture
horticulture
  1. n. [U] the science of growing plants: The city's botanical garden is a center of horticulture. -adj. horticultural ; -n. [C] horticulturist.
hose
hose
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a flexible tube: I use a garden hose to water the lawn.
    2 pl. stockings or socks: That store sells hose for both men and women.||Her pantyhose are ripped.v. [T] hosed, hosing, hoses to use a hose: I hosed down my car with water.
hosiery
hosiery
  1. n. [U] socks or stockings: My wife went to the store to buy some hosiery.
hospice
hospice
  1. n.
    1 a facility or program for the care of terminally ill people: Hospice work is difficult because people are very sick and usually do not get well again.
    2 a place of rest and healing: Monks provide hospices for the poor and ill.
hospitable
hospitable
  1. adj. friendly, welcoming, esp. with food, drink, and comfort: They are a very hospitable couple to both friends and strangers.
hospital
hospital
  1. n. a medical institution that gives health care: He went to the hospital to have an operation.
    THESAURUS
    hospital a clinic, medical center | infirmary.
hospitality
hospitality
  1. n. [U] friendly treatment of others, esp. in giving food, drink, and a comfortable place to be: We enjoyed the hospitality of friends at their country home.
    THESAURUS
    hospitality kindness, graciousness, generosity.
hospitalization
hospitalization
  1. n. [C;U] a stay at a hospital: His hospitalization was necessary so the doctors could perform tests.
hospitalize
hospitalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to place in a hospital: She was hospitalized for appendicitis.
host
host
  1. n.
    1 a person in charge of a social or other event: He is the host of a party tonight.||She is the host of a TV talk show.
    2 the victim of a bacteria: Humans are the host of the parasite E. coli.v. [T] to act as a host: He hosts the nightly news program on TV. See: hostess.
hostage
hostage
  1. n.
    1 a person taken and held for money or other ransom: He is a political hostage.
    2 to be held or to hold hostage: a. to be kidnapped or to kidnap s.o. for money or other ransom: He was held hostage to trade for another country's spy.||The rebels held her hostage until her country met their demands. b. fig. having to do things for a special reason: He is a politician held hostage to his promise not to raise taxes.
hostel
hostel
  1. n. an inexpensive place to sleep, esp. for youths: He travels by bicycle and stays at youth hostels.
hostelry
hostelry
  1. n.old usage -ries a hotel, hostel
hostess
hostess
  1. n.
    1 a female host
    2 old usage a worker on an airplane: She works as a hostess for American Airlines.
    3 a woman who greets customers in a restaurant See: flight attendant.
hostile
hostile
  1. adj.
    1 hateful, angry: That driver has a hostile attitude; he blows his horn and yells at other drivers.
    2 opposing,
    THESAURUS
    antagonistic: Our troops ran into hostile forces.
hostile takeover
hostile takeover
  1. n. (in business) taking control of a company against the wishes of its management
hostility
hostility
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] hatred, anger: You can feel the hostility coming from that man.
    2 [U] strong opposition,
    THESAURUS
    antagonism: There was open hostility between the political parties.
    3 pl. hostilities acts of war: Hostilities continue between the two countries' armies.
hot-tempered
hot-tempered
  1. adj. related to a person who gets angry easily: He is a hot-tempered man, always yelling.
hot-wire
hot-wire
  1. v. [T] -wired, -wiring, -wires to go around a vehicle's normal ignition system by connecting starting wires directly to each other: Thieves hot-wire cars and steal them without using keys.
hot
hot
  1. adj. hotter, hottest
    1 having a high degree of heat, burning: The water is very, very hot.
    2 warm, sultry: The weather is hot today.
    3 spicy, highly seasoned: My food is hot because I added lots of red peppers to it.
    4 angry, agitated: We started to argue, and tempers got hot.
    5 infrml. sexually aroused: The couple started kissing, then got hot.
    6 popular, sought after: Short skirts are the hot fashion this season.
    7 selling fast: Cowboy boots are a hot item in our store.
    8 infrml. stolen: He was arrested for selling hot merchandise.
    9 doing or performing well: That comedian is really funny; he's hot tonight.
    10 hot and bothered: easily upset, worried by s.t.: When she gets lost driving her car, she gets all hot and bothered but won't ask for directions.
    11 infrml. hot on s.o.'s trail: close behind, in pursuit of s.o.: The police were hot on the bank robber's trail.
    12 infrml. hot under the collar: angry,
    THESAURUS
    agitated: He gets hot under the collar if you don't agree with him.
    13 infrml. in hot water: in trouble, difficulty: He stole a car and is in hot water with the law.
    14 to blow hot and cold: to go back and forth,
    THESAURUS
    to vacillate: She blows hot and cold about changing jobs. See: warm, USAGE NOTE.n.pl.infrml. to have the hots: to be attracted to: They have the hots for each other.
hot air
hot air
  1. n. fig. [U] nonsense, loose talk: He doesn't know what he's talking about; he's full of hot air.
hot dog
hot dog
  1. n.
    1 a sausage made of ground, spiced meat: We had hot dogs for lunch today.
    2 infrml.fig. a show-off: He is a hot dog on the ski slopes.
    THESAURUS
    hot dog
    1 a frankfurter, weiner, dog infrml.
    2 a ham.
hot flash
hot flash
  1. n. flashes
    1 a sudden hot feeling, usu. during menopause: She told her doctor she often has hot flashes.
    2 a sudden, important news story: A reporter interrupted the broadcast with a hot flash from Washington.
hot line
hot line
  1. n. a telephone line for emergencies: The hot line between Moscow and Washington is a red telephone that sits on the President's desk.||She works at a suicide hot line.
hot plate
hot plate
  1. n. a small stove with a metal burner for heating food: My small apartment has no kitchen, but I have a hot plate to heat soup.
hot potato
hot potato
  1. n.infrml.fig. -toes a difficult situation, sensitive dilemma: The abortion issue in the USA is a political hot potato.
hot seat
hot seat
  1. n. to put s.o. in the hot seat or to sit in the hot seat: a position where one must answer difficult and embarrassing questions: His boss put him in the hot seat, because his department was making mistakes and losing money.
hot spot
hot spot
  1. n. an area where there is trouble or likely to be trouble: Hot spots in the world are places where war happens.
hot tub
hot tub
  1. n. a large tub filled with hot water for relaxation: The couple has a hot tub in their backyard.
hot water bottle
hot water bottle
  1. n. a rubber bag filled with hot water: When I hurt my foot, I put a hot water bottle on it to ease the pain.
hotbed
hotbed
  1. n.fig. an environment that helps create s.t.: That political party is a hotbed of revolution.
hotblooded
hotblooded
  1. adj. easily angered, hotheaded: She is hotblooded and gets mad at any little thing.
hotcake
hotcake
  1. n.
    1 a pancake: I like to eat hotcakes and sausages for breakfast.
    2 to sell like hotcakes: to sell rapidly: Those new shoes are selling like hotcakes.
hotel
hotel
  1. n. a building with bedrooms for rent and usu. food and other services: We stayed in a big hotel in Montreal.
    THESAURUS
    hotel a lodge, inn, resort | motel.

    USAGE NOTE: An inn is a small hotel, often in the country, offering rooms and food to travelers; a B&B, or bed and breakfast, is usually a large home with few rooms to rent, that serves only breakfast. A youth hostel offers young people military-style accomodations for a low price. A motel or motor inn is less expensive than a hotel. The rooms often open onto the parking lot. The category of pension is not used in the USA.
hotfoot
hotfoot
  1. n.infrml. the prank of lighting a match in a person's shoe —v.infrml. to hotfoot it: to run or move quickly: I hotfooted it over to the department store to go to their one-day sale.
hothead
hothead
  1. n. a person who does things without thinking and gets angry easily: He's a hothead who starts yelling if you disagree with him. -adj. hotheaded.
hotly
hotly
  1. adv.
    1 heatedly, passionately
    2 closely: The cat was hotly pursued by the dog.
hotshot
hotshot
  1. n.adj.infrml. an excellent performer, esp. one who shows off: She is a young hotshot or hotshot stockbroker.
hound
hound
  1. n. any of approx. 17 breeds of hunting dogs: Foxhounds have a sharp sense of smell.v. [T] to bother, chase, worry: My mother hounded me until I washed the dishes.
hour
hour
  1. n.
    1 a time period of 60 minutes, 1/24th of a day: My train ride to work takes an hour.
    2 a special moment in time: The fall of the Berlin Wall was one of history's finest hours.
    3 pl. a time period designated for certain activity: Our office hours are from 9 to 5.
    4 after hours: after usual business hours
    5 at the eleventh hour: at the last minute, almost too late
    6 on the hour: at exactly one o'clock, two o'clock, etc.: A bus leaves for New York on the hour.
hour hand
hour hand
  1. n. the smaller hand on a watch: When both the minute hand and hour hand are on 12, it is either noon or midnight.
hourglass
hourglass
  1. n. a device for measuring time by the falling of sand from a top globe to a bottom globe: I use a small hourglass as a timer for boiling eggs.
hourly
hourly
  1. adv. happening every hour: A train leaves for San Francisco hourly from here.
house-sit
house-sit
  1. v. [I] -sat, -sitting, -sits to stay in a house while its owners or tenants are away -n. (person) house sitter; (act) house-sitting.
house
house
  1. n. houses
    1 a place to live for one or a few families: Our house is located on the corner.
    2 a building for various purposes: Firefighters work in the local fire house.||That publishing house has an excellent reputation.
    3 a legislative body or its chambers: The House of Representatives is located in Washington, DC.
    4 the audience in a theater: There was a full house on the opening night of the ballet.
    5 a noble or important family: Queen Elizabeth II belongs to the House of Windsor.
    6 like a house afire or on fire: quickly: He ran out of here like a house afire.
    7 on the house: paid for by a bar or restaurant (usu. of food, drinks) —v. [T] housed, housing, houses to have shelter, stay somewhere: Refugees are housed temporarily in tents.
    THESAURUS
    house
    1 a home, residence, dwelling
    2 a company, organization, establishment
    3 a governing body, congress, parliament. —v. to put s.o. up, shelter s.o.
house arrest
house arrest
  1. n. [U] forcing s.o. to stay in a house: Soldiers put the minister under house arrest by surrounding his home.
house of cards
house of cards
  1. n.fig. a fragile, shaky situation or structure: His business dealings were a house of cards, so his company soon went out of business.
house of correction
house of correction
  1. n. houses of correction a prison for people who have committed minor offenses: The teenage thief was sent to a house of correction by the judge.
house organ
house organ
  1. n. a newsletter, magazine, etc. published internally by a business or institution: The museum sends its house organ to employees and members.
houseboat
houseboat
  1. n. a boat that functions as a home: We turned an old barge into a houseboat with a bedroom, kitchen, etc.
housebound
housebound
  1. adj. unable to go out, usu. because of age or illness: My grandmother broke her leg and is housebound.
housebreaking
housebreaking
  1. n. [U]
    1 forcing one's way into a house to steal s.t.: The burglar was convicted of housebreaking.
    2 training an animal to excrete outdoors or in a box
housebroken
housebroken
  1. adj. (said of an animal) trained to do its excretion outdoors or in a box: Our cat was housebroken quickly. -v. [T] housebreak.
housecleaning
housecleaning
  1. n.
    1 [U] chores needed to keep a house clean: She has a maid who does the housecleaning.
    2 [C;U] fig. a replacement of many employees with new ones: The new boss did a housecleaning by hiring a whole new staff.
housecoat
housecoat
  1. n. a casual dress worn around the house: She wears a thick housecoat to keep warm in winter.
household
household
  1. n. the person or people living together in one home: The national survey counts the number of households in the country. -n. householder.
household word
household word
  1. n. a well-known person or the brand name of a product that is used to mean the product itself: Coke is a household word for a cola soft drink.
househusband
househusband
  1. n. a man who keeps the house while the wife works outside the house: He is a househusband who cleans, cooks, and takes care of their children. See: homemaker, USAGE NOTE.
housekeeper
housekeeper
  1. n. a person hired to take care of a private house or supervise workers in hotel rooms: Our housekeeper cleans, does the laundry, and makes the beds.
housekeeping
housekeeping
  1. n. [U] housecleaning, the chores needed to keep a house or hotel in order: Housekeeping in a big hotel can involve hundreds of maids and maintenance workers.
houselights
houselights
  1. n.pl. theater lights that can be made brighter or dimmer
housemaid
housemaid
  1. n. a maid, domestic servant
housemother
housemother
  1. n. a woman in charge of a group house, usu. in a school: My aunt is a housemother at a college dormitory.
housewares
housewares
  1. n.pl. dishes, glasses, and other articles used in a house, esp. the kitchen: Large stores have a department that sells housewares.
housewife
housewife
  1. n. -wives a woman who does not work outside of the home: She is a housewife who is very active in civic affairs. See: homemaker, USAGE NOTE.
housework
housework
  1. n. [U] work done to keep a house in order,
    THESAURUS
    chores: Housework consists of cleaning, cooking, and doing the laundry.
housing
housing
  1. n. [U] a general term for houses, apartments, etc. that people live in,
    THESAURUS
    dwellings: Housing in this area is expensive.
hovel
hovel
  1. n. a small, open, dirty shelter: A homeless man built a hovel out of tin sheets and cardboard cartons.
hover
hover
  1. v. [I] to stay suspended in the air over an area: Hawks hover over fields, searching for rabbits and mice.
how-to
how-to
  1. adj. giving the practical steps needed to do s.t.: a how-to book on home repairsn. [U] a set of practical instructions for doing s.t.
how
how
  1. adv.
    1 in what manner: How do you fix this broken faucet?
    2 for what reason: How can you say such an awful thing?
    3 in what condition: How do you feel?
    4 to what extent, cost: How much does this sofa cost?
    5 by what description, designation: How do you describe this object?
    6 as part of a greeting: How do you do?
    7 infrml. how about: what do you think about (s.t.): I couldn't decide what to wear, then asked her, "How about this dress?"
    8 infrml. How come?: Why?: How come you didn't call me yesterday?conj. the way in which: I remember how she laughed at his jokes.
howdy
howdy
  1. exclam.infrml. Hello, how are you?: Cowboys say "Howdy!" when they greet each other.
however
however
  1. conj. in spite of, but: He is intelligent; however, he is also difficult.adv.
    1 to whatever degree, extent: You may stay there however long you wish.
    2 said in surprise: However did the cat get up that tree?
    THESAURUS
    however conj. yet, though, nonetheless.
howitzer
howitzer
  1. n. a cannon of intermediate length and firepower: The army used howitzers against the enemy hiding in the hills.
howl
howl
  1. v. [I]
    1 to cry loudly, (syns.) to wail, yowl: Monkeys howl in the treetops.
    2 infrml.fig. to laugh heartily: The audience howled at the comedian's jokes.
    3 to complain loudly: He's always howling about something.n. a howling sound: The cat gave out a howl. -n. howler.
howling
howling
  1. adj.
    1 making the noise of a howl
    2 extreme,
    THESAURUS
    glaring: a howling mistake
howsoever
howsoever
  1. adv. in whatever manner: Howsoever you wish to do the job is up to you.
hub
hub
  1. n.
    1 a wheel's center where the axle is inserted
    2 a center of much activity: Chicago is a hub of airline traffic.
hubbub
hubbub
  1. n. [U] noisy confusion: The train station is full of hubbub at Christmastime.
hubby
hubby
  1. n.infrml. -bies husband
hubcap
hubcap
  1. n. a decorative and protective metal plate put on a wheel's hub
hubris
hubris
  1. n.frml. [U] pride and arrogance: His hubris prevented him from asking for help on the project, so it was late.
huckleberry
huckleberry
  1. n. -ries a dark-blue edible berry: We had huckleberry pie with ice cream for dessert.
huckster
huckster
  1. n. s.o. who sells using questionable, tricky methods: He is a huckster who tells people that the land they are buying is better than it really is.
huddle
huddle
  1. v. -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 [I;T] to press closely together: Baby rabbits huddle together next to their mother.
    2 [I] (in US football) to meet in a tight group to plan the next move: The Atlanta Falcons huddled, then threw a long pass.
    3 fig. [I] to consult, meet: Our department huddled on how to meet the deadline.
hue
hue
  1. n. graduation of color, as in red to yellow: The hues of the leaves in autumn are beautiful against a blue sky.
huff
huff
  1. v. [I] to breathe heavily, blow or puff air: He huffed and puffed as he climbed the mountain.n. in a huff: in a state of anger or indignation: She felt insulted and left in a huff.
huffy
huffy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest angry, indignant: She gets huffy often. -adv. huffily.
hug
hug
  1. n. an embrace, the act of putting one's arms around s.o.: He gives his children a hug and a kiss as they leave for school.v. hugged, hugging, hugs
    1 [I;T] to encircle s.o. with the arms: She hugged her children.
    2 [T] to stay near the shoreline: The sailboat hugged the coast in the strong wind.
huge
huge
  1. adj. huger, hugest
    1 very large, enormous: The country suffers from a huge debt.
    2 very large, bulky: Football players are huge men. -adv. hugely.
huh
huh
  1. exclam.
    1 expressing a question: Huh? What did you say?
    2 expressing indifference: Oh, huh, I don't care what we do.
    3 expressing surprise: Huh! What a great idea!
hula
hula
  1. n. [C;U] a Hawaiian dance with movement of the hips and hands
hulk
hulk
  1. n.
    1 s.t. or s.o. large and awkward: He is a hulk of a man.
    2 the remains of an abandoned ship: The hulk lay on its side in the harbor.v. [I] to appear as a hulk: A giant of a man hulked into our living room. -adj. hulking.
hull
hull
  1. n.
    1 the shell of a ship, without its sails and inside rooms: The ship's hull is made of steel.
    2 the outer shell of some nuts and fruits: We removed the hulls from the walnuts.v. [T] to remove hulls: We hulled the nuts before eating them.
hullabaloo
hullabaloo
  1. n.infrml. [U] -loos a loud noise,
    THESAURUS
    uproar: He created a big hullabaloo about being treated unfairly.
hum
hum
  1. v. hummed, humming, hums
    1 [I] to make a continuous sound of "M": Bees hum when they fly.
    2 [I;T] to sing with the mouth closed: He hummed a tune as he walked to work.
    3 fig. [I] to work smoothly and well: Our business is humming right along.n. a humming sound, the sound of a smooth operation: You can hear the hum of activity in that business.
human
human
  1. or human being n. a person: Humans live in almost every part of the world.adj. having human traits, characteristics: It is only human to cry for dead loved ones.
    THESAURUS
    human or human being n. an individual, somebody | man, woman, child | soul.
human
human
  1. or human being -n. a person: Humans live in almost every part of the earth. _adj. having human traits, characteristics: It is only human to cry for dead loved ones.
human nature
human nature
  1. n. [U] general characteristics both good and bad of human behavior: It is human nature to want love and affection.
humane
humane
  1. adj. concerned for others,
    THESAURUS
    compassionate: The Humane Society tries to prevent cruelty to animals.
humanism
humanism
  1. n. [U] belief in human values and in science, in contrast to religious ideas: Humanism has flourished in this century. -n.adj. humanist.
humanitarian
humanitarian
  1. n. [C]
    1 a person devoted to improvement of the human condition
    2 s.o. who gives money to charity,
    THESAURUS
    a philanthropist —adj. devoted to improvement of humanity: She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them. -n. [U] humanitarianism.
humanity
humanity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] human beings as a group: Humanity was threatened by nuclear war.
    2 [U] the state or condition of being human: He showed his humanity by helping his neighbor.
    3 pl. humanities fields of study such as literature, arts, languages, and history. See: man, USAGE NOTE.
humanize
humanize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make kind, humane: He was a brutal warrior who was humanized by becoming religious. -n. [C] humanizer; [U] humanization.
humankind
humankind
  1. n.frml. [U] humans as a group
humanly
humanly
  1. adv.
    1 in a human way
    2 if at all possible: She will help you in every way humanly possible.
humanoid
humanoid
  1. adj.n. having human characteristics: That robot is so realistic that it is humanoid.
humble
humble
  1. adj. -bler, -blest
    1 meek, weak: He has a humble manner in the presence of important people.
    2 modest,
    THESAURUS
    unassuming: She is a great athlete, but is humble about her accomplishments.
    3 poor, unimportant: He came to power from humble circumstances as a poor boy.v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to lower in selfesteem or position: Failure humbled her.
humble pie
humble pie
  1. n.fig. [U] to eat humble pie: to feel bad (guilty, ashamed) about losing,
    THESAURUS
    to be humiliated: He boasted that he could win, but he lost, and now has to eat humble pie.
humbug
humbug
  1. n. [U]
    1 nonsense, expression of contempt: Dickens's Scrooge said "Bah, humbug!" to the needs of others.
    2 a deception or deceptive person
humdinger
humdinger
  1. n.infrml. s.t. excellent, outstanding: His new guitar is a real humdinger.
humdrum
humdrum
  1. adj. boring,
    THESAURUS
    monotonous: She leads a humdrum life.
humectant
humectant
  1. n.adj.frml. a moisturizer: Skin-care specialists recommend the use of humectants.
humid
humid
  1. adj. having damp air (and uncomfortable weather): Oh, it's so humid today; it's hard to breathe!
    THESAURUS
    humid muggy, steamy, sticky. Ant. dry.
humidify
humidify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to put moisture into the air: We humidify the air in winter with a humidifier.
humidity
humidity
  1. n. [U] the amount of moisture in the air: The humidity is high today.
humiliate
humiliate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to embarrass,
    THESAURUS
    to humble: The actor forgot his lines, and that mistake humiliated him.
    2 to disgrace, shame: A prison sentence humiliated the thief and his family. -n. [C;U] humiliation.
humility
humility
  1. n. [U]
    1 weakness,
    THESAURUS
    meekness: His humility before the king was clear.
    2 modesty, lack of self-importance: The humility of the great artist impressed everyone.
hummer
hummer
  1. n. a person or thing that hums: That car of mine is beautiful; that little hummer runs like a gem.
hummingbird
hummingbird
  1. n. any of a variety of tiny, colorful birds that beat their wings very quickly: Hummingbirds move from flower to flower, drinking their nectar.
hummock
hummock
  1. n. a hillock, a rise in the landscape: A hunter stood on a hummock above the field.
humor
humor
  1. n.
    1 [U] s.t. comical in written, oral, or graphic form: That comedian's humor is often childish, so I don't think he's very funny.
    2 good- or bad-humored: having a cheerful or irritable state of mind, mood: He's always smiling and good humored.v. [T] to make s.o. happy by doing what he or she wants: I humored my mother by going shopping with her. -n. [C] humorist.
    THESAURUS
    humor n.
    1 wit, comedy, wisecracks. —v. to indulge, gratify, oblige.
humorous
humorous
  1. adj. funny, comical: A reporter wrote humorous comments about the politician. -adv. humorously.
    THESAURUS
    humorous witty, hilarious, entertaining. Ants. dull, uninteresting.
hump
hump
  1. n.
    1 a bulge: He has a hump on his back.
    2 over the hump: past the hardest part or time of s.t. —v.
    1 [T] to form into a bulge: He humped his shoulders in lifting the weight.
    2 fig. [I;T] to work very hard: We really humped to finish that job.
humpback
humpback
  1. or humpbacked adj. having a hump on the back: The humpback whale was hunted almost to extinction.
hunch
hunch
  1. n. hunches an idea, feeling s.t. is so,
    THESAURUS
    an intuition: I have a hunch that it will rain this afternoon.v. hunches [I] to form into a hump: The student hunched over her desk as she studied.
hunchback
hunchback
  1. n. a person with a hump on the back
hundred
hundred
  1. n. -dreds or (after a number) -dred
    1 the cardinal number between 99 and 101: I have a hundred dollars in my wallet.
    2 pl. hundreds a. designation of a century: When we say that the author lived in the eighteen hundreds, we mean between the years 1801 and 1899. b. lots of s.t.: Hundreds of people were on the beach last weekend.
hundredth
hundredth
  1. adj.n.
    1 being the ordinal number between 99th and 101st: His was the hundredth application for the job.
    2 being one of a hundred equal parts of s.t.
hung
hung
  1. adj. past tense & past part. of hang
    1 not unanimous: A hung jury is one that cannot decide on a verdict.
    2 hung over: suffering the effects of too much alcohol: He drank too much beer last night and is hung over this morning.
    3 hung up: a. delayed, detained: I got hung up in traffic; sorry I'm late. b. infrml.fig. obsessed, psychologically blocked: She's hung up about working for a big company, and won't take a job at a small firm.
hunger
hunger
  1. n. [U] the need for food: The population of that country suffers from hunger.v. [I] to desire s.t. very much: He hungered for her love.
hunger strike
hunger strike
  1. n. the refusal to eat as a protest: Prisoners went on a hunger strike to protest bad conditions in the prison. -n. hunger striker.
hungry
hungry
  1. adj. -grier, -griest
    1 feeling the lack of food: I haven't eaten all day and feel very hungry.
    2 fig. eager, wanting s.t.: She is a student hungry for knowledge. -adv. hungrily.
hunk
hunk
  1. n.
    1 a piece of s.t., chunk: I put a hunk of earth in a pot.
    2 infrml.fig. a big, strong, attractive man: Some women prefer hunks to intellectual types.
hunker
hunker
  1. v. [I]
    1 to bend at the knees,
    THESAURUS
    to squat
    2 phrasal v. to hunker down: to work hard: He hunkered down and studied hard.
hunt
hunt
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to search for: I hunted for my hat and finally found it.
    2 to chase and capture or kill: Every autumn, many people hunt deer in this area.n.
    1 a search: We went on a hunt for the lost document.
    2 a pursuit, such as of animals or criminals: Police started a hunt for the murderer.
    THESAURUS
    hunt v.
    1 to look for, seek, scour a place for
    2 to track, pursue, stalk.
hunter
hunter
  1. n. a person who hunts, mainly game: Hunters kill deer in the fall.||A fortune hunter tries to marry a wealthy person.
hunting
hunting
  1. n. [U] the sport of killing game (animals, birds): Hunting is a popular sport in many areas.
hurdle
hurdle
  1. n.
    1 a low barrier: Runners jump over hurdles.
    2 an obstacle,
    THESAURUS
    hindrance: In starting a new company, many hurdles must be crossed.v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles to jump over a hurdle or other barrier: The runner hurdled the fence. -n. [C] hurdler; [U] hurdling.
hurl
hurl
  1. v.
    1 [T] to throw with great force: Protesters hurled rocks at the police.
    2 [I] slang to vomit -n. [U] hurling.
hurly-burly
hurly-burly
  1. n. [U] noisy commotion,
    THESAURUS
    turmoil: The hurly-burly of a political protest resulted in the arrests of some demonstrators.
hurrah
hurrah
  1. or hurray exclam. expression of triumph, pleasure: Hurrah! Our team won!
hurricane
hurricane
  1. n. a large, violent rain and wind storm: Hurricanes have winds up to 150 miles (240 km) per hour.
hurried
hurried
  1. adj. rushed,
    THESAURUS
    harried: My boss is always hurried; she has too much work and not enough help. -adv. hurriedly.
hurry
hurry
  1. v. [I;T] -ried, -rying, -ries to rush: We hurried, so as not to be late.n. [U] a rush, fast pace: He is always in a hurry.
    THESAURUS
    hurry v. to hasten, hustle, run, be quick. Ants. to dawdle, stall.
hurt
hurt
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to feel pain, ache: I fell, and my leg hurts.
    2 [I;T] to feel distress or anguish: They still hurt from the money they lost in the stock market.
    3 [T] to cause pain, injure: The accident hurt him badly.
    4 [T] to cause pain that isn't mental or physical: News of the scandal hurt his chances of winning the election. -adj. hurtful ; -adv. hurtfully.
    THESAURUS
    hurt v.
    1 to be sore, be in pain, smart | suffer
    2 to be upset, smart infrml. | be saddened by s.t., grieve for s.t.
    3 to harm, wound, damage
    4 to harm | damage, spoil, upset. Ant. to help.
hurtle
hurtle
  1. v. [I] -tled, -tling, -tles to rush with great speed, plunge: A meteor hurtled through the night sky.
husband
husband
  1. n. a man who is married: He became her husband last year.v. [T] to save,
    THESAURUS
    to conserve: The couple husbanded their resources and bought a house.
    THESAURUS
    husband n. a spouse, mate, hubby infrml.
husbandry
husbandry
  1. n. [U]
    1 farming, cultivation: He majored in animal husbandry in college.
    2 conservative use of resources: Husbandry of their food reserves prevented starvation.
hush-hush
hush-hush
  1. adj. secret, confidential: Our boss told us that the new project is hush-hush.
hush
hush
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to become or make quiet: The mother hushed her noisy children.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to hush s.t. up: to hide information from the public: The mayor hushed up the news that $1 million was missing from the city.||She hushed it up.n.sing. [U] a quieting of noise: A hush came over the audience when the play began.
husk
husk
  1. n. a dry outer leaf-like covering, esp. on corn: You shuck the corn's husks before cooking it.v. [T] to remove husks,
    THESAURUS
    to shuck: We husk corn after the autumn harvest.
husky
husky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest strong and solid, stocky: He is a husky boy.n. -ies a type of work dog: Alaskan huskies pull dogsleds. -n. huskiness.
hussy
hussy
  1. n.pej.old usage -sies a woman with low moral standards
hustings
hustings
  1. n.pl. platforms, places where speeches are made: Politicians speak from the hustings at election time.
hustle
hustle
  1. v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [I;T] to go rapidly, rush: I hustled over to my friend's place.
    2 [I] to work energetically: He really hustled to finish the job on time.
    3 [I;T] to do business in a sneaky or overly aggressive way: He hustled stolen cars for a living.
    4 infrml. [I] to sell one's body as a prostitute —n.
    1 [U] energetic action: She showed a lot of hustle to get that new customer.
    2 [C] a sneaky scheme,
    THESAURUS
    a scam: That deal is a hustle.
    3 the hustle and bustle: energy, much activity: All the hustle and bustle of the big city is too much for me. -n. [C] hustler; [U] hustling.
hut
hut
  1. n. a cabin, a small, shabby shelter: People live in huts in that poor area. See: hovel; hutch, 2.
    THESAURUS
    hut a shack, shanty, hovel | bungalow, cottage.
hutch
hutch
  1. n. hutches
    1 a box or coop for small animals: He used chicken wire to make a rabbit hutch.
    2 a makeshift shelter: She built a hutch from branches and leaves.
hyacinth
hyacinth
  1. n.
    1 a plant with a cluster of sweet-smelling flowers that grows from a bulb: Hyacinths bloom in the spring.
    2 a bluish color
hydrant
hydrant
  1. n. a water outlet, fireplug: Firefighters put hoses on water hydrants to get water to fight fires. See: fire hydrant.
hydraulics
hydraulics
  1. n. [U] the science of fluids and their practical uses: Engineers use hydraulics in designing brake systems. -adj. hydraulic.
hydroelectric
hydroelectric
  1. adj. related to creating electricity from water power: Huge amounts of hydroelectric power are generated in Canada's St Lawrence River. -adv. hydroelectrically.
hydrofoil
hydrofoil
  1. n.
    1 a long, narrow blade used to lift a vessel off the water
    2 the vessel itself: Hydrofoils can travel at speeds over 70 miles (112 km) per hour.
hydrogen
hydrogen
  1. n. [U] adj. the lightest gaseous chemical element: The hydrogen bomb has huge destructive power.
hydrology
hydrology
  1. n. [U] the science of water, its properties, and distribution in the world
hydroplane
hydroplane
  1. v. [I] -planed, -planing, -planes to move across the surface of water: In a rainstorm, cars can hydroplane dangerously and lose control.n.
    1 a high-powered motorboat: A hydroplane race is exciting to watch.
    2 an airplane that can land or take off from water
hydrotherapy
hydrotherapy
  1. n. [U] use of water for healing
hyena
hyena
  1. n. a meat-eating, wild, dog-like animal of Africa and southeast Asia that is active at night: Hyenas feed on small dead animals and birds.
hygiene
hygiene
  1. n. [U] the science of personal and public health: Personal hygiene includes cleanliness, eating healthy foods, and exercising. -adj. hygienic ; -adv. hygienically; -n. [C] hygienist.
hymen
hymen
  1. n. a membrane partly covering the vaginal opening of a virgin: The hymen can be broken during exercise.
hymn
hymn
  1. n. a religious song of praise
hymnal
hymnal
  1. n. a religious songbook: The congregation sings hymns from the hymnal.
hype
hype
  1. n. [U] exaggerated advertising claims,
    THESAURUS
    hoopla: People went to see the movie because of all the hype.v. [T] hyped, hyping, hypes
    1 to make excessive advertising claims: Promoters really hyped the movie.
    2 phrasal v. sep. slang to hype s.o. up: a. to stimulate with drugs: The injection hyped up the patient.||It hyped him up. b. to excite, enthuse: The prospect of making money hyped up my assistant.||It hyped her up.
hyper
hyper
  1. prefix excessive, overly: He is a hyperactive child.adj.slang high-strung, nervously energetic: Drinking too much coffee makes me hyper.
hyperactive
hyperactive
  1. adj. nervously energetic,
    THESAURUS
    high-strung: He was a hyperactive child. -n. [U] hyperactivity.
hyperbole
hyperbole
  1. n.frml. [C;U] exaggeration used for dramatic effect: He used hyperbole by describing the wrestler as a giant of a man.
hyperbolic
hyperbolic
  1. adj.
    1 having the shape of a hyperbola: She drew a hyperbolic figure on the blackboard.
    2 frml. characterized by exaggeration: The speaker made hyperbolic claims for his product.
hypercritical
hypercritical
  1. adj. too critical: He is so hypercritical that he corrects every mistake his students make.
hypersensitive
hypersensitive
  1. adj.
    1 (in medicine) overreaction of the body's defenses: He is hypersensitive to dust.
    2 easily hurt by others, touchy: She is hypersensitive to criticism of any kind.
hypersonic
hypersonic
  1. adj. related to speeds five or more times the speed of sound: Jet fighters are hypersonic aircraft.
hypertension
hypertension
  1. n. [U] high blood pressure: He takes medicine to lower hypertension.
hypertext
hypertext
  1. n. [C] (in computers) electronic text that allows you to browse different sources of computer files on a subject: I used hypertext to search on the Internet for information about gold and found articles about its history, use in jewelry, and how it is mined.
hyperventilate
hyperventilate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to breathe fast, usu. causing numbness and dizziness: He started to hyperventilate when he thought he was having a heart attack. -n. [U] hyperventilation.
hyphen
hyphen
  1. n. the punctuation mark (-): A hyphen connects the parts of many words, such as "how-to."
hyphenate
hyphenate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to divide into syllables with a hyphen: I have now hyphenated the word "hy-phen-ate."
    2 to join two words with a hyphen -adj. hyphenated; -n. [C] hyphenation.
hypnosis
hypnosis
  1. n. [U] a sleep-like state where a person's mind is open to suggestions: Many people use hypnosis to stop bad habits, such as smoking cigarettes.
hypnotic
hypnotic
  1. adj. causing hypnosis: The mother's voice had a hypnotic effect on her baby.
hypnotize
hypnotize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to put s.o. under hypnosis: The therapist hypnotized her patient. -n. [U] hypnotism ; [C] hypnotist.
hypochondria
hypochondria
  1. n. [U] a condition of imagining illness that one does not have: That patient bothers his doctor with his hypochondria.
hypochondriac
hypochondriac
  1. n. a person who suffers from hypochondria -adj. hypochondriacal.
hypocrisy
hypocrisy
  1. n. [U] saying one holds one belief while really believing s.t. else: Her hypocrisy was clear when she talked about loving old people; I know she never visits her own grandmother.
hypocrite
hypocrite
  1. n. a person who acts with hypocrisy: He is a hypocrite, pretending to care and not really doing so. -adj. hypocritical ; -adv. hypocritically.
hypotenuse
hypotenuse
  1. n. the longest side of a right triangle: Side AB is the hypotenuse of triangle ABC.
hypothalamus
hypothalamus
  1. n. -mi the basic part of the brain that controls breathing, heartbeat, etc.: The hypothalamus is located at the brain stem.
hypothermia
hypothermia
  1. n. [U] a condition of low body temperature and feeling cold: You can get hypothermia from being outside too long in cold weather.
hypothesis
hypothesis
  1. n. -ses
    1 a working theory: Scientists do experiments to see if their hypotheses work.
    2 an unproved assumption: His statement is simply a hypothesis. -v. [I;T] hypothesize ; -adj. hypothetical.
hysterectomy
hysterectomy
  1. n. -mies the removal of the uterus (womb)
hysteria
hysteria
  1. n. [U]
    1 uncontrollable emotional outbursts: He suffers from hysteria occasionally.
    2 panic, excitement: News of the stock market crash caused hysteria among the population.
hysterical
hysterical
  1. adj.
    1 panicked, emotionally out of control: The mother became hysterical when she realized her child was lost.
    2 fig. hilarious, very funny: The jokes that he tells are hysterical. -adv. hysterically.
hysterics
hysterics
  1. n.pl.
    1 an uncontrollable emotional outburst: The mental patient was overcome with hysterics.
    2 fig. an outburst of laughter: The audience went into hysterics at the clown's tricks.
i-Phone™
i-Phone™
  1. n. a handheld cell phone with many computer applications, including Internet and GPS.
i.e.
i.e.
  1. abbr. for the Latin id est, meaning "that is": I like bright colors, i.e., red and yellow.
ice-cream cone
ice-cream cone
  1. n. a cookie-like object used to hold ice cream: I'd like a chocolate ice-cream cone, please.
ice cap
ice cap
  1. n. a large area of ice, such as those found at the North and South Poles: The polar ice caps are very thick.
ice cream
ice cream
  1. n. [U] a frozen mixture of cream, milk, flavors, and sweeteners: We enjoy eating vanilla ice cream for dessert.
    THESAURUS
    ice cream a frozen dessert, frozen custard | sherbet, frozen yogurt.
ice hockey
ice hockey
  1. n. [U] an ice-skating sport in which one team uses curved sticks to shoot a small, round disk into the other team's goal: Ice hockey is a fast and rough sport.
ice pick
ice pick
  1. n. a long, pointed tool used to chip and crack ice: I broke bits of ice off a block with an ice pick.
ice skate
ice skate
  1. n. a boot with a sharpened steel blade used to move over ice: I wear my ice skates when I play ice hockey.v. [I] ice-skate: to move over ice with ice skates: I ice-skate early each morning in winter. -n. ice skater.
ice water
ice water
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 water made cold with ice cubes: American restaurants often serve ice water with meals.
    2 to have ice (water) in one's veins: to be calm or not easily upset: She is a brave firefighter who has ice water in her veins when she faces danger.
iceberg
iceberg
  1. n. a large piece of frozen ice in the sea: Most of an iceberg is under water.
icebreaker
icebreaker
  1. n.
    1 a powerful ship used to break paths in icy seas: The cruise ship sailed in the path made by an icebreaker.
    2 infrml.fig. s.t. said or done to help people start talking or feel comfortable: John's funny story was a good icebreaker at the party. See: ice, 2.
icicle
icicle
  1. n.
    1 a pointed piece of ice formed by water that freezes as it falls in small drops: Icicles hang from tree branches in winter.
    2 infrml.fig. a person who is cold or unfriendly: His wife complains that her husband is an icicle.
icing
icing
  1. n. [U]
    1 a sweet, creamy covering on cakes,
    THESAURUS
    frosting: The icing on my birthday cake is made of chocolate.
    2 infrml. the icing on the cake: s.t. extra, special: I received a raise in salary, but the extra week of vacation was the icing on the cake.
icky
icky
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest
    1 sticky in an unpleasant way: I spilled spaghetti on my shirt, and it was all icky.
    2 unpleasant: The weather was so icky that I stayed at home.
icon
icon
  1. n.
    1 in Eastern Christianity, a religious painting of a holy person
    2 one who is greatly admired,
    THESAURUS
    idol: Marilyn Monroe is an icon of American popular culture.
    3 a symbol or picture on a computer screen that stands for a command, program, etc.: Click on the red icon to start the program. -n. [U] iconography.
icy
icy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with ice: The roads are icy during a snowstorm.
    2 cold and unfriendly: He has an icy personality.
idea
idea
  1. n.
    1 a thought: The speaker had very interesting ideas.
    2 a plan, a way to do s.t.: She has an idea of how to solve the problem.
    3 a sudden wish or urge: I have an idea; let's go to a movie tonight!
    4 not to have the faintest idea: to have no knowledge or information: We're lost, and I don't have the faintest idea of where we are.
    5 to have an idea in mind: to have an uncertain plan
    THESAURUS
    idea
    1 an opinion, theory, view
    2 a concept, proposal, suggestion
    3 a whim, notion, fancy.
ideal
ideal
  1. n.
    1 the highest standard, s.t. perfect: A great ideal would be for the world to have no disease or hunger.
    2 to have ideals: to wish for perfection: The philosopher has high ideals about saving the world.adj. most desirable, perfect: Good weather has provided ideal conditions for the boat race today. -adv. ideally; -n. [U] idealism; [C] idealist.
    THESAURUS
    ideal n.
    1 a goal, model, paragon. —adj. the best, optimum, exemplary.
idealistic
idealistic
  1. adj.
    1 having ideals
    2 wishing for perfection in an imperfect world: She is very idealistic about bringing peace to the world.
idealize
idealize
  1. v. [T] to think of s.t. as better than it really is: He idealizes his job, even though it isn't perfect.
identical
identical
  1. adj. exactly alike: The boys are identical twins.
identification
identification
  1. n.
    1 [U] s.t., such as a passport or driver's license, that proves who one is: I showed my passport as identification at the airport.
    2 [C;U] recognition of s.o. or s.t.: The police officer made an identification of the criminal after talking to witnesses.
    THESAURUS
    identification
    1 credentials | driver's license, passport
    2 naming s.o. or s.t. | classifying s.o. or s.t.
identification card
identification card
  1. n. See: ID.
identify
identify
  1. v. -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 [T] to recognize the identity of s.o. or s.t.: The children identified the bird from its picture in the book.
    2 to identify with: to feel connected to s.o. or s.t.: I identified with the girl in the movie.
identity
identity
  1. n. -ties
    1 who s.o. is or what s.t. is: The police described his identity as a white male weighing 200 pounds (90 kilos), with gray hair.
    2 a sense of oneself: When she quit her job to raise her children, she lost her identity as a career woman.
identity crisis
identity crisis
  1. n. not being sure about who one is: When he lost his job and could not find another, he went through an identity crisis.
ideological
ideological
  1. adj. about beliefs, doctrines that influence action in society: The ideological structure of capitalism is often attacked. -n. ideologist ; ideologue.
ideology
ideology
  1. n. -gies [C;U] a set of beliefs shared by a political or social group: In the USA, Democrats and Republicans have different ideologies.
idiocy
idiocy
  1. n. -cies
    1 [U] a mental condition of low intelligence: The poor child suffers from idiocy.
    2 [C;U] stupidity, foolishness: The idiocy of war never stops.
idiom
idiom
  1. n.
    1 an expression that does not mean the same as the individual words: The words "to hit the roof" say "to hit against the top of a house", but the idiom actually means "to become very angry."
    2 the speech or dialect of a certain area: They speak the idiom of their small town. -adj. idiomatic.
idiosyncrasy
idiosyncrasy
  1. n. -sies an odd habit or characteristic: One of her idiosyncrasies is that she sleeps in her clothes. -adj. idiosyncratic.
idiot
idiot
  1. n.
    1 a person of little intelligence: The poor child was born an idiot.
    2 infrml.fig. a stupid, foolish person: He was an idiot to go mountain climbing alone in bad weather. -n. [C;U] idiocy; -adj. idiotic .
    THESAURUS
    idiot
    1 a moron, dimwit, imbecile
    2 a fool, blockhead.
idle
idle
  1. adj.
    1 not working, unemployed: The factory has been closed for a year now, leaving its workers idle.
    2 lazy: She likes to be idle and watch TV all day.
    3 worthless: Don't listen to that idle talk.v. idled, idling, idles
    1 [I] to run at lowest speed: She lets her car engine idle to warm it up.
    2 [I;T] to take it easy: He idles away his time by watching television.
    THESAURUS
    idle adj.
    1 jobless, out of work, inactive
    2 passive, shiftless, slothful. Ant. busy.
    3 unimportant, useless, frivolous. Ant. important. —v.
    2 to loaf, waste time, dawdle.
idleness
idleness
  1. n. [U]
    1 inactivity: The manufacturing plant lies in idleness, with no workers.
    2 laziness: He spends his days in idleness without work. -n. [C] idler.
idol
idol
  1. n.
    1 an object of religious worship, such as a statue: Ancient peoples worshiped idols of their gods.
    2 a celebrity, such as a film or music star: Popular singers are idols for millions of people.
    THESAURUS
    idol
    1 an icon, symbol, image | false god.
idolatry
idolatry
  1. n. [U] the worship of idols: Idolatry was practiced in ancient civilizations by making offerings to the gods the idols represented. -adj. idolatrous.
idolize
idolize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to worship: Ancient people idolized gods.
    2 to admire greatly, look up to: Jane idolizes her older sister.
idyll or idyl
idyll or idyl
  1. n.
    1 a short poem or prose piece describing a simple, happy scene: Her poem was an idyll about her life on a farm.
    2 a happy event of rural life: Their honeymoon was an idyll of camping and hiking in a national park. -adj. idyllic.
if
if
  1. conj.
    1 in case that: If you want to leave, let's go now.
    2 on the condition that: I will pay for the movie if you pay for dinner.
    3 whether: Please see if the children are dressed for school.
    4 assuming that: If I have enough money, I shall go on vacation this summer.
    5 as if: as though: He acts as if he's smarter than anyone else.
    6 even if: accepting that s.t. is true: Even if he is smarter, he could act nicer.
    7 if only: used to state a wish: If only I had a million dollars!n. no ifs, ands, or buts: without excuses: You must finish your homework: no ifs, ands, or buts.
    THESAURUS
    if conj.
    1 in the event that, supposing
    2 provided (that)
    3 whether or not
    4 provided that, on the condition that.
iffy
iffy
  1. adj.infrml. -fier, -fiest doubtful, uncertain: The weather looks iffy today, as though it might rain.
igloo
igloo
  1. n. -loos a house made of icy snow blocks: The Inuit make igloos for shelter.
ignite
ignite
  1. v. [I;T] -nited, -niting, -nites to set on fire: He ignited the wood with a match.
ignition
ignition
  1. n.
    1 [U] setting on fire,
    THESAURUS
    combustion: Ignition of the rocket's engine took place after a countdown from ten.
    2 [C] a mechanical switch for ignition: The car's ignition requires a key to operate it.
ignorance
ignorance
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of education: Without schooling, children will suffer from ignorance.
    2 lack of knowledge: Her ignorance of the speed limit made her drive faster than 55 miles per hour.
    THESAURUS
    ignorance
    1 illiteracy
    2 unfamiliarity, naivete, unawareness. Ants. knowledge, familiarity.
ignorant
ignorant
  1. adj.
    1 without education
    2 unknowing, uninformed: I am totally ignorant of what happened at home while I was on vacation.
ignore
ignore
  1. v. [T] -nored, -noring, -nores
    1 to pay no attention to, overlook: The teacher ignored my spelling mistakes and looked only for my meaning.
    2 to avoid, disdain: She ignored her old boyfriend.
    THESAURUS
    ignore
    1 to disregard, take no notice of, pass over. Ant. to notice.
    2 to disregard, neglect, snub.
iguana
iguana
  1. n. a large tropical lizard: Iguanas can look frightening.
ilk
ilk
  1. n. [U] kind or type: Those men are nasty, and I don't associate with people of that ilk.
ill-bred
ill-bred
  1. adj. without good manners, rude: He is an ill-bred young man who is rude, vulgar, and dirty.
ill-equipped
ill-equipped
  1. adj.
    1 badly prepared, poorly equipped: The campers were ill-equipped, with little food and no warm clothing.
    2 unable,
    THESAURUS
    incompetent: He is ill-equipped to handle more responsibility.
ill-mannered
ill-mannered
  1. adj. rude,
    THESAURUS
    impolite: He always behaves in an ill-mannered way when he drinks a lot.
ill-suited
ill-suited
  1. adj. not useful for a purpose: Those heavy clothes are ill-suited for hot weather.
ill-tempered
ill-tempered
  1. adj. angry,
    THESAURUS
    irritable: Martin has an ill-tempered dog that barks at strangers.
ill
ill
  1. adj.
    1 sick, unwell: He is ill; he has a bad cold.
    2 to be ill at ease: to feel awkward or uncomfortable: She is often ill at ease with strangers.
    3 to fall or be taken ill: to become sick
    4 evil, terrible, used esp. as a prefix: A bomb exploded, and the ill-fated plane crashed.adv. badly, unfavorably: He is a bad man, and others think ill of him.
    THESAURUS
    ill adj.
    1 not well, ailing, under the weather. Ant. well. —adv. poorly.
illegal
illegal
  1. adj. against the law: Stealing is illegal. -n. [C;U] illegality .
    THESAURUS
    illegal unlawful, criminal, prohibited | not allowed. Ant. legal.
illegible
illegible
  1. adj. difficult to read: The writing is illegible; I cannot read what it says. -n. [U] illegibility.
illegitimate
illegitimate
  1. adj.
    1 not legal: He is running an illegitimate business.
    2 born to unmarried parents -n. [U] illegitimacy.
illicit
illicit
  1. adj.
    1 unlawful, illegal: Sale of illicit drugs is a problem in that city.
    2 secretive: The married man ended an illicit love affair. -n. [U] illicitness.
illiterate
illiterate
  1. adj. unable to read or write: He once was illiterate, but later he learned to read. -n. [U] illiteracy.
    THESAURUS
    illiterate uneducated, unlettered. Ant. literate.

    USAGE NOTE: The word illiterate generally describes someone who can't read or write. Today people also speak of being computer literate or computer illiterate. People who have a very low level of literacy may be called functionally illiterate, because they can't get jobs that involve much reading or writing.
illness
illness
  1. n. [C;U] sickness, disease: Her illness kept her out of work for a month.
    THESAURUS
    illness an ailment, disorder, bug infrml. Ant. good health.
illogical
illogical
  1. adj. without logic,
    THESAURUS
    unsound: The politician lost the debate because his ideas were illogical.
illuminate
illuminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to give light to: Streetlights illuminated the roads.
    2 to make clear, explain: Our teacher illuminates ancient history in his lectures.
    3 to decorate with lights: We illuminated the lights in the yard for the birthday party. -n. [U] illumination.
illusion
illusion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a false impression of reality, fantasy: My 12-year-old daughter is so tall that she gives the illusion of being much older than she really is.
    2 [C] a mistaken idea: He has this illusion of himself as a great actor. -n. [C] illusionist.
illusory
illusory
  1. adj. based on a fantasy or illusion: Her dream of being famous is illusory.
illustrate
illustrate
  1. v. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates
    1 to give examples, explain: The teacher illustrated the history lesson by telling a story about George Washington.
    2 to provide with pictures, drawings, etc.: The history book was illustrated with many maps and photographs. -adj. illustrative .
    THESAURUS
    illustrate
    1 to make clear, elucidate
    2 to adorn with pictures.
illustration
illustration
  1. n.
    1 [C] artwork, photography, or other pictures: The art book has many beautiful color illustrations.
    2 [C;U] an example: A teacher gave illustrations of twentieth-century violence by describing several wars.
illustrator
illustrator
  1. n. an artist, s.o. who draws: Illustrators create pictures and charts for magazine articles.
illustrious
illustrious
  1. adj. famous,
    THESAURUS
    distinguished: He has had an illustrious career as a writer.
image
image
  1. n.
    1 a mental picture of s.o. or s.t.: He formed an image of the countryside in his mind.
    2 picture, copy: The image on the photograph is not clear.
    3 one's appearance to others, reputation: She is very concerned about her image as a good lawyer.
    THESAURUS
    image
    1 an idea, concept, view
    2 a likeness, portrayal
    3 one's status, standing, name.
imagery
imagery
  1. n. [U] use of images, esp. in art and literature: The imagery in his writing is so detailed that the characters seem real.
    THESAURUS
    imagery mental pictures, figurative language | similes, metaphors.
imaginable
imaginable
  1. adj. capable of being imagined: In her painting, she has used every color imaginable.
imaginary
imaginary
  1. adj. existing only in the mind, unreal: The child has an imaginary friend.
    THESAURUS
    imaginary made-up, invented, fictitious. Ant. real.
imagination
imagination
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of forming images in the mind: His imagination comes through in the stories he creates.
    2 [C;U] ability to think creatively: It will take a lot of imagination to solve the problem. -adj. imaginative .
    THESAURUS
    imagination 1 and 2 creativity, inspiration, inventiveness | vision.
imagine
imagine
  1. v. [T] -ined, -ining, -ines
    1 to form (a picture, idea) in one's mind: She imagined what it would be like to be rich and famous.
    2 to fool oneself, fantasize: The little boy imagined he saw ghosts at night.
    THESAURUS
    imagine
    1 to picture, visualize
    2 to dream up, daydream | make believe, pretend.
imbalance
imbalance
  1. n. a lack of balance or equality: There is an imbalance in my diet; I should eat more fruit and less fat.
imbecile
imbecile
  1. n. a stupid or foolish person -adj. imbecilic.
imbibe
imbibe
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -bibed, -bibing, -bibes to drink: He only imbibes alcoholic beverages on special occasions. -n. imbiber.
imbue
imbue
  1. v.frml. [T] -bued, -buing, -bues to fill with a strong feeling, inspire: A preacher imbued his listeners with religious passion.
imitate
imitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to act the same way as another: The boy imitates his father's way of talking.
    2 to copy, duplicate: That manufacturer imitates the designs of a competitor.
    3 to mimic: Some comedians imitate celebrities and make fun of them. -n. imitator.
    THESAURUS
    imitate
    1 to emulate, mirror, parrot
    2 to reproduce, replicate
    3 to impersonate, ape | parody.
imitation
imitation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a copy, a duplication, esp. a fake copy: She bought an imitation of a famous painting.
    2 [C;U] copying of s.o.'s behavior: My friend does a funny imitation of me. -adj. imitative.
immaculate
immaculate
  1. adj.
    1 clean, spotless: She wore an immaculate white dress.
    2 fig. without fault, flawless: She has an immaculate reputation.
immaterial
immaterial
  1. adj. not important: That information is immaterial to solving the problem.
immature
immature
  1. adj.
    1 not ripe or fully formed: When oranges are green, they are immature; when they are orange, they are ripe.
    2 childish, not adult: His immature behavior annoys people. -n. [U] immaturity.
immeasurable
immeasurable
  1. adj.
    1 not capable of being measured, infinite: Some distances in space are so long that they are immeasurable.
    2 limitless, great: The consultant was of immeasurable help in solving our problems.
immediate
immediate
  1. adj.
    1 prompt, right now: Earthquake victims have an immediate need for help.
    2 nearby, close to: Damage occurred in the immediate area of the earthquake's starting point.
    3 soon, near: The victims will also need help in rebuilding their houses in the immediate future. -n. [U] immediacy.
    THESAURUS
    immediate
    1 instant, instantaneous
    2 near, proximate.
immediately
immediately
  1. adv. right away, promptly: We have to help them immediately.
    THESAURUS
    immediately right now, now, at once.
immemorial
immemorial
  1. adj. beyond memory, forever: Customs practiced by tribes have been handed down from time immemorial.
immense
immense
  1. adj. huge: There is an immense statue in the park. -n. [U] immensity.
immerse
immerse
  1. v. [T] -mersed, -mersing, -merses
    1 to put s.t. in water until it's covered: The cook immersed the potatoes in boiling water.
    2 to become absorbed in,
    THESAURUS
    to delve into: Students immerse themselves in their studies. -n. [U] immersion ; -adj. immersible.
immigrant
immigrant
  1. n. a person who moves to another country to live: Millions of immigrants came to the USA for religious freedom. See: emigrant, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    immigrant a newcomer, settler | adoptive citizen, naturalized citizen.
immigrate
immigrate
  1. v. [I] -grated, -grating, -grates to leave one's own country to live in another: John F. Kennedy's grandparents immigrated to the USA from Ireland. -n. [U] immigration .
    THESAURUS
    immigrate to migrate, move from abroad, come to a country to live. Ant. to emigrate.
imminent
imminent
  1. adj.frml. ready to happen soon,
    THESAURUS
    impending: The wedding date is imminent, so we must send invitations. -n. [U] imminence.
immobile
immobile
  1. adj. not capable of being moved, stationary: The boat is immobile, frozen in the ice. -n. [U] immobility ; -v. [T] immobilize.
immodest
immodest
  1. adj.
    1 saying too many good things about oneself, boastful, vain: An immodest politician brags about his or her accomplishments.
    2 showing too much,
    THESAURUS
    lewd: The girl's father thinks her bikinis are immodest. -n. [U] immodesty.
immoral
immoral
  1. adj.
    1 against most people's moral principles: Murder is immoral and is a crime in almost every country.
    2 sexually wrong: The prostitute went to jail for immoral behavior. -n. immorality .
    THESAURUS
    immoral
    1 evil, sinful, wrong | amoral. Ant. moral.
    2 indecent, degenerate, debauched.
immortal
immortal
  1. adj.
    1 living forever: Ancient Greeks believed their gods were immortal.
    2 lasting forever, eternal: Beauty and truth are immortal qualities. -n. immortality.
immovable
immovable
  1. adj. fixed, not able to be moved: Mountains are immovable.
immune
immune
  1. adj.
    1 not affected by disease: Children are immune to measles after they receive the proper vaccine.
    2 protected from: The criminal was immune from strong punishment, because he helped the police find the bank robber.
immunity
immunity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C;U] protection from disease: Today there is more immunity to chicken pox than there was in the 1950s.
    2 [U] protection from (punishment): US presidents have immunity if they are pardoned by the new president. -v. [T] immunize.
immutable
immutable
  1. adj.frml. unchangeable, fixed: The laws of physics are constant and immutable. -n. [U] immutability.
imp
imp
  1. n.
    1 a little devil: Some people think imps make us lie or steal.
    2 fig. a naughty person, usu. young: That boy is an imp, always up to mischief. -adj. impish.
impact
impact
  1. n.
    1 a forceful contact: The meteor made a large impact when it crashed to earth.
    2 effect, impression: Poverty has a bad impact on people's health.v.infrml. [I;T] to affect: Lack of food impacted the starving nation.
    THESAURUS
    impact n.
    1 a shock, jolt, collision
    2 an influence.
impair
impair
  1. v. [T] to weaken, damage: A blow to the ear impaired her hearing. -n. [C;U] impairment.
impale
impale
  1. v. [T] -paled, -paling, -pales to make a hole through s.t. or s.o. with a pointed object: Warriors impaled their enemies with spears.
impalpable
impalpable
  1. adj. not able to be felt by touch: The tiny bird's heartbeat was almost impalpable.
impart
impart
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give (information): The English teacher imparts knowledge of verb tenses to his students.
    2 to give,
    THESAURUS
    to bestow: Her vast knowledge of history imparts a special richness to her writing.
impartial
impartial
  1. adj. treating all sides fairly: The judge gave an impartial verdict that did not favor either side. -n. [U] impartiality ; -adv. impartially.
impassable
impassable
  1. adj. not able to be traveled because of an obstacle, blocked: A mudslide made the road impassable to cars and people.
impasse
impasse
  1. n. a lack of agreement, blockage: The two countries tried to divide the land equally, but reached an impasse.
impassioned
impassioned
  1. adj. full of emotion: The senator had tears in his eyes as he gave an impassioned speech.
impassive
impassive
  1. adj. showing no emotion: His face was impassive as the judge sentenced him to death.
impatient
impatient
  1. adj. not wanting to wait: She was impatient to hear where her lost son was. -n. impatience.
impeach
impeach
  1. v. [T] to accuse a public official of a crime or wrongdoing: The legislature impeached the governor for lying about his background.
impeccable
impeccable
  1. adj. without fault, flawless: The fashion designer was admired for her impeccable clothes.
impede
impede
  1. v. [T] -peded, -peding, -pedes to get in the way of, slow down: A large ship in the port impeded the movement of many smaller boats.
impediment
impediment
  1. n. s.t. that slows or stops movement or progress, obstacle,
    THESAURUS
    hindrance: Conflict between the two nations is an impediment to reaching a peace agreement.
impel
impel
  1. v.frml. [T] -pelled, -pelling, -pels to make s.o. do s.t., (syns.) to motivate, prompt: Hunger impelled him to seek food.
impending
impending
  1. adj. about to happen: The impending law will help poor families by the end of the year.
impenetrable
impenetrable
  1. adj. not able to be gone through or entered: The castle has thick, impenetrable walls. -n. [U] impenetrability.
imperative
imperative
  1. adj. necessary, urgent: It is imperative that you call home immediately, because your child is ill.n. (in grammar) a command form: "Go home immediately!" shows the imperative of the verb "to go."
imperceptible
imperceptible
  1. adj.frml. not able to be sensed, very tiny: The difference between their opinions is imperceptible.
imperfect
imperfect
  1. adj.
    1 having mistakes, flawed: The diamond is pretty, but that crack makes it imperfect.
    2 a verb tense indicating past action in progress: "We were talking when you arrived" shows the imperfect tense of "talk."
imperfection
imperfection
  1. n.
    1 [C] a flaw, defect: The vase has several imperfections that make it unable to hold water.
    2 [C;U] a general lack of perfection: Imperfections spoil his writing.
imperialism
imperialism
  1. n. [U]
    1 rule of a nation by an emperor or empress: Imperialism existed in France under the Emperor Napoleon.
    2 one nation controlling the political or economic life of other nations: Great Britain's imperialism spread to Africa long ago. -adj. imperial.
imperil
imperil
  1. v.frml. [T] to put in danger,
    THESAURUS
    to jeopardize: A fierce storm imperiled the passenger ship.
imperious
imperious
  1. adj.frml. having an attitude of superiority, (syns.) arrogant, haughty: The strict father showed an imperious attitude toward his children. -n. [U] imperiousness.
impersonal
impersonal
  1. adj.
    1 not showing personal opinion or preference, unemotional, fair: She is impersonal in her hiring of employees.
    2 lacking in feeling or compassion, unfriendly: Many taxpayers feel the IRS is an impersonal government agency.
impersonate
impersonate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to imitate, act like s.o. else, sometimes using clothes, voices, or makeup: That comedian impersonates famous politicians. -n.[C;U] impersonation.
impertinent
impertinent
  1. adj. rude, disrespectful: His impertinent behavior shocked the nice old lady. -n. [U] impertinence.
impervious
impervious
  1. adj.
    1 not allowing anything to pass through or cause damage,
    THESAURUS
    impenetrable: Two coats of paint make the house impervious to bad weather.
    2 not affected by s.o. or s.t. because of inner strength or confidence: The child seems impervious to the teacher's criticism.
impetigo
impetigo
  1. n. [U] a serious, contagious skin disease: Impetigo is less common today than in the past.
impetuous
impetuous
  1. adj. done quickly often without thinking,
    THESAURUS
    impulsive: She made an impetuous decision in marrying so young. -adv. impetuously.
impetus
impetus
  1. n. [C;U] the encouragement needed to do s.t.: The President's enthusiasm was an impetus for Congress to pass the new law.
impinge
impinge
  1. v.frml. [T] -pinged, -pinging, -pinges
    1 to affect, change: His writings have impinged upon (or) on liberal thinking.
    2 to advance into a new or forbidden area,
    THESAURUS
    to trespass: That fence impinges on our property.
implacable
implacable
  1. adj.frml. not able to be satisfied or changed: The parents are implacable enemies, but the children are friends. -n. [U] implacability.
implant
implant
  1. v. [T]
    1 to insert or place in s.t., usu. a living body: A doctor implanted a small tube under the patient's skin.
    2 to put (information) firmly into s.o.'s mind: My teacher implanted ideas that have stayed with me all my life. -n. [C;U] implantation.
implausible
implausible
  1. adj. not believable, unlikely to be true: His version of the story is implausible, because it changes every time he tells it. -n. [C;U] implausibility.
implement
implement
  1. v. [T] to start, put into action: The meat company implemented a new advertising plan for low-fat beef.n. a tool or piece of equipment: With the right implements, I can unlock a door without a key. -n. [U] implementation.
implicate
implicate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to show that s.o. participated or was involved, esp. in a crime: The drug addict implicated the man who sold her the cocaine.
implication
implication
  1. n.
    1 [U] an indication of participation or involvement of others, esp. in a crime: The woman's implication of her brother sent him to jail.
    2 [C] an indirect suggestion: John made implications that Mr. Lu had faked his wife's signature.
implicit
implicit
  1. adj. understood but not directly written or stated: Polite conversation is implicit at a formal dinner party.
implode
implode
  1. v. [I] -ploded, -ploding, -plodes to collapse inwardly from some force: The volcanic mountain seemed much smaller after it erupted and imploded. -n. [C;U] implosion.
implore
implore
  1. v.frml. [T] -plored, -ploring, -plores to beg,
    THESAURUS
    to beseech: He implored his son not to take drugs.
imply
imply
  1. v. [T] -plied, -plying, -plies to indicate or suggest only indirectly: The Secretary of the Treasury implied that interest rates would go down.
    THESAURUS
    imply to hint at, suggest, intimate.
impolite
impolite
  1. adj. showing bad manners, rude: The clerk was impolite to the customer. -n. [U] impoliteness.
import
import
  1. v. [T]
    1 to bring products into one country from another: The jeweler buys diamonds from Africa and imports them into the USA.
    2 (in computers) to move data from one system to another: I imported information from Microsoft Word to my database.n.frml. meaning, significance: It is of little import whether we go by bus or train. -n. [U] importation.
    THESAURUS
    import v.
    1 to transport into the country, bring in (goods), introduce from another country. Ant. to export.
important
important
  1. adj. having great meaning or significance, weighty: Important news is broadcast instantly over radio and television. -n. [U] importance.
    THESAURUS
    important significant, major, key. Ant. unimportant.
impose
impose
  1. v. -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 [T] to place upon, burden: Inheriting money imposes new taxes on people.
    2 [I] to make inconvenient, take advantage of: Relatives imposed upon us when they stayed for a whole week.
imposing
imposing
  1. adj. having a strong or powerful effect, grand: An imposing statue dominates the square.
imposition
imposition
  1. n.
    1 [U] placement of s.t., usu. a burden or difficulty: The imposition of new rules in the middle of the school year confused the children.
    2 [C] inconvenience, burden: Having to drive 150 miles (240 km) was an imposition on our time.
impossible
impossible
  1. adj.
    1 not able to be done: Flying by flapping your arms is impossible.
    2 not acceptable, ridiculous: He knows our limits, but still makes impossible demands.
    3 extremely difficult, unbearable: She is impossible to talk to when she's angry. -n. [U] impossibility; -adv. impossibly.
    THESAURUS
    impossible
    1 unworkable, unachievable, out of the question. Ant. possible.
    2 absurd, impractical, outrageous. Ant. acceptable.
impostor
impostor
  1. n. a person who pretends to be s.o. else: The impostor had a false passport, but the customs department knew his real name.
impotence
impotence
  1. n. [U]
    1 (of men) the condition of not being able to have sexual intercourse or activity: Sometimes doctors can treat impotence so that men can become fathers.
    2 lack of strength: The tiny country's impotence was extreme when compared to the power of the large country. -adj. impotent.
impound
impound
  1. v. [T] to seize and keep by law,
    THESAURUS
    to confiscate: The police impounded a vehicle for blocking the fire exit.
impoverish
impoverish
  1. v. [T] to make poor: The cruel regime's unfair taxes impoverished the people.
impractical
impractical
  1. adj. not realistic, not sensible: He has imaginative solutions, but their cost makes them impractical.
imprecise
imprecise
  1. adj. not exact, vague: The price of the trip is an imprecise estimate until we know the cost of airplane tickets.
impregnable
impregnable
  1. adj. not able to be attacked because of strength: The city was impregnable to the enemy's army because of its high stone walls.
impregnate
impregnate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to fertilize, make pregnant: The male cat impregnated the female, and she had five kittens.
impress
impress
  1. v. [T]
    1 to create and give an image of s.o. or s.t.: He impresses me as a decent man.
    2 to cause others to admire: Her brilliant ideas impressed her boss.
    3 to emphasize, stress: She impressed on us all how important it is to be kind.
    4 to make a mark by stamping or pressing: Workers impress words and symbols in leather.
impression
impression
  1. n.
    1 a feeling about s.o. or s.t., impact: She makes a good impression on everyone she meets.
    2 a stamp, seal: The impression of the company's trademark must appear on all letters.
    3 a printing: The novel went through 20 impressions.
impressionable
impressionable
  1. adj. easily influenced (usu. referring to young people): The impressionable boy was awed by his rich cousins.
impressive
impressive
  1. adj. causing admiration: That athlete's ability is impressive; she can jump as high as her older brother.
    THESAURUS
    impressive awesome, striking, grand. Ant. unimpressive.
imprint
imprint
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make a mark by pressing or printing: A publisher imprints its logo on book covers.
    2 fig. to put permanently in the mind: The Holocaust imprinted terrible images in the survivors' memories.n.
    1 a publishing company that is owned by a larger one: That publisher has an imprint that produces only cookbooks.
    2 a mark made by pressure: The new parents made an imprint of their baby's hand in clay.
imprison
imprison
  1. v. [T] to send to jail,
    THESAURUS
    to incarcerate: The judge imprisoned the criminal for theft.
improbable
improbable
  1. adj. unlikely,
    THESAURUS
    farfetched: Scientists think that the earth's collision with an asteroid is highly improbable. -n. [U] improbability.
impromptu
impromptu
  1. adj. done without preparation, not rehearsed: We were at a party and had an impromptu sing-along.
improper
improper
  1. adj.
    1 without good manners, inappropriate, impolite: The man's improper remarks embarrassed his wife.
    2 incorrect, not suitable: Jeans are improper for a formal occasion.
impropriety
impropriety
  1. n.frml. [C;U] -ties s.t. that lacks proper behavior or standards: His improprieties include laughing at funerals.
improve
improve
  1. v. [I;T] -proved, -proving, -proves
    1 to make better, enhance: He improved his appearance by dressing more carefully.
    2 to become better: Her health improved when she began eating fruits and vegetables.
    3 to advance, progress: He improved himself by getting a better job.
    4 to improve upon: to make s.t. better: The actors were already good, but they improved upon their performance by rehearsing more.
    THESAURUS
    improve
    1 to help, upgrade
    2 to pick up, take a turn for the better infrml., progress. Ant. to worsen.
    3 to better oneself.
improvement
improvement
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 s.t. that is better or makes s.t. else better: They made improvements to the house by building a fancy kitchen and a new roof.
    2 better health: The patient has shown improvement after her chemotherapy.
    THESAURUS
    improvement
    1 an enhancement, refinement | advance, correction
    2 a recovery, progress | upswing.
improvise
improvise
  1. v. [I;T] -vised, -vising, -vises
    1 to create and perform (a song, speech, etc.) with no preparation or rehearsal,
    THESAURUS
    to extemporize: A piano player improvised a song using suggestions from the audience.
    2 to make or invent s.t. with what is available: The hikers improvised by making a tent from tree branches. -n. [C;U] improvisation.
imprudent
imprudent
  1. adj. unwise, thoughtless,
    THESAURUS
    rash: He made some imprudent banking decisions and lost money. -n. [U] imprudence.
impudent
impudent
  1. adj. not respectful, rude,
    THESAURUS
    insolent: The child was impudent to her mother when she stuck out her tongue. -n. [U] impudence.
impulse
impulse
  1. n.
    1 a sudden urge, whim: He had an impulse to run, but he kept on walking.
    2 on impulse: People who buy on impulse often return purchases later.
impulsive
impulsive
  1. adj. acting on sudden urges,
    THESAURUS
    impetuous: She is impulsive and often says things that she doesn't mean.
impunity
impunity
  1. n. [U] without risk or fear of punishment: The cruel queen ordered killings with impunity, for she knew no one could stop her.
impure
impure
  1. adj.
    1 mixed with s.t., usu. bad or dirty,
    THESAURUS
    contaminated: That gasoline is impure; it's full of sand.
    2 morally or sexually wrong: The priest didn't want children to read the novel because he thought it contained impure ideas. -n. [C;U] impurity.
in-depth
in-depth
  1. adj. very detailed, thorough,
    THESAURUS
    exhaustive: We had an in-depth discussion of the problem and every possible solution to it.
in-house
in-house
  1. adv.adj. located or performed inside a business: This publishing company does its artwork in-house; it has an in-house artist.
in-law
in-law
  1. n. a person related by marriage: My wife's father and mother are good in-laws; they treat me like a real son.
in-service
in-service
  1. n.adj. a short educational course about one's job, taught during the day at work: The nurses went to an in-service class about AIDS.
in
in
  1. prep.
    1 used to show s.t. is contained: We put the gift in a box.
    2 used to show location: Students are in the classroom.adv.
    1 present, here: Dr. Smith is in today.
    2 in between: located or existing in the middle of two or more things: Hartford is in between Boston and New York.
    3 in for: a. about to experience: He is in for a big surprise. b. in jail: The prisoner is in for robbery.
    4 in on: aware of s.t. others are not: She is in on the secret.
    5 in the know: aware of, having information: Newspaper reporters are always in the know about current events.
    6 in with: a. lit. in the same place or room: He is in with (in the office of) his boss. b. infrml.fig. a friend or confidante of: She is in with important people in the auto industry, so she gets free cars.
    7 to have it in for: to want to harm s.o.: She has it in for her old boss because he fired her.adj. the in crowd: fashionable social group: The less popular students cannot join the in crowd.n.
    1 the ins and outs of: complications, details of s.t.: That lawyer is familiar with all the ins and outs of divorce law.
    2 infrml. to have an in with s.o. or s.t.: to have special privileges because of knowing s.o.: Her best friend is the mayor, so she has an in with city government.
    THESAURUS
    in prep.
    1 inside of, enclosed in, within
    2 inside (of), within. Ant. out.
in memoriam
in memoriam
  1. adv. phr. (Latin for) in memory of (usu. used to mark graves): I saw a baby's gravestone that read "In Memoriam Robert White 1950-1951."
in toto
in toto
  1. adv.frml. (Latin for) in all, in sum: In toto, we have everything that we need.
inability
inability
  1. n. [U] lack of power or capacity to do s.t.: He needed a wheelchair because of his inability to walk.
    THESAURUS
    inability incapacity, incapability. Ant. ability.
inaccessible
inaccessible
  1. adj. impossible or difficult to reach: The road is blocked, so the town is now inaccessible. -n. [U] inaccessibility.
inaccuracy
inaccuracy
  1. n. [C;U] -cies s.t. that is not correct, an error, mistake: The inaccuracy of the numbers makes the estimates useless.
inaccurate
inaccurate
  1. adj. incorrect,
    THESAURUS
    erroneous: Inaccurate newspaper reports gave the wrong date and time of the fire.
inaction
inaction
  1. n. [U] lack of activity, doing nothing: Inaction by the workers left the house half built.
inactive
inactive
  1. adj.
    1 not working or moving, (syns.) idle, dormant: He has been inactive since his retirement.
    2 not doing military duty: Although she is in an inactive National Guard unit, she still wears her uniform.
inadequate
inadequate
  1. adj.
    1 not enough, insufficient: There is an inadequate supply of water, so people are thirsty.
    2 not good enough, unsatisfactory,
    THESAURUS
    deficient: His homework is inadequate, but it will improve if he asks for help -n. [C;U] inadequacy.
inadmissible
inadmissible
  1. adj. (in law) unacceptable: The evidence submitted by the prosecution is inadmissible. -n. [U] inadmissibility.
inadvertent
inadvertent
  1. adj. not on purpose, done without thinking, unintentional: I'm sorry; not inviting you to the party was an inadvertent mistake. -n. [U] inadvertence.
inadvisable
inadvisable
  1. adj. not a good idea, unwise: It is inadvisable to spend one's rent money on alcohol.
inalienable
inalienable
  1. adj. not able to be taken away: Freedom is an inalienable right in the USA.
inalterable
inalterable
  1. adj. not able to be changed,
    THESAURUS
    immutable: It's an inalterable fact that the sun always sets in the west.
inane
inane
  1. adj. without sense, stupid: His inane comments made him seem silly next to his serious sister. -n. [C;U] inanity.
inanimate
inanimate
  1. adj.
    1 lifeless: Rocks and other inanimate objects were placed among the plants in the garden.
    2 not moving: The actors were inanimate until the music started.
inapplicable
inapplicable
  1. adj. not usable for a particular purpose: The money from state taxes is inapplicable to national education programs.
inappropriate
inappropriate
  1. adj.
    1 not suitable for the situation, incompatible: His dark wool suit was inappropriate in the Florida heat.
    2 not proper, impolite: Some people thought the film was inappropriate for television because it contained nudity.
    THESAURUS
    inappropriate
    1 not right, ill-suited. Ant. appropriate.
    2 improper, unsuitable, indecorous. Ants. appropriate, suitable.
inarticulate
inarticulate
  1. adj. not able to speak clearly or express oneself well: He is intelligent but inarticulate when he tries to explain his ideas.
inasmuch as
inasmuch as
  1. conj.frml. because of the fact that, since,
    THESAURUS
    insofar as: Inasmuch as the patient is now feeling strong, he can leave the hospital.
inaudible
inaudible
  1. adj. too soft to be heard, almost silent: The words that he whispered were inaudible.
inaugurate
inaugurate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 to put in public office with a ceremony: The governor was inaugurated two months after her election.
    2 to open, begin with a ceremony: A jazz band inaugurated the festivities with a lively song. -adj. inaugural.
inauspicious
inauspicious
  1. adj.frml. showing bad luck or difficulty, unfavorable: His son's death was an inauspicious event to begin the year.
inbound
inbound
  1. adj.adv. headed toward or into a place from the surrounding area: The inbound trains to Manhattan from Connecticut run often.
inbounds
inbounds
  1. adv.adj. (in sports) within a playing area: The tennis ball landed inbounds.
inbred
inbred
  1. adj.
    1 having (an ability or characteristic) from birth,
    THESAURUS
    innate: Plow horses have inbred strength.
    2 mated with close relatives, sometimes causing genetic defects or disease: Popular dog breeds are so inbred that some some puppies are born insane.
incalculable
incalculable
  1. adj.
    1 not able to be counted, limitless: The number of stars in the universe is incalculable.
    2 great, immense: The hurricane did incalculable damage to the coastal area.
incandescent
incandescent
  1. adj. giving light when heated, glowing: My family uses incandescent light bulbs in our lamps. -n. [U] incandescence.
incantation
incantation
  1. n. [C;U] the repeated speaking or singing of certain words to make magic: The witches in Shakespeare's Macbeth utter incantations that foretell the future.
incapable
incapable
  1. adj.
    1 not able: Our small garage is incapable of holding three cars.
    2 without ability or talent, incompetent: He is incapable of adding 2 + 2.
    THESAURUS
    incapable
    1 unable to, inadequate for, unequipped to. Ant. capable.
    2 inept at doing s.t., unskilled, untrained.
incapacitate
incapacitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to make helpless, cripple: A head-on collision in an auto accident incapacitated her -n. [U] incapacity.
incarcerate
incarcerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates (in law) to put in jail,
    THESAURUS
    to imprison: They incarcerated the woman, but many people believed that she was innocent. -n. [C;U] incarceration.
incarnation
incarnation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a living being that represents s.t. else: Christians believe Jesus was the incarnation of God.
    2 [C] a different version or form: That is the same story in another incarnation. -adj. incarnate.
incendiary
incendiary
  1. n. -ies s.o. who sets fires,
    THESAURUS
    arsonist: Incendiaries caused great damage when they started fires in government buildings.adj.
    1 relating to fire or burning: Arsonists planned for the incendiary bombs to blow up the building.
    2 fig. causing anger or excitement: The parents were upset when the cult gave incendiary literature to their teenagers.
incense
incense
  1. n. [U] substance (often in a stick or cone form) that releases a pleasant smell when burned: I went to a Catholic funeral where the priest used sweet incense.v. [T] -censed, -censing, -censes to make very angry, (syns.) to enrage, infuriate: The child's lies incensed his babysitter so much that she slapped him.
incentive
incentive
  1. n. s.t. that makes s.o. work harder, motivation: The man promised his nephew $100 as an incentive for good grades.adj. causing hard work, motivating, rewarding: Incentive awards go to salespeople who sell the most insurance.
inception
inception
  1. n. beginning, start: The day-care center has been a success since its inception.
incessant
incessant
  1. adj. without stop, continuing, persistent: Incessant noise makes me appreciate silence.
incest
incest
  1. n. [U] illegal sexual relations between close family members, such as parent and child or brother and sister: When the father had sex with his daughter, he committed in-cest. -adj. incestuous.
incidence
incidence
  1. n. [U] frequency of s.t. happening: The incidence of terrorism is increasing in big cities.
incident
incident
  1. n. an event, occurrence, esp. a bad one: There was an incident in a downtown bar where two men got into a fist fight.
incidental
incidental
  1. adj.
    1 minor,
    THESAURUS
    inconsequential: The budget did not include incidental costs, such as paper and pens.
    2 secondary to, less important than: My new CD has incidental music along with the main songs.
incidentally
incidentally
  1. adv. by the way (used to introduce a new thought): Yes, I know she's from Germany. Incidentally, did you know that I speak German?
incinerate
incinerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to burn to ashes, destroy by fire: Huge bombs incinerated the enemy village.
    2 to burn in an incinerator: Some cities incinerate large amounts of trash. -n. [U] incineration.
incinerator
incinerator
  1. n. a machine used to burn things, esp. trash: The smoke from our town's incinerator causes pollution.
incision
incision
  1. n. [C;U] a narrow cut, usu. in the skin: The patient's incision is healing well. -v. [T] incise.
incisive
incisive
  1. adj. smart and direct, (syns.) sharp, penetrating: The book critic made incisive comments about the new novel.
incisor
incisor
  1. n. a sharp front tooth used for cutting: Rats tore into the meat with their strong incisors.
incite
incite
  1. v. [T] -cited, -citing, -cites to cause s.t. to happen, make s.o. do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to provoke: The baseball fans' screams incited the team to play hard and win. -n. [U] incitement.
inclement
inclement
  1. adj.frml. referring to bad weather, such as rain or snowstorms: Inclement weather forced the graduation ceremony to be held inside.
inclination
inclination
  1. n. desire to do s.t., preference, leaning: I have an inclination to see a movie tonight, but my wife doesn't want to.
incline
incline
  1. v. [I;T] -clined, -clining, -clines
    1 to tilt at an angle: He inclined his easy chair to a nearly flat position and rested.
    2 to bend forward or backward: Listeners inclined forward to better hear the speaker.n. a hill or slope, usu. of land: A train went up an incline through the mountains.
inclined
inclined
  1. adj.
    1 slanted, tilted: The road is inclined steeply upward.
    2 fig. preferring, likely to: I am inclined to be very careful about what bank I use.
include
include
  1. v. [T] -cluded, -cluding, -cludes
    1 to make s.t. a part of s.t. else: She included some of her friends on the party guest list.
    2 to put with, to insert, attach: She included some chocolate in each child's lunch bag.
    THESAURUS
    include
    1 to add, incorporate. Ant. to exclude.
    2 to put in, enclose.
inclusion
inclusion
  1. n. [U] the act of making s.t. a part of s.t. else: The inclusion of her book on the reading list made the author happy.
inclusive
inclusive
  1. adj.
    1 allowing everyone or everything to be part of, making no exceptions,
    THESAURUS
    comprehensive: This class is inclusive of all ages; one student is 19, another is 45, and a third is 70.
    2 along with: Send in your application inclusive of the application fee.
incognito
incognito
  1. adj.frml. using another name or in disguise: The rock star wore dark glasses and traveled incognito so no one would bother her.
incoherent
incoherent
  1. adj. not able to be understood,
    THESAURUS
    unintelligible: The little girl was so scared that her speech was incoherent. -n. [U] incoherence.
incombustible
incombustible
  1. adj. not able to burn or be burned: Do not throw incombustible materials in this trash can.
income
income
  1. n. [C;U] money earned from working or investments: Her income increased when she changed jobs and bought stock.
    THESAURUS
    income earnings, salary, pay | revenue, interest, dividends.
income tax
income tax
  1. n. a percentage of individuals' and businesses' earnings paid to the government: North Carolina uses state income taxes to build roads and highways.
incoming
incoming
  1. adj. coming toward a place from farther away: Incoming mail from other countries arrives in the USA by plane and boat.
incomparable
incomparable
  1. adj. unlike anything else, unique: The dinosaur fossil is incomparable to the fossils of all other animals.
incompatible
incompatible
  1. adj. not able to work or be together: This new word processing program is incompatible with my computer. -n. [C;U] incompatibility.
incompetent
incompetent
  1. adj. without the skill or talent to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    bungling: He is an incompetent vicepresident; he is not very smart, and he has only two years of experience in the business. -n. [U] incompetence.
incomplete
incomplete
  1. adj. lacking, s.t. unfinished: My mother feels her life is incomplete without grandchildren.
    THESAURUS
    incomplete imperfect, deficient, wanting | partial. Ant. complete.
incomprehensible
incomprehensible
  1. adj. not able to be understood: I understand algebra, but calculus is incomprehensible. -n. [U] incomprehension.
inconceivable
inconceivable
  1. adj. not able to be imagined, shocking: It is inconceivable that your nice brother would hit his child.
inconclusive
inconclusive
  1. adj. not leading to a sure result, not complete enough, indefinite: The results of Angela's medical tests were inconclusive, showing no cause for her pain.
incongruous
incongruous
  1. adj. not matching, not appropriate to the situation,
    THESAURUS
    incompatible: His radical ideas are incongruous with his family's conservative traditions. -n. incongruity /
inconsequential
inconsequential
  1. adj. not important, insignificant: A few inconsequential details remain, but most of the book is written.
inconsiderate
inconsiderate
  1. adj. not polite, rude,
    THESAURUS
    insensitive: He is inconsiderate of my feelings when he shouts at me.
inconsistent
inconsistent
  1. adj. not matching, different from: Her statements are inconsistent with the facts. -n.[C;U] inconsistency.
inconsolable
inconsolable
  1. adj. not able to be comforted,
    THESAURUS
    devastated: The mother was inconsolable after the death of her child.
inconspicuous
inconspicuous
  1. adj. not obvious or noticeable, unobtrusive: He is of medium height and weight, quite inconspicuous in a crowd.
inconstant
inconstant
  1. adj.frml. variable, changeable: The direction of the wind is inconstant. -n. [U] inconstancy.
incontestable
incontestable
  1. adj. true, certain: The earth is round, not flat; this is an incontestable fact.
inconvenient
inconvenient
  1. adj. not at a good time, difficult: Seeing you tomorrow is inconvenient because I have another appointment. -n. [C;U] inconvenience.
    THESAURUS
    inconvenient awkward, unmanageable, untimely. Ant. convenient.
incorporate
incorporate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 to include, contain: The spending agreement incorporates ideas from both Democrats and Republicans.
    2 to form a corporation: Many people incorporate their businesses to avoid certain taxes. -adj. incorporated; -n. [U] incorporation.
incorrect
incorrect
  1. adj.
    1 containing mistakes, wrong: The sum of those numbers is incorrect; they need to be added again.
    2 not appropriate, improper: His loud behavior in church was incorrect.
    THESAURUS
    incorrect
    1 inaccurate, inexact | untrue, false, mistaken. Ant. correct.
    2 out of place, faulty. Ant. proper.
incorrigible
incorrigible
  1. adj. not able to behave correctly, always bad: Some criminals are incorrigible and will be in jail all their lives.
increase
increase
  1. n. [C;U] a larger amount: Mr. Kim got a salary increase of 10 percent; he was earning $40,000 per year, so now he will earn $44,000.v. [I;T] -creased, -creasing, -creases
    1 to go up in number, rise: The temperature increased ten degrees this afternoon.
    2 to make bigger, enlarge: Architects increased the size of our house by adding a bigger kitchen.
    THESAURUS
    increase n. a raise, boost, enlargement | growth. Ant. a decrease. —v.
    1 to mount, jump, shoot up infrml. Ant. to decrease.
    2 to expand, add to, augment.
incredible
incredible
  1. adj.
    1 wonderful, fabulous: We had an incredible time on our vacation!
    2 unbelievable, not true: He tells incredible lies. -adv. incredibly.
    THESAURUS
    incredible
    1 amazing, fantastic, great
    2 inconceivable, improbable, preposterous. Ants. credible, believable.
incredulous
incredulous
  1. adj. not believing,
    THESAURUS
    surprised: I was incredulous when you told me your cat can swim. -n. [U] incredulity.
increment
increment
  1. n. a small segment of s.t., a step: Temperature is measured in increments called degrees. -adj. incremental.
incriminate
incriminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to show that s.o. was involved in a crime: The woman incriminated her neighbors who were growing marijuana. -n. [U] incrimination.
incubate
incubate
  1. v. [I;T] -bated, -bating, -bates
    1 to keep eggs warm until babies are born: Birds incubate eggs by sitting on them.
    2 to put a newborn baby in a special machine so it can grow: The hospital incubates premature babies until their mothers can take care of them. -n. [U] incubation.
incubator
incubator
  1. n. a special hospital bed with a cover, used to shelter and warm babies: The father took his son out of the incubator to hold him.
incumbent
incumbent
  1. n. a politician who is trying to be elected again: Senator Chen is an incumbent; he has been in the Senate for six years and wants to be elected for six more years.
incur
incur
  1. v. [T] -curred, -curring, -curs to take on (responsibilities, obligations, etc.): He incurred debts when he started a new business.
incurable
incurable
  1. adj. impossible to heal or cure, fatal: He has incurable cancer and will die within six months.
incursion
incursion
  1. n. an aggressive or forceful entrance into another country or s.o. else's area: We don't like the neighbors' incursion when they park their car in our driveway.
indebted
indebted
  1. adj. obligated because of receiving a favor, grateful: I am indebted to you for saving my life. -n. [U] indebtedness.
    THESAURUS
    indebted obliged, beholden.
indecent
indecent
  1. adj.
    1 not good or proper: It was indecent of him to lie to his mother.
    2 sexually wrong, (syns.) obscene, lewd: The man took off his clothes in public and was arrested for indecent behavior. -n. [U] indecency.
indecisive
indecisive
  1. adj. not able to choose or make a decision, (syns.) vacillating, wavering: She is indecisive about wearing pants or a skirt. -n. [U] indecision.
indecorous
indecorous
  1. adj.frml. improper, bad: Her drunken behavior at the dance was indecorous. -n. [U] indecorum.
indeed
indeed
  1. exclam. used to express surprise or disbelief: I will earn a million dollars next year—indeed?adv.
    1 truly, factually: It was indeed the largest elephant in the world.
    2 used to express s.t. strongly: Do I love my husband? Yes, indeed!
indefensible
indefensible
  1. adj. so bad that there is no justification, inexcusable: She tried to apologize, but we still felt her rude behavior was indefensible.
indefinable
indefinable
  1. adj. not able to be explained, mysterious: That slow violin music has a certain indefinable quality to it.
indefinite
indefinite
  1. adj. not specific about time, place, or detail: We know the meeting is on July 12, but the time is indefinite.
indefinite article
indefinite article
  1. n. (in grammar) "a" or "an," used before a noun when "the" is too specific: A tree fell in the forest.
indefinite pronoun
indefinite pronoun
  1. n. a word, such as "either," "any," or "some," that replaces a noun in a nonspecific way: He needs some (money) because he doesn't have any.
indelible
indelible
  1. adj.
    1 not able to be erased, permanent: The letter was written in indelible ink.
    2 fig. unforgettable, lasting: Her intelligence makes an indelible impression on others.
indelicate
indelicate
  1. adj.frml. in bad taste, (syns.) coarse, tactless: His indelicate behavior included banging his fist on the table and swearing. -n. [C;U] indelicacy.
indemnify
indemnify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to agree to pay s.o. for loss or damage if loss or damage occurs: The insurance contract indemnifies my company in case of flood or fire. -n. [U] indemnification.
indemnity
indemnity
  1. n. [C;U] protection or insurance against loss or damage: I was glad I had an indemnity when my house burned down.
indent
indent
  1. v. [T] n. to start writing or typing a short distance in from the margin: When I begin a new paragraph, I indent five spaces.
indentured
indentured
  1. adj. having a work contract or agreement with a more powerful person, enslaved: indentured workers, servants -v. n. [U] indenture.
independence
independence
  1. n. [U]
    1 freedom: Many former African colonies fought for independence from France, Portugal, and other European countries.
    2 state of taking care of oneself: She felt a sense of independence when she left home to go to college.
    THESAURUS
    independence
    1 liberty, autonomy, self-governance
    2 self-sufficiency, self-reliance. Ant. dependence.
independent
independent
  1. adj.
    1 free: The USA became an independent nation after 1776.
    2 taking care of oneself: He is financially independent of his parents but still asks for their advice.
    THESAURUS
    independent
    1 self-governing, liberated, autonomous
    2 self-sufficient, self-reliant, self-supporting. Ant. dependent.
indescribable
indescribable
  1. adj. not able to be put into words, (syns.) overwhelming, mind-boggling: The water in the Caribbean is an indescribable blue!
indestructible
indestructible
  1. adj.
    1 not able to be destroyed: That metal ship is indestructible.
    2 durable, lasting: My boots are nearly indestructible because the leather is so thick.
indeterminate
indeterminate
  1. adj. not known yet, unspecified: Telephone lines are still down on the island, so the hurricane damage is indeterminate.
index
index
  1. n. -dexes or -dices
    1 in a book, a list of topics in alphabetical order with page numbers: Look for "World War II" in the index of your history book.
    2 an indicator, such as labels on a graph or other symbols, esp. about money and economics: The economic indices published in my business magazine suggest that the economy is improving.v. [T] to create an index or include in an index: An editor indexed the main topics of the book. -n. indexer.
    THESAURUS
    index v. to sort, order, categorize.
indicate
indicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to show where or what s.t. is: The girl indicated her choice of dessert by pointing to the chocolate cake.
    2 to mean, symbolize: Those black clouds indicate that it might rain soon.
    THESAURUS
    indicate
    1 to communicate, point out | signal, denote
    2 to be a sign of s.t., point to the fact, imply.
indication
indication
  1. n.
    1 [C] a sign, signal: The arrows in the elevator give an indication of whether it is going up or down.
    2 [C;U] meaning, hint: An increase in rain gives us an indication that grass will be greener soon. -n. [C] indicator ; -adj. indicative.
indict
indict
  1. v. [I;T] (in law) to formally charge s.o. or be charged with a crime or wrongdoing: The court indicted the man for murder, but he's not in jail yet. -n. [C;U] indictment.
indifferent
indifferent
  1. adj. not caring, without feeling,
    THESAURUS
    apathetic: His indifferent attitude toward food made him lose weight. -n. [U] indifference.
indigenous
indigenous
  1. adj. born in, native to: The Navajo tribes are indigenous to Arizona.
indigent
indigent
  1. adj.frml. without money, poor,
    THESAURUS
    destitute: Some indigent people beg for money and food.
indigestion
indigestion
  1. n. [U] pain in the stomach because of s.t. one has eaten: He ate three hot dogs with chili and had indigestion. -adj. indigestible .
    THESAURUS
    indigestion a stomachache, heartburn | dyspepsia.
indignant
indignant
  1. adj. angry because s.t. is unfair or not right, (syns.) offended, insulted: She became indignant when a store clerk said she stole a ring. -n. [U] indignation.
indignity
indignity
  1. n. [C;U] -ties feeling of shame, (syns.) humiliation, affront: Falling on the ice in public caused him some indignity.
indigo
indigo
  1. adj. a purple-blue color: My dark blue jeans have an indigo shade.
indirect
indirect
  1. adj.
    1 not going straight toward s.t., (syns.) circuitous, roundabout: We left the highway and took an indirect route on little back roads.
    2 not definite, (syns.) subtle, implied: Eva's criticism of her child was indirect but still hurtful. -n. [U] indirection; indirectness.
indirect object
indirect object
  1. n. (in grammar) a noun receiving indirect action from a verb—for example, "him" in this sentence: I loaned him money.
indiscreet
indiscreet
  1. adj. not showing wise or good behavior, esp. in telling the secrets of others,
    THESAURUS
    untrustworthy: Don't tell private things to an indiscreet person, or everyone will know about them.
indiscretion
indiscretion
  1. n. [C;U] bad or unwise behavior, esp. s.t. socially wrong or revealing: Drinking too much and telling dirty jokes are two of his indiscretions.
indiscriminate
indiscriminate
  1. adj. lacking care or wisdom, without thought for the future or result,
    THESAURUS
    rash: His indiscriminate spending on fancy cars left him with no money. -n. [U] indiscrimination.
indispensable
indispensable
  1. adj. necessary, essential: Warm clothing is indispensable in cold weather.
indisposed
indisposed
  1. adj.frml.
    1 not able to do s.t., usu. because of sickness: The opera star has a cold and is indisposed today.
    2 not interested: Those rich people are indisposed toward helping their poor neighbors.
indisputable
indisputable
  1. adj. definite, unquestionable: Police have indisputable proof that the gun is yours.
indistinct
indistinct
  1. adj. not easy to be seen or heard, (syns.) blurred, fuzzy: His voice was indistinct because of the loud music. -adj. indistinctive.
indistinguishable
indistinguishable
  1. adj. just the same as, alike: One twin brother is indistinguishable from the other.
individual
individual
  1. n. one person: Three individuals walked away from the crowd.adj. different from others, single, separate,: When Frida speaks, she has an individual accent, because as a child she lived for five years in Mexico, five years in the USA, and five years in Korea.
    THESAURUS
    individual n. a human being, mortal | creature, entity. —adj. distinct, particular, singular.
individualist
individualist
  1. n. a person who thinks and behaves according to his or her own beliefs,
    THESAURUS
    a nonconformist: Be an individualist; don't be a doctor like the rest of your family. -adj. individualistic; -n. [U] individualism.
individuality
individuality
  1. n. [U] a separate style, one's way of being different from others: Her individuality shows in her colorful scarves and interesting jewelry.
individualize
individualize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make s.t. for a person's special needs: That company is huge, but it individualizes its services for each customer.
indivisible
indivisible
  1. adj. not able to be forced apart, solid, unified: That family is indivisible; they stay together even during troubled times.
indoctrinate
indoctrinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to teach s.o. that certain opinions and customs are the right ones: The Marines indoctrinate new soldiers into the ways of military life.
indolence
indolence
  1. n.frml. [U] laziness: His indolence made him lose his job, since he didn't work hard enough. -adj. indolent.
indomitable
indomitable
  1. adj. not able to be discouraged or stopped, (syns.) irrepressible, undaunted: The indomitable spirit of the firefighters helped save many lives.
indoor
indoor
  1. adj. located inside a building: Some rich people have indoor swimming pools.
indoors
indoors
  1. adv. inside a building: When it started to rain, we moved our picnic indoors.
    THESAURUS
    indoors inside, within. Ant. outdoors.
indubitable
indubitable
  1. adj.frml. without doubt, certain: Death is an indubitable fact of life.
induce
induce
  1. v. [T] -duced, -ducing, -duces
    1 to make s.o. do s.t., (syns.) to persuade, coax: His wife's love of the ocean induced him to take a vacation at the seashore.
    2 to cause, make happen: The nurse induced a lower fever by bathing the man in cool water.
inducement
inducement
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that makes s.o. want to do s.t., (syns.) motive, incentive: The company promised her a big office as an inducement to take the job.
induct
induct
  1. v. [T] to put in public office or the military with a formal ceremony: When he was inducted into office, the mayor promised to always tell the truth.||Our son was inducted into the army last week. -n. [C;U] induction.
inductive
inductive
  1. adj. using logic or math to solve a puzzle or problem: The police knew the robber's shoe size and used inductive reasoning to connect the footprints to the man.
indulge
indulge
  1. v. -dulged, -dulging, -dulges
    1 [I;T] to take or eat s.t. good (sometimes too much): I indulged and had chocolate cake for dessert.
    2 [T] to allow s.o. to do s.t., even if it is not good or wise: Carlos indulged his son's wish to learn to fly an airplane.
indulgence
indulgence
  1. n.
    1 [U] patience, tolerance: I ask your indulgence while I tell you this long, boring story.
    2 [C] s.t. one enjoys, even though it may be bad or wrong: Two glasses of wine at dinner is my only indulgence.
indulgent
indulgent
  1. adj. tolerant,
    THESAURUS
    pampering: He is indulgent in buying his children all that candy.
industrial
industrial
  1. adj. related to industry (esp. manufacturing): Industrial production is up this year, but agriculture is weak.
industrial park
industrial park
  1. n. a piece of land with buildings for businesses, esp. those that make new products,
    THESAURUS
    office park: The industrial park on the edge of town has three office buildings and two small factories.
industrialism
industrialism
  1. n. [U] the growth or present state of industry within a nation or region: That developing country changed its economy from farming to industrialism.
industrialize
industrialize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make a nation or region use and develop industry: Many developing countries wish to industrialize their economies by building factories. -n. [U] industrialization.
industrious
industrious
  1. adj. hardworking, busy: She started her own business and is now very industrious.
industry
industry
  1. n. -tries
    1 [U] the making and selling of products: Industry grew quickly after the discovery of electricity.
    2 [C] a specific type of manufacturing: The US auto industry is centered in Detroit.
    3 [U] hard work: His industry in college resulted in high grades.
    THESAURUS
    industry
    1 business, business activity, commerce
    2 business, trade
    3 effort, diligence, perseverance.
inebriated
inebriated
  1. adj.infrml. drunk: He drank too much beer and is inebriated. -n. [U] inebriation.
ineffective
ineffective
  1. adj.
    1 not good enough to make s.t. happen,
    THESAURUS
    fruitless: Yelling at teenagers is ineffective; talking works better.
    2 not good at doing s.t., (syns.) ineffectual, incompetent: She is ineffective at speaking another language and has decided to stop trying to learn one. -n. [U] ineffectiveness.
inefficient
inefficient
  1. adj. not using time well: The factory is inefficient because its machinery is slow and old. -n. [U] inefficiency.
inelegant
inelegant
  1. adj. without grace,
    THESAURUS
    awkward: The young dancers' movements were inelegant.
ineligible
ineligible
  1. adj. not able to do s.t. for some reason (too young, not skilled, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    unqualified: He is ineligible to enter college, because he has not finished high school. -n. [U] ineligibility.
inept
inept
  1. adj. not good at, (syns.) clumsy, awkward: His inept singing made us put our hands over our ears. -n. [U] ineptness; ineptitude.
inequality
inequality
  1. n. [C;U] -ties
    1 a condition in which s.t. is greater or less than s.t. else: There is an issue of inequality here; I make $20,000 a year and you make $30,000, but we do the same job.
    2 a different amount of opportunity or resources from s.t. else: Inequality among nations can cause war.
    THESAURUS
    inequality
    1 a disparity, unevenness, irregularity
    2 a disparity, imbalance. Ant. equality.
inequitable
inequitable
  1. adj. not equal, unfair, unjust: Some people believe that Africa receives an inequitable amount of Western support compared to Southeast Asia.
inequity
inequity
  1. n. -ties an unfair thing: Many inequities in life are caused by poverty and lack of education.
inert
inert
  1. adj.
    1 lacking the power to move, (syns.) immobile, stationary: A car without an engine sat inert in the garage.
    2 (in chemistry) not active: inert gas
inertia
inertia
  1. n. [U] lack of movement, resistance to change: Social changes often do not happen due to governmental inertia.
inescapable
inescapable
  1. adj. not avoidable: Drug abuse is an inescapable problem that must be solved.
inessential
inessential
  1. adj. not necessary,
    THESAURUS
    dispensable: Those topics are inessential, so leave them out of the report.
inevitable
inevitable
  1. adj. definitely going to happen, unavoidable, certain: Gaining weight is inevitable when you eat too much and don't exercise.
inexact
inexact
  1. adj. not precise, vague: Those numbers are too inexact to base decisions on. -n. [U] inexactness.
inexhaustible
inexhaustible
  1. adj. without end, limitless: The sun seems to have an inexhaustible supply of energy.
inexpensive
inexpensive
  1. adj. not costly, low-priced, cheap: The cost of living in Kansas City is inexpensive compared to that of Los Angeles.
    THESAURUS
    inexpensive low-cost, economical, reasonable. Ant. expensive.
inexperience
inexperience
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of experience in the world,
    THESAURUS
    naiveté: His inexperience with big-city life showed when he didn't know how to use the subway.
    2 limited knowledge: We laughed at her inexperience in the kitchen; she can't boil water.
inexplicable
inexplicable
  1. adj. not able to be explained, mysterious: The strange voices you hear are inexplicable; they must be in your mind.
inexplicit
inexplicit
  1. adj. not clear, inexact,
    THESAURUS
    vague: His directions are inexplicit; we'll get lost.
infallible
infallible
  1. adj. never making a mistake, faultless: Calculations from that computer are infallible.
infamous
infamous
  1. adj. famous because of s.t. bad: That murderer is infamous for his cruelty.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare infamous, notorious, famous, and well-known. Use infamous and notorious to indicate that s.o. or s.t. is famous for a negative reason: Adolf Hitler was notorious for his cruelty.||The airplane disappeared over the infamous Bermuda Triangle. Use famous and well-known when s.o. or s.t. is familiar to many people: Pablo Picasso was a famous Spanish artist.||McDonald's is a well-known chain of fast-food restaurants.
infamy
infamy
  1. n.frml. [U] evil or bad reputation: The infamy of Hitler lives on in history books.
infancy
infancy
  1. n. [U]
    1 the part of a baby's life just after birth and before walking: Many parents choose to work at home during their child's infancy.
    2 fig. early time, beginning: That business is still in its infancy; it opened last week.
infant
infant
  1. n. a baby: A mother held an infant in her arms.
    THESAURUS
    infant a newborn, very young child, little one.
infantile
infantile
  1. adj. childish, stupid: His infantile remarks like "Me first!" annoy everyone. -n. [U] infantilism.
infantry
infantry
  1. n. [C;U] -tries soldiers who fight on foot: The infantry moved forward behind tanks.
infarction
infarction
  1. n. (in medicine) clotting and blockage of a blood vessel, esp. in the heart, a heart attack: That patient died of an infarction before she could have heart surgery.
infatuated
infatuated
  1. adj. in love in a brief, often unthinking way: He was infatuated with (or) by a model one week, an artist the next. -v. [T] infatuate; -n.[C;U] infatuation.
infect
infect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give s.o. a sickness or disease: A flu virus has infected everyone in the office.
    2 fig. to spread through a place: Crime has infected the entire neighborhood.
    THESAURUS
    infect
    1 to spread to s.o., contaminate, pass disease to s.o.
    2 to contaminate, infest, taint.
infection
infection
  1. n. [C;U] a disease or sickness received by s.o. or s.t.: One rat bite can start the spread of infection. -adj. infectious.
infer
infer
  1. v. [T] -ferred, -ferring, -fers to guess by having some information, (syns.) to surmise, deduce: I infer from your smile that you are happy.
inference
inference
  1. n. [C;U] an educated guess based on some information: I made an inference about the child's height when I met her tall parents. -adj. inferential.
inferior
inferior
  1. adj. lower in quality: Most wine from Switzerland is inferior to wine from France.n. a person of lower rank or ability: The general is unkind to his inferiors. -n. [U] inferiority .
    THESAURUS
    inferior adj. second-rate, mediocre, substandard | of poor quality. Ant. superior.
inferiority complex
inferiority complex
  1. n. a serious feeling of not being good enough: That boy has an inferiority complex, but his psychologist helps him feel better about himself.
inferno
inferno
  1. n.
    1 a fiery place, hell: The inside of a live volcano is an inferno.
    2 a very hot place: Turn on the air conditioner! This office is an inferno. -adj. infernal.
infertile
infertile
  1. adj.
    1 not able to have children,
    THESAURUS
    barren: She was infertile as a young woman, then had a baby in her forties.
    2 not good for growing plants or crops: The Sahara Desert is dry and infertile. -n. [U] infertility.
infest
infest
  1. v. [T]
    1 to fill with insects or animals that cause trouble: Mosquitoes infested hot, wet areas.
    2 fig.to grow in population and have a bad effect: Crime infests that poor neighborhood. -adj. infested; -n.[C;U] infestation.
infidel
infidel
  1. n.adj. a person who doesn't believe in a particular religion: The radical cult leader called all nonbelievers infidels.
infidelity
infidelity
  1. n. [C;U] -ties having sex with s.o. besides a husband or wife: She divorced her husband for infidelity after she found him in bed with another woman.
infield
infield
  1. n. (in baseball) the area within the bases and baselines: The young boy wasn't strong enough to hit the ball beyond the infield. -n. infielder.
infiltrate
infiltrate
  1. v. [I;T] -trated, -trating, -trates to join or enter s.t. for a secret purpose: The police infiltrated the drug dealer's house by pretending to want some cocaine. -n. [U] infiltration.
infinite
infinite
  1. adj. going on forever, never-ending, limitless: There is an infinite number of stars in the night sky.
infinitesimal
infinitesimal
  1. adj. extremely small, (syns.) minute, tiny: Those crackers have an infinitesimal amount of salt, so you won't be thirsty.
infinitive
infinitive
  1. n. (in grammar) the main form of a verb, usu. used with "to": "To go" is the infinitive form of the verb "go."
infinity
infinity
  1. n. [U] a limitless number, thing, or place, such as outer space and time: Astronomers study the infinity of the universe.
infirm
infirm
  1. adj. physically weak,
    THESAURUS
    feeble: My 90-year-old uncle is infirm with old age. -n. [C;U] infirmity.
infirmary
infirmary
  1. n. -ries a place where people get medical care, usu. at a university or other institution: I fell playing hockey and had to go to the infirmary.
    THESAURUS
    infirmary a clinic, small hospital, sick room.
inflame
inflame
  1. v. [T] -flamed, -flaming, -flames
    1 to cause great emotions, usu. anger or excitement: The king's evil actions inflamed the slaves.
    2 to make red and sore: The boy's knee became inflamed when he fell on it.
inflammable
inflammable
  1. adj. able to burn,
    THESAURUS
    flammable: Materials in these curtains are inflammable, so don't light a match.
inflammation
inflammation
  1. n. [C;U] a physical reaction to an injury or disease, usu. with redness, heat, and swelling: He has an inflammation in his right eye from too much dust.
inflammatory
inflammatory
  1. adj. causing strong emotion,
    THESAURUS
    provocative: That politician makes inflammatory speeches that people talk about for days.
inflate
inflate
  1. v. -flated, -flating, -flates
    1 [I;T] to fill with air: A mechanic inflated the car's tires.
    2 [T] to raise above the normal or proper level: During shortages, some merchants inflate prices.
    3 fig. [T] to pump up, swell: Praise inflates his ego.
inflation
inflation
  1. n. [U] a rise in prices and lowering of currency's value: Inflation was so great that bread cost twice as much in June as it did in May. -adj. inflationary.
inflection
inflection
  1. n. [C;U] a change in the voice's sound or tone: The inflection in her voice goes up when she asks a question.
inflexible
inflexible
  1. adj.
    1 rigid, unbending: The metal bars of a jail are inflexible.
    2 with strong, unchanging opinions, stubborn,
    THESAURUS
    unyielding: He is very inflexible in his habits, reading the same newspaper every morning. -n. [U] inflexibility.
inflict
inflict
  1. v. [T] to cause s.t. bad, give s.o. a problem: My father inflicts his boring war stories on the whole family. -n. [C;U] infliction.
influence
influence
  1. n. [C;U] the power to change or persuade others: The President's wife has a strong influence on his thinking.v. [T] -enced, -encing, -ences to change s.o.'s mind, have an effect on: Lenin's ideas influenced the Russians during the 1917 Revolution. -adj. influential .
    THESAURUS
    influence n. effect, impact | sway, clout. —v. to have an influence on s.t. or s.o., make an impression on s.o., inspire.
influenza
influenza
  1. n. [U] a contagious illness spread by viruses: Influenza killed millions in 1918, but now we can prevent it.
    THESAURUS
    influenza the flu, a virus | the grippe, a bug infrml.
influx
influx
  1. n. the sudden arrival of many people or things: An influx of immigrants has made Miami's population grow rapidly.
infomercial
infomercial
  1. n. an advertisement for a product, presented as a full-length program on TV or radio: They watched a long infomercial on TV for an exercise machine.
inform
inform
  1. v. [T]
    1 to tell s.o.: I informed my friends of my new address.
    2 to report s.o.'s wrongdoing: He is a spy who informs on others to the government.
    THESAURUS
    inform
    1 to notify, let s.o. know, announce (to)
    2 to betray, tell | snitch, tattle.
informal
informal
  1. adj. casual, ordinary: Dress at the party was informal, with no neckties or fancy dresses. -n. [U] informality .
    THESAURUS
    informal relaxed, easy-going, unfussy | unofficial. Ant. formal.
informant
informant
  1. n.
    1 a person who collects and gives information about s.o. or s.t.: Newspaper reporters use informants to gather news.
    2 a spy: The government informant spied on two people by hiding behind a door.
information
information
  1. n. [U] knowledge, news, facts: Newspapers carry useful information about current events.
    THESAURUS
    information data, evidence, statistics | intelligence.
information technology
information technology
  1. n.phr. [U] the applied science of communicating information electronically: In information technology, computer specialists design large computer systems to make sure other employees can use the computers, too. -abbr. IT.
informative
informative
  1. adj. providing knowledge: The stock market report is very informative to businesspeople.
    THESAURUS
    informative educational, instructive, enlightening. Ant. uninformative.
informed
informed
  1. adj. knowing a lot, esp. about current events: She reads many books and magazines to stay informed.
informer
informer
  1. n. a spy: He was a police informer during the revolution.
infraction
infraction
  1. n. the breaking of a rule or law: He parked his car in a no-parking zone and had to pay a fine for the infraction.
infrastructure
infrastructure
  1. n. [C;U] roads, water, electricity, and other basic things that help a country's people and economy: Many tax dollars in the USA pay for infrastructure, such as the national highway system.
infrequent
infrequent
  1. adj. seldom, not often: His visits to his parents are infrequent because he lives far away.
infringe
infringe
  1. v. [T] -fringed, -fringing, -fringes to go where s.o. or s.t. doesn't belong,
    THESAURUS
    to encroach: Our neighbor's fence infringes on our land. -n. [C;U] infringement.
infuriate
infuriate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to make very angry, (syns.) to incense, enrage: He infuriates me because he won't return my phone calls. See: angry, USAGE NOTE.
infusion
infusion
  1. n. [C;U] an inflow, addition: An infusion of money into the business saved it from bankruptcy. -v. [I;T] infuse.
ingenious
ingenious
  1. adj. very good at making things or solving problems, clever, brilliant: The campers thought of an ingenious way to cross the river without a bridge.
ingenuity
ingenuity
  1. n. [U] skill at solving problems,
    THESAURUS
    cleverness: Great ingenuity goes into building rockets.
ingest
ingest
  1. v.frml. [T] to eat, swallow: A baby ingested poison, and the doctor had to pump her stomach.
ingrain
ingrain
  1. v. [T] to soak into: The paint ingrained itself into the surface of the wood.adj. ingrained done so often as to be part of s.o. or s.t., habitual: Farmers have many ingrained habits: they get up early, they milk the cows, etc.
ingrate
ingrate
  1. n. s.o. who doesn't show thanks, an ungrateful person: He is an ingrate who takes his parents' money without saying "Thank you."
ingratiate
ingratiate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to get respect by doing nice things (usu. expecting s.t. back): He ingratiates himself with important people by inviting them to his parties.
ingratitude
ingratitude
  1. n. [U] not showing thanks,
    THESAURUS
    ungratefulness: Your son's ingratitude toward his aunt and uncle showed when he didn't send them a thank-you card.
ingredient
ingredient
  1. n.
    1 a food item in a recipe: Flour, milk, butter, and yeast are some ingredients in bread.
    2 a part of s.t.: Hard work is an ingredient of success.
    THESAURUS
    ingredient
    1 a component
    2 a component, factor, element.
inhabit
inhabit
  1. v. [T] to live in an area, dwell: People inhabit even the most difficult climates, such as in Siberia. -adj. inhabited.
    THESAURUS
    inhabit to occupy, reside in, populate.
inhabitant
inhabitant
  1. n. a person who lives in a certain area: The inhabitants of San Francisco enjoy a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.
inhale
inhale
  1. v. [I;T] -haled, -haling, -hales to breathe in: Patients inhale painkilling medicine before an operation. -n. [U] inhalation.
inhaler
inhaler
  1. n. a small container of medicine, with a hole to breathe through: She sneezes around cats, but her inhaler helps.
inherent
inherent
  1. adj. naturally belonging to or part of s.t.: Love is inherent in a good marriage.
inherit
inherit
  1. v. [T] to receive after one dies: He inherited his grandfather's watch.
    THESAURUS
    inherit to be left s.t. by s.o., be willed, come into.
inheritance
inheritance
  1. n. [C;U] money, land, etc. received by s.o. when s.o. (usu. a relative) dies: The uncle left a large inheritance to his nephew.
inhibit
inhibit
  1. v. [T] to make an action or behavior difficult: Her shyness inhibits her social life. -n. inhibitor; -adj. inhibitive.
inhibition
inhibition
  1. n. s.t. that makes a certain behavior difficult, usu. psychologically: He has so many inhibitions about his body that he went on a strict diet.
inhospitable
inhospitable
  1. adj.
    1 not welcoming, unfriendly: Some people in this big city are inhospitable to tourists.
    2 difficult to live in because of bad weather or geography: The climate of the North Pole is inhospitable to humans.
inhuman
inhuman
  1. adj. without good human qualities,
    THESAURUS
    cold: Torture of prisoners is inhuman treatment.
inhumane
inhumane
  1. adj. not kind to animals or people, cruel, uncivilized: Some people think that doing scientific experiments on animals is inhumane. -n. [C;U] inhumanity.
initial
initial
  1. adj. beginning, first: My initial good opinion of him changed with time.n.pl. initials the first letters of one's names: John Smith's initials are J.S.v. [T] to write one's initials on s.t.: He initialed a page to show that he had read it.
    THESAURUS
    initial adj. original, earliest, introductory. Ant. final. —n. one's monogram. —v. to mark with one's initials.
initiate
initiate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to cause s.t. to start, to begin: The group was quiet until she initiated conversation by asking a question.
    2 to bring s.o. into an organization with a ceremony or activity: The young man was initiated into a club with a special handshake. -n. initiation.
initiative
initiative
  1. n. [C;U] the first step, usu. showing strength,
    THESAURUS
    ambition: He showed initiative by learning Spanish before moving to Colombia.
inject
inject
  1. v. [T] to force a substance, usu. liquid, into a person or thing: The doctor injected some medicine into the patient with a needle.
injection
injection
  1. n. [C;U] a liquid passed through a needle or small opening: My car's engine gets an injection of gas when I step on the pedal.
    THESAURUS
    injection a shot of s.t. | vaccination, immunization, inoculation.
injunction
injunction
  1. n. (in law) a stop, an ending: A court issued an injunction to stop the man from harassing his former wife.
injure
injure
  1. v. [T] -jured, -juring, -jures
    1 to hurt, cause damage: He injured his knee when he ran in a long race.
    2 to hurt (feelings): Her unkind words injured my pride. -adj. injurious .
    THESAURUS
    injure
    1 to harm, wound, ruin.
    2 to offend, insult, sting.
injury
injury
  1. n. [C;U] -ries a wound, damage: The basketball player had a foot injury and missed three games.
injustice
injustice
  1. n. [C;U] an unfair thing, a broken law: During the Civil War, many fought against the injustice of slavery.
ink
ink
  1. n. [U] a colored liquid used in pens: My teacher uses red ink to correct papers.v. [T] to cover with ink: Long ago, printers had to ink their machines to print newspapers. -adj. inky.
inkblot
inkblot
  1. n. a spot of ink, usu. with uneven edges: His pen leaked and made inkblots on the paper.
inkling
inkling
  1. n. an idea about s.t., (syns.) a hint, clue: I had an inkling that she might be pregnant when she bought some baby clothes.
inlaid
inlaid
  1. adj. a substance, such as wood or metal, set into another substance: That jewelry box is made of silver with inlaid gold flowers.
inland
inland
  1. adv.adj. away from the seashore: We moved inland, from the California coast to the Nevada desert.
inlet
inlet
  1. n.
    1 part of an ocean, lake, or pond that cuts into the land,
    THESAURUS
    a bay: The water is calmer in the inlet, so we keep our boat there.
    2 a pipe or other opening that allows liquid to enter
inmate
inmate
  1. n. a person in jail, a prisoner: That prison has a section for violent inmates, such as rapists and killers.
inn
inn
  1. n. a small hotel, usu. in the country, often serving meals: We like to stay at small rural inns. See: bed and breakfast.
    THESAURUS
    inn a lodge, bed and breakfast, B & B | motel.
innards
innards
  1. n.pl.infrml. one's internal body parts, such as intestines or stomach: My innards hurt from eating too much pie.
innate
innate
  1. adj. part of s.o. from birth, natural: He has an innate sense of how to fix things.
inner
inner
  1. adj.
    1 existing or located within: She doesn't show her inner feelings.
    2 located inside, farther away from walls or doors: You can walk through six rooms before you reach the inner courtyard.
inner city
inner city
  1. n. a city's central area, esp. a poor area or slum: Mayor Perez is trying to help the inner city with neighborhood police and better playgrounds.
innermost
innermost
  1. adj.
    1 deepest within: Searchers found the missing child in the innermost part of the cave.
    2 fig. most secret, private: He reveals his innermost feelings only to his best friend.
inning
inning
  1. n. (in baseball) a period when each team is allowed three outs: A baseball game usually has nine innings.
innkeeper
innkeeper
  1. n. a person who owns or manages an inn: The innkeeper hired a cook and a maid to help her serve guests.
innocence
innocence
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of guilt: You proved your innocence by showing you were at home when the robbery happened.
    2 lack of sin,
    THESAURUS
    naiveté: Small children have a wonderful innocence before they learn about evil.
innocent
innocent
  1. adj.
    1 not guilty (of a crime): The lawyer defended the woman because he believed she was innocent.
    2 sinless, pure: Innocent children are often harmed during a war.
    THESAURUS
    innocent
    1 blameless, faultless, in the clear infrml. Ant. guilty.
    2 naïve, faultless, guiltless.
innocuous
innocuous
  1. adj. harmless,
    THESAURUS
    unobjectionable: The teacher's innocuous words don't make me angry, but they also don't teach me much.
innovate
innovate
  1. v. [I;T] -vated, -vating, -vates to improve s.t., create s.t. new: The company innovated by creating instant voice messaging.
innovation
innovation
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. new made or improved with creativity: Cellular telephones were an innovation in the 1990s, but now they are very common. -adj. innovative.
innuendo
innuendo
  1. n. [C;U] -does indirect remark that hints at s.t. bad: She doesn't say, "You're ugly," but I hear the innuendoes in her voice.
innumerable
innumerable
  1. adj. very many, countless, frequent: He has picked me up at the bus station innumerable times.
inoculate
inoculate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to give a shot of medicine through a needle to prevent disease: The nurse inoculated my baby against polio. -n. [C;U] inoculation.
inoffensive
inoffensive
  1. adj. not causing anger or other bad feelings, (syns.) innocuous, unobjectionable: I let my little boy watch an inoffensive TV show on Saturday morning.
inoperable
inoperable
  1. adj. not able to be cured with surgery, fatal: He has inoperable cancer.
inoperative
inoperative
  1. adj. not working, broken: The telephones are inoperative due to a bad storm.
inopportune
inopportune
  1. adj. at a bad or wrong time: The visitors arrived at an inopportune moment; we were still in bed.
inordinate
inordinate
  1. adj. great, large, more than necessary: He takes an inordinate amount of time in the morning, so we're always late to school.
inpatient
inpatient
  1. n. a person who stays overnight for medical care in a hospital: She is an inpatient, but she's going home Friday.adj. related to overnight patients: That hospital has an inpatient clinic for people with AIDS.
input
input
  1. v. [T] -putted or -put, -putting, -puts to type information into a computer: My assistant inputs the company's sales figures every month.n.
    1 [C;U] information typed into a computer: My daily input includes letters, checks, and dates from my calendar.
    2 [C;U] information or advice from s.o.: We would like your input because you always have good ideas.
    THESAURUS
    input v. to type in, key in, record data. —n.
    1 data entry
    2 contribution, suggestions, feedback.
inquest
inquest
  1. n. (in law) a meeting, esp. before a jury, to find out the facts about a death: At the inquest, we learned that the woman drowned.
inquire
inquire
  1. v. [I;T] -quired, -quiring, -quires
    1 to ask about s.t.: My friend inquired about my health because I was sneezing.
    2 to ask for (public or official) information, to investigate, look into: A neighborhood group inquired into the plans for a new park. See: ask, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    inquire
    1 to question s.o., quiz, make inquiries about s.t.
    2 to check into, examine s.t., check up on s.t.
inquiry
inquiry
  1. n. [C;U] -ries
    1 a question, query: An old friend made an inquiry about your health.
    2 a request for (public or official) information,
    THESAURUS
    an investigation: A citizens' group made an inquiry into police behavior.
inquisition
inquisition
  1. n. a formal investigation into s.o.'s beliefs -n. inquisitor.
inquisitive
inquisitive
  1. adj. asking lots of questions, curious, nosy: My brother is too inquisitive about my private life. -n. [U] inquisitiveness.
inroads
inroads
  1. n.pl. progress toward or into s.t.: We have made inroads into our painting job; we finished the kitchen already!
insane
insane
  1. adj.
    1 mentally ill, crazy: The doctors knew the man was insane when he heard voices in an empty room.
    2 fig. ridiculous, foolish: She has insane ideas about how to get rich overnight. -n. [U] insanity .
    THESAURUS
    insane
    1 crazed, psychotic, deranged | disturbed. Ant. sane.
    2 crazy, absurd, nutty infrml., wacky.
insatiable
insatiable
  1. adj. not able to get enough of s.t., not satisfied with a normal amount: His insatiable hunger made him eat three hamburgers and want more.
inscribe
inscribe
  1. v. [T] -scribed, -scribing, -scribes to write or carve words: I inscribed my name in the guest book. -n. inscription.
inscrutable
inscrutable
  1. adj. not easy to be understood, mysterious
insect
insect
  1. n. a small (invertebrate) animal with six legs, three body segments, and sometimes wings: We have a lot of ants and other insects in our garden in the summer.
    THESAURUS
    insect a bug, pest, creepy crawler infrml.
insecticide
insecticide
  1. n. a chemical or other substance used to kill insects: Farmers use insecticides to protect their corn and wheat fields.
insecure
insecure
  1. adj.
    1 not confident, afraid, uncertain: He feels insecure about his body, so he wears a shirt at the beach.
    2 not steady, unsafe: The fire escape is insecure; it moves in the wind.
inseminate
inseminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to make pregnant by putting male semen into a female body: My aunt was inseminated with her husband's sperm. -n. [C;U] insemination.
insensitive
insensitive
  1. adj.
    1 unkind because s.o. is not aware of others' feelings,
    THESAURUS
    tactless: She said insensitive things to the overweight woman.
    2 not able to feel s.t. physically: After living in Alaska, I am almost insensitive to cold.
inseparable
inseparable
  1. adj. unable to be separated: The two women were best friends in high school and are still inseparable.
insert
insert
  1. v. [T] to put s.t. in s.t. else: She inserted the letter into an envelope. -n. [C;U] insertion.
inset
inset
  1. n. a small picture or map placed inside a larger one: The map of New York State has an inset of New York City.
inside
inside
  1. n.
    1 the part (of a building) within walls: The inside of the house looks better than the outside.
    2 pl. the body's internal parts, esp. near the stomach: My insides hurt from laughing too much.prep. into: We like the painting inside the museum.adv.
    1/ toward the interior: We walked inside to get out of the rain.
    2 inside out: (of clothing) reversed so that the wrong or inner side is showing: Her jacket was inside out; I could see the label.adj.
    1 related to the interior of s.t.: The inside pockets of the coat are made of silk.
    2 the inside story: the secret or true information: The writer heard the inside story of the robbery from a neighbor.
    3 infrml. the inside track: an advantage: She is the owner's daughter, so she has the inside track on becoming company president.
    THESAURUS
    inside n.
    1 the interior. Ant. the outside.
    2 guts infrml. —adv. indoors, in, within. Ant. outside. —adj.
    1 s.t. in s.t., s.t. within s.t. Ant. s.t. outside (of) s.t.
insider
insider
  1. n. a person belonging to a group in power: Anwar is an insider with the mayor; Anwar and the mayor have been good friends for many years.
insidious
insidious
  1. adj. bad or harmful without being obvious or easy to see: The doctor found the insidious cancer before my friend felt pain. -n. [U] insidiousness.
insight
insight
  1. n. [C;U] ability to see or know the truth, intelligence about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    perception: By moving to Washington, the senator gained insight into how politics really work. -adj. insightful.
insignia
insignia
  1. n. [C;U] an official mark or design showing membership, rank, or honor: I have a sweatshirt with my university's insignia.
insignificant
insignificant
  1. adj. not important, without meaning: We thought the book had too many insignificant details about George Washington's life and not enough history. -n. [U] insignificance.
insincere
insincere
  1. adj. not showing true feelings or opinions,
    THESAURUS
    hypocritical: He said he was happy you won the tennis match, but I think he was insincere. -n. [U] insincerity.
insinuate
insinuate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to hint about s.t. bad in an indirect way: One worker insinuated that another employee was dishonest. -n. [C;U] insinuation.
insipid
insipid
  1. adj.
    1 tasteless,
    THESAURUS
    bland: Oatmeal has an insipid taste, so I add sugar.
    2 not interesting, lacking exciting qualities,
    THESAURUS
    vapid: That insipid movie had dull characters and no plot.
insist
insist
  1. v. [I]
    1 to demand, show strong opinion: I insist that you go to the hospital immediately; you are very ill!
    2 phrasal v. insist on: to accept only certain things, to require: The cook insists on the finest meat and fish.
    THESAURUS
    insist
    1 to urge, stress, put one's foot down fig.
insistence
insistence
  1. n. [U] strong pressure to do s.t.: Her insistence on quality keeps her employees hard at work. -adj. insistent.
insofar as
insofar as
  1. conj. as much or as long as (possible): Insofar as my grandfather is able to walk, he won't use a wheelchair.
insole
insole
  1. n.
    1 the part of a shoe that one's foot rests on: My shoes are very old; there is a hole in my insole.
    2 a piece of leather or other material placed inside a shoe for comfort: I wear insoles so my feet don't get so tired.
insolent
insolent
  1. adj. too bold for one's age or situation, rude: The insolent daughter slammed the door in her parents' face. -n. [U] insolence.
insoluble
insoluble
  1. adj.
    1 not able to be dissolved in liquid: Oil is insoluble in water.
    2 not able to be solved: That math problem is insoluble.
insolvent
insolvent
  1. adj. with no money left,
    THESAURUS
    bankrupt: My friend lost her job and became insolvent. -n.[C;U] insolvency.
insomnia
insomnia
  1. n. [U] not able to sleep on a regular basis: My father's insomnia went away when he stopped drinking coffee. -n. [C] insomniac.
inspect
inspect
  1. v. [T] to look at s.t. closely: Automakers inspect their cars to make sure they are safe.
    THESAURUS
    inspect to quality check, examine, check out | look into, go through, scrutinize frml.
inspection
inspection
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a close, careful look, examination,
    THESAURUS
    scrutiny: Inspection of the new house shows that it needs a new roof.
    2 to pass inspection: to receive approval: Soldiers must pass inspection to make sure their uniforms are clean.
inspector
inspector
  1. n.
    1 a person who has a job looking for mistakes or flaws: The electrical inspector looked at our outlets and fuses.
    2 a high-level police officer or firefighter: We called the inspector with facts about a murder case.
inspiration
inspiration
  1. n. [C;U] s.o. or s.t. that makes a person work hard or be creative,
    THESAURUS
    motivation: She is a writer who gets her inspiration from the novels of Hemingway and Fitzgerald. -adj. inspirational.
inspire
inspire
  1. v. [T] -spired, -spiring, -spires to cause to work hard or be creative, to motivate, stimulate: My grandmother inspires us with stories of her difficult childhood.
instability
instability
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of firmness,
    THESAURUS
    shakiness: The instability of that old bridge caused it to fall.
    2 fig. emotional weakness, lack of unity,
    THESAURUS
    unpredictability: The instability of the government may lead to war. See: unstable.
install
install
  1. v. [T]
    1 to put s.t. (such as a piece of machinery) in place and make it work: Our technical expert installed a new computer Wednesday, and we began using it Friday.
    2 to employ s.o., put s.o. in a job: The new mayor was installed in office last week. -n. installer; -n.[C;U] installation.
    THESAURUS
    install
    1 to set up s.t., connect s.t.
    2 to inaugurate, put in office.
installment
installment
  1. n.
    1 s.t. divided into parts: The biography of Elizabeth Taylor appeared in three installments in three separate issues of the magazine.
    2 a partial payment: He is paying off a $1,200 debt in twelve monthly installments of $100.
    THESAURUS
    installment
    1 a part, portion | episode of s.t.
    2 a periodic payment, monthly payment, layaway plan.
instance
instance
  1. n.
    1 a single occurrence or happening, a situation, case: In this instance, we will lend you money, but usually we can't.
    2 for instance: for example: There are many things I would like to learn; for instance, how to swim.
instant
instant
  1. n. a very quick period of time, less than a second: Lightning struck a tree, and it fell in an instant.adj.
    1 very fast, immediate: We can't give instant answers to such difficult questions.
    2 easily mixed or prepared: He added water and ice to the instant tea. -adv. instantly.
    THESAURUS
    instant n. a moment, second, flash. —adj.
    1 quick, instantaneous, on-the-spot | urgent, pressing.
instant replay
instant replay
  1. n. (in television) a filmed or taped moment, esp. in sports, shown just after it happens: You were in the kitchen when the goal was scored in the soccer game, but you can see the instant replay.
instantaneous
instantaneous
  1. adj. with no delay, sudden, immediate (occurrence, reaction, etc.): The pain was instantaneous when I bumped my head.
instead
instead
  1. prep. in place of, rather than: The bride chose roses instead of tulips for her bouquet.
    THESAURUS
    instead as an alternative to s.t., in lieu of s.t.
instep
instep
  1. n. the top part of a shoe or foot between the toes and the ankle
instigate
instigate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to make s.t. happen,
    THESAURUS
    to incite: In the 1960s, students instigated demonstrations against the Vietnam War. -n. [U] instigation.
instill
instill
  1. v. [T] to give (an emotion or quality) by example or teaching: Her athletic parents instilled the girl with a love of baseball. -n. [U] instillation.
instinct
instinct
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a natural, unlearned behavior or ability: Birds migrate south each winter by instinct.
    2 often pl. feelings, not thoughts: She used her instincts in deciding which man to date.
instinctive
instinctive
  1. adj. done from feeling, not from reason or learned behavior: His instinctive reaction to the falling rock was to run from it.
institute
institute
  1. v.frml. [T] -tuted, -tuting, -tutes to begin,
    THESAURUS
    to initiate: Since we instituted the new rule, fewer people have been late to work.n. an organization, esp. one for education or research: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has courses in engineering and computing.
institution
institution
  1. n.
    1 [C] an organization that helps or serves people in the area of health, education, or work: My aunt cannot pay for a private nurse, so she lives in a state institution.
    2 [C;U] a function in society: The institution of marriage is important in most Western religions.
    3 [C] s.t. or s.o. that is a necessary, longtime part of s.t.: Big Sunday dinners are an institution at Mom's house.
    THESAURUS
    institution
    1 an establishment, organization | hospital, school
    2 a tradition, custom
    3 a tradition, fixture, custom.
institutionalize
institutionalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to put s.o. in an institution: After his car accident, he was institutionalized in a special hospital.
instruct
instruct
  1. v. [T]
    1 to teach: The Spanish professor instructs her students in the language and culture of Mexico.
    2 to direct, tell s.o. what to do: My sister instructed me to take out the garbage.
    THESAURUS
    instruct
    1 to educate, tutor | train, coach
    2 to order, command, bid s.o. to do s.t. frml. Ant. to ask.
instruction
instruction
  1. n.
    1 [U] education, teaching: Hearing-impaired students receive instruction in sign language.
    2 pl. information about how to do s.t., directions: The mechanic gave us instructions on how to fix our car's brakes.
    THESAURUS
    instruction
    1 classes, lessons, training
    2 directions, advice.
instructive
instructive
  1. adj. with useful information, educational: I saw a TV show about the US Civil War that was very instructive.
instructor
instructor
  1. n.
    1 a teacher: My swimming instructor showed us how to dive into the water.
    2 the lowest level of college teacher: When she completes her Ph.D., her title will change from instructor to assistant professor. See: teacher, USAGE NOTE.
instrument
instrument
  1. n.
    1 a tool that helps s.o. do work: The doctor used an instrument to look in the girl's ears.
    2 an object for making music, such as a violin, piano, or horn: She plays two musical instruments and is now learning to sing.
    THESAURUS
    instrument
    1 a device, implement, piece of equipment.
instrumental
instrumental
  1. adj.
    1 helpful, causing s.t. to happen: Her good grades were instrumental in getting her a scholarship to Harvard.
    2 of or for musical instruments, not voices: Mozart wrote instrumental music as well as operas. -n. instrumentalist.
insubordination
insubordination
  1. n. [U] not following directions or orders from a high-ranking person,
    THESAURUS
    disobedience: The young soldier did not salute the general and was punished for insubordination. -adj. insubordinate.
insubstantial
insubstantial
  1. adj. not strong or solid,
    THESAURUS
    flimsy: A headache is an insubstantial reason for missing a week of school.
insufferable
insufferable
  1. adj. extremely annoying, (syns.) unbearable, intolerable: When that insufferable man speaks, I get so angry that I have to leave the room.
insufficient
insufficient
  1. adj. not enough,
    THESAURUS
    inadequate: We had an insufficient amount of flour to bake bread. -n. [C;U] insufficiency.
insular
insular
  1. adj.
    1 related to islands: Hawaii is an insular state.
    2 having certain ideas because of being alone or isolated, provincial: His insular opinions come from growing up in a small town. -n. [U] insularity.
insulate
insulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to put material in walls and roofs to keep buildings warmer: After we insulated the walls and attic, our heating costs went down.
    2 fig. to keep s.o. away from, to protect: Some city parents insulate their children by sending them to private schools. -n. insulator.
insulation
insulation
  1. n. [U] any material that keeps out cold, heat, and/or sound: My winter jacket has goose feathers as insulation.
insulin
insulin
  1. n. [U] a hormone from a person's pancreas that helps control sugar in the bloodstream and is taken as medicine by people with diabetes: My diabetic sister gets insulin shots and follows a low-sugar diet.
insult
insult
  1. n. a very unkind remark about s.o.: It was an insult to tell your brother that he's stupid.v. [T] to do or say bad, unkind things to s.o.: You insulted me by saying I have ugly clothes. -adj. insulting.
    THESAURUS
    insult n. a slur, slight, slap in the face fig. | rudeness, slander. Ant. a compliment. —v. to be rude to, hurt s.o.'s feelings, offend s.o. Ant. to be kind to s.o.
insurance
insurance
  1. n. [U]
    1 an agreement with a company in which the company will pay for a loss or accident in exchange for regular premiums (payments): I have insurance, so I can buy another car if mine is stolen.
    2 any protection against a possible problem: Do you carry an umbrella as insurance against getting wet?
    THESAURUS
    insurance
    1 insurance policy, coverage, indemnity
    2 a safeguard, guarantee.
insurance policy
insurance policy
  1. n. the legal contract or agreement that explains the type, details, and conditions of insurance: I have a health insurance policy that tells me which doctors I can use.
insure
insure
  1. v. -sured, -suring, -sures
    1 [I;T] to buy insurance for protection: The company has insured all the workers who use dangerous machines.
    2 [T] to make sure, make certain: I insured that the house was protected by locking all the doors. See: ensure.
    THESAURUS
    insure
    1 to bond, underwrite
    2 to ensure, check, double-check.
insured
insured
  1. adj. having insurance: Our house is insured against fire and flood.n. the person or business having insurance: My life insurance policy shows me as the insured and my wife as the person who will receive money if I die.
insurer
insurer
  1. n. the company providing insurance: My insurer is a big company in Boston.
insurgency
insurgency
  1. n. [C;U] the state of being or acting against a government or political power, (syns.) a rebellion, revolt: Radical party members started an insurgency against their leaders. -n. [C;U] insurgence; -adj. insurgent.
insurmountable
insurmountable
  1. adj. too difficult, impossible: The man thought his problems were insurmountable, so he killed himself.
insurrection
insurrection
  1. n. [C;U] the act of going against a government, (syns.) a revolt, rebellion: The people started an insurrection against the king.
intact
intact
  1. adj. whole, not in pieces: The eggs were in the bottom of the bag, but they did not break; they remained intact.
intangible
intangible
  1. adj. not able to be felt with touch, sight, or hearing, but still sensed: My grandmother, who died last year, is an intangible presence in my life.
integer
integer
  1. n. any positive or negative whole number, including 0 (zero), but not fractions: If you add 1.5 and 1.5, you will get an integer, 3.
integral
integral
  1. adj. necessary, essential: Rice is an integral part of the Chinese diet.
integrate
integrate
  1. v. [T] -grated, -grating, -grates to put different groups of people together: My school is integrated; I have African American, Caucasian, and Hispanic classmates. -n. [U] integration.
integrity
integrity
  1. n. [U]
    1 strong morals, honesty: Her integrity made her call the police when she found drugs in her son's room.
    2 completeness, strength: The integrity of our nation depends on working together.
intellect
intellect
  1. n. [C;U] the ability to think logically and remember knowledge: My sister has a great intellect; she teaches economics and advises the President.
intellectual
intellectual
  1. adj. related to thinking (not emotion) and learned knowledge: If you read more books, you will have more intellectual powers.n. a thinker, person who studies and uses his or her mind: That bar near the university is full of intellectuals talking about politics. -n. [U] intellectualism; -v. [T] intellectualize.
intelligence
intelligence
  1. n. [U]
    1 the ability to learn, understand, and use information; smartness: He used his intelligence to win the chess game.
    2 secret information about a country or an enemy: The USA has intelligence about other countries' nuclear weapons.
    THESAURUS
    intelligence
    1 intellect, aptitude, head fig., brains infrml.
intelligent
intelligent
  1. adj.
    1 able to learn, understand, and use information well, smart: We knew you were very intelligent when you wrote two music books and an opera in one year.
    2 showing good judgment, wise: Eating well and exercising are intelligent things to do.
    THESAURUS
    intelligent
    1 bright, clever, sharp | intellectual. Ant. unintelligent.
    2 sensible, sound.
intelligible
intelligible
  1. adj. able to be heard and understood: There was loud noise from the burning building, but the firefighters' shouts were still intelligible.
intemperate
intemperate
  1. adj.
    1 not wise, out of control,
    THESAURUS
    hotheaded: His intemperate opinions were too strong for small-town politics.
    2 drinking too much: Alcoholics are often sorry about their intemperate habits. -n. [U] intemperance.
intend
intend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to plan to do s.t.: I intend to visit Australia this year.
    2 to mean to be: Don't read that letter; it is intended for my boyfriend.
    THESAURUS
    intend
    1 to aim, have s.t. in mind, mean to do s.t.
    2 to be meant for s.o.
intense
intense
  1. adj.
    1 strong (in feeling or emotion),
    THESAURUS
    concentrated: She felt intense pain when the bone broke in her leg.
    2 bright, rich: an intense red||intense sunlight
intensifier
intensifier
  1. n. words that give strength or intensity to meanings, such as "very" or "awfully," as in: I am awfully sorry.
intensify
intensify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies to get stronger, make s.t. stronger, to increase: The noise from the party intensified as the clock struck midnight.
intensity
intensity
  1. n. [U] the degree, strength of s.t.: He showed the intensity of his love with roses and poems.
intensive
intensive
  1. adj. a lot in a short time,
    THESAURUS
    concentrated: I took an intensive Russian course and learned the language in three months.
intent
intent
  1. n.
    1 [U] purpose, plan,
    THESAURUS
    intention: It was his intent to leave at 6:30, but he stayed until 8:00.
    2 for all intents and purposes: as things really are: For all intents and purposes, the company lost money last year.
intention
intention
  1. n. [C;U] purpose, plan: He had no intention of wearing a tie to the casual party.
    THESAURUS
    intention a desire, wish, goal | intent.
intentional
intentional
  1. adj. done on purpose,
    THESAURUS
    deliberate: Meeting for dinner at a vegetarian restaurant was intentional; I am a vegetarian.
inter
inter
  1. v. [T] -terred, -terring, -ters to bury, put in a grave: My friend died Friday and was interred yesterday. -n. [C;U] interment.
interact
interact
  1. v. [I] to communicate with s.o. through conversation, looks, or action: The couple interacted wordlessly with their eyes. -adj. interactive; -n. interaction.
intercede
intercede
  1. v. [I] -ceded, -ceding, -cedes to do s.t. for or act on behalf of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to intervene: You are telling lies about my sister; I must intercede on her behalf.
intercept
intercept
  1. v. [T] to stop or catch s.t. while it is in the air or going toward s.t.: She intercepted the mail before her parents could find the letter. -n. [C;U] interception.
interchange
interchange
  1. n. a place where highways meet and cars can go from one highway to another: I drove onto Route 66 at an interchange.
interchangeable
interchangeable
  1. adj. able to be used in the same way: The keyboard for that computer is interchangeable with mine.
intercom
intercom
  1. n. a small machine that lets people talk to each other from different rooms or areas of a building: From the kitchen, I heard my baby cry on the intercom.
interconnect
interconnect
  1. v. [I] to relate to s.t., connect: Railroad tracks interconnect at the train station. -n. [C;U] interconnection.
intercontinental
intercontinental
  1. adj. between or relating to more than one continent: Intercontinental airplane flights between the USA and Asia take 12 hours or more.
intercourse
intercourse
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of having sex,
    THESAURUS
    copulation: That couple is trying to have a baby, so they have intercourse often.
    2 frml. talk or discussion between people or groups: Before television, families spent more time in social intercourse.
interdependent
interdependent
  1. adj. needing s.t. from s.o. who also needs s.t. in return: The farmer and his cows have an interdependent relationship; he gives them food and shelter, and they give him milk. -n. [U] interdependence.
interest
interest
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. one wants to know more about, curiosity: I have an interest in learning about computers.
    2 [C;U] an activity or thing that one likes: He plays the piano well; it has become a real interest for him.
    3 [U] right to know: She is my daughter, so I have an interest in where she goes to college.
    4 [U] a percentage paid on an amount of money: The bank paid me 3% on my savings of $100, so I made $3 in interest.
    5 [C;U] financial relationship, part ownership: Along with several other families, they have an interest in an ice-cream shop and a bakery.v. [T] to make s.o. curious, attract s.o.'s attention: Does chemistry interest you, or do you prefer biology?
    THESAURUS
    interest n.
    1 a desire (to learn), curiosity (about learning), passion for. Ant. a disinterest.
    2 a pastime, hobby, pursuit
    3 a concern
    5 a share, percentage, stake. —v. to appeal to s.o., intrigue s.o., hold s.o.'s attention.
interested
interested
  1. adj. having curiosity, wanting to know more: He is interested in travel, so he visits a different country every year.
    THESAURUS
    interested engaged by s.t., absorbed by s.t., drawn in by s.t. Ant. uninterested.

    USAGE NOTE: If s.o. or s.t. excites your interest, you are interested: I'm interested in reading more of her books. The person or thing itself is interesting: Her ideas are interesting.||She's an interesting writer.
interesting
interesting
  1. adj. causing curiosity or a wish to know more: I think American kids find TV to be more interesting than books.
    THESAURUS
    interesting intriguing, compelling, absorbing. Ant. uninteresting.
interface
interface
  1. n. the place where objects, people, or ideas connect: The only interface between the girls' school and boys' school is at dances.v. [I] -faced, -facing, -faces to connect, interact: Our two computers can interface because we have the same software.
interfere
interfere
  1. v. [I] -fered, -fering, -feres to enter or interrupt a situation or discussion, usu. without permission, disrupt: Sandra didn't want to interfere in family problems, but she had important information about Shu-min's sick son.
    THESAURUS
    interfere to meddle, pry, butt in.
interference
interference
  1. n. [U]
    1 the entering or interruption of a situation or discussion, usu. without permission,
    THESAURUS
    disruption: His interference in our lives includes calling every day and visiting every week.
    2 noise on an electrical line, static: Interference on the telephone line was caused by a storm.
intergalactic
intergalactic
  1. adj. between or about other regions of space and our galaxy: Intergalactic space travel is not yet possible.
interim
interim
  1. n.
    1 a time period between events: There was an interim between the time he received the money and spent it.
    2 in the interim: meanwhile, in the meantime: I shall see you again next week; in the interim, email me.
interior
interior
  1. n.
    1 the inside of s.t.: From the outside, the house looks terrible, but the interior is beautiful.
    2 an area of land away from the ocean or a border: Australia's interior is almost all desert.adj. of or about the inside of s.t.: The interior walls are painted white.
    THESAURUS
    interior n.
    1 the inner part, indoors | core. Ant. the exterior.
    2 inland, heartland. Ants. the coast, seaside. —adj. the inside, inner. Ant. exterior.
interior decorator
interior decorator
  1. n. a person who gives ideas about color, style, and placement of furniture, art, and other items in a building: An interior decorator helped us choose our couch and curtains.
interior design
interior design
  1. n. [U]
    1 the way furniture, art, and other items are arranged, with a focus on color, style, and placement: Some modern interior design uses a lot of mirrors and metal.
    2 the profession or subject: He studied interior design at an art school.
interject
interject
  1. v. [I;T] to make a comment in the middle of a discussion, interrupt: She was quiet for a long time, then interjected a few remarks at the end of the day.
interjection
interjection
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a comment in the middle of or that interrupts a conversation: My teacher likes our questions and interjections during class.
    2 [C] an exclamation, such as Oh! or Ouch!
interlace
interlace
  1. v. [I;T] -laced, -lacing, -laces to join by placing any long, thin items (such as shoelaces) one over the other: The lovers' fingers interlaced as they held hands.
interlock
interlock
  1. v. [I;T] to connect items so that one can't move without the other: The children interlocked arms and crossed the street as a group. -adj. interlocking.
interloper
interloper
  1. n. a person who goes where he or she has no right to go or doesn't belong,
    THESAURUS
    an intruder: Who are these interlopers? They weren't invited!
interlude
interlude
  1. n.
    1 a period of time between two events: There was an interlude of good weather between the two snowstorms.
    2 a short piece of music played between longer parts of a play, concert, church service, etc.: There was a brief musical interlude before each new group of singers appeared on stage.
intermarry
intermarry
  1. v. [I] -ried, -rying, -ries to marry s.o. of a different race, religion, etc.: A Jewish man and a Catholic woman intermarried against their parents' wishes. -n. [U] intermarriage.
intermediary
intermediary
  1. n. -ies a person who acts as the communicator between people or groups, (syns.) a go-between, mediator: My lawyer was the intermediary between my former wife and me during our divorce.
intermediate
intermediate
  1. adj. between or in the middle of two extreme points, such as highest and lowest, or beginning and end: She took swimming lessons last year and is now in an intermediate class.
interminable
interminable
  1. adj. seemingly endless because of being boring or tedious: The play was interminable; we all fell asleep in Act II.
intermingle
intermingle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to mix together, mingle: The guests at the large party intermingled with friends and strangers.
intermission
intermission
  1. n. [C;U] the time between acts (of a play, opera, etc.): During intermission, I went to the lobby for a drink of water.
    THESAURUS
    intermission a break, pause | interval, interlude.
intermittent
intermittent
  1. adj. happening with stops and starts, periodic: There will be intermittent rain showers today in Los Angeles.
intern
intern
  1. n.
    1 a new or young doctor: The interns learned a lot from doctors who had worked for many years.
    2 a person who works for little or no money in order to gain experience in a business or profession: During her college years, she was a summer intern in a Washington law office.v. [T] to contain in an area, usu. as a prisoner of war: Japanese Americans were interned in California during World War II. -n. [U] internment.
internal
internal
  1. adj.
    1 inside, within: His internal organs, including his heart and liver, are damaged from smoking and drinking.
    2 related to an organization's or country's own rules and interests: Some Presidents think more about internal affairs, such as unemployment and education, than about foreign policy.
internalize
internalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to keep things (ideas, teaching, values) inside oneself and make them part of one's life: She internalized religious lessons so strongly as a child that she later became a nun.
    2 to keep thoughts or feelings inside and not let them out: Don't internalize your anger; if you are angry with your mother, tell her. -n. [U] internalization.
international
international
  1. adj. of or about two or more nations: At an international conference on the environment, five South American leaders discussed the rain forest. -adv. internationally.
    THESAURUS
    international worldwide, global.
internationalism
internationalism
  1. n. [U] a view toward cooperation among nations: The United Nations promotes internationalism around the world. -v. [T] internationalize.
internist
internist
  1. n. a doctor who practices general medicine, esp. treatment of the internal organs: Their family doctor is an internist.
interpersonal
interpersonal
  1. adj. between people: She makes her friends happy by using her good interpersonal skills, such as smiling and asking questions.
interplanetary
interplanetary
  1. adj. of or among planets: She wants to be an astronaut and make interplanetary flights between Earth and Mars.
interplay
interplay
  1. n. [U] v. [I] action between people or things: The interplay of different spices gives Indian food a special flavor.
interpolate
interpolate
  1. v.frml. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to add information to a written work: The newspaper writer interpolated incorrect facts into her story. -n. [C;U] interpolation.
interpose
interpose
  1. v.frml. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to go or place oneself between,
    THESAURUS
    to insert: The soldier interposed his body between his friend and a flying bullet.
    2 to put in the middle of: Stop talking so I can interpose a different idea.
interpret
interpret
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to translate (usu. orally) from one language into another: She interprets the French museum guide's words for American tourists.
    2 [T] to decide on the meaning of s.t. that is not very clear: I interpret your nod to mean that you agree with me.
    3 [T] to show one's own artistic ideas and ability through painting, music, writing, etc.: She is a violinist who interprets Bach brilliantly. -adj. interpretative; interpretive.
    THESAURUS
    interpret
    1 to explain to, decipher
    2 to understand, read, construe frml. Ant. to misinterpret.
interpretation
interpretation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an explanation, decision about what s.t. means: My interpretation of the Bible is different from my priest's.
    2 [C;U] performance or other piece of art showing one's own ideas and ability: His interpretation of Shakespeare's Hamlet made the audience cry.
interpreter
interpreter
  1. n.
    1 a person who translates (usu. orally) from one language into another: This interpreter hears Chinese in one moment and gives the Spanish words in the next.
    2 an artist: That painter is a fine interpreter of the human face.
interrelated
interrelated

  1. 1 connected or related to one another: The families are interrelated by marriage.
    2 having s.t. in common, interconnected: The social problems of poverty and disease are interrelated. -n. [C;U] interrelation.
interrelationship
interrelationship
  1. n. a connection, link: There is an interrelationship between exercising and good health.
interrogate
interrogate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to ask questions, often in a strong or aggressive way: The police officer interrogated the man in a very loud voice. -n. [C;U] interrogation; [C] interrogator.
interrupt
interrupt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to stop s.t. from continuing: A bad storm interrupted telephone communications between the two islands.
    2 to start talking or doing s.t. in the middle of s.o.'s conversation or activity, to break in: Our little boy always interrupts our conversations by asking questions. -n. [C;U] interruption.
    THESAURUS
    interrupt
    1 to cut off, discontinue, suspend
    2 to disturb, barge in on, butt in on.
interscholastic
interscholastic
  1. adj. of or between schools: Our school plays interscholastic volleyball against teams from other towns.
intersect
intersect
  1. v. [I;T] to join by passing through, to cross one another: Ninth Street and Elm Avenue intersect near the park.
intersection
intersection
  1. n.
    1 a crossing of roads: Traffic lights control the movement of cars at intersections.
    2 a point or area that two geometric figures share: The intersection of two lines can form four angles.
intersperse
intersperse
  1. v. [T] -spersed, -spersing, -sperses to place or mix s.t. among other things: The city planners interspersed a few apartment buildings among the houses.
interstate
interstate
  1. adj. in the USA, of or between states: You can travel on Interstate Highway 20 from Atlanta, Georgia, to Columbia, South Carolina.n. a numbered superhighway: We drove off a small country road onto the interstate.
    THESAURUS
    interstate n. a highway, thruway, turnpike.
intertwine
intertwine
  1. v. [I;T] -twined, -twining, -twines to wind around each other,
    THESAURUS
    to twist: The tree's branches intertwined as they grew. -n. [U] intertwining.
interval
interval
  1. n.
    1 a time period between events: I always get hungry in the interval between breakfast and lunch.
    2 an amount of distance or time, occurring regularly: We stopped at 100-mile intervals to rest.
intervene
intervene
  1. v. [I] -vened, -vening, -venes to stop an action happening between other people: Would you intervene if you saw a parent hit a child? -n. [C;U] intervention.
interview
interview
  1. v. [T]
    1 to get information by questioning s.o.: A TV reporter interviewed the mayor about the city's problems.
    2 to meet with and question s.o. to decide if that person is right for a job: She interviewed 12 people before she found a good secretary.n.
    1 a meeting where information is gathered from s.o.: In the interview, the writer said he was working on a new book.
    2 a published report of such a meeting: Did you read the interview with the rock star in this magazine?
    THESAURUS
    interview v.
    1 to ask questions, converse with s.o., question
    2 to meet with, talk to, consult with. —n.
    1 a question-and-answer session, q and a | press conference.
interviewer
interviewer
  1. n. a person who asks people questions to gain information: The interviewer asked me where I was born.
interweave
interweave
  1. v. [I;T] -wove , -woven , -weaving, -weaves to blend together,
    THESAURUS
    to entwine: The author interweaves historical events into her novels.
intestate
intestate
  1. adj. (in law) without a will at death: The old man died intestate, so a court had to decide how to divide his money.
intestine
intestine
  1. n. the part of the body that carries food from the stomach to the anus (including the small and large intestines): Drinking water helps your food move more easily through the intestines. -adj. intestinal.
intimacy
intimacy
  1. n. -cies
    1 [U] emotional closeness: I feel great intimacy with my brother; I tell him everything.
    2 [U] a good feeling of warmth and privacy,
    THESAURUS
    coziness: I like the intimacy of candlelight and soft music in restaurants.
intimate
intimate
  1. adj.
    1 emotionally close: We have had an intimate friendship since we were young.
    2 warm and private,
    THESAURUS
    cozy: That little café has an intimate atmosphere.
    3 involved sexually: I just want to be a friend; I don't want to be intimate with you.
    4 deep, profound: He has an intimate knowledge of plants and how to grow them.n. -mated, -mating, -mates to hint, suggest: By not letting me speak, he intimated that my ideas weren't important.
intimidate
intimidate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates to make s.o. fearful or timid by showing power or making threats: An older boy intimidated the little children when he took their lunch money. -n. intimidation.
into
into
  1. prep.
    1 to the inside of s.t.: We walked down the street and into the movie theater.
    2 applied to s.t., showing involvement: She puts a lot of effort into her piano playing.
    3 showing a change toward a condition or state: The seed grew into a huge tree.
    4 against, having contact with: The car ran into a fence.
    5 (in math) showing division: 4 into 12 is 3.
    6 infrml. very interested in: He is really into playing basketball.
intolerable
intolerable
  1. adj.
    1 too difficult, painful, unbearable: The heat in August is intolerable.
    2 objectionable, offensive: Her bad language is intolerable to her parents.
intolerance
intolerance
  1. n.
    1 [U] lack of kindness or understanding toward people who are different, (syns.) bigotry, prejudice: The parents' intolerance made the children hate foreigners too.
    2 [C;U] physical sensitivity to s.t., such as food: He has an intolerance for milk; it makes him sick. -adj. intolerant.
intonation
intonation
  1. n. [U]
    1 the level of the voice (high or low): Even though they both speak English, their intonation is different, because Mary comes from London and Gina comes from New York.
    2 the ability to sing the right note: Your intonation is terrible; you're hurting my ears! -v. [I;T] intone.
intoxicate
intoxicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to make drunk,
    THESAURUS
    to inebriate: Drinking beer and whiskey intoxicates him.
    2 to excite greatly: The queen was intoxicated with her own power. -n. [U] intoxication.
intractable
intractable
  1. adj.
    1 not able to be changed or persuaded: You keep saying, "No, no"; you're intractable.
    2 hard to control: We couldn't teach the intractable dog to sit or come. -n. [U] intractability.
intramural
intramural
  1. adj. within an organization, esp. a school or college: The freshmen played intramural football against the sophomores.
intranet
intranet
  1. n. a network of computers for use only by selected people: We have an intranet in our company for employee use only.
intransigent
intransigent
  1. -adj. not able or willing to change one's opinions, stubborn: If you were not so intransigent, you would learn to agree with me.-n. [U] intransigence.
intransitive
intransitive
  1. n.adj. related to a verb that does not take a direct object: The verb "to go" is intransitive: In the summer, we go to the beach every chance we get. See: transitive.
intravenous
intravenous
  1. adj. into or within a vein: The patient got food through an intravenous tube because he couldn't swallow.
intrepid
intrepid
  1. adj.frml. without fear, brave: The intrepid hunter lived alone in Africa.
intricacy
intricacy
  1. n. [C;U] -cies the condition of being detailed, complicated, and difficult to understand: In medical school, aspiring doctors learn about the intricacies of brain surgery.
intricate
intricate
  1. adj.
    1 complex, sometimes with many small details: My sweater has an intricate design.
    2 difficult because of detail and depth: The mystery novel has an intricate plot.
intrigue
intrigue
  1. n. [C;U] secret, interesting plans: There was intrigue in the palace when the queen decided to steal power from the king.v. [T] -trigued, -triguing, -trigues to cause interest or curiosity: The man intrigued me, so I asked him to my house for dinner.
intriguing
intriguing
  1. adj. interesting, causing curiosity,
    THESAURUS
    fascinating: Psychologists find human emotions intriguing.
intrinsic
intrinsic
  1. adj. belonging naturally to s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    inherent: Hunting mice is intrinsic behavior in most cats.
introduce
introduce
  1. v. [T] -duced, -ducing, -duces
    1 to present one person to another for the first time: A friend introduced me to the woman I later married.
    2 to put in s.t. new: The math teacher introduced some geometry into the lesson.
    THESAURUS
    introduce
    1 to present s.o., make s.o. known to s.o. else
    2 to include, insert, throw in infrml.
introduction
introduction
  1. n.
    1 [C] a first meeting, in which people learn each other's names: She wants to meet that guest; will you make the introduction?
    2 [C;U] s.t. new put in or presented: The introduction of new car engines caused excitement in the automobile or at the start of business.
    3 [C] an opening statement before or at the start of a speech, paper, or performance: The vice president made an introduction before the president spoke. -adj. introductory.
    THESAURUS
    introduction
    2 a presentation of s.t., launch, debut
    3 opening remarks, lead-in | preface. Ant. the end.
introspection
introspection
  1. n. [U] looking inside oneself and thinking carefully: After long introspection, we decided to have a baby. -v. [I] introspect; -adj. introspective.
introvert
introvert
  1. n. a shy, quiet person: He is an introvert who goes to movies alone and doesn't like parties. -n. [U] introversion.
intrude
intrude
  1. v. [I] -truded, -truding, -trudes
    1 to break into the conversation or activity of others, to interrupt: My mother often intrudes on my work by phoning me at my office.
    2 to enter without permission, (syns.) to trespass, encroach: A stranger intruded by climbing over our fence and into our yard. -n. [C;U] intrusion; -adj. intrusive.
intruder
intruder
  1. n. a person who goes somewhere he or she doesn't belong: An intruder entered our house and took our TV.
intuit
intuit
  1. v.frml. [T] to guess, feel s.t. will happen without certain facts: My friend intuited that the weather would turn bad, and the next day it rained.
intuition
intuition
  1. n. [U] a feeling, a guess about s.t. without certain facts: He used his intuition, not a map, to find my house.
intuitive
intuitive
  1. adj. related to feeling, not learned knowledge: He never took lessons, but he has an intuitive knack for playing the piano.
inundate
inundate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates
    1 to cover with water, (syns.) to flood, overflow: The river inundated the farmland after too much rain.
    2 to give too much or too many,
    THESAURUS
    to overwhelm: The post office was inundated with thousands of holiday cards in December. -n. [U] inundation.
inure
inure
  1. v.frml. [T] -ured, -uring, -ures to get used to (usu. s.t. bad or difficult): Garbage collectors become inured to the smell of trash.
invade
invade
  1. v. [I;T] -vaded, -vading, -vades
    1 to enter by force: Napoleon's armies invaded Russia.
    2 to enter without permission,
    THESAURUS
    to intrude: Loud music from next door invaded the privacy of our home. -n. invader.
invalid
invalid
  1. adj.
    1 not correct, lacking proof: Your ideas about the first humans are interesting but invalid.
    2 not able to be used, illegal: His driver's license is too old and hence invalid.n. a person unable to care for himself or herself because of sickness or disability: A bad car accident made him an invalid.
invalidate
invalidate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates
    1 to make illegal or unusable: Airport workers invalidated the drug dealer's passport so he could not leave the country.
    2 to show to be wrong: People who saw you steal the money invalidated your story about being home at the time. -n. [U] invalidation.
invaluable
invaluable
  1. adj. extremely valuable, worth a great deal: Your help in moving the big refrigerator was invaluable.
invariably
invariably
  1. adv. without exception or change: Invariably, her advice is excellent; we always do what she says. -adj. invariable.
invasion
invasion
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an attack, entrance by force: Napoleon's invasion of Russia was stopped by the bad winter.
    2 s.t. bad or hurtful coming in,
    THESAURUS
    intrusion: It was an invasion of my rights for the police to arrest me without cause.
invasive
invasive
  1. adj.
    1 having to do with entering or cutting into the body, esp. by surgery: The doctors need to do an invasive procedure to find the cancer.
    2 too personal and probing,
    THESAURUS
    intrusive: The newspaper article was invasive; we don't need to know those private things about the senator.
invent
invent
  1. v. [T]
    1 to create s.t. new: Trains were invented long before cars.
    2 to make up a story, to lie: A little girl invented an imaginary friend to play with. -n. inventor.
    THESAURUS
    invent
    1 to think up, devise | come up with, originate
    2 to dream s.t. up, fabricate, concoct.
invention
invention
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. useful created by s.o.: After the invention of the wheel, people could travel faster.
    2 [C] an untrue story, a lie: His stories about his adventure in Rome are inventions; he's never been there.
    THESAURUS
    invention
    1 a creation, brainchild | innovation
    2 a fabrication, fantasy.
inventive
inventive
  1. adj. able to make things or solve problems in a smart, clever way, (syns.) creative, resourceful: Her way of fixing her kids' toys is often quite inventive.
inventory
inventory
  1. n. -ries the items that are available for sale in a store: The bookstore has a large inventory of novels and cookbooks.v. [T] -ried, -rying, -ries (or) to take inventory to count the items in a store to find out what has been sold and what needs to be replaced: When I worked in a grocery store, I inventoried spices and canned foods.
inverse
inverse
  1. n.adj. in a different position, direction, or order; opposite: 2/3 is the inverse of 3/2.||Your pay is in inverse proportion to your work; you work too much and earn too little.
invert
invert
  1. v. [T] to turn upside down or inside out: The baby inverted the cup and spilled her juice. -n. [C;U] inversion.
invertebrate
invertebrate
  1. n.adj. an animal without a backbone: Ants are invertebrates or invertebrate insects.
invest
invest
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to put money into a business idea or activity in the hope of making more money if it is successful: We invested in a hamburger restaurant and became rich when it expanded to Europe.
    2 [T] to put effort (time, money, energy, etc.) into s.t.: We invested a lot in our garden, and now we have flowers and vegetables.
investigate
investigate
  1. v. [I;T] -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 to look at s.t. carefully, examine: My car was stolen last week; the police are investigating.
    2 to look at (choices), evaluate: We investigated various towns before we decided where to buy a house.
    THESAURUS
    investigate
    1 to look into s.t., probe, make inquiries
    2 to consider, research, scrutinize.
investigation
investigation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a search for facts and information, esp. by people with power: Police began an investigation of the rape.
    2 a close look: An investigation of various investment possibilities suggested real estate as a good choice now.
    THESAURUS
    investigation
    1 an inquiry, probe
    2 an evaluation, analysis, exploration.
investigator
investigator
  1. n. a person (esp. the police) who investigates: An investigator questioned the family of the dead person.
investment
investment
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] money spent on s.t. in the hope of making more money: His investments in the stock market have made him a millionaire.
    2 [C;U] s.t. one pays for with the future in mind: The diamond was a good investment; it is worth more now than when I bought it.
    3 [U] money, time, energy, etc. toward s.t.: Her investment of hard work and love has made her children good, honest people.
investor
investor
  1. n. a person who puts money into a business idea or activity in the hopes of making more money if the idea is successful: We need three other investors before we can buy that computer company.
inveterate
inveterate
  1. adj.frml. longtime, habitual: He is an inveterate sailor who spends all his time on his boat.
invigorate
invigorate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to give s.o. energy,
    THESAURUS
    to stimulate: Cold weather invigorates my brother and makes him work harder. -n. [U] invigoration.
invincible
invincible
  1. adj. too strong (smart, etc.) to be beaten: The invincible soccer team won every game. -n. [U] invincibility.
inviolate
inviolate
  1. adj.frml. very well respected, secure,
    THESAURUS
    sacred: My garden is inviolate; children and dogs must stay out of it.
invisible
invisible
  1. adj. not able to be seen: Music is invisible; we can hear it and feel it, but not see it. -n. [U] invisibility.
invitation
invitation
  1. n. a card or spoken request asking s.o. to come to an event: The couple sent out wedding invitations to family and friends.
invitational
invitational
  1. n.adj. an event, esp. in sports, to which participants are invited: Tennis has a number of invitationals or invitational tournaments to which players are asked to attend.
invite
invite
  1. v. [T] -vited, -viting, -vites
    1 to ask s.o. to come to an event: I invited my friends to a birthday party.
    2 to attract attention and a reaction: The violin player's beautiful solo invited loud applause.
    THESAURUS
    invite
    1 to ask, request the presence of, summon frml.
    2 to encourage, draw, provoke.
inviting
inviting
  1. adj. causing desire, tempting,
    THESAURUS
    alluring: The chocolate cake looked inviting, but it was also very fattening.
invocation
invocation
  1. n. an opening prayer: A minister gave the invocation at the university graduation ceremony.
invoice
invoice
  1. n. (in business) a list of items or services and their cost, a bill: Our company sends invoices to customers after they order from us.v. [T] -voiced, -voicing, -voices to prepare and send a bill: We invoice our customers after we send them the books they have ordered.
    THESAURUS
    invoice n. a statement, accounts payable. —v. to bill s.o.
invoke
invoke
  1. v. [T] -voked, -voking, -vokes
    1 to call upon for help,
    THESAURUS
    to summon: Through prayer, she invoked the help of God to cure her sick brother.
    2 to put into effect, to use: When they saw the girl buy wine, the police invoked a law that forbids the sale of alcoholic beverages to people under 21.
involuntary
involuntary
  1. adj.
    1 not done by choice, forced: He didn't want to move when his wife got a new job, so his leaving was involuntary.
    2 done without thinking, automatic: The heartbeat is involuntary. -adv. involuntarily.
involve
involve
  1. v. [T] -volved, -volving, -volves
    1 to need s.t. in order to complete an action: Getting a driver's license involves learning how to drive, studying the rules of the road, and taking a test.
    2 to cause to participate: If you have problems with money, don't involve your relatives by borrowing from them. -n. [U] involvement.
    THESAURUS
    involve
    1 to include, entail, mean
    2 to draw s.o. in, entangle, embroil | implicate.
involved
involved
  1. adj.
    1 with many complex details,
    THESAURUS
    intricate: That mystery novel is very involved; I can't explain the plot in five minutes.
    2 with s.o. romantically: Are you two involved? I thought you were just friends!
    3 participating in: He was involved in a car accident in which the other driver was drunk.
invulnerable
invulnerable
  1. adj. not able to be conquered, or hurt: That fortress is invulnerable to attack. -n. [U] invulnerability.
inward
inward
  1. adv. toward the inside: When he read the hate-filled letter, he stayed quiet and directed his anger inward.adj. located on the inside, within s.t.: The inward side of the fence needs painting. -n. [U] inwardness.
inwardly
inwardly
  1. adv. within oneself, privately: Inwardly, he loves her, but he can't tell her.
iodine
iodine
  1. n. a chemical element used in medicine and photography: Some people put iodine on their cuts to prevent infection. -v. [T] iodize; -adj. iodized.
iota
iota
  1. n. a tiny amount (usu. used in the negative): That man does not care one iota about other people's feelings.||There is not one iota of salt in this food.
irascible
irascible
  1. adj. easily angered,
    THESAURUS
    hot-tempered: The old man is irascible, shouting and waving his cane when kids ride bicycles on his lawn. -n. [U] irascibility.
irate
irate
  1. adj. very angry, (syns.) infuriated, incensed: The governor received irate letters and phone calls from people who didn't want higher taxes. -n. [U] irateness.
iridescent
iridescent
  1. adj. showing colors of the rainbow, usu. shiny: She wore an iridescent dress that seemed to change color in the lamplight.
iris
iris
  1. n.
    1 the colored part of the eye around the pupil: His irises are a pretty blue.
    2 a tall plant with a large flower, often yellow or purple: We planted irises in our garden.
irk
irk
  1. v. [T] to make angry (but not extremely angry), irritate, annoy: I was irked by the loud talk at the dining table next to mine. -adj. irksome.
iron
iron
  1. n.
    1 [U] a common metal, used in making tools, machinery, furniture, and other strong, durable items; also present in small amounts in the blood and some foods: Eat more spinach to get more iron.
    2 [U] n.adj. fig. great strength and courage: The brave hunter had a will of iron or an iron will.
    3 [C] a small household machine used to smooth wrinkles: My mother uses an iron to press my cotton shirts.
    4 pl. chains, shackles: The prisoners were put into irons and thrown into jail.
    5 infrml. to have irons in the fire: to have a number of projects or interests happening now: Sam doesn't have a job, but four companies are interested in interviewing him; he has several irons in the fire.
    6 infrml. to pump iron: to lift weights to get stronger: She goes to the gym to pump iron every day.
    7 to strike while the iron is hot: to act while the opportunity is there: The movie is leaving that theater tomorrow, so let's strike while the iron is hot and go tonight.v.
    1 [I;T] to smooth with an iron: She irons sheets and pillowcases.
    2 infrml.phrasal v. sep. [T] to iron s.t. out: to solve problems, reach agreement: My sister and I were angry, but we ironed out our differences.||We ironed them out.adj. with an iron hand or fist: with strength, with strict rules: The father ran the house with an iron hand, and his wife and children were always afraid.
    THESAURUS
    iron n.
    1 cast iron, wrought iron
    2 steel fig. —v. to press (clothes).
ironclad
ironclad
  1. adj.
    1 covered with iron plates
    2 fig. firm, unchangeable,
    THESAURUS
    guaranteed: We wanted an ironclad agreement, in writing, before we bought the house.
ironic
ironic
  1. adj. having a meaning opposite to what actions or words are showing: I find it ironic that you don't like children, but you teach kindergarten. See: irony.
ironing
ironing
  1. n. [U] the activity of smoothing out clothes, etc. with an iron: My mother did the washing and ironing once a week.
ironing board
ironing board
  1. n. a flat, covered surface on legs, used to spread out items for ironing: After ironing the sheets, I folded the ironing board's legs and put it in a closet.
irony
irony
  1. n. -ies
    1 [C;U] the use of words or actions that mean the opposite of what they say literally: My friend used irony when he said, "You were so smart to paint your fence on a rainy day!"
    2 [C;U] a situation that shows the opposite of what one would expect: There is irony in the fact that the USA is a rich country with so many poor people.
    3 [U] the use of irony in writing or theater for humorous or dramatic reasons: The reader understands the irony, but the book's characters don't.
irrational
irrational
  1. adj.
    1 done without thinking,
    THESAURUS
    illogical: I had the irrational wish to laugh loudly in church.
    2 crazy, insane: Your fears are irrational; no one is going to hurt you. -n. [U] irrationality.
irreconcilable
irreconcilable
  1. adj. not able to be agreed upon: The couple had irreconcilable differences about money and children, so they got a divorce.
irrefutable
irrefutable
  1. adj. definitely true, convincing: Police found her fingerprints on the knife, which is irrefutable proof that she was in the kitchen.
irregular
irregular
  1. adj.
    1 below normal or accepted standards, perhaps wrong or illegal: Taking money from your father's wallet was quite irregular.
    2 not smooth or even, crooked, bumpy: The paper was torn, not cut, with an irregular edge.
    3 not perfect, flawed: That store sells irregular blue jeans; some are missing zippers and buttons. -n.[C;U] irregularity.
irrelevant
irrelevant
  1. adj. not important to the situation,
    THESAURUS
    extraneous: It is irrelevant to me whether you are rich or poor, as long as you are kind. -n. [U] irrelevance.
irreparable
irreparable
  1. adj. not able to be fixed or repaired: The storm did irreparable damage to the little houses near the beach.
irreplaceable
irreplaceable
  1. adj. without equal, so special as to be unlike any other: My antique Chinese vase is irreplaceable.
irrepressible
irrepressible
  1. adj. not able to be controlled or kept down,
    THESAURUS
    unrestrained: Her happiness was irrepressible at her wedding; she smiled and laughed all day.
irreproachable
irreproachable
  1. adj. extremely good (behavior, etc.), faultless: The way you do business is irreproachable; you're always smart, honest, and on time.
irresistible
irresistible
  1. adj. not able to be refused, very tempting: That apple pie is irresistible; I had three slices.
irrespective
irrespective
  1. adj. regardless: Irrespective of his strange way of talking, he's an excellent worker.
irresponsible
irresponsible
  1. adj. not wise about one's tasks, obligations, or behavior, (syns.) reckless, careless: The irresponsible mother left her baby alone for two hours. -n. [U] irresponsibility.
irretrievable
irretrievable
  1. adj. not able to be gotten back or recovered: Live life well, because the past is irretrievable.
irreverent
irreverent
  1. adj. not showing respect, esp. for religious beliefs: The rabbi thought his daughter was irreverent when she didn't go to temple on Yom Kippur. -n. [U] irreverence.
irreversible
irreversible
  1. adj. not able to be changed or put back to original form,
    THESAURUS
    irrevocable: My decision to move to Italy is irreversible; I have bought my ticket and left my job.
irrigate
irrigate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 to supply with water collected in another location: Farmers irrigated their corn by sending river water through pipes to their fields.
    2 to fill with water in order to remove s.t.: A doctor irrigated my eye because there was dirt in it. -n. [U] irrigation.
irritable
irritable
  1. adj. annoyed, bothered by s.t., irascible: She felt impatient and irritable after waiting an hour for a bus in the rain. -n. [U] irritability.
    THESAURUS
    irritable cranky, crabby, testy. Ant. cheerful.
irritant
irritant
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that bothers or annoys: Loud noise outside my window was an irritant when I was trying to sleep.
    2 s.t. that makes a physical condition bad or worse: This wool sweater is an irritant to my sensitive skin.
irritate
irritate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to annoy: Your messy bedroom irritates your mother.
    2 to make s.t. worse, esp. a physical condition: She irritated her skin by scratching too much. -n. irritation. See: angry, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    irritate
    1 to bother s.o., get on s.o.'s nerves infrml. | vex frml., bug s.o. infrml.
    2 to make s.t. sore, aggravate s.t. Ant. to soothe.
island
island
  1. n. a piece of land completely surrounded by water: She lived on an island that was connected to the coast by a bridge.
isle
isle
  1. n. an island: He is from the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea.
ism
ism
  1. n.infrml. a collection of knowledge and/or beliefs ending with the suffix "-ism": Socialism is one of the twentieth-century isms.
isolate
isolate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to separate from others, cause to be alone: The snobby students isolated themselves from the rest of the class. -n. [U] isolation.
isolationism
isolationism
  1. n. [U] a political idea of ignoring or not getting involved with other countries: Isolationism is easier for countries surrounded by water.
issue
issue
  1. v. [T] -sued, -suing, -sues
    1 to give or send out: Between 1941 and 1945, the White House issued news about the war nearly every day.
    2 to give or provide in a formal or official way: The motor vehicle office issues drivers' licenses after people pass a test.
    THESAURUS
    issue v.
    1 to distribute, put out, release | publish
    2 to give out. —n.
    1 [C] a topic or matter of concern: The main issues we are discussing today are tax increases and military spending.
    2 [C] a dated copy of a magazine or newspaper: The Sunday issue of the newspaper has the comics in color.
    3 [C;U] a special supply of s.t., given out or made available at a certain time: The government will put on sale a special issue of coins today.
    4 to be at issue: to be of present concern: We know you're going to Florida; what is at issue is whether you are driving or flying.
    5 to force the issue: to force a decision: If they can't decide between planting beans or tomatoes, you should force the issue by buying the seeds yourself.
    6 to make an issue of s.t.: to take a problem or topic and make it bigger by talking and arguing: This is just a small decision; don't make an issue out of it.
    7 to take issue with: to disagree, argue: The Republican senator took issue with the Democrat senator's speech. -n. [U] issuance.
    THESAURUS
    issue n.
    1 a subject, point, problem, question
    2 an edition, copy, version
    3 an offering.
isthmus
isthmus
  1. n. a narrow strip of land connecting two larger pieces of land: The Isthmus of Panama connects Central and South America.
IT
IT
  1. abbr. for information technology
italic
italic
  1. n.adj. a style of type in which the letters slant to the right: The sentence you are reading is in italic type or in italics. -v. [T] italicize.
itch
itch
  1. n.
    1 a feeling on the skin causing an urge to scratch: He has an itch on his leg from a flea bite.
    2 a desire, wish: I have an itch to play softball tonight.v. [I] to have an itch: His head itches from the new shampoo. -adj. itchy.
    THESAURUS
    itch n.
    1 a prickly feeling, tingling
    2 an urge, craving.
item
item
  1. n.
    1 a general term for a thing or object: Department stores have a wide choice of items for sale.
    2 s.t. on a list, a separate topic: We have four items to discuss today; we'll start with item one.
    3 a short piece of news: an item in the newspaper
    4 slang a couple in love: They met last year and have been an item for six months.
    THESAURUS
    item
    1 an article, piece | ingredient
    2 a matter, point
    3 an article, piece.
itemize
itemize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to list thing by thing: I itemized the equipment that we will need for the new office.
    THESAURUS
    itemize to count, enumerate, catalog.
itinerant
itinerant
  1. n. s.o. who travels from place to place and job to job: That guy is an itinerant who does odd jobs all over the state.adj. traveling from place to place or job to job: My uncle was an itinerant farm worker, in California one month and Oregon the next.
itinerary
itinerary
  1. n. -ies a travel plan, showing places to visit and transportation times: Look on our vacation itinerary to find out when we are flying to London.
itself
itself
  1. pron.
    1 third-person singular pronoun used to refer back to a subject: The problem solved itself; we did nothing.
    2 used to make a noun stronger or more definite: The neighborhood is dangerous, but the house itself is safe.
    3 in and of itself: without being affected by other things: Money in and of itself is not bad, but too much of it can ruin some people.
ivory
ivory
  1. n. [C;U] -ries the hard, white-yellow substance of elephant, walrus, and other animal tusks: My grandmother has some jewelry made of ivory.n. [U] adj. a white-yellow color: My shirt is more ivory (or) more of an ivory color than white.
    THESAURUS
    ivory adj. cream-colored, creamy, off-white.
ivory tower
ivory tower
  1. n.fig. a place or attitude removed from practical, everyday life, usu. referring to a college or university: You live in an ivory tower; you read about poverty and war, but you never see them.
ivy
ivy
  1. n. [C;U] ivies a green plant with shiny leaves that can cover the ground or climb the walls of buildings: The walls of my cousin's brick house are green with ivy.
jab
jab
  1. v. [I;T] jabbed, jabbing, jabs to hit with a quick, sharp blow: She jabbed me in the arm with her umbrella.n. a quick, sharp blow: The boxer threw a jab at his opponent's face. See: poke.
jabber
jabber
  1. v. [I] n. to talk quickly without making much sense: Some people jabber about nothing. See: chatter.
jack-in-the-box
jack-in-the-box
  1. n. -boxes a toy made of a doll-like figure that pops out of a box when it is opened: The child laughed when the jack-in-the-box jumped out at him.
jack-o'lantern
jack-o'lantern
  1. n. an empty pumpkin shell with a funny or ugly face cut into it: The Halloween jack-o'lantern contains a lighted candle to show its funny eyes and teeth. See: pumpkin.
jack-of-all-trades
jack-of-all-trades
  1. n. jacks- a person who can do many different jobs, such as repair cars and wash windows: He is a jack-of-all-trades but does none of them well.
jack
jack
  1. n.
    1 a tool for lifting: We carry a jack in our car in case we have a flat tire.
    2 a small electrical device: a telephone jackv.phrasal v. sep. [T] to jack s.t. up
    1 to lift with a jack: She jacked up the car to fix the flat tire. ||She jacked it up.
    2 fig. to raise: to jack up prices
jack rabbit
jack rabbit
  1. n. a large, fast rabbit with long ears, found in the southwestern USA: That boy can run fast like a jack rabbit.
jackal
jackal
  1. n. a type of wild dog found in Africa and Asia: Jackals hunt mostly at night.
jackass
jackass
  1. n. -asses
    1 a male donkey
    2 infrml.fig.pej. a stupid, usu. offensive person: That jackass delivered the wrong box again!
jacket
jacket
  1. n.
    1 a short coat made of cloth or leather, etc.: He wears a leather jacket every day.
    2 a cover: a book jacket
jackhammer
jackhammer
  1. n. a powerful, handheld tool used to break up rocks and cement: The sound of a jackhammer is very loud.
jackknife
jackknife
  1. n. -knives a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle —v.fig. [I] -knifed, -knifing, -knifes to bend like a blade folding into a knife handle: A truck jackknifed on the highway in the rain.
    THESAURUS
    jackknife n. a pocketknife, penknife | switchblade.
jackpot
jackpot
  1. n.
    1 a sum of money won as the biggest prize in many forms of gambling, such as a slot machine or lottery
    2 to hit the jackpot: to win the big prize: Many gamblers try to hit the jackpot in Las Vegas.
    THESAURUS
    jackpot
    1 the grand prize, top prize.
jade
jade
  1. n. [U] a usu. green or white semi-precious stone used for jewelry or ornaments: She wears earrings made of jade.
jaded
jaded
  1. adj.
    1 tired,
    THESAURUS
    worn-out: She is jaded from too much work.
    2 tired from doing s.t. too much: He felt jaded after visiting 25 countries in 15 days.
jag
jag
  1. n.slang a period of doing s.t. without being able to stop, (syns.) a binge, spree: He's on a jag, buying everything that he likes in the store.
jagged
jagged
  1. adj. having an uneven, pointed edge: I cut my finger on the jagged edge of a broken mirror. -n. jaggedness.
jaguar
jaguar
  1. n. a large wild cat of Latin America that has a tan coat with black spots: Jaguars are strong and fast hunters.
jail
jail
  1. n. a building where criminals are kept as punishment, a prison: The thief was sent to jail.v. [T] to put s.o. in a jail, to sentence s.o. to jail: The criminal was jailed by the police. See: penitentiary.
    THESAURUS
    jail n. a lockup, penitentiary.
jailbreak
jailbreak
  1. n. an escape from prison: There was a jailbreak last night, and two prisoners ran away.
jailer
jailer
  1. n. a person who guards prisoners, a jailkeeper: That jailer treats the prisoners badly.
jalopy
jalopy
  1. n.infrml. -ies an old car that does not run well: He drives a jalopy to work each day.
jamb
jamb
  1. n. the sides of a window or door frame: The door jamb is too small, so the door won't close.
jamboree
jamboree
  1. n. an enjoyable time for a large crowd, a festival: Thousands of Boy Scouts get together each summer to have a jamboree.
jangle
jangle
  1. n. the sound of metal hitting metal —v. -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 [I;T] to make a sharp, unpleasant noise, as of metal hitting metal
    2 [T] to make s.o. angry, nervous, or impatient: The sound of car horns jangles his nerves.
janitor
janitor
  1. n. a person in charge of cleaning and fixing things in a building,
    THESAURUS
    custodian: In many parts of the USA, a janitor is called a "super" or "superintendent."
jar
jar
  1. n.
    1 a round container made of glass, plastic, etc. with a removable top: a jar of grape jelly (face cream, mustard, etc.)
    2 a forceful hit,
    THESAURUS
    a jolt —v. jarred, jarring, jars
    1 [I;T] to bump hard against s.t.: She moved her chair backwards, and it jarred against the wall.
    2 [T] to shock: to jar s.o. back to reality
    3 [I;T] to make s.o. angry, nervous, or impatient: Loud talk jars her nerves (or) on her nerves.
    THESAURUS
    jar v.
    1 to bang against, hit
    2 to jolt
    3 to grate on (s.o.).
jasmine
jasmine
  1. n. [C;U] a plant with sweet-smelling white flowers: Most people like the sweet smell of jasmine.
jaundice
jaundice
  1. n.v. [T] a yellow coloring of the skin caused by liver disease
jaundiced
jaundiced
  1. adj.
    1 colored yellow by liver disease
    2 fig. a bad opinion about s.o. or s.t.: He has a jaundiced view (or) attitude toward popular music.
jaunt
jaunt
  1. n.v. [I] a short trip for pleasure: I took a jaunt to the Caribbean to relax for a few days.
jaunty
jaunty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest feeling confident, happy: The well-dressed man gave a jaunty laugh. -adv. jauntily.
javelin
javelin
  1. n. a type of spear used in sports: An athlete threw the javelin 100 meters.
jaw
jaw
  1. n. the lower and upper bones of the mouth, including the teeth: She couldn't eat because of her broken jaw.v.infrml. [I] to gossip, chat: We jawed about the stock market all afternoon.
jawbone
jawbone
  1. n. the jaw in the skull —v.infrml. [T] -boned, -boning, -bones to demand that s.o. do s.t., to bully verbally: The President jawboned Congress into not raising taxes.
jay
jay
  1. or jaybird n. a blue and gray bird common in North America: Jays have a loud, unpleasant cry.
jay
jay
  1. or jaybird -n. a blue and gray bird common in North America: Jays have a loud, unpleasant cry.
jaywalk
jaywalk
  1. v. [I] to cross a street illegally: A police officer stopped her when she jaywalked across Main Street. -n. jaywalker.
jazz
jazz
  1. n. [U]
    1 a form of American popular music, such as slow New Orleans jazz or fast Dixieland jazz
    2 infrml.fig. all that jazz: and everything else: We talked about our vacation, the places we went, and all that jazz. -n. jazzman.phrasal v.sep. [T] to jazz s.t. up: to make s.t. look more attractive or bright: The company jazzed up its offices by painting the walls.||It jazzed them up.
jazzy
jazzy
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest
    1 lively, exciting: They gave a really jazzy party.
    2 bright, showy: She is wearing a jazzy dress.
jealous
jealous
  1. adj.
    1 afraid of having a loved one taken away by another, possessive: He gets jealous when other men talk to his girlfriend.
    2 wanting s.o. or s.t. belonging to another person, envious: She is jealous of her friend's wealth. -adv. jealously.
    THESAURUS
    jealous
    1 protective, distrustful, wary
    2 green with envy, covetous frml.
jealousy
jealousy
  1. n. [C;U] -ies
    1 fear that another person will take away a loved one
    2 the feeling of envy, of wanting what another person has: Jealousy over his neighbor's wealth made him angry.
jeans
jeans
  1. n.pl. pants made of cotton denim and worn informally: Blue jeans are worn by people of all ages.
    THESAURUS
    jeans denims | pants, khakis, slacks.
jeer
jeer
  1. v. [I;T] to hurt s.o.'s feelings by laughing rudely,
    THESAURUS
    to mock: The crowd jeered when the boxer was knocked down.n. a loud insult: They shouted jeers at him. -n. jeering.
jell
jell
  1. v. [I]
    1 to become firm, harden
    2 fig. to take shape, to become definite: Her plans for a summer vacation finally jelled today. See: gel.
jelly
jelly
  1. n. [U]
    1 a soft, sweet food made from fruit juice and sugar boiled together, used as a topping: She spread grape jelly on her toast.
    2 any jelly-like substance: petroleum jelly See: jell, jam (1).
    THESAURUS
    jelly
    1 jam, fruit preserves.
jellybean
jellybean
  1. n. a small, fruit-flavored candy in the shape of a bean: He keeps a jar of jellybeans on his desk.
jellyfish
jellyfish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes
    1 a sea animal with a soft body and no internal skeleton: A dangerous jellyfish floated near the beach.
    2 fig. a weak or cowardly person
jeopardize
jeopardize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make it easy for s.t. bad to happen, to put in danger,
    THESAURUS
    to endanger: She jeopardized her job by always being late.
jeopardy
jeopardy
  1. n. [U] danger, risk: He put his health in jeopardy by smoking too many cigarettes.
jerk
jerk
  1. n.
    1 a quick, sharp pull on s.t.: The rope was stuck, and he gave it a jerk to loosen it.
    2 fig.slang a stupid, annoying person: He's a real jerk!v.
    1 [I;T] to pull sharply on s.t.: He jerked on the fishing line.
    2 [I;T] to move away suddenly: She jerked her hand away from the fire.
    3 infrml. to jerk s.o. around: to mislead and confuse s.o.: The airline really jerked us around by canceling our flight, putting us on another one, and canceling that one too.
jerkwater
jerkwater
  1. adj.slang small, unimportant, and uncivilized: They live in some jerkwater town.
jerky
jerky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 s.t. done with short, jumpy movements: She walks with jerky steps.
    2 foolish, stupid: Making a funny face at the teacher was a jerky thing to do.
jerrybuilt
jerrybuilt
  1. adj. cheaply and poorly built: That jerrybuilt house is falling apart.
jersey
jersey
  1. n. a light, soft shirt worn informally: He wears a cotton jersey when he plays football.
jest
jest
  1. v.frml. [I] to say s.t. funny, to joke —n. a funny remark, a joke: I said you look terrible in jest; actually, you look very pretty.
jester
jester
  1. n. a person paid to tell jokes: A long time ago, kings had jesters to tell them funny stories.
jet-propelled
jet-propelled
  1. adj. having jet engines: Jet-propelled airplanes travel very fast. -n. jet propulsion.
jet
jet
  1. v. [I] jetted, jetting, jets
    1 to fly by jet airplane
    2 to come out of a small opening with great force: Water jets from the fountain.n.
    1 a jet-propelled airplane: He takes a jet from London to Paris.
    2 a steady, controlled stream of gas, steam, liquid, etc. —adj. (said of colors) completely, deep: jet black hair
jet engine
jet engine
  1. n. an engine that moves an airplane by shooting streams of hot gas backwards: Jet engines are powerful enough to carry huge planes.
jet lag
jet lag
  1. n. a tired feeling caused by longdistance travel into different time zones: Every time that I travel from London to Asia, I suffer from jet lag.
jet set
jet set
  1. n. [U] rich people who travel internationally in search of pleasure: As a member of the jet set, she goes to parties all over the world. -n. [C] jet setter.
jet stream
jet stream
  1. n. a high-speed wind very high in the sky: Our plane had the jet stream pushing it, so we arrived an hour early.
jetsam
jetsam
  1. n. [U]
    1 items of cargo thrown overboard to lighten a ship in danger of sinking
    2 flotsam and jetsam: useless garbage from some activity: A huge storm left the water full of flotsam and jetsam—trees, mud, and wood.
jettison
jettison
  1. v.frml. [T] to throw s.t. away, esp. over the side of a ship or from an airplane: Sailors jettisoned big boxes in the storm to make the ship lighter.
jetty
jetty
  1. n. -ties a wall usu. made of large rocks built into the water and used as a place to get on and off boats, or to protect a harbor from storm waves: People waited on the jetty for their boat to arrive.
jewel
jewel
  1. n.
    1 a precious or semi-precious gemstone: Diamonds, rubies, and emeralds are beautiful jewels.
    2 fig. a person or thing of very special qualities: He gave me a surprise party for my birthday; he's such a jewel! -adj. jeweled.
    THESAURUS
    jewel
    1 a gem, precious stone
    2 a gem, treasure.
jeweler
jeweler
  1. n.
    1 a person who makes, repairs, and/or sells jewelry
    2 a jewelry store: I am taking my watch to the jeweler to be fixed.
jewelry
jewelry
  1. n. [U] body decorations, such as rings, bracelets, and necklaces: Her favorite piece of jewelry is her diamond ring.
jib
jib
  1. n. a triangular sail on a boat: The storm tore the boat's jib.
jibe
jibe
  1. v. [I] jibed, jibing, jibes to agree with s.t.: What he says happened does not jibe with what others say.
jiffy
jiffy
  1. n.infrml. [U] a brief moment, an instant: Please stay on the phone; I'll be back to you in a jiffy.
jig
jig
  1. n.
    1 a quick, lively dance
    2 in jig time: quickly, rapidly: He did that job in jig time!v. [I] jigged, jigging, jigs to dance a jig
jigger
jigger
  1. n. a small glass for measuring liquor, usu. 1 to 1.5 oz: He poured a jigger of rum in the glass.
jiggle
jiggle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to move up and down or from side to side: The fat man's stomach jiggles as he walks.
jigsaw
jigsaw
  1. n. a handheld tool with a thin, narrow blade, used to cut curves: He cut a toy out of wood with a jigsaw.
jigsaw puzzle
jigsaw puzzle
  1. n.
    1 a game made of a picture on cardboard or wood, cut into pieces and put back together again for fun
    2 fig. a problem or situation not easily understood: Our company has to find all the possible customers for our new product, and that task is a real jigsaw puzzle.
jilt
jilt
  1. v. [T] to desert a friend or loved one without warning: He saw her every day, then jilted her.
jimmy
jimmy
  1. n. -mies a short metal bar used to force open windows (doors, etc.) —v. [T] -mied, -mying, -mies to use a jimmy: The burglar jimmied open the window and stole my TV.
jingle
jingle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to make or cause to make a light, metallic ringing sound: Small bells jingled as the door opened.n.
    1 a short advertising message, usu. with music and rhyming words
    2 the sound of jingling: My keys make a jingle in my pocket when I walk.
jingoism
jingoism
  1. n. [U] a feeling of strong love for one's country, usu. with a hatred of foreigners: Jingoism is a problem in many parts of the world. -n. jingoist; -adj. jingoistic.
jinx
jinx
  1. v. [T] jinxes to cause s.o. or s.t. to have bad luck: John has jinxed his football team; they have lost every game this season.n. jinxes
    1 a person or thing that brings bad luck
    2 a mild curse: He has a jinx.
    3 to put a jinx on s.o.: to bring bad luck to s.o.: I could not give my speech, because my friend made me laugh and put a jinx on me.
jitters
jitters
  1. n.pl. nervousness, worry: He has the jitters about going to a job interview. -adj. jittery.
job
job
  1. n.
    1 work that one is paid to do every day, permanent employment: She has a good job.
    2 a specific task, piece of work: I have a job to do now, a long report.
    3 slang to do a job on s.o.: to make others think badly of s.o., to criticize s.o.: The people at his former company really did a job on him by saying bad things about his past.v. jobbed, jobbing, jobs: to job s.t. out: to have a job done outside of a business by another business, subcontract: Our company does not do any of its own printing; we job it out to local printers.
    THESAURUS
    job n.
    1 an occupation, career, position
    2 a task, assignment, project.
job action
job action
  1. n. a workers' protest, such as stopping work for a short time: The union started a job action to force management to pay the workers more.
job lot
job lot
  1. n. a number of cheap goods, usu. mixed items: Stores that buy in job lots often have low prices.
jobless
jobless
  1. adj. without a job, unemployed: She has been jobless for two months now.
jock
jock
  1. n.slang
    1 an athlete: In college, he was a jock because he played football and baseball.
    2 a jockstrap
jockey
jockey
  1. n. a person who rides horses in races: Jockeys try to win every race.v. [I;T]
    1 to ride horses in races
    2 to go around things that are in the way: He jockeyed his car around holes in the road. See: disk jockey.
jockstrap
jockstrap
  1. n. tight-fitting underwear worn around a man's sexual organs for support and protection: When he plays football, he wears a jockstrap.
jocular
jocular
  1. adj.frml. full of fun, joking: He is a man with a jocular attitude. -n. jocularity.
jog
jog
  1. v. [I] to run at a slow pace: He jogged around the park.
    2 to jog s.o.'s memory: to cause s.o. to remember s.t.: I jogged his memory by reminding him of our meeting tomorrow.n. a slow run: I go for a jog every evening.
jogging
jogging
  1. n. [U] the sport of running at a slow pace: go jogging -n. jogger.
john
john
  1. n.slang
    1 a bathroom, toilet
    2 a prostitute's male customer
join
join
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to become a member of an organization: She joined a health club (a church, Girl Scouts, the American Medical Association, etc.).
    2 [T] to get together with others: I joined my friends for a party.
    3 [T] to put s.t. together, assemble: A worker joined two pieces of wood with glue.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to join in s.t.: to do s.t. with others, to participate: She joins in the fun (conversation, task, etc.) with the others.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to join s.o. together: to marry: A judge joined the man and woman together in marriage.
    6 phrasal v. [I;T] to join up: to go into military service,
    THESAURUS
    to enlist: After talking with an Army officer, he joined up.
joint
joint
  1. adj.
    1 used by several people together, shared: They have a joint checking account; both can sign checks.
    2 done together united: Many countries made a joint effort to fight hunger.n.
    1 a point at which two pieces of material (wood, metal, etc.) come together: You can see the joints in that wooden bookcase.
    2 the connection point between moving parts in a living body: The leg has the knee joint.
    3 slang a cheap nightclub or restaurant,
    THESAURUS
    a dive: There is a beer joint on the corner.
    4 infrml. a marijuana cigarette
    5 out of joint: out of the correct position,
    THESAURUS
    dislocated: He hurt himself playing football; his knee is out of joint.
    6 infrml. to have one's nose out of joint: to be annoyed: He did not get what he wants, so his nose is out of joint.
    THESAURUS
    joint adj.
    1 combined
    2 common, cooperative. Ant. individual.
joint venture
joint venture
  1. n. a business arrangement made by two or more companies: An American and a Japanese auto maker agreed to form a joint venture to build trucks.
jointly
jointly
  1. adv.
    1 together,
    THESAURUS
    mutually: We hold a checking account jointly.
    2 acting together: The two countries acted jointly to fight hunger.
joke
joke
  1. n.
    1 a funny idea or story with a surprise ending: He has a great sense of humor and loves to tell jokes.
    2 to play a joke on s.o.: to trick,
    THESAURUS
    to play a prank: His friends played a joke on him by sewing his pant legs together.
    3 a ridiculous, situation: That salary increase was so small that it was a joke!v. [I] joked, joking, jokes
    1 to tell a joke: When she gets together with her friends, they joke a lot.
    2 to act playfully: They dance and sing and joke around together. -adv. jokingly.
joker
joker
  1. n.
    1 a playing card of no use in most card games and given special importance in others
    2 a person who likes to joke
jolly
jolly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest happy, cheerful: He is a jolly old man.n.pl. -lies
    1 pleasure, fun
    2 slang to get one's jollies: to have fun: They get their jollies by driving very fast on the highway. -n. jolliness.
jolt
jolt
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to strike with a heavy, sudden blow: Earthquakes jolt buildings.
    2 fig. to fill with fear, to shock: She was jolted by the bad news.n.
    1 a blow: The jolt of an earthquake shook the house.
    2 fig. an emotional shock: He got a jolt on learning of his friend's death.
    3 fig. a sudden shock of electricity: If you stick s.t. into an electrical socket, you will get a jolt.
josh
josh
  1. v.infrml. [I;T] joshes to joke with s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to tease: He joshes his friend about her green hair.
jostle
jostle
  1. v. [I;T] -tled, -tling, -tles to knock off balance, push, esp. in a crowd of people: People jostled me on the bus, and I nearly fell.
jot
jot
  1. v. [T] jotted, jotting, jots to write short notes quickly: I jotted down her name and telephone number.
journal
journal
  1. n.
    1 a written record, a diary: He keeps a journal of daily events.
    2 a magazine, periodical: The New England Journal of Medicine is for doctors and nurses.
    3 a newspaper: The Wall Street Journal has news about business.
    4 an accounting ledger: He keeps a journal of expenses.
journalese
journalese
  1. n. [U] special words and phrases used often by journalists: "Have the politicians begun to address the issues?" is journalese for "Are politicians doing s.t. about the country's problems?"
journalism
journalism
  1. n. [U]
    1 the gathering and reporting of news
    2 the study of that field: She is studying journalism so that she can write for a newspaper.
journalist
journalist
  1. n. a person whose job is to gather and report the news: Journalists write news stories for magazines and newspapers. -adj. journalistic.
    THESAURUS
    journalist a reporter, columnist, correspondent.
journey
journey
  1. n. a trip, esp. a long one —v. [I] to take a long trip: Many Irish immigrants journeyed to America by sea in the 1840s.
    THESAURUS
    journey n. a voyage, expedition. —v. to travel, voyage, trek.
journeyman
journeyman
  1. n. -men a worker whose work is acceptable but not the best: He is a good journeyman, but his partner's work is better.
joust
joust
  1. v.frml. [I] (long ago) to ride a horse toward an opponent and knock him off his horse with a lance (a long stick): Knights jousted against each other centuries ago. -n. jouster; jousting.
jovial
jovial
  1. adj. full of laughter, cheerful: He is a jovial person who makes others feel happy, too. -adv. jovially.
jowls
jowls
  1. n.pl. loose skin on the cheeks that hang down below the chin, usu. on a fat person or animal
joy
joy
  1. n. [U]
    1 a moment of great happiness, delight: The parents felt joy at seeing their child begin to walk.
    2 having a good time: We experienced the joy of having a wonderful vacation.
    3 well-being over a long period, happiness: She knew the joy of being in good health and having no problems in life.
    THESAURUS
    joy
    1 happiness, pleasure, elation. Ant. sorrow.
joy ride
joy ride
  1. n.v.infrml. [I] a ride, often fast and dangerous, sometimes in a stolen car for fun: Someone took our car for a joy ride and left it in a parking lot. -n. joy riding.
joyful
joyful
  1. adj.
    1 causing happiness, delightful: We had a joyful experience at seeing an old friend.
    2 full of laughter, merry: a joyful family dinner
    3 happy: The first months of our marriage were a joyful time. -adv. joyfully.
joyless
joyless
  1. adj. without pleasure: That job turned into a joyless, boring experience. -adv. joylessly.
joyous
joyous
  1. adj. happy, cheerful: Our first family reunion after many years was a joyous occasion. -adv. joyously; -n. joyousness.
joystick
joystick
  1. n. device used to control the movements and direction of a model airplane, a video-game character, etc.: The first airplanes were controlled with joy sticks.
jubilant
jubilant
  1. adj. full of great joy,
    THESAURUS
    ecstatic: She was jubilant when she won the race. -adv. jubilantly.
jubilation
jubilation
  1. n. [U] a joyful celebration: When the war ended, there was jubilation all over the country.
jubilee
jubilee
  1. n. a celebration, esp. of an anniversary: The couple celebrated their golden jubilee, 50 years of marriage.
judge
judge
  1. n.
    1 a public official in charge of a court of law who determines what the law is and gives penalties to guilty persons and rewards those who have been wronged: Alexander Smith is a judge on the State Supreme Court.
    2 an expert whose opinion is accepted by others as official: Ms. Jones is an expert on French paintings and an excellent judge of their value.
    3 s.o. who enforces the rules, esp. of a sporting event, referee: the line judge in football
    4 a person who evaluates others: Your father is a good judge of your character.v. judged, judging, judges
    1 [T] to make an official decision in a court of law: The jury judged the man to be guilty.
    2 [T] to consider s.t. and give an opinion as an authority or expert: She judged the painting to be authentic, not a fake.
    3 [I;T] to make decisions in a game, to referee: He judged that the ball was out.
    4 [I;T] to express a personal opinion: I judge the contract to be a good one for us.
judgeship
judgeship
  1. n. the position or job of a judge in the public legal system: Judge Smith has held a judgeship for over 20 years.
judgment or judgement
judgment or judgement
  1. n.
    1 a decision (verdict, ruling) in a court of law: The judgment of the court is that she is not guilty.
    2 knowledgeable opinion, estimation: The judgment of the experts is that the vase is authentic, not a fake.
    3 personal evaluation, decision about what to do: She made a judgment to buy a new car.
    4 to have good judgment: the ability to decide well and correctly: She does excellent work, because she has good judgment on what is important and what is not important.
judgmental
judgmental
  1. adj. quick to make decisions about s.o. or s.t., usu. negative: Don't be so judgmental; today is his first day on the job.
judicial
judicial
  1. adj. 1. related to courts and judges: The judicial system settles arguments over how laws are interpreted. 2. in USA, three branches (or parts) of the central government, including the executive branch, the legislative branch, and the judicial branch: The judicial branch of the federal government is the Supreme Court which meets in Washington, DC. -adv. judicially.
judiciary
judiciary
  1. n. -ies
    1 the court system: The judiciary is a branch of government.
    2 judges as a group
judicious
judicious
  1. adj.frml. showing good sense,
    THESAURUS
    wise: She made a judicious decision to save money for her old age. -adv. judiciously.
judo
judo
  1. n. [U] a type of self-defense that uses one's body, a modern type of jujitsu: Judo can be used to defend oneself. See: jujitsu.
jug
jug
  1. n. a container for liquid with a handle: She put a jug of milk on the table.
    THESAURUS
    jug a pitcher | bottle.
juggernaut
juggernaut
  1. n. a great, unstoppable force: That army is a juggernaut that crushes its enemies.
juggle
juggle
  1. v. -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 lit. [I;T] to throw and catch two or more objects in the air quickly: He juggled five tennis balls.
    2 fig. [T] to deal with many things at the same time: She juggled six college classes and a job.
    3 fig. [I;T] to change s.t. in order to give a false impression or to cheat: He juggled the company's accounts to show a profit.
    4 [T] fig.to put things in a different order, such as to change meeting times: I juggled my schedule in order to see a surprise visitor.
juggler
juggler
  1. n. a person who juggles for entertainment: Jugglers perform in a circus.
jughead
jughead
  1. n.infrml.fig. a stupid person: That jughead sent our baggage to the wrong hotel.
jugular
jugular
  1. adj.
    1 related to the throat and neck: the jugular vein
    2 to go for the jugular: to try to destroy s.o. or s.t.: A wolf goes for the jugular to kill a deer.
jugular vein
jugular vein
  1. n. the large neck vein: Jugular veins return blood from the head to the heart.
juice
juice
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the liquid in fruits, vegetables, or meat: orange juice
    2 slang gas, electricity, etc.: There is no juice in that electrical wire.
    THESAURUS
    juice
    1 fruit juice, fruit drink
    2 power, energy.
juicer
juicer
  1. n. a machine used to make juice from fruit: She put some oranges in the juicer.
juicy
juicy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 full of juice, succulent: He bit into a juicy pear.
    2 fig. causing embarrassment, scandalous: Newspapers love to print juicy stories about movie stars.
    THESAURUS
    juicy
    1 ripe, dripping, moist. Ants. dry, hard.
    2 spicy, sensational. Ant. uninteresting.
jukebox
jukebox
  1. n. -boxes a machine that plays recorded music: If you put four quarters in this jukebox, you can choose three songs.
julep
julep
  1. n. a sweet alcoholic drink,
    THESAURUS
    mint julep: Juleps have mint leaves and bourbon whiskey in them.
jumble
jumble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [T] to mix things up,
    THESAURUS
    to disarrange: He jumbled the pages in the report.
    2 [I;T] to confuse: He does not understand; he has the instructions all jumbled up.n. a mess: He has a jumble of papers on his desk.
jumbo
jumbo
  1. adj. very large, huge: Jumbo jets carry hundreds of people.
jump
jump
  1. v.
    1 [I] to push one's feet against the ground to go into the air, spring: The basketball player jumped up to catch the ball.
    2 [I] to go down, descend: She jumped off/ down from the horse and walked away.||There was a fire in the building, and the man jumped out of the window.
    3 [I] to go up quickly and suddenly: The price of oil jumped when the war started.
    4 [I] to make a quick movement when one is frightened suddenly: I jumped when I heard the gunshot.
    5 fig. [I] to follow orders: He jumps when the boss gives an order.
    6 [I] to jump horses (over fences, streams, etc.)
    7 [T] fig. to attack s.o. without warning: A thief jumped me yesterday and took all my money.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to jump at s.o. or s.t.: a. to attack: The guard dog jumped at the stranger. b. to accept s.t. eagerly: When she was offered a new job, she jumped at the chance/opportunity and took it immediately.
    9 fig.infrml. to jump down s.o.'s throat: to answer s.o. angrily before he or she has finished speaking
    10 phrasal v. insep. [T] to jump on s.o.: to speak angrily to s.o., criticize severely: Her father jumped on her when he learned she had failed her exam.
    11 to jump out of one's skin: to be frightened suddenly, to be startled: When the alarm bell started to ring, I nearly jumped out of my skin.
    12 to jump to (the) conclusion: to make a decision about s.t. quickly and without thinking carefully: She jumped to the conclusion that the boy was crying, but he only had s.t. in his eye.n.
    1 an increase: There was a big jump in prices.
    2 to get the jump on s.o. or s.t.: to do s.t. faster than s.o. else: Our company got the jump on our competitors by getting our product into the market first.
jump rope
jump rope
  1. n. a strong cord, often with handles, used for recreation or exercise: Children have fun playing with a jump rope.
jump seat
jump seat
  1. n. a small seat that folds down in a limousine or airplane: An airline attendant sits in a jump seat as the plane is landing.
jumper
jumper
  1. n.
    1 a sleeveless dress worn over other clothes: She wore a blue jumper over a white shirt.
    2 a person or horse that jumps
jumper cable
jumper cable
  1. n. a thick wire that transfers electricity from a live car battery to help start a dead one: I used a jumper cable to start my friend's car. See: jumpstart.
jumping-off place
jumping-off place
  1. n. a meeting location, a place where people gather to move off as a group: Soldiers gathered on the beach as a jumping-off place for their attack.
jumping
jumping
  1. n. [U]
    1 (in sports) jumping out of a plane with a parachute
    2 horse jumping: Some horse riding contests include jumping.adj.infrml. fig. lively, exciting: After the band started to play, the nightclub was a jumping place.
jumping bean
jumping bean
  1. n. a bean that moves because a live insect is inside it: Children have fun playing with Mexican jumping beans.
jumpstart
jumpstart
  1. v. [T] to start a car by pushing it or by using a jumper cable —n. to give s.o. or s.t. a jumpstart: to help s.t. or s.o. get started: The teacher gave her students a jumpstart on their homework by doing the first two problems for them.
jumpsuit
jumpsuit
  1. n. light, one-piece clothing that covers the entire body from neck to ankle: She wears a jumpsuit because it is comfortable.
jumpy
jumpy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest nervous,
    THESAURUS
    jittery: She is very jumpy today because she's worried about her sick father.
junction
junction
  1. n. a place where two roads or railroad lines meet: The train stopped at the junction.
juncture
juncture
  1. n.
    1 a point in time, esp. a turning point
    2 at this juncture: at this important time: Our store is doing well, and at this juncture we want to hire more people.
jungle
jungle
  1. n.
    1 a hot, humid area with many trees and plants close together: He visited the jungles of Guatemala.
    2 fig. a crowded and highly dangerous place: This city is so full of crime that it is a jungle.
    THESAURUS
    jungle
    1 a rain forest, tropical rain forest | wilderness
    2 the pits, a snake pit.
junior
junior
  1. adj.
    1 abbreviated as Jr. to show that the son has the same first and last names as his father: Philip Jones, Jr. is the son of Philip Jones, Sr.
    2 with fewer years of service: He is a junior employee.n. a student in his or her third year (out of four years) of college or high school: Phil is a junior in high school. See: freshman, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    junior adj.
    1 the younger
    2 subordinate. Ant. senior.
junior college
junior college
  1. n. in the USA, a two-year college that offers the first two years of a four-year curriculum along with other courses of study: My son attends Santa Rosa Junior College.
junior high school
junior high school
  1. n.
    1 in USA, usu. grades seven through nine in a 12-year curriculum
    2 a building used as a junior high school: Our 13-year-old son goes to Kennedy Junior High School. See: grade school; secondary school.
junior varsity
junior varsity
  1. n. -ties a team that plays at an easier level of competition than varsity: Last year, she played soccer on the junior varsity.
juniper
juniper
  1. n. types of bushes and shrubs with gray berries: Junipers have berries that smell good.
junk food
junk food
  1. n. [U] food that tastes good but is bad for your health: He eats junk food, such as potato chips and ice cream.
    THESAURUS
    junk food snack food, fast food.
junket
junket
  1. n. a trip or tour, esp. one made by a politician at government expense: The politician went on a junket to England.
junkyard
junkyard
  1. n.
    1 a business that resells unwanted items, esp. car parts and other items made of metal
    2 a place where people leave their junk
    3 fig. an untidy, messy place: His garage is so full of old furniture that it looks like a junkyard.
junta
junta
  1. n. a group of military officers that rules a country, usu. after a takeover of the government: The junta rules the country by military law.
jurisdiction
jurisdiction
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the right or the authority to say what the law means and require that it be obeyed: The Supreme Court holds jurisdiction over lower court decisions.
    2 a specific area of such authority: The city police have jurisdiction only in the city where they work.
jurisprudence
jurisprudence
  1. n. [U] the study of law: Lawyers study jurisprudence in law school.
jurist
jurist
  1. n. s.o. who has studied the law, such as a judge or lawyer: Mr. Smith is a jurist, first as a lawyer and now as a judge.
juror
juror
  1. n. [C] a person who serves on a jury to decide the guilt or innocence of a person, business, or institution: The jurors in a trial meet in the jury room to make their decision.
jury
jury
  1. n. -ries
    1 a group of usu. 12 citizens who are asked to sit in a court of law, listen to information about the problem or crime, receive instructions from the judge, and decide the guilt or innocence of the person, business, or institution (defendant) on trial: The jury decided that the defendant was not guilty.
    2 a group of people who judge a competition: The jury gave her painting first prize.
    THESAURUS
    jury
    1 jurors
    2 judges, a panel of judges | an award committee.
jury duty
jury duty
  1. n. the duty of a citizen to act as a juror when called and chosen to do so by a court of law: I was called for jury duty, and I will have to go for a week. See: juror.
justice
justice
  1. n. [U]
    1 the law when it is applied or carried out in a fair way, fairness: The judge seeks justice for everyone.
    2 to do justice to: to do s.t. well, the right way: He has two jobs, but he cannot do justice to them both.
    THESAURUS
    justice
    1 impartiality. Ant. injustice.
justice of the peace
justice of the peace
  1. n. -tices a low-level official who can marry people, judge small offenses (such as driving too fast), and send more serious crimes to higher courts: My wife and I were married by a justice of the peace.
justifiable
justifiable
  1. adj.
    1 having a good reason for doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    valid: Spending a lot of time on doing a good job is justifiable.
    2 lawful,
    THESAURUS
    ethical -adv. justifiably.
justification
justification
  1. n. [U]
    1 having a good reason for doing s.t.: We have justification for moving to a larger house, because this house is too small for us.
    2 proof that an action is not against the law: The police officer shot the man with justification, because the man shot at him first.
justify
justify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to give acceptable reasons for an action: He justified buying a car by showing how useful it would be.
    2 not to blame s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to absolve: The law justifies killing s.o. to defend oneself.
    3 to line up typewritten words so that each line is the same length: to justify a page on both the left and right sides
jut
jut
  1. v. [I] jutted, jutting, juts to stick out or rise sharply: Mountain peaks jut into the sky.
jute
jute
  1. n. a plant woven into a type of thread and used to make ropes and sacks: Coffee sacks are made of jute.
juvenile
juvenile
  1. adj.
    1 childlike, immature: The actions of some adults are juvenile.
    2 related to young people: The 15-year-old thief was sent to juvenile court.n. a youth or child, esp. one under the age of 16: Juveniles must have an adult to take care of them.

    USAGE NOTE: Young adult is a more common way of referring to people aged 12-18: My 14-year old daughter reads books from the young adult section of the library.
juvenile delinquent
juvenile delinquent
  1. n. a youth, usu. under the age of 16, who has done an illegal act: Juvenile delinquents painted obscene words on the school walls.
juxtapose
juxtapose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses to place side-by-side, esp. for comparison: She juxtaposed two dresses to decide which one she liked better.n. juxtaposition.
kaleidoscope
kaleidoscope
  1. n.
    1 a toy you look into, made of a small tube in which mirrors and colored pieces of glass are used to make patterns: If you turn the tube of the kaleidoscope, you can make the patterns change.
    2 fig. s.t. with many bright and changing colors: During the fall, the leaves in New England are a beautiful kaleidoscope of orange, red, and brown.
kangaroo
kangaroo
  1. n. -roos a two-legged animal from Australia that hops very fast and has a long tail: Baby kangaroos live in a pocket or "pouch" on their mothers' stomachs.
kangaroo court
kangaroo court
  1. n.fig. an illegal court quickly set up to punish s.o.: A person judged by a kangaroo court will not be treated fairly.
kaput
kaput
  1. adj.infrml. not working,
    THESAURUS
    broken: Our refrigerator is kaput, and all the food is getting warm.
karat
karat
  1. n. a unit of measurement of pure gold; one karat equals 1/24th of the total weight of the object: Pure gold is 24 karat gold, but an 18 karat gold ring has 18 karats of gold and 6 karats of another metal mixed in. See: carat.
karate
karate
  1. n. [U] a traditional Asian way of fighting: He used karate to defend himself from the thieves who attacked him.
karma
karma
  1. n.fig.
    1 [C;U] in Buddhism and Hinduism, the total effect of one's behavior during one's life: If you have done good things, your karma will be good.
    2 [U] infrml. a feeling caused by a person, place, or situation: People enjoy being around her because she's nice; she has good karma.
kayak
kayak
  1. n.v. [I;T]
    1 a light, narrow, covered Inuit boat: There is an opening in the middle of a kayak where one person can sit and paddle.
    2 a store-bought variety of this boat, usu. made from fiberglass: In the summer, we kayak on rivers and lakes. -n. kayaking.
keel
keel
  1. n.
    1 a strong piece of metal or wood that runs along the bottom of a boat and supports its sides: The keel of our boat hit a rock when we were sailing in shallow water.
    2 fig. on an even keel: stable, working well: We are so busy that we had to hire more workers to keep our office on an even keel.v. phrasal v. insep. [I] to keel over: a. fig.to fall down,
    THESAURUS
    to collapse: The poor man keeled over from a heart attack. b. to turn over,
    THESAURUS
    to capsize: The sailboat keeled over in the wind.
keen
keen
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 intelligent, shrewd: She has a keen mind (intellect, wit, etc.).
    2 fine-edged: That knife has a keen edge.
    3 strong: She has a keen desire to get a job with our company.
    4 infrml. to be keen on: to desire greatly: I am keen on going to the party tonight. -adv. keenly.
    THESAURUS
    keen
    1 sharp, quick, clever. Ant. dull.
    2 sharp, razorlike. Ant. dull.
    3 acute, intense.
keep
keep
  1. v. kept , keeping, keeps
    THESAURUS
    1 [T] (syns.) to hold on to s.t. | retain frml. Ant. to give away: I kept $20 for myself and gave $10 to my friend. I held on to $20 for myself and gave $10 to my friend.
    2 [T] (syns.) to store s.t., as in to put s.t. away | file (papers, documents): He keeps his tools in his garage. He stores his tools in his garage.
    3 [T] (syn.) to raise, as in to take care of animals: That farmer keeps chickens and cattle. That farmer raises chickens and cattle.
    4 [T] (syns.) to maintain, care for: He keeps his clothes in good condition, always clean. He maintains his clothes in good condition, always clean.
    5 [T] (syns.) to write, record (events, information): She kept a diary of what she did everyday. She wrote in a diary what she did everyday.
    6 [I] (syns.) to continue, go on (doing s.t.): He keeps working while his children play. He continues working (or) goes on working while his children play.
    7 [T] (syn.) to withhold, as in not to reveal s.t.: She kept her secret marriage from her parents. She withheld her secret marriage from her parents.
    8 [T] (syn.) to prevent s.t. from happening, as in to stop it: He kept his son from falling into the lake. He prevented his son from falling into the lake.
    9 [I] (syn.) to stay fresh | preserve (the freshness, quality of s.t.): Put the milk in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. Put the milk in the refrigerator, so it will stay fresh.
    10 to keep at it: to continue doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to persist: She is an excellent worker; she keeps at it day after day.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [T] to keep after (s.o. or s.t.): to ask s.o. to do s.t. repeatedly,
    THESAURUS
    to nag: The mother kept after him until he cleaned his room.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [T] to keep at (s.o. or s.t.): a. See: keep after. b. s.t.: to continue doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to persist: She is an excellent student; she keeps at her assignments day after day.||She keeps at them.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to keep s.t. back: to refuse to tell or give s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to withhold: He kept back the whole story because he didn't want to offend us.||He kept it back.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to keep s.o. or s.t. down: a. to control, prevent from spreading or increasing: Doctors are trying to keep down the epidemic.||They are keeping it down. b. to keep in a degraded state,
    THESAURUS
    to oppress: I think management is keeping down some of the best workers at this factory.||They are keeping them down.
    15 to keep house: to be responsible for the cooking, cleaning, etc. in s.o.'s home: He keeps house for the family.
    16 phrasal v. insep. [I] to keep on s.t.: to continue to do s.t., esp. despite difficulties,
    THESAURUS
    to persevere: She kept on driving, even though she didn't know where she was.
    17 phrasal v. sep. [T] to keep s.o. or s.t. out: to prevent from entering or joining: We had a hard time keeping strangers out of our yard.
    18 fig. to keep one's head above water: to barely be able to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to struggle to do s.t.: I have a great deal of work, but I manage to keep my head above water.
    19 to keep one's sanity: to stay calm, in control: I have so much work to do that it's difficult to keep my sanity.
    20 to keep safe: to avoid harm: The enemy invaded the city, but we kept safe by hiding from them.
    21 to keep the ball rolling: to make sure that s.o. or s.t. continues to do well: You're doing well in school, so keep the ball rolling by studying hard.
    22 to keep the books: to work as a bookkeeper, writing down how a company spends its money: He keeps the books for a small business.
    23 to keep the faith: to remain dedicated, to not give up: I have to leave you now, but keep the faith while I'm away.
    24 to keep to oneself: to avoid others: She is very shy and keeps to herself most of the time.
    25 phrasal v. to keep up: a. insep. [I] with s.t.: to stay equal with: You must keep up with your work so that it is finished on time. b. sep. [T] s.t.: to maintain in good condition: We keep our house up by having things fixed when they break. c. [I;T] to continue doing s.t., either good or bad: You are doing wonderful work; keep it up!
    26 to keep well: to wish that s.o. stays in good health: I'll see you next week; until then, keep well.
    27 infrml. to keep your eyes peeled: to watch for s.o. or s.t., stay alert: Our friend should arrive any minute, so keep your eyes peeled for her.
    28 infrml. to keep your nose clean: to avoid trouble, to remain honest: When he left for college, his mother told him to keep his nose clean and to stay away from trouble.n. to earn one's keep: to pay for the cost of meals and a room: He earned his keep by cleaning the house.adv. for keeps:
    1 forever, permanently: She has left her boyfriend for keeps.
    2 seriously, with great desire: Our team is trying hard to win; they are playing for keeps.
keeper
keeper
  1. n.
    1 a person in charge of s.t.: A goal keeper stops the ball from going into the goal.
    2 a person paid to take care of s.t. (a house, park, etc.): A grounds keeper cuts the grass and keeps the flowers healthy.
keeping
keeping
  1. n. [U]
    1 care, control: He left his gold coins in the bank's keeping.
    2 in keeping with: right for the situation: In keeping with the blue color of his room, he bought a blue table.
keepsake
keepsake
  1. n. s.t. kept because it reminds you of a loved one or an enjoyable event,
    THESAURUS
    a memento: That bracelet is a keepsake from her husband.
keg
keg
  1. n. a small barrel made of metal or wood: He bought a keg of beer for the victory party.
kelp
kelp
  1. n. [U] large, brown plants that grow below the sea: People and animals can eat kelp.
kelvin
kelvin
  1. n. [U] a unit of temperature measurement: Water freezes at 273 degrees kelvin (273 K).
kennel
kennel
  1. n. a place where dogs are kept, usu. while their owners are away: When I go on vacation, I put my dog in a kennel.
kept
kept
  1. v.past tense & past part. of keep:
    1 held, retained for oneself: He kept the money that he found on the street.
    2 a kept woman or man: a person supported by another: Since he only stays with her because she is rich, he is a kept man.
kerchief
kerchief
  1. n. a small, square scarf, usu. made of cotton: The cowboy wore a kerchief around his neck.
kernel
kernel
  1. n.
    1 a seed, esp. one that can be eaten: a kernel of corn (wheat, rice, etc.)
    2 fig. a bit,
    THESAURUS
    a trace: There is not a kernel of truth in what she says.
kerosene
kerosene
  1. n. [U] a thin, colorless oil made from petroleum and used for fuel: People used kerosene lamps before the light bulb was invented.
ketchup
ketchup
  1. n. [U] var. of catsup, a thick, red sauce made from tomatoes and spices: He poured ketchup on his hamburger.
kettledrum
kettledrum
  1. n. a large bowl-shaped copper or brass drum tightly covered with a thin material (parchment): The kettledrum sounds like thunder when you hit it hard.
key
key
  1. n.
    1 a thin piece of metal used to lock or unlock a door, start or stop an engine, etc.: I opened the front door with my key.
    2 fig. the most important part of s.t.: The key to success is hard work.
    3 a written guide that explains the meaning of s.t.: This key explains how to read the symbols on the map.
    4 in music, a group of notes related to and named after the lowest note in the group: That song is written in the key of B flat.
    5 a part of a machine or musical instrument that is pressed down to make it work: She pressed a computer key and typed a letter.
    6 a small low island: We went camping in the Florida Keys last summer.v.
    1 [T] to test musical instruments to make sure that they will sound good together: Musicians in the band keyed their guitars before playing.
    2 to be keyed up: to be excited or nervous: She is always keyed up before a test.adj. very important, essential: Cotton is a key industry in the South.
key ring
key ring
  1. n. a ring on which keys are kept: I keep my car keys on a key ring.
keyboard
keyboard
  1. n. a row or rows of keys (on a piano, computer, etc.): The row of black and white keys on a piano is called a keyboard.v. [I;T] to type information on a keyboard: He keyboarded his report into the computer.
keyhole
keyhole
  1. n. the hole for the key in a lock: In some old locks, the keyholes are so large that you can look through them.
keynote address
keynote address
  1. n. -es the first speech, made by the guest of honor, describing the main ideas of the event: Our business college asked a successful businesswoman to give the keynote address at our graduation.
keystone
keystone
  1. n. the top, center stone in an arch: The keystone in an arch keeps the other stones in place.
keystroke
keystroke
  1. n.
    1 the pressing down of a key on a machine
    2 a basic unit of measurement of information going into a computer: Our typist does 20,000 keystrokes a day.
kibbutz
kibbutz
  1. n. a farm in Israel where a group of people live and work together: My sister and her family live on a kibbutz.
kibitz
kibitz
  1. v.infrml. [I] -itzes to look over the shoulder of others and give unwanted advice: My friend kibitzes when we play cards.
kibosh
kibosh
  1. n.sing.infrml.
    1 a halt, a stop
    2 to put the kibosh on: to put a stop to s.t.: When his mother learned how dangerous her son's plans were, she put the kibosh on them.
kick
kick
  1. n.
    1 a blow with the foot or feet: He gave the football a kick.
    2 strength, force: That coffee is strong; it has a real kick.
    3 a sudden, hard move backwards, recoil: Be careful, this rifle has a strong kick.
    4 infrml. for kicks or just for kicks: just for fun: We go to Las Vegas once a year just for kicks.
    5 infrml.fig. to get a kick out of s.t.: to enjoy doing s.t.: He gets a kick out of listening to rock music (seeing a good movie, eating hamburgers, etc.).
    THESAURUS
    kick n.
    1 a boot
    2 a jolt, wallop infrml. v.
    1 [T] to strike with the foot or feet: The football player kicked the ball down the field.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to kick s.o. or s.t. around: a. to treat s.o. badly,
    THESAURUS
    to abuse: The older men kick the boy around by giving him all the dirty jobs to do. b. to talk about s.t. informally: We kicked the idea of moving to California around, but we were never serious about it.
    3 to kick back: a. sep. s.t.: to pay money to s.o., often in a dishonest situation,
    THESAURUS
    to bribe: If you want my company to buy paper only from you, you will have to kick back 7 percent of what we pay you. ||You will have to kick it back. b. to relax by stopping work: She likes to kick back and read the newspaper when she gets home from work.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to kick s.t. in: to join others in giving to s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to contribute: Each of the four children kicked in $10 to buy their mother a gift.||They kicked it in.
    5 phras-al v. insep. [I;T] to kick off: to start s.t., esp. a game: The team captain kicked off to the opposing team.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to kick s.o. out: to throw s.o. out,
    THESAURUS
    to eject: Our landlord kicked out the people downstairs because they weren't paying the rent.||He kicked them out.
    7 infrml. to kick the bucket: to die: The old man finally kicked the bucket last year.
    8 to kick the habit: to stop doing s.t. that is bad for you, such as using drugs, alcohol, or tobacco: He smoked cigarettes for thirty years, but finally kicked the habit.
    9 phrasal v. insep. to kick up: a. [I] to start hurting, become aggravated: My arthritis has kicked up again; it's painful. b. [T] s.t.: to make trouble: When she discovered that her food was burnt, she kicked up a fuss by shouting at the cook.
    10 infrml. to kick up one's heels: to spend a lot of money having a good time: The couple flew to an island hotel and kicked up their heels for a week. -n. kicker. kick v.
    1 to boot | punt | dribble.
kickback
kickback
  1. n. money paid dishonestly to a person, usu. in a business or government situation,
    THESAURUS
    a bribe: If your company buys all of its office supplies from me, I'll give you a kickback of 5 percent of all the money your company pays me.
kickoff
kickoff
  1. n.
    1 the kicking of a football to start play
    2 fig. the beginning of s.t., esp. an exciting project: Every fall, the football players celebrate the kickoff of a new season.
kid glove
kid glove
  1. n.
    1 fine gloves made of leather from the skin of young goats (kidskin)
    2 to handle or treat s.o. with kid gloves: to treat s.o. with special care, delicately: She is very rich and everyone handles her with kid gloves.
kiddy
kiddy
  1. n.infrml. -dies a child: Look at all the little kiddies playing on the playground.adj. related to children: They play kiddy games, like jump rope or playing with dolls.
kidnap
kidnap
  1. v. [T] -napped, -naps to illegally take s.o. away by force, and usu. to demand money for that person's safe return: A young woman kidnapped the baby while the baby's mother was not looking.||The story of the kidnapping was in all the newspapers. -n. kidnapping.
    THESAURUS
    kidnap to abduct, take hostage, take prisoner. Ant. to release.
kidney
kidney
  1. n. one of the two organs that clean our blood and are located in the lower back near the hips
kidney bean
kidney bean
  1. n. a red, oval-shaped bean: People often put kidney beans in a spicy meat dish called chili.
kill
kill
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to cause the death of any living thing: Soldiers killed the enemy.
    2 [T] to stop,
    THESAURUS
    to cancel: She killed our weekend plans to go to the beach when she decided she wanted to stay home.
    3 fig. [T] to hurt badly: My back (tooth, foot, etc.) is killing me.
    4 fig. [T] to cause to laugh loudly: Your jokes are killing me.
    5 [T] to use s.t. up, esp. time: It's 7:00; we have two hours to kill before the movie starts at 9:00.||He killed the whole bottle of wine in two hours.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to kill s.o. or s.t. off: to kill in large numbers, usu. one at a time: The hot summer killed off my roses.||It killed them off.n. an animal that has been killed: A lion eats its kill.
    THESAURUS
    kill v.
    1 to put s.o. or s.t. to death, slay, take the life of, murder, assassinate. Ant. to revive.
    2 to put an end to
    3 to ache, throb
    4 to slay infrml.
    5 to waste, spend.
killer
killer
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who kills other people,
    THESAURUS
    a murderer: A killer is on the loose in the city.
    2 an animal that attacks others,
    THESAURUS
    a predator: Lions are killers.
    3 a disease that kills people: Cancer is a killer.
    4 fig. a difficult task or situation: He has a job that is a killer; it's so difficult.
killing
killing
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of ending a life: In a war, the killing continues day after day.
    2 [C;U] murder: The killing of the young woman happened yesterday.
    3 to make a killing: to make a lot of money very quickly: He makes a killing selling umbrellas when it rains.
killjoy
killjoy
  1. n. a person who ruins the happiness and fun of others: At my party, my father shut off the music and sent everyone home. What a killjoy!
kiln
kiln
  1. n. a special oven used esp. for baking clay objects (pots, vases, etc.): She put the pot in the kiln for two hours.
kilo
kilo
  1. n. short for kilogram
kilobyte
kilobyte
  1. n. abbr. k. approx. 1,000 bytes, a measure of computer memory space: The size of a computer file can be measured in kilobytes. See: megabytes.
kilogram
kilogram
  1. n. 1,000 grams, or 2.2 pounds (lbs.): She bought two kilograms (kg) (or) kilos of bananas.
kilometer
kilometer
  1. n. 1,000 meters, or 0.62137 mile: The distance to the next town is 10 kilometers (km).
kilowatt
kilowatt
  1. n. 1,000 watts
kilt
kilt
  1. n. a knee-length, plaid skirt worn traditionally by Scottish men: When he is in Scotland, the Prince of Wales wears a kilt.
kilter
kilter
  1. n. [U] to be out of kilter: to be out of order, or not working properly: The clock is not running right; it is out of kilter.
kimono
kimono
  1. n. -nos a long Japanese dress: Some traditional Japanese women wear colorful, pretty kimonos.
kin
kin
  1. n.pl. relative: My mother is my next of kin; my father's dead.
kind
kind
  1. n.
    1 a similar type of person or thing: He has the same kind of leather jacket as mine.
    2 in kind: to pay with s.t. other than money, such as service, food, etc.: He fixed my roof and I fixed his car; we paid each other in kind.
    3 kind of: a little bit, somewhat: I am kind of tired; let's go home.
    4 to be with one's own kind: to prefer people similar to oneself: She is an actor, and she feels most comfortable with her own kind: other actors.adj.
    1 friendly, helpful, and generous: She is very kind to her friends and helps them with their problems.
    2 feeling sorry for those in trouble, tenderhearted: He is kind to lost and hurt animals by taking care of them. -n. [C;U] kindness.
    THESAURUS
    kind n.
    1 sort, class, variety | brand. —adj.
    1 warm, kindly, sympathetic. Ant. unkind.
    2 gentle, tender.

    USAGE NOTE: Both kind of and sort of mean "a little bit" before adjectives: That restaurant is kind of expensive.||His grammar is good, but his intonation is strange, so he's sort of difficult to understand. The words fairly and rather mean "moderately": I got up fairly early, so I had time to eat a good breakfast.||It's rather cool this morning.
kindergarten
kindergarten
  1. n. classes that four- and five-year-old children go to the year before the first grade of school: Our little boy goes to kindergarten.
kindhearted
kindhearted
  1. adj. feeling friendly and helpful toward others,
    THESAURUS
    compassionate: She is a kindhearted woman; she takes care of sick neighbors.
kindle
kindle
  1. v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 to light a fire: He used paper to kindle a fire in the stove.
    2 to excite: His kindness and intelligence kindled love in her heart.
kindliness
kindliness
  1. n. [U] kindness and concern for others,
    THESAURUS
    compassion: His kindliness toward animals is well-known.
kindling
kindling
  1. n. [U] s.t. that burns easily (sticks, leaves, paper, etc.) and is used to start a fire: She started the fire with kindling before adding a big piece of wood.
kindly
kindly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest friendly and gentle: He is a kindly old man.adv.
    1 please: Would you kindly hold the door for me?
    2 to take kindly to s.t.: to feel agreeably about: I do not take kindly to people who scream and shout at me.
kindred
kindred
  1. adj.
    1 belonging to the same family or group: Wolves and dogs are kindred species.
    2 kindred spirits: people who have the same interests or goals: My friend and I are kindred spirits who love books.
kinetic
kinetic
  1. adj. moving,
    THESAURUS
    dynamic: Kinetic art is made of parts that move, such as motors and lights. -adv. kinetically.
kinfolk
kinfolk
  1. n.pl. one's family, people who are related: Some people call their relatives "kinfolk."
king-size
king-size
  1. or king-sized adj.
    1 larger than queen-sized: A king-sized bed is large enough to hold three people.
    2 larger than the regular size: He smokes king-sized cigars.
    THESAURUS
    king-size or king-sized
    2 large, oversized, big. Ant. small.
king-size
king-size
  1. or king-sized -adj.
    1 larger than queen-sized: A king-sized bed is large enough to hold three people.
    2 larger than the regular size: He smokes king-sized cigars.
king
king
  1. n.
    1 the male ruler of a country: the King of England
    2 the main person in a field of activity: That actor is the king of the entertainment business.
    3 a playing card with a picture of a king
    4 the most important piece in chess -n.[C;U] kingship.
    THESAURUS
    king
    1 ruler, sovereign | emperor.
kingdom
kingdom
  1. n.
    1 a country ruled by a king and/or queen: The Queen of England rules the kingdom of Great Britain.
    2 a group of living things: the animal kingdom
    3 to blow s.o. or s.t. to kingdom come: to completely and violently destroy: She pointed a gun at the bottle and blew it to kingdom come.
    4 until kingdom come: forever,
    THESAURUS
    for an eternity: You can work on that job until kingdom come and never get it done.
kingfish
kingfish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes
    1 a type of fish that lives in the Atlantic Ocean and can be eaten
    2 infrml.fig. a powerful person who can influence what others do: The President is a kingfish in US politics.
kingfisher
kingfisher
  1. n. a type of colorful bird: Kingfishers dive into the water to catch fish.
kingpin
kingpin
  1. n. the most important person in a certain field or area: He owns several large oil companies and is the kingpin of the oil business.
kink
kink
  1. n.
    1 a sharp curve or curl in a piece of hair, rope, thread, etc.: There is a kink in the rope that I can't straighten out.
    2 a sudden tightening of a muscle,
    THESAURUS
    a spasm: I have a kink in my leg.
    3 fig. a small problem or difficulty: My project is almost done, but it still has some kinks in it.
    4 to get or to (iron) the kinks out of s.t.: a. to straighten or stretch s.t. out: Stretch your arms to get the kinks out of your muscles. b. to remove problems: There are problems with our new computer system; we need to get the kinks out of it.
kinky
kinky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 tightly curled, having lots of wiggles: That man has kinky hair.
    2 infrml. having to do with unusual sexual activities
kinship
kinship
  1. n.
    1 [U] relationship by blood or marriage: The two sisters proved their kinship by showing their identification cards.
    2 [C] a friendship, based esp. on common interests,
    THESAURUS
    a fellowship: A strong kinship grew between the two children.
kiosk
kiosk
  1. n.
    1 a stand or stall where newspapers or food and drink are sold, esp. in Europe: I bought a newspaper at the kiosk.
    2 a thick, round pole on which notices, advertisements, etc. can be put up
kismet
kismet
  1. n. [U] s.t. that was meant to happen,
    THESAURUS
    destiny: It was kismet that the couple met, then fell in love.
kiss
kiss
  1. n. -es
    1 a touch with the lips to show that one likes or loves s.o. or s.t., or as a sign of greeting, etc.: He gave her a kiss on the cheek (lips, hand, etc.).
    2 a small candy: He brought a bag of chocolate kisses.v. kisses
    1 [I;T] to press the lips against s.o. or s.t.: She kissed the baby's cheek.
    2 [T] to touch lightly: The wind kissed her hair.
    3 to kiss good-bye: a. to kiss s.o. as he or she leaves: Before she left on the airplane, her friend kissed her good-bye. b. fig. to think of as lost forever: When he forgot his wallet on the bus, he kissed the money that was in it good-bye.
kisser
kisser
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who kisses: He's a really good kisser.
    2 infrml. the face, esp. the mouth: The boxer hit his opponent in the kisser.
kissoff
kissoff
  1. n. a sudden, harsh way of telling s.o. to leave you alone: She gave her boyfriend the kissoff.
kit
kit
  1. n.
    1 a group of tools, supplies, etc. kept together, often in a box, and used for a certain purpose: a mechanic's kit, a carpenter's kit, a make-up kit
    2 a group of parts or materials to be put together to make s.t.: We sell model airplane (car, train, etc.) kits.
kitchen
kitchen
  1. n. a room where meals are prepared, usu. having a stove, sink, and refrigerator: Some kitchens also have a table and chairs where people eat their meals.
kitchenette
kitchenette
  1. n. a small kitchen: Some hotel rooms have kitchenettes.
kitchenware
kitchenware
  1. n. [U] utensils used for cooking (pots, pans, etc.): That store is having a sale on kitchenware.
kite
kite
  1. n. a toy made of a light wooden frame covered with brightly colored paper, plastic, etc.: Children fly kites in the air for fun.
kitten
kitten
  1. n. a baby cat: Our cat just gave birth to four kittens.
    THESAURUS
    kitten kitty, kitty cat.
kitty
kitty
  1. n. -ties
    1 infrml. a cat
    2 money set aside for some purpose: My wife and I are putting money in a vacation kitty, so we can go to Disneyworld.
kitty litter™
kitty litter™
  1. n. a special gray clay put in a box inside the house to absorb the waste of cats: Our indoor cat Ernie pees in the kitty litter box.
kiwi
kiwi
  1. n.
    1 [C] a flightless bird of New Zealand: The kiwi has brown, hairlike feathers and a long beak.
    2 [C;U] a fruit that is fuzzy and brown on the outside and green on the inside: Kiwis are a good source of vitamin C.
kleptomania
kleptomania
  1. n. [U] an uncontrolled desire to steal: He is always stealing things; I think he has kleptomania. -n. kleptomaniac.
klutz
klutz
  1. n.infrml. klutzes a clumsy person: That klutz spilled soup on me.
knack
knack
  1. n. to have a knack for: a. a special talent or ability, but not necessarily a great talent: She has a knack for painting (cooking, drawing, making people laugh). b. a quick, clever way of doing s.t.: He has a knack for getting the baby back to sleep; when he holds the baby, she stops crying and falls asleep.
knapsack
knapsack
  1. n. a closed bag carried on one's back: When I go to the beach, I carry my lunch, a book, and a towel in my knapsack.
    THESAURUS
    knapsack a backpack, daypack, rucksack | shoulder bag, bag.
knead
knead
  1. v. [T] to press with the fingers and hands: A baker kneads flour and milk together to make bread dough.
knee-deep
knee-deep
  1. adj.
    1 being in s.t. up to one's knees: The fisherman was knee-deep in the water.
    2 fig. knee-deep in trouble: to be in a lot of trouble: She is going to be knee-deep in trouble when her parents find out where she's been.
knee-high
knee-high
  1. adj. approx. two feet high: The grass has grown knee-high.n.pl. knee-high socks or knee-highs: a type of stocking that usu. fits up to the knee
knee
knee
  1. n. the joint that connects the upper and lower parts of the leg: She fell and twisted her knee.v. [T] kneed, kneeing, knees to strike s.o. with the knee: She kneed him in the stomach.
kneecap
kneecap
  1. n. a small movable bone in the front of the knee,
    THESAURUS
    the patella: He hurt his kneecap when he fell.
kneel
kneel
  1. v. [I] knelt or kneeled, kneeling, kneels to place the weight of the body upon the knees: Gardeners kneel on the ground.
knell
knell
  1. n. the sound of a bell, esp. at a funeral: The bells tolled a death knell.
knelt
knelt
  1. v.past tense & past part. of kneel
knew
knew
  1. v.past tense of know
knickers
knickers
  1. n.pl. a pair of pants worn from the waist to just below the knee, usu. with long socks: When he was a boy, he wore knickers to school.
knickknack or nicknack
knickknack or nicknack
  1. n. an inexpensive decorative object, such as a little animal or vase made of china: My grandmother keeps knickknacks on tables in her living room.
knife
knife
  1. n. knives a tool with a handle and sharp blade for cutting things: He used a knife to cut the vegetables.v. [T] knifed, knifing, knifes to stab or cut s.o. with a knife: The murderer knifed the man and ran away.
    THESAURUS
    knife n. a blade, dagger, stiletto | carving knife, penknife, pocketknife.
knight
knight
  1. n.
    1 a gentleman who, hundreds of years ago, was a soldier on horseback in the service of another noble (baron, duke, etc.) or a king: The Knights of the Round Table
    2 a chess piece, usu. with a horse's head. See: chess. —v. [T] to make s.o. a knight: The King knighted several brave soldiers.
knit
knit
  1. v. knit or knitted, knitting, knits
    1 [I;T] to make clothes by connecting loops of yarn (thick, twisted thread) with long needles: She knitted socks for her grandson.
    2 [I] to grow together: He broke his arm and the broken bone knit back together slowly.n.
    1 [U] the pattern made by knitting: This sweater has a tight knit.
    2 n.pl. knits: a type of clothing that is knitted, such as sweaters and socks: I like to wear knits.
    3 close-knit: closely related and helpful to each other: They are a close-knit family who take good care of each other.
knitting
knitting
  1. n. s.t. being knitted: Her knitting is stored in a bag. -n. knitting needle.
knives
knives
  1. n.pl. of knife
knob
knob
  1. n.
    1 a round handle, usu. on a door: He turned the door knob and opened the door.
    2 a bump: She fell and has a knob on her head now. -adj. knobby.
knock-kneed
knock-kneed
  1. adj. having knees that rub together when a person walks: That knock-kneed man can't run fast.
knock
knock
  1. n.
    1 a light hit, such as a tap with the knuckles or a tool: He gave a knock on the door.
    2 the sound of a tap: I hear the sound of a knock at the door.
    3 a cracking, banging sound in a car engine: That old engine has a knock.
    4 a criticism: She's been getting knocks all day about that ugly hat.
    5 infrml. the school of hard knocks: to learn from life's difficult experiences: As a youth, he was in trouble frequently; but he learned from the school of hard knocks and he is a good citizen now.
    THESAURUS
    knock n.
    1 a tap, rap, bang
    2 a tap, rap, bang
    4 a barb. —v.
    1 [I] to hit lightly, as with the knuckles or a tool: He knocked on the door.
    2 [I;T] to strike with a sharp, heavy blow: The worker knocked through a wall with a heavy hammer.
    3 [I] to criticize, disparage: He knocks his company for paying him too little.
    4 [I] to make a cracking, banging sound: The car's oil ran out and the engine began to knock.
    5 to knock against: to hit against,
    THESAURUS
    to collide: She tripped and knocked her head against the wall.
    6 phrasal v. to knock around: a. [I] insep. to wander: As a young woman, she knocked around, doing odd jobs all over the country. b. [T] sep. s.o.: to hit, treat badly,
    THESAURUS
    to abuse: He worked with rough men, who knocked him around because he was new.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to knock s.t. back: to drink, usu. alcohol, quickly: He's really knocking back those drinks. ||He's knocking them back.
    8 to knock dead: to please very much, often with surprise: She is a beautiful and talented actress; she knocks her audiences dead.
    9 to knock for a loop: to make speechless, to shock: When he heard the bad news, it knocked him for a loop.
    10 infrml. to knock heads: to criticize in order to persuade s.o.: Those two people would not listen to me, so I knocked heads and now they do.
    11 to knock into: to bump,
    THESAURUS
    to collide with: He slipped and knocked into another person.
    12 phrasal v. to knock off: a. insep. [I] s.t.: to stop doing s.t., such as working: We knocked off work at two o'clock today. b. sep. [T] s.t.: to make an illegal copy of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to fake: They knocked off copies of videotapes of famous movies. c. sep. [T] s.o.: to kill: The gangster knocked off his rival.||He knocked him off. d. [T] to rob: The robber knocked off a bank.
    13 to knock oneself out: to work very hard: He knocked himself out by staying up all night to finish the job.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to knock s.o. out: a. (of drugs, etc.) to cause sleep: My cold medication knocks me out. b. (in boxing, etc.) to cause s.o. to become unconscious: After he was knocked out in a fight, he was taken to a hospital. c. to be removed from competition: We were knocked out of the band contest by a group from Indiana.
    15 phrasal v. sep. [T] to knock over: to cause to fall down,
    THESAURUS
    to upset: The baby knocked his cup over and spilled the milk.
    16 phrasal v. sep. [T] to knock s.o. or s.t. down: to cause s.o. to fall on the ground: The big dog knocked down the little boy.||He knocked him down.
    17 to knock (some) sense into s.o.'s head: to tell s.o. strongly that what that person is doing is foolish and wrong: She is going to parties instead of studying; you should knock some sense into her head.
    18 phrasal v. sep. [T] to knock s.t. together: to build quickly and carelessly: Those houses were knocked together in only two weeks.
    19 phrasal v. sep. slang [T] to knock s.o. up: to make a woman pregnant
knockdown-dragout
knockdown-dragout
  1. adj. related to a long, angry disagreement or fight: The two men had a knockdown-dragout fight.
knocker
knocker
  1. n. a door knocker, usu. pieces of metal hung on a door used to show s.o. is at the door: She tapped the door knocker to let him know that she had arrived.
knockoff
knockoff
  1. n.infrml. an imitation, usu. a cheap one: That watch is a knockoff of an expensive one.
knockout
knockout
  1. n.
    1 (in boxing) the hitting of an opponent to the floor to end the fight,
    THESAURUS
    a victory See: KO.
    2 infrml.fig. a very attractive or impressive person: That lady is an absolute knockout.
knoll
knoll
  1. n. a small hill,
    THESAURUS
    a hillock: The farmer stood on a knoll and looked out over his fields.
knot
knot
  1. n.
    1 a fastening made of pieces of thread (rope, wire, etc.) purposely wrapped around each other in tight loops: She wrapped the box with string and tied it with a knot.
    2 string, etc., twisted and tied in many tight loops,
    THESAURUS
    a tangle: It's impossible to sew if there are knots in the thread.
    3 a round, dark spot on a tree where a branch used to come out: There are quite a few knots in the wood of this table.
    4 infrml. to be tied up in knots: a. to be in a difficult situation, a tangle: This project is tied up in knots; there are many problems with it. b. to be emotionally upset: The person responsible for the accident is all tied up in knots; she is sick to her stomach.
    5 infrml. to tie the knot: to get married: Those two have been dating for years, and now they're finally tying the knot.v. [T] knotted, knotting, knots to tie a knot, make s.t. secure so it won't move: The cowboy knotted the reins of his horse around a tree branch.
knotty
knotty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest having many knots: That cabin is made of knotty pine.
know-how
know-how
  1. n. [U] the knowledge, skills, and ability to do s.t. well,
    THESAURUS
    expertise: Our company has the know-how to make great computers.
know-it-all
know-it-all
  1. n. a self-important person who thinks he or she knows everything: He is such a know-it-all that it is impossible to tell him anything.
know
know
  1. v. knew, known, knowing, knows
    1 [I;T] to understand the importance of s.t., comprehend: She knows she is intelligent, and she uses her mind to solve problems.
    2 [I;T] to have information about s.t.: The police know how the robbery happened.
    3 [T] to have met s.o.: She knows the people who live next door.
    4 [I;T] to have learned a lot about and to enjoy: He knows fine wines (modern art, old coins, etc.).
    5 infrml. to be in the know: to be well-informed: She is always in the know because her friends tell her everything.
    6 to know a thing or two or to know one's p's and q's: to have learned a great deal about a certain area, to be an expert: The people in our computer department know their p's and q's; you can ask them about that problem.
    7 to know how to: to be skilled at: She knows how to run computers (speak French, fly airplanes, etc.).
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to know of: to be familiar with but not know everything about s.t. or s.o.: I know of the man, but I have never met him.
    9 to know one's own mind: to know what one wants: He knows his own mind; he will not change his decision.
    10 to know right from wrong: to understand the difference between good and evil: The boy stole money, but is too young to know right from wrong.
    11 to know s.t. cold: to have learned everything one can about a subject: He has been doing that job for twenty years and knows his work cold.
knowing
knowing
  1. adj. having learned a great deal about many things, (syns.) knowledgeable, wise: Everyone asks her questions because she is a knowing person. -adv. knowingly.
knowledge
knowledge
  1. n. [U]
    1 an area of learning: The study of English (math, history, etc.) is a field of knowledge.
    2 an understanding of s.t. and the ability to use that understanding through study and experience: She has a knowledge of mechanical things and knows how to fix cars.
    3 information about or familiarity with s.t.: He has knowledge of the accident and how it happened.
    4 to one's knowledge: according to the information that one has: Has he finished the report? To my knowledge, he has.||Not to my knowledge; I don't think he has.
    5 with my knowledge or without my knowledge: with or without s.o.'s awareness: She left on vacation without my knowledge, so I don't know where she is. -adj. knowledgeable.
known
known
  1. v.past part. of know —adj. recognized: He is a known criminal.
    THESAURUS
    known adj. famous, celebrated, well-known. Ant. unknown.
knuckle
knuckle
  1. n. any of the joints in the finger: He knocked on the door with his knuckles.v. [I]
    1phrasal v. to knuckle down: to begin working hard at a task: She knuckled down and finished her paper quickly.
    2 phrasal v. to knuckle under: to do what s.o. demands, give in: When the teacher told the boy to be quiet, he knuckled under and was silent.
koala
koala
  1. n. a small furry animal from Australia that looks like a little bear and lives in trees: The koala, with its sweet eyes and big ears, is a symbol of Australia.
kook
kook
  1. n.infrml. a person with strange behavior,
    THESAURUS
    a weirdo: That man acts like a kook.||He does kooky things like shout nonsense. -n. kookiness; -adj. kooky.

    USAGE NOTE: We use terms like kook, nut, and weirdo, to describe s.o. whose behavior is a little crazy: He's a real nut about cleanliness; he takes five showers a day. We use moron, idiot, fool, and jerk to suggest that s.o. is stupid: That idiot doesn't know who the President of the country is.
kosher
kosher
  1. adj.
    1 (from Jewish religious law, esp. regarding food) clean, pure: He eats only kosher meat.
    2 infrml. honest, done according to correct behavior: That business is not kosher; it sells cheap clothes, but charges high prices.
kowtow
kowtow
  1. v. [I] to obey s.o. without question, often unwillingly: He kowtows to his older brother's wishes.
kudos
kudos
  1. n.sing. praise,
    THESAURUS
    acclaim: The manager received kudos for his outstanding work.
kumquat
kumquat
  1. n. the tree and its small, orange fruit: The inside of a kumquat is sour, but its skin is sweet.
kung fu
kung fu
  1. n. [U] a Chinese method of fighting with the hands and feet: He is a master of kung fu.
kw
kw
  1. abbr. of kilowatt(s)
la
la
  1. n. the name for the sixth note of the musical scale: She sang up the scale from do to la.
lab
lab
  1. n. See: laboratory.
label
label
  1. n.
    1 any of a variety of markers, such as a small piece of paper or cloth attached to s.t. to identify it: The label on this shirt says, "Made in USA."
    2 a marker on a product used to give its name and contents: Labels on cans of soup give the brand name, ingredients, and nutritional values.
    3 any word or phrase describing or classifying s.o. or s.t. —v. [T]
    1 to mark with a label: The teacher labeled file folders by attaching a label with a student's name on each one.
    2 fig. to apply a descriptive word or phrase to s.o. or s.t.: His teachers have labeled him a troublemaker.
labor-saving
labor-saving
  1. adj. reducing the amount of work necessary to do a job: Washing machines and computers are labor-saving devices.
labor
labor
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] work, esp. difficult or tiring physical work: He is well paid for his labor.
    2 [U] the work force, workers in general
    3 a labor of love: work done not for pay but out of dedication to s.o. or s.t.
    4 sing. [U] to go into or be in labor: to begin or be in the process of giving birth: Her baby was born ten hours after she went into labor.v. [I] to work: We labored for weeks on a big project.
labor camp
labor camp
  1. n. a type of prison where prisoners (inmates) work: During the war, prisoners were sent to work in labor camps.
labor union
labor union
  1. n. an organization of workers dedicated to the interests of its members: Officials of the labor union bargain with management for better pay and benefits.
laboratory
laboratory
  1. n. -ries a specially equipped room for doing experiments and other exploratory work: Scientists develop new products in the laboratory.
labored
labored
  1. adj. forced,
    THESAURUS
    strained: After she climbed the stairs, her breathing was labored.
laborer
laborer
  1. n. a worker who does unskilled physical work: The farmer hired several day laborers.
laborious
laborious
  1. adj. requiring a lot of effort or work: Preparing fields for planting without using machines is a laborious job.
labyrinth
labyrinth
  1. n. a complicated set of paths or passages where s.o. is easily lost,
    THESAURUS
    maze: Just for amusement, a rich man had a labyrinth made of bushes in his garden.
lace
lace
  1. n.
    1 [U] material, such as silk, woven by hand or machine into fine decorative patterns: She has a tablecloth made of beautiful lace for her dining room table.
    2 [C] strings used to fasten shoes and boots: The little boy is learning to tie the laces on his shoes.v. [T] laced, lacing, laces to close together or fasten with laces: I laced up my boots and went out into the rain.
laceration
laceration
  1. n. a cut,
    THESAURUS
    a slash: He received lacerations on his face in the accident. -v. [T] lacerate.
lack
lack
  1. n.sing. [U]
    1 the state of being without s.t.: There has been no rain, and the lack of it has ruined the crops.
    2 not enough of s.t., a shortage: A lack of attention to his diet resulted in a heart attack.v. [T]
    1 to be without (s.t. needed): The villagers lacked food and medicine during the war.
    2 to have too little of (s.t. desirable): He lacks care in his work; it's never well-done.
    3 phrasal v. insep. frml. to lack for s.t.: to have a need for s.t.: His parents are very wealthy; they lack for nothing.
lackadaisical
lackadaisical
  1. adj. lacking interest, careless: A lackadaisical attitude toward her studies brought low grades.
lackluster
lackluster
  1. adj. ordinary, dull: The performance of the symphony was not good, it was lackluster.
lacquer
lacquer
  1. n. [C;U] a liquid that hardens into a shine: That beautiful tray was painted with black lacquer.
lacrosse
lacrosse
  1. n. [U] a ball game played on a field by two ten-player teams using sticks with nets for catching and throwing the ball: Lacrosse is a very fast and often rough sport.
lactate
lactate
  1. v.frml. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates to produce milk: Female mammals lactate and nurse their young. -n. [U] lactation.
lacy
lacy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest looking like or made of lace: She likes to wear beautiful lacy dresses.
lad
lad
  1. n.infrml.old usage a boy or young man: He was just a lad when he went to sea as a cabin boy.
ladder
ladder
  1. n.
    1 a piece of equipment used for climbing: A carpenter climbed a ladder to fix the roof.
    2 fig. a series of upward steps: She climbed the ladder of success at her company.
laden
laden
  1. adj.frml. full of,
    THESAURUS
    burdened with: The truck is laden with goods for market.
ladies' man
ladies' man
  1. n. a man who likes women, esp. one liked by women: He is a real ladies' man who loves to be with women.
ladies' room
ladies' room
  1. n. a toilet facility for women: She asked the waiter where to find the ladies' room. See: bathroom, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    ladies' room (women's) rest room, (public) bathroom.
ladle
ladle
  1. n.v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles a type of large spoon: I used a ladle to pour soup from the pan into my dish.
lady
lady
  1. n. -dies
    1 (polite word for) a woman, esp. of good social standing: "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please."
    2 a title for women of British nobility: Lady Walpole visited the Queen.
ladybug
ladybug
  1. n. a small beetle, usu. with red wings and black spots: People say that when a ladybug lands on you, it brings good luck.
ladylike
ladylike
  1. adj. having the polite manners of a lady: That little girl is ladylike.
lag
lag
  1. n. a delay, slowness: There was a lag in communications, so he did not hear the news until many days later.v. [I] lagged, lagging, lags to not keep up, to delay,
    THESAURUS
    to straggle: The little boy lagged behind the others on the walk.
lager
lager
  1. n. [C;U] a German-type beer: Lager has a stronger taste than American beer.
laggard
laggard
  1. n. a person who is usually slower than others: He is a laggard in his work.
lagoon
lagoon
  1. n. an area of sea water nearly surrounded by land: The lagoon acted as a harbor for small boats.
laid-back
laid-back
  1. adj.infrml. relaxed, easygoing: The employees liked their boss's laid-back style of management.
laid
laid
  1. past tense & past part. of lay
lain
lain
  1. past part. of lie (2)
lair
lair
  1. n. a wild animal's home: The fox escaped from the dogs by hiding in its lair.
laissez-faire
laissez-faire
  1. adj.n. [U] a policy of little or no interference by government in the functioning of the free market: The USA is known for laissez-faire capitalism.
lake
lake
  1. n. a large body of fresh water: The lakes of Minnesota and Maine are famous vacation spots.
lakefront
lakefront
  1. n. land next to and around a lake: They have a cottage on the lakefront.
lam
lam
  1. n.slang to be on the lam: to run away, escape: When the police caught the robber, he had been on the lam for three weeks.
lamb
lamb
  1. n. [C;U] a young sheep or the meat from one: The family had roast leg of lamb for dinner.
lambaste
lambaste
  1. v. [T] -basted, -basting, -bastes to criticize strongly: A newspaper editorial lambasted the government program as useless. -n. [U] lambasting.
lambskin
lambskin
  1. adj.n.
    1 a soft leather: She wears lambskin gloves.
    2 the soft, fleecy fur of lamb: She also wears a gray coat made of lambskin.
lame
lame
  1. adj. lamer, lamest
    1 unable to walk normally due to some injury or disability: The lame horse walks with a limp.
    2 fig. weak, unsatisfactory: He makes lame excuses for being late for work, like saying the train was late.
lame duck
lame duck
  1. n. See: duck, 2.
lamebrain
lamebrain
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person, idiot: He is such a lamebrain that he locked his car keys inside his car.
lament
lament
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to feel sadness or cry for,
    THESAURUS
    to mourn: Her friends lamented the death of the dear old lady.n. an expression of sorrow, esp. a song: He wrote a lament for his dead friend. -n. [C;U] lamentation.
lamentable
lamentable
  1. adj.frml. involving sadness, regret, or sorrow: His accidental death was most lamentable.
laminate
laminate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to join together thin layers of material: In the factory, they laminate layers of wood to make strong plywood.n. [C;U] material made from thin layers joined together: Plastic laminate is used for kitchen countertops. -n. [U] lamination.
lamp
lamp
  1. n. any of a variety of lighting devices using electricity, oil, or gas: We have lamps on the end tables next to our sofa.
lampoon
lampoon
  1. n. a piece of writing or a cartoon that attacks s.o. or s.t. with humor or ridicule, (syns.) satire, spoof: The magazine's lampoon of the rock star was very funny.v. [T] to attack with humor, (syns.) to spoof, satirize: The magazine lampooned him.
lance
lance
  1. n.
    1 a long spear: Men on horses used to charge the enemy with lances.
    2 a sharp medical tool used to cut the skin open: The doctor used a lance to draw blood.v. [T] lanced, lancing, lances to cut with a lance: Doctors lance boils.
land
land
  1. n.
    1 [U] soil, earth: The land in this area is good for farming.
    2 [U] an area owned as property: We own our house and the four acres of land around it.
    3 [C] a nation, country: The boy dreamed of travel to a foreign land.
    4 n.pl. (in law) property: The parks in the town are public lands—open to all.v.
    1 [I;T] to reach land: Our airplane landed at New York's Kennedy Airport.
    2 infrml. [T] to put or be put: The boy's joke about the teacher landed him in trouble.
    3 to land on one's feet: to be in difficulty, then succeed: He lost his job but landed on his feet by finding a better one.
    4 to land s.t.: a. lit. to bring to land: He landed the plane. b. fig. to secure or win: She landed a new job (a big contract, a special assignment, etc.). -adj. landed.
landfill
landfill
  1. n. a low-lying area filled in, often with garbage: The landfills in many big cities are already full.
landholder
landholder
  1. n. a person who owns property: Any landholder in the center of town must be rich.
landing
landing
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] touchdown of an aircraft or a boat on land: The landing of our airplane was smooth and on time. See: takeoff.
    2 [C] a place on shore where boats land, such as a pier, wharf, or shallow area: People walked to the landing to get on the ferryboat.
    3 [C] a platform set into a staircase or the area at the top or bottom of a flight of stairs: Climbing the stairs with our suitcases, we stopped to rest on the landing.
landing strip
landing strip
  1. n. a long, narrow area used for landing aircraft: A small airplane touched down on the dirt landing strip.
landlady
landlady
  1. n. a woman who owns or manages real estate, esp. that is rented to others: The landlady lives downstairs in our apartment building. See: landlord.
landlocked
landlocked
  1. adj. surrounded on all sides by land: A landlocked country like Switzerland has no seaports.
landlord
landlord
  1. n. a man or business that owns real estate, esp. that is rented to others: The landlord of our apartment building is a huge real estate company. See: landlady.
    THESAURUS
    landlord a property owner | proprietor frml.

    USAGE NOTE: People who rent apartments are called tenants, and they have certain rights that landlords must honor. Landlords must, for example, supply (but not necessarily pay for) electricity, heat, and water, keep the property in good condition, and provide light in the halls outside the apartments.
landlubber
landlubber
  1. n. a person not used to boats or the sea: Don't ask me about sailing; I'm a complete landlubber!
landmark
landmark
  1. n.
    1 s.t. easily seen, such as a tall building or mountain: The tallest mountain in the area is a famous landmark.
    2 a historical building or other point of interest: The old church in the center of town is a historical landmark.
    3 fig. an important event: The invention of the radio is a landmark in technology.
landowner
landowner
  1. n. a person who owns land, esp. undeveloped land or farmland: He is a large landowner in Louisiana.
landscape
landscape
  1. n.
    1 a broad view of the land: The landscape seen from the mountains is green and beautiful.
    2 a picture showing such a view: She paints landscapes.
    3 fig. a field of activity: The political landscape in this city is varied and ever-changing.v. [I;T] -scaped, -scaping, -scapes to improve (the ground around a building) with trees, plants, etc.: Construction of their new house is complete, so they can start landscaping.
    THESAURUS
    landscape n. 1 and 2 a scenic view, panorama, vista frml.
    3 scene.
landscape gardener
landscape gardener
  1. n. a skilled worker who designs and works on landscaped areas: The landscape gardener planted a new lawn, trees, and flowers around our house.
landslide
landslide
  1. n.
    1 a large collapse of rocks and earth down a slope: A landslide blocked the coastal road.
    2 fig. a very big win, esp. in an election: The new President won by a landslide.
lane
lane
  1. n.
    1 a short street, often narrow with little traffic: They live on a little country lane outside of town.
    2 one of several paths marked by painted lines on a highway: He drives slowly in the right lane of the highway.
    3 one pathway in a swimming pool or bowling alley: The swimmer in lane four won the race. See: street, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    lane
    1 a country road, narrow path, byway.
language
language
  1. n.
    1 [U] human communication by systems of written symbols, spoken words, and movements: She is a psychologist who studies language development in children.
    2 [C] a particular communication system shared by a people: He knows three languages: French, English, and American Sign Language.
    3 [U] a type of speech or wording: He uses bad language.
    4 [C;U] any system for giving instructions to a computer: PASCAL and COBOL are computer programming languages.
languid
languid
  1. adj. with little energy or spirit,
    THESAURUS
    listless: Tropical climates can make you feel languid. -n. [U] languor ; -adj. languorous.
languish
languish
  1. v.frml. [I]
    1 to be without energy or spirit: He languishes in the noonday heat.
    2 to suffer in terrible conditions: He languished in prison for years before his release.
lanky
lanky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest thin, ungraceful, and usu. tall: He is a tall and lanky basketball player. -n. [U] lankiness.
lanolin
lanolin
  1. n. [U] fat taken from sheep's wool and used in cosmetics and ointments: I use lanolin on my dry skin in winter.
lantern
lantern
  1. n. a light or flame inside a container usu. of metal and glass: They took a lantern on their camping trip. See: jack-o'lantern.
lap
lap
  1. v. lapped, lapping, laps
    1 [T] to lick with the tongue as in taking up liquid: A cat laps milk from a bowl.
    2 [I;T] (in racing) to go ahead of a competitor by a complete circuit: The leader lapped the others.
    3 [I] (of water) to hit against s.t. with small movements and soft sounds: The waves lapped against the side of the ship.
    4 phrasal v. sep.infrml. [T] to lap s.t. up: to receive eagerly,
    THESAURUS
    to relish: She lapped up all his flattery.||She lapped it up.n.
    1 the area formed by the top of the legs in a seated position: The baby sat on his mother's lap.
    2 a circuit around a track or a length of a swimming pool: The runner (or swimmer) did 20 laps for practice.
    3 in the lap of luxury: to be in a position of great wealth: We stayed in the lap of luxury in our expensive deluxe hotel.
lapel
lapel
  1. n. the front area of a jacket, blouse, etc. that is folded back, then extends to the back collar: He wears a flower in his lapel.
lapse
lapse
  1. v. [I] lapsed, lapsing, lapses
    1 to fall gradually: The patient lapsed into unconsciousness.
    2 to make a mistake, esp. a fall from good behavior: He lapsed when he spoke too freely.
    3 (of agreements, rights, benefits) to end or be no longer valid: It's too late to take the problem to the manufacturer because the car's warranty has lapsed.n.
    1 a fall from correct behavior: It was a lapse on his part when he forgot to pay the rent.
    2 the passing of a period of time: There was a lapse of 9 years before he saw her again.
larceny
larceny
  1. n. [C;U] (in law) stealing of property: The fellow stole a car and was arrested for grand larceny. -adj. larcenous.
lard
lard
  1. n. [U] pig fat used for cooking: Some people fry foods in lard.
large-scale
large-scale
  1. adj. big, broadly planned or made: Auto makers are large-scale manufacturers with many big operations.
large
large
  1. adj. larger, largest
    1 big in size, amount, etc.: He wears extra large shirts.
    2 important, on a grand scale: That company is a large computer maker.
    3 at large: a. free to move around, uncontrolled: The escaped prisoners are still at large. b. in general, as a whole: The country at large supports the peace plan.
    4 by and large: in general, speaking generally: By and large, I think that the economy is doing well.
    THESAURUS
    large
    1 very big, bulky, sizable | huge, immense. Ant. small.
    2 significant.
large intestine
large intestine
  1. -n. See : intestine
largely
largely
  1. adv. mostly, to a great degree: He is largely responsible for the success of the business.
    THESAURUS
    largely mainly, chiefly, for the most part.
largess or largesse
largess or largesse
  1. n. [U] great generosity, esp. with money: The university built its new science center thanks to the largess of a rich industrialist.
lariat
lariat
  1. n. a rope for capturing horses and cattle,
    THESAURUS
    lasso: Cowboys carry lariats on their saddles.
lark
lark
  1. n.
    1 a songbird with gray and brown markings
    2 fig. a carefree good time,
    THESAURUS
    fling: They decided just this morning to go on a weekend lark in the mountains.
larva
larva
  1. n. -vae the second stage between egg and pupa in the development of many types of insects: Ugly larvae later become beautiful butterflies.
laryngitis
laryngitis
  1. n. [U] a painful condition caused by inflammation of the larynx in the throat and affecting speech: The speaker had laryngitis and canceled his talk.
larynx
larynx
  1. n. larynges the voice box, located in the throat: The larynx is vital to human communication.
lascivious
lascivious
  1. adj.frml. related to strong sexual desire, lustful: His lascivious desires lead to disgusting behavior.
laser
laser
  1. n. a device that focuses a powerful light in a specific place for many uses, from surgery to metal cutting: The operation on his eye was done with a laser.
lash
lash
  1. v.
    1 [T] to hit with a whip: The man lashed the horse to make it run faster.
    2 [T] to tie down, bind: Sailors lashed down boxes with strong ropes before the storm.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I] to lash out at s.o. or s.t.: a. lit. to suddenly strike or hit violently with a hand or weapon: The prisoner lashed out at the guard. b. fig. to attack with words: She lashes out at anyone who criticizes her.n.
    1 a type of short whip: He used a lash to punish the prisoner.
    2 a stroke of a whip or lash: The captain ordered the sailor to get 20 lashes as punishment for stealing.
    3 a tongue-lashing: a severe scolding: Her mother gave her a tongue-lashing for coming home so late.
    4 lashes: See: eyelash.
lass
lass
  1. n.infrml.old usage a girl or young woman: The old song described "the lass he loved."
lassitude
lassitude
  1. n.frml. [U] tiredness, lack of energy,
    THESAURUS
    listlessness: His lassitude was because of a long illness.
last-ditch
last-ditch
  1. adj. done or made as a frantic final attempt: Negotiators made a last-ditch effort to reach an agreement before the fighting began again.
last-minute
last-minute
  1. adj. at the final moment before an important event: He made a last minute effort to make her stay, but she left him.
last
last
  1. adj.
    1 behind all others in position: He was the last in line because he arrived very late.
    2 (of a time period) the most recently passed: All the bills were paid last month (week, year).
    3 final, at the end: His last days before his death were peaceful.
    4 least desirable: Washing windows is the last thing that I want to do.
    5 said of the only one left: He spent his last dollar.
    6 last but not least: at the end but still important —adv.
    1 behind all others: My favorite horse ran last in the race.
    2 in the recent past: When he last visited his mother, she was well.
    3 at the end: You should answer each question on the test, check your answers, and, last, hand the test in to the teacher.n.
    1 a person or thing after all others: He was the last to arrive.
    2 the last moment: He fought to save his life right up until the last.
    3 [C] a form used to make things: Shoes are made on a last.
    4 at (long) last: after a long wait or delay: They're here at last!v.
    1 [I] to continue to exist: The pyramids have lasted for thousands of years.
    2 [I] to remain in good condition: Well-made shoes last a long time.
    3 [I;T] to survive: The sick patient is not expected to last the night.
    4 [I;T] to remain in supply: That supply of wood should last the winter.
last hurrah
last hurrah
  1. n.infrml.fig. a last appearance or moment of glory at the end of a sporting event, political term, career, or life: The President's last hurrah was a farewell speech to the nation.
last name
last name
  1. n. a surname, family name: His last name is Jones.
last straw
last straw
  1. n.fig. the final displeasing event in a series of events that causes s.o. to take action: He is always late, and when he was late for a very important meeting, that was the last straw; he was asked to leave the company.
last word
last word
  1. n.sing.
    1 the final statement: He must have the last word in every discussion.
    2 the final decision: She insists on having the last word on which person we hire.
lasting
lasting
  1. adj. continuing for a long time,
    THESAURUS
    enduring: She makes a good, lasting impression on people.
latch
latch
  1. n. a type of lock, such as for a door or cabinet: The latch on the gate is broken.
late
late
  1. adj. later, latest
    1 arriving after the expected time: She was late for our meeting.
    2 happening near the end (of a period of time): in the late afternoon, the late 1800s
    3 dead: A church service was held for the late Mr. Jones.adv. after the expected time: The movie started five minutes late.
lately
lately
  1. adv. recently: Lately, her health has been much better.
    THESAURUS
    lately currently, in recent times.
latent
latent
  1. adj.
    1 present but inactive,
    THESAURUS
    dormant: The boy has latent athletic ability; it needs to be developed more.
    2 present but not seen,
    THESAURUS
    concealed: The virus lies latent for years before the person becomes sick from it. -n. [U] latency.
lateral
lateral
  1. adj.
    1 to the side: The ballerina made a lateral movement.
    2 located on the side of s.t.: The lateral section of the upper body contains the ribs.
latest
latest
  1. adj.infrml.
    1 most recent: We just heard the latest news.
    2 most modern or current: She wears the latest fashions.
latex
latex
  1. n.adj. [U]
    1 a thick liquid, such as from the rubber tree, that produces natural rubber
    2 a rubbery liquid, such as used in paint: We painted our house with a latex paint.
lathe
lathe
  1. n.v. [T] lathed, lathing, lathes a machine used to cut out objects with precision: He makes machine parts on a lathe.||He lathes percision parts for machines.
lather
lather
  1. n. [U] a foamy substance, such as soapsuds or sweat on a horse: He covers his beard with lather in order to shave it.v. [I;T]
    1 to cover with lather: He lathered his face with soap.
    2 to produce a lot of sweat.
latitude
latitude
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an imaginary line of measurement of the earth's surface running parallel to the equator: New York City is located at a latitude of about 41 degrees north of the equator and at a longitude of 74 degrees west of Greenwich, England.
    2 pl. regions of the world: Many Canadians travel to the southern latitudes in winter.
    3 [U] freedom to act: Her boss gives her wide latitude to do her job as she thinks best.
latrine
latrine
  1. n. a toilet, esp. in the military
latte
latte
  1. n. a strong espresso coffee with bubbly milk on top: I like a latte in the morning to wake me up.
latter
latter
  1. n.sing. the second of two people or things named: We eat lots of fish and poultry, but we prefer the latter. See: former. —adj.
    1 later, nearer the end: I disliked the latter part of the book.
    2 latter-day: of recent times: Some long-time conservatives distrust the latter-day conservatives now coming into power.
lattice
lattice
  1. n. [U] a pattern of crossed lines (wood, metal, crystals, etc.)
laud
laud
  1. v.frml. [T] to praise: The teacher lauded the student for her excellent work. -adj. laudatory.
laudable
laudable
  1. adj.frml. deserving of praise,
    THESAURUS
    praiseworthy: Helping an old person cross the street is a laudable act.
laugh
laugh
  1. n.
    1 a sound of amusement, happiness, disrespect, etc. made with the voice: When he heard my funny story, he gave a loud laugh.
    2 fig. s.t. that deserves no respect: That performance was so bad that it was a laugh.
    3 to have the last laugh: to succeed after seeming to have lost: My competitor took my customer away from me, but then that customer did not pay him, so I had the last laugh.v.
    1 [I] to voice sounds of amusement, happiness, disrespect, etc.: I laughed when I heard about his crazy plan.
    2 no laughing matter: serious: This letter from their lawyer is no laughing matter.
    3 to die laughing: to laugh uncontrollably: That comedian was so funny that the audience nearly died laughing.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to laugh at s.o. or s.t.: a. to respond with sounds of amusement, delight, etc.: She laughs at funny jokes. b. to express disrespect for, ridicule, (syns.) to scoff at, mock: He laughed at the stupid idea.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to laugh s.t. off: to make (s.t. bad) seem unimportant by laughing: He slipped on some ice, but got up and laughed off his fall.||He laughed it off. See: smile, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    laugh n.
    1 a burst of laughter | giggle, chuckle | guffaw
    2 a joke, farce.
laughable
laughable
  1. adj. deserving no respect, ridiculous: The offer to buy that he made was so low that it was laughable.
laughingstock
laughingstock
  1. n. a person laughed at for doing s.t. bad or stupid: His poor acting made him the laughingstock of the theater.
laughter
laughter
  1. n. [U] the sound of laughing: Laughter from the audience inspired the comedian.
launch
launch
  1. v. [T]
    1 to push into the water: We launched our boat into the lake.
    2 to send up into the air: The spacecraft will be launched tomorrow.
    3 fig. to start, put into operation, etc.: Our company launched an advertising campaign for our new product.n.
    1 sing. the start, the process of putting into action: The launch of the new advertising campaign will be next week.
    2 [C] the sending of s.t. up into the air: The space launch took place this morning.
    3 [C] a small powerboat used for travel between land and other boats: The captain took a launch from shore to his ship.
launch pad
launch pad
  1. n. an area with a hard surface and supporting equipment from which spacecraft are launched: The missile roared off the launch pad into the sky.
launder
launder
  1. v. [T]
    1 to clean with soap and water: She launders her clothes at the Laundromat each week.
    2 fig. to hide the source of money gotten illegally by passing it through a legitimate business: A large bank laundered money from drug sales.
    THESAURUS
    launder
    1 to wash, wash out | wash and iron.
laureate
laureate
  1. n. a person honored with an award: The professor is a Nobel laureate in chemistry.
laurel
laurel
  1. n.
    1 a family of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs prized for their fruits, bay leaves, and oils
    2 [C] a symbol of victory and honor, often shown as a crown of laurel
    3 to rest on one's laurels: to be satisfied with what one has achieved already: She does not rest on her laurels but rather is always working towards new goals.
lava
lava
  1. n. [U] hot liquid, volcanic rock: Lava flowed down the sides of the volcano.
lavatory
lavatory
  1. n.frml. -ries a room with toilets and sinks, bathroom: The school has lavatories on each floor.
lavender
lavender
  1. adj. a pale violet color: She writes letters on lavender paper.n. [U] any of a variety of Mediterranean shrubs belonging to the mint family, used for its scent and as a flavoring: This soap has a lovely smell of lavender.
lavish
lavish
  1. adj. done in very large and generous amounts: She gives lavish parties with wonderful food, flowers, and music.v. [T] to give (affection, gifts, etc.) in large amounts: He lavishes affection on his wife.
law-abiding
law-abiding
  1. adj. well behaved, respectful of the law: Law-abiding citizens are the backbone of a community.
law
law
  1. n.
    1 [C] a rule made by a government body that must be followed by the people in a nation, state, etc.: In the USA, laws are written by Congress and by state legislatures.
    2 [U] such rules as a group: Lawyers must know the law.
    3 [U] the officials and courts of the legal system: The man is in jail, because he got into trouble with the law.
    4 [C] (in many religions) a commandment from God
    5 [C] a statement describing what happens under certain conditions: the law of gravity
    6 to lay down the law: to demand obedience to one's rules: He laid down the law to his children that they had to be home by 11:00 P.M.
    7 to take the law into one's own hands: to take for oneself the power of a legal authority: Instead of waiting for the police, an angry group took the law into their own hands by catching and beating the thief.adj. related to law: She has a law degree.
lawbreaker
lawbreaker
  1. n. a person who disobeys a law: The police want to catch lawbreakers.
lawful
lawful
  1. adj. permitted by law, according to law: Citizens have the lawful right to use public places.
lawless
lawless
  1. adj. full of crime, without effective legal action: In the USA in the 1800s, parts of the Wild West were lawless areas where crimes went unpunished.
lawmaker
lawmaker
  1. n. a legislator: Lawmakers in Washington, DC, pass new laws in Congress.
lawn
lawn
  1. n. an area of cut grass: The lawn in the front yard is kept very neat.
lawn mower
lawn mower
  1. n. a machine used to cut grass: He uses a riding lawn mower to cut his large yard.
lawsuit
lawsuit
  1. n. a legal action bringing a problem or claim to a court of law: John's lawyer filed a lawsuit against the company where he had an accident.
    THESAURUS
    lawsuit a suit, case, (legal) claim | dispute.
lawyer
lawyer
  1. n. a professional who practices law: I depend on my lawyer for her sharp mind and knowledge of law.
    THESAURUS
    lawyer an attorney, counselor | legal advisor.
lax
lax
  1. adj.
    1 lacking in strict attention to details: His bookkeeping is lax.
    2 careless, lacking control,
    THESAURUS
    negligent: Enforcement of some laws in this city is lax. -n. [U] laxity.
laxative
laxative
  1. n.adj. a medicine to relieve constipation: The doctor recommended an effective laxative with a gentle laxative effect.
layaway
layaway
  1. n.adj. a system of making payments to hold s.t. for future purchase: I used a layaway plan to pay for our living room furniture; I put it on layaway.
layer
layer
  1. n.
    1 a coating, covering: A layer of mud lies on the lake bottom.
    2 a thickness, usu. one of several: The birthday cake had two layers of chocolate cake with chocolate icing between them.v. [T] to arrange in layers: She layered a vest over two shirts for a stylish look. -n. [U] layering.
    THESAURUS
    layer n.
    1 a coat, sheet
    2 a level, tier | stratum frml.
layman
layman
  1. n. -men
    1 a person who is not expert in a field: He is a complete layman in the computer field.
    2 a member of the laity within a religion (not a religious official): Laymen perform important functions in churches.
layoff
layoff
  1. n. a dismissal from employment, sometimes temporary: In a recession, there are often mass layoffs of factory workers.
    THESAURUS
    layoff a firing, discharge (from work), termination (of workers). Ant. hiring.
layout
layout
  1. n.
    1 a drawing or design, such as for a building or an advertisement,
    THESAURUS
    a schematic: The artist showed me the layout for the magazine cover.
    2 an arrangement, such as of rooms or furniture, etc.: The layout of that apartment is spacious.
layover
layover
  1. n. a short stay, such as to change airplanes,
    THESAURUS
    stopover: We had a two-hour layover in Chicago between flights.
laywoman
laywoman
  1. n. See: layman.
lazy
lazy
  1. adj. -zier, -ziest
    1 disliking and avoiding work: He's so lazy that he avoids any kind of work.
    2 lacking energy or activity: He spent a lazy afternoon reading and sleeping.
lazybones
lazybones
  1. n.infrml. a lazy person: He is a lazybones with no plans to look for work.
lb(s).
lb(s).
  1. abbr. for pound(s): I bought a 2-lb. cut of beef.

    USAGE NOTE: A pound is equal to 16 ounces, which is abbreviated as oz.: She gave birth to a healthy baby girl, who weighed seven pounds and six ounces (7 lbs. 6 oz.).
leach
leach
  1. v. [I;T] leached, leaching, leaches to pass from s.t. or cause (elements) to pass from s.t. because of liquid moving through: Valuable minerals leached from the soil because of heavy rains.
lead-in
lead-in
  1. n. an introduction: He told a funny story as a lead-in to his speech.
lead time
lead time
  1. n. [C;U] the amount of time between the start of s.t. and when it must be finished: We have several weeks' lead time to finish the advertisement.
leaden
leaden
  1. adj.
    1 made of lead: Leaden pipes are used at the work site.
    2 fig. heavy, from tiredness, sadness, etc.: After he walked three miles, his legs felt leaden.
    3 fig. gray like lead: leaden skies
leader
leader
  1. n.
    1 a person who directs others: Our leader tells us what to do.
    2 one who is in front of others: The Senator is the leader in the Presidential race. -n. [U] leadership.
leaf
leaf
  1. n. leaves
    1 [C] a part of a plant, usu. flat and green, growing from its stem or a branch
    2 [C] a sheet of paper with both sides used: The front leaf in the book has the title and author on one side and the copyright notice on the back side.
    3 [U] a thin sheet of metal, such as gold: The frame of the mirror is covered with richlooking gold leaf.
    4 in full leaf: fully grown, with complete foliage: In midsummer, trees are in full leaf. See: turn, 21. —v. phrasal v. insep. [T] to leaf through s.t.: to turn the pages of: He leafs through books before he buys them.
leaflet
leaflet
  1. n. a folded paper printed with information or advertising, (syns.) flyer, pamphlet: I got a leaflet in the mail about a sale at a neighborhood store.
leafy
leafy
  1. adj. having leaves, esp. in large amounts: Oaks and maples are leafy trees.
league
league
  1. n.
    1 a group of sports teams that compete against each other: Our local team belongs to the National Football League.
    2 a group of people, businesses, or nations joined together in a shared interest: The League of Nations was founded in 1919 to promote world peace.
    3 in league with: in connection with, esp. in s.t. illegal or immoral: The terrible crimes that man has committed put him in league with the devil.
    4 in the same league with s.o. or in s.o.'s league: at the same level of excellence: He plays the piano very well, and I am just not in his league.
leak
leak
  1. n.
    1 an unwanted drip or rush of liquid or gas: The boat has a leak and is filling up with water.
    2 a letting out of secret information: A leak from inside the government spread the news of the President's decision.v.
    1 [I;T] to let in or out a drip or rush of liquid or gas: The kitchen sink leaks water onto the floor.
    2 [T] to reveal information secretly: An official inside the government leaked a story to journalists. -n. [U] leakage; -adj. leaky.
    THESAURUS
    leak n.
    1 a leakage, seepage | hole, crack
    2 a disclosure (news, facts) | revelation.
lean-to
lean-to
  1. n. -tos a shelter made of tree branches leaned against a rectangular frame: The hunter made a lean-to in the forest.
lean
lean
  1. v.
    1 [I] to rest against for support: He leaned against a wall.
    2 [I] to bend from the waist: He then leaned over and picked a flower.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to lean on or upon s.o.: to depend on for help: Her children lean on her, even though they are adults.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to lean toward(s): to favor, prefer: She leans toward going on vacation in July, not August.adj. -er, -est
    1 (of a person) thin, not fat: Professional dancers are usually lean.
    2 (of meat) with little fat: They eat lean meat with the fat cut off.
    3 producing little, meager: The country is going through lean times now because of the recession.
    4 infrml.fig. lean and mean: hungry and aggressive, esp. to increase business or to win a sports competition: The company laid off 1,000 workers and is now lean and mean and ready to make money.
leaning
leaning
  1. n. a preference,
    THESAURUS
    inclination: She has a leaning toward vacationing in Europe this summer.
leap
leap
  1. n.
    1 a jump into the air: The dancer made a series of leaps around the stage.
    2 by leaps and bounds: with fast progress: That company is growing by leaps and bounds.v. leaped or leapt , leaping, leaps
    1 [I] to spring into or through the air: Monkeys leaped from branch to branch.
    2 [I;T] to jump over: The boy leaped the puddle.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to leap at s.t.: to accept quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to seize: She leaped at the opportunity to take a new job.
    THESAURUS
    leap n.
    1 a bound, spring. —v.
    1 to jump, bound
leap year
leap year
  1. n. a year of 366 days (by adding February 29) occurring every fourth year: The year 2008 will be a leap year.
leapfrog
leapfrog
  1. v.fig. [I;T] to progress rapidly, jump over s.t. that blocks the way: She leapfrogged over her co-workers to become the general manager of the company.n. [U] a children's game of one jumping over the other: Children like to play leapfrog.
learn
learn
  1. v. learned or learnt , learning, learns
    1 [I;T] to gain knowledge of: She learned some American history in high school.
    2 [I;T] to gain skill in: He is learning how to use a computer.
    3 [T] to become informed about, find out: They learned about the accident from a friend.
    4 to learn a lesson or to learn the hard way: to learn by suffering from a mistake: She lost so much money in the stock market that she learned a lesson (or) she learned the hard way about avoiding high risks.
    5 to learn the ropes: to learn how to do a job by doing it
learned
learned
  1. adj. having much knowledge,
    THESAURUS
    erudite: Great universities have many learned professors.
learning
learning
  1. n. [U] knowledge or understanding gained through study: He is a man of great learning.
    THESAURUS
    learning education, scholarship | erudition frml.
learning curve
learning curve
  1. n. the amount of time and effort required to learn to do s.t.: The learning curve for mastering a complicated computer program is long and steep.
learning disability
learning disability
  1. n. a condition related to the functioning of the brain that makes learning difficult: He was slow to learn to read because of a learning disability.
lease
lease
  1. n.v. [T] leased, leasing, leases
    1 a contract to pay to use property (a building, equipment, etc.) for a period of time: Our business has leased its offices for five years.
    2 a new lease on life: an improved situation: Bypass surgery on his heart gave him a new lease on life.
    THESAURUS
    lease v.
    1 to rent (equipment, land, buildings), let, charter | hire.
leash
leash
  1. n. a cord used to hold a dog: She walks her dog on a leash.v. [T] to tie up with a leash: She leashed her dog to a tree while she shopped.
least
least
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 the smallest amount of s.t.: She is paid the least (or) the least amount of all the office employees.
    2 in the least: in the smallest amount, at all: I don't care about that matter in the least.
    THESAURUS
    least n.
    1 the smallest amount (or) number | smallest in size | most unimportant.
least common denominator
least common denominator
  1. n. See: lowest common denominator, 1.
leather
leather
  1. n. the skin of cattle, sheep, etc.: His shoes are made of leather. -adj. leathery.
leave
leave
  1. v. left , leaving, leaves
    1 [I;T] to go away (from): I leave at 8:00 to go to work.
    2 [I;T] to go away from permanently: He has left his wife (his job, college, etc.).
    3 [T] to cause to stay when one goes away: They left their children with a babysitter.
    4 [T] to fail to bring when one goes away: Oh, no, I left the keys inside the car!
    5 [T] to put in the care of: I'll leave a message with your secretary.
    6 [T] to have as a result: Coffee will leave stains on your teeth.
    7 to leave a bad taste in s.o.'s mouth: to leave s.o. feeling annoyed or disturbed: While on vacation, he was cheated several times, and that left a bad taste in his mouth.
    8 to leave for: to leave to go to (a destination): The plane leaves for New York at 9:15.
    9 to leave much to be desired: to be lacking in quality: I can't recommend that hotel, because the service there leaves much to be desired.
    10 to leave no stone unturned: to make every possible effort: The police left no stone unturned to solve the crime.
    11 phrasal v. [T] to leave off s.t.: a. sep. not to include,
    THESAURUS
    to omit: The airline left off several passengers' names, so they had no seats.||It left them off. b. insep. to stop (talking, reading, writing, etc.): He surprised me by leaving off in mid-sentence.
    12 to leave oneself wide open: to make oneself vulnerable, such as to criticism, loss, or harm: He makes unnecessary mistakes and leaves himself wide open to being fired.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to leave s.o. or s.t. alone: to keep from touching, bothering s.o. or. s.t.: Please leave the cat alone; she doesn't feel well.
    14 to leave s.o. cold: to fail to interest s.o.: The idea of a longer work day leaves me cold.
    15 to leave s.o. hanging, swinging, or twisting in the wind: to fail to complete an agreement, arrangement, etc.: Two businessmen signed a contract, but one disappeared and left the other one hanging.
    16 to leave s.o. in the dark: See: dark n., 2.
    17 to leave s.o. in the lurch: See: lurch, 2.
    18 to leave s.o. out in the cold: to abandon or exclude s.o.: He was due for a promotion, but his boss decided against it and left him out in the cold without any explanation.
    19 phrasal v. sep. [T] to leave s.o. or s.t. behind: to fail to bring or take, usu. by accident: I can't believe I left behind my reading glasses!||I left them behind.
    20 phrasal v. sep. [T] to leave s.o. or s.t. out: not to include,
    THESAURUS
    to omit: a. To shorten the lecture, the professor left out the less important parts.||He left them out. b. to fail to take s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to abandon: The plane took off and left him behind.
    21 to leave s.t. at that: to keep from continuing with s.t.: The two friends argued over whose turn it was to pay for lunch, but finally they agreed to split the bill and left the matter at that.
    22 to leave s.t. on or running: to allow a machine to continue working: I left the lights on all night.
    23 to leave s.t. to s.o.: a. to give s.t. to s.o. after one's death: In her will, she left all her property to her children. b. to depend on s.o. to manage s.t.: Just leave the travel arrangements to me.
    24 phrasal v. insep. [T] to leave s.t. up to s.o.: to allow s.o. else to decide: He often leaves matters involving the children up to his wife.
    25 to leave the best for last: to present the best of s.t. after everything else has been done: The comedian left the best for last, telling his funniest jokes at the end of his act.
    26 to leave well enough alone: to avoid interfering when s.t. is satisfactory: The children were playing quietly, so their parents decided to leave well enough alone and not suggest going for a walk.
    27 to leave word: to leave a message: I telephoned Jane, but she wasn't in, so I left word with her secretary for Jane to return my call.n.
    1 [C] a period away from work or the military: She took a leave (of absence) when she had her baby.
    2 frml. [U] permission: He has been given leave to speak to the Queen.
    3 on leave: temporarily away from work or the military by official permission: The soldier went on leave for two weeks.
    4 frml. to take one's leave: to say good-bye and go away
    THESAURUS
    produce.
leaven
leaven
  1. v. [T]
    1 to add an agent, such as yeast, that lightens and expands dough: A baker leavens bread with yeast.
    2 fig. to improve by making livelier,
    THESAURUS
    to enhance: Her speeches are leavened with humor. -n. [U] leavening.
lecher
lecher
  1. or lech n. a man with continual thoughts of sex -adj. lecherous; -n. lechery.
lectern
lectern
  1. n. a type of tall table at which a speaker stands: The professor stood at the lectern and gave her lecture.
lecture
lecture
  1. n.v. -tured, -turing, -tures
    1 [I] (to give) a speech on a topic: The professor delivered a one-hour lecture on modern art.
    2 [T] (to give) a long, serious talk with a warning: The boy's mother lectured him on bicycle safety. -n. lecturer. See: teacher, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    lecture v.
    1 to give a talk, speak (to an audience)
    2 to scold, reprimand frml.
ledge
ledge
  1. n.
    1 a narrow platform below the window areas of a building: Birds often land on my window ledge.
    2 a flat area like a shelf in rock formations: Climbers reached a narrow ledge on the cliff.
ledger
ledger
  1. n. a journal in which numbers are recorded: Every business should keep a ledger of its income and expenses.
leech
leech
  1. n.
    1 any bloodsucking worm: He walked through the swamp and came out of the water with several leeches on his legs.
    2 fig. a person who takes from others and gives nothing in return: He is a leech who uses his friends when they let him do so. —phrasal v. insep. [T] to leech off: to take from without giving in return: He leeches off his friends by staying with them without paying any rent.
leek
leek
  1. n. a vegetable of the onion family: I like leeks in my salads.
leer
leer
  1. n. a look that shows sexual desire or cruel satisfaction: He looked at her with a leer and laughed.v. [I] to look at s.o. with a leer: He leered at her and whispered dirty words.
leery
leery
  1. adj. -ier, -iest cautious and distrustful, (syns.) wary, suspicious: She is leery of investing in stocks.
leeward
leeward
  1. adj. protected from the wind, rain, etc.: We camped on the leeward side of the hill.
leeway
leeway
  1. n. [U]
    1 extra time in which to act: We have several weeks of leeway in the production schedule in case of delays.
    2 liberty to act: The boss gave us plenty of leeway on how we want to handle the problem.
left-handed
left-handed
  1. adj. favoring the use of the left hand: She is a left-handed tennis player. -n. left-hander.
left field
left field
  1. n.
    1 (in baseball) the left part of the outfield: He caught the ball in left field.
    2 infrml. way out in left field: wrong, impractical, far from the truth or reality: His ideas on how to do things are way out in left field.
left wing
left wing
  1. n. [U] left-wing adj. the liberal to radically liberal side of politics: She belongs to the left wing or a left-wing political party.
leftie
leftie
  1. n.infrml. See: lefty.
leftovers
leftovers
  1. n.pl. what remains, such as some food after a meal: We eat leftovers on Sunday evening.
    THESAURUS
    leftovers remaining food | odds and ends.
lefty
lefty
  1. n.infrml. a person who tends to use the left hand: He's a lefty and cannot write with his right hand.
leg
leg
  1. n.
    1 one of the lower limbs of humans and many animals, used for walking, running, etc.: Runners need strong legs.
    2 one of the supports of a piece of furniture: Don't sit on that chair; one of the legs is broken.
    3 a part of a journey: She flew first to Rome, then to Pisa, then made the last leg of her trip by taxi.
    4 infrml. Break a leg!: an expression meaning "good luck!" used mostly in a theater setting
    5 infrml. not to have a leg to stand on: to have no basis for a claim, demand, etc.: The law is entirely against him; he doesn't have a leg to stand on.
    6 infrml. to be on one's last legs: to be worn out, close to failure or death: This old car is on its last legs.
    7 infrml. to cost an arm and a leg: to cost much more than expected: The lawsuit cost her an arm and a leg, but she won.
    8 infrml. to give s.o. a leg up or to have a leg up (on s.t.): to put s.o. or be in a good position (in a competition): He has a leg up on getting that job, because he has a friend in the personnel section who recommended him.
    9 infrml. to pull s.o.'s leg: to play a trick on s.o., to tease s.o.: She was pulling my leg when she said she had won $1 million in the lottery.
    10 infrml. to shake a leg: a. to hurry, move fast: His boss told him to shake a leg and deliver the package. b. to dance: Tonight, we're going to shake a leg.
    11 to stretch one's legs: to take a walk, esp. after sitting or staying indoors a long time: I'm going outside to stretch my legs.
legacy
legacy
  1. n.
    1 money, property, etc. given in the will of s.o. who has died,
    THESAURUS
    inheritance: His uncle left him a generous legacy when he died.
    2 s.t. passed on or left by an earlier generation, event, etc.: We must not let destruction of the environment be our legacy to the next generation.
legal
legal
  1. adj.
    1 related to law: The legal system is slow to function.
    2 permitted or created by law: He has a legal right to vote.
    3 slang to make it legal: to marry s.o. with whom one has been living: He lived with his girlfriend for eight years, and now they are going to make it legal.
    THESAURUS
    legal
    1 judicial
    2 lawful, legitimate | permissible. Ant. illegal.
legal holiday
legal holiday
  1. n. a holiday declared by the federal or state government on which businesses, institutions, etc. often close: Christmas and New Year's Day are legal holidays in the USA.
legalese
legalese
  1. n. written material full of legal terms that make it hard to understand: That contract is full of legalese.
legality
legality
  1. n. -ties
    1 the state or quality of being legal: I question the legality of that contract.
    2 n.pl. legalities legal requirements: We must take care of the legalities before we buy the land.
legalize
legalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make legal that which was illegal: Many states in the USA have legalized gambling.
    THESAURUS
    legalize to legitimize | authorize, permit.
legend
legend
  1. n.
    1 a story from the distant past,
    THESAURUS
    myth: Each country has its legends about the past.
    2 an explanation of the symbols on a map: The legend on this map shows that a star is the symbol for a capital city.
legendary
legendary
  1. adj.
    1 based on legend,
    THESAURUS
    mythical: Legendary stories are passed down from parents to children.
    2 famous,
    THESAURUS
    renowned: Great Olympic athletes have become legendary.
leggings
leggings
  1. n.pl. coverings for the legs: In winter, she wears woolen leggings to keep warm.
leggy
leggy
  1. adj. having long legs: Newborn horses are leggy.
legible
legible
  1. adj. capable of being read, clear: The photocopy is faint but legible.
legion
legion
  1. n.
    1 a Roman fighting unit of up to 6,000 men with cavalry
    2 a mass of people or things: Legions of people filled the streets to celebrate independence.
    3 a fighting unit, social group, or honorary society: He belongs to the French Legion of Honor.
legislate
legislate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to write, debate, and pass laws: Congress has legislated a new minimum wage for workers.
legislation
legislation
  1. n.
    1 a proposed law or laws: Congress is debating legislation on a new trade agreement.
    2 a law or laws already passed: New legislation has raised taxes on people's incomes and on businesses.
    3 the act of making laws: Legislation of a new trade agreement will take time.
legislative
legislative
  1. adj. related to making laws: Congress is the legislative branch of the US government.
legislator
legislator
  1. n. a person elected to propose and vote on new laws: In the US Congress, the legislators are Senators and Representatives.
legislature
legislature
  1. n. a governmental body with the power to make laws for a nation or state: The legislature meets to pass laws affecting the nation.
    THESAURUS
    legislature a congress, governing body | parliament.
legit
legit
  1. adj.slang short for legitimate
legitimate
legitimate
  1. adj.
    1 legal, lawful: He has a legitimate claim to part of the profits.
    2 honest, genuine: She runs a legitimate business.
    3 reasonable, justified: She has a legitimate concern about her daughter's health.
    4 born to parents legally married to each other -n. legitimacy.
legitimize
legitimize
  1. v. [T] -mized, -mizing, -mizes to make legitimate: By getting married, the couple legitimized their young child. -v. [T] legitimate.
legroom
legroom
  1. n. space to stretch out one's legs when sitting in an airplane, car, etc.: There is lots of legroom in a big car.
legume
legume
  1. n. a plant such as beans, peas, and related seed foods: Legumes are healthy foods.
legwork
legwork
  1. n. work requiring looking for and collecting information, such as by a reporter or detective: Lawyers hire detectives to do legwork in investigating crimes.
leisure
leisure
  1. n.adj.
    1 relaxation free from work: They enjoy their leisure or leisure time at the seashore.
    2 at s.o.'s leisure: in an unhurried way: There's no need to rush that report, so you can write it at your leisure.
    THESAURUS
    leisure n.
    1 spare time, free time, time off (from work).
leisurely
leisurely
  1. adj. without hurry: She enjoyed a leisurely bath.
lemon
lemon
  1. n. a sour yellow citrus fruit: Lemons are squeezed for juice to make lemonade. -adj. lemony.
lemon law
lemon law
  1. n. a law that protects people from having to suffer with a badly made product (a lemon) by requiring the manufacturer to fix or replace it: Because of the state's strong lemon laws, the company quickly replaced my computer when it broke down soon after I bought it.
lemonade
lemonade
  1. n. a drink made of lemon juice, water, and sugar: We like lemonade on hot days.
lemur
lemur
  1. n. an animal with a monkey-like body and long bushy tail, found only in Madagascar: Lemurs leap through the trees in search of food.
lend
lend
  1. v. [T] lent , lending, lends
    1 to permit the use of for a period of time: Banks lend money to people.
    2 to lend a hand: to help: When they moved to another apartment, their friends came to lend a hand.
    3 to lend an ear: to listen: She lends an ear to her friends' troubles.
    THESAURUS
    lend
    1 to loan (money), let s.o. use s.t. temporarily. Ant. to borrow.
lending library
lending library
  1. n. a library that loans books, esp. a public library: The USA has public lending libraries nationwide.
length
length
  1. n.
    1 the measurement of s.t. from end to end: The length of the highway is 100 miles (160 km). See: width, depth.
    2 the duration of s.t.: The length of the trip was four hours.
    3 arm's length: on strict legal or financial terms, not personal terms: I now keep my neighbor at arm's length, because he has been rude to me many times in the past.
    4 at length: in great detail, over a long time: The speaker talked at length about his political views.
    5 to go to any length or great lengths: to do anything necessary: She's so afraid of him that she'll go to any length to avoid him.
    THESAURUS
    length
    1 span, distance end to end, extent
    2 extent (time).
lengthen
lengthen
  1. v. [I;T] to become or make longer (in space or time): In summer, the number of daylight hours lengthens.
lengthwise
lengthwise
  1. adv. in the direction of the length of s.t.: We measured the table lengthwise at six feet and across at three.
lengthy
lengthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest long in distance, time, or coverage: The professor wrote a lengthy book on Napoleon.
    THESAURUS
    lengthy very long, of great length, prolonged. Ant. short.
leniency
leniency
  1. n.
    1 tolerance of misbehavior: The judge treated the young man with leniency.
    2 mildness of punishment: The leniency of the sentence the judge gave him surprised many people.
lenient
lenient
  1. adj. mild in responding to bad behavior: That mother is too lenient with her noisy children.
lens
lens
  1. n. lenses a circular or rectangular device made of glass, plastic, etc., with curved surfaces designed so that it forms images: Cameras and eyeglasses have lenses.
lentil
lentil
  1. n. a legume plant whose seeds are cooked and eaten: Lentil soup is very thick and nourishing.
leopard
leopard
  1. n.
    1 a large member of the cat family, often tan with black spots 2 a leopard can't change its spots: a person can't change his character: That criminal is in jail again, which proves that a leopard can't change his spots.
leotard
leotard
  1. n. a tight, stretchy piece of clothing for the upper body, worn esp. by dancers: She exercises in a white leotard.
leper
leper
  1. n. a person who has leprosy: In the past, lepers were isolated from other people.
leprechaun
leprechaun
  1. n. in stories about Ireland, a little elf-like man: It is said that leprechauns have hidden pots of gold.
leprosy
leprosy
  1. n. a disease that destroys skin and nerves: Leprosy is usually found in tropical countries. -adj. leprous.
lesbian
lesbian
  1. n.adj. a female homosexual: Lesbians are physically and romantically attracted to other women. -n. [U] lesbianism. See: gay, USAGE NOTE.
lesion
lesion
  1. n. a diseased or injured area of tissue: Her skin lesions showed where she hit the ground when she fell.
less
less
  1. adj.adv. not so much (in amount): She makes less money at her new job but also has to work less.
    THESAURUS
    less adj. not as much, smaller (size, amount). Ant. more.
lessen
lessen
  1. v. [I;T] to make less, reduce,
    THESAURUS
    to diminish: The medicine lessened the patient's pain.
lesser
lesser
  1. adj.comp. of less
    1 not as much: We ordered a lesser amount of goods this month.
    2 the lesser of two evils: the one that is not so harmful, bad, etc. as the other choice: We could lay off employees, but cutting everyone's hours seems the lesser of two evils.
lesson
lesson
  1. n.
    1 s.t. to be learned: Pupils learn lessons in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
    2 a class or period of instruction: Her piano lesson is at 4:00.
    3 to learn a lesson or to teach s.o. a lesson: to learn or teach s.o. correct behavior from a bad experience: He was nearly hit by a car and learned a lesson about being careful when crossing the street.
lessor
lessor
  1. n.frml. the person or business that leases property to a lessee: The lessor offered a five-year lease on the office.
lest
lest
  1. conj.frml. for fear that: Hold on to the railing lest you fall.
let
let
  1. v. let, letting, lets
    1 [T] to allow, permit: I let my dog run free in the yard.
    2 [T] to rent, lease: The landlord lets apartments to tenants.
    3 let alone: even less: I can't afford a nice apartment, let alone a house!
    4 to let go: a. to set free, release: Because they had no evidence, the police had to let the suspect go. b. infrml. to release emotions, act freely: She let go and danced wildly to the music.
    5 to let go of: to release one's hold on: A monkey let go of a branch and dropped to the ground.
    6 slang to let it all hang out: to act without reserve, show all that is on one's mind: My friend was deeply troubled, and she finally let it all hang out.
    7 slang to let it rip: to allow s.t. (forceful, dangerous, loud, etc.) to happen: We wanted loud music to dance to, so I told the band leader to let it rip.
    8 infrml. to let off steam: to release one's frustrations: She had a hard day at the office and let off steam at home by talking about it.
    9 phrasal v. [I] to let on: to tell that one knows s.t. secret: She learned about the surprise party planned for her but didn't let on that she knew.
    10 to let oneself go: to stop taking care of one's appearance: Since he lost his job, he has stopped shaving and has generally let himself go.
    11 phrasal v. [T] to let out: a. to allow to go out: I let the cat out at night. b. to allow (a sound) to come out, express: I let out a yell when I hurt my finger. c. (in sewing) to make larger: The waist in these pants needs to be let out. See: take, 32b.
    12 to let s.o. in on: a. to allow s.o. to participate: We let a friend in on a good business deal. b. to tell s.o. a secret: I let others in on the fact that the factory is closing down soon.
    13 to let s.o. know: to tell or inform s.o.: Please let me know if you'll be late.
    14 to let s.o. off: to release with little or no punishment: The judge let the young man off with a short prison sentence.
    15 to let s.o. or s.t. down: a. to disappoint, fail to meet the expectations of: When they lost, the players felt they had let their coach down. b. (in sewing) to make longer: These pants need to be let down an inch. See: take, 56a.
    16 to let s.o. or s.t. go by: a. to allow to pass: I stepped aside and let others go by me. b. to pay no attention to,
    THESAURUS
    to ignore: I just let his stupid insult go by.
    17 to let s.o. or s.t. in: to allow to enter: She opened a window to let some fresh air in.
    18 phrasal v. infrml. [I] to let up: to become less intense or forceful: The rain is letting up now.n. (in tennis or volleyball) a serve that touches the net and is invalid
let's
let's
  1. contr. of let us (used to make a suggestion or proposal): Let's go out for lunch!
letdown
letdown
  1. n. a disappointment, discouragement: She was not offered the job after two good interviews, and that was a big letdown.
lethal
lethal
  1. adj. able to kill, (syns.) deadly, fatal: Nuclear weapons are lethal to whole populations.
lethargic
lethargic
  1. adj.
    1 sleepy, tired, (syns.) drowsy, listless: Some medicines make people lethargic.
    2 slow, with little energy,
    THESAURUS
    sluggish: That organization acts in a lethargic manner.
lethargy
lethargy
  1. n.
    1 sleepiness,
    THESAURUS
    drowsiness: The patient's lethargy after surgery is normal.
    2 lack of energy,
    THESAURUS
    sluggishness: That fellow's lethargy is in fact laziness.
letter
letter
  1. n.
    1 a symbol of an alphabet: The letter M follows the letter L.
    2 a written message, usu. sent by mail: She sent a letter to her mother.
    3 a formal document ensuring certain conditions: The king gave the ambassador a letter of safe passage for his trip home.
    4 pl. distinction in learning: The professor is a man of letters.
    5 the letter of the law: the exact written requirements of s.t. (as opposed to its intent or purpose): The judge decided the case according to the letter of the law.
    6 to follow to the letter: to obey precisely, with attention to detail: He told me to follow the instructions to the letter.v.
    1 [T] to draw or write letters on
    2 [I] to earn an athletic award: He lettered in three sports in high school.
    THESAURUS
    letter n.
    1 a character, written symbol
    2 a note | missive, epistle frml.
letter carrier
letter carrier
  1. n. See: mail carrier.
letter of credit
letter of credit
  1. n. a bank document guaranteeing to a supplier that its bill will be paid (up to a certain amount for a specified period): Our company bought a letter of credit to guarantee payment for supplies from China.
letterhead
letterhead
  1. n. sheets of writing paper with a person's or business's name, address, and telephone number printed at the top: I write letters to customers on the company letterhead.
lettering
lettering
  1. n.
    1 the writing of letters and numbers: Children learn to do lettering in school.
    2 letters as a group: The lettering on the office door gave the doctor's name and specialization.
lettuce
lettuce
  1. n. any of a variety of leafy salad plants: I like a salad made with romaine lettuce.
letup
letup
  1. n. a slowdown, lessening of intensity: It has been raining steadily all day with no letup.
leukemia
leukemia
  1. n. cancer of the white blood cells, often leading to death: The unfortunate child died of leukemia.
levee
levee
  1. n. a raised area beside a river designed to prevent flooding: A levee burst on the Mississippi River, and much farmland was flooded.
level
level
  1. adj.
    1 horizontal, flat: We can't put the picnic table here because the ground isn't level.
    2 at the same height, even: The building is level with its neighbor.
    3 to do or try one's level best: to try hard (to do s.t. well): I'll try my level best to do a good job.n.
    1 height, vertical distance: The land around here is mainly at sea level.
    2 a position on a scale or in relation to others: a low level of production, a government official at a very high level
    3 a worker's tool used to test if s.t. is horizontal: Bricklayers use a level to see if their work is level.
    4 to be on the level: to be honest and sincere: He is not on the level when he says that he'll be able to pay because he owes everyone money.v. [T]
    1 to pull down to the ground, flatten, raze: Bulldozers leveled houses to make way for a new building.
    2 to direct an accusation or criticism: He has leveled charges of dishonesty against the other candidate.
    3 infrml. to level with s.o.: to tell s.o. what the real situation is, frankly and completely: He finally leveled with me that he has no money and is desperate.
    THESAURUS
    level adj.
    1 even | smooth. Ant. uneven.
    2 on a line with, aligned.
levelheaded
levelheaded
  1. adj. sensible and calm,
    THESAURUS
    prudent: She is a levelheaded girl and won't do anything foolish.
lever
lever
  1. n.
    1 a bar positioned on a fixed point (the fulcrum) and pressed to move s.t.: A worker used a crowbar as a lever to lift a rock.
    2 fig. a means to apply pressure or influence: A politician used his vote as a lever to get what he wanted from the party's leaders.v. [T] to use a lever: The worker levered the rock out of the ground.
leverage
leverage
  1. n.
    1 use, action, or power of a lever: A longer lever will give us more leverage.
    2 fig. power to accomplish s.t.: Unions have the leverage of a strike in negotiations with management.v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages
    1 to use s.t. to force a change or movement: Union leaders were able to leverage a wage increase in the new contract.
    2 fig. to buy securities or property by using borrowed money to purchase them: He leveraged his investment in stock by borrowing lots of money to buy it.
levitate
levitate
  1. v. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates to (cause to) rise in the air: A magician levitated a chair on the stage by waving his hands. -n. [U] levitation.
levity
levity
  1. n.frml. lack of seriousness, (syns.) frivolity, merrymaking: Levity at the party grew louder and louder.
levy
levy
  1. v. [T] -ied, -ying, -ies to require to pay (taxes, customs duties, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    to assess: The government levied a new tax on the people.n. -ies a tax or other assessment: The new customs levies on travelers go into effect now.
lewd
lewd
  1. adj. related to sex in an offensive way,
    THESAURUS
    obscene: Pornographic magazines are full of lewd pictures. -n. [U] lewdness.
lexicographer
lexicographer
  1. n. a person who compiles dictionaries: Lexicographers define the meanings of words. -n. [U] lexicography.
lexicon
lexicon
  1. n.
    1 a dictionary: He has an old lexicon of Latin words and their English equivalents.
    2 a group of words of a particular field: "Liberal" and "Conservative" are words with different interpretations in the lexicon of politics. -adj. lexical.
liability
liability
  1. n.
    1 a legal obligation, such as to pay debts and damages: Insurance companies had huge liabilities to pay because of the hurricane damage.
    2 disadvantage, drawback: The store has excellent products, but its bad location is a big liability. See: asset.
liable
liable
  1. adj.
    1 legally obligated, responsible: Rental contracts state that tenants are liable for damages that they cause to the property.
    2 likely (to do or experience): If you drive in a bad storm, you are liable to have an accident.
liaison
liaison
  1. n.
    1 a coordination, an exchange between individuals, businesses, or governments, esp. of information: The liaison between the two governments is carried out personally by the Prime Minister and the President.
    2 a love affair: The two enjoyed their liaison while it lasted. -v. [I] liaise.
liar
liar
  1. n. a person who doesn't tell the truth: He's such a liar that you can't believe a word he says.
lib
lib
  1. n. short for liberation.
libel
libel
  1. n. (in law) a published statement or picture that unfairly damages a person's good name or reputation: The newspaper story about the movie star was false, and she sued for libel.v. [T] to print libel about,
    THESAURUS
    to defame: The tabloid newspaper libeled a movie star. -adj. libelous.
liberal arts
liberal arts
  1. n.pl. (in education) study of the humanities, social and natural sciences, and mathematics: She studied liberal arts at college before beginning her professional training.
liberalism
liberalism
  1. n. a set of beliefs favoring change in politics, religion, etc.: His liberalism led him to join a community action group.
liberalize
liberalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make more liberal and less strict, such as to extend government programs to benefit more people: The tax laws have been liberalized to make it easier to save money for retirement.
liberate
liberate
  1. v. [T]
    1 to free from oppression: The American Civil War liberated many people from slavery.
    2 slang (said ironically) to steal,
    THESAURUS
    to make off with: Thieves liberated goods from stores during a riot.
liberation
liberation
  1. n. an act of freedom from oppression: The peace agreement called for the liberation of all prisoners of war.
libertarian
libertarian
  1. n.adj. a person who believes in freedom of thought and responsibility for one's own path in life: The Libertarians are a small political party.
libertine
libertine
  1. n. a person of unrestrained desires: He was a libertine, always chasing after women. -n. [U] libertinism.
liberty
liberty
  1. n. -ties
    1 freedom, right: Peoples of many countries enjoy liberties guaranteed by their constitutions.
    2 freedom from prison, control, etc.: Prisoners gain their liberty after serving their sentences.
    3 at liberty: a. free to act, speak, etc.: He is not at liberty to reveal secret information. b. free from duty: The sailors were at liberty in the port.
    4 to take liberties (with): a. frml. to behave in a way that offends by being too friendly: He made a serious mistake by taking liberties with the boss's daughter. b. to make changes too freely: That English translation was criticized for taking liberties with the original French novel.
    THESAURUS
    liberty
    1 a freedom, privilege
    2 independence, autonomy frml.
libido
libido
  1. n. -dos sexual desire, sex drive: He has a very strong libido. -adj. libidinous.
librarian
librarian
  1. n. a person who directs or works in a library, esp. s.o. with a degree in library science: The head librarian approves all book purchases.
library
library
  1. n.
    1 a collection of books and other reference materials: The couple has a library of novels and reference books in their house.
    2 a building that houses books and other reference materials: Public libraries are found all over the USA.
library science
library science
  1. n. the academic discipline concerned with the management and development of libraries: Library science requires several years of academic training.
libretto
libretto
  1. n. -tos or -ti the words of a musical piece that is sung, esp. an opera: He has written both the music and the libretto for an opera. -n. librettist.
lice
lice
  1. n.pl. of louse. blood-sucking insects: The child had lice in his hair.
license
license
  1. n.
    1 a permit given by an official body, usu. to s.o. who passes an examination: She has a driver's license (hairdresser's license, license as a registered nurse, etc.).
    2 fig. liberty to break accepted norms, such as the license to break rules of grammar when writing poetry: He used poetic license in describing the dictator as the greatest hero since Julius Caesar.v. [T] to give a permit to or for, authorize: This restaurant is licensed to sell alcohol. -n. [U] licensure.
licensee
licensee
  1. n. a person or business that has received a license: All barber shops in the city are licensees of the City Board of Health. See: franchisee.
lichen
lichen
  1. n. a small plant formed of fungus and algae: Lichen can live even under snow and provide food for animals in winter.
lick
lick
  1. v. [T]
    1 to rub the tongue over: Children like to lick ice cream cones.
    2 infrml.fig. to beat decisively: The hockey team licked their opponents 5 to 0.
    3 infrml. to lick one's chops or lips: to look ahead with delight: He is just licking his chops to go out with that pretty girl.
    4 to lick one's wounds: to recover from a defeat (like an animal that has been hurt in a fight): He lost the election and is licking his wounds at home.
    THESAURUS
    lick v.
    1 to stroke with the tongue | lap (up)
    2 to defeat | trounce infrml., clobber slang. —n.
    1 a stroke of the tongue: I gave the stamp a lick and stuck it on the envelope.
    2 infrml.fig. a punch, blow: The boxers gave each other some hard licks.
    3 infrml.fig. to get one's licks in: to take the chance to fight for one's cause: The politician gave an impassioned speech to get his licks in against the tax legislation.
    4 to give s.t. a lick and a promise: to do a job quickly and carelessly: He did a poor job of repairing the stove; he just gave it a lick and a promise, then left.
lickety-split
lickety-split
  1. adv.infrml. very fast, quickly: The children ran lickety-split to the ice cream truck.
licking
licking
  1. n.infrml.fig. a beating in a fight: Someone should give that big bully a good licking.
licorice
licorice
  1. n. a substance used in medicine and in a red or black candy: Children love to suck and chew on licorice.
lid
lid
  1. n.
    1 a covering of a container, a top: I took the lid off the coffee can and scooped some coffee out.
    2 short for eyelid, the skin over the eye: The baby closed her lids and went to sleep.
    3 infrml. to blow the lid off: to suddenly expose (s.t. that was secret): The story in the newspaper blew the lid off the company's plan to buy the land.
    4 infrml. to keep the lid on: to prevent (rioting, trouble, scandal, etc.): The police patrolled the city to keep the lid on any rioting or looting.
lie detector
lie detector
  1. n. a device that registers changes in blood pressure and breathing in response to questions to determine if s.o. is telling the truth: The accused murderer passed two lie detector tests, indicating that she was not the killer.
lien
lien
  1. n. a creditor's legal claim on property that may be seized if the principal and interest are not paid: A mortgage on a house is a lien owned by the bank that loaned the buyer the money to purchase the house.
lieu
lieu
  1. n. place, usu. in place of: In lieu of cash, the buyer offered to trade another property for the new house.
lieutenant
lieutenant
  1. n.
    1 (in the USA) an officer of the lowest military rank
    2 (in many civil positions) a rank below: He was elected Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana.
life-and-death
life-and-death
  1. adj. with living or dying as the result: He has cancer and is in a life-and-death struggle to survive.
life-size
life-size
  1. n. equal in size to a living thing: The artist painted a life-size portrait of my mother.
life-support system
life-support system
  1. n.
    1 any combination of oxygen, food, or light systems, used to enable (plant or animal) life to continue: Astronauts depend on life-support systems in space.
    2 any of a number of devices used to sustain life for the sick, such as heart-lung, kidney dialysis, or oxygen machines: Doctors removed the life-support system from the dying patient.
life-threatening
life-threatening
  1. adj. capable of killing s.o.: Wars are life-threatening situations.
life
life
  1. n. lives
    1 the state of being of a functioning plant or animal: When the doctor arrived, the life had already gone out of the old man.
    2 living things: Is there life on other planets?
    3 one's existence from birth to death: He lived a long and productive life.
    4 a dog's life: a boring, hard existence: He leads a dog's life, with a demanding job and no friends.
    5 for dear life: as if one's life depended on it: When the alligator charged at us, we ran for dear life.
    6 for the life of me: (an expression of extreme disbelief): For the life of me, I can't understand why he quit his job!
    7 life of the party: a person who is the center of activity in a group, providing laughter, jokes, stories, etc.: George was really the life of the party last night when he danced on the piano.
    8 life (in prison) or a life sentence: the punishment of spending the rest of one's life in prison: The judge gave him a life sentence for the killings.
    9 not on your life: (an expression of strong disapproval): My young daughter asked if she could go out in a bad storm, and I said, "Not on your life!"
    10 to bring to life: a. to bring back to consciousness,
    THESAURUS
    to resuscitate: The old man fell unconscious, and a paramedic brought him to life. b. to create, make possible: The product lay untouched for years until a new engineer brought it to life with a new design.
    11 to come to life: to awaken, spring into being: He was quiet at first, then came to life with a joke and laughter.
    12 to risk life and limb: to put one's life in danger: He risked life and limb to save the drowning child.
    13 exclam. What a life!: (an expression of sorrow or happiness): What a life; I love it here in the Caribbean!
life buoy
life buoy
  1. n. flotation equipment used to hold s.o. up in water: A sailor threw a life buoy to the man who fell off the ship.
life expectancy
life expectancy
  1. n. the average age to which people can expect to live: In the USA, the life expectancy of women is longer than that for men.
life history
life history
  1. n. a person's story from birth to the present: I asked him where he was from, but he gave me his entire life history!
life insurance
life insurance
  1. n. a contract paying money after the death of its owner: His life insurance provided for his family after he died.
life jacket
life jacket
  1. n. a piece of equipment worn around the upper body to keep a person afloat in water
life preserver
life preserver
  1. n. equipment, esp. a doughnut-shaped ring, used to keep a person above water: He held onto a life preserver until he could be pulled into the boat.
life raft
life raft
  1. n. an air-filled lifeboat: When the ship hit the rocks, the crew took to life rafts for safety.
life vest
life vest
  1. n. See: life jacket.
lifeblood
lifeblood
  1. n.fig. s.t. basic to sustain and give strength to a business, economy, culture, etc.: A constant flow of successful new products is the lifeblood of most businesses.
lifeboat
lifeboat
  1. n. a small boat used in emergencies: The ship started to sink, so the passengers climbed into the lifeboats to save themselves.
lifeguard
lifeguard
  1. n. a person whose job is to save swimmers from drowning: Lifeguards patrol the beaches and rescue swimmers in trouble.
lifeless
lifeless
  1. adj. dead: Lifeless bodies from the airplane crash lay on the ground.
lifelike
lifelike
  1. adj. so real as to seem alive: The painter's portraits are so lifelike that they seem like photographs.
lifeline
lifeline
  1. n.
    1 a rope used to save people and animals in danger of death: A sailor threw a lifeline to passengers washed off the ship in the storm.
    2 fig. any form of lifegiving help: International food supplies provide a lifeline for starving refugees.
lifelong
lifelong
  1. adj. lasting through one's lifetime: Jane and June have been lifelong friends.
lifer
lifer
  1. n. a prisoner sentenced to life in prison: That murderer is a lifer and will never be released.
lifesaver
lifesaver
  1. n.
    1 anything that preserves life: A supply of food from the Red Cross was a lifesaver for the starving population.
    2 Lifesaver™ a small, ring-shaped candy -adj. lifesaving.
lifetime
lifetime
  1. n. the duration of a person's life: During his lifetime, he experienced two world wars and the Great Depression.
lift-off
lift-off
  1. n. the launching of a space vehicle from Earth: The space probe is scheduled for lift-off at 7:03 A.M.
lift
lift
  1. v.
    1 [T] to raise to a higher level: He lifted his little girl up to his shoulders.
    2 [T] to remove, end: The government lifted some restrictions on imported goods.
    3 [I] to go up and disappear: The fog lifted in the morning sun.
    4 infrml.fig. [T] to steal: Someone lifted my coat from the rack.
    5 to not lift a finger: not to make any effort at all: He did not lift a finger to help his hurt neighbor.n.
    1 an act of raising to a higher level: A worker gave the box a lift onto a shelf.
    2 fig. a raising of spirits: The good news gave us all a lift.
    3 infrml. a free ride in a vehicle: My friend gave me a lift to the store in his car.
    4 Brit. an elevator
ligament
ligament
  1. n. a strong, flexible band holding bones or other body parts in place: The football player hurt the ligaments of his right knee.
ligation
ligation
  1. n. the surgical tying of a vein, artery, etc.: The doctor made ligations to repair the artery. -v. [T] ligate; -n. ligature.
light-headed
light-headed
  1. adj. feeling faint or dizzy: The hot weather sometimes makes him feel light-headed.
light-year
light-year
  1. n.
    1 the distance that light travels in a year, or approx. 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion km): Astronomers measure the distance to stars in light-years.
    2 fig. (indicating superiority) a great distance: That company's product is light-years ahead of the competition in quality.
light
light
  1. n.
    1 radiation, as from the sun or electric lights, that allows vision: I need more light to take a picture with this camera.
    2 sunshine, daylight: He walked out of the house and into the light.
    3 s.t. that produces light, such as lightbulbs or lamps: When it is dark, we turn on the lights.
    4 s.t. that can start a fire, such as a match: She took out a cigarette and asked her friend for a light.
    5 a traffic signal: Turn right at the next light.
    6 fig. a way of understanding: He now looks back on his life and sees it in a new light.
    7 in light of: considering, in relationship to: We need to rethink our plan in light of this new information.
    8 not to see the light of day: not to appear or happen: That project is so slow and costly that it will never see the light of day.
    9 to bring or come to light: to make or become known, bring or come to public attention: New information about the presidential candidate's past has come to light.
    10 to make light of: to treat as if unimportant: He made light of his illness, but we knew it was serious.
    11 infrml. to see the light: to realize that action needs to be taken, usu. in a situation where it was already obvious to others: His stomach hurt for weeks before he finally saw the light and visited a doctor.
    12 to throw or shed (some) light on: to make clear, explain: She saw the accident happen, so maybe she can throw some light on what caused it.v. lighted or lit , lighting, lights
    1 [T] to set on fire: We light a fire in the fireplace on cold winter nights.
    2 [T] to give light to: At night, we light the sides of the house to keep burglars away.
    3 [I] to land gently: The bird lighted on a tree branch.
    4 phrasal v. infrml. [T] to light into: to attack with words or blows: He'll light into anyone who criticizes his work.
    5 phrasal v. slang [I] to light out: to leave quickly: When the police arrived, the thief lit out down the street, but they lit out right after him.
    6 phrasal v. [I;T] to light up: a. to brighten, as with happiness: Her eyes lit up at the good news. b. phrasal v. infrml. to ignite a cigarette: He waited to light up until after everyone had finished eating.
    THESAURUS
    light v.
    1 to set s.t. burning | ignite, kindle
    2 to light up, illuminate frml.
    3 to descend on | alight frml. —adj.
    1 lightweight, nearly weightless. Ant. heavy.
    2 light-toned, light-hued
    3 moderate, gentle. Ant. hard.
    4 graceful, light-footed. —adj. -er, -est
    1 having little weight, not heavy: An empty suitcase is light.
    2 pale in color, not dark: She wore a light blue dress.
    3 not forceful, intense, or serious: a light rain, a light sleep, light reading
    4 gentle, delicate: Ballet dancers move with light steps.adv. to travel light: to take few possessions when traveling: She usually travels light.
light bulb
light bulb
  1. n.
    1 the round glass part of an electric light: The light bulb in the lamp is burned out.
    2 infrml. to have a light bulb go on: a sudden understanding: A light bulb went on when she found the solution to the math problem.
light housekeeping
light housekeeping
  1. n. the less difficult work in a house, such as washing dishes, vacuuming, and dusting furniture: She does the light housekeeping herself and has her children do the rest.
lighten
lighten
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to reduce the weight of: He lightened the horse's load by using a smaller saddle.
    2 [I;T] to become or make a lighter color or less dark: The painter lightened the color by adding some white.
    3 [T] to reduce the intensity of s.t., esp. worry: The arrival of springtime lightens people's spirits.
lighter
lighter
  1. adj. comp of light: not as heavy in weight or dark in color as s.t. else —n. a device for igniting cigarettes, etc.: She carries a cigarette lighter in her purse.
lighthearted
lighthearted
  1. adj. cheerful, carefree: He is a lighthearted boy, always joking.
lighthouse
lighthouse
  1. n. a tall building housing a light to guide ships
lighting
lighting
  1. n.
    1 the system for producing light in a room or the quality of that light: The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.
    2 starting of a fire: The lighting of a wood fire begins with small pieces of wood.
    THESAURUS
    lighting
    1 illumination
    2 igniting, ignition.
lightly
lightly
  1. adv.
    1 with gentleness: She touched the cat's fur lightly.
    2 to take s.t. lightly: to treat with a lack of seriousness or concern: He took his illness lightly.
lightness
lightness
  1. n.
    1 a small degree of weight or color: The lightness of furnishings in the room made it cheerful.
    2 lack of seriousness,
    THESAURUS
    frivolity: The lightness of the conversation pleased everyone.
lightning
lightning
  1. n.
    1 an electrical discharge in the sky or between sky and earth, esp. during a thunderstorm: Lightning streaked across the sky, and thunder clapped.
    2 lightning never strikes twice in the same place: very unusual accidents never happen a second time to the same person: You have had a bad accident, but remember that lightning never strikes twice in the same place.
    3 like or as fast as lightning: extremely fast: Those jet planes flew over the battlefield like lightning.
lightning rod
lightning rod
  1. n. a device for directing lightning harmlessly into the ground: Houses and barns in rural areas have lightning rods on their roofs.
lights-out
lights-out
  1. n. a time when lights are turned off: Eleven o'clock is lights-out in that prison.
lightweight
lightweight
  1. n.
    1 a boxer between a featherweight and a welterweight (127 to 135 pounds): He boxed in the Olympics as a lightweight.
    2 a person of little ability, influence, or intelligence: The other editors at his newspaper consider him a lightweight.
likable
likable
  1. adj. (of a person) easy to like, pleasant: He's a likable boy, always friendly.
    THESAURUS
    likable appealing, nice, amiable frml.
like-minded
like-minded
  1. adj. (of people) sharing the same values: Some like-minded people got together and formed a political discussion group.
like
like
  1. v. [T] liked, liking, likes
    1 to enjoy, find pleasant: He likes to watch television.
    2 to be fond of: The boy and girl like each other very much.
    3 would like: want, desire: I would like coffee, please.adj.
    1 similar to: The girl is like her mother.
    2 suffix -like seeming to be, typical of: homelike, childliken.pl. likes and dislikes: personal preferences: We all have our likes and dislikes.
like terms
like terms
  1. n. in math, terms that can be algebraically summed because they contain the same variables with the same exponents: The sum of like terms 4x2y + 3x2y is 7x2y.
likelihood
likelihood
  1. n. probability (of s.t. happening): In all likelihood, it will rain today.
likely
likely
  1. adj. -lier, -liest probable, to be expected: Accidents are likely to happen.
liken
liken
  1. v. [T] to think of as being similar to, compare: She admired her father so much that she likened him to a saint.
likeness
likeness
  1. n.
    1 sameness or similarity,
    THESAURUS
    resemblance: The daughter has a likeness to her mother.
    2 image, as in painting: That painting of your uncle is a good likeness of him.
likewise
likewise
  1. adv.
    1 in addition, also: My friend ordered a lemonade, and I did likewise.
    2 in the same way or manner: I told my friend to enjoy her vacation, and she said, "Likewise, I hope you enjoy yours, too."
liking
liking
  1. n. [C;U] fondness, taste: She has a liking for French perfume.
    THESAURUS
    liking a preference for s.t. | penchant, predilection for s.t. frml. | affection for s.o.
lilac
lilac
  1. n. [C] a bush or shrub, noted for its white or purple flowers and pleasant smell: Lilacs are popular in the USA as a yard flower.
lilt
lilt
  1. n.v. [I;T] a pleasing rhythmic style in singing or speech: Her musical style has a pleasing lilt. -adj. lilting.
lily
lily
  1. n. lies any of over 2,000 flowering plants that usu. have trumpet-shaped flowers
lily pad
lily pad
  1. n. leaf of a water lily: A tiny frog sat on a lily pad.
limb
limb
  1. n.
    1 frml. an arm, leg, or wing of an animal: Diabetes limits blood circulation in the limbs.
    2 a tree branch: A broken limb fell on the road.
    3 out on a limb: alone in a risky position (in a discussion, argument, etc.): I don't dare go out on a limb to predict a winner in this election.
    4 frml.suffix -limbed having limbs, such as legs: He's a long-limbed basketball player. See: life, 12.
    THESAURUS
    limb
    1 an extremity frml., member frml.
    2 a bough | twig.
limber
limber
  1. adj. (of a person) able to move easily, (syns.) supple, flexible: She is limber from regular exercise.phrasal v. sep. [T] to limber up s.t.: to loosen, make flexible: She limbers up her muscles by stretching before she runs.||She limbers them up.
lime
lime
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a small green citrus fruit: He drinks soda with a dash of lime (juice).
    2 [U] calcium oxide in a whitish earthy form, often mixed in cements: Bricklayers put lime in mortar to cement bricks.
limelight
limelight
  1. n. [U]
    1 the strong light directed onto a performer on stage: The stage was dark except for a singer in the limelight.
    2 fig. the center of attention: He is a well-known athlete and enjoys being in the limelight.
limerick
limerick
  1. n. a short, humorous poem of five lines: He writes and recites limericks for fun.
limestone
limestone
  1. n. [U] a type of rock composed of calcium carbonate: Limestone is often used in building construction.
limit
limit
  1. n.
    1 the greatest amount or extent allowed: The speed limit is 55 MPH in many states.
    2 the farthest point of, border: The limits of the property are marked by a fence.
    3 off limits: where s.o. is not permitted to go: The children understand that the river is off limits when there's no adult with them.
    4 the limit: s.o. or s.t. shocking or unacceptable: That's the limit! That child is so badly behaved he'll have to stay home!
    5 (to go) to the limit: (to go) to the greatest extent, esp. of one's ability: He ran to the limit of his strength and then dropped, exhausted.v. [T] to keep within limits, restrict: The committee limited spending for the project to $1 million. -adj. limiting.
    THESAURUS
    limit n.
    1 a limitation (in amount, in extent), maximum, ceiling
    2 an end, edge, boundary.
limitation
limitation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a restriction in amount or extent: The limitation on spending for new equipment is now set.
    2 [C] restrictions in one's ability: That employee has limitations on what work he can do.
limited
limited
  1. adj. restricted in extent or amount: He is old and has limited use of his legs.
limited edition
limited edition
  1. n. a manufacturing run of a fixed, small number to increase the value of each copy: The artist did a limited edition of his prints and signed each of them.
limo
limo
  1. n.short for limousine
limousine
limousine
  1. n. a large, expensive car, usu. with a driver: The movie star arrived at the theater in a chauffeured limousine.
limp
limp
  1. adj. -er, -est lacking firmness or stiffness: The flowers are limp from lack of water.n. an uneven walk as from an injury to the leg or foot: After the truck ran over his foot, he walked with a limp.v. [I]
    1 to walk with a limp,
    THESAURUS
    to hobble: He limped after his skiing accident.
    2 phrasal v. to limp along: to progress slowly and weakly: The project is in bad shape and just limps along from day to day.
limpid
limpid
  1. adj.frml. clear,
    THESAURUS
    lucid: The author wrote in a limpid style.
linchpin
linchpin
  1. n.
    1 a strong pin used to hold a wagon or carriage wheel in place: The linchpin came loose, and the wheel fell off.
    2 fig. s.t. very important that holds other things together, such as a key person or part of a plan: She is the linchpin of her organization.
line
line
  1. n.
    1 a narrow, continuous mark, such as on a piece of paper: My notebook has thin blue lines printed on each page.
    2 a stripe: Two yellow lines painted on a highway means that drivers should not pass cars ahead of them.
    3 a row of people or things: A line of people waited outside the passport office.
    4 a limit or border: A sign at the state line said, "Welcome to Florida."
    5 a rope or cord: We hang clothes on the line to dry them in the sun.
    6 a wire: Transmission lines carry electricity.
    7 an electronic connection, such as a telephone line: Mr. Jones is on the line and wants to talk with you.
    8 a wrinkle in the skin: She has lines in her forehead.
    9 a manufacturer's product: The store carries several different lines of shoes from Italy.
    10 a connected series of ideas: a line of thought, a line of questioning
    11 a series of members of a family: The king's line ended when he died with no son or daughter to take his place.
    12 a direction, course: The line for the parade was down Fifth Avenue.
    13 a written sentence or phrase for an actor to speak: Actors sometimes forget their lines.
    14 a company running a system of ships, planes, or buses: She works for Delta Air Lines.
    15 infrml. a factory assembly line: He works on the line at General Motors.
    16 between the lines: in an indirect way, not written or said openly: The memo from his boss didn't say he was fired, but reading between the lines he knew his job was not secure.
    17 in line for: likely to get,
    THESAURUS
    destined for: She is an excellent employee and is in line for a promotion.
    18 in the line of duty: while performing one's work, esp. as a police officer or firefighter: A firefighter was injured in the line of duty.
    19 on line: See: online.
    20 infrml. on the line: in a dangerous position, at risk: Her plan had better succeed, or her job will be on the line.
    21 out of line: (of words or actions) unexpected and unacceptable,
    THESAURUS
    improper: His rude remark was out of line, and he should apologize.
    22 to bring into line: to change s.t. so as to make it agree,
    THESAURUS
    to align: The company lowered its costs and brought them into line with the budget.
    23 to draw the line: See: draw, 22.
    24 infrml. to drop s.o. a line: to write s.o. a short letter
    25 infrml. to feed, give, or hand s.o. a line: to speak to s.o. in a way that is meant to trick or mislead: He loves to feed girls a line about how much money he has, when in fact he has very little.
    26 infrml. to get a line on: to find information about: A reporter got a line on the politician's plans from a secret source within the government.
    27 to get in line: a. to join with others in a line: I got in line and waited to buy my ticket for the movie. b. fig. to act in the desired or approved way,
    THESAURUS
    to conform: After the teacher punished the student, he got in line and behaved well.
    28 to hold the line: a. to wait for s.o. on the telephone: The bank clerk asked the customer to hold the line while he checked the account. b. fig. to make strong efforts (against s.t.): The company is trying to hold the line on costs and not let them rise.v. lined, lining, lines
    1 [T] to mark lines on: I lined the page so that my young son could practice forming his letters.
    2 [T] to form a border: Tall trees line the street.
    3 [T] to put an inner layer on: Her fur coat is lined with silk.
    4 infrml. to line one's pockets: to make money by cheating: The politician lined his pockets by taking bribes.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to line s.t. up: a. to place s.t. in line with s.t. else: A worker lined up rows of chairs for the audience.||He lined them up. b. fig. to organize and make ready,
    THESAURUS
    to arrange: Employment agencies line up job interviews for their clients.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to line up: to form a line: People lined up to buy tickets to the concert.
line of credit
line of credit
  1. n. a fixed amount of money that can be borrowed by a business: Our business has a line of credit at the local bank to pay for new shipments of goods.
lineage
lineage
  1. n.frml. members of a family through history,
    THESAURUS
    ancestry: She is a New Yorker who traces her lineage back to England.
linear
linear
  1. adj.
    1 of (or) in a line (or) lines: a linear measurement of one meter
    2 direct, connected: There is a linear relationship between the company's losses and its poor-quality products. -n. [U] linearity.
linen
linen
  1. n.adj.
    1 cloth woven of flax: She wore a summer dress made of linen.
    2 fabric product such as bedsheets and tablecloths: You can buy towels in the linen department of this store.
    3 infrml. to wash one's dirty linen in public: to tell one's personal and embarrassing problems in public: The two movie stars washed their dirty linen in public when they talked to reporters about their divorce.
liner
liner
  1. n.
    1 a ship or airplane: An ocean liner can carry hundreds of people.
    2 an inner layer in clothing: In winter, he puts the liner into his coat for warmth.
lineup
lineup
  1. n.
    1 (in baseball) a list of players in the order in which they will come to bat: The starting lineup includes the team's best players.
    2 fig. any listing of people, events, products, etc.: The fall lineup of television programs (new fashions, social events, etc.) looks interesting.
    3 a group of people, including criminal suspects, presented by police to witnesses who try to identify the criminal(s) in the group: The man who was robbed picked out the thief from the police lineup.
linger
linger
  1. v. [I]
    1 to remain, as if not wanting to go: Some guests lingered after the others had left.
    2 to stay, persist: Her perfume lingered even after she had gone.
    3 to continue living but in a weak condition: He was badly hurt in the crash but lingered a day before dying. -adj. lingering.
lingerie
lingerie
  1. n. [U] women's bras, slips, panties, and stockings: She buys her lingerie at an expensive store.
    THESAURUS
    lingerie women's underwear.
lingo
lingo
  1. n.infrml. -goes or -gos language difficult for outsiders to understand: The computer experts spoke to each other in a lingo I couldn't decipher.
linguist
linguist
  1. n. a person who knows several languages and their structure: She is a linguist on the faculty at Harvard University -adj. linguistic.
linguistics
linguistics
  1. n. [U] used with a sing. v.: the study of the nature and structure of languages: I studied linguistics in college.
liniment
liniment
  1. n. [C;U] a liquid or cream pain reliever spread on the skin: After exercise, he spreads liniment on his legs to ease the pain.
lining
lining
  1. n.
    1 an internal layer, such as in a jacket or coat: She has a wool lining in her winter coat.
    2 every cloud has a silver lining: an expression that means that a source of hope or a benefit can be found in a bad situation: My car got a new paint job because of the accident; every cloud has a silver lining.
link
link
  1. n.
    1 one connection in a series, such as a ring in a chain: Links in a chain can break.
    2 part of a communication or transport system: The company has telephone links to its branch offices.
    3 a relationship: That crime has a link to other crimes committed by the same person.
    4 pl. links a golf course
    5 missing link: a. (in human history) a species linking apes to human beings: Anthropologists continue to look for the missing link. b. a missing part or idea needed to complete a function: An experienced marketing manager is the missing link in our company.
    6 infrml. weak link: a connection likely to break and thus endanger a whole process: Our accounting system is slow; it's a weak link in our business.v. [T]
    1 to connect: Workers linked the railroad cars together.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to link s.t. up: to form a business venture: We linked up our business with a distributor in Hong Kong.
linkage
linkage
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act or process of connecting: Steel provides strong linkage in a chain.
    2 [C] a connection between two points: The rail linkages between Boston and New York are used by passenger traffic.
    3 fig. [U] (in diplomacy) agreement on shared interests between nations: The USA and China achieved linkage on mutual trade.
linkup
linkup
  1. n. a connection,
    THESAURUS
    a hookup: Technicians achieved a communications linkup between the ground and the satellite.
linoleum
linoleum
  1. n. [U] a smooth, strong floor covering: We have linoleum on our kitchen floor.
lint
lint
  1. n. [U] very small bits of cloth, fluff: She tried to brush the lint from her jacket.
lion
lion
  1. n.
    1 a large member of the cat family, found mainly in Africa
    2 infrml. the lion's share: the most of s.t.: The owner takes the lion's share of profits from the company.
lionhearted
lionhearted
  1. adj.fig. courageous, fearless like a lion: For his bravery, King Richard of England was called "the Lionhearted."
lionize
lionize
  1. v.frml. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to honor, raise s.o. to the stature of a great person: The prime minister was lionized in newspapers for his success with the economy.
lip-read
lip-read
  1. v. [I;T] -read , -reading, -reads to watch the words formed on s.o.'s lips so as to understand without hearing them, as hearing-impaired people often do: He lip-reads what others say.
lip-synch
lip-synch
  1. v. [I;T] to move the lips along with recorded music as if singing the words: He did a funny imitation of the singer while lip-synching one of her songs.
lip
lip
  1. n.
    1 one of two fleshy borders of the human mouth: She put red lipstick on her lips.
    2 the top edge of s.t.: There is gold trim around the lip of the teacup.
    3 suffix -lipped: having lips as described: She was white-lipped with fear.
    4 infrml. to give s.o. lip: to speak to s.o. without respect,
    THESAURUS
    to sass: The supervisor criticized the worker, who then gave the supervisor a lot of lip.
    5 to keep a stiff upper lip: to hold in one's feelings during a difficult time: Through all his bad luck, he kept a stiff upper lip.
    6 to smack one's lips: a. to press together and open one's lips noisily: He smacked his lips when he saw the delicious food. b. fig. to express delight: He smacked his lips over the big profit he would make.
    THESAURUS
    lip
    2 a rim (of a container, opening), projecting edge, brim | spout.
lip service
lip service
  1. n. infrml. [U] to pay lip service to s.t.: to agree with s.t. in words but not in actions: He pays lip service to his need for exercise but does nothing about it.
lipstick
lipstick
  1. n. [C;U] a cosmetic coloring for the lips: She wears pink lipstick.
liquefy or liquify
liquefy or liquify
  1. v. [I] -fied, -fying, -fies to change into liquid form: Ice liquefies as it melts.
liqueur
liqueur
  1. n. a sweet alcoholic drink with a flavoring such as fruit: They like to sit together after dinner and drink a liqueur.
liquid
liquid
  1. n. [C;U] the fluid state of matter that is neither a gas nor a solid: Water is a liquid that covers most of the earth.adj.
    1 free-flowing, fluid: When it is frozen, water is no longer liquid.
    2 (in finance, said of assets) readily available and usable as cash: That company has no liquid assets.
    THESAURUS
    liquid n. a fluid | a drink, beverage.
liquor
liquor
  1. n. a strong alcoholic drink: Vodka, whiskey, and scotch are types of liquor.
    THESAURUS
    liquor an alcoholic beverage, alcohol, spirits | booze slang.
lisp
lisp
  1. n. a speech abnormality in which the sound // is pronounced as /s/: Because of her lisp, the word "sing" sounds like "thing."v. [I] to speak with a lisp: She lisped as a child but doesn't now.
list
list
  1. n.
    1 a series of items written in a column: I made a list of things to buy at the store.
    2 a tilt to one side: The ship has a list to one side because the cargo is not balanced.v.
    1 [T] to make a list of: I listed the terms to be included in the contract.
    2 [I] to lean to one side, tilt: The ship listed during the storm.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to list for s.t.: to have a regular price of: That item lists for $20 but is now on sale at $14. See: list price.
list price
list price
  1. n. the regular retail price of an item: No one likes to pay the list price for an item; everyone wants a discount.
listen
listen
  1. v. [I]
    1 to hear, sense with the ears: I like to listen to birds sing in the trees.
    2 to pay attention to and act in accord with: I listened to the advice of my friend.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to listen in (on s.t.): a. to listen to,
    THESAURUS
    to eavesdrop: She listens in on the private conversations of others. b. to listen, such as to a radio program: Thousands listen in each morning to their favorite radio program.
    4 phrasal v. slang to listen up: to pay attention: Listen up, children! See: hear.

    USAGE NOTE: We hear (passively) because we have ears, and we listen (actively) when we focus our attention on s.t.: I was listening to the radio, so I didn't hear you come in.
listener
listener
  1. n.
    1 a member of an audience, such as for a radio program: Classical music stations have a limited number of listeners.
    2 a good listener: a sympathetic, supportive person: Her friends love her; she is a good listener to their problems.
listing
listing
  1. n.
    1 a list of items: I made a listing of the new clothes that I need.
    2 an advertisement: We looked through the newspaper listings of apartments for rent.
listless
listless
  1. adj. lacking energy or interest: The summer heat makes people feel listless. -n. [U] listlessness.
litany
litany
  1. n.
    1 [U] a form of prayer spoken by a priest or minister and answered by the churchgoers: The familiar litany of the church service comforted her.
    2 [C] a long speech listing complaints: He was forced to listen to a litany of the old man's aches and pains.
lite
lite
  1. adj.slang a nonstandard spelling of light used mainly in advertising low-calorie products: lite beer, lite yogurt
liter
liter
  1. n. or Brit. litre
    1 a liquid measure equal to 33.824 ounces or 1.057 quarts: He bought a liter of milk for the children.
    2 a metric measure of capacity equal to the volume of one kilogram of water at four degrees Celsius under normal pressure: That motor has a five-liter capacity.
literacy
literacy
  1. n. [U] the ability to read and write: The literacy rate in that country is low.
literal
literal
  1. adj.
    1 keeping to the exact meaning of a word or words: We translate the French "S'il vous plaît" as "Please," but a literal translation would be "If it pleases you."
    2 (of word meanings) basic, usual: The literal meaning of "dawn" is "sunrise," but it is used figuratively to mean "a beginning."
    3 concerned with facts and lacking in imagination: literal-minded
literally
literally
  1. adv. according to the exact words: I know he told you to get lost, but he didn't mean it literally; he just wanted you not to bother him.

    USAGE NOTE: Literally is sometimes used to give force to words when the meaning is not literal, as in "Her eyes literally popped out of her head at the sight of all that money."
literary
literary
  1. adj. related to literature and writing: Literary magazines have few readers compared to news magazines.
literate
literate
  1. adj.
    1 able to read and write: The percentage of literate adults in that country is approximately 60 percent.
    2 well-educated: She is a very literate woman.
    THESAURUS
    literate
    1 educated, schooled
    2 well-read, learned, well-informed. Ant. illiterate.
literati
literati
  1. n.pl. the writers, critics, and learned people of a city, nation, or era: The class studied the literati of nineteenth-century London.
literature
literature
  1. n. [U]
    1 written works, such as novels, poems, and plays, and commentary about them: She is a professor of French literature.
    2 written information about a specific field: The current literature on medicine is highly technical.
lithe
lithe
  1. adj. lither, lithest able to move and bend easily, (syns.) flexible, supple: Dancers are lithe.
lithography
lithography
  1. n. [U] a printing process using a smooth surface treated so image areas can absorb ink and surrounding areas cannot: Lithography is a popular type of printing. -n. [C] lithograph.
litigant
litigant
  1. n. (in law) a person involved in a legal action as a defendant or plaintiff: Litigants met in court before the judge.
litigate
litigate
  1. v. [I;T] -gated, -gating, -gates (in law) to argue (a case) in court: We litigated the dispute in Superior Court.
litigation
litigation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a lawsuit: We began a litigation against that firm.
    2 [U] the process of litigating: The litigation came to an end after many years. -adj. litigious.
litmus test
litmus test
  1. n.
    1 a chemical test for acidity: The paper used in the litmus test turned red, showing a high level of acid in the soil.
    2 fig. a test for truth, genuineness, or sincerity: Belief in the role of government in solving social problems is a political litmus test.
litre
litre
  1. Brit. See: liter.
litter
litter
  1. n.
    1 [U] pieces of trash on the ground: Empty bottles, newspapers, and other litter lay on the sidewalks.
    2 [C] a group of animals born together: Our dog had a litter of puppies.
    3 [C] a frame covered with strong cloth for carrying s.o.: Soldiers carried the injured man on a litter.v. [I;T] to drop trash on the ground: People who litter may have to pay a fine.
litterbag
litterbag
  1. n. a small bag used to collect trash: We keep a litterbag in our car.
litterbug
litterbug
  1. n.infrml. a person who litters: Litterbugs leave cans and cigarette butts on the beach.
little
little
  1. adj.
    1 small in size: Little children played in the school yard.
    2 small in amount: He gets little pay for the work he does.
    3 short in time: a little while
    4 young or younger: their little boy, her little brother
    5 unimportant: She leaves the little decisions to her assistants.
    6 the little guy or man: an ordinary citizen, esp. a low-level employee or single investor as opposed to s.o. with power or influence See: few. —adv. less , least
    1 not much: He cared little about his job.
    2 not at all: Little did I know what trouble lay ahead.
    3 to some degree: I was a little upset.
    4 little by little: in small amounts or by small steps, gradually: They have added rooms onto their house little by little.
    5 to make little of: to treat as unimportant: He is very modest and makes little of the prizes he has won.
    6 to think little of: a. to consider unimportant: She thinks little of driving two hours to work each day. b. to consider as not deserving respect: The boss thought little of my idea and refused to discuss it.pron.
    1 a small amount: She has little to do.
    2 a short distance or time: I moved my chair a little to the left.
little toe
little toe
  1. n. the outer toe on the foot: She has a blister on her little toe from walking.
liturgy
liturgy
  1. n. the prayers, songs, etc. of a church service: The minister plans the liturgy for each Sunday's service. -adj. liturgical.
livability
livability
  1. n. the degree of comfort and convenience of a place: That small city is known for its livability.
livable
livable
  1. adj.
    1 comfortable and convenient: With hard work, they made the old house livable.
    2 acceptable, bearable: He's depressed and feels his life is not livable.
live-in
live-in
  1. adj. (of domestic employees) living in the house where one works: The couple has a live-in maid who cleans and cooks.
live
live
  1. v. lived, living, lives
    1 [I] to have life, be or stay alive: He is badly hurt, but the doctors say he'll live.
    2 [I] to have one's home located (in a place): She lives in Boston.
    3 [I;T] to lead one's life in a certain way: He's a racecar driver who likes to take risks and live dangerously.
    4 to live and learn: to learn from one's mistakes: After losing money on his first venture into the stock market, he sighed and said, "Live and learn!"
    5 to live and let live: to have tolerance for others: She criticized the lifestyle of the new neighbors, but her sister advised her to live and let live.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to live in: (of a servant) to live in the house where one works: They have a woman who lives in and takes care of the children.
    7 infrml. to live it up: to enjoy oneself, esp. in spending freely: We decided to really live it up on vacation and stay in an expensive hotel.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to live off s.o. or s.t.: to get money for one's support: He lives off his friends (his savings, etc.).
    9 infrml. to live off the fat of the land: to live in comfort without effort: After winning the lottery, they retired to live off the fat of the land.
    10 phrasal v. insep. to live on s.t.: a. [T] to have as one's only means of support,
    THESAURUS
    to subsist on: The refugees lived on little food. b. fig. [I] to continue to live: After her death, she lived on in our hearts.
    11 to live or die by s.t.: to believe in s.t. very strongly: He is so religious that he lives or dies by what his minister says.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to live s.t. down: to have a bad action from one's past be forgiven or forgotten: He has never been able to live down wrecking his father's car.||He can't live it down.
    13 phrasal v. insep. [T] to live up to s.t.: a. to satisfy, not disappoint: She was an excellent student and lived up to her parents' expectations for her. b. to fulfill, carry out (responsibilities, obligations, etc.): He lived up to his promises and paid the money he owed.adj.
    1 living, alive: The cook dropped the live lobsters into boiling water.
    2 capable of exploding: live ammunition
    3 (of a performance) viewed or heard by an audience as it happens, not prerecorded: We watched a live broadcast of the opera on TV.
    4 infrml.fig. a live one: a. a fool easily tricked: The card cheat knew he had a live one when the young stranger started losing heavily. b. s.o. who is excited and enthusiastic: She is a live one who can dance all night.
    5 a live wire: a. a dangerous wire carrying electricity: That's a live wire, so don't touch it. b. infrml.fig. s.o. full of energy: He's a live wire and a super salesman.
livelihood
livelihood
  1. n. way of earning money to live: He makes his livelihood as a carpenter.
lively
lively
  1. adj. quick and full of energy, spirited: She is a lively young girl, always laughing and doing things.
liven
liven
  1. phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to liven s.t. up: to make spirited, joyful: She livened up the party by putting on fast music.||She livened it up. See: enliven.
liver
liver
  1. n.
    1 the organ in the body that helps in digestion and cleaning the blood: The liver is a vital organ.
    2 this organ from certain animals as a food: calf's liver, chicken livers
liverwurst
liverwurst
  1. n. ground liver in roll form: Liverwurst is used in sandwiches.
livery
livery
  1. n. -ies [C;U]
    1 uniforms, esp. those of servants: The English lord's footmen wore colorful livery.
    2 a place where horses are cared for: Our friend keeps his riding horse at a livery stable. -adj. liveried.
livestock
livestock
  1. n. [U] farm animals, such as cattle, sheep, and chickens: In winter, the farmer keeps his livestock in the barn.
livid
livid
  1. adj.
    1 extremely angry, furious: He was livid when he was refused entry to the building.
    2 pale, esp. from anger: He turned livid when the guard stopped him.
    3 bluish gray: There was a livid bruise on her face where he had hit her.
living
living
  1. n.
    1 sing. way of making money to live on: He earns his living as a cook.
    2 [U] the getting of things necessary for life, such as food and housing: the high cost of living, a rising standard of livingadj. alive: Who is the world's greatest living artist?
    THESAURUS
    living n.
    1 a livelihood, source of income | job, career.
living room
living room
  1. n. the room in a home where people sit, often to talk, read, or entertain: He sits in the living room and watches TV.
living will
living will
  1. n. a written request not to be kept alive by any medical life-support system when one is dying: Before her illness became serious, she wrote a living will.
lizard
lizard
  1. n. a type of four-legged reptile: Lizards include the chameleon, which changes colors, and the 10-foot Komodo dragon of Southeast Asia.
llama
llama
  1. n. a South American animal, like a small camel without a hump, used to carry loads: Llamas can work at high altitudes in the Andes.
load
load
  1. n.
    1 an amount to be carried, lifted, etc.: Trucks can carry heavy loads of materials.
    2 an amount of work, responsibility, etc.: That department has a heavy load of paperwork.
    3 (of explosives) the amount to be exploded at one time: A sailor got a load of powder for the cannon.
    4 the amount of electricity from a power source
    5 slang to get a load of: to look at (s.o. or s.t.) with admiration or disgust: As the photographer developed the film for the news story, she said to the editor,"Get a load of this!"
    6 infrml.fig. loads of: a lot of, plenty: Don't hurry; we have loads of time.
    THESAURUS
    load n.
    1 (a) cargo, freight
    2 a burden (worries, troubles), weight
    3 a charge. —v.
    1 [I;T] to put a load into or on: Workers loaded the truck with sand.
    2 [T] to put ammunition into a weapon or film into a camera: Soldiers loaded their guns.
    3 [T] to put into position, install: A programmer loads software onto a computer.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to load (s.o. or s.t.) up: a. to fill (with cargo): The driver loaded up his van and left.||He loaded it up with his tools. b. to give too much work,
    THESAURUS
    to overload: The boss loaded her up with extra work.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to load up on s.t.: to get a large supply of: The store manager was afraid of shortages, so he loaded up on extra inventory. -adj. loading.
loaded
loaded
  1. adj.
    1 filled with s.t. to carry: The heavily loaded truck carried sand.
    2 (of a weapon) filled with ammunition: The gun is loaded and ready to fire.
    3 infrml.fig. very rich: She is loaded (with money).
    4 slang drunk: He got loaded on beer.
    5 a loaded question: a question that is unfairly worded to trick s.o.: He saw that it was a loaded question and refused to answer it.
    6 loaded dice: dice that are weighted to give the owner an unfair advantage
loading dock
loading dock
  1. n. a platform onto which cargo is unloaded and moved into or out of a warehouse: Trucks pull up and unload their freight onto the loading dock.
loadstone
loadstone
  1. n. See: lodestone.
loaf
loaf
  1. n. loaves a standard portion of baked bread: We buy loaves of bread at the bakery.v. [I]
    1 to spend time in a carefree way, (syns.) to idle, dawdle: During vacation we loafed at the beach a lot.
    2 to waste time instead of working: He loafs on the job by talking all day.
loafer
loafer
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a person who avoids work: She is a loafer who works as little as she can.
    2 TM for a type of shoe with no laces: Loafers are comfortable footwear.
loam
loam
  1. n. [C;U] a type of soil rich in oxygen and nutrients for growing crops: The loam in some farmlands is deep and fertile.
loan
loan
  1. n.
    1 [C] a sum of money borrowed at a rate of interest: I applied at the bank for a mortgage loan at 7% interest.
    2 [C;U] the act of lending s.t.: I thanked him for the loan of his car.v. [T] to lend: I loaned my car to a friend for the weekend.
    THESAURUS
    loan n.
    1 an advance (of money) | credit.
loan shark
loan shark
  1. n. a person or business that lends money at extremely high interest rates, esp. money provided by organized crime: Loan sharks operate outside the law. -n. [U] loan sharking.
loaner
loaner
  1. n. a car or other piece of equipment given to s.o. to use while his or hers is being repaired: My auto dealership gives me a loaner when it keeps my car overnight for repair.
loath
loath
  1. adj.frml. loath to: unwilling to,
    THESAURUS
    reluctant to: He is loath to lend anyone money.
loathe
loathe
  1. v. [T] to hate, detest: Those two people loathe each other.
loathing
loathing
  1. n. [U] hatred, detestation: The loathing between the two people is clear.
loathsome
loathsome
  1. adj. extremely unpleasant, (syns.) abhorrent, repugnant: His behavior is so loathsome that people can't stand him.
lob
lob
  1. v. [T] lobbed, lobbing, lobs n. to hit or throw (a ball) high and gently: The father lobbed the ball to the child.
lobby
lobby
  1. n. -bies
    1 an entrance area to a building, such as where people are greeted and wait to be seen, etc.: We sat in the lobby until we were led to an office by a secretary.
    2 a person or group working to influence people (esp. politicians) whose decisions affect their special interests: Our union's lobby is very active in Washington, DC. —v. [I;T] -bied, -bying, -bies to try to influence s.o. in power (esp. politicians) to support one's interests and needs: All major industries lobby for favor in the nation's capital. -n. lobbyist.
    THESAURUS
    lobby n.
    1 an entrance hall, foyer, waiting room.
lobe
lobe
  1. n. a rounded part, as of the human ear: She had the lobes of her ears (or) her earlobes pierced for earrings.
lobotomy
lobotomy
  1. n. -mies an operation now not often performed that cuts away parts of the brain to relieve mental disorders: He had a lobotomy in 1947 to stop his psychotic behavior.
lobster
lobster
  1. n. [C;U] any of a variety of ocean shellfish with large claws and an extended abdomen: New England lobsters are delicious.
local
local
  1. adj.
    1 located nearby, as in a neighborhood, town, or area: We have plenty of local stores to choose from.
    2 affecting or limited to a certain area: a local anestheticn.
    1 a train or bus that makes all stops: That train is a local.
    2 infrml. s.o. who lives in a certain area: The tourists asked one of the locals for directions to the best beach.
    THESAURUS
    local adj.
    1 neighborhood, neighboring | regional.
local color
local color
  1. n.fig. buildings, people, and customs that make an area special: The narrow streets, old buildings, and people with strong accents are part of the local color in Boston.
locale
locale
  1. n. a place, location for s.t. that happens: The movie director chose a new locale to shoot the final scenes of the film.
locality
locality
  1. n. -ties a location, area: The rich people live in a locality north of town.
localize
localize
  1. v. -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 [T] to limit to a local area: Police localized the riot to a small area of the city.
    2 [I;T] (in medicine) to limit to an area or part of the body: The infection was localized around the knee joint.
locate
locate
  1. v. -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 [T] to find the location of: The student located Moscow, Paris, and London on a map.
    2 [I;T] to place, establish: The company located its new office building in a suburb.
location
location
  1. n.
    1 the place where s.t. is located: The location of the capital is in the center of the state.
    2 a piece of property: We moved our offices to a new location in the city.
    3 on location: (of a film) in a city, town, outdoors, etc., instead of in a film studio: The movie was filmed on location in Canada.
    THESAURUS
    location 1 and 2 a site, position (in space), whereabouts | spot, locale, locality.
lock
lock
  1. n.
    1 a mechanism for securing a door, suitcase, etc. so that only a key or a code will open it: The lock on our front door opens with an ordinary key.
    2 an area in a waterway where the water level can be raised and lowered so that ships can pass through it: They opened the gates to the next lock in the canal.
    3 a curling group of hairs: The child had curly blond locks.
    4 lock, stock, and barrel: everything included, completely: Thieves broke in and stole everything, lock, stock, and barrel.
    5 to have a lock on s.t.: to have control or a guarantee of s.t.: That candidate has a lock on his party's nomination for President.
    6 under lock and key: a. safely put away: She keeps important papers under lock and key.v.
    1 [T] to secure with a lock: I locked my apartment door before leaving for work.
    2 locked itself into: unable to change one's situation or an agreement, etc.: Our business locked itself into a contract to buy the merchandise even though the market price has fallen.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to lock s.o. or s.t. away: a. to put s.o. in jail: The judge locked away the murderer for life.||He locked him away. b. to store s.t. safely: She locked away her jewels in a safe.||She locked them away.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to lock s.o. or s.t. in: to put s.o. or s.t. into an enclosure, a room, etc. and lock it: She locks in the animals at night.||She locks them in.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to lock s.o. out: a. to keep s.o. from entering a place: She locked out her brother because she was mad at him.||She locked him out. b. to keep employees from entering their place of work so as to force them to accept an agreement: Management responded to a protest about low wages by locking out the workers.||Management locked them out.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to lock (s.o. or s.t.) up: a. to close and lock a house, office, store, etc.: I was the last to leave the warehouse, so I locked up. b. to put s.o. in jail: The judge ordered the thief locked up.||She locked him up. c. to gain complete control over s.t., such as a business deal, the market for a product, etc.: That company has the market for supercomputers locked up.||The company has locked it up.
locker
locker
  1. n.
    1 a storage compartment, such as one in a row of metal cabinets used for keeping work clothes, athletic equipment, etc.: Each student at the high school has a locker.
    2 any of a great variety of storage containers, such as food lockers or military uniform lockers: The crew of the fishing boat stored the fish in food lockers.
locker room
locker room
  1. n. a room with lockers for athletes: The team changes clothes in a locker room.
locket
locket
  1. n. small case, usu. containing a picture or message from a loved one, worn on a necklace: She wears a gold locket from her boyfriend.
lockout
lockout
  1. n. a management action of locking protesting employees out of a business to force a settlement: After the wage protest, management began a lockout of labor.
locksmith
locksmith
  1. n. s.o. who installs and repairs locks: When the lock on our front door broke, we called a locksmith to fix it.
lockstep
lockstep
  1. n. sing. in lockstep: fig. in accord with rules so rigid that people must follow them closely and in exact order: The school curriculum requires the students to follow lessons in lockstep without any changes.
lockup
lockup
  1. n.infrml. a jail: The sheriff put the suspect in the lockup for the night.
loco
loco
  1. adj.slang crazy: He's loco to think he can walk on water.
locomotive
locomotive
  1. n.adj. a large railroad vehicle with an engine: Several locomotives can pull a string of freight cars a mile long. -n. [U] locomotion.
locus
locus
  1. n. -ci a point on a line, in space, etc.: Two lines cross at a locus on the chart.
locust
locust
  1. n. an insect of the grasshopper family noted for flying in large groups and destroying crops: Historical records describe terrible plagues of locusts.
locution
locution
  1. n.frml. [U] a person's style of speaking: She has excellent locution.
lode
lode
  1. n.
    1 a deposit of gold, silver, etc. in harder surrounding rock: Geologists discovered a lode of lead.
    2 the mother lode: a source of great natural riches: The adventurers were in search of the mother lode of gold to make them rich.
lodestar
lodestar
  1. n. a star used as a guide to navigation, esp. the North Star: The North Star served as the lodestar for sailing for centuries.
lodestone
lodestone
  1. n.
    1 magnetite, which points to magnetic north as a guide to navigation: Sailors used a lodestone as a compass to help find their way at sea.
    2 fig. s.t. that attracts, s.t. magnetic: The chance to find gold was the lodestone that drew people to California in the 1800s.
lodge
lodge
  1. n.
    1 a cabin or other small country house: On vacation, we stayed at a ski lodge in the woods.
    2 a hotel, motel, etc.: Yosemite National Park has some wonderful old lodges.
    3 a local group of certain organizations or the building used for the group's meetings: The Odd Fellows Lodge is a big, old building.v. lodged, lodging, lodges
    1 frml. [I;T] to stay for a short while: The travelers lodged in an inn for the night.
    2 [I;T] to enter and stop: Bullets lodged in the walls.
    3 [T] to present formally or officially: A dissatisfied customer lodged a complaint about a faulty product.
    4 frml. [I;T] to place in the control of,
    THESAURUS
    to confer upon: Power was lodged with the new head of state.
lodger
lodger
  1. n. a paying guest, esp. of a rooming house: The professor and his wife have three students as lodgers in their house.
lodging
lodging
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a temporary place to stay for pay (as in a hotel or motel): We found lodging for the night in a small motel.
    2 n.pl.frml. one's place of living (room, apartment): His lodgings are in a quiet section of town.
loft
loft
  1. n.
    1 an open work area or part of one in a factory: Many lofts in New York have been changed to artists' apartments.
    2 a platform above a main floor, such as a sleeping loft in an apartment: A narrow staircase leads to a loft with a bed.
    3 a space under the roof of a barn: The farmer keeps hay for his cows in the loft.v. [I;T] to send or be sent into the air: The golf ball lofted into the air.
lofty
lofty
  1. adj.
    1 high in elevation: The eagle's nest is on a lofty perch on the mountain.
    2 fig. high in relation to others,
    THESAURUS
    elevated: She has lofty ambitions to be rich and famous. -n. [U] loftiness.
log
log
  1. n.
    1 a tree trunk or large branch that has either fallen or been cut: The man cut trees into logs with a chain saw.
    2 a journal or other record of information: He keeps a computerized log of all shipments that enter and leave the warehouse.
    3 infrml. a bump on a log: a stupid, lazy person: He just sat in class like a bump on a log and never passed the course.v. logged, logging, logs
    1 [I;T] to cut trees into logs: He works as a lumberjack, logging trees for a big paper company.
    2 [T] to enter into a written record: The sergeant logs (in) the name of each soldier as he arrives at camp.
    3 [T] to earn credit for time spent working, distance traveled, etc.: During her training, the pilot logged 100 hours on planes of this type.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to log on to s.t.: to enter into a computer system, usu. with a password: I logged on to an information service by using my modem.
    THESAURUS
    log n.
    1 timber, lumber
    2 a register, official record (flight, voyage). —v.
    1 to timber
    2 to register, record
    3 to spend, record.
logarithm
logarithm
  1. n. the power to which a base number must be raised to produce a given number: Logarithms are shown in long numerical tables. -adj. logarithmic.
loge
loge
  1. n. a section of the balcony in a theater or stadium: We sat in the left loge and had a good view of the baseball field.
loggerhead
loggerhead
  1. n.fig. at loggerheads: arguing, in disagreement: The two partners are always at loggerheads with each other and may split up.
logging
logging
  1. n. [U] the work or industry of cutting trees: Logging can be a dangerous job.
logic
logic
  1. n. [U]
    1 a system of reasoning: She uses logic—not emotion—in all her decisions.
    2 the study of principles of inference and reasoning: A course in mathematical logic can be quite difficult.
    THESAURUS
    logic
    1 reason, good judgment, common sense
    2 inductive reasoning.
logical
logical
  1. adj.
    1 using a system of reasoning: She has a very logical mind.
    2 showing good sense: It is logical that people protect themselves when they feel threatened.
logistics
logistics
  1. n.pl. sometimes used with a sing. verb the organization and distribution of goods, services, and personnel, esp. in large amounts: The logistics of moving an army into combat are very complex. -adj. logistical.
logjam
logjam
  1. n.
    1 a mass of logs that does not move in a stream: A logjam formed from logging operations near the river.
    2 fig. a blockage, such as from an overload of work: Complicated new tax laws caused a logjam in the accounting department.
logo
logo
  1. -gos n. a design symbol of a business, an institution, or a product: IBM's logo, with its silver streaks, is recognized the world over.
logotype
logotype
  1. n. See: logo.
logrolling
logrolling
  1. n. [U]
    1 transport of logs by water: Lumbermen use logrolling down a river to move logs to a port.
    2 a sport between two opponents, each one trying to roll the other off a log placed in water
loin
loin
  1. n.adj. (in animals) the section from the lower back to the upper leg: The butcher cut a section of the loin for the restaurant to serve as loin chops.
loincloth
loincloth
  1. n. a cloth wrapped around the groin and hips: In hot climates, some men wear loincloths.
loiter
loiter
  1. v. [I] to stand or sit doing nothing, esp. in a public place,
    THESAURUS
    to idle: Homeless men loitered in the park. -n. loiterer.
loll
loll
  1. v. [I]
    1 to hang loosely, esp. the tongue: The dog's tongue lolled out of its mouth during the hot weather.
    2 to lie or sit in a lazy manner: Vacationers lolled (about) on the beach.
lollipop
lollipop
  1. n. a ball or flat round piece of hard candy on a stick: Children enjoy lollipops.
lone
lone
  1. adj. only, (syns.) solitary, sole: He was the lone person to discover the secret.
lone wolf
lone wolf
  1. n.fig. a person who lives and acts alone: George is a lone wolf who keeps to himself.
loneliness
loneliness
  1. n. [U] a condition of being alone and feeling sad: Most people experience loneliness sometimes.
    THESAURUS
    loneliness solitude, isolation (from others), seclusion.
lonely
lonely
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 alone and feeling sad: Without friends, he felt lonely in a new city.
    2 empty of people: The downtown area was a lonely place at night.
lonely hearts
lonely hearts
  1. n.pl. lonely people looking for love, esp. by advertising in the personal sections of newspapers: Many people read the column for lonely hearts in the local paper.
loner
loner
  1. n. a person who avoids the company of others and prefers to be and act mostly alone: John is a loner and keeps apart from his co-workers.
lonesome
lonesome
  1. adj. feeling sad and in need of a friend: She was alone on Saturday night and feeling lonesome.
    THESAURUS
    lonesome lonely, friendless.
long-distance
long-distance
  1. adj. between distant places: Long-distance moves from one part of the country to another are difficult.||I had to make many long-distance (telephone) calls when I was in college.
long-lived
long-lived
  1. adj. living a long time: His parents were long-lived; they died when they were well into their nineties.
long-range
long-range
  1. adj.
    1 covering a time period lasting far into the future: The company must make long-range plans.
    2 operating over long distances: long-range missiles
long-standing
long-standing
  1. adj. in effect for a long time,
    THESAURUS
    customary: The celebration of Thanks-giving is a long-standing tradition in North America.
long-suffering
long-suffering
  1. adj. patient in spite of suffering for a long time,
    THESAURUS
    oppressed: The long-suffering poor people were helped by the new government.
long-term
long-term
  1. adj. extending over a long period, lasting: He suffers from a long-term disability.n. sing. in or over the long term: after several years: Over the long term, the economy will be healthy.
long-winded
long-winded
  1. adj. speaking for a long period of time: Politicians can make long-winded speeches.
long
long
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 having a certain length: The table is six feet long, or about two meters long.
    2 lasting a certain amount of time: Our conversation was only five minutes long.
    3 (in distance or time) having great length or duration: It is a long way from New York to Hong Kong.||The senator made a long speech on taxes.
    4 in the long run: over many months or years: The economy is weak now, but in the long run it will improve.
    5 to be long on: to have (too) much of: That young company is long on ideas but short of the money to put them into production.adv.
    1 (for) a long time: Have you been waiting long?
    2 all day (morning, night, etc.) long: for or throughout a certain amount of time without stopping: Noise from the construction site continued all day long.
    3 as or so long as: if, provided that, on condition that: So long as it does not rain, we can have a picnic.
    4 exclam. Long live (the King, the Republic, etc.)!: May (the King, etc.) endure for a long time: The crowd outside the palace shouted, "Long live the Queen!"
    5 infrml. So long: Good-bye: So long for now! See you tomorrow!n.
    1 (in clothes) a length and cut for a tall person: In suits, he wears a long.
    2 before long: soon, shortly: Clouds appeared, and before long it began to rain.
    3 the long and short of s.t.: the main point, the substance,
    THESAURUS
    the gist: We talked for an hour, but the long and short of it is that he won't lower the price.v. [I] to want very much (s.o. or s.t. that is not available): He longed for his girlfriend, who lived far away.||She longs to take a vacation.
long ago
long ago
  1. adv. in the distant past: Long ago, people believed the earth was flat.
    THESAURUS
    long ago a long time ago, in ancient times.
long face
long face
  1. n.fig. an expression of sadness or disappointment: She had a long face after she failed the examination.
long haul
long haul
  1. n. over the long haul: during or after a long period of time: Real estate is a good investment over the long haul.
long johns
long johns
  1. n.pl. underwear covering the entire body from neck to wrists and ankles: People wear long johns during cold winters.
long shot
long shot
  1. n.infrml.fig.
    1 s.t. that has little chance of success, esp. a horse with a weak record of winning: At the racetrack, she bet on a long shot and lost.
    2 not by a long shot: not at all, not even close: He didn't pass the test, not by a long shot.
longer
longer
  1. adj.adv.
    1 comp. of long
    2 adv. no longer or not any longer: not now, not anymore: He no longer works there; he retired.||I won't wait any longer; I'm leaving.
longevity
longevity
  1. n. [U]
    1 the length of life: The marine biologist studied the longevity of sea turtles.
    2 a long lifetime: The people in that family live a long time; they are known for their longevity.
longhand
longhand
  1. n. [U] ordinary writing by hand: She writes letters in longhand to her friends.
longing
longing
  1. n. [C;U] a strong desire or emotional need,
    THESAURUS
    yearning: She has a longing to see her old friends.
longitude
longitude
  1. n. [C;U] the distance from an imaginary line called the Prime Meridian, which runs north and south through Greenwich, England and divides the earth's surface into east and west: Sailors can measure their location by determining their exact longitude and latitude. -adj. longitudinal.
longshoreman
longshoreman
  1. n. -men a dock worker responsible for moving cargo on and off ships: Longshoremen use machines to move heavy loads.
look-alike
look-alike
  1. n. a person who closely resembles another, a double: She is a look-alike for a famous movie star.
look
look
  1. v.
    1 [I] to use one's eyes to see: Look! There's a beautiful bird in that tree.
    2 [I] to inspect, examine: The accountant looked closely at the company's financial records.
    3 [I] to appear, seem to be: She looked tired after the race.
    4 [I] to face, have a view of: These windows look south.
    5 It looks like or It looks as if: it seems probable that: It looks like (it's going to) rain.
    6 exclam. Look or Look here: an expression used in anger to get s.o.'s attention: Look here, stop making so much noise!
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look after s.o. or s.t.: to take care of s.o. or s.t.: She stayed home to look after the baby.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to look ahead: to think about and plan for the future: The company president asked the management team to look ahead.
    9 infrml. to look alive: to move or act quickly or energetically: We'll have to look alive if we want to catch that train!
    10 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to look around (s.t.): a. to examine an area: Getting off the train, he looked around to see if his friends were there. b. infrml. at s.t.: to consider a number of choices, esp. before buying s.t.: We looked around at many houses before we found this one.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look at s.o. or s.t.: a. to examine or give one's close attention to s.o. or s.t.: She wanted the doctor to look at her son. b. to think about and form an opinion of s.o. or s.t., (syns.) to regard, view: His father said, "You'll look at things differently when you're older."
    12 phrasal v. [I] to look back: to think about or remember the past: She looked back at her childhood.
    13 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look down on s.o. or down one's nose at s.o.: to feel or show a lack of respect for s.o.: Some rich people look down on the poor as inferior.
    14 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look forward to s.t.: to be eager for s.t. enjoyable in the future: I'm looking forward to my vacation next month.
    15 to look high and low: to search everywhere: He looked high and low for his keys until he found them.
    16 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look in on s.o.: to visit s.o. as to check his or her condition: Nurses look in on patients regularly.
    17 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look into s.t.: to try to find the truth about s.t,,
    THESAURUS
    to investigate: The police looked into the crime and solved it.
    18 infrml. to look like death warmed over: to appear very sick or upset: He has a bad case of the flu and looks like death warmed over.
    19 infrml. to look like hell: to be badly disordered: I've had no sleep, and I look like hell!
    20 phrasal v. [I] to look on: to stand by and watch: A crowd looked on as two men fought.
    21 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look on or upon s.o. or s.t.: to think of or consider s.o. or s.t., (syns.) to view, regard: His new job pays poorly, but he looks on it as a learning experience.
    22 phrasal v. insep. [I] to look out (for s.o. or s.t.): a. to be careful: Look out! You'll fall! b. to be careful about s.o. or s.t. dangerous: Look out for that car! c. to care for or protect s.o. or s.t.: A mother needs to look out for her children when they play outside.
    23 infrml. to look out for Number One: to think of one's own interests (not those of others): He's a selfish man, always looking out for Number One.
    24 phrasal v. insep. [I] to look out on or over s.t.: to face or have a view of s.t.: Our apartment looks out on a park.
    25 phrasal v. sep. [T] to look over s.t.: to examine s.t.: We looked over the contract before signing it.||We looked it over.
    26 to look the other way: to permit s.t. illegal or immoral by pretending not to see it or know about it: The authorities knew about the illegal d rug traffic, but they looked the other way.
    27 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look to s.o. or s.t.: a. to depend on or rely on s.o.: The boy looks to his big brother for help. b. to take care of or attend to an obligation: The girl looked to finishing her homework before going out to play.
    28 phrasal v. sep. to look (s.o. or s.t.) up: a. fig. [I] to improve: Now that I have a better job, things are looking up. b. infrml.fig. [T] to locate s.o. and then call or visit: When I was in Chicago, I looked up an old school friend.||I looked him up. c. [T] to try to find s.t. in a dictionary or other reference: Look up the number in the telephone book.||Look it up.
    29 phrasal v. insep. [T] to look up to s.o.: to respect or admire s.o.: The boy looks up to his father as a kind man and a good coach.n.
    1 an act of looking, a glance: The girl gave a look in my direction.
    2 an appearance: That couple has a fashionable look.
    3 a facial expression, esp. one used to communicate a feeling: He gave me an angry look.
    4 pl. one's general appearance, esp. a good one: That actor is known more for his looks than for his acting ability.
    5 infrml. a dirty look: a facial expression that shows anger directed at s.o.: When the man said something rude to her, she gave him a dirty look.
    6 a good look: a careful examination: We'll take a good look at the house before we decide whether to buy it.
lookout
lookout
  1. n.
    1 a person who watches and warns others of danger: The thief has a lookout to warn him if the police arrive.
    2 a place to watch from: The church tower made a good lookout.
    3 to be on the lookout for: to expect and watch for: You should be on the lookout for that package to arrive soon.
loom
loom
  1. v.
    1 [I] to appear large and dangerous: The storm loomed on the horizon and then struck.
    2 [T] to weave on a loom: Workers loomed fabric made of cotton.
    3 to loom large: to be important, have great influence: That senator looms large in national politics.n. a frame or machine used to weave cloth and rugs: She makes pretty things on her loom.
loon
loon
  1. n.
    1 a water bird with a laugh-like cry: We sat at the edge of the lake and listened to the strange cry of the loon.
    2 infrml. crazy as a loon: not sensible, mad: That fool is as crazy as a loon.
loony
loony
  1. infrml.fig. adj. -ier, -iest n. -ies crazy, mad: He's loony, always talking and laughing to himself.
loony bin
loony bin
  1. n. slang.fig.pej. a hospital for mentally ill people: He's so crazy that his family sent him off to a loony bin.
loop
loop
  1. n.
    1 a circular shape formed by a line, string, wire, etc.: The cowboy threw a loop of his rope over the horse's neck.
    2 in the loop: informed, consulted, participating in a discussion (decision, project, etc.): My boss is very good about keeping me in the loop on what's happening.
    3 infrml. to throw s.o. for a loop: to shock and confuse s.o.: When he heard the bad news, it threw him for a loop.v. [I;T] to make a loop (in, over, or with): The cowboy looped his rope over the cow's horns.
loophole
loophole
  1. n.fig. a way out (of an agreement), esp. a fault in a law that allows people to avoid following it: There is a loophole in the new tax law that allows the rich to escape paying higher taxes.
loose-leaf
loose-leaf
  1. adj. containing individual sheets of paper that can usu. be removed or replaced: Students keep notes in a loose-leaf binder.
loose
loose
  1. adj. looser, loosest
    1 not firmly fixed or attached: A button came loose and fell off my jacket.
    2 escaped, free: The farmer's horse got loose, and he had to catch it.
    3 not tight-fitting: She wears loose clothing in summer.
    4 careless, too relaxed: The bookkeeping (attendance, discipline, etc.) in that company is loose.
    5 without strict morals: He called her a loose woman.
    6 a loose cannon: a careless person who is a danger to others in a group, institution, etc.: The other officers saw him as a loose cannon and wanted him off their ship.
    7 a loose end: a point that has not yet been agreed on or taken care of: We just need to tie up a few loose ends before we can write up the contract.
    8 on the loose: escaped and moving freely, esp. a prisoner or an animal: He escaped from jail and is on the loose in the city.
    9 infrml. to be at loose ends: a. to be without a job or anything useful to do: She is at loose ends and does little all day. b. confused, not knowing what to do: She is at loose ends, not knowing whether to look for a job or go to school.
    10 infrml. to have a screw loose: to be crazy, not sensible: You can't depend on him; sometimes he acts as though he has a screw loose.
    11 to let loose: a. to release, set free: She let loose a cry of excitement when her team won. b. infrml. to act without reserve or restraint: It's the weekend at last, and we're going to let loose tonight!v.frml. [T] to release, untie: He believes no one can ever loose the bonds of marriage. -n. [U] looseness.
loosen
loosen
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] make or become less tight or firm: A technician loosened the screws on the TV and opened the back of it.||My hold on the rope loosened, and it slipped through my hands.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to loosen s.o. or s.t up: a. [I;T] to get ready for an activity: Athletes need to loosen up their muscles before competing.||They loosen them up. b. [I] to relax: After that six-hour meeting, I felt the need to loosen up.
    THESAURUS
    loosen
    1 to undo | relax.
loot
loot
  1. v. [I;T] to rob, steal from: People looted stores during the riot.n. [U] stolen goods or money: Thieves hid their loot in an empty building.
lop
lop
  1. v. [T] lopped, lopping, lops to cut, chop: A farm worker lopped the green tops off carrots with a knife.
lope
lope
  1. v. [I] n. to run in a smooth, graceful way: A dog loped through the field toward home.||He ran with an easy lope.
lopsided
lopsided
  1. adj. with one side much larger or heavier than the other: Our team had a lopsided victory of 10 to 0 over our opponent.
lord
lord
  1. n.
    1 a nobleman: She reads books about English lords and their ladies.
    2 the Lord: term for the Christian God: O Lord, hear my prayer.phrasal v. insep. [I] to lord it over s.o.: to act like s.o.'s master,
    THESAURUS
    to domineer: After winning the competition, he tried to lord it over his classmates, but they refused to listen.
lordly
lordly
  1. adj.
    1 formal and dignified: He manages his business with a lordly air.
    2 showing too high an opinion of one's importance,
    THESAURUS
    haughty: The workers disliked their supervisor's lordly manner.
lore
lore
  1. n. [U] informal history, often stories, customs, and beliefs: The sportswriter is an expert on the lore of baseball.
lose
lose
  1. v. lost , losing, loses
    1 [T] to become unable to find: He lost his wallet.
    2 [I;T] to be defeated (in a competition or war): Our team lost the basketball game.
    3 [T] to have s.t. valuable taken away: Because of the storm, they lost time (their ship, their lives, etc.).
    4 [T] to be unable to keep, no longer control (one's balance, patience, etc.): She lost her temper and began shouting.
    5 [T] to have less of: to lose weight, lose interest in s.t.
    6 [T] to escape from (s.o. who is following): The thief managed to lose the police in the crowded street.
    7 [T] to fail to make s.o. understand: I'm afraid you've lost me; would you repeat the instructions?
    8 a losing battle: an effort that cannot succeed: She stopped trying to change his mind when she saw that it was a losing battle.
    9 to lose heart: to have less hope, become discouraged: After the other team scored, our team lost heart and played poorly.
    10 infrml. to lose one's cool: to become angry, upset, emotional, etc.: The thief lost his cool and started fighting with the police.
    11 infrml. to lose one's shirt: to suffer a large financial loss: He invested his money foolishly, and when stock prices dropped, he lost his shirt.
    12 to lose one's touch: to no longer have the same high level of skill (as a performer, an artist, etc.): She has been a very successful writer, but her newest book is selling poorly; maybe she's losing her touch.
    13 phrasal v. insep. [I] to lose out (on s.t.): to miss an opportunity: He arrived too late for the interview and lost out on any chance at the job.
    14 to lose sight of: a. to become unable to see: We lost sight of land as our ship moved out to sea. b. fig. to no longer consider, forget: She is following her own idea and has lost sight of what her boss wants her to do.
loser
loser
  1. n.
    1 a person or team that has lost a competition: Our team was the loser in the volleyball game.
    2 infrml.pej. a person who is a failure, esp. one whose actions harm others: He is a loser who won't get off drugs.
loss
loss
  1. n. -es
    1 [C] a failure to win: Our team has a record of five wins, two losses, and one tie.
    2 [C] an amount of money that is lost or taken away: She suffered large losses when stock prices dropped.
    3 [C;U] the fact of losing s.o. or s.t. valued, esp. because of a death: The loss of his mother caused him great pain.
    4 at a loss: not knowing what to do or say: When his business failed, he was at a loss as to what to do.
    5 to be at a loss for words: to not know what to say: When she learned she had won a big prize, she was at a loss for words and could only smile.
lost
lost
  1. v. past tense & part. of lose —adj.
    1 unable to be found, misplaced: His wallet is lost.
    2 not knowing where one is located: The lost child asked a police officer for help.
    3 killed or destroyed: Several seamen were lost at sea in the storm.
    4 a lost cause: a project or effort that cannot be successful: He decided that losing weight was a lost cause and stopped trying to diet.
    5 exclam.slang Get lost!: angry request for others to leave: Get lost and stop annoying me!
    6 lost in thought: thinking deeply and so not aware of people or things around one: She was lost in thought and didn't hear my question.
lot
lot
  1. n.
    1 [C] a piece of land: We own a small lot next to our house.
    2 [U] one's condition in life, fate: It was his lot to become priest.
    3 infrml. a lot (of) or lots (of): a large amount or number: I like her a lot.||He has lots of money, problems, etc.
    4 to draw lots: to use chance to make a choice, such as by picking straws of differing lengths: We drew lots to decide who would go first, second, and third.
    THESAURUS
    lot
    1 a plot, parcel (land)
    2 destiny, fortune.
lotion
lotion
  1. n. [C;U] a liquid used to clean, soften, moisturize, or protect skin: People use suntan lotion to protect against sunburn.
    THESAURUS
    lotion skin cream, moisturizer | ointment, balm frml.
lottery
lottery
  1. n. -ies a game of chance in which people buy tickets with numbers and the winner is the one whose numbers match those drawn by the lottery organizer: Many states have a lottery to raise money.
lotto
lotto
  1. n. a lottery: I play lotto once a week.
lotus
lotus
  1. n. -es any of a variety of land or water plants having large white, pink, or yellow flowers: The lotus is a beautiful plant with special religious meaning.
loud
loud
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 having an intense sound, noisy: The sound of city traffic is loud.
    2 unpleasantly bright in color: He wears bright reds and other loud colors. -n. loudness.
    THESAURUS
    loud
    1 deafening, earsplitting | shrill, strident frml.
    2 flashy, garish, gaudy.
loudmouth
loudmouth
  1. n.infrml. -mouths
    1 a person who speaks in a loud voice: That loudmouth is always saying how tough he is.
    2 s.o. who tells the secrets of others: Don't tell that loudmouth anything that you want to keep secret. -adj. loudmouthed.
loudspeaker
loudspeaker
  1. n. a device for amplifying sound: Loudspeakers in the train station are used to announce departures and arrivals.
lounge
lounge
  1. n.
    1 a place with seats where people can wait, read, etc.: We waited in the airline's lounge.
    2 (cocktail) lounge: a barroom often with comfortable seats and tables: We met in the lounge for a drink before dinner.v. [I] lounged, lounging, lounges to rest in a relaxed position: We lounged on the beach.
louse
louse
  1. n. lice
    1 any of a variety of bloodsucking insects that live on people and animals: Lice cause itching and carry diseases.
    2 infrml.fig. a bad person who cannot be trusted: She finally divorced that louse!v. loused, lousing, louses phrasal v. sep. slang [I;T] to louse s.t. up: to make a mess of, spoil: That idiot loused up all our plans!||He loused them up!
lousy
lousy
  1. adj. slang
    1 awful, no good: That repair shop did a lousy job of fixing my car.
    2 in poor health, miserable: She has the flu and feels lousy.
lout
lout
  1. n. stupid, offensive man: That lout annoys everyone he meets. -adj. loutish.
lovable
lovable
  1. adj. easy to love: That little girl is a lovable child.
    THESAURUS
    lovable adorable, lovely | endearing, winning (personality).
love
love
  1. v. [T] loved, loving, loves
    1 to like with great intensity: I love my wife with all my heart.
    2 to enjoy very much, take great pleasure in: He loves to play golf, but his wife loves gardening.n.
    1 [U] very strong liking and affection: She shows her love for her children every day.
    2 [C] strong enjoyment or pleasure: a love of music
    3 [C] an endearing person: That little boy is such a love!
    4 [U] sexual desire or passion: He is full of love for his new wife.
    5 [U] (in tennis) a score of zero
    6 a labor of love: a job or project done for idealistic reasons rather than for money: The professor wrote his book on Shakespeare as a labor of love.
    7 a love-hate relationship: a strong emotional connection that involves both caring for and disliking s.o.: That couple has a love-hate relationship.
    8 Give s.o. my love: say hello for me in a loving way: Give my love to your mother when you see her.
    9 neither for love nor money: not for any reason: Neither for love nor money will he give up smoking.
    10 to fall or be in love (with s.o.): to begin to feel or to have strong romantic feelings for s.o.: He fell in love with her the moment he saw her; it was love at first sight.
    11 to make love: to have sexual intercourse: They made love on their wedding night.
love child
love child
  1. n.old usage a child born to a couple not married to each other: The king kept his love child a secret from the public.
love seat
love seat
  1. n. a small sofa seating two people: We have a love seat against the wall opposite the sofa.
lovebird
lovebird
  1. n.
    1 any of several small parrots that seem to talk to and touch each other with affection
    2 fig. an affectionate couple: The lovebirds kissed in public on their honeymoon.
loveless
loveless
  1. adj. without love: That couple suffers from a loveless marriage.
lovelorn
lovelorn
  1. adj.frml. sad from lack of love or the absence of one's lover: He is lovelorn; his wife has left him.
lovely
lovely
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 attractive, pretty: The girl on the magazine cover is lovely.
    2 pleasant, delightful: We had a lovely time at the wedding. -n. [U] loveliness.
    THESAURUS
    lovely
    1 beautiful, glamorous
    2 very enjoyable, pleasing.
lover
lover
  1. n.
    1 a person in a sexual relationship outside marriage: Two lovers met for dinner at a cozy restaurant.
    2 s.o. who very much enjoys s.t.: a music lover
    3 a gay person's romantic partner
lovesick
lovesick
  1. adj. sad and depressed from love that is not returned: He is so lovesick since his girlfriend left him that he can't eat or sleep.
loving
loving
  1. adj. showing love, esp. attentive and affectionate: The children's mother is a loving woman.
    THESAURUS
    loving warm, caring.
low-cal
low-cal
  1. adj.infrml. low in calories: She drinks low-cal diet sodas.
low-grade
low-grade
  1. adj. poor in quality: The ore from that mine is low-grade and yields little gold.
low-key
low-key
  1. adj. quiet, calm, and controlled: He is a low-key guy who never raises his voice.
low-pressure
low-pressure
  1. adj. calm, not pushing people to work faster: She has a low-pressure job and friendly co-workers.
low
low
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 below s.t. else in level: The land is low in this area; it is near sea level.||I was glad to pay such a low price for the car.
    2 near the floor or ground: There was a low table in front of the sofa.
    3 (of a sound) quiet or deep: They spoke in low voices so as not to disturb anyone.||The radio announcer had a low voice.
    4 fig. morally bad, dishonest: He stole from his friend, and that was a low thing to do.
    5 fig. sad, depressed: She is feeling low about the death of her father.
    6 to be low on s.t.: to have only a little of s.t. left: We were low on gas, so we drove into a gas station to buy some.adv.
    1 in, at, or to a negligible position or level: She scored low on the test.
    2 near the floor or ground: He bent low to pick up the child.n.
    1 a depth: Winter temperatures there reach extreme lows.
    2 to hit a new low: to reach the lowest point so far: The price of that stock hit a new low yesterday.v. to make a sound like a cow, to moo: The cows are lowing in the field.
low profile
low profile
  1. n. a way of behaving that does not draw attention: He is a diplomat who maintains a low profile and works quietly with others.
low tide
low tide
  1. n. [C;U] one of two daily periods during which the tide is lowest: Small fishing boats lie in the mud during low tide.
lowbrow
lowbrow
  1. adj.n. common, not cultured,
    THESAURUS
    undiscriminating: He has lowbrow tastes and is happiest when drinking beer and watching football.
lowdown
lowdown
  1. adj.infrml. lacking honor or fairness, mean: He did a lowdown, nasty thing when he cheated his friend.n. sing.infrml.fig. the most recent information about s.t.: My friend gave me the lowdown on the current office rumors.
lower
lower
  1. adj. comp. of low —v.
    1 [T] to let down to a reduced level or position: A sailor lowered a rope over the side of the ship.
    2 [I;T] to make less in amount, degree, or intensity: The dealer lowered the price of the car.
    3 to lower oneself: to act beneath one's dignity or self-respect: He needed money but would not lower himself to picking up coins on the street.
lowercase
lowercase
  1. adj.n. [U] in small rather than capital letters: This sentence is in lowercase letters, except for the capital "T" of "This."
lowest common denominator
lowest common denominator
  1. n.
    1 (in mathematics) the lowest number that is a multiple of each denominator in a set of fractions
    2 fig. the people lowest in ability in a society: Critics claim that the public school system is run for the benefit of the lowest common denominator.
lowlands
lowlands
  1. n.pl. a region near sea level: The mountains slope down into lowlands near the ocean.
lowly
lowly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest from a low or humble position: She comes from lowly origins but is a brilliant student.
lox
lox
  1. n. [U] smoked salmon: Many people enjoy lox and cream cheese on bagels.
loyal
loyal
  1. adj. faithful to others, esp. one's friends or country: He is a loyal soldier.
    THESAURUS
    loyal true, steadfast, trustworthy. Ants. disloyal, unfaithful.
loyalist
loyalist
  1. n. a person loyal to a government, king, or queen: Many loyalists were driven out of the country during the revolution.
loyalty
loyalty
  1. n. [C;U] -ties faithfulness, devotion,
    THESAURUS
    allegiance: The loyalty of dogs to their owners is well-known.
    THESAURUS
    loyalty trustworthiness, reliability, fidelity frml.
lozenge
lozenge
  1. n. a small medicated candy: He sucked on a throat lozenge to relieve his sore throat.
lubricant
lubricant
  1. n. [C;U] an oil, grease, or other substance used to smooth friction between rubbing surfaces: Oil is used as a lubricant in engines.
lubricate
lubricate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to apply a lubricant to: Oils lubricate moving parts of engines and other machines. -adj. lubricating.
lucid
lucid
  1. adj.
    1 clear, easily understood: She wrote a lucid explanation of the problem.
    2 clear-headed, not confused: That man is very old, but he is still lucid in conversation. -n. lucidity.
luck
luck
  1. n. [U]
    1 chance, fortune: She had good luck in finding a new job quickly.
    2 good fortune: He wished me luck.
    3 as luck would have it: by chance or fate,
    THESAURUS
    coincidentally: Our car broke down, but as luck would have it, a police car was nearby and helped us.
    4 in or out of luck: to have or not have good fortune
    5 infrml. to luck out: to have good fortune
    6 to push (one's) luck: to act too confidently
    THESAURUS
    luck
    1 fate, destiny, lot
    2 success | victory, triumph, prosperity frml.
lucky
lucky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having or bringing good luck: He was lucky not to hurt himself when he fell.||Seven is my lucky number.
    THESAURUS
    lucky fortunate, in luck. Ants. unlucky, unfortunate.
lucrative
lucrative
  1. adj. producing a lot of money, profitable: The business of selling luxury goods, such as furs and fancy cars, can be quite lucrative when the economy is strong.
ludicrous
ludicrous
  1. adj. causing laughter, ridiculous,
    THESAURUS
    absurd: What a ludicrous idea that such an idiot could become President!
luggage
luggage
  1. n. [U] suitcases and bags used to carry clothing while traveling,
    THESAURUS
    baggage: We checked our luggage in at the airport ticket counter.
lugubrious
lugubrious
  1. adj.frml. sad, (syns.) sorrowful, mournful: The losing players sat with lugubrious faces while the winners celebrated.
lukewarm
lukewarm
  1. adj.
    1 (of a liquid) mildly warm,
    THESAURUS
    tepid: The tea is lukewarm and not very tasty.
    2 lacking strong interest or admiration: The critics gave the new play lukewarm reviews. See: warm, USAGE NOTE.
lull
lull
  1. n. a lessening or temporary stopping of activity: The store was very busy, but now there is a lull.v. [T]
    1 to quiet, calm,
    THESAURUS
    to soothe: She lulled her baby to sleep by singing a lullaby.
    2 to lull s.o. (into doing s.t.): to dishonestly gain s.o.'s trust (so he or she will do s.t.), as by giving false assurances: The company treasurer lulled creditors into thinking that he would pay overdue bills, but then he declared bankruptcy and cheated them.
lullaby
lullaby
  1. n. -ies a quiet song for lulling a child to sleep: She sang sweet lullabies to her baby at bedtime.
lumber
lumber
  1. n. [U] wood cut to various lengths and sizes for building houses, furniture, etc.: I bought some lumber at the lumberyard to make bookshelves.v. [I]
    1 to cut trees for lumber: People lumber for a living in the Pacific Northwest.
    2 to walk or run in an awkward, heavy way: The bear lumbered along the forest trail. -n. adj. lumbering.
lumberjack
lumberjack
  1. n. a person who cuts down trees or transports them: His father was a Canadian lumberjack.
lumberman
lumberman
  1. n. -men a person working in the lumber industry, such as a mill owner or lumberjack: Lumbermen gather at the local coffee shop each morning before work.
lumberyard
lumberyard
  1. n. a business that sells lumber: I bought shingles at the lumberyard to repair my roof.
luminary
luminary
  1. n.frml. -ies a respected person, esp. in the arts or academia: That professor is a luminary in the field of biology.
luminescence
luminescence
  1. n. [U] light without heat, a glow: The glow in the sea at night was produced by the luminescence of certain algae. -adj. luminescent.
luminous
luminous
  1. adj. giving or reflecting light: The full moon is luminous in the night sky. -n. [U] luminosity.
lump
lump
  1. n.
    1 a round mass: An artist molded a lump of clay.
    2 a hard abnormal growth: She felt a lump in her breast and called the doctor.
    3 a small block of sugar: One lump or two in your coffee?
    4 a lump in the throat: a tight feeling in the throat caused by strong emotion
    5 to take one's lumps: to suffer punishment or bad luck when trying s.t. difficult: If you play ice hockey, you have to take your lumps; it's a rough sport.v. [T]
    1 to put together and treat as the same: He lumps all those who disagree with him into one category: stupid.
    2 infrml. to like it or lump it: to accept s.t. that one dislikes: Like it or lump it, we have to follow orders.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to lump s.t. together: to put two or more things together, usu. randomly: She lumped together all the files on her desk.||She lumped them together.adj. a lump sum: an amount of money paid at one time : We paid for the car on the installment plan, because we couldn't afford to pay in a lump sum.
lumpy
lumpy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having lumps, not smooth or even: The mashed potatoes are terribly lumpy.
lunacy
lunacy
  1. n. [U] -cies
    1 madness, insanity: The poor man suffers from lunacy.
    2 foolishness, stupidity: It was lunacy to go out in that storm!
lunar
lunar
  1. adj. related to the moon: The astronauts returned from the moon with lunar rocks.
lunatic
lunatic
  1. adj.n. crazy, insane: He has these lunatic ideas about becoming rich; he's a lunatic!
lunatic fringe
lunatic fringe
  1. n.infrml. the most extreme members of a political group or believers in a cause: The people responsible for the bombing belong to the lunatic fringe.
lunch counter
lunch counter
  1. n. a restaurant counter with stools where one sits for quick service: We sat at the lunch counter today rather than at a table.
luncheon
luncheon
  1. n.frml.
    1 lunch
    2 an event that includes lunch and usu. speeches: We went to a luncheon given in honor of the ambassador.
luncheonette
luncheonette
  1. n. a restaurant that serves inexpensive meals: We stopped for a sandwich at a luncheonette and then went right back to work.
lunchroom
lunchroom
  1. n. an area in a business or school where employees or students can eat: We had lunch in the company lunchroom today.
lung
lung
  1. n.
    1 one of two breathing organs in the chest that supply oxygen to the blood: Her lungs are in bad condition from smoking.
    2 at the top of one's lungs: very loudly: He yelled at the top of his lungs when cheering for his favorite team.
lunge
lunge
  1. v. [I] lunged, lunging, lunges to move forward with sudden force: She lunged at the basketball and stole it from the opposing player.n. a fast, forward movement: The criminal made a lunge with a knife at his victim.
lupus
lupus
  1. n. [U] any of several serious diseases that involve the skin: She suffers from lupus.
lurch
lurch
  1. n. -es
    1 a sudden, awkward motion: The drunken man moved with a lurch and fell.
    2 to leave s.o. in the lurch: to desert s.o., putting him or her in a difficult situation: His fiancée left him in the lurch by failing to come to their wedding.v. [I] to move with a sudden, unsteady motion: The ship lurched from side to side in the storm's waves.
lure
lure
  1. n.
    1 [C] bait used to attract and catch animals: Fisherman use lures to attract and hook fish.
    2 sing. the power of s.t. that attracts: the lure of moneyv. [T] lured, luring, lures to attract, usu. with dishonest promises,
    THESAURUS
    to entice: People were lured to invest in the scheme with promises of huge profits.
lurid
lurid
  1. adj. shocking, causing horror: Today's newspaper has the lurid details of the murder.
lurk
lurk
  1. v. [I]
    1 to wait in hiding: The robbers lurked in the woods near the house as they waited for darkness to fall.
    2 to read computer messages on an electronic news group or mailing list, esp. on the Internet, without stating one's presence or adding to the discussion: He never shares his opinions in the online discussion; he just lurks. -n. lurker.
luscious
luscious
  1. adj. juicy and delicious: Ripe pears have a luscious taste.
lush
lush
  1. adj. (of plants) having thick, healthy growth: The garden is lush with new spring growth.n.slang a person who is often drunk: The poor woman has become a lush.
lust
lust
  1. n. [U]
    1 strong sexual desire: Some people confuse love with lust.
    2 [C;U] an intense desire: Dictators have a lust for power.v. [I]
    1 to desire sexually: That man constantly lusts after women.
    2 to have a strong desire: Some people lust for power and riches. -adj. lustful; lusty.
luster
luster
  1. n. [U]
    1 sing. a shine, such as bright polish on a surface: The luster of wax made the table shine.
    2 a special quality, (syns.) brilliance, splendor: Wonderful costumes and scenery added luster to the performance of the opera. -adj. lustrous.
lute
lute
  1. n. a stringed musical instrument from the past, having a softer, sweeter tone than the guitar
luxuriant
luxuriant
  1. adj.
    1 having dense, full texture or growth: Expensive oriental rugs have a luxuriant feel and look.
    2 abundant
luxuriate
luxuriate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to enjoy oneself very much, esp. in a costly way: She luxuriated in her beautiful new apartment overlooking the ocean.
luxurious
luxurious
  1. adj. characterized by luxury, wasteful spending, and great comfort: Their house is full of luxurious furniture.
luxury
luxury
  1. n. -ries
    1 [U] great comfort at great expense: That family lives in luxury, enjoying costly clothes, high-priced cars, and a beautiful house.
    2 [C] s.t. pleasant that is expensive and not a necessity: We can't afford luxuries, such as overseas vacations.
    THESAURUS
    luxury
    1 wealth, opulence frml.
    2 extravagance frml. Ant. a necessity.
lye
lye
  1. n. [U] a strong alkaline liquid: Lye has a very strong cleaning action.
lying
lying
  1. v. pres. part. of lie —n. [U] saying s.t. that is not true: His lying will get him into trouble someday.
lymph
lymph
  1. n. [U] adj. the clear fluid in the lymphatic system, used mainly to eliminate bacteria from the body: Lymph passes through lymph nodes throughout the body. -adj. lymphatic.
lynch
lynch
  1. v. [T] (of a crowd) to attack and hang s.o. accused of a crime, without any legal process: Cowboys lynched the cattle thief after they caught him.
lyre
lyre
  1. n. an ancient type of musical instrument like a harp with a U-shaped frame in which strings are fixed
lyricist
lyricist
  1. n. a person who writes words for songs: He was a lyricist for Broadway musicals.
lyrics
lyrics
  1. n.pl. the words of a song: The lyrics to that song are clever. lyric adj.
    1 having a light quality: That singer has a lyric tenor voice.
    2 related to expression of feelings in poetry: Much of romantic poetry is lyric in quality.
ma'am
ma'am
  1. n. Short for madam: (in a store) Yes, ma'am. How would you like to pay for this?
macabre
macabre
  1. adj. frightening, because of showing death and decay: The car accident scene with dead bodies on the road was macabre.
machete
machete
  1. n. a long knife used in farm work or as a weapon: Workers cut sugarcane with machetes.
machinations
machinations
  1. n.pl.frml. methods used to trick others, esp. in business and politics: The cheat used various machinations, such as fake addresses and documents, to fool people and steal their money.
machine
machine
  1. n.
    1 a piece of equipment that uses power to do work: An automobile is a machine used for transportation.
    2 a powerful organization: The political machine in New York has a lot of influence in the elections. v. [T] -chined, -chining, -chines to make or change s.t. on a machine, esp. parts of things: That factory machines metal parts for tractors. -n. machinist.
machine gun
machine gun
  1. n. a weapon that fires bullets in a fast, constant action when its trigger is pressed: Soldiers shoot machine guns at the enemy.
machinery
machinery
  1. n. [U] machines as a group: Machinery in that textile mill is used to make fabric.
    THESAURUS
    machinery equipment, apparatus, gear.
machismo
machismo
  1. n. [U] an attitude or behavior that values male strength and courage: He believes in machismo and acts like a tough guy.
macho
macho
  1. adj. strong, tough,
    THESAURUS
    virile (said of men): He is a big macho man from a tough neighborhood.
mackerel
mackerel
  1. n. -el or -els [C;U] any of some 60 types of edible deep-ocean fishes, such as the Atlantic mackerel
macro
macro
  1. n. -ros (in computers) a stroke or group of strokes on a keyboard or group of them used to do frequent but long functions: The typist uses a macro to tell the computer when to exit. adj. general,
    THESAURUS
    overall: Many economists take a macro view of the economy and don't look at individual business performance.prefix indicating largeness or length: Some environmentalists take a macroscopic view of the world's pollution.
macrobiotics
macrobiotics
  1. n. [U] pl.
    1 natural foods, esp. whole grain cereals and vegetables grown without chemicals
    2 the philosophy of eating such foods to be healthy: She studied macrobiotics and became a vegetarian. -adj. macrobiotic.
macrocosm
macrocosm
  1. n. a large system, such as the world or the universe: Scientists study the earth's atmosphere as a macrocosm.
macroeconomics
macroeconomics
  1. n. [U] the study of national economies: Macroeconomics is an important field to help countries' governments improve their economies.
mad
mad
  1. adj. madder, maddest
    1 angry, upset: She was mad when her boyfriend was late without calling her.
    2 strongly attracted to s.t. or s.o.: He is mad about fast cars.
    3 crazy: He went mad when his wife died.
    THESAURUS
    mad
    1 furious, irate | annoyed, irritated. Ant. pleased.
    2 crazy about, wild about | in love with. Ant. uninterested.
    3 insane, mentally ill. Ant. sane.
madam
madam
  1. also ma'am n.
    1 pl. mesdames a polite way to speak to a woman: The store clerk said, "Madam, how may I help you?"
    2 a woman who runs a house of prostitution
madcap
madcap
  1. adj. funny and foolish,
    THESAURUS
    absurd: That comedian does madcap tricks on stage.
madden
madden
  1. v. [T] to make angry,
    THESAURUS
    to enrage
maddening
maddening
  1. adj. annoying: I find it maddening that my car breaks down a lot.
made-to-order
made-to-order
  1. adj.
    1 created to a customer's specifications: His suits are made-to-order to fit his measurements.
    2 just right, perfect: We found a lamp made-to-order for our furniture; it has the same color.
made-up
made-up
  1. adj.
    1 false, untrue: Her story about where she was last night was made-up.
    2 having cosmetics put on, usu. on the face: The made-up actor was ready to perform.
made
made
  1. adj. & past part. of make
    1 manufactured, created: My TV set was made in the USA.||I don't know when that painting was made.
    2 composed of s.t.: Those new sheets are made of cotton.
    3 infrml. to have it made: to be successful, secure, free from worry: When you win the big prize in the lottery, you have it made for life.
    THESAURUS
    made adj.
    1 produced | assembled. Ant. destroyed.
    2 manfactured from s.t. | formed, constructed of s.t.
madhouse
madhouse
  1. n.infrml.
    1 old usage an insane asylum: His family sent their insane relative to live in a madhouse.
    2 fig. a confusing, noisy place: Our apartment was a madhouse on the weekend; there were ten children playing games in one room.
madly
madly
  1. adv. totally: He is madly in love with her.
    THESAURUS
    madly insanely, obsessively | utterly.
madman
madman
  1. or madwoman n. -men or -women a crazy, dangerous person,
    THESAURUS
    a maniac: A madman is loose in the city.
madness
madness
  1. n. [U]
    1 severe mental disorder: In his madness, he thought he was the President.
    2 fig. a foolish, crazy idea: It was madness to drive in that terrible snowstorm.
    THESAURUS
    madness
    1 insanity, mental illness, craziness infrml. Ant. sanity.
    2 stupidity, foolishness.
madman
madman
  1. or madwoman -n. -men or -women a crazy, dangerous person, (syn.) a maniac: A madman is loose in the city.
maelstrom
maelstrom
  1. n.frml.
    1 a powerful whirlpool
    2 fig. a dangerous situation: Soldiers fight in the maelstrom of war.
maestro
maestro
  1. n. -stros a master in the arts, esp. music: Mozart was a maestro of classical music.
magazine
magazine
  1. n.
    1 a small weekly, or monthly, publication that usu. includes news articles, stories, essays, and photos: We read Time, a weekly news magazine.
    2 a storage place for bullets and weapons
    THESAURUS
    magazine
    1 a periodical, journal.
magenta
magenta
  1. n. [U] a red color mixed with purple: Some plants have magenta flowers.
maggot
maggot
  1. n. a creature that looks like a worm, esp. the larva of the common housefly: Maggots live in the garbage in the heat of summer.
magic
magic
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 the use of supernatural forces to control s.t.: She used magic to create a thunderstorm.
    2 the use of tricks to entertain people: That magician uses magic to pull rabbits out of a hat.||He does magic tricks.
    3 an enchanting quality about s.t.: The singer filled the evening with the magic of her voice. -adj. magical.
    THESAURUS
    magic n.
    1 witchcraft, sorcery, a charm
    2 sleight-of-hand | wizardry, sorcery
    3 enchantment, charm.
magician
magician
  1. n.
    1 a person who does magic tricks: Magicians make impossible things seem real, such as cutting people in half.
    2 fig. a person who can do wonderful things: She is a magician with food and can turn simple ingredients into delicious meals.
    THESAURUS
    magician
    1 a sleight-of-hand artist, prestidigitator frml. | sorcerer, wizard
    2 a whiz.
magisterial
magisterial
  1. adj.frml.
    1 related to a magistrate's power: The judge put on her black robe and did her magisterial duties.
    2 haughty, arrogant
magistrate
magistrate
  1. n. a low-level government official with power to enforce the law: The traffic magistrate heard the man's explanation for getting a parking ticket.
magma
magma
  1. n. [U] hot, liquid rock below the earth's surface: Magma moves up to the surface and becomes lava in volcanoes.
magnanimous
magnanimous
  1. adj.frml. generous in spirit, not showing resentment or meanness: He was magnanimous in forgiving those who injured him. -adv.frml. magnanimously; -n. [U] frml. magnanimity.
magnate
magnate
  1. n. an important businessperson, a big industrialist: She is a coal and iron magnate from Australia.
magnet
magnet
  1. n.
    1 an object, esp. metal, with a magnetic field that attracts iron and steel: I have a magnet on my desk that holds paper clips.
    2 anything that attracts people: The Caribbean is a magnet for tourists in the winter. -v. [T] magnetize ; -adj. magnetic.
magnetism
magnetism
  1. n. [U]
    1 the study of magnets and their forces
    2 personal attractiveness: He is an actor with a lot of personal magnetism. See: magnet.
magnification
magnification
  1. n. the power to make s.t. appear larger: With the magnification on the photocopier, you can make a document up to 125 percent larger than its original size.
magnificent
magnificent
  1. adj. very beautiful or impressive,
    THESAURUS
    splendid: The Taj Mahal in India is a magnificent building. -n. [U] magnificence.
magnify
magnify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make s.t. look larger: His eyeglasses magnify words so he can read them.
    2 to make s.t. seem greater than it is: Nervousness magnified her fears about failing the exam.
magnifying glass
magnifying glass
  1. n. an optical lens, usu. framed, used to make images look larger, esp. for reading: He uses a magnifying glass to look at his stamp collection.
magnitude
magnitude
  1. n. [U]
    1 the size or importance of s.t.: The economy is slowing down, but economists don't know the magnitude of this change yet.
    2 (in science) the degree of brightness of a star or force of an earthquake: The magnitude of the earthquake in California was 5.0 on the Richter scale.
magnolia
magnolia
  1. n. a tree with large flowers, esp. in the USA, from lower New York State down through the South: The white and pink magnolia blossoms in the spring are beautiful.
magnum
magnum
  1. n. a bottle containing 1.5 liters of wine or liquor: We celebrated my wife's birthday with a magnum of champagne.
magpie
magpie
  1. n. a bird with a loud, rapid call, of black color with white, blue, or green markings and a long tail: Magpies annoy people with their loud call.
mahogany
mahogany
  1. n. [U] the hard, reddish brown wood of a Caribbean tree: Furniture made of mahogany was popular in the 19th century.
maid
maid
  1. n.
    1 a female servant, esp. a cleaning woman: Maids clean the rooms and make the beds in hotels.
    2 pej. an old maid: an older woman who has never married: She never married and is now an old maid.
    THESAURUS
    maid
    1 a housekeeper | domestic servant.
maid of honor
maid of honor
  1. n. a bride's main unmarried attendant at her wedding: I asked my best friend to be the maid of honor at my wedding. See: matron of honor, best man.
maiden
maiden
  1. n.frml.
    1 an unmarried girl or woman: Maidens were summoned to the royal court.
    2 old usage a virgin
    3 maiden voyage: a first trip: A new passenger ship made her maiden voyage across the Atlantic. -n. maidenhood. See: maiden name.
maiden name
maiden name
  1. n. a woman's family name before she marries: Mrs. Silveri's maiden name was Rodriguez.
mail carrier
mail carrier
  1. n. a person who delivers mail: Our mail carrier arrives around 10:00 A.M.
mail order
mail order
  1. n. the system of selling products by mail: She shops for clothes by mail order.
mailbox
mailbox
  1. n. -boxes a metal box in which people put mail: She dropped a letter into the mailbox.
mailer
mailer
  1. n.
    1 a large envelope, usu. strong, used for mailing things: I put the computer diskette into a cardboard mailer and sent it.
    2 a person or business that mails things: Businesses are big mailers of brochures that describe their products.
    3 (in computers) a program that sends electronic mail
mailing
mailing
  1. n. [C;U] a group of the same letters, brochures, etc., sent to customers at the same time: Our company did a mailing about our new products on sale.
mailing list
mailing list
  1. n. a list of names, addresses, etc., esp. of possible customers: Our mailing list has 5,000 names and addresses.
mailman
mailman
  1. n. -men a male letter carrier
maim
maim
  1. v. [T] to injure and ruin the looks of s.o. or s.t. so that some part of it cannot be used: The car accident maimed him; he will not be able to walk again.
main
main
  1. adj. central, most important: Our teacher talked about the main idea in the essay. n. a large pipe that carries water or gas under a street: The water main broke and flooded the street.
    THESAURUS
    main adj. primary, principal, biggest infrml. Ants. least important, trivial.
main clause
main clause
  1. n. The main clause in a sentence is a clause with a subject, verb, and often an object that can stand by itself as a sentence: The main clause in the above sentence goes from: "The main clause" to "an object."
main line
main line
  1. n. the main railway track on a railroad: The main line from Grand Central Terminal in New York heads north.
mainframe
mainframe
  1. n. a powerful, central computer: The mainframe (or) mainframe computer serves the company's entire headquarters.
mainland
mainland
  1. n.sing.adj. land on a continent, not including islands: People from Taiwan visit the mainland (or) mainland China.
mainly
mainly
  1. adv. usually, for the most part: Farmers plant seeds mainly in the spring.
    THESAURUS
    mainly primarily, mostly, chiefly.
mainstay
mainstay
  1. n. the key person or activity that supports others in a family, team, or organization: The mother takes care of her five children and is the mainstay of the family.
mainstream
mainstream
  1. n. the group of ideas accepted by the majority of people, the most popular way of thinking: Her ideas are in the mainstream of American political thought. adj. accepted by most people,
    THESAURUS
    conventional: The politician has a mainstream political view (or) her ideas are in the mainstream.v. [T] to mix a person into a main group: Some non-native students take bilingual classes and are mainstreamed into regular classes later.
maintain
maintain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to keep in good condition, good repair: People maintain their houses well in this neighborhood.
    2 to keep s.t. going, continue: She maintains a friendship with her college friend who lives in another state.
    3 to say that s.t. is true, believe: The man who saw the accident maintains that he told the truth about what happened.
    THESAURUS
    maintain
    1 to keep s.t. up, take care of (a place, an object). Ant. to neglect.
    2 to keep up s.t., sustain (a relationship, connection). Ants. to discontinue, drop infrml.
    3 to declare, assert. Ant. to withdraw.
maintenance
maintenance
  1. n. [U] keeping s.t. in good condition, such as by cleaning, painting, and fixing it: The maintenance in that building is excellent, as the paint is new and the halls are always clean.
    THESAURUS
    maintenance upkeep, care. Ant. neglect.
maize
maize
  1. n. [U] See: corn (1).
majestic
majestic
  1. adj.
    1 magnificent, spectacular: The Rocky Mountains in the western United States are majestic.
    2 proud, dignified,
    THESAURUS
    regal: The Queen acts in a majestic manner. -adv. majestically.
majesty
majesty
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] magnificence, splendor: The majesty of the Alps in Switzerland takes people's breath away.
    2 [C] a title for a king or queen and the power connected to the position: Her Majesty the Queen will visit a hospital today.
major
major
  1. adj. main, most important: The major reason for working is to make money to live. n.
    1 a military rank above captain and below colonel: She is a major in the Air Force.
    2 one's primary subject of study in college: My major is Spanish literature.v. [T] to study as one's major field in college: He majored in economics at the university.
    THESAURUS
    major adj. important, leading | greater, larger. Ant. minor.
major league
major league
  1. n.
    1 (in baseball) the highest-level organization of teams in professional baseball: He plays baseball in the major league.
    2 fig. in the major league(s): a high level of success or importance in a field: In her important new job, she's really in the major leagues now. -adj. major-league.
majority
majority
  1. n. [C]
    1 more than half, but not all of s.t.: A majority of the people voted for the President.
    2 [U] the age of legal adulthood and responsibility: All of their children have reached their majority.
    THESAURUS
    majority
    1 the greater part, the bulk of s.t. Ant. a minority.
make-believe
make-believe
  1. n. [U] not real, pretend: The boy told make-believe stories to his sister.
    THESAURUS
    make-believe made-up, imagined, invented | fabricated. Ants. true, real.
make
make
  1. v. made , making, makes
    THESAURUS
    1 [T] (syns.) to manufacture, produce: Our company makes computers. Our company manufactures (or) produces computers.
    2 [T] (syns.) to perform, do: A doctor made a cut in the patient's stomach. A doctor performed (or) did a cut in the patient's stomach.
    3 [T] (syns.) to earn, bring in, get: She makes a good salary (living, income) as an accountant. She earns (or) brings in (or) gets a good salary (living, income) as an accountant.
    4 [T] (syns.) to cook, prepare: He made chicken with rice for dinner. He cooked (or) prepared chicken with rice for dinner.
    5 [T] (syns.) to promote, appoint: The boss made her national sales manager. The boss promoted (or) appointed her national sales manager.
    6 [T] (syns.) to reach, attain frml.: The army private made the rank of sergeant. The army private reached (or) attained the rank of sergeant.
    7 [T] (syns.) to enact, put into effect: Congress makes laws for the country. Congress enacts laws for the country (or) puts laws into effect for the country.
    8 [T] (syns.) to force, order, require: Her mother made her brush her teeth. Her mother forced (or) ordered (or) required her to brush her teeth.
    9 [T] (syns.) to deliver, give: He made a speech before an audience. He delivered (or) gave a speech before an audience.
    10 to make a big deal of s.t.: to make s.t. seem more important than it is, (syns.) to exaggerate, blow out of proportion: He makes a big deal out of everything and is always in a panic.
    11 to make a decision: to decide: He made a quick decision to buy the TV.
    12 to make a difference: to change s.t. in an important way: Her volunteer work at the hospital makes a difference to the children she helps.
    13 to make a go of s.t.: to succeed: The couple opened a new restaurant and is making a go of it.
    14 slang to make as if (or) as though: to act as though s.t. is so: He doesn't speak French, but he makes as though he does.
    15 phrasal v. insep. [T] to make away with s.t.: to steal s.t.: Thieves made away with our silver and china.
    16 to make believe: to pretend that s.t., usu. s.t. unrealistic, is true: The father makes believe that he is a dog and tells his children stories in a funny voice.
    17 to make by hand or machine: referring to how s.t. is made: All her sweaters are made by hand by her grandmother.
    18 to make do: to function at a minimum level: He makes do on a small income.
    19 to make ends meet: to have enough money to pay one's bills, but with little left over: She makes ends meet by working two jobs.
    20 phrasal v. insep. [I] to make for s.t.: a. to create, make possible: She earns a big salary, and that makes for a good life for her family. b. to go in a certain direction: The ship made for home port.
    21 to make fun of s.o.: to ridicule, tease s.o. Comedians like to make fun of politicians.
    22 to make good: a. to succeed: He graduated from college, then made good as a salesperson. b. to fulfill a promise: A customer returned a broken radio and the store made good on it by giving him a new one.
    23 to make good time: to travel rapidly: Our airplane flight made good time from Seattle to Chicago.
    24 to make hay: to take advantage of a good opportunity while one can: The singer became successful, and she made hay by giving many performances while she was popular.
    25 infrml. to make it: to succeed: She owns a good business and has made it (or) made it big in life.
    26 to make love: to have sex with s.o.: The couple made love on their wedding night.
    27 phrasal v. [T] to make off with s.t.: See: to make away with s.t.
    28 phrasal v. [I] to make out: a. to see s.t. and recognize it: The sailors could not make out the shore through the fog. b. to result in s.t., succeed: A woman had a job interview and later her husband asked how she made out. c. infrml.fig. to kiss and hug: A couple was making out on a park bench.
    29 phrasal v. [T] to make over: to renew,
    THESAURUS
    to renovate: Workers made over the inside of the house.
    30 to make sense: to be reasonable, logical: Teachers create lesson plans that make sense for teaching the subject.
    31 to make time for: to set aside time for s.o. or s.t.: Although the father is the president of a large company, he always makes time for his kids.
    32 phrasal v. sep. [T] to make s.t. up: to lie, say s.t. untrue: The criminal made up a story about where he was when the crime happened.||He made it up.
    33 to make it up to s.o.: to do s.t. good for s.o. after having done s.t. bad: The husband could not take his wife out to dinner on her birthday, so he made it up to her later by taking her on a weekend vacation.
    34 phrasal v. to make up: a. [I] to agree to be friends again,
    THESAURUS
    to reconcile: The couple had a fight, but then made up and kissed. b. [T] to apply cosmetics: The model makes up her face before a job.
    35 to make up for lost time: a. to tell stories about one's past: Two friends had not seen each other for ten years and made up for lost time by talking all night. b. to do s.t. faster: He had a flat tire that delayed his trip, so he made up for lost time by driving faster. n.
    1 the name of a product: Ford is the make of my car.
    2 infrml. to be on the make: a. to be aggressive about business, improving one's situation: She works very hard at her job and is on the make for a salary increase. b. to seek sex: He is on the make with every woman he meets.
maker
maker
  1. n.
    1 a manufacturer: That company is a furniture maker.
    2 to meet one's Maker: to die: The old man died and went to meet his Maker.
makeshift
makeshift
  1. adj. done in a temporary way, sloppy: The cabin was made in a makeshift way of old cartons and pieces of tin.
makeup
makeup
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] cosmetics, esp. used by women and actors: She wears light makeup that looks natural.
    2 [C] character, personality: He has a very relaxed makeup.
    THESAURUS
    makeup
    2 s.o.'s nature, temperament, disposition.
making
making
  1. n. [U]
    1 the process of doing or manufacturing s.t.: The making of toys is a big business.||Bread making requires a lot of time.
    2 in the making: in process, being done now: The plan is in the making and will be finished tomorrow.
maladjusted
maladjusted
  1. adj. poorly adapted: The boy is maladjusted to school and cannot concentrate on his work.||The gear shift on my bicycle is maladjusted. -n. maladjustment.
malady
malady
  1. n.frml. -dies a sickness, illness: She suffers from a rare malady.
malaise
malaise
  1. n. [C;U] frml.
    1 a feeling of illness, unhappiness: He suffers from a general malaise with pains and depression.
    2 a social problem: Poverty and crime are two social malaises.
malapropism
malapropism
  1. n.frml. a funny misuse of language, esp. a word (or words) that sounds similar to the correct word but means something different: It was a malapropism when he said he was afraid of "revolting doors" instead of "revolving doors."
malaria
malaria
  1. n. [U] a tropical disease, transmitted by a type of mosquito, that causes weakness, fever, etc.: Malaria is still a dangerous disease in some parts of the world.
male
male
  1. n. the member of any species that produces sperm to fertilize eggs: Human males mature physically at approximately 13 years of age. adj.
    1 related to the male: Male goats are called billy goats.
    2 the part of a machine designed to be put inside another part
    3 infrml. male chauvinist (pig): a man who oppresses women: He is a male chauvinist who thinks women cannot be as good as men in business and politics. See: man, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    male n. a man, boy (people) | bull, rooster, ram, etc. (animals). Ant. female.
malevolence
malevolence
  1. n. [U] frml. an evil desire or act: He stole money from a homeless person in an act of malevolence. -adj. malevolent.
malfunction
malfunction
  1. v. [I] to work improperly: A rocket malfunctioned and exploded in the air. n. [C;U] an act of working improperly: The rocket's malfunction caused a big explosion.
malice
malice
  1. n. [U]
    1 an evil attitude, desire to hurt others: The boy broke his neighbor's window out of malice.
    2 to bear s.o. malice: to want to harm s.o.: She bore her boss malice after she was fired. -adj. malicious ; -adv. maliciously.
malign
malign
  1. v. [T] to speak or write evil things about s.o., to defame s.o.'s character,
    THESAURUS
    to slander: The politician maligned her opponent as dishonest.
malignancy
malignancy
  1. n. [C;U] -cies a cancerous tumor or condition: Doctors found a malignancy in the patient's stomach. -adj. malignant.
mall
mall
  1. n.
    1 a building or group of buildings with connected hallways with shops, restaurants, theaters, etc.: We can shop at many different stores at the mall.
    2 often called a pedestrian mall, a street with shops, restaurants, theaters, etc., closed to automobile traffic: Main Street has been turned into a pedestrian mall.
    THESAURUS
    mall 1 and 2 shopping mall, shopping center.
mallard
mallard
  1. n. a type of wild duck: There are mallards in the lake at the center of town.
malleable
malleable
  1. adj.frml.
    1 referring to s.t. that can be shaped, such as gold or silver: Silver is malleable and can be shaped into jewelry.
    2 referring to a person whose opinions can be changed: He is malleable and will change his ideas when you talk to him. -n. malleability.
mallet
mallet
  1. n. a type of hammer with a short handle
malnourished
malnourished
  1. adj. poorly fed, starved: The children were malnourished and got sick often.
malnutrition
malnutrition
  1. n. [U] a condition caused by a lack of food: Malnutrition is common in some poor countries.
malpractice
malpractice
  1. n. [U] wrong treatment by a professional, esp. a doctor: The physician was sued for malpractice after the patient died.
malt
malt
  1. n. [U] adj. grain, usu. barley, esp. used in brewing beer and distilling alcoholic beverages: Malt is used to make whiskey and other malt liquors.
mama or mamma
mama or mamma
  1. n.infrml.
    1 mother: Mama, would you please hold my hand to cross the street?
    2 mama's boy: a man thought to be spoiled by his mother: Joe is a mama's boy who won't leave home.
mambo
mambo
  1. n. a Latin American dance: I like to dance the mambo and the samba.
mammal
mammal
  1. n. a warm-blooded animal, the female of which feeds its own milk to its young: Mammals range from whales at sea to mice and humans on land. -adj. mammalian.
mammary
mammary
  1. adj. related to the milk-producing organ of mammals, such as breasts, used to feed the young: The mammary glands in humans are located in the chest area.
mammogram
mammogram
  1. n. a picture made by an x-ray of the breast, esp. to find cancer: A mammogram can show a cancer early so it can be treated. -n. [U] mammography.
mammoth
mammoth
  1. n. a type of extinct hairy elephant: Mammoths once lived in parts of the USA. adj. huge in size: The national debt is mammoth.
man-made
man-made
  1. adj. artificial, not natural: Plastic is a man-made substance.
man-sized
man-sized
  1. adj. large, big enough for a large man: That restaurant serves man-sized meals.
manacle
manacle
  1. n.v. [T] -cled, -cling, -cles s.t. used as a restraint, such as a chain or handcuffs, a shackle: Police manacle criminals so they cannot escape.
manage
manage
  1. v. [I;T] -aged, -aging, -ages
    1 to direct the business of an organization: She manages a legal department in a large company.
    2 to struggle but succeed at doing s.t.: He managed to carry the heavy suitcase into the house alone.
    THESAURUS
    manage
    1 to run s.t., be in charge of s.t., oversee | supervise, administer. Ants. to work for s.o., report to s.o.
    2 to deal with (doing) s.t., cope with (doing) s.t. Ant. to fail to do s.t.
manageable
manageable
  1. adj. able to be done, doable: Cleanup after a hurricane is difficult, but manageable. -n. [U] manageability.
    THESAURUS
    manageable possible | viable, workable. Ant. unmanageable.
managed care
managed care
  1. n. [U] an insurance business that organizes a system of providing medical services in which a doctor, called a primary care physician, treats some of a person's illnesses and refers that person to specialists for others, all of whom are paid by the insurance company: My managed care is provided in a building with many different doctors located in one place. See: HMO.
management
management
  1. n.
    1 [U] the art and science of directing the business of an organization: Some types of management need a scientific education.
    2 [C] the people who make up the management group in an organization: Management and the labor union meet yearly to negotiate about workers' wages and benefits.
    THESAURUS
    management
    1 administration, oversight | supervision
    2 the administration, directors. Ants. labor, the staff, workers.
manager
manager
  1. n.
    1 a person who sets goals and policies in an organization, and usu. supervises others: Some managers are strict; others are more relaxed.
    2 a person who runs a business on a day-to-day basis for the owner(s), or manages the career of a performer, athlete, etc.: Customers complain to the manager of the store when the owner is away. -adj. man-agerial .
    THESAURUS
    manager 1 and 2 a boss, an administrator | supervisor, foreman, an overseer. Ant. a worker.
mandarin
mandarin
  1. n.
    1 [C] a high official, originally in old China
    2 [U] Mandarin the official language of China: Mandarin is taught in the schools.
mandate
mandate
  1. n. a written order or command v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates to order: The voters mandated change in the last election.
mandatory
mandatory
  1. adj. required, dictated by law,
    THESAURUS
    compulsory: The law makes it mandatory for students to go to school until they reach the age of 16.
mandible
mandible
  1. n. (in anatomy) a jaw that can move, esp. the lower jaw in humans and apes: The archaeologists are studying the mandible and skull of prehistoric man.
mandolin
mandolin
  1. n. a high-pitched six- or eight-stringed musical instrument like the lute: The mandolin has a high, sweet sound.
mane
mane
  1. n. a strip of long hair on the neck of some animals, such as the lion or horse: The mane around the head of male lions makes them look scary.
maneuver
maneuver
  1. n.
    1 a motion made in a particular direction: The pilot turned the jet to the west in a maneuver to get back on course.
    2 an act meant to deceive or defeat s.o. else: He made maneuvers to get the best assignments at work.
    3 to go on maneuvers: to do a military exercise: Each summer, the army goes on maneuvers to test its equipment and its readiness to fight. v. [I;T] to make a maneuver: The basketball player maneuvered around the other team's players.
manger
manger
  1. n. a long box or container for animal feed,
    THESAURUS
    a trough: The farmer puts hay in the manger for her cows each day.
mangle
mangle
  1. v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles to damage badly, (syns.) to mutilate, deform: Our photocopy machine mangles pieces of paper when it is not working correctly.
mango
mango
  1. n. -goes a sweet, slightly acid, tropical fruit with yellow flesh: Scientists say that mangoes have many nutrients.
mangrove
mangrove
  1. n.adj. a large tropical tree found along ocean shorelines and swamps: Wood from the mangrove is so heavy that it won't float.
manhandle
manhandle
  1. v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles to treat s.o. roughly, use force: Police manhandled the criminal by pushing him against a wall.
manhole
manhole
  1. n. a hole in a street used to reach utilities, such as gas and water pipes or telephone lines: Workers went down a manhole to fix a leak in the gas pipeline.
manhood
manhood
  1. n. [U] the age and condition of being an adult human male: He reached manhood after he finished high school.
manhunt
manhunt
  1. n. a search by police for s.o: When a prisoner escaped, police began a manhunt for him.
mania
mania
  1. n.
    1 [U] a mental disorder shown by great excitement: In his mania, he sang and shouted at people in the library.
    2 [C;U] infrml.fig. an obsession for s.t., an uncontrollable desire: She has a mania for chocolate; she eats a chocolate bar every day. -adj. manic.
maniac
maniac
  1. n. an insane person; a wild, dangerous person: A maniac broke out of jail and killed a man.
manic depressive
manic depressive
  1. n. a person with mental depression, sometimes suicidal, who also experiences periods of extreme excitement
manicure
manicure
  1. n.v. [T] -cured, -curing, -cures care and beautification of the fingernails and hands: My wife had a manicure at the beauty salon. -n. manicurist.
manifest
manifest
  1. v.frml. [T] to appear, arrive: The illness manifested itself with a high fever and a cough. n. a shipping document listing passengers, items, and destinations: A clerk checked off the items on the manifest that she had received.
manifestation
manifestation
  1. n. [C;U] frml. a sign, symbol: Warm temperatures and budding flowers are manifestations of spring.
manifesto
manifesto
  1. n.v. [I] -tos or -toes a public statement of the political or economic principles of a group: Revolutionaries issued a manifesto for political change.
manifold
manifold
  1. n. the part of an exhaust pipe that lets gases escape from an engine: I had my car repaired, then a crack developed in the engine manifold. adj.frml. many: Society faces manifold problems.
manikin
manikin
  1. n. See: mannequin.
manipulate
manipulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to handle, change the position of s.t.: A worker manipulates the levers of the bulldozer.||A musician manipulated the strings of a guitar.
    2 to influence s.o. or s.t. secretly, esp. for one's own advantage: He manipulated the price of a stock so he could buy it cheaply. -n. [C;U] manipulation ; -adj. manipulative.
mankind
mankind
  1. n. [U] humanity, people in general: Mankind has existed for thousands of years. See: man, 2.
    THESAURUS
    mankind human beings, humankind, man. Ants. an individual, a person.

    USAGE NOTE: Many people consider the use of mankind (meaning all people) to be sexist because it does not include women; a more general term is humankind or humanity.
manly
manly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest having positive characteristics, such as strength and courage, that are associated with men,
    THESAURUS
    virile: The boy performed a manly act by saving an old woman from a robber.
manna
manna
  1. n. [U]
    1 food from heaven
    2 fig. an unexpected gift or good event: When the poor man won the lottery, the money was like manna from heaven to him.
mannequin
mannequin
  1. n. a plastic model of a human body: Mannequins in department store windows are dressed in clothes in the latest styles.
manner
manner
  1. n.
    1 behavior, a way of acting: Some children have good (or bad) manners.
    2 sing. a type of action, a way of doing s.t.: "Hit the ball in this manner," said the tennis coach as she showed her student how to do it.
    3 all manner of: all kinds of: There was all manner of food at the party.
    THESAURUS
    manner
    1 conduct | comportment frml.
    2 a way | style, fashion, mode.
mannerism
mannerism
  1. n. a particular gesture, facial expression, etc., that s.o. often uses: His special mannerism is waving his hands when he talks.
mannerly
mannerly
  1. adj.frml. having good manners,
    THESAURUS
    courteous
mannish
mannish
  1. adj. (of a woman) having the characteristics of a man: She has a short, mannish hair style.
manor
manor
  1. n. a large, elegant house and land: Wealthy English people live in manors.
manpower
manpower
  1. n. [U] labor, workers as a group: Building the railroads required a lot of manpower. See: workforce.
mansion
mansion
  1. -n. a large, expensive house with land: Mansions in rich neighborhoods have a lot of land around them.
manslaughter
manslaughter
  1. n. [U] an act of killing s.o., usu. by accident: He killed two people in an automobile accident and was sent to jail for manslaughter.
mantel
mantel
  1. n. a shelf and any of its supporting parts on a fireplace: They keep pictures of their family on the mantel. -n. mantelpiece.
mantle
mantle
  1. n. a covering, such as a scarf worn over the shoulders: A mantle of snow covers the mountaintop.
mantra
mantra
  1. n. a word or saying repeated in meditation or prayer: She meditates every morning by repeating the word "om" as a mantra.
manual
manual
  1. n. a handbook or guidebook often of step-by-step procedures on how to do s.t.: The manual for my computer shows how to set it up and program it. adj. done using the hands rather than by machine: My car has a manual gear shift, not an automatic transmission. -adv. manually.
manufacture
manufacture
  1. v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures
    1 to make s.t. for sale using machinery: Our company manufactures furniture.
    2 to deceive, make up false information: She manufactured her previous work history that she wrote on her résumé. n. [U] the act of making products using machinery: The manufacture of that type of gun is illegal now.
    THESAURUS
    manufacture v.
    1 to produce, fabricate | assemble
    2 to invent, fabricate, concoct.
manufacturer
manufacturer
  1. n. a business that makes things: That corporation is a manufacturer of medicines.
manufacturing
manufacturing
  1. n. [U] the part of industry that makes things: Manufacturing has left the big cities and relocated overseas.
manure
manure
  1. n. [U] animal waste,
    THESAURUS
    dung: Farmers use cow manure as fertilizer.
manuscript
manuscript
  1. n. a handwritten or typed document before it is printed: The author's book manuscript was sent to the editor.
many
many
  1. adj. more , most
    1 related to a lot of s.t., numerous: Many people attended the concert.
    2 a good or great many: a lot of: A good many people should exercise more.
    3 how many: used with countable nouns to ask about the number of s.t.: How many books do you have?||How many do you have? n. sing. used with a pl.v. used with of, a large number of s.t.: Many of us eat too much sugar.pron. a large number of s.t.: When the babies heard a loud noise, many began to cry.||How many cried?
    THESAURUS
    many adj.
    1 plenty of s.t., a large number of, countless. Ants. few, not many.

    USAGE NOTE: Many is used with or in place of countable nouns: many books. Use much with or in place of uncountable nouns: much work.
map
map
  1. n. a graphic representation or plan of geographic locations: We looked at a map to find the best roads from Boston to Chicago. v. [T] mapped, mapping, maps
    1 to make a map of s.t.: Engineers mapped the area for a road.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to map s.t. out: to plan in detail: They mapped out exactly what to study for the examination.||They mapped it out.
    THESAURUS
    map n. a chart | layout.
maple
maple
  1. n. a tall shade tree that produces a sugary liquid: The maple next to our house protects it from the afternoon sun.
maple leaf
maple leaf
  1. n.
    1 a symbol for the country of Canada: The red maple leaf is on the Canadian national flag.
    2 a gold coin minted in Canada
maple syrup
maple syrup
  1. n. [U] a sweet, brown syrup made by boiling maple sap (liquid that comes out of maple trees): We pour maple syrup on pancakes.
mar
mar
  1. v. [T] marred, marring, mars to damage; to make a cut, bruise, or dent in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to deface: A scratch in the side of the car marred its appearance.
marathon
marathon
  1. n.
    1 a foot race of over 26 miles (41.3 km): Thousands of runners come to the Boston Marathon every April.
    2 any event or test that lasts a long time: To meet the deadline, negotiators held marathon meetings all night long. -n. marathoner.
marble
marble
  1. n.
    1 [U] a type of stone that is cut and polished for use in floors, walls, statues, and decoration: The floors of the Capitol building are made of different colored marble.
    2 [C] pl. marbles a game children play by rolling small balls of marble or glass on the floor: When it rains, the children stay in and play marbles.
    3 to lose one's marbles: to go insane: I almost lost my marbles studying for that test.
marbling
marbling
  1. n. [U] a pattern of stripes and spots in different colors, made to look like marble: The cover of the book had green and blue marbling on it.
mare
mare
  1. n. a mature, female horse or donkey: A mare won the horse race.
margarine
margarine
  1. n. [U] a substitute for butter made from vegetable oils: Margarine spreads easily on toast.
margarita
margarita
  1. n. an alcoholic drink of tequila and lime juice: She likes to drink a margarita with Mexican food.
margin
margin
  1. n.
    1 the side border of a printed page: The margins on a newspaper are blank.
    2 the amount of profit that a business earns: Last quarter, our company had a high profit margin.
    3 the degree or amount more than what is needed: She won the election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
    THESAURUS
    margin
    1 an edge | rim. Ant. center.
    2 a surplus
    3 an excess.
marginal
marginal
  1. adj.
    1 located on a margin: Authors make marginal corrections to their writing.
    2 of little importance or worth: Desert is marginal land for farming, because its soil is of poor quality.
marginalia
marginalia
  1. n.pl. comments or notes written in the margin, esp. of a book: Professors write marginalia in textbooks to use in their lectures.
marginalize
marginalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make s.o. less important or s.t. less valuable: The new computers marginalize the value of older, slower ones.
marigold
marigold
  1. n. a small orange or yellow flower: Marigolds keep insects away from the tomato plants in our garden.
marina
marina
  1. n. [C;U] a boatyard or harbor that has docks and other facilities for boats: We keep a small sailboat at the marina on the river.
marinade
marinade
  1. n. a flavoring sauce used to soak meat, fish, and other food in before cooking: My brother soaks chicken in a marinade of soy sauce and herbs before he barbecues it. See: barbecue.
marinate
marinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to soak (food) in a marinade
marine
marine
  1. adj. related to the ocean and ships: She studied marine biology in college. n. marine or Marine a member of the Marine Corps
mariner
mariner
  1. n.frml. a sailor
marionette
marionette
  1. n. a doll or figure moved by strings to entertain people: Marionettes make people laugh.
marital
marital
  1. adj. related to marriage: He is not married, so his marital status is single.
maritime
maritime
  1. adj. related to the sea: Maritime laws govern international shipping.
mark
mark
  1. n.
    1 a scrape, stain, or spot: There is a mark on the wall where I hit it with a ball.||fig. Fighting in the war left its mark on him.
    2 a grade, such as on an examination or for a course: She got high marks in high school.
    3 a symbol, a sign of distinction: Chanel™ is a mark of perfume known all over the world.||Young people stand up as older people enter the room as a mark of respect.
    4 a target, such as a bull's-eye: He shot an arrow and it hit the mark.
    5 a place where racers begin: The starter for the race said to the runners, "On your mark, get set, go!"
    6 a symbol used by an illiterate person as a signature: He made his mark as an "X" on the contract.
    7 to be off the mark or to miss the mark: wrong, inaccurate: The weather reporter missed the mark when she said it would rain today, because it's sunny!
    8 to give s.o. high marks: to praise, admire s.o. for doing s.t. well: She did excellent work and I give her high marks for it!
    9 to make one's mark: to prove oneself as very good at s.t., to accomplish good things: He made his mark as a super salesperson at his company. v. [T]
    1 to stain, leave a mark: The broken plate marked the floor where it broke.
    2 to show a specific place: I marked my page in the book with a bookmark.
    3 to write down, note: He marked the price on a piece of paper.
    4 to grade homework or examinations: The teacher marked the students' exams.
    5 to celebrate: The USA marks its independence from Britain with Fourth of July celebrations.
    6 phrasal v. sep. to mark s.t. down: a. to note down: I marked down her telephone number on a piece of paper.||I marked it down. b. to lower the price of s.t., discount: That store marked down prices on its shoes by 40 percent.||It marked them down.
    7 phrasal v. sep. to mark s.t. up: to increase the price of s.t.: In that business, he marks up all his products by 100 percent.
    THESAURUS
    mark n.
    1 a streak, blot | scratch, bruise
    2 a (test) score, rating
    3 an emblem | badge, stamp | label, brand. —v.
    1 to spot, streak | scrape, scratch, bruise
    2 to indicate.
markdown
markdown
  1. n. a lowered price of s.t., esp. to put it on sale: The markdown on shoes on sale is 20 percent off the regular price.
marked
marked
  1. adj.
    1 clear, definite: Colder weather in the fall is a marked difference from the heat of summer.
    2 fig. singled out for punishment: He is a marked man for criticizing his boss who will fire him as soon as she can.
marker
marker
  1. n.
    1 a post, sign, or other noticeable object: Workers placed little orange flags as markers to show where the road will be built.
    2 a thick pen or other tool to make marks: The girl has markers in all colors to draw pictures with.
market
market
  1. n.
    1 a place or store that sells things: Supermarkets are large stores that sell food.
    2 the combination of makers, sellers, and buyers of a product or service on a local, national, or international level: There is a good market for healthy foods these days.
    3 buyer's or seller's market: conditions good for the buyer or seller: Real estate is a buyer's market right now, because there are many houses and apartments available to choose from. v. [T]
    1 to offer goods and services for sale: That company markets cosmetics in the New York area.
    2 to promote goods and services: Our marketing department markets our products nationally.
    3 to be in the market for: to want to purchase s.t.: I am in the market for a new car and have looked at many different models.
    4 to play the market: to look for the highest profit by buying and selling stocks: She is comfortable with taking risks to play the market.
    THESAURUS
    market n.
    1 a grocery store, supermarket, farmers' market
    2 a marketplace for s.t., sales opportunity. —v. 1 and 2 to sell, to merchandise.
market economy
market economy
  1. n. an economy that depends on market forces, such as supply and demand, to determine how many goods will be produced and at what price they will be sold
market research
market research
  1. n. [U] the study of what products and services customers might like to buy: Market research helped us design our products to sell better.
market share
market share
  1. n. the percentage of industry sales of a certain product or company
marketable
marketable
  1. adj. capable of being sold, salable: That new computer is highly marketable, because there are no competing products for it. -n. marketability.
marketer
marketer
  1. n. a person, department, or business that sells goods or services: That huge corporation is a marketer of soap and other personal care products.
marketing
marketing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the purchase of daily food and household items: My husband does the marketing for our family once a week.
    2 the art and science of designing, advertising, and selling goods and services: She has a master's degree in marketing from Stanford University.
marketplace
marketplace
  1. n.
    1 an open area in a city or town for selling products, esp. food: Marketplaces in many European cities are located in central places.
    2 the combination of all makers, sellers, and buyers of a product or service: Our new product was well received in the marketplace.
    THESAURUS
    marketplace
    1 a shopping district, shopping area, town square
    2 the market.
marking
marking
  1. n. [U] a mark of some kind or coloring, esp. of an animal: Our dog has brown and white markings.
markup
markup
  1. n. an increase in the price of s.t. above its cost: The markup on clothes can be five times their cost.
marmalade
marmalade
  1. n. [U] a fruit mixture that is spread on bread, rolls, etc.: I put orange marmalade on my toast for breakfast.
maroon
maroon
  1. adj.n. [U] a dark purplish red: He wears a maroon baseball cap. v. [T] to leave s.o. in a distant place with no or little hope of escape: Our ship was wrecked and we were marooned on an island.
marquee
marquee
  1. n. a large display above the front entrance to a theater that tells what is playing: The theater's marquee said that the movie Casablanca was playing.
marriage
marriage
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a legal union of a man and woman: The couple enjoyed a long and happy marriage.
    2 a wedding: My sister's marriage was small and private.
    3 fig. a strong bond between people or things: One business bought another in a marriage of similar interests.
    THESAURUS
    marriage
    1 matrimony, wedlock frml. Ant. a divorce.
    2 a marriage ceremony, nuptials frml.
    3 a union, merger. Ant. a separation.
marriage broker
marriage broker
  1. n. a person who sets up marriages: A man went to a marriage broker and asked her to find him a wife.
married
married
  1. adj. having a husband or wife: She is married with two children.
marrow
marrow
  1. n. [U] a soft jelly-like substance inside bones that makes new blood cells: Dogs love to chew on bones to taste the marrow.
marry
marry
  1. v. [I;T] -ried, -rying, -ries to join in marriage: Jane and Joe were married last Saturday.
    THESAURUS
    marry to get married, wed frml. | tie the knot infrml., get hitched slang.
marsh
marsh
  1. n. [C;U] marshes a wet, low-lying area with thick plant growth: Marshes have ponds where ducks and geese build nests and feed. -n. marshland ; -adj. marshy.
marshal
marshal
  1. n.
    1 a sheriff or officer of the US government: A US marshal arrested a criminal.
    2 the leader of an event: The mayor was the grand marshal leading the parade. v. [T] to gather one's forces together: The old man marshaled his strength to endure major heart surgery.
marshmallow
marshmallow
  1. n. a soft, white candy made of sugar: We toasted marshmallows over a fire when we camped in the woods.
marsupial
marsupial
  1. n. an animal, such as a kangaroo or an opossum, whose female members have a pouch to carry their young in: Marsupials are common in Australia.
mart
mart
  1. n.frml. a market or trading place: The convenience store on the corner is called Mini Mart.
martial
martial
  1. adj. related to the military and war: A court-martial is a military court that tries soldiers for crimes.
martial art
martial art
  1. n. a skill used for self-defense and military attack, such as karate or judo: He is an expert in the martial arts and has a black belt in karate.
martial law
martial law
  1. n. [U] emergency powers of the military to govern the civilian population to maintain order: After mass demonstrations, martial law was imposed on the country to prevent rioting.
martini
martini
  1. n. an alcoholic drink made of gin or vodka and a small amount of vermouth: They drink dry gin martinis before dinner.
martyr
martyr
  1. n. a person who dies for a cause and whose death inspires others to continue it: Joan of Arc (1412-1431) was a French martyr who tried to save France from the English. v. [T] to kill s.o. and make a martyr of that person: The Romans martyred early Christians for their religious beliefs.
martyrdom
martyrdom
  1. n. [U] an act or condition of being a martyr: The martyrdom of early Christians inspired others to bear suffering.
marvel
marvel
  1. v. [I;T] to regard with wonder and admiration: He marvels at the strength of professional athletes. n. a wonder, amazement: The girl is so smart that she is a marvel to her teachers.
marvelous
marvelous
  1. adj.
    1 wonderful, excellent: We had a marvelous time on vacation.
    2 amazing, admirable: He has a marvelous ability to play the violin.
    THESAURUS
    marvelous
    1 terrific, fantastic, great. Ant. terrible.
    2 awesome, remarkable. Ant. mediocre.
marzipan
marzipan
  1. n. [U] a soft candy made from almonds and sugar: Marzipan is made into shapes of animals and fruits.
mascara
mascara
  1. n. [U] a dark cosmetic applied to the eyelashes: Mascara makes her eyes look bigger.
mascot
mascot
  1. n. a person or an animal or its image kept for good luck by a sports team or other organization: Our football team keeps a mule as its mascot to show its strength and determination.
masculine
masculine
  1. adj.
    1 related to male qualities: That actor projects a masculine image in his films.
    2 related to the male gender of nouns in some languages: The words for "work" in French and Spanish are masculine: le travail and el trabajo. See: feminine.
mash
mash
  1. v. [T] mashes to press into a mass: She mashed bananas to feed to her baby.||Mashed potatoes taste good with butter or gravy. n. [C;U] mashes a wet mixture, such as grain and water: Distillers use a mash to make alcohol.
mask
mask
  1. n. a covering for the face used esp. to hide one's identity or for a ceremony: We saw many people wearing funny and scary masks at the Halloween party. v. [T]
    1 to hide one's identity: Robbers masked themselves to avoid being identified.
    2 to hide one's feelings: She masked her unhappiness when she was not invited to the party.
    THESAURUS
    mask n. a disguise, veil | face guard.
masking tape
masking tape
  1. n. [U] a tape used to mark areas, such as places not to be painted, that is easy to remove: A worker put masking tape over the door frame in the room to be painted.
masochism
masochism
  1. n. [U] any pain or discomfort deliberately experienced for pleasure: The masochism of running every day in cold and heat gives joggers satisfaction. -n. masochist; -adj. masochistic.
mason
mason
  1. n.
    1 a skilled worker in brick or stone: A stonemason is repairing the old church.
    2 Mason a member of the Freemasons, a secret organization of men
masonry
masonry
  1. n. [U] brickwork or stonework in buildings: The masonry on the outside of the school needs to be fixed.
masquerade
masquerade
  1. n.adj.
    1 a party or dance where people wear costumes and masks
    2 a costume worn to pretend to be s.o. else: We went to a masquerade (or) a masquerade party. v. [I] -raded, -rading, -rades to pretend to be s.o. else: He masquerades as a big businessman, but he really isn't one.
mass
mass
  1. n. masses
    1 [U] the amount of matter of an object: Spaceships have no weight in space but do have mass and could cause damage if they hit each other.
    2 [C] a group of people, things, etc.: A mass of people were in the town square for the concert.
    3 [C] a shapeless amount of similar matter: A mass of rock fell down the mountain. v. [I;T] masses to come together in a mass: Sports fans massed in front of the stadium before the game.
    THESAURUS
    mass n.
    2 a bunch | crowd, mob, throng
    3 a pile, heap.
mass media
mass media
  1. n. [U] used with a sing. or pl.v. television, radio, and large urban newspapers used to communicate with people daily: The mass media is constantly watching what the President says and does.
mass production
mass production
  1. n. [U] the manufacture of products in large amounts using modern machinery: Mass production of automobiles means that almost everyone can own one. -v. [T] mass-produce.
massacre
massacre
  1. n. [C;U] the brutal killing of many people or animals,
    THESAURUS
    slaughter: The massacre of the American buffalo almost made them extinct. v. [T] -cred, -cring, -cres to slaughter, kill brutally: Hunters massacred elephants to get ivory from their tusks.
massage
massage
  1. n. [C;U] the act of rubbing and moving the muscles of the body for relaxation and relief of pain: A masseuse gave me a relaxing massage for half an hour. v. [T] -saged, -saging, -sages to give a massage: She massaged me skillfully. See: caress.
masseur
masseur
  1. n. a man who gives massages professionally: Masseurs have to go to school and be licensed to work in most states.
masseuse
masseuse
  1. n. a woman who gives massages professionally: That masseuse has a firm, but gentle touch.
massive
massive
  1. adj. huge, great: A massive amount of information is available now with computers.
mast
mast
  1. n. on a ship, a vertical pole to which sails are connected: The main mast on old ships was made from tall trees.
mastectomy
mastectomy
  1. n. -mies the surgical removal of a breast: She had a mastectomy to remove a cancerous tumor from her breast.
master
master
  1. n.
    1 a person who can order others: The dog's master ordered it to lie down.
    2 a very competent, skilled person: He is a master at the game of tennis.||She is a master of intrigue. v. [T] to learn how to do s.t. well: He finally mastered typing.
    THESAURUS
    master n.
    1 an owner | ruler | boss, commander. Ants. a slave, servant.
    2 an expert | ace, whiz infrml. | virtuoso, genius. Ant. an amateur.
master of ceremonies
master of ceremonies
  1. n. a person who introduces others, esp. entertainers at a public event: The master of ceremonies introduced each singer in the voice contest.
masterful
masterful
  1. adj.
    1 able to do things well, very competent,
    THESAURUS
    masterly: He is masterful at handling horses.
    2 having a strong personality, able to dominate others -adv. masterfully.
masterly
masterly
  1. adj. showing the skill of a master: He is a masterly tennis player.
mastermind
mastermind
  1. n.v. [T] a person who plans s.t. completely: She was the mastermind behind the plan to rob the museum of famous paintings.||She masterminded the robbery.
masterpiece
masterpiece
  1. n. one of the best works of art, music, literature, etc.: The painting Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is considered a masterpiece.
masterwork
masterwork
  1. n. the best work done by an artist, composer, etc.: I think Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is his masterwork.
mastery
mastery
  1. n. [U] the ability to do s.t. extremely well, complete competence: She has complete mastery of using a computer to do accounting.
masthead
masthead
  1. n.
    1 the top of a mast: The sailor climbed up to the masthead to look for land.
    2 a list of a newspaper's or magazine's owners, editors, other employees, and address: The masthead of the local newspaper is on the second page.
masticate
masticate
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -cated, -cating, -cates to chew: Cows masticate their food.
mastiff
mastiff
  1. n.frml. a large, strong dog with short tan fur: Mastiffs are good guard dogs.
mat
mat
  1. n. a piece of material often of rectangular shape with many uses, such as under plates on tables, in front of doors, on floors, etc.: We wipe our feet on the mat in front of our door to remove dirt from our shoes. v. [I;T] matted, matting, mats to tangle, press down: The rain matted the dog's hair.
match
match
  1. n. matches
    1 a contest, game between participants: We played a tennis match and then watched a soccer match on TV.
    2 a similarity, harmony: There is a nice match between the color of his suit and his tie.
    3 a unity, bond: The couple started dating and found that they have a love match.
    4 a small stick used to light fires: He struck a match and lit a candle.
    5 to meet one's match: to compete with s.o. equal to or better than you are: The boxer met his match as his opponent knocked him out in the first round. v. [I;T] matches
    1 to be similar to s.t. else: One of his socks is blue and the other is brown; they don't match.
    2 to equal: Federal governments match funds to those given by states for large construction projects.
    THESAURUS
    match v.
    1 to go well together, fit together, harmonize | correspond. Ant. to clash (with).
matchbook
matchbook
  1. n. a thin piece of cardboard covering a set of matches: Businesses advertise their products on matchbook covers.
matchbox
matchbox
  1. n. -boxes
    1 a small box containing matches
    2 fig. a small house
matchless
matchless
  1. adj. without equal, unique: That opera singer has a matchless voice.
matchmaker
matchmaker
  1. n. a person who makes introductions between people interested in marriage: A matchmaker interviews men and women, then matches them with the kind of person they like. -n. matchmaking.
mate
mate
  1. n.
    1 one of a pair of animals: The male bird found food for its mate.
    2 a husband or wife: The elderly woman's mate died last week.
    3 either of a matched pair: I lost the mate to my glove.
    4 (-)mate: friend, companion, usu. with other words: roommate, classmate, housemate v. [I] mated, mating, mates to become a pair to produce offspring: Animals mate in the springtime.
    THESAURUS
    mate n.
    2 one's spouse
    3 twin
    4 a partner | buddy, pal.
material
material
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] cloth, fabric: Her suit is made out of fine wool material.
    2 [C;U] any physical substance, such as rock, wood, glass, plastic, etc.: Building materials, including wood, bricks, and pipes, are available at lumber yards.
    3 [C;U] tools and supplies: Art materials include paint, brushes, and canvas.
    4 [U] information in many forms that can be used, such as for a book or a speech: Our teacher put together material for a textbook. adj.
    1 related to the physical, not the spiritual: The material world makes a lot of demands on us.
    2 related to a situation in an important way, crucial: Evidence by a witness is material to the prosecution of a crime.
    THESAURUS
    material n.
    1 textile
    2 matter, things, stuff infrml.
    3 equipment, gear
    4 data, facts | evidence.
materialism
materialism
  1. n. [U]
    1 a philosophy that physical reality is most important, not spirituality: She did not go to church because she believed in materialism.
    2 the idea that having a lot of wealth is the goal in life: Materialism is an important part of western culture. -n. materialist; -adj. materialistic.
materialize
materialize
  1. v. [I] -ized, -izing, -izes to happen, become real: Her plans to become a professional singer materialized when she received offers to give performances.
maternal
maternal
  1. adj.
    1 related to a mother: Maternal instinct makes mothers protect their children.
    2 related through one's mother: My maternal grandparents raised my mother in Idaho.
maternity
maternity
  1. adj.n. related to the condition of pregnancy and caring for a child: She took three months' maternity leave from work to have a baby.
    THESAURUS
    maternity adj. parental —n. motherhood.
math
math
  1. n. [U] short for mathematics: I have a math exam today at school.
mathematical
mathematical
  1. adj. related to mathematics: Computers can do mathematical calculations very quickly. -adv. mathematically.
mathematics
mathematics
  1. n. [U] pl.used with a sing.v. the study of numbers, symbols, and forms that follow strict rules and laws: Mathematics is a difficult field of study. -n. mathematician .
    THESAURUS
    mathematics arithmetic, geometry, algebra, calculus.
matinee
matinee
  1. n. an afternoon film or theater performance: We saw the Wednesday matinee of a new musical comedy.
matriarch
matriarch
  1. n. the female head of a family or society: After Grandfather died, Grandmother became the matriarch of our family. -adj. matriarchal.
matriarchy
matriarchy
  1. n. -chies a family or society in which women have most of the power: Long ago, some societies were matriarchies led by women.
matriculate
matriculate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to enroll officially as a student in an educational institution, esp. a college: She matriculated into the state university last fall.
matrimony
matrimony
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of marriage: Religions see matrimony as a relationship blessed by God.
    2 the marriage ceremony: The couple went through matrimony in a church wedding. -adj. matrimonial.
matrix
matrix
  1. n. matrices or matrixes
    1 an arrangement of numbers, symbols, items, etc., that have a relationship to each other and are often arranged in columns and rows: If supplies cost too much in the matrix of production expenses to make a profit, then other costs must be reduced.
    2 material that surrounds minerals, etc.: Gold ore is sometimes found in a matrix of rock.
matron
matron
  1. n.
    1 a respected older, married woman: My aunt is a matron who organizes volunteers to read to children in the schools.
    2 a female guard in a court or prison: A matron escorted a female prisoner into court.
    3 a housekeeper in a hospital or prison: The matron has the keys to the laundry room in the hospital.
matron of honor
matron of honor
  1. n. a bride's main married attendant at her wedding: The bride's matron of honor was her best friend. See: maid of honor.
matronly
matronly
  1. adj.
    1 (about women) dignified, stately: My grandmother has a matronly air about her.
    2 euphemism for fat or middle-aged: That dress makes you look matronly.
matted
matted
  1. adj. & past part. of mat, tangled, pressed down: Her hair was matted after she got caught in rain.
matter
matter
  1. n.
    1 [U] physical substance that has weight and takes up space: Matter is composed of atoms and molecules.
    2 [C] a concern, subject of interest: We met to discuss business matters.
    3 [U] s.t. to read: The doctor's office has reading matter (magazines, books) in the waiting room.
    4 a matter of: a. an unknown but small amount: The train arrives in a matter of minutes. b. a decision, a situation: It's a matter of whether you want to get home early or late.
    5 for that matter: as far as (a topic being discussed) is concerned: My sister doesn't like television, and for that matter, neither do I.
    6 n.adj. matter of fact: a. based on fact, not dreams: Police detectives have a matter-of-fact attitude to finding information about crimes. b. actually, in reality: As a matter of fact, I do speak Spanish.
    7 a matter of life and death: a serious situation that could end in death: Whether enough blood is donated could be a matter of life and death for the accident victims.
    8 a matter of opinion: a question open to different ideas: It's a matter of opinion whether chemistry or physics is more difficult.
    9 no laughing matter: s.t. serious: Dressing warmly in winter is no laughing matter.
    10 no matter: without regard to,
    THESAURUS
    irrespective of: No matter what my boss says, I'm still going to check these numbers twice.
    11 What's the matter?: What's the problem?: "You're crying; what's the matter?" "Oh, my dog just died." v. [I] to be of importance, concern: What you think matters.
    THESAURUS
    matter n.
    1 material | stuff
    2 a topic, point, issue.
matting
matting
  1. n. [U] a rough mat or combination of them: We put matting on the floor under the kitchen table.
mattress
mattress
  1. n. -tresses a rectangular pad of wool, cotton, etc., to put on a bed for sleeping: I like a firm mattress to support my back.
mature
mature
  1. v. [I] -tured, -turing, -tures to grow to full size or full mental abilities: Human babies mature slowly. adj.
    1 adult, fully grown: There are mature oak trees on each side of our street.
    2 capable of doing what is right, responsible: Mature teenagers can be excellent caretakers for small children.
    THESAURUS
    mature v. to develop | ripen. Ants. to retard, stunt (growth).
maturity
maturity
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being fully grown, adulthood: Girls reach sexual maturity earlier than boys do.
    2 (in finance) the state of being ready to be collected or due: The bank charges a penalty fee if you withdraw money from a certificate of deposit before its maturity date.
    THESAURUS
    maturity
    1 manhood, womanhood | full development. Ant. immaturity.
maudlin
maudlin
  1. adj. extremely sentimental, tearful: Romantic novels can be maudlin if the hero dies.
maul
maul
  1. v. [T] to treat roughly, beat: A bear mauled a tourist in the woods. n. a type of hammer with a wooden head
mausoleum
mausoleum
  1. n. a large burial tomb: Wealthy families used to build mausoleums.
mauve
mauve
  1. n. [U] adj. a light purple color: Her favorite color is mauve, and she is wearing a mauve dress.
maven
maven
  1. n. an expert: He is a computer maven.
maverick
maverick
  1. n.
    1 cattle or a horse without its owner's brand: The cowboy tried to catch the mavericks on his land.
    2 fig. a very independent person,
    THESAURUS
    an eccentric: That scientist is a maverick who doesn't care what others think.
mawkish
mawkish
  1. adj. maudlin, very sentimental
maxim
maxim
  1. n. a saying that states a principle of behavior or living: "Birds of a feather flock together" is a maxim that similar people like to be with each other.
maximize
maximize
  1. v. [T] -mized, -mizing, -mizes to get or demand the most from s.t.: The boss maximizes profits by paying his employees very little. -n. maximization.
maximum
maximum
  1. n.adj. the ultimate, most of s.t.: Race cars speed at the maximum (or) maximum speed.
    THESAURUS
    maximum n. adj. highest, greatest, top. Ants. minimum, lowest.
may
may
  1. auxiliary verb used with other verbs without the infinitive "to" might or may have, may  1  expressing possibility of s.t. happening: I may go to the movies tonight if I’m not too tired. 
    2 asking or giving permission: May I go to the movies?||You may go to the movies, but you have to wash the dishes first.
    3 may as well: having no reason not to do s.t.: We may as well go home, this party is so boring.  See: can, might, modal auxiliary.

    USAGE NOTE:
    May is used with the base form of another verb (for example, "go") to express the possibility that something might happen: I may go away for the weekend.
maybe
maybe
  1. adv. about s.t. that could happen: My friend is not here yet; maybe she missed the bus.||Maybe it will rain today; I'll bring my umbrella.
    THESAURUS
    maybe possibly, perhaps | conceivably frml. Ants. positively, definitely.
mayday
mayday
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a call for help sent over a radio from boats and planes in trouble: The pilot shouted, "Mayday, mayday, this is flight 101 and we are going to crash into the sea!"
    2 May Day a holiday that celebrates labor in many countries: May Day is a festival of workers.
mayhem
mayhem
  1. n. [U] serious destruction of property or harm to s.o.: He drank too much alcohol and committed mayhem in nearly destroying the furniture in the bar.
mayo
mayo
  1. n. [U] slang short for mayonnaise
mayonnaise
mayonnaise
  1. n. [U] a food sauce made of eggs, oil, and lemon juice: She puts mayonnaise on her turkey sandwich.
mayor
mayor
  1. n. the elected head of a city's government: The mayor holds a regular news conference with newspaper reporters.
maypole
maypole
  1. n. a pole, symbol of fertility, decorated with ribbons and flowers around which children dance on May 1: Maypoles are fun at May Day festivals.
maze
maze
  1. n. a system of passages designed to confuse people or animals as they move through it,
    THESAURUS
    a labyrinth: Psychologists test the ability of rats to go through a maze.
maître d'
maître d'
  1. -n. maître d's short for maître d'hôtel, a headwaiter: The maître d' at the restaurant gave us a table near the window. maître d' n. maître d's short for maître d'hôtel, a headwaiter: The maître d' at the restaurant gave us a table near the window.
me
me
  1. pron. the object form of "I": The teacher praised me for my speech.
meadow
meadow
  1. n. a pasture, land with grass and few trees: Cows eat grass in the meadows near the farm.
    THESAURUS
    meadow a field | grassland.
meager
meager
  1. adj. very little,
    THESAURUS
    skimpy: He makes a meager living from his small farm.
meal
meal
  1. n.
    1 a daily time for eating, known as breakfast, lunch, supper, or dinner, or all the food served at such a time: Everyone in our family gets together for the evening meal.||I feel tired after a large meal.
    2 [U] coarsely ground grain: I make corn bread with cornmeal.
    3 meal ticket: a. a ticket permitting s.o. to eat a meal: Students give their meal tickets to the cashier in the cafeteria. b. fig. a means of living: He doesn't work and lives off his girlfriend; she's his meal ticket.
    THESAURUS
    meal
    1 a spread infrml. | feast, repast frml.
mealtime
mealtime
  1. n. a time at which meals are eaten: Noon is our usual mealtime for lunch.
mealy-mouthed
mealy-mouthed
  1. adj.infrml.fig. not stating matters clearly and directly,
    THESAURUS
    equivocal: He would not say if he would pay for dinner; he just got mealy-mouthed and didn't say "yes" or "no."
mealy
mealy
  1. adj. having a coarse, grainy texture: I expected the custard to be smooth, but it was mealy.
mean
mean
  1. v. meant , meaning , means
    1 [T] to indicate, have significance: That flashing red light means to stop your car and wait for the train to go by.||What does this word mean?
    2 [T] to intend to, want to do s.t.: I meant to call home, but forgot to do it.
    3 to mean business: to be serious, ready to do s.t.: The frustrated mother said, "I mean business" to her children who wouldn't go to sleep.
    4 to mean well: to make a mistake, do s.t. wrong, but not plan to harm s.o.: She uses rough language, but she means well. The value obtained by dividing the sum of a set of quantities by the number of quantities in the set. Also called arithmetic mean or average: The mean of 5, 7, 8, and 12 is 8, that is, 5 + 7 + 8 + 12 = 32 (the sum) ÷ 4 (four quantities: 5, 7, 8, 12), thus 32 ÷ 4 = 8adj.
    1 wanting to hurt s.o.: That boy is mean, a real bully.
    2 frml. extremely bad in quality: During dry periods, poor farmers can lead a mean existence.
    THESAURUS
    mean v.
    1 to stand for s.t., symbolize s.t. | denote, signify frml.
    2 to have in mind, plan, aim. —adj.
    1 unkind, hurtful | cruel, abusive | vicious, dangerous. Ant. kind.
    2 poor, wretched.
meander
meander
  1. v. [I] to move and turn slowly: The river meanders through the countryside. -n. [U] adj. meandering.
meanie
meanie
  1. n.infrml. an aggressive person, who likes to hurt others: That bully is a meanie.
meaning
meaning
  1. n.
    1 [C] interpretation, explanation: Can you tell me the meaning of that word?
    2 [U] significance, importance of s.t.: The meaning of the President's speech is that taxes are going to go up.
    THESAURUS
    meaning
    1 the sense, definition | drift, implication
    2 the result, upshot.
meaningful
meaningful
  1. adj.
    1 significant, important: That scientist has made meaning-ful contributions to her field of science.
    2 having a powerful effect on the mind,
    THESAURUS
    weighty: Poetry contains meaningful images.
meaningless
meaningless
  1. adj.
    1 without meaning, unimportant: Those birds make meaningless sounds.
    2 without effect or impact on the mind: The speaker made a few meaningless comments and left the meeting.
means
means
  1. n.
    1 pl. wealth, resources, and influence: They are a family of means in this town.
    2 [C] the skill, tools, money, etc., necessary to do s.t.: Our company has the means to develop new products and market them well.
    3 sing. a way that is used to do s.t.: A bus is a means of public transportation.
    4 by all means: a. definitely, absolutely: By all means, I would like to see you this evening! b. using everything and everyone available to get s.t. done: Citizens of the town put out the fire by all means available.
    5 by any means: a. often used negatively to mean absolutely not: Not by any means will I allow you to travel across the country alone; it's dangerous! b. using everything available to get s.t. done: We have to put that fire out by any means that we can.
    6 by no means: certainly not: He is by no means poor; in fact, he's rich.
    THESAURUS
    means
    1 the wherewithal (to do s.t.), funds
    2 the know-how, equipment (to do s.t.)
    3 a mechanism | method, mode.
meantime
meantime
  1. n. [U] the period between two events, meanwhile: I'll talk to you tomorrow; in the meantime, have a good evening.
measles
measles
  1. n. [U] used with a sing.v. rubeola, a contagious viral disease that causes red spots on the body: Measles makes children very uncomfortable and itchy.
measly
measly
  1. adj. very little, of poor quality,
    THESAURUS
    miserly: He received a measly raise in his salary.
measure
measure
  1. v. -ured, -uring, -ures
    1 [T] to calculate, find the size, weight, speed, etc., of s.t.: I measured the size of the floor for a new rug.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to measure s.t. out: to measure s.t. carefully step-bystep: I measured out the room with a yardstick.||I measured it out.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I] to measure up to s.t.: to meet standards: The new student's work measures up to the level of the other students. n.
    1 determination of the size, weight, speed, etc., of s.t.: The measure of the floor is 15' by 20' (approx. 4.6 m x 6.1 m).
    2 a portion of s.t.: I asked the worker at the garden store to give me a ten-pound (approx. 4.5 kilos) measure of grass seed.
    3 a legislative act: Our state legislature passed a measure to increase property taxes.
    4 for good measure: for additional safety, insurance: The weather looked as though it might rain, so for good measure, I took my umbrella.
    5 to take measures: to perform a specific action, a step to do s.t.: Officials took the measures of placing police and emergency vehicles in the park to help people during a huge outdoor concert. -adj. measurable.
    THESAURUS
    measure v.
    1 to determine | gauge, assess. —n.
    1 a calculation of s.t.
    2 an amount of s.t.
    3 a law.
measurement
measurement
  1. n. [C;U] a determination of the size, weight, speed, etc., of s.t.: A tailor took the man's measurements for a new suit.
    THESAURUS
    measurement n.pl. dimensions, size | configuration frml.
meat
meat
  1. n.
    1 the muscle and flesh of animals: We eat meat, either pork or beef, for dinner.
    2 fig. s.t. important, meaningful: Our meetings were not just talk; there was some meat to them. See: meaty.
meatball
meatball
  1. n. a small ball of chopped beef often mixed with bread crumbs: We had spaghetti and meatballs for lunch.
meatloaf
meatloaf
  1. n. [C;U] ground beef with spices formed into a loaf, baked, and served in slices: We ate meatloaf and gravy with mashed potatoes and carrots for dinner.
meatpacking
meatpacking
  1. n. [U] the industry of slaughtering and preparing meat for market: Meatpacking is a big industry in the USA.
meaty
meaty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 containing lots of meat: That lamb stew is very meaty with few vegetables.
    2 infrml.fig. meaningful, having substance: His suggestions are meaty and worth considering.
mechanic
mechanic
  1. n. a person who repairs and maintains machinery: Do you know a good car mechanic?
mechanical
mechanical
  1. adj.
    1 related to machines and systems: The air conditioning system stopped because of a mechanical breakdown.
    2 automatic, done without thinking: She danced mechanically, with no sense of style.
    THESAURUS
    mechanical
    1 a parts (failure), component (breakdown). Ant. manual.
    2 unconscious, unthinking | routine, impersonal. Ant. inspired.
mechanics
mechanics
  1. n. [U]
    1 used with a sing.v. any of a variety of scientific fields that study the laws of motion and the design and manufacture of mechanical devices: The study of mechanics is basic to science and engineering students.
    2 used with a pl.v. the motions and technical aspects of an activity: The mechanics of sports, such as running or hitting a baseball, are studied scientifically.
mechanism
mechanism
  1. n.
    1 parts of a machine that move and perform a function: A lock has a mechanism that opens and closes.
    2 a means of doing s.t.: A stock exchange is a mechanism that brings investors and companies together to provide capital to businesses.
    THESAURUS
    mechanism
    1 an apparatus, device | component
    2 a system.
mechanize
mechanize
  1. v. [I;T] -nized, -nizing, nizes to change tasks done by hand to having machines do them: A shoe manufacturer mechanized the factory by installing power machinery.
medal
medal
  1. n. an award shaped in a circle: Olympic athletes can win gold, silver, or bronze medals. -n. medalist.
medallion
medallion
  1. n.
    1 a metal shield usu. shaped like a medal: Taxicabs have medallions on their hoods to show they are legally registered.
    2 a circular portion of food: We had medallions of veal for dinner.
meddle
meddle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to interfere in the affairs of others,
    THESAURUS
    to butt in: He meddles in his neighbors' business. -n. meddler.
meddlesome
meddlesome
  1. adj. related to s.o. who interferes with others: Meddlesome people are often told to mind their own business.
media
media
  1. n. [U]
    1 used with a pl.v. means of sending information or expressing ideas: She is an artist whose media are painting and sculpture.
    2 used with a sing. or pl.v. used with "the" to mean the combination of television, radio, news magazines, and large circulation newspapers: The media report on every little thing that the President does. adj. related to communications media: Media relations are often handled by professional press agents.
media event
media event
  1. n. an event that attracts media attention: Whenever the President travels, it is a media event.
median
median
  1. n.
    1 the halfway point in an ordered array of numbers: The income of people in this city ranges from zero to $250,000 per year; the median is $125,000. in statistics, the middle value of a set of numbers that has an equal number of members both greater than itself and less than itself: Ten is the median for the following set of numbers: 3, 6, 7, 10, 12, 14, 20; that is, there are three numbers greater than and less than 10.
mediate
mediate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to help both sides in negotiations reach agreement: The mayor mediated in a salary dispute between the teachers' union and the board of education. -n. [U] mediator; mediation.
medic
medic
  1. n. a person trained to give emergency medical help to the sick or injured until they can see a doctor: Medics bandaged the injuries of the accident victim, then drove him to the hospital.
medical
medical
  1. adj. related to medicine: She visited a medical clinic for a flu shot. -adv. medically.
medical examiner
medical examiner
  1. n. an official who guards public health and performs autopsies on corpses to find the cause of death: The chief medical examiner has many physicians working for her.
medication
medication
  1. n. [C;U] drugs, such as pills, shots, or ointments, used to treat or cure an illness: He has to take medication for high blood pressure twice a day. -v. [T] medicate .
    THESAURUS
    medication medicine, (a) treatment.
medicinal
medicinal
  1. adj. related to the healing properties of medicine and natural substances,
    THESAURUS
    curative: The medicinal effects of many plants have been known for centuries.
medicine
medicine
  1. n.
    1 [U] the art and science of curing sick people and preventing disease: Modern medicine can cure many diseases that used to kill many people.
    2 [C] medication: She gave her baby cough medicine.
    THESAURUS
    medicine
    1 medical science, the art of healing
    2 drugs, pills | remedy.
medieval
medieval
  1. adj. related to the Middle Ages: Medieval times lasted approx. 1,000 years, from about 476 to 1450 A.D.
mediocre
mediocre
  1. adj. second-rate, not good or bad: He got mediocre grades in high school. -n. [C;U] mediocrity.
meditate
meditate
  1. v. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates to sit quietly and think freely: She meditates each morning to relax and clear her mind. -n. [C;U] meditation.
medium
medium
  1. n. -iums or -ia
    1 a means of doing s.t.: Language is a medium of expression. See: media.
    2 an environment in which s.t. develops or lives: Our classroom is a comfortable medium in which to work.
    3 s.o. who claims to be able to speak with spirits: The police sometimes use mediums to look for missing children.
    4 to strike a happy medium: to find a balance: He strikes a happy medium in exercising by taking fast walks, but not jogging or just sitting at home. adj. average-sized: He wears medium-sized sweaters.
medley
medley
  1. n.
    1 melodies from different tunes that are played one after the other: The orchestra played a medley of songs from great Broadway musicals.
    2 a mixture of things or people: She served a fruit medley for dessert.
meek
meek
  1. adj. mild, passive: When he was young, he was loud and outspoken; now he is old and meek. -adv. meekly; -n. [U] meekness.
meet
meet
  1. v. met , meeting, meets
    1 [I;T] to see s.o. accidentally: On the street, I met an old friend whom I had not seen in years.
    2 [I;T] to see s.o. at a certain time and place: I will meet you tonight at your place at 8 (8:00 P.M.).
    3 [I;T] to wait for s.o., greet s.o.: I met my friends at the airport and took them to their hotel.
    4 [I;T] to join, come together: Two highways meet near the town.
    5 [I;T] to be introduced to s.o. for the first time: You will meet some new people at school.
    6 [I;T] to reach a desired goal: Our department met its sales goal for the year.
    7 [I;T] to satisfy: Governments try to meet the needs of their people for law and order.
    8 [I;T] to pay a debt: He couldn't meet all of the expenses of a large house.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to meet on s.t.: to discuss a specific topic: Let's meet on how we can improve profits in our company.
    10 infrml. to meet s.o. halfway: to compromise with s.o., try to agree: He wanted to buy the plants for $5 each and I wanted $10 for them, so we met each other halfway at $7.50 each.
    11 to meet the competition: to do s.t. equal to or better than a competitor: She lowered her prices, so we'll meet the competition by reducing our prices, too.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [I] to meet up with s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to see s.o. at a specific place and time: I'm going home now, but I'll meet up with you at 8:00 tonight at the restaurant. b. s.t.: to encounter, experience: As we got close to the city, we met up with a huge traffic jam. n. an athletic competition, match, or event: Our college had a track meet with another college.
    THESAURUS
    meet v.
    1 to run into s.o., encounter s.o., come across
    2 to get together with s.o. endezvous with frml. Ant. to avoid.
    3 to welcome
    4 to intersect, converge | unite. Ants. to separate, diverge.
    5 to become acquainted with s.o.
    6 to make, achieve, accomplish s.t. Ant. to miss.
    7 to fulfill | follow, comply with. Ant. to fail s.o.
meeting
meeting
  1. n.
    1 a conference or encounter of two or more people: Our department holds a meeting every Monday morning.
    2 to have or reach a meeting of the minds: to agree, come to an understanding: Two businesspeople met and had a meeting of the minds on a new project.
    THESAURUS
    meeting
    1 a conference, session, gathering | get-together infrml.
meetinghouse
meetinghouse
  1. n. -houses a place where religious and public meetings are held: Old New England towns have buildings that serve as meetinghouses for the townspeople to vote on town business.
megabucks
megabucks
  1. n.pl.slang large sums of money, thousands to millions of dollars: She's earning megabucks in her new job.
megahertz
megahertz
  1. n. -hertz one million cycles per second, esp indicating the processing speed of a computer: My computer is extremely fast at 125 megahertz.
megalith
megalith
  1. n. a large stone, esp. one used by ancient peoples: Priests in ancient England placed megaliths in a circle for religious worship.
megalomania
megalomania
  1. n. [U] false ideas of grandeur and power: The dictator suffers from megalomania in planning to construct large palaces with armies that he does not have. -n. megalomaniac ; -adj. megalomaniacal.
megaphone
megaphone
  1. n. a hollow tube placed against the mouth used to make the voice louder: The politician used a megaphone to speak to a large crowd of people.
megaton
megaton
  1. n. the explosive force of one million tons of TNT, used as a measure of nuclear bombs: One nuclear warhead of several megatons can destroy a whole city.
melancholy
melancholy
  1. n. [U] adj. a deep sadness, depression: Listening to the sad music on a rainy day made her feel melancholy.
meld
meld
  1. v. [I;T] to blend together: Two groups of workers were melded together to help each other finish a job.
melee
melee
  1. n. a disorderly, noisy fight,
    THESAURUS
    a brawl: Two men started an argument in a bar, and their fight turned into a melee with lots of people punching each other.
mellow
mellow
  1. adj.
    1 smooth and richtasting: Some coffees have a mellow taste.
    2 infrml. in a relaxed, friendly mood: After a good meal, the couple feels mellow and contented. -n. [U] mellowness.
melodic
melodic
  1. adj. having melody, pleasant: The violin piece they played was melodic.
melodious
melodious
  1. adj. pleasing to the ear: She has a melodious voice.
melodrama
melodrama
  1. n. [C;U] a play, film, novel, or situation of intense emotion, usu. about love, danger, and death: We saw a melodrama on TV where war separates a couple forever.
melodramatic
melodramatic
  1. adj. showing strong emotions about love, danger, death, etc.: The boss makes melodramatic announcements about how sales must go up or everyone will lose their jobs. -n.pl. melodramatics.
melody
melody
  1. n. -dies
    1 [C] a tune or song: He plays Irish melodies on the flute.
    2 [U] a musical idea expressed in notes: The soprano sang the melody while the tenor sang in harmony with her.
melon
melon
  1. n. a sweet, juicy, thick-skinned fruit of the gourd family, such as cantaloupe, honeydew, or watermelon: A cool slice of melon makes an excellent dessert in hot weather.
melt
melt
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to change from a solid to liquid state, liquefy: Ice melts to water quickly in warm weather.
    2 fig. [I] to feel affection: He melts when he sees a beautiful baby.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to melt away: to disappear, leave: Her fatigue melted away when she reached the top of the mountain.
    4 to melt in one's mouth: to taste smooth and wonderful: The steak is so tender that it almost melts in your mouth. n. a period of melting, such as winter ice turning to water, a thaw: a spring melt See: meltdown.
    THESAURUS
    melt v.
    1 to thaw | dissolve. Ant. to freeze.
    2 to be moved, be touched. Ant. to harden.
meltdown
meltdown
  1. n. (in nuclear reactors) the melting down of uranium rods and safety walls, releasing nuclear radiation: Cooling water escaped accidentally from the reactor, leading to a meltdown.
member
member
  1. n.
    1 a person who belongs to an organization, club, family, etc.: She is a member of a tennis club.
    2 frml. a limb, such as an arm or leg
membership
membership
  1. n.
    1 the state of being a member: My membership in the health and fitness club ends next month.
    2 all members of a group: The president asked the club membership to vote on a fee increase.
    THESAURUS
    membership
    1 an affiliation with
    2 the association.
membrane
membrane
  1. n. a thin covering of living tissue: Membranes of cells allow food to go in and waste to go out.
memento
memento
  1. n. -tos or -toes an object that reminds one of s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a souvenir: The couple has maps and photos as mementos of their vacation in London.
memo
memo
  1. n. -os short for memorandum
    THESAURUS
    memo a note, message.
memoir
memoir
  1. n.frml. the written account of one's life: Famous men and women often write memoirs about their lives and accomplishments.
memorabilia
memorabilia
  1. n.pl. things that remind one of past events or famous people, such as photos, souvenirs, etc.: She has a collection of memorabilia of her grandfather, who was a famous general.
memorable
memorable
  1. adj. unforgettable, worthy of being remembered: We took some memorable vacations in Alaska in the past. -adv. memorably.
memorandum
memorandum
  1. n. frml. -dums or -da a written note used inside a company to inform others, ask for information, record meetings, etc.: Our company president sent us a memorandum announcing the purchase of another company.
    THESAURUS
    memorandum a message | report, record.
memorial
memorial
  1. n.
    1 a monument dedicated to the memory of the dead: The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, has a big statue of President Abraham Lincoln.
    2 a service held to remember the dead: He went to a memorial for the president of the company, who died last week. adj. related to remembrance of the dead: Memorial services were held at the church for the man killed in the accident. -v. [T] memorialize.
memorize
memorize
  1. v. [T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to remember s.t. exactly, learn s.t. by heart: Students memorize the verb forms of a new language.
    THESAURUS
    memorize to know s.t. backwards and forwards, commit s.t. to memory.
memory
memory
  1. n. -ries
    1 [C;U] the ability of the brain to remember: He has an excellent memory for faces.
    2 [C] recollection of past events: She has pleasant memories of her summer vacations as a child.
    3 [U] the capacity of a computer to hold information: My computer has a 500-megabyte memory.
    4 in memory of s.o. or to the memory of: to pay respect to s.o. who is dead: Many university buildings are dedicated in memory of important people.
    THESAURUS
    memory
    1 one's recall
    2 a reminder
    3 storage, capacity.
men
men
  1. n.pl. of man: human males in general: Men wear suits to work.
    THESAURUS
    men gentlemen, fellows | guys infrml.
men's room
men's room
  1. n. a public toilet for men: After the movie, he went to the men's room.
    THESAURUS
    men's room a restroom, bathroom | lavatory (in school).

    USAGE NOTE: Men's room is a polite term for restroom, a bathroom in a public place. Bathroom and toilet are considered less polite terms.
menace
menace
  1. v. [T] -aced, -acing, -aces
    1 to threaten s.o. with harm: A thief menaced the store owner with a gun.
    2 to endanger, be harmful: Heavy rainstorms menace the farmers' crops. n. s.t. that threatens with danger: That nasty dog is a menace to the children in the neighborhood.
menagerie
menagerie
  1. n. a group of animals held in captivity: That family keeps a menagerie of dogs, cats, ducks, goats, and other animals.
mend
mend
  1. v.
    1 [T] to repair, such as holes in fences or clothes: He mended a hole in his sock with a needle and thread.
    2 to be on the mend: to heal, esp. after surgery or an accident: My friend is on the mend after his auto accident.
    3 to mend fences: to become friendly to s.o. whom you wronged: A politician visited voters to mend fences after he voted for a tax increase.
    4 to mend one's ways: to show better behavior, improve: After she failed the math quiz, she mended her ways and studied more.
    THESAURUS
    mend
    1 to sew, fix | fill s.t. in. Ant. to tear.
mending
mending
  1. n. [U] sewing, repair of holes in clothes with needle and thread: These old clothes need mending and ironing.
menfolk
menfolk
  1. n.pl.infrml. men in a family or gathering: At the party, the menfolk gathered near the barbecue grill while the women went for a walk.
menial
menial
  1. adj. lowly, related to boring or unpleasant tasks: He does menial chores, such as sweeping floors and washing windows.
meningitis
meningitis
  1. n. [U] a life-threatening infection of the membranes covering the brain and spinal cord: The baby had a mild case of meningitis but is better now.
menopause
menopause
  1. n. [U] the time of the permanent stopping of menstruation of women around ages 45 to 50: She went through menopause recently.
menorah
menorah
  1. n. a candlestick with seven branches: Jewish people light the menorah at Hanukkah, the festival of lights.
mensch
mensch
  1. n.infrml. (Yiddish for) a nice, sensitive person: My dad helps everyone in the neighborhood; he's a real mensch.
menstruate
menstruate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to have one's period, menstruation: Women menstruate about once a month. -adj. menstrual.
menstruation
menstruation
  1. n. [U] in females, the monthly discharge of the lining of the uterus and accompanying bleeding: Menstruation begins in many girls at the age of 11 or 12.
mental
mental
  1. adj.
    1 related to the mind: He's old, but his mental abilities are still strong.
    2 slang a mental case: a troubled or crazy person: She was exhausted and a mental case after taking final examinations. -adv. mentally.
    THESAURUS
    mental
    1 intellectual, thinking | cognitive frml.
mental retardation
mental retardation
  1. n. [U] a condition of lowered mental abilities caused by birth defects, disease, genetics, etc.: The baby has mental retardation because of a birth defect. -adj. mentally retarded.
mentality
mentality
  1. n. [C;U] -ties
    1 a way of thinking, attitude toward life or a situation: She has a very positive mentality about the future.
    2 [U] level of intelligence: Students in that class are of average mentality.
menthol
menthol
  1. n. [U] adj. a substance from peppermint with a refreshing coolness used in medications, to flavor cigarettes, etc.: He smokes menthols (or) menthol cigarettes.
mention
mention
  1. v. [I]
    1 to say or write s.t. briefly or casually: I mentioned to my friend that he needed a haircut.
    2 Don't mention it.: You're welcome; it's no trouble: He thanked the librarian for her help and she said, "Don't mention it."
    3 not to mention: s.t. obvious: He's rich and, not to mention, he's handsome too!
    4 to make mention of: to speak of in passing: She made mention of how much she likes living in Florida, but didn't give any details.
    THESAURUS
    mention
    1 to tell s.o. s.t., remark.
mentor
mentor
  1. n. a teacher and friend: My former boss is my mentor, who gives me advice in my career.
menu
menu
  1. n. -us
    1 a list of foods available in a restaurant: We read the menu and chose an appetizer and a main dish.
    2 (in computers) a display of functions or files: I chose a file from the main menu.
    3 to be or have on the menu: to have s.t. planned: What do you have on the menu for this weekend? Fishing? Hiking?
mercantile
mercantile
  1. adj.n. a system of business by merchants, esp. in foreign trade: Cotton, wheat, corn, etc., were traded on the mercantile exchange. -n. [U] mercantilism.
mercenary
mercenary
  1. adj.frml. greedy, concerned mainly with money: He's very mercenary and won't do anything unless he gets paid for it. n. -ies a professional soldier paid to fight for another country's army: Britain hired German mercenaries to fight the Americans in the Revolutionary War.
merchant
merchant
  1. n. a person or business that buys and sells goods at wholesale, to other businesses, or at retail, to customers: Clothing merchants often have their stores in shopping malls. adj. related to buying and selling goods: Merchant ships travel to Asia and return with products to sell in western countries.
merciful
merciful
  1. adj. showing mercy, kind: He suffered so much pain from cancer that his death was merciful. -adv. mercifully.
    THESAURUS
    merciful compassionate | sympathetic, forgiving. Ant. merciless.
merciless
merciless
  1. adj. without mercy, cold-blooded: The cat was merciless, playing with the mouse until he killed it. -adv. mercilessly.
mercury  
mercury  
  1. n. [U] a metallic element, known as quicksilver for its liquid shiny appearance at room temperature: In thermometers, the level of mercury rises as the temperature goes up.
mercy
mercy
  1. n.
    1 forgiveness, willingness to let s.o. avoid punishment: The governor showed mercy to the prisoner on death row and allowed him to live.
    2 at the mercy of: in a situation where s.o. or s.t. can harm you and you are helpless: Farmers are at the mercy of bad weather that can destroy their crops.
    3 It's a mercy: a piece of good luck, a fortunate event: It was a mercy that the old woman died before she could see her farm turned into a shopping mall.
    THESAURUS
    mercy
    1 sympathy, compassion. Ant. cruelty.
mercy killing
mercy killing
  1. n. [U] the killing of a person or animal who is suffering greatly and unlikely to recover,
    THESAURUS
    euthanasia: A race horse broke its leg, and its owner did a mercy killing by shooting it.
mere
mere
  1. adj.
    1 only, nothing more than: She was a mere child when she learned to sing beautifully.
    2 the merest: the smallest, the least thing: The merest noise makes her dog bark.
merely
merely
  1. adv. only, nothing more than: I merely asked how he felt, and he started yelling at me.
    THESAURUS
    merely just, simply.
merengue
merengue
  1. n. [C;U] a fast Caribbean dance: I like to dance the merengue even more than the rumba.
merge
merge
  1. v. [I;T] merged, merging, merges
    1 to combine or become combined: Our company merged two sales forces into one.
    2 to blend together: The colors of the sunset merged gradually into each other.
merger
merger
  1. n. (in business) combining two companies into one larger company: Two banks underwent a merger and combined into one huge operation.
meridian
meridian
  1. n. on a map or globe, a line of longitude that makes a half circle of the earth from the North to the South Pole: The prime meridian runs through Greenwich, England.
meringue
meringue
  1. n. [C;U] a topping made of whipped egg whites, sugar, and flavoring for pies and cakes: She loves lemon meringue pie for dessert.
merit
merit
  1. v. [T] to be worthy of, deserve attention because of the quality of s.o. or s.t.: That business proposal merits careful consideration. n.
    1 [U] high quality, excellence: Her poetry is of great merit.
    2 [C] an award for excellence: Boy and Girl Scouts earn badges for merit.||Employees receive merit increases in their salaries.
    3 on one's or its own merits: judged by itself: Teachers judge students on their own merits and not on how rich their parents are. -adj. meritorious.
meritocracy
meritocracy
  1. n. an organization or society in which success and rewards are based on performance: Our company is a meritocracy in which young employees who work well can be promoted over older ones.
mermaid
mermaid
  1. n. a mythical being that is half woman, half fish: Mermaids are described in stories about the sea.
merry-go-round
merry-go-round
  1. n.
    1 a carousel, a type of carnival ride with models of horses on a platform that goes around to music: Children and adults love the motion of a merry-go-round.
    2 fig. any busy activity that leads nowhere: The diplomatic negotiations were just a merry-go-round that got nothing done.
merry
merry
  1. adj. -rier, -riest
    1 happy, lively: We had a merry time at the party last night.
    2 to make merry: to celebrate cheerfully: We made merry at my brother's wedding. -n. [U] merriment.
merrymaking
merrymaking
  1. n. [U] frml. laughter, singing, having a good time: On New Year's Eve, merrymaking lasts all night.
mesh
mesh
  1. n. [U] a loose woven material of string, rope, wire, etc.: Fishermen use nets made of mesh to catch fish. v. [I] meshes to fit together: Gears in a machine mesh together.
mesmerize
mesmerize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to hypnotize, entrance: The birds in the tree mesmerized the cat. -n. [U] mesmerism.
mess
mess
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a clutter, disorder: His office is always a mess because he never throws anything away.
    2 [C;U] a dirty condition, filth: An egg fell on the floor and made a mess.
    3 [C] trouble, a difficult situation: She's in a mess because she quit school but has to pay off her student loans. v. messes
    1 infrml. [I] to mess around: to loaf, goof off: She doesn't work and just messes around watching TV and reading magazines.
    2 phrasal v. to mess around with s.o. or s.t.: a. [T] to deal with s.o. or s.t. casually, play around with it: He messed around with trying to fix his car himself, then took it to a mechanic. b. [T] to get sexually involved with s.o.: She won't mess around with married men.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to mess up s.t.: a. [T] to dirty, spoil: He messed up his report by spilling coffee on it. b. [I;T] to make a mistake, spoil,
    THESAURUS
    to goof up: She messed up her report by leaving a lot of mistakes in it.
    THESAURUS
    mess n.
    1 a shambles, jumble
    3 a fix, pickle infrml., muddle.
mess hall
mess hall
  1. n. a building used as an eating place for soldiers or children at summer camp: Soldiers go to the mess hall to eat.
message
message
  1. n.
    1 a short written or spoken note: I left a message on her answering machine to call me.
    2 the central meaning: The message of that lecture was that drugs are dangerous.
    3 infrml. to get the message: to understand s.t., esp. s.t. implied: He finally got the message (that she did not like him) when she refused many times to go out with him.
    THESAURUS
    message
    1 a communication | letter, memo | voice message
    2 a point, theme | moral.
messenger
messenger
  1. n. a person who brings a message, letter, package, etc.: A messenger came to my door with a package from my office.
messiah
messiah
  1. n. any savior of humanity; to Christians, Jesus Christ: Jews believe that the messiah has not come to Earth yet.
messy
messy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 cluttered, disorderly: Her room is always messy with magazines and clothes everywhere.
    2 dirty, soiled: The kitchen floor is messy with spilled food.
    3 troubled, difficult: Their divorce was a messy legal battle.
    THESAURUS
    messy
    1 untidy, disorganized | sloppy. Ants. neat, organized.
    2 grubby | disgusting, gross infrml. Ants. clean, spotless.
    3 complicated, tangled | ugly. Ant. straightforward.
met
met
  1. v. past tense & past part. of meet: We met in the park last week.
metabolism
metabolism
  1. n. all the processes in the body that digest, use, and expel nourishment: She has a fast metabolism that burns food quickly. -adj. metabolic ; -v. [I;T] metabolize.
metal
metal
  1. n. [C;U] any of the basic metallic elements, usu. hard, shiny substances that can be melted, shaped, and cut to make things: Steel is a metal that is used a lot in building and manufacturing. adj. made of metal: Ships are made of metal plates welded together.
metallic
metallic
  1. adj. related to metal (iron, steel, copper, etc.): He painted his car with metallic paint.
metallurgy
metallurgy
  1. n. [U] the study of metals, the extraction of them from ores and their preparation for use: Metallurgy is a field of engineering. -n. metallurgist.
metalwork
metalwork
  1. n. [U] metal shaped for particular uses, such as ventilation ducts, or decorative shapes, such as wrought iron fences -n. [U] metalworker; metalworking.
metamorphosis
metamorphosis
  1. n. [U] -ses
    1 (in biology) a dramatic change from one stage of life to another, as in the butterfly's change from a cocoon to a winged insect: Ancient people believed that humans could undergo metamorphosis from human form to animal form.
    2 [C] fig. a dramatic change in character, appearance, etc.: He underwent a real metamorphosis in his teenage years from a weak boy to a strong young man. -v. [I;T] metamorphose.
metaphor
metaphor
  1. n. [C;U] a figure of speech that suggests similarity between one thing and another: "All that glitters is not gold" is a metaphor for saying that things are not always what they appear to be. -adj. metaphorical.
metaphysics
metaphysics
  1. n. [U] pl. used with a sing.v. (in philosophy) the study of the nature of reality and knowledge: Metaphysics is a difficult and deep field of study. -adj. metaphysical.
metastasize
metastasize
  1. v. [I] -sized, -sizing, -sizes usu. of cancer, to spread from a local tumor throughout an organism: Her cancer has metastasized from the lungs all through her body. -n. [U] metastasis.
mete
mete
  1. v. [T] meted, meting, metes to give out,
    THESAURUS
    to dispense: The father meted out punishment when his son came home late at night.
meteor
meteor
  1. n. a small body of matter from outer space that burns up when it enters the earth's atmosphere: On clear nights, meteors often can be seen streaking across the sky.
meteoric
meteoric
  1. adj.
    1 related to meteors: Geologists found pieces of meteoric rock in a field.
    2 fig. speedy, rapid: He had a meteoric rise in politics, from local mayor to President.
meteorite
meteorite
  1. n. a small meteor that lands on Earth: Meteorites have been found and studied by scientists.
meteorology
meteorology
  1. n. [U] the study of the earth's atmosphere and weather conditions: Meteorology includes the study of weather. -n. meteorologist; -adj. meteorological.
meter
meter
  1. n.
    1 a linear measurement of 39.37 inches (3.37 inches more than a yard): Most countries measure distance in meters and kilometers.
    2 a machine that measures things, such as the use of water, electricity, and gas: A parking meter shows how much time a car can stay in a parking space.
    3 the rhythmic pattern of music or poetry: Poetry is written in different meters. v. [T] to measure with a meter: The use of electricity is metered in each house.
    THESAURUS
    meter n.
    2 a gauge
    3 rhythm, beat | cadence.
methadone
methadone
  1. n. [U] a substitute for heroin that can help cure drug addiction: She takes methadone in a program to stop using drugs.
methane
methane
  1. n. [U] a colorless, odorless, flammable gas: Methane is widely used for cooking and heating.
methanol
methanol
  1. n. wood alcohol, a colorless liquid used for fuel and as a solvent: Methanol is a very flammable liquid.
method
method
  1. n. a way of doing s.t.: That business uses trucks as its method of moving goods.
    THESAURUS
    method a means (of doing s.t.), manner, technique | process, system, procedure.
methodical
methodical
  1. adj. systematic, careful, in a step-by-step manner: He is very methodical in his work habits.
methodology
methodology
  1. n. the manner in which tasks are performed, methods as a group: Teachers use different methodologies to teach language to students. -adj. methodological.
meticulous
meticulous
  1. adj. careful and thorough, painstaking: She is meticulous in spelling every word correctly in her papers.
metier
metier
  1. n.frml. (French for) one's occupation, specialty: Her metier is painting portraits of children.
metric
metric
  1. adj.
    1 related to the metric system: Most of the world uses the metric system of measurement.
    2 related to a rhythmic pattern of poetry: Iambic pentameter is a metric pattern in much of Shakespeare's poetry.
metric system
metric system
  1. n. the system of measurement based on the meter, kilogram, and second: The metric system is based on the use of decimals and is easier to use than the English system.
metro
metro
  1. adj.infrml. short for metropolitan, referring to a city and its surrounding area: Rain showers will cross the metro area today. n. -ros (French for) subway: People in Paris go to work on the metro.
metropolis
metropolis
  1. n.frml. a large, important city: New York City is a metropolis.
metropolitan
metropolitan
  1. adj. related to a city and its suburbs: Metropolitan Miami covers a much larger area than the city of Miami itself.
mettle
mettle
  1. n. [U] courage and endurance, character: She takes the hardest courses that she can to test her mettle as a good student -adj. mettlesome.
mew
mew
  1. n.v. [I] var. of meow: The kitten mews when it is hungry.
mezzanine
mezzanine
  1. n. the floor or balcony above the main floor in a store or hotel: Business offices of the hotel are located on the mezzanine.
mica
mica
  1. n. [U] a mineral found in thin layers, used as insulating material
mice
mice
  1. n.pl. of mouse
miconstrue
miconstrue
  1. v. frml. -strued, -struing, -strues to misunderstand, to be confused by: I misconstrued what the teacher said to me and did the wrong assignment.
microbe
microbe
  1. n. germs, bacteria, or viruses too small to be seen without a microscope: Microbes cause disease.
microbiology
microbiology
  1. n. [U] the study of microorganisms: Biology students must take at least one course in microbiology.
microchip
microchip
  1. n. a tiny integrated circuit used in computers and other electrical equipment: Microchips are manufactured in Silicon Valley, California.
microcosm
microcosm
  1. n. a small, complete version of s.t. larger, a sample: The style of life in Pittsburgh is a microcosm of how people live in America in general.
microeconomics
microeconomics
  1. n. [U] the study of types of businesses in an economy, rather than the overall economy: The study of microeconomics is done with computers and mathematics. See: macroeconomics.
microfilm
microfilm
  1. n. [C;U] a small film of highly reduced images of things: In spy novels, secret documents are saved on microfilm.
micrometer
micrometer
  1. n. a machine used to measure distances in fractions of an inch: A micrometer can measure the accuracy of parts of a machine.
microorganism
microorganism
  1. n. a tiny creature, such as viruses and bacteria, so small that it can be seen only under a microscope: There are many thousands of kinds of microorganisms.
microphone
microphone
  1. n. an electronic device that changes sound into electric current, usu. for recording on magnetic or digital tape, or for making the sound louder through amplifiers and speakers: The rock singer picked up a microphone and started to sing.
microprocessor
microprocessor
  1. n. a computer chip that performs the basic calculations and processing of a computer: Microprocessors are used in digital wristwatches, as well as computers.
microscope
microscope
  1. n. an optical instrument that uses lenses to make small objects appear larger: Under the microscope, the students could see tiny organisms. -n. [U] microscopy.
microscopic
microscopic
  1. adj. very small, visible only with a microscope: Germs are microscopic in size.
microsurgery
microsurgery
  1. n. [U] surgery done with small instruments and laser beams while the doctor views the process on a television screen: Microsurgery reduces the size of the wound created when the surgeon cuts the skin.
microwave
microwave
  1. n.
    1 a short frequency electromagnetic wave: Radar uses microwaves.
    2 a microwave oven v. [T] -waved, -waving, -waves to cook with a microwave oven: She microwaved her dinner when she came home from work. See: nuke, USAGE NOTE.
mid or mid-
mid or mid-
  1. prefix referring to the middle of s.t.: The temperature was in the mid-90s.||She paused in mid-sentence.
midair
midair
  1. n. a location in the air: Two airplanes hit each other in midair.
midday
midday
  1. adj. around noon, the middle of the day: The man eats a midday meal.
middle-of-the-road
middle-of-the-road
  1. adj.fig. having moderate opinions: He's a middle-of-the-road kind of guy without strong beliefs.
middle
middle
  1. n.
    1 the center of s.t.: The core of an apple is in its middle.
    2 infrml. the waistline: He wears a belt around his middle.
    3 in the process of doing s.t.: We were in the middle of a meeting when the phone rang. adj. between two other things: The girl is the middle child in her family.
    THESAURUS
    middle n.
    1 the central part | nucleus
    2 midsection
    3 the midst (of s.t.).
middle age
middle age
  1. n. [U] the period of human life approx. between the ages of 40 and 65: In middle age, the body slows down. -adj. middle-aged.
middle class
middle class
  1. n. the social level of people between the working class and upper class: The USA has a large middle class.
middle school
middle school
  1. n. in USA, a school between elementary and high school, usu. with grades five through eight: Our town has several middle schools but only one high school. See: grade school, secondary school, USAGE NOTE.
middleman
middleman
  1. n. -men a person or business that negotiates or buys products from a manufacturer and sells with a price increase to retailers: Our company sells only through middlemen and not at retail.
midget
midget
  1. n. a very small, short person: Children do not like to be called midgets.
midlife
midlife
  1. n. [U] middle age: At midlife, she felt as healthy as she had felt in her youth.
midnight
midnight
  1. n.
    1 12:00 A.M., the end of the day: A new day begins at one second after midnight.
    2 to burn the midnight oil: to work through the night: I burned the midnight oil getting my presentation ready for the meeting.
midriff
midriff
  1. n. the area from the waist to the chest: She wore a shirt that showed her midriff.
midshipman
midshipman
  1. n. -men a student in school to become a naval officer: Midshipmen throw their hats in the air when they graduate from the US Naval Academy.
midst
midst
  1. n. [U]
    1 the middle of a place or activity: We were in the midst of discussing a contract when the fire alarm rang.
    2 a position among or with others: We have a new student in our midst.
midstream
midstream
  1. n. [U]
    1 the middle of a river: We stopped our boat in midstream.
    2 fig. the midst of an activity: The project was canceled in midstream.
midwife
midwife
  1. n. -wives a person who is not a doctor but is trained to assist women in giving birth to babies: Some people prefer to have a midwife rather than a doctor present when their babies are born. -n. [U] midwifery.
mien
mien
  1. n.frml. a person's expression and general appearance,
    THESAURUS
    demeanor: The nurse has a kind-looking mien.
miffed
miffed
  1. adj. annoyed, mildly angry: He was miffed that his girlfriend did not show up for a date.
might
might
  1. auxiliary verb & past tense of may
    1 helping verb used to express possibility: I might go shopping this afternoon if I have time.||She might have been a good doctor if she hadn't quit school.
    2 as a suggestion: You might visit the Metropolitan Museum when you go to New York. See: may, modal auxiliary. n. strength, power: The might of that athlete is impressive.

    USAGE NOTE: Might is used with the base form of another verb (for example, "go") to express possibility in the present, future, or past. It shows that something is less likely to happen than using may does: I might go to the beach tomorrow, if my friends don't come from out of town. Also might can be used as a polite alternative to may, should, or ought to.
mighty
mighty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having great strength, power: Mighty armies fought in World War II. adv.infrml.fig. very, greatly: I'm mighty pleased to see you.
migraine
migraine
  1. n. a severe headache that some people get frequently: She gets migraines once a week.
migrant
migrant
  1. n. an animal, bird, or person who moves from one place to another, esp. workers who harvest seasonal crops: Migrant workers pick fruit in Florida each year.
migrate
migrate
  1. v. [I] -grated, -grating, -grates to move from one place to another, as animals, birds, and fish do: Some whales migrate from the northern Pacific Ocean to the waters near Baja, California each winter. -n. migration . See: emigrate.
migratory
migratory
  1. adj. related to migration: The migratory routes of birds go on for thousands of miles.
mike
mike
  1. n.infrml. short for microphone
mild
mild
  1. adj.
    1 moderate, not cold or hot: We have had mild weather this summer, except for one week of heat.
    2 not sharp or strong-tasting: That mustard is mild, not spicy or hot.
    3 gentle, calm: She is good with children because she has a mild nature. adv. to put it mildly: to state s.t. that is very obvious: The temperature is warm today, to put it mildly; it's over 100 degrees.
    THESAURUS
    mild adj.
    1 comfortable, pleasant | balmy, temperate. Ant. harsh.
    2 lightly seasoned | bland, weak. Ant. spicy.
    3 nice, agreeable, friendly | tame. Ant. severe.
mildew
mildew
  1. n. [U] v. [I] a small fungus that can destroy things (clothes, food, plants, etc.): Mildew has ruined the potatoes in our basement; they have mildewed.
mile
mile
  1. n. a distance equal to 5,280 feet (1.6 km): A marathon is 26.8 miles (1,852 km) long.||A nautical mile of 6,076 feet is used in air and sea navigation.
mileage
mileage
  1. n. [U]
    1 the distance in miles between two points: The mileage between San Francisco and L.A. is approx. 400 miles (640 km).
    2 an accumulation of use, as in a car: She got a lot of mileage out of that old coat.
    THESAURUS
    mileage
    2 wear, use.
milestone
milestone
  1. n.
    1 a marker, such as a stone that indicates the distance in miles: Many years ago, the main road between Boston and New York had milestones next to it.
    2 fig. an important achievement, event: Getting her college degree was a milestone in her life.
milieu
milieu
  1. n.frml. -lieus or -lieux (French for) environment, surroundings: A city milieu is too noisy and crowded for him. See: ambiance.
militant
militant
  1. adj.
    1 aggressive, strongly dedicated as to a cause: Militant labor unions will go on strike to support their demands.
    2 aggressive militarily: Militant nations often start wars. n. a dedicated, aggressive person: He is a militant in the cause for government reform. -n. [U] militancy.
militarism
militarism
  1. n. [U] a government policy of military aggression -adj. militarist.
militarize
militarize
  1. v. [I;T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to build up military capability (army, navy, air force, weaponry, etc.): The country militarized to get ready for making war.
military
military
  1. n. [U] a group of armed forces (army, air force, navy, etc.) of a nation: He plans to join the military after finishing high school. adj. related to armed forces: Military bases are located all over the country.
militate
militate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to work against s.t., make s.t. worse: The prisoner's past crimes militated against his getting early release.
militia
militia
  1. n. a military force, with local, volunteer members: In colonial times, a town's militia gathered to fight invaders.
milk
milk
  1. n. [U] a white liquid produced from the breasts of female mammals: Cows' milk nourishes their young and is food for humans, too. v. [T]
    1 to take milk from (cows, goats, etc.): Farmers milk their cows every morning.
    2 to drain, draw s.t. valuable from s.t. usu. in a bad way: The owners milked their company of its profits then sold it.
    3 to cry over spilled milk: to be angry over s.t. one cannot change: A flood ruined our furniture, but there's no use crying over spilled milk; we'll buy some new furniture.
milk of magnesia
milk of magnesia
  1. n. [U] a medication made from magnesium hydroxide, used as an antacid and laxative: He took milk of magnesia to calm his upset stomach.
milk shake
milk shake
  1. n. a drink made with milk and ice cream: A chocolate milk shake is delicious in the summer.
milkman
milkman
  1. n. -men a man who delivers milk: The milkman left bottles of milk at the door of our house.
milky
milky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having the whitish color or consistency of milk: I cleaned my paintbrush in water and the water turned milky.
mill
mill
  1. n.
    1 a factory where grain is ground into meal or metal is made: The steel mills in Pittsburgh were famous for their large size.
    2 a small machine for grinding: She puts beef through a mill to make hamburger meat.
    3 the rumor mill: a group of people who gossip about others: News that the TV actress was pregnant went through the rumor mill but was found to be false. See: (the) grapevine, 2. v.
    1 [T] to grind grain into flour or meal, to refine metal: A worker milled wheat into flour for making bread.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to mill about or around: to move around at random: The party was filled with people milling about.
    3 to put s.o. through the mill: to require a lot of effort and trouble from s.o.: A man was accused of war crimes, and the legal system put him through the mill for seven years before he was found not guilty. -n. miller.
    THESAURUS
    mill n.
    2 a grinder, food processor.
millennium
millennium
  1. n. -niums or -nia
    1 one thousand years: On January 1, 3000, this millennium will end.
    2 (in Christianity) a period of paradise of 1,000 years after the second coming of Christ: Many Christians hope to see the millennium.
milligram
milligram
  1. n. 1/1,000th of a gram: Salt in foods is measured in milligrams. -abbr. mg.
milliliter
milliliter
  1. n. 1/1,000th of a liter: Some medicines are measured in milliliters. -abbr. ml.
millimeter
millimeter
  1. n. 1/1,000th of a meter: Tiny distances are measured in millimeters. -abbr. mm.
milliner
milliner
  1. n. a hat maker and seller: Milliners are located in the garment district.
millinery
millinery
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 the business of making hats
    2 a hat shop: She works as a clerk in a millinery (or) millinery shop.
milling
milling
  1. n. [U]
    1 the measurement and cutting of metals, cloth, etc.: Milling is an exact, skilled craft.
    2 the grinding of grain into flour or meal: Milling wheat into bread flour is a big industry.
million
million
  1. n.adj. -ion or -ions 1,000,000 of s.t.: She made a million dollars (or) $1,000,000 last year. -adj. millionth.

    USAGE NOTE: The plural of million is not used after a number: He has six million dollars. BUT Millions of people love rock and roll.
millionaire
millionaire
  1. n. a rich person who has a million dollars or more: He is a millionaire from Texas.
millisecond
millisecond
  1. n. 1/1,000 of a second: A millisecond is a very brief period of time.
millstone
millstone
  1. n.
    1 one of two round, flat stones between which grain is ground into flour: Millstones turn rapidly as they grind.
    2 fig. a burden: His debts that he can't pay are a millstone around his neck.
millstream
millstream
  1. n. a stream that gives power to a mill: His farm has an old mill built over a millstream.
mime
mime
  1. n.
    1 [C] an entertainer who imitates actions and moods without speaking
    2 [U] the art of acting without language: There is a famous school of mime (or) for mimes in Paris. v. [I;T] mimed, miming, mimes to imitate, act as a mime: The children laughed when he mimed being inside a room with no door. See: mimic.
mimic
mimic
  1. n.v. [T] -icked, -icking, -ics a person who imitates the speech and mannerisms of others, esp. to make fun of them: My sister is a very funny mimic; she mimics our friends and famous people. -n. [U] mimicry.
mince
mince
  1. v. minced, mincing, minces
    1 [T] to cut, chop, or grind s.t. into little pieces: My mother minces onions and mixes them with tomatoes for a pasta sauce.
    2 [I] to walk with short steps
    3 not to mince words: to speak directly, to the point: He is very outspoken; he's a man who does not mince words.
mince pie
mince pie
  1. n. [C;U] a pastry filled with finely chopped fruit and spices: Mince pie tastes very rich and sweet.
mincemeat
mincemeat
  1. n. [U]
    1 finely chopped meat or fruit and spices used as a pie filling: We had pies filled with mincemeat after Christmas dinner.
    2 to make mincemeat of: to defeat s.o. easily: Our basketball team made mincemeat of the other team by winning with a score of 110 to 75.
mind-blowing
mind-blowing
  1. adj.slang
    1 incredible, unbelievable: The crazy things that guy says are mind-blowing.
    2 (said of drugs) hallucinogenic, harmful: Taking acid can be mind-blowing.
mind-boggling
mind-boggling
  1. adj. difficult to imagine or understand: There are 100 billion stars in our galaxy, which I find mind-boggling.
mind
mind
  1. n.
    1 the awareness of being alive and of one's surroundings: He is very old, but his mind is still clear.
    2 the mental processes of learning, thinking, and applying knowledge: She has a good mind and is an excellent student.
    3 beliefs, ideas, feelings: He speaks his mind and lets you know what he thinks.
    4 infrml. to blow s.o.'s mind: to shock, overwhelm: He tells lies so often that he blows people's minds.
    5 to change one's mind: to change a plan, intention: He keeps changing his mind about which car to buy.
    6 to give s.o. a piece of one's mind: to criticize s.o., tell s.o. off: He tried to cheat me twice, and I really gave him a piece of my mind.
    7 to have a mind of one's own: to be an independent thinker: She may be young, but she has a mind of her own.
    8 infrml. to have a mind to do s.t.: to want to do s.t., lean toward: I have a mind to go to the movies tonight.
    9 infrml. to have a one-track mind: to think only of one thing, usu. sex or money: He'll do anything to earn money; he has a one-track mind.
    10 to keep in mind: to remember: Keep in mind what I'm telling you.
    11 to know one's own mind: to stay with one's beliefs and values and not change one's opinion: She knows her own mind and will not go out with any man she does not like.
    12 to lose one's mind: a. to go insane, crazy: He lost his mind and is in a mental hospital now. b. to like or desire greatly: He has lost his mind over his new girlfriend; he acts crazy about her.
    13 infrml. to take a load off one's mind: to stop worrying: He was unemployed and when he finally found a new job, it took a load off his mind.
    THESAURUS
    mind n.
    1 one's brain, one's faculties, mental capacity
    2 one's brains, intellect
    3 one's opinion, views | outlook. —v.
    1 [T] to take care of, watch over: I mind the children at home while my wife goes shopping.
    2 [I;T] to pay attention to s.t.: Mind how you pronounce your words; say them correctly.
    3 [T] not to like s.t.: He minds the noise of sirens and trucks in the street; but I don't mind it at all.
    4 [T] to obey: The boy's mother told him to mind the teacher while he was at school.
    5 never mind: it doesn't matter; don't worry: Never mind the dishes, we'll wash them later.
    6 infrml. to mind one's P's and Q's: to behave properly, pay attention to detail: The children minded their P's and Q's at the formal party their parents took them to.
    THESAURUS
    mind v.
    1 to look after s.o.
    2 to be careful (about s.t.)
    3 to object to s.o. or s.t., be annoyed (at s.o. or s.t.)
    4 to do as one is told by s.o. | heed frml.
mindful
mindful
  1. adj. attentive, careful in doing things: She is mindful of her need to study hard, and she does so every evening. -n. mindfulness.
    THESAURUS
    mindful adj. aware, conscious. Ants. heedless, uncaring.
mindless
mindless
  1. adj.
    1 thoughtless, stupid: He says mindless things once in a while.
    2 not paying attention to danger,
    THESAURUS
    heedless: He is mindless of the dangers of driving too fast. -adv. mindlessly.
mindset or mind-set
mindset or mind-set
  1. n. a general attitude, belief(s) about s.t.: The mindset of people who live in the big city is that they know everything; that's simply not true!
minefield
minefield
  1. n.
    1 an area where explosives are hidden: Minefields are very dangerous places to cross.
    2 fig. a situation that can lead to conflicts, lawsuits, etc.: Any politician who talks about taking away programs for elderly people is walking on a political minefield.
mineral
mineral
  1. n. an inorganic substance, such as copper, iron, sulfur, etc., found naturally in the earth: Discovering minerals in the soil can make a country wealthy.
mineral water
mineral water
  1. n. [U] a natural or prepared water containing minerals: He drinks mineral water because he thinks it's good for his health.
minestrone
minestrone
  1. n. [U] a type of Italian vegetable soup with pasta and beans: A bowl of minestrone for lunch is good on a cold day.
mingle
mingle
  1. v. -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 [I] to move around in a group of people: I mingled at the party and talked with many people.
    2 [I;T] to blend together, mix: A businessperson should not mingle business funds with personal funds.
mini
mini
  1. n. a small version of s.t., such as a miniskirt: In winter, she wears long skirts and in summer, she wears minis.prefix mini- miniature, referring to a small or short version of s.t.: We took a minicourse on English grammar.
miniature
miniature
  1. n.adj. a small original or copy of s.t.: She paints miniatures (or) miniature portraits of people. -v. [T] miniaturize.
minimal
minimal
  1. adj. related to a least amount of s.t.: He spends a minimal amount of time watching television because he needs to study. -adv. minimally.
    THESAURUS
    minimal limited, scant | nominal.
minimize
minimize
  1. v. [T] -mized, -mizing, -mizes
    1 to reduce s.t. to the limit, lessen: She minimizes the amount of money that she spends on clothes in order to pay for her college tuition.
    2 to make s.t. seem unimportant, downplay: The teacher minimized the importance of the quiz.
minimum
minimum
  1. n.adj. the least amount of s.t.: The couple cut their household expenses to the minimum.
    THESAURUS
    minimum adj. lowest, bottom —n. smallest amount. Ants. highest | maximum.
minimum wage
minimum wage
  1. n.sing. in the USA, the minimum hourly rate that employers must pay to workers: It is difficult to support a family on the minimum wage.
mining
mining
  1. n. [U] the business and process of taking minerals out of the earth: Mining requires a big investment in land, equipment, and labor.
    THESAURUS
    mining drilling, excavating, digging.
miniseries
miniseries
  1. n. -ries a television program with a limited number of shows: Public television showed a miniseries of five episodes on the Civil War.
miniskirt
miniskirt
  1. n. a short skirt from the waist to above the knee: Miniskirts have been in fashion for the past few years.
minister
minister
  1. n.
    1 a Protestant clergyman or clergywoman: The new minister of the local Methodist church is a woman.
    2 a high government official (not in the USA): The Minister of Public Housing belongs to the Prime Minister's Cabinet. v.frml. [T] to help, take care of: Volunteers ministered to the needs of the flood victims. -adj. ministerial .
    THESAURUS
    minister n.
    1 a pastor, reverend.
ministry
ministry
  1. n. -tries
    1 [U] the profession of the clergy: He wanted to join the ministry at an early age.
    2 [C] a branch of government (not in the USA): The Ministry of Housing oversees public and low-income housing in that government.
mink
mink
  1. n. [C;U] minks or mink
    1 a small animal, a type of weasel, with soft, shiny fur used to make fur coats: Minks in captivity are raised on mink farms.
    2 the fur of minks: She owns an expensive mink coat.
minnow
minnow
  1. n. a small fish often used as bait to catch larger fish: Minnows swim together in groups (schools) in fresh water.
minor
minor
  1. adj.
    1 not important: We agreed on everything in the contract, even minor points.
    2 not well known, obscure: Minor poets are not read much by students.
    3 related to the minor key in music: Sad music is often written in a minor key. n. a person under a legal age, such as 18, to vote, drink alcohol in bars, etc.: In the USA, minors may not purchase or drink alcoholic beverages in public places.
    THESAURUS
    minor adj.
    1 unimportant, inconsequential frml. | lesser, smaller. Ant. important.
    2 lesser.
minor league
minor league
  1. n. a sports organization, such as baseball, that ranks below the highest professional level: A friend of mine from high school plays baseball in the minor leagues. adj. fig. minor-league unimportant, not very good: He thinks he's very powerful, but he's minor-league. See: major league; bush-league
minority
minority
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C] a number or group that is less than half of the total: The Senator's "no" vote was in the minority, as the law was passed by a vote of 63 to 37.
    2 [C] people of a different race, ethnic background, or religion from those of the majority of people in a nation: New York City has been a home to minorities for centuries.
    3 [U] old usage the state of being under legal age: As long as the children are in their minority, they must obey their parents. adj. related to a minority: Blacks in the city formed a minority political party.

    USAGE NOTE: As American society becomes more and more ethnically diverse, many people think the term minority—often used to refer to blacks, Asians, Hispanics, and other non-white people—is inaccurate. Some people use people of color instead of minority to refer to non-white Americans. Note that some Hispanics do not consider themselves to be of color.
minstrel
minstrel
  1. n.
    1 in medieval times, a singer and poet who traveled around to perform: The minstrel entertained the people with his songs and guitar playing.
    2 a song-and-dance entertainer: Al Jolson was a 20thcentury minstrel. adj. old usage related to light entertainment from the African American culture by (usu. white) performers made up to look black: Singers and dancers put on minstrel shows in the early 20th century.
minuet
minuet
  1. n. a slow, graceful 17th-century French dance and its music: Long ago, people danced the minuet.
minus
minus
  1. n. -nuses
    1 a minus sign (-): The accountant put a minus beside the $100 expense.
    2 s.t. missing or bad: Not having a college degree is a minus for him in looking for a job. prep. to subtract, take away s.t.: Seven minus three equals four.||4 - 2 = 2.
    THESAURUS
    minus n.
    1 a subtraction sign
    2 a disadvantage, drawback, deficiency.
minus sign
minus sign
  1. n. See: minus, 1.
minuscule
minuscule
  1. adj. related to the least, minimal amount of s.t.: The pay for working as a clerk in that store is minuscule.
minute
minute
  1. n.
    1 60 seconds: I like an egg boiled for three minutes.
    2 a moment, brief time period: When you have a minute, I would like to talk with you.
    3 a unit of measurement equal to 1/60th of a degree, in an angle
    4 pl. minutes the official record of a meeting: The secretary took minutes at the town meeting.
    5 hold on or wait a minute!: to stop or wait: Hey, wait a minute; don't leave without me! adj. very small, tiny: Bacteria are minute organisms.
minute hand
minute hand
  1. n. the larger hand on a clock or watch that shows minutes: When the minute hand is on six, it is half past the hour.
minuteman
minuteman
  1. n. -men during the American Revolution, a citizen who was ready to fight the British on a minute's notice: Minutemen fought the British all over New England.
minutia
minutia
  1. n. -tiae a small detail: We agreed on everything, including the minutiae of the contract.
miracle
miracle
  1. n. an event that cannot be explained by the laws of nature: All the passengers in a sinking boat drowned except one who was saved by a miracle. -adj. miraculous ; -adv. miraculously.
    THESAURUS
    miracle an act of God | fluke, lucky break | wonder, marvel.
mirage
mirage
  1. n. the sight of s.t. that does not exist, created by hot-air conditions,
    THESAURUS
    an optical illusion: The thirsty travelers saw a mirage of a water hole in the desert.
mire
mire
  1. n.
    1 a muddy, wet place where it is easy to become stuck,
    THESAURUS
    a bog: Dirt roads in the valleys turn into mires in the spring rains.
    2 a difficult situation: He spent too much on his credit cards and got into a mire of debt. v. [I;T] mired, miring, mires to become stuck,
    THESAURUS
    to bog down: Trucks got mired in the mud.
mirror
mirror
  1. n. a highly polished surface or glass that reflects light and images: She looks in the mirror each morning as she puts on makeup. v. [T] to copy, agree with: He mirrors his wife's opinions about most things.
mirth
mirth
  1. n.frml. laughter, fun: As the party went on, you could hear the mirth coming from the house. -adj. mirthful.
mis-
mis-
  1. prefix indicating s.t. negative: The clerk miscalculated the customer's bill.
misadventure
misadventure
  1. n. a bad experience, bad luck: I wanted to spend a weekend playing golf in the country, but my car broke down, the hotel lost my reservation, and it rained; what a misadventure!
misalignment
misalignment
  1. n. [U] a mismatch of two things: The front wheels on my car point to the right, causing a misalignment. -adj. misaligned.
misalliance
misalliance
  1. n. a connection between nations, organizations, or people in a marriage that does not work well: That marriage is really a misalliance, as the husband and wife do not get along well.
misappropriate
misappropriate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to use wrongly, steal,
    THESAURUS
    to embezzle: He misappropriated company funds and was arrested on vacation in the Caribbean. -n. [C;U] misappropriation.
misbegotten
misbegotten
  1. adj.frml. illegitimate: A misbegotten child has unmarried parents.
misbehave
misbehave
  1. v. [I] -haved, -having, -haves to act badly, be impolite: When her son misbehaves, she yells at him instead of telling him why his actions are wrong. -n. [U] misbehavior .
    THESAURUS
    misbehave to be naughty, disobey, act up. Ants. to behave, obey.
misc.
misc.
  1. adj. abbr. for miscellaneous
miscarriage
miscarriage
  1. n.
    1 accidental birth of a fetus (a baby before it is born) before the proper time, whereby the fetus does not survive: Sadly, Yvonne had a miscarriage last year when she was four months pregnant.
    2 an injustice, a wrong done to s.o.: He was innocent, but sent to jail in a miscarriage of justice. -v. [I] miscarry.
miscellaneous
miscellaneous
  1. adj. referring to various objects or ideas: She keeps all sorts of miscellaneous items in her garage, such as a statue, a shovel, and a broken TV. -n. miscellany .
    THESAURUS
    miscellaneous assorted, sundry | different, diverse. Ants. homogenous, identical.
mischief
mischief
  1. n. [U] small, irritating acts or behavior, usu. by children: On April Fools' Day, children make mischief by changing the salt and sugar on the kitchen table. -adj. mischievous.
misconception
misconception
  1. n.frml. a misunderstanding: The sculptor had a misconception of what the city wanted and made a sculpture that the city rejected. -v. [T] misconceive.
misconduct
misconduct
  1. n. [U] misbehavior, not acting according to the rules: The student fought with other students and was expelled from school for misconduct.
    THESAURUS
    misconduct wrongdoing. Ants. good behavior, obedience.
misconstrue
misconstrue
  1. v.frml. [T] -strued, -struing, -strues to misunderstand, to be confused by: I misconstrued what the teacher said to me and did the wrong assignment.
miscue
miscue
  1. n.v.frml. [I] -cued, -cuing, -cues a mistake, s.t. done wrong accidentally: I made a miscue when I told a friend to meet me at two o'clock and I went there at three o'clock.||I miscued when I said that.
misdemeanor
misdemeanor
  1. n. a minor legal offense usu. punished by a fine, not prison: Parking violations are misdemeanors.
misdiagnose
misdiagnose
  1. v. [I;T] -nosed, -nosing, -noses to identify a disease or injury incorrectly: The doctor misdiagnosed the patient's stomach pain as cancer, but it was only an ulcer. -n. [C;U] misdiagnosis.
miser
miser
  1. n. a person who tries not to spend any money, even on necessities,
    THESAURUS
    a tightwad: When the old miser died, his relatives found a million dollars in a box under his bed. -adj. miserly.
miserable
miserable
  1. adj.
    1 sad, heartbroken: After their dog died, the couple felt miserable for weeks.
    2 feeling physical pain: She feels miserable with a bad cold.
    3 poor quality or bad conditions, wretched: Poor children lead miserable lives. ||She made a miserable attempt at passing the mathematics exam. -adv. miserably.
    THESAURUS
    miserable
    1 unhappy, deeply upset, sorrowful | despondent, melancholy, dejected. Ant. happy.
    2 extremely uncomfortable | distressed.
    3 pathetic, deplorable | wretched. Ants. respectable, good.
misery
misery
  1. n. [U] -ies
    1 sadness, a state without hope: Ever since his wife died, he's been in misery.
    2 physical suffering, bad conditions: Starving people live in misery.
    THESAURUS
    misery
    1 sorrow, anguish, distress. Ant. happiness.
    2 hardship, deprivation, wretchedness. Ant. comfort.
misfit
misfit
  1. n. a person who does not fit in with other people or in a job,
    THESAURUS
    an oddball: With his elitist attitudes, he is a misfit among construction workers.
misfortune
misfortune
  1. n.
    1 [U] bad luck: Misfortune follows her wherever she goes.
    2 [C] a terrible event,
    THESAURUS
    a calamity: The earthquake was a misfortune for thousands of people.
misgivings
misgivings
  1. n.pl. doubt, suspicion: He has misgivings about the man his daughter wants to marry, but he says nothing.
mishap
mishap
  1. n. [C;U] frml. an accident, misfortune: He had a mishap with his car during his vacation.
mishmash
mishmash
  1. n.infrml. a mess, confused situation: Negotiations broke down into a mishmash of disagreements.
mislead
mislead
  1. v. [T] -led , -leading , -leads to lead one to the wrong idea, action, or direction, deceive: The book's title misled me into thinking it was a mystery novel, but it was about cars. -adj. misleading.
    THESAURUS
    mislead to lie to s.o., delude, dupe.
mismatch
mismatch
  1. n. -matches s.t. unequal in ability, personality, strength, etc.: The champion boxer knocked out the younger boxer in 30 seconds; it was a total mismatch.
misnomer
misnomer
  1. n. a wrong name for s.t. or s.o.: Her name is Joy, but it's a misnomer; she's a very unhappy person.
misogynist
misogynist
  1. n.frml. a person who hates women: He is a misogynist who is openly hostile to women. -n. misogyny.
misperception
misperception
  1. n. a misunderstanding of what is true: He has a misperception about how intelligent he is, because he's not. -v. [T] misperceive.
misplace
misplace
  1. v. [T] -placed, -placing, -places to put s.t. where you can't find it,
    THESAURUS
    to mislay: I misplaced my keys somewhere in the house.
misprint
misprint
  1. n. a printed error, as in spelling or typing: The newspaper article has many misprints. v. [T] to make a mistake in printing: They misprinted "times" as "tomes."
misquote
misquote
  1. n.v. [T] -quoted, -quoting, -quotes an incorrect reporting or copying of s.o. else's words: The newspaper misquoted what the mayor said about taxes.||He complained about a misquote in the newspaper.
misread
misread
  1. v. [T] -read , -reading , -reads
    1 to read s.t. incorrectly, misunderstand: I misread today's date on my calendar as August 23 when it is in fact the 24th.
    2 to misjudge a person or situation: I misread her because I thought she could do the job well, but she apparently can't. -n. misreading.
misrepresent
misrepresent
  1. v. [T] to mislead s.o., say s.t. incorrect or untrue on purpose: He misrepresented the job as working in an office when it is actually an outside sales position. -n. [C;U] misrepresentation.
miss
miss
  1. v. misses
    1 [I;T] to fail to hit s.t.: The baseball player missed the ball.
    2 [I;T] to fail to catch or stop s.t.: The goaltender missed the ball.
    3 [T] to fail to understand: She missed the main point the teacher made.
    4 [T] to feel a sense of loss: When the student went to college in a new city, he missed his family.
    5 [T] not to recognize or notice s.t.: The shoe store is on the corner straight ahead; you can't miss it.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to miss out: not to participate in s.t., not enjoy: Be sure to come to the picnic because if you don't, you will miss out on the fun.
    7 to miss the boat: to lose an opportunity to benefit: He missed the boat by buying stocks well after the prices went up. See: hit-and-miss. n.
    1 the failure to hit s.t.
    2 miss or Miss a form of address for an unmarried woman or girl, used alone or before her last name: The store clerk said, "How may I help you, miss?"||How do you do, Miss Jones? See: Ms., USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    miss v.
    3 to not get (an idea). Ants. to grasp, get.
    4 to feel homesick for, long for
    5 tooverlook, skip.
missile
missile
  1. n.
    1 an object that is thrown or shot, such as a bullet, arrow, stone: The missile that broke the window turned out to be a rock.
    2 a cigar-shaped rocket with explosives: A missile struck the ship and sank it. -n. [U] missilery.
missing
missing
  1. adj. not there, absent: He is missing from class; maybe he's sick.
mission
mission
  1. n.
    1 the purpose of the business that a person or organization conducts: The ambassador's mission is to work for peace with other countries.
    2 a group of people sent to another country for a specific purpose: A trade mission left Washington to conduct negotiations about business in China.
    3 a religious settlement: Many towns in California were originally missions of the Catholic church. v.frml. [T] to send on a mission
missionary
missionary
  1. n. -ries a person, esp. a member of the clergy, sent on a religious mission to convert others to a faith: Christian missionaries are sent all over the world.
missive
missive
  1. n.frml. a letter or document, usu. formal: She received a missive from the tax collector asking for the payment of an overdue bill.
misstep
misstep
  1. n.
    1 a wrong step,
    THESAURUS
    a false step: If you make a misstep when you climb a mountain, you can fall.
    2 fig. a social mistake,
    THESAURUS
    a faux pas: He made a misstep at the party when the hostess heard him say her food was bad.
mist
mist
  1. n.
    1 [U] fog, very fine drops of water forming a cloud near the ground: Mist rises from the fields in the morning.
    2 [C] a fine spray: She sprayed a mist of perfume on her arms. v. [I] to form mist, esp. a very fine rain: It is misting outside now. -adj. misty.
mistake
mistake
  1. n. an error: The waiter made a mistake in adding up the bill. v. [T] mistook , mistaken, mistaking, mistakes to have a wrong idea, to identify s.o. incorrectly: I mistook that woman for a friend of mine, but she's a stranger.
    THESAURUS
    mistake n. a slip-up, mix-up, inaccuracy | blunder, gaffe, faux pas | goof infrml.
mistaken
mistaken
  1. adj. & past.part of mistake, incorrect, wrong: He was mistaken when he thought I was on vacation; I wasn't.
    THESAURUS
    mistaken adj. in error | inaccurate, erroneous. Ants. right, correct.
mister
mister
  1. n. a form of address for a man: Excuse me, mister, can you tell me what time it is?||Mr. Smith is in his office. abbr. Mr.
mistletoe
mistletoe
  1. n. [U] an evergreen parasitic plant with poisonous pearl-like berries: At Christmastime in some countries, people must kiss when they walk under the mistletoe.
mistress
mistress
  1. n. -tresses
    1 the female head of a household: Is the mistress of the house at home?
    2 a woman in a sexual relationship with a man, usu. married, who is not her husband: She is the mayor's mistress, but no one knows it.
mistrial
mistrial
  1. n. a trial that a judge says is not valid and must be canceled because of mistakes or misconduct: Several witnesses lied about the defendant's guilt, so the judge declared the case a mistrial.
misunderstanding
misunderstanding
  1. n.
    1 a mistaken idea: We had a misunderstanding about the time of our meeting.
    2 an argument, disagreement: We had a misunderstanding over salary, but later agreed.
    THESAURUS
    misunderstanding
    1 a mix-up, misinterpretation
    2 a quarrel, dispute.
mite
mite
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a bit, small amount: There's a mite of coldness in the air today.
    2 a tiny parasitic insect: That cat has mites in its ears.
miter
miter
  1. n. a pointed religious ceremonial hat: The bishop wore his miter to Christmas Mass.
mitigate
mitigate
  1. v.frml. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to lessen, reduce the intensity or pain of s.t.: Cool weather from Canada mitigated the heat wave in New York. -adj. mitigating; -n. [U] mitigation.
mitt
mitt
  1. n.
    1 a baseball glove: The catcher held up his mitt to show he was ready to play baseball.
    2 a mitten
    3 slang one's hand: When I get my mitts on my paycheck this week, I'll have some fun.
mitten
mitten
  1. n. a glove that covers the fingers together and the thumb separately: Children wear mittens in winter because they are easier to put on their hands.
mix-up
mix-up
  1. n. a confused situation: There was a mix-up at the hospital where two babies were given to the wrong mothers.
    THESAURUS
    mix-up a misunderstanding, mistake.
mix
mix
  1. v. mixes
    1 [I;T] to blend together, stir: I mixed the lettuce and tomatoes with salad dressing.
    2 [I] to mingle with other people, socialize: Guests mixed with each other at the party.
    3 to get mixed up with or in: to be involved, esp. in s.t. that gets one into trouble: She got mixed up with some bad people and almost went to jail.
    4 phrasal v. [T] to mix it up: to fight: Two foot-ball players mixed it up and were thrown out of the game.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to mix s.o. or s.t. up: to confuse, replace one thing with another by mistake: My teacher mixed my test up with another person's who has the same last name.||She mixed them up! See: mix-up. n. mixes
    1 a blend of different things: That bread is made of a mix of wheat and oatmeal.
    2 a food preparation that is sold already packaged: She made a cake from a mix by adding water and an egg and then baking it.adj. mixed up: confused: In a hurry, I got all mixed up and left my keys at home.
mixed bag
mixed bag
  1. n.slang a combination of good and bad ideas or things: College is a mixed bag for him; he likes some of his courses, but not others.
mixed marriage
mixed marriage
  1. n. a marriage between two people of different races, religions, or cultures: He is African American and she is Asian; they have a mixed marriage.
mixed number
mixed number
  1. n. a number that contains both a whole number and a fraction or decimal: The carrot was 63/8 inches in length.
mixture
mixture
  1. n. a combination of elements: That salad is a mixture of fruits on lettuce.
    THESAURUS
    mixture a blend, mix | medley, compound.
mmm
mmm
  1. an expression of pleasure, used especially when s.t. tastes good: Mmm, that ice cream is delicious!
mnemonic
mnemonic
  1. n. [C;U] s.t., as a phrase or short poem, that helps you to remember s.t. else: "Every Good Boy Does Fine" is a mnemonic for the order of the musical notes E G B D F.
moan
moan
  1. v.
    1 [I] to make low sounds of pain or pleasure: He cut his thumb with a knife and moaned in pain.
    2 [I;T] to complain: She is always moaning about how much work she has. n. the sound of moaning: He let out a moan when he hit his thumb.
moat
moat
  1. n. a ditch filled with water for defense of a building, such as a castle: A bridge goes over the castle's moat.
mob
mob
  1. n. a disorderly, violent mass of people: A mob gathered in the town square to protest new tax increases. v. [T] mobbed, mobbing, mobs to act like a mob: Shoppers mobbed the stores for big holiday sales.
    THESAURUS
    mob n. a noisy crowd, horde, rabble. —v. to swarm into, rush.
mobbed
mobbed
  1. adj. & past part. of mob, crowded: The grocery store was mobbed on Saturday morning.
mobile
mobile
  1. n. a hanging sculpture or toy: A mobile of paper birds hangs over the baby's bed. adj. movable, capable of going from one place to another: She broke her leg but is now mobile and can walk with a cane.
mobile home
mobile home
  1. n. a small house made of metal that can be pulled by a car or truck: The retired couple lives in a two-bedroom mobile home near a lake. See: trailer; motor home.
mobility
mobility
  1. n. [U] the ability to be mobile: Gradually old age limited his mobility, and he became more dependent on others.
mobilize
mobilize
  1. v. [I;T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes to organize and get ready to move: After the earthquake, the Red Cross mobilized many workers to help people -n. mobilization.
moccasin
moccasin
  1. n. a soft shoe without a heel: Moccasins are often decorated with pret-ty beads.
mock-up
mock-up
  1. n. a model of what s.t. will look like: Architects make mock-ups of what their buildings will look like.
mock
mock
  1. v. [I;T] to make fun of s.o., usu. by imitating,
    THESAURUS
    to ridicule: The older children mocked the way the baby tried to speak. adj. in imitation, fake: Soldiers fought a mock battle in training exercises.
mockery
mockery
  1. n.
    1 [U] ridicule, expressed with disrespect: The crowd's mockery of the speaker made him leave the room.
    2 sing. an insincere imitation: His trial was a mockery of justice; everyone knew he was guilty, yet he was found innocent.
mockingbird
mockingbird
  1. n. a North American songbird with grayish tan feathers: Mockingbirds imitate the songs of other birds.
modal auxiliary
modal auxiliary
  1. n. (in grammar) a verb that indicates a mood (the likelihood or factuality of s.t.) or a tense and is always used with another verb: Some modal auxiliaries are "can," "may," and "might." See: mood, 2; tense, n.

    USAGE NOTE: The modal auxiliaries in English are: can, could, may, might, must, shall, should, will, would. The modal auxiliary is used before the base form of the main verb: I will be home late tonight. Can you make dinner for me?
mode
mode
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a manner, way, condition of doing s.t.: We were in a panic mode when the computer crashed.
    2 [U] fashion: She always dresses in the latest mode; she's very stylish.
model
model
  1. n.
    1 a small version of s.t.: An architect made a one-foot-tall model of the new office building.
    2 a person who poses for artists or with products for sale: She is a model and often appears in fashion magazines. adj. a good example: He is a model student and always does his homework.v.
    1 [I;T] to serve as a model for artists' products: He models for painting students.
    2 [T] to shape as with the hands: She models clay into pots.
    3 [T] to make a model of s.t.: He models designs of buildings for architects.
    4 to model on or after: to take s.o. as an example: She modeled herself after her successful mother. See: role model.
    THESAURUS
    model n.
    1 a prototype, mock-up | copy, replica.
modem
modem
  1. n. (in computers) an electronic device for sending or receiving computer data over telephone lines: We send product orders from our office to the warehouse via modem.
moderate
moderate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I] to become less in strength or severity: The hurricane's high winds moderated as it reached the shore.
    2 [I;T] to be in charge of a discussion group: The senior news reporter moderated a discussion between politicians. -n. moderator. adj.
    1 in the middle, not large or small, modest: He makes a moderate income.
    2 not high or low, comfortable
    THESAURUS
    moderate v.
    1 to calm (down), lessen, weaken. Ants. to intensify, increase.
    2 to chair, host.
moderation
moderation
  1. n. [U] nonextreme behavior: She drinks alcohol only in moderation.
modern
modern
  1. adj.
    1 related to today's life, current: Most modern women work outside the home.
    2 new: Modern computers keep getting faster and faster. n. a person, esp. an artist, doing what is new: The moderns in art paint mostly abstractions. -n. [U] modernism; modernity .
    THESAURUS
    modern adj.
    1 contemporary. Ant. historical.
    2 the latest, state-of-the-art | up-to-date. Ant. outdated.
modernize
modernize
  1. v. [T] -ized, izing, izes to improve s.t., bring up to date: We modernized our computer systems with the newest equipment. -n. [U] modernization .
    THESAURUS
    modernize to update, renovate, revamp | recondition, refurbish.
modest
modest
  1. adj.
    1 describing a person who does not brag or boast: She has won many athletic prizes, but she is so modest that she rarely talks about them.
    2 not large: He lives on a modest income in a modest house. -n. [U] modesty.
    THESAURUS
    modest
    1 humble, unpretentious, unassuming | shy, self-conscious. Ants. immodest, boastful.
    2 limited, moderate.
modicum
modicum
  1. n.frml. a small amount of s.t.: He gives only a modicum of attention to his studies.
modification
modification
  1. n. [C;U] a change,
    THESAURUS
    an alteration: Architects made modifications in the building by taking down walls to make larger rooms.
modifier
modifier
  1. n. (in grammar) a word or phrase that describes another: Adjectives are modifiers that describe nouns, such as "good" in "We had a good time."
modify
modify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to change s.t., alter: He was loud and angry, and his friends told him to modify his behavior.
    2 (in grammar) to describe s.t.: An adjective such as "blue" modifies a noun, such as "dress."
modulate
modulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, lates to change the level, strength, or tone of s.t.: Her teacher taught the singer how to modulate her voice in singing a difficult passage.
modulation
modulation
  1. n. [C;U] the change in the type of radio waves: I listen to both AM (amplitude modulation) and FM (frequency modulation) radio programs.
module
module
  1. n.
    1 a part of a whole, such as a section in a course: Our English course is divided into modules on poetry, drama, and novels.
    2 a section of a space vehicle: The passenger module released from the rocket after takeoff. -adj. modular.
mogul
mogul
  1. n. an important, powerful person,
    THESAURUS
    a magnate: Years ago, moguls ran the movie studios in Hollywood.
mohair
mohair
  1. n. [U] the soft hair of the Angora goat and wool cloth made from it: In winter, he wears a warm mohair scarf.
moist
moist
  1. adj. slightly wet: From working hard, she became moist with sweat.
    THESAURUS
    moist damp | misty, drizzling (weather).
moisten
moisten
  1. v. [I;T] to make a little bit wet, dampen: He moistened a sponge with water and wiped the table.
moisture
moisture
  1. n. [U] dampness, small amount of liquid on s.t.: The moisture in the air makes it humid today.
    THESAURUS
    moisture humidity, mugginess | wetness | dew, mist, drizzle. Ant. dryness.
moisturize
moisturize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to add liquid: She moisturizes her hands with cream. -n. moisturizer.
molar
molar
  1. n. a large back tooth, used for chewing: The dentist took a bad molar out of my mouth.
molasses
molasses
  1. n. [U]
    1 a thick, dark sweet liquid made from sugarcane: He adds molasses to the bread he bakes.
    2 as slow as molasses: very slowly: He walks as slow as molasses.
molding
molding
  1. n. [U] a strip of decorative wood or plaster at the tops and bottoms of walls
mole
mole
  1. n.
    1 a small, dark, raised growth on the skin: A mole on one's cheek is sometimes called a beauty mark.
    2 a small rodent that digs in the earth: Moles dig little tunnels in the ground.
    3 a chemical measurement
    4 infrml.fig. a spy: There is a mole in the intelligence agency who is sending secrets to the enemy.
molecule
molecule
  1. n. (in chemistry) the smallest unit of the elements of a substance: The structure of molecules can be seen under an electron microscope. -adj. molecular.
molest
molest
  1. v. [T]
    1 to annoy, bother with comments, etc.: The bigger children in the neighborhood molested the younger ones.
    2 to abuse sexually: He molested children and was sent to jail for 30 years. -n. [U] molestation.
mollify
mollify
  1. v.frml. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to calm, reduce s.o.'s anger or discomfort: A customer was unhappy, and the store manager mollified her by returning her money.
mollusk
mollusk
  1. n. any of a class of soft, boneless animals living inside hard shells, such as clams, oysters, and scallops: Fishermen can make a good living by fishing for mollusks.
molt
molt
  1. v. [I] n. in animals, to lose old skin, feathers, shells, etc.: Birds molt in the late summer and grow their winter feathers.||Their summer molt (or) molting season has passed.
molten
molten
  1. adj.& past part. of melt, melted by a great heat: Molten lava flows from the volcano.
mom-and-pop store
mom-and-pop store
  1. n.infrml.fig. a small family business: He runs the mom-and-pop drugstore on the corner.
    THESAURUS
    mom-and-pop store infrml. a corner store, convenience store.
mom
mom
  1. n.infrml. short for mommy, mother: Mom, can I go to the movies tonight?
moment
moment
  1. n.
    1 a brief period of time, such as a few seconds to several min-utes: I am on the telephone, but will be with you in a moment.
    2 a short period: World War II was a terrible moment in world history.
    3 moment of truth: when s.t. important will be known: The moment of truth came when the jury gave its verdict. -adv. momentarily ; -adj. momentary .
    THESAURUS
    moment
    1 a minute, jiffy, instant
    2 a time, point.
momentous
momentous
  1. adj. greatly significant, very important: Presidents of countries make momentous decisions that affect the lives of millions of people.
momentum
momentum
  1. n. [U] the speed at which s.t. moves,
    THESAURUS
    impetus: The big ship started to move, then gradually reached full momentum.
momma
momma
  1. n.infrml. mother
mommy
mommy
  1. n.infrml. -mies mother
monarch
monarch
  1. n. a ruler by birth, such as a king or queen: Monarchs ruled England for centuries. -adj. monarchal ; monarchical.
monarchism
monarchism
  1. n. [U] the belief in government by monarchs: Monarchism is less common now than it used to be.
monarchy
monarchy
  1. n. a government run by a monarch, usu. with limited powers: The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.
monastery
monastery
  1. n. -ies a place where monks live, work, and pray: Some monasteries are open to the public as a place to rest and meditate. See: convent.
monastic
monastic
  1. adj.
    1 related to monks: He joined a monastic order.
    2 referring to a plain, simple lifestyle: He leads a monastic life; he works hard and doesn't go out.
monetarism
monetarism
  1. n. [U] a policy of influencing a nation's economy by the government's controlling its money supply: Monetarism is a controversial economic theory. -n.adj. monetarist.
monetary
monetary
  1. adj. related to money, fiscal: He doesn't have much monetary sense; he's always wasting his money.
monetize
monetize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes
    1 to print or coin money
    2 to convert government bonds and other debt into currency, liquidate: The government monetized its bonds and spent the money on new projects.
money-grubber
money-grubber
  1. n.infrml. a greedy person who tries to make money from every activity: He is such a money-grubber that he won't answer a question unless you tell him how much you will pay him. -adj.n. money-grubbing.
money-market fund
money-market fund
  1. n. a fund that sells shares invested in short-term debt and pays interest to buyers: Many people put money in money-market funds to get higher interest payments than banks offer. See: mutual fund.
money
money
  1. n. [U]
    1 a medium of exchange, such as paper currency: Money can't buy you love.
    2 infrml. for my money: in my opinion: For my money, that movie we saw last night was great.
    3 money's worth: to receive good value: I have worn these shoes for two years and really got my money's worth.
    4 to make money: to earn money or profit: Her investments make money every year.
    THESAURUS
    money
    1 cash, coins, bills | funds, revenue, capital | bucks infrml., dough infrml.
money belt
money belt
  1. n. a belt with pockets for money to hide under clothes: When he travels, he keeps his cash in a money belt around his waist. See: fanny pack.
money market
money market
  1. n. a financial market where short-term debt instruments, such as government treasury bonds, are traded: Big money-market centers are New York, London, and Tokyo.
money order
money order
  1. n. a check to a specific person, business, etc., that one can buy with cash: I bought a $300 money order at the post office and sent it to my mother.
moneyed
moneyed
  1. adj. having money, rich: She married a man from a moneyed family.
moneymaker
moneymaker
  1. n. a product or person who makes a good profit for a business: That new saleswoman is already a moneymaker for our company.
mongrel
mongrel
  1. n.adj. a dog of mixed breed: Our family dog is a mongrel we got at the animal shelter.
moniker
moniker
  1. n.slang a nickname: One cowboy told another that his moniker was Red.
monitor
monitor
  1. n.
    1 a screen, as on a television or computer, that displays information: I looked at the monitor in the airport to see when my plane leaves.
    2 a person or machine that checks on the performance of s.t.: When the teacher leaves the room, she tells a student to be a monitor so all the children will behave well. v. [T] to observe the actions of others: The boss monitors the quality of her employees' work.
monk
monk
  1. n. a member of an all-male religious order who lives in a monastery: The Buddhist monk meditated all day.
monkey
monkey
  1. n.
    1 any of a variety of primates with human-like faces, long tails, and excellent climbing ability: Monkeys spend most of their lives in trees.
    2 to have a monkey on one's back: a. to be addicted to drugs: He has a monkey on his back and can't get it off. b. to be greatly troubled and burdened: She has a monkey on her back, because she's in a bad marriage and poor health.
    3 infrml. to make a monkey out of s.o.: to make a fool of s.o., embarrass: One lawyer made a monkey out of another by showing that he did not know the law. v. -keyed, -keying, -keys phrasal v. infrml. [I] to monkey around: to handle s.t. in a casual way, to play with: I monkeyed around with trying to fix my car, but I finally took it to a mechanic.
monkey business
monkey business
  1. n.infrml. illegal or dishonest actions: There is monkey business with tax money going on in the state capitol.
monkey wrench
monkey wrench
  1. n.
    1 a tool with one fixed end and one movable end
    2 infrml. to throw a monkey wrench into s.t.: to mess s.t. up badly: A snowstorm threw a monkey wrench into our vacation plans; we could not leave.
mono
mono
  1. adj. prefix single, one n.infrml. short for mononucleosis
monochrome
monochrome
  1. n. [U] adj. s.t. in only one color or shades of it: Early photographers worked only in monochrome (or) monochrome film. -adj. monochromatic.
monogamist
monogamist
  1. n. a person who has only one husband or wife at a time: In California, the law says that you must be a monogamist. See: polygamist.
monogamy
monogamy
  1. n. [U] the custom or practice of having only one husband or wife at one time: Catholic tradition requires monogamy. -adj. monogamous.
monogram
monogram
  1. n.v. [T] -grammed, -gramming, -grams a symbol of identity, usu. one's initials,
    THESAURUS
    an insignia: He has his monogram on his bath towels.
monolingual
monolingual
  1. adj. knowing or using only one language: Most Americans are monolingual in English. See: bilingual.
monolith
monolith
  1. n.
    1 a large, thick piece of rock that stands alone: Ancient peoples put up monoliths as religious monuments.
    2 fig. referring to s.t. large, solid, and hard to get inside: The government is such a monolith that I don't want to deal with it. -adj. monolithic.
monologue
monologue
  1. n. a long talk by only one person, usu. in drama: The comedian gave a long monologue of jokes. See: dialog.
mononucleosis
mononucleosis
  1. n. [U] an infectious viral disease with fatigue and swollen glands, called the "kissing disease": Many students get mononucleosis and must rest in bed.
monopolize
monopolize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes
    1 to control a market completely: An electric power company monopolizes the power supply in this area.
    2 infrml.fig. to dominate s.o. or s.t.: When she is at a party, she monopolizes the conversation and won't let others speak. -n. monopolization.
monopoly
monopoly
  1. n. -lies the control of an entire market by only one person, business, or organization: The government has laws against monopolies in many industries.
monorail
monorail
  1. n. a train that moves on a single rail: A monorail takes people up the mountain.
monosyllable
monosyllable
  1. n. a word that has one syllable: She used three important monosyllables: I love you. -adj. monosyllabic.
monotheism
monotheism
  1. n. [U] belief in a single supreme god: Monotheism is a fundamental belief of Judaism. -adj. monotheistic.
monotone
monotone
  1. n. a tone of voice that stays the same: The speaker's monotone bored the audience and many people fell asleep.
monotonous
monotonous
  1. adj. boring and without change: She thought life in a small town was monotonous. -adv. monotonously; -n. [U] monotony.
monsoon
monsoon
  1. n.
    1 a heavy rain storm, esp. of southeast Asia: A monsoon struck the coastline.
    2 a seasonal wind in southeastern Asia that changes direction: The monsoons from April to October bring rain to the area.
monster
monster
  1. n.
    1 a scary, imaginary creature, usu. a person, animal, or plant: Some films show monsters, such as a giant lizard or gorilla.
    2 a very cruel person or animal: The murderer is a monster who cuts his victims up. adj.fig. s.t. unusually big or violent: A monster hurricane destroyed the coastline.
monstrous
monstrous
  1. adj.
    1 extremely ugly,
    THESAURUS
    hideous: Monstrous reptiles lived millions of years ago.
    2 outrageously bad: The killer committed monstrous acts.
    3 very large, huge -n. monstrosity.
montage
montage
  1. n.
    1 (in art) things, such as pictures, cut out and placed near or overlapping each other,
    THESAURUS
    a collage: An artist did a montage of pictures from city life.
    2 a collection of short pieces of film: The movie was a montage of scenes of life in New York City.
month
month
  1. n. a time period of approx. 30 days as one of 12 months that make a year: His rent costs $500 a month, and he pays it on the first of the month.
monthly
monthly
  1. adv. done each month: She washes her car monthly. n.adj. -lies a magazine published monthly: I subscribe to several monthlies (or) monthly magazines.
monument
monument
  1. n. a statue, building, etc., built in memory of a person or historical event: The Vietnam Memorial in Washington, DC is a monument to the soldiers who died in the Vietnam War.
monumental
monumental
  1. adj. having large proportions, endurance, or importance: Tolstoy's War and Peace is a monumental book.
moo
moo
  1. n. the sound made by a cow v. [I] to make a sound like a cow's moo: Cows mooed in the pasture. -adj.n. mooing.
mooch
mooch
  1. n.infrml. mooches a person who always asks for money, food, and things from other people: He is a real mooch who is always asking for money and cigarettes. -n. moocher.
mood
mood
  1. n.
    1 an emotional state or feeling, such as happiness or sadness: She is in a good mood today and smiles a lot.
    2 (in grammar) verb forms that show if the speaker regards s.t. as a fact, possibility, or command, etc.; the moods include the indicative, imperative, and conditional: "Do your homework every day" expresses the imperative mood.
    THESAURUS
    mood an attitude, outlook | frame of mind.
moody
moody
  1. adj. -ier, -iest changing one's moods often, including feeling sad, irritable, or angry: He is a moody guy, one day happy, the next day sad. -adv. moodily.
moon
moon
  1. n.
    1 the natural satellite that orbits earth: The moon is Earth's nearest neighbor in space.
    2 any celestial body that orbits around another celestial body
    3 once in a blue moon: rarely, almost never: She works all the time and takes a vacation once in a blue moon.
    4 to ask for the moon: to ask for too much: All I want is a small salary increase; I'm not asking for the moon. v. [I] to miss s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to pine for s.o.: He moons for his girlfriend while she's away.
moonbeam
moonbeam
  1. n. a ray of light from the moon: Moonbeams shine in through my window at night.
moonlight
moonlight
  1. n. [U] light from the moon, esp. a full moon: When the moon is full, you can see well in the moonlight. -adj. moonlit . v.infrml. [I] -lighted, -lighting, -lights to have a second job (often at night) in addition to regular work: She works for a company as a computer technician and she moonlights for individual computer owners. -n. [U] moonlighting. See: freelance.
moonshine
moonshine
  1. n.
    1 moonlight: He kissed her under the moonshine.
    2 infrml.fig. whisky made and sold illegally: Moonshine was made when alcohol was illegal in the USA. -n. moonshiner.
moor
moor
  1. v. [I;T] to tie a boat or other vehicle to a pier, to drop anchor, etc.: Sailors moored their boat to a dock and went onshore.
mooring
mooring
  1. n. a place where s.t., esp. a boat, can be tied and made secure: In the harbor, there are moorings at docks and buoys.
moose
moose
  1. n.pl. moose the largest member of the deer family with a dark brown coat, short neck, and long nose, living in northern North America, Europe, and Asia: A male moose is over 2 meters (6') high at the shoulder.
moot
moot
  1. adj. a moot point or question: open to discussion: It's a moot question where to go on vacation this year.
mop
mop
  1. n. cleaning equipment made of a sponge or rope-like pieces at the end of a long handle: A worker wet the mop and mopped the floor to clean up the spill. v. [T] mopped, mopping, mops phrasal v. sep. to mop s.t. up: a. to use a mop: A worker mopped up the floor this morning.||He mopped it up. b. fig. to finish a job: The army won the battle, and soldiers mopped up a few areas of resistance that were left.||They mopped them up.
mope
mope
  1. v. [I] moped, moping, mopes to act dull, without energy, in low spirits: He feels sad and mopes around his apartment all day. n. a person who mopes: She has become a mope lately.
moped
moped
  1. n. a type of bicycle with a small motor: He rides a moped to work.
moral
moral
  1. adj. related to what is right or wrong: She is a very moral person who acts correctly all the time; she never steals or lies. -adv. morally. n. an idea about correct living, esp. an idea shown by a story: "The truth will out" is a moral that means that the truth will eventually be told.
    THESAURUS
    moral adj. ethical, principled, upright | upstanding, law-abiding. Ant. immoral.
morale
morale
  1. n. [U] the level of enthusiasm and confidence a person or group has for what they are doing: Morale in our company is high after good sales last year.
    THESAURUS
    morale the team spirit | camaraderie, esprit de corps.
moralist
moralist
  1. n.
    1 a person who teaches morals and ethics
    2 a person concerned about the moral behavior of other people: That minister is a moralist with strict standards of behavior. -adj. moralistic.
morality
morality
  1. n. [U] standards, beliefs about what is right and wrong behavior, esp. regarding sex: Religious people talk about the need for greater morality in every era.
    THESAURUS
    morality values, ethics, principles. Ant. immorality.
morass
morass
  1. n. -rasses
    1 a swampy area where it is easy to get stuck: The dog got caught in a morass and had to be saved.
    2 fig. a difficult or dangerous situation like a swamp: Congress turned into a legislative morass where nothing could become law.
moratorium
moratorium
  1. n. -riums or -ria a delay or ban on s.t.: A group of nations agreed on a moratorium on the sale of nuclear weapons.
morbid
morbid
  1. adj.
    1 referring to a person who has sad or bad thoughts, esp. about death: He has a morbid sense of humor about human nature.
    2 related to disease: The stray dog was taken to the animal hospital because of its morbid condition. -n. [U] morbidity.
mordant
mordant
  1. adj.frml. biting, bitter: The critic writes mordant reviews about the plays he sees.
more
more
  1. adj.comp. of many and much: additional, added: She needs to make more money if she wants to buy a car. adv.
    1 additionally, to a greater degree: He should study more than he does.
    2 more and more: to an increasing degree: She is becoming more and more interested in going into politics.
    3 more often than not: usually, frequently: More often than not, he goes to church on Sunday.
    4 more or less: approximately, about: That table is more or less 6 feet (2 m) long.n. a greater number, degree, etc.: The more who come to the party, the more fun we'll have, or as they say, "The more, the merrier." See: less.
moreover
moreover
  1. adv. in addition: She is rich; moreover, she is beautiful and generous.
mores
mores
  1. n.pl.frml. customs of a people or culture, such as ideas about the family, sex, etc: Anthropologists study the mores of various cultures.
morgue
morgue
  1. n. a public place where the bodies of people found dead are kept for identification before burial: The police took an unidentified dead man to the morgue for an autopsy to discover the cause of death. See: mortuary.
morn
morn
  1. n.litr. morning
morning
morning
  1. n. [C;U] adj. the hours between sunrise and noon: Children go to school in the morning.
morning sickness
morning sickness
  1. n. [U] sickness to the stomach and vomiting in the first few months of pregnancy: She is two months pregnant and has morning sickness when she gets up each day.
moron
moron
  1. n.slang a stupid, foolish person: That moron drove past a stop sign and almost hit us! -adj. moronic.
morose
morose
  1. adj. sad, angry,
    THESAURUS
    sullen: He is a morose man who can find no good in the world.
morphine
morphine
  1. n. [U] a strong drug made from opium: The doctor gave her patient morphine to kill the pain.
morphology
morphology
  1. n. [U]
    1 the structure of living organisms and the study of it: Medical students study human morphology.
    2 the study of word formations: Linguists study morphology and syntax. -adj. morphological.
morsel
morsel
  1. n. a small piece of s.t., usu. food: A morsel of cake was left on the plate.
mortal
mortal
  1. adj. subject to death: All of us are mortal and will die one day. -adv. mortally.
mortality
mortality
  1. n. [U]
    1 the condition of being mortal: In middle age, he felt his own mortality and became religious.
    2 sing. the rate of death from illness or disaster: The infant mortality rate in some countries is very high.
mortar
mortar
  1. n.
    1 [U] cement, plaster, etc., used to hold stone or brick together: The library is made of red brick and white mortar.
    2 [C] a type of weapon: Soldiers fired mortars at the enemy. v. [T]
    1 to join with mortar
    2 to shoot mortars: Soldiers mortared enemy lines.
mortarboard
mortarboard
  1. n. a flat black hat worn for graduation ceremonies: Students rent their mortarboards and robes for graduation.
mortgage
mortgage
  1. n. a long-term loan from a bank for buying property, which is used as security: We make monthly payments on our house mortgage. v. [T] -gaged, -gaging, -gages
    1 to borrow money against one's house: Our house is mortgaged.
    2 to put oneself into heavy debt: She mortgaged her future by having to repay big debts for many years.
mortician
mortician
  1. n. a person who organizes funerals and prepares the dead body,
    THESAURUS
    an undertaker: Most morticians work in funeral homes. See: undertaker.
mortify
mortify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make s.o. feel shame or embarrassment: He was mortified when he called his wife by the wrong name -n. [U] mortification.
mortuary
mortuary
  1. n. -ies a place, usu. in a hospital, where dead bodies are kept before burial: When the patient died, her body was sent to the mortuary. See: morgue.
mosaic
mosaic
  1. n. [C;U] a picture or design made of little colored stones: Old mosaics show scenes from ancient Greece and Rome.
mosque
mosque
  1. n. a Muslim building of worship: Muslims pray in the mosques five times a day.
mosquito
mosquito
  1. n. -toes or -tos small, biting, blood-sucking insects: Mosquitoes spread malaria in some parts of the world.
moss
moss
  1. n. [C;U] a short, soft plant that grows on the ground and on trees: Moss grows on trees in our backyard. -adj. mossy.
most
most
  1. n.
    1 the highest degree, amount, number, etc.: I like to vacation in Paris the most of all the cities I have visited.
    2 at most: at the greatest degree, amount, etc.: Those fancy shoes should cost at most $100.
    3 to make the most of s.t.: to take advantage of an opportunity: I had not been to Tokyo in ten years, so I made the most of my trip and saw everything. adj.superlative of many, much, more
    1 related to the highest degree, amount, number, etc.: Last year, he made the most money that he has ever made.
    2 most of all: regarding the greatest amount, degree, etc.: I like to eat ice cream most of all. -adv. mostly. adv. for the most part, usually: I like to vacation mostly in the fall.
motel
motel
  1. n. a hotel next to a highway where motorists park their cars in front of the rooms: On our vacation, we stayed at a new motel every night. See: USAGE NOTES at bed and breakfast, hotel.
    THESAURUS
    motel a motor inn | roadside inn.
moth-eaten
moth-eaten
  1. adj.
    1 with holes eaten by moths: My best woolen shirt is moth-eaten.
    2 fig. old, out of style: That couch is moth-eaten and stained.
moth
moth
  1. n. moths any of many insects with wings that are active at night: Moths got into the closet and made holes in the wool clothes.
mothball
mothball
  1. n. a small ball of chemicals that keeps moths away: I put mothballs in the closet to keep the moths away from the clothes.
mother-in-law
mother-in-law
  1. n. mothers-inlaw the mother of one's spouse: His mother-in-law comes to visit every year.
mother
mother
  1. n.
    1 the female parent: My mother lives in New Hampshire.
    2 the head of a female religious order or organization
    3 infrml.fig. the greatest, most important of s.t.: The she-bear that we saw in the park was the mother of all bears; she was so big! v. [T] to care for, nurture: She mothers her two children with loving care. -adj. motherly.
    THESAURUS
    mother n.
    1 mom, mommy, mama infrml.
mother superior
mother superior
  1. n. a woman in charge of a religious organization, such as a convent or school: Mothers superior are often teachers as well as religious leaders.
mother tongue
mother tongue
  1. n. the first language one speaks as a child: Her mother tongue is Spanish.
    THESAURUS
    mother tongue one's native language.
motherboard
motherboard
  1. n. (in computers) a board that holds the main circuit of a computer: To upgrade my computer, I have to replace the expensive motherboard.
motherhood
motherhood
  1. n. [U] the state of being a mother: Motherhood came late to her, as she had her first child at age 40.
mothering
mothering
  1. n. [U] care and nurturing given by mothers: Her child is sickly, so he needs a lot of mothering.
motif
motif
  1. n.frml. a theme or design element used repeatedly in literature, music, art, and architecture: The building was decorated with a motif of flowers and circles.
motion
motion
  1. n.
    1 [U] movement, going from one place to another: That child is always in motion; she never sits still.
    2 [C] a gesture, movement of the hand, arm, etc.: I made a motion with my hand to get the attention of the waiter.
    3 [C] a formal request to suggest a proposal to be voted on at a meeting: The moderator at the town meeting made a motion to vote on new taxes. v. [I;T] to direct by, move the hand, arm, etc.: The queen motioned with her hand to dismiss her visitors.
    THESAURUS
    motion n.
    1 action, mobility. Ants. stillness, immobility.
    2 a sign, signal | action. —v. to gesture.
motion sickness
motion sickness
  1. n. [U] feelings of upset stomach, dizziness, etc., when riding in a moving vehicle: He takes pills for motion sickness when he rides in a car.
motivate
motivate
  1. v. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates to give a reason to do s.t.: A desire to go to medical school motivates her to study hard every day. -n. motivation ; -adj. motivational.
    THESAURUS
    motivate to encourage, stimulate, prompt | urge. Ants. to discourage, deter.
motive
motive
  1. n. a reason, purpose for doing s.t.: Money was the thief's motive in robbing the bank.
motley
motley
  1. adj.frml. varied in color, type, etc.: The party was a motley mixture of well-dressed businesspeople and poor students.
motor
motor
  1. n. a machine that creates power, such as the engine in a car: An air conditioner uses an electric motor to cool the air and turn a fan. v. [I;T] to travel in a vehicle: For our vacation, we motored through California.adj. related to movement of the muscles: She has good motor coordination.
motor home
motor home
  1. n. a metal house on wheels pulled by another vehicle or driven by itself: We traveled across the country in a motor home. See: mobile home.
motor inn
motor inn
  1. n. a motel, where motorists stay overnight: On our trip, we stayed at motor inns along the route. See: hotel, USAGE NOTE.
motor mouth
motor mouth
  1. n.infrml.fig. a talkative person, esp. one who won't let others talk: She is a real motor mouth; once she starts talking, she won't let anyone else say anything.
motor vehicle
motor vehicle
  1. n. a general term for a car, bus, truck, etc: All motor vehicles must be registered with the state.
motorbike
motorbike
  1. n. a lightweight motorcycle similar to a bicycle, often with a powerful motor: Bikers race motorbikes over rough ground.
motorboat
motorboat
  1. n. a boat powered by motors usu. without sails: Our friends have a motorboat that they take on the lake on weekends.
motorcade
motorcade
  1. n. a line of cars for important people: The President rides in a motorcade surrounded by Secret Service agents.
motorcycle
motorcycle
  1. n.v. [I] -cled, -cling, -cles a two-wheeled vehicle larger than a motorbike, with a powerful engine: To ride on a motorcycle gives you a feeling of freedom and speed.
motorist
motorist
  1. n. a person who drives or rides in a car, truck, or motorcycle: Motorists crowd the highways during rush hour.
motorize
motorize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to equip with engines or motor vehicles: Armies switched to motorized weapons, such as tanks and airplanes, in World War I.
mottled
mottled
  1. adj. having different colored marks: Our dog is mottled with white and brown spots.
motto
motto
  1. n. -toes or -tos a short saying that states a basic belief of a nation, organization, etc.: The motto on the US dollar says "In God we trust."
mound
mound
  1. n. a rounded pile, heap: A mound of dirt is in the garden waiting to be spread for planting. v. [T] to pile into a mound: A gardener mounded soil around each plant.
mount
mount
  1. v.
    1 [I] to increase, go up: Costs of products are mounting every week.
    2 [T] to climb on: The cowboy mounted his horse and rode away.
    3 [T] to put on display, hang up: We mounted new pictures on the wall.||The theater mounted a production of Romeo and Juliet.
    4 [T] (of animals) to mate, make babies: The bull mounted the cow. n.
    1 a horse: "Where is my mount?" asked the jockey.
    2 Mount mountain (used in place names): Mount McKinley
mountain
mountain
  1. n.
    1 a tall formation of land and rock higher than a hill: The mountains south of San Francisco make a pretty picture.
    2 fig. a large amount: There is a mountain of dishes to wash.
    3 infrml. to make a mountain out of a molehill: to become angry over a small issue: She made a mountain out of a molehill about getting a B on her paper instead of an A . -adj. mountainous.
    THESAURUS
    mountain
    1 a peak, high hill | range
    2 a pile, mound.
mountain lion
mountain lion
  1. n. a large cat with a long tail and tan coat, found from western Canada to the tip of South America,
    THESAURUS
    a cougar: Mountain lions avoid humans as their greatest natural enemy.
mountain range
mountain range
  1. n.
    1 a group of mountains in a general area: New York State has several mountain ranges, including the Adirondacks.
    2 a mountain chain
mountaineer
mountaineer
  1. n. a mountain guide or person who climbs mountains for fun: He is a mountaineer who lives in the Rockies.
mounting
mounting
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of climbing on s.t.: Mounting a horse from the ground requires strength.
    2 [C] the support structure, such as metal bars for a motor or backing for a picture: The mounting for the motor has rusted and needs to be replaced.
mourn
mourn
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to feel sad at the death of s.o.: The family mourned the death of their grandfather.
    2 to show one's sadness through a traditional act of sorrow for the dead: Jewish people mourn by reading a prayer called the Kaddish. -n. mourner.
mournful
mournful
  1. adj.
    1 of mourning, sorrow for the dead: Funerals are mournful events.
    2 having a sad sound: The boat's horn gave off a low, mournful sound. -adv. mournfully.
mourning
mourning
  1. n. adj.
    1 [U] a traditional way of expressing sorrow for a dead person: Wearing black clothes is a sign of mourning.
    2 [C] a time of sorrow for the dead: He went through a long period of mourning (or) a mourning period after the death of his wife.
mouse
mouse
  1. n. mice
    1 any of many types of small gray or brown rodents, found worldwide: Mice steal food and carry diseases.
    2 fig. a quiet, shy person: He is a little mouse who can't talk to anyone.
    3 (in computers) a small device for controlling computer functions: I use a mouse to choose documents from my files.
mousetrap
mousetrap
  1. n. a device used to catch mice: We put mousetraps in the kitchen to catch a mouse that was eating our food.
mousse
mousse
  1. n. [C;U] a cold dessert usu. made of whipped cream, eggs, and flavorings: I love chocolate mousse.
mousy
mousy
  1. adj.fig. -ier, -iest dull, shy, unattractive: One of my sisters is lively and cute, the other is mousy.
mouth-to-mouth
mouth-to-mouth
  1. adj. related to putting one's mouth on s.o. else's: A woman almost drowned and a firefighter did mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to revive her.
mouth
mouth
  1. n. mouths
    1 the opening on the face used for eating food: With a spoon, the mother put food in her baby's mouth.
    2 an entrance or opening: People entered the mouth of the cave.||The mouth of the Mississippi River is near New Orleans.
    3 by word of mouth: through oral communication: That new store has not advertised; its business comes by word of mouth.
    4 infrml. to have a big mouth: to annoy by speaking loudly and offensively: He has a big mouth and is always telling his friends what to do.
    5 infrml. to open one's big mouth: to tell secrets or say s.t. harmful: My boss was going to give me a raise, but I opened my big mouth and said I didn't need it, so she didn't give it to me!
    6 to put words into s.o.'s mouth: to speak for s.o. else
    7 to take the words out of s.o.'s mouth: to say the same thing s.o. else is about to say v. [T] /
    1 to move one's mouth as if speaking, but without making any sound: He could not hear her through the glass, so she mouthed the words.
    2 to speak insincerely: She mouthed the words her mother told her to say as an apology.
mouthful
mouthful
  1. n.
    1 an amount equal to the size of one's mouth: The little boy took mouthfuls of cereal and chewed them one after another.
    2 fig. s.t. difficult to pronounce: The teacher's last name is a mouthful, so the children call her Mrs. B.
    3 to say a mouthful: to say s.t. important: When the teacher told us what would be on the test, he said a mouthful.
mouthpiece
mouthpiece
  1. n.
    1 a part of s.t., such as a musical instrument, that is placed in or near the mouth
    2 fig. a spokesperson, representative: The mayor sent his mouthpiece to talk to the reporters.
mouthwash
mouthwash
  1. n. [C;U] washes a rinse that cleans and freshens the mouth: I use a mint-flavored mouthwash each morning.
mouthwatering
mouthwatering
  1. adj. stimulating the appetite: The smell of good food cooking on the stove is mouthwatering.
movable
movable
  1. adj. capable of being moved: Those heavy boxes on wheels are movable.
    THESAURUS
    movable portable, mobile.
move
move
  1. v. moved, moving, moves
    THESAURUS
    1[I;T] (syns.) to advance, proceed: Traffic moved slowly out of the city during rush hour. Traffic advanced (or) proceeded slowly out of the city during rush hour.
    2[I;T] (syns.) to relocate, transfer (a home or office): We moved from Chicago to New Orleans. We relocated from Chicago to New Orleans.
    3[I;T] (syns.) to shift (a position), stretch: I moved my arms over my head. I shifted [T] (syns.) to touch (with strong emotion), affect: The singer moved the hearts of the audience with her love songs. The singer touched the hearts of the audience, etc.
    5[I;T] (syn.) to shift a piece in a game: I moved my queen down the chessboard. I shifted[I;T] (syn.) to sell: Air conditioners [I] (syns.) to socialize with, circulate among: She moves among the famous in Hollywood. She socializes with (or) circulates among the famous in Hollywood.
    8 [I] (in a formal meeting or court of law) to make a motion: I move that this meeting be adjourned. See: motion.
    9 [I;T] to empty the bowels: The hospital patient moved his bowels this morning.
    10 phrasal v. sep. to move (s.o.) along: a. [I] to move farther away: After a few weeks, we decided to move along on our trip. b. [T] s.o.: to force s.o. to move: Police moved the protesters along.
    11 phrasal v. sep. to move (s.o. or s.t.) around: a. [I] to (cause to) move without stopping: She makes me nervous because she moves around so much. b. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to rearrange: He decided to move his books around so he could find the ones he needed.
    12 phrasal v. [I] to move away: a. to live someplace else: We moved away from New York and live in Florida now. b. to step back: Firefighters told people to move away from the fire.
    13 infrml. to move heaven and earth: to try with all one's power: The son got sick and his parents moved heaven and earth with the hospital to try to save him.
    14 phrasal v. [I] to move in: to go live in: We bought a new house and moved in last week.
    15 phrasal v. insep. [I] to move in on s.o. or s.t.: a. to go closer to s.o. or s.t., approach: The police moved in on the criminal and captured her. b. to take s.o. or s.t. away from s.o., displace: Another guy moved in on my girlfriend and now she and he are dating.
    16 phrasal v. [I] to move off: to go away, leave,
    THESAURUS
    to depart: As we walked closer, the deer moved off.
    17 phrasal v. insep. [I] to move on s.t.: to finish s.t., conclude it: The deal is all clear and settled, so we can move on it now.
    18 phrasal v. [I] to move out: to leave a place permanently, usu. a home: We moved out of our old house into a small apartment.
    19 phrasal v. sep. [I] to move up: to advance, improve one's position: She is moving up in that company to a better job. n.
    1 a change of position: The policeman told the thief not to make a move or he would shoot.
    2 a change of homes: We made a move from a city apartment to a suburban house.
    3 a player's action: In chess, each player makes one move at a time.
    4 Don't make a move!: Stand still!: The police officer told the criminal, "Don't make a move while I handcuff you!"
    5 on the move: a. to go to different places: I have been on the move all day, from work to the supermarket to the post office to the cleaners. b. to be functioning well, in action: Our plans are really on the move now for marketing our new product.
    6 infrml. to get a move on: to hurry, move fast: We should get a move on, or we'll be late for the movie.
    7 to make a move: a. to take action: We should make a move now and offer money for that house. b. to change space: We made a move downtown to a new set of offices.
    8 to make the move: a. to change jobs: I made the move to a new job (or) company last month. b. to take a specific action: I am thinking about going back to school and I should make the move now.
    9 slang to put a move on s.o.: to make sexual advances to s.o.: This guy put a move on my girlfriend and asked her for a date, but she said, "No!"
movement
movement
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] going from one place to another, motion: Movement of traffic is very slow during rush hour.
    2 [U] the ability to move: The worker injured his hand and has no movement in it.
    3 [C] a political or social cause: A reform movement is underway in government.
    4 [C] (in music) a major division of a symphony or sonata: The second movement of that symphony is slow and sounds sad.
    5 [C] emptying of the bowels: The patient had a bowel movement this morning.
    THESAURUS
    movement
    1 progress
    2 mobility | action
    3 a program | crusade.
mover
mover
  1. n.
    1 a business or person who moves furniture, etc.: Movers came in and moved our things to a new apartment.
    2 infrml. an important person who makes things happen, a doer: She is a mover in finance, always working on some big deal.
mover and shaker
mover and shaker
  1. n.infrml.fig. an important person with the power to make big deals happen: He is a mover and shaker who wants to build a big new convention center in Chicago.
movie
movie
  1. n.
    1 a motion picture, film: I saw a great movie last night about cowboys.
    2 pl. the movies: films in general: We like to go to the movies once a week.
    THESAURUS
    movie a picture, show, feature | flick infrml.
moving
moving
  1. adj.
    1 in motion: The planets are moving objects in the sky.
    2 creating strong emotions: The preacher's sermon was very moving.
moving picture
moving picture
  1. n. old usage a motion picture: "Moving picture" is an old-fashioned term for a movie or film.
mow
mow
  1. v. mowed, mowed or mown , mowing, mows
    1 [I;T] to cut with a mower or blade: Farmers mow hay to feed cattle.||I mowed the lawn yesterday.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to mow s.t. down: to kill in great numbers, slaughter: A machine gun mowed down soldiers by the dozens.||It mowed them down.
mower
mower
  1. n. a machine with sharp blades used to cut grass or hay: I use an electric mower to cut my lawn.
mozzarella
mozzarella
  1. n. [U] a soft, mild cheese: I like my pizza made with mozzarella.
much
much
  1. adj. more , most
    1 related to a lot of s.t.: We haven't had much snow this winter.
    2 a bit much: too much, excessive: Sometimes he finds the summer heat a bit much and must stop playing.
    3 how much: used with uncountable nouns to ask about the amount of s.t.: How much jam is left?||How much is left?
    4 not much of a s.t.: not very good at s.t.: She likes golf, but is not much of a player.
    5 to make much of: to give importance to: He made much of how happy he is to be retired. n. a lot, plenty of s.t.: There was much food on the table at the party; I had too much to eat!adv.
    1 a great deal, a lot: She is feeling much better.
    2 often, frequently: I asked him if he played golf much.
    3 to the degree, extent that: He said that he plays as much as he wants to.
    THESAURUS
    much adj.
    1 a lot of, plentiful, considerable.

    USAGE NOTE: Much is used with or about uncountable nouns: much fun. Use many with or about countable nouns: many boys.
muck
muck
  1. n. [U]
    1 deep, sticky mud: Our car got stuck in the muck on a country road.
    2 mud and manure mixed together: The barnyard is full of muck when it rains.
muckrake
muckrake
  1. v. [I] -raked, -raking, -rakes to search for and publish scandals about public officials: Reporters from that newspaper muckrake about the candidates for mayor to sell more newspapers. -n. muckraker.
mucous
mucous
  1. adj.
    1 related to mucus
    2 moist, slippery: Mucous membranes line the lungs. See: mucus.
mucus
mucus
  1. n. [U] a moist substance that protects mucous membranes, lining the nasal passages, lungs, etc: When you have a chest cold, you cough up mucus from the lungs.
mud
mud
  1. n. [U]
    1 a sticky mixture of water and dirt: Dirt roads turn to mud when it rains.
    2 one's name is mud: to be disgraced: His name is mud since cheating on his math exam.
    THESAURUS
    mud
    1 muck, slime, filth | ooze, mire.
muddle
muddle
  1. n. a mix-up, confused situation: My taxes are in such a muddle, I'll have to get help with them. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to act in a confused way: Computers are difficult to learn to use, but we muddle through and get the job done.
muddy
muddy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest
    1 full of or covered with mud: My boots are muddy after walking in the woods.
    2 unclear, confused: Her writing is muddy and hard to understand. v. [T] -died, -dying, -dies
    1 to stain, make dirty with mud: The little girl muddied the kitchen floor after walking in the rain.
    2 infrml. to muddy the waters: to confuse, make unclear: He muddied the waters by saying that many new conditions must be added to the contract that we had agreed to sign.
    THESAURUS
    muddy adj.
    1 filthy, slimy. Ant. clean.
    2 murky, obscure. Ant. clear.
mudslide
mudslide
  1. n. the falling of a dirt cliff or hillside after rain has turned it to mud: A mudslide blocked the road.
mudslinging
mudslinging
  1. n. [U] accusing an opponent, esp. another politician, of doing s.t. wrong: Both Democrats and Republicans engage in mudslinging in their campaigns.
muff
muff
  1. n. a piece of fur worn to warm the hands: Women don't wear muffs anymore. v.infrml. [T] to do s.t. badly,
    THESAURUS
    to flub: The actor muffed his lines and needed help.
muffin
muffin
  1. n. a small, sweet bread often made of corn, bran, oats, etc.: I had a bran muffin for breakfast. See: English muffin.
muffle
muffle
  1. v. [T] -fled, -fling, -fles to quiet, lower the sound of s.t.: I put my hand over my mouth to muffle my words, so only my friend could hear.
muffler
muffler
  1. n.
    1 a device that lowers sound as in a motor's exhaust system: The muffler on my car has a hole and makes a loud noise.
    2 a warm, woolen scarf: My neck gets cold in winter, so I wear a muffler.
mug
mug
  1. n.
    1 a thick cup with a handle: She broke my favorite coffee mug.
    2 infrml. one's face: When you are arrested, the police take a mug shot—a photograph—of you. v. [T] mugged, mugging, mugs to attack s.o. to rob him or her: He was mugged in the park. -n. [U] mugging.
    THESAURUS
    mug v. to hold s.o. up, stick s.o. up | beat s.o. up, assault s.o.
mugger
mugger
  1. n. a criminal who robs others in public: A mugger in the park hit me on the head and stole my wallet.
muggy
muggy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest of damp, warm air,
    THESAURUS
    very humid: Muggy weather makes people feel uncomfortable.
mulatto
mulatto
  1. n.adj. old usage -toes or -tos a person of mixed racial parentage, usu. one black and one white parent,
    THESAURUS
    biracial: Angela is a mulatto whose mother is African American and whose father is white.

    USAGE NOTE: Mulatto is old usage. If race needs to be mentioned, the term biracial is preferable.
mulch
mulch
  1. n. [U] sing. a layer of material, usu. leaves, grass clippings, etc., put on the earth around plants to protect them: I put mulch around my tomato plants to protect them from weeds and freezing.
mule
mule
  1. n. an animal that comes from a female horse bred with a donkey: Mules are very strong and surefooted.
mull
mull
  1. v. [T]
    1 to heat a drink with spices: We mull wine and spices in the winter.
    2 to mull over: to think about s.t. long and seriously,
    THESAURUS
    to ponder: I mulled over the idea of going back to college for weeks.
multi-
multi-
  1. prefix indicating many of s.t.: Her cosmetics business has made her a multimillionaire.
multicultural
multicultural
  1. adj. representative of many peoples' cultures, nationalities, or ethnic groups: American food isn't just hot dogs and potato chips; it's truly multicultural with Italian pizza, Mexican tacos, and Chinese dishes.
multifaceted
multifaceted
  1. adj. having many sides or aspects: She has multifaceted talents as both a singer and a dancer.
multilateral
multilateral
  1. adj. of s.t. done by or involving many sides: Multilateral peace talks took place among five nations.
multimedia
multimedia
  1. adj.n.
    1 a combination of several media, such as newspapers, radio, and TV
    2 (in computers) the use of text, sound, graphics, and video in a single computer program: Ordinary computers can play multimedia (or) multimedia programs on laser discs.
multiple-choice
multiple-choice
  1. adj. having many choices for answers, as on a test: The multiple-choice questions on that test had four possible answers.
multiple
multiple
  1. adj. many, numerous: She has multiple reasons for not marrying him.
multiplex
multiplex
  1. adj. of an electronic system that sends and receives multiple messages over the same wire: Some military communications equipment is multiplex. n. -plexes a theater with many separate movie theaters within it
multiplication
multiplication
  1. n. [U]
    1 the arithmetic operation of multiplying one number by another: 2 times 2 equals 4 is an act of multiplication.
    2 an increase in number, intensity, variety, etc.: The multiplication of problems at the company continues.
    THESAURUS
    multiplication
    2 growth, spread, proliferation frml.
multiplicity
multiplicity
  1. n.sing.frml. a great number, a variety: The new government has a multiplicity of problems to solve.
multiplier
multiplier
  1. n.adj. a number used to multiply another number
multiply
multiply
  1. v. -plied, -plying, -plies
    1 [T] in arithmetic, to increase a number (the multiplicand) by a certain number of times (the multiplier) for a result (the product): If you multiply 20 five times, you get 100.
    2 [I;T] to increase in number: Mice multiply very rapidly by having babies every three weeks.
    THESAURUS
    multiply
    2 to grow, spread, proliferate frml. | propagate.
multitude
multitude
  1. n. a large number of s.t., esp. people: The politician spoke to a multitude of 300,000 gathered to hear her. -adj.frml. multitudinous.
mum
mum
  1. adj.
    1 quiet, silent: I have a secret to tell you, and I'd like you to stay mum about it.
    2 mum's the word: a request or a promise to keep silent n.
    1 short for chrysanthemum, a flower: For her birthday, I sent a bunch of mums.
    2 n.infrml.Brit. mother —v. [I] mummed, mumming, mums to pantomime: He mums for the fun of it. -n. mummer.
mumble
mumble
  1. n.v. [I;T] -bled, -bling, -bles to speak unclearly in a low voice, mutter: He mumbles (or) speaks in a mumble when he talks, so it's hard to understand him. -n. mumbler.
mumbo jumbo
mumbo jumbo
  1. n.infrml. [U] meaningless talk, nonsense,
    THESAURUS
    gibberish: I asked her a question and all that she said to me was mumbo jumbo.
mummy
mummy
  1. n. -ies
    1 a dead body that has been preserved by an injection of chemicals and wrapped in material: We saw an ancient Egyptian mummy at the museum.
    2 infrml. mother -v. [I;T] mummify.
mumps
mumps
  1. n. [U] a contagious viral disease of the glands: The mumps are a very painful disease that makes your face and throat swell.
munch
munch
  1. v.infrml. [I;T] munches to chew strongly on s.t.: He munches on potato chips while he watches TV.
munchies
munchies
  1. n.pl.infrml.
    1 snack foods, such as potato chips, pretzels, raw carrots, etc.: He served beer and munchies at his party.
    2 a craving, sudden hunger: At midnight, we got the munchies and ordered a pizza. See: junk food.
mundane
mundane
  1. adj.frml. referring to the events of everyday living,
    THESAURUS
    commonplace: Her life is filled with mundane work.
municipal
municipal
  1. adj. related to a city, town, etc.: There is a municipal parking lot near the town hall.
municipality
municipality
  1. n. -ties a city, village, or town legally organized for self-government: This municipality has a professional city manager.
mural
mural
  1. n. a painting or mosaic done directly on a wall: Two huge murals were painted by Marc Chagall on the walls of the opera house. -n. muralist.
murder
murder
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the intentional killing of s.o. illegally: A criminal committed murder when he shot his victim.
    2 infrml. to get away with murder: to escape punishment for doing s.t. outrageous: The mayor did not pay his income taxes, but got away with murder because the people re-elected him anyway. See: manslaughter. v. [T] to kill s.o. (not in military battle): The criminal murdered his victim for her money and jewels. -n. murderer; -adj. murderous. See: to assassinate.
    THESAURUS
    murder n.
    1 a homicide, an assassination | massacre, slaughter, butchery. —v. to slaughter s.o., butcher, massacre | assassinate.
murky
murky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest unclear and dark: I looked into the murky water of the river and could see nothing but mud. -n. murk; -adv. murkily.
murmur
murmur
  1. n.
    1 a low, unclear sound: A murmur of conversation went through the classroom after the teacher announced the date of the exam.
    2 (in medicine) an irregular beating of the heart: The doctor says that the child has a heart murmur. v. [I;T] to sound or speak with a low unclear tone: My husband murmured, "Let's leave this boring party."
muscle-bound
muscle-bound
  1. adj. awkward and stiff from having overdeveloped muscles: His arms are so muscle-bound from lifting weights that he can hardly comb his hair.
muscle
muscle
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] body tissues on the bones that make the body move and give it bulk: The muscles in my legs ache after walking a long distance.
    2 [U] fig. power, force: Help me move this sofa, and let's put some muscle into it!
    3 Don't move a muscle.: stay still, don't move v. [I;T] -cled, -cling, -cles to force one's way into s.t.: A coworker muscled in on a conversation I was having with my boss.
    THESAURUS
    muscle n.
    2 strength | beef infrml.
muscular
muscular
  1. adj. having well developed, strong muscles: She is a strong, muscular athlete.
    THESAURUS
    muscular burly, strapping (of men).
muscular dystrophy
muscular dystrophy
  1. n. a disease that weakens the muscles so a person gradually cannot move: Muscular dystrophy is an uncommon hereditary disease.
muse
muse
  1. n.
    1 (with a capital M, in Greek mythology) any one of the nine sisters who inspired the arts and sciences: Erato was the Muse of love poetry.
    2 an inspiration: His wife served as the painter's muse. v.frml. [I] mused, musing, muses to think about s.t., imagine what it would be like: He mused about his life and his future. See: musing.
museum
museum
  1. n. a place that displays rare, valuable, and important art or historical objects: The art museum has a beautiful collection of ancient gold and silver coins.
    THESAURUS
    museum a gallery, an archive | exhibition hall.
mush
mush
  1. n. [U]
    1 a soft, wet mass, esp. corn or oat meal: The farmer had cornmeal mush and coffee for breakfast.
    2 infrml. s.t. sentimental, such as a soap opera, novel, etc.: That play was full of mush. v. [I] mushes
    1 to travel by dog sled: An Eskimo mushed across the snow.
    2 the command that tells sled dogs to move: "Mush!" said the sled driver to her dogs.
mushroom
mushroom
  1. n. any of the thousands of kinds of small fungi with a stem and fleshy cap: The morel is a popular, edible mushroom. v.fig. [I] to grow rapidly and in great numbers: In an economic boom, houses mushroomed in the desert near Las Vegas.
mushy
mushy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 soft, wet, and grainy: In the sunlight in winter, snow on the sidewalks becomes mushy.
    2 very sentimental: I saw a mushy movie about a couple in love.
music
music
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 the art of putting sounds in a rhythmic sequence: I prefer classical music to jazz.
    2 music to my ears: to learn good news: When my wife told me we were going to have a baby, I told her it was music to my ears.
    THESAURUS
    music n.
    1 songs, tunes, melodies.
musical
musical
  1. adj.
    1 related to music: Mozart wrote many musical compositions in his short life.
    2 pleasant-sounding: Her voice has a musical quality.
musician
musician
  1. n. a person who writes, sings, or plays music: One hundred musicians play in that orchestra.
musing
musing
  1. n. [C;U] deep thought, meditation: He spent a lot of time in musing about his career.
musk
musk
  1. n. [U] a sticky substance with a rich, strong smell, used in making perfume: Many people like the scent of musk.
musket
musket
  1. n. an old-fashioned gun: George Washington's troops used muskets to fight the British. -n. musketeer ; [U] musketry.
muskrat
muskrat
  1. n. a North American rodent with brown, shiny fur living in wetlands: The fur of muskrats is made into fur coats.
muslin
muslin
  1. n. [U] adj. a type of plain cotton fabric: My bed sheets are of muslin (or) muslin fabric.
muss
muss
  1. v. [T] musses to mess up, esp. hair: The wind mussed her hair. -adj. mussy.
mussel
mussel
  1. n. any of a variety of shellfish, some of which are edible: Mussels are found on the sea rocks on the shores of America and Europe.
mustang
mustang
  1. n. a strong, small wild horse of the American West: Mustangs run in herds.
muster
muster
  1. v. [T] to collect, gather, summon: The diver mustered his courage and dove off a high cliff. n.
    1 a gathering, as of troops, for inspection or battle
    2 to pass muster: to be thought acceptable: She passed muster in a job interview and got the job.
mutable
mutable
  1. adj.frml. capable of being changed: Some parts of the contract are mutable; others are not. -n. mutability.
mutant
mutant
  1. n.adj. a person or organism with an accidental change from its species,
    THESAURUS
    a freak: Science-fiction stories describe mutants who have two heads. -v. [I] mutate ; -n. [C;U] mutation.
mute
mute
  1. n.adj.
    1 unable or unwilling to speak: He was born mute, and he has been a mute since birth.
    2 silent: She was mute when the teacher asked her a question. -adv. mutely. v. [T] muted, muting, mutes to reduce or stop the sound of s.t.: A jazz musician muted her horn by putting her hand over its opening.
mutilate
mutilate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to cut, rip s.o. or s.t. apart, disfigure: A madman mutilated his victims by cutting off their hands. -n. [C;U] mutilation.
mutiny
mutiny
  1. n. [C;U] -nies a revolt against authority, esp. by sailors against their captain: In the mutiny aboard a battleship, the captain was killed. v. [I] -nied, -nying, -nies to revolt against authority: The ship's sailors mutinied and took over the ship. -adj. mutinous.
mutt
mutt
  1. n.infrml. a dog with parents of different breeds,
    THESAURUS
    a mongrel: They have a funny-looking mutt for a pet.
mutter
mutter
  1. v. [I;T] n. to speak unclearly and quietly, usu. to complain: The taxi driver muttered about the bad traffic. -n. muttering.
mutton
mutton
  1. n. [U] meat from a mature sheep (not lamb): Mutton can be tough, but it tastes good with gravy.
mutual
mutual
  1. adj.
    1 having similar feelings, ideas, tastes: I was happy to see my friend, and he said the feeling was mutual.
    2 sharing business or other interests: We have a mutual interest in a bakery that is managed by a mutual friend.
mutual fund
mutual fund
  1. n. a type of financial investment run by a company that sells shares and invests the money in stocks, bonds, etc.: In the USA, thousands of mutual funds are offered to the public. See: money-market fund.
muzzle
muzzle
  1. n.
    1 the nose and jaw of a dog, bear, or other animal: Our dog stuck his muzzle in his food dish to eat.
    2 a piece of leather put around a muzzle to keep an animal from biting or eating: In some places, dogs must wear a muzzle in public.
    3 fig. s.t. that prevents s.o. from telling the truth: The government put a muzzle on the newspapers to keep them quiet about the scandal.
    4 the end of the barrel of a gun: Smoke came out of the rifle's muzzle after it was fired. v. [T] -zled, -zling, -zles
    1 to put a muzzle on an animal
    2 to prevent s.o. from expressing opinions: During the war, officials muzzled the newspaper, TV, and radio.
my
my
  1. poss.pron. of I: My head aches; I'm going to my room.exclam. to express surprise: My goodness (my word, oh my, etc.), it's starting to rain again!
myopic
myopic
  1. adj.
    1 unable to see things in the distance,
    THESAURUS
    near-sighted: He is myopic but can see well with glasses.
    2 fig. unable to plan ahead,
    THESAURUS
    short-sighted: The building's owner is myopic; he will only make small repairs while the building is slowly falling apart.
myriad
myriad
  1. adj.n.frml. many, referring to a great number of things: An accounting department must take care of a myriad of details.
myrrh
myrrh
  1. n. [U] a sticky gum or resin used in making perfume and incense: Myrrh is burned as incense in church services.
myrtle
myrtle
  1. n. [C;U] any of various tropical trees with good-smelling leaves: Myrtles sometimes have large, fancy blossoms.
myself
myself
  1. reflexive pron. of I
    1 done by oneself: I poured myself a glass of milk.||After my promotion, I gave myself a present.
    2 alone: I live by myself.
    3 one's usual condition: I'm not feeling myself today; I didn't sleep well last night.
mysterious
mysterious
  1. adj. having no known cause, such as s.t. supernatural or secret: For some mysterious reason, she left last week without saying good-bye to anyone.
    THESAURUS
    mysterious inexplicable, puzzling, unusual.
mystery
mystery
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an event that has no known cause, a supernatural event, a problem with no solution: How the universe was created is still a mystery.
    2 [C] a secret: Why she left home without saying where she was going is still a mystery.
    3 [C] a crime story that leaves the reader in suspense until the end: My friend likes to read murder mysteries (or) mystery stories.
    THESAURUS
    mystery n.
    1 a puzzle, enigma | wonder.
mystic
mystic
  1. n. a person who through meditation communicates directly with the spiritual: Mystics can see visions and hear voices. -adj. mystical.
mysticism
mysticism
  1. n. [U] the practice of placing oneself in direct relationship with the spiritual: Mysticism is practiced by many people all over the world. -adj. mystical.
mystify
mystify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to confuse, puzzle: Everyone was mystified by his sudden disappearance. -n. mystification.
mystique
mystique
  1. n.sing. a mysterious and usu. attractive image: That island has a mystique about it as a vacation spot of the rich.
myth
myth
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a story from ancient cultures about history, gods, or heroes: Students learn about the myths of ancient Greece and Rome.
    2 [C] an untrue or unproved story: His stories about his great successes in sports are myths.
    THESAURUS
    myth
    1 a legend, tale, fable
    2 a fib, fantasy.
mythical
mythical
  1. adj. related to mythology, unreal: Many mythical creatures were ugly, like the giant one-eyed Cyclops.
mythology
mythology
  1. n. [U]
    1 the stories of ancient peoples: The Iliad is one of the most famous stories in Greek mythology.
    2 the study of myths and cultures: She took a course in Roman mythology. -v.frml. [I;T] mythologize; -adj. mythological.
mélange
mélange
  1. n.frml. (French for) a mixture, esp. of different things,
    THESAURUS
    infrml. a mixed bag: That restaurant serves a mélange of American and Chinese food.
nab
nab
  1. v.infrml. [T] nabbed, nabbing, nabs to seize s.o., esp. a criminal,
    THESAURUS
    to capture: The police nabbed the thief after he robbed the bank.
nadir
nadir
  1. n.frml. [C] the lowest and usu. the worst point, as in one's life, career, etc.: The day his wife died was the nadir of his life.
nail
nail
  1. n.
    1 a small, thin, metal rod with a sharp point on the end, used to hold things together or to keep them in place: She used nails to put the bookshelves up on the wall.
    2 the hard smooth surface at the end of a finger or toe: She has long nails.
    3 the claws of an animal: The nails in a cat's paw are sharp.
    4 hard as nails: tough, not sensitive or sympathetic: Her son complained that she was hard as nails when she refused to help him.
    THESAURUS
    nail n.
    1 a tack, brad, fastener
    2 a fingernail, toenail
    3 a talon. v. [T]
    1 to attach with a nail: Carpenters nailed wooden boards together to build a fence.
    2 infrml. to nail s.o.: to prove s.o. guilty of a crime: The police nailed the thieves by finding the stolen money in their car.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to nail s.o. down: to get s.o. to make a definite statement: His wife seemed interested in selling the boat, but we couldn't nail the captain down as to an exact price.||We couldn't nail him down.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to nail s.t. down: to make certain, to make sure s.t. isn't going to change: Please repeat the price of those items; I want to nail down the cost before I commit to buying them.||I want to nail it down. nail v.
    1 to hammer.
nail clipper
nail clipper
  1. n. a small steel tool with sharp edges for cutting fingernails or toenails
nail file
nail file
  1. n. a thin, flat piece of metal with a rough surface used to smooth and shape fingernails
nail polish
nail polish
  1. n. [U] paint used to cover and beautify fingernails and toenails: She put red nail polish on before she went out to dinner.
naive
naive
  1. adj. having or showing a childlike, simple view of the world, due to a lack of experience,
    THESAURUS
    unsophisticated: She was naive to trust even a friend with so much money. -adv. naively.
naiveté
naiveté
  1. n. [U] the act or condition of being naive: He loved her with such naiveté that he could not believe it when she left him.
naked
naked
  1. adj.
    1 without clothes, bare: He was as naked as a newborn baby.
    2 fig. not hidden or disguised: naked ambition||naked greed
    THESAURUS
    naked
    1 undressed, nude, in the buff infrml. Ant. clothed.
    2 plain, undisguised.
naked eye
naked eye
  1. n. [U] normal eyesight without a device to make things look larger (such as a microscope) or closer (such as a telescope): Most stars and planets are too far away to be seen with the naked eye.
name-dropping
name-dropping
  1. n. the practice or habit of mentioning important or famous people as if one knew them personally: She tries to impress people by name-dropping. -n. name-dropper.
name
name
  1. n.
    1 [C] a word by which a person, place, or thing is known: Her name is Diane Daniel.||What is the name of that flower?
    2 [C] usu. sing an important person: He is a big name in banking (entertainment, city politics, etc.).
    3 [C] usu. sing the way in which one is thought of by others: She has a good name in the local community.
    4 in name only: giving only the appearance of,
    THESAURUS
    superficially: The young man is president of the company in name only; his father makes all the decisions.
    5 in the name of: by the authority of: You are under arrest in the name of the law.
    6 not a penny to one's name: very poor: Born with not a penny to his name, he's now a rich man.
    7 the name of the game: the most important thing: In this business, increasing sales is the name of the game; everything else is less important.
    8 to call s.o. names: to address s.o. using an offensive word,
    THESAURUS
    to insult: He became angry and called me names like "stupid" and "jerk."
    9 to drop names: to talk about important or famous people as if one knew them personally: He drops the names of actors and politicians that he has never met. v. [T] named, naming, names
    1 to give s.o. a name: She named her daughter Mary.
    2 to put s.o. in a certain job or position: The governor named a judge to a court.
    3 to identify, call by name: Police named him as the killer.||She can name all the state capitals.
    4 to name names: to tell about or accuse people whose names one was supposed to have kept secret: Under police questioning, he started to name names.
    THESAURUS
    name n.
    1 a first name, last name, surname (for people)
    2 a celebrity, prominent person
    3 reputation. —v.
    1 to call, christen | dub
    2 to appoint, select, designate
    3 to label, specify.
name brand
name brand
  1. n. a product by a well-known maker (as opposed to an unknown brand): He only buys name brands like Kodak film.

    USAGE NOTE: The brand names of some products are sometimes used to refer to all products of that type. For example, adhesive tape is called by the name brand Scotch Tape™, and tissue is called by the name brand Kleenex™: Please hand me a Kleenex. I have to blow my nose.
nameless
nameless
  1. adj.
    1 without a name or with an unknown name: A nameless man without any identification was brought into the hospital.
    2 impossible to describe: a nameless fear
    3 to remain nameless: to not identify by name: Some members of the group, who shall remain nameless, refused to help in any way.
namely
namely
  1. adv. to be exact, specifically: I would like to buy a new car, namely a Mercedes.
nameplate
nameplate
  1. n. a plastic or metal plate with the name of a person, location, or company on it: The company nameplate is on the door.
namesake
namesake
  1. n. a person named after or with the same name as another person: He left all his money to his only child and namesake, Charles Randall III.
nana
nana
  1. n.infrml. grandmother: The children just love their nana.
nanny
nanny
  1. n. -nies a person hired to take care of a child: She works as a nanny for a wealthy family.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare nanny, babysitter, au pair. A nanny is a professional child care provider who gives full-time child care and often lives with the family. A babysitter provides part-time child care and does not live with the family. Teenagers often work as babysitters for families in their neighborhood. An au pair comes from another country to live with an American family and learn English. The au pair takes care of the children in exchange for a room, meals, and a little money.
nanny goat
nanny goat
  1. n. a mature female goat: Nanny goats are popular in children's stories.
nanosecond
nanosecond
  1. n. one billionth (1/1,000,000,000) of a second: The speed at which computers work is measured in nanoseconds.
nap
nap
  1. v. [I] napped, napping, naps to sleep for a short period of time: I napped for a while this afternoon. n. a short sleep, infrml. a snooze: I took a short nap.
    THESAURUS
    nap v. to doze, rest | snooze infrml. —n. (to take) a rest, cat nap infrml, siesta.
napalm
napalm
  1. n. [U] gasoline in jelly form used in flamethrowers and bombs: Buildings burst into flames as the enemy plane dropped napalm.
nape
nape
  1. n. the back of the neck: The mother cat carried her kittens by the nape of the neck.
napkin
napkin
  1. n. a square piece of paper or cloth used when eating to wipe the mouth, protect the lap, and clean up spills: Take some paper napkins for the picnic.
narcissist
narcissist
  1. n. a person who is only concerned with his or her own feelings, ideas, experiences, or appearance: The famous artist was a narcissist who neglected his family. -n. [U] narcissism; -adj. narcissistic.
narcissus
narcissus
  1. n. -cissus or -cissi or -cissuses a plant with white or yellow flowers that grows from a bulb in the spring: A daffodil is a type of narcissus.
narcolepsy
narcolepsy
  1. n. [U] a disease causing an uncontrollable desire for sleep: He suffers from narcolepsy.
narcosis
narcosis
  1. n. [U] a state of unconsciousness caused by drugs: He suffered from narcosis after taking too many drugs.
narcotic
narcotic
  1. n. a drug that reduces pain and causes sleep: He is on narcotics. adj. related to drugs: Marijuana has a narcotic effect.
    THESAURUS
    narcotic n. a sedative | dope, drug. —adj. numbing, dulling, sedating.
narrate
narrate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to tell a story in writing or speech: He narrated a television show on the history of Mexico. -n. [C;U] narration ; narrator.
narrative
narrative
  1. adj. related to storytelling, in the form of a story: a narrative tale n. a story, a description of events: The police asked her for a narrative of her activities the day of the murder.
narrow-minded
narrow-minded
  1. adj. showing or having no interest in the ideas and opinions of others: No one accepted his narrow-minded political views.
narrow
narrow
  1. adj.
    1 not wide, less wide than usual: The big truck could hardly fit in the narrow street.||Little light came through the narrow windows.
    2 thin, slim: That fence is made of narrow pieces of metal.
    3 limited in number: a narrow choice of desserts
    4 almost unsuccessful: a narrow escape v. [I;T]
    1 to make or become less wide: The growth of bushes narrowed the path to the garden.
    2 to reduce, limit: They talked and narrowed the differences between the two parties.||Having no education narrows the opportunities available to us. -adv. narrowly; -n. narrowness.
    THESAURUS
    narrow adj.
    1 tight, cramped | thin, slender. Ant. wide.
    2 thin, skinny
    3 limited, small
    4—v.
    1 to limit.
nary
nary
  1. adj.infrml. not one, no: We walked in the woods and nary a person was there.
nasal
nasal
  1. adj.
    1 related to the nose: My nasal passages are stuffed up from a cold.
    2 having a sound that comes through the nose: He kept complaining in a nasal voice. -adv. nasally.
nascent
nascent
  1. adj.frml. about beginning to form or grow: The author had only a few ideas written down; his book was still in its nascent stages.
nasty
nasty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest
    1 unkind: a nasty person||a nasty comment
    2 harsh, unpleasant: nasty weather||a nasty temper||a nasty smell
    3 harmful: I have a nasty cut (injury, burn, etc.) on my hand. -adv. nastily; -n. [U] nastiness.
    THESAURUS
    nasty
    1 offensive, unpleasant. Ant. nice.
    2 bad, disgusting, foul. Ant. pleasant.
    3 bad, injurious.
natal
natal
  1. adj. (in medicine) related to birth: The child suffered a natal injury.
natch
natch
  1. adv.infrml. short for naturally; yes, of course: "Would you like to go to the show tonight?"—"Natch, let's go!"
nation
nation
  1. n.
    1 a people living in and having a common loyalty to a country or region: When the war ended, there was joy throughout the nation.
    2 an independent country with its own government, esp. considered together with its people, culture, government, etc.: Spain is one of many nations in the European Union.
    3 a group of Native American tribes that together form a union: the Sioux nation
    THESAURUS
    nation
    1 the country, population, society
    2 a country, kingdom, republic.
national
national
  1. adj.
    1 related to a nation: national pride||national holidays
    2 all over the country: The story about the murder received national coverage on the news. n. a person who is a citizen of a particular country: She is an American national living in Brazil. -adv. nationally.
    THESAURUS
    national adj.
    1 civic, federal | domestic
    2 nationwide, countrywide.
national monument
national monument
  1. n. a structure with historical importance, such as a statue or building, owned and managed by the national government for the people: The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, is a national monument.
nationalism
nationalism
  1. n. [U]
    1 a feeling of loyalty to a country on the part of its people and leaders: Nationalism reached its peak when war was declared.
    2 a movement for political independence by an ethnic or religious group within a country or by a country under the control of another: There has been a rise in nationalism in the former Soviet republics. -n. adj. nationalist; -adj. nationalistic .
    THESAURUS
    nationalism
    1 patriotism, national loyalty, love of country
    2 national consciousness, regional autonomy.
nationality
nationality
  1. n. -ties [C;U] the state of being a citizen of a particular country: "What nationality is she?"—"Peruvian."
    THESAURUS
    nationality citizenship | background, ethnicity.
nationalize
nationalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to transfer ownership of a private business to the government with or without paying the owners: Britain nationalized the steel industry. -n. nationalization.
nationhood
nationhood
  1. n. the condition of being a nation: The people on that island are fighting to keep their nationhood.
nationwide
nationwide
  1. adj. national, across a whole country: The phone company has a nationwide network of phone lines.
nativity
nativity
  1. n.frml. -ties
    1 an act of birth
    2 the Nativity: The birth of Jesus Christ is called the Nativity.
natty
natty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest Brit. stylish, well-dressed (said usu. of men): He is a natty dresser in his well-designed suit and blue hat. -adv. nattily.
natural
natural
  1. adj.
    1 related to or formed by nature, not made or changed by humans: We admired the natural beauty of the forest.
    2 as in nature: The zoo displayed animals in their natural surroundings.
    3 true to life, not fake: The star of the show was praised for her natural acting style.
    4 born with a particular ability, without need of education or training: He is a natural athlete who excels at many sports.
    5 understood and accepted as normal: They are in love, and it is natural that they should marry. n. s.o. who is just right or well-suited for s.t. -n. naturalness.
    THESAURUS
    natural adj.
    1 wild, unaffected, unspoiled. Ant. artificial.
    2 native, authentic. Ant. unnatural.
    3 genuine, unaffected, sincere. Ant. affected.
    4 true, instinctive
    5 normal.
natural childbirth
natural childbirth
  1. n. [U] the method of giving birth to a child with a minimum of modern medical procedures and usu. without anesthesia: She had both of her children by natural childbirth.
natural food
natural food
  1. n. [C;U] food grown without the use of chemicals (fertilizer or pesticides): Many people enjoy the fresh taste of natural foods. See: organic food, USAGE NOTE.
natural history
natural history
  1. n. the study of animals, plants, and natural objects, such as rocks: My children love to look at the dinosaurs in the Museum of Natural History.
natural number
natural number
  1. n. a whole number without a minus sign in front of it: The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, etc., are natural numbers.
natural resources
natural resources
  1. n.pl. raw materials found in nature, such as minerals, trees, fresh water, and oil that are useful to humans: Some countries are rich in natural resources.
naturalist
naturalist
  1. n. a person who studies plants and animals
naturalize
naturalize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to become a citizen of a country: Born and raised in Hong Kong, she moved to the USA and was naturalized in 2002. -n. naturalization.
naturally
naturally
  1. adv.
    1 in a natural way: Animals grow up naturally in a forest (not in a zoo).
    2 as to be expected, of course: Naturally, I would like to go to bed; I'm tired.
    THESAURUS
    naturally
    1 normally. Ant. artificially.
    2 of course, absolutely, yes indeed.
nature
nature
  1. n.
    1 [U] the part of our world not made by humans, such as the sky, trees, fields, streams, plants, animals, etc.
    2 [U] the forces that control this part of the world: Hurricanes and earthquakes show the destructive power of nature.
    3 [C;U] a person's character, personality: It is his nature to be kind and forgiving.
    4 [C, usu. sing.] type, kind: The discussion was of a personal nature.
    5 Mother Nature: the forces that control the natural environment: We had bad weather this year; Mother Nature has not been kind to us.
    6 second nature: a habit, s.t. done without thinking: Driving (a car) has become second nature to her.
    THESAURUS
    nature
    1 the natural environment, earth, outside world | creation
    2 natural forces, the forces of Mother Nature
    3 one's disposition, makeup, temperament
    4 sort, type.
naught
naught
  1. n.frml. [C;U] zero, nothing: All his work has come to naught.
naughty
naughty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest badly behaved: That boy is a naughty child. -n. [U] naughtiness.
    THESAURUS
    naughty bad, disobedient, mischievous. Ant. obedient.
nausea
nausea
  1. n. [U] a feeling that one is going to vomit, sick to one's stomach: She has a feeling of nausea from eating too much.
    THESAURUS
    nausea an upset stomach, heartburn, acidity | queasiness.
nauseate
nauseate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to cause nausea: The smell of paint nauseated him.
    2 infrml.fig. to be very distasteful to s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to disgust: It was nauseating to see my ex-husband with his new wife.
nauseous
nauseous
  1. adj.
    1 infrml. feeling nausea,
    THESAURUS
    nauseated: She felt nauseous from the boat ride.
    2 causing nausea: The nauseous smell of the garbage made me feel sick.
nautical
nautical
  1. adj. related to ships, sailors, or navigation: a nautical map
nautical mile
nautical mile
  1. n. 6,076 feet or 1,852 meters, used in sea and air travel: The airplane is traveling at 600 nautical miles per hour.
nautilus
nautilus
  1. n. -luses or -li a sea animal with a beautifully curved shell
naval
naval
  1. adj. related to the navy and sailors: He is in charge of the naval officers.
    THESAURUS
    naval nautical, maritime, seafaring.
nave
nave
  1. n. the main part of a church where people sit: She joined her family in the nave.
navel
navel
  1. n. the little hole in the stomach area,
    THESAURUS
    infrml. the belly button: He had a stomach pain and rubbed his navel.
navigable
navigable
  1. adj. capable of being used by boats: A navigable river is deep and wide enough for boats to pass through it.
navigate
navigate
  1. v. [I;T] -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 to figure out the course of a ship or airplane, using maps and mechanical aids
    2 to steer a ship or airplane: The captain navigated his boat carefully up the river.
    THESAURUS
    navigate
    1 to plot a course
    2 to guide, pilot, operate.
navigation
navigation
  1. n. [U] the sci-ence or practice of figuring out a correct course (path, route) for a ship or airplane: Navigation of a ship across the ocean requires skill. -adj. navigational.
navigator
navigator
  1. n. a person who navigates ships or airplanes: The navigator tells the pilot the correct course.
navy
navy
  1. n. -vies a country's sailors and fighting ships with their related equipment: The US Navy played an important role in World War II. adj. See: navy blue.
    THESAURUS
    navy n. a naval force, fleet. navy blue or navy -adj. dark blue: Many businesspeople wear navy blue suits.
nay
nay
  1. n.adv. no, esp. in voting: Fifty-one senators voted nay and defeated the proposal.
ne'er-do-well
ne'er-do-well
  1. n.pej. -wells a lazy, unsuccessful person,
    THESAURUS
    a loafer: He's a ne'er-do-well who can't keep a job.
near
near
  1. adj.
    1 close in distance or time: Go to the nearest hospital.||I'll see you in the near future.
    2 almost happening: a near accident (loss, disaster, etc.)
    3 to have a near miss: to barely escape harm or injury: I had a near miss when a speeding car almost hit me as I crossed the street.
    4 one's nearest and dearest: (often used humorously) one's closest friends and relatives: I invited only my nearest and dearest to the wedding.
    5 to be so near and yet so far: to almost but not quite reach a goal: She lost the election by only three votes; she was so near and yet so far. adv. prep.
    1 close to: As he came nearer, I could see he had changed.||There's a supermarket near my house.||It was near midnight when we arrived.||She received the news that her brother was near death.
    2 near at hand: close by in distance or time: When I am ill, I want you near at hand to help me.||Their arrival is near at hand.v. [I;T] to come close or closer to a point in space or time: As we neared the shore, I saw that there was no one there to greet us.||He is nearing the end of his story (task, life, etc.).
    THESAURUS
    near adj.
    1 closest, neighboring, adjacent | not too distant. Ant. far.
    2 almost s.t. (almost an accident), not quite s.t. —adv.
    1 close by, not far from. Ant. far. —v. to approach, come near, close in on s.t.
nearby
nearby
  1. adj.adv. close: We walked to a nearby town.||Is there a post office nearby?
    THESAURUS
    nearby adj. adjacent, neighboring. —adv. around, close by.
nearly
nearly
  1. adv. almost, not quite or completely: He has nearly finished his meal.||That item cost nearly $500.
    THESAURUS
    nearly just about, all but done (or) finished s.t. | approximately, roughly, thereabouts.
nearsighted
nearsighted
  1. adj. unable to see things that are far away,
    THESAURUS
    myopic: She wears glasses because she's nearsighted.
neat
neat
  1. adj.
    1 in good order, tidy: His house is always neat and clean.
    2 skillfully done: a neat phrase
    3 infrml. great, wonderful: We had a neat time at the party. -adv. neatly; -n. neatness.
    THESAURUS
    neat
    1 orderly, uncluttered, spic-and-span infrml. Ant. messy.
    2 deft, stylish | adroit frml.
    3 cool, super, marvelous.
neaten
neaten
  1. v. [T] to put in order,
    THESAURUS
    to tidy: She neatened her living room.
nebula
nebula
  1. n. -las, -lae in space, a cloud of gas or dust that sometimes appears bright
nebulous
nebulous
  1. adj.frml. not clear,
    THESAURUS
    vague: What he said was too nebulous to understand.
necessarily
necessarily
  1. adv. as is always true, as must be: Traveling in that country isn't necessarily expensive; you can find moderately priced hotels and restaurants.
necessary
necessary
  1. adj.
    1 required: It is necessary that you attend the meeting today.
    2 needed: You must provide the necessary money to do the project.
    THESAURUS
    necessary
    1 essential, obligatory, mandatory. Ant. unnecessary.
    2 enough, sufficient.
necessitate
necessitate
  1. v.frml. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to make necessary, to require: The changes in the contract necessitate that you sign a new one.
necessity
necessity
  1. n. -ties
    1 a basic need or requirement in order to live: Water is a necessity for all life.
    2 s.t. that must be done: It is a necessity that he have an operation to remove his appendix.
    3 by or of necessity: unavoidably: By necessity, I must have a car, because there is no other way that I can go to work.
    THESAURUS
    necessity
    1 a must, essential, condition
    2 a matter of life and death | an imperative. Ant. an option.
neck
neck
  1. n.
    1 the part of the body that joins the head and the shoulders: She wore a scarf around her neck.
    2 a narrow part of s.t.: This bottle has a long neck.
    3 infrml. a pain in the neck: a bother, an annoyance: That job is a pain in the neck.||That guy is a pain in the neck with his constant demands.
    4 neck and neck: even or very close in a competition, such as a race: The horses ran neck and neck toward the finish line.||Both toy companies are doing well; their sales are neck and neck.
    5 infrml. neck of the woods: the area where one lives: There are no public buses in my neck of the woods.
    6 to nearly break one's neck: to nearly get seriously hurt: I tripped on the stairs and nearly broke my neck.
    7 to risk one's neck: to put oneself in danger, esp. physical harm: That man jumped into a frozen lake to save a drowning boy; the man risked his neck to save him.
    8 infrml. up to one's neck in: very occupied with, struggling to manage: She's up to her neck in financial problems. v. old usage [I] to kiss and touch lovingly: A young couple is necking in the car over there.
neckerchief
neckerchief
  1. n. a light scarf often made of silk
necklace
necklace
  1. n. a string of beads, pearls, etc. or a chain of gold, silver, etc., worn around the neck: She always wears pearl necklaces when she goes out in the evening.
neckline
neckline
  1. n. a line formed by clothing about the neck: She likes sweaters with a V-shaped neckline.
necktie
necktie
  1. n. a long, narrow piece of cloth placed under one's shirt collar and knotted in front, a tie: She bought him some neckties for Christmas.
nectar
nectar
  1. n. [U]
    1 a sweet liquid made in plant flowers and collected by bees to make honey
    2 a fruit juice: I had some peach nectar for breakfast.
nectarine
nectarine
  1. n. a type of peach with a smooth skin
need
need
  1. n.
    1 [C] usu. sing. a lack of s.t. that is required or wanted: The company has a need for computer programmers.||The country is badly in need of rain now.
    2 [C] usu. sing. a desire, wish: He feels a need for love (a new car, vacation, etc.).
    3 [C] usu. sing. a duty, requirement: There's no need for you to sign this.
    4 pl. necessities of life (food, clothes, etc.): Our needs are simple.
    5 if need be: if necessary: If need be, I'll lend you the money.
    6 [U] in need: requiring help, usu. because of poverty: She always sends money to children in need. v. [T]
    1 to require as a necessity for life: Everyone needs food.
    2 to want, desire: The baby needs love and affection.
    THESAURUS
    need n.
    1 a shortage of s.t., demand for s.t., deficiency.
    2 desire, hunger
    3 a necessity, obligation
    4 (need for the) essentials. —v.
    1 to must have
    2 to demand, yearn for, crave.
needle
needle
  1. n.
    1 a thin, pointed piece of metal or plastic for sewing or knitting: She looked for a needle and thread to sew on the button.
    2 any of various objects shaped like a needle, such as on a measurement dial, a record player, etc.: The needle on my thermostat is stuck, so I can't turn up the heat. 3 a hypodermic needle, used to put liquid into or take liquid out of one's body: The nurse used one hypodermic needle to give the patient some medicine, and another to take a sample of her blood.
    4 the pointed leaf of a pine tree v.infrml.fig. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles to make fun of s.o.: They needle him about the way he always gets lost. See: pin, 4.
    THESAURUS
    needle n.
    2 a gauge, indicator
    3 a syringe. —v. to tease, kid s.o. infrml., mock.
needless
needless
  1. adj.
    1 unnecessary, pointless: This long meeting is a needless waste of time.
    2 needless to say: unnecessary to say, obviously: It rained while we were at the picnic; needless to say, we went home. -adv. needlessly.
    THESAURUS
    needless
    1 inessential, purposeless, superfluous. Ant. necessary.
needlework
needlework
  1. n. [U] sewing: The tailor does fine needlework.
needy
needy
  1. n.adj. -ier, -iest
    1 lacking the basic necessities, such as food, clothing, and housing; poor, impoverished: That needy man has no money, food, medicine, or clothes.
    2 n. pl. the needy: poor people in general: The needy are helped by the charities in our town.
    THESAURUS
    needy adj.
    1 poverty-stricken, destitute, indigent. —n. pl.
    the needy the poor, the homeless, the poverty-stricken.
nefarious
nefarious
  1. adj.frml. evil, wicked: One of his nefarious crimes was the bombing of a busy train station.
negate
negate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 to make s.t. useless,
    THESAURUS
    to nullify: By suddenly leaving the discussions about wages, the workers negated all of the work done up to that point.
    2 to say that s.t. is not true (real, in existence, etc.), to deny: She negated the accusations of murder. -n. [U] negation.
negative
negative
  1. adj.
    1 against s.t., not for it: He received a negative response to his question.
    2 doubtful about the value of s.t., critical: The film received mostly negative reviews.
    3 showing a dislike of s.o. or s.t.: She has a negative attitude toward other people.
    4 always feeling that s.t. bad will happen: He has a negative way of looking at life.
    5 negative number: a number less than zero
    THESAURUS
    negative adj.
    1 against s.t., disapproving, not affirmative | contrary, opposing. Ant. positive.
    2 unfavorable
    3 antagonistic
    4 pessimistic, fatalistic. n.
    1 saying "no" to a request, a refusal, denial: She received a negative in response to her request.
    2 a problem, a drawback: One of the negatives of this plan is that it costs a great deal of money.
    3 (in photography) film that shows light images as dark and dark images as light: Photographs are made from negatives. -adv. negatively.
neglect
neglect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to not give enough care or attention to s.o. or s.t.: Working every weekend, he neglected his family.
    2 to forget to do s.t.: She neglected to pay a bill (mail a letter, telephone her mother, etc.).
    3 to not do s.t. out of laziness, irresponsibility: He neglected to make repairs in his house. n. [U] a state of neglect: That house stands in neglect, with peeling paint and broken windows. -adj. neglectful.
    THESAURUS
    neglect v.
    1 to ignore, disregard, pay no attention to s.o. or s.t.,
    2 to overlook, let s.t. slip infrml., not remember
    3 to fail to do s.t. | procrastinate.
negligee
negligee
  1. n. a light nightgown worn by women: She wore a lacy negligee to bed.
negligence
negligence
  1. n. [U] a lack of care or attention, irresponsibility: She is guilty of negligence for driving while she was drunk.||Their negligence resulted in a forest fire. -adj. negligent; -adv. negligently.
negligible
negligible
  1. adj. small, not important: The cost of fixing your shoes will be negligible.
negotiable
negotiable
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being talked about and changed: The owner says that the price of his house is negotiable.
    2 capable of being changed into cash: Traveler's checks are negotiable in foreign countries.
negotiate
negotiate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I] to talk in order to reach an agreement on prices, wages, conditions, etc.: The labor union is currently negotiating with the company.
    2 [T] to reach an agreement through discussion: The labor union negotiated a wage increase. -n. negotiator.
    THESAURUS
    negotiate
    1 to bargain with s.o., haggle infrml.
    2 to arrange s.t., work s.t. out.
negotiation
negotiation
  1. n. [C;U] a talk between people to reach an agreement on s.t.: The negotiations between the two countries resulted in a new trade agreement.
neigh
neigh
  1. n.v. [I] a loud, high sound made by a horse,
    THESAURUS
    a whinny
neighbor
neighbor
  1. n.
    1 a person or family that lives next to or near one's house, apartment, etc.: Our neighbors are very friendly.
    2 the person next to another person: Please pass the paper to your neighbor.
    3 a country sharing a border with another country: Mexico is the USA's neighbor to the south. v. [I;T] to be next to: The countries that neighbor the USA are Canada and Mexico. -adj. neighboring.
    THESAURUS
    neighbor n.
    1 a nearby resident, next-door neighbor | home boy slang. —v. to border on, abut, adjoin | touch.
neighborhood
neighborhood
  1. n.
    1 the people, buildings, land, etc., where one lives: We are friends with many of the families who live in our neighborhood.
    2 in the neighborhood of: about,
    THESAURUS
    approximately: That item costs in the neighborhood of $100.
    THESAURUS
    neighborhood
    1 a community, section of town, district.
neighborly
neighborly
  1. adj. friendly, helpful: Helping elderly people do their shopping is a neighborly thing to do.
neither
neither
  1. conj.
    1 neither . . . nor: not one and not the other: Neither you nor I can attend tonight's meeting.||She has neither friends nor relatives to help her.
    2 not also: "I don't know the answer."—"Neither do I."
    3 neither here nor there: not important,
    THESAURUS
    irrelevant: We haven't received the official report yet, but that's neither here nor there; we all know what it's going to say. adj. pron. not either of two: Neither plan is acceptable.||We invited both of them, but neither can come.|| Neither of us prepared for the exam.
nemesis
nemesis
  1. n. -ses
    1 [U] a source of great difficulty, frustration, or harm to s.o.: Chemistry was my nemesis in college.
    2 [C] an opponent who cannot be defeated: The tennis champion's nemesis was a 16-year-old newcomer from Florida.
neon
neon
  1. n. [U] a rare natural gas used to light up gas tube signs: The centers of many cities are full of neon signs for restaurants, bars, and clubs.
neophyte
neophyte
  1. n.frml. a beginner: He is a neophyte at playing the piano.
nephew
nephew
  1. n. the son of one's brother or sister, or the son of one's husband or wife's brother or sister: My nephew Luke is my sister's son.
nepotism
nepotism
  1. n. [U] favoritism shown to relatives in giving them jobs, whether or not they are qualified: She was guilty of nepotism when she hired her son over other applicants who were more experienced and better educated.
nerd
nerd
  1. n.infrml. a socially unskilled person: Why did you invite that nerd to the party? -adj. nerdy.
nerve-racking
nerve-racking
  1. adj. stressful, causing fear and tiredness: The flight was nerve-racking because of the storm.
nerve
nerve
  1. n.
    1 [C] a long fiber that carries messages between the brain and other parts of the body: Nerves can carry messages from the brain to move a muscle, or send feelings of pleasure or pain back to the brain.
    2 [U] courage: It takes nerve to skydive.
    3 to have a lot of or some nerve: to act in a rude way, take advantage: He had a lot of (or) some nerve stealing my parking space.
    4 to get on s.o.'s nerves: to annoy, irritate s.o.: His constant complaining gets on my nerves.
    5 to hit a nerve: to bring up a painful subject for s.o.: I hit a nerve when I asked him how his wife was; she divorced him last month.
    THESAURUS
    nerve
    2 backbone, grit, guts infrml. | determination.
nerve gas
nerve gas
  1. n. [U] a poisonous gas used as a weapon in war: They bombed the village with nerve gas.
nervous
nervous
  1. adj.
    1 worried about a future event: The student is very nervous about taking her exams next week.
    2 easily upset, always worried and tense: He's a nervous person who can't sit still for a minute.
    3 related to the nerves: the nervous system||a nervous disorder
    4 infrml. nervous Nelly: a person who is always worried that s.t. will go wrong: She's such a nervous Nelly that she refused to let her daughter go away to college. -adv. nervously; -n. nervousness.
    THESAURUS
    nervous
    1 anxious, jittery, apprehensive
    2 agitated, on edge, high-strung.
nervous breakdown
nervous breakdown
  1. n. [C] a medical condition in which a person cannot work or live normally due to worry, sadness, and tiredness: She suffered a nervous breakdown after losing her family in a plane crash.
nervous system
nervous system
  1. n. also called the central nervous system, the system of the body made up of the brain, the spine, and nerves that send messages to the brain about pain, pleasure, movement, etc.
nervy
nervy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest taking advantage of other people,
    THESAURUS
    pushy: Stepping ahead of everyone else in line is a nervy thing to do.
nest
nest
  1. n.
    1 a place made of twigs, grass, or leaves where birds or other animals, such as squirrels, raise their young: Nests are often located in places where it is difficult for the animal's enemies to reach them.
    2 infrml.fig. a person's home, esp. one's parents' house: Just when their youngest child had moved out, their oldest decided to return to the nest for a while. v. [I] to build a nest and raise young in it: Birds nest in the spring.
nest egg
nest egg
  1. n. a sum of money saved for a specific purpose, such as retirement: The young man started to build a nest egg when he was in his 30s.
nestle
nestle
  1. v.infrml.fig. [I;T] -tled, -tling, -tles to lie close and comfortably: The baby nestled in her mother's arms.
net assets
net assets
  1. n.pl. the value of all of a company's property, minus what it owes: That company's assets are $1 million, and it owes $700,000, so its net assets are $300,000.
net profit
net profit
  1. n. a sum of money left after all expenses, including taxes, are subtracted from the total sales: Our company made a ten-percent net profit for the year.
net worth
net worth
  1. n. the value of all of one's property (house, car, money, etc.) minus what one owes in debts: According to the newspaper, her net worth is in the millions.
nether
nether
  1. adj.frml. below, underneath: That cave extends to the nether reaches of the earth.
netherworld
netherworld
  1. n. [C] usu. sing. hell, world of the dead: a tale of the netherworld
netting
netting
  1. n. [U] a net or series of nets: The workmen hung netting under the bridge to catch anything that might fall while they were repairing it.
nettle
nettle
  1. n. a type of plant with needles that can irritate and hurt the skin v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles to irritate, anger s.o.: His criticism of the project nettled me. -adj. nettlesome.
network
network
  1. n.
    1 a system of connected travel routes or communication lines: a network of highways (railways, telephone lines)||a computer network
    2 a large television or radio company with stations across the country: ABC, CBS, and NBC are the three major television networks. v. [I] to meet and exchange information with people in one's business or profession, esp. in order to further one's career: She networked at a conference and learned about several new job openings.
    THESAURUS
    network n.
    1 a web, maze, interconnection. —v. to socialize, mingle (with others), make connections (with people).
neural
neural
  1. adj. related to nerves: He has a neural disease.
neurology
neurology
  1. n. [U] the study of the nervous system and its disorders: He is a doctor in neurology. -adj. neurological ; -n. neurologist.
neuron
neuron
  1. n. a nerve cell: A neuron is the basic unit of the nervous system.
neurosis
neurosis
  1. n. -ses [C] a mental illness whose symptoms include anxiety, irrational fears, recurrent disturbing thoughts, and repetitive behavior: Her neurosis causes her to have a fear of small spaces.
neurotic
neurotic
  1. adj. related to neurosis: Brushing one's teeth every 10 minutes can be neurotic behavior. n. a person with a neurosis: My boss is a neurotic who is difficult to work with.
neuter
neuter
  1. v. [T] to cut off the sex organs of an animal, (syns.) to castrate, spay: She neutered her dog so that it can't have puppies. adj. (in the grammar of some languages) referring to nouns that are neither feminine nor masculine: In Latin, "opus" is a neuter noun meaning "work." neuter (2) -adj. (in the grammar of some languages) referring to nouns that are neither feminine nor masculine: In Latin, "opus" is a neuter noun meaning "work."
neutral
neutral
  1. adj.
    1 not on either side in a disagreement, debate, war, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    impartial: That politician is neutral, neither for nor against a tax increase.
    2 not clearly one thing or another: Her face has a neutral expression.
    3 (of colors) dull: Gray is a neutral color. n. [U] (in a car or other vehicle) a position of the gears in which the engine gives no power to the wheels: Put the car in neutral.
neutrality
neutrality
  1. n. [U] a position of being neither for nor against s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    impartiality: Switzerland maintained its position of neutrality during World War II.
neutralize
neutralize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to stop s.t., to prevent the effects of s.t.: He neutralized an upset stomach with an antacid. -n. [U] neutralization.
neutron
neutron
  1. n. one of the tiny particles with no electric charge that together with protons forms most atoms
never-never land
never-never land
  1. n. a beautiful imaginary place,
    THESAURUS
    a paradise: The prince married her and took her off to never-never land.
never
never
  1. adv. at no time, not ever: My husband and I never go to the opera.||She's never been to China.||I'll never see you again.
nevertheless
nevertheless
  1. adv. in spite of that, however: We spent too much money on our vacation; nevertheless, we had fun.
new
new
  1. adj.
    1 recently made, bought, arrived, etc.: Is that a new shirt you're wearing?||I'm new in the neighborhood.||There are some new leaves on the plant.
    2 of the latest type, design, etc.: Have you seen the new car that company is selling?
    3 not known, not existing before: a new cure for the disease||the formation of a new company
    4 not previously owned by anyone: That store sells new and used books. -n. newness.
    THESAURUS
    new
    1 brand-new | fresh. Ant. old.
    2 current, state-of-the-art | recent
    3 the latest, most recent, cutting-edge.
new year
new year
  1. n. the coming year (as viewed from the end of the previous one): We are making vacation plans for the new year.
newborn
newborn
  1. n.adj. a child or animal that has just been born: They have a newborn baby.||The newborns are well treated at that hospital. See: infant.
newcomer
newcomer
  1. n. a recent arrival: He is a newcomer to our town.
newfangled
newfangled
  1. adj.infrml. (often used humorously of ideas or equipment) newly made, technologically up-to-date: She just bought one of those newfangled computers that can talk.
newly
newly
  1. adv.
    1 just recently: He is newly arrived in town.
    2 freshly: Newly made cookies taste good.
newlywed
newlywed
  1. n. a person who has just been married: The newlyweds left to go on their honeymoon.
news
news
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. [U]
    1 a report on the latest major events in one's own city and nation and in other parts of the world, on television, on the radio, in a newspaper, etc.: I watched the evening news on television.
    2 information about recent events or changes in s.o.'s personal or business life: She read a letter with news from her son. (syn.THESAURUS
    ews
    1 recent events, story, statement | newscast
    2 word from (or) about s.o. or s.t., tidings frml.
news conference
news conference
  1. n. a gathering of reporters to hear an important person make a statement and usu. answer questions asked by them,
    THESAURUS
    a press conference: The President held a news conference to discuss the crisis.
news release
news release
  1. n. new information written in a brief style, which is given to newspeople to use in their reporting,
    THESAURUS
    a press release: The White House issued a news release with the latest information on the nation's economy.
newsbreak
newsbreak
  1. n. an interruption of a regular radio or television program to give a brief news report: We interrupt our regular show for this important newsbreak.
newscast
newscast
  1. n. a radio or TV program reporting current events: This newscast is coming to you direct from Tokyo. -n. newscaster.
newsgroup
newsgroup
  1. n. [C] a place for discussion of a specific subject on the Internet: You can find a newsgroup for every hobby and interest.
newsletter
newsletter
  1. n. a few pages of information on a certain topic sent weekly (or monthly, quarterly, etc.) to people with an interest in that topic: Each month our company sends a four-page newsletter about new products to all of its employees.
newspaper
newspaper
  1. n. a printed paper containing daily or weekly news: We read the newspaper every morning.
    THESAURUS
    newspaper a paper, daily, journal | tabloid.
newsperson
newsperson
  1. n. a person who gathers and reports the news for a newspaper, magazine, etc.: The newsperson for the local paper reported on the fire.
newsroom
newsroom
  1. n. a place where news is received and written for use by newspapers, magazines, radio, and television: The reporters and writers are in the newsroom preparing for tonight's broadcast.
newsstand
newsstand
  1. n. a small store often with one side open, that sells newspapers and magazines: The newsstand on the corner also sells candy.
newsworthy
newsworthy
  1. adj. considered of sufficient interest to people to be reported by the news media: Fires and murders are always newsworthy items.
newsy
newsy
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest full of news, esp. about one's personal life: My sister sent me a long, newsy letter.
newt
newt
  1. n. a small lizard-like creature that can live both in water and on land: The children caught some newts near the pond.
next
next
  1. adj.
    1 the one after the present or a previous one: The next time that you're late, you'll be in trouble.||Her next book was a great success.
    2 closest to where one is: Turn right at the next traffic light.
    3 next best: second choice: The best person for the job is Susan; the next best is Paul.
    4 next to nothing: very little: She has next to nothing in the bank. adv. after the present one: I will answer your question next.prep. next to: beside: He sits next to me.
    THESAURUS
    next adj.
    1 subsequent, following, ensuing
    2 nearest.
next door
next door
  1. adv.adj. located beside, to the left or right of a building, office, apartment, etc.: The shop next door always looks busy.
next of kin
next of kin
  1. n. [U] one's closest living relative: When she died, the hospital called her brother, because he was her next of kin.
nexus
nexus
  1. n. nexus or nexuses a connected group of people, objects, or ideas: The president, vice-president, and marketing director form the nexus of power in that company.
nib
nib
  1. n. the point of a pen: The nib of my pen is broken.
nibble
nibble
  1. v. [I;T] -bled, -bling, -bles to eat in small bites: Sheep nibbled at the grass. n. a small amount of food: She ate just a nibble. -n. nibbler.
nicely
nicely
  1. adv.
    1 well, excellently: The patient was sick, but is now doing nicely.
    2 properly, politely: Speak nicely to your mother.
niche
niche
  1. n.
    1 a hollow area in a wall usu. for showing art: The statue stood in a niche.
    2 a position or place that is just right for a person: She is very happy with her new job; it sounds like she found her niche.
nick
nick
  1. n.
    1 a small cut: He has a nick on his cheek from shaving.
    2 in the nick of time: (in an urgent situation) at the very last moment: The ambulance arrived in the nick of time. v. [T] to make a small cut or mark: She nicked the table (her hand, the paint on her car, etc.).
nickel-and-dime
nickel-and-dime
  1. v. [T] nickel-and-dimed or nickeled-and-dimed, nickel-and-diming or nickeling-and-diming, nickel-and-dimes or nickels-and-dimes to force s.o. to bargain over small amounts of money,
    THESAURUS
    to haggle: The buyer nickel-and-dimed us over every little item, so we decided not to sell our house to him.
nickel
nickel
  1. n.
    1 [U] a hard, silver-colored metallic element that is often used to mix with or cover other metals, since it is easy to shape and resists wear well
    2 [C] in the USA and Canada, a five-cent coin
nicknack
nicknack
  1. n. See: knicknack. nicknack -n. See : knicknack
nickname
nickname
  1. n.v. [T] -named, -naming, -names an informal name given to a person in addition to a legal one: James's nickname is Jim.||His mother nicknamed him "Speedy," because he was always in a hurry.
    THESAURUS
    nickname n. a pet name infrml., moniker frml.
nicotine
nicotine
  1. n. [U] the poisonous chemical in tobacco: It is difficult for people to stop smoking because nicotine is addictive.
niece
niece
  1. n. the daughter of one's brother or sister, or the daughter of one's husband or wife's brother or sister: My niece Michelle is my brother's daughter.
nifty
nifty
  1. adj.infrml. -tier, -tiest excellent, wonderful: He owns a nifty new motorcycle.
niggardly
niggardly
  1. adj.pej. always unwilling to spend money, cheap: He gave a niggardly contribution to the cause.
niggle
niggle
  1. v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to argue over details,
    THESAURUS
    to quibble: They niggled over the price.
niggling
niggling
  1. adj. unimportant,
    THESAURUS
    petty: That's a niggling detail; stop worrying about it.
night
night
  1. n.
    1 [U] the time without sunlight between sunset and sunrise in a 24-hour period: I couldn't sleep all night.||We walked in the dark of night.
    2 [C] evening: We went to the movies last night.
    3 night after night: every night for a period of time: She lay awake worrying night after night.
    4 night and day: a. without stopping: I'm working night and day to finish the project on time. b. completely changed: The difference in his grades at school between last year and this year is like night and day.
    5 to make a night of it: to spend all or most of the night out having fun: After dinner at a restaurant, we decided to make a night of it and go to a discotheque.
    THESAURUS
    night
    1 nighttime | after dark. Ant. day.
night owl
night owl
  1. n. fig. a person who likes to stay up late or work at night rather than sleep: He's a night owl who doesn't go to bed before 3:00 A.M.
night school
night school
  1. n. a division of a school or college that gives classes in the evenings and on weekends: After work she goes to night school to finish her degree in English.
night shift
night shift
  1. n. 1 a work period that occurs at night: She's a nurse who works on the night shift at a local hospital.
    2 the people who work at this time: The night shift completed the job.

    USAGE NOTE: The night shift is also called the graveyard shift: She sleeps during the day because she works the graveyard shift.
night table
night table
  1. n. a small table near a bed with a lamp and other useful items (telephone, clock, etc.): I keep books and magazines on my night table.
nightcap
nightcap
  1. n.
    1 an alcoholic drink taken before bedtime: Some people like to have a nightcap before going to sleep.
    2 a cap worn in bed at night for warmth
nightclub
nightclub
  1. n.v. [I] -clubbed, -clubbing, -clubs a place of entertainment where people can eat, drink, and dance or watch a show: We go to a nightclub on Saturday nights.||Our friends go nightclubbing, too. See: bar, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    nightclub n. a club, bar, nightspot infrml.
nightfall
nightfall
  1. n. [U] the time of day when the sun goes down: I must be home before nightfall.
nightgown
nightgown
  1. n. a loose, comfortable dress that women or girls wear for sleeping: Put on your nightgown and go to bed.
nightingale
nightingale
  1. n. a small brown European bird noted for its beautiful singing
nightlife
nightlife
  1. n. [U] night entertainment (nightclubs, theater, movie houses, restaurants, etc.) in a community: There is much more nightlife in big cities than in small towns.
nightlight
nightlight
  1. n. a dim light left on in a house during the night: Our daughter is afraid of the dark, so we have a nightlight in her room.
nightlong
nightlong
  1. adj. during the whole night: He made a nightlong visit to help his sick friend.
nightly
nightly
  1. adj.adv. every night: Her nightly trip home from work takes one hour.||The store is open nightly until eight.
nightmare
nightmare
  1. n.
    1 a frightening dream: The poor child had a nightmare.
    2 a terrible experience: The terrible accident turned the vacation into a nightmare. -adj. nightmarish.
    THESAURUS
    nightmare
    1 a bad dream
    2 an ordeal, awful experience.
nights
nights
  1. adv. during each night: She stays up nights to study.||He works nights at a factory. See: night shift.
nightstick
nightstick
  1. n. a thick stick carried by police officers,
    THESAURUS
    a billyclub: The police officer used his nightstick to defend himself against the attackers.
nighttime
nighttime
  1. n. [U] the period of darkness between sunset and sunrise: It was nighttime and the children were asleep.
nil
nil
  1. n. [U] nothing, zero,
    THESAURUS
    naught: Our interest in that project is nil, because there is little chance of making a profit.
nimble
nimble
  1. adj. -bler, -blest
    1 able to move easily and quickly,
    THESAURUS
    agile: She played the piano with nimble fingers.
    2 clever, quick-thinking: Her nimble mind immediately came up with a solution to the problem. -adv. nimbly.
nincompoop
nincompoop
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    an idiot: That nincompoop gave me the wrong information again.
nine
nine
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 9: nine apples|| Nine of the children were at the park.
nineteen
nineteen
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 19: She's 19 years old.|| Nineteen of the soldiers were killed. -adj. n. nineteenth.
ninety
ninety
  1. adj.n. -ties the cardinal number 90: The film is 90 minutes long.|| Ninety out of a hundred people voted for her. -adj. n. ninetieth.
ninny
ninny
  1. n.infrml. -nies a silly, stupid person: What a bunch of ninnies we have working here!
ninth
ninth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 9: She was my ninth customer today.||She is the ninth in line.
nip
nip
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.]
    1 a sharp, shallow bite: The little boy got a nip on the hand from an ill-tempered dog.
    2 a small drink, esp. of liquor: She took a nip of whiskey.
    3 nip and tuck: racing against time, esp. in a difficult or dangerous situation: It was nip and tuck, but we got him to the hospital in time to save him. v. [I;T] nipped, nipping, nips
    1 to bite in a quick, shallow fashion: As she walked, the little dogs nipped at her heels.
    2 to drink small amounts of alcohol: He nipped at a bottle of Scotch.
    3 to nip s.t. in the bud: to stop s.t. before it can develop: His dream of becoming an actor was nipped in the bud by his parents.
nipple
nipple
  1. n.
    1 the tip of the breast, through which mother's milk is passed to babies
    2 the top rubber part of a baby's bottle
    3 a device in the shape of a nipple: the nipple on a special telephone earplug
nippy
nippy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest unpleasantly cold: Put a coat on; it's nippy outside.
nit
nit
  1. n. the egg of a tiny insect (louse) that can sometimes be found in people's hair
nitpick
nitpick
  1. v. [I;T] to criticize by finding fault with small, unimportant details: Instead of helping us write the report, he just kept nitpicking. -n. nitpicker.
nitrate
nitrate
  1. n. [C;U] an important chemical with many uses, esp. as a fertilizer
nitrogen
nitrogen
  1. n. [U] a gaseous chemical element which makes up most of the earth's air and is essential to plant and animal life
nitty-gritty
nitty-gritty
  1. n.infrml. [U]
    1 the specific details or basic facts of a situation
    2 to get down to the nitty-gritty: to begin discussing the most important issues or specific details in the process of reaching an agreement: Let's get down to the nitty-gritty so that we can have the contract signed by Friday.
nitwit
nitwit
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    an idiot: Those nitwits keep sending shipments to the wrong address!
nix
nix
  1. v.infrml. [T] nixes to turn down a proposal (idea, plan, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    to veto: The boss nixed the project as too expensive.
no-account
no-account
  1. adj. untrustworthy, worthless: He's a no-account fool who tries to borrow money all the time. n. a worthless person: that no-account who keeps pestering us for money
no-brainer
no-brainer
  1. n.slang s.t. that needs little or no thought or attention: Making hamburgers is easy, a real no-brainer.
no-fault
no-fault
  1. adj.
    1 referring to automobile insurance that pays for damages regardless of who is responsible for the accident: Some states require no-fault auto insurance by law.
    2 referring to a type of divorce made legal without assigning blame to either partner
no-frills
no-frills
  1. adj. basic, with no extras or luxuries: That airline offers a no-frills flight to California for a very low price.
no-go
no-go
  1. n.adj.infrml. stopped (from proceeding further),
    THESAURUS
    halted: The flight was no-go due to bad weather.
no-good
no-good
  1. n.adj.infrml. a worthless, often dangerous person,
    THESAURUS
    a good-for-nothing: He is a no-good; stay away from him!
no-man's-land
no-man's-land
  1. n.
    1 an area of land separating two warring armies: Any soldier who tried to cross the no-man's-land would be killed.
    2 land that is not owned by any person or country: The remote mountainous area was a no-man's-land.
no-no
no-no
  1. n.infrml. -nos or -no's s.t. forbidden,
    THESAURUS
    a taboo: Walking on the grass (stealing money, hitting s.o.) is a no-no.
no-nonsense
no-nonsense
  1. adj. direct, serious,
    THESAURUS
    businesslike: The teacher has a no-nonsense attitude in the classroom and doesn't tolerate misbehavior.
no-show
no-show
  1. n.infrml. a person with a reservation who does not show up or call to cancel it: There were ten no-shows on our flight to Paris.
no-win
no-win
  1. adj. referring to a situation in which no matter what one does, the result will be negative: I love her, but she won't see me very often; if I date other women, she won't see me at all. It's a no-win situation!
no
no
  1. adv. used to express a negative response: "Do you want to go?"—"No, I don't."||No, don't say that because it's not true. adj.
    1 not any: to have no time (no money, no fear, etc.)
    2 not at all: She's no fool.||The sign says "No smoking."||We are no closer to the truth.n. an answer to a question: She gave my request a solid no.
    THESAURUS
    no adv. absolutely not | nope infrml., no way infrml., nay frml. Ant. yes. —n. a refusal.
no one
no one
  1. pron. not one person, nobody: No one is in the office; everyone has left.
no way
no way
  1. interj.infrml. no, definitely not: He wants me to lend him $1,000—no way!
nobility
nobility
  1. n. [U]
    1 the group of people of high social rank: a member of the French nobility
    2 the quality of being noble
    THESAURUS
    nobility
    1 aristocracy, upper class, gentry
    2 dignity, graciousness | majesty, grandeur.
noble
noble
  1. adj. having or showing strength of character, high ideals, and honorable intentions: noble ambitions to help the poor||a noble cause n. a member of the nobility: the nobles of England -adv. nobly.
    THESAURUS
    noble adj. admirable, virtuous, first-rate | worthy. Ant. ignoble.
nobleman
nobleman
  1. n. -men a male member of the nobility: The hero was a French nobleman in the romantic novel.
noblesse oblige
noblesse oblige
  1. n. the obligation of a person of high rank or privilege to behave graciously toward or help others, esp. social inferiors: When the millionaire's son went to help build a community center for the inner-city poor, everyone called it a case of noblesse oblige.
noblewoman
noblewoman
  1. n. -women a female member of the nobility: The noblewoman lived on a country estate.
nobody
nobody
  1. n.pron. no one, no person: The house was empty; nobody was there. n. -ies an insignificant person, one without money, education, or social position: How did that nobody get to be president of a company?
    THESAURUS
    nobody n. a nothing infrml., zero infrml. Ant. a somebody.
nocturnal
nocturnal
  1. adj.
    1 during or relating to the night: her nocturnal walks around the city
    2 (of animals) awake and active at night: Cats are nocturnal animals.
nocturne
nocturne
  1. n. a soft piece of music, usu. for the piano
nod
nod
  1. v. nodded, nodding, nods
    1 [I;T] to move the head up and down slightly to express agreement, approval, or greeting: When the waiter asked if he wanted more coffee, he nodded Yes.||I nodded to my friend as she entered the room.
    2 [I;T] to signal the presence or location of s.o. or s.t. with a movement of the head: She asked him to sit as she nodded toward a chair.
    3 [I] to let the head fall forward heavily out of sleepiness: The baby's head was starting to nod.
    4 [I] to bend slowly up and down: The flowers nodded in the breeze.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to nod off: to fall asleep: I nodded off during class. n. an up and down movement of the head: She gave him a nod in response to his question.
node
node
  1. n.
    1 a swelling or small lump: a node on the skin
    2 a mass of tissue inside the body: a lymph node
    3 a point on the stem of a plant from which a leaf grows
    4 a device, such as a terminal or printer, in a computer network
noggin
noggin
  1. n.infrml. the head: I bumped my noggin on the low ceiling.
noise
noise
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a sound, esp. an unpleasant one: We heard a strange noise.||Street noise kept me awake all night.||The children were told not to make any noise.
    2 to make noise about s.t.: to make a public complaint: The community group was making noise about the broken streetlights.
    THESAURUS
    noise
    1 a loud sound, racket, uproar | din, clamor, hullabaloo infrml.
noise pollution
noise pollution
  1. n. [U] a noise level harmful to human health, caused by motor vehicles, airplane traffic, construction equipment, etc.: We need stricter city regulations to control noise pollution.
noiseless
noiseless
  1. adj. without noise: The fan was almost noiseless. -adv. noiselessly; -n. [U] noiselessness.
noisemaker
noisemaker
  1. n. a hand-held device used to make noise during celebrations: We brought noisemakers and champagne to the New Year's Eve party. -n. [U] noisemaking.
noisome
noisome
  1. adj.
    1 bad-smelling: The chemical had a noisome odor.
    2 harmful: The rotting meat caused a noisome health hazard.
noisy
noisy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 full of noise and sounds: a noisy restaurant (party, street, etc.)
    2 making loud noise: a noisy machine (dog, child, etc.)
    THESAURUS
    noisy
    1 loud, deafening. Ant. quiet.
    2 blaring, ear-splitting infrml., raucous.
nom de plume
nom de plume
  1. n. noms de plume a false name used by an author, (syns.) a pen name, pseudonym: Mark Twain is the nom de plume for Samuel Clemens, the American writer.
nomad
nomad
  1. n.
    1 a member of a tribe which has no permanent home, but moves constantly in search of water and grassy land for its animals: We passed desert nomads with tents and flocks of goats.
    2 a person without a permanent home: After years as a nomad, she finally settled in Miami and opened a business. -adj. nomadic.
nomenclature
nomenclature
  1. n.frml. [U] names used in a systematic way in science and other fields: The names of bones on a picture of a skeleton represent part of the nomenclature in biology.
nominal
nominal
  1. adj.
    1 small, very little: She bought the house for a nominal amount of money.
    2 in name only: He is the nominal head of a government that is actually run by the Prime Minister. -adv. nominally.
nominate
nominate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 to propose s.o. for election to a position: The Republican Party nominated him for President.
    2 to appoint s.o. to a position: The director nominated me to attend the conference.
nomination
nomination
  1. n. [C;U] a proposal of s.o. for a position: the nomination of Jane Smith for Treasurer of the garden club
nominative
nominative
  1. n. a grammatical word form referring to the subject of s.t.: The pronoun "we" is nominative.
nominee
nominee
  1. n. the person who is nominated: Jane Smith is the nominee for Treasurer.
non-
non-
  1. prefix not or lack of: Noncontrib-uting means not contributing.
non-person
non-person
  1. n. a person whom the government seeks to make nonexistent by banishing him or her from public life and removing all mention of him or her from public records: The scientist became a nonperson in his country after criticizing the government.
non sequitur
non sequitur
  1. n.frml. (Latin for) it does not follow; a break in the logical development of s.t., such as a series of facts, dates, events, or ideas: His next statement seemed to be a non sequitur.
nonaggression pact
nonaggression pact
  1. n. a formal agreement by two or more countries not to attack each other: The representatives of the two countries met and worked out a nonaggression pact.
noncallable
noncallable
  1. adj. referring to a bond or preferred stock that cannot be redeemed by the corporation or government agency that offered it before a specific date: My financial advisor recommended buying noncallable government bonds.
noncaloric
noncaloric
  1. adj. containing no or almost no calories: Some diet sodas are noncaloric, with only one calorie per serving.
nonchalance
nonchalance
  1. n. usu. sing. [C;U] a relaxed, carefree, unconcerned manner and attitude: We were surprised by her nonchalance during the crisis.
nonchalant
nonchalant
  1. adj. relaxed, carefree, unconcerned: He was quite nonchalant about losing his job. -adv. nonchalantly.
noncommittal
noncommittal
  1. adj. indefinite about a decision or opinion: When we offered him a partnership in the company, his response was noncommittal. -adv. noncommittally.
noncompetitive
noncompetitive
  1. adj.
    1 not involving or requiring competition: a noncompetitive contract||She enjoys noncompetitive sports, such as jogging and ice skating.
    2 inferior, undesirable: a product that is noncompetitive in the marketplace
noncompliance
noncompliance
  1. n. [U] failure to meet the requirements of a contract: A manufacturer fell into noncompliance by failing to deliver the goods on time.
nonconformist
nonconformist
  1. n.adj. a person who does not behave according to ordinary standards of conduct,
    THESAURUS
    a maverick: Ever since his college days as a political radical, he has been a nonconformist.|| People are often shocked by his nonconformist ideas. -n. [U] nonconformity.
noncooperation
noncooperation
  1. n. [U] failure to work together to achieve a goal: Your department's noncooperation prevented us from completing the project on time.
noncredit
noncredit
  1. adj. (in education) referring to a course offered for no academic credit: My adviser suggested that I take the noncredit reading course.
nondairy
nondairy
  1. adj. containing no milk or milk products, such as cheese: The restaurant offers a variety of nondairy dishes.
nondeductible
nondeductible
  1. adj. referring to expenses, such as for travel or entertainment, that cannot be subtracted from one's income on a tax return: Medical expenses under a certain amount are nondeductible on your tax return.
nondenominational
nondenominational
  1. adj. not related or restricted to a specific religion or religious group: The chapel at the airport is nondenominational; everyone may enter.
nondescript
nondescript
  1. adj. common, ordinary, with no outstanding features: Her office is in a nondescript building on the main street.
nondiscriminatory
nondiscriminatory
  1. adj. not favoring or excluding any race, religion, sex, or ethnic background: The company was praised for its nondiscriminatory hiring practices. -n. nondiscrimination.
nondrinker
nondrinker
  1. n. a person who does not drink alcoholic beverages,
    THESAURUS
    a teetotaler: He has been a nondrinker all his life.
none
none
  1. pron.
    1 not any: We wanted some coffee, but there was none left.
    2 no one: None of the children had enough to eat.
    3 none but: only: They wanted none but the best (employees, furniture, etc.).
    4 none other: not another person: It was none other than my old friend Jack, whom I hadn't seen in 20 years. adv.
    1 none too: not very: They were none too happy about that.
    2 none the: not at all: She is none the worse for her difficult journey.
nonentity
nonentity
  1. n. -ties a person with no personality, ambition, or social position: I spoke to some nonentity at the company who couldn't give me any information.
nonetheless
nonetheless
  1. adv.frml. however, in spite of that,
    THESAURUS
    nevertheless: The soldiers were cold, tired, and hungry; nonetheless, they continued to march.
nonevent
nonevent
  1. n. an event of no substance or real importance: The meeting of the finance ministers was a nonevent, because they could not come to an agreement on the important issues.
nonexclusive
nonexclusive
  1. adj. not obligated to only one agent: Our company has a nonexclusive distribution policy, so anyone can sell our product.
nonexistent
nonexistent
  1. adj. missing, absent: nonexistent funds in the account|| nonexistent people on the voter list -n. [U] nonexistence.
nonfat
nonfat
  1. adj. containing no fat: Athletes often buy nonfat milk.
nonfiction
nonfiction
  1. n. [U] a category of literature based on fact, about real people and events: The author writes only historical nonfiction. See: fiction, USAGE NOTE.
nonflammable
nonflammable
  1. adj. not capable of being set on fire or burning: The furniture is covered with nonflammable material.
    THESAURUS
    nonflammable fireproof | noncombustible, incombustible. Ant. flammable.
nonintervention
nonintervention
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of not interfering in a situation: the nonintervention of police in a family argument
    2 a policy of not interfering, esp. in the internal affairs of another nation or in its disputes with other nations: The foreign minister favored the nonintervention of Russia in Mideast disputes.
noninvasive
noninvasive
  1. adj. (in medicine) not involving the use of instruments that cut or enter the body: She is receiving a new noninvasive cancer treatment.
nonjudgmental
nonjudgmental
  1. adj. about not expressing either approval or disapproval: The priest has a nonjudgmental attitude toward the prison inmates; he doesn't say anything positive or negative about them.
nonlinear
nonlinear
  1. adj. not in a straight line, not having direct connection points: a nonlinear problem||nonlinear equations
nonmember
nonmember
  1. n. a person who does not belong, esp. to a club or other organization: Nonmembers may play at the golf club by invitation only.
nonmetallic
nonmetallic
  1. adj. not made of metal: nonmetallic elements or materials
nonobjective
nonobjective
  1. adj. influenced by one's personal feelings,
    THESAURUS
    biased: a nonobjective evaluation
nonpareil
nonpareil
  1. n.adj. a person without equal,
    THESAURUS
    a nonesuch: She is a nonpareil on the tennis court.
nonpartisan
nonpartisan
  1. adj. about not representing or favoring a particular group, esp. a political party: A congressional nonpartisan committee was formed to examine the problem.
nonperformance
nonperformance
  1. n. [U] failure to fulfill the demands of a contract: The landlord sued a tenant for nonperformance, because the tenant did not pay his rent.
nonperforming
nonperforming
  1. adj. referring to assets that are not producing income: The company has 1,000 acres of undeveloped land as a nonperforming asset.
nonplussed
nonplussed
  1. adj. to be so puzzled and shocked by an occurrence that one is speechless: She was nonplussed by his offer of marriage; they had only known each other a short time.
nonpolluting
nonpolluting
  1. adj. (of products and industrial processes) not causing environmental pollution: Solar and wind power are nonpolluting sources of energy.
nonprescription
nonprescription
  1. adj. (of medicine) not requiring a doctor's prescription: Aspirin is a nonprescription drug.
    THESAURUS
    nonprescription over-the-counter. Ant. prescription.
nonproductive
nonproductive
  1. adj. producing no positive results: The meeting was nonproductive because neither side was willing to compromise.
nonprofessional
nonprofessional
  1. adj.n. referring to a person who works at, but is not an official member of, a particular profession or trade,
    THESAURUS
    amateur: We hired nonprofessional electricians to save money.||The actors in the film were nonprofessionals.
nonproliferation
nonproliferation
  1. n. [U] adj. restriction on the spread of s.t., esp. nuclear weapons: One country refused to sign the nonproliferation treaty.
nonrefundable
nonrefundable
  1. adj. (referring to money, esp. a deposit) that will not be returned: We made a nonrefundable deposit toward the purchase of a house.
nonrenewable
nonrenewable
  1. adj. (referring to natural resources such as oil and coal) that cannot be replaced: We must conserve our nonrenewable resources.
nonrepresentation
nonrepresentation
  1. n. [U] absence of representation, esp. in government: The nonrepresentation of our party in Parliament resulted from our being voted out of office in the last election.
nonrepresentative
nonrepresentative
  1. adj. not typical: He is a hardworking, disciplined employee who occasionally drinks too much; his drinking is nonrepresentative of his general behavior.
nonresident
nonresident
  1. n.adj. a person who does not permanently live in an area, esp. related to one's legal address or foreign citizenship: She is a nonresident alien living in New York on a student visa.||As a nonresident (of this city), I have to pay to use the community pool.
nonresistance
nonresistance
  1. n. [U] the belief or practice of deliberate passivity by individuals or a nation in the face of force: The TV newscast showed the nonresistance of demonstrators to police arrest.
nonrestrictive
nonrestrictive
  1. adj.
    1 not placing restrictions, esp. in contracts: The warehouse lease contains a nonrestrictive clause regarding the type of goods that can be stored there.
    2 (in grammar) relating to a descriptive word, clause, or phrase that is not essential to the basic meaning of what it describes: In the sentence, "My sister, who is a teacher, has a degree in Fine Arts," "who is a teacher," is a nonrestrictive clause.
nonreturnable
nonreturnable
  1. adj. referring to goods that may not be returned after purchase for a refund or exchange: We threw away the nonreturnable beer and soda cans.
nonscheduled
nonscheduled
  1. adj. not planned on a regular basis: World Air is a nonscheduled airline that provides charter flights to the Caribbean.
nonsense
nonsense
  1. n. [U]
    1 words that have no meaning: The baby spoke nonsense.
    2 speech or writing that is absurd or untrue: His ideas are pure nonsense.
    3 an act or behavior that doesn't make sense: That company demands that we pay a bill that we've already paid. Why do we have to put up with that nonsense? (syn.THESAURUS
    onsense
    1 gibberish, babble
    2 drivel, rubbish, baloney infrml.
    3 foolishness, senselessness, irrationality. Ant. sensible.
nonsensical
nonsensical
  1. adj. making no sense, foolish, absurd,
    THESAURUS
    inane: a nonsensical report||nonsensical behavior
nonsexist
nonsexist
  1. adj. free of negative references to gender, esp. regarding women: She writes nonsexist children's books.
nonskid
nonskid
  1. adj. (usu. of tires) with a surface that resists sliding
nonstandard
nonstandard
  1. adj.
    1 not conforming to a specified set of measurements: It's a nonstandard part that must be made specially for that machine.
    2 (of language) not considered acceptable by most educated people: "Ain't" is nonstandard English, as in "I ain't going to the movies."
nonstop
nonstop
  1. adj.adv. without pause, without stopping: He worked nonstop for 24 hours.||We took a nonstop flight to Los Angeles.
    THESAURUS
    nonstop adv. constantly, incessantly, ceaselessly | direct (air flights).
nonsupport
nonsupport
  1. n. [U] (in law) nonpayment of living expenses, esp. in a divorce: He divorced his wife, but did not send money for their children as agreed; she is suing him for nonsupport.
nonunion
nonunion
  1. adj.
    1 not a member of a trade union: The factory hires nonunion workers.
    2 not employing trade union members: a nonunion company
nonuser
nonuser
  1. n. a person who does not use drugs, alcohol, or other harmful substances: He is a former addict who has been a nonuser for ten years.
nonverbal
nonverbal
  1. adj. related to gestures, such as hand movements, and other body language: Because they spoke different languages, they expressed themselves through nonverbal communication.
nonviable
nonviable
  1. adj. not workable, not practical: The company decided it was a nonviable project because of the high cost of materials.
nonviolence
nonviolence
  1. n. [U] a doctrine that prohibits the use of force in bringing about political reform: Mahatma Gandhi preached nonviolence in seeking the independence of India from Great Britain.
noodle
noodle
  1. n.
    1 a long, narrow or wide flat strip of pasta made from a mixture of flour, egg, and water: Boil the noodles first.
    2 infrml. head: You can figure it out; just use your noodle! v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 infrml. to take a light interest in s.t.: He noodles in the stock market.
    2 infrml. to adjust with the hand, fiddle with: She noodled with the lock that was stuck.
    THESAURUS
    noodle n.
    1 pasta
    2 one's brain, noggin infrml.
nook
nook
  1. n.
    1 a small area, a small space set back from the rest of a room: The kitchen has a sunny breakfast nook.
    2 a private, hidden spot: a nook among the trees in the park
    3 nook(s) and cranny(ies): small, hard to reach places: She lost her ring and searched for it in every nook and cranny (or) in all the nooks and crannies in the house.
noon
noon
  1. n. [U] adj. 12 o'clock during the day: We stopped work at noon for lunch.||a noon walk (break, meal, etc.)
    THESAURUS
    noon n. noontime, midday.
noonday
noonday
  1. adj. related to noontime: a noonday meal
noontime
noontime
  1. n. [U] adj. the period surrounding 12 o'clock during the day,
    THESAURUS
    midday: I go out for lunch at noontime.||a noontime lunch date
noose
noose
  1. n.
    1 a rope tied at one end in a loop with a knot that allows the loop to tighten for the purpose of hanging s.o. by the neck: The hangman put the noose on the murderer.
    2 to put a noose around one's own neck: to put oneself in danger often unnecessarily: By criticizing his boss so openly, he is putting a noose around his own neck.
nope
nope
  1. adv.infrml. no: "Are you coming with me?"—"Nope, I can't leave now."
nor
nor
  1. weak form conj.
    1 neither...nor: not that one either: Neither you nor she plans to attend the meeting.
    2 and not: I can't afford to buy a house, nor can you.
norm
norm
  1. n.
    1 a standard of behavior, that is typical of a group: Saving five percent of one's income is the norm for the middle class.
    2 an average, an expected result: The norm on the exam was a grade of C.
normal
normal
  1. adj. as expected, typical, average: Hot weather is normal for the summer.||My temperature was above normal this morning.||She had a normal childhood. -n. [U] normality .
    THESAURUS
    normal standard, usual, routine | healthy (person). Ant. abnormal.
normalcy
normalcy
  1. n. [U] a state in which life is functioning as it usually does: After the war, there was a return to normalcy.
normalize
normalize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make normal, peaceful: The leaders met to normalize relations between the two countries. -n. normalization.
normally
normally
  1. adv. ordinarily, usually: Normally, I would go fishing, but the weather is bad.
    THESAURUS
    normally generally, typically, customarily.
normative
normative
  1. adj. related to a standard or average: a normative code of behavior
north
north
  1. n. sing.
    1 the direction to the right when facing a sunset
    2 the northern part of a country: Minnesota is in the north; Texas is in the south.
    3 The North: in the USA the former Union states in the Civil War: The North defeated the South in the Civil War. adj.
    1 referring to the area towards the north: the north side of the street (park, building, city, etc.)
    2 (of wind) coming from the north: a bitter north windadv. in a northerly direction: The plane (car, boat, etc.) is headed north.
northbound
northbound
  1. adj. toward the north: She drove northbound from San Diego to L.A.
northeaster
northeaster
  1. n. a storm, often severe, that comes out of the northeast: A northeaster lasted for three days and destroyed many homes.
northerly
northerly
  1. adj.adv. located in the north
northern
northern
  1. adj. located in the north: the northern part of the United States|| northern California -adj. northernmost.
northern lights
northern lights
  1. n.pl. the aurora borealis, the lights that appear at night in the sky of the far north: We saw the northern lights on our trip to Alaska.
northerner
northerner
  1. n. s.o. originally from or living in the northern part of a country: He was a northerner from New England traveling in the Southwest.
nose
nose
  1. n.
    1 the part of a human or animal face above the mouth that contains two holes (called nostrils) for smelling and breathing: She has a long, straight nose.
    2 sense of smell: Dogs have good noses.
    3 fig.infrml. excessive interest or interference in the affairs of others: He'd better keep his nose out of my business.
    4 fig. special ability, esp. to find s.t. hidden: The detective had a nose for tracking down criminals.
    5 the forward part of certain things: the nose of a plane (boat, gun, etc.)
    6 on the nose: exactly right: His estimate of the cost of the project was on the nose.
    7 to follow one's nose: to move directly ahead: The store is across the street; just follow your nose.
    8 infrml. to keep one's nose clean: to stay out of trouble: The prison inmate was warned to keep his nose clean.
    9 to lead s.o. around by the nose: to have complete control over s.o.: Although her son is now an adult, she's still leading him around by the nose.
    10 to look down one's nose at s.o.: to feel socially superior to s.o.: She looks down her nose at her poorer relatives.
    11 infrml. to pay through the nose: to pay too high a price for s.t.: He paid through the nose for his new boat.
    12 to pick one's nose: (a rude and offensive act) to clean the inside of one's nose with one's finger: The mother told her son to stop picking his nose.
    13 infrml. to put s.o.'s nose out of joint: to offend or insult s.o.: Her supervisor's criticism of her work put her nose out of joint.
    14 infrml. to stick or poke one's nose in s.t.: to interfere in the affairs of others in an inappropriate way: He has a habit of poking his nose in where it doesn't belong.
    15 to thumb one's nose at s.o. or s.t.: to show disregard or disrespect for s.o. or s.t.: She thumbs her nose at school regulations.
    16 to turn one's nose up at s.t.: to reject with contempt: He turned his nose up at the job offer.
    17 under one's nose: very near s.o., easily seen: Your keys are right under your nose!
    THESAURUS
    nose n.
    1 one's beak infrml.
    4 a knack, gift, flair for s.t. v. nosed, nosing, noses
    1 [I;T] to move ahead carefully: The boat nosed around the rocks.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to nose around or about: to search, gather information: The detective nosed around the neighborhood for witnesses to the crime.
    THESAURUS
    nose v.
    1 to poke around s.t.
    2 to investigate, examine, snoop.
nose cone
nose cone
  1. n. the forward part of a missile or space vehicle: The nose cone of the plane was badly damaged in the crash.
nose job
nose job
  1. n.infrml. surgery performed on the nose to improve its appearance: She had a nose job when she was in high school.
nosebleed
nosebleed
  1. n. a condition of blood running from the nose: He got a nosebleed after being hit in the face by a baseball.
nosedive
nosedive
  1. v. [I] -dived or -dove , -diving, -dives to move downward quickly, front first: A fighter plane nosedives in an attack. n. a sharp drop: Stock prices took a nosedive last week.
nosh
nosh
  1. n.v.infrml. [I;T] noshes a small amount of food eaten between meals,
    THESAURUS
    a snack: She's noshing on some raisins. ||She's having a nosh.
nostalgia
nostalgia
  1. n. [U] sentimental remembrance of and desire to return to the past: When the old friends get together, the talk is full of nostalgia for their college days. -adj. nostalgic; -adv. nostalgically.
nostril
nostril
  1. n. one of the openings in the nose
nostrum
nostrum
  1. n. -trums, -tra a remedy usu. of no real value: Society's nostrums for social problems are often ineffective.
nosy
nosy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest overly curious about the affairs of others: She's so nosy; she's always asking me personal questions which I refuse to answer. -n. nosiness.
    THESAURUS
    nosy inquisitive, prying, snooping.
not-for-profit
not-for-profit
  1. adj. nonprofit: He works for a not-for-profit human rights organization.
not
not
  1. adv.
    1 used to express negation, refusal, or denial, often shortened to n't after auxiliary verbs: He will not pay his bill.||You shouldn't say that.||"Are you ready?"—"No, I'm not."||Don't leave yet.||She doesn't believe that he's guilty. (= She believes that he isn't guilty.)
    2 not at all: a response to an expression of gratitude: "I really appreciate your help."—"Not at all, it was no trouble."
    3 conj. not that: used to begin a phrase expressing negation: He said he was sorry—not that it matters.
notable
notable
  1. adj.
    1 important, impressive, (syns.) outstanding, remarkable: She received an award for her notable achievements in cancer research.
    2 attracting attention: He was notable by his absence.||a notable exception n. an important person: Many notables from the entertainment world attended the actor's funeral. -n. notability; -adv. notably.
notarize
notarize
  1. v. [T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to have a notary public state that a signature on a document is authentic: I had my signature on the contract notarized at the bank. -n. [U] notarization .
    THESAURUS
    notarize to certify s.t., attest to s.t. | witness.
notation
notation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a short written note: I made a notation on my calendar to call you in two weeks.
    2 a set of symbols used to represent musical notes, numbers, etc.: In 5 3, the 3 is a notation that represents 5 multiplied by itself three times. -v. [T] notate.
notch
notch
  1. n. notches
    1 a shallow cut in a surface: He cut a notch on the pole to tie a rope around it.
    2 fig. a level of quality, intensity, or degree: to move up a notch in a company v. [T] notches to cut a notch in s.t.: He notched the tree to mark where it should be cut.
note
note
  1. n.
    1 a short written message: She sent me a thank-you note for the gift.
    2 usu. pl. notes words, phrases, or short sentences serving as a reminder of what one heard or read: I studied my lecture notes before the biology exam.
    3 a piece of paper representing a promise to pay a sum of money: She received a bank note for $1000.
    4 additional information about a text found at the bottom of a page or in the back of a book: The book provided notes explaining some of the technical words.
    5 (in music) a single sound of a certain pitch or length or the symbol used to represent it: She played the first few notes of the song.
    6 a quality of expression: There was a note of resentment in his voice.
    7 frml. of note: important, famous: Several actors of note appeared in the play.
    8 to compare notes: (of two people) to share ideas and opinions about s.t.: Let's compare notes about the party.
    9 to make a mental note of s.t.: to try to remember s.t.: I made a mental note to make a donation to that organization.
    10 to take note of: to pay special attention to: I took note of the fact that the company has expansion plans.
    11 to take or make notes: to write down words, phrases, or short sentences to remember what one heard or read: He took notes during the meeting.
    THESAURUS
    note n.
    1 a letter | memo, card
    2 jottings, recollections
    3 document. v. [T] noted, noting, notes
    1 to write down: I noted the most important information on a piece of paper.
    2 to observe, pay attention to: Note the "For Sale" signs in front of many of the houses.||I noted that he seemed unhappy about the plan.
    THESAURUS
    note v.
    1 to jot down, record, mark down
    2 to notice, see. Ant. to ignore.
notebook
notebook
  1. n. a book with blank or lined pages to make notes in: Students carry their notebooks to class.
noted
noted
  1. adj. well-known and respected, (syns.) eminent, prominent: She is a noted authority on tropical diseases.
noteworthy
noteworthy
  1. adj. important, significant: He gave a noteworthy speech on poverty in America.
nothing
nothing
  1. n.
    1 [U] not anything: There is nothing to eat in the refrigerator.||She said nothing to me about the problem.
    2 [U] the absence of substance (quality, interest, value, etc.): There is nothing in the newspaper (on TV, the radio, etc.) today.
    3 [U] s.t. unimportant, insignificant: The item costs nothing, only a few cents.
    4 a big nothing: a. an event of expected importance that turns out to be of little significance: The town meeting was a big nothing. b. a person who acts more important than he or she really is: Although he talks as if he owns the company, he's just a big nothing.
    5 for nothing: a. without payment: He works weekends at the community center for nothing. b. without achieving anything: Our trip had to be cancelled; we spent all that time planning it for nothing. c. for no money, for a very low price: She bought the house for nothing, because the owner needed to sell it quickly.
    6 nothing but: only,
    THESAURUS
    solely: The company makes nothing but mattresses.||That child is nothing but trouble.
    7 nothing doing: a. the absence of any interesting activity: There is nothing doing in town tonight. b. infrml. absolutely not!: "Will you loan me $100?"—"Nothing doing!"
    8 nothing less than or nothing short of: a minimum requirement: Nothing short of bribery will get him to go to the concert tonight; he hates classical music.
    9 to have nothing to do with s.o. or s.t.: to avoid completely: She will have nothing to do with her former husband.
    10 to make nothing of s.t.: to minimize the importance of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to downplay: He spilled tomato sauce on her dress, but she kindly made nothing of it.
    THESAURUS
    nothing
    1 nothing at all | zero, zilch infrml., zip infrml.
notice
notice
  1. v. [T] -ticed, -ticing, -tices to observe, to look at with interest: I noticed that there was a leak in the ceiling.||She noticed him as soon as she entered the room. n.
    1 [C] a written announcement: I received a notice that the rent was unpaid.||There was a notice on the door that the store had moved.
    2 [C] an announcement or warning about a future event: When she decided to quit her job, she gave the company two weeks' notice.||I gave my landlord a month's notice before I moved out.
    3 [C;U] public attention: The movie star has been receiving a lot of notice in the press recently.
    4 at (such) short notice: with little or no advance warning: I can't give a speech at such short notice.
    5 until further notice: until the next announcement: This building is closed until further notice.
    THESAURUS
    notice v. to see, become aware of, note. Ant. to ignore. —n.
    1 a letter, note, message
    2 notification
    3 mention, recognition.
noticeable
noticeable
  1. adj. easily observed, obvious: There has been a noticeable increase in sales.||His weight loss is noticeable. -adv. noticeably.
    THESAURUS
    noticeable visible, marked | evident, conspicuous. Ant. unnoticeable.
notification
notification
  1. n. [C;U] an announcement, esp. a written one of s.t.: They received notification from their landlord of a rent increase.
notify
notify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to inform, to announce officially: A man notified the police that his store had been robbed.||The telephone company notifies customers when there is a rate increase.
    THESAURUS
    notify to tell, advise | apprise frml.
notion
notion
  1. n.
    1 an idea or belief, esp. one that is unclear or unreasonable: He has a silly notion about making a million dollars without working.
    2 pl. notions small useful items, such as buttons, thread, hairpins, etc.
notoriety
notoriety
  1. n. [U] fame, esp. for s.t. bad: Notoriety from the scandal led to the politician's resignation.
notorious
notorious
  1. adj. well-known, famous, esp. for s.t. bad: The film star was notorious for her wild living.||A notorious criminal escaped from prison. -adv. notoriously. See: infamous, USAGE NOTE.
notwithstanding
notwithstanding
  1. prep.frml. in spite of: We will proceed with our plan, notwithstanding any objections. adv.frml. in spite of this,
    THESAURUS
    nevertheless: Many political leaders expressed opposition to the proposal, but it was passed by Congress notwithstanding.
nougat
nougat
  1. n. [U] a sweet candy made of honey or sugar and nuts
nought
nought
  1. n. zero, nothing: All his hard work came to nought.
noun
noun
  1. n. (in grammar) a name of a person, place, thing, action, or quality that is used as the subject or object of a sentence or the object of a preposition: In the sentence, "People buy stamps at the post office," "People," "stamps," and "post office" are nouns.
nourish
nourish
  1. v. [T] -ishes
    1 to feed, esp. with healthful food: Children should be nourished with a balanced diet.
    2 fig.(of a plan, belief, emotion) to keep alive or cause to grow: The child's fear of the dark was nourished by her brother's frightening bedtime stories.
nourishing
nourishing
  1. adj. healthy,
    THESAURUS
    nutritious: We were served a nourishing breakfast.
nourishment
nourishment
  1. n. [U] food, esp. healthy things to eat: A child needs nourishment to grow strong.
nouveau riche
nouveau riche
  1. adj.n. nouveaux riches newly rich, esp. in a showy way: They act very nouveau riche with their matching fur coats and foreign cars.
novel
novel
  1. n. a full-length work of fiction: She wrote a novel about the Civil War. See: fiction, USAGE NOTE. adj. new and different,
    THESAURUS
    unusual: He thought of a novel solution to the problem.
novelist
novelist
  1. n. a person who writes novels: The novelist has written several best-sellers.
novella
novella
  1. n. a piece of fiction that is longer than a short story, but shorter than a novel: The movie is based on a famous novella.
novelty
novelty
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C] s.t. new and unusual: It is a novelty to visit Disney World for the first time.
    2 [U] the quality of being novel: She was excited by the novelty of being in a foreign country for the first time.
    3 [C] a small, unusual item: The store sold novelties to tourists.
novice
novice
  1. n.
    1 a beginner at s.t. that requires skill: a novice in skiing (playing the piano, learning to paint, etc.)
    2 a person who is studying to become a nun or monk: He is one of the novices at the monastery.
novitiate
novitiate
  1. n.
    1 a place where religious novices live
    2 a novice in a religious order
now 
now 
  1. adv.
    1 at this time: I used to take the bus, but now I take the subway.
    2 immediately, at once: Go now, or you’ll be late to work.
    3 (used in telling or writing stories) then, next : She heard a knock at the door?now she was frightened. 
    4 (used to emphasize a warning, command, or request, or to introduce a new topic into a conversation): Now don’t start complaining again.||Now tell me how it happened.  5 it’s now or never: Take advantage of the opportunity; it will never happen again: This is our only chance to escape; it’s now or never.
    6 now and then or now and again: occasionally, once in a while: I still see him now and then. 7 now and forever: for all time: We will be together now and forever. 8 now, now: (used to express sympathy): Now, now, don’t cry; everything is going to be fine.
    ?conj. now that: since: Now that everyone’s here, we can begin the meeting.
    THESAURUS
    now  adv. 1 nowadays, at present, these days.  Ant.  then.
    2 right now, right away, instantly.
nowadays
nowadays
  1. adv. now, at this time: Nowadays, inflation is under control.
nowhere
nowhere
  1. adv.
    1 not anywhere, in no place: My wallet is nowhere to be found.
    2 nowhere near: a. not close to, far away from: The hotel is nowhere near the train station. b. not at all: We have nowhere near enough money to buy a house.
    3 to get nowhere: to make no progress, to gain nothing: Yelling at me will get you nowhere.
    4 to go nowhere: (in a career) to make no advancement: She's going nowhere at that company. n. in the middle of nowhere: in a place where few people live: Our car broke down in the middle of nowhere and we couldn't find a phone.
noxious
noxious
  1. adj. poisonous, harmful: Noxious fumes were rising from the fire.
nozzle
nozzle
  1. n. a narrow part at the end of a hose or pipe through which substances, such as water or air, are forced: the nozzle on a garden hose (air hose, carburetor, etc.)
nth
nth
  1. adj.
    1 the latest in a long series: This is the nth time I've heard the story.
    2 to the nth degree: to the greatest extent possible: As an artist, she is a perfectionist to the nth degree.
nuance
nuance
  1. n. a detail or a quality that is not obvious,
    THESAURUS
    a subtlety: the nuances of meaning in a poem||the nuances of an actor's performance
nub
nub
  1. n.
    1 a small bump or lump: an eraser worn down to a nub
    2 the central point: The nub of the matter is how much it will cost.
nubile
nubile
  1. adj. (of a woman) young and sexually mature: His nubile daughter had many admirers.
nuclear
nuclear
  1. adj.
    1 related to a nucleus
    2 related to the production of atomic energy or weapons: nuclear physics||nuclear bombs
nuclear energy
nuclear energy
  1. n. [U] power generated by the splitting of the atom: Nuclear energy is used to produce electricity.
    THESAURUS
    nuclear energy atomic energy, thermonuclear energy.
nuclear family
nuclear family
  1. n. -lies a family of two parents and their children living together in a household: The rising divorce rate is causing the breakup of the nuclear family. See: extended family.
nuclear freeze
nuclear freeze
  1. n. an end to the further building of nuclear weapons: The superpowers agreed to a nuclear freeze.
nuclear missile
nuclear missile
  1. n. a military rocket with nuclear weapons: A country with nuclear missiles threatens world peace.
nuclear reaction
nuclear reaction
  1. n. the chain reaction caused in splitting an atom: Nuclear reactions generate great power.
nuclear reactor
nuclear reactor
  1. n. a machine used to make and contain nuclear reactions: Nuclear reactors are used to produce electricity.
nuclear rocket
nuclear rocket
  1. n. a nuclear missile
nuclear warhead
nuclear warhead
  1. n. the nuclear explosive device located in the front end of nuclear missiles: Some missiles carry multiple nuclear warheads.
nucleus
nucleus
  1. n. -clei
    1 the center of s.t.: Those three individuals are the nucleus of the organization.
    2 the beginning or seed: The donated set of paintings formed the nucleus of the museum's collection.
    3 (in physics) the center of an atom: The nucleus of an atom is composed of protons and neutrons.
    4 (in biology) the central part of a cell: The nucleus of a cell controls its vital functions.
nude
nude
  1. adj. without any clothes: There was a nude couple on the beach. n.
    1 [C] (in a painting, picture, or sculpture) a person without clothes: The artist was famous for his nudes.
    2 [U] in the nude: without any clothes: Some people like to sleep in the nude. -n. nudity.
    THESAURUS
    nude adj. naked, unclothed, stark-naked.
nudge
nudge
  1. n.
    1 a light push: to give s.o. a nudge to be still: She gave the child a nudge to get her to stop talking during the movie.
    2 infrml. a persistent, often annoying person: He's such a nudge, always asking me the same question. v. [T] nudged, nudging, nudges
    1 to push in a gentle manner: I nudge him to get his attention.
    2 to repeatedly try to persuade s.o. to do s.t.: She nudged him to get a haircut.
nudist
nudist
  1. n. a person who wears no clothes on a regular basis adj. related to nudists: He joined a nudist colony deep in the woods. -n. [U] nudism ; [U] nudity.
nudnick
nudnick
  1. n.infrml. a tiresome, annoying person: He's a nudnick who is always trying to borrow money.
nugget
nugget
  1. n.
    1 a small piece of gold
    2 s.t. small and desirable: a nugget of information
nuisance
nuisance
  1. n. a bother, s.o. or s.t. that causes irritation or frustration: It's a nuisance, but we need to redo the report and correct the errors.||She's a real nuisance, always calling when we're about to eat dinner.
    THESAURUS
    nuisance an annoyance, pain infrml. | pest, problem.
nuke
nuke
  1. n.infrml. a nuclear weapon: The protesters carried signs saying "No Nukes." v.infrml. [T] nuked, nuking, nukes
    1 to attack with nuclear weapons
    2 fig. to heat or cook food in a microwave oven

    USAGE NOTE: When used informally as a verb, to nuke means to heat something in a microwave oven: It only takes three minutes to nuke a frozen dinner.
null
null
  1. adj. null and void: legally invalid, no longer in effect: That contract is null and void.
nullify
nullify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make legally invalid, cancel: It became necessary to nullify the law (contract, agreement, etc.). -n. nullification.
numb
numb
  1. adj.
    1 without feeling, sensation: My hands are numb from the cold.
    2 unable to feel any emotion: After the funeral, I felt numb. -adv. numbly; -n. numbness.
number
number
  1. n.
    1 [C] a symbol, such as "3," or a word, such as "five," that expresses a quantity or a position in a series: The average number of students in a class is 25.||She is number 21 on the waiting list.
    2 [C] a group of people or things: A large number of people visit this museum every year.||She gave me a number of (=several) suggestions.
    3 [C;U] a total: The number of inches in a foot is 12.
    4 [C] a numeral used for identification: a social security number||a checking account number
    5 [C] a performance of a song, dance, piece of music, etc. in a series: Her first number was a song from a popular musical.
    6 infrml. one's number is up: one is going to die soon: From the expression on the doctor's face, he knew that his number was up.
    7 the numbers game or the numbers: a type of lottery in which a person bets on a series of numbers which are later published in a periodical: He loses a lot of money playing the numbers every week.
    8 infrml. to do a number on s.o.: a. to tease or play a joke on s.o.: When the young boy fell off the boat, his friends did a number on him by refusing at first to help him back on board. b. to behave cruelly toward s.o.: Instead of helping him, they did a number on him and started to drive the boat away.
    9 to do s.t. by the numbers: to follow a procedure exactly: The credit manager does everything by the numbers; he checks a company's credit references, its credit rating, its bank statement, and so on.
    10 infrml. to have s.o.'s number: to know s.o.'s true character or motives: The car dealer appears to be friendly and helpful, but I have his number; he just wants to make a sale.
    11 infrml. to look out for Number One: to put one's own interests first: She is nice to people when it is to her advantage; she is always looking out for Number One. v. [T]
    1 to assign a number to s.t.: I numbered the pages of the report.
    2 to include, consider: She numbered him among her closest friends.
    3 to total: The crowd numbered in the thousands.
    4 one's days are numbered: one is going to die soon or a particular stage of one's life will soon end: When she reached 35, she knew that her days as a professional athlete were numbered.
    THESAURUS
    number v.
    2 to count, include
    3 to add up to, tally.
number cruncher
number cruncher
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a person, usu. a junior employee in management, who devotes a lot of time to processing numbers on a calculator or computer for interpretation and use by senior management: He is a young number cruncher for an investment company.
    2 a computer dedicated to lengthy computations
numeral
numeral
  1. n. a symbol that represents a number: The Roman numeral for "9" is "IX."
    THESAURUS
    numeral a number, digit, integer.
numerate
numerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates See: enumerate.
numeration
numeration
  1. n. [U] the process of counting: Some five-year-olds excel in numeration.
numerator
numerator
  1. n. the symbol over the line in a common fraction: The numerator in the fraction 2/3 is 2. See: denominator.
numerical
numerical
  1. adj. related to numbers: The report provided us with the necessary numerical information -adv. numerically.
numerous
numerous
  1. adj. many: Numerous people attended the concert.||We did not buy the product for reasons too numerous to mention.
    THESAURUS
    numerous lots of s.t. infrml., abundant, various | myriad frml.
numismatics
numismatics
  1. n.pl. the study of coins: His hobby is numismatics and he has a large collection of old coins -adj. numismatic.
nun
nun
  1. n. a female member of a religious order: She is a nun who is studying to be a nurse.
nuncio
nuncio
  1. n. -os an ambassador or representative of the Pope: A papal nuncio was sent from Rome to meet with government officials.
nunnery
nunnery
  1. n.old usage -ies a building where nuns live,
    THESAURUS
    a convent
nuptial
nuptial
  1. adj.frml. related to a wedding ceremony or marriage: The nuptial celebration was held at a local restaurant.
nuptials
nuptials
  1. n.pl.frml. a marriage ceremony: The nuptials were held at a local church.
nurse
nurse
  1. n.
    1 a person specially trained to take care of sick, injured, or old people: The nurse gave the patient some pills.
    2 a person employed to take care of young children: The wealthy family hired a nurse for their child. v. nursed, nursing, nurses
    1 [T] to give care to sick or old people: He nursed his wife back to health.
    2 [I;T] to feed a baby through the breast: She nursed the baby for six months.
    3 fig. [T] to keep alive for a long period of time: He nursed his desire for revenge during his long years in prison.
    THESAURUS
    nurse n.
    1 a registered nurse, R.N. | practical nurse
    2 a nanny. —v.
    1 to take care of s.o., care for s.o., tend to s.o.
    2 to breastfeed
    3 carry, prolong.
nursemaid
nursemaid
  1. n. a woman who is employed to take care of children: The nursemaid read the child a bedtime story.
nursery
nursery
  1. n. -ies
    1 a room specially set up for children: The children were playing in the nursery.
    2 a garden where young plants are raised for general sale or for future transplanting: a tree nursery
nursery rhyme
nursery rhyme
  1. n. a story for children in the form of a short poem: The nursery rhymes of Mother Goose are popular with children.
nursery school
nursery school
  1. n. a school for children before they enter kindergarten
nursing
nursing
  1. n. [U] adj. the profession of caring for the ill: Many students choose a career in nursing after finishing high school.||A nursing career can be very rewarding.
nursing care
nursing care
  1. n. [U] the care provided by a nurse: My mother is ill and requires part-time nursing care at home.
nursing home
nursing home
  1. n. a private institution dedicated to the care of the elderly: My eighty-year-old father went into a nursing home last fall.
nurture
nurture
  1. v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures
    1 to feed and care for: A mother should nurture her child.
    2 to help develop: The famous musician nurtured young talent.
nut
nut
  1. n.
    1 a fruit with a hard shell or its seed: a candy made from fruit and nuts
    2 infrml. a person who seems very odd or crazy: Stop acting like a nut!
    3 infrml. a person with a strong or excessive interest in s.t.: I've got to get to work on time; my boss is a nut about lateness.
    4 a small piece of metal with a hole in the middle used with a bolt
    5 infrml. the head: I fell and bumped my nut.
    6 a hard or tough nut to crack: a difficult problem or person that one must deal with: We spent many hours searching for a solution to the problem; it was a tough nut to crack. See: kook, USAGE NOTE.
nutcracker
nutcracker
  1. n. a hand-held device for cracking the shell of nuts in order to eat the part inside
nutmeg
nutmeg
  1. n. [C;U] a brown spice made from seeds: I'll need nutmeg for the apple pie.
nutrient
nutrient
  1. n.adj. any of the substances contained in food that are essential to life, such as protein, vitamins, and minerals: Fruit and vegetables are high in nutrients.||The nutrient value of candy is generally low.
nutriment
nutriment
  1. n. [U] food needed for growth, health, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    nourishment: Milk is an excellent source of nutriment.
nutrition
nutrition
  1. n.
    1 [U] the study of how the body needs and uses food: She's taking a course in nutrition in college.
    2 the processes by which the body uses food: The body requires proper nutrition in order to maintain itself. -adj. nutritional.
    THESAURUS
    nutrition
    2 diet, nourishment | sustenance frml.
nutritionist
nutritionist
  1. n. a trained person who supervises the nutrition of others, esp. in institutions, such as hospitals: My mother works as a nutritionist at the local college.
nutritious
nutritious
  1. adj. (of food) containing substances essential to good health: You should eat nutritious meals to keep yourself healthy.
    THESAURUS
    nutritious healthy, nourishing, wholesome | good.
nuts
nuts
  1. adj.infrml.
    1 crazy, foolish: You're nuts to try to climb that mountain; it's too dangerous.
    2 to be nuts about or over very enthusiastic about, very fond of,
    THESAURUS
    crazy about: She's just nuts about her new boyfriend.
nuts and bolts
nuts and bolts
  1. n.pl.fig. the practical details, the basic operating procedures: The course taught me the nuts and bolts of computer programming.
nutshell
nutshell
  1. n.
    1 the hard outer covering of a nut
    2 in a nutshell: in the fewest possible words: The situation in a nutshell is that sales have fallen and we have to sell the company.
nutty
nutty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest
    1 tasting like or containing nuts: The almonds give the pie a nutty flavor.
    2 crazy: What a nutty idea!
    3 as nutty as a fruitcake: (used humorously) crazy: He's a nice guy, but as nutty as a fruitcake. -n. nuttiness.
    THESAURUS
    nutty
    2 absurd, insane | goofy infrml., wacky infrml.
nuzzle
nuzzle
  1. v. [I;T] n. -zled, -zling, -zles to push or rub gently with the nose: The dog nuzzled its owner's cheek.
nylon
nylon
  1. n. [U]
    1 a strong, artificial fiber used in making cloth, thread, and stockings: Women wear stockings made of nylon.
    2 nylons: stockings, usu. worn by women with a skirt or dress: I always wear black nylons under my black dress.
nymph
nymph
  1. n. (in ancient stories) a minor goddess of nature resembling a young woman: He met a wood nymph in the forest.
nymphet
nymphet
  1. n. a sexually desirable adolescent girl
nymphomaniac
nymphomaniac
  1. n. a woman with an abnormally high sex drive -n. [U] nymphomania.
née
née
  1. adj. (French for) born (said of a married woman to show her original family name): Mrs. Marilyn Woods, née Hunter, was married on Sunday.
o'clock
o'clock
  1. adv.
    1 indicating time on a watch or clock: It is now 11 o'clock in the morning.
    2 referring to a position in space like that of one of the 12 hours on a clock face: Ducks are flying overhead at 12 o'clock.
oaf
oaf
  1. n. a stupid person,
    THESAURUS
    a simpleton: That oaf made another stupid mistake! -adj. oafish; -n. [U] oafishness.
oak
oak
  1. n.
    1 [C] tall hardwood tree that grows small nuts called acorns: The park has many oaks in it.
    2 [U] the wood of oak trees: Bookshelves made of oak last for many years.
oar
oar
  1. n. a pole with a flat blade pulled by hand to row a boat: The fisherman pulled on the oars as he left the dock.
oasis
oasis
  1. n. oases
    1 a place usu. with trees and water in the desert: The camels stopped at an oasis for the night.
    2 fig. a pleasant place in a dull area
oath
oath
  1. n. oaths
    1 a promise to do s.t., such as remain loyal to one's country or tell the truth in a court of law: The soldiers took an oath of loyalty to their country.
    2 to be under oath: (in law) to have promised to tell the truth: When the witness began to answer questions, the judge reminded her that she was under oath.
    THESAURUS
    oath
    1 a vow, pledge.
oatmeal
oatmeal
  1. n. [U] crushed oats made into cookies and breakfast cereal: He eats oatmeal with milk for breakfast. See: scrambled eggs, USAGE NOTE.
oats
oats
  1. n.pl.
    1 a type of grain eaten by animals and people: My mother baked bread made with oats and raisins.
    2 infrml.fig. to feel one's oats: to feel full of energy, said esp. of horses: That horse is feeling his oats; he's been running and kicking up his heels.
    3 fig. to sow one's wild oats: to pursue pleasure or do very adventurous things, esp. when one is young: She sowed her wild oats when she was a teenager by driving across the country alone. -adj. oat.
obdurate
obdurate
  1. adj.frml. unwilling to change one's opinion or belief,
    THESAURUS
    stubborn: He is obdurate and will not change his mind about anything. -adv. obdurately.
obedience
obedience
  1. n. [U] willingness to follow or obey (rules, orders, etc.): The teacher was pleased by his pupils' obedience.
obedient
obedient
  1. adj. willing to follow or obey (rules, orders, etc.): Good children are obedient to their parents. -adv. obediently.
    THESAURUS
    obedient well-behaved, compliant, dutiful. Ant. disobedient.
obelisk
obelisk
  1. n. a tall stone pillar built in honor of s.t. or s.o.: An obelisk celebrating the revolution stands in the square.
obese
obese
  1. adj.frml. very fat,
    THESAURUS
    corpulent: That man who weighs 350 pounds is obese. -n. [U] obesity.
obey
obey
  1. v. [I;T] obeyed, obeying, obeys to do what is asked or ordered: Soldiers obey their commander's orders.
    THESAURUS
    obey to follow, comply with. Ant. to disobey.
obituary
obituary
  1. n. -ies a printed announcement of s.o.'s death, often with an account of his or her life and accomplishments: The obituary of the famous writer is in today's newspaper.
object
object
  1. n.
    1 a physical thing: A pencil was one of the objects left on the table.
    2 the subject of s.o.'s attention: Her next-door neighbor is the object of her love.
    3 (in grammar) the focus of a verb's action: The word "answers" is the object in the sentence "Students give answers to questions."
    4 a goal, purpose: The object of this study is to research energy use.v. [I]
    1 to be against s.t., protest: She objects to the death penalty.
    2 to give as an objection: They objected to eating dinner at 10 PM. -n. objector.
    THESAURUS
    object n.
    1 an item, entity
    2 a recipient, target
    3 the object (of a verb)
    4 an aim, point. —v. 1 and 2 to oppose s.t. or s.o., protest against. Ant. to approve.
objection
objection
  1. n.
    1 a statement or feeling of dislike, disapproval, or opposition: I have an objection to the high cost of government.
    2 a reason against s.t.: They had objections to our plan and so we changed it.
    THESAURUS
    objection
    1 a complaint about s.t.
    2 a criticism of s.t. Ant. an approval.
objectionable
objectionable
  1. adj.
    1 causing an objection or protest: The committee found the plan objectionable and voted against it.
    2 shocking,
    THESAURUS
    offensive: People found his rude behavior objectionable.
objective
objective
  1. adj.
    1 not influenced by emotions or personal beliefs, fair,
    THESAURUS
    impartial: The economist gave an objective report of the economy's problems.
    2 existing outside the mind, real: People, buildings, and streets are part of objective reality, not imagined. -adv. objectively; -n. objectivity . —n. a goal, purpose: Our objective in doing market research is to develop useful new products.
objet d'art
objet d'art
  1. n. objets d'art (French for) an art object, (usu. small) piece of art: She gave her collection of objets d'art to the museum.
obligate
obligate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to make s.o. feel he or she must do s.t.: His boss obligated him to work on weekends. -adj. obligated.
obligation
obligation
  1. n. [C;U] a legal or moral requirement to do s.t., a feeling one must do s.t.: She has a family obligation to visit her sick aunt.
    THESAURUS
    obligation a duty, responsibility.
obligatory
obligatory
  1. adj. required by law, custom, rules, etc.: In order to get a driver's license, it is obligatory to first pass an eye test.
oblige
oblige
  1. v. obliged, obliging, obliges
    1 [T] to require because of law, custom, etc.: We are obliged to stop the car at a red light.
    2 [I;T] to help, do a favor for s.o.: He obliged his wife by driving her to the store.
    3 to be much obliged (to s.o.): to be very thankful, grateful: I'm much obliged to you for your help.
obliging
obliging
  1. adj. helpful,
    THESAURUS
    accommodating: He is a very obliging man who does many favors for others. -adv. obligingly.
oblique
oblique
  1. adj.
    1 slanted usu. at a sharp angle,
    THESAURUS
    sloping: The roof of that house has an oblique slant, so snow falls off of it in winter.
    2 not clear, indirect: The criminals' answers to the police were oblique. -adv. obliquely.
obliterate
obliterate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to remove all signs of s.t., destroy,
    THESAURUS
    to eradicate: Sand blown by the wind obliterated the writing on the temple walls. -n. [U] obliteration.
oblivion
oblivion
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being forgotten, nothingness: The broken spaceship flew far into the oblivion of outer space.
    2 the state of having forgotten, unconsciousness: She can remember nothing; her memory has gone into oblivion.
oblivious
oblivious
  1. adj. not noticing s.t., unaware,
    THESAURUS
    inattentive: She was oblivious to the fact that the music had stopped, and she continued dancing. -adv. obliviously; -n. [U] obliviousness.
oblong
oblong
  1. n.adj. a figure or shape that is longer than it is wide: They bought an oblong table for the classroom.
obnoxious
obnoxious
  1. adj. very unpleasant or annoying: He has an obnoxious habit of picking his teeth during meals. -adv. obnoxiously.
    THESAURUS
    obnoxious offensive, intolerable, unpleasant (person).
oboe
oboe
  1. n. a musical wind instrument made of wood: Oboes are similar in size and shape to clarinets.
obscene
obscene
  1. adj.
    1 offensively sexual, indecent,
    THESAURUS
    lewd: He made some obscene remarks to a woman at a party.
    2 offensive, shocking,
    THESAURUS
    repugnant: Pornography is obscene to most people. -adv. obscenely.
obscenity
obscenity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] the quality of being obscene or indecent,
    THESAURUS
    lewdness
    2 [C] an indecent act or word: A woman shouted obscenities at the speaker.
obscure
obscure
  1. v. [T] -scured, -scuring, -scures
    1 to block from view, hide,
    THESAURUS
    to conceal: Fog obscured the airport, so our plane could not land.
    2 to confuse, make unclear: Her bad memory obscured the facts about the accident.adj.
    1 difficult to understand, unclear: That professor's writing is so obscure that it is very hard to understand.
    2 difficult to see: Heavy rain made the view of the mountain obscure. -adv. obscurely.
obscurity
obscurity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] a place or condition that cannot be seen or is not well-known: She is a little known painter living in obscurity on a farm.
    2 [C] s.t. that cannot be understood: My professor said that my essay was full of obscurities.
obsequious
obsequious
  1. adj.frml. too obedient, overly eager to please: He is a young employee who is obsequious with the boss. -adv. obsequiously; -n. [U] obsequiousness.
observable
observable
  1. adj. able to be seen or noticed, in view: The parade was observable to all except those far from the street. -adv. observably.
observance
observance
  1. n.frml.
    1 [C;U] the celebration of an event, such as one of religious or civic importance: The observance of Independence Day includes fireworks and patriotic speeches.
    2 [U] behavior according to laws, rules, holidays, and customs: Observance of the tax laws is required of everyone.
observant
observant
  1. adj.
    1 quick to notice or see, aware,
    THESAURUS
    perceptive: She is very observant of what is happening around her.
    2 behaving according to law or custom, respectful,
    THESAURUS
    dutiful: Religious people are observant of religious laws and customs. -adv. observantly.
observation
observation
  1. n.
    1 [U] viewing, watching: A soldier climbed the church tower for observation of the whole town.
    2 [C] a remark, opinion: My friend made an observation that I seem nervous today.
    3 under observation: under close care or supervision: The heart patient is under observation by a trained nurse.
    THESAURUS
    observation
    1 a view, inspection, scrutiny | surveillance
    2 a comment | judgment.
observatory
observatory
  1. n. -ries a place for the scientific study of space, weather, etc.: The observatory is located on a mountaintop.
observe
observe
  1. v. [T] -served, -serving, -serves
    1 to view, watch, esp. for anything unusual: A policeman observed the activity on the street.
    2 to remark, express an opinion: Our professor observed that we all did well on the examination.
    3 to see, notice: She observed a man with a large suitcase getting into a car.||Did you observe anything unusual?
    4 to respect or follow laws, rules, or customs: We observed Memorial Day by going to church and praying for the dead.
    THESAURUS
    observe
    1 to survey, inspect
    2 to note, comment
    3 to spot, detect
    4 to celebrate, commemorate.
observer
observer
  1. n. a person who observes s.t. without participating, such as a spectator, official, etc.: Foreign governments sent observers to watch the US military exercises.
obsess
obsess
  1. v. [I;T] -sesses to have s.t. control one's mind or behavior: He obsesses about being clean; he's always washing his hands. -adj. obsessed.
obsession
obsession
  1. n. an idea or habit that controls the mind: She has an obsession about always being right.
obsessive
obsessive
  1. adj. of or like an obsession: His obsessive behavior about cleanliness drives others crazy. -adv. obsessively.
obsolescence
obsolescence
  1. n. [U] the process of becoming no longer useful: The obsolescence of buildings happens over many years, as they become too old to use. -v. [I] obsolesce; -adj. obsolescent.
obsolete
obsolete
  1. adj. no longer used, replaced by s.t. better: Vinyl records will soon be obsolete, now that compact discs are popular.
obstacle
obstacle
  1. n. s.t. that gets in the way and stops action or progress, hurdle: A tree fell across the road and became an obstacle for cars and trucks.
    THESAURUS
    obstacle an obstruction, blockage, hindrance.
obstetrics
obstetrics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the branch of medicine dealing with pregnancy and childbirth: That doctor decided to practice obstetrics after working with children. -n. obstetrician.
obstinate
obstinate
  1. adj. refusing to cooperate,
    THESAURUS
    stubborn: He is obstinate in refusing to stop smoking as his doctor ordered him. -adv. obstinately; -n. obstinacy.
obstruct
obstruct
  1. v. [T]
    1 to form a barrier, block: A tree fell across the road and obstructed traffic.
    2 to prevent from happening,
    THESAURUS
    to impede: One political party obstructed the passage of laws proposed by another. -n. obstruction; -adj. obstructive; -adv. obstructively.
obtain
obtain
  1. v. [T] to acquire, get, such as by purchase, loan, or gift: She obtained the property with a bank loan.
    THESAURUS
    obtain to get hold of s.t., buy, purchase | procure frml.
obtainable
obtainable
  1. adj. capable of being acquired, available: Loans are obtainable at banks.
obtrusive
obtrusive
  1. adj.frml. very noticeable, intruding,
    THESAURUS
    forward: His obtrusive manners made him unpopular with his coworkers. -adj. obtrusively.
obtuse
obtuse
  1. adj.frml.
    1 slow to understand,
    THESAURUS
    dull: He was being obtuse when he said he didn't understand the problem.
    2 (in mathematics, of an angle) between 90º and 180° -adv. obtusely.
obvious
obvious
  1. adj. easy to see or understand, clear: It is obvious that that woman has had too much to drink. -adv. obviously; -n. [U] obviousness.
    THESAURUS
    obvious plain, self-evident, unmistakable.
occasion
occasion
  1. n.
    1 a time when s.t. happens: We'll present the new product on the occasion of our next conference.
    2 a special event or ceremony: Their wedding was a happy occasion.
    3 an opportunity: I had the occasion to make some new friends on vacation.
    4 a reason, cause for s.t.: His sudden death was occasion for much sadness.
    5 on occasion: once in a while,
    THESAURUS
    periodically: On occasion, he smokes a cigar after dinner.
    6 to have no occasion: to have no reason, opportunity, etc.: She was never in the house, so she had no occasion to steal anything from it.
    7 to rise to the occasion: to perform well when circumstances encourage: The guest of honor rose to the occasion by making a good speech.
    8 to take the/this occasion: to make good use of an opportunity: She took the occasion to thank all the guests for listening to her speech.
    THESAURUS
    occasion
    1 the time (or) date of s.t.
    2 a happening, affair | occurrence
    3 chance, good luck.
occasional
occasional
  1. -adj. once in a while, (syn.) periodic: He smokes an occasional cigar, but he doesn't smoke regularly.-adv. occasionally.
occasionally
occasionally
  1. adv. once in a while: He smokes a cigar occasionally, but doesn't smoke regularly. -adj. occasional.
    THESAURUS
    occasionally now and then, periodically. Ant. regularly.
occult
occult
  1. adj. hidden from ordinary people, (syns.) supernatural, mysterious: That shop sells books on the occult sciences.n. the supernatural world of ghosts, witches, etc.: Some people study the occult to learn its mysteries.
occupancy
occupancy
  1. n. [U] being or living in a certain place: Our company took occupancy of that new building last month.
occupant
occupant
  1. n. a person, business, or institution that occupies a place: The car's occupants were not hurt in the accident.
occupation
occupation
  1. n.
    1 one's means of making a living, job: Her occupation is as a doctor.
    2 any activity on which you spend time: Her chief occupation at that time was reading.
    3 taking possession of s.t.: The enemy's occupation of the city lasted a year.
    THESAURUS
    occupation
    1 employment, work
    2 an interest, pastime
    3 control, subjugation frml.

    USAGE NOTE: The most common way to ask about a person's occupation is, "What do you do?," not "What is your occupation?"
occupational
occupational
  1. adj. related to one's job: His occupational duties require him to travel a lot.
occupy
occupy
  1. v. [T] -pied, -pying, -pies
    1 to be, live, or work in a place: Our company occupies three floors in an office building.
    2 to take control of, esp. in wartime: Soldiers occupied the town.
    3 to fill (time, space, etc.): Children occupy their free time with their toys and games. -n. occupier.
    THESAURUS
    occupy
    1 to take up (space), fill
    2 to take over, seize
    3 to spend, use, employ.
occur
occur
  1. v. -curred, -curring, -curs
    1 [I] to happen, take place, esp. without planning: The accident occurred at 10:00 A.M.
    2 [I] to exist, be found (esp. of objects, concepts, etc.): The image of a flower often occurs in his paintings.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to occur to s.o.: to come to mind: It suddenly occurred to me that I knew how to solve that problem!
    THESAURUS
    occur
    1 to come about
    2 to appear, show up.
occurrence
occurrence
  1. n.
    1 [C] an event, incident: The occurrence of that illness worried everyone.
    2 [U] how many times s.t. happens,
    THESAURUS
    rate: The occurrence of crime in this city is on the rise.
ocean
ocean
  1. n.
    1 the great body of salt water covering more than 70 percent of the earth's surface: I like swimming in the ocean.
    2 any of the five oceans: She has sailed on the Pacific and Indian Oceans. -adj. oceanic.
oceanography
oceanography
  1. n. [U] the study of oceans: Many universities teach courses in marine biology and oceanography.
octagon
octagon
  1. n. a flat, eight-sided figure: Old coins were shaped as octagons and called "pieces of eight." -adj. octagonal.
octane
octane
  1. n. a measure of how well gasoline and other motor fuels burn in an engine: I use regular 88 octane in my car, rather than a high octane gasoline.
octave
octave
  1. n. a series of eight notes between two tones on a musical scale: Men's singing voices are often an octave lower than women's.
octet
octet
  1. n. a group of eight musicians or singers, or a composition written for them: My friends and I formed an octet of singers.
octopus
octopus
  1. n. -puses or -pi a sea animal with eight arms and a soft body like a bag: Octopus is eaten in many parts of the world.
ocular
ocular
  1. adj. related to the eyes: Optometrists take ocular measurements to make eyeglasses.
odd
odd
  1. adj.
    1 (of numbers) not evenly divisible by two, such as 1, 3, 5, 7, etc.: The houses with odd numbers are on the left side of the street.
    2 strange, unusual: He is never late and it's odd that he's not here now.
    3 being one of an incomplete pair or set: There is a box of odd socks in the laundry room.
    4 (used after round numbers) in addition, more than: Fifty-odd people attended the funeral.
    5 at odd times: at irregular times: It has been raining today at odd times.
    6 odd jobs: small jobs that are not full-time or regular: She does odd jobs, such as painting rooms and fixing cars.
    7 odd man out: a person who, because of unusual behavior or appearance, stands out from others in a group: That man in the motorcycle jacket is an odd man out at the opera.
    8 That's odd! or How odd!: expressing doubt and surprise: That's odd! My wallet is missing! See: oddly, odds.
    THESAURUS
    odd
    1 Ant. even.
    2 weird, bizarre. Ants. normal, typical.
    3 without a mate
    4 plus, some
    5 periodically, on and off. Ant. constantly.
odd lot
odd lot
  1. n.
    1 a purchase of securities in fewer than 100 shares for which an extra charge is usually made: I bought an odd lot of 25 shares of IBM stock.
    2 a nonstandard amount of any merchandise: That store sells odd lots of household items at low prices.
oddball
oddball
  1. n. slang a person who behaves strangely,
    THESAURUS
    a kook: That woman is an oddball who dresses in funny clothes and sings to the people on our street.
oddity
oddity
  1. n. -ties s.t. unusual, not typical of its kind: Black roses are oddities.
oddly
oddly
  1. adv.
    1 in a strange or peculiar manner, strangely: That man who is shouting at passing cars often behaves oddly.
    2 curiously, unusually: She loves to travel, but oddly, this year, she doesn't want to.
odds
odds
  1. n.pl.
    1 the likelihood or probability that s.t. will happen: The doctors have given him good odds for a full recovery.
    2 the chances against or for a certain result: The odds are against (or) for our company's being given the order.
    3 by all odds: probably,
    THESAURUS
    in all likelihood: By all odds, our team should win today because we're the better team.
    4 The odds are that: it is likely that: The odds are that it will rain today.
    5 to be an odds-on favorite: to be the likely winner: Even though she wasn't the odds-on favorite, she won the tennis match easily.
    6 to be at odds with s.o.: to disagree, dispute with s.o.: Those two employees argue and are always at odds with each other.
    7 to fight against the odds: to try to succeed although the chances of success are not good: She is fighting against the odds of dying from cancer.
    8 to give odds: to give points to weaker competitors to make their chances of winning better or to make it worth more money to bet against stronger ones: Good golfers give odds to new players so that they have an equal chance to win a round of golf.
odds and ends
odds and ends
  1. n.pl. a mix of items, bits and pieces: We moved all our things from one apartment to another, except for a few odds and ends, like an old lamp.
ode
ode
  1. n. a poem addressed to s.o. or s.t., usu. with a grand subject and tone: Many countries have odes that praise the bravery of their heroes of long ago.
odious
odious
  1. adj. creating hate and anger: He is an odious man, always attacking others. -adv. odiously.
odometer
odometer
  1. n. a device that measures the distance a motor vehicle has traveled: The odometer in my car reads: 53,432.8 miles.
odor
odor
  1. n. a smell or scent, usu. an unpleasant one: The odor of old fish filled the air. -adj.frml. odoriferous .
    THESAURUS
    odor a stench, stink.
odyssey
odyssey
  1. n. -seys a long, adventurous journey: His youth was spent in an odyssey of working in Canada, the USA, and then Latin America.
of
of
  1. , weak form prep.
    1 indicating possession: That old car of mine gives me trouble all the time.
    2 indicating material from which s.t. is made: That necklace is made of pearls.
    3 indicating time before the hour: It is five minutes of eight (o'clock).
    4 indicating date: The opening ceremonies will be held on the 30th of July.
    5 indicating authorship or origin: People of this area rush to and from work every day.
    6 indicating direction, toward or away from: The lake is located ten miles north of here.
    7 in reference to, in regard to: A publisher contacted the writer on a matter of great importance.
    8 on the part of: Lawyers act on behalf of their clients.
    9 indicating relief, cure, etc.: Radiation treatment cured him of cancer.
    10 describing, naming, characterizing: They spent their vacation sailing in the Gulf of Mexico.
    11 indicating reason or cause: She nearly died of pneumonia.
    12 indicating the contents of s.t.: I bought a box of rice and a bottle of oil at the market.
    13 indicating association: We expected a serious answer from a man of his profession.
    14 indicating the object of an action: Children have a great love of animals.
    15 indicating a smaller unit out of a total: Most of the cars she looked at were too expensive.
off-color
off-color
  1. adj. offensive, dirty (jokes, remarks, etc.): He makes off-color jokes at parties that make me feel uncomfortable.
off-limits
off-limits
  1. adj. referring to places where certain people are not allowed to go,
    THESAURUS
    prohibited: In most states, barrooms are off-limits to people under the age of 21.
off-line
off-line
  1. adj.
    1 not having, offering, or using a connection to a network of computers (by direct wiring or modem): The bank couldn't process my deposit because its computers were off-line.
    2 (of computers and electronic equipment) not working properly: Her term paper was late because her printer was off-line.
off-peak
off-peak
  1. adj. not during a traffic rush hour, less busy: I bought an off-peak round trip ticket for evening travel.
off-season
off-season
  1. adj.n. not during the height of the tourist season: We took a less costly, off-season cruise in the Caribbean during the off-season.
off-site
off-site
  1. adj. away from the place of business: I won't be in my office today; I'll be at an off-site meeting.
off-the-rack
off-the-rack
  1. adv.adj. ready to wear: He buys his suits off-the-rack.
off-the-record
off-the-record
  1. adj.adv. referring to important information given privately and without the name of the person giving it: The mayor spoke to the reporters off-the-record.||She made off-the-record comments on the crime problem.
off-the-wall
off-the-wall
  1. adj.infrml. crazy or foolish: Most of his ideas are off-the-wall and therefore useless.
off-white
off-white
  1. adj. not quite white in color: Her teeth were off-white from smoking.
off
off
  1. prep.
    1 from, away from: He took his coat off the hanger.
    2 down from: Water drips off the roof in a rain storm.
    3 branching from: A narrow road leads off the main highway.
    4 located at a distance from: Ships fish off the coastline.adv.
    1 going away: The farmer shouted at the hunters to leave, and they moved off.
    2 far away, distant: That family lives off in the mountains.
    3 indicating distance: Her cabin is located ten miles (16 km) off, down that dirt road.
    4 indicating time: Our vacation is still a month off.
    5 making smaller, reducing: The sales clerk took 20 percent off on our purchase.
    6 completely,
    THESAURUS
    thoroughly: He finished off his dinner in a hurry.
    7 in order to disconnect: Shut off the computer when you've finished.
    8 away from work or duty: She's been working too hard; she should take off for a week or two.adj.
    1 not operating, switched off (said of machines, lights, etc.): The lights in the office are off all night.
    2 away from work, on one's free time: I am off on weekends.
    3 postponed or canceled: The meeting today is off and rescheduled for tomorrow.
    4 reduced, less: Sales are off this month.
    5 poor,
    THESAURUS
    inferior: The quality of her performance (that merchandise, his work, etc.) was off.
    6 inaccurate, wrong: His estimate of the cost is off by a large amount.
    7 no longer wanting or interested in something: I think the dog is sick; his appetite is off.
    8 to be better off: a. having a better life: She has a good job and is better off now than she was when unemployed. b. preferable, choosing an alternative that is better for you: I am better off wearing old clothes when I get dirty working in the garden.
    9 to be well off: to be wealthy and usu. in good health: That couple is very well off, with a big house, fine jobs, and three cars.
    10 to have an off day: a. to feel ill or depressed: He has a bad cold and is having an off day. b. to perform poorly for a day: The tennis star lost all her matches during an off day.
off and on
off and on
  1. adv. See: on and off. on and off or off and on -adv. periodically, sometimes: It rained on and off all night long.
off year
off year
  1. n. a year of less than good performance: Football players have off years when they do not play as well as in others.
offbeat
offbeat
  1. adj.fig. different from the usual or expected, unusual: That writer has an offbeat style of using very short sentences.
offend
offend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to hurt the feelings of people: She was offended that we didn't accept her invitation to dinner.
    2 to displease, disgust: His constant lateness to work offends his coworkers. -n. offender.
    THESAURUS
    offend
    1 to upset | insult. Ant. to win s.o. over.
    2 to annoy, irritate | anger. Ant. to please.
offense
offense
  1. n.
    1 the breaking of a law or rule: He committed a minor offense by parking his car on the wrong side of the road.
    2 s.t. that hurts others' feelings: Her bad behavior was an offense to others attending church.
    3/ (in sports) action by the team controlling the ball or hockey puck to try to score: Our basketball team has an excellent offense.
    4 the best defense is a good offense: the best way to defend yourself is to attack your opponent vigorously
    5 to give offense: to hurt or upset s.o.
    6 to take offense: to be annoyed or offended by s.o.'s actions or words
    THESAURUS
    offense
    1 a violation, crime, misdeed
    2 an insult, affront.
offensive
offensive
  1. adj.
    1 causing suffering of the body or the mind, disgusting: An offensive smell came from the garbage.
    2 rude: Her offensive words made her friend cry.
    3 aggressive, on the attack: Our team's offensive moves won the game. -adv. offensively.n. an attack, assault: The army mounted an offensive against the enemy.
    THESAURUS
    offensive adj.
    1 disagreeable, sickening
    2 insulting, hurtful.
offer
offer
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to propose s.t., express willingness to do s.t.: I offered to take my friend to dinner.
    2 [T] to present s.t. that may be accepted or not: She offers me a cigarette every time I see her.
    3 [T] to show signs of, to present: She offered no explanation for the mistakes in the report.
    4 [T] to happen, occur: He decided to leave at the first chance that offered itself.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to offer s.t. up: to present in a formal way: I offered up prayers to God.||I offered them up.n.
    1 a business deal: Car dealers have good offers at this time of year.
    2 a personal proposal: He made her an offer of marriage.
    3 to put up s.t. for offers: to present for sale: We put up our house for offers last week.
    THESAURUS
    offer v.
    1 to ask, suggest
    2 to make s.t. available
    3 to give, put forward s.t.
    4 to come up, present itself. —n.
    1 bargain, deal, sales
    2 request her hand in marriage.
offering
offering
  1. n. [C;U] an offer, esp. of a religious nature: At church, I make an offering of money to help the poor.
offhand
offhand
  1. adj.adv. without research or much thought,
    THESAURUS
    extemporaneous: I don't recall offhand how much I paid for the TV.||The teacher made some offhand remarks after class.
offhanded
offhanded
  1. adj. without thinking ahead or planning,
    THESAURUS
    offhand: The politician made some offhanded remarks to reporters and left. -adv. offhandedly.
officeholder
officeholder
  1. n. a politician holding an elected position, an official: Officeholders in the city government met yesterday.
officer
officer
  1. n.
    1 a person with a position of command in the military or on a merchant ship: She is an officer in the Air Force.
    2 a member of the police: Police officers came to take the thief to jail.
    3 a person with a position of power or responsibility in a business or public institution: He is a bank officer who makes decisions about loans.
official
official
  1. n. a person who works for a government or other organization: Labor officials met to discuss a new contract.adj. of or related to a position of power or authority: Presidents of two nations signed the official documents for a peace agreement. -adv. officially.
    THESAURUS
    official n. a representative | an agent. —adj. formal, legal. Ant. informal.
officiate
officiate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to judge in a competition,
    THESAURUS
    to referee: Four officials officiate at football games.
    2 to be in charge of an event, carry out official duties,
    THESAURUS
    to preside: The mayor officiated at the spring festival.
officious
officious
  1. adj.pej. self-important,
    THESAURUS
    bossy: He is so officious that he tries to tell everyone what to do. -adv. officiously; -n. [U] officiousness.
offing
offing
  1. n. in the offing: in the near future, happening soon: It's Friday and a relaxing long weekend is in the offing.
offset
offset
  1. v. [T] -set, -setting, -sets to balance,
    THESAURUS
    to compensate for: His bad behavior is offset by his hard work.
offshoot
offshoot
  1. n.
    1 (in biology) a new part of a plant growing from the main part: In the spring, offshoots of branches grow longer.
    2 fig. a new development or direction of s.t.: That computer company is an offshoot of an electronics company.
offshore
offshore
  1. adv.adj.
    1 away from the shoreline in the water: That offshore island is two hundred miles away in the ocean.
    2 (in business) related to business activity that is outside of the country, usu. to avoid taxes See: onshore.
offspring
offspring
  1. -spring n. [U] child or children,
    THESAURUS
    progeny: That couple's four offspring all live in different cities.
offstage
offstage
  1. adj.adv. not on the stage, in the wings: The actors walked offstage when the play finished.
often
often
  1. adv.
    1 many times, frequently: He often likes to tell jokes.
    2 as often as not: at least 50 percent of the time: As often as not, she calls us on Sunday.
    3 every so often: occasionally,
    THESAURUS
    infrequently: He only washes his car every so often.
    4 more often than not: more than 50 percent of the time,
    THESAURUS
    frequently: More often than not, we take the bus to work.
    5 once too often: more than is safe, recommended, etc.: They've lied to us once too often; we're not going to trust them anymore.
    THESAURUS
    often
    1 regularly, repeatedly | over and over, again and again.
ogle
ogle
  1. v. [I;T] ogled, ogling, ogles to look at s.o. with interest, esp. with sex in mind: The man ogled the woman so hard that she became angry. -n. ogler.
ogre
ogre
  1. n.
    1 in children's fairy tales, a giant who eats people
    2 a person who causes fear: The boss can be an ogre sometimes.
oh
oh
  1. exclam.of surprise, recognition, or disgust: Oh, I forgot my eyeglasses!
ohm
ohm
  1. n. one ampere of resistance in an electrical conductor: Ohms are used to measure electrical resistance. -n. ohmmeter.
oil
oil
  1. n.
    1 [U] petroleum: Companies drill for oil in the desert.
    2 [U] a lubricant from petroleum that makes machines work more easily: We change the motor oil in our car regularly.
    3 [C;U] the fatty juice of some plants, like corn or olives: People cook with olive oil.
    4 to burn the midnight oil: to stay up late at night to study, work, etc.: She was tired after burning the midnight oil last night. See: oily. —v. [T] to put oil into or onto s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to lubricate: I oiled the squeaky wheel on my bicycle. See: grease.
oil painting
oil painting
  1. n.
    1 [C] a painting produced with oil-based paints: I have an old oil painting on the wall.
    2 [U] the art of painting with oil-based paints: She prefers oil paintings to watercolors.
oil well
oil well
  1. n. a well dug for oil: Oil wells cover the landscape in parts of Texas.
oiled
oiled
  1. adj.
    1 treated or covered with oil: The engine is oiled and ready to run.
    2 fig.slang drunk: He's too oiled to drive home.
oily
oily
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered by or containing oil: The salad was very oily.
    2 of or like oil: There was s.t. oily on the kitchen floor.
    THESAURUS
    oily 1 and 2 greasy, slick.
oink
oink
  1. v. [I] n. a sound made by pigs: Pigs go, "Oink, oink!"
ointment
ointment
  1. n. [C;U] medicine in cream form: An athlete rubbed ointment on her sore muscles.
    THESAURUS
    ointment a balm, salve.
okra
okra
  1. n. [U] a vegetable with long green pods used in soups, stews, etc.: Okra makes a healthy soup.
old-fashioned
old-fashioned
  1. adj. no longer in common use, out-of-date: His clothes are old-fashioned and worn.
    THESAURUS
    old-fashioned outdated, passé, outmoded. Ants. modern, up-to-date | trendy.
old-timer
old-timer
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a person who has a long connection with a place, activity, etc.: We watched the old timers' golf tournament on TV.
    2 an elderly person, esp. an old man: Old-timers meet to play checkers in the park.
old-world
old-world
  1. adj. of or like the Old World, esp. European: My favorite restaurant has an old-world atmosphere.
old
old
  1. adj.
    1 indicating a specific age: His brother is 20 years old.
    2 indicating long life or existence: Their grandfather is very old. See: elderly.
    3 old-fashioned: Many stay with the old ways of doing things.
    4 in use for a long time: She was wearing an old hat.
    5 past, former: He met his old roommate for dinner last week.
    6 known for a long time, familiar: It was good to see my old friends again.
    7 fam.infrml. a good old boy: a man, usu. from the Southern USA, who is an ordinary, simple, and friendly fellow: Some of the good old boys love to discuss politics over a cup of coffee.
    8 frml. of old: in past times: People of old lived more simply than we do today.
    9 old boy network: a network of male friends and colleagues from college years and past associations: He found his new job through the old boy network.
    10 the same old (stuff, nonsense, etc.): referring to a repetition of offensive, boring behavior, propaganda, etc.: The government keeps telling the people the same old nonsense about how good things are, when they are not.
    11 to have a good (great, high, wonderful, etc.) old time: to enjoy oneself: We had a great old time at the convention.n.
    1 pl. the old: elderly people, the aged: The old have special medical needs.
    2 a person or animal of a specific age (used in combination): Our school runs a day-care program for three-year-olds.
    THESAURUS
    old adj.
    1 of age
    2 aged | ancient. Ant. young.
    3 outmoded, obsolete. Ants. modern, fresh.
    4 worn, faded, beat-up infrml. Ant. new.
    5 previous
    6 long-standing, established. Ant. new.

    USAGE NOTE: When describing people, it is more common and polite to use the word elderly. She takes care of two elderly women.
old country
old country
  1. n. sing. the country of an immigrant's birth or origin: My Italian neighbor arrived in New York as a child and visits the old country (Italy) every year.
old guard
old guard
  1. n. [U] a conservative, often older group in a political party or other organization: The old guard in the Senate votes for rights for the elderly.
old hand
old hand
  1. n.infrml. a person who is very experienced at doing s.t.: She is an old hand at solving problems with computers.
old hat
old hat
  1. adj.infrml. fig. no longer of particular interest,
    THESAURUS
    passé: That scandal is now old hat; no one is interested anymore.
old maid
old maid
  1. n. pej. a middle-aged or older woman who has never married
old man
old man
  1. n.sing.slang
    1 one's father: His old man is 90 years old.
    2 an older man in charge of anything, such as a ship's captain or a business owner: The old man is in his office.
    3 old usage a woman's husband: Her old man earns a big salary.
old school
old school
  1. n.sing. adj. referring to conservative, often old-fashioned ways: He comes from the old school and will address a woman only by her last name.
old wives' tale
old wives' tale
  1. n. s.t. which is widely believed, but untrue, a superstition: The idea that seeing a black cat brings bad luck is an old wives' tale.
olden
olden
  1. adj. old usage in (the) olden days or in olden times: old, past, long ago: In the olden days, the pace of life was slower.
oldie
oldie
  1. n.infrml. s.t. old and widely known, esp. a song: That tune is an oldie (or) a golden oldie.
oleander
oleander
  1. n. a poisonous evergreen plant with sweet-smelling red, white, or pink flowers: We have several oleanders growing in our front yard.
olfactory
olfactory
  1. adj. related to the sense of smell: People with a limited olfactory sense also often have a poor sense of taste.
oligarchy
oligarchy
  1. n. -chies [C;U] a form of government run by a few people, often a form of dictatorship: The ruling oligarchy in that country is composed of one family and their friends. -adj. oligarchical . See: dictatorship.
olive
olive
  1. n.
    1 the small green or black oval fruit of a tree that grows in southern Europe: Olives are made into olive oil, which has been used for cooking for thousands of years.
    2 a yellow-green color: Army uniforms are often olive green.
    3 an olive branch: a symbol of peace: One nation handed an olive branch to another to seek peace.
ombudsman
ombudsman
  1. n. gender neutral -men a person, often a public official, who deals with citizens' complaints against an organization, esp. the government: She acts as an ombudsman for complaints against the Social Security System.
omega
omega
  1. n.
    1 the last (24th) letter of the Greek alphabet
    2 the last or the best of s.t.: His knowledge was so great that it ran from the alpha (beginning) to the omega of that field.
omen
omen
  1. n. a sign of s.t. that is going to happen in the future: Dark clouds in the sky were an omen of a violent storm about to arrive.
ominous
ominous
  1. adj. being a sign of s.t. evil, bad,
    THESAURUS
    threatening: That man's angry threats are ominous; he may hurt s.o. -adv. ominously.
omission
omission
  1. n.
    1 [C] s.t left out, forgotten: There were so many omissions on her test that she got an F.
    2 [U] the act of leaving s.t. out: He was angry when he discovered the omission of his name from the list.
omit
omit
  1. v. [T] omitted, omitting, omits
    1 to leave out, not include: I omitted milk from my shopping list by mistake.
    2 to not do s.t. on purpose: She omitted several steps in the experiment and it failed.
    THESAURUS
    omit
    1 to remove, forget about
    2 to skip, miss.
omnipotent
omnipotent
  1. adj. having total power: That country is ruled by an omnipotent dictator. -n. [U] omnipotence.
omnipresent
omnipresent
  1. adj. present everywhere,
    THESAURUS
    ubiquitous: Many religious people believe that God is omnipresent. -n. [U] omnipresence.
omniscient
omniscient
  1. adj. knowing all, understanding all: That man thinks that he is omniscient, but he isn't. -n. [U] omniscience.
omnivorous
omnivorous
  1. adj. eating both meat and plant foods: Bears are omnivorous; they eat berries, fish, and meat.
on-again, off-again
on-again, off-again
  1. adj. switching between functioning and not functioning, happening and not happening: That couple has an on-again, off-again relationship where they see each other frequently for a couple of weeks, then not at all for months.
on-the-job
on-the-job
  1. adj. happening during work, such as learning a skill: She received on-the-job training on how to use a computer.
    THESAURUS
    on-the-job vocational, hands-on.
on
on
  1. prep.
    1 on the surface of (supported by, touching, connected to): We have an Oriental rug on the floor.
    2 indicating location: Their cottage is located on the seashore.
    3 indicating direction: The new house is on the right of mine.
    4 indicating days or dates: We'll be there on Sunday, June 19th.
    5 indicating an object of some action: The army began its attack on the enemy.
    6 indicating s.t. that is in process, happening: I'm on vacation now.
    7 indicating a means of transportation: We went to church on foot.
    8 referring to a subject, about: We watched a video tape on exercise.
    9 indicating that s.o. is taking medication or drugs: She is on penicillin.
    10 indicating membership or association: She is serving on the Board of Directors.
    11 indicating the reason for s.t.: He refused to sign the contract on the advice of his lawyer.
    12 by means of, using: I talked to the doctor on the phone.||The clock runs on batteries.
    13 infrml. paid for by: Dinner is on my dad tonight; he's celebrating his promotion.adv.
    1 functioning, operating: He turned the television on.
    2 more distant, farther: He arrived in Newark and drove on to Baltimore.
    3 in place, covering, esp. referring to clothing: She put her shoes on.
    4 without stopping, continuously: Despite doctor's orders, he went on smoking.
    5 and so on: and more,
    THESAURUS
    et cetera (etc.): We did some cleaning, such as vacuuming the rugs, washing the windows, and so on.
    6 on and on: for a long time, at great length: The speaker talked on and on.adj.
    1 operating, functioning: The TV is on.
    2 planned, happening: I have s.t. on for this weekend; I'm going to a party.
    3 acting artificially and being aware of others' reactions: He's on all the time with an act about how smart he is.
once-over
once-over
  1. n.infrml. a quick look, rapid examination: Doctors give accident victims a once-over to see which ones need immediate attention.
once
once
  1. adv.
    1 occurring one time only: I told him what to do just once.
    2 occurring in the past: I once visited California many years ago.
    3 all at once: happening all at one time: Customers came into the restaurant all at once.
    4 at once: immediately, right now: That matter must be taken care of at once.
    5 just for once: for this one time only, as an exception: Just for once, will you clean your room?
    6 once and for all: with certainty, for sure: The question of who owns that property must be settled once and for all.
    7 once in a while: periodically, sometimes: He likes to go to the movies once in a while.
    8 once more or once again: one more time, again: He decided to try the recipe once more.
    9 once upon a time: a long time ago: Children's stories often begin: "Once upon a time, there lived a beautiful princess."conj. when, as soon as: Once he understood, he did what he was told to do.
    THESAURUS
    once adv.
    1 on one occasion, a single time
    2 previously | at one time.
oncology
oncology
  1. n. [U] the study and treatment of tumors, esp. cancerous ones: Oncology is studied by all medical students. -n. oncologist.
oncoming
oncoming
  1. adj. approaching, nearing: The headlights of oncoming cars at night can hurt your eyes.
one-night stand
one-night stand
  1. n.
    1 a performance on a single evening by an entertainer: She's a singer who does one-night stands around the state.
    2 slang a one-time sexual act: They met in a bar, had a one-night stand, and never saw each other again.
one-shot
one-shot
  1. adj.infrml. referring to s.t. done only once, one-time: Our company bought out our only competitor in a one-shot deal.
one-sided
one-sided
  1. adj.
    1 being stronger on one side than on the other: It was a one-sided match between the champions and the new team; the champions won 10-0.
    2 unfair, seeing only one side of a problem (issue, argument, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    biased: The report was one-sided and didn't show any other opinions.
one-time
one-time
  1. adj.
    1 occurring or done only once: We made an exception to our rules as a one-time thing.
    2 former, previous: She was the one-time mayor of the town and is now retired.
one-to-one
one-to-one
  1. adj. direct with another person: The two ministers had a one-to-one discussion that was friendly and useful.
one-track mind
one-track mind
  1. n. a mind with only one idea or goal, esp. used with reference to a man with sex on his mind: That guy has a one-track mind; all that interests him is women.
one-upmanship
one-upmanship
  1. n. [U] a way to get superiority over others, esp. in power or wealth, by trying to seem better than them: He drives the most expensive car in a show of one-upmanship over his neighbors.
one-way
one-way
  1. adj. permitting movement in only one direction: The police stopped her for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
onerous
onerous
  1. adj. difficult, heavy,
    THESAURUS
    burdensome: The presidency is an onerous job. -adv. onerously; -n. onerousness.
oneself
oneself
  1. reflexive pron.
    1 (used as the object of a verb or preposition) a. alone b. without assistance: There are many things one must do by oneself without depending on others.
    2 (used to intensify): One must believe oneself that anything is possible.
    3 to be oneself: to act normally or in a relaxed manner: The best friends are those with whom one can feel comfortable, at home, and like oneself.
ongoing
ongoing
  1. adj. continuing, happening: There is an ongoing discussion in my company about working conditions.
onion
onion
  1. n. [C;U] a round, white vegetable with a strong smell and taste: I like liver and onions for dinner.
onlooker
onlooker
  1. n. a spectator, s.o. who sees s.t.: Onlookers stared at the accident scene.
only
only
  1. adj.
    1 with no others in its group: I loaned my only tennis racket to a friend.
    2 in a subgroup of a whole: They were the only students who passed the exam.
    3 most worthy of consideration: She's the only candidate for this position.
    4 an only child: having no brothers or sisters: She is an only child.adv.
    1 with nobody or nothing else: I can only say how sorry I am.
    2 at the least: If they would only try to understand.
    3 restricted in authority or importance: I am only the secretary here, not the boss.
    4 restricted in time: He had only a minute to talk.
    5 in the recent past: We talked only yesterday.
    6 in the final analysis: Her attempts to explain only confused us more.
    7 contradictory to the expected result: He rushed to the airport only to miss his flight by two minutes.
    8 not only . . . but also: not just, but in addition: We were not only hungry, but also tired.
    9 to be only too glad, happy, etc., to: willing to do s.t.: I am only too happy to drive you to the store.conj.
    1 except, however: The sky is clear, only it is too hot to go for a walk.
    2 with the restriction that: You may go bicycle riding, only watch out for cars.
    THESAURUS
    only adj.
    1 sole | lone, solitary
    2 few, remaining
    3 superior, unique. —adv.
    1 solely, merely
    2 simply, just 3, 4, 5, and 6 just, merely.
onomatopoeia
onomatopoeia
  1. n. [U] the use of words to imitate sounds: The teacher used onomatopoeia to teach the children animal sounds such as "moo" and "meow." -adj. onomatopoeic.
onrush
onrush
  1. n. -rushes a sudden move forward,
    THESAURUS
    a surge: The onrush of the crowd into the stadium happened when guards opened the gates.
onset
onset
  1. n.sing. the beginning of s.t., such as an illness: The onset of the disease began in October.
onshore
onshore
  1. adv.adj.
    1 headed toward the shore: The wind is blowing onshore.||An onshore breeze cooled the beach.
    2 located on a coastline: Boats are stored onshore for the winter. See: offshore.
onside
onside
  1. or onsides adj. adv. (in sports) within the lines of a sports field, court, rink, etc: He kicked the ball onside (or) onsides.
onslaught
onslaught
  1. n. a violent attack, either physically or with words,
    THESAURUS
    an assault: When the governor said he was raising taxes, there was an onslaught of criticism.
onstage
onstage
  1. adj.adv. located on a stage: The opera singer is onstage now. See: offstage.
onto
onto
  1. prep.
    1 on top of, upon s.t.: The tractor left the field and drove onto the road.
    2 infrml. in a state of understanding: She's onto your plan to trick her.
onus
onus
  1. n.sing.frml. a responsibility,
    THESAURUS
    a burden: The onus of caring for her elderly, sick parents was on her brother while she was on vacation.
onward
onward
  1. or onwards adv.adj. in a forward direction: After landing in Los Angeles, the plane flew onwards to Hawaii.
onyx
onyx
  1. n. -yxes [C;U] a semi-precious gemstone with layers of colors in white, brown, or black: He wears a gold ring with a black onyx.
oodles
oodles
  1. n.pl.infrml. a great deal, much,
    THESAURUS
    fig. tons: That couple has oodles of money.
ooh
ooh
  1. exclam. an expression of pleasure, surprise, or disgust: Ooh, I think he's a terrific actor!
oops
oops
  1. exclam. an expression of surprise or apology said after making a mistake, dropping s.t., etc.: Oops, I spilled some coffee on my shirt.
ooze
ooze
  1. n. [U]
    1 soft mud,
    THESAURUS
    slime: The ooze on the bottom of the river is very deep.
    2 anything like soft mud, such as oily dirt: There was ooze on the ground where he had worked on the car.v. [I;T] oozed, oozing, oozes (of liquids) to pass slowly out, as through small openings: Blood was oozing through the bandage.
op-ed page
op-ed page
  1. n. short for opposite the editorial page, a page in a newspaper with columns or articles giving opinions: The op-ed page in today's newspaper has one column criticizing the mayor and another praising her. See: editorial, USAGE NOTE.
opacity
opacity
  1. n. [U] the quality of not permitting the passage of light: The paper in that book is thick and has a high opacity. See: opaque, 1.
opal
opal
  1. n. a gemstone with bright colors in a milky base: Opals are made into jewelry. -adj. opalescent.
opaque
opaque
  1. adj.
    1 not permitting the passage of light: Some glass is so thick that it is opaque.
    2 dense, difficult to understand: His writing style can be opaque in places. -adv. opaquely; -n. [U] opaqueness.
open-air
open-air
  1. adj. located outdoors: In summertime, open-air concerts are held in the park.
open-and-shut
open-and-shut
  1. adj. easily settled, quickly determined: His death is an open-and-shut case of murder committed by his wife.
open-door
open-door
  1. adj. available to all on an equal basis, freely accessible: The boss has an open-door policy of encouraging any employee to talk to her.
open-ended
open-ended
  1. adj. continuing without stopping, ongoing: The two nations are having open-ended discussions on a trade agreement.
open-market
open-market
  1. n. a market that is open to imports with few government regulations.
open-minded
open-minded
  1. adj. willing to listen to or consider the opinions and ideas of others,
    THESAURUS
    broadminded: He is open-minded about new ways of doing things. -adv. open-mindedly.
open
open
  1. adj.
    1 not closed or locked: The front door is open; please come in!
    2 not enclosed, unprotected: They built their house in an open field.
    3 not covered, without a top, lid, etc.: He took us for a ride in an open sports car.
    4 spread out, unfolded: There was an open magazine on the table.
    5 free to all, public: The mayor has held open meetings to discuss city problems.
    6 without a final decision, available: The position of assistant manager is still open.
    7 willing to listen to new ideas, opinions, etc.: He has an open mind. See: open-minded.
    8 without secrets, honest: I want you to be open with me about your money problems, so I can help you.
    9 ready for business: She looked everywhere before she found a drugstore that was open.
    10 open to: a. unprotected,
    THESAURUS
    vulnerable: After winning $10,000, he was open to many people asking him for money. b. willing to receive: That company is open to suggestions from customers and employees. -adv. openly. See: open-minded.
    THESAURUS
    open adj.
    1 unlocked, unfastened, ajar. Ants. locked | shut.
    2 exposed, not built on. Ant. protected.
    3 topdown, uncovered
    4 wide open
    5 public, accessible. Ants. private, restricted.
    6 vacant, available
    7 fair, receptive. Ant. closed.
    8 frank, direct, straight
    9 doing business. —v.
    1 [I;T] to make or become open, unfasten: She opened the door before I could knock.
    2 [T] to make a passage through: Workers opened a road into the jungle.
    3 [I;T] to spread apart: She opened the map on her knees.
    4 [I;T] to start: The movie opens in a theater next week.
    5 [I;T] to make ready for business: Most stores open at noon on Sundays.
    6 [I] to be accessible to: The living room doors open onto the garden.
    7 [T] to cause understanding, sympathy, etc.: The minister asked us to open our hearts to the flood victims.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [I] to open at s.t.: (in stock markets, etc.) to have an initial price of: IBM opened at $100 per share this morning.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to open fire on s.o. or s.t.: to begin shooting at: The enemy opened fire on our position.
    10 phrasal v. [I] to open up: to tell everything,
    THESAURUS
    to confide in: She opened up and told her friend all her troubles.
    THESAURUS
    open v.
    1 to unlock, unfasten, unbolt. Ants. to close, lock.
    2 to construct, build, open an access into s.t.
    3 to unfold, expand
    4 to begin
    5 to start business, receive customers
    6 to give access to, lead to
    7 to unlock | bare, reveal. —n.
    1 the outdoors, outside: I like sleeping in the open.
    2 general knowledge, public view: I didn't want to keep our marriage secret any longer, so I brought it into the open and told my parents.
    3 a competition where professionals and amateurs can play together: The US Tennis Open is held in New York.
open house
open house
  1. n. a social event for all who wish to attend: On New Year's Eve, my wife and I have an open house for anyone in our neighborhood who wants to visit us.
open season
open season
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a time period when hunting and fishing is permitted: For three weeks in the autumn, it is open season for hunters.
    2 to declare open season on s.o.: to attack freely: The news media declared open season on the President and attacked him daily in the newspaper.
open shop
open shop
  1. n. a workplace where it is not necessary to be a union member in order to get a job: The hospital workers voted to have an open shop.
opener
opener
  1. n.
    1 a thing that opens: She uses an electric can opener to open cans.
    2 a beginning statement (joke, proposal, etc.): As an opener, the comedian made a joke about himself.
openhanded
openhanded
  1. adj. generous: She is kind and openhanded to people less fortunate than she is.
opening
opening
  1. n.
    1 a passage through s.t., a path: An opening in the trees leads to a large garden.
    2 a job vacancy: We have an opening in our sales department.
    3 the act of becoming or causing to become open: There were many changes in China after its opening to the West.adj. beginning, starting: Her opening remarks at the meeting were brief.
    THESAURUS
    opening n.
    1 a gap, break, an access through s.t.
    2 a position, job, job opportunity
    3 welcoming, overtures to s.o.
openness
openness
  1. n. the quality of telling the truth,
    THESAURUS
    frankness: The committee chairwoman said she appreciated our openness in saying exactly what we thought.
opera
opera
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a theater art in which a story is set to music: He listens to opera for relaxation.
    2 [C] an opera house: The opera is located up the avenue from our offices.
    3 pl. of opus -n. operagoer ; -adj. operatic.
operable
operable
  1. adj.
    1 (in medicine) treatable by surgery: He has an operable type of cancer.
    2 in working condition: Our car is in operable condition.
operate
operate
  1. v. -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 [I;T] to function: Her new computer operates at a high speed.||That company operated in an old-fashioned way.||He operates the company out of his home.
    2 [I;T] to be in charge of, manage: He operates a food business in the city.
    3 [I] to perform surgery: The doctor operated on her this morning and removed her appendix.
    THESAURUS
    operate
    1 to work, run
    2 to run, conduct, handle.
operating
operating
  1. adj.
    1 functioning, working: That machine was broken, but is operating now.
    2 of or related to surgery: She is famous for her new operating techniques.
operating expense
operating expense
  1. n. the cost of keeping a business going
operating system
operating system
  1. n. (in computers) the main software, such as Windows™, used to run a computer's more specialized programs: The operating system in my computer is the most popular one available today.
operation
operation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a way or process of working s.t., such as a machine: The operation of that machine is simple; just press the green buttons to make it work.
    2 [C] a surgical procedure: She had an operation to remove her appendix.
    3 [C] s.t. that needs to be done: The company carried out a secret operation to improve its products.
    4 [C] (in mathematics) a process, such as addition or subtraction, carried out on numerals, following certain rules: Addition is one of the simplest mathematical operations.
    5 pl. operations: the main internal workings of business, military, or government: Military operations are based in a command center in its headquarters.
operational
operational
  1. adj. working effectively, functioning: Repairs were made to the machine and now it is operational. -adv. operationally.
operative
operative
  1. adj. operating, producing certain effects: Her computer is now operative after a breakdown.n. a special worker, esp. a spy or agent: That secret agency has operatives who gather information on other governments.
operator
operator
  1. n.
    1 a person who operates equipment: The operator of a big truck must be careful not to injure others.
    2 a person who handles telephone calls at a switchboard: I didn't know how to make an overseas call, so I asked an operator to help me.
    3 infrml.fig. a person who gets what he or she wants through dishonest behavior: He's an operator who gets women by pretending to be rich.
    THESAURUS
    operator
    1 a driver
    2 a switchboard operator, receptionist
    3 a con man, swindler.
operetta
operetta
  1. n. an opera sung with light, often comical moments and some spoken dialogue
ophthalmologist
ophthalmologist
  1. n. a doctor who specializes in diseases of the human eye: An ophthalmologist treated the old man's blindness. -n. [U] ophthalmology.
opinion
opinion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] what s.o. believes, s.t. not proven in fact: His opinion is that life on earth will improve year by year.
    2 [U] any widely held views: Public opinion indicates that the people think the President is doing a good job.
    3 [C] a professional judgment, such as one made by a doctor, court, or judge: His doctor's medical opinion is that he has curable cancer.
    4 to be of the opinion: to believe, possibly with a willingness to change one's mind: He is of the opinion that environmental pollution can be fixed.
    5 to hold the opinion: to believe strongly: She holds the opinion that there is no cure for that disease.
    THESAURUS
    opinion
    1 a view, idea, conclusion. Ants. a belief, conviction.
    2 sentiment, feeling
    3 an assessment, conclusion, diagnosis.
opinion poll
opinion poll
  1. n. a scientific survey in which questions are asked of people to know what they think about a particular subject, esp. politics: Opinion polls show that people think crime is the nation's biggest problem.
opinionated
opinionated
  1. adj. convinced that only one's own opinions are true: He is so opinionated that he insists only his views are correct.
opium
opium
  1. n. [U] a narcotic drug made from the seeds of a type of poppy: Opium supplies other strong drugs like morphine and heroin.
opossum
opossum
  1. n. -sums or -sum an American marsupial animal with a pointed nose and a long bare tail that is active mostly at night and may pretend to be dead when in danger
opponent
opponent
  1. n. a person who takes the opposite side in a fight, game, contest, etc.: She was the mayor's opponent in the last election and she won.
    THESAURUS
    opponent a competitor, rival. Ants. a partner, an ally.
opportune
opportune
  1. adj. correct for a moment or purpose, (syns.) timely, advantageous: Early spring is the opportune time to plant crops.
opportunism
opportunism
  1. n. [U] an opportunity for self-advancement usu. with no respect for right or wrong: In an act of opportunism, he eliminated his political opponent by spreading false stories about him. -n. opportunist; -adj. opportunistic.
opportunity
opportunity
  1. n. -ties
    1 an advantageous time to act: I had the opportunity to visit my relatives this summer.
    2 an occasion for personal advancement or financial gain: Her new job represents an excellent opportunity to make much more money.
    THESAURUS
    opportunity
    1 a chance, possibility | occasion frml.
    2 a prospect, stepping-stone.
oppose
oppose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to be against s.t. or s.o.: The radicals opposed the government's plan for reform.
    2 to contrast two ideas, concepts, etc.: When the two plans were opposed, it was easy to see their advantages and disadvantages.
    3 as opposed to: in complete contrast to: This city, as opposed to the state capital, is small and friendly.
    4 to be opposed to: to take an active position against: She is opposed to the death penalty.
    THESAURUS
    oppose
    1 to fight, resist. Ant. to agree with.
    2 to compare, evaluate, match.
opposite
opposite
  1. prep. in a position across from s.o. or s.t.: My friend sat opposite me at dinner.adj.
    1 across from one another, facing each other: The restaurant and my apartment are on opposite sides of the street.
    2 in contrast to, completely different, disagreeing: The two experts hold opposite opinions as to how to stop poverty.n. a totally different opinion or action: The two experts think just the opposite.
    THESAURUS
    opposite prep. facing —adj.
    1 different, facing
    2 contrary, conflicting. Ant. the same.
opposition
opposition
  1. n.
    1 [U] in the state of being against s.o. or s.t.: The Liberals are the opposition to the Conservatives.
    2 disagreement, protest: Opposition to companies that pollute comes from environmental groups.
oppress
oppress
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to govern or treat cruelly and unjustly,
    THESAURUS
    to subjugate: The upper classes oppress the poorer people by taking land away from them.
    2 fig. to worry,
    THESAURUS
    to burden: Ill health and financial problems oppress him. -n. oppression; oppressor.
oppressive
oppressive
  1. adj.
    1 limiting one's freedoms: Oppressive officials will not allow the poor to work.
    2 fig. difficult to endure,
    THESAURUS
    weakening: The heat in summer is oppressive.
opt
opt
  1. v.
    1 [I] to choose, decide on: She opted for a winter vacation, instead of one in the summer.
    2 to opt out: to remove oneself from, decide against: She opted out of going to the wedding and stayed at home.
optic
optic
  1. adj. of or belonging to the eye: The accident injured the optic nerve in his eye.
optical
optical
  1. adj. of the eye or the sense of sight: Optical lenses are used in many applications from eyeglasses to telescopes. -adv. optically.
optical illusion
optical illusion
  1. n. s.t. that looks real, but is not: A mirage is an optical illusion of trees and water appearing in the desert when they do not exist.
optician
optician
  1. n.
    1 a skilled person who makes lenses for eyeglasses
    2 a person or business that sells eyeglasses: I went to the optician for eyeglasses. See: optometry.
optics
optics
  1. n. [U] the science of light, vision, and lenses
optimal
optimal
  1. adj. referring to the best (conditions, circumstances, etc): Clear skies and no wind are optimal conditions for a picnic.
optimism
optimism
  1. n. [U]
    1 the belief that good things will happen: Despite her health problems, she has kept her optimism.
    2 the belief that the future will be good: Our company is full of optimism about the future. -n. optimist; -adj. optimistic ; -adv. optimistically.
    THESAURUS
    optimism
    1 a positive outlook, hopefulness. Ant. pessimism.
    2 confidence, enthusiasm.
optimum
optimum
  1. n.adj. -mums or -ma the best outcome (use, condition, etc.) possible: The optimum that we can expect is a 7 percent return on money invested.||That is the optimum rate possible at this time. -v. [T] optimize.
option
option
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a choice,
    THESAURUS
    an alternative: She has two options: she can stay here or leave.
    2 [C] a right to buy s.t. at a stated price: He has a 90-day option to buy that house for $170,000.v. [T] to offer or get an option to buy s.t.: He optioned his cottage to a potential buyer for a month.
optional
optional
  1. adj. referring to s.t. that can be done or not done freely,
    THESAURUS
    voluntary: If you want to give money to the church, that is optional. -adv. optionally.
optometry
optometry
  1. n. [U] the profession of examining the eyes for problems and writing prescriptions for eyeglasses: Optometry requires advanced study of the eyes and a license. -n. optometrist.
opulence
opulence
  1. n. [U] great wealth and luxury: The king of France lived in opulence in his palace. -adj. opulent; -adv. opulently.
opus
opus
  1. n. opera or opuses an artistic work such as a musical composition or group of compositions: This sonata is the composer's opus one.
or
or
  1. conj.
    1 referring to choices or alternatives: You can go today or tomorrow.
    2 if not,
    THESAURUS
    otherwise: Take care of your car or else you'll have problems.
    3 introducing a word with the same meaning: I'll have half a dozen, or six, of those.
    4 or so: more or less,
    THESAURUS
    approximately: The car cost $19,000 or so.
oracle
oracle
  1. n. a wise person who tells the future,
    THESAURUS
    a soothsayer: The ancient Greeks tried to learn the future from oracles. -adj. oracular.
oral
oral
  1. adj.
    1 related to the mouth, its opening and inside: Dentists give their patients oral examinations.
    2 not written, spoken: He had to give an oral report at the meeting. -adv. orally.
orange
orange
  1. n.adj.
    1 a round, orange-colored fruit with thick skin and sweet, juicy flesh, or the tree it grows on: He likes to eat oranges and to drink orange juice for breakfast.
    2 the color made by mixing red and yellow: She wore an orange bathing suit to the beach.
orangeade
orangeade
  1. n. [C;U] an orange-flavored drink with bubbles: I like a cold orangeade on a hot day.
orangutan
orangutan
  1. n. a large monkey with a reddish brown coat and no tail, found in Sumatra and Borneo: Orangutans have humanlike faces.
oration
oration
  1. n.frml. [C;U] a formal public speech often in dignified language: The priest gave an oration on the value of not drinking alcohol. -v. [I] orate.
orator
orator
  1. n. [U]
    1 a person who gives an oration: Each orator took a turn speaking in the Senate.
    2 a skilled public speaker: Sir Winston Churchill was famous as an orator; he gave wonderful speeches. -n. oratory.
orbit
orbit
  1. n.
    1 a path in space followed by a planet, moon, or spacecraft: The space vehicle settled into an orbit around Mars.
    2 old usage the range of a person's activity or influence: I'd like to help you, but I'm afraid that's out of my orbit.v. [I;T] to move in an orbit: Planets orbit the sun. -adj. orbital.
orchard
orchard
  1. n.
    1 a piece of land on which fruit trees grow: Farmers pick apples from their orchards in autumn.
    2 a group of trees grown for their crops, such as fruits and nuts
orchestra
orchestra
  1. n.
    1 a usu. large group of musicians who play music on instruments, such as the violin and horns: That orchestra plays classical music.
    2 the seats on the floor of a theater (not in the balconies) closest to the stage
    3 orchestra pit: the part of a theater where the orchestra sits -adj. orchestral.
orchestrate
orchestrate
  1. v. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates
    1 to write or arrange music for an orchestra
    2 fig. to organize an event: My mother orchestrated a big party for charity. -n. [C;U] orchestration.
orchid
orchid
  1. n.
    1 any of a large variety of plants with beautiful flowers: Some women wear orchids in their hair or pinned to their dresses on formal occasions.
    2 a purplish-red color
ordain
ordain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make s.o. a priest or minister: The student of religion was ordained a minister (or) as a minister last month.
    2 frml. to order by one's authority or by law: The king ordained that all his citizens must pay taxes.
ordeal
ordeal
  1. n. a painful experience or a struggle that tests one's abilities: Her treatment for cancer was a long, hard ordeal for her.
order
order
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the way in which things are arranged in time or space, organization: She arranged the newspapers in order by their dates.
    2 [U] the condition of being neatly arranged: He always keeps his office in order.
    3 [U] the condition of working or functioning, esp. of machines: We had to walk up the stairs, because the elevator was out of order. (=not functioning)
    4 [U] the condition that results from laws, rules, etc. being obeyed: The judge asked for order in the court.
    5 [C] a direction, command: The captain gave the sailor an order.
    6 [C] a. a request for goods or services: She placed an order with our company for five new computers. b. the goods that were requested: Her order was delivered this morning.
    7 [C] a written or printed paper that gives s.o. permission to do s.t., such as collect money: He paid his rent with a money order.
    8 [C] (in biology) a division of plants or animals classified by similarity: Orchids belong to the order Orchidales.
    9 [C] a religious organization, esp. a group of monks or nuns: He was a member of the Dominican order.
    10 [C] a. a group of people who have been honored for bravery, service, etc. b. the badge, emblem, they wear to show membership in this group: She was given the Order of the Silver Star.
    11 fig. a tall order: a request to do s.t. very difficult: She wants the job done tomorrow, and that's a tall order!
    12 in order to/that: for, with the purpose of: He moved to a smaller apartment in order to save money.
    13 in short order: very quickly, soon: She needs to act in short order if she wants to avoid penalties.
    14 on order: requested but not yet made, shipped, or delivered: The shoes are on order and will be shipped next week.
    15 on/by the order of: by the authority of, command of: On the order of the judge, the man paid a $500 fine.
    16 to keep order: to maintain conditions of daily life, obedience of laws, rules: During the war, the soldiers tried to keep order.
    17 to make to order: to make s.t. specially for a customer: He has his suits made-to-order by a tailor.
    18 under orders: having been commanded to do s.t.: Our platoon was under orders to take the city. See: disorder. —v.
    1 [T] to give a command: The captain ordered the soldiers to clean their guns.
    2 [I;T] to request that s.t. be supplied: I've ordered new curtains for the kitchen.
    3 [T] to arrange, manage in a logical way: The accountant ordered the figures by month and year.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to order s.o. around: to tell s.o. what to do: The boss likes to order her employees around.
    THESAURUS
    order n.
    1 (a) sequence
    2 a neat condition, in good shape. Ants. disarray, disorder.
    3 (out of) commission 4 peace and quiet. Ant. disruption.
    5 a command, instruction | an ultimatum | decree. Ant. a request. 6a. an invoice, purchase order 6b. the merchandise, goods, supplies. —v.
    1 to demand, command, direct
    2 to purchase | requisition
    3 to sequence.
orderly
orderly
  1. n. -lies a worker who cleans and does chores: An orderly cleans floors and bathrooms in the hospital.adj. neatly arranged, organized: Her office is very orderly and clean.
ordinal
ordinal
  1. adj. referring to ranking or place in a series: First, second, third, and fourth, etc. (also written 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th) are ordinal numbers. See: cardinal.
ordinance
ordinance
  1. n. a regulation or law, esp. one passed by a state or local government: A city ordinance requires that garbage must be collected once a week.
ordinarily
ordinarily
  1. adv. under normal conditions, usually: Ordinarily the library is open, but it is closed because of the storm.
    THESAURUS
    ordinarily normally, generally.
ordinary
ordinary
  1. adj.
    1 common, regular: She wears an ordinary pair of shoes to go for a walk.
    2 of average quality: That singer has an ordinary voice; she won't be very successful.
    THESAURUS
    ordinary
    1 plain | standard. Ants. fancy | unusual.
    2 average. Ant. extraordinary.
ordination
ordination
  1. n. [C;U] the act or ceremony of ordaining s.o. as a priest or minister See: ordain.
ore
ore
  1. n. [C;U] earth, rock, etc., from which metals can be processed: Workers find gold in ore taken from deep in the earth.
oregano
oregano
  1. n. [U] a green herb plant with small leaves, used in cooking
organ grinder
organ grinder
  1. n. a person who plays a portable organ, usu. outdoors and often with a monkey to amuse people: The organ grinder's monkey accepts coins from spectators.
organism
organism
  1. n. a living creature: Bacteria are very small organisms.
organization
organization
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of people working together for a purpose, such as a business or a hobby: People give money to charitable organizations.
    2 [U] an arrangement of people, things, or functions for a specific purpose: The organization of books in that library is by subject matter.
    THESAURUS
    organization
    1 an institution | company, firm, establishment
    2 order, grouping | structure.
organizational
organizational
  1. adj. related to organizing, arranging: Her organizational abilities keep our office in order. -adv. organizationally.
organize
organize
  1. v. -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 [I;T] to make a group for a specific purpose: Workers organized into labor unions to protect their rights.
    2 [T] to put in order, arrange: She organizes meetings by asking people to come, getting the meeting room, etc.
    THESAURUS
    organize
    1 to establish s.t., found s.t. Ant. to disband.
    2 to set up, to coordinate. Ant. to disorganize.
organizer
organizer
  1. n.
    1 a person who arranges activities: She is a good organizer of meetings and parties.
    2 a device, such as a cabinet or a notebook, used to arrange books, papers, etc.
    3 a person who persuades workers to join a labor union
orgasm
orgasm
  1. n. [C;U] the moment of feeling the greatest pleasure in sex
orgy
orgy
  1. n. -gies a wild party, usu. with sex, drugs, and/or alcohol: After graduation, my roommates held a party; it was so wild, it reminded me of an ancient Roman orgy.
orient
orient
  1. v. [T]
    1 to find a geographic location using a map, compass, etc.: During our walk in the woods, we got lost and had to orient ourselves with a compass.
    2 fig. to become familiar with a new city, neighborhood, etc.: Volunteers orient new students to the campus every semester.
    3 to locate s.t. in a specific direction: Mosques are oriented toward Mecca. See: orientation. —n.sing.old usage the Orient: the East, esp. Asian countries such as Japan, China, Vietnam, etc.: The explorer wrote a book about her travels to the Orient.
orientation
orientation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the direction in which s.t. is pointed: The orientation of the building is facing south.
    2 [C;U] a person's desires in religion, politics, or sexuality: Her political orientation is toward the Left.
    3 [C;U] a period of becoming familiar with a new neighborhood, job, etc.: The company gives a three-day orientation to all new employees.
orifice
orifice
  1. n.frml. an opening, hole: The mouth is an orifice.
origin
origin
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the location of where s.t. begins or began, the source: The origin of that folk song is France.
    2 [C;U] one's childhood and one's family's social class: He comes from working-class origins.
    THESAURUS
    origin
    1 source, starting place
    2 background, parents | ancestry, genealogy.
original
original
  1. adj.
    1 first, earliest: The original draft of her novel has been lost.
    2 new, different from what has come before: There wasn't a single original idea in the book.
    3 not being a copy or translation: The original painting is in a museum; this is just a copy.n. s.t. that can be or has been copied or translated: She wants to study English, so she can read Shakespeare's plays in the original.
    THESAURUS
    original adj.
    1 initial, beginning
    2 unique, creative. Ant. derivative.
originality
originality
  1. n. [U] the quality of being new or different,
    THESAURUS
    freshness: Her style of writing has an originality all its own.
originally
originally
  1. adv. previously, before: He originally came from Florida but lives in Chicago now.
originate
originate
  1. v. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to (cause to) begin, come from: Automobiles originated in the 19th century.
oriole
oriole
  1. n. a small, colorful North American bird with males having black and orange markings: Orioles use pieces of string and hair to make their nests.
ornament
ornament
  1. n. s.t. that is decorative rather than useful: His grandmother's living room is full of little china ornaments. ||Christmas tree ornamentsv. [T] to add decorations to s.t.: We used white flowers and green leaves to ornament the church door for the wedding. -adj. ornamental ; -n. ornamentation .
    THESAURUS
    v. to decorate, beautify, adorn frml.
ornate
ornate
  1. adj. having lots of decorations: The frames on the pictures are ornate with flowers and fruit painted in gold. -adv. ornately; -n. [U] ornateness.
ornithology
ornithology
  1. n. [U] the science and study of birds: He studied ornithology in college. -n. ornithologist.
orphan
orphan
  1. n. a child whose parents have died: When his parents were killed in an accident, he was left an orphan (or) their little boy became an orphan.v. [T] to become an orphan: He was orphaned at an early age.
orphanage
orphanage
  1. n. a place where orphans live and are cared for: She was brought up in an orphanage after her parents died.
orthodontics
orthodontics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. (in dentistry) the science of correcting irregular teeth: Advances in orthodontics help children to have straight teeth. -n. orthodontist.
orthodox
orthodox
  1. adj.
    1 having generally accepted or approved beliefs, ideas, etc.: She follows orthodox Muslim teaching in her daily life.
    2 common, traditional,
    THESAURUS
    conventional: We were surprised by his orthodox taste in clothes.
    3 Orthodox: a. of or related to the Christian churches (Russian, Greek, etc.) that originated in the Byzantine empire b. of or related to the branch of Judaism that follows traditional customs and teachings -n. orthodoxy.
orthopedics
orthopedics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the branch of medicine that specializes in (the correction and prevention of injuries in) bones: She studied orthopedics in medical school. -n. orthopedist.
oscillate
oscillate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to move constantly up and down, or side to side, between two points: On an oscilloscope, you can see an electrical current oscillate up and down.
    2 fig. to be undecided,
    THESAURUS
    to vacillate -n. oscillator; [U] oscillation . See: vacillate.
osmosis
osmosis
  1. n. [U]
    1 a transfer of liquid through the wall of a cell
    2 by osmosis: learning s.t. by experience or observation, rather than by formal study: She learned computers by osmosis from watching her friends work on them.
osprey
osprey
  1. n. -preys a large North American fish-eating bird: The osprey flew close to the water and caught a fish.
ossify
ossify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to form into bone: Babies' skeletons ossify.
    2 fig. to be unchanging and conventional in one's ideas: His thinking has ossified as he's grown older; he won't consider new ideas. -n. [U] ossification.
ostensible
ostensible
  1. adj. seeming to be, pretended: His ostensible reason for calling her was to ask for a friend's telephone number; his real reason was to invite her to a party. -adv. ostensibly.
ostentation
ostentation
  1. n.frml. [U] an unnecessary or showy display of wealth, learning, skill, etc. which is meant to impress s.o.: Fur coats, diamonds, and a Rolls Royce are all part of the ostentation of Hollywood. -adj. ostentatious ; -adv. ostentatiously.
ostracize
ostracize
  1. v.frml. [T] -cized, -cizing, -cizes to refuse to have a social relationship with s.o.: They were ostracized by the members of their political party, because they voted against a party proposal. -n. [U] ostracism.
ostrich
ostrich
  1. n. -triches a large African bird with long legs and neck, which cannot fly: Ostriches are believed to bury their heads in the sand when frightened.
other
other
  1. adj.
    1 identifying the one that remains out of two or more: I don't like this book, so I'm going to read the other one first.
    2 second,
    THESAURUS
    alternate: We play cards every other Tuesday night.
    3 more of the same kind,
    THESAURUS
    additional: He was at the library with two other students.
    4 not the same, not one's own, different: She likes to visit other people's families, but not her own.
    5 on the other hand: from a different point of view: I like taking my vacation in the summer; on the other hand, a winter vacation can also be relaxing.
    6 other than: except for, besides: There isn't anything to do other than to wait to see what happens.
    7 the other day/morning/afternoon/night: on a day/morning/afternoon/night in the recent past: He called me just the other day.pron.
    1 s.t. that remains: You take one end, and I'll take the other.
    2 s.o. or s.t. that is indefinite or uncertain: They promised to take us out to dinner sometime or other.
    3 one after the other: in sequence, not in a group: Her dinner guests arrived one after the other.
otherwise
otherwise
  1. adv.
    1 differently: I can't say otherwise or I would be lying.
    2 in every other way, except for: Their plane was late, but otherwise they had a good trip.
    3 if not, or else: You must pay your taxes on time; otherwise, you will be punished.
otter
otter
  1. n. a water mammal with brown fur and a playful nature: Sea otters float on their backs and eat fish and clams.
ouch
ouch
  1. exclam. of pain and surprise: Ouch! I hit my finger with the hammer!
ought
ought
  1. auxiliary v.
    1 used to express a moral or legal duty or obligation: You ought to drive more slowly.
    2 used to express what is advisable: It's after 11:00; I ought to go to bed.
    3 used to express what is logical to expect: The wind has stopped blowing; it ought to be warmer. See: might; must; should.
ounce
ounce
  1. n.
    1 a unit of weight equal to 1/16 of a pound (approx. 28 g): Several ounces of pepper will last a long time.
    2 a unit of liquid measure equal to 1/16 of a pint (approx. 29.6 ml): A drink of whiskey contains several ounces of alcohol.
    3 fig. a very small amount: She told me the news without an ounce of emotion. -abbr. oz.
our
our
  1. poss.adj. of, relating to, belonging to us: Our house is on the corner.poss.pron. ours: That house is ours.
ourselves
ourselves
  1. reflexive pron.
    1 referring to us: We don't need to concern ourselves with the details of the project.
    2 used to give emphasis: We didn't believe his story ourselves.
    3 by ourselves: a. alone: We went there by ourselves, because nobody wanted to go with us. b. without help,
    THESAURUS
    unassisted: We were surprised to be able to finish the work by ourselves.
oust
oust
  1. v.frml. [T] to send s.o. out, usu. with physical or legal force,
    THESAURUS
    to expel: The politician was ousted from office by a vote from members of her own party.
ouster
ouster
  1. n. [C;U] an act of ousting, forcing s.o. out of a job, place, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    an expulsion
out-
out-
  1. prefix added to verbs to give the meaning in a superlative way: "Outrun" means to run faster or farther than all others.
out-of-bounds
out-of-bounds
  1. adv.
    1 (in sports) beyond the official limits of a playing area: The tennis player hit the ball out-of-bounds.
    2 fig. not within accepted standards of behavior, impolite: He made some nasty comments that were out-of-bounds in a polite talk.
out-of-date
out-of-date
  1. adj. no longer useful: Your information on that subject is out-of-date.
    THESAURUS
    out-of-date obsolete, dated | old-fashioned, outmoded. Ants. up-to-date, modern.
out-of-doors
out-of-doors
  1. adv. located outside, outdoors: We left the building and went out-of-doors.
out-of-pocket
out-of-pocket
  1. adj. paying cash for small items: His out-of-pocket expenses for his trip were for the bus fare and for food.
out-of-the-way
out-of-the-way
  1. adj.
    1 far away from cities and difficult to reach,
    THESAURUS
    remote: Her parents live in a little, out-of-the-way town in the country.
    2 not well-known, unusual: We had dinner in an out-of-the-way restaurant.
out
out
  1. adj.
    1 not in one's office, house, etc.: The boss is out now, but will be back in an hour.
    2 not in power or fashion: Miniskirts and the color green are out this year; long black dresses are in.
    3 not in operation, broken: The electricity was out for a week after the hurricane.
    4 not possible or selected: A winter vacation is out; we don't have enough money.
    5 (in baseball) unsuccessful in reaching a base
    6 out-and-out: complete, total: He's an out-and-out cheat!
    7 fig. out of it: a. not aware of a situation: Don't talk to him about your problems; he's out of it! b. very tired,
    THESAURUS
    exhausted: After taking those final exams, I'm really out of it!
    8 to be out for s.t.: to try to get s.t.: She's not interested in him as a person; she's only out for his money.
    9 to be out to do s.t.: to try, be determined to do s.t.: He's very ambitious; I'm sure he's out for his boss's job.
    THESAURUS
    out adj.
    1 absent, away
    2 passé
    3 down, out of commission/order
    4 not an option, impossible. —adv.
    1 away from the inside, middle, or center: The children ran out of the house to play in the yard.
    2 at a distance from a particular place: We drove out in the desert.
    3 away from the usual place: He went out to dinner.
    4 in(to) the open: The secret came out and surprised everyone.
    5 completely, totally: I'm just worn out!
    6 loudly: He called out to me just as I walked in front of the car.
    7 to lose out: not to be included, to fail: She was disappointed when she lost out on getting the job.prep.
    1 from inside, away from: Our cat jumped out the window.
    2 out of: a. out b. from among: In six cases out of ten, patients make a complete recovery. c. not within the limits, boundaries of: He's out of power now. d. no longer possessing, lacking, missing: I'd like to talk longer, but I'm out of time.
    3 to talk s.o. out of s.t.: to get s.o. to change an opinion on s.t.: We talked them out of moving to a larger house.v.
    1 [I] to fail, break down: The city was dark after the electrical power outed.
    2 [I] to go public with s.t.: "The truth will out."
    3 infrml. [T] to reveal s.o.'s homosexuality: A reporter outed the movie star by writing a story about the actor's romantic relationship with another man.n.
    1 to be on the outs with: to be quarreling or on unfriendly terms with s.o.
    2 to have an out: to have an excuse or reason: That politician has an out with her followers, because she did not vote for an increase in taxes.
    3 ins and outs: the details of a situation: She doesn't remember all of the ins and outs of the situation, just the general idea.
outage
outage
  1. n. an interruption, esp. in electrical power,
    THESAURUS
    a stoppage: A power outage darkened the city last night.
outbid
outbid
  1. v. [T] -bid, -bidding, -bids to offer to pay more money than s.o. else for s.t.: Another person outbid me for a painting at an auction.
outboard motor
outboard motor
  1. n. a motor on the back of a boat, not one inside it: His boat has two powerful outboard motors.
outbound
outbound
  1. adj.adv. moving away from a beginning point: At night, she takes the outbound train to go home.||He was headed outbound at that time.
outbreak
outbreak
  1. n. a sudden appearance of a disease or s.t. negative, such as crime: There was an outbreak of influenza last week in the city's schools.
outburst
outburst
  1. n. a sudden expression of feeling (anger, laughter, etc.) or activity: His outbursts of anger shock people.
outcast
outcast
  1. n. s.o. avoided by friends or forced to leave home: After she was found guilty of cheating, she became an outcast among her friends at college.
outclass
outclass
  1. v. [T] -classes to be much better than s.o. or s.t., outperform,
    THESAURUS
    to sur-pass: The tennis star outclassed his opponents by beating all of them easily.
outcome
outcome
  1. n. the effect, result,
    THESAURUS
    the consequence: The outcome of the election will be known today.
outcrop
outcrop
  1. n. a rock that sticks out, such as from the ground: Climbers rested on an outcrop on the face of a cliff. -n. [U] outcropping.
outcry
outcry
  1. n. -cries
    1 a show of anger, protest: An increase in taxes produced an outcry from the voters.
    2 a loud shout or scream
outdated
outdated
  1. adj. no longer useful,
    THESAURUS
    obsolete: That list of addresses is outdated; many have changed.
outdistance
outdistance
  1. v. [T] -tanced, -tancing, -tances to go farther or faster than s.o. else: The star runner outdistanced her competitors early in the race.
outdo
outdo
  1. v. [T] -did , -done , -doing, -does to do more or better than,
    THESAURUS
    to outperform: We outdid our competitors by offering a better product at a lower price than theirs.
outdoor
outdoor
  1. adj. located outside or intended for outside use: That singer gives outdoor concerts in the summer.
outdoors
outdoors
  1. adv. in the open air: The weather was good, so they held the concert outdoors.n. [U] the outdoors: the world of nature (forests, lakes, etc.): She likes to hike in the outdoors.
outdoorsy
outdoorsy
  1. adj.infrml. enjoying the outdoors: That couple is very outdoorsy and enjoys hiking all year round.
outer
outer
  1. adj. at a greater distance, farther from the middle or center: Tourists travel to the outer islands by ferry boat.
outer space
outer space
  1. n. [U] the area where the planets and stars are, esp. the area beyond the earth's atmosphere or beyond the solar system: The government sent a spaceship to outer space.
outermost
outermost
  1. adj. at the greatest distance, farthest from the middle or center: A space vehicle is exploring the outermost planets of the solar system.
outfield
outfield
  1. n. (in baseball) the part of a baseball field that is farthest from home plate: He caught a ball in the outfield. -n. outfielder.
outfit
outfit
  1. n.
    1 a set of clothing worn for an occasion: She wore a beautiful outfit of a silk dress with matching shoes and handbag.
    2 clothing intended for a special use: A firefighter's outfit includes a helmet, heavy raincoat, and boots.
    3 a group of people, such as in the military, working together: Our outfit was in charge of the cleanup operations.v. [T] -fitted, -fitting, -fits
    1 to provide with clothing and other things: The mother outfitted her daughter with new clothes for school.
    2 to supply with equipment, food, water, etc. for a special purpose: Explorers outfitted a ship to explore the North Pole.
    THESAURUS
    outfit n.
    1 a combination, ensemble
    2 uniform, gear
    3 unit, group, section. —v.
    1 to dress, clothe
    2 to equip, supply, provision.
outfox
outfox
  1. v. [T] -foxes to be smarter than an opponent: The tennis player outfoxed her opponent by hitting the tennis ball close to the net.
outgo
outgo
  1. n. [U] an outflow, such as a payment of money for expenses: Our outgo this month is greater than our income.
outgoing
outgoing
  1. adj.
    1 active in seeking the company of others, friendly: He is an outgoing and lively person.
    2 leaving s.t., such as an official post, retiring: She is the outgoing head of a large corporation.
outgrow
outgrow
  1. v. [T] -grew , -grown , -growing, -grows
    1 to grow too large for s.t.: That boy outgrows his clothes every few months.
    2 to grow faster than: This variety of tomato outgrows all others.
    3 to grow or progress beyond s.o. or s.t.: She outgrew the company she worked for and found a better job somewhere else.
outgrowth
outgrowth
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a result of s.t. else, a development: Hunger in that country is an outgrowth of a lack of rain to grow food.
    2 [C] s.t. that grows out of a plant, etc.: an outgrowth on a rosebush
outhouse
outhouse
  1. n. -houses an outdoor toilet in a little shed
outing
outing
  1. n. a short trip to have fun,
    THESAURUS
    an excursion: We went for an outing that included a picnic and a volleyball game.
outlandish
outlandish
  1. adj. shocking or strange in style or behavior,
    THESAURUS
    ridiculous: He wore an outlandish outfit of pink pants and green sneakers. -adv. outlandishly.
outlast
outlast
  1. v. [T]
    1 to perform longer,
    THESAURUS
    to outwear: Even though my new boots are expensive, I'm not sure they will outlast the old ones.
    2 to live longer than s.o. else,
    THESAURUS
    to outlive: The old woman outlasted her three husbands, who are all dead now.
outlaw
outlaw
  1. n. a criminal being chased by the police,
    THESAURUS
    a fugitive: Sheriffs chased outlaws on horseback in the old West.v. [T] to make s.t. illegal,
    THESAURUS
    to ban: Most states have outlawed the use of marijuana.
outlay
outlay
  1. n. money spent for s.t.: You can expect a higher outlay for rent in a city than in the country.
outlet
outlet
  1. n.
    1 a wall socket for electricity: He plugged the vacuum cleaner plug into an outlet.
    2 a store that sells discount merchandise: She shopped at a clothing outlet to buy shorts.
    3 a way out or opening for s.t.: The dam broke, because there was no outlet for the flood waters.
    4 a release for emotions, energy: He talks to his best friend as an outlet for his anger.
    THESAURUS
    outlet
    1 a wall plug, socket
    2 discount store | department store
    3 an exit, passage.
outline
outline
  1. n.
    1 the outer shape of s.t.: The children drew the outline of flowers on paper, then colored them.
    2 a summary of the main ideas of s.t., such as a book, lecture, etc.: She made an outline of ideas she wanted to present in her talk. See: flow chart. —v. [T] -lined, -lining, -lines
    1 to draw an outline of s.t.
    2 to give the main ideas of s.t.: He outlined his plans for the new kitchen.
outlive
outlive
  1. v. [T] -lived, -living, -lives
    1 to live longer than, die after s.o. else: The old couple outlived several of their children.
    2 to outlive one's usefulness: to be no longer useful,
    THESAURUS
    to be obsolete: That computer never works properly; it has outlived its usefulness.
outlook
outlook
  1. n.
    1 one's point of view: She always has a cheerful outlook on life.
    2 a prediction for the future: The outlook for the economy is good for this year.
    3 a view from a place: Our hotel has a beautiful outlook on the bay.
    THESAURUS
    outlook
    1 perspective, an attitude toward (or) about s.t.
    2 the prospects for s.t.
    3 vista, view.
outlying
outlying
  1. adj. far from the center of a town or city: She lives in an outlying area of Los Angeles.
outmaneuver
outmaneuver
  1. v. [T] to act more skillfully than s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to outwit: The soccer player outmaneuvered her opponents and scored a goal.
outmatch
outmatch
  1. v. [T] -matches
    1 to perform better than: The tennis star outmatched his opponent and won.
    2 to offer s.t. better: Our company outmatched a competitor by offering lower prices and selling more of our product.
outmoded
outmoded
  1. adj. no longer useful or fashionable,
    THESAURUS
    outdated: We got rid of our outmoded computers and bought fast new ones.
outnumber
outnumber
  1. v. [T] to be greater in number than: Reporters outnumbered guests at the political gathering.
outpatient
outpatient
  1. n. a patient who receives treatment at a hospital or clinic and does not stay there: He cut his hand and was treated as an outpatient at a local hospital.
outperform
outperform
  1. v. [I;T] to do better than others,
    THESAURUS
    to excel: The growth of that company has outperformed all of its competitors'.
outplacement
outplacement
  1. n. [C;U] an employment service provided by a company to help workers it has laid off to find another job: He was let go, but the outplacement department found him a new job quickly.
outplay
outplay
  1. v. [T] to play a sport, an instrument, etc., better than s.o. else: She won the piano competition by outplaying all the other musicians.
outpost
outpost
  1. n.
    1 a station far from a military center: Some soldiers waited at an outpost deep in the forest.
    2 any distant settlement: That little store was the last outpost for motorists before they entered the desert.
outpouring
outpouring
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 fig. the expression of a rush of emotion or feeling: In an outpouring of sorrow, she cried and cried after her grandmother died.
    2 a rush of liquid: An outpouring of water filled the fountain.
output
output
  1. n. [U]
    1 s.t. produced for use, such as manufactured goods, esp. during a specific time period: That state's annual agricultural output has increased.
    2 electricity, etc., produced by a system or device: Electrical output sometimes doesn't meet demand during hot weather.
    3 information, data, produced by a computer: I can't finish this project without the accounting output. See: input.
    THESAURUS
    output
    1 production, yield
    2 supply, flow
    3 information, numbers | report.
outrage
outrage
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a cruel or evil act, serious offense: The mayor's decision to close the clinic is an outrage.
    2 great anger, caused by such an act: I felt a great outrage when I heard about the murder.v. [T] -raged, -raging, -rages to make very angry or resentful: Residents of our state were outraged when the governor stopped free school lunches.
    THESAURUS
    outrage n.
    1 an evil deed, scandal, shame | atrocity
    2 fury. —v. to infuriate, enrage.
outrageous
outrageous
  1. adj.
    1 very offensive, insulting: Her outrageous behavior at the party offended everyone.
    2 ridiculous, shocking: That hotel charges outrageous prices. -adv. outrageously.
    THESAURUS
    outrageous
    1 atrocious, appalling
    2 unreasonable, unbelievable.
outreach
outreach
  1. n.adj. a program that provides services which help others: Our church has an outreach program to provide food and shelter to the poor.
outright
outright
  1. adj. complete, total: When Ross said "My brother and I went to Thai-land," he told an outright lie. Ross doesn't have a brother and he's never been to Asia.adv.
    1 with nothing held back, openly,
    THESAURUS
    frankly: If you have a com-plaint, you should tell me outright.
    2 completely, totally: His mother gave him the car outright (for no money).
    3 immediately: Three people were killed outright in the accident.
outrun
outrun
  1. v. [T] -ran , -run, -running, -runs
    1 to run faster than,
    THESAURUS
    to outdistance: The track star outran all of his competitors.
    2 to avoid capture, escape: Criminals sometimes outrun the police.
    3 to be greater in number than,
    THESAURUS
    to exceed: Orders are outrunning production.
outscore
outscore
  1. v. [T] -scored, -scoring, -scores to score more points than a competitor: Our team outscored our rivals and won the game.
outset
outset
  1. n.sing. the beginning, start: At the outset, the weather was bad, but we had sunny skies later in our trip.
outshine
outshine
  1. v. [T] -shone , -shining, -shines
    1 to shine more brightly than: Halogen bulbs outshine regular ones.
    2 fig. to perform better than s.o. else,
    THESAURUS
    to excel: Her performance on the violin outshone everyone else's.
outside
outside
  1. n.
    1 the outdoor or exterior surface of s.t.: The outside of the house needs painting.
    2 outdoors: He stood on the outside of the house and looked in.
    3 at the outside: at the most: At the outside, you can expect to pay $1,000 for that used car.
    4 to be on the outside looking in: to be excluded, esp. not to have a job: He was a manager for years, then was laid off and now he's on the outside looking in.
    THESAURUS
    outside n.
    1 the exterior, sides, walls
    2 the grounds | land, sidewalk, lawn. —adv.
    1 to or toward the outside: She stepped outside and breathed the fresh air.
    2 outside of: except for, other than: Outside of you and me, no one else knows the secret.adj.
    1 outdoor, exterior in location: The paint on the outside walls of the house is falling off.
    2 an outside chance: a very small chance that s.t. will happen: There is an outside chance that it might rain, so bring an umbrella.prep.
    1 on or to the outside of: Leave my mail outside my door.
    2 except, other than: He has no interests outside his family.
outsider
outsider
  1. n.
    1 a person not thought of as a member of a group,
    THESAURUS
    a stranger: People in that small town avoid talking to outsiders.
    2 a person or animal who is not believed to have a chance of winning a race, contest, etc.: People were surprised when an unknown outsider won the marathon.
outskirts
outskirts
  1. n.pl. the outer area of s.t.: Our car broke down on the outskirts of the city.
outsmart
outsmart
  1. v. [T]
    1 to act more cleverly or skillfully than s.o. else,
    THESAURUS
    to outwit: She outsmarted her competitors by offering customers a better product for less money.
    2 to outsmart oneself: to act foolishly, while believing oneself to be intelligent: He outsmarted himself by thinking that he could cheat on his taxes and not get caught.
outsourcing
outsourcing
  1. n. [U] the purchase of services outside one's company in order to save money, be more efficient, or simply get all the work done. We have a policy of outsourcing; for example, we once had our accounting department do our payroll, but now an outside specialist does it.
outspend
outspend
  1. v. [T] -spent , -spending, -spends to spend more than s.o. else: The politician outspent her opponent on advertising and won the election.
outspoken
outspoken
  1. adj. saying clearly what one thinks,
    THESAURUS
    frank: She is an outspoken critic of the school system in this city. -adv. outspokenly; -n. outspokenness.
outstanding
outstanding
  1. adj.
    1 excellent, extraordinary: He is an outstanding worker.
    2 not yet paid, settled, etc: I still have an outstanding balance of 50 dollars on my credit card account.
    THESAURUS
    outstanding
    1 exceptional, remarkable
    2 unpaid, open.
outstay
outstay
  1. v. [T]
    1 to stay longer than s.o. else: They outstayed all the other audience members.
    2 to outstay one's welcome: to stay so long that one is no longer a welcome guest: After he outstayed his welcome, we decided not to invite him back. See: outwear, 2; overstay.
outstretched
outstretched
  1. adj. reaching out, extended: The girl's arms were outstretched as she tried to catch the ball.
outstrip
outstrip
  1. v. [T] -stripped, -stripping, -strips to do better than or get ahead of s.o. or s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    to surpass: That manufacturer outstripped all his competitors in sales last year.
outthink
outthink
  1. v. [T] -thought , -thinking, -thinks to perform better than others by thinking carefully and cleverly,
    THESAURUS
    to outsmart: Our lawyer outthinks those lawyers who oppose her.
outward-bound
outward-bound
  1. adj. going away from the center of a city or from shore: Each evening, he takes an outward-bound train home to his house.
outward
outward
  1. adj.
    1 moving away from, going out: The weather during our outward journey was beautiful.
    2 on the outside: During her interview, she showed outward calm. -n. outwardness.adv. (or outwards) away from the center, toward the outside: Move your arms outward as you breathe out.
outwardly
outwardly
  1. adv. on the surface, seeming to be,
    THESAURUS
    apparently: Although she was outwardly amused, I'm sure she was really very angry.
outwear
outwear
  1. v. [T] -wore , -worn , -wearing, -wears
    1 to last longer than s.t. else: My nylon jacket has outworn my other clothes.
    2 to outwear one's welcome: to stay so long that one becomes unwelcome: He has stayed at his friends' house for three weeks; he has really outworn his welcome. See: outstay, 2.
outweigh
outweigh
  1. v. [T]
    1 to weigh more than s.t. else: One boxer outweighed the other by 20 lbs.
    2 fig. to be more important than s.t. else: Her need to save money outweighs her desire to spend it on fun.
outwit
outwit
  1. v. [T] -witted, -witting, -wits to defeat by being more intelligent than, (syns.) to outsmart, outmaneuver: The criminal outwitted the police and escaped.
outwork
outwork
  1. v. [T] to work harder than s.o.: He outworks his coworkers and they dislike him for doing it.
ova
ova
  1. n.pl. of ovum
oval
oval
  1. n.adj. anything that is shaped like an egg or an ellipse: She put her photograph in an oval frame.||His face was a perfect oval.
ovary
ovary
  1. n. -ries
    1 the organ of a woman or a female animal that produces eggs
    2 the part of a flowering plant that produces seeds -adj. ovarian.
ovation
ovation
  1. n. enthusiastic applause showing approval or welcome: The audience gave the singer a standing ovation after her wonderful performance. See: encore.
oven
oven
  1. n. any usu. box-shaped device used for cooking, baking, and heating food and other things: The cook put some bread in the oven.
over-the-counter
over-the-counter
  1. adj.
    1 available without a doctor's prescription: Most types of aspirin are available in over-the-counter form.
    2 in USA, a type of stock market called NASDAQ for smaller companies: Small company stocks are traded in the over-the-counter market.
    THESAURUS
    over-the-counter
    1 nonprescription, without a prescription.
over
over
  1. adv.
    1 from an upright position: She stood up quickly and knocked the chair over.
    2 so as to show another side: Turn the steaks over or they will burn.
    3 across a distance, open space, edge, barrier, etc.: Come over here and sit with me!
    4 above the surface or top of s.t.: A hot air balloon flew over early this morning.
    5 from one person, group, etc., to another: She signed the rights to her book over to a publishing company.
    6 from beginning to end, thoroughly: He didn't want to do anything until he had thought all of our suggestions over.
    7 so as to cover completely: She painted over the ugly wallpaper.
    8 another time, again: My homework assignment was so bad that my instructor made me do it over.
    9 in addition, in excess of s.t.: We were supposed to leave on Thursday, but the good weather convinced us to stay over (the weekend).
    10 over and over: many times,
    THESAURUS
    repeatedly: He has applied to medical school over and over, but he is always rejected.adj.
    1 done, ended, finished: By the time they arrived, the party was over.
    2 in excess of: Our trip cost over $2,000.
    3 all over: completely finished: Even though the movie was terrible, he stayed in the theater until it was all over.
    4 "It's not over till it's over": (said by a famous baseball player, Yogi Berra) a situation can change even at the last minute: Even though things look difficult, you should be optimistic; remember, "It's not over til it's over."
    5 over with: finished, completed, usu. of s.t. unpleasant: I have to have a tooth pulled and I want to get it over with as soon as possible.prep.
    1 at a higher level than, above, but not touching: The flag was flying over the entrance to the building.
    2 in order to cover: We put plastic over the furniture to protect it.
    3 from one side to the other, across: A dog jumped over the fence.
    4 on the opposite side of: She's from a town that's just over the state line.
    5 in every part of,
    THESAURUS
    throughout: He is famous all over the world.
    6 in control of, commanding: Her new position gives her authority over the whole department.
    7 more than, in excess of: He has been reading that book for over a year.
    8 using, through: The government made the announcement over the TV and the radio.
    9 during: I plan to finish writing these letters over my vacation.
    10 in connection with,
    THESAURUS
    regarding: My professor and I talked over my new research project.
    11 over against: in a direction against a barrier: I moved the desk over against the wall.
    12 over and above: in addition to, as well as, besides: She has to take care of her parents over and above her children.
overabundance
overabundance
  1. n.sing. [U] too much of s.t.: There is an overabundance of wheat on the market now. -adj. overabundant.
overachiever
overachiever
  1. n. a person who works harder and achieves more than is necessary: She is an overachiever with two Master's degrees. -v. overachieve.
overact
overact
  1. v. [I;T] to act in an obviously exaggerated way: The actor overacted in the play; it was a terrible performance.
overactive
overactive
  1. adj. too active,
    THESAURUS
    hyperactive: That child is overactive and runs around all day.
overage
overage
  1. adj. too old for a specific purpose: At 50 years old, he is overage to join the army.n. an extra amount, excess, esp. in inventory or funds: Our warehouse received an overage in a shipment and returned it.
overaggressive
overaggressive
  1. adj. too aggressive,
    THESAURUS
    hostile: He is an overaggressive child who hurts his playmates.
overall
overall
  1. adv.
    1 in general, considering everything: Overall, his job performance is quite good.
    2 completely, totally: The bill for the furniture overall is quite a lot of money.adj. including everything, total: The overall length of that table is eight feet.
overalls
overalls
  1. n.pl. loose work pants with straps over the shoulders, usu. worn over other clothes: He is a painter and wears overalls to work. See: dungarees, jeans.
overawe
overawe
  1. v. [T] -awed, -awing, -awes to control through respect or fear: The school principal overawed the troublemakers by speaking to them in her office.
overbalance
overbalance
  1. v. [T] -anced, -ancing, -ances to have more weight or importance than, to outweigh: She thinks that the pleasures of mountain climbing overbalance the dangers.
overbearing
overbearing
  1. adj. trying to force others to do one's will without considering their ideas or feelings: His overbearing behavior makes people stay away from him. -adv. overbearingly.
overboard
overboard
  1. adv.
    1 over the side of a boat or ship and into the water: A sailor fell overboard and was rescued.
    2 infrml.fig. to go overboard: to do too much of s.t.: They went overboard and spent $30,000 on their wedding.
overbook
overbook
  1. v. [I;T] to sell more tickets than there are seats available, as on an airline flight: That airline overbooked, then had to cancel some passengers' reservations because they had too few seats. See: oversell.
overbuild
overbuild
  1. v. [I;T] -built , -building, -builds to construct too many houses or offices in one area: Houses are relatively inexpensive in Texas now because of overbuilding during the good economic times of the ‘70s and ‘80s.
overburden
overburden
  1. v. [T] to make s.o. or s.t. do or carry too much, place too many worries on s.o.: Her husband's ill health overburdens her; she takes care of him 24 hours a day.
overcast
overcast
  1. adj.
    1 (of weather, skies) very cloudy but not raining: The sky is overcast today; we should take an umbrella in case it rains.
    2 fig. depressed,
    THESAURUS
    gloomy: His overcast expression matched his sadness. -n. overcast.
overcharge
overcharge
  1. v. [I;T] -charged, -charging, -charges to charge s.o. too much for s.t.: That store overcharges tourists.n. a price, load, etc. that is too high or large: I am going to call the gas company about this overcharge on my bill.
    THESAURUS
    overcharge v. to overprice s.t., take advantage of s.o. | cheat, soak infrml.
overcoat
overcoat
  1. n. a long winter coat, worn over other clothes: In winter, he wears a heavy, wool overcoat to work.
overcome
overcome
  1. v. -came , -come, -coming, -comes
    1 [I;T] to fight against successfully,
    THESAURUS
    to defeat: The girl with broken legs overcame her medical problems and learned to walk again.
    2 [T] (of emotions, will) to take control of: He was overcome with happiness when his daughter was born.
overcompensate
overcompensate
  1. v. [I] -sated, -sating, -sates to try to correct a weakness by making too strong an effort in the opposite direction: He overcompensates for time away from his children by buying them too many toys. -n. [U] overcompensation.
overcrowd
overcrowd
  1. v. [I;T] -crowded, -crowding, -crowds to allow too many people; to put too many things in one place: The managers of that theater created a dangerous situation by allowing people to overcrowd the balcony. -adj. overcrowded; -n. [U] overcrowding.
overdo
overdo
  1. v. [T] -did , -done , -doing, -does
    1 to do too much of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to exaggerate: She overdid it by rushing around in the summer heat and is ill now.
    2 to cook too long,
    THESAURUS
    to overcook: We overdid the meat and it didn't taste good.
    3 to use too much of s.t.: I can't eat her cooking; she always overdoes the hot spices.
overdone
overdone
  1. adj. & past part. of overdo, cooked too long: The fish was overdone and dry.
overdose
overdose
  1. v. [I] -dosed, -dosing, -doses to give or take too much of a drug: The drug addict overdosed on heroin and died. See: OD. —n. too much of a drug: He took an overdose and was in the hospital for weeks.
overdraft
overdraft
  1. n. an amount of money taken from a bank account that is greater than the amount actually available in it: An overdraft resulted when a $1,000 check was drawn against only $900 in the account.
overdraw
overdraw
  1. v. [T] -drew , -drawn , -drawing, -draws
    1 to take more money from a bank account than it has in it: She forgot to deposit her paycheck in her account and overdrew it by $200 when she paid the bills.
    2 to create characters, situations, which are unrealistic,
    THESAURUS
    to exaggerate: Generally I enjoy his novels, but I find that he tends to overdraw his characters. -adj. overdrawn.
overdressed
overdressed
  1. adj.
    1 wearing clothes that are too formal for the situation: He felt overdressed in his suit and tie when he saw that everyone else at the party was wearing jeans.
    2 wearing too many clothes: She was overdressed for the warm weather with her hat and scarf.
overdue
overdue
  1. adj.
    1 not arriving at a scheduled, expected time; late: The plane is overdue and has been delayed by bad weather.
    2 not paid on time, late: His rent payment is overdue.
overeat
overeat
  1. v. [I] -ate , -eaten , -eating, -eats to eat too much food
overestimate
overestimate
  1. v. -mated, -mating, -mates
    1 [T] to give too high a value to s.t. or s.o.: She overestimates her importance in that business.
    2 [I;T] to calculate too high a number of: He overestimated the number of people attending the party and ordered too much food.n. an estimate, projection, that is too high: She apologized for sending an overestimate on the project.
overexpose
overexpose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to show too much and lose popularity: That star's manager ruined his career by overexposing him.
    2 to apply too much light to photographic film: She overexposed the photographs by opening the back of the camera before the film was finished. -n. [U] overexposure.
overextend
overextend
  1. v. [T] to stretch s.t. beyond its limits: You can injure your muscles if you overextend them by running too fast.
overextended
overextended
  1. adj.
    1 stretched beyond limits: The cable was overextended and it snapped.
    2 fig. too deeply in debt, owing money beyond one's ability to pay: He owes too many payments on his bills and is now overextended.
overflow
overflow
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to spill, flow over or beyond the edges of s.t.: After the heavy rains, the flooded river overflowed its banks.
    2 to go beyond the usual limits: There were so many guests at the party that it overflowed into the hallway.n. [C;U]
    1 the act of overflowing: The blocked drain in the kitchen caused an overflow.
    2 an excess amount of s.t. (liquid, people, etc.): So many people attended the concert that chairs were set up in the lobby for the overflow.
overgrown
overgrown
  1. adj. covered with plants, often in an uncontrolled way: When I came back from my long vacation, I found my garden overgrown. -v. [I;T] overgrow; -n. [U] overgrowth.
overhand
overhand
  1. adj.adv. (in sports) with the arm moving from a position above the shoulder, then forward and downward: The ball will go farther if you throw it overhand.
overhang
overhang
  1. v. [I;T] -hung , -hanging, -hangs to hang over,
    THESAURUS
    to project over: A balcony overhangs the door below it. -n. overhang.
overhaul
overhaul
  1. v. [T] to examine s.t. thoroughly, in order to evaluate its condition and to repair if necessary: A mechanic overhauled the car's motor with new parts. -n. overhaul.
overhead
overhead
  1. adj.adv. above one's head: I put my luggage in the overhead bin on the airplane.||Birds flew overhead on their way south.n. [U] the money spent to run a business, such as rents, salaries, etc.: When we moved our offices out of the city, our overhead was cut in half.
overhear
overhear
  1. v. [T] -heard , -hearing, -hears to hear s.t. by accident: The next table was so close to me that I overheard the conversation of the couple eating there.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare overhear and eavesdrop. When you overhear a conversation, you hear it by accident. When you eavesdrop, you try to hear s.o.'s conversation without letting them know you are listening.
overheat
overheat
  1. v. [I;T] to become too hot: My car overheated and broke down.
overindulge
overindulge
  1. v. [I;T] -dulged, -dulging, -dulges to eat, drink, or play too much: The little boy overindulged in chocolate cake and has a stomachache now.
overjoyed
overjoyed
  1. adj. very happy, pleased,
    THESAURUS
    ecstatic: She was overjoyed when the doctor told her that her newborn baby was healthy and normal See: happy.
overland
overland
  1. adj.adv. across or by land (not by sea or air): Overland trucks carry food to market.||They travel overland quickly.
overlap
overlap
  1. v. -lapped, -lapping, -laps
    1 [I;T] to have a part of one object over another, to cover s.t. partly: His sweater overlaps the top of his pants.
    2 [I] fig.to have s.t. in common,
    THESAURUS
    to coincide: Our visits overlapped by a few days.
overlay
overlay
  1. v. [T] -laid , -laying, -lays to cover one thing with another: A carpet overlays the wood floor.n. an object that covers another: An overlay of wood covers the brick wall.
overload
overload
  1. v. [T]
    1 to place too much work, weight, etc., on s.o. or s.t.: She has overloaded her schedule with work, study, and family responsibilities.
    2 to use too much power, electricity, etc.: During hot weather, the city's electrical system is often overloaded by fans and air conditioners. -n. overload .
    THESAURUS
    overload
    1 to burden, strain, weigh down
    2 to overburden, tax.
overlook
overlook
  1. v. [T]
    1 to look upon, face: The cabin on the hill overlooks the valley below.
    2 to miss, not see or do s.t.: He overlooked several important points in his report.
    3 to act as if one does not see, ignore: The mother overlooks her little boy's bad behavior.n. a viewing point, a place to look down: We stopped at the overlook on the mountain road to see the view.
overly
overly
  1. adv. too much, greatly: He is overly worried about his health; his doctor said he is very healthy.
overnight
overnight
  1. adv.adj.
    1 during or for a single night: He stayed overnight at his friend's house.||He took an overnight train to Canada.
    2 without warning, suddenly: She won the lottery and her life changed overnight.
overnight bag
overnight bag
  1. n. a small, light bag to hold some clothes, toothbrush, etc.: She brought her overnight bag to stay overnight with her friend. See: garment bag.
overoptimistic
overoptimistic
  1. adj. feeling that s.t. good will happen when it will not, false hope: He was overoptimistic about finding a cure for cancer. -n. overoptimism.
overpass
overpass
  1. n. -es a road that passes over another road, railroad, etc. by a kind of a bridge: We left the main highway and used the overpass to the other side.
overpopulation
overpopulation
  1. n. [U] a condition of too many people (or animals), esp. with not enough housing or food: Overpopulation leads to overcrowding in housing. -v. [I;T] overpopulate ; -adj. overpopulated.
overpower
overpower
  1. v. [T]
    1 to defeat s.o. by greater power: Police overpowered the criminal and took him away.
    2 to be too strong for one's feelings or senses, make one feel helpless: The smell of the garbage overpowered me. -adj. overpowering.
overprice
overprice
  1. v. [T] -priced, -pricing, -prices to place too high a price on s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to overvalue: The owner has overpriced that house and no one will buy it.
overproduce
overproduce
  1. v. [I;T] -duced, -ducing, -duces to produce too much of s.t.: Farmers overproduced wheat and now there is too much on the market. -n. overproduction.
overprotect
overprotect
  1. v. [T] to take too much care of s.o., esp. a child: She overprotects her children; they never go out by themselves. -adj. overprotective.
overqualified
overqualified
  1. adj. referring to a worker whose experience and abilities are too great for a new job: As a former manager, now unemployed, he is overqualified for an ordinary salesman's job.
overrate
overrate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to give too much praise or value to s.o. or s.t.: That music is overrated; it is not very good.
overreach
overreach
  1. v. [I;T] -reaches
    1 to reach beyond or over
    2 fig. to try to do s.t. beyond one's ability: She overreached herself when she became a manager before she was able to do the work.
overreact
overreact
  1. v. [I] to react to s.t. in a way that is stronger than necessary, out of panic, fear, anger, etc.: When his stomach hurt, he overreacted and went to the hospital when it was only gas pains.
override
override
  1. v. [T] -rode , -ridden , -riding, -rides
    1 to set aside, ignore,
    THESAURUS
    to overrule: The Congress overrode the President's objection and passed the law.
    2 to be more important than,
    THESAURUS
    to take precedence over: A concern for safety overrode all other considerations. -adj. overriding.
overrule
overrule
  1. v. [T] -ruled, -ruling, -rules to change a previous decision,
    THESAURUS
    to nullify: A higher court of law overruled a lower court and set the accused person free.
overrun
overrun
  1. v. [T] -ran , -run, -running, -runs
    1 to spread over in large numbers, usu. causing harm: Because the kitchen was dirty, it was overrun by insects.
    2 to go beyond a limit: The advertising department has overrun its budget three years in a row.n. s.t. in excess of a limit or requirement: That store sells books at a discount by buying publishers' overruns.
overseas
overseas
  1. adv.adj. of, from, across, or beyond an ocean, in a foreign land,
    THESAURUS
    abroad: That business ships its products overseas to foreign countries.||They make overseas shipments every week.
oversee
oversee
  1. v. [T] -saw , -seen , -seeing, -sees to make sure that people do their work properly,
    THESAURUS
    to supervise: She oversees both the research and the manufacturing departments. -n. overseer.
oversell
oversell
  1. v. [T] -sold , -selling, -sells to sell more tickets than there are seats available for a flight, etc.: Airlines regularly oversell flights during popular travel periods. -adj. oversold. See: overbook.
oversensitive
oversensitive
  1. adj. easily upset by remarks or actions of others,
    THESAURUS
    hypersensitive: He is oversensitive and becomes angry when people make fun of him about losing his hair.
overshadow
overshadow
  1. v. [T]
    1 to throw a shadow over, darken
    2 fig. to seem more important than s.o. or s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    to dwarf: The famous father overshadowed his less talented sons.
overshoot
overshoot
  1. v. [I;T] -shot , -shooting, -shoots to miss or go beyond a target or limit: The airplane overshot the runway and landed in a field.
oversight
oversight
  1. n.
    1 [C] an unintended mistake, error: It was an oversight when he forgot to buy his plane ticket.
    2 [U] supervision, control,
    THESAURUS
    guardianship: A committee has oversight on how the bank invests its depositors' money.
oversimplify
oversimplify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies to explain s.t. too simply so that its true meaning is lost or changed, sometimes in order to mislead: The politician oversimplified the explanation of the new tax law to make it look like a good idea. -n. oversimplification.
oversized
oversized
  1. adj. bigger than life-sized, larger than normal size: An oversized statue of the king stands in the square.
oversleep
oversleep
  1. v. [I] -slept , -sleeping, -sleeps to sleep too long or too late: She overslept and missed her appointment.
overspend
overspend
  1. v. [I;T] -spent , -spending, -spends to spend too much money: The government has overspent its budget and has had to borrow funds.
overstate
overstate
  1. v. [T] -stated, -stating, -states to say s.t. is bigger, better, worse, etc. than it is,
    THESAURUS
    to exaggerate: He overstated the value of his company and no one would buy it. -n. overstatement.
overstay
overstay
  1. v. [T] to stay longer than necessary or wanted: We knew we had overstayed our welcome when we noticed that our hosts were very tired. See: outstay; outwear, 2.
overstep
overstep
  1. v. [T] -stepped, -stepping, -steps to go beyond a limit,
    THESAURUS
    to exceed: She overstepped her duties when she made that important decision.
overt
overt
  1. adj. public, not hidden,
    THESAURUS
    obvious: Two politicians who hated each other shook hands as an overt act of showing they are now friendly. -adv. overtly.
overtake
overtake
  1. v. [T] -took , -taken , -taking, -takes to catch up to and pass s.o.: One runner overtook another runner and won the race.
overtax
overtax
  1. v. -taxes
    1 [I;T] to burden s.o. with too many taxes: Officials overtaxed workers in the big cities.
    2 [T] to do too much of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to strain: She overtaxed herself by running in the hot weather and fainted.
overthrow
overthrow
  1. v. [T] -threw , -thrown , -throwing, -throws to remove from a position of power by force: The military overthrew the dictator.n. removal of a leader,
    THESAURUS
    a coup: The dictator's overthrow was carried out by the military.
overture
overture
  1. n.
    1 an introductory piece of music: The orchestra played the overture to the opera.
    2 to make overtures: to make an initial offer, proposal, with the hope of reaching an agreement: He made overtures of marriage to her.
overturn
overturn
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to cause to turn over,
    THESAURUS
    to upset: The boat overturned and sank in the storm.
    2 to change a decision, policy, etc.
    THESAURUS
    to reverse: The higher court overturned the decision of the lower one.
overview
overview
  1. n. a general picture of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a summary: Our teacher gave us an overview of the course on the first day of class.
overweight
overweight
  1. adj. heavier than the normal or permitted weight: He is a little overweight and needs to eat less.
    THESAURUS
    overweight heavy, fat, obese | chubby, plump. Ant. underweight.

    USAGE NOTE: In the USA, it is considered impolite to say that someone is fat or obese. It is more polite to say that someone is overweight.
overwhelm
overwhelm
  1. v. [T]
    1 (of emotions) to go beyond one's ability to control s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to upset: The death of his best friend overwhelmed him with sadness.
    2 to defeat or crush with great power,
    THESAURUS
    to overcome: The huge army overwhelmed its enemy. -adj. overwhelming; -adv. overwhelmingly.
overwork
overwork
  1. v. [I;T] to (cause to) work too hard or too long: The new manager is overworking his employees.n. [U] too much work: She suffers from overwork.
overwrought
overwrought
  1. adj. very upset or excited, nervous,
    THESAURUS
    hysterical: His child is missing and the father is overwrought with fear.
ovulate
ovulate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to produce an egg (ovum): Women ovulate once a month. -n. [U] ovulation.
ovum
ovum
  1. n. ova a female reproductive cell: Human females release one ovum a month.
ow
ow
  1. exclam. an expression of pain: Ow! I hurt my finger.
owe
owe
  1. v. [T] owed, owing, owes
    1 to need to pay money to s.o.: He owes the landlord last month's rent.
    2 to feel a sense of obligation: She owes her parents thanks for encouraging her career.
    3 owing to: because of, due to: Owing to the bad weather, classes were canceled.
    THESAURUS
    owe
    1 to be indebted to s.o., be in debt, have a loan with s.o. Ant. to repay.
    2 to feel grateful (or) obligated.
owl
owl
  1. n.
    1 a meat-eating bird with a flat face, large front-facing eyes, a hooked beak, and sharp claws, usu. active at night: Owls catch mice at night.
    2 infrml. night owl: a person who is active at night and sleeps days: His girlfriend is a night owl who plays guitar in a rock band. -adj. owlish.
own
own
  1. adj. (used with possessive adjectives)
    1 belonging to oneself: This is my own recipe for apple pie.
    2 (used to emphasize): She found the answer by her own efforts; no one helped her.pron.
    1 belonging to oneself: He said the car was his own.
    2 on one's own: without help: She built her business on her own.
    3 to be on one's own: to be independent: Their daughter has a good job and lives on her own now.
    4 to come into one's own: to become successful, to receive credit, fame, etc., for s.t. one has done: He has come into his own now that he is running the business successfully.
    5 to hold one's own: to remain strong despite difficulties: He is sick, but he is holding his own and is getting better.v.
    1 [T] to have as property: She owns a bookstore.
    2 [I;T] to admit, acknowledge: The judge owned that the juror was biased.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I] to own up to s.t.: to confess, admit to s.t.: The little boy finally owned up to the fact that he ate all the cookies.
    THESAURUS
    own v.
    1 to possess, be the owner of.
owner
owner
  1. n. a person or business that owns s.t.: The owner of the business works long hours. -n. ownership.
    THESAURUS
    owner proprietor, store owner, boss | landowner, landlord. Ant. tenant.
ox
ox
  1. n. oxen any of the large domesticated cattle, esp. a castrated bull, used for farm work: Oxen pull plows on many farms in the world.
oxide
oxide
  1. n. a compound of a chemical element plus oxygen
oxidize
oxidize
  1. v. [I;T] -dized, -dizing, -dizes to (cause to) combine with oxygen: Most metals darken when they oxidize. -n. oxidation.
oxygen
oxygen
  1. n. [U] a colorless, odorless gas (chemical symbol O) present in air, which is necessary for all forms of life: People must breathe oxygen in order to live. -v. [T] oxygenate.
oxygen mask
oxygen mask
  1. n. a device attached to an oxygen supply and worn over the nose and mouth: Patients with pneumonia have oxygen masks placed over their faces to help them breathe.
oyster
oyster
  1. n. an edible sea animal in a rough, flat grayish shell: Some oysters taste good and others produce pearls.
oz
oz
  1. abbr. for ounce: Baby José weighed 8 lbs., 3 ozs. when he was born.
ozone
ozone
  1. n. [U] a poisonous gas found in parts of the earth's upper atmosphere, which is a form of oxygen: If ozone is lost in the atmosphere, earth will be subjected to the sun's harmful rays.
pa
pa
  1. n.infrml. short for papa, father
pace
pace
  1. v. [I;T] paced, pacing, paces
    1 to walk back and forth in a worried manner: He paced in the hospital room, waiting for the birth of the baby.
    2 to pace oneself: to moderate one's rate or speed: She had many miles to walk, so she paced herself carefully.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to pace s.t. off: to measure s.t. by taking steps: She paced off an area for her new flower garden.||She paced it off.n.
    1 [C] a single step or stride: He slowly took five paces toward the edge of the bridge.
    2 [U] speed, tempo of an activity: Runners in a long race kept up a steady pace.
    3 to keep (up) the pace: to maintain a steady level of activity; to meet expected standards: I have worked seven days a week for several months, but I can't keep up that pace forever!
pacesetter
pacesetter
  1. n. a leader
pacific
pacific
  1. adj. calm, peaceful: They were a pacific people who settled disagreements by talking rather than going to war.n. adj. Pacific: the ocean located between eastern Asia and Australia on one side and North and South America on the other
pacifism
pacifism
  1. n. [U] a philosophy against the use of violence to settle conflicts: Some religions teach pacifism as a way of life.
pacifist
pacifist
  1. n. a person who practices pacifism: He refused to join the army because he is a pacifist.
pacify
pacify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to calm, soothe: The mother pacified the child by feeding her some milk.
    2 to make peaceable: The government pacified the workers by raising wages for labor.
pack
pack
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to place, wrap, or seal objects in a container for transport or storage: She packed two suitcases for her trip.
    2 [I;T] to crowd together or force things into a small space: She packed the drawer so tightly she could not close it.||Thousands of people packed the stores during the holiday season.
    3 [T] to process and package food products: They pack peaches and oranges in that building.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pack s.o. or s.t. in: a s.t.: to eat s.t. in large quantities: Before she has a race she packs in bread and pasta.||She packs it in. b s.o. or s.t.: to attract or fill in large numbers: That play has been packing in big audiences.||It's packing them in.
    5 infrml. to pack it in: to stop doing s.t., cease: We worked all day, then packed it in around seven o'clock.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to pack up: to prepare to leave: After the convention, we packed up and left the hotel.
    7 to send s.o. packing: to send s.o. away suddenly and firmly: I asked the boss for a raise, and he sent me packing. -n. packer.n.
    1 a group of several similar things wrapped together: He bought a pack of cigarettes at the store.
    2 a group of animals: A pack of wolves chased the deer.
    3 a crowd of people (used negatively): A pack of students filled the room. See: packing.
pack rat
pack rat
  1. n. 1 a type of rat known for collecting odd objects in its nest 2 fig. a person who holds on to old things, often of no value: She is a real pack rat; she never throws anything away.
package
package
  1. n.
    1 a container, esp. one wrapped up and sealed: a package of cookies||The mail carrier delivered a package for you.
    2 a group of things that are taken or offered together: The government provides a package of health services for poor people.v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to wrap in a package: Manufacturers package their products to make them appeal to customers. See: packaging.
    THESAURUS
    package n.
    1 a pack, packet | parcel, bundle
    2 a bundle, collection.
package deal
package deal
  1. n. a group of products or services offered for a single price: The travel agency offered us a package deal of airfare, hotel, and sightseeing on a trip to Japan.
package store
package store
  1. n. a store that sells liquor in sealed bottles
packaging
packaging
  1. n. [U] the material, design, and style of containers for goods to be sold: The packaging of perfumes and cosmetics is very attractive.
packed
packed
  1. adj. crowded or filled with people or things: The stadium was packed with people for the championship game.||The boxes were packed and ready for shipment.
    THESAURUS
    packed crammed, jammed (with people) | filled, stuffed (boxes).
packet
packet
  1. n. a small group of items often placed in an envelope: Travel bureaus put together packets of information for tourists.
packing
packing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of putting objects into a container to move or store them: I have to do the packing for my vacation now.
    2 material, such as cardboard, brown paper, and stuffing, used to protect objects when packed: When we shipped the wine, we used lots of packing to keep the bottles from breaking.
    3 the processing and packaging of food products: Meat packing is a big industry.
pact
pact
  1. n. an agreement, accord: Two nations entered into a pact to improve foreign relations.
pad
pad
  1. n.
    1 a flat, thin cushion made of soft, flexible material used for comfort or protection: He put a pad on the garage floor to kneel on while he fixed his car.||The bicycle rider put a pad on her seat.
    2 a stack of paper glued together at one end: Each student was given a pad of paper to write on.
    3 slang one's home: I'm going back to my pad now; see you later.v. [T] padded, padding, pads
    1 to fill s.t. with extra material: The furniture maker padded the chair with thick cotton.
    2 fig. to fill with unnecessary or untrue things: She pads her speeches with boring stories.
padding
padding
  1. n. [U] soft, flexible mater-ial used to stuff cushions or furniture: Thick padding in that chair makes it very comfortable.
paddle
paddle
  1. n. a tool with a handle attached to a broad, flat, or slightly curved surface: The baker used a paddle to mix flour and butter together.||They steered the boat with paddles.v.
    1 [I;T] to move a canoe or other boat with a paddle: He paddled up the river for ten miles.
    2 infrml.fig. to paddle one's own canoe: to be self-sufficient, pay one's own expenses: She has a good-paying job now and can paddle her own canoe.
paddock
paddock
  1. n. a small area enclosed by fences and used to keep horses: After the ride, they returned their horses to the paddock.
paddy
paddy
  1. n. -dies wetland where rice is grown: The winter snows froze the farmer's paddies and damaged his crops.
padlock
padlock
  1. n.v. [T] a lock with a movable U-shaped rod released by turning a key or combination dial: She locked her bike to the fence with a padlock.
padre
padre
  1. n.infrml. (Spanish for) father, a priest: He went to the church to talk to the padre.
pagan
pagan
  1. n.adj. s.o. who does not believe in a religion with a single god: In the ancient world, pagans prayed to the sun and the stars. -n. paganism.
page
page
  1. n.
    1 one side of a single sheet of paper in a book, report, etc.: People turn the pages of a book as they read.
    2 a young employee (in a hotel or office) who carries messages or performs other tasks: He sent a page to buy newspapers and pick up his mail.
    3 a call over a loudspeaker system or by an electronic device for s.o.: I heard a page for me in the hotel lobby.v. [T] paged, paging, pages
    1 to call s.o. by loudspeaker or electronic device: The executive's secretary paged her to remind her of a meeting.
    2 to page through: to turn the pages of: I paged through the magazine, looking for an interesting article to read.
    THESAURUS
    page n.
    1 a leaf, pl. leaves
    2 a messenger, an assistant
    3 an announcement | beep.
pageant
pageant
  1. n. a colorful public entertainment, usu. with a theme from history: Each year they put on a pageant that portrays the American Revolution.
pageantry
pageantry
  1. n. [U] a wonderful show with costumes and scenery: On holidays, the streets were filled with pageantry.
pager
pager
  1. n. a device used to contact s.o. quickly with an electronic signal: The doctor wears his pager on his belt so the hospital can reach him.
pagoda
pagoda
  1. n. an Asian religious building: Monks pray in the pagoda.
paid
paid
  1. v. past tense & past part. of pay
pail
pail
  1. n. a large metal or plastic container,
    THESAURUS
    a bucket: A worker filled a pail with water to clean the floor.
pain
pain
  1. n. [U]
    1 a hurt, a bad feeling ranging from a mild ache to extreme hurt caused by disease, injury, or mental distress: After the car accident, he had a pain in his right side.||The memory of her mother's illness caused her great pain.
    2 fig. an annoying person or a situation: Commuting to work in big cities is a pain (or) a pain in the neck.
    3 to take pains with s.t. or to do s.t.: to take great care in doing s.t.: The worker took great pains in building the stairway.v. [T] to hurt: My hand pains me from a fall.||It pains me to see food wasted.
painful
painful
  1. adj. causing pain, hurting: Her broken ankle is painful. -adv. painfully.
    THESAURUS
    painful sore, aching. Ant. painless.
painkiller
painkiller
  1. n. a medicine or drug for relieving pain: The dentist gave me a painkiller before he pulled my tooth.
painless
painless
  1. adj. without pain, not causing hurt or difficulty: To his surprise, the examination was painless. -adv. painlessly.
painstaking
painstaking
  1. adj. careful to do things exactly right: That painter is very painstaking in making her works look real.
paint
paint
  1. n. [U] a liquid mixture of coloring matter (pigment) and oil or water, used to cover and color surfaces: Workmen covered the walls with white paint.v.
    1 [I;T] to apply paint: She painted her room pale green.
    2 [I;T] to create a picture or work of art: She paints portraits for a living.
    3 infrml. to paint the town red: to have a wonderful time eating, drinking, dancing, etc., without concern for money: When she found a new job, she and her boyfriend painted the town red.
paintbrush
paintbrush
  1. n. -brushes a brush used to apply paint: House painters use large paintbrushes.
painter
painter
  1. n. a person who paints, such as a worker or artist: A painter is painting our house this week.
painting
painting
  1. n.
    1 [U] the process of painting: Painting our house will take a long time.
    2 [C] a painted work of art: Paintings hang in museums.
pair
pair
  1. n. pairs or pair
    1 two similar things that go together, such as a pair of shoes: She bought a pair of gloves to wear in winter.
    2 two people in close relation: That man and woman make a handsome pair.v. [I;T]
    1 to match, put together as a pair: The teacher paired me with the student next to me to do a project.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to pair s.o. up: to form pairs, usu. for work or sport: The director paired up men and women for the dance rehearsal.||She paired them up.
    THESAURUS
    pair n.
    2 a couple.
paisley
paisley
  1. adj.n. a colorful, curved pattern, usu. on soft wool or silk: He is wearing a paisley tie.
pajamas
pajamas
  1. n.pl. loose pants with a jacket made for sleeping and relaxing: His pajamas are made of cotton.
    THESAURUS
    pajamas pj's, PJs infrml. | nightgown, night clothes.
pal
pal
  1. n.infrml. a good friend: My pals and I are going to the movies tonight.
    THESAURUS
    pal a buddy (among boys), girlfriend (among girls).
palace
palace
  1. n.
    1 the official home of a king, queen, or other rich and powerful person: The palace was filled for the prince's wedding.
    2 a large and grand house: The poor boy thought the big house was a palace.
    THESAURUS
    palace
    1 the royal residence
    2 a mansion, manor. Ant. a hovel.
palatable
palatable
  1. adj. satisfactory to the taste: Food in the college cafeteria is palatable, not fancy.
palate
palate
  1. n.
    1 [C] the roof of the mouth: The ice cream felt cold against his palate.
    2 [C, usu. sing.] fig. refined judgment about the taste and quality of food: He loves good food and has a fine palate.
palatial
palatial
  1. adj. like a palace in size and grandeur: The new art museum is palatial.
pale
pale
  1. adj. paler, palest
    1 light in color: That wall is painted in a very pale green.
    2 unhealthy-looking: She looks pale and sick. -n. paleness.v. [I] paled, paling, pales
    1 to turn pale: He paled at the thought of seeing his enemy.
    2 to be of lesser value (importance, worth) than s.t. else: Country life pales in comparison with life in Paris.
    THESAURUS
    pale adj.
    1 soft. Ants. dark | bright.
    2 washed-out, pallid, wan. Ant. ruddy.
paleontology
paleontology
  1. n. [U] the science of fossils: Paleontology is the study of old bodies of living things in stone. -n. paleontologist.
palette
palette
  1. n.
    1 a flat plate made of wood or plastic, often with a thumb hole, used by artists to mix paints: When she dropped her palette, the colors ran together.
    2 a range of colors typical of an artist's style: That artist paints with a light palette.
palisade
palisade
  1. n. a row of cliffs: Palisades run for miles along the Hudson River valley north of New York City.
pall
pall
  1. n.
    1 a dark cloth for covering a coffin: They removed the pall before opening the coffin.
    2 a saddening effect: The mother's death cast a pall over the family for months.
palladium
palladium
  1. n. [U] a silvery-white, metallic element: Palladium is used to make white gold for rings.
pallbearer
pallbearer
  1. n. s.o. who helps carry the coffin of a dead person: Six strong pallbearers carried the dead soldier's coffin from the church.
pallid
pallid
  1. adj. having a pale, unhealthy-looking complexion: Her complexion was pallid when she was ill.
pallor
pallor
  1. n. [U] lack of healthy color,
    THESAURUS
    paleness: From the pallor of his skin, they could tell he had been in prison a long time.
palomino
palomino
  1. n. -nos a horse with a golden tan coat and white mane
palpable
palpable
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being felt: Bumps on his head from a fall were palpable to the touch.
    2 easy to see or notice, obvious: The soldier's fear was palpable. -adv. palpably.
palpitate
palpitate
  1. v. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates to beat rapidly, throb: The sight of the lion caused their hearts to palpitate with fear. -n. [C,U] palpitation.
palsy
palsy
  1. n. [U] a condition involving poor muscle control due to brain or nerve damage
paltry
paltry
  1. adj.frml. small, worthless, unimportant: He gave the waiter a paltry tip (only 5%) for his service.
pamper
pamper
  1. v. [T] to take more care of s.o. than is necessary: She pampers her child by picking her up every time she cries.
pamphlet
pamphlet
  1. n. a small book of a few pages containing advertising or useful information: The hospital gives its patients a pamphlet that describes its services.
pan
pan
  1. n.
    1 a flat, round, metal container with low sides and a handle, used in cooking: He uses a frying pan to cook eggs each morning.
    2 a container for holding liquid: a dishpan||a paint panv. panned, panning, pans
    1 [I;T] to turn a movie camera slowly to film a wide area or a moving object: She panned the camera to follow the flying birds.
    2 [T] to judge s.t. for its failures: Critics panned the new play because the actors were not good.
panacea
panacea
  1. n. s.t. that is believed to cure all ills and problems: Aspirin is considered a panacea for aches and pains.
panache
panache
  1. n.frml. [U] the ability to perform with style and ease: She played the piano with great panache.
pancake
pancake
  1. n. a flat, round cake cooked until brown and made of flour, milk, eggs, and butter: He likes pancakes with maple syrup for breakfast. See: scrambled eggs, USAGE NOTE.
pancreas
pancreas
  1. n. -ases an organ of the digestive system near the stomach: When the pancreas doesn't function properly, one may have diabetes. -adj. pancreatic.
panda
panda
  1. n. a large mammal from China that looks like a bear with black-and-white fur: They went to see the pandas at the zoo.
pandemic
pandemic
  1. adj. (said of a disease) spreading throughout an entire region, country, population, or the world: Pandemic influenza outbreaks can kill millions.
pandemonium
pandemonium
  1. n. [U] a condition of chaos, wild panic, or uproar: When a fire started in the theater, there was pandemonium with people screaming and running.
pander to
pander to
  1. phrasal v. insep [T] to offer or sell s.t. that appeals to low or evil desires, such as for sex, scandal, or easy money: Those pornographic magazines pander to people's interest in pictures about sex. -n. panderer.
pane
pane
  1. n. a piece of glass used as a section of a window, or one of those sections: The window took a long time to clean because it had many panes.
panel
panel
  1. n.
    1 a distinct part of a surface or flat area: The wall was made from panels of wood.
    2 a surface area that contains buttons, levers, switches, dials, etc., for operating a machine or a system: The pilot faced the airplane's control panel to prepare for take off.
    3 a group of people chosen for a project or discussion of issues: The mayor formed a panel of important citizens to study the city's schools.v. [T] to cover a surface, such as a wall, with panels, esp. of wood: The dining room was paneled in oak.
panel discussion
panel discussion
  1. n. an event where a group of people meet to talk about one or several topics: The TV station held a panel discussion about the election.
paneling
paneling
  1. n. [U] a series of panels: The wood paneling in this room is made of walnut.
panelist
panelist
  1. n. a person who takes part in a panel discussion or study: Each panelist presented his or her view on the economy.
pang
pang
  1. n. a brief but sharp feeling of pain in the body or mind: He had hunger pangs that went away after he ate breakfast.||She had a pang of guilt because she had hurt her brother.
panhandle
panhandle
  1. v.infrml. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles to beg or ask for money on the street: He panhandles near a restaurant entrance each morning. -n. panhandler.
panic-stricken
panic-stricken
  1. adj. overcome with panic, afraid: When the earthquake struck, he became panic-stricken and ran into the street.
panic
panic
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a condition of uncontrolled fear in response to danger: The fire in the subway caused a panic.
    2 to hit the panic button: to do s.t. that causes a state of emergency; to go into a state of panic: She thought the man was going to steal her purse, so she hit the panic button and screamed for help.v. [I;T] -icked, -icking, -ics to experience uncontrolled fear: She panicked and ran out the door. -adj. panicky.
panorama
panorama
  1. n.
    1 a broad, open view of a wide range: We stood on a mountaintop and viewed the panorama of sea and sky.
    2 a full view or complete picture: That book presents a panorama of American history. -adj. panoramic.
pant
pant
  1. v. [I] n. to breathe quickly, gasp for breath: Dogs pant with their tongues hanging out after running fast.
pantheism
pantheism
  1. n. [U] a belief that God or many gods live in nature: Pantheism was common in many ancient societies and religions. -n. pantheist; -adj. pantheistic.
pantheon
pantheon
  1. n. a public building with busts, statues, etc., of great heroes
panther
panther
  1. n. a large, wild type of cat, usually with black fur, known for its ability to hunt: The hungry panthers attacked the herd of deer.
panties
panties
  1. n.pl. underpants worn by women or girls: She wore white panties under her dress.
pantomime
pantomime
  1. n. [C;U] a form of acting (in plays) by expressing feelings and actions without using words: The clown performed a pantomime about how to ride a horse.
pantry
pantry
  1. n. -tries a small room next to the kitchen, used to store food, dishes, and cooking equipment: He went to the pantry to get flour and sugar for baking a cake.
pants
pants
  1. n.pl.
    1 a man's or woman's garment that runs from the waist to the ankles with two long sections for the legs: Her legs were cold, so she put on a pair of pants.
    2 infrml. to wear the pants: to be the boss: His wife wears the pants in their house; she tells him what to do.
    THESAURUS
    pants
    1 trousers, slacks.
pantyhose
pantyhose
  1. n. used with a pl.v. [U] a piece of women's underwear consisting of stockings attached to panties: Many women wear pantyhose for extra warmth in winter.
    THESAURUS
    pantyhose nylons, hose.
papa
papa
  1. n.infrml. father: My papa is 90 years old today.
    THESAURUS
    papa daddy, dad infrml.
papacy
papacy
  1. n. [C] usu.sing. the office and functions of the Pope: The power of the papacy reaches around the world. -adj. papal.
papaya
papaya
  1. n. [C;U] a tropical tree with large, greenish-yellow fruit, or the fruit itself: Papayas are tasty and full of vitamins.
paper
paper
  1. n.
    1 [U] thin, smooth material made from the fibers of wood or cotton and cut into sheets to be used for writing, wrapping, or covering: I wrote a letter on a piece of paper.
    2 [C] a newspaper: Have you read this morning's paper?
    3 [C] a written document, such as a scholarly report: My professor wrote a paper on Shakespeare.
    4 pl. papers: a collection of personal documents: He went through his papers to find information he needed to pay his taxes.v. [T] to cover with paper: We papered our bathroom with new wallpaper.
paperback
paperback
  1. n. a book with a cover made of stiff or coated paper: Paperbacks are small and handy to read. See: hardcover.
paperweight
paperweight
  1. n. any small, heavy object used to hold down papers: He used a rock as a paperweight to keep the wind from blowing the letters off his desk.
paperwork
paperwork
  1. n. [U]
    1 government or legal forms that must be filled out to complete some action or process: Buying a house involves a lot of paperwork.
    2 work that requires a lot of time for reading and writing reports, letters, or other documents: She stayed up late to go through paperwork that she had brought home from the office.
    THESAURUS
    paperwork
    1 documentation | red tape
    2 busy work, drudgery frml.
papery
papery
  1. adj. like paper, esp. in being thin or dry: The old woman's skin was dry and papery.
papier-mâché
papier-mâché
  1. n.adj. a material made from wet paper mixed with glue that becomes hard when dry, used for making boxes, small figures, etc.
paprika
paprika
  1. n. [U] a seasoning powder made from sweet red peppers: He added some paprika to the soup.
papyrus
papyrus
  1. n. a type of paper invented in ancient Egypt, made from a tall water plant: Egyptians wrote on papyrus.
par
par
  1. n. [C] usu.sing.
    1 an amount or status that is equal or on roughly the same level: The quality of that hotel is on a par with the best in the city.
    2 an average or normal standard score: After nine holes of golf, her score was three strokes below par.
    3 below par or above par: not equal to normal status or expectations: He was feeling below par and went to bed early.||She felt above par and ran an extra mile for exercise.
    4 par for the course: a normal experience; what one would expect: His jokes were not funny, but that was par for the course.
par excellence
par excellence
  1. adj. (French for) of the highest quality: He is a cook par excellence.
parable
parable
  1. n. a brief, simple story told to illustrate a moral or religious truth: He tells parables that are meant to make you think.
parabola
parabola
  1. n. the shape of a curved line that rises and falls like a ball thrown in the air: The flight of the rocket formed a giant parabola from start to finish.
parachute
parachute
  1. n. a large, lightweight sheet, attached to a falling person or thing, that unfolds in the wind and causes the person or thing to fall slowly: Skydivers use parachutes to float to earth.v. [I;T] -chuted, -chuting, -chutes to use a parachute: They parachuted from the aircraft.
parade
parade
  1. n. [C;U] an orderly movement of people in fanciful or formal dress or in uniforms, usu. to show pride or to honor a special day or event: On Memorial Day, we saw a parade of soldiers marching in honor of those who died in war.v. [I] -raded, -rading, -rades to march in a parade, to celebrate: On Thanksgiving Day, clowns, horses, children, and bands parade down Fifth Avenue in New York City.
    THESAURUS
    parade n. a procession, march. —v. to march, march in review.
paradigm
paradigm
  1. n. a model or concept used as a standard by which people evaluate, understand, and often act: The computer is a popular paradigm for how the brain works.
paradise
paradise
  1. n. [C] usu.sing.
    1 in the Bible, the original home of humankind, a blessed place: Adam and Eve were sent out of paradise because they disobeyed God.
    2 any place where everything is beautiful, delightful, and peaceful: Parts of California seem like paradise to me.
paradox
paradox
  1. n. -doxes a puzzling statement that states two opposing truths or an impossible state of affairs: He tried to explain the paradox that on his vacation, he had the best and the worst time of his life. -adj. paradoxical ; -adv. paradoxically.
paraffin
paraffin
  1. n. a type of wax used to make candles and waxed paper: He used paraffin from the candle to seal his letter.
paragon
paragon
  1. n. an example of the best: She is so good that she is a paragon of virtue.
paragraph
paragraph
  1. n.v. [I;T] a part of a piece of writing, signaled by a space or other break, that introduces a new thought or idea: Newspaper articles use very short paragraphs to make reading easier and faster.
parakeet
parakeet
  1. n. a type of small parrot often kept in a cage: We keep a pair of light-green parakeets as pets.
paralegal
paralegal
  1. n. an assistant in a law office who performs many of the lawyers' lesser duties: My sister worked as a paralegal before going to law school.adj. related to paralegals and their work: She works as a paralegal secretary in a big law firm.
parallel
parallel
  1. adj. running side by side at an equal distance apart: Railroad tracks are parallel to each other.n. a likeness or connection between two or more events: The police officer saw a parallel between the two murder cases.v. [T] to be similar or to occur at the same time: The histories of the two countries closely parallel each other.
    THESAURUS
    parallel adj. equidistant. —n. a similarity, match. —v. to compare with, match.
parallelogram
parallelogram
  1. n. A four-sided figure whose opposite sides are both parallel and congruent: The window had the shape of a parallellogram.
paralysis
paralysis
  1. n. -ses [C;U]
    1 a loss of ability to move or feel part of the body: After the car accident, he suffered from paralysis of both his legs.
    2 an inability to act -adj.n. paralytic.
paralyze
paralyze
  1. v. [T] -lyzed, -lyzing, -lyzes to cause a state of paralysis: A strike by transportation workers paralyzed the city.
paramedic
paramedic
  1. n. a person trained to provide emergency medical help when a doctor is not present: Paramedics were standing ready by the racecourse in case of an accident.
    THESAURUS
    paramedic a medic.
parameter
parameter
  1. n.
    1 a part of s.t. that makes it what it is: The scientist studied one of the parameters of the disease.
    2 a limit that defines an activity: Her boss set the parameters for her next project.
paramount
paramount
  1. adj. supreme, foremost: Having food and shelter is of paramount importance to everyone.
paranoia
paranoia
  1. n. [U]
    1 a sick state of mind in which s.o. believes, without good reasons, that everyone is trying to harm him or her
    2 a general feeling of fear and distrust of other people: She had few friends, because her paranoia made her unpleasant to be with.
paranoid
paranoid
  1. adj. fearful and mistrusting,
    THESAURUS
    overly suspicious: When the army took control of the government, he became very paranoid.n. a person who suffers from paranoia: He is a paranoid.
parapet
parapet
  1. n. a low wall to protect soldiers standing on a rooftop, a bridge, or a hill: She leaned over the parapet of the old castle to take a picture of the countryside.
paraphernalia
paraphernalia
  1. n. [U]
    1 a loose collection of personal belongings: When she left home to go to college, she threw all her paraphernalia into the car and drove away.
    2 various tools used to perform a function: The doctor's black bag was filled with medical paraphernalia.
paraphrase
paraphrase
  1. v. [I;T] -phrased, -phrasing, -phrases
    1 to explain the meaning of s.t. that has been said or written by using different words or phrases: The teacher asked his students to paraphrase the poem.
    2 to give a brief, simple statement of s.t. that is difficult: He asked me to paraphrase the president's speech.n. a brief explanation
paraplegic
paraplegic
  1. n.adj. a person who cannot move the lower half of his or her body, including the legs: As the result of a bad accident, he is now a paraplegic. -n. [U] paraplegia.
parasite
parasite
  1. n.
    1 a small animal or plant that lives on or inside a larger one and feeds on it: He bought a drug to kill the parasites that were making his dog sick.
    2 s.o. who lives at the expense of others without giving anything in return: The new senator said that poor people are parasites on society. -adj. parasitic.
paratrooper
paratrooper
  1. n. a soldier trained to use a parachute to jump from airplanes: The battle began when the paratroopers landed behind enemy lines. -n.pl. paratroops.
parcel
parcel
  1. n.
    1 a package or carton that has been wrapped and tied or taped tightly: I have sent a parcel containing Christmas presents to my parents.
    2 a plot of land: She owns a parcel of land near the lake.phrasal v. sep. [T] to parcel s.t. out: to divide into pieces to be given out: After his death, his relatives parcelled out his property.||They parcelled it out.
parch
parch
  1. v. [I;T] parches to make very hot and dry: The hot, dry winds parched the farmland.
parchment
parchment
  1. n. [U]
    1 sheepskin or goatskin that is treated so that it can be written or painted on: Paper was invented to replace parchment.
    2 paper made to seem like parchment: College diplomas are printed on parchment.
pardon
pardon
  1. v. [T] to forgive s.o.: He asked me to pardon him for being late for the meeting.n. [C;U]
    1 an act of forgiving s.o. and excusing him or her from punishment: The governor granted the thief a pardon, and he was released from prison.
    2 pardon me or I beg your pardon: a polite way of saying "I am sorry. Please excuse me": When the waiter bumped into our table, he cried out "Oh! pardon me, madam!"
pardonable
pardonable
  1. adj. worthy of being forgiven or excused
pare
pare
  1. v. [T] pared, paring, pares
    1 to cut off the surface, skin, or edge of s.t.: He pared the carrots with a knife.||She cut her finger while paring a potato.
    2 to reduce in amount or size: She pared down her expenses by getting rid of her car and not eating in restaurants.
parent
parent
  1. n. the mother or father of s.o.: His parents raised him in New Hampshire. -n. [U] parenthood.v. [T] to act as a parent by raising children: That couple parented four kids through college. See: parenting.
parentage
parentage
  1. n. [U] the origins of a person's or animal's parents; family background: Her parentage was mixed; her grandparents came from several different countries.
parental
parental
  1. adj. of or related to parents: The boy was hospitalized after the accident, but now he is under parental care at home.
parenthesis
parenthesis
  1. n. -ses
    1 a word, phrase, or sentence added within another sentence to explain or comment on s.t.: He added a parenthesis (like this one) to give an example of what he meant.
    2 pl. parentheses in writing, the curved signs ( ) that mark off such an addition
parenthetical
parenthetical
  1. adj. done or said in addition to the main purpose: She added many parenthetical remarks to her speech.
parenthood
parenthood
  1. n. the state of being a parent: The couple found that parenthood brought unexpected joys as well as responsibilities.
parenting
parenting
  1. n. [U] the act of taking care of children by providing for their needs, such as food, clothing, shelter, guidance, and education: She was a good mother and devoted a lot of time to parenting.
pariah
pariah
  1. n. a person who is not welcome in society: His unpopular ideas make him a pariah in his town.
paring knife
paring knife
  1. n. knives a short, sharp knife used in the kitchen to prepare food: She sliced the apple with a paring knife.
parish
parish
  1. n. -ishes
    1 the local area served by a single church: The priest was sent to a parish in Florida.
    2 the members of a local church: The parish planned to raise money for charity. -n. parishioner.
parity
parity
  1. n. [U] an equal level in status, value, or amount: Women's salaries are not at parity with men's salaries.
park
park
  1. n.
    1 an area of land where people can exercise, play, or relax: He took his dog for a walk in the park.
    2 ball park: a field where the game of baseball is played: They went to the ball park to see the game.v. [I;T] to bring a car to rest in one place and leave it for a limited amount of time: She parked her car in front of the store.
parka
parka
  1. n. a short coat with a hood that covers the head to keep out the wind and rain: He carried a parka on the boat trip in case the weather turned bad.
parking
parking
  1. n. [U]
    1 the activity of bringing a car to rest and leaving it: She was good at parking large cars in small spaces.
    2 the supply of space in which to park: The lack of parking in big cities is almost always a problem.
parking lot
parking lot
  1. n. a flat area used for parking cars, somtimes guarded by an attendant: That shopping mall has a huge parking lot in front of the stores.
parking meter
parking meter
  1. n. a time clock set on a pole next to a parking space into which one puts coins to pay for parking: He forgot to put money in the parking meter, so he had to pay a fine.
parkway
parkway
  1. n. a broad street or highway with grass and trees in the middle and/or along the sides: They liked to drive on the parkway because it was beautiful.
parley
parley
  1. v. [I] -leys to meet with an enemy or opponent to talk about how to solve problems or end the conflict: Generals from the two armies parleyed about how to return each other's prisoners.
parliament
parliament
  1. n. the national assembly that makes or changes laws in some countries, such as Great Britain: The British Parliament has two divisions, the House of Lords and the House of Commons. -adj. parliamentary.
parliamentarian
parliamentarian
  1. n. a person who is an expert on the rules and procedures of a parliament or other assembly
parlor
parlor
  1. n.
    1 a room in a house used for sitting and talking: Big old houses have a parlor near the front door.
    2 a type of business furnished for a particular purpose: She went to the ice-cream parlor after having her hair done at the beauty parlor.
parochial
parochial
  1. adj.
    1 of or belonging to a church parish: She sends her two children to a parochial school run by the church.
    2 limited by narrow, local interests: That politician has a parochial view of the government's duty. -n. [U] parochialism.
parody
parody
  1. v. [T] -died, -dying, -dies to copy the way s.o. or s.t. looks or behaves in order to make fun of it,
    THESAURUS
    to mock: A clown parodied a rock musician by dressing up like him and pretending to play a guitar.n. -dies a work of art that parodies a person, event, or another work for the purpose of pleasure or criticism: The actors performed a parody of the new TV program.
parole
parole
  1. n. [U] the early release of a prisoner who promises to be good and report regularly to a law officer: After two years in prison, she was given parole, but she had to stay in this country.v. [T] -roled, -roling, -roles to give s.o. limited freedom; to put on parole: He was paroled because he had been a good prisoner.
parolee
parolee
  1. n. a person who is on parole from prison: Parolees must report to a government parole officer.
paroxysm
paroxysm
  1. n.frml. a sudden or violent burst of expression: When the queen died, the people broke into paroxysms of tears.
parquet
parquet
  1. n. [U] adj. a floor covering of narrow strips of wood arranged in patterns: The parquet on the living room floor is made of walnut. It is a parquet floor. -n. [U] parquetry.
parrot
parrot
  1. n. any of a variety of tropical birds with a curved beak and colorful feathers, some of which have the ability to copy human speech: He keeps a parrot in a birdcage in his living room.v. [T] to repeat s.t. without thinking or understanding: The little boy parrots everything that his parents say.
parsimonious
parsimonious
  1. adj.frml. extremely careful not to spend too much money: His father was very parsimonious and never wasted a penny. -n. [U] parsimony.
parsley
parsley
  1. n. [U] a small, green herb used to flavor or decorate food: The cook sprinkled some chopped parsley on the mashed potato.
parsnip
parsnip
  1. n. a plant with a long white or yellowish root that is cooked and eaten as a vegetable: Parsnips taste sweet and are full of vitamins.
parson
parson
  1. n. a Protestant minister: The congregation listens to the parson's sermon on Sunday.
parsonage
parsonage
  1. n. the residence of a parson: The parsonage is located right next to the church.
part-time
part-time
  1. adj. taking up only part of a normal workday or workweek: She has three part-time jobs.adv. for less than a full workday or workweek: While in school, he worked part-time as a waiter. See: full-time.
part
part
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a segment, piece, or portion of s.t.: Part of that wall is falling down.||Part of what he says is true; the rest is not.||His story had many different parts to it.||She hurt in every part of her body.
    2 [C] one of many other things that are put together to make a machine: He bought some new parts for his bicycle.
    3 [C] a role or duty to perform in some activity or event: She has a part in a new movie.||He did his part to help his friend.
    4 [U] one side of a conflict or disagreement: He took her part, because he thought she was right.
    5 [C] a line that separates the hair on a person's head: She used a comb to make a part in her hair.
    6 for my part: to speak for myself: For my part, I plan to go to the party even if you decide not to go.
    7 in good part/for the most part: to an important degree, large amount: What he says is in good part (or) for the most part true.
    8 on the part of: on behalf of, for s.o.: That lawyer is acting on the part of several people who have a complaint about that company.
    9 private parts: a person's sex organs
    10 to be part and parcel of s.t.: to be an important part of s.t.: Good health is part and parcel of happiness.
    11 to take part in s.t.: to participate in s.t.: She takes part in after-school programs, like playing in the band.v.
    1 [T] to pull apart, separate, or divide: She parted the curtains to let in the sunlight.
    2 [I] to go away from or leave a person or place: After the party, my friend and I parted to go to our separate homes.
    3 [T] to divide into separate sections: He parted his hair with a comb.
    4 to part company with: to end a relationship: She and her first husband parted company after two years of marriage.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to part with: to let go of, often against one's will: He can't part with his favorite old car even though it won't run anymore.adv. in part, partially: This shirt is part cotton and part polyester.
part of speech
part of speech
  1. n. parts of speech (in grammar) a class of words, such as noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, based on the way words are used in a sentence: It is helpful to know the parts of speech to learn a new language.
partake
partake
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -took , -taken , -taking, -takes to take part, share, or participate in s.t., such as a meal or an activity: He asked us to partake in the ceremony.
parted
parted
  1. adj. & past part. of part, not together, separated: His hair was neatly parted down the middle.
partial
partial
  1. adj.
    1 incomplete, only a part of s.t.: He owed me $1,000, and he made a partial payment of $500.
    2 about giving special or unfair treatment to s.o. or s.t.: The judge of the contest was partial to her son.
    3 fond of, having a special liking for s.t.: She is very partial to chocolate ice cream. -n. [U] partiality.
partially
partially
  1. adv. in part, not fully: That window is partially open.
participant
participant
  1. n. a person who takes part in s.t.: He was a participant in the discussion.
participate
participate
  1. v. [I] -pated, -pating, -pates to take part or have a role in an activity or event: She likes to participate in political campaigns. -n. participation ; -adj. participatory.
participle
participle
  1. n. a grammatical form of a verb that may also be used as another part of speech: a. can be used with an auxil-iary verb to show past or present tense: The past participle of "to cook" is "cooked," as in "The meat is cooked." The present participle is "cooking," as in, "The food is cooking." b. can be used as an adjective: Cooked meat tastes better than uncooked meat.
particle
particle
  1. n. a very small piece of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a speck: Particles of sand cover the road.
particular
particular
  1. adj.
    1 relating to a specific person, idea, item, etc.: I like classical music in general, but not that particular composer.
    2 special, unusual: There is nothing of particular interest on TV tonight.
    3 very exact and demanding about what one wants: He is very particular about the food he eats; everything has to be cooked just right.n.
    1 usu.pl. particulars: a specific fact or detail: I can tell you briefly what happened, but I'll save the particulars for later.
    2 in particular: a. specifically, especially: I thought the whole meal was good, but the soup in particular was delicious. b. specific, special: The salesclerk asked if I was looking for anything in particular.
    THESAURUS
    particular adj.
    1 exact, precise, specific
    2 marked, notable
    3 fussy, picky.
particularly
particularly
  1. adv. especially, greatly: She is particularly interested in modern art.
parting
parting
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the act of separating or taking leave: He found that parting from home was very difficult.
    2 the moment of going away or taking leave: The lovers' parting was filled with sighs and tears.adj. done at the moment of parting: Her father gave her a parting kiss.
partisan
partisan
  1. n.
    1 a person who believes strongly in a plan of action or an idea,
    THESAURUS
    an activist: He is a partisan for socialism.
    2 s.o. who joins a secret army to fight against an enemy that has taken over his or her country: The partisans attacked at night.adj. strongly in favor of a single cause without concern for any others: Her partisan manner made many people angry.
partition
partition
  1. n.
    1 [C] a wall that divides the parts of an area or room: A carpenter built a partition between the living room and dining room.
    2 [U] a division of a country or other area: The partition of North Korea from South Korea has lasted for many decades.v. [T]
    1 to divide a nation or other area: Korea was partitioned in 1948.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to partition s.t. off: to divide into areas: We partitioned off the living room from the dining room.
partly
partly
  1. adv. somewhat, in part: He is partly right in what he says.
    THESAURUS
    partly to some degree, to a certain extent, sort of. Ant. completely.
partner
partner
  1. n.
    1 a person who joins together with one or more people for a common purpose: A husband and wife are partners in marriage.||My partner and I play tennis together.
    2 one of the owners of a business: The partners in that company work hard.
    3 a person with whom one dances: His partner can really dance well.
    4 silent partner: an inactive investor in a business —v. [I] to become a partner: The companies partnered to make a new kind of computer.
    THESAURUS
    partner n.
    1 a teammate | colleague
    2 a co-owner, principal.
partnership
partnership
  1. n.
    1 [U] a group of two or more partners: Two writers formed a partnership to write textbooks.
    2 [C] a form of business with two or more owners: A good partnership depends on the ability of the partners to work well together.
partook
partook
  1. v.frml. past tense of partake
partridge
partridge
  1. n. [C;U] -tridges or -tridge a short, fat bird, often hunted for sport and food: The dogs led the hunters to where the shot partridge had fallen.
partway
partway
  1. adv. partly, somewhere between: He had reached partway between work and home when the storm hit.
party
party
  1. n. -ties
    1 a social event to which people come to talk, drink, eat, and have fun: We have a party at our house on New Year's Eve.
    2 a political group with a set of beliefs for the public good: Their party wants to raise taxes.
    3 a person or group that takes part in a legal, business, or social event: Each party in the deal had its own goals and interests.||She went to the opera with another party, not her husband.
    4 a group of people who do s.t. together: I reserved a table for a party of four.
    5 a search party: a group that looks for s.o. who is lost or missing: The search party went to look for the missing hikers.v. [I] -tied, -tying, -ties to participate in a social party: Starting Saturday evening, we partied until four o'clock in the morning.
party animal
party animal
  1. n.infrml. fig. a person who loves to attend parties: He's a party animal who parties all weekend.
partypooper
partypooper
  1. n.infrml. fig. a person who spoils the fun of others by refusing to take part in it: They called her a partypooper, because she decided to stay home for the weekend.
pass
pass
  1. v. passes
    1 [I;T] [T] (syns.) to go around, overtake: He drove faster in order to pass the truck in front of him on the highway. He drove faster in order to go around (or) overtake the truck in front of him on the highway.
    3 [I] (syns.) to walk | ride, drive: She [I;T] (syn.) to qualify, esp. pass a test or requirement: She passed the physical exam to become a firefighter. She qualified on the physical exam to be a firefighter.
    5 [T] (syn.) to approve (officially): Congress [T] (syn.) to hand (out) s.t. to s.o.: I passed copies of the book to everyone in the classroom. I handed copies of the book [I;T] [I] (syns.) to change, transform: The seasons passed slowly from winter to spring. The seasons changed (or) transformed slowly from winter to spring.
    9 [T] (syns.) to spend, occupy (time): They passed the time reading magazines while waiting for the plane. They spent (or) occupied the time reading magazines while waiting for the plane.
    10 [I] (syns.) to end, cease: He had a stomachache, but he knew the pain would pass soon. He had a stomachache, but he knew the pain would end (or) cease soon. 11 to bring to pass: to cause to happen: He thought we could never bring to pass such a big event as a rock concert, but we did!
    12 to come to pass: to happen: I fear it will come to pass that the poor will always go hungry.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pass s.t. along or down: to give s.t., esp. as an inheritance: My grandmother passed along her engagement ring to me.||She passed it along.
    14 phrasal v. insep. [I] to pass away or on: to die: Her father passed away just last week.
    15 phrasal v. insep. [T] to pass for s.o. or s.t.: to look like, seem to be: The teenage girl was tall enough to pass for an adult.
    16 to pass judgment: to give an opinion: He did not want to pass judgment on what was right in the conflict between his friends.
    17 phrasal v. [I] to pass out: to lose mental awareness, as from fear, fatigue, pain, or too much alcohol: He had too many drinks at the party and passed out on the couch.
    18 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pass s.o. or s.t. off: to present s.o. or s.t. as that which they are not: She passed off her ring as a real diamond.||She passed it off as real.
    19 to pass s.o. or s.t. over: to ignore: She made a big mistake, but he passed over that.||He passed it over.
    20 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pass s.t. up: to miss s.t., let s.t. go: We were sorry we passed up their invitation to dinner.||We passed it up.n. passes
    1 the act of moving by or through s.t.: The boy took (or) made a pass by the playground to see if any of his friends were there.||They made a pass through town late at night.
    2 an attempt to do s.t.: She made a pass at writing the report.
    3 a break in a mountain range that allows travel from one side to another: The hikers walked over the mountain pass into the valley.
    4 a written or printed notice that gives one the right to enter some place: He showed his pass to the guard, who let him enter the building.||She gave us a free pass to see the new movie.
    5 a result on a test that allows you to do s.t.: I earned a pass on my driver's test and was allowed to get my license.
    6 (in sports) the act of passing a ball from one player to another: He made a good pass to help score the goal.
    7 to make a pass at s.o.: to make a bold attempt to attract s.o.'s sexual interest: She made a pass at him during the office party.
passable
passable
  1. adj.
    1 just satisfactory, acceptable: His work at school is passable, but not outstanding.
    2 capable of being crossed: Despite heavy snowfalls, the road over the mountain is still passable.
passage
passage
  1. n.
    1 [C] a narrow opening or way between two places: He walked through the passage to the garden.
    2 [U] the act of moving from one place to another: The constant passage of big trucks made the street noisy.
    3 [U] a. travel onboard a ship or airplane: We made reservations for passage from New York to London. b. space and provisions for such travel c. the fare for such travel
    4 [C] a brief section of writing or music: The priest read a passage from the Bible.
    5 [U] the flow, continuation, usu. of time
passageway
passageway
  1. n. a hallway, a walkway inside a ship or between buildings: The narrow passageway between the two buildings is used as a shortcut.
passbook
passbook
  1. n. a small book in which deposits to and withdrawals from a savings account are recorded: She handed her passbook to the bank teller along with her deposit.
passenger
passenger
  1. n. a person (other than the driver) who rides in a bus, boat, car, taxi, etc., esp. one not steering it: The bus that crashed was carrying 20 passengers.
    THESAURUS
    passenger a rider, traveler.
passer-by
passer-by
  1. n. passers-by a person who passes by: The passers-by took no notice of the lovers who were kissing.
passing
passing
  1. n. [U]
    1 a movement that goes by, along, or through; flow: The passing of time goes slowly in the hospital.
    2 death: The old man's passing saddened his family.
    3 in passing: said in the course of saying s.t. else: While talking to his mother, he said in passing that he was feeling ill.adj.
    1 brief, short-lived: Wearing that type of silly hat is just a passing fad.
    2 passing grade: success in an examination or course: I received a passing grade in my math course.
passion
passion
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a strong, overpowering feeling, such as love, anger, or hatred: He felt such a passion that he forgot where he was.||She spoke with passion about the love of freedom.
    2 strong devotion to some activity: She has a passion for painting.
    3 Passion: (in Christianity) the suffering and death of Jesus: Christians honor the Passion at Easter.
passionate
passionate
  1. adj. about feeling or expressing passion: She made a passionate speech in favor of the peace plan.
passive
passive
  1. adj.
    1 accepting without resistance,
    THESAURUS
    submissive: She always had a passive response to her husband's anger.
    2 existing without active expression or display: He took a passive interest in his father's business.
    3 unwilling to take action, easily influenced by others: He took a passive attitude toward his job and just did what he was told.
    4 (in grammar) relating to or being a verb form or sentence in which the subject is affected by, rather than the performer of, the action, as in "He was hit by a car," or "The proposal was accepted." -adv. passively; -n. [U] passivity.
passive resistance
passive resistance
  1. n. [U] a form of nonviolent protest against an official policy, usu. by obstructing normal activities or special events: Protesters sat on the road in passive resistance to the army trucks that were trying to pass.
passkey
passkey
  1. n. -keys a key that opens all doors in a given place, such as a hotel: Maids have passkeys so they can clean guests' rooms.
passport
passport
  1. n. a booklet issued by a government to a citizen as proof of nationality and permission to leave and reenter the country: Before leaving on vacation, I had to have my passport renewed.
password
password
  1. n. a secret word or phrase used to gain access to a guarded place or a protected system: I forgot my password, so I couldn't operate the computer.
passé
passé
  1. adj.frml. (French for) oldfashioned, outmoded: This season's fashions will be passé in a few months.
past
past
  1. n. [C; usu. sing.]
    1 the time gone by, before the present: In the past, he wrote with a pen; now he uses a computer.
    2 history: When she moved to America, she made an effort to study its past.
    3 s.o.'s personal history as evidence of his or her character: Before we hire him, we must learn about his past.adj.
    1 gone by in time: In the past century, many things have changed.||It is 10:10 A.M.; that is,10 past 10 in the morning.
    2 having just finished or ended: Now that the danger is past, we can relax.||In the past few days I've been very busy.
    3 former, earlier: His past wife lives in California.adv. so as to go by or beyond: He drove past at a fast speed.prep.
    1 later than: It is past midnight now.
    2 beyond in distance: We have driven past the store we want to visit.
past participle
past participle
  1. n. a form of a verb indicating past action and used to form perfect tenses and the passive or as an adjective: The verb "seen" in "I have already seen that movie" is a past participle.||The "fried" in "fried eggs" is a past participle used as an adjective.
past tense
past tense
  1. n. a verb form used to express an action or a state in the past: The past tense of "to go" is "went," as in, "Yesterday I went to class in the evening."
paste
paste
  1. n. [U]
    1 a thin, moist substance used to stick pieces of paper together or to other things: She used paste to put pictures in her notebook.
    2 a soft, smooth, thick substance that can be easily spread, formed, or mixed into another substance: He opened a can of tomato paste.v. [T] pasted, pasting, pastes to stick things together with paste: A child pasted her drawings onto a large sheet of paper.
    THESAURUS
    paste n.
    1 glue | cement.
pastel
pastel
  1. n.
    1 [U] a paste made of colored powder
    2 [C] an artist's crayon made of such a dried paste: That artist works with pastels to achieve a soft style.
    3 [C] a work of art done with pastels: She creates light, airy pastels.
    4 a light, soft color: The room was decorated in lavender, pink, and other pastels.adj. light and soft in color: She works in pastel shades in her drawings.
pasteurization
pasteurization
  1. n. [U] the process of heating foods, such as milk, to kill harmful bacteria: Pasteurization changes the taste of foods, but it prevents diseases. -v. [T] pasteurize.
pastime
pastime
  1. n. a pleasurable activity: His favorite pastimes are playing golf by day and watching TV by night.
    THESAURUS
    pastime n. a hobby, amusement.
pastor
pastor
  1. n.v. [T] a minister in charge of a church or parish: He is the pastor at St. John's Episcopal Church.
pastoral
pastoral
  1. adj.
    1 of or related to a simple, quiet country life: They lived a pastoral life in the mountains.
    2 related to a pastor's duties toward the church and its members: A large part of his pastoral work was visiting the poor, the sick, and the elderly.
pastrami
pastrami
  1. n. [U] a highly seasoned, smoked cut of beef: I had a hot pastrami sandwich on rye bread with mustard.
pastry
pastry
  1. n. -tries
    1 [U] a rich dough shaped into an open or closed shell to contain sweet foods, such as fruit pies, and savory foods, such as chicken, cheese, or cream fillings: She rolled out the pastry to make apple pie.
    2 [C] a small, sweet cake baked from pastry dough: We had cream-filled pastries for dessert.
pasture
pasture
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a field or other large open area where livestock such as sheep and cattle feed on the grass: We keep our cows in the pasture behind the barn.
    2 infrml. to put s.o. out to pasture: to retire s.o.: When he reached 65, his company put him out to pasture.v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures to put animals in a pasture: In summer, farmers pasture their sheep up in the hillsides.
pasty
pasty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having a thick, moist consistency: Pie dough is pasty in texture.
    2 having a sick, pale look: During her illness, she developed a pasty complexion.
pat
pat
  1. n.
    1 a soft, light touch: The mother gave her son a pat on the head.
    2 a flat portion of s.t.: He spread a pat of butter on his bread.
    3 a pat on the back: an expression of encouragement or praise: The teacher gave me a pat on the back for getting an "A" on the test.v. [T] patted, patting, pats
    1 to tap with a soft, light touch: She patted the laundry after she folded it.
    2 to caress, pet: The boy patted his dog on its head.
patch
patch
  1. n. patches
    1 a piece of material used to cover a hole or a weak spot: She glued a patch over the hole in her bicycle tire.
    2 a small piece of land: We have a vegetable patch behind our house.
    3 a small area or piece of s.t. that stands out from the rest: That patch of road is very rough.
    4 bad patch: a difficult period of time: With no job and a bad back, he is going through a bad patch now. -adj. patchy.v. [T] patches
    1 to cover with a patch: My favorite old jacket was torn, so I patched it.
    2 to patch s.t. up: to mend a relationship or settle one's differences with s.o.: He had a quarrel with his girlfriend and has gone to see her to patch things up.
pate
pate
  1. n. the head, esp. the top: That man has a bald pate.
patent
patent
  1. n. the exclusive right given by a government to make, use, and sell an invention for a limited number of years: He wanted a patent for his invention so no one else could copy it.v. [T] to obtain a patent: He patented his invention to protect his rights.adj. clear and easy to see, obvious: She was a patent fool to fall in love with him. -adv. patently.
patent leather
patent leather
  1. n. [U] leather with a shiny, black finish: She wears patent leather shoes to church.
paternal
paternal
  1. adj.
    1 of or from a father: His paternal duty is to protect his children from harm.
    2 related through a father: My father's father is my paternal grandfather.
paternalism
paternalism
  1. n. [U] the practice of treating a group, business, or country in the way a father treats his children: The company president's paternalism made some of his employees happy and some of them angry. -adj. paternalistic.
paternity
paternity
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being a father, fatherhood: When my first child was born, my paternity made me proud.
    2 origin or descent from a father: The child was found after the war, and her paternity was unknown.
paternity suit
paternity suit
  1. n. a lawsuit started by a woman to establish that a certain man is the father of her child: He denied that he was the child's father, so she filed a paternity suit against him.
path
path
  1. n. paths
    1 a narrow way or trail for walking or cycling, either built or made by repeated use: Paths made by animals go through the woods.
    2 a way of doing s.t., or of living: She is following the path of a deeply religious person.
    3 the direction of a movement: He stood in the path of a moving truck.
    4 off the beaten path: in an unusual place or manner: They vacation in places that are off the beaten path, deep in the mountains.
    5 to make a path for: to move quickly to do s.t.: After work, he made a path for the hotel to meet his friend.
pathetic
pathetic
  1. adj.
    1 full of or causing feelings of pity or compassion,
    THESAURUS
    emotional: The final scene in the movie was very pathetic.
    2 not worthy of respect, worthless: The lawyer made a pathetic effort to help his client. -adv. pathetically.
pathogen
pathogen
  1. n. a tiny organism that causes disease, a germ: Pathogens will grow in unclean places. -adj. pathogenic.
pathological
pathological
  1. adj.
    1 related to pathology
    2 causing or caused by a disease, sick: They believed that his odd behavior was pathological.
pathologist
pathologist
  1. n. a specialist in the study of disease
pathology
pathology
  1. n. [U]
    1 the science of disease: Medical students take a basic course in pathology.
    2 a state, condition, or pattern of illness: The doctors could not determine the cause of her pathology.
pathos
pathos
  1. n.frml. a quality in life or art that brings out feelings of tenderness, sympathy, or sorrow: That music is full of pathos.
pathway
pathway
  1. n. a path: A pathway leads through the woods to a cabin.
patience
patience
  1. n. [U] the ability to accept discomfort, pain, or troubles while waiting calmly for s.t.: She waited with patience until her baby stopped crying.
    THESAURUS
    patience forbearance, tolerance | resignation, stoicism. Ant. impatience.
patient
patient
  1. adj. having or showing patience, calm, or being undisturbed: His train was late, but he was patient. -adv. patiently.n. a person cared for or treated by a doctor: The doctor visited her patients in the hospital.
    THESAURUS
    patient adj. tolerant, serene | resigned. Ant. impatient.
patio
patio
  1. n. -os an open area next to a house paved with slate, cement, or brick and used for outdoor eating, sitting, etc. in good weather: We barbecue hamburgers on our patio in summer.
patois
patois
  1. n. [U] patois (French for) a local or regional dialect: In Haiti, people speak a French patois.
patriarch
patriarch
  1. n.
    1 the male head of a family, tribe, or kingdom
    2 a much respected old man: The patriarch ruled his country as if it were his family.
patriarchy
patriarchy
  1. n. [C;U] -ies a social system in which men hold the power to rule or govern: Most ancient societies were patriarchies. -adj. patriarchal . See: matriarchy.
patrician
patrician
  1. n. old usage a person of high social rank, usu. by birth,
    THESAURUS
    an aristocrat: That club is very exclusive and only takes patricians as members.adj. elegant or noble in appearance, behavior, or circumstances: The elderly lady has very patrician tastes.
patricide
patricide
  1. n.
    1 the act of killing one's father: The boy claimed that he committed patricide to defend himself against his father's cruelty.
    2 s.o. who kills his or her father
patrimony
patrimony
  1. n. [C] -nies money or property received from one's father or ancestors,
    THESAURUS
    an inheritance: She used her patrimony to buy a farm. -adj. patrimonial.
patriot
patriot
  1. n. a person who is proud of his or her country and eager to defend it: The patriots formed an army to fight the invading army.
patriotic
patriotic
  1. adj. loyal to and proud of one's country: He is very patriotic and flies the flag on Independence Day. -adv. patriotically.
patriotism
patriotism
  1. n. [U] a feeling of love, loyalty, and support for one's country, esp. in defense against its enemies: Patriotism caused him to join the army and fight for his country.
patrol
patrol
  1. v. [I;T] -trolled, -trolling, -trols to make regular trips around an area or along a boundary line to guard against trouble or crime: A policeman patrols the park to prevent robberies.n.
    1 [U] the act of patrolling: Police went on patrol, looking for illegal immigrants.
    2 [C] a person or a group of people on patrol: The patrol became lost in the snowstorm.
patron
patron
  1. n.
    1 a wealthy or powerful person who encourages and supports the activity of others (an artist, politician, charity, or institution), esp. by giving money: She is a patron of the arts and gives money to support the symphony.
    2 frml. a regular customer: Patrons of the store come from all over town.
patronage
patronage
  1. n. [U]
    1 the favor and support given by a patron: The government's patronage was important to the artist's career.
    2 the power to award government jobs: After he won the election, he used his patronage to reward his friends and supporters.
    3 the business that comes from customers: The restaurant owner was grateful for our patronage.
patronize
patronize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to act in a superior manner toward s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to be condescending: He patronizes his students by telling them that they know nothing.
    2 frml. to be a customer of: She patronizes only the finest stores. -adj. patronizing.
patsy
patsy
  1. n. slang -sies a person who is easily cheated, deceived, and blamed,
    THESAURUS
    a dupe: The older boys always made him the patsy because he was young and naive.
patter
patter
  1. n.
    1 the sound of a quick but light series of taps or steps on a hard surface: the patter of rain on the street||the patter of little feet
    2 fast talk: The comedian's patter was very funny.v. [I]
    1 to make a pattering sound: His feet patter as they tap against the floor.
    2 to move with quick, light steps: She pattered about the kitchen.
pattern
pattern
  1. n.
    1 an example or model to be followed: A research paper must follow a specific pattern.
    2 a form or guide to follow when making s.t.: She made the dress herself from a pattern.
    3 a design of regular shapes and lines: The flower pattern in that dress is very pretty.
    4 a repeated set of events, characteristics, or features: There is a pattern to his behavior, in that he grows quiet when he's sad.v. [T] to make by following a pattern: She patterned her wedding dress after her mother's.||He patterns himself after his father, who is athletic and very serious.
patty
patty
  1. n. -ties a small, flat cake of ground meat, fish, etc.: Hamburger patties are cooking on the grill.
paucity
paucity
  1. n.frml. [U] a small number or amount of s.t.: The paucity of their savings kept them from returning to their homeland.
paunch
paunch
  1. n. paunches a fat stomach, big belly,
    THESAURUS
    a pot belly: He drinks lots of beer and has a big paunch. -adj. paunchy.
pauper
pauper
  1. n.frml. a very poor person who must live on charity: He ran out of money and died a pauper. -v. [T] pauperize.
pause
pause
  1. n. a short break or moment of rest in the midst of an action or movement: She took a brief pause in her speech while she drank some water.v. [I] paused, pausing, pauses to stop doing s.t. for a brief moment of time: We paused to stop and look at the scenery for a few minutes.
    THESAURUS
    pause n. a time out | hesitation, lull, delay. —v. to take a break | rest.
pave
pave
  1. v. [T] paved, paving, paves
    1 to cover over a road, a path, or other area with tar, cement, etc., to make a hard, flat surface: They paved the field with cement to make a parking lot.
    2 to pave the way: to make s.t. easier to do, to make progress: Early settlers paved the way for those who arrived later.
pavement
pavement
  1. n. [U]
    1 the covering of cement, tar, etc., on a sidewalk or roadway: The pavement on the road is black tar.
    2 infrml. to pound the pavement: to walk for hours in search of business, work, etc.: He is a new salesman, and he really pounds the pavement looking for new customers.
pavilion
pavilion
  1. n.
    1 a large, fancy tent: The workers put up a pavilion for the wedding party.
    2 a light, tent-like, open building in a garden or park, used for festivals or fairs: At night in the summer, a band played in the pavilion.
    3 a fancy part of a building that juts out: People stood on the pavilion and watched the parade below.
paving
paving
  1. n. [U] the material (stone, cement, asphalt, etc.) used to pave a surface: They stopped work because they ran out of paving.
paw
paw
  1. n.
    1 the foot of an animal: The dog licked its paws.
    2 infrml.fig. the human hand: The woman told the man to keep his paws off her.v. [I;T]
    1 to touch, scrape, or strike with a paw: The lion pawed at its food.
    2 infrml.fig. to feel or touch in a rude or clumsy manner, esp. sexually: She pushed him away because he was pawing at her.
pawn
pawn
  1. n.
    1 in the game of chess, the least valuable piece
    2 a person used by others to serve their own purposes: The poor people were just pawns in the politicians' fight for power.v. [T] to deposit personal valuables, such as watches and rings, with a pawnbroker in exchange for a loan: She pawned her diamond ring for a week and then got it back when she paid off the loan.
pawnbroker
pawnbroker
  1. n. a person who makes loans with interest against the value of personal valuables: The pawnbroker offered me 50 dollars for my watch.
pawnshop
pawnshop
  1. n. the place of business of a pawnbroker: I went to the pawnshop to pawn my watch.
pay-TV
pay-TV
  1. n.infrml. See: pay television, cable television.
pay
pay
  1. v. paid , paying, pays
    1 [I;T] to give money to s.o. in return for regular work: That company pays its employees every two weeks.
    2 [T] to settle a bill, debt, or loan by giving what is owed: She paid the doctor's bill by writing a check.
    3 [I] to be worthwhile, to one's advantage: It pays to brush your teeth to prevent cavities.
    4 to pay attention: to observe and listen closely: The teacher told the students to pay attention to her in class.
    5 to pay a compliment: to say nice things about s.o. or s.t.: I want to pay my compliments to you on your new home.
    6 to pay a visit: to go to see and talk with s.o.: When I went to my homeland, I paid a visit to my old friend.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to pay for (s.t.): to suffer from the results of one's actions: I walked five miles (8 km) on Sunday and am paying for it now; my legs hurt!
    8 to pay one's dues: a. to pay for membership in a club or union b. fig. to earn one's place in an organization through long and patient service: He paid his dues as a traveling salesman, and now he has a good office job.
    9 to pay one's way: to support oneself, pay for food, rent, clothing, etc.: She has a good job and pays her own way in life.
    10 to pay s.o.: to be good/profitable for s.o. to do s.t.: That company has job openings, so it would pay you to look for one there.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pay s.o or s.t. back: a. s.o.: to return an insult or injury: He yelled at her, and she paid him back by not speaking to him for a week. b. s.t.: to repay a loan, return money: I paid back the $10 that my friend loaned to me.
    12 phrasal v. sep. to pay s.o or s.t. off: a. [T] s.o.: to bribe: The criminals paid off the judge and got away free.||They paid her off. b. [T] s.t.: to finish paying for s.t.: I finally paid off the 30-year mortgage on my house.||I paid it off. c. [I] to produce good results: Her hard work paid off when she got a big raise.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pay s.t. down: a. to reduce the amount of a debt: I am paying down my car loan each month.||I am paying it down. b. to make a first partial payment: I paid some money down on a new TV and will pay off the rest monthly.
    14 infrml. to pay the piper: to pay for doing s.t. that you thought you could avoid paying for: She cheated on her taxes for years, but she was caught; now it's time to pay the piper by going to jail.
    15 infrml. to pay through the nose: to pay a very high price for s.t.: He only shops at fancy stores, and so ends up paying through the nose.
    16 phrasal v. [I] to pay up: to pay money that is due: He was three months overdue in paying the rent, and the landlord told him to pay up.n. [U] money paid in return for work done: She refused to take the job because the pay was too low.
pay dirt
pay dirt
  1. n. [U]
    1 earth containing minerals or metals worth mining
    2 fig. a discovery or achievement that promises to be very profitable: He hit pay dirt when he won the big race.
pay phone
pay phone
  1. n. a public telephone operated by inserting coins or credit cards: I called my friend from a pay phone in the hotel lobby.
pay telephone
pay telephone
  1. n. See: pay phone.
pay television
pay television
  1. n. a system for delivering television programs in which viewers select and pay for programs individually: Most hotels offer pay television in their guestrooms.
pay toilet
pay toilet
  1. n. a coin-operated toilet: The city government put some pay toilets in major tourist areas.
payable
payable
  1. adj. that is to be paid (by a certain date or to a certain party): The loan is payable on the first of each month.
paycheck
paycheck
  1. n.
    1 a salary or wage check: The bookkeeper handed me my paycheck.
    2 a symbol for making a living, one's source of income: I don't want to risk my paycheck by being late or doing bad work.
payday
payday
  1. n. the regular day when one is paid one's wage or salary: Our payday is on the Thursday of every second week.
payee
payee
  1. n. the person or business to whom money is to be paid: My name is typed on the check as the payee.
payer
payer
  1. n. the person or business that pays money to s.o.: You are the payer of the checks you sign.
payload
payload
  1. n. in transportation, the cargo carried by a ship, truck, etc., for which the carrier is paid: Bigger trucks can carry bigger payloads.
payment
payment
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the act of paying: I make a payment on my car loan each month.
    2 [C] the money paid: The payment amounts to $300.
    THESAURUS
    payment
    1 an installment
    2 a fee, remittance.
payoff
payoff
  1. n.
    1 the reward or profit from some event or business: The new business promised a big payoff.
    2 slang a bribe, made esp. to avoid harmful acts: The builder made payoffs to the criminals to avoid strikes on his construction project.
payout
payout
  1. n. an amount paid as a return on an investment,
    THESAURUS
    a dividend: The payout on that stock is $5.00 per share.
payroll
payroll
  1. n.
    1 [C] a list of employees to be paid and the amounts due to each: We hired him and put him on the payroll.
    2 [C] usu. sing. the total amount paid to employees: That company has a payroll of one million dollars.
pea
pea
  1. n.
    1 a small, round, green seed that grows in long pods and is eaten as a vegetable
    2 the creeping and climbing plant on which peas grow: We plant peas in early spring.
    3 as like as (or) like two peas in a pod: a. exactly alike: Those twins are as like as two peas in a pod. b. close together, friendly: Those old friends are like two peas in a pod.
pea coat
pea coat
  1. n. See: pea jacket.
pea jacket
pea jacket
  1. n. a heavy woolen jacket with two rows of buttons in the front
pea soup
pea soup
  1. n. [U] a thick soup made from boiled dried peas: Pea soup is my favorite dish to eat during the winter.
peace
peace
  1. n. [U]
    1 a condition or time without war: After the last war, the country returned to peace.
    2 a state of harmony and cooperation between peoples or nations: The neighboring countries prefer to live in peace.
    3 a condition of quiet or stillness: We enjoyed the peace in the late evening.
    4 peace of mind: a serenity of mind, freedom from worry, or guilt: After years of struggle, she finally found peace of mind in a small village in France.
    5 to keep the peace: to prevent the outbreak of war or rebellion: The United Nations sent troops to that country to keep the peace among warring tribes.
    6 to make peace: to end an argument or war: Two countries in the Middle East made peace with each other.||After years of quarreling, the two brothers made peace with each other.
peace offering
peace offering
  1. n. an action showing a wish to make peace: The army returned some of its prisoners as a peace offering.
peace officer
peace officer
  1. n. a civil officer responsible for keeping peace in a community: The peace officer stopped a fight between angry neighbors.
peace pipe
peace pipe
  1. n. old usage a pipe smoked by Native Americans as a sign of making peace with enemies
peaceable
peaceable
  1. adj. preferring peace, not violent or hostile: She had a peaceable attitude and made people feel comfortable.
peaceably
peaceably
  1. adv. calmly or quietly, without protest or conflict: A criminal went peaceably with the police after they arrested him.
peaceful
peaceful
  1. adj. calm, quiet, without troubles: My life in a little cottage by a pond was peaceful. -adv. peacefully; -n. peacefulness.
    THESAURUS
    peaceful tranquil, serene. Ant. noisy.
peacekeeping
peacekeeping
  1. n.adj. [U] maintenance of peace through the use of military force to prevent conflict: Peacekeeping forces are often caught between armies at war.
peacemaker
peacemaker
  1. n. a person or country that brings about peace between warring groups: The USA played the role of peacemaker between two warring countries.
peacetime
peacetime
  1. n. [U] a period of time without war: Peacetime lasted between 1917 and 1939, when World War II started.
peach
peach
  1. n. peaches
    1 [C] a juicy, round, yellowish pink color fruit with a fuzzy skin and a large, rough seed: Peaches grow well in hot weather.
    2 [U] infrml.fig. a wonderful person, esp. a very likable woman: She is so cheerful and kind; she's a real peach!
    3 [C] infrml. peaches and cream: without trouble or evil: She has had such an easy childhood that she thinks life will always be peaches and cream.
peachy
peachy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having the softness or light orange color or juicy sweet taste of a peach: She has a beautiful, peachy complexion.
    2 infrml.fig. excellent, wonderful: I think it's just peachy that I got a big raise.
peacock
peacock
  1. n.
    1 a large male bird with a large, showy, blue-green set of tail feathers
    2 proud as a peacock: very pleased with oneself: When he won the awards, he was as proud as a peacock.
peak
peak
  1. n.
    1 the pointed top of a mountain: The peak of the mountain is covered with snow.
    2 the pointed end of s.t., such as the top of a roof: Two birds were sitting on the peak of the barn.
    3 the point of greatest activity, strength, or success: That singer is now at the peak of her career.
    4 the front part of a cap that extends over the eyes —v. [I] to reach the highest point: The price of gas has peaked and is now going down.adj. the highest level: That racehorse is in peak condition.
peaked
peaked
  1. adj. pale and thin due to bad health: He was looking peaked, so they called a doctor.
peal
peal
  1. n.
    1 the sound of bells ringing loudly: On Sunday morning, the peal of church bells was heard for miles.
    2 a loud series of rolling sounds: Peals of laughter came from the audience.v. [I] to sound or ring long and loudly: Church bells pealed all morning long.
peanut
peanut
  1. n.
    1 a small, light-brown nut about the size of a pea, that grows underground and is a popular snack food: She always eats peanuts at baseball games.
    2 pl. peanuts: infrml.fig. very little money: He works for peanuts as a clerk in a grocery store.
peanut brittle
peanut brittle
  1. n. [U] a hard, flat candy made with peanuts
peanut oil
peanut oil
  1. n. [U] oil made from crushed peanuts, used for cooking
pear
pear
  1. n. a sweet, juicy fruit with a green, yellow, or brownish skin that is narrow at the top and wide at the bottom: Bartlett pears are very popular and turn bright yellow when ripe.
pearl
pearl
  1. n.
    1 [C] a smooth, white, round object formed naturally within oysters and valued as a jewel: She wears earrings made of pearls.
    2 [U] a very light bluish-gray color
pearly
pearly
  1. adj. having a smooth, white, shiny appearance, similar to pearls: His teeth are pearly white.
peasant
peasant
  1. n.
    1 a farmer of low social rank who lives and works on a small piece of land: The peasant worked from sunrise to sunset.
    2 pej. a person with little education and poor manners: She called him a peasant because of his behavior at the dinner table.adj. of or like a peasant: Peasant food is often simple, but delicious.
peasantry
peasantry
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl.v. the class of peasants: The peasantry were angry about the increase in land taxes.
peat
peat
  1. n. [U] decayed plant matter found in wet land, used in gardening and as fuel: He burns peat in his stove to keep warm in winter.
pebble
pebble
  1. n. a small stone made round and smooth by the action of water: We threw pebbles into the ocean.
pecan
pecan
  1. n. a nut with a smooth, hard shell that grows on pecan trees, common in the southern states of the USA: She uses many pecans in a pecan pie.
peccadillo
peccadillo
  1. n. -loes or -los a minor fault: One of her peccadilloes is that she sometimes spends money too easily.
pecking order
pecking order
  1. n. fig. the order of importance and privilege among people in a group: To do well in that company, you must know the pecking order.
pectoral
pectoral
  1. adj. related to the chest: Some athletes have very large pectoral muscles.
peculiar
peculiar
  1. adj.
    1 odd, strange: His peculiar behavior puzzles everyone who knows him.
    2 belonging only to one specific person, group of people, place, etc.: Bright orange tail feathers are peculiar to that type of bird. -adv. peculiarly.
    THESAURUS
    peculiar
    1 unusual, weird, bizarre. Ants. typical, normal.
    2 unique, singular.
peculiarity
peculiarity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C;U] s.t. odd or strange: The old house has many peculiarities.
    2 [C] odd behavior, an unusual habit: One of his peculiarities is wearing an old baseball cap wherever he goes.
    3 [C] s.t. belonging only to one person, group of people, place, etc.: That form of greeting is a peculiarity of the region.
    THESAURUS
    peculiarity
    1 a quirk
    2 a quirk, an eccentricity
    3 a feature, trait.
pecuniary
pecuniary
  1. adj.frml. related to money: The pecuniary rewards of the job are small.
pedagogue
pedagogue
  1. n.frml.
    1 a teacher
    2 a demanding, difficult teacher: A pedagogue is very particular about details.
pedagogy
pedagogy
  1. n. [U] the theory and method of teaching: The school of education teaches pedagogy. -adj. pedagogical.
pedal
pedal
  1. n. a lever pushed with the foot to operate a machine or tool: He stepped on the brake pedal to stop the car.||She worked the pedals to play the organ.v. [I;T] to move by using pedals: He pedals his bike to work every day.
pedant
pedant
  1. n.
    1 a person who gives too much attention to rules and details: The instructor was a pedant who took all the fun out of learning.
    2 a person who makes a showy display of his or her knowledge -adj. pedantic ; -n. [U] pedantry.
peddle
peddle
  1. v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles to sell small items from door to door or on the street: He peddles watches on the street.
peddler
peddler
  1. n. a person who peddles: The peddler sold newspapers by the subway station.
pedestal
pedestal
  1. n.
    1 the short, wide base or foundation for a column of a building: He sat on a pedestal outside the courthouse.
    2 the support on which to place a statue or other work of art to lift it up for display: The teenagers pushed a statue off its pedestal.
    3 to put s.o. on a pedestal: to admire s.o. greatly or too much and never see his or her faults: He adores his wife and puts her on a pedestal.
pedestrian
pedestrian
  1. n. any person walking on a sidewalk, across a street, or down a road: Pedestrians crowd the sidewalks at noon.adj.
    1 related to walking: pedestrian traffic ||a pedestrian crossing
    2 uninteresting, ordinary: She is a very rich woman and she would never wear anything off-the-rack that might suggest pedestrian taste in clothing.
pediatrician
pediatrician
  1. n. a doctor who treats children: The pediatrician cured my baby's illness. See: physician.
pediatrics
pediatrics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the field of medical science concerned with the care of children and their illnesses: Her love of children led her to study pediatrics.
pedigree
pedigree
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a recorded list of ancestors, esp. for an animal, (syns.) lineage, ancestry: His horse has a long pedigree.
    2 [C] the quality of an animal's breeding (esp. a dog or horse), the purity of its line of descent: My dog has a very good pedigree.adj. or pedigreed recorded as having a pure line of descent from a single breed: a pedigree poodle
pee
pee
  1. v. [I] n. slang [U] peed, peeing, pees to urinate: He peed behind a tree.||He went outside to take a pee.
peek
peek
  1. v. [I] to look secretly at s.o. or s.t., esp. when one is not supposed to: A student peeked at the test questions before the test started.||He peeked through the crack in the door to see who was inside.n. a quick look: Let's take a peek at this new video. See: peep (1).
    THESAURUS
    peek v. to glance, peep. —n. a glance, peep.
peekaboo
peekaboo
  1. n. a game played with a baby in which an adult hides his or her face, then suddenly shows it while saying "peekaboo!" and then hides it again —adj. designed to let one see through: She wore a peekaboo sweater over a silk blouse.
peel
peel
  1. v.
    1 [T] to take the skin off a piece of fruit or vegetable: She peeled the apples before cooking them.
    2 [I;T] to strip off the outer layer of anything: He peeled off his shirt in a hurry.
    3 [I] to loosen, pull away, or fall from a surface: The paint on the house was peeling.n. [U] the skin of a fruit or vegetable: She threw the orange peel in the garbage.
    THESAURUS
    peel v.
    1 to pare
    2 to remove, shed.
peephole
peephole
  1. n. a small hole in a door or wall that allows one to look through it: He looked through the peephole in his hotel room door to see who had knocked.
peeping Tom
peeping Tom
  1. n. a person who secretly watches others who are not aware of being seen, esp. as they are dressing or undressing: That peeping Tom uses binoculars to look into people's windows.
peepshow
peepshow
  1. n. a pornographic show with adult movies or live dancers: To go to a peep show, you have to be over 21.
peer
peer
  1. n.
    1 a person who is one's equal in age, rank, ability, or other quality: I want to discuss that business offer with my peers at work.
    2 to have no peer: to be the best: In sports, he has no peer.v. [I] to take a long, slow look as if to discover s.t. (an object, an answer to a question) that is not at first clear: He peered out the window to see who was coming.
peerage
peerage
  1. n. [U] the group of nobles in a country
peerless
peerless
  1. adj. without equal, excellent: The singer gave a peerless performance in the opera.
peeve
peeve
  1. v. [T] peeved, peeving, peeves to annoy, irritate s.o.: People who chew gum and talk at the same time peeve me. See: pet peeve.
peevish
peevish
  1. adj. easily angered or annoyed, irritable: He's peevish today because he is not feeling well. -adv. peevishly.
peewee
peewee
  1. n. a small person, esp. a little boy: He is the peewee in the family of five boys.adj. small, or for small people: They gave the boy a peewee bicycle.
peg
peg
  1. n.
    1 a small rod made of metal or wood that fits in a hole and is used to hang things on, hold things together, or mark a place: He hung his hat on a peg in the door.||The door hinge has a peg in it.
    2 a square peg in a round hole: s.o. or s.t. that does not fit in: At school, she felt like a square peg in a round hole.
    3 to take s.o. down a peg: to show that s.o. is less important than he or she thought: He was rude to her, so she took him down a peg by criticizing his work.v. [T] pegged, pegging, pegs
    1 to attach or fasten using pegs: He pegged a poster to the wall.
    2 to set a value for s.t.: He pegged the price of his house at $200,000.
    3 infrml.fig. to evaluate s.o., know what they are like: I have him pegged as a lazy fellow.
pejorative
pejorative
  1. adj. expressing a critical or negative judgment: "Fag" is a pejorative word for a male homosexual; it's not used in polite conversation.
pelican
pelican
  1. n. a large bird that lives near water and stores the fish it catches in a pouch under its beak: Pelicans dive into the ocean for fish.
pell-mell
pell-mell
  1. adv.frml. in a hurried, confused way: Schoolchildren ran down the steps pell-mell after school let out.
pellet
pellet
  1. n.
    1 a small metal ball made to be shot from a gun: Hunters use shotguns to shoot pellets at game birds.
    2 a small round mass (of wax, paper, food, etc.) shaped by the fingers: The boys threw pellets of food at each other.
    3 food or medicine made into pellets: Feed for chickens is available in pellets.
pelt
pelt
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to attack by throwing things: Protesters pelted the police with bottles and rocks.
    2 to hit forcefully with repeated strokes: He pelted the rug with a big stick.
    3 to come down hard and continuously: The rain pelted against the window. -adj. pelting.n. the fur and skin of an animal: The hunters returned from the forest with beaver pelts.
pelvis
pelvis
  1. n. -vises the area of the body between the backbone and the legs, framed by the hip bones: A woman's pelvis is wider than a man's. -adj. pelvic.
pen name
pen name
  1. n. a name used by an author in place of his or her real name: She used a pen name to protect her privacy.
pen pal
pen pal
  1. n. a person, usu. in a foreign country, to whom one writes letters but whom one has never met in person: When I was a boy in Boston, I had a pen pal in Paris.
penal
penal
  1. adj. related to punishment: The penal laws in that country are very cruel.
penalize
penalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to punish
    2 to force penalties that seem unfair on a person or group: The students complained that they were being penalized by the new rules.
    3 to give a penalty to a player or team for breaking a rule: He was penalized for kicking another player.
penalty
penalty
  1. n. [C;U] -ties a punishment, such as a fine or prison term, imposed for breaking rules or laws: She paid the penalty of a large fine for cheating on her income tax returns.
penance
penance
  1. n. [U]
    1 the punishment one must suffer or the sacrifice one must make to be forgiven for doing s.t. bad or wrong: His father made him stay home as penance for fighting.
    2 in religion, the act of confessing and atoning for sins
pence
pence
  1. n.pl. of penny (British)
penchant
penchant
  1. n. a special fondness for s.t. or a habit of doing s.t.: She has a penchant for silver jewelry.||He has a penchant for saying stupid things at the wrong time.
pencil
pencil
  1. n. a narrow, pointed instrument, usu. made of wood with a carbon center, used for writing or drawing: He used a pencil to add up the total of his monthly bills.v. [T] to write, mark, or draw with a pencil: He penciled some notes in the back of the book.
pendant
pendant
  1. n. a piece of jewelry or a religious object that hangs on a necklace worn around the neck: She wears a heart-shaped pendant that hangs on a chain around her neck.
pending
pending
  1. adj. waiting for a final action or decision: Legislation pending in the Congress must wait until the holidays are over.prep. until: The legislation will be delayed pending the new session of Congress.
pendulous
pendulous
  1. adj.frml. hanging down loosely and free to swing: Pendulous vines hang in the tropical jungle.
pendulum
pendulum
  1. n. a heavy weight, such as a ball, that hangs from a fixed point and swings back and forth in a regular motion, esp. one found in a clock: The clock ticked with each swing of the pendulum.
penetrating
penetrating
  1. adj.
    1 capable of or showing great understanding, intelligent, (syns.) keen, insightful: a penetrating mind||penetrating comments
    2 sharp, piercing: the penetrating sound of children's voices
penetration
penetration
  1. n. [U]
    1 an entry into s.t.: He made a penetration into the forest.
    2 ability to understand: Her penetration into the cause of the problem helped her to solve it quickly.
penguin
penguin
  1. n. a large black-and-white seabird, found mainly in the Antarctic, that stands upright on short legs and has wings for swimming, not flying
penicillin
penicillin
  1. n. [U] a medicine that fights germs or bacteria that cause infection or diseases: His doctor gave him a shot of penicillin to cure a strep throat.
peninsula
peninsula
  1. n. a long, usu. narrow strip of land surrounded by water and connected to the mainland: The southern part of Florida is a peninsula.
penis
penis
  1. n. -nises or -nes the male sex organ, located between the legs
penitence
penitence
  1. n. [U] the feeling of sorrow and regret for having done wrong: His penitence caused her to feel pity.
penitent
penitent
  1. adj. of or about showing or expressing penitence and being willing to seek forgiveness through penance: Penitent acts include prayer, fasting, and good works.n. a person who is penitent and seeks forgiveness: The penitents pray often in church.
penitentiary
penitentiary
  1. n. -ries a state or federal prison: The thief was sent to the state penitentiary.
penknife
penknife
  1. n. -knives a small pocketknife with a folding blade: He carries a penknife to open his mail.
penlight
penlight
  1. n. a flashlight shaped like a large pen: She used a penlight to look into her purse.
penmanship
penmanship
  1. n. [U]
    1 the skill of writing by hand
    2 one's style or manner of writing by hand: Her penmanship is round and clear.
pennant
pennant
  1. n. a long, narrow, and usu. colorful flag with a pointed end: They waved pennants to cheer the football team.
penniless
penniless
  1. adj. having no money, poor: a penniless beggar
penny-ante
penny-ante
  1. adj. related to a card game of poker in which bets are limited to pennies, the least amount of money
penny
penny
  1. n. -nies or Brit. pence
    1 a small coin worth one cent, or 1/100 of a US, Canadian, or Australian dollar or British pound: Pennies in the USA are made of copper.
    2 a penny for your thoughts: a phrase used to ask s.o. what he or she is thinking
    3 a pretty penny: a fairly large sum of money: She paid a pretty penny for that dress.
    4 penny-wise and pound-foolish: referring to a person who saves money on little things but by doing so has to spend much more later: The building owner is penny-wise and pound-foolish; he refuses to replace the old windows, so his heating bill is very high every winter.
penny pincher
penny pincher
  1. n. fig. a person who is overly careful about spending money: Penny pinchers argue over the cost of everything. -n. adj. penny-pinching.
pension
pension
  1. n. a regular payment made by a business or government to a person who has retired from a job: She is 70 years old and receives a pension from her former employer.
    THESAURUS
    pension Social Security payment, 401 (k) plan, nest egg infrml.
pensioner
pensioner
  1. n. a person who receives a pension
pensive
pensive
  1. adj. having deep and serious thoughts, often about sad or worrisome matters: She looked pensive, so I asked what was bothering her. -adv. pensively.
pent-up
pent-up
  1. adj. closed in and blocked from escaping,
    THESAURUS
    frustrated: They were feeling pent-up indoors because of the bad weather.
pentagon
pentagon
  1. n.
    1 in geometry, a figure with five sides and five angles
    2 the Pentagon: the office building in Arlington, VA, which is the headquarters for US military forces
penthouse
penthouse
  1. n. -houses an apartment built on the roof of a tall building, often set back from the outer walls: Stephanie's penthouse in New York has a wonderful view of Central Park.
penultimate
penultimate
  1. adj. next to the last: They rested at the penultimate stop before finishing their journey.
penurious
penurious
  1. adj.frml.
    1 hating to spend or give money, (syns.) stingy, miserly: The penurious old man refused to lend his children any money.
    2 very poor: The sight of penurious children in the street made us very sad. -n. [U] penury.
peon
peon
  1. n.
    1 a poor farmworker in Latin America
    2 fig. any low-level, powerless employee: He is just a peon working in a warehouse.
peony
peony
  1. n. -nies a garden plant with large, showy, round flowers, usu. pink, red, or white in color
people
people
  1. n.
    1 pl. human beings in general: People often have difficulty admitting they are wrong.
    2 pl. the common persons of a nation: The people are in favor of the government's policies.
    3 [C] the members of a nation or race as a group: The peoples of Africa have a rich history.
    4 pl. any group of persons: Those people are in a hurry to catch the train.
    5 pl. one's family or relations: My people came from China.v. [T] -pled, -pling, -ples to fill with people,
    THESAURUS
    to populate: During the war, the island was peopled by refugees.
pep
pep
  1. n.infrml. cheerful, active energy,
    THESAURUS
    vigor: She leads the team with a lot of pep. -adj. peppy.v. [T] pepped, pepping, peps phrasal v. sep. to pep s.t. up: to make things happy, full of energy: Whenever she comes to our house, she peps up the party.||She peps things up.
pep rally
pep rally
  1. n. -lies a gathering with inspiring speeches to build enthusiasm and morale for some cause: We attended a pep rally for the political candidate.
pep talk
pep talk
  1. n. a speech given to encourage s.o. or a group to try hard and do their best: Before the game, the coach gave the team a pep talk.
pepper mill
pepper mill
  1. n. a device used to grind peppercorns into powdered form: A waiter turned the top of a pepper mill and ground pepper onto my salad.
peppermint
peppermint
  1. n.
    1 [U] an herb plant whose leaves are crushed for oils used in medications and as flavoring
    2 [U] the cool, fresh taste of this oil: This ice cream tastes like peppermint.
    3 [C] a candy flavored with peppermint oil: He gave out peppermints to all the children.
pepperoni
pepperoni
  1. n. [U] a hard, fatty, spicy Italian sausage: I ordered a pizza with pepperoni.
peppery
peppery
  1. adj. flavored with pepper, spicy, hot: That red sauce is peppery.
per
per
  1. weak form prep.
    1 for one, for each: That bread costs $3.00 per pound.
    2 as per: according to, in agreement with: As per your instructions, we are sending the package to your home address.
per annum
per annum
  1. adv. (Latin for) for each year, annually: That $1,000 bond pays 7 percent interest per annum.
per capita
per capita
  1. adj. (Latin for) per person, by or for each individual: The per capita income in that town is very high.
per diem
per diem
  1. n. [U] (Latin for) a daily expense allowance: Our company gives a per diem for hotel and meals.adj. adv. per day, daily: My per diem allowance is very small.
per se
per se
  1. adv.frml. considered by itself alone: The salary per se is low, but the pension it leads to is excellent.
percale
percale
  1. n.adj. [U] a closely woven, smooth cotton cloth often used for bedsheets: Percale makes cool, comfortable bedsheets.
perceive
perceive
  1. v.frml. [T] -ceived, -ceiving, -ceives
    1 to become aware of s.t. through the senses (sight, hearing, touch, etc.) or by thinking: We could just perceive the first light of dawn.
    2 to understand or comprehend: She perceived my meaning right away.
percent
percent
  1. adv.adj. for each hundred of s.t.: That loan charges 7 percent interest per year.n. -cent one part in, for, or of each hundred: The salesperson gave me a discount of 20 percent (20%) off the regular price.
percentage
percentage
  1. n. an amount of s.t. understood as a numerical part of a whole that equals 100: A large percentage of the people favor the new President's policies.adj. related to parts per hundred: The interest rate on that loan is 7 percentage points.
perceptible
perceptible
  1. adj.frml. capable of being seen, heard, smelled, or tasted: The smell of smoke was barely perceptible in the air. -adv. perceptibly.
perception
perception
  1. n.
    1 [U] the mental act or process of becoming aware of a thought or sensation: That scientist studies perception in animals.
    2 [C] the way a person sees s.t.; a point of view: My perception of the accident was very different from hers.
    3 [U] natural ability to understand or judge things: She showed great perception in the way she helped her friends. -adj. perceptual.
perceptive
perceptive
  1. adj. capable of or showing deep understanding, esp. of s.t. complex,
    THESAURUS
    observant: That child is very perceptive about the moods of adults. -adv. perceptively; -n. perceptiveness.
perchance
perchance
  1. adv. old usage perhaps: If, perchance, we meet again, I'll tell you the rest of the story.
percolate
percolate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates (of liquid) to pass through a loose substance or a filter,
    THESAURUS
    to penetrate: Water percolates through the ground into the well. -n. [U] percolation.
percolator
percolator
  1. n. a coffeepot in which water percolates through ground coffee beans to make a cup of coffee
percussion
percussion
  1. n. [U]
    1 the striking of one object against another to make a sound: Percussion is one of the oldest methods of making music.
    2 the group of musical instruments played by tapping, hitting, or beating: The percussion in an orchestra are in the back row.||Percussion instruments include drums, cymbals, castanets, and bells. -n. percussionist.
peremptory
peremptory
  1. adj.
    1 showing disregard for the opinions or wishes of others, (syns.) haughty, arrogant: His peremptory manner made many enemies.
    2 absolute, final: the judge's peremptory decision
perennial
perennial
  1. adj.
    1 long-lasting, constant: Poverty is a perennial social problem.
    2 (of plants) having roots that live for more than two years: I planted perennial lilies and daisies in the garden.n. a perennial plant: She grows roses and perennials in the garden.
perfect
perfect
  1. adj.
    1 the best possible: a perfect score (or) record||If only the world were perfect!
    2 complete and faultless, with nothing wrong or missing: This car is in perfect condition.
    3 appropriate and satisfactory in every respect: The holiday decorations were perfect.
    4 total, complete, thorough: a perfect fool||a perfect strangerv. [T] to make perfect, flawless, excellent: She perfected her style of playing the piano by practicing eight hours a day.n. (in grammar) a verb tense that shows action completed at a certain time: In the sentence, "I had finished my dinner when she phoned," the verb "had finished" is in the past perfect.
    THESAURUS
    —v. to polish, bring to perfection.
perfectible
perfectible
  1. adj. capable of being improved or made perfect: His writing is perfectible if he works hard.
perfection
perfection
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being perfect: She demanded perfection from her employees.
    2 the process of making s.t. perfect: They are working on the perfection of the new solar engine.
    3 a perfect example of s.t.: This garden is wonderful; it's perfection!
    4 to perfection: excellently, the best way possible: The Thanksgiving turkey was cooked to perfection.
perfectionist
perfectionist
  1. n. a person who expects or tries to achieve perfection, as in work: She is such a perfectionist that she finds it hard to finish anything. -n. perfectionism.
perfectly
perfectly
  1. adv.
    1 flawlessly, with excellence: The space flight went perfectly, without a problem.
    2 fig. completely, absolutely, without question or doubt: perfectly happy||a perfectly good reason
perforate
perforate
  1. v. [I;T] -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 to make a hole or holes in s.t.: The bullets perforated the side of the building.
    2 to make a line of small holes in paper so that it can be torn easily: The telephone bill was perforated in the middle of the page. -n. [C;U] perforation.
perform
perform
  1. v.
    1 [T] to do or complete a task: He performed his regular duties quickly and quietly.
    2 [T] to fulfill, satisfy: The builder performed all the conditions of his contract.
    3 [I] to act, operate, or behave: She performs well under pressure.
    4 [I;T] to give, act out, or present a performance (of a play, piece of music, dance, etc.): The actors performed a play for the queen.
    THESAURUS
    perform
    1 to carry out, accomplish, execute
    2 to meet
    3 to do, cope
    4 to stage.
performance
performance
  1. n.
    1 [U] the action of doing or completing s.t.: The performance of his duties took all day.
    2 [C] the presentation before an audience of a ceremony or work of art (drama, music, dance, etc.): The performance of the play lasted two hours.
    3 [C] the behavior or operation of a person or machine: Her performance at school was excellent.||The computer's performance was better than we expected.
performer
performer
  1. n. a person who performs for an audience, such as a singer, dancer, actor, musician, etc.: The circus performers delighted the children.
perfume
perfume
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a pleasant, attractive odor,
    THESAURUS
    a fragrance: The flowers had a strong perfume.
    2 a pleasant-smelling liquid made from flowers used on the body to create an attractive impression: He gave her some perfume for her birthday.v. [T] -fumed, -fuming, -fumes to apply perfume: She perfumed her neck and wrists.
perfumer
perfumer
  1. n. a maker of perfumes: Many famous perfumers are in Paris and New York.
perfunctory
perfunctory
  1. adj. done as a matter of habit or routine, without interest, care, or imagination: The actor gave a perfunctory reading of the speech. -adv. perfunctorily.
perhaps
perhaps
  1. adv. maybe, possibly: Perhaps I'll go to the movies tonight; I'm not sure yet.
    THESAURUS
    perhaps it could be that, conceivably, for all one knows. Ants. definitely, certainly.
peril
peril
  1. n.frml.
    1 [U] danger, a possibility of serious harm or death: Your life will be in peril if you try to swim across that river.
    2 [C] s.t. that is a source of danger: Forest fires are a great peril to nearby homeowners. -adj. perilous ; -adv. perilously.
perimeter
perimeter
  1. n. the outer edge of a figure or area of property: They walked on the path around the perimeter of the pond.
period
period
  1. n.
    1 any segment of time, long or short, that forms part of a longer segment and is notable for particular qualities or characteristics: the dangerous period of an illness||a rainy period in spring||a happy period in my life
    2 a very long segment of time in the history of the earth: The Jurassic period lasted for millions of years.
    3 a segment of time in the history of a person's life, a country, etc.: the revolutionary period in American history
    4 a regular division of time in a school day or a game: the lunch period||The team scored in the second period.
    5 a woman's monthly menstruation: She occasionally has cramps when she gets her period.
    6 a punctuation mark of a dot ending a sentence: This sentence ends with a period.
    7 period piece: a costume or work of art representative of the style of a particular historical time: That old movie is a period piece, set in medieval France.
    THESAURUS
    period
    1 a time, point, episode
    2 and
    3 an era, epoch, span of time
    4 a session.
periodic
periodic
  1. adj.
    1 occurring at regular intervals of time: I receive periodic reports each month from our representative in Taiwan.
    2 occurring at repeated but irregular intervals: She gets periodic headaches, but she doesn't know why. -adv. periodically.
periodic table
periodic table
  1. n. a chart of chemical elements arranged according to their atomic number: Students of chemistry study the periodic table.
periodical
periodical
  1. n. a magazine or other publication that comes out at regular intervals (e.g., weekly, monthly): She subscribes to several periodicals.
periodontal
periodontal
  1. adj. related to the tissue of the mouth that holds the teeth in place: That dentist specializes in periodontal disease.
peripatetic
peripatetic
  1. adj.frml. traveling around, on the move from place to place: A person in his line of business must be peripatetic and willing to travel on airplanes.
peripheral
peripheral
  1. adj.
    1 of or related to a periphery: I didn't see the car coming because I have bad peripheral vision.
    2 not of central importance or concern: The cost of the trip was a peripheral matter for him.n. a piece of extra equipment attached to a computer and controlled by it: That printer is a peripheral wired to the main computer.
periphery
periphery
  1. n. -ies the outer edge of s.t.; a boundary or the area just inside or outside of it: A fence goes around the periphery of the army post.||She stood on the periphery of the group and watched them dance.
periscope
periscope
  1. n. a device constructed from a long tube with mirrors and lenses at either end, which allow one to see around or over obstructions; often used in submarines to see above water level
perish
perish
  1. v.frml. [I] -ishes to die, be killed in a sudden or dramatic manner: He fell from the ship and perished in the ocean.
perishable
perishable
  1. adj. likely to decay or spoil quickly: Perishable goods last longer if kept in a refrigerator.n.pl. perishables food that is perishable: Perishables become rotten very quickly in the heat of summer.
perjure
perjure
  1. v. [T] -jured, -juring, -jures to lie deliberately in a court of law after taking an oath to tell the truth: The witness perjured himself by lying about what he saw. -n. perjury.
perk
perk
  1. v.
    1 [I] short for percolate: We could hear the coffee perking.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to perk s.o. up: to make s.o. or s.t. become lively and happy: Let's go next door and perk up Mary; she's a little depressed.||Let's perk her up.n. short for perquisite
perky
perky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest lively, cheerful: a perky personality
perm
perm
  1. n.infrml. short for permanent: She had a perm today.v.infrml. [T] to give hair a permanent: A hairdresser permed her hair.
permanence
permanence
  1. n. [U] the state of being permanent or lasting a long time: He seeks permanence in a job, because he wants to settle down and raise a family.
permanent
permanent
  1. adj.
    1 lasting, or meant to last, forever or for a long time: They hoped their marriage would be permanent.
    2 firmly set, not expected to change soon: This house is now my permanent address. -adv. permanently. See: temporary. —n. treatment of the hair with chemicals, and often heat and curlers, designed to produce curls and waves: She had a permanent at the beauty parlor this morning. See: perm.
    THESAURUS
    permanent adj.
    1 enduring, everlasting. Ant. short-lived.
    2 fixed, stable. Ant. temporary.
permanent press
permanent press
  1. adj. requiring no ironing, referring to clothing treated to prevent it from wrinkling after washing: These slacks are permanent press.
permeable
permeable
  1. adj. allowing liquids, materials, etc., to pass through: A cigarette filter is permeable by smoke.
permeate
permeate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to flow into and spread through every part of s.t.: Shoe polish permeated the leather and kept it soft. -n. [U] permeation.
permissible
permissible
  1. adj. allowable, permitted: The teacher said that it was not permissible to talk in class.
permission
permission
  1. n. [U] consent, agreement, approval: She asked for permission to leave work early.||The bookstore has written permission to return unsold textbooks to the publishers.
    THESAURUS
    permission authorization, s.o.'s OK infrml. Ant. prohibition.
permissive
permissive
  1. adj. allowing too much freedom, esp. in matters of pleasure that could lead to harm,
    THESAURUS
    indulgent: permissive parents||a permissive society -n. [U] permissiveness.
permit
permit
  1. v. -mitted, -mitting, -mits
    1 [T] to allow, let: He would not permit us to leave the building.
    2 [I] to make possible or offer the opportunity: If time permits, I will visit my uncle in Miami.n. an official document giving s.o. the freedom to do s.t. or go somewhere, such as a gun permit, driving permit, etc.
permutation
permutation
  1. n.frml. a change in a set of things ordered as a group: The permutations of 123 are 321, 213, 312, 231, 132, and 123.
pernicious
pernicious
  1. adj.frml.
    1 causing or leading to injury, destruction, or ruin in an evil or hidden way: Pernicious lies can ruin a person's reputation.
    2 causing death: a pernicious poison
peroxide
peroxide
  1. n. [U] a colorless liquid chemical used to lighten hair and to kill germs: He used some peroxide to make his hair blond.
perpendicular
perpendicular
  1. adj.
    1 at an angle of 90°: The connected sides of a square are perpendicular to each other.
    2 standing straight up, (syns.) vertical, upright: A flagpole is perpendicular to the ground.
perpetrate
perpetrate
  1. v.frml. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates to commit (a crime): She has neither the courage nor the stupidity to perpetrate a bank robbery. -n. [U] perpetration.
perpetrator
perpetrator
  1. n. a person who commits a crime: Police arrested the perpetrator right after he stole the watch.
perpetual
perpetual
  1. adj.
    1 continuing forever: a heaven of perpetual joy||a perpetual motion machine
    2 constant, occurring all the time: She became annoyed with his perpetual questions. -adv. perpetually.
perpetuate
perpetuate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to keep alive or preserve in memory for a long time: He worked hard to perpetuate the name of his family's business. -n. perpetuation.
perpetuity
perpetuity
  1. n. [U] in perpetuity: forever: He will receive a company pension in perpetuity.
perplex
perplex
  1. v. [T] -plexes to make s.o. confused and worried by being hard to understand: She perplexed all of her teachers.||The new tax laws perplex me. -adj. perplexing; -n. [U] perplexity.
perquisite
perquisite
  1. n.frml. a special benefit given to an employee of a company in addition to pay and normal benefits like health insurance: One of the perquisites of working for the phone company was a special discount on long-distance calls. See: perk, n.
persecute
persecute
  1. v. [T] -cuted, -cuting, -cutes to treat people unjustly or cruelly, causing hardship and suffering, usu. for differences in belief or racial and ethnic origins: They were persecuted by the government because of their religion. -n. [U] persecution ; persecutor.
perseverance
perseverance
  1. n. [U] consistent and determined effort to achieve a goal: After much perseverance, he finally won the match.
persevere
persevere
  1. v. [I] -vered, -vering, -veres to continue working toward a goal despite difficulties or obstacles,
    THESAURUS
    to persist: My teacher encouraged me to persevere in my studies. -adj. persevering.
persimmon
persimmon
  1. n. the reddishorange colored fruit of a tree native to the tropics
persist
persist
  1. v. [I]
    1 to continue steadily in the same manner in spite of obstacles or opposition: He persisted in asking her to marry him until she finally said, "Yes."
    2 to continue to exist longer than usual or expected: The rain persisted all night.
persistence
persistence
  1. n. [U] the quality of being persistent, steady pursuit of one's goals: Her persistence in looking for a job was finally rewarded.
persistent
persistent
  1. adj.
    1 continuing steadily in a belief, activity, or purpose,
    THESAURUS
    tenacious: He made a persistent effort to finish the big project.
    2 continuing to exist for a long time: a persistent problem||a persistent noise -adv. persistently.
persnickety
persnickety
  1. adj.infrml. overly concerned in an annoying way about small, unimportant details,
    THESAURUS
    fussy: He is very persnickety about how he dresses; his socks and necktie always match.
person
person
  1. n.
    1 a single human being, an individual: There was just one person in the restaurant.
    2 s.o. whose identity is not known: That person stole my purse.
    3 one's body and its appearance: No one may carry a concealed weapon on his or her person without a license.
    4 (in grammar) any of the three classes of pronouns or verb forms that indicate the speaker (first person), the one spoken to (second person), or the one spoken about (third person)
    5 in person: physically present, face-to-face: I have to go to New York to see him in person.
persona
persona
  1. n. -nas or -nae
    1 the role or character s.o. adopts in public or for a performance: She has an attractive persona when she speaks at meetings.
    2 the fictional speaker in a literary work: The persona in this story is a young boy who has run away from home.
personable
personable
  1. adj. likable, attractive, pleasant to others: She is a very personable woman with a warm heart.
personage
personage
  1. n.frml. an important person: Royal personages entered the castle.
personal
personal
  1. adj.
    1 related to or belonging to a particular person: He receives personal telephone calls at the office.
    2 done or carried out in person: a personal visit||a personal conversation
    3 directed toward a particular person: a personal letter||a personal favor
    4 of the body or clothing: His personal appearance was very neat.
    THESAURUS
    personal
    1 private | individual
    2 one-on-one, face-to-face
    4 physical.
personal digital assistant
personal digital assistant
  1. See: PDA.
personal pronoun
personal pronoun
  1. n. a pronoun that refers to a person or thing that is speaking, is spoken to, or is spoken about: The personal pronouns are I, me, you, he, him, she, her, it, we, us, they, and them.
personality
personality
  1. n. -ties
    1 the total effect or character of a person's qualities (habits, traits, moods, attitudes, etc.): She has a warm, lively personality.
    2 a pleasing or exciting quality in a person: He is fun to be with, because he has a lot of personality.
    3 an important or well-known person, esp. in the entertainment business: Movie personalities filled the audience at the award ceremony.
    THESAURUS
    personality
    1 one's nature, disposition, makeup
    2 charm, charisma
    3 a celebrity.
personalize
personalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to make a subject or event personal by focusing on individual or private concerns: He talks only about himself and personalizes everything.
    2 to mark a possession with one's name and address or initials: She had her stationary personalized.
personally
personally
  1. adv.
    1 by oneself, not through others: The President congratulated the astronauts personally by telephoning them.
    2 in one's own opinion: I, personally, am opposed to the plan, but my company is going ahead with it.
    3 as a person: I don't know him personally, but others speak well of him.
    4 to take s.t. personally: to react to s.t. as if one's skill, ability, or character has been attacked: He took it personally when his supervisor gave the promotion to another salesperson who had been with the company only a short time.
personify
personify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to represent an idea or thing as a person: The writer personified love as a beautiful young girl.
    2 to be an example of: He personifies the values of his church. -n. [U] personification.
personnel
personnel
  1. n. [U]
    1 all the people working in an organization (a business, school, etc.): The company had to fire half of its personnel to save money. See: human resources.
    THESAURUS
    personnel staff, employees
perspective
perspective
  1. n.
    1 [U] in art, a manner of drawing objects to create a realistic sense of depth and distance in space: A painter uses perspective to make a hallway look long and narrow.
    2 [C;U] a way of seeing things, point of view, opinion, (syns.) an angle, slant: Everyone had a different perspective on the election, and no one agreed.
    3 [C;U] the set of beliefs, interests, attitudes, etc., that contribute to one's judgment on issues and events: She has a unique perspective on the economic problems of Southeast Asia.
    4 [C] a position (on a mountain or hill) from which one can see a long way off: The perspective gave us a good view of the sunset.
perspiration
perspiration
  1. n. [U] sweat: His shirt was dark from perspiration.
perspire
perspire
  1. v. [I] -spired, -spiring, -spires to sweat: She perspires when she is nervous.
persuade
persuade
  1. v. [T] -suaded, -suading, -suades to lead a person or group to believe or do s.t. by arguing or reasoning with them: I persuaded my friend to stop drinking alcohol.
    THESAURUS
    persuade to convince, talk s.o. into s.t., talk s.o. out of s.t.
persuasion
persuasion
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of persuading: Instead of fighting, try persuasion to get what you want.
    2 [U] the power to persuade: She used persuasion to change his mind.
    3 [U] a strong personal belief: It is my persuasion that telling the truth is always best.
    4 [C] a particular set of beliefs: people of different persuasions||the Marxist (capitalist, socialist) persuasion
persuasive
persuasive
  1. adj.
    1 good at persuading others: He is a persuasive salesman.
    2 reasonable, sensible: a persuasive argument -adv. persuasively.
    THESAURUS
    persuasive
    1 and
    2 effective, convincing.
pert
pert
  1. adj. bold, smart, and stylish in a manner that attracts attention and risks disapproval: She wore a very pert outfit to the dance. -adv. pertly.
pertain
pertain
  1. v. [I] to belong or be related to s.t.: These financial records pertain to this year's tax returns.
pertinent
pertinent
  1. adj.frml. directly related,
    THESAURUS
    relevant: His skills were not pertinent to the job he applied for. -n. [U] pertinence.
perturb
perturb
  1. v.frml. [T] to trouble, bother, or upset s.o.'s peace of mind: The bad news perturbed her for days. -n. [U] perturbation.
peruse
peruse
  1. v. [T] -rused, -rusing, -ruses to read or examine s.t. carefully: He perused the newspaper looking for news of his hometown. -n. [C;U] perusal .
    THESAURUS
    peruse to check, read in detail. Ant. to skim.
pervade
pervade
  1. v. [T] -vaded, -vading, -vades to spread through every part of,
    THESAURUS
    to permeate: The smell of burnt toast pervaded the kitchen.
pervasive
pervasive
  1. adj.
    1 tending to pervade or spread: a pervasive odor
    2 widespread, common, influential: There is a pervasive trend toward casual dress in businesses. -n. pervasiveness.
perverse
perverse
  1. adj.
    1 unnatural, offensive: He has a perverse sense of humor, telling jokes about death and destruction.
    2 turned away from what is good, morally bad: It is perverse to mistreat children. -adv. perversely.
perversion
perversion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a perverted form of s.t.: His nasty stories are perversions of the truth.
    2 [C] a form of sexual behavior considered to be abnormal or unnatural
perversity
perversity
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] the state or quality of being perverse: His perversity caused his parents to worry.
    2 [C] a perverse act: A perversity committed on stage offended the audience.
pervert
pervert
  1. v. [T]
    1 to turn s.o. away from what is considered to be natural or truthful,
    THESAURUS
    to corrupt: They said he was perverted by sex, money, and power.
    2 to misuse or represent falsely: That liar perverts the truth. -adj. perverted . —n. pej. a person whose sexual behavior is considered unnatural or abnormal
pesky
pesky
  1. adj.infrml. -kier, -kiest annoying, irritating: The restaurant was filled with pesky flies.
peso
peso
  1. n. -sos the basic unit of money in many countries of Latin America and in the Philippines: How many pesos does this hat cost?
pessimism
pessimism
  1. n. [U] the tendency to see only the bad things in life and to expect that they are more likely to get worse than better: His pessimism keeps him from trying new things. -n. pessimist.
pessimistic
pessimistic
  1. adj. expecting s.t. to become worse than it is: a pessimistic forecast -adv. pessimistically.
pest
pest
  1. n.
    1 a small animal or an insect that causes damage to food or crops, or otherwise bothers human beings: Rats, mice, and flies are regarded as pests.
    2 an annoying person: The little girl who demands attention all the time is a pest.
pester
pester
  1. v. [T] to annoy, irritate s.o. by making repeated demands: The fundraisers pestered us with telephone calls.||The children pestered her for more candy.
pesticide
pesticide
  1. n. [C;U] a chemical used to kill pests: Airplanes spread pesticides on crops.
pestilence
pestilence
  1. n.frml. [C;U] any disease that spreads widely and kills quickly,
    THESAURUS
    a plague: The doctors could not stop the pestilence. -adj.frml. pestilent.
pesto
pesto
  1. n. an uncooked sauce of Italian origin usu. made from ground fresh basil (a sweet herb), olive oil, garlic, nuts, and cheese: I made spaghetti with pesto for dinner.
pet
pet
  1. n.
    1 a tame animal kept in the home and treated with kindness and affection: Dogs are very popular as pets.
    2 a favorite person: That bright girl is the teacher's pet.adj.
    1 kept or treated as a pet: She has six pet cats.
    2 favorite, special: His pet topic is politics.||a pet theory
    3 showing affection: My pet name for her is "Pumpkin." See: pet peeve. —v. petted, petting, pets
    1 [T] to stroke lightly and fondly with the hand: She pets her cat on its back.
    2 [I] to kiss and caress for sexual pleasure: Teenagers at the party petted on the couch. -n. [U] petting.
pet peeve
pet peeve
  1. n. s.t. or s.o. that most annoys you: People who chew gum and talk at the same time are my pet peeve.
petal
petal
  1. n. the colored or white leaf-like part of a flower: The petals of a rose are soft.
peter
peter
  1. phrasal v. [I] to peter out: to lessen in number until gone: The demand for those old computers has petered out.
petite
petite
  1. adj. (said of women) small, trim: She is too petite to reach that high.n. a special size of small women's clothing: The dress shop had a separate section for petites.
petition
petition
  1. n.
    1 a formal request signed by many people to change a law: Voters signed a petition to remove the governor.||The petition called for a special election.
    2 a legal request for action by a court: I made a petition to have my case heard in court.v. [I;T] to make a petition: They petitioned the legislature to pass laws protecting the environment. -n. petitioner.
petrify
petrify
  1. v. -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 [I;T] to turn into stone: It takes many centuries for dead plants and trees to petrify.
    2 [T] to shock or scare s.o., esp. so that fear makes the person unable to move: A monster in the movie petrified our child. -n. [U] petrifaction.
petroleum
petroleum
  1. n. [U] a dark, thick, oily liquid usu. found between layers of rock in the earth and used to make fuels for heating, lighting, or engines: Gasoline is made from petroleum.
petroleum jelly
petroleum jelly
  1. n. [U] a soft, smooth, greasy substance made from petroleum and used on skin to heal cuts, burns, or scrapes: He put some petroleum jelly on his skin to soothe a sunburn.
petticoat
petticoat
  1. n. old usage a woman's skirt worn under another skirt or dress, often with a fancy trim at the bottom: She wore a petticoat under her dress.
petty
petty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest
    1 unimportant, trivial: He wastes his time on petty problems that no one else cares about.
    2 (of a person) limited or narrow in interests or kindness toward others,
    THESAURUS
    small-minded: Her petty complaints showed her to be selfish. -n. pettiness.
petty cash
petty cash
  1. n. [U] a small amount of money kept in an office to pay for small purchases: I paid for some pencils with money from petty cash.
petulant
petulant
  1. adj. easily upset or angered over unimportant matters, having a bad temper,
    THESAURUS
    irritable: The petulant man was always starting quarrels with people. -n. [U] petulance; -adv. petulantly.
petunia
petunia
  1. n. a small garden plant with bright, showy flowers: She placed a vase of petunias on the dining room table.
pew
pew
  1. n. a bench (a long seat with a back) in a church: We sat in the third pew.
pewter
pewter
  1. n. [U]
    1 a grayish metal made of tin and lead
    2 dishes, plates, cups, etc., made of this metal: They served dinner on pewter made in early America.
phalanx
phalanx
  1. n. phalanxes or phalanges
    1 an ancient military formation of 100 soldiers
    2 a group of people dedicated to a common cause: The President's followers include a phalanx of reporters.
phallus
phallus
  1. n. -li or -luses
    1 an image of the male sex organ, in some cultures believed to be a sign of sexual power
    2 the male sex organ (penis) -adj. phallic.
phantom
phantom
  1. n. a ghost, esp. one that flies away quickly: He thought he saw phantoms in the cemetery.
pharaoh
pharaoh
  1. n. a ruler of ancient Egypt: The pharaoh was believed to be a god.
pharmaceutical
pharmaceutical
  1. adj. of a pharmacy or pharmacists: the pharmaceutical industry (or) professionn.pl. a drug or medicine: Pharmaceuticals are sold through drugstores.
pharmacist
pharmacist
  1. n. a person who has studied pharmacy and is licensed to prepare and sell drugs,
    THESAURUS
    a druggist: The pharmacist sold me some medicine for my cold.
pharmacology
pharmacology
  1. n. the study of drugs -n. pharmacologist.
pharmacy
pharmacy
  1. n. -cies
    1 [U] [C] a drugstore, or the place where drugs are prepared and sold within a store: She pointed me to the pharmacy in the back of the store.
    2 the study and profession of making and selling or giving out medicine and drugs: He studied pharmacy in college.
phase
phase
  1. n.
    1 a period of time within a longer process of change, a stage of development: The time you spend in high school is an important phase of your education.
    2 a stage in the regularly changing appearance of the moon: We studied the phases of the moon in school.
    3 to go through a phase: to behave in an unusual way for a brief time while growing up: She is going through a phase in which she is always impatient.v. [T] phased, phasing, phases
    1 to plan to do s.t. in phases: They phased the project in three sections.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to phase s.t. in or out: to introduce or remove s.t. in gradual steps: They are phasing out that old model of TV.||They are phasing it out.
pheasant
pheasant
  1. n. a large, colorful bird with a long tail, hunted for food and sport: My dog chased pheasants in the bushes.
phenomenal
phenomenal
  1. adj.
    1 unusual, remarkable: The results of the test were phenomenal.
    2 great, terrific, wonderful, amazing: That singer's new recording is a phenomenal success. -adv. phenomenally.
phenomenon
phenomenon
  1. n. -na or -nons
    1 a fact, event, or image that strikes one's attention and attracts interest: Snow was a phenomenon he had never seen before.
    2 a highly unusual event or person that attracts a lot of attention: The new movie star was a phenomenon.
philanthropist
philanthropist
  1. n. [U] a person who helps or gives to good causes: The rich woman was a philanthropist who gave money to the museum.
philanthropy
philanthropy
  1. n.
    1 the feeling of love for all human beings and the desire to help them: He chose to make philanthropy his guide in life.
    2 the practice of working for or giving money to groups that help the poor, the arts (museums, symphonies, etc.), and other good causes: The rich woman engages in philanthropy by giving money to charities. -adj. philanthropic.
philately
philately
  1. n.frml. [U] stamp collecting: He engages in philately by collecting stamps from foreign countries. -n. philatelist.
philistine
philistine
  1. n. a person who lacks feeling for or understanding of the fine arts and culture: The actors did not like to perform for philistines.
philosopher
philosopher
  1. n. a person who studies or teaches philosophy
philosophical
philosophical
  1. adj.
    1 related to philosophy: philosophical books
    2 calm and undisturbed when faced with pain, loss, or hardship,
    THESAURUS
    stoic: She was philosophical about the death of her son. -adv. philosophically.
philosophize
philosophize
  1. v. [I] -phized, -phizing, -phizes to speak or write in a philosophical manner
philosophy
philosophy
  1. n. -phies
    1 [U] the study of the most general truths and beliefs about the nature and meaning of humankind, the world, and the conduct of life: Philosophy is a difficult subject.
    2 [C] the unique system of knowledge developed by a particular philosopher: the philosophy of Plato
    3 [C] the basic principles of a particular field of knowledge: the philosophy of science
    4 [U] a way of living, esp. a calm, patient attitude toward life: His philosophy brings him peace of mind.
phlegm
phlegm
  1. n. [U] a thick, sticky bodily fluid formed in the nose and throat, esp. during a cold: When she was ill, the phlegm made it hard for her to breathe.
phlegmatic
phlegmatic
  1. adj.frml. slow, inactive, unresponsive: He was too phlegmatic to get excited about the football game.
phobia
phobia
  1. n. a strong fear or anxiety without a good reason about a thing, activity, or situation: She has a phobia about flying and will not travel in airplanes. -adj. phobic.
phoenix
phoenix
  1. n. -nixes (in mythology) a bird that lives for 500 years, sets itself on fire, and is born and rises again from its ashes: The phoenix is a symbol of hope.
phone
phone
  1. n.v. [I;T] phoned, phoning, phones short for telephone: I picked up the phone to phone my friend.
phone book
phone book
  1. n. a book listing names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people, businesses, and institutions: I looked in the phone book for the number for the police.
phone booth
phone booth
  1. n. See: telephone booth.
phonetic
phonetic
  1. adj. related to the sounds of words in human speech: Phonetic spellings help students learn new languages. -adv. phonetically.
phonetics
phonetics

  1. 1 n.pl. used with a sing.v. the science and study of speech sounds
    2 used with a sing. or pl. v. the sounds of a language and their symbols: The phonetics of English are very different from those of Japanese.
phonics
phonics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. a system of learning to pronounce words by recognizing sounds that letters or groups of letters represent: Phonics is taught in schools to help children learn to read.
phonograph
phonograph
  1. n. old usage a record player, machine used to reproduce sounds, esp. music from records: Our old phonograph doesn't play anymore.
phony
phony
  1. adj. -nier, -niest not real or genuine, fake: This ring was made with phony diamonds.n. -nies a person who is not sincere, or pretends to be different than he or she really is: He says he is a rich businessman, but he is really a phony.
phooey
phooey
  1. exclam. of disgust, rejection: Phooey! That milk tastes sour!
phosphate
phosphate
  1. n. [U] a mineral with many commercial uses, such as for fertilizer and in detergents: My mother uses phosphate in her garden to make her flowers grow.
phosphorescence
phosphorescence
  1. n. [U] the natural effect of an object giving off light without heat after the object has been exposed to another source of light: Phosphorescence causes things to glow in the dark. -adj. phosphorescent.
phosphorus
phosphorus
  1. n. [U] a yellowish, solid, nonmetallic, and poisonous element that glows in the dark, catches fire easily, and is used to make matches, fertilizers, etc.
photo
photo
  1. n. -tos short for photograph: I took some photos of my kids.
photo finish
photo finish
  1. n. any contest in which it is hard to determine the winner: They expect the election to be a photo finish.
photocopier
photocopier
  1. n. a machine that makes duplicate copies of documents and pictures by a photographic process: The library in my town has three photocopiers for public use.
photogenic
photogenic
  1. adj. having the quality of always looking good in photographs, attractive: Most movie stars and fashion models are very photogenic.
photograph
photograph
  1. n. a picture made from light passing through a camera onto film or in digital form: We took photographs of the children while on vacation.v. [T] to take a photograph (or photographs) of s.t.: He photographed our wedding.
photographer
photographer
  1. n.
    1 a person who takes photographs: My sister is the best photographer in my family.
    2 a person who practices photography as an art or business: She is a photographer for the local newspaper.
photographic
photographic
  1. adj.
    1 related to photography: Making movies is a photographic art.
    2 photographic memory: the ability to remember things in very exact detail
photography
photography
  1. n. [U] the art and science of making pictures from light that passes through the lens of a camera and forms an image on a film or in digital form, which is then used to recreate the image on paper, a screen, or some other surface: Photography plays an important role in the printing industry.
photojournalism
photojournalism
  1. n. [U] journalism that relies more on photographs or film than on writing or speech: Television news is a good example of photojournalism. -n. photojournalist.
photon
photon
  1. n. (in physics) a unit of energy
photosynthesis
photosynthesis
  1. n. [U] the process by which plants convert water and carbon dioxide into food using sunlight for energy: Photosynthesis produces oxygen as a by-product.
phrasal verb
phrasal verb
  1. n. a short phrase, made of a verb plus an adverb or a preposition, that acts like a verb and has a special meaning different from the words it is made of, such as put up with, get by, or pass away
phrase
phrase
  1. n. a usu. brief group of words that is not a sentence but may form part of a sentence: "Down the hill" is a phrase in "The ball rolled down the hill."v. [T] phrased, phrasing, phrases to express s.t. with carefully chosen words: She phrased her question politely, using the word "please."
phraseology
phraseology
  1. n. [U] the choice of words and how they are used in writing or speech: The legal phraseology in that book is hard to understand.
phrasing
phrasing
  1. n. [U] word order, the way in which s.t. is said: The phrasing of ideas in that report is very awkward.
physical
physical
  1. adj.
    1 of or related to matter and material things (as opposed to mental or spiritual things): Our physical world is made of earth, rocks, buildings, and streets.
    2 of or related to the body: After falling from a ladder, he had many physical aches and pains.
    3 of or related to the laws of nature: There are physical limits to how fast we can travel.
    4 involving rough body contact: American football and rugby are very physical sports.n. short for physical examination, a medical examination performed by a doctor: I had to have a physical before starting my new job.
    THESAURUS
    physical adj.
    1 concrete, tangible | natural
    2 bodily, corporal
    3 practical, natural.
physical education
physical education
  1. n. [U] a school or college program designed to teach students how to play sports, exercise, and maintain good health: Some participation in physical education is required at most schools.
physical examination
physical examination
  1. n. a medical examination See: physical, n.
physical sciences
physical sciences
  1. n.pl. the group of sciences including physics, astronomy, and chemistry: All students at that school must take four courses in the physical sciences.
physical therapy
physical therapy
  1. n. [U] the treatment of diseases and injuries (esp. of nerves and muscles) by means of careful exercise and massage: After the accident, he had physical therapy to learn to walk again. -n. physical therapist.
physically
physically
  1. adv.
    1 according to natural laws: It is not physically possible for humans to breathe under water.
    2 in or of the body: The sight of blood makes her physically ill.
physician
physician
  1. n. a doctor, person with a medical degree licensed to practice medicine: My physician told me to stop smoking cigarettes.
physicist
physicist
  1. n. a person who studies physics: Physicists must know a lot of mathematics.
physics
physics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the study of the most basic forms of matter, energy, and motion, including heat, light, sound, and electricity: The laws of physics are true throughout the universe.
physiology
physiology
  1. n. [U] the scientific study of living bodies (humans, animals, plants) and how they work: An important subject in physiology is how living things digest food. -adj. physiological.
physiotherapy
physiotherapy
  1. n. [U] physical therapy: She takes physiotherapy to heal the muscles of her arm.
physique
physique
  1. n. [U] the shape and appearance of the body: He has a strong physique from playing sports.
pianist
pianist
  1. n. a person who plays the piano, esp. a professional piano player: A pianist played old songs at the party.
piano
piano
  1. n. -os a large musical instrument built with a wooden frame and many small black and white levers (called "keys") that are struck by the player's fingers, causing long wire strings to vibrate with sound: The piano can produce a great range of tones and has become one of the most popular instruments.
piano bar
piano bar
  1. n. See: bar, (1).
picayune
picayune
  1. adj. of little value or importance: She runs a big business and cannot concern herself with picayune details.
piccolo
piccolo
  1. n. -los a small flute: Piccolos have a high-pitched sound.
pick
pick
  1. v.
    THESAURUS
    1 [T] (syns.) to choose, select: She [T] (syns.) to cut, pluck (as in harvesting crops of fruits, vegetables, etc.): He picked oranges from the trees. He cut (or) plucked oranges from the trees.
    3 [T] (syns.) to clean, extract (as in pulling with the fingers or a knife): Be careful to pick the bones from that fish before you eat it. Be careful to clean (or) to extract the bones from that fish before you eat it.
    4 [T] (syn.) to dig into s.t. with the fingers or a pointed object: The mother told her little girl not [T] (syns.) to start, provoke: He picked a fight with his brother. He started (or) provoked a fight with his brother.
    6 [T] (syn.) to steal: A thief picked my wallet from my pocket. A thief stole my wallet from my pocket. See: pickpocket.
    7 [T] (syn.) to open a lock without a key: She lost the key to her car door, so a mechanic had to [T] (syns.) to pluck the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc., with the fingers or a flat piece of plastic: She picked her guitar with skill. She plucked her guitar with skill. 9phrasal v. sep. [T] to pick at s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to point out s.o.'s faults: A good boss never picks at her employees. b. s.t.: to eat (a meal) in small bits and without interest: She picked at her dinner because she wasn't hungry.
    10 fig. to pick holes in: to point out the mistakes or errors of: We picked holes in his plan for the business.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [T] to pick on s.o.: to single s.o. out in order to bother, hurt, or make fun of the person: The older boys picked on him, because he was new to the school.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pick over s.t.: to look among carefully in order to make a selection: She picked over the apples to be sure they were fresh.
    13 to pick (s.o.'s) brains: to get ideas or opinions from talking with s.o. smart: He has good ideas; let's pick his brains about our business plan.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pick s.o. or s.t. out: a. s.o.: to spot, see clearly: She picked out her friend in the crowd. b. s.t.: to choose: Will you pick out a book for me?||Please pick one out.
    15 phrasal v. sep. to pick s.o. or s.t. up: a. [T] to go and get s.t. or meet s.o.: He picked up his date at her house. b. [T] to take passengers in a vehicle: The bus picked us up on time. c. [T] to try to become intimate with s.o. one has just met: He tried to pick up someone at the party, but he had no luck. d. [T] to lift or raise up: I picked up a rock.||Pick up your feet! e. [I;T] to set in order, arrange: Guests were coming, so I picked up the living room. f. [T] to get, gain, or learn casually: While I was shopping, I picked up some flowers for my wife.||She picks up new languages easily. g. [I] to get better or increase: The hotel business picked up in the summer.||Traffic picked up as we neared the city. h. [T] to hear or receive signals from: We can't pick up that radio station from here.
    16 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pick s.t. apart: to criticize piece by piece: My writing instructor picked apart my essay.||He picked it apart.
    17 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pick s.t. off: to take careful aim at and shoot a person or animal: The hunter picked off the bird as it flew away.||He picked it off.
    18 phrasal v. insep. [I] to pick up on s.t.: to understand, catch on to: She was trying to get his attention, but he was slow to pick up on it.n.
    1 a choice or selection: What's your pick from all the movies we can see tonight?
    2 the best or finest choice among a group: She's the pick of all the girls.
    3 a small, sharp, pointed instrument: an ice pick||a dentist's pick
    4 a small, flat piece of wood or plastic used to pluck the strings of a musical instrument
    5 a pickax
picker
picker
  1. n. a farm worker who picks (harvests) fruits, vegetables, etc.: The grape pickers traveled for miles to find work.
picket
picket
  1. n.
    1 a long, firm, and usu. flat wooden stick with a pointed end sunk in the ground: The old fence had many broken pickets in need of repair.
    2 one or more workers who stand in front of an office, factory, etc. to prevent others from entering to work, as part of a strike: The striking workers formed a picket early in the morning.
    3 a person or group that stands or marches in a public place in order to protest against a decision, law, policy, etc.: Many people joined the anti-war picket as it passed by.v. [I;T] to protest by standing or walking outside a company's premises: Protesters picketed outside the main entrance.
picket fence
picket fence
  1. n. a fence made of pickets, or flat wooden stakes: The boy painted the picket fence in front of the cottage.
picket line
picket line
  1. n.
    1 in a labor dispute, a line of workers that blocks entry to a place of work
    2 the imaginary boundary line around that place: To support the workers, we refused to cross the picket line.

    USAGE NOTE: People who cross a picket line to work during a strike are called scabs: The striking workers yelled at the scabs when they crossed the picket line.
pickle
pickle
  1. n.
    1 [U] a cucumber soaked in vinegar and spices: I like a slice of pickle with my sandwich.
    2 [U] a liquid containing salt, spices, and vinegar, used to preserve and flavor meat, fish, or vegetables: She made a tasty pickle for the fish.
    3 [C] infrml.fig. a difficult or awkward situation: He is in a pickle now, with no job and no money to pay his bills.v. [T] -led, -ling, -les to preserve in a pickle: My grandmother used to pickle corn and peas.
pickled
pickled
  1. adj.
    1 soaked in vinegar and spices: Pickled herring tastes good.
    2 infrml.fig. drunk: He's so pickled that he can hardly walk.
pickpocket
pickpocket
  1. n. a person who steals from the pockets or purses of people in crowds or public areas: A pickpocket on the bus stole his wallet.
pickup
pickup
  1. n.
    1 [C] a pickup truck
    2 [C] the act of picking s.t. up: The truck driver had three more pickups to make before he could go home.
    3 [C] infrml. an unknown person met at a public place or social event for the purpose of casual sex: He went to the party looking for an easy pickup.
    4 [U] power to speed up fast: This car has a lot of pickup.
    5 [C] an improvement: a pickup in sales
pickup truck
pickup truck
  1. n. a light truck of medium size, with a driver's cabin in front, an open space in back, low side walls, and a rear gate that folds down; often used in everyday work: The gardener carried tools in her pickup truck.
picky
picky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest fussy, difficult to please about small, often unimportant details: He is very picky about how his shirts are laundered.
picnic
picnic
  1. n.
    1 a trip taken by a friendly group of people to a pleasant outdoor place to eat a meal that has been prepared ahead of time and carried along: We went for a picnic in the park.
    2 an outdoor meal had on a holiday or special occasion: Our company gave a picnic for all employees.v. [I] -nicked, -nicking, -nics to have a picnic: We picnicked in the park.
pictorial
pictorial
  1. adj. showing or presented in pictures: a pictorial exhibit||a pictorial history
picture
picture
  1. n.
    1 a drawing, painting, or photograph: The children draw pictures with crayons.||His picture is in the paper.
    2 an example: She is a picture of good manners.
    3 old usage a movie: We went to the cinema to see a picture (or) the pictures.
    4 the outlook or future: The picture looks good for the success of our business.
    5 an explanation or mental image: She tried to give us a picture of how a computer works.
    6 (the quality of) an image on a TV or movie screen: This TV gets a really good picture.
    7 infrml. to get the picture: to understand, see the meaning after some difficulty,
    THESAURUS
    to catch on: After she explained the solution to the math problem, I said, "Oh, now I get the picture."
    8 infrml. to be in or out of the picture: to know or not to know the real situation: When she came back from vacation, she was out of the picture of what happened while she was away.v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures
    1 to give a certain image of: The drawing pictured the man in an old chair with his dog.
    2 to imagine: I pictured myself in a boat on a river.
    THESAURUS
    picture n.
    1 a representation of s.t., image
    2 a perfect example, model | the paragon, epitome frml.
    3 a film, the movies
    4 conditions pl., the situation
    5 an idea, a concept
    6 reception. —v.
    1 to show, depict frml.
    2 to see (oneself), dream of (oneself), envision.
picture window
picture window
  1. n. a large window in a house or apartment, esp. one with a good view: We can see the park and trees through our picture window.
picturesque
picturesque
  1. adj.
    1 like a picture, pleasing to the eye, charming: That little fishing village by the sea is quite picturesque.
    2 (of writing or speech) colorful, descriptive, expressive: The old sailor told a picturesque tale of his youth.
piddle
piddle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to waste time or money on worthless or unimportant things: I piddled away the morning playing computer games.
piddling
piddling
  1. adj. insignificant, very little: That poor fellow gets paid a piddling wage for his work.
pidgin
pidgin
  1. n. a simplified language, usu. a mixture of words from two or more languages: The pidgin spoken by some people in Hawaii is a combination of words from English and native Hawaiian languages.
pie chart
pie chart
  1. n. a circular chart divided into sections by the percentage of each activity: A pie chart of sales shows half comes from overseas.
piece
piece
  1. n.
    1 a part of a whole thing that is separate from the rest: A piece of the house roof fell off during the storm.||He dropped the glass and it broke in pieces.
    2 a separate amount or portion of s.t. that is the same in substance or form: a piece of wood/rock/ candy/butter||Would you hand me a piece of wood?
    3 an example of a general kind of thing: a piece of news/information/furniture/ good luck||This morning I heard a sad piece of news.
    4 one of several parts in a related set that are meant to fit or work together as a whole and for a purpose: the pieces of a bicycle/puzzle/clock||She laid out all the pieces of the clock before she put them together.
    5 one of the objects moved about on a board to play a game, such as chess: I lost one of the pieces for that game.
    6 a unique product of an activity that requires skill, esp. a work of art: a piece of music/poetry/work||That essay was an excellent piece of writing!
    7 a firearm, gun: Soldiers are taught to keep their pieces clean.
    8 infrml.fig. a piece of cake: something very easy to do: It will be a piece of cake to win this game.
    9 to give s.o. a piece of one's mind: to criticize harshly,
    THESAURUS
    to scold: She was rude to my father, so I gave her a piece of my mind.
    10 fig. to go to pieces: to break down and lose control of oneself from grief or sorrow: He went to pieces when she left him.
    11 a piece of work n.fig.infrml. [U] a person noted for his or her unusual behavior or attitudes, (syns.) a character, an eccentric: That guy is a piece of work with his red, white, and blue hair, orange jacket, and green pants.phrasal v. sep. [T] pieced, piecing, pieces; to piece s.t. together: a. to put together, repair, or assemble: She pieced together the broken chair. b. to make sense of s.t. by putting together separate facts: He tried to piece together what happened to all his money.
    THESAURUS
    piece n.
    1 a bit, fragment, chunk | slice, serving
    2 a section, chunk, lump
    3 an item, article
    4 a component | member (of a set)
    5 a playing piece, mover.
piecemeal
piecemeal
  1. adj.adv. (done or made) piece by piece, or one piece at a time, without concern for a set or sequence: He rebuilt the old house piecemeal over many years, whenever he had the time.
piecework
piecework
  1. n. [U] work for which one's pay is measured by the amount done, or number of things produced, rather than the time spent: She does piecework at home, getting five dollars for each doll that she makes.
pier
pier
  1. n.
    1 a large, long, flat structure of wood or iron built on pillars and extending like a bridge out from land and over water, at which boats can load or unload passengers and cargo: She waved goodbye from the boat to her friends who stood on the pier.
    2 a pillar (or large post) that supports such a structure: At the beach you can see many old piers sticking out of the water.
    THESAURUS
    pier
    1 a wharf, dock
    2 a column, piling.
pierce
pierce
  1. v. [I;T] pierced, piercing, pierces
    1 to cut a hole in or through s.t. with a pointed object: The needle pierced my skin.||She had her ears pierced for earrings.
    2 to break through the surface or into the depths of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to penetrate: The boat pierced the waves of the sea.||The searchlight pierced through the darkness of night.
piercing
piercing
  1. adj.
    1 sharp and painful: a cold, piercing wind||a piercing scream
    2 searching, penetrating: He has a piercing look that sees through you. -adv. piercingly.
piety
piety
  1. n. [U] devotion to God and obedience to his teachings: The priest was very impressed by the young girl's piety.
pig
pig
  1. n.
    1 a common farm animal of the swine family, valued for its meat, with a fat round body, thick skin, short nose, legs, and tail: A big, fat pig cannot run fast.
    2 the meat of a pig: pork, ham, or bacon
    3 pej. a fat, impolite, or offensive person who eats too much: I will never invite that man to dinner because he is a pig.phrasal v. insep. [I] to pig out on s.t.: to take pleasure in eating too much: After school, he pigged out on pizza and ice cream.
    THESAURUS
    pig n.
    1 a hog, swine
    3 a glutton, hog.

    USAGE NOTE: When pigmeat is eaten, it is called pork, ham, or bacon; it is not called pig.
pigeon
pigeon
  1. n. a bird with a round body, small head, and usu. a gray or white color: People in the park threw bread crumbs to the pigeons.
pigeonhole
pigeonhole
  1. n. one of a number of open-ended, box-like sections of a desk or cabinet arranged in rows and used for sorting and keeping papers, letters, etc.: I keep all my old medical bills in one pigeonhole in my desk.v. [T] -holed, -holing, -holes to put s.t. in a specific group,
    THESAURUS
    to classify: She pigeonholed me as being from the South because of my accent.
piggish
piggish
  1. adj. greedy, gross, or sloppy like a pig: His piggish table manners embarrass everyone he knows.
piggy
piggy
  1. n.infrml. -gies a little pig: The newborn piggy was cute. See: piglet. —adj.infrml. -gier, -giest piggish
piggy bank
piggy bank
  1. n. a small container often shaped like a pig and used by a child for saving coins: When my son's piggy bank is full, he will use his money to buy a new toy.
piggyback
piggyback
  1. adv.adj.
    1 on the back or shoulders: The little girl loved to ride piggyback on her father.||My uncle gave me a piggyback ride.
    2 carried by a larger or more powerful vehicle: We saw a railroad train go by with several trucks riding piggyback on top.
pigheaded
pigheaded
  1. adj.infrml. fig. stubborn, unwilling to change one's opinion or behavior: He is pigheaded and refuses to take medicine despite his doctor's orders.
piglet
piglet
  1. n. a baby pig
pigment
pigment
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a powder or paste of concentrated color, mixed with other substances to create colored paints or dyes: We added a yellow pigment to the blue paint to make it green.
    2 [U] the natural coloring of a plant or animal: Her skin has a beautiful brown pigment.
pigmentation
pigmentation
  1. n. [U] the color of s.t., esp. the skin: Her skin has a light pigmentation; he burns easily when he goes to the beach in the summer.
pigpen
pigpen
  1. n.
    1 an enclosed area in which pigs are kept and fed
    2 fig. any dirty, disordered place: That young woman's room is a pigpen.
pigskin
pigskin
  1. n.adj.
    1 [U] a tough leather made from the skin of a pig: He wears pigskin gloves in winter.
    2 infrml. an American football: Let's go outdoors and throw the pigskin around.
pigsty
pigsty
  1. n. -sties a pigpen
pigtail
pigtail
  1. n.fig. a length of hair that hangs down the back of the neck or shoulders, formed by folding two or more strands around each other,
    THESAURUS
    a braid: She made her hair into a pigtail before she went swimming.
pilaf
pilaf
  1. n. [U] a rice dish cooked in broth, often with pieces of meat, fish, or vegetables: For dinner I had rice pilaf mixed with shrimp.
pileup
pileup
  1. n. an accident in which many vehicles crash into each other one after another: Pileups often happen, because the roads are slippery and drivers are unable to stop fast.
pilfer
pilfer
  1. v.frml. [I;T] to steal, esp. small things in small amounts: The children pilfered apples from the fruit stand. -n. pilferer.
piling
piling
  1. n. a pile (3): The wooden pilings under the bridge need to be repaired.
pill
pill
  1. n.
    1 a small, round piece of medicine or vitamins meant to be swallowed: He takes a pill to reduce his high blood pressure.
    2 a difficult or unpleasant person: If you're going to be a pill, you can't go to the movies with us because we won't have any fun.
    3 a bitter pill (to swallow): a blow to one's pride and selfrespect: Being turned down again for a promotion was a bitter pill for her to swallow.
    4 the pill: a method of birth control for women, taken once a day: She doesn't want to have children yet, so she's on the pill.
    THESAURUS
    pill
    1 a tablet, capsule
    2 a pain infrml.
pillage
pillage
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -laged, -laging, -lages to steal property using violence, as during a war: Invaders pillaged the villages along the coast 1,000 years ago. -n. pillager.
pillar
pillar
  1. n.
    1 a tall column of wood, stone, or metal used to support a building: Marble pillars stood on either side of the doorway.
    2 fig. a member of a group who is an important source of its strength and purpose: Her long years of service made her a pillar of the community.
pillow
pillow
  1. n. a square or rectangular cloth bag filled with soft material, used to support the back or head for comfort, esp. the head when lying in bed: He sleeps with a soft pillow under his head.
pillowcase
pillowcase
  1. n. a thin, removable covering for a pillow
pilot light
pilot light
  1. n. a small gas flame in a stove or furnace, used to light the main gas burners: A gust of wind blew out the pilot light.
pimento
pimento
  1. n. -tos a sweet, mild red pepper used in cooking and as a stuffing for olives: Pimentos add color to a meal.
pimp
pimp
  1. n.v. [I] a person who takes money for offering the services of other people (prostitutes) to satisfy the sexual needs of customers: He acts as a pimp for ten prostitutes.
pimple
pimple
  1. n. a small, red swelling on the skin: That young man has pimples on his face. -adj. pimply.
pin cushion
pin cushion
  1. n. a very small pillow into which pins are stuck when not in use: Pin cushions should be kept out of the reach of children.
pinball machine
pinball machine
  1. n. a coin-operated mechanical game, played by one person on a long glasscovered slanted table, in which a metal ball is struck against pins to score points: The snack bar has pinball machines in the back.
pincers
pincers
  1. n.pl.
    1 a small metal tool made of two crossed levers pressed together by the hand to take hold of and twist or pull nails, wires, or other small objects: He used pincers to remove the picture hook from the wall.
    2 the large claws of crabs and lobsters
pinch-hit
pinch-hit
  1. v. [I] -hit, -hitting, -hits
    1 (in baseball) to enter the game as a batter in the place of another player
    2 infrml. to take s.o. else's place for a brief period of time: She pinch-hit for me while I was on vacation. -n. pinch hitter.
pinch
pinch
  1. v. pinches
    1 [T] to grasp or press tightly between the thumb and a finger: She pinched (the skin of) his arm to get his attention.||He pinched some salt to put on his meat.
    2 [T] to be caught and squeezed between two hard objects that come together: She pinched her finger in the desk drawer.
    3 [I;T] to cause pain from being too tight: His shoes pinched his feet.
    4 [T] slang to take or steal: My girlfriend pinched my last cigarette.
    5 slang [T] to arrest: The police pinched him on the street corner.
    6 to be or feel pinched: to feel pressure and distress from the lack of money or other hardship: He was out of work and (felt) pinched for money.
    7 to pinch pennies: to be very careful about spending money: When she was a student, she had to pinch pennies.n. pinches
    1 a tight squeeze between the thumb and a finger, esp. of the skin, to cause sharp pain: My mother gave me a pinch to make me be good.
    2 an amount that can be grasped between the thumb and a finger: a pinch of salt
    3 a pain from a tight muscle or nerve: He has a pinch in his neck.
    4 in a pinch: a. in a difficult situation or crisis: Without his car, he was in a pinch. b. if necessary: In a pinch, we will have to go ahead without her.
    THESAURUS
    pinch v.
    1 to squeeze, tweak
    2 to get s.t. jammed in s.t.
    3 to cramp
    4 to swipe, snitch
    5 to nab infrml., collar slang. —n.
    1 a tweak
    2 a bit, small amount | smidgen
    3 a cramp.
pine
pine
  1. n.
    1 [C] a tall, straight tree, found mainly in cool climates, with small, thin, sharp leaves (called "needles") that remain green throughout the year and woody, brown fruit (called "cones"): We built a summer house among the pines (or) pine trees.
    2 [U] the soft, yellowish wood of this tree, very commonly used for furniture and houses: We built our house out of pine.v. [I] pined, pining, pines
    1 to lose one's health and strength from sorrow and grief: He pined away after the death of his wife.
    2 to feel a lonely desire for s.t. or s.o. one has lost or become separated from: He pined for his girlfriend when she moved away.
    THESAURUS
    pine v.
    1 to waste away, grieve
    2 to long for, yearn.
pineapple
pineapple
  1. n. [C;U] a tropical plant with a fruit that is brown and rough on the outside and has a sweet, yellow, juicy flesh on the inside
piney
piney
  1. adj. See: piny. piny or piney -adj. -ier, -iest related to pine trees: The woods have a nice, piny smell.
ping
ping
  1. n. a short, sharp, ringing sound made by striking metal or glass: After dinner he struck his glass with a knife to make a ping and got everyone's attention.v. [I;T] to make such a sound: He pinged his glass to get everyone's attention.
pinhead
pinhead
  1. n.
    1 the round top of a pin: A pinhead is very small.
    2 infrml.fig. a stupid person: I never listen to those pinheads; they don't know anything.
pinion
pinion
  1. v. [T] to prevent s.o. from moving by physical force: I was pinioned to my chair while they searched the room.
pink
pink
  1. n.adj.
    1 [U] a light red color: Pink roses are pretty.
    2 in the pink: in good condition, healthy: After a long period of rest, he looked in the pink.
pinko
pinko
  1. n. pej.slang -os a person who sympathizes with left-wing (e.g., socialist, communist) political beliefs: He thought that the colleges and unions were filled with pinkos.
pinnacle
pinnacle
  1. n.
    1 the pointed top of a mountain: Climbers finally reached the mountain's pinnacle.
    2 the highest point of s.t.: That lawyer is at the pinnacle of her career.
    3 a pointed ornamental structure set on or rising above a roof: The grand old church had many small pinnacles and one large one.
pinochle
pinochle
  1. n. [U] a card game: He plays pinochle with friends every week.
pinpoint
pinpoint
  1. n. the sharp point of a pin —v. [T]
    1 to locate exactly: She pinpointed her street on the map.
    2 to determine the exact nature or cause of: Let's see if we can pinpoint the problem here.
pinprick
pinprick
  1. n. a small mark made by a pin or pointed instrument: He made a pinprick next to my name with his pencil.
pinstripe
pinstripe
  1. n. a thin line of white or colored thread in cloth: She wore a shirt with blue pinstripes.adj. fabric with a pattern of pinstripes: He wears conservative pinstripe suits.
pint
pint
  1. n. a unit of measure for liquids, equal to 16 ounces or one half quart (.47 liter): He bought a pint of beer.
pinup
pinup
  1. n. old usage a picture of a sexually attractive person (such as a fashion model, movie star, or popular singer), or of a person wearing little or no clothing, that is put up on a wall for display: He has pinups from movie magazines on his bedroom wall.
pinwheel
pinwheel
  1. n. a toy with colorful curved wings rotating on a stick: The child waved the pinwheel to make it spin.
pioneer
pioneer
  1. n.
    1 one of the first people to enter new or undeveloped land to live and work there: Pioneers crossed America to find new farm land.
    2 a person who leads the way for others into a new area of knowledge or invention: He was a pioneer in computer science.v. [I;T] to develop, explore, or settle s.t. new: She pioneered the political campaign for women's rights.
    THESAURUS
    pioneer n.
    1 a settler, homesteader
    2 an innovator, leader. —v. to lead, take the first step, innovate.
pious
pious
  1. adj.
    1 feeling and showing love and duty to God and religion: She is a very pious churchgoer.
    2 pretending to be religious and pure while serving one's own interests and hurting other people: Her husband is fond of making pious accusations about others. -adv. piously.
pip-squeak
pip-squeak
  1. n. a small, unimportant person: Don't be afraid of him; he's a pip-squeak!
pipe
pipe
  1. n.
    1 a tube through which liquids or gases pass from one place to another: Pipes are used to carry water and gas into homes and buildings.
    2 a small tube with a bowl at one end and a mouthpiece at the other, for smoking tobacco: Smoking a pipe is not allowed in this restaurant.
    3 a musical instrument, similar to a flute, played by blowing air through it: She played a song on her pipe.
    4 one of the many tubes that make the sound of a musical organ: The pipes in that church's organ have a beautiful tone.v. piped, piping, pipes
    1 [T] to carry, esp. liquids and gas, through pipes: Water and gas are piped into the house.
    2 [T] to play a musical tune on a pipe or flute: She piped a song to please the children.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to pipe down: to become quiet, stop making noise: The children were screaming, so I told them to pipe down.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to pipe up: to start speaking or speak louder: He told me to pipe up so everyone could hear.
pipe dream
pipe dream
  1. n. fig. a wish or hope that has little or no chance of coming true: He has a pipe dream about being President someday.
pipeline
pipeline
  1. n.
    1 a long system of connected pipes that carry gas, water, or oil over long distances: The city's pipelines bring us water from the surrounding mountains.
    2 in the pipeline: currently being developed, to be available in the near future: That company has a new computer system in the pipeline for next year.
piping
piping
  1. n. [U]
    1 an amount or sytem of pipes used for water, gas, etc.: Plumbers are installing piping in the new building.
    2 the sound of musical pipes being played: We could hear piping coming from the house next door.
    3 a narrow cord used to trim edges and cover seams in clothing or furniture: The girl's coat had red piping.adv. piping hot: (of food or drink) very hot: The mashed potatoes are served piping hot.
piquant
piquant
  1. adj.frml.
    1 sharp and pleasant to taste: She added spices to the soup to give it a piquant taste.
    2 interesting in an odd way,
    THESAURUS
    stimulating: His piquant stories of the old days made us want to hear more. -n. piquancy.
pique
pique
  1. v. [T] piqued, piquing, piques
    1 to annoy, irritate: We piqued our waiter, because we took so long to order our food.
    2 to arouse interest, stimulate: The mere mention of food piques her appetite.
piracy
piracy
  1. n. [U]
    1 robbery (of boats or airplanes) that takes place at sea or in the air: They would not sail across the ocean because they feared piracy.
    2 copying and selling the work of others without permission: The use of computers has made piracy an important issue.
piranha
piranha
  1. n. a small freshwater South American fish with sharp teeth and powerful jaws: Piranhas are capable of killing people and cattle.
pirate
pirate
  1. n.
    1 a person who steals sailing ships or airplanes or the cargo they carry: The pirates threatened to kill anyone who tried to stop them.
    2 a person who reproduces and sells the work of others without permission: My book was copied illegally and sold by pirates in another country.v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to violate the laws that protect property rights by reproducing, for profit and without permission, the published work (a book, performance, invention, etc.) of another person or company: The police caught him trying to pirate computer software and sell it in other countries.
    THESAURUS
    pirate n.
    1 a thief, robber. —v. to steal, rob.
pirouette
pirouette
  1. n.v. [I] -etted, -etting, -ettes a movement in formal dance (such as ballet) in which the dancer spins around in one place while standing on the ball or toes of one foot: It is hard to keep one's balance when performing a pirouette.
piss
piss
  1. n. vulg.
    1 urine
    2 the act of urinating: He took a piss behind a tree.v. vulg. pisses
    1 [I] to urinate
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to piss s.o. off: to make s.o. angry: He pissed me off; he borrowed my bicycle and then lost it.
pissed
pissed
  1. or pissed off adj. slang angry: My father was pissed (or) pissed off because I broke the living room window.
pissed
pissed
  1. or pissed off -adj. slang angry: My father was pissed (or) pissed off because I broke the living room window.
pistachio
pistachio
  1. n. -os
    1 [C] a small tree that grows in warm climates and produces a small green nut used as a food: Her favorite ice cream is made with pistachio nuts.
    2 [U] a pale green color
pistol
pistol
  1. n. a small gun that can be held and shot in one hand: Most police officers on patrol carry a pistol.
piston
piston
  1. n. in an engine or pump, a solid, deep metal disk that moves up and down within a tight cylinder and moves other parts of a machine: An automobile engine with eight pistons has a lot of power.
pitch-black
pitch-black
  1. adj.
    1 so dark as to make it impossible to see: Inside the cave, it was pitch-black.
    2 very densely black: That coal is pitch-black.
pitchfork
pitchfork
  1. n. a large fork with two or three prongs and a long wooden handle, used on farms to lift and move hay: They used pitchforks to toss the hay onto the truck.
piteous
piteous
  1. adj. of or about causing pity or sympathy: The caged dog let out a piteous cry. -adv. piteously.
pitfall
pitfall
  1. n. an unseen danger or difficulty that is a common cause of mistakes or errors: Starting a new business has many pitfalls.
pithy
pithy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest brief but full of meaning: Proverbs in the Bible contain pithy sayings.
pitiful
pitiful
  1. adj.
    1 worthy of pity, sad: Many poor people live in pitiful conditions.
    2 hopelessly bad, not worthy of much attention: His attempts to win her love were pitiful. -adv. pitifully.
    THESAURUS
    pitiful
    1 wretched, miserable. Ant. enviable.
    2 contemptible, despicable. Ant. admirable.
pitiless
pitiless
  1. adj. without pity or mercy, cold and harsh: The pitiless soldiers killed innocent civilians. -adv. pitilessly.
pittance
pittance
  1. n. a very small amount of money: She expects her employees to work for a pittance.
pitter-patter
pitter-patter
  1. n. [U] the sound or movement of a rapid succession of light taps or beats, as of rain or feet: the pitter-patter of rain on the windowadv. adj. related to having or making such a sound or movement: My heart went pitter-patter when she agreed to marry me.
pituitary gland
pituitary gland
  1. n. a small organ at the base of the brain that regulates the body's growth
pity
pity
  1. n. [U]
    1 the feeling of sorrow, tenderness, or sympathy caused by the suffering or hardships of others: She feels pity for the poor and the sick.
    2 a cause for regret: It is a pity that your husband is ill.
    3 to have pity on s.o.: to help s.o. out of sympathy or mercy: A soldier had pity on a wounded enemy and helped him to safety.v. [T] -ied, -ying, -ies to feel sorry for s.o.: He pities the poor and gives money to them.
    THESAURUS
    pity n.
    1 compassion, commiseration. Ant. indifference.
    2 a shame, too bad.
pivot
pivot
  1. n.
    1 a fixed point, such as a pin, short rod, or ball on which something turns or swings: My desk lamp has three different pivots for changing its position.
    2 a person or thing on which something else depends: She is the key pivot in our plan to win the game. -adj. pivotal.v. [I;T] to turn on or as if on a pivot: A basketball player pivoted and shot the ball.
pixel
pixel
  1. n. a single point of light on a computer or TV screen: The higher the number of pixels on a screen, the finer the picture.
pizzazz
pizzazz
  1. n.infrml. [U] the quality of being exciting, energetic, and glamorous: That new Broadway musical has a lot of pizzazz.
pizzeria
pizzeria
  1. n. a restaurant that makes and sells pizza
placard
placard
  1. n. a printed or written poster or sign, such as carried by a protester: Union members carried placards protesting their low wages.
placate
placate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to settle or soothe s.o.'s anger, esp. through special attention or favors: Our boss was angry at us, so we placated him by working late.
place
place
  1. n.
    1 a. a spot or position in space that is or can be occupied by a person or thing: Here is a good place to hang the picture. b. fig. a position in relation to certain thoughts, ideas, feelings, etc.: She has no place for him in her heart.||He has a place of honor in his country's history.
    2 a particular location, area, or region on the earth, such as a city, state, island, etc.: Buenos Aires is a great place to visit.
    3 a position in line: He asked me to save him a place while he parked the car.
    4 a final position in a race or competition: She came in second place in the diving contest.
    5 a room, building, or piece of land used for a particular purpose: the workplace||a marketplace||a holy place
    6 infrml. a room, apartment, house, or other residence: After the movie, let's go back to my place.
    7 any part or spot in a body or thing: I have a sore place in my throat.||Show me the place where the chair is broken.
    8 a space or seat for a person: Did you get a place at the table?
    9 a function or duty: It is not his place to tell us what to do.
    10 a short street: They live on Brentwood Place.
    11 all over the place: everywhere: They have traveled all over the place.||The pipe broke and oil went all over the place.
    12 in or out of place: in or not in the position where (s.o. or s.t.) belongs: Everything is in place, so we are ready to go.||On his first trip overseas, he felt out of place.
    13 in place of: instead of, as a substitute for: If you are sick, she will have to go in place of you.
    14 people in high places: people in important positions with power and influence: She knows people in high places, including her country's ambassador to Wash-ington.
    15 to go places: to be successful: He's so smart; he is really going to go places.
    16 to know one's place: to know the limits of one's power or position in society and behave accordingly
    17 to put s.o. in his or her place: to scold s.o. for claiming rights that are not theirs: She spoke at the meeting without being asked, and the boss put her in her place.
    18 to take place: to happen: The dance will take place on Saturday night.v. [T] placed, placing, places
    1 to put in a specific location or position: I placed the groceries on the kitchen table.||She was placed on the school's board of directors.
    2 to rank or value: He placed her among the best students.
    3 to find employment for: The employment agency placed him in a large computer company.
    4 to remember how, where, or when one came to know s.o. or s.t.: I know that woman from somewhere, but I can't place her.
    5 to place an order: to request s.t. with the purpose of buying it: She placed an order for a new refrigerator.
    THESAURUS
    place n. 1a a location, site, niche 1b room
    2 a site, spot | district, locale
    3 a spot
    5 premises | a business, an establishment
    6 one's home
    7 area, location
    9 authorit ight. —v.
    1 to put, lay | assign
    2 to rate, regard
    3 get s.o. a job, employ
    4 to identify, recall (s.o.'s name).
placebo
placebo
  1. n. -bos a substance that looks like real medicine, but has no real effects; used for comparison when testing new drugs or to treat patients whose illnesses may be imaginary
placement
placement
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the act of placing or state of being placed: The company made an official announcement about his placement in the Paris office.
    2 location or arrangement: She was very careful about the placement of her guests at the dinner table.
    3 the process of matching people who are looking for jobs with opportunities for employment: She was a specialist in placement for recent college graduates.
    4 placement office: the office in a college or university that helps students find jobs: He went to the placement office for a job interview.
placenta
placenta
  1. n. -tas or -tae the organ that is formed during pregnancy in female mammals and that contains and nourishes the fetus,
    THESAURUS
    the afterbirth: The placenta comes out after the baby has been born.
placid
placid
  1. adj. calm, peaceful: After the storm, the sea was placid and smooth. -adv. placidly; -n. [U] placidity.
plagiarism
plagiarism
  1. n.
    1 the act of plagiarizing: A student was expelled for plagiarism.
    2 a work that is the result of plagiarizing: His new book is a plagiarism. -n. [U] plagiarist; plagiary.
plague
plague
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a dangerous disease that spreads very fast and kills its victims quickly: Before the modern age, plagues killed millions of people.
    2 fig. a. any widespread cause of misery, suffering, or death: The plagues of the modern world are poverty and war. b. a great and bothersome number (of pests): A plague of flies has invaded our garden.
    3 to avoid s.o. or s.t. like the plague: to try very hard not to do s.t. or come in contact with s.o.: He avoids exercise like the plague.v. [T] plagued, plaguing, plagues to upset with repeated disturbances or interruptions: Her vacation was plagued by telephone calls from her boss.
    THESAURUS
    plague n.
    1 an epidemic, pandemic 2a a scourge, bane | adversity, woes pl. —v. to intrude on s.o./s.t. | badger, pester, harry.
plaid
plaid
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a pattern of light- and dark-colored lines and rectangles often used for the fabric of casual or sports clothes: He wore a pair of pants with a bright plaid on the boat trip.
    2 a long piece of woolen cloth with a colorful pattern, worn by people in the Scottish highlands —adj. with a pattern like plaid: She wore a plaid shirt.
plain
plain
  1. n.
    1 a broad area of flat land: We drove over a plain that lay between two sets of hills.
    2 pl. plains a vast expanse of flat land: In North America, the plains stretch for hundreds of miles.adj.
    1 easy to see, hear, or understand: in plain sight (or) language||Try to make your instructions plain.
    2 simple, not fancy: He likes plain cooking.||They had a very plain wedding ceremony.
    3 clear and direct in expression or style: She is a plain speaker who says what she means.
    4 not pretty or handsome: She felt plain next to her beautiful sister.
    5 complete or obvious: That is plain nonsense! -n. plainness.
    THESAURUS
    plain n.
    1 a plateau, prairie, flatland. —adj.
    1 clear, understandable | obvious. Ants. unclear, obscure.
    2 ordinary, everyday
    3 frank, candid
    4 ordinary, unattractive, homely. Ant. attractive.
    5 total, entire.
plainly
plainly
  1. adv.
    1 clearly, obviously: That is plainly the wrong way to do things.
    2 in a plain manner: They were dressed very plainly.
    THESAURUS
    plainly
    1 beyond doubt, definitely
    2 simply. Ant. elaborately.
plaintiff
plaintiff
  1. n. a person or business that files a lawsuit against an opposing party (the defendant): The plaintiff sat with her lawyer at a table in the courtroom.
plaintive
plaintive
  1. adj.
    1 expressing distress and a desire for relief: The trapped bird made a plaintive cry.
    2 expressing a lonely sadness and a desire for sympathy: He listened to plaintive songs on the radio. -adv. plaintively.
plan
plan
  1. n.
    1 a design or program of action to do s.t. in the future, usu. including a series of steps toward a goal: We made a plan for raising money to build a new library.
    2 a drawing of s.t. to be made, showing all its parts and their relations: She drew a detailed plan of the house she wanted to build.
    3 a map: He made a plan of the city's subway lines.
    4 according to plan: as intended or expected, without problems or surprises: The parade went according to plan.
    5 to have plans: a. to have a date or appointment: I'm not free; I have plans for this evening. b. to have goals, dreams, etc.: She has big plans for her future as a doctor.v. planned, planning, plans
    1 [I;T] to make a plan for: They planned a big meeting to be held next year.
    2 [T] to intend to do s.t.: He planned to take a vacation in June.
    3 [T] to prepare drawings, blueprints, or designs for s.t. to be made or constructed: An architect planned the new shopping center.
    THESAURUS
    plan n.
    1 a strategy | scheme
    2 a blueprint, diagram | design, pattern. —v.
    1 to work out the details of s.t.
    2 to arrange for s.t.
    3 to map out, devise s.t.
plane
plane
  1. n.
    1 an airplane: Our plane landed at the airport.
    2 a tool with a sharp blade, used to smooth the surface of wood —v. [T] planed, planing, planes to use a plane to smooth wood: He planed the boards to make them fit closely.
    THESAURUS
    plane n.
    1 an aircraft, airliner, jet.
planet
planet
  1. n. a very large ball-shaped body (such as the Earth) that moves around a star (such as the sun) in outer space: People have long wondered whether there is life on other planets. -adj. planetary.
planetarium
planetarium
  1. n. -iums or -ia
    1 a large room with a curved roof on which is shown images of the heavens (the planets, stars, etc.) and how they move in relation to each other
    2 a museum with exhibits and displays that show the planets, moons, and other subjects of astronomy: Children love to visit the planetarium to learn about space.
plank
plank
  1. n.
    1 a wide, flat wooden board, often long and heavy: The floor of the cabin is made of wooden planks.
    2 a basic principle or position in a political party's statement of its purpose (platform): An important plank in their platform is to reduce taxes.
plankton
plankton
  1. n. [U] tiny plants and animals that live in oceans and fresh water: Many types of fish and some giant whales feed on plankton.
planner
planner
  1. n.
    1 a person who makes plans for the development of towns, cities, highways, ports, etc.: He is a planner for the state's department of transportation.
    2 anyone who makes plans for business or other large projects
plant
plant
  1. n.
    1 a living organism that usu. grows in the earth and has roots, stems, leaves, and seeds, and which differs from animals in not being able to move on its own and in making its own food from sunlight, soil, and water: Humans and animals could not live without plants.
    2 a factory, or the land, buildings, and machinery used for industrial manufacturing: My father worked in an automobile plant.
    3 a person placed secretly among others to gather information about them: The police have a plant inside a criminal organization.v. [T]
    1 to put seeds, plants, bushes, or trees in the ground to grow: Farmers planted crops of wheat and corn this spring.||I planted my garden in April.
    2 fig. to give s.o. an idea with the hope that it will be acted on: I planted a seed in her mind that she should look for a job.
    3 to take a firm position, place, or attitude: He planted himself in the doorway and waited for her to return.
    4 to place stolen goods on someone else's property to make him or her appear guilty of a crime: They planted drugs in his car and then called the police.
    THESAURUS
    plant n.
    2 a mill, workshop
    3 an informant, spy. —v.
    1 to sow
    2 to suggest s.t.
    3 to position oneself, station oneself.
plantain
plantain
  1. n. a tropical plant with a fruit similar to a banana: Fried plantains with rice is a popular dish in the Dominican Republic.
plantation
plantation
  1. n. a large farm, usu. in a warm climate, on which is grown a single major crop, such as tea, coffee, cotton, rubber, etc.: There were many cotton plantations in the southern USA.
planter
planter
  1. n.
    1 the owner of a plantation: He was a wealthy coffee planter from Kenya.
    2 a machine for planting seeds in the ground: The planter was pulled by a large tractor.
    3 an attractive pot used for growing flowers or decorative plants: She had two large planters for flowers on her doorstep.
planting
planting
  1. n.
    1 [U] the seasonal activity of starting a new crop by putting seeds in the ground: The planting of wheat and corn is going well this spring.
    2 [C;U] a crop of plants that were seeded at the same time: The spring planting of corn is three feet tall now.
plaque
plaque
  1. n.
    1 [C] a flat metal or stone plate with writing on it, fixed to a wall or object (such as a statue or tombstone) in memory of a person or event: Tourists were reading the plaque on a statue in the park.
    2 [U] material that forms on the teeth and causes decay: The dentist scraped the plaque off my teeth.
plasma
plasma
  1. n. [U] the clear liquid part of blood which carries the blood cells: Hospitals keep supplies of plasma to give to patients who have lost blood.
plaster
plaster
  1. n. [U] a mixture of water, lime, and sand spread on walls to make a smooth surface after it dries: The plaster on that old wall is yellow and cracked.v. [T]
    1 to cover walls with plaster: They plastered the wall before painting it.
    2 to cover an area (usu. a wall or walls) with a large amount or number of s.t.: He plastered his office with maps of the world. -n. plasterer.
plasterboard
plasterboard
  1. n. [U] a building material of flat, rectangular boards made of plaster covered with heavy paper: Workers nailed plasterboard to upright boards to make walls in the new house.
plastered
plastered
  1. adj.infrml. very drunk: He drank beer all evening and got plastered.
plastic
plastic
  1. n. [C;U] a strong, lightweight material, manufactured in a chemical process from organic matter (oil, coal), which can be shaped and hardened into many forms and is commonly used as a substitute for metal or wood: Many things, such as toys, furniture, and computers, are made of plastic.adj.
    1 easily shaped or formed by pressing: Wet clay is very plastic.
    2 made from plastic: We ate with plastic forks and spoons.
plastic surgery
plastic surgery
  1. n. [U] an operation on (parts of) the body to alter or improve its shape or appearance, often to repair damage from burns, wounds, or the effects of disease: After the explosion, he needed plastic surgery to replace the skin on his face.
plate
plate
  1. n.
    1 a flat dish with a raised border, used to hold food: I put plates on the table for lunch.
    2 a serving of food: He had a plate of noodles for lunch.
    3 a flat sheet of hard material: She replaced a broken plate of glass in the window.
    4 artificial teeth: He wears a plate as his upper teeth.
    5 a thin metal covering, esp. a layer of a more valuable metal over an ordinary metal: The spoons are silver plate, not solid silver.v. [T] plated, plating, plates to cover s.t. with a coating of metal: Those utensils are plated with silver. -adj. plated.
    THESAURUS
    plate n.
    1 china, dishware
    2 a helping, portion
    3 a pane
    4 dentures.
plateau
plateau
  1. -teaus or -teaux
    1 a raised area of flat land with a steep drop on at least one side: Plateaus can be hundreds of miles long.
    2 fig. a stage or period in which there is no change or progress: The economy kept improving and then reached a plateau.v.fig. [I] to reach a stage of little or no change,
    THESAURUS
    to level off: Sales rose fast and then plateaued.
platform
platform
  1. n.
    1 a flat, raised structure for making speeches or boarding trains: I stepped from the platform into the train.
    2 a statement of political beliefs and goals: The politician ran for election on a platform of lowering taxes.
    3 a type of computer hardware or software: That company uses an IBM platform. (=uses IBM computers).
    THESAURUS
    platform
    1 a stage, stand | dais, podium
    2 a program, set of policies
    3 a computer operating system.
plating
plating
  1. n. [U] a thin covering of metal: silver plating on a knife
platinum
platinum
  1. n.adj. [U] a silvery white, metallic element used in jewelry and traded as a valuable commodity: She collects antique platinum rings.
platitude
platitude
  1. n. a boring saying heard frequently: Politicians speak platitudes about lowering taxes.
platonic
platonic
  1. adj. related to a close personal relationship without sex: She and he have had a platonic friendship for many years. See: boyfriend, USAGE NOTE.
platoon
platoon
  1. n. (in the military) a grouping of 25 soldiers within a company of 100
platter
platter
  1. n. a large, flat dish with a raised border, used to hold food: He put the platter holding the roast turkey on the table. -n. platterful.
plausible
plausible
  1. adj. referring to s.t. that seems true, logical or reasonable: His car broke down, so he has a plausible explanation as to why he is late. -adv. plausibly; -n. [U] plausibility.
play-act
play-act
  1. v. [I] to pretend, make believe: He is play-acting that he is hurt, when he is not.
play-by-play
play-by-play
  1. adj.n. referring to a radio or TV report of the action as it happens in a sporting event: An announcer gave a play-by-play description of the football game.
play-off
play-off
  1. n.adj. a game or series of competitions to determine a champion: The National League football play-off (or) play-off game will be held this Sunday.
play
play
  1. n.
    1 [U] fun, amusement: Children are at play in the park.
    2 [C] a theatrical production, such as a drama or musical: Shakespeare's plays have been performed for centuries.
    3 [C;U] one's turn in a sport, game, or gambling: I told my card partner that it was her play.
    4 [C;U] action in a game or event: The play in that Ping-Pong™ match is very fast.
    5 a play on words: a word or phrase used with a double meaning: A manufacturer of calculators used a play on words in its ads: "You can count on our products," meaning that you can rely on their quality and you can count with them.
    6 to bring into play: to involve s.o. or s.t. in the action: The soldiers marched toward the enemy, and then the general brought his cavalry into play against them.
    7 to come into play: to become involved in, be a factor in: Two countries tried to make peace but radical groups came into play and tried to stop the peace process.
    THESAURUS
    play n.
    2 a show, performance, staging. —v.
    1 [I] to have fun: Children played with a ball on the beach.
    2 [I;T] to participate in a sport or game: She plays tennis and he plays cards.
    3 [I;T] to compete against in a sport or game: Our basketball team played against the state champions.
    4 [I;T] to perform on a musical instrument: She played the piano while he played the violin.
    5 [T] to act a part in a movie or stage production: She played the lead role in the film.
    6 [T] to function, take part in: Education of the workforce plays an important role in a healthy economy.
    7 [T] to gamble, bet money: He plays the horses; she plays poker.
    8 [I;T] to cause a radio, TV, tape player, etc., to produce sounds: He plays his stereo loudly.
    9 phrasal v. [I] to play along: to cooperate with s.o. or make believe to: He pretended to be a big movie star, and his friends played along with him.
    10 to play a role in s.t.: to be involved in s.t., to be a factor: Lack of education plays a big role in poverty.
    11 phrasal v. [I] to play around: to cheat on one's spouse: He plays around with other women.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [T] to play at s.t.: to do s.t. but not in a serious way: She plays at being an actress but is interested in lots of other things, too.
    13 infrml. to play by the rules: to act in a correct, proper way: She plays by the rules and does not cheat on her tests.
    14 infrml. to play for keeps: to act seriously, esp. about money and death: He is a big gambler who plays for keeps and won't give you your money back if you lose to him.
    15 to play hard to get: to be coy, unwilling to be friendly and date s.o.: She likes to play hard to get in order to make the boys really chase after her.
    16 infrml. to play it by ear: to act according to the situation, rather than planning ahead: We did not know the agenda for the meeting, so we just played it by ear and answered their questions.
    17 to play it cool: to not get excited, remain dignified and calm: When they offered her a salary higher than she expected, she just played it cool and accepted it.
    18 to play it safe: to take no risk, do the safest thing: It's not supposed to rain, but I think I'll play it safe and take my umbrella.
    19 phrasal v. [I] to play off: to take part in a play-off: Two teams will play off tomorrow to determine the champion.
    20 phrasal v. insep. [T] to play on or upon s.t.: to manipulate others to do what one wants: She played on the sympathy of her friends by crying about her bad luck so they would give her money.
    21 infrml. to play one's cards right or well: to act intelligently: That young man's boss will retire soon and, if he plays his cards right and behaves, he will replace him.
    22 to play s.o. off against s.o.: to set two people against each other for one's own benefit, to manipulate others: She plays her boyfriends off against each other to make them jealous, so they will treat her well.
    23 phrasal v. sep. [T] to play s.t. back: to play s.t. again, esp. a tape recording: The singers made a recording, then played back their song to listen to it.||They played it back.
    24 phrasal v. sep. [T] to play s.t. down: to treat s.t. as unimportant, to minimize: The prime minister played down her importance and stressed the role of her cabinet.||She played it down.
    25 infrml.fig. to play the field: to date many men or women: She plays the field by dating five different guys.
    26 infrml.fig. to play the game: to act according to the rules of a business or social set: He plays the game by acting enthusiastically about company products when he couldn't care less.
    27 to play up to s.o. or s.t.: to seek favor with s.o., flatter: He plays up to his boss, because he wants a raise in salary.
    28 to play with fire: to do s.t. enjoyable, but dangerous: She experimented with taking drugs, but decided that she was playing with fire and stopped.
    THESAURUS
    play v.
    1 to amuse oneself | romp, frolic
    3 to oppose, vie with
    4 to perform on
    5 to perform
    6 to serve.
playboy
playboy
  1. n. a wealthy man who does not work and whose life is devoted to pleasure: Playboys like to chase after women.
player
player
  1. n.
    1 a person who participates in a game: A basketball team has five players.
    2 an electronic machine used to play audio or video recordings: I listen to music on my compact disc player.
    3 a person or company actively participating in a business deal: My company is one of three players trying to buy another business.
playful
playful
  1. adj.
    1 liking to play: That puppy is a playful little puppy.
    2 not serious, joking in a friendly way: She gave him a playful tap on the arm. -adv. playfully; -n. playfulness.
    THESAURUS
    playful
    1 frisky, lively
    2 teasing, lighthearted.
playground
playground
  1. n.
    1 an area used by children to play in, esp. one with such things as swings and slides: Parents take children to the playground to have fun.
    2 a resort area: The French Riviera is a playground for the rich.
playhouse
playhouse
  1. n. -houses
    1 a theater: In summer, we go to a playhouse by the seashore.
    2 a little house that children can play in: The children made a playhouse by covering a small table with a sheet.
playing card
playing card
  1. n. one of a set of usu. 52 cards marked with the numbers one through ten or a picture and a suit (spades, clubs, hearts, or diamonds), used for playing various games: I bought a pack of playing cards to play poker with.
playing field
playing field
  1. n. a field on which sports events are played: Football fans ran onto the playing field after the game.
playmate
playmate
  1. n. a child who plays with another child: The little girl and her two playmates played in the yard.
playpen
playpen
  1. n. a cage-like enclosure without a top in which infants can be left to play: The baby plays with toys in her playpen.
playroom
playroom
  1. n. a room in a house in which games are played: We have a Ping-Pong table in our playroom in the basement.
plaything
plaything
  1. n. a toy or other object of amusement: The child keeps her playthings in a wooden chest.
playwright
playwright
  1. n. a person who writes plays: Playwrights write dialogue for actors.
plaza
plaza
  1. n. a public square: The town is built around a large plaza with a fountain in the middle.
plea-bargain
plea-bargain
  1. n.v. [I;T] an agreement by a criminal to plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for a lighter punishment than he or she would have otherwise: The thief plea-bargained a ten-year jail sentence down to three years.
plea
plea
  1. n.
    1 an urgent request, appeal: The hungry man's pleas for food were answered.
    2 (in law) a defendant's answer to a plaintiff's accusation: The man's lawyer entered a plea of not guilty before the court. See: plead.
plead
plead
  1. v. pleaded or pled , pleading, pleads
    1 [I] to request s.t. urgently, to appeal: A hungry man pleaded for food.
    2 [I;T] (in law): to answer a complaint: The defendant pleaded not guilty. -n. [C;U] pleading.
pleasant
pleasant
  1. adj.
    1 enjoyable, pleasing: This is a pleasant, sunny day.||The ice cream has a pleasant taste.
    2 friendly, cordial: She has a pleasant personality. -adv. pleasantly; -n. [U] pleasantness.
    THESAURUS
    pleasant
    1 nice, lovely | agreeable. Ant. unpleasant.
    2 amiable, congenial.
pleasantry
pleasantry
  1. n.frml. -ries a friendly or witty remark: We made a few pleasantries, and then got down to business.
please
please
  1. v. pleased, pleasing, pleases
    1 [I;T] to make s.o. feel happy, satisfy: It pleases me that you are making such a big effort in this class.
    2 [I] to want, like, feel: You should feel free to do what you please.
    3 if you please: a. to express disapproval: If you please, would you be quiet! b. if you want to: "May I go to the movies Mom?" "If you please."
    4 to aim to please: to make every effort to satisfy s.o.: In this store, we aim to please our customers.interj.
    1 a polite request, way of asking s.o. to do s.t.: Please sit down and take your coat off.
    2 a polite way of saying, yes: "Would you like some butter?" "Please."adj. pleased a polite greeting on first meeting s.o.: I am pleased to meet you.
    THESAURUS
    please v.
    1 to be agreeable to s.o. | gladden frml.
    2 to wish, desire | choose.
pleasing
pleasing
  1. adj. pleasant, enjoyable: That food has a pleasing taste (smell, look). -adv. pleasingly.
pleasurable
pleasurable
  1. adj.frml. pleasant, enjoyable: Eating is one of life's pleasurable activities. -adv. pleasurably.
pleasure
pleasure
  1. n.
    1 [U] enjoyment, feeling of happiness: "It gives me great pleasure to introduce our speaker this evening."
    2 [C] an activity that is pleasant: Good food is one of life's great pleasures.
    THESAURUS
    pleasure
    1 delight, joy | fun, amusement. Ants. displeasure, unhappiness.
    2 a delight, joy.
pleat
pleat
  1. n. a fold doubled over on itself in cloth: The pleats in her skirt need pressing.v. [T] to make pleats: pleat a skirt
plebeian
plebeian
  1. adj.n.frml.
    1 of or associated with the common people, ordinary: Snobs say they don't enjoy the plebeian pastimes of drinking beer and watching TV.
    2 crude, coarse: He lives in a plebeian neighborhood.
pledge
pledge
  1. n. a formal promise, oath to do s.t.: He signed a pledge to stop drinking.v. [I;T] pledged, pledging, pledges to promise, vow formally to do s.t.: I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
plenary
plenary
  1. n.adj. -ries
    1 a meeting of all fully qualified members of an organization: The United Nations is in a plenary session today.
    2 a major speech at a professional conference: Professor Pless is giving a plenary address on some new research in physics today at 2:00.
plentiful
plentiful
  1. adj.
    1 in good supply: Food is plentiful in the USA.
    2 great, bountiful: We had a plentiful harvest of wheat this fall. -adv. plentifully.
    THESAURUS
    plentiful 1 and 2 abundant, ample. Ants. scarce, meager.
plenty
plenty
  1. n.adj.
    1 a good supply, abundance: We have plenty of food for the party today.
    2 more than enough: You have plenty of time to catch your train.
    3 a state of having more than enough food, wealth, etc.: The USA is often called the "land of plenty."
    THESAURUS
    plenty n.adj.
    1 an ample amount, lots and lots infrml. Ants. a dearth, scarcity.
    2 a lot, loads infrml.
    3 prosperity, riches. Ant. need.
plethora
plethora
  1. n.frml. [C; usu. sing.] an overabundance, excessive amount: There is a plethora of cookbooks published each year.
pliable
pliable
  1. adj.
    1 flexible, capable of being bent or shaped: Heating metal makes it pliable so that it can be shaped into useful things.
    2 easily persuaded or ruled by others: He is pliable and will do what he is told.
pliant
pliant
  1. adj.frml.
    1 (of a thing) capable of being bent without breaking
    2 (of a person) willing to change one's self or ideas to suit others: She doesn't like baseball but she's pliant and will play if everyone else wants to.
pliers
pliers
  1. n.pl. a pair of pincers used for holding, twisting, or cutting: I used a pair of pliers to turn a small nail and pull it out of the wood.
plight
plight
  1. n. a difficult situation, predicament: His plight is that he has no money.
plod
plod
  1. v. [I] plodded, plodding, plods
    1 to walk slowly and heavily: A farmer plodded through his muddy field.
    2 fig. to act or work very slowly: Work in that government department plods along. -n. [U] plodding.
plop
plop
  1. v. [T] plopped, plopping, plops
    1 to let s.t. drop, toss lightly: He plopped a coin into the wishing well.
    2 to sit down heavily: She plopped herself (or) plopped onto the sofa and rested.
plot
plot
  1. v. plotted, plotting, plots
    1 [I;T] to scheme, plan in secret a way to overthrow, rob, or harm s.o.: Several generals plotted to overthrow the government.
    2 [T] to mark a curve or draw points of activity: The treasurer plotted the growth of company sales on a chart.
    3 [I;T] to construct the main story in a novel or play: He plots out his mystery novels in the bathtub.n.
    1 the main story in a novel or play: The plot concerns a poor boy who moves to California and becomes an actor.
    2 an area of land: Her house is located on a small plot of land.
    THESAURUS
    plot v.
    1 to conspire, connive
    2 to map, chart
    3 to plan, design (a plot). —n.
    1 a story line, the action 2 a lot, acreage.
plow
plow
  1. n.
    1 a farm implement used to turn over ground for planting crops: Some farmers walk behind a plow pulled by a mule.
    2 an implement used to move snow, sand, etc.: Snowplows scrape snow from the streets.v.
    1 [I;T] to turn over earth, push snow, sand, etc. with a plow: Farmers plowed their fields in the spring.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to plow into s.o. or s.t.: to strike violently, crash into: Cars skidded on the icy road and plowed into each other.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to plow through s.t.: to force one's way through s.t.: He came back from vacation and plowed through a small mountain of work.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to plow s.t. up: to turn over earth: We plowed up our garden in the spring to do planting.||We plowed it up.
plowshare
plowshare
  1. n. one blade among many on a plow: Diplomats speak of turning swords into plowshares, to stop war and grow food.
ploy
ploy
  1. n. a trick, a maneuver to gain advantage or to disguise one's true intent: He said on the telephone that he was conducting a survey, but that was just a ploy to sell me life insurance.
pluck
pluck
  1. v. [T]
    1 to pull quickly, to yank: She plucked flowers in the field.
    2 to remove feathers from: Workers pluck chickens to sell in the market.
    3 to vibrate the strings of a guitar, banjo, etc. with a pick or the fingers: He plucked the guitar and sang.
plug
plug
  1. n.
    1 s.t. made of rubber, wood, etc. used to block an opening: He hammered a wooden plug into the opening in the wine barrel.
    2 a small plastic device at the end of an electrical cord with metal prongs that can be connected to an electrical supply: I stuck the plug into the socket and turned on the TV.
    3 a favorable mention of a product or service, such as on a TV or radio show: The author was able to give his book a plug when interviewed on a talk show.
    4 to pull the plug on s.t.: a. to unplug s.t. from an electrical outlet: I pulled the plug on the TV and moved it to the bedroom. b. fig. to stop s.t. abruptly, cancel it: Management pulled the plug on that project because it cost too much.v. plugged, plugging, plugs
    1 [T] to block s.t. with a plug: Workers plugged the hole in the dam with cement.
    2 [T] to talk about a product or service favorably: The author plugged her new book on a TV talk show.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I] to plug away at s.t.: to work hard and regularly on s.t.: She plugs away at her studies and makes good grades.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to plug s.t. in: to connect s.t. to a power supply by pushing a plug into an electrical socket: Plug in the TV over here.||Plug it in.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to plug s.t. up: to become blocked: A piece of meat has plugged up the sink.||It plugged it up.
    THESAURUS
    plug n.
    1 a stopper
    3 a promotion, piece of publicity. —v.
    1 to seal off s.t., close up s.t.
    2 to promote, publicize.
plum
plum
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a round fruit with smooth, often deep purple skin and juicy flesh, or the tree it grows on: My grandmother made delicious plum jelly.
    2 fig. s.t. very desirable, special: He received a plum of a high-paying job.
    3 a deep reddish-purple color
plumage
plumage
  1. n. [U] the covering of feathers on a bird: The male peacock has gorgeous plumage.
plumber
plumber
  1. n. a worker who installs and fixes pipes, drains, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, etc.: He works as a plumber on a construction site.
plumbing
plumbing
  1. n. [U]
    1 pipes, faucets, and fixtures for water and gas: The plumbing in that old house does not work well.
    2 the work that a plumber does
plume
plume
  1. n. a showy feather, usu. long, brightly colored, and prominently displayed: The dancer wore a headdress of pink ostrich plumes.
plummet
plummet
  1. v. [I] to plunge, go downward rapidly and far: An airplane caught fire and plummeted to earth.
plump
plump
  1. adj. (referring esp. to women and children) round in shape, chubby or full-figured: You can say that a woman is pleasingly plump, but it is not polite to call her chubby or fat. -adj. plumpish; -n. [U] plumpness.
plunder
plunder
  1. v. [I;T] to steal, take others' property by force and in large quantity: The invading army plundered the town of food, money, jewels, and valuables. -n. plunderer.n. [U] the property stolen by force: Soldiers took the plunder to their camp.
plunge
plunge
  1. v. [I] plunged, plunging, plunges to plummet, dive, or fall fast and far: A diver plunged into the water from a cliff.n.
    1 a dive or fall: She took a plunge into the ocean.
    2 to take the plunge: to do s.t. risky after hesitating: He took the plunge by investing all his savings in the stock market.
plunger
plunger
  1. n. a rubber suction cup on a long handle used for clearing blocked pipes: She used a plunger to unblock the kitchen sink.
plunk
plunk
  1. v. [T] to plop, drop s.t. heavily: He plunked down a pile of cash on the counter and bought the diamond ring.n. the sound of s.t. dropping: You can hear the plunk of a stone dropped in the water.
pluperfect
pluperfect
  1. n.adj. (in grammar) the past perfect tense: In the sentence, "I had just started to eat when the phone rang," the verb "had started" is in the pluperfect. See: perfect.
plural
plural
  1. adj.n. indicating more than one of s.t.: Potatoes is the plural of potato.||"Potatoes" is a plural noun. -v. [I;T] pluralize.
pluralism
pluralism
  1. n. [U] a social doctrine and condition in which people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds participate on an equal basis in society but maintain their separate group identities -n. pluralist; -adj. pluralistic.
plurality
plurality
  1. n. -ties (in an election) the largest number of votes among the candidates: The winner had a plurality of 15,000 votes, while the other two candidates got 10,000 and 8,000 votes respectively.
plus
plus
  1. prep. increased by adding: Five plus nine is fourteen (5+9=14).||The bill came to thirty dollars plus tax.conj. in addition, and: The job calls for patience plus an interest in children.n. pluses
    1 the symbol (+), the plus sign
    2 an advantage: One of the pluses of the job would be the opportunity to travel.adj.
    1 greater or more than indicated: a grade of B plus (B+)||He has 20 plus years of experience.
    2 indicating an advantage, positive: The apartment has a lot of disadvantages, but on the plus side, it has a great view.
    3 indicating a positive number
plus sign
plus sign
  1. n. the symbol (+), used to indicate addition (100+10=110) or a number above zero (+5)
plush
plush
  1. adj.
    1 soft,
    THESAURUS
    cushy: She has a plush sofa in her living room.
    2 luxurious, expensive: She has a plush apartment in a fancy area. -adj. plushy.
plutocracy
plutocracy
  1. n. -cies a system of government run by the wealthy: Some countries have a plutocracy that governs the poor. -n. plutocrat ; -adj. plutocratic.
plutonium
plutonium
  1. n. a radioactive chemical, element No. 94: Plutonium can be used to make atomic bombs.
ply
ply
  1. n. a layer of material: Two-ply paper towels are stronger than single-ply towels.v. [T] plied, plying, plies
    1 to work at a trade: He plies his trade as a locksmith.
    2 to travel over: Merchant ships ply the waters between the Americas and Europe.
plywood
plywood
  1. n. [U] material made of layers of wood pressed over each other for strength: Plywood is widely used in making walls of new houses.
pneumatic
pneumatic
  1. adj.
    1 related to air, esp. air under pressure: Pneumatic tires replaced wooden and iron wheels many years ago.
    2 run by compressed air: Trucks have air brakes activated by a pneumatic system.
pneumonia
pneumonia
  1. n. [U] a serious, viral or bacterial disease of the lungs: She nearly died of pneumonia.
poach
poach
  1. v. poaches
    1 [T] to cook gently in a hot liquid: poached eggs, poached salmon
    2 [I;T] to trespass on s.o.'s land to hunt or trap game animals: Two hunters poached deer on the farmer's land.
poacher
poacher
  1. n. a hunter or trapper who takes game animals illegally on the land of another: In the old day, poachers were hanged in England. -n. [U] poaching.
pocket
pocket
  1. n.
    1 a type of sack sewn into garments for holding things: He keeps his wallet in the back pocket of his jeans.
    2 infrml.fig. to line one's pocket: to obtain money illegally: The buyer for the company lines his pockets with bribes and kickbacks.
    3 to pick s.o.'s pocket: to steal from s.o.: A pickpocket picked my pocket and stole my wallet.v. [T] to put s.t. into one's pocket, to take for oneself: My lunch cost $8. I left the waiter a ten-dollar bill and he pocketed the difference.
pocket edition
pocket edition
  1. n. a small version of a book capable of being carried in one's pocket: She carries a pocket edition of an English dictionary.
pocket veto
pocket veto
  1. n.v. [T] -toed, -toing, -toes in the USA, a rejection of a piece of legislation by the President by his simply not acting on it within the ten days required by law: The President exercised a pocket veto on the new tax legislation from Congress.
pocketbook
pocketbook
  1. n.
    1 [C] a woman's purse, a handbag: She carries her wallet, keys, and makeup in her pocketbook.
    2 fig. [U] one's financial situation: He lost money in the stock market and that hurt him in his pocketbook.
pocketful
pocketful
  1. n. -fuls the amount that a pocket can hold, a large amount: He always carries a pocketful of change with him.
pocketknife
pocketknife
  1. n. -knives a knife with one or more blades that fold into the handle, a small jackknife: He uses a pocketknife to clean out his tobacco pipe.
pockmark
pockmark
  1. n.v. [T] a shallow pit in the skin: Infected pimples can leave pockmarks in the skin. -adj. pockmarked.
pod
pod
  1. n. a long, narrow case in which seeds grow on certain plants, such as peas and beans: I took the peas out of their pods before I cooked them.
podiatry
podiatry
  1. n. [U] the medical study and care of the feet: To practice podiatry, one needs a college degree and a license. -n. podiatrist.
podium
podium
  1. n. -diums or -dia a rectangular, raised speaking desk: Speakers stand at the podium and deliver their speeches.
poem
poem
  1. n. a literary composition, usu. arranged in short lines using carefully chosen words and expressing rich images and often deep thoughts or feelings: The subject of the poem was the nature of beauty.
    THESAURUS
    poem a rhyme, piece of verse.
poet
poet
  1. n. a person who composes poetry: Poets work hard to make their images powerful and unique.
poet laureate
poet laureate
  1. n. poets laureate or poet laureates a title of honor given to a poet of distinction by a monarch, country, or institution: Robert Penn Warren was named poet laureate of the USA by the President.
poetic
poetic
  1. adj.
    1 related to poetry: Poetic works have survived from thousands of years ago.
    2 involving strong sentiment, powerful imagination, and beautiful insights or thoughts: Her thoughts are poetic and inspiring. -adj.frml. poetical; -adv. poetically; -n.pl. used with a sing. or pl.v. poetics.
poetic justice
poetic justice
  1. n. [U] punishment of wrongdoing or reward of goodness in a way that seems especially appropriate or ironic: It was poetic justice that the bomber blew himself up with a bomb intended to kill others.
poetic license
poetic license
  1. n. [U] a use of nonstandard language or the changing of facts to achieve a special, literary effect: The writer used poetic license when she wrote a historical novel, by creating a character who was supposed to be President Lincoln's close friend.
poetry
poetry
  1. n. [U] a written and oral literary form composed in verse, usu. with rich images; poems in general: Poetry has been composed since ancient times.
    THESAURUS
    poetry verse, rhymes.
pogrom
pogrom
  1. n. a killing of people, often by a government, esp. a massacre of Jews: A pogrom caused many Jews to flee the country.
poignant
poignant
  1. adj. deeply moving, highly emotional: The sudden death of the little girl was a poignant experience for the entire community. -n. poignancy; -adv. poignantly.
poinsettia
poinsettia
  1. n. a tropical plant with bright red, showy flowers: Poinsettias are a favorite decoration at Christmas time.
point-blank
point-blank
  1. adv.adj.
    1 (with a firearm) at very close range, so close that one cannot miss the victim: A soldier shot an enemy at point-blank range (or) he shot him point-blank.
    2 bluntly, leaving no room for doubt: I asked him point-blank to help us on the project.
point
point
  1. n.
    1 the sharp tip of a knife, needle, or other tool or weapon: She stuck the point of the needle through the cloth.
    2 a location, spot: We located Paris at a specific point on the map.
    3 a mark, dot, or period: A period is a point at the end of a sentence.
    4 an item of information, fact: He made the point that the project cannot be done without proper government funding.
    5 a particular moment: At this point in time, we must cut expenses.
    6 a characteristic, ability of a person: Math is not her strong point.
    7 a unit of scoring in games: Our team scored seven points in the first quarter.
    8 the value of stocks and bonds: The stock market went up 20 points today.
    9 one percent of a loan paid in advance: Two points on a $100,000 mortgage equal $2,000.
    10 a decimal point: She made a 4.0 (pron.: four-point-oh) average this semester.
    11 a strip of land stretching out into a body of water: They have a house located on the point in the lake.
    12 all points: everywhere, in all directions: The police sent out an all points bulletin to capture the escaped criminal.
    13 beside the point: irrelevant, not connected to the topic: We were talking about money that he owed me, and what he said about the bad economy was beside the point.
    14 to get to the point: to conclude, reach the substance of s.t.: To get to the point, he cannot repay the loan, because he has no job and no money.
    15 to keep to the point: to say only those things related to the central idea: He talked and talked, and we had trouble keeping him to the point of our discussion.
    16 to make a point: to say s.t. important, relevant: He made the point that he was unemployed along with thousands of others.
    17 to make a point of s.t.: a. to stress, emphasize: He made a point of promising he would repay me soon. b. to do s.t. habitually, often: He said that he has always made a point of repaying his debts.v.
    1 [I] to indicate the direction of s.t.: We asked her the way and she pointed toward the town.
    2 [T] to bring to s.o.'s attention or notice: She pointed out an error in the report.
    3 [T] to give a reason or conclusion: She pointed out that the company cannot continue to lose money.
    4 fig. to point the finger: to accuse, blame s.o., often unfairly
    5 phrasal v. insep. [T] to point to or toward s.t.: to indicate, suggest: An increase in jobs points toward an upturn in the economy.
    THESAURUS
    point n.
    1 a spike
    2 a place, site
    4 an observation, argument
    5 a juncture
    6 a trait. —v.
    1 to gesture, show
    2 to indicate, draw s.o.'s attention to
    3 to observe, remark.
point of view
point of view
  1. n. points of view an attitude or set of beliefs, s.o.'s way of looking at s.t.: The liberal point of view is that the government should own the means of production, but conservatives think otherwise.
pointed
pointed
  1. adj.
    1 having a point: Needles are pointed.
    2 aimed, directed: The arrow on the compass is pointed north.
    3 direct, biting: She made pointed criticisms about her opponent's mistakes.
pointer
pointer
  1. n.
    1 a long, narrow stick used to indicate points, such as on a map: The teacher used a pointer to show where Moscow and New York are located on the map.
    2 a needle on a gauge: The pointer of the gas gauge is on empty.
    3 a piece of advice, esp. on specific techniques of doing s.t.: A tennis instructor gave me some pointers on how to improve my swing.
    4 a type of hunting dog: He hunts with an old pointer who's good at finding birds and rabbits.
pointless
pointless
  1. adj. meaningless, not worth doing: The storm was so bad that it was pointless to try to travel in it. -adv. pointlessly; -n. [U] pointlessness.
pointy
pointy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest shaped like a point: He is bald and has a pointy head.
poise
poise
  1. n. [U]
    1 calm self-confidence, dignity: She answered the criticisms with a great deal of poise.
    2 balance, equilibrium: Acrobats must maintain their poise at all times.v. [I] poised, poising, poises
    1 to be ready to act: The army is poised for an attack.
    2 to be balanced, in equilibrium: The pigeon was poised on a small branch.
poison
poison
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 any substance that harms or kills people, animals, or plants if it is swallowed or touched: She tried to kill herself by swallowing poison.
    2 anything that harms or corrupts: Gossip and lies are poison to friendships.v. [T]
    1 to harm or kill with a poison: Workers poisoned rats in the city's sewers.
    2 to have a bad influence on s.o. or s.t.: Disagreements over money poisoned the couple's marriage. -n. poisoner.
    THESAURUS
    poison n.
    1 a toxin | venom
    2 a bane, a cancer. —v.
    1 to exterminate with poison
    2 to spoil, taint | destroy.
poison ivy
poison ivy
  1. n. a plant or shrub having groups of three shiny leaves with oil that can cause blisters and severe itching to those who touch it: When the oil from poison ivy gets on your skin, it really hurts.
poisoning
poisoning
  1. n. [C;U] an act of harming or killing with poison; a harmful condition produced by a poison
poisonous
poisonous
  1. adj.
    1 causing harm or death by poison: The venom of a rattlesnake is poisonous.
    2 spoiling relationships among people, malicious: Lies are poisonous to friendships.
    THESAURUS
    poisonous
    1 toxic | noxious
    2 destructive.
poke
poke
  1. v. [I;T] poked, poking, pokes
    1 to jab, press as with the finger or a stick: His wife poked him with her elbow to wake him up.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to poke fun at s.o. or s.t.: to tease, make fun of s.o.: She poked fun at her friend by imitating her complaints.n. a jab, thrust: She gave him a poke with her elbow.
polar
polar
  1. adj.
    1 related to a pole, esp. the earth's North or South Pole: The polar climate is very cold, windy, and icy.
    2 opposite, at extremes: The conservatives and liberals hold polar views on politics.
polar bear
polar bear
  1. n. a large white bear inhabiting the coasts of the northern arctic: Polar bears feed mainly on seals.
polar cap
polar cap
  1. n. the masses of ice extending from the North and South Poles: The polar caps are made of very deep ice.
polarity
polarity
  1. n. [U] -ties a condition of opposite extremes, such as opposing ideas, opinions, etc.: The polarity of opinion between the two politicians is very clear.
polarize
polarize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to develop into opposite views: Public opinion has polarized into completely opposite opinions on the issue of abortion. -n. polarization /
pole vault
pole vault
  1. n.v. [I] (in sports) a competition between individuals who try to jump the highest over a bar with the aid of a long, flexible pole: He does the pole vault.||He polevaulted the highest of all.
polemic
polemic
  1. n. severe criticism, esp. a speech against s.t.: A senator gave a long polemic against the new tax bill. Her polemics lasted an hour. -adj. polemical.
police
police
  1. n. [C; usu. sing.] a branch of city and state governments whose men and women in uniform enforce the law, prevent crime, catch and jail criminals, etc.: The po-lice use force when necessary to stop criminals.v. [T] -liced, -licing, -lices to maintain law and order: American soldiers policed a cease-fire between two warring nations.
police force
police force
  1. n. uniformed and plainclothes police officers as a group: The police force is made up of men and women trained in police methods.
police officer
police officer
  1. n. a member of the police, a man or woman trained in police methods for maintaining law and order: Police officers in this city must have six months of intensive training.
    THESAURUS
    police officer a policeman, policewoman | cop infrml.
police state
police state
  1. n. a nation or area where the government controls the activity of the people mainly by use of secret police: In a police state, the political, business, and social activities of the people are tightly controlled.
police station
police station
  1. n. a local building for police business: Police officers report to the local police station and go on patrol from there.
policeman
policeman
  1. n. -men a male police officer: Policemen patrolled the streets in police cars.
policewoman
policewoman
  1. n. -women a female police officer: A policewoman wrestled the criminal to the ground.
polio
polio
  1. n. [U] short for poliomyelitis, an infectious viral disease, esp. of children, that attacks the spinal cord and brain and, in serious cases, causes paralysis: He had polio as a child.
polish
polish
  1. v. [T] polishes
    1 to rub s.t. until it is smooth and shiny: I polished my shoes.
    2 to perfect s.t.: Years ago, many young girls polished their manners by going to charm school.n. polishes
    1 [C;U] a waxy substance used to shine objects: I rubbed polish on my shoes.
    2 [U] perfection, refinement of s.t.: His singing style has a lot of polish; it's very smooth.
    THESAURUS
    polish v.
    1 to shine, buff
    2 to refine (manners).
polite
polite
  1. adj. -liter, -litest
    1 having good manners, courteous: He is a polite little boy who says "Thank you" and "Excuse me" often.
    2 refined, polished: People should not tell dirty jokes in polite company. -adv. politely; -n. [U] politeness.
    THESAURUS
    polite
    1 well-mannered | civil. Ants. impolite, rude.
    2 genteel | civilized, cultured. Ant. crude.
politic
politic
  1. adj.frml. diplomatic, tactful: She does not like her boss, but it would not be politic for her to show it.
political
political
  1. adj.
    1 related to politics: My best friend's political views are liberal.
    2 trying to get power, prestige, money, etc. by any possible means: The way people work in that company is political; everyone is scheming for power. -adv. politically.
    THESAURUS
    political
    2 scheming | manipulative.
politician
politician
  1. n.
    1 a person who runs for elected office, such as president, governor, mayor, or Congress: She is a career politician and mayor of the city.
    2 s.o. who tries to influence people and situations for his or her own advantage: He is a real politician; he's only nice to people who can help his career.
    THESAURUS
    politician
    1 a government official, public servant, office holder
    2 a schemer, manipulative person.
politicize
politicize
  1. v. [T] -cized, -cizing, -cizes to give a political tone, nature to s.t.: The issue of abortion has been politicized. -n. [U] politicization.
politicking
politicking
  1. n. [U] engaging in political activity, esp. in getting votes: The mayor did some politicking by speaking to citizens' groups.
politics
politics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl.v.
    1 the art or science of conducting government: Politics requires compromise between opposing political parties.
    2 the profession of politics: The mayor has been in politics all his life.
    3 used with a pl.v. a person's political views: His politics are far to the right.
    4 plans and activities designed to influence people and situations, so that s.o. can gain power, prestige, and money. She refused to get involved in office politics.
    THESAURUS
    politics
    1 statesmanship | governing
    2 public service
    3 political, leanings
    4 intrigue, scheming, manipulation (of people, ideas, events).
polka
polka
  1. n. a lively dance of Eastern European origin done by couples moving in a circle: Dancing the polka is a lot of fun.
polka dot
polka dot
  1. n.adj. a pattern of light dots on a dark background or the reverse: He wears polka-dot neckties.
poll
poll
  1. n.
    1 a survey of opinion among people: Pollsters conducted a poll on the popularity of the political candidates.
    2 pl. the polls: the places where votes are cast: People go to the polls to vote.v. [T] to conduct a poll: Pollsters polled 1,000 families on their preferences in TV programs. See: polling.
pollen
pollen
  1. n. [U] fine grains of the fertilizing material of plants: Many plants drop their pollen in the fall as it grows cold See: pollinate.
pollinate
pollinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to transfer pollen to the stigma of a plant so that it can reproduce: Bees pollinate a lot of plants by transferring pollen from plant to plant. -n. [U] pollination.
polling
polling
  1. n. [U] a gathering of opinions: Telephone polling requires that pollsters call people to get their opinions.adj. related to voting: People are going to the polling place to vote today.
pollster
pollster
  1. n. a person who conducts polls: Pollsters ask people questions and record their answers.
pollutant
pollutant
  1. n. a contaminant, an impure or dirty substance that makes air, water, or soil polluted: Cars emit air pollutants.
pollute
pollute
  1. v. [T] -luted, -luting, -lutes to contaminate, make impure or dirty: Industries pollute rivers by dumping poisonous chemicals into them.
    THESAURUS
    pollute to poison | adulterate. Ants. to purify, clean s.t. up.
pollution
pollution
  1. n. [U] contamination of air, earth, or water by pollutants: Many countries battle constantly to reduce pollution.
polo
polo
  1. n. [U] a sport played by two teams of four players each on horseback who win by knocking a ball with a mallet through the opponent's goal: Polo is known as a sport for the rich.
polo shirt
polo shirt
  1. n. a tight-fitting knit shirt that is pulled on over the head and usu. has a collar and buttons at the neck: He wears polo shirts to play golf.
poltergeist
poltergeist
  1. n. a ghost that is thought to be responsible for strange noises, mysterious moving of objects, etc.
polyester
polyester
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 a synthetic resin that is widely used in the production of textiles and plastics
    2 a type of light, strong fabric made from this: He wears cheap polyester suits.
polygamist
polygamist
  1. n. a person with more than one spouse: He is a polygamist with three wives. -adj. polygamous ; -n. [U] polygamy.
polyglot
polyglot
  1. n.adj.frml. a person who speaks several languages: Our French teacher is a polyglot; she speaks French, English, Japanese, and Korean.
polygon
polygon
  1. n. a closed, flat geometric figure: A polygon is a geometric figure such as a triangle, rectangle, or pentagon.
polygraph
polygraph
  1. n. adj. a machine that detects changes in pulse and blood pressure, used as a lie detector: A technician gave the thief a polygraph (or) a polygraph test.
polymer
polymer
  1. n. [C;U] adj. any of a great variety of natural and artificial substances with wide industrial uses: Plastics and artificial fibers, such as polyester, are polymers.
polyp
polyp
  1. n. an abnormal growth, such as found in the nose or rectum: He had polyps removed from his lower intestine.
polysyllabic
polysyllabic
  1. adj. (of a word) having several, usu. more than three, syllables: "Dictionary" and "encyclopedia" are polysyllabic words.
polytechnic
polytechnic
  1. n.adj. a school or university that teaches technical and scientific subjects: My friend studied engineering at Brooklyn Polytechnic.
polytheism
polytheism
  1. n. [U] worship of more than one god: Polytheism existed before such monotheistic religions as Judaism and Christianity. -adj. polytheistic.
polyunsaturated
polyunsaturated
  1. adj. referring to fats, such as vegetable oils, that do not contribute to hardening of the arteries as the saturated fats of red meat do: They cook food in corn oil and other polyunsaturated fats.
pomegranate
pomegranate
  1. n. a round fruit with reddish skin, many juicy red seeds, and white flesh with a slightly acid taste
pomp
pomp
  1. n. [U] grand ceremony, stately spectacle: The coronation of a British king or queen is a ceremony of great pomp.
pompadour
pompadour
  1. n. a person's hairdo, swept high above the forehead: Women in the French court wore their hair in pompadours.
pompom
pompom
  1. n.
    1 a little round ball of cotton used as a decoration on clothing or curtains: The child wore a white cap with a red pompom on it.
    2 a large puff of showy material: Cheerleaders shake pompoms at football games.
pompous
pompous
  1. adj. self-important, having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance or seriousness: He acts in a pompous manner toward his employees. -adv. pompously; -n. [U] pomposity.
poncho
poncho
  1. n. -chos an outer garment shaped like a blanket with a hole for one's head: He wears a plastic poncho in the rain.
pond
pond
  1. n. a body of water smaller than a lake: There are fish in the pond near our camp.
    THESAURUS
    pond a water hole, pool.
ponder
ponder
  1. v. [I;T] to think about s.t. carefully and deeply: She pondered his marriage proposal for weeks. -adj. ponderable; -n. ponderer.
ponderous
ponderous
  1. adj. slow moving, awkward, dull: Bureaucracies move in a ponderous way.||He wrote a long, ponderous paper on a subject of no interest. -adv. ponderously.
pontiff
pontiff
  1. n. the Pope: The Pontiff is the head of the Roman Catholic Church. -adj. pontifical.
pontificate
pontificate
  1. v. [I] -cated, -cating, -cates to speak in a pompous, dictatorial way: Our boss pontificates about company rules at our meetings.
pontoon
pontoon
  1. n.
    1 a float on a seaplane: An airplane with pontoons landed on the lake.
    2 a floating structure: The army built a bridge of pontoons across a river.
pony
pony
  1. n. -nies any of a variety of small horses: The little girl wanted to ride the pony.phrasal v. sep. [I;T] -nied, -nying, -nies to pony s.t. up: to pay for s.t.: He ponied up his share of the expenses.||He ponied them up.
pony express
pony express
  1. n. a network of riders who carried the mail in the 19th century USA: The pony express carried the mail from coast to coast.
ponytail
ponytail
  1. n. a hairstyle where the hair is gathered at the back of the head and hangs down: She wears her long, red hair in a ponytail.
pooch
pooch
  1. n.infrml. pooches a dog: She takes her pooch for a walk each morning.
poodle
poodle
  1. n. a breed of dog with curly hair, usu. black, gray, or white in color, and often cut and shaved in fancy patterns
pooh-pooh
pooh-pooh
  1. v. [T] to reject, show contempt for s.t.: She pooh-poohed his attempt to impress her.
pool
pool
  1. n.
    1 a swimming pool, usu. made of cement or stone: They have a pool in their backyard.
    2 any still body of water or other liquid: A pool of oil lies beneath the oil field.
    3 a fund of money: Banks form a pool of funds to be loaned out.
    4 a fund formed by individuals for betting, esp. on sports, where the winner(s) take the amount put in, minus expenses: I won the football pool in my office last week.
    5 a game played with 15 balls that are knocked into side pockets on a special table with a cue ball and stick: He likes to play pool once a week.v.
    1 [I] to form into a pool: Rainwater pooled to form puddles on the street.
    2 [T] to contribute money, knowledge, or other resources as a group for a common purpose: Our friends pooled their money to buy the couple an expensive wedding gift.
    THESAURUS
    pool n.
    2 a pond | eddy
    5 billiards. —v.
    1 to puddle, collect
    2 to combine, consolidate.
pool table
pool table
  1. n. a table with four pockets (holes) in the corners and two along the sides, used to play pool: A pool table is covered with green felt and has raised sides.
poolroom
poolroom
  1. n. a room or hall with pool tables for playing pool: He runs a poolroom located above a store.
poop
poop
  1. n.slang [U]
    1 infrml. news: He rushed in to tell us the latest poop.
    2 vulg. excrement: There is dog poop on the sidewalk.v.slang
    1 [I;T] to tire, become worn out: After walking all day, I am pooped! ||He pooped out and sat down to rest.
    2 vulg. [I] to defecate: That dog pooped on the sidewalk.
poor
poor
  1. adj.
    1 with little or no money: That family is so poor, they can't afford to buy food.
    2 inferior, not good quality: The quality of those shoes is poor.
    3 worthy of pity, compassion: Poor Jane, her mother just died!
    4 without the necessary characteristics: The land around here is poor; crops won't grow. -adv. poorly.n.pl. the poor: the class of people with little or no money: Religions urge that people with money should give some to the poor.
    THESAURUS
    poor adj.
    1 badly off, needy, penniless | impoverished frml. Ants. rich, wealthy.
    2 low, crummy slang | deficient. Ants. high, great.
    3 unlucky, unfortunate. Ants. lucky, fortunate.
    4 unproductive, exhausted | barren, infertile. Ants. rich | fertile. —n.pl. [U] the needy, the destitute.
poor box
poor box
  1. n. boxes a box in a church into which money for the poor is put: Each time he goes to church, he drops coins in the poor box.
poorhouse
poorhouse
  1. n.old usage -houses in former times, a public institution housing poor people
pop
pop
  1. n.
    1 the sharp sound of s.t. bursting or exploding: You could hear the pop of firecrackers during the celebration.
    2 infrml. a friendly term for one's father or an elderly man: My pop recently retired from work.
    3 a soft drink See: soda, USAGE NOTE. —v. popped, popping, pops
    1 [I;T] to burst suddenly with a loud noise: The popcorn popped as it cooked.
    2 [I;T] to open or burst abruptly: A button on his shirt popped off.
    3 infrml. to pop the question: to ask s.o. to marry you: He finally got up enough courage to pop the question to his girlfriend.adj. short for popular, related to ordinary people: Pop culture includes television, movies, sports, and rock and roll music.
popcorn
popcorn
  1. n. [U] a type of corn whose kernels burst into white puffs when cooked: I like to eat popcorn at the movies.
poplar
poplar
  1. n.
    1 [C] a type of softwood tree that is tall and thin with light green bark: Poplar trees fall over easily in high winds.
    2 [U] the wood of this tree
poplin
poplin
  1. n. [U] a type of finely woven fabric: My trench coat is made of waterproof cotton poplin.
popover
popover
  1. n. a hollow muffin made with light flour, milk, and eggs: He eats popovers with gravy with his roast beef.
poppy
poppy
  1. n. -ies any of a variety of plants with large, showy, delicate flowers, typically bright red, white, pink, or orange in color: One type of poppy is the source of the narcotic drug opium.
populace
populace
  1. n.frml. [C] the common people of a nation, region, or local area, such as a city: Many of the city's populace travel to work by subway and bus.
popular
popular
  1. adj.
    1 admired by a group of people: She is very popular with her college classmates.
    2 having widespread acceptance: The Mercedes automobile is popular among the rich.
    3 typical of the interests of ordinary people: Soap operas and country music are forms of popular entertainment. -adv. popularly.
    THESAURUS
    popular adj.
    1 well-liked, sought-after (by s.o.), favored by s.o. Ant. unpopular.
    2 favored by s.o., in demand
    3 common, widespread.
popularity
popularity
  1. n. [U]
    1 widespread acceptance: The popularity of that new electronic device is growing daily.
    2 widespread admiration: The President's popularity resulted in his re-election.
popularize
popularize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make widely known, accepted among many people: The USA popularized the wearing of jeans around the world. -n. popularization.
populate
populate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to fill an area with people: Colonists from Europe populated many parts of the Americas.
    2 to live in an area, inhabit it: Immigrants from all over the world populate New York City.
population
population
  1. n. [C;U] all of the people living in a specific area: The population of this city is eight million.
    THESAURUS
    population n. the number of residents, inhabitants.
population explosion
population explosion
  1. n. a rapid increase in the number of people in an area: A population explosion in that country resulted in a food shortage.
populous
populous
  1. adj. having many people, heavily populated: Beijing and Tokyo are very populous cities.
porcelain
porcelain
  1. n. [U] chinaware, fine cups, saucers, plates, vases, etc. made from hard, white material often beautifully colored: Porcelain was invented by the Chinese in the 8th century A.D.
porch
porch
  1. n. porches a covered structure outside the front or back entrance to a house: We sit outside on the porch on summer evenings.
porcupine
porcupine
  1. n. an animal of the rodent family, found widely in the Americas, that moves slowly and has stiff, sharp quills that can be raised to drive off enemies: Porcupine quills stuck in the nose of a dog can cause it great pain.
pore
pore
  1. phrasal v. insep. [T] pored, poring, pores; to pore over s.t.: to study carefully, examine long and carefully: Some people pore over the Bible, reading it day after day.n. a tiny opening: Pores in the skin allow you to sweat.
pork
pork
  1. n.
    1 [U] the meat of a pig: I enjoy roast pork for dinner.
    2 infrml.fig. also known as pork barrel or pork barrel legislation: government jobs and projects obtained by politicians for the benefit of their voters: That new shipyard is pork for New York.
porno
porno
  1. or porn -n. infrml. [U] short for pornography: That store sells porno. _adj. infrml. related to pornography, pornographic: He is the porno king of dirty magazines.
porno
porno
  1. or porn n.infrml. [U] short for pornography: That store sells porno.adj.infrml. related to pornography, pornographic: He is the porno king of dirty magazines.
pornography
pornography
  1. n. [U] obscene writings, pictures, or films intended to arouse sexual desire: Pornography is banned by some state and local governments. -n. pornographer; -adj. pornographic.
porous
porous
  1. adj. allowing liquid, gases, etc. to pass through,
    THESAURUS
    permeable: Sand is porous, and water can pass through it. -n. [U] porosity.
porpoise
porpoise
  1. n. an air-breathing, sea animal with a rounded head, similar to a dolphin: A school of porpoises swam alongside our boat.
port of call
port of call
  1. n. ports of call a regular stop on an ocean voyage: Our cruise ship had eight ports of call in the Caribbean.
portable
portable
  1. adj.n. movable, capable of being carried or moved around: She uses a portable computer when she travels. -n. portability .
    THESAURUS
    portable adj. mobile | handy, compact.
portage
portage
  1. n.v. [I;T] -taged, -taging, -tages the act of carrying boats and supplies over an area where boats cannot be used: The portage of our canoes between the two lakes took four hours.
portal
portal
  1. n. a large, impressive gate, door, or entrance: The portal to the city was a huge arch with columns and decorations.
portend
portend
  1. v.frml. [T] to warn of future danger: Mass demonstrations portend an armed rebellion.
portent
portent
  1. n.frml. a warning about future danger: The riot was a portent of the revolution to come. -adj.frml. portentous.
porter
porter
  1. n.
    1 a person employed to carry luggage, as at a train station or hotel: Porters carry passengers' baggage from the airport to a taxi outside.
    2 a cleaning person: A porter mopped the hallway.
portfolio
portfolio
  1. n. -os
    1 a flat case, sometimes closed with a zipper, used to carry loose papers, drawings, etc.: Artists carry a portfolio to hold and display their drawings.
    2 a symbol of a high government office: He was named minister without portfolio in the last government.
    3 a set of different investments by a person: She has a large portfolio of stocks and bonds.
porthole
porthole
  1. n. a round window in a ship: A sailor opened the porthole to let some air in.
portico
portico
  1. n. -coes or -cos a walkway with a roof supported by columns leading to a building's entrance: A portico makes an impressive entrance to any building.
portion
portion
  1. n.
    1 a small piece or section of a larger thing: I put a portion of my salary in a savings account each month.
    2 a piece of s.t. larger that is given to one person or to one group, as in an inheritance: When her father died, she received a larger portion than her sister did.
    3 a serving of food: That restaurant serves large portions of meat and potatoes.phrasal v. sep. [T] to portion s.t. out: to divide into pieces and give them to others: My grandmother portioned out her property among her five children before she died.||She portioned it out.
portly
portly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest fat, yet dignified (said esp. of men): He is a portly man who wears fine clothes.
portrait
portrait
  1. n.
    1 a painting, photograph, or other picture of a person: The king posed for a portrait painted by a famous artist.
    2 a written or spoken description of s.t., esp. of a person: The reporter painted a portrait of the killer as a crazy animal.
portray
portray
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to describe s.o. or s.t. in a certain way, to characterize them: The writer portrays Americans after the war as happy and rich.
    2 to act, play the part of s.o.: The movie star portrays a beautiful woman gone mad. -n. frml. portrayal.
pose
pose
  1. n.
    1 a particular way of holding one's head and body, esp. for a picture: The model held a pose sitting on a chair.
    2 a false representation of oneself: The swindler's pose as a rich man was uncovered by the police.v. posed, posing, poses
    1 [I] to hold still in a pose, so one's picture can be painted, drawn, or photographed: The mayor posed for an oil portrait.
    2 [T] to present s.t. that confuses, such as a question, an idea or a possible danger: The teacher posed a question to the class.||The police said the escaped convict might pose a threat to people.
    3 [I] to pretend, make believe: He posed as a rich man when he was not. See: posture.
posh
posh
  1. adj. luxurious, displaying comfort and wealth: a posh hotel
position
position
  1. n.
    1 a location, a point where s.t. exists or belongs: The best position for that desk is against the wall.
    2 the way in which s.o or s.t. is arranged: He was sitting in an uncomfortable position.||I moved the bolt on the door into the locked position.
    3 a job, employment: She has an excellent position as the head of a school.
    4 a rank among others, place in an order: That student holds the top position in his class.
    5 a point of view, opinion: The President's position is that taxes must be cut.
    6 a condition, situation: He is in a good (bad, strong, weak, etc.) position to see his tax program succeed.
    7 a situation, a location and arrangement of a military force: Soldiers took up a position in front of the presidential palace.
    8 (in finance) an amount of money, securities, real estate: She holds a large position (of stock) in the company.
    9 in a position to do s.t.: able or not able to do s.t.: I have very little money now, so I am not in a position to loan you any.
    10 in or out of position: located correctly or not: That desk is out of position now and should be in position against the wall.v. [T] to place in a location: The soldiers positioned themselves in front of the palace.
    THESAURUS
    position n.
    1 a spot, place, site
    2 a posture, stance | configuration, arrangement
    3 a post
    4 a spot, place, standing
    5 a viewpoint, stand
    6 a state, place. —v. to put, locate.
positive
positive
  1. adj.
    1 optimistic, hopeful: He has a positive attitude toward his work; he likes it and does it well.
    2 certain, definite, without doubt: The police are positive that they have the right man in jail.
    3 indicating yes: I received a positive reply to my application to enter that college.
    4 helpful, beneficial: She received positive advice (criticism, insights, etc.) on how to study for exams.
    5 (of the results of a medical test) showing that a condition, disease, etc., exists: She had a pregnancy test and the result was positive.
    6 indicating a (+) sign for an electrical charge: I hooked the starter cable to the positive post on the car battery. -adv. positively . —n.
    1 a beneficial, hopeful thing: The sick man feels better today, so that is a positive.
    2 (in math) a number above zero: A negative multiplied by a negative makes a positive, as in (-2) x (-3) = 6.
    THESAURUS
    positive adj.
    1 cheerful | encouraging. Ants. pessimistic, negative.
    2 sure, convinced. Ants. uncertain, doubtful.
    3 affirmative. Ant. negative.
    4 constructive, useful. Ants. unhelpful, bad. 5 and 6—n.
    1 a plus, a good thing.
posse
posse
  1. n. a group of citizens called together by a police authority, usu. to chase and capture a criminal: In old cowboy movies, the sheriff picked a posse to help him chase the bad guy.
possess
possess
  1. v. [T] -sesses
    1 to own, have possession of s.t.: She possesses wealth and power.
    2 to have as a characteristic, trait: He possesses a fine mind.
    3 to be dominated by s.t.: She is possessed by ambition.||I don't know what possessed me to say something so stupid!
    THESAURUS
    possess
    1 to hold, retain
    2 to be blessed with, enjoy
    3 to be obsessed by s.t. | have s.t. come over you.
possessed
possessed
  1. adj. dominated by crazy or irrational impulses: He ran out of the building screaming like a man possessed.
possession
possession
  1. n.
    1 [U] ownership, control over s.t.: They will lose possession of their house if they don't pay the mortgage.
    2 [C] often pl possessions a piece of property, a belonging: He lost most of his personal possessions in the fire.||Her most valuable possession is a car worth $40,000.
possessive
possessive
  1. adj.
    1 having a strong desire to control things or people: She is possessive about her money and won't even share it with her husband.
    2 indicating ownership or a similar relationship: The "my" and "'s" in "my friend's house" are possessive forms. -n. [U] possessiveness.n. (in grammar) a possessive word or form
possibility
possibility
  1. n. [C;U] -ties an occurrence, situation, etc. that could happen, be true, or exist: There is a possibility that it will rain tomorrow.
    THESAURUS
    possibility a potential, chance | likelihood.
possible
possible
  1. adj.
    1 capable of existing, happening, or being done: Is it possible to get there by bus?
    2 reasonable, probable: There are several possible solutions to the problem.
    3 as . . . as possible: to the greatest degree that one is able: Please come as soon as possible.
    4 if possible: if it can be arranged: If possible, come by at 10:00 this morning.
    THESAURUS
    possible
    1 feasible, doable. Ant. impossible.
    2 potential, likely. Ants. improbable, far-fetched.
possibly
possibly
  1. adv.
    1 perhaps, maybe: This is possibly the coldest winter we've ever had.||The package should arrive next week, possibly sooner.
    2 by any possibility or chance: I got here as soon as I possibly could.||What could she possibly have meant?
possum
possum
  1. n.
    1 var. of opossum
    2 to play possum: to make believe one is dead or asleep: A wounded soldier played possum and the enemy passed him by, thinking he was dead.
post meridiem
post meridiem
  1. adv. long form for abbr. P.M., the time from 12:00 P.M. (noon) until 11:59 P.M. See: ante meridiem, A.M.
postage
postage
  1. n. [U] the cost of sending s.t. by mail: The postage for that letter is $1.00.
postage stamp
postage stamp
  1. n. a piece of paper with a picture and postage amount on it, glued to mail: Postage stamps are sold at the post office.
postal
postal
  1. adj. related to the mail: The postal system employs thousands of workers.
postal service
postal service
  1. n. [U] the government system that processes and delivers mail, the post office: She works for the postal service as a letter carrier.
postcard
postcard
  1. n. a small paper card often with a picture on one side and space for a message, address, and stamp on the other: When I am on vacation, I send my friends postcards from the places I visit.
postdate
postdate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates to write a date on s.t. that is later than the actual date: I postdated a check for a week from today.
postdoctoral
postdoctoral
  1. adj. related to studies or research done after receiving a doctoral degree (Ph.D.): She did her postdoctoral work at Harvard University.
poster
poster
  1. n. a large sheet of paper, usu. with a picture and writing, publicly announcing some event: Political workers put up posters around town with their candidate's name and picture on it.
posterior
posterior
  1. n. the buttocks: That fellow has a large posterior.
posterity
posterity
  1. n. [U]
    1 one's children and grandchildren, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    descendants: He built an empire for himself and his posterity.
    2 future generations of people alive after one's death: He's famous today, but his name will mean little to posterity.
postgraduate
postgraduate
  1. n.adj. a student involved in a program of study after a bachelor's degree: She is a postgraduate or postgraduate student at the University of Chicago.
posthumously
posthumously
  1. adv. after one's death: The writer's novel was published posthumously. -adj. posthumous.
postman
postman
  1. n. -men a male letter carrier, mailman: The postman usually delivers the mail around 10:00 every morning. See: mail carrier.
postmark
postmark
  1. n.v. [T] a stamped mark over postage usu. showing the date and location of mailing: The postmark showed that the letter was mailed on October 6 from New York City.||It was postmarked October 6.
postmaster general
postmaster general
  1. n. postmasters general the person in charge of the US postal system: The office of the postmaster general is located in Washington, DC.
postmortem
postmortem
  1. n.
    1 an examination of a dead body to determine the cause of death, an autopsy
    2 an analysis of a failure: Investigators did a postmortem on the train accident after it happened.
postpaid
postpaid
  1. adj. with the postage paid by the sender
postpone
postpone
  1. v. [T] -poned, -poning, -pones to move s.t. to a later time: Our meeting for today was postponed until next week. -n. [C;U] postponement.
postulate
postulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to state s.t. as true without proof: Scientists postulate that there is a tenth planet in the solar system, but they can't prove its existence.
posture
posture
  1. n. the way the body is held, often referring to how well one sits or stands: He has poor posture; he doesn't stand up straight.v.fig. [I;T] -tured, -turing, -tures to hold oneself or to behave in a certain, often artificial way, esp. to impress others: He postures as an important man, when he is really a nobody. -n. [U] posturing. See: pose.
postwar
postwar
  1. adj. related to a time after a war: Postwar Europe recovered slowly from World War II.
posy
posy
  1. n.old usage -sies a flower: He gave his girlfriend a bunch of posies.
pot
pot
  1. n.
    1 a container made of metal, glass, or ceramic and used for cooking: The potatoes are boiling in a pot of water.
    2 a round container, esp. made of clay: She has pots on her balcony to hold flowers.
    3 slang marijuana
    4 infrml. the pot: all the money bet by the players at one time in a card game: He won the pot at poker.
    5 infrml. to go to pot: to fall apart: That company has gone to pot; it will probably go out of business soon.v. [T] potted, potting, pots to put live plants in a pot: She pots plants from her garden to put on her balcony.
pot roast
pot roast
  1. n. a piece of beef cooked slowly in liquid in a covered pot: Pot roast is usually made with a tough cut of meat that is made tender by cooking.
potable
potable
  1. adj.frml. drinkable: Potable water is pure enough to drink; it won't harm anyone.
potash
potash
  1. n. [U] a chemical compound found in burnt ashes: Potash is used to manufacture soap and glass.
potassium
potassium
  1. n. [U] a chemical element, a silver-white, soft metal that is found in compounds: Potassium compounds are widely used in industry and agriculture.
potato
potato
  1. n. -toes
    1 a round or oval, starchy root vegetable, usu. with white flesh and brown, red, or yellow skin: Potatoes are one of the most popular foods in the Western world.
    2 infrml. hot potato: a dangerous situation or controversial issue: The topic of abortion rights is a hot potato for politicians.
    3 infrml. small potatoes: an unimportant matter, a small amount of money: That lawyer deals only with big lawsuits, so my case about a stolen watch was small potatoes.
    4 to drop s.t. or s.o. like a hot potato: to suddenly stop dealing with or abandon: When a voter asked the politician about her opinion on abortion rights, she dropped the matter like a hot potato.
potato chip
potato chip
  1. n. a thin slice of potato fried in oil
potency
potency
  1. n. [C;U] power, strength: Medicines can lose their potency over time.
potent
potent
  1. adj. powerful or effective, having a strong effect or influence: a potent drug||The senator is a potent force in her political party.
potentate
potentate
  1. n. a ruler, s.o. with great power: The sheik is a potentate who rules his people with a firm hand.
potential
potential
  1. n.
    1 [C] the possibility of being or doing s.t., the unrealized capability for s.t.: That business has the potential to be very profitable next year.
    2 [U] talent, ability: She has the potential to be a top figure skater.
    3 [U] a measure of electrical capacity —adj. possible, capable of s.t.: I think the governor is a potential candidate for president. -adv. potentially.
    THESAURUS
    potential 1 and 2 the promise, the makings.
potful
potful
  1. n.
    1 an amount of s.t. that can be held in a pot: His guests ate the whole potful of spaghetti sauce.
    2 infrml.fig. a large amount of s.t.: That rich man has potfuls of money.
pothead
pothead
  1. n.slang a person who smokes marijuana regularly
pothole
pothole
  1. n. a hole in a street caused by heavy traffic and cold weather: City workers repair potholes by filling them with tar.
potion
potion
  1. n. strong liquid medicine, poison, or magic formula: A witch gave the prince a magic potion and turned him into a frog.
potluck
potluck
  1. n. a group meal where everyone brings food and shares it with each other: I will make a large salad to bring to the potluck on Saturday.
potpourri
potpourri
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a mixture of flowers, herbs, and spices used as fragrance: She uses potpourri to keep her bathroom sweet-smelling.
    2 a mixture of odd, different things,
    THESAURUS
    a mishmash: That dish is a potpourri of meat, fish, vegetables, and rice.
potted
potted
  1. adj. located, planted, or grown in a pot: Potted plants decorate the hotel lobby.
potter
potter
  1. n. a person who makes pottery: The potter shaped the clay into a bowl.
pottery
pottery
  1. n. [U]
    1 objects made of soft clay and then baked until hard: Vases and bowls are common types of pottery.
    2 the activity or skill of making such objects: I'm taking a pottery class at the art institute.
potty
potty
  1. n.infrml. -ties a toilet, or a container with a seat on it that is used as a toilet by a young child
pouch
pouch
  1. n. pouches
    1 a flexible bag: Bank guards bring money into the bank in pouches.
    2 a bag-like pocket of skin: A baby kangaroo lives in its mother's pouch.
poultry
poultry
  1. n. [U] fowl, such as chickens, turkeys, and ducks: Poultry are raised on farms for their eggs or meat.
pounce
pounce
  1. v. [I] pounced, pouncing, pounces to attack by jumping quickly on s.t. or s.o.: The cat pounced on the mouse.
pound cake
pound cake
  1. n. [C;U] a rich, smooth cake originally made with a pound each of butter, flour, sugar, and eggs
pounding
pounding
  1. n. [U] the act of hammering or hitting s.t. with force: The boxer gave his opponent a brutal pounding.
pour
pour
  1. v.
    1 [T] to let flow, make s.t. stream out: She poured cream into her coffee.||Curses poured from the thief's lips when he was caught by police.
    2 [T] to give or make in large amounts: Investors poured money into a new company.
    3 [I] to rain hard: Wear your boots and take an umbrella; it's pouring out!
    THESAURUS
    pour
    1 to put, run | flood, gush
    2 to dump | lavish
    3 to pelt down.
pout
pout
  1. v. [I] n. to show sadness or anger by pressing one's lips together so they move outward: When the child could not have any candy, she pouted.
poverty-stricken
poverty-stricken
  1. adj. very poor: The poverty-stricken family had no place to live.
poverty
poverty
  1. n. [U]
    1 the lack of money and material possessions, the state of being poor: Poverty often goes hand in hand with disease.||There were very few jobs in the town, and many families lived in poverty.
    2 a lack, esp. of s.t. desirable: The length of the report did not hide the poverty of the writer's ideas.
    THESAURUS
    poverty
    1 destitution, want, need. Ant. wealth.
    2 inadequacy, insufficiency.
powder
powder
  1. n. [U]
    1 fine particles, s.t. ground or crushed into tiny grains: She always puts baby powder on herself after a bath.
    2 gun powder used as part of ammunition -adj. powdery.v. [T] to use powder: The mother powdered her baby's bottom.
powder room
powder room
  1. n. a women's bathroom, esp. one with mirrors for freshening makeup: She went to the powder room to powder her nose.
power
power
  1. n.
    1 [U] the authority and ability to do s.t. important: As a manager, she has the power to hire and fire employees.
    2 [C] one's ability to function or to do s.t.: He's 90 years old, but his mental powers are as strong as ever.
    3 [U] a supply of energy, esp. electricity: The electric company has shut the power off.
    4 [C] (in mathematics) the number of times a number is multiplied by itself, such as a square: 102, cube: 103, etc.: 10 to the power of 2= 102= 100.
    5 [U] strength: As a bodybuilder he has extreme physical power.adj. related to the use of power: He owns a power lawn mower that is run by gas.v. [T] to give power to s.t.: This toy truck is powered by AAA batteries.
    THESAURUS
    power n.
    1 the capacity, the right
    2 a faculty, capability
    3 current, flow (of electricity, gas, etc.)
    5 might, force. Ant. weakness. —v. to be run by.
power of attorney
power of attorney
  1. n. a formal document that gives one person the right to act and sign documents for another: I gave my stockbroker the power of attorney to trade stocks in my account without consulting me.
power pack
power pack
  1. n. a battery or group of batteries used to make a device work: The power pack for her small computer can be recharged easily.
power plant
power plant
  1. n. a building or station where power, esp. electricity, is generated: That nuclear power plant generates electricity for this area.
power play
power play
  1. n.
    1 (in sports) the use of many players against a key spot in the opposing team: The team's surprise power play against their defense cost them the game.
    2 fig. the use of power to force change: The union threatened to strike in a power play to force management to raise wages.
power politics
power politics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl.v. the threat of using force or economic power in international affairs: The USA engaged in power politics by threatening to attack the other country if it didn't end its war.
power steering
power steering
  1. n. [U] a steering system in a car that uses the engine's power to make steering the car easier for the driver
power structure
power structure
  1. n. the people and institutions that hold power, esp. political and financial power: The power structure in that country is made up of a military government cooperating with rich landowners.
power trip
power trip
  1. n.infrml.fig. the use of power to impress and control others: The boss was on a power trip when he fired his secretary for not making coffee.
powerboat
powerboat
  1. n. a boat run by motors, a motorboat, esp. a fast one: He owns a powerboat that will go up to 40 MPH.
powerful
powerful
  1. adj.
    1 having a lot of power and influence: He is a powerful man in the Senate.
    2 strong or effective, having great force: That racing car has a powerful engine. -adv. powerfully.
    THESAURUS
    powerful
    1 high-powered, influential
    2 impressive | mighty | potent.
powerhouse
powerhouse
  1. n. -houses
    1 fig. a powerful person or organization: That football team is a powerhouse; they beat everybody.
    2 a power plant, such as one generating electricity: A powerhouse is located at the base of the dam.
powerless
powerless
  1. adj.
    1 having no power, weak: Poor people are often powerless in the political process.
    2 defenseless, unarmed: A thief demanded a man's wallet and he was powerless to resist. -n. [U] powerlessness.
pox
pox
  1. n. [U] a disease, such as chicken pox or smallpox, that causes sores on the skin
practicable
practicable
  1. adj. capable of being done,
    THESAURUS
    feasible: Their marriage was so bad that divorce seemed to be the only practicable solution.
practical
practical
  1. adj.
    1 sensible, not acting foolishly: They wanted to buy a white couch, but with three small children, it just wasn't practical.
    2 useful, handy: That dictionary would be a practical gift for the student.
    3 relating to actual practice or real situations rather than to theory: She felt that most of what she learned in the course was of no practical use. -n. practicality .
    THESAURUS
    practical
    1 realistic, pragmatic, down-to-earth. Ants. impractical, silly.
    2 appropriate, serviceable. Ant. frivolous.
    3 concrete, applicable. Ant. abstract.
practical joke
practical joke
  1. n. a trick or act of embarrassing s.o. done to amuse oneself or others: He played a practical joke on his friend by tying the friend's shoelaces together.
practical nurse
practical nurse
  1. n. a nurse who takes care of patients and is licensed by the state and supervised by a registered nurse: Practical nurses can give injections. See: licensed practical nurse.
practically
practically
  1. adv.
    1 nearly, almost: He has practically finished his term paper.
    2 in a practical way
    THESAURUS
    practically
    1 virtually, just about
    2 realistically, pragmatically.
practice
practice
  1. v. -ticed, -ticing, -tices
    1 [I;T] to do s.t. repeatedly to perfect it: She practices the piano eight hours a day.
    2 [I;T] to work in the professions of medicine, law, or accounting: That doctor has practiced medicine for many years.
    3 [T] to do s.t. regularly or as a habit: to practice moderation in drinking
    4 to practice what one preaches: to do yourself what you tell others to do: The doctor stopped smoking cigarettes and started exercising when he decided to practice what he preaches to his patients.n.
    1 [U] regular repetition of an activity, art, sport, etc.: It takes practice to do almost anything well.
    2 [C] usu. sing. a meeting for this purpose: The school band has practice at 8 A.M., before classes start.
    3 [U] s.t. that is done regularly, the usual way of doing s.t.: It is standard business practice to keep a copy of every letter sent out.||He made a practice of always telling the truth.
    4 [U] the carrying out of s.t. in a real situation, actual performance: The method worked in theory but not in practice.
    5 [U] work in a profession: She is engaged in the practice of law.
    6 [C] the business of a person in a profession: She has a large law practice with many clients.
    7 in practice or out of practice: having or not having the skill produced by doing s.t. repeatedly: I used to play tennis pretty well, but I'm out of practice now.
    8 practice makes perfect: repetition leads to excellence: She plays the violin every day because practice makes perfect.
    THESAURUS
    practice v.
    1 to rehearse, train at (or) for s.t.
    3 to follow, apply. —n.
    1 rehearsal, training, drilling
    2 (a) rehearsal
    3 a custom, procedure | habit, policy
    4 application, use.
practicing
practicing
  1. adj. actively doing s.t.: She is a practicing accountant.||He is a practicing Christian (Jew, Muslim, etc.).
practitioner
practitioner
  1. n. a person who does skilled work: He is a legal practitioner.
pragmatic
pragmatic
  1. adj. using common sense to solve problems,
    THESAURUS
    practical: He would like to be a doctor, but he has a pragmatic attitude and realizes that he cannot afford medical school.
pragmatism
pragmatism
  1. n. [U] a philosophy of dealing with events and solving problems in practical ways: Americans are known for their pragmatism in business affairs. -n. pragmatist.
prairie
prairie
  1. n. a large area of flat or slightly hilly grassland with tall grasses and few trees, esp. in the central part of North America
praise
praise
  1. v. [T] praised, praising, praises
    1 to express admiration and respect: A supervisor praised the employee for her good work.
    2 to worship: Survivors of the crash praised God for saving them.n. [C;U] an expression of admiration and respect: The mayor gave praise to the firefighters for saving people from the burning building.
    THESAURUS
    praise v.
    1 to compliment, commend. Ants. to criticize | insult.
    2 to thank, revere. —n. kudos, acclaim.
praiseworthy
praiseworthy
  1. adj. worthy of being praised,
    THESAURUS
    admirable: Firefight-ing is a praiseworthy profession. -n. [U] praiseworthiness.
prance
prance
  1. v. [I] pranced, prancing, prances to move in a spirited way, like a horse or a dancer, picking the feet up high,
    THESAURUS
    to strut: The child pranced about in her new party dress. -n. prancer.
prank
prank
  1. n. a practical joke,
    THESAURUS
    a trick: He played a prank on his friend when he set the clock back an hour. -n. prankster.
prawn
prawn
  1. n. a shellfish similar to a shrimp, but larger
pray
pray
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to speak to God or other gods: He prays every night for the safety of his family.
    2 [T] frml. to ask s.o. for s.t. serious: I pray that you'll be careful driving in this storm.
    THESAURUS
    pray
    1 to beg, call upon, implore God
    2 to implore s.o. to do s.t., plead with s.o.
    THESAURUS
    prayer. / n. [C;U]
    1 an act of speaking to God or other gods: She said a prayer that her sick mother would be healed.
    2 not to have a prayer: to have no chance: Our team is so bad that it doesn't have a prayer of winning the game. -adj. prayerful
prayer
prayer
  1. -n. [C;U]
    1 an act of speaking to God or other gods: She said a prayer that her sick mother would be healed.
    2 not to have a prayer: to have no chance: Our team is so bad that it doesn't have a prayer of winning the game.-adj. prayerful .
prayer beads
prayer beads
  1. n.pl. a rosary: She says her prayers while counting her prayer beads.
pre-
pre-
  1. prefix indicating s.t. in front of (in space) or before (in time) s.t. else
preach
preach
  1. v. preaches
    1 [I;T] to give a sermon or talk: The minister preached the word of God to the people in the church.
    2 [I] to give advice,
    THESAURUS
    to moralize: She is always preaching to her children about not talking to strangers. -adj. pej. preachy.
preacher
preacher
  1. n. a person who preaches, usu. a member of the clergy, minister: He is a preacher in a Protestant church.
preamble
preamble
  1. n.frml. a formal introduction to a document or speech about its purpose: The legislators wrote a short preamble to the constitution.
precarious
precarious
  1. adj.
    1 unstable, shaky: The tragedy left her in precarious mental health.
    2 dangerous, not secure or safe: He has all his money in the stock market and would be in a precarious financial situation if stock prices went down. -adv. precariously.
precaution
precaution
  1. n. [C;U] a step taken in advance to prevent harm,
    THESAURUS
    a safeguard: She took the precaution of bringing a sweater in case it got cold on the boat trip. -adj. precautionary.
precede
precede
  1. v. [T] -ceded, -ceding, -cedes to come before, appear earlier: The dark skies preceded a thunderstorm.
precedence
precedence
  1. n. [U] greater importance,
    THESAURUS
    priority: My family's health takes precedence over my job.
precedent
precedent
  1. n. [C] an example that allows similar future actions, a custom: When the principal wore blue jeans to school on Friday, it set a precedent for others to do that too.
preceding
preceding
  1. adj. coming before s.t., appearing earlier: The preceding entry in this dictionary is "precedent."
precept
precept
  1. n. a rule to use for action: "Haste makes waste" is a precept that means one should work carefully and accurately.
precinct
precinct
  1. n.
    1 one of a number of districts in a city or town under the authority of its own police unit: He lives in the 112th precinct.
    2 a local police station: He went to the precinct to report a burglary.
precious
precious
  1. adj.
    1 extremely valuable, costly: Precious metals include gold and platinum.
    2 fig. beloved, darling: That child is so sweet and precious.
    3 artificial, exaggerated in style: He uses fancy words that give his speech a precious quality.n. loved one, darling: Precious, do you love me? -n. [U] preciousness.
    THESAURUS
    precious adj.
    1 expensive | rare
    2 adorable | dear, treasured.
precipice
precipice
  1. n.frml.
    1 a steep decline, cliff: A rock fell over the precipice.
    2 the edge of danger: The two countries were on the precipice of war with each other.
precipitate
precipitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to cause to happen, esp. suddenly or sooner than expected: His climbing 15 flights of stairs precipitated his heart attack.adj. done suddenly or in a hurry,
    THESAURUS
    hasty: Her decision to leave her job seemed overly precipitate. -adv. precipitately.
precipitation
precipitation
  1. n. [U] rain, snow, sleet, or hail, or the amount of this that has fallen: Precipitation was low this summer.
precipitous
precipitous
  1. adj.
    1 steep, dropping down sharply: There is a precipitous drop off that cliff.
    2 fig. declining fast: The stock market took a precipitous drop yesterday.
precise
precise
  1. adj.
    1 accurate: I need the precise street address of the doctor's office.
    2 meaning s.t. exactly and not different: She arrived at the precise moment that we heard the scream.
    3 with special care: He spoke in a very precise manner. -adv. precisely.
    THESAURUS
    precise
    1 exact, specific. Ant. approximate.
    2 very, exact
    3 meticulous, fastidious. Ant. careless.
precision
precision
  1. n. [U] attention to detail: Parts of machines are made to precision.||The professor spoke with precision.adj. made with or producing accurate measurements: Computers are precision instruments.
    THESAURUS
    precision n. exactness, accuracy.
preclude
preclude
  1. v. [T] -cluded, -cluding, -cludes to prevent, make impossible: The accident precluded his participation in the race. -n. [U] preclusion.
precocious
precocious
  1. adj. (of a child) advanced in intelligence or development: She was a precocious child who could read and write at the age of three. -adv. precociously; -n. [U] precociousness or precocity.
precolonial
precolonial
  1. adj. before colonial times: In precolonial times North America was populated by native tribes.
preconceived
preconceived
  1. adj. referring to beliefs (opinions, attitudes, etc.) formed before seeing a situation, prejudiced: He had the preconceived idea that New Yorkers were unfriendly before he visited the city. -v. [T] preconceive; -n. preconception.
precondition
precondition
  1. n. a requirement that must be agreed to in advance: The union has a 5% wage increase as a precondition before it will negotiate.
precursor
precursor
  1. n.frml. s.t. or s.o. that comes before the arrival of another, such as an early model of a machine,
    THESAURUS
    a forerunner: The quartz radio was a precursor of the modern radio. -adj. precursory.
predate
predate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates to happen before s.t. else: The Vikings' visit to North America in about 1,000 A.D. predated the visit of Columbus by nearly 500 years.
predator
predator
  1. n.
    1 an animal that lives by killing and eating others: Hawks and lions are predators.
    2 fig. a person who harms others for his or her own benefit: A swindler is a predator who cheats others. -adj. predatory.
predecessor
predecessor
  1. n.
    1 a person who worked in a job before the person working in it now: My predecessor left to start her own company.
    2 an ancestor
predestination
predestination
  1. n. [U]
    1 (in religion) the belief that God chooses which people will be saved, esp. through Christ: Predestination is one of the main beliefs of the Presbyterian Church.
    2 the belief that one's life is determined in advance by God or fate: He believes in predestination, or that whatever happens to him is the will of God.
predestine
predestine
  1. v. [T] -tined, -tining, -tines to determine s.t. beforehand: He believes that God predestined him to be a priest.
predetermine
predetermine
  1. v. [T] -mined, -mining, -mines to decide before an action, determine beforehand: The man and his attorney predetermined that he would plead "not guilty" in court.
predicament
predicament
  1. n. a difficult situation, dilemma: Her predicament is that she has run out of money, but does not want to leave her nice apartment.
predicate
predicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to base an action or belief on s.t.: He predicated his argument that there is life after death on his belief in God.n. in grammar, the part of a sentence that says s.t. about the subject and that consists of a verb and words connected to the verb: In the sentence, "We bought a new car," "bought a new car" is the predicate. -n. [U] predication.
predict
predict
  1. v. [T] to say what will happen in the future,
    THESAURUS
    to foretell: Scientists are not able to predict earthquakes very well.
predictable
predictable
  1. adj. able to be predicted: Her car accident was predictable, because she was drunk and driving much too fast on a wet road at night. -adv. predictably.
prediction
prediction
  1. n. [C;U] a statement about what will happen in the future, forecast: The meteorologist's prediction that it would rain today was correct.
predilection
predilection
  1. n.frml. a liking, tendency: He has a predilection for drinking alcohol.
predispose
predispose
  1. v.frml. -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 [T] to make more likely to suffer from,
    THESAURUS
    to make vulnerable: Her family history may predispose her to heart disease.
    2 [I;T] to incline s.o. in advance to do s.t. or to have a particular attitude: She is predisposed to taking a vacation in Mexico, not Canada. -n. [U] predisposition.
predominance
predominance
  1. n. [U] dominance, the state of having more power or importance or of existing in larger amounts or numbers: Christianity has predominance over other religions in the USA. -adj. predominant; -adv. predominantly.
predominate
predominate
  1. v. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to dominate, overshadow others: Pine forests predominate in this area, not oak or open fields.
preeminent
preeminent
  1. adj.frml. outstanding, most famous: She is the preeminent soprano in the opera today. -n. [U] preeminence; -adv. preeminently.
preempt
preempt
  1. v. [T] to take the place of s.t., take precedence over: News of the earthquake preempted regular TV shows. -n. frml. [U] preemption; -adj. preemptive.
preen
preen
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 (of birds) to clean feathers with the beak: A bird preened its feathers.
    2 fig. to spend a lot of time grooming oneself, esp. in public
preexist
preexist
  1. v. [I;T] to exist before s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    to antedate: a preexisting medical condition -n. [U] preexistence.
prefab
prefab
  1. adj.infrml. short for prefabricated —n.infrml. a prefabricated building
prefabricate
prefabricate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to make, build s.t. beforehand: That company prefabricates sections of houses and moves them to building sites for carpenters to assemble. -adj. prefabricated.
preface
preface
  1. n. an introduction to a book or speech: The preface gave an overview of the book's contents. -adj. prefatory . —v. [T] -aced, -acing, -aces to introduce, say or write as a preface: The speaker prefaced her remarks with a joke.
prefer
prefer
  1. v. [T] -ferred, -ferring, -fers to like one thing better than another: He prefers chocolate ice cream to vanilla.
    THESAURUS
    prefer to favor s.t. over s.t., choose s.t. over s.t.
preferable
preferable
  1. adj. better or more suitable, to be preferred: She found life in the city preferable to her quiet life in the country. -adv. preferably.
preference
preference
  1. n. [C;U] a choice of one thing as better, more suitable than another: She has a preference for vegetarian dishes over meat.
    THESAURUS
    preference a partiality | bias.
preferential
preferential
  1. adj. showing a preference, giving special advantage to a person, group, etc.: The restaurant gives preferential treatment to its regular customers, giving them the best tables and service. -adv. preferentially.
prefix
prefix
  1. n. -fixes a letter or group of letters that has no meaning when used alone but, when it is put at the beginning of a word, it can change the word's meaning: "Un-" is a common prefix meaning "not," as in "unnecessary" or "unfair."
pregnancy
pregnancy
  1. n. [C;U] -cies a condition of growing a child in the womb: Her first pregnancy was not difficult.
pregnant
pregnant
  1. adj.
    1 with a child in the womb: She is six months pregnant.
    2 full of meaning that is not said, but implied: a pregnant pause||pregnant with meaning
prehistoric
prehistoric
  1. adj. of or relating to a time before history was recorded through pictures or writing: Dinosaurs lived in prehistoric times. -n. [U] prehistory.
prejudge
prejudge
  1. v. [T] -judged, -judging, -judges to judge s.t. or s.o. without knowing all the facts, jump to conclusions: The new boss prejudged a good worker as bad because of his odd appearance. -n. [U] prejudgment.
prejudice
prejudice
  1. n. [C;U] an unfair bias against or for s.o. or s.t., an opinion based on general dislike or good feelings, rather than fact or reason: Racial prejudice is one of society's great problems.v. [T] -diced, -dicing, -dices to cause to judge unfairly or beforehand, cause a person to dislike or to like s.o. or s.t. without looking at the facts: He prejudiced his co-workers against the new manager by telling them she was very strict.
    THESAURUS
    prejudice n. intolerance, bigotry. Ants. tolerance, fairness. —v. to bias, unfairly influence.
prejudiced
prejudiced
  1. adj. feeling or showing unfair dislike or preference based on s.o.'s race, religion, sex, etc.: She never hires men because she is prejudiced.||The defendants's mother was not allowed to be a witness, because the judge thought she would be prejudiced (in her son's favor).
    THESAURUS
    prejudiced biased, one-sided | intolerant. Ants. balanced | tolerant.
prejudicial
prejudicial
  1. adj. related to or causing harm by holding a biased opinion not based on fact
preliminary
preliminary
  1. n. -ies a preparation for some event: Before the test began, our teacher went through the preliminaries of explaining how long it would take, where to write your name, etc.adj. related to preparations: Diplomats held preliminary meetings before the presidents of their countries met to sign the treaty.
prelude
prelude
  1. n. an introductory part, esp. in music: The orchestra played a short prelude before the ballet began.
premarital
premarital
  1. adj. before marriage: The couple engaged in premarital sex.
premature
premature
  1. adj. too early: The baby was premature, born at seven months instead of nine. -adv. prematurely.
premedical student
premedical student
  1. or premed -n. a student in an undergraduate program that prepares students for medical school-adj. abbr. premed .
premedical student
premedical student
  1. or premed n. a student in an undergraduate program that prepares students for medical school -adj. abbr. premed
premeditated
premeditated
  1. adj. planned in advance (said of a crime): He committed premeditated murder. -v. [I;T] premeditate; -n. [U] premeditation.
premier
premier
  1. n. the head of the government in some countries: The premier of Italy visited Malaysia.adj. best, foremost: She is the premier pianist of her generation.
premiere
premiere
  1. n. the first performance, opening night: Many celebrities attended the premiere of the new movie.
premise
premise
  1. n. a basis for a line of reasoning, an assumption: His major premise for arguing there is life after death is that people have souls as well as bodies.v. [T] -ised, -ising, -ises to base on s.t.: The President premised his speech on the belief that Americans want to help the poor.
premises
premises
  1. n.pl.frml. building(s) and the land they occupy: A guard asked the stranger to leave the premises.
premium
premium
  1. n.
    1 the monthly, quarterly, etc. payment for an insurance policy: The monthly premium on my car insurance is very high.
    2 an extra amount, esp. for s.t. special: He paid a premium for that house because of its beautiful view.
    3 a piece of merchandise used as a gift with the purchase of s.t. else: A mail order company offered an inexpensive watch as a premium to customers who bought clothes from them.adj. of high quality: I always buy premium gas for my car.
premonition
premonition
  1. n.frml. a fear about the future: He has a premonition that something bad will happen on their camping trip.
prenatal
prenatal
  1. adj. before birth, while a baby is in the mother's womb: Prenatal health care is recommended to produce a healthy baby.
preoccupation
preoccupation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a worry, concern
    2 s.t. that absorbs one's time and interest: His major preoccupation is playing golf. -v. [T] preoccupy.
preoccupied
preoccupied
  1. adj. (of a person) absorbed in thinking about s.t: She is preoccupied with moving to Seattle and neglects everything else.
prep
prep
  1. v. [I] prepped, prepping, preps short for prepare, to get ready: He is prepping for his exams next week.adj. related to preparation: She is doing the prep work of reading books before writing her term paper.
prep school
prep school
  1. n. short for preparatory school: He went to prep school at Phillips Exeter in New Hampshire. See: preppie.
prepackage
prepackage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to package or put s.t. together in advance: The travel agency sells prepackaged tours of Europe with all stops and hotels arranged in advance.
preparation
preparation
  1. n.
    1 [C] arrangements necessary for s.t., making s.t. ready: She is buying food and baking a cake in preparation for the dinner tonight.
    2 [C] a combination of ingredients, compound: A pharmacist made a preparation of two medicines to treat a skin rash.
    3 [U] education, background: Her academic preparation includes two advanced university degrees.
preparatory
preparatory
  1. adj. related to the process of preparing s.t., arranging s.t.: Our teacher made preparatory remarks before giving the test.
preparatory school
preparatory school
  1. n.frml. a private elementary or secondary school that prepares students to go to college, a prep school: Tuition at most preparatory schools is very high. See: coed, USAGE NOTE.
prepare
prepare
  1. v. -pared, -paring, -pares
    1 [I;T] to make arrangements for s.t., put in readiness: He prepared for his trip by packing his clothes.
    2 [T] to combine ingredients: The chemist prepared some chemicals to test as a new product.
    3 [I;T] to plan, rehearse mentally or emotionally: He prepared himself for his mother's funeral. -adj. prepared.
    THESAURUS
    prepare
    1 to get ready for s.t. | provide for s.t.
    2 to mix
    3 to get ready for s.t.
preparedness
preparedness
  1. n.frml. a state of being ready, having arrangements made: The nation was in a state of preparedness for war.
preponderance
preponderance
  1. n.frml. a greater amount, most of s.t.: A preponderance of the evidence is against the defendant. -adj.frml. preponderant.
preposition
preposition
  1. n. (in grammar) a word that indicates relationship to another part of speech, esp. to a noun: In "I went to the movie with my friend," "to" and "with" are prepositions. -adj. prepositional.
prepossessing
prepossessing
  1. adj. pleasing, attractive: She has a prepossessing personality.
preposterous
preposterous
  1. adj. completely unbelievable, totally absurd: The idea that it will snow in Chicago in August is preposterous. -adv. preposterously.
prepubescent
prepubescent
  1. adj.frml. related to the years before sexual maturity (puberty): prepubescent children -n.frml. prepubescence
preregistration
preregistration
  1. n. [U] an early registration period before the regular registration period, as for returning students at a college or school, when students choose courses for the next term: During preregistration I signed up for math, science, history, and French -v. [I] preregister.
prerequisite
prerequisite
  1. n. a requirement, s.t. that must be done before doing s.t. else: The prerequisite for the advanced course in math is basic math.
prerogative
prerogative
  1. n. a right, privilege: It is her prerogative to travel first-class if she wants to.
presage
presage
  1. v.frml. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to foretell, indicate s.t. that will happen in the future: Disagreements between the two nations presaged a war.
preschool
preschool
  1. adj. related to the time before a child is old enough to go to elementary school, usu. up to the age of five or six: The children did preschool activities that would help make them ready to read. -n. preschooler.n. nursery school, a school for children, usu. of ages three or four, who are too young for kindergarten: My daughter goes to (or) is in preschool.
prescience
prescience
  1. n.frml. [U] knowledge of the future -adj.frml. prescient.
prescribe
prescribe
  1. v. [T] -scribed, -scribing, -scribes
    1 (of a doctor) to write an order (prescription) for medication: My doctor prescribed penicillin for my strep throat.
    2 to tell s.o. what to do: The supervisor prescribed the steps in which orders must be filled out.
    THESAURUS
    prescribe
    1 to write a prescription
    2 to specify, order.
prescription
prescription
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an order for medication: Her doctor wrote her a prescription for blood pressure medicine.
    2 a formula, set of steps: Political analysts wrote a prescription for reform in government.
prescription drug
prescription drug
  1. n. [U] medicine that can be obtained only by a doctor's order, not available on the shelves of a drugstore: Prescription drugs are sold in drug stores. See: pharmacy.
prescriptive
prescriptive
  1. adj. authoritarian, telling s.o. exactly what to do: His boss is very prescriptive and wants her orders followed exactly.||a prescriptive grammar book
presence
presence
  1. n. [U]
    1 attendance: Your presence at the wedding is important to the bride and groom.
    2 a dignified appearance: The general has great presence.
    THESAURUS
    presence
    1 being (somewhere) | company
    2 manner, demeanor.
presence of mind
presence of mind
  1. n. [U] the ability to act quickly and sensibly in an emergency: She had the presence of mind to throw a blanket over the fire and put it out.
present-day
present-day
  1. adj. current, at this time: The present-day problems of society are different from those of many years ago.
present participle
present participle
  1. n. (in grammar) a form of a verb; in English, the verb ending in -ing, that typically shows that an action is continuing, used with be to form progressive tenses or used as an adjective: In the sentences "The dog is sleeping." and "Let sleeping dogs lie.", "sleeping" is a present participle.
present perfect
present perfect
  1. n. (in grammar) a compound verb tense formed in English with have + a past participle and typically used to indicate an event or state that began in the past and continues up to the present or has results continuing up to the present: In the sentence "I have lived here for five years," "have lived" is in the present perfect.
present tense
present tense
  1. n. (in grammar) a verb tense representing the current time, not past or future: In, "Today is Monday," "is" is the present tense of the verb "be."
presentable
presentable
  1. adj. suitable, in proper condition to meet others: He shaved his beard and put on clean clothes to make himself presentable for visitors.
presentation
presentation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an explanation, description: He gave a presentation of his marketing plan to the sales representatives.
    2 a demonstration, display: The jewelry store has a presentation of new watches in the window.
presently
presently
  1. adv.
    1 currently, at this time: He is presently employed.
    2 soon, in a short time: I will tell you the answer presently.
preservative
preservative
  1. n. [C;U] a chemical that keeps food from going bad: That bread has a lot of preservatives in it; it will stay fresh for days.
preserve
preserve
  1. v. [T] -served, -serving, -serves
    1 to guard, protect from harm or change: The government preserves the rights of the individual person.
    2 to maintain, keep in good condition: She preserves her health by eating sensibly and exercising.
    3 to prevent food from spoiling: Keeping food in the refrigerator preserves its freshness. -n. [U] preservation . —n.
    1 an area of land or seashore used to protect wildlife from people, esp. hunters, a reserve: Huge game preserves in Africa help protect wild animals.
    2 pl. preserves fruit, usu. in large pieces, cooked with a lot of sugar and stored in a jar: peach preserves
    THESAURUS
    preserve v.
    1 to ensure, safeguard
    2 to keep up s.t. | conserve. Ant. to neglect.
    3 to maintain.
preset
preset
  1. v. [T] adj. -set, -setting, -sets to set s.t. in advance, esp. a device, to a level or number: I preset the thermostat to 70 degrees.||It is preset at that temperature.
preside
preside
  1. v. [I] -sided, -siding, -sides to direct an activity,
    THESAURUS
    to chair: The chairwoman presided over a meeting of the finance committee.
presidency
presidency
  1. n. [C;U] -cies
    1 the office and duties of a president: He was nominated for the presidency of the United States.
    2 the term during which a person is president: A great deal was accomplished during his presidency.
    THESAURUS
    presidency
    1 the Chief Executive's office
    2 a term of office, administration.
president
president
  1. n.
    1 a head of some governments, including that of the USA: The President must handle many problems.
    2 the head of a business or institution, usu. ranking below chair of the board: The president of that company (university, corporation) travels often. -adj. presidential.
press
press
  1. v. presses
    1 [T] to push against, apply force: She pressed the number keys on the telephone.
    2 [T] to squeeze, crush: A winemaker presses grapes to make wine.
    3 [T] to smooth wrinkles from clothes: He has his suits cleaned and pressed at the cleaners.
    4 [T] fig. to pressure s.o. to do s.t., to ask for action: She pressed her supervisor for a raise in salary.
    5 [I] to move ahead despite difficulty: He pressed ahead with (or) pressed on with his work despite having a cold.
    6 [T] to lift weights: He goes to the gym and presses weights.
    7 to be pressed for: to experience pressure because of not having enough of s.t.: I'm pressed for time right now.||She is pressed for money.n. presses
    1 a pushing motion: The door opened at the press of a button.
    2 a smoothing of clothes: The cleaner gave her skirt a press.
    3 a machine or device for squeezing or crushing s.t.: A wine press crushes grapes and separates the juice from them.
    4 a machine for printing books, newspapers, magazines, etc.: The newspaper is on the press now being printed.
    5 good or bad press: positive or negative comments, esp. in the news media: The political candidate received bad press about not paying his taxes for three years.
    6 the press: newspapers, magazines, and their reporters, and often radio and television editors, etc.: The press covers the president's every move.
    THESAURUS
    press v.
    1 to depress | punch
    2 to flatten, compress
    3 to iron (out)
    4 to push, bug s.o. infrml. | coerce
    5 to stick to s.t., soldier on infrml.
    6 to pump iron. —n.
    1 a push
    2 an ironing.
press agent
press agent
  1. n. a person who arranges publicity, such as for actors: Her press agent arranged for the actress's picture to appear in the newspaper with an article about her.
press box
press box
  1. n. boxes a section of seats for reporters at an event, esp. in a sports arena: Reporters watched the football game from the press box.
press conference
press conference
  1. n. a meeting with reporters at which a well-known person, such as a politician, makes an announcement or answers questions: The President held a press conference to discuss his new economic policy.
press release
press release
  1. n. a written announcement of an event to the news media: The White House issued a press release on improvement in the economy.
pressing
pressing
  1. adj. urgent, demanding attention: The roof is leaking, so fixing it is a pressing problem.
pressure
pressure
  1. n.
    1 [U] application of force against s.t.: Air pressure in the tire keeps it inflated.
    2 [U] measurement of that force: The pressure in that tire should be 32 pounds.||He has high blood pressure.
    3 [U] atmospheric pressure: A low-pressure front moved into our area, bringing rain.
    4 [U] application of influence on s.o., sometimes with the threat of a penalty: The people put pressure on the government to lower taxes or be voted out of office.
    5 [C] tension, a feeling of being pushed to do things: The pressure of meeting deadlines in her job causes her to sleep poorly.
    6 under pressure: in an atmosphere of tension: Some people perform well under pressure, but I don't.v. [T] -sured, -suring, -sures to apply pressure to s.o.: Her boss pressured her to finish the report by Friday.
    THESAURUS
    pressure n.
    4 demands | coercion
    5 stress, strain. —v. to force, coerce | twist s.o.'s arm.
pressure cooker
pressure cooker
  1. n.
    1 a tightly sealed pot that cooks foods quickly under steam pressure: He steamed some vegetables in the pressure cooker.
    2 fig. a tense, irritating work atmosphere: Her office is a pressure cooker.
pressurize
pressurize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to adjust the air pressure in an airplane, spacecraft, or submarine: The airplane cabin has been pressurized, so you won't get a headache. -n. [U] pressurization.
prestige
prestige
  1. n. [U] qualities, such as excellent reputation, wealth, and power, that bring admiration or honor: Her job as a lawyer for a big corporation has a lot of prestige. -adj. prestigious .
    THESAURUS
    prestige distinction, respect.
presto
presto
  1. adv.exclam. quickly, suddenly: I was walking in a field and presto! a beautiful bird flew into the air.
presumably
presumably
  1. adv. probably, as can be assumed: Presumably he has received the letter by now, since I mailed it last week.
presume
presume
  1. v. -sumed, -suming, -sumes
    1 [T] to suppose s.t. is true, assume: I presumed that my friend would be at home when I called but she wasn't.
    2 [I] to impose on s.o., take advantage of s.o.: She presumed on her father's generosity by borrowing money from him and not repaying it.
presumption
presumption
  1. n.
    1 [C] an assumption, thinking s.t. is true: He got an advanced university degree on the presumption that he would get a better job, which he did.
    2 [U] an imposition, taking advantage of s.o.: Her father was annoyed by her presumption in borrowing money from him and not repaying it.
presumptuous
presumptuous
  1. adj. taking advantage, imposing on s.o.: It was presumptuous of her to borrow money from her father and not repay him. -adv. presumptuously; -n. [U] presumptuousness.
presuppose
presuppose
  1. v.frml. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses to assume s.t. is true, to base s.t. on s.t. else: Admission to this college course presupposes that a student has completed high school. -n. [U] presupposition.
pretax
pretax
  1. adj. referring to money (profits, salary, company earnings) before taxes are paid: The company had a pretax profit of $1 million and a profit of $500,000 after taxes.
preteen
preteen
  1. n.adj. a child a little younger than a teenager, usu. from 10 to 12 years old: The rock star was very popular with preteens.
pretend
pretend
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make believe: He pretended that he did not hear the insult.
    2 to act in a way that gives a false appearance, to fake: They pretend to be wealthy when they are not.
    THESAURUS
    pretend
    1 to act like, claim
    2 to make believe | feign, affect.
pretender
pretender
  1. n. a person who makes a claim to a monarch's throne: The prince is a pretender to the throne of England.
pretense
pretense
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a reason or act that hides the real reason for doing s.t.: She called me on the pretense of asking about my health when she really wanted to sell me life insurance.
    2 false pretenses: reasons used to deceive s.o.: He entered her house under false pretenses, saying that he was a detective when his real purpose was to steal her jewelry.
pretension
pretension
  1. n. [C;U] a false appearance, action, or statement intended to make one seem better than one is: It's clear that his pretensions about being a great actor are phony.
pretentious
pretentious
  1. adj. acting in a showy or affected manner: His pretentious show of money annoys his friends. -adv. pretentiously; -n. [U] pretentiousness.
pretext
pretext
  1. n. an excuse, pretense: He called me on the pretext that he was taking a survey, but he was actually selling stocks.
pretty
pretty
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest lovely, attractive, pleasing to the eye, but not beautiful: She has a pretty face. See: handsome, USAGE NOTE. —adv.
    1 to a certain degree, somewhat: We had a pretty good time at the party. ||I was pretty happy living in Boston, but New York is more exciting.
    2 pretty much: almost entirely
    3 sitting pretty: in an excellent position: He has a high-paying job now and is sitting pretty.
    THESAURUS
    pretty adj. good-looking, charming. —adv.
    1 fairly, moderately, reasonably. Ants. really, perfectly.
pretzel
pretzel
  1. n. a crisp or chewy bread-like food, usu. shaped like a knot and sprinkled with salt: He likes to snack on pretzels.
prevail
prevail
  1. v.
    1 [I] to win, triumph: Our team prevailed over our rival in a tough game.||I was going to have dessert, but good sense prevailed and I didn't eat it.
    2 [I] to be common: A love of fried foods prevails in North America.
    3 to prevail upon or on: to influence or persuade s.o.: They prevailed on their son to finish college.
prevailing
prevailing
  1. adj.
    1 usual, frequent: The prevailing wind is from the west in this area.
    2 dominant, generally exclusive: The prevailing opinion now is that the president is doing a good job.
prevalent
prevalent
  1. adj. common, observed frequently: Pine trees (small cars, etc.) are prevalent in this part of the country. -n. [U] prevalence.
prevaricate
prevaricate
  1. v.frml. [I] -cated, -cating, -cates to hide the truth, misrepresent s.t.: He prevaricated when he spoke in court. -n. [U] prevarication.
prevent
prevent
  1. v. [T]
    1 to stop from happening: He prevented an accident by braking his car just in time.
    2 to stop s.o. from doing s.t.: The rain prevented me from going.
    THESAURUS
    prevent
    1 to avoid | avert, stave off. Ant. to let s.t. happen.
    2 to block, preclude | hinder, thwart. Ant. to make s.t. possible.
preventable
preventable
  1. adj. able to be prevented,
    THESAURUS
    avoidable: Vaccines have made measles, polio, and smallpox preventable diseases.
preventive
preventive
  1. or preventative -adj. related to actions taken to prevent s.t.: As a preventive measure against fire, he threw away all the paint cans in his house.
prevention
prevention
  1. n. [U] the act of pre-venting s.t. from happening,
    THESAURUS
    avoidance: prevention of disease
preventive
preventive
  1. or preventative adj. related to actions taken to prevent s.t.: As a preventive measure against fire, he threw away all the paint cans in his house.
preview
preview
  1. n. an advance showing of s.t.: Movie critics watched a preview of the new film before it was shown to the public.v. [T] to see s.t. beforehand, view in advance: Critics previewed the movie.
previous
previous
  1. adj.
    1 occurring before s.t. else, preceding: On the previous day, we had visited Notre Dame Cathedral.
    2 previous to: before, earlier than: Previous to that, we had traveled by car to Paris. -adv. previously.
    THESAURUS
    previous
    1 prior | earlier
    2 prior to.
prewar
prewar
  1. adj. before a war, esp. World War I or II: Prewar apartments have high ceilings and big windows.
prey
prey
  1. n.
    1 [U] animals killed for food by other animals: Rabbits and squirrels are prey for hawks and coyotes.
    2 a victim: The thief thought the rich man would be an easy prey.
    3 to fall prey to: to become a victim, preyed upon by s.o.: The old woman fell prey to a swindler who stole her savings.v. [T]
    1 to kill animals for food: Hawks prey on rabbits.
    2 to victimize, exploit: Pickpockets prey on innocent tourists.
price
price
  1. n.
    1 an amount of money charged for goods or services, cost: The price of milk has gone up.
    2 an amount of money high enough to make a person accept it as a bribe, as to do s.t. wrong: "Everyone has their price," he said cynically.
    3 a price on one's head: money offered as a reward for capturing s.o., either dead or alive: The escaped murderer had a price on his head.
    4 asking price: a price asked for s.t. by an owner, but not necessarily expected: The asking price for the apartment is $200,000.
    5 fig. at any price: no matter how great the suffering or loss needed to get s.t.: The general wanted victory at any price.
    6 offering price: a price offered by a buyer: His offering price for the apartment was $150,000.
    7 selling price: a price agreed to by buyer and seller: The selling price was $175,000.
    8 to pay a price: to suffer s.t. unpleasant in order to gain s.t. else: He paid a high price in unhappiness when he left his wife for another woman.v. [T] priced, pricing, prices
    1 to put a price on s.t.: The company priced its new products lower than its competitors.
    2 to find out the price of, determine prices: We visited car dealers and priced cars.
    THESAURUS
    price v.
    1 to charge (prices that are), set the price of
    2 to evaluate, compare costs (or) prices of.
price index
price index
  1. n. the average price of a group of products or services compared periodically, such as quarter by quarter or year by year: The consumer price index on groceries has risen 5% from last year.
price tag
price tag
  1. n. a label on merchandise that notes its price: How much is this suit? I can't find a price tag on it.
price war
price war
  1. n. a series of price reductions intended to put one's competitors out of business: Price wars between computer makers led to many of them going out of business.
priceless
priceless
  1. adj.
    1 having such great value that no price would be high enough: Paintings by great masters are priceless and irreplaceable.
    2 fig. excellent, unbelievable: She told one funny joke after another; her performance was priceless.
    THESAURUS
    priceless
    1 invaluable | precious. Ant. worthless.
    2 unbeatable | hilarious, hysterical.
pricey
pricey
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest expensive: The clothes in that store are pricey.
prick
prick
  1. n.
    1 a slight stabbing pain made by a sharp point: I felt a prick from the doctor's hypodermic needle.
    2 the hole made by a sharp point: The dressmaker's pins left tiny pricks in the silk.
    3 vulg. slang the penis
    4 vulg. slang an obnoxious, difficult man: That prick makes trouble for everyone!v. [T]
    1 to stab the skin lightly: I pricked my finger on the needle.
    2 to prick up one's ears: a. (of an animal) to raise the ears upward in order to listen: The dog pricked up his ears at the sound of the car door. b. to begin to listen attentively: I pricked up my ears when I heard them mention my name.
prickly
prickly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 having thorns, spines: Thorn bushes are prickly.
    2 having a feeling of needles on the skin caused by numbness: My foot has gone to sleep and is all prickly.
    3 difficult, troublesome: The diplomat handled a prickly political situation. -v. [I;T] prickle.
pride
pride
  1. n. [U]
    1 self-esteem: When she failed her exams, her pride was hurt.
    2 satisfaction with personal characteristics and abilities: He takes great pride in his ability to fix things.
    3 the feeling that one is better than other people: His own pride is his worst enemy.v. prided, priding, prides; to pride oneself on s.t.: to feel good about oneself for s.t.: He prides himself on his talent for writing.
    THESAURUS
    pride n.
    1 one's self-respect, self-image, dignity | honor
    2 gratification, delight
    3 arrogance, conceit, egotism. Ants. humility, modesty.
priest
priest
  1. n.
    1 a member of the clergy in many religions of the world: Buddhist priests wear brightly colored robes.
    2 in some Christian denominations, a member of the clergy ranking below a bishop, above a deacon and often in charge of a church: Catholic priests dress in black. -adj. priestly.
priestess
priestess
  1. n. a holy woman in many religions, esp. ancient ones: She was a priestess in the Greek temple of Apollo.
priesthood
priesthood
  1. n. [U] priests as a group: Members of the priesthood gathered in Rome.
prig
prig
  1. n. a conceited, formal person: Prigs are usually very critical of others. -adj. priggish.
prim
prim
  1. adj. primmer, primmest very proper, formal in manner: She is old-fashioned and rather prim and disapproves of her loud, rough nephew. -adv. primly.
prima donna
prima donna
  1. n.
    1 a diva, leading female soloist in an opera company: The prima donna was too ill to finish the performance.
    2 an irritable, haughty person: The owner acts like a prima donna when anyone disagrees with him.
primacy
primacy
  1. n. [U] the state of being the most important, a first concern: Everyone understands the primacy of education in a person's life.
primal
primal
  1. adj. very basic as if originating in the distant past,
    THESAURUS
    primeval: primal instincts, such as hunger
primarily
primarily
  1. adv. mainly, first of all: He is primarily concerned with his work, not his family.
    THESAURUS
    primarily mostly, chiefly.
primary
primary
  1. adj. main, greatest: My primary concern is about my wife's health, since she has cancer.n. -ies or primary election (in the USA) an election by a political party to choose its candidate to run in a general election: Four candidates ran in the Democratic primary for governor and two in the Republican primary.
    THESAURUS
    primary adj. biggest, chief.
primary care
primary care
  1. n. the first medical care that a patient receives before referral to a specialist: My primary care physician listened to my heart and then referred me to a heart specialist.
primary school
primary school
  1. n. (in the USA) the first three to six grades of elementary school: My grandson is in the first grade in primary school. See: grade school, USAGE NOTE.
primate
primate
  1. n. any member of the highest order of animals, including humans, apes, monkeys, and lemurs
prime
prime
  1. n. the period in which a person is at the height of his or her abilities, personal powers, and usu. ability to earn money: He is in the prime of life now in his 40s.adj.
    1 main, greatest: Her prime concern now is finding another job.
    2 the highest US government grade of meat, ranked above "choice": Most prime steak goes to restaurants, not to supermarkets.v. [T] primed, priming, primes
    1 to make s.t. ready, to prepare: The director primed the actors for their roles in the play.
    2 to cover a surface with a special paint before painting it: I've primed all the woodwork and will put on the paint tomorrow.
prime minister or PM
prime minister or PM
  1. n. (in many countries outside the USA) the chief officer of a government: The prime minister held a cabinet meeting to discuss policy.
prime number
prime number
  1. n. a number that has only itself and 1 as factors: The prime number 13 has only 13 and 1 as factors.
prime rate
prime rate
  1. n. the interest rate set by the Federal Reserve Bank, the lowest rate that a bank will charge its best or large customers for loans: His brokerage house charges him 1% above the prime rate for loans.
prime time
prime time
  1. n.adj. the hours from about 7:00 to 11:00 P.M. when the largest number of people are available to watch television: The championship football game will be broadcast on prime-time television (or) during prime time.
primeval
primeval
  1. adj. ancient, prehistoric: Primeval creatures live in the ocean depths.
primitive
primitive
  1. adj.
    1 native, unchanged since ancient times: Primitive tribes live in the Amazon River basin.
    2 belonging to an early stage of development: primitive tools||primitive forms of life
    3 simple, rough, (syns.) unsophisticated, crude: We built a primitive shelter to sleep in.
primordial
primordial
  1. adj. characteristic of the earliest beginnings of s.t., ancient: Life formed in the primordial oceans millions of years ago.
primp
primp
  1. v. [I;T] to dress with excessive attention to detail, groom oneself to excess: She sits before the mirror and primps for hours.
primrose
primrose
  1. n.
    1 a small, wild or garden flower: Primroses appear in the springtime.
    2 primrose path: the illusion that s.t. will be wonderful but that ends in trouble: He led investors down the primrose path by promising them big profits and then stealing all their money.
prince
prince
  1. n.
    1 a son of a monarch: The prince is in line to inherit the throne.
    2 any nobleman with the title of prince
    3 fig. a wonderful man: He was a wonderful friend and a prince of a man!
princely
princely
  1. adj.
    1 of or related to a prince: His princely duties include attending ceremonial functions.
    2 great, very large: The couple paid a princely sum for their beautiful house.
princess
princess
  1. n. -cesses
    1 a daughter of a monarch: The princess has private tutors.
    2 any noblewoman with the title of princess
    3 the wife of a prince
    4 a woman or girl who gets special treatment from others: She is such a princess that she refuses to do any cooking or cleaning.
principal
principal
  1. n.
    1 the head of a school: Ms. Wu is the principal of our local high school.
    2 any person who can make important decisions in a business: The principals include the owner and his wife.
    3 the amount remaining on a debt: The principal remaining on the mortgage is $20,000 at 7% interest.
    4 money invested: He can live on the interest from his savings and never touch the principal.adj. main, most important: The principal reason they visited was to make an offer to buy your business.
    THESAURUS
    principal adj. biggest, primary.
principality
principality
  1. n. -ties an area or nation ruled by a prince or princess: The principality of Liechtenstein is a small country.
principle
principle
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a standard, such as a guide to behavior, rule: One of his principles is to have no debts.
    2 in principle: regarding a principle, in theory: In principle, he has no debts, but in actual fact he has a mortgage on his house.
    THESAURUS
    principle
    1 a rule, policy, belief.
principled
principled
  1. adj. having strict standards of behavior: She is very principled and never lies or cheats.
print
print
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to put words or images onto paper or other material, using a mechanical process: He printed a letter on his computer's printer.
    2 [T] to make available in print, usu. in many copies, by such a process,
    THESAURUS
    to publish: The newspaper printed an interview with the governor.
    3 [I;T] to write by hand using letters similar to those in printed material: He printed his name on the application.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to print s.t. out: to print from a computer: She printed out her report and made 10 copies of it.||She printed it out. -adj. printable.n.
    1 [U] letters printed on paper or other material: I can't read the small print on the package.
    2 [U] a pattern or design printed on cloth, or the cloth itself: Her dress has a black and white print.
    3 [C] a picture printed from a wood block, metal plate, etc., as a reproduction of an original work of art: The museum store sold prints of many of its paintings.
    4 [C] a photograph produced on paper
    5 [C] a mark made by s.t. pressing on s.t. else: They followed the paw prints of the animal through the woods.
    6 in print: a. in printed form: It was exciting to see my name in print in the newspaper. b. (of a book) available for sale by the publisher: The book was written a long time ago, but it's still in print.
    7 out of print: no longer available for sale by the publisher: She couldn't find the book in stores because it is out of print. See: fine, adj., 7.
printer
printer
  1. n.
    1 a person or business engaged in printing: He buys his stationery from a printer.
    2 a device attached to a computer, used for making paper copies of material produced on the computer: a laser printer||The printer sits on her desk next to her computer.
printing
printing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the art or process of putting words and images on paper or other materials by a mechanical process: Printing is a big business, including everything from newspapers and catalogs to labels in clothes.
    2 all the copies of a book printed at one time: The first printing of the book sold out quickly.
printout
printout
  1. n. a document printed from a computer: He did a printout of the budget.
prior
prior
  1. adj.frml.
    1 earlier, previous: A prior engagement prevented me from accepting the invitation.||No prior knowledge of Spanish is required for this course.
    2 prior to: before, earlier than s.t. else: Prior to becoming a lawyer, she worked as a legal secretary.
prioritize
prioritize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to put tasks, events, etc. in their order of importance: She prioritized her day by listing what she had to do first.
priority
priority
  1. n. -ties
    1 the tasks, or beliefs that are most important and require attention: His priorities include working at his job, studying for his classes, and keeping his girlfriend happy.
    2 to have priority over: to have greater importance than s.t. else, take precedence: Studying for the test has priority over listening to music.
priory
priory
  1. n. -ries a monastery smaller than an abbey: Monks live in the priory on the hill.
prism
prism
  1. n. a piece of glass that separates the colors of sunlight into blue, green, yellow, red, etc. -adj. prismatic.
prison
prison
  1. n. [C;U] jail, a place where people found guilty or accused of a crime are confined: He was sent to prison for robbing a bank.
    THESAURUS
    prison a penitentiary, lockup | the slammer slang.
prison camp
prison camp
  1. n. a jail for prisoners of war: Prisoners in prison camps were often forced to work on enemy projects.
prisoner
prisoner
  1. n. anyone placed in forced confinement: The prisoner was jailed for committing a crime.
    THESAURUS
    prisoner a convict | hostage, captive.
prissy
prissy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest excessively concerned with correct thought, behavior, or appearances,
    THESAURUS
    priggish: She is very prissy about her children using slang expressions.
pristine
pristine
  1. adj. pure, esp. in nature, unspoiled: We hiked through pristine wilderness in Alaska.
privacy
privacy
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being away from the unwanted presence of others: After meeting with many people, she looked forward to the privacy of her hotel room.
    2 secrecy, confidentiality: Lawyers and doctors are required to guard the privacy of their clients.
    THESAURUS
    privacy
    1 seclusion, solitude | isolation.
private
private
  1. adj.
    1 secret, keeping personal matters exclusively to oneself: Her sex life is private; no one else has the right to know about it.
    2 away from other people and their observation: She had a private room at the hospital.
    3 owned by a person or business rather than a government: The land is private property and no one is allowed to trespass on it. -adv. privately.n. a soldier of the lowest rank in the army: He was a private for six months, and then was promoted to corporal.
    THESAURUS
    private adj.
    1 confidential, personal. Ants. shared | public.
    2 personal | isolated. Ants. public, communal.
    3 restricted, privately-owned. Ant. public.
private enterprise
private enterprise
  1. n.frml. business owned and conducted with private money, not by governmental agencies: The automobile companies are examples of American private enterprise.
private investigator
private investigator
  1. n. a detective: The film star hired a private investigator to find out who was following her.
private parts
private parts
  1. n.pl. the sex organs, genitals
privation
privation
  1. n. [U] lack of the basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, and shelter: The homeless woman is suffering from privation.
privatize
privatize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to sell a business or service owned by the government to private owners: England has privatized industries by selling them to private owners. -n. [U] privatization.
privilege
privilege
  1. n.
    1 a special right or benefit granted to a person: As a top manager, she has the special privileges of a big office and a private bathroom.
    2 rights held by some but not all, because of their wealth and status in society: For centuries the nobility led lives of privilege, free from having to work.
    3 something enjoyable that you are honored to have the chance to do: It is a great privilege to accept this award.
privileged
privileged
  1. adj.
    1 private, secret between individuals: Discussions between a lawyer and client are privileged communications.
    2 having special rights or benefits: Only the privileged few could afford to send their children to private schools.
privy
privy
  1. n.infrml. -ies an outdoor toilet,
    THESAURUS
    an outhouse: Old farmhouses had privies behind them.adj.frml. allowed to know s.t. secret: I am not privy to what the President thinks.
prix fixe
prix fixe
  1. n. (French for) a fixed price for a restaurant meal with two or three courses: The prix fixe of $35 included an appetizer, a main dish, and dessert.
prize
prize
  1. v. [T] prized, prizing, prizes to appreciate s.t. greatly, cherish: He prizes his new car above all his other possessions.n. an award presented in recognition of winning a contest or lottery: She won first prize of a college scholarship in a writing contest.adj. outstanding, champion: His prize roses bloom in June.
    THESAURUS
    prize v. to value, treasure. —n. an honor, trophy.
prizefighter
prizefighter
  1. n. a professional boxer who fights for money: Prizefighters can become millionaires if they win often. -n. [U] prizefighting.
pro-choice
pro-choice
  1. adj. supportive of a legal right to choose to have an abortion: The pro-choice political candidate was yelled at by anti-abortionists.

    USAGE NOTE: People who are in favor of a woman's right to choose to have an abortion call themselves pro-choice, and call their opponents anti-choice. People who are opposed to abortion call themselves pro-life, and often call their opponents pro-abortion.
pro-life
pro-life
  1. adj. against legalizing abortion,
    THESAURUS
    anti-abortion: Pro-life demonstrators protested outside an abortion clinic. -n. pro-lifer. See: pro-choice, USAGE NOTE.
pro rata
pro rata
  1. adj. (Latin for) in proportion to s.t. else: A pro rata tax refund to all real estate owners means each one receives an amount of money in proportion to the sum paid.
probability
probability
  1. n. -ties the likelihood, chance that s.t. will or did happen: The probability that it will rain today is high.
probable
probable
  1. adj.
    1 likely to happen, having a good chance of occurring: It is probable that it will snow tomorrow.
    2 reasonable to believe: The probable cause of that accident was that the driver was drunk.
    THESAURUS
    probable
    1 likely, feasible, expected
    2 likely, apparent.
probably
probably
  1. adv. likely, believably: He was probably drunk and that caused him to drive off the road.
    THESAURUS
    probably in all likelihood, presumably.
probate
probate
  1. n. [U] a legal procedure that proves the validity of a will: When someone dies, their will can go through probate.v. [T] -bated, -bating, -bates to go through pro-bate: The old woman's will was probated in probate court.
probation
probation
  1. n. [U]
    1 a period of time in which a lawbreaker is allowed to go free under supervision: The judge did not jail the young man, but put him on probation for a year.
    2 a period of testing the ability of a new employee or seeing if a student improves: That company puts all new employees on a three-month probation.
probe
probe
  1. n.
    1 an instrument used to explore inside s.t.: A doctor used a probe to remove metal fragments from a wound.
    2 a space vehicle, special aircraft, or submarine: Our space agency sent out a probe with cameras to explore the planet Mars.
    3 an inquiry, questioning: The police probe into organized crime led to several arrests.v. [I;T] probed, probing, probes to explore with questions or a probe: A lawyer probed the witness' truthfulness by asking questions.||The doctor probed inside my ear to see if it was infected.
probing
probing
  1. n. [U] an act of exploring: The lawyer's probing caused the witness to tell the truth.adj. searching, far-reaching: The lawyer asked probing questions.
problem
problem
  1. n.
    1 a difficult situation or person: He has a problem with understanding mathematics.
    2 an obstacle, hurdle: A tree that fell across the road presented a problem to drivers.adj. presenting difficulties: That bad boy is a problem child. -adj. problematical.
    THESAURUS
    problem n.
    1 a difficulty, a hard time | trouble
    2 a hindrance, complication.
procedure
procedure
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a detailed method of doing s.t.: He told me the procedure for changing the oil in my car.
    2 a medical treatment: A doctor performed a procedure for cleaning and closing a wound.
    3 rules of conduct of debates or formal meetings: Parliamentary procedure requires speakers to go by the rules. -adj. procedural.
proceed
proceed
  1. v. [I]
    1 to continue, resume activity, esp. after a pause: The plane stopped in Chicago, then proceeded to Los Angeles.
    2 to go forward, move ahead: He proceeded to tell a funny story and we all laughed.
proceeding
proceeding
  1. n. [C]
    1 a series of actions, esp. in a law court: Legal proceedings often happen slowly.
    2 a record of formal actions: We watched the proceedings of a United Nations' debate on television.
proceeds
proceeds
  1. n.pl.frml. money from the sale of s.t.: She used the proceeds from the sale of her old house to buy a new one.
process
process
  1. v. [T]
    1 to apply a procedure to s.t.: A clerk processed my airline ticket and handed it to me.
    2 to change s.t. from one state to another: That meatpacking plant processes beef into hamburger.
    3 to turn data into information by computer: Early computers processed data very slowly.n. [C;U]
    1 general methods of doing s.t.: The educational process requires that students attend school regularly.
    2 a specific method: The process of filling out an application often requires time.
    3 changing s.t.: The process of converting oil into gasoline involves distillation.
    4 (in law) a summons, demand to appear in court: He was served a process to appear in court.
    THESAURUS
    process v.
    1 to deal with, handle
    2 to convert | treat
    3 to deal with. —n.
    1 a system, plan
    2 the procedure
    3 the transformation of.
procession
procession
  1. n.
    1 [C] a parade: A procession of marchers and bands moved down Fifth Avenue.
    2 [U] groups of people, vehicles, etc.: A procession of mourners walked by the casket. -n. [U] adj. processional.
processor
processor
  1. n.
    1 a person, device or business that processes things: My favorite kitchen tool is a food processor.
    2 the central processing unit of a computer: His computer has a powerful processor.
proclaim
proclaim
  1. v. [T]
    1 to declare publicly, make a decree or law: Congress proclaimed July 4 a national holiday.
    2 to announce a decision: The 18-year-old girl proclaimed her independence and left her parents.
proclamation
proclamation
  1. n. a declaration of an event, esp. one made by an elected official: The governor issued a proclamation that the last week in June will be "Protect Wildlife Week."
proclivity
proclivity
  1. n.frml. a tendency: She has a proclivity toward reading books for hours and hours.
procrastinate
procrastinate
  1. v. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to delay, put off s.t.: He procrastinated in making an appointment to see his doctor. -n. [U] procrastination.
procreate
procreate
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to reproduce, have babies: Biologists study how animals procreate. -n. [U] procreation.
procure
procure
  1. v.frml. [T] -cured, -curing, -cures
    1 to obtain, purchase s.t.: The army procures weapons from manufacturers.
    2 to provide people for others' sexual satisfaction,
    THESAURUS
    to pimp: He procures women for male clients. -n. [U] adj. procurement.
procurer
procurer
  1. n.frml.pej. a pimp
prod
prod
  1. n.
    1 a goad, such as a stick or rod-shaped electric device used to make animals or people move: A farmer herded his cattle into the barn with a prod.
    2 fig. a reminder: I gave my friend's memory a prod about returning my tennis racket.v. [I;T] prodded, prodding, prods to urge or goad, to remind: I prodded my friend to return my tennis racket. -n. prodder.
prodigal
prodigal
  1. adj.n.frml. wasteful and extravagant with money: In the Bible, a prodigal son spent all his money and returned as a poor man to his father's house.
prodigious
prodigious
  1. adj.frml.
    1 huge in size or bulk: Their dog consumes prodigious quantities of food every day.
    2 requiring great effort or skill: Building the Panama Canal was a prodigious feat of engineering. -n.frml. [U] prodigiousness.
prodigy
prodigy
  1. n. -gies a genius, s.o. of great ability: She was a child prodigy on the violin.
produce
produce
  1. n. [U] food products, esp. vegetables: Produce, esp. lettuce, is fresh at that market.v. -duced, -ducing, -duces
    1 [T] to create, invent from the mind (write, compose, paint, etc.): The artist produced a beautiful painting.
    2 [T] to bring into being, give birth to: Last year she also produced a baby boy.
    3 [T] to show, bring into view: A police officer stopped a speeding car and asked the driver to produce her driver's license.
    4 [I;T] to manufacture, fabricate: That factory produces shoes.
    5 [T] to achieve results, make happen: His doctor produced a cure for his illness.||A sales representative produced a sales increase.
    6 [T] to organize financing for and present a film or play to the public: That Italian director has produced a lovely movie.
    7 [T] to cause a reaction, stir emotions: His jokes produced laughter from the audience.
    THESAURUS
    produce v.
    1 to make, form | devise, generate
    2 to have
    3 to present, exhibit
    4 to fashion, construct
    5 to bring about, yield
    6 to create, make
    7 to evoke, generate, spark.
producer
producer
  1. n.
    1 a manufacturer: That company is a producer of television sets.
    2 a person or company that funds and presents entertainment: She is a producer of sporting events (movies, theater, etc.).
product
product
  1. n.
    1 anything produced with materials and labor, goods and services: That store sells food products.
    2 the total sum resulting from multiplication: The product of 2 x 2 is 4.
    3 product line: a collection of related goods sold by a business
    THESAURUS
    product
    1 item, merchandise | things for sale.
production
production
  1. n.
    1 [U] the conversion of raw materials, manufacture or assembly of parts and products, into finished goods and services: The production of electronic products is a complex assembly process.
    2 [C] a presentation of a theatrical performance: The Metropolitan Opera's production of Romeo and Juliet was excellent.
    THESAURUS
    production
    1 making, fabrication, creation
    2 staging, presentation.
productive
productive
  1. adj.
    1 producing good results, useful: We had a productive meeting that solved some problems.
    2 producing profits: Buying that house was a productive investment for him.
productivity
productivity
  1. n. [U] the relationship between how many quality products and services each worker or industry can produce in a given time: Computers have greatly increased productivity in business offices.
profane
profane
  1. adj.n.v.frml. [T] -faned, -faning, -fanes disrespectful of God and religion, (syns.) blasphemous, vulgar: That man uses profane language.
profanity
profanity
  1. n. -ties [C;U] vulgar, coarse language: She hurt her foot and yelled profanities.
profess
profess
  1. v.frml. [T]
    1 to claim, say that s.t. is true, esp. when it is false: He professes to be telling the truth, but he isn't.
    2 to state one's belief in a religion
profession
profession
  1. n.
    1 an occupation requiring a specific education: Her profession is accounting.
    2 a declaration, statement that s.t. is true: The criminal's profession of innocence fooled no one.
    THESAURUS
    profession
    1 a career, vocation
    2 an assertion.
professional
professional
  1. adj.
    1 related to a profession: Professional requirements to become a lawyer include going to law school and passing the bar examination.
    2 a person who makes his or her living as an artist or athlete: Professional football players must train hard.n.
    1 a person with proven ability in his or her occupation: She is an excellent office manager; she is a real professional.
    2 a person engaged in a profession, such as law or medicine: The class included college students, bluecollar workers, and professionals.
professionalism
professionalism
  1. n. [U] the qualities of competence and integrity demonstrated by the best people in a field: Professionalism among doctors requires them to learn about the newest medications available. -v. [T] professionalize.
professor
professor
  1. n. a teacher, esp. at the university level; the highest rank among instructors: She is a professor of English at Cornell University. See: teacher, USAGE NOTE.
proficiency
proficiency
  1. n.frml. [C;U] -cies ability to work with skill,
    THESAURUS
    expertise: His proficiency as a surgeon is well-known.
proficient
proficient
  1. adj.frml. skillful, expert: She is proficient at speaking French.
profile
profile
  1. n.
    1 the outline of the face viewed from the side: The mountain's profile looks like a man's face.
    2 a group of characteristics, esp. of a person: The teacher made a profile of the skills needed by a student to write, such as knowing how to write an outline and how to edit one's work.v. [T] -filed, -filing, -files to make a profile: The teacher profiled the student's needs.
profit
profit
  1. n.
    1 money remaining after business expenses are deducted: That business made a $1 million profit last year.
    2 benefit, s.t. useful: There is no profit in drinking too much alcohol.v. [I]
    1 to receive more money than one spends, gain money: She profited from her investments in the stock market.
    2 to benefit from s.t., gain some advantage: I profited from going to the library because I learned something new.
    THESAURUS
    profit n.
    1 a return. Ant. a loss.
    2 gain, an advantage. —v.
    1 to get a good return
    2 to do oneself a favor.
profit sharing
profit sharing
  1. n. [U] an employee benefit of receiving a share of a company's profits: Profit sharing is a process by which a company puts some of its own profits in an employee's account based on a percentage of the employee's salary and years of service.
profitable
profitable
  1. adj.
    1 bringing in more money than is spent: That business became profitable last year.
    2 beneficial, advantageous: We had a profitable time at the conference, because we made some new business contacts.
    THESAURUS
    profitable
    1 lucrative, in the black
    2 productive, worthwhile. Ant. useless.
profiteer
profiteer
  1. n.v. [I] a person or business who tries to make excessive profit by selling s.t. that is in low supply at a high price: A profiteer overcharged people for bottled water and ice after a hurricane polluted the water supply.||He profiteered from the shortage of pure water.
profound
profound
  1. adj.
    1 emotionally deep, heartfelt: I give you my profound thanks for saving my life.
    2 intellectually deep, insightful: A philosopher's profound insights into life inspire his readers. -n. frml. [U] profundity.
profusion
profusion
  1. n. [U] a great amount of s.t., abundance: A profusion of leaves bursts out on trees in the springtime. -adj. profuse.
progeny
progeny
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 children: My wife and I were blessed with progeny; we have three children.
    2 offspring (of animals or people): That grandmother's progeny now includes 50 children and grandchildren.
prognosis
prognosis
  1. n. -ses
    1 a prediction or forecast: The prognosis for the economy is uncertain.
    2 (in medicine) a doctor's opinion of how a patient's disease will end: The prognosis for the cancer patient is that he has six months to live.
program
program
  1. n.
    1 any organized plan to accomplish a goal: Many government programs, such as mortgage interest deduction, help the wealthy.
    2 a television or radio show: Most news programs include weather reports.
    3 a written schedule of events such as for a church, sports, or theatrical event: All the actors' names were listed in the program.
    4 a set of coded instructions telling a computer how to process information: This program lets you make three-dimensional drawings on your computer.v. [T] -grammed, -gramming, -grams
    1 to make up a schedule, include s.t. in a program: An organizer programmed meetings for a conference.
    2 to write a set of instructions for a computer: She knows how to program in several computer languages.
    3 to give instructions to a computer: I programmed my VCR to taperecord the football game.
    THESAURUS
    program n.
    1 a plan, scheme
    2 a production, presentation
    3 an outline | agenda, timetable | syllabus. —v.
    1 to schedule, organize, set up s.t.
program director
program director
  1. n. a person who selects and organizes programs for radio and television
programmed
programmed
  1. adj. coded with instructions on what to do: That thermostat is programmed to keep the temperature at 70 degrees.
programmer
programmer
  1. n. a person who programs computers: Computer programmers must learn new programs as they appear on the market.
programming
programming
  1. n. [U]
    1 selection and organization of shows for television and radio or other events: She does the programming of children's shows for television.
    2 an act of writing instructions for a computer: His programming experience is in FORTRAN and COBAL.
    3 the set of programs in a computer system: The programming in that computer is old and obsolete.
progress
progress
  1. n. [U] advancement, movement toward a goal: Progress is being made in building a new highway around the city.adj. in progress: underway, happening now: The meeting is in progress now.v. [I] progress
    1 to move ahead: He is progressing nicely in his study of French.
    2 to develop: Her disease has progressed more quickly than the doctors expected.
    THESAURUS
    progress n. headway | improvement, development. —v.
    1 to move along, make headway, proceed
    2 to advance.
progression
progression
  1. n. [U]
    1 a series of related events: A progression of disagreements has led to war between those nations.
    2 (in mathematics) an increase in a series of numbers or symbols: Population is increasing in that country in a geometric progression.
progressive
progressive
  1. adj.
    1 related to making changes or reforming old ways,
    THESAURUS
    alternative: She attended a new, progressive, school, where grades were optional.
    2 increasing in number: Progressive economic sanctions against a government forced it to cooperate with other nations.
    3 moving forward —n. a person who believes in reform of government, education, etc.: She is a progressive in politics and a member of the Progressive Party. See: Democratic Party, USAGE NOTE.
prohibit
prohibit
  1. v. [T]
    1 to ban by order or law: The law prohibits people from killing each other.
    2 to prevent from happening, block: A severe storm prohibited people from going to work. -adj. prohibitive.
    THESAURUS
    prohibit
    1 to forbid, not allow. Ants. to permit, allow.
    2 to stop, preclude. Ant. to let.
prohibition
prohibition
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a ban, a law against s.t.: There is a prohibition against owning a pistol without a license.
    2 [C] the outlawing of manufacture and drinking of alcoholic beverages: Prohibition was repealed in the USA in 1933. -n. Prohibitionist.
prohibitively
prohibitively
  1. adv. making s.t. impossible: Those medications are prohibitively expensive; no one can afford them.
project
project
  1. n. a specific task, piece of work: His current project is to build a garage next to his house.v. project
    1 [I] to stretch out beyond a surface: The balcony projects out beyond the wall of the house.
    2 [T] to estimate s.t. in the future, predict: The government projects that the defense budget will increase by 20%.
    3 [T] to shine an image against a surface: A movie projector projects a film onto a screen.
    4 frml. [T] to move outward: The rocket projected the space vehicle into orbit.
    THESAURUS
    project n. an undertaking | job, an assignment. —v.
    1 to stick out, jut out, protrude
    2 to forecast, extrapolate
    4 to propel, thrust.
projectile
projectile
  1. n. an object thrown through space: Spears, bullets, and rocks are types of projectiles.
projection
projection
  1. n.
    1 [C] anything that projects, extends out: A balcony forms a projection beyond the wall of a house.
    2 [U] showing a film on a screen: Projection of the movie began at 8:00 P.M.
    3 [U] frml. movement of s.t. through the air: Projection of the satellite into space took place yesterday.
    4 [C] an estimate or prediction of future performance: The staff discussed the projection for next year's sales.
projector
projector
  1. n. a type of camera with a strong light used to shine films onto screens: A movie projector can show a movie on a screen far away.
proletariat
proletariat
  1. n. [U]
    1 workers without property and with only labor to sell: Members of the proletariat work in factories.
    2 ordinary people: Communist literature refers to the proletariat of society. -n. proletarian.
proliferate
proliferate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to increase in number rapidly, multiply: Rabbits proliferate when they have plenty of food.
    2 to spread rapidly and widely: Influenza proliferated throughout the country. -n. [U] proliferation.
prolific
prolific
  1. adj.frml.
    1 having many children: Mice are prolific breeders.
    2 creating a lot of work, productive: Some prolific authors write dozens of books.
prologue
prologue
  1. n. a written or spoken introduction: The book (play, poem) has a short prologue written by the author.
prolong
prolong
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make s.t. take longer, delay: Two countries prolonged signing an agreement until details could be agreed on.
    2 to sustain, keep going: The doctor prolonged his patient's life for many years by curing her cancer early. -n. [C;U] prolongation.
prom
prom
  1. n. a dance usu. in formal dress at a high school: He took his girlfriend to the senior prom.
promenade
promenade
  1. n.
    1 a walkway, a special area for walking: A wide promenade allows many people to walk at the same time.
    2 frml. a walk, stroll: We took a promenade along the canal after Sunday dinner.
prominence
prominence
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 being well known and respected,
    THESAURUS
    renown: The lawyer reached a position of prominence in her profession at an early age.
    2 frml. consequence, s.t. of importance: An item of prominence on the conference agenda was infant health care.
prominent
prominent
  1. adj.
    1 well-known and respected: She is a prominent lawyer in Houston.
    2 important, s.t. that stands out: A prominent point in the negotiations was agreeing on the selling price.
promiscuous
promiscuous
  1. adj. having sex with many people: That man is promiscuous; he's with a different woman every night. -n. [U] promiscuity.
promise
promise
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a commitment: She made a promise to repay the loan in a week.
    2 [U] to hold or have promise: to show signs or hope that s.t. good will result: That new business holds promise of becoming a giant some day.v. -mised, -mising, -mises
    1 [I;T] to commit to s.t.: He promised to repay the loan next week.
    2 [T] to indicate success in the future: That new business promises to be big.
    THESAURUS
    promise n.
    1 a pledge, vow, oath. —v.
    1 to pledge, vow, swear an oath
    2 to show signs of being, look like s.t. will be.
promising
promising
  1. adj. presenting hope, success for the future: That new business looks promising.
promissory note
promissory note
  1. n. an agreement to repay a loan: I signed a promissory note from the bank to repay $1,000 in a year.
promo
promo
  1. n.infrml. short for promotion, advertisement of products and services —adj.infrml. short for promotional: Our ad agency wrote promo copy for our newspaper ads.
promontory
promontory
  1. n. -ries a piece of land with a cliff extending into an ocean or lake: That promontory overlooks the ocean below.
promote
promote
  1. v. [T] -moted, -moting, -motes
    1 to advance in rank, give s.o. a better job: Her boss promoted her to supervisor in accounting.
    2 to make known to the public, advertise goods and services: The marketing department promoted our new product in television commercials.
    3 to support, propose, esp. for the public good: The mayor promoted the idea of building a new sports stadium in the city. -adj. promotable.
promoter
promoter
  1. n. a person who advertises and invests in promoting, such as in real estate, securities, and sporting events: That fellow is a promoter of boxing events.
promotion
promotion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] movement to a new and better job: He got a promotion to head of marketing.
    2 [U] making s.t. known to the public, advertising: The promotion of our new product was done by an ad agency.
    THESAURUS
    promotion
    1 an advancement. Ant. a demotion.
    2 publicity, marketing.
promotional
promotional
  1. adj. related to advertising: Our staff produced promotional brochures.
prompt
prompt
  1. adj.
    1 on time, punctual: He was prompt; he arrived at noon, as planned.
    2 quick, done without delay: I received a prompt response to my letter. -adv. promptly.v.
    1 [T] to cause s.o. to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to prod: The forecast of rain prompted me to bring my umbrella.
    2 [I;T] to provide an entertainer with forgotten lines: The director prompted the actor when he forgot his lines. -n. [U] promptness.
prompting
prompting
  1. n.
    1 a reminder, prod: That student needs prompting to finish her homework.
    2 giving forgotten words to an entertainer: That actor keeps forgetting his lines and needs prompting.
prone
prone
  1. adj.
    1 lying face down,
    THESAURUS
    prostrate: The police found him in a prone position with a knife in his back.
    2 lying flat: He is lying prone on the ground.
    3 inclined toward, likely to do s.t.: He is prone to forgetting his car keys.
prong
prong
  1. n.v. [T] a thin rod,
    THESAURUS
    a tine: Forks have prongs for spearing food.
pronoun
pronoun
  1. n. (in grammar) a word used in place of a noun: "I, you, he, she, it, we," and "they" are personal pronouns.
pronounce
pronounce
  1. v. [T] -nounced, -nouncing, -nounces
    1 to speak, utter words; to speak correctly: She pronounces her words clearly.
    2 to state s.t. as true: A doctor pronounced the patient dead this morning.
    THESAURUS
    pronounce
    1 to enunciate, articulate
    2 to declare, proclaim.
pronounced
pronounced
  1. adj. noticeable, large: She speaks with a pronounced French accent.
pronouncement
pronouncement
  1. n.frml. a public declaration, formal statement: The mayor made a pronouncement that the city budget must be reduced.
pronto
pronto
  1. adv.infrml. fast, quickly: You had better do your homework, pronto!
pronunciation
pronunciation
  1. n. [U]
    1 the way in which a word should be spoken: The pronunciation of words is listed in the dictionary.
    2 how correctly one pronounces words: Her pronunciation is good, but she has a slight accent.
proof
proof
  1. n.
    1 [U] evidence that s.t. is true, such as documentation or eyewitness accounts: The lawyer presented proof to the jury of two eyewitnesses who saw the accused commit the theft.
    2 [C] a sample, such as of printed matter or a photograph made before the finished product: The printer sent proofs of the brochure for correction.
    3 [U] the amount of alcohol in beer or liquor: Eighty proof means that the liquor is 40% alcohol.
    4 [C] an uncirculated coin: He bought some proof coins directly from the mint.v. [I;T] to examine a proof for errors: He proofed the brochure for mistakes and sent it back to the printer.
    THESAURUS
    proof n.
    1 verification, testimony | data, facts
    2 a demo, draft, trial version.
proofread
proofread
  1. v. [I;T] -read , -reading, -reads to examine s.t. printed for mistakes, and correct it: Proofreaders proofread the newspaper before it is printed. See: edit.
prop
prop
  1. n.
    1 a support, such as a pole or piece of wood, used to hold up s.t. else: A worker put a prop against the wall of the tunnel to keep it from falling.
    2 a piece of scenery used in theatrical performances: Workers changed the props between the acts of the play.
    3 prop or prop jet: a small airplane: She makes business trips in her company's prop jet.phrasal v. sep. [T] propped, propping, props to prop s.t. up: to support, keep s.t. from falling: The government props up the prices of farm products to support farmers' incomes.||It props them up.
propaganda
propaganda
  1. n. information made public, esp. by a government, to persuade people that s.t. is true and worthy of support: During the war, the government published propaganda about victories of the troops when, in fact, they were losing battles. -v. [I;T] propagandize.
propagate
propagate
  1. v. -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 [I;T] to breed, reproduce and spread: Plants propagated near the pond and gradually covered it over.
    2 [T] to transmit, make public: The church propagates its religious message to the world. -n. [U] propagation.
propane
propane
  1. n. [U] adj. a gas used as a fuel: He burns propane (or) propane gas in his stove.
propel
propel
  1. v. [T] -pelled, -pelling, -pels to move s.t. with force, thrust: A volcano erupted and propelled rocks high into the sky.
propellent
propellent
  1. n. [U]
    1 a highly explosive fuel: Rocket propellent can be dangerously explosive.
    2 a gas under pressure used to propel another chemical: Some propellents used in spray cans are harmful to the atmosphere.
propeller
propeller
  1. n. a rotor with curved blades used to propel a ship or aircraft: The propellers of many airplanes have two, three, or four blades on each engine.
propensity
propensity
  1. n.frml. -ties a tendency, habit: He has a propensity for drinking too much alcohol. -v.frml. [I] propend.
proper
proper
  1. adj.
    1 correct, right as to how to do s.t.: The proper way to fix that engine is to overhaul it completely, not tinker with it.
    2 having good manners, correct behavior: She is proper in the way she behaves.
    3 suitable, not inferior: In this rainy climate, you have to have a proper raincoat and boots.
    4 in a specific area, not outside it: She lives in Paris proper, not in the suburbs. -adv. properly.
property
property
  1. n. [C;U] -ties
    1 physical objects owned by s.o.: His personal property consists of clothes, a wallet, and a watch.
    2 land and buildings, real estate: She owns property in California.
    3 a characteristic, trait: Chemicals have certain properties, like cleaners that dissolve grease.
property tax
property tax
  1. n. a tax by a government on real estate and other possessions (boats, cars): The property tax in rich neighborhoods is high.
prophecy
prophecy
  1. n. -cies a prediction, foretelling of the future: A prophet made a prophecy that the kingdom would fall.
prophesy
prophesy
  1. v. [I;T] -sied, -sying, -sies to predict, foretell the future: A wise man prophesied that I will be happy soon.
prophet
prophet
  1. n. a religious person who predicts the future and provides religious teaching: Daniel was one of the great prophets in the Bible. -n. prophetess.
prophetic
prophetic
  1. adj. related to predicting the future, esp. by inspiration of God: She made a prophetic prediction that a woman would soon become President.
prophylactic
prophylactic
  1. n. a barrier contraceptive, such as a condom: He uses a prophylactic when he has sex so that his wife does not become pregnant.
propitious
propitious
  1. adj.
    1 favorable, likely to succeed: He looked for a propitious moment to ask his girlfriend to marry him.
    2 lucky, fortunate: My meeting that woman on the bus today was propitious since she offered me a job.
proponent
proponent
  1. n.frml. a supporter, s.o. who favors s.t.: That Senator is a proponent of lowering taxes.
proportion
proportion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] balance and harmony of s.t., the relationship of one part of s.t. to another part in size and shape: That artist draws people out of proportion, with big heads and little bodies.
    2 [U] a ratio, percentage of s.t.: A large proportion of her salary goes to paying taxes.
    3 fig. a sense of proportion: common sense, being reasonable: She takes her work seriously but has a sense of proportion and has fun, too.
    4 to blow s.t. out of proportion: to exaggerate the importance of s.t.: When she didn't want to see him yesterday, he blew it out of proportion and became angry. -adj. proportional.
proportionate
proportionate
  1. adj. in the correct proportion: They are equal partners, so each receives a proportionate share—one half—of the company's profits.
proposal
proposal
  1. n.
    1 an offer: A competitor made a proposal to buy my business.
    2 an offer of marriage: She accepted his (marriage) proposal.
    3 s.t. that is suggested as a possible plan
    THESAURUS
    proposal
    1 a proposition
    3 a presentation | an invitation.
propose
propose
  1. v. -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 [I] to suggest, recommend: I propose that we go to the beach this weekend.
    2 [T] to offer marriage: He proposed that they get married.
    THESAURUS
    propose
    1 to put s.t. forward
    2 to ask for s.o.'s hand, pop the question infrml.
proposition
proposition
  1. n.
    1 an offer, esp. in business: She made a proposition to buy my company.
    2 an offer and request for sex: He made her a proposition.v. [T]
    1 to make a business offer: They propositioned their competitors about merging with them.
    2 to request sex: He propositioned her with promises of exotic vacations and beautiful clothes.
proprietary
proprietary
  1. adj. owned privately by a person or company: Ownership of the restaurant name McDonald's™ is proprietary.
proprietor
proprietor
  1. n.frml. the owner of a business, such as a shop or restaurant: The proprietor of that shoe store waits on customers himself.
propriety
propriety
  1. n. -ties [U] correct behavior, good manners: The children observed the propriety of the church service and behaved themselves.
propulsion
propulsion
  1. n. [U] a system used to start an object in motion and keep it moving: Jet engines are the type of propulsion used on most commercial airplanes.
prorate
prorate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to divide or distribute (esp. expenses) proportionately: I moved into the apartment on June 15, so the landlord prorated the month's rent and I paid him $400, instead of $800. -adj. proratable; -n. [U] proration.
prosaic
prosaic
  1. adj.frml. dull, ordinary: Cleaning the house and washing dishes are prosaic but necessary chores.
proscribe
proscribe
  1. v. [T] -scribed, -scribing, -scribes
    1 to prohibit, forbid
    2 to banish, legally force s.o. away: The radical was proscribed by the government and forced to leave the country. -n. [U] proscription.
prose
prose
  1. n. [U] written or spoken language that is not poetry: Novels and essays are written in prose.
prosecute
prosecute
  1. v. [I;T] -cuted, -cuting, -cutes to begin and carry through a lawsuit against s.o.: The government prosecuted the criminal.
prosecution
prosecution
  1. n. [U] the person starting a lawsuit, (the plaintiff) and his or her lawyer(s): The prosecution is pursuing a legal action against a company for polluting a river.
prosecutor
prosecutor
  1. n. the lawyer for the plaintiff: A public prosecutor brings lawsuits on behalf of the citizens of the district.
proselytize
proselytize
  1. v.frml. [I;T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to try to persuade s.o. to change (their religion, political party, etc.): Political candidates proselytized among workers to vote for them. -n. proselyte.
prospect
prospect
  1. v. [I;T] to explore, search: Many people prospected for gold in California in the 1850s.n.
    1 [C] a possibility of success in the future,
    THESAURUS
    an expectation: She looks forward to the prospect of being accepted at her favorite college.
    2 [U] anticipation of a future event: The prospect of having to attend a funeral is an unpleasant one.
    3 [C] a candidate for a purpose, such as becoming an employee or customer: That company is a good prospect for buying our product.pl. good prospects: a very good chance for a successful future: With a law degree and a bright mind, she has good prospects for a fine career as a lawyer.
prospective
prospective
  1. adj.
    1 anticipated in the future, likely to happen: His prospective employment with that company will be decided next week.
    2 being a candidate for s.t.: The owner shows her house to prospective buyers.
prospectus
prospectus
  1. n. -es (in finance) a written, official statement that describes a security (stock, bond) or other commercial venture to prospective buyers: That stock prospectus is so difficult to read that it is boring.
prosper
prosper
  1. v. [I] to grow in wealth,
    THESAURUS
    to flourish: Farmers prosper when good weather produces large crops.
prosperity
prosperity
  1. n. [U] a good economic period: After the war ended, a period of prosperity began.
prosperous
prosperous
  1. adj. successful in business, flourishing: That family grew prosperous as its business grew.
prosthesis
prosthesis
  1. n. -ses (in medicine) an artificial limb (hand, arm, leg, etc.): The doctor fitted the man with a prosthesis after his hand had been chopped off.
prostitute
prostitute
  1. n. a person who performs sexual acts for another person for pay: Prostitutes walk the streets at night looking for customers.v. [T] -tuted, -tuting, -tutes
    1 to perform sex for pay: She prostituted herself to buy food for her children.
    2 fig. to use s.t. for a low purpose,
    THESAURUS
    to debase: He prostituted his talents as a top lawyer by working for criminals.
prostitution
prostitution
  1. n. [U] performance of sexual acts for pay: Prostitution is called the world's oldest profession.
prostrate
prostrate
  1. adj.
    1 lying flat, face down in defeat, illness, or prayer: The dog was prostrate on the ground.
    2 completely exhausted: The runner was prostrate after racing in the heat.v. [T] -trated, -trating, -trates to lie face down: He prostrated himself in fear before the king. -n. [U] prostration.
protagonist
protagonist
  1. n.frml. the leading character in a play or novel: The protagonist is a wealthy woman whose children hurt her.
protect
protect
  1. v. [T] to defend against harm or loss: She protected her face from the sun with a hat.
    THESAURUS
    protect to shield, guard. Ants. to expose | attack.
protection
protection
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 action taken against harm or loss, a defense: He used a sunscreen as protection against the sun's rays.
    2 slang money paid to gangsters for not harming one's business: The owner of that bar pays the mob thousands of dollars for protection.
protective
protective
  1. adj.
    1 having an attitude of defense: He is very protective of his privacy and won't talk about himself.
    2 sheltering, concerned for the safety of s.o.: She is so protective of her children that she won't allow them to play alone in the yard.
protector
protector
  1. n.
    1 a person who defends s.o. else: A parent is a child's protector.
    2 a covering for sensitive body parts: That hockey goalie wears a face protector.
protectorate
protectorate
  1. n. a nation protected by a more powerful one: That island kingdom is a protectorate of Great Britain.
protein
protein
  1. n. [C;U] a substance, such as found in meat or fish, used by an animal's body: Humans must eat foods that contain protein to stay healthy.
protest
protest
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to complain, object to s.t. as wrong, unfair, untrue, etc.: She protested about not receiving a salary increase.
    2 to demonstrate in opposition to s.t.: Workers protested against wage cuts at a rally.n. a complaint, objection: The workers' union lodged a protest with management over medical benefits.
protocol
protocol
  1. n. acceptable practices in doing business, rules of behavior followed by diplomats: Protocol demands that the Queen sit at the head of the table.
proton
proton
  1. n. a fundamental part of each atom's nucleus
protoplasm
protoplasm
  1. n. [U] a sticky liquid present in all living things: Protoplasm carries food into and waste out of human cells.
prototype
prototype
  1. n. a working model of a machine or other object used to test it before producing the final version: A car manufacturer built a prototype of an electric car.
protozoa
protozoa
  1. n.pl. a tiny, single-celled organism: Protozoa are among the simplest forms of life. -adj. protozoan.
protracted
protracted
  1. adj. spread out over time, lengthy, usu. unnecessarily so: After protracted negotiations, the two governments signed a peace treaty. -v. [T] protract; n. [U] protraction.
protractor
protractor
  1. n. A semicircular device that is used to measure angles: Using a protractor, she found that the angle measured 43 degrees.
protrude
protrude
  1. v.frml. [I] -truded, -truding, -trudes to stick out, extend beyond s.t.: His fat belly protruded over his belt. -n. [C;U] protrusion.
protégé
protégé
  1. n. (French for) a person encouraged, taught, and protected by a more powerful one: Her assistant is her protégé, whom she taught to speak English.
proud
proud
  1. adj.
    1 pleased, satisfied with an accomplishment: She was proud that she had won the race.
    2 dignified, showing selfesteem: That family is too proud to accept money from charity, even though they are very poor.
    3 arrogant, rude: He is too proud to be a good friend to anyone. See: pride.
prove
prove
  1. v.
    1 [T] to show that s.t. is true or genuine: He proved how old he was by showing his driver's license.
    2 [I] to result in: His guess that it would rain today proved to be correct.
    THESAURUS
    prove
    1 to validate, verify. Ant. to disprove.
    2 to turn out.
proven
proven
  1. adj. shown to be true or correct: She has proven ability as a lawyer.
proverb
proverb
  1. n. a short saying rich in meaning: "Man's best friend is his dog" is a proverb.
proverbial
proverbial
  1. adj.frml. well-known, widely accepted as true; like a proverb: Like the proverbial "man's best friend," his dog saved him from dying in a fire.
provide
provide
  1. v. -vided, -viding, -vides
    1 [T] to supply, furnish s.t.: Parents provide their children with food, clothing, and shelter.
    2 [I] to care for s.o.: They provide for their child.
    3 [I] to prepare for a present or future need: She provides for her future by saving money each month.
    4 [T] to require, esp. in a contract or by law: That lease provides that the rent must be paid on the first of the month.
Providence
Providence
  1. n.frml. [U] the love given by God to the universe: He prayed for divine Providence to help him solve his problems. -adj. provident; providential.
province
province
  1. n.
    1 a governmental area, similar to states in the USA, into which many countries are divided: Ontario and Quebec are two large provinces in Canada.
    2 the areas of a country away from the capital
    3 frml. one's area of interest or responsibility: Handling the family money is his wife's province. -adj. provincial.
proving ground
proving ground
  1. n.fig. a place or job used to test the abilities of people: Working in the sales department is a proving ground for promotion into management.
provision
provision
  1. n.
    1 [C] a part of a contract, a clause: A provision in that contract calls for half payment at the time of signing it.
    2 [U] frml. a preparation for the future: She made provision for her retirement by saving money while she worked.pl.frml. a supply of food: A hunter bought provisions for the winter. -n. provisioner.
provisional
provisional
  1. adj. temporary, s.t. used until s.t. else can be done: A provisional government runs the country until a permanent one can be formed.
proviso
proviso
  1. n.frml. a provision, s.t. that must be done: I agreed to buy the car with the proviso that the dealer provided the loan for it.
provocation
provocation
  1. n.frml. [C;U] an insult, a reason to protest or fight: A provocation is when one calls someone a liar.
provocative
provocative
  1. adj.
    1 making s.o. angry: Her provocative insults made him furious.
    2 arousing sexual desire: He had a sexy deep voice, which she found provocative.
provoke
provoke
  1. v. [T] -voked, -voking, -vokes
    1 to make s.o. angry: He provokes her by telling her that she is too fat.
    2 to cause a response,
    THESAURUS
    to incite: His remarks about her weight provoked her into telling him to shut up.
provolone
provolone
  1. n. [U] a mild, white cheese: He ordered a pizza with provolone cheese.
provost
provost
  1. n. the second in command below a college president: The provost runs the college on a day-to-day basis.
prow
prow
  1. n. the front part of a ship: The prow splashed up and down in the high waves.
prowess
prowess
  1. n. [U] fighting ability in battle, sports, etc.: She showed her prowess on the basketball court by scoring 35 points for our team.
prowl
prowl
  1. v. [I;T] to search secretively, hunt quietly: Cats prowled for mice in the cellar.n. on the prowl: to look secretively for a victim: At night, criminals are on the prowl for people to rob.
prowler
prowler
  1. n. a person, esp. a criminal, looking for a victim: A prowler walked through our backyard last night.
proximity
proximity
  1. n.frml. [U] nearness, closeness: The hotel's proximity to the airport made it easy to catch our flight home. -adj.frml. proximate.
proxy
proxy
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a document one person signs giving permission for s.o. else to vote on his or her behalf: He had a proxy from his client to vote at the stockholders' meeting.
    2 [C] a person acting as a proxy: My wife acted as my proxy at the vote at our church.
prude
prude
  1. n. a person who is easily shocked, prissy, esp. at the bad behavior of others: She acts like a prude when anyone tells a dirty joke. -adj. prudish.
prudence
prudence
  1. n. [U] care, planning to avoid a mistake: She used prudence by not investing her savings in risky ventures. -adj. prudent.
prune
prune
  1. v. [T] pruned, pruning, prunes
    1 to cut off parts of plants,
    THESAURUS
    to trim: She prunes her rose bushes to make them produce more flowers.
    2 fig. to cut back, reduce: That company pruned its expenses.n. a dried plum: He eats prunes with his cereal for breakfast.
pry
pry
  1. v. pried, prying, pries
    1 [I;T] to loosen or open s.t. with force: He pried off the top of a paint can with a screwdriver.
    2 [I] to be nosey, look into s.o. else's personal life closely: He pried into his daughter's love life so closely that she stopped telling him anything.
psalm
psalm
  1. n.v. [T] a sacred hymn or song: The book of Psalms is in the Old Testament. -n. psalmist; Psalter.
pseudo-
pseudo-
  1. prefix false, fake: Advertisers use pseudo-scientific terms to sell products.
pseudonym
pseudonym
  1. n. a make-believe name that substitutes for one's real name: The author whose real name was Samuel Clemens wrote novels under the pseudonym of Mark Twain.
psoriasis
psoriasis
  1. n. [U] a skin disease that forms itchy, red patches
psych
psych
  1. v.infrml. [T]
    1 to be enthusiastic, very excited about s.t.: She is really psyched about her new job.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to psych s.o. out: to intimidate, defeat s.o. mentally: That wrestler is so huge that he psyches out his opponents and they lose.||He psyches them out.n. short for psychology
psyche
psyche
  1. n. the human mind or spirit: An actor tries to show us the psyche of the character he plays.
psychedelic
psychedelic
  1. adj. related to drugs that produce hallucinations or to the culture of illegal drugs: Her walls were covered with psychedelic posters.
psychiatry
psychiatry
  1. n. [U] the branch of medicine that deals with mental diseases: That hospital has doctors who practice psychiatry. -n. psychiatrist.
psychic
psychic
  1. adj.
    1 related to the mind: The tragedy caused him great psychic distress.
    2 related to events that science cannot explain: Psychic phenomena include finding lost people through mental telepathy.n. a person with psychic powers: A psychic pictured woods in her mind and the police found the lost little girl there.
psycho
psycho
  1. n.pej. short for psychopath
psychoanalysis
psychoanalysis
  1. n. [U] a method of dealing with mental problems -n. psychoanalyst ; -v. [T] psychoanalyze.
psychology
psychology
  1. n. -gies [U]
    1 study of human and animal behavior: She is fascinated by the psychology of cats.
    2 the science of the mind: She studied psychology in college.
    3 use of psychological principles in changing behavior: She used psychology to get her boy to stop crying. -adj. psychological ; -n. psychologist.
psychopath
psychopath
  1. n. a person with mental illness and bad behavior toward others: That psychopath yells at people on the street.
psychosis
psychosis
  1. n. -choses a severe mental illness: Paranoia is a psychosis in which a person thinks others are trying to hurt him when they are not.
psychosomatic
psychosomatic
  1. adj. of illness caused by a person's mind, not body: He worries so much that a psychosomatic reaction makes his stomach ache.
psychotherapist
psychotherapist
  1. n. a person trained in psychology and treatment of mental disorders, but who is not a medical doctor: She visited her psychotherapist twice each week for two months.
psychotherapy
psychotherapy
  1. n. -pies [U] a method of treatment for emotional and other troubles by talking to a trained psychotherapist
psychotic
psychotic
  1. adj. related to psychosis, mental illness: The man's psychotic behavior of shouting threats frightens people.n. a psychotic person
pterodactyl
pterodactyl
  1. n. a type of ancient bird: Pterodactyls flew in the sky millions of years ago. See: dinosaur.
ptomaine poisoning
ptomaine poisoning
  1. n. [U] severe illness caused by bacteria from bad food: My brother had ptomaine poisoning.
pub
pub
  1. n. a bar that often serves simple food: She went to a pub for a hamburger and beer. See: bar, USAGE NOTE.
puberty
puberty
  1. n. [U] sexual maturity, the stage of human growth when a girl can have a baby and a boy can father one: Puberty usually occurs around the age of 13.
pubescent
pubescent
  1. adj.frml. having reached sexual maturity: Some youngsters develop pimples as they become pubescent. -n. frml. [U] pubescence.
pubic
pubic
  1. adj. (in medicine) related to the pubes, lower abdomen: Pubic hair starts to grow on the genitals around age 11.
public
public
  1. n. [U]
    1 the people and area outside one's house, in the community: She never goes out in public without wearing makeup.
    2 the citizens, the people of a local area, state, or country: The President asked Congress to support his tax cut program.
    3 admirers of a famous person: The singer thanked her public for their applause.adj.
    1 related to the community and people: The government spends money on public building projects such as bridges and prisons.
    2 meant for use by the people: People have fun walking and playing in public parks.
    3 to go public: a. to reveal a secret or s.t. personal to the community: A government employee went public by talking to reporters about the theft of government property. b. (in finance) to offer a stock to the public: That company was privately owned, then went public by offering shares on the open market.
    4 to make s.t. public: to tell s.t. to people: A famous singer made public her plans to marry.
public access
public access
  1. n. a state of being open to the public: Public access to the building was denied by the police because of a bomb threat.
public assistance
public assistance
  1. n. welfare, government programs to give food, shelter, and medical care to poor people: After he lost his job, he had to go on public assistance to get food for his children.
public defender
public defender
  1. n. a lawyer hired by the state to defend poor people: She was poor and needed a public defender to defend her in court.
public domain
public domain
  1. n. [U] s.t. belonging to the public, out of copyright: A publication, esp. a book, goes into the public domain when its copyright expires.
public school
public school
  1. n. a neighborhood school free to students and paid for by tax dollars: My son has attended public school since the age of five. Compare: private school. See: coed, USAGE NOTE.
public service
public service
  1. n. [U] government employment: People who work for the government work in public service.
public television
public television
  1. n. [U] nonprofit television that shows mainly educational programs, specialized entertainment, and news not found on commercial television: Public television broadcasts wonderful nature programs.
publication
publication
  1. n.
    1 [C] a book, magazine, newspaper, etc.: She reads all the publications in the field of medicine.
    2 [U] an act of publishing s.t.: Publication of the novel will take place next month.
publicist
publicist
  1. n. a person who talks to the media for politicians, artists, etc. to make them famous: She is a publicist who works for many musicians.
publicity
publicity
  1. n. [U] information given in the media (TV, newspapers, etc.) that creates public interest in a person or product: A famous boxer received a lot of publicity when he was sent to jail. -v. [T] publicize .
    THESAURUS
    publicity coverage, reporting | promotion.
publish
publish
  1. v. [T] -es to print and distribute s.t. to the public: That newspaper publishes daily and weekend editions.
publisher
publisher
  1. n.
    1 a business that prints and sells newspapers, books, magazines, videos, etc., to the public: He works for a textbook publisher in San Francisco.
    2 a person who runs a publication: She is the publisher of a magazine for lawyers.
pucker
pucker
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to bring s.t. together so that folds or wrinkles are formed: This cheap jacket puckers at the shoulders.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to pucker up: to pucker one's lips and to kiss: She told him to pucker up and give her a kiss.
pudding
pudding
  1. n. [C;U] a sweet, smooth, dessert made with eggs and milk: We had chocolate pudding for dessert.
puddle
puddle
  1. n.v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles a small, temporary pool of water: There were puddles of water on the street after it rained.
pudgy
pudgy
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest chubby, fat: That pudgy little boy eats too much ice cream.
pueblo
pueblo
  1. n. -los
    1 (Spanish for) a community, esp. in the American Southwest: This pueblo in Arizona is known for making fine silver jewelry.
    2 the adobe buildings in a pueblo: Some Native American pueblos were built hundreds of years ago.
puerile
puerile
  1. adj.frml. childish, foolish: His puerile remarks annoyed everyone.
puff
puff
  1. v.
    1 [I] to blow air, such as through the lips in short bursts: She puffed and puffed after she ran up the hill.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to puff s.t. out: to fill s.t. with air: He puffed out his cheeks and made the kids laugh.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to puff s.t. up: to swell, grow large: Her ankle puffed up after she fell and hurt it.n.
    1 short bursts of air, smoke, clouds, etc.: Puffs of smoke came out of the chimney.
    2 a slight breeze: Light puffs of air cooled me on a hot afternoon. -adj. puffy.
pugilistic
pugilistic
  1. adj.frml. related to fighting and boxing: That boxer has excellent pugilistic skills. -n.frml. [U] pugilism.
pugnacious
pugnacious
  1. adj.frml. wanting to fight,
    THESAURUS
    combative: The pit bull is a nasty, pugnacious dog. -n. frml. [U] pugnacity.
puke
puke
  1. v. [I;T] n. slang to throw up, vomit: He had an upset stomach and puked all night.
pull
pull
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to move s.t. toward one: A horse pulls a plow.||A fisherman pulled on the oars of a boat.
    2 [T] to remove or tear out: A dentist pulled a man's tooth.||She pulled the electrical plug from the socket.
    3 [T] to take s.o. away from an activity: The coach pulled a player from the game.
    4 [T] to show a weapon as a threat: A robber pulled a gun on me and took my money.
    5 infrml.fig. to pull a fast one: to trick s.o., deceive: He pulled a fast one on me by borrowing my tennis racket and never returning it.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to pull away: to leave or go: The boat pulled away from the dock.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to pull back: to retreat, move back: An army pulled back from the battle front.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to pull for s.o.: to show support, cheer: I am pulling for you to pass your exam today.||Sports fans pull for their favorite team.
    9 to pull oneself together: to stop crying, get control of one's emotions: After his mother's funeral, he pulled himself together.
    10 infrml.fig. to pull out all the stops: to try very hard, go to an extreme: The bride's parents pulled out all the stops by giving a roast beef and champagne wedding party.
    11 phrasal v. sep. to pull (s.o. or s.t.) in: a. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to draw in, tug in: A fisher pulled in fish caught in his net. b. [I] to arrive: My train pulled in at 8:09 P.M.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pull s.t. off: to succeed, esp. by doing s.t. difficult: She pulled off a big deal by finding a new job at twice her old salary.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pull s.t. apart: a. to take s.t. apart,
    THESAURUS
    to disassemble: A repairperson pulled the TV apart and fixed it. b. to tear or rip apart: A dog pulled apart an old shoe with his teeth. c. fig. to look for mistakes, find fault with: His boss pulled apart his annual report looking for mistakes.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to pull s.t. down: a. to tear down, demolish: Workers pulled down an old building to make room for a new one. b. infrml.fig. to earn money: She pulls down a big salary as a lawyer.
    15 phrasal v. sep. to pull (s.t.) out: a. [T] s.t.: to take out, use s.t.: He pulled out a knife and opened the box with it. b. [I] to drive a vehicle onto the main road: He pulled out of his driveway onto the street. c. [I;T] to recover, stop doing s.t.: The economy pulled out of the recession and is better now. d. to withdraw, stop participating: He pulled out of a business deal.
    16 phrasal v. sep. to pull s.t. over: a. [T] to put on clothes over one's head: He pulled a sweater over his head. b. [I;T] to drive a car to the side of the road: He pulled (his car) over and stopped for a rest.
    17 phrasal v. sep. to pull s.t. up: a. [T] s.t.: to uproot, tear from s.t.: We pulled up weeds from the garden. b. [I] to arrive somewhere: We pulled up to the red traffic light and stopped the car.
    18 phrasal v. insep. [I] to pull through s.t.: to survive an illness or crisis: She had a heart attack, but pulled through in the hospital.
    19 phrasal v. [I] to pull together: to work as a team: We all pulled together to meet the deadline.n.
    1 a tug, a forceful movement: A fisherman gave his line a pull and hooked a fish.
    2 infrml.fig. to have pull: to have power, influence: Some business leaders have pull with politicians who will do favors for them.
pulley
pulley
  1. n. an apparatus used to lift or lower heavy objects: A farmer used a pulley to pull bales of hay into his barn loft.
pullout
pullout
  1. n.
    1 a move away from s.t., withdrawal: A pullout of troops from the city pleased the citizens.
    2 a foldout as in a book: A map was printed on a pullout in the book.
pullover
pullover
  1. n. a type of sweater without buttons down the front: He put a pullover on in the cold weather.
pulmonary
pulmonary
  1. adj. (in medicine) related to the lungs: The patient's pulmonary function is bad because she has pneumonia.
pulp
pulp
  1. n. [U]
    1 the soft inside of fruits and vegetables: After you squeeze the juice from an orange, pulp is left over.
    2 any thick soup-like mass: Paper is made from wood pulp.v. [T] to crush or mix into a mass: Paper mills pulp wood to make paper.
pulpit
pulpit
  1. n. a high stand or platform in a church: A minister gave a sermon from the pulpit.
pulsar
pulsar
  1. n. a small star that sends out light rays in pulses: The light rays from pulsars are regular like the ticking of a clock.
pulsate
pulsate
  1. v. [I] -sated, -sating, -sates to act with a start-and-stop rhythm,
    THESAURUS
    to throb: Her head is pulsating with pain. -n. [C;U] pulsation.
pulse
pulse
  1. n.
    1 any burst of light, energy, waves, etc.: This machine sends out pulses of sound to find objects underseas.
    2 the rhythm of blood pumped through the blood vessels: The doctor put her fingers on my wrist to feel my pulse.
    3 fig. the rhythm of an activity: The pulse of life in big cities is very fast.v. [I] pulsed, pulsing, pulses to beat rhythmically: Blood pulses through the arteries.
pulverize
pulverize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to crush into dust, make powder: A huge machine pulverized rock into powder.
    2 fig. to defeat s.o. badly: Our basketball team pulverized the other team 105 to 55. -n. [U] pulverization.
puma
puma
  1. n. a cougar, a large wild cat: Cougars are native to the Americas.
pumice
pumice
  1. n. [U] a powder from volcanic rock: Pumice is used to grind and polish things and to soften skin.
pummel
pummel
  1. v.frml. [T] to punch rapidly, beat badly: A boxer pummeled his opponent.
pummeling
pummeling
  1. n. a severe beating: A boy gave another boy a pummeling with his fists.
pump
pump
  1. n.
    1 a machine that forces gases or liquids from one place to another: I used an air pump to fill up my bicycle tire with air.
    2 a type of woman's light shoe: She wore a black dress and pumps to dinner.v. [T]
    1 to use a pump: A worker pumped water out of a flooded cellar.
    2 fig. to supply a lot of s.t.: The government pumped money into building a big dam.
    3 fig. to ask questions, seek information: His friend pumped him for information about what he had done on vacation.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to pump s.o. up: to make s.o. enthusiastic, excited: The football coach pumped up the team before the game.||He pumped them up.||They got pumped up.
pumpernickel
pumpernickel
  1. n. [U] a dark rye bread: She had a ham sandwich on pumpernickel.
pun
pun
  1. n.v. [I] punned, punning, puns a joke using words with similar sounds or two different meanings: A pun is, for example: "I have a weak back that I hurt about a week back"; "weak" and "week" have the same sound but different meanings and "back" means "the human back" and in" the past."
punch line
punch line
  1. n. the line that gives the meaning of a joke or pun: In the pun, "Did you know that I hurt myself and have a weak back?" "No, when did it happen?" "Oh, about a week back!" the punch line is a "week back." See: pun.
punching bag
punching bag
  1. n. a heavy, round sack hung from the ceiling for boxers to practice punching: A boxer pounded the punching bag with his fists.
punchy
punchy
  1. adj.infrml.fig. -ier, -iest weak and confused as from being punched: After staying up all night studying for exams, I felt punchy the next day.
punctilious
punctilious
  1. adj.frml. concerned about very fine points of behavior,
    THESAURUS
    fastidious: He is so punctilious that she never relaxes.
punctual
punctual
  1. adj. arriving or leaving on time, prompt: He was punctual; he arrived at 9:00 on the dot. -n. [U] punctuality.
punctuate
punctuate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to put punctuation marks (commas, semicolons, periods, etc.) in sentences: I punctuated this sentence with a period at the end.
    2 fig. to break a silence with noise: Cries of an owl punctuated the silence of the night.
punctuation
punctuation
  1. n. [U] the use of specific marks to make ideas within writing clear: Her writing is clear and her punctuation is accurate.
punctuation mark
punctuation mark
  1. n. any of a set of marks used in writing to make it clear: Punctuation marks include the comma (,), semicolon (;), and period (.).
puncture
puncture
  1. n. a hole made by s.t. pointed: There is a puncture in my car's front tire.v.
    1 [I;T] to make a hole with a pointed object: A nail has punctured the tire.
    2 [T] to make s.t. go down in size,
    THESAURUS
    to deflate: A needle punctured the balloon.||The funny remark punctured the man's pride.
pundit
pundit
  1. n. an expert, esp. a person of high learning: The pundits said that the economy would go down, but it went up.
pungent
pungent
  1. adj. giving off a strong taste or smell: The pungent smell of spices came from a stew cooking on the stove. -n. [U] pungency.
punish
punish
  1. v. [T] -es to discipline, make s.o. pay for doing s.t. wrong: The father punished his son by sending him to his room early at night.
    THESAURUS
    punish to chastise, rebuke | penalize. Ants. to forgive, excuse.
punishment
punishment
  1. n. [C;U] a payment for doing s.t. wrong,
    THESAURUS
    a penalty: The punishment for stealing is going to jail.
punitive
punitive
  1. adj.frml. punishing s.o. for wrongdoing: A boy would not stop talking in class, so the teacher took punitive action and sent him to the principal's office.
punk
punk
  1. n.
    1 a rough young person, esp. a young man,
    THESAURUS
    a rowdy: Some punks get into fist fights.
    2 a popular culture movement of young people with shocking dress and loud rock music as a protest against middle class life in Britain and the USA: Their son dyed his hair green and played in a punk band.adj. related to punk culture
puny
puny
  1. adj. nier, -niest weak and small: Puppies are puny and blind at birth.
pup
pup
  1. n. short for puppy, a baby dog or seal: Our dog gave birth to three pups today.
puppet
puppet
  1. n. a type of doll moved by fingers, strings, or rods and used as actors in puppet shows: Puppets move and talk in funny ways.
puppeteer
puppeteer
  1. n. an artist who makes puppets behave like actors: Puppeteers make puppets move, talk, and sing.
puppy
puppy
  1. n. -pies a young dog not fully grown: Puppies love to play and eat. See: pup.
puppy love
puppy love
  1. n. a feeling of love, usu. between very young people, that does not last long, <syn.> an infatuation: That little boy has a puppy love for the girl next door.
purchase
purchase
  1. v. [T] -chased, -chasing, -chases to buy s.t., to pay for goods and services: She purchased a new car.n. an act of buying: The purchase of the car took several days of deciding which one to buy. -n. purchaser.
    THESAURUS
    purchase v. to acquire, procure frml., pick up s.t. infrml. Ant. to sell.
purchasing
purchasing
  1. n.
    1 an act of buying: Purchasing a book is one thing; reading it is another.
    2 a department in a business or institution that orders supplies: Purchasing buys paper, pencils, and other office supplies.
purchasing power
purchasing power
  1. n. the value of a country's money and how much it will buy: The purchasing power of the US dollar is strong.
pure
pure
  1. adj. purer, purest
    1 clean, not dirty or polluted: People must have pure water to drink.
    2 not mixed with other things: The dress is made of pure cotton.
    3 total, complete: It was pure luck that he found money lying on the street.
    4 free from badness, sin, or evil: He thinks pure thoughts about blue skies and mountain lakes. -n. [U] purity.
purgative
purgative
  1. n.adj. a laxative: He took a purgative to help him go to the bathroom.
purgatory
purgatory
  1. n. -ries (in Roman Catholicism) a state of punishment after death before going to heaven: Catholic children pray for the souls in purgatory.
purge
purge
  1. v. [T] purged, purging, purges
    1 to clean, make pure: She had dirt in her eye and a nurse purged it with an eye wash.
    2 to remove people, esp. from a government or political party: The party purged itself of its radical members.n. cleansing, the removal of unwanted people: That political party had a purge of members who no longer agreed with its beliefs.
purifier
purifier
  1. n. a machine used to clean air, water, or other substances: A water purifier removes dirt, salt, and other pollutants.
purify
purify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make s.t. clean, pure: An air filter purifies the air of dirt and smoke.
    2 to cleanse of badness, sin, or guilt: He asked God to purify his soul. -n. [U] purification .
    THESAURUS
    purify 1 and 2 to cleanse, clear | disinfect, sanitize. Ant. to contaminate.
purist
purist
  1. n. a person who believes in doing things by strict rules: The teacher is a purist who will speak only French to students, even beginners.
puritanical
puritanical
  1. adj.frml. strict in religious matters and personal behavior: Puritanical behavior includes not smoking, drinking, or dancing.
purple
purple
  1. n.adj. [U]
    1 the color made by mixing red and blue: Purple is an unusual color for a car.
    2 the color worn by royalty and some important clergy: Noblemen in ancient Rome wore robes of purple.
purport
purport
  1. v. [T] n. to give an untrue impression: He gave a story that he purports to be true about where he was when the crime was committed.
purpose
purpose
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a goal, reason: The purpose of going to school is to learn.
    2 on purpose: deliberately, often in a bad way: She stepped on my foot on purpose, not by accident.
    3 with purpose: with a strong desire for success: That politician speaks with purpose about the need to take care of the poor.
    THESAURUS
    purpose
    1 an aim, objective.
purposeful
purposeful
  1. adj. with a goal in mind, dedicated, determined: She studies in a purposeful way to earn her degree.
purr
purr
  1. n. the soft, rhythmic hum made by a happy cat: You can hear the purr of my kitten after she has eaten.v. fig. [I] to make a purring sound: Since a mechanic fixed my car, it really purrs.
purse
purse
  1. n.
    1 a woman's handbag: She keeps her wallet, comb, and cosmetics in her purse.
    2 a wallet or small bag that holds money, credit cards, etc.: He carries only a small coin purse and his keys.
    3 frml. a prize, sum of money to be won: The purses in tennis and golf matches can be large amounts.
    4 infrml. the purse strings: the money: In that family, the mother controls the purse strings and gives money to her husband and children.v. [T] pursed, pursing, purses to gather together into folds or wrinkles,
    THESAURUS
    to pucker: He pursed his lips and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
purser
purser
  1. n. a ship's officer in charge of keeping money safe: A passenger went to the purser's office to cash a check.
pursuant
pursuant
  1. adj.frml. in accordance with, following an agreement, contract, etc.: Pursuant to our contract, the payment for the loan is due on the first of each month.
pursue
pursue
  1. v. [T] -sued, -suing, -sues
    1 to chase, go after s.o. to capture: A police officer pursued the speeding car and stopped it.
    2 to work hard at s.t., strive for: She is pursuing a college degree.
pursuit
pursuit
  1. n.
    1 a chase: A police officer ran down the street in pursuit of the thief.
    2 a career, occupation: Her current pursuit is a career in advertising.
    THESAURUS
    pursuit
    1 a hunt | quest
    2 a venture, interest.
purveyor
purveyor
  1. n.frml. a business, esp. of food products: That big store is a purveyor of foods imported from all over the world. -v. [T] purvey.
purée
purée
  1. n.v. [T] (French for) a food made soft by forcing it through a strainer: He puréed carrots for the baby to eat. -adj. puréed.
pus
pus
  1. n. [U] the white, sticky liquid that forms in an infected wound: A nurse gently cleaned the pus from the injury on my hand.
push
push
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to press on s.t. to move it: He pushed the door open with his hands.||I dialed a telephone number by pushing the buttons on the keypad.
    2 [I;T] to shove, hit hard with the hands: The boy pushed another child to the ground.
    3 [I;T] to hurry, work extra hard: We pushed to finish the job on time.
    4 [I;T] to urge others to cooperate: A politician pushed his party members for a new law against pollution.
    5 infrml.fig. [T] to sell, esp. on a special sale: The supermarket is pushing fresh tomatoes and melons this week.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to push off: a. to leave, depart: Well, it's getting late and I have to push off now. b. to leave by boat: Our ship pushes off at 8:00 A.M. tomorrow.
    7 phrasal v. insep. to push on s.t.: a. [I] to continue a trip or task: We arrived in New York this morning but pushed on to Boston, our destination. b. [T] to press against: He pushed on the door and it opened.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to push s.o. around: to treat s.o. roughly or unfairly: She tries to push the other committee members around.
    9 phrasal v. sep. to push (s.t.) through: a. [I;T] to move through: We pushed through the crowd and out of the sports stadium. b. [T] s.t.: to finish s.t. in a hurry: The legislature pushed through a new law to lower taxes.||They pushed it through.n. -es
    1 pressure or force against s.t.: She gave the door a push to open it.
    2 a shove, an angry thrust of the hands: A man gave another a push and they started to fight.
    3 hard work, a big effort: Our company salespeople made a big push to sell a new product.
    4 when push comes to shove: when it is an important time to act on a difficult decision: When push comes to shove, I can depend on my friend to help me.
pushcart
pushcart
  1. n. a cart that is moved by pushing it by hand, not by a motor: A shopping cart in supermarkets is a pushcart.
pusher
pusher
  1. n.slang a seller of illegal drugs: Police arrested drug pushers on the street.
pushover
pushover
  1. n.infrml.fig.
    1 (in sports) an opponent who is easily beaten: Their team was a pushover and lost by two goals.
    2 s.t. that can be done easily: That exam in math today was a pushover.
    3 s.o. who is very fond of s.o. or s.t.: I'm a pushover for babies in blue blankets.
pushup
pushup
  1. n. an exercise done by lying on the floor and pushing the body up with the arms and hands: Pushups make one's arms and shoulders strong.
pushy
pushy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest aggressive, too demanding of the attention and cooperation of others: He is so pushy that he interrupts other students when they are speaking with the teacher.
pusillanimous
pusillanimous
  1. adj.frml. weak and afraid: That pusillanimous jerk refused to help his neighbors when their house was on fire!
puss
puss
  1. n.infrml. short for
    1 pussycat: See that nice yellow puss sitting in the window?
    2 fig. the human face
pussy
pussy
  1. or pussycat n.infrml. a house cat: A little pussy cat rubbed against my ankle.
pussyfoot
pussyfoot
  1. v.infrml. [I] to act weakly, fearful of making a decision,
    THESAURUS
    to hesitate: He pussyfooted for weeks about where to go on vacation and his wife finally decided for him.
put-down
put-down
  1. n.infrml. an insult, a critical remark: Calling him stupid was quite a put-down.
put-on
put-on
  1. n.infrml. a friendly joke where one pretends s.t. is true: His annoyance with her when she interrupted his conversation was just a put-on to tease her.
put-put
put-put
  1. n.infrml. the sound of a small gasoline engine: I can hear the put-put of her motorboat coming this way.v. [I] to make such a sound: A boat put-putted out in the lake.
put
put
  1. v. put, putting, puts
    1 to place, move s.t.: I put the book on the shelf. || She put her paycheck in the bank.
    2 to cause s.o. to experience s.t.: The doctor put him under observation.
    3 to arrange, organize s.t.: Before going on his trip, he put his affairs in order, like stopping delivery of the newspaper.
    4 to cause problems for others: He put the typist to a lot of trouble by making many changes in a letter he wrote.
    5 to apply, use: She put her knowledge of accounting to use in figuring out her taxes.
    6 to express, say: To put it mildly, the rainy weather has been terrible lately.
    7 phrasal v. to put about: (with boats) to turn, esp. back: We saw a bad storm ahead and we put about for our home port.
    8 phrasal v. insep. to put in for s.t.: to apply, request: A soldier put in for a transfer to another army post.
    9 infrml. to put one's best foot forward: to make one's best effort or appearance: You should dress nicely and put your best foot forward when you go to a job interview.
    10 to put one's mind to: to work hard at s.t.: When she puts her mind to it, she is very helpful in solving problems.
    11 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. away: to send to jail or a mental hospital: His family put away my mentally ill neighbor.
    12 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. or s.t. down: to criticize, say bad things: He puts down his coworkers by saying that they don't know what they are doing.
    13 phrasal v. sep. to put s.t. forth or forward: to offer for consideration, propose: A politician put forth the idea that patriotism is important to the country. || She put it forth.
    14 phrasal v. sep. to put s.t. in: to contribute, pay: We each put in $10 to buy a gift for our friend who is leaving. || We put it in.
    15 to put s.t. in perspective: to be reasonable about s.t., understand and accept s.t.: Hearing of her friend's tragedy helped her put her own problems in perspective.
    16 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. or s.t. off: a. s.o.: to annoy or disgust: His bad manners put off people and they avoid him. b. s.o. or s.t.: to postpone, delay: Our meeting for today was put off until tomorrow. || We put it off.
    17 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. or s.t. on: a. s.o.: to trick or tease s.o. by making believe s.t.: He wasn't being serious; he was just putting her on. b. s.t.: to dress: She put on her coat and hat. || She put them on.
    18 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. or s.t. out: a. s.o.: to annoy, irritate: He was really put out that she did not show up for their date. b. s.t.: to take outside: He put out the trash. c. s.t.: to extinguish a fire: Firefighters put out the fire with a water hose.
    19 phrasal v. sep. to put s.t. over: to trick, deceive: He put one over on his neighbor by borrowing a hammer and never returning it.
    20 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. through s.t.: to cause s.o. to suffer s.t.: His boss put him through a difficult period.
    21 to put to the test: to make s.t. or s.o. perform to see how well they do: She claimed that she could speak Spanish, so the job interviewer put her to the test and started speaking Spanish with her.
    22 phrasal v. to put through: a. to approve, process s.t.: The consulate put through my application for a visa to visit France. b. to connect a telephone call
    23 phrasal v. sep. to put s.o. up: to give s.o. hospitality: They put me up for the weekend when I was in London.
    24 infrml. to put up or shut up: to be willing to support what one says with money or action: You say that you can run faster than anyone else. Well, put up or shut up; let's race for money right now!
    25 phrasal v. insep. to put up with s.o. or s.t.: to tolerate, accept: She puts up with the loud noise of living in the city because the city is so exciting. _adj.
    1 put out: annoyed, irritated with s.o.: I am put out with my friend because he is late again.
    2 put upon: taken advantage of: When her grown son keeps asking her for money, she feels put upon.
    3 to stay put: not to move, stay still: I told my friend to stay put while I went to the store to buy food.
putrid
putrid
  1. adj.frml.
    1 rotten, badly spoiled: Food left in the sun has turned putrid.
    2 no good, worthless
putt
putt
  1. v. [I;T] n. to hit a golf ball a short distance: When the ball is near the hole, you putt.
putter
putter
  1. v. [I] to do s.t. casually, waste time: He puttered around in his garage moving tools from one place to another.
putty
putty
  1. n. -ties [U] a soft building material that hardens after it dries: A worker used putty to put a plate of glass into a window frame.v. [T] -tied, -tying, -ties to fasten with putty: She puttied a new window pane in place.
puzzle
puzzle
  1. n.
    1 a game in which a picture on cardboard that has been cut into pieces is put back together
    2 a mystery, s.t. not understood: What happened to the sunken treasure ship is still a puzzle.
    3 any game that involves solving a problem: a crossword puzzle.v. -zled, -zling, -zles
    1 [T] to confuse, not understand: Where the sunken treasure is puzzles explorers.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to puzzle over s.t.: to think hard: They puzzled over where the treasure ship may have sunk.
pylon
pylon
  1. n. a metal tower that supports electrical transmission wires: Pylons stretch for miles bringing electricity to factories and homes.
pyramid
pyramid
  1. n.
    1 a huge building used as a burial tomb for royalty in Egypt as well as tombs and ceremonial sites in Mexico
    2 anything with sides shaped as triangles and a base like a square: The acrobats stood on each other's backs to form a human pyramid.
pyre
pyre
  1. n. wood or other materials used esp. to burn a dead body in a burial ceremony: In India, a son lit the funeral pyre of his dead father.
pyromaniac
pyromaniac
  1. n. a mentally ill person with a strong desire to set fires: A pyromaniac set fire to his own house. -n. [U] pyromania.
pyrotechnics
pyrotechnics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl. v. the manufacture and display of fireworks: Every July 4, people in the USA watch a display of pyrotechnics to celebrate the country's independence.
python
python
  1. n. a large snake that wraps itself around its victims and suffocates them: The python coiled itself around a pig and swallowed it.
pâté
pâté
  1. n. [C;U] a paste or spread made of finely ground meat or fish: I ate some duck liver pâté on crackers before dinner.
q.t.
q.t.
  1. n.abbr. of quiet
    1 secrecy
    2 to do s.t. on the q.t.: to do s.t. in secret: We made the plans for our friend's surprise party on the q.t.
quackery
quackery
  1. n. [U] fake or fraudulent medicine: The use of peach juice to cure cancer is quackery.
quad
quad
  1. n. short for quadrangle: Universities often arrange buildings in quads.
quadrangle
quadrangle
  1. n.
    1 a flat figure with four straight sides and four corners: A parallelogram is a type of quadrangle.
    2 buildings arranged in a quadrangle: My apartment building is part of a quadrangle that surrounds a pretty garden.
quadrant
quadrant
  1. n. a quarter of a circle: A circle has four quadrants.
quadratic
quadratic
  1. adj. an equation, expression, or quantity that is raised to the second power: The quadratic equation, a2 - 4 = 0 can be factored.
quadrennial
quadrennial
  1. n.adj. an event that happens once every four years: The election of a President for the United States is a quadrennial event. -adv. quadrennially.
quadrilateral
quadrilateral
  1. adj. having four straight sides —n. a flat figure with four sides and four corners: A square is a quadrilateral.
quadruped
quadruped
  1. n. an animal with four feet: Horses, dogs, and cats are quadrupeds.
quadruple
quadruple
  1. n.sing.adj. s.t. that has been multiplied by four: He charges quadruple for coats when it is cold. ||He charged quadruple the normal price.v. [I;T] -pled, -pling, -ples to multiply by four: He quadruples the price of coats every January.
quadruplet
quadruplet
  1. n.
    1 one of four babies born to the same parents at the same time: It is unusual for humans to have quadruplets.
    2 a group of four
quaff
quaff
  1. n.v.frml. [I;T] to drink with energy: She quaffs cold water on hot days.
quagmire
quagmire
  1. n.
    1 a soft, muddy area of land that is difficult to travel across: My feet are sinking into the quagmire.
    2 fig. a difficult situation: There is a quagmire of paperwork when you move to a new country.
quail
quail
  1. n. [C;U] a small bird with black and brown feathers that often hides: Quail is a popular bird to eat.v. [I] to become very afraid: He quailed at the thought of fighting in the war.
quaint
quaint
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 attractive, often because of being old: What a quaint old house!
    2 strange, unusual in a pleasing way: She has a quaint way of speaking.
    THESAURUS
    quaint
    1 charming, picturesque | old-fashioned
    2 unique, offbeat.
quake
quake
  1. n. a sudden, violent movement of the ground: Our house was destroyed during the quake.v. [I] quaked, quaking, quakes to shake violently, tremble: He quaked with fear.
    THESAURUS
    quake n. an earthquake, tremor. —v. to shudder, shiver, quiver.
qualifier
qualifier
  1. n.
    1 s.o. or s.t. that is fit to do s.t.: She is a qualifier for the final race, because she won her first three races.
    2 s.t. that must be done, (syn.) a requirement: The qualifier that the bank put in our loan agreement said that we must pay for one quarter of the cost of the house now.
    3 (in grammar) a word that limits or adds to the meaning of another: Adjectives and adverbs are qualifiers.
qualify
qualify
  1. v. -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 [I] to pass tests to show one's fitness for s.t.: He qualified for the teaching job.
    2 [T] to put a limit on s.t. that one has said: She qualified her approval of our plan by saying that we need to use our own money for it.
qualitative
qualitative
  1. adj. having to do with opinions, feelings, or judgments that are not based on facts: Deciding the value of a friendship is a qualitative judgment. -adv. qualitatively.
quality
quality
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] the overall nature or general character of s.t.: This product is excellent: it is of the highest quality.
    2 [C] s.t. that is typical of s.o.'s character and personality: His best qualities are kindness, hard work, and intelligence.adj. excellent: Her company makes a quality product.
    THESAURUS
    quality n.
    1 grade, caliber | kind
    2 a characteristic, feature, trait. —adj. fine, superior, first-class.
qualm
qualm
  1. n.
    1 frml. a sudden feeling of sickness in one's stomach
    2 fig. to have qualms: to have doubts or suspicions: I have some qualms about this person (deal, trip, etc.); s.t. seems wrong.
quandary
quandary
  1. n. -ries
    1 an uncertain, awkward situation, (syn.) a dilemma
    2 to be in a quandary: to be perplexed, uncertain: I am in a quandary about going on vacation because it would be fun, but also costly.
quantifier
quantifier
  1. n. a word or phrase that refers to the amount, or quantity, of s.t.: Words like "less," "some," and many" are quantifiers often used in English.
quantify
quantify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to state how much there is or how many there are of s.t.: He was asked to quantify the number of phone calls he receives each day.
quantitative
quantitative
  1. adj. able to be measured: Scientists use quantitative measures to do experiments. -adv. quantitatively.
quantity
quantity
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a general amount, a supply: She bought a quantity of apples (computers, dresses, etc.).
    2 [C] an exact amount: 100 was the quantity ordered.
    3 [C] a value in a mathematical problem: "a" is a quantity in a + b = c.
    4 in quantity: in a large amount at a lower price, in bulk: Our company buys in quantity; we order thousands of pencils at one time.
    THESAURUS
    quantity
    1 a lot, number of s.t., stock
    2 a specific number, total.
quantum
quantum
  1. n. quanta (in physics) the smallest unit or amount of energy: A quantum of energy cannot be broken down into smaller parts.
quantum leap
quantum leap
  1. n. a very great change or advance in s.t.: Our company had a quantum leap in profits last year.
quarantine
quarantine
  1. v. [T] -tined, -tining, -tines to keep a person or animal away from everyone else because that person or animal has a dangerous disease: That man has smallpox and will be quarantined.n. [C;U] the state of being quarantined: They placed the dog in quarantine.
quark
quark
  1. n. (in physics) one of several types of very tiny pieces of matter: The existence of quarks has not yet been proved.
quarrel
quarrel
  1. v. [I] -reled or -relled, -reling or -relling, -rels to argue very angrily: He quarrels with his mother when she tells him he can't go out at night.n.
    1 a very angry argument
    2 a feeling that s.o. is wronging you: She has a quarrel with her company; they are not paying her enough.
quarrelsome
quarrelsome
  1. adj. always ready to fight about s.t., (syn.) argumentative: Quarrelsome people are difficult to work with. -n. [U] quarrelsomeness.
quarry
quarry
  1. n. -ries 1 [U] s.t. that is hunted, (syn.) prey: Hunters kill deer (bears, rabbits, etc.) as quarry.
    2 [C] an open mining pit: He works in a stone quarry.v. [T] -ried, -rying, -ries to cut stone from a quarry: The workers quarried stone.
quart
quart
  1. n. in USA, a liquid measure equal to 32 ounces or two pints: I bought a quart of milk. See: gallon, USAGE NOTE.
quarter
quarter
  1. n.
    1 one fourth of s.t.: I need a quarter of a pound of butter.
    2 fifteen minutes: It is quarter to five (o'clock).
    3 a US or Canadian coin worth 25 cents, or a quarter of a dollar: The pencil costs a quarter.
    4 a three-month period or a quarter of a year: Many businesses report how much money they make each quarter.
    5 an area, esp. in a city: He lives in the old quarter of the city.
    6 pl. quarters housing, esp. for the military: She lives in the officers' quarters.
    7 close quarters: without much space: We live in close quarters on a small boat.v. [T] to cut s.t. in quarters: to quarter a pie
quarter hour
quarter hour
  1. n. 15 minutes: That trip takes a quarter hour. See: quarter, n., 2.
quarterback
quarterback
  1. n.v. [I;T]
    1 in USA and Canada, the football player who tells the others what to do and starts the team's action
    2 fig. a leader, a person who directs the activities of others: Our boss quarterbacks our sales effort himself.
quarterdeck
quarterdeck
  1. n. the deck on the top part at the back of a boat: The captain is standing on the quarterdeck.
quarterfinal
quarterfinal
  1. n.adj. one of four games in a sports competition: The four winners of the quarterfinals at the US Open play each other in two semifinal games; the two winners of these then play one final game.
quarterly
quarterly
  1. adv.adj. during or at the end of a three-month period: Many businesses report quarterly on how much money they have made. -n.pl. quarterlies.
quartermaster
quartermaster
  1. n. an army officer in charge of military supplies: A quartermaster issues clothing, weapons, and other supplies.
quartz
quartz
  1. n. [U] a hard, light-colored mineral or rock found worldwide, esp. in granite or sandstone: Quartz looks pretty in the sunlight.
quash
quash
  1. v. [T] quashes
    1 to stop firmly,
    THESAURUS
    to crush: to quash a rumor (uprising, riot, etc.)
    2 (in law) to reject as not valid,
    THESAURUS
    to nullify: The judge quashed the accusation of murder because there was nothing to prove that Mr. Smith had killed Mr. Kim.
quasi-
quasi-
  1. prefix almost: This is only a quasi-official report from the government; the official report comes next week.
quatrain
quatrain
  1. n. (in poetry) a type of stanza (section of a poem) that has four lines: That poem is written in quatrains.
quaver
quaver
  1. n.v. [I] to tremble: His voice quavered with emotion when he spoke of his father's death. -adj. quavery.
quay
quay
  1. n. a place to unload and get off of ships,
    THESAURUS
    a wharf: Ships unload boxes on the quay.
queasy
queasy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest
    1 feeling sick,
    THESAURUS
    nauseated: My stomach feels queasy.
    2 fig. uneasy, anxious: She felt queasy as she waited to dive off of the cliff.
queen
queen
  1. n.
    1 a female ruler or the wife of a king: The queen sat on her throne.
    2 fig. a woman who is outstanding in a certain area (singing, writing, etc.) or is the center of attention: She is the queen of the art world.
    3 a playing card with a picture of a queen
    4 an important piece in chess
    5 pej. a homosexual man -adv. queenly; -n. [U] queenship.
queen mother
queen mother
  1. n. the mother of a currently ruling king or queen: The queen mother of England was kind and generous.
queer
queer
  1. adj. -er, -est different than normal, very strange: He has been feeling queer lately; maybe he's sick.n. adj.pej. a homosexual See: gay, USAGE NOTE.
quell
quell
  1. v.frml. [T] to bring under control, quiet down: The police quelled the riot.
quench
quench
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to satisfy a strong thirst: He quenched his thirst with water.
    2 to put out,
    THESAURUS
    to extinguish: The firefighters quenched the fire. -adj. quenchable.
querulous
querulous
  1. adj.frml. finding s.t. wrong with everything,
    THESAURUS
    irritable: Nothing pleased her; her querulous demands never stopped. -n. [U] querulousness.
query
query
  1. n. -ries a question: I have a query regarding your business plan for next year.v. [T] -ried, -rying, -ries to question s.o. or s.t., esp. if you are not sure if it is correct: He queried a customer about an unpaid bill.
quest
quest
  1. n.v.frml. [I] a search for s.t., esp. over a long time period,
    THESAURUS
    a crusade: Scientists quest for the truth.
question
question
  1. v. [T]
    1 to look for an answer to s.t. unknown or in doubt: She questioned the teacher about a difficult problem.
    2 to try to get information from s.o.: The police questioned the prisoner.
    3 to wonder if s.t. is just, good, or legal: Some people question the legality of that government.n. the act of seeking an answer: I would like to ask you a question. -n. questioner. See: ask, USAGE NOTE.
question mark
question mark
  1. n.
    1 the symbol (?), showing that s.t. is a question: What do you think?
    2 a mystery: Why the money is missing is a question mark.
questionable
questionable
  1. adj.
    1 doubtful, uncertain: It is questionable whether this report is true.
    2 odd,
    THESAURUS
    suspicious: He goes on many questionable trips in the middle of the night. -n. [U] questionability ; -adv. questionably.
questionnaire
questionnaire
  1. n. a list of questions related to a specific subject: He answered a questionnaire about his health.
    THESAURUS
    questionnaire a form, survey.
queue
queue
  1. n. Brit. a line: There is a queue of people waiting to enter the theater.v. [I] queued, queuing, queues to form a line: We queued up and waited for the bank to open.

    USAGE NOTE: Queue is not used in American English. Instead, people use line: "I waited in line for the bank to open."
quibble
quibble
  1. n.v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to argue over small details, usu. avoiding the main point: The buyer accepted the contract, but he had a quibble with me over the price of one item. -n. quibbler.
quiche
quiche
  1. n. a pie made with eggs, cream, and cheese with no top crust: We had some mushroom quiche for lunch.
quick-tempered
quick-tempered
  1. adj. quick to become angry,
    THESAURUS
    irritable: No one can give him any suggestions because he is so quick-tempered.
quick-witted
quick-witted
  1. adj. quick to understand,
    THESAURUS
    alert: The driver's quick-witted response saved us from having a car accident. -adv. quick-wittedly.
quick
quick
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 instant, rapid: He made a quick response to my call.
    2 short: This is a quick meeting that will be over in ten minutes.
    3 able to understand ideas right away, intelligent: She has a quick mind. -adv. quickly; -n. [U] quickness.
quick fix
quick fix
  1. n.infrml. a quick, temporary repair to a problem: He put some tape over the hole in the screen as a quick fix to keep the bugs out.
quick time
quick time
  1. n. [U] a fast pace (from a quick drumbeat in military marches): We are in a hurry; we need to work in quick time.
quicken
quicken
  1. v. [I;T] to speed up: As she watched the race, her heartbeat quickened.
quickie
quickie
  1. n.infrml. s.t. done in a hurry: She only had time to eat an apple for lunch; it was just a quickie.
quicksand
quicksand
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] soft, watery sand found in wet, muddy areas (swamps or bogs) in which people and animals can sink: Struggling in quicksand makes you sink faster.
    2 [U] fig. a dangerous situation
quicksilver
quicksilver
  1. n. [U]
    1 mercury, a silvery metal that is liquid at room temperature
    2 fig. s.t. that is undependable, like mercury's changeable nature: Her plans are quicksilver; they are always changing.
quid
quid
  1. n.infrml.Brit. [C;U] a British pound sterling, the basic unit of British money: This meal cost five quid.
quid pro quo
quid pro quo
  1. n.frml. payment in some form other than money for goods or services: The doctor fixed the farmer's broken leg, and later the farmer brought corn and potatoes to the doctor as a quid pro quo.
quiescent
quiescent
  1. adj.frml. still, inactive: There was no wind; all the trees and bushes lay quiescent under the winter snow. -n. [U] quiescence; -adv. quiescently.
quiet
quiet
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 without noise, silent: The house was quiet because everyone was asleep.
    2 calm, peaceful: I spent a quiet evening at home.
    3 inactive, slow: Business is quiet now.n.
    1 the condition of being quiet: We could hear the birds in the quiet of evening.
    2 peace and quiet: silence,
    THESAURUS
    calmness: I like the peace and quiet in the old forest. -n. [U] quietude . —v. [I;T]
    1 to silence, hush: He quieted the noisy crowd.
    2 to calm: She quieted the child's fears.
quietly
quietly
  1. adv. to go quietly: without noise or a fight: The police caught the thief, and he agreed to go quietly to jail.
quill
quill
  1. n.
    1 a large bird feather
    2 a pen made from a bird feather: People used to write with a quill (or) a quill pen.
    3 a sharp spine or spike: The quills of a porcupine protect it.
quilt
quilt
  1. n. a bed covering made of pieces of material sewn together and filled with cotton, feathers, etc.: Quilts are often sewn together to make patterns, such as stars or squares.v. [I;T] to make a quilt: My grandmother likes to quilt. -n. [U] quilting.
quinine
quinine
  1. n. [U] a colorless, bitter powder: Quinine can be used in medicines, esp. as a treatment for malaria.
quintessence
quintessence
  1. n. the perfect example of s.t., the purest concentration or essence of s.t.: That painting is the quintessence of beauty. -adj. quintessential.
quintet
quintet
  1. n.
    1 a group of five singers or musicians
    2 a musical piece written for five voices or instruments: We heard a lovely quintet at the concert last night.
quintuple
quintuple
  1. v. [I;T] adj. -pled, -pling, -ples to multiply by five: She quintupled her money in one year; she had $10,000 last year, and now she has $50,000!
quintuplet
quintuplet
  1. n.
    1 one of five children born at the same time to the same parents: Quintuplets are rare.
    2 a group of five
quip
quip
  1. n. a short, funny remark: He made a quip about the Queen's funny-looking hat.v. [I] quipped, quipping, quips to make a short, funny remark
quirk
quirk
  1. n.
    1 an unusual habit, (syn.) a peculiarity: He always wears a hat indoors; it's a quirk of his.
    2 a sharp, sudden turn: Be careful; there's a quirk in the road. -adj. quirky.
quisling
quisling
  1. n. s.o. who helps an enemy take over his or her own country, (syn.) a traitor: The quisling told the enemy which parts of her country would be the easiest to capture.
quit
quit
  1. v. quit, quitting, quits
    1 [I;T] to leave, esp. a job: He quit his job because he wasn't being paid enough.
    2 [T] to stop doing s.t.: She quit working for the day.
    3 [T] to give up an activity: He quit smoking.||She quit dancing when she broke her leg. See: quits.
    THESAURUS
    quit
    1 to resign from, vacate
    2 to break off, discontinue, cease
    3 to cease, drop infrml.

    USAGE NOTE: When you quit a job, you leave it voluntarily; if your employer lays you off or fires you, he or she tells you that you must leave: He told me he'd quit his job, but I think the company fired him. It is usual to give notice or officially inform your employer that you plan to leave: I gave my boss two weeks' notice today, because I want to move to California. We use resign and step down when we speak of leaving a position formally: The senator has resigned as head of the finance committee; he will step down at the end of this year.
quite
quite
  1. adv.
    1 completely, totally: He is not quite done with his report.
    2 very: The weather is quite cold.
    3 really: She is quite a scholar.
    THESAURUS
    quite
    1 entirely, wholly
    2 extremely, rather
    3 very much, genuinely.
quits
quits
  1. adj.
    1 to neither owe nor be owed (money, a favor, harm, etc.): Here is the $100 I owed you, so now we are quits.
    2 to call it quits: to stop doing s.t., to say s.t. is finished, over: We've done enough work for today, so let's call it quits.
quitter
quitter
  1. n. a person who stops doing s.t. as soon as it becomes difficult: Quitters never finish what they start.
quixotic
quixotic
  1. adj.frml. too good and kind to be practical: Bringing every homeless child in the city into your house is a quixotic act. -adv. quixotically.
quiz
quiz
  1. n. quizzes a brief test, esp. on a single subject: The teacher gave a math quiz to his students. See: test, USAGE NOTE.v. [T] quizzed, quizzing, quizzes
    1 to give a short test, such as those given by a teacher
    2 to question s.o.: Her mother quizzed her about where she was last night.
    THESAURUS
    quiz v.
    2 to ask s.o. questions, interrogate.
quiz show
quiz show
  1. n. a game played on television in which players win prizes for correctly answering questions: He wants to be a contestant on that quiz show.
quizzical
quizzical
  1. adj. confused, (syn.) puzzled: She had a quizzical look on her face because she didn't understand the question. -adv. quizzically.
quorum
quorum
  1. n. the presence of enough members of a group to allow them to legally do business: The Senate now has a quorum of its members present, so the vote can be taken.
quota
quota
  1. n.
    1 an amount of s.t. that is required
    2 (in business) a set amount or percentage that must be produced or sold in a certain period of time: A salesperson must meet his or her monthly sales quota.
    3 a set amount of s.t., (syn.) an allotment: That student receives a yearly quota of money from the government.
    4 a limit, a maximum amount: The government put a quota on the number of foreign cars allowed to be sold in the USA.
quotation
quotation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a small part quoted from s.t. longer (a book, play, speech, etc.): She put a quotation from a novel in her speech.
    2 [C;U] a statement of prices for goods or services: They called the store to get a quotation on the price of a new couch. -adj. quotable .
    THESAURUS
    quotation
    1 a quote, passage
    2 an estimate | ballpark figure infrml.
quotation marks
quotation marks
  1. n.pl. the symbols used to show that s.t. is quoted from another person's written or spoken words, shown as (" "): "To be or not to be" is a line by Shakespeare that we often put quotation marks around.
quote
quote
  1. v. quoted, quoting, quotes
    1 [I;T] to repeat s.t. that another has said or written: In her speech, the mayor quoted a famous writer.
    2 [T] to state the price of s.t.: Before you fix my car, will you quote a price on the repairs for me?
    3 infrml. quote . . . unquote: to show, usu. while speaking, that one is using quotation marks to repeat s.o.'s words: The mayor said, and I quote, "I won't raise taxes," unquote.||The mayor said, quote unquote, "I won't raise taxes."n.infrml.
    1 a quotation: That was a quote from the mayor's speech.
    2 a statement of a price: She asked for a quote on the price of a gold ring.
quotidian
quotidian
  1. adj.frml. s.t. that must be done every day, daily: Feeding the dog is a quotidian chore.
quotient
quotient
  1. n.
    1 the answer to a division problem: When six is divided by three, the quotient is two.
    2 a set amount, a share: You need your daily quotient of vitamins.
rabbi
rabbi
  1. n.
    1 a teacher: The students who are studying Hebrew call their teacher rabbi.
    2 a spiritual leader and teacher of Jewish religion and law: The rabbi leads the faithful in prayer in the synagogue. -adj. rabbinical ; -n. rabbinate.
rabbit
rabbit
  1. n. a small animal with long ears, a small fuzzy tail, and soft white, gray, or brown fur: Rabbits are good jumpers and can run very quickly.
rabble-rouser
rabble-rouser
  1. n. a person who excites a mob to protest and violence: Rabble-rousers made angry speeches and got the mob to rush the gates of the state capitol.
rabble
rabble
  1. n. a crowd that is difficult to control, a mob: A rabble gathered before the governor's mansion and shouted for food.
rabid
rabid
  1. adj.
    1 having rabies: Rabid animals are dangerous, because they could bite other animals or people and make them sick.
    2 crazy, violent: a rabid mob
rabies
rabies
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. a deadly disease that affects the brain and nervous system, usually passed on by animal bites: If you've been bitten by an animal with rabies, it's important to go to a doctor or the hospital right away.
raccoon
raccoon
  1. n. an animal with a gray furry body, a ringed fuzzy tail, and dark rings around its eyes: It looks like the raccoon is wearing a mask over its eyes.
racehorse
racehorse
  1. n. a horse used in races: Racehorses are kept in stables at various racetracks.
racer
racer
  1. n. an auto, boat, or animal (usu. a horse or dog) used in racing: He loves boats and owns a racer with a powerful motor.
racetrack
racetrack
  1. n. a race course and the area around it used for racing between runners, cars, horses, dogs, etc.: Joe's sister loves to go to the racetrack and bet on the horses.
raceway
raceway
  1. n. a racetrack: We went to the stock car raceway on Saturday night.
racial
racial
  1. adj. related to race: There are many different racial groups represented (white, Asian, etc.) in my neighborhood.
racing
racing
  1. n. the sport of competing in races: Horse racing is called the "sport of kings."
racism
racism
  1. n. [U] prejudice or unfairness against people of one race by those of another: A black politician accused the white mayor of racism because of unfair hiring practices.
racist
racist
  1. n.adj. a person who believes that his or her race is better than other races: A white person who believes that white people are better than black people is a racist.
rack
rack
  1. n.
    1 a type of shelf: Our library has racks of books.
    2 a torture instrument used long ago on which the human body was stretched to cause great pain —v. [T]
    1 phrasal v. infrml.fig. to rack one's brains: to think very hard to remember s.t.: I racked my brains but could not remember that man's name.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to rack s.t. up: to accumulate, gather lots of s.t.: Our team racked up 20 points and beat the other team.||We racked them up.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to rack s.t. with pain: to feel great pain: Cancer racked her body with pain.
racket
racket
  1. n.
    1 [C] a type of paddle used in sports: I have two tennis rackets.
    2 [U] a noise, loud disturbance: Construction workers are making a racket on the street with their machinery.
    3 [C] a business that takes advantage of people, esp. illegal gambling, extortion, prostitution, etc.: The mafia runs the rackets in big cities.
racketeer
racketeer
  1. n. a criminal who does illegal business in the rackets, such as illegal gambling, prostitution, etc.: The police caught the racketeer and took him to jail.
racy
racy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest related to sex and adventure: She writes racy novels about rich men and beautiful women.
radar
radar
  1. n. [U] a system or device that sends radio waves to an object, which bounces them back to the device; this gives information about the object's location, speed, size, etc.: Major airports use radar to control air traffic.
radial
radial
  1. adj. having a pattern in which lines, rays, or spokes move outward from a central point: A grapefruit has a radial pattern.n. a radial tire: I bought a new set of radials for my car.
radiance
radiance
  1. n. [U]
    1 energy or heat: The radiance of the sun is extremely hot.
    2 a bright shine, glow: A full moon seems to shine with a white radiance.
radiant
radiant
  1. adj.
    1 sending out energy or heat: The sun sends out radiant energy.
    2 having a bright shine, glow: The faces of the bride and groom were radiant at their wedding.
radiate
radiate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to send s.t. out in every direction, such as light, heat, happiness, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    to emit: The sun radiates light and heat.
radiation
radiation
  1. n. [U] sending out of waves (of light, heat, etc.),
    THESAURUS
    emission: Nuclear radiation can be very harmful.
radiator
radiator
  1. n.
    1 a set of metal pipes with hot steam running through them, used to heat rooms and hallways: My radiator warms my room in winter.
    2 part of the cooling system of an engine: The radiator in my car boiled over last night.
radical
radical
  1. n. a person with very strong nontraditional beliefs, esp. s.o. who wants change in politics or religion: Radicals won several seats in Parliament this year.adj.
    1 having very strong nontraditional beliefs, ideas: Radical students protested the President's visit to their college campus.
    2 very unusual, different from what is normal: We noticed a radical difference in our son's behavior after he finished college and got a job. -adv. radically.
radio
radio
  1. n. an electronic device that gives out sound (voices, music): She listens to the news on the radio each morning.v. [I;T] to communicate by radio: A ship radioed to shore about its arrival time.
    THESAURUS
    radio n. a portable radio, transistor radio, receiver.
radio frequency
radio frequency
  1. n. -cies the AM or FM frequency used by a particular radio transmitter: There are many newscasts on the AM radio frequencies.
radioactive
radioactive
  1. adj. containing or giving off nuclear radiation: Uranium is a radioactive element. -n. radioactivity.
radiocast
radiocast
  1. v. -n. to send by radio: The President's speech was radiocast nationally.
radiology
radiology
  1. n. [U] the study of medicine that uses X-rays to analyze and treat illnesses: She studied radiology at medical school. -adj. radiological ; -n. radiologist.
radiotelescope
radiotelescope
  1. n. [U] a dish-shaped antenna used to pick up weak radio wave signals from distant stars
radiotherapy
radiotherapy
  1. n. [U] medical treatment with X-rays or other radiation, such as for cancer: She is having radiotherapy for breast cancer.
radish
radish
  1. n. -es a small, hot-tasting, usu. round root, usu. red on the outside and white on the inside, eaten raw and in salads: The reddish outside and white inside of radishes add color and taste to salads.
radium
radium
  1. n. [U] a basic atomic element that is metallic and radioactive: Radium is used in cancer treatments.
radius
radius
  1. n. -i or -uses a measurement or line between the center and edge of a circle: In geometry class, we learned how to measure the radius of a circle.
radon
radon
  1. n. [U] a basic atomic element; it arises naturally from the ground as a gas and is believed to cause cancer in people: Machines can discover radon in homes and help remove it.
raffle
raffle
  1. n.v. [T] -fled, -fling, -fles a game of chance in which people buy numbered tickets; a winning ticket is chosen randomly and the owner of that ticket wins a prize,
    THESAURUS
    a lottery: Our church held a raffle to raise money.||They raffled off cakes and pies.
raft
raft
  1. n.v. [I;T] a type of flat boat: We floated in a raft down a river.||We rafted for a week to see the scenery.
rafter
rafter
  1. n. a piece of wood or metal used to hold up a roof: Flat pieces of wood are nailed to rafters to make a roof.
rag
rag
  1. n. an old piece of cloth: I use a rag to dust the wooden furniture.v.infrml.fig. [T] ragged, ragging, rags to kid, tease s.o.: My friend ragged me about flunking an exam.
rag doll
rag doll
  1. n. a child's doll made of rags sewn together: Her favorite toy is a rag doll with eyes made from buttons.
ragamuffin
ragamuffin
  1. n.pej. a dirty child wearing rags,
    THESAURUS
    waif: Ragamuffins begged for coins from tourists.
rage
rage
  1. n.v. [I] raged, raging, rages [C;U] uncontrolled anger,
    THESAURUS
    fury: When he did not get what he wanted, he went into a rage.||The hurricane raged for a full day. -adj. raging.
ragged
ragged
  1. adj. having a worn, uneven edge, (syns.) shabby, tattered: His clothes are torn and ragged from living in the woods. -adj. raggedy.
ragout
ragout
  1. n. [U] a spicy stew of meat and vegetables: We had beef ragout for dinner.
ragtag
ragtag
  1. adj. wearing dirty or torn clothing, ragged, tattered: Ragtag soldiers in dirty uniforms surrendered to the enemy soldiers.
ragtime
ragtime
  1. n. [U] adj. a type of American jazz: Scott Joplin made ragtime popular in 1893 and wrote ragtime piano pieces.
ragweed
ragweed
  1. n. [U] a plant, common in N. America, whose pollen causes watery eyes and sneezing in some people: When ragweed makes people sneeze, we say those people have hay fever.
rah-rah
rah-rah
  1. exclam. short for hurrah, hurray, a loud sound of approval or general enthusiasm: The audience at the football game cheered its team by chanting, "Rah-rah! Rah-rah!"
raid
raid
  1. n. a sudden attack, such as one made by police on criminals: Police conducted a raid on a drug dealer's house.v. [T] to attack s.o. or s.t. suddenly: Soldiers raided the enemy headquarters. -n. raider.
rail
rail
  1. n.
    1 a long, I-shaped piece of metal that trains run on: Rails are made of welded steel for a smooth train ride.
    2 a bar beside stairs to help people go up and down safely,
    THESAURUS
    a banister: I hold onto the rail when I go down steep stairs.
    3 a long wooden crosspiece on a fence: That fence for the horses is made of rails split from trees.
    4 related to trains: My aunt prefers traveling by rail to traveling by air.v. [I] to attack with words, shout against with anger: Radicals railed against the government.
railing
railing
  1. n.
    1 a bar used as support beside stairs: My elderly uncle holds onto the railing as he goes downstairs.
    2 a fence made of rails
railroad
railroad
  1. n.
    1 transportation for goods and passengers in trains on rails: I prefer to ride the railroad to work.
    2 the system of rails, land they run on, and stations that trains use to stop at: Children should be taught not to play on the railroad.v.
    1 [I] to work for a railroad: My father railroaded for 40 years.
    2 [T] to punish s.o. unfairly for a crime that he or she did not commit
    3 [T] to hurry s.t. along so it is not closely examined: Politicians railroaded a new tax bill through the legislature so fast that opponents had no time to stop it.
    THESAURUS
    railroad n. 1 and 2 a railway. —v.
    3 to push s.t. through, rush s.t. along | bully s.o.
railway
railway
  1. n. a railroad railway -n. a railroad
raiment
raiment
  1. n.frml. [U] clothes, costume: The queen is dressed in beautiful raiment.
rain
rain
  1. n. [U]
    1 drops of water falling from clouds: Rain fell on the city last night.
    2 pl. the rains: a rainy season, such as a monsoon season: The rains come to northern California from November through May.
    3 fig. right as rain: in very good health: My daughter felt sick this morning, but now she is right as rain.v.
    1 [I] to fall from the sky as drops of water: It rains in northern California 6 or 7 months of the year.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rain s.t. out: to stop or cancel an outdoor event because of rain: The baseball game was rained out.
    3 to rain cats and dogs: to rain very hard and fast: Last night it rained cats and dogs, so I stayed inside to keep dry.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to rain down on s.o. or s.t.: to fall in a violent stream: Criticism rains down on those who break the law.
    5 When it rains, it pours: things tend to happen all at once: I lost my job, my car needs a new engine, and the dog is sick. When it rains, it pours!
    THESAURUS
    rain n.
    1 rainfall, raindrops, shower. —v.
    1 to shower, drizzle | pour.
rain check
rain check
  1. n.
    1 a replacement ticket for a sports or entertainment event that has been canceled because of rain: The box office gave us all rain checks for tomorrow, because the tennis match was postponed due to rain.
    2 to take a rain check: to get a ticket, coupon, or invitation for another time: When it started to rain at the baseball game, the ticket office asked us if we wanted to take a rain check for another game later on.

    USAGE NOTE: People also use the phrase, take a raincheck when they want to accept an invitation, but cannot. Saying "I'll take a raincheck" shows that you would like to be invited again later: I'm sorry, I can't go to the movies with you today, but I'll take a raincheck.
rain forest
rain forest
  1. n. [C;U] a forest with a daily rainfall and very thick growth of trees and other plants: Plants grow quickly in a rain forest.
rainbow
rainbow
  1. n. a curve (arc) of bright colors that sometimes forms in the sky after a rainstorm: A rainbow with its red, blue, and yellow colors is a pretty sight.
raincoat
raincoat
  1. n. a coat resistant to rain: I wear a raincoat when it rains.
    THESAURUS
    raincoat a slicker, trenchcoat | poncho.
raindrop
raindrop
  1. n. a drop of water from a cloud: Raindrops fell on my window.
rainfall
rainfall
  1. n.
    1 [C] the rain that falls during a rainstorm: Last night's rainfall should help the flowers to grow.
    2 [U] the measurement of the amount of rain that falls during a specified time: The annual rainfall in the desert is only two inches.
rainmaker
rainmaker
  1. n.
    1 a person who is believed to be able to make rain fall during a dry period: A rainmaker did a dance and it rained the next day.
    2 a business person who brings a lot of business to his or her company: That lawyer is a rainmaker who brings many important clients to her firm every year. -n. [U] rainmaking.
rainstorm
rainstorm
  1. n. rain with strong winds: We had a rainstorm that lasted an hour, and then the sky cleared.
rainwater
rainwater
  1. n. [U] water that falls or has fallen as rain: Rainwater formed puddles in the road.
rainy
rainy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest full of rain: We have rainy weather this week.
    THESAURUS
    rainy wet, damp, drizzly.
rainy day
rainy day
  1. n.fig. a time of illness or other trouble: The couple had saved money for a rainy day and were able to pay their lawyers' bills.
raise
raise
  1. v. [T] raised, raising, raises
    1 to lift up: A policeman raised his hand to stop traffic.
    2 to ask people for money: Our church raises money to help the poor.
    3 to help a child to grow up: My parents raised two sons.
    4 to give s.o. a higher salary: My boss raised my salary by 5%.
    5 to grow plants or farm animals: That farmer raises corn and cows.
    6 to bring up, suggest in conversation: I raised a question at our meeting.
    7 infrml. to raise Cain or hell or the roof: to complain or criticize loudly: When he was late for work again, his boss raised the roof.
    8 to raise one's voice: to speak louder than usual: If my father raises his voice, I know I am in trouble. See: rear (2) 1. —n. an increase in salary: My company gave me a raise last week.adj. brought up as, reared as: She was raised a Catholic, but became a Buddhist at age twenty-five.
    THESAURUS
    raise v.
    1 to hold up, elevate. Ant. to lower.
    2 to collect, gather, accumulate
    3 to bring up s.o., rear s.o.
    4 to increase, boost. Ants. to cut, lower.
    5 to farm, cultivate
    6 to ask, introduce.
raisin
raisin
  1. n. a dried grape: He puts raisins on his cereal for breakfast.
rajah
rajah
  1. n. a Malay or Indian prince or ruler: The rajah lives in a beautiful palace.
rake
rake
  1. n.
    1 a tool with metal or wooden teeth and a long handle, often used for collecting fallen leaves, small stones, etc.: I used a rake to gather leaves from the lawn.
    2 old usage a man who drinks too much, is sexually immoral, and often cheats others —v. raked, raking, rakes
    1 [I;T] to use a rake: I raked up leaves fallen on the sidewalk.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rake s.t. in: to earn a lot of money: He rakes in a big salary on the cars that he sells.||He rakes it in.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rake s.t. up (about s.o.): to search for and write in newspapers or say on TV bad things about s.o.: The press raked up an old scandal about the new candidate for mayor.||They raked it up. See: muckrake.
rakish
rakish
  1. adj.
    1 bold in style or action,
    THESAURUS
    daring
    2 very stylish, often in a sporty way: He is wearing his hat at a rakish angle. -adv. rakishly; -n. [U] rakishness.
rally
rally
  1. n. -lies a meeting of people to excite them about an idea, product, or sports event: The football coach called a rally to build up the team's excitement for the next game.v. -lied, -lying, -lies
    1 [I;T] to build excitement for s.t.: The manager rallied her salespeople by giving them a powerful speech.
    2 [I] to gain new strength, recover: Doctors were afraid the child wouldn't live, but he rallied and lived.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to rally around s.o.: to support s.o. in times of trouble: When the woman was sick, all of her relatives rallied around her to cheer her up and make her well again. See: pep rally.
ramble
ramble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to talk or write without connections between ideas and without making sense: When he talks about his youth, he rambles on and on.
    2 to walk or drive slowly for pleasure: We rambled through the countryside on our bicycles. -n. rambler.
rambunctious
rambunctious
  1. adj.frml. loud and full of energy, (syns.) rebellious, unruly: Her rambunctious little boy is always chasing other children.
ramification
ramification
  1. n. a result, an effect of an action,
    THESAURUS
    a consequence: After he lost his job, the financial ramification affected his daughter's birthday party.
ramp
ramp
  1. n.
    1 a road that runs on and off a highway
    2 a sloping walkway or metal plate between two levels of a building: A woman rolled her wheelchair up the ramp to the doctor's door.
rampage
rampage
  1. n.sing. v. [I] -paged, -pag-ing, -pages violent behavior, such as yelling and knocking things over: The crowd went on a rampage and broke into stores.||They rampaged through the streets.
rampant
rampant
  1. adj. uncontrollable and widespread: Starvation was rampant in the country after the war. -n. [U] rampancy.
rampart
rampart
  1. n. a barrier often made of raised earth around a fort to protect soldiers: Soldiers stood behind the ramparts and shot at the enemy.
ramrod
ramrod
  1. n.
    1 a metal rod used to push powder and bullets down the barrels of old-fashioned guns or for cleaning a gun's barrel: You need a ramrod to load an old gun.
    2 infrml.fig. a person who forces others to cooperate with him or her: The sergeant is a ramrod who maintains strict discipline among his troops.v. [T] -rodded, -rodding, -rods to force an idea or plan on others
ramshackle
ramshackle
  1. adj. falling apart, needing to be fixed: The doors won't close and the windows are broken in that ramshackle old house.
ran
ran
  1. v. past tense of run
ranch
ranch
  1. n. -es a very large farm in the western USA and Canada: My friend lives on a ranch and rides her horse every day.
    THESAURUS
    ranch a cattle farm, spread infrml.
ranch house
ranch house
  1. n.
    1 a one-level house: All the houses in our neighborhood are ranch houses.
    2 a house located on a ranch: The rancher lives in the ranch house.
rancher
rancher
  1. n. a person who owns a ranch: Sheep ranchers don't like wolves because some kill their sheep. -n. ranchman.
ranching
ranching
  1. n. [U] farming, the raising of crops and animals on a ranch: He likes ranching and being outdoors.
rancid
rancid
  1. adj. spoiled or rotten food, esp. fats or oils: The butter is rancid and tastes bad.
rancor
rancor
  1. n.frml. deep, long-lasting, and bitter hatred: Both felt rancor toward each other long after their divorce. -adj. rancorous; -adv. rancorously.
random
random
  1. adj.
    1 happening at any time, unplanned,
    THESAURUS
    haphazard: Random rain showers will pass through our city today.
    2 (in statistics) having an equal chance of success: Lotteries have random drawings of numbers to find a winner.
    3 at random: happening at any time, randomly: Rainstorms occurred at random today. -v. [T] randomize; -adv. randomly; -n. [U] randomness.
randy
randy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest wanting to have sex,
    THESAURUS
    lustful
range
range
  1. v. [I] ranged, ranging, ranges
    1 to cover a wide area of land, ideas, or products: Cattle range over large pastures.||The professor's lecture ranged over 200 years of history.||That company's product line ranges from small televisions to ones with huge screens.
    2 to travel, move: The cows range through the field eating grass.n.
    1 an open field, large feeding area for cattle and sheep: A rancher lets his cattle graze on the range near his ranch.
    2 sing. a variety of things, ideas, or products: My friend and I talked about a wide range of topics: our families, our jobs, politics, and so on.
    3 a stove for cooking: I am boiling the potatoes on the range.
    4 sing. the distance that a car, truck, airplane, or missile can travel without running out of fuel: My car has a range of 250 miles (approx. 400 km) before I have to stop for gasoline.
    5 the low and high notes that a singer or musical instrument can produce: A piano has a great range, from low to high notes.
    6 a group of mountains: The Rockies are a mountain range in the western USA.
    7 a place to practice shooting: My sister likes to shoot her gun at the shooting range.
    THESAURUS
    range v.
    1 to occupy, go | encompass | go, run, extend
    2 to roam, ramble. —n.
    1 a pasture, fields
    2 array, spectrum | gamut frml.
    4 a limit, reach.
ranger
ranger
  1. n. an official who keeps order and watches out for danger: A ranger in the national park watches out for fires.
rangy
rangy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest being tall and thin with long legs and arms: Some basketball players look tall and rangy.
rank
rank
  1. n. one's position in the military or business: She has the rank of general in the Air Force.v.
    1 [T] to value, to think s.t. is important: He ranks good food and good health as the most important things in his life.
    2 [I] to have a certain place or position in an ordered group: An admiral ranks above a captain in the navy.adj. related to food that is spoiled and smelly: The chicken meat looked good in the market, but it smells rank now.
    THESAURUS
    rank n. one's level, grade, status. —v.
    1 to rate | classify. —adj. rotten, rancid, fetid.
rank and file
rank and file
  1. n. the workforce of average workers, not including managers: The rank and file likes the new labor contract. -adj. rank-and-file.
ranking
ranking
  1. n. [C;U] a place in an ordered system; a position of value, honor, or success: That tennis player has the highest ranking in the world today; he's the best player.
rankle
rankle
  1. v. [I;T] -kled, -kling, -kles to anger, annoy,
    THESAURUS
    to irritate s.o.: The noise that trucks and ambulances make in the avenue rankles him every day.
ransack
ransack
  1. v. [T] to search thoroughly, esp. in looking for s.t. to steal: The thief ransacked my apartment by emptying drawers on the floor looking for money. -n. [U] ransacking.
ransom
ransom
  1. n. money paid for the return of a person (or animal) taken by kidnappers: The family paid a ransom of $100,000 for the return of their kidnapped daughter.
rant
rant
  1. v. [I]
    1 to shout with anger: When he heard that taxes are going up, he ranted for an hour.
    2 rant and rave: to shout and yell as if crazy: My sister ranted and raved when I read the letters from her boyfriend.
rapacious
rapacious
  1. adj.frml.
    1 wanting and taking more than one needs, such as taking money or power by force,
    THESAURUS
    grasping: Long ago, some lords were rapacious in taking taxes from the peasants.
    2 living on food taken by force: Jackals are rapacious in taking dead animals away from smaller ones. -adv. rapaciously; -n. [U] rapaciousness; rapacity.
rape
rape
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the crime of forcing a person to have sex when she or he does not want to: A rape was committed in the park last night.
    2 [C] a type of plant grown and fed to sheep
    3 [C] a type of plant whose seeds yield oil used as a lubricant: rapeseed oil
    4 [U] grape skins, seeds, and stems left over after pressing —v. [T] raped, raping, rapes to force s.o. to have sex: A man raped a woman in the park. -n. rapist.
rapid-fire
rapid-fire
  1. adj. firing or shooting many bullets quickly: Machine guns are rapid-fire weapons.
rapid
rapid
  1. adj. very fast, quick: His rapid speech is difficult to understand. -n. [U] rapidity; -adv. rapidly.
    THESAURUS
    rapid swift, speedy. Ant. slow.
rapid transit
rapid transit
  1. n. [U] a system, usu. of buses and subways, to move passengers quickly: Rapid transit, such as express buses, allows people to get to work quickly.
rapids
rapids
  1. n.pl. a rocky place in a river where water moves very quickly: The rapids can be dangerous for small boats.
rapier
rapier
  1. n. a two-edged sword with a thin, round, pointed blade: Two swordsmen fought with rapiers.
rapport
rapport
  1. n.sing. [U] a friendly, sympathetic relationship between people: Our teacher has a good rapport with her students.
rapprochement
rapprochement
  1. n.frml. (in diplomacy) the beginning of friendly relations after a time of disagreement, esp. between two countries: Two former enemies reached a rapprochement; they agreed not to fight again.
rapt
rapt
  1. adj. focused on only one thing with one's complete attention: The audience listened with rapt attention to the excellent speaker.
rapture
rapture
  1. n. [U] a very strong feeling of pleasure,
    THESAURUS
    ecstasy: Looking at a beautiful sunset gives me a feeling of rapture. -adj. rapturous; -adv. rapturously.
rare
rare
  1. adj.
    1 one of few in existence: He has a rare Roman coin.
    2 not often heard or seen: The famous movie star made a rare public appearance.
    3 not completely cooked: My father likes rare meat that is still a little pink inside.
    THESAURUS
    1 scarce, unusual, unique | exceptional. Ant. common.
    2 infrequent, uncommon,
    3 underdone.
rarefied
rarefied
  1. adj.fig.
    1 very special, unique: She lives in the rarefied atmosphere of high society.
    2 thin: Air is rarefied on a mountaintop. -v. [T] rarefy or rarify.
rarely
rarely
  1. adv. not often: That famous old movie star is rarely seen in person these days.
    THESAURUS
    rarely seldom, infrequently, hardly ever. Ant. often.
raring
raring
  1. adj.infrml. full of energy, ready for action: Now that vacation time is over, she is raring to go back to college.
rarity
rarity
  1. n. -ties s.t. unusual, not often seen, That painting is a valuable rarity; the painter seldom painted portraits.
rascal
rascal
  1. n.
    1 a badly behaved child: Her son is a little rascal, always causing mischief.
    2 a bad person,
    THESAURUS
    a scoundrel: That rascal has stolen my car!
rash
rash
  1. n.
    1 red spots on the skin, blotchy irritation: That strong soap gives me a rash on my legs.
    2 to break out in a rash: to start having a rash on the skin, often spreading: We took our daughter to the doctor, because she broke out in a rash.adj. quick and foolish, without thinking: Charging an expensive vacation that he couldn't pay for on his credit card was a rash thing to do. -adv. rashly.
    THESAURUS
    rash n.
    1 a skin eruption | breakout. —adj. reckless, ill-considered, foolhardy. Ant. deliberate.
rasher
rasher
  1. n. a serving or order of ham or bacon: I ordered two fried eggs and a rasher of bacon for breakfast.
rasp
rasp
  1. n.v. [I;T]
    1 a type of tool, a rough file: You should rasp this wood to make it smooth.
    2 a low, rough voice, hoarseness: My father has a sore throat and speaks with a rasp.
raspberry
raspberry
  1. n.adj. -ries
    1 a thorny plant of the rose family and its red or black fruit: I like to put raspberry jam on my toast.
    2 slang a rude noise made with the lips, used to show a negative opinion: The audience gave the bad singer the raspberry.
raspy
raspy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having a low, rough voice: His voice is raspy from speaking for hours.
rat
rat
  1. n.v. [I] ratted, ratting, rats
    1 a kind of rodent with a long hairless tail, a pointed nose, and very sharp teeth: Rats look like mice, but are larger.
    2 slang to tell people in power about a person's illegal or unprofessional acts; a person who does this: Don't be a rat and rat to the boss that I was late.
    3 to smell a rat: to sense that s.t. is wrong: The news reporter smelled a rat when the mayor refused to let her see the records of city office meetings. See: rat race.
rat fink
rat fink
  1. n.infrml. slang See: rat, 2.
rat race
rat race
  1. n.infrml.fig. a rushed, daily routine where people work very hard to keep their jobs and be successful; unpleasant competition: She gets away from the rat race at her office by going to the country on weekends.
ratchet
ratchet
  1. n. a wheel with V-shaped indentations on its edge. When turned, this wheel and a metal bar hold a spring tight. The wheel can move only in one direction: Mechanical clocks and watches use ratchets to turn their hands.v. [I;T]
    1 to turn s.t. little by little: The doorknob was stuck, but I ratcheted it open and fixed it.
    2 to increase: His salary ratcheted up each year.
rate
rate
  1. n.
    1 an amount of s.t.: The rate of interest on bonds was 7%.
    2 the cost of s.t.: The rate for a trip on that bus is $10 per person.
    3 a speed, velocity: Jet airplanes travel at a great rate of speed.
    4 a rank, esp. in the US Navy: She has a rate of seaman first-class.
    5 at any rate: no matter what happens: I may get a C in math, but at any rate I learned a lot.v. -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 [T] to be important enough to get or receive s.t.: Her injury was serious and rated immediate attention from the doctors.
    2 [I] infrml. to receive special attention, be privileged: I saw the manager let you in the theater without paying; I guess you really rate.
    THESAURUS
    rate n.
    1 the payment, percentage
    2 the price of s.t., charge for s.t., fare
    3 degree | pace
    4 a grade. —v.
    1 to deserve, merit
    2 to count, be important, have prestige.
rate of exchange
rate of exchange
  1. n. the amount that one country's money is worth in another country's money: The rate of exchange between the US dollar and the British pound changes almost every day.
rate of interest
rate of interest
  1. n.
    1 the amount of interest that is paid for money at a savings bank, on a bond, etc.: The rate of interest on that bond is 7%.
    2 the amount that one must pay for a loan: The rate of interest on a car loan is 10%.
rather
rather
  1. adv.
    1 preferably: I would rather go shopping tomorrow than today.
    2 a little, somewhat, or very: The weather is rather hot today.
    3 more exactly, really: I got a B, or rather a B+, on the exam. See: kind, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    rather
    1 more readily
    2 quite, pretty, kind of infrml.
    3 actually, more precisely.
rathskeller
rathskeller
  1. n. a barroom that sells beer and has only a few kinds of food: After studying, we went to the student rathskeller for a beer.
ratification
ratification
  1. n. [U] formal approval, passage into law,
    THESAURUS
    confirmation: Ratification of the treaty took place in the Senate yesterday.
ratify
ratify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make into law, approve formally: The US Senate ratified the treaty with Mexico.
rating
rating
  1. n. [C;U] a degree of excellence, a measure of good or bad quality, usu. in comparison with other like things: The products of that company have the highest rating.
    THESAURUS
    rating a grade, mark | classification.
ratio
ratio
  1. n. a relationship between two numbers: The ratio of women to men in our class is 3 to 1.
ration
ration
  1. n. a small, equal amount of food (gasoline, water, etc.) given to each person in a group: Many food rations for soldiers come in cans.v. [T] to limit the amount of food and other items, esp. by governmental order: During the war, the government rationed food supplies.
rational
rational
  1. adj.
    1 able to think clearly, clearheaded: He hit his head when he fell and is not rational.
    2 showing logical thought, (syns.) reasonable, sensible: The rational thing to do was to take the sick man to a doctor.
rationale
rationale
  1. n. reason(s) to do s.t., the purpose for an action: The rationale for buying a house instead of renting is to build personal riches.
rationalism
rationalism
  1. n. [U] a belief that reason can explain all human behavior: The author of this book believes in rationalism, and she says that all knowledge comes from reason. -n.adj. rationalist.
rationality
rationality
  1. n. [U] ability to think clearly: The patient has grown so confused that his nurses doubt his rationality now.
rationalize
rationalize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to think about and improve s.t. logically and systematically: The school rationalized its schedule, and now students don't have to run to class.
    2 to give reasons for doing s.t. one knows is wrong or harmful: He rationalized missing class by planning to do extra homework next week.
rattle
rattle
  1. n.
    1 a toy that makes short, quick noises when shaken: Our baby likes to play with a rattle.
    2 the sound of a series of repeated noises, usu. heard when s.t. is moved: I hear a rattle when I open my car door.v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [I;T] to shake and sound like a rattle: The tailpipe on my car is loose and rattles.
    2 fig. [T] to frighten, upset s.o.: He was nearly hit by a speeding car and that rattled him.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rattle s.t. off: to say s.t. quickly, without thinking: He rattled off his Social Security number.||He rattled it off.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to rattle on: to speak quickly, without stopping: She is a nice person but she just rattles on and on. -adj.n. [U] rattling.
rattler
rattler
  1. n. short for rattlesnake: I saw a rattler out in the desert yesterday.
rattlesnake
rattlesnake
  1. n. a dangerous, poisonous snake that lives in N. and S. America and has hard skin at the end of its body which the snake rattles when preparing to bite
rattrap
rattrap
  1. n.
    1 a trap made to catch rats: Rattraps in the subway catch hundreds of rats every day.
    2 an ugly old building where many rats often live: That northern part of the city is loaded with rattraps.
ratty
ratty
  1. adj.infrml.fig. -tier, -tiest dirty, old, and ugly,
    THESAURUS
    shabby: The clothes on the poor homeless man were all ratty.
raucous
raucous
  1. adj.frml. loud, wild: Raucous laughter came from the people at the party. -adv. raucously.
raunchy
raunchy
  1. adj.infrml. -chier, -chiest
    1 dirty, smelly: He went hunting deep in the woods for a week, and his clothes smelled raunchy when he returned.
    2 clearly displaying sex, (syns.) lustful, risqué: Raunchy magazines are on sale at newsstands in many states. -n. [U] raunchiness.
ravage
ravage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to enter violently and destroy: Malaria and a high fever ravaged his body with sickness and pain.
rave
rave
  1. v. [I] raved, raving, raves
    1 to speak or shout insanely or crazily: That poor man is mentally ill and raves for hours.
    2 to praise greatly: Critics raved about the new play.adj. full of praise and high opinions: The new play received rave reviews.
ravel
ravel
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to turn or twist around s.t.: I raveled the thread around a spool.
    2 to undo,
    THESAURUS
    to fray: Threads in the old sweater raveled to make holes.
raven
raven
  1. n. a large black bird in the crow family, with shiny black feathers: Ravens are found in Europe, the Americas, and Asia.
ravenous
ravenous
  1. adj. very much wanting or needing food, very hungry, (syns.) starving, voracious: The lions have not eaten for three days and are ravenous. -adv. ravenously.
ravine
ravine
  1. n. a low area in the earth with steep sides, a deep gully,
    THESAURUS
    a gorge: A fast river has cut out a ravine in the rock.
raving
raving
  1. adj.n. [U] speaking or shouting insanely, crazily: A raving man frightened those near him.||His raving scared everyone.
ravish
ravish
  1. v.frml. [T] to give great pleasure: That beautiful painting simply ravishes me; the colors are breathtaking.
ravishing
ravishing
  1. adj.infrml.fig. very beautiful, esp. about a woman, (syns.) dazzling, stunning: She looks ravishing when she is all dressed up in beautiful clothes. -adv. ravishingly.
raw
raw
  1. adj.
    1 natural, uncooked: Eating raw carrots is good for your eyesight.
    2 in a natural state, not yet manufactured: Cotton and wool are raw materials from which cloth is made.
    3 very clearly or openly sexual, crude: Pornographic magazines show raw sex.
    4 painful red areas where skin has been rubbed away: The skin on my feet is raw because my shoes are too small.
    5 untrained, not yet tested: In the army, all raw recruits must go to training camp first.
    6 being very cold and wet: raw weather in the winter
    7 infrml. in the raw: in a natural state, unclothed, naked, nude: Nudists spend a lot of their time in the raw.
    8 infrml. raw deal: an unfair exchange, a cruel trick: They gave him a raw deal; they hired him to do a job and then didn't pay him for it.
    THESAURUS
    1 unprocessed | fresh. Ant. cooked.
    2 natural, unprocessed, unrefined.
    3 pornographic, raunchy infrml.
    4 scraped, tender, sore
    5 beginning, inexperienced.
    6 bitter cold.
rawhide
rawhide
  1. n. [U] tough skin of cattle that has not been made into leather by tanning: The shoelaces in his boots are made of rawhide.
ray
ray
  1. n.
    1 a thin line of light, energy, or heat: Rays of light shine from a burning candle.
    2 a small amount of s.t.: There is a ray of hope that he will be cured of cancer.
    THESAURUS
    ray
    1 a beam, shaft
    2 a flicker, glimmer.
rayon
rayon
  1. n. [U] smooth, shiny cloth made from wood fibers, "artificial silk": Clothing made of rayon is light and cool.
raze
raze
  1. v. [T] razed, razing, razes to knock down, destroy completely,
    THESAURUS
    to demolish: The government razed some old buildings and built new ones. -n. razing.
razor-sharp
razor-sharp
  1. adj.
    1 very sharp like a razor
    2 very intelligent or able: She has a razor-sharp mind.
razor
razor
  1. n. a sharp cutting instrument: Men use razors to shave their beards.
razorback
razorback
  1. n.
    1 (chiefly in the southeastern USA) a domestic pig that has become wild: Razorbacks can be dangerous and bite people.
    2 a narrow ridge
razzle-dazzle
razzle-dazzle
  1. n.infrml. [U] showy behavior, flashiness for the purpose of confusing or impressing s.o.: A football player did some razzle-dazzle with the ball and ran right around the other player.
re-create
re-create
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to create again, piece together s.t. that was broken or lost: A business lost some of its records in a fire and had to re-create them from the workers' memories.
re
re
  1. prep. abbr. for regarding s.t., about s.t. (usu. used in business letters): Re: our discussion, here is the information that you wanted.prefix
    1 again: to redo||to remake s.t.
    2 back: to return
reach
reach
  1. v. -es
    1 [I] to stretch out one's arm and hand: He reached across the table to get the salt.
    2 [T] to come to a point, go as far as: We reached Nashville before our car needed gas.
    3 [T] to make contact with s.o., get in touch with: We couldn't reach you by telephone, so we are writing this letter.
    4 [T] to be able to get to a necessary thing or place: Can you reach the top shelf of books?
    5 [I;T] to cover an area, go from one place to another: Russia reaches across two continents.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to reach out for s.o. or s.t.: to try to contact s.o. or s.t. physically or emotionally: In his poetry, he seems to be reaching out for help.n. -es
    1 [C;U] the length an arm can be put or stretched out: I don't have my notes within reach, so I can't answer your question.
    2 [C] a wide-open area of s.t., esp. water: The reach of the ocean seems never-ending when you are in a small boat.
    3 [U] the possibility of getting or accomplishing s.t.: An expensive car is beyond our reach because we don't have enough money.
    4 your reach should exceed your grasp: you should try to go farther than where you are now: I probably don't have enough experience to get hired at this company, but I'll try; after all, your reach should exceed your grasp.
    THESAURUS
    reach v.
    1 to extend, put out one's hand
    2 to get to, arrive at
    3 to get through to s.o.
    4 to get to
    5 to stretch across, extend across. —n.
    1 one's grasp
    2 expanse, scope
    3 range, grasp, attainability.
reacquaint
reacquaint
  1. v. [T] to learn about s.o. or s.t. again after not seeing that person or it for some time: He lived in California for 20 years, then moved back home to New York and spent time reacquainting himself with his old town.
react
react
  1. v. [I]
    1 to speak or move when s.t. happens: When he heard the good news, he reacted with a smile.
    2 to act in a different way because of s.o. or s.t.: The teacher reacted to the student's bad grades by giving him more homework.
    3 (in chemistry) to change because of contact with another chemical: Oxygen and iron react together to form rust.
    THESAURUS
    react
    1 to respond, reply | behave
    2 to respond, counter.
reaction
reaction
  1. n. [C;U] a response, an answer: What was the teacher's reaction to your question?
reactionary
reactionary
  1. n. -ies a person who doesn't want changes, esp. in government or business: Reactionaries in parliament voted against a bill to cut government spending.
reactivate
reactivate
  1. v. [I;T] -vated, -vating, -vates to begin to use again: His old military unit was reactivated and he had to leave his job. -n. reactivation.
reactor
reactor
  1. n. a power plant for nuclear energy: Nuclear reactors supply most of the electricity in France.
read
read
  1. v. read , reading, reads
    1 [I;T] to see and find meaning in written words and symbols: She reads books already at age five.
    2 [I;T] to say s.t. written out loud: The professor read an important part of the textbook to the students.
    3 [T] to find or show an exact amount from measuring equipment: A man from the electric company reads the electric meter every month.
    4 [T] to understand s.t. because of clues or hints: She could read the feeling of happiness on his face.
    5 to read between the lines: to find meaning although it is not stated clearly: Even though she doesn't say so, I can read between the lines of her letter that she is homesick.
    6 to read s.o. his or her rights: (in USA), police must tell a person they are taking to prison that person's legal rights: The police officer read the man his rights, then he took him to prison.
    7 to read the signs: to understand indirectly what is happening: He never calls her or talks to her, and she can read the signs that he does not love her anymore.
    8 to take s.t. as read: to believe s.t. is true without thinking much about it: Since I cannot understand Spanish, I have to take your ability to speak Spanish as read.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to read s.t. into s.t.: to put meaning that may not be there into s.t.: When she truthfully told him she was busy and couldn't go to dinner with him, he read into her words that she didn't like him.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [T] to read up on s.t.: to learn a lot about a subject by reading about it: I'm reading up on the history of Greece before I go there on vacation.
    THESAURUS
    read
    1 to decipher, peruse | scan, skim
    2 to recite, read aloud
    3 to record, register
    4 to notice, perceive, see.
readable
readable
  1. adj. easily read, clear: That novel is full of action and quite readable. -n. [U] readability.
reader
reader
  1. n.
    1 a person or people who read s.t. written, such as a novel or magazine: Readers of that magazine are interested in sports.
    2 a collection of writings in book form: We have a short story reader for our English class.
readership
readership
  1. n.sing. the people who read a certain newspaper, people who regularly buy a magazine: The readership of the New Yorker is interested in art, literature, and theater.
readily
readily
  1. adv. easily, without difficulty: Good food is readily available anywhere in the country.
readiness
readiness
  1. n.sing. [U] ready to act, the ability to act quickly,
    THESAURUS
    preparedness: A fire truck is always in a state of readiness to go to a fire.
reading
reading
  1. n.
    1 [U] the process of seeing and understanding written material: Schools teach reading in the first grade.
    2 [C] an exact amount shown by measuring equipment: A reading of the gas meter in our house is done every month.
    3 [C] a spoken presentation of s.t. written: The poet gave a reading of her poems to college students.
    4 [C] one's understanding of any situation or event using the information one has: What is your reading on the chances for peace in that country?
    5 [U] written material to be read: War and Peace by Tolstoy will be my summer reading.
    THESAURUS
    reading
    2 a recording
    3 a recitation, narration
    4 an interpretation, analysis | impression.
readjust
readjust
  1. v. [I] to learn to behave in certain ways again: She left prison after five years and has now readjusted to living a normal life.
readjustment
readjustment
  1. n. learning to behave in certain ways again: Living at home again during summer college vacations is sometimes a difficult readjustment.
ready-made
ready-made
  1. adj.
    1 prepared and set to be used without any changes needed: My wife wanted to make her own furniture, but it was too much work; so we bought ready-made furniture instead.
    2 ordinary, common: He has ready-made answers for any question.
ready-to-wear
ready-to-wear
  1. adj.n. [U] clothes that are made in quantity to be worn by any buyer: He buys ready-to-wear suits from a store, rather than having the suits made especially for him. See: off-the-rack.
ready
ready
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 prepared, set to do s.t.: Our meal is ready, so let's eat.
    2 easily available: ready answer, ready cash, ready money
    3 at the ready: prepared to act quickly: Soldiers held their rifles at the ready to shoot at the enemy.
    4 ready, willing, and able: wanting to do s.t. promptly: I don't know why you are waiting because I am ready, willing, and able to sign our agreement now.
    5 to make ready: to prepare for use: We made the food ready and then sat down to eat.
    THESAURUS
    ready
    1 all ready, all set infrml.
    2 accessible, at s.o.'s fingertips infrml. | handy.
reaffirm
reaffirm
  1. v.frml. [T] to repeat one's belief in s.t.: They reaffirmed their vows on their wedding anniversary.
real-estate agent
real-estate agent
  1. n. a person who sells real estate See: Realtor.
real
real
  1. adj.
    1 true, not fake or imaginary: His real name is Bob Smith, not John Jones.
    2 slang for real: telling the truth, being honest,
    THESAURUS
    genuine: He said that he wants to buy my car, but I don't know if he is for real or not.adv. infrml. very, extremely: We had a real good time at the party last night.
    THESAURUS
    real adj.
    1 genuine, actual. Ant. fictitious.
real estate
real estate
  1. n. [U] property that cannot be moved, such as land, houses, and office buildings: She owns real estate in the country. -adj. real-estate.
    THESAURUS
    real estate land, acreage | houses, farms, buildings | real property.
real time
real time
  1. n. [U] the broadcast of an event while it is happening,
    THESAURUS
    live: This football game is being broadcast in real time all over the world.
realism
realism
  1. n.
    1 a way of thinking in which only real facts and situations are believed, and imaginary, romantic, or idealistic ideas are not: She is known for her realism and wisdom about life.
    2 art, such as literature, films, or painting that shows life as it is: The lifelike paintings of that artist are good examples of realism.
realist
realist
  1. n. a person who believes only real facts and situations and does not believe or dream that everything is perfect and ideal: The elderly man is a realist and does not try to look or act like a young man.
realistic
realistic
  1. adj. having the quality of seeing and believing real facts and situations, rather than believing that everything is perfect: She is realistic about the fact that with no education, she will have difficulty finding a high-paying job. -adv. realistically.
    THESAURUS
    realistic practical, matter-of-fact. Ant. unrealistic.
reality
reality
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C;U] the real world of objects and living things as it is in fact and not a romantic or idealistic view of it: People needed time to understand the reality of damage caused by the hurricane.
    2 [U] in reality: in fact: In reality, the hurricane damage was much greater than anyone had imagined.
    THESAURUS
    reality
    1 the truth, actuality. Ant. fantasy.
reality check
reality check
  1. n.phr. [U] asking oneself what is really important in life to correct one's situation, wrong ideas, or wants: I am not happy with my job, so it's time for a reality check to see what I really want to do.
realizable
realizable
  1. adj. able to be done, (syns.) doable, possible: Her career goals are realizable, because she is well educated and hardworking.
realization
realization
  1. n.sing. [U]
    1 understanding, belief that s.t. is true: After looking for work, he came to the realization that he needs more education to find a job.
    2 [U] a hope or plan that has become reality: The realization of our plan to build a house took many years and a lot of work.
    THESAURUS
    realization
    1 an awareness, conclusion
    2 a completion, attainment, fulfillment.
realize
realize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to understand, start to believe s.t. is true: He realizes now that he needs to go back to college for more education.
    2 to gain, make money: The woman realized a profit from the sale of her house.
    3 to make s.t. become true: This summer I will realize my dream of going to Italy.
    THESAURUS
    realize
    1 to recognize, comprehend, grasp
    2 to earn, net
    3 to accomplish, fulfill | achieve.
reallocate
reallocate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to take s.t., such as money, away from one purpose and use it for another purpose: The money we planned to use to build a new office building was reallocated to develop new products. -n. [U] reallocation.
really
really
  1. adv.
    1 in fact, truly: Are you really happy, or are you just smiling to be nice to me?
    2 very: I am really surprised to see you!
    THESAURUS
    really
    1 genuinely, unquestionably
    2 especially, quite.
realm
realm
  1. n.
    1 a general field, such as an area of knowledge: In the realm of physics, Albert Einstein was a genius.
    2 a kingdom
realty
realty
  1. n. -ties [U] the business of buying, owning, and selling real estate: He has a successful business in realty, especially developing land for commercial use.
ream
ream
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make a hole in the center of s.t. by cutting: Workers must ream holes in metal rods to make gun barrels.
    2 fig.slang to get reamed: to be severely criticized: When I made a stupid mistake, I really got reamed by the boss.n. a quantity of paper, usu. 500 sheets: Our office uses 20 reams of paper each week.
reap
reap
  1. v. [I;T] to cut down and collect,
    THESAURUS
    to harvest: In the fall, farmers reap their crops.
reaper
reaper
  1. n.
    1 a person who harvests crops
    2 a machine used to harvest crops: The farmer drove his reaper to harvest the corn.
    3 the Grim Reaper: an image of Death as a skeleton dressed in a long, dark cloak and holding a tool used for reaping (a scythe): The Grim Reaper took the old man last night; he died.
reappear
reappear
  1. v. [I] to appear again, come back: That couple left the neighbor-hood, then reappeared a year later. -n. [U] reappearance.
reapply
reapply
  1. v. [I] -plied, -plying, -plies to apply again: The first time he tried to get a job at that company, they hired another person, but they asked him to reapply later.
reappoint
reappoint
  1. v. [T] to renew s.o.'s employment: The director of the tax department was reappointed by the new president. -n. [C;U] reappointment.
reapportion
reapportion
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give out again: After the older child took all the toys, the mother reapportioned them so that each child had s.t. to play with.
    2 to change congressional districts according to new census figures: The Congress reapportions districts all over the country every ten years. -n. reapportionment. See: gerrymander.
reappraisal
reappraisal
  1. n. thinking about the value of s.t. again,
    THESAURUS
    reevaluation: Congress is doing a reappraisal of the country's military system. -v. [T] reappraise.
rear
rear
  1. (1) n.adj.
    1 [U] the back area of s.t.: He sat in the rear of the church.
    2 [C] infrml. the buttocks: He fell on his rear (or) on his rear end.
    3 to bring up the rear: to be last in a parade or a line: Clowns led the circus parade and elephants brought up the rear.
    THESAURUS
rear (1)

  1. 1 the back
    2 butt infrml., posterior frml.
rear (2)
  1. v.
    1 [T] to help children or young animals to grow: A mother rears her children to adulthood.
    2 [I] to raise oneself up, lift oneself up: A horse reared up on its hind legs.
    THESAURUS
rear (2)

  1. 1 to raise, nurture.
rearm
rearm
  1. v. [I;T] to give weapons again to soldiers, sailors, etc., build up the military: After a time of peace, that nation rearmed itself for war against its neighbor. -n. rearmament.
rearrange
rearrange
  1. v. [T] -ranged, -ranging, -ranges to put s.t. in a new order: I've rearranged my work schedule; I no longer will work on weekends. -n. [C;U] rearrangement.
rearview
rearview
  1. adj. looking to the back: As she drives along, she looks in her rearview mirror to see cars behind her.
reason
reason
  1. n.
    1 [U] the ability to understand and think logically: Scientists use rea-son to understand nature.
    2 [C] the purpose for doing s.t.: His reason for going back to school is to learn new things.
    3 [C] the cause of s.t. happening: The reason he bought a new TV is that his old TV is broken.
    4 to lis-ten to reason: to do what s.o. tells you to do because it is intelligent, right: He listened to reason when his doctor told him that he must stop smoking cigarettes or he would die.
    5 with reason: referring to doing s.t. for a good reason, because: She stopped talking to him with reason; he made her very angry.
    6 within reason: at a level that one can agree to, because it is logical and reasonable: Let's buy the house since the amount of money he wants is within reason.
    7 without rhyme or reason: having no logical plan or purpose: My boss makes decisions without rhyme or reason.v.
    1 [I] to think logically, use reason: He reasoned out the math problem and got the correct answer.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to reason with s.o.: to talk to s.o., trying to make him or her think logically and reasonably: It is not possible to reason with a two-year-old child.
    3 to stand to reason: to be right, correct: It stands to reason that he wants to marry her because he loves her very much.
    THESAURUS
    reason
    1 logic, intellect | brains infrml.
    2 objective, aim, intention
    3 a motive for doing s.t., basis for doing s.t. —v.
    1 to analyze, contemplate.
reasonable
reasonable
  1. adj.
    1 referring to a logical and right thing to do: That man works very hard, so it is reasonable for him to ask for more money.
    2 likely to be true, understandable: It is reasonable to think that he will be unhappy if he doesn't get more money.
    3 not priced too high: The price of the coat was very reasonable, so I bought it. -n. [U] reasonableness; -adv. reasonably.
    THESAURUS
    reasonable
    1 acceptable, sensible, fair. Ant. unreasonable.
    2 conceivable, logical
    3 economical, inexpensive, fair. Ant. unreasonable.
reasoning
reasoning
  1. n. [U]
    1 an act of thinking: Her reasoning is that she will marry a man who likes to cook because she never learned to cook.
    2 the ability to think logically: His reasoning is very good about why he needs a new job.
reassert
reassert
  1. v. [T] to say again, repeat a strong belief: In all of his speeches this week, the President reasserted the importance education has for the country. -n. reassertion.
reassess
reassess
  1. v. [T] -es to think about s.t. again,
    THESAURUS
    to reevaluate: The owner reassessed the value of his land and changed its price. -n. [C;U] reassessment.
reassign
reassign
  1. v. [T] to put in a new position, give s.o. a new place or job: After working in Japan for three years, the diplomat was reassigned to Washington, DC. -n. [C;U] reassignment.
reassure
reassure
  1. v. [T] -sured, -suring, -sures to make s.o. believe that s.t. will be all right: She told him she still loved him and that reassured him. -n. [C;U] reassurance; -adv. reassuringly.
    THESAURUS
    reassure to comfort, put s.o. at ease, put s.o.'s mind at rest | encourage s.o.
reawaken
reawaken
  1. v. [I;T] to wake up again: The noise of trucks on the street reawakened him many times last night.
rebate
rebate
  1. n.v. [T] -bated, -bating, -bates money given by a company to people who have bought a product: The car manufacturer gave me a rebate of $1,000 on the price of my new car.||They rebated that amount.
    THESAURUS
    rebate n. money back, refund | allowance. —v. to refund.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare rebate and coupon. A rebate is money returned to a buyer (often by mail) after the sale: I sent in a form to get a $1.00 rebate on the shampoo I bought. A coupon reduces the price of the item at the time of the sale: I used a coupon to buy cereal for 75 cents less than the regular price. Some stores will double or triple the value of a coupon to increase their business.
rebel
rebel
  1. n.adj. a person who fights against a person or group in power, esp. against a government: Rebels (or) rebel troops attacked an army outpost.v. [I] -belled, -belling, -bels to fight against a person or group in power: He rebelled against his parents and left home. -adj. rebellious ; -n. [U] rebelliousness.
rebellion
rebellion
  1. n. [C;U] a fight against the people in power: The young woman was put in jail because of her rebellion against the government.
rebirth
rebirth
  1. n.sing.fig.
    1 a new start, a feeling that one is born again,
    THESAURUS
    renewal: I changed jobs, and I've had a rebirth of energy and happiness with my work.
    2 a return to popularity or use,
    THESAURUS
    revival: That old movie had a rebirth of popularity this year.
reborn
reborn
  1. adj.fig. feeling as if one were born again,
    THESAURUS
    renewed: He moved to the country and felt reborn.
rebound
rebound
  1. v. [I] to bounce back, return: I threw the ball against the wall and it rebounded to me.n.
    1 a bounce back: I caught the ball on the rebound.
    2 on the rebound: a time of recovery, esp. after a love affair that has ended: He fell in love with a new girlfriend on the rebound from a painful love affair that ended sadly.
rebuff
rebuff
  1. n.v. [T] a quick and complete rejection, such as of an offer, proposal, (syns.) a refusal, to turn down: He wanted to kiss the woman, but he received a rebuff.||She rebuffed him.
rebuild
rebuild
  1. v. [T] -built , -building, -builds to build again, renew: His house burned down and he rebuilt it. -n. rebuilding.
rebuke
rebuke
  1. n.v.frml. [T] -buked, -buking, -bukes strong, angry words to tell s.o. he or she did s.t. wrong, (syns.) criticism, scolding: He received a rebuke for his mistake.||His supervisor rebuked him.
rebut
rebut
  1. v.frml. [T] -butted, -butting, -buts to speak against s.o. else's idea or opinion, to prove that it is wrong,
    THESAURUS
    to refute: Our lawyer saved our case when she rebutted the other lawyer's speech. -n. [C;U] rebuttal.
recalcitrant
recalcitrant
  1. adj.frml. openly doing or saying things against people in power, (syns.) defiant, uncooperative: Recalcitrant students are always in trouble with their teachers. -n. [U] recalcitrance.
recalculate
recalculate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to do math again, calculate again: I made a mistake the first time, so I had to recalculate the numbers. -n. [C;U] recalculation.
recall
recall
  1. v. [T]
    1 to remember s.t.: I don't recall your name; I don't have a good memory for names.
    2 to ask that s.t. be returned: The company recalled a product because it was not safe.n. [U]
    1 the ability to remember: She has a wonderful recall of people's names.
    2 a request for the return of unsafe goods by the company that made them
recant
recant
  1. v. [I;T] to tell others formally that beliefs, statements, ideas, etc., that one said before are actually untrue: The witness later recanted the things he said in court and said it was all not true.
recap
recap
  1. n.v.infrml. [I;T] -capped, -capping, -caps short for recapitulation, a short summary of a situation, event, etc.: Sports announcers give a recap of the day's sporting events each evening.||They recapped the games.
recapitulation
recapitulation
  1. n. [C;U] a short summary of a situation, event, etc., that had already been explained once before: Our professor gave a recapitulation of her previous lecture. -v. recapitulate.
recapture
recapture
  1. v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures to capture s.o. that has escaped: Police recaptured the prisoner who escaped from prison.
recast
recast
  1. v. [T] -cast, -casting, -casts to show s.t. in a different way, do s.t. again: He wrote a report about a project's costs, then recast it to show the project's benefits. -n. [U] recasting.
recede
recede
  1. v. [I] -ceded, -ceding, -cedes to move back,
    THESAURUS
    to retreat: Sea water recedes when the tide goes out. -adj. recessive.
receding hairline
receding hairline
  1. n. usu. in men, a place on the front of a person's head where he is losing his hair: My father is not bald, but he has a receding hairline.
receipt
receipt
  1. n. [U] a piece of paper showing that a bill is paid: I bought a hat and the clerk gave me a receipt.v. [T] to make a receipt for s.o.: The clerk receipted the sale in case I need to return the coat.
    THESAURUS
    receipt sales slip, sales ticket.
receivable
receivable
  1. n. an amount of money that one expects to receive, money due: Our company has $10,000 in receivables due in this month.
receive
receive
  1. v. [T] -ceived, -ceiving, -ceives
    1 to get or take s.t. that is given or sent, accept: I received a gift on my birthday.
    2 to formally greet s.o., meet s.o.: The mayor received the delegation at City Hall.
    THESAURUS
    receive
    1 to get, acquire | obtain
    2 to make s.o. welcome, invite s.o. in | entertain.
receiver
receiver
  1. n.
    1 a device that receives signals, such as a radio receiver or a telephone receiver: My telephone receiver is not working, so I can't hear what you say when you call me.
    2 in American football, the player who is supposed to catch the ball: The receiver caught the ball and scored a touchdown.
receivership
receivership
  1. n. [C;U] (in law) a legal state where an official person receives money and property for a person or company that is legally not able to pay his or its bills: That company has filed for bankruptcy and is now in receivership.
receiving line
receiving line
  1. n. a line of hosts at a social occasion who meet the guests: The ambassador and his wife greeted guests in the receiving line for the formal dinner.
recent
recent
  1. adj. in the past, but not very long ago, such as yesterday, last week, last month: I paid a recent visit to my parents, last month in fact.
recently
recently
  1. adv.
    1 not too long ago: I saw my friend recently; we had dinner together last week.
    2 starting not too long ago and still going on,
    THESAURUS
    currently: Recently, he has been working on his master's degree at the university.
    THESAURUS
    recently
    1 a short while ago
    2 lately.
receptacle
receptacle
  1. n. s.t. in which to put or hold things, such as a box, can, or wastebasket: I put some trash in the receptacle on the street corner.
reception
reception
  1. n.
    1 [C] greeting, welcome: I always receive a warm reception at my brother's house.
    2 [C] a type of party planned so people can meet a special guest and each other: There was a reception after the wedding so everyone could meet the bride and groom.
    3 [C] the entrance of a business: I met my friend at the reception of her office.
    4 [U] the quality of a TV or radio signal: Cable TV gives good reception.
receptionist
receptionist
  1. n. a person who greets and directs people at a business entrance: I gave the receptionist my name and waited for my appointment.
receptive
receptive
  1. adj. interested and wanting to listen to a plan, idea, etc.: A person was receptive to what the sales clerk said about the TV and bought it. -adv. receptively.
receptor
receptor
  1. n.
    1 (in biology) part of a nerve that receives information from the senses or from other nerves: Nerve receptors receive information and send it to the brain.
    2 (in chemistry) part of a molecule that receives another chemical: Molecules connect to receptors on other molecules and form new chemicals.
recess
recess
  1. n. -es
    1 [C;U] a short stop or break, such as in a meeting, school classes, or business: The school children play in the schoolyard when they have recess outside.
    2 [C] a deep place as in a wall,
    THESAURUS
    cavity: There were small statues of gods and goddesses in the recesses of the temple wall.v. [I] to stop to relax, take a break in a meeting: The court recessed at 4:00 P.M. today, and will reconvene at 9:00 A.M. tomorrow.
recession
recession
  1. n. a time when economic activity is not strong, usu. defined as a decrease in a nation's GNP for six months: In a recession, there are fewer jobs for workers, so people have less money.
recharge
recharge
  1. v. -charged, -charging, -charges
    1 [T] to put energy back into s.t.: My car battery was not working, so the mechanic recharged it for me.
    2 infrml. to recharge one's batteries: to take a vacation: I was so tired that I went to the country for a week to recharge my batteries.
recipe
recipe
  1. n. directions for cooking food: She used her favorite recipe to make chocolate cake.
recipient
recipient
  1. n. a person who receives s.t. sent or given by another: My grandmother was the recipient of 72 Christmas cards this year.||That man is a welfare recipient.
reciprocal
reciprocal
  1. n. the number which, when multiplied by a second number, gives a product of 1: The reciprocal of 6 is1/6.
reciprocate
reciprocate
  1. v. [I;T] -cated, -cating, -cates to give s.t. equal or similar to s.o. in exchange for what they have given you: She invited me to a party, so I reciprocated and invited her to my party. -n. [U] reciprocation.
reciprocity
reciprocity
  1. n. -ties [C] a condition of equal exchange between two or more groups, such as nations trading each other's goods: Our country has trading reciprocity with France whereby they import our cars and we import theirs.
recital
recital
  1. n. a public musical show, usu. by a singer, musician, dancer, etc.: The young violinist gave a recital at Symphony Hall.
recitation
recitation
  1. n. speaking a written part from a book, exam, etc., from memory in front of an audience: The poet gave a recitation of her poems at the college.
recite
recite
  1. v. [I;T] -cited, -citing, -cites to speak s.t. one knows from memory: The child recited his prayers before going to bed.
reckless
reckless
  1. adj. doing s.t. dangerous without thinking, (syns.) foolish, rash: He is reckless when he drives his car too fast. -adv. recklessly; -n. [U] recklessness.
reckon
reckon
  1. v. [T]
    1 to do arithmetic, figure: He reckoned the bill and handed it to me.
    2 infrml. to decide, think: I reckon that the economy will improve.
    3 to be reckoned with: (of a person or event) serious, not to be ignored: He doesn't look very smart, but he is a businessperson to be reckoned with.
    4 phrasal v. insep. to reckon with s.o. or s.t.: to have to deal with: If you try to hurt me, you'll have to reckon with my big brother.
reckoning
reckoning
  1. n.
    1 [C] the act of doing arithmetic,
    THESAURUS
    calculation: His reckonings show that he has enough money to buy a car.
    2 [U] a settlement of accounts: After the final reckoning, we made money on the sale of our house.
    3 the figuring out of the position of an aircraft or ship
    4 day of reckoning: a day when a person must pay for his or her bad behavior: He spent money without thinking, and the day of reckoning came when the bank took his car and his house to pay his bills.
reclaim
reclaim
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take again: The dictator returned to his country and reclaimed his power.
    2 to renew, improve buildings that need to be fixed or improved: The city reclaimed its old empty buildings by fixing them up and selling them. -n. [U] reclamation.
reclassify
reclassify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to put s.t. or s.o. in a new group or category: She was reclassified from a part-time to a full-time student.
recline
recline
  1. v. [I] -clined, -clining, -clines
    1 to lie back, lean: He reclined against a wall and closed his eyes.
    2 to lie down, rest: She reclined on her bed to take a nap.
recluse
recluse
  1. n. a person who lives alone and avoids other people: My neighbor is a recluse who never speaks to anyone in our apartment building.
recognition
recognition
  1. n. [U]
    1 credit, praise for doing s.t. well: An excellent employee was given recognition with an award for her good work.
    2 (in diplomacy) official agreement to another nation's right to national status, trade agreements, etc.: Did Israel and the Palestinians give recognition to each other's right to exist as a nation?
    3 signs that one remembers s.o. or s.t., (syns.) awareness, recall: I saw an old friend, but he showed no recognition that he remembered me.
recognizable
recognizable
  1. adj. familiar, possible to recognize: He wore a costume and mask and was not recognizable.
recognize
recognize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 to recall, remember s.o. or s.t. when one sees or hears that person or thing: I recognized an old friend in a crowd and waved to her.
    2 in a formal meeting, to give s.o. a chance to speak: The chairwoman recognized me and I told the committee my opinion. -adv. recognizably.
    THESAURUS
    recognize
    1 to notice s.o., spot s.o. infrml., identify s.o.
    2 to acknowledge s.o.
recoil
recoil
  1. v. [I]
    1 to move back quickly from s.t., esp. in horror, fear, etc.: The hunter recoiled when he saw a dangerous snake in front of him.
    2 to move backwards with force: A rifle recoils against my shoulder when I shoot it.
recollect
recollect
  1. v. [I;T] to remember, to recall: He recollected what we had talked about yesterday and we came to an agreement.
recollection
recollection
  1. n. [C;U] an ability or act of remembering, recall: I have a clear recollection of what you said during our meeting.
recombine
recombine
  1. v. [T] -bined, -bining, -bines to put things together in a new way: Three departments in that company were recombined into two.
recommence
recommence
  1. v. [I;T] -menced, -mencing, -mences to begin again,
    THESAURUS
    to resume: Rain interrupted the tennis match, but it recommenced after the rain stopped. -n. [U] recommencement.
recommend
recommend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to tell others about s.t. one likes: I recommend that restaurant to you because it has very good food.
    2 to advise s.o. to do s.t.: My doctor recommends that I see a specialist for my skin condition.
    THESAURUS
    recommend
    1 to suggest, endorse
    2 to urge s.o. to do s.t., advise, advocate.
recommendation
recommendation
  1. n. [C;U] written or spoken praise about s.t. or s.o.'s good points,
    THESAURUS
    approval: He gave his friend a recommendation on a good movie to see.||Her teacher gave her a good recommendation for college.
recompense
recompense
  1. n. [U] payment, esp. for being hurt or for loss of property: He was hurt in a car accident and finally received fair recompense from an insurance company.v. [T] -pensed, -pensing, -penses to pay,
    THESAURUS
    to compensate: Insurance recompensed him for his injury.
reconcile
reconcile
  1. v. [I;T] -ciled, -ciling, -ciles
    1 to bring together people or ideas that were separated,
    THESAURUS
    to harmonize: The husband and wife separated, then reconciled, and now live happily together.
    2 to get used to, adjust to s.t. difficult: He has reconciled himself to the idea that he is getting old. -adj. reconcilable.
reconciliation
reconciliation
  1. n. an agreement made after an argument or fight: The two friends had a reconciliation after they disagreed, and now they are friends again.
recondition
recondition
  1. v. [T] to put s.t. back into good condition,
    THESAURUS
    to refurbish: She reconditioned her sailboat with a new coat of paint and a new engine. -n. [U] reconditioning.
reconfirm
reconfirm
  1. v. [T] to confirm again, establish more firmly: I reconfirmed my airline reservations the day before my flight. -n. [C;U] reconfirmation.
reconnaissance
reconnaissance
  1. n. [C;U] (in the military) to look over an area, check it out: An Air Force plane made a reconnaissance over the area to track where the enemy is.
reconsider
reconsider
  1. v. [I;T] to rethink s.t. after deciding against it, to change one's mind: She did not agree to marry him, but later she reconsidered and agreed to do so.
reconstitute
reconstitute
  1. v. [T] -tuted, -tuting, -tutes to return s.t. to the way it was before, renew: A mother reconstituted powdered milk by adding water to it for her child to drink. -adj. reconstituted; -n. [U] reconstitution.
reconstruct
reconstruct
  1. v. [T]
    1 to rebuild, renew s.t. to its original state: People reconstructed their homes after the hurricane destroyed them.
    2 to figure s.t. out piece by piece: Police reconstructed how the murder happened by talking to people who saw it happen. -n. [C;U] reconstruction.
reconvene
reconvene
  1. v. [I;T] -vened, -vening, -venes to convene again, begin a meeting again: The court stopped for lunch and reconvened at 1:30 P.M.
record
record
  1. n.
    1 s.t. (usu. written) that proves that an event happened, including records of business transactions, scientific data, cultural, or other human activities: The records of our business are kept in our computer and in printouts.
    2 the best time, distance, etc., in an athletic event: She holds the world record for the 100-meter dash.
    3 a criminal's history of arrests and things he or she did wrong: That thief has a long criminal record.
    4 a flat, black disk onto which a sound recording, esp. music, has been pressed: He has a collection of Elvis Presley records from the 1950s.
    5 to break the record: to make a new fastest time, distance, etc.: A runner broke the world record for the 100-meter run yesterday.
    6 for the record: indicating s.t. official for the public or for clarity: The lawyer told the court, for the record, that the woman he represented would not officially speak in court.
    7 off the record: referring to s.t. that should not be heard by the public,
    THESAURUS
    unofficial: The mayor called in reporters to talk to them off the record about the latest crime wave, and asked them not to publish what he said in their newspapers.
    8 on the record: referring to s.t. that can be made public,
    THESAURUS
    official: The mayor then spoke on the record about what his plans are for fighting crime.v.
    1 [T] to make a written record of s.t.: The scanner recorded the $10 purchase and printed a receipt.
    2 [T] to register s.t. officially: After he bought the house, he recorded his ownership at City Hall.
    3 [I;T] to make a sound or video recording of s.t., as on disk or tape: The concert we went to was recorded for showing on TV.
    THESAURUS
    record n.
    1 documentation, account, log
    3 background, career. —v.
    1 to tabulate
    2 to file, document
    3 to tape, videotape.
record player
record player
  1. n. a device used to play records,
    THESAURUS
    phonograph: He has a record player to play 1950s records of pop music.
recorder
recorder
  1. n.
    1 a person who records things: A recorder of births works at the City Hall.
    2 (music) a wind instrument
    3 a device used to record sight or sound: Most reporters have a tape recorder to use in interviews.
recording
recording
  1. n. an electronic or magnetic copy of an audio or visual event: Recordings of music are often sold as CDs.
recount
recount
  1. v. [T]
    1 to count s.t. again, refigure: Workers recounted the ballots because the election was close, and they wanted to be sure of who won.
    2 to tell, describe (a story, situation): She recounted stories about her youth in Indonesia.n. another count: Workers did a recount of the ballots.
recoup
recoup
  1. v. [T] to gain back s.t. after losing it,
    THESAURUS
    to regain: The price of our stocks fell, but we recouped our losses when prices rose again.
recourse
recourse
  1. n.frml. a way, a method of fixing a bad situation: The driver who hit my car refused to pay for fixing it, so I had no recourse but to go to court to get my money from him.
recover
recover
  1. v.
    1 [I] to regain one's health: He recovered from his illness and is well again.
    2 [T] to get s.t. back, to get control again: Workers recovered a sunken boat from the lake.
    3 [T] to make up for losses: The race car driver recovered the time he lost at the start of the race and won.
    4 [T] to put a new cover (new material) on s.t.: to recover a sofa -adj. recoverable. See: reupholster.
    THESAURUS
    recover
    1 to get better, recuperate from s.t.
    2 to retrieve, reclaim, salvage
    3 to regain, recoup
    4 to reupholster.
recovery
recovery
  1. n. -ies
    1 return of one's good health: She had a quick recovery after surgery.
    2 [U] regaining a loss: The recovery of the missing painting took several years.
    THESAURUS
    recovery
    1 an improvement, recuperation, convalescence
    2 the retrieval, repossession.
recovery room
recovery room
  1. n. a special room in a hospital where patients are taken and watched after surgery: After the operation, the doctor watched his patient in the recovery room. See: operating room.
recreation
recreation
  1. n. [C;U] fun things to do, such as sports, hobbies, and amusements: Her favorite recreation is play-ing tennis.
    THESAURUS
    recreation a pastime, diversion | entertainment.
recruit
recruit
  1. v. [I;T] to interview and choose people to join an organization or cause: She recruits people to become sales representatives for her company.n.
    1 a soldier who has just joined the military: A sergeant shouted at the recruits to stand at attention.
    2 a new person in a group or cause: New recruits join our club every summer.
recruiter
recruiter
  1. n. a person who recruits others: A recruiter for our company visits college campuses to recruit students to work for us when they graduate. -n. recruiting.
recruitment
recruitment
  1. n. [U] the process of interviewing and choosing people to do a job: In the army, recruitment is done by sergeants.
rectal
rectal
  1. adj. related to the rectum: The mother took her baby's temperature with a rectal thermometer.
rectangle
rectangle
  1. n. any shape with four straight sides that make right angles: My textbook is shaped like a rectangle. -adj. rectangular.
rectifiable
rectifiable
  1. adj.frml. able to be made right, correctable: There was a mistake made in the contract, but it is rectifiable.
rectify
rectify
  1. v.frml. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to correct, make right: He rectified the mistake in the contract by changing its wording. -n. [U] rectification.
rectilinear
rectilinear
  1. adj. having or forming straight lines
rectitude
rectitude
  1. n. [U] strict honesty and/or strong morality in a person: Her moral rectitude is much respected by her friends.
rector
rector
  1. n.
    1 a minister, esp. an Episcopalian or Anglican priest, who is the head of an area served by a church: The rector reports church business to other church officials.
    2 the head of some schools: The rector scolded a rude student.
rectory
rectory
  1. n. -ries the house that a church has for its minister to live in: After the church service, the minister went to his rectory.
rectum
rectum
  1. n. the lower part of the large intestine, which passes waste matter to the anus: A doctor inserted a tube to examine the patient's rectum.
recumbent
recumbent
  1. adj. referring to s.o. or s.t. lying down,
    THESAURUS
    reclining: The Spanish artist Goya painted a famous picture of a recumbent woman.
recuperate
recuperate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to feel better after illness or tiredness,
    THESAURUS
    to heal: He recuperated quickly after being in the hospital. -adj. recuperative ; -n. [U] recuperation.
recur
recur
  1. v. [I] -curred, -curring, -curs to happen again: His sore throat recurs every winter. -n. [C;U] recurrence.
recurrent
recurrent
  1. adj.frml. happening again and again or regularly: His troubles with money are recurrent. -adv. recurrently.
recycle
recycle
  1. v. [I;T] -cled, -cling, -cles to process and reuse materials, esp. waste items: New York City recycles newspapers, bottles, and other garbage, and makes them into new products. See: biodegradable.

    USAGE NOTE: Recycling has become common in North America, and there are special trash cans on the street where people can put glass and plastic bottles and aluminum cans to be recycled: The store where we buy food collects plastic bags to be recycled. At home, some people sort trash into paper, plastics, and metals and take them to a recycling center. In some communities special recycling containers and trucks pick up the recycling. Other communities have passed laws that require citizens to pay a fine if they do not recycle.
red-blooded
red-blooded
  1. adj.fig. having qualities such as courage, energy, and love-ofcountry: Like any red-blooded American, he is ready to fight for his country.
red-carpet
red-carpet
  1. adj.fig. special, for important people: When the new ambassador arrived, the embassy gave her a red-carpet welcome with a band and a big party.n. to roll out the red carpet: to welcome s.o. with special honors, often including a red carpet for them to walk on
red-eye
red-eye
  1. adj. referring to late-night transportation when passengers are tired and have "red eyes": I took the 11:00 P.M. red-eye flight from Los Angeles to New York and arrived at 8:00 A.M.
red-handed
red-handed
  1. adj.fig. referring to s.o. caught in the act of doing s.t. bad: Police caught the thief red-handed with the stolen money in his hand as he ran from the bank.
red-hot
red-hot
  1. adj.
    1 very hot: Iron looks red-hot when it is heated in a fire.
    2 s.t. very new and exciting: That musical group just started selling a red-hot new recording.
red-letter
red-letter
  1. adj.fig. about good news: It was a red-letter day for him when he won the contest.
red-light district
red-light district
  1. n. an area of a city or town with houses of prostitution: Police patrol the red-light district to try to stop trouble.
red
red
  1. n.adj.
    1 [C;U] a basic color like that of blood: She likes to wear red and has several red suits.
    2 to be in the red: to be in debt: Our company was making money, but now it's in the red. See: black, n., 4.
    3 to see red: to be very angry: My father will see red when I tell him I wrecked his car.
red alert
red alert
  1. n. a high state of being ready, esp. for a fight or war: All men rushed to their guns when the ship went on red alert.
red cent
red cent
  1. n.infrml.fig. a very small amount of money, s.t. worthless: That old car is not worth a red cent.
red herring
red herring
  1. n.fig. s.t. said or done to confuse s.o. about the true importance of s.t.: He said I did not understand, but that was a red herring to avoid discussion of his mistake.
redden
redden
  1. v. [I;T] to become red,
    THESAURUS
    to blush: When he is embarrassed, his face reddens.
redecorate
redecorate
  1. v. [I;T] -rated, -rating, -rates to decorate s.t. over again,
    THESAURUS
    to refurbish: After living in our house for ten years, we redecorated with new paint and furniture.
redecoration
redecoration
  1. n. [U] decoration of s.t. over again, esp. a home, office, or building: The redecoration of our offices included a new carpet, fresh paint on the walls, and some new furniture.
redeem
redeem
  1. v. [T]
    1 to turn s.t. in, such as a coupon or shares in a mutual fund, for cash, a discount, or merchandise: I redeemed coupons for cereal and mouthwash at the supermarket and saved $1.50.
    2 to put oneself back in good standing with s.o.: He made a bad mistake but redeemed himself by fixing it before the problem became serious.
    3 (in religion) to save s.o. from sin: His belief in God redeemed him.
    4 to pay for s.t. pawned, repay: He redeemed his watch at the pawnbroker for $100. -adj. redeemable; -n. redeemer. See: redemption.
redefine
redefine
  1. v. [T] -fined, -fining, -fines to describe s.t. differently, define anew: The company redefined its plans for the future and hired more workers to complete the new plans. -n. redefinition.
redeliver
redeliver
  1. v. [I;T] to deliver again: I was not home when the delivery person came with the package, so he redelivered it the next day. -n. [C;U] redelivery.
redemption
redemption
  1. n. [U]
    1 an act of redeeming, turning s.t. in, usu. for money: I must return this rented VCR for redemption of my $100 deposit.
    2 (in religion) the state of being saved from sin: Most Christians believe that redemption comes with belief in Jesus Christ. See: redeem.
redesign
redesign
  1. v. [I;T] to design or create s.t. differently: Each year auto makers redesign their cars.n.
    1 the process of redesign: The redesign of our plans will take several weeks.
    2 an example of redesign: This year's Honda CivicTM is a redesign of last year's model.
redevelop
redevelop
  1. v. [T] to renew s.t., such as old buildings: The city redeveloped its old waterfront into a new tourist attraction. -n. [U] redevelopment.
redhead
redhead
  1. n. a person with red hair, esp. a woman: My sister is the redhead standing by the window. See: blonde, brunette.
redirect
redirect
  1. v. [T] to turn s.t. in a new direction: The writer redirected her work from writing novels to writing poetry. -n. [U] redirection.
rediscover
rediscover
  1. v. [T] to find s.t. again: A famous painting was lost during the war, then s.o. rediscovered it at a small art store. -n. rediscovery.
redistribute
redistribute
  1. v. [T] -uted, -uting, -utes to distribute again, give s.t. out in a different way: Governments redistribute money by collecting taxes from everyone, and then giving welfare to those who need it. -n. redistribution.
redistrict
redistrict
  1. v. [I;T] to draw new lines defining an area or a district: Every ten years US states are redistricted so that representatives to Congress can be elected fairly.
redneck
redneck
  1. n.pej. (in USA) a stereotypical working-class Southern white man, seen as uneducated and disliking people not like himself: Rednecks get the name from having sunburned necks from working outside.
redness
redness
  1. n.
    1 [U] a red color: The redness of the sun just before it set was beautiful.
    2 a condition of reddened skin that is a sign of swelling or itching: Redness on the baby's bottom indicated he had a rash.
redo
redo
  1. -did , -done , -doing, -does v. [T] to do s.t. over again: I redid my report to make it more complete.
redouble
redouble
  1. v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to try harder, work faster: Firefighters redoubled their efforts to save the people in the burning building. -n. [U] redoubling.
redoubtable
redoubtable
  1. adj.frml. (often used humorously) getting or deserving respect because of one's ability or power,
    THESAURUS
    awesome: Champion boxers are redoubtable sportsmen.
redress
redress
  1. n. [U] a correction of s.t. wrong, (syns.) a compensation, a remedy: He was hurt because his workplace was unsafe, so he went to court to try to find redress for his pain.v. [T] to correct a wrong,
    THESAURUS
    to remedy: The court redressed her pain by making the company pay her $1 million.
reduce
reduce
  1. v. -duced, -ducing, -duces
    1 [I;T] to make s.o. or s.t. smaller in size or weight: He reduced his weight by 20 pounds by eating less and exercising.
    2 [I;T] to lessen in severity, importance, etc.: She stopped smoking cigarettes and reduced her risk of getting lung cancer.
    3 [T] to make s.o. poor and unhappy: The hurricane reduced many people to living without food or housing for days.
    4 [T] to put a fraction in an equal and simplest form: You can reduce the fraction4/8 to 1/2.
    THESAURUS
    reduce
    1 to decrease, lower, slash. Ant. to increase.
    2 to cut, diminish. Ant. to increase.
reduction
reduction
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a decrease, less of s.t.: A reduction of 100 employees was made after the company was sold.
    2 a decrease in price: This weekend, there is a 30% reduction on all shoes at that store.
redundant
redundant
  1. adj.
    1 not necessary or needed, (syns.) repetitious, superfluous: The teacher told him the ideas in his essay were redundant, because he repeated the same idea three times.
    2 unneeded as an employee: Her position at the company was declared redundant and she was told to find a new job. -n. [C;U] redundancy; -adv. redundantly.
reed
reed
  1. n.
    1 a long stem of certain water grasses used to make floor mats, roofs for houses, etc.: People make baskets out of reeds.
    2 an instrument, such as a clarinet, bassoon, or oboe, that uses a reed to create sound
reeducate
reeducate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to teach s.o. new ways of doing things: Some countries have programs to reeducate farmers to use new ways of farming so they can grow more food. -n. [U] reeducation.
reedy
reedy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 high-pitched: That soprano has a reedy voice.
    2 full of reeds
reef
reef
  1. n. in the ocean, a long bar made of sand, coral, etc.: A ship hit a coral reef and sank.
reefer
reefer
  1. n.slang a marijuana cigarette: He smoked a reefer and got in trouble with the police.
reek
reek
  1. v. [I] to have a very strong bad smell: A drunkard reeks of alcohol.
reelect
reelect
  1. v. [T] to elect an official again: The mayor was reelected for a third term in office. -n. [C;U] reelection.
reemerge
reemerge
  1. v. [I] -merged, -merging, -merges to come out again: Hikers went into a cave and reemerged an hour later. -n. [U] reemergence.
reenact
reenact
  1. v. [T] to show how s.t. was done by acting it out: Witnesses reenacted the crime for the police by showing them how the thieves held up the store. -n. [C;U] reenactment.
reenforce
reenforce
  1. v. -forced, -forcing, -forces
    1 [I;T] to strengthen, such as by adding more police officers or soldiers to others: The general reenforced his men on the front line by sending 10,000 more troops there.
    2 [T] to add additional meaning to s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to emphasize: Teachers reenforce their lectures by using visual aids.
reenforcement
reenforcement
  1. n. [C;U] additional strength, such as more police officers or troops: The department store clerk requested reenforcements when more customers showed up for the special sale.
reenter
reenter
  1. v. [I;T] to enter again: He left college two years ago, then reentered this year.
reentry
reentry
  1. n. -tries [C;U] the act or process of entering again: A space vehicle made a reentry into the earth's atmosphere after being in space for a week.
reevaluate
reevaluate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to evaluate again, rethink s.t.: They didn't like the idea at first, but when they reevaluated it later, they decided that it would probably work. -n. [C;U] reevaluation.
reexamine
reexamine
  1. v. [T] -ined, -ining, -ines to examine s.t. again, restudy: A doctor reexamined her patient and found a problem she had not seen the first time.
refashion
refashion
  1. v. [T] to remake s.t., redo: I took my big old kitchen table to a wood worker; he refashioned it into a smaller table for my bedroom.
refer
refer
  1. v. [T] -ferred, -ferring, -fers
    1 to direct one's attention to s.t. or s.o.: A customer referred to an order that he had placed.||My doctor referred me to a specialist.
    2 to send s.t. or s.o. for help: The company referred me to their customer service department to solve my problem.
    THESAURUS
    refer
    1 to speak of s.o. or s.t., bring up s.t., mention | direct, recommend
    2 to direct, guide, pass s.o. on.
referee
referee
  1. n. a type of official who makes players follow the rules of a sport: The football referee blew his whistle to stop the game.v. [I;T] to act as a referee for a game or match: My friend referees basketball games.
reference
reference
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a source of information: That student used an encyclopedia as a reference for his term paper.
    2 [C] a recommendation, esp. for employment: My former boss said that I could use him as a reference.v. [T] to refer to s.t.: The student referenced his term paper by quoting from several newspaper articles.
referendum
referendum
  1. n. -dums or -da a direct popular vote taken nationally or regionally on an important question: A national referendum was held to decide whether or not to pay off the national debt through increased taxes.
referral
referral
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an act of referring one person to s.o. else: My doctor gave me a referral to a skin specialist.
    2 [C] the person referred: I came to the skin specialist as a referral from my general practitioner.
refigure
refigure
  1. v. [I;T] -ured, -uring, -ures to redo the arithmetic on s.t.: My bill was incorrect, but the waiter refigured it and corrected the mistake.
refinance
refinance
  1. v. [I;T] -nanced, -nancing, -nances to finance s.t. again, such as taking out a new loan: Interest rates went down by 1%, so I refinanced my loan at the lower rate. -n. [U] refinancing.
refine
refine
  1. v. [T] -fined, -fining, -fines
    1 to change, process s.t. into a purer form that is ready to be used: Oil companies refine crude oil into gasoline.
    2 to improve s.t., make it better: My professor refined her lectures and used them to write a textbook.
refined
refined
  1. adj.
    1 processed into a finer form: Refined sugar is white.
    2 referring to a person or manner that is polite, educated,
    THESAURUS
    polished: She has refined manners; her behavior is always socially correct.
refinement
refinement
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a polished form, a state of greater perfection of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    elegance: The kings and queens of France demanded refinement in dress and in manners.
    2 [U] the process of making s.t. pure: the refinement of oil
refinery
refinery
  1. n. -ies a place for refining raw materials into products for sale: Sugar refineries refine sugar cane into syrup and sugar. -n. refining.
refinish
refinish
  1. v. [T] -es to put a new finish or coating on s.t.: I sanded the old paint off my table and refinished it with a new coat.
refit
refit
  1. v. [I;T] -fitted, -fitting, -fits to fix s.t. so it looks new, esp. an old boat: We refitted our boat with new sails and a new coat of paint.
reflect
reflect
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to give off a shine: Sunlight reflected off the water.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to reflect on: a. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to affect the quality or reputation of: Students who do well on exams reflect well on their teachers. b. [I] s.t.: to think deeply about,
    THESAURUS
    to ponder: An old man reflected on what he had done in his lifetime.
    3 [T] to show an image of s.t. in water, a mirror, etc.: I like to watch clouds reflected in the water.
    4 [T] to give a true image or idea about s.t.: This writer's poetry reflects his love of nature. See: reminisce.
reflection
reflection
  1. n.
    1 [C] an image created by reflected light: He looked at his reflection in the mirror.
    2 [C;U] a shining: The reflection of moonlight on the water is very romantic.
    3 [C;U] a deep thought, reference about s.t.: This book has poems and the poet's reflections on what the poems mean.
    4 [U] the throwing back of light, sound, or heat: This room is always warm because of the reflection of sunlight through the window.
    5 positive or negative credit s.t. gives to s.t. else: A child's behavior is a reflection on her parents. -adj. reflective.
reflector
reflector
  1. n. an object that reflects s.t., esp. light: Bicycles have yellow or red reflectors on the wheels to make them easier to see at night.
reflex
reflex
  1. n. -es a quick reaction to s.t., usu. without thinking: Because he has quick reflexes, he caught the glass before it broke on the floor.
reflexive
reflexive
  1. adj. (in grammar) a word that refers back to the subject or object in a sentence: "Himself" is a reflexive pronoun in the sentence "He hurt himself when he fell."
refocus
refocus
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to focus again after being focused on s.t. else: I refocused my camera on the mountains far away.
    2 [I] to change one's attention from one idea or job to another: I work in an office during the day and refocus on my classes at night.
reform
reform
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to change s.t., improve s.t. that exists, esp. government: A new president reformed the nation's health care system.
    2 to correct bad behavior: An alcoholic reformed his ways and never drank again.
reform school
reform school
  1. n.var. of reformatory.
reformation
reformation
  1. n. [C;U] an improvement, reforming
reformatory
reformatory
  1. n. -ries a type of prison for children and teenagers where they live and go to school, and attempts are made to improve their behavior: A judge sentenced the 14-year-old boy to a year in a reformatory.
reformed
reformed
  1. adj.
    1 changed for the better, corrected: He is a reformed smoker; he hasn't had a cigarette in three years.
    2 changed, made new,
    THESAURUS
    modernized: She belongs to the reformed branch of an orthodox religion.
reformer
reformer
  1. n. a person who works for change and improvement, esp. in a system of government: The mayor is a reformer who stopped dishonesty in city politics.
reformulate
reformulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to rethink, redo s.t. in a new way: The medicine was reformulated to make it taste better. -n. [U] reformulation.
refraction
refraction
  1. n. [U] the bending of light waves, such as through a prism: Refraction of sunlight makes the sky seem blue by day and orange at sunset. -n. refractory; -v. [T] refract.
refrain
refrain
  1. v. [I] not to do s.t., to avoid doing s.t.: Students refrain from smoking in the classroom.n. a song, tune; lines repeated in a song or tune,
    THESAURUS
    chorus: We sang the refrain of the song many times.
refresh
refresh
  1. v.
    1 [T] to make strong and clean again,
    THESAURUS
    to revive: Eight hours of sleep and a shower always refresh me.
    2 to refresh s.o.'s memory: to remind s.o.: I read the end of the book again to refresh my memory about the story.
refresher course
refresher course
  1. n. a course that gives students a review and some new information about a subject they studied before: He took a refresher course in computers.
refreshing
refreshing
  1. adj. making s.o. feel strong and new again: I took a refreshing bath after a hot day's work. -adv. refreshingly.
refreshment
refreshment
  1. n. [C;U] food and drink that refreshes: He needed refreshment, so he drank a tall glass of cola.
refrigerator
refrigerator
  1. n. a storage box with cooling and usu. freezing sections for keeping food fresh: We keep all our food in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. -n. [U] refrigeration; -v. [T] refrigerate.
refuel
refuel
  1. v. [I;T] to put more fuel into the tanks of s.t., such as an airplane, car, or truck: Our plane stopped in Chicago to refuel before flying on to New York.
refuge
refuge
  1. n. [C;U] to take or seek refuge: a place of safety from danger and discomfort: When it started to rain hard, I took refuge in the doorway of a building.
refugee
refugee
  1. n. a person trying to leave bad living conditions, such as oppression, war, hunger, etc.: During the war, many refugees went to safer countries nearby to try to live better lives.
    THESAURUS
    refugee a displaced person, exile | asylum-seeker.
refund
refund
  1. n. an amount of money returned to the person who bought s.t.: The new TV never worked well, so I brought it back to the store for a refund.v. [T] to give a refund: They refunded my money when I returned it.
    THESAURUS
    refund n. a reimbursement, repayment | rebate. —v. to give back to s.o., pay s.o. back, reimburse.
refurbish
refurbish
  1. v.frml. [T] -es to change a room, office, or home so that it looks newer, redecorate: The new mayor refurbished his office. -n. [U] refurbishment.
refurnish
refurnish
  1. v. [T] -es to redecorate, redo the furnishings of a room, office, house, etc.: After we lived in the house for ten years, we refurnished the living room with fresh wallpaper and new furniture. -n. refurnishing.
refusal
refusal
  1. n. [C;U] an act of rejecting s.t.: Alice's refusal to marry Chandler made Chandler very sad.
    THESAURUS
    refusal unwillingness | denial. Ant. acceptance.
refute
refute
  1. v. [T] -futed, -futing, -futes to prove s.t. is incorrect, disprove: One witness refuted the statement of another by presenting new evidence. -n. [C;U] refutation.
regain
regain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to gain again, to get back,
    THESAURUS
    to recover: She regained the money that she had lost.
    2 to add back on: She regained the 15 pounds that she had lost.
regal
regal
  1. adj.
    1 related to kings and queens: The regal crown is on the king's head.
    2 fig. great, good enough for a king or queen: That lawyer makes a regal amount of money. -adv. regally.
regale
regale
  1. v. [T] n.frml. -galed, -galing, -gales to entertain,
    THESAURUS
    to amuse: Our friend regaled us with stories of things he had done in Africa.
regalia
regalia
  1. n. [U] the clothes and symbols used by people in ceremonies: The queen's regalia consists of a crown, a scepter, and a long, beautiful robe.
regard
regard
  1. v.
    1 [T] to think about the importance of s.t.: He regards his job as the most important thing in his life.
    2 [I;T] to view, look upon: On our vacation, we regarded the mountains as we drove through them.
    3 [T] to deal with a certain matter: This letter regards the payment for your new car.
    4 [T] to show honor for, respect: I regard teachers and doctors highly.n.sing. [U]
    1 respect, concern, or consideration for s.t. or s.o.: I have high regard for mothers who take good care of their children.
    2 n.pl. regards: best wishes: Give my regards to Joe when you see him.
    3 in or with regard to: concerning: In (or) With regard to our conversation yesterday, I am sending the book to you by mail.
    THESAURUS
    regard v.
    1 to consider | value
    2 to look at, gaze at, observe. Ant. to disregard.
    3 to concern. >br>—n.
    1 admiration, esteem.
regarding
regarding
  1. prep. about, concerning, with regard to: Regarding your order, we will ship it today.
    THESAURUS
    regarding with respect to, as regards, apropos frml.
regardless
regardless
  1. adv. without thinking about the importance of s.t., disregarding, no matter: Regardless of what his parents think, he is going to leave home.
regatta
regatta
  1. n. a boat race: Small sailboats raced in a regatta on the river.
regency
regency
  1. n. [U]
    1 a political head or group who rules a kingdom while the king or queen is too ill or too young to rule: The priest ruled during the regency for the young king.
    2 the time of the rule of a regent
regenerate
regenerate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to make s.t. again, re-create: Lobsters regenerate their claws when they lose them.
    2 to renew or cause to be reborn: The election regenerated people's belief in government. -n. regeneration.
regent
regent
  1. n.
    1 a ruler who takes the place of a king or queen who is too young or too ill to rule: The young king's aunt acted as his regent.
    2 a person who runs a university or other educational institution: She is a member of the Board of Regents for New York State's educational system.
reggae
reggae
  1. n. [U] a kind of music that began in the West Indies: Bob Marley was one of the most famous reggae artists.
regicide
regicide
  1. n. [U] the killing of a king or queen: Regicide has happened several times in British history.
regime
regime
  1. n.
    1 a government, system of ruling: A group of revolutionaries replaced the old regime of kings and queens.
    2 a diet to lose weight or any system of medical care or regular exercise,
    THESAURUS
    regimen: He follows a strict regime of eating only low-fat foods.
regimen
regimen
  1. n.
    1 a diet, a way of eating: She always follows a vegetarian regimen.
    2 a way of living: His daily regimen always includes an hour of exercise.
regiment
regiment
  1. n. a group of soldiers made up of several battalions (approx. 400 soldiers): He did his military service with the Third Training Regiment.v. [T] to control completely: My chemistry teacher regiments our class very closely. -adj. regimental.
region
region
  1. n.
    1 a geographical area of a country: The northeast region of the USA includes New York and the six New England states.
    2 part of the atmosphere: Space vehicles enter the upper regions of the atmosphere as they return from outer space.
    3 an area of the body: He has a pain in his abdominal region. -adv. regionally. See: area.
    THESAURUS
    region
    1 a part, section
    2 a section, zone.
regional
regional
  1. adj. related to a region or geographical area: I will be going to my company's regional meeting next week.
regionalism
regionalism
  1. n.
    1 [C] a phrase or saying common in a region of a nation: "He squeals louder than a pig stuck under a fence" is a southern USA regionalism.
    2 [U] political, economic, and social interests special to a geographical area: Regionalism in Canada has led to disagreement between eastern and western provinces of that country. -v. [T] regionalize.
register
register
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to write one's name on an official list, such as a voter list or a school's student list: I registered to vote in the presidential election this year.
    2 [T] frml. to include, indicate one's ideas, opinion, etc.: At the town meeting, a citizen registered her opinion about new taxes.
    3 [I;T] to show (on instruments or faces): The scales registered 120 pounds.||His face registered anger.n.
    1 a list or other official record of people who register: He wrote his name in the register of guests at the hotel.
    2 a range of sound made by a voice or instrument: The lower register of her voice is very soft.
    3 a device for controlling air: I sat by the heat register to stay warm.
    THESAURUS
    register v.
    1 to sign up for s.t. | enroll
    2 to state, voice
    3 to display, indicate. —n.
    1 a roster, ledger.
registered
registered
  1. adj. officially enrolled, such as a legal voter: She is registered as a student at Fordham University.
registered mail
registered mail
  1. n. [U] a way to send important mail in which the post office uses registry numbers, safe storage, and signatures to deliver mail safely: I sent an expensive watch to my friend in Seattle by registered mail. See: certified mail.
registrant
registrant
  1. n. a person who has registered, such as to vote: A politician sent a letter to all registrants in his district.
registrar
registrar
  1. n. a person or office that keeps official records, usu. at a college or university: I went to the registrar's office to get a copy of my grades.
registration
registration
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act of registering for s.t.: I did my registration for classes on Monday.
    2 [C] a document that shows s.t. is registered: Here is the registration for my boat.
registry
registry
  1. -n. -tries an office of official records: He went to the registry of motor vehicles to get a new driver's license.
regress
regress
  1. v. [I] -es to go backwards, return, usu. to a worse condition: His health has regressed to the point that he may die. -n. [U] regression.
regressive
regressive
  1. adj. referring to a tax that costs poor people more of their income as the tax is raised: Regressive taxes, like those on cigarettes and alcohol, fall most heavily on the poor.
regret
regret
  1. v. [T] -gretted, -gretting, -grets
    1 to feel sad because of s.t. that happened, feel compassion or sympathy: I regret that your mother died and left you alone.
    2 to feel guilty about or sorry for s.t. one has done: He regrets that he was angry with his son.n.
    1 pl. an expression of sadness, sorrow: She sent her regrets to her friend in a card when her friend's mother died.
    2 [C;U] a bad feeling about having done s.t. wrong: She has regrets about not being nice to her friend when she was ill. -adj. regretful; regrettable; -adv. regretfully.
    THESAURUS
    regret v.
    1 to be sorry for s.o., feel sorrow
    2 to feel remorse, feel badly. —n.
    1 condolences frml.
    2 remorse, contrition.
regroup
regroup
  1. v. [I;T] to come together again as a new group,
    THESAURUS
    to reorganize: When the police came, the angry group of people ran in many directions and regrouped on a different street.
regular
regular
  1. adj.
    1 normal, usual: My child's regular bedtime is 8:00 P.M.
    2 s.o. who is easy to like, decent: He is a regular guy with lots of friends.
    3 not unusual, average: He has a regular build and an average weight.
    4 having normal bowel movements or menstrual periods: He told his doctor that his bowels are regular and he uses the bathroom each morning.
    5 referring to s.t. that happens many times with the same amount of time between each happening: Healthy people have a regular heartbeat.
    6 a polygon with sides that are all congruent (similar) to one another and whose interior angles are also congruent: All of the interior angles in a regular hexagon measure 120 degrees.n.
    1 a long-term, dependable member of a political party: Democratic Party regulars give a lot of time and money at election time.
    2 a person or customer who comes to a store, restaurant, or meeting often: My father is a regular in that restaurant, and all of the waiters know him. -v. [T] regularize; -adv. regularly.
    THESAURUS
    regular adj.
    1 typical, habitual, routine
    2 dependable, easygoing
    3 ordinary, typical, standard. Ant. irregular.
regularity
regularity
  1. n. -ties
    1 repetition of a happening or behavior: The regularity of traffic lights keeps cars, trucks, and buses moving throughout the city.
    2 daily bowel movements and normal menstrual periods: She has no problems with regularity. -v. [T] regularize.
regulate
regulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to control s.t., such as businesses, through governmental rules and regulations: The government regulates the airlines by telling them what prices to charge customers.
    2 to change s.t., control it: Temperature in this building is regulated by a device that raises the temperature in winter and lowers it in summer.
regulation
regulation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a rule, statement about what can be done and what cannot: The state board of health makes many regulations about the food, water, and cleanliness in restaurants and food stores.
    2 [U] the general condition of controlling any part of human life: Regulation of the banks is done by the federal government.
    THESAURUS
    regulation
    1 an order, directive, ordinance | law
    2 oversight, management, direction of s.t.
regulator
regulator
  1. n.
    1 a person or agency that regulates, such as a governmental agency that regulates business: The federal government is the main regulator of airlines.
    2 a device that controls the speed of a machine: Cars owned by the state have regulators that hold their top speed at 55 MPH.
regurgitate
regurgitate
  1. v. -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 [I;T] to bring food up from the stomach to the mouth,
    THESAURUS
    to vomit: Birds regurgitate food to feed their young.
    2 [T] to repeat s.t. without any critical thinking: On tests, some students simply regurgitate what their textbooks say. -n. [U] regurgitation.
rehabilitate
rehabilitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to help s.o. or s.t. become better: A hospital worker rehabilitated a man who had a broken leg so he could walk again.
    2 to fix up, put in good condition again,
    THESAURUS
    to restore: The city rehabilitated old empty buildings to make new housing. -n. [U] rehabilitation.
rehash
rehash
  1. v.infrml. [T] -es to repeat s.t., say s.t. again, usu. in an annoying way: The committee rehashed the same disagreement it had at the last meeting.n.infrml. a repetition: Their arguments are a rehash of ones made many times before.
rehear
rehear
  1. v. [T] -heard , -hearing, -hears (usu. in law) to hear s.t. again, reconsider: The court reheard the testimony of the most important witness. -n. rehearing.
rehearsal
rehearsal
  1. n. [C;U] a practice session, esp. to prepare for an artistic performance: She went to the rehearsal for the new musical. See: dress rehearsal.
rehearse
rehearse
  1. v. [I;T] -hearsed, -hearsing, -hearses to practice, prepare for a performance: She rehearsed the songs in the new show.
reheat
reheat
  1. v. [T] to heat s.t. over again: The soup was cold, so I reheated it in the microwave oven. -n. [U] reheating.
rehire
rehire
  1. v. [I;T] -hired, -hiring, -hires to hire s.o. again,
    THESAURUS
    to reemploy: The factory rehired 500 workers six months after the workers had been laid off. -n. [U] rehiring.
reign
reign
  1. n. the time period that a king or queen rules a country: The reign of Louis XIV of France ended in 1715.v. [I] to rule a country: Louis XIV reigned in France for over 70 years.
reignite
reignite
  1. v. [I;T] -nited, -niting, -nites to light a fire again,
    THESAURUS
    to rekindle: The spacecraft reignited its engines so it could return to Earth. -n. [U] reignition.
reimburse
reimburse
  1. v. [T] -bursed, -bursing, -burses to pay s.o. back for the money that they paid: His company reimburses him for hotel, meal, and other travel expenses. -adj. reimbursable.
    THESAURUS
    reimburse to repay, compensate.
reimbursement
reimbursement
  1. n. [U] a payback of money spent by s.o.: Reimbursement of his expenses takes three weeks.
rein
rein
  1. n. used in the pl. long pieces of leather connected to an animal's head or mouth and used by the rider to control the animal: A cowboy holds his horse's reins.v.
    1 fig. to give s.o. free rein: to allow s.o. control of s.t., give freedom to: Our teacher gives us free rein to choose a topic to write about.
    2 to keep a tight rein on s.o. or s.t.: to keep strong control, control closely: Our boss keeps a tight rein on everything in our office.
    3 phrasal v. [T] to rein in: to take freedom away from: If those parents don't rein in their children a little, the children will never learn to behave.
    4 fig. to take the reins: to take control over s.t.: The vice president of our club will take the reins while the president is ill.
reincarnation
reincarnation
  1. n. [C;U] rebirth in a new person or form after death: Many people believe in reincarnation either as new people or as animals. -v. [T] adj. reincarnate.
reincorporate
reincorporate
  1. v. -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 [T] to incorporate again, include s.t. that had been taken out: He reincorporated two paragraphs that had been taken out of a contract.
    2 [I;T] to turn a business back into a corporation -n. [C;U] reincorporation.
reindeer
reindeer
  1. n. -deer or -deers a large, strong deer that lives in arctic areas, used for meat, milk, clothing, and transportation: Reindeer can pull twice their own weight on a sled.
reinforce
reinforce
  1. v. [T] -forced, -forcing, -forces to add strength to s.t., make it stronger: Steel rods reinforce concrete structures when they are placed inside the concrete.
reinforcements
reinforcements
  1. n.pl. additional soldiers or more police: A police officer saw three thieves robbing a bank and radioed for reinforcements to help him stop them.
reinjure
reinjure
  1. v. [T] -jured, -juring, -jures to injure or hurt s.t. again: A runner reinjured her foot because she ran too soon after the first injury. -n. [U] reinjury.
reinstate
reinstate
  1. v. [T] -stated, -stating, -states to put back to a previous position,
    THESAURUS
    to restore: A police officer who was asked to leave the police force for illegal behavior was reinstated when he was found not guilty. -n. [C;U] reinstatement.
reintegrate
reintegrate
  1. v. [T] -grated, -grating, -grates to integrate s.t. again, make two or more things back into one: After being a separate department for twenty years, the computer department was reintegrated into the electrical engineering department at the university. -n. [U] reintegration.
reinterpret
reinterpret
  1. v. [T] to think about s.t. and get a new understanding of it, (syns.) to reanalyze, redefine: Scientists reinterpreted facts about the death of the dinosaurs and decided the cause was a meteor and not disease, as they had thought before. -n. [C;U] reinterpretation.
reintroduce
reintroduce
  1. v. [T] -duced, -ducing, -duces to introduce s.t. or s.o. again: The new soap sold poorly until it was reintroduced in a new package.||I don't remember your friend very well; could you reintroduce us? -n. [U] reintroduction.
reinvent
reinvent
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take s.t. old and do or show it in a new way: A director took an old opera and reinvented it by telling the same story with modern places and clothing.
    2 infrml.fig. to reinvent the wheel: to make unnecessary work by doing s.t. that has been done before, waste time and effort: He told his boss that making a new system for sending bills to customers would be reinventing the wheel since the old system works very well. -n. [U] reinvention.
reinvest
reinvest
  1. v. [T]
    1 to put money one makes (interest, dividends) back into stocks, bonds, or other investments: He reinvests his dividends from General Electric into more of that company's stock.
    2 to invest money made by a company back into the company rather than paying it to stockholders: That company reinvests its profits to expand the business. -n. [U] reinvestment.
reinvigorate
reinvigorate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to make vigorous again: Her vacation reinvigorated her, and she returned to work with new energy.
reissue
reissue
  1. v. [T] -sued, -suing, -sues to make s.t. available again: This book was out of print for ten years, but the publisher reissued it this year.
reiterate
reiterate
  1. v.frml. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to say s.t. again, repeat s.t.: The professor reiterated the main points in his lecture. -n. [C;U] reiteration.
reject
reject
  1. v. [T] to refuse, not accept: He asked her to go to the movies four times, and each time she rejected him.n. s.t. refused, as not good enough, discarded: Quality inspectors at factories make sure rejects are not sold at regular prices.
    THESAURUS
    reject v. to decline, turn down s.o. or s.t., rebuff. Ant. to accept. —n. a second, discard, irregular.
rejection
rejection
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that is not accepted, a refusal, rebuff: Of the 10 college applications Erica submitted, she received seven acceptance letters and three rejections.
rejoice
rejoice
  1. v. [I] -joiced, -joicing, -joices to feel great joy,
    THESAURUS
    to celebrate: When the war ended, the winners rejoiced. -n. [U] rejoicing.
rejoin
rejoin
  1. v. [T]
    1 to put back together again, fix: The doctor rejoined two broken bones in a patient's arm.
    2 to join, come together again: I left my friends to make a telephone call, then rejoined them a few minutes later.
rejoinder
rejoinder
  1. n.frml. an answer, esp. a strong one: A lawyer said the witness was lying, and the witness answered with an angry rejoinder, proving to the court that she was telling the truth.
rejuvenate
rejuvenate
  1. v.frml. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to make s.o. feel young again, refresh s.o.: A long restful vacation will rejuvenate you. -n.frml. [U] rejuvenation.
rekindle
rekindle
  1. v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles to make a fire burn again, relight: A hunter rekindled his campfire in the morning with fresh wood.
relapse
relapse
  1. n. v. [I] -lapsed, -lapsing, -lapses to become worse again after being better: He was recovering from pneumonia, then he suffered a relapse.
relate
relate
  1. v. -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 [I;T] to be connected with, deal with s.t.: Our teacher relates our class discussions to real life.
    2 [T] to talk about s.t., tell a story, or inform: When my neighbor returned from Asia, she related many stories about her trip.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to relate to s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: (usu. neg.) to have a relationship with: She doesn't relate well to her colleagues. b. s.t.: to sympathize with s.t., understand: I can relate to how bad it feels when a good friend dies.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to relate s.t. to or with s.t.: to connect two things: He related his current troubles with the same problems from his unhappy childhood.
related
related
  1. adj.
    1 connected by blood or marriage: He is related to the governor; they are cousins.
    2 connected, dealing with: My doctor says my headaches are related to stress.
    THESAURUS
    related
    2 associated with, linked to/with | affiliated with. Ant. unrelated.
relation
relation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a relative by blood or marriage: My mother, father, and brother are my closest relations.
    2 [U] a connection: The relation between mathematics and physics is close.
    3 in relation to: about, concerning: I received the letter you wrote in relation to our meeting.n.pl. relations: dealings, connections: The two countries have close diplomatic relations. -adj. relational.
relationship
relationship
  1. n.
    1 a connection between ideas, people, or things: Those two people like each other and have a close (personal, working, friendly) relationship.
    2 connection by blood or marriage: A family tree shows a person's relationship to all of his or her relatives.
    THESAURUS
    relationship
    1 a link, bond, tie to s.t. or s.o.
    2 a connection, kinship.
relative
relative
  1. n. a person connected by blood or marriage to s.o., relation: My parents and brother are my only living relatives.adj. comparative: We discussed the relative advantages of buying a new or used car.||The value of money is relative and not so important compared to health and happiness. -adv. relatively.
    THESAURUS
    relative n. family, family member, next of kin.
relativism
relativism
  1. n. [U] a system of moral values that is not absolute but is relative to oneself and one's culture and time: Rela-tivism is one of many philosophies.
relativity
relativity
  1. n. [U]
    1 a condition where the importance of things is relative: Our philosophy class discussed the relativity of happiness.
    2 a field of physics dealing with the relationship between time, mass, size, and speed: Albert Einstein discovered special and general theories of relativity.
relax
relax
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to stop work and enjoy oneself: She relaxes by riding her bicycle.
    2 [I;T] to stop being nervous, tense, angry, etc.: Why don't you stop being angry and relax for a while!
    3 [T] to become or make weaker, looser, less strict: Our dress code about what we should wear to work is relaxed in the summer.
    THESAURUS
    1 to unwind, take it easy
    2 to loosen up, calm down
    3 to ease up on s.o. or s.t., loosen up.
relaxant
relaxant
  1. n. a medicine or exercise that relaxes: His back and neck hurt, so his doctor gave him a muscle relaxant.
relaxation
relaxation
  1. n. [U] a process of relaxing, such as stopping work and freeing the mind of worry: For relaxation, he plays golf on the weekends.
    THESAURUS
    relaxation leisure, recreation, pleasure.
relay race
relay race
  1. n. a race where each team member runs part of the race and passes a stick or baton to the next runner: I ran relay races in high school.
relearn
relearn
  1. v. [I;T] -learned or -learnt , -learning, -learns to learn s.t. over again, esp. to correct one's learning: My office bought new computers, and now I must relearn how to do my job using them.
release
release
  1. v. [T] -leased, -leasing, -leases
    1 to let s.t. go, set it free: He releases his pet birds from their cage each day.
    2 to let s.t. be used publicly: That movie was released last month and is appearing in neighborhood theaters.n.
    1 [C;U] permission to do s.t., freedom: A prisoner got an early release from jail for good behavior.
    2 [C] a new movie or musical recording: I bought two new releases at the music store.
    THESAURUS
    release v.
    1 to let s.t. out | liberate. Ant. to confine.
    2 to issue, be out, put out.
relegate
relegate
  1. v.frml. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to move s.t. to a lower position, throw away, (syns.) to dismiss, discard: After his old car broke down five times, he relegated it to the junkyard.
relent
relent
  1. v.frml. [I] to stop doing s.t., to become weaker: The hurricane caused damage for many hours, then slowly relented into a quiet rain.
relentless
relentless
  1. adj.
    1 without stopping,
    THESAURUS
    persistent: The sound of the rain was relentless for hours on the roof.
    2 trying very hard to succeed, esp. to hurt s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    pitiless: The politician suffered relentless criticism from the press after she was elected.
relevance
relevance
  1. or relevancy n. [C;U] a close relationship to s.t. else,
    THESAURUS
    appropriateness: The actions that governments take to increase employment have a close relevance to a healthy economy.
relevance
relevance
  1. or relevancy -n. [C;U] a close relationship to s.t. else, (syn.) appropriateness: The actions that governments take to increase employment have a close relevance to a healthy economy.
relevant
relevant
  1. adj. closely connected, appropriate: My classes about new kinds of computers are relevant to my plan to work in computer repair. -adv. relevantly.
reliability
reliability
  1. n. [U]
    1 a degree to which s.o. or s.t. will do what is expected: I recommend this boy as a babysitter because of his reliability.
    2 ability to be trusted: That bank has been in business for years and its reliability is the best.
    THESAURUS
    reliability
    1 dependability
    2 trustworthiness.
reliable
reliable
  1. adj.
    1 regularly does what it should do: The train service in this area is very reliable.
    2 can be trusted: He is a reliable worker who is always on time.
    THESAURUS
    reliable
    1 dependable, sure, consistent. Ant. unreliable.
    2 responsible, proven, trustworthy.
reliance
reliance
  1. n. sing. [U]
    1 a condition of needing s.t. or s.o. for support or help,
    THESAURUS
    dependence: His reliance on drugs is bad for his health.
    2 belief in the quality of s.t. or s.o., trust,
    THESAURUS
    confidence: You can have reliance in the quality of those clothes.
reliant
reliant
  1. adj. a state of needing s.t. very much, (syns.) dependent on, indebted to: Since he doesn't have a job, he is reliant on his parents to support him.
relic
relic
  1. n. an object from the past, esp. a souvenir of a time that no longer exists: He collects relics of Native Americans, such as arrowheads and other tools made from stone.
relief
relief
  1. n. [U]
    1 the taking away of or lessening of pain: Two aspirin gave him relief from a headache.
    2 freedom from worry, the taking away of a concern: When she learned that her daughter was safe, she felt great relief.
    3 help given in times of trouble, hunger, war, or natural disaster: After the flood, we gave money for relief of the people who lost their homes.adj. in relief: having a raised surface: A relief map shows mountains and valleys in relief so that you can feel them with your fingers.
    THESAURUS
    relief n.
    1 alleviation of s.t. frml.
    2 comfort, solace | contentment
    3 aid, assistance.
relieve
relieve
  1. v. [T] -lieved, -lieving, -lieves
    1 to lessen or take away s.t. unpleasant: Aspirin relieves my pains.
    2 to free from worry, take away concern: She was relieved when she learned that she doesn't have cancer.
    3 to take the place of s.o. who is working: The guards relieve each other every four hours.
    4 to relieve oneself: to allow waste to leave the body, esp. urine, (syns.) to urinate, defecate: He went to the bathroom and relieved himself.
    THESAURUS
    relieve
    1 to ease, soothe, alleviate
    2 to be comforted
    3 to replace s.o., substitute for s.o.
religion
religion
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a system of beliefs in a god or philosophy of life: Buddhism and Hinduism are two of the world's major religions.
    2 [C] any system that s.o. believes in strongly: He loves to play golf so much it is like a religion for him.
    THESAURUS
    religion
    1 a creed, faith | doctrine, theology
religious
religious
  1. adj.
    1 related to religion: Her religious beliefs are very developed.
    2 having strong beliefs in religion: He is very religious; he prays every day.
    3 to do s.t. carefully and regularly: Her homework is always done with religious care.n.pl. people who believe strongly in a religion: The religious go to church regularly. -adv. religiously.
    THESAURUS
    religious adj.
    1 spiritual
    2 devout, pious
    3 exacting, conscientious.
relinquish
relinquish
  1. v.frml. [T] -es
    1 to give up, hand over,
    THESAURUS
    to surrender: The thief relinquished his gun to the police.
    2 to stop doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to give up: He relinquished alcohol and fatty foods to go on a diet.
relish
relish
  1. v. [T] -es to have a happy feeling about s.t., get delight from s.t.: He relishes going on long winter vacations to warm places.n. [U] a topping for food made of small pieces of pickle and tomatoes: He puts relish on his hot dogs.
relive
relive
  1. v. [T] -lived, -living, -lives to repeat (usu. in one's mind) a past event: The elderly lady relives her pleasant youth by telling stories to children.
reload
reload
  1. v. [I;T] to put more of s.t. in, such as bullets or batteries: Soldiers reloaded their rifles and began shooting again.
relocate
relocate
  1. v. [I;T] -cated, -cating, -cates to move to a new place: My friend relocated from New York to Florida. -n. [U] relocation .
    THESAURUS
    relocate to resettle, uproot oneself.
reluctance
reluctance
  1. n. [U] concern or fear about doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    hesitance: I understand her reluctance about driving in a storm.
reluctant
reluctant
  1. adj. concerned or afraid,
    THESAURUS
    hesitant: He is reluctant to spend much money, because he thinks he may lose his job. -adv. reluctantly.
rely
rely
  1. v. [T] -lied, -lying, -lies to depend on, count on: I rely on the train to take me to and from work each day.||You can rely on me!
remain
remain
  1. v. [I]
    1 to stay after others are gone: He remained to guard the camp while others went to look for food.
    2 to continue to be a certain way: That writer's books have remained popular for many years.
    3 to remain to be seen: not to be certain yet: His grades in school have gotten better, but it remains to be seen whether or not he will graduate.
    THESAURUS
    remain
    1 to stay behind, wait. Ant. to leave.
    2 to endure | last | survive.
remainder
remainder
  1. n.
    1 part of s.t. that still remains, the rest of s.t.: It is 2:00 P.M. now, and I will spend the remainder of the afternoon studying chemistry.
    2 the number left over in a quotient when one number is divided by another: When 41 is divided by 8, the quotient is 5 with a remainder of 1.
remains
remains
  1. n.pl. parts or things that are left: We saw the remains of the old city.
remake
remake
  1. v. [T] -made , -making, -makes to make s.t. again: She dropped the cake on the floor and had to remake it.n. s.t. done over again: That song is a remake of a song from the 1970s.
remand
remand
  1. v.frml. [T] (in law) to send back (to court or to prison): The lawsuit was remanded to another court.
remark
remark
  1. v.
    1 [T] to say s.t., make a comment about s.t.: He remarked that the flower garden looks beautiful.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I] to remark on or upon s.t.: to say or write about s.t.: The press remarked upon the Senate's vote.n.
    1 a statement about s.t.: She made a remark about his polished appearance.
    2 a negative statement, cutting criticism: She made a remark that he behaves like a fool.
    THESAURUS
    remark v.
    1 to comment, mention. —n. 1 and 2 a comment, observation.
remarkable
remarkable
  1. adj. worthy of attention, noticeable, (syns.) extraordinary, outstanding: The sick man was near death but made remarkable improvement and got well. -adv. remarkably.
remarry
remarry
  1. v. [I;T] -ried, -rying, -ries to marry again: After her husband died, she remarried. -n. [C;U] remarriage.
rematch
rematch
  1. n. -es another game with the same player(s): Whenever I win a game against my brother, he demands a rematch.
remedial
remedial
  1. adj. corrective, designed to improve s.t.: She is doing well in remedial reading; she can read well now. -adj. remediable.
remediation
remediation
  1. n.frml. [U] action taken to correct or improve s.t.: The school system offers extra help to students and provides remediation in reading and writing.
remedy
remedy
  1. v. [T] -died, -dying, -dies
    1 to correct, fix s.t.: The child behaved badly, so the school remedied the problem by making him leave school.
    2 to restore, return to normal: He remedied his weak condition by exercising in a gym.n. -dies
    1 a medication, s.t. that makes an illness better,
    THESAURUS
    a cure: She took a cold remedy to relieve her sneezing and headache.
    2 action to make s.t. better: As a remedy for poor sales, the store ran a special sale.
remember
remember
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to recall, bring s.t. from the past to mind: I still remember my first day at school as a little boy.
    2 to celebrate, observe, such as with a party, visit, flowers, etc.: My friend remembered my birthday by giving me a surprise party.
    THESAURUS
    remember
    1 to recollect. Ant. to forget.
    2 to commemorate, acknowledge.
remembrance
remembrance
  1. n. an object that reminds you of a pleasant event, (syns.) a memento, souvenir: I gave my boyfriend a ring as a remembrance of our love.
remind
remind
  1. v. [T]
    1 to tell s.o. about doing s.t., cause s.o. to remember: My wife reminded me to buy a present for our daughter's birthday.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to remind s.o. of s.o. or s.t.: to be like s.o. or s.t. in some way: Her voice reminds me of my mother.
    THESAURUS
    remind
    1 to advise, prompt s.o. to do s.t. | jog s.o.'s memory infrml.
reminder
reminder
  1. n. s.t. that helps s.o. to remember, telling s.o. not to forget s.t.: My dentist sent me a reminder that I should have my teeth cleaned again.
reminisce
reminisce
  1. v. [I] -nisced, -niscing, -nisces to think about past experiences, esp. pleasant ones,
    THESAURUS
    to recollect: An elderly lady reminisced about the good times of her youth. See: reflect.
reminiscence
reminiscence
  1. n. [C;U] memories, esp. pleasant ones of the past: She told her daughter reminiscences of funny things she did as a child.
reminiscent
reminiscent
  1. adj. related to memories of the past, similar to s.t. past: Cowboy stories are reminiscent of life in the American Wild West.
remiss
remiss
  1. adj. careless about doing s.t., (syns.) neglectful, negligent: It was remiss of me not to remember your birthday.
remission
remission
  1. n. [C;U] a return to a normal state: His cancer is in remission and he is feeling better now.
remit
remit
  1. v. [I;T] -mitted, -mitting, -mits
    1 to return, send back: When customers are billed, they remit payments by making a check.
    2 to forgive, to excuse s.o. from a sin or debt: The woman prayed that her sins would be remitted.
remittance
remittance
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. returned, such as a payment or form: People send their remittances for bills by check or money order.
remnant
remnant
  1. n. a leftover or s.t. that remains, esp. of cloth: I made a colorful blanket from remnants of cloth.
remodel
remodel
  1. v. [T] to redo s.t., change s.t. by renewing it: We remodeled our kitchen with new cabinets, a new stove, and a new refrigerator. -n. [U] remodeling.
remorse
remorse
  1. n. [U] a very strong feeling of sadness or guilt about s.t.: He was filled with remorse after he stole the watch, so he returned it to the owner. -adj. remorseful; -adv. remorsefully.
remorseless
remorseless
  1. adj. having no feelings of remorse or guilt,
    THESAURUS
    merciless: The remorseless teacher gave his students five hours of homework each night.
remote
remote
  1. adj.
    1 referring to a far-away place or time, distant: We traveled more than an hour to get to a beautiful, remote picnic area.
    2 not closely related: There is only a remote connection between his training as a doctor and his training as a salesperson.
    3 very little,
    THESAURUS
    slight: There is a remote possibility of rain today. -adv. remotely; -n. [U] remoteness.
remote control
remote control
  1. n.
    1 control of a device or machine from a distance, such as by radio waves: The small toy plane is flown by remote control.
    2 a device that controls s.t. remotely: I have three remote controls: one each for the TV, the stereo, and the VCR.
remount
remount
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to get onto s.t. again, such as a horse: The little girl fell from her bike, but remounted without crying.
    2 [T] to put s.t. onto a backing or frame again: I remounted the photograph, because it was not straight the first time I mounted it.
removal
removal
  1. n. [C;U] the act of taking s.t. away: When we bought a new refrigerator, we had to pay for the removal of the old one.
remove
remove
  1. v. [T] -moved, -moving, -moves
    1 to move or take s.t. away: You should remove all furniture from the room before you clean the carpet.
    2 to get rid of s.t. as in cleaning: We removed the dirt from the floor with soap and water.
    3 to make s.o. leave a job or office: She was removed from her job at the post office because she was stealing stamps. -adj. removable.
    THESAURUS
    remove
    1 to take out, carry away
    2 to take s.t. off, eliminate
    3 to fire, dismiss, discharge.
remover
remover
  1. n. [C;U] a chemical that cleans s.t. that is usu. difficult to remove: She used spot remover to clean the spot on the floor.
remuneration
remuneration
  1. n.frml. [U] the payment s.o. gets for work, a reward,
    THESAURUS
    compensation: The remuneration for the job is not very much, but the work is interesting. -v. [T] remunerate; -adj. remunerative.
renaissance
renaissance
  1. n.
    1 a time of rebirth when s.t., such as a style of art or music, becomes very popular again,
    THESAURUS
    revival: Recently there has been a renaissance of interest in 1960s music and art in my town.
    2 Renaissance: the 14th through 17th centuries in Europe, when classical art and ideas became popular again: Michelangelo was a great painter and sculptor of the Italian Renaissance.
renal
renal
  1. adj. related to the kidneys: My doctor thinks I have a renal problem and wants to do some tests.
rename
rename
  1. v. [T] -named, -naming, -names to change the name of s.t.: A science building was renamed the "Einstein Building" in honor of the great physicist. -n. renaming.
renascent
renascent
  1. adj.frml. being reborn or made new again: The popular music of the 1960s is renascent with today's young people. -n. [U] renascence.
rend
rend
  1. v. [T] rent or rended, rending, rends to tear, rip into pieces: Lions rend meat with their teeth as they eat. -n.adj. [U] rending.
render
render
  1. v. [T]
    1 to give s.t. or do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to provide: That store renders good service to its customers.
    2 to give in return as payment: He rendered thanks to God for his health and his family.
    3 to put into another language, translate: It is difficult to render poetry into another language.
    4 to cause a change, make s.t. become true: He was rendered speechless when his sister told him she was having a baby.||She was rendered helpless when she broke her leg.
    5 frml. to give an opinion or decision: The judge will render his decision tomorrow.
    6 to draw s.t., to sketch: I had an artist render a picture of my house to put in the paper since the house is for sale.
rendering
rendering
  1. n. a drawing or interpretation of s.t.: The artist showed us some of his renderings of our property.
rendezvous
rendezvous
  1. n.v. [I] -vous
    1 a meeting, esp. between lovers: They had a rendezvous in the park this evening.
    2 a meeting place: Soldiers rendezvoused at a secret place.||During the rendezvous, they planned their attack against the enemy.
rendition
rendition
  1. n. a version of s.t., esp. one's own way of singing a song: A singer sang her own rendition of a popular song.
renegade
renegade
  1. n.adj. an outlaw, s.o. who gives up or leaves lawful society: Renegades (or) A renegade thief stole the farmer's cows.
renege
renege
  1. v. [I] -neged, -neging, -neges n. to break a promise, not do what one said one would do: He promised to buy my house, then reneged on the deal.
renegotiate
renegotiate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to change an earlier agreement: We renegotiated our loan from an 11% interest rate down to a 7% interest rate. -adj. renegotiable.
renew
renew
  1. v.
    1 [T] to agree to s.t. again, continue an agreement: We renewed our magazine subscription.||The husband and wife renewed their marriage vows.
    2 [I;T] to make s.o. or s.t. feel new, fresh, and better: She renewed her energy with a long vacation.
    3 [T] to make s.o. or s.t. look new: Owners renew houses by renovating them.
    4 [I;T] to add to a supply, get more of: We must renew our paper supply in the office.
    THESAURUS
    1 to continue s.t., recommence | reaffirm, restate
    2 to refresh, rejuvenate
    3 to remodel, update, refurbish.
renewable
renewable
  1. adj. able to be renewed or continued: My magazine subscriptions are renewable every year.
renewal
renewal
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an act of making s.t. look new: Urban renewal means making old buildings in cities into good places to live.
    2 feeling strong again: She found renewal for her spirit in religion.
    THESAURUS
    renewal
    1 renovation, refurbishing
    2 rejuvenation, regeneration.
renounce
renounce
  1. v. [T] -nounced, -nouncing, -nounces to give s.t. up formally, to quit: He renounced drinking alcohol by telling his friends that he had quit drinking. -n. renouncement.
renovate
renovate
  1. v. [T] -vated, -vating, -vates to renew s.t., make s.t. (esp. a building) look like new, (syns.) to repair, restore: He renovated an apartment building by cleaning it, painting it, putting in new windows, new kitchens, and a new elevator.
renovation
renovation
  1. n. [C;U] the process of renewing s.t.: The renovation of our apartment took several months, but when it was finished the apartment looked like new.
renown
renown
  1. n. [U] fame, being well-known for good things s.o. has done: Her renown as a person who cares for the poor is worldwide.
renowned
renowned
  1. adj. famous, well-known and liked or criticized,
    THESAURUS
    celebrated: Switzerland is renowned for its beautiful mountains.
rent-a-car
rent-a-car
  1. n.adj.
    1 a rented automobile: I got a rent-a-car at the airport and drove it to a meeting.
    2 a business that rents cars, trucks, etc.: I picked the car up at the rent-a-car desk.
rent
rent
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the amount of money paid for the use of a piece of property: She pays a low rent on that apartment.
    2 for rent: able to be rented: That house is for rent. See: rent control. —v.
    1 [I;T] to pay to use a piece of property, but not own it: She has rented the apartment for many years.
    2 [T] to pay to use s.t. (car, movie, etc.) for a short time: Let's rent movies this weekend.
rent control
rent control
  1. n. [U] governmental laws made to control how fast rental prices get higher, esp. on apartments: Rent control on apartments started many years ago in New York.
rental
rental
  1. n. a piece of property that is rented out to others: He does not own that fancy car; it's a rental.adj. referring to s.t. rented, not owned: He lives in a rental house owned by his neighbor.
renter
renter
  1. n. a person or business that rents things, such as apartments, from the owner(s): He is a renter who does not want to own his apartment.
renumber
renumber
  1. v. [T] to number s.t. again: She added a page at the beginning of her report, and she had to renumber all the other pages. -n. renumbering.
renunciation
renunciation
  1. n.frml. [C;U] giving up of s.t., refusal to use or do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    rejection: His renunciation of alcohol and of smoking cigarettes made him feel healthier.
reoccupy
reoccupy
  1. v. [T] -pied, -pying, -pies to occupy or move into s.t. again: Foreign soldiers left the country, then reoccupied it a month later. -n. [U] reoccupation.
reopen
reopen
  1. v. [I;T] to open again, start again: Negotiations between the company and its workers stopped and then reopened again. -n. reopening.
reorder
reorder
  1. n.v. [I;T] a new order of the same thing: She ordered new paper last year and placed a reorder for it today.||She reordered it.
reorganization
reorganization
  1. n. [C;U] a change, new form for s.t.: Our company planned a reorganization of its four sales teams into one large sales group.
reorganize
reorganize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to change s.t. into a new system: We reorganized the furniture in our living room, and now the sofa faces the window.
reorient
reorient
  1. v. [T] to change the direction or nature of s.t.: After her husband died, she had to reorient herself to being single. -n. [U] reorientation.
rep
rep
  1. n.infrml. short for representative: Sales reps visit our company to sell their products.
repackage
repackage
  1. v. [T] -aged, -aging, -ages to put s.t. into a new covering: The design of their product looked old-fashioned, so they repackaged it to look more modern.
repair
repair
  1. v. [T] to fix s.t., make s.t. work again: A mechanic repaired the motor in my car; it was overheating.n.
    1 state of being fixed: The repairs on my car will be finished tomorrow.
    2 in a state of (good/bad) repair: the condition s.t. is in: My old car is in a state of good repair.
    3 to make repairs: to fix s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to overhaul: I asked a handyman to make repairs on my house. -adj. repairable.
    THESAURUS
    repair v. to service, overhaul | remedy | restore, rebuild. Ant. to wreck.
repairman
repairman
  1. -n. -men or repair person a person who fixes things: My refrigerator stopped running, so I called the repairman.
repairman
repairman
  1. n. -men or repairperson a person who fixes things: My refrigerator stopped running, so I called the repairman.
reparation
reparation
  1. n. payment to correct s.t. done wrong,
    THESAURUS
    compensation: After World War I, Germany had to make reparations to France and other countries for damages from the war.
repast
repast
  1. n.v. frml. [I] a meal, food and drink: The queen enjoyed her evening repast.
repatriate
repatriate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to return s.t. or s.o. to the country where s.t. or s.o. began: Ancient artworks were repatriated from the USA to Greece.n. a person who is repatriated: Many repatriates came back to their country after the war. -n. [U] repatriation.
repay
repay
  1. v. [T] to pay back (a loan, a favor, etc.): I loaned my friend some money and he repaid me. -adj. repayable; -n. [C;U] repayment.
repeal
repeal
  1. n. (in government) the act of taking away the legal value of s.t., a cancellation of s.t.: The new Congress' first act was a repeal of all of the old Congress' laws.v. [T] to cancel, make s.t. have no legal power: They repealed the tax law. -adj. repealable.
repeat
repeat
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to say or do s.t. over again: He told me a story and then repeated it later to his wife.
    2 [T] to say s.t. one has learned to remember: The child repeated the poem she had memorized.n. a repetition, s.t. said or done again: That television program on nature is a repeat of a show I watched last month.
    THESAURUS
    repeat v.
    1 to retell s.t., restate, reiterate | echo, parrot infrml.
    2 to recite.
repeated
repeated
  1. adj. done many times, often,
    THESAURUS
    frequent: After repeated attempts, he finally passed the exam. -adv. repeatedly.
repeating
repeating
  1. n. [U] s.t. that is done or said again: The repeating of that noise annoys me.adj. s.t. that repeats: He has a repeating parrot that will say anything he says to it.
repel
repel
  1. v. [T] -pelled, -pelling, -pels to make s.o. or s.t. go away, force it to leave,
    THESAURUS
    to repulse: The smell of this candle repels insects so that they won't bother us while we're outside.
repellent
repellent
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that makes insects or animals go away: He sprayed a repellent all over his body so mosquitoes wouldn't bite him.adj. causing dislike, unpleasant: The smell of her perfume is so bad it's repellent.
repent
repent
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to feel guilt and sorrow for one's actions: He repented of his bad behavior and said he was sorry.
    2 (in religion) to confess bad things one has done wrong: He repented and asked for forgiveness.
repentance
repentance
  1. n. [U] the state of feeling guilt and sorrow for one's actions: His repentance of his sins brought him forgiveness. -adj. repentant; -adv. repentantly.
repercussion
repercussion
  1. n. a reaction to s.t., esp. bad events: When he yelled at his boss, the repercussion was that he was fired.
repertoire
repertoire
  1. n. the group of musical pieces, jokes, etc., that an artist can play (sing, speak) readily: There are a hundred popular songs in her repertoire; she can sing Broadway tunes, contemporary songs, and Big Band numbers from the 1940s.
repetition
repetition
  1. n. [C;U] the act of doing or saying s.t. again: Repetition of the words in that song makes the song easy to remember.
repetitious
repetitious
  1. or repetitive adj. repeating the same thing over and over again: His writing is repetitious and boring.||Typing involves repetitive motions of the fingers and thumbs.
repetitious
repetitious
  1. or repetitive -adj. repeating the same thing over and over again: His writing is repetitious and boring. || Typing involves repetitive motions of the fingers and thumbs.
rephrase
rephrase
  1. v. [T] -phrased, -phrasing, -phrases to say or write s.t. in a different way: The class didn't understand what the teacher said, so she rephrased it.
replace
replace
  1. v. [T] -placed, -placing, -places
    1 to get s.t. new to take the place of s.t. old: The computer department replaced black-and-white printers with color printers.
    2 to take the place of s.o. or s.t.: Her boss retired and she replaced him.
    3 to put s.t. back into its proper position: He played his violin and then replaced it in its case. -adj. replaceable.
    THESAURUS
    1 to substitute s.t with s.t.
    2 to succeed s.o. | supplant
    3 to return s.t. to, restore s.t. to.
replacement
replacement
  1. n.
    1 a person who takes the job of another: A worker retired and his replacement started work today.
    2 s.t. that takes the place of another,
    THESAURUS
    a substitute: My TV broke and I bought a replacement.
replay
replay
  1. n. [C;U] a second showing of an event, such as an exciting sports play on television: On the evening TV news, I saw exciting replays from today's football game.v. [T] to repeat s.t., play again: I replayed the videotape on my VCR.
replenish
replenish
  1. v.frml. [T] -es to replace s.t. that was used, resupply: The army replenished the supply of food for the soldiers. -n. [U] replenishment.
replete
replete
  1. adj.frml. full of, having a lot of s.t. (usu. food),
    THESAURUS
    plentiful: The banquet for the ambassador was replete with good food and fine wine. -n. [C;U] repletion.
replica
replica
  1. n. a copy of s.t., often made in a smaller size than the original: While in New York, a tourist bought a small replica of the Statue of Liberty.
replicate
replicate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to make a copy of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to reproduce: An art student replicated a famous painting by painting a copy of it herself. -n. [C;U] replication.
reply
reply
  1. v. [I;T] -plied, -plying, -plies to answer s.t: He replied to my letter that I sent last month.n. -plies [C;U] an answer, response: I received his reply yesterday.
    THESAURUS
    reply v. to respond, write back | retort frml.
report
report
  1. n.
    1 a written or spoken statement about s.t.: He wrote a five-page report on the new computer system.
    2 a quick sound made by a shot or explosion: I heard the report of the gunshot.v.
    1 [I;T] to describe s.t., tell about s.t. (event, need, etc.): The news program reported that an accident had occurred on Main Street.
    2 [T] to work for s.o.: She reports directly to the company's president.
    3 [I] to arrive to work: He reported to work late this morning.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to report on s.t.: to give information about s.t.: The committee reported on their investigation. -adv. reportedly.
    THESAURUS
    report n.
    1 an account of s.t., summary, review | paper
    2 a bang, blast. —v.
    1 to state, reveal, disclose.
report card
report card
  1. n. a summary of a student's grades or scores at a school: She received straight A's on her report card from high school.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare report card and grade report. A report card is a summary of a child's school grades. A grade report shows a college or university student's grades.
reporter
reporter
  1. n. a person who reports on events, such as for a newspaper, magazine, radio, or television station,
    THESAURUS
    journalist: She is a reporter who writes about city news for the local newspaper.
repose
repose
  1. v.frml. [I] -posed, -posing, -poses to lie down to rest or sleep,
    THESAURUS
    to recline: She reposed on a sofa and fell asleep.n. [U] a state of rest or sleep: The artist painted a child in calm repose.
reposition
reposition
  1. v. [T]
    1 to put s.t. back in its place: An astronaut repositioned his spacecraft back onto the correct path around Earth.
    2 to put s.t. in a new position: If you reposition your chair, the sun won't hurt your eyes.
repository
repository
  1. n. -ries
    1 a place where things are kept safe: At night, storekeepers put their money in a bank repository.
    2 often fig. a container or place where s.t. is kept,
    THESAURUS
    a storehouse: My grandfather is a repository of information about the town he lives in. See: depository.
repossess
repossess
  1. v. [T] -es to take property, esp. that on which a loan has not been paid on time: The bank repossessed his car when he did not make monthly payments on it. -n. [C;U] repossession.
reprehensible
reprehensible
  1. adj.frml. shameful and deserving to be blamed or criticized: Her bad behavior is reprehensible; no decent person would act like that! -v. [T] reprehend; -adv. reprehensibly; -n. [U] reprehension.
represent
represent
  1. v. [T]
    1 to show, give a picture or symbol of s.t.: The Statue of Liberty represents the freedom immigrants wanted to find in America.
    2 to equal to, mean: The damage from the fire represented a total loss for the store owner.
    3 to act in the place of, act on behalf of: The US Embassy represents the United States in other countries.
    4 to act like or say that you belong to a group: He represents himself to others as a rich man, but he is not.
    5 to be an example of: This plant represents a rare kind of orchid.
    THESAURUS
    1 to symbolize, stand for s.t., exemplify
    2 to be
    3 to speak for
    4 to pose as, portray oneself as.
representation
representation
  1. n.
    1 [C] s.t. that shows s.t., a picture, likeness,
    THESAURUS
    illustration: This book has many beautiful representations of Hindu gods.
    2 [C] often pl. statements of belief: The woman's representations about her innocence were believable.
    3 [C;U] the act of officially taking s.o.'s place, a representing: I need a lawyer to be my representation in court.
representative
representative
  1. n.
    1 a person who represents s.o. or s.t.: She is a sales representative for a large company.
    2 a member of the US House of Representatives: We will elect a new representative in the next election.adj. meaning, showing, or illustrating s.t.: Many of Renoir's paintings are representative of French Impressionism.
    THESAURUS
    representative n.
    1 an agent, associate | delegate
    2 a congressman, congresswoman, legislator. —adj. typical, characteristic of s.o. or s.t. Ant. atypical.
repress
repress
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to slow or stop s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to oppress: The police repressed a riot by arresting rioters.
    2 to keep s.t. secret: The sick man repressed his fears about dying and stayed cheerful on the outside. -adj. repressed; repressive.
repression
repression
  1. n. [U] the stopping of some action or feeling,
    THESAURUS
    oppression: Some people who disagreed with the government said they were living under repression and couldn't say what they thought. See: repress.
reprieve
reprieve
  1. n.v. [T] -prieved, -prieving, -prieves relief from difficulty or punishment for a short time: The governor gave the criminal a reprieve from being put to death.||He reprieved the criminal.
reprimand
reprimand
  1. n.v. [T] an angry criticism for s.t. done wrong,
    THESAURUS
    a rebuke: A father reprimanded his daughter for driving too fast and getting a speeding ticket.||He gave her a reprimand.
reprinting
reprinting
  1. n. a reprint: The new reprinting of the book is now in the bookstores.
reprisal
reprisal
  1. n. [C;U] an act meant to pay back a physical or emotional hurt or injury,
    THESAURUS
    revenge: Many people believed the bomb in his car was a mafia reprisal, because he gave information to the police.
reprise
reprise
  1. n.v.frml. [T] -prised, -prising, -prises a beginning again,
    THESAURUS
    resumption: A reprise in the economy means there are more jobs.
reproach
reproach
  1. v.frml. [T] -es to criticize, make s.o. ashamed: His teacher reproached him for not doing his homework.n. [U]
    1 criticism, disapproval of s.o.: The teacher's reproach motivated him to do his work.
    2 above or beyond reproach: excellent, especially good: Her reputation as a teacher is beyond reproach. -adj. reproachful; -adv. reproachfully.
reprobate
reprobate
  1. adj.n.
    1 a morally bad person: You old reprobate! You'll never stop telling lies!
    2 (in religion) a person who will go to hell (often used humorously).
reprocess
reprocess
  1. v. [T] -es to treat s.t. so that it can be used again: Aluminum cans and plastic bottles can be reprocessed into new ones.
reproduce
reproduce
  1. v. -duced, -ducing, -duces
    1 [I;T] to make copies of s.t.: The teacher reproduced copies of an article for the class to read.
    2 [T] (in biology) to have babies: Mice reproduce very quickly. -n. reproducer; -adj. reproducible.
reproduction
reproduction
  1. n.
    1 [C] a copy of s.t.: That painting is a reproduction of one by Claude Monet.
    2 [U] (in biology) production of babies: Reproduction is necessary to preserve each species.
reproductive
reproductive
  1. adj. (in biology) related to having children or offspring: Every animal has reproductive organs.
reprographics
reprographics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the business of producing documents and visuals: Reprographics uses copying machines to reproduce documents.
reproof
reproof
  1. n.frml. [C;U] angry words of disapproval, (syns.) criticism, reproach: The judge gave a reproof of the man's behavior in court.
reprove
reprove
  1. v.frml. [T] -proved, -proving, -proves to say angrily that one disapproves, (syns.) to criticize, reproach: The judge reproved the lawyer for yelling in court.
reptile
reptile
  1. n.
    1 a group of cold-blooded animals that have back bones, live on land, and usu. reproduce by laying eggs: Snakes, lizards, turtles, and crocodiles are reptiles.
    2 fig. a bad or evil person: That fellow is a reptile; don't trust him! -adj. reptilian.
republic
republic
  1. n. a form of government in which citizens vote for people to represent them and to make laws: Long ago, the USA was a republic in which only men who owned property could vote. -adj. republican; -n. [U] republicanism.
    THESAURUS
    republic a representative government, democracy, constitutional government.
republication
republication
  1. n. [C;U] publication or printing of s.t. again: There was a republication of the important French news article in every major newspaper in Europe. -v. [T] republish . See: reprinting.
repudiate
repudiate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to say s.t. is untrue,
    THESAURUS
    to denounce: A witness repudiated his earlier testimony and told the truth.
    2 not to pay a debt, esp. a government: The state repudiated its bond and refused to pay the people. -n. [U] repudiation.
repugnant
repugnant
  1. adj.frml. causing dislike, unpleasant, (syns.) disgusting, offensive: His bad behavior was repugnant to other guests at the party. -n. [U] repugnance.
repulse
repulse
  1. v. [T] -pulsed, -pulsing, -pulses to disgust, to make s.o. feel sick to his or her stomach: Your bad breath, bad manners, and terrible insults repulse me. Get out of here! -n. [U] repulsion.
repulsive
repulsive
  1. adj. making one want to look away, ugly,
    THESAURUS
    disgusting: Many people think that rats and snakes look repulsive. -adv. repulsively; -n. [U] repulsiveness.
reputable
reputable
  1. adj. having a good reputation, honest: A reputable business will replace or repair any faulty products that it sells. -n. reputability; -adv. reputably.
reputation
reputation
  1. n. [C;U] an opinion, about the quality of s.t., such as a person's character: She guards her reputation by being honest with everyone.
    THESAURUS
    reputation one's good standing, one's name infrml.
repute
repute
  1. n.frml. [U] reputation: My sister is a doctor of good repute.v.frml. [T] -puted, -puting, -putes to think, believe: The film is reputed to be excellent.
reputed
reputed
  1. adj. thought to be s.t., having a reputation of being,
    THESAURUS
    alleged: He is a reputed mobster. -adv. reputedly.
request
request
  1. v. [T] to ask for s.t., seek it: Our teacher requested that the class be quiet.n. an asking for s.t.: The students couldn't hear the teacher's request, because they were making too much noise.
    THESAURUS
    request n. a call for s.t., appeal | petition.
requiem
requiem
  1. n.adj. a religious service to honor the dead or the music of such a service: A requiem (or) requiem service was held at the church for people who had died.
require
require
  1. v. [T] -quired, -quiring, -quires
    1 to need: This radio requires two batteries.
    2 frml. to ask for, desire: He requires a quiet hotel room when he travels.
    THESAURUS
    require
    1 to call for, demand, take
    2 to want, request. Ant. to be optional.
requirement
requirement
  1. n.
    1 a necessity, s.t. needed: A college degree is a requirement for this job.
    2 to meet the requirements: to have or do what is necessary: She doesn't meet the requirements for graduation from high school.
    THESAURUS
    requirement
    1 an essential, prerequisite, precondition.
requisite
requisite
  1. n.frml. [C;U] a requirement, necessity: Ten years' experience is a requisite for the job. See: prerequisite.
requisition
requisition
  1. n. [C;U] a written order for s.t., a formal request: Instructors must fill out a requisition to use a VCR in class.
reregister
reregister
  1. v. [I;T] to register again: Although he didn't vote for many years, this year he reregistered to vote. -n. [C;U] reregistration.
reroute
reroute
  1. v. [T] -routed, -routing, -routes to change the route of s.t.: The police rerouted traffic around a car accident.
rerun
rerun
  1. n. repeat of a TV program: Late at night, he watches reruns of old comedy shows.v. [T] -ran , -run, -running, -runs to broadcast a TV or radio show again: TV stations rerun popular old shows.
resale
resale
  1. n. [C;U] a sale of s.t. again: We made money on the resale of our house.
reschedule
reschedule
  1. v. [T] -uled, -uling, -ules to schedule s.t. at a different time: Our meeting for tomorrow was rescheduled for next Tuesday.
rescind
rescind
  1. v. [T] to take legal power away from s.t., (syns.) to revoke, cancel: The Congress rescinded a tax law that people didn't like.
rescue
rescue
  1. v. [T] -cued, -cuing, -cues to save s.o. or s.t. from danger, prison, etc.: Firefighters rescued people from the burning building.n. an act of saving s.o.: The newspaper had a story about the rescue. -n. rescuer.
    THESAURUS
    rescue v. to recover, free, deliver from frml.
research
research
  1. v. [I;T] -es to study s.t. deeply,
    THESAURUS
    to investigate: He researched many books and magazines in the library for his term paper.n. [U] a study of information about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    an inquiry: She did research in a chemical laboratory. -n. researcher.
resell
resell
  1. v. [T] -sold , -selling, -sells to buy, then sell s.t.: He buys things from the factory then resells them on the street to people. -n. reseller.
resemblance
resemblance
  1. n. [C;U] a likeness to s.o. or s.t., similarity: The little girl bears a close resemblance to her mother.
resemble
resemble
  1. v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles to look like s.o. or s.t. else: The boy resembles his father; they both have blond hair and blue eyes.
resend
resend
  1. v. [T] -sent , -sending, -sends to send s.t. again: The fax did not go through the first time, so I resent it.
resent
resent
  1. v. [T] to feel anger at s.t, feel hurt about s.t.: I resent the unkind things he said about me.
resentful
resentful
  1. adj. feeling anger, strong unhappiness toward s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    bitter: He is resentful about being asked to leave his job. -adv. resentfully.
resentment
resentment
  1. n. [U] a feeling of anger about s.t., unhappiness,
    THESAURUS
    bitterness: There was a feeling of resentment in the office after everyone's pay was lowered.
reservation
reservation
  1. n.
    1 [C] a place saved in a hotel, on an airplane ride, etc.: He has a reservation for three nights at the hotel.
    2 [C;U] a doubt about s.t., worry, or concern: I have reservations about the new worker; she doesn't seem to be able to do the job.
    3 [C] special land in North America for tribes of Native Americans to live on: We visited a Native American reservation in Arizona.
    4 [U] without reservation: having no doubt or concern: I recommend her for the job without reservation.
    THESAURUS
    reservation
    1 a booking, advance booking
    2 a hesitation, uncertainty, qualm.
reserve
reserve
  1. v. [T] -served, -serving, -serves
    1 to save a place in a hotel room, on an airplane, etc.: He reserved a room for three nights in the hotel.
    2 to hold or keep for oneself: We are reserving these seats for my parents.||The producers reserve the right to cancel the outdoor concert if it rains.n.
    1 an amount of s.t. held back for later use: She keeps a cash reserve in a savings account in case of emergencies.
    2 cool behavior, self-control in not reacting to things: The man answered questions with a cool reserve and without smiling.
    3 special soldiers who are not part of the regular army, but who can be called into service: He left the regular army and joined the reserves.
    4 land kept for a special purpose: You can sometimes see wild animals at that nature reserve.
    5 in reserve: to keep s.t. for later use: I keep a small radio in reserve, so I can listen to music if my stereo system breaks.
    THESAURUS
    reserve v.
    1 to book s.t., engage | schedule
    2 to save, set aside | retain. —n.
    1 a supply of s.t., stockpile, store of s.t.
    2 restraint, aloofness | dignity
    4 a preserve.
reserve bank
reserve bank
  1. n. a central bank for other banks that is often part of a governmental system to regulate them: Reserve banks lend money to other banks.
reserved
reserved
  1. adj.
    1 set aside for use by s.o.: That seat in the theater is reserved for Mr. Jones.
    2 cool in one's behavior, not showing feelings,
    THESAURUS
    restrained: He is a very quiet and reserved person. -adv. reservedly.
reservist
reservist
  1. n. a soldier not in the regular army but in the military reserves: My father is a reservist.
reservoir
reservoir
  1. n.
    1 a body of water saved for use: This lake is the reservoir for the city.
    2 any reserve supply of s.t.: That corporation keeps a reservoir of cash available to buy other companies.
    THESAURUS
    reservoir
    1 a water supply, holding pond
    2 a stockpile.
reset
reset
  1. v. [T] -set, -setting, -sets to set s.t. again: I reset the alarm clock to ring later, so I could sleep more.
reshape
reshape
  1. v. [T] -shaped, -shaping, -shapes to shape s.t. differently,
    THESAURUS
    to remold s.t.: Designers reshaped new models of cars to make them look more sporty.
reship
reship
  1. v. [T] -shipped, -shipping, -ships to send s.t. again: My first order was lost, so the company reshipped it.
reshuffle
reshuffle
  1. v. [T] -fled, -fling, -fles to mix again, organize differently,
    THESAURUS
    to rearrange: The Prime Minister reshuffled the duties of several members of her Cabinet.
reside
reside
  1. v.frml. [I] -sided, -siding, -sides to live someplace,
    THESAURUS
    to inhabit: She resides in Jacksonville, Florida.
residence
residence
  1. n.frml.
    1 [C] the place where one lives, such as a house, apartment, etc.: His residence is a house in Hartford.
    2 [U] in residence: living or working in a place: When the queen is in residence, visitors can't tour the palace.
residency
residency
  1. n. -cies
    1 [U] the condition of living somewhere: He has residency in this country.
    2 [C] a final period of training for a doctor: Her seven-year residency will end this year at New York Hospital.
resident
resident
  1. n.
    1 a person who lives in a certain area: She is a resident of San Francisco.
    2 s.o. in a final training period to become a doctor
    THESAURUS
    resident
    1 an inhabitant, citizen. Ant. a nonresident.
residential
residential
  1. adj. related to houses, places where people live, and not to commercial business: The north part of the city is nearly all residential.
residual
residual
  1. adj.n.
    1 related to a small amount of s.t. leftover: After paying my bills and taxes, I put my residual income (or) the residual into my savings.
    2 an amount paid to artists for repeat performances of their works: She is a TV star who gets residuals for her reruns.
residue
residue
  1. n. s.t. left over after a process,
    THESAURUS
    remainder: My dishwasher is leaving soap residue on my glasses.
resign
resign
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to choose to leave one's job or post: She resigned from her job because she wanted to travel.
    2 to accept s.t. reluctantly as true: When he couldn't find a job with his college degree, he resigned himself to going to graduate school. -adj. resigned. See: quit, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    resign
    1 to leave, quit, step down | give up
    2 to settle for (doing) s.t.
resignation
resignation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an act of choosing to leave one's job or post: He handed in his resignation as ambassador to Japan.
    2 [U] sad and unwilling acceptance of s.t.: His resignation to the idea that he is now old took a long time.
resilience
resilience
  1. n. [U]
    1 the ability of s.t. to return to its original shape: Rubber has a lot of resilience.
    2 the ability to restore one's energy: He works very hard, but his resilience keeps his strength up. -n. [U] resiliency.
resilient
resilient
  1. adj.
    1 able to recover its original shape: This resilient plastic won't break even under a lot of stress.
    2 able to restore one's energy, recover from difficulty: The children are tired now, but they are resilient and will have more energy soon. -adv. resiliently.
resin
resin
  1. n. [U] a sticky substance found in some plants: The resin that comes out when a rubber tree is cut is used to make rubber. -adj. resinous. See: rosin.
resist
resist
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 not to allow s.t. to touch or hurt, (syns.) to fend off, withstand: She resisted his kisses.||Stainless steel resists rust.
    2 to oppose, be against: Conservative politicians resisted the reform plan.
    3 not to do s.t. that you want to, refrain from eating or drinking s.t., etc.: She resisted eating the chocolate cake because it is too fattening. -adj. resistible.
resistance
resistance
  1. n. [U]
    1 refusal to do what s.o. wants,
    THESAURUS
    rejection: He met with resistance when he tried to kiss her.
    2 not to do s.t., to hold back: She maintained her resistance against eating fattening foods.
    3 ability to fight against disease: She has good resistance against sickness.
    4 Resistance: a fighting force against an occupying army or power: The French Resistance fought the Germans during World War II.
    5 the ability to slow or oppose electric current: Electrical resistance is less in copper than in steel wire.
resistant
resistant
  1. adj.
    1 referring to s.t. that does not allow s.o. or s.t. to touch or hurt it: That plastic is resistant to breakage and staining.
    2 immune to disease: Her vaccinations make her resistant to many childhood diseases.
    3 not wanting to do s.t., not agreeable,
    THESAURUS
    uncooperative: He is resistant to the idea of seeing a doctor even though he doesn't feel well. -n. resister.
resistor
resistor
  1. n. (in electronics) a device in an electric circuit that controls current: He put new resistors in the machine and fixed it.
resole
resole
  1. v. [T] -soled, -soling, -soles to put a new sole on a shoe: These are my favorite shoes, so I had the bottoms resoled instead of buying new shoes.
resolute
resolute
  1. adj. having a strong purpose, dedicated as to an idea, cause, etc.: That religion has a large and resolute group of believers. -adv. resolutely; -n. [U] resoluteness.
resolution
resolution
  1. n.
    1 [C] a solution to a problem, result of an action: Diplomats tried to find a resolution to the problems between their countries.
    2 [U] the quality of believing s.t. strongly and not changing one's mind: Everyone admired his resolution when he quit smoking and never touched another cigarette.
    3 [C] New Year's resolution: a promise or plan to change s.t. about one's behavior or habits, a decision made on the first day of the new year: I made New Year's resolutions to be nicer to my sister and to exercise each day.
resolve
resolve
  1. n. [C;U] strong belief in an idea, cause, etc.: The new president began to make changes with great resolve.v. -solved, -solving, -solves
    1 [I] to decide to do s.t.: He resolved to reform the nation's laws.
    2 [T] to solve s.t., find a solution to a problem: He resolved a disagreement by giving each side s.t. to be happy about.
resonant
resonant
  1. adj. having a deep and clear sound,
    THESAURUS
    sonorous: His resonant voice is pleasing to hear. -n. [U] resonance.
resonate
resonate
  1. v. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to sound clearly for a long time,
    THESAURUS
    to resound: The organ music resonated throughout the large church. -n. resonator.
resorption
resorption
  1. n. [U] absorbing s.t. again, the process of taking s.t. into s.t. else: After the heavy rain, the resorption of rain into the ground was slow, so the ground was very wet all week. -v. [I;T] resorb.
resort
resort
  1. n.
    1 a hotel with recreation facilities (swimming pool, tennis courts, etc.) for rest and relaxation: We went to a resort in Arizona for our vacation.
    2 as a last resort: the last choice for a way of doing s.t.: If I can't fly to Chicago, I can drive there as a last resort.phrasal v. insep. [T] to resort to s.t.: to do or use s.t. extreme, often dishonest: He resorted to lying so his wife wouldn't know he wrecked their car.
resound
resound
  1. v. [I] to sound loud and clear: At war's end, church bells resounded throughout the land.
resounding
resounding
  1. adj. clear, complete,
    THESAURUS
    definite: The new play was a resounding success. -adv. resoundingly.
resource
resource
  1. n. a useful way to find s.t., esp. information: The college library is an important resource for learning.n.pl.
    1 money, funds: She has the resources to buy a vacation home.
    2 useful things in general: Our country is rich in natural resources, such as oil, gold, and farm land.
resourceful
resourceful
  1. adj. able to solve problems in a creative way: Resourceful people can think of more than one way to do something. -adv. resourcefully; -n. [U] resourcefulness.
respect
respect
  1. n.
    1 [U] approval and honor for the qualities of a person or thing: I have respect for his high intelligence.
    2 [U] thoughtful concern about the importance of s.t.: He has no respect for my rights!
    3 [C] a part of, detail: The company owner and the workers agree in most respects, but they have some small differences.
    4 to give one's respects: a formal greeting: Give my respects to your grandfather.
    5 to pay one's respects: to honor s.o. who has died: Many people came to the funeral to pay their respects.
    6 with respect to: concerning, about,
    THESAURUS
    regarding: With respect to your job application, please come for an interview tomorrow.v. [T] to admire, have a high opinion of: I respect her hard work and good ideas.
    THESAURUS
    respect n.
    1 admiration, high regard, esteem
    2 consideration, regard
    3 a point, matter, aspect frml. —v. to appreciate, think highly of s.t. or s.o.
respectability
respectability
  1. n. [U] the state of being accepted by polite society: That family thinks respectability is very important, so they are careful about what they do and say.
respectable
respectable
  1. adj.
    1 having a good place in society: They are respectable people who are liked and trusted in their town.
    2 clean and well-dressed: He shaved and put on clean clothes to look respectable for his guests. -adv. respectably.
    THESAURUS
    respectable
    1 well-thought of, decent, reputable. Ant. disreputable.
    2 presentable, acceptable.
respectful
respectful
  1. adj. having proper politeness toward s.o.: Students and teachers should have a respectful attitude toward each other. -adv. respectfully.
respecting
respecting
  1. prep.frml. with regard to, in the matter of, about: Respecting your taxes, they are due April 15.
respectively
respectively
  1. adv. in that order,
    THESAURUS
    consecutively: He likes coffee and tea, black and with cream, respectively. -adj. respective.
respiration
respiration
  1. n. [U] breathing, taking air in and out of the body: Respiration is necessary for life. -v. [I;T] respire.
respirator
respirator
  1. n. a device used to help s.o. breathe: Doctors put patients with breathing problems on respirators.
respiratory
respiratory
  1. adj. related to breathing: Smoking cigarettes can cause respiratory problems.
respite
respite
  1. n.frml. [C;U] relief, a pause or break from hard work or worry: He took a short respite from work by going to another town for the weekend.
resplendent
resplendent
  1. adj.frml. shining, brilliant: The millionaire was resplendent in her gold and jewels. -adv. resplendently.
respond
respond
  1. v. [I]
    1 frml. to answer: The company responded to my order by sending it quickly.
    2 to react, do s.t. because of s.t. else: He responded to her farewell gift by kissing her hand.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to respond to s.t.: to change as a result of s.t.: The plants have responded well to the fungicide you used.
    THESAURUS
    respond
    1 to reply, retort frml.
    2 to acknowledge.
respondent
respondent
  1. n.adj.frml.
    1 a person who answers or replies: One hundred respondents answered our questionnaire.
    2 a defendant in a lawsuit: He was a respondent in a court case.
response
response
  1. n.
    1 [C] an answer: My friend sent a response to my letter.
    2 [C;U] a reaction to s.t.: He tried to kiss her, but her response was to slap his face.
    THESAURUS
    response
    1 a reply, retort frml.
responsibility
responsibility
  1. n. -ties
    1 [C;U] s.t. that s.o. must do because of moral or legal necessity, or because of a job: He has the responsibility of running the advertising department, and he also has responsibilities at home to his wife and two children.
    2 [C;U] a difficult job s.o. has to do: Her father is ill, and she has the responsibility of caring for him.
    3 [C] a person or thing s.o. must take care of: Until they are 18, children are the responsibility of their parents.
    THESAURUS
    responsibility n.
    1 a duty, obligation
    2 a burden.
responsible
responsible
  1. adj.
    1 required to do s.t.: He is responsible for taking care of his younger brother while his parents are away.
    2 able to be relied on: She is very responsible and is always on time, so she should be here in five minutes.
    3 referring to s.o. who caused s.t. to happen, at fault, guilty: He had to pay to repair both cars, because he was responsible for the accident. -adv. responsibly.
    THESAURUS
    1 accountable, obligated to do s.t.
    2 dependable, trustworthy. Ant. irresponsible.
    3 liable for s.t. | to blame for s.t.
responsive
responsive
  1. adj. willing to act, ready to help, (syns.) cooperative, receptive: He was responsive to the idea of starting a new project. -n. [U] responsiveness.
rest home
rest home
  1. n. a place where the elderly and the very sick are cared for: His aging parents live in a rest home.
rest room
rest room
  1. n. a washroom, toilet, bathroom: He went to the rest room at the store.
    THESAURUS
    rest room ladies' room, men's room | lavatory, comfort station.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare rest room and bathroom. People commonly refer to a public toilet and washroom as a rest room. Bathroom refers to the room in a home where the toilet and bath are located.
restart
restart
  1. v. [I;T] n. to start s.t. again: I restarted my car engine after it stalled in the cold weather.
restate
restate
  1. v. [T] -stated, -stating, -states
    1 to say s.t. again: The judge restated the law a third time for the jury to realize its importance.
    2 to say s.t. in a different way: The teacher restated the directions so the class could understand. -n. [U] restatement.
restaurant
restaurant
  1. n. a business that serves food: Big cities offer many different types of restaurants. See: café, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    restaurant a coffee shop, diner, café, bistro.
restaurateur
restaurateur
  1. n. a person who owns or runs a restaurant: My uncle is a restaurateur, so sometimes he gives us free meals at his restaurant.
restful
restful
  1. adj. calm, making one feel peaceful, rested: A vacation by a quiet lake is restful. -adv. restfully; -n. [U] restfulness.
resting place
resting place
  1. n. a grave, a place s.o. is buried when they die: He died yesterday and has been taken to his final resting place.
restitution
restitution
  1. n.frml. [U] payment for a loss or damages,
    THESAURUS
    reparation: The man had to make restitution of $1,000 for the damage that he did.
restive
restive
  1. adj.frml. not able to rest, (syns.) restless, agitated: The angry people were restive and ready to riot.
restless
restless
  1. adj. wanting a change, s.t. new, (syns.) anxious, impatient: She is restless in her present job and wants a new one.||Children are restless and want to run and play.
restoration
restoration
  1. n.
    1 making s.t., esp. a building, look like it did when it was new,
    THESAURUS
    renovation: Restoration of the house means putting on a new roof, fixing broken windows, and painting it.
    2 Restoration: the historical time in England (1660-1688) when King Charles II returned to power: I enjoy reading plays written during the Restoration.
restorative
restorative
  1. adj. having qualities that renew and refresh: The restorative powers of good food and rest are well known.
restore
restore
  1. v. [T] -stored, -storing, -stores
    1 to return s.t., give back: The police restored a stolen watch to its owner after they caught the thief.
    2 to renew, refresh: A long stay at the hospital restored her health.
    3 to make s.t. look like it did when it was new: We want to buy an old house and live there while we restore it. -n. restorer.
restrain
restrain
  1. v. [T] to hold back, stop from doing s.t., control: She restrains her dog by walking him on a leash.
restrained
restrained
  1. adj.
    1 stopped from moving freely as with a leash or handcuffs: The prisoner is restrained in handcuffs.
    2 not talkative, quiet in manner: He is restrained and shows it in the quiet way he talks.
restraining order
restraining order
  1. n. a court order telling one person to stay away from another: She got a restraining order against her former husband so he wouldn't come near her.
restraint
restraint
  1. n.
    1 [C] s.t. that holds or restricts s.o.'s movements, such as a leash, handcuffs, etc.: The prisoner's wrists were held in a restraint.
    2 [U] not acting with full force, control of emotions or power,
    THESAURUS
    moderation: Even though the mother was very angry, she acted with restraint and didn't yell at her child.
restrict
restrict
  1. v. [T]
    1 to limit,
    THESAURUS
    restrain: Restaurants restrict the use of their toilets to customers only.
    2 to punish by limiting some freedom: The soldier was restricted to his room because he didn't follow orders.
restricted
restricted
  1. adj. limited in use or availability: She is on a restricted diet of no fat, salt, or alcohol.
restriction
restriction
  1. n. [C;U] a rule that limits s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    limitation: Restrictions don't allow workers to use company cars for personal use. -adj. restrictive; -adv. restrictively.
restructure
restructure
  1. v. [I;T] -tured, -turing, -tures to reorganize, often to make a work force smaller: The corporation restructured from five divisions into two. -n. restructuring.
result
result
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an effect, a consequence of an action: The results of the election surprised everyone.
    2 to get results: to make good things happen: The hard work he put into his job search got results, and he has a new, interesting job.v.
    1 [I] to cause a result, happen: When there are summer thunderstorms, tornadoes can result.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to result in s.t.: to have as a result, cause: Her hard work resulted in a big bonus for her. -adj. resultant.
    THESAURUS
    result n.
    1 an outcome | end, conclusion. —v.
    1 to come about, occur, take place.
resume
resume
  1. v. [I;T] -sumed, -suming, -sumes
    1 to begin again, restart: The TV show will resume after this commercial.
    2 to take a place again: After she had a baby, she resumed her job as manager.
resumption
resumption
  1. n. [U] a restart, beginning again: Resumption of growth in the economy resulted in more new jobs.
resupply
resupply
  1. v. [T] -plied, -plying, -plies to add more supplies: Cargo ships resupplied the soldiers with fresh food and water.
resurface
resurface
  1. v. -faced, -facing, -faces
    1 [T] to put a new surface on s.t.: A carpenter resurfaced the table with fresh paint.
    2 [I] to come up through the water to the air, show up again: A submarine dove, then resurfaced 10 miles (16 km) away. -n. [U] resurfacing.
resurgence
resurgence
  1. n. a rise or increase that happens after a time of no or slow movement, an upward trend: A resurgence of growth in the economy is always good news. -v. [I] resurge; -adj. resurgent.
resurrect
resurrect
  1. v.frml. [T] to bring back to life; to bring s.t. up again: When a politician runs for office, the newspapers often resurrect old mistakes he or she made. -n. [U] resurrection.
resuscitate
resuscitate
  1. v. [T] -tated, -tating, -tates to bring back to consciousness, good health, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    to revive: The doctors and nurses resuscitated an unconscious patient. -n. [U] resuscitation.
resuscitator
resuscitator
  1. n. a device used to help s.o.'s heart start beating, help s.o. start breathing, etc.: A nurse used a resuscitator to revive her patient.
retail
retail
  1. v. [I;T] to sell products or services directly to people and not to other stores: That store retails computers and office supplies.adj. related to retailing: He works in retail clothing.n. [U]
    1 the selling of products or services to the public: She works in retail.
    2 at retail: at a price for all people, not at a wholesale price, which stores pay: That table sells at retail for $100. -n. retailer.
retain
retain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to keep s.t., maintain possession of s.t.: The wife retained most of her dead husband's property, but some went to the children.
    2 to pay a professional for services: When his neighbor drove a car into his house, he retained a lawyer. See: retention.
retainer
retainer
  1. n. a regular fee paid to s.o., such as a consultant or a lawyer: He pays his accountant a monthly retainer.
retake
retake
  1. v. [T] -took , -taken , -taking, -takes to take again, recapture: Our soldiers retook a hill they had lost to the enemy.n. reshooting of a picture or acting scene: Noise from an airplane spoiled the scene, so the actors did a retake.
retaliate
retaliate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to do s.t. bad to s.o. because of what they did, to strike back,
    THESAURUS
    to avenge: When the boy broke her toy, the girl retaliated by hitting him. -n. [U] retaliation; -adj. retaliatory.
retardant
retardant
  1. adj. able to hold s.t. back: The rug and drapes are made of fireretardant cloth.n. s.t. that slows s.t. down, holds it back: Poor education is a retardant to economic growth.
retardation
retardation
  1. n. [U]
    1 a slowing down, holding back: Retardation of economic growth is caused by poverty and poor education.
    2 a state of not having the same mental abilities as most people: That poor baby was born with mental retardation.
retarded
retarded
  1. adj.
    1 held back, slowed down: Retarded growth in the economy hurts everyone.
    2 not having the same mental development as most people: Retarded children need special care.

    USAGE NOTE: Many people refer to mentally retarded people as mentally challenged.
retch
retch
  1. v. [I] n. -es to bring food up from the stomach or to make the motions of doing this,
    THESAURUS
    to vomit: He had a stomachache and retched all night.
retention
retention
  1. n. [U] ability to keep or retain s.t.: Retention of students in that high school is low; only 50% of the students finish the 12th grade.
retentive
retentive
  1. adj. related to the ability to keep or retain s.t.: She has a retentive memory; she never forgets. -n. [U] retentiveness. See: retain.
rethink
rethink
  1. v. [I;T] -thought , -thinking, -thinks to think about s.t. again, esp. in a different way,
    THESAURUS
    to reconsider: He rejected their offer as too little, so they rethought the offer and raised the amount.
reticent
reticent
  1. adj.frml. not wanting to talk or act, (syns.) reserved, timid: He is reticent about telling his girlfriend he loves her. -n. [U] reticence; -adv. reticently.
retina
retina
  1. n. the inner lining of the eye that contains many light-sensitive cells and sends messages about light and color to the brain: The retina is a complex part of the eye. -adj. retinal.
retinue
retinue
  1. n. a group of followers,
    THESAURUS
    entourage: The Queen has a retinue of 80 friends and servants who travel with her.
retire
retire
  1. v. -tired, -tiring, -tires
    1 [T] to leave the work force and stop working: At age 70, he retired and moved to Florida.
    2 [I] to go to sleep: I retired at 11 o'clock last night.
    3 [I] frml. to go away to a place with few or no people: I was tired of the party, so I retired to my room.
    4 [T] to stop using s.t.: When the famous football player quit playing, his number was retired and never used by another player.
    THESAURUS
    retire
    1 to give up work | quit
    2 to go to bed, turn in infrml.
    3 to withdraw.
retired
retired
  1. adj. & past part. of retire, having left the workforce, stopped working: She is retired now and lives in Miami.
retiree
retiree
  1. n. a person who has retired from work: Many retirees live in Florida.
retirement
retirement
  1. n. [C;U] an act of leaving or time when one leaves the workforce and stops work: He took early retirement and moved south.||His retirement has been relaxing.
retiring
retiring
  1. adj. not very active or social, (syns.) timid, shy: He is retiring and doesn't like to talk to people.
retort
retort
  1. n.v.frml. [I;T] a usu. quick or funny reply, answer: He made a brief retort to his wife's question.
retouch
retouch
  1. v. [I;T] -es to change a negative or photograph to make it look better or different: A photographer retouched the boy's picture to make his skin look clearer.
retrace
retrace
  1. v. [T] -traced, -tracing, -traces to go over s.t. again, return: He lost a glove and retraced his steps until he found it.
retract
retract
  1. v.
    1 [T] to take s.t. back formally, withdraw s.t.: A woman wanted to buy my car, but later she retracted her offer.
    2 [I;T] to pull back in: The turtle retracted its head into its shell. -adv. retractable.
retraction
retraction
  1. n. [C;U] a withdrawal of s.t., esp. a statement: When newspapers make mistakes, they print a retraction of what they said wrong.
retrain
retrain
  1. v. [I;T] to train s.o. to do s.t. new,
    THESAURUS
    to reeducate: The steelworkers were retrained in repairing computers. -n. [U] retraining.
retread
retread
  1. n. a worn tire whose tread has been replaced: Retreads are much cheaper than new tires. -v. [T] retread.
retreat
retreat
  1. v. [I] to move away from s.t., such as soldiers who move away from the enemy,
    THESAURUS
    to withdraw: The enemy was firing heavily, so the army had to retreat to safety.n. a place of calm and safety, often where one goes to think,
    THESAURUS
    a refuge: Every summer, the priest goes to a retreat in the mountains.
retrench
retrench
  1. v. [I] -es to do less of s.t., cut back money or activity,
    THESAURUS
    to economize: The company retrenched by closing two factories and laying off 2,000 workers.
retrenchment
retrenchment
  1. n. [C;U] a cutback, reduction in funds or activity: During bad economic times, businesses have to think about retrenchment, or laying people off.
retrial
retrial
  1. n. a second trial of a legal case: The man got a retrial because mistakes were made in his first trial.
retribution
retribution
  1. n.frml. [U] punishment for or a demand for repayment for a wrong or harm: When her husband left her, she demanded financial retribution. -adj. retributive.
retrieve
retrieve
  1. v. [T] -trieved, -trieving, -trieves
    1 to bring s.t. back,
    THESAURUS
    to fetch: He throws a stick and his dog retrieves it.
    2 to get s.t. back, rescue it,
    THESAURUS
    to reclaim: His watch fell into the water, but he retrieved it with a fishing pole. -adj. retrievable; -n. retrieval.
retriever
retriever
  1. n. a type of dog that retrieves or brings back animals that have been shot: Our family pet is a golden retriever.
retroactive
retroactive
  1. adj. becoming active or effective on a date that has already passed: The tax increase is retroactive to January 1 of this year. -adv. retroactively.
retrograde
retrograde
  1. adj. moving backwards: The space shuttle is moving in a retrograde orbit now.
retrogress
retrogress
  1. v. [I] -es to move into a worse position or state: The presidential election has retrogressed into ugly namecalling and fighting. -n. [U] retrogression; -adj. retrogressive.
retrospective
retrospective
  1. adj. looking backward: The former president wrote a retrospective book about his years in office.n. a showing or report of s.t. that looks backward in time: The magazine did a retrospective on women's fashion from today back to the 1920s. -n. [U] retrospection.
return
return
  1. v.
    1 [I] to come back, as from a trip: He returned to his office after lunch in a restaurant.
    2 [T] to give s.t. back: She returned an umbrella she had borrowed from a friend.
    3 [T] to put s.t. back: The friend returned the umbrella to a closet.
    4 [I] to go back to s.t., as to an earlier thought: The teacher returned to yesterday's lesson to explain it again.
    5 [T] to repay, give s.t. in return: She did him a favor, so he returned the favor by loaning her money.
    6 [T] to pay, make money, or gain financially: That investment returned 7% a year.
    7 frml. [T] to report officially: The committee returned a recommendation to the manager.
    8 to reach the point of no return: to proceed to a point where one cannot stop or turn back: He reached the point of no return; he has spent so much money on the project that he must finish it.n.
    1 [C;U] a coming or bringing back: We were surprised by his sudden return from Iceland.
    2 [C] a payment, the amount of money gained as profit: That savings account pays a 2% return.
    3 [C] a tax return, official government form for filing taxes: His accountant filed his return for this year.
    4 [C] unsold merchandise sent back to a warehouse or other place for storage: Our company received a small return of unsold hats from a store.n.pl. returns: election results: The election returns showed that the mayor was reelected.adj.
    1 answered quickly: He sent a response to my letter by return mail.
    2 related to a homeward journey: He made the return trip back to New York last night using his return ticket.
    3 related to a repeat of an event in sports, theater, etc.: The boxer's manager agreed to a return match in six months.
    THESAURUS
    return v.
    1 to go back, reappear
    2 to take back | send back s.t.
    3 to bring s.t. back, replace s.t. Ant. to remove.
    6 to yield. —n.
    1 an arrival, reappearance
    2 a yield.
returnable
returnable
  1. adj. related to an item bought that a buyer may return to get money back or s.t. better: That sweater is returnable if it doesn't fit you.
retype
retype
  1. v. [T] -typed, -typing, -types to type s.t. over again: If you type a letter on a computer, you don't have to retype everything if you want to make changes.
reunify
reunify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies to bring s.t. together again, put it back together: Chancellor Helmut Kohl reunified East and West Germany. -n. [U] reunification.
reunion
reunion
  1. n. a time when people who have s.t. in common (college, family) get together again: Our college class has a reunion at the college every five years.||My grandmother was the oldest person at the family reunion.
reunite
reunite
  1. v. [I;T] -nited, -niting, -nites to put people or things back together again, unite again: Their boat sank, but the couple was saved and reunited.
reupholster
reupholster
  1. v. [T] to put new material on furniture,
    THESAURUS
    to recover: A worker reupholstered my sofa with new fabric. -n. [U] reupholstery. See: recover, 4.
reusable
reusable
  1. adj. able to be used again and again: Microwave dishes are reusable.
reuse
reuse
  1. v. [T] -used, -using, -uses to use s.t. again: If we reuse our bottles and cans, there will be less garbage each week. See: recycle, USAGE NOTE.n. [C;U] an instance of using s.t. over again: I wash the microwave dish after each reuse.
reutilize
reutilize
  1. v.frml. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to reuse, use again
rev
rev
  1. v. [I;T] revved, revving, revs to speed up an engine: A race car driver revved his engine at the starting line.
revalue
revalue
  1. v. [T] -ued, -uing, -ues to place a new value on s.t., make a new estimate of how much s.t. should cost: The painting was bought for $1,000 in 1920 and was revalued this year at $2 million. -n. revaluation.
revamp
revamp
  1. v. [T] to redo, change s.t. completely: The school revamped its curriculum to use computers to help teach many subjects. -n. revamping.
reveal
reveal
  1. v. [T] to uncover s.t. hidden: He revealed his secrets to his friend.
    THESAURUS
    reveal to tell, disclose, divulge | expose. Ant. to hide.
revealing
revealing
  1. adj. showing s.t. that was hidden: A revealing story explained all about the lies a politician told about her life. -adv. revealingly.
reveille
reveille
  1. n. [U] a musical sound or song used to wake military personnel in the morning: A soldier sounded reveille on a bugle.
revel
revel
  1. v. [I]
    1 to have a good time, party: They reveled all night going from party to party.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to revel in s.t.: to enjoy s.t. greatly, delight in s.t.: She revels in her good grades at school.n. a party: We're having a party tonight, so if you want to join the revel, come at 10:00 P.M.
revelation
revelation
  1. n.
    1 [U] an uncovering of s.t. that was hidden,
    THESAURUS
    a disclosure: Revelation of the truth about the murder came out in court.
    2 [C] a surprise, shocking event: It was a great revelation to him that people think he is unkind.
reveler
reveler
  1. n. a person who is enjoying a party, esp. loudly: Noisy revelers kept me awake by singing and shouting all night.
revelry
revelry
  1. n.frml. [U] having fun at a party,
    THESAURUS
    merrymaking: On New Year's Eve, revelry lasts all night.
revenge
revenge
  1. n. [U] a desire or an act to insult or hurt s.o. in repayment for a wrong: When his partner cheated him, he wanted revenge, so he had him put in jail.v. [T] -venged, -venging, -venges to commit an act of revenge, to get back at s.o. for s.t.: In Shakespeare's play called Hamlet, Hamlet revenges the murder of his father. -adj. revengeful; -adv. revengefully.
revenue
revenue
  1. n. [C;U] incoming monies, such as tax payments for the government: The government has a huge need for tax revenue.
revenue bond
revenue bond
  1. n. a bond sold by a government to raise money for a public project: New Jersey issued revenue bonds to build a toll highway.
revenuer
revenuer
  1. n. a person, esp. a government employee, who collects taxes: Revenuers try to find businesses that should but don't pay taxes.
reverberate
reverberate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates to echo, continue to sound: His voice reverberated in the empty room. -n. [C;U] reverberation.
revere
revere
  1. v. [T] -vered, -vering, -veres to admire s.o. greatly: Martin Luther King, Jr., was revered as a religious and social leader.
reverence
reverence
  1. n.
    1 [U] great admiration: The child looked up at his father with reverence.
    2 [U] respect for s.t. as sacred, holy, worthy to be worshiped: Religious people have reverence for their church. -adj. reverent; -adv. reverently.
reverie
reverie
  1. n. [C;U] a dream, esp. a day-dream: He sat after dinner in reverie about the beautiful day that he had had.
reversal
reversal
  1. n. [C;U] a setback, defeat for s.o.: After being successful for many years at work, he had a reversal of fortune and lost his job.
reverse
reverse
  1. n.
    1 [U] a backwards direction: He put the car in reverse and backed up.
    2 [C] a setback, defeat: She had several reverses in her career, but is having better luck now.
    3 to reverse the charges: to make a phone call and ask the person receiving the call to pay, to call collect: When I call from a pay phone, I sometimes have to reverse the charges.adj.
    1 backwards, toward the rear: He moved his car in a reverse direction.
    2 opposite, other: The reverse side of a quarter has an eagle on it.
    3 in reverse order: from the bottom to top or back to front: Do the exercises in reverse order, starting with number ten.
reversible
reversible
  1. adj. able to be reversed, turned inside out: He wears a reversible jacket, which is orange for hunting and green for everyday wear.
revert
revert
  1. v. [I] to return, go back to the state or condition s.t. was in before: John gave his brother a house, and when his brother died, ownership reverted back to John. -n. [U] reversion.
review
review
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to look s.t. over (again): I reviewed the information you gave me, and now I'd like to talk to you about it.
    2 [T] to repeat s.t.: Our teacher reviewed the last lesson before starting a new one.
    3 [I;T] to write about the good and bad points of an artistic work: A critic reviewed the new Broadway play and wrote good things about it.n.
    1 [C] an article or speech about the good and bad points of an artistic work: A good review of the new play was in today's newspaper.
    2 [C;U] a repetition of s.t.: Our teacher did a review of last week's lesson before we took the test.
    THESAURUS
    review v.
    1 to reexamine, peruse
    2 to go over s.t. again
    3 to criticize, critique | analyze, evaluate. —n.
    1 a critique, assessment | analysis.
reviewer
reviewer
  1. n. a person who writes about the good and bad points of s.t., s.o. who reviews, esp. artistic works: A reviewer for the New York Times wrote a review saying the new movie was very bad.
revile
revile
  1. v.frml. [T] -viled, -viling, -viles to say negative, angry things about s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    abuse: The newspaper reporter reviled the mayor for not keeping the promises she made to get elected.
revise
revise
  1. v. [T] -vised, -vising, -vises
    1 to read carefully to change and correct s.t., esp. a written work: The author revised her book several times before publishing it.
    2 to change, choose s.t. new, esp. an opinion: Many people who listened to the speaker revised their opinion about the new tax law.
revision
revision
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the process of editing s.t.: In English class, we talked about how revision can help us improve our writing.
    2 [C] a new copy of something written that has changes that were made by revising: The writer handed in the revision of her new book.
revitalize
revitalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to give new life or energy to s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to energize: Government action revitalized a weak economy. -n. revitalization.
revival
revival
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a reawakening, a new consciousness: A religious revival swept the nation.
    2 [C] new performances of old artistic works: Singers did a revival of songs from old musicals.
    3 [C;U] a renewal of interest in or use of s.t.: In the past 20 years, there has been a revival of interest in old trains and railroads.
revive
revive
  1. v. -vived, -viving, -vives
    1 [I;T] to reawaken, return s.o. to consciousness: A paramedic revived a man who had lost consciousness.
    2 [I;T] to give new energy to s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to revitalize: Government programs rebuilding roads and bridges revived the country's economy.
    3 [T] to begin to use or do s.t. again, make popular again: Her trip to the museum revived her old interest in painting.
revoke
revoke
  1. v. [T] -voked, -voking, -vokes to take s.t. back such as a right or favor, (syns.) to cancel, void: A judge revoked the driver's license of a man who caused four accidents. -adj. revocable; -n. [C;U] revocation.
revolt
revolt
  1. v.
    1 [I] to fight against a government or other power: The unemployed people revolted against the dictator.
    2 [T] to make s.o. angry or sick: His bad behavior and dirty clothes revolted everyone near him.n. [C;U] a fight against authority: The intellectuals led a revolt against the rich and powerful.
    THESAURUS
    revolt v.
    1 to rebel, rise against | mutiny
    2 to disgust, sicken, nauseate frml. —n. a rebellion, uprising, insurrection.
revolting
revolting
  1. adj. referring to s.t. that makes one sick, unpleasant, (syns.) disgusting, nauseating: His revolting behavior angered all of his friends. -adv. revoltingly.
revolution
revolution
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a big change, sometimes caused by force or war, esp. in a government, economy, or field of study: The Industrial Revolution changed how people worked and lived.
    2 [C;U] a complete turn or circle made by s.t.: The large hand on a clock makes one revolution each hour.
revolutionary
revolutionary
  1. n. -ies a person who wants and works to cause a complete change, esp. in government: Revolutionaries slowly caused the end of rule by kings and queens in France.adj. wanting or causing a complete change, as in government, economy, or a field of study: Revolutionary discoveries in medicine help people live longer, healthier lives.
revolutionize
revolutionize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to change completely, cause a new way of doing s.t.: Discovery of electricity revolutionized the way people live.
    THESAURUS
    revolutionize to transform, revamp, change the face of s.t. infrml.
revolve
revolve
  1. v. -volved, -volving, -volves
    1 [I;T] to turn around s.t., move in a circle,
    THESAURUS
    to rotate: The room began to revolve, then she fainted.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to revolve around s.o. or s.t.: to have as a focus: His life revolves around his family.
revolver
revolver
  1. n. a gun, a type of pistol with a revolving cylinder to hold bullets: A thief used a revolver to steal money from a store.
revolving door
revolving door
  1. n. a type of door with three or four doors that rotate as people enter and leave buildings: I'm always nervous going through a revolving door because if someone pushes too quickly, the door might hit me.
revue
revue
  1. n.
    1 a type of magazine that reviews a field or subject: That magazine is a fashion revue.
    2 a type of theatrical show: We went to a musical revue last night.
revulsion
revulsion
  1. n. [U] a strong reaction, feeling of sickness or disgust at s.t. sickening: She had a feeling of revulsion when she saw the dog eating out of the garbage.
reward
reward
  1. n.
    1 an award, s.t. pleasant for s.t. well done: She gave herself the reward of a winter vacation after working hard all autumn.
    2 money paid for the capture of a criminal: A person who saw the crime committed got a $1,000 reward for information that helped police find the murderer. -adj. rewarding.v. [T] to give an award to s.o.: I will reward $50 to the person who returns my lost dog.
    THESAURUS
    reward n.
    1 a present, bonus, prize. Ant. punishment.
    2 compensation. —v. to pay, compensate.
rewed
rewed
  1. v. [I;T] to remarry: After her husband died, she rewed and married his best friend.
rewind
rewind
  1. v. [I;T] -wound , -winding, -winds to wind again, esp. a mechanical clock: Every Saturday, I rewind the big clock in the hallway.
rewire
rewire
  1. v. [I;T] -wired, -wiring, -wires to put in new wiring: A new owner rewired the old building with a modern telephone system. -n. [U] rewiring.
reword
reword
  1. v. [T] to say s.t. in a different way, restate: The mayor reworded his speech, because his advisors told him to do so.
rework
rework
  1. v. [T] to change s.t., redo it: An artist reworked his painting to make it more colorful.
rewrite
rewrite
  1. v. [T] -wrote , -writing, -writes to change the wording of s.t., rework it: A playwright rewrote his play using ideas his friends gave him.n. an instance of rewriting: His rewrite was a success.
rhapsodic
rhapsodic
  1. adj. having or giving strong feelings, emotional, enthusiastic (said of musical and literary works): The poet's rhapsodic writings gave many people feelings of great happiness. -adj. rhapsodical.
rhapsodize
rhapsodize
  1. v. [I] -dized, -dizing, -dizes to write, compose or speak in an emotional, enthusiastic manner: The speaker rhapsodized about the beauty of nature.
rhapsody
rhapsody
  1. n. -dies an emotional musical or literary work: Composers have written many musical rhapsodies about Paris.
rhetorical question
rhetorical question
  1. n. a question to which no answer is expected: The professor started with a rhetorical question, "And what shall we talk about today?" and she then began to lecture.
rhetorician
rhetorician
  1. n. an expert in the use of words, such as a teacher of rhetoric: He is a rhetorician at the University of Wisconsin.
rheumatic fever
rheumatic fever
  1. n. [U] a disease (usu. in children) of the joints and muscles that often causes heart damage: Rheumatic fever is a major health problem in undeveloped countries.
rheumatism
rheumatism
  1. n. [U] a popular name for rheumatoid arthritis, pain or swelling of the joints: Her rheumatism is bothering her today. -adj. rheumatic.
rheumatoid arthritis
rheumatoid arthritis
  1. n. [U] a painful disease of the joints: He has rheumatoid arthritis in his hands, which makes it difficult for him to write.
rhinestone
rhinestone
  1. n. a glass stone made to look like a diamond: Her necklace is made of rhinestones, not real diamonds.
rhino
rhino
  1. n. short for rhinoceros
rhinoceros
rhinoceros
  1. n. -os or -oses a very large mammal of Africa, India, and SE Asia with one or two horns on its nose: The rhinoceros is often hunted for its horns.
rhododendron
rhododendron
  1. n. a large bush that has groups of small flowers of white, pink, purple, or red: Many people plant rhododendrons next to their houses.
rhombus
rhombus
  1. n. a four-sided shape in which all sides are parallel and have equal length: A square is a kind of rhombus. -adj. rhombic; rhomboid.
rhubarb
rhubarb
  1. n. [U] a plant with large green leaves on long green or reddish stems, shaped like celery: Rhubarb tastes delicious when cooked with sugar.
rhyme
rhyme
  1. n.
    1 [C] words that sound alike: "Rhyme" and "time" form a rhyme.
    2 [U] poetry, verse and other writings that rhyme: Some poets write in rhyme.
    3 without rhyme or reason: not making sense, without logic: This map is drawn without rhyme or reason; we'll never find the right road.v. [I;T] rhymed, rhyming, rhymes to write or form rhymes: "Sky" and "tie" rhyme.
rhythm
rhythm
  1. n. [C;U] a regular beat, esp. in music or movement: A symphony conductor keeps the rhythm for the orchestra.
    THESAURUS
    rhythm tempo, cadence, meter.
rhythmic
rhythmic
  1. adj. having a regular beat, as in music: Ocean waves make a rhythmic sound. -adj. rhythmical; -adv. rhythmically.
rib
rib
  1. n.
    1 any of the many horizontal curved bones in the front of the chest that form the rib cage: He fell and broke a rib.
    2 anything similar in shape to a rib: Cardboard with ribs bends easily in one direction, but is difficult to bend in the other direction.
    3 a piece of meat containing a rib: We had beef ribs for dinner.v.infrml.fig. [T] ribbed, ribbing, ribs to laugh at s.o., kid, tease: His friends ribbed him about his big feet.
rib cage
rib cage
  1. n. the area of the upper body formed by the ribs: Organs that are most important for life, such as the heart, lungs, and liver, are protected by the rib cage.
ribald
ribald
  1. adj.frml. offensive to most people, indecent, (syns.) lewd, vulgar: He writes books full of ribald sex and drinking scenes. -n. [U] ribaldry.
ribbon
ribbon
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a thin, colorful strip of material often used to tie things up: He tied the present for his wife with a bright red ribbon.
    2 [C] a piece of ribbon given as a prize or award: The horse won a blue ribbon for first prize.
rice
rice
  1. n. [U] a grain of the cereal grass family of ancient origin that is used for food and grows in watery areas: Records show that people grew rice over 4,000 years ago in China.
rich
rich
  1. adj.
    1 having a lot of money, property, etc., wealthy: Rich people usually live in big houses.
    2 having a lot of ingredients considered tasty, esp. sugar and fat: Eating too much rich food, like steaks and cake, can make you fat.
    3 (of colors and sounds) full or deep: She bought a rich green carpet for her bedroom.||The bass viol makes a rich sound.
    4 (of dirt or soil) able to grow many things: The soil in my garden is very rich, so I get lots of vegetables. -n. [U] richness.n.pl. the rich: rich people as a group: The rich are often powerful because of their money.
    THESAURUS
    rich adj.
    1 prosperous, affluent, well-to-do frml. Ant. poor.
    2 fattening, heavy
    3 vivid, sumptuous, luxuriant
    4 fertile, productive.
riches
riches
  1. n.pl. wealth, money, and property: Kings had riches but were not all happy.
richly
richly
  1. adv.
    1 with riches: He is paid richly for his work.
    2 greatly, much: Because of her hard work, she richly deserves her promotion.
rickets
rickets
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. a disease of softening and weakening of the bones: Rickets is caused by lack of vitamin D.
rickety
rickety
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest unstable, weak, and likely to fall: I was worried that the rickety old chair would break when I sat on it.
rickshaw
rickshaw
  1. n. a small 2-wheeled cart pulled by a person: When I was in Taiwan, I rode in a rickshaw.
ricochet
ricochet
  1. v. [I] n. -cheted , -cheting , -chets to bounce off a surface and change direction: A bullet ricocheted off a stone wall and hit a window.||The ricochet broke the window.
ricotta
ricotta
  1. n. an Italian type of soft, white, nutty-tasting cheese: I like ricotta with pasta and tomato sauce.
rid
rid
  1. v. [T] rid or ridded, ridding, rids
    1 to free, relieve: She rid herself of bad habits, like smoking cigarettes.
    2 to be rid of: to be free of, relieved of: She was glad to be rid of both the bad habit and the expense of smoking.
    3 to get rid of s.t. or s.o.: to free oneself of, throw away, (syns.) to dispose of, eliminate: She got rid of her old clothes by giving them to the poor.
    THESAURUS
    rid
    1 to liberate, shake off, eradicate.
riddance
riddance
  1. n. [U] the state of being rid of s.t., freedom from s.t. usu. used in the phrase "Good riddance!": She said, "Good riddance" when she finally got rid of her old car that was always breaking down.
riddle
riddle
  1. n. a puzzle, question that requires cleverness to answer: I have a riddle for you. "What is white and black and read all over? Answer? A newspaper!"v. -dled, -dling, -dles phrasal v. insep. [T] to riddle s.t. with s.t.: to fill with, usu. with bullets: A soldier with a machine gun riddled an enemy soldier with bullets.
rider
rider
  1. n.
    1 a person who rides in a bus, car, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    a passenger: Riders on the subway have to stand sometimes.
    2 a person who rides on an animal: Riders on horseback rode through the park.
    3 an additional rule or information added to a legal document: The insurance company added a rider to my health insurance saying that I had to pay for my prescription medicine.
ridge
ridge
  1. n.
    1 any long, narrow, high piece of land: You could see a deer standing on top of a ridge and then disappear down the other side of the hill.
    2 any long raised narrow part of s.t.: She has ridges in her fingernails.
ridicule
ridicule
  1. v. [T] -culed, -culing, -cules to laugh at or criticize s.o. or s.t.: An editorial in the newspaper ridiculed the mayor's speech.n. [U] mockery, criticism: The mayor received a lot of ridicule after he delivered an unpopular speech.
ridiculous
ridiculous
  1. adj. stupid, foolish: He often has ridiculous ideas. -adv. ridiculously; -n. [U] ridiculousness.
    THESAURUS
    ridiculous crazy, absurd | ludicrous frml.
riding
riding
  1. adj. & pres. part. of ride, sitting in or on s.t. moving: He is riding in a car.n. [U] horsemanship: She likes riding (or) riding horses.
rife
rife
  1. adj.frml. rifer, rifest full of s.t., much of it: His report was rife with mistakes.
riffle
riffle
  1. v. -fled, -fling, -fles
    1 [I;T] to flip the pages of s.t. lightly and quickly: He riffled through the pages of a magazine to see the pictures.
    2 [T] to shuffle or mix playing cards: I could tell by the way he riffled the cards that he had played many times.
riffraff
riffraff
  1. n. [U] people who are unwanted or undesirable: A doorman in front of the building keeps away the riffraff.
rifle
rifle
  1. n. a type of gun with a long grooved barrel and stock held to the shoulder to fire it: Soldiers carry rifles into battle.v. [T] -fled, -fling, -fles
    1 to make grooves in the barrel of a rifle: The gunmaker rifled the barrel so the gun would shoot more accurately.
    2 to look through things in order to steal them,
    THESAURUS
    to ransack: A thief rifled through the trunk of the car and stole some things that were there.
rift
rift
  1. n.
    1 a crack, break, esp. in the earth's crust: Earthquakes produce rifts in the ground.
    2 a break in relations between people: After a fight, a rift developed between the two friends.
rig
rig
  1. v. [T] rigged, rigging, rigs
    1 to cheat, arrange events dishonestly to one's advantage: A politician rigged the election by having votes of dead people counted for him so he would win.
    2 to put up rigging, put sails, ropes, etc., on a ship: A captain rigged his ship with new sails.
    3 infrml.fig. to dress oneself: He rigged himself for the party with his new shoes and a colorful shirt.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to rig s.t. up: to put up s.t. in a way that is not permanent: He rigged up an antenna for his radio by hanging a wire over a tree branch.||He rigged it up.n. a piece of equipment, esp. a large truck: That truck driver bought a new rig.
rigamarole
rigamarole
  1. n. [U] difficult rules that seem unimportant but are required to do s.t., (syns.) bureaucracy, red tape: The customs official put me through a big rigamarole in order for me to bring my computer into the country.
rigging
rigging
  1. n. [U] the equipment, such as sails, ropes, and masts, on a boat: The sailboat has new rigging.
right-hand
right-hand
  1. adj.
    1 located to the right: A car made a right-hand turn at the corner.
    2 infrml.fig. (of a person) completely reliable, the best at helping: He is the owner's right-hand man who does important things for the business.
right-handed
right-handed
  1. adj. using the right hand most of the time: He is right-handed and uses right-handed scissors.
right-minded
right-minded
  1. adj. having an attitude of doing the good or right thing: Right-minded people help the poor.
right-to-life
right-to-life
  1. adj. referring to s.o. or s.t. that is against abortion: That right-to-life group has many members. See: pro-choice, USAGE NOTE.
right-to-work law
right-to-work law
  1. n. (in law) laws that allow a nonunion worker to work in a union shop; these laws limit the power of unions in a business or industry: Some states have right-to-work laws that let workers choose not to join a union.
right
right
  1. adj.
    1 referring to the direction to the east when facing north: I walked to the corner and made a right turn.
    2 correct, exact: I made the right decision.||He gave the right answer.
    3 politically conservative: He voted for a candidate with a political view to the right.
    4 to be in one's right mind: sane, not crazy, having normal mental abilities: Was she in her right mind when she gave all of her money to a stranger? See: right wing. —n.
    1 [C;U] permission to do s.t. guaranteed by law: We have the right to free speech in this country.
    2 [C;U] a moral or legal power, just claim: Because her house was insured against fire, she had a right to collect payment after it burned down.
    3 [U] morally correct behavior, good conduct: He knows right from wrong.
    4 [C] ownership, an interest in s.t.: Authors have rights in the sales of their works.
    5 [U] a conservative political party or wing: He belongs to the political right.
    6 [U] the direction or side of the body which is to the east when facing north: Her son stood on her right.
    7 in one's own right: alone, without the help of others, by oneself: She plays violin in an orchestra, but she is an excellent soloist in her own right.
    8 to be in the right: to have legal or moral right on one's side: She hit his car when it was standing still, so he is in the right to want her to pay for the damage.adv.
    1 correctly, in the proper way: He did the job right the first time.
    2 in a direction to the right: She drove to the corner and turned right.
    3 to go right: a. to turn to the right: Walk to the end of this street, then go right to the bank. b. fig. to work properly, progress: Things are not going right for him; he lost his job then broke his arm.
    4 right away: without waiting, immediately,
    THESAURUS
    promptly: I will do the job right away.
    5 infrml. right off or right off the bat: immediately, without having to think: I don't remember his name right off the bat, but it will come to me soon.v. [T]
    1 to correct s.t.: He righted a wrong by telling his sister he was sorry for yelling at her.
    2 to turn upright: I righted the lamp the cat had knocked down.n.pl. by rights: in fairness, giving just or fair treatment,
    THESAURUS
    equitably: She did all the work, so by rights she should receive the credit for it.
right angle
right angle
  1. n. a 90-degree angle: A square has four right angles.
right of asylum
right of asylum
  1. n. (in law) the right of a person to be given a safe place in a foreign country: The right of asylum is given to people leaving a country where they were politically oppressed.
right of way
right of way
  1. n.
    1 (in law) the right of one person to cross the property of another: Railroad companies bought the rights of way from land owners to build railways across this country.
    2 the right of one person or vehicle (car, boat, airplane, etc.) to pass in front of another: At a four-way stop sign, the car that arrives first or is on the right has the right of way.
righteous
righteous
  1. adj.
    1 faithful to one's religion, (syns.) devout, pious: Many righteous people go to church regularly.
    2 morally good and pure,
    THESAURUS
    virtuous: She lives a righteous life and spends a lot of time helping others. -adv. righteously; -n. [U] righteousness.
rightful
rightful
  1. adj. having a fair or legal claim to s.t., lawful: As his father's only relative, he has a rightful claim to his dead father's property. -adv. rightfully.
rightist
rightist
  1. n. a person who agrees with or belongs to the political right,
    THESAURUS
    a conservative: My uncle is a rightist who believes the government should not control business.
rightly
rightly
  1. adv. correctly or with reason, (syns.) justifiably, properly: He is angry and rightly so because he was cheated.
rigid
rigid
  1. adj.
    1 stiff, firm, difficult to bend: I need a rigid box that won't break when it is full of heavy books.
    2 strict, unbending: The government has rigid laws about paying taxes. -n. rigidity ; -adv. rigidly.
rigor
rigor
  1. n.
    1 [C] extreme living or weather conditions: The rigors of an Arctic winter include very cold temperatures and deep snow.
    2 [U] the following of high standards of behavior, actions, and rules: Scientists do their experiments with rigor so that they get accurate data.
rigor mortis
rigor mortis
  1. n. [U] stiffening of a body after death: The body has turned blue, and rigor mortis has set in.
rigorous
rigorous
  1. adj.
    1 difficult, harsh: Very strong winds and cold are some of the rigorous conditions people meet in the Arctic.
    2 having strict or high standards for behavior or action: Students must finish rigorous programs of study to become doctors. -adv. rigorously.
rile
rile
  1. v.infrml. [T] riled, riling, riles to annoy or anger s.o., (syns.) to enrage, irritate: Money problems rile the underpaid worker every day.
rim
rim
  1. n. the outside edge or border of s.t. (usu. round): A spoon rested against the rim of the bowl.v. [T] rimmed, rimming, rims (in basketball) to slide off and not enter the rim of s.t.: The basketball rimmed the basket and fell to the floor.
rimmed
rimmed
  1. adj. having an edge or rim, bordered by s.t.: He wears gold-rimmed eyeglasses.
rind
rind
  1. n. [C;U] the outer covering of sausages and fruits, such as oranges, lemons, watermelon, etc.: I peeled off the rind and ate the orange.
ring binder
ring binder
  1. n. a type of notebook with rings inside that open and close to hold paper: I keep my class notes in a ring binder.
ringed
ringed
  1. adj. having rings around it,
    THESAURUS
    encircled: Some birds, like pheasants, have necks ringed with circles of white and red.
ringer
ringer
  1. n.infrml.fig.
    1 a player in a game or sport who pretends to be a bad player but is really an expert: That ringer played badly in the first game of cards; then in the second game he beat us.
    2 a person who rings a bell: Bell-ringers make pleasant music.
    3 a dead ringer for: s.o. who looks just like s.o. else: He is a dead ringer for Elvis Presley; he even sings like him.
ringing
ringing
  1. n. [U] the sound of a bell: The ringing of church bells can be heard on Sunday mornings.
ringleader
ringleader
  1. n. a person who leads others, esp. in bad or illegal acts: The ringleader of the gang planned the robbery himself.
ringlet
ringlet
  1. n. a small curly piece of hair: She gave her boyfriend a ringlet of her hair.
ringmaster
ringmaster
  1. n. a person who introduces circus acts to the audience: The ringmaster wears a black suit and has a loud voice.
ringside
ringside
  1. n.adj. a place next to a boxing ring: We sat at ringside, because ringside seats give the best view of the fight.
ringworm
ringworm
  1. n. [U] a skin disease caused by a fungus that causes itchy red rings on the skin: Ringworm looks as if a worm is under the skin.
rink
rink
  1. n. a place for roller skating or ice skating that has a wall or fence around it: We went to the hockey rink to watch the game.
rinky-dink
rinky-dink
  1. adj.slang minor, not up to a high standard: He has a rinky-dink little business that does not make much money.
rinse
rinse
  1. v. [T] rinsed, rinsing, rinses to splash or soak with water to wash away soap or dirt: I rinsed the dishes with cold water.n.
    1 [C] an act of splashing or soaking: I gave the clothes a rinse in cool water.
    2 [C;U] chemical hair coloring: She bought a rinse to change her hair color.
    THESAURUS
    rinse v. to clean, wash soap off s.t. —n.
    1 a soak, dip, dunk
    2 hair dye.
rinsing
rinsing
  1. n. [C;U] an act of splashing or soaking with water: I gave my car a rinsing in cold water after I washed it.
riot
riot
  1. v. [I] to act as part of a group in a violent or dangerous way, esp. against power: People rioted and ran through the streets breaking windows. -n. rioter.n.
    1 [C] an act of rioting, violent behavior by a large group: The riot caused a lot of damage to the city's shopping area.
    2 infrml.sing.fig. a person or thing that is very funny: That movie was a riot! I laughed a lot!
    THESAURUS
    riot v. to revolt, rebel. —n.
    1 an uprising, disorder, melee.
riot act
riot act
  1. n.
    1 (in law) a law against rioting: The riot act makes rioting a crime.
    2 infrml. to read s.o. the riot act: to criticize s.o. loudly and angrily: His boss read him the riot act for being late to work all week.
rioting
rioting
  1. n. [U] a riot, violence by a large group: The rioting finally stopped after two days.
riotous
riotous
  1. adj.frml. related to rioting: Police arrested people for riotous behavior. -adv. riotously.
rip-off
rip-off
  1. n.slang an instance of being cheated or stolen from: That advertisement for land in Florida was a rip-off because the land was under water.
    THESAURUS
    rip-off a deception, hoax, misrepresentation.
rip-roaring
rip-roaring
  1. adj.infrml. loud, very noisy, fun, and enjoyable: We had a rip-roaring time at the football game.
rip
rip
  1. v. ripped, ripping, rips  1 [I;T] to tear in pieces: I ripped up a piece of paper and threw it in the wastebasket. 2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to rip into s.o.: to speak against angrily, attack with words: His wife really ripped into him for forgetting her birthday again.
    3 phrasal v. sep.fig.slang [T] to rip s.o. or s.t. off: to cheat or steal from s.o. or s.t.: A theif ripped off my car radio||He ripped it off.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rip s.t. up: to tear into very small pieces: She ripped up his letter without reading it.
    ?n. a tear, a place where s.t. has been pulled or cut into pieces: A sharp tree branch made a rip in my jacket. See: rip-off.
    THESAURUS
    rip   v.  1 to tear apart, shred, split.
    ?n. a cut in s.t., split in s.t.
rip cord
rip cord
  1. n. a rope used to open a parachute: After he jumped from the airplane, he pulled his rip cord to open his parachute.
ripe
ripe
  1. adj. riper, ripest at the best time to be used or eaten, full grown: Fruit and cheese taste best when they are ripe.
    THESAURUS
    ripe ripened, mature, seasoned | ready. Ant. unripe.
ripen
ripen
  1. v. [I;T] to grow to full flavor, become ready to use or eat,
    THESAURUS
    to mature: Grapes ripen on the vine in autumn.
ripple
ripple
  1. n. a little wave: There was a small ripple when I threw the stone into the water.v. [I;T] -pled, -pling, -ples to make little waves: The water rippled when the fish jumped.
rise
rise
  1. v. rose , risen , rising, rises
    1 [I] to move upwards: The sun rises in the morning.
    2 [I] to stretch or extend upwards from the ground toward the sky: In New York City, the buildings rise from the sidewalks into the sky.
    3 [I] to wake, get up: I rise early every morning.
    4 [I] to stand up from a seat: The news reporters rose when the president walked into the room.
    5 [I] to reach a higher level: Prices are rising.||The temperature rises every afternoon.
    6 [I] to become louder or stronger: When mother's voice rises, we know we are in trouble.
    7 [I] (of bread) to become larger as yeast works: The bread must rise for one hour.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to rise above s.t.: a. to become higher than s.t. else: The balloon rose above the trees and disappeared. b. to do well even though one had problems or difficulties: She rose above the difficulty of being deaf to become an excellent teacher.
    9 to rise to an occasion: to do s.t. better than usual when faced with a difficult or important problem: I am sure he will rise to the occasion.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [I] to rise up against s.o. or s.t.: to fight against a government or other power, (syns.) to protest, rebel: The workers rose up against unfair working hours.n.
    1 an elevation, raised piece of land: We walked up on the rise, and we could see for many miles.
    2 to get a rise out of s.o.: to try to anger s.o., say things to upset s.o.: He bothers his wife about doing housework until he gets a rise out of her.
    3 to give rise to: to cause, bring about: Her strange behavior gave rise to rumors that she was crazy.
riser
riser
  1. n.
    1 the vertical part of a step: These steps are unsafe because a riser has broken.
    2 a person who awakens: I am an early riser every morning.
risible
risible
  1. adj.frml. laughable, ridiculous: His ideas are so grandiose that they are risible.
risk
risk
  1. v. [T]
    1 to put s.t. important in danger, chance s.t.: If you put money into the stock market, you risk losing it.
    2 infrml.fig. to risk one's neck: to place one's life in danger: When you were drowning in the ocean, a stranger risked his neck to save you.n.
    1 [C;U] a chance, danger of losing s.t. important: When you buy land, you take the risk that it will lose value.
    2 [C] a person who may not do as good a job as one would like: He is very smart, but he is a risk, because he does not work very hard.
    3 at one's own risk: agreeing that one is responsible for all problems or danger: Swim at your own risk!
    4 to run a risk: to put oneself in danger: If I ask a question, do I run the risk of looking stupid?
risk capital
risk capital
  1. n. money used (with the hope of making more money) to start up new businesses or improve businesses that aren't making money,
    THESAURUS
    venture capital: Many rich people like to allow a business to use their risk capital because they want to become richer.
risky
risky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having the possibility of loss, dangerous: Putting money in the stock market can be risky, because you might lose all of that money.
    2 dangerous, harmful: Driving a race car is risky because you can get killed. -adv. riskily.
    THESAURUS
    risky
    1 chancy, unsafe, precarious frml.
    2 unsafe, hazardous. Ant. safe.
risqué
risqué
  1. adj.frml. clearly or close to being indecent, suggesting, but not showing, sex or scandal: He writes risqué stories about young lovers.
rite
rite
  1. n. an act with religious or ceremonial meaning, (syns.) ceremony, ritual: As the man lay dying, a priest gave him his last rites before death.
rite of passage
rite of passage
  1. n. a ceremonial event in a person's life that marks a change from one stage in life to another: Graduation from high school is a rite of passage to becoming an educated adult.
ritual
ritual
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a ceremony or rite done to mark a serious or sacred event or day: A common ritual at a wedding is giving and receiving wedding rings.
    2 [C] an act or actions that one repeats often: His morning ritual is to make coffee, take a shower, eat breakfast, and brush his teeth. -n. [U] ritualism; -v. [I;T] ritualize.
ritzy
ritzy
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest (after the glamour of Ritz Hotels) special because of high class, good taste, and expense, (syns.) elegant, fashionable: Fifth Avenue in New York is a very ritzy place to live.
rival
rival
  1. n. s.o. who wants to get s.t. and keep s.o. else from getting it,
    THESAURUS
    a competitor: Two men are rivals for the love of a beautiful woman.||These two sports teams have been rivals for years.adj. competing, wanting the same thing: The rival sports teams play to see who is the best every year.v. [T] to be as good as, be similar to: No city rivals Paris. -adj.frml. rivalrous.
rivalry
rivalry
  1. n. -ries [C;U] competition, a special desire to defeat an opponent: Sibling rivalry is the competition between brothers and sisters for their parents' attention.
river
river
  1. n.
    1 a large body of water that moves in one direction between two river banks: The Nile and the Mississippi are among the largest rivers in the world.
    2 fig. a great deal of some liquid: The war caused a river of blood.
riverbank
riverbank
  1. n. the side of a river, esp. land, holding water back from the area around the river: When the Mississippi overflowed its riverbanks, many towns were flooded with water.
riverbed
riverbed
  1. n. the low land on which a river flows: When there is not a lot of rain, riverbeds often have no flowing water.
riverboat
riverboat
  1. n. a boat used to move goods and people up and down a river: Old riverboats had steam engines.
riverside
riverside
  1. n.adj. the edge of a river as seen from land: We like to eat at a riverside restaurant, located at the riverside.
rivet
rivet
  1. n. a round, sturdy, metal plug with a cap, used to nail together metal beams and plates, or heavy fabric: Rivets hold bridge beams together.v. [T]
    1 to nail rivets into place: He rivets beams together on the bridge.
    2 fig. to cause people to look and not look away, to hold s.o.'s attention: When the leader was shot, everyone's eyes were riveted to the television. -n. riveter; -adv. riveting.
riviera
riviera
  1. n. a beautiful, sunny area near the sea noted for its rich lifestyle (after the French and Italian Rivieras on the Mediterranean Sea): The Laguna Beach area of southern California is the riviera of the USA.
rivulet
rivulet
  1. n. a very small stream (often from rain): Rivulets of rainwater ran down my window.
roach
roach
  1. n. -es a cockroach, any of over 1,000 kinds of a flat-bodied insect, a pest that lives in households: It is disgusting to see roaches in your kitchen.
road
road
  1. n.
    1 a place where cars, trucks, and buses can travel, esp. one narrower than a street or highway: We live on a small, but pleasant, country road.
    2 to be on the road: to be traveling: The singer is on the road giving concerts on the east coast.
    3 infrml.fig. to hit the road: to leave, travel: I have to hit the road and go home now.
    4 the road to: the way to get s.t.: Is money the road to happiness? See: street, USAGE NOTE. —n.pl. roads: roads, streets, and highways in general: The roads have been cleared of snow.adj. related to roads: We have a good road system in this area.
    THESAURUS
    road
    1 street, thoroughfare | lane | boulevard.
road rage
road rage
  1. n. [U] extreme anger from frustration while driving a vehicle, especially in heavy traffic: That man was so full of road rage that the police arrested him for trying to harm other drivers.
road runner
road runner
  1. n. a bird that runs very quickly and lives in deserts in the SW of N. America
road show
road show
  1. n. a traveling show, a kind of entertainment that gives performances in many places: That popular singer has a road show that she takes from city to city.
road test
road test
  1. n.v. [T]
    1 a drive on a road in a car to see how one likes it: I took a Mercedes for a road test and decided to buy it.
    2 a drive done by a car maker often under bad conditions to test the quality of a car, truck, etc.: A professional driver does road tests of cars on bad roads to see how well they are made. See: test-drive.
roadbed
roadbed
  1. n. the earth and stones underneath a road: Some roadbeds made by the ancient Romans still exist today.
roadhouse
roadhouse
  1. n. a barroom often serving food located near a highway
roadside
roadside
  1. adj.n. located next to a road (street, highway): We stopped at a roadside restaurant and ordered lunch.||We parked our car on the roadside.
roadway
roadway
  1. n. the path made by a road, street, or highway: The roadway in front of our house is always full of cars.
roadworthy
roadworthy
  1. adj. (said of vehicles) safe to drive: He fixed his car engine and it is roadworthy now.
roam
roam
  1. v. [I;T] to go freely over a large area,
    THESAURUS
    to wander: We roamed through the woods after we had a picnic. -adj. n. roaming.
roar
roar
  1. v. [I]
    1 to make a loud, scary sound: Lions roar.
    2 to laugh loudly: He roared when he heard the joke.n. a loud, scary sound: You could hear the roar of lions everywhere in the zoo. -n. [U] roaring.
roast
roast
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to cook at a high temperature, as in an oven: We roasted a turkey for four hours in a 325-degree oven.
    2 fig. to make fun of s.o. at a dinner in their honor: A famous actor was roasted by his friends at the Actors Club.
    3 to be or feel too hot: We are roasting in the summer heat.n. a piece of meat that is roasted, usu. beef or pork: I have a roast in the oven.adj. referring to s.t. roasted: He likes roast beef for dinner. -n. roaster; [U] roasting.
    THESAURUS
    roast v.
    1 to bake
    2 to tease, mock
    3 to burn, swelter.
rob
rob
  1. v. [T] robbed, robbing, robs to steal s.t. from s.o., take s.t. from s.o. illegally: A thief robbed three houses on our street.
robber
robber
  1. n. a thief: Robbers held up the bank.
    THESAURUS
    robber a burglar, crook | pickpocket | shoplifter.
robbery
robbery
  1. n. -ies [C;U] an act of stealing s.t.: There was a bank robbery this morning.
    THESAURUS
    robbery theft, burglary | hold-up.
robe
robe
  1. n.
    1 a type of long, dresslike outer clothing that covers a person from shoulder to foot: Judges wear black robes over their suits.
    2 long clothing worn after taking a bath, bathrobe: I wear a robe after my shower.v. [I;T] to wear a robe: Students are robed in black when they graduate.
    THESAURUS
    robe n.
    1 a ceremonial gown | vestment
    2 a dressing gown, housecoat | kimono.
robin
robin
  1. or robin redbreast n. a songbird with red feathers in front and a black upper body: In the northern USA, robins are called the first birds of spring.
robin
robin
  1. or robin redbreast -n. a songbird with red feathers in front and a black upper body: In the northern USA, robins are called the first birds of spring.
robot
robot
  1. n. any of a variety of devices, some with humanlike characteristics, programmed to perform various chores: Carmakers use robots to do unpleasant jobs, such as painting cars in hot conditions. -v. [T] robotize.
robotics
robotics
  1. n. [U] the science of constructing robots to perform human chores: Robotics is an advanced discipline that substitutes machines for workers.
robust
robust
  1. adj. having physical vigor, energetic good health: At age 60, he is robust and plays golf everyday.
rock
rock
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] stone, such as granite or limestone: The shoreline is covered with rocks.
    2 [C] infrml.fig. a big gemstone, such as a diamond: She wears a big rock on her finger.v. [I;T] to move s.t. back and forth gently: A mother rocks her baby in her arms.
rock bottom
rock bottom
  1. n.infrml.fig. [U] the end of a descent, esp. into poverty or depravity: He is a very sad man who hit rock bottom when he lost his job, his wife, and his health.
rocker
rocker
  1. n. a piece of furniture, such as a baby's rocking crib or a rocking chair: He enjoys sitting in his rocker on his front porch.
rocket
rocket
  1. n. a cigar-shaped missile used to destroy military targets or to launch space vehicles: A rocket lifted a communications satellite in orbit around the earth.v. [I] to speed like a rocket: The spacecraft rocketed into the sky. -n. [U] rocketry.
    THESAURUS
    rocket v. to shoot up, soar, zoom infrml. | skyrocket.
rocket scientist
rocket scientist
  1. n.phr. infrml. a very intelligent person: You don't have to be a rocket scientist to learn how to drive a car.
rocking chair
rocking chair
  1. n. a chair with wide, curved blades that moves back and forth: She sits in her rocking chair and knits.
rocking horse
rocking horse
  1. n. a child's plaything consisting of a wooden or plastic horse's body mounted on wide, curved blades: A child rocks back and forth on her rocking horse.
rocky
rocky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having many rocks on or in the land's surface: The rocky soil in New England makes farming difficult.
    2 infrml.fig. feeling faint, weak: After surgery, he felt rocky.
rococo
rococo
  1. adj.n. [U] an 18th cen-tury French art and architectural style noted for its curving lines and fancy detail work
rod
rod
  1. n. a narrow, cylindrical piece of material (of metal, wood, or plastic): Long steel rods are used to reinforce concrete columns in new buildings.
rodent
rodent
  1. n. a general class of animals that includes rats, mice, and squirrels: Rodents carry diseases and are generally regarded as pests.
rodeo
rodeo
  1. n. -os an entertainment event featuring horse riding and cattle roping: Riding bulls and wild horses are always exciting events at a rodeo.
roe
roe
  1. n. [U]
    1 a type of deer
    2 fish eggs: Salmon swim upstream to lay their roe each year.
roger
roger
  1. n. a word used on radio to tell a speaker that one has heard and understood: The policeman heard the message on the radio, said "Roger," and drove to the scene of the crime.
rogue
rogue
  1. n.adj.
    1 a wild, lone animal, such as an elephant: Rogue elephants can go crazy and cause a lot of damage.
    2 an evil, often dangerous man: He is a rogue who fights and cheats people.
    3 a person who enjoys tricks and teasing: Her little son is such a rogue! -n. [U] roguery.
roil
roil
  1. v. [I;T] to cause s.t. (esp. water) to move quickly, disturb: Fish roil the water in a lake when they eat insects near the top of the water. -n. [U] roiling.
role
role
  1. n.
    1 a part played by an actor or actress: She plays the leading role in a television show.
    2 a part or job one takes in a group: When he married, he had to get used to the role of husband.
    THESAURUS
    role
    1 a character
    2 a position | function.
role model
role model
  1. n. a person who is an example of success for young people to try to become like him or her: Great athletes are popular role models for kids.
roll
roll
  1. n.
    1 a small round piece of bread: He had a ham sandwich on a roll.
    2 an amount of s.t. in roll form: a roll of carpet||a roll of toilet paper||She bought a roll of silk to make a dress.
    3 a move in gymnastics: The gymnast did a forward roll on the floor.
    4 slang a lot of paper money: That man always carries a big roll.
    5 a list of the names of people in a group: There are 20 students on the roll in our class, but only 18 come every day.
    6 infrml.fig. to be on a roll: to have a series of good things happen, be very successful: That man playing cards is on a roll; he has won every game!
    THESAURUS
    roll n.
    1 a bun
    3 a somersault
    4 a wad
    5 a roster. —v.
    1 [I;T] to turn over and over to move s.t.: The ball rolled across the football field.
    2 [I] to work in the correct way: Printing presses rolled and printed the newspaper.
    3 [T] to make s.t. flat, press s.t. down: Bakers roll dough to make pie crust.
    4 [I;T] to move from side to side: When the ship rolled, she felt sick.
    5 [I;T] to curve up and down: Flat land rolls into hills as you drive north.
    6 infrml.fig. [I] to begin, get started: Our sales plan got rolling this week with our first TV commercials.
    7 infrml.fig. [I] to leave, depart: I want to go home now; let's roll.
    8 [T] to make into a ball or tube shape: Please help me roll this paper.
    9 all rolled into one: combined, all together: Reading is a psychological act, a physical act, and a linguistic one all rolled into one.
    10 phrasal v. to roll around: a. [I;T] to move back and forth: He rolled around in pain on the floor. b. infrml.fig. [I] to arrive, appear: As soon as the holiday season rolls around, I will be taking my vacation.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [T] to roll s.t. back: to reduce prices, etc.: Ford has rolled back car prices.||They rolled them back.
    12 phrasal v. [I] to roll by: to arrive, then disappear: As the years rolled by, he lost his hair.
    13 phrasal v. [I] to roll in: to come regularly in large numbers: Birthday cards rolled in all week.
    14 phrasal v. insep. [I] to roll in s.t.: to have a lot of s.t.; He's rolling in dough (money)!
    15 infrml.fig.vulg. [I] to roll in the hay: to have sexual intercourse: The man and woman enjoyed a roll in the hay.
    16 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to roll off s.t.: a. to fall, drop: An egg rolled off the table. b. to appear: New cars roll off the assembly line.
    17 phrasal v. [I] to roll on: to continue to move: The wagon stopped, then rolled on toward town.
    18 to roll one's r's: to make an "r" with a tapping sound: Speakers of Russian and Spanish roll their r's.
    19 phrasal v. sep. [T] to roll s.t. out: to unroll, open s.t. that was rolled, to make s.t. flat, (syns.) to uncoil, unfurl: The rug was rolled up, and a workman rolled it out on the floor.
    20 phrasal v. insep. to roll over: a. [I] to turn over: He woke up, then rolled over and went back to sleep. b. [T] to move on a surface: The tractor rolled over the fields of corn. 21 phrasal v. sep. [T] to roll s.t. up: to make s.t. flat into a long round shape,
    THESAURUS
    to coil up: She rolled up the windowshade.||She rolled it up.
roll call
roll call
  1. n. a check to see if anyone has not come: A sergeant did a roll call, asking each soldier to say "Here!" when his or her name was called.
rollback
rollback
  1. n. a decrease, esp. making prices lower,
    THESAURUS
    a reduction: The store had a price rollback so that people would buy more when they shopped there.
roller
roller
  1. n. a long round piece of metal or other material: Rollers on a printing press put images in ink on paper.
roller coaster
roller coaster
  1. n. an amusement ride in which a train of small cars travel very fast on a curving, hilly track to thrill riders: Riders scream as the roller coaster speeds down the hills. See: Ferris wheel, USAGE NOTE.
rollicking
rollicking
  1. adj.frml. lively, happy: We had a rollicking good time at the circus. -v. [I] rollick.
rolling pin
rolling pin
  1. n. a long, round wooden or metal kitchen tool used to make food (such as cookie dough) flat: I need a rolling pin to make noodles.
rollover
rollover
  1. n.adj. (in finance) money moved from one account to another: You can use a rollover to transfer money from one bank to another.
roly-poly
roly-poly
  1. adj.infrml. referring to a person or animal that is round; short and fat: He is a roly-poly man.
romance
romance
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a love affair with excitement, adventure, and happiness: Jane's and Paul's life together is full of romance.
    2 [C] an adventurous novel, poem, film, TV story, etc.: She wrote a romance about an artist's life in Tokyo.v. [T] -manced, -mancing, -mances to have a romantic love affair: He romanced his girlfriend for a year before she would marry him.
romantic
romantic
  1. n.adj.
    1 an idealistic person who believes in the natural goodness of people: Many young people are romantics.
    2 Romantic: a member of the late 18th-century artistic movement of Romanticism: P.B. Shelley was a Romantic poet.
    3 related to love or romance: They met at a very romantic place and had a picnic. -adv. romantically; -v. [T] romanticize.
romp
romp
  1. v. [I] to run, jump, play, and feel happy: Children romped in the playground.n. a happy, carefree time: The child went for a romp in the forest.
roof
roof
  1. n.
    1 the covering on top of a building: The roof on that old house lets water in when it rains.
    2 the top of s.t.: Chewing gum sticks to the roof of his mouth.
    3 infrml.fig. to go through or hit the roof: to become very angry: He hit the roof when he heard the bad news.
    4 infrml.fig. to have a roof over one's head: to have a place to live: He doesn't make much money, but he does have a roof over his head.
    5 all under one roof: many different things that are together all in one place: That large store has every kind of furniture for sale all under one roof.
roofing
roofing
  1. n. [U] materials, such as shingles of wood or metal, used to make a roof: A big storm damaged some roofing on our house.
rooftop
rooftop
  1. n. the top of a building: We stood on the rooftop and watched the parade on the street below.
rook
rook
  1. n.
    1 a chess piece that looks like a castle's tower: The rook moves in straight lines on squares of the same color on a chess board.
    2 a type of blackbird: We saw a rook sitting in a tree.v.infrml. [T] to cheat, trick s.o. in order to get their money dishonestly,
    THESAURUS
    to swindle: I sent money to a mail order company, and they rooked me out of my money by not sending the things I ordered.
rookie
rookie
  1. n. a beginner, esp. an athlete in his first sports season or a soldier in his first year: Even though he is a rookie, he scored lots of points for his team.
room
room
  1. n.
    1 [C] a space with its own walls, door, ceiling, and floor: That house has ten rooms.
    2 [U] space, area: The elevator is so full of people that there is no room to move.v. [I] to live in a room as in a rooming house or dormitory: I room in a dormitory at college.
room service
room service
  1. n. [U] hotel service that brings food or drink to a customer's room: I'm too tired to go to a restaurant; let's order room service.
roomer
roomer
  1. n. a person who rents a room: My mother has two roomers living in her house now.
roomful
roomful
  1. n. a quantity of s.t. that fills a room: We had a roomful of guests over for a party.
rooming house
rooming house
  1. n. a house in which people rent rooms: He stayed in a rooming house when he first came to town.
roomy
roomy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having plenty of room: Our house is old but roomy and comfortable.
    THESAURUS
    roomy large, spacious, sizable. Ant. cramped.
roost
roost
  1. n.
    1 a place where birds sleep or rest, such as a chicken coop or roof on a building: Pigeons use that tree as a roost at night.
    2 infrml.fig. to rule the roost: to have control over everyone in a place,
    THESAURUS
    to dominate: He rules the roost in that business, and everyone does what he says.v. [I]
    1 to rest or sleep: Chickens roost at night.
    2 infrml.fig. one's chickens come home to roost: to have bad things happen because of one's bad behavior or actions: He drives too fast all the time, and his chickens came home to roost when the police caught him and put him in jail.
rooster
rooster
  1. n. a male chicken: Roosters usually have beautiful feathers and make a lot of noise early in the morning.
root
root
  1. n.
    1 the part of a plant that grows downward into the soil and brings food and water into the plant: The roots of trees grow deep into the earth.
    2 the bottom part of s.t., such as a root that holds that thing in place: He pulled a piece of his sister's hair out by the roots.
    3 the most important part or cause of s.t.: Wanting to have more money is "the root of all evil."
    4 to have roots: important connections, such as having a family, job, and friends in a place: He has roots in that town and does not want to leave it.
    5 (in grammar) a word or part of a word that can be used to make other words: "Spect" is the root of words like "spectacle" and "inspection."
    6 square root: (in mathematics) the number that, when multiplied by itself, equals a given number: The square root of 9 is 3.v.
    1 [I;T] to grow into the ground: The tree rooted into good soil.
    2 [I] to dig with one's nose: Pigs root in the ground.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to root around: to look for s.t. under other things or under the ground: I rooted around in my big closet and found my old football.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to root for: to follow a player or team and want them to win: We root for the local high school baseball team.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to root s.o. or s.t. out: to completely eliminate s.o. or s.t. (usu. bad): We rooted out the corruption.||We rooted it out.
    6 to take root: a. to grow strong roots: Plants take root in the spring. b. fig. to establish themselves (ideas, movements): Democracy takes root in many countries. -adj. rootless.
    THESAURUS
    root n.
    2 a base | foundation
    3 the basis of s.t., source, origin.
root beer
root beer
  1. n. [U] a nonalcoholic drink made from the roots of some trees: Most root beer is now made with artificial flavoring.
rooted
rooted
  1. adj. held in one place: She was rooted to her seat, because she was afraid to speak in front of a large group.
rope
rope
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a thick cord used for tying or hanging things: The boat was tied to a tree with a rope.||She hangs her wet clothes on a rope to dry.
    2 to know the ropes: to know one's job very well: Al has worked here for 25 years, so he really knows the ropes.v. [T] -roped, -roping, -ropes
    1 to catch cattle and horses with a rope: Cowboys rope horses.
    2 to give s.o. plenty of rope: give s.o. freedom to do what that person thinks is best
    3 phrasal v. insep. to rope s.o. into doing s.t.: to convince s.o. to do s.t.: My friend roped me into helping him move his furniture to his new apartment.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to rope s.t. off: to block off an area: Police roped off a crime scene.||They roped it off.
    THESAURUS
    rope n.
    1 a line, clothesline, twine | cable.
rosary
rosary
  1. n. -ries
    1 a series of prayers: She says the rosary each day.
    2 a string of beads used to count those prayers: She says her prayers with her rosary in hand.
rose-colored glasses
rose-colored glasses
  1. n.pl.fig. a symbol for thinking life is always good and happy, optimism: She looks at the world through rosecolored glasses and says things will always be easy, even when they aren't.
rose
rose
  1. n.
    1 [C] a bushy plant that has round, shiny leaves, thorns and large red, pink, white or yellow flowers with many petals and a beautiful smell: He gave his wife a dozen roses for her birthday.
    2 [U] a red or pink color: My favorite color is rose.
rosebush
rosebush
  1. n. -es the plant on which rose flowers grow: We grow rosebushes in our backyard.
rosemary
rosemary
  1. n. [U] a plant with blue flowers and light-green leaves that is used in cooking and to make perfume: I put some rosemary in the soup.
rosin
rosin
  1. n. [U] a hard resin made by making the liquid from pine or fur trees pure: Violin players put rosin on their bows before they play.
roster
roster
  1. n. a list of people's names: The teacher checked the roster to see whom he would teach this year.
rostrum
rostrum
  1. n. a raised stage for speaking: A speaker stood on the rostrum and spoke to her audience.
rosy
rosy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having the pinkish-red color of a rose: Rosy cheeks are a symbol of good health.
    2 full of cheerful optimism: She always takes a rosy view of life.
    3 wonderful, excellent: She got a new job and her life looks rosy.
rot
rot
  1. n. [U] a state of decay, esp. caused by disease, or after death: Rot in the tree trunk caused the tree to fall.v. [I;T] rotted, rotting, rots to break down into biochemical parts, usu. after death: Dead plants rot and become part of the soil again.
    THESAURUS
    rot v. to decay, decompose | spoil.
rotary
rotary
  1. n. -ries a traffic circle: When you come to a rotary, you should always drive to the right until you reach your turn.adj. having a wheel-like motion, moving in a circle: A rotary telephone has a wheel with holes for each number.
rotate
rotate
  1. v. [I;T] -tated, -tating, -tates
    1 to move around s.t., esp. in a circle: Planets rotate around the sun.
    2 to do s.t. by turns, one after another: I had the tires on my car rotated so they would wear evenly.
rotation
rotation
  1. n. [C;U] a movement around s.t.: The earth makes a complete rotation around the sun about every 365 days.
rote
rote
  1. n. [U] learning s.t. by memory alone without thinking about it: That young boy learned the alphabet by rote (or) rote memory.
rotgut
rotgut
  1. n.infrml.fig. [U] cheap wine or alcohol: That guy drinks rotgut, because the alcohol is more important to him than the taste.
rotisserie
rotisserie
  1. n. a cooking device that turns meat, such as a chicken, in a hot oven, so it will cook evenly: That restaurant has a rotisserie for cooking chickens.
rotogravure
rotogravure
  1. n. [U] a high-quantity printing method
rotor
rotor
  1. n. the part of an engine or other machine that turns: A rotor from the engine makes the wheels of the car turn.
rotten
rotten
  1. adj.
    1 referring to s.t. that has gone bad: Rotten logs decay slowly and make the earth rich for new plants.
    2 fig. bad, evil: Stealing money from a friend is a rotten thing to do.
    3 to feel sick or ill: I have a bad cold and feel rotten today.
    4 to feel guilty: She feels rotten about telling her boyfriend that she doesn't love him anymore. -n. [U] rottenness.
rotund
rotund
  1. adj.frml. huge and round: A fat man can also be called rotund. -n. [U] rotundity.
rotunda
rotunda
  1. n. a round room or building with a domed roof: We could hear our voices echo in the large rotunda of the Capitol building in Washington, DC.
rouge
rouge
  1. n. [U] a powder or cream, usu. red or pink, used to color the cheeks: Women put rouge on their cheeks to make their faces pretty.
rough-and-ready
rough-and-ready
  1. adj. rough, crude, but able to be used: He is a rough-and-ready man who can do any kind of work around a house.
rough-and-tumble
rough-and-tumble
  1. adj.fig. related to a situation of people trying to be better than others in a rough or unkind way: In the rough-andtumble world of business, making money is most important.
rough
rough
  1. adj.
    1 not smooth, uneven: When wood is first cut, it feels rough.
    2 moving in a stormy or violent way: Strong winds cause rough seas.
    3 impolite, having bad manners: That fellow has a rough manner.
    4 not very high quality, done quickly: The artist did a rough drawing before doing a painting.
    5 close to correct but not exact, giving an idea of the final result: His drawing gives you a rough idea of what the final picture will look like.
    6 difficult and unfair: It's rough being a single parent.v.
    1 to rough it: to live without modern comforts: We decided to go camping and rough it instead of getting a hotel.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rough s.t. out: to give a general, crude idea: She roughed out her plans before making them final.||She roughed them out.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rough s.o. up: to treat s.o. badly, punch and shove s.o.: The thief roughed up a man when he robbed him.||He roughed him up.n. [U] part of a golf course where the grass is uncut: He hit the ball into the rough.
roughage
roughage
  1. n. [U] food, such as uncooked vegetables, that clear the digestive system,
    THESAURUS
    dietary fiber: He eats carrots and broccoli for roughage.
roughen
roughen
  1. v. [I;T] to make s.t. rough,
    THESAURUS
    to coarsen: Working in the garden without wearing gloves roughens your hands.
roughhouse
roughhouse
  1. or v. [I;T] n. [U] adj. to play in a rough way, such as hitting each other: Some boys roughhoused in the schoolyard after school.
roughly
roughly
  1. adv.
    1 with roughness, such as shoving and punching: The police treated a criminal roughly because he tried to run away.
    2 about, but not exactly: The trip to Chicago takes roughly three hours by airplane.
    THESAURUS
    roughly
    1 harshly, rudely
    2 approximately, just about, around.
roughness
roughness
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being rough, not smooth to touch: In winter, she uses hand cream to smooth the roughness in her hands.
    2 cruelty or force, violence,
    THESAURUS
    brutality: Some people don't like boxing because of the roughness of the sport.
roughrider
roughrider
  1. n. a rider who makes wild horses rideable: Roughriders know how to make a wild horse wear a saddle.
roughshod
roughshod
  1. adv.fig. to run rough-shod over s.o.: to do s.t. without thinking about s.o.'s feelings,
    THESAURUS
    callously: He runs roughshod over his employees by yelling at them.
roulette
roulette
  1. n. [U] a gambling game played by betting where a marble will stop on a spinning tray: I lost $25 playing roulette in the casino. See: Russian roulette.
round-the-clock
round-the-clock
  1. adv.adj. all day and all night: We work round-the-clock to get the job done.||It was a round-the-clock job.
round
round
  1. adj.
    1 circular or curved in shape: Balls are round.
    2 fat, plump: He has a round belly.
    3 not exact,
    THESAURUS
    approximate: In round numbers, he paid $1000. (He paid about $1000.)v.
    1 [T] to make s.t. round in shape: A carpenter rounded the edges of a table top.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to round s.t. down: to lower a figure to the nearest whole number: When you round decimals down, the number is easier to read.||$10.35 rounded down is $10.00.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to round s.t. off or out: to finish s.t., esp. in a pleasant way: After going to the theater, we rounded out the evening with a nice dinner.||We rounded the evening out.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to round s.t. up: a. to collect, herd s.t. together: Cowboys rounded up the cows.||They rounded them up. b. [I;T] to raise a number to the next highest one: $10.55 rounded up is $11.adv.
    1 around: He comes round to visit us every week.
    2 to come round: to change one's way of thinking: Sooner or later, he will come round to your ideas.
    3 to go round-and-round: to talk without coming to a decision: We went round-and-round in our talks and we could not agree.
    4 infrml. to go round the bend: to go crazy, become odd or strange: When his wife left him, he went round the bend.prep. around: He lives round the corner from us.n.
    1 a group of things: He bought a round of drinks for everyone.
    2 a period of time in a boxing match: The boxers fought for 12 rounds.
    3 a series, such as discussions: The economics ministers held a round of talks to discuss international trade.
    4 usu.pl. rounds: a series of stops or a regular walk, such as that taken by a security guard, police officer, or doctor: Every hour, the guard makes his rounds of the office building.
    5 bullets for guns: He fired 12 rounds at the target.
    6 a song in which three or four groups sing the same words and music at different times: We sang "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" as a round.
    7 pl. to make the round of: to visit many places: He made the round of his friends' New Year's parties.
round robin
round robin
  1. n. a game or competition in which all players play each other at least once: Our tennis club plays a round robin each August.
round table
round table
  1. n. a discussion in which each person is equal, and the table is round so that no one has the most important seat: Several experts had a round table discussion about the economy.
roundabout
roundabout
  1. adj. indirect, taking a long time to say s.t. or way to go somewhere: We took a roundabout way from Chicago to San Francisco by driving through Texas.
rounded
rounded
  1. adj. having curved edges like part of a circle: Corners on that table are rounded. See: well-rounded.
roundup
roundup
  1. n.
    1 a chasing together of cows, horses, etc., herding: Cowboys do a roundup of cows.
    2 the arrest of many people the police think are doing s.t. illegal: Police did a roundup of suspected drug sellers.
rouse
rouse
  1. v. roused, rousing, rouses
    1 [I;T] to awaken and get up: He rouses himself out of bed every morning at 6:30 A.M.
    2 [T] to make s.o. feel excited: He roused a feeling of patriotism in me.
rousing
rousing
  1. adj.fig. happy and loud, exciting: We had a rousing good time at the party.
roust
roust
  1. v. [T] to force out: Sergeants roust soldiers out of bed each morning.
roustabout
roustabout
  1. n. a worker, such as a person who works on ship docks or in oil fields: He was a roustabout in a Texas oil field.
rout
rout
  1. v. [T]
    1 to force s.o. to run away: Our army routed the enemy into running for their lives.
    2 (in sports) to defeat another team badly: Our team routed the competition.n.
    1 an instance of forcing s.o. to leave or run away: We drove the enemy into a rout.
    2 (in sports) a strong or large defeat
route
route
  1. n.
    1 a path along which one travels: The airline route from Seattle to Tokyo goes over the North Pole.
    2 a series of stops made regularly as by s.o. who delivers things: The newspaper delivery truck has a regular route for dropping off newspapers.v. [T] routed, routing, routes to tell s.o. to go a certain way: Police routed cars onto a road away from an accident.
routine
routine
  1. n. [C;U] a series of things s.o. does regularly: He has a different routine on Saturday and Sunday than he does on weekdays.adj. normal, not unusual in any way: My doctor wants to do some routine blood tests. -adv. routinely.
    THESAURUS
    routine n. pattern, practice | procedure. —adj. usual, common, standard.
routinize
routinize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make s.t. into regular work that can be done without much thought: Using a computer has become so routinized for her that she does not even look at the keyboard when she works.
rove
rove
  1. v. [I;T] roved, roving, roves to go from place to place, usu. without planning ahead, (syns.) to roam, wander: He roved around the country doing odd jobs for several years.
rover
rover
  1. n.
    1 a person who roves, a wanderer: I talked to a rover who told me stories about the interesting places he had seen.
    2 a person who leaves one mate for another: He has married five times and is a real rover.
    3 a type of strong vehicle: a land rover
roving
roving
  1. adj.n.
    1 related to wandering, not staying in one place: A roving group of thieves made trouble all over the countryside.
    2 to have a roving eye: to look for women or men: Even though he is married, he has a roving eye (for other women).
row house
row house
  1. n. a line of houses that share walls: They live in a row house on a quiet street.
rowboat
rowboat
  1. n. a small boat moved by people pulling oars: He uses a rowboat to go fishing on the lake.
rowdy
rowdy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest loud, difficult to control or make quiet: A rowdy group of boys ran through the streets.n. a loud, uncontrollable person: Those rowdies make a lot of noise. -adv. rowdily; -n. [U] rowdiness; rowdyism.
rowing
rowing
  1. n. [U] an act of moving a boat by oars: Rowing is hard work.
royal
royal
  1. adj.
    1 related to or fit for a king or queen: The royal family lives in a large castle.
    2 infrml.fig. on a very large scale, huge: He made a royal mess of the kitchen when he tried to bake a cake. -adv. royally.n.usu.pl. royals: members of the ruling family and their relatives: In England, the royals are loved.
    THESAURUS
    royal adj.
    1 regal | imperial
    2 tremendous, magnificent.
royalty
royalty
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] a king or queen and family
    2 [U] kings, queens, princes, princesses, and nobility in general: Royalty from all over the world came to see the princess become queen.
    3 [C] an amount of money, usu. a percentage of some larger amount, paid to s.o.: Publishers pay a royalty to the authors who write their books.
    THESAURUS
    royalty
    1 a royal family, monarchy
    2 the nobility.
rub
rub
  1. v. rubbed, rubbing, rubs
    1 [I;T] to touch s.t. while moving backwards and forwards: A mother rubbed her child's back.
    2 [T] to put s.t. on using a cloth and pressure: I rubbed wax on the table so it would shine.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rub s.t. away: to push or brush aside: A mother rubbed away the tears of her child when he hurt his knee.||She rubbed them away.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rub s.o. or s.t. down: to make smooth through rubbing: Rub down the table with sandpaper.||Rub it down.
    5 infrml.fig. to rub elbows with s.o.: to be in contact with people: When you ride the subway in New York City, you rub elbows with people from all over the world.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rub s.t. in or into: a. to apply liquid to a surface by rubbing: The nurse rubbed lotion into my skin. b. to remind s.o. of a mistake or other failing many times: His father rubbed in his failure to pass exams nearly every day.||He rubbed it in.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to rub off on s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to make others feel the same way, (syns.) to affect, influence: Her cheerfulness rubs off on everyone she meets and makes them happy. b. s.t.: to come off on a surface after rubbing: He rubbed some paint off on a rag.
    8 phrasal v. sep. slang [T] to rub s.o. out: to kill, murder s.o.: A gangster rubbed out a man who gave information to the police by shooting him.||He rubbed him out.
    9 infrml.fig. to rub s.o. the wrong way: to make s.o. feel angry or uncomfortable, (syns.) to annoy, irritate: His rude behavior rubs people the wrong way. See: caress, USAGE NOTE.n.
    1 an act of rubbing s.o. or s.t.: After exercise, he gives his legs a rub with alcohol.
    2 sing.infrml.fig. a difficulty, problem: The rub with buying something on the Internet is that some people are scared to give out their credit card number.
rubber band
rubber band
  1. n. a circular piece of rubber that can stretch and wrap around things to hold them together: She put a rubber band around her pencils so they wouldn't get lost.
rubber stamp
rubber stamp
  1. n. a stamp with printing on it and made of rubber: She stamps the company name on checks with a rubber stamp.v.fig. [T] rubber-stamp to agree to or approve s.t. automatically without asking any questions: The boss rubber-stamps her ideas because she always gets good results.
rubberneck
rubberneck
  1. v.infrml.fig. [I] to turn one's head to look at s.t. while driving or walking by: Drivers slowed down and rubbernecked at the scene of a bad auto accident.
rubbish
rubbish
  1. n. [U]
    1 trash; unwanted, broken, or dirty things: I put the rubbish in a plastic bag and threw it away.
    2 fig. Brit. stupid, meaningless words: What he says is pure rubbish.
    THESAURUS
    rubbish
    1 garbage, waste, refuse
    2 nonsense, foolishness.
rubble
rubble
  1. n. [U] parts of broken buildings, such as loose bricks and cracked walls: After the earthquake, it took months to clean up the rubble.
rubdown
rubdown
  1. n. rubbing of the body to make sore muscles feel better,
    THESAURUS
    a massage: A trainer gives an athlete a rubdown after a hard game.
rube
rube
  1. n.infrml.pej. an uneducated person who never learned good manners,
    THESAURUS
    a hick: That rube spilled coffee all over me!
rubella
rubella
  1. n. [U] a childhood disease also known as German measles: The child is vaccinated against rubella.
rubric
rubric
  1. n. a group or type of s.t., (syns.) a category, variety: Her novels fall under the rubric of science fiction.
ruby
ruby
  1. n. -bies a precious red gemstone, a type of red gem or jewel: She loves to wear rubies.adj. a deep reddish color: She has ruby lips.
rucksack
rucksack
  1. n. a backpack
ruckus
ruckus
  1. n.infrml. a lot of noise and confusion, (syns.) a commotion, disturbance: He made a ruckus at the meeting because he disagreed with the management.
rudder
rudder
  1. n. s.t. flat and moveable used to steer a boat: A sailor uses the rudder to make the ship go in the correct direction.
ruddy
ruddy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest reddish in color: That hunter has a ruddy face because he is outdoors so much. -n. [U] ruddiness.
rude
rude
  1. adj. ruder, rudest
    1 impolite, making people angry by one's bad behavior or unkind words: It was rude to walk away while that customer was talking to you.
    2 rough, simple: He ate a rude meal of bread, cheese, and water. -adv. rudely.
rudeness
rudeness
  1. n. [U] impoliteness, an act of being nasty or unkind to s.o.: He was asked to leave his job because of his rudeness to other workers.
rudiment
rudiment
  1. n.frml. a basic part of s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    an essential: The rudiments of reading are an understanding of the alphabet and knowledge of basic words.
rudimentary
rudimentary
  1. adj.frml. simple, basic: He has a rudimentary ability to read, but he can only read simple words.
rue
rue
  1. v.frml. [T] rued, ruing, rues to feel badly about s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to regret: He rued the day that he rode the motorcycle, because he fell off and broke his leg. -adj. rueful.
ruff
ruff
  1. n. a collar, such as of hair, fur, feathers, or lace: A lion's mane is a ruff of long hair.||Men and women in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries wore ruffs around their necks.
ruffian
ruffian
  1. n.frml. a man who fights others for fun, (syns.) a hoodlum, thug: Ruffians beat up an old man.
ruffle
ruffle
  1. v. [T] -fled, -fling, -fles
    1 to spread and shake s.t., such as feathers or fur, and make them uneven, not smooth: A duck shook itself and ruffled its feathers.
    2 fig. to annoy s.o., upset or anger,
    THESAURUS
    to fluster: His unkind words ruffled her self-confidence.
    3 fig. to ruffle s.o.'s feathers: to annoy s.o., cause s.o. to lose his or her calm: His boss yelled at him and ruffled his feathers.n.
    1 a ruff, collar, ring, or border made of cloth, that is gathered or pleated on one edge: Her blouse has a ruffle of lace around the neck.
    2 a slow drumbeat
rug
rug
  1. n. a heavy fabric floor covering: They have a beautiful Oriental rug on their floor.
    THESAURUS
    rug a carpet, carpeting | throw rug.
rugby
rugby
  1. n. [U] a type of football game played by two teams of 15 players each: Rugby was first played at Rugby School in England.
rugged
rugged
  1. adj.
    1 hilly, referring to land that is difficult to travel over: The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.
    2 strong, healthy,
    THESAURUS
    vigorous: Football players must be rugged. -n. [U] ruggedness.
ruin
ruin
  1. v. [T]
    1 to damage s.t., make s.t. no longer useful: She spilled coffee on her white silk dress and ruined it.
    2 to spoil s.t., to take the fun or usefulness out of s.t., esp. an event: His stupid behavior ruined our party.
    3 to destroy s.t., such as breaking, burning, or knocking s.t. down: A fire ruined everything inside the museum.
    4 to cause s.o. to lose all of his or her money: The stock market crash ruined him, so he has no money.n.
    1 [C;U] a state of destruction, anything unusable because of damage: After the fire, the museum lay in ruins.
    2 broken parts of historical buildings that still exist after thousands of years: We went to Greece to see the ruins of ancient temples.
ruination
ruination
  1. n.frml. [U] a state of being ruined, destroyed, or bankrupted: He spends so much money that he's headed for ruination.
ruinous
ruinous
  1. adj. related to ruin: Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol were ruinous to her health.
rule
rule
  1. n.
    1 [C] a statement about what must or should be done: Our school has a rule that students must not eat or drink in class.
    2 [C] the straight line made by a ruler: My writing paper has blue rules printed on each sheet.
    3 a general condition, the usual state of s.t.: In democracies, decisions are made under rule of law, not by one person.v. ruled, ruling, rules
    1 [I;T] to make a society function, to govern, usu. as a king or dictator: Tsars ruled in Russia until 1917.
    2 [I;T] to decide officially, say what will be done: The court ruled that the woman was guilty.
    3 [T] to draw straight lines on s.t., as with a ruler: Some writing paper is ruled with blue lines.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to rule s.o. or s.t. out: to decide s.t. is not possible: Since we have ruled out the possibility of buying a new car, we must get the old one fixed.||We have ruled it out.
rule of thumb
rule of thumb
  1. n. an idea of how to do s.t. that can be used most of the time,
    THESAURUS
    a guideline: As a rule of thumb, you should spend no more than 1/3 of the money you make on renting an apartment.
ruler
ruler
  1. n.
    1 a person, such as a king or queen, that guides or controls a country: The rulers of England governed for hundreds of years.
    2 a measuring stick: I use a short ruler to draw straight lines.
    THESAURUS
    ruler
    1 a leader, chief, head of state | monarch.
ruling
ruling
  1. n. a decision, esp. one made by a court or an official agency: The Environ-mental Protection Agency passed a new ruling about how cleanly cars and trucks must burn gasoline.
rum
rum
  1. n. [U] a strong alcoholic drink made from sugar cane: Puerto Rico is famous for its light and dark rum.
rumble
rumble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to make a low, powerful, rolling noise: We could tell from the rumble of the thunder that rain was coming.n.
    1 a low, powerful, rolling noise: You can hear the rumble of a railroad train as it goes through a tunnel.
    2 slang a riot, a big fight: Two gangs had a rumble last night, and several boys were badly hurt.
rumbling
rumbling
  1. n.adj. a low, powerful rolling noise: You can hear the rumbling (or) a rumbling noise of a train as it goes across a bridge.
ruminant
ruminant
  1. n.frml. a grass-eating animal with several stomachs, such as cows and buffalo: When ruminants chew their food a second time, we say they are chewing their cud.
ruminate
ruminate
  1. v.fig.frml. [I] -nated, -nating, -nates to think about s.t. long and deeply,
    THESAURUS
    to meditate, ponder: She ruminated a long time before agreeing to marry him.
rummage
rummage
  1. v. [I] n. -maged, -maging, -mages [U] to look through many things, search: I rummaged through my clothing, looking for a pair of winter socks.
rummy
rummy
  1. n. -mies adj. -mier, -miest 1 [C] an alcoholic, such as a person who drinks rum regularly: An old rummy is sleeping on a park bench.
    2 [U] a card game in which players try to collect cards of the same number or suit: I beat my sister at rummy, because I collected all the kings, queens, and aces.
rumor
rumor
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] gossip, talk that comes from what other people say and not from true information or personal knowledge: There are false rumors going around that the water supply is unsafe.
    2 rumor has it: people are saying: Rumor has it that the euro will be devalued soon.v. [T] to spread a rumor: It is rumored that the water supply is bad, but it's not true.
    THESAURUS
    rumor n.
    1 hearsay, talk infrml., dirt infrml.
rumormonger
rumormonger
  1. n. a person who likes to tell rumors to many people: He is a rumormonger and cannot be believed.
rump
rump
  1. n.adj. the buttocks, hindquarters, esp. of animals: She bought a rump steak which she served with rice.
rumple
rumple
  1. v. [T] -pled, -pling, -ples to make wrinkles in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to crease: If you throw your clothes on the floor, they will rumple.n.
    1 an exercise period, like jogging: She goes for a run in the park every morning.
    2 moving one's feet faster than a walk, the motions of running: Our dog broke into a run as he came up to us.
    3 an area where animals can run: We have a dog run with a fence behind our house.
    4 (in baseball) a point scored by a player hitting the ball and running around all four bases: Our team got nine runs and the other team only got six.
    5 a rush by many people to take their money from a bank: There was a run on the bank, because people thought the bank was going to lose all of their money.
    6 a series of places one stops at, esp. while doing business: The bakery truck makes its run (of stores) every morning.
    7 a place or course where sports are played: There is a ski run on the side of that hill.
    8 a group of s.t. made at one time: Our factory did a run of 1,000 pairs of shoes last week.
    9 a series of events or happenings: She had a run of good luck in her business.
    10 a series of shows or performances: The wonderful play had a two-year run in New York.
    11 life in general: In the general run of things (general run of business, of life, etc.), he always makes time to play with his children.
    12 a hole or separation, as in pantyhose: She has a run in her pantyhose.
    13 a movement of a large group of animals (usu. fish),
    THESAURUS
    a migration: A salmon run up a stream gives fresh fish to the bears.
    14 in the long run: from now far into the future: Losing weight now is difficult, but you will feel better in the long run if you lose it.
    15 in the short run: from now into the near future: In the short run, he can work two jobs and not get sick, but it will be bad for his health to do it for too long.
    16 to be on the run: to hurry to get away, escape, esp. from police: That thief is on the run, so he is hiding in disguise.
    17 to give s.o. a run for his or her money: to try very hard to win, to try to beat s.o.: Our basketball team gave the champions a run for their money by beating them by two points.
    18 to go for a run: to exercise by running: He goes for a run around the park every morning.
    19 to have the run of the place: to move about freely in s.o. else's house or property: I gave my friend the run of my apartment while I was away.
    20 to make a run for it: to go quickly to get to safety, flee danger: The ceiling started to fall down in the old building, and the workers had to make a run for it. See: walk, USAGE NOTE.n.pl. the runs: diarrhea, liquid bowel movement: He has the runs and has to go to the bathroom often.
run-down
run-down
  1. adj. in poor condition, needing to be fixed,
    THESAURUS
    dilapidated: That old house is run-down and needs repairs and painting.
run-in
run-in
  1. n. an argument, angry fight with s.o.: He is an angry person, and many people have had run-ins with him.
run-of-the-mill
run-of-the-mill
  1. adj.fig. regular, ordinary, average: He is a run-of-the-mill student whose work is never perfect, but never very bad. See: middle-of-the-road.
run-on
run-on
  1. adj. using a comma incorrectly to separate main clauses; lengthy, wordy: Some students use commas incorrectly and thus make run-on sentences.
run-through
run-through
  1. n. an informal performance of s.t., such as a rehearsal or review: Actors did a first run-through of a new play.
run-up
run-up
  1. n. an increase in s.t., esp. a large rise in a short time: A run-up in the price of new cars caused people to drive older cars longer.
run
run
  1. v. ran , run, running, runs
    1 to move the legs and feet quickly, one after the other, across the ground, faster than walking: Every morning, he runs around the high school track.
    2 to race on foot: The track star ran the 100 meters in record time.
    3 to finish or place in a race: He ran second in the 1,000 meters.
    4 to get away from quickly on foot, (syns.) to escape, flee: They heard the explosion and ran.
    5 to leave quickly: I have to run now; I'm late for a meeting.
    6 to do some job or task: She runs errands, like taking her daughter to dance class on Saturday morning.
    7 to try to get elected to political office: She ran for the Senate and won.
    8 to look over s.t. quickly: He ran his eyes over the instructions on how to put the toy together.
    9 to go in a certain direction: That highway runs east and west.
    10 to come apart, (syn.) to unravel: Her pantyhose ran and made a big hole.
    11 to drip, leak: That faucet runs all the time.
    12 to pour: I ran the hot water in the bathtub.
    13 to direct and make decisions about s.t., (syns.) to manage, supervise: She runs her own business.
    14 to work or function in a certain way: That engine runs smoothly.
    15 to make a machine work: A farmer runs his tractor over the fields.
    16 to meet or experience, (syn.) to encounter: We ran into trouble in the heavy traffic.
    17 to begin and end: My fever ran its course for several days, then my temperature became normal again.
    18 to flow, move as water does: Mountain streams run to the ocean.
    19 to move as a group, (syn.) to migrate: Fish run up rivers to lay eggs.
    20 to spread after becoming wet, (syn.) to smear: Ink runs when the paper it is on gets wet. || My makeup ran in the rain.
    21 to cry: His eyes ran with tears.
    22 to be very long, (syn.) to prolong: When he talks, he runs on and on for hours.
    23 to bring s.t. into a place illegally, (syn.) to smuggle: Smugglers run illegal guns into the country.
    24 to print in a newspaper or magazine, publish, advertise: The Times ran an editorial about problems with the economy. || He ran an ad to hire a salesman.
    25 to pass by regularly, follow a regular path: The bus runs past my house every hour.
    26 to be common in a family: Blue eyes run in our family.
    27 phrasal v. insep. to run across s.t.: a. to go from one side to another quickly: A dog ran across the road. b. to find by accident: I was going through some old papers, and I ran across a letter I thought was lost.
    28 phrasal v. insep. to run after s.o. or s.t.: a. infrml. s.o.: to try to get s.o.'s attention: He's been running after her for years. b. to chase, (syn.) to pursue: She ran after the bus, yelling.
    29 to run aground: (in shipping) to get stuck, be unable to move away from (usu. of boats): A riverboat ran aground on a sandbar.
    30 phrasal v. to run along: (usu. as a command) to go away, leave: Don't bother me while I'm working; run along now!
    31 phrasal v. to run around: a. to go to many places: I had to run around today to do shopping. b. to spend time with s.o.: He's been running around with my cousin.
    32 infrml. fig. to run around like a chicken with its head cut off: to hurry in a confused, worried way: He ran around like a chicken with its head cut off, looking for s.o. who could repair his computer.
    33 phrasal v. insep. to run at s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to come toward quickly, charge at s.o., (syn.) to attack: A crazy man with a knife ran at a policeman. b. s.t.: to work at a certain speed, level, etc.: That engine runs at a top speed of 120 miles (192 km) per hour.
    34 phrasal v. to run away: a. to leave home: He ran away from home when he was a little boy. b. to get away from quickly, (syns.) to escape, flee: Deer run away from hunters.
    35 phrasal v. insep. to run away or off with s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to escape with: She ran away with her baby so that no one would take him. b. s.t.: to take control of s.t. and do whatever one wants with it: She put a young man in charge of a project for a short time, and he ran away with it and changed it completely. c. s.o. or s.t.: to steal s.t.: A thief ran away with a lady's purse.
    36 phrasal v. sep. to run by s.o. or s.t.: a. to make a quick visit: I ran by my mother's house just to see whether she was OK. b. to ask for s.o.'s opinion or ask s.o. to agree to s.t.: I ran an idea by my boss to see if she liked it.
    37 phrasal v. sep. to run s.o. or s.t. down: a. s.o.: to hit s.o. as with a car or truck: A man was run down by a speeding car as he crossed the street. b. s.t.: to look s.t. over quickly, (syn.) to scan: I ran my eye down the page until I found the information that I wanted. c. s.o or s.t.: to say bad things about s.o. or s.t., criticize: He runs down life in the big city because of crime, pollution, and high costs. d. s.o. or s.t.: to lose energy, stop functioning: Taking care of those children ran him down.
    38 to run for cover or for it: to get away from danger or discomfort, escape: When it started to rain, we ran for cover in a small building (or) we ran for it.
    39 to run for office: to try to get elected to public office: She ran for the office of City Controller and won.
    40 to run for your life: to get away from danger by running fast: A flood is coming this way! Run for your life!
    41 phrasal v. sep. to run s.o. in: to arrest s.o.: The FBI ran in the fugitive. || They ran her in.
    42 phrasal v. insep. to run into s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to meet s.o. by chance: I ran into an old friend at the airport in Seattle. b. s.t.: to reach a total of: Her college loans run into the thousands. c. s.o. or s.t.: to hit s.o. or s.t.: The two boys ran into each other when playing football.
    43 to run low: to use almost all of s.t.: My car is running low on gasoline.
    44 phrasal v. to run off: a. to chase s.o. away, make s.o. leave: A farmer ran hunters off his land by yelling at them to leave. b. to do s.t. without thinking about others, leave without having the right to do so: A man ran off and left his wife and children. c. to make copies of s.t.: She ran off ten copies of the story she wrote.
    45 phrasal v. insep. to run off with s.o. or s.t.: See : to run away with s.o. or s.t
    46 infrml. to run off at the mouth: to talk too much, esp. making others angry or upset: Because she ran off at the mouth about how much she hated her job, her boss fired her.
    47 phrasal v. insep to run out of s.t.: to use all of s.t., (syns.) to deplete, exhaust: We have run out of paper for the photocopy machine.
    48 phrasal v. sep. to run (s.o. or s.t.) over: a. (of a liquid) to be too much for a container: She wasn't paying attention, and so she didn't notice when the milk ran over. b. to go beyond a time limit, deadline: I was late because my meeting ran over. c. s.t.: to read through or study s.t. quickly: She ran over her notes before the test. d. s.o. or s.t. to hit and crush under a vehicle: A taxi ran over their dog and killed him. || It ran over him.
    49 infrml. fig. to run scared: to live in fear, esp. of losing one's job or life: His boss warned him to improve his work, and he's running scared now.
    50 infrml. fig. to run s.t. into the ground: to ruin s.t., such as by not taking care of it, not repairing it, etc.: He never changes the oil or spark plugs in his car; he is running it into the ground.
    51 to run short: not to have enough of s.t.: The teacher ran short of class handouts, so two students didn't get one.
    52 to run the show: infrml. fig. to take charge of a business, tell others what to do: She is the big boss, and she likes to run the show.
    53 phrasal v. insep. to run through s.t.: a. to practice s.t.: Actors run through their lines in rehearsal. b. to read s.t. quickly: I want to run through these notes.
    54 phrasal v. insep. to run s.t. through s.t.: to pass or draw s.t. directly through s.t. else: She ran her fingers through her hair.
    55 phrasal v. insep. to run to s.t.: to add up to, amount to: That book runs to 300 pages.
    56 phrasal v. sep. to run together: to blend or smear after becoming wet (usu. of colors): The blue and yellow colors on the sign ran together after they got wet. || They ran them together.
    57 phrasal v. sep. to run s.t. up: to make s.t. become higher or greater: He ran up a big bill at the bar. || He ran it up.
    58 infrml. fig. to run up against a stone wall: to meet a problem that will not move, be blocked: When I talked with him, I ran up against a stone wall because he just will not agree to work together with us. _n.
    1 an exercise period, like jogging: She goes for a run in the park every morning.
    2 moving one's feet faster than a walk, the motions of running: Our dog broke into a run as he came up to us.
    3 an area where animals can run: We have a dog run with a fence behind our house.
    4 (in baseball) a point scored by a player hitting the ball and running around all four bases: Our team got nine runs and the other team only got six.
    5 a rush by many people to take their money from a bank: There was a run on the bank because people thought the bank was going to lose all of their money.
    6 a series of places one stops at, esp. while doing business: The bakery truck makes its run (of stores) every morning.
    7 a place or course where sports are played: There is a ski run on the side of that hill.
    8 a group of s.t. made at one time: Our factory did a run of 1,000 pairs of shoes last week.
    9 a series of events or happenings: She had a run of good luck in her business.
    10 a series of shows or performances: The wonderful play had a two-year run in New York.
    11 life in general: In the general run of things (general run of business, of life, etc.), he always makes time to play with his children.
    12 a hole or separation, as in pantyhose: She has a run in her pantyhose.
    13 a movement of a large group of animals (usu. fish), (syn.) a migration: A salmon run up a stream gives fresh fish to the bears.
    14 in the long run: from now far into the future: Losing weight now is difficult, but you will feel better in the long run if you lose it.
    15 in the short run: from now into the near future: In the short run, he can work two jobs and not get sick, but it will be bad for his health to do it for too long.
    16 to be on the run: to hurry to get away, escape, esp. from police: That thief is on the run, so he is hiding in disguise.
    17 to give s.o. a run for his or her money: to try very hard to win, to try to beat s.o.: Our basketball team gave the champions a run for their money by beating them by two points.
    18 to go for a run: to exercise by running: He goes for a run around the park every morning.
    19 to have the run of the place: to move about freely in s.o. else's house or property: I gave my friend the run of my apartment while I am away.
    20 to make a run for it: to go quickly to get to safety, flee danger: The ceiling started to fall down in the old building, and the workers had to make a run for it. See : walk, USAGE NOTE _n. pl. the runs: diarrhea, liquid bowel movement: He has the runs and has to go to the bathroom often.
runaround
runaround
  1. n.infrml. [U] the act of not doing one's job, taking responsibility, or solving s.o.'s problem: I tried to return a stereo that didn't work, but I just got the runaround: the store blamed the maker and the maker blamed the store, so no one returned my money.
runaway
runaway
  1. adj. having lost control, moving wildly: A runaway car rolled down a hill and crashed into ten cars.n. a person, esp. a young person, who runs away from home: Runaways come to this park and beg for money.
rundown
rundown
  1. n.infrml. a summary of important events or information: I went to a computer conference, and then I gave my boss a rundown of what I learned there.
rung
rung
  1. n.
    1 a step on a ladder: To be safe, you should go up a ladder one rung at a time.
    2 a position or level of importance in a group or organization: She has reached the highest rung of management and won't be promoted any more at work.v.past part. of ring [I]: The telephone had already rung three times when I picked it up.
runner-up
runner-up
  1. n. a person who places second, third, fourth, etc. in a competition or game: In a Miss America contest, even the runners-up are talented young women.
runner
runner
  1. n.
    1 a person who runs either for fun or competitively: She is a longdistance runner, and she likes to run mara-thons.
    2 a strip of metal used to attach things to s.t., such as a wall or ceiling: He put lights on a runner on his ceiling to light up the pictures on his walls.
running
running
  1. n. [U]
    1 an act of moving the legs and feet rapidly: She likes running every morning.
    2 to be in/out of the running: to have a possibility/no possibility to win: These three contestants are still in the running and might win.||He was out of the running early in the contest, so he went home.adj. moving like water moves: That cabin in the woods has running water in the kitchen and the bathroom.
    THESAURUS
    running n.
    1 jogging | racing | sprinting. —adj. flowing, pouring | gushing.
running mate
running mate
  1. n. a person, esp. a politician, who tries to get elected to office with s.o. else: The president and vice-president are running mates who are elected together.
running start
running start
  1. n.fig. a quick beginning of s.t., starting s.t. quickly and well: He is off to a running start in his new job, because he knows a lot about computers.
runny
runny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest more like a liquid than a solid, watery,
    THESAURUS
    viscous: That child's nose is runny because she has a cold.
runoff
runoff
  1. n.adj.
    1 [C] a final contest between winners of earlier contests to choose the winner: The two candidates had a runoff (or) runoff election.
    2 [U] water that doesn't go into the ground, but runs from higher to lower ground,
    THESAURUS
    drainage: This pond collects runoff.
runt
runt
  1. n.
    1 an animal that is smaller than others: That dog is a runt; he was smaller than his brothers and sisters.
    2 pej. a short person who is taller than a dwarf but shorter than normal: He is a runt and he isn't strong physically, but he is very intelligent.
runway
runway
  1. n.
    1 a place where airplanes take off and land: A jetliner taxied down the runway and took off.
    2 a long stage where models walk,
    THESAURUS
    catwalk: Models moved down the runway, showing new clothing designs.
rupture
rupture
  1. v. [I;T] -tured, -turing, -tures to burst or break open so that s.t. comes out of its closed container: A water pipe ruptured and flooded the street.n. [C;U] a break or split in s.t.: There was a rupture in diplomatic relations between the two countries because of a disagreement about the countries' borders.
rural
rural
  1. adj. related to the countryside, not the city,
    THESAURUS
    rustic: They live on a farm in a rural area of Montana.
ruse
ruse
  1. n. a trick, attempt to lie or cheat s.o.: The children thought of a clever ruse to get their mother to leave the house so they could get ready for her surprise party.
rush
rush
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to move about doing things quickly, hurry: She rushed to get ready for an evening at the theater.
    2 [I;T] to move quickly: When she fell, a friend rushed to help her get up.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to rush in/into s.t.: a. to enter a place quickly, run into: Firefighters rushed into the building to save people from the fire. b. to make a decision too quickly, without thinking: I don't think that you should rush into getting married so young.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to rush over: to go someplace quickly: When I saw that my friend was hurt, I rushed over to help her.n.
    1 [C;U] a hurry, the act of doing things quickly: There is always a rush in the stores at holiday time.
    2 to be in a rush: a. to hurry, do everything quickly: She is always in a rush to go someplace. b. to make a hasty and often unwise decision: Don't be in a big rush to invest your money now; you might lose it.
    THESAURUS
    rush v.
    1 to run around, race, dash
    2 to hurry, run, race | scramble.
rush hour
rush hour
  1. n. a time when traffic is very heavy, esp. when people are going to and from work: Try not to drive between 4:00 and 6:00 P.M., because that's rush hour in this city.
russet
russet
  1. adj. a reddish dark brown: The leaves of oak trees turn to a russet color in the autumn.
rust
rust
  1. n. [U] the reddish-brown material that forms on metal when oxygen reacts with it: Rust has made holes in the fenders of my car.adj. a reddish-brown color: The leaves of oak trees turn a rust color in the fall.v. [I;T] to form rust on metal: My car's fenders have rusted.
rustic
rustic
  1. adj. related to the countryside, esp. with old, interesting buildings: They live in a rustic fishing village.
rustle
rustle
  1. n.sing. a soft sound, such as that made by a breeze moving through leaves: You can hear the rustle of the leaves as the wind blows through them.v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [I;T] to make a soft, brushing sound: The wind blowing through the window rustled the papers on the table.
    2 [T] to steal animals, such as cattle or horses: We watched an old movie about two men who rustled horses. -n. rustler.
rustproof
rustproof
  1. adj. not likely to rust: Aluminum is a rustproof metal.
rusty
rusty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having rust, covered with rust: My car is rusty and needs to be cleaned and painted.
    2 fig. (usu. of a skill) no longer as good as before: He hasn't spoken French in years; he's very rusty.
    THESAURUS
    rusty
    1 corroded
    2 out of practice.
ruthless
ruthless
  1. adj. without pity, not thinking about the feelings or health of other people, (syns.) cold-blooded, merciless: He is a ruthless businessman who thinks money is more important than people. -n. [U] ruthlessness.
rye
rye
  1. n. [U] a cereal grain used to make flour and whiskey and to feed animals: Rye is planted both in the autumn and in the spring.
résumé
résumé
  1. n. a short statement of one's work history and education used to get a new job: He submitted a two-page résumé for a job interview.
    THESAURUS
    résumé a curriculum vitae, job summary.
saber
saber
  1. n. a heavy military sword with a curved blade: His pirate costume includes a rusty saber.
sabotage
sabotage
  1. n.v. [T] the deliberate damage of s.t.: A worker sabotaged wires and cut off electricity to parts of the city.||It was an act of sabotage.
saboteur
saboteur
  1. n. a person who commits sabotage
sack
sack
  1. n.
    1 a bag made of cloth or paper: The farmers put corn into the big, brown sacks.
    2 slang to get the sack: to be fired: He got the sack and is now unemployed.
    3 slang to hit the sack: to go to bed: I'm tired; I'm going to hit the sack.v.
    1 [T] to place or pour into a sack: They sacked the groceries at the supermarket.
    2 [T] to rob or destroy: to sack a city
    3 infrml. [T] to end s.o.'s employment: Her boss sacked her for missing too much work.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to sack out: to go to bed, sleep: After working all day, I like to sack out for an hour before dinner.
sacrament
sacrament
  1. n. a religious act meant to have spiritual benefits: To Christians, baptism is a sacrament in which people are welcomed into the Christian faith.
sacred
sacred
  1. adj.
    1 holy: For religious people, a wedding ceremony is sacred.
    2 fig. a sacred cow: s.o. or s.t. that should not be harmed or destroyed: Old-age pensions are a sacred cow; the government will always keep them.
    THESAURUS
    sacred
    1 hallowed, blessed, consecrated.
sacrifice
sacrifice
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 loss, or giving up of s.t. valuable, for a specific purpose: The parents made many sacrifices, such as wearing old clothes, to pay for their children's university education.
    2 an offering to a god: Some religions think the sacrifice of an animal will bring wealth to their people.v. [I;T] -ficed, -ficing, -fices to suffer loss, pain, or injury to achieve a goal: The father worked hard and made a lot of money, but he sacrificed his health. -adj. sacrificial.
sacrilegious
sacrilegious
  1. adj. s.t. wrong, going against religious rules: My aunt thought it was sacrilegious when a construction company converted the church into apartments. -n. [C;U] sacrilege.
sacrosanct
sacrosanct
  1. adj. to be respected and never changed, holy: Once that man makes a promise, it is sacrosanct; he will not break it.
sad
sad
  1. adj. sadder, saddest
    1 full of sorrow, unhappy: After her mother's death, she was sad for many months.
    2 (s.t.) unfortunate, regrettable: Being poor is a sad situation.
    3 bad, lamentable: The business lost lots of money; it's now in sad condition. -adv. sadly; -n. sadness.
sadden
sadden
  1. v. [I;T] to make unhappy: I was saddened by my father's death.
    THESAURUS
    sadden to crush, dishearten | grieve. Ant. gladden.
saddle
saddle
  1. n.
    1 the leather seat used for riding animals, usu. horses: She put the saddle on her horse and then went riding.
    2 back in the saddle: working again: He was sick for months, but got healthy and is back in the saddle again.v. -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 [T] to put a saddle (on a horse): He saddled the horse quickly and rode away.
    2 [I;T] to give s.o. too much work or responsibility: The manager was saddled with so many problems that he could not work well.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to saddle s.t. up: to get on a horse, pony, etc.: The calvary officer gave an order to saddle up at dawn.
sadism
sadism
  1. n. [U]
    1 pleasure (esp. sexual) from hurting others: The word "sadism" comes from the Marquis de Sade, who hurt and tortured people for sexual pleasure.
    2 strong cruelty to others: It was an act of sadism to tell the child her parents were dead, because they were alive. -n. sadist; -adj. sadistic.
safe
safe
  1. n. a strong metal container, usu. with a lock, for protecting money and valuables: She has a safe in her closet where she keeps her jewelry.adj. safer, safest
    1 free from harm: She likes to feel safe, so she bought burglar alarm systems for her car and home.
    2 safe and sound: unharmed, not hurt: They arrived home safe and sound after driving in a storm.
    THESAURUS
    safe adj.
    1 protected, secure | sheltered.
safeguard
safeguard
  1. n. [C] a guarantee against loss, harm, or injury: A seat belt is a safeguard that must be in all new American cars.v. [T] safeguard.
safekeeping
safekeeping
  1. n. [U] care until s.t. is needed: She put her money in a locked box for safekeeping.
safety
safety
  1. n. [U]
    1 the condition of being free or protected from harm: When the floods arrived, the farmers moved to high ground and safety.
    2 safety in numbers: better protection because of being with others: Fish seek safety in numbers by swimming in large groups.
    THESAURUS
    safety
    1 security, protection | shelter, refuge.
safety belt
safety belt
  1. n. a long, thin piece of material that holds and protects a person in a car (truck, airplane, etc.): I was wearing my safety belt, so I was not hurt when the car crashed. See: seat belt, USAGE NOTE.
safety net
safety net
  1. n.
    1 a mesh of rope or wire to catch someone from above: The circus performer walked on a rope in the air, fell, and landed in a safety net.
    2 fig. a situation, sometimes a government program, that makes sure people will have life's basic needs, such as food and shelter: The state paid the poor family $500 a month as a safety net.
safety pin
safety pin
  1. n. a small piece of metal used to bring two pieces of cloth together: Do you have a safety pin? The zipper on my pants is broken.
saffron
saffron
  1. n. [U] a plant made into an expensive yellow-orange spice for cooking: My Spanish grandfather uses saffron to flavor his rice.
sag
sag
  1. n. a low or loose area in s.t.: All of the snow has caused a sag in the roof of our house. See: dip. —v. [I]
    1 to bend or sink downward from weight or pressure: The tent sagged under the weight of the wet snow.
    2 to feel and look tired and depressed: Business is so bad that the workers' spirits are sagging.
saga
saga
  1. n. a long, detailed story full of adventure: The film was a three-hour saga of World War II.
sage
sage
  1. n. a very wise person: The sage told the king to listen to his advisors.adj. wise: My mother gives me sage advice about my business, because she has owned her business for 30 years.
said
said

  1. 1 past part. of say: He said that the meeting is today.
    2 when all is said and done: in the final analysis: When all is said and done, the meeting will only confirm the fact that everyone knows that the director is resigning.
sail
sail
  1. n.
    1 [C] the strong cloth that helps a boat move with the wind: The sails on the ship were not moving; there was no wind.
    2 sing. a trip by boat: On Sunday afternoons, we like to go for a sail on the lake.v.
    1 [I;T] to travel by boat: We sailed across the lake and back.
    2 [I] to begin a water trip: The ship sails (or) sets sail tomorrow, good weather or bad.
    3 fig. [I;T] to move easily, with no problems: The happy woman sailed through her medical exam. -n. [C;U] sailing.
    THESAURUS
    sail v.
    1 to cruise | voyage
    2 to depart, leave
    3 to breeze through s.t. infrml. fig.
sailboat
sailboat
  1. n. a boat with one or more sails: Our sailboat is small but moves fast on the pond.
sailor
sailor
  1. n.
    1 a person who works on a ship: The sailors learned how to tie ropes and steer the ship.
    2 a person who knows how to use a sailboat: My mother grew up on the coast and is a good sailor.
saint
saint
  1. n.
    1 (in Christianity) a person chosen by God: We prayed to the saints every Sunday in church.
    2 a very good and kind person: You were a saint to give money to the hungry child. -n. [U] sainthood ; saintliness; -adj. saintly.
sake
sake
  1. n. [U]
    1 peace of mind, good: For your brother's sake, don't be late to his wedding.
    2 purpose: For the sake of discussion, let's say the building will cost $1 million to build.
    3 vulg. for Christ's or God's sake: expression of annoyance: Oh, for Christ's sake, will you be quiet and get to work?
    THESAURUS
    sake
    1 benefit, consideration
    2 purpose.
salable
salable
  1. adj. See: saleable.
salacious
salacious
  1. adj.frml. related to sexual desire: Don't let your ten-year-old read salacious books; she's too young to read about sex.
salad days
salad days
  1. n.fig. days of one's youth, usu. full of different experiences and adventure: During my salad days, I traveled around the country and fell in love many times.
salad dressing
salad dressing
  1. n. a mixture of various liquid flavorings to pour over a salad, such as oil and vinegar or honey and mustard.
salami
salami
  1. n. [C;U] a large, seasoned sausage: I had a salami and cheese sandwich for lunch.
salaried
salaried
  1. adj. related to receiving regular pay for work done: Salaried employees get their checks once a week here.
salary
salary
  1. n. [C;U] -ries a regular payment from a business or organization for work done: My salary increased 5 percent this year. See: wage, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    salary pay, wage, compensation.
sale
sale
  1. n.
    1 the exchange of s.t. for money: the sale of a shirt (car, house, etc.)
    2 the selling of things at a lower price than usual: The pet store is having a sale on dog food.
    3 for sale: available for purchase: We don't want our car anymore; it is for sale.
    4 on sale: available for a lower price than usual: I bought this coat on sale, for $20 less than the original price.
    5 to have a sale: (for a seller) to offer things at a discount price: The department store has a sale on shirts and ties.
    6 to make a sale: (for a seller) to take money in exchange for s.t.: The salesperson made a sale and earned a 5 percent commission.
    THESAURUS
    sale
    1 a selling
    2 a special, markdown, discount.
saleable
saleable
  1. l adj. in good condition for sale: This bicycle is five years old, but it is still in saleable condition.
sales clerk
sales clerk
  1. n. a person who helps customers and sells things, esp. in a store: The sales clerk brought the pants to the dressing room for me to try on. See: clerk, 2.
    THESAURUS
    sales clerk a sales associate, store assistant, salesperson | cashier.
sales receipt
sales receipt
  1. n. a small piece of paper given to a buyer after a purchase, usu. showing the date, item(s) bought, and money spent: When I returned the TV, the salesperson asked me for the sales receipt as proof of purchase.
sales slip
sales slip
  1. n. a sales receipt: Did the clerk give you a sales slip when you bought those shoes?
sales tax
sales tax
  1. n. a percentage added to the price of s.t. and given to the local or state government: In our state, we pay an 8 percent sales tax on all purchases except food.
salesman
salesman
  1. n. -men See: salesperson.
salesmanship
salesmanship
  1. n. [U] the ability to sell things and to convince people to buy things,
    THESAURUS
    persuasiveness: You showed great salesmanship in knowing all about these shoes, giving me a good price, and putting them in a box for me.
salesperson
salesperson
  1. n. a man or woman whose job is to sell things: My company gives a prize to the salesperson who sells the most.
saleswoman
saleswoman
  1. -women n. See: salesperson.
salient
salient
  1. adj. most obvious or noticeable: I remembered only a few salient remarks from the long speech.
saliva
saliva
  1. n. the liquid in the mouth that helps us chew and digest food -v. [I] salivate.
sallow
sallow
  1. adj. yellowish, sick-looking (skin): The old lady in the hospital bed looked sallow and weak.
salmon
salmon

  1. 1 n. a fish with reddish-pink flesh: I like to eat grilled salmon with potatoes.
    2 n.adj. a reddish-pink color: She wore a salmon skirt with white shoes to the party.
salon
salon
  1. n.
    1 a shop or place for business, usu. related to fashion or beauty: I get my hair cut at Andre's Hair Salon.
    2 a formal living room: After dinner we had coffee in the salon.
    THESAURUS
    salon
    1 a beauty parlor, a hairdresser's.
saloon
saloon
  1. n. a place where alcoholic beverages are sold and drunk, esp. in the western USA many years ago: In that old John Wayne movie, two men drink whiskey and play cards in a saloon. See: bar.
salsa
salsa
  1. n. [U]
    1 a mixture of tomatoes, onions, and peppers, usu. eaten with tortilla chips: At my favorite Mexican restaurant, I always order chips with salsa.
    2 a lively style of Latin American music: I listened to salsa when I lived in Central America. See: enchilada, USAGE NOTE.
salt
salt
  1. n. [U]
    1 the chemical compound sodium chloride, used to flavor food: Would you pass the salt, please?
    2 salt of the earth: a good, helpful, friendly person: He is the salt of the earth to lend me his car for a week.
    3 to be worth one's salt: to be good enough to deserve s.t., usu. money: I need to work hard to be worth my salt.
    4 to rub salt in a wound: to cause a bad or painful feeling to become worse: The divorce made the child sad, and when her mother remarried, it rubbed salt in the wound.
    5 to take s.t. with a grain of salt: to understand that s.t. may not be completely true: You told me there were 300 people at the party; I'll take that with a grain of salt.v. [T] to sprinkle salt on s.t.: I salted the steak to make it taste better.
salty
salty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having the taste of salt: This soup tastes too salty for me.
    2 fig. (of language) bad, colorful: The old sailor told salty stories.
    THESAURUS
    salty
    1 savory
    2 vulgar, racy.
salubrious
salubrious
  1. adj.frml. good for the health: After working so hard, I found my mountain vacation to be very salubrious.
salutation
salutation
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. said or written at the beginning of a conversation or letter,
    THESAURUS
    a greeting: The salutation of the letter read "Dear Mom."
salute
salute
  1. n.
    1 a hand, usu. the right one, raised to the forehead to recognize or honor s.o.: Soldiers must give a salute to greet other soldiers.
    2 a symbolic act of recognition: The soldiers gave a 21-gun salute to honor the visit of the Korean president.v.
    1 [I;T] to perform a symbolic act of recognition: The president saluted the flag.
    2 [T] to show respect or admiration: I salute you for graduating with high honors from this great university.
salvage
salvage
  1. n. [U] the saving of s.t. damaged, esp. in a fire, wreck, etc.: The ship is good for salvage because it can be raised from the bottom of the sea.v. [T] -vaged, -vaging, -vages
    1 to save s.t. that is damaged, esp. in a fire, wreck, etc.: We will salvage the car parts from the accident.
    2 to save s.t. of value from an otherwise bad situation: If you write Maria a note saying you're sorry, you can salvage your friendship with her. -adj. salvageable.
salvation
salvation
  1. n. [U]
    1 the protection or saving of s.o. from difficulty or danger: The job was her salvation, because she had no more money.
    2 the act of saving s.o. from sin: The minister prayed for the evil woman's salvation.
salve
salve
  1. n.
    1 a semi-solid medicine to rub on a cut or other discomfort on the skin: He put salve on an itchy mosquito bite.
    2 s.t. that comforts or makes one feel better: Her apology was a salve for my anger.v. [T] salved, salving, salves to make s.t. feel better, comfort,
    THESAURUS
    to soothe: Giving money to the local hospital salves my conscience.
same
same
  1. adj. identical, alike, equal: He wore the same suit today as yesterday.||We both earn the same salary.adv.
    1 identically, equally: She was sick yesterday, and she feels the same today.
    2 all the same or just the same: in spite of: I hate to lie in the sun, but I'm going to the beach all the same (or) just the same.n.
    1 all the same to me: not making any difference: Do you want to eat before or after the movie? It doesn't matter; it's all the same to me.
    2 same here: an expression of agreement,
    THESAURUS
    me too: "I was born in July." "Same here!"
    THESAURUS
    same adj. equivalent, comparable. Ant. different. —adv.
    1 similarly.
sameness
sameness
  1. n. [U] being alike, not changing, perhaps indicating boredom: All those brick houses have a sameness to them.
sample
sample
  1. v. [T] -pled, -pling, -ples to try s.t.: I sampled each dessert on the menu.||I sampled life in Hong Kong and loved it.n.
    1 a single thing that shows what a larger group is like: The tailor showed us samples of silk, wool, and cotton.
    2 a small amount of s.t. to try: The clerk gave me a sample of cheese to taste; it was so delicious that I bought a pound.
    3 a small part of a larger group, used to study the larger group: The teacher asked a sample of students if the school should build a new library.
sanatorium
sanatorium
  1. n. a hospital for long-term care of people who are mentally or physically ill: The family put their aging mother in a sanatorium. See: sanitarium.
sanctify
sanctify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make holy: The couple sanctified their wedding day by having a priest marry them in a church.
sanctimonious
sanctimonious
  1. adj. pretending to be better or more holy than one really is: In a sanctimonious voice, you said I should go to church as often as you.
sanction
sanction
  1. n.
    1 [U] approval, official permission (to do s.t.): I need my parents' sanction to stay out late.
    2 [C] a law or rule that punishes or deprives s.o.: Our government has sanctions against countries that ignore human rights.v. [T] to give formal approval of s.t.: Dad sanctioned our use of the car on Saturday and Sunday.
sanctity
sanctity
  1. n. -ties sacredness, holiness: Tourists should respect the sanctity of cathedrals they visit.
sanctuary
sanctuary
  1. n. -ies
    1 [C] a safe, protected place: The little house gave us sanctuary from the wind and cold.
    2 [U] protection (from law or government),
    THESAURUS
    asylum: The escaped prisoner found sanctuary in a foreign embassy.
    3 [C] a holy place: They built a sanctuary for the Virgin Mary high in the mountains.
    4 [C] the part of a Christian church where services or Mass take place: The nun sat in the sanctuary and listened to the choir above.
    5 [C] a place where birds and animals may not be hunted: We saw many interesting birds as we walked through the sanctuary.
sand
sand
  1. n. [U] tiny pieces of rock, millions of which form the surface of beaches and deserts: At the beach, we like to dig for shells in the sand. -adj. sandy. See: beach. —v. [T] to smooth the surface of s.t. with rough paper or a machine: When you build a table, you should sand the wood before you paint it. See: sandpaper.
sandal
sandal
  1. n. a shoe made of a sole with straps, allowing part of the foot to be seen: I like to wear sandals in the summer; they feel very cool in the hot weather.
sandbag
sandbag
  1. n. a sack full of sand, used for weight or to hold water: Thousands of sandbags kept the river from reaching the road.v. [I;T]
    1 to lay sandbags for protection
    2 infrml.fig. to force s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to coerce: I did not want to make the trip, but my boss sandbagged me into going.
sandblast
sandblast
  1. v. [T] n. to clean brick, stone, or metal by shooting a mix of steam and sand onto it with great force: They sandblasted the old brick building until it looked like new.
sandman
sandman
  1. n.fig. an imaginary person who brings sleep, esp. to children: At bedtime, the mother tells her little boy that the sandman will visit soon.
sandpaper
sandpaper
  1. n. [U] v. [T] a strong paper with a layer of sand on one side to smooth wood or metal surfaces: I used sandpaper to smooth the rough bookshelves.
sandstone
sandstone
  1. n. [U] a type of soft rock
sane
sane
  1. adj.
    1 mentally healthy: Don't call me crazy; I am quite sane.
    2 sensible: Going to bed early on Sunday night is the sane thing to do so you are ready for work on Monday.
sanitarium
sanitarium
  1. n. a hospital for long-term care of people who are mentally or physically ill: Their aunt had a bad alcohol problem, so she went to a sanitarium for treatment. See: sanatorium.
sanitary
sanitary
  1. adj.
    1 free from dirt and germs: The bathroom is sanitary now; I cleaned it with a germ killer.
    2 related to cleanliness and health: We wash our hands before eating for sanitary reasons.
    THESAURUS
    sanitary
    1 disinfected, sterile | antiseptic. Ant. unsanitary.
    2 hygienic.
sanitary napkin
sanitary napkin
  1. n. an absorbent pad worn in a woman's underpants during menstruation: She bought sanitary napkins just before having her monthly period. See: tampon.
sanitation
sanitation
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of keeping an area clean and germ-free: Strict sanitation is used in businesses such as barber shops and restaurants.
    2 related to the collection of garbage: The city's sanitation department collects garbage every Monday.
sanitize
sanitize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes
    1 to make very clean,
    THESAURUS
    to disinfect: Barbers sanitize scissors and combs by washing them with soap, then putting them in a germ-killing liquid.
    2 to make s.t. more acceptable to s.o. by removing parts of it (bad language, secret information, etc.): Some movies with sex and strong language are sanitized for TV.
sanity
sanity
  1. n. [U] mental health: He kept his sanity in prison by imagining a happy, free future.
sap
sap
  1. n.
    1 [U] the liquid that flows through plants to keep them alive and healthy: We collect sap from maple trees to make syrup.
    2 [C] infrml. a rather stupid person who foolishly believes everything: Don't be a sap; that guy is lying to you.v. [T] sapped, sapping, saps to remove (energy, strength, etc.): He has cancer, and the disease saps his strength. -adj. sapped.
sapling
sapling
  1. n. a young tree
sapphire
sapphire
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a blue precious gemstone: I have a sapphire in my ring.
    2 n.adj. a blue color: Elizabeth Taylor has sapphire eyes.
sarcasm
sarcasm
  1. n. [U] an attitude or comments that hurt s.o.'s feelings, often by saying the opposite of what is meant: She said with sarcasm, "Oh, sure, I'd love to spend all day listening to him gossip."
sarcastic
sarcastic
  1. adj. unkind, critical (comments, attitude): Your sarcastic tone of voice shows that you don't respect your father.
sardine
sardine
  1. n.
    1 a small fish, usu. sold packed tightly in cans
    2 packed in like sardines: very tightly together, with no space between: At six o'clock, people pack into the subway like sardines.
sardonic
sardonic
  1. adj. showing scorn, (syns.) sarcastic, cynical: That journalist has a sardonic writing style; he criticizes everyone he writes about.
sarong
sarong
  1. n. a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and hips as a skirt
sash
sash
  1. n.
    1 a long, thin strip of cloth used as a belt around the waist: Will you tie the sash of my dress?
    2 the edge of a window
sass
sass
  1. v. [T] n. -es to speak to s.o. in a disrespectful way: When the little boy sassed his parents, they sent him to his room.
sassy
sassy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest quick and bold, often flirtatious: The waitress loves to tease her customers with sassy jokes.
satanic
satanic
  1. adj. evil, of Satan: Satanic groups pray to the devil.
satchel
satchel
  1. n. a small bag worn over the shoulder, larger than a purse: The woman left a satchel containing her gym clothes on the subway.
sate
sate
  1. v.frml. [T] sated, sating, sates to get more than enough, fill: He was sated after eating eggs, oatmeal, fruit, and coffee for breakfast. -adj. sated.
satellite
satellite
  1. n.
    1 a moon or other object in space that circles a larger object, such as a planet: The moon we see at night is Earth's only satellite.
    2 a human-made object that circles a larger one in space: The satellite had a camera that took pictures of Venus and Mars.
    3 an organization or a nation that is under the influence of a larger or more powerful one: For many years, Eastern European countries were satellites of the Soviet Union.
    THESAURUS
    satellite 1 and 2 an orbiting body
    3 a puppet state.
satin
satin
  1. n. [U] a fabric that is shiny and smooth on one side: a dress made of satinadj. very smooth: a table waxed to a satin finish -adv. satiny.
satire
satire
  1. n. [C;U] an artistic style, often humorous, that makes people, society, or ideas seem foolish or ridiculous: I read a satire that criticized the USA. -n. [C] satirist.
satirical
satirical
  1. adj. critical by showing the foolishness of people, society, or ideas, often with humor: The writer took a satirical look at rock music.
satirize
satirize
  1. v. [T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to criticize by showing the foolishness of people, society, or ideas, often with humor: A cartoon in the newspaper satirized the governor and his family.
satisfaction
satisfaction
  1. n.
    1 pleasure because of having enough: I get satisfaction from exercising every day.
    2 correction of s.t. wrong, payment of a debt: The television that I bought was damaged, so the store gave me satisfaction by giving me a new one.
satisfactory
satisfactory
  1. adj.
    1 good enough, acceptable: I would like to earn more, but my pay is satisfactory.
    2 not great, mediocre: His homework is only satisfactory, so I gave him a grade of C.
satisfy
satisfy
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make happy: She was satisfied with the new apartment.
    2 to meet wants or needs, get enough: She satisfied her hunger by eating a steak.||He satisfied his curiosity by asking lots of questions. -adj. satisfiable.
    THESAURUS
    satisfy
    1 to please s.o., content s.o.
    2 to fulfill, quench | gratify, appease.
saturate
saturate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates
    1 to soak s.t. with a liquid until no more can be absorbed: The rain is so heavy that it saturates the ground.
    2 fig. to be completely full of s.t.: He was saturated with alcohol; he was so drunk he could not walk.||That book is saturated with incorrect facts. -n. [U] saturation.
satyr
satyr
  1. n.
    1 (in mythology) a goat-like male with great sexual needs and powers
    2 a man with strong sexual needs,
    THESAURUS
    a lecher
sauce
sauce
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a flavored liquid poured over food: I love to eat chocolate sauce on vanilla ice cream.||My father puts butter sauce on his fish.
    2 infrml.fig. on the sauce: drinking many alcoholic beverages: He had four beers; he's on the sauce again.
saucer
saucer
  1. n.
    1 a small plate, usu. with a circular mark for holding a cup
    2 flying saucer: a spaceship (esp. an imaginary one): The little girl saw a movie about flying saucers from outer space.
saucy
saucy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest rude, (syns.) impertinent, insolent: He's a saucy child who's always arguing with his parents.
sauna
sauna
  1. n. a type of bath in which water is poured on hot rocks to make steam
saunter
saunter
  1. v. [I] to walk without hurrying: She had the whole afternoon to saunter around the neighborhood.
sausage
sausage
  1. n. [C;U] a round section of seasoned meat: We eat pork sausage for breakfast.
sauté
sauté
  1. v. [T] -téed, -téing, -tés (French for) to fry food quickly in hot oil or fat: I sautéed onions and garlic, then added a piece of chicken. -adj. sautéed.
savage
savage
  1. n.
    1 a wild, fierce person, often from a primitive society: The savages threw spears and killed their enemies.
    2 a person who acts wildly or badly: The murderer is a savage who should to go jail.adj.
    1 wild, untamed: Savage lions live in Africa.
    2 cruel,
    THESAURUS
    ferocious: The enemy planned a savage attack; many children were killed.
save
save
  1. v. saved, saving, saves
    1 [T] to prevent s.o. from being harmed: The little boy was drowning in the lake; a woman jumped in and saved him.
    2 [I;T] not to spend or use, to keep s.t., esp. money, for the future: I have saved all the photographs that I took when I was young.||I save a little money every month and put it in the bank.
    3 [I;T] to spend less than usual on s.t.: The shopper saved a lot of money by comparing prices.
    4 [T] to make s.t. unnecessary: You'll save a phone call later if you ask the question now.
    5 [I;T] (in computers) to keep newly added information in a file by using a "save" command: Please save the paragraph on your screen so it will not be lost.
    6 to save face: to stay dignified, lessen embarrassment: The poor student saved face with her rich classmates by always wearing nice, clean clothes.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to save on s.t.: to avoid wasting s.t.: Installing solar panels saves on energy costs.
    8 to save one's breath: to be quiet because talking is useless: We are definitely not going to the beach; save your breath and stop asking!
    9 slang to save one's skin or neck: to escape injury: His car crashed, but his seat belt saved his neck.
    10 to save s.t. for a rainy day: to keep s.t. or to save money for difficult times: The girl wanted to spend a dollar on candy, but her uncle told her to save it for a rainy day. See: penny, 4; stitch, 6.
savings
savings
  1. n.pl. money saved: I put my savings in the bank.
savings account
savings account
  1. n. a bank account that receives small interest payments: I put $600 in my savings account last year and earned 5 percent annual interest. See: bank account.
savings and loan association
savings and loan association
  1. n. a cooperative bank that takes in deposits as shares and makes mortgage loans on property
savings bank
savings bank
  1. n. a bank where one can open savings accounts and get loans, esp. on mortgages
savior
savior
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who saves s.o. else: This mayor has created jobs and helped the poor; she is the city's savior.
    2 cap. (in Christianity) Jesus Christ (usu. used with "the" or "our"): The minister said, "Our Savior died on the cross."
savoir faire
savoir faire
  1. n. (French for "to know what to do") the ability to do the correct thing, to know how to act in various situations: She showed her savoir faire by using the correct fork at a fancy dinner.
savor
savor
  1. n. usu.sing.[C;U] a good taste or smell: the savor of fine winev. [T]
    1 to taste and enjoy s.t.: I savored dinner last night; we had roast beef and good red wine.
    2 to appreciate and enjoy an experience: The baseball team savored their win.
savory
savory
  1. adj.
    1 having a good taste or smell: We love the savory smell of Thanksgiv-ing dinner.
    2 salty, not sweet: The shop sells savory meat pies and sweet fruit pies.
savvy
savvy
  1. adj.infrml. -vier, -viest smart, knowledgeable: Ask her to help you buy a camera; she's very savvy about photography.n. know-how, knowledge: That politician has a lot of savvy about how to talk to TV and newspaper reporters.
saw
saw
  1. v. [I;T] n.
    1 a tool or machine with a sharp, rough edge and handle used for cutting wood or metal: The man sawed some wood for the fire.
    2 old saw: an old, unoriginal idea: Don't believe the old saw "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." See: adage.
sawdust
sawdust
  1. n. the small pieces of wood that fall off s.t. that is being sawed: A little pile of sawdust formed under the log as the man sawed it in half.
saxophone
saxophone
  1. n. a musical horn, made of brass, with a reed in the mouthpiece, often U-shaped
say-so
say-so
  1. n. power to decide, authority: We want to hire a new salesperson, but we need the boss's say-so.
say
say
  1. v. said , saying, says
    1 [T] to express in words from the mouth: If you don't like me, then say it.
    2 [I;T] to express thoughts in writing or another nonspoken way: I said what I felt in a love letter.||Your eyes are saying you love me, too.n. [C;U] an opinion to express: I have a say in how much to spend; I think we should spend $90.
saying
saying
  1. n. a wise thought: There is a saying that "you can't teach an old dog new tricks."
    THESAURUS
    saying a proverb, maxim, adage.
scab
scab
  1. n.
    1 blood that dries and becomes hard on the skin: I cut my knee when I fell, and now there's a scab.
    2 a person hired to replace striking union workers: When the airline workers went on strike, the airline hired scabs to replace them. See: picket line, USAGE NOTE.
scads
scads
  1. n.pl.infrml. a lot of, many: My brother works on Wall Street and makes scads of money.
scaffold
scaffold
  1. n. a temporary frame with a place where people can sit or stand while working on a building: The painters stood on a scaffold near the third-floor windows. -n. [U] scaffolding.
scald
scald
  1. v. [T] to burn with hot liquid or steam: The hot water in the shower scalded me.
scalding
scalding
  1. adj. extremely hot: scalding oil
scale
scale
  1. n.
    1 [C] an instrument for weighing things: I weighed six apples on the scale.||According to the scale, I've lost four pounds.
    2 [C;U] a system of measurement or comparison: On a scale of 1 to 10, I rate this film a 7, quite good.
    3 [C] on a map, a small chart that shows the actual distance: The scale for this map is 1 inch equals 100 miles.
    4 [C] (in music) a set of notes with the same interval between each one: She played a C-major scale on the piano.
    5 [C] a section of the skin on a fish or a reptile: a fish scale
    6 on a large or small scale: in a big or small way: In a big city like New York, people think of life on a large scale.||The jeweler works on a small scale, with tiny tools.v. [T] scaled, scaling, scales
    1 to climb s.t.: Monica scaled the ladder and painted her house.
    2 to remove the skin of fish
    3 phrasal v.sep. to scale s.t. down: to reduce in size: When business is bad, companies scale down the number of workers.||They scaled them down.
    THESAURUS
    scale n.
    1 a set of scales | balance
    2 a ranking, a grading system
    3 a mileage chart | proportion.
scallop
scallop
  1. n. an edible shellfish with a curved-edge shell: Many people eat small bay scallops or large sea scallops in butter sauce.adj. a curved decorative edge: That chair has a beautiful scalloped design.
scalp
scalp
  1. n. the skin on the head, usu. covered with hair: Some shampoos make your scalp itch. —v. [T] to sell s.t. (esp. tickets) at a higher price than the original price: We couldn't go to the basketball game, so we scalped our tickets. -n. scalper.
scalpel
scalpel
  1. n. a very sharp surgical knife: With a scalpel, the doctor cut into the patient's leg.
scaly
scaly
  1. adj. -ier, -iest full of scales (as an animal or fish) -n. [U] scaliness.
scam
scam
  1. n. a plan to make money by deception or fraud,
    THESAURUS
    a swindle: They ran a scam where they burned cars and collected insurance money.
scan
scan
  1. n. usu.sing.
    1 a look at s.t. to see as much information as possible in a short time: I gave the menu a quick scan and chose the chicken.
    2 an examination of the inside of the body with a special machine: I have terrible headaches, so my doctor gave me a brain scan.v. scanned, scanning, scans
    1 [I;T] to look at s.t. and see as much as possible in a short time: I scanned the newspaper.
    2 [T] (in medicine) to do an examination of an inside body part with a special machine: The doctor scanned the patient's brain to look for damage after the accident.
scandal
scandal
  1. n. bad or embarrassing behavior (usu. of a famous person) and the reaction to it (publicity, etc.): The politician did not pay his taxes, and there was a scandal that lasted for months. -n. scandalmonger .
    THESAURUS
    scandal a disgrace, embarrassment.
scandalize
scandalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to offend with shocking or bad behavior: You scandalized your grandmother by wearing that little bathing suit.
scandalous
scandalous
  1. adj. causing shock or surprise: The man got drunk at the party and pushed people into the pool; his behavior was scandalous!
    THESAURUS
    scandalous outrageous, disgraceful, shocking.
scant
scant
  1. adj. not much, little: He gave scant attention to directions, so he got lost.
scapegoat
scapegoat
  1. n.v. [T] s.o. blamed or punished for the mistakes of s.o. else: The manager told people his secretary made an error that he had made himself; the manager used his secretary as a scapegoat. -n. [U] scapegoating.
scar
scar
  1. n.
    1 a mark left by a cut or wound after it heals: He had a scar on his cheek from a knife fight many years ago.
    2 a hurt left by emotional pain: My mother and father divorced, and I still feel the scars.v. [T] scarred, scarring, scars
    1 to have or leave a scar: She was scarred from the fire.
    2 left with emotional pain: He was scarred by his sister's death.
scarce
scarce
  1. adj. not available or plentiful: Water is scarce in the desert.
    THESAURUS
    scarce in short supply, scant, insufficient. Ant. abundant.
scarcely
scarcely
  1. adv. almost not, hardly: I can scarcely live on the money I earn.
scarcity
scarcity
  1. n. [C;U] -ties a very small or limited amount of s.t.: There is a scarcity of water in the desert.
scare
scare
  1. n. a frightening experience: The little boy had a scare when his sister locked him in a closet.v. [I;T] to cause fear, to frighten: The book about ghosts scared me.
scarecrow
scarecrow
  1. n. an object that looks like a person, made of old clothes and straw and used to frighten birds away from a farm or garden: Not many birds fly around our garden since we put up the scarecrow.
scarf
scarf
  1. n. scarves or scarfs a piece of cloth worn around the neck or on the head for warmth or decoration: In winter, some people wear wool scarves.||She bought a silk scarf to match her blouse.
scarlet
scarlet
  1. n.adj. a bright red color: We have yellow, white, and scarlet roses in our garden.
scary
scary
  1. adj. -ier, -iest causing fear, frightful: We were lost in the dark, and it was very scary.
scathing
scathing
  1. adj. harsh, severe: Try to be gentle; there is no need for scathing criticism.
scatter
scatter
  1. v. [I;T] to (make s.t.) go in all directions: The newspapers scattered in the wind. -n. [C] scattering.
    THESAURUS
    scatter to fly, disperse | distribute.
scatterbrain
scatterbrain
  1. n. a person who forgets things easily and can't focus on one idea: That scatterbrain left her plane ticket and eyeglasses at home. -adj. scatterbrained.
scavenge
scavenge
  1. v. [I;T] -enged, -enging, -enges to search for food or objects in s.t. dirty or thrown away: A rat scavenged for food in the garbage. -n. scavenger.
scenario
scenario
  1. n.
    1 a description of events that make up a general situation: The scenario of the play has a man and a woman falling in love in Africa.
    2 worst case scenario: the worst thing that can happen: My aunt feels sick; in the worst case scenario she has cancer.
scene
scene
  1. n.
    1 a. a piece of a film or play, usu. showing one situation: There is a very exciting chase scene in that movie. b. part of an act: Let's rehearse Act III, Scene 2.
    2 anger or embarrassing behavior, often in public: She made a scene at the party by drinking too much and falling into the swimming pool.
    3 a place where s.t. happens: the crime scene
    4 a view of s.t. especially from a specific place: She won a prize for her photo of a country scene.
    5 behind the scenes: a. offstage: The actor plays a nice man, but behind the scenes he is very cruel. b. in a less obvious or secret place: Not many people know what happens behind the scenes at the White House.
    6 to set the scene: to make ready, prepare: It is usually true that a happy childhood sets the scene for a happy future.
scenery
scenery
  1. n. [U]
    1 nature, such as trees, mountains, sky, etc., seen by s.o.: Each year, we vacation in the mountains and enjoy the scenery.
    2 the decorations on a theater stage: For this play, the scenery included a park bench, a trash can, and some painted trees.
    THESAURUS
    scenery
    1 a landscape, view
    2 a set, backdrop.
scenic
scenic
  1. adj. with a pleasing view of nature: The country road is very scenic in the autumn when the leaves are colorful.
    THESAURUS
    scenic picturesque | impressive, striking.
scent
scent
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a smell, usu. pleasant: The scent of flowers relaxes me.
    2 [C] a smell left by an animal or human: The dog followed the criminal's scent through the woods.v. [I;T] to fill with a smell, usu. pleasant: The room was scented with roses.
schedule
schedule
  1. n. a list of timed, planned activities or events: On the airline schedule, I saw that there was a flight to Osaka at seven o'clock.v. [T] -uled, -uling, -ules to plan activities by date and time: We scheduled meetings for each day of our business trip.
schematic
schematic
  1. n.adj. a drawing or diagram of s.t., usu. in detail: I did a schematic drawing of the electrical wiring in the house.
scheme
scheme
  1. n.
    1 an ordered arrangement, plan: The color scheme in the room is blue and yellow.
    2 a secret or dishonest plan,
    THESAURUS
    a plot: I think he had a scheme to cheat the customer.
    3 a plan of action: We have a scheme for finishing the job by Friday.v. [I] to plot, to plan s.t. secretly or dishonestly: She schemed about how to escape through an open window. -n. schemer; -adj. scheming.
schism
schism
  1. n. [C;U] a division (of opinion), separation: There is a schism in the company over where the new office should be built.
schizo
schizo
  1. n.pej. short for schizophrenic, a mentally ill person
schizophrenia
schizophrenia
  1. n. [U] a mental illness in which a person has trouble dealing with the real world and everyday life: My sister takes drugs for her schizophrenia so that life is happier for her. -n.adj. schizophrenic.
schlepp or schlep
schlepp or schlep
  1. v.slang (Yiddish for)
    1 [T] to carry s.t. in a tired way, (syns.) to drag, haul: Don't schlepp those bags all over town; leave them here.
    2 [I] to move in a tired, unwilling way: I have to schlepp all the way to the bus stop in the rain.n.
    1 a difficult or unwanted trip: I hate the schlep from Dallas to Houston.
    2 a lazy, slow person: You are such a schlepp; hurry up!
schlock
schlock
  1. n. [U] adj.slang (Yiddish for) bad-quality items, cheap things: That store sells schlock; everything breaks.
schmaltz
schmaltz
  1. n.slang [U] (Yiddish for) overly sentimental or sweet, esp. in music, literature, or art: He loves schmaltz, where everything has a happy ending and no one has any problems. -adj. schmaltzy.
schmooze
schmooze
  1. v.slang [I] schmoozed, schmoozing, schmoozes (Yiddish for) to talk informally,
    THESAURUS
    to chat: The two women schmooze and drink coffee everyday before they start working.
schmuck
schmuck
  1. n.slang (Yiddish for) a stupid, unlikable person, a jerk: He acted like a real schmuck on our date, so I won't go out with him again.
scholar
scholar
  1. n.
    1 a person of great learning, usu. in a particular subject: My teacher is a scholar of Shakespeare's writings.
    2 a student on a special scholarship: My brother was a Rhodes scholar in England.
scholarship
scholarship
  1. n.
    1 [U] study, learning, and knowledge: The professor is very wise and famous for his scholarship.
    2 [C] a loan or grant that pays for study: She got a $10,000 scholarship, so now she has enough money to go to college.
scholastic
scholastic
  1. adj. related to school or studying: Her athletic performance is better than her scholastic performance; she gets low grades. -adv. scholastically; -n. scholastics.
school
school
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a place for teaching and learning: I went to elementary school until I was 12.||His sister will get a car after she goes to driving school.
    2 [C] a group of ideas: He is a socialist; he belongs to that school of thought.
    3 [C] a group of fish: a school of tunav. [T] to teach s.o.: He was schooled in the family business.
schooling
schooling
  1. n. [U] education, learning: He doesn't have much schooling, but he taught himself to read.
schoolteacher
schoolteacher
  1. n. s.o. who teaches, usu. in a school for children: I remember all of my schoolteachers' names, although I have not seen them in many years.
sci-fi
sci-fi
  1. n. short for science fiction
science
science
  1. n.
    1 [U] facts and knowledge related to the natural world, such as biology, chemistry, or physics: That TV show on science has programs on gravity, energy, and space travel.
    2 [C;U] facts and knowledge of a particular type: social science||library science
scientific
scientific
  1. adj.
    1 ordered, precise (thought, methods, etc.): The new manager is scientific in his approach to solving problems.
    2 related to natural sciences: Space travel is a scientific advancement of the 20th century.
scientist
scientist
  1. n. a person who works in science: I want to be a scientist because I like biology and chemistry.
scintillate
scintillate
  1. v. [I] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to give off bits of fire, (syns.) to sparkle, shine
    2 to be funny, brilliant, animated: The party conversation scintillated as people told jokes and drank champagne. -adj. scintillating.
scissors
scissors
  1. n.pl. a tool for cutting with two blades and a handle held with two fingers: Hairdressers use scissors to cut people's hair.
scoff
scoff
  1. v. [I] to show negative opinions in a disrespectful way,
    THESAURUS
    to disdain: You scoffed at my ideas, but now you see I'm right. -n. scoffing.
scold
scold
  1. v. [I] to find fault with s.o., to tell s.o., in an angry way, that he or she did s.t. wrong: The teacher scolded the girl when she forgot her homework. -n. [C;U] scolding.
scone
scone
  1. n. a pastry that is like an American biscuit, often with currants or raisins baked into it: a blueberry scone
scoop
scoop
  1. n.
    1 a deep spoon used to hold an amount of s.t.: The man in the food store uses a scoop to pour coffee beans into a bag.
    2 slang the newest information, the current situation: What's the scoop? I heard that you have news for me.
    3 a news story that s.o. hears before anyone else: The New York Times was the first to publish the story; it got the scoop.v. [T] to pick up s.t. with a scoop or scoop-like object: At the beach I scooped up sand with my hand.
scoot
scoot
  1. v. [I]
    1 to move or leave quickly: I have to scoot now, or I'll miss my plane.
    2 to move while sitting: If you scoot over, I'll sit next to you.
scooter
scooter
  1. n.
    1 a two-wheeled motor vehicle, smaller than a motorcycle: I like to ride my scooter to work, because I can park in a small space.
    2 a child's toy, with two wheels, a handle, and a surface on which to stand and push oneself along
scope
scope
  1. n. [U]
    1 a view, a way of seeing: The company president thinks on a large scope; she thinks of everything.
    2 the limits or range of s.t.: Calculus is outside the scope of my math knowledge.
scorch
scorch
  1. n. a brownish mark caused by a burn or heat: The iron left a scorch on my dress.v. [I;T] to burn s.t. and cause a mark or damage: The fire scorched the walls of the house.
score
score
  1. n.
    1 a comparison of points between two people or teams: The final score in the soccer game was 3 to 2.
    2 the number of points made in a contest or test: The student has a score of 99 out of a possible 100.
    3 music on paper that shows all the instruments' parts: The violin player bought the score to a Beethoven symphony.
    4 the music played in a film or play: The score of the new movie uses a lot of jazz.
    5 a point made in a sport or game: Our team made three scores and won the match.
    6 fig. on that score: regarding that situation: You ask if my husband helps clean the house; on that score, he is fine.
    7 to keep score: to see and record the number of points made: She kept score with the help of a pen and paper.
    8 to know the score: to know what's happening, to be aware: She's lived a long time; she knows the score.
    9 to settle the score: to get even, seek revenge: The gangster's partner was injured by the rival gang: now he's going to retaliate and settle the score.v.
    1 [I;T] to make points in a sport or game: Our hockey team scored in the last minute of the game.
    2 [T] to make a line or holes in s.t. so it can be easily cut: He scored the paper in the middle and tore it in half.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to score s.t. out: to draw a line through s.t. to show it should be ignored: Please score out the incorrect answers.||Score them out. -n. [U] scorekeeping. See: cross, 9.
scoreboard
scoreboard
  1. n. a sign that shows the number of points each team has in a sporting event: The scoreboard shows that our team is winning, 2 to 1.
scorecard
scorecard
  1. n. a paper card with lines in which the scores of a sporting event are kept
scorn
scorn
  1. n. [U] a feeling of disrespect, expressed in a strong or angry way: The scorn in your voice shows that you think I'm stupid.v. [T] to reject or ignore s.o. or s.t.: She scorned my offer to help.
scorpion
scorpion
  1. n. a type of spider with poison in its long tail
scotch
scotch
  1. v. [T] to put an end to, to stop: to scotch a rumor (from spreading)
scoundrel
scoundrel
  1. n.frml. a bad and often dangerous person: British novels of the 19th century often have a character who is a good hero and one who is a scoundrel.
scour
scour
  1. v. [T]
    1 to clean by rubbing with a brush or rough material: to scour a pot
    2 to search a place thoroughly and in detail: We scoured the woods for a lost child.
scourge
scourge
  1. n. a cause of pain and trouble: The scourge of starvation hit the country when the crops failed.
scout
scout
  1. n.
    1 a person sent to collect information about a place: An army captain will send out scouts to see where the enemy is located.
    2 a person who looks for talented people: Joe is a talent scout in Hollywood.
    3 a member of the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts of America —v. [I;T]
    1 to look for and collect information: He scouts enemy armies.||We scouted around for a new car.
    2 to look for talented people -n. [U] scouting.
scowl
scowl
  1. n.v. [I] an angry frown, usu. forming wrinkles on the forehead: Her face went into a scowl when she saw the money was gone.||The child scowled when his father asked him to share the cookie.
scrabble
scrabble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to move quickly using fingers or claws, often when looking for s.t.: A rat scrabbled for the cheese.
scraggly
scraggly
  1. adj. -glier, -gliest not neat or fully grown,
    THESAURUS
    ragged: The teenaged boy had a scraggly beard.
scram
scram
  1. v.slang [I] to leave quickly: This concert is boring; let's scram.||The police are coming! Scram!
scramble
scramble
  1. v. -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 [I] to move or climb quickly, esp. on the hands and knees: The children scrambled up the hill quickly.
    2 [I] to move toward s.t. one wants: We scrambled for the head of the line.
    3 [T] to mix s.t. together: to scramble eggs
    4 [T] to make an electronic message difficult to see or understand: The television picture was scrambled.n. a struggle or fight: When the Titanic sank, there was a scramble to get on the lifeboats.
scrap
scrap
  1. n.
    1 [C] a small piece (of paper): Write your phone number on this scrap of paper.
    2 [C] uneaten, leftover food: We gave the dog the scraps from our plates.
    3 [U] n.adj. unwanted objects or parts that might be useful elsewhere: a car sold as scrap|| scrap metalv. [T] scrapped, scrapping, scraps
    1 to get rid of,
    THESAURUS
    to abandon: With the bad weather, we scrapped our plans for a vacation.
    2 to sell or get rid of an unwanted object: Our truck is so old that we scrapped it in a junkyard.
scrapbook
scrapbook
  1. n. a large book with empty pages on which one pastes photographs, newspaper stories, and other memories: Dad has a scrapbook of his days in the Navy.
scrape
scrape
  1. n.
    1 a mark on the surface of s.t. caused by rubbing against s.t. rough: The girl got a scrape on her knee when she fell on the sidewalk.
    2 a difficult situation, a minor fight: My little brother got a bloody nose in a scrape with an older boy.v.
    1 [I;T] to rub against s.t. rough and receive a mark or injury: I scraped my hand on the rusty doorknob.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to scrape s.t. up or together: to collect s.t., esp. money, with difficulty: He barely scraped together the rent money.||He scraped it together.
scrappy
scrappy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest liking to argue or fight,
    THESAURUS
    quarrelsome.
scratch
scratch
  1. n. -es
    1 a narrow mark in a surface, made by a sharp object: I made a scratch in the wall with a nail.
    2 a light wound in the skin: The little girl has a scratch on her hand from a pin.
    3 from scratch: a. from the beginning: He lost all his money; he had to start his life from scratch. b. (in cooking) with fresh ingredients: We like spaghetti sauce made from scratch, not from a jar.v. -es
    1 [I;T] to stop an itch by rubbing it with the fingernails: I scratched a mosquito bite.
    2 [I;T] to make a mark or sound with fingernails or claws: The dog scratched at the door.||The cat scratched my cheek.
    3 [T] erase or get rid of s.t.: I scratched my name from the list.
    4 to scratch the surface: to deal with only a small part of s.t.: Scientists have barely scratched the surface in their understanding of cancer.
scratch paper
scratch paper
  1. n. [U] paper that has been printed on one side and may be reused: My family saves scratch paper for writing telephone messages.
scratchcard
scratchcard
  1. n. a card covered with a waxy substance when scratched away with a coin reveals symbols used in gambling or as an incentive from retailers: Every Saturday I buy some scratch cards and check to see if I have won any money.
scratchy
scratchy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 with or able to cause scratches: scratchy bark on a tree
    2 sore, hoarse: I am sick; I have a headache, and a scratchy throat. -n. [U] scratchiness.
scrawl
scrawl
  1. n.v. [I;T] handwriting done quickly or messily: Your signature is a scrawl; I can't read it.||He scrawled his ideas on paper and typed them neatly later.
scrawny
scrawny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest extremely thin, with very little flesh on the bones,
    THESAURUS
    skinny: You are so scrawny; you look as if you haven't eaten in months.
scream
scream
  1. n.
    1 a loud, high cry of strong feeling (pain, fear, anger, etc.): She gave a scream when the man pulled out a knife.
    2 fig. s.t. very funny: The new film comedy is a scream.v. [I;T] to cry out with a high, loud voice in pain or fear: He screamed for help.||She screamed at him, "You stupid idiot!"
    THESAURUS
    scream n.
    1 a shriek, screech
    2 a riot fig. —v. to shriek, screech, yell.
screech
screech
  1. n. -es a loud, high sound from a voice or object: Tires give out a screech when you press the brake too quickly.||I let out a screech when I heard a noise in the night.v. [I;T] to cry out or make a loud, high sound: A racing car screeched around the corner. See: scream, shriek.
screen
screen
  1. n.
    1 a movable divider in a room, often painted with decorations: I undressed behind a screen in the bedroom.
    2 a fine wire net in a window or door to let in air but keep out dirt, insects, etc.: Our house is cooler with screens in the windows.
    3 an activity that hides another, usu. illegal, one: The drug dealer uses that restaurant as a screen for selling cocaine.
    4 the surface on which a film or television show is seen: a movie screen||a TV screen
    5 the film business: an actor on stage and screenv. [T]
    1 to protect, divide, or hide an area: The hat screened out the sun.
    2 to show a movie: They are screening a new movie at the theater downtown.
    3 to look carefully at s.o.'s good and bad qualities and background to see if he or she is right for an activity or job: The boss screened the new employee by calling her previous boss. -n. [C;U] screening.
screenplay
screenplay
  1. n. the script for a movie; like a play but written for film: A Hollywood producer asked the writer to put a car chase in the screenplay.
screw-up
screw-up
  1. n.slang
    1 a mistake or misunderstanding: He put the wrong addresses on 20 boxes; what a screw-up!
    2 slang a person who often makes mistakes See: screw, v., 6a.
screw
screw
  1. n. a small, nail-like object with spiral indents, put into wood or metal with a turning motion: The carpenter uses screws to put the table parts together.v.
    1 [T] to put a screw in s.t.: She screwed a shelf onto the bookcase.
    2 vulg. [T] to do wrong to s.o., esp. to cheat him or her: He really screwed his wife by divorcing her and leaving her with no money.
    3 phrasal v. slang [I] to screw around: to be playful, not serious,
    THESAURUS
    to fool around: My band isn't trying to be famous; we're just screwing around with guitars.
    4 phrasal v. vulg. [I] to screw off: to be lazy, (syns.) to goof off, to hang out: He has stopped looking for a job and screws off all the time.
    5 phrasal v. sep. slang to screw s.t. up: a. [I;T] to make a mistake: You really screwed up your life when you quit school.||You screwed it up. b. [I] to twist or distort a part of the face: The bitter medicine made him screw up his mouth.adj.
    1 slang to be (all) screwed up: to be in a state of confusion and difficulty: She lost her job, and her boyfriend left her; her life is all screwed up.
    2 infrml. to have one's head screwed on right: to be sensible, not to be silly or stupid: My sister will be a good mother, because she really has her head screwed on right.
    3 to have a screw loose or a loose screw: to act strangely, to be crazy: He must have a screw loose, riding a bicycle in his underwear!
    THESAURUS
    screw v.
    1 to attach, secure (with screws)
    2 to mess up s.o., to stiff s.o. slang | steal.
screwball
screwball
  1. n.adj.slang s.o. who acts strangely, a nut, eccentric person: She wears summer cloths during the winter; what a screwball!||We watched a screwball comedy from the 1930s.
screwdriver
screwdriver
  1. n.
    1 a tool for removing or putting in screws
    2 a mixed drink of orange juice and vodka: I'd like a screwdriver, and my friend would like a glass of white wine.
screwy
screwy
  1. adj.slang -ier, -iest
    1 confusing: These directions are screwy; I can't figure out where to go.
    2 crazy: That guy is screwy, so we never listen to his advice.
scribble
scribble
  1. v. [I;T] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to write or draw meaningless things: The little boy scribbled on the wall with a crayon.
    2 to write quickly and not neatly: I scribbled "eggs, milk, cheese" on the list.n.
    1 [C] meaningless writing or drawing: Save your scribbles; they may give you ideas later.
    2 [U] quick, messy handwriting: Can you read this scribble? I was in a hurry when I wrote it. -n. [U] scribbling.
scribe
scribe
  1. n. old usage a person who copies s.t. that is written, esp. before the invention of printing: A scribe in ancient Israel copied religious texts.
scrimp
scrimp
  1. v. [I]
    1 to keep or save money very carefully, to be frugal or stingy: He scrimps by counting every penny.
    2 to scrimp and save: to work very carefully, and sometimes for a long time, at saving money: We scrimped and saved for years before we bought a house.
scrimshaw
scrimshaw
  1. n. whalebone (ivory) with designs carved into it
script
script
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the written words for a speaker or actor (in a film, play, etc.): The actors memorized the script.
    2 [U] handwriting in which the letters are connected: He wrote a thank-you note in fancy script. See: print, v. 3.
scroll
scroll
  1. n.
    1 paper rolled into a circular shape: a valuable scroll of paper
    2 a curved design: The wallpaper has a pattern of dots and scrolls.v. [I] (in computers) to move quickly through a file: Scroll to the end of a document to see what I wrote on page 5.
scrooge
scrooge
  1. n. (from the character Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol) a selfish person with money, (syns.) a miser, tightwad: The boss is a scrooge; he pays his workers little and makes them work on weekends.
scrounge
scrounge
  1. n. s.o. who finds s.t. of value in very little,
    THESAURUS
    a scavenger: The artist is a scrounge who finds old bits of paper, rock, and metal and makes beautiful things from them.v. [I;T] scrounged, scrounging, scrounges to look for s.t. of value from any available source: He scrounged up money from his parents for a new computer.||I scrounged around for interesting things in my grandmother's attic.
scrub
scrub
  1. n.
    1 [C] a thorough washing, esp. rubbing with soap and brush: Once a week, I give my dog a scrub in the bathtub.
    2 n.adj. [U] small trees or bushes: a scrub pinev. [I;T] to wash by rubbing hard: Before dinner, I scrub the dirt off my hands. -n. [C;U] scrubbing.
    THESAURUS
    scrub v. to wash thoroughly, scour.
scruffy
scruffy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest poorly dressed, perhaps dirty or needing a shave or haircut: You look scruffy; use this razor and buy some new clothes.
scruples
scruples
  1. n. [C;U] principles of personal conduct that stop you from doing s.t. wrong: I have scruples about taking personal favors from suppliers to the company.
scrupulous
scrupulous
  1. adj.
    1 attentive to detail and correctness: Marta does her work with scrupulous efficiency.
    2 having scruples: Manuel keeps the business records with scrupulous honesty.
scrutinize
scrutinize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nized to look at s.t. carefully and closely, examine: We scrutinized the vase to see if there were cracks in it.
scrutiny
scrutiny
  1. n. [U] the act of looking closely and carefully, examining: The woman gave the car close scrutiny before she decided to buy it.
scuff
scuff
  1. n.v. [T] a rough mark on s.t., esp. a shoe: I have a scuff or scuff mark on my shoe.||I scuffed my shoes on the sidewalk.
scuffle
scuffle
  1. n.v. [I] -fled, -fling, -fles a brief fight without serious injury: The two men got into a little scuffle outside the bar.
sculptor
sculptor
  1. n. an artist who makes non-flat art with stone, metal, and other substances: A sculptor carved a statue of his lover in a piece of stone. -v. [I;T] sculpt.
sculpture
sculpture
  1. n. [C;U] threedimensional art made of stone, metal, or other objects: I walked around that sculpture of a ballet dancer by Degas.
scum
scum
  1. n. [U]
    1 a very thin layer of s.t., usu. impure, on the surface of a liquid: You can't see the bottom of the pond through the scum.
    2 slang a bad, evil person or group of people: That man is scum; he lies to everyone.
scurrilous
scurrilous
  1. adj. using or containing very bad language: The angry radio announcer said scurrilous things about unmarried teenage mothers.
scurry
scurry
  1. v. [I] -ried, -rying, -ries to move quickly, often fearfully,
    THESAURUS
    to scuttle: When the child's father yelled, she scurried away.
scuttle
scuttle
  1. v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [T] to sink a ship by making holes in it: The captain scuttled his enemy's ship off the coast, and divers found it years later.
    2 [I] to move quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to scurry: A rat scuttled into the shadows.
scuzzy
scuzzy
  1. adj. slang -zier, -ziest dirty, disgusting: That guy never takes a bath; he's scuzzy.
sea
sea
  1. n.
    1 [C] a body of salt water, smaller than an ocean: The Caspian Sea is between Europe and Asia.
    2 [U] the part of the earth covered with water (opposite of land): We traveled over land and sea.
    3 [C] usu. sing. a large group of people or things: We saw a sea of people in the square.
    4 to be at sea: a. to be on a boat in open water: The ship is at sea now; it left port two days ago. b. fig. to be in doubt, emotionally lost: The young man is at sea about what to do with his future.
    5 to be on the high seas: open water: The ship is in the mid-Atlantic on the high seas.
seafood
seafood
  1. n. [U] food (fish, lobster, seaweed, etc.) from the ocean or other body of water: We learned to fish so we can catch our own seafood.
seal
seal
  1. n.
    1 part of a lid or opening that must be broken or torn off to reach inside a container: We broke the seal on the new aspirin bottle.
    2 a tight, perfect closure: The tube had a seal so air couldn't escape.
    3 symbols or words pressed into wax, clay, paper, etc. to show that s.t. is approved or official: We have a letter with the prince's seal.
    4 a brown water animal with flippers that lives in cold areas: They saw many seals off the coast of Alaska.
    5 seal of approval: permission or agreement of s.o.: My parents gave their seal of approval to my living alone.v. [T]
    1 to close s.t. firmly: Please seal the envelope and mail it.
    2 to reach final agreement: We sealed a plan to build five new houses.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to seal s.o. or s.t. in: to prevent from escaping: The prison seals in inmates from 8 P.M. to 8 A.M.||It seals them in.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to seal s.t. off: to keep an area secure and not let anyone in or out: The police sealed off the area where the burglary happened.
    THESAURUS
    conclude.
seam
seam
  1. n. the line where two pieces of cloth are sewed together: There was a rip in the seam of his shirt.
seamless
seamless
  1. adj.fig. without mistakes, completely logical: Your plan of escape is seamless; you will get out with no problem.
seaport
seaport
  1. n. an area with a harbor for ships and businesses, such as fishing and shipbuilding: Boston, Hong Kong, and Miami are major seaports.
sear
sear
  1. v. [T] to cook the surface of s.t., esp. meat, over a hot fire: She seared the beef for one minute, and then served it with rice.
search
search
  1. n. -es the action of looking for s.t.: I made a search for my lost sock in the laundry room.v. -es
    1 [I;T] to look for s.t.: They searched three towns for the boy who ran away.||She searched the newspaper to find the weather report.
    2 Search me!: I don't know: Why is she leaving? Search me!
search engine
search engine
  1. n. a computer program that searches the Internet for information on websites: I use Google™ as my search engine.
search warrant
search warrant
  1. n. written, legal permission for the police to search a place where a crime may have happened: The police officer arrived with a search warrant, so we had to let her in.
searching
searching
  1. adj. detailed and careful,
    THESAURUS
    penetrating: The police officer asked us many searching questions about the car accident. See: soul-searching.
searchlight
searchlight
  1. n. a strong, movable lamp used for seeing at a distance in the dark: The searchlight on the police car sent a beam of light through the dark woods.
seashell
seashell
  1. n. the hard, outer covering of water animals, such as clams and oysters: The little children collected pretty seashells on the beach.
seashore
seashore
  1. n. [U] the area of land next to the sea, usu. with a beach: We enjoy going to the Florida seashore for vacation because we like sailing and swimming.
    THESAURUS
    seashore coast, shore, seacoast.
seasick
seasick
  1. adj. dizzy with an upset stomach caused by the motion of a boat: Half the passengers got seasick when it stormed. -n. [U] seasickness.
season
season
  1. n.
    1 a three-month period: Summer and fall are her favorite seasons.
    2 a time for a certain activity: In some states the hunting season begins September 1.v. [I;T]
    1 to add spices or flavoring to food: We season our vegetables with a little salt and garlic.
    2 to age s.t. properly: to season wood for lumberadj. in season: available because of the time of year: Here, tomatoes are in season in August.
seasonable
seasonable
  1. adj. about normal (weather) for a season: Cold temperatures are seasonable in winter.
seasonal
seasonal
  1. adj. depending on the time of year: In December, shops sell sea-sonal items like Christmas wreaths and tree decorations.
seasoned
seasoned
  1. adj.
    1 flavored with spices: My friend cooks highly seasoned meals, full of pepper.
    2 aged,
    THESAURUS
    matured: His grandfather is a seasoned fisherman; he's been doing it all his life. See: season.
seasoning
seasoning
  1. n. [U] spices and other flavoring added to food: This spaghetti has no taste; add a little seasoning.
seat
seat
  1. n.
    1 a place to sit (a chair, sofa, bench, etc.): We had great seats in the front row at the theater.||Come on in and have a seat.
    2 the buttocks area: the seat of his pants
seating
seating
  1. n. [U] the availability and arrangement of seats (chairs, etc.): The classroom has seating for hearing-impaired students in the first row.
secede
secede
  1. v. [I] -ceded, -ceding, -cedes to remove oneself, withdraw, usu. by a legal act: In the 1860s, Southern states wanted to secede from the unified nation. -n. [U] secession.
secluded
secluded
  1. adj. hidden from sight, apart from others: We drove to a secluded spot in the country and had a lovely picnic. -v. [T] seclude.
seclusion
seclusion
  1. n. [U] privacy, withdrawal from human contact: When his mother died, the artist went into total seclusion.
second-guess
second-guess
  1. v. [T] to look back on an act and suggest a different way to do it, usu. in a critical way: I sold our car for $5,000, and my wife second-guessed me by saying it was worth $7,000.
second-hand
second-hand
  1. adj. used by s.o. else before: We bought a second-hand car that had 25,000 miles on it.
second-hand smoke
second-hand smoke
  1. n. [U] cigarette or other tobacco smoke that may cause cancer in non-smokers: Though Anna never smoked cigarettes, she developed lung cancer from her husband's second-hand smoke.
second-rate
second-rate
  1. adj. less good,
    THESAURUS
    inferior: The painter did a second-rate job on our apartment, so we had to hire a better painter.
second class
second class
  1. n. (in travel) a less expensive part of a train, plane, etc.: We like to travel in second class and use our money for nice hotels.adj. second-class: less good, inferior: The snobby waiter treated us like second-class citizens.
secondary
secondary
  1. adj. of lesser importance: My job is of secondary importance (or) is secondary to my health.
secrecy
secrecy
  1. n. [U] keeping information or knowledge private or hidden: The plan was discussed quietly and in secrecy.
    THESAURUS
    secrecy confidentiality | concealment, stealth. Ant. openness.
secret
secret
  1. adj.n. information or knowledge kept from others: Your secret is safe; I won't tell anyone.||I write my private thoughts in a secret diary.
secretary
secretary
  1. n.
    1 a person who works in an office, word-processing, filing, answering phones, and doing other jobs for a boss: She asked her secretary to type a letter.
    2 the person in an organization whose job is to write down important information in meetings, and write and send correspondence: As the tennis club secretary, I send the results of our matches to the newspapers.
    3 the head of a government department: The Secretary of Transportation wanted to build more highways.
secrete
secrete
  1. v. [T] -creted, -creting, -cretes to come out of a living thing in liquid form: The maple tree secreted sap.
secretion
secretion
  1. n. [C] a liquid that comes out of s.t., usu. a living thing: The veterinarian cleaned the secretions from around the wound of the hurt animal.
secretive
secretive
  1. adj. acting in a way to keep information or knowledge hidden or private,
    THESAURUS
    clandestine: The couple was secretive about their relationship at work.
sect
sect
  1. n. a group, usu. religious, that has separated from a larger, original organization: There are many sects of Christianity.
section
section
  1. n. [C] a piece or part of s.t.: They live in the section of town near the railroad station.||Would you like a section of this orange?||I read the sports section of the newspaper.
sector
sector
  1. n.
    1 a division of land for a certain purpose: a military sector
    2 a division of society: Nhu Trin worked for five years in the government sector; now she works in the private (business) sector.
secular
secular
  1. adj. not religious: They sent their child to Sunday school, because they felt a secular education was not enough.
secure
secure
  1. adj.
    1 protected from danger or harm: He feels secure in the locked apartment.
    2 not able to be opened or broken, closed tightly: The jail was secure, with iron bars and a high fence.
    3 sure, confident: She is secure in knowing that her parents love her.v.frml. [T] -cured, -curing, -cures
    1 to obtain: Chin-peng secured a job with a Taiwanese company in New York.
    2 to make a building or area safe: He secured the office before leaving it for the night.
security
security
  1. n.
    1 [U] -ties protection from danger or loss: The owner put two locks on every door for better security.||Job security is not part of an actor's life.
    2 [U] confidence in one's emotions and abilities: Good physical and mental health give her a strong sense of security.
    3 pl. stocks and bonds: Her company buys and sells securities.
    4 [U] people who help keep buildings and other areas safe: airport security
security deposit
security deposit
  1. n. a payment made to s.o., often a landlord, and returned if all conditions of the sale or lease are met: We got back our security deposit because we didn't damage the apartment.
sedan
sedan
  1. n. a car with two or four doors and a trunk: My parents own a Ford sedan. See: station wagon, SUV.
sedative
sedative
  1. n. a drug to make s.o. calmer or less nervous: The doctor gave a sedative to the screaming, crying woman. -n. [U] sedation.
sedentary
sedentary
  1. adj. related to sitting, not physical activity: His sedentary lifestyle includes working at a desk all day and watching television at night.
sediment
sediment
  1. n. [C;U] usu. sing. tiny pieces of rock, sand, dirt, food, etc., that collect at the bottom of a liquid: I washed the sediment out of my wine glass.
seduce
seduce
  1. v. [T] -duced, -ducing, -duces to persuade or convince a person to do s.t., often sexual, against his or her wishes, using sexy behavior and false promises,
    THESAURUS
    to lure: She refused to kiss him, but he finally seduced her with candlelight dinners and an offer of marriage. -n. seducer.
seduction
seduction
  1. n. [C;U] the process and act of persuading or convincing s.o. to do s.t., often sexual, against his or her wishes: The seduction of power makes some people want to be President.
seductive
seductive
  1. adj. tempting,
    THESAURUS
    alluring: That chocolate ice cream is very seductive, but I'm on a diet.||He has a seductive smile.
see-through
see-through
  1. adj. able to be looked through (usu. clothing), (syns.) sheer, transparent: That yellow scarf is see-through, making her blue blouse appear green.
seed
seed
  1. n.
    1 the part of a plant that is put into the ground and grows into another plant: We bought grass seed for the lawn.||If you plant these seeds, they will grow into beans and corn.
    2 frml. beginning, origin: My father planted the seed of an idea, and my sister started a business from that idea.
    3 a man's semen, sperm —v. [T] to sow or plant seed: We seed our lawn in the early spring.
    THESAURUS
    seed n.
    1 a grain, kernel
    2 a basis, germ.
seed money
seed money
  1. n. money used to start a business: My parents and friends loaned me seed money to start a restaurant. See: startup.
seedy
seedy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest bad or dirty, (syns.) squalid, shabby: The seedy bar was full of drunken, unwashed people.
seek
seek
  1. v. sought , seeking, seeks
    1 [I;T] to look for s.o. or s.t.: The police are seeking a woman in a blond wig and a blue dress.
    2 [T] to request: We don't know what to do, so we will seek our father's advice.
    3 [T] to try to get or win: I am seeking love and happiness in my life.
seem
seem
  1. v. [I] to appear to be: He seems like a successful businessman with his nice suit and big office.||She fell and hit her head, but she seems to be all right now.
    THESAURUS
    seem to strike s.o. as being | look like s.o. or s.t., sound like, feel like.
seeming
seeming
  1. adj. appearing obvious or true, but maybe not so: His seeming reaction was happiness, but I think the smile hid tears.
seep
seep
  1. v. [I] (for a liquid) to flow slowly through s.t., to ooze: Water is seeping through cracks in the ceiling. -n. [U] seepage.
seesaw
seesaw
  1. n. a children's plaything, a piece of wood balanced on a bar, where a person sits on each end to move up and down —v. [I] to be indecisive, not able to decide: He seesawed between buying a car or a truck.
seething
seething
  1. adj. extremely angry, trembling with rage: The boy is seething with anger and will hit anyone who comes near. -v. seethe.
segment
segment
  1. n.
    1 a separate piece, a section of s.t.: a line segment||a segment of a grapefruit
    2 a part of a radio, television, or musical work: We listen to the radio news segment on every day from 5:00 to 5:10.v. [T] to divide into segments -adj. segmented.
segregate
segregate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates
    1 to separate, put apart: I segregated the older children from the babies.
    2 to separate or isolate people according to race: In my city in the 1950s, the law segregated whites and blacks. -n. [U] segregation. See: apartheid, USAGE NOTE.
seismic waves
seismic waves
  1. n. shock waves caused by an earthquake
seize
seize
  1. v. [T] seized, seizing, seizes
    1 to take s.t. and hold it with force: I seized his arm so he couldn't run away.
    2 to take by force or by law,
    THESAURUS
    to confiscate: The bank seized my house because I couldn't make the mortgage payments.
seizure
seizure
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of taking s.t. by force or by law: the seizure of property
    2 [C] a physical attack from a sickness or disease, such as heart failure or epilepsy: The man had a seizure; he stopped breathing and started shaking.
seldom
seldom
  1. adv. not often, infrequently: I seldom go to the theater; I go two to three times a year.
    THESAURUS
    seldom rarely, hardly ever.
select
select
  1. adj. special, high quality: The director chose a select group of dancers for the ballet.v. [T] to choose, to single out specific people or things: The woman selected a pasta dish from the menu.
    THESAURUS
    select adj. elite, choice, hand-picked. —v. to pick, opt for s.t.
selection
selection
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of things from which to choose: The candy store had a selection of chocolates and fruit drops.
    2 [C;U] a choice: I looked at the various books in the library and made a selection of a mystery and a romance.
    THESAURUS
    selection
    1 a variety, range, offering
    2 a pick.
selective
selective
  1. adj. very careful when making a choice,
    THESAURUS
    choosy: The company is selective when hiring workers; they want the best people.
self-absorbed
self-absorbed
  1. adj. interested only with one's own business and personal interests, not with other people: Karen is so self-absorbed; she never asks me questions about my life. See: self-centered.
self-abuse
self-abuse
  1. n. [U] behavior that is bad or harmful to one's body: He smokes three packs of cigarettes a day; that's a lot of self-abuse.
self-actualized
self-actualized
  1. adj. knowing what is right for oneself, sure of one's strengths and weaknesses: That self-actualized woman has used all of her life experiences to make the best choices in work and love.
self-analysis
self-analysis
  1. n. [U] a look inside one's own mind to learn about one's feelings and actions: Self-analysis helped me understand why I am unhappy.
self-appointed
self-appointed
  1. adj. put by oneself into a job or situation: No one wanted the job of club president, so Mr. Park became its selfappointed president.
self-assured
self-assured
  1. adj. confident: She studied math in college, so she is self-assured about teaching it.
self-aware
self-aware
  1. adj. knowing what one's feelings and actions mean: He doesn't need a psychologist because he is very self-aware.
self-centered
self-centered
  1. adj. not interested in others, concerned with oneself: He always talks about himself and never asks about me; he is self-centered.
self-confident
self-confident
  1. adj. sure that one's actions are good and right: He has a self-confident way of speaking, with a strong voice and definite opinions. -n. self-confidence.
    THESAURUS
    self-confident self-assured, secure, unafraid. Ant. hesitant.
self-conscious
self-conscious
  1. adj. uncomfortable in one's own body, awkward and shy: The selfconscious boy tried to hide his bad teeth with his hand.
self-contained
self-contained
  1. adj.
    1 (person) not showing strong emotions, calm, controlled: She talks in a quiet, sure way; she is very self-contained.
    2 (thing) complete, able to work by itself: The answering machine is self-contained in the telephone; you don't need to buy a separate answering machine.
self-control
self-control
  1. n. [U] the ability to manage one's emotions and actions: He drank too much and lost self-control; he started yelling and cursing.
self-deception
self-deception
  1. n. [U] the act of thinking the wrong thing about oneself, fooling oneself: It was self-deception for the clumsy boy to think he was a good athlete.
self-defeating
self-defeating
  1. adj. related to acting in an unwise way, against one's own best interests: It is self-defeating to leave school now; you will need the education.
self-defense
self-defense
  1. n. [U] the act of protecting oneself from harm: The police officer acted in self-defense when he shot the woman who tried to shoot him.
self-denial
self-denial
  1. n. [U] the act of limiting or not buying things one wants, showing willpower: You showed great self-denial in not getting that beautiful shirt; I know you want it.
self-destruct
self-destruct
  1. v. [I] to destroy oneself or itself when in a harmful state or no longer useful: Some rockets self-destruct when they go out of control.
self-destructive
self-destructive
  1. adj. related to doing harmful things to oneself: It is self-destructive to take drugs and drive a car.
self-discipline
self-discipline
  1. n. [U] the ability to work hard without needing s.o. else to make it happen: My parents don't have to tell me to practice my flute; with self-discipline, I practice every day. -adj. self-disciplined.
self-doubt
self-doubt
  1. n. [U] a feeling of not being sure or confident about one's abilities: After the runner lost several races, he was full of self-doubt about winning the next time.
self-educated
self-educated
  1. adj. taught by oneself without teachers: He left school when he was 12, but he reads all the time and is self-educated.
self-employed
self-employed
  1. adj. related to working in a business owned by oneself: She has been self-employed since she started that computer company years ago. -n. [U] self-employment.
self-esteem
self-esteem
  1. n. [U] a feeling of liking oneself, a sense of self-worth: When she got a better job, her self-esteem improved.
self-evident
self-evident
  1. adj. obvious: It is self-evident from your loose clothes that you have lost weight.
self-explanatory
self-explanatory
  1. adj. needing nothing more to be understood, clear: We do not need to ask her how to bake the cake; the recipe is self-explanatory.
self-expression
self-expression
  1. n. [U] showing one's own personality and beliefs, esp. in an artistic way: She loves to paint as a form of self-expression.
self-fulfilling prophecy
self-fulfilling prophecy
  1. n. s.t. that happens because s.o. thinks or predicts it will: If you keep saying you will fail biology, it will become a self-fulfilling prophecy and you probably will fail.
self-gratification
self-gratification
  1. n. [U] the act of pleasing oneself by buying or doing what one wants: She worked very hard Monday through Friday, then slept late on weekends as self-gratification.
self-help
self-help
  1. adj. of or about improving oneself with little or no outside aid: I don't like going to psychologists, so I read self-help books when I have a problem.
self-important
self-important
  1. adj. a feeling that one is very special and important,
    THESAURUS
    arrogant: The self-important king made everyone bow down to him.
self-improvement
self-improvement
  1. n. [U] the process of making oneself better (through study, hard work, changing one's appearance, etc.): Many seek self-improvement by learning a new sport or a new language.
self-incriminating
self-incriminating
  1. adj. related to words and actions that make oneself likely to receive punishment: The thief dropped his driver's license at the scene of the robbery; it was self-incriminating evidence. -n. [U] self-incrimination.
self-indulgent
self-indulgent
  1. adj. buying or getting whatever one wants for oneself,
    THESAURUS
    hedonistic: That self-indulgent girl buys a new pair of shoes every week. -n. [U] self-indulgence.
self-inflicted
self-inflicted
  1. adj. caused by oneself: selfinflicted pain
self-interest
self-interest
  1. n. [U] the attitude or act of doing what is best for oneself, sometimes without thinking of others: He offered to buy the poor old lady's house to help her, but he acted in his own self-interest by offering her a small amount of money for it.
self-involved
self-involved
  1. adj. concerned more with one's own emotions, work, health, etc., than with other people's: Don't be so self-involved; remember your friends have problems too.
self-made
self-made
  1. adj. successful because of one's own effort, not because of money or help from others: He is a self-made millionaire who grew up in a poor family.
self-perpetuating
self-perpetuating
  1. adj. capable of continuing to exist by its or one's own power: A forest is self-perpetuating; more trees grow every year on their own.
self-pity
self-pity
  1. n. [U] the sense of feeling sorry for oneself: He was full of self-pity when he lost his job and couldn't find another one.
self-portrait
self-portrait
  1. n. a picture or painting of an artist, done by that artist: One impression of what Van Gogh looked like is from his many self-portraits.
self-possessed
self-possessed
  1. adj. showing self-control, calm,
    THESAURUS
    poised: It is good to be with a self-possessed person when the house is on fire.
self-preservation
self-preservation
  1. n. [U] the feeling or act of staying alive or keeping oneself out of danger: Self-preservation made her jump out of the burning building.||I had to lie to keep my job; it was an act of self-preservation.
self-proclaimed
self-proclaimed
  1. adj. said by oneself (to be s.t.): Napoleon crowned himself emperor; he was the self-proclaimed ruler of much of Europe.
self-protection
self-protection
  1. n. [U] precautions taken to guard oneself against harm or loss: We have special locks on our doors and an alarm system for self-protection against burglars.||Our company demands payment in advance for new customers as self-protection against unpaid bills.
self-realization
self-realization
  1. n. [U] the act of reaching one's potential, knowing oneself fully: He had a sad childhood, but through self-realization, he became a normal adult.
self-reflection
self-reflection
  1. n. [U] the act of thinking about oneself and one's life: She did well in business, but through self-reflection, she decided she would like teaching better. -adj. self-reflective.
self-regulating
self-regulating
  1. adj. related to controlling or governing itself or oneself, with little outside help: Doctors make rules within their national society; they are a self-regulating professional group. -n. [U] self-regulation.
self-reliant
self-reliant
  1. adj. able to take care of oneself without outside help: She is elderly but quite self-reliant, as she does all of her own cleaning and shopping. -n. [U] self-reliance.
self-respect
self-respect
  1. n. [U] pride in oneself, knowing oneself to be a good person: He had greater self-respect when he went back to school and earned a high school diploma.
    THESAURUS
    self-respect self-esteem, a sense of dignity.
self-restraint
self-restraint
  1. n. [U] control over one's emotions and actions: I was angry, but I showed self-restraint by not yelling.
self-revealing
self-revealing
  1. adj. about showing itself or oneself, becoming obvious: He tried to keep his drug habit secret, but it became selfrevealing in his red eyes and shaking hands.
self-righteous
self-righteous
  1. adj. overly sure that one is right, (syns.) moralizing, sanctimonious: She sounds very self-righteous when she says, "You should listen to me; I know all the answers." -n. [U] self-righteousness.
self-rule
self-rule
  1. n. [U] self-government: Russia is under self-rule now, no longer part of the USSR.
self-sacrificing
self-sacrificing
  1. adj. related to ignoring one's own needs and pleasures so that others may have more: The self-sacrificing mother never buys anything for herself; she gives everything to her children. -n. [U] self-sacrifice.
self-satisfaction
self-satisfaction
  1. n. [U] a feeling of having done well at s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    smug: That proud, rich man gets self-satisfaction out of his big house.
self-satisfied
self-satisfied
  1. adj. (perhaps overly) content with oneself,
    THESAURUS
    smug: You are so selfsatisfied, but other people don't think your life is perfect.
self-seeking
self-seeking
  1. adj. acting just for oneself, not for others, (syns.) selfish, greedy: My selfseeking cousin calls me only when she needs money.
self-serving
self-serving
  1. adj. about acting just for oneself, not for others,
    THESAURUS
    selfish: The self-serving man seems nice, but he wants to be friends only if you can help him.
self-starter
self-starter
  1. n. s.o. who can do things by him- or herself and who can work without a boss,
    THESAURUS
    a self-motivated person: If you hire self-starters, you can leave them alone and do your own work.
self-styled
self-styled
  1. adj. created or described by oneself, often without the necessary background or skills,
    THESAURUS
    self-appointed: He is a self-styled lawyer, but no one knows if he really went to law school.
self-sufficient
self-sufficient
  1. adj. able to meet one's own needs without outside help, independent: The old man is self-sufficient; he has his own apartment and knows how to cook. -n. [U] self-sufficiency.
self-supporting
self-supporting
  1. adj. able to earn enough money, not needing outside help: We have two grown children; they both have jobs and are self-supporting. -n. [U] self-support.
    THESAURUS
    self-supporting self-sufficient, independent, earning one's own money. Ant. dependent.
self-sustaining
self-sustaining
  1. adj. able to continue existing or working under its or one's own power without outside help: Trees keep growing, so the forest is self-sustaining.
self-taught
self-taught
  1. adj. without formal schooling or lessons, self-instructed: She is a self-taught pianist; she never had any lessons.
self-will
self-will
  1. n. [U] the feeling that one must do whatever is necessary and not be influenced or affected by others: The President's self-will makes him stand alone in difficult situations against his wife and the Vice President.
self
self
  1. n. selves
    1 [C;U] an entire person having his or her own character: You showed your best self in helping the old people.
    2 [C] part of a person's character: I will return to my old self after I take my medicine.
    3 self- prefix related to oneself See: self-absorbed, etc.
selfish
selfish
  1. adj. concerned with oneself more than others, not sharing: Your selfish brother took all the ice cream and left us none. -n. [U] selfishness.
    THESAURUS
    selfish self-centered, self-absorbed | inconsiderate. Ant. generous.
sell
sell
  1. v. sold , selling, sells
    1 [I;T] to make a sale, to take money in exchange for a product or service: I'll sell you my CD player for $150.||The book sold well.
    2 [I;T] to be for sale: A pound of broccoli sells for $1.29.
    3 to sell one's soul to the devil: to do s.t. (usu. bad) that creates a good or easy situation now, but that will cause pain or difficulty later: She sold her soul to the devil when she married the cruel man only for his money.
    4 to sell oneself: to talk about one's skills, to make oneself look good: I really have to sell myself in this job interview.
    5 to sell s.o. on s.t.: to make s.t. seem like a good idea or a smart choice: We sold my mother on getting a dog because it can protect the house.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to sell s.o. or s.t. out: a. to have no more of s.t. to sell, to be all out: The store sold out (or) is sold out of bread, but it still has muffins. b. to do s.t. more for money than for one's own happiness: The painter sold out when she got a job in an office. c. s.o.: to betray: The company sold out their employees by lowering salaries.
    7 to sell s.o. short: to think s.o. is not good, smart, etc., without giving him or her a chance: Don't sell that man short; he is shy and quiet, but he has wonderful ideas.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to sell s.t. off: to get rid of s.t., usu. by offering it at a lower price: He sold off his college texts after graduation.||He sold them off.
seller
seller
  1. n.
    1 a person or business that takes money in exchange for s.t.: The store is a seller of clothes.||The seller wants $400, but the buyer wants to pay only $300.
    2 bestseller: a product or service that sells very well: Hemingway wrote many bestsellers.
    THESAURUS
    seller
    1 a store, merchant, dealer | vender.
selling
selling
  1. n. [U]
    1 amount of sales taking place: There is heavy selling in the real estate business now.
    2 the job or act of asking s.o. to buy s.t.: Selling is his job with the company.
selling point
selling point
  1. n. s.t. good about a product or service, used when making a sale or in advertisements: The safety of this car is a selling point with couples who have children.
sellout
sellout
  1. n. 1 an event for which no more tickets are left: The rock concert was a complete sellout on the day that tickets went on sale.
    2 an agreement to do s.t. against moral principle: The owner agreed to sell the business to his employees, but sold it to a competitor instead, thereby putting them all out of work; it was a sellout.
seltzer
seltzer
  1. n. [U] water to which carbonation (bubbles) has been added: I drank a glass of seltzer with a slice of lime in it.
semantic
semantic
  1. adj. of or about meaning in language: "Good-bye" and "See you later" have a small semantic difference.
semantics
semantics
  1. n.pl. used with sing. v.
    1 the study of meanings of words: Cheryl studied semantics to understand her own language better.
    2 the meaning of words: Both lawyers are talking about the same thing in different words; it is a matter of semantics.
semblance
semblance
  1. n. usu. sing. an appearance (that may not be real or true): I was sad, but my face had the semblance of a smile.
semen
semen
  1. n. [U] in a man's body, the thick, white liquid that carries sperm and comes out of the penis during sex: A doctor tested the man's semen to see if he could become a father.
semester
semester
  1. n. half of the school year: I took intermediate German in the fall semester and advanced German in the spring semester.

    USAGE NOTE: In the academic year, many colleges and universities have two terms called semesters. Some colleges operate on quarters or trimesters (three terms). Semester is often used interchangeably with the word term.
semicircle
semicircle
  1. n.
    1 half a circle
    2 people or things in an arc shape: The children stood in a semicircle around their teacher.
semicolon
semicolon
  1. n. the punctuation mark (;)
semiconductor
semiconductor
  1. n. a silicon electronic device
semifinal
semifinal
  1. n.adj. the next to final game or match in a sporting event: The two winners of the semifinals will play against each other for the championship.
seminal
seminal
  1. adj. original, important for the future: Thomas Jefferson's writings were seminal to the growth of democracy.
seminar
seminar
  1. n. a meeting or short course on a specific topic: I attended a two-day seminar on Native American art at the University of Arizona.
seminary
seminary
  1. n. -ies
    1 a school for religious study: A friend of mine went to a seminary to become a priest.
    2 a private school, often for girls: My grandmother did not go to public school, but to a young ladies' seminary.
semiprecious
semiprecious
  1. adj. of less value than a precious gem: semiprecious stones
semiprivate
semiprivate
  1. adj. occupied usu. by two people: Would you like to pay for a private hospital room, or is a semiprivate room OK?
semiretired
semiretired
  1. adj. working less or part-time after retirement: She is semiretired; she still works two days a week.
semiyearly
semiyearly
  1. adj. twice a year: a semiyearly dentist appointment See: biannual.
senate
senate
  1. n. a group of people in government, with the power to make laws: The U.S. Senate meets in Washington, DC. -adj. senatorial.
send-off
send-off
  1. n. a good-bye party: Her friends gave her a good send-off before she left for South America.
send-up
send-up
  1. n. a funny imitation of s.t. or s.o.: The actors did a send-up of old movies from the 1920s.
send
send
  1. v. [T] sent , sending, sends
    1 to cause to go or move: Each week, I send a letter to my parents in England.
    2 to cause s.o. to go somewhere: I am sending my son to college.
    3 infrml.slang to send s.o: to cause happiness or pleasure: Her beauty really sends me.
    4 phrasal v. insep. to send away for s.t.: to order by mail: She sent away for flower seeds from a magazine.
    5 phrasal v. insep. to send for s.o. or s.t.: to ask for s.o. to come,
    THESAURUS
    to summon: My boss sent for me.||She sent for a taxi.
    6 phrasal v. sep. to send s.o. away: to make s.o. leave: I sent away a stranger who knocked at my door.||Send him away.
    7 phrasal v. sep. to send s.o. or s.t. down: to cause to fall, decline: His mistake sent our company's profits down.||It sent them down.
    8 phrasal v. insep. to send s.o. into s.t.: to cause emotion: The good news sent her into shouts of joy.||The sad news sent her into tears.
    9 phrasal v. sep. to send s.t. out: to distribute, usu. from a central location: They sent out their fall catalogue.||They sent it out.
    10 phrasal v. sep. to send s.o. or s.t. up: a. slang s.o.: to send to prison b. s.o. or s.t.: to cause to rise: The sinking ship sent up a flare.
senile
senile
  1. adj. mentally damaged from old age: The old man cannot think clearly now because he is senile.
senility
senility
  1. n. [U] mental damage caused by old age: Her senility makes it difficult to remember her grandchildren's names.
senior
senior
  1. n. adj.
    1 abbr. Sr.: the father of a son with exactly the same name: John Page Borden, Sr., is the father, and John Page Borden, Jr., is the son.
    2 s.o. higher than another in rank or longer in length of service: She is senior to the others in the company, because she has worked here the longest.
    3 an older person: His sister is eight years his senior.
    4 in the USA, s.o. in the last (usu. fourth) year of high school or college: Mr. Yamamoto's son is a senior in high school and about to graduate. See: freshman, USAGE NOTE.
senior citizen
senior citizen
  1. n. an old person, s.o. usu. over 60 years old: My great-aunt can get cheaper bus tickets because she is a senior citizen.
    THESAURUS
    senior citizen a retiree, an elderly person.
seniority
seniority
  1. n. [U] the state of being higher in rank or longer in length of service: He has seniority, because he has been with the company longer than the others have.
sensation
sensation
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a physical feeling: I sat on my foot, and now I have no sensation in it.
    2 [C] a less definite feeling in the body: When she watched the film, she had the sensation that she was in a moving car.
    3 [C] excitement, great interest: The book on the politician's private life caused quite a sensation.
sensational
sensational
  1. adj.
    1 very interesting or exciting: The new play is sensational; you should see it!
    2 exciting in a negative way, often with wrong information: I read a sensational story about a nine-year-old mother.
    THESAURUS
    sensational
    1 fantastic, spectacular | stimulating
    2 unbelievable, exaggerated.
sensationalism
sensationalism
  1. n. [U] real or imagined events that cause great excitement or interest: The news item about the escaped prisoner was sensationalism; they caught him immediately, and there is no danger.
sense
sense
  1. n.
    1 [C] a meaning or significance: I looked up the sense of a difficult word in The Newbury House Dictionary.
    2 [C] one of the five feelings of the body—sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch: the five senses||He smokes so many cigarettes that he has lost his sense of taste.
    3 usu. sing. [C] a physical feeling: She doesn't sleep enough, so she always has a sense of fatigue.
    4 a strong but unclear feeling: a sense of danger, a sense of not belonging
    5 [U] intelligence, good judgment: If you had any sense, you would get a better job.||It shows good sense to save money.
    6 a talent or ability (usu. one that s.o. has naturally or from birth): Roberta has a good sense for business; she invested $10,000 last year and now has $50,000.||a sense of balance (humor, honor, etc.)
    7 [U] a general understanding: The new boss has a sense of what is happening in the business.||The student has a sense of what the professor is saying.
    8 common sense: an ability to be sensible or act intelligently without special knowledge: Show some common sense; stay home if you're sick.
    9 in a sense: in a way, sort of: I write many letters and keep a journal, so in a sense I'm a writer.
    10 in what sense?: in what way, using which meaning?: "This rice is hot!" "In what sense, heat or spices?"
    11 sixth sense: a feeling without actual proof: His sixth sense told him that something was wrong, and sure enough, his car had been stolen. See: gut, adj.
    12 to come to one's senses: a. to get back one's physical senses: She fell and fainted, but soon came to her senses. b. to stop doing foolish things, become wiser: Too much beer and wine was ruining his life; he finally came to his senses and stopped.
    13 to make sense: a. to be understandable: Talk slowly; you're not making sense! b. to be wise, to do the right thing: It makes sense to take the train; it's faster.
    14 to make sense of s.t.: to understand s.t. with effort or time: I can't make sense of this poem, but perhaps I will if I read it again.
    15 to take leave of one's senses: to act in a crazy way: Have you taken leave of your senses? Don't put your hand in the lion's cage!v. [T] sensed, sensing, senses
    1 to feel s.t. physically: When the knife cut his finger, he sensed a sharp pain.
    2 to be aware of: We sense the tension in the room.||He sensed her love.
    3 to understand: She senses the meaning of your words.
senseless
senseless
  1. adj.
    1 unconscious: The fighter hit the other man and knocked him senseless.
    2 without good reason, cruel, stupid: Stealing from small children is a senseless act.
sensibility
sensibility
  1. n. [U]
    1 the ability to feel things physically: A dog has great sensibility in its nose; it can smell things miles away.
    2 the ability to feel emotions and understand ideas well: To be a counselor or psychiatrist requires great sensibility. See: sensitivity.
sensible
sensible
  1. adj. acting wisely: You were sensible to wear boots in the mud.
    THESAURUS
    sensible reasonable, sound | practical, rational. Ants. silly, foolish.
sensitive
sensitive
  1. adj.
    1 sore or uncomfortable to the touch: He hurt his ankle, and it is still sensitive.
    2 easily hurt or affected emotionally: That sensitive child cries when someone frowns.
    3 able to sense or feel in a stronger than normal way: His skin is sensitive to wool.||This film is sensitive to light.
    4 needing care or tact, likely to cause strong emotion: Abortion is a sensitive topic.
sensitivity
sensitivity
  1. n. [U]
    1 soreness, physical discomfort: My throat has sensitivity because I coughed all night.
    2 the state of being easily hurt or affected emotionally: She has great sensitivity; she always cries at sad movies.
    3 the ability or state of feeling or sensing in a stronger than normal way: My sensitivity to dust makes me sneeze.||The radio's sensitivity lets me receive stations from far away.
    4 great care or tact, so as not to cause unpleasant emotion: The politician showed sensitivity to people of other races.
sensor
sensor
  1. n. a machine for sensing (heat, movement, light, etc.): A motion sensor makes a light go on when people come to the door.
sensory
sensory
  1. adj. related to feeling or the senses: heat as a sensory perception
sensual
sensual
  1. adj. related to physical feeling, esp. sexual pleasure: She thinks the feeling of silk on her skin is very sensual.
sensuality
sensuality
  1. n. [U] bodily pleasures, esp. sexual ones: He is a man of strong sensuality who likes to give and receive back rubs.
sensuous
sensuous
  1. adj. related to pleasure as perceived by the senses: sensuous music|| sensuous poetry
sentence
sentence
  1. n.
    1 (in grammar) a thought expressed in words, usu. with a subject and verb, and, when written, beginning with a capital letter and ending with a period, exclamation point, or question mark
    2 the punishment given by a court: a prison sentencev. [T] -tenced, -tencing, -tences to give a punishment: to sentence a criminal to 20 years in jail
sentencing
sentencing
  1. n. [U] the act of describing punishment by a judge: The sentencing of the robber will take place in one month.
sentiment
sentiment
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an emotional feeling: When our grandmother died, we remembered her life with strong sentiment.
    2 an opinion, usu. affected by some emotion: What are your sentiments about having children?
sentimental
sentimental
  1. adj.
    1 emotional, not practical: The ring is ugly, but it has sentimental value, because my wife gave it to me.
    2 containing very great emotion, perhaps too much: The novel has scenes full of love and loss; it is so sentimental!
    THESAURUS
    sentimental
    1 nostalgic
    2 mushy, maudlin.
sentimentality
sentimentality
  1. n. [U] great feeling or emotionality, perhaps too much: The music is full of sentimentality, with lots of sad violin music.
separate
separate
  1. adj.
    1 apart: He and his wife sleep in separate beds.
    2 different from s.t. else: The cost of making the product and the cost of selling it are two separate issues.v. [I;T] -rated, -rating, -rates to move s.t. apart or away from s.t. else: We separated the salad forks from the dinner forks.||My wife and I separated a year ago. -adv. separately.
separation
separation
  1. n. [C;U] s.t. that divides or separates, the act of separating: The fence makes a separation between the two yards.||The couple have a legal separation and live apart.
separator
separator
  1. n. a divider: We built a separator to close off the kitchen from the living room.
sequel
sequel
  1. n.
    1 a novel, film, etc., that continues the story of a previous one: The author's second novel is a sequel to her first one.
    2 another event in a series: May flowers are the sequel to April showers.
sequence
sequence
  1. n.
    1 [C] a continuing and connected series of acts (events, steps, etc.): There was a sequence of events leading up to the robbery.||You have to follow a sequence of commands to use a computer.
    2 [U] an order of things: Please put your checks in sequence by number.
sequential
sequential
  1. adj. in order, one by one: The steps for putting this toy together are sequential; you must do 1 before 2. -adv. sequentially.
sequester
sequester
  1. v. [T]
    1 to put apart, (syns.) to segregate, isolate: The judge sequestered himself in his office to think about the law.
    2 to keep from outside contact: He sequestered the jury in the jury room and sent food in.
serenade
serenade
  1. n. a love song, played or sung outside at night: My husband sang me a serenade under a summer moon.v. [T] to sing love songs to s.o.: The lover serenaded his lady beneath her window.
serendipity
serendipity
  1. n. [U] s.t. good that happens by chance, luck: It was serendipity that I found a 10-dollar bill on the street.
serene
serene
  1. adj.
    1 (of a place) very calm, peaceful: The lakes in Maine are serene on hot summer mornings.
    2 (of a person) unworried, peaceful: After she told him that she loved him, he became serene with relief and happiness.
serenity
serenity
  1. n. [U] calmness, peace: He is not afraid to die; he feels serenity at the end of his life.
sergeant
sergeant
  1. n. a low-level officer in the Army, Air Force, or Marines, or on a police force
serial
serial
  1. adj. related to an ordered group of things or events: The serial number on my car is H3963966.n. part of a larger story: TV soap operas are serials; the action continues the next day.
series
series
  1. n.
    1 a group of similar things or events: We heard a series of gunshots: three in a row.
    2 a television show: He acted in a TV series before he became a movie star.
    THESAURUS
    series
    1 a sequence, succession
    2 a program.
serious
serious
  1. adj.
    1 thoughtful and quiet, humorless: He is a serious man who works hard and doesn't smile.
    2 important: I have a serious business matter to discuss with you.||AIDS is a serious illness.
    3 willing to act, sincere: I am serious about getting married.
sermon
sermon
  1. n.
    1 a speech given by a religious leader: The sermon last Sunday was about Moses and his teachings.
    2 a lecture, usu. critical: My father gave me a sermon about saving money.
serpent
serpent
  1. n.frml.
    1 a snake
    2 the Devil (who appeared as a snake in the Garden of Eden) -adj. serpentine.
serum
serum
  1. n. [C;U] -rums or -ra the watery part of an animal's blood, often used in immunizations against disease: serum for snake bites
servant
servant
  1. n. a person who is paid to do household jobs: One servant polished the silver, and another prepared the tea.
serve
serve
  1. v. served, serving, serves
    1 [I;T] to act or function as: This table can serve as a desk.
    2 [I;T] to act as a servant, clerk, server, etc.: The waitress served me coffee.
    3 [I;T] to be in public office: The mayor served four years.
    4 [I;T] to put a ball into play: to serve in tennis
    5 [T] (in law) to give officially: A sheriff served a summons on the woman to appear in court.
    6 to serve s.o. right: to be the right punishment for s.t.: The little boy hurt his hand when he hit his brother; it served him right.
    7 phrasal v. sep.slang [T] to serve s.t. up: to offer: The cook served up some delicious pie.||He served it up.n. the opening hit that puts a ball in play in court games (tennis, volleyball, etc.): Her serve went over my head. See: service; serving.
    THESAURUS
    serve v.
    1 to work as, be used as
    2 to bring | wait on s.o.
    3 to hold (public) office. serve v. served, serving, serves
    1 to act or function as: This table can serve as a desk.
    2 to act as a servant, clerk, server, etc.: The waitress served me coffee.
    3 to be in public office: The mayor served four years.
    4 to put a ball into play: to serve in tennis
    5 (in law) to give officially: A sheriff served a summons on the woman to appear in court.
    6 to serve s.o. right: to be the right punishment for s.t.: The little boy hurt his hand when he hit his brother; it served him right.
    7 phrasal v. sep. slang to serve s.t. up: to offer: The cook served up some delicious pie. || He served it up. _n. the opening hit that puts a ball in play in court games (tennis, volleyball, etc.): Her serve went over my head. See : service; serving
server
server
  1. n.
    1 a person who serves: a food server
    2 the player who puts the ball into play in court games (tennis, volleyball, etc.)
    3 the part of a computer that stores and serves information on command

    USAGE NOTE: A server or waitperson may be a man or a woman. More and more, these terms are used in place of waiter and waitress.
service
service
  1. v. [T] -iced, -icing, -ices
    1 to keep a machine in good working order: The mechanic services our car every three months.
    2 to provide goods and services: We service our customers with a smile and a "thank you."
    3 to make payments on a loan: to service a debtn.
    1 [U] the care of a machine to keep it in good working order: When our oven broke, we called a repairman for service.
    2 [U] general attention to customers' needs in a business (store, restaurant, etc.): The service at our favorite restaurant is excellent; the waiters are quick and polite.
    3 [C;U] a specific service: room service at a hotel
    4 [U] government work (when used with "the," meaning the armed forces): Our nephew is in the service, the army.||His mother is in public service; she works for the U.S. Department of Education.
    5 [U] a service paid for with money: bus service, electric service
    6 [C;U] a good deed, favor: You did me a good service by driving me to work.
    7 [C] religious worship: Our temple has a service on Friday night.
    8 [U] (in law) the delivery of a legal document: a service of a summons
    9 [U] loan payments: The debt service on our company's loan is very large each month.
    10 [C] (in tennis, volleyball, etc.) the act of putting a ball in play: It's your service.
    11 at your service: here to help you: Let me finish my own work, and then I will be at your service.
    12 in service or out of service: working or not working: The elevator is out of service today; take the stairs. Tomorrow, it will be back in service.
    13 of service: useful, helpful: A dictionary is of service when you are learning a new language.||May I be of service and carry those bags?
    THESAURUS
    service v.
    1 to do maintenance, check s.t.
    2 to serve
    3 to pay, usu. monthly.
service charge
service charge
  1. n. an additional cost for s.o.'s help: The tickets were $25, plus a service charge of $3.
service station
service station
  1. n. a gas station, a car repair shop that sells gasoline and oil: There are service stations located off the main highway.
serviceable
serviceable
  1. adj. usable: The lawn mower is serviceable since I filled it with gas.
serviceman
serviceman
  1. -men , -women / n.
    1 a person who fixes a machine that is broken: The refrigerator stopped working, and I called a serviceman to come fix it.
    2 a member of the military
serviceman
serviceman
  1. , servicewoman -n. -men , -women
    1 a person who fixes a machine that is broken: The refrigerator stopped working, and I called a serviceman to come fix it.
    2 a member of the military
servile
servile
  1. adj. acting like a servant, (syns.) subservient, humble: He bowed and was servile to the prince.
serving
serving
  1. n. a portion of food put on a plate: a serving of meat
servitude
servitude
  1. n. [U] a state of having no freedom, slavery: Many black people lived in servitude until the end of the U.S. Civil War.
session
session
  1. n.
    1 a meeting or other activity within a specific time period: a one-hour exercise session||the fall session (a semester in school)
    2 in session: working, active: The U.S. Congress is in session until the summer.
set
set
  1. n. [C]
    1 a group of related objects: a set of silverware||a set of golf clubs
    2 a group of similar people or friends: We like her; she is in our set.
    3 a group of ideas: a strong set of values
    4 a machine for watching or listening: a TV set||a stereo set
    5 scenery in a theater: a stage set
    6 a particular number of games (in sports such as tennis)
    7 the position of a body part: the set of her chin||the set of his shoulders. See: jet set. —adj.
    1 hardened: The glue is set on my toy airplane, so now I can fly it.
    2 agreed upon, decided: We now have a set time for the meeting.
    3 ready: Get set to leave now.
    4 not likely to change one's mind, determined: She is set on studying physics in college.
    5 all set: prepared: We have our tickets and our bags are packed, so we are all set for our vacation.||All set? OK, let's begin.
    6 set in one's ways: not easy to change, stubborn: My mother won't learn how to use a computer; she's set in her ways. set n.
    1 a collection | kit
    2 a (social) circle, clique
    3 an array, a bunch infrml.
    4 an apparatus
    5 a backdrop
    7 an angle, thrust. —adj.
    1 fixed, firm
    2 fixed, firm, definite, established. Ant. variable.
    3 prepared | primed
    4 firm about, definite about. Ant. undecided. —v.
    1 [T] to put or place s.t.: I have set the vase in the center of the table.
    2 [I] to become firm or hardened: The gelatin has set, so we can eat it now.
    3 [T] to put a machine to a certain position: Set the radio dial to 98.9 FM.||Set the clock for 5:30 A.M.
    4 [T] to decide and agree upon s.t.: We have set the price at $10.||She set a date for the picnic.
    5 [T] to put in place (a goal, a record, a fashion): I have set a goal for myself to become an accountant.||Teenagers set the new fashion trend.
    6 [T] to get s.t. ready: set the table||set the stage
    7 [T] to fix or hold in position: She set my hair with hair spray.||This stone is set in the necklace.
    8 [I] to go below the horizon: The sun set in the west.
    9 [T] to cause s.t. to begin to happen: She set the house on fire.||set a pot to boil.||set a dog to barking.
    10 ready, set, go! or get ready, get set, go!: phrase used to start a timed event, such as a race
    11 to have one's mind or heart set on s.t.: to want s.t. so much that nothing will prevent getting it (using "heart" gives it a more emotional meaning): He has his mind set on arriving on time.||She has her heart set on buying a new car.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [T] to set about s.t.: to begin an action: I set about planning the trip this morning.
    13 to set foot in: to go in, enter: I hate that restaurant; I will not set foot in the place!||I smelled onions cooking the minute I set foot in the house.
    14 phrasal v. insep. to set forth s.t.: a. frml. [T] to express formally: The judge set forth the law in a long speech. b. frml. [I] to begin: The king set forth on a long journey.
    15 to set free: to make free, let out,
    THESAURUS
    to liberate: We caught a butterfly in a net, but later we set it free.
    16 phrasal v. [I] to set in: to move in: She was not feeling well; then a high fever set in.||The fog had set in, so we could not see the road.
    17 phrasal v. insep. [T] to set off from s.o.: to show s.o.'s difference: She is the oldest woman, so that sets her off from the others.
    18 to set out: to leave on a trip: He then set out on a two-week trip.
    19 to set a precedent: to do s.t. that can be used as an example in the future: The owner refused to buy the sales manager a car, because that would set a precedent and others would then want one.
    20 to set sail: to leave by ship: We set sail tomorrow on a 10-day cruise.
    21 phrasal v. insep. [T] to set s.o. or s.t. against s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to cause two people to disagree: An argument about their child set one parent against the other. b. s.t.: to place s.t. against s.t.: I've set the broom against the wall.
    22 phrasal v. sep. [T] to set s.o. or s.t. apart: to cause to be different or distinct: Her intelligence sets her apart from other workers.
    23 to set s.o. or s.t. back: a. s.o.: to cost s.o. money: That new car set him back $25,000. b. s.t.: to move a date back, lose time: The extra work set back the schedule a month.||It set it back.
    24 phrasal v. sep. [T] to set s.o. or s.t. off: a. s.o.: to cause great anger: Don't tell the boss the bad news; it will set her off. b. s.t.: to cause to explode: The boy set off a firecracker.
    25 phrasal v. insep. [T] to set s.o. or s.t. on s.o. or s.t.: to cause to attack: The woman set her dogs on the thief, and they chased him off.
    26 to set s.o. or s.t. straight: to correct a wrong idea: He thought he could get good grades without studying, but the teacher set him straight.
    27 phrasal v. sep. [T] to set s.t. aside: a. to stop acting on s.t.: He set aside the book until he had time to read it.||He set it aside. b. to keep or save for later: The parents set aside money each year for their children's education.
    28 phrasal v. sep. [T] to set s.t. down: a. to put s.t. down: He set down the bag.||He set it down. b. to put in writing: The writer set down her thoughts in a journal.
    29 to set store by: to have confidence in: You can set great store by what he says; he's honest.
    30 to set a trap: to try to catch s.o. or s.t.: The farmer sets traps to catch rabbits in his field.
    31 phrasal v. sep. [T] to set up: a. to get ready, arrange: She set up chairs and tables for the party. b. to fool, trick s.o.: The police had an undercover agent invite the criminal to a hotel for a phony buy; they set him up.
setback
setback
  1. n. s.t. that causes a return to an earlier place or situation: We had to turn back when the road ended; it was a setback in the trip.||Getting fired was a setback in his career.
setting
setting
  1. n.
    1 [C] a place for an event or a story: The company chose a California hotel as a good setting for its yearly meeting.||The setting for the movie is a small town in Ohio.
    2 [C] the area or surroundings: The beach is a peaceful setting.
    3 [C] the part of a piece of jewelry that holds a gem: the setting for a ruby
    4 [C] silverware and plates arranged on a table: five place settings for five dinner guests
settle
settle
  1. v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [I;T] to come to agreement: We settled the details of the contract and signed it.
    2 [I] to go to the bottom: The sand settled at the bottom of the lake.
    3 [I] to move in, to make a home: Our family came from Russia and settled in New Jersey.
    4 [I] to become comfortable: I settled into my chair and picked up a book.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [I] to settle down: a. s.o.: to establish residence in a place: Their family settled down in the Midwest and began farming. b. s.o. or s.t.: to become calm: The country was at war, but life there finally settled down.||Settle down, children; you're making too much noise!
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to settle for s.t.: to accept s.t. (usu. less than what was wanted): He wanted $2,000 for his car, but settled for $1,500.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to settle in: to get used to a new place: The kids settled in to their new school quickly.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to settle up: to pay s.o. money owed, to make things even: Let's settle up; I'll pay you for the drinks you bought.
settlement
settlement
  1. n. a small, new town or area where a group of people has decided to live: Many large Midwestern cities started as settlements in the 1800s.
settler
settler
  1. n. a person who moves to and stays in a new, growing area: The original settlers in the Midwest built towns and planted corn.
setup
setup
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.]
    1 a situation meant to catch or trap s.o.: You told me to meet my cousin at noon, but she wasn't there; it's a setup!
    2 the way a place or situation is arranged: This is not the usual setup; they moved the table and chairs.
seven
seven
  1. n. the cardinal number 7 —adj. 7 of something: seven lemons
seventeen
seventeen
  1. n. the cardinal number 17 —adj. 17 of something: seventeen years old
seventy
seventy
  1. n. the cardinal number 70 —adj. 70 of s.t.: He is seventy years old.
sever
sever
  1. v. [T]
    1 to cut apart: He fell under a train, and it severed one of his legs.
    2 to cut off, to stop an activity: The government severed relations with the other country, and it led to war. -n. [U] severance.
several
several
  1. adj. a few, more than two: Several people saw the accident, not just you.||The hotel is several miles away, so let's drive.
    THESAURUS
    several a number of, quite a few.

    USAGE NOTE: Several describes a number greater than two but fewer than many. It is used for countable nouns: several books on the table||several friends.
severance pay
severance pay
  1. n. [U] money paid by a company to workers when they leave or are fired: She received two months of severance pay, so she can take some time finding another job.
severe
severe
  1. adj.
    1 very strong: The severe storm blew down a tree.
    2 serious, dangerous: She has a severe case of the flu.
    3 strict: The owner gives a severe frown to anyone who is late. -adv. severely.
severity
severity
  1. n. [U]
    1 strength (of s.t. bad): I couldn't walk because of the severity of the pain.
    2 seriousness: The severity of the issue called for intense discussion.
    3 strictness: The teacher treats her students with severity; they have homework every night and a quiz every week.
sew
sew
  1. v. sewed or sewn , sewing, sews
    1 [I;T] to put together with a needle and thread: I lost a button, and I sewed a new one on.||She sews her own dresses.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to sew s.t. up: a. to fix or mend a piece of clothing: She sewed up a hole in her skirt.||She sewed it up. b. infrml. to come to an agreement, to end: We worked on the plan for months and sewed it up this morning. c. to control completely,
    THESAURUS
    to monopolize: Our competitior has that market sewed up; we can't break in.
    THESAURUS
    sew
    1 to stitch | tailor.
sewage
sewage
  1. n. [U] waste and liquid that goes from toilets to pipes underground
sewer
sewer
  1. n. the tunnels and pipes that carry sewage
sewing
sewing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of sewing: I like knitting better than sewing.
    2 things to be sewed: She keeps her sewing in a basket.
sewing machine
sewing machine
  1. n. an electrical machine that works by pressing one's foot on a pedal and that makes sewing faster
sex
sex
  1. n.
    1 the state of being male or female,
    THESAURUS
    gender: What sex is the new baby?
    2 to have sex: to have sexual intercourse —adj.
    1 related to being male or female: sex differences
    2 related to sex: sex education
sex appeal
sex appeal
  1. n. [U] the sexual attractiveness of a person: Most men think that beautiful actress has a lot of sex appeal.
sexless
sexless
  1. adj.fig. not giving off any sexual feeling: That guy is totally sexless; I can't imagine him kissing any woman.
sexpot
sexpot
  1. n.infrml. a person who has a lot of sex or who gives off strong sexual feelings: Look at that smile; what a sexpot!
sexual
sexual
  1. adj. related to sexuality: The couple has a strong sexual attraction for each other.
sexual intercourse
sexual intercourse
  1. n. the act of having sex,
    THESAURUS
    copulation
sexuality
sexuality
  1. n. [U]
    1 sexual life and experience: The doctor studied human sexuality and learned about male and female attitudes toward love and sex.
    2 the quality of being sexual: A person of strong sexuality can send messages with the eyes.
sexually transmitted disease
sexually transmitted disease
  1. See: STD.
sexy
sexy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 causing desire, (syns.) erotic, seductive: She thought he looked sexy in his bathing suit.
    2 attractive, interesting: She drives a sexy new sports car.
shabby
shabby
  1. adj. -bier, -biest
    1 worn, often not clean: He looks shabby in his old clothes and dirty shoes.
    2 falling apart, dirty: a shabby apartment building
    3 disrespectful, bad: You were late and forgot to bring a gift to the party; what shabby behavior! -adv. shabbily.
shack
shack
  1. n. a small house or shed, usu. of wood and not well built: The strange old lady lived in a tiny shack in the woods.phrasal v. slang [I] to shack up: to live together or have sex without being married: They shacked up for a few months before the wedding, sharing her house.
    THESAURUS
    shack n. a hut, shanty.
shackle
shackle
  1. n. a metal chain and ring locked to s.o.'s hands and legs to prevent escape: The prisoner was put in shackles and led slowly away.v. [T] -led, -ling, -les
    1 to place s.o. in shackles: She was shackled so she couldn't run.
    2 fig. to prevent s.o. from doing s.t.: I cannot help you with your work; my boss has me shackled.
shade
shade
  1. n.
    1 [U] an area that does not receive sunlight: The sun is so hot; let's move into the shade under the tree.
    2 [C] a color that is only slightly different from a basic one: Which shade of yellow do you like, lemon or gold?
    3 [C] a window covering for privacy and to lessen the amount of light: I lowered all of the window shades so people couldn't see in.
    4 [C] a very small amount: a shade of differencev. [T] to keep from light: The big tree shades the house from the sun.
shading
shading
  1. n. [U] darkness that helps show depth in a picture: The shading in the painting made the sea look very real.
shadow
shadow
  1. n.
    1 the dark shape formed when s.o. or s.t. blocks the sun or other light: The houses made long shadows in the late afternoon.||At night, scary people or things hide in the shadows on city streets.
    2 afraid of one's own shadow: easily frightened, very timid: That nervous dog is afraid of his own shadow.
    3 to cast a long shadow: to have great potential influence: The power of the Arab states casts a long shadow over the oil business.v. [T]
    1 (in art) to color in dark areas
    2 infrml. to follow s.o.: A police officer shadowed the suspect through the dark streets. -adj. shadowy.
shady
shady
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 out of the sunlight: It's too hot in the sun; let's go under the tree where it is shady.
    2 bad or dishonest: The stranger who offered me a ride from the airport looks like a shady character.
    THESAURUS
    shady
    1 cool, sheltered
    2 suspicious, questionable, crooked.
shaft
shaft
  1. n.
    1 a round, metal bar that turns, giving power in a long section of machinery: the drive shaft of a truck
    2 the stem of a plant: a shaft of wheat
    3 a hollow tube or tunnel: a mine shaft
    4 a ray of light: a shaft of sunlight
    5 n.v.vulg. [T] to give s.o. the shaft: to cheat or ignore s.o.: You gave him the shaft when you promised to meet him at 10:00 and never showed up.||His boss shafted him when she gave a raise to everyone but him.
shag
shag
  1. n. [U]
    1 a loose, rough, messy texture in fabric or hair: a shag rug||a shag haircut
    2 a hopping dance —v. [T] shagged, shagging, shags
    1 (in baseball) to run after balls and throw them back into play
    2 to catch fly balls in practice
shaggy
shaggy
  1. -gier, -giest adj. with rough, messy hair or fur: a dog with a shaggy coat
shake
shake
  1. v. shook , shaken , shaking, shakes
    1 [I;T] to make quick, repeated, back-and-forth movements: I shook the sand out of the towel.||An earthquake makes the ground shake.
    2 [I;T] to make tiny, quick, repeated movements, usu. from fear or cold: She was shaking until she put on a sweater.||He is so frightened that he is shaking.
    3 to shake hands: to join right hands with s.o. and move them up and down, in greeting or agreement
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to shake on s.t.: to show agreement, usu. with a handshake: We both think the price is right, so let's shake on it.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shake (s.o.) down: to get money illegally: The criminals tried to shake the store owner down by saying they would burn the place.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shake s.o. or s.t. off: a. s.o.: to get away from s.o.: The bank robber shook off the police who tried to follow him. b. s.t.: to ignore s.t.: The football player was hurt, but he shook off the pain and continued playing.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shake s.o. or s.t. up: a. s.o.: to make s.o. very scared or uncomfortable: The pilot shook up the passengers when he said the plane was low on fuel.||He shook them up. b. s.t.: to rearrange, disorganize: The new boss decided to shake up the office.n.
    1 a quick motion: He gave the blanket a shake.
    2 a handshake
    3 a drink made of milk, flavored syrup, and ice cream, also called a milkshake
    4 in two shakes (of a lamb's tail): very soon: I'm leaving now; I'll be at your house in two shakes.
    5 infrml. no great shakes: not very good, of little importance: Don't see the movie; it's no great shakes.||You are late for the appointment, but don't worry; it's no great shakes.
    6 the shakes: a. fear: He drives so badly that he gives me the shakes every time I ride with him. b. uncontrollable movement of the body: The addict got the shakes when they took away the drugs. See: fair, 7.
    THESAURUS
    shake v.
    1 to jiggle | rattle, vibrate, rock
    2 to tremble, quiver | quake.
shakedown
shakedown
  1. n.infrml.
    1 an illegal way of getting money: In a shakedown, one robber pointed a gun while the other emptied the cash register.
    2 a trial run, a test to find weak spots or faults: The tourist ship is new, so the crew is taking it on a shakedown to test it. See: shake, n., 5.
shakeout
shakeout
  1. n. the reduction of the number of workers and companies during a period of economic difficulty: Many small businesses in town are firing people and closing during a shakeout.
shaker
shaker
  1. n. a container for s.t. to be shaken, usu. salt or pepper
shakeup
shakeup
  1. n. a large reorganization, often of a business and its staff: The new president fired half the managers and got rid of three departments; it was a big shakeup.
shaky
shaky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 characterized by shaking, trembling: During an earthquake, the ground is shaky.
    2 fig. not firm or sure, doubtful: The company is doing badly; its future is shaky.
    THESAURUS
    shaky
    1 unstable, unsteady. Ant. still.
    2 uncertain. Ant. assured.
shall
shall
  1. auxiliary v.
    1 used in formal writing, esp. in law, to express a command: The prisoner shall serve 20 years in jail.||The amount shall be $1,000.
    2 used as part of a question when offering a suggestion: Shall I go to the movies tonight?||Shall we leave now? See: modal auxiliary, should, will (1).

    USAGE NOTE: In American English, the word shall is seldom used to express the simple future, as in I shall go tomorrow. Instead, the word will is used most commonly: I will go (decide, arrive, etc.) tomorrow.
shallow
shallow
  1. adj.
    1 not deep: The pond is shallow; the water goes only up to my knees.
    2 not serious or complicated,
    THESAURUS
    superficial: A shallow person does not look beyond the obvious.
    3 weak: shallow breaths
sham
sham
  1. n.
    1 s.t. fake, s.t. false that pretends to be real: His story is a sham; he was born in Nebraska, not Spain!
    2 a piece of cloth that covers a household item: a pillow sham
shaman
shaman
  1. n. a wise man that is thought to have magic or spiritual powers: The shaman said rain would soon come to the dry land.
shambles
shambles
  1. n.pl.
    1 a messy or ruined place: This bedroom is a shambles, with dirty clothes and toys everywhere.
    2 in shambles: destroyed, in a mess: After the flood, the house was in shambles.||That country's government was in shambles after many years of weak leaders.
shame
shame
  1. n. [U]
    1 a sad feeling because of knowing one has done wrong: He stole money from the church and later felt great shame.
    2 a sad situation, a pity: It's a shame you can't go shopping with us.
    3 shame on you: you have done wrong and should feel badly: Don't ever swear at me again; shame on you!v. [T] shamed, shaming, shames to cause s.o. to feel bad through guilt: The minister shamed the thief by telling his name to the people.
shameful
shameful
  1. adj.
    1 very bad,
    THESAURUS
    disgraceful: It was a shameful lie to tell the old lady she had won a million dollars.
    2 sad, (syns.) regrettable, pitiful: It is shameful that the police did not catch the thief.
shameless
shameless
  1. adj. not caring about shame or guilt, bold: She tells lies in a shameless way, looking me straight in the eye. -adv. shamelessly.
shampoo
shampoo
  1. n. -poos
    1 [C;U] a liquid soap for cleaning the hair: I use gentle shampoo on my baby's hair.
    2 [C] the cleaning of the hair or other fibers: The barber gives me a shampoo before a haircut.v. [T] to clean the hair with a liquid soap: She shampoos her hair every time she takes a shower.
shamrock
shamrock
  1. n. [C;U] a tiny green plant with three leaves, the symbol of Ireland
shanghai
shanghai
  1. v. [T]
    1 to trick s.o. into working as a sailor against his or her wishes: Long ago, men were hit over the head and dragged off to a ship; they were shanghaied.
    2 to trick s.o. into doing s.t.: We shanghaied my mom into going to the action movie by telling her it was a love story.
shank
shank
  1. n.
    1 the part of the human leg between the knee and the ankle
    2 meat that comes from the leg of an animal: lamb shank
    3 the long, narrow part of many objects, such as a nail, a (tobacco) pipe, or a drill
shanty
shanty
  1. n. -ties a small, badly built house,
    THESAURUS
    a shack: Homeless people built shanties in the park.
shantytown
shantytown
  1. n. a poor section of a city or town with many shanties
shape
shape
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the form or outline of s.t.: The dollar bill is in the shape of a rectangle.||The sculptor worked the stone into a human shape.
    2 [C;U] the form of s.o.'s body: She has a beautiful shape, with a small waist and curvy hips.
    3 [U] condition, readiness: She exercises every day to stay in shape.||We're in good shape; we have everything planned and are about to begin.
    4 to take shape: to develop: As the writer worked on the novel, the characters took shape slowly.v. shaped, shaping, shapes
    1 [T] to make into a shape: He shaped the meat into hamburgers.
    2 [T] to have an effect: The struggle between countries shapes world events.
    3 shape up or ship out!: behave better or leave: the assistant was told "Shape up or ship out." when he arrived late to work three days in a row.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [I] to shape up: a. s.o.: to behave better: Dad told the kids to shape up or they'd get no supper. b. s.t.: to develop: The way business is shaping up, it looks as though the company will make money this year.
    THESAURUS
    shape n. 1 and 2 a figure
    3 form | fitness. —v.
    1 to form, mold
    2 to influence, change.
shapely
shapely
  1. adj. -lier, -liest with a curvy, pleasing body, usu. said of a woman: Marilyn Monroe had a shapely figure.
share
share
  1. n.
    1 one's own part or portion of s.t.: I paid my share of the total cost.||She ate more than her share of potatoes.
    2 an equal portion of property or stock: I own 12 shares in an oil company.v. shared, sharing, shares
    1 [I;T] to divide (up) with others: When we sold the business, my sister and I shared the profits.
    2 [I;T] to use or experience with others: We shared a meal together.||The little girl shared her toys with her friend.
    3 [T] to have s.t. in common: He shares his father's blue eyes.
    4 [I;T] to tell s.o. s.t. private: I share my deepest thoughts with my wife.
    5 share and share alike: an expression indicating mutual giving: He gave me one of his sandwiches, and I gave him some of my candy; share and share alike.
sharecropper
sharecropper
  1. n. a person who does farm work for s.o. and receives a small part of the crops or money earned
shareholder
shareholder
  1. n.
    1 the owner of shares in a stock: The shareholders' meeting of our company will be in May.
    2 the owner of shares in a business: My friend owns a big farm, and there are 16 family shareholders in it. See: stockholder.
shark
shark
  1. n.
    1 a meat-eating fish, usu. gray in color and with tough skin, sometimes dangerous
    2 fig. a sly, cheating person: That shark got his money from stealing credit cards.||a card shark See: loan shark.
    THESAURUS
    shark n.
    2 a crook, swindler.
sharp-tongued
sharp-tongued
  1. adj. using slightly angry language, (syns.) sarcastic, critical: When he doesn't agree with s.o., he becomes sharp-tongued.
sharp
sharp
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 with a fine point or edge that is able to go through a surface or cut with ease: a sharp knife||a sharp arrow
    2 (of feeling) strong, intense: a sharp pain in my stomach
    3 fig. quick and intelligent: She finds a lot of mistakes; she's sharp.
    4 angry, severe: My aunt spoke to us with sharp words when we walked in her flowers.
    5 neat and stylish: My brother shops at the best stores; he's a sharp dresser. -adv. sharply.
sharpen
sharpen
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make pointed or to give a cutting edge: sharpen a razor||sharpen a pencil
    2 to improve (skills, knowledge, etc.): The pianist practices a lot to sharpen his playing.
sharpshooter
sharpshooter
  1. n.
    1 an expert with a gun
    2 fig. s.o. highly critical of others and their actions
shave
shave
  1. v. shaved or shaven , shaving, shaves
    1 [I] to cut off thin layers: The carpenter shaved pieces off the door so it will close properly.
    2 [I;T] to cut hair close to the skin with a razor: My brother's chin is smooth after he shaves.n.
    1 the act of cutting hair close to the skin: Your beard is growing too long; you need a shave.
    2 a close shave: a bad or scary situation that one barely avoids: The taxi just missed me as I stepped onto the street; that was a close shave! -n. [C;U] shaving.
    THESAURUS
    shave v.
    1 to pare, trim.
shaver
shaver
  1. n. a tool used to shave, a razor: I left my shaver in the bathroom.
shaving cream (gel, lotion)
shaving cream (gel, lotion)
  1. n. [U] a semi-liquid substance applied to the skin to make shaving easier: My mother spreads shaving lotion on her legs before she shaves them.
shawl
shawl
  1. n. a large knit or woven piece of fabric worn around the head or shoulders: She wore a shawl to keep warm in cold weather.
she-devil
she-devil
  1. n. an evil, wicked woman: The she-devil who lives in that old house screams at children from her window.
she
she
  1. pron. third-person feminine singular: She is a brilliant woman. See: who, USAGE NOTE.
sheaf
sheaf
  1. n. sheaves
    1 corn, wheat, or other grain tied together
    2 a bundle of s.t.: The lawyer took a sheaf of papers from his briefcase.
shear
shear
  1. v. [T] sheared or shorn , shearing, shears to cut: Farmers shear their sheep for their wool.||The car door was shorn off in an accident.n.pl. a large pair of scissors: I used shears (or) a pair of shears to cut the thick paper.
sheath
sheath
  1. n. sheaths
    1 an outer covering, often a holder: The hunter put his knife back in its sheath.
    2 a simple, closefitting dress —v. [T] sheathe , sheathed, sheathing, sheathes to put s.t. in a sheath: to sheathe swords
shebang
shebang
  1. n.slang the whole shebang: all of something (objects, a situation, an event, etc.): We packed all our files and equipment, and the movers took the whole shebang to our new offices.||The wedding was expensive, but her parents paid for the whole shebang.
shed
shed
  1. n. a small building, often used for storage: We keep our gardening tools in a shed behind the house.v. shed, shedding, sheds
    1 [I;T] to lose hair or skin without cutting or pulling,
    THESAURUS
    to molt: In the spring, animals shed their winter coats.||The snake shed its skin.
    2 [I;T] to cause to flow: In times of war, much blood is shed on battlefields.||We shed tears at the funeral.
    3 [T] to keep liquid from entering: a waterproof coat that sheds rain
    4 [T] to get rid of s.t. unwanted: I have ten more pounds to shed.
    5 to shed some light on s.t.: to make s.t. more understandable: This book is very difficult. Could you shed some light on the author's meaning?
sheen
sheen
  1. n. [C;U], usu. sing. brightness or shine on s.t.: silk that has a sheen||the sheen of a cat's fur
sheep
sheep
  1. n. sheep an animal often seen on farms, kept for its wool and for meat: The sheep looked like moving clouds as they ate grass in the field.
sheepish
sheepish
  1. adj. embarrassed and a bit shy: The couple looked sheepish when we caught them kissing.
sheepskin
sheepskin
  1. n.
    1 the skin of a sheep, often used for leather
    2 fig. a diploma
sheer
sheer
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 thin and able to be seen through: We saw people moving behind the sheer curtains.
    2 absolute, complete: The murderer killed a man in an act of sheer madness.||I picked the right number and won by sheer luck.
sheet
sheet
  1. n.
    1 a thin piece of cloth used as a bed covering
    2 a thin surface or piece of s.t.: a sheet of paper||a cookie sheet for baking||a sheet of glass
    3 a surface: The driveway was covered with a sheet of ice.
    THESAURUS
    sheet
    2 a panel, pane (of glass)
    3 a layer, covering, coat. time card or sheet -n. a card on which a worker's hours at work are noted: He puts his time card in a time clock when he gets to and leaves work.
sheik
sheik
  1. n. the head of an Arab nation, tribe, or village: The sheiks met to discuss the price of oil. -n. sheikdom.
shelf
shelf
  1. n. shelves
    1 a flat piece of wood, metal, etc. that is attached to a wall or other support and is used to hold objects: My bookcase has six shelves.
    2 off the shelf: on hand, ready to sell: The store didn't need to order the stereo; I bought it off the shelf (or) it was an off-the-shelf item.
    3 on the shelf: put away, inactive: We worked hard on a new idea, but the boss put it on the shelf as too expensive.v. See: shelve.
shelf life
shelf life
  1. n. the length of time that s.t. lasts or is available for sale before it goes bad or is not usable: The shelf life for this milk is only one week.
shell-shocked
shell-shocked
  1. adj.
    1 mentally ill because of the stress of war and battle
    2 fig. not able to function because of a horrible experience: He was shell-shocked when the boss fired him.
shell
shell
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the hard, protective outer covering of an animal, seed, or plant: a turtle's shell||the shell of a walnut
    2 [C] a bullet or other piece of ammunition: shells from a gun
    3 [C] the outer structure of s.t.: Workers removed the interior walls and floors of a building and left the shell standing.
    4 [C] the edible holder for a filling: a pie shell
    5 to come out of one's shell: to be less shy: The quiet boy came out of his shell at the party.
    6 to go into one's shell: to become quiet, to stop communicating: When he is angry, he goes into his shell for a while and then comes back smiling.v. [T]
    1 to remove the shell or covering: We shelled peanuts and put them in a bowl.
    2 to shoot at: to shell the enemy
    3 phrasal v. sep. to shell s.t. out: to spend (money, often unwillingly): I shelled out thousands of dollars to pay for a sailboat.||I shelled them out.
shellfish
shellfish
  1. n. [C;U] -fish or -fishes any water animal with an outer shell (oyster, clam, mussel, lobster, crab, etc.)
shelter
shelter
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] any building or covering (tree branches, a cave, etc.) that gives physical protection: When it started to rain, we found shelter under a tree.
    2 [C] a place where homeless or abused people can sleep, eat, and be safe: The woman moved to a shelter after her husband beat her.
    3 a protective arrangement: We bought a second home as a tax shelter.v. [I;T] to protect s.o. or s.t.: The little house shelters us from the snow and cold.
shelve
shelve
  1. v. [T]
    1 to place s.t. on a shelf: to shelve books
    2 fig. to make s.t. inactive: When our sister got sick, we shelved our vacation plans.
shelving
shelving
  1. n. [U] shelves: The dining room has shelving for cups and plates.
shenanigans
shenanigans
  1. n.pl.
    1 mischievous acts, tricks,
    THESAURUS
    pranks: The child's shenanigans included putting spiders in her sister's bed.
    2 wrong or illegal acts, trickery: Now he is in jail, so there will be no more of his shenanigans.
shepherd
shepherd
  1. n. a man who takes care of sheep in the fields -n. (woman) shepherdess . —v. [T]
    1 to keep sheep together
    2 fig. to guide s.o. or s.t.: The teacher shepherded the kids into the classroom.
sherbet
sherbet
  1. n. [U] a frozen dessert made of water, sugar, milk, and a fruit flavoring: orange sherbet See: sorbet.
sheriff
sheriff
  1. n. a head or chief, usu. of a county's police department
sherry
sherry
  1. n. [C;U] -ries a strong wine from Spain or made in the Spanish way, usually drunk before dinner: We drank a bit of sherry, a gift from Spain.
shield
shield
  1. n.
    1 a piece of metal or other substance carried in one hand to protect oneself from flying objects: The rocks bounced off the horseman's shield.
    2 a protective covering: The electric saw has a shield over the blade.
    3 a policeman's badge —v. [T] to protect s.t. with a physical or legal barrier: I shielded my eyes from the sun.||The business shielded its money against taxes.
shift
shift
  1. n.
    1 a change in position or location: a shift of money from one bank to another
    2 a change of ideas: a political shift from right to left
    3 a segment of work time: The night shift begins at 11:00 P.M.
    4 a simple dress —v.
    1 [I;T] to change from one position to another: The truck driver shifted gears.
    2 [I] to change in general: That singer is shifting from jazz to classical music.
shiftless
shiftless
  1. adj. without plans or ambitions, lazy: Stop being so shiftless; get out of bed and go to work!
shifty
shifty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest not to be trusted, (syns.) devious, crafty: Don't loan your money to that shifty guy; you'll never see it again.
shill
shill
  1. n. a person who works for a gambling business, salesperson, etc., who pretends to be a gambler or customer so as to attract others to spend money: She acted like a tourist in Las Vegas, but she was a shill for the casino.
shilling
shilling
  1. n. in the UK monetary system (until 1971), 1/20 of a pound
shilly-shally
shilly-shally
  1. v. [I] n.adj. to be indecisive: I hate to shop with her because she shilly-shallies about every decision.
shimmer
shimmer
  1. n. [U] v. [I] to give off gently moving light,
    THESAURUS
    to sparkle: The sun shimmers on the lake.
shimmy
shimmy
  1. n.v. [I] -mied, -mying, -mies
    1 a dance in which one shakes the body from the shoulders down: The woman's dress made little waves as she shimmied.
    2 a shaking in a car's machinery: My car has a shimmy in the front wheels; it must need new brakes.
shin
shin
  1. n.infrml. the frontal part of the lower leg
shindig
shindig
  1. n.infrml. a big party
shine
shine
  1. n. usu. sing.
    1 a brightness on s.t. because of smoothness or light: He just polished the knives and forks to a brilliant shine.
    2 nice, sunny weather, usu. used in the expression "rain or shine"
    3 old usage a liking, a want: She took a shine to that cute dog.v. shone or shined, shining, shines
    1 [T] to make s.t. bright and clean: He shines his shoes every day.
    2 [I] to do s.t. very well: Her violin performance shone because she had practiced a lot.
    3 [I] to have a happy expression: His face was shining after he won the game.
shiner
shiner
  1. n.infrml. a black eye: He was in a fight and got a shiner on his right eye.
shingle
shingle
  1. n.
    1 a small, rectangular piece of wood or other material used in overlapping rows as the outer covering of a building's roof or walls: Some shingles on the roof of our house blew off during a storm.
    2 pl. a viral disease that causes pain and later itchy blisters, usu. on one side of the body or on the face —v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles to put shingles on: We had the roof shingled so it wouldn't leak.
shinny
shinny
  1. v. [I] -nied, -nying, -nies to climb s.t. that has no branches or handles by pulling oneself up with the hands and feet: The boy shinnied up the flagpole.
ship
ship
  1. n.
    1 a large boat: The ship is bringing silk from Hong Kong.
    2 an airplane or rocket —v. shipped, shipping, ships
    1 [I;T] to send s.t. (by any method, not just by ship): The mail-order company shipped my new boots by air.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to ship out: to depart on a ship, usu. as part of the crew: We ship out tomorrow for a six-month trip. See: shape (up or ship out).
    THESAURUS
    ship n.
    1 an ocean liner, a vessel | tanker. —v.
    1 to deliver | dispatch, transport.
shipload
shipload
  1. n. the quantity of people or things that a ship can hold: The cruise ship left with a shipload of passengers today.
shipment
shipment
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of shipping s.t.: We sent the shipment of furniture by truck.
    2 [C] the contents of a shipment: A shipment of books arrived at the library. -n. [C] shipper.
shipping
shipping
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of sending a shipment: We have workers that do the shipping from our warehouse.
    2 the activities or business of ships: Shipping in coastal towns was slowed by bad weather.
shipshape
shipshape
  1. adj. very neat: We cleaned the garage until it was shipshape.
shipwreck
shipwreck
  1. n.v. [T] the loss or destruction of a ship: The terrible storm caused a shipwreck.
shirk
shirk
  1. v. [I;T] to avoid work and responsibility: He arrives at the office on time, but he shirks his work. -n. shirker.
shirt
shirt
  1. n.
    1 a piece of clothing worn on the upper body, often with sleeves, a collar, and buttons: He bought a tie to match his shirt.
    2 slang to keep one's shirt on: not to get too excited or angry, to keep one's temper: Keep your shirt on; don't hit that guy.
    3 slang to lose one's shirt: to lose a lot of money: They lost their shirt when they sold the stock. See: blouse; sweatshirt; T-shirt.
shirtless
shirtless
  1. adj. not wearing a shirt: My husband goes shirtless when he mows the lawn in hot weather.
shirtsleeve
shirtsleeve
  1. n.
    1 the part of a shirt over the arm from the shoulder to the elbow or wrist
    2 pl. not wearing a jacket: We went to a casual meeting in our shirtsleeves.adj.fig. informal and enthusiastic: a shirtsleeve boss
shiver
shiver
  1. v. [I] to shake in the body (from cold, fear, excitement, etc.), (syns.) to tremble, quiver: She was shivering as she waited for a bus in the snow.n.
    1 a shake in the body: a shiver of excitement
    2 a shiver up one's spine: a quick feeling or emotion (usu. fear or excitement): Thoughts of her birthday party sent a shiver of delight up the little girl's spine.
shoal
shoal
  1. n.
    1 a strip of sand beneath shallow water: The boat bottom hit a shoal.
    2 a large group of fish
shock
shock
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a sudden psychological blow: She got a terrible shock when she learned that her son was in the hospital.
    2 [C;U] strong, quick impact: The car hit a wall, and the shock threw the driver against the windshield.
    3 [C;U] a quick pain caused by electricity: I got a shock when I plugged in the lamp.
    4 in shock: in medical shock
    5 to go into shock: to lose blood pressure and other bodily processes from a medical crisis or injury: Immediately after the accident, the driver went into shock.v. [I;T]
    1 to cause strong emotion (usu. bad): Her mother's sudden death shocked her.
    2 to surprise in a bad way: I was shocked when I saw the doctor's bill.
shock waves
shock waves
  1. n.pl.
    1 the movement through water, ground, or air caused by an explosion, earthquake, bomb, etc.
    2 fig. great surprise, felt by many people: The failure of many banks sent shock waves through the world in the 1930s.
shocker
shocker
  1. n. s.t. that causes surprise or strong emotion: When I heard that you had twins, it was a shocker!
shocking
shocking
  1. adj. causing extreme surprise or strong emotion: The news of his leaving his high-paying job is shocking.
    THESAURUS
    shocking unbelievable | upsetting | scandalous.
shod
shod
  1. adj. related to wearing shoes or other footwear: The poor child was not even shod until a kind neighbor gave her some boots.||Horses are shod with horseshoes.
shoddy
shoddy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest
    1 poorly made: Those are shoddy houses; they'll probably need new roofs in five years.
    2 careless and impolite: The service was shoddy in the new restaurant; the waiters were slow and rude. -adv. shoddily.
shoe
shoe
  1. n.
    1 a covering for the foot, usu. of leather and with a sole and heel: My shoes have laces, and hers have high heels.
    2 a part of a vehicle's brake
    3 if the shoe fits, wear it: if the description is correct, accept it: I know you don't like it when I say you're selfish, but if the shoe fits, wear it.
    4 in s.o.'s shoes: to be in s.o.'s place: I wish that I was in your shoes when you met that famous rock star. See: boot; sandal; sneaker.
shoelace
shoelace
  1. n. the cloth or leather strings used to tie shoes
shoeshine
shoeshine
  1. n. a cleaning and polishing of the shoes: I paid a man for a shoeshine at the airport.
shoestring
shoestring
  1. n.
    1 a shoelace
    2 on a shoestring: on a strict budget,
    THESAURUS
    frugally: That manager runs the company on a shoestring by not paying high salaries and renting inexpensive space.
shoo-in
shoo-in
  1. n. a certain winner: He is a shoo-in to win the tennis match, because the other player has a weak arm.
shoo
shoo
  1. v. [T] to tell s.o. or s.t. to go away by using motions: The cook shooed the flies away from the food with his hat.||The woman shoos dogs off her lawn.interj. an expression meaning "go away": Shoo! Go play outside!
shook-up
shook-up
  1. adj.frml. upset, (syns.) unnerved, rattled: When his girlfriend told him that she had a new boyfriend, he was shook-up. See: shake, 7.
shoot-'em-up
shoot-'em-up
  1. n.infrml. a movie or TV show with a lot of gun action: There's a shoot-'em-up about the Old West on TV tonight.
shoot
shoot
  1. v. shot , shooting, shoots
    1 [I;T] to use a gun: to shoot a rifle
    2 [T] to hit s.o. or s.t. with a bullet from a gun: The robber shot a hole in the ceiling.||The hunter shot a deer.
    3 [T] to hunt with guns: We went out to shoot geese last weekend.
    4 [I;T] to cause to fly or move quickly: He shot an arrow at a mark in the tree.
    5 [I] to move quickly: My arm shot out to catch the ball.||The frightened child shot across the room.
    6 [T] to play some games: to shoot marbles||to shoot pool
    7 [I;T] to take pictures, use film: I shot a roll of color film.||The director is shooting her new movie in Washington.
    8 shoot!: a command meaning "go ahead, start talking": Oh, do you have s.t. to say? Shoot!
    9 to shoot at: to shoot a bullet at s.o. or s.t.: Soldiers shoot at the enemy.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to shoot around (by or past) s.o.: to pass s.o. rapidly: The football player shot around (by or past) the other man and scored a goal.
    11 to shoot baskets, to shoot hoops: to throw a basketball through a hoop, to play basketball: Let's go to the playground and shoot some hoops.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shoot for or at s.t.: to try for, to have a goal: The sales manager is shooting for a 20 percent sales increase this year.||He's shooting for it.
    13 to shoot from the hip: to do s.t. or speak carelessly without thinking: Try to work through the problem and find the best solution; don't just shoot from the hip.
    14 slang to shoot off one's mouth: to talk too much: The more he shoots off his mouth, the less we listen.
    15 to shoot one's wad: to use the last of s.t. (money, energy, etc.): I shot my wad when I spent the morning in Las Vegas and could not buy a bus ticket home.
    16 phrasal v. sep. to shoot (s.t.) out: a. [I;T] to (cause to) come out with force: When she laughed, food shot out of her mouth. b. [T] s.t.: to decide by shooting: They shot out their argument in the street.||They shot it out.
    17 to shoot over: to go somewhere quickly: I'll shoot over right now to return the shirt I borrowed.
    18 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shoot s.o. or s.t. down: a. s.o.: fig. to say unkind things and make s.o. feel bad or ashamed: Every time he tries to say some-thing, his wife shoots down that man.||She shoots him down. b. s.t.: to cause s.t. to fall down or out of the air by shooting: Pilots shot down enemy airplanes in combat.
    19 to shoot the breeze: to talk together in a relaxed way,
    THESAURUS
    to chat: I met two friends at a café, and we shot the breeze for a while.
    20 phrasal v. sep. to shoot up: a. [I] to go upwards quickly: After we watered our plants, they shot up. b. [I;T] slang to take drugs into the body with a needle: She shoots up heroin and snorts cocaine; she's a drug addict.n.
    1 a party or gathering where there is a shooting contest: a turkey shoot
    2 a small, young plant growth: a shoot of grass
    3 a sudden, strong feeling: a shoot of pain through my lower back
    4 the use of camera and film: The model will wear different swimsuits for her shoot on the beach.interj. used to express regret or annoyance, or to add emphasis to a response: Shoot, I left my wallet at home!||Does your cat swim? Shoot, no!
shooting star
shooting star
  1. n. a meteor that makes a line of light as it moves through the night sky
shootout
shootout
  1. n.
    1 a gunfight, esp. in movies about the old US West: The gunman in white and the gunman in black faced each other in a shootout.
    2 fig. a big fight: Don't go into the boss's office; she's having a shootout with a vice president.
shopkeeper
shopkeeper
  1. n. a shop owner or manager
shoplift
shoplift
  1. v. [I;T] to steal things from a store: When no one was looking, she shoplifted two lipsticks and put them in her purse. -n. [C] shoplifter; [U] shoplifting.
shopper
shopper
  1. n. a person who shops: Shoppers fill the grocery stores on Saturday.
    THESAURUS
    shopper a customer, consumer.
shopping
shopping
  1. n. [U] the task of going to buy things in stores: I did a little shopping during my lunch hour.||He goes shopping every day.
shopping bag
shopping bag
  1. n. a large, strong bag, often with handles, used for carrying purchases: I asked for a shopping bag at the checkout counter.
shopping center
shopping center
  1. n. a group of different types of stores and restaurants with a large parking lot: Does that shopping center have a bakery and a bookstore?
shopping mall
shopping mall
  1. n. a group of different types of stores and restaurants, all under one roof: My teenage daughter likes to spend rainy days with her friends at the shopping mall.
    THESAURUS
    shopping mall a mall, shopping center.
shoptalk
shoptalk
  1. n. [U] conversation about one's job or business: When the lawyer meets another lawyer at a party, it's all shoptalk.
shore
shore
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the sandy or rocky area of land next to a body of water: She walked along the shore of Lake Michigan.
    2 a seaside area: We like to spend our vacations at the Maryland shore.phrasal v. sep. [T] to shore s.t. up: to support s.t.: The building was leaning, so a carpenter nailed on more pieces of wood to shore the walls up.||He shored it up.
    THESAURUS
    shore n.
    1 an edge, shoreline
    2 a coast, seashore, beach.
shoreline
shoreline
  1. n. [U] the line made when a body of water meets the land: We followed the island's shoreline on our bicycles. See: coastline.
shorn
shorn
  1. adj. & past part. of shear
    1 with all or most of one's hair or fur cut off: The sheep were shorn of their wool.
    2 without s.t. because it has been taken away: The former employee was shorn of his work responsibilities.
short-circuit
short-circuit
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 lit. to cause a short circuit
    2 fig. to make difficult, prevent: We had our trip completely planned, but bad weather short-circuited the whole thing.
short-order
short-order
  1. adj. short-order cook: a cook in a fast-food restaurant —adv. in short order: soon, quickly: The computer operator fixed the problem in short order.
short-tempered
short-tempered
  1. adj. quick to anger: My short-tempered father started yelling when he couldn't fit the key in the lock.
short
short
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 not long, high, or tall: The short man couldn't reach the top shelf.||Philadelphia is a short distance from New York.||These pants are too short.
    2 (in time) not long: We had a short meeting.
    3 not having enough, limited: I can't go to the movies; I'm short on money.
    4 a bit rude: I tried to ask my boss a question, but he was very short with me.
    5 in short order: soon, quickly: When we heard you were sick, we came in short order.v. [T]
    1 (in business) to deliver fewer items than were ordered: The customer ordered 12 chairs but received only ten; our warehouse shorted him two.
    2 a problem in electrical wiring: Running the computer, the TV, and the VCR at the same time shorted the wiring.adv.
    1 suddenly, abruptly: The bus stopped short, and some passengers fell off their seats.
    2 less than or before a certain distance or time: She threw the ball three feet short of my baseball glove.||My daughter is nine, one year short of a decade.
    3 to sell s.o. short: to think s.o. is not good (smart, talented, etc.) enough: You thought he couldn't finish college in three years and he did; you sold him short. See: run, n. 15; short circuit.
short circuit
short circuit
  1. n. a problem in electrical wiring: I had a short circuit in my apartment and had to call an electrician.
short fuse
short fuse
  1. n.fig. a tendency to become angry easily, a quick temper: Usually, he is a nice guy, but he has a short fuse when he has to stand in line.
short shrift
short shrift
  1. n. [U] not enough care, attention, or pay: The owner gives the workers short shrift when he doesn't say hello to them.||The inventory clerk works hard for little money; she gets short shrift.
short story
short story
  1. n. a piece of fiction that is shorter and usu. less complicated in plot than a novel See: fiction, USAGE NOTE.
short term
short term
  1. n. [U] the near future: During the next several months, that is, in the short term, the company will not hire new salespeople.adj. short-term: immediate or not long: My short-term plan is to finish school; then I will think about a career.
shortage
shortage
  1. n. [C;U] a state of not having enough, a lack of s.t.: A shortage of oil made gasoline more expensive.
    THESAURUS
    shortage a scarcity, deficit, shortfall. Ant. a surplus.
shortchange
shortchange
  1. v. [T] -changed, -changing, -changes to give s.o. less than the correct amount: I gave the waitress $10 to pay for a $5 lunch, and she gave me only $1 back; I was shortchanged $4.
shortcoming
shortcoming
  1. n. a fault, (syns.) a deficiency, inadequacy: He is an excellent student in all subjects except for math, which is his shortcoming.||She has many shortcomings, but her parents still love her.
shortcut
shortcut
  1. n.
    1 a shorter way to a place than usual: We take a shortcut through a field instead of following the road.
    2 a faster way to do s.t.: I use spaghetti sauce in a jar instead of making it fresh, as a shortcut in preparing dinner.
shorten
shorten
  1. v. [I;T] to make shorter: Her dress was too long, so she shortened it.||His speech lasted two hours; he should have shortened it.
    THESAURUS
    shorten to cut s.t. down | abbreviate | reduce.
shortening
shortening
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of making s.t. shorter: Shortening the school year gave us a longer vacation.
    2 a semi-solid fat used in baking: I added shortening to the pie crust ingredients.
shortfall
shortfall
  1. n. the amount lacking to make a total: The factory made only 400 cars today, not the usual 500; there is a shortfall of 100 cars.
shorthand
shorthand
  1. n. [U]
    1 a writing system that uses symbols and can be done very quickly: The secretary wrote a letter in shorthand and word-processed it later.
    2 a shorter way of expressing s.t.: "OK" is shorthand for "all right."
shorthanded
shorthanded
  1. adj. lacking help, without the usual number of workers: Both the office manager and secretary are sick today, so we are shorthanded.
shortlist
shortlist
  1. n.v. [T] a final list of people to consider (for a job, in a contest, etc.): We interviewed 15 people, and three made the shortlist.
shortlived
shortlived
  1. adj. not lasting a long time: The play opened on Saturday and closed a week later; it was shortlived.
shortly
shortly
  1. adv. soon: We will be ready to leave shortly.
    THESAURUS
    shortly in a minute, in a little while.
shortness
shortness
  1. n. [U]
    1 the condition of being short: the shortness of the schedule||the little girl's shortness
    2 shortness of breath: a difficulty in breathing: After running, I felt a shortness of breath.
shortsighted
shortsighted
  1. adj.fig. not thinking about the future: The computer company is shortsighted; it ignores new technology.
shortwave
shortwave
  1. adj. a radio wave or electronic wave having a length between 10 and 100 meters: I like to listen to shortwave radio; I can hear news from Paris, London, Rio, and Bogota.
shot
shot
  1. n.
    1 the shooting of a gun: In the fight, you could hear shots being fired.
    2 the bullet or ammunition used in a gun
    3 a single use of a camera: We took some shots of the old castle.
    4 the view through a camera lens
    5 a throw or stroke of s.t., trying to hit a certain spot: Good shot! You hit the golf ball very close to the hole.
    6 a person trying to hit a certain spot: She made seven goals in nine tries; she's a good shot.
    7 a heavy metal ball See: shot put.
    8 the use of a needle to put medicine into a vein: The doctor gave the little boy a shot in his right arm.
    9 a shot in the arm: a positive event that gives s.o. confidence, (syns.) a boost, thrill: The magazine paid me a lot of money for my story; what a shot in the arm!
    10 a shot in the dark: a guess, an attempt that is unlikely to succeed: It may lead to a cure for cancer, but it's just a shot in the dark.
    11 big shot: an important person, s.o. with power: The big shot from Hollywood rode around in a fancy car.
    12 slang like a shot: very quickly, with great speed: We ran out of the burning house like a shot.
    13 to give s.t. a shot or to take a shot at s.t.: to try s.t.: You've never swum? You should give it a shot (or) take a shot at it.v. past tense & past part. of shoot
    THESAURUS
    shot n.
    1 a gunshot
    2 a slug
    3 a photo, photograph
    4 an angle
    5 a try
    8 an injection.
shot put
shot put
  1. n. a sport (in track and field competition) in which a large, heavy metal ball is thrown for distance
shotgun
shotgun
  1. n. [U] a long gun (not a handgun) used mostly for hunting
should
should
  1. auxiliary v. & past tense of shall
    1 helps express duty or obligation: I should visit my grandmother because she is sick.
    2 helps express s.t. expected: We should arrive in 10 minutes if there is no traffic.
    3 helps express the possibility, but not certainty, of s.t.: If I should succeed, so will my partners.
    4 used to make a statement or request nicer, more polite: I should think the green dress would look better than the red one. See: modal auxiliary, shall, USAGE NOTES.
shoulder
shoulder
  1. n.
    1 the part of the body between the neck and upper arm: The football player has big shoulders.
    2 the edge of a road, off the traveled part: I drove onto the shoulder to avoid a bump.
    3 a shoulder to cry on: a person who listens to s.o.'s troubles: She needed a shoulder to cry on when her cat died.
    4 on one's shoulders: one's own responsibility or problem: Feeding the family was all on her shoulders.v. [T]
    1 lit. to carry on the shoulder: The workers shoulder a load of bricks.
    2 fig. to take on responsibility: He shouldered the burden.
    THESAURUS
    shoulder n.
    2 the side, the verge. —v.
    1 to lift
    2 to carry, support, bear.
shoulder bag
shoulder bag
  1. n. a purse or bag that is carried on the shoulder by a strap
shout
shout
  1. n. a loud cry, a yell: A man gave a shout to call a taxi to the curb.v. [I;T] to yell: He shouted, "Hey, over here!"
shove
shove
  1. n. a hard push, usu. with the hands: The angry man gave the other a shove.v. shoved, shoving, shoves
    1 [I;T] to push hard against s.t. or s.o.: He shoved the heavy rock off the road.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to shove off: a. to leave (esp. shore, in a boat): We shove off at 9:00 A.M. b. infrml. (in requests) to go away: Shove off! We're working.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shove s.o. around: See: push, 8.
shovel
shovel
  1. n. a curved metal or plastic surface with a handle used to pick up dirt, snow, etc.: I bought a shovel to clear the sidewalk after the snowstorm.v.
    1 [I;T] to use a shovel: He shoveled a hole in the sand.
    2 [T] to pick up or move s.t. with a shoveling motion: She shoveled potatoes into her mouth.
    3 to shovel sand against the tide: to try to do such a big task that it probably won't get finished: Doing all the laundry for my family is like shoveling sand against the tide.
show-and-tell
show-and-tell
  1. n. [U] a school activity in which a child brings an object to class and talks about it
show
show
  1. n.
    1 [C] a play, movie, TV program, or other entertainment: She plays a young wife in the new Broadway show.||We watched a show about African animals on educational television.
    2 [C] a display or exhibition about a specific interest or product: a horse show||a boat show
    3 [C] usu. sing. a way of behaving that may not be sincere: She made a show of crying at her aunt's funeral, though she didn't like her aunt!
    4 to get the show on the road: to start moving or start doing s.t., not to delay any longer: We will be late if we don't get this show on the road!
    THESAURUS
    show n.
    1 a performance, presentation
    2 a fair, an exposition, expo
    3 an act, a pretense. —v. shown or showed, showing, shows
    1 [T] to cause s.o. to see, to point out: Let me show you my new CD.
    2 [I;T] to cause to be known, to indicate: Your tears show that you're sad.
    3 [I;T] to put before the public, display: He showed a beagle at the dog show.||The downtown cinema is showing movies from the 1950s.
    4 [T] to teach, demonstrate (often used with "how"): She showed him how to eat a lobster.
    5 it (all, just) goes to show: it proves: I started playing basketball and felt healthier; it just goes to show that exercise is good for you.
    6 to show for: to have as a result: I earned a lot of money and spent it all; I have nothing to show for all my work.
    7 phrasal v. sep. to show (s.o. or s.t.) off: a. [I] to act in a way that calls attention to oneself: The boy shows off by telling people his father is very rich. b. [I;T] s.o. or s.t.: to put s.o. or s.t. before people with pride: She showed off her ruby ring when she met two friends for dinner.||She showed it off.
    8 to show one's face: to appear (often used in a negative way): After getting so drunk at the last party, she was ashamed to show her face at the next one.
    9 to show one's hand: a. (in a card game) to show one's cards to the other players b. fig. to let people know one's real thoughts or intentions: He didn't seem interested in the house, but showed his hand by offering a lot of money for it.
    10 phrasal v. sep. [T] to show s.o. around: to give a tour, to make a new place more familiar: This is your new office; let me show you around.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [T] to show s.o. out: to go to the door with a person who is leaving: The maid brought my coat and showed me out.
    12 to show s.o. the door: to indicate that s.o. should go, isn't welcome: If you can't be more polite, I will show you the door.
    13 phrasal v. sep. to show s.o. or s.t. up: a. [I] to arrive (sometimes unexpectedly or late): They finally showed up at 11:30. b. [T] s.o.: to cause s.o. else to seem or look worse in some way: He showed you up by wearing a more expensive suit. c. [I;T] s.t.: to make s.t. visible: The strong light showed up the stains.
show business
show business
  1. n. [U]
    1 the theater, film, TV, music, and other entertainment industries
    2 lit. and fig. that's show business (or) biz!: that's what life is like in this business!: Sales are down, but that's show biz!
showbiz
showbiz
  1. n. [U] infrml. short for show business
showboat
showboat
  1. n. a boat with people who perform at various stops along the route (usu. a river)
showcase
showcase
  1. n.
    1 a display case, usu. in a store: The clerk led me to the showcase with the diamonds in it.
    2 a place to exhibit s.t. special: The owner has a huge office with pictures of famous people as a showcase of his success.v. [T] -cased, -casing, -cases to display for examination and admiration: At the annual meeting, the toy company showcased its new doll.
showdown
showdown
  1. n. a final and often public settling of a disagreement: In the movie, the two families faced each other with guns in a showdown about land.
shower
shower
  1. n.
    1 a brief rain (or snow): After a shower in the morning, the sun came out at noon.
    2 the act of bathing under an overhead stream of water (or the place one does this): I took a shower when I got home from running.||Our house has two bathrooms, but only one shower.
    3 a party for s.o. who is getting married or having a baby —v.
    1 [I] to rain (or snow) for a short time: It might shower this afternoon, so don't water the garden.
    2 [T] to give a lot of s.t.: He showers her with presents.||We showered praise on the good child.
    THESAURUS
    shower n.
    1 a sprinkle, drizzle. —v.
    1 to sprinkle, drizzle
    2 to heap.
showgirl
showgirl
  1. n. a young woman who works as a dancer and singer
showing
showing
  1. n.
    1 [C] a display of s.t.: the showing of an artist's paintings
    2 [C, usu. sing.] a public performance: Although he lost the tennis match, he made a good showing.
showman
showman
  1. n. -men
    1 a man who works as an entertainer
    2 a man who uses a strong personality, colorful clothes, drama, etc. to sell s.t. or call attention to himself: The ice-cream man is a showman, dressing up as a clown and honking his truck horn. -n. [U] showmanship.
showoff
showoff
  1. n. a person who tries to impress others in a dramatic way: She is a showoff who wears expensive-looking dresses every day.
showpiece
showpiece
  1. n. the best example of a group of things: The vase in her living room is a showpiece among her other antiques.
showplace
showplace
  1. n. a beautiful piece of property: The rich family has a showplace with 15 rooms, four garages, and a swimming pool.
showroom
showroom
  1. n. a room for the display of things for sale: an automobile showroom
showstopper
showstopper
  1. n.
    1 a performance that is so wonderful that the show stops while people clap: At the spring fashion show, the young designer's new dress was a showstopper; people applauded for ten minutes.
    2 fig. anything wonderful that causes people to stop and admire: Wow! That diamond necklace is a real showstopper!
showy
showy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest too dressed up or dramatic for the occasion: The man wore a showy plaid tie to a business meeting.
    THESAURUS
    showy ostentatious, gaudy | overdressed.
shrapnel
shrapnel
  1. n. [U] pieces of metal or bullets left after a bomb blast or a battle: On some French beaches, you can still find shrapnel from World War II.
shred
shred
  1. v. [I;T] shredded or shred, shredding, shreds to cut or tear s.t. into small pieces: He shredded the documents so no one could read them.n.
    1 a piece,
    THESAURUS
    a fragment: A shred of newspaper blew down the street.
    2 a tiny amount: The police do not have a shred of a reason why he robbed your house.
shrew
shrew
  1. n.
    1 the smallest mammal, which is active mostly at night and lives in holes in the ground
    2 fig. a bad-tempered woman: Your sister screams every time we step into her room; she is a shrew.
shrewd
shrewd
  1. adj. tending to make smart decisions, clever: He is a shrewd businessman who always studies other companies. -n. [U] shrewdness.
shriek
shriek
  1. v. [I] n. a high-pitched, loud scream: The teenage girls shrieked when the rock star appeared. See: scream; screech.
shrill
shrill
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 high-pitched and piercing (sound, voice): I could hear the shrill sound of an injured bird.
    2 annoying: She is shrill in her demands for more money.
shrimp
shrimp
  1. n.
    1 a small, edible water animal with a soft shell
    2 pej. a small person: That little shrimp isn't strong enough to hurt you!
shrine
shrine
  1. n. a religious place that honors a person or saint: We lit a candle at the shrine to Saint Anthony.
shrink
shrink
  1. v. shrank or shrunk , shrinking, shrinks
    1 [I;T] to make or become smaller: My wool sweater shrank when I washed it.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [I] to shrink (away) from s.t.: to move away from (s.t. horrible or frightening): He shrinks away from big barking dogs.n.slang a psychiatrist or psychologist
    THESAURUS
    shrink v.
    1 to shrivel | contract, wither.
shrinkage
shrinkage
  1. n. a lessening of s.t.'s size: shrinkage in a skirt||shrinkage in employment See: shrink.
shrinkpack
shrinkpack
  1. or shrinkpackage n. a transparent plastic wrapper molded around a product to protect it from wear and dust, yet allowing the product to be seen by customers: Store personnel like the shrinkpacks because they are easy to handle.
shrinkpack
shrinkpack
  1. or shrinkpackage -n. a transparent plastic wrapper molded around a product to protect it from wear and dust, yet allowing the product to be seen by customers: Store personnel like the shrinkpacks because they are easy to handle.
shrinkwrap
shrinkwrap
  1. n.v. [T] -wrapped, -wrapping, -wraps a clear, tight plastic covering put on books and other products to keep them clean: The student took his new chemistry book out of the shrinkwrap.
shrivel
shrivel
  1. n. to become wrinkled and often smaller: My skin has shriveled up from being in the water too long. -adj. shriveled.
shroud
shroud
  1. n. a piece of cloth in which a dead person is wrapped for burial: a funeral shroudv. [T] to make difficult to see, hide: The house is shrouded by dark tree branches.
shrub
shrub
  1. n. a plant with leaves, used esp. for decoration around buildings and in parks: We cut the shrubs in front of our house every month. -n. [U] shrubbery. See: bush.
shrug
shrug
  1. v.n.
    1 [I;T] to lift the shoulders upward as a sign of not caring or not knowing: She shrugged when we asked her what time it was.||I laughed at the comedian, but my brother just gave a shrug.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to shrug s.t. off: to act as if s.t. isn't important: The gambler lost a lot of money at cards, but he just shrugged off his loss.||He shrugged it off.
shuck
shuck
  1. v. [T]
    1 to remove the outer covering of some foods: to shuck clams||to shuck corn
    2 phrasal v. sep. infrml. to shuck s.t. off: to throw s.t. off: She shucked off her coat.||She shucked it off.
shucks
shucks
  1. exclam. expresses modesty or slight annoyance: Shucks, you are very nice to say I'm smart.||Shucks! I forgot my watch.
shudder
shudder
  1. v. [I] n. to shake for a moment (from fear, disgust): I shudder when I think how awful that food tasted.
shuffle
shuffle
  1. v. [I;T] -fled, -fling, -fles
    1 to walk without lifting the feet: The sad old man shuffled down the hall.
    2 to mix cards in a different order: We started a new game, so I shuffled the cards. See: walk, USAGE NOTE.
shun
shun
  1. v. [T] shunned, shunning, shuns to stay away from, avoid: I shun meat because I like vegetables more.
shunt
shunt
  1. v. [T] to move s.t. aside: The company shunted an older worker aside for a younger man.
shush
shush
  1. exclam.v. [T] be quiet: Shush! I can't hear the TV!||Her little boys were noisy, so she shushed them up.
shut-eye
shut-eye
  1. n.infrml. [U] sleep: It is late; let's get some shut-eye.
shut-in
shut-in
  1. n. a person who can't leave his or her home: She has arthritis and is unable to walk; she is a shut-in.
shutdown
shutdown
  1. n. a stopping of work or business: A leak in a pipe caused a shutdown of the oil tank.||Business is bad, so we are thinking about a shutdown of two factories.
shutoff
shutoff
  1. n. a stoppage: a shutoff of electricity (water, heat, etc.)
shutter
shutter
  1. n.
    1 a window covering or decoration that sometimes can be opened and closed: A rainstorm began, and the woman closed the shutters.
    2 the part of a camera that lets in or shuts out light —v. [T] to close a window or a shutter
shutterbug
shutterbug
  1. n.infrml. a photographer, s.o. who loves to take pictures
shuttle
shuttle
  1. v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles to travel back and forth: Businesspeople shuttle between New York and Washington, DC every day.n.
    1 s.t. that weaves or holds thread
    2 a vehicle (plane, bus, van, etc.) used for traveling back and forth: The shuttles leave the hotel for the airport every hour.
shy
shy
  1. adj. -er or -shier, -est or -shiest
    1 not liking to talk to people, esp. strangers: The shy boy stood in a dark corner at the dance.
    2 short of, lacking: I am shy $1 to pay for lunch. Can you lend it to me? -n. [U] shyness.v. [T] shied, shying, shies: to move away from s.t. with fear or disgust: The nervous horse shied away when I tried to climb onto her.||He shies away from big parties.
    THESAURUS
    shy adj.
    1 bashful, timid
    2 in need of s.t. —v. to shrink from s.o. or s.t., avoid s.o/s.t.
shyster
shyster
  1. n.pej a cheating or dishonest lawyer: Find a better lawyer to write the will; that one's a shyster.
sibling
sibling
  1. n. a person with the same parents as s.o. else, brother or sister: I have two siblings: my brother and my sister.
sibling rivalry
sibling rivalry
  1. n. competition between siblings: The sibling rivalry is strong between my brother and me; we each try to make more money than the other.
sic
sic
  1. v. [T] sicced, siccing, sics to urge an animal to attack: to sic dogs on a thief
sick
sick
  1. adj.
    1 a. not well physically, diseased: He is sick with the flu. b. nauseated, throwing up: After eating too much, he was sick into the toilet.
    2 not well mentally: She killed herself because she was horribly sick.
    3 very unkind, in bad taste: It was a sick joke to scare the little kids.
    4 very disappointed or upset: I'm sick about missing the wedding.
    5 a. not able to stand any more, tired: After years of war, the whole nation was sick of battles and bloodshed. b. sick and tired: I'm sick and tired of the hot weather; let's move north.
sick leave
sick leave
  1. n.
    1 time away from work because of illness: The secretary took two days' sick leave because she had a cold.
    2 a specified number of days given to workers for that purpose
sick pay
sick pay
  1. n. [U] salary or wages paid to workers who are sick: He was out with a sore throat, but he got sick pay.
sicken
sicken
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to make or become ill: The AIDS patient slowly sickened.
    2 [T] to make or to be upset emotionally: Her family was sickened by her death.
sickening
sickening
  1. adj. causing a sick feeling or disgust: Nazis committed sickening crimes against Jews.
sickle-cell anemia
sickle-cell anemia
  1. n. a serious blood disease, usu. affecting black children and adults
sickle
sickle
  1. n. a farm tool with a handle and sharp, curved blade used to cut long grass or crops
sickly
sickly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 unhealthy, often ill: He was a sickly child who missed a lot of school.
    2 weak: Her sickly smile told me she was not really glad.
sickness
sickness
  1. n. [U] illness: There is a lot of sickness in poor countries with few doctors.
    THESAURUS
    sickness disease, poor health, infirmity.
side
side
  1. n.
    1 an edge or a surface of a shape or object: the longest side of a triangle||A box has six sides.
    2 a surface that connects top and bottom: A sign hung on the side of the building.
    3 a particular location: the south side of the city||the shady side of a yard
    4 a part away from the main part: We saw a fox on the side of the road.
    5 one of two surfaces of a flat object: Which side of the paper should I write on?
    6 a group or team: My side won the soccer game.||Which side are you on, the liberal or conservative side?
    7 the part of the body to the left or right of the chest and stomach area: His side hurt from running too fast.
    8 part of one's personality: He's serious, but he has a fun side.
    9 a section of a family (from one parent or another): I get my green eyes from Mom's side.
    10 from (on) all sides (every side): from or in every direction: Teenagers crowded the famous singer from all sides.
    11 on the side: a. not with or in the main part of the dish or meal: salad with dressing on the side||a burger with french fries on the side b. in addition to (regular activity): It was a business trip, but we visited a museum on the side.
    12 on the (adjective) side: somewhat, a small amount, rather: It's on the cool side here at night.||She's on the thin side; she should eat more.
    13 side by side: next to each other: The students stood side by side for the class photo.
    14 to take sides: to join one team or another, to share ideas with one group against another: I don't want to take sides in the argument.
    15 (off) to one (the) side: apart from: The farm has two barns and a house off to one side.v. [I] to agree with s.o.: He sided with me about whom to vote for.
side dish
side dish
  1. n. food that is separate from the main dish, often a vegetable or potato (sometimes shortened to "side," as in a side of fries): We ordered a side dish of sauteed mushrooms.
side effect
side effect
  1. n.
    1 an additional and possibly unexpected result of an action: If we buy that company, the side effects will be a large bank loan and the need to fire many people.
    2 an effect of a medicine besides the expected effect: The side effect of this pain pill was a dry mouth.
side order
side order
  1. n. See: side dish.
sidearm
sidearm
  1. adj.adv. (in baseball or other throwing action) with the arm kept low, not over- or underhand: He threw a sidearm pitch.
sidebar
sidebar
  1. n. in a newspaper or magazine, a short story that is related to a larger one, giving extra information about the main topic: A sidebar to the story about poverty gave the details of the life of one little inner-city boy.
sidekick
sidekick
  1. n.infrml. a close friend or helper, often younger or less powerful: The plumber asked his sidekick to go to the hardware store.
sidelight
sidelight
  1. n.
    1 lit. light coming from the side or from an indirect source
    2 fig. a less important matter: We were discussing the bad air-pollution problem, but as a sidelight, we should look at water pollution too.
sideline
sideline
  1. n. a hobby or job in addition to one's main job: He is a computer programmer during the day and sells real estate as a sideline on the weekends.v. [T] to be out of action, often from sports: The football player hurt his knee and has been sidelined for a week.
sidelong
sidelong
  1. adj. to the side, not direct: a sidelong look
sidesaddle
sidesaddle
  1. n.adv. a saddle for a woman, made so that she can sit with both legs to one side: a new leather sidesaddle||She rode sidesaddle.
sideshow
sideshow
  1. n. a performance or show that is not the main attraction at a fair or circus: We went to a small tent to see a sideshow of dancing monkeys.
sidesplitting
sidesplitting
  1. adj. very funny: They laughed at a sidesplitting old movie.
sidestep
sidestep
  1. v. -stepped, -stepping, -steps
    1 [I;T] to step aside or out of the way
    2 [T] fig. to avoid s.t.: A reporter asked the politician a question, but he sidestepped it with a joke.
sidetracked
sidetracked
  1. adj. with attention turned away from the main task: I was reading, but then I got sidetracked when I heard my favorite song on the radio.
sidewalk
sidewalk
  1. n. the path next to a street, meant for walkers: A lady walked her dog along the sidewalk.
sideways
sideways
  1. adv. from or toward the side: I had to turn sideways to fit through the opening in the fence.||She looked sideways toward her left.
siding
siding
  1. n. [U] wood, metal, or vinyl used to cover the surface of a building: That family is putting new blue siding on their old brown house.
sidle
sidle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to walk rather slowly, usu. approaching s.o. in an indirect way: She sidled up to the bar and ordered a beer.
siege
siege
  1. n. a military action in which forces surround an area and prevent supplies from entering: During the siege, the army stopped all trains carrying food.
siesta
siesta
  1. n. (Spanish for) a nap, usu. after lunch: I think I'll go to my room and take a siesta until about 3:00.
sieve
sieve
  1. n.v. [T] sieved, sieving, sieves
    1 a tool with a container of tiny holes, used to separate (liquid from solid, large pieces from small, etc.): We poured ocean water into the sieve, and shells and sand remained.
    2 a mind (brain, memory, etc.) like a sieve: a forgetful mind, a bad memory: Did I miss your birthday? I have a mind like a sieve!
sift
sift
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to put through a sieve: I sifted flour and salt together for a cake.
    2 [T] to look through s.t. carefully: The tax worker sifted through the company's financial records.
sigh
sigh
  1. v. [I] n. to let out air from the mouth from fatigue or emotion: He sighed with relief.||She gave a sigh of disappointment.
sight
sight
  1. n.
    1 [U] the physical sense of seeing: My sight is good; I don't need glasses.
    2 [C] s.t. or s.o. that is seen: I like the sight of fresh snow in the winter.
    3 [C] a place to visit on a trip: We saw the sights of Hong Kong by bus.
    4 [C] s.t. ugly or funny-looking: Trash is everywhere; what a sight!
    5 [C] the part of a gun that helps s.o. aim: He saw a duck through the sight and shot.
    6 a sight for sore eyes: s.o. or s.t. that one is happy to see: After a year in the desert, the ocean is a sight for sore eyes.
    7 in (one's) sight: within view: The war started last year, and there is no end in sight.||The ship is in my sight.
    8 on sight: when seen: The soldiers will shoot you on sight if you go onto enemy land.
    9 out of one's sight: no longer in view: The airplane is out of sight behind a cloud.
    10 out of sight, out of mind: forgotten when not present: My girlfriend never calls me when I'm on a business trip: out of sight, out of mind.
sighted
sighted
  1. adj. able to see, not blind: The blind woman asked her sighted sister to describe the action on the TV show.
sightless
sightless
  1. adj. not able to see, blind: A sightless man crossed the street with a guide dog.
sightread
sightread
  1. -read , -reading, -reads v. [I;T] to play or sing music without prior practice: He had never seen the music, but he sat down and sightread it.
sightseeing
sightseeing
  1. n. the act of visiting special places as a tourist: We did some sightseeing at the Grand Canyon in Arizona. -v. [I] sightsee.
sign
sign
  1. n.
    1 a board or poster with information on it: The sign on our store says "The Clothes Boutique."||a stop sign
    2 an action or other nonspoken way of communicating: The wave of her hand was a sign of greeting.||He sends her flowers as a sign of love.
    3 a symbol: The (X) is a multiplication sign.v.
    1 [I;T] to write one's name on s.t.: He signed a check.
    2 [I;T] to use finger motions to communicate with people who can't hear: My hearing-impaired sister signed "good-bye" to me.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to sign for s.t.: to show that one has received s.t. by signing one's name: My assistant signed for the package.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to sign off on s.t.: to give one's approval: All committee members signed off on the new budget.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to sign on: to join a group,
    THESAURUS
    to enlist: When they asked for help, she signed on.
    6 to sign on the dotted line: to show final agreement in a legal or official action: After I signed on the dotted line, I owned a new house!
    7 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to sign s.o. in: to write down one's name to show one's presence at a meeting or other gathering,
    THESAURUS
    to register: We signed in our visitors.||We signed them in.
    8 phrasal v. insep. to sign s.o. or s.t. out: a. [I;T] s.o.: to write one's name down to show one is leaving: I signed out the salesman when he left this evening.||I signed him out. b. [T] s.t.: to take s.t. out, to borrow: I signed out books at the university library.||I signed them out.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [T] to sign s.t. away: to give up ownership or rights to s.t.: The mother signed away her house to her children.||She signed it away.
    10 phrasal v. sep. [T] to sign s.t. over: to change ownership: The president signed over the company to the employees.||She signed it over.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to sign (s.o.) up: to join, agree to do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to enroll: I signed up for swimming lessons. -n. signer. adj.phr. signed, sealed, and delivered: successfully ended, agreed upon
sign language
sign language
  1. n. [U]
    1 a silent language for hearing-impaired people, using symbols formed with the hands and fingers: They couldn't speak, so they used sign language to say "How are you?"
    2 any nonspoken hand language: She used sign language to say hello from across the room.
signal
signal
  1. n.
    1 an action or thing that sends a message, often not using words: A green light is a signal to go.
    2 an electronic picture or sound: The TV is very clear; there must be a good signal.v. [I;T] to send a signal: Ships signal their positions by radio.
    THESAURUS
    signal v. to transmit, indicate, announce. traffic light or signal -n. a post with lights that control the flow of traffic: We stopped at the red traffic light and waited for it to change to green.
signatory
signatory
  1. n. -ries a person who has signed a legal or official paper: I am a signatory to the purchase agreement.
signature
signature
  1. n. one's name written by oneself: My signature is on the birthday card.
significance
significance
  1. n. [U]
    1 the importance of s.t.: The end of the war was an event of great significance.
    2 the meaning of s.t.: I don't understand the significance of your wearing black all the time; are you sad?
    THESAURUS
    significance
    1 consequence
    2 the point, implication.
significant
significant
  1. adj.
    1 important: The two leaders' shaking hands is a significant step toward peace.
    2 worth noting, large, meaningful: The company made a significant profit last year. (syn.THESAURUS
    ignificant
    1 major, momentous, crucial. Ant. unimportant.
    2 substantial, considerable. Ant. scant.
signify
signify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to show, indicate: The new neighbors sent us a cake to signify that they want to be friends.
    2 to mean: An arrow will signify the correct direction.
signing
signing
  1. n. [U] the act of putting one's signature on s.t.: We went to the lawyer's office for the signing.
signpost
signpost
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that holds up a sign
    2 fig. anything that shows the way, a guide: College is a signpost to a successful future.
silence
silence
  1. n. [U] quiet, no noise: There was absolute silence in the church as the people prayed.exclam. Quiet!: Silence! This is a library.v. [T] -lenced, -lencing, -lences to make quiet: The teachers silenced the class before beginning to talk.
    THESAURUS
    silence n. stillness | a hush. —v. to hush | mute.
silent
silent
  1. adj.
    1 quiet, noiseless: The forest was silent; even the birds were quiet.
    2 not talking, not showing knowledge: The criminal remained silent before the judge.
    THESAURUS
    silent
    1 still, soundless | tranquil
    2 mute, close-mouthed.
silent partner
silent partner
  1. n. an investor in a business who does not work in it: Two silent partners own 10 percent of my business.
silent treatment
silent treatment
  1. n. [U] not speaking with s.o. as a way to show dislike or as punishment: He came home very late without a reason, and his wife gave him the silent treatment for two days.
silhouette
silhouette
  1. n.v. [T] -etted, -etting, -ettes an outline that is filled in with a dark color, against a light background: A silhouette of the side view of the boy's face shows the shape of his nose.
silicon
silicon
  1. n. [U] a nonmetallic element found in the earth and used in glass, brick, and other materials
silk
silk
  1. n. [U] the material made by silkworms, the cloth made from the fiber: She wears dresses made of silk.||He bought four yards of silk.
silken
silken
  1. adj.
    1 smooth, soft, and pleasing to the touch like silk, silky: The lady has silken skin.
    2 made of silk: a silken tablecloth
silkscreen
silkscreen
  1. v. [T] n. to print s.t. onto cloth: The man silkscreened a picture of the rock star onto a T-shirt. -adj. silkscreened.
silky
silky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest smooth, soft: silky hair See: silken.
sill
sill
  1. n. the bottom edge of a window that sticks out from the wall: He placed a plant on the sill.
silly
silly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest foolish, stupid: When he drinks wine, he starts acting silly.
    THESAURUS
    silly dumb, idiotic | ridiculous, absurd. Ant. sensible.
silo
silo
  1. n. -los a building on a farm, often round in shape, that holds grain or other plant food
silver
silver
  1. n. [U]
    1 a white, shiny, metallic element used for making jewelry, knives, forks, spoons, and other objects
    2 the color of silver (metallic grayish white): My grandfather has silver in his hair. -adj. silvery.
silver anniversary
silver anniversary
  1. n. a day honoring the 25th year of s.t., usu. marriage
silver plate
silver plate
  1. n. metal with a thin covering of silver -adj. silverplated.
silver spoon
silver spoon
  1. n. born with a silver spoon in his or her mouth: born wealthy: That rich boy was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
silversmith
silversmith
  1. n. a person who makes silver jewelry or other objects
silverware
silverware
  1. n. [U] table tools made from silver (knives, forks, spoons, etc.): Please put the plates and silverware on the table.
similar
similar
  1. adj. almost alike: She has a blue dress similar to yours, but hers has a green collar.
    THESAURUS
    similar comparable, equivalent | resembling s.o. or s.t.
similarity
similarity
  1. n. -ties the state of being almost alike,
    THESAURUS
    a resemblance: There is a similarity between the two films, but one has more violence than the other.
simmer
simmer
  1. v. [I;T] n. [U]
    1 to cook at a temperature below the boiling point: The cook let the stew simmer for a half hour.
    2 phrasal v. to simmer down: to become calm after being angry: After their fight, they simmered down.
simp
simp
  1. n.slang a fool
simper
simper
  1. v. [I] n. [C] to smile in a silly way: Stop simpering and act serious!
simple
simple
  1. adj.
    1 without many details, not complex: I drew a simple map.||Beef and potatoes are a simple meal.
    2 easy to do: a simple math problem
    3 ordinary, pure: the simple truth
    4 not able to think in a complicated way: He's a bit simple, so don't ask him hard questions.
simple interest
simple interest
  1. n. [U] a percent of money paid on an original amount: The simple interest on $1,000 at 7 percent is $70 a year, paid at $70 year after year. See: compound v., 2.
simpleminded
simpleminded
  1. adj.
    1 not having full mental abilities: The woman can't read because she is simpleminded.
    2 stupid, silly: Riding a bike in the snow is a simpleminded idea.
simplicity
simplicity
  1. n. [U]
    1 a lack of complexity, plainness: I would like to move to the country and lead a life of simplicity.
    2 ease of doing: Changing a car's oil can be done with simplicity.
simplify
simplify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to make less complex: Let's simplify the job by dividing it into smaller tasks.
simply
simply
  1. adv.
    1 without any difficulty: The repair can be made simply with just a screwdriver.
    2 only, just: Don't get angry; I was simply trying to help.
    3 very, absolutely: I was simply amazed when he finished the job in an hour.
    THESAURUS
    simply
    1 easily
    2 merely, purely
    3 utterly, totally.
simulation
simulation
  1. n. [C;U] an imitation of a real situation: The pilots learned to fly airplanes by watching ground simulations. -v. [T] simulate; -n. simulator.
simultaneous
simultaneous
  1. adj. happening at the same time: The final trumpet music was simultaneous with loud noise from the drums. -adv. simultaneously.
sin
sin
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an act against religious beliefs: The rabbi told the child that lying was a sin.
    2 any bad or wrong act: It is a sin to waste food when others do not have enough to eat.v. [I] sinned, sinning, sins to do s.t. bad or wrong: He sinned when he left his old and helpless parents alone.
since
since
  1. conj.
    1 because: The gas company turned your heat off, since you did not pay your bill.
    2 after a certain time: I haven't seen any snow since I moved to Mississippi.adv.
    1 from that time or between that time and now: I quit my job last year and have not worked since.
    2 before now: She has long since stopped smoking.prep. from a specific time: The company has been in business since 1941.
sincere
sincere
  1. adj. honest in one's thought and action, true: Her love for you is sincere; she will stay with you in bad times.
    THESAURUS
    sincere genuine, earnest, real. Ant. insincere.
sincerely
sincerely
  1. adv.
    1 honestly, truly: Please believe me; I am sincerely interested in helping you.
    2 often used to close a letter: See you soon. Sincerely, Joe Martin.
    THESAURUS
    sincerely
    1 genuinely, really.
sincerity
sincerity
  1. n. [U] honesty in thought and action: I like her sincerity; she means what she says.
sinew
sinew
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 in the body, strong tissue connecting muscle to bone, a tendon
    2 fig. strength: Two sinews of the US government are voting rights and free speech. -adj. sinewy.
sinful
sinful
  1. adj.
    1 against religious ideas of right: Having sex outside of marriage is sinful in many religions.
    2 bad, wrong: It was sinful to keep the dog in the hot car.
sing
sing
  1. v. sang or sung , singing, sings
    1 [I;T] to make music with the voice: She sings in a higher voice than her husband.
    2 [I] to work as a singer: She sang in nightclubs for many years.
    3 [I] to be expressed in a beautiful and pleasing way: That author writes so well that his words sing.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to sing out: to sing, call out loudly: If you need help, sing out!
singe
singe
  1. v. [I;T] to burn the ends of or a small part of,
    THESAURUS
    to scorch: I singed some hair when I blew out the candle.
singer
singer
  1. n. a person who sings: He is a singer in a jazz band.
single-handedly
single-handedly
  1. adv. by oneself, alone: She built her company singlehandedly, with no partners.
single-minded
single-minded
  1. adj. focused, fixed on one idea: The salesman is single-minded in his work; making sales is all that is important.
single entry
single entry
  1. n. [U] (in accounting) a way of keeping financial records that shows only money owed and money due
single file
single file
  1. adv. in a line, one person behind another: The class lined up single file, in alphabetical order.
singles bar
singles bar
  1. n. a bar or nightclub where people go to meet others and drink: The man in the singles bar asked the woman for her telephone number.
singly
singly
  1. adv. one by one, individually: They sell eggs singly, not in dozens.
singsong
singsong
  1. adj.n. a way of speaking in which the voice rises and falls with little variation: He spoke to his baby in a singsong voice to help the baby fall asleep.
singular
singular
  1. adj.
    1 special, unusual: She has the singular honor of winning the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
    2 unique, sole: a singular sculpture from Roman times -adv. singularly.n. [U] (in grammar) not the plural: "I" is a singular pronoun.||"Box" is the singular of "boxes."
sinister
sinister
  1. adj. seeming evil or harmful: A sinister villain kidnapped the wealthy child.||The old house looked sinister in the dark.
sink
sink
  1. n. the container for running water, often in a kitchen or bathroom: He washed the dishes in the sink.v. sank or sunk , sinking, sinks
    1 [I;T] to go or fall below the surface of water (mud, sand, etc.): The boat had a hole, so it sank.
    2 [I] to go into a worse or different physical state: He took drugs and sank slowly into bad health.||When she is tired, she sinks into a deep sleep.
    3 [T] to push s.t. into the ground: The mining company sank a mine shaft into the hill.
    4 [T] to cause to fail: The banks would not loan our company any more money, and this sank us; we went out of business.
    5 [I] to fall slowly: She sank to her knees; she was so tired.
    6 [I] (for s.t.) to become disappointed or sad: His heart sank when he saw his girlfriend with another man.
    7 [T] to spend money on s.t.: I don't want to sink any more money into my old car.
    8 slang to sink a basket: to throw a basketball through a hoop
    9 phrasal v. [I] to sink in: to be slowly understood: This algebra lesson is sinking in; I almost understand.
    10 phrasal v. insep. [T] to sink s.t. into s.t.: to cause s.t. to penetrate s.t.: I love to sink my toes into a soft rug. See: sunk.
sinner
sinner
  1. n. a person who acts against religious teaching: The minister asked the church members to pray for sinners.
sinuous
sinuous
  1. adj. curvy, like a snake: a sinuous dance||a sinuous path through the woods
sinuses
sinuses
  1. n.pl. in the nose and head, air-filled sections between the bones: When I have a cold, my sinuses fill up.
sip
sip
  1. v. [I;T] n. sipped, sipping, sips to drink a small amount at a time: He sipped his tea.||He took a sip of tea.
    THESAURUS
    sip v. to sample, taste. —n. a sample, taste.
siphon
siphon
  1. n. a tube used to pull liquid from a container by gravity and suction: He used a siphon to take gasoline from the car's tank.v.fig. [T] to take s.t. away from s.t.: An employee siphoned off money from the company and put it in his own bank account.
sir
sir
  1. n.
    1 a. a respectful word to use when talking to a man, often used instead of the man's name: Would you like red or white wine, sir? b. used to begin a formal letter to a man: Dear Sir:
    2 a word used before a knight's or other titled man's name: The queen made Laurence Olivier a knight, so then he was Sir Laurence Olivier.
sire
sire
  1. n.
    1 a male parent, often a horse
    2 a word used when talking to a king: Shall I bring your crown, Sire?v. [T] sired, siring, sires to father children or animals: a stallion that sired many fine racehorses
siren
siren
  1. n.
    1 a loud, high-pitched alarm on a fire truck, ambulance, police car, etc.: The fire engine's siren warned drivers to move out of the way.
    2 a beautiful woman who attracts men,
    THESAURUS
    a temptress: She is dressed like a siren tonight; many guys will ask her to dance.
sirloin
sirloin
  1. n. [C;U] a very good cut of beef from the cow's back: a sirloin steak
sissy
sissy
  1. n.infrml.
    1 a sister
    2 pej. a cowardly, weak boy or man: Don't be a sissy; jump into the cold water!
sister-in-law
sister-in-law
  1. n. sisters-in-law the sister of a husband or wife, or the wife of a brother
sister
sister
  1. n.
    1 a daughter with the same parents as another daughter or son: My parents thought my brother needed a sister, so they were happy when I was a girl.
    2 Sister: a nun, what one calls a nun: The Sister got down on her knees and prayed.||Sister, will you help me understand this Bible story?
    3 a woman who one feels close to (often used by another woman): Though she was born in Africa and is much older, we are sisters. -adj. sisterly.
sisterhood
sisterhood
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being sisters
    2 the feeling or state of being close or united with other women: The women in my group are a sisterhood, fighting against domestic violence.
sit-down
sit-down
  1. n.adj.
    1 a work stoppage in which people won't leave a workplace until a problem is settled: The unhappy auto workers started a sit-down and stayed overnight until the bosses listened.
    2 done while sitting: a sit-down dinner
sit-in
sit-in
  1. n. a protest in which people sit in one place and refuse to leave until they are physically moved or until their problem is solved: The neighborhood people had a sit-in against racial discrimination.
sit-up
sit-up
  1. n. an exercise to make the stomach area stronger and flatter, in which one lies back and then sits up repeatedly
sit
sit
  1. v. sat , sitting, sits
    1 [I] to bend one's knees and rest on one's buttocks: He sat on a chair.
    2 [I] to be located: The skier's hotel sits in a valley.||A computer sat on the desk.
    3 [I] to pose: to sit for a painting or photograph
    4 [I] short for to babysit: I sit for my little brother every Saturday night.
    5 [I] to be happening, in session: The Congress is sitting.
    6 to be sitting pretty: to be in a good position: Since he married the rich woman, he is sitting pretty.
    7 to just sit there: to do nothing, to not act: Don't just sit there; help me move the table!
    8 phrasal v. [I] to sit around s.t.: to be lazy, to not do much: The workmen are sitting around with nothing to do.
    9 phrasal v. [I] to sit back: to wait in a comfortable position: I sat back and enjoyed the movie.
    10 to sit down: to seat oneself: I sat down on a bench in the park.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [I] to sit in for or on: a. for: to substitute for: She is sitting in for the boss. b. on: to attend, be there: I sat in on the professor's lecture.
    12 to sit on one's hands: to not act,
    THESAURUS
    to stall: The secretary asked her boss for a decision, but the boss sat on his hands for months.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to sit (s.t.) out: to not participate: His ankle hurt, so he sat the game out.
    14 to sit through: to stay during (often not wanting to): We sat through the long, boring opera.
    15 to sit tight: to be patient: I'll have the information for you tomorrow; just sit tight.
    16 phrasal v. [I] to sit up: a. to raise oneself up: The patient sat up in bed; he feels better. b. to wait for s.o.: His mother was angry he was late; she sat up until 12:00.
    17 to sit up and take notice: to see and be affected: He played a good game of tennis, and his friends sat up and took notice.
    18 to sit well with: to feel good or be agreeable to s.o.: The plan to move to the city does not sit well with him.
sitcom
sitcom
  1. n.short for situation comedy
site
site
  1. n. an area or place: the site of the crime||a building sitev. [T] sited, siting, sites to put s.t. in a particular place: to site a skyscraper on a corner
sitter
sitter
  1. n.short for babysitter: We'll need a sitter tonight, so we can go to the theater.
sitting
sitting
  1. n. time spent seated and doing one thing,
    THESAURUS
    a session: a sitting for a painting||She read the book in one sitting.
sitting duck
sitting duck
  1. adj. an easy target or victim: I was alone in the unlocked house; I was a sitting duck for the thieves.
situate
situate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to put or build, locate: We situated our house near the beach.
situated
situated
  1. adj. in a certain place, located: The flagpole is situated in the center of the park.
situation
situation
  1. n.
    1 the way things are at a certain time, the state of what's happening: The child was in a bad situation, with no food or water.||The leaders are meeting to talk about the situation in the Middle East.
    2 frml. a job: She no longer cleans house for us; she is looking for a different situation.
    3 a location, the way s.t. stands in its surroundings: Our house's situation lets us look west over the desert.
situation comedy
situation comedy
  1. n. a funny 30-minute weekly television program, using the same characters but with different stories each week
six-pack
six-pack
  1. n. 6 cans or bottles of a beverage, bought together: a six-pack of beer||a six-pack of ginger ale
six
six
  1. n. -es
    1 the cardinal number 6
    2 at sixes and sevens: confused, in a mess: I am at sixes and sevens with my difficult daughter.
    3 six of one, a half-dozen of the other: with little difference between two things: I don't care if we go on Sunday or Monday; it's six of one, a half-dozen of the other.adj. 6 of s.t.: six cans of beer
sixth sense
sixth sense
  1. n. [U] the ability to feel things (danger, s.o.'s thoughts, the future, etc.) beyond the five senses of sight, smell, hearing, taste, and touch: I have a sixth sense that my mother will phone tonight.

    USAGE NOTE: A sixth sense may also be called a gut feeling, a funny feeling, or a hunch: My gut feeling is that I should take the job.||I have a funny feeling that I forgot to turn off the gas stove at home.||It's just a hunch, but I think the test will be pretty easy.
sixty
sixty
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 60: 60 pages in the history lesson
sizable or sizeable
sizable or sizeable
  1. adj. large: a sizable amount of money||a sizable town
size
size
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the physical measure of s.o. or s.t. (bigness, smallness, etc.): Look at the size of that baby; she's huge!||I would like the smaller size of coffee, please.||The two boys are the same size.
    2 [C] a number that tells how big or small clothing items or shoes are: After she lost weight, she went from a size 16 to a size 12.||His boots are a size 11.
    3 [U] the way things are: Right is right and wrong is wrong; that's the size of it.v. [T] sized, sizing, sizes
    1 to measure s.t.: We sized the living room to see if we had space for a couch:
    2 phrasal v. sep. to size s.o. or s.t. up: to form an opinion of s.o.: She sized up her new teacher and decided he was strict but fair.||She sized him up.suffix -sized or -size related to the size (small, large, etc.) of s.t.: a medium-sized meal||a king-sized bed||a child-sized chair
    THESAURUS
    size n.
    1 dimensions, proportions | bulk | extent, scope
    3 the truth, fact.
sizzle
sizzle
  1. v. -zled, -zling, -zles
    1 to make the sound of s.t. cooking in hot fat: I can hear the steaks sizzling on the grill.
    2 fig. to be exciting and brilliant: That commercial sizzles; people are buying the product heavily.-adj. sizzling.
skate
skate
  1. n. [C] v. [I] skated, skating, skates
    1 a boot with wheels or a blade attached, worn to slide along
    2 short for ice skate, rollerskate: I skate in the park each morning.
    3 [C;U] a type of fish -n. [U] skating.
skateboard
skateboard
  1. n. a board with four wheels on which one stands and rolls along a surface
skein
skein
  1. n. a long section of thread or wool, gathered in a smaller roll
skeleton
skeleton
  1. n.
    1 a body's bones: We studied the skeleton in biology class.
    2 the basic or beginning structure: The skeleton of the house is built, but there are no walls.
    3 an incomplete thing: the skeleton of an idea
    4 to have a skeleton in one's closet: to hide s.t. embarrassing: He has a skeleton in his closet; he spent a year in jail when he was young.
skeptic
skeptic
  1. n. a person who doubts or doesn't believe: She is a skeptic about the future of this planet, because there are so many difficult problems. -adj. skeptical; -n. [U] skepticism.
sketch
sketch
  1. n. -es
    1 a drawing done quickly and without many details: The artist drew a sketch of the woman's face in two minutes.
    2 a short piece of writing that gives the main ideas,
    THESAURUS
    an outline: The editor read a sketch of my book idea and asked to see a complete chapter.v. [I;T] -es
    1 to draw quickly, without details: I sketched a picture of our new house.
    2 to write the main ideas,
    THESAURUS
    to outline: to sketch out an idea on paper
sketchy
sketchy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest without many details, vague, incomplete: He has a sketchy idea of what cities he wants to visit, but those are his only plans.
skew
skew
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make information different,
    THESAURUS
    to distort: The newspaper skewed the facts; the story is untrue.
    2 to turn to the side: If you skew the desk, the chair will fit better. -adj. skewed.
skewer
skewer
  1. n. a long, thin piece of metal used to hold pieces of meat or vegetables for cooking
ski
ski
  1. n.v. [I] skied, skiing, skis
    1 a long, narrow piece of wood, fiberglass, or plastic, attached to special boots and used for moving on snow
    2 a waterski See: cross-country; water ski.
ski lift
ski lift
  1. n. one of several types of machines that move skiers to the top of a hill or mountain
skid
skid
  1. v. [I] skidded, skidding, skids to move across a surface, often sideways, with a bumpy or sliding motion: The truck skidded to a stop just before the fence.n.
    1 the motion of skidding: She put on the brakes too hard and went into a skid.
    2 a flat surface of wood put under heavy items, such as cartons, to move them
    3 to be on the skids: to be going toward failure: He drinks too much and is on the skids.
skid row
skid row
  1. n. a state of poverty, bad luck, drunkenness, etc. (originally from the name of a street in New York City): He was a famous singer, but he took drugs and now is on skid row.
skiing
skiing
  1. n. the sport of sliding down or across snowy surfaces on skis
skill
skill
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an ability to do s.t. well because of practice, talent, or special training: She has excellent musical skills.
    2 a trade: Plumbing is his skill.
    THESAURUS
    skill
    1 a capacity | know-how, expertise
    2 a craft.
skilled
skilled
  1. adj.
    1 having an ability: She is very skilled at typing.
    2 good at one's job: He is a skilled carpenter.
skillful
skillful
  1. adj. able to do s.t. well: She is skillful at managing a large staff.||He is skillful at building furniture.
    THESAURUS
    skillful adept, proficient | expert.
skim
skim
  1. v. skimmed, skimming, skims
    1 [I;T] to read or look through quickly: I skimmed the magazine for the interesting articles.
    2 [T] to remove the thin, top layer of s.t.: The cook skimmed the fat off the chicken soup with a spoon.
    3 [I;T] to throw or move across the surface of s.t.: The fast boat skimmed across the lake.
    4 [T] to remove money illegally from a business: to skim the profits
    5 to skim the surface: to look at or think about only the easy or obvious part of s.t.: The problem of poverty is very difficult; we have just skimmed the surface in trying to solve it.n. illegal removal of money from a business: the skim from the cash register -n. [U] skimming.
skimp
skimp
  1. v. [I]
    1 to use low-quality materials: The tailor skimped on the cloth for the suit, so it fell apart.
    2 to try hard to save money: I don't get paid until next week, so I must skimp until then.
skimpy
skimpy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest not enough, too small: a skimpy bathing suit||a skimpy breakfast
skin-deep
skin-deep
  1. adj.
    1 shallow, not deep: The cut is only skin-deep, so I don't need a doctor.
    2 fig. not important or lasting: Our fight was skin-deep; we weren't too angry.
    3 beauty is only skin-deep: being a good person is more important than looking good: My aunt is not pretty, but she is kind and generous; beauty is only skin-deep.
skin-dive
skin-dive
  1. v. [I] -dived, -diving, -dives to swim underwater with a face mask and some kind of breathing equipment -n. [U] skin-diving.
skin 
skin 
  1. n.  1 [U] the outer covering of the body: His skin is very light, but it turns pink when he goes out in the sun. 2 [C;U] the outer covering of a fruit or vegetable: a potato skin||the skin of an onion
    3 [C] the outer covering of an animal from which leather is made: seal skin||the skin of a deer 4 by the skin of one’s teeth: just barely, by the smallest amount or distance: Two men ran after the boy, but he was able to get away from them by the skin of his teeth. 5 to get under one’s skin: to have an effect on, to anger or bother: That movie got under my skin; I’ve been thinking about it all day.||Loud music really gets under my dad’s skin.  6 to have a thick skin: not to be upset or bothered by unkindness or criticism: She has a thick skin, so she doesn’t mind when the teacher corrects her grammar. 
    7 to have a thin skin: to be easily upset, dislike criticism: I hate it when my mother yells at me; I have very thin skin.  8 to make one’s skin crawl: to cause a feeling of fear, disgust, or dislike: He felt someone was following him in the dark, and it made his skin crawl.  9 v.phrs. to have skin in the game: to have a lot of one’s own money in an investment: That bank has skin in the game in building that casino, so it wants the casino to succeed.
    ?v. [T] skinned, skinning, skins 1 to remove the skin: The hunter skinned the dead bear.
    2 to cut the skin so that it barely bleeds: to skin a knee 3 there is more than one way to skin a cat: There is more than one way to do s.t., to solve a problem: If you can’t reach your brother by phone, write a letter ; there’s more than one way to skin a cat.
    THESAURUS
    skin n.
    1 the epidermis
    2 a peel, rind
    3 a hide, pelt.
    ?v.
    1 to strip,
    2 to scrape, graze.
skinflint
skinflint
  1. n. a person who hates to spend money, (syns.) a cheapskate, miser: Buy your wife a birthday present, or she will think you're a skinflint.
skinhead
skinhead
  1. n. s.o. who shaves his or her head, often as a sign of membership in one of several groups of young people who go to rock concerts and sometimes show hatred of blacks, Jews, and others: A skinhead tried to tell my son that Hitler was a hero.
skinny-dipping
skinny-dipping
  1. n.slang swimming naked: We took off our bathing suits and went skinnydipping in the pond.
skinny
skinny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest very thin: The skinny boy went through a small hole in the fence. See: trim, USAGE NOTE.
skintight
skintight
  1. adj. very tight, fitting closely: skintight jeans
skip
skip
  1. v. skipped, skipping, skips
    1 [I] to run in a hopping way: The little girl skipped happily to her friend's house.
    2 [T] to use a jump rope: to skip rope
    3 [I;T] not to do s.t. that one usu. does, to miss: to skip a meal||to skip school for a day
    4 [I;T] to pass over: I read Chapters 2 and 4, but skipped Chapter 3.
skipper
skipper
  1. n.v. [T] the captain of a ship: a skipper in the navy
skirmish
skirmish
  1. n.v. [I] (in the military) a small fight or battle
skit
skit
  1. n. a short, often funny scene that is part of a larger show or event: At the picnic, the cousins put on a short skit about their grandparents.
skittish
skittish
  1. adj. easily frightened, nervous: I am skittish about going to the doctor.||The young horse was very skittish, so I couldn't put her saddle on.
skull
skull
  1. n. the bone part of the head: The scientists used the dead animal's skull to estimate its age.
skullcap
skullcap
  1. n. a small, round cloth hat worn by men and boys, usu. as a sign of religious devotion See: yarmulke.
skullduggery
skullduggery
  1. n.frml. [U] evil acts, (syns.) cheating, deception: The gang burned houses and performed other acts of skullduggery.
skunk
skunk
  1. n.
    1 a small animal with black fur and white stripes that gives off a bad-smelling liquid when frightened or attacked
    2 slang a bad or mean person: That man left his family for another woman; he's a skunk.
sky-high
sky-high
  1. adj. very high: My son hit the baseball sky-high.||The price of oil has gone sky-high.
sky
sky
  1. n. [C;U] skies
    1 the air we see above the earth: The sky is blue today, though it was cloudy yesterday.||He saw a plane fly through the sky.
    2 pl. the skies: (same meaning): The skies above our town looked dark before the rain.
skycap
skycap
  1. n. a person who works at an airport, carrying luggage,
    THESAURUS
    a porter: A skycap helped bring my suitcase inside.
skydiving
skydiving
  1. n. [U] the sport of jumping out of a plane and floating to the ground with the help of a parachute -n. [C] skydiver.
skyjack
skyjack
  1. v. [T] to make the pilot of an airplane fly to a place it isn't supposed to go: Our plane was skyjacked by a man and a woman with guns. See: hijack.
skylight
skylight
  1. n. a window, often in a roof, that lets light in from above
skyline
skyline
  1. n.
    1 the line where the sky seems to meet the earth,
    THESAURUS
    the horizon
    2 the view of buildings, hills, mountains, etc., against the sky: We saw the Eiffel Tower as part of the Paris skyline.
skyrocket
skyrocket
  1. v. [I;T] to go up high and quickly: The price of our house skyrocketed from $100,000 to $200,000 in two years.
skyscraper
skyscraper
  1. n. a very tall building: The Empire State Building is a famous skyscraper.
slab
slab
  1. n. a thick, flat slice of s.t.: The cook cut off a slab of beef and put it on my plate.
slack
slack
  1. n. [U]
    1 lack of tightness, looseness in s.t., such as a string, fish line, or rope: There is some slack in this rope, so you can pull it tighter.
    2 infrml. to cut or give s.o. some slack: to give s.o. the right to be wrong, to give s.o. more of a chance: You're too strict with your son; cut him some slack. -n. [U] slackness.adj.
    1 not tight or firm: a slack wire
    2 not working hard, not busy, lazy: The boss told the slack worker to take fewer coffee breaks.v. [I] to slack off: to be less active, slow down: The rain is slacking off; let's go outside.||This job is almost done; let's slack off for a while. See: slacken.
slacken
slacken
  1. v. [I;T] to be less active, slow down: We're not selling as much; business has slackened.||We skated fast, then slackened our pace.
slacks
slacks
  1. n. [U] pants, trousers: Don't wear blue jeans to the wedding; put on slacks instead.
slain
slain
  1. past part. of slay —adj. killed, murdered: He was slain by a man with a knife.n. people who have been killed (no "s" for plural form): After the battle, the slain lay silent in a field.
slake
slake
  1. v. [T] to satisfy s.t., esp. thirst: A tall glass of lemonade slaked his thirst.
slam
slam
  1. v. [I;T] slammed, slamming, slams
    1 to hit s.t. hard: The angry man slammed his fist on the desk.
    2 to close hard: She slammed the door shut.n. [C] usu. sing.
    1 a hard hit: The car drove into the fence with a slam.
    2 a forceful closing: We heard the slam of the window in the wind.
    THESAURUS
    slam v.
    1 to smash, smack
    2 to bang. —n.
    1 a smash, crash
    2 a bang.
slammer
slammer
  1. n.slang prison, jail: He went to the slammer for 15 years for robbery.
slander
slander
  1. v. [T] to say bad or untrue things about s.o., to hurt s.o.'s reputation: The radio program slandered the politician by saying he took drugs.n. [C;U] the act of saying bad or untrue things about s.o.: It was slander to say I don't pay my taxes; I do pay them.
slang
slang
  1. n. [U] informal language and expressions that are considered unacceptable in formal speech and writing, (syns.) argot, street language: When we moved, I quickly learned the slang of the local teenagers.
slant
slant
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to be put or to be at an angle, not to be straight up-and-down: The flagpole is slanting; soon it will fall.
    2 [T] to allow one's opinion to show when telling a story: The angry wife slanted the story of her divorce.n.
    1 [C] usu. sing. the angle of s.t.: the slant of a roof
    2 [C] s.o.'s attitude or particular opinion: my slant on the news item
slap
slap
  1. v. [T] slapped, slapping, slaps to hit with a flat surface, esp. with the hand: The girl slapped her brother, and he started to cry.n.
    1 a hit with a flat surface: I gave the fly a slap.
    2 a slap in the face: a bad surprise or insult: I worked hard on the paper, so it was a slap in the face to get a bad grade.
    THESAURUS
    slap v. to smack, strike. —n.
    1 a smack, blow.
slapdash
slapdash
  1. adj. done quickly and not well, (syns.) careless, hasty: They made a slapdash attempt at repairing the roof, but it still leaked.
slaphappy
slaphappy
  1. adj. having no worries, silly: The man was slaphappy after too much beer and not enough sleep.
slapstick
slapstick
  1. n. [U] adj. a type of acting that uses physical movement for comic effect: In a funny piece of slapstick, a woman threw a pie in her husband's face.
slash
slash
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to make a long cut with s.t. sharp: The knife slashed through the sack of flour.
    2 [T] to lessen,
    THESAURUS
    to reduce (prices, cost): At the end of the summer, the store slashed prices on bathing suits.n.
    1 a long cut made by s.t. sharp: I opened the box with a slash of a razor blade.
    2 a great lessening,
    THESAURUS
    a reduction: He bought many T-shirts, because there was a slash in their usual price.
slat
slat
  1. n. a flat, narrow piece of wood, metal, or plastic, usu. spaced evenly with other slats: The old bed had slats to hold up the mattress.
slate
slate
  1. n.
    1 [U] a gray rock cut into smooth, flat pieces, often used as roof shingles or for a ground or floor covering: A slate path led to the porch.
    2 [C] a list of available people or things: Do you like the slate of candidates running for the Senate?
    3 a clean slate: a new, fresh beginning: When he got out of jail, he decided to start over with a clean slate.v. [T] planned: The meeting is slated for next Tuesday.
slather
slather
  1. v. [T] to use a lot of s.t.: I slathered on sunblock before playing volleyball on the beach.
slaughter
slaughter
  1. v. [T]
    1 to kill in a violent and bloody way, often in large numbers: The army slaughtered the enemy with guns and knives.
    2 to kill animals for food: The farmer had cows slaughtered for beef.
    3 slang (in sports) to win, to beat by a large amount: Our soccer team slaughtered the other team by a score of 15 to 2.n. [U]
    1 the act of killing violently, often in large numbers: The slaughter of hundreds of soldiers weakened the army.
    2 the act of killing animals for food: the slaughter of sheep
slave
slave
  1. v. [I] slaved, slaving, slaves
    1 to work very hard for little or no money: His parents slaved for years to save enough money for a house.
    2 to live and work as a slave: During the Civil War, many people slaved for plantation owners.n. a person who is owned by s.o. else and who works for no money: My grandmother's grandfather was a slave who was owned by a rich cotton farmer.
slave driver
slave driver
  1. n.infrml. a person who makes people work very hard, often unfairly,
    THESAURUS
    a taskmaster: The boss told us to work late on a holiday; he's a slavedriver.
slavery
slavery
  1. n. [U] the state of being owned by another person and working for no money: Until slavery was ended in the United States, many African-American people were not free.
slavish
slavish
  1. adj. [U] about acting as if one is worth less than s.o. else, like a slave,
    THESAURUS
    servile: The secretary is slavish toward the boss; he yells at her, and she just keeps working quietly.
slay
slay
  1. v. [T] slew or slayed or slain , slaying, slays
    1 to kill on purpose: The hunter slew the deer.
    2 fig. to make s.o. laugh a lot, amuse: The funny movie slayed him.
sleazy
sleazy
  1. adj.infrml. -zier, -ziest dishonest, dirty, perhaps obviously sexual: Drunks and cocaine dealers live in that sleazy neighborhood. -n. [U] sleaze; sleaziness.
sled
sled
  1. n.
    1 a vehicle that slides on runners over the snow, and that is pulled by animals: In Alaska, we saw dogs pulling a sled.
    2 a child's toy for sliding down snowy hills: Two kids sat on the sled and went down the hill.v. [I] sledded, sledding, sleds to travel by sled
sledding
sledding
  1. n.
    1 [U] the activity of using a sled: The children got wet when they went sledding.
    2 tough or rough sledding: difficult times: Starting a small business is rough sledding at first.
sledge
sledge
  1. n. a sled pulled by an animal
sledgehammer
sledgehammer
  1. n.v. [T] a heavy piece of metal on a handle, used for breaking hard things or pounding things: With a sledgehammer, he drove a piece of wood into the ground.
sleek
sleek
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 healthy-looking, well-dressed: The rich man had a sleek appearance.
    2 smooth, shiny: The cat had a sleek coat after giving himself a bath.
sleep
sleep
  1. v. slept , sleeping, sleeps
    1 [I] to rest in an unconscious state, not to be awake: I have not slept all night, so I am very tired.
    2 [T] to have places to sleep: A double bed sleeps two.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to sleep around: to have sex with many people: If he sleeps around, he might get AIDS.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to sleep in: to sleep later than usual: When I'm on vacation, I like to sleep in.
    5 to sleep like a log: to sleep well and deeply
    6 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to sleep on s.t.: not to decide on or deal with s.t. until after a night's rest: He'll answer your question after he's slept on it.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to sleep s.t. off: to get rid of a bad feeling or effect by sleeping: She slept off five glasses of wine.||She slept them off.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to sleep through s.t.: to fall asleep and miss s.t.: She slept through church.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to sleep together or with s.o.: to have sex with s.o. —n. [C] usu. sing. the state of resting unconsciously: Sleep is important for good health.
sleeper
sleeper
  1. n.
    1 a person who is sleeping
    2 fig. an unexpected, gradual success: No one thought this movie would be popular, but it has gained respect from millions of people, despite its small commercial success; it's a sleeper.
sleeping bag
sleeping bag
  1. n. a large, quilt-like bag with a zipper in which s.o. can sleep outside in cold weather
sleeping pill
sleeping pill
  1. n. a pill that contains medicine to help people sleep
sleepless
sleepless
  1. adj.
    1 without sleep: The bed was uncomfortable, so she had a sleepless night.
    2 not resting, always paying attention: The guard kept a sleepless eye on the prisoner.
sleepy
sleepy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest needing sleep, tired: I feel sleepy; I'm going to lie down.
    THESAURUS
    sleepy drowsy | nodding off.
sleepyhead
sleepyhead
  1. n. s.o. who is tired (usu. used to refer to small children or a loved one): Wake up, sleepyhead; it's time to go to school!
sleet
sleet
  1. v. [I] n. [U] frozen rain, a mixture of snow and rain: If it gets colder, the sleet may turn to snow.
sleeve
sleeve
  1. n.
    1 the part of a piece of clothing that covers all or part of the arm: In the summer, she likes blouses with short sleeves.
    2 any envelope or covering: a sleeve for a record album||a protective metal sleeve over a pipe
    3 to be in one's shirtsleeves: to be without a suit jacket or sport jacket: The businessmen had a casual lunch in their shirtsleeves, then put on jackets for a meeting.
    4 to have or keep s.t. up one's sleeve: to have a secret or information one plans to use later: You two were whispering when I came in. What do you have up your sleeve?
    5 to wear one's heart on one's sleeve: to show one's feelings: It's easy to see how much he loves her, since he wears his heart on his sleeve.
sleigh
sleigh
  1. n. a vehicle that holds people and that is pulled over snow by a horse
sleight-of-hand
sleight-of-hand
  1. n. [U] tricks that look like magic, because the performer's hands move so quickly and skillfully: The man seemed to make two balls appear in the air, in an act of sleight-of-hand.
slender
slender
  1. adj.
    1 thin, slim: She is very slender, so she can wear her teenaged daughter's clothes.
    2 narrow: a slender stem on a flower
    3 small, not much or enough: We hope the sick man will live through the summer, but it is a slender hope.
sleuth
sleuth
  1. n.v.frml. [I;T] a person who tries to solve mysteries,
    THESAURUS
    a detective: The woman hired a sleuth to find out who stole her jewelry.
slew
slew
  1. n. [U] a lot, a large amount of s.t.: A slew of ants crawled over the candy bar.
slice
slice
  1. v. sliced, slicing, slices
    1 [T] to cut into thin, flat pieces: My father sliced the roast turkey for the family dinner.
    2 [I;T] (in golf or tennis) to hit the ball so it goes off to the right or left, not straight —n.
    1 a thin, flat piece of s.t.: a slice of bread
    2 (in golf or tennis) a hit so the ball curves off to the right, not straight
    3 slice-of-life: a play or other performance that is realistic, that shows life without any great plot: The show was a slice-of-life; we saw a typical day in the life of an Iowa farmer.
    THESAURUS
    slice v.
    1 to carve | pare | shear. —n.
    1 a slab, chunk.
slick
slick
  1. n. a slippery layer: The leak in the boat caused an oil slick on the water.adj.
    1 smooth and slippery: Don't fall on the ice; it's slick.
    2 seeming smart and honest, but not so really: That slick guy had a nice smile, but he never paid me back my money. -n. [U] slickness. v. [T] to make smooth: I wet my hand and slicked back my hair.
slide
slide
  1. v. slid , sliding, slides
    1 [I;T] to move s.t. across a surface: Workers slid boxes across the floor.
    2 [I;T] to move easily and quietly: We arrived late and slid into our seats.
    3 [I] to go downward or to a worse state or place: He has been sliding into depression since his wife died.
    4 to let s.t. or things slide: to ignore s.t., to not take care of it: We let fixing the house slide, and now it needs a lot of repairs.
    5 phrasal v. [I;T] to slide by: a. to pass by with little space: There is room enough; you can slide by me. b. to work as little as possible: He goes to college, but he just slides by with low grades.
    6 phrasal v. [I;T] to slide over: to move over: Slide over so I can join you on the bench.n.
    1 on a children's playground, a wooden or metal slope where one climbs up a ladder to the top, sits, and moves down quickly
    2 the act of sliding: a slide down a hill in the snow
    3 a lessening: a slide in prices
    4 a photograph shown against a screen: We gathered in the living room and watched slides of my trip to Greece.
    5 on a microscope, the glass that holds the thing being seen: a slide of a fly's wing
sliding scale
sliding scale
  1. n. a situation in which one amount changes when s.t. else changes: My doctor works on a sliding scale; rich people pay more than poor for the same services.
slight
slight
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 small: a slight difference between a lemon and a lime
    2 thin and small: My four-year-old is so slight that she looks only two. -n. [U] slightness.v. [T] n. to not pay much attention to, ignore: Her friends slighted her by not inviting her to the baseball game.
slim
slim
  1. adj. slimmer, slimmest
    1 thin, slender: He is slim because he eats no meat and runs five kilometers a day.
    2 unlikely: a slim chance of success -adj. slimming.phrasal v. [I;T] slimmed, slimming, slims to slim down: to get thinner: She lost 40 pounds; she has slimmed down a lot. See: trim, USAGE NOTE.
    THESAURUS
    slim adj.
    1 trim, skinny | willowy
    2 remote, marginal, minute.
slime
slime
  1. n. [U] any wet, sticky, dirty substance: We cleaned the slime out of the old garbage can. -adj. slimy.
sling
sling
  1. v. [T] slung , slinging, slings
    1 to throw with a wide motion,
    THESAURUS
    to hurl: She slung her heavy suitcase into the back of the truck.
    2 to move with a sling —n.
    1 See: slingshot.
    2 a cloth or leather support (as for a broken arm): He broke his wrist, and it is in a sling.
slingshot
slingshot
  1. n. a Y-shaped toy with a rubber band used to project stones or other objects
slink
slink
  1. v. [I] slunk or slinked, slinking, slinks to walk as if one is afraid or guilty: He slinks around the house as though he shouldn't be there.
slip-up
slip-up
  1. n. a mistake, usu. a small one: The letter did not arrive, because there was a slip-up on the address.
slip
slip
  1. n.
    1 a small piece of s.t.: a slip of paper
    2 a small person: That slip of a boy can't lift the heavy box.
    3 a piece of women's underclothes that looks like a dress or skirt: a silk slip under her dress
    4 a small mistake: a slip in arithmetic
    5 a mistake in speaking: a slip of the tongue
    6 a movement or fall caused by s.t. slippery: a slip on a banana peel
    7 a space to keep a boat: a slip for my sailboat in the harbor
    8 to give s.o. the slip: to get away from s.o. who is following: A policewoman followed a thief, but he gave her the slip in the dark.v. slipped, slipping, slips
    1 [I] to fall or almost fall because of s.t. slippery: She slipped on the wet grass.
    2 [I] to lessen: The price of coffee has slipped.
    3 [I] to become worse or do less well: Her English is slipping with no practice.
    4 [I;T] to move easily and quickly: The cat slipped out the open door.
    5 to let s.t. slip: to tell a secret: Don't let news of the party slip; it's a surprise.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to slip into s.t.: to put on clothes: She slipped into her nightgown.
    7 to slip one or s.t. by or over on s.o.: to do s.t. tricky, to keep s.t. hidden: She slipped one over on the hotel manager when she brought her cat in.
    8 to slip one's mind: to be forgotten: The date of the picnic slipped my mind, so I looked for it on the calendar.
    9 to slip through one's fingers: to be unable to be held or kept: I let the chance at a new job slip through my fingers.
    10 phrasal v. [I] to slip up: to do s.t. wrong, make a mistake: I added the numbers, but the total was wrong; I slipped up because I forgot to add tax. See: Freudian slip.
slippage
slippage
  1. n. [U] a small movement in s.t.: slippage between rocks in a wall
slipped disk
slipped disk
  1. n. a bone that has moved in one's spine, causing pain
slipper
slipper
  1. n. one of a pair of light, comfortable shoes worn inside the house: When I get up in the morning, I put on my slippers.
slippery
slippery
  1. adj.
    1 causing people or things to fall or slide: The roads are very slippery with ice.
    2 not to be trusted: You cannot loan that slippery guy your car; he'll steal it.
    THESAURUS
    slippery
    1 slick | icy, oily
    2 evasive, shifty. Ant. trustworthy.
slipshod
slipshod
  1. adj. made or done badly,
    THESAURUS
    shoddy: This paper shows slipshod work; you need to learn to write better.
slit
slit
  1. v. [T] slit, slitting, slits to make a narrow cut: The murderer slit his victim's throat with a razor.n. a narrow cut or opening: You can see through a slit in the door.
slither
slither
  1. v. [I] to move by sliding and making a lot of turns: A snake slithered along the ground.
sliver
sliver
  1. v. [T] to cut or break into thin or small pieces: The cook slivered onions with a knife.n. a thin or small piece of s.t.: I stepped on a sliver of glass and cut my foot.
slob
slob
  1. n. a dirty, messy person, often with bad manners: He eats with his fingers, drops food, and never bathes; what a big slob.
slobber
slobber
  1. v. [I;T] n. [U]
    1 to drop saliva, liquid, or food from the mouth: The baby slobbered milk all over the table.
    2 feelings shown in too open a way, embarrassing sentiment: His love letters are filled with slobber; I hate to read them.
slog
slog
  1. v. [I] slogged, slogging, slogs to walk with difficulty (as in deep snow or mud): We slogged through snow in the driveway.
sloop
sloop
  1. n. a small sailboat
slop
slop
  1. n. [U]
    1 a wet mixture of old food, water, etc. fed to pigs
    2 any bad or disgusting food: I won't eat this slop; it's been in the refrigerator for months!v. slopped, slopping, slops
    1 [I] to spill over: Water slopped over the sides of the bucket.
    2 [T] to serve food in a careless way: She slopped the mashed potatoes into a dish.
slope
slope
  1. n. a surface at an angle, esp. of a hill or roof: The slope is gentle, so children can ski down it.v. [I] sloped, sloping, slopes to incline at an angle: The ground slopes down from the house to the street.
    THESAURUS
    slope n. a slant, an incline. —v. to slant | rise, descend.
sloppy
sloppy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest
    1 dirty and wet: We put on boots to walk through the sloppy mud.
    2 messy, careless,
    THESAURUS
    slipshod: She can't read your sloppy handwriting.||The living room was sloppy, with magazines all over the floor. -adv. sloppily.
slosh
slosh
  1. v. [I] -es to move liquid, or s.t. in liquid, so that the liquid splashes: I washed my shirt by sloshing it around in hot, soapy water.
sloshed
sloshed
  1. adj.infrml. drunk: He drank beer all evening, and now he is sloshed.
slot
slot
  1. n.
    1 a small opening, usu. rectangular: The mailman puts the mail through a slot in the door.
    2 a time or place for s.t.: Fifty people wanted to run in the race, but there were slots for only 20.v. [T] slotted, slotting, slots to schedule s.t. for a time or place: She needs to slot time for visiting her great-aunt.
sloth
sloth
  1. n.
    1 [U] laziness, lack of ambition: The rich young woman won't work; she prefers to live in sloth.
    2 [C] a slow-moving animal that lives in trees in Central and South America -adj. slothful.
slouch
slouch
  1. v. [I] -es to let one's shoulders fall, to be bent over, (syns.) to droop, slump: Stop slouching and sit up straight, please!n. a lazy person: She's no slouch; she finished college in three years.
slovenly
slovenly
  1. adj.
    1 messy, dirty (of one's body): He would look less slovenly if he took a shower and put on clean clothes.
    2 careless: The dishes were done in a slovenly manner; there's still food on them.
slow-witted
slow-witted
  1. adj. stupid, not quick to understand: The slow-witted student could not do the simple arithmetic problem.
slow
slow
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 not fast, moving at a low speed: The traffic is very slow today.
    2 not smart: Repeat the directions; he is a bit slow.
    3 not busy or active: During the summer season, sales are slow for us.
    4 behind the correct time: My watch is slow; it says 3:00, but the time is 3:15.v.
    1 [I;T] to go less quickly, lessen speed: Work has slowed this week, so we can go home earlier.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to slow s.t. down: to lessen the speed of s.t., to go less fast: I put on the brakes and slowed the car down.||I slowed it down. -adv. slowly; -n. slowness.
slow motion
slow motion
  1. n. [U] (in film) action looking slower than real-life action
slowdown
slowdown
  1. n. a lessening of the normal pace of an activity, often done by workers as a protest: The factory has produced half as much since the workers started their slowdown.
slowpoke
slowpoke
  1. n. s.o. who works or acts slowly (usu. said in a friendly way): Stop smelling the flowers and hurry up, slowpoke!
sludge
sludge
  1. n. [U] thick, oily dirt or mud: the sludge in the old car engine
slug
slug
  1. n.
    1 a round bullet for a gun
    2 a fake coin: She put a slug in a public telephone, but it didn't work.
    3 a small, snail-like animal without a shell
    4 infrml. a hard hit: One guy gave the other a slug in the face.
    5 a single, quick swallow: a slug of lemonadev.infrml. [T]
    1 to hit hard: We called the police when we saw a neighbor slug her child.
    2 to drink quickly, in big swallows: She slugged beer and was soon drunk.
sluggish
sluggish
  1. adj.
    1 slow, not active: business that is sluggish
    2 lacking energy, not completely awake or conscious: She felt sluggish after only four hours of sleep.
sluice
sluice
  1. n.
    1 a machine that controls the flow of water into or out of a lake, river, etc.
    2 the flow itself —v. [I] sluiced, sluicing, sluices to send a flow of water: I washed the soap off as the water sluiced over my body.
slum
slum
  1. n. part of a city where poor people live in bad housing, often with lots of crime (singular for a building, plural for a larger area): She saved money and moved away from the slums so her kids could have a better life.
slumber
slumber
  1. n.frml. [U] sleep: I went into a deep slumber that lasted all night.v. [I] to sleep, to be inactive
slumber party
slumber party
  1. n. a party in which (usu.) girls spend the night at one girl's house
slumlord
slumlord
  1. n. an owner of an old, dirty building who often doesn't treat his tenants well: The slumlord would not fix the broken windows or clean the stairway.
slump
slump
  1. n.
    1 a time of slow economic activity: The market for coffee beans has been in a slump for months.
    2 a sinking down,
    THESAURUS
    a collapse: to fall over in a slumpv. [I]
    1 to fall, sink: prices that slump
    2 to lose an upright position by bending or falling suddenly, (syns.) to slouch, collapse: The poor man slumped over from a heart attack.
slur
slur
  1. n. an expression in which s.o. says unkind things, often about another racial or religious group: The woman made an ethnic slur toward the black man.v.
    1 [T] to say an unkind thing
    2 [I;T] to speak in an unclear way: She took too much medicine and started to slur her words.
slurp
slurp
  1. n.v. [I;T] the sucking sound of food or liquid in the mouth: The mother asked her little boy not to slurp his soup.
slush
slush
  1. n. [U]
    1 soft, melting snow mixed with dirt: The slush on the sidewalk made our shoes wet.
    2 a frozen dessert made with juice or syrup
slush fund
slush fund
  1. n. money saved for various reasons: The group has a slush fund that it uses to give money to politicians.
slut
slut
  1. n.pej. a woman who has sex with many different people,
    THESAURUS
    a whore
sly
sly
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 of or about doing things secretly, (syns.) devious, cunning: The sly child quietly took a cookie when her mother wasn't looking.
    2 playful, teasing: His sly remark made her turn red and giggle.
    3 on the sly: secretly: The couple was meeting on the sly so their parents would not know. -adv. slyly; -n. [U] slyness.
smack-dab
smack-dab
  1. adv.infrml. directly, sometimes unexpectedly: He walked around the corner and ran smack-dab into an old friend.
smack
smack
  1. n.
    1 a hit, usu. with the hand: to give s.o. a smack in the face
    2 slang a light, quick kiss: He gave his wife a loving smack on the cheek and went to work.
    3 slang the drug heroin —v. [I;T]
    1 to hit s.t. with force: The car smacked into a wall.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to smack of s.t.: to seem, to indicate: The plan smacks of something illegal.adv. directly, exactly: I jumped smack into the middle of the pool.
smacker
smacker
  1. n.slang
    1 a kiss
    2 slang a dollar
small-claims court
small-claims court
  1. n. in the USA, a court where a judge helps settle minor financial disagreements: That man owes me $500, and I will take him to small-claims court to get it.
small-minded
small-minded
  1. adj. not thinking of others, concerned with unimportant or limited ideas: The small-minded woman should read more to learn about the world's problems.
small-scale
small-scale
  1. adj. limited, little in size or amount: He runs a small-scale operation; he owns three local stores. -n. small scale.
small-time
small-time
  1. adj. not important, insignificant: He is a small-time thief who steals wallets and purses instead of robbing banks.
small
small
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 physically little, not big: a small child||a small car with two seats
    2 not important, insignificant: It's a small problem; don't worry.
    3 low in quantity or amount: a small salary||a small amount of butter
    4 not as large or important: We studied the small playwrights, not the big ones like Shakespeare.adv.
    1 to feel small: to feel bad or stupid, to feel humiliated: Her boss said her work was not good; he made her feel small.
    2 to think small: to keep one's ideas possible, to think in a modest manner: All he wants is an apartment, a dog, and a regular job; he thinks small.
small change
small change
  1. n. [U]
    1 a small number of coins: I have only small change, a few nickels and dimes.
    2 insignificance, unimportance: The cost of engine oil is small change in comparison to the cost of the engine itself.
small fry
small fry
  1. n.fig. [U]
    1 child or children: I am taking the small fry to the zoo today.
    2 people of little importance: In her mind, the small town is full of small fry and the city is more interesting.
small potatoes
small potatoes
  1. n.fig. [U] s.t. unimportant or of little value: This business is really small potatoes; I'd rather work on Wall Street.
small talk
small talk
  1. n. [U] light conversation about everyday topics like the weather: We made a bit of small talk about our children.
smallpox
smallpox
  1. n. [U] a serious disease marked by fever, vomiting, and pimples that leave scars, no longer common in richer countries because of an effective vaccine
smart
smart
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 able to think well, intelligent: His son is a very smart boy; he is first in his class.
    2 somewhat rude: The child made a smart remark to her father, so she was sent to bed without dinner.
    3 fashionable and neat: He wore a smart suit with new shoes.v. [I]
    1 to be physically painful, to hurt: Putting alcohol on a cut smarts, but it cleans the dirt out.
    2 to be emotionally painful: Yesterday you said I was too fat, and the remark still smarts.
smart aleck
smart aleck
  1. n. a person who thinks that he knows everything and tries to show it: That smart aleck tried to tell me how to live my life, but I didn't listen.
smart bomb
smart bomb
  1. n. a bomb or missile that can be directed to hit a target by guiding it with radio waves or a laser
smart card
smart card
  1. n.phr. a small, plastic card with an electronic strip or computer chip, such as for entering hotel rooms, making telephone calls, or using bank machines: I use a smart card to pay for bus and subway fares.
smartly
smartly
  1. adv. well, fashionably: a smartly dressed woman
smartypants
smartypants
  1. n.slang [U] a smart aleck, often used to describe a naughty child
smash
smash
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to break into pieces with force: The vase fell on the floor and smashed into little bits.
    2 [I;T] to hit against s.t., to crash: The bicycle smashed into a fence, and the rider flew off.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to smash s.t. up: to break or ruin: He smashed up his car in an accident.||He smashed it up.n.
    1 the sound or act of smashing
    2 fig. a very successful piece of entertainment: The new comedy is a smash.
smashed
smashed
  1. past part. of smash —adj.
    1 broken into pieces: a smashed window
    2 slang drunk: He was so smashed that he could hardly walk.
smattering
smattering
  1. n. [C] usu. sing. a small amount, a bit here and there: I know a smattering of Russian, enough to ask simple questions.
smear
smear
  1. n.
    1 a mark or spot made by spreading or quickly wiping: There was a smear on the glass from the child's dirty hands.||I cleaned a smear of honey off the tabletop.
    2 an attempt to make people believe s.t. bad about s.o.: Your lies were a smear on my reputation.
    3 s.t. on a microscope slide —v.
    1 [I;T] to spread or quickly wipe with a substance: The clown smeared makeup on his face.
    2 [T] to make people believe s.t. bad about s.o.: The paper smeared the mayor, and very few people voted for him again.
    THESAURUS
    smear v.
    1 to smudge, daub
    2 to slander, libel.
smell
smell
  1. n.
    1 [U] the sense for which the nose is used: My dog's sense of smell is excellent.
    2 [C] the feeling sensed through the nose, odor: The smell of soup cooking on the stove made me hungry.
    3 [C] usu. sing. a feeling or quality about s.t.: This fancy neighborhood has the smell of money.v.
    1 [I;T] to sense an odor: I smell the roses in the garden.
    2 [I] to have an odor: This place smells like pine trees.
    3 [I] to have a bad odor: Something smells in the refrigerator.
    4 [T] to sense s.t.: I smell danger around that dark corner.
    5 to smell a rat: to sense that s.o. or s.t. is wrong, bad, or not to be trusted: She borrowed $100 and left town; I smell a rat.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to smell of s.t.: to seem like, to be related to: My grandmother's house smells of happier days.
    THESAURUS
    smell n.
    2 a scent, an aroma | stench
    3 an aura. —v.
    1 to detect
    2 to have the aroma (or) scent of
    3 to stink, reek
    4 to detect.

    USAGE NOTE: Something can smell good or bad, but if s.t. simply smells (with no adverb or simile following), the assumption is "it smells bad": This bathroom smells!
smelly
smelly
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having a bad or strong smell, stinky: smelly cheese
smile
smile
  1. v. [I] smiled, smiling, smiles to turn the lips up at their corners, usu. to show good feelings, such as amusement or happiness: She smiles when she watches her kids play.n. the expression of smiling: He gave her the good news with a smile.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare smile, grin, smirk, chuckle, and laugh. A grin is a smile that shows the teeth: The proud new father was holding his baby and grinning from ear to ear. A smirk is a smile of triumph, conceit, or stupidity: She's smirking because she thinks she's the only one who knows the answer. A chuckle is a low, soft sound of amusement: He chuckled to himself as he read his friend's letter. A laugh is a louder sound of amusement, made with the mouth open and often written as the word ha-ha: The movie was so funny that we couldn't stop laughing.
smirk
smirk
  1. n.v. [I] a smile that shows somewhat unkind amusement or a feeling that one is a bit smarter or better: He could not find his glasses, and his wife smirked at him; they were on top of his head. See: smile, USAGE NOTE.
smith
smith
  1. n. a person who works with metal, usu. used as a suffix: silversmith|| goldsmith
smithereens
smithereens
  1. n.pl. tiny pieces,
    THESAURUS
    fragments: The wine bottle smashed into smithereens when the waiter dropped it.
smitten
smitten
  1. adj.
    1 affected by s.t. bad: My whole family has been smitten by a disease.
    2 very attracted or in love: He was smitten with his girlfriend from the day they met.
smock
smock
  1. n. a piece of clothing worn over other clothing to protect it: The artist spilled some paint on his smock.
smog
smog
  1. n. [U] a mixture of smoke and fog, air pollution: The heavy smog in Los Angeles looks like a gray-yellow blanket over the city. -adj. smoggy.
smoke
smoke
  1. v. smoked, smoking, smokes
    1 [I;T] to use cigarettes, cigars, pipes, etc.: I smoke cigarettes, but I'm trying to quit.
    2 [I] to give off small pieces of burned material and gas into the air: The fire is smoking.n. [U]
    1 the blackish-gray, gaseous substance from s.t. that is burning: Smoke comes from that chimney.
    2 to go up in smoke: a. to be completely burned: Our house went up in smoke when the gas furnace exploded. b. to leave nothing behind, to become useless: Our vacation plans went up in smoke, because we had to use the money for taxes.
    3 where there's smoke, there's fire: if it seems like there's trouble, there probably is.
    THESAURUS
    smoke v.
    1 to puff on s.t.
    2 to fume, smolder. —n.
    1 fumes.
smoke screen
smoke screen
  1. n.fig. s.t. that is used to hide the truth: His big house is just a smoke screen; he has no money.
smoker
smoker
  1. n. s.o. who smokes: Smokers have a separate section in this restaurant.
smokestack
smokestack
  1. n. a tall chimney in a factory: the smokestacks of the steel mill
smoking
smoking
  1. n. [U] the use of tobacco: Smoking is not permitted on most airline flights.
smoking gun
smoking gun
  1. n.fig. definite proof of who committed a crime: The police found a knife with a woman's fingerprints on it; that was the smoking gun they needed to arrest her.
smoky
smoky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 filled with smoke: The kitchen is smoky from the stove.
    2 tasting of smoke: smoky bacon
smolder
smolder
  1. v. [I]
    1 to burn slowly with no flame: The fire burned brightly, then smoldered quietly.
    2 fig. to be angry but not show it in an obvious way: I smoldered with hidden rage.
smooch
smooch
  1. n.v.slang [I] -es a kiss: I love you; give me a smooch.||He smooched me.
smooth
smooth
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 without roughness or bumps, flat, even: The new road is smooth.||the smooth silk of her dress
    2 without trouble or difficulty: a smooth flight
    3 seeming calm and pleasant, but maybe not: The smooth salesman may talk you into buying a bad car. -n. [C] smoothie; [U] smoothness.v. [T]
    1 to make flat, even, without bumps: A carpenter smoothes the top of the table with sandpaper.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to smooth s.t. over: to remove difficulties or obstacles: I forgot my wife's birthday, but I smoothed things over by taking her out to a nice dinner the next evening.
    3 to make better, calm: to smooth relations between two countries
smorgasbord
smorgasbord
  1. n. tables spread with a variety of food, usu. both warm and cold, to which people help themselves
smother
smother
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take away a person's oxygen: The killer smothered the man by putting a pillow over his face.
    2 to put out a fire by covering it or taking away its oxygen
    3 to cover s.t.: She smothered her hot dog with ketchup.||The boy smothers his kitten with love.
smudge
smudge
  1. n. a mark made by dirt, oil, food, etc., (syns.) a blotch, smear: a smudge of lipstick on his cheekv. [I;T] smudged, smudging, smudges to make a small, irregular mark by rubbing: My pen's eraser smudged the letter.
smug
smug
  1. adj. smugger, smuggest sure that one is right, self-satisfied: Don't be so smug; you may have the wrong answer.
smuggle
smuggle
  1. v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles to bring things into or out of another country or area illegally: Dealers in cocaine smuggle the drug into the USA. -n. smuggler.
smut
smut
  1. n. [U] s.t. (such as a film or book) that is highly sexual and not of good quality,
    THESAURUS
    pornography: He reads smut that is full of pictures of naked people. -adj. smutty.
snack
snack
  1. n. a small amount of food, usu. eaten between meals: My favorite snack is potato chips.v. [I] to eat a small amount: We snacked on crackers and cheese.
    THESAURUS
    snack n. munchies, nibbles pl. —v. to nibble, munch on s.t.
snack bar
snack bar
  1. n. See: bar, USAGE NOTE.
snafu
snafu
  1. n.slang a very confused situation: We sent back the shirt because it was the wrong color. Then the company sent us the right color but the wrong size. What a snafu!
snag
snag
  1. n.
    1 a break or tear in a piece of cloth: Her stocking got a snag on a sharp corner.
    2 a temporary problem in a process: We hit a snag when typing the addresses; the computer stopped working.v. [T] snagged, snagging, snags
    1 to catch on s.t.: He snagged his fish line on a log in the river.
    2 infrml. to catch or get s.t.: We never thought he would snag such a great job.
snail
snail
  1. n.
    1 a small, soft animal with a hard shell, noted for its slowness
    2 at a snail's pace: very slowly: The rush-hour traffic moved at a snail's pace.
snake
snake
  1. n.
    1 a long, slender reptile with no legs that moves with a curvy, winding motion
    2 a bad, dishonest person: That snake never paid me the money he owed me.v. snaked, snaking, snakes
    1 [I] to move in a winding way: The river snakes through the forest to the ocean.
    2 [T] to move s.t. long and thin through a small space: He snaked the electrical wire through the radio.
    THESAURUS
    snake n.
    1 a serpent
    2 a traitor, liar. —v.
    1 to twist, wind
    2 to maneuver.
snake pit
snake pit
  1. n.
    1 a hole or cave where snakes gather
    2 fig. a dangerous place full of anger and emotion: That office is a snake pit, with everyone fighting with each other.
snakebite
snakebite
  1. n. the bite, often poisonous, from a snake
snap
snap
  1. n.
    1 a sudden sound or action like a crack or a pop: the snap of two fingers ||to close the notebook with a snap||the snap of a twig breaking off a tree
    2 a closure for s.t., with one piece locking into another: The baby's pants have snaps.
    3 an easy job or activity: Sailing a boat is a snap in nice weather.
    4 a period of cold weather: During the cold snap, we wore thick sweaters.v. snapped, snapping, snaps
    1 [I;T] to break suddenly and with a sharp sound: The pencil snapped in half.
    2 [I] to have a mental breakdown: The pressure of her job was too much, and she snapped.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to snap at s.t.: a. to speak in an angry or impatient way: I'm sorry I snapped at you; I was tired and hungry. b. to show one's teeth and try to get s.t. with one's mouth: The dog snapped at the piece of meat.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to snap s.t. up: to take s.t. quickly: We snapped up their offer to help us.adj. quick, without much thought: a snap decision
snappy
snappy
  1. adj.infrml.
    1 lively, energetic: a snappy song
    2 stylish and bright: He is a snappy dresser.
    3 make it snappy: hurry up: Bring me a cup of coffee and make it snappy!
snapshot
snapshot
  1. n. an informal photograph: She took a snapshot of her kids around the picnic table.
snare
snare
  1. n.
    1 a trap: a snare for catching rabbits
    2 a hidden danger, trap: The letter is a snare to have you come; don't do it!v. [T] snared, snaring, snares to get, catch: to snare a raccoon||to snare a good job
snarl
snarl
  1. v.
    1 [I] to make an angry sound while showing one's teeth: The dog snarled at a cat.
    2 [I;T] to speak angrily: The boss snarled at a salesman.
    3 [I] to become tangled: The traffic is all snarled up.||The wind snarled my hair.n.
    1 an angry sound while showing one's teeth: a lion's snarl
    2 a show of anger: Her snarl warned me to stay away.
    3 a tangle: a snarl in the wires
    4 confusion: Because of a snarl in the plans, no one knew what to do.
snatch
snatch
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to take s.t. quickly, grab, seize: The boy snatched a piece of cake and ate it hungrily.
    2 to steal: to snatch a purse (wallet, watch, etc.)
    3 phrasal v. insep. to snatch at s.t.: to try to get s.t.: It annoys me when you snatch at my arm.n. -es
    1 a quick grab
    2 a small amount
snazzy
snazzy
  1. adj.slang new and stylish, often colorful or bright: a snazzy car
sneak
sneak
  1. v. [I;T] sneaked or snuck , sneaking, sneaks to go quietly, to try not to be seen: The boy sneaks into the movie without paying.||She sneaked cookies from the jar.n. a coward, a dishonest person: You sneak! You tried to run away without telling me!adj. sneaking suspicion: an uncomfortable feeling about s.t. bad happening: She has a sneaking suspicion that she failed the biology test.

    USAGE NOTE: The standard past tense form is sneaked, but in many dialects people say snuck. Use sneaked in school and business situations: Late again, I sneaked in quietly.
sneaky
sneaky
  1. adj. done in a secret or dishonest way: You were sneaky to climb out of your bedroom window without your parents seeing. -n. [U] sneakiness.
    THESAURUS
    sneaky tricky | devious, furtive.
sneer
sneer
  1. v. [I] to show contempt by raising one side of the mouth: He sneered at the offer and said it was too low.n. an expression of sneering or showing contempt: The rich kids looked at my old clothes with a sneer.
sneeze
sneeze
  1. v. [I] n. sneezed, sneezing, sneezes
    1 to send air forcefully through the nose and mouth because of an irritation, cold, allergy, etc.: She sneezes every time that she smells pepper.
    2 nothing to sneeze at: worthy of admiration, good enough: My raise in pay was not huge, but it was nothing to sneeze at, either.
snicker
snicker
  1. v. [I] n. to laugh unkindly or to show disbelief: He says that he is the strongest guy around, and everyone just snickers.
snide
snide
  1. adj. snider, snidest acting superior, (syns.) sarcastic, cutting: The boss made a snide comment about his secretary's lack of intelligence.
sniff
sniff
  1. n.v.
    1 [I;T] to breathe in air with the nose in a way that can be heard, to smell: She sniffed the perfume, then bought it.||One sniff told me the milk was bad.
    2 [I] to show one thinks s.o. or s.t. is bad or inferior: The poor man asked the lady for money, but she just sniffed and walked on.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to sniff at s.t.: to refuse s.t. out of pride: He sniffed at our invitation to dinner.
sniffle
sniffle
  1. v. [I] n. -fled, -fling, -fles
    1 to breathe with difficulty because of a mucous-filled nose: I had a cold and was sniffling all day.
    2 to cry quietly: People sniffled at the funeral.
    3 n.pl. a slight cold: The little boy stayed home from school with the sniffles.
snigger
snigger
  1. v. [I] to snicker
snip
snip
  1. v. [I;T] snipped, snipping, snips to cut s.t. with a short, quick motion: The gardener snipped off dead leaves from plants with scissors.n. a cut or a small piece of s.t. that has been cut: I put a snip in the cloth.||He saved a snip of his baby's hair.
snipe
snipe
  1. v. [I] sniped, sniping, snipes
    1 to shoot from a hidden place: to snipe at enemy soldiers from behind a tree
    2 to say unkind, critical things: I heard the neighbors sniping about my mother's clothes.
sniper
sniper
  1. n. a person who shoots people from a hidden place: A sniper shot three men from a rooftop.
snippy
snippy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest rude,
    THESAURUS
    impertinent: The boy was snippy, so his father made him apologize.
snit
snit
  1. n. in a snit: irritated, angry: He was in a snit because he did not get any mail.
snitch
snitch
  1. v. -es
    1 [T] to steal s.t.: The boy snitched a candy bar from the store.
    2 [I] to tell about s.o.'s illegal activity: She saw a man get on the train without a ticket, so she snitched on him.n.
    1 a thief
    2 a person who tells about s.o.'s illegal activity,
    THESAURUS
    an informer: The snitch told the police who had sold him the drugs.
snivel
snivel
  1. v. [I] to cry or complain in a weak, whining manner: "I want to go home! I hate it here!" the child sniveled.
snob
snob
  1. n. a person who thinks he or she is better than others in intelligence, social class, taste, etc.: They are snobs who drink only expensive French wine and won't listen to rock 'n' roll. -n. [U] snobbery.
snobby
snobby
  1. adj. -bier, -biest thinking of oneself as better than others (in intelligence, social class, taste, etc.): He is snobby toward anyone who wasn't born in the northeastern USA. -adj. snobbish.
snoop
snoop
  1. v. [I] to look around secretly in a place one doesn't belong: He got caught snooping in his boss's desk drawer.n. s.o. who looks around secretly in a place where he or she doesn't belong
snooty
snooty
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest
    1 acting as if others are not worthy of one's attention, (syns.) snobby, haughty: I tried to join the tennis club and found the people there a bit snooty with me.
    2 upper-class,
    THESAURUS
    exclusive: The yacht club is very snooty; they accept only rich men who went to Harvard or Yale.
snooze
snooze
  1. n.infrml. a nap: I'm going to lie down and take a snooze.v. [I] snoozed, snoozing, snoozes to take a nap, sleep,
    THESAURUS
    to doze: You've snoozed for an hour; it's time to wake up!
snore
snore
  1. v. [I] snored, snoring, snores to make sounds from one's nose and mouth while sleeping: He snores loudly, so his wife can't sleep.n. the sound of snoring: Her snores are so loud you can hear them downstairs.
snorkel
snorkel
  1. n. (in skin diving) a tube for breathing underwater, one end of which fits in the mouth and the other of which sticks above the surface of the water -n. [U] snorkeling.
snort
snort
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make a loud sound from the throat or nose: The horses snorted and pawed the ground.||She snorts when she laughs.
    2 to show contempt or disbelief: "You do not have a Rolls Royce!" he snorted.n.
    1 the sound or act of snorting
    2 slang a drink of liquor: Let's go into this bar and have a snort.
snot
snot
  1. n.vulg.
    1 [U] the wet material in the nose,
    THESAURUS
    mucous
    2 [C] slang a snobby or bad person -adj. snotty.
snout
snout
  1. n. an animal's nose and other facial parts that stick out: a pig's snout
snow
snow
  1. n. [U]
    1 the white flakes formed by frozen water that falls from the sky in cold weather: mountains covered with snow
    2 the whiteness on a TV screen that shows bad reception
    3 slang the drug cocaine —v.
    1 [I;T] to fall from the sky in the form of snow: It snowed all night and now the ground is covered.
    2 to be snowed in: to be unable to leave a place because of deep snow: We were snowed in; the car was buried.
    3 slang to snow s.o.: to tell s.o. a big false story: He really snowed her when he said he was the company president; he's only a salesman. See: snow job.
    4 to be snowed under: to have a huge amount of work: I have four books to read this week; I am snowed under.
snow job
snow job
  1. n.slang a big false story: The guy gave his girlfriend a snow job about how he knows lots of famous actors.
snowball
snowball
  1. n.
    1 a ball of snow formed with the hands: Children love to make and throw snowballs.
    2 infrml.fig. a snowball's chance in hell: no possibility of success: A new tax increase does not have a snowball's chance in hell of passing into law.v.fig. [I] to grow in size quickly and uncontrollably: The problem of poverty is snowballing with each new teenage pregnancy.
snowbound
snowbound
  1. adj. unable to leave because of snow See: snow, v., 2.
snowfall
snowfall
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] an amount of fallen snow: We had a heavy snowfall that covered our car.||Alaska's yearly snowfall is much higher than Maryland's.
    2 [U] falling of snow: We may have some snowfall this afternoon.
snowflake
snowflake
  1. n. a single piece of snow: I could see separate snowflakes on my mittens.
snowplow
snowplow
  1. n. a truck with a large, curved piece of metal attached to it for pushing snow off streets: Snow-plows started clearing our road as soon as the snowstorm began.
snowstorm
snowstorm
  1. n. a heavy, serious fall of snow, usu. with high winds: We are having a snowstorm now, so there will be no school.
    THESAURUS
    snowstorm a blizzard.
snowy
snowy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest full of snow: snowy weather||wet, snowy gloves -n. [U] snowiness.
snub
snub
  1. v. [T] snubbed, snubbing, snubs
    1 to ignore s.o. in a cold or impolite way: His ex-wife snubbed him at the party by turning her back.
    2 to reject s.o.: She sent a love letter, but he snubbed her by not answering it.n. the act of snubbing s.o.: I thought it was a snub when he said he was "too busy" to come to my party.
snuck
snuck
  1. v. See: sneak, USAGE NOTE.
snuff
snuff
  1. n. [U]
    1 a powder of tobacco that is breathed through the nose
    2 up to snuff: a. in good health: I left work because I wasn't feeling up to snuff. b. good enough: This paper is not up to snuff; please rewrite it.
snug
snug
  1. adj.
    1 in a small, comfortable place,
    THESAURUS
    cozy: The baby is snug in its mother's arms.
    2 tight: This dress is a bit snug since I've gained weight.
    3 small but cozy: a snug bedroom
snuggle
snuggle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to lie or sit close to s.o. and touch in a loving way,
    THESAURUS
    to cuddle: On cold, winter nights, they like to snuggle in bed.||The baby snuggled against its mother.
so-and-so
so-and-so
  1. n.infrml. a person one doesn't like: That so-and-so was very rude to me!
so-called
so-called
  1. adj.
    1 usually known as: This is a so-called economy car because of its cheap price.
    2 incorrectly known as: a so-called nice guy who is really a thief
so-so
so-so
  1. adj. not wonderful, fair, mediocre: During the recession, we had a so-so sales year.adv. not very well, but not very poorly: "Do you feel better?" — "Oh, just so-so."
so
so
  1. adv.
    1 to the degree or extent that: He is so strong that he can bend a metal pipe.
    2 to a great extent, very: That elephant is so big!
    3 in that way: Why are you running so?
    4 because, for that reason: I was thirsty, so I drank.
    5 also, in the same way: She loves animals, and so does her husband.
    6 indeed, truly (used to emphasize): "You are not 40 years old.""I am so!"
    7 or so: about, nearly: Meet us at 4:00 or so.||That ticket costs $20 or so.
    8 so be it: that's the way things are (shows reluctant acceptance): If our friendship is over, well, then so be it.
    9 and so forth and so on: and other things,
    THESAURUS
    et cetera: We talked for hours about our kids, our jobs, and so forth and so on.
    10 So what?: a. I don't care; who cares?: You don't like what I say? So what? b. what's the next step; now what?: You've got a high school education; so what?adj. true, real: She is getting married; I know it's so because I saw her ring.conj. with a result that: She is unemployed, so she is looking for a job.interj. indicating surprise or disapproval: So! You just got back from Italy!||So, there you are, late again!
so long
so long
  1. interj.infrml. good-bye: "So long for now; I'll see you later."
so many
so many
  1. adj.
    1 a limited number: I tried to finish the job, but there are only so many hours in a day.
    2 in such a way as: We ate dinner like so many hungry lions.
so much
so much
  1. n. (of an amount) unknown: Chicken costs so much a pound.adv. so much the better: then things will be even better than before: If the rain stops, so much the better.adj. like some kind of: His ideas are so much nonsense.
soak
soak
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to put or be in water for a long time: I soaked in the tub with bubble bath.
    2 [I;T] to make very wet: The rain soaked the vegetable garden.
    3 infrml.fig. [T] to charge s.o. too much money: My car broke down, and the garage soaked me to fix it.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to soak s.t. in or up: to take in: The soft ground soaked up (or) in the rain as it fell.||It soaked it up.n. a time spent in water: The dishes had a good soak in the sink.
soaking
soaking
  1. n.usu. sing. [C]
    1 wetness,
    THESAURUS
    a drenching: I was caught in a rainstorm without an umbrella and got a good soaking.
    2 too much money paid: The expensive meal was a real soaking.adj. adv. very wet: We came out of the pool soaking wet.||She is soaking.
soap
soap
  1. n.
    1 [U] a liquid or solid cleaning substance: I washed my face with soap.
    2 slang. no soap: I don't agree, no: "I want to go to the movies tonight." "No soap, you stay home and watch TV."
    3 the soaps: soap operas —v. [T] to use soap: The boy stood under the shower and soaped himself all over.
soap opera
soap opera
  1. n.
    1 a television show, usu. shown in the afternoon, with complicated love stories, high emotion, and unrealistic drama: In that soap opera, two sisters died, came back to life, and married brothers.
    2 a highly dramatic, real-life situation: Her life is a soap opera; her father drinks too much, her sister is in jail, and she's getting a divorce.
soapy
soapy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest full of soap: soapy water
soar
soar
  1. v. [I]
    1 to fly high through the air with no difficulty: The birds soared above us.
    2 to become happy, reach a higher level than usual: Her spirits soared when she learned that she was pregnant.||The beautiful music soared.
soaring
soaring
  1. n. [U] the sport of gliding on wind currents without engine power in an airplane or hang glider: I went soaring in a glider over the mountains.
sob
sob
  1. v. [I] n. sobbed, sobbing, sobs to cry loudly with the body shaking: She sobbed and screamed when she learned of her son's death.
sob story
sob story
  1. n. a sad story that is probably exaggerated or untrue, meant to cause pity or guilt: She gave me a sob story about her horrible marriage, so that I would not become friendly with her husband.
soccer
soccer
  1. n. [U] a sport of two teams of 11 players each, who kick a ball into nets at either end of a rectangular field (called "football" outside the USA)
soccer mom
soccer mom
  1. n.phr. a mother who drives her children to many events, including soccer games: Soccer moms drive thousands of miles a year.
sociable
sociable
  1. adj. friendly, liking to be with other people: Our friends are very sociable; they go to lots of parties. -n. [U] sociability.
social
social
  1. adj.
    1 of or about people and society: social problems such as homelessness and unemployment
    2 friendly, liking to be with others: My wife likes social activities, such as tennis and golf.
    3 living in a group: social animals, like cattle and monkeysn.old usage a gathering of people, a type of party: a Saturday night social at the church
social climber
social climber
  1. n. a person who tries to rise in social class: He is a social climber; he goes to parties and tries to meet wealthy people.
social disease
social disease
  1. n. an illness caught from an infected person through sexual contact, (syns.) venereal disease, sexually transmitted disease
social science
social science
  1. n. one of many areas of study, such as sociology, history, psychology, and economics, that examine people's relationships with each other and with the world
social studies
social studies
  1. n.pl. a subject in elementary or high school, combining history, geography, government, and other social sciences
social worker
social worker
  1. n. a person who works with poor or troubled people in order to improve their lives: A social worker visited us every week after our parents died to make sure we had enough to eat. -n. social work.
socialism
socialism
  1. n. [U] a political belief or philosophy that says the government should own and run factories, hospitals, schools, etc., with the people sharing in work and products: Under socialism, the government pays for most education.
socialist
socialist
  1. adj. related to socialism —n. a person who believes in socialism
socialite
socialite
  1. n. a person who is well-known among fashionable, rich people: She is a socialite who goes to many big parties.
socialize
socialize
  1. v. -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 [I] to be with other people in a friendly way, for talking, dining, etc.: We socialize with two other couples almost every weekend.
    2 [T] to turn a government or business to a socialist form of ownership: In the USA, some senators want to socialize medicine so the government pays more health-care costs.
    THESAURUS
    socialize
    1 to go out with s.o., get together with s.o.
    2 to nationalize. Ant. to privatize.
societal
societal
  1. adj.frml. of or about society: The societal problems of cities include homelessness and crime.
society
society
  1. n. -ties
    1 a wide, nonspecific group of people who share some of the same background and culture: American society
    2 the lives and activities of rich, fashionable people: When she was 16, she entered society and met her future husband.
    3 a club or organization: a musical society
    4 company: We like the society of our friends when we play golf.
socioeconomic
socioeconomic
  1. adj. of or about a mix of human and financial factors: Poverty is a socioeconomic problem.
sociology
sociology
  1. n. [U] the study of human relationships and the way these relationships affect their world: In a sociology class, we learned about population growth in big cities. -adj. sociological ; -n. sociologist.
sociopath
sociopath
  1. n. a mentally ill person who has trouble being with others: She is a sociopath who is angry with the world and talks to no one.
sock
sock
  1. n. a piece of cloth worn over the foot and under a shoe, and reaching partway up the leg —v.infrml. [T]
    1 to hit s.o.: He socked me in the nose and I bled.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to sock s.t. away: to put aside, hide away for future use: She socked away money to pay for Christmas presents.||She socked it away. See: knee-high socks; stockings.
    THESAURUS
    sock v.
    1 to punch s.o., smack s.o.
socket
socket
  1. n.
    1 a place in a wall to plug in an electrical wire: We put the lamp on a table and plugged it into a socket.
    2 the eye holes in a skull
sod
sod
  1. n. [U] v. [T] a section of dirt with grass, used to cover a piece of ground without having to plant seed: We put sod in the backyard.||We sodded it.
soda
soda
  1. n.
    1 [U] bubbly water, carbonated water, drunk alone or mixed with another beverage: whiskey and soda
    2 a flavored, bubbly drink,
    THESAURUS
    a carbonated beverage: We bought two types of soda: ginger ale and root beer.
    3 [C] a special drink made from soda water or a flavored soda, flavoring, and ice cream: I bought my girlfriend a chocolate soda.

    USAGE NOTE: Soda is also called soda pop, pop, and tonic, in different parts of the USA. It's considered a soft drink because it contains no alcohol.
sodden
sodden
  1. adj. completely wet, soaked: His sodden pants were put into the clothes dryer.
sodium
sodium
  1. n. [U] a white-silver metallic element that is always combined with other elements
sodium chloride
sodium chloride
  1. n. [U] chemical name for table salt
sodomy
sodomy
  1. n. [U] anal intercourse or intercourse with an animal -n. sodomite.
sofa
sofa
  1. n. a long, soft seat covered with cloth or leather with a back, arms, and room for two or more people,
    THESAURUS
    a couch: We like to sit on the sofa and watch television.
soft-boiled
soft-boiled
  1. adj. (of an egg) cooked for a short time in water so the inside stays soft
soft-pedal
soft-pedal
  1. v. [T] to make s.t. seem less bad or serious,
    THESAURUS
    to downplay s.t.: He softpedaled the fact that sales are weak and talked about how good profits are.
soft-spoken
soft-spoken
  1. adj. having a gentle, quiet voice: The soft-spoken man told the children a bedtime story.
soft
soft
  1. adj.
    1 not hard; easy to bend, cut, or make holes in: a soft pillow||soft wood
    2 nice to touch, smooth: a kitten's soft fur||soft leather
    3 not sharp or bright,
    THESAURUS
    subdued: a soft shade of blue
    4 not loud or strong, gentle: soft flute music||a soft breeze through the trees
    5 pej. not smart or not completely sane: Don't be soft and go out in the storm.||He's a bit soft in the head from a serious fall.
    6 in love: She's soft on the cute guy in biology class.
    7 not strong or strict: You are too soft on your child; she needs to be punished.
    8 (of consonants) making a less sharp or hard sound: the "c" in "city" is soft, while the "c" in "cook" is hard.
    9 to have a soft spot for s.o. or s.t.: to like, often because of a happy memory: My husband and I have a soft spot in our hearts for that little Vermont town.
soft currency
soft currency
  1. n. the money of some countries that is not accepted in exchange for the currencies of richer nations
soft drink
soft drink
  1. n. a flavored, bubbly drink with no alcohol, such as cola or orange soda
soft goods
soft goods
  1. n.pl. cloth products, such as clothing, sheets, etc. See: dry goods.
soft rock
soft rock
  1. n. [U] rock music that uses fewer electronic instruments and is less loud than hard rock: Many radio stations play soft rock for adults who don't like their kids' music.
soft sell
soft sell
  1. n. [U] adj. a way of selling s.t. that is gentle and convincing: The salesman used a soft sell; he told us about the different stereos and let us decide.
soft touch
soft touch
  1. n.
    1 a gentle and usu. expert way of touching: to play the piano with a soft touch
    2 a generous person who is easy to convince or persuade: He is such a soft touch; he will give his kids any toys they ask for.
softball
softball
  1. n. [U] a sport much like baseball, but using a larger, softer ball; a smaller playing field; and an underhand pitch
softbound
softbound
  1. adj. (of a book) with a strong but bendable paper cover: I'm buying a softbound book because it's easier to carry. See: paperback.
soften
soften
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make less hard: He softened stale bread by dipping it in milk.
    2 to make a bad feeling less serious: She softened his anger by saying "I'm sorry."
    THESAURUS
    soften
    2 to lower, tone down | temper.
softheaded
softheaded
  1. adj. foolish, stupid: That softheaded guy is taking pictures at night with no light.
softhearted
softhearted
  1. adj. kind, generous: A softhearted woman picked up the hurt puppy and brought him home.
software
software
  1. n. [U] in a computer, a set of instructions that lets a person perform certain tasks, such as word processing, adding numbers, or reading information on the Internet; software is not part of the machine itself: I use communications software to exchange knowledge with other computer users. See: hardware.
softy
softy
  1. n.infrml. a person who is not strict; a generous, kind-hearted person: He pretends to be a tough guy, but underneath he's really a softy.
soggy
soggy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest wet and soft, mushy: The grass is soggy from the rain.||a soggy beach towel
soil
soil
  1. n. [U]
    1 a particular kind of earth or dirt: The soil near the beach is sandy and rocky.
    2 the top layers of earth in which plants grow: The soil in Minnesota and Iowa is good for farming.
    3 a country, land: It was good to be back on US soil after our trip to Australia.v. [T] to make dirty: to soil one's hands with grease
    THESAURUS
    soil n. 1 and 2 the ground, land
    3 territory. —v. to dirty s.t., get s.t. muddy/dirty/grimy.
sojourn
sojourn
  1. v. [I] n.frml. to visit temporarily, to live somewhere for a short time: They sojourn in England and France for a few months each year.
solace
solace
  1. n. [C;U] relief, comfort (from grief, hurt, etc.): When he is sad or worried, he takes solace in his religion.
solar-powered
solar-powered
  1. adj. getting energy from sunlight: a solar-powered calculator
solar
solar
  1. adj. related to the sun: solar energy
sold
sold
  1. adj.& past part. of sell
    1 given in exchange for money: If that house is not sold, I will buy it.
    2 to be sold on: to be sure, convinced of s.t.: The owner is sold on the idea that we need more space.
    3 to be sold out: to have no more left: All the tickets for this show are sold out.
solder
solder
  1. v. [T] n. [U] to join together or fix metal by melting it and then allowing it to cool: He soldered a new exhaust pipe onto the car.
soldier
soldier
  1. n. a member of the military, esp. in an army: A soldier from the Vietnam War marched in the parade. —phrasal v. [I] to soldier on: to keep doing in a brave way: In spite of the heavy snow, we soldiered on to the top of the mountain.
solely
solely
  1. adv.
    1 alone, singly: It was solely my fault that the cat ran out the door.
    2 entirely: He went to the circus solely for the fun of it.
    THESAURUS
    solely
    1 entirely, completely
    2 just, simply, exclusively.
solemn
solemn
  1. adj.
    1 serious,
    THESAURUS
    somber: She had a solemn expression on her face as she gave the bad news.
    2 religious,
    THESAURUS
    holy: A marriage ceremony is a solemn occasion. -v. [T] solemnify ; -n. [U] solemnity.
solicit
solicit
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to ask for, to seek out: A person called on the phone to solicit votes for the politician.
    2 to offer to have sex with s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to proposition: A prostitute solicited a man who sat parked in a car. -n. solicitor.
solicitous
solicitous
  1. adj.frml. eager to help, concerned: He was solicitous of his grandmother as he helped her sit down.
solid
solid
  1. adj.
    1 hard and difficult to break: solid rock
    2 not liquid or gas: solid food
    3 without holes or breaks, the same throughout: The statue is solid marble.
    4 trustworthy, reliable: a solid reputation for honestyn. s.t. that is not liquid or gas: The baby drinks breast milk and eats some solids, like bananas. -n. [U] solidity.
solidarity
solidarity
  1. n. [U] a feeling or state of togetherness or having the same opinions as others in a group: The political party showed solidarity when everyone voted for the same woman.
solidify
solidify
  1. v. -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 [I;T] to make hard, become a solid: The cold water solidified into ice.
    2 [T] to make s.t. definite, to jell: to solidify one's plans
soliloquy
soliloquy
  1. n. -quies a speech, usu. in a play, in which a person shows his or her thoughts by speaking alone and out loud: One actor stood on stage and gave a soliloquy about the meaning of death.
solitaire
solitaire
  1. n.
    1 [U] a card game played by one person
    2 [C] a gem or stone set by itself: Her engagement ring was a diamond solitaire.
solitary
solitary
  1. adj.
    1 lone, single: A solitary house stood in an open field.
    2 alone: My aunt lives alone and likes her solitary life.
solitary confinement
solitary confinement
  1. n. in a prison, a serious punishment in which s.o. is put in a small room with no communication with the outside world
solitude
solitude
  1. n. [U] the state of being alone: He found solitude in a quiet forest.
solo
solo
  1. adv. by oneself, alone: I didn't want to go swimming, so my husband went solo.adj. alone: a solo performancen. a piece of music written for one voice or instrument: to sing a solo||a violin solo -n. soloist.
soluble
soluble
  1. adj.
    1 able to be dissolved in a liquid: Sugar is soluble in water.
    2 able to be solved,
    THESAURUS
    solvable: Is this math problem soluble? It seems too hard.
solution
solution
  1. n.
    1 [C] an answer to a problem, a way of solving it: The police found the solution to the mystery.
    2 [C;U] a mixture of a solid and a liquid, in which the solid dissolves (one can no longer see the solid): a solution of salt and water
    THESAURUS
    solution
    1 an explanation of s.t., a key to s.t.
    2 a blend, mix.
solvable
solvable
  1. adj. able to be solved,
    THESAURUS
    soluble: a solvable problem
solve
solve
  1. v. [T] solved, solving, solves to find an answer or solution for s.t.: We solved the problem by reading the directions.
    THESAURUS
    solve to figure s.t. out, work out s.t.
solvent
solvent
  1. n. [C;U] a liquid that can dissolve or soften s.t. else: We used a solvent to remove old paint from a table.
somber
somber
  1. adj.
    1 dark: No sun came into the somber room.
    2 serious and sad: A newspaper story about a fire put us in a somber mood.
some
some
  1. adj.
    1 an unknown amount, probably not a lot: some bread||some boys
    2 unnamed, unknown: Some neighbor left a cake on our front porch.
    3 fig. incredible, impressive: He got three goals; he is some hockey player!pron. part of s.t. mentioned before: We have yogurt. Would you like some?adv. about, approximately: The necklace cost some $400.
somebody
somebody
  1. pron.
    1 an unknown person: Somebody telephoned but didn't give his name.
    2 an important person: He just got a big new job, and now he thinks he's somebody. See: someone.
someday
someday
  1. adv. at a time in the future, maybe not known now: Someday you will be famous. See: sometime.
somehow
somehow
  1. adv. in a way not known or understood: Somehow, we will find water in the desert.
someone
someone
  1. pron. an unknown person: Someone should ask the policeman how to get to the park.

    USAGE NOTE: Somebody and someone both mean an unidentified person. Both can be used in speech or writing.
someplace
someplace
  1. adv. (at) an unknown place: She left her purse someplace. See: somewhere.
somersault
somersault
  1. v. [I] n.
    1 to roll one's body over headfirst and land on the feet
    2 to turn somersaults for s.o.: to make a great effort: My boss is turning somersaults for me, trying to get me a raise in pay.
something
something
  1. pron.
    1 an unknown thing: Something in his eyes makes me think of my father.
    2 fig. s.o. or s.t. wonderful: What a beautiful dress; it's really something!adj. something else: remarkable, extraordinary: Your CD collection is something else; you have thousands!
sometime
sometime
  1. adv. at an unknown time: We can't stay forever; we have to go sometime. See: someday.
sometimes
sometimes
  1. adv. not always, now and then: Sometimes we go to the beach, but usually we go to the mountains.
someway
someway
  1. adv. See: somehow.
somewhat
somewhat
  1. adv. to a small degree, a bit, rather: Wear a sweater; it's somewhat cool.
somewhere
somewhere
  1. adv.
    1 (at) an unknown place: I can't find my glasses; I put them somewhere.
    2 to get somewhere: to make progress: We agree on a few things, so now we are getting somewhere. See: someplace.
son-in-law
son-in-law
  1. n. sons-in-law the husband of one's daughter
son
son
  1. n.
    1 a male child: They have two sons, so they want a daughter.
    2 a boy or man who is associated with a place or event: The statue is for the sons of France who died in World War I.
    3 name for a boy instead of his proper name: Do you want some milk, son?
son of a gun
son of a gun
  1. exclam. showing surprise or hurt: Are you really 40 years old? Son of a gun!||Son of a gun! I hit my finger with a hammer!n. a difficult or somewhat bad man: That son of a gun is never on time.
sonata
sonata
  1. n. a piece of music for an instrument, often the piano, with three or four separate sections (movements)
song
song
  1. n.
    1 a piece of music that is sung: a love song||a bird's song
    2 for a song: for very little money: He bought that car for a song — only $50.
    THESAURUS
    song
    1 a tune, melody.
song and dance
song and dance
  1. n.
    1 a performance that combines singing and dancing
    2 fig. a complicated, often untrue excuse or explanation: He was late for work again, and gave his boss a big song and dance about how his car broke down.
songwriter
songwriter
  1. n. a person who writes music and/or words for songs
sonic boom
sonic boom
  1. n. a very loud noise caused by an aircraft going faster than the speed of sound: That loud sound when the fighter jet went by was the sonic boom.
sonnet
sonnet
  1. n. a poem with 14 lines and a specific pattern and rhythm: a Shakespearean sonnet
sonny
sonny
  1. n. s.t. one calls a boy: Sonny, would you help me carry these groceries?
soon
soon
  1. adv.
    1 in the near future, not long from now: We've been traveling all day and will arrive soon.
    2 quickly, without delay: She needs to get to the hospital as soon as possible.
    3 just as soon: preferably, willingly: I would just as soon leave now, before trouble starts.
    4 no sooner (did s.t. happen) than: at the same time, as soon as: No sooner did we sit down to dinner than the phone rang.
    THESAURUS
    soon
    1 shortly, in a little while.
soot
soot
  1. n. [U] the powdery black dirt created by burning s.t.: The man cleaned the chimney, and he is covered with soot. -adj. sooty.
soothe
soothe
  1. v. [I;T] soothed, soothing, soothes
    1 to ease mental or physical pain: After playing tennis, she soothed her aching muscles by taking a warm bath.
    2 to calm and relax: She soothed the barking dog with a low, soft voice. -adj. soothing.
sophisticated
sophisticated
  1. adj.
    1 with high-class tastes and understanding: My cousins are very sophisticated, since they have lived in Paris and Rome.
    2 intricate, complex: sophisticated computer equipment -n. sophisticate ; [U] sophistication .
    THESAURUS
    sophisticated
    1 worldly, experienced. Ant. naïve.
    2 advanced.
sophomore
sophomore
  1. n.
    1 a student in his or her second year of high school or college
    2 a person in his or her second year of a job or activity
    3 sophomore slump: the tendency to do worse after a good first year or good beginning: The baseball player is having a sophomore slump; last year he got many more hits.
sophomoric
sophomoric
  1. adv. silly, immature: My kids like movies with sophomoric comedy.
soporific
soporific
  1. n.adj. a drug to help s.o. sleep: He took a soporific and rested well that night.
sopping
sopping
  1. adj. completely wet, (syns.) dripping, soaking: I shook water out of the sopping towel.
soprano
soprano
  1. n.
    1 a woman or boy who sings in the highest voice range: She and her sister are sopranos in the church choir.
    2 the high range itself: The young boy sings in soprano, but soon his voice will change.
sorbet
sorbet
  1. n. [U] a frozen dessert, usu. fruit-flavored and with little or no fat
sorcery
sorcery
  1. n. [U] the practice of (usu. evil) magic, witchcraft: In the story, a witch used sorcery to turn a man into a mouse. -n. sorcerer; sorceress.
sordid
sordid
  1. adj. dirty, shameful: The newspapers printed all the sordid details of the scandal.
sore
sore
  1. adj.
    1 painful: sore muscles
    2 infrml. angry, irritated: He is sore about the fact that he did not get a raise. -n. [U] soreness.
    THESAURUS
    sore
    1 achy, tender
    2 mad, riled.
sore throat
sore throat
  1. n. a general feeling of pain in the throat, caused by a cold, infection, talking too much, etc.: She coughed a lot, so she has a sore throat. See: headache, USAGE NOTE.
sorely
sorely
  1. adv. a great deal, usu. with emotional pain: My brother died and I miss him sorely.
sorority
sorority
  1. n. -ties a women's social club or group, esp. in a college or university: Her sorority had a party to celebrate the tennis team's win.
sorrow
sorrow
  1. n. [C;U] deep sadness,
    THESAURUS
    melancholy: We were full of sorrow when we learned our favorite uncle had died. -adj. sorrowful.
sorry
sorry
  1. adj.
    1 regretful, apologetic: I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hurt you.
    2 no good, bad: She gave me a weak, sorry excuse about a sick grandmother.
    3 causing sympathy, pitiful: a sorry sight of poor people without food
    THESAURUS
    sorry
    1 contrite, remorseful
    2 feeble, lame fig. Ant. reasonable.
    3 pathetic.
sort
sort
  1. n.
    1 a type, kind: What sort of ice cream do you want?
    2 a kind or type of person: Invite that guy; he's a good sort.
    3 a separation of various items: a computer sort of our different accounts
    4 out of sorts: feeling bad or angry: Don't pet the dog; he's feeling a little out of sorts.
    5 sort of: a little, somewhat: I was sort of hungry, so I ate a banana.v. [T]
    1 to separate things into groups: Would you sort these names alphabetically, please?
    2 phrasal v. sep. to sort s.t. out: a. to separate: He sorted out the white laundry from the colored.||He sorted it out. b. to make sense of s.t.: We have to sort out this mess and try to understand it.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to sort through s.t.: to look through, to search: He sorted through his papers and found the correct one.
sorting
sorting
  1. n. [U] the process of sorting: The computer is doing the sorting now and will print soon.
sot
sot
  1. n. a person who drinks too much liquor
soufflé
soufflé
  1. n. a light, air-filled dish made with egg whites and other foods, and cooked until it increases in size: a cheese soufflé||a chocolate soufflé
sought-after
sought-after
  1. adj. desired, wanted: The Nobel Prize is a much sought-after award; many scholars and artists want it.
sought
sought
  1. v. past tense & past part. of seek
soul-searching
soul-searching
  1. n. [U] the act of looking inside oneself, examining one's feelings to find an answer: Her career is going nowhere, and she is doing a lot of soul-searching about what to do.
soul
soul
  1. n. [C]
    1 the part of a person that is not the body; that is, the spirit, thoughts, emotions, etc., that some people think live on after death: She believes the soul of her dead husband is in heaven.||I will be happy someday; I feel it in my soul.
    2 [C] a person: There were 20 souls living on that island.
    3 [C] the most important part of s.t.: The owner is the soul of this company.
    4 [U] infrml. in African-American life, a feeling of togetherness and emotion, often expressed in music See: soul food
    5 body and soul: (with) all of oneself: She gave body and soul to her job; she worked 18 hours a day.||I love you body and soul.
    THESAURUS
    soul
    1 one's inner being
    2 an individual
    3 the vitality, the core.
soul food
soul food
  1. n. [U] traditional food of African-American people from the southern US, such as collard greens and black-eyed peas
sound barrier
sound barrier
  1. n.usu. sing. the point at which aircraft begin moving faster than the speed of sound: When airplanes break the sound barrier, there is a loud noise.
sound effects
sound effects
  1. n.pl. in a play, movie, or radio show, the noises made offstage to seem like real sounds: The play included sound effects of a door slamming and a toilet flushing.
sounding board
sounding board
  1. n.fig. a helpful and trusted person who listens to one's ideas: The manager uses his wife as a sounding board for changes that he wants to make.
soundproof
soundproof
  1. adj. able to keep out sounds: soundproof walls -n. [U] soundproofing.
soundtrack
soundtrack
  1. n. the music for a film: I bought the soundtrack of the new movie on compact disc.
soup
soup
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] liquid food cooked, then served hot or cold, made from meat or vegetable juice, often with pieces of solid food: chicken-noodle soup||tomato soup
    2 [U] infrml.fig. in the soup: in trouble or difficulty: The student failed his final tests and now he's in the soup; he can't graduate. -adj. soupy.phrasal v. [T] to soup s.t. up: to increase the power of s.t., usu. a vehicle: He souped up his car by putting a stronger engine in it.||He souped it up.adj. souped-up: improved or with more power: The marketing plan is a souped-up version of last year's plan.
soup spoon
soup spoon
  1. n. a spoon that is slightly larger than a teaspoon, used for eating soup
sour
sour
  1. adj.
    1 acidic to the taste: a sour lemon||sour milk
    2 bad-tempered, unhappy: a sour attitude that everything is wrong
    3 to go sour: a. to become bitter, spoil: The wine has gone sour. b. to get worse, go wrong: The company was doing quite well, then things went sour and people left.v. [I;T]
    1 to make or become sour: Don't drink the orange juice; it's old and has soured.
    2 to get worse, become bad: Our moods soured in the continuing rain.
source
source
  1. n.
    1 beginning, origin: The source of our difficulties is not having enough money.
    2 a place where information is obtained: This history book is my source for accurate dates.
    3 (of a river) the start, beginning: A mountain lake is the source of this river.v.slang. [T] to look for and find people and companies to provide what is needed: to source suppliers for medical supplies
    THESAURUS
    source n.
    1 a root, basis
    2 a resource
    3 the headwaters.
sourdough
sourdough
  1. n. [U] a type of bread dough with a sharp taste, very popular in northern California
sourpuss
sourpuss
  1. n.infrml. s.o. who is usu. unhappy or gloomy: She is a sourpuss, always complaining.
souse
souse
  1. v. soused, sousing, souses
    1 [I;T] to make very wet: She soused the dog with water and gave him a bath.
    2 [I;T] to cover with liquid: He soused the cucumbers in vinegar to make pickles.
    3 [T] to become drunk -adj. soused.n.infrml. a drunken person, s.o. who drinks a lot of liquor
south
south
  1. n.
    1 the "down" direction on a compass and most maps, the direction to the left when facing a sunset: Go toward the south to get to Mexico from Texas.
    2 the southern part of a country: People in the north like to go south for vacation.
    3 the South: in the USA, the southeastern part of the country, usu. thought to include the states that fought against the North in the Civil War —adv. toward a southerly direction: The birds flew south for the winter.adj.
    1 located to the south: the south side of the city
    2 coming from the south: a south wind -adj. southerly.
southbound
southbound
  1. adj. going toward the south: The southbound train goes from Chicago to St. Louis.
southeast
southeast
  1. n.adj.adv.
    1 the direction on a compass or map that goes diagonally down to the right
    2 the Southeast: the part of the USA east of Texas and south of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois; sometimes called "the South"
southern
southern
  1. adv. located in or about the south: southern food||a southern accent|| southern literature
southerner
southerner
  1. n. a person living in or from the southern part of a country
southpaw
southpaw
  1. n.infrml.fig. a left-handed person: The baseball player is a southpaw.
southwest
southwest
  1. n.adj.adv.
    1 the direction on a compass or map that goes diagonally down to the left
    2 the Southwest: the part of the USA that includes Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and sections of California and Texas
souvenir
souvenir
  1. n. an object bought in order to remember a place: I bought a little Statue of Liberty as a souvenir of New York City.
    THESAURUS
    souvenir a memento, remembrance.
sovereign
sovereign
  1. n. a king or queen: The sovereign of England during World War II was King George VI.adj.
    1 most powerful,
    THESAURUS
    supreme: a sovereign ruler
    2 self-governing: a sovereign nation -n. sovereignty.
soviet
soviet
  1. n.
    1 an elected group of lawmakers in the former Soviet Union, the most powerful having been the Supreme Soviet
    2 the Soviets: the people of the former Soviet Union —adj. Soviet: of or about the Soviets
sox
sox
  1. n.pl.infrml. var. of socks
soybean
soybean
  1. n. a plant native to Asia, used for foods such as tofu, soy sauce, etc.
spa
spa
  1. n.
    1 a natural fountain of pure water from the ground,
    THESAURUS
    a mineral spring
    2 a place with mineral springs, often visited by people who want to improve their health: In the 1800s, rich people went to European spas to help cure muscle pain.
    3 a vacation area or resort where people eat healthy meals, exercise, and relax for good health: He lost five pounds at a spa in California.
space
space
  1. n.
    1 [U] the area beyond earth in which planets, stars, moons, etc., exist: My son pretends he is a traveler in space in the year 2020.||The USA sent a research satellite into space.
    2 [U] a blank or empty area: the space between the couch and the TV
    3 [C;U] a place used for s.t., an available place: My car is parked in a handicapped space.||Is there enough space for three in your truck?
    4 fig. [U] time away from others, used to think, plan, live life one's own way, etc.: My boyfriend said he didn't want to live with me because he needed more space.v. [T] spaced, spacing, spaces to put objects in order with empty areas in between: I spaced the bottles neatly on the kitchen counter.
space cadet
space cadet
  1. n.fig. a person who forgets easily and is impractical: That space cadet forgot to pay rent three months in a row.
space capsule
space capsule
  1. n. the area of a spaceship where people live and work
space shuttle
space shuttle
  1. n. a vehicle that carries astronauts into space in order to do research and gather information
spacecraft
spacecraft
  1. n. a vehicle that flies in space
spaced out
spaced out
  1. adj.slang without the full use of one's mind due to tiredness or drugs
spaceship
spaceship
  1. n. a spacecraft: I read a book about a spaceship that landed on Mars.
spacing
spacing
  1. n. [U] the distance or area between objects: the spacing between lines in a book -n. spaciness.
spacious
spacious
  1. adv. large, with plenty of room: a big, spacious room
spade
spade
  1. n.
    1 a shovel for digging earth: I made a hole with a spade and planted a rose bush.
    2 a black, pointed symbol found on playing cards of a particular suit
    3 to call a spade a spade: to speak truthfully: Let's call a spade a spade; that hat is ugly and we all know it.
spam
spam
  1. n.infrml. [U] unwanted e-mail messages sent to many people on the Internet as a type of junk mail: The spam that I receive is mostly advertisements for clothes and jewelry. See: snail mail.
span
span
  1. v. [T] spanned, spanning, spans
    1 to connect two points with s.t.: to span a river with a bridge
    2 to last through time: Love is a human need that spans the centuries.
    3 to measure or circle with the hands: I spanned my dog's neck, so I could buy the right sized collar.n.
    1 the measure of space across, from one point to another: The span of the roof from front to back is 20 meters.
    2 s.t. that joins two points, usu. across open air: A tree branch was used as a span across the stream.
    3 an amount of time: the long life span of an elephant
spangle
spangle
  1. n. a small, shiny piece of metal or plastic, used as a decoration for a costume: red, white, and blue spangles on her dance costume
spaniel
spaniel
  1. n. a medium-sized dog with long, silky fur and long ears that hang. See: cocker spaniel.
spank
spank
  1. v. [T] to slap the buttocks with the hand as punishment: The mother spanked her naughty child. -n. [C] spanking.
spar
spar
  1. v. [I] sparred, sparring, spars
    1 to move about in a small area and lightly punch with one's hands,
    THESAURUS
    to box, esp. for practice: He sparred with his trainer before the big fight.
    2 fig. to argue: The two workers sparred with each other about who should have the larger office.
spare
spare
  1. v. [T] spared, sparing, spares
    1 to save or prevent s.o. from harm: The enemy soldier didn't shoot me; he spared me (or) he spared my life.
    2 to keep s.o. from having to do s.t.: If you pick up the kids at school, you'll spare me the trouble.
    3 to have enough to give or share: Can you spare a few dollars to lend her?
    4 s.t. to spare: more, left over: We have enough hamburgers for everyone, and two to spare.adj.
    1 unused, extra: a spare room for a guest
    2 sparer, sparest thin, lean: a spare man who doesn't eat muchn. (in bowling) the act of causing all the pins to fall with two rolls of the ball
spareribs
spareribs
  1. n.pl. bones from a pig with a small amount of pork meat attached, usu. cooked with barbecue sauce and eaten with the fingers
spark
spark
  1. n.
    1 a hot flash or bit of light caused by hard surfaces scraping together or from fire: The train came to a quick stop and sparks flew from the wheels.
    2 fig. the beginning of a good idea: The artist saw a beautiful sunset, and that was the spark he needed to start a new painting.v.
    1 [I] to produce sparks: The electrical wires sparked.
    2 fig. [T] to cause an action: The funny clown sparked a smile from the child.
    THESAURUS
    spark n.
    1 a flash
    2 an impetus, a trigger fig. —v.
    2 to trigger fig. | kindle, ignite fig.
spark plug
spark plug
  1. n. a small piece of metal that causes an engine to start by firing a mixture of gasoline and air
sparkle
sparkle
  1. v. [I] -kled, -kling, -kles
    1 to give off flashes or bits of light: diamonds that sparkle
    2 to be fun to watch or listen to, to show great personality or talent: The dancer's performance sparkled.n. [C;U] the act of sparkling: the sparkle of white snow in the sun -adj. sparkling.
sparkler
sparkler
  1. n. a stick, often used on the US Independence Day, that sends out sparks when lit
sparrow
sparrow
  1. n. a small grayish-brown bird
sparse
sparse
  1. adj. sparser, sparsest without a lot of, with much space between: sparse desert||a man with sparse hair||Food for birds is often sparse in the winter.
spartan
spartan
  1. n.adj.
    1 fig. with few possessions and strict discipline: She lives a spartan life in a one-bedroom apartment with no TV or radio.
    2 Spartan: related to the ancient city-state of Sparta or its inhabitants
spasm
spasm
  1. n.
    1 a quick, often painful movement in a muscle
    2 sudden emotion or activity: a spasm of joy||a housecleaning spasm -adj. spasmodic.
spastic
spastic
  1. adj. having sudden, quick motions —n. a person who has spasms because of disease
spat
spat
  1. n. a short argument: The couple had a spat over money, but they worked out their problem.
spate
spate
  1. n. a sudden rush or flood: a spate of work before a rest
spatial
spatial
  1. adj. of or about space or area: She has good spatial skills; she knows how to build a house from plans on paper.
spatter
spatter
  1. v. [I;T] to fly out in drops,
    THESAURUS
    to splatter: Hot fat spattered from the frying pan.
spatula
spatula
  1. n. a cooking tool with a broad, flat end, used to turn food in a pan or to scrape soft food from a bowl
spawn
spawn
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] (of water creatures) to lay eggs: Fish spawn in rivers.
    2 [I;T] to have children or offspring: My grandparents spawned a family of doctors.
    3 fig. [T] to cause, give life to: to spawn a revolutionn. [U]
    1 eggs of a water creature
    2 children or offspring: Their spawn all have red hair.
    3 the result of s.t.: the spawn of a brilliant mind
speak
speak
  1. v. spoke , spoken , speaking, speaks
    1 [I] to say words, to talk: I spoke with my friend on the telephone.
    2 [I] to give a speech: He will speak at his high school graduation.
    3 [I] to be friendly with (usu. used in the negative): They had a fight and are not speaking.
    4 [T] to know a language: to speak Portuguese
    5 so to speak: in a way: I've known him for years; he is my friend, so to speak.
    6 speaking of: with regard to s.t. or s.o. just mentioned: Speaking of him, does he like his job?
    7 phrasal v. [T] to speak at: to give a speech at: The president will speak at a meeting of governors.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to speak or talk down to s.o.: to talk to s.o. as if he or she were not smart: Don't speak down to me; I can understand complex things.
    9 to speak for oneself or itself: a. to be obvious: You cannot trust him; his lying speaks for itself. b. don't think that others share one's opinion: "Spinach is delicious." "Speak for yourself; I hate it."
    10 phrasal v. insep. [T] a. to speak for s.o. or s.t.: to give an opinion: She speaks for protecting wildlife. b. to get the right to s.t.: I wanted to buy that chair, but it was spoken for.
    11 to speak of: worth mentioning, talking about: She didn't go to high school; she has no education to speak of.||We've had no rain to speak of.
    12 to speak one's mind: to say exactly what one thinks: The boss spoke his mind about the future of the company.
    13 phrasal v. [I] to speak out: to protest: He speaks out about problems in government.
    14 phrasal v. [I] to speak up: a. to talk louder: Will you speak up? I can't hear you. b. to express one's interests strongly: He tried to force me to pay for a bad meal, but I spoke up and told him I would not.
    15 phrasal v. insep. [T] to speak with s.o.: to talk with s.o. about a problem: I must speak with my son about his cigarette smoking.
speaker
speaker
  1. n. s.o. who talks to an audience: The speaker talked about health care in China.
    THESAURUS
    speaker a lecturer | spokesperson.
spear
spear
  1. n.
    1 a long, thin pole with a sharp point, used in hunting and warfare: Men in India killed a tiger with a spear.
    2 a long piece of s.t.: a spear of asparagusv. [T] the act of piercing or hitting s.t. with a spear
spearmint
spearmint
  1. n. [U] a type of mint: spearmint chewing gum
special
special
  1. adj.
    1 important, meaningful: A birthday party is a special occasion.
    2 careful, greater than usual: We gave the sick boy special attention.
    3 respected, admired, loved: My brother is a special person in my life.n.
    1 a discount or unusual sale: The grocery store is having a special on canned tuna.
    2 a television show that is not part of the usual schedule: We all watched a Christmas special.
special delivery
special delivery
  1. n. [U] a mailing or shipment of s.t. that needs hand delivery or particular care: We have sent your check by special delivery.
special effects
special effects
  1. n.pl. (in film, radio, TV, etc.) sights and sounds created by people to seem real, such as things disappearing, strange monsters walking around, etc.: You should see the dinosaurs and other special effects in that new movie!
specialist
specialist
  1. n.
    1 a doctor who works in one particular area of medicine: His family physician sent him to see a heart specialist.
    2 a person with highly specific skills: a specialist in computer design
    THESAURUS
    specialist
    2 an expert, authority.
speciality
speciality
  1. n. -ties fine food: Excellent steaks are a speciality of this restaurant.
specialization
specialization
  1. n.
    1 [C] a topic or subject about which s.o. knows a lot: a specialization in Asian history
    2 [U] the process of specializing: Medicine is moving toward specialization, with more specific study of diseases.
specialize
specialize
  1. v. [I] -ized, -izing, -izes to study and work in a specific subject: She specializes in AIDS research.
specialty
specialty
  1. n. -ties a job or subject about which one knows a lot: As a manager, her specialty is starting new factories.||Surgery is that doctor's specialty.
species
species
  1. n. -cies
    1 a grouping of living things: the human species
    2 a type, category, kind of s.t.: a different species of insect
specific
specific
  1. adj.
    1 exact, definite, clear: The bank knows the specific amount of money in your account.
    2 unlike any other, special, unique: I am not talking about all books; I am talking about one specific novel.n.pl. the specifics: the particular qualities, the details: Let's get down to the specifics of our vacation, like plane reservations and how much money to take.
    THESAURUS
    specific adj.
    1 precise
    2 particular | distinct.
specification
specification
  1. n.usu.pl. [C]
    1 the exact details (of a product or service), usu. in writing or drawn plans: Automobiles are built to exact specifications.
    2 [U] the act of specifying
specify
specify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to say or communicate exactly what one wants or needs: I specified that I wanted 100 pads of paper, not 1,000.
specimen
specimen
  1. n.
    1 an item that is an example of a larger group: a fine specimen of a dog
    2 fluid or tissue from the body, taken for medical testing, a sample: a blood specimen
specious
specious
  1. adj. seeming true but actually false: a specious argument
speck
speck
  1. n. a tiny piece: a speck of dust||The airplane looks like a speck in the clouds.
speckled
speckled
  1. adj. covered with dots or little spots of a different color: speckled eggs
specs
specs
  1. n.infrml.
    1 short for specifications: Could you please give me the specs for the new computer?
    2 short for spectacles, eyeglasses: I lost my specs; I can't see well enough to drive.
spectacle
spectacle
  1. n.
    1 a strange or amazing sight: We climbed the mountain and looked out at the beautiful spectacle of valley and sky.
    2 a public celebration or performance: The Independence Day parade was a wonderful spectacle.
    3 to make a spectacle of oneself: to be loud or behave badly in public: He made a spectacle of himself by getting drunk and falling in the pool.
spectacles
spectacles
  1. n.pl.old usage eyeglasses
spectacular
spectacular
  1. adj. wonderful, exciting: We had a spectacular time at the party.
spectator
spectator
  1. n. s.o. who watches an event: The football stadium is full of screaming spectators.adj. (of a sport) watched by many: Baseball is a popular spectator sport.
    THESAURUS
    spectator n. an observer, a viewer.
specter
specter
  1. n.
    1 a ghost,
    THESAURUS
    a phantom: She told a Halloween story about a specter that visited in the night.
    2 a bad, frightening possibility: The specter of war hung over the nation.
spectrum
spectrum
  1. n. -tra or -trums
    1 the distribution of radiation across frequencies, esp. of light across its colors: the color spectrum
    2 a wide range: We have a whole spectrum of problems to solve.
speculate
speculate
  1. v. -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 [I;T] to guess about: She is so quiet; we can only speculate about what she is thinking.
    2 [I] to take business or financial risks: to speculate in real estate (the stock market, etc.) -n.[C;U] speculation.
speculative
speculative
  1. adj. risky: We are uncertain if the new business will succeed; it's speculative.
speculator
speculator
  1. n. a person who takes large business risks: He is a big speculator in Texas oil wells.
speech
speech
  1. n. -es
    1 [C] a talk about a subject to an audience: The politician gave a speech to his supporters.
    2 [U] the expression of thoughts with spoken words: We can say what we want; we have freedom of speech.
    THESAURUS
    speech
    1 a lecture, an address
    2 expression.
speechless
speechless
  1. adj.
    1 not able to speak, silent
    2 so surprised that one can barely speak,
    THESAURUS
    dumbfounded: I was speechless at the sight of the huge mountains. -adv. speechlessly.
speed-reading
speed-reading
  1. n. [U] a very fast way of reading in which one takes in several words at a time and gets a general, not detailed, sense of what is written
speed
speed
  1. n.
    1 [C] the rate at which s.t. moves: Traffic today is moving at a slow speed.
    2 [C] a gear in a vehicle: With the car in a low speed, it is easier to climb hills.
    3 [U] fast movement: His speed on skis is amazing.
    4 slang a drug that makes s.o. feel more awake or nervous —v. sped or speeded, speeding, speeds
    1 [I;T] to move quickly: Ambulances speed sick people to the hospital.
    2 [I] to drive faster than the legal limit: He was speeding at 75 mph (120 km), so the police stopped him.
    3 phrasal v. [I;T] to speed by: to pass rapidly: This summer is speeding by.||The police car sped by us.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to speed up: to go faster,
    THESAURUS
    to accelerate: The boss told his men to speed up their work.||They sped it up. -n. speeder.
speed limit
speed limit
  1. n. the legal maximum speed, posted on signs along roads and highways: The speed limit in many states is 65 miles per hour.
speedboat
speedboat
  1. n. a powerful boat that can go very fast: In our speedboat, we went from one end of the lake to the other in minutes.
speeding
speeding
  1. n. [U] driving faster than the legal speed limit: The driver was caught for speeding.
speedometer
speedometer
  1. n. a gauge on a vehicle that shows a driver how fast he or she is going: Your speedometer reads 80 kilometers per hour.
speedup
speedup
  1. n. a faster rate of progress,
    THESAURUS
    an acceleration: a speedup in factory production
speedy
speedy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 fast, quick: That runner is speedy; he wins every race.
    2 happening soon,
    THESAURUS
    imminent: We want a speedy end to the project.
spell
spell
  1. n.
    1 words or actions that cause a magic effect: The witch's spell turned a frog into a prince.
    2 infrml. a period of time: You must have patience; you should wait a spell before doing anything.
    3 a period of weather: a cold spell
    4 a period of illness or discomfort: a dizzy spell
    5 to cast a spell: a. to make magic happen b. to affect greatly: She is so beautiful that she casts a spell over men.
    6 under s.o.'s spell: very affected by s.o.: The teacher has the students under her spell.v. spelled or spelt , spelling, spells
    1 [I;T] to say or write the letters of a word in order: "Dictionary" is spelled D-I-C-T-I-O-N-A-R-Y.
    2 [T] to be the letters of a word: Y-E-S spells "yes."
    3 [T] to mean, seem like: If it rains, that will spell trouble for the picnic.
    4 [T] to let s.o. rest by doing that person's job for a while: I've been digging this hole for hours; can you spell me?
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to spell s.t. out: a. to give the exact letters in order: She spelled out her name over the phone.||She spelled it out. b. to explain in detail: He does not understand the process; you will have to spell it out for him.
spellbinding
spellbinding
  1. adj. extremely interesting, fascinating: The old man told a spellbinding story about hiding from the Nazis. -v. [T] spellbind.
spellbound
spellbound
  1. adj. extremely interested, fascinated: The speaker held his audience spellbound with his descriptions of Africa.
spelling
spelling
  1. n.
    1 [U] the ability to write words correctly letter by letter: Her spelling is excellent; she knows many difficult words.
    2 [C] how a word is spelled: Can you tell me the spelling of "prestidigitation"?
spend
spend
  1. v. spent , spending, spends
    1 [I;T] to pay money for s.t.: Governments spend taxpayers' money.||He spent $400 to fix his car.
    2 [T] to use time and effort: He spends a lot of time with his girlfriend.||We spent a lot of energy playing tennis.
spending
spending
  1. n. [U] the act of paying money: Your spending is too high; you must try to save more money.
spendthrift
spendthrift
  1. n. a person who wastes or spends too much money: Every week, my husband spends his entire paycheck on silly things; what a spendthrift!
spent
spent
  1. adj.& past part. of spend
    1 paid out: spent capital
    2 very tired because of exercise or activity,
    THESAURUS
    exhausted: She was spent after running seven miles.
sperm
sperm
  1. n.
    1 [U] the fluid from a man's penis that comes out during sexual intercourse,
    THESAURUS
    semen
    2 [C] a round male cell with a tail that can join with a female egg and cause pregnancy; part of a male's semen
spew
spew
  1. v. [I;T] to come out or push out with force: Bad words spewed from his mouth when he hit his thumb with a hammer.||The volcano spewed lava.
sphere
sphere
  1. n.
    1 a round object: a globe shaped like a sphere
    2 the sky that one can see: the heavenly sphere
    3 an area, the extent of one's experience: Within his social sphere, there are many rich people.
spherical
spherical
  1. adj. round: A ball is spherical.
sphinx
sphinx
  1. n.
    1 in Egyptian mythology, a being with the head of a man and the body of a lion
    2 the Sphinx: a famous Egyptian statue visited by many tourists
    3 a person who does not speak much, a mysterious person: When you try to talk to him about his personal life, that man is a sphinx.
spice
spice
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a flavoring for foods, such as pepper, cinnamon, or clove, often bought in small jars in powdered form
    2 usu.sing. fig. special enjoyment, excitement: Add spice to your life by taking a trip to a place you've never been.
    THESAURUS
    spice
    1 a seasoning
    2 zest, gusto.
spick-and-span
spick-and-span
  1. adj. clean and neat: The bathroom is spick-and-span after being cleaned.
spicy
spicy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 tasting of spices: spicy tomato sauce
    2 sexy: I read a spicy story about a film star and his many love affairs.
    THESAURUS
    spicy
    1 hot, peppery. Ant. bland.
    2 racy, risqué. Ant. tame.
spider
spider
  1. n. a small, eight-legged animal that traps insects in silken webs
spiel
spiel
  1. n.infrml. a story, usu. told to sell s.t. or convince s.o.: The refrigerator salesman went into a spiel about how great his product was.
spiffy
spiffy
  1. adj. -fier, -fiest with a neat appearance, well-dressed: You look very spiffy in your new suit and tie.
spike
spike
  1. n.
    1 a long, sharp piece of metal, like a large nail: He pounded spikes into the railroad tracks to hold them in place.
    2 metal points on the bottom of athletic shoes; the shoes themselves
    3 (in sports) the motion of quickly pushing a ball downward -adj. spiky.v. [T] spiked, spiking, spikes
    1 to put a spike (n.
    1) in s.t.
    2 to add liquor to a drink: She spiked the fruit punch with rum.
    3 (in sports) to force a ball downward with a quick push or throw: He spiked the volleyball, so the other player couldn't hit it.
spill
spill
  1. v. spilled or spilt , spilling, spills
    1 [I;T] to cause or allow a liquid to fall from its container: I spilled my coffee as I carried it to the table.
    2 [I;T] to drop or fall out of a container: Juice spilled from the carton.
    3 [I] to rush out all at once: We spilled out onto the dance floor when the band started playing.
    4 fig. it's no use crying over spilled or spilt milk: it doesn't help to be sad about something that happened in the past: I'm sorry that I never went to college, but it's no use crying over spilled milk.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to spill over: a. to overflow: The water is spilling over the bathtub onto the floor. b. to affect other matters: The bad luck of this computer company has spilled over and made the entire computer industry look bad.
    6 fig. to spill the beans: to tell a secret: Don't spill the beans about how much money I make; I don't want him to know.n.
    1 an act of spilling a liquid: an oil spill from a ship
    2 a fall: a spill from a horse
    THESAURUS
    spill v.
    2 to slop, slosh
    3 to pour. —n.
    1 a leak, an overflow
    2 a tumble.
spin-off
spin-off
  1. n.
    1 s.t. created from a larger thing (company, product, etc.): This doll is a spin-off of another popular doll.
    2 a television show whose main character was a minor character on another show
spin
spin
  1. v. spun , spinning, spins
    1 [I;T] to twist a substance (wool, cotton, etc.) into thread: to spin yarn
    2 [I;T] to turn around in a small circle or cause to do so: to spin a top||He said, "Look behind you!" and I spun around.
    3 fig. [T] to tell a story: to spin a tale (or) a yarn
    4 to make one's head spin: to cause confusion: All the choices are making my head spin.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to spin s.t. off: to make or become s.t. new by separating from an original thing or group: The company spun off its sales department and that became a new business.||They spun it off. See: spin-off.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to spin s.t. out: to make s.t. longer: The author spun out her idea into a play.||She spun it out.
    7 fig. [T] to spin one's wheels: to work hard with few results: He works 18 hours a day in real estate, but doesn't sell anything; he is just spinning his wheels.n.
    1 [C;U] a fast turning or spinning motion: Give the wheel a spin.
    2 infrml.fig. [C] a short ride in a car: Let's go for a spin.
    3 [U] a particular opinion about s.t.: The newspaper put its own spin on the election story.
spinach
spinach
  1. n. [U] a dark green, leafy vegetable, usu. eaten boiled or steamed
spinal cord
spinal cord
  1. n. a thick nerve that runs through the bones (spine) in the back
spindly
spindly
  1. adj. -dlier, -dliest very thin, often weak: the spindly legs of a small table
spine
spine
  1. n.
    1 [C] the connected bones in the back, backbone
    2 [C] a sharp, pointed needle on living things: the spines of a porcupine
    3 [C] the part of a book that is bound; the part seen on a bookcase: Please read the spine and tell me the title.
    4 fig. [U] courage,
    THESAURUS
    fortitude: He has the spine to make the difficult decisions. See: backbone.
spineless
spineless
  1. adj.fig. weak, cowardly: He was spineless to leave his wife without saying good-bye.
spinet
spinet
  1. n. a small piano
spinnaker
spinnaker
  1. n. a type of sail on a boat
spinster
spinster
  1. n. an older woman who has never married
spiny
spiny
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with hard or sharp skin: a spiny plant
    2 fig. difficult, dangerous: a spiny problem
spiral
spiral
  1. n.adj. s.t. that curves in a circular way around a center point, and sometimes up and down, like a screw or a winding staircase,
    THESAURUS
    coiled —v. [I;T]
    1 to twist up or down: The staircase spirals to the second floor.
    2 to go up or down quickly and steadily: to spiral out of control
spire
spire
  1. n. (in architecture) the sharply pointed tower of a church: He could see the church spire above the trees. See: steeple.
spirit
spirit
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the nonphysical part of a person, made up of thoughts, emotions, etc., the soul: My aunt feels the spirit of my uncle, even many years after his death.
    2 [C] a being who is not of this world, a ghost: People think that old house is full of spirits that come out at night.
    3 [U] a feeling or mood: The spirit of the Civil War lives on in many southern states.
    4 pl. spirits: alcoholic beverages, liquor: The corner store sells both soft drinks and spirits.
    5 the Holy Spirit: (in Christianity) the third part of the Trinity, along with the Father (God) and Son (Jesus Christ); also called Holy Ghost
    6 in (good, bad, etc.) spirits: in a (good, bad, etc.) mood: Thoughts of summer put me in high spirits.phrasal v. sep. [T] to spirit s.o. away: to take s.o. away, often unexpectedly or in a mysterious way: She spirited away her boyfriend to a Caribbean island.||She spirited him away.
spiritless
spiritless
  1. adj. with no energy or enthusiasm: I'm feeling spiritless since my best friend moved away.
spiritual
spiritual
  1. n. of or about the spirit, religious: We got married in a church, because we wanted the wedding to be a spiritual experience.n. a religious song that was first sung by African-Americans: He sang a spiritual about freedom. -n. [U] spirituality.
spit
spit
  1. v. spat , spit, spitting, spits
    1 [I;T] to send forth saliva or s.t. else from the mouth: The little boy spit a baby tooth into my hand.
    2 [I;T] to talk angrily in short, hissing phrases: "Get out of here right now!" she spat.
    3 [I;T] to rain lightly: Go back and get the umbrella; it's spitting a bit.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to spit s.t. out: a. to send from the mouth: She spit out the bad-tasting food.||She spit it out. b. to reveal with hesitation: He finally spit out the truth.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to spit (s.t.) up: to vomit: The baby became sick and spit up her dinner.n.
    1 [U] saliva
    2 [C] a long, thin piece of metal on which meat is cooked over a fire
spite
spite
  1. n. [U]
    1 a feeling of wanting to hurt others,
    THESAURUS
    malice: That man broke our car window out of spite.
    2 in spite of: against what might be logical, (syns.) regardless of, despite: I write letters in spite of the fact that most people call.v. [T] to irritate, annoy: She spites people by telling their secrets.
spiteful
spiteful
  1. adj. malicious, resentful: to have a spiteful attitude
spitfire
spitfire
  1. n.fig. a person with quick, changeable emotions: She threw a glass at a man in a bar; what a spitfire!
spitting image
spitting image
  1. n.fig. a person who looks just like s.o. else: The little girl is the spitting image of her mother.
spittle
spittle
  1. n. [U] saliva
splash
splash
  1. n. -es
    1 the movement and sound of a liquid as it falls or is hit: I can hear the splash of water in the sink.
    2 a mark of s.t.: a splash of green in the brown desert
    3 brief excitement and publicity: The singing star made a splash in a new musical.v. [I;T] (of a liquid)
    1 to fly into the air: Water splashed down a waterfall.
    2 to throw liquid, to cause a splash: I gently splashed water over the baby's legs.
splashy
splashy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest colorful, exciting,
    THESAURUS
    gaudy: The opening of the new opera house was a splashy occasion.
splat
splat
  1. n. the noise of s.t. soft hitting s.t. hard: The eggs fell on the floor with a splat.
splatter
splatter
  1. v. [I;T] n. (of a liquid)
    1 to fly off in drops: Oil splattered from the frying pan onto the stove.
    2 to cause to fly off in drops: She splattered him with her iced tea.
splay
splay
  1. v. [I;T] to spread out: I sat on my beach towel, splaying my legs. -adj. splayed.
spleen
spleen
  1. n.
    1 an internal body part on the left, near the stomach, that filters and restores blood
    2 to vent one's spleen: to say what one means in an angry way: He vented his spleen for an hour about all his ex-wife's faults.
splendid
splendid
  1. adj.
    1 excellent, wonderful: We had a splendid time on our vacation.
    2 grand and formal,
    THESAURUS
    magnificent: a splendid cathedral
splendor
splendor
  1. n. [U] great beauty, (syns.) magnificence, grandeur: the splendor of the Grand Canyon
splint
splint
  1. n.v. [T] a thin piece of wood or other material used to prevent a broken bone from moving: The doctor put a splint on the boy's broken arm to hold it in place.
splinter
splinter
  1. n.
    1 a small piece of wood or metal that breaks off a larger piece: I got a splinter in my foot from the old wooden floor.
    2 a group broken off from another one: a political splinter groupv. [I;T] to break into little pieces: The chair splintered when it fell from the truck.
split
split
  1. v. split, splitting, splits
    1 [I;T] to divide s.t. by cutting or breaking: to split wood with an axe
    2 [I] to divide people, political parties: That married couple doesn't like each other, so they split yesterday. || The Republican and Democratic parties split over whether to raise taxes.
    3 [I;T] to divide among people: We split a large sandwich.||They split $100: $50 each.
    4 [I] slang to leave: The game's over; let's split.
    5 fig. to split hairs: to talk about unimportant details: Arguing about Grandfather's age is splitting hairs; the important thing is that he's alive.n.
    1 a rip, break, or division in s.t.: My old jeans have a split in the seam.||The split in that political party was caused by disagreement among the old members.
    2 an action in which one's legs are completely spread in opposite directions, side to side or front to back: The dancer did a split on the stage to finish her act.
    3 banana split: a banana with ice cream and syrup
split second
split second
  1. n. a tiny period of time, less than a second: The lights went off, and a split second later she screamed.
splitting
splitting
  1. n. a division: the splitting of wood (political parties, the atom, etc.)
splurge
splurge
  1. v. [I] n. splurged, splurging, splurges to spend money freely, with little thought for prices: We went to Paris and splurged on expensive meals in restaurants.
spoil
spoil
  1. v. spoiled or spoilt , spoiling, spoils
    1 [I] (of food) to become bad or rotten: The meat has spoiled; let's throw it out.
    2 [T] to make imperfect or bad, ruin: You spoiled the paint by touching it when it was wet.
    3 [T] to give s.o. everything he or she wants: They spoil their child by buying him a toy every time they go shopping. -adj. spoiled.n.pl.frml. the spoils: the booty, plunder: the spoils of war
    THESAURUS
    spoil v.
    1 to go bad, go rancid, sour
    2 to mess up s.t. infrml., wreck s.t.
    3 to pamper.
spoilage
spoilage
  1. n. [U]
    1 the process of going bad: Spoilage is heavy in the grocery business because vegetables rot.
    2 s.t. rotten or spoiled
spoiler
spoiler
  1. n. a troublemaker, a person who spoils the fun or business dealing of others: He plays the spoiler in every deal that we try to make.
spoilsport
spoilsport
  1. n. a person who tries to ruin others' pleasure or fun: Instead of playing the game with us, he was a spoilsport and said the game was stupid.
spokesman
spokesman
  1. n. -men a male spokesperson
spokesperson
spokesperson
  1. n. a person who communicates the ideas and opinions of another person, group, or company: A spokesperson for the car company said that the new station wagons were the safest cars available.
spokeswoman
spokeswoman
  1. n. -women a female spokesperson
sponge
sponge
  1. n.
    1 [C] a water animal with many holes in its skeleton and bodily tissues
    2 [C;U] such an animal after it has died, or a similar-looking piece of cellulose, used to take up liquid or for cleaning: Get a sponge; I spilled some juice.
    3 [C] a person who rarely pays, who always takes money from others: Their son won't get a job and pay rent; he's nothing but a sponge.v. sponged, sponging, sponges
    1 [T] to wipe or clean with a sponge: He sponged up spilled water.||She sponged the dirty bathtub.
    2 [I;T] to get s.t. for free from s.o.: She never pays for cigarettes; she just sponges them from her friends.
sponge cake
sponge cake
  1. n. [C;U] a very light cake, full of tiny air holes
sponsor
sponsor
  1. n. a person, business, or group that helps pay for s.t. (cultural or sporting event, TV show, etc.): The sports equipment store is the sponsor of the local baseball team; it pays for uniforms and transportation.v. [T] to act as a sponsor: A beer company sponsored the baseball game by paying for television advertising.
spontaneity
spontaneity
  1. n. [U] action that happens without much thought or planning: We admired the spontaneity of her reading a book about Mexico, and then just flying there the next day.
spontaneous
spontaneous
  1. adj.
    1 not planned, full of feeling: spontaneous laughter at a clown
    2 happening in a natural way, not practiced or rehearsed: the spontaneous flow of jazz music
    3 happening without being caused by s.t. outside: a spontaneous fire -adv. spontaneously.
spoof
spoof
  1. n.v. [T] a comic performance that makes fun of a more serious topic, (syns.) a parody, satire: The comedian did a spoof of the situation in the White House.
spook
spook
  1. n.infrml. a ghost: My sister thinks there are spooks in the attic.v. [T] to make s.o. or an animal feel nervous, to frighten: The horses were spooked by a loud gunshot. -adj. spooky.
spool
spool
  1. n. a rounded object (cylinder) used for wrapping thread, rope, wire, etc.: a spool of threadv. [I;T]
    1 to wind on a spool
    2 (in computers) to store information temporarily while the computer is working
spoon-feed
spoon-feed
  1. v.fig. [T] to make s.t. very easy for s.o. by giving more than is necessary,
    THESAURUS
    to coddle: She will never learn anything if you spoon-feed all the answers to her.
spoon
spoon
  1. n. an eating tool shaped like a small, shallow bowl with a handle: He ate his cereal with a spoon.v. [T] to eat or move with a spoon: to spoon soup into a dish
spoonerism
spoonerism
  1. n. a reversal of sounds in words: flower pot/power flot
spoonful
spoonful
  1. n. the amount that a spoon holds: a spoonful of medicine
sporadic
sporadic
  1. adj.
    1 happening in an irregular way: sporadic waves||sporadic payments on a bill
    2 not often or steady: sporadic rain
sport
sport
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a game that involves physical exercise (football, baseball, tennis, etc.): He uses his running and throwing skills in many sports.
    2 [C] a person who loses or fails with a certain attitude (used with "good," "bad," or "poor"): His girlfriend beat him at tennis, but he was a good sport about it.v. [T] to wear or show s.t. in an obvious way: to sport a new suit (beard, hat, etc.)adj.
    1 worn for athletics: sport socks
    2 casual, not dressy: a sport shirt with no tie
sporting
sporting
  1. adj. having a good, fair attitude: It was very sporting of you to shake hands with the woman who beat you in chess.
sporting chance
sporting chance
  1. n. a fair opportunity to win or do well: I have lost money in the stock market, but I have a sporting chance to get it back if I'm smart.
sports car
sports car
  1. n. an automobile that is similar to a race car, with a powerful engine and good handling on curvy roads
sportscast
sportscast
  1. n. a game that one can see or hear on TV or radio
sportsmanship
sportsmanship
  1. n. [U] the way an athlete behaves (good or bad): She lost the match, yet she showed good sportsmanship by thanking her opponent for a good game. See: gamesmanship.
sportswear
sportswear
  1. n. [U] clothing worn for sports or casual activities: My soccer team buys its sportswear from Italy.||He can't dress in sportswear at the office.
sporty
sporty
  1. adj. colorful and casual: He is wearing a sporty blue jacket with white trousers.
spot
spot
  1. n.
    1 a mark that looks different from its background: She has a spot of lipstick on her dress.||The sick baby is covered with spots.
    2 a place, location: We found a cool spot in the shade.||We stayed at a nice spot, a hotel near a lake.
    3 usu.sing. a slightly difficult situation: I'm in a bit of a spot; will you help me?
    4 a bad part of s.o.'s experience: He has a spot on his record because he spent time in jail.
    5 to hit the spot: (of food and drink) to be just right, taste very good: That ice cream hit the spot!
    6 on the spot: right away: We bought our tickets and left on the spot.v. [T] spotted, spotting, spots
    1 to stain s.t.: to spot a dress with wine
    2 to find with the eye, to see: I spotted a friend in a crowd and stopped to talk.
spot check
spot check
  1. n. a quick, incomplete look: I gave the pages a final spot check to make sure all the illustrations were there. -v. [I;T] spot-check.
spotless
spotless
  1. adj.
    1 very clean: The washed dishes are spotless.
    2 without any bad parts: a spotless reputation -n. [U] spotlessness.
spotlight
spotlight
  1. n. a powerful light that shines directly on s.o. or s.t.: A spotlight on our pool allows us to swim at night.v. [T]
    1 to shine a spotlight on s.o.: to spotlight the actor on the stage
    2 to focus attention on: The press spotlighted the election with daily headlines.
spotted
spotted
  1. past part. of spot —adj. covered with spots: a spotted leopard
spotty
spotty
  1. adj.
    1 covered with stains or spots: a spotty tablecloth
    2 not steady or consistent, containing some bad parts,
    THESAURUS
    erratic: He has done some good things in his career, but overall his past is spotty.
spouse
spouse
  1. n. a husband or wife: My spouse and I have been married for seven years.
spout
spout
  1. n. a tube through which liquid passes: a water spout, the spout on a teapot
sprain
sprain
  1. v. [T] to hurt a body part by twisting or putting too much pressure on it: to sprain an anklen. the act or condition of a sprain: I lifted a heavy box and have a sprain in my arm.
sprang
sprang
  1. past part. of spring
sprawl
sprawl
  1. v. [I] to spread out widely in different directions: My son came into the room and sprawled on the sofa.||New York City sprawls out for many miles.n. [U] urban sprawl: growth away from the center of a city
spray
spray
  1. v. [I;T] to send s.t. out so that it spreads over an area: In summer, the kids spray each other with the water hose.||The soldier sprayed the woods with bullets.n. [C;U]
    1 liquid that spreads in drops over an area: a spray of ocean water from a wave||a spray of perfume
    2 a small plant arrangement: a spray of flowers
    THESAURUS
    spray v. to sprinkle, shower | splatter. —n.
    1 a sprinkle, shower
    2 a sprig, bouquet.
spread
spread
  1. v. spread, spreading, spreads
    1 [T] to cover a surface by pushing s.t. toward the edges of the surface: to spread butter on bread
    2 [I;T] to cause to go or travel a distance or to many people: to spread the news||to spread disease
    3 [T] to lay out smoothly and flat: to spread a tablecloth (napkin, towel, map, etc.)
    4 [T] to make space between: to spread your fingers
    5 [T] to set a table with dishes, knives, forks, etc.
    6 to spread oneself too thin: to be doing too many things: She goes to college, takes care of children, and works nights too; she has spread herself too thin.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to spread s.t. or s.o. apart: to increase the distance between: Two men were fighting and the police spread them apart.||The man spread his legs far apart.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to spread s.t. around: a. to cause s.t. to cover a wider area: The flu has spread around the company. b. to use in different ways,
    THESAURUS
    to distribute: Politicians spread around money in the government budget among various projects.||They spread it around.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to spread (s.t.) out: a. to stretch out: He was tired, so he spread out on the sofa to rest. b. to become wider or bigger,
    THESAURUS
    to expand: The city has spread out into the suburbs.n.usu. sing. [C]
    1 a food that can be pressed on bread, crackers, etc. with a knife: a cheese spread
    2 a bed covering that goes above sheets and blankets: a bedspread
    3 the difference between two amounts: the spread between the cost and the selling price
    4 infrml. a farm or ranch: a large spread in Texas
    5 movement over an area: the spread of good news
    6 an arrangement of s.t. over a larger area: the spread of her hair on the pillow
    7 infrml. a lot of different foods available at a meal: They had a big spread of fish, meat, vegetables, bread, and cake.
    8 a story in a newspaper or magazine that covers two facing pages: a spread about the World Cup soccer tournament
spreadsheet
spreadsheet
  1. n. a computer program or paper document with columns and rows used to calculate and show budgets and financial worksheets: I did a spreadsheet on the company's profit and loss.
spree
spree
  1. n. a time of careless or wild activity: I spent my entire paycheck on a shopping spree.
sprig
sprig
  1. n. a small twig from a plant or a tiny bunch of flowers: a sprig of pine
spring
spring
  1. n.
    1 a piece of metal wire, wound in a coil, that stretches and goes back to its original shape: My couch has springs, so it doesn't feel hard when I sit down.
    2 a jump or leap: the spring of a kangaroo
    3 a place where water comes naturally out of the ground: We drank from a spring in the mountains.
    4 the season between winter and autumn: In the spring, we plant flowers and watch the days grow longer.v. sprang , sprung , springing, springs
    1 [I] to jump with strength by bending and then straightening the knees,
    THESAURUS
    to leap: A ballet dancer sprang into the other dancer's arms.||The deer springs across the field.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to spring at s.o.: to jump toward,
    THESAURUS
    to attack: The dog growled and sprang at the robber.
    3 to spring at the chance: to happily take the opportunity: When the boss offered her a business trip, she sprang at the chance to go.
    4 to spring a trap: to trick s.o.: Government agents lured the criminal to a hotel and gave him a bribe; then they sprang a trap on him and arrested him.
    5 to spring a leak: to get a hole and let air or water through: The little boat sprang a leak and sank.
    6 to spring into action: to begin to act quickly: When the general gives the order, his army springs into action against the enemy.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to spring open or shut: to open or shut with a quick, sudden motion
    8 to spring to life: to become more active and lively: The crocodile appeared to be asleep, then he sprang to life and captured a fish.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to spring s.t. on s.o.: to surprise s.o. with s.t.: We sprang the news that we were having a baby on our parents.
spring chicken
spring chicken
  1. n.infrml.fig. no spring chicken: not a young person: She is much older than she looks; she is no spring chicken.
spring fever
spring fever
  1. n. [U] a good feeling of new beginnings and energy caused by warm weather in the springtime: She has spring fever; she has been cleaning her house and buying new clothes all week.
springboard
springboard
  1. n.
    1 a flexible piece of wood or other material used for diving into a pool or (in gymnastics) jumping onto a piece of equipment
    2 fig. s.t that leads to another action: He used our discussion about education as a springboard to taking night classes.
springtime
springtime
  1. n. [U] the season between winter and summer: We enjoy fishing in the springtime.
springy
springy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest bouncing back to an original position, stretchy: a springy mattress on a bed
sprinkle
sprinkle
  1. n.
    1 a brief, light rainfall
    2 drops of liquid or tiny pieces of s.t. falling or scattering: a sprinkle of plant food on a plantv. -kled, -kling, -kles
    1 [I] to rain lightly: Oh, it's sprinkling; I'll get my hat.
    2 [I;T] to cause to fall in drops or tiny pieces: to sprinkle salt on meat||I sprinkled water on the lawn. -n. sprinkler; sprinkling.
sprint
sprint
  1. v. [I] n. to run very fast for a short distance, often in a race -n. sprinter.
sprout
sprout
  1. v. [I;T] to start to grow: Trees sprout leaves in the spring.n.
    1 new growth on a plant,
    THESAURUS
    a shoot
    2 brussels sprouts: part of a type of cabbage
sprung
sprung
  1. past part. of spring
spry
spry
  1. adj. active, alert (usu. said of healthy old people): My spry grandfather walks his dog twice a day.
spud
spud
  1. n.infrml. a potato
spunky
spunky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having energy, courage, and a good attitude about the future: My little girl broke her arm, but she's very spunky and says it doesn't hurt.
spur
spur
  1. n.
    1 a piece of metal worn on boot heels and pressed into the side of a horse to make it run faster
    2 on the spur of the moment: quickly and without much thought,
    THESAURUS
    on impulse: The boss called his workers together on the spur of the moment.v. [T] spurred, spurring, spurs
    1 to make a horse run faster
    2 to cause action: The dark clouds spurred us to work faster before the rain started.
spurious
spurious
  1. adj. not to be believed,
    THESAURUS
    false: The movie star told spurious lies about his ex-wife.||I think this is a spurious painting, not a valuable work of Leonardo da Vinci, as the museum says.
spurn
spurn
  1. v. [T] n. to reject in an unkind way: He called his girlfriend, and she spurned him by not returning his call.
spurt
spurt
  1. v. [I]
    1 to move out or forward with great force,
    THESAURUS
    to gush forth: The water spurted from the fountain.
    2 to move ahead with a sudden burst of energy: The runner spurted past the others.n.
    1 a sudden burst of liquid: a spurt of blood from a vein
    2 a sudden burst of energy: a spurt of effort to finish a job
sputter
sputter
  1. n.v.
    1 [I] to make irregular sounds: an engine that sputters
    2 [I;T] to show anger or frustration by talking in an unclear way, along with spitting or throat noises: "You s-s-say you're s-s-sorry right n-n-now!" he sputtered.
spy
spy
  1. n. spies a person who collects secret information and reports back to his or her government: A spy dressed as a woman listened to a conversation while pretending to drink a glass of wine.v. spied, spying, spies
    1 [I;T] to look for, listen to, or collect information secretly: He followed his wife to the movies and spied on her from another seat.
    2 [T] to see after looking around a bit: to spy a friend in a crowd
squabble
squabble
  1. v. [I] n. -bled, -bling, -bles to fight or argue, often about unimportant things: They squabbled about whether to leave at 2:00 or 3:00.
squad
squad
  1. n. a small, organized group of people: a squad of soldiers||a football squad
squalid
squalid
  1. adj. very dirty, (syns.) filthy, wretched: The poor family lived in a squalid apartment full of rats.
squall
squall
  1. n.v. [I]
    1 a sudden windstorm, followed by wind or snow
    2 a loud cry: the squall of a hungry baby
squalor
squalor
  1. n. [U] a place or situation of dirt and poverty: The neighborhood people helped turn the park from squalor to a clean, happy place.
squander
squander
  1. v. [T] to spend too much,
    THESAURUS
    to waste: He squandered his savings on a new boat.||We must not squander our forests and rivers by not managing them properly.
square
square
  1. n.
    1 a shape with four equal sides: The side of this box is a square.
    2 (in math) the result of multiplying a number by itself: The square of 3 is 9.
    3 a place in a town where several streets meet and form a business area: There's a sandwich shop in the square.
    4 infrml.fig. a person with few bad habits, little humor, and no sense of adventure: He goes to bed at 10:00 P.M. on weekends and never goes out; he is a real square.adj. squarer, squarest
    1 having four equal sides: a square mirror
    2 a measurement for an area: square meters
    3 fitting exactly against s.t. else: The carpenter made the window square with the window frame.
    4 even, settled: Here is the $5 I owe you, so now we are square.
    5 honest: If you ask her for the truth, she'll be square with you.v. squared, squaring, squares
    1 [T] (in math) to multiply s.t. by itself: I squared 4 and got 16.
    2 [T] to fit s.t. properly: to square a door so it hangs straight
    3 [I;T] to make even, settle: Last night you paid for dinner and tonight I will; we'll square the matter (or) square up.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to square s.t. away: to get ready, put in order: Let me get my purse and turn off the lights — I like to square away the office before I leave.||I want to square it away.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to square off: to face each other and get ready to fight
squat
squat
  1. v. [I] squatted, squatting, squats to bend the knees and sit on the heels: He squatted behind a chair so he wouldn't be seen.adj. -er, -est close to the ground, thick: a fat man with a squat body
squawk
squawk
  1. n.v. [I]
    1 a loud, harsh bird cry: the squawk of a chicken
    2 a cry or complaint: He let out a squawk when I stepped on his toe.
squeak
squeak
  1. n. a sharp, high-pitched sound that is not very loud: a squeak in a door||the squeak of a frightened childv. [I]
    1 to make a squeaking sound: We could hear a mouse squeak in a hole in the wall.
    2 phrasal v. to squeak by: to succeed, but just barely: The student passed the examination by one point; she just squeaked by. -adj. squeaky.
squeal
squeal
  1. n. a high-pitched scream: the squeal of a pigv. [I]
    1 to let out a high-pitched scream: The little girl squealed when she opened the birthday present.
    2 infrml.fig. to tell on s.o.: He saw you steal the candy, and he's going to squeal to the police.
squeamish
squeamish
  1. adj. tending to feel sick to one's stomach, usu. because of blood or s.t. unpleasant: He can't go to war movies; they make him squeamish.
squeeze
squeeze
  1. v. [T] squeezed, squeezing, squeezes to press from two or more sides: He put his arms around his girlfriend and squeezed her.||I squeezed lemon juice into my iced tea.n.
    1 the act of pressing from two or more sides: She gave the beach ball a squeeze to let the air out.
    2 a tight fit into s.t.: My car has room for four; five is a squeeze.
    3 to put the squeeze on s.o.: to force s.o. to do s.t. by giving limited options: The manager told the salesman to move from New York to Chicago or to leave the company; he put the squeeze on him to move.
    THESAURUS
    squeeze v. to grip, clutch | pinch, compress. —n. 1 and 2 a pinch.
squelch
squelch
  1. v. [T] n. to force silence or stop action: The speaker squelched her listener's argument with several examples and facts.
squid
squid
  1. n. squid or squids an edible water animal with 10 legs
squint
squint
  1. v. [I] n. to look with partly-opened eyes: I squinted in the bright sunlight.||He squints at the page; he needs glasses.
squire
squire
  1. n. old usage a country gentleman, a large landowner in a village —v.old usage [T] to take (a woman) to a social event,
    THESAURUS
    to escort: He squired a lady to a ball.
squirm
squirm
  1. v. [I]
    1 to move one's body by twisting like a snake,
    THESAURUS
    to wriggle: I squirmed under the sink to reach the leaky pipe.
    2 to feel embarrassed and show it in one's body: He squirmed when his boss told him to dress better in front of the other workers.
squirrel
squirrel
  1. n. a small, usu. gray animal with a long fluffy tail —phrasal v. sep. [T] to squirrel s.t. away: to save: Each week, he squirrels away $50 from his paycheck.||He squirrels it away.
squirt
squirt
  1. v. [I;T] (of liquid) to send or come out in a thin line: I squirted dishwashing soap onto the plate.||Water squirted out of the hose.n.
    1 a thin stream of liquid: a squirt of window cleaner
    2 pej. a small or unimportant person: You little squirt, you can't talk to me like that!
stab
stab
  1. v. stabbed, stabbing, stabs
    1 [I;T] to pierce with s.t. sharp: to stab s.o. with a knife
    2 fig. to stab s.o. in the back: to treat s.o. badly, often while acting nice: You stabbed her in the back when you smiled and laughed with her, and then told everyone not to go to her party.n.
    1 the motion of piercing with s.t. sharp: He gave the meat a stab with his fork.
    2 fig. to give s.t. a stab or to make a stab at s.t. or to take a stab at s.t.: to try: I can't get the top off this jar; will you give it a stab?||The car broke down and I took a stab at repairing it myself. -n. stabber; stabbing.
    THESAURUS
    stab v.
    1 to jab, gouge | poke, prick. —n. a jab | poke, prick.
stability
stability
  1. n. [U] -ties
    1 firmness, strength, reliability: Put a nail here to improve the stability of this chair.
    2 a state of very little change or upset: There is political stability in the country, now that the war is over.
stabilize
stabilize
  1. v. [I;T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes
    1 to make firmer or stronger: We need to stabilize the old barn, because it is leaning to one side.
    2 to reach a calm, undisturbed state: Her health stabilizes when she takes her medicine.
stack
stack
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to place one object upon another: to stack boxes
    2 to stack the deck: to cheat by creating a situation that is good for oneself and bad for s.o. else: She stacked the deck against you by giving you the wrong pages to study for the test.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to stack up: to seem equal (next to s.t. else), to compare to: He's smarter and handsomer; I'll never stack up.n.
    1 a group of objects placed one upon the other: a stack of newspapers
    2 a chimney or other hollow tube through which smoke passes See: smokestack.
    3 (in computers) a section of memory for information —adj.vulg. stacked: with large breasts,
    THESAURUS
    buxom
stadium
stadium
  1. n. -diums or -dia a playing area surrounded by seats, for sports, concerts, and other events: We went to the football stadium on Saturday to watch the game.
    THESAURUS
    stadium an arena, a coliseum.
staff
staff
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of workers: the secretarial staff||the sales staff
    2 [U] all the workers in a place: The staff signed a birthday card for me.
    3 [C] old usage a stick, rod or pole: He used a staff to make it easier to walk up the hill.||The cruel teacher hit the boy with her staff.
    4 [C] (in music) the five lines and four spaces on which (or above and below which) notes are written —v. [T] to interview and hire workers for specific jobs: to staff a new office
staffer
staffer
  1. n. a non-management worker, a support person
staffing
staffing
  1. n. [U] the act of hiring workers: The staffing of the new office is now complete; we hired 20 people.
stag
stag
  1. n. a male deer: a stag elkadj. for or with only men: a stag partyadv. alone, without a woman: He didn't have a date, so he went stag to the dance.
stage
stage
  1. v. [T] staged, staging, stages
    1 to put on entertainment for the public: to stage a play (show, rock concert, etc.)
    2 to fake a situation: to stage an accident to collect insurancen.
    1 [C] in a theater or auditorium, a floor that is higher than the audience's seats, used for performers and speakers: This huge stage is for ballets and other dance performances.
    2 [U] the job of acting: She has spent her life on the stage, on Broadway, and traveling the country.
    3 on stage: on a stage, performing: The star is on stage and singing beautifully.
    4 center stage: the focus of attention: The woman running for president is on center stage now in all the newscasts.
    5 [C] a period of time in a process: We are at the roofing stage in building our house.
    6 [C] a particular level or place: The river water is at a very high stage and will soon overflow onto farmland.
    7 [C] short for stagecoach
stage fright
stage fright
  1. n. [U] fear of performing or public speaking
stagecoach
stagecoach
  1. n. -es in the old USA, a four-wheeled vehicle pulled by horses, used to carry mail and people from place to place
stagflation
stagflation
  1. n. [U] (in economics) slow growth and high inflation
stagger
stagger
  1. v.
    1 [I] to walk or run with unsteady movements: The drunk woman staggered out of the bar.||I staggered to the refrigerator with four grocery bags.
    2 [T] to surprise greatly,
    THESAURUS
    to astonish: The child's mathematical ability staggered her teachers. -adj. staggering.n. an unsteady walk or run
staging
staging
  1. n. [C;U] the process of putting a performance on stage: the staging of a new opera
stagnant
stagnant
  1. adj.
    1 (of liquid) not moving, often with a bad smell: We could not drink the water in the stagnant pond.
    2 with little growth or activity: a stagnant economy -v. [I] stagnate ; -n. [U] stagnation.
staid
staid
  1. adj. serious and a bit boring, (syns.) prim, reserved: My aunt leads a staid life; she works 9:00 to 5:00, reads most of the evening, and goes to bed at 9:30.
stain
stain
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to get a spot of color (on s.t.): He stained his shirt with red wine.
    2 [T] to make one's good reputation or character bad by saying or doing s.t. bad or wrong: Getting arrested for drunk driving stained his reputation.
    3 [T] to paint with a stain: to stain wood with a brushn. [C;U]
    1 a spot of color (dirt, liquid, etc.): a grass stain on pants
    2 damage: Her one grade of C was a stain on her good school record.
    3 a type of thin paint through which wood is still visible
stainless
stainless
  1. adj.
    1 without soil or damage, perfect: a stainless reputation
    2 resistant to rust: stainless steel knives and forks
stair
stair
  1. n.
    1 a step in a flight of steps: The girl stood on a stair and said goodnight before going upstairs.
    2 pl. stairs: several steps going up, a staircase: I took the stairs to the second floor.
staircase
staircase
  1. n. a set of steps going up or down,
    THESAURUS
    a stairway, flight of stairs: the staircase to the attic
stairway
stairway
  1. n. See: staircase.
stake
stake
  1. v. [T] staked, staking, stakes
    1 to offer to give in exchange, to risk: I'm telling the truth; I stake my life on it.
    2 to provide money for: The company staked that new factory from last year's profits.
    3 to stake a claim: to declare s.t. for oneself: The new boss has staked a claim (or) staked out a claim to that empty office.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to stake s.t. out: to hide in order to spy on s.o.: The police have staked out a criminal's house to see what time he usually leaves.||They staked it out. -n. stakeout.n.
    1 a narrow, pointed piece of wood or metal used as a marker: A stake in the ground shows where our yard ends.
    2 an interest in s.t. (often a financial one): I have a stake in the restaurant's success, since my money helped start it.
stale
stale
  1. adj. not fresh or new: stale bread||stale old war stories
stalemate
stalemate
  1. n.v. [T] a situation in which two people or groups can take no more action,
    THESAURUS
    a deadlock: The President and the Congress are at a stalemate; neither side can agree.
stall
stall
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to keep s.t. from happening,
    THESAURUS
    to delay: We're late meeting our friend; I think you're stalling by trying on all those clothes.
    2 [I] (of an engine) to stop working: My car stalled and I couldn't get it started again.n.
    1 the act of stalling
    2 in a barn, a walled-in area for an animal: He led the horse out of the stall.
    3 a section of a public bathroom, with a door that closes for privacy
stallion
stallion
  1. n. a male horse that still has its testicles
stalwart
stalwart
  1. n. a strong supporter of a cause or idea: a Republican party stalwartadj. morally and physically strong: The stalwart soldiers fought bravely for freedom.
stamina
stamina
  1. n. [U] the ability to exercise or work for long periods of time: I don't have much stamina; I need to rest between tennis games.
stammer
stammer
  1. v. [I;T] to speak with many pauses and repeated words or syllables: The shy boy stammered when he asked the pretty girl to the movies.n. a way of speaking with pauses and repeated words or syllables See: stutter.
stamp
stamp
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to force a foot down to the floor or ground: The child stamped her foot and said, "I won't eat these carrots!"
    2 [I] to walk with a heavy step: They stamped into the apartment building and snow flew off their boots.
    3 [T] to print or make a raised mark with s.t.: The lawyer stamped the paper to show it was legal.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to stamp s.t. out: to get rid of completely,
    THESAURUS
    to eradicate: A new police chief stamped out crime in the city.||He stamped it out.n.
    1 a tiny rectangle of paper with a picture and amount of money printed on it, used on letters and other things to be mailed; a postage stamp: I put a stamp on a postcard and mailed it.
    2 s.t. that prints or causes a raised mark (on paper, etc.): She has a rubber stamp of a flower.
    3 the mark made by a stamp: This leather purse has a stamp of the maker's name.
    THESAURUS
    stamp v.
    1 to stomp
    2 to stomp, tramp.
stampede
stampede
  1. v. [T] -peded, -peding, -pedes to rush forward as a group: The gates opened and the people stampeded into the rock concert.n. a rush forward as a group: a cattle stampede
stance
stance
  1. n.
    1 a still position taken just before an action, esp. in sports: The baseball player took his stance and waited for the pitch.
    2 an attitude or opinion about s.t.: The governor's stance is against new taxes.
stanch
stanch
  1. adj. var. of staunch
stand-alone
stand-alone
  1. n.adj. a piece of furniture or equipment that can do its function by itself: We have five stand-alones in our computer section; they are not connected.
stand-in
stand-in
  1. n. s.o. who takes the place of,
    THESAURUS
    a substitute: The mayor was sick, so his wife served as a stand-in at the celebration.
stand
stand
  1. n. [C]
    1 a piece of furniture that holds or displays s.t.: a plant stand||The little table was used as a lamp stand.
    2 a small area, often with just a table, for selling things: The children set up a lemonade stand for people walking by.
    3 an opinion that one expresses firmly: The mayor took a stand for the building of a new high school.
    4 pl. stands: the seats for spectators at a sports arena or stadium: The hockey player hit the puck into the stands.
    5 in a courtroom, the seat and area where the people being questioned sit: the witness stand
    THESAURUS
    stand n.
    1 a small table
    2 a stall, booth
    3 a position, stance. —v. stood , standing, stands
    1 [I] to rise (from sitting or lying) to an upright position on one's feet: She got out of bed and stood.
    2 [I] to be on one's feet: I'm tired of standing; let's find some chairs.
    3 [I] to measure a certain height: a man who stands six feet tall
    4 [I] to remain unchanged or as before: We made the rules last year and they still stand.
    5 [I] to hold or keep a certain idea: I stand on my previous opinion.
    6 [I] to be still, unmoving: standing water
    7 [T] to dislike s.o. or s.t.: I never want to see her again; I can't stand her.
    8 infrml. [T] to tolerate s.t. unpleasant: The ocean water is cold, but I can stand it enough to go swimming.||He can't stand the pressure of his job.
    9 fig. (to do s.t.) standing on one's head: (to do s.t.) very easily: I could sail a boat standing on my head.
    10 to know where one stands (with s.o.): to know one's position (in the opinion of others): I believe in equality for women; that's where I stand.||Tell me how long you want me to stay, so I know where I stand with you.
    11 to stand a chance: to have a possibility to succeed: We have no good players, so our team does not stand a chance of winning this season.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stand against s.t.: a. to lean against: They stood the boards against the wall. b. to be located next to: The dresser stands against the wall. c. to be against,
    THESAURUS
    to oppose: The politician stands against higher taxes.
    13 phrasal v. [I] to stand around: not to be doing much: People stand around until the employment office opens.
    14 to stand at attention: (in the military) to stand stiff and still, often waiting for orders: Soldiers stand at attention when commanded to do so.
    15 phrasal v. [I] to stand by: at an airport, to wait to find out if there is space on a flight: The ticket seller said we should stand by, and we did get on the flight. See: standby, 2b.
    16 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stand by s.t. or s.o.: to not change, to stay faithful to: She won't change her mind; she's standing by her opinion.||I will always stand by you and be your friend.
    17 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stand for s.t.: a. to have or represent an idea: This country stands for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. b. to mean: X in that math equation stands for an unknown amount.
    18 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stand in for s.o.: to take the place of,
    THESAURUS
    to substitute for: When the star is sick, another actor stands in for him. See: understudy.
    19 to stand in s.o.'s way: to prevent (s.o.) from doing: I will not stand in your way; you may go to graduate school.|| Don't let the cost stand in your way; she'll pay for it.
    20 phrasal v. sep. [T] to stand off: to prevent an attack: The enemy attacked the fort, but the citizens stood the enemy off.
    21 to stand one's ground: to remain sure or firm about s.t.: She asked for a raise and the boss said no, but she stood her ground and finally received it.
    22 to stand on one's own two feet: not to need any help, to be self-supporting: He can stand on his own two feet, without money from his parents.
    23 phrasal v. [I] to stand out: to be easily seen, (syns.) to be noticeable, conspicuous: His excellent work stands out.
    24 to stand pat: not to change, to hold one's position: The owner wants $10 million for his company; he will stand pat and not lower the price.
    25 to stand to reason: to make sense, be logical: If he does not like his job, it stands to reason that he should find another one.
    26 to stand trial: to be accused of a crime and defended in court: She stood trial for helping to rob a bank.
    27 phrasal v. [I] to stand up: a. to get on one's feet: He was sitting, then he stood up. b. to remain true: His argument stands up, even after looking at the facts.
    28 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stand up to s.o.: to argue or fight with s.o. (often s.o. stronger): The woman stood up to her boss and charged him with sexual harassment.
standard-bearer
standard-bearer
  1. n.
    1 a person who carries the flag of a certain group, esp. a military unit
    2 a person who represents a group and what it stands for: The President is the standard-bearer of his political party.
standard
standard
  1. n.
    1 s.t. against which other things or ideas are measured: All new cars must meet the standard for air pollution control.||That singer sets the standard for a beautiful voice.
    2 pl. standards: needs or expectations: She has high standards; she dates only handsome, rich men.
    3 a flag, often for a military group —adj.
    1 commonly accepted as normal, usual: B+ is my standard grade in history.
    2 always part of s.t.: Seat belts are now standard on all new cars.
standard of living
standard of living
  1. n. the way people live in terms of the quality of housing, food, buying power, leisure opportunities, etc., in a nation, region, or local area: The standard of living in the poor country got better when more people became educated and found jobs.
standard operating procedure
standard operating procedure
  1. n. the accepted set of steps to be followed for a situation, whether that situation is routine or an emergency: It is standard operating procedure for the person who answers the phone to ask the name of the caller. See: SOP.
standardize
standardize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -zing, -izes to make s.t. fit to a certain measure, often to match s.t. else: We have to standardize the rules of the game, so people from all different countries will be able to play. -n. [U] standardization.
standby
standby
  1. n.
    1 s.o. or s.t. that is always ready and available: I have a new sports car, but this truck is my old standby.
    2 on standby: a. ready to work if needed: The doctor is on standby in case of an emergency. b. at an airport, ready to go if space becomes available: We could not get a reservation on the flight that we wanted, so we were on standby.
    THESAURUS
    standby
    1 a backup 2a on call.
standing
standing
  1. n. [U] one's situation and place among others: to be an employee in good standingadj. related to standing: Almost all the tickets are sold; standing room is all that is available at this performance.
standoff
standoff
  1. n.
    1 an inability to agree: a standoff in an argument
    2 an equal score, a tie: to play a game to a standoff
standout
standout
  1. n. clearly different or better, excellent: She is a standout on the sales staff.
standpoint
standpoint
  1. n. a situation from which s.t. is seen,
    THESAURUS
    a viewpoint: From my standpoint as a parent, the local school is not difficult enough.
standstill
standstill
  1. n.usu.sing. [C] a stopping of action, a halt: Traffic came to a standstill in the deep snow.
stapler
stapler
  1. n. an office tool that holds staples and presses them through paper, wood, etc. See: staple (1).
star
star
  1. n.
    1 a bright, hot ball of gas in the sky, the closest one being our sun, and the others seen at night as dots of light
    2 a shape, usu. with five or six points going in different directions from a central point
    3 pl.fig. stars: s.t. that decides the future, often thought to be more powerful than anything: Whether I have a girl or boy baby is not my decision; it's in the stars.
    4 a. very famous performer: a movie star b. an actor with a large or important part: The star took a bow at the end of the play.v. [I] starred, starring, stars to have a large, important part as an actor: He stars in a new film.
starboard
starboard
  1. n. [U] adj.adv. the right-hand side of a ship or plane: The captain looked starboard and saw an island. See: port (1).
starch
starch
  1. n. -es
    1 [U] a sticky liquid sprayed or put on clothes to stiffen them: Dad asked the cleaner to put starch in his shirts.
    2 [C;U] a part of many foods, including bread, potatoes, and rice, necessary in the human diet along with fat and protein: There is a lot of starch in this meal, with baked potatoes and corn. See: carbohydrate. —v. [T] -es to put starch on clothes: I starched my linen dress. -adj. starchy.
stardom
stardom
  1. n. [U] the condition of being a famous performer: The actress's goal is to achieve Hollywood stardom.
stare
stare
  1. v. stared, staring, stares
    1 [I] to look at s.o. or s.t. steadily with wide-opened eyes: I told my son to stop staring at the fat woman; it wasn't nice.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to stare s.o. down: to make a person or animal look away by staring: He stared down the attacking dog.||He stared it down.n. a wide-eyed look at s.o. or s.t.: I saw my fearful stare in the mirror.
starfish
starfish
  1. n. -fish or -fishes a star-shaped water animal with five arms
stark
stark
  1. adj.
    1 not cheerful, empty: a stark hillside with no plants
    2 complete, utter: stark fearadv. completely: stark naked
starry-eyed
starry-eyed
  1. adj. seeing only the fame of s.o., awed, naive: a starry-eyed admirer of a rock star
start
start
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to begin: I started a letter to my aunt.||He started to cry.
    2 [I;T] to set up: to start a business
    3 [T] to cause to begin an action: She started everyone wearing plaid skirts.
    4 [I] (in sports) to be among the first group of players at the beginning of a game: The best goalie will start, and the other will play in the second half.
    5 [I] to move one's body quickly and suddenly in surprise: She started when the door slammed.
    6 phrasal v. [I;T] to start off: to begin, commence: The speaker started off by describing her background.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to start out: a. to begin: The movie started out well, but got very boring. b. to leave, depart: We are taking a trip and will start out at 2:00 P.M. tomorrow.
    8 to start (all) over: to begin again: The artist didn't like the painting and decided to start over.
    9 to start s.t.: to create trouble: Calm down! Are you trying to start something?
    10 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to start (s.t.) up: a. to begin s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to found: He started up his company in 1990.||He started it up. b. to turn on an engine: The driver started her car up and drove away.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to start with s.t.: to begin, commence: Let's start with fresh shrimp as an appetizer.||To start with, let's talk about how much money we need.n.
    1 a beginning: to make a start on a difficult journey
    2 a quick movement, a surprised reaction: The man appeared in the dark and gave me a start.
    3 to give s.o. a start: to help s.o. to begin: The manager hired me when I had no experience; he gave me a start.
    4 to make a (brand-)new start: to begin again: He failed in a retail business but moved to another town and made a new start.
starter
starter
  1. n.
    1 a person or animal that begins a game or race: That horse is a starter in the first race.
    2 a person who signals that a race is beginning: The starter will wave a black-and-white flag and the runners will begin.
    3 in a car, a piece of equipment that causes an engine to begin working
    4 infrml. for starters: to begin with (used at the beginning of a list or an explanation): Why don't I like the city? Well for starters, there's too much noise.
startle
startle
  1. v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 to surprise, sometimes causing s.o. to jump: I was studying when the phone rang and startled me. -adj. startled; startling.
startup
startup
  1. n.adj. new, just begun: That computer company is a startup; all it has are a few employees and a good idea.
starvation
starvation
  1. n. [U] the state of having no food, being extremely hungry: In 19th-century Ireland, people died of starvation when the potato crop failed.
starve
starve
  1. v. [I] starved, starving, starves
    1 to feel pain or to die from lack of food: The travelers got lost in the mountains and starved to death.
    2 fig. to be very hungry: I'm starving; let's have a big dinner.
    3 to suffer a lack of s.t.: Many children starve for love. -adj. starved; starving.
stash
stash
  1. v. [T] -es to keep in a secret place: He stashed money under his mattress.n. s.t. hidden,
    THESAURUS
    a cache: a stash of candy in a desk drawer
state-of-the-art
state-of-the-art
  1. adj.n. the latest and most advanced methods and technology available: Our company uses state-of-the-art computers.
state
state
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a nation, country: the State of Israel
    2 [C] a part of a country that has its own government and laws in addition to those of the country: Rhode Island is the smallest state in the USA.
    3 [C] a situation or position, physical, mental, or emotional: She has cancer, so the state of her health is bad.||The move to a sunnier climate has put him in a happier state.
    4 [C] the condition or situation of s.t.: We hope the state of the economy improves.v. [T] stated, stating, states to say, often in a formal way: The law states that you cannot smoke on short airline flights.
stately
stately
  1. adj. very grand and serious,
    THESAURUS
    formal: The queen walked toward the throne dressed in stately robes.
statement
statement
  1. n.
    1 the act of saying (or writing) s.t.: People asked the mayor to make a statement about crime in the city.
    2 a symbolic show of one's values and beliefs: She does not wear fur, in order to make a statement about the killing of animals.
    THESAURUS
    statement
    1 an announcement, a declaration
    2 a point, an assertion.
stateroom
stateroom
  1. n. on a ship or train, a private compartment with places to sit and sleep: I returned to my stateroom to wash up for dinner.
statesman
statesman
  1. n. -men
    1 a government leader, usu. one who does good things: Winston Churchill was a great statesman for England during World War II.
    2 a person known in his profession: an elder statesman in the banking business. -adj. statesmanlike; -n. [U] statesmanship.
static
static
  1. adj. not moving or changing, (syns.) motionless, immobile: Business was static in the summer but improved in the fall.n. [U]
    1 the crackling noise on the radio or TV caused by electrical problems or interference: I can't hear the ball game through the static.
    2 infrml.fig. to give s.o. static: angry words, criticism: My boss is giving me some static because sales are too low.
station
station
  1. n.
    1 a place or building for the arrival and departure of transportation: a railroad (bus, taxi, etc.) station
    2 a place or building from which a service is provided: a television station||a police station
    3 a social position or rank: When he married the rich woman, people said he married above his station.v. [T] to place at a location: to station a soldier at a training camp
station wagon
station wagon
  1. n. a long car with a covered back section: We have a big family, but we can all fit in a station wagon.
stationary
stationary
  1. adj. not moving or able to be moved: The teacher asked us to remain stationary in our seats.||The gate opens, but the fence is stationary.
stationer
stationer
  1. n. a person or store that sells office supplies, such as paper, paper clips, rulers, scissors, etc.
stationery
stationery
  1. n. [U] envelopes and paper for writing letters: Her stationery is decorated with roses.
statistic
statistic
  1. n. a number that represents s.t.: His death in an auto accident became just another statistic in the annual death rate. -adj. statistical; -n. statistician .
    THESAURUS
    statistic a piece of data, number, fact.
statistics
statistics
  1. n.pl.
    1 used with a sing. v. the collection and study of numerical information: Statistics is an easy subject for s.o. who is good at math.
    2 used with a pl.v. a collection of numerical information: The statistics on AIDS deaths are frightening.
statue
statue
  1. n. the form of a person, animal, or thing, usu. made from stone, wood, or metal: a statue of George Washington -n. [U] statuary.
statuesque
statuesque
  1. adj. graceful, often tall, making one think of a statue: That statuesque blonde would make a good fashion model.
stature
stature
  1. n. [U]
    1 one's height: Most professional basketball players are tall in stature.
    2 level of respect, reputation: He is a man of great stature in the government.
status
status
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the situation of s.t. at a particular time: What is the status of our request for a loan with the bank?
    2 one's position in society in terms of power and importance: Doctors have more status than mechanics in US society.
    3 a legal condition: to have the status (or) legal status of a US citizen
    THESAURUS
    status
    1 the situation with s.t., state | circumstances
    2 prestige, (a) rank.
status quo
status quo
  1. n. the way things are now: The people voted for the same president to stay in power because they wanted to keep the status quo.
status symbol
status symbol
  1. n. an item that shows off one's wealth or place in society: The couple doesn't need a big car, but they have one as a status symbol.
statute
statute
  1. n. a law made by a state or national government: the statutes that control business corporations. -adj. statutory.
statute of limitations
statute of limitations
  1. n. the time period after which legal action cannot be taken: The murder happened 20 years ago, but they can still have a trial, because there is no statute of limitations on murder cases.
statutory rape
statutory rape
  1. n. sexual intercourse with a person who is not over the age of consent: In that state, a person must be over 18 years of age to have sex; otherwise to do so is statutory rape.
staunch or stanch
staunch or stanch
  1. adj. firm, dedicated: a staunch supporter of the political partyv. [T] to stop or slow bleeding: We staunched the flow of blood with a shirt until we could get to the hospital.
stave
stave
  1. phrasal v. sep. [T] staved or stove , staving, staves to stave s.t. off: to prevent,
    THESAURUS
    to ward off: She staves off a cold with vitamin C.n.
    1 a piece of wood
    2 (in music) a staff
    3 a verse in a song or poem,
    THESAURUS
    a stanza
stay
stay
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to remain or continue to be in one place: I can't stay long; I have to leave soon.||She stayed at the office and worked late.||He stayed on the corner while his friend bought a newspaper.
    2 [T] (in law) to stop for a time: to stay a court order to pay a debt
    3 phrasal v. [I] to stay at: a. to visit, esp. as a guest: We stay at the same hotel when we go on vacation each year. b. to remain at the same level: The temperature has stayed at zero for days this winter.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to stay behind: to remain while others leave: I stayed behind to help wash dishes after the party.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to stay down: to remain hidden in a low place: They are shooting at us; stay down!
    6 phrasal v. [I] to stay in: a. not to go out socially: Sometimes I stay in on Saturday nights. b. not to go outside: He stays in when it's cold.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to stay out: a. to remain outside: She stays out for hours when the sun shines. b. not to come home: My parents don't like it when I stay out late with my friends.
    8 to stay put: to remain in one place, usu. waiting for s.t.: The mother told her kids to stay put in the house while she ran out to the mailbox.
    9 to stay the course: to keep doing the same thing in the same way: He got good grades in high school, and if he stays the course, he will do well in college.
    10 phrasal v. [I] to stay up: to keep awake: The student stayed up all night to study.n.
    1 [C] a visit: a stay in the country
    2 [C] a support: a stay in a tunnel structure||a stay in a man's shirt collar
    3 [C;U] (in law) a delay: to obtain a stay of execution of a murderer
staying power
staying power
  1. n. [U] the strength to keep doing s.t. for a long period of time, esp. under difficult conditions: In good economic times and bad, our company has done well; it has staying power.
stead
stead
  1. n.
    1 frml. in s.o.'s stead: in place of s.o.: The prince could not attend the ceremony, so the princess went in his stead.
    2 to stand s.o. in good stead: to be a positive or wise thing for s.o.: Learning Portuguese will stand you in good stead if you go to Brazil.
steadfast
steadfast
  1. adj.
    1 firm, unchanging: Our farm has been a steadfast source of food for our family.
    2 always available, loyal: He has been a steadfast friend since we were eight.
steady
steady
  1. v. [T] -ied, -ying, -ies
    1 to make firm: He felt dizzy and steadied himself by sitting down.||He held the ladder to steady it.
    2 to make calm: to steady one's nervesadj. -ier, -iest
    1 firm, stable: The chair is steady since I fixed it.
    2 without interruption, continuous: a steady rainfall
    3 calm and dependable: She is a steady person who thinks before she acts.
    4 infrml. (of a girlfriend or boyfriend) regular or exclusive: my steady girlfriend
    5 to go steady: to date (without dating anyone else), usu. said of teenagers, not adults: The boy and girl have been going steady all through the school year.n. a boyfriend or girlfriend with whom one goes steady
steak
steak
  1. n. [C;U] a piece of meat or fish, usu. about an inch thick: Today, I'll have a broiled swordfish steak.
steal
steal
  1. v. stole , stolen , stealing, steals
    1 [I;T] to take s.t. that belongs to s.o. else without permission: A thief stole my car.
    2 [I] to move quietly and secretly: She stole away while the lights were off.n.usu. sing. [C] s.t. valuable that can be purchased for a very low price: I bought a used bike in excellent condition for $50; what a steal!
stealth
stealth
  1. n. [U] secrecy, esp. with a plan to harm: The robber approached the house with stealth. -adv. stealthily; -adj. stealthy.
steam
steam
  1. n. [U]
    1 gas in the air made by heated water under pressure: Steam came out of the teakettle.
    2 infrml.fig. power or energy: I've been swimming for an hour and I'm out of steam.
    3 to let off steam: to show anger instead of holding it in: He shouted and threw things to let off steam.adj. using steam: a steam iron||a steam enginev. [I] to give off steam: a broken pipe that steams
steam heat
steam heat
  1. n. [U] a way of warming buildings by forcing hot steam through pipes and radiators
steam iron
steam iron
  1. n. an electrical instrument with a steam capacity for ironing clothes
steaming
steaming
  1. adj.
    1 hot and humid like steam: the steaming jungle
    2 adj.adv. angry,
    THESAURUS
    fuming: to be steaming mad
steamroll
steamroll
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make flat with a steamroller
    2 fig. to force oneself at or through s.t.: He is not very smart or kind, but he usually succeeds by steamrolling his way through life.
steamroller
steamroller
  1. n. a type of vehicle used for flattening soft tar or asphalt on roads
steamy
steamy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 hot and humid: a steamy summer's day
    2 sexy: a steamy novel
steel
steel
  1. n. [U]
    1 a much-used, hard metal made of carbon and iron: a ship made of wood and steel
    2 fig. great strength or bravery: a pilot who has nerves of steelv. [T] to be prepared for s.t. bad: The man with cancer steeled himself against the pain of chemotherapy.
steel wool
steel wool
  1. n. [U] a tangled bunch of fine steel wires, used for cleaning or polishing
steep
steep
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 at an angle at which s.t. or s.o. could easily fall: a steep mountain road
    2 rising or falling quickly and to a large extent: a steep increase in business activity
    3 infrml. expensive: These ticket prices are pretty steep.v.
    1 [I;T] to put in liquid for a period of time: The tea is steeping.
    2 fig. [T] to get very involved in: to steep oneself in learning new computer software
steeple
steeple
  1. n. the top, pointed section of a church,
    THESAURUS
    a spire
steerage
steerage
  1. n. [U] the least expensive passenger section on a ship: Many immigrants traveled in steerage to America.
steering
steering
  1. n. [U] the act or function of controlling a vehicle's direction: I can't turn right; I must have a mechanic look at the steering in my truck.
steering wheel
steering wheel
  1. n. in a vehicle, the circular object held and turned by a driver to control direction: The driver turned the steering wheel to the left and the car went left.
stellar
stellar
  1. adj.
    1 related to stars: a stellar formation in the sky
    2 outstanding, brilliant: a stellar piano concert
stem
stem
  1. n.
    1 the long, thin part of a plant from which a flower grows: the thorny stem of a rose
    2 a long part of s.t.: the stem of a wine glassv. [T] stemmed, stemming, stems
    1 to come from, originate from: Many English words stem from Latin.
    2 to stop or hold back: The nurse stemmed the flow of blood with a clean cloth.
stench
stench
  1. n. -es a bad smell,
    THESAURUS
    a stink: the stench of rotting garbage
stencil
stencil
  1. n. a flat, stiff piece of paper, plastic, metal, etc., with simple pictures or words cut out of it so that ink or paint will appear on a surface below in the form of those pictures or words: We bought some leaf stencils to decorate our walls.v. [T] to mark with a stencil: The factory stencils our company name on all our boxes.
steno
steno
  1. n. -os short for stenographer or stenography
stenographer
stenographer
  1. n. a person who understands and writes shorthand (a type of fast writing that uses symbols, not letters)
stenography
stenography
  1. See: shorthand.
step
step
  1. n.
    1 a walking movement, the act of lifting the foot, moving it forward, and putting it down: The baby took her first step today!
    2 the distance of this movement: The shopping area is a few steps from the parking lot.
    3 one surface in a set of stairs: She came partway downstairs, stopping on the bottom step.
    4 n.pl. steps: a set of stairs, staircase: We put flowerpots on the front steps of the house.
    5 one action toward a goal: the first step in our plan
    6 (in music) one tone up or down in a scale
    7 in step with or out of step with: a. moving at the same (or) different pace or rhythm as others: The soldier was in step with the others in the parade. b. fig. understanding and doing (or) not understanding and not doing as others do: My grandmother is out of step with today's music.
    8 to keep step with: a. to march or walk in exactly the same way as others: The little boy kept step with his mother, although her legs were longer. b. fig. to stay aware of what's going on: He keeps step with the computer business by reading lots of magazines.
    9 step by step: one section or part at a time: She learned how to change a tire step by step.
    10 step up: a higher or better position: Moving from secretary to salesman was a step up for him.
    11 step-up: an increase: a step-up in factory production since last year
    12 to take steps: to take necessary actions in order to get s.t. done: The hospital is taking steps to give better care by hiring more nurses.
    13 to watch one's step: a. to be careful walking: Watch your step; there's a bump in the sidewalk. b. fig. to be careful: Tell the girl to watch her step with matches or she'll start a fire.
    THESAURUS
    step n.
    1 a footstep | one's tread
    2 a pace
    3 a stair, tread
    5 a procedure, stage. —v. stepped, stepping, steps
    1 [I] to walk: to step quickly along the road
    2 [I] to place the foot: to step on the sidewalk||to step on an insect
    3 phrasal v. [I] to step down: a. to go lower,
    THESAURUS
    to descend: The worker stepped down from the ladder. b. to end one's time as a witness in court: The woman stepped down from the witness chair. c. fig. to leave a job,
    THESAURUS
    to resign: The manager stepped down.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to step forward: to present oneself: The chairwoman asked for people to help, and I stepped forward.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to step in: to go near or enter in order to give advice,
    THESAURUS
    to intercede: Two friends were arguing and I stepped in to calm them.
    6 to step on it or the gas: to go faster,
    THESAURUS
    to accelerate: We are late; step on the gas!||You walk too slowly, let's step on it and get there on time.
    7 fig. to step on s.o.'s toes: to take action in s.o. else's area: She stepped on the tailor's toes when she told him how to mend the dress.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to step out: a. to leave for a moment: He is not in his office; he stepped out but will be back shortly. b. old usage to go out socially (to a party, dance, etc.): My grandmother talks about stepping out with my grandfather in the 1930s.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [T] to step s.t. up: to increase: The company received a large order and we stepped up production to fill it.||We stepped it up. —v.
    1 to tread, pace
    2 to tread on s.t.
stepbrother
stepbrother
  1. n. the son of a parent's spouse who does not share a parent with oneself
stepchild
stepchild
  1. n. -children a son or daughter of one's spouse that is not one's own natural-born child
stepdaughter
stepdaughter
  1. n. a daughter of one's spouse that is not one's own natural-born daughter
stepfather
stepfather
  1. n. the husband of one's mother who is not one's own father
stepladder
stepladder
  1. n. a ladder with a support section that is put into a locked position, usu. with a platform at the top to hold paint or tools
stepmother
stepmother
  1. n. the wife of a child's father who is not the child's own mother
stepparent
stepparent
  1. n. a stepfather or stepmother
stepped-up
stepped-up
  1. adj. increased: stepped-up activity in the stock market
stepping-stone
stepping-stone
  1. n.
    1 one in a series of stones used to go across water
    2 fig. one in a series of steps in a process: The owner used his small company as a stepping-stone to buy others and expand into a large business.
stepsister
stepsister
  1. n. the daughter of a parent's spouse that is not one's own natural-born sister
stepson
stepson
  1. n. a son of one's spouse that is not one's own natural-born son
stereo
stereo
  1. n. short for stereophonic
    1 a sound system (radio, CD player, etc.) that uses two speakers
    2 in stereo: using two or more channels
stereotype
stereotype
  1. n.
    1 a person who is typical of a group: The stereotype of a Wall Street banker carries a briefcase.
    2 a too-simple and often mistaken idea about a particular group: It is a stereotype that all women cry easily.v. [T] -typed, -typing, -types to think of a group in a too-simple way by not considering individual differences: She stereotypes Indians when she says they all eat spicy food.
sterile
sterile
  1. adj.
    1 completely clean, with no germs or bacteria: A hospital's operating room is a sterile area.
    2 with no excitement or creative energy: I found my job as a tax collector to be very sterile.
    3 unable to have children: The couple adopted a baby because the father is sterile.
sterilize
sterilize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to make completely free of dirt and bacteria: to sterilize a needle with a match
    2 to make unable to have children: An X-ray can sterilize a human being if a protective cloth is not worn. -n.[C;U] sterilization.
sterling
sterling
  1. n.
    1 a metal that is more than 92 percent pure silver
    2 British money: the pound sterlingadj.
    1 made of sterling silver: a sterling bracelet
    2 of the best quality (usu. said of one's behavior): sterling character
steroid
steroid
  1. n. a drug sometimes taken by athletes to become stronger or more muscular, usu. illegal or not permitted
stethoscope
stethoscope
  1. n. an instrument used by medical professionals to listen to sounds within the body, such as a heartbeat
stew
stew
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a thick soup, usu. a mixture of meat and vegetables: beef stew
    2 infrml. a state of worry: She is in a stew about going to the huge university.v.
    1 [I;T] to cook for a long time to soften and thicken food
    2 fig. [I] to worry: He stews over big decisions.
steward
steward
  1. n.
    1 a man who helps passengers and serves meals on an airplane or ship See: flight attendant.
    2 a type of manager in a club, hotel, or union -n. [U] stewardship.v. [I;T] to manage s.o.'s money
stewardess
stewardess
  1. n. a woman who helps passengers on an airplane and serves meals See: flight attendant.
stick-in-the-mud
stick-in-the-mud
  1. n.infrml. dull person: That stick-in-the-mud never goes out on weekends.
stick
stick
  1. v. stuck , sticking, sticks
    1 [I;T] to attach or put in place with a pointed object: He stuck a nail in the wood to mark the spot.
    2 [I;T] to attach or put in place with glue or tape: The student stuck a poster on the wall with masking tape.
    3 [T] to make a hole or indent with a thin or pointed object: She accidentally stuck a finger in her eye.
    4 [T] to put s.t. firmly in place, (syns.) to poke, thrust: He stuck a cassette in the tape recorder.
    5 [I;T] to cause to move outward or forward, to be outward or forward,
    THESAURUS
    to protrude: The little girl stuck her tongue out.
    6 [I] to be close or together: The mother told the boy to stick with her in the grocery store.
    7 [I] not to move, even when pushed or pulled: The top drawer sticks; I can't open it.
    8 phrasal v. [I] to stick around: to stay, wait: I think that we should stick around until we get an answer.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stick by s.o. or s.t.: to remain faithful to s.o. or s.t.: He stuck by his story about the accident.
    10 to stick it to s.o.: to treat s.o. badly, to take advantage of s.o.: My car broke down on the highway and the garage really stuck it to me on the cost of repairs.
    11 to stick one's neck out: to take a chance without being sure of any return: I stuck my neck out for my cousin when I loaned him money.
    12 phrasal v. [I] to stick out or to stick out like a sore thumb: to be very obvious,
    THESAURUS
    to be conspicuous: The redhead sticks out in a room full of blondes.||I was the only one with a dresscoat on, so I stuck out like a sore thumb.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to stick (s.t.) out: to be located outside of, beyond: She stuck out her swollen foot so I could see it.||She stuck it out.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to stick s.o. or s.t. up: to rob with a gun or knife: The thief stuck up a grocery store and stole $3,000.||He stuck it up.
    15 phrasal v. [I] to stick together: to stay close or loyal to others,
    THESAURUS
    to unite: That family sticks together and helps each other.
    16 fig. to stick to one's guns: to keep one's opinions or beliefs even when others think differently: Most people don't agree with him, but he sticks to his guns.
    17 to stick to one's ribs: (of food) to be filling and satisfying: The warm beef stew really sticks to my ribs.
    18 to stick to one's word: to keep one's promise despite difficulty in doing so: He lost his job, but he stuck to his word and repaid the loan.
    19 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stick to s.t.: to be patient,
    THESAURUS
    to persevere: She has many, many problems with her business; but she sticks to it and makes it run.
    20 phrasal v. insep. [T] to stick with s.t.: to continue doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to persevere: At first, he had trouble with his job, but he stuck with it and is now doing well.n.
    1 a small tree branch, esp. one that has fallen off the tree: to burn sticks in the fireplace
    2 a long, thin piece of s.t.: a stick of wood||a stick of dynamite
    3 n.pl. the sticks: the country, a rural area without much activity or entertainment: Our cousins live on a farm in the sticks.
sticker
sticker
  1. n.
    1 a label or small decoration with a type of glue on the back: She put a sticker on the envelope to mark it "Airmail."||The little girl put stickers of Mickey Mouse on her bedroom door.
    2 a sharp part of a plant: I got cut with stickers as I walked through the woods.
stickler
stickler
  1. n. a person who thinks about small details,
    THESAURUS
    a perfectionist: The violin player practices every day, because he is a stickler for getting it right.
stickup
stickup
  1. n.slang a robbery, esp. by s.o. with a gun,
    THESAURUS
    a holdup: There was a stickup at the bank this morning.
sticky
sticky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 tending to attach because of a glue-like surface: sticky, wet paint
    2 humid, hot, and uncomfortable: sticky summer weather
    3 sensitive, difficult: Meeting an old girlfriend on the street is a sticky situation.
    THESAURUS
    sticky
    1 gummy | adhesive
    2 muggy
    3 tricky, complicated.
stiff
stiff
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 difficult to bend: a stiff piece of wood
    2 not easily moved: a stiff neck
    3 severe, serious: a stiff fine for drunk driving
    4 very formal and uncomfortable: I felt stiff at the tea party in my new suit and tight shoes.
    5 (of liquor) strong: a stiff drink of rum
    6 strong in movement: a stiff wind -n. [U] stiffness.n.slang
    1 an ordinary person: a working stiff
    2 a dead person —v.slang [T] not to pay a debt: We let him in the restaurant, but he never paid the bill; he stiffed us.adv. completely, totally: scared stiff
stiffen
stiffen
  1. v. [I;T] to grow hard or rigid, not easily moved: a hip that has stiffened with age
stifle
stifle
  1. v. -fled, -fling, -fles
    1 [I;T] to prevent s.o. from breathing or getting air, often killing s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to suffocate: The murderer stifled the man with a bed pillow.
    2 fig. [T] to prevent or keep from doing s.t., (syns.) to oppress, discourage: The management in that company stifles their workers' opinions.
    3 [T] to keep down, (syns.) to suppress, restrict: to stifle criticism -adj. stifling.
stigma
stigma
  1. n. -mas or -mata a mark of shame or disgrace: His father was a criminal and that has been a stigma all his life. -v. [T] stigmatize; -adj. stigmatized.
stiletto
stiletto
  1. n. -tos or -toes a type of knife with a small, sharp blade
stiletto heel
stiletto heel
  1. n. a very tall, thin heel on a woman's shoe (the shoes are called "stilettos")
still
still
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make quiet: The teacher stilled the voices of the children.
    2 to calm: to still someone's fearsadv.
    1 motionless: to stand still
    2 until a certain time, yet: She was still asleep when I went to work.
    3 all the same, nevertheless: I don't eat much; still, I like to go to restaurants.
    4 more, further: to need still more timeadj. -er, -est
    1 not moving, calm: a still lake
    2 silent, quiet: The woods were still, with no wind in the trees.
    3 (of wine) not bubbly: a still white Burgundy -n. [U] stillness. n.
    1 a piece of equipment for making liquor: a still for making whiskey
    2 a photograph from or publicizing a film: a still of the movie star on a poster
still life
still life
  1. n. [C;U] (in art) the painting or photography of unmoving objects, such as fruit or flowers: a still life of a bowl of pears
stillborn
stillborn
  1. adj. dead at birth -n. stillbirth.
stilted
stilted
  1. adj. formal, (syns.) artificial, pretentious: I like to learn slang so that I sound less stilted.
stilts
stilts
  1. n.pl. a pair of long poles, held with the hands and with places for the feet to rest, allowing a person to be taller: At the circus, a man on stilts was taller than the giraffe.
stimulant
stimulant
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that increases energy or activity: I drink coffee as a stimulant in the morning.
    2 s.t. that causes an action or response: Lower interest rates are a stimulant to the economy.
stimulate
stimulate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to increase energy or activity: Her love for him stimulates his creativity.||Cold air stimulates me. -n. stimulation.
stimulus
stimulus
  1. n. -li s.t. that causes an action or response: The desire for a good education was the stimulus for my studying hard.
sting
sting
  1. v. stung , stinging, stings
    1 [T] to pierce the skin, usu. with poison: This summer, I was stung by a bee.
    2 [I;T] to feel or cause a sharp pain: It stung when you slapped me.
    3 [I;T] to feel emotional pain: Your rude behavior stung your aunt.
    4 [T] to charge too much money, cheat: I paid $5 for this bad chocolate; I got stung.n.
    1 the act or result of stinging: a bee sting
    2 the painful sensation of a sting: the sting of alcohol on a cut
    3 a complicated plan to catch criminals while they are doing s.t. illegal: The policeman, dressed as a drug dealer, brought a man to a hotel, where the man took drugs and got arrested; it was a sting.
stingy
stingy
  1. adj. -gier, -giest unwilling to share or spend, (syns.) miserly, penny-pinching: Don't be stingy; give me a bite of your sandwich.||That stingy lady won't spend money on heating her apartment. -n. [U] stinginess.
stink
stink
  1. v. [I] stank , stunk , stinking, stinks
    1 to smell bad: a dirty refrigerator that stinks
    2 to have a bad quality: This story stinks of dishonesty.
    3 to be very bad, of poor quality: Don't read this book; it stinks.n.
    1 a bad smell: the stink from rotting vegetables
    2 an angry and loud reaction to s.t.: She made a big stink about paying too much at a store.
    THESAURUS
    stink v. 1 and 2 to reek. —n.
    1 a stench,
    2 a fuss, to-do.
stinker
stinker
  1. n.fig. a bad, unkind person
stinking
stinking
  1. adj.
    1 bad-smelling: The dog made a stinking mess on the carpet.
    2 bad, offensive: Her attitude is stinking; she should be nicer.
    3 infrml. very drunk
stint
stint
  1. n. a job for a limited time: to do a six-month stint in the armyv. [I] not to spend much,
    THESAURUS
    to be frugal: to stint on food and clothing
stipend
stipend
  1. n. a sum of money paid for work: The professor receives a stipend from the university.
stipulate
stipulate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates to require by a legal paper,
    THESAURUS
    to specify: The lease stipulates that the rent must be paid on the first of each month.||Her will stipulates that her children will receive her house after she dies.
stipulation
stipulation
  1. n. a specific requirement, a necessary condition: One stipulation of living in our house is that you must share in the chores.
stir-crazy
stir-crazy
  1. n.infrml. an uncomfortable, restless feeling caused by staying in one place for a long time: She lives and works in a small apartment and is going stir-crazy.
stir-fry
stir-fry
  1. v. [T] -fried, -frying, -fries to cook food quickly in oil over high heat while moving the food around with a kitchen tool (fork, chopsticks, etc.); a common cooking method in parts of Asia: I love chicken stir-fry.
stir
stir
  1. v. stirred, stirring, stirs
    1 [T] to move s.t. (such as a spoon) in a circular motion through a liquid or mixture: He stirred sugar into the tea.
    2 [I;T] to move slightly: to stir in one's sleep
    3 [T] to make active: The weather was hot, but we stirred our friends into taking a drive to the beach.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to stir s.t. up: to cause difficulties, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    to incite: He likes to stir up trouble by causing arguments.||He stirs it up.n.
    1 a circular movement with s.t. (such as a spoon): to give the soup a stir
    2 usu. sing. excitement: The movie star created a stir when he came to our town.
stirrup
stirrup
  1. n.
    1 on a horse's saddle, a ring of metal with a flat bottom for the rider's foot
    2 a small bone in the ear,
    THESAURUS
    the stapes
stitch
stitch
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to sew together with thread: I stitched a sleeve onto a dress with a sewing machine.
    2 to join skin with medical thread in order to close a cut or wound: The doctor stitched the deep cut in my forehead.n. -es
    1 one movement of a needle with thread attached, in and then out of cloth or (in medicine) skin: Her mother taught her to sew with tiny, neat stitches.||He cut his hand with a knife and needed eight stitches.
    2 (in knitting) one loop of yarn around a needle: She made a mistake and had to redo a row of stitches in the sweater.
    3 a sudden pain in the side of one's body, near the stomach: When I began running for exercise, I always got a stitch in my side in the first kilometer.
    4 infrml. a piece of clothing (usu. used in the negative): He was naked, not wearing one stitch, when he went swimming.
    5 a tiny amount: She went out with her friends and didn't do a stitch of homework.
    6 a stitch in time saves nine: s.t. done now will save more work later: He noticed a leaky pipe and fixed it immediately so it wouldn't cause a flood; a stitch in time saves nine.
    7 in stitches: laughing hard: The comedian had his audience in stitches with his jokes. -n. [U] stitching.
stock
stock
  1. v. [T]
    1 to keep or have for sale: The auto parts store stocks headlights.||Does the drugstore stock pink bath soap?
    2 phrasal v. insep. to stock up on or with s.t.: to collect or gather a large amount of s.t.: Mom stocks up on light bulbs when the store has a sale.n.
    1 [U] the items available for sale in a store: Some stock is on the shelves; the rest is in a back room.
    2 [C] a supply collected for the future: We have a stock of candles in case the lights go out during a storm.
    3 [U] animals on a farm: All the stock are in the barn for the night. See: livestock.
    4 [C;U] a piece of a business, bought in the form of shares: She bought stock in a toy company. See: share, 2.
    5 [U] one's parents, grandparents, and other older or past relatives, sometimes including an entire race: My great-grandparents were of Swedish fishermen's stock.
    6 [U] the liquid from boiled meat, fish, or vegetables: He made a stew with beef stock, potatoes, and carrots.
    7 [U] theatrical activity, usu. during the summer in a vacation area: She played a nun in The Sound of Music in summer stock.
    8 [U] the opinion others have of s.o.: That author's stock with me went up when I read his last book.
    9 [C] the handle of a gun: a rifle's stock
    10 pl.old usage stocks: a place for punishing criminals, made of wood and metal, with holes for the head, wrists, or ankles
    11 in stock: available for sale: We have the paint that you need in stock.
    12 out of stock: not available for sale (sold out or no longer carried): I'm sorry, but the dress that you want is out of stock.
    13 stock in trade: a usual or typical response or action from s.o.: He is always telling stories and making jokes; that's his stock in trade.
    14 to take stock: to look at a situation seriously in order to make a good decision: His wife said she would leave him because he was never home; that made him take stock of his behavior and stay home more.
stock certificate
stock certificate
  1. n. an official piece of paper that tells how much stock (shares) s.o. owns in a company
stock company
stock company
  1. n.
    1 a business whose money is represented by shares of stock
    2 a group of actors and others who work for a theater and perform the same plays for a period of time
stock exchange
stock exchange
  1. n. a place where securities (part-ownerships of companies) are bought and sold by traders according to rules and laws: He works as a computer operator at the New York Stock Exchange.
stock market
stock market
  1. n.pl.
    1 the place for or business of buying and selling securities
    2 the prices of securities: The London stock market is rising.
stockade
stockade
  1. n.v. [T] -aded, -ading, -ades
    1 an area with high walls used to keep in prisoners
    2 the high walls themselves
stockbroker
stockbroker
  1. n. a person who gives advice and helps people buy and sell securities: My stockbroker told me to sell quickly and make a lot of money. -n. stockbrokerage; [U] stockbrokering.
stockholder
stockholder
  1. n. a person who owns part of a company because of having bought stocks or shares
stockings
stockings
  1. n.pl. a covering for the foot and leg: The woman bought nylon stockings. See: nylons; pantyhose.
stockpile
stockpile
  1. v. [T] n. -piled, -piling, -piles to collect a lot of items for future use: The electricity companies have stockpiled coal and barrels of oil for future use.||They have huge stockpiles of coal.
stockroom
stockroom
  1. n. an area where extra items are kept and gotten as needed: We keep our office supplies in a stockroom.
stocky
stocky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 strongly built: a stocky hockey player
    2 fat, plump: stocky legs
stockyard
stockyard
  1. n. a place where animals are kept before they are killed for food: Chicago was once famous for its huge stockyards of cattle.
stodgy
stodgy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 dull, boring,
    THESAURUS
    stuffy: The man sat in a stodgy, windowless library reading an old, dusty book.
    2 without humor,
    THESAURUS
    pompous: The stodgy lady told the children to be quiet. -n. [U] stodginess.
stoic
stoic
  1. adj.n. seeming unaffected by pain or s.t. bad, indifferent: Many city-dwellers accept the high crime rate with a stoic attitude.||The doctor can look at blood with the face of a stoic. -adj. stoical; -n. [U] stoicism.
stoke
stoke
  1. v. [I;T] stoked, stoking, stokes to add fuel to a fire or furnace: Please cut more wood; we need to stoke the fire.
stole
stole
  1. n. a long piece of cloth or fur worn over the shoulders
stolen
stolen
  1. adj. & past part. of steal, taken illegally: The police followed a woman driving a stolen car.
stolid
stolid
  1. adj. showing little feeling or emotion: She didn't smile or laugh: she kept her usual stolid face. -adv. stolidly; -n. [U] stolidness.
stomach
stomach
  1. n.
    1 [C] the internal body part where food goes after being swallowed: My stomach feels full after eating the ice cream.
    2 [C;U] the general area of the stomach: He punched me in the stomach.
    3 [U] liking or strength, the ability to bear s.t.: He has no stomach for people who tell lies.v. [T] to be able to bear s.t.: I can't stomach the thought of a long train trip.
stomachache
stomachache
  1. n. [C;U] pain in the belly or abdomen See: headache, USAGE NOTE.
stomp
stomp
  1. v. [I] n. to step down strongly with the foot: He stomped on a snake. See: stamp, v. 1, 2.
stone
stone
  1. n.
    1 [U] rock: a house made of stone||a stone wall
    2 [C] a small piece of rock: The little girl threw stones into the pond.
    3 [C] a jewel or gem: How many stones are in your diamond ring?
    4 Brit. a measure of weight, 14 pounds
    5 [C] the hard, single seed inside some fruits, such as peaches, cherries, etc. —v. [T] stoned, stoning, stones to kill or hurt by throwing stones: to stone a sinner to death
stoned
stoned
  1. adj. & past part. of stone,
    1 drunk
    2 affected by drugs
stonewall
stonewall
  1. v. [I;T] to refuse to cooperate, to remain silent: The criminal stonewalled the lawyer and refused to open his mouth.
stony or stoney
stony or stoney
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 full of rocks or stones: a stony field
    2 with no emotion, (syns.) hard, rigid: His sister cried at the funeral, but he sat with a stony face. -adj. stonyhearted ; -adv. stonily.
stooge
stooge
  1. n.v. [I] stooged, stooging, stooges
    1 a person who acts like the stupid one with another comedian,
    THESAURUS
    a straight man: One man put a banana peel on the floor, and his stooge slipped on it.
    2 anyone who allows others to use him or her to their own advantage: That guy is a stooge for his boss by agreeing to do anything for him.
stool
stool
  1. n.
    1 a three- or four-legged seat without a back: She sat on a stool and ordered a beer.||He stood on a stool to reach the high shelf.
    2 frml. solid bodily waste, a bowel movement: The doctor tested a stool sample.
stool pigeon
stool pigeon
  1. n.slang s.o. who tells about another's wrongdoing,
    THESAURUS
    a squealer: That stool pigeon told the teacher we were passing notes in class.
stoop
stoop
  1. v. [I]
    1 to bend forward at the waist: The father stooped over to pick up his baby.
    2 to walk or stand with the head and shoulders bent forward: The old lady stoops.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to stoop to s.t.: to lower oneself to bad behavior,
    THESAURUS
    to condescend: The king will not stoop to apologize to the farmer.n.
    1 the act of bending forward with the head lowered: to walk with a stoop
    2 the stairs or small porch in front of a house or building: Our neighbors sit on the stoop in the evening.
stop
stop
  1. v. stopped, stopping, stops
    1 [I;T] to end a movement: I put on the brakes and the car stopped.
    2 [T] to end an activity: Stop eating; you've had enough.||The bank stopped payment on a check.
    3 [T] to fill in an opening: to stop a leak in a pipe||to stop up a hole
    4 to stop at nothing: to do anything to reach a goal: He wants to be president of the company and will stop at nothing to succeed.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [I] to stop at s.t.: to pause in a trip: The bus stops at the corner.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to stop by s.t.: to make a short, sometimes unannounced visit: If you're in town, you should stop by our house for dinner.
    7 to stop (dead) in one's tracks: to come to a halt and not move: When the cop shouted, "Freeze!" I stopped dead in my tracks.
    8 phrasal v. [I;T] to stop in: to visit for a short time: Our friend was passing by and stopped in to say hi.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [I] to stop off or over in a place: to interrupt a trip: We were on our way to Hong Kong and stopped off in Hawaii for a few days.n.
    1 an end to motion: The train came to a stop.
    2 an end to activity: There was a stop in work when lunchtime came.
    3 a place for stopping: a bus stop
    4 a pause along a trip, a visit: The truck makes stops at many stores.||a stop at my cousin's apartment
    5 a bank order not to pay a check
    6 on a musical instrument, a hole one can cover
    7 on an organ, a knob to pull to make a new or different sound
    8 to put a stop to: to end s.t.: I put a stop to his nap when I woke him up.
stop order
stop order
  1. n. an order to a stockbroker to buy or sell a security when a certain price is reached: I bought 100 shares at $100 per share and put a stop order on the shares at $95.
stopgap
stopgap
  1. n. a less-than-good solution to a problem, used until a better one can be found: The loan is just a stopgap until I start earning money.
stoplight
stoplight
  1. n. a traffic light: Stop the car when the stoplight turns red.
stopover
stopover
  1. n. a short visit in a longer journey: to fly to Moscow with an overnight stopover in London
stoppage
stoppage
  1. n. a halt in an activity: a work stoppage
stopper
stopper
  1. n. a piece of plastic, metal, cork, or wood used to seal a container,
    THESAURUS
    a plug: She put a stopper in a perfume bottle.
stopwatch
stopwatch
  1. n. a watch that can be stopped and started by pushing a button, used to time events: A stopwatch timed the speed of the race horses.
storage
storage
  1. n. [U]
    1 a place (closet, warehouse, etc.) for keeping items until they are needed: Our business puts old financial records in storage until tax time.
    2 the placement of these items: My books are dusty from storage.
store
store
  1. n.
    1 a place where things are bought and sold, a shop: My friend worked in a grocery store in the fruit section.
    2 a supply, stock of s.t.: Dad has a store of batteries in a drawer.
    3 pl. stores: supplies, esp. of food, clothing and weapons: military stores
    4 in store: about to happen (whether planned or not): There is a big surprise in store for you.||We do not know what the future has in store for us.
    5 to set store by: to trust: My friend is honest; you can set store by his promise. See: shop, USAGE NOTE.v. [T]
    1 to keep somewhere for future use: We store meat in a freezer downstairs.
    2 phrasal v. insep. to store up on s.t.: to collect a large amount: We are storing up on oil for the winter. -n. storing.
storehouse
storehouse
  1. n.
    1 a building where items are kept for future use,
    THESAURUS
    a warehouse
    2 fig. a great supply: That professor is a storehouse of information about history.
storekeeper
storekeeper
  1. n. an owner of a store who also works there, a shopkeeper
storeroom
storeroom
  1. n. a room where items are kept for present and future use: The science department keeps its laboratory supplies in a storeroom.
storey
storey
  1. var. of. story (2) story or storey (2) -n. a level of a building, (syn.) a floor: Our house has three bedrooms on the second story.
storied
storied
  1. adj. well-known, famous: He has had a storied life with many adventures.
stork
stork
  1. n. a large bird with a long bill and long legs that likes to walk in or near water
storm
storm
  1. v. [I]
    1 to rain or snow heavily, with strong winds: We could not see across the street; it was storming so hard.
    2 to move in an angry way: She stormed out of the office, shouting, "I quit!"n. heavy rain or snow with high winds: The storm lasted all night and now the river is flooded.
stormy
stormy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 related to a storm: stormy weather
    2 angry, very emotional: a stormy relationship between two people
storybook
storybook
  1. n. a fiction book for young children, usu. with lots of pictures and meant to be read aloud
storyteller
storyteller
  1. n. a person who recites or acts out stories aloud
stout
stout
  1. adj.
    1 slightly fat, (syns.) portly, plump: The stout man filled the whole chair.
    2 strong, brave: a stout traveler
    3 a very dark, thick beer: Many Irish pubs serve stout.
stove
stove
  1. n.
    1 a piece of kitchen equipment, with electric or gas burners, usu. containing an oven, used to cook food: Please turn down the heat on the stove or the soup will burn.
    2 a place to burn wood, coal, or gas for warmth See: oven.
stow
stow
  1. v. [T] to put s.t. away: She stowed her books in her locker.
stowaway
stowaway
  1. n. a person who hides on a ship, train, etc. to get a free ride (usu. on a long trip)
straddle
straddle
  1. v. [T] -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 to put one's leg on either side of s.t.: to straddle a horse when riding it
    2 to straddle the fence: to see both sides of a problem, to have trouble making a decision: He cannot make up his mind whether or not to buy the new computer; he is straddling the fence.
straggle
straggle
  1. v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to move a bit slower and in a more disorganized way than the rest of a group: The new soldiers straggled behind the neat lines. -n. straggler.
straight
straight
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 going in the form of a line without bending or curving: a straight ruler
    2 direct, clear: a straight answer to a question
    3 continuous, without interruption: The storm lasted for three straight days.
    4 obeying rules and laws, not wild or risktaking: She's so straight; she's never even touched alcohol.
    5 heterosexual
    6 not taking or under the effects of drugs or alcohol
    7 without water added (to a drink of liquor): straight gin
    8 honest, truthtelling: Be straight with me; do you like this haircut?
    9 with a straight face: without showing expression or emotion: He can't keep a straight face when he hears a funny joke.adv.
    1 with no water added: to drink vodka straight
    2 not bending: to stand straight
    3 without stopping: I went straight to the bank when I got paid.
    4 honestly: Tell me straight.n.
    1 (in cards) five cards in numerical order
    2 to walk the straight and narrow: to follow and respect rules and laws: The judge warned the criminal to walk the straight and narrow from now on.
straighten
straighten
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to make straight, even: The worker straightened a bent wire.||He was leaning over, then he straightened up.
    2 [T] to make neat and orderly: She straightened her messy closet.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to straighten s.o. or s.t. out: a. [I;T] s.o.: to help s.o. become a better-behaved person: When he was young, he drank too much, but his wife has straightened him out. b. [T] s.t.: to solve problems, come to understand: We are straightening the details out.||We are straightening them out.
    4 phrasal v. to straighten up: a. [I;T] to behave better: You kids straighten up or we won't go out for ice cream. b. [T] to make neat and orderly: The place was a mess after the party, so I straightened up.
    THESAURUS
    straighten
    1 to unbend | flatten. Ant. to bend.
    2 to clean up, tidy (up).
straightforward
straightforward
  1. adj.
    1 clear, direct, without complications: Your directions for changing a tire were straightforward; it was easy!
    2 direct, honest: A straightforward person is easy to do business with.
straightjacket
straightjacket
  1. n. var. of straitjacket
strain
strain
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to use great effort: I strained to lift a heavy box.||The singer strained to hit a high note.
    2 [T] to cause tension and disagreement: She married s.o. of a different religion, and that strained her relationship with her parents.
    3 [T] to stretch a part of one's body until there is pain or damage: I strained a muscle in my back playing baseball.
    4 [T] to separate s.t. from s.t. else by passing or pouring it through holes: She strained ocean water and was left with sand and shells.n.
    1 [C;U] difficulty, pressure: It was a strain on her finances to buy a new TV.
    2 [C] anger, tension: There is a strain in my relationship with my brother.
    3 [C] injury: a strain in my neck
    4 [C] species, type: a new strain of disease -adj. strained.
strainer
strainer
  1. n. a tool, usu. in a kitchen, used to separate liquids and solids: He put the tomatoes through a strainer to remove the skin and seeds from the juice.
strait
strait
  1. n.
    1 a narrow area of water joining two larger areas of water: the Straits of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman
    2 fig. in dire straits: in great trouble, with many problems: Both he and his wife are ill and have lost their jobs: they are in dire straits.
straitjacket or straightjacket
straitjacket or straightjacket
  1. n. a type of jacket with long sleeves that can be attached to the body in order to keep the person wearing it from becoming violent
straitlaced
straitlaced
  1. adj. never doing anything wrong, (syns.) conventional, prim: My straightlaced daughter does all her homework and goes to bed early.
strand
strand
  1. v. [I;T] to leave s.o. helpless, often without transportation: The bus broke down on a country road and we were left stranded there for three hours.||When the man stole her purse, she was stranded in London with no money.n.
    1 a long, thin piece of s.t.: a strand of hair||a strand of woolen yarn
    2 land next to a body of water,
    THESAURUS
    a beach: From our boat, the strand was a brown line in the distance.
strange
strange
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 unusual, out of the ordinary: The girl picked a strange and beautiful flower.
    2 difficult to understand: We find it strange that your child doesn't like toys.
    3 unfamiliar, unknown: His accent is strange to me; where is he from? -n. [U] strangeness.
stranger
stranger
  1. n.
    1 an unfamiliar person, s.o. new to a place: A stranger on the street asked for directions to the highway.
    2 a person who doesn't know, is not familiar with s.t.: My friend from Florida is a stranger to life in cold climates.
    THESAURUS
    stranger
    1 an outsider, a foreigner. Ant. an acquaintance.
strangle
strangle
  1. v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles to kill or harm by squeezing the throat, so no air can get through,
    THESAURUS
    to choke, throttle: The murderer strangled the man by pressing his throat with his hands. -v. [I;T] strangulate ; -n. [U] strangulation.
stranglehold
stranglehold
  1. n.
    1 a death grip, a grip of hands about the throat: The fighter had a stranglehold on his opponent.
    2 fig. a force or power that prevents freedom or movement: The queen had a stranglehold on the country's land; she owned it all.
strap
strap
  1. n.
    1 a long, narrow piece of material, such as leather or cloth: She tied the horse to the fence with a strap.
    2 a loop: Standing on the bus, he stood and held a strap so he wouldn't fall.v. [T] to attach or hold s.o. or s.t.: She strapped herself into the car with a seat belt.
strapless
strapless
  1. adj. (of women's clothing) with no sleeves or straps, leaving the shoulders bare: a strapless dress (slip, bra)
strapped
strapped
  1. adj.infrml. with little or no money: Can you lend me a few bucks? I'm really strapped tonight.
strapping
strapping
  1. adj. tall and strong: Our little boy grew into a strapping, athletic teenager.
strata
strata
  1. n.pl. of stratum
strategy
strategy
  1. n.
    1 [U] (in the military) planning actions in preparation for war or battle: The navy's strategy was to move their ships into open sea during the night.
    2 [C;U] planning in order to achieve a goal: Our company's strategy is to make good products while keeping prices lower than the competition. -adj. strategic ; -n. strategist.
stratification
stratification
  1. n. [U] an instance of geologic or social stratifying See: stratify.
stratify
stratify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to form in layers: The different-colored rocks have stratified over millions of years.
    2 to go into or form different levels (based on money, education, etc.): That city is stratified into rich and poor neighborhoods.
stratosphere
stratosphere
  1. n. [U] the layer of the sky approx. 5.5 (9 km) to 20 miles (32 km) above the earth
stratum
stratum
  1. n. -ta a layer or level: Our science class looked at the strata of different-colored rock on the side of the mountain.||My parents want me to marry someone from a wealthier stratum of society.
straw
straw
  1. n.
    1 [U] dried grain stems without the grain, used for animal beds and for weaving mats, hats, and baskets: We put clean straw in the pigpen.||She bought a straw hat from an island woman.
    2 [C] a thin tube of plastic or strong paper, used to draw a drink into the mouth: She took a sip of cola through a straw.
    3 fig. the last straw or the straw that broke the camel's back: the final event, the last difficulty one can bear: My husband's affair with another woman was the last straw, so I divorced him.
    4 fig. to grasp at straws: to base one's hopes on only vague possibilities: She is grasping at straws by applying for a teaching job; she needs much more education.
strawberry
strawberry
  1. n. -ries a small, red, sweet fruit with tiny seeds, high in vitamin C
stray
stray
  1. v. [I]
    1 to go beyond the limits of an area: Our dog strayed into a neighbor's yard.
    2 to do bad or illegal things, to follow the wrong path in life: Their daughter has strayed: she left school and started using drugs.n. a lost, tame animal: a stray catadj. not with a larger group of s.t., separate: A few stray hairs blew into her face in the wind.
streak
streak
  1. v.
    1 [I] to move or run very fast: The speedboat streaked by and was across the lake in seconds.
    2 [T] to make marks or stains in the form of lines, (syns.) to smear, blur: The windshield is so streaked with dirt that I can't see the road. n.
    1 a mark or stain in the form of a line, (syns.) a smear, blur: Let the ink dry, or it will make streaks when you touch it.
    2 a period of time in which s.t. continues to happen: I'm on a lucky streak today: I found $5 on the street, got no bills in the mail, and won a free pizza!
    3 a part of one's personality,
    THESAURUS
    a trait: She seems nice, but when you know her longer, you'll see her mean streak. -n. [U] streaking; -adj. streaky.
streamline
streamline
  1. v. [T] -lined, -lining, -lines
    1 to make s.t. smooth and without rough edges: The automaker streamlined the cars by rounding the corners and curving flat surfaces.
    2 to make s.t. simpler and more efficient: We cut out five steps in our billing process; we streamlined it. -adj. streamlined.
street
street
  1. n.
    1 a road for cars and trucks, often with sidewalks for walkers: The car turned right on Washington Street.||He walked down the street. See: avenue, boulevard, road.
    2 pl.fig. streets: a term for big-city dangers, such as crime: Unfortunately, the young boy understands the life of the streets.||She will be out on the streets if she doesn't find a job by next week.

    USAGE NOTE: We usu. speak of streets in the city and roads in both the country and city: The streets were crowded with shoppers.||My car almost hit a dog that was crossing the road. A lane is a narrow way, often between houses, walls, or fences. A court is a short street. A cul-de-sac is a road closed at one end, often with houses built around a small circle of pavement. An avenue is a wide street, often but not always lined with trees: Fifth Avenue is one of New York City's most famous streets. A boulevard is a broad, tree-lined avenue, which may have a central island dividing the lanes of traffic: Hollywood Boulevard is lined with palm trees. These terms are sometimes used incorrectly in naming streets, often because s.o. simply likes the way they sound.
streetcar
streetcar
  1. n. a piece of public transportation like a subway, but traveling aboveground,
    THESAURUS
    a trolley car; We rode the streetcars while we were in San Francisco.
streetlight
streetlight
  1. n. a light on a tall pole to make a section of a street less dark at night
streetwalker
streetwalker
  1. n. a person who sells sex for money, finding business on the street,
    THESAURUS
    a prostitute
strength
strength
  1. n.
    1 [U] muscle power: I don't have the strength to move that table alone.
    2 [U] mental or emotional toughness: She has the strength to help us with our problems.
    3 [U] not able to be gone through or broken: the strength of a heavy wooden door
    4 [C;U] an activity at which one is skilled or talented: Art is not one of her strengths.
    5 [U] the quality of not being weakened with water or another substance: the strength of one aspirin||the strength of vodka with no ice
    6 on the strength of: by the force of: She is remaining quiet on the strength of your suggestion. See: strong.
strengthen
strengthen
  1. v. [I;T] to make or become stronger: The company has strengthened its position with new advertise-ments.||Exercising every day strengthens the heart.
    THESAURUS
    strengthen to reinforce, build s.t. up.
strenuous
strenuous
  1. adj. needing great effort: Running fast is strenuous exercise.
strep throat
strep throat
  1. n. a sore throat caused by the streptococcus virus
stress
stress
  1. n. [C;U] -es
    1 mental or physical strain or difficulty caused by pressure: She is full of stress, because her boss gives her too much work.
    2 strength given or put on s.t.: In our family, the stress is on a good education.v. [T] -es
    1 to give strength to: Her husband stressed the idea that she should change jobs and relax more.
    2 to cause pressure: Lifting these boxes has stressed my back. (syn.THESAURUS
    tress n.
    1 tension, anxiety
    2 the emphasis, focus, insistence. —v.
    1 to emphasize, insist on s.t.
    2 to strain.
stressful
stressful
  1. adj. causing worry and tension: He is a policeman in a dangerous area; he leads a very stressful life.
stretch
stretch
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to make wider, longer, or larger by pushing outward or pulling: If I wear my new shoes for a while, the leather will stretch.
    2 [I;T] to make a body part longer by reaching out: The cat stretched after her nap.||The man stretched his leg muscles by touching his toes.
    3 [I] to go off for a long way: The highway stretches for many miles to the west.
    4 [T] to make s.t. larger, to fill available space or time: I didn't have much meat, so I stretched the soup with vegetables.
    5 [T] to go beyond the limits of, to bend: You're stretching the truth when you say your sister knows lots of movie stars.n. -es
    1 [C] the act of pushing outward or pulling to make larger: the stretch of a telephone cord
    2 [C] an unbroken area: After a long, dry stretch of land, we reached a small lake.
    3 [U] the ability to get larger or wider: socks with a lot of stretch
    4 infrml. s.t. that is difficult to do or believe: They may believe that you are 21, but it will be a stretch, since you're 30. -n. [U] stretching.
stretcher
stretcher
  1. n. a piece of hospital equipment used to carry patients who are lying down: He had a heart attack and was carried to the ambulance in a stretcher.
strew
strew
  1. v. [T] strewed, strewn, strewing, strews to throw or place things about in a messy way,
    THESAURUS
    to scatter: He is strewing dirty clothes all over his bedroom floor. -adj. strewn.
stricken
stricken
  1. adj.& past part. of strike
    1 ill or troubled by s.t.: The poor lady was stricken with cancer.
    2 taken out,
    THESAURUS
    eliminated: A witness's comment was stricken from the court record.
strict
strict
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 expecting rules to be followed, requiring obedience: The strict teacher makes us stay after school if we don't do our homework.
    2 unchanging, exact: There is no one strict way to play the piano; different people have different methods. -adv. strictly; -n. [U] strictness.
    THESAURUS
    strict
    1 stern, severe | demanding
    2 set, rigid, absolute.
stride
stride
  1. v. [I] strode , stridden , striding, strides to walk strongly with long steps: The President strode across the White House lawn to the helicopter.n.
    1 a long step
    2 the walking or running motion of a person or animal: The horse's stride was smooth and graceful.
    3 to make strides: to go forward, make progress: The company has made great strides in recent years, with increased sales and excellent profits.
    4 to take s.t. in one's stride: to accept s.t. easily, to not be upset or bothered by: My daughter hates to go to the dentist, but my son takes it in stride.
strident
strident
  1. adj. loud and unpleasant, (syns.) harsh, shrill: I could hear her angry, strident voice from next door.
strife
strife
  1. n. [U] angry disagreement,
    THESAURUS
    conflict: There was bitter strife between the warring nations.
strike
strike
  1. v. struck , struck or stricken
    1 [I;T] (syns.) to punch, slap | pound, hit: She struck her brother and gave him a bloody nose. She punched her brother.||The hammer struck the nail. The hammer pounded the nail.
    2 [I;T] (syns.) to smash into s.t., collide with s.t.: The car rolled down the hill and struck a tree. The car rolled down the hill and smashed into a tree (or) collided with a tree.
    3 [I;T] (syn.) to attack: The army struck by surprise at night. The army attacked by surprise at night.
    4 [I;T] (syns.) to come to one (s.o.'s mind suddenly), dawn on s.o.: A good idea struck me as I was reading the newspaper. A good idea came to me (or) dawned on me as I was reading the newspaper.
    5 [I;T] (syns.) to impress, affect s.o.: The power of her words struck me as beautiful. The power of her words impressed me as beautiful.
    6 [I;T] (syns.) to discover, come upon s.t.: The workers will strike oil (gold, silver, diamonds), if they dig deep enough. The workers will discover oil etc. (or) come upon oil (gold, silver, diamonds) if they dig deep enough.
    7 [T] (syns.) to erase, eliminate: Strike the second paragraph, but keep the first and third ones. Erase (or) eliminate the second paragraph, but keep the first and third ones.
    8 [I] (syn.) to walk out, as in to go on strike: The bus drivers are striking until the owners give them more vacation time. The bus drivers are walking out (or) going on strike until the owners give them more vacation time.
    9 [T] (syn.) to light s.t. (a fire): I [I;T] (syns.) to play | sound s.t.: He struck C-sharp on the piano. He played C-sharp on the piano.||The clock struck midnight. The clock sounded midnight.
    11 to strike a balance: (for two different or opposite things) to reach a comfortable, satisfactory agreement or position: The painter struck a balance between bright, sharp colors and soft, blurred lines.
    12 to strike a bargain or deal: to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both sides: Let's strike a deal: I'll let you borrow my bike if you wash my car.
    13 to strike a pose: to go into a position and be still (for an artist, photographer, etc.): The little girl struck a pose and her dad took a picture.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to strike s.t. down: (in law) to make no longer effective: The Supreme Court struck down an earlier decision in a rape case.||They struck it down.
    15 to strike gold or it rich: to get a lot of money quickly or unexpectedly: The writer struck it rich with her first successful novel.||You may strike gold if you play the lottery.
    16 phrasal v. sep. [T] to strike s.o. off: to remove s.o.'s name from a list or official panel, group, etc.: The steering committee struck off three members.||They struck them off.
    17 phrasal v. sep. to strike s.t. out: a. [T] to cross out,
    THESAURUS
    to erase: Please strike out the second line and type a new one. b. [I] to begin a trip or journey: We will strike out on our walk at 6:00 A.M. c. [I] to strike out (on one's own): to begin to do s.t. alone: After working for a big shoe company for years, he is striking out on his own and opening a shoe store. d. [I] (in baseball) not to get on base, either by swinging and missing, fouling, or choosing not to swing at good pitches
    18 to strike s.o. as: to seem to s.o.: He strikes me as really stupid.||I'm surprised she left; she struck me as a person who would stay.
    19 phrasal v. sep. to strike up s.t.: a. [I;T] to begin playing music: The band struck up a lively dance tune. b. [T] to begin (speaking): The old friends struck up a conversation about high school.
    20 fig. to strike while the iron is hot: to act quickly while the situation is good: Dad is happy and relaxed and just got paid; let's strike while the iron is hot and ask if we can use the car. See: struck. —n.
    1 a hard hit: the strike of metal on metal
    2 a discovery of s.t. valuable: a gold strike
    3 a work stoppage because of disagreements with management: During the strike, workers carried signs that read, "Better pay, shorter day!"
    4 (in baseball) a swing with the bat that misses the ball, a good pitch at which the batter doesn't swing, or the first two foul balls hit
    5 (in bowling) knocking over all 10 pins with the first roll of the ball
    6 to have two strikes against s.o.: (from baseball): to be at a disadvantage, with few solutions or choices left: The baby started life with two strikes against her; her mother is a poor drug addict and her father is unknown.
    THESAURUS
    strike n.
    1 a hitting, pounding
    2 the uncovering
    3 a walkout.
striker
striker
  1. n. a worker who won't work because of disagreements with the employer: Strikers walked in a circle near the factory.
striking
striking
  1. adj. immediately noticeable, usu. in a positive or good sense: She is a striking woman, quite beautiful.||There is a striking difference between this year's cool, dry summer and last year's warm, wet summer.
string
string
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a rope-like cord: We wrapped the box and tied a string around it.
    2 [C] a series of related or similar events: a string of successes in business
    3 [C] a line of objects with a string pulled through them: a string of pearls (seashells, beads, etc.)
    4 [C] (in sports) a group within a team that have similar skills: He is not the best player; he is on the second string.
    5 [C] (in music) on certain instruments, such as guitars and violins, one thin cord that is pulled (plucked) or rubbed (bowed) to make a sound
    6 pl. strings: (in music) the instruments in the violin family (violin, viola, cello, bass fiddle, etc.)
    7 (a gift with) no strings attached: without needing to pay back or do s.t. for the giver of a gift, able to use a gift however one chooses: My uncle gave me $500 with no strings attached, so I am saving half and spending half on new clothes.
    8 fig. to pull strings: to use influence: The senator pulled strings to get his son a job in the government.
    9 fig. to pull the strings: to be in control,
    THESAURUS
    to dominate: In that company, it's the president who pulls the strings.
    THESAURUS
    string n.
    1 twine
    2 a succession
    3 a strand. —v. [T] strung , stringing, strings
    1 to put a string or strings on a musical instrument: to string a banjo
    2 to thread (put a string through): I strung some red and black beads for a necklace.
    3 to attach s.t. at two ends: to string wires from pole to pole
    4 phrasal v. sep. to string s.t. out: to delay s.t. on purpose: The lawyer says to do one thing, we do it; then he says to do it over again; he has strung out the situation for months.||He has strung it out.
    5 phrasal v. sep. to string s.o. along: to delay and mislead s.o.: She strings her boyfriend along; she says that she'll marry him, but never will.
    6 phrasal v. sep. to string s.o. up: to hang s.o. by the neck: In the old movie, cattle ranchers strung the three men up for stealing cows.||They strung them up.
string bean
string bean
  1. n.
    1 a long, green bean
    2 infrml.fig. a tall, thin person
stringent
stringent
  1. adj. without much freedom of flexibility, (syns.) severe, strict: The company is losing money and must have a stringent financial plan to survive. -n. [U] stringency.
stringer
stringer
  1. n. a part-time or freelance writer for the news media: The sales department hires only stringers and has no full-time salespeople.
strip
strip
  1. n. a thin, narrow piece of s.t.: a strip of bacon (cloth, leather, tape, etc.)v. stripped or stript, stripping, strips
    1 [T] to remove an outer layer: to strip wallpaper off the wall
    2 [T] to take away (power, rank, things, etc.): He stripped leaves off a tree branch.||The king was stripped of his power and became an ordinary citizen.
    3 [I;T] to take off one's clothes: The boys stripped off their shirts and jumped into the pool.
    THESAURUS
    strip v.
    1 to peel
    2 to pluck | deprive s.o. of s.t.
    3 to peel off (clothes).
stripe
stripe
  1. n.v. [T] striped, striping, stripes
    1 a band of color against a background of a different color: a pink stripe on a white blouse
    2 a V-shaped decoration on the uniform of a soldier to show rank
    3 type, sort, kind: My second husband is of a different stripe than my first.
striped
striped
  1. adj. having stripes: a striped tablecloth
stripper
stripper
  1. n. a person who takes off his or her clothes as a performance, with music playing and people watching
striptease
striptease
  1. n. [C;U] -teased, -teasing, -teases the dance or performance of a stripper
strive
strive
  1. v. [I] strove , striven or strived, striving, strives to work hard for s.t.: to strive for perfection -n. striver.
stroke
stroke
  1. v. [T] stroked, stroking, strokes to pass the hand lightly over s.t., (syns.) to rub, caress: He stroked the cat's back.||I like to stroke a baby's soft cheek.n.
    1 a light rubbing motion: one stroke of my hand
    2 a motion of a body part from one position to another, done in a sport to move or hit s.t.: The people in the boat used smooth strokes, saying "One, two" as they rowed.||The golf teacher said his stroke was strong.
    3 the hitting or sound of a bell, gong, or clock: At the stroke of two, begin writing.
    4 one mark with a writing tool: She used four strokes of a pen to make an E.
    5 a sudden, immediate event: By a stroke of luck, you appeared just when my car broke down.
    6 a blocked or broken blood vessel in the brain that causes a lack of muscle control, difficulty speaking, and sometimes death,
    THESAURUS
    apoplexy
stroll
stroll
  1. n.v. [I] a relaxed, unhurried walk: After dinner, we went for a stroll on the beach. See: walk, USAGE NOTE.
stroller
stroller
  1. n.
    1 a person who walks in a slow, relaxed manner
    2 a chair with four wheels used to hold and push a baby: The boy's mother pushed his stroller into the mall.
strong-arm
strong-arm
  1. v. [T] adj. to use physical force or threats to make s.o. do s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to coerce: If she doesn't pay him the money soon, he will strong-arm her into paying it.||The policeman used strong-arm tactics with the man.
strong-minded
strong-minded
  1. adj. firm and sure in one's ideas,
    THESAURUS
    willful: She knows what she wants and is strong-minded about getting it.
strong
strong
  1. adj.
    1 having physical strength: A strong man helped me push the car up the hill.
    2 with mental or moral strength: She has stayed strong through much sadness in her life.
    3 in good health: If you take your medicine, you will become stronger.
    4 having force, intensity, or strength: She has a strong belief in God.
    5 able to be easily sensed: the strong smell of onions and garlic
    6 with a lot of alcohol: There's too much gin in this drink; it's too strong. -adv. strongly.
strongbox
strongbox
  1. n. -es a locked, secure box for valuable items,
    THESAURUS
    a safety deposit box: I keep my grandmother's ring in a strongbox in the bank.
stronghold
stronghold
  1. n. an area where a group has a lot of strength: The US South is a stronghold for the Baptist religion.
struck
struck
  1. adj. & past part. of strike, hit by: struck by lightning||struck by an idea See: stricken.
structure
structure
  1. n.
    1 [C] a building of any kind: A new structure is being built on the corner.
    2 [C] any architectural object of any kind: The Eiffel Tower is a famous Parisian structure.
    3 [U] the way parts are put together or organized: the structure of a song||a business's structurev. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures to put together or organize parts of s.t.: We are structuring a plan to hire new teachers. -adj. structural.
structured
structured
  1. adj. organized, logical: My child has a structured day: he goes to day care, we pick him up, we have dinner and play, and he goes to bed.
struggle
struggle
  1. n.
    1 a difficult time or task using much effort and energy: He has had a struggle all his life with bad health.
    2 a conflict or war: a struggle between Croats and Serbs
    3 a fight: Two men got into a struggle outside a bar.
    4 a use of physical force or energy to try to do s.t.: It is a struggle to zip up these tight jeans.v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to use much physical or mental effort and energy to do s.t.: I struggled to reach the seat belt behind me.
strum
strum
  1. v. [I;T] strummed, strumming, strums to play a stringed musical instrument by moving one's fingertips over the strings: He strummed the guitar.
strung out
strung out
  1. adj.
    1 lasting for too long: The planning has strung out for months; now it is time to act.
    2 slang badly affected by drug use: He is too strung out to work; he can barely walk.
strut
strut
  1. v. [I] strutted, strutting, struts to walk in a proud or self-important way: The boy strutted around town with the pretty girl holding his arm.n.
    1 the movement or act of walking proudly: The rooster had a proud strut.
    2 a wood or metal support against a structure: the struts that hold up a crumbling wall
stub
stub
  1. n.
    1 the part of a ticket kept as proof of purchase: The man at the show tore my ticket in two and handed me the stub.
    2 a short piece of s.t. broken or used: This eraser is worn down to a stub.v. [T] stubbed, stubbing, stubs to hit one's foot on s.t.: I stubbed my toes on the stairs.
stubble
stubble
  1. n. [U]
    1 the short pieces of grain (corn, wheat, etc.) in a field after the grain has been cut
    2 a short growth of hair,
    THESAURUS
    whiskers: He has not shaved today and his face is covered with stubble.
stubborn
stubborn
  1. adj.
    1 unwilling to change one's mind: My stubborn little boy would not put his coat on; he held his arms to his sides and said, "No, no."
    2 continuing to do s.t. even if it is difficult: My sister won't ever stop trying to sell her paintings; she is very stubborn.
    THESAURUS
    stubborn
    1 obstinate, pig-headed, willful. Ant. cooperative.
    2 persistent, tenacious.
stuck-up
stuck-up
  1. adj. thinking one is better than others,
    THESAURUS
    conceited: The stuck-up boy won't date poor girls.
stuck
stuck
  1. adj. infrml. & past part. of stick
    1 unable to continue: I am stuck on this problem; I can't figure it out.
    2 to be stuck on s.o.: in love with or having romantic feelings for: My brother is really stuck on that girl; he's asked her out for coffee three times.
    3 to be stuck with s.o. or s.t.: to have s.o. or s.t. one doesn't really want: I bought a used car that does not run very well, and now I'm stuck with it.
    THESAURUS
    stuck
    1 stumped by s.t., baffled by s.t.
stud
stud
  1. n.
    1 a male animal, esp. a horse that is used to father other fine horses
    2 slang a very masculine, sexy man
    3 a piece of wood in a vertical (up-and-down) position that is used to support a wall: He nailed a piece of wallboard to the stud.
    4 a decorative button on a tuxedo shirt
    5 a small earring made for a pierced ear that doesn't hang below the earlobe
studded
studded
  1. adj.
    1 decorated with studs (stones, gems, etc.): Her new earrings are studded with pearls.
    2 star-studded: with many famous people (usu. actors and singers) present: My cousin went to a star-studded Hollywood party.
student
student
  1. n.
    1 a person who learns from teachers or professors at any school, college, or university: She is a high-school student and will start college next fall.
    2 a person who studies s.t. seriously, in or out of school: a student of football
    THESAURUS
    student
    1 a pupil (in elementary school)
    2 a scholar | learner.
studied
studied
  1. adj. well thought out, (syns.) informed, prepared: He is good at discussing films, because he has a very studied way of watching them.
studio
studio
  1. n.
    1 a place where an artist works: We take lessons at a ballet studio.||He develops black-and-white pictures in his photo studio.
    2 a one-room apartment: My studio is too small; I'm moving to a one-bedroom.
studious
studious
  1. adj. liking or tending to study: I see a studious young woman in the library every day.
study
study
  1. n. -ies
    1 a room in a living space for reading, writing, and other quiet activities: Her study is filled with books.
    2 the act of learning: the study of foreign languages
    3 a report on a specific topic: a governmental study on poverty
    4 a fast or quick study: a person who learns s.t. easily in a short time: The actor is a quick study; he knew all his lines in one week.v. -ied, -ying, -ies
    1 [I;T] to work to learn, by practicing, reading, and listening: She studied for the math test.||He studies African history.
    2 [T] to look at carefully: I study the chessboard carefully before I make a move.
stuff
stuff
  1. v. [T]
    1 to fill, usu. tightly or completely, by pushing s.t. into s.t. else: She stuffed her notebooks into a desk drawer.||I am going to stuff this toy doll with cotton.
    2 to eat too much: He stuffed himself with bread and cheese.n. [U]
    1 a general word for unnamed or unknown things: There's some old, smelly stuff in the back of the refrigerator.||What's that stuff you're rubbing on your hands?
    2 infrml. a group of objects: She's moving to a smaller house, so she's giving away some of her stuff.
    3 what s.o. or s.t. is made of: You are showing the right stuff: kindness and patience.
    4 unwanted talk or actions: Stop yelling at me; I don't need that stuff from you.
stuffed shirt
stuffed shirt
  1. n. a person who is very formal, with too-proper manners: What a stuffed shirt; he spent the whole dinner telling us what fork to use!
stuffing
stuffing
  1. n. [U] s.t. used to fill s.t. tightly: the foam stuffing in a cushion||the bread stuffing in a turkey
stuffy
stuffy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 without fresh air: The windows are closed and everyone is smoking cigarettes; the air is stuffy.
    2 formal: He is too stuffy to enjoy the clowns at the circus. -n. [U] stuffiness.
    THESAURUS
    stuffy
    1 close, stifling
    2 stiff, pompous.
stumble
stumble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to trip or have trouble walking: The man was hurt and stumbled into the police station for help.||She is stumbling because she drank too much beer.
    2 to have trouble speaking,
    THESAURUS
    to falter: The shy boy is stumbling over his words.
    3 phrasal v. insep. to stumble across or upon s.t.: to find or reach accidentally or by surprise: She stumbled upon the book she lost last week.n. the act of walking or speaking with difficulty
stumbling block
stumbling block
  1. n. s.t. in the way,
    THESAURUS
    an obstacle: He wants to take a vacation, but lack of money is a stumbling block.
stump
stump
  1. n.
    1 the part of a tree left after it has fallen or been cut: She sat on a stump in the woods to rest.
    2 a body part, most of which has been cut off or worn down: He had bone cancer in his arm, so the doctors removed his arm, leaving a stump.||the stump of a toothv.
    1 [I;T] to travel and try to get votes: The President's wife is stumping for him throughout the western states.
    2 [T] to cause s.o. to be without an answer,
    THESAURUS
    to baffle: The student was stumped by the difficult question.
stun
stun
  1. v. [T] stunned, stunning, stuns
    1 to make unconscious or senseless,
    THESAURUS
    to daze: When I hit my head, the bump stunned me and I fell to the floor.
    2 to surprise or shock, to make speechless: The news of your friend's death stunned me.
stung
stung
  1. past tense & past part. of sting
stunning
stunning
  1. adj.
    1 very beautiful: a stunning dress
    2 very surprising: a stunning loss
stunt
stunt
  1. n.
    1 a difficult or dangerous action: The man did a stunt where he rode a motorcycle up a ramp and over 20 parked cars.
    2 to pull a stunt: to do s.t. foolish, often to attract attention: The young man took his father's car and drove it into a lake; he often pulls stunts like that!v. [T] to stop or slow the growth of s.t.: These small ears of corn were stunted because no rain fell for weeks.
stuntman
stuntman
  1. or stuntwoman n. -men , -women in the movie business, a person who does dangerous or difficult acts, such as falling off a horse or jumping from a moving car
stuntman
stuntman
  1. or stuntwoman -n. -men / , -women / in the movie business, a person who does dangerous or difficult acts, such as falling off a horse or jumping from a moving car
stupefy
stupefy
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to make s.o. senseless: drugs that stupefy the mind
    2 fig. to surprise, (syns.) to shock, astound: He was stupefied by the changes in her face after many years. -adj. stupefied.
stupendous
stupendous
  1. adj.
    1 very big, huge,
    THESAURUS
    tremendous: We saw stupendous, snow-covered mountains in Switzerland.
    2 amazing, awesome: The new dinosaur movie is a stupendous success. -adv. stupendously.
stupid
stupid
  1. adj.
    1 not smart: He makes the same mistakes over and over; he is so stupid!
    2 not using one's brain or logic, foolish: It was a stupid thing for her to leave her car keys in the car; it was stolen!
    3 worthless: This book is so stupid, I don't want to finish it. -n. [U] stupidity.
stupor
stupor
  1. n. [U] a state of senselessness, a complete lack of mental power: The drunken man fell to the floor in a stupor.
sturdy
sturdy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest
    1 strong, well-built: He can walk for miles on his sturdy legs.
    2 strong, lasting,
    THESAURUS
    durable: I bought this sturdy pair of shoes many years ago.
stutter
stutter
  1. n. a problem with speaking in which the person repeats words or pauses, and has difficulty getting thoughts into spoken words -n. stutterer.v. [I;T] to speak with a stutter See: stammer.
style
style
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the particular way that s.t. is done: Her writing style is very simple and clear.
    2 [C;U] kind: What style of food does the restaurant serve?
    3 [U] good, special, often unusual behavior: She is kind, generous, and enjoys doing new things; we like her style.
    4 [U] a comfortable way of living, often with plenty of money and nice things: We had to stop living in style when my wife lost her high-paying job.
    5 [C;U] fashion, the way of dressing or appearing: I like the styles of the 1940s, with longer skirts and wide shoulders.
    6 a. in style: popular at that time: My mom's old clothes are in style again! b. out of style: not popular at that time: Big band music is out of style, but I still enjoy it.
    7 [C] the way one uses punctuation and words in writing or printing: The publishing company's style is to use very few commas.v. [T] styled, styling, styles
    1 to make or create s.t. in a special way: to style men's clothes||to style a woman's hair
    2 phrasal v. insep. to style s.t. after s.t. or s.o.: to form or create s.t. in the same way as s.o. or s.t. else: She styles her life after her mother. -n. stylist; -v. [T] stylize.
stylish
stylish
  1. adj. fashionable, attractive: The lady wears colorful, stylish dresses.
    THESAURUS
    stylish chic, smart, in style. Ant. unfashionable.
stymie
stymie
  1. v. [T] -mied, -mieing or -mying, -mies to stop or block s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to thwart: Our company needs to buy new computers, but we are stymied, because we don't know much about them.
suave
suave
  1. adj. with attractive, effortless charm and social skills (used to describe men more often than women): That guy is so suave, offering chairs to the women and telling them he's happy they're here.
subcommittee
subcommittee
  1. n. part of a larger group, formed to look at a more specific topic: The education committee formed a subcommittee to study high-school safety. See: committee.
subcontract
subcontract
  1. v. [I;T] to sign a legal agreement and then buy various goods and services from others to fulfill parts of it: The airplane maker agreed to provide a finished aircraft, but subcontracted the engines and tires to other companies. -n. subcontract; subcontractor.
subculture
subculture
  1. n. a specific group and lifestyle within a larger one: New York City has many subcultures with their own ways of living: theater people, Wall Street workers, and homeless people are only three of them.
subdivide
subdivide
  1. v. [I;T] -vided, -viding, -vides to separate (usu. land) into smaller pieces: A real estate company bought a large, wooded area and subdivided it into four groups of housing.
subdivision
subdivision
  1. n. [C;U] a section of a town, usu. in a suburb
subdue
subdue
  1. v. [T] -dued, -duing, -dues
    1 to beat,
    THESAURUS
    to conquer: The army subdued the enemy.
    2 to make calmer or quieter: He subdued the screaming baby with soft music.
subdued
subdued
  1. adj. quiet, sometimes a little sad: You seem a little subdued today, is anything wrong?
subfreezing
subfreezing
  1. adj. a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit or 0 degrees Celsius: Last winter, we had subfreezing weather for weeks.
subgroup
subgroup
  1. n. a group within a group: Rap and country are subgroups of popular music.
subject
subject
  1. n.
    1 an idea being thought, talked, or read about: The subject of this book is teenage smoking.
    2 s.t. studied in school: English is her favorite subject.
    3 a person ruled by s.o.: a subject of the queen
    4 a person that is looked at or examined (as in a medical study): For his paper on AIDS, he studied four different subjects.
    5 (in grammar) the noun that does the action in a sentence: "Cat" is the subject of the sentence "The cat came home." v. [T] to cause s.o. to receive some action: The boss is an unkind man and he subjects his workers to his anger every day.adj.
    1 under a legal power: Rich and poor, we are all subject to the laws of this country.
    2 likely to receive: If you don't wear a hat, you make yourself subject to catching a cold.
    3 likely to happen only if s.t. else is done: The agreement is subject to your signature; only then will it be legal.
subject matter
subject matter
  1. n. the topic being read about or discussed: The subject matter of this class is international banking
subjective
subjective
  1. adj. related to personal feeling and opinion, rather than facts: He must be subjective about the difficult girl; she's his daughter and he loves her. See: objective. -adv. subjectively; -n. [U] subjectivity.
subjugate
subjugate
  1. v. [T] -gated, -gating, -gates to bring under control: The parents subjugated the child's bank account.||Ancient Rome subjugated many nations and brought them into its empire.
sublease
sublease
  1. v. [T] n. -leased, -leasing, -leases to rent from s.o. who is the original renter: We found an apartment and subleased it from the woman who lives there now.||We signed a sublease yesterday.
sublet
sublet
  1. v. [I;T] n. -let, -letting, -lets to sublease: Yesterday, the tenant sublet an apartment to us.
sublime
sublime
  1. adj. the very best, wonderful, heavenly: We spent a sublime vacation in Hawaii.
subliminal
subliminal
  1. adj. sensed (heard, felt, or seen) without being aware of it, related to the subconscious mind: Under the music that I could hear were subliminal voices telling me I was a good person.
submerge
submerge
  1. v. [I;T] -merged, -merging, -merges to go or put beneath the surface of water: The girl was submerged in the shallow end of the pool.||I submerged my hands in the sink to wash dishes. -n. [U] submersion.
submission
submission
  1. n.
    1 [U] a giving up,
    THESAURUS
    a surrender: The enemy was beaten into submission.
    2 [U] weak agreement,
    THESAURUS
    compliance: her husband's submission to her wishes
    3 [C;U] s.t. passed in or given to s.o., esp. a piece of writing or artistic work: The artists' submission of their work to the art gallery takes place today.
submissive
submissive
  1. adj. tending to agree or go along with an action, (syns.) compliant, cooperative: She does everything that he asks of her; she is quite submissive to him.
submit
submit
  1. v. -mitted, -mitting, -mits
    1 [I;T] to give up to a greater power: The British forces submitted to American soldiers during the Revolutionary War.
    2 [I;T] to agree: You know more, so I submit to your decision.
    3 [T] to pass in or give s.t., esp. a piece of writing or artistic work, to s.o.: When I finish this short story, I'll submit it to a magazine.
    4 [T] to introduce or propose s.t.: We submitted our ideas about a new city park to the mayor.
subordinate
subordinate
  1. n.v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates a person of lower rank: The general spoke to his subordinates.adj. not as important, secondary: I want to take a vacation but that is subordinate to finding a new job. -n. [U] subordination.
subplot
subplot
  1. n. in a story, a situation that is less important than the main situation: The novel is about a murder, with a love story as a subplot.
subpoena
subpoena
  1. v. [T] n. (in law) to give s.o. a legal paper requiring him or her to appear in court: Judges subpoenaed many people for jury duty last month.||The court delivered a subpoena to a woman who saw the robbery.
subscribe
subscribe
  1. v. -scribed, -scribing, -scribes
    1 [I] to pay money for a certain number of issues of a magazine or newspaper: I subscribe to a monthly magazine about skiing.
    2 [I;T] to sign one's name to s.t. to show agreement or as a witness: to subscribe a will
    3 [I] to share an opinion, agree: I do not subscribe to his religious ideas.
subscription
subscription
  1. n.
    1 an agreement to buy a certain number of magazines or newspapers: My subscription to that computer magazine runs out next month.
    2 the signing of one's name on a legal document
subsequent
subsequent
  1. adj. happening later,
    THESAURUS
    succeeding: In the first letter she said she loved me, but in subsequent letters she changed her mind. -adv. subsequently.
subservient
subservient
  1. adj. acting like a servant, obedient: He is subservient to his wife because he's afraid of her. -n. [U] subservience.
subset
subset
  1. n. a set contained within a set: The company's financial problems are a subset of its mismanagement in general.
subside
subside
  1. v. [I] -sided, -siding, -sides to become less strong or intense, to lessen: Her high fever has subsided.
subsidiary
subsidiary
  1. adj. less important, secondary: Unfortunately, in our company, the happiness of the workers is subsidiary to yearly profits.n. -ies a company that is controlled by another company: My brother works for a smaller subsidiary of a big car company.
subsidize
subsidize
  1. v. [T] -dized, -dizing, -dizes to give money to a person, group, or business that is not self-supporting: The City Opera is subsidized by individual and corporate donations. -n. [U] subsidization.
subsidy
subsidy
  1. n. -dies money paid to a person, group, or business to support it or them: As long as my parents give my brother a subsidy every month, he will never get a job.
subsist
subsist
  1. v. [I] to exist, to live at basic or minimal level: The old lady subsists on a little bit of money her dead husband left her.
subsistence
subsistence
  1. n. [U] a basic level of living or existence —adj. with just enough and no more: He lives on subsistence wages; he has no money left over.
substance
substance
  1. n.
    1 [U] anything one can touch: This face cream is a white, sticky substance.||Tires are made of rubber and other substances.
    2 usu. sing. [C;U] meaning, truth: What she says has substance because of her knowledge and experience.
    3 [U] wealth, possessions: The family owns a successful business; they are people of substance.
    THESAURUS
    substance
    1 material, matter, stuff infrml.
    2 significance
    3 means, resources.
substandard
substandard
  1. adj. not good enough: Unfortunately, there is a lot of substandard housing in the poor section of town.
substantial
substantial
  1. adj.
    1 large,
    THESAURUS
    considerable: He earns a substantial income.|| The politician won the election by a substantial number of votes.
    2 strong, durable: substantial furniture
    3 satisfying, filling: to eat a substantial meal
substantiate
substantiate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates to support or prove s.t. with facts: He can't substantiate her story; he wasn't there. -n. [U] substantiation.
substantive
substantive
  1. adj. real, solid,
    THESAURUS
    substantial: In a murder case, fingerprints are substantive evidence.n. (in grammar) a noun
substitute
substitute
  1. v. [T] -tuted, -tuting, -tutes to replace: I substitute olive oil for butter in cooking.||The new player substituted for the injured star.n. a person or thing that works or acts in place of s.o. or s.t. else: Our teacher is having a baby, so we have a substitute. -n. [U] substitution.
subterfuge
subterfuge
  1. n. [C;U] a plan in which the whole truth is not told or s.t. is hidden, (syns.) a ruse, scheme: The company used the name of a more famous company as subterfuge to trick people into buying from them.
subterranean
subterranean
  1. adj. below the surface of the earth, underground: Little subterranean animals live under our garden.
subtitles
subtitles
  1. n.pl. in a foreignlanguage film, the words at the bottom of the screen that translate what the actors are saying
subtle
subtle
  1. adj.
    1 not easy to sense, not obvious: The violin is very subtle in this piece of music.
    2 indirect: Turning off all the lights is a subtle way of saying, "Don't waste electricity."
    3 small, refined: The lawyer is smart; he sees subtle, but important, distinctions in the law. -n. [C;U] subtlety.
subtotal
subtotal
  1. n. the sum of some, but not all, numbers being added: I added up a subtotal of the items before adding the cost of the tax.
subtract
subtract
  1. v. [I;T] to take away a number (amount) from another: 1 subtracted from 4 equals 3.||If you subtract the cost of the speakers, I can buy the stereo.
    THESAURUS
    subtract to deduct | eliminate.
subtraction
subtraction
  1. n. [U] the act of subtracting: The children learned subtraction before multiplication.
suburb
suburb
  1. n.
    1 a small city or town outside a large city, usu. with more housing than business places, but including some shopping or service areas: We moved to a house with a yard in a suburb of Dallas.
    2 pl. the suburbs: the general term for an area outside a big city: My parents moved to the suburbs, so they need to buy a car. -adj. suburban ; -n. [U] suburbia.
subvention
subvention
  1. n. a subsidy: a foundation that provides subventions to artists
subversive
subversive
  1. adj. done to ruin, destroy, or overpower a person or government, sometimes with secret or harsh methods: Spying was a subversive way to learn about the nation's nuclear weapons and plans to use them. -n. [U] subversion; -v. [T] subvert.
subway
subway
  1. n. a public transportation system with trains that run underground: In Boston, thousands of people take the subway to work every day.
succeed
succeed
  1. v.
    1 [I] to accomplish a task or reach a goal: She tried to quit smoking, and she succeeded.
    2 [I] to do well in life: She has succeeded in business and is now a millionaire.
    3 [I;T] to come after s.o. or s.t.: a king succeeded by his son
success
success
  1. n. -es
    1 [C] a good event, an achievement: The meeting was a success; we agreed on everything.
    2 [U] accomplishment of a task, the reaching of a goal: She had success in medical school and became a fine doctor.
    3 [U] wealth, good luck in life: The man has had a lot of financial success and has no money worries.
    THESAURUS
    success n.
    1 a triumph
    3 prosperity, good fortune.
successful
successful
  1. adj. with success: No one likes the new movie; it's not successful.||A sucessful result brings happiness.
succession
succession
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of coming after or following another: We sat in alphabetical order and the teacher asked us to give our names in succession.
    2 [U] the act of land, a title, or other honor passing from one person to another (usu. a child or other relative): In England, the oldest son is always first in the line of succession to the throne.
    3 [C] a group of people or things following in order,
    THESAURUS
    a sequence: A succession of peace talks could not prevent the two countries from going to war. -adj. successive.
successor
successor
  1. n. a person who follows another in a position: The company president has named his daughter as his successor.
succinct
succinct
  1. adj. brief and clear: Her succinct letter was one page long and stayed on one topic.
succor
succor
  1. n.frml. [U] help or relief when in trouble or pain: My family gave succor to a lost little boy we saw in the park.
succulent
succulent
  1. adj. tasting good, usu. juicy: a succulent peach||succulent beef stewn. a type of plant, including the cactus family, that holds water in thick leaves
succumb
succumb
  1. v. [I]
    1 to show weakness or give up to a greater strength or desire: I'm trying to lose weight, but I always succumb to chocolate ice cream!
    2 to die: to succumb to an illness
such
such
  1. adv. to a large degree, very: I have such great news!||She was in such a terrible accident!adj.
    1 of a certain kind: I have never seen such children in my life.
    2 used to refer to s.t. being discussed: You say you want to understand those people, but such people can never be understood.pron.
    1 a person or thing in general: His girlfriend left him; such are the risks of romance.
    2 for example: He collects musical instruments, such as trumpets and guitars.
such and such
such and such
  1. adj. an expression used in place of s.t. not known: They live on such and such street — I don't know the street's name.
suck
suck
  1. v. 1 [I;T] to take liquid into the mouth by putting the lips around s.t. and pulling with the mouth muscles: She sucked lemonade through a straw.||The baby sucks milk at his mother's breast. 2 [I;T] to pull s.t. in by removing air (creating a vacuum): The pump sucked water from the well. 3 [T] to dissolve s.t. slowly by moving it around in the mouth: to suck on a candy
    4 infrml. to be sucked in: to think wrongly s.t. might be good, to be taken advantage of: I was sucked in by the woman; she seemed nice, but then she left town with my wallet! 5 infrml. phrasal v. to suck it up: to be strong in a difficult situation: I could not find a regular job, so I sucked it up and worked part-time at a burger joint.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to suck up to s.o.: to treat s.o. well only for personal gain, (syns.) to flatter, to fawn over: He sucks up to his boss in the hope of getting more money. 7 slang phrasal v. insep. That or it sucks! s.t. that is bad: That job cleaning floors sucks!n. the act of sucking -v. [I;T] suckle.
sucker
sucker
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who is easily fooled, a gullible person: I bought a watch from a man on the street and it broke the next day; what a sucker I was to buy it.
    2 hard candy kept in the mouth until it is gone, a lollipop: The little boy's tongue was red from a cherry sucker.
sucrose
sucrose
  1. n. [U] a natural sweetener found in sugar cane and other plants
suction
suction
  1. n. [U] v. [T] a lack of air created to pull s.t. in or cause s.t. to stick: The pencil sharpener stayed on the table with suction from its rubber bottom.||He suctioned gas from a tank.
sudden
sudden
  1. adj.
    1 quick and unexpected: We all jumped at the sudden, loud noise.
    2 without warning: He was surprised at the sudden death of his aunt; she did not seem sick.
    3 all of a sudden: quickly, without warning: It was sunny; then all of a sudden it started to rain. -adv. suddenly.
    THESAURUS
    sudden 1 and 2 abrupt, unforeseen. Ant. expected.
    3 all at once. Ant. gradually.
suds
suds
  1. n.pl.
    1 a mass of tiny bubbles created by soap, (syns.) lather, foam: He squirted dish soap under the running water to make suds.
    2 infrml. beer
sue
sue
  1. v. [I;T] sued, suing, sues
    1 to file a lawsuit, to make a claim in court that one's legal rights have been violated by others, that they should be protected or restored, and that the others should pay for one's suffering and damages: She sued the company, because it was unfair to women and racial minorities.
    2 frml. to plea for special attention, favors, or love: He sang beautiful songs that sued for her love.
suede
suede
  1. n. [U] a soft leather with one side that is smooth and another with a fuzzy texture: Suede is nice to touch, but it shows marks easily.
suffer
suffer
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to experience pain, loss, hardship, etc.: His wife suffered when her mother died.
    2 [T] to experience a painful or unpleasant event: The bank suffered losses from bad real estate loans.
    3 [T] to put up with, endure: He was willing to suffer her constant complaints.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to suffer from s.t.: to be ill with s.t., usu. over a long period of time: She suffers from arthritis.
sufferer
sufferer
  1. n. [U] a person who suffers: Sufferers from hay fever are often miserable in the spring.
suffering
suffering
  1. n. a feeling of pain in body or mind: Hunger and disease cause great suffering in the world.
suffice
suffice
  1. v. [I] -ficed, -ficing, -fices
    1 to be enough: I told him 10 gallons of gas would suffice to get me home.
    2 to meet the basic needs of: His salary will not suffice for a family of four.
sufficiency
sufficiency
  1. n. usu. sing. -cies [C;U] a satisfactory level, supply, or amount: The company has produced a sufficiency of inventory to meet future sales.
sufficient
sufficient
  1. adj.
    1 adequate, satisfactory: We have a sufficient supply of goods on hand now.
    2 ample, enough: Our money was sufficient for a two-week vacation.
suffocate
suffocate
  1. v. [I;T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to cause or have difficulty in breathing: The smoky fire was suffocating us.||We were suffocating from the intense heat.
    2 to cause to die from lack of air; to kill by choking or smothering: In the spy novel, the hero suffocated the murderer under a pillow. -n. [U] suffocation.
sugar
sugar
  1. n. [C;U] a sweet substance, usu. in the form of fine white crystals, obtained from plants, added to or used in cooking and preparing foods and drinks: She put a teaspoon of sugar in her coffee.v. [T] to add sugar to: He sugared his cereal and then poured milk over it. -adj. sugary.
sugarcoat
sugarcoat
  1. v. [T]
    1 to cover with a layer of sugar: Children like to sugarcoat all of their food.
    2 to make s.t., such as bad news, appear more pleasant than it is: She is afraid of the truth, so she sugarcoats everything she says.
sugary
sugary
  1. adj.
    1 containing or tasting of sugar: sugary water
    2 too sweet: This lemonade is refreshing, but very sugary.
suggest
suggest
  1. v. [T]
    1 to propose s.t. to do or to offer an idea for consideration: He suggested that we have lunch at the hotel.
    2 to bring (an idea) to mind, to indicate: This picture suggests an ancient battle scene.||The results of the test suggested that I was ill.
    THESAURUS
    suggest
    1 to recommend
    2 to bring up (a subject, an idea), call s.t. to mind | imply.
suggestible
suggestible
  1. adj. easily swayed or influenced: He was new to this country and very suggestible.
suggestion
suggestion
  1. n.
    1 [U] the act of suggesting: At my suggestion we traveled first class.
    2 [C] s.t. suggested (an idea, proposal, plan, etc.): They rejected my suggestion because it was too expensive.
    3 [C] a slight hint or indication: There was a suggestion of evil in his motives.
suggestive
suggestive
  1. adj.
    1 interesting,
    THESAURUS
    provocative: He made several suggestive remarks about how to save money at the planning meeting.
    2 leading to sexual proposals,
    THESAURUS
    seductive: She made very suggestive looks at him over dinner.
suicidal
suicidal
  1. adj.
    1 having a tendency to commit suicide: She has severe depressions and could become suicidal.
    2 very dangerous and likely to lead to death: Driving too fast is suicidal.
suicide
suicide
  1. n. [U]
    1 the taking of one's own life: to commit suicide
    2 action destructive of one's own interests or welfare: He is committing academic suicide by never studying and not writing his papers.
suit
suit
  1. n.
    1 a set of pieces of clothing, such as a coat and pants or a coat and skirt, made of the same material and meant to be worn together, usu. for business or formal occasions: Everyone wore his or her best suit to the company's annual meeting.
    2 a lawsuit: His suit against the phone company is not likely to succeed.
    3 a plea, argument, or other attempt to persuade s.o. in a position of authority or respect to give favors or special rights: His suit for her love is doomed to fail.
    4 one of the four sets of cards used in games: He arranged his cards by suits.
    5 to follow suit: to behave as s.o. else has: She dove into the lake and I followed suit.v.
    1 [T] to satisfy or please; to meet the needs of or be convenient for: Your proposal suits my schedule.||Fresh air and good food would suit you well.
    2 [T] to look good or well-matched with other things: That big dress does not suit her slim figure.
    3 to be suited (to/for): to have the right qualities (skills, attitudes, etc.) for: He is not suited to that job.
    4 to suit oneself: to do what one likes or thinks is best; to decide for one's self: I cannot tell you what to do, so suit yourself.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to suit up: to put on a uniform or other clothing designed for a specific activity: The team suited up for the big match.
suitable
suitable
  1. adj.
    1 convenient: Please set a suitable time to meet.
    2 appropriate: You should wear clothes suitable for the occasion. -adv. suitably.
    THESAURUS
    suitable
    1 acceptable | workable, doable
    2 right, proper. Ant. unsuitable.
suitcase
suitcase
  1. n. a flat, sturdy box with a top and bottom, usu. attached by hinges on one side and held closed by latches, and with a handle for carrying; made to carry suits and other clothes when travelling: I carry one suitcase and a briefcase on business trips.
    THESAURUS
    suitcase a piece of luggage, carry-on (bag), valise.
suite
suite
  1. n.
    1 a set of connected rooms in a hotel or office building: The lawyers' offices are in the suite on the second floor.
    2 a set of matching pieces of furniture: a bedroom suite|| a living-room suite
    3 any loose collection of similar or related items: a suite of new products||a musical suite
suitor
suitor
  1. n. a man who seeks to marry a woman: That woman has many suitors.
sulfur
sulfur
  1. n. [U] a yellow non-metallic element found widely in nature as a powder and used in industry and medicine: Eggs contain sulfur in the yolks. -adj. sulfurous ; sulfuric.
sulk
sulk
  1. v. [I] to act as if hurt and angry by being silent, childish, and resentful: When his girlfriend will not see him, he sulks for days. -adv. sulkily; -adj. sulky.
sullen
sullen
  1. adj.
    1 showing irritation or resentment by being silent and withdrawn: When the group voted against his plan, he became sullen.
    2 dark and gloomy: a sullen sky
sulphur
sulphur
  1. n.var. of sulfur
sultan
sultan
  1. n. a hereditary ruler of a Muslim country: the Sultan of Morocco -n. sultanate.
sultry
sultry
  1. adj. -trier, -triest
    1 (of the weather) hot and humid: sultry weather
    2 (of persons) erotic, sexy: a sultry woman
sum
sum
  1. n.
    1 the total reached by adding together numbers, things, or amounts: The sum of our revenues is greater than the sum of our expenses.
    2 an amount of money: They spent quite a sum for that house.
    3 the sum and total: the totality of s.t.: The company has put the sum and total of all of its efforts into this new program.v. [T] summed, summing, sums
    1 to give the total of: He summed the last row of numbers and then quit for the day.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to sum s.t. up: to summarize, to finish, esp. a speech: I would like to sum up my presentation by saying that we need to cut costs and increase sales.||I'd like to sum it up.
summarize
summarize
  1. v. [I;T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes
    1 to give a summary: He summarized a long report by giving its main ideas.
    2 to finish, conclude: a speaker who summarizes her talk by reviewing its main points
    THESAURUS
    summarize
    1 to condense
    2 to sum up s.t.
summary
summary
  1. n. -ries a brief statement of the most important features (ideas, facts, actions, etc.) of an event or a work: He wrote a summary of his book to send to a publisher.adj.
    1 brief, quick: She gave a summary report on her findings.
    2 hasty, rushed, and without proper care: He was given only summary justice.
    THESAURUS
    summary n. an abstract, a synopsis. —adj.
    1 short, perfunctory.
summation
summation
  1. n.frml.
    1 a conclusion: the summation of a speech
    2 a summary: a summation of the main points
summer
summer
  1. n. [C;U] the warm season between spring and autumn: The gardens are beautiful in the summer.v. [I] to locate during the summer months: Our family summers in New England. -adj. summery.
summerhouse
summerhouse
  1. n. a vacation home used mainly in the summertime: Our friends have a summerhouse by the seashore.
summertime
summertime
  1. n. [U] the warm months of June, July, and August in the northern hemisphere: Schoolchildren enjoy the summertime.
summit
summit
  1. n.
    1 the top of a mountain: When they reached the mountain summit, they planted a flag in the snow.
    2 the highest point or part, (syns.) peak, pinnacle: She has reached the summit of her career.
    3 summit conference: a meeting of heads of state: Next year, the summit conference will be held in Vienna.
summitry
summitry
  1. n. [U] the art of managing international relations through high-level (summit) conferences: The President's assistant was a master of summitry.
summon
summon
  1. v. [T]
    1 to call or send for: My partner summoned me over to talk with him.
    2 to issue an official order to appear somewhere or to perform an act: The king summoned the nobles to Versailles.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to summon (s.t.) up: to gather or call forth from one's character: She had to summon up all her courage before talking to her boss.||She summoned it up.
summons
summons
  1. n. -es an order to appear in a court of law: We received a summons to appear in court on Monday.
    THESAURUS
    summons a subpoena | demand (that s.o. do s.t.).
sumptuous
sumptuous
  1. adj. expensive, luxurious: a sumptuous party (meal, social affair, etc.)
sun
sun
  1. n.
    1 [C] the star around which the Earth and other planets revolve and draw light, heat, and energy: The sun rises every morning and sets every evening.
    2 [U] the heat and light of the sun: Have fun at the beach, but don't get too much sun.v. [I;T] sunned, sunning, suns to bathe in the sunlight: She loved to sun herself on the beach.
sunbathe
sunbathe
  1. v. [I] -bathed, -bathing, -bathes to expose oneself to the sun's rays: On vacation, we sunbathe on the beach. -n. [U] sunbathing.
sunburn
sunburn
  1. n. the painful, reddened, sometimes blistering condition of the skin caused by overexposure to the sun: She fell asleep on the beach and had a bad case of sunburn. -adj. sunburned; sunburnt.
sundae
sundae
  1. n. a dish of ice cream topped with syrup and delicacies, such as chopped nuts and cherries: I'll have a hot fudge sundae with vanilla ice cream, please.
sundown
sundown
  1. n. sunset: After sundown, there is still about a half-hour of light left when the sky is clear.
sundry
sundry
  1. adj.n. -dries various, miscellaneous: The store carries sundry items from souvenirs, caps, and scarves to pens and postcards.
sunflower
sunflower
  1. n. a long-stemmed plant with large flowers of golden petals surrounding dark brown edible seeds noted as well for their oil: Our sunflowers grew taller than the corn.
sunglasses
sunglasses
  1. n.pl. eyeglasses with colored lenses designed to shield the eyes from the harmful rays of the sun: In California, nearly everyone wears sunglasses.
sunk
sunk
  1. adj.infrml. & past part. of sink, in big trouble, beyond help, a failure: The company is bankrupt and has fired everyone; it is sunk.||I forgot my car keys and now I'm sunk.
sunken
sunken
  1. adj. & past part. of sink, submerged: a search for sunken treasure
sunlight
sunlight
  1. n. [U] the natural light of the sun: The sunlight lasts about 12 hours in September.||Let's move out of the shade and into the sunlight where it's warm.
sunlit
sunlit
  1. adj. filled with sunlight: Her kitchen is a lovely, sunlit room.
sunny
sunny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest
    1 brightly lit with sunlight: She showed me to the sunny greenhouse.||a sunny room in the house
    2 cheerful: a person with a sunny disposition
    THESAURUS
    sunny
    1 sunlit. Ant. dim.
    2 smiling, optimistic. Ant. gloomy.
sunrise
sunrise
  1. n. [C;U] the moment when the sun appears in the east: The sunrise glows in a bright orange color on clear days.
    THESAURUS
    sunrise dawn, sunup.
sunscreen
sunscreen
  1. n. [U] a skin cream that blocks the harmful rays of the sun: Many people use sunscreen to protect themselves from skin cancer.
sunset
sunset
  1. n. [C;U] the moment when the sun disappears in the west: At day's end, we watched the many colors of the sunset.
    THESAURUS
    sunset sundown, nightfall.
sunshine
sunshine
  1. n. [U] sunlight: Most plants like plenty of sunshine.
suntan
suntan
  1. n. [U] the browning (or darkening) of the skin due to exposure to sunlight: She went to the beach to get a suntan.
sunup
sunup
  1. n. [U] sunrise, the moment when the sun rises in the east: We love to travel and get going each day at sunup.
superb
superb
  1. adj. wonderful, first-class: The designer did a superb job on the artwork for that project.
supercilious
supercilious
  1. adj. acting as if superior to others, snobbish,
    THESAURUS
    arrogant: He thought himself a genius and had a supercilious smile. -adv. superciliously.
superficial
superficial
  1. adj.
    1 on the surface only; not deep: He gave us a superficial overview of the project.
    2 lacking in serious thought, limited in understanding: Her knowledge of the subject is very superficial.
superfluous
superfluous
  1. adj. more than is needed or wanted: He worked so well that my help was superfluous.
superhighway
superhighway
  1. n. (in the USA) a wide, divided highway with two or more lanes in either direction, usu. leading from one region or state to another: You can drive fast on a superhighway.
superhuman
superhuman
  1. adj. extraordinary, beyond the strength or ability of ordinary people: He had a superhuman ability to work long hours.
superintend
superintend
  1. v. [T] to watch over, manage, direct: They asked her to superintend the ceremony.
superintendent
superintendent
  1. n.
    1 person who manages or directs a large project or public service organization: the superintendent of schools/public works
    2 the person in charge of a large (esp. apartment) building: I lost my key, so the superintendent opened the building for me.
    THESAURUS
    superintendent
    1 a head, chief administrator
    2 a custodian, super.
superior
superior
  1. n. a person who is higher in rank or importance: My superiors in the company have requested that I cut costs.adj.
    1 better (than); above average; of high quality: Our product is superior to our competitor's.||That is superior work.
    2 of higher rank or position: her superior officer
    3 giving the impression that one is better than others: She acts superior because she is proud and rich.
superior court
superior court
  1. n. (in the USA) a court of law of general jurisdiction, superior to the lower courts, yet below the courts of appeal: Our company filed a lawsuit in superior court against patent infringement.
superiority
superiority
  1. n. [U] a superior position; the state of being better than others: Our product (team, position, legal case, etc.) has superiority over our competitor's.
superlative
superlative
  1. n.
    1 (in grammar) the highest degree of comparison of an adjective or adverb: "Best" is the superlative of "good."
    2 a descriptive word in the superlative form: The critic used superlatives to describe the new movie.adj. of the highest quality: He said that the set designer did a superlative job. See: comparative.
supermarket
supermarket
  1. n. a large self-service store offering food and general household items: We go shopping at the supermarket every Thursday.
supernatural
supernatural
  1. adj. beyond nature; spiritual; not explained by science or natural laws: Ghosts are supernatural.n. the supernatural: the world of spirits or events beyond our knowledge of the natural world: He believes that the supernatural is visible to some people.
superpower
superpower
  1. n.adj. a country with great military and economic power: The superpowers held a meeting to promote cooperation.
supersede
supersede
  1. v. [T] -seded, -seding, -sedes to replace an old or existing version or model of s.t. with a new or better one: This fancy new washing machine supersedes that old one.
supersonic
supersonic
  1. adj. faster than the speed of sound: a supersonic airplane
superstar
superstar
  1. n. a performer, such as a movie star, singer, or athlete, who is very famous: There were lots of superstars at the rock concert.
superstition
superstition
  1. n.
    1 [U] the belief in magical or supernatural beings and events: His mind is filled with superstition.
    2 [C] a story that relies on such a belief: There is a superstition in that village that the house is haunted by ghosts.
superstitious
superstitious
  1. adj. believing in, influenced by, or caused by superstitions: a superstitious tale (old man, fear)
superstructure
superstructure
  1. n. s.t. built on top of s.t. else: The storm blew off the superstructure of the lighthouse tower.
supervise
supervise
  1. v. [I;T] -vised, -vising, -vises to watch over the activity of others to maintain order and discipline: She supervises a bookkeeping department of 20 employees.||He supervised the children at the playground.
    THESAURUS
    supervise to manage, oversee, run.
supervision
supervision
  1. n. [U] the activity of supervising: She is responsible for the supervision of new employees.
supervisor
supervisor
  1. n. a person who supervises others and their work: a supervisor of a manufacturing operation
    THESAURUS
    supervisor a manager, an overseer, foreman.
supervisory
supervisory
  1. adj. related to supervision: supervisory duties
supper
supper
  1. n. [C;U] the evening meal: At our house, we have supper at 7:00 P.M.
supplant
supplant
  1. v. [T] to take the place of, to replace s.o., often as if by force or deception: After the election, all the department heads were supplanted by their political enemies.
supple
supple
  1. adj. pliant, easily bent: Dancers have supple limbs and their costumes are made of supple material.
supplement
supplement
  1. n.
    1 something added to an existing thing to complete or improve it: One year after we made our report, we had to add a supplement to cover new events.
    2 an extra part of s.t.: a newspaper supplementv. [T] to make an addition or additions to: He supplemented his income by taking a night job.
supplemental
supplemental
  1. adj. additional: She has a supplemental income from interest on savings.
supplementary
supplementary
  1. adj.
    1 additional, extra
    2 temporary, provisional: The government had to take supplementary action to avoid a budget crisis.
supplier
supplier
  1. n. a business that supplies goods or services to a purchaser: Our company has many suppliers who provide (sell) everything from office supplies, furniture, to cleaning services.
supply
supply
  1. v. [T] -plied, -plying, -plies to give or provide s.t. needed: They supplied guns to the revolutionaries.n.[C;U]
    1 a quantity of goods: We need a supply of pens because we are out of them.
    2 a system for supplying or delivering goods or services: Their water supply is old and filled with leaks.n.pl. supplies: a quantity of goods of a specific kind necessary for an operation: That farm buys its supplies of feed and grain from the local feed store.
supply and demand
supply and demand
  1. n. [U] (in economics) the relation between the amount of products and services available at certain prices and the demand for them: The supply of diamonds is limited and the demand for them is high, so by the law of supply and demand, their prices are high.
support
support
  1. v. [T]
    1 to hold up or bear the weight of: a beam that supports a ceiling
    2 to provide the money for necessities of life: She supports her family by working two jobs.
    3 to contribute to; to encourage and assist by giving money to or working for: We support our local hospital by giving blood regularly.
    4 to agree with, advocate, or express loyalty to: He supports our efforts to end hunger in the world.n.
    1 [C] s.t. that holds up or bears the weight of s.t. else: If you take away the supports, the wall will fall down.||(fig.) She is his sole support in life.
    2 [U] the act of supporting s.t.: Can we have your support at the next meeting?
    3 [U] money to buy the necessities of life: When he lost his job, he was suddenly without support.
    4 [U] moral, emotional, or financial assistance: Her family always gave her lots of support.
support group
support group
  1. n. a group of people who help each other through difficult times: Divorced parents can find support groups to help them cope with being a single parent.
supporter
supporter
  1. n. a person or group that provides support: The politician's supporters held a dinner in his honor.
    THESAURUS
    supporter an advocate, a promoter, booster.
supportive
supportive
  1. adj. helpful to another person, sympathetic: a person with a supportive spouse
suppose
suppose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses
    1 to assume or imagine as if true; to consider possible: Do you suppose he left late and got caught in traffic?||Let's suppose that our plan fails—then what shall we do?
    2 to believe, conclude, or think (often with uncertainty): She supposed she should go visit her mother.
    3 to be supposed to: a. to be expected or required by custom, law, duty, or personal obligation: We are supposed to meet her at the train station.||You are supposed to pay income taxes. b. (in the negative) not to be allowed to: You are not supposed to drive on the left side of the road.
supposedly
supposedly
  1. adv. as it seems, so it is assumed: They will supposedly arrive in time for dinner.
supposing
supposing
  1. conj. if, assuming that: Supposing we do buy the house, how much will our monthly payments be?
supposition
supposition
  1. n.
    1 [U] an imaginary proposition or speculation,
    THESAURUS
    hypothesis: Just as a supposition, let's assume that he agrees to the deal; how do we proceed?
    2 [C] a guess: He may agree, but that is only a supposition on your part.
suppress
suppress
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to use force to hold down, defeat, or eliminate another force, activity, or thought: The army suppressed the rebel peasants.
    2 to conceal or keep from being seen or heard: She suppressed the police report to save his reputation. -n. [U] suppression.
supremacy
supremacy
  1. n. [U]
    1 dominance: a corporation that seeks supremacy in its marketplace
    2 sovereignty: the supremacy of law in governing society
    3 preeminence: the supremacy of reason in guiding action
supreme
supreme
  1. adj. 1 highest in rank, authority, or power: the Supreme Court||a Supreme Being
    2 of the highest quality: This is a supreme work of art.
    3 greatest or most extreme: She made a supreme effort to be polite.
surcharge
surcharge
  1. n. an amount added to the regular cost of a product or service to cover special conditions: I had to pay a surcharge on my plane ticket because my baggage weighed too much.v. [T] -charged, -charging, -charges to add a surcharge
sure
sure
  1. adj.
    1 (of persons) without doubt, confident, positive: I'm perfectly sure that he will be here for dinner.||She isn't sure what to do about the leak in her roof.
    2 (of events) certain, bound to be: The reelection of the President is by no means a sure thing.||It is sure to be hot in July.
    3 reliable, dependable: I think you have found the sure solution to our problems.||Before I walk on it, is this bridge sure?||All the data in this report are absolutely sure.
    4 okay, fine, yes: "Would you like coffee?" "Sure."
    5 be sure to: don't forget or fail to: Be sure to lock the door before you leave.
    6 make sure (of/that): a. to confirm or find out for certain (as by checking the facts): You'd better make sure of those statements you're making. b. to make definite (as by settling the details) as in a plan: I had my secretary make sure that all our papers are in order.
    7 sure of oneself: confident in one's abilities: To succeed in business, you must be sure of yourself.
    8 sure thing: certain to be successful: This new software program is a sure thing.
    9 to be sure: indeed, of course: To be sure, this project will require a lot of patience and hard work.adv.
    1 certainly: This sure is a great dinner.||Sure you can!
    2 for sure: definitely, you can bet on it: This is going to be a great party, for sure.
    3 sure enough: as expected: Sure enough, everything turned out okay.
surefire
surefire
  1. adj.infrml. sure to work as expected; certain, definite: That product will be a surefire success.
surely
surely
  1. adv.
    1 certainly, without doubt: Surely, you don't believe that nonsense.||We will surely be glad to see you.
    2 slowly but surely: steadily, dependably, with definite progress: Slowly but surely, we are improving our services (product, performance, standard of living, etc.).
surf
surf
  1. n. [U] ocean waves as they approach and break on a shore creating rolling banks of water topped by white foam and spray: At the beach, children played in the surf.v.
    1 [I] to ride the ocean's waves as they break in approaching the shore, esp. while standing on a narrow board (surfboard): She went to California to surf.
    2 (in computers) to surf the Net/the Web: to search from place to place on the Internet for interesting information: I surfed the Net for five hours yesterday. -n. [U] surfing; surfer.
surface
surface
  1. n.
    1 the outside layer of an object: Rocks found on the beach usually have a smooth surface.
    2 the flat top level of s.t.: the surface of a table (a pond, a mirror)
    3 outward appearance: On the surface, that looks like a good car, but the engine is bad.
    4 to skim the surface: to treat superficially: The solution that you propose only skims the surface of the problem.v. -faced, -facing, -faces
    1 [I] to rise to the surface: We saw two whales surface and then dive back into the ocean.
    2 [I] to appear: That problem surfaced when our mechanic examined the car.
    3 [T] to cover a road with asphalt or paving material: They surfaced the new road last week.
surfboard
surfboard
  1. n. a long, narrow board used for the sport of surfing
surge
surge
  1. n.
    1 a strong forward or upward movement, like a wave: The boat was rocked by the surge of the sea.
    2 a sudden, powerful increase of energy, motion, or emotion: She felt a surge of pleasure when she saw him coming.v. [I] surged, surging, surges
    1 to push forward in strong waves: A crowd of people surged toward the train platform.||The ship surged in the ocean waves.
    2 to rise suddenly or strongly: Trading activity surged in the stock market.
surgeon
surgeon
  1. n. a doctor who performs surgery: The surgeon operated on my broken leg last week.
surgery
surgery
  1. n. [C;U] -ies the medical practice of treating injuries and disease by operating on the body: My friend went into surgery today to have a growth on his arm removed.
surgical
surgical
  1. adj. related to surgery: The nurse placed the doctor's surgical tools by the operating table.
surly
surly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest rude and hostile in manner or attitude: Surly young men gathered on the street corner, looking for trouble.
surmise
surmise
  1. n. a reasonable guess: Her surmise about the weather turned out wrong.v. [T] -mised, -mising, -mises to make a reasonable guess: After seeing that the room was empty, he surmised that the party was over.
surmount
surmount
  1. v. [T] to overcome: The company has surmounted some difficult problems and is now doing well.
surpass
surpass
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to exceed or go beyond: Profits surpassed those of last year.
    2 to do better than: The runner surpassed his old record by ten seconds.
surplus
surplus
  1. n. -es an amount more than what is needed or used: When the party was over, we had a surplus of beer and wine.adj. extra, too much: The farmer's surplus wheat had to be sold at a loss.
surprise
surprise
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an unexpected event that causes a mild feeling of wonder or shock: The court's decision was a surprise to us.
    2 the mild feeling of wonder or shock caused by an unexpected event: I felt a surprise when I heard he was gone.adj. unexpected or unannounced: a surprise birthday partyv. [T] -prised, -prising, -prises
    1 to cause or create a surprise: He surprised us by saying that he was leaving the company.
    2 to feel a sense of surprise: She was surprised to find him at home.
    3 to encounter unexpectedly: Last night he surprised a burglar in the office.
surreal
surreal
  1. adj. strange, dreamlike, unreal: The movie had a surreal segment in which all the characters wore strange masks. -adj. surrealistic.
surrealism
surrealism
  1. n. [U] a modern style of art based on the logic and experience of dreams
surrender
surrender
  1. v.
    1 [I] to concede defeat: an army that surrenders to its enemy
    2 [T] to give up possession of s.t.: an army that surrendered its rifles
    3 [I] to give into the demands of s.o.: The kidnapper came out of the house with his hands up after the police threatened to kill him; he surrendered.n. [U] the act of surrendering: The terrorist's surrender was a relief to everyone.
surreptitious
surreptitious
  1. adj.frml. done secretly to avoid discovery: He made a surreptitious attempt to leave town.
surrogate
surrogate
  1. n. a person who acts in place of another, a substitute: When the little girl's mother died, her aunt became a surrogate for her mother. -adj. surrogate.
surround
surround
  1. v. [T] to extend all around: The stone wall surrounds our house.||The ski resort is surrounded by mountains.
    THESAURUS
    surround to encircle, enclose, ring.
surrounding
surrounding
  1. adj. extending around, nearby: The surrounding countryside is very pretty.
surroundings
surroundings
  1. n.pl. everything around or about the place or area in which one is located: She lives in a pleasant neighborhood and enjoys her surroundings.
    THESAURUS
    surroundings home, neighborhood | environment, scenery.
surtax
surtax
  1. n. -es an extra tax added to a tax, usu. as a percentage: The city imposed a surtax to pay for the new school.
surveillance
surveillance
  1. n. [U] a close watch kept on s.o. suspected of doing wrong: The police have a suspected criminal under surveillance.
survey
survey
  1. v. [T]
    1 to take a wide view of an entire area: She surveyed the room, looking for s.o. she knew.
    2 to examine the condition of s.t. (a situation, building, project): He surveyed his finances before buying a new car.
    3 to make a precise map of an area: Engineers surveyed the land before starting to build the highway.
    4 to examine the opinions of a group of people by asking them a question or a set of questions and recording their answers: The news agency surveyed voters about the proposed taxes.n.
    1 the act of surveying
    2 a general view or examination of a place or condition: Our survey of the company showed that it was in trouble.
    3 the act of mapping an area, or the map itself: He had a survey of the land done before he bought it.
    4 a set of questions designed to measure the opinions of a group of people: She prepared a survey about immigration.
survival
survival
  1. n.
    1 [U] the ability to continue to exist or live: The poor man's survival depends on the help of others.||They prayed for the survival of the sailors.
    2 [C] s.t. that has continued to live or exist beyond its original conditions: These books are survivals of earlier centuries.
    3 survival of the fittest: the idea that those living things best able to adapt to changes in the world are those most likely to survive
survive
survive
  1. v. [I;T] -vived, -viving, -vives
    1 to continue to live or exist, esp. for a long time or under hard conditions: This tree has survived for many years.
    2 to outlast adversity or a threat to existence: She was lucky to survive the plane crash.
    THESAURUS
    survive
    1 to endure, persist. Ants. to perish | die out.
    2 to live through s.t. Ant. to die.
survivor
survivor
  1. n.
    1 a person who survives a life-threatening event: a survivor of a car crash
    2 a person who is able to live through hard times: Don't worry about him—he's a survivor!
susceptible
susceptible
  1. adj.
    1 susceptible to: a. easily influenced or affected by: a child who is susceptible to disease b. easily moved by the feelings of others, sensitive: Children are very susceptible to their parents.
    2 susceptible of: capable of being treated in a certain way or producing a certain result: This metal is susceptible of a high polish.||These calculations are susceptible of error.
suspect
suspect
  1. v. [T]
    1 to have an uncertain belief or expectation about the likelihood of s.t.: I suspect that rain is going to spoil our picnic.
    2 to think that s.o. is guilty of s.t.: I suspect him of stealing the money.
    3 to have doubts about the truth or value of s.t.: They suspected his testimony because he had lied before.adj. doubtful, questionable: His story is suspect because it contains many factual errors.n. a person suspected of guilt: That man is the prime suspect in a murder.
suspend
suspend
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to hang from a point so as to allow free movement: In the museum hallway, many large banners were suspended from the ceiling.
    2 [I;T] to stop or delay for a period of time; to interrupt, postpone, or withhold: They suspended the game because of the rain.
    3 [T] to take away s.o.'s right to belong to or participate in a group, or to enjoy certain rights and privileges, esp. because of misbehavior, failure to pay dues, violation of rules, etc.: He was suspended from school for smoking.||My driver's license was suspended for speeding.
suspenders
suspenders
  1. n.pl. straps worn over the shoulders to hold up men's pants, used instead of a belt: Many men wear suspenders, because they are more comfortable than belts.
suspense
suspense
  1. n. [U] a state or feeling of anxiety and tension caused by uncertain expectations: That action movie created a lot of suspense.||He was in suspense about the birth of his first child. -adj. suspenseful.
suspension
suspension
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act of suspending or state of being suspended: She said her suspension from school was unfair.
    2 [C;U] a support system in automobiles that absorbs shocks from the road: Your car is uncomfortable because the suspension is old.
    3 suspension bridge: a bridge that is supported by cables suspended from high towers
suspicion
suspicion
  1. n.
    1 [U] a. the act or condition of suspecting: He treated her with suspicion after he learned about her past. b. the state of being suspected: She is under suspicion of having lied to the police.
    2 [U] feelings of doubt and distrust: His odd behavior fills me with suspicion.
    3 [C] an uncertain feeling of belief or disbelief based on limited evidence: I have a suspicion that he will be the best employee we ever hired.
    THESAURUS
    suspicion 1a and 2 wariness, mistrust
    3 a hunch.
suspicious
suspicious
  1. adj.
    1 having suspicions, distrustful of others: He is suspicious of everyone who disagrees with him.
    2 causing suspicions, appearing as if guilty or worthy of distrust: She was very bothered by her husband's suspicious behavior.
    THESAURUS
    suspicious
    1 wary, distrusting. Ant. trusting.
    2 questionable, dishonest. Ant. aboveboard.
sustain
sustain
  1. v. [T]
    1 to keep in existence by providing support, strength, or necessities: This poor diet is not enough to sustain the population in this country.
    2 to keep up or maintain an activity: Do you think we can sustain our commitment to delivering the newspapers on time?
    3 to suffer or endure: The passengers sustained severe wounds from the train crash.
sustenance
sustenance
  1. n.frml. [U] anything that gives support, endurance, or strength, including food: His daily walk by the ocean gave him the sustenance to live.
swab
swab
  1. n.
    1 a mop used to clean floors, decks, walls, etc.: She made a swab with a towel and a stick to clean the bathroom.
    2 a piece of absorbent material used to clean, apply medicine to, or take specimens from the body: The nurse cleaned my wound with a swab.v. [T] swabbed, swabbing, swabs to wipe or clean with a swab: She swabbed my arm before inserting the needle.
swagger
swagger
  1. v. [I] to walk in a selfimportant manner,
    THESAURUS
    to strut: After their team won the game, all the boys swaggered like movie stars.
swamp
swamp
  1. n. soft, wet land with dense vegetation: Swamps are filled with natural wildlife. -adj. swampy.v. [T]
    1 to flood with water: The storm caused high tides that swamped our boat.
    2 fig.to overwhelm: Our new product was so popular that we were swamped with work.
swan
swan
  1. n. a large water bird, usu. all white or all black, with a long, graceful neck: Children love to feed the swans in the pond near the park.
swan song
swan song
  1. n.infrml.fig. a person's last (and sometimes finest) act or performance before retirement or death: Just before the rock musician died, he gave one last concert as his swan song.
swanky
swanky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest expensively stylish: He dined only in swanky restaurants.
swap
swap
  1. v. [I;T] swapped, swapping, swaps to trade one thing for another: I swapped my bicycle for a guitar with a friend.n. an instance of swapping: The bicycle and the guitar both cost the same; so it was an even swap.
    THESAURUS
    swap v. to exchange, barter | switch. —n. a trade, an exchange.
swarm
swarm
  1. n.
    1 a large number of insects or birds flying in a shapeless mass: A swarm of bees passed over the field like a cloud.
    2 fig. a crowd of people: A swarm of football fans filled the street. v.
    1 [I] to move in a crowd: Students swarmed into the auditorium.
    2 [I;T] to be crowded: The station was swarming with commuters running for trains.
swarthy
swarthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having a dark skin: Many people from that country have swarthy complexions.
swat
swat
  1. v. [T] swatted, swatting, swats to strike with a flat object or the hand: She swatted the flies with an old newspaper.n. an act of swatting: He gave his dog a swat to keep it from barking.
swatch
swatch
  1. n. a sample of material, usu. of cloth: The designer had swatches of drapery to choose from.
swathe
swathe
  1. v. [T] swathed, swathing, swathes to wrap in bandages or blankets: She gave her baby a bath and swathed him in soft linen.
sway
sway
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to move back and forth, to rock: The trees swayed in the strong breeze.
    2 [T] to influence, persuade: He tried to sway my opinion in favor of the new immigration laws.n. [U]
    1 a swaying movement: the sway of the boat tipped me over.
    2 authority, power: A dangerous tyrant holds sway in the country.
swear
swear
  1. v. swore , sworn , swearing, swears
    1 [I] to curse, use offensive language: He swears when he is angry.
    2 [I;T] to say strongly: She swore she would never go out with him again.
    3 [I;T] to declare or promise when taking an oath: We swore to be loyal forever.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to swear by s.t.: to believe in, trust: She swears by eating raw garlic to stay healthy.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to swear s.o. in: to take an oath before beginning an elected position: The judge swore in the new governor.||He swore her in.
    THESAURUS
    swear
    1 to use dirty language, be foulmouthed
    2 to declare
    3 to pledge.
sweat
sweat
  1. n.
    1 [U] a salty moisture produced by the body through the skin when it is overheated: The runner's sweat soaked through his shirt.
    2 [C] the condition of being covered in sweat from exertion or effort: She worked up a sweat in the gym.||He broke into a sweat from pushing his car.
    3 usu.sing. [C] a state of worry or anxiety: We were in a sweat because we were late for the plane.
    4 slang no sweat: without worry or difficulty: I told him that his job would be done on time, no sweat.v.
    1 [I] to produce sweat from heat, exertion, or hard work: She was sweating from working in her garden.
    2 [I] to work hard: He sweat for long hours writing that report.
    3 to make s.o. sweat: to make s.o. wait anxiously for an opinion or judgment: She made him sweat before she gave him an answer to his question.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to sweat s.t. out: to wait anxiously for s.t. to happen: While his wife was in the hospital, he sweated out her illness at home.||He sweated it out.
sweat suit
sweat suit
  1. n. sportswear covering the torso and legs: She wears a sweat suit when she jogs.
sweater
sweater
  1. n. a garment with or without sleeves worn over the upper body and made of wool, cotton, or other fabric: In winter, he wears a wool sweater over his shirt.
    THESAURUS
    sweater a cardigan, pullover.
sweatshirt
sweatshirt
  1. n. a loose-fitting cotton garment with long sleeves, worn over the upper body for sports and leisure: He dresses casually in a sweatshirt and jeans.
sweatshop
sweatshop
  1. n. a factory or shop where laborers work hard for long hours and low wages
sweep
sweep
  1. v. swept , sweeping, sweeps
    1 [I;T] to clear a surface (such as a floor or wall) of dirt, dust, or other matter using a broom or brush: She was sweeping the kitchen floor.||He swept the dust off his desk.
    2 [I] to move forcefully or quickly over or through: The wind swept through the trees.||The waves swept over the beach.
    3 [I] to extend in a curve over a broad area: The road sweeps along the coastline.
    4 [I;T] to pass over as if in search of s.t.: The beacon light swept the night sky.
    5 [I] to move through an area with grace or power: The president swept into the room where we were waiting.
    6 [T] (in sports) to win completely (each contest in a series, or all places in a race): Our team swept the championship games.||Their team swept the mile run.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to sweep s.t. up: to clean, collect s.t. by sweeping: Please sweep up the sand on the floor.||Please sweep it up.n.
    1 an act of sweeping: This street needs a good sweep.
    2 a long, smooth movement of the hand or arm: He pushed away the books with one broad sweep.
    3 a long, curving stretch of land: The sweep of mountains extended for miles.
    4 a search: The police made a sweep of the neighborhood.
    5 (to make) a clean sweep: a. to clear away everything to allow for a new start: After the election, they made a clean sweep of the government offices. b. to win everything: He made a clean sweep of his tennis matches.
sweeper
sweeper
  1. n. a person or thing that sweeps: a chimney sweeper||a street sweeper
sweeping
sweeping
  1. adj.
    1 broad, extensive, far-reaching: The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.
    2 overreaching, too general: His sweeping remarks offended many people.
sweepstakes
sweepstakes
  1. n.pl. a race or contest in which the entire prize goes to the winner: He won the sweepstakes and became very rich.
sweet
sweet
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 having a taste like sugar or honey: This ice cream is very sweet.
    2 pleasing, delightful: She gave me a sweet smile when I arrived.
    3 fresh, clean: These flowers have a sweet smell.
    4 charming, attractive: She fell in love with a sweet guy.
    5 to be sweet on s.o.: to be fond of: He is sweet on her.n. a piece or portion of something sweet to eat, such as candy or chocolates: Would you like a sweet for dessert?||No, thank you, I don't eat sweets.
    THESAURUS
    sweet adj.
    1 sugary
    2 warm, appealing
    3 aromatic
    4 genial, warm.
sweet talk
sweet talk
  1. n. [U]
    1 affectionate talk between lovers: His phone calls to his girlfriend are full of sweet talk.
    2 smooth, but empty persuasion: Don't let him fool you with sweet talk. sweet-talk v. [I;T]
    1 to speak in sweet talk: He sweet-talks her all the time.
    2 to flatter, persuade: She sweet-talked him into buying her a diamond ring.
sweeten
sweeten
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to make or become sweet: I sweeten my cereal with honey.
    2 [T] to make a business deal or offer more attractive by adding more money or benefits: She sweetened the deal by offering him a bonus.
sweetener
sweetener
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a sweet substance, such as sugar or syrup for making food or drink taste sweet: They say this sweetener is better for your health than sugar.
    2 [C] additional money or advantages in a business arrangement: to add a sweetener to the deal
sweetheart
sweetheart
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who is loved with tender affection and feels the same: They have been sweethearts for many years.
    2 a person who is kind and cheerful to everyone: She's a sweetheart and has no enemies.
    3 a term of endearment
sweetie
sweetie
  1. n.infrml. (a term of endearment) sweetheart See: honey, USAGE NOTE.
swell
swell
  1. v. [I;T] swelled, swollen , swelling, swells
    1 to enlarge or expand in size, usu. from absorbing fluids: I twisted my ankle and it swelled up.||The wet weather caused the window frames to swell.
    2 to fill out into a rounded shape: the sheets on the clothesline swelled in the wind.
    3 fig. to fill up with: He swelled with pride at his daughter's wedding.||The noise of the crowd swelled as the star came on stage.n. a long, unbroken wave on the ocean: The ocean swells gently rocked the boat.adj.exclam. excellent!, wonderful!: What a swell day to go to the beach!
swelling
swelling
  1. n. [U] enlargement usu. caused by injury or disease: The swelling in my sprained ankle has gone down.
sweltering
sweltering
  1. adj. very hot and humid (weather, climate, etc.): She loves the sweltering heat of the tropics.
swerve
swerve
  1. v. [I] n. swerved, swerving, swerves to turn suddenly and rapidly: I swerved to avoid a child that ran in front of my car.
swift
swift
  1. adj. -er, -est quick, rapid: The artist drew my portrait with a few swift movements of his pencil. -adv. swiftly.
swim
swim
  1. v. swam , swum , swimming, swims
    1 [I] to move through water by moving parts of the body (legs, arms, fins, tails): He swam across the river and back again.
    2 [T] to go a certain distance or across a body of water by swimming: She swam a mile yesterday.
    3 [I] to be covered with or floating in a liquid: The scallops were swimming in a white wine sauce.
    4 [I] to feel confused, off balance, dizzy: He had too much to drink, and his head was swimming.
    5 to sink or swim: to do what is necessary to survive: This company must stop losing money or go out of business; it's sink or swim.
    6 to swim against the tide or current: to go against the common trends: People who want more leisure time are swimming against the tide; we're all working more.n. the act of swimming: Let's go for a swim.
swimming
swimming
  1. n. [U] the act, recreation, and water sport of those who swim: We like to go swimming in the summer.
swimsuit
swimsuit
  1. n. a bathing suit: She put her swimsuit in the suitcase to go on vacation.
swindle
swindle
  1. v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles to cheat s.o. out of money or property: He swindled the old couple out of their life's savings.n.
    1 an act of swindling
    2 a false promise that deceives: That insurance policy is a swindle, because the company did not pay for my car repair. -n. swindler.
swine
swine
  1. n. swine
    1 a pig
    2 fig. an ill-mannered and unethical person: Only a swine would steal from children.
swing
swing
  1. v. swung , swinging, swings
    1 [I;T] to move forward and backward in an arc, or around in a circle, while attached to a fixed point: The boy loved to swing from tree branches.||The policeman was swinging his keys on a keychain.||When the wind blew, the door swung shut.
    2 [I;T] to turn around quickly: She swung around when he called her name.||I swung the car around and headed north.
    3 [I] (of music) to play with a lively rhythm: This music really swings.
    4 [I] to ride on a swing: Children love to swing as high as they can go.
    5 [I;T] to try to hit s.t. with an extended, arching movement of the arm, a stick, a baseball bat, etc.: He swung at the ball and knocked it over the fence.n.
    1 [C;U] a swinging movement: She has a slight swing in her walk.||He took a swing at his father, but he missed.
    2 [C] a seat suspended on ropes or chains that hang from a framework, tree branch, etc. and allow the seat to sway forward and backward: Children play on the swings in the park.
    3 [C] a passing movement through an area: Let's take a swing through town to see if anything is going on.
    4 [C] a large shift in mood, atmosphere, opinion, etc.: She goes through these mood swings when her husband is out of town.
    5 in full swing: in full operation, at peak activity: The party didn't get into full swing until after midnight.
swinging
swinging
  1. adj.
    1 socially active and exciting: We had a swinging time in town last night.
    2 free-spirited and casual, esp. regarding sex -n. swinger.
swipe
swipe
  1. n. a broad, swinging stroke with the arm in an attempt to hit s.t.: He took a swipe at the apples hanging from a tree.v. swiped, swiping, swipes
    1 [I;T] (to try) to hit with a broad stroke: He swiped at the ball with all his strength.
    2 [T] infrml. to steal: The children swiped all the candy from the jar.
swirl
swirl
  1. v. [I;T] to move in a twisting and turning motion: The dancers swirled across the ballroom floor.n.
    1 a swirling movement: The swirl of water around her feet made the little girl laugh.
    2 a twisting or turning shape: swirls of hair||swirls of smoke
swish
swish
  1. v. -es
    1 [I] to move through air or water swiftly, creating the sound of blow-ing wind or streaming water: The taxis swished by us in the rain.
    2 [T] to move back and forth with a brushing or sweeping motion: The horse swished its tail to get rid of the flies.n. a hissing or rustling sound: The swish of a lady's silk gown broke the silence of the library.
switch
switch
  1. n. -es
    1 a device for turning on (or off) the electrical current that runs an appliance or machine, such as a light, computer, television, etc.: Can you show me where the switch is on the TV?||This switch turns on the hall lights.
    2 a device that directs trains from one track to another: If the switch is closed, the train cannot go on the other track.
    3 a shift or change: There was a switch in the schedule, so we met in the morning instead of the afternoon.
    4 a thin, flexible stick used to drive horses or cattle: The boy made a switch from the branch of a cherry tree.v. -es
    1 [I] to use a switch: She switched on the light.
    2 [I;T] to change or exchange: He switched trains in Chicago.||Between acts, the actress switched costumes.
    3 to pull a switch: to surprise or deceive by making a sudden or secret change: I expected to find him in the office, but he pulled a switch on me and wasn't there.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to switch s.t. off: a. to turn off a machine, etc.: Switch off the lights when you leave.||Switch them off. b. to ignore: She switched off the loud conversation at the next table.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to switch s.t. on: to turn on a machine, etc.: I forgot to switch on the oven; dinner is going to be late.||I didn't switch it on.
    6 phrasal v. to switch over: a. [I;T] to change allegiance from one group to another: She switched over to the opposition party. b. [I] to change channels on a TV, etc.: I want to switch over to the ball game; give me the remote control!
    THESAURUS
    switch n.
    1 the on/off button, a lever
    3 an alteration
    4 a whip, crop. —v.
    1 to turn s.t. on/off
    2 to swap, trade.
switchboard
switchboard
  1. n.
    1 a central telephone device where incoming calls are taken and routed to the individual
    2 switchboard operator: a person who operates a switchboard: I called the XYZ Company and the switchboard operator put me through to Mr. Jones.
swollen
swollen
  1. past part. of swell
swoon
swoon
  1. v. [I] to faint from shock or too much emotion: She swooned when he proposed marriage to her.
swoop
swoop
  1. v. [I] to descend rapidly on s.t., esp. in attack: The hawk swooped down on the rabbit and killed it.n.
    1 a swooping movement: The planes made a swoop over the city.
    2 in one fell swoop: all at once: She did all her food shopping in one fell swoop at the supermarket.
sword
sword
  1. n. a weapon with a handle and long steel blade: Swords are not used in modern warfare.
swordfish
swordfish
  1. n. [C;U] an edible, salt-water game fish with a sword-like upper jaw: It takes strength and skill to catch a swordfish.
sycophant
sycophant
  1. n. a person who seeks personal advantages and favors by praising and pleasing those who are richer and more powerful: The king was surrounded by sycophants who told him what he wanted to hear. -adj. sycophantic.
syllable
syllable
  1. n.
    1 a part of a word as determined by vowel sounds and rhythm: "Cat" is a word of one syllable; "hotel" has two syllables.
    2 to speak in words of one syllable: to say s.t as plainly as possible: In words of one syllable: "Just say no!"
syllabus
syllabus
  1. n. -es or -bi an outline of topics for a course of study: The syllabus for our course in American history included the colonial period, the Revolution, and the Constitution.
symbol
symbol
  1. n.
    1 a sign, mark, picture, other object, or event taken or understood to be the representation of s.t. else, esp. s.t. important or meaningful: The symbol of our country is displayed on our flag.||The road signs use symbols to give information and warnings.
    2 a written character that is part of a special language or sign system: The book contains symbols that I cannot read.
    3 signs used in mathematics, chemistry, or other sciences
symbolic
symbolic
  1. adj.
    1 of, used as, or using a symbol: Algebra is a symbolic language.
    2 not real, only for show: The president threatened to use military force, but it was only a symbolic gesture.
symbolism
symbolism
  1. n. [U] the use of symbols to represent meaning in literature and the arts: Artists use symbolism to express deep feelings.
symbolize
symbolize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to represent, to be a symbol of: This flag symbolizes the unity of our country.
symmetrical
symmetrical
  1. adj. having symmetry, balanced, and in proportion, with two parts that are mirror images of each other: The symmetrical design of this church makes it very beautiful.
symmetry
symmetry
  1. n. [U] -tries the quality of balance and proportion in objects with two sides that correspond like mirror images in size, form, and arrangement of parts: The human body has a symmetry that is basic to our sense of beauty.||The dancers danced in perfect symmetry.
sympathetic
sympathetic
  1. adj.
    1 having, feeling, or showing sympathy: Sending flowers was a sympathetic thing to do.||I am sympathetic to the cause of political prisoners.
    2 (of persons) kind and considerate: She's very sympathetic to injured animals.
sympathize
sympathize
  1. v. [I] -thized, -thizing, -thizes to express or feel sympathy on behalf of: The boy's mother sympathized with him when his dog died.
    THESAURUS
    sympathize to feel sorry for s.o. | relate to s.o.
sympathy
sympathy
  1. n. [U] -thies
    1 a feeling of pity and compassion for the suffering of others: I have no sympathy for criminals.|| She felt sympathy for the war victims.
    2 the ability to share the feelings of others: He has great sympathy for people of different cultures.
    3 agreement in feeling or opinion: I am in sympathy with the striking teacher's union.
symphony
symphony
  1. n. -nies
    1 a long and complex musical composition to be per-formed by an orchestra, usu. in four parts: We went to the concert hall to hear a romantic symphony.
    2 an orchestra that plays symphonies: We went to hear the symphony with other classical music lovers.
symposium
symposium
  1. n. -siums or -sia a conference for the presentation of scientific or scholarly research papers: The symposium on AIDS research lasted two days.
symptom
symptom
  1. n.
    1 a change in the condition or appearance of the body that is a sign of disease: A fever and muscular aches and pains are symptoms of the flu.
    2 a small change in appearance or behavior that indicates a larger development or problem: Juvenile crime is a symptom of the failure of our schools.
    THESAURUS
    symptom
    1 an indication, a warning sign
    2 an indication, characteristic.
synagogue
synagogue
  1. n. a place of religious study and worship for Jewish people: They celebrated the Jewish New Year at their synagogue.
sync
sync
  1. n. short for synchronization
synchronize
synchronize
  1. v. [T] -nized, -nizing, -nizes
    1 to adjust a number of clocks to show the same time: Before departing, we synchronized our watches so we would return at the same time.
    2 to coordinate the schedule or timing of one or more activities -n. synchronization.
syndicate
syndicate
  1. n.
    1 a group of individuals or companies combined to carry out projects requiring large resources or cooperative agreements: Many Japanese compa-nies form syndicates to reduce costs and improve efficiency.
    2 a business that sells the work of artists and writers to publishers —v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to sell and distribute the work of artists and writers to publishers: The company syndicates cartoons to newspapers across the country. -n. [U] syndication.
syndrome
syndrome
  1. n.
    1 a number of symptoms that belong to a specific disease: The spots on his throat are part of a syndrome.
    2 a number of characteristics that typify a condition: the poverty syndrome
synergy
synergy
  1. n. [C;U] -gies the extra energy, power, or capability produced by combining two or more agents, operations, or processes: I think that if we join our efforts we will benefit from a new synergy.
synod
synod
  1. n. a meeting of church leaders to determine church policy: He went before the synod to argue against racial discrimination.
synonym
synonym
  1. n. a word that means the same as another word: "Sympathy" and "compassion" are synonyms. See: antonym.
synopsis
synopsis
  1. n. -ses a brief summary of a book, movie, article, etc.: I had no time to read that report, so I read a synopsis of it.
syntax
syntax
  1. n. [U] -es
    1 the order and relationship of phrases in a sentence
    2 the grammatical rules that describe that order: Syntax is an important part of style and meaning in language.
synthesis
synthesis
  1. n. [C;U] -ses
    1 a blend of various elements into a whole: The corporate planning department made a synthesis of all their studies for the future.
    2 in chemistry, the formation of complex compounds from simpler ones
synthesize
synthesize
  1. v. [T] -sized, -sizing, -sizes
    1 to make s.t. new and whole out of different parts or elements: I think we can synthesize our efforts by creating one company.
    2 to imitate a natural substance by man-made processes: The researchers synthesized insulin for a new medicine.
synthetic
synthetic
  1. adj. artificial, man-made: Synthetic drugs are increasingly important for public health.n. s.t. artificial: Nylon is a synthetic; it is not from nature.
syphilis
syphilis
  1. n. [U] an infectious venereal disease -n.adj. syphilitic.
syringe
syringe
  1. n. a hollow tube with a plunger, usu. attached to a needle through which it draws or injects fluids out of or into the body: The nurse took a sample of my blood in a syringe. syringe -n. a hollow tube with a plunger, usu. attached to a needle through which it draws or injects fluids out of or into the body: The nurse took a sample of my blood in a syringe.
syrup
syrup
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a thick, sweet liquid made from sugar cane, maple sugar, or other natural sugars: He poured syrup on his pancakes.
    2 a medicine in the form of a sweet liquid: cough syrup
system
system
  1. n.
    1 [C] a group of related parts that function together for a purpose: The air conditioning system in this building does not work very well.
    2 [C] an ordered, logical set of ideas: He has a system for everything.
    3 [U] a philosophy: According to his system, a wise person must learn to control his emotions.
    4 [C;U] a method or procedure with a set series of steps: You must follow this system of rules if you want to work here.
    5 the system: the way things are done, esp. when controlled by an invisible authority: She said that if you go against the system, you will get into trouble.
systematic
systematic
  1. adj. based on a system; regular, orderly, methodical: The scientist took a very systematic approach to solving problems.
systematize
systematize
  1. v. [T] -tized, -tizing, -tizes to arrange into a system or in an orderly manner: We must systematize our thinking if we want to produce reliable results.
systemic
systemic
  1. adj. related to a system: Hardening of the arteries is a systemic disorder of the circulatory system.
tab
tab
  1. n.
    1 an identifying marker, such as a colored metal clip: The doctor's files have a different colored tab for each letter of the alphabet.
    2 the part of a strip that sticks out: You pull a tab to open envelopes and packages.
    3 a bill, such as in a restaurant or bar: I took my friend to lunch and paid the tab.
    4 to keep tabs on s.o. or s.t.: to notice what s.o. is doing,
    THESAURUS
    to monitor: He keeps tabs on his younger brother to keep him out of trouble.
    5 to run a tab: to have an ongoing bill: She eats lunch at the same restaurant every day and runs a tab that she pays weekly.v. [T] to mark with a tab: The doctor's assistant tabbed the files.
tabby
tabby
  1. n.adj. -bies a house cat with stripes: We have a brown tabby (or) tabby cat.
tabernacle
tabernacle
  1. n. a temple or church: The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is a world-famous singing group.
table tennis
table tennis
  1. n. [U] a game two or four people play on a tabletop using wooden paddles and a small ball, also called Ping-Pong™: Table tennis is a very fast game.
table wine
table wine
  1. n. [U] ordinary red, pink, or white wine drunk with meals: We ordered a bottle of red table wine to have with our roast beef dinner last night.
tablecloth
tablecloth
  1. n. a covering of linen, cotton, etc., placed over a table: That restaurant has pink tablecloths.
tablespoon
tablespoon
  1. n. a large spoon used for measuring and eating food: I use a tablespoon to measure ingredients in food that I cook. -n. tablespoonful. See: teaspoon.
tableware
tableware
  1. n. [U] silverware, glasses, and dishes used for eating: Depart-ment stores sell ordinary tableware in their kitchen departments.
tabloid
tabloid
  1. n. a newspaper with many pictures and articles about scandals, news, sports, and other everyday topics: The tabloids try to get your attention by telling you personal information about famous people.
taboo
taboo
  1. n.adj. [C;U] a forbidden act, esp. one that goes against social customs or religious practices: Drinking alcohol is taboo (or) a taboo in some cultures.
tabular
tabular
  1. adj. shown in columns or lists in a table: Bus schedules are listed in tabular form on timetables.
tabulate
tabulate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to organize, usu. statistical information: News reporters tabulated and announced the latest national election results. -n. [U] tabulation; tabulator.
tacit
tacit
  1. adj. unspoken, implied: Management gave tacit approval to a marketing plan by asking to be told about its progress. -adv. tacitly.
taciturn
taciturn
  1. adj. very quiet, sour,
    THESAURUS
    grim: The old man has a taciturn expression on his face.
tack
tack
  1. n.
    1 [C] a small, sharp nail: Workers nail carpets to floors with tacks.
    2 [C;U] (in sailing) a controlled change of direction depending on the wind
    3 fig. to take a different tack: to use a different approach: We tried marketing the product by brochure, then we took a different tack by selling it through distributors. See: thumbtack. —v.
    1 [T] to nail s.t. with tacks: Workers tacked the carpet to the floor.
    2 [I;T] to change the direction of a sailboat according to the wind
    3 phrasal v. [T] to tack on: to add s.t.: She tacked another page onto her report.
tackiness
tackiness
  1. n.
    1 stickiness: The paint has not dried and you can feel its tackiness.
    2 cheapness,
    THESAURUS
    shoddiness
    3 poor taste
tackle
tackle
  1. n.
    1 [U] equipment used in a sport: We take fishing tackle on camping trips.
    2 [C] (in US football) the act of knocking a player carrying the ball to the ground —v. -led, -ling, -les
    1 [I;T] (in US football) to knock a ball carrier down: A guard tackled the ball carrier.
    2 fig. [T] to begin a job with a lot of energy: I tackled the problem of lowering the company's costs.
tacky
tacky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 sticky, not dried: The paint is still tacky on the wood.
    2 infrml. cheap, not well-made,
    THESAURUS
    shoddy: That neighborhood is run-down and tacky.
    3 infrml. in poor taste, rude: He made tacky comments to guests at the party.
taco
taco
  1. n. -cos a thin, flat pancake made of flour or cornmeal, filled with meat, vegetables, etc.: I like a cheese taco for lunch once in a while. See: enchilada, USAGE NOTE.
tact
tact
  1. n. [U] consideration, care in dealing with others, esp. not to offend or shock: She is a psychologist who uses tact in her relationships with her patients. -adj. tactful; -adv. tactfully.
tactic
tactic
  1. n.
    1 a military plan: Napoleon was an expert in military tactics who usually won his battles.
    2 a way, method of doing s.t.: He uses power as a tactic in making others do what he wants. -adj. tactical; -adv. tactically.
tactician
tactician
  1. n. a person skilled usu. in military strategy
tactics
tactics
  1. n.used with a pl.verb
    1 the combination of military plans to achieve a strategy: Generals use tactics of attacks by artillery, tanks, and foot soldiers to reach their objectives.
    2 controlling plans or approaches,
    THESAURUS
    maneuverings: She uses psychological tactics in her advertising plans.
    3 strong-arm tactics: pushiness, force: Thugs used strong-arm tactics to break up a labor strike.
tactile
tactile
  1. adj. capable of being felt by touch,
    THESAURUS
    tangible: A doctor's tactile ability is important in examining patients. -n. tactility.
tactless
tactless
  1. adj. rude, inconsiderate,
    THESAURUS
    uncouth: It was tactless of him to ask why she wasn't married. -adv. tactlessly; -n. [U] tactlessness.
tad
tad
  1. n. a small amount: He put a tad more butter on his toast.
tadpole
tadpole
  1. n. the young of frogs and toads: Tadpoles are born in the pond each spring.
taffeta
taffeta
  1. n. [U] adj. a smooth, often shiny material used in women's clothes: She wore a taffeta dress to the dance.
taffy
taffy
  1. n. -fies [C;U] a soft, chewy candy made of boiled sugar or molasses and butter: Taffy is pulled until it is firm.
tag
tag
  1. n.
    1 a marker, such as a sticker: A clerk put red tags on items on sale in the store.
    2 a vehicle's license plate(s): He bought a new car and put new tags on it.
    3 to play tag: a game where one child chases the others until one is touched or tagged as "it": Children love to play tag.v. tagged, tagging, tags
    1 [T] to put tags on things: Workers tagged clothes in the store.
    2 [T] to touch another player in a game of tag: The child who was "it" chased the others and tagged her friend.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to tag along: to go with others: My friends decided to go to a movie and I tagged along.
    THESAURUS
    tag n.
    1 a label | ticket, tab, slip (of paper). —v.
    1 to label, mark (with a sticker, label).
tag sale
tag sale
  1. n.
    1 a sale where merchandise is marked with a special tag showing a reduced price: The local men's store has a tag sale on Saturday.
    2 a garage or yard sale: We had a tag sale of all our old stuff. See: garage sale, USAGE NOTE.
tagalong
tagalong
  1. n. a person who follows others: A little boy is a tagalong with his older brother and his friends.
tail
tail
  1. n.
    1 a movable extension of the spine of many animals: Dogs wag their tails in greeting.
    2 slang the buttocks: I fell down and hurt my tail (or) tailbone.
    3 infrml.fig. a secret observer following s.o.: The police put a tail on the mobster to see where he was going.adj. related to the end of s.t.: She was late and arrived only at the tail end of the meeting.v.
    1 slang [T] to follow and observe s.o. secretly: A strange man has tailed us since we left the movie theater.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to tail off or away: to blend into and disappear,
    THESAURUS
    to diminish: The fog tailed (or) tailed off into the evening darkness.
    THESAURUS
    tail v.
    1 to shadow s.o. infrml., pursue.
tail pipe
tail pipe
  1. n. a tube through which a car's exhaust gases are released: Smoke comes out the tail pipe of that old car.
tailgate
tailgate
  1. n.
    1 the back section of a truck that can be moved up or down to load or take off cargo: After loading his pickup truck, the farmer put up the tailgate and locked it.
    2 an outdoor, informal party at a sports event: We had sandwiches and coffee at the tailgate before the football game.v.infrml. [I;T] -gating, -gated, -gates to drive very closely behind another vehicle: On the highway, a farmer tailgated another one for a moment, then passed him.
taillight
taillight
  1. n. the red, rear lights on vehicles: When you step on the brakes, the taillights go on.
tailor-made
tailor-made
  1. adj.
    1 custom-made, cut, and finished by a tailor
    2 suitable, just right: That job is tailor-made for her personality and skills.
tailor
tailor
  1. v. [T]
    1 to cut, sew, alter, and repair clothes: He tailors women's clothes in a fine Fifth Avenue shop.
    2 to make s.t. to specific requirements, customize: That accountant tailors her services to meet clients' needs. -adj. tailored.n. a person who makes, sews, or repairs clothes
tailoring
tailoring
  1. n. [U]
    1 the art and craft of making clothes: That men's store offers tailoring of fine suits.
    2 the cut and finish of a garment made by a tailor: They offer custom tailoring as well as alterations.
tailspin
tailspin
  1. n.
    1 a downward spin of an airplane out of control: The plane's engines stopped working and it went into a tailspin.
    2 fig. to go into a tailspin: an emotional crisis: When his wife died, he went into a tailspin and only his friends helped him get through it.
taint
taint
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a sign of decay or contamination: The bread has a taint of green mold on it.
    2 a trace of scandal or corruption: Your plan to embarass your boss has a taint of evil about it.v. [T]
    1 to spoil,
    THESAURUS
    to contaminate s.t.: The food has spoiled and is tainted with mold.
    2 to spoil, (syns.) to stigmatize, blemish: His involvement in the scandal tainted the politician's reputation. -adj. tainted.
take-home pay
take-home pay
  1. n. [U] the amount of money in one's paycheck after taxes and deductions are taken out: Her take-home pay is enough to give her a comfortable lifestyle.
    THESAURUS
    take-home pay one's net, net pay, one's take-home. Ant. one's gross.
take
take
  1. v. took or taken, taking, takes v.
    1 [T] (syns.) to grasp as in to take hold of s.o. or s.t. | grab, seize, clench: He took the baseball bat and swung it. He grasped the baseball bat and swung it. 2 [T] (syns.) to remove as in to obtain, get: She took some money from her wallet. She removed some money from her wallet. 3 [T] (syn.) to go on s.t.: We take a vacation every August. We go on a vacation every August.
    4 [T] (syns.) to occur, happen: The meeting took place yesterday. The meeting occurred yesterday.
    5 [T] (syns.) to drink as in to swallow (food or medicine), consume, ingest frml.: He took some tea with his lunch. He drank some tea with his lunch.
    6 [T] (syn.) to go out for s.t., as in to experience it: She took some air (some sun, a walk). She went out for some air (some sun, a walk). 7 [T] (syns.) to understand | interpret, presume: I take it from what you say that you don't feel well today. I understand from what you say that you don't feel well today. 8 [T] (syn.) to invite s.o. somewhere: She took her daughter to lunch. She invited her daughter to lunch. 9 [T] (syn.) to record: She took her daughter's weight on the scale. She recorded her daughter's weight on the scale. 10 [T] (syns.) to bring, transport, carry: That road (bus, train) takes you to the city. That road (bus, train) brings you to the city. 11 [T] (syn.) to become part of s.t.: The idea of a four-day work week took hold in that company. The idea of a four-day work week became part of that company. 12 [T] (syns.) to require, need: That car takes premium gasoline in order to run well. That car requires (or) needs premium gasoline in order to run well.||It takes years of practice to become a great musician. It requires years of practice to become a great musician. 13 [T] (syn.) to capture: Soldiers take prisoners. Soldiers capture prisoners. 14 [T] (syns.) to defeat, beat s.o.: That boxer took his opponent in ten rounds. That boxer defeated his opponent in ten rounds.
    15 (syn.) vulg. [T] to have sex: He took her last night. He had sex with her last night. 16 [T] (syn.) to receive, as in acknowledging or accepting criticism: Your suggestion is well-taken, thank you. Your suggestion is well-received, thank you. 17 [T] (syn.) to disagree: He took exception to what I said. He disagreed with what I said. 18 [T] (syns.) to control, manage: She took charge of the bad situation. She controlled the bad situation. 19 [T] (syns.) to subtract, deduct: Take 90 from 100 and you have 10. Subtract (or) deduct 90 from 100 and you have 10. 20 infrml. to be or get taken: to be swindled, cheated: I was overcharged and really got taken at that store.
    21 to have what it takes: to be competent, ambitious: He has what it takes to succeed in a hard business. 22 phrasal v. insep. [T] to take account of s.t.: to consider, note: The judge took account of the fact that the guy had not been arrested before and only gave him a small fine. 23 phrasal v. insep. [T] to take advantage of s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to cheat, abuse s.o.: Cheats take advantage of tourists by charging them too much for things. b. s.t.: to use an opportunity: We took advantage of the beautiful sunshine and took a long walk. 24 phrasal v. insep. [T] to take after s.o.: to look like, imitate: She takes after her mother in looks and attitudes. 25 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take away: a. to remove: The waiter took away the dirty dishes. b. to withdraw,
    THESAURUS
    to revoke: A manager took away my parking space. c. to subtract: Five take away two equals three. 26 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take s.t. back: a. to repossess s.t.: He took back the tools that he loaned me. b. to apologize for saying s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to retract: He called me a bad name, then took back what he had said. 27 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take down s.o. or s.t.: a. s.o.: to remove from office, destroy, etc.: The scandal took down the Prime Minister.||It took her down. b. s.t.: phrasal v. sep. to remove (from above): She took down the decorations after the party. c. s.t.: phrasal v. to write, note: Students take down what professors say.
    28 to take effect: to become valid, go into effect: The new law takes effect next month.
    29 to take five or ten (minutes' break) or a breather: to stop work and relax briefly: We worked for three hours straight then took ten (or) a breather.
    30 to take for granted: a. not to notice or feel grateful for s.o. or s.t.: He takes his wife for granted. b. to assume,
    THESAURUS
    to presume to be true: She took it for granted that the invitation addressed to her included her husband too. 31 to take ill or sick: to become sick 32 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take s.o. or s.t. in: a. s.o.: to deceive,
    THESAURUS
    to trick: The sales representative took in her clients on product prices.||She took them in. b. to give shelter, care for: She takes in stray cats who have no home. c. s.t.: to bring indoors: He took in the laundry from the clothesline.
    33 to take into account: to consider s.t. in making a judgment: The boss takes into account how much experience a person has in deciding whether to hire him or her.
    34 to take it: to survive pain, criticism, etc.: The doctor told me that the operation would be painful, but I told her that I can take it.
    35 to take it easy: a. to relax, not work too hard: When the weather is hot, I try to take it easy. b. not to treat s.o. too harshly: When you criticize her, take it easy because she's very sensitive.
    36 to take it for what it's worth: to provide a limited but useful amount of information or an opinion: You can take it for what it's worth, but I think that stock is too risky.
    37 to take it from me: believe me: Take it from me, it will rain tomorrow.
    38 to take it hard: to suffer, react badly to s.t.: When he was fired from his job, he took it hard.
    39 infrml.fig. to take it lying down: to accept bad treatment without complaint, usu. used with not: He told false stories about her and she didn't take it lying down; she told him to stop immediately.
    40 to take it or leave it: a. having no choice: You accept what I give you or you will get nothing; take it or leave it. b. to be indifferent, not to care: I don't like coffee that much; I can take it or leave it. 41 phrasal v. insep. [T] to take s.t. out on s.o.: to express one's frustrations on s.o., be angry with s.o. wrongly: When his boss yelled at him, he took it out on his wife by yelling at her when he got home.
    42 to take it upon oneself: to act independently: He took it upon himself to buy his wife a new car without telling her first. 43 phrasal v. sep. to take (s.t.) off: a. [T] to remove clothes, disrobe: He took his clothes off and put on pajamas. b. [T] to lose weight: He took off 20 pounds. c. [I] to go up into the air,
    THESAURUS
    to ascend: The airplane took off from the airport. d. fig. [I] to increase quickly: Sales of the new product have taken off. e. [I] to leave quickly, flee: When the police arrived, the thief took off. 44 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take s.o. or s.t. on: a. to accept responsibility, manage: He takes on a lot, both at work and in civic affairs. b. s.t.: to load up with s.t.: The ship took on water in the storm. c. s.o. or s.t.: to challenge s.o. or s.t.: The boy took on the school bully in a fight.
    45 to take one's time: to act slowly: My grandfather has to take his time walking home. 46 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take s.t. out: a. to remove physically: I take out the trash each morning. b. to subtract, extract: The government takes taxes out of my paycheck.
    47 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take one's frustrations out: to act in anger against s.o. wrongly: He takes his frustrations from his job out on his family. 48 phrasal v. sep. to take s.t. over: a. [T] to carry, transport: A driver took supplies over to a customer's warehouse. b. [I;T] to take command: A new leader took over the government.
    49 to take part: to participate, join in: We took part in the conference.
    50 infrml. to take pot shots or cheap shots at s.o.: to criticize,
    THESAURUS
    to snipe at: Politicians take pot shots at each other during election campaigns.
    51 to take shape: to form, develop: Our vacation plans are taking shape and will be final soon.
    52 to take some doing: to require a lot of effort: To become a doctor takes some doing, first years of study and then an internship.
    53 infrml. to take s.o. down a peg or a notch: to reduce s.o.'s high opinion of himself or herself: He was a high school basketball champion, but was badly beaten in his first college game and that took him down a peg.
    54 to take s.o. for all he or she is worth: to ruin s.o. financially: She injured s.o. in an accident and that person took her for all that she is worth in a lawsuit. 55 phrasal v. insep. [T] to take to s.o. or s.t.: a. s.t.: to become addicted to s.t.: He took to drink later in life. b. s.t.: to go, retreat: The old lady took to her bed and stayed for days. c. s.o. or s.t.: to like: She took to him the moment that she met him. 56 phrasal v. sep. [T] to take s.t. up: a. to shorten: She took up the hem on her skirt. ||She took it up. b. to do s.t.: He took up tennis for the first time last week. 57 phrasal v. insep. [T] to take up with s.o.: to start a relationship: She took up with her new boyfriend last month.n.
    1 a photographic session: The actors got the scene right on the second take.
    2 infrml.fig. on the take: taking money illegally (bribes, kickbacks, graft, etc.): His job is to give out permits and he is always on the take.
    3 to do a double take: to look twice in surprise: I had not seen my old friend in years and I did a double take when we met by accident.4 (one's) take: one's opinion, (syns.) s.o.'s interpretation; viewpoint: What is your take on the presidential candidates? Do you like any of them? 5 (the) take: money received: The gambling casino’s take is a million dollars a day."
taken
taken
  1. adj. & past part. of take
    1 captivated, charmed: John met Jane for the first time and was taken with her.
    2 slang cheated, deceived: That deal sounded good, but I got taken for a lot of money.
    3 to be taken by or with: charmed, delighted by: From the moment he met her, he was taken by (or) with her.
    4 to be taken in: cheated, deceived: He was taken in by the swindler's promise of great profits. See: take.
takeoff
takeoff
  1. n. a rise or ascent, as of an aircraft from the runway: The takeoff of the jet went very smoothly. See: landing.
takeout
takeout
  1. n. [U] adj. related to food ordered from a restaurant to be eaten elsewhere: He owns a Chinese food takeout where customers come in and order takeout food.
takeover
takeover
  1. n.
    1 a forced replacement of old leaders with new ones: The takeover of the government in a military coup was quick and bloodless.
    2 (in business) getting control of a corporation: A takeover can be friendly or hostile.
taker
taker
  1. n.
    1 person who accepts or buys s.t.: She offered her house for sale and there was one taker.
    2 a person who takes money, favors, etc., from others but gives nothing back: There are givers and takers in life.
taking
taking
  1. n.
    1 [U] for the taking: available: You can pick wild raspberries by the roadside, because they are there simply for the taking.
    2 [U] pl. the earnings or receipts of a store: On the day of the sale, the shoe store's takings were large.
talc
talc
  1. n. [U] a soft, silicate mineral: Talc is refined and made into talcum powder.
tale
tale
  1. n.
    1 a story, narrative: That novel is a tale about the Old South.
    2 to tell tall tales: to exaggerate, lie: He tells tall tales about catching huge fish.
    3 to tell tales: a. to lie b. to gossip, tell confidential information: He tells tales about people in town. See: tattletale.
talent
talent
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 an ability to do s.t. well: She has a talent for singing.
    2 people with ability: New York is full of artistic talent. -adj. talented.
    THESAURUS
    talent
    1 a skill, aptitude, forte frml. | flair, gift, genius.
talent scout
talent scout
  1. n. a person who searches for talented performers and athletes: He is a talent scout for a baseball team.
talisman
talisman
  1. n. -mans a magic object,
    THESAURUS
    a charm: The tribal chief wears a talisman on a chain around his neck.
talk
talk
  1. n.
    1 [C] an act of speaking, esp. with s.o.: Two friends had a good talk over coffee.
    2 [C] a speech to an audience: The professor gave a talk on her new book at a conference.
    3 [U] gossip, scandal: Talk around town says that the local factory is going to close.
    4 big talk: exaggerated claims of wealth, power, etc.: He's full of big talk about how much money he makes.
    5 to have a talk: a. to chat, converse: My friend and I went to lunch and had a good talk. b. to have a serious, often critical, discussion: He has made a serious mistake and I will have a talk with him about it.
    6 to make small talk: to chat about unimportant things, such as the weather, clothes, etc.: She is such a serious woman that she does not know how to make small talk.
    THESAURUS
    talk n.
    1 a conversation, discussion, chat infrml.
    2 a lecture, address
    3 rumor, hearsay frml.v.
    1 [I] to speak: My friend and I talked about the future.
    2 [I;T] to reveal confidences: A criminal talked to the police about his partner.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to talk around s.t.: to avoid discussing the main point: The politician talked around the matter of a tax increase without saying that he wanted one.
    4 to talk away the hours: to chat, speak of many things: Two old friends met and talked away the hours about the past.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [I] to talk back to s.o.: to speak back rudely,
    THESAURUS
    to sass: A student talked back to the teacher and said she was wrong and mean.
    6 infrml. to talk big: to make exaggerated statements about one's power, wealth, etc.: He talks big about how much money he has and what great things he's done.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to talk down to s.o.: to talk to s.o. as though he or she is stupid and unimportant, (syns.) to condescend, to patronize: He talked down to me about how stupid I was to invest in the stock market without doing a lot of research.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to talk s.o. into doing s.t.: to persuade, convince: I talked her into applying for the job, even though she didn't think she would get it.
    9 infrml to talk one's ear off: to speak at great length and not allow the listener to speak: She was so nervous that she talked my ear off for two hours.
    10 infrml. to talk oneself blue in the face: to try very hard to convince s.o.: I talked myself blue in the face trying to persuade her to save money for retirement, but she won't.
    11 infrml. to talk out of both sides of one's mouth: to contradict oneself: The manager promised to lower costs then said costs must go up, so he was talking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time.
    12 to talk one's way out of: to avoid punishment by talking: He talked his way out of getting a speeding ticket.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to talk s.t. out: to discuss a topic until it is completely understood: We thought of buying a second home, but we talked out costs and accessibility before doing anything. ||We talked it out.
    14 phrasal v. insep. [T] to talk s.o. out of doing s.t.: to discourage s.o. from doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to dissuade: A doctor talked the insane man out of jumping off the bridge.
    15 phrasal v. sep. [T] to talk s.t. over: to discuss a matter, esp. to reach an understanding: We talked our budget over and decided to make an offer on a new house.|| We talked it over.
    16 phrasal v. sep. [T] to talk s.t. up: to promote, create interest: Salespeople talk up their products to customers. ||They talk them up. See: doubletalk.
    THESAURUS
    —v.
    1 to discuss, converse frml., chat infrml.
    2 to squeal infrml., tattle on s.o.
talk radio
talk radio
  1. n. [U] See: talk show.
talk show
talk show
  1. n. a radio or television show where guests are interviewed by a host and listeners call in with questions
talkative
talkative
  1. adj. liking to talk,
    THESAURUS
    garrulous: He is a happy, talkative man.
talker
talker
  1. n.
    1 a person who likes to talk
    2 a gossip, s.o. who reveals secrets: Watch out what you say to him; he's a talker.
talking-to
talking-to
  1. n. -tos a scolding,
    THESAURUS
    a reprimand: When the little boy would not behave politely, his father gave him a talking-to.
tall
tall
  1. adj.
    1 referring to height: That fellow is six feet tall.
    2 characterized by above average height: Manhattan is full of tall buildings.
    3 a tall order: a large, usu. unreasonable, request: My boss wants this project finished a week early; that's a tall order! See: tale, 2. —adv. erect, proudly: Soldiers stand tall for inspection. -n. [U] tallness.
    THESAURUS
    tall adj.
    1 in height
    2 high, towering, lofty frml. Ants. low, short.
tallow
tallow
  1. n. [U] animal fat used for making candles, soap, etc.
tally
tally
  1. v. -lied, -lying, lies
    1 [T] to count up: Accountants tallied columns of numbers.
    2 [I] to equal, agree with: Her tax figures don't tally with the accountant's.n. -lies a total of s.t., score: A worker calculated the tally of goods received today.
talon
talon
  1. n. a bird's claw, esp. of predators: The eagle put its talons into the fish and lifted it from the water.
tamale
tamale
  1. n. a Mexican dish of cooked seasoned meat and peppers rolled in corn meal and steamed in corn husks
tambourine
tambourine
  1. n. a musical instrument like a drum with bells in its rim: A gypsy sang and played the tambourine with her hands.
tame
tame
  1. adj. tamer, tamest
    1 domesticated,
    THESAURUS
    docile: Dogs and house cats are tame animals.
    2 harmless,
    THESAURUS
    innocuous: The party was noisy but actually quite tame. -adv. tamely; -n. tameness.v. [T] tamed, taming, tames
    1 to domesticate, train: She tamed a stray cat she found on the street.
    2 to control,
    THESAURUS
    to repress: He tamed his bad temper to keep his customer's business.
tamper
tamper
  1. phrasal v. insep. [T] to tamper with s.o. or s.t.: to damage s.t., influence improperly,
    THESAURUS
    to interfere: A burglar tampered with the locks on the door.
tampon
tampon
  1. n. a cotton plug used to stop blood, esp. menstrual flow
tan
tan
  1. n.adj. a light brownish color: She drives a tan car. See: suntan. —v. tanned, tanning, tans
    1 [I] to get a tan: She tans easily.
    2 [T] to preserve or cure leather: Tanners tan hides to make leather shoes.
    THESAURUS
    tan n.adj. beige, light brown. —v.
    1 to brown, bronze | sunbathe | sunburn.
tandem
tandem
  1. n.adj. in tandem: two together one before the other: The couple arrived in tandem, the husband behind the wife.||They ride a tandem bicycle.
tang
tang
  1. n. a distinct, strong taste or odor: Garlic has a special tang. -adj. tangy.
tangent
tangent
  1. n.
    1 a line, curve or surface that touches but does not intersect s.t.: The spokes of a wheel are tangents from the hub.
    2 infrml. to go off on a tangent: to leave the main point,
    THESAURUS
    to digress: Once he starts talking, he is likely to go off on a tangent. -n. tangency.
    3 abbrev tan A basic ratio in trigonometry between the length of the side opposite to a given acute angle in a right triangle and the length of the side adjacent to the given angle: The tangent of 45 degrees.
tangential
tangential
  1. adj.
    1 in the posi-tion of a tangent: One line is tangential to another.
    2 beside the point, minor: The negotiator lost the main point and spoke of tangential issues.
tangerine
tangerine
  1. n. a small, sweet orange —adj. a bright orange color: She wore a tangerine sweater.
tangible
tangible
  1. adj.
    1 touchable, real: Tangible assets include cash, real estate, and machinery.
    2 able to be felt, (syns.) perceptible, palpable: Her love for him is so intense that it is tangible—you can really feel it. See: intangible.
tangle
tangle
  1. n. a snarl, knot: She combed a tangle out of her hair. -adj. tangled.v. -gled, -gling, -gles
    1 [I;T] to snarl, knot up: Ropes on ships tangle.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tangle s.t. up: to become confused and complex: Red tape tangled up my visa application.||It tangled it up.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [T] to tangle with s.o.: to fight or have bad contact with: He drove over the speed limit and tangled with the police. -n. [U] frml. tanglement. See: entangle; untangle.
tangled
tangled
  1. adj. snarled, knotted up: Traffic is all tangled up at the bridge.
tango
tango
  1. n. -gos [C;U] v. [I] -goed, -going, -gos a Latin American dance: The tango is a dance of passion and love.
tank
tank
  1. n.
    1 a closed container, such as for oil, gasoline, or water: The oil tank in our basement holds 80 gallons of heating oil.
    2 a heavily armored combat vehicle -adj. tanked. —phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to tank up (on s.t.): a. to fill up: We drove into a gas station and tanked up on gasoline. b. infrml.fig. to drink excessively: Every Saturday night, he tanks up on beer.
    THESAURUS
    tank n.
    1 a vat | boiler, cistern (for water). tankard n. a large mug made of pewter or ceramic, often with a cover and handle
tankard
tankard
  1. -n. a large mug made of pewter or ceramic, often with a cover and handle
tanker
tanker
  1. n. a large boat or truck used to transport liquid: Oil tankers sail from the Middle East to Japan.
tanned
tanned
  1. adj. of skin darkened by the sun: She came back from her vacation tanned and rested.
tanner
tanner
  1. n. a person or business who tans leather hides: A tanner's work is often smelly. See: tan.
tannery
tannery
  1. n. -ies a business where hides are tanned: He moved his tannery from the USA to the tropics where costs are lower.
tannin
tannin
  1. n. [U] tannic acid, a chemical from plants used in tanning hides, winemaking, and as an astringent
tanning
tanning
  1. n. [U]
    1 the process of preparing hides and leather: Tanning is a chemical process.
    2 the darkening of the skin: Tanning happens when one sits in the sun.
tantalize
tantalize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes to offer but not satisfy,
    THESAURUS
    to tempt: The chocolates in the store window tantalized me, but I did not buy any. -adj. tantalizing.
tantamount
tantamount
  1. adj. equal to, similar to: Driving on that icy road is tantamount to suicide.
tantrum
tantrum
  1. n. a fit of anger, bad temper: The baby had a temper tantrum and screamed for an hour.
tap
tap
  1. v. tapped, tapping, taps
    1 [I;T] to hit lightly, as with the fingers: A stranger tapped me on the shoulder and asked directions.
    2 [T] to use: The company tapped the financial resources of its banks by taking out loans.
    3 [T] to insert a tap and take from: The bartender tapped a keg of beer.
    4 [T] to listen secretly using a wiretap on a phone line
    THESAURUS
    tap v.
    1 to knock s.t. lightly, rap on s.t.
    2 to draw upon s.t., utilize
    3 to open
    4 to eavesdrop, snoop. —n.
    1 a light knock: He gave me a tap on the shoulder to get my attention.
    2 a faucet: He drew some water from the tap and drank.
    3 an apparatus used to remove liquids: A bartender put a tap in a keg of beer.
    4 an electronic listening device, a bug: The FBI put taps in the cars of suspected Mafia members.
    5 on tap: a. ready to pour, such as beer from a keg: That bar keeps several kinds of beer on tap. b. ready for use: We keep some money on tap in case we need it for an emergency.
tap dancing
tap dancing
  1. n. [U] a style of dancing, usu. to jazz music, wearing shoes that make a tapping sound as they touch the floor
tape-record
tape-record
  1. v. [T] to record s.t. on tape: I tape-recorded the professor's lecture.
tape
tape
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 strips of adhesive material: An electrician uses rubberized tape to cover wires.
    2 recording material for sound and images: I have the television program on tape.v. taped, taping, tapes
    1 [T] to wrap or attach with adhesive tape: I taped the wire to the wall.
    2 [I;T] to record on tape: He tapes television programs on his videocassette recorder. -n. taping. See: red tape.
    THESAURUS
    tape n.
    1 adhesive tape | packing tape
    2 videotape | audiotape, cassette.
tape deck
tape deck
  1. n. a tape player and recorder, part of a larger sound system
tape measure
tape measure
  1. n. a flexible ruler made in a cloth or metal strip: A tailor uses a tape measure to measure your waist. tape player n. a machine for playing sounds: I listen to music on a tape player when I drive to work.
tape player
tape player
  1. -n. a machine for playing sounds: I listen to music on a tape player when I drive to work.
tape recorder
tape recorder
  1. n. a machine for recording and playing sounds: I use a tape recorder to give dictation. -n. tape recording.
tape worm
tape worm
  1. n. a long, flat parasite found in some people and animals
taper
taper
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to narrow gradually in width: His body tapers from the chest to his waist.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to taper off: to lessen,
    THESAURUS
    to diminish: The rain (stock market activity, criticism, etc.) is tapering off now and may stop soon.n.frml. a candle
tapestry
tapestry
  1. n. -tries an artwork made of cloth that is woven of thread in decorative designs or images, used often as a wall hanging: They have a lovely gold and blue tapestry hanging on their living room wall.
taps
taps
  1. n. [U]
    1 a bugle call to turn lights out: A soldier blows taps to tell the troops that it's bedtime.
    2 a funeral farewell: A bugler blew taps over the grave of a soldier.
    3 old usage the end: It was taps for her when the boss caught her making fun of him.
tar
tar
  1. n. [U] a black, sticky mass made of decomposed organic matter: Tar is used to cover roads and roofs.v. [T] tarred, tarring, tars
    1 to cover with tar: Workers tarred the roof to waterproof it.
    2 to tar and feather: a. to cover with tar and feathers as punishment: In colonial times, criminals were tarred and feathered and sent out of town. b. fig. to persecute, punish
tarantula
tarantula
  1. n. a large, hairy, poisonous spider that lives in the Americas
tardy
tardy
  1. -dier, -diest adj. late, overdue: Students who are tardy to school are given a warning. -adv. tardily; -n. [U] tardiness.
target
target
  1. n.adj.
    1 an object, animal, or person aimed at with a bullet, arrow, rock, etc.: Paper targets have bull's-eyes printed on them.
    2 a person chosen for investigation, punishment, or jokes: The tall boy became the target of students' jokes.
    3 a person or group chosen for analysis or action: Marketing people refer to certain age groups as targets or target populations.
    4 a goal or objective: Our target date for moving is January 1.v. [T]
    1 to aim at: Gunners targeted enemy aircraft.
    2 to choose for investigation: The government targets people to review their tax forms.adv. on target: a. to be accurate with a weapon: The bombs landed on target and destroyed the bridge. b. to be correct, accurate in judgment: His recommendations for improvement are right on target.
target market
target market
  1. n. a group of consumers for whom a business has designed a product and marketing strategy
tariff
tariff
  1. n. a tax on imported goods: A tariff protects the importing nation's industries from foreign competition.
tarmac
tarmac
  1. n. a surface covered with tar, such as an airport runway
tarnish
tarnish
  1. v. [I;T] -es
    1 to make dull (with a film coating): Silver tarnishes when it is exposed to air.
    2 fig. to stain or discredit: Scandal tarnished his reputation.n. -es [U] a dull coating: Polish takes tarnish off silver.
tarot
tarot
  1. n. 78 playing cards used in telling fortunes: Fortune-tellers read your future in the tarot.
tarpaulin
tarpaulin
  1. or tarp -n. a heavy sheet of cloth or plastic that is waterproof
tarpaulin
tarpaulin
  1. or tarp n. a heavy sheet of cloth or plastic that is waterproof
tarragon
tarragon
  1. n. [U] an herb used to flavor foods: A local chef uses tarragon to cook chicken.
tarry
tarry
  1. -ried, -rying, -ries v.frml. [I] to stay,
    THESAURUS
    to linger: The view of the ocean was so beautiful that we tarried a while before continuing our trip.
tart
tart
  1. adj. sour: Lemons taste tart.n.
    1 a pastry with a sweet filling, a pie: I had an apple tart for dessert.
    2 slang a prostitute or immoral woman
tartan
tartan
  1. n. [C;U] a Scottish woolen cloth made in a plaid pattern, sometimes used to identify a clan (family group)
tartar
tartar
  1. n. [U] a brownish calcium deposit on the teeth made by saliva
tartar sauce
tartar sauce
  1. n. [U] a mixture of mayonnaise, pickles, and olives, often served with fish
task
task
  1. n.
    1 an assignment, job to be performed: His boss gives him specific tasks to do each week.
    2 to take s.o. to task: to reprimand, criticize: When he doesn't work hard, his boss takes him to task.
task force
task force
  1. n.
    1 a group of police or military working together to perform a mission: A task force made up of the Marines, the Navy, and the Air Force attacked the enemy coastal defenses.
    2 fig. a small group in charge of solving a particular problem: She was put on the task force to develop a policy on smoking at work.
taskmaster
taskmaster
  1. n. a difficult person who demands hard work from others: He is a strict taskmaster with his employees. -n. taskmistress.
tassel
tassel
  1. n. a decoration made of woven threads: Tassels hung from the velvet curtains in the living room.
taste
taste
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the sense of flavor that comes from experiencing foods and liquids on the tongue: I like the taste of bananas.
    2 [C] a small amount of s.t.: She had a taste of my chocolate cake.
    3 [C] a sense of style and quality in manners, clothes, the arts, etc.: She has good taste in clothes. -adj. tasteful; -adv. tastefully.v. [I;T] tasted, tasting, tastes
    1 to sense the flavor of food and liquids: The food in that restaurant tastes good.
    2 to experience: She tasted life in Mexico during a long vacation there.
taste bud
taste bud
  1. n. cells on the tongue that sense sweetness, sourness, bitterness, or saltiness: Smoking cigarettes makes the taste buds less sensitive.
tasteless
tasteless
  1. adj. 1 without taste, (syn.) insipid: That oatmeal is so bland that it is tasteless.
    2 in poor taste, rude, ill-mannered: He makes tasteless remarks about his coworkers.
taster
taster
  1. n. a person who judges the quality of food, wine, and other products: He works as a taster for a coffee merchant.
tasty
tasty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest flavorful: That cook makes tasty food, rich in spices and seasonings.
    THESAURUS
    tasty delicious, luscious, savory. Ant. tasteless.
tat
tat
  1. v. [I;T] tatted, tatting, tats to make lace using bobbins: She tatted placemats for her dining room table. See: tit, 4.
tatter
tatter
  1. v. [I;T] to tear into pieces, shred: He fell down a rough hillside and tattered his shirt and pants.n.pl. in tatters: in shreds, strips: His shirt was torn in tatters. -adj. tattered.
tattle
tattle
  1. v. [I] -tled, -tling, -tles to tell, reveal, esp. s.o.'s wrongdoing: The little boy stole some candy and his sister tattled on him to their mother. -n. tattler.
tattletale
tattletale
  1. n. a gossip, s.o. who tells the secrets of others: Both brother and sister are tattletales on other children.
tattoo
tattoo
  1. n. a staining of the skin with decorations: He wears a tattoo that says "Mom" on his chest.v. [T] to decorate the skin with tattoos: He had a heart tattooed on his arm. -n. tatooist; [U] tattooing.
taunt
taunt
  1. v. [T] to tease with unkind remarks,
    THESAURUS
    to mock: Older boys taunted a little one, "Hey, Shorty, when are you going to grow up?"n. a cruel remark: They yelled taunts at him.
taupe
taupe
  1. n. [U] a gray color mixed with yellow or brown
taut
taut
  1. adj. firm, tight: The clothesline hangs taut between two poles. -adv. tautly; -n. [U] tautness.
tavern
tavern
  1. n. a pub, barroom that also serves meals See: bar, USAGE NOTE.
tawdry
tawdry
  1. adj. -drier, -driest showy in a bright-colored, cheap way,
    THESAURUS
    gaudy: He wears tawdry clothes to parties.
tawny
tawny
  1. -nier, -niest adj. dark yellow: African lions have tawny-colored fur.
tax-deductible
tax-deductible
  1. adj. referring to legitimate deductions from income that are not taxed: Gifts to charity are tax-deductible. -n. tax deduction.
tax-exempt
tax-exempt
  1. adj. referring to items on which all or certain taxes are not required: Taxexempt bonds can be free of federal, state, and local income taxes.
tax
tax
  1. n. -es
    1 a necessary payment on incomes, sales, etc., to the government: The income tax was raised again last year.
    2 fig. a tax on: a strain,
    THESAURUS
    a burden: His child's constant questions put a tax on his patience. -adj. taxable.v. [T] -es
    1 to impose a tax: Sales of all items except food are taxed by the city at 8.25 percent.
    2 to tire, burden: The old man climbed the hill and it taxed his strength.
tax cut
tax cut
  1. n. governmental policy to reduce taxes: Congress gave everyone a ten percent income tax cut.
tax evasion
tax evasion
  1. n. illegal avoidance of taxes by refusing to pay taxes or buying smuggled goods: The accountant was found guilty of tax evasion and sent to jail.
tax return
tax return
  1. n. a form used to report a taxpayer's income to state and federal governments: April 15 is the deadline for sending in our annual tax returns.
tax shelter
tax shelter
  1. n. an investment in which taxes are reduced because of expense deductions or laws: In the USA, an Individual Retirement Account (or IRA) is a tax shelter in which no taxes are paid until a person starts taking out the money.
taxation
taxation
  1. n. [U] an act of imposing taxes: Congress passed new taxation on the people.
taxi
taxi
  1. n. a taxicab or cab: We take taxis to get to our business meetings.v. -ied, -iing, -ies
    1 [I] to travel a short distance on the ground or water: Airplanes taxied onto the runway before taking off.
    2 [I;T] to travel by taxi: I taxied a package to a client's office.
taxi stand
taxi stand
  1. n. a place where taxis can be found or called for a pickup: Taxis take passengers to their homes and return to the taxi stand to pick up others.
taxicab
taxicab
  1. n. a car with a driver for hire: Taxicabs fill the streets of the big city.
taxidermy
taxidermy
  1. n. [U] the stuffing of dead animals to preserve and display them: Taxidermy is used to preserve animals killed in hunting. -n. taxidermist.
taxing
taxing
  1. n. [U] taxation: Some think taxing the poor is unfair.adj. difficult, burdensome: He finds walking up stairs taxing on his strength.
taxonomy
taxonomy
  1. n. [U] the systematic classification of plants and animals
taxpayer
taxpayer
  1. n. a person or business that pays taxes: Individual taxpayers formed a political lobby to get their taxes lowered. -adj. taxpaying.
tea
tea
  1. n. [C;U] a shrub with fragrant flowers and leaves that are dried, shredded, and brewed into a drink: There are teas both with and without caffeine. See: cup, 5.
tea bag
tea bag
  1. n. a small, thin, paper sack of tea leaves that is put in hot water to make the drink called tea
teach-in
teach-in
  1. n. a political protest with lectures, discussions, etc., about social issues: Teach-ins happened at many universities in the 1970s as a protest against the war.
teach
teach
  1. v. taught , -ing, -es
    1 [I;T] to instruct: She teaches mathematics to college students.
    2 to teach s.o. a lesson: to hurt or punish s.o.: He drove too fast and crashed his car and that taught him a costly lesson. See: learn.
teachable
teachable
  1. adj.
    1 capable of being easily understood: That textbook is so clearly written that it is teachable.
    2 willing and ready to learn s.t. new: Students in that class are highly teachable. -n. [U] teachability.
teacher's pet
teacher's pet
  1. n. usu. pej. a teacher's favorite student: He is the smartest in the class and is also the teacher's pet.
teaching
teaching
  1. n.
    1 [U] the profession of instructing students: Teaching requires time and patience.
    2 n.pl. the wisdom, views, ideas, etc., of s.o. often famous: The teachings of Confucius have influenced millions of people for centuries.
teacup
teacup
  1. n. a cup, usu. small and decorated, used for drinking tea
teak
teak
  1. n. [U] the dark brown, hard wood of the teak tree of East India used to make furniture, ships, etc.: The chairs and tables are made of teak.
teakettle
teakettle
  1. n. a metal pot used to boil water: I heated the teakettle until it whistled. See: teapot.
team
team
  1. n. two or more people working together, esp. in sports: Our high school football team won the state championship.phrasal v. insep. [I] to team up (with s.o.): to join together in a team: Our company in Miami teamed up with one in Chicago to develop a joint project.
    THESAURUS
    team a squad, crew | group (working together), unit, band.
team player
team player
  1. n. a person who works well with others and does not look for personal glory
teammate
teammate
  1. n. another player on one's team: One of my teammates on the tennis team will be the national champion this year.
teamster
teamster
  1. n. a truck driver: Many truckers belong to a teamsters' union.
teamwork
teamwork
  1. n. a cooperative effort with each person working to reach a common goal: Football requires complex teamwork with each player doing a specific function.
teapot
teapot
  1. n. a ceramic (clay, porcelain) pot with a cover and spout to make and keep tea hot: She put the teapot on a table, so all could help themselves. See: tempest, 2.
teardrop
teardrop
  1. n. a drop of liquid from the eye: Teardrops ran down his face at the funeral.adj. a shape: She wears a teardrop diamond engagement ring.
tearful
tearful
  1. adj. sad and crying: They said good-bye in a tearful farewell at the airport. -adv. tearfully.
teargas
teargas
  1. n. [U] a gas used to break up crowds or disable soldiers: Police threw teargas at rioters.
tearjerker
tearjerker
  1. n.infrml. a sentimental movie, story, play, etc., that can make one cry: The movie Love Story is a tearjerker.
tearoom
tearoom
  1. n. a restaurant that serves mainly tea, cookies, and cake: After class, we stopped by a tearoom for refreshment.
tease
tease
  1. v. teased, teasing, teases
    1 [I;T] to kid, mock playfully: The boys teased Jane about the braces on her teeth.
    2 [T] to use a comb to make s.o.'s hair look bigger or fuller: The hairdresser teased Ana's hair.n.
    1 a person who teases others: He's a tease, always joking with others.
    2 s.t. that is desirable, but not available: The offer of free merchandise at that store is just a tease to get you to come in and buy.
teaspoon
teaspoon
  1. n. a spoon holding approx. 1/3 of a tablespoon or 1/4 fluid ounce: People use teaspoons to stir coffee and tea.
teat
teat
  1. n. a nipple usu. of an animal: Cows are milked by squeezing their teats.
techie
techie
  1. n.infrml.
    1 an expert or enthusiast in computers: Techies have a language of technical terms all their own.
    2 a technician
technical
technical
  1. adj.
    1 related to a specialized field of science or technology: The technical procedures needed to fix that computer can be done only by a qualified technician.
    2 specialized: The banker made some technical points about the economy in her speech. -adv. technically.
technicality
technicality
  1. n. -ties a small, specialized rule or point: The criminal was freed on a technicality in the law.
technician
technician
  1. n. a worker trained in a specific area of technology: He is a computer technician who knows how to fix computer equipment.
technique
technique
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a method, procedure by which s.t. is performed: Surgical techniques have developed so that only small cuts are needed for many operations.
    2 skill, ability to do s.t. complex: Her technique in figure skating is superb.
techno-
techno-
  1. prefix for technology: A technocrat is an expert in technology.
technocrat
technocrat
  1. n. a person trained in technical analysis and its applications to industry and government -n. [U] technocracy.
technology
technology
  1. n. [C;U] -gies
    1 science and theoretical engineering used in practical applications: That college offers courses in medical technology.
    2 all kinds of technology in general: Advances in technology have improved the standard of living. -n. technologist; -v. [T] technologize; -adj. technological.
tectonic
tectonic
  1. adj. related to the formation of the earth's crust: The movement of tectonic plates can cause earthquakes. -n. pl. tectonics.
teddy bear
teddy bear
  1. n. a stuffed toy bear: My four-year-old has a brown teddy bear that he takes everywhere he goes.
tedious
tedious
  1. adj. boring, long and dull: She has a tedious job as a file clerk. -n. [U] tedium.
tee
tee
  1. v. teed, teeing, tees
    1 phrasal v. [I] to tee off: (in golf) to take the first shot on each of 18 holes
    2 infrml.fig. to be teed off: to be angry, annoyed: My wife was teed off at me for being late to pick her up.n.
    1 (in golf) an area for teeing off
    2 a peg or stand on which a ball is placed to tee off
teem
teem
  1. v. [I] to be full, (syns.) to abound, brim: The forest is teeming with rabbits.
teen
teen
  1. n. a teenager
teenager
teenager
  1. n. a person between the ages of 13 and 19: Teenagers love to go to shopping malls on weekends. -adj. teenage.
    THESAURUS
    teenager young adult, adolescent.
teensy-weensy
teensy-weensy
  1. infrml. See: teeny-weeny.
teeny-weeny
teeny-weeny
  1. adj.infrml. fig. tiny, very small: When she was a teeny-weeny baby, she wore teeny-weeny shoes.
teenybopper
teenybopper
  1. n. slang a teenager fascinated by the latest fads in music, clothes, and speech: Most of the fans at the rock concert were teenyboppers.
teepee
teepee
  1. var. of tepee
teeter-totter
teeter-totter
  1. n. a seesaw: Children rock on a teeter-totter.
teeter
teeter
  1. v. [I]
    1 to walk unsteadily: She teeters when she walks in high-heeled shoes.
    2 to rock back and forth dangerously: He teetered on the edge of the cliff before getting his balance back.
    3 to seesaw
teeth
teeth
  1. n.pl. of tooth
    1 dental structures in the mouth: His teeth are white and shiny.
    2 armed to the teeth: having many weapons
    3 to bare one's teeth: to show anger, rage: The dog growled and bared its teeth at the stranger.
    4 fig. to show one's teeth: to demonstrate readiness to argue, fight, etc.
    5 infrml.fig. to sink or get one's teeth into: to get very involved in s.t.: She really sank her teeth into the problem and solved it.
teethe
teethe
  1. v. [I] teethed, teething, teethes to grow teeth: Babies teethe until they have a full set.
teetotaler
teetotaler
  1. n. a person who does not drink alcoholic beverages: He is a teetotaler, but he does not mind others drinking. -adj. teetotal.
telecast
telecast
  1. v. [I;T] to send, broadcast by television: Television stations telecast the Olympics all over the world.
telecommunications
telecommunications
  1. n. pl. [C;U] transmission of messages and images by radio, television, cable, satellite, computer, etc.: Telecommunications is a complex and growing field.
telecommuter
telecommuter
  1. n. a person who works at home and is connected to the office by telecommunications equipment:Nancy Jordan is a telecommuter who only needs her laptop, a phone,  and an Internet connection to work from home. -v. [I] telecommute. See: office, CULTURE NOTE.
teleconference
teleconference
  1. v. [I] -enced, -encing, -ences to hold a discussion with people in different places by connecting them electronically with computers and video —n. an electronic discussion using computers and video
telegram
telegram
  1. n. [C;U] a brief written message sent by wire —v. [T] -grammed, -gramming, -grams to send a message by wire or telephone: I telegrammed my congratulations to the senator on her winning reelection.
telegraph
telegraph
  1. v. [T]
    1 to send messages by wire or telephone, formerly by Morse Code: People telegraphed messages long before the telephone was commonly used.
    2 to make known in advance: Some boxers telegraph their punches by making an ident-ifying move before punching.n. [U] a telegraph installation: The telegraph was the first means of long-distance, electronic communication.
telekinesis
telekinesis
  1. n. [U] the power to move or transform objects by force of mind: A performer demonstrated telekinesis by bending keys without touching them. -adj. telekinetic.
telepathy
telepathy
  1. n. [U] mental communication without speech, vision, or touch: People who know the old lady swear that she uses telepathy to contact them. -adj. telepathic ; -adv. telepathically.
telephone
telephone
  1. n. an electronic device used for the communication of voice or electronic data: He has a telephone in several rooms at home. -adj. telephonic . —v. [I;T] -phoned, -phoning, -phones to communicate by telephone: I telephoned my parents to find out how they were.
    THESAURUS
    telephone n. a phone, cell phone infrml. v. to phone infrml. telephone -n. an electronic device used for the communication of voice or electronic data: He has a telephone in several rooms at home.-adj. telephonic . _v. -phoned, -phoning, -phones to communicate by telephone: I telephoned my parents to find out how they were.
telephone booth
telephone booth
  1. n. a tall box with a telephone,
    THESAURUS
    phone booth: I close the door of the telephone booth to keep out noise.
telephone directory
telephone directory
  1. n. a book that has the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of people, businesses, etc., in an area See: Yellow Pages.
telephoto
telephoto
  1. adj. capable of magnifying distant objects: That photographer uses a telephoto lens to film sports events.
teleprocessing
teleprocessing
  1. n. [U] the use of remote terminals to communicate with a computer
telescope
telescope
  1. n. an optical instrument used to make distant objects seem larger: Observatories use giant telescopes to look at the sky.v. [I;T] -scoped, -scoping, -scopes to compress, make compact as with the parts of some telescopes: The company telescoped development of a new product into several months, instead of years. -adj. telescopic.
telethon
telethon
  1. n. a long television program that raises money for charity: Several celebrities give their time to host telethons.
televise
televise
  1. v. [T] -vised, -vising, -vises to send by television: All major TV networks televised the Presidential elections.
    THESAURUS
    televise to broadcast, transmit, air (radio, television).
television
television
  1. or TV n.
    1 [U] the sending of images and sound via the airwaves or cable to a television set: Most major sports events are shown on television.
    2 [C] a box-like device that receives and displays pictures and sound: My favorite show is on television tonight.
    3 the industry that creates programs to show on television See: boob tube.
telex
telex
  1. n. [U] v. [T] -es a system of teletypewriters connected by telephone wires that sends messages internationally: I dialed our London office and sent a telex there.
tell
tell
  1. v. told , telling, tells
    1 [T] to say in words: She tells a story to her child each night.
    2 [T] to instruct, direct: The boss tells the employees what to do.
    3 [I;T] to identify, distinguish: I can't tell where we are in the dark night.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to tell about s.o. or s.t.: to characterize, describe: Our friends told us about their experiences on their vacation.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tell s.o. or s.t. apart: to distinguish, identify: It's hard to tell the twin sisters apart.
    6 to tell it like it is: to describe reality honestly: His work is no good, so when you see him, tell it like it is.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tell s.o. off: to get angry at s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to scold: The guy was rude and a woman told him off.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to tell on s.o.: to reveal,
    THESAURUS
    to tattle: A student stole some pencils and another told on him.
    9 to tell the difference: to distinguish,
    THESAURUS
    to discern: The real and fake diamonds look alike; I can't tell the difference between them. See: all, pron., 14; telling.
teller
teller
  1. n.
    1 a person who takes in and pays out money at a bank: I gave the teller my deposit and she gave me a receipt.
    2 a storyteller
    THESAURUS
    teller
    1 a bank clerk | cashier.
telling
telling
  1. adj.
    1 having a strong impact, very important: The lawyer made a telling point and the judge dismissed the lawsuit.
    2 there's no telling: it's difficult to know: There's no telling what time she'll come back. -adv. tellingly.
telltale
telltale
  1. adj. an identifying sign: The criminal's footprints in the mud were a telltale sign that he was at the crime scene.
temblor
temblor
  1. n. an earthquake: Los Angeles experienced another temblor.
temerity
temerity
  1. n. [U] boldness,
    THESAURUS
    impetuosity: He had the temerity to tell his boss what he thought of her.
temp
temp
  1. n.infrml. short for temporary worker: We hire temps to work for us when our employees are on vacation.
temper
temper
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] one's emotional nature, often of anger: He has a bad temper and is easily angered.
    2 [C] mood or characteristics: the temper of the times
    3 [U] the strength of metal
    4 to keep or lose one's temper: to keep or lose control of one's anger: She's very patient; she never loses her temper.v. [T] to lessen in intensity: Old age tempered his impatience with weaknesses in other people.
temperament
temperament
  1. n. [C;U] general nature, mental disposition: That horse has a good temperament.
temperamental
temperamental
  1. adj. easily upset, difficult: The opera singer is very temperamental. -adv. temperamentally.
temperance
temperance
  1. n. [U]
    1 moderation, self-control, usu. in eating, drinking, and sex
    2 not drinking alcohol: Some religions preach total temperance.
temperate
temperate
  1. adj.
    1 moderate in temperature: The USA is in the temperate zone.
    2 using self-control: That family is temperate in its consumption of alcohol.
temperature
temperature
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] the degree of heat or cold: The temperature outside is chilly today.
    2 [C, used in sing.] a fever: My son has a cold and a temperature.
    3 to take s.o.'s temperature: to measure the body's temperature using a thermometer See: headache, USAGE NOTE.
tempered
tempered
  1. adj.
    1 moderated, restrained: His hurry to get things done is tempered by having a weak heart.
    2 treated as by putting hot metal in water: That knife is made of tempered steel.
tempest
tempest
  1. n.frml.
    1 a storm
    2 fig. a tempest in a teapot: upset about s.t. unimportant: He felt rejected because he was not invited, but it was just a tempest in a teapot.
tempestuous
tempestuous
  1. adj.frml. emotionally charged,
    THESAURUS
    turbulent: That couple has a tempestuous relationship. -adv. tempestuously.
template
template
  1. n.
    1 a guide with codes, symbols, etc.: Templates with computer commands fit on your keyboard as a convenient reference.
    2 a plate with holes cut in it as symbols representing objects, measurements, devices, etc.
temple
temple
  1. n.
    1 a building for worship: We entered the temple to worship.
    2 a flat part of the face to the side and behind the eyes: He gets tension headaches in his temples.
tempo
tempo
  1. n.
    1 rate of speed of a piece of music: That song has a fast tempo.
    2 pace of activity: The tempo of life downtown on a Sunday is pretty slow.
temporal
temporal
  1. adj. related to matters on earth as opposed to religious ones: The clergy concerns itself less with temporal matters than spiritual ones.
temporary
temporary
  1. adj. passing, impermanent: The detour is temporary until the main road is fixed. -adv. temporarily.
    THESAURUS
    temporary for a short time (or) short while | fleeting, short-lived, transient frml. Ant. permanent.
tempt
tempt
  1. v. [T]
    1 to attract,
    THESAURUS
    to entice: Every time he sees chocolates in shop windows, they tempt him.
    2 to attract, seduce, esp. into doing s.t. wrong: He tempted her with promises of fame, yet she resisted.
    3 to tempt (the) fate(s): to risk harm or ruin: The storm is very bad, so let's not tempt the fates by going out in it now. -adj. tempting.
temptation
temptation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a desire for s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    an enticement: He gives into temptation when he sees a nice tie and buys it.
    2 an attraction, esp. to s.t. wrong, harmful, or evil: A reformed alcoholic gives into temptation by taking another drink.
tempting
tempting
  1. adj. attractive, (syns.) enticing, tantalizing: Sweet desserts are tempting to her, but she resists.
ten
ten
  1. n. the cardinal number 10 —adj. 10 of s.t.: I have ten dollars.
tenable
tenable
  1. adj. capable of being held, defended, or supported: Their negotiating position (military plan, scientific paper, etc.) is not tenable; it is too weak. -n. [U] tenability.
tenacious
tenacious
  1. adj. determined, persistent: The reporter is tenacious in speaking to every witness of the crime.
tenacity
tenacity
  1. n. [U] determination, resolve: She works on her project with tenacity.
tenancy
tenancy
  1. n. -cies living in or possession of property: His tenancy in that apartment has lasted 25 years.
tend
tend
  1. v.
    1 [I] to lean, incline toward in attitude, preference, action, etc.: She tends to come to work early on Mondays.
    2 [T] to watch over, care for: Shepherds tend sheep.
tendency
tendency
  1. n. -cies an inclination, leaning in attitude or behavior: When he talks, he has a tendency to get lost in details.
    THESAURUS
    tendency a leaning toward s.t., bent | propensity frml., proclivity frml.
tender
tender
  1. adj.
    1 soft, gentle: The father caressed his child's cheek with tender strokes.
    2 kind, caring: They have tender feelings for each other.
    3 sore, painful when touched: The bruise on the girl's knee is tender to the touch.
tenderfoot
tenderfoot
  1. n.infrml. fig. a person not used to life in the outdoors: After several months of hard work in a national park, she was no longer a tenderfoot.
tenderhearted
tenderhearted
  1. adj. kind, caring: She is tenderhearted and takes in stray animals.
tenderloin
tenderloin
  1. n. a cut of beef near the backbone
tenderness
tenderness
  1. n. [U]
    1 gentleness, kindness: She showed tenderness toward the hurt animal and cared for it.
    2 soreness to the touch: After he hurt his ankle, the tenderness lasted for a week.
tendinitis
tendinitis
  1. n. [U] inflammation of a tendon: I have tendinitis in my right elbow.
tendon
tendon
  1. n. sinews, tough fibrous tissue connecting muscles to bones or to other muscles
tendril
tendril
  1. n.
    1 a thin, thread-like part of a vine or climbing plant
    2 fig. s.t. vine-like, such as a lock of hair
tenet
tenet
  1. n. a principle, axiom in a set of beliefs: The tenets of capitalism, such as private ownership of business, are the basis of the American economy.
tennis
tennis
  1. n. [U] a game played on a court with two or four players who use rackets to hit the ball over a net, so that the opponent(s) cannot hit it back
tenor
tenor
  1. n.adj.
    1 in males, the highest natural singing voice: He is a tenor with the City Opera.||He has a tenor voice (part, range, etc.).
    2 nature,
    THESAURUS
    ambiance: The tenor of the times is one of conservatism in public spending.
tense
tense
  1. adj. tenser, tensest
    1 nervous, jumpy: He is very tense and irritable from too much work.
    2 nerve-wracking, strained: Opposing countries are threatening war in a tense situation.n. the part of a verb that shows the past, present, and future time: Many English verbs like "go" and "do" are irregular in the past tense.v. [I;T] tensed, tensing, tenses to tighten up physically, become nervous (irritated, ready to fight, etc.): As the argument became hotter, each person tensed up. -adv. tensely.
    THESAURUS
    tense adj.
    1 jittery, on edge, apprehensive frml. Ant. relaxed.
    2 stressful.
tension
tension
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a state of stress, nervousness: The tension in a hospital emergency room can be very high.
    2 tautness, rigidity: The tension in steel bridge cables is measured after they are installed.
tent
tent
  1. n. a portable shelter made of canvas, nylon, etc.: The Red Cross put up tents to house the refugees temporarily.
tentacle
tentacle
  1. n. a flexible "arm" of ocean creatures, such as the octopus or squid: An octopus wraps its tentacles around the food it catches.
tentative
tentative
  1. adj.
    1 indefinite, provisional: We have a tentative appointment next week, but we need to confirm it.
    2 hesitant, doubtful: She has a tentative feeling about going ahead with the project.
tenterhook
tenterhook
  1. n.
    1 a hook used to hold cloth on a frame
    2 fig. on tenterhooks: anxious, tense: We are on tenterhooks while we see if he recovers from surgery.
tenuous
tenuous
  1. adj.
    1 thin, delicate: the tenuous threads of a piece of lace
    2 weak, unimportant: His arguments in support of the project are so tenuous that management decided not to do it.
tenure
tenure
  1. n.
    1 a period in which s.o. holds a position (job, post, responsibility, etc.): During the mayor's tenure in office, she made many improvements.
    2 permanent employment, esp. in a teaching position: The assistant professor was promoted and given tenure. -adj. tenured.
tepee
tepee
  1. n. var. of teepee, a triangular tent used originally by Native Americans: Tepees were often made from animal skins.
tepid
tepid
  1. adj. lukewarm: Babies are bathed in tepid water, not too hot. See: warm, USAGE NOTE.
tequila
tequila
  1. n. a strong liquor made from the agave plant
term
term
  1. n.
    1 a word or expression that describes s.t.: He used the terms "casual" and "relaxed" to describe his attitude.
    2 a condition, requirement as in a contract: The terms of the agreement are clear and complete.
    3 a time period, such as in elected office or education: The senator is serving his last six-year term in office.
    4 A quantity connected by addition or subtraction signs in an equation or expression: The expression 5a-2b + 4 has three terms: 5a, 2b, and 4.
    5 in terms of: about, concerning: In terms of financing, our bank has agreed to provide it.
    6 in no uncertain terms: clearly, strongly: The boss told him in no uncertain terms to finish the project today.
    7 n.pl. on (good, bad, etc.) terms: the condition of the relationship between people: John and I are on good (or bad) terms with each other.||Jane and John are angry with each other and are not on speaking terms.
    8 to bring to term: to complete a pregnancy: She brought her baby to term and gave birth last week.
    9 to come to terms: to agree on or accept s.t.: We came to terms on the contract and signed it.||He came to terms with his father's death.v. [T] to label, describe: I term the way he acted as rude!
term paper
term paper
  1. n. a long essay or research study on a course topic: I have five courses and have to do term papers for each one.
terminal
terminal
  1. n.
    1 a station, depot (rail, bus, airline): The bus terminal is on the city's west side.
    2 the last stop on a transportation line
    3 an electrical post: The terminals on the car battery are old and dirty.
    4 a machine that works by being connected to another computer and that has no CPU of its own (also called a dumb terminal) —adj. going to die, fatal: He has terminal cancer; he's going to die. -adv. terminally.
terminate
terminate
  1. v. -nated, -nating, -nates
    1 [I;T] to end, stop: Our company's management terminated negotiations on a new union contract.
    2 [I;T] to finish, end: The railroad line terminates at Central Station.
    3 fig. [T] to fire from employment: My friend was terminated from her job yesterday. -adj. terminable; -n. [U] termination.
terminology
terminology
  1. n. [C;U] the technical vocabulary of a field: The terminology in science has exact meanings.
terminus
terminus
  1. n. -nuses or -ni the end, finish: The terminus of our airline flight is Athens, Greece.
termite
termite
  1. n. an ant-like insect that eats through wood: Some kinds of termites build huge hills of dirt to house their colonies.
terms
terms
  1. n. items in a contract or agreement: She did not agree to all the terms in the contract.
tern
tern
  1. n. sea birds that are smaller than gulls: Terns have long slender wings and dive for small fish.
terra cotta
terra cotta
  1. n. [U] pottery and building materials made from red clay: Our kitchen floor is covered with terra cotta tiles.
terrace
terrace
  1. n. a raised, flat piece of land: The house has a grassy terrace behind it.v. [T] -raced, -racing, -races to form in terraces: Asians terrace hillsides with rice paddies.
terrain
terrain
  1. n. land, landscape: The trucks must travel over rough terrain to reach the town.
terrestrial
terrestrial
  1. adj. related to earth: Terrestrial weather is different from that on Mars. See: extraterrestrial. —n. a person from earth,
    THESAURUS
    earthling: Science fiction tells of terrestrials visiting other planets.
terrible
terrible
  1. adj.
    1 horrible, dreadful: There was a terrible car accident.
    2 hideous, horrid: A terrible monster came out of a cave.
    3 very bad, severe: She has a terrible case of the flu.
    4 poor quality, badly done: That movie is absolutely terrible. -adv. terribly.
terrier
terrier
  1. n. any of approx. 20 breeds of small, furry dogs used to dig things out of the ground
terrific
terrific
  1. adj.
    1 fig. wonderful, superior: He did a terrific job in remodeling the kitchen.
    2 powerful, tremendous: The storm had terrific winds of 100 MPH (160 km).
    3 very bad, awful: We are having terrific difficulty with our telephone system.
    THESAURUS
    terrific
    1 excellent, great, superb frml.
    2 severe, intense | huge
    3 terrible, horrible.
terrify
terrify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to horrify, put strong fear in s.o.: An ugly man terrified a small child for a moment. -adj. terrifying; -adv. terrifyingly.
territorial
territorial
  1. adj.
    1 related to a territory: Cats are territorial animals that fight over their area.
    2 related to an area of sovereignty: The territorial waters of each country reach a certain number of miles offshore.
territory
territory
  1. n. -ries
    1 [C;U] an area or region of land: The territory to the north of here is mountainous.
    2 an area of land not totally self-governing or considered a state or province by a central government: The island of Guam is a territory of the USA.
    3 an area marked for a specific purpose, such as for a salesperson: Her sales territory includes the six New England states.
    4 infrml.fig. to come with the territory: s.t. included, usu. in a negative sense: The President gets constant criticism from the press; it comes with the territory (the Presidency).
terror
terror
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] extreme fear, panic: A burglar at the window put terror into my heart.
    2 fig. an irritating person, usu. a child
    THESAURUS
    terror
    1 fright, horror, alarm | dread
    2 a brat, little monster.
terrorism
terrorism
  1. n. the use of murder, arson, kidnapping, etc., to reach political objectives: Governments work together to stop terrorism.
terrorist
terrorist
  1. n.adj. a person who uses terrorism: Terrorists shot tourists in the airport.||The killing was a terrorist act.
terrorize
terrorize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes
    1 to put extreme fear in s.o., terrify: Bandits terrorized people by robbing them.
    2 to intimidate, harass: Soldiers terrorized the civilian population into doing what they asked.
terse
terse
  1. adj. terser, tersest brief, and often abrupt,
    THESAURUS
    curt: She asked her boss a question and received a terse reply. -adv. tersely; -n. [U] terseness.
tertiary
tertiary
  1. adj. third in place or order: The tertiary layer of soil is solid rock covered by layers of gravel and sand.
test-drive
test-drive
  1. n.v. [I;T] a drive in a vehicle to see if one likes it, before purchasing it: I took a new Mercedes for a test-drive.
test-fly
test-fly
  1. v. [T] to fly an airplane experimentally
test
test
  1. n.
    1 an examination or quiz to measure knowledge or ability: Our teacher gave us a spelling test.
    2 an experiment, probe: The laboratory reported the results of my blood test.v. [T]
    1 to examine s.o.: The state tests people who want to get a driver's license.
    2 to try out: After his operation, he tested his strength by walking a few steps.
    3 infrml.fig. to test the waters: to experiment carefully: She tested the waters of graduate school by taking one course part-time before enrolling full-time. -n. [U] adj. testing.
    THESAURUS
    test n.
    1 an exam infrml., mid-term, final
    2 a check, analysis | trial, investigation. —v.
    1 to quiz
    2 to check, investigate | verify frml.

    USAGE NOTE: In school, a test is larger and more important than a quiz, but not as comprehensive as an examination.
test ban
test ban
  1. n. an agreement to stop weapons testing, esp. nuclear weapons
test case
test case
  1. n. a lawsuit whose decision will have general importance: The test case against affirmative action could change government policy on discrimination.
test market
test market
  1. n. an area in which a new product is sold to learn how well it would sell nationally: Our company used Dallas and Boston as test markets for our new products.
test tube
test tube
  1. n.adj. a hollow cylinder made of glass or plastic used for experiments: Medical laboratories use large numbers of test tubes.
testament
testament
  1. n.
    1 a statement of belief: The Old and New Testaments form the two parts of the Christian Bible.
    2 a person's will, instructions for giving away property after death: A lawyer read the dead man's last will and testament.
testate
testate
  1. adj. (in law) having a will when one dies See: intestate.
testes
testes
  1. n.pl. the male reproductive glands, which occur in pairs: The testes are also called "testicles".
testicle
testicle
  1. n. the human male reproductive gland: Each male has two testicles that have sperm.
testify
testify
  1. v. [I;T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to tell what one knows, esp. under oath in a court of law: Two witnesses testified against the defendant.
    2 fig. to demonstrate s.t.: Her success testifies to much hard work.
testimonial
testimonial
  1. n.adj.
    1 a formal recognition of value or merit: The foreign minister gave a testimonial in honor of a retiring ambassador.||He gave a testimonial dinner in his honor.
    2 a formal statement of fact sworn under oath to be true: A witness from another country sent a testimonial of evidence to the court.
testimony
testimony
  1. n. -nies [U]
    1 formal, sworn evidence given in court
    2 proof, clear indication: A man returned $100 that he found on the street; that act is a testimony to his honesty.
    THESAURUS
    testimony
    1 a formal declaration (in court), statement under oath
    2 evidence.
testing
testing
  1. n. [U] the act of examination: Testing for job applicants will begin tomorrow morning.adj. related to examining and measuring: The military has a testing ground located in the desert.
testosterone
testosterone
  1. n. [U] the major male hormone: The amount of testosterone in a man's body is said to affect how aggressive he is.
testy
testy
  1. adj. -tier, -tiest touchy, easily angered: When you talk about the money he lost in gambling, the man becomes testy.
tetanus
tetanus
  1. n. [U] a viral infection that can cause death; lockjaw: She stepped on a rusty piece of metal and immediately got a vaccine for tetanus.
tether
tether
  1. n.v. [T]
    1 a restraint, such as a rope or leash: She keeps her dog on a tether in the backyard.
    2 fig. at the end of one's tether or rope: out of patience,
    THESAURUS
    exasperated
textbook
textbook
  1. n. a book written on a particular subject and used for study in courses: Students study biology textbooks, listen to lectures, and do laboratory experiments.
    THESAURUS
    textbook a text, hardback, paperback | primer.
textile
textile
  1. n. [U] cloth, fabric made by weaving: Textiles are woven on power looms in textile factories.
textual
textual
  1. adj. related to text: Photographs illustrate the textual material in the book.
texture
texture
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the visual pattern and degree of smoothness or roughness of touch produced by a material, such as the placement of fibers in fabric: Wool flannel has a smooth, soft texture.
    2 fig. the pattern and feel (of a painting, daily life, etc.): The texture of life in Buenos Aires is one of charm and sophistication.
thalamus
thalamus
  1. n. -mi the brain's center for sensing pain, temperature, and touch, and maintaining consciousness: The thalamus is located in the lower part of the brain.
than
than
  1. , strong form conj. used after adjectives and adverbs to show comparison: The weather is hotter (colder, better, worse, etc.) than it was last year.
thank-you
thank-you
  1. n. an expression of gratitude: She offered her thank-yous to the people who helped her.
thank
thank
  1. v. [T]
    1 to express gratitude: I thanked my friend for taking me to dinner.
    2 to give credit: He thanks his parents for teaching him to be sensitive to others.n.pl.
    1 gratitude, appreciation: He gives thanks to his professors for their patience.
    2 thanks to: because of: Thanks to his being late, we missed the train.
thankful
thankful
  1. adj. grateful,
    THESAURUS
    appreciative: She is thankful to her doctor for saving her life. -n. [U] thankfulness.
thankless
thankless
  1. adj. difficult, necessary but unpopular: Cleaning bathrooms is a thankless job. -adv. thanklessly.
that
that
  1. pron.
    1 referring to s.t. specific (but not nearby): That person needs help.
    2 after that: then
    3 all that: referring to all the rest, the remaining items: I took care of the chores, washing the dishes, doing the laundry, and all that.
    4 at that: a. referring to the limits of a situation: I apologized for making a mistake, and my boss and I agreed to leave the matter at that. b. moreover, in addition: Our business trip was interrupted by a storm, and cost us extra at that!
    5 that is: in other words
    6 that's that: the end of the matter; it's settled: We're going home now, and that's that. See: this. —adv. so; as much as: I'm not that hungry; I'll eat later.conj. : The book that you wanted is out of the library right now.

    USAGE NOTE: That is used in clauses or phrases (as in this sentence) that define the subject or action and are therefore necessary to understand the sentence. Which is used where the clause or phrase is not required, as in "My car, which is green, runs well."
thatch
thatch
  1. n. [U] v. [T] adj. -es reeds, straw, or leaves used to make a roof: The Pacific Islanders put thatch on their huts to keep out rain and sun. -n. (person) thatcher; (act) [U] thatching.
thaw
thaw
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.] v. [I;T] a slow melting of ice: During the spring thaw, ice melts on rivers and lakes.
the
the
  1. definite art.
    1 referring to a specific singular or plural noun: I closed the door and opened the windows.
    2 used before a sing. noun to form a group noun: The poor need government help, but the politicians disagree on how to give it.
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
  1. also KKK or the Klan -n. a secret society whose members think white people are superior, located mainly in the southern USA: The KKK is devoted to having white Christian people rule the world.
theater
theater
  1. n.
    1 the industry of writing and performing live musicals and dramas (not movie theaters): He is trying to make his living in the theater.
    2 a building, such as for movies, or an outdoor shell with seats for the audience and a stage for performers: Many theaters in New York are on or near Broadway.
theatrical
theatrical
  1. adj.
    1 related to the theater: Our college puts on theatrical productions twice a year.
    2 of exaggerated behavior, dramatic: When she gives presentations to clients, she is very theatrical as she talks in a loud voice, laughs, and walks around a lot. -adv. theatrically.
theatrics
theatrics
  1. n.pl. exaggerated behavior: Her theatrics annoy everyone; they are tired of her selfish behavior.
theft
theft
  1. n. [C;U] the act of stealing: The theft of the queen's jewels was a scandal.
    THESAURUS
    theft robbery, thievery.
their
their
  1. pron. possessive form of they: Their apartment is on the second floor.
theirs
theirs
  1. pron. possessive collective form of they: The corner apartment on the second floor is theirs.||That child is one of theirs.
them
them
  1. strong form pron. objective form of they: The corner apartment belongs to them.||She sent them a wedding gift.
theme
theme
  1. n. a central idea or main pattern, such as in daily life, an artistic work, or another area: The theme in that novel is one of adventure in exploring the Arctic. -adj. thematic; -adv. thematically.
themselves
themselves
  1. pron.
    1 reflexive objective form of they and them: Farmers do a lot of the farm work themselves.
    2 for emphasis: They fixed their car (by) themselves.
then
then
  1. adv.conj.
    1 at that time: I wasn't alive then.
    2 an order of events: I went to the pharmacy, then to the supermarket, then home.
    3 in addition, also: We have to write the report, and then there's editing and printing too.
    4 therefore, in that case: If you don't feel well, then go home early.
    5 and then some: in addition, in excess of: The champion won the race by a wide margin and then some.
    6 then and there: at that moment, esp. referring to a quick, decisive action: The police moved in and stopped the riot then and there as it began.adj. former: The then-president of the company has since retired.
theologian
theologian
  1. n. a scholar of religion: Famous theologians have been both controversial and influential.
theology
theology
  1. n. [U] the study of God and religion: The minister studied theology at college. -adj. theological.
theoretical
theoretical
  1. adj.
    1 conceptual, speculative but unproven: His ideas are only theoretical and have not been tested.
    2 related to the ideas behind s.t. practical: The theoretical concepts of economics are very different from the reality. -adv. theoretically. See: applied.
theorize
theorize
  1. v. [I;T] -rized, -rizing, -rizes to form or propose a theory: Albert Einstein theorized about relativity.
theory
theory
  1. n. -ries
    1 [C] an idea, argument that s.t. is true,
    THESAURUS
    a speculation: Darwin's theory of evolution is based on the survival of the fittest creatures.
    2 [C;U] a body of beliefs used as guiding principles: Social theory contains many ideas about governing. -n. theorist; theoretician . See: hypothesis.
therapeutic
therapeutic
  1. adj. healing,
    THESAURUS
    curative: The mineral waters of the spa have a therapeutic effect on people with arthritis.
therapeutics
therapeutics
  1. n.pl. used with sing. v. the art and science of healing
therapist
therapist
  1. n.
    1 a person skilled in the healing of disease or disorders: He is a physical therapist who works with the disabled.
    2 a psychiatrist or psychologist who counsels patients for mental health: She visits her therapist once a week to fight depression.
therapy
therapy
  1. n. [U] treatment of mental and physical illnesses and disorders, usu. without surgery, such as speech therapy, physical therapy, etc.: She began therapy to overcome her fear of crowds.
    THESAURUS
    therapy (medical) treatment | physiotherapy | psychotherapy, psychoanalysis.
there
there
  1. adv.
    1 at or to a specific place: The meeting is at the church and I promised to be there.
    2 about a certain matter: I understand what you mean there in your essay.adj.
    1 here, present
    2 here and there: in various places: The clothes in his room were scattered here and there.
    3 (used to emphasize): That desk there needs repair.
    4 not all there: mentally deficient, retarded, stupid, tired, etc.: The boy is not all there.pron. (used to begin a statement): There is still time to finish the project and there are many tasks to be done.interj.
    1 so there: a. (used to express relief): So there, I'm glad that tooth extraction is over. b. (used to express anger or triumph): So there! You made a mistake again!
    2 there, there: (used to express sympathy, compassion): The girl fell down and her mother said to her, "There, there, you'll be all right."
thereabout(s)
thereabout(s)
  1. adv. near that place, time, amount, etc.: You will find the stadium on the edge of town or thereabouts.||The coat costs $200 or thereabouts.
thereafter
thereafter
  1. adv.frml. afterwards, after that
thereby
thereby
  1. adv.frml. by this means,
    THESAURUS
    in consequence of: You receive interest on your savings account, thereby your money grows faster.
therefore
therefore
  1. adv. consequently, for that reason: He practices the piano every day and therefore plays well.
    THESAURUS
    therefore as a result, so, thus.
therein
therein
  1. adv.conj.frml. within, found within: An investigation showed theft of city funds and therein lies the truth. See: herein.
thereof
thereof
  1. adv.frml. related to,
    THESAURUS
    regarding: The lawsuit deals with an accident and the damages thereof.
thereupon
thereupon
  1. adv.conj.frml. as a consequence of, immediately following: We discovered the problem; thereupon we fixed it.
thermal
thermal
  1. n. updraft, current of air heading upward: Birds soar on the thermals above valleys.adj. related to heat: In winter, we wear thermal underwear to keep warm.
thermodynamics
thermodynamics
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. the science of heat, heat flow, and mechanical forms of energy
thermometer
thermometer
  1. n. a device used to measure and show temperature: We placed a thermometer outside our window.
thermonuclear
thermonuclear
  1. adj. referring to reactions caused by the fusion of nuclei at high temperatures, as in the sun
thermostat
thermostat
  1. n. a device that controls temperature inside a building: It's cold in here; turn up the thermostat!
thesaurus
thesaurus
  1. n. -ri , -ruses a dictionary of synonyms: When you look up the word "big" in a thesaurus, you learn that "large" is a synonym for "big."
these
these
  1. pron.pl. of this, referring to nearby things: I am taking these flowers to my sick neighbor. See: this.
thesis
thesis
  1. n. -ses
    1 an argument or theory: The writer's thesis states that all human problems can be solved by logic.
    2 a study made and written by a student as part of getting an academic degree
they
they
  1. pron.
    1 third person plural: John and Jane have just married and they are on their honeymoon.
    2 people in general: They say that the economy will improve soon.
thick-skinned
thick-skinned
  1. adj. not easily angered, insensitive to criticism: Politicians must be thick-skinned or they will suffer from the news media's criticisms. See: thin-skinned.
thick
thick
  1. adj.
    1 having bulk, width, or depth: The walls of the library are thick.
    2 specifying width or measurement: That steak is two inches thick.
    3 dense, closely packed: He has a thick head of hair.
    4 obscure: The ground is covered with thick fog (smoke, snow).
    5 stupid: She loves her son, but realizes that he's a bit thick.
    6 thick with: having a close relationship: The company owner and his consultant are thick with each other.
    7 to lay it on thick: to exaggerate, dramatize, flatter: He lays it on thick when he tells about how he escaped from a mugger. -adv. thickly.n.fig. [U]
    1 the most intense part of s.t.: The soldiers fought through the thick of battle.
    2 through thick and thin: dedicated, loyal through difficult times: Their marriage has had difficulties, but they have stayed together through thick and thin.
thicken
thicken
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to make thicker (wider, deeper, etc.): Workers thickened the walls around the fort by adding more dirt to them.
    2 [I;T] to make rich and heavy: The cook thickened the gravy by adding more butter and flour.
    3 [I] to become more complex: The novel's plot thickened as more characters appeared. -n. [C] thickener.
thicket
thicket
  1. n. an area of dense growth, usu. of bushes or hedges: Rabbits hide in a thicket.
thickheaded
thickheaded
  1. adj. stupid and stubborn: He acts thickheaded at times and won't listen to anyone.
thickness
thickness
  1. n. the width or depth of s.t.: In the thickness of the fog, we could not see the road well.
thief
thief
  1. n. thieves a robber, person who steals: A thief stole my luggage at the airport.
    THESAURUS
    thief a burglar, shoplifter, mugger | bandit.
thieve
thieve
  1. v. [I;T] thieved, thieving, thieves to steal: She called him a lying, useless guy, who was always thieving.
thievery
thievery
  1. n. -ies [U] an act of theft, stealing: Thievery of gold chains from people's necks is a problem in the subway.
thigh
thigh
  1. n. the part of the leg between the hip and the knee: She biked all day and her thighs hurt.
thimble
thimble
  1. n. a hard metal or plastic cap that protects the fingertip while sewing: The tailor wears a thimble on his index finger.
thimbleful
thimbleful
  1. n. a small amount
thin-skinned
thin-skinned
  1. adj.infrml. fig. touchy, sensitive to criticism: He is so thin-skinned that you have to be careful what you say to him. See: thick-skinned.
thin
thin
  1. adj. thinner, thinnest
    1 slender, slim: She is tall and thin.
    2 not thick, wide, or deep: A thin layer of dirt covers the rock below.
    3 sparse, not dense: The plant cover is thin on sandy soil.
    4 light, not thick: In summer, we wear thin clothing.
    5 weak, high-pitched: a thin voice -adv. thinly.v. thinned, thinning, thins
    1 [I;T] to become sparse: His hair is thinning.
    2 [I;T] to make less dense: I thinned the plants in my garden.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to thin down: to lose weight: He went on a diet and thinned down.
thing
thing
  1. n.
    1 a term for an unspecified material object, person, or animal: We found a strange thing on the road.
    2 a concern, worry: I don't have a thing on my mind.
    3 matter, task: I don't have a thing to do right now.
    4 the thing: the concern, matter: The thing that is wrong with his plan is it costs too much.
    5 first thing: early, at the beginning
    6 it's a good thing: it's lucky: It's a good thing I made extra copies of the report as there were a lot of people at the meeting.
    7 to have a thing for or about: a. infrml.fig. to be concerned, annoyed, etc.: He has a thing about noise; he can't stand it. b. to like s.o. romantically: She has a thing for her neighbor.
    8 the thing to do: the proper, correct action: The thing to do is to apologize right away.
    9 to do one's thing or one's own thing: to act on one's special interest(s), usu. in a creative way: He used to be a big executive, but now he's doing his own thing as a writer.
    10 to make a (big) thing about s.t.: to have an argument, make a fuss: Let's not make a big thing about him being late again.n.pl.
    1 one's possessions: When we moved, we took all of our things with us in a truck.
    2 matters in general: Things are bad now, but things will change soon.
    3 to hear or see things: to imagine sounds or sights: The child sees things in the night that are not there.
    THESAURUS
    thing n.
    1 an object, item, article
    2 an issue, difficulty, problem
    3 something, job | amusement. —n.pl.
    1 belongings | gear.
thingamabob
thingamabob
  1. or thingamajig n.infrml. s.t. whose name has been forgotten,
    THESAURUS
    a whatchamacallit: That thingamabob over there, what did you call it?
thingamabob
thingamabob
  1. or thingamajig -n. infrml. s.t. whose name has been forgotten, (syn.) a whatchamacallit: That thingamabob over there, what did you call it?
think
think
  1. v. thought , thinking, thinks
    1 [I] (syns.) to formulate, visualize in using one's reasoning ability: She thinks of solutions to mathematical problems. She formulates (or) visualizes solutions to mathematical problems.
    2 [T] (syns.) to remember, recall: He thinks that he sent the rent check to the landlord last week. He remembers (or) recalls that he sent the rent check to the landlord last week.
    3 [I;T] (syns.) to believe, suppose: I think I should go now; it's getting late. I believe (or) suppose I should go now; it's getting late.
    4 [I;T] (syns.) to conclude, feel, as in believing s.t. is true: They thought that he acted like a jerk at the party. They concluded that he acted like a jerk at the party.
    5phrasal v. insep. [T] to think about or of s.o. or s.t.: to hold s.o. or s.t. in one's thoughts: He thinks of his girlfriend all the time.
    6 to think aloud or out loud: to speak as one is thinking without worrying about if it makes sense: I'm just thinking out loud when I say that we should invest a lot of money in new equipment.
    7 to think better of: to change one's mind: He decided to buy a new car, then thought better of it and kept his old one.
    8 to think that: to express amazement, relief: To think that s.t. bad could have happened when we became lost in the mountains!
    9 to think nothing of: to consider s.t. normal, routine: He thinks nothing of flying from New York to London and back for a long weekend.
    10 phrasal v. sep. [T] to think s.t. out or through: to plan carefully: He thought out each detail of his presentation.||He thought it through.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [T] to think s.t. over: to reflect,
    THESAURUS
    to ponder before deciding: She thought over his marriage proposal for several weeks before accepting.||She thought it over.
    12 to think twice about: to be careful, cautious: I would think twice about investing in stocks; they are too risky.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to think s.t. up: to invent,
    THESAURUS
    to devise: He thinks up excuses for being late. -adj. thinkable; -n. thinker. See: unthinkable.
think tank
think tank
  1. n.fig. a research institution or group that produces studies, often of a theoretical nature: She works for an economics think tank in Washington, DC.
thinking cap
thinking cap
  1. n. fig. to put on one's thinking cap: to think hard: We have a difficult problem and I must put on my thinking cap and find a solution.
thinner
thinner
  1. n. [U] a liquid used to thin other liquids: I used turpentine as a paint thinner.adj. comp. of thin
third-degree burn
third-degree burn
  1. n. a severe burn that destroys the skin: Surgeons graft (transfer) skin from unharmed places on the body to repair third-degree burns.
third-rate
third-rate
  1. adj. of very bad quality
third
third
  1. adj.n.
    1 the ordinal number 3: She is the third child (or) the third in a group of four.
    2 one of three equal parts: one third, two thirds
third class
third class
  1. n. or third-class adj.
    1 a cheaper level of travel accommodations, esp. on a ship: The refugees left Europe and traveled by third class to New York.
    2 in the USA, a postage rate for printed material, except for newspapers and magazines, weighing less than 16 ounces: The books were shipped third class (or) by third class mail.
third degree
third degree
  1. n.infrml. to give s.o. the third degree: infrml.fig. to question or criticize severely, including the use of torture: When she came home late, her parents gave her the third degree about where she had been.
third dimension
third dimension
  1. n. depth, thickness (in addition to width and height)
third party
third party
  1. n.
    1 s.o. not directly related to a business transaction between two parties: I received a check from ABC Corp., but the bank would not let me sign it over to a third party, XYZ, Inc.
    2 a political party different from the two main parties: Candidates of a third party take votes away from candidates of the main parties in an election.
third person
third person
  1. n. (in grammar) a person or thing in the singular as he, she, or it and in the plural as they: In learning English, students often forget to add an "s" to the third person singular form of verbs in the present tense.
third world
third world
  1. n. developing countries, usu. not industrialized: Countries of the third world work at developing their basic resources.

    USAGE NOTE: Many people use the term developing nation instead of third world nation to avoid ranking the countries of the world. Developing suggests that a country's economy and industry are getting stronger.
thirst
thirst
  1. n. [U]
    1 the need to drink liquid: I slake (or) quench my thirst by drinking lots of water.
    2 fig. a desire for s.t.: She has a thirst for knowledge.v. [I]
    1 to want to drink liquids: Travelers in the desert thirsted for water.
    2 fig. to desire s.t.: He thirsts for an opportunity to prove himself. -adv. thirstily; -adj. thirsty.
thirteen
thirteen
  1. n. the cardinal number 13: Thirteen is considered an unlucky number in many cultures.
thirty
thirty
  1. n. the cardinal number 30: She is thirty years old today.
this
this
  1. pron.
    1 referring to s.t. nearby: You should read this book. This book is better than that one.
    2 (in stories) a certain, particular: Then this stranger asked me the time.
    3 this and that: one thing or another, different things: My friend and I talked about this and that. See: that.
thistle
thistle
  1. n. any of a variety of spiny weeds, often with showy flowers: Thistles have seeds that are a favorite food of birds.
thong
thong
  1. n. a narrow strip of leather used esp. in shoes and clothes for tying: Thong sandals have a small piece of plastic or leather between the big toe and the other toes.
thorax
thorax
  1. n. -raxes
    1 in humans, the chest area between the throat and the abdomen: Doctors examine the thorax for signs of disease.
    2 in insects, the middle section
thorn
thorn
  1. n. sharp, pointed parts of the stems in some plants: Roses are beautiful, but have thorns. -n. thornbush.
thorny
thorny
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having thorns
    2 fig. difficult, complex, esp. causing pain: Raising taxes is always a thorny issue.
    3 fig. a thorn in one's side: an ongoing problem, cause of irritation
thorough
thorough
  1. adj. complete: A team of doctors made a thorough examination of the patient, then suggested a treatment. -adv. thoroughly; -n. [U] thoroughness.
    THESAURUS
    thorough exhaustive | comprehensive.
thoroughbred
thoroughbred
  1. n.adj.
    1 a horse, esp. a race horse of pure stock: <n.> Thoroughbreds (or) Thorough-bred race horses are known for their spirit, beauty, speed, and power.
    2 fig. referring to a well-bred person: That person is very welleducated, a real thoroughbred.
thoroughfare
thoroughfare
  1. n. a main road that goes through a town: Fifth Avenue is one of the main thoroughfares in New York City.
those
those
  1. pron.pl. of that, referring to specific people or things not close by: Those people need help. See: that.
though
though
  1. conj. although, even though: I enjoy playing tennis, though it is tiring.adv.
    1 despite the fact that: Tennis is fun, though it's also tiring.
    2 as though: as if: He acts as though he's stupid, but he's not.
    THESAURUS
    though conj. however. —adv. nonetheless, nevertheless.
thought-out
thought-out
  1. adj. well-planned, paying attention to detail: Their construction plan was well thought-out and made the best use of the land.
thought
thought
  1. n.
    1 [C] a mental picture, image: The thought of the beautiful sunset filled his mind.
    2 [C] an idea: The thought of going out in the rain and fog discouraged him.
    3 [U] the process of reasoning: He gave a lot of thought to moving to the country before doing so. See: penny, 2.
    4 [C] an intention: I had thoughts of leaving work early today.
    5 second thought(s): reconsidering s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    misgivings: I said it would rain today, but on second thought, I think it won't.
thoughtful
thoughtful
  1. adj.
    1 considerate, kind: Her children were thoughtful and always took care of their elderly mother.
    2 reflective: She doesn't say the first thing she thinks; she's very thoughtful. -adv. thoughtfully; -n. [U] thoughtfulness.
thoughtless
thoughtless
  1. adj.
    1 insensitive, crude: At the funeral, he made thoughtless remarks about the dead woman.
    2 unthinking, unconcerned: The children played in the park, thoughtless of the time. -adv. thoughtlessly; -n. [U] thoughtlessness.
thousand
thousand
  1. n.adj. the cardinal number 1,000: A thousand people attended the lecture.
thrash
thrash
  1. v. -es
    1 [I;T] to beat severely, whip: A mugger thrashed his victim with a club.
    2 fig. [T] to win by a large amount: Our team thrashed our opponents in football.
    3 [I] to shake convulsively,
    THESAURUS
    to writhe: The dying animal thrashed on the ground.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to thrash s.t. out: to discuss for a long time before making a decision: We thrashed out the details of the contract, then signed it. -n. [U] thrashing.
thread
thread
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a twisted fiber, such as cotton, wool, etc.: A seamstress sewed a hole with a needle and thread.
    2 [C] a chain or line of events in a story: She lost the thread of her story when the phone rang.
    3 [C] in a screw, the raised ridge that forms a spiral around it —v.
    1 [T] to put thread through the eye of a needle
    2 fig. [I;T] to move carefully around obstacles: He threaded his way through the crowd of people to the exit.
    THESAURUS
    thread n.
    2 the plot, story line.
threadbare
threadbare
  1. adj. badly worn,
    THESAURUS
    tattered: The poor man wore threadbare clothes.
threat
threat
  1. n.
    1 [C] a warning of harm: They had to leave the building because of a bomb threat.
    2 [U] a danger: A flu epidemic is a threat to public health.
    THESAURUS
    threat 1 and 2 a menace, risk, hazard.
threaten
threaten
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to make threats: A manager threatens to fire an employee unless her work improves.
    2 [T] to make hostile motions toward s.o.: One country threatened another by moving an army to the border.
    3 [I;T] to warn: The sky is threatening to snow. -adv. threateningly.
    THESAURUS
    threaten 1 and 2 to menace, terrorize | intimidate frml. Ant. to protect.
    3 to loom.
three-dimensional or 3-D
three-dimensional or 3-D
  1. adj. having height, width, and depth: A stone wall is three-dimensional.
three
three
  1. adj.n. the cardinal number 3: The couple has three sons.
three R's
three R's
  1. n.pl. short for (r)eading, w(r)iting and a(r)ithmetic as the basic skills taught in school: Every school child must learn the three R's.
thresh
thresh
  1. v. [I;T] -es to beat grain stalks to separate grain: Farmers thresh grain with threshing machines. -n. thresher.
threshold
threshold
  1. n.
    1 the piece of stone (wood, etc.) under a door: A wedding custom is for husbands to carry their wives over the threshold into the house.
    2 fig. on the threshold: at the beginning, on the point of: Scientists are on the threshold of a major breakthrough in cancer research.
thrift
thrift
  1. n. spending money carefully,
    THESAURUS
    frugality: New Englanders are noted for their thrift. -adj. thrifty.
thrift shop
thrift shop
  1. n. a store that resells second-hand items, esp. clothes: Thrift shops for used children's clothes are everywhere.
thrill
thrill
  1. n. a feeling of strong excitement, fear, or pleasure: Riding a roller coaster gives you a thrill.v. [I;T] to excite intensely: Watching professional basketball games thrills the audience. -adj. thrilling; -adv. thrillingly.
thriller
thriller
  1. n.
    1 a mystery or adventure story, such as a novel or movie
    2 fig. an exciting event: The World Series baseball game was a thriller; the final score was 12-11.
thrive
thrive
  1. v. [I] thrived or throve or thrived or thriven , thriving, thrives
    1 to grow strong and healthy: Our children thrived on life in the country.
    2 to be motivated, energized by: Athletes thrive on competition. -adj. thriving.
throat
throat
  1. n.
    1 the front of the neck between chin and chest; inside the mouth to the esophagus: She has a sore throat and a cold.
    2 fig. to cut or slit one's own throat: to make oneself fail at s.t.: She cut her own throat by volunteering to do an extra project when she already had too much work.
    3 to ram, force, or push s.t. down s.o.'s throat: to make s.o. accept s.t. (ideas, etc.), usu. unwillingly
throaty
throaty
  1. adj. -ier, -iest of a sound, low and rough, harsh: Smokers often have throaty voices.
throb
throb
  1. n. a beating, pulsating sensation, usu. inside the body —v. [I] throbbed, throbbing, throbs to beat strongly, usu. from pain,
    THESAURUS
    to pulsate: His head throbs from a fever.
throne
throne
  1. n. a decorated chair used esp. by royalty in ceremonies as a symbol of power and position
throng
throng
  1. n.frml. a mob, large group of people: A throng of people gathered to hear the political candidate.v. [I;T] to form into a group: Fans thronged around the celebrity.
throttle
throttle
  1. n. on a machine, the valve that controls fuel, air, etc. —v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 fig. to choke, strangle: A murderer throttled his victim.
    2 to adjust a machine's throttle
through
through
  1. prep. in one side and out the other: The boy walked through the backyard.adv.
    1 making a connection: I got through to Moscow by telephone.
    2 completely, from beginning to end: He read through the magazine.
    3 through and through: completely,
    THESAURUS
    to the core: She is a liar through and through. See: thru, USAGE NOTE. —adj.
    1 finished, done: The maid is through cleaning the room now.
    2 referring to the end of a job, career, or other relationship: His boss told him that he was through at that company.
throughout
throughout
  1. prep. everywhere: The rumor spread throughout the city.
throughway
throughway
  1. n. a major highway, esp. with few exits: The throughway runs across the state into the city.
    THESAURUS
    throughway an expressway, superhighway, interstate.
throw-away
throw-away
  1. adj. discarding things after use, being wasteful: The USA is called a throw-away society where old or broken things are discarded instead of being fixed or reused.
throw
throw
  1. v. threw or thrown , throwing, throws
    1 [I;T] to send s.t. through the air: One player throws the ball to the other.
    2 [T] to send with force or anger: One wrestler threw the other to the mat.
    3 [T] to put on quickly: She took off her jeans and threw on a dress for the funeral.||He threw up some decorations for the party.
    4 [T] to punch: One fighter threw a punch at the other.
    5 [T] to make fall off: My horse threw me and I hit the ground.
    6 [T] a. infrml. to add casually, toss: She threw some more wood on the fire. b. fig. to add casually, augment: He threw in a few extra rewards in the deal to sweeten it.
    7 [T] to move s.t. on a machine: to throw a switch
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] fig. to throw s.t. around: to scatter s.t.: She was throwing around a lot of money last year.||She was throwing it around.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.t. away: a. to discard, get rid of: He threw away the old newspapers. b. fig. not to take advantage of s.t.: She threw away her chances for a promotion by yelling at her boss.||She threw them away.
    10 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.t. back: to return, put back in: He threw back the small fish he caught in the river.||He threw it back.
    11 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.t. in: to enter: She threw in her name as a candidate for mayor.||She threw it in.
    12 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.t. off: a. to remove, uncover: The child threw off her blankets while she was sleeping.||She threw them off. b. to trick, deceive: The criminal threw the police off his trail by hiding in the woods.
    13 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.o. or s.t. out: a. s.t.: to discard b. s.t.: to put out for consideration: He threw out the idea of ordering a pizza for dinner.||He threw it out. c. s.o.: to kick out,
    THESAURUS
    to eject: She threw her husband out of the house.
    14 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.o. or s.t. over: a. s.o.: to leave, abandon: She threw over her old boyfriend for a new one. b. s.t.: to cover: He threw a sheet over the sleeping baby.
    15 phrasal v. sep. [T] to throw s.t. together: to put together quickly: I can throw together a salad for lunch.||I can throw it together.
    16 phrasal v. sep. to throw s.t. up: a. [I;T] to vomit: He threw up his dinner because he had food poisoning.||He threw up. b. [T] to build quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to erect: We threw up our tent at the campground.n.
    1 the act of throwing
    2 the distance s.t. is thrown: a 50-foot (15.3m) throw
throwback
throwback
  1. n. s.o. or s.t. that is similar to an earlier type or time: She looks like a 19th-century British lady, a throwback to an earlier century. See: anachronism.
thru
thru
  1. infrml. prep. short for through

    USAGE NOTE: Thru is not used in formal writing; rather, use through.
thrush
thrush
  1. n. a spotted brown and gray songbird: Thrushes fill meadows and marshes with their beautiful song.
thrust
thrust
  1. n. a quick forward motion as with the arms or feet, a lunge: Fencers lunge at each other with sword thrusts.v. thrust, thrusting, thrusts
    1 [I;T] to move or push s.t. forward quickly: She thrust the knife into the watermelon.
    2 fig. [T] to be forced suddenly into a situation: An employee was thrust into a new job without any training.
thud
thud
  1. n. the sound that a falling heavy object makes when it hits the ground: The big textbook fell on the floor with a thud.v. [I] thudded, thudding, thuds to fall with a thud: The big book thudded onto the floor.
thug
thug
  1. n. a criminal, a tough guy
thumb
thumb
  1. n.
    1 on the hand, the digit opposite the index finger: The thumb allows humans to hold things.
    2 fig. under one's thumb: dominated, controlled, esp. by fear: The owner likes to have employees under his thumb.||She's under the thumb of her grandfather.
    3 pl. thumbs down: a sign of disapproval: Movie reviewers give a thumbs down if they don't like a film.
    4 pl. thumbs up: a sign of approval, support, or victory: The executive committee gave thumbs up to a research proposal.
    5 pl. all thumbs: awkward, clumsy: I am dropping things and seem to be all thumbs today.
    6 a rule of thumb: a guideline, rule
    7 infrml. to stick out like a sore thumb: to seem different, out of place: His expensive new car sticks out like a sore thumb in this poor neighborhood.v.infrml.
    1 to thumb a ride: to stand on the road with one's thumb extended,
    THESAURUS
    to hitchhike: As a college student, he thumbed a ride home on weekends.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to thumb through s.t.: to look or search through quickly: A clerk thumbed through the files looking for a letter.
thumbnail
thumbnail
  1. n. the nail of the thumb —adj. small, unfinished, brief: We draw thumbnail sketches before doing a finished drawing.
thumbtack
thumbtack
  1. n. a small pin or tack used to attach things to a wall or board
thump
thump
  1. v. [I;T] to hit with a heavy sound,
    THESAURUS
    to thud: A child thumped on a drum with her hands.n. a thud: The ball hit the wall with a thump. -n. thumper; -n. [U] adj. thumping.
thunder
thunder
  1. n. [U]
    1 the loud, strong noise that follows lightning: Thunder frightens some animals and people.
    2 to steal s.o.'s thunder: to stop s.o. from impressing others by speaking first —v.
    1 [I] to create thunder
    2 fig. [I] to sound like thunder: A herd of cattle thundered by. 3 [I;T] to shout loudly -n. [U] adj. thundering; -adj. thunderous; -adv. thunderously.
    THESAURUS
    thunder v.
    2 to roar, rumble
    3 to roar, yell.
thunderbolt
thunderbolt
  1. n.
    1 a flash of lightning with thunder
    2 fig. a hard, unexpected blow: The news of his wife's sudden death struck him like a thunderbolt.
thunderstorm
thunderstorm
  1. n. a storm with heavy rain, thunder, and lightning
thunderstruck
thunderstruck
  1. adj. fig. extremely surprised,
    THESAURUS
    amazed
thus
thus
  1. adv.conj.
    1 for that reason, therefore: He does not watch television, thus he does not own a television set.
    2 in this way
    3 thus far: so far, until now
thwart
thwart
  1. v. [T] to block s.o. from doing s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to obstruct: A detective thwarted a crime by catching the robber trying to escape.
thyme
thyme
  1. n. [U] an herb used to flavor food: One of my favorite meals is chicken in a creamy sauce flavored with thyme.
thyroid
thyroid
  1. n.adj. the gland that controls the energy and growth in the body and is located in the neck: The thyroid (or) thyroid gland can get too big and need an operation.
tiara
tiara
  1. n. a small crown with jewels that women wear on formal occasions: The princess wore a tiara to the winter ball.
tibia
tibia
  1. n. -ias or -iae the larger leg bone between the knee and the ankle: She broke her tibia in a skiing accident.
tic
tic
  1. n. a nervous spasm or twitch of a muscle: He has an eye tic that makes him look like he is winking.
tick
tick
  1. n.
    1 the sound of a clock in motion: The grandfather clock in our front hall has a loud tick.
    2 a small, bloodsucking insect that attaches itself to larger animals: Dog owners remove ticks from their pets.
    3 (in finance) the increments in the price of a security: Stocks are traded in eighths; each eighth up or down is a tick.v.
    1 [I] to make the sound of a clock: Old clocks tick away with the sound, "tick-tock tick-tock."
    2 to make s.o. or s.t. tick: to make s.o. act a certain way,
    THESAURUS
    to motivate s.o.: I don't understand what makes him tick; he doesn't seem to have any goals or pleasures.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tick s.o. off: to make angry: It's not a good idea to tick off people you have to work with.||Don't tick them off.
    4 Brit. to make a check mark: She ticked off the items on her grocery list.adj.infrml. fig. ticked off: angry, annoyed: She is ticked off because she didn't get a raise this year.
ticker
ticker
  1. n.
    1 short for an old-fashioned telegraphic machine that gives stock prices: The prices came over the ticker for buyers to see. 2 ticker tape: paper from a ticker machine, now thrown as confetti: After the war, there was a ticker tape parade on Wall Street. 3 slang the heart: My father says his ticker's not as strong as it used to be.
ticket agency
ticket agency
  1. n. a person or business that sells tickets for entertainment or travel: I bought two concert tickets from the agent at the ticket agency. -n. ticket agent.
ticking
ticking
  1. n. [U] a strong fabric covering a pillow or mattress: The ticking on mattresses is often blue-and-white stripes.
tickle
tickle
  1. v. -led, -ling, -les
    1 [I;T] to touch lightly the sensitive parts of the body so as to cause laughter: The baby's father tickled its foot with his fingers.
    2 fig. [T] to please, delight: She is really tickled with her new car.
    3 infrml.fig. to tickle one's fancy: to please, amuse: Does the idea of a walk in the moonlight tickle your fancy?
    4 tickled pink or to death: very pleased, excited: They were tickled pink when their first grandchild was born. -n. tickler.
ticklish
ticklish
  1. adj.
    1 sensitive to being tickled: She is ticklish and can't stand being tickled.
    2 fig. delicate, difficult: Arranging marriages between people is a ticklish occupation.
ticktacktoe or tictactoe
ticktacktoe or tictactoe
  1. n. [U] a game for two players where the object is to mark three X's or O's in a row and block the other player
tidal
tidal
  1. adj. referring to the actions of tides: When the tide goes down, it leaves tidal pools in the rocks and sand.
tidal wave
tidal wave
  1. n. a gigantic wave that floods the coastline: After the earthquakes a tidal wave hit the coast and washed many houses out to sea.
tidbit
tidbit
  1. n. 1 a small amount of food: He ate some tidbits of cheese and fruit.
    2 a small, often unrelated amount of s.t.: She had tidbits of information about her company's competitors.
tiddlywinks
tiddlywinks
  1. n. a game played with thin disks snapped at a cup: The winner of tiddlywinks is the player who puts the most disks into the cup.
tide
tide
  1. n. [C;U] the change in levels of sea and ocean water caused mainly by the moon's force of gravity: Boats go out to sea on the high tide.v. tided, tiding, tides phrasal v.sep. [T] to tide s.o. over: to carry s.o. through a period of need: He is staying with friends to tide him over until he finds an apartment of his own.
tidewater
tidewater
  1. n. [U] adj. the water from tides that flows into inlets: Tidewater is salty and mixes with fresh water from rivers.||The tidewater marshes around Chesapeake Bay are home to much wildlife.
tiding
tiding
  1. n.frml. old usage news, a message: Christmastime brings tidings of joy.
tidy
tidy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest neat, orderly: The boy's room is never tidy.
    THESAURUS
    tidy in (good) order, organized, uncluttered. Ants. untidy, messy.
tie-up
tie-up
  1. n. a delay,
    THESAURUS
    blockage: A traffic tie-up made us late. See: tie, 5b.
tie
tie
  1. v. tied, tying, ties
    1 [I;T] to fasten together: He tied his shoelaces.
    2 [I;T] to equal s.o. in a competition, to have a draw: The tennis match is tied 2-2 in the second set.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tie s.o. or s.t. down: a. s.o.: to keep in one place,
    THESAURUS
    to restrict: She takes care of her elderly parents, so she is tied down. b. s.t.: to bind,
    THESAURUS
    to lash down: We tied our suitcases down on the car's luggage rack.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tie s.t. in (with s.t.): to connect, blend together: We tied in television commercials for our products with radio and newspaper advertising.||We tied them in.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tie s.t. up: a. to bind, fasten together: I tied up old newspapers and put them outside for recycling.||I tied them up. b. to block,
    THESAURUS
    to hinder: We were tied up in traffic.
    6 tied up: busy, occupied: The manager can't talk to you now, because she's tied up in a meeting.n.
    1 a necktie
    2 a bond, link: He still has ties to his old neighborhood.
    3 a draw, equality in competition: The two teams had a 2-2 tie.
    4 the pieces of wood, metal, etc., that connect the rails on a railroad track
tiebreaker
tiebreaker
  1. n. in sports, a point made by a team or player to break an equal score: A tennis player scored a tiebreaker and won the match.
tier
tier
  1. n.
    1 a group of rows of seats: The highest tier in the stadium is the fifth tier.
    2 a row of s.t., usu. rising higher than the one before it: Boxes are stacked in tiers in the warehouse.
    3 a ranking or rating: Her grades were not very good, so she could only get into a third tier of a small school.
tiff
tiff
  1. n. a minor argument,
    THESAURUS
    a spat: The two neighbors had a tiff, but are friends again.
tiger
tiger
  1. n. large, fierce, wild, yellow and black striped cat that lives in Asia: Indian tigers have been hunted almost to extinction.
tight-lipped
tight-lipped
  1. adj. quiet, unwilling to give information: Witnesses to the crime are tight-lipped from fear.
tight
tight
  1. adj.
    1 stretched firmly: The belt is tight around his waist.
    2 not allowing s.t., such as water or air to pass through: The seal on the jar is tight.
    3 not wanting to spend money: He is tight with his money.
    4 not available, in short supply: Loan money is tight now.
    5 rigid, firm: The government keeps tight control over the news media.
    6 infrml.fig. drunk: She drank too much and is tight.
    7 infrml.fig. good friends, close to s.o.: Those two people are tight (or) tight with each other.
    8 close: She held her baby tight.
    9 in a tight spot: in difficulty or danger of harm: She is in a tight spot at work because her company is laying people off.
    10 sit tight: stay where you are, wait -adv. tightly; -n. [U] tightness.
tighten
tighten
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to fasten firmly, make taut: He tightens his belt before he takes a walk.
    2 to restrict: Border police tightened controls on tourists.
    THESAURUS
    tighten
    1 to make (or) draw tight
    2 to control, curb. Ant.
    1 and
    2 to loosen.
tightfisted
tightfisted
  1. adj.infrml. reluctant to spend money, cheap: Even though she is wealthy, everyone knows she's tightfisted.
tightrope
tightrope
  1. n.
    1 a rope between two high points: Circus performers cross a tightrope to thrill crowds.
    2 fig. to walk a tightrope: to be in a dangerous, tricky situation: The President must walk a tightrope between conservatives on one side and liberals on the other.
tights
tights
  1. n.pl. close-fitting hosiery, stockings: Ballet dancers wear tights to cover their legs.
tightwad
tightwad
  1. n. a tightfisted person,
    THESAURUS
    a cheapskate: He is such an old tightwad that he still has the first dollar he earned.
tile
tile
  1. n. v. [T] tiled, tiling, tiles thin plates of ceramic, metal, etc., put down to cover a floor or wall: A worker tiled the bathroom with new tiles.
till
till
  1. v. [T] to work the land; plow, plant, and harvest: Farmers till the soil in the springtime.n.
    1 the drawer of a cash register: A cashier puts money in the till.
    2 pieces of clay and small rocks from a glacier: Water drains down the glacial till. -adj. tillable.
tiller
tiller
  1. n.
    1 a person who works the soil: A farmer is a tiller of the land.
    2 a lever used to move a ship's rudder: The captain turned the tiller to head the ship to sea.
tilt
tilt
  1. n.
    1 an inclination in an angle,
    THESAURUS
    a slope: A rocket takes off vertically, then has a tilt in its path.
    2 at full tilt: at top speed: The motorboat sped away at full tilt.v. [I;T] to lean away from the vertical: A computer operator tilts the screen into a comfortable position.
timber
timber
  1. n.
    1 [U] wood for construction, lumber: Loggers cut timber and take it away on logging trucks.
    2 a wooden beam or support
    3 a shout to watch out for a falling tree: As a logger cuts down a tree, he shouts, "Timmmm---berrr!" -n. [U] timberland.
time-consuming
time-consuming
  1. adj. needing a lot of time, lengthy: Making bread is very timeconsuming.
time-honored
time-honored
  1. adj. done for many years, traditional: Giving presents on birthdays is a time-honored tradition.
time-out
time-out
  1. n. a brief stopping of activity, esp. in a sporting event: The basketball team called a time-out and rested.
time-share
time-share
  1. n. a form of joint ownership of a vacation home that gives each owner a certain number of weeks' use each year: I have a two-week time-share in a ski house in Vermont. -n. [U] time-sharing.
time
time
  1. n.
    1 [U] the duration of existence, esp. as measured in days, months, years, etc., or by clocks, watches, etc.: There is a saying that "time and tide wait for no man."
    2 [C, usu. sing.; U] the exact hour, minute, or second in a day: The time is now 8:00 A.M.
    3 [U] a duration, period: We have time to have lunch before the meeting.
    4 [U] a moment, opportunity: Now is the time to make an offer on the house we want.
    5 [C] an experience: We had a good (bad, high, etc.) time at the party.
    6 against time: to meet a deadline, often in an emergency: Rescue workers worked against time to free the trapped boy before the water covered his head.
    7 ahead of one's time: having a vision, modern
    8 ahead of time: early, done before a certain time: She plans events ahead of time and is well organized.
    9 all in good time: not to be hurried, slow(ly): The administration will take care of the matter all in good time.
    10 all the time: always, often: She goes to the movies all the time.
    11 at one time: a. before, a long time ago: At one time, the railroad used to pass through this town, but no longer. b. together, at the same time: He organized his debts all at one time by putting them into one loan.
    12 at the same time: a. together: We all left at the same time. b. on the one hand, considered together with: I like this suit; at the same time, it is too warm to wear except in winter.
    13 at times: sometimes,
    THESAURUS
    periodically: At times, she feels discouraged and at other times, optimistic.
    14 behind the times: a. outdated, unaware of recent developments: He is behind the times and quite old-fashioned. b. outmoded,
    THESAURUS
    obsolete: Their machinery is behind the times and inefficient.
    15 for the time being: for now, temporarily
    16 from time to time: periodically, every so often: He writes to his parents from time to time.
    17 in one's own time: not to be hurried: He gets things done slowly in his own time.
    18 in no time (flat): quickly, fast: I asked her to do s.t. and she did it in no time flat!
    19 in the nick of time: just in time, usu. to avoid harm, trouble, etc.: The firefighters came in the nick of time and saved people from the burning building.
    20 in time: a. over a period of time: In time, she will feel less sad about her mother's death. b. on time, at the right time: He arrived in time to get a good seat at the show.
    21 just in time: in time to avoid difficulty, harm, etc.: She arrived just in time to catch the bus.
    22 one at a time: in order, individually: Please speak one at a time, not all at once.
    23 once upon a time: long ago, many years past: Fairy tales often begin, "Once upon a time, etc."
    24 on one's own time: after working hours: On her own time, she likes to paint and draw.
    25 on time: punctual(ly),
    THESAURUS
    precise(ly): The train left on time.
    26 infrml. small-time: unimportant, not big in size, power, prestige, etc.: He is a small-time thief who steals cars.
    27 infrml. the big time: the top of any profession or activity: She is a Hollywood star who made it to the big time.
    28 time after time: repeatedly, constantly: I told him time after time not to go near the water and now he fell in and almost drowned.
    29 time and again: repeatedly, constantly
    30 Time heals all wounds: with the passing of time, anger between people goes away: Two nations that were enemies are now friends because time heals all wounds.
    31 time off: vacation, time not working: He took time off and went to Mexico for a week.
    32 Time out!: (in sports) Stop play!: The basketball referee shouted, "Time out!"
    33 to bide one's time: to wait for an opportunity: I'm going to bide my time until those shoes I want go on sale.
    34 slang to do time: to serve time in prison: He has done time for burglary.
    35 to have the time: a. to know what time it is: "Excuse me, do you have the time?"—"Yes, it's two o'clock." b. to have time to do s.t.: I have time to talk with you now.
    36 to have the time of one's life: to enjoy oneself a lot
    37 to keep time: a. (in music) to keep the tempo: The conductor keeps time for the orchestra. b. to measure time in sports: Two officials keep time in championship games.
    38 infrml.fig. to kill time: to do little while waiting,
    THESAURUS
    to idle: We killed time by talking and joking, until our airplane took off.
    39 to lose time: to be slowed down, get behind schedule: A traffic jam made us lose time on our trip.
    40 to make time: to travel fast, on or ahead of schedule: There was no traffic, so we really made time on our drive.
    41 to make up time: to work extra because of time taken off from work: She was out with a flat tire for a day, so she made up the time by working on Saturday.
    42 to pass the time (of day): to idle, do nothing special: On vacation, we passed the time reading, watching TV, and sleeping.
    43 to take time out: a. (in sports) The team took time out to rest. b. to stop what one is doing to do s.t. else: The father took time out to be with his children.
    44 to tell time: to read the hands of a clock to know the time: She learned to tell time at the age of five. —v. [T] timed, timing, times
    1 to measure the amount of time needed to complete s.t.: We timed our trip to Boston; it took three hours.
    2 to select the correct time to do s.t.: They timed their visit so they could be with her for the fair.
    3 to adjust, regulate machinery: The VCR is timed to record every day at 2:00.
time and a half
time and a half
  1. n. [U] pay at the regular hourly rate plus 50%, such as $20 per hour = $30: She gets time and a half for overtime work. See: comp time, USAGE NOTE.
time bomb
time bomb
  1. n.
    1 an explosive that has a timer: A time bomb was set to go off in an hour.
    2 fig. s.o. or a situation that may explode into a bigger problem: Her anger at working every weekend makes her a real time bomb.
time limit
time limit
  1. n. a set period of time for doing s.t.: The time limit for the exam is two hours.
time sheet
time sheet
  1. n. a record of hours an employee has worked: The office manager keeps a time sheet on each employee for payroll purposes.
time zone
time zone
  1. n. one of 24 15-degree longitudinal divisions of the earth as measured from Greenwich, England: When it is 11:00 A.M. in New York, it is 8:00 A.M. in the Pacific time zone.
timed
timed
  1. adj. measured by the amount of time needed to do s.t.: Each time horses race, they are timed.
timekeeper
timekeeper
  1. n. a person who keeps time, esp. of sporting events: The timekeeper at basketball games stops the clock whenever the officials signal to do so.
timeless
timeless
  1. adj. lasting forever,
    THESAURUS
    eternal: The timeless beauty of a great painting always delights people. -n. [U] timelessness.
timely
timely
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 fortunate,
    THESAURUS
    opportune: The arrival of help was timely because it saved everyone from starvation.
    2 in time: The package was sent overnight on a timely basis for the meeting today.
timer
timer
  1. n. a clock or person who times events, usu. to the minute or second: She uses an egg timer in the kitchen to boil eggs.
times
times
  1. prep. multiplied by: Ten times ten equals 100.n.pl.
    1 the times: modern life, now: These are conservative times.
    2 behind the times: outdated, outmoded
    3 for old times' sake: because of good memories: She went out with her old boyfriend once more for old times' sake.
times sign
times sign
  1. n. the sign (x), which is used to indicate multiplication: 10 x 15 = 150.
    THESAURUS
    timetable
    1 a schedule
    2 a calendar, program, agenda.
timetable
timetable
  1. -n.
    1 a printed chart or display of transportation departure and arrival times: I carry a commuter train timetable, so I can check when my train leaves.
    2 a plan, schedule: We have a timetable for testing and marketing a new product.
timid
timid
  1. adj.
    1 easily frightened,
    THESAURUS
    skittish: Many birds are timid and fly away as you come near them.
    2 shy,
    THESAURUS
    hesitant: The boy is timid about asking girls for dates. -n. [U] timidity ; -adv. timidly.
timing
timing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the time that an event occurs: The timing of your visit is excellent, because we need to talk to you.
    2 (in sports) an athlete's ability to act at the right moment: The tennis player's timing is off and she is not reaching her opponent's shots.
timorous
timorous
  1. adj.frml. fearful, timid: Wild creatures are timorous of humans.
tin
tin
  1. n.
    1 [U] a grayish, flexible, metallic element used as a protective coating and as an alloy with other metals: Aluminum now functions in many old uses for tin.
    2 [C] Brit. a can
tin ear
tin ear
  1. n. the inability to appreciate s.t., not interested, usu. in music: He has a tin ear for classical music.
tin foil
tin foil
  1. n. [U] a thin sheet of aluminum used as a covering, esp. for food
tincture
tincture
  1. n. [U] an alcohol solution of a medication: She uses tincture of iodine to clean wounds.
tinder
tinder
  1. n. [U] kindling, or anything that burns easily, used to start fires
tinderbox
tinderbox
  1. n.
    1 a box used to hold tinder
    2 fig. a locale or situation that could easily catch fire or become violent: The forest is so dry this summer that it is a tinderbox.||Those old houses are dangerous tinderboxes.
tinge
tinge
  1. n. a slight amount of color, a hint of s.t.: His voice was tinged with sadness.v. [T] tinged, tingeing, tinges to add a little color, tint: Age has tinged his hair with gray.
tingle
tingle
  1. v. [I] -gled, -gling, -gles to have a prickly feeling: Her fingers tingle from the cold.n. a prickly feeling: She can feel the tingle in her toes from the cold. -n. [U] adj. tingling.
tinker
tinker
  1. n. old usage a person who goes from place to place fixing metal utensils and implements: Tinkers go from house to house offering to sharpen knives and fix pots and pans.v. [I]
    1 to work as a tinker
    2 fig. to work with s.t. casually,
    THESAURUS
    to putter: He tinkered with his car to see if he could make it work.
tinkle
tinkle
  1. v. [I] -kled, -kling, -kles
    1 to make light metallic sounds: Small bells tinkle.
    2 infrml.fig. to urinate (baby talk): The little boy had to tinkle.n. a metallic sound: You can hear the tinkle of the wind chimes on the porch.
tinny
tinny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest having an unpleasant, thin sound: That old piano sounds tinny.
tinsel
tinsel
  1. n. [U] thin strips of shiny, silvery metal used for decoration, esp. on Christmas trees: The tinsel on the tree makes it look covered with ice and snow.adj. showy, bright but cheap: Hollywood is called "Tinsel Town."
tint
tint
  1. n. a color with white added, a light shade of a color: White added to black produces a tint of gray.v. [T] to color: She tints her hair to cover the gray.
tiny
tiny
  1. adj. -nier, -niest very small,
    THESAURUS
    minute: Cells are too tiny to see with the bare eye; one needs a microscope to see them.
tip-off
tip-off
  1. n.v.infrml. [T] a hint, telling secret information: An informer gave the police a tip-off that a gang planned to rob a bank.||He tipped them off.
tip-top
tip-top
  1. adj. excellent, first rate: She exercises every day and is in tip-top condition.
tip
tip
  1. n.
    1 the point of s.t.: The tip of a needle is very sharp.
    2 advice, helpful information: The coach gave a player a tip on how to improve her golf stroke.||A friend gave me a tip on the stock market.
    3 money given to s.o. for doing s.t.: I left the waiter a generous tip.v. [I;T] tipped, tipping, tips
    1 to leave a little money: I tipped the waiter and left.
    2 to lean, incline: She tipped the bucket and poured water out of it.
    3 to spill, knock over: The child tipped over a glass of water.
tipper
tipper
  1. n. s.o. who gives money as a gratuity, esp. to a server at a restaurant: That woman is a good tipper.
tipsy
tipsy
  1. adj. -sier, -siest a little bit drunk: He drank too much and is a little tipsy.
tiptoe
tiptoe
  1. v. [I] -toed, -toeing, -toes
    1 to walk quietly on one's toes: She tiptoed up the stairs, so as not to wake up her sleeping parents.
    2 fig. to talk carefully around s.t.: She tiptoed around the question of a raise with her boss.
tirade
tirade
  1. n. a long, complaining speech or criticism: The boss gave a long tirade about how we had to meet the deadline.
tire
tire
  1. v. tired, tiring, tires
    1 [I;T] to weaken, become fatigued: He tires when he walks a long distance.
    2 [T] to bore, irritate: Listening to long speeches tires the audience.n. the outer covering of a vehicle's wheel where air is put: My bicycle got a flat tire this morning on my way to work. -adj. tiring.
tired
tired
  1. adj.
    1 exhausted, fatigued: She is tired after working all day.
    2 fig. annoyed, bored: I am tired of listening to your problems. -adv. tiredly.
    THESAURUS
    tired
    1 worn-out
    2 irritated, weary.
tireless
tireless
  1. adj. dedicated,
    THESAURUS
    unflagging: Her efforts for her clients are tireless. -n. [U] tirelessness.
tiresome
tiresome
  1. adj. annoying, wearying: His complaints are tiresome.
tissue
tissue
  1. n.
    1 [U] a group of animal or plant cells that together makes up an organ that performs a certain function, such as nerve tissue or muscle tissue: Human liver tissue can grow again if it is injured.
    2 [C] paper products, such as toilet tissue or paper handkerchiefs: After I sneezed, I wiped my nose with a tissue. See: Kleenex™.
tit
tit
  1. n.
    1 a small bird
    2 the nipple on a breast: The baby sucked milk from a tit.
    3 vulg. a woman's breast
    4 tit for tat: an act of doing the same thing to s.o. who has hurt or annoyed you,
    THESAURUS
    retaliation: The U.S. government caught a foreign spy, and the spy's government seized an American in a tit for tat.
titanic
titanic
  1. adj. gigantic, of great size, strength, importance, etc.: Sumo wrestlers have titanic strength. -n. titan.
tithe
tithe
  1. n. 10% of one's income given to a church or charity: The family gives a tithe to their church.v. [I;T] tithed, tithing, tithes to give or receive a percentage, usu. 1/10th of an income: The church tithed its members.
titillate
titillate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to excite briefly,
    THESAURUS
    to entice: The sexual adventures of TV soap opera characters titillate large audiences. -n. [U] titillation.
title
title
  1. n.
    1 [C] the name of a book, musical piece, painting, etc.: The title of that great novel is War and Peace.
    2 [C;U] legal proof, such as a document, of ownership of property: I have title to two automobiles.
    3 [C] the name of a rank of nobility, academic degree, or office: Dr. Jones has the title of Doctor of Medical Dentistry.v. [T] -tled, -tling, -tles to give a name or title to s.t.: The songwriter titled the song "Happy Days." -adj. titled.
title role
title role
  1. n. the main character in a play, for whom it is named
titleholder
titleholder
  1. n.
    1 (in law) one who has title to property: The titleholder to that land is an elderly woman.
    2 (in sports) a record holder
titmouse
titmouse
  1. n. -mice a family of small, energetic birds, such as the chickadee, with long tails: Titmice fly quickly from tree to tree in search of food.
titter
titter
  1. v. [I] to laugh nervously and quietly: The schoolchildren tittered when the teacher lost his glasses. -n. [U] tittering.
titular
titular
  1. adj. referring to s.o. who holds a title, but not its power: The president is the titular head of the company, but the owner is really in charge.
tizzy
tizzy
  1. n.infrml. -zies confusion,
    THESAURUS
    a whirl: He is in a tizzy because he can't find his car keys and has to leave.
to-and-fro
to-and-fro
  1. adj.adv.phr. back and forth, side to side: Children swing to-and-fro in the playground.n. [U] back-and-forth movement: Com-muters get used to the to-and-fro of traveling to and from work.
to-do
to-do
  1. n.infrml. a confusion,
    THESAURUS
    a fuss: He makes a big to-do about paying his taxes.
to
to
  1. , strong form particle
    1 (used to begin an infinitive of a verb, as in "to go" and "to know"): We have to go home now.||I want you to know that you are right.
    2 (used in place of an infinitive): He needs to fix his car but doesn't know how to.
    3 (used to indicate an indirect object): The sales clerk sold the dress to her.
    4 (used with many verbs to show motion): A police officer came to help us.adv. in the direction of, such as up and down or from side to side: The pendulum on the clock swings to and fro.prep.
    1 toward, in the direction of: That highway leads to Florida.
    2 part of, making up: There are four quarts to a gallon.
    3 headed toward a state (status, condition, etc.): The country is moving to the left politically.
    4 extending to, reaching as far as: That path leads to the woods.
    5 regarding pleasure or lack of it: Those roses are to her liking.||I prefer golf to tennis.
    6 regarding the senses (smell, touch, sight, etc.): That cloth feels like silk to the touch.||To my eye, that color looks green, not blue.
    7 including, between certain times, spaces, etc.: He works from morning to evening (from 9 to 5).||She read the book from beginning to end.
    8 regarding time, scores, and ratios: It is 10 to noon.||Our team won 10 to 6.||That building will take 3 to 4 years to complete.
    9 relating, belonging to, fitting s.o. or s.t.: That is the key to the door.||She is the assistant to the manager.
toad
toad
  1. n. a frog-like amphibian with warty skin: Toads spend more time on land than frogs do.
toadstool
toadstool
  1. n. a large mushroom-like plant, usu. poisonous
toast
toast
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make bread or other foods brown with heat: I toasted some white bread for sandwiches.
    2 to call for s.o.'s good health or honor s.o., esp. with a drink: We toasted the guest of honor with a glass of wine.n.
    1 [U] pieces of bread that have been heated until they are brown: I had toast for breakfast.
    2 [C] a gesture to honor s.o.: The host proposed a toast to the bride and groom.
toaster
toaster
  1. n. an electrical device that browns food
toasty
toasty
  1. adj.fig. -ier, -iest warm and cozy: The mountain cabin was warm and toasty.
tobacco
tobacco
  1. n. [U] a variety of leafy plants dried and cut for smoking or chewing: Nicotine is the active narcotic in tobacco.
tobacconist
tobacconist
  1. n. a person or business that sells tobacco products
toboggan
toboggan
  1. n.v. [I] a large, flat sled with a curved front used to slide down snowy hills: Our toboggan will seat three, and we tobogganed down a nearby hill in it this winter.
today
today
  1. adv.
    1 now, this present day: Today, I'm going to work.
    2 these times: Today, our government needs to do s.t. about the economy.n. in this time, age, etc.: In today's world, one cannot plan on having the same employer for 25 years.
toddle
toddle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to walk with short, unsteady steps: Little children toddle when they learn to walk.
toddler
toddler
  1. n. a small child: Parents hold the hands of toddlers when they learn to walk.
toe
toe
  1. n.
    1 each of five digits on the foot: Her big toe hurts.
    2 on one's toes: alert, ready to move or act: The boss keeps everyone on their toes by checking their work.
    3 to step or tread on s.o.'s toes: to annoy s.o., esp. by taking over their plans or authority: He stepped on his daughter's toes by interfering in her wedding plans. See: finger. —v. toed, toeing, toes
    1 [T] to touch or move with the toe: He toed the curbstone as he talked.
    2 to toe the line: to stick to strict rules of behavior: After his release from jail, the authorities made him toe the line.
toehold
toehold
  1. n.
    1 a space large enough only for one's toes: A rock climber finds toeholds as she climbs a cliff.
    2 infrml. to gain a toehold: to make a small beginning: Our company gained a toehold in the foreign market through a distributor in Hong Kong.
toenail
toenail
  1. n. the nail on each toe of the foot: Toenails grow more slowly than fingernails.
toffee or toffy
toffee or toffy
  1. n. [C;U] a hard candy made of sugar and butter boiled together
tofu
tofu
  1. n. [U] a cheeselike curd made from soybeans: Tofu is a very healthy source of protein.
toga
toga
  1. n. a loosely draped outer garment worn by the Romans
together
together
  1. adv.
    1 as a group: We went together to the party.
    2 (to join) in a group: We joined together into a trade association.
    3 (to join) as a unit or assembly, etc.: Carpenters nail pieces of wood together.
    4 in unison: The senators in each party voted together along party lines.
    5 infrml.fig. to get it or one's act together: to organize oneself to act effectively: He finally got his act together and graduated from college.
    6 infrml.fig. to have it together: to be well organized, effective (a person): He has it together and is doing well in business. -n. [U] togetherness.
toggle
toggle
  1. n. a pin or bar that keeps s.t. together: He wears a wool coat that fastens with toggles.v. [I] to alternate between two or more electronic configurations, esp. when using a computer: On my computer, I can toggle between two software programs very easily.
toil
toil
  1. v. [I] to work hard, labor with little reward or relief: He toils in the fields under a hot sun.n. [U] hard work with little reward,
    THESAURUS
    drudgery: The toil in farming is unending.
toilet
toilet
  1. n.
    1 a bathroom fixture, usu. ceramic, with a water tank, bowl, and drain pipe, used to flush away bodily waste: The toilet is stopped up.
    2 a bathroom, the room with a sink, toilet, bathtub, or shower: He excused himself to go to the toilet. See: bathroom.
    THESAURUS
    toilet
    2 a rest room, lavatory, latrine (in the military).
toilet paper
toilet paper
  1. n. [U] paper tissue used for hygienic purposes: Toilet paper comes in rolls.
toiletries
toiletries
  1. n.pl. items used for personal care, such as soap, shampoo, lotions, etc.: Drugstores and grocery stores sell toiletries.
token
token
  1. n.
    1 a substitute coin: The local subways and buses take tokens as well as coins.
    2 fig.a sign, indication of s.t.: He gives her roses as a token of his affection for her.
tokenism
tokenism
  1. n. [U] (in race relations) hiring few minority workers: A company with two thousand employees was accused of tokenism, because it has one black worker, one Asian worker, one gay worker, and one Hispanic worker.

    USAGE NOTE: Tokenism is a fairly serious statement to make about a company or organization, because it implies that a company really doesn't want to hire women and minority workers.
tolerable
tolerable
  1. adj.
    1 bearable,
    THESAURUS
    endurable: The heat in this area is tolerable during the summer.
    2 not very good but acceptable, somewhat satisfactory: The food in that cafeteria is tolerable. -n. [U] tolerability. See: intolerable.
tolerance
tolerance
  1. n.
    1 [U] the ability to suffer or endure s.t.: She has a high tolerance for pain.
    2 [U] acceptance, esp. of beliefs and behavior different from the dominant culture: That city is famous for its tolerance of crime.
    3 [C] (in machinery) small differences from standard: Precision tools must be machined to close tolerances. See: intolerance.
tolerant
tolerant
  1. adj. accepting of different beliefs and behavior: The boy's parents are tolerant of his naughty behavior.
tolerate
tolerate
  1. v. [T] -ated, -ating, -ates
    1 to allow, put up with s.t.: She cannot tolerate anyone who does not act as she does.
    2 to endure, suffer: I cannot tolerate hot, spicy foods.
    3 to accept, receive: Most people in that country will tolerate people from other nations as neighbors. -n. [U] toleration.
toll
toll
  1. n. [C]
    1 a fee charged for passage: Authorities charge a toll to use certain bridges and roads.
    2 [usu. sing.] the slow regular sound as of a bell: You can hear the toll of church bells on Sunday.
    3 [usu. sing.] wear and tear: Working many long days took its toll on her health.v. [I;T] to ring, sound slowly: The grandfather clock tolled 12 midnight.
toll call
toll call
  1. n. a call requiring an extra payment in addition to a base rate: I get some free calls each month; the rest are toll calls.
toll road
toll road
  1. n. a road, throughway, etc., that requires payment of tolls for passage
tollbooth
tollbooth
  1. n. a small structure from which tolls are collected: We stopped at the tollbooth and paid the toll.
tollgate
tollgate
  1. n.
    1 a gate that goes up when one pays a toll
    2 the area of tollbooths and gates on a highway: We stopped at the tollgates and paid.
tomahawk
tomahawk
  1. n. a small hatchet used by Native Americans: Tomahawks were used in war to kill enemies.
tomato
tomato
  1. n. -toes a South American plant with large red fruit eaten as a vegetable: Tomatoes have a lot of vitamin C.
tomb
tomb
  1. n. a burial room or grave with a monument over it: Egyptian pyramids are tombs and monuments to dead rulers.
tomboy
tomboy
  1. n. a girl who behaves like a boy, esp. in sports and choice of clothes: She is a tomboy who is better at soccer and tennis than most boys are. -adj. tomboyish.
tombstone
tombstone
  1. n. a grave marker: His tombstone is carved with the words, "Rest in Peace."
tomcat
tomcat
  1. n. a mature, male domestic cat
tome
tome
  1. n.frml. a large, heavy book: One-volume encyclopedias are tomes.
tomfoolery
tomfoolery
  1. n. [U] senseless behavior, silliness: Teachers will not allow tomfoolery in the classroom.
tomorrow
tomorrow
  1. n.adv. the day after today: <n.> Tomorrow is Saturday and I have to work tomorrow.
ton
ton
  1. n.
    1 a unit of measurement of weight, in the USA, 2,000 lbs.; in the British Commonwealth, 2,240 lbs.
    2 a metric ton: weight of 1,000 kilos
    3 a displacement ton of ships equal to 35 cubic feet of seawater: Large ocean-going ships weigh thousands of tons.
    4 infrml. general expression of heaviness or large amount of s.t.: That bookcase is too heavy for me to carry; it weighs a ton.||I have a ton of work to do today.
tonality
tonality
  1. n. -ties
    1 (in music) relationships of tones based on keys
    2 the relationship of colors and tone of a painting: The tonality of her painting is based on the use of primary colors. -adj. tonal.
tone-deaf
tone-deaf
  1. adj. unable to hear differences in musical notes
tone
tone
  1. n.
    1 the loudness or character of a voice: He speaks to his baby in soft tones.
    2 the mood in a voice or gathering: Our meeting had a pleasant (unfriendly, serious, etc.) tone.
    3 an electronic sound, such as the dial tone (the sound of a telephone when picked up) or another signal: On the radio one hears, "At the sound of the tone, it will be 10 o'clock."
    4 (in music) a full interval on a diatonic scale: The interval goes up a whole tone.
    5 (in art) the characteristic of a color or shade: Her watercolor paintings have a light tone.
    6 the firmness and flexibility of skin or muscles: An athlete has good muscle tone.v. [T] toned, toning, tones
    1 to increase firmness or vitality: He tones his muscles by exercising.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to tone s.t. down: to lessen the intensity of s.t.: The critic toned down her attacks on the government.|| She toned them down.
    3 phrasal v. sep. to tone s.t. up: a. to make s.t. stronger, firmer: He toned up his muscles by exercising.||He toned them up. b. to improve s.t.: She toned up her apartment by having it painted.
toneless
toneless
  1. adj. flat, lacking spirit, lifeless: She gave a toneless answer to his question. -adv. tonelessly.
tongs
tongs
  1. n.pl. a pair of tongs: a V-shaped tool used to hold and lift things: I took some lettuce from a bowl with a pair of tongs and put it on my plate.
tongue-lashing
tongue-lashing
  1. n.fig. severe criticism: The boss gave the worker a tongue-lashing for coming to work late.
tongue-tied
tongue-tied
  1. adj.fig. unable to speak because of nervousness: A guy met a very pretty woman and was tongue-tied.
tongue-twister
tongue-twister
  1. n. words that are difficult to pronounce: "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers" is a tongue-twister.
tongue
tongue
  1. n.
    1 the movable organ in the mouth used for tasting and producing speech: He drank hot tea and burned his tongue.
    2 a language: He speaks in a foreign tongue.
    3 a type or tone of speech: That boy has a sharp tongue.
    4 on the tip of one's tongue: about to be recalled: Oh, I have the man's name right on the tip of my tongue; yes, it's George Smith!
    5 to have a silver tongue: to speak well,
    THESAURUS
    to be eloquent: He was a great orator who spoke with a silver tongue.
    6 to hold one's tongue: not to speak even though one wants to: He wanted to yell at the rude man, but held his tongue.
    7 to speak with a forked tongue: to lie: He's a liar who speaks with a forked tongue.
    8 to stick or pull out one's tongue: to show contempt for s.o.: The girl stuck out her tongue at a boy who annoyed her.
    9 tongue-in-cheek: jokingly,
    THESAURUS
    ironically: She spoke with tongue-in-cheek when she asked her friend to loan her a million dollars.v. [T] tongued, tonguing, tongues to use the tongue to form separate notes on a musical instrument: The musician tongued notes on the oboe.
tonic
tonic
  1. n.adj.
    1 a medicinal liquid that gives energy: He made a tonic of herbal tea and honey.
    2 a stimulant: The cool autumn air is a tonic; it has a tonic effect.
    3 tonic water: water with gas bubbles and quinine: I'll have a glass of tonic water, please. See: soda, USAGE NOTE.
tonight
tonight
  1. adv. the hours of darkness following this day: The concert takes place tonight.

    USAGE NOTE: Tonight includes both evening and night of a given day: Tonight at 7 P.M. (=this evening), I'm having dinner with friends. Tonight at midnight (=late at night), I'm meeting a friend at a nightclub.
tonnage
tonnage
  1. n. [U]
    1 the weight in tons of freight or ships' cargo: Ships carry a huge tonnage of wheat from the Great Lakes' ports.
    2 the total shipping capacity of a nation: The country of Panama registers a great tonnage of ships every year.
tonsil
tonsil
  1. n. one of two oval-shaped organs located back in the human throat: The boy's tonsils are inflamed and must be removed.
tonsillitis
tonsillitis
  1. n. [U] inflammation of the tonsils
tony
tony
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest classy, fashionable: My rich friends live in a tony neighborhood.
too
too
  1. adv.
    1 in addition, as well, also: She went to the movie, and I decided to go too.
    2 excessively, unreasonably: That investment is too risky for us.
    3 infrml. too much: extreme,
    THESAURUS
    intolerable (often used humorously): George, you are just too much.
    THESAURUS
    too
    1 additionally, besides
    2 overly, unduly frml. | very, extremely.
took
took
  1. past tense of take
tool
tool
  1. n.
    1 an implement, such as a pair of pliers, screwdriver, hammer, or saw, used to make or repair things: He keeps his tools in the cellar.
    2 a person manipulated by others: She drove the getaway car in the bank robbery, but was only a tool of those who planned it.
    3 slang s.o. who studies a lot: That tool is always in the library!v.
    1 [T] to decorate, make designs in s.t.: She tooled the leather belt with geometric designs.
    2 phrasal v. infrml. [I] to tool along: to drive fast and calmly: I tooled along on the highway until I reached Atlanta and a lot of traffic.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to tool up: to design and make manufacturing tools used to make products: Each year, automakers tool up for the next year's new car models.
    THESAURUS
    tool n.
    1 an instrument, device | gadget | utensil
    2 a dupe.
toolbox
toolbox
  1. n. a steel, wooden, etc., case in which tools are kept and carried: The carpenter takes a toolbox to work.
toot
toot
  1. n.v.
    1 [I;T] to beep or blow a horn: A driver tooted (the horn) to warn people crossing the road.
    2 infrml. [I;T] to play a brass instrument: A musician tooted a trumpet.
    3 slang cocaine
    4 infrml.fig. to toot one's own horn: to boast, brag: Oh, you should listen to him toot his own horn!
tooth
tooth
  1. n. teeth
    1 one of a set forming a dental structure in the mouth used for biting and chewing: A dentist examines one tooth at a time.
    2 pointed parts of s.t., such as teeth on a saw, rake, comb, etc.
    3 long in the tooth: old
    4 fig. to fight tooth and nail: to fight with all one's power: She fought tooth and nail to keep her job.
toothache
toothache
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.] a pain in a tooth or teeth
toothbrush
toothbrush
  1. n. -brushes a brush with a handle used to clean teeth
toothless
toothless
  1. adj. without teeth, weak
toothpaste
toothpaste
  1. n. [U] sweetened, gritty paste used to clean teeth: Baking soda and water can be used as toothpaste.
toothpick
toothpick
  1. n. a slender piece of wood, plastic, etc. used to remove food pieces from between the teeth
top-down
top-down
  1. adj.adv. in descending order of importance: The guests are listed top-down with the guest of honor heading the list.
top-heavy
top-heavy
  1. adj. having a heavier, fuller top than bottom: That organization is top-heavy with managers and assistants.
top-level
top-level
  1. adj. at the highest level, esp. of an organization: The Presidents and Prime Ministers held a top-level meeting on economic cooperation.
top-notch
top-notch
  1. adj. first rate, excellent: She did a top-notch job on her report.
top
top
  1. n.
    1 the highest or uppermost part (level, layer, etc.) of s.t.: He touched the top of his head.
    2 a lid, covering, cap: The top of the jar is made of metal.
    3 a shirt, a piece of clothing for the upper body: She bought a new top to go with her skirt.
    4 the best, first: He is at the top of his class.
    5 a toy that spins: Children play with tops.
    6 in top form: at the best of one's ability: That skier is in top racing form today.
    7 off the top of my head: quickly, without research or thought: Off the top of my head, I don't know the answer, but I will find out.
    8 on top: a. in a stronger position,
    THESAURUS
    dominant: Labor is on top in the negotiations with management. b. the top person: She was promoted to general manager and is on top now.
    9 on top of: a. totally aware and in control of a situation: He is on top of all that is going on in his department. b. in addition to: I have a lot of work to do; on top of that, my babysitter is sick.
    10 fig. on top of the world: to feel happy, thrilled: She told him that she loves him, and he is now on top of the world.
    11 over the top: exceeding goals, doing s.t. very well: Our sales volume this month has already gone over the top.
    12 to blow one's top: a. to explode the top off s.t.: The volcano shook, then blew its top. b. infrml.fig. to explode in anger or rage: He blew his top when his proposal was refused.
    13 top of the line: the best of a group: That special model of Mercedes is the top of the line in automobiles.
    THESAURUS
    top n.
    1 the highest point, upper part (or) surface | pinnacle, summit, peak | acme (of achievement) frml. Ant. bottom.
    2 a cover
    4 the head. —n.pl.
    1 the uppermost parts: The tops of the trees move in the wind.
    2 fig. excellent, terrific: He (She, It, etc.) is tops, just terrific!
    3 fig. first,
    THESAURUS
    foremost: He (She, etc.) is tops in the country in his field.
    v. topped, topping, tops
    1 to top it (all) off: in addition, usu. s.t. especially good or very bad: We had a wonderful party and to top it all off, we were driven home in a limousine.
    2 phrasal v. [I] to top out: to level off, flatten: Sales volume on that product is topping out and beginning to decline.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to top s.t. off: a. to add a last remaining amount to s.t.: The worker carefully topped off the oil tank with a few drops more.||She topped it off. b. to add more to s.o.'s drink, to freshen: Can I top off your glass of wine?
top brass
top brass
  1. n.pl. the most important, highest ranking people: The top brass from the military visited the troops.
top hat
top hat
  1. n. a high, black, flat-topped hat: On very formal occasions, men wore top hats and formal suits.
top secret
top secret
  1. adj. the highest level of secrecy, esp. in the military: Military plans are kept top secret for security reasons.
topaz
topaz
  1. n. [C;U] a semi-precious gemstone in pink, brown, blue, or yellow: She wears a large yellow topaz set in a gold ring.
topiary
topiary
  1. n. -ries a garden of trees, hedges, etc., that are cut in artistic shapes
topic
topic
  1. n. a subject of attention, writing, conversation; a field: Today's topic in class was linear algebra.
    THESAURUS
    topic a theme, subject matter | issue.
topic sentence
topic sentence
  1. n. a sentence that gives the main subject of concern: The topic sentence began the first paragraph of her term paper.
topical
topical
  1. adj.
    1 related to a topic, subject, field, etc.: The professor made topical remarks about the subject of today's lecture.
    2 local, not general: This medicinal lotion is for topical use only. -adv. topically.
topless
topless
  1. adv.adj. without a shirt or bathing suit top,
    THESAURUS
    bare-breasted: In Europe there are many topless beaches.
topography
topography
  1. n. [U]
    1 the physical landscape: The topography of the Balkans is mountainous.
    2 maps of the physical features of an area: The US government makes maps showing the topography of the USA. -n. [C] topographer.
topping
topping
  1. n. [C;U] sweets, sauces, garnishes, etc., put on top of foods: The dessert has a topping of whipped cream and a cherry.
topple
topple
  1. v. -pled, -pling, -ples
    1 [I;T] to knock down: Workers toppled statues of old leaders.
    2 fig. [T] to overturn, bring down: Revolutionaries topple governments by making coups.
topsoil
topsoil
  1. n. [U] the first level of soil: Topsoil on hillsides can be washed away by heavy rains.
topsy-turvy
topsy-turvy
  1. adj.infrml. upside down, confused: After the storm, the whole area was topsy-turvy.
torch
torch
  1. n. -es
    1 a lighting device with a flame atop a handle: The Olympic torch is used to light the flame to begin the Games.
    2 to carry a torch for s.o.: to be in love with s.o. who usu. does not love one in return: She always carried a torch for her old boyfriend.v. [T] -es to set afire: Vandals torched buildings in the city.
toreador
toreador
  1. n. a bullfighter: A toreador must be very brave and skillful.
torment
torment
  1. n. [U] great mental or physical pain,
    THESAURUS
    agony: During the war, he suffered torment as a prisoner.v. [T] also / to make miserable, inflict torment: The little boy tormented insects by pulling off their legs. -adj. tormented; -n. [C] tormentor.
tornado
tornado
  1. n. -does a twister; violent, swirling, fast-moving winds: Tornadoes can lift houses and trees and put them down miles away.
torpedo
torpedo
  1. n. -does a naval weapon driven by its own motor in the water that explodes when it hits a vessel: Torpedoes can damage a ship and sink it.v. [T] -doed, -doing, -does
    1 to hit with a torpedo: Submarines torpedoed many ships during World War II.
    2 fig. to ruin,
    THESAURUS
    to sabotage: An opponent torpedoed proposed legislation by having it voted down in Congress.
torpor
torpor
  1. n.frml. [U] inactivity because of lack of energy, ambition, etc.,
    THESAURUS
    lethargy: The noonday heat in some areas causes torpor among people. -adj. torpid.
torque
torque
  1. n. [U] the movement and usu. measurement of a mechanical system that causes rotation: Racing cars develop high torque as their engines reach full speed.
torrent
torrent
  1. n.
    1 a violent flood, esp. of water: A torrent of water rushed down the canyon.
    2 fig. a rush: A torrent of criticism followed the proposed tax increases. -adj. torrential.
torrid
torrid
  1. adj.
    1 extremely hot: The fire was so torrid that firefighters could not get near it.
    2 intensely passionate, hot: The couple had a torrid love affair. -adv. torridly.
torso
torso
  1. n. the area of the human body from the hips to the neck, the trunk: Many Greek statues are of the torso only.
tort
tort
  1. n. (in law) a private or civil wrongful act that causes another person harm or damage and entitles him or her to compensation: A guy ran into my car, which is a tort.
tortellini
tortellini
  1. n. [U] small, round pasta filled with meat, cheese, etc.
tortilla
tortilla
  1. n. a Mexican bread of corn meal made in a thin layer and cooked on a grill
tortoise
tortoise
  1. n. a land turtle noted for its high humped shell and slow motion
tortuous
tortuous
  1. adj.
    1 winding, bending: The road through the mountains is tortuous and narrow.
    2 fig. complex, involved: Wage and benefit negotiations can be tortuous. -adv. tortuously.
torture
torture
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] physical abuse that causes great pain and mental anguish: Prisoners are subjected to torture by some military groups.
    2 [U] strong emotional pain —v. [T] -tured, -turing, -tures to abuse, harm: Prison workers tortured captured soldiers during the war.
toss-up
toss-up
  1. n. [U] a guess that anything could happen, an even likelihood: Both teams are so good that it is a toss-up as to who will win.
toss
toss
  1. v. -es
    1 [T] to throw, pitch: The baseball player tossed the ball to the catcher.
    2 [T] to mix lightly: I tossed a salad for dinner.
    3 [T] to throw away: She tosses old memos in the wastebasket.
    4 [I;T] to jerk, nod: A horse tosses its head.
    5 [I;T] to flip: The referee tossed a coin to see who kicks off.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to toss s.t. around: to discuss s.t. informally: I tossed around the idea of going to the beach with my friends and they liked it.||I tossed it around.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to toss s.t. away: to discard, dispose of s.t.: He tosses away the paper after reading it.||He tosses it away.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to toss s.t. off: to do s.t. quickly: She tossed off a letter to her sister.n.
    1 a heave, hard throw: Fifty yards is a long toss in football.
    2 a lob, easy throw: I gave the ball a toss to my daughter.
    3 a flip: The referee gave the coin a toss.
tot
tot
  1. n. a small child: The mother carried her tiny tot.
total
total
  1. n. a sum, final adding up of numbers, things, etc.: The total of this month's sales is up 20%.adj.
    1 complete, entire: That amount represents the total cost of the project.
    2 absolute, complete: The house destroyed in the storm is a total loss.v. [T]
    1 to add up, reach a final figure: The bill totaled $100.
    2 infrml.fig. to destroy, esp. a car: He drove too fast and totaled his car. -adv. totally.
total quality management or TQM
total quality management or TQM
  1. n. a concept that focuses on cooperation and employee training in order to ensure continual quality improvement
totalitarian
totalitarian
  1. adj. dictatorship by an individual or a group over a nation's people: Totalitarian regimes never last forever. -n. [U] totalitarianism.
totality
totality
  1. n. -ties [U] everything included, the whole: The totality of human life on this planet numbers in the billions.
tote
tote
  1. v. [T] toted, toting, totes to carry, lug: A porter toted my luggage up to my hotel room.n. a light, cloth bag: I carry my computer in a small tote.
totem
totem
  1. n. the image of a bird, animal, or other living thing used as an object of worship or respect: Some Native American tribes honor the bear as a totem.
totem pole
totem pole
  1. n. a tree carved and usu. painted with totems and displayed in the open: Some tribes place a totem pole before their communal house.
totter
totter
  1. v. [I] to move unsteadily: The economy tottered on the edge of depression.|| The child tottered as she learned to walk. -n. [C] totterer; -adj. n. [U] tottering.
toucan
toucan
  1. n. a brightly colored tropical South American bird with a large beak
touch-and-go
touch-and-go
  1. adj. uncertain,
    THESAURUS
    unstable: The patient is being operated on, and it is touch-and-go as to whether she'll recover.
touch-up
touch-up
  1. n. a slight improvement, repair: She did a touch-up of her makeup.
touch
touch
  1. v. -es
    1 [T] to feel with the skin, esp. with the hand: The doctor touched the patient's stomach to feel for problems.
    2 [I;T] to make contact: The bookcase is touching the wall.||Two passengers touched as they entered the train.
    3 [T] to evoke emotion, move s.o. to tears, laughter, sorrow, etc.: The sad music touched me and made me feel blue.
    4 [T] to use, act on: to touch one's food, alcohol, etc.
    5 [T] to match, compare with: Nothing touches our school's basketball team.
    6 to touch base: to communicate informally with s.o., esp. about a project or concern of mutual interest: (on the telephone) Hi Ramón, I'm calling to touch base with you on the sales report due next week.
    7 phrasal v. [I] to touch down: to land an aircraft: Our plane touched down at San Francisco airport in a smooth landing.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [T] to touch on s.t.: to speak about briefly: In our discussion, we touched on the subject of price.
    9 phrasal v. sep. [T] to touch s.t. off: a. to start,
    THESAURUS
    to instigate: Food shortages touched off rioting. b. to start,
    THESAURUS
    to initiate: A spark touched off an explosion of a gas leak.
    10 phrasal v. sep. [T] to touch s.t. up: to make minor improvements: A worker touched up bare spots on the wall with paint.
    THESAURUS
    touch v.
    1 to feel | finger
    2 to come in contact with s.o. or s.t. | meet, join | abut frml.
    3 to affect, move, stir (the emotions)
    5 to equal, rival. —n. -es
    1 [U] skin sensation: The patient felt the touch of the doctor's hand.
    2 [C] physical contact: The touch of her hand calmed him down.
    3 [C] a small amount: Put a touch of salt in the soup.
    4 [C] skillfulness: That nurse has a good touch with inserting a needle.
    5 in touch: communication between people: She stays in touch with her parents by telephoning them every week.
    6 [C] the finishing touch: a detail, last preparation
    7 infrml to be a soft touch: soft-hearted, responsive to the troubles of others, esp. in giving money: He is such a soft touch that he cannot pass a beggar on the street without giving some money.
    8 to have the touch: to have finesse, skillfulness: She has the touch for making money.||He has the touch for making good bread.
touchdown
touchdown
  1. n.
    1 the moment of an aircraft's landing: Touchdown of the space vehicle is expected in ten minutes.
    2 (in USA football) a six-point score: A runner carried the ball over the goal line for a touchdown.
touched
touched
  1. adj.infrml.
    1 emotionally affected by s.t.: I was touched by her sweet love letter to me.
    2 mentally unbalanced, such as senile: The old man is touched in the head these days.
touching
touching
  1. adj. evoking emotion,
    THESAURUS
    poignant: Watching people say good-bye can be touching.
touchstone
touchstone
  1. n.fig. a standard by which s.t. is measured: Trust between bank and customer is the touchstone of quality in banking.
touchy
touchy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest irritable, too sensitive: He is touchy about being bald, so don't mention it to him.
touché
touché
  1. exclam. (from fencing) (French for) admiration for a comment s.o. makes: I said, "Touché!" when he pointed out my mistake.
tough
tough
  1. adj. -er, -est
    1 difficult, demanding: Training to be a doctor is tough.
    2 rubbery, difficult to chew, penetrate, etc.: The meat for dinner was tough.
    3 mean: Street gangs act tough.
    4 strong: Cowhide boots are tough.
    5 a tough call: a difficult decision to make: It is a tough call to raise taxes on old people in order to cut the government's debt.n.infrml. a thug, criminal: Many street toughs join gangs.v. [T] to tough it out or through: a. to keep going despite difficulties: She suffered when she started a business, but toughed it out and succeeded. b. to act tough in a bluff: Thugs threatened him, but he toughed it through and left unharmed. -n. [U] toughness.
toughen
toughen
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to harden, make stronger: Exercise toughened her muscles.
    2 fig. to resist, (syn.) to dig in one's heels: Labor's position toughens when management demands wage reductions.
toupee
toupee
  1. n. a hairpiece, wig for men: He wears a toupee that looks natural.
tour
tour
  1. n.
    1 a series of stops as on a vacation or official trip: The Secretary of State made a tour of four capitals in the Middle East.
    2 a series of sports competitions: Players can make a lot of money on the professional tennis (golf, etc.) tour.v. [I;T] to make a tour: We toured several countries in Europe on our vacation.
tourism
tourism
  1. n. [U] the tourist industry: Tourism has increased between Europe and America.
tourist
tourist
  1. n. a visitor who travels for pleasure: Tourists go to beach and mountain resorts in August.adj. related to tourism: The consulate gave us a tourist visa.
    THESAURUS
    tourist n. a traveler, sightseer, vacationer.
tournament
tournament
  1. or tourney n. competition in a series of events leading to a winner or winners, as in tennis, chess, and golf
tournament
tournament
  1. or tourney -n. competition in a series of events leading to a winner or winners, as in tennis, chess, and golf
tourniquet
tourniquet
  1. n. a band or bandage that stops the flow of blood: A paramedic tied a tourniquet on an accident victim's leg.
tousle
tousle
  1. v. [T] -sled, -sling, -sles to make messy, (syns.) to muss, dishevel: Wind tousled the child's hair.
tout
tout
  1. v. [T] n. to sell with too much praise: Sidewalk vendors touted their goods.
tow
tow
  1. v. [T] to pull a vehicle (boat, object, etc.) behind another by a rope, chain, or metal bar: My car broke down, and a truck towed it to the garage.n.
    1 an act of towing: A tugboat gives big ships a tow into the harbor.
    2 in tow: accompanying, brought with: The teenager came home with six friends in tow.
tow truck
tow truck
  1. n. a truck used to tow other vehicles: The tow truck lifted up the front of my car and towed it to a garage.
toward
toward
  1. or towards prep.
    1 in the direction of, to: The captain headed the boat toward home.
    2 concerning, regarding: His feelings towards his wife have stayed the same for 25 years.
    3 soon before a specific time: Toward the end of the play, my father fell asleep.
    4 paying or saving for s.t.: She saves $25 each week toward a new car.
    THESAURUS
    toward or towards
    2 for, with respect to, with regard to.
toward
toward
  1. or towards prep.
    1 in the direction of, to: The captain headed the boat toward home.
    2 concerning, regarding: His feelings towards his wife have stayed the same for 25 years.
    3 soon before: Toward the end of the play, my father fell asleep.
    4 paying or saving for s.t.: She saves $25 each week toward a new car.
towaway
towaway
  1. adj.n. regarding removal, esp. of an illegally parked vehicle: The truck was parked in a towaway zone and got a parking ticket.
towel
towel
  1. n.
    1 a piece of cloth or paper used to dry s.t.: People use a towel to dry the dishes.
    2 infrml.fig. to throw in the towel: to give up, quit, such as in a boxing match: Arguing with him is too hard, so I threw in the towel and shut up.v. [I;T] to use a towel: After a bath, she toweled herself dry.
tower
tower
  1. n. a tall, cylindrical structure: The castle has towers at each of its four corners.v. [I] to rise above in height,
    THESAURUS
    to loom: The tall man towers over his friends. -adj. towering.
    THESAURUS
    tower n. a column, pillar.
towline
towline
  1. n. s.t., such as a cable, chain, or rope, used to connect a towing vehicle or boat: The towlines between the tugboat and the barges are very strong.
town
town
  1. n.
    1 a settlement smaller than a city: He comes from a small town in the Midwest.
    2 the residents of a town as a group: The town is against more businesses being built near their houses.
    3 on the town: to go to a restaurant, nightclub, theater, etc. and have a good time: We went out for a night on the town.
    4 infrml.fig. to go to town: to do a lot very energetically: The salesperson went to town and sold a lot of a new product.
    5 to paint the town red: to spend a lot of money on entertainment: The couple celebrated New Year's Eve by painting the town red. See: city; village.
    THESAURUS
    town
    1 a municipality, township, village
    2 the inhabitants, townspeople.
    THESAURUS
    town clerk n. a public official whose job is to keep records for a town: The town clerk takes notes at all official town meetings.
town hall
town hall
  1. n. a town's local government office building for the town clerk, police, fire department, meeting hall, etc.: The old wooden town hall was replaced with modern brick buildings.
townhouse
townhouse
  1. n. one of a series of houses attached to each other in a row or communal building: Washington, DC has streets with old brick townhouses.
township
township
  1. n. a political and territorial subdivision of a county that has local governmental powers
toxic
toxic
  1. adj.
    1 poisonous, deadly: Rat poison is also toxic to rabbits and other small animals.
    2 harmful: Dumping chemicals in rivers is toxic to the environment. -n. [U] toxicity .
    THESAURUS
    toxic
    1 lethal, fatal
    2 injurious, noxious.
toxicology
toxicology
  1. n. [U] the science of poisons: Doctors study toxicology in their training. -n. [C] toxicologist.
toxin
toxin
  1. n. a poison made by organisms: Certain bacteria produce toxins that make humans ill.
toy
toy
  1. n. a plaything: Children like to play with toys, such as little cars and dolls.adj. small, miniature: a toy poodlev. [I] to treat s.o. or s.t. lightly: For a day or two, I toyed with the idea of going to Korea for vacation, then realized it would be too expensive.
    THESAURUS
    toy v. to play at s.t., trifle with s.o. or s.t.
trace
trace
  1. n.adj.
    1 a very small amount: Chemists found traces of poison in the food.||They found trace evidence.
    2 a hint of evidence, faint track: Traces of footprints were found in the mud. See: tracing, copy. —v. [T] traced, tracing, traces
    1 to follow s.t. to its origin, track down: Agents traced the illegal funds from New York to London to the Middle East.
    2 to copy onto thin paper from an image underneath: Children trace letters of the alphabet to learn how to make them.adj. referring to s.t. that can be traced: Radiologists use a trace element, such as barium sulfate, to show the insides of a body on an X-ray.
tracer
tracer
  1. n. a request to search for a lost package, letter, etc.: My package has not arrived and I asked the post office to put a tracer on it.
tracing
tracing
  1. n. a rubbing, copy of an image underneath tracing paper: We made tracings of images on old gravestones in the cemetery.
tracing paper
tracing paper
  1. n. [U] a thin, semitransparent paper used to copy images below it: I used tracing paper to make a copy of a map.
track-and-field
track-and-field
  1. n. sporting events, such as foot races, long jumping, and pole vaulting: In college, she tried out for track-and-field and made the team.
track
track
  1. n.
    1 an oval-shaped path used for running: Competitors raced each other around the track.
    2 metal rails or concrete paths for railroad, subway trains, etc.: Railroad trains roll along steel tracks as they travel.
    3 signs of movement of s.t., such as footprints, paw marks, or tire marks: Hunters followed the lion's tracks.
    4 to cover one's tracks: to make sure that one's actions are defensible or kept secret: He covers his tracks by never putting anything in writing, so that later he can deny that he made any commitments.
    5 to keep or lose track of s.t.: to pay sharp attention to s.t., remain aware: He keeps track of his expenses by writing them in a notebook.||I lost track of my old friend after he moved away.
    6 infrml.fig. to make tracks: to move quickly toward s.t.: When I heard of the sale, I made tracks for the store immediately.
    7 to stop in one's tracks: to stop quickly, often in fear or shock: The dog barked and charged, but the owner stopped it in its tracks.v. [T]
    1 to go after: Hunters track deer.
    2 to follow the movement of s.t.: Technicians tracked the satellite through its orbits.
    3 to make a mess with one's shoes (boots, etc.): Workers tracked mud into the house on their boots.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to track s.t. down: to hunt down, search for: I tracked down that book in the library.||I tracked it down.adj.fig.
    1 off track: stopped, derailed: The project got knocked off track by a delay in a shipment of parts.
    2 on track: on schedule, performing well: The project is on track and moving along nicely.
track record
track record
  1. n.fig. one's past performance, esp. in business: Her track record as a sales representative is excellent.
tract
tract
  1. n.
    1 an area of land: She owns a large tract of land north of town.
    2 a short article, often on a religious subject —adj. referring to a tract of land, esp. houses that are all designed the same way: She has built tract housing on part of her land.
tractable
tractable
  1. adj. capable of being controlled or persuaded,
    THESAURUS
    malleable: He is tractable on the matter of negotiating price.||That dog is tractable and pays attention to her owner.
traction
traction
  1. n. [U] the ability of s.t. to stay on a road surface: Radial tires have excellent traction.||I can't get any traction on the icy sidewalk.
tractor
tractor
  1. n. a piece of farm machinery used for plowing and hauling: The farmer uses a tractor for spring plowing.
trade-in
trade-in
  1. n. property, esp. a car, used as partial payment on a new purchase: He used his old car as a trade-in on a new one.
trade-off
trade-off
  1. n. an advantage that is reduced by a disadvantage: In the stock market, the trade-off for making high profits is taking on a higher risk of losing money.
trade
trade
  1. n.
    1 [U] commerce in general: Trade between the two countries is active.
    2 [C] an exchange: She made a trade of her bicycle to a friend for a CD player.
    3 [C] a business transaction: Brokers make trades on the stock exchange.
    4 [C] a type of work, skill: His trade is as a carpenter (plumber, electrician, etc.).
    5 [U] the customers of a business: The trade at that fancy store is rich.
    6 stock in trade: one's occupation or behavior: His stock in trade is inventing new electronic products.v. traded, trading, trades
    1 [I;T] to exchange: I traded a computer for a bicycle.
    2 [I;T] to transact: Brokers trade on stock (commodity, currency, etc.) exchanges.
    3 [I;T] to engage in business: She trades in farm equipment.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [T] to trade on s.t.: to rely on, make good use of: She trades on her honesty, and her customers trust her for it.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to trade s.t. in: to use property as partial payment: He traded in his old car while buying a new one.||He traded it in.
    6 phrasal v. [I;T] to trade up: to buy s.t. better than one had before, such as a car or house: He traded up by selling his house and buying a bigger, more expensive new one. trade -n.
    1 [U] commerce in general: Trade between the two countries is active.
    2 [C] an exchange: She made a trade of her bicycle to a friend for a CD player.
    3 [C] a business transaction: Brokers make trades on the stock exchange.
    4 [C] a type of work, skill: Her trade is as a carpenter (plumber, electrician, etc.).
    5 [U] the customers of a business: The trade at that fancy store is rich.
    6 stock in trade: one's occupation or behavior: His stock in trade is inventing new electronic products. _v. traded, trading, trades
    1 to exchange, (syn.) to barter: I traded a computer for a bicycle.
    2 to transact: Brokers trade on stock (commodity, currency, etc.) exchanges.
    3 to engage in business: She trades in farm equipment.
    4 phrasal v. insep. to trade on s.t.: to rely on, make good use of: She trades on her honesty, and her customers trust her for it.
    5 phrasal v. sep. to trade s.t. in: to use property as partial payment: He traded in his old car while buying a new one. || He traded it in.
    6 phrasal v. to trade up: to buy s.t. better than one had before, such as a car or house: He traded up by selling his house and buying a bigger, more expensive new one.
trade deficit
trade deficit
  1. n. condition in which there are more goods imported than exported
trade discount
trade discount
  1. n. a reduction on the retail price given to members of the same trade: She works in the book business and receives a trade discount of 10% on books from other publishers.
trade journal
trade journal
  1. n. a magazine that reports on a trade or industry, usu. not sold in stores: The Journal of Home Design is a trade journal for interior designers.
trade route
trade route
  1. n. a sea lane usu. traveled by cargo ships or a route of roads and towns along which traders buy and sell goods: The ancient trade route for silk stretched from China to the Mediterranean, to Rome, and back.
trade school
trade school
  1. n. in the USA, an educational institution for occupational skills, such as for auto mechanics, computer technicians, secretaries, or hairdressers: She went to a trade school to learn how to be a computer technician.
trade secret
trade secret
  1. n. secret business information, such as a product formula or manufacturing process: The formula for Coca-Cola™ is a closely guarded trade secret.
trade wind
trade wind
  1. n. northeasterly winds in the Northern Hemisphere and southeasterly winds in the Southern that help ships, esp. sailing ships: Cargo ships followed the trade winds across the Atlantic.
trademark
trademark
  1. n. a name, motto, or symbol, such as ™, used to indicate exclusive legal ownership of a product by a firm: Band-Aid™ is a trademark of the Johnson & Johnson company.v. [T] to place s.t. under a trademark: Many companies trademark their products so no one else can use their name.
trader
trader
  1. n.
    1 a person who buys and sells stocks, bonds, etc.: George is a trader of securities for his own account.
    2 a person or firm that buys and sells goods or services for other goods: He is a silk trader who barters silk for spices and gold.
    THESAURUS
    trader
    1 a stockbroker | broker
    2 a dealer, barterer.
tradesman
tradesman
  1. n.frml. -men or tradesperson anyone working in a retail trade, esp. shopkeepers
trading post
trading post
  1. n. a store in an area far from towns or cities, esp. one that trades goods for natural products, such as furs: Trading posts in northern Canada were also the source of news and supplies.
tradition
tradition
  1. n.
    1 [U] the passing of customs and beliefs from one generation to another: My family has a tradition of reading the Bible together.
    2 [C] a custom, a traditional way of celebrating a religious or cultural event and belief: Thanksgiving dinner is an old tradition in North America. -adj. traditional; -adv. traditionally.
    THESAURUS
    tradition 1 and 2 a ritual, habit, practice.
traditionalist
traditionalist
  1. n. a person devoted to tradition, esp. in religion: Traditionalists respect all the religious holy days.
traffic
traffic
  1. n. [U]
    1 the movement of vehicles, people, aircraft, etc., in a certain area: Boat traffic on the river is heavy in summer.
    2 infrml. stuck in traffic: delayed: An accident blocked the road, and I got stuck in traffic for an hour.phrasal v. insep. [T] to traffic in s.t.: to deal, trade in, esp. illegally: That gang traffics in stolen goods.
traffic jam
traffic jam
  1. n. vehicles blocking each other, causing congestion and delay: After baseball games, traffic jams occur as everyone leaves the stadium at once.
tragedy
tragedy
  1. n. -dies [C;U]
    1 a drama in which s.o. suffers because of a personal flaw or hostile outside forces or events: Shakespeare's play Othello is considered a great tragedy.
    2 a sad event, disaster: The accidental death of their child is a tragedy. -adj. tragic ; -adv. tragically.
    THESAURUS
    tragedy
    2 a calamity, catastrophe, misfortune.
tragicomedy
tragicomedy
  1. n. -dies a drama that mixes comedy and tragedy: Tragicomedies are found even on television.
trail
trail
  1. n.
    1 a path, such as for hiking or horseback riding: The Appalachian Trail goes for 2,050 miles (3,280 km) from Maine to Georgia.
    2 traces, tracks, such as footprints or pieces of information: The criminal left a trail of evidence.||Jets leave trails of frozen condensation in the sky.v.
    1 [I;T] to follow, track: Detectives trailed the criminal to his hideout.
    2 [I] to grow along the ground
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to trail behind s.o. or s.t.: to follow slowly: Children trailed behind their parents on the way to the store.
trailblazer
trailblazer
  1. n.
    1 a person who opens a trail for others to follow: Native guides acted as trailblazers for explorers.
    2 fig. an innovator: The President's wife is a trailblazer in working for children's rights.
trailer
trailer
  1. n.
    1 a vehicle or metal house on wheels pulled by a motorized vehicle: We pulled a trailer across the state to a campground.
    2 a preview advertisement for a movie
trainee
trainee
  1. n. a person in training: She is a trainee at a bank.
    THESAURUS
    trainee a beginner, novice, apprentice.
training
training
  1. n. [U]
    1 a process of education, instruction: He had training on how to use a computer.
    2 in training: preparing for an event or competition
trainload
trainload
  1. n. the amount of cargo that would fill a train: A trainload of passengers got off at Grand Central Station.
traipse
traipse
  1. v. [I] traipsed, traipsing, traipses to walk without direction,
    THESAURUS
    to trudge: A tired little boy traipsed along behind his older brother.
trait
trait
  1. n. a characteristic,
    THESAURUS
    an attribute: Intelligence and good humor are among her personality traits.
traitor
traitor
  1. n. one who betrays one's country or other loyalty: A traitor sold military secrets to an enemy country. -adj. traitorous. See: quisling, treachery.
trajectory
trajectory
  1. n. -ries the curved path of an object in the air, such as a bullet or space vehicle: Rifle fire follows a low trajectory almost level with the ground.
tram
tram
  1. n.Brit. a street car, trolley: People take the tram to work.
tramp
tramp
  1. n.
    1 a homeless person,
    THESAURUS
    vagabond: Tramps often wander from place to place.
    2 pej. a promiscuous woman: She is a tramp who'll go with anyone.adj. a vessel: A tramp steamer runs up and down the river.v. [I] to walk with heavy feet,
    THESAURUS
    to trudge: We tramped through the snow to a cabin.
trample
trample
  1. v. [I;T] -pled, -pling, -ples
    1 to crush with the feet: At harvest time, workers trample grapes.
    2 fig. to oppress, treat harshly: He trampled on the feelings of his assistant when she made a mistake.
trampoline
trampoline
  1. n. an apparatus made of a sheet of springy material on a metal frame that gymnasts jump on
trance
trance
  1. n. a dream-like state: Hypno-tists put others into a trance.
tranquil
tranquil
  1. adj. calm, peaceful: The lake was tranquil in the morning. -n. [U] tranquility ; -adv. tranquilly.
tranquilize
tranquilize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to sedate, inject with a sedative drug: Zookeepers tranquilize animals to prevent them from attacking.
tranquilizer
tranquilizer
  1. n. a drug used to calm or sedate: A doctor injected a tranquilizer to calm an upset patient.
transact
transact
  1. v. [I;T] to do business,
    THESAURUS
    to negotiate s.t.: We met with the banker and transacted a mortgage contract.
transaction
transaction
  1. n. [C;U] an act of doing business, (syns.) a deal, negotiation: Transactions of shares on the stock exchange were up today.
transatlantic
transatlantic
  1. adj. across the Atlantic Ocean: Transatlantic telephone calls may be carried by underwater cable or via satellite.
transcend
transcend
  1. v. [T]
    1 to go beyond or above a measure or standard,
    THESAURUS
    to surpass: His concern about his business transcends money; he thinks of the benefits to his customers.
    2 to reach beyond human understanding: The nature of God transcends human comprehension. -n. [U] transcendence; -adj. transcendent.
transcendentalism
transcendentalism
  1. n. [U] (in philosophy) a concept that understanding goes beyond human reason to the intuitive: Transcendentalism is found in several religions as the way to understand God. -adj. transcendental.
transcontinental
transcontinental
  1. adj. going across a continent: The transcontinental railroad united the USA in the nineteenth century.
transcribe
transcribe
  1. v. [T] -scribed, -scribing, -scribes to transfer information from one form to another: Secretaries transcribed tapes of a meeting into typed documents.
transcript
transcript
  1. n. a written or typed copy, esp. of an oral meeting: Lawyers got transcripts of the witness's testimony.||Students receive transcripts of their grades.
transcription
transcription
  1. n. [U] an act of transcribing s.t.: Transcription of the testimony took a day.
transect
transect
  1. v.frml. [T] to cross and pass through, cut across: Vertical columns in a building transect its horizontal floors. -n. [U] transection.
transfer
transfer
  1. v. -ferred, -ferring, -fers
    1 [I;T] to move from one place, vehicle, etc. to another: We transferred our bags from the bus to the car.
    2 [T] to change ownership, as in a legal document: After purchase, the deed to a house transfers it to the new owners.n.
    1 [C] a move: The transfer of my suitcases between planes was quick.
    2 [C;U] legal change: Transfer of ownership of the stocks is done in a week.
    3 [C] a ticket allowing one to change transportation lines; doing such a move: The bus driver gave me a transfer, and I made the transfer at Fifth Avenue. -n. [U] transference.
transferal
transferal
  1. n.frml. [U] a transfer of things or legal entities: Transferal of the property deed and other documents went quickly.
transfigure
transfigure
  1. v. [T] -ured, -uring, -ures to change the way s.t. looks because of fascination, emotion, etc.: His face was transfigured with happiness when he saw his baby being born. -n. [U] transfiguration.
transfix
transfix
  1. v. [T] -es
    1 to run through,
    THESAURUS
    to impale: A worker fell and was transfixed on a steel rod.
    2 to stun, paralyze with fear or amazement: The mother was transfixed when she finally met her long-lost child.
transform
transform
  1. v. [I;T] to change from one shape or appearance to another: Remodeling transformed an old, dark house into a cheerful one. -n. [U] transformation.
transformer
transformer
  1. n. a device that converts electrical current from one circuit to another and changes its voltage: A transformer blew up and shut off the neighborhood's electricity until it was fixed.
transfuse
transfuse
  1. v. [T] -fused, -fusing, -fuses
    1 to inject into veins
    2 to flood: Sunlight transfused our living room at dawn.
transfusion
transfusion
  1. n. [C;U] injection of blood: The accident victim was given a blood transfusion.
transgress
transgress
  1. v. [I;T] -es to violate,
    THESAURUS
    to infringe: Dictators transgress on the people's rights. -n. transgressor.
transgression
transgression
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 bad behavior, going beyond limits: The son lied and cheated, but his mother forgave his transgressions.
    2 crime, violation: She robbed a bank and the law punished her transgression.
transient
transient
  1. adj. passing, temporary: His stomach pains were transient, lasting only a day.n. a person, esp. a guest who stays temporarily: Hotels serve transient guests.
transistor
transistor
  1. n.adj. an electronic part that controls the flow of electricity in a machine (computer, TV, etc.): My computer has hundreds of transistors inside on small boards.||I have a transistor radio.
transit
transit
  1. n.
    1 [C] a telescopic device that measures angles: Road builders use transits to measure angles for constructing roads.
    2 [U] an orbit: Transit of the moon around the earth occurs at varied angles.
    3 [U] in transit: on a journey, in passage, en route: The goods are in transit from the warehouse to the customer.v. [T] to cross, pass by: Meteors transit the earth's orbit occasionally.
transition
transition
  1. n. [C;U] a change from one condition to another: The transition from high school to college can be difficult for students. -adj. transitional; -adv. transitionally.
transitive
transitive
  1. n.adj. related to a verb that has an object: The verb "to drop" is transitive because it takes a direct object: John dropped his pencil. See: intransitive.
transitory
transitory
  1. adj. temporary, short-lived: His arthritis attack was transitory.
translate
translate
  1. v. [I;T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to change, interpret as from one language to another: He translated a letter from French into English.
    2 to change into: A ten percent interest rate translated into a payment of $200 a month. -n. translation. See: interpret.
    THESAURUS
    translate
    2 to convert, transform.
translucent
translucent
  1. adj. clear enough to allow light but not images to pass through: The frosted glass in the bathroom window is translucent. -n. [U] translucence.
transmissible
transmissible
  1. adj.frml. capable of being passed around, esp. disease: Cold viruses are transmissible by physical contact and by air.
transmission
transmission
  1. n.
    1 [U] passage from one thing to another, such as the spread of disease: The transmission of germs can occur by contact, breathing, and eating.
    2 [C] the assembly that changes the gears of an engine: Her car has a four-speed transmission.
    3 [U] a broadcast: The television transmission is sent from a tall tower.
transmit
transmit
  1. v. -mitted, -mitting, -mits
    1 [T] to pass from one to another, send: He transmitted the package by courier.
    2 [I;T] to broadcast: That radio station transmits programs 24 hours a day.
    3 [T] to spread disease: The flu is transmitted from person to person.
transmittal
transmittal
  1. n. [U]
    1 an act of transfer,
    THESAURUS
    a conveyance
    2 a document of transfer: The transmittal was a letter with accompanying documents.
transmitter
transmitter
  1. n. an electronic device that sends out signals: A shortwave radio transmitter can send signals for thousands of miles.
transnational
transnational
  1. adj. going beyond national boundaries: Help for earthquake victims came from transnational sources.
transoceanic
transoceanic
  1. adj. from one side of an ocean to the other: Transoceanic telephone calls are made by underwater cable and satellite.
transom
transom
  1. n. a panel above a door that can be opened for air to enter: Older buildings have transoms over the doors.
transparency
transparency
  1. n. -cies
    1 [U] clearness, the quality of allowing light to pass through so images can be seen: Old window glass often has a wavy transparency.
    2 [C] a visual aid with text and images placed on a projector: The teacher lectured from transparencies that showed graphs of numbers.
transparent
transparent
  1. adj.
    1 allowing light to pass through so images can be clearly seen: Window glass is transparent.
    2 fig. obvious: His lies are transparent. -adv. transparently.
transpire
transpire
  1. v. -spired, -spiring, -spires
    1 [I] to happen, occur: She gave a report on what transpired at the meeting.
    2 [I;T] (in plants) to breathe, give off gases: Plants transpire through pores in their leaves.
transplant
transplant
  1. v. [T]
    1 to uproot carefully and replant somewhere else: A gardener transplanted small trees from a nursery to a garden.
    2 to move an organ (heart, lungs, etc.) from one person to another —n.fig. s.o. or s.t. transplanted: He lives in Chicago, but is a transplant from Boston.
transport
transport
  1. v. [T]
    1 to move: Trucks transport most of our goods to our customers.
    2 to move emotionally: Beautiful music transports listeners into a pleasant dream world.n. [U] transportation: Transport in some countries is slow and unsafe.
transportation
transportation
  1. n. [U] ways to move from one place to another: Transportation by air, rail, and road is readily available in the USA. -n. [C] transporter.
transpose
transpose
  1. v. [T] -posed, -posing, -poses to move from one position to another: He mistakenly transposed letters in the word "the" as "hte." -n. [C;U] transposition.
transsexual
transsexual
  1. n.adj. a person who has an operation to take on the characteristics of the opposite sex See: transvestite.
transverse
transverse
  1. adj.n. a cross beam: The transverses (or) transverse beams in that building are made of steel. -adv. transversely.
transvestite
transvestite
  1. n.adj. a cross-dresser, esp. a man who wears women's clothing: He is a transvestite who wears dresses and makeup. See: transsexual.
trap
trap
  1. n.
    1 a mechanical device with jaws that close, used to catch animals: Hunters use traps to capture beavers.
    2 a surprise situation planned to discomfort, harm, or kill s.o.: Soldiers entered a cave and fell into a trap as their enemy blasted the entrance shut.
    3 fig.slang to keep one's trap shut: to say nothing, keep one's mouth closed: A boy witnessed a crime, and the criminal told him to keep his trap shut.v. [T] trapped, trapping, traps
    1 to hunt animals with traps
    2 to catch or harm s.o. in a trap: The dogcatcher trapped a stray dog.
trap door
trap door
  1. n. a hidden panel that opens when s.o. steps on it: A trap door released, and a soldier fell into a hole in the cellar.
trapeze
trapeze
  1. n. a swing in a group of them hung from a circus tent top: Circus performers swing from trapeze to trapeze.
trapezoid
trapezoid
  1. n. a geometric figure with four sides, two of which are parallel: A modern painter grouped bright-colored trapezoids on a canvas.
trapper
trapper
  1. n. a person who hunts with traps, esp. for animals with valuable fur
trappings
trappings
  1. n.pl. clothes, surroundings, and possessions that give an impression: She owns a Mercedes, a big house, and beautiful clothes, all the trappings of a rich woman.
trash
trash
  1. n. [U] waste, rubbish: Once a week, we put out the trash for collection.v. [T] -es
    1 to destroy, vandalize: Rioters trashed and looted stores.
    2 to criticize severely: Critics trashed the new play.
trashy
trashy
  1. adj. of poor quality or indecency, such as pornography: A lot of magazines sold in that store are trashy.
trauma
trauma
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 psychological shock and pain: The mother's trauma of losing her child haunts her.
    2 (in medicine) an injury: He suffered trauma to his head in the accident. -n. [U] traumatization; -v. [T] traumatize.
traumatic
traumatic
  1. adj. shocking, harmful -adv. traumatically.
travail
travail
  1. n. [U] v.frml. [I] hard, often agonizing experience or work, ordeal: After much travail and suffering, he survived cancer.
travel
travel
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go, journey: We traveled from Atlanta to New Orleans by bus.
    2 [I] to maintain, remain in good condition: Some wines do not travel well when they are shipped long distances.
    3 [I] to move along: The goalkeeper kicked the ball and it really traveled.
    4 to travel light: to take little with one when traveling —n.
    1 [U] traffic, amount of traveling: Travel along the busy highway is high.
    2 [C, usu. pl.] touring, vacation: During our travels to Europe, we enjoyed France most of all.
travel agency
travel agency
  1. n. a business that organizes travel accommodations for a fee: Our company reserves all of our business travel through a travel agency. -n. travel agent.
traveler
traveler
  1. n. a person going somewhere: Travelers rush through the train station during vacation time.
    THESAURUS
    traveler a commuter | tourist, vacationer | voyager, explorer.
traveler's check
traveler's check
  1. n. a substitute form of money that can be replaced if stolen or lost: We bought traveler's checks instead of taking a lot of cash on our trip.
travelogue
travelogue
  1. n. a book, film, or slide show that describes a place and its tourist attractions
traverse
traverse
  1. v.frml. [T] -versed, -versing, -verses to cross, travel over: Explorers traversed the ice cap to the North Pole.n.
    1 [U] a crossing: The traverse across the snow was difficult.
    2 [C] a crossbeam: Traverses in the tall building are made of steel.
travesty
travesty
  1. n. -ties a joke, (syns.) a mockery, parody: The false testimony at the trial made it a travesty of justice.
trawl
trawl
  1. n. a large, sack-shaped fishing net that is pulled on the bottom of the ocean —v. [I;T] to fish with a trawl: The fishing boat trawled several miles offshore. See: troll, v.
trawler
trawler
  1. n. a fishing boat equipped to trawl: Shrimp trawlers leave the harbor just before dawn.
tray
tray
  1. n. a flat item with a raised edge for carrying food, displaying items, etc.: Waiters bring food on trays.
treacherous
treacherous
  1. adj.
    1 dangerous, harmful: The road down the mountain is treacherous in the snow.
    2 deceitful,
    THESAURUS
    traitorous: He is a treacherous man who pretends friendship, then harms people.
treachery
treachery
  1. n. [U] betrayal, disloyalty: It was treachery when the spy led others into a trap.
tread
tread
  1. v.frml. trod , trodden , treaded, trodding, treads
    1 [I;T] to walk, step: "Don't tread on me" was the motto of the Colonists.
    2 [I;T] to mat down, trample: People tread on the grass.
    3 to tread softly, lightly, carefully: a. to walk quietly: In church, everyone treads softly. b. fig. to be careful, cautious: That neighborhood is dangerous, so tread carefully there.
    4 to tread water: a. to move one's feet and hands slowly in water while staying in one place: She swam a long distance, then treaded water to rest. b. fig. to give the impression of activity without really doing much: His job is not satisfying and he won't get a promotion; he is only treading water there.n.
    1 a step, pace: You could hear the tread of feet on the path.
    2 a step in a staircase
    3 that part of a tire that touches the road: The tread on that car's tires is worn.
treadmill
treadmill
  1. n.
    1 machine, such as a wheel with treads that moves while one walks or runs in the same place: She uses a treadmill at the gym when it is too cold to go jogging outside.
    2 fig. a meaningless, boring activity: Her job is a treadmill of typing forms all day.
treason
treason
  1. n. [U] the crime of active disloyalty to one's government: Treason in time of war can be punishable by death. -adj. treasonable; treasonous.
treasure
treasure
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] riches, such as gold and jewels: Pirates stole treasure taken from ships.
    2 [C] valuable objects —v. [T] -ured, -uring, -ures to value greatly: She treasures memories of her childhood.
    THESAURUS
    treasure n.
    1 a hoard, stored wealth. —v. to cherish, prize.
treasure hunt
treasure hunt
  1. n. a search for lost riches: Ships with special equipment go on treasure hunts in the Caribbean.
treasurer
treasurer
  1. n. the person in charge of an organization's finances: Our company's treasurer deals mainly with our banks and outside accountants.
treasury
treasury
  1. n. -ries
    1 the amount of money in a government's or business's accounts: The state's treasury is almost bankrupt.
    2 the government office that controls public money: The USA's treasury is located in Washington, DC.
treat
treat
  1. v. [T]
    1 to act or behave toward: She treats her children with loving care.
    2 to take care of: The computer department treated the computer breakdown by switching quickly to another system.
    3 to doctor, give medical attention to: The physician treats her patients in her office.
    4 to apply chemicals or other agents to s.t.: The wooden floors are treated with a special paint.
    5 to entertain, do s.t. special for s.o.: My friend treated me to a birthday dinner.n. s.t. special, such as a gift or pleasant occasion: Seeing the opera star perform was a real treat.
treatable
treatable
  1. adj. (in medicine) capable of being cured: She has a treatable illness.
treatise
treatise
  1. n. a serious, long written work: The professor wrote a treatise on 17th century literature.
treatment
treatment
  1. n.
    1 [U] behavior toward s.o.: His treatment of his friends is very kind and warm.
    2 [C;U] medical attention, cure: She went into the hospital for treatment.
treaty
treaty
  1. n. -ties a formal agreement between nations, accord: European countries signed a treaty on economic cooperation.
treble
treble
  1. adj.n.
    1 (in music) the highest voice or instrument parts
    2 (in musical notation) the treble clef for higher notes: The notes of the treble clef are played mainly with the right hand on a piano.
    3 frml. triple, threefold: The judge awarded the defendant treble damages.v.frml. [I;T] -bled, -bling, -bles to triple: The judge trebled the amount of damages.
tree
tree
  1. n.
    1 a tall, woody evergreen or deciduous plant with a trunk, branches, and leaves: Trees line the avenues and make them pretty in autumn.
    2 infrml. to bark up the wrong tree: to complain to the wrong person: You are barking up the wrong tree, because I don't have anything to do with your problem and I can't help.v. [T] treed, treeing, trees (of an animal) to trap s.t. in a tree: The dog treed a cat and wouldn't let it come down.
treetop
treetop
  1. n. the uppermost parts of a tree
trek
trek
  1. n. a long, difficult journey: The long trek between the seacoast and the interior took the explorers months.v. [I] trekked, trekking, treks to travel with difficulty: Pioneers trekked across the plains on foot. -n. trekker.
trellis
trellis
  1. n. -lises a structure of wood, etc. used to support climbing plants,
    THESAURUS
    a lattice: A trellis of ivy and roses frames the entrance to the garden.
tremble
tremble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to shake as with fear or fever, shiver: The boy trembled in fear when he saw a lion.n. a shaking motion: An earthquake hit with a jolt and a tremble.
tremendous
tremendous
  1. adj.
    1 huge, vast: A landslide left a tremendous pile of rocks on the road.
    2 infrml.fig. wonderful, excellent: We had a tremendous time on our vacation. -adv. tremendously.
    THESAURUS
    tremendous
    1 enormous, gigantic, immense frml.
    2 marvelous, fantastic.
tremor
tremor
  1. n.frml. a shaking motion: Earthquakes produce tremors in the earth's crust.
tremulous
tremulous
  1. adj.frml. shaking, fearful: Peasants were tremulous in front of the king. -adv. tremulously.
trench
trench
  1. n. -es
    1 a long ditch in the ground: In World War I, soldiers lived in the trenches.
    2 in the trenches: where daily, basic activity (conflict, competition) takes place: Salespeople compete in the trenches every day with other companies' representatives.
trench coat
trench coat
  1. n. a belted topcoat in a World War I military style: Trench coats with a wool lining are worn by many people in northern regions.
trenchant
trenchant
  1. adj. intelligent and brief,
    THESAURUS
    cogent: The consultant provided trenchant advice to her client.
trend
trend
  1. n.
    1 a fashion, current style: Short skirts are the trend for summer this year.
    2 a general curve or pattern: The current trend of interest rates is down.v. [I] to form a trend: Rates are trending down now.
trendy
trendy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest fashionable, stylish: Her clothes are very trendy.
trepidation
trepidation
  1. n.frml. [U] fear, anxiety: She has trepidation about going out alone at night.
trespass
trespass
  1. v. [I] -es
    1 to go illegally on private property: Hunters trespassed onto the farmer's fields.
    2 fig. to do wrong to or take advantage of others —n. [U] an act of trespassing: Their trespass on city property after hours brought the police. -n. [C] trespasser.
trestle
trestle
  1. n.
    1 a type of railroad bridge made of horizontal beams
    2 a wooden support, as for a table
triad
triad
  1. n. a group of three, ideas with three parts: A stool for milking cows has a triad of three legs in a round seat.
triage
triage
  1. adj.n. [U] a system of giving emergency medical care to people, depending on their degree of illness and chance of living: The triage nurse gave priority to patients with heart attacks and gunshot wounds.
trial
trial
  1. n.
    1 a legal proceeding before a judge or judge and jury to establish facts and decide guilt or innocence: The murder trial caused a sensation.
    2 a competition to reduce the number of competitors: The field trials for hunting dogs eliminated half the contestants.
    3 fig. a stressful ordeal: A major operation was a time of trial for him.
    4 an experiment, test: He gave the sports car a trial around the track.
    5 on trial: a. to be a defendant in a court proceeding: The state put the criminal on trial for theft. b. to do s.t. temporarily at first: She was on trial for three months, then became a permanent employee.
    6 by trial and error: trying different ideas or methods to see if they work: We tried one thing after another, and by trial and error we got the computer program to work.
    7 trials and tribulations: difficulties and hardships: She went through the trials and tribulations of divorce and survived.
trial lawyer
trial lawyer
  1. n. a lawyer who can try a legal case before a judge and jury,
    THESAURUS
    a litigator: Trial lawyers have to be good actors as well as attorneys.
trial run
trial run
  1. n. a test before a final decision: We gave the new computer system a trial run before turning off the old one.
triangle
triangle
  1. n.
    1 a flat, three-sided geometric figure: The sculpture is shaped in the form of a triangle.
    2 a romantic situation involving three people: A woman and two men were involved in a love triangle. -adj. triangular.
tribal
tribal
  1. adj. related to a tribe: Tribal customs are passed from one generation to another.
tribe
tribe
  1. n.
    1 a group of people who usu. speak the same language, live in the same area, often in villages, and have many relatives within the group: Native American tribes once lived all over North America.
    2 infrml.fig. a large family: When our tribe gets together for Thanksgiving, we fill the whole house. -n. [U] tribalism. See: race (2).
tribulation
tribulation
  1. n.frml. [C;U] distress, suffering: The tribulations of major surgery bothered him for weeks. See: trial, 7.
tribunal
tribunal
  1. n.frml. a court or other body with the power to examine and judge: The government set up a tribunal to investigate corruption.
tribune
tribune
  1. n.old usage a spokesperson for ordinary people's rights
tributary
tributary
  1. n. -ies a smaller stream flowing into a river: In springtime, tributaries flood the river.
tribute
tribute
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 fig. praise, honor, admiration: Soldiers gathered to pay tribute to their fallen comrades.
    2 a payment, such as money, paid by a defeated people to a conqueror
tricep
tricep
  1. n. [U] the muscle on the back of the upper arm: He does pushups to strengthen his triceps. See: bicep.
trick
trick
  1. n.
    1 a deception: An undercover detective bought illegal drugs in a trick to arrest a drug dealer.
    2 magic: Magicians do magic tricks.
    3 actions an animal is trained to do: Mary taught her dog to roll over and do other tricks.
    4 a special solution or technique: The trick to using computers successfully is having different ways of doing things if one way does not work.
    5 infrml. How's tricks?: How are things?: Hi, Jane, good to see you, how's tricks?
    6 infrml. to do the trick: to manage, accomplish s.t.: My door lock was stuck, and some oil did the trick (to loosen it).
    7 to play tricks or a trick on s.o.: a practical joke: Friends played a trick on John by having a stranger call him to say that he had won a million dollars.v. [T] to deceive: A swindler tricked a victim into thinking that the real estate offer was genuine. trick or treat n. [U] a custom of children at Halloween where if they do not receive candy from s.o., the children play a trick: Children came to our door and shouted, "Trick or treat!" See: Halloween, USAGE NOTE.
trickery
trickery
  1. n. -ies [U] using deception, ruses: A con man used trickery to swindle an old woman.
trickle
trickle
  1. v. [I] -led, -ling, -les
    1 to run in a thin stream, drip: Water trickled from the trees during the light rain.
    2 phrasal v. to trickle down: a. to drip down: Water trickled down the wall from a leak. b. fig. to go from a higher to a lower economic class: Wealth trickled down from the rich to the poor.n.
    1 a drip, thin stream: Water came from the pump in only a trickle.
    2 to slow to a trickle: to lessen to almost nothing: Sales are bad; they have slowed to a trickle.
trickster
trickster
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who plays practical jokes
    2 a person who deceives others: Swindlers are tricksters.
tricky
tricky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 deceitful, sly: He is a tricky guy who can't be trusted.
    2 needing special care or technique in doing s.t., difficult: Trying to repair an old wristwatch is tricky. -n. [U] trickiness.
    THESAURUS
    tricky
    1 cunning, devious
    2 complex, complicated, thorny.
tricolor
tricolor
  1. adj. having three colors: France has a tricolor flag: blue, white, and red.
tricycle
tricycle
  1. n. a cycle with three wheels: Children ride tricycles before they learn how to ride a bicycle.
trident
trident
  1. n.frml. a three-pronged spear, symbolic of the sea: The god Poseidon carries a trident.
tried
tried
  1. adj. & past part. of try
    1 tested, proven
    2 tried and true: proven and dependable: These methods are tried and true; we've used them for years and they have always worked for us.
triennial
triennial
  1. n. a third anniversary —adj. every three years: The Language Society has a triennial conference. -n. triennium.
trifle
trifle
  1. v. -fled, -fling, -fles phrasal v. insep. [I] to trifle with s.o.: to toy with, treat lightly: He trifled with his girlfriend, then broke up with her. What a jerk!n.
    1 an unimportant thing, such as a small amount or cheap item: Carrying your groceries was a mere trifle; I was glad to do it.
    2 a trifle: a small amount, little bit: Those pants are a trifle tight on me.
trifling
trifling
  1. adj. unimportant,
    THESAURUS
    piddling: One person offered a trifling amount to purchase our used television set.
trig
trig
  1. n. [U] short for trigonometry
trigger-happy
trigger-happy
  1. adj.infrml.fig. ready and willing to start a shooting conflict: People fear a trigger-happy leader who might start a war.
trigger
trigger
  1. n.
    1 a lever used to fire a gun: He pulled the gun's trigger and shot at the target.
    2 any device used to set s.t. off —v. [T]
    1 to start an explosion: The terrorist triggered the bomb.
    2 to start a reaction: The tax increase triggered a protest by homeowners.
triglyceride
triglyceride
  1. n. one of the main fatty substances (along with cholesterol) in the blood that can clog the arteries
trigonometry
trigonometry
  1. n. [U] a branch of mathematics dealing with the measurement of triangles: Trigonometry is important in science, surveying, and navigation.
trill
trill
  1. n. a quick repetition of sound,
    THESAURUS
    a tremolo: A bird's trill calls a mate.v. [I;T] to make a trilling sound: Many Spanish-speaking people trill their r's.
trillion
trillion
  1. n. a thousand billions and written as 1,000,000,000,000: The government spending deficit went into the trillions of dollars. See: zillion, USAGE NOTE.
trilogy
trilogy
  1. n. -gies a work on a subject in three parts, esp. three books: A scholar wrote a trilogy on the Civil War about its origins, the war itself, and the events afterwards.
trim
trim
  1. adj. slender, in good physical condition: She exercises regularly and stays trim.n.
    1 good physical condition: She is trim from jogging every day.
    2 decoration: Wooden frames around windows are called trims.
    3 a haircut that cuts only the ends of the hair —v. [T] trimmed, trimming, trims
    1 to cut off, esp. the outer section of s.t.: The butcher trims fat from the meat.
    2 to make neat: The barber trimmed the boy's hair with scissors.
    3 to tighten, adjust: Sailors trimmed the ship's sails.
    4 to decorate: We trimmed the Christmas tree with ornaments. -n. [U] trimness.

    USAGE NOTE: Trim or slim can describe someone in good physical shape, without a lot of fat. Skinny describes someone who is too thin and looks unhealthy.
trimester
trimester
  1. n.
    1 one of three terms in an academic year: Our college is on the trimester system.
    2 one of three stages of human pregnancy: She is in her third trimester now; she is eight months' pregnant.
trimmer
trimmer
  1. n. a device that cuts edges off things: I use an electric trimmer to clip the bushes.
trimmings
trimmings
  1. n.pl.
    1 decorations, adornments: The Christmas tree trimmings include ornaments, lights, and tinsel.
    2 special extras: We had a turkey for Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings.
trinket
trinket
  1. n. small decorative items, esp. jewelry of little value: The child keeps trinkets in a box.
trio
trio
  1. n. a group of three, esp. singers and musicians: A trio sang old favorite songs.
trip
trip
  1. n.
    1 a journey, travel: We took a trip north to see our cousin.
    2 slang bad trip: unhappy situation (originally from a bad drug experience): After the fight, the police arrested us; it was a bad trip.v. tripped, tripping, trips
    1 [I;T] to lose one's balance by stepping badly on s.t.: I tripped over the loose rug and fell.
    2 [I;T] to make a mistake: He tripped over his words and had to repeat his sentence.
    3 [I] to move lightly: The children tripped down the street, singing songs.
tripartite
tripartite
  1. adj. in three parts (sections, parties, etc.): Three nations made a tripartite treaty.
tripe
tripe
  1. n. [U] the lining of a cow's stomach: Some people like to eat tripe.
triple
triple
  1. adj. threefold, three times: Inflation ran into triple digits, that is, more than 100% last year.n. (in baseball) a three-base hit: The batter hit a triple.v. [I;T] -pled, -pling, -ples to increase by three times: The value of her investments tripled.
triplet
triplet
  1. n.
    1 three of a similar kind, such as children: The woman gave birth to triplets.
    2 a group of three lines of poetry: The poet wrote a poem in triplets.
triplicate
triplicate
  1. adj.v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates in three copies or parts: I gave triplicate copies of the report to my boss.
tripod
tripod
  1. n. a three-legged support, such as for a camera: The photographer set up a tripod and camera.
trite
trite
  1. adj. common, overused, boring: A politician excused the problem of high taxes with some trite phrases and left. -adv. tritely; -n. [U] triteness. See: hackneyed.
triumph
triumph
  1. n.
    1 [C] great success, victory: His winning the tennis tournament was a triumph for him.
    2 [U] glory,
    THESAURUS
    exultation: He has a feeling of triumph from winning.v. [I]
    1 to win, succeed greatly: As an unknown player, he triumphed over the champion.
    2 to triumph over adversity: to succeed despite obstacles: She triumphed over adversity as she came from a poor family, but became a successful businessperson. -adj. triumphant ; -adv. triumphantly.
triumvirate
triumvirate
  1. n. a group of three, esp. rulers in politics or business: That country is ruled by a triumvirate of three leaders.
trivia
trivia
  1. n.pl. unimportant details, things: He pays attention to trivia while he ignores important matters.
trivial
trivial
  1. adj. unimportant,
    THESAURUS
    inconsequential: Trivial matters, such as typing the contract clearly, are less important than what it says. -adv. trivially; -n. [U] triviality.
trivialize
trivialize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make small, reduce to the unimportant: That newspaper trivializes events by focusing on their sensational aspects.
trodden
trodden
  1. adj. & past part. of tread walked upon, flattened: Many hikers follow well-trodden trails.
troika
troika
  1. n. (Russian for) a triumvirate, three important people or ideas: For years, the former Soviet Union was run by a troika.
troll
troll
  1. n. an imaginary, human-like creature, either a giant or dwarf, that lives in forests: Trolls do mischief, according to folk legends in some countries.v. [I;T] to fish by pulling baited lines behind a boat: My friend trolled for fish while I rowed the boat. See: trawl.
trolley
trolley
  1. adj.n. -leys
    1 a streetcar: Trolley cars run down the middle of the street on metal rails.
    2 a wheeled bin used to move things: Mines use trolleys to bring metal ore to the surface.
trollop
trollop
  1. n.pej. an untidy woman with a bad reputation: She is a trollop who frequents sleazy bars.
trombone
trombone
  1. n. a brass horn with a slide, also called a slide trombone: Trombones make a mellow sound. -n. trombonist.
tromp
tromp
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to step on hard, (syns.) to stomp, trample: A farmer tromped on a snake and killed it.
    2 fig. [T] to defeat decisively: Our team tromped our rival.
troop
troop
  1. n.
    1 a group of animals or people: Troops of baboons look for food in the grass.||A troop of soldiers went into the canteen.||a Boy or Girl Scout troop
    2 pl. military personnel, esp. soldiers: The President sent in troops to guard our citizens.v.fig. [I] to move in a group: Our whole family trooped off to church on Sunday.
trooper
trooper
  1. n. a state police officer: A state trooper stopped a speeding driver. See: trouper.
trophy
trophy
  1. n. -phies
    1 a prize, such as a silver cup or bowl: The race car driver held the trophy up high after he won the race.
    2 an animal that has been hunted and stuffed
tropics
tropics
  1. n.pl. the hot region (Torrid Zone) of the earth lying between approx. 23 degrees north and 23 degrees south of the equator: The afternoon heat in the tropics can be almost intolerable. -adj. tropical.
troposphere
troposphere
  1. n. [U] the layer of the atmosphere extending 6 to 12 miles immediately above the earth: The earth's weather occurs in the troposphere.
trot
trot
  1. n.
    1 a fast walk, esp. for horses: Horses moved in a trot around a racetrack.
    2 infrml. pl. the trots: diarrhea: Every time I visit Europe, I get the trots.v. trotted, trotting, trots
    1 [I] to move at a trot: As the woman jogged, her dog trotted beside her.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to trot s.o. or s.t. out: to bring out for display: After her party guests had arrived, the hostess trotted out her children to show everyone.||She trotted them out.
troubadour
troubadour
  1. n.frml. a wandering singer and poet in olden times
trouble
trouble
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a civil disturbance, crisis (riot, criminal act, etc.): There is trouble at the American embassy.
    2 [C] a person or other source of annoyance, inconvenience: Oh, oh, there's George; here comes trouble!
    3 [C;U] difficulty, distress, esp. by accident: Our friends are having car trouble.
    4 [C;U] mental anguish, anxiety: He had trouble working and functioning after his wife's death.
    5 [C;U] physical pain or ailment: He has heart trouble.
    6 to be or get in trouble: to do illegal acts, unlawful behavior: That thief is always in trouble with the law.
    7 to make or cause trouble: to create difficulty or annoyance: The boy makes trouble for his parents by misbehaving.adj.
    1 worried, anxious, often mentally ill: He is a troubled man.
    2 physically ill: She is troubled by a bad back.v. [T] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to annoy, bother: The street noise troubled him, so he couldn't sleep.
    2 to ask for s.t. politely: May I trouble you to tell me what time it is (to pass the sugar, go to the store, etc.)?
troublemaker
troublemaker
  1. n. a person who often creates problems: He is a thief, a troublemaker, always breaking the law.
troubleshoot
troubleshoot
  1. v. [I;T] -shot , -shooting, -shoots to investigate a problem and offer solutions: He is a consultant who troubleshoots for companies in financial trouble. -n. troubleshooter.
troublesome
troublesome
  1. adj. causing difficulty, annoyance, inconvenience: A divorce is usually troublesome for all concerned.
trough
trough
  1. n.
    1 a long, often U-shaped container, such as for holding animal feed: The farmer puts feed into the pig trough.
    2 (in finance) a depression,
    THESAURUS
    a slump: The bond market (economy, company earnings, etc.) is in a trough.
trounce
trounce
  1. v. [T] trounced, trouncing, trounces
    1 to beat up,
    THESAURUS
    to batter: A police officer trounced a street thug.
    2 fig. to win decisively, beat easily: The national champions trounced a challenger.
troupe
troupe
  1. n. a group of entertainers, such as actors: A troupe of singers gave a concert last evening.
trouper
trouper
  1. n.
    1 a show business person who entertains despite problems: That singer is a real trouper, because she put on her show even though the microphone didn't work.
    2 a reliable, competent person: You can always depend on him; he is a real trouper.
trousers
trousers
  1. n.pl. men's pants: He had a pair of trousers cleaned and pressed.
trout
trout
  1. n. trout a freshwater game fish related to but smaller than the salmon: Trout have a nutty, sweet taste when cooked properly.
trove
trove
  1. n. a group of valuable items: Relatives found a treasure trove of valuable antiques in their aunt's attic.
trowel
trowel
  1. n. a flat, metal, triangular-shaped tool with a handle used for gardening and laying down cement: A bricklayer uses a trowel to lay bricks.
troy
troy
  1. adj. (from n. [U] troy weight) a system of measuring gems and precious metals where one lb. equals 12 ounces and one ounce equals 20 pennyweights, each equaling approx. 480 grains: Gold coins are sold in gram weights, or troy ounces or fractions thereof.
truant
truant
  1. adj.n. a pupil who doesn't go to school,
    THESAURUS
    a chronic absentee: School authorities send truant officers to find truants. -n. [U] truancy. See: hooky.
truce
truce
  1. n. a temporary stopping of hostilities, usu. while peace is being made: Each side in the war agreed to a truce while diplomats discussed a peace plan.
truck
truck
  1. n. a vehicle larger than a car used to carry things: A dump truck carries gravel and sand.v. [T]
    1 to ship by truck: Our company trucks large orders to customers.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to truck s.t. in: to deliver s.t.: After the storm, the National Guard trucked in food and water.||They trucked it in. -adj.n. [U] trucking.
trucker
trucker
  1. n.
    1 a person who drives a truck: Truckers stop at truck stops for food and fuel.
    2 a trucking business: We called a trucker to move a large shipment.
truckload
truckload
  1. n. the amount that a truck can hold: We shipped a truckload of furniture to our store.
truculence
truculence
  1. n. [U] rude disobedience,
    THESAURUS
    belligerence: The boy's truculence led to his being expelled from school. -adj. truculent.
trudge
trudge
  1. v. [I] n. trudged, trudging, trudges to walk with difficulty,
    THESAURUS
    to tramp wearily: We trudged through deep snow to a cabin.
true-blue
true-blue
  1. adj. loyal, devoted: She is a true-blue friend who helped me when I really needed it.
true-false test
true-false test
  1. n. an examination in which one marks each answer either true or false
true
true
  1. adj. truer, truest
    THESAURUS
    1 (syns.) accurate, correct. Ant. false.: Reporters dig for true facts in a story, not rumors. Reporters dig for accurate facts in a story, not rumors.
    2 (syns.) proven, verified: What she says is true because witnesses saw it too. What she says is proven (or) verified because witnesses saw it too.
    3 (syns.) faithful, loyal: He is true to his wife and does not fool around. He is faithful to his wife and does not fool around.
    4 (syns.) sincere, dedicated: Our teacher has a true interest in her students. Our teacher has a sincere interest in her students.
    5 (syns.) genuine, legal. Ant. fake.: That safe deposit box contained a true copy of my father's will. That safe deposit box contained a genuine copy of my father's will.
    6 (syn.) correctly lined up as in being level and square: That brick wall is level and true. That brick wall is level and correctly lined up.
true love
true love
  1. n.
    1 deep and lasting love: After years of loneliness, he finally found true love.
    2 the person one deeply loves: He met his true love in a physics class.
truffle
truffle
  1. n.
    1 an edible mushroom-like fungus
    2 a soft candy, often made with chocolate
truism
truism
  1. n. a saying that is obviously true: "Crime is evil" is a truism. See: cliché.
truly
truly
  1. adv. 1 with truth, accurately: She spoke truly.
    2 genuinely, really: That is truly gold, not fake.
    3 sincerely: Many people close their letters with "Yours truly" or "Truly yours."
    THESAURUS
    truly
    1 truthfully, correctly
    2 certainly, in fact, unquestionably.
    THESAURUS
    Truman, Harry S. (1884-1972) Vice President of the USA who became President when President Franklin Roosevelt died suddenly in 1945: Harry S. Truman authorized the first use of the atomic bomb and increased Social Security benefits.
trump
trump
  1. n. a suit of cards that is higher in rank than the others in a game: We played a hand of bridge in which clubs were trump.v.
    1 to play a trump card: a. to play the winning hand b. infrml.fig. to use an advantage to win: He played his trump card when he offered investors a risk-free, guaranteed profit.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to trump (s.t.) up: to make false accusations: His political opponents trumped up false charges against him.||They trumped them up.
trumped-up
trumped-up
  1. adj. falsified,
    THESAURUS
    fabricated: She was jailed on trumped-up charges.
trumpet
trumpet
  1. n.
    1 a brass wind musical instrument with a high-pitched sound
    2 the loud cry of some animals, such as elephants -n. trumpeter.
truncate
truncate
  1. v.frml. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to shorten, reduce in length: The speaker truncated her speech so as not to bore the audience. -adj. truncated; -n. [U] truncation.
truncheon
truncheon
  1. n. a club, esp. one used by police: Police clubbed rioters with rubber truncheons.
trundle
trundle
  1. n.adj. a roller, small wheel: Under my bed there is a trundle bed that I pull out when I have a guest.v. [I;T] -dled, -dling, -dles to roll along: Wagons trundle goods to market.
trunk
trunk
  1. n.
    1 a large, rectangular, box-like piece of luggage: I put my books and other objects in a trunk for shipment to my dorm.
    2 an elephant's nose: An elephant put out its trunk and picked up a peanut.
    3 the storage space in the back of a car: She carries a blanket and boots in her trunk in case of emergencies.
    4 the main stem of a tree
    5 the central part of the body, without the head, arms, or legs
    6 pl. men's shorts, esp. a bathing suit: I put on my swim trunks and headed for the beach.
truss
truss
  1. n. -es
    1 a physical support, a brace: The athlete wore a truss until his bad back could be operated on.
    2 (in building, mines, etc.) a support beam or group of supports used to hold up a tunnel: Trusses were installed to prevent the tunnel from falling in.v. [T] -es
    1 to support an injury with a truss: A medic trussed up a soldier with a broken leg.
    2 to install beams, etc.: Workers truss unstable walls of tunnels.
    3 to tie up tightly: to truss a turkey
trust
trust
  1. n. 1 [U] confidence in the honesty and reliability of s.o. or s.t.: I have complete trust in his ability to keep a secret.
    2 [U] responsibility for s.o. or s.t.: She left her car in my trust while she went on vacation.
    3 [C] a legal contract where property owned by one person or group is held and managed for s.o. else: When the rich man died, his estate went into a trust managed by a bank for his children.v.
    1 [I;T] to have faith in s.o.: I trust my friend completely.
    2 [I;T] to hope with confidence: I trust that help will be here soon.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to trust s.o. to: to have confidence in s.o.: I trust you to do as I say and not argue.adj.
    1 in trust: referring to property held in a legal arrangement with a trustee: His fortune is held in trust for his children by a bank.
    2 to put or place in trust: to place property in a trust: The rich widow placed her money in trust for her children.
trust company
trust company
  1. n. a bank that manages trusts and makes loans: She manages the trusts of wealthy people at a trust company.
trust fund
trust fund
  1. n. property, monies, etc., that produce income held in trust for s.o.: Money from a trust fund will start going to my grandson on his 21st birthday.
trustee
trustee
  1. n.
    1 a person who oversees a university, church, or other institution: George is a member of the board of trustees of Williams College.
    2 a person, bank, brokerage firm, etc., that manages trusts: The US Bank is trustee for his father's estate.
trustful
trustful
  1. or trusting adj. believing in the honesty and reliability of s.o.: He is very trustful of his older brother.
trustful
trustful
  1. or trusting -adj. believing in the honesty and reliability of s.o.: He is very trustful of his older brother.
trustworthy
trustworthy
  1. adj. capable of being trusted; honest and reliable: That guy looks strange, but he is very trustworthy. -n. [U] trustworthiness.
truth
truth
  1. n. truths
    1 [U] accuracy, correctness: She always speaks the truth.
    2 [C] s.t. factual, proven: Cross examination by attorneys brought out the truth about the crime.
    3 the truth will out: the truth will eventually be known
truth serum
truth serum
  1. n. [U] a chemical, such as Phenobarbital™, used to make people give information: Authorities used truth serum on the spy to get the truth from him.
truthful
truthful
  1. adj.
    1 accurate, factual: His version of the event is truthful.
    2 habitually honest and accurate: He is a truthful person. -adv. truthfully; -n. [U] truthfulness.
try
try
  1. v. tried, trying, tries
    1 [I;T] to make an effort to do s.t.: He tried to solve the math problem, but couldn't.
    2 [T] to test s.t. to see if it is good or suitable: She tried eating octopus, but didn't like it.
    3 [T] (in law) to have a legal proceeding: The state tried the criminal for theft.
    4 to try one's hand at: to attempt s.t.: He tried his hand at playing golf, but found it too difficult and slow.
    5 to try s.o. or s.o.'s patience: to annoy, fatigue: That child is so noisy that he tries my patience.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to try s.t. on: to put on an item of clothing to see if it fits: He tried on the slippers I gave him.||He tried them on.
    7 phrasal v. sep. to try (s.t.) out: a. [I] to perform and look for acceptance, such as for a team or a theatrical part: She tried out for a singing part in the play and got it. b. [T] s.t.: to test, experiment: I tried out camping in the mountains and really liked it.n. tries
    1 an effort to do s.t.: His attempt to climb Mt. Everest failed, but it was a good try.
    2 to give s.t. a try: test, experiment: She gave eating squid a try, but didn't like it.
trying
trying
  1. adj. difficult,
    THESAURUS
    harrowing: Being lost in a bad snowstorm was a trying experience.
tryout
tryout
  1. n. a test, audition, such as for a role or place on a team: Tryouts for the football team (school play, debating society, etc.) are scheduled for next week.
tryst
tryst
  1. n. a meeting, usu. secret, as between lovers: The two go away to the country for weekend trysts.
tub
tub
  1. n.
    1 a large container with slanting sides used to hold food, etc.: I bought a small tub of butter at the store.
    2 a bathtub: After working in the garden, she had a bath in the tub.
    3 infrml.pej. a fat person: He eats so much that he has become a tub. See: tubby.
tuba
tuba
  1. n. a low-pitched brass instrument usu. used for rhythm: He plays the tuba in the college band.
tubby
tubby
  1. adj.pej.infrml. -bier, -biest fat,
    THESAURUS
    roly-poly: That little boy eats so much that he is tubby.
tube
tube
  1. n.
    1 a hollow, flexible container: I bought a tube of toothpaste this morning.
    2 infrml. to go down the tubes: to disappear, esp. s.t. valuable going to ruin: The stock market crashed, and his life's savings went down the tubes.
tubing
tubing
  1. n. [U] tubes in general: The tubing used for plumbing in the building is made of plastic.
tubular
tubular
  1. adj. having a round or slightly flat shape: The shape of a toothpaste tube is tubular.
tuck
tuck
  1. n.
    1 a fold sewn for better fit or decoration in clothes, draperies, etc.: She sewed tucks in the waist of her skirt.
    2 a tight fold: Military beds are made with tucks.
    3 a type of cosmetic surgery: She had a tummy tuck to make herself thinner.v. [T]
    1 to put inside s.t else: She tucked her shirt into her skirt.
    2 to fold, esp. bedclothes
    3 phrasal v. sep. to tuck s.o. in: to put sheets, blankets, etc. around s.o. tightly: She tucks in her children before they go to sleep. ||She tucks them in.
tuft
tuft
  1. n. a bunch, patch that sticks out: Many bird species have a tuft of feathers sticking up from their heads.adj. tufted to have a tuft: The tufted titmouse is a small bird.
tug-of-war
tug-of-war
  1. n.
    1 a game in which two teams pull on opposite ends of a rope to pull the other team over a line between them
    2 fig. a struggle between opposing forces: The President and the Congress are in a tug-of-war over the new budget.
tug
tug
  1. n. a hard pull,
    THESAURUS
    a yank: I gave the rope a tug to be sure it was tied tightly.v. [I;T] tugged, tugging, tugs to pull hard: A farmer tugged on the horse's bridle to get it to move.
tugboat
tugboat
  1. n. a powerful, strong boat used to pull or push other vessels, esp. in and out of harbors and docks: Two tugboats guided the ocean liner into its dock.
tuition
tuition
  1. n. [U]
    1 the cost of going to an educational institution: In the USA, the cost of tuition at private colleges is very high.
    2 teaching, instruction See: room and board, USAGE NOTE.
tulip
tulip
  1. n. a bulb-rooted plant with bright bell-shaped flowers: Red tulips are beautiful in the springtime.
tumble
tumble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles
    1 to roll, esp. end over end: Children tumble over each other in play.
    2 to do acrobatics: At school, we tumbled today in gym.
    3 to fall suddenly: His toe caught, and he tumbled down the stairs.n. a fall: He took a tumble down the stairs.
tumbledown
tumbledown
  1. adj. old, falling apart,
    THESAURUS
    dilapidated: The tumbledown house on the corner should be torn down.
tumbler
tumbler
  1. n.
    1 a large drinking glass: Tumblers are often thick, so they don't break easily.
    2 an acrobat: Tumblers did somersaults in the circus.
    3 an inner part of a lock: Tumblers must fit a key or combination for a lock to turn.
tummy
tummy
  1. n.infrml. -mies the stomach: I ate a big Thanksgiving dinner, and now my tummy hurts.
tumor
tumor
  1. n. a growth of diseased tissue: A surgeon removed a benign tumor from the patient's stomach.
tumult
tumult
  1. n. [U]
    1 the noise made by an excited crowd: The tumult from the angry mob was frightening.
    2 a commotion, including confusion of the mind: He was threatened with death, and it caused a tumult in his head. -adj. tumultuous.
tuna
tuna
  1. adj.n. [C;U] a large food and game fish: I had a tuna sandwich for lunch.
tundra
tundra
  1. n. [U] treeless flat land found mostly in the Arctic Circle: The tundra has permanently frozen soil.
tune-up
tune-up
  1. n. a cleaning and adjustment of a motor: I took my car in for a tune-up.
tune
tune
  1. n.
    1 a song: He played a tune on the piano.
    2 to carry a tune: to sing on key: His voice sounds funny, but he can carry a tune.
    3 to change one's tune: to change one's opinion: At first he didn't want to come to the movies, then he changed his tune and came.v. tuned, tuning, tunes
    1 [T] to adjust a musical instrument to the correct pitch: A pi-ano tuner tuned my piano.
    2 [T] to set a piece of audio equipment to receive a signal: I tuned my radio to my favorite station.
    3 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to tune in to s.t.: to listen: I tuned in to the basketball game.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to tune s.o. or s.t. out: a. [I;T] s.o.: to ignore, esp. what s.o. says: He complains all the time, so I just tune his comments out.||I tune them out. b. [T] s.t.: to adjust a radio dial to avoid static
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to tune s.t. up: to clean and adjust a motor: I tuned up my car myself.||I tuned it up.adj.
    1 in tune: in proper musical pitch: The first violinist put the orchestra in tune.
    2 infrml.fig. in tune with: in agreement, coop-eration with: Everyone is in tune with your recommendations.
    3 out of tune: a. not having proper musical pitch: My piano is old and out of tune. b. infrml.fig. not in agree-ment with, uncooperative: He is out of tune with his colleagues.
    4 to stay tuned: to remain tuned to the same radio or TV station: The announcer said, "Stay tuned; we'll be right back after this commercial message."
tuned in
tuned in
  1. adj.
    1 listening to a radio or TV program: The TV is tuned in to the station that broadcasts the news.
    2 infrml.fig. informed, aware: She is tuned in to what is going on in the company.
tuneful
tuneful
  1. adj.frml. pleasing to the ear,
    THESAURUS
    melodious: The band plays tuneful music. -adv. tunefully.
tuneless
tuneless
  1. adj. unmelodious, unpleasant to listen to See: tone-deaf.
tuner
tuner
  1. n.
    1 a radio receiver: My tuner is on the right station.
    2 a person who tunes musical instruments: a piano tuner
tungsten
tungsten
  1. n. [U] a gray-white metallic element used in lighting and cutting tools: Lamps with filaments of tungsten shine very brightly.
tunic
tunic
  1. n.
    1 a loose, sack-like garment tied at the waist: Tunics are fashionable even after thousands of years.
    2 a short jacket that is part of a uniform
tunnel
tunnel
  1. n.
    1 a passage under the ground: Construction teams dig tunnels for roads to go through hills and mountains.
    2 infrml. to see light at the end of the tunnel: to get near the end of a long, difficult task: We have experimented for years and now see light at the end of the tunnel for a new wonder drug.
    3 tunnel vision: narrow-mindedness: He has tunnel vision and considers only a few things.v. [I;T] to make a tunnel: Workers tunneled into a hill, then under a river.
    THESAURUS
    tunnel n.
    1 a channel, passageway | burrow, warren.
turban
turban
  1. n. a long piece of cloth wrapped around the head: Indian men wear brightly-colored turbans.
turbid
turbid
  1. adj.frml. muddy, cloudy: The lake's water is turbid. -n. [U] turbidity.
turbine
turbine
  1. n. a machine that produces power by turning blades with steam, water, or gas, esp. to create electricity: Huge steam turbines can produce electricity for an entire city.
turbocharger
turbocharger
  1. n. a device on an engine that increases its power: That heavy truck has a turbocharger on its engine.
turbot
turbot
  1. n. [U] a large edible flatfish: Some like to broil turbot.
turbulence
turbulence
  1. n. [U]
    1 hard or violent movement, such as in air flow or water: Our airplane went through heavy turbulence in a thunderstorm.
    2 fig. emotional or physical upset: The turbulence in his life has come from accidents and illness. -adj. turbulent.
tureen
tureen
  1. n. a deep, covered serving dish: The waiter put a tureen of hot soup on our table.
turf
turf
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 sod, grass with roots and earth: The turf on golf courses is fertilized and watered.
    2 infrml.fig. one's territory, area of authority: The dog does not like anyone to come into his turf.
turgid
turgid
  1. adj.
    1 swollen,
    THESAURUS
    bloated
    2 fig. heavy, complex, and boring (said of prose): His writing is so turgid that it puts people to sleep. -adv. turgidly; -n. [U] turgidity.
turkey
turkey
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a large game and poultry bird in North America: Traditionally, many North Americans have a roast turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
    2 [C] infrml.fig. a bad movie, play, show, etc.: That movie I saw last night was a real turkey.
    3 [C] a jerk: That guy is a turkey; stay away from him.
    4 to go cold turkey: stopping use of drugs, etc., all at once: When I stopped smoking cigarettes, I went cold turkey.
    5 infrml. fig. to talk turkey: to discuss business: Let's talk turkey about how much the product will cost and when you can deliver it.
turmoil
turmoil
  1. n. disruption, chaos, often with mental suffering: An accident caused turmoil in his life.
turn-on
turn-on
  1. n.infrml.fig. s.t. exciting, pleasant: Driving very fast is a turn-on for Ned.
turn
turn
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] (syns.) to bear left or right | veer, as in changing direction: The truck turned right onto a side street. The truck bore (or) veered right onto a side street.
    2 [I;T] (syns.) to become, change to (s.t. different) | transform, convert: The weather turned stormy today. The weather became stormy today.||An architect turned an old barn into a cute house. An architect transformed an old barn into a cute house.
    3 [I;T] (syns.) to adjust, move, twirl: I turned the knob on the radio to another station. I adjusted the knob on the radio to another station.
    4 [I;T] (syns.) to go around, rotate, spin: The earth turns on its axis. The earth goes around (or) rotates on its axis.
    5 [I;T] (syns.) to point, aim: The astronomer turned her telescope toward a distant star. The astronomer pointed her telescope toward a distant star.
    6 [I;T] (syn.) to flip infrml., as in to reverse s.t.: A cook turned the hamburgers on the grill. A cook flipped the hamburgers on the grill.
    7 [T] (syns.) (in farming) to plow, till: The farmer turned the soil with his plow. The farmer plowed (or) tilled the soil with his plow.
    8 [T] (syns.) to nauseate | injure: That horror film turned my stomach. That horror film nauseated me. || I tripped and turned my ankle. I tripped and injured my ankle.
    9 [I;T] (syns.) to carve, shape s.t. as on a lathe: A worker turns table legs on a lathe. A worker carves (or) shapes table legs on a lathe.
    10 infrml. to turn a blind eye: to ignore, overlook: The father turned a blind eye to his son's laziness and left him the family business.
    11 infrml. to turn a deaf ear: to ignore, avoid: He turned a deaf ear to his wife's advice.
    12 to turn a profit: to make a profit: His business is new and does not turn a profit.
    13 phrasal v. [I] to turn about: to turn in the opposite direction: She forgot her eyeglasses and turned about to get them.
    14 to turn blue: to show signs of cold and lack of oxygen: His hands turned blue from the cold.
    15 infrml. to turn cartwheels: to jump for joy: When he heard the good news, he felt like turning cartwheels.
    16 to turn green: a. to become ill: He ate some bad food and turned green with nausea. b. to become envious or jealous: When he saw his neighbor's new car, he turned green with envy.
    17 phrasal v. insep. [T] to turn into s.o. or s.t.: to change into, become: The nice boy turned into a bad man.
    18 to turn loose: to set free: Zookeepers turned some birds raised in captivity loose in the wild.
    19 infrml. to turn on a dime: to change direction quickly: That football star can turn on a dime and speed off in another direction.
    20 to turn one's back on: to reject,
    THESAURUS
    to repudiate: He turned his back on his father and never spoke to him again.
    21 to turn over a new leaf: to change, esp. to correct one's bad behavior: Managers who ignored their workers turned over a new leaf and worked closely with them.
    22 infrml.fig. to turn over in one's grave: an expression of disapproval (disgust, horror): Beethoven would turn over in his grave if he could hear today's popular music.
    23 to turn red: to blush, flush: Her face turned red with embarrassment.
    24 phrasal v. insep. [T] to turn s.o. against s.o. or s.t.: to become hostile, oppose: The public turned against the leader and voted him out of office.
    25 phrasal v. sep. [T] to turn s.o. or s.t. around: a. to reverse direction: He turned his car around and headed home. b. to change a bad business situation: The company was losing money and hired a new president to turn it around.
    26 phrasal v. sep. to turn (s.o.) away: a. [I;T] to avoid looking,
    THESAURUS
    to avert the eyes: When he saw the dead body, he turned away in horror. b. [I] s.o.: to change, such as to stop doing bad things: He turned away from drinking alcohol and gambling. c. [T] s.o.: to keep s.o. from entering: The security guard turned away people who didn't have invitations to the party.||He turned them away.
    27 phrasal v. sep. [I;T] to turn s.o. back: to reverse direction, such as to stop a journey: The bad snowstorm made me turn back and stay at home.
    28 phrasal v. sep. to turn s.o. or s.t. down: a. [T] s.t.: to fold over: The maid turned down the bedsheet and blanket for hotel guests each evening. b. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to refuse, disapprove: His manager turned down his proposal for a new project.
    29 phrasal v. sep. to turn (s.o. or s.t.) in: a. [I] to go to bed, sleep: I turned in at 11:00 P.M. last night. b. [T] s.o.: to surrender s.o. to the police: A young girl turned in her parents for using drugs.||She turned them in. c. [T] s.t.: to hand in, give s.t. to s.o.: Students turned in their test papers when the period was over. d. [T] s.t.: to exchange as a down payment, esp. cars: He turned in his old car for a new one.
    30 phrasal v. sep. to turn s.o. or s.t. off: a. slang [T] s.o.: to disgust, offend: His unfriendly attitude turns off most people.||It turns them off. b. [I;T] s.t.: to shut off: I turned off the light and went to sleep.
    31 phrasal v. sep. to turn s.o. or s.t. on: a. [T] s.o.: to excite, cause enjoyment: Playing tennis turns her on; she loves it! b. [T] s.o.: to excite sexually, arouse: He turns her on with his good looks and curly hair. c. [I;T] s.t.: to switch on, operate: I turned on the lights in a dark room. d. [T] s.t.: to attack physically or verbally: The dog turned on his owner and bit her. ||It turned on her.
    32 phrasal v. sep. to turn (s.o. or s.t.) out: a. [I] to develop into, become: The young woman turned out well as the manager of a magazine. b. [T] s.o.: to expel, reject: The mean man turned his son out into the cold night.||He turned him out. c. [I;T] s.o.: to cause people to assemble: The announcement of a public debate turned out a large crowd. d. [T] s.t.: to produce s.t.: Her company turns out beautiful shoes and accessories. e. [T] s.t.: to put out, extinguish (a light)
    33 to turn s.o.'s head: to attract,
    THESAURUS
    to beguile: She is so tall that she turns lots of heads when she walks down the street.
    34 phrasal v. sep. to turn s.t. over: a. [I;T] to reverse sides, flip over: He turned over and slept on his stomach. b. [T] to give: The manager turned over her responsibilities to a new person.||She turned them over.
    35 phrasal v. sep. to turn (s.t.) up: a. [I] to arrive: She turned up at the meeting late. b. [I] to occur, happen, esp. unexpectedly: Something wonderful turned up. I won a prize! c. [T] s.t.: to lift up: He turned up the brim of his hat. d. [T] s.t.: to increase the volume: Turn up the radio so we can hear the music better. e. [I;T] s.t.: to produce results, uncover: The scientist experimented for months and finally turned up a new substance.||She turned it up.
    36 infrml. to turn tail: to reverse direction, esp. in a hurried and often cowardly fashion: When the criminal saw the police arrive, he turned tail and ran.
    37 to turn the other cheek: to ignore criticism (rejection, harm, etc.): If a person hurts you, some people urge you to turn the other cheek.
    38 infrml. to turn the tables: to change weakness into strength, esp. in the same way: I turned the tables on a person who threatened to sue me by having my lawyer sue her first.
    39 to turn the tide: to change, reverse a situation: The entrance of their allies into the war turned the tide against their enemies.
    40 phrasal v. insep. to turn to (s.o. or s.t.): a. [T] to look at certain pages in a book b. [T] s.o. or s.t.: to find comfort in: After her divorce, she turned to her friends.
    41 to turn to one's advantage: to change a difficult situation into a good one: He turned losing his job to his advantage by starting his own business.
    42 to turn up one's nose: to reject, esp. in a snobbish fashion: My cat turns up his nose at ordinary cat food.n.
    1 a bend, curve: The road makes a turn to the left at the intersection.
    2 a change of direction: We took a turn at the river.
    3 a rotation: We watched the slow turn of the windmill's blades.
    4 a time for a person to act: It was my turn to wash the dishes (serve the volleyball, speak in class, etc.).
    5 fig. at every turn: at every moment, on every occasion: At every turn, he likes to discuss politics.
    6 in turn: in sequence, in addition: She smiled at him, and he in turn smiled back.
    7 out of turn: a. not in sequence: She should have hit the golf ball last; when she hit first, she played out of turn. b. wrongly, rudely: He spoke out of turn when he criticized her unfairly.
    8 to do a good turn: to do s.t. good, help s.o.: He did a good turn for a stranded motorist by stopping and fixing her tire.
    9 to take a turn for the better or worse: to improve or worsen: The hospital patient took a turn for the better.
    10 turn of events: a change, esp. by chance: In a sudden turn of events, the Prime Minister resigned.pl.
    1 by turns: alternately,
    THESAURUS
    sequentially: Each table of guests went to the buffet by turns.
    2 to take turns: to act in sequence: He and his wife take turns washing the dishes.
    THESAURUS
    turn n.
    1 a twist
    2 a bend
    3 a revolution
    4 an opportunity, chance, shot infrml.adj. n. turn of the century: a period just before, during, and after a century and its characteristics in life, culture, art, etc.: The turn of the nineteenth century in France was called the Belle Epoque.
turn off
turn off
  1. n.infrml.fig. s.t. disturbing,
    THESAURUS
    repulsive: His bad behavior at the party was a turn-off for his girlfriend.
turnabout
turnabout
  1. n.
    1 a reversal, such as of power, chance, or opinion: A turnabout in public opinion helped the political candidate.
    2 turnabout is fair play: to do to s.o. what they do to you is fair: A little boy hurt by a bully made the bully cry by punching him in the nose; turnabout is fair play.
turnaround
turnaround
  1. adj.n.
    1 a turnabout area
    2 the time needed to restart an action, such as to clean and refuel an airplane: The turnaround for that airplane is one hour.
    3 related to completing an action: The turnaround time on reprinting that book is a month.
    4 related to improving a business: Lisa is a consultant for a turn-around firm; she helps other companies recover from financial troubles.
turncoat
turncoat
  1. n. s.o. who changes to the other side, a traitor: Turncoats in wartime are shot if they are caught.
turned-up
turned-up
  1. adj. pointing in an upward direction: She has a cute turned-up nose.
turned on
turned on
  1. adj.infrml.fig. excited, enthusiastic: She is really turned on by rock music.
turnip
turnip
  1. n. a white or yellow root vegetable whose tops are often cooked like spinach: Some cooks can make turnips tasty.
turnkey
turnkey
  1. adj. referring to s.t. that is prepared and ready to operate: The company provides turnkey computer systems for doctors' offices.
turnout
turnout
  1. n. [C;U] the number of people at an event: The turnout for the basketball game was good.
turnover
turnover
  1. n.
    1 [U] the rate at which employees leave a job or company: The turnover at that business is very high.
    2 [U] an act of handing s.t. over, such as a change of ownership: The turnover of the deed for the house is tomorrow.
    3 [U] the amount of annual business: That company has a $5 million a year turnover.
    4 [C] a small pastry filled with fruit: She likes an apple turnover with coffee for breakfast.
turnpike
turnpike
  1. n. a main highway, usu. with tolls: The turnpike from New York to Boston has frequent stops for tolls.
    THESAURUS
    turnpike a throughway, expressway, superhighway.
turnstile
turnstile
  1. n. a gate with rotating arms: He put his subway fare in the turnstile and walked through it.
turntable
turntable
  1. n. in audio equipment, a rotating part that holds a record: The turntable on that old stereo is broken.
turpentine
turpentine
  1. n. [U] a liquid made from pine resin used as a paint thinner and drying agent: Some old paint was too thick, so I thinned it with turpentine.
turpitude
turpitude
  1. n.frml. [U] baseness: The criminal is guilty of moral turpitude.
turquoise
turquoise
  1. n. [U] a light blue to blue-green semi-precious gemstone: She loves to wear turquoise necklaces and silver rings.
turret
turret
  1. n.
    1 a rotating enclosure from which guns are fired, such as on battleships and tanks: The turret on the tank turned, and a gunner fired the cannon.
    2 a small architectural structure mounted on a larger one: Turrets on the castle walls allow guards to watch for an attack. -adj. turreted.
turtle
turtle
  1. n. a reptile with a hard shell and strong beak: People keep small turtles as pets. See: tortoise.
turtleneck
turtleneck
  1. n.adj. a pullover or sweater with a high, close-fitting neck: He wears turtlenecks in the winter to keep warm.
tush
tush
  1. n.infrml. the buttocks: The child fell down and hurt her tush.
tusk
tusk
  1. n. a long, thick front tooth, such as of elephants, warthogs, etc.: A walrus has two long tusks.
tussle
tussle
  1. v. [I] n. -sled, -sling, -sles to wrestle, struggle: Two boys tussled in the schoolyard.
tutelage
tutelage
  1. n.frml. [U] instruction, teaching: She learned to sing under the tutelage of a famous voice coach.
tutor
tutor
  1. n. a teacher who helps students individually with other courses: She is a tutor who helps foreign students improve their English.v. [I;T] to act as a tutor: She tutors students in English. -n. [U] tutorship.
tutorial
tutorial
  1. adj.n. an educational process where a teacher gives classes to individual students: I have a writing tutorial every Friday with my teacher.
tutti-frutti
tutti-frutti
  1. n. [U] ice cream with chopped fruits: A tutti-frutti is refreshing on a hot day.
tutu
tutu
  1. n. a short, classical dance costume extending out from the waist: Ballerinas dancing in their tutus are a pretty sight.
tux
tux
  1. n.short for tuxedo
tuxedo
tuxedo
  1. n. a black suit worn to formal occasions: The invitation called for tuxedos and white ties as proper attire.
twang
twang
  1. n. a nasal accent in the USA that is different from a standard accent: She speaks with a southern twang.
tweak
tweak
  1. v. [T] n.
    1 to pinch, squeeze hard: One little boy tweaked another's nose and ran away.||He gave it a tweak.
    2 to adjust s.t. a little: I tweaked the radio dial to make the station clearer.
tweed
tweed
  1. n. [C;U] a strong, thick, woolen fabric for coats and suits: He wears jackets that are made of tweed. -adj. tweedy.
tweet
tweet
  1. n. [C;U] 1 a squeaky bird cry 2 a message posted on Twitter™
tweeter
tweeter
  1. n. the speaker in an audio system that produces high-pitched sounds: The tweeter in my speaker picks up high notes beautifully. See: woofer.
tweeze
tweeze
  1. v. [T] tweezed, tweezing, tweezes to remove with a tweezer: She tweezes her eyebrows.
tweezers
tweezers
  1. n.pl. a small tool with two arms that are pushed together to remove s.t.: I used tweezers to remove a splinter from my foot.
twelve
twelve
  1. n. the cardinal number 12 —adj. 12 of s.t., (syn.) a dozen: There are 12 eggs in a carton. -n. adj. twelfth/ . See: dozen.
twentieth
twentieth
  1. adj.n. the ordinal number 20: Tomorrow is her twentieth birthday; it is her twentieth.
twenty-twenty
twenty-twenty
  1. n.adj.
    1 a designation for normal, good eyesight: He has twenty-twenty (or) 20-20 vision.
    2 twenty-twenty hindsight: the ability to see things in the past clearly: With the benefit of 20-20 hindsight, he knows that he should have driven more carefully to avoid the accident.
twenty
twenty
  1. n. the cardinal number 20 —adj. 20 of s.t.: Twenty children lined up for lunch.
twerp
twerp
  1. n.infrml. a jerk, an offensive person: That twerp tries to act important.
twice
twice
  1. adv. two times: She rang the doorbell twice.
twiddle
twiddle
  1. v. -dled, -dling, -dles
    1 [I;T] to rotate, spin
    2 infrml. to twiddle one's thumbs: to wait impatiently, doing nothing: My doctor is always late, so I have to twiddle my thumbs until he's ready for me.
twig
twig
  1. n. a small branch: A hiker picked up twigs to build a campfire. -adj. twiggy.
twilight
twilight
  1. n.
    1 the period between sunset and darkness: The street lights come on at twilight.
    2 fig. a time of decline: He is old now, in the twilight of his life. See: dusk.
twin-size
twin-size
  1. adj. related to twin beds: She bought twin-size sheets for the beds.
twin
twin
  1. n. one of two children born of the same mother at the same time: The sisters are twins; both are blonde, tall, and twenty years old.adj. referring to exact copies of s.t.: He flies a twin-engine airplane.
twin bed
twin bed
  1. n. one of two single beds: My brother and I sleep in twin beds.
twine
twine
  1. n. [U] strong, coarse string: We wrapped the packages with twine.
twinge
twinge
  1. n. a brief, sharp pain or emotion: After jogging, he had a twinge in his thigh muscle.v. [I;T] twinged, twinging, twinges to produce a twinge: His thigh muscle twinged then relaxed.
twinkle
twinkle
  1. v. [I] -kled, -kling, -kles to shine, gleam off and on: Stars twinkle in the night sky.n.
    1 a gleam
    2 a sign of wit, laughter, high spirits: He told a joke with a twinkle in his eye.
twinkling
twinkling
  1. n. [U]
    1 gleaming, shining: The twinkling of stars is a pretty sight.
    2 a sign of wit, etc.: You could see the twinkling in her eyes as she laughed with her children.
    3 a short moment: I'll finish this in a twinkling.
twirl
twirl
  1. v. [I;T] to spin, rotate: The girl twirled a rope over her head.
twist
twist
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to turn, rotate: I twisted the door knob, but the door wouldn't open.
    2 [T] to wrap, bend around each other: I twisted two pieces of thread on a needle to sew a hole in my coat.
    3 [T] to turn and breakoff: Workers twisted dead branches off trees.
    4 to twist s.o.'s arm: a. to bend s.o.'s arm: One wrestler twisted his opponent's arm into an armlock. b. fig. to pressure s.o. into doing s.t. that they may not want to do: His boss twisted an employee's arm into taking a new job by threatening to fire him unless he took it.n.
    1 a turn, rotation: I gave the doorknob a twist and opened the door.
    2 a new twist: an unusual development, a new version: The police came up with a new twist in the crime story; that it was done by a different person.
    THESAURUS
    twist v.
    2 to wind, coil, loop
    3 to wrench.
twisted
twisted
  1. adj.
    1 wrapped, rotated: The dog's leash was twisted around a tree, and he couldn't move.
    2 mentally ill, (syns.) deranged, perverted: That madman has a twisted mind.
twister
twister
  1. n.infrml. a tornado: Twisters cause severe damage to houses and trees.
twit
twit
  1. n. a silly person, jerk,
    THESAURUS
    a twerp: That twit is totally incompetent.
twitch
twitch
  1. v. [I] -es to shake briefly or uncontrollably,
    THESAURUS
    to quiver: A nerve twitched in the man's cheek.n. -es a nervous reaction, such as a tic: He has a twitch in his cheek.
twitter
twitter
  1. v. [I] to call or chirp rapidly like birds: Birds twittered in the trees.n.
    1 a rapid chirp
    2 a state of nervous agitation: I could hear the twitter of sparrows gathered in their favorite bush. See: atwitter.
two-dimensional
two-dimensional
  1. adj.
    1 having vertical and horizontal planes (height and width): A painting is two-dimensional.
    2 fig. shallow, weak: That essay is two-dimensional and overlooks too many ideas.
two-faced
two-faced
  1. adj.fig. insincere,
    THESAURUS
    hypocritical: She is two-faced, friendly at first; then she says bad things about you behind your back.
two-fisted
two-fisted
  1. adj.
    1 using both hands: He's a two-fisted beer drinker.
    2 fig. strong, decisive: He is a tough-minded, two-fisted manager.
two-party
two-party
  1. adj. referring to a system of two political parties: There is usually a two-party race for Presidenta Democratic candidate running against a Republican.
two-piece
two-piece
  1. adj. having two parts: He wears two-piece suits, a coat with trousers.
two-sided
two-sided
  1. adj.
    1 having two aspects: The issue of raising taxes is two-sided.
    2 covered on both sides: The printing on that brochure is two-sided, both back and front.
two-timer
two-timer
  1. n.infrml.fig. an adulterer, a person who commits to one person while seeing another: That guy is a two-timer who cheats on his wife.
two-tone
two-tone
  1. adj. having two colors: He wears two-tone shoes in the summer, white with black trim.
two-way street
two-way street
  1. n.fig. a situation that affects both parties or requires mutual cooperation: Business is a two-way street where both the buyer and seller must feel satisfied.
two
two
  1. n. the cardinal number 2 —adj.
    1 2 of s.t.: People have two eyes.
    2 two's company: a couple enjoys each other's company, but doesn't want a third person: I told my friend that I have a date tonight and two's company, three's a crowd. See: second (1).
two bits
two bits
  1. n.pl. 25 cents, a quarter (of a dollar): Can you loan me two bits?
two cents' worth
two cents' worth
  1. n.infrml. to put in one's two cents' worth: to give one's opinion, but not care if s.o. disagrees with it: Two of my friends were having a political argument, and I finally put in my two cents' worth about what I thought.
twofer
twofer
  1. n.infrml. referring to paying for one thing and receiving two or "two for" the price of one: I bought a pair of shoes and got a twofer, another pair for free.
twofold
twofold
  1. adj. two times: That company has a twofold increase in sales (personnel, costs, etc.).
tycoon
tycoon
  1. n. a businessperson of great wealth and power: He is a tycoon who owns steel mills, a shipyard, and other businesses.
tyke
tyke
  1. n.infrml. a small child: Little tykes play in kindergarten.
tympanum
tympanum
  1. n.frml. -nums, -na the eardrum: The tympanum of his right ear was pierced in an accident.
type
type
  1. v. typed, typing, types
    1 [I;T] to write on a typewriter, computer keyboard, etc.: She types letters and memos on a computer.
    2 [T] to characterize by category: Zoologists typed that animal as a mammal.
    3 [T] to typecast —n.
    1 [C] a category, characterization: That type of steel is very strong.
    2 [U] a typeface: That manuscript is now set in type.
    3 [C] personality: He is the strong, silent type.
typecast
typecast
  1. v. [T] -cast, -casting, -casts (in films, plays, etc.) to give an actor or actress roles according to their appearance and personality: The actor with the mean look was typecast as a gangster.
typeface
typeface
  1. n. the style of a group of characters of the alphabet and other symbols: Times Roman is a commonly used typeface.
typeset
typeset
  1. v. [T] -set, -setting, -sets to put written material into type, to input into a typesetting machine: He typesets his own material on a desktop publishing computer.adj. set in type: His manuscript is now being typeset by the publisher.
typewriter
typewriter
  1. n. a manual or electric machine used to print words in type: Since he bought a computer, his old typewriter sits in the closet.
typhoid
typhoid
  1. or typhoid fever n. [U] a highly infectious disease with high fever, intestinal inflammation, and a rash caused by food or water contaminated with bacteria: Typhoid fever is still a great health threat.
typhoid
typhoid
  1. or typhoid fever -n. [U] a highly infectious disease with high fever, intestinal inflammation, and rash caused by food or water contaminated with bacteria: Typhoid fever is still a great health threat.
typhoon
typhoon
  1. n. a hurricane or cyclone in Asia: Typhoons are so powerful that they sink ships.
typical
typical
  1. adj. characteristic, representative: The high quality of that machine is typical of all of that company's products.||Behaving like a jerk is typical of my horrible brother-in-law. -adv. typically.
    THESAURUS
    typical to be expected, distinctive | normal, average | customary, usual.
typify
typify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to characterize, represent: The speed of that computer typifies that of others like it.
typist
typist
  1. n. a person who types: She works part-time as a typist in a law office.
typo
typo
  1. n. -pos short for a typographical error: The word "teh" has a typo in it as it should be "the."
typographer
typographer
  1. n.
    1 a person who sets type: He is a typographer who inputs manuscript.
    2 a designer of type: Most typographers are also artists.
typography
typography
  1. n. [U] the art and craft of designing type: Typography has evolved into nine general families of type.
typology
typology
  1. n. [U] the science of types or categories: Social workers use typology to classify their clients' needs.
tyranny
tyranny
  1. n. -nies [C;U]
    1 a dictatorship enforced by power and terror: Tyranny ended in that country with the assassination of its tyrant.
    2 a condition or act of tyranny: It was an act of tyranny when the dictator canceled free elections. -v. [I;T] tyrannize.
tyrant
tyrant
  1. n. a dictator who uses terror and a police state to enforce a regime: The tyrant and his wife were shot after a short trial by revolutionaries. -adj. tyrannical.
tzar
tzar
  1. n. var. of tsar
ubiquitous
ubiquitous
  1. adj.frml. everywhere, found all over: Pine trees are almost ubiquitous in North America; they grow almost everywhere. -n. [U] ubiquity.
udder
udder
  1. n. the milk-producing organ of a cow: A milk cow has a large udder.
ugh
ugh
  1. exclam. used to express disgust: Ugh! This room is a mess!
ugly
ugly
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 offensive to see: His face was burned in a fire, and the scars are ugly.
    2 unpleasant, upsetting: Two men shouted at each other and made an ugly scene. -n. [U] ugliness.
    THESAURUS
    ugly
    1 repulsive, homely. Ants. beautiful, pretty.
    2 offensive, nasty.
uh-huh
uh-huh
  1. adv. slang yes, indeed: I asked if she would like to go to dinner, and she said, "Uh-huh!" See: yes, USAGE NOTE.
ukulele
ukulele
  1. n. a four-stringed musical instrument that looks like a small guitar: A singer plays his ukulele while singing Hawaiian songs.
ulcer
ulcer
  1. n. a break in the skin or inside the body that may bleed and hurt, a sore: Spicy food hurt his stomach ulcer. -adj. ulcerous.
ulcerate
ulcerate
  1. v. [I;T] -ated, -ating, -ates to form an ulcer: His stomach has ulcerated. -n. ulceration.
ulterior
ulterior
  1. adj. hidden for a reason: She has an ulterior motive for visiting her parents: she wants to move back in with them.
ultimate
ultimate
  1. adj.
    1 last, highest: The ultimate responsibility for this project belongs to the boss.
    2 most basic, fundamental: The ultimate proof of his guilt was that s.o. actually saw him steal the money.
    3 greatest, most costly: The soldier made the ultimate sacrifice by dying for his country. n. an extreme of any kind (best, worst, etc.): A Rolls Royce is the ultimate in expensive cars.
ultimately
ultimately
  1. adv. in the end: Ultimately, the war had to end; it cost too much in both lives and dollars.
ultimatum
ultimatum
  1. n. a final demand that s.t. be done (usu. made with a threat of punishment): She gave an ultimatum that either he stop drinking or she would leave.
ultra-
ultra-
  1. prefix
    1 beyond the normal or usual: That special telephone wire is ultrathin.
    2 very much, exceedingly (used esp. in politics): Political extremists can be ultraconservative or ultraliberal.
ultraconservative
ultraconservative
  1. adj. describing a person's beliefs as on the far right politically or as orthodox in religion n. a person who is ultraconservative: The Senator's promise to run government like a business made her popular with ultraconservatives.
ultraliberal
ultraliberal
  1. adj. describing a person's beliefs as on the far left politically or as reform-minded in religion n. a person who is ultraliberal: The elders of the church thought the young preacher was an ultraliberal.
ultrasonic
ultrasonic
  1. adj. related to sound beyond the range of human hearing; i.e., above 16 to 20 kilohertz: She used an ultrasonic whistle to call her dog.
ultrasound
ultrasound
  1. n. (in medicine) a procedure involving a machine that uses waves to show internal body organs: The doctor did an ultrasound to see if the woman's heart was OK.
umbilical cord
umbilical cord
  1. n. the tube connecting an unborn baby to its mother: Unborn babies are fed through the umbilical cord.
umbrella
umbrella
  1. n. a foldable covering made of fabric on a handle used for protection above the head against rain and bright sunlight: She opens her umbrella when it rains.
umpire
umpire
  1. n. a sports referee, judge: An umpire stands behind the catcher in baseball. See: referee.
umpteen
umpteen
  1. adj.infrml. very many of s.t., countless: We have umpteen thousand of those useless products in our warehouses, and we've had umpteen for years.
un-American
un-American
  1. adj. against or offensive to ideals held in the USA: In the USA, people are sometimes seen as un-American if they burn the American flag.
unabashed
unabashed
  1. adj.frml.
    1 unintimidated, calm in the face of embarrassment or defeat: The dancer tripped but appeared unabashed.
    2 obvious, undisguised: To his unabashed delight, his competitor went bankrupt. -adv. unabashedly.
unabated
unabated
  1. adv. without stopping: Despite difficulties, the work continues unabated; we must finish by Tuesday.
unable
unable
  1. adj.
    1 not able, incapable: He is unable to walk because of a bad ankle.
    2 not skilled, incompetent: He is unable to do the job for lack of experience.
unabridged
unabridged
  1. adj. not made shorter, complete: Unabridged dictionaries are very large.
unacceptable
unacceptable
  1. adj.
    1 not acceptable because s.t. is offensive or bad: That student's bad behavior in class is unacceptable.
    2 not acceptable because s.t. is incorrect or wrong: That report is unacceptable because it has mistakes in it. -adv. unacceptably.
    THESAURUS
    unacceptable
    1 intolerable, objectionable
    2 unsatisfactory.
unaccompanied
unaccompanied
  1. adj. alone, without s.o. else: He went to a party unaccompanied.
unaccomplished
unaccomplished
  1. adj. without proven success: He is an unaccomplished writer with nothing published.
unaccountable
unaccountable
  1. adj.
    1 not responsible, esp. for one's actions: He is a troublemaker who believes that he is unaccountable to others.
    2 not accounted for: There were unaccountable losses of money during the weeks she worked at the cash register. -adv. unaccountably.
unaccustomed
unaccustomed
  1. adj. not used to: People from the tropics are unaccustomed to cold winters.
unadorned
unadorned
  1. adj.frml.
    1 plain, without decoration: That room unadorned with pictures or curtains looks bare.
    2 simple, plain: The unadorned truth is sometimes difficult to hear.
unadulterated
unadulterated
  1. adj.frml. not containing unwanted substances, pure: That hamburger is made of 100% delicious, government-inspected, unadulterated beef.
unaffected
unaffected
  1. adj.
    1 not influenced by s.t., intact: The economy is unaffected by recent bank failures.
    2 natural, without fancy manners: Although he is an important person, he has an unaffected way of behaving.
unaffordable
unaffordable
  1. adj. too expensive: Houses in that fancy neighborhood are unaffordable for most people.
    THESAURUS
    unaffordable out of reach, beyond one's means | exorbitant frml.
unafraid
unafraid
  1. adj. not afraid, fearless: She is a skier who is unafraid of danger.
unalienable
unalienable
  1. adj. not capable of being taken away, permanent: In America, people have unalienable rights under the Constitution, such as freedom of speech.
unalterable
unalterable
  1. adj. not capable of being changed,
    THESAURUS
    inalterable: Once a contract is signed, it becomes unalterable. -adv. unalterably.
unambiguous
unambiguous
  1. adj. clear, without doubt: The law is unambiguous: if you steal, you go to jail. -adv. unambiguously.
unanimity
unanimity
  1. n. [U] complete agreement, unity: Since members of the committee always argue and disagree, there is never a unanimity of opinion.
unanimous
unanimous
  1. adj. completely in agreement: Everyone on the committee agreed in a unanimous decision. -adv. unanimously.
unanswerable
unanswerable
  1. adj. not capable of being answered: How the man died is unanswerable; no one saw him die.
unanticipated
unanticipated
  1. adj. not expected,
    THESAURUS
    unforeseen: Unanticipated expenses can occur when you travel.
unappealing
unappealing
  1. adj.
    1 not attractive, uninteresting: Dull movies are unappealing.
    2 unpleasant, distasteful: Worn furniture (bad behavior, dirty surroundings, etc.) is unappealing. -adv. unappealingly.
unappetizing
unappetizing
  1. adj. not appealing to taste,
    THESAURUS
    unsavory: Burned toast and greasy eggs are unappetizing.
unapproachable
unapproachable
  1. adj. unfriendly,
    THESAURUS
    intimidating: That strict professor is unapproachable; his students are afraid to ask him questions.
unappropriated
unappropriated
  1. adj. not yet made available: Funds are as yet unappropriated for the government project; there is no money for it yet.
unarmed
unarmed
  1. adj. without a weapon: Unarmed civilians were helpless in the war.
    THESAURUS
    unarmed defenseless, vulnerable.
unassisted
unassisted
  1. adj. alone, without help: He was hurt but able to go to the hospital unassisted.
unassuming
unassuming
  1. adj. quiet, modest,
    THESAURUS
    unpretentious: She is an unassuming person with a soft voice. -adv. unassumingly.
unattached
unattached
  1. adj.
    1 single, not married or engaged: He is unattached now but was married before.
    2 not fastened or connected: We could not hear the stereo because the speakers were unattached.
unavailing
unavailing
  1. adj.frml. without success,
    THESAURUS
    futile: My requests for information were unanswered and unavailing.
unavoidable
unavoidable
  1. adj. that which cannot be avoided, (syns.) inescapable, inevitable: Pain is unavoidable when you are having surgery. -adv. unavoidably.
unaware
unaware
  1. adj.
    1 uninformed, not notified: He was unaware that the meeting was this morning; no one told him.
    2 not to see or know s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    oblivious: He is unaware of what is happening right in front of him.
unawares
unawares
  1. adv. without warning, by surprise: She was caught unawares (by a sudden event).
unbalanced
unbalanced
  1. adj.
    1 unstable, unsteady: The circus acrobat became unbalanced and fell into a net below.
    2 crazy or eccentric: She is unbalanced and does strange things.
unbearable
unbearable
  1. adj. not bearable, intolerable: The ocean water is so cold that it is unbearable for swimming now. -adv. unbearably.
unbeatable
unbeatable
  1. adj.
    1 not capable of being beaten or overcome,
    THESAURUS
    invincible: He is an unbeatable opponent.
    2 excellent, beyond compare: We got an unbeatable bargain (opportunity, offer, etc.) in buying a new TV on sale.
unbeaten
unbeaten
  1. adj. without a loss: Our school has an unbeaten football team.
unbecoming
unbecoming
  1. adj. unsuitable, not flattering: She is wearing an unbecoming dress. -adv. unbecomingly.
unbelievable
unbelievable
  1. adj.
    1 false, not worthy of belief: That story (explanation, statement, etc.) is unbelievable.
    2 fig. fantastic, wonderful: We had an unbelievable opportunity to go on a vacation to Rio.
    3 sad, pitiful: It is unbelievable that he died so young. -adv. unbelievably.
unbend
unbend
  1. v. -bent , -bending, -bends
    1 [I;T] to straighten: A branch unbends when the heavy snow melts from it.
    2 [I] to relax, to become less formal: He has learned to unbend a little in dealing with others and is more friendly. See: unbending.
unbending
unbending
  1. adj. stubborn, unwilling to change one's mind: She has an unbending attitude and will not stop drinking.
unbiased
unbiased
  1. adj. not biased or prejudiced, neutral: His unbiased attitude toward all people made him a fair judge.
unborn
unborn
  1. adj. not yet in existence, still inside the mother: Unborn children are fed through the umbilical cord.
unbound
unbound
  1. adj.
    1 without ropes, chains, etc.: Prisoners were tied with ropes, then released unbound.
    2 frml. not obligated, not required: He was unbound by the contract to work on weekends.
unbounded
unbounded
  1. adj. without limit, extensive: She had an unbounded ability to make money.
unbridled
unbridled
  1. adj. without limit, uncontrolled: He has unbridled greed (lust, anger, etc.).
unbuckle
unbuckle
  1. v. [I;T] -led, -ling, -les to unfasten a buckle: He unbuckled his seat belt when the plane landed.
unburden
unburden
  1. v. [T]
    1 to remove a burden, unload: He unburdened a camel of its load.
    2 to release emotions: She unburdened herself by telling her troubles to a friend.
unbutton
unbutton
  1. v. [I;T] to undo buttons: He unbuttoned his shirt and took it off.
uncalled-for
uncalled-for
  1. adj. offensive, not polite: At a party, a man made some rude remarks that were uncalled-for.
uncanny
uncanny
  1. adj. extraordinary, remarkable: She has an uncanny ability to remember the exact dates when things happen. -adv. uncannily.
uncared-for
uncared-for
  1. adj. not cared for,
    THESAURUS
    neglected: Some children are uncared-for and left hungry.
uncaring
uncaring
  1. adj. not interested, insensitive: The uncaring son did not visit his sick mother.
unceasing
unceasing
  1. adj. nonstop, continuous: She makes an unceasing effort to help others. -adv. unceasingly.
unceremoniously
unceremoniously
  1. adv. rudely, abruptly: The homeless man was thrown out of a restaurant unceremoniously.
uncertain
uncertain
  1. adj. doubtful, unsure: He has been out of work for a year; his future is uncertain. -adv. uncertainly; -n. [C;U] uncertainty.
    THESAURUS
    uncertain unclear, in question | undecided, up in the air. Ants. sure, definite.
unchanging
unchanging
  1. adj. constant, without change: It rains every morning; the weather seems unchanging here.
uncharitable
uncharitable
  1. adj. unkind, critical: He made uncharitable remarks about the ball player's ability. -adv. uncharitably.
uncharted
uncharted
  1. adj. unknown, not mapped: In the 1500s, the explorer Vasco da Gama sailed in uncharted seas.
unchecked
unchecked
  1. adj. not stopped,
    THESAURUS
    unrestrained: Stealing from the store went unchecked until they hired a guard.
uncivilized
uncivilized
  1. adj.
    1 without comforts,
    THESAURUS
    primitive: They lived in an uncivilized place without electricity or plumbing.
    2 lacking in good manners, wild: The uncivilized guest chewed with his mouth open.
unclasp
unclasp
  1. v. [T] to unfasten a clasp: She unclasped the metal bracelet on her wrist.
unclassified
unclassified
  1. adj. not confidential or secret: The military gave unclassified information to the newspapers.
uncle
uncle
  1. n.
    1 one's mother's or father's brother: My Uncle John came over to visit.
    2 to say "uncle": to surrender: Two boys wrestled until one of them gave up and said "uncle."
unclean
unclean
  1. adj.
    1 dirty, soiled: The floors (clothes, people, etc.) are unclean; they haven't been washed.
    2 morally impure: The young man confessed to having unclean thoughts.
unclear
unclear
  1. adj.
    1 poorly said or written, not clear: Unclear writing is difficult to understand.
    2 doubtful, uncertain: It is unclear whether the economy will get better.
    THESAURUS
    unclear
    1 incoherent, inarticulate. Ant. clear.
    2 questionable. Ant. certain.
uncluttered
uncluttered
  1. adj. neat, clear: Her uncluttered desk made her look organized.
uncomfortable
uncomfortable
  1. adj.
    1 feeling pain or discomfort: She feels uncomfortable sitting on a hard chair in a hot room.
    2 causing pain or discomfort: That hard chair is uncomfortable.
    3 bothered, worried: He feels uncomfortable spending so much money for a vacation. -adv. uncomfortably.
uncommitted
uncommitted
  1. adj.
    1 undecided, related to people who have not made up their minds: The politician's vote on that law is still uncommitted.
    2 not willing to say yes, wavering: The young man is uncommitted to marrying his girlfriend.
uncommon
uncommon
  1. adj.
    1 unusual, not commonly found or experienced: Those birds are uncommon in this area.
    2 extraordinary, excellent: That is uncommon coffee; it tastes great! -adv. uncommonly.
uncommunicative
uncommunicative
  1. adj. silent, unresponsive: I asked him many times for an answer, but he was uncommunicative.
uncomplicated
uncomplicated
  1. adj. not difficult, simple: That job application is uncomplicated—just one page of short questions.
uncomplimentary
uncomplimentary
  1. adj. unflattering, nasty: He made uncomplimentary remarks about her dress being out of style.
uncompromising
uncompromising
  1. adj. not willing to cooperate, unbending,
    THESAURUS
    stubborn: He is uncompromising in his business dealings. -adv. uncompromisingly.
unconcerned
unconcerned
  1. adj.
    1 unbothered, uninterested,
    THESAURUS
    indifferent: He is unconcerned about his losses.
    2 uncaring,
    THESAURUS
    apathetic: She is unconcerned for the poor.
    3 not a party to s.t., uninvolved: He was an unconcerned party, so both sides trusted him. -n. [U] unconcern; -adv. unconcernedly.
unconditional
unconditional
  1. adj. without conditions or terms: The general demanded unconditional surrender from the defeated enemy. -adv. unconditionally.
unconditional guarantee
unconditional guarantee
  1. n. a promise made by a business to its customers of complete satisfaction with its product or service: Our company gives an unconditional guarantee of satisfaction with our products or we will replace the item at no charge.
unconformity
unconformity
  1. n. [U]
    1 not fitting a normal requirement, such as one's behavior or lifestyle within ordinary society: The unconformity of her lifestyle gave her the appearance of being a rebel.
    2 lack of conformity to standards or regulations: His unconformity in dressing caused him to be fired by the law firm.
unconnected
unconnected
  1. adj.
    1 not connected, not attached: The electric plug was unconnected, so the machine did not run.
    2 not related: Although they seemed similar, the two crimes were unconnected.
unconquerable
unconquerable
  1. adj. invincible, not capable of being overcome or depleted: Howard decided to see a psychologist, because he felt that some of his psychological concerns were unconquerable on his own.
unconscionable
unconscionable
  1. adj.frml. immoral, unethical, and therefore shocking,
    THESAURUS
    indefensible: Murder is an unconscionable act. -adv. unconscionably.
unconscious
unconscious
  1. adj.
    1 knocked out: He was knocked unconscious by a blow on the head.
    2 not conscious of some event: He was unconscious of the fact the bill was not paid because the check was lost.
    3 unthinking, without conscious thought: He hurt his attacker in an unconscious act of self-defense. -adv. unconsciously; -n. [U] unconsciousness.
unconsidered
unconsidered
  1. adj.
    1 not thought about,
    THESAURUS
    offhand: In my unconsidered opinion, that is the wrong thing to do.
    2 ill-considered, reckless: His remarks were unconsidered—stupid, in fact.
unconstitutional
unconstitutional
  1. adj. (in law) found to be against the Constitution (of the USA, any organization with a constitution): The Supreme Court decided that the law was unconstitutional. -n. [U] unconstitutionality; -adv. unconstitutionally.
uncontrollable
uncontrollable
  1. adj. not capable of being controlled, out of control: The budget for the city is uncontrollable, because there are too many unknown expenses. -adv. uncontrollably.
uncontrolled
uncontrolled
  1. adj.
    1 not controlled,
    THESAURUS
    unchecked: Their heavy spending was uncontrolled.
    2 unregulated, not stopped, such as by the government: Uncontrolled practices in the banking industry (securities business, real estate industries, etc.) lead to bankruptcies.
unconventional
unconventional
  1. adj.
    1 outside common practice or behavior, (syns.) peculiar, eccentric: Her unconventional be-havior shocks people.
    2 original, not thought before: She found an unconventional but excellent solution to the problem. -n. [U] unconventionality; -adv. unconventionally.
uncool
uncool
  1. adj.slang
    1 unacceptable and usu. embarrassing: He poured beer over everyone, which was an uncool thing to do.
    2 socially awkward: His inability to talk to women made him appear uncool.
uncork
uncork
  1. v. [T] to remove the cork: She uncorked a bottle of wine.
uncounted
uncounted
  1. adj.
    1 not counted: Today's money from the store is still uncounted; please count it for me now.
    2 limitless, uncountable: There are uncounted millions of people who can vote but don't.
uncouple
uncouple
  1. v. [T] -pled, -pling, -ples to pull apart, to unlock, separate: A worker uncoupled two railroad cars and one rolled away.
uncouth
uncouth
  1. adj. ill-mannered, foul-mouthed,
    THESAURUS
    crude: That uncouth man uses dirty language all the time. -adv. uncouthly.
uncovered
uncovered
  1. adj.
    1 without a covering: She became uncovered while asleep.
    2 without having money available: Their loan (bet, proposition, etc.) is uncovered.
    3 discovered, removed from hiding: The swindler uncovered by the detective was put in jail.
    THESAURUS
    uncovered
    1 exposed
    2 not secured
    3 exposed, brought to light.
unctuous
unctuous
  1. adj.
    1 frml. oily
    2 fig. speaking smoothly, esp. showing interest but not really meaning it: The unctuous employee tried to gain favor by asking to see his boss's vacation pictures. -n. [U] unction; unctuousness; -adv. unctuously.
uncut
uncut
  1. adj.
    1 whole, without being sliced: I bought an uncut loaf of bread, then sliced it.
    2 unedited, unabridged: The uncut version of that novel (film, literary work, etc.) was too long and boring.
undaunted
undaunted
  1. adj. determined, not frightened: He moved ahead undaunted by obstacles. -adv. undauntedly.
undecided
undecided
  1. adj. not decided, still under consideration: She is undecided as to where she wants to go on vacation.
    THESAURUS
    undecided uncertain, unsure, hesitating. Ant. certain.
undemonstrative
undemonstrative
  1. adj. unresponsive, not showing emotion: I thought he didn't like me, but he is just undemonstrative; he has trouble showing affection.
undeniable
undeniable
  1. adj. not capable of being disputed, absolute: When you have no money, it is an undeniable truth that you can't buy things. -adv. undeniably.
under-the-counter
under-the-counter
  1. adv. fig. related to s.t. illegal that is sold secretly: That store sells fake ID cards under-the-counter.
under-the-table
under-the-table
  1. adv. fig. related to a secret, illegal transaction, such as the passing of a bribe: He gave a bribe under-the-table.
under
under
  1. prep.
    1 beneath, below: Roots are under the soil.
    2 directed by: Those employees are under her management (control, direction).
    3 less than: He is under the legal age (to drink alcohol, to vote, etc.).
    4 under consideration: being evaluated: The buyer has the proposal under consideration and will decide tomorrow.
    5 under control: in control, being managed: The fire is under control now and is not spreading.
    6 under cultivation: planted with food crops: He is a wheat farmer who has large fields under cultivation.
    7 under discussion: being discussed and evaluated: The new project is under discussion now.
    8 under s.o.'s thumb: under s.o.'s complete control: He is a bossy manager who has his employees under his thumb.
    9 under present circumstances: considering the present situation: Under present circumstances, namely that our sales are strong, we should expand our sales force.
    10 under the cover of darkness: during the night: The enemy force advanced under the cover of darkness.
    11 infrml. under the gun: related to s.o. who is experiencing pressure, usu. involving a time deadline: He is under the gun to finish the report by tomorrow or possibly be punished.
    12 under the heading of: categorized as: That statement comes under the heading of "The Latest News" (pure nonsense, biology, etc.).
    13 under the influence of: controlled by s.t., such as a drug, alcohol, or another person: She was caught driving under the influence of alcohol.
    14 under the name of: to be known by or as: That company goes under the name of Imperial Computers, Ltd.
    15 under the threat of: in danger of: He is under the threat of deportation if found guilty of a crime.
    16 infrml. under your hat: secret: Keep this under your hat—the business is about to be sold. adv. See: go, v., 54.
under way
under way
  1. adv.
    1 in motion: The ship has left the dock and is under way.
    2 in progress, happening: The politician's election campaign is under way now as she gives speeches on TV.
underachiever
underachiever
  1. n. a person who does not try his or her best: The child is quite intelligent but receives poor grades in school; he is an underachiever.
underage
underage
  1. adj. describing a person who is below the legal age for some purpose: Anyone below the age of 21 is underage and cannot drink alcohol in this state.
underarm
underarm
  1. n.adj. the armpit: He uses an underarm deodorant so that his armpits don't smell.
underbelly
underbelly
  1. n. -lies the lower part of the stomach: The underbelly of a reptile is soft and not protected.
underbid
underbid
  1. v. [I;T] -bid, -bidding, -bids to offer s.t. at a cost lower than others: Our company underbid other companies and won the contract for printing.
underbrush
underbrush
  1. n. [U] plant growth close to the ground: The thick underbrush in a forest makes walking difficult.
undercarriage
undercarriage
  1. n. the beams of steel located under a vehicle: That car has an undercarriage in the shape of an "H."
underclassman
underclassman
  1. n. -men a male or female student in freshman or sophomore year of high school or college: Those underclassmen will graduate in a few years.
undercoat
undercoat
  1. n. [U] a first layer of paint: He applied an undercoat on the walls, then painted a topcoat over it.
undercoating
undercoating
  1. n. [U] a layer of paint applied to the underside of a car to prevent rust: She always buys cars with undercoating.
undercover
undercover
  1. adj. disguised, referring to a spy or police dressed as an ordinary person: Two undercover police officers, dressed in jeans, arrested a drug dealer.
undercurrent
undercurrent
  1. n. [U]
    1 a flow of water beneath the surface: The river has a strong undercurrent.
    2 a wave of hidden emotion: An undercurrent of fear ran among the employees when they heard the business might close.
undercut
undercut
  1. v. [T] -cut, -cutting, -cuts to offer goods at a lower price than s.o. else: That drugstore undercuts its competitors by selling at 20 percent cheaper than its competitors do.
underdog
underdog
  1. n. a person or team with little chance of winning, esp. in a sports competition; the weaker competitor: Our team was the underdog in the basketball game, but we won.
underdone
underdone
  1. adj. not cooked enough: The steak was underdone and was very red. See: rare.
underemployed
underemployed
  1. adj. related to people who are forced to work below their abilities: She is a former school- teacher who works as a sales clerk and is underemployed.
underestimate
underestimate
  1. v. -mated, -mating, -mates
    1 [I;T] to guess too low at the cost of s.t.: He underestimated the cost of a vacation (product, construction job, etc.) and ran out of money.
    2 [T] to guess wrong about a person's abilities: Don't underestimate him, for he is determined to succeed. -n. [U] underestimation.
underfoot
underfoot
  1. adv.
    1 under one's feet: It snowed, so it is slippery underfoot.
    2 in the way: The children's toys are always underfoot.
undergarment
undergarment
  1. n.frml. an item of underwear (undershorts, panties): They wear undergarments beneath their clothes.
undergo
undergo
  1. v. [T] -went , -gone , -going, -goes
    1 to experience: He will undergo an operation to remove his appendix.
    2 to suffer, bear: In order to get the job, she had to undergo five tests and an interview.
undergraduate
undergraduate
  1. n. a student in any of the first four years of college: She is an undergraduate at the state university. adj. related to that level of college education: She is taking undergraduate courses in English.
underground
underground
  1. adj.
    1 located below the earth's surface: We drove our car into an underground parking garage.
    2 relating to a secret or hidden organization: They had an underground plot to assassinate the President. adv. below the surface of the earth —n. a secret, hidden organization: Members of the underground want to change the government.
undergrowth
undergrowth
  1. n. [U] short plants growing under trees: The undergrowth in that forest is very thick.
underhand
underhand
  1. adj. relating to an upward swinging motion of the arm: In softball, the pitcher throws underhand pitches.
underhanded
underhanded
  1. adj. tricky, cheating, esp. in a secret way: He has an underhanded scheme to cheat her out of her savings. -adv. underhandedly.
underlie
underlie
  1. v. [T] -lay , -lain , -lying, -lies to be beneath the surface, esp. in reasoning: Many reasons, including low pay, underlie her thinking about finding a new job.
underline
underline
  1. v. [T] -lined, -lining, -lines
    1 to draw a line under s.t.: He underlined words in his book with a pen.
    2 fig. to emphasize, to show the importance of s.t.: The boss underlined the necessity to cut costs.
underling
underling
  1. n. pej. an unimportant person, esp. working for an important one,
    THESAURUS
    a subordinate: The king arrived with all of his underlings.
underlying
underlying
  1. adj.
    1 supporting: A need for money was underlying her decision to look for a new job.
    2 located beneath: The ground underlying the building is too soft.
undermine
undermine
  1. v. [T] -mined, -mining, -mines to ruin the efforts of s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to sabotage: She undermined her health by smoking cigarettes.
underneath
underneath
  1. prep. below: That cave is underneath the earth's surface.
undernourished
undernourished
  1. adj. starved, fed with inferior food: Undernourished children do not grow properly. -n. [U] undernourishment.
    THESAURUS
    undernourished ill-fed, underfed | suffering from malnutrition. Ant. well-fed.
underpants
underpants
  1. n.pl. men's undershorts or women's panties: He wears cotton underpants. See: boxer shorts.
underpass
underpass
  1. n. -passes a roadway that passes under another road or structure: An underpass runs under the highway.
underpinning
underpinning
  1. n.
    1 an architectural support of a structure: The underpinnings of the bridge are tall beams.
    2 related to the base of s.t.: The underpinnings of your argument are all wrong.
underprivileged
underprivileged
  1. adj.n.pl. not receiving the benefits others do from society,
    THESAURUS
    impoverished: The underprivileged receive money from charity.
underrate
underrate
  1. v. [T] -rated, -rating, -rates to give s.o. less credit (respect, praise, esteem) than is due: She is underrated as a tennis player, but she will win the championship.
underscore
underscore
  1. v. [T] -scored, -scoring, -scores
    1 to underline: He underscored an important idea in the report with a pen.
    2 to emphasize, tell how important s.t. is: She underscored her desire to cooperate with the police by going with them.
undersea
undersea
  1. adj. beneath the sea: A diver found an undersea treasure.
undershirt
undershirt
  1. n. a T-shirt or sleeveless shirt worn under other clothing: He wears an undershirt under his dress shirt.
undershorts
undershorts
  1. n.pl. underpants: His undershorts are white. See: boxer shorts.
underside
underside
  1. n. the side beneath: The underside of the carpet is against the floor.
undersign
undersign
  1. v. [T] to sign one's signature, usu. at the end of a document (letter, contract, etc.), to make the document official: Both parties have undersigned the contract.
undersigned
undersigned
  1. n. the person(s) or business(es) that has (have) signed a contract: The undersigned is responsible for payment.
understaffed
understaffed
  1. adj. lacking enough workers to get the work done well or fast: The accounting department is understaffed and cannot process all the bills quickly.
understand
understand
  1. v. -stood , -standing, -stands
    1 [I;T] to know what s.t. or s.o. means, to get the meaning of: I understand exactly what you want.
    2 [T] to have knowledge of s.t.: She understands Spanish, because she lived in Spain for a year.
    3 [T] to be informed, made aware: I understand that you will leave tomorrow. Is that true?
    4 [T] to appreciate: She understands the value of a good education.
    5 [T] to sympathize with, to sense another's feelings: He understood how she felt when she lost her cat.
understanding
understanding
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a comprehension of, an ability to get the meaning of: I have a good understanding of the problem.
    2 [C;U] an appreciation of: She has an understanding of modern art.
    3 [U] sympathy for: She showed compassion and understanding when my father died, since her father is dead too.
    4 to have an [C] understanding: to have an agreement: My brother and I have an understanding; he does the dishes and I do the laundry.
    THESAURUS
    understanding
    1 a grasp, an awareness
    2 a knowledge of
    3 an insight into s.t.
understate
understate
  1. v. [T] -stated, -stating, -states
    1 to make s.t. seem less important than it is, downplay: He understated the importance of a big problem.
    2 to not give accurate figures,
    THESAURUS
    to underestimate: The profits are understated in the report. -n. understatement.
understood
understood
  1. adj. agreed upon: It is understood that the customer will pay half now and the other half on delivery.
    THESAURUS
    understood clear, accepted.
understudy
understudy
  1. n. -ies a replacement for another person, esp. a performer: The opera singer was ill, so her understudy sang in her place.
undertake
undertake
  1. v. [T] -took , -taken , -taking, -takes
    1 to accept and begin work on s.t. usu. large and serious: The government will undertake the building of a large courthouse.
    2 to try,
    THESAURUS
    to endeavor: He undertook the job of trying to have the government pass a law against polluters.
undertaker
undertaker
  1. n. a person or business that arranges funerals and burials for the dead,
    THESAURUS
    a mortician: The local undertaker is a serious man.
undertaking
undertaking
  1. n. [C;U] endeavor, a big task, job, etc.: To build a dam across the river is a large undertaking.
undertone
undertone
  1. n.
    1 an implied meaning, undercurrent: There was an undertone of emotion in the statement she made in court.
    2 a soft tone of voice: He said in an undertone, "This party is boring; let's leave."
undertow
undertow
  1. n. [U] a strong, often dangerous current of ocean water made from the pull of a wave beneath the surface after it has crested: A swimmer caught in the undertow may drown.
undervalued
undervalued
  1. adj. low priced, not valued for its true worth: Because that house needs to be painted, it is undervalued.
underwater
underwater
  1. adv. beneath the surface of water: He swims underwater. adj. sunken, submerged: My boat is underwater after the bad storm.||His hobby is underwater photography.
underwear
underwear
  1. n. [U] adj. clothing, such as underpants, T-shirts, and slips, worn under other clothing and not usu. seen by other people,
    THESAURUS
    underclothes: He bought boxer shorts in the store's underwear department.
underweight
underweight
  1. adj. below normal weight for one's age, size, or occupation: That child is too thin and is underweight.
underworld
underworld
  1. n. the world of criminals adj. criminal, of bad reputation: John Smith, an underworld figure, is on trial for murder.
underwrite
underwrite
  1. v. [T] -wrote , -written , -writing, -writes (in business) to approve, support, and usu. to provide money for s.t.: The manager underwrote the project with a big budget. -n. underwriter.
undeserved
undeserved
  1. adj. not earned,
    THESAURUS
    unwarranted: He received an undeserved promotion because he was the boss's son. -adv. undeservedly.
undesirable
undesirable
  1. adj.
    1 unwanted, disagreeable: Having pimples is the undesirable result of being stressed out.
    2 inappropriate, unsuitable: The price that she offered was undesirable; it was too low.
    3 unpleasant: undesirable behavior n. a person who is regarded as disgusting: Police removed the undesirables from the train station because they were causing trouble.
undetermined
undetermined
  1. adj. not known: The cost of the new building is still undetermined; we are estimating the cost now.
undeveloped
undeveloped
  1. adj. not developed, in a natural state: That woodland is undeveloped; no houses have been built on it.
undies
undies
  1. n.infrml. underwear
undignified
undignified
  1. adj. not formal: He arrived dressed in jeans for the wedding; his dress was undignified.
undiplomatic
undiplomatic
  1. adj. not polite, rude: He was undiplomatic when he criticized his wife in front of other people. -adv. undiplomatically.
    THESAURUS
    undiplomatic insensitive, thoughtless | crude, boorish frml. Ant. thoughtful.
undiscriminating
undiscriminating
  1. adj. related to s.o. who lacks knowledge or good taste: She is undiscriminating in her choice of clothes; she will wear anything.
undistinguished
undistinguished
  1. adj. lacking distinction or excellence,
    THESAURUS
    mediocre: The pianist's performance was undistinguished; we were not favorably impressed.
undisturbed
undisturbed
  1. adj. not disturbed by s.o., natural: That forest is wilderness undisturbed by man.
undo
undo
  1. v. [T] -did , -done , -doing, -does
    1 to unfasten: He undid the buttons on his shirt.
    2 to reverse s.t., cancel: to undo an agreement See: undone.
undoing
undoing
  1. n. [U] downfall, defeat: He spent too much money, which was his undoing.
undone
undone
  1. adj.
    1 unfinished, incomplete: His work was left undone.
    2 distraught, in a bad emotional condition: She was completely undone by the death of her husband.
undoubted
undoubted
  1. adj. certain, unquestioned: He is an employee of undoubted loyalty. -adv. undoubtedly.
undress
undress
  1. v. [I;T] -dresses to remove one's clothing: Her mother told her to undress and put on pajamas before bedtime.
undressed
undressed
  1. adj. without clothes, nude: He was undressed when the doorbell rang, so he had to put his clothes on quickly.
undue
undue
  1. adj. excessive, too much: She suffered undue hardship when her husband left her.
undulate
undulate
  1. v. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to move in a waving motion: The ground undulates from an earthquake. -adj. undulant; -n. [U] undulation.
unduly
unduly
  1. adv.
    1 excessively, too much: He was not unduly surprised by the announcement.
    2 incorrectly, improperly: He was unduly delayed, because he was searched by customs without reason.
undying
undying
  1. adj. eternal, lasting forever: You have my undying thanks (loyalty, attention, etc.) for loaning me money when I needed it.
unearned
unearned
  1. adj.
    1 not earned through work: He has unearned income from interest on his savings.
    2 not deserved: He received unearned praise for the song that his friend wrote.
unearth
unearth
  1. v. [T] to dig up, discover: She unearthed a skeleton from the field.
unearthly
unearthly
  1. adj. not of this world, abnormal, weird: She heard an unearthly scream.
uneasy
uneasy
  1. -ier, -iest adj. nervous, worried: He feels uneasy about taking the test today. -adv. uneasily.
uneducated
uneducated
  1. adj. without education, illiterate: She is an uneducated person who cannot read.
unemotional
unemotional
  1. adj. calm, (syns.) self-possessed, stoic: He suffered a large loss, but was unemotional about it. -adv. unemotionally.
unemployable
unemployable
  1. adj. not capable of having a job usu. because of bad health or not enough education or skills: Her husband was unemployable after an accident disabled him.
unemployed
unemployed
  1. adj. without a job, idle: He was unemployed for three months. n.pl. the unemployed: the group of people who are without work: The bad economy forced the government to take care of the unemployed.
    THESAURUS
    unemployed adj. out of work, jobless.
unemployment
unemployment
  1. n. [U]
    1 the general condition of being without work: The rate of unemployment now is 5 percent nationally.
    2 infrml. unemployment compensation: He went on unemployment until he could find another job.
unemployment compensation
unemployment compensation
  1. n. [U] in the USA, regular payments made for a limited time by a state to qualified, unemployed workers until they find another job: He is drawing unemployment compensation, but it runs out in six months.
unequal
unequal
  1. adj.
    1 not equal, different (in amount, quantity, size, time, etc.): The sleeves on that jacket are of unequal length.
    2 unfair, unjust: The government gives unequal justice (treatment, education, etc.) to some citizens. -adv. unequally.
    THESAURUS
    unequal
    1 uneven, irregular. Ants. equal, even.
    2 imbalanced, inequitable. Ant. fair.
unequaled
unequaled
  1. adj. outstanding, not equaled by s.t. else: She has an unequaled opportunity to win (buy s.t., go to college, etc.).
unequivocal
unequivocal
  1. adj. definite, clear,
    THESAURUS
    unambiguous: She gave him an unequivocal answer: "No, absolutely not!" -adv. unequivocally.
unerring
unerring
  1. adj.frml. without error, correct: She has an unerring sense for the right thing to do. -adv. unerringly.
uneven
uneven
  1. adj.
    1 not equal in ability, intelligence, strength, etc.: We watched an uneven competition where one team was much better than the other.
    2 rough, irregular: an uneven surface, an uneven performance
    3 not of the same height, length, size, width, etc.: There are two pieces of wood of uneven length. -adv. unevenly.
    THESAURUS
    uneven
    1 badly matched, lopsided
    2 bumpy | erratic, spotty. Ant. smooth.
    3 unequal.
uneventful
uneventful
  1. adj. without anything special happening, routine: The day (meeting, weekend, etc.) was uneventful; nothing unusual happened. -adv. uneventfully.
unexceptional
unexceptional
  1. adj. ordinary,
    THESAURUS
    mediocre: The singer gave an unexceptional performance; we were disappointed. -adv. unexceptionally.
unexpected
unexpected
  1. adj. surprising, unanticipated: An unexpected visitor (storm, surprise, etc.) arrived. -adv. unexpectedly.
    THESAURUS
    unexpected unforeseen | accidental.
unexploited
unexploited
  1. adj. unused, not taken advantage of: That country has unexploited natural resources in gold, iron, and trees.
unfailing
unfailing
  1. adj. without failure, highly dependable: He made unfailing efforts to help his friend get well, and she did get better. -adv. unfailingly.
unfair
unfair
  1. adj. not fair or just to those concerned: He was unfair in giving higher raises to his favorite employees. -adv. unfairly.
    THESAURUS
    unfair unjust, inequitable | prejudiced, biased.
unfaithful
unfaithful
  1. adj. not loyal to one's wife, husband, or lover,
    THESAURUS
    adulterous: He was unfaithful by having a sexual affair with his secretary.
unfamiliar
unfamiliar
  1. adj.
    1 strange, new: He got lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood.
    2 ignorant, uninformed: He was totally unfamiliar with the course content when he took the exam, so he failed.
unfashionable
unfashionable
  1. adj.
    1 out of fashion, not currently admired: It is unfashionable to wear fur now.
    2 lower-class, run-down: They live in an unfashionable neighborhood. -adv. unfashionably.
unfasten
unfasten
  1. v. [T] to undo: He unfastened the buttons on his shirt (the buckle on his belt).
unfathomable
unfathomable
  1. adj.
    1 bottomless: the unfathomable depths of the ocean
    2 fig. beyond understanding: That problem is unfathomable for anyone but a genius. -adv. unfathomably.
unfavorable
unfavorable
  1. adj.
    1 bad: Unfavorable weather prevented the game from being played.
    2 negative, disapproving: She received an unfavorable decision on her job application; they said "no." -adv. unfavorably.
unfeeling
unfeeling
  1. adj. insensitive, having no feeling or sympathy: The unfeeling manager fired her secretary just before the holidays. -adv. unfeelingly.
unfetter
unfetter
  1. v. [T] to free, unchain: He unfettered an animal and let it go free.
unfinished
unfinished
  1. adj.
    1 incomplete, undone: When he died, the author left several unfinished works.
    2 without a finish, such as a coat of paint: The unfinished cabinet looked bare in the room.
unfit
unfit
  1. adj.
    1 not in good condition: That airplane is unfit to fly because one engine is broken.
    2 lacking in good personal qualities: Dishonest politicians are unfit to serve in office.
unflappable
unflappable
  1. adj. calm under pressure,
    THESAURUS
    imperturbable: A general must be unflappable when fighting the enemy. -adv. unflappably.
unflattering
unflattering
  1. adj.
    1 unbecoming, esp. referring to clothing or makeup that makes s.o. look bad: That purple dress is unflattering on that woman.
    2 critical, unfriendly: Her husband made some unflattering remarks about the dress.
unflinching
unflinching
  1. adj. cool under pressure,
    THESAURUS
    unwavering: Her goals are unpopular, but she is unflinching in staying with them. -adv. unflinchingly.
unfold
unfold
  1. v.
    1 [T] to open up: He unfolded the napkin and put it on his lap.
    2 [I] to happen, become clear: The story about the explosion unfolded quickly in the newspaper.
unforeseen
unforeseen
  1. adj. unexpected, happening by accident: Due to unforeseen circumstances (because of catching the flu), he could not go to the office.
unforgettable
unforgettable
  1. adj. memorable, wonderful: We had an unforgettable vacation; it was wonderful! -adv. unforgettably.
unfortunate
unfortunate
  1. adj.
    1 not lucky: It is unfortunate that you just missed her.
    2 sad: How unfortunate that his wife died. n.frml. the unfortunate: the poor: The family is very poor; they are among the unfortunate. -adv. unfortunately.
    THESAURUS
    unfortunate
    1 too bad, unlucky. Ant. lucky.
    2 regrettable. Ant. fortunate.
unfounded
unfounded
  1. adj. false, not factual: The bad stories told about her are unfounded.
unfriendly
unfriendly
  1. adj.
    1 cool toward s.o., distant: The unfriendly waiter made our meal unpleasant.
    2 hostile, rude: That fellow made unfriendly remarks to me; he's looking for a fight.
unfurl
unfurl
  1. v. [I;T] to unroll, open up: That flag unfurled and waved in the breeze.
ungainly
ungainly
  1. adj. awkward: He is ungainly when he walks, but graceful when he dances.
unglued
unglued
  1. adj. & past part. of unglue
    1 to become detached, loose: The arm of the wooden chair has come unglued.
    2 infrml.fig. upset, distressed: He came unglued when he found that his wallet was missing.
ungodly
ungodly
  1. adj.fig. awful, terrible: It's 2:00 A.M.; why do you call me at this ungodly hour?!
ungovernable
ungovernable
  1. adj. unruly, related usu. to a society that cannot be ruled by law and other governmental functions: The people there fight with each other so much that the country is ungovernable.
ungrammatical
ungrammatical
  1. adj. related to speech or writing that does not follow the accepted rules of grammar: Her ungrammatical speech made her seem unintelligent. -adv. ungrammatically.
ungrateful
ungrateful
  1. adj. unappreciative, not thankful: The ungrateful child did not write a "thank you" note for her gift. -adv. ungratefully.
unhappy
unhappy
  1. adj. -pier, -piest
    1 sad, sorrowful: His lack of friends makes him unhappy and lonely.
    2 not satisfied: She is unhappy with her job because of her low salary. -adv. unhappily.
    THESAURUS
    unhappy
    1 blue | depressed. Ants. happy, cheerful.
    2 displeased.
unhealthy
unhealthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 sick, diseased: He is an unhealthy person with a bad heart.
    2 harmful, causing injury: He eats unhealthy foods full of fat.
    3 harmful to one's best interests: She has an unhealthy attitude toward work; she thinks it's more important than her family. -adv. unhealthily.
unheard-of
unheard-of
  1. adj.
    1 extraordinary, unusual: An unheard-of number of people attended the concert; it was mobbed.
    2 ridiculous: He is making these unheard-of demands, wanting a $10,000 raise.
unhinge
unhinge
  1. v. [T] -hinged, -hinging, -hinges
    1 to take off the hinges: A workman unhinged a door to repair it.
    2 fig. to make crazy, unable to act normally: After he lost his job and his wife, he became unhinged.
unholy
unholy
  1. adj. -lier, -liest
    1 not holy, unrighteous: Stealing is an unholy act.
    2 fig. awful, offensive: He made an unholy mess of his life by having an affair and then losing his job.
unhook
unhook
  1. v. [T]
    1 to remove, detach: He unhooked a wire from a gadget.
    2 to remove a hook: She unhooked the fish from the fishline.
unicorn
unicorn
  1. n. an unreal white horse with a horn on its forehead: The magic unicorn is in stories of love and adventure.
uniform
uniform
  1. n. a special type of clothing worn by members of certain organizations (soldiers, police officers, airline personnel): Soldiers wear uniforms.
unify
unify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies
    1 to unite
    2 to bring together as a whole,
    THESAURUS
    to integrate: to unify separate ideas into one. -n. [U] unification.
unilateral
unilateral
  1. adj. one-sided, done without the approval of others: The workers protested, but the owner made a unilateral decision to shut down the factory. -adv. unilaterally.
unimportant
unimportant
  1. adj. not important: He left a comma out of the sentence, but that is an unimportant detail.
    THESAURUS
    unimportant insignificant, trivial. Ants. important, crucial.
uninformative
uninformative
  1. adj. lacking in information, not revealing: The politician held a press conference, but it was uninformative; he had nothing new to say.
uninformed
uninformed
  1. adj. not having information,
    THESAURUS
    ignorant: She has not read the newspaper, so she can offer only uninformed opinions.
uninhabitable
uninhabitable
  1. adj. not fit to be lived in: The board of health said the crumbling building was uninhabitable.
uninhabited
uninhabited
  1. adj. unpopulated, without people: That uninhabited island has no people and no drinking water.
uninhibited
uninhibited
  1. adj. uncontrolled, wild, without restraint: He is an uninhibited person who says anything that comes into his mind. -adv. uninhibitedly.
uninspired
uninspired
  1. adj. lackluster, dull: The singer's uninspired performance put us to sleep.
uninterested
uninterested
  1. adj. not interested: He is uninterested in buying our product; he doesn't need it.
union
union
  1. n.
    1 [C] an organization of workers: He joined a carpenter's union.
    2 [C;U] a marriage: The union of two people in marriage is a wonderful thing.
    3 [C;U] a joining of forces: A union of nations brings peace to the world.
    4 [C;U] a biological joining: A union of two cells occurred after we increased the temperature by five degrees in the lab.
unionize
unionize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to organize a group of workers into joining in a union: A representative from a labor union unionized the workers in our company. -n. [U] unionization.
unique
unique
  1. adj. singular, one of a kind: Each person in the world has a unique personality. -adv. uniquely

    USAGE NOTE: The term unique is often misused when people are trying to say special. Unique means one of a kind, without equal: A snowflake has a unique shape. BUT Hans and Lisa have a special relationship.
unisex
unisex
  1. adj. suitable to both men and women: The unisex hair salon attracts an equal number of men and women.
unison
unison
  1. n. in unison: done all together at the same time as a cooperative act or performance: A group of companies acted in unison to give money to charity.|| Members of a church choir sing in unison.
unit
unit
  1. n.
    1 a part or section of s.t.: a unit of information||a unit in a lesson||a unit of currency
    2 a standard of measurement: An inch (foot, meter, mile, etc.) is a unit of measurement.
    3 a bookcase or other piece of furniture: That wall unit holds stereo equipment.
    4 a department or other group of workers (soldiers, people, etc.): Andy Martin oversees a sales unit within the company. adj. related to a unit: a unit cost||unit price -adj. unitary ; -v. [T] unitize.
unite
unite
  1. v. united, uniting, unites
    1 [I;T] to come together for a reason or purpose: The nation united against its enemy.
    2 [T] to consolidate, to bring together for a purpose: The leader united his followers.
    3 [T] to join in marriage: A pastor united a couple in marriage.
    4 [I;T] to combine, join: The two sections of a new bridge were united over the river.
unity
unity
  1. n. -ties [C;U]
    1 a condition of oneness in belief (action, purpose),
    THESAURUS
    unanimity: Those two countries have a unity of purpose in wanting peace.
    2 two or more things made into one: Playing a sport requires a unity of body and mind.
universal
universal
  1. adj. found or practiced everywhere,
    THESAURUS
    ubiquitous: Poverty is a universal problem all over the world. -n. [U] universality ; -adv. universally.
universe
universe
  1. n. the stars, planets, other heavenly bodies, and space taken together: She explores the universe by telescope.
unjust
unjust
  1. adj. lacking justice, unfair: He was denied a job because of his race, and this is unjust. -adv. unjustly.
unjustified
unjustified
  1. adj.
    1 against common sense, good practice, or rules: He wasted money by making an unjustified payment.
    2 incorrect, unproven, without reason: She has unjustified criticism about nearly everyone.
unkempt
unkempt
  1. adj. messy: His hair is unkempt because he never combs it.
unkind
unkind
  1. adj.
    1 thoughtless, uncaring: It was unkind to leave his wife alone when she was ill.
    2 mean, vicious: The woman made unkind remarks about the man's weight and looks. -adv. unkindly; -n.[C;U] unkindness.
    THESAURUS
    unkind
    1 inconsiderate, unfeeling. Ants. kind, sensitive.
    2 cruel, nasty. Ant. nice.
unknowing
unknowing
  1. adj. lacking knowledge of s.t., uninformed: He was unknowing about the surprise party his friends were planning. -adv. unknowingly.
unknown
unknown
  1. adj. not known: The location of his home is unknown. n.
    1 [C;U] s.t. that is not known: His location is an unknown.
    2 [C] (in math) a quantity that is not known: Solve for the unknown in the equation.
unlawful
unlawful
  1. adj. illegal, against the law: It is unlawful to steal. -adv. unlawfully.
unleaded
unleaded
  1. adj. without the metal lead as an ingredient: He uses unleaded gasoline in his car.
unleash
unleash
  1. v. [T] -leashes
    1 to remove a leash: He unleashed his dog, so it could run.
    2 fig. to release a force: A newspaper reporter unleashed criticism against the mayor.
unleavened
unleavened
  1. adj. baked without yeast: Unleavened bread is flatter than regular bread.
unless
unless
  1. conj. except that, on the condition that: Unless he agrees, we have no contract.
unlicensed
unlicensed
  1. adj. operating without a license, illegal,
    THESAURUS
    uncertified: The person who caused the accident was an unlicensed driver.
unlike
unlike
  1. prep.
    1 different from, dissimilar to: That odd situation is unlike any I've seen before.
    2 not typical of: It is unlike him to complain; he is usually quiet. adj. different, dissimilar: The two boys are completely unlike; you wouldn't think they were brothers.
unlikely
unlikely
  1. adj. doubtful, not probable: It is unlikely that it will rain today; the clouds are breaking.
unlimited
unlimited
  1. adj. without limits, without end: The wealthy seem to have unlimited amounts of money to spend.
unlisted
unlisted
  1. adj. not in public records: He has an unlisted telephone number, so I can't call him.
unload
unload
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to remove s.t. (from a vehicle): A worker unloaded the supplies off the truck.
    2 [T] to take ammunition, such as bullets, from a gun: A soldier unloaded his rifle.
    3 [I;T] infrml.fig. to express freely: When the worker was late again, the foreman unloaded his anger on him.
unlock
unlock
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to open: She unlocked a door with a key.
    2 fig. [T] to remove obstacles, to make s.t. possible: The government unlocked opportunities for the poor by giving them jobs.
unlucky
unlucky
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having bad things happen to s.o. by chance: She was unlucky and did not win the bet.
    2 having bad luck that harms s.o., such as having accidents: He is unlucky: last week he broke his leg, and yesterday his car was stolen.
    THESAURUS
    unlucky
    1 unfortunate
    2 jinxed.
unmanly
unmanly
  1. adj. not what is expected of a man as in cowardly or irresponsible behavior: He ran when he saw a spider, and his friends regarded that as unmanly.
unmanned
unmanned
  1. adj. without an operator or pilot: An unmanned space vehicle was sent to Mars.
unmarked
unmarked
  1. adj.
    1 without identification, disguised: An unmarked police car is looking for speeders.
    2 unharmed, unbruised: He had a fistfight but is unmarked.
unmarried
unmarried
  1. adj. not married, single: I have two brothers; one is married and the other is unmarried.
unmask
unmask
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to remove a mask: The costumed party-goers unmasked at midnight.
    2 fig. to expose, uncover: A police officer unmasked a swindler (thief, a crime, etc.).
unmeant
unmeant
  1. adj. not meant, not intended in the way s.t. appeared: She made up the guest list from memory; any omissions were unmeant.
unmerciful
unmerciful
  1. adj. savage, without pity, (syns.) merciless, ruthless: The soldiers made an unmerciful attack (assault, etc.) on the enemy, killing them all. -adv. unmercifully.
unmistakable
unmistakable
  1. adj.
    1 that which cannot be questioned: It is an unmistakable truth that the sky is blue.
    2 obvious, clear: The child has an unmistakable likeness to her mother. -adv. unmistakably.
unmitigated
unmitigated
  1. adj.frml.
    1 not lessened or softened: He is suffering unmitigated pain from cancer.
    2 total, without exception: She is an unmitigated liar who cannot be trusted.
unnatural
unnatural
  1. adj.
    1 not from nature, artificial: Those artificial eggs are made from unnatural chemicals.
    2 against nature, not normal, atypical: It is unnatural for trees to grow in the desert.
    3 against accepted norms,
    THESAURUS
    perverse: Taking pleasure in s.o.'s pain is unnatural behavior. -adv. unnaturally.
unnecessary
unnecessary
  1. adj.
    1 needless, wasteful: The salesperson got me to buy a lot of unnecessary things.
    2 unwanted, not justified (often hurtful): He made some critical comments that were unnecessary.||He made unnecessary remarks. -adv. unnecessarily.
unnerve
unnerve
  1. v. [T] -nerved, -nerving, -nerves to upset s.o., to cause s.o. to lose his or her calm: She unnerved me when she said the company planned to fire me. -adj. unnerving.
unnoticeable
unnoticeable
  1. adj. not noticeable or obvious,
    THESAURUS
    insignificant: That tiny spot on your sleeve is practically unnoticeable.
unnoticed
unnoticed
  1. adj.adv. not noticed, unobserved: His presence at the party was unnoticed; he went unnoticed.
unobtrusive
unobtrusive
  1. adj. not easily noticed or seen: That is a small, unobtrusive building; no wonder I couldn't find it. -adv. unobtrusively.
unoccupied
unoccupied
  1. adj.
    1 empty, with no people: The unoccupied building was falling apart.
    2 unemployed, without work or other meaningful activity: He is unoccupied now and very bored.
unofficial
unofficial
  1. adj. informal, without official approval: An unofficial announcement was made that the company might be closing soon. -adv. unofficially.
unorganized
unorganized
  1. adj.
    1 not in order, without a system: She has lots of papers on her desk that are unorganized.
    2 not belonging to a labor union: The unorganized workers were not paid well.
unorthodox
unorthodox
  1. adj.
    1 unusual: He has an unorthodox way of playing football, but he's a good player.
    2 not accepted or approved by an established religious body: Eating pork is an unorthodox practice for some religions.
unpack
unpack
  1. v. [I;T] to remove articles from a container: He unpacked his suitcase.
unpaid
unpaid
  1. adj. not paid as yet: He has many unpaid bills.
unpalatable
unpalatable
  1. adj.
    1 not good to eat, distasteful: That burned food is unpalatable.
    2 fig.frml. unpleasant, disagreeable: She finds having dinner with her ex-husband unpalatable.
unparalleled
unparalleled
  1. adj.
    1 unequalled, extraordinary: We have an unparalleled opportunity to increase our business.
    2 unusual, peculiar
unpleasant
unpleasant
  1. adj.
    1 irritating, uncomfortable: We had an unpleasant vacation because it rained all the time.
    2 rude, offensive: That bully was very unpleasant to me. -adv. unpleasantly; -n. [U] unpleasantness.
unplug
unplug
  1. v. [T] -plugged, -plugging, -plugs
    1 to detach (a plug) usu. from an electrical supply: The room went dark when he unplugged the lamp.
    2 to clear, unstop: The plumber unplugged a stopped-up sink.
unpopular
unpopular
  1. adj. not liked by many people: The new tax on food is very unpopular.
unprecedented
unprecedented
  1. adj. unusual, not having happened before: The governor was elected for an unprecedented fourth time. -adv. unprecedentedly.
unpredictable
unpredictable
  1. adj. uncertain, cannot be predicted: The weather here is unpredictable; we don't know if it will be rainy or sunny. -n. [U] unpredictability; -adv. unpredictably.
unprejudiced
unprejudiced
  1. adj.
    1 without racial bias: The police chief should be an unprejudiced person.
    2 balanced, not favoring one side over another: An expert gave her an unprejudiced opinion that the painting was fake.
unprepared
unprepared
  1. adj.
    1 unqualified, unskilled: He is unprepared to take the job; he needs experience.
    2 not ready, not yet done: Dinner is unprepared, but will be ready in an hour.
unpretentious
unpretentious
  1. adj.frml. modest, not showy or flashy: They are rich but live in a simple, unpretentious house.
unprincipled
unprincipled
  1. adj. dishonest,
    THESAURUS
    unscrupulous: That cheat is unprincipled in his dealings with others.
unprintable
unprintable
  1. adj. related to language or information that is too vulgar or bloody to be printed in newspapers or magazines: The man used so much dirty language that what he said is unprintable.
unproductive
unproductive
  1. adj. useless, not resulting in s.t. useful: We had an unproductive meeting where nothing was decided. -adv. unproductively.
unprofessional
unprofessional
  1. adj. below the quality expected from a professional person or business,
    THESAURUS
    amateurish: The repair shop refused to fix the bad work that they did; both the work and the management were unprofessional. -n. [U] unprofessionality ; -adv. unprofessionally.
unprofitable
unprofitable
  1. adj.
    1 not making a profit, losing money: That is an unprofitable company; it's almost bankrupt.
    2 unproductive, not useful: We had an unprofitable discussion in which no business was done. -adv. unprofitably.
    THESAURUS
    unprofitable
    1 failing | in the red
    2 pointless. Ant. productive.
unprovoked
unprovoked
  1. adj. uninvited, not caused by the victim: One country invaded its neighbor in an unprovoked attack.
unqualified
unqualified
  1. adj.
    1 unskilled, untrained: He is unqualified for the job because of his lack of the proper skills.
    2 unconditional, without exceptions: The play (person, venture, etc.) is an unqualified success.
unquestionable
unquestionable
  1. adj. certain, without doubt: The meeting was an unquestionable success; much was decided. -adv. unquestionably.
unquestioned
unquestioned
  1. adj. not challenged, unexamined: The strange statement went unquestioned by anyone.
unravel
unravel
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to become undone, to loosen: Threads of wool unravel from an old sweater.
    2 [T] to solve, to understand in a slow, painstaking way: In books, detectives unravel mysteries step by step.
unreal
unreal
  1. adj.
    1 imaginary: Her pains are unreal because they are in her imagination.
    2 infrml.fig. incredible, astonishing: The salary that she makes is unreal, tremendous!
unreasonable
unreasonable
  1. adj.
    1 not rational, not sensible: The old man makes unreasonable demands on his son to visit him every day.
    2 too high, uneconomical: The price of that new car is unreasonable. -n. [U] unreasonableness; -adv. unreasonably.
    THESAURUS
    unreasonable
    1 absurd | obstinate, unyielding
    2 excessive.
unrehearsed
unrehearsed
  1. adj. spontaneous, not practiced in advance,
    THESAURUS
    extemporaneous: A comedian sometimes makes unrehearsed jokes part of her act.
unrelenting
unrelenting
  1. adj. persistent, without stopping: Her unrelenting efforts made the project a success. -adv. unrelentingly.
unreliable
unreliable
  1. adj.
    1 not to be trusted, irresponsible: You can't believe his promises because he's unreliable.
    2 undependable, not working well: The bus system in this area is unreliable; the buses do not run on time. -n. [U] unreliability ; -adv. unreliably.
unreserved
unreserved
  1. adj.
    1 not assigned in advance, open to whomever arrives first: There is some unreserved seating available at the football game.
    2 outgoing, loud: She is very unreserved; she'll talk to anyone. -adv. unreservedly.
unresponsive
unresponsive
  1. adj.
    1 not reacting, silent,
    THESAURUS
    uncommunicative: I sent a letter to the company, but they were unresponsive.
    2 cold, unsympathetic: He tried to kiss her, but she was unresponsive. -n. [U] unresponsiveness; -adv. unresponsively.
unrest
unrest
  1. n. [U]
    1 discontent, uneasiness: There was unrest in the crowd when the singer suddenly cancelled the show.
    2 demonstrations, rioting: After the president was killed, there was widespread unrest in the streets.
unrestrained
unrestrained
  1. adj. spontaneous, flowing freely (emotions),
    THESAURUS
    unreserved: Unrestrained applause (jeers, laughter, etc.) came from the audience.
unripe
unripe
  1. adj. immature, not ready for harvest or eating: If you eat unripe fruit, you can get sick.
unrivaled
unrivaled
  1. adj. unequaled, the best,
    THESAURUS
    unparalleled: He has an unrivaled ability to speak English.
unroll
unroll
  1. v. [I;T] to open, spread out: A worker unrolled the carpet onto the wood floor.
unruffled
unruffled
  1. adj. calm, not upset emotionally: She fell down but was unruffled.
unruly
unruly
  1. adj. disobedient, loud, and wild: A group of unruly children ran through the hallway. -n. [U] unruliness.
unsafe
unsafe
  1. adj. in bad condition, in disrepair, dangerous: That old, rotting building is unsafe to live in.||That street is unsafe to walk on after dark; you might be robbed. -adv. unsafely.
    THESAURUS
    unsafe risky, hazardous.
unsanitary
unsanitary
  1. adj. full of germs, not clean, not healthy: There are unsanitary conditions in that bathroom; it needs cleaning.
unsatisfactory
unsatisfactory
  1. adj. unacceptable, not meeting standards: We received an unsatisfactory offer for the property, so we didn't sell it. -adv. unsatisfactorily.
    THESAURUS
    unsatisfactory unsuitable, inappropriate.
unsavory
unsavory
  1. adj.
    1 bland, tasteless: unsavory food
    2 fig. morally offensive, disagreeable: That crime was committed by two unsavory criminals.
unscathed
unscathed
  1. adj. uninjured, not hurt: He came through the accident unscathed.
unscientific
unscientific
  1. adj. not following accepted ways of doing things in science: His research proved to be unscientific and was rejected by the academy. -adv. unscientifically.
unscrew
unscrew
  1. v. [T]
    1 to loosen or remove a screw or a bolt
    2 to turn or twist open: He unscrewed (the top of) a jar of mustard.
unscrupulous
unscrupulous
  1. adj. unprincipled, dishonest: She tries to cheat everyone in her dealings; she's unscrupulous. -adv. unscrupulously; -n. [U] unscrupulousness.
unseasonable
unseasonable
  1. adj. not normal weather for a particular season: The warm periods this winter are unseasonable. -adv. unseasonably.
unseat
unseat
  1. v. [T] to defeat s.o. in power: She unseated her opponent in the election.
unseemly
unseemly
  1. adj.frml. undignified, offensive: He behaved in an unseemly manner when he argued with the host at the party. -n. [U] unseemliness.
unseen
unseen
  1. adj. not seen or observed, invisible: The politician sneaked out of the building unseen by reporters. See: sight.
unsegregated
unsegregated
  1. adj. racially mixed,
    THESAURUS
    integrated: That is an unsegregated neighborhood where people of all races live together.
unselfish
unselfish
  1. adj. generous, giving: She is an unselfish person who gives to the poor. -adv. unselfishly; -n. [U] unselfishness.
unsettled
unsettled
  1. adj. & past part. of unsettle
    1 upset, emotionally distressed: She was unsettled after the robbery.
    2 unresolved, not decided or finished: The lawsuit (situation, agreement, etc.) is still unsettled; nothing has been decided.
unshakable
unshakable
  1. adj. not changeable,
    THESAURUS
    steadfast: She has an unshakable loyalty to her family. -adv. unshakably.
unsightly
unsightly
  1. adj. unpleasant to look at, ugly: He has an unsightly wound covered with blood.
unskilled
unskilled
  1. adj. without special skills or education: Cutting the grass or sweeping the sidewalks requires unskilled workers only.
unsnap
unsnap
  1. v. [T] -snapped, -snapping, -snaps to open a snap: He unsnapped his jacket and took it off.
unsociable
unsociable
  1. adj. pertaining to s.o. who avoids the company of others, unfriendly: He likes to be by himself; he is unsociable. -adv. unsociably.
unsophisticated
unsophisticated
  1. adj.
    1 unworldly, simple: He is an unsophisticated country boy who doesn't know the ways of big city life.
    2 simple-minded: She has an unsophisticated approach to solving difficult problems.
unsound
unsound
  1. adj.
    1 in disrepair, likely to fall down: The floors in that old building are unsound.
    2 not logical, faulty: The young lawyer lost the case because his arguments were unsound.
    3 not to be trusted, unwise: The manager made an unsound decision to cut back on safety. -adv. unsoundly.
unsparing
unsparing
  1. adj. generous, unstinting: He was unsparing in his efforts to help us. -adv. unsparingly.
unspeakable
unspeakable
  1. adj. so bad or shocking as to prevent speaking about it: There are unspeakable truths about his bad behavior. -adv. unspeakably.
unspoken
unspoken
  1. adj. not said, not discussed: Everyone knew she was lying, but the thought was unspoken.
unsportsmanlike
unsportsmanlike
  1. adj. not fair, unethical: After he swore at the umpire, the baseball player was kicked out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.
unstable
unstable
  1. adj.
    1 irrational, not behaving or thinking normally: She is an unstable person who cries often at work.
    2 shaky, unsteady, liable to fall into ruin: an unstable company (bridge, situation, etc.)
    3 volatile, subject to explosion or fire: Gas is an unstable substance that can easily explode near fire. -adv. unstably.
unsteady
unsteady
  1. adj.
    1 wobbly, subject to tipping or falling: He is drunk and unsteady on his feet.
    2 erratic, not working all the time,
    THESAURUS
    inconsistent: That city has an unsteady supply of electricity (money, water, etc.). -adv. unsteadily; -n. [U] unsteadiness.
unstoppable
unstoppable
  1. adj. impossible to stop,
    THESAURUS
    relentless: An unstoppable wind blew when the hurricane hit.
unstrap
unstrap
  1. v. [T] -strapped, -strapping, -straps to remove or untie the straps from s.t.: He unstrapped his boots (the cinch on a saddle, a backpack, etc.).
unstrung
unstrung
  1. adj.
    1 having loosened strings: a violin that has come unstrung
    2 fig. upset, distressed: He became unstrung when he lost his wallet in a foreign city and coudn't find a police officer.
unstuck
unstuck
  1. adj. & past part. of unstick: unglued, loosened: The postage stamp became unstuck from the envelope.
unsuccessful
unsuccessful
  1. adj. failed, disappointing: He made an unsuccessful attempt to start his own business; it failed. -adv. unsuccessfully.
unsuitable
unsuitable
  1. adj.
    1 unacceptable, not what is wanted: We received an unsuitable offer for our house; it was too low.
    2 inappropriate, not suitable for s.t.: The property is unsuitable for building; it's too small. -n. [U] unsuitability ; -adv. unsuitably.
unsung
unsung
  1. adj. fig. unpraised, not seen as important, overlooked: The player who helped win the game was an unsung hero; no one praised him.
unsure
unsure
  1. adj.
    1 not sure, uncertain: I am unsure; I think it might rain today.
    2 unsure of oneself: insecure, lacking confidence in oneself: When I play golf, I am unsure of myself, because I can't hit the ball very well.
unsuspecting
unsuspecting
  1. adj. unprepared for trouble, trusting,
    THESAURUS
    naive: The unsuspecting clerk accepted the man's check, but it was no good. -adv. unsuspectingly.
unsymmetrical
unsymmetrical
  1. -adj. irregular, lacking a balanced design, (syn.) asymmetrical: The human foot has an unsymmetrical shape.-adv. unsymmetrically.
untangle
untangle
  1. v. [T] -gled, -gling, -gles to unravel, unknot: She untangled a knot in a piece of string.
untenable
untenable
  1. adj.frml. describing s.t. (an opinion, lawsuit, etc.) which cannot be defended,
    THESAURUS
    indefensible: The army is located in an untenable place and must retreat or be killed.
unthinkable
unthinkable
  1. adj. so bad that one cannot think about it: For me to commit murder is unthinkable.
unthinking
unthinking
  1. adj.
    1 done without thinking or conscious planning: In unthinking bravery, she ran into the burning building to save the child.||He lives day by day in an unthinking way.
    2 done without care, reckless: Unthinking, he gambled away all his money at cards. -adv. unthinkingly.
untidy
untidy
  1. adj. -dier, -diest messy, cluttered: Her untidy room has clothes all over the floor. -n. [U] untidiness.
untie
untie
  1. v. [T] -tied, -tying, -ties to undo (a necktie, knot, etc.): He untied his shoes and took them off.
until
until
  1. prep.
    1 up to a particular time: We worked until noon, and then had lunch.
    2 before a particular time: We can't work again until Monday. conj. up to the time that, before: We will not be able to leave until our work is finished.

    USAGE NOTE: Many people drop the first syllable, "un" from the word until, when they pronounce it. This form is written as till, or contracted as 'til, but in formal writing the complete word until is preferred.
untimely
untimely
  1. adj.
    1 premature, happening too soon: a young man's untimely death
    2 awkward, happening at the wrong time: The loss of his job was untimely, because he had just bought a new house.
untiring
untiring
  1. adj. dedicated, done without resting,
    THESAURUS
    indefatigable: Her untiring efforts made the business grow. -adv. untiringly.
unto
unto
  1. prep.frml. to: And the Lord said unto Moses. . . .
untold
untold
  1. adj.
    1 not said: an untold story
    2 infinite, so great as to be uncountable: That factory cost untold millions of dollars to build.
untouchable
untouchable
  1. adj. describing to a person who is beyond the power of others to control: He is so powerful that he is untouchable by the law.
untoward
untoward
  1. adj.frml.
    1 critical, unfriendly: He makes untoward and often offensive comments about others.
    2 difficult, bad: to find oneself in an untoward situation, such as having no money
untried
untried
  1. adj.
    1 unattempted: Swimming across the Atlantic Ocean is an untried feat that would be difficult to accomplish.
    2 fig. unproven, not tested: That powerful new telescope is as yet untried by the scientist.
untrue
untrue
  1. adj.
    1 false, incorrect: What he said is untrue; he's lying.
    2 unfaithful: He is a husband who is untrue to his wife.
    THESAURUS
    untrue
    1 made up | wrong. Ants. correct, right.
    2 cheating on s.o. Ant. faithful.
untruth
untruth
  1. n. -truths a lie, falsehood: She tells untruths.
untruthful
untruthful
  1. adj. lying, saying s.t. that is false: The reporter wrote untruthful reports to get attention. -adv. untruthfully.
unused
unused
  1. adj.
    1 not used, sitting idle: He has unused equipment sitting in his backyard.
    2 new, not worn yet: She has unused clothes in her closet; they still have price tags on them.
unusual
unusual
  1. adj.
    1 peculiar, not normal: His unusual behavior shocks others.
    2 special, exceptional: She has an unusual talent for playing the piano.
    THESAURUS
    unusual
    1 strange, odd, eccentric. Ant. normal.
    2 remarkable, rare. Ant. common.
unusually
unusually
  1. adv. very, exceptionally: We are having unusually good weather for this time of year.
unveil
unveil
  1. v. [T] to reveal or uncover often in a formal way: The mayor pulled back the curtain and unveiled a statue of the local hero.
unwarranted
unwarranted
  1. adj.
    1 unjustified, needless: The expense of taking a taxi when we could easily walk home is unwarranted.
    2 uncalled-for, offensive: He made rude and unwarranted remarks about someone.
unwary
unwary
  1. adj.n.pl. unsuspecting, not watching for danger: A cheat can steal from an unwary person (or) the unwary. -n. [U] unwariness.
unwell
unwell
  1. adj. ill, sick: The rotten food made her unwell.
unwholesome
unwholesome
  1. adj. unhealthy, not pure, bad: He eats unwholesome food with a lot of salt and fat in it. -adv. unwholesomely; -n. [U] unwholesomeness.
unwieldy
unwieldy
  1. adj. awkward, bulky: The sofa was unwieldy and hard to move up the stairs. -n. [U] unwieldiness.
unwilling
unwilling
  1. adj. 1 against: She is unwilling to take a cut in pay.
    2 forced, coerced: She was an unwilling guest at the wedding; she did not want to go. -adv. unwillingly; -n. [U] unwillingness.
    THESAURUS
    unwilling
    1 opposed to (doing s.t.), averse to (doing s.t.)
    2 reluctant.
unwind
unwind
  1. v. -wound , -winding, -winds
    1 [I;T] to unravel: She unwinds thread from a spool.
    2 fig. [I] to relax: She likes to lie down and unwind at home after a hard day's work.
unwise
unwise
  1. adj.
    1 stupid, dumb: He was unwise to quit school.
    2 inadvisable, not sensible: It is unwise to invest in real estate at this unstable time. -adv. unwisely.
unwittingly
unwittingly
  1. adv. unintentionally, accidentally: A shopper unwittingly walked into a grocery store while a robbery was taking place.
unworthy
unworthy
  1. adj. undeserving, not good enough for s.t.: That corrupt man is unworthy of praise. -n. [U] unworthiness.
unwrap
unwrap
  1. v. [T] -wrapped, -wrapping, -wraps to uncover, to take the wrapping off s.t.: He unwrapped a package.||Children love to unwrap presents.
unwritten
unwritten
  1. adj.
    1 not done in writing: That report is still unwritten.
    2 unwritten law: a rule that is understood through word of mouth: It is an unwritten law in the college library that nobody has long, loud conversations.
unyielding
unyielding
  1. adj. unwilling to change, (syns.) uncompromising, stubborn: He is unyielding in his demand that costs must be cut.
unzip
unzip
  1. v. [I;T] -zipped, -zipping, -zips to undo the zipper on s.t.: She unzipped her jacket (skirt, pants, purse, etc.).
up-and-coming
up-and-coming
  1. adj. making good progress, promising: She is an up-and-coming young lawyer.
up-front
up-front
  1. adj.
    1 frank, honest: I was up-front with him; I told him I needed money.
    2 in advance, prepaid, done: Before the company would ship the goods, they demanded an up-front payment. adv. up front: in the forward area: When I'm a passenger in a car, I always like to sit up front.
    THESAURUS
    up-front adj.
    1 direct | to the point. Ant. evasive.
up-to-date
up-to-date
  1. adj.
    1 current, not behind: All my work is up-to-date.
    2 modern, state of the art: Our business has the most up-to-date equipment.
    THESAURUS
    up-to-date
    1 on schedule. Ant. behind.
    2 contemporary. Ant. old-fashioned.
up-to-the-minute
up-to-the-minute
  1. adj. most current, what is happening right now: I saw an up-to-the-minute news report on TV.
up
up
  1. adv.
    1 in or to a higher direction, upward: He looked up at the sky and then walked up the hill.
    2 at or to a higher level, more: Prices are up.||The temperature is up another 10 degrees.
    3 finished, ended: Your time (visit, test, contract, etc.) is up.
    4 built, installed: The building is up and ready for people to move in.||The new computer system is up and running.||The curtains are up in our new house.
    5 out of bed, arisen: I was up at 7:00 o'clock this morning.||The sun was up at 6:32 A.M.
    6 able to do: Do you think he is up to the task (up to going to graduate school, up to finding a job, etc.)?
    7 dependent on, responsible for: It's up to you to decide.||It's up to me to finish the job.
    8 doing, occupied with: What is he up to now?||He is up to something.
    9 as far as, until: Up to now, he's done a lot of work.
    10 to come up: a. to visit: Come up and visit us soon. b. to interfere, prevent s.t.: Something has come up, and I cannot visit now. c. to occur in the future: What's coming up next week at the movies?
    11 to have it up to here: to be frustrated, angered: This job is driving me crazy—I've had it up to here!
    12 to hold up: to delay: The post office is on strike, and that is holding up our mail.
    13 to hold s.o. up: to rob at gun or knifepoint: A robber held me up with a gun.
    14 to be on one's way up: a. to go up, ascend: He rang the doorbell downstairs and is on his way up to visit. b. to have a promising career, progress: He is young, but he is on his way up in banking.
    15 to be on the up and up: to be legitimate, honest: He seems like an honest man and his offer is on the up and up.
    16 to pay up: to settle a debt: My credit card account is all paid up.
    17 to play up: to emphasize: To get the job, she really played up the fact that she knows computers.
    18 to play up to: to flatter, seek to please a lot: He plays up to his boss all the time with compliments.
    19 to be stuck up: snobbish, thinking you are better than others: She's so stuck up, she thinks that she's smarter than everyone else.
    20 to be up against: to face a difficulty: Our company is up against hard competition.
    21 to be up against it: to suffer in a difficult situation: They are poor and he lost his job, so they are up against it.
    22 infrml.fig. to be up a tree: to be angry: He is really angry; he's up a tree.
    23 to be up all night: to be awake all night: She stayed up all night to finish the project.
    24 to be up from: to visit from: He's up from Florida to visit Boston.
    25 to be up in the air: to be undecided, indefinite: We have no plans; everything is up in the air.
    26 infrml. to have s.t. up one's sleeve: to deceive, have a hidden purpose: He agreed to sell his business for a low price but wants me to give him my house in part payment; he always has s.t. up his sleeve.
    27 to be or keep up on what is happening: to be current, informed: I listen to the news to keep up on what is happening.
    28 to up the ante: to increase the risk or cost of doing s.t.: At first, he wanted a small down payment, and now he wants double that, so he's upped the ante.
    29 infrml. to be up the creek without a paddle: to be in a bad situation: The government stopped providing money to build a new airplane, so the workers will be up the creek without a paddle (have no jobs).
    30 What's up?: what is happening: What's up? I bought a new stereo; otherwise, nothing's up. n. to have ups and downs: successes and disappointments: The company has had its ups and downs, good years and bad years.adj. moving up: Take the up elevator to the furniture department.v. infrml. [I] upped, upping, ups to act suddenly: He upped and punched the man in the nose.||Then he upped and left.prep. to a higher place on: (to be) up a tree, (to climb) up the stairs
upbeat
upbeat
  1. adj. enthusiastic, positive: That energetic teacher has an upbeat attitude toward his students.
upbringing
upbringing
  1. n. [U] rearing; how parents, teachers, and others give a good or bad education and manners to a young person growing up: Her good manners show she had an excellent upbringing.
upchuck
upchuck
  1. v. slang [I] to throw up, vomit: He ate too much and upchucked in the bathroom.
upcoming
upcoming
  1. adj. forthcoming, happening soon: We shall be attending the upcoming concert.
update
update
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates to make s.t. current, up-to-date: The TV updated a news story on the bad storm coming to our area. n. an act of updating s.t., a report: Our daughter at college calls to give us an update on what she's doing every weekend.
upend
upend
  1. v. [T] to turn s.t. up on its end: The car upended and rolled over.
upgrade
upgrade
  1. n.
    1 land that heads upwards,
    THESAURUS
    an incline: Freight trains travel slowly on upgrades into the hills.
    2 s.t. better, an improvement: He got an upgrade from tourist to first class on the airplane. v. [T] -graded, -grading, -grades to improve s.t.: The company upgraded its computer system by buying new software.
upheaval
upheaval
  1. n. [C;U] disorder, change that disturbs daily life: That country is in upheaval with earthquakes and little food. -v. [I;T] upheave.
uphill
uphill
  1. adv. in an upward direction on land: She had to walk her bicycle uphill. adj. fig. difficult,
    THESAURUS
    arduous: He has an uphill battle (fight, struggle) against illness.
uphold
uphold
  1. v. [T] -held , -holding, -holds to sustain, to make sure s.t. is done correctly: Police officers uphold the law by arresting people who break it.
upholster
upholster
  1. v. [T] to stuff furniture and cover it with cloth, leather, etc.: We upholstered our sofa in a gold fabric. -n. upholsterer. See: recover.
upholstery
upholstery
  1. n. [U] cloth, leather, or other covering on furniture: The upholstery on that chair is worn.
upkeep
upkeep
  1. n. [U] the cost and work needed to keep property and machines repaired and working well: Old houses are inexpensive to buy, but the cost of upkeep can be tremendous.
uplift
uplift
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to raise upward: The earth uplifted in an earthquake.
    2 [T] to cheer, to make s.o. feel well: A good vacation uplifted him.
upon
upon
  1. prep.frml.
    1 on: She sat upon the sofa.
    2 at the time of: Upon seeing her, I smiled and ran toward her.
upper crust
upper crust
  1. adj.n.fig. related to the highest class in society: She belongs to the upper crust and has upper crust friends. See: upper class.
upper hand
upper hand
  1. n. [U] to have the upper hand: dominance, control in a situation: She is more intelligent than her brother, and she always has the upper hand with him.
uppercase
uppercase
  1. adj. written or printed in capital letters: This name is written in uppercase: JOEL DEUTSER.
upperclassman
upperclassman
  1. n. -men a student in the last two years of high school or college: The upperclassmen at the University of Michigan include women and men who are juniors and seniors.
uppermost
uppermost
  1. adj. highest: After hiking all day we finally reached the uppermost part of the mountain. adv. most important: Uppermost in his mind is the need for safety.
uppity
uppity
  1. adj.adv. having an attitude that one is better than others,
    THESAURUS
    haughty: She acts uppity with everyone who serves her.
upright
upright
  1. adv. standing up: People walk upright, but cats don't. adj.
    1 in a vertical position: The cabinet is standing in an upright position.
    2 lawabiding, honest: He is an upright citizen who obeys the law.
uprising
uprising
  1. n. a rebellion, revolt: An uprising of the people happened when there was no food available.
uproar
uproar
  1. n. [U] clamor, people complaining or shouting: There was an uproar by the people over a tax increase.
uproarious
uproarious
  1. adj.frml. extremely funny,
    THESAURUS
    hilarious: That movie is an uproarious comedy. -adv. uproariously.
ups and downs
ups and downs
  1. n. pleasant and unpleasant events: Life has its ups and downs.
    THESAURUS
    ups and downs high and low points.
upset
upset
  1. adj.
    1 troubled, distressed: He was upset by the bad news.
    2 ill, esp. nauseated: She suffers from an upset stomach. v. -set, -setting, -sets
    1 [I;T] to knock s.t. over: to upset a lamp
    2 [T] to distress or trouble s.o.: to upset one's neighbors with loud noise
    3 [T] to defeat completely: to upset an opponent in a surprise victoryn.
    1 a complete, total defeat: His win was an upset.
    2 an illness, esp. an upset stomach: The child had an upset last night.
upshot
upshot
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.] result, conclusion: The upshot of the court case was the criminal was found guilty.
upside down
upside down
  1. adv. turned with the bottom part at the top: The clown stood upside down on her hands. -adj. upside-down.
upstage
upstage
  1. adv. toward the back of a theater's stage: The actor moved upstage away from the audience. v. [T] -staged, -staging, -stages to take attention away from s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to show up: He tried to upstage his boss at the meeting.
upstairs
upstairs
  1. adv. in the direction of the level above: He climbed the steps to go upstairs. adj. located on the level above: the upstairs bedroom
upstanding
upstanding
  1. adj. law-abiding, honest: She is an upstanding citizen.
upstart
upstart
  1. n. an arrogant person, esp. one who was poor but becomes rich: He is an upstart who inherited sudden wealth.
upstate
upstate
  1. adj. of the northern area of a state: Syracuse and Rochester are in upstate New York. adv. in the direction of the northern area of a state: We will drive upstate this weekend.
upstream
upstream
  1. adv. toward the beginning of a river (stream, brook, etc.): We swim upstream against the current.
upsurge
upsurge
  1. n. a sudden rush, increase: Our company had an upsurge in sales this month.
upswing
upswing
  1. n. an upward movement, usu. sudden: The upswing in stock prices helped the economy.
uptake
uptake
  1. n. to be quick on the uptake: to understand rapidly: He was quick on the uptake so he didn't need a lot of instruction.
uptight
uptight
  1. adj.infrml.
    1 temporarily tense or nervous: She is very uptight about public speaking.
    2 overly self-conscious, stiff: He is too uptight to enjoy life.
uptime
uptime
  1. n. [U] the amount of time that a machine or facility is performing its function: The uptime of a power plant producing electricity averages 11 months a year.
uptown
uptown
  1. adv.adj. in or toward the upper part of a city: I'm going uptown now, or to the uptown section of Manhattan.
upturn
upturn
  1. n. an increase: The economy had an upturn last month that made more jobs.
upward
upward
  1. or upwards adv.
    1 up, rising: He looked upward at the sky.||Sales are headed upward (or) upwards.
    2 equal to or more than: We have upwards of ten copies of the report available.
    THESAURUS
    upward or upwards
    1 higher
    2 close to, around.
upward
upward
  1. or upwards -adv.
    1 up, rising: He looked upward at the sky. || Sales are headed upward (or) upwards.
    2 equal to or more than: We have upwards of ten copies of the report available.
uranium
uranium
  1. n. [U] a heavy metallic chemical that is radioactive and used in fuel for nuclear power plants and in nuclear warheads: The government keeps close control of uranium.
urban
urban
  1. adj. related to a city: Many people move to urban areas to have the excitement of city life. -n. [U] urbanization.
    THESAURUS
    urban metropolitan, municipal.
urban renewal
urban renewal
  1. n. [U] the tearing down of old city buildings to replace them with modern ones: The government supports urban renewal to replace the old buildings with new houses.
urban sprawl
urban sprawl
  1. n. [U] the spread of the city to the suburbs: Los Angeles and other big cities suffer from urban sprawl.
urbane
urbane
  1. adj. well-mannered and worldly: Our host's urbane manner put us at ease. -n. [U] urbanity ; -adv. urbanely.
urchin
urchin
  1. n. a child, esp. a boy, who plays tricks on people and runs wild
urge
urge
  1. v. [T] urged, urging, urges to pressure, to advise s.o. to do s.t. in a serious way: I urge you to finish your schooling. n. a desire: I have an urge to eat some chocolate.
    THESAURUS
    urge v. to encourage, insist that s.o. do s.t. —n. a craving, yearning | an impulse.
urgency
urgency
  1. n. [U] a strong need, an emergency: He has a sense of urgency to act now and not wait.
urgent
urgent
  1. adj. pressing, demanding immediate action: We have an urgent need for help; we are running out of food. -adv. urgently.
    THESAURUS
    urgent vital, life-and-death, grave.
urine
urine
  1. n. [U] liquid waste from the body: Urine is flushed away in the bathroom toilet. -v. [I] urinate.
urn
urn
  1. n.
    1 a large, closed container to hold and pour liquids: There is a coffee urn in the cafeteria.
    2 a type of vase or vase-like vessel used to decorate or store things, can be used to store ashes of a dead person: After the woman's body was cremated, her ashes were placed in a black urn and she was buried.
us
us
  1. weak form pron. a group of two or more and that includes myself, used as an object in the sentence: Let's keep the secret between us.
usage
usage
  1. n.adj.
    1 [U] utilization, use: The usage of heating oil increased during the cold winter.
    2 [C;U] the manner in which language is actually or correctly used: It is important to learn the usage rules of a language.
use
use
  1. v. [T] used, using, uses
    1 to utilize, employ: She used her intelligence to solve a problem.
    2/ to feel s.t. is normal, to grow accustomed to s.t.: As an Inuit from Alaska, he is used to cold weather.
    3 to consume: He uses underarm deodorant every day.
    4 to manipulate others, to get others to do what one wants: He uses others to do his dirty work for him.
    5 phrasal v. sep. to use s.t. up: to use s.t. completely,
    THESAURUS
    to exhaust: She won the lottery last year, and used up the money in six months.||She used it up. n.
    1 [C;U] a purpose: Baking soda has lots of cleaning uses.
    2 [U] a right given by another: She has the use of the office computer when she needs it.
    3 [U] the ability to use s.t. again, the regaining of control: He hurt his hand, but he has the use of it again now.
    4 in use: being used: That computer is in use every day.
used
used
  1. adj.
    1/ not new, already in use: a used car
    2/ accustomed to: He is used to hard work (hot weather, difficult times, etc.).
    3/ to be or feel ill-used by s.o.: to be treated badly: I worked hard on that report but my boss took the credit; I feel ill-used by him.
    THESAURUS
    used
    1 pre-owned, old
    2 comfortable with s.t. Ant. unaccustomed to s.t.
useful
useful
  1. adj.
    1 helpful, handy: Tools, such as a hammer and screwdriver, are useful when you want to fix something.
    2 valuable, worthwhile: Her language skills make her a useful addition to our team. -adv. usefully; -n. [U] usefulness.
    THESAURUS
    useful
    1 practical, of use
    2 advantageous, profitable, beneficial. Ant. worthless.
useless
useless
  1. adj.
    1 worthless: His old telephone number is useless now.
    2 not worth trying, in vain: It is useless to try; the telephone doesn't work. -adv. uselessly; -n. [U] uselessness.
    THESAURUS
    useless
    1 no good
    2 pointless, futile. Ant. worthwhile.
user-friendly
user-friendly
  1. adj. easy to understand or use, esp. a friendly computer system: Our company bought a user-friendly computer system to save on training time.
    THESAURUS
    user-friendly straightforward, simple, accessible.
user
user
  1. n. a person or group that uses s.t.: The user of that computer simply turns it on and starts typing.
usher
usher
  1. n. a person who shows customers to their seats, esp. in a theater v.
    1 [I;T] to act as an usher
    2 fig. [T] to make, bring into being: Two countries ushered in a new era of peace by agreeing to stop fighting with each other.
usual
usual
  1. adj. normal, customary: Arguing is not his usual behavior.||As usual, she is on time. -adv. usually .
    THESAURUS
    usual typical, expected | common, ordinary. Ants. unusual, strange.
usurpation
usurpation
  1. n. [U] the seizure of control of the rights, property, or role of another: The usurpation of power by the dictator was done with the help of the army. -v. [T] usurp.
usury
usury
  1. n. [U] the practice of lending money, often at a high rate of interest: The Mafia practices usury, and punishes anyone who can't pay the high interest rates. -n. usurer; -adj. usurious.
utensil
utensil
  1. n. a tool or implement, esp. for eating food: Utensils for eating include knives, forks, and spoons.
uterus
uterus
  1. n. uteri or uteruses the female organ where a baby develops, the womb: The uterus is located inside a woman's abdomen. -adj. uterine.
utilitarian
utilitarian
  1. adj.frml. useful,
    THESAURUS
    functional: That old car is of little utilitarian value. -n. [U] utilitarianism.
utility
utility
  1. n. -ties
    1 any basic necessity or service, such as running water, electricity, or gas: Our utilities are shut off for repair, so we can't bathe.
    2 a business or facility that supplies water, electricity, etc.: The local electric company is a utility.
    3 [U] usefulness: a procedure (building, machine, etc.) that is of little utility
utilization
utilization
  1. n.frml. [U] the use of s.t.: The utilization of drugs to cure illnesses is necessary.
utilize
utilize
  1. v. [T] -lized, -lizing, -lizes to use, to bring into use: We utilized an old building to store our business files.
utmost
utmost
  1. n. [U] the greatest, without holding back: She tries her utmost to do a good job.
utopia
utopia
  1. n. a place of ideal peace, cooperation, and good living: Many people have dreamed and written about living in a utopia. -adj. utopian.
utter
utter
  1. adj. complete, total: He suffered from utter exhaustion after playing tennis.|| That new play is an utter success (or failure). v. [I;T] to speak: We waited for the prophet to utter words of wisdom. -n. utterance.
utterly
utterly
  1. adv. completely, totally: She was utterly exhausted (surprised, delighted, etc.).
vacancy
vacancy
  1. n. [C;U] -cies
    1 an empty room or building, such as a hotel room: That office building has some vacancies on the first floor.
    2 emptiness See: vacant.
vacant
vacant
  1. adj. without a guest or resident, empty, unoccupied: There are two vacant apartments in that building.
    THESAURUS
    vacant available | uninhabited, deserted.
vacate
vacate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates to move out of, leave: Our company vacated its offices and moved to a new building.
vaccinate
vaccinate
  1. v. [T] -nated, -nating, -nates to give medication to prevent a disease by injection with a needle: The nurse vaccinated the child against the flu. -n. [C;U] vaccination .
    THESAURUS
    vaccinate to inoculate, immunize.
vaccine
vaccine
  1. n. [C;U] a medication taken to prevent many diseases, such as measles and cholera: She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall. See: serum.
vacillate
vacillate
  1. v.frml. [I] -lated, -lating, -lates to waver, hesitate: He vacillated between going away on vacation or staying home -n. [U] vacillation.
vacuous
vacuous
  1. adj.frml. empty, without substance: He has a vacuous mind. -adv. vacuously; -n. [U] vacuity.
vacuum-packed
vacuum-packed
  1. adj. related to food and other objects put in a container with no air in order to keep them fresh: Coffee comes in vacuum-packed cans.
vacuum
vacuum
  1. n.
    1 a totally empty and airless space, such as in a bottle without air
    2 a state of being alone, usu. without useful information or others to help: When I work alone at home, I feel like I work in a vacuum.
    3 a vacuum cleaner: He cleaned the rug with a vacuum. v. [I;T] to clean with a vacuum cleaner: He vacuumed the carpet.
vacuum cleaner
vacuum cleaner
  1. n. a machine that picks up dust and dirt in a strong current of air: He used a vacuum cleaner to clean the rug. See: vacuum.
vagabond
vagabond
  1. n.
    1 old usage a wanderer,
    THESAURUS
    a drifter: The vagabond turned west and headed for California.
    2 a vacationer without a fixed schedule or itinerary See: vagrant.
vagary
vagary
  1. n.frml. -ries a strange happening, whim: Economists don't understand all the vagaries of the stock market.
vagina
vagina
  1. n. a woman's sex organ: The vagina opens into the uterus. -adj. vaginal ; -adv. vaginally.
vagrant
vagrant
  1. n. a homeless person with no job: He is a vagrant who sits in the park all day. adj. homeless, wandering: The vagrant couple walked about the city. -n. [U] vagrancy.
vague
vague
  1. adj. vaguer, vaguest unclear,
    THESAURUS
    inexplicit: He has some vague ideas about what to do, but nothing specific. -n. [U] vagueness; -adv. vaguely.
vain
vain
  1. adj. vainer, vainest
    1 overly concerned with one's own looks,
    THESAURUS
    conceited: He is always looking at himself in the mirror; he's so vain!
    2 useless, unsuccessful: He made a vain attempt to fix his car.
    3 in vain: for nothing, without success: His proposal was denied, so he did all the work in vain.
valedictorian
valedictorian
  1. n. the top student in a graduating class: She was an excellent student who was the valedictorian of her class. -adj. valedictory.
valentine
valentine
  1. n. a love letter or greeting card given to a person to show affection or love on Saint Valentine's Day (February 14): I sent my sweetheart a valentine for Valentine's Day.
valiant
valiant
  1. adj.frml. brave, bold: The firefighter made a valiant effort to save the child from the burning house.
valid
valid
  1. adj.
    1 having a good reason for s.t., convincing: He has a valid reason for being late; his car broke down.
    2 legally usable for a set time period: She has a passport that's valid for five years. -n. [U] validity .
    THESAURUS
    valid
    1 acceptable, sound. Ant. weak.
    2 legitimate, good. Ants. invalid, phony.
validate
validate
  1. v. [T] -dated, -dating, -dates
    1 to confirm, learn whether s.t. is true or not: The police officer validated the man's story that he had been robbed.
    2 to show officially that s.t. is valid: The consulate validated her passport by putting the country's stamp on it. -n. [C;U] validation.
valise
valise
  1. n. old usage a small suitcase: He packed a valise for an overnight trip.
valley
valley
  1. n. a low area of land between hills and mountains: Farmers plant crops in valleys.
valor
valor
  1. n. [U] bravery, courage, esp. in combat: The soldier was decorated for valor in battle. -adj. valorous.
valuable
valuable
  1. adj.
    1 having worth, value: Gold coins are valuable.
    2 useful, helpful: a valuable piece of information —n.pl. personal objects, such as jewelry or art: She keeps her valuables in a safe.
valuation
valuation
  1. n. [C;U] the value placed on s.t.: The valuation of property is done by experts. -v. [T] valuate.
value
value
  1. v. [T] -ued, -uing, -ues
    1 to appreciate, think s.t. is important: I value my best friend's advice.
    2 to put a price on s.t.: An expert valued the painting at $1 million. n.
    1 [U] worth: Mr. Perez is a rich man who owns many pieces of art of great value.||The value of this home has doubled since we bought it.
    2 [U] liking, importance: She places great value on her friendships with others.
    3 pl. ideals, standards of a society: We have tried to teach our children solid values.
valued
valued
  1. adj.
    1 priced or estimated at: That house is valued at $100,000.
    2 appreciated: Her advice is highly valued by her friends.
valueless
valueless
  1. adj. worthless: That bracelet is a cheap, valueless piece of jewelry.
valve
valve
  1. n. a device that opens and closes to stop or allow liquid or air to pass: The heart has valves to let blood flow in and out of it.
vampire
vampire
  1. n.
    1 any of a variety of blood-sucking bats
    2 a monster in human form that lives on blood: Dracula was the first of the vampire movies.
van
van
  1. n. a box-like truck used for carrying large, bulky items: People use moving vans to move their furniture to a new house.
vandal
vandal
  1. n. a person who destroys property for fun: The vandals destroyed some benches and set fires in the park. -n. [U] vandalism; -v. [T] vandalize.
vane
vane
  1. n. an arrow-like pointer that turns on a metal pole: Farmers often have a weather vane on their barns to show which way the wind is blowing.
vanguard
vanguard
  1. n.
    1 [C] soldiers in the front of a military movement
    2 [U] people in the front of any area of human activity: That writer is in the vanguard of those who want political change.
vanilla
vanilla
  1. n. [U] adj. a sweet flavoring used in foods: He likes vanilla ice cream.
vanish
vanish
  1. v. [T] -es to disappear: The man vanished from sight. -adj.vanishing.
vanity
vanity
  1. n. [U] conceit, too much concern with one's looks or importance: His vanity about his appearance is ridiculous; he is always looking at himself in the mirror.
vanquish
vanquish
  1. v. [T] -es to defeat: The soldiers vanquished the enemy.
vantage
vantage
  1. adj. a superior position: We stood on a vantage point that overlooked a valley.
vapid
vapid
  1. adj.frml. dull, empty: He has a vapid personality.
vapor
vapor
  1. n.
    1 [U] a gas, usu. one that cannot be seen: Boiling water turns into vapor in the air.
    2 [C;U] a mist, haze, or smog that is barely visible. -adj. vaporous.
vaporize
vaporize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to change one substance into another that usu. cannot be seen: When water boils, it vaporizes into the air.
vaporizer
vaporizer
  1. n. a machine that heats water to produce steam, such as for medical purposes: He used a vaporizer to relieve his bad cold.
variable
variable
  1. adj.
    1 changing, alternating: The forecast is that we will have variable weather, with rain and sunshine today.
    2 changeable: a variable interest rate n. (in math) a factor, usu. an unknown, in an equation or situation: In the equation "3x=6,"x is a variable. -n. [U] variability.
variance
variance
  1. n.
    1 [C] an exception to a rule or standard
    2 [U] not in agreement with s.o. or s.t.: The builder's plans were at variance with the limit on building heights because the building was too tall.
variant
variant
  1. n. a different spelling of a word: A variant of "color" is "colour."
variation
variation
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a change: The variation in the weather was from sunshine to rain.
    2 a small difference: A variation in the electrical current made the lights dim.
varicose
varicose
  1. n.pl. swollen, blue: Many people suffer from varicose veins when they grow older.
varied
varied
  1. adj. & past part. of vary, of different kinds: That store offers a varied selection of candies.
variety
variety
  1. n. -ties
    1 [U] different types of experiences: He added variety to his life by taking a wonderful vacation.
    2 [U] different types of things: That store carries a wide variety of merchandise, from clothes to furniture.
    3 [C] (in biology) a type of plant: He grows six varieties of roses.
    THESAURUS
    variety
    1 diversity
    2 a range, an assortment
    3 a kind | breed.
various
various
  1. adj.
    1 assorted, diverse: The store carries various items, such as clothes and furniture.
    2 a general number of people or things: Various people attended the meeting. -adv. variously.
    THESAURUS
    various
    1 different, miscellaneous
    2 several, numerous.
varnish
varnish
  1. n. -es [C;U] an oil-based liquid painted on wood to give it a shiny finish,
    THESAURUS
    shellac: He put a coat of varnish on the bookcase. v. [T] to apply varnish: He varnished the table.
varsity
varsity
  1. n. -ties the school team playing at the highest level (not the junior varsity or JV)
vary
vary
  1. v. -ied, -ying, -ies
    1 [I;T] to change or modify: The bank varies the interest rates every month.
    2 [I] to differ: Airfares vary from one airline to another.
    3 [I;T] to depart from the usual: The stock market varied from its upward trend and went down.
    THESAURUS
    vary
    1 to alter
    2 to fluctuate
    3 to change, deviate, veer.
vase
vase
  1. n. a decorative glass or clay jar usu. used to hold flowers: The vase on the table has roses in it.
vasectomy
vasectomy
  1. n. [C;U] -mies surgery on a man's genitals to keep him from having children: After fathering two children, he had a vasectomy.
vast
vast
  1. adj.
    1 wide in area,
    THESAURUS
    immense: Mr. Rockefeller owns a vast piece of land with two lakes and four houses.
    2 important, great: A good rainfall makes a vast difference in growing food crops. -n. [U] vastness; -adv. vastly.
vat
vat
  1. n. a large, round container: Chemicals are mixed in vats.
vault
vault
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to leap over s.t.: He vaulted the fence.
    2 fig. [I] to appear suddenly: She vaulted into prominence as a new politician running for mayor. n. a large safe used to keep money, documents, and other valuables: a bank vault
vaulted
vaulted
  1. adj. built with arches: That church has a vaulted ceiling.
veal
veal
  1. n. [U] calf meat: She ate veal with a wine sauce.
veer
veer
  1. v. [I] to turn sharply: The airplane (car, tank, etc.) veered sharply to avoid danger.
vegetable
vegetable
  1. n. various plants raised as food: Lettuce, carrots, and string beans are my favorite vegetables.
vegetate
vegetate
  1. v. [I] -tated, -tating, -tates to do nothing useful or interesting, to idle: He is a person who vegetates by watching television all day. -adj. vegetative.
vegetation
vegetation
  1. n. [U] the plant covering in an area: Jungle vegetation is very thick.
veggies
veggies
  1. n.pl. infrml. short for vegetables: Mothers tell children to eat their veggies.
vehement
vehement
  1. adj. fierce, very angry: He made a vehement denial of his guilt. -n. [U] vehemence; -adv. vehemently.
vehicle
vehicle
  1. n. a machine, such as a car or truck, that travels to transport people or goods: We took our vehicle to the mechanic for its yearly safety inspection. -adj. vehicular.
veil
veil
  1. n.v. [T] a light, cloth covering worn over the face by women: She wore a veil made of a light silk to the wedding.||Her face was veiled.
vein
vein
  1. n.
    1 any of many blood vessels that bring blood to the heart and lungs: You can see the blue veins on the back of his hand.
    2 an area in the ground that contains valuable minerals, such as coal or gold
velocity
velocity
  1. n. -ties [C;U] speed, such as that measured in miles per hour or feet per second: A bullet travels at a high velocity.
velour
velour
  1. n. [C;U] a velvety type of cloth used in making clothing and furniture: That sofa is covered in green velour.
velvet
velvet
  1. n. [C;U] a soft, thick cloth made of cotton, silk, etc.: She wore a jacket made of blue velvet. -adj. velvety.
venal
venal
  1. adj.frml. corrupt, dishonest: He is a venal politician who takes money illegally from important people. -adv. venally; -n. [U] venality.
vend
vend
  1. v. [I;T] to offer for sale, sell: Machines vend candy in the lunch room. See: vending machine.
vending machine
vending machine
  1. n. a machine that gives packaged food, soft drinks, or other items after coins are placed in it: He often buys soft drinks from the vending machine.
veneer
veneer
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a thin covering of decorative wood or plastic over a cheaper material: The veneer on the wooden coffee table is wearing off.
    2 [C] usu. sing. fig. a false appearance: He has a veneer of friendliness over a very nasty personality.
venerable
venerable
  1. adj. respected, admired because of old age, dignity, etc.: He is a venerable old man. -v. [T] venerate; -n. [U] veneration.
venetian blind
venetian blind
  1. n. a window shade with thin plastic or metal blades: I closed the venetian blinds to keep the bright sunlight out.
vengeance
vengeance
  1. n. [U] bitter retaliation, a harmful act against s.o. who has done s.t. wrong to you: He is seeking vengeance for the murder of his brother.
vengeful
vengeful
  1. adj. wanting to harm s.o. who wronged you,
    THESAURUS
    spiteful: He has a vengeful attitude and wants to kill his brother's murderer.
venison
venison
  1. n. [U] deer meat: In the autumn hunting season, we eat venison.
venom
venom
  1. n. [U]
    1 the poison in some snakes and insects: snake venom
    2 fig. hatred: He is full of venom toward his enemies. -adj. venomous. See: anger.
vent
vent
  1. v. [T]
    1 to make air or fumes escape: to vent a room of smoke
    2 to let go with force: He vented his anger by screaming at his dog. n. an opening used to let air or fumes escape: There is a vent from my kitchen stove to the outside of the house.
ventilate
ventilate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates to change the air in an enclosed space: She ventilated the room by opening a window.
ventilation
ventilation
  1. n. [U] a system, such as air openings and blowers, used to change the air in a room or building: The poor ventilation in my hotel room makes me feel sick. -n. [C] ventilator.
ventricle
ventricle
  1. n. a chamber: The left ventricle is the biggest of the four chambers in the heart.
ventriloquist
ventriloquist
  1. n. a person who entertains others by appearing to be silent while making a type of doll (dummy) talk: Ventriloquists are very funny because their lips don't seem to move while their dummy talks. -n. [U] ventriloquism.
venture
venture
  1. v. [I] -tured, -turing, -tures to act with some risk of harm or money: I told my wife not to venture to the edge of the cliff. n. an act, esp. a business deal, with risk: Two companies made a joint venture to send a rocket to the moon. -adj. venturesome. See: joint venture.
venue
venue
  1. n. [C;U] (in law) the location of an event (such as a trial): The lawyer asked the judge for a change in venue.
veracity
veracity
  1. n.frml. [U] truthfulness: I do not doubt his veracity.
veranda
veranda
  1. n. a porch: We often sit on the veranda on hot evenings.
verb
verb
  1. n. an action word, a predicate: "Be," "do," and "go" are verbs.
verbal
verbal
  1. adj.
    1 related to written or spoken words: She has good verbal skills; she speaks and writes well.
    2 infrml. spoken words versus written ones: We had only a verbal agreement, with nothing in writing. -v. [I;T] verbalize; -adv. verbally.
    THESAURUS
    verbal
    1 spoken. Ant. nonverbal.
    2 oral, spoken | handshake.
verbatim
verbatim
  1. adj.adv. word-for-word, related to using s.o.'s exact words: I quoted verbatim what the professor said; I made a verbatim quote.
verbiage
verbiage
  1. n. [U] words, esp. too many of them: She cut all the verbiage from the report and made it clear and simple.
verbose
verbose
  1. adj. wordy, long-winded: That long report is a verbose piece of writing. -adv. verbosely; -n. [U] verbosity.
verdict
verdict
  1. n. a decision of guilty or not guilty: The jury arrived at a verdict of "not guilty" for the defendant.
verge
verge
  1. n. the edge or border of s.t.: She is on the verge of making a decision. v. [I] verged, verging, verges to border on, approach: That singer has a career that verges on greatness.
verifiable
verifiable
  1. adj. capable of being verified or proven: The police got a verifiable account of the accident from witnesses.
verify
verify
  1. v. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to prove s.t. is true, confirm: I verified the store's address by calling to check it. -n. [U] verification.
veritable
veritable
  1. adj. true, real: His mind is a veritable encyclopedia of information.
verity
verity
  1. n.frml. -ties truth: Beauty, love, and honor are eternal verities.
vermin
vermin
  1. n. [U] small animals that are considered pests, such as mice, rats, and cockroaches: He got rid of the vermin in his apartment by putting some traps on the floor.
vermouth
vermouth
  1. n. [U] in the USA, a wine used mainly as a mixer in cocktails: We use dry vermouth in martinis and sweet vermouth in Manhattans.
vernacular
vernacular
  1. n. [U] language in everyday use in a country or region: The local vernacular in some areas is very different from the English that is taught in schools.
versatile
versatile
  1. adj.
    1 capable in many ways, talented: She is a versatile musician who can play many instruments.
    2 useful in many ways, multipurpose: A screwdriver or adjustable wrench is a versatile tool. -n. [U] versatility.
verse
verse
  1. n.
    1 [U] poetry: Poets write in verse.
    2 [C] a section of poetry or of the Bible v. [T] versed, versing, verses to learn,
    THESAURUS
    to school: He versed himself in history.
version
version
  1. n.
    1 an account of s.t.: He told his own version of the funny story.
    2 a translation or edition: I own the King James Version of the Bible.
versus
versus
  1. prep. in opposition to, against: It was Argentina versus West Germany in the World Cup soccer match.
vertebra
vertebra
  1. n. -brae a section of the spine: He broke two vertebrae in a fall.
vertebrate
vertebrate
  1. adj. having a spine: vertebrate animals n. an animal with a spine: The vertebrates include lions and elephants.
vertical
vertical
  1. adj. upright, at 90 degrees to the horizontal: The hospital patient is sitting in the vertical position, upright in bed. -adv. vertically.
vertigo
vertigo
  1. n. [U] dizziness, feeling of weakness: He suffers from vertigo when he looks down from a great height.
verve
verve
  1. n. [U] enthusiasm, energy: She does things with a lot of verve.
very
very
  1. adv. absolutely, extremely: He was very pleased to see his friend. adj. absolute: She is at the very beginning of a long project.
    THESAURUS
    very adv. really, awfully, quite. —adj. exact, precise.
vessel
vessel
  1. n.
    1 a tube that carries fluid: the blood vessels
    2 a container, such as a cup: a vessel used in religious services
    3 a ship: Cargo vessels sail the Atlantic.
vest
vest
  1. n. a sleeveless garment worn on the upper body: He often wears a vest as part of a three-piece suit. v. [I;T]
    1 frml. to wear, put on: The priest vested himself in the robes of his office.
    2 fig. to give power to,
    THESAURUS
    to entrust: to vest an official with the right to spend money
    3 to become the property of s.o.: The pension fund vests assets to its members' accounts after five years.
vestibule
vestibule
  1. n. a small entrance hall in a house or other building: The doorman at that apartment building usually stands in the vestibule when it rains.
vestige
vestige
  1. n.frml. a small part or amount of s.t., remains: Vestiges of their clothes were found after the fire in the house.
vestment
vestment
  1. n. ceremonial clothes: The priest is dressed in holy vestments.
vet
vet
  1. n. short for
    1 veteran: My father is a war vet.
    2 veterinarian: to take the cat to the vet v.frml. [T] vetted, vetting, vets to examine s.t. carefully: Government experts vetted information about the new drug to make sure that it was safe.
veteran
veteran
  1. n. any person honorably discharged from the military: She is a veteran of military service in Africa. adj. anyone with a lot of experience in a job, profession, or art: He is a veteran newspaper reporter.
veterinarian
veterinarian
  1. n. a doctor for animals: The veterinarian came to see our sick horse. -adj. veterinary. See: vet.
vex
vex
  1. v. [T] vexed, vexing, vexes to irritate, make s.o. angry: His demands for money vexed his wife. -adj. vexatious ; -n. [C;U] vexation.
via
via
  1. prep.
    1 by way of: We flew to Paris via London.
    2 through means of: I sent a package via messenger.
viable
viable
  1. adj. workable, capable of succeeding: He found a viable solution to the problem. -n. [U] viability.
viaduct
viaduct
  1. n. a bridge across a valley: A viaduct carries railroad tracks from one mountain to the next.
vial
vial
  1. n. a small, round container made of glass or plastic: There is a vial of medicine (perfume, illegal drugs, etc.) on the shelf.
vibes
vibes
  1. n.pl.slang short for vibrations the unspoken good or bad feelings given off by a person or event: I get good vibes from my new friend.
vibrant
vibrant
  1. adj.
    1 full of life, spirited: She has a vibrant personality.
    2 intense, colorful: That painting has vibrant colors of red and yellow in it.
vibrate
vibrate
  1. v. [I;T] -brated, -brating, -brates
    1 to quiver, shake: A violin string vibrates.
    2 to resonate, shake: His stereo was so loud that it made the room vibrate.
vibration
vibration
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] quivering, shaking: I felt the vibration caused by a passing train.
    2 pl.infrml. the feelings given off by a person or event: We had good vibrations from the successful business meeting.
vibrator
vibrator
  1. n. a device used for massage or sexual stimulation: He uses a vibrator to massage his sore legs.
vicar
vicar
  1. n.
    1 a clergyman
    2 a parish priest: The vicar gave a sermon on the evils of alcohol.
vicarage
vicarage
  1. n. a vicar's house: We visited the vicarage next to the church.
vicarious
vicarious
  1. adj. felt and understood through the experience of another, indirect: I got vicarious pleasure from hearing about their trip. -adv. vicariously.
vice
vice
  1. n. [C;U] sin or crime, including illegal drugs and prostitution: There is a lot of vice in big cities.
vice squad
vice squad
  1. n. police responsible for stopping crime: The vice squad often works at night to arrest prostitutes and drug dealers.
vice versa
vice versa
  1. adv. the same in reverse order: What may be too expensive for you may seem reasonable to me or vice versa.||He loves her and vice versa.
vicinity
vicinity
  1. n. -ties [U] the local area, places nearby: Our house is located in this vicinity; it's three blocks away, in fact.
vicious
vicious
  1. adj.
    1 cruel, mean: His vicious comments are cruel and hurtful.
    2 ferocious, savage: That vicious dog attacks and bites people. -n. [U] viciousness; -adv. viciously.
    THESAURUS
    vicious
    1 nasty, spiteful, malicious. Ant. sweet.
    2 fierce, violent, brutal. Ant. gentle.
vicious circle
vicious circle
  1. n. [U] a chain of events in which one difficulty leads to another, often of the same kind: Poor people don't have enough money for a good education, which keeps their children poor as well; poverty is a vicious circle.
victim
victim
  1. n. s.o. or s.t. that suffers from an accident, crime, illness, or bad luck: The accident victim was helped by ambulance attendants.
victimize
victimize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to deceive and exploit another person: The dishonest man victimized an old lady by cheating her.
victor
victor
  1. n. the winner in a contest or battle: The victor in the competition won a prize.
victorious
victorious
  1. adj. related to winning a competition or battle,
    THESAURUS
    triumphant: Our nation emerged victorious in the battle. -adv. victoriously.
victory
victory
  1. n. -ries
    1 [C;U] triumph: She led her basketball team to victory by scoring the winning point.
    2 [C] success, achievement: He finally stopped smoking, and doing that was a big victory for him.
    THESAURUS
    victory
    1 a win | conquest. Ants. a loss, defeat.
    2 an accomplishment. Ant. a failure.
video
video
  1. adj. related to television images: The video part of the television broadcast was clear, but the sound was poor. n. [C;U] television or videotape pictures: We saw the movie on video.
video camera
video camera
  1. n. a camera used to record the pictures and sounds of events, using videotape: Many families own a video camera today. See: camcorder.
videotape
videotape
  1. n. [C;U] video recording tape v. [T] -taped, -taping, -tapes to record on videotape: We videotaped a sporting event.
vie
vie
  1. v. [I] vied, vying, vies to attempt to win s.t., to compete: Two athletes vied for first place in the competition.
view
view
  1. v. [T]
    1 to look at: We viewed the mountain scenery.
    2 to hold the opinion that: She views marriage as a serious matter.
    3 to inspect, examine: I viewed a collection of paintings. n.
    1 a scene: Our house has a view of the park.
    2 an opinion, belief: Many people have views on how to fix the economy.
    3 in my (her, our, etc.) view: in one's opinion, belief: In my view, the economy is in trouble.
    4 to come into view: to appear: A ship came into view on the horizon.
    5 in view: seeable, present: That ship is now in view. Can you see it, too?
    6 in view of: because of, with regard to: In view of our difficulties with money, let's not go on vacation.
    7 on view: displayed, available to see: The Van Gogh paintings are on view in the Metropolitan Museum of Art this week.
    8 to have or hold views: to believe, to be a spokesperson for ideas: She has unusual views on politics and is criticized for them.
viewer
viewer
  1. n.
    1 a person who watches television programs: The viewers sit at home in their living rooms.
    2 a video device used for display: Put the slide in the viewer so that we can see it.
viewing
viewing
  1. n. [C;U] a type of exhibition, a showing of s.t.: The movie producer held a private viewing of her new film for the press.
viewpoint
viewpoint
  1. n. an opinion: Her viewpoint is that she wants to get married, but not at this time.
    THESAURUS
    viewpoint a position, perspective.
vigil
vigil
  1. n.
    1 a gathering of people who wait in silence for a reason: The crowd held a candlelight vigil for peace.
    2 a period of waiting: She keeps an all-night vigil for her sick child.
vigilance
vigilance
  1. n. [U] alertness to danger, watchfulness: Very young children need an adult's constant vigilance. -adj. vigilant.
vigilante
vigilante
  1. n. a person who takes the law into his or her own hands by punishing a suspected criminal: Vigilantes killed the suspected murderer.
vigorous
vigorous
  1. adj. energetic, strong: She does vigorous exercises every morning. -adv. vigorously.
vile
vile
  1. adj. viler, vilest
    1 evil, wicked: Murder is a vile act.
    2 dirty, foul: He uses vile language.
vilify
vilify
  1. v.frml. [T] -fied, -fying, -fies to criticize harshly, to defame or slander: The politician was vilified in the newspapers as a criminal.
villa
villa
  1. n. a country house: They have a villa in the Swiss Alps.
village
village
  1. n. a group of houses forming a settlement smaller than a town or city: They live in a country village.
villager
villager
  1. n. a person who lives in a village: The villagers do their shopping at the general store.
villain
villain
  1. n. a bad person, esp. a criminal: Villains commit crimes. -adj. villainous; -n. [U] villainy.
vim
vim
  1. n. [U] vitality, energy: She has a lot of vim and vigor.
vinaigrette
vinaigrette
  1. n. [U] a salad dressing of olive oil and vinegar usu. with spices: I poured vinaigrette on my salad.
vindicate
vindicate
  1. v. [T] -cated, -cating, -cates
    1 to support one's actions in the face of opposition,
    THESAURUS
    to justify: History vindicates the wise who offer peace, not war.
    2 to prove,
    THESAURUS
    to substantiate: She vindicated her claim to the land by producing legal documents showing that she owns it. -n. [U] vindication.
vindictive
vindictive
  1. adj. seeking to harm another, (syns.) vengeful, spiteful: She has a vindictive attitude toward her ex-husband. -adv. vindictively.
vine
vine
  1. n. a climbing plant, such as ivy or grape: Vines cover the hills in wine country.
vinegar
vinegar
  1. n. [U] an acid-tasting liquid made from wine, malt, etc.: She poured vinegar and oil on her salad. -adj. vinegary.
vineyard
vineyard
  1. n. an area with grapevines: Many vineyards are located near San Francisco.
vintage
vintage
  1. n. a wine harvest, esp. the year: They drank a French wine of a 1986 vintage. adj.
    1 indicating good quality and old age: a vintage wine (car, year, etc.)
    2 from an earlier time, but often still fashionable or desirable: I got a great sweater from the 1960s at the vintage clothing store.
vintner
vintner
  1. n.frml.
    1 a winemaker: The vintners of Napa Valley produce good wine.
    2 a wine merchant: He is the vintner who has a shop on the corner.
vinyl
vinyl
  1. n. a tough plastic used to make clothes and upholstery: The seat covering in my car is made of vinyl.
violate
violate
  1. v. [T] -lated, -lating, -lates
    1 to break: He violated the law (a contract, s.o.'s rights, etc.).
    2 to rape: It is a very serious crime to violate s.o.
violation
violation
  1. n. [C;U] an act of breaking a law, contract, rule, etc.: A violation of a law can bring punishment. -adj. violable .
    THESAURUS
    violation a breach, an infringement.
violence
violence
  1. n. [U]
    1 injury or damage, brutality: The criminal committed violence in stabbing his victim.
    2 fury, strong force, such as wind: The violence of the hurricane caused great damage.
    THESAURUS
    violence
    1 savagery, cruelty
    2 ferocity, severity. Ant. gentleness.
    THESAURUS
    violent adj.
    1 s.t. done with cruelty and force causing injury: A thief crushed a man's skull in a violent attack.
    2 done with force causing great damage: A violent hurricane damaged houses and trees. -adv. violently.
    THESAURUS
    violent
    1 cruel, vicious. Ants. kind, gentle.
    2 fierce, severe.
violet
violet
  1. n. a plant with bluish-purple flowers: an African violet adj. a bluish-purple color: She wore a violet dress.
violin
violin
  1. n. a stringed musical instrument played with a bow: The violin is a great solo instrument.
viper
viper
  1. n.
    1 a small, poisonous snake
    2 fig. a dangerous, deceitful person: She seems sweet, but she is really a viper out to do harm.
virgin
virgin
  1. n. a person who has not had sexual intercourse: She was a virgin when she married, and so was her husband. adj. untouched, in its original state: There is a lot of virgin land in Alaska.
virginity
virginity
  1. n. [U] the condition of never having had sex: Many teenagers value their virginity. -adj. virginal.
virile
virile
  1. adj. strong, manly: A virile man has strong sexual powers. -n. [U] virility.
virtual
virtual
  1. adj. nearly, almost but not quite: He is nearly deaf; he has suffered the virtual loss of his hearing. -adv. virtually.
virtue
virtue
  1. n.
    1 [U] moral goodness, such as honesty or clean living: He is a man of great virtue.
    2 [C] advantage, special quality: That new medicine has the virtue of being inexpensive.
    3 by virtue of: because of: By virtue of the fact that the medicine is inexpensive, it has a big market.
virtuoso
virtuoso
  1. n. -sos a musician or singer who is a star: A piano virtuoso often performs alone.
virtuous
virtuous
  1. adj. moral, upright: A virtuous person does not tell lies. -adv. virtuously.
virulent
virulent
  1. adj.
    1 related to disease, bacteria, and viruses that spread fast and are very harmful: Cholera and smallpox are virulent diseases.
    2 extremely harsh, biting: Jon was fired after receiving a report from his boss with virulent criticism. -n. [U] virulence; -adv. virulently.
vis-à-vis
vis-à-vis
  1. prep. in relation to, compared with: Vis-à-vis the competition, our company is doing well.
Visa™
Visa™
  1. n. the name of a popular credit card: When she travels, she charges her expenses on her Visa.
visage
visage
  1. n.frml. the human face: Her visage is marked by worry and care.
visceral
visceral
  1. adj.
    1 related to the intestines
    2 characterized by a feeling in the abdomen: When he saw the lion, he had a visceral feeling of fear. -n.pl. viscera; -adv. viscerally.
viscosity
viscosity
  1. n. [U] the thickness of a fluid: A motor oil with a low viscosity is used in cold weather so engine parts can move easily..
vise
vise
  1. n. a two-pronged tool with a screw handle that tightens against an object to hold the object so that it can be worked on: I put the piece of metal in the vise and cut it.
visibility
visibility
  1. n. [U] clearness of the air and sky: The visibility is good today, with no clouds or fog.
visible
visible
  1. adj.
    1 seeable,
    THESAURUS
    perceptible: The coastline became visible through the fog.
    2 apparent, obvious: Her health made a visible improvement. -adv. visibly.
vision
vision
  1. n.
    1 [U] eyesight: She has good (poor, clear, etc.) vision.
    2 [C] a fantasy, an imaginary event: to have a vision in a dream
    3 [U] foresight, ability to imagine the future: There are men (women, leaders) of vision in every industry. -n. [C] visionary.
visit
visit
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go to a place and stay for a time: We visited relatives in the next town for two days.
    2 phrasal v.sep. frml. [T] to visit s.t. on s.o.: to direct anger, punishment, etc., against s.o.; Our boss visited her wrath on the whole department. n.
    1 a stay with s.o. or at a place: We had a nice visit with our cousins in Ohio.
    2 to pay s.o. a visit: to make a usu. brief visit: His friend is ill, so he pays a visit to him every day.
    THESAURUS
    visit v.
    1 to go (and) see s.o./s.t., drop by/drop in on s.o.
visitation
visitation
  1. n. adj.frml. a visit usu. arranged through an institution: Friends and family members of prisoners receive visitation rights once a week.
visiting hours
visiting hours
  1. n.pl. the time period allowed, esp. by a hospital, for family and friends to visit patients: The hospital visiting hours are from 2:00 to 4:00 P.M.
visiting nurse
visiting nurse
  1. n. a nurse who travels from house to house and town to town to help sick patients: In many areas, a visiting nurse is the only medical care some poor people have.
visitor
visitor
  1. n.
    1 a person who visits others: Our company had some visitors yesterday from another business.
    2 a tourist, vacationer: New York has many visitors from overseas.
    THESAURUS
    visitor
    1 a guest, some company
    2 a sightseer.
visor
visor
  1. n. the front of a hat or helmet that sticks out over the eyes: A baseball cap has a long visor.
vista
vista
  1. n. a view, esp. a panoramic one: We looked at a beautiful vista of the valley below.
visual
visual
  1. adj.
    1 related to being seen: A picture is a visual object.
    2 seeable,
    THESAURUS
    discernible: The sailor made a visual sighting of a distant ship. -adv. visually.
visualize
visualize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to picture s.t. in the mind, imagine: When it snows, I like to visualize a vacation on a warm, sunny beach.
vital
vital
  1. adj.
    1 most important, absolutely necessary: Water is vital to life.
    2 energetic, lively: She has a vital personality. n.pl. vitals important organs, such as the heart, lungs, and digestive system: His vitals are in bad condition. -adv. vitally.
vital statistics
vital statistics
  1. n.pl. information collected by governments about people, such as their age, race, and birth, death, and marriage dates: The Census Bureau collects and compiles vital statistics on the population every ten years.
vitality
vitality
  1. n. [U] strength and health, mental and physical energy level: She has great vitality and is always doing s.t.
vitalize
vitalize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to fill with energy: She vitalizes her family with confidence and good health. -n. [U] vitalization.
vitamin
vitamin
  1. n. any of many chemical substances necessary for good health: Vitamin C is found in fruits, potatoes, etc.
vittles
vittles
  1. n.pl. slang
    1 food in general
    2 a meal: Cowboys like to eat vittles.
vituperative
vituperative
  1. adj.frml. harshly critical: He made vituperative remarks to s.o. -v. [I;T] vituperate; -n. [U] vituperation.
vivacious
vivacious
  1. adj. lively, cheerful: She is a vivacious girl, always happy and smiling. -adv. vivaciously; -n. [U] vivacity.
vivid
vivid
  1. adj. easy to see or imagine, clear, intense: The reporter wrote a vivid story about the disaster. -n. [U] vividness; -adv. vividly.
vivisection
vivisection
  1. n. [C;U] an operation performed on an animal for medical research purposes: The doctor performed vivisections on cows to see how well artificial hearts work. -v. [I;T] vivisect.
vocabulary
vocabulary
  1. n. -ies [C;U]
    1 a group of words that forms a language,
    THESAURUS
    a lexicon: She learns some French vocabulary every day.
    2 the words used in a particular kind of work: The vocabulary of computers is called "computerese."
vocal
vocal
  1. adj.
    1 related to speaking and the voice: His vocal chords hurt from talking too much.
    2 loud, complaining: A vocal group of protesters complained about air pollution. -adv. vocally.
vocalist
vocalist
  1. n. a singer: That vocalist sings with a local band.
vocalize
vocalize
  1. v. [I;T] to speak: At our weekly meetings, my boss encourages me to vocalize my thoughts on important issues.
vocation
vocation
  1. n.
    1 [C] one's livelihood, work: His writing is not a vocation, just a hobby.
    2 [C, usu. sing.] a call to serve God: He felt a vocation for the religious life.
vocational
vocational
  1. adj. related to work: She is taking vocational training to learn to be a hairdresser.
vociferous
vociferous
  1. adj.frml. loud and demanding, noisy,
    THESAURUS
    clamorous: He was very vociferous about getting a refund for the bad merchandise he had purchased. -v. [I;T] vociferate; -adv. vociferously.
vodka
vodka
  1. n. [C;U] a colorless alcoholic drink made from grain or potatoes: A Bloody Mary is made with vodka and tomato juice.
vogue
vogue
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.] fashion, trend: The clothes that are in vogue this season will change next year. -adj. voguish.
voice
voice
  1. v. [T] voiced, voicing, voices to speak, utter: He voiced his opinions about politics. n.
    1 [C] the ability to speak: She speaks in a clear voice.
    2 [U] the quality of a singing voice: a singer who is in good voice
    3 [C] a spokesperson: She is a voice of support for the poor.
    4 [C] any of several parts in singing: She sings the soprano voice.
    5 to speak with one voice: to be united in opinion or action: The committee spoke with one voice; they all agreed on what should be done.
voice mail
voice mail
  1. n. [U] a telephone answering system on which spoken messages are left by one person for another: John was not at his desk, but I left a message for him on his voice mail.
void
void
  1. v. [T]
    1 to cancel,
    THESAURUS
    to nullify: I voided the check by writing "Void" over my signature.
    2 frml. (in medicine) to empty: to void one's bowels n. a dark, empty place,
    THESAURUS
    an abyss: After her lover's death, she fell into a void of sadness.adj. empty, barren: The moon is void of all life.
voided
voided
  1. adj. canceled, made useless: A voided check cannot be cashed.
volatile
volatile
  1. adj.
    1 explosive: Gasoline is a volatile chemical and can catch fire easily.
    2 fig. unstable, likely to produce change or harm: The situation is very volatile; rioters may try to overthrow the government. -n. [U] volatility.
volcano
volcano
  1. n. -nos or -noes a hill or mountain formed by hot, melted rock escaping from beneath the earth: Mt. Vesuvius in Italy is an active volcano..
volition
volition
  1. n. [U] s.o.'s free will: Of his own volition, the rich man gave up everything he owned and became a priest.
volley
volley
  1. v. [I;T] (in sports) a hitting of the ball back and forth between opponents: The tennis players volleyed for ten minutes. n.
    1 a series of bullets, arrows, etc., shot at the same time: a volley of gunfire
    2 an act of volleying as in tennis
volleyball
volleyball
  1. n.
    1 [U] a sport played with six players on each side of a net who score a point by grounding the ball on the opponent's side after they have served: Volleyball is an Olympic sport.
    2 [C] the ball used in that sport
volt
volt
  1. n. a unit of measurement in electricity: The electricity in our home is 120 volts of alternating current. -n. [C;U] voltage.
volume
volume
  1. n.
    1 [C] a book or one of a series of books: The dictionary is the largest volume on that shelf.
    2 [U] intensity of sound, loudness: Turn up the volume on the radio.
    3 [U] space: The volume of that tank is 50 cubic yards.
    4 [C;U] amount of activity: There is a large volume of traffic on the highways this summer.
voluminous
voluminous
  1. adj.
    1 containing many pages, bulky
    2 containing many books: That professor's library is big and voluminous. -n. [U] voluminousness.
voluntary
voluntary
  1. adj. done of one's own will without being forced or paid: She gives money to the church on a voluntary basis, not because she has to. -adv. voluntarily.
    THESAURUS
    voluntary optional | charitable. Ant. compulsory.
volunteer
volunteer
  1. v. [I;T] to agree to do s.t. of one's own free will rather than by necessity: He volunteers his time at the church. n. a person who volunteers: The USA has a military made up of volunteers. -n. [U] volunteerism.
voluptuous
voluptuous
  1. adj. sensual, sexy: She is a woman with a voluptuous figure..
vomit
vomit
  1. v. [I;T] to expel (food, liquid from the stomach) through the mouth: The child vomited when he had the flu. n. [U] stomach contents that have been vomited
    THESAURUS
    vomit v. to throw up | puke, barf slang. —n. puke slang.
voodoo
voodoo
  1. n. [U] religious beliefs of African origin, practiced in Africa and in parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. -n. [U] voodooism.
voracious
voracious
  1. adj. very hungry,
    THESAURUS
    ravenous: Teenagers often have voracious appetites. ; -adv. voraciously.
vortex
vortex
  1. n. a swirling force, esp. a whirlpool: A flooded river can form a vortex as the water rushes to the sea.
vote
vote
  1. v. voted, voting, votes
    1 [I;T] to cast a ballot or a vote for or against: He voted for a Presidential candidate.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to vote s.t. down: to refuse, deny s.t.: The people in our state voted down money for a new highway.||They voted it down.
    3 phrasal v. sep. [T] to vote s.o. out: to force s.o. from office: The politician was so disliked that the voters voted him out. n.
    1 the act of voting for your favorite candidate: She has my vote for governor.
    2 a vote of confidence or of thanks: an act of support or appreciation: A group of people can give a person a vote of confidence (or) thanks.
vote getter
vote getter
  1. n. a person or an issue that attracts votes: He is handsome and wellspoken; he is a big vote getter.
voter
voter
  1. n.
    1 a person who votes
    2 a person of legal age to vote
    3 the voters: the electorate, those people registered and eligible to vote: The voters turned down a referendum to raise taxes.
voting booth
voting booth
  1. n. an enclosed space for casting votes in privacy: Voting booths are located in polling places.
vouch
vouch
  1. v. [T] -es to vouch for: to confirm, say s.t. is true: I vouched for his innocence; he did not steal anything.
voucher
voucher
  1. n.
    1 an official piece of paper used in place of money: I have a travel voucher good for $500 on any airline.
    2 (in law) a document showing that money has been paid or goods received
vow
vow
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to swear, solemnly promise: He vowed to repay the debt (correct his behavior, murder s.o., etc.).
    2 to swear,
    THESAURUS
    to attest: When I married her, I vowed to love her forever. n.
    1 a solemn promise: She made a vow to go to church regularly.
    2 to take the vows: to commit oneself by solemn promise: He took the vows of priesthood.
vowel
vowel
  1. n. in English, the letters a, e, i, o, u, and sometimes y
voyage
voyage
  1. v.frml. [I] -aged, -aging, -ages to travel over long distances: He voyaged around the world in a small boat. n. a long journey: She took a voyage by boat from London to India. -n. voyager.
    THESAURUS
    voyage v. to journey, cruise (by sea). —n. a trip | cruise.
voyeur
voyeur
  1. n. a person who gets pleasure, esp. sexual thrills, from secretly watching others who are nude or making love: He is a voyeur who uses binoculars to spy on others. -n. [U] voyeurism.
vulgar
vulgar
  1. adj. unsuitable for polite company, (syns.) offensive, crude: He uses vulgar language and dirty expressions. -v. [T] vulgarize; -n. [U] vulgarity.
vulnerable
vulnerable
  1. adj.
    1 exposed, unprotected: The soldiers were in a position vulnerable to attack by the enemy.
    2 likely to be hurt or made to feel bad: She has been feeling very vulnerable since her husband died..
vulture
vulture
  1. n.
    1 a type of bird that eats dead animals
    2 fig. a person who takes advantage of another's misfortune: The company had to be closed, and the vultures tried to buy its equipment for nothing.
wacky
wacky
  1. adj.infrml. -ier, -iest
    1 crazy, foolish: He always has these wacky ideas for strange inventions.
    2 funny,
    THESAURUS
    zany: That comedian makes wacky movies. -n. [U] wackiness.
wad
wad
  1. n.
    1 a rolled-up ball of s.t.: She was not happy with her writing, so she crumpled the paper into a wad.
    2 a handful of money: He always carries a wad of cash in his pocket.v. [T] wadded, wadding, wads to compress s.t. into a wad: He wadded paper into a ball and threw it into the wastebasket. -n. [U] wadding.
waddle
waddle
  1. v. [I] -dled, -dling, -dles to walk with short, awkward, side-to-side steps: Ducks waddle into the water.n. a side-to-side walk: The fat person walked with a waddle.
wade
wade
  1. v. waded, wading, wades
    1 [I] to walk by forcing the legs through water or snow: The hunter waded across the shallow river.
    2 phrasal v. insep. [T] to wade through s.t.: to finish s.t. long or difficult after much effort: She waded through the paperwork.
wader
wader
  1. n.
    1 a type of water bird
    2 pl. waterproof hip boots
wafer
wafer
  1. n. a thin, crisp cake or cookie: We each ate a chocolate wafer after dinner.
waffle
waffle
  1. n. a breakfast cake with a pattern of square holes, baked in a special pan called a waffle iron: We sometimes have waffles with syrup for breakfast.v.infrml. [I] -fled, -fling, -fles to change one's opinion back and forth,
    THESAURUS
    to vacillate: He keeps waffling about changing jobs.
waft
waft
  1. v. [I] n. to move slowly in the air: The smell of brewing coffee wafted through the house.
wag
wag
  1. v. [I;T] wagged, wagging, wags to shake back and forth: A happy dog wags its tail.n.
    1 a swinging back and forth: Our dog greeted us with a wag of its tail.
    2 a person who likes to make jokes
wage
wage
  1. n. usu. sing. [C] money paid for work done, usu. by the hour: That company pays a good wage to its workers.v. [T] waged, waging, wages to begin and continue (a war or military operation): Armies waged war often in the 20th century.
    THESAURUS
    wage n. salary, pay | compensation, remuneration | take-home. —v. to engage in s.t., carry on s.t., conduct.

    USAGE NOTE: A wage is money paid to an hourly worker, who by law has the right to overtime pay for extra hours worked beyond 40 hours per week. A salary is a fixed annual amount paid to a worker in a higher position, who does not get compensation for extra hours worked. A salary can be paid weekly, bimonthly, or monthly, and often includes paid sick and vacation time.
wage earner
wage earner
  1. n. a worker who earns wages: Wage earners are usually paid by the hour.
wage level
wage level
  1. n. the general or common amount of money paid in a company or area: The wage level in farming areas is quite low.
wage scale
wage scale
  1. n. the various levels of hourly wages paid by a company or industry: The wage scale in automaking is very high; even a beginning-level job pays a good wage.
wager
wager
  1. v. [I;T] to bet money,
    THESAURUS
    to gamble: She is very lucky, because when she wagers in a card game, she often wins.n. a bet, gamble: He places wagers on the horseraces.
wagon
wagon
  1. n.
    1 a four-wheeled vehicle usu. pulled by horses or oxen: Before we had trucks, large shipments were sent in wagons.
    2 a child's cart pulled by a handle: We saw a very small girl pulling a red wagon full of toys.
    3 to be on the wagon: to stop drinking alcoholic beverages, usu. temporarily: I haven't had a beer in weeks because I'm on the wagon. See: station wagon. -n. wagoner.
wagon train
wagon train
  1. n. a group of wagons traveling together, usu. in a line: In the 1800s, many Americans moved west in wagon trains.
waif
waif
  1. n. a homeless, lonely child or animal: The poor waif had no family to care for her.
wail
wail
  1. v. [I] to cry out in sadness: The children wailed at the grave of their mother.n. a wailing sound: When she saw her dead son, the woman let out a wail.||the wail of a police siren. -n. [U] adj. wailing.
waist
waist
  1. n.
    1 the middle section of a person's body: She must have a small waist; look how tiny her belt is!
    2 the part of a piece of clothing around the waist area: The waist on that skirt is too big for the woman.
waistband
waistband
  1. n. the part of a skirt or pants that fits around the waist: My waistband is too big, so I wear a belt.
waistline
waistline
  1. n. the line around the narrowest part of a person's waist: His waistline measures 36 inches (approx. 70 cm).
wait
wait
  1. v.
    1 [I] to stay in one place until s.t. happens: He waited in line to buy a theater ticket.
    2 [I] to delay action: I am waiting to see who does the best work before hiring anyone.
    3 [T] to serve food and drinks, to work as a waiter: He waits (on) tables in a restaurant.
    4 infrml. can't wait: be very eager: I can't wait for my vacation to start!
    5 to wait in vain: to wait for s.t. that, in the end, doesn't happen: I waited in vain for a bus to come and ended up walking instead.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to wait on s.o.: to serve s.o.'s needs as a servant would: He waits on her, because she is sick and cannot do things for herself.
    7 to wait on s.o. hand and foot: to serve faithfully in every way possible: She waits on him hand and foot, but he never lifts a finger to help her.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wait s.t. out: to delay until the end of s.t.: They waited out the rain by staying inside and drinking tea.||They waited it out.
    9 phrasal v. insep. [I] to wait up (for s.o.): to delay going to bed: He gets home so late; I am too tired to wait up for him.n. [U]
    1 the time spent waiting: They had a long wait in the doctor's office.
    2 to lie in wait: to watch secretly for the chance to attack: The cat was eagerly lying in wait for the mouse.
    THESAURUS
    wait v.
    1 to remain, hold on (for a time) | hang on
    2 to bide one's time, hold out for s.t.
waiting list
waiting list
  1. n. a list of people waiting for an opening, as in public housing, a club, a university, etc.: We put our names on a waiting list for a table at the crowded restaurant.
waiting room
waiting room
  1. n. a room where people can sit while waiting (for a doctor, train, etc.): The waiting room in the train station was chilly and crowded.
waive
waive
  1. v. [T] waived, waiving, waives
    1 to give up (rights, privileges, etc.): She wanted to defend herself, so she waived her right to a lawyer.
    2 to make unnecessary,
    THESAURUS
    to dispense with: He excelled in the course so the teacher waived his final exam.
waiver
waiver
  1. n.
    1 a giving up of a right or claim,
    THESAURUS
    a relinquishment: She will never agree to a waiver of her legal rights.
    2 freedom from s.t. that is usu. required, (syns.) an exemption, exclusion: The planning board gave a waiver for an environmental study before building the project.
    3 a document showing that s.o. has given up a right or privilege: I signed a waiver saying that I would not sue the doctor if the operation was a failure.
waken
waken
  1. v. [I;T] to wake, awaken: He wakens early each morning.
walk-in
walk-in
  1. adj.
    1 large enough to walk into: We have a large walk-in closet in our bedroom.
    2 not requiring an appointment: A doctor at a walk-in medical clinic gave me a pregnancy test.
walk-up
walk-up
  1. n. an apartment building without an elevator: We live in a four-story walk-up in Brooklyn.
walk
walk
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to move forward by putting one foot in front of the other: I walk to work each morning.
    2 [T] to go with: The nurse walked her patient to the bathroom.
    3 to walk all over s.o.: to take advantage of s.o., treat s.o. badly or without respect: He walks all over her and never lets her talk.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I;T] to walk around s.t.: to explore, wander around: We walked around while we waited for the stores to open.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [I] to walk away from s.t.: to stop doing s.t., to have nothing more to do with it: The football player was hurt so many times that he finally walked away from the sport.
    6 phrasal v. [I] to walk off: to leave in anger: We started to argue and he simply walked off.
    7 to walk off the job: to stop working in protest of s.t.: The wage demands were not met, so workers walked off the job.
    8 phrasal v. insep. [I] to walk off or away with s.t.: a. to steal: Somebody walked off with my coat. b. to win easily: The girl walked away with first prize in the cooking contest.
    9 to walk on air: to feel wonderful: After she won the contest, she was walking on air.
    10 to walk on water: to perform miracles, to be a very special person: She thinks he is so great; to her, he walks on water.
    11 phrasal v. insep. [I] to walk out (of s.t.): a. to leave, usu. suddenly: She became so angry that she simply walked out. b. to stop working in protest: Workers walked out when their pay was cut.
    12 phrasal v. insep. [I] to walk out on s.o.: to leave suddenly,
    THESAURUS
    to abandon: The husband walked out on his family one day and never returned.
    13 phrasal v. insep. [T] to walk over s.o.: a. to defeat easily: Our team walked over their team with a score of 10-0. b. to treat s.o. badly: That little girl walks all over her parents.n.
    1 a stroll, exercise by walking: I go for a walk (or) take a walk each morning.
    2 a path, sidewalk: The walk leading to the garden is covered with small stones.
    3 all walks of life: different positions in society: People from all walks of life, the poor and rich alike, come to church.
    THESAURUS
    walk v.
    1 to stroll | amble | hike, trek
    2 to accompany, escort. —n.
    1 a hike, trek
    2 a trail, footpath.

    USAGE NOTE: When one walks at a slow pace, one ambles or strolls. When one walks without lifting the feet very far off the ground, one shuffles. At a faster pace, one marches, as in a military style. At the fastest pace, one runs.
walker
walker
  1. n.
    1 a person who walks: He loves to exercise and is a long-distance walker.
    2 a metal support used to help in walking: After her leg operation, she used a walker to go from one place to another.
walkie-talkie
walkie-talkie
  1. n. a two-way radio small enough to carry by hand: Some police officers use walkie-talkies to speak to each other from a distance.
walking
walking
  1. n. [U] (the act of) moving forward on foot: Walking is good exercise.
walking papers
walking papers
  1. n.pl.infrml. written notice that one no longer has a job,
    THESAURUS
    a dismissal notice: The manager handed two employees their walking papers and they left.
walkout
walkout
  1. n. a work stoppage,
    THESAURUS
    a strike: Union workers held a walkout to protest low wages.
wall-to-wall
wall-to-wall
  1. adj. going from one edge of a room to the other: We have wall-to-wall carpeting in our living room.
wall
wall
  1. n.
    1 the side of a room or building: I have many pictures on my bedroom walls.
    2 a barrier between two areas, usu. of stone or brick, used to protect, divide, or enclose: She built a stone wall around her garden.
    3 fig. a block, barrier: The government met a wall of opposition.||A wall of fire ran up the mountainside.
    4 infrml. off the wall: strange, (syns.) weird, bizarre: She's a little off the wall sometimes and does crazy things.
    5 infrml. to beat one's head against the wall: to work hard but make no progress: I can't finish this project; it feels like I am beating my head against the wall.
    6 infrml. to climb the walls: to be nervous,
    THESAURUS
    to be frustrated: I have been studying so hard for exams that I'm climbing the walls waiting for them to be over.
    7 infrml. to drive s.o. up the or a wall: to annoy s.o. very much: He keeps complaining about little things and is driving me up the wall.
    8 infrml. to have one's back up against or to the wall: to be in a hopeless situation, to be trapped: He has his back to the wall, because he has bills to pay and no money.
    9 infrml. to run into a brick wall: to be blocked, to face strong opposition: I have run into a brick wall, because my boss won't agree to my plan. See: hole-in-the-wall.
wallboard
wallboard
  1. n. [U] large pieces of building material (such as plywood or Sheetrock™) used to make walls: Carpenters put up more wallboard to make another room.
wallet
wallet
  1. n. a type of purse that can be folded and put in one's pocket,
    THESAURUS
    a billfold: He carries cash and credit cards in his wallet.
wallflower
wallflower
  1. n.fig. a shy or unpopular person: She is a wallflower who does not talk with anyone at a party.
wallop
wallop
  1. v. [T] n. to hit hard: The fighter walloped the other guy. -n. [U] adj. walloping.
wallow
wallow
  1. n. a muddy or dusty place: Pigs cool off by rolling in a wallow.v. [I] to roll or lie about in a lazy, comfortable way: They were wallowing in money (luxury, self-pity, etc.).
wallpaper 
wallpaper 
  1. n. [U]  v. [I;T]
    1 paper covering and decorating the walls of a room: we hung new <n.> wallpaper in our dining room.
    2 a background picture on a computer screen
walnut
walnut
  1. n.
    1 [C] an edible nut: I love chocolate-covered walnuts.
    2 [C;U] the wood from a walnut tree: Walnut is a popular hardwood for making furniture.
walrus
walrus
  1. n. -ruses or -rus a large sea animal, like a seal, with long teeth called tusks: Walruses pull shellfish off rocks with their long tusks.
waltz
waltz
  1. n. waltzes
    1 a ballroom dance with a one-two-three beat: Very few people know how to dance a graceful waltz anymore.
    2 music with a one-two-three beat, to which people can dance a waltz: The band played a waltz.v. [I] waltzes
    1 to dance the waltz: We waltzed to German music all evening.
    2 fig. to do s.t. very easily and with grace: She waltzed through the interview and got the job.
wampum
wampum
  1. n. [U] strings of shells used in the past by Native Americans as money: She wore a beautiful necklace made of wampum.
wan
wan
  1. adj. pale, tired-looking,
    THESAURUS
    pallid: After his stay in the hospital, he looked wan, without color.
wand
wand
  1. n. a narrow stick, esp. one used to make magic: The fairy used a magic wand to make the boy fly.
wander
wander
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to go from place to place without a fixed plan or goal,
    THESAURUS
    to roam: The travelers wandered from country to country.
    2 [I] to move away from a subject, clear idea, or fixed course: He is old, and his mind wanders at times. -n. wanderer.
wanderlust
wanderlust
  1. n. [U] a strong desire to travel: He had wanderlust, so he traveled around the country for six months.
wane
wane
  1. n. [U] on the wane: lessening in size: The fishing industry is on the wane in this area, and soon will vanish.v. [I] waned, waning, wanes to weaken, get smaller,
    THESAURUS
    to diminish: Each month the moon waxes and wanes.
wanna
wanna
  1. v.slang short for want to
wannabe
wannabe
  1. n.adj.slang from "want to be," a person who wants to be s.o. or s.t. other than what he or she really is: He is a wannabe in the music business, but he hasn't written any hit songs.
want ad
want ad
  1. n. an advertisement for jobs or things for sale: He reads the want ads, looking for a job, but finds only things he wants to buy.
wanting
wanting
  1. adj. not good enough, less than expected,
    THESAURUS
    deficient: His job performance was found wanting.
wanton
wanton
  1. adj.
    1 sexually immoral, (syns.) lewd, lascivious: He was put in jail for wanton behavior.
    2 out of control,
    THESAURUS
    excessive: He has no more money because of his wanton spending habits.n. an immoral or out-of-control person: She is a wanton who spends all her time in bars. -adv. wantonly; -n. wantonness.
war
war
  1. n. [C;U] fighting with guns and other weapons between groups, armies, nations, etc.: The civil war in that country lasted five years.v. [I] warred, warring, wars to take part or engage in war: The two sides warred for years and never reached an agreement. -adj. warring.
    THESAURUS
    war n. (a) conflict, (a) struggle. Ant. peace. —v. to wage war, fight, battle.
war bride
war bride
  1. n. a woman who marries a soldier during wartime: She was a war bride who married an American soldier in France.
war crime
war crime
  1. n. any crime committed against humanity during a war: The murder of millions of Jews was a terrible war crime in World War II.
war game
war game
  1. n. a practice battle,
    THESAURUS
    maneuvers: The army practiced war games in the desert.
war zone
war zone
  1. n. an area where war is happening: The war zone between the two nations was full of soldiers.
warble
warble
  1. n.v. [I;T] usu. sing. [C] -bled, -bling, -bles a shaking sound in the voice when singing,
    THESAURUS
    a trill: Birds warbled in the trees. -n. warbler.
ward
ward
  1. n.
    1 a section or district of a city: She is a city councilor from the 12th Ward.
    2 a section of a hospital: She is in the maternity ward because she just had a baby.
    3 s.o. protected by a court or older person: Her parents died, so now she is a ward of the court. phrasal v. sep. [T] to ward s.t. off: to prevent,
    THESAURUS
    to fend off: I warded off a cold by staying in bed.||I warded it off. suffix -ward/ in the direction of: Look upward at the clouds.
wardrobe
wardrobe
  1. n.
    1 a collection of clothing: The rich lady has a large wardrobe.
    2 (in theater or film) the costume department: The actor returned his costume to wardrobe.
    3 a piece of furniture that acts as a movable closet: We didn't have enough built-in closets, so we bought a wardrobe.
warehouse
warehouse
  1. n. -houses a building where goods are received, stored, and shipped: Our warehouse has more auto parts in it than we can sell.
warehouse club
warehouse club
  1. n. a type of large store, often located in a former warehouse, offering products for sale at discounted prices to people who belong as members of the club, usu. for a yearly fee: The warehouse club that I belong to offers everything from TVs and stoves to food and books at very low prices.
warfare
warfare
  1. n. [U] the way a war is fought: The general knows everything about tank warfare (germ warfare, guerrilla warfare, etc.).
warhead
warhead
  1. n. the explosive part of a bomb or missile: The most powerful missiles have more than one warhead.
warily
warily
  1. adv. See: wary.
warlike
warlike
  1. adj. related to war,
    THESAURUS
    threatening: Military planes flew over the country in a warlike action.
warlock
warlock
  1. n. a male witch, a man who does magical things,
    THESAURUS
    a sorcerer: In the fairy tale, a warlock turned a man into a horse.
warlord
warlord
  1. n. a leader of a fighting group: Warlords of city gangs make the laws of the streets.
warm-blooded
warm-blooded
  1. adj. with constant high body heat in any temperature: Humans are warm-blooded, unlike reptiles and insects.
warm-hearted
warm-hearted
  1. adj. friendly, generous: She is a warm-hearted woman, loved by all. -n. [U] warmheartedness.
warm-up
warm-up
  1. n.adj. exercise done to prepare muscles for physical activity: I do a short warm-up (or) warm-up exercises before running.
warm front
warm front
  1. n. (in weather) a mass of warm air that moves into an area: A warm front from the Caribbean is arriving on the East Coast this weekend.
warmly
warmly
  1. adv. with warmth, in a friendly way: The man giving the party received his guests warmly with welcoming handshakes.
warmonger
warmonger
  1. n. a person who likes to make war: The President was called a warmonger for sending our army to fight in another country. -n. [U] warmongering.
warmth
warmth
  1. n. [U]
    1 the state of being warm, a heated condition: The warmth of the blanket helped her relax.
    2 friendliness,
    THESAURUS
    compassion: Her warmth gives comfort and good feeling to others.
warn
warn
  1. v. [I;T] to tell that danger or trouble is near: A sign warned us that the road was closed.||The lawyer warned her client not to say anything in public.
    THESAURUS
    warn to caution, alert, advise.
warning
warning
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a danger sign: The pain in his chest was a warning about a possible heart attack.
    2 a statement that s.t. bad might happen: The boss gave his workers a warning about being late.
    THESAURUS
    warning
    1 an omen, a portent | an alert, alarm
    2 a caution, an advisory.
warp
warp
  1. v. [I;T] to bend out of shape: Wood left out in the rain will warp.n.
    1 a deviation from what is straight or true: There's a serious warp in this chair leg.
    2 the threads that run vertically through a piece of fabric: He set up the warp on the loom.
warp speed
warp speed
  1. n. [U] the high speed at which futuristic spaceships may travel: Spaceships in movies can travel at warp speed, which is much faster than the speed of light.
warpath
warpath
  1. n. [U] infrml. on the warpath: in an angry mood: The boss is on the warpath today about unfinished work.
warped
warped
  1. adj.
    1 bent out of shape: a warped door
    2 crazy,
    THESAURUS
    abnormal: His cruel acts come from a warped mind.
warrant
warrant
  1. n. (in law) a written order permitting legal action, such as an arrest, search, or seizure: The policeman has a warrant for your arrest.v. [T]
    1 to give enough reason for doing s.t.: That dangerous situation warrants immediate action.
    2 to guarantee, esp. facts about property, money, etc.: The bank warranted that the property was free of debt or damage.
warranty
warranty
  1. n. -ties [C;U]
    1 a guarantee of quality: The manufacturer gives a one-year warranty against any problems with its products.
    2 a guarantee that facts are true about property, money, etc.: He signed a warranty on his application that the information he gave was true.
warren
warren
  1. n.
    1 an underground tunnel where rabbits live,
    THESAURUS
    a burrow: An area near our garden is a rabbit warren.
    2 a small wooden house for raising rabbits,
    THESAURUS
    a hutch: The farmer kept his rabbits in a warren.
    3 fig. a crowded housing area: That apartment house is a warren of small apartments and hallways.
warrior
warrior
  1. n. a fighter, soldier: The chief sent his best warriors to fight against the enemy.
wart
wart
  1. n. a small, raised spot on the skin caused by a virus: The doctor removed the warts on the patient's hands.
wartime
wartime
  1. n. [U] a period of war: During wartime, many soldiers and civilians suffer.
wary
wary
  1. adj. -ier, -iest concerned about danger,
    THESAURUS
    cautious: He is very wary of driving his car late at night. -adv. warily; -n. wariness.
was
was
  1. weak form / v. past tense of be.
wash
wash
  1. v. washes
    1 [I;T] to clean, usu. with soap and water: I washed the dishes (laundry, car, etc.) this morning.
    2 [I;T] to pour over, spread: Ocean waves washed over the rocks.||Tears washed down his face.
    3 infrml. [I] to be believed: His excuses never wash with his teacher.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wash s.t. down: a. to spray clean, usu. with water,
    THESAURUS
    to hose down: The man washed down the sidewalk with a hose. b. to drink after eating s.t.: He washed down a doughnut with a cup of coffee.
    5 to wash in on the tide: to come onto the beach with the waves: A dead body washed in on the tide.
    6 fig. to wash one's hands of s.o. or s.t.: to refuse further responsibility for s.o. or s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    to abandon: This business is becoming illegal, and I wash my hands of it.
    7 to wash out: a. to remove or be removed by washing: Will this ink stain wash out? b. to carry or be carried away by moving water: The mountain road washed out in the storm. c. infrml. to fail and be forced out of a program: He is a washed-out cadet from the military school.
    8 to wash up: a to clean oneself: I am going to the bathroom to wash up. b. to come onto shore: The storm washed up seaweed and driftwood on the beach.n. [U]
    1 things to be cleaned: I do the wash every Saturday morning.
    2 the liquid with which s.t. is washed: She rinsed her mouth with a wash of salt and water.
    3 to come out in the wash: to become clear,
    THESAURUS
    to resolve itself: The policemen are investigating the scandal, so the truth will soon come out in the wash.
washable
washable
  1. adj. able to be washed by usual methods: That dress is washable and doesn't need dry cleaning.
washbasin
washbasin
  1. n. in a bathroom, a bowl for washing,
    THESAURUS
    a sink: I filled the washbasin with warm water and washed my hands.
washcloth
washcloth
  1. n. -cloths a small cloth used for cleaning the body: She uses a washcloth to clean her children.
washed-out
washed-out
  1. adj. pale, weak-looking: She looked washed-out after her surgery.
washed-up
washed-up
  1. adj.fig. finished in one's career, undesirable as an employee: He is too old to play and is all washed-up as a football player.
washer
washer
  1. n.
    1 a machine for cleaning clothes,
    THESAURUS
    a washing machine: I put my dirty clothes in the washer.
    2 a flat, round piece of metal or rubber with a hole: We use washers to keep screws tight.
washing
washing
  1. n. [U] dirty clothes to be washed, the laundry: I do the washing once a week.
washing machine
washing machine
  1. n. a machine for cleaning clothes: I poured soap into the washing machine.
washout
washout
  1. n.
    1 destruction caused by water from a flood: The area is a washout from the river flood.
    2 infrml. s.o. who has done badly,
    THESAURUS
    a failure: He is a washout from the military academy.
washroom
washroom
  1. n. a bathroom: I am going to the washroom to clean my hands.
wastage
wastage
  1. n. [U] an amount wasted, esp. in an industrial process: The wastage in making flour from wheat is little.
waste
waste
  1. n. [U]
    1 a poor use (of effort, time, resources): He's too difficult, so dealing with him is a waste of time.
    2 loss of s.t. through improper use: I had to throw away the extra spaghetti. What a waste of good food!
    3 things that are not wanted and get thrown away, garbage: Garbage collectors in large trucks pick up household waste.
    4 liquids or solids not used by the body: Waste goes from toilets into the sewer system.
    5 to go to waste: (of s.t. good and useful) to not be used: We ordered too much food for the party, and some of it will go to waste.
    6 to lay waste: to destroy,
    THESAURUS
    to devastate: The army laid waste to the city.v. wasted, wasting, wastes
    1 [T] to make poor use of s.t. valuable: The builder wasted wood by ordering too much.
    2 slang [T] to kill
    3 phrasal v. [I] to waste away: to die slowly,
    THESAURUS
    to wither: She has cancer and is slowly wasting away. -adj. waste.
wastebasket
wastebasket
  1. n. a container (barrel, bucket, basket, etc.) for trash: I throw old papers in the wastebasket.
wasteful
wasteful
  1. adj. using s.t. unwisely, leaving waste: Spending money on things you don't need is wasteful. -adv. wastefully; -n. [U] wastefulness.
wasteland
wasteland
  1. n.
    1 a place where nothing will grow or with no useful purpose: The desert outside the village is wasteland.
    2 fig. an empty and useless place: Many people say that television is an intellectual wasteland.
wastepaper
wastepaper
  1. n. [U] old or useless paper: Offices have a lot of wastepaper from people's computer printers.
watch
watch
  1. v. watches
    1 [I;T] to look at s.t. that is happening: The mother watched her children play.
    2 [I;T] to guard, observe closely: A guard watches prisoners.
    3 to watch for: to expect and look for: The man watched for his bus to arrive.
    4 infrml. [T] to watch it: to be careful not to go beyond certain limits: That guy tried to kiss her, and she told him to watch it.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [I] to watch out (for s.o. or s.t.): to be aware of danger, be careful: I told my son to watch out for ice on the road ahead.
    6 phrasal v. insep. [T] to watch over s.o.: to protect, guard: A father watches over his child.n. watches
    1 [C] a small clock worn on the wrist, a timepiece: I looked at my watch to see if I was late.
    2 [C;U] a state of continuous attention or close observation: The police kept a watch on the house. watch v. watches
    1 to look at, (syn.) to observe: The mother watched her children play.
    2 to guard, observe closely: A guard watches prisoners.
    3 to watch for: to expect and look for: The man watched for his bus to arrive.
    4 infrml. to watch it: to be careful not to go beyond certain limits: That guy tried to kiss her, and she told him to watch it.
    5 phrasal v. insep. to watch out (for s.o. or s.t.): to be aware of danger, be careful: I told my son to watch out for ice on the road ahead.
    6 phrasal v. insep. to watch over s.o.: to protect, guard: A father watches over his child. _n. watches
    1 [C] a small clock worn on the wrist, (syn.) a timepiece: I looked at my watch to see if I was late.
    2 [C;U] a state of continuous attention or close observation, (syn.) surveillance: The police kept a watch on the house.
watchdog
watchdog
  1. n.
    1 a guard dog: Two watchdogs guard the store at night.
    2 fig. a guardian, observer for any wrongdoing: The police are watchdogs over the small town.
watchful
watchful
  1. adj. always watching or looking,
    THESAURUS
    vigilant: The boy's mother keeps a watchful eye on him as he plays. -adv. watchfully; -n. [U] watchfulness.
watchmaker
watchmaker
  1. n. a person who makes, sells, and repairs watches or clocks: My watch is broken, so I took it to the watchmaker.
watchman
watchman
  1. n. -men a guard: The night watchman checks on the building every hour.
watchword
watchword
  1. n.
    1 a secret word or phrase that means that it's all right to allow s.o. in,
    THESAURUS
    a password: When she gave the right watchword, the guard let her through the gates.
    2 a word or idea shared by a group,
    THESAURUS
    a rallying cry: These days, the company watchword is to cut costs.
water-repellent
water-repellent
  1. adj. almost waterproof; water-resistant: My raincoat is water-repellent, so light rain rolls off it without wetting through.
water-resistant
water-resistant
  1. adj. nearly waterproof, made so water cannot easily pass through: My watch is water-resistant down to 200 feet below sea level.
water-ski
water-ski
  1. v. [I] skied, skiing, skis to ski on water while being pulled by a boat: We water-ski on a lake in the summer.n. water ski a flat board with a raised tip, attached to the foot, used to keep a person above water when being pulled by a boat -n. [C] water-skier; [U] water-skiing.
water
water
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a colorless liquid made of hydrogen and oxygen that is necessary for life: Most of the earth's surface is covered with water.
    2 any body of water, such as a stream, lake, or ocean: We like to vacation near the water.
    3 pl. the sea near a country: We fished in Canadian waters.
    4 infrml. in hot water: in trouble: He's in hot water with the boss.
    5 to hold water: to seem true or plausible: His story is so unbelievable that it does not hold water.v. [T]
    1 to pour water on: She waters the plants every day.
    2 to give drinking water to: Farmers water their cows.
    3 to provide water to,
    THESAURUS
    to irrigate: Farmers water their crops too.
    4 phrasal v. sep. to water s.t. down: a. to spray with water: City workers water down the sidewalk in summer.||They water it down. b. to weaken, usu. by adding water,
    THESAURUS
    to dilute: They water down the beer to save money. c. fig. to weaken the value of: Companies water down their stock by selling more without adding value. -adj. watered-down.
water bed
water bed
  1. n. a bed whose mattress is filled with water: Water beds move as your body moves, and they are very comfortable.
water boy
water boy
  1. n. a boy who brings water to workers or people playing sports
water buffalo
water buffalo
  1. n. -loes or -lo a large Asian animal with horns, often used to pull farm equipment
water heater
water heater
  1. n. a tank in which water is heated for bathing, dishwashing, etc.: Our water heater works so well that we never run out of hot water.
water hole
water hole
  1. n. a place similar to a small pond, esp. where animals find water to drink: In Africa, lions, elephants, and small animals drink at water holes.
water level
water level
  1. n. the height that a body of water rises or falls to: The water level in the lake is high this spring.
water lily
water lily
  1. n. -ies a water plant with white or pink flowers and large, floating leaves: Water lilies covered the surface of the pond. waterlogged
water logged
water logged
  1. adj. completely full of water,
    THESAURUS
    saturated: The piece of wood was so waterlogged that it fell to the lake bottom.
water main
water main
  1. n. a large, underground pipe carrying drinking water: The water main broke, and we lost our water supply.
water meter
water meter
  1. n. a machine for measuring the amount of water used: A city worker reads our water meter once a month to see how much we use.
water pistol
water pistol
  1. n. a toy gun that shoots water: Children love to shoot at each other with water pistols.
water polo
water polo
  1. n. a ball game played by two teams in a pool: People who play water polo must be strong swimmers.
water supply
water supply
  1. n. -plies a central system that provides water, esp. to homes, towns, and cities: The city water supply comes from special ponds called "reservoirs," out in the country.
water table
water table
  1. n. the water level in the ground in any given area: The water table is near the surface of the land in areas near the sea.
watercolor
watercolor
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 a method of painting using watered-down paint to produce soft, light colors: Watercolor is my daughter's favorite way to paint pictures.
    2 the watercolor artwork itself: She has several framed watercolors on her wall.
watercress
watercress
  1. n. a small plant with dark green leaves having a peppery taste, used esp. in salads
waterfall
waterfall
  1. n. water falling from a high place,
    THESAURUS
    a cascade: Niagara Falls is a huge waterfall between New York and Canada.
waterfowl
waterfowl
  1. n. [U] -fowl water birds, such as ducks and geese: Waterfowl are everywhere along the Mississippi River.
waterfront
waterfront
  1. n. land that borders a body of water (sometimes with warehouses and docks): The ships unloaded fish on the waterfront.
watering hole
watering hole
  1. n.
    1 a water hole: The thirsty horse ran straight for the watering hole.
    2 fig. a bar or nightclub: Our neighborhood watering hole is an Irish pub.
watermark
watermark
  1. n.
    1 a design pressed into paper that one can see when it is held up to light: You can see the watermark in this stationery says "Miracle Bond."
    2 a stain left by a rising water level: You can see the high watermark made by the flood on the brick wall. watermelon
watermelon
watermelon
  1. n. [C;U] a large, green, oval-shaped fruit with a sweet, juicy, pink interior: At the cookout, we had hamburgers and hotdogs, then watermelon for dessert.
waterproof
waterproof
  1. v. [T] to make or seal s.t. to prevent water from entering it: Shoemakers waterproof boots to keep your feet dry.adj. made so that water cannot pass through: I can wear my watch when I swim because it is waterproof. -n. [U] waterproofing.
watershed
watershed
  1. n.
    1 a high place where water drains downward on either side: The Rocky Mountains are a great watershed.
    2 the area of land that drains into a river or other body of water: No building is allowed on the reservoir watershed.
    3 fig. a time of important change: The fall of Communism was a great watershed in human history.
waterspout
waterspout
  1. n.
    1 a tube through which water pours: Cool water ran through the waterspout on my watering can onto the flowers.
    2 a type of metal tube on the side of a house,
    THESAURUS
    a downspout: Water drains off the roof, through the gutters, and into waterspouts.
watertight
watertight
  1. adj. made so that water cannot pass through,
    THESAURUS
    impervious: The wooden boat was made watertight with special sealants.
waterway
waterway
  1. n. a canal, river, or other water passage: The Mississippi River is a major waterway, dividing the eastern USA from the West.
waterwheel
waterwheel
  1. n. a large wheel turned by flowing water: Mills located beside rivers got their power from waterwheels.
waterworks
waterworks
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl. verb the public system for providing water to the people in a city or town: The town's waterworks cleans and pumps water to each house.
watery
watery
  1. adj.
    1 having or containing a lot of water: Don't plant corn in that field; it's too watery.
    2 made weak with water,
    THESAURUS
    diluted: The soup is watery and tasteless.
watt
watt
  1. n. a measuring unit of electrical or mechanical power: My desk lamp uses a 60-watt light bulb. -n. [U] wattage.
wave
wave
  1. v. waved, waving, waves
    1 [I;T] to move softly back and forth: Flags waved in the breeze.
    2 [I;T] to communicate with s.o. by raising and moving the hand: She waved good-bye to her husband.
    3 [I;T] to curl: The hairdresser waved the woman's hair.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wave s.t. aside: to push away and not pay attention to: She waved aside my ideas for increasing sales.||She waved them aside.n.
    1 a sign of greeting made by raising and moving the hand: He gave me a wave of hello.
    2 a long, raised mass of water moving across the surface of the sea: The waves on the ocean are high today.
    3 an electronic, light, or sound movement of energy: Radio waves bring us music and news.
    4 a sudden increase in an activity or a condition: a crime wave||a heat wave
    5 wave of the future: s.t. sure to be popular later,
    THESAURUS
    a trend: In the 1960s, concern for the environment was the wave of the future. -n. waver.
    THESAURUS
    wave v.
    1 to ripple, undulate. —n.
    1 a gesture
    2 a swell, breaker.
wavelength
wavelength
  1. n.
    1 the distance from one point to the same point on the next sound or electromagnetic wave
    2 to be on the same wavelength: to have similar beliefs, to understand and communicate easily with s.o.: My friend and I are on the same wavelength; we never argue.
waver
waver
  1. v. [I] to move back and forth, not know what to do,
    THESAURUS
    to vacillate: He wavered between buying stock and keeping his money in the bank. -n. [C] waverer; -n. [U] adj. wavering.
wavy
wavy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having waves: She has wavy hair. -n. [U] waviness.
wax
wax
  1. n. [U]
    1 a soft, flexible, slightly greasy substance used in candles, furniture, and car polish, etc.: Some wax comes from bees.
    2 an increase (said of the moon): The moon is on the wax now.v. waxes
    1 [T] to apply wax or polish to: I waxed the table this morning.
    2 [I] to grow,
    THESAURUS
    to increase: We see more of the moon as it waxes.
wax bean
wax bean
  1. n. in the USA, a yellow string bean with a light waxy coating: We had wax beans with meat and potatoes for dinner.
waxy
waxy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 covered with wax: After polishing the car, my hands were waxy.
    2 looking shiny and smooth and feeling slightly greasy: Candles feel waxy when touched. -n. [U] waxiness.
way-out
way-out
  1. adj.slang strange, (syns.) eccentric, abnormal: He has way-out ideas on politics.
way
way
  1. n.
    1 [C] a method, manner, style: One way to travel is by air.||She speaks to people in a friendly way.
    2 [C] a direction: Go that way, then to the right, and you will see the store.
    3 [U] a distance: That store is a long way from here.
    4 [C] a path or road: The way through the garden is covered with small stones.||He lives on Hamilton Way.
    5 [U] the space or opening for a course of action: The way is clear for our two companies to join together.||He sees no way out of his money problems except to sell his house.
    6 [C] a manner or condition of living: He is poor and in a bad way.
    7 pl. [C] everyday habits: We travel to other countries to learn the ways of other peoples.||our way of life
    8 pl. [C] a ramp used to slide a ship into the water
    9 by the way: an expression used to change the subject in a conversation,
    THESAURUS
    incidentally: Oh, by the way, do you have my new address?
    10 by way of: a. from the direction of,
    THESAURUS
    via: We flew from New York to St. Louis by way of Chicago. b. as a form or means of: He nodded his head by way of showing he approved.
    11 in a way: to some degree, partly: In a way, you are right, but I still have doubts.
    12 in or out of the way: in or out of a position that blocks traffic or keeps people from passing: The men stood in the way and would not let us enter the building.
    13 infrml. no way: an expression of strong disagreement or disapproval: "Are you going out in this rain?" "No way."||No way am I going to lend him money.
    14 on one's or the way: a. traveling,
    THESAURUS
    en route: Our friends are on their way here now. b. on one's planned route of travel: I can easily bring the papers to your office, because it is on my way home. c. fig. making progress: She is on the way to becoming a great doctor.||That bright young man is on his way up in the company. d. (of a baby) soon to be born: She has two children and a third on the way.
    15 infrml. on the way out: in the process of being fired or pushed out of a job: No one likes the president, so he is on the way out.
    16 out-of-the-way: quiet and uncrowded, remote: We visited a little out-of-the-way town in the mountains.
    17 to come one's way: to come to s.o. by luck: A good job just came his way one day when a friend told him about it.
    18 to get or have one's (own) way: to make others agree to what one wants,
    THESAURUS
    to prevail: He is stubborn and insists on having his way all the time.
    19 to give way to s.o. or s.t.: to allow s.o. or s.t. to win or take control: At the funeral, family members gave way to their emotions and cried openly.
    20 infrml. to go all the way: to have sex: The girl refused to go all the way with her boyfriend.
    21 to go one's own way: to be different from others, to do what one wants independently: He had several business partners, but he left the company and went his own way.
    22 to go out of one's way: a. to travel an extra distance for s.o. or s.t.: My friend goes out of his way to pick me up to play golf. b. fig. to give extra effort: She goes out of her way to help others.
    23 to have a way with: to have a special talent or gift for (people, animals, words, etc.): She will be a good teacher, because she has a way with children.
    24 to have it both ways: to get s.t. good out of two opposing actions or situations: She wants to go on vacation, but she doesn't want to spend money; she can't have it both ways!
    25 to make way: to move aside or create a space: He made way so others could pass.||Trees were cut down to make way for the new road.
    26 to pay one's own way: to pay one's expenses instead of depending on others: My friend and I went on vacation, and we each paid our own way.
    27 to see one's way clear to do s.t.: to agree to do s.t., often after much delay: The owner finally saw his way clear to hiring more help for his busy store.
    28 under way: in progress: The concert got under way at seven o'clock. suffix 1direction: a one-way street
    2 participant: We made it a three-way partnership.adv.infrml. very, a lot: We could see the birds in the sky way up high.||He is way off in his totals and needs to check his arithmetic.
way station
way station
  1. n. a resting place between main stops, usu. for getting gas or food: The Boston-to-New York bus pulled into a way station in Connecticut for gas.
waylay
waylay
  1. v. [T] -laid , -laying, -lays
    1 to wait for and then stop a person: The movie star was waylaid by television reporters.
    2 to stop and rob: Thieves sometimes waylay travelers on dark, lonely roads.
ways and means
ways and means
  1. n.pl. methods and money to do s.t.: The committee on ways and means voted to support the new laws.
wayside
wayside
  1. n. [C, usu. sing.]
    1 the side of the road,
    THESAURUS
    the roadside: The poor little cat was left by the wayside.
    2 to fall by the wayside: to lose strength or popularity: That company's products slowly fell by the wayside as their sales went down.
wayward
wayward
  1. adj. not following the rules, (syns.) misbehaving, deviant: Their wayward son was arrested by the police many times last year.
we
we
  1. pron. first person pl. used by a speaker or writer to refer to himself or herself and one or more others, and used as the subject of the sentence: We eat dinner together every evening.
we'd
we'd
  1. contr of we had or we would
we're
we're
  1. contr. of we are
we've
we've
  1. contr. of we have
weak-kneed
weak-kneed
  1. adj.fig. afraid,
    THESAURUS
    cowardly: He is weak-kneed about asking his boss for a raise.
weak-minded
weak-minded
  1. adj.
    1 not smart,
    THESAURUS
    feebleminded: He is weak-minded, so he can never have a real job.
    2 not able to make a firm decision,
    THESAURUS
    indecisive, spineless: The weak-minded worker never uses independent ideas, and instead follows others.
weak
weak
  1. adj.
    1 not physically strong: The patient is losing blood and becoming weak.
    2 not strong in character: A weak leader does not have control of the situation.
    3 containing too much water: This soup is weak; it has little flavor.
    4 lacking the force to persuade, not convincing: a weak argument
    5 (in business) losing financial strength: The market for those goods is weak. -adv. weakly.
weaken
weaken
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make or become less strong: The sick lady weakens each day.||Heavy traffic has weakened the bridge.
    2 to make or become lower: Prices of foreign goods are weakening.
weakling
weakling
  1. n. a person who is not very strong: The boy who is smaller than the other kids in his class is a weakling.
weakness
weakness
  1. n. -nesses
    1 [U] lack of strength: The patient is suffering from weakness after the operation.
    2 [C;U] a physical problem: He has a weakness in his blood circulation.
    3 [C;U] a desire or fondness for s.t.: She has a weakness for chocolate.||He has a weakness for redheaded women.
wealth
wealth
  1. n. [U]
    1 a large amount of money and property: They are a family of great wealth.
    2 a large number or amount: a wealth of information
    THESAURUS
    wealth
    1 riches, means. Ant. poverty.
    2 an abundance, a plethora frml. Ant. a lack.
wealthy
wealthy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest having lots of money, rich: Wealthy people often eat in expensive restaurants. -n. [U] wealthiness.
wean
wean
  1. v. [T]
    1 to change the diet after drinking only mother's milk: Farmers wean baby cows by feeding them light grain.
    2 to stop former habits: He weaned himself away from smoking cigarettes by eating candy instead.
weapon
weapon
  1. n. a tool used to harm or kill: Knives and guns are dangerous weapons. -n. [U] weaponry.
wear
wear
  1. v. wore or worn , wearing, wears
    1 [T] to have on one's body, such as clothes, glasses, or jewelry: He wears suits to work.
    2 [I;T] to get smaller or lose quality through use: Heels of shoes wear down.
    3 [I] to last a long time,
    THESAURUS
    to endure: My heavy winter coat has worn well for five years.
    4 [T] to have as an expression on the face: My father wore a smile when we arrived.
    5 phrasal v. [I] to wear off: a. to lose effect: The pain medication wore off after surgery. b. to lose color, shine, etc. by rubbing, time, etc.: Her lipstick wore off by noon.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wear s.o. or s.t. out: a. s.o.: to tire, (syns.) to exhaust, fatigue: He wore out his family with his complaining.||He wore them out. b. s.t.: to make useless through use, to use up: I wear out a pair of shoes every six months.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wear s.t. away: to cause to lose shine, smoothness, paint, etc.: The dog scratched at the door and wore away the paint.||He wore it away.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wear s.t. or s.o. down: a. s.t.: to weaken in structure,
    THESAURUS
    to deteriorate: The bad roads have worn down the tires on my car.||They have worn them down. b. s.o.: to make tired, (syns.) to fatigue, exhaust: The long argument wore me down, so I went to bed. -adj. wearable -n. wear.
wear and tear
wear and tear
  1. n. [U] use that causes damage,
    THESAURUS
    deterioration: Office furniture becomes old and scratched through daily wear and tear.
wearing
wearing
  1. adj. tiring,
    THESAURUS
    wearying: The long car trip was wearing.
wearisome
wearisome
  1. adj. annoying, tiresome,
    THESAURUS
    oppressive: His nonstop complaining is wearisome.
weary
weary
  1. adj. -rier, -riest
    1 tired,
    THESAURUS
    fatigued: She is weary from so much work.
    2 having little patience for, bored: He is weary of arguing with you all the time. -adv. wearily; -n. [U] weariness.
weasel
weasel
  1. n.
    1 a small, brown and white meat-eating animal: Weasels sometimes eat chickens on farms.
    2 infrml. a person who is not to be trusted: Don't hire that weasel; he'll steal from you.v.infrml. to weasel out of s.t.: to avoid doing s.t. in a sneaky or lying way: He weaseled out of paying by leaving the restaurant while I was in the bathroom.
weather-beaten
weather-beaten
  1. adj. damaged or marked by the wind, rain, sun, etc.: Our garden furniture is weather-beaten.
weather
weather
  1. n. [U]
    1 the conditions of the sky and air relating to rain, snow, heat, cold, etc.: In good weather, we go outside.
    2 under the weather: not feeling well, sick, ill: This morning she felt under the weather, so she didn't go to work.v.
    1 [T] to pass through safely: The ship weathered the storm in the harbor.
    2 fig. [T] to last through a difficult situation,
    THESAURUS
    to endure: My grandfather weathered World Wars I and II.
    3 [I;T] to change or be changed by the weather: The sun weathered the wooden house. -adj. weathered.
weather bureau
weather bureau
  1. n. a government office that studies and reports weather conditions: I called the weather bureau to find out if a storm was coming.
weather forecast
weather forecast
  1. n. a description of expected weather conditions: She listens to the weather forecast on the radio each morning. -n. weather forecaster.
weather vane
weather vane
  1. n. a pointer on the top of a building, usu. a barn, that shows wind direction: Our weather vane is in the shape of a bird.
web-footed
web-footed
  1. adj. having toes connected by thick skin: Ducks and frogs are web-footed.
web
web
  1. n.
    1 a net of thin threads formed by an insect or a spider: We could see a fly caught in the spider web.
    2 a detailed and complicated arrangement of things: a web of lies See: cobweb. #v. [I] webbed, webbing, webs to form a web: Roads webbed across the city. -n. [U] webbing.
wed
wed
  1. v. [I;T] wedded or wed, wedding, weds
    1 to marry: We wed and became husband and wife.
    2 to bring together, join,
    THESAURUS
    to unite: Management wedded sales and marketing into one single department.
wedding
wedding
  1. n. a marriage ceremony: The wedding took place in a church.
wedding ring
wedding ring
  1. n. a marriage ring, band: The man placed the wedding ring on the woman's finger during the marriage ceremony.
wedge
wedge
  1. n.
    1 a V-shaped piece of metal, wood, etc. used to separate two parts: The worker cut the log by driving a wedge into it.
    2 s.t. in a triangular shape: a wedge of cheesev. wedged, wedging, wedges
    1 [T] to open or split apart with a wedge: Workmen wedged a locked door open with their tools.
    2 [I;T] phrasal v. insep. to wedge in: to put or go tightly between other people or things: I wedged in between other passengers in the subway car.
wedlock
wedlock
  1. n.frml. [U]
    1 a state of being legally married
    2 out of wedlock: not legally married: The child was born to a couple out of wedlock.
wee
wee
  1. adj.
    1 tiny, very small: He is a wee young boy.
    2 early: We stayed out until the wee hours of the morning.
weed
weed
  1. n. a wild plant that is not wanted in a yard or garden: My garden has more weeds than flowers.v.
    1 [I;T] to pull out weeds from: I weeded our lawn yesterday, and it looks much nicer.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to weed s.t. out: to remove s.t. that is not wanted or needed: The student weeded out the old books he didn't need for school. -adj. weedy.
week
week
  1. n.
    1 the seven-day period, from Sunday through Saturday: There are 52 weeks in the year.
    2 seven days: I'll see you one week from today.
weekday
weekday
  1. n. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday: The park is not crowded on weekdays because the children are in school.
weekend
weekend
  1. n. Saturday and Sunday: I spent this past weekend in the country.
weekly
weekly
  1. adj. happening once a week or every week: This is a weekly newspaper.adv. once a week or every week: She visits her grandmother weekly.n. a magazine or newspaper that appears once a week: The village newspaper is a weekly; I buy it every Thursday.
weeknight
weeknight
  1. n. any night but Saturday or Sunday: I stay home on weeknights and then go out on Saturday night.
weep
weep
  1. v.frml. [I;T] wept , weeping, weeps to cry: The wife wept at her husband's funeral. -adj. weepy.
weft
weft
  1. n. threads woven horizontally through a fabric: The weft in that fabric is red. See: warp.
weigh
weigh
  1. v.
    1 [T] to measure how heavy s.t. is: I weighed myself on the scale this morning.
    2 [I;T] to have a certain weight: The apples weighed one pound.
    3 [T] to think about carefully before choosing: The student weighed his choices as to which university to attend.
    4 phrasal v. [I] to weigh in: (said of wrestlers, jockeys, etc.) to have a certain official weight before a competition: The heavyweight boxers weighed in at 215 lbs. each before the fight.
    5 phrasal v. insep. [I] to weigh on s.o. or s.t.: to cause s.o. or s.t. to worry: Her illness weighed on her family.
    6 to weigh one's words: to speak carefully: The judge weighed his words when he spoke to the jury about the trial.
    7 phrasal v. sep. [T] to weigh s.o. or s.t. down: a. to make heavy: Many books weighed down the student's bag. b. fig. to worry, (syn.) to burden: Thoughts about his bad health weighed down my neighbor.||They weighed him down.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to weigh s.t. out: to measure s.t. by weight: The clerk weighed out three pounds of beans.||She weighed them out.
    THESAURUS
    weigh
    1 to put s.o. or s.t. on the scales
    2 to measure
    3 to evaluate, consider s.t.
weight
weight
  1. n.
    1 [U] the measure of how heavy s.t. or s.o. is: His weight is 200 lbs.
    2 [C] a heavy object: The fisherman attached a weight to his line.||Some people lift weights for exercise.
    3 fig. [U] a responsibility that causes worry: His mother's sickness has been a weight on his mind.
    4 to carry weight: to have importance: His opinion carries a lot of weight with the city leaders.
    5 to give weight: to add value, show the importance of: The new book gives weight to the author's ideas.
    6 to pull one's own weight: to do one's share of the work: She pulls her own weight in this company; she does more than anyone.
    7 to put on or lose weight: to become heavier or thinner: I have been putting on weight and need to lose 10 lbs.
    8 infrml. to throw one's weight around: to use one's influence forcefully: The president of that company throws his weight around and makes all the big decisions.v. [T]
    1 to make heavier by adding weights: She weighted my fishing net before throwing it into the sea.
    2 phrasal v. sep. to weight s.o. or s.t. down: to make or cause to feel heavy: The heavy load of boxes weighted down the truck.||It weighted it down.
weighty
weighty
  1. adj.fig. -ier, -iest having importance, serious: Nuclear power is a weighty subject for every country. -n. [U] weightiness.
weird
weird
  1. adj. strange, (syns.) odd, bizarre: Sometimes we hear weird noises that sound like crying in the night. -adv. weirdly; -n. [U] weirdness.
weirdo
weirdo
  1. n.infrml. -os a person who seems very strange, (syns.) a kook slang, an eccentric: He is a weirdo who believes creatures from the moon visit us on Earth.
welcome
welcome
  1. v. [T] -comed, -coming, -comes
    1 to greet in a friendly way when s.o. arrives: The woman giving the party welcomed her friends at the door.
    2 to accept happily or gratefully: He welcomed the idea of taking a vacation.n.
    1 a friendly greeting: My friend shouted a welcome to me as I approached his house.
    2 to wear out one's welcome: to be no longer wanted or tolerated: Our guest stayed too long and wore out his welcome.adj.
    1 gladly accepted, liked: This book is a welcome addition to the library.
    2 a polite response to "thank you": "Thank you for the loan." "You're welcome."
weld
weld
  1. v. [I;T] to join metal things by melting them slightly and putting them together: A worker welded steel pieces together for the new building.n. a place where two pieces of metal are welded together -n. [C] welder; [U] welding.
welfare state
welfare state
  1. n. a government that provides money and services to improve the living conditions of people who are without work: The welfare state has different ways to help the poor.
well-advised
well-advised
  1. adj.
    1 given good suggestions on how to do s.t.: He was well-advised by a good lawyer.
    2 showing good judgment, sensible: You would be well-advised to see a doctor about the pains in your chest.
well-being
well-being
  1. n. [U] one's mental and physical condition: He telephones his ailing mother daily, because he is worried about her well-being.
well-bred
well-bred
  1. adj. having good manners and education,
    THESAURUS
    well brought up: That couple's children are well-bred; they behave nicely in restaurants.
well-defined
well-defined
  1. adj.
    1 written in a way that is easily understood: The instructions in that letter are clear and well-defined.
    2 having clear lines: Her facial features are well-defined, with a sharp chin and long nose.
well-disposed
well-disposed
  1. adj. agreeable to s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    amenable: The boss is well-disposed toward accepting your plan.
well-done
well-done
  1. adj.
    1 skillfully accomplished, excellent,
    THESAURUS
    successful: His test was well-done, so he received a good grade.
    2 cooked thoroughly: She likes her meat well-done.
well-founded
well-founded
  1. adj. based on good reasons (information, facts, etc.): After listening to the weather report, I knew my worries about bad weather were well-founded.
well-groomed
well-groomed
  1. adj. neat and clean in the way s.o. looks and dresses: Her hair, makeup, and clothes are always perfect; she is well-groomed.
well-heeled
well-heeled
  1. adj.fig. rich, (syns.) prosperous, affluent: A well-heeled group of people eats at that expensive restaurant.
well-intentioned
well-intentioned
  1. adj. done with the hope of success: His help was well-intentioned, though not very useful.
well-known
well-known
  1. adj.
    1 famous: He is a well-known television actor.
    2 part of common knowledge, widely known: It is a well-known fact that there are many homeless people in our cities. See: infamous.
    THESAURUS
    well-known
    1 renowned, celebrated, prominent
    2 familiar, obvious. Ant. obscure.
well-meaning
well-meaning
  1. adj. having good hopes or intentions,
    THESAURUS
    well-intentioned: Your calls are well-meaning, but you call too often.
well-off
well-off
  1. adj. rich, (syns.) prosperous, affluent: He owns his own business and is well-off, so he doesn't worry about money.
well-read
well-read
  1. adj. having read many books and other things, educated: She is a well-read English teacher.
well-rounded
well-rounded
  1. adj. having many abilities, both intellectual and physical: He is a well-rounded student who plays football, sings, and speaks German.
well-spoken
well-spoken
  1. adj. able to speak clearly and correctly: We chose her to talk for us because she is well-spoken.
well-thought-of
well-thought-of
  1. adj. having a good reputation, respected: He is very well-thought-of by other doctors.
well-to-do
well-to-do
  1. adj. rich, (syns.) prosperous, affluent: That well-to-do family lives in a big house with a swimming pool.
well
well
  1. adv. better , best
    1 in a good way, competently: She performs well as an actress.||He plays the piano very well.
    2 very much: He finished the exam well before the exam period ended.
    3 as well as: in addition to: She has a dog as well as two cats as pets.
    4 to leave well enough alone: to keep quiet or stop doing s.t. so as not to cause trouble: You can't win, so leave well enough alone and stop arguing.
    5 well done: I approve, congratulations: You won the race. Well done! See: well-done. —adj. in good health: I hope you are well.n. a hole made in the ground (for water, oil, etc.): Please fill this bucket from the water well. phrasal v. [I] to well up: to rise: Protests welled up into riots.||Tears welled up in his eyes as he said good-bye to his family.interj. an expression to show surprise, doubt, hesitation, etc.: Well! That's an interesting idea!
welsh
welsh
  1. v. [I] welshes to agree to do s.t. and then not do it: He welshed on me by promising to pay half but then left town.
welt
welt
  1. n. a raised mark on the skin: I have a welt on my face from the tree branch that hit me.
welter
welter
  1. n. a confused mix,
    THESAURUS
    a clutter: His office is covered with a welter of old papers.
wend
wend
  1. v. [I;T] to move in a slow, indirect way: The river wends toward the ocean.||She wended her way to school.
wept
wept
  1. past tense & past part. of weep
were
were
  1. weak form / v.pl. past tense of be
werewolf
werewolf
  1. n. -wolves an imaginary person who sometimes changes from a man into a wolflike animal: In the horror movie, a werewolf howled at the moon.
west
west
  1. n. [U]
    1 the direction in which the sun sets
    2 the western part of a country: California is in the West of the USA.
    3 the West: the western part of the world, esp. Western Europe, the USA, and Canada
    4 out West: the western part of the U.S., including California, Oregon, and Washington: Beatrix lives out West, in Portland, Oregon.
    5 the Wild West: the western part of the USA during the 19th century: In the Wild West, there was little law and order.adv. moving toward the west: We are driving west on the main highway.||Have you ever been out West?adj.
    1 located in the west: We live on the west side of the park.
    2 coming from the west: a west wind
westbound
westbound
  1. adj. headed toward the west: Westbound traffic on the highway is stopped because of an accident.
westerly
westerly
  1. adj. coming from or headed toward the west: Westerly winds brought warm air.
westernize or Westernize
westernize or Westernize
  1. v. [I;T] -ized, -izing, -izes to cause to have ideas, behavior, etc. typical of the West (western Europe, the USA, and Canada) -n. [U] westernization.
westward
westward
  1. adj.adv. toward the west, in a westerly direction: The ship sailed westward toward the sunset.
wet
wet
  1. adj. wetter, wettest
    1 covered with or full of water or another liquid: The ground is wet from today's rain.
    2 to be all wet: to be wrong, mistaken: He's all wet; he doesn't know what he's talking about.
    3 to be (still) wet behind the ears: to be young and lacking experience: The cowboys laughed at the newcomer and said he was wet behind the ears.v. [T] wet or wetted, wetting, wets to cover or fill with water: We wet the dry ground with a hose. -n. [U] wetness.
wet blanket
wet blanket
  1. n. a person who spoils the fun of others: He is always angry, a wet blanket at any party.
wet nurse
wet nurse
  1. -n. a woman who breastfeeds the child of another: A wet nurse breastfed me when I was a baby, because my mother couldn't.
wet suit
wet suit
  1. n. a thick, waterproof body suit worn by swimmers and divers to keep warm in the water: We put on wet suits and dove into the cold ocean.
wetback
wetback
  1. n.pej. a Mexican worker who crosses the U.S. border illegally
wetland
wetland
  1. or wetlands n. or n.pl. a watery area, such as a swamp: Wetlands near the ocean were made into a park to protect the birds. wet nurse n. a woman who breastfeeds the child of another: A wet nurse breastfed me when I was a baby, because my mother couldn't.
wetland
wetland
  1. or wetlands -n. or n. pl. a watery area, such as a swamp: Wetlands near the ocean were made into a park to protect the birds.
whack
whack
  1. v. [T] to hit hard: The fisherman whacked the fish on the head to kill it.n.
    1 a sharp blow: The fisherman gave the fish a whack on the head.
    2 infrml. a try: He didn't cook often, but he took a whack at making dinner for everyone.
    3 out of whack: a. not agreeing with or matching: He has ideas that are out of whack with the other people in his company. b. not working properly, broken,
    THESAURUS
    out of order: The refrigerator is out of whack.
whacky
whacky
  1. -ier, -iest See: wacky.
whale
whale
  1. n.
    1 a very large mammal shaped like a fish and found in the ocean: The blue whale may reach 100 feet in length and weigh 150 tons.
    2 infrml. a whale of a s.t.: an extremely good s.t.: We had a whale of a time at the beach.
whaler
whaler
  1. n.
    1 a ship used in hunting whales
    2 a person who hunts whales
whaling
whaling
  1. n. [U] the business of hunting and killing whales for their oil, whalebone, and other materials: Whaling is still done in some countries.
wham
wham
  1. n.v. [I;T] exclam. the sound of a hard hit: The race car crashed into the wall with a "wham!"
whammy
whammy
  1. n.infrml. a strong, bad force, (syns.) a jinx, curse: The rain put a whammy on our picnic.
wharf
wharf
  1. n. wharves or wharfs a long platform built over the water, where ships can pull up to load or unload: Boats sailed up to the wharf, and the passengers got off.
    THESAURUS
    wharf a pier, dock, quay.
what
what
  1. weak form / pron.
    1 used in a question to get information about s.t.: What did you say?||What is your name?
    2 used to show surprise, alarm: What a terrible thing to have happen!
    3 the thing or things that: The teacher told the students what to do.
    4 infrml. and what have you: and so on, and other things like that: The flood destroyed the house, the car, and what have you.
    5 and what not: and so on, and other things: We brought food, camping equipment, fishing rods, and what not.
    6 What do you do?: What is your job, profession, etc.?
    7 What . . . for?: why, for what reason: What did you do that for?||"I'm going home." "What for?"
    8 What if?: What will happen if, supposing that: What if we are wrong?
    9 what's in it for s.o.: what good thing or benefit is likely or can be expected for s.o.: The new project sounds interesting, but I want to know what's in it for me.
    10 what it takes: the necessary ability: He has what it takes to succeed in business.
    11 what with: because of: She has been depressed, what with losing her job and having to move.
    12 infrml. What's up?: What are you doing, what is happening?
    13 what's what: what is correct, how s.t. should be done: She explained the different rules of the game to me so I would know what's what.
    14 infrml. what's with s.o. or s.t.: what is the matter with s.o. or s.t.: What's with him? He seems angry.adj. a word used in a question to get information about s.t.: What color is your car?interj. a word used to show surprise, alarm: "He broke his leg." "What!"

    USAGE NOTE: If you did not hear s.o. or would like to have s.t. repeated, it is more polite to say "Pardon me," "Excuse me," or "Would you please repeat what you said?" rather than just "What?"
whatchamacallit
whatchamacallit
  1. n.infrml. a word used for s.t. when its name has been forgotten: Where is the whatchamacallit I was using to open this wine bottle?
whatever
whatever
  1. pron.
    1 no matter what: Whatever you decide, we need to leave soon.
    2 anything, whatsoever: I'll buy you whatever you want for your birthday.
    3 what (shows surprise in a question): Whatever made you say a thing like that?adj.
    1 of any kind, at all, whatsoever: I have no plans whatever; I am free all day.
    2 no matter what: All movies, whatever the subject, interest me.
whatnot
whatnot
  1. n. a small decorative object,
    THESAURUS
    bric-a-brac: She has whatnots on a bookshelf.pron. and other similar things: I bought toothpaste, shampoo, soap, and whatnot.
whatsoever
whatsoever
  1. adj. (anything) at all: I've eaten no food whatsoever since yesterday. See: whatever.
wheat
wheat
  1. n. [U] a cereal plant or grain usu. ground into flour and used to make bread, cake, pasta, etc.: Wheat is a major food source, grown throughout the world for 7,000 years.
whee
whee
  1. exclam. an expression of happiness, pleasure: Children shouted "Whee!" as they played on the swings.
wheel
wheel
  1. n.
    1 a circular piece of metal, rubber, wood, etc. allowing s.t. to turn and roll: Cars have four wheels; bicycles have two.
    2 infrml. a big wheel: an important person: He's a big wheel in city government.
    3 slang (set of) wheels: a car or other vehicle: I have no wheels today because my car is being repaired.
    4 at or behind the wheel: driving a car or other vehicle: She is behind the wheel while her husband is a passenger.
    5 to put the wheels in motion: to start s.t., begin work: I put the wheels in motion on the project by ordering materials for the new building.v.
    1 [T] to push s.t. on wheels: A nurse wheeled the patient into the operating room.
    2 [I] to turn suddenly: Surprised, the man wheeled around and greeted his old friend.
    3 infrml. to wheel and deal: to make money in a quick, often dishonest, way: He wheels and deals in selling used cars. -n. wheeler-dealer.
    THESAURUS
    wheel v.
    1 to roll
    2 to spin, whirl.
wheelbarrow
wheelbarrow
  1. n. a small cart with one wheel and handles for pushing, used for moving small loads: Gardeners put dirt into a wheelbarrow to move it across the garden.
wheelchair
wheelchair
  1. n. a chair with wheels, used by a person who cannot walk: The nurse pushed the sick child in a wheelchair.
wheeze
wheeze
  1. v. [I] wheezed, wheezing, wheezes to breathe with difficulty while making a whistling sound: He has a bad chest cold and wheezes a lot. -adj. wheezy.
whelk
whelk
  1. n. a sea animal that lives in a shell like a snail, and is sometimes used as food
when
when
  1. weak form / adv. at what time: When do you think that he will arrive?conj.
    1 at the time that: It started to rain when we left the house.
    2 considering that, although: Why does he smoke when he knows it is so unhealthy?
    3 immediately after, as soon as: Please call us when you arrive.pron. what time: Since when has she been managing the store?

    USAGE NOTE: The expression since when is an informal way to express surprise or dislike for s.t. that one has just heard: The bank closes at 3 P.M. now? Since when?
whenever
whenever
  1. adv.conj. at whatever time: The roof leaks whenever it rains.
where
where
  1. weak form / adv.
    1 at which place: Where have you been for the last week?
    2 to what place: Where did you go after school?
    3 from what person, place, or source: Where did you hear the bad news?pron. what place: Where do they come from?||She lives only a mile from where she was born.conj.
    1 in or at which place: He spent the weekend in Dallas, where his parents live.
    2 to which place: I don't like the restaurant where we're going.
whereabouts
whereabouts
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. or pl. verb location: No one knows his whereabouts; he's lost.
whereas
whereas
  1. conj.frml. but, in fact, (syns.) by contrast, on the contrary: He says that he paid me, whereas I have not received money from him.
whereby
whereby
  1. adv.frml. by means of which, through which: That school gives money whereby students can study music for free.
wherein
wherein
  1. adv.frml. in which: This contract has a requirement wherein payment must be made each month.
whereupon
whereupon
  1. adv. and then, after which: The soldier refused to surrender, whereupon the army captured him.
wherever
wherever
  1. adv.conj. at or to any place: We can eat wherever you would like to.|| Wherever did you get that idea?
wherewithal
wherewithal
  1. n. [U] the ability to afford something, (syns.) funds, means: He has the wherewithal to live wherever he wants to.
whet
whet
  1. v.frml. [T] whetted, whetting, whets
    1 to sharpen,
    THESAURUS
    to hone: Before he cuts, he whets his knife on a stone.
    2 to whet s.o.'s appetite: to make s.o. want something, to create a desire in s.o. (for food, money, pleasure, etc.): Cold weather and hard work whetted my appetite for a big, hot dinner.
whether
whether
  1. conj.
    1 if (shows choice): Please tell me whether (or not) you want to go to the party.
    2 no matter if (shows it is not important what one chooses or decides): Whether you stay at home or come with me, I'm going to the party.
whew
whew
  1. exclam.
    1 an expression of being tired, hot, etc.: Whew! It's very hot and humid today.
    2 an expression of relief: Whew! I'm glad that math test is over.
which
which
  1. adj.
    1 (used in questions) what one or ones in a group of people or things: Which day is better for us to meet, Monday or Tuesday?||Which children in the class were absent?
    2 mentioned earlier: I will see you tomorrow, at which time we can discuss our plans.pron.
    1 (used in questions) what one or ones in a group of people or things: Which of the movies did you like best?
    2 used to show the object or objects one is referring to: Tell me which dress you like the best.
    3 used to give more information about an object, objects, or the first part of the sentence: This pin, which my brother gave me, is made of gold.||The politician said he had always paid his taxes, which was true.

    USAGE NOTE: As a pronoun, which is used to introduce a part of the sentence that includes information that is not necessary to the meaning of the sentence: The sweater, which my grandmother made for me, is too small for me now. When the information is necessary to understanding the sentence, that is usually used instead: The sweater that my grandmother made for me is my favorite one.
whichever
whichever
  1. adj.pron.
    1 one or the other, either: Buy whichever you want.
    2 no matter what: Whichever way you want to do it is fine with me. See: whatever.
whiff
whiff
  1. n.v. [I;T] a slight smell,
    THESAURUS
    scent: I got a whiff of garlic as I walked by the restaurant.
while
while
  1. conj.
    1 at that time: While you were away, the weather was terrible.
    2 although: While I do not agree with what you say, I understand your reasons for saying it.n.
    1 a short amount of time: Let's stay for a while, then go home.
    2 worth one's while: deserving of s.o.'s time and trouble, valuable financially: If you drive me to the airport, I will make it worth your while by buying you dinner.phrasal v. sep. [T] whiled, whiling, whiles; to while s.t. away: to spend time in a pleasant, lazy way: She whiles away her time watching television.||She whiles it away.
whim
whim
  1. n.
    1 a sudden desire, esp. an unreasonable one: She felt a whim for a new hat.
    2 on a whim: done without thinking,
    THESAURUS
    impulsively: He bought a gift for his girlfriend on a whim.
whimper
whimper
  1. v. [I] n. to give a soft cry of sadness or pain: The hungry dog whimpered for food.||The baby gave a whimper when his mother walked away.
whimsical
whimsical
  1. adj.
    1 having the sudden desire to do s.t. playful without thinking,
    THESAURUS
    impulsive: I have a whimsical idea: let's rent a car and drive to the beach right now!
    2 unpredictable and fun,
    THESAURUS
    fanciful: Her room is decorated with whimsical balloons and flowers. -adv. whimsically.
whine
whine
  1. v. [I] whined, whining, whines
    1 to give a long, soft, high cry: The dog whined from pain.
    2 to complain, act irritably: The child whined for more candy after her mother took it away.n. the act of whining: I heard the whine of a car climbing the hill. -n. [C] whiner; [U] whining.
    THESAURUS
    whine
    1 to whimper
    2 to bellyache, gripe.
whinny
whinny
  1. v. [I] n. -nied, -nying, -nies to make a high, shaking sound, like a horse,
    THESAURUS
    to neigh: My horse whinnied as I approached her.
whip
whip
  1. n. a long piece of rope or leather held in the hand, used to hit an animal or person: Horseback riders use whips to make their horses run faster.v. whipped, whipping, whips
    1 [T] to hit with a whip: The ship's captain whipped the slaves.
    2 [T] (in cooking) to mix together or beat until stiff: I whipped some fresh cream and put it on strawberries.
    3 [I;T] to (cause to) move quickly: I whipped my money out of my wallet.||I drive an old car, so new ones whip by me on the highway.
    4 [T] to defeat badly or by a large amount: Our team whipped our opponent by a score of 56 to 0.
    5 infrml. to whip into shape: to organize quickly and well: The new manager whipped the workers into shape, so they work well as a team.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to whip s.t. up: a. to start, (syns.) to incite, arouse: The baseball players whipped up excitement for winning the game.||They whipped it up. b. to make quickly: The chef whipped up a delicious dinner in one hour.
whiplash
whiplash
  1. n. -lashes
    1 [U] a neck injury that is caused by sudden forward and backward movements: A car crashed into mine and gave me whiplash.
    2 [C] a hit with a whip: The slave wore the marks of whiplashes on his back.
whipped
whipped
  1. adj.infrml.fig. very tired,
    THESAURUS
    exhausted: I am whipped after working all day and all night.
whippersnapper
whippersnapper
  1. n. a young person who doesn't show the respect due older people: That little whippersnapper thinks he runs the business, but he doesn't.
whipping
whipping
  1. n.
    1 a series of hits with a whip: Whipping was used as a punishment for many years.
    2 a beating, as in a fistfight,
    THESAURUS
    a thrashing: The older boy gave the younger boy a whipping.
whippoorwill
whippoorwill
  1. n. a dark-colored bird active at night with a repeated call that sounds like its name
whir
whir
  1. n. [C] usu. sing. v. whirred, whirring, whirs a sound of s.t. spinning around very quickly: You could hear the whir of the helicopter blades.
whirl
whirl
  1. n. a fast turning motion,
    THESAURUS
    a spin: The whirl of the airplane propeller is extremely fast.v. [I;T] to turn or rotate very quickly,
    THESAURUS
    to spin: Dancers whirled on the stage.
whirlpool
whirlpool
  1. n. water moving quickly in a circle,
    THESAURUS
    a vortex: Water forms a whirlpool as it runs down the drain of a sink.
whirlwind
whirlwind
  1. n.
    1 air moving very quickly in a circle, often causing a storm: We saw a little whirlwind of dust in the desert.
    2 a rushed or hurried activity: The job was finished with a whirlwind of late-night writing and typing.
whisk
whisk
  1. v. [T]
    1 to brush off: The waiter whisked crumbs of food off the table.
    2 to remove s.o. or s.t. quickly: She ran from the building, and a taxi whisked her to the airport.n. [C] a kitchen tool used to quickly mix or beat liquid (eggs, cream, etc.): The cook whisked the eggs with a wire whisk.
whiskbroom
whiskbroom
  1. n. a small stiff brush held in the hand, used to push dirt, dust, etc.: I used a whiskbroom to clean up broken glass from the floor.
whisker
whisker
  1. n.
    1 a long protecting hair that grows near the mouth of some animals: The cat had white whiskers.
    2 fig. a tiny amount (of distance, space, etc.): The bullet missed the soldier by a whisker.
    3 pl. short hair on a man's face: He shaves his whiskers every morning.
whiskey
whiskey
  1. n. -keys or -kies [C;U] an alcoholic drink made from fermented grain, such as barley or rye: I ordered beer, and she ordered whiskey.
whisper
whisper
  1. n. soft, quiet talking: She didn't want the others to hear, so she spoke in a whisper.v.
    1 [I;T] to speak in a soft, quiet voice: She whispered secrets in his ear.
    2 [I] to make a soft sound: Wind whispered through the pine trees.
whistle
whistle
  1. n.
    1 a musical sound made by blowing air through the lips: We could hear the man's happy whistle.
    2 a high-pitched sound: a train whistle
    3 a small pipe or instrument that makes a whistle
    4 infrml. to blow the whistle on: to tell about s.o.'s wrong or illegal activity and so stop it: People were stealing from the company store until s.o. blew the whistle on them.
    5 infrml. to wet one's whistle: to drink: He wet his whistle with a cold beer on a hot day.v. [I;T] -tled, -tling, -tles to make a whistling sound: The boy whistled a song as he walked to school. -n. whistler.
whit
whit
  1. n. (usu. used in the negative) a tiny amount: He does not care one whit about making a lot of money.
white-collar
white-collar
  1. adj. professional or working in an office: I got a white-collar job as a computer programmer. See: blue-collar, USAGE NOTE.
white
white
  1. n.
    1 the complete lack of color, or the lightest of all colors: White is the color of snow and milk.
    2 a person of a pale-skinned race: There has often been trouble between whites and blacks in the USA.
    3 the part of an egg that is white when cooked, albumen: The cook separated the egg yolks from the whites.adj. whiter, whitest
    1 having a white color: He wears white shirts to work.
    2 of a pale-skinned race
    3 white as a sheet: without much color in the face, usu. from sickness or fear, pale: She went white as a sheet when I said there had been an accident.
white elephant
white elephant
  1. n.fig. s.t. no one wants: The old car is a white elephant that they can't sell.
white flag
white flag
  1. n.
    1 a sign of giving up or surrender: Enemy soldiers waved a white flag to show they would fight no more.
    2 a sign of peace: The trucks carrying leaders of the fighting countries carried white flags to show their peaceful intentions.
white lie
white lie
  1. n. an untrue statement, usu. about s.t. that is not important, told to keep from hurting s.o.: She told a white lie when she said, "I can't go to the party. I'm not feeling well."
white meat
white meat
  1. n. the part of cooked meat (chicken, turkey, etc.) that is lighter than the leg meat: I like the white meat of turkey breasts.
white sale
white sale
  1. n. in a store, a sale of bed linen and towels at low prices: We bought new sheets at a white sale over the weekend.
white trash
white trash
  1. n.pej. [U] poor white people, usu. from the country
white water
white water
  1. n. [U] river water flowing very fast, making it appear white and foamy: Tourists go boating on white water for a fun adventure.
whitehead
whitehead
  1. n. a raised mark on the skin caused by oil See: blackhead; pimple.
whiten
whiten
  1. v. [I;T] to color white,
    THESAURUS
    to bleach: He whitened his shirts by cleaning them with soap and bleach.
whiteout
whiteout
  1. n. a serious weather condition, such as snow, or sunshine on snow that makes it difficult to see: A whiteout made it impossible to drive, so we waited until the storm was over.
whitewash
whitewash
  1. n. [U]
    1 a type of white paint: A boy spread whitewash on the fence to make it look new.
    2 fig. an attempt to hide s.t. wrong or illegal,
    THESAURUS
    a cover-up: The newspaper helped in the whitewash of the mayor's troubled life by printing only good things about him.v. [T] -washes
    1 to cover with whitewash: The girl whitewashed the new wooden garden furniture.
    2 fig. to cover up (a scandal, wrongdoing, etc.): Officials tried to whitewash their mistakes with lies.
whither
whither
  1. adv.frml.old usage where, in which direction
whitish
whitish
  1. adj. almost white in color: The wall paint is whitish; he thinks it looks gray.
whittle
whittle
  1. v. -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 [I;T] to cut off small pieces (of wood) with a knife,
    THESAURUS
    to carve: For his son's birthday, he often whittles small toys.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to whittle s.t. away: to reduce or weaken by taking away a little at a time: The owner whittled away at my authority by giving me less and less to do.||She whittled it away. -n. [C] whittler; [U] whittling.
whiz kid
whiz kid
  1. n. a young, very smart person: He was a whiz kid in high school, with the best grades in his class.
who
who
  1. pron.
    1 what or which person: Who are you?||Who was that black-haired man?
    2 the person or persons that: I am the woman who just telephoned you.
    3 used to give more information about a person or persons: My sisters, who live in Denver, are coming to visit next week.

    USAGE NOTE: Who replaces he, she, it, or they in a sentence or question. Who agrees with the subject in number: Who is that guy? Who are your friends? Whom replaces the object of an action in a sentence or question: I gave the book to her. To whom did you give the book? That is the woman to whom I gave the book.
who'll
who'll
  1. contr. of who will
who's
who's
  1. contr.
    1 who is
    2 who has
whoa
whoa
  1. exclam. used to stop a horse: The rider pulled on the reins and said, "Whoa!"
whodunit
whodunit
  1. n.infrml. a mystery or detective story: I like to read whodunits about people who solve crimes.
whoever
whoever
  1. pron. any person that, no matter who: Whoever arrives first should unlock the door.
whole-wheat
whole-wheat
  1. adj. made with the complete wheat grain: I like to eat whole-wheat bread.
whole
whole
  1. adj.
    1 complete, total: We ate the whole pie for dessert.
    2 in good health, with nothing wrong: She is feeling whole again after her accident.n. [C] usu. sing.
    1 a complete thing or amount: She wants to sell the living-room furniture as a whole and not piece by piece.
    2 on the whole: in general, all things considered: There are some problems there, but on the whole, Florida is a nice place to live.
    3 taken as a whole: thought of as a set or one large group: Taken as a whole, their products are very good.
wholehearted
wholehearted
  1. adj. with no doubts, complete: You have our wholehearted support for your new project.
wholesale
wholesale
  1. n. [U] adj.
    1 related to selling things in large amounts, and usu. at lower prices, to stores and businesses: Our company buys its office supplies at wholesale.
    2 large in number or amount, extensive: The strong winds of the hurricane caused wholesale damage to the beaches.
wholesome
wholesome
  1. adj.
    1 good, with no bad habits or influences: They lead a wholesome life away from the city's crime and pollution.
    2 good for one's health, healthy,
    THESAURUS
    nourishing: Our family eats wholesome food, such as fresh fruits and vegetables. -n. [U] wholesomeness.
wholly
wholly
  1. adv. completely: We wholly agree with your argument.
whom
whom
  1. pron.frml. a form of who used as the object of a verb or preposition: She is the person to whom I have sent the letter.||He is a man whom we like. See: who, USAGE NOTE.
whomever
whomever
  1. pron.frml. form of whoever used as the object of a verb or preposition: You may send the invitation to whomever you wish to invite.
whomsoever
whomsoever
  1. pron. See: whomever.
whoop
whoop
  1. n. a shout (of joy, surprise, etc.): He let out a whoop when he won the prize.v.
    1 [I] to let out a whoop: She whooped for joy.
    2 to whoop it up: to have fun and make a lot of noise: We had a party and whooped it up all night.
whoopee
whoopee
  1. exclam. used to show joy, surprise, delight: Whoopee! We won the game!
whooping cough
whooping cough
  1. n. [U] a disease of the lungs, often affecting children: Children get immunization shots to protect them from whooping cough.
whoops
whoops
  1. exclam. a word showing unpleasant surprise, mild alarm: Whoops, I broke a dish!
whoosh
whoosh
  1. n.v. [I] whooshes to move fast with the sound of rushing air: Cars raced by us with a "whoosh!"||They whooshed by us.
whopper
whopper
  1. n.infrml.
    1 s.t. big: The huge fish that I caught was a whopper.
    2 a big lie: He tells whoppers about his childhood, but we don't believe him. -adj. whopping.
whore
whore
  1. n.pej. a woman who takes money for sex,
    THESAURUS
    a prostitute
whose
whose
  1. pron.adj. possessive form of who, of which person: Whose coat is that?|| Whose are these shoes?
whosoever
whosoever
  1. pron.frml. See: whoever.
why
why
  1. adv.conj. for what reason (need, cause, purpose, etc.): Why are you crying?||I don't know why he is not here.
wick
wick
  1. n. [C;U] a string used in candles and lamps that burns when it is lighted: I lit the wick with a match, and the candle made the room lighter.
wicked
wicked
  1. adj.
    1 very bad, evil: A wicked man took the child from his parents.
    2 fig. severe,
    THESAURUS
    formidable: I have a wicked pain in my back.
    3 adj.adv.slang very: The concert last night was wicked good. -adv. wickedly; -n. [U] wickedness.
wicker
wicker
  1. n. [U]
    1 small pieces of trees (twigs) used to make furniture and other objects: That chair is made of wicker.
    2 objects, usu. furniture, made of woven twigs: We have white porch furniture made of wicker.
wicket
wicket
  1. n.
    1 (in croquet) a wire arch or hoop through which a ball is hit
    2 (in cricket) a set of sticks at which the ball is thrown
    3 infrml.fig. a sticky wicket: a difficult problem: The tax issue has become a sticky wicket for the Republican Party.
wide-eyed
wide-eyed
  1. adj. surprised, (syns.) astonished, bewildered: The children were wide-eyed when they entered the toy store.
wide-open
wide-open
  1. adj.
    1 completely open: We came home to find a wide-open garage door and our bicycles stolen!
    2 with one's eyes wide open: to be fully aware of realities or dangers: You should study the stock market first so you have your eyes wide open when you start buying stock.
wide
wide
  1. adj. wider, widest
    1 related to the distance from side to side: That table is three feet wide.
    2 with a great distance from side to side: A long bridge crossed the wide river.
    3 large: She can play a wide range of musical instruments: the piano, guitar, and trumpet.adv.
    1 completely, fully: wide-open||wide-awake
    2 wide of the mark: a. away from the target: The arrow missed the center; it was wide of the mark. b. fig. wrong, incorrect: His answer to the question was wide of the mark. suffix -wide extending over or all through an area: The position of governor is a state-wide elective office. -adv. widely; -n.wideness.
    THESAURUS
    wide adj. 1 and 2 broad
    3 extensive, broad.
widen
widen
  1. v. [I;T]
    1 to make or become wider: Workers widened the road so more cars could pass.
    2 to make or become greater: He widened his knowledge of the company by visiting all its offices.
    THESAURUS
    widen
    1 to broaden, expand. Ant. to narrow.
    2 to enhance, increase. Ant. to lessen.
widespread
widespread
  1. adj. covering a large area,
    THESAURUS
    ubiquitous: The forest fires were widespread through the mountains.
widow
widow
  1. n. a wife whose husband has died: The widow married again a year after her first husband's death. -n. [U] widowhood.
widowed
widowed
  1. adj. left after the death of one's husband or wife
widower
widower
  1. n. a husband whose wife has died: He has been a widower since his wife died of cancer.
width
width
  1. n. [U] the distance across,
    THESAURUS
    breadth: The width of the floor is 12 feet.
wield
wield
  1. v. [T]
    1 to use, exercise: He wields great power as President.
    2 to swing or use as a tool: The woodsman wielded an ax to chop down a tree.
wiener
wiener
  1. n. a sausage made of meat and other fillings, (syns.) a frankfurter, hot dog: I like boiled wieners with mustard.
wife
wife
  1. n. wives a woman who is married: His wife is very busy; she has a job and helps him raise two children. -adj. wifely.
wig
wig
  1. n. a head covering made of false or human hair: The actor wore a gray wig to look like an older man in the play.
wiggle
wiggle
  1. n. a quick twisting and turning movement, usu. from side to side: The key was stuck, so he gave it a wiggle and it came out.v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to move with a wiggle: Her hips wiggled when she walked.
wigwam
wigwam
  1. n. a kind of tent made of wood and covered with natural materials, used by Native Americans
wild
wild
  1. adj.
    1 (syn.) uncultivated, as in plants growing in a natural way. Ant. cultivated. Wild mushrooms grow in a field behind my house. Uncultivated mushrooms grow in a field behind my house.
    2 (syn.) feral, as in animals living in nature. Ants. tame, domesticated. On that island, the horses are wild. On that island, the horses are feral. See also: -adv. wild 3 to run wild.
    3 (syns.) rowdy, unrestrained. Ants. restrained, well-behaved: The college students had a wild time on New Year's Eve. The college students had a rowdy time on New Year's Eve.
    4 (syns.) violent, savage, ferocious. Ant. controlled: Lions attack other animals in a wild fury. Lions attack other animals in a savage fury.
    5 (syns.) reckless, brash, as in s.o. acting irresponsibly. Ant. responsible. Three drunken teenagers went for a wild ride in a car. Three drunken teenagers went for a reckless ride in a car.
    6 (syns.) unruly, out of control, as in people who behave badly. Ant. obedient: Her children are wild; they scream and run around all the time. Her children are out of control; they scream and run around all the time.
    7 infrml. to be wild about: to like very much: She is wild about chocolate cake.adv.
    1 to go wild: to act roughly or savagely: On hearing the news about losing his job, he went wild and broke all the furniture.
    2 to grow wild: to live in nature, (syns.) to be uncultivated, undomesticated: Blueberries and roses grow wild in the woods near our house.
    3 to run wild: a. to live freely and untamed in nature: Horses run wild in the plains of Wyoming. b. to be out of control and cause damage: Rioters ran wild, robbing shops and setting fires.n. or n.pl. an area away from people, towns, and cities,
    THESAURUS
    the wilderness: I went on a jungle trip in the wilds of Africa. -adv. wildly; -n. wildness.
wild goose chase
wild goose chase
  1. n.fig. an attempt to find s.t. that cannot be found, a wasted effort: Someone sent us on a wild goose chase, looking for a store that wasn't open anymore.
wildcat
wildcat
  1. n.
    1 a small or medium-sized untamed cat, such as the bobcat or lynx
    2 an angry, quick-tempered person who is ready to fight: When she gets mad, she is a wildcat.adj. wildcat strike: a work stoppage not approved by a union: Workers started a wildcat strike to show they wanted higher pay.
wilderness
wilderness
  1. n. [U]
    1 land in its natural state, esp. a large area unspoiled by humans: Wilderness is protected in many of our national parks.
    2 fig. a large, unknown place: We are still exploring the wilderness of outer space.
wildfire
wildfire
  1. n.
    1 a fire that spreads very quickly and in an uncontrolled way: A wildfire moved up the mountainside in minutes.
    2 like wildfire: very quickly: Bad news always spreads like wildfire.
wildflower
wildflower
  1. n. a flower that grows without being cared for by humans: In the spring, we pick wildflowers and put them in a basket on the table.
wildlife
wildlife
  1. n. [U] animals living in their natural setting: There is much wildlife in the forests of Maine.
wiles
wiles
  1. n.pl. clever tricks used to fool s.o.: I used my wiles to get the man to buy my old car.
will-o'-the-wisp
will-o'-the-wisp
  1. n.fig. a false hope,
    THESAURUS
    a delusion: His dream of being a Hollywood star was only a will-o'-the-wisp.
willies
willies
  1. n.pl.infrml. fear,
    THESAURUS
    the creeps: That old, empty house gives me the willies every time I pass it at night.
willing
willing
  1. adj. ready (to do s.t.),
    THESAURUS
    agreeable: He is willing to help us paint the kitchen. -adv. willingly; -n. willingness.
willow
willow
  1. n. a tree with narrow leaves
willowy
willowy
  1. adj.fig. graceful and slim: The ballet dancer has a willowy figure.
wilt
wilt
  1. v. [I]
    1 to become less fresh and start to bend down,
    THESAURUS
    to droop: The plant wilted because it needed water.
    2 to grow very tired: We wilted in the summer heat and had to lie down.
wily
wily
  1. adj. -ier, -iest with lots of tricks, (syns.) cunning, shrewd: He is a wily old man who likes to take advantage of people.
wimp
wimp
  1. n.pej. a weak person: That wimp can't even run 50 meters!
win
win
  1. v. won , winning, wins
    1 [I;T] to score more points than another person or team, beat: We won our soccer match today.
    2 [T] to get: Our company won a contract to build offices for the government.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to win out: to succeed after a struggle: He fought for his right to be heard and won out in the end by getting the chance to speak in public.
    4 phrasal v. sep. [T] to win s.o. over: to change s.o.'s mind, (syns.) to persuade, convince: At first her husband didn't want to buy the suit, but she won him over by showing him the low price.n. a victory, triumph: Our college basketball team had a big win over our rival, 100-82.
    THESAURUS
    win v.
    1 to triumph, prevail (over s.o.). Ant. to lose.
    2 to acquire, gain. Ant. to lose.
wince
wince
  1. v. [I] n. winced, wincing, winces to make a facial expression of pain,
    THESAURUS
    to flinch: He winced when the door shut on his thumb.
winch
winch
  1. n. v. [T] winches a machine used to lift heavy objects: The car mechanic used a winch to lift the engine out of the car.
wind-chill factor
wind-chill factor
  1. n. [U] in cold weather, the temperature combined with wind speed: The temperature is at the freezing point, but the wind-chill factor makes it feel much colder because of a strong wind.
wind-up
wind-up
  1. adj. having a spring that can be turned and tightened: My son's favorite toys are his wind-up cars that race around the floor.
windbag
windbag
  1. n.infrml.fig. a person who talks a lot but does not say anything meaningful: He is just a windbag, so nobody listens to him.
windblown
windblown
  1. adj. messed up by the wind: After being outside, her hair is windblown and all over her face.
windburn
windburn
  1. n. [U] dry, red skin caused by lots of wind: I have a windburn on my face after skiing all day. -adj. windburned.
winded
winded
  1. adj. out of breath, exhausted: The runners were winded after a long race.
windfall
windfall
  1. n.fig. sudden good luck, esp. unexpected money: I had just bought the stock when I received a windfall of an extra dividend.
windmill
windmill
  1. n. a machine or building that gets its power from the wind turning its blades See: mill.
window-shop
window-shop
  1. v. [I] -shopped, -shopping, -shops to look at things in store windows without buying: He likes to window-shop on that street of expensive stores. -n. [U] window-shopper.
window
window
  1. n.
    1 an opening in a building, usu. covered with glass: Windows allow sunlight and air into buildings.
    2 a rectangle on a computer screen where information is shown: Computers can have several windows open at the same time.
window dressing
window dressing
  1. n. [U]
    1 decorations for store windows: The window dressing during the holiday season is always the most beautiful.
    2 fig. the act of making s.t. look more attractive than it really is: The new advertising plan is just window dressing to cover up the company's difficulties.
window envelope
window envelope
  1. n. a mailing envelope with a clear rectangle through which the receiver's address shows: The electric bill came in a window envelope.
window of opportunity
window of opportunity
  1. n. a limited period of time during which s.t. can be done and after which, it cannot: We have a window of opportunity to send a spacecraft to Mars during the month of April; after that, we will have to wait another year.
window pane
window pane
  1. n. a single piece of glass in a window: Older houses usually have many small window panes in a window.
window shade
window shade
  1. n. any of a variety of window coverings, such as a curtain or Venetian blind: I pull down the window shades to keep out the afternoon sun.
window sill
window sill
  1. n. the small surface at the bottom of a window: We put flower boxes on the window sills in summer.
windpipe
windpipe
  1. n. in the throat, the tube that allows air to pass in and out of the lungs: A man at the restaurant had a piece of food stuck in his windpipe, but he is OK now.
windshield
windshield
  1. n. the glass across the front of a car that protects the driver and passengers from the wind: The windshield on my car needs to be cleaned.
windshield wiper
windshield wiper
  1. n. a thin rubber blade on a metal rod that clears a vehicle's windshield of rain, snow, and dirt
windstorm
windstorm
  1. n. a storm of high winds and usu. little rain: We had a windstorm last night with winds that damaged trees.
windswept
windswept
  1. adj. made flat or messy from the wind: The trees and grass near the shore were windswept in the storm.
windward
windward
  1. adv. from the direction that the wind is blowing See: leeward.
windy
windy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 with a lot of wind: It is windy today, so hold onto your hat.
    2 long (as a talk): He gives long, windy speeches. -n. [U] windiness.
    THESAURUS
    windy
    1 gusty, breezy
    2 rambling, verbose.
wine
wine
  1. n. [C;U] an alcoholic drink made from fermented fruit, esp. grapes: We drink red wine with dinner every evening.v. wined, wining, wines: to wine and dine: to provide with a good meal,
    THESAURUS
    to entertain: Businesspeople wine and dine their customers.
wine cellar
wine cellar
  1. n. a cool place, usu. in a basement, where wine is stored: Please go down to the wine cellar and get a bottle of white wine.
wineglass
wineglass
  1. n. glasses a glass with a thin stem, used for serving wine: Red wine is often served in a large, round wineglass.
winegrower
winegrower
  1. n. s.o. who grows grapes and makes wine,
    THESAURUS
    a vintner: Many winegrowers live in California's Napa Valley. -n. winemaker.
winery
winery
  1. n. -ies a place where wine is made: We enjoyed taking a tour of Spanish wineries.
wing
wing
  1. n.
    1 the part of a bird, insect, or airplane that helps it fly: The bird had a broken wing and couldn't fly.
    2 a section of a building: Offices are located in the west wing of the classroom building.
    3 pl. side sections of a stage that cannot be seen from the audience: Actors waited in the wings until it was their turn to go on stage.
    4 infrml. to earn one's wings: to work hard and earn the right to s.t.: The young doctor earned his wings by studying hard and always being prepared.
    5 to spread one's wings: to grow more independent: She went to college away from home to spread her wings and learn to live alone.
    6 to take s.o. under one's wing: to help or protect s.o.,
    THESAURUS
    to mentor: The ballet teacher takes young ballerinas under her wing.
    7 to wait in the wings: (from the theater) to wait one's turn while s.o. else is more important or visible: He had to wait in the wings for several years until the older man who ran the department finally retired.v.
    1 [I] to fly with wings: Birds winged across the blue sky.
    2 infrml. to wing s.t.: to speak or act without preparation,
    THESAURUS
    to improvise: The salesman had no time to prepare his presentation, so he just winged it to a group of possible buyers.
winged
winged
  1. adj. having wings: Bats are winged animals.
wingspan
wingspan
  1. n. the distance between the ends of the wings: That airplane's wingspan is 80 feet (24.4 m).
wink
wink
  1. v.
    1 [I;T] to close and open one eye quickly, usu. in a joking or flirting way: She winked and smiled at a guy she liked.
    2 [I] (of a light) to turn on and off: The car lights winked as a signal.
    3 infrml. to wink at: to excuse,
    THESAURUS
    to condone: The boy's mother winks at his bad habits; she doesn't punish him.n. a winking movement: She gave him a wink as a signal.
winner
winner
  1. n.
    1 a person or team who gets more points or beats another: She is the winner of the race.
    2 a good, fun, or successful thing: That new TV show is a real winner.
    THESAURUS
    winner
    1 a victor, champion. Ant. a loser.
    2 a hit, success, smash. Ant. a failure.
winning
winning
  1. n.
    1 [U] an act of beating or outscoring s.o.: That baseball coach cares only about winning.
    2 pl. money that was won: He spent his winnings on a party to celebrate his victory.adj.
    1 pleasing, charming: a winning smile
    2 winning ways: appealing and charming behavior: She is bright and enthusiastic, full of winning ways.
wino
wino
  1. infrml. -os an alcoholic who drinks too much wine: We sometimes see winos sleeping on park benches.
winsome
winsome
  1. adj. charming, often in a shy way: Our little girl has a winsome smile.
winter
winter
  1. n. the cold season between autumn and spring: The winters in Wyoming are very cold.
wintergreen
wintergreen
  1. n.adj. a small evergreen shrub with leaves that yield an oil having a sharp, cool taste: This chewing gum has a refreshing wintergreen flavor.
winterize
winterize
  1. v. [T] -ized, -izing, -izes to make ready for winter: I winterized my house by putting in storm windows.
wintertime
wintertime
  1. n. the winter season: We burn wood in the fireplace during the wintertime.
wintry
wintry
  1. or wintery -adj. cold, snowy: We are having wintry weather this week with snow and cold winds.
wintry
wintry
  1. or wintery adj. cold, snowy: We are having wintry weather this week with snow and cold winds.
wipe
wipe
  1. v. wiped, wiping, wipes
    1 [T] to rub away (unwanted dirt, water, tears, etc.): A waiter wiped the table clean with a damp cloth.
    2 to wipe out: a. to destroy, ruin: The crash of the stock market wiped out many people's fortunes. b. infrml. to beat badly: We wiped out the other basketball team, 85 to 50. c. infrml. to exhaust: The long walk wiped me out.n.
    1 an act of wiping: He gave the table a wipe.
    2 a type of cloth used to wipe s.t.: She used a wipe to clean her hands.
wipeout
wipeout
  1. n. complete destruction,
    THESAURUS
    devastation: The flood caused a wipeout of all roads and electricity.
wiper
wiper
  1. n. s.t. used to wipe, esp. a device for wiping a vehicle's windshield: I always use the wipers when it rains.
wire
wire
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 metal in the form of a thin string or of several strings twisted together: Most metal fences are made of wire.
    2 insulated strands of metal used to conduct electricity: A wire in my stereo is broken.
    3 by wire: sent via a wire, such as a telephone line or cable: I sent her money by wire.
    4 down to the wire: until the last possible minute: We had a noon deadline to finish the job, and we worked right down to the wire to get it done.
    5 under the wire: at the last moment before the deadline: We got our application in just under the wire.v. [T] wired, wiring, wires
    1 to install wire: Electricians wired the house for electricity.
    2 to send by means of a telephone or cable: I wired money to my daughter in San Francisco. See: wired.
wired
wired
  1. adj.
    1 set up with wiring for electricity or technology: The office is wired for computers.
    2 tied or secured with wire: The gates are wired shut.
    3 slang high on drugs: He was wired when the police arrested him.
    4 infrml. very nervous or tense: She was so angry that she was wired for hours.
wiretap
wiretap
  1. n. a listening tool placed secretly on a telephone: The wiretap was placed inside each telephone in the house.v. [I;T] -tapped, -tapping, -taps to set up a wiretap: Detectives wiretapped his telephone.
wiring
wiring
  1. n. a system of wires, usu. for electricity: The wiring in that old building needs to be changed.
wiry
wiry
  1. adj. -ier, -iest (of a person) thin yet strong: Jockeys are usually short and wiry.
wisdom
wisdom
  1. n.
    1 good sense learned from experience: He is an old man of great wisdom.
    2 knowledge, understanding: There is much wisdom in old religious writings.
wisdom tooth
wisdom tooth
  1. n. teeth one of four large teeth at the very back of the mouth, the last teeth to grow in: She had her wisdom teeth removed.
wise
wise
  1. adj. wiser, wisest
    1 showing good judgment based on experience: Taking care of your health is the wise thing to do.
    2 having good judgment: She is a wise old woman, so others seek her advice. phrasal v. [I] wised, wising, wises to wise up: to learn the right information: The new student had to wise up to a new set of rules in his new school. -adv. wisely.
    THESAURUS
    wise adj.
    1 sensible, advisable, prudent
    2 knowledgeable, discerning | shrewd.
wise guy
wise guy
  1. n.infrml. a troublemaker who thinks he or she knows everything: That wise guy always blames his mistakes on others; then he doesn't get in trouble.
wisecrack
wisecrack
  1. n.v.infrml. a joking or insulting remark: He made a wisecrack about his manager's long speech.
wish
wish
  1. v. [I;T] -es
    1 to desire, want: He wished that his girlfriend would marry him.
    2 to express hope for s.t.: I wish you a happy birthday (good luck, success, etc.).n. wishes
    1 [C] a desire, a want: Her marrying him is his fondest wish.
    2 [U] wish fulfillment: getting what one wants, esp. in the imagination: Successes seen in dreams are wish fulfillment. -adj. wishful.
wishbone
wishbone
  1. n. a Y-shaped breastbone, esp. of a chicken or turkey, on which a wish is made before being broken apart by two people: My father gave me the turkey's wishbone and told me to make a wish for the family.
wishful thinking
wishful thinking
  1. n. [U] the unrealistic belief that s.t. wished for will happen: He is poor, so his plan to buy a new car is just wishful thinking.
wishy-washy
wishy-washy
  1. adj.infrml. unable to make decisions,
    THESAURUS
    vacillating: He is wishy-washy about his studies and will probably fail.
wisp
wisp
  1. n. a small thin amount, such as a puff of smoke or a few strands of hair: A wisp of cloud floated across the sky. -adj. wispy.
wistful
wistful
  1. adj. thinking sadly about s.t. one cannot have now, such as past happiness, (syns.) yearning, pensive: He has wistful desires for happier days. -adv. wistfully; -n. [U] wistfulness.
wit
wit
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] intelligence,
    THESAURUS
    acumen: She has a keen wit and understands quickly.
    2 [U] an intelligent sense of humor: He has a quick wit and makes funny comments on things.
    3 [C] an intelligent and amusing person: She is a wit who writes funny plays.
    4 to be at one's wit's end: to be frustrated or in despair: Her son keeps getting into trouble, and she is at her wit's end about what to do.
    5 to keep or have one's wits about one: to think quickly in a difficult situation: She kept her wits about her when her bag was stolen, and she screamed for a policeman nearby. See: dimwit; quick-witted.
witch
witch
  1. n. witches a woman who practices magic,
    THESAURUS
    a sorceress: Many people do not believe in witches and their magical powers.
witch doctor
witch doctor
  1. n. a person in some tribes who works to heal sick people by using magic or supernatural powers
witch hunt
witch hunt
  1. n. a search for people whose po-litical beliefs and activities are claimed to be dangerous: Politicians' staffs may go on witch hunts to make another politician look bad.
witchcraft
witchcraft
  1. n. [U] the practice of using magic or supernatural powers: Many people do not trust witchcraft and fear it's evil.
with
with
  1. prep.
    1 in the company of: I will go with you to the zoo.
    2 having, showing: He wants a car with four doors.
    3 by means of, using: He ate the cake with a fork.
    4 in support of: Are you with us or against us?
    5 in the same direction: The car went with the traffic.
    6 concerning: My boss is very patient with me.
    7 in spite of, despite: With all his success, he was still not happy.
    8 as a result of: shaking with laughter||eyes wet with tears
    9 with it: aware, up-to-date: For an 80-year-old woman, she is really with it.
withdraw
withdraw
  1. v. -drew or -drawn , -drawing, -draws
    1 [I] to move back,
    THESAURUS
    to retreat: Enemy forces withdrew from the city.
    2 [T] to take out: I withdrew some money from my checking account.
    3 [T] to take back,
    THESAURUS
    to retract: The buyer withdrew his offer when the price became too high.
withdrawal
withdrawal
  1. n.
    1 [U] a retreat: The withdrawal of the soldiers happened at the end of the war.
    2 [C] a removal, a taking out: I made a withdrawal of $100 from my savings account.
    3 [U] a retraction, a taking back: If the politician makes one more mistake, he'll see a withdrawal of his party's support.
    4 to go through withdrawal: to suffer effects from no longer using drugs: The drug addict went through withdrawal in the hospital.
withdrawn
withdrawn
  1. past part. of withdraw —adj.fig. quiet, shy, not communicative: As a child, he was withdrawn and didn't speak to other children.
wither
wither
  1. v. [I]
    1 to dry up and die,
    THESAURUS
    to shrivel: Plants wither from lack of water.
    2 to lose freshness, esp. because of age: The salad withered because it was three days old.
    3 to wither or die on the vine: to fail before being put into action: They made plans to expand the business that withered on the vine when the economy worsened.
withhold
withhold
  1. v. [T] -held , -holding, -holds
    1 to deny, not give: She withheld approval of the plan until she understood it completely.
    2 to subtract (taxes from a worker's pay),
    THESAURUS
    to retain: The company withholds taxes from your paycheck. -n. [U] withholding.
withholding tax
withholding tax
  1. n. taxes a part of an employee's pay taken from a paycheck for the federal, state, or local government: Withholding taxes take a large part of our pay-checks.
within
within
  1. prep. inside (a person, container, time period, etc.): He keeps his feelings within himself.||The bill is due within 30 days.
without
without
  1. prep.
    1 not in the company of,
    THESAURUS
    absent: I went shopping without my husband.
    2 not having, lacking: a day without sunshineadv. to do or go without: to not have or to be deprived of (comforts, luxuries, etc.): My parents did without, so they could pay for me to go to college.
withstand
withstand
  1. v. [T] -stood , -standing, -stands to last in spite of, (syns.) to endure, to tolerate: She is strong and can withstand pain.
witless
witless
  1. adj. stupid, foolish: He lost all his money in witless investments.
witness
witness
  1. v. [T] -nesses
    1 to see, observe an incident: He witnessed the auto accident and wrote a report.
    2 to sign a document as a witness: They asked me to witness their contract.n.
    1 a person who saw s.t. and can tell about it,
    THESAURUS
    an observer: I was a witness to the accident.
    2 a person who attests or certifies that s.t. is real or genuine: I signed as a witness to the authenticity of the will.
witness stand
witness stand
  1. n.
    1 the place next to the judge in a court of law where a witness sits when questioned
    2 to take the witness stand: to answer questions as a witness in court: The lawyer for the defense had several witnesses take the witness stand.
witty
witty
  1. adj. humorous in a clever way: She is very witty and bright. -n. witticism.
wives
wives
  1. n.pl. of wife
wizard
wizard
  1. n.
    1 a man who has magic powers,
    THESAURUS
    a sorcerer: In medieval times, wizards did magic tricks.
    2 a very capable or gifted person: He is a financial wizard. -n. [U] wizardry.
wobble
wobble
  1. v. [I] -bled, -bling, -bles to move in an unbalanced way from one side to another: The table wobbled, because one of its legs was too short.n. an unsteady motion from side to side: The drunk man walked with a wobble. -adj. wobbly.
woe
woe
  1. n.
    1 problems, hardships,
    THESAURUS
    adversity: With bad health and no money, his life is full of woe.
    2 sadness, grief: His wife told us his tale of woe. -adj. woeful.
woebegone
woebegone
  1. adj. looking very sad, miserable,
    THESAURUS
    forlorn: He lost everything in a house fire and is woebegone.
wok
wok
  1. n. a deep, round, metal pan: Chinese food is cooked in a wok.
woke
woke
  1. v. past tense of wake
woken
woken
  1. v. past part. of wake
wolf
wolf
  1. n. wolves
    1 a wild, doglike animal that travels in groups: Wolves hunt deer.
    2 infrml. an aggressive man intent on having sex with women: He is a wolf who spends his evenings chasing after women.
    3 infrml. a wolf in sheep's clothing: an evil person who pretends to be good: He smiles and shakes everybody's hand, but he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
    4 infrml. to cry wolf: to pretend there is danger or trouble when there is not: He's an alarmist who cries wolf all the time.v. [T] to eat very fast: When he is very hungry, he wolfs down his food.
wolverine
wolverine
  1. n. a small, weasel-like animal living in the northern USA and Canada: Wolverines are famous for their aggressive behavior.
woman
woman
  1. n. women a mature female human: A girl grows up to be a woman. -adj. womanish; womanly.
womanhood
womanhood
  1. n. [U] the state of being a woman: Girls reach womanhood after their teen years.
womankind
womankind
  1. n. [U] women as a group
womb
womb
  1. n. the part of a woman's body where a baby can grow, the uterus: She has a healthy baby girl in her womb.
women
women
  1. n.pl. of woman
women's rights
women's rights
  1. n.pl. economic, social, and legal rights for women equal to those of men: Women's rights include equal pay for equal work.
won
won
  1. past tense & past part. of win
won't
won't
  1. contr. of will not
wonder
wonder
  1. v. [I]
    1 to express an interest in knowing: I wonder whether it will rain today.
    2 to feel surprise: I wonder that he hasn't called yet.
    3 to admire: Many people wonder at the beauty of nature around them.n.
    1 a spectacular thing: The Rocky Mountains are a wonder to see.
    2 a surprise: It is a wonder that he is still alive after such a bad accident.
wonderful
wonderful
  1. adj. excellent, very pleasing: We had a wonderful time on our vacation. -adv. wonderfully.
    THESAURUS
    wonderful marvelous, fantastic, terrific. Ant. awful.
wonderland
wonderland
  1. n. a beautiful place: The state of Maine is a wonderland for vacations and recreation.
wondrous
wondrous
  1. adj. causing surprise and admiration, impressive: The portable computer is a wondrous example of modern technology. -adv. wondrously.
wonk
wonk
  1. n.infrml. a student who does little else besides study, a grind: That engineering school is full of wonks. -adj.infrml. wonky.
wont
wont
  1. adj.frml. inclined: He is wont to make long speeches about the world today.n.frml. a habit or custom: He brought me another lovely gift, as is his wont.
woo
woo
  1. v. [T] to pay special attention to s.o. for love,
    THESAURUS
    to romance: The young man wooed the girl by calling her every day.
wood
wood
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 the hard material below the bark of trees: The wood in that old oak tree is rotten.
    2 the material from trees used to make furniture, fuel, paper, etc.: We used wood from our own land to build our house. See: woods.
    THESAURUS
    wood
    2 timber, logs.
wood alcohol
wood alcohol
  1. n. [U] a poisonous alcoholic liquid made from wood: People must not drink wood alcohol.
woodcarving
woodcarving
  1. n. [U] the art and craft of cutting and shaping wood: There are many sharp tools used in woodcarving. -n. [C] woodcarver.
woodcut
woodcut
  1. n. (in art) a print made from an image cut in wood: We have woodcuts on our walls for decorations.
wooded
wooded
  1. adj. covered with trees: There is a wooded hill behind the house.
wooden
wooden
  1. adj.
    1 made of wood: The house is full of wooden furniture.
    2 stiff, does not bend easily: The baby made wooden movements when he started to walk.
    3 fig. dull, without feeling,
    THESAURUS
    uninspired: He writes boring, wooden letters. -adv. woodenly.
woodland
woodland
  1. n. a forested area: The small town is surrounded by woodlands.
woodpecker
woodpecker
  1. n. a type of bird with a long, pointed beak used to knock holes in trees to find insects to eat and to make nests
woodpile
woodpile
  1. n. a stack of wood: The farmer keeps a woodpile near the house for firewood in winter.
woods
woods
  1. n.pl.
    1 a small forest: We like to go for a walk in the woods.
    2 to be out of the woods: to be out of danger: He is recovering from a serious illness, but he is not out of the woods as yet. -adj. woodsy.
    THESAURUS
    woods
    1 a grove, woodland.
woodshed
woodshed
  1. n. a small building used to store wood: Each week the farmer cuts wood and stores it in his woodshed.
woodsman
woodsman
  1. n.
    1 a person who cuts wood, a woodcutter: Woodsmen cut down trees for building houses.
    2 a person who works or lives in the woods: He is a woodsman living in a log cabin.
woodwind
woodwind
  1. n. any of the instruments in an orchestra that are played by blowing into them, such as the clarinet, bassoon, and oboe
woodwork
woodwork
  1. n. [U]
    1 floors, doors, furniture, and walls made from wood: The woodwork in the library is made of oak and walnut.
    2 out of the woodwork: a. from a hidden place: Bugs appeared out of the woodwork. b. fig. unexpectedly, by surprise: Important papers that had been lost suddenly appeared out of the woodwork.
woodworking
woodworking
  1. n. [U] the art and craft of making things from wood, esp. furniture: Woodworking is a popular class in many high schools.
woody
woody
  1. adj. -ier, -iest like wood in taste, texture, or feel: Red wine often has a woody taste.
woof
woof
  1. n.
    1 [C] infrml. a word used to describe the sound (bark) of a dog
    2 [U] a fabric's texture, weft: Fixed threads form the warp, and those woven between them are the woof.
woofer
woofer
  1. n. (in music) a sound system's speaker that makes low tones: The woofer in my stereo has trouble making the lowest tones. See: tweeter.
wool
wool
  1. n. [U]
    1 sheep's hair: It is hard work to take the wool from sheep.
    2 the thick threads or fabric made from wool: My sweater is made of wool.
    3 to pull the wool over s.o.'s eyes: to trick, deceive s.o.: A salesman tried to pull the wool over my eyes by selling me an old computer at a higher price.
woolen
woolen
  1. adj. made of wool: She wears woolen skirts in the winter.
woolens
woolens
  1. n.pl. clothes made from wool, such as sweaters and mittens: In the winter, we wear our woolens every day.
woolgathering
woolgathering
  1. n.fig. [U] daydreaming, loafing: He spends too much time in woolgathering on the job. -n. [C] woolgatherer.
woolly
woolly
  1. adj. -ier, -iest
    1 having a fuzzy, woolen texture: That rug's surface is very woolly.
    2 (of thoughts) not clear in the mind: Her ideas are usually woolly.
woozy
woozy
  1. adj. -zier, -ziest feeling faint, dizzy: The summer heat made me feel woozy. -adv. woozily; -n. wooziness.
word
word
  1. n.
    1 a written or spoken unit of language having one or more meanings, usu. the smallest unit of meaning that can be used alone: There are many words to describe the feeling of happiness.
    2 speech in general, in written or spoken form: The author put her thoughts into words.
    3 a brief discussion: I had a word with my secretary about her being late today.||I gave her a word of advice.
    4 a promise, a pledge: I gave my word to my friend that I would help him.||You can trust her to keep her word.
    5 message, news: They sent word that they would be late.||We just got word of your new job!
    6 in a word: to summarize: In a word, the party's over.
    7 in one's own words: without repeating what s.o. else said: Tell the court what happened in your own words.
    8 to be a man or woman of his/her word: to keep one's promise, to be honorable: She is a woman of her word, because she repaid the loan exactly when she said she would.
    9 to break one's word or go back on one's word: not to do what one has promised: He went back on his word and did not repay the loan.
    10 infrml. to eat one's words: to take back s.t. one said after being proven wrong: He kept saying that he would win the chess championship, but he lost and now he has to eat his words.
    11 to have a good word: to be cheerful, supportive: He is a pleasure to work with, because he always has a good word for everyone.
    12 to have words with s.o.: to argue with or shout at s.o.: His behavior made me mad, so I had words with him.
    13 to mince words: to speak quietly and indirectly, usu. used negatively: That man does not mince words; he tells you the truth immediately.
    14 to put in a good word for s.o.: to recommend s.o.: I am looking for a new job, and my friend said she would put in a good word for me at her company.
    15 to take s.o.'s word for it or to take s.o. at his/her word: to believe what s.o. says without proof: He says he did not do anything wrong, and he is honest, so I take his word for it (or) I take him at his word.
    16 word for word: spoken, read, or copied exactly from s.o. else's words: She told me exactly what he said, word for word.
    17 word play: cleverness of expression, puns: The word play in his writing is very witty.v. [T] to express in words: He worded his introduction carefully.
word processing
word processing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the input, editing, and output of words and numbers on computer: Word processing has taken the place of typing in most businesses.
    2 the occupation (used with to do): She does word processing at a bank.
word processor
word processor
  1. n. a small computer used for word processing: The author wrote his book on a word processor.
wording
wording
  1. n. [U] the way words are arranged,
    THESAURUS
    phrasing: The wording of the contract is not quite right.
wordy
wordy
  1. adj. -ier, -iest using lots of words,
    THESAURUS
    verbose: His writing is very wordy and needs editing. -n. [U] wordiness.
wore
wore
  1. past tense of wear
work
work
  1. v.
    1 to have a job as, earn a living as
    2 to toil
    3 to use, run
    4 to operate, run
    6 to shape, form. —n.
    1 [U] employment: Students will be looking for work after they finish college.
    2 [U] the change of energy into force: Machines do the heavy work in our society.
    3 [U] an occupation, profession: She has work as a store manager.
    4 [C] a creation, esp. an artistic work: The museum is showing the works of Van Gogh.
    5 pl. a factory or industrial plant: Workers drive to the electronic works every day.
    6 the moving parts of an object, esp. a watch
    7 out of work: lacking a job, unemployed
    8 slang the works: everything extra: I would like a hot dog with the works (mustard, onions, and ketchup).
    9 to be all in a day's work: to be routine, even if difficult: The policeman chased a thief, caught him, then put him in jail, but it was simply all in a day's work.
    THESAURUS
    work n.
    1 a job, an occupation.
work ethic
work ethic
  1. n. [U] the belief that work is morally good: The boy learned the work ethic from his father, who worked in the same company for 45 years.
work permit
work permit
  1. n. written permission given by a government to a foreigner to work in the country: When a work permit expires, the immigrant often returns to his or her homeland.
work release
work release
  1. n. [U] an arrangement for a prisoner to work outside the prison: The prisoner is on work release at a farm and works there every day.
workable
workable
  1. adj. practical, capable of being done: We made a workable agreement with another company to build a house together.
workaholic
workaholic
  1. n. a person who works all the time: He is a workaholic who works seven days a week with no vacations.
workbench
workbench
  1. n. -benches a hard, flat surface of wood or metal on which work is done: The carpenter has a wooden workbench in his garage.
workbook
workbook
  1. n. a book with exercises: Students in the science class do exercises in the workbook that goes along with their textbook.
workday
workday
  1. or working day n.
    1 work hours: Our workday is eight hours long.
    2 a day that is not a holiday: Monday is a workday.
workers' compensation
workers' compensation
  1. n. [U] in the USA, payments made by employers or their insurance company to cover injuries or sicknesses resulting from work: Workers' compensation in this state now provides for injured or sick workers to receive more than half of their pay.
workfare
workfare
  1. n. [U] a form of public assistance for food, housing, health services, etc., that requires people to do public work: He is on workfare, so he sweeps floors in the city hall in return for a welfare check. See: welfare.
workforce
workforce
  1. n. [U] all workers employed nationally, regionally, or in an individual business: The workforce in this area is well-educated and very reliable.
workhorse
workhorse
  1. n.
    1 a horse that performs heavy work: That farmer keeps several workhorses to do the plowing.
    2 fig. a person or machine that works very hard: That central computer is the workhorse that does most of the company's accounting.
working capital
working capital
  1. n. [U] the money invested (in cash, inventory, and accounts receivable): Our business borrows its working capital from a bank.
working class
working class
  1. n. [U] adj. the part of society that does work for wages, esp. work with the hands, such as blue collar and clerical workers,
    THESAURUS
    the proletariat: Many people in the working class do not have a college education. See: blue collar, USAGE NOTE.
workday
workday
  1. or working day -n.
    1 work hours: Our workday is eight hours long.
    2 a day that is not a holiday: Monday is a workday.
working knowledge
working knowledge
  1. n. [U] enough practical knowledge to do s.t.: He has a working knowledge of cars, so he fixes his own.
working papers
working papers
  1. n.pl.
    1 a written document stating that a young person is old enough to work: In some states, young people must have working papers to get their first job.
    2 in the USA, a green card and Social Security number: She is a legal immigrant and has working papers.
workings
workings
  1. n.pl. the way s.t. works, or the things that make it work: I don't understand the workings of a car.
workload
workload
  1. n. [U] the amount of work to be done: The workload in the accounting department is very heavy.
workmanlike
workmanlike
  1. adj. showing qualities of a good worker,
    THESAURUS
    skillful: Our carpenter did a careful, workmanlike job.
workmanship
workmanship
  1. n. [U] the quality of work as seen in products: The workmanship in my new car is excellent.
workmen's compensation
workmen's compensation
  1. n. See: workers' compensation.
workout
workout
  1. n. a session of physical exercise: He goes to a gym for a daily workout.
workshop
workshop
  1. n.
    1 a building or area with machinery and tools: We make machine parts in our workshop.
    2 a small group of students or professionals who study together: My English workshop met this morning to discuss a new book.
workstation
workstation
  1. n.
    1 a place within a workshop where a specific task is performed: At my workstation, we make electrical switches.
    2 a computer on a network: This network has 12 workstations that share the same printer.
workup
workup
  1. n. a series of medical tests to help a doctor tell what sickness a person may have: The doctor worried about cancer and ordered a complete workup for her patient.
workweek
workweek
  1. n. the number of days and hours of a business or an employee: Most US companies have a five-day workweek.
world-class
world-class
  1. adj. referring to the best in the world of s.t., esp. in sports: She is a world-class runner in the Olympics.
world
world
  1. n.
    1 the earth: It is possible to fly around the world in an airplane.
    2 the state of affairs of humans and the planet in general: What a wonderful (crazy, sad, etc.) world we live in.
    3 a group of living things: People are curious to know about the plant (animal, scientific, etc.) world.
    4 a part of human activity: He knows everything about the world of baseball.
    5 all people, everyone: He emptied his garage for the world to see.
    6 on top of the world: feeling very happy, wonderful, terrific: On my wedding day, I was on top of the world.
    7 out of this world: wonderful, terrific: The food at that restaurant is out of this world.
    8 to think the world of s.o.: to have a very high opinion of s.o.: She's a wonderful neighbor; I think the world of her.
    9 What (Why, Who, etc.) in the world: an expression of angry questioning: What in the world do you think you are doing taking money from my wallet?
world power
world power
  1. n. a nation with global influence, esp. in finance and military strength: The USA is a world power.
worldly
worldly
  1. adj. related to real life rather than spiritual existence: He is devoted to worldly pleasures with no thought for religion. -n. [U] worldliness.
worldwide
worldwide
  1. adj.adv. all over the world: Interest in the computer business is now worldwide.
worn-out
worn-out
  1. adj.
    1 very tired, exhausted: I am all worn-out from working too hard.
    2 no longer usable from wear: The bottoms of my shoes are worn-out.
worn
worn
  1. past part. of wear —adj. used,
    THESAURUS
    threadbare: The knees of my pants are worn.
worrisome
worrisome
  1. adj. causing worry: Her poor health is a worrisome situation.
worry
worry
  1. n. [C;U] fear that s.t. bad or worse may happen, anxiety: He has worries about his health and his job.v. [I;T] -ried, -rying, -ries
    1 to feel troubled or anxious: She worries about the safety of her children at school.
    2 to trouble s.o.: It worries me that you are working so hard and not eating enough. -adj. worried; -n. [C] worrier.
worrywart
worrywart
  1. n.infrml. a person who worries all the time, often without a reason: He is such a worrywart that he stays inside his house all day.
worse
worse
  1. adj.comp. of bad
    1 lower in quality: The weather was bad yesterday, but today it is even worse.
    2 more harmful, more serious: His health is getting worse every day.
    3 a change for the worse: a very bad change: After one night in the hospital, she took a change for the worse.
    4 no worse for wear: all right physically after an incident: He had an accident but is OK, no worse for wear.adv. in a worse way: The child behaved badly by day and acted worse at night.
worsen
worsen
  1. v.
    1 [I] to become worse, decline: His health worsens daily.
    2 [T] to make worse: The bad weather worsens our mood.
    THESAURUS
    worsen
    1 to deteriorate, slide. Ant. improve.
    2 to aggravate, exacerbate.
worship
worship
  1. v. [I;T] -shiped or -shipped, -shiping or -shipping, -ships
    1 to show great respect for: Many people worship God.
    2 to love very much: He worshipped his girlfriend.n. [U] (the act of showing) great respect, reverence: The worship of God is common among the faithful. -n. worshiper; -adj. worshipful.
worst
worst
  1. adj.superlative of bad
    1 lowest in quality: The movie was bad; it was the worst one I have ever seen!
    2 most harmful, gravest: This winter's weather is the worst in years.
    3 infrml. in the worst way: very much: He needs a new car in the worst way.adv. most badly: She played tennis the worst that she has all summer.n.
    1 that which is worst: There have been bad storms this winter, but this one is the worst.
    2 if (the) worst comes to (the) worst: if the worst possible thing happens: If worst comes to worst and I fail the course, I'll take it again next year.
worsted
worsted
  1. n. adj. [U] cloth tightly woven for long wear: He buys suits made of worsted wool.
worth
worth
  1. n. [U]
    1 value, cost: That painting is an art object of great worth.
    2 excellence, merit: The professor's ideas have great worth.
    3 quantity of s.t.: I would like $10 worth of gas, please. See: net worth. —adj.
    1 equal in value to: That dress is worth $100.
    2 having wealth equal to: She is worth a million dollars.
    3 good enough for, deserving: That book is worth reading.
worthless
worthless
  1. adj. without value, excellence, or wealth: That ring is a worthless imitation. -n. [U] worthlessness.
worthwhile
worthwhile
  1. adj. worth doing, worth the trouble: Seeing that art exhibit is worthwhile.||She is alone in her big house now, and that makes it worthwhile for her to rent out rooms.
    THESAURUS
    worthwhile rewarding, beneficial | useful, profitable. Ant. pointless.
worthy
worthy
  1. adj. -thier, -thiest
    1 deserving, due: That new play is worthy of praise.
    2 deserving special consideration: She is a worthy young lady deserving of a scholarship. -adv. worthily; -n. worthiness.
would-be
would-be
  1. adj. referring to s.o. or s.t. that wants to be, but is not: He is the would-be replacement for the president, but he won't get the job.
would
would
  1. weak form / aux. verb
    1 used as a past tense of will: He said he would be here.
    2 was or were willing to: I asked her to change her mind, but she wouldn't.
    3 (used to ask s.o. to do s.t.) will, could: Would you please help me move this table?
    4 (used to show a past custom or habit) used to: When I was a child, I would spend Sundays with my grandparents. See: modal auxiliary.
wouldn't
wouldn't
  1. contr. of would not
wound-up
wound-up
  1. adj. nervous, high-strung: I am all wound-up today; I can't stop moving.
wove
wove
  1. past tense of weave
woven
woven
  1. past part. of weave —adj. put together by weaving: That cloth is finely woven.
wow
wow
  1. exclam. used to show surprise, delight: Wow! What a pretty girl!v.infrml. [T] to excite, impress: The musicians wowed the audience with their talent.
    THESAURUS
    wow v. infrml. to amaze, thrill.
wrangle
wrangle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to argue noisily, quarrel: The boss told the two employees to stop wrangling with each other.
wrangler
wrangler
  1. n. a cowboy, esp. one who tends horses: My grandfather was a wrangler on a ranch in Texas.
wrap-up
wrap-up
  1. n.infrml. a summary, final review: Sports announcers gave a wrap-up of the game's score and highlights on the news.
wrap
wrap
  1. v. wrapped, wrapping, wraps
    1 [T] to cover (with material that surrounds s.t.): The butcher wrapped the meat in waxed paper.||I wrapped the gift with colorful paper.
    2 phrasal v. sep. [T] to wrap s.t. up: to finish: We wrapped up the class with a review of the lessons.||We wrapped it up.
    3 phrasal v. [I] to wrap up: to wear warm clothes: We should wrap up well in the winter.adj. wrapped up in: giving complete attention to: She is so wrapped up in her boyfriend that she has no time for her other friends.n. (clothing) an outer covering: She wears a shawl as an evening wrap.
    THESAURUS
    wrap v.
    1 to enclose, bundle | envelop, surround.
wraparound
wraparound
  1. n.adj. s.t. that folds around: She is wearing a wraparound skirt.
wrapper
wrapper
  1. n. a paper or plastic cover on a product: Candy bars have colorful wrappers.
wrapping
wrapping
  1. n. [C;U] material used to wrap s.t.: Christmas presents come with colorful wrapping.
wrath
wrath
  1. n.frml. [U] anger, hostility: He feared his father's wrath. -adj. wrathful.
wreak
wreak
  1. v.frml. to wreak havoc: to do violence (destruction, punishment, etc.): The hurricane wreaked havoc on the coastal area.
wreath
wreath
  1. n. wreaths a round arrangement of flowers or leaves used for decoration: Many people hang wreaths of pine branches on their doors at Christmastime. -v. wreathe.
wreck
wreck
  1. v. [T]
    1 to ruin, destroy: He wrecked his car in an accident.||fig. He wrecked his chances of getting a scholarship by not studying enough.
    2 to destroy, tear down: Workers wrecked an old house to make way for a new one.n.
    1 [C] s.t. or s.o. ruined: After the accident, his car was a wreck.||He is a wreck after drinking for so many years.
    2 [C] a ship lost at sea: Some divers like to dive for wrecks in the ocean.
    3 [U] destruction, ruin
    4 a nervous wreck: a person who is so nervous that he or she has trouble functioning: Those children are so bad that they make a nervous wreck out of their mother.
wreckage
wreckage
  1. n. [U] the remains of s.t. that has been destroyed: The wreckage of houses and cars after the storm was everywhere.
    THESAURUS
    wreckage debris, rubble.
wrecker
wrecker
  1. n. 1 s.o. or s.t. that wrecks: That hurricane was a wrecker.
    2 a tow truck: A wrecker towed his car away after the accident.
wren
wren
  1. n. a small, brown bird: I hear the wrens singing in the tree outside my window.
wrench
wrench
  1. n. wrenches
    1 a metal tool that adjusts to tighten or loosen things: He used a wrench to tighten the water pipes.
    2 a sudden twisting movement: With one wrench, he loosened the cap off the jar.v. [T] wrenches
    1 to twist badly, hurt: I fell and wrenched my back.
    2 to pull with a hard, twisting movement: She had to wrench the door handle to open it.
wrest
wrest
  1. v. [T] to remove by force: A thief wrested my briefcase from my hands.
wrestle
wrestle
  1. v. [I;T] -tled, -tling, -tles
    1 to fight with s.o. using the force of the body: A police officer wrestled a criminal to the ground.
    2 to engage in the sport of wrestling: One wrestler managed to wrestle the other to the mat.
    3 to struggle: We wrestled with the problem and finally solved it. -n. wrestler.
wrestling
wrestling
  1. n. [U] the sport of fighting with an opponent and trying to pin him to the ground: Professional wrestling is entertainment as well as a sport.
wretch
wretch
  1. n. wretches a person living in miserable conditions: The wretches living on the streets ask for money.
wretched
wretched
  1. adj.
    1 dirty, poor, and very unhappy,
    THESAURUS
    miserable: Life in those old buildings must be wretched.
    2 hateful, (syns.) despicable, contemptible: Abandoning his children is a wretched thing for him to do. -adv. wretchedly; -n. wretchedness.
wriggle
wriggle
  1. v. [I;T] -gled, -gling, -gles to move back and forth rapidly, wiggle: A worm wriggles on a fish hook.
wring
wring
  1. v. [T] wrung , wringing, wrings
    1 to twist or squeeze forcefully, esp. with hands: He wrung the water from the clothes he had just washed.
    2 infrml. to wring s.o.'s neck: to punish s.o.: I am so angry at him that I could wring his neck.
    3 wringing wet: very wet,
    THESAURUS
    drenched: He fell into the river and came out wringing wet.
wringer
wringer
  1. n.
    1 old usage small machine with two rollers that turn to press water from clothes
    2 to put s.o. through the wringer: to give s.o. a trying, difficult situation: The airport officials put me through the wringer by questioning me for hours and searching in my bags.
wringing
wringing
  1. adj. wringing wet: very wet: He fell into the water and came out with his clothes wringing wet.
wrinkle
wrinkle
  1. v. [I;T] -kled, -kling, -kles to put lines or folds in s.t.: The back of her skirt was wrinkled from her sitting on it.n.
    1 a line or fold in s.t.,
    THESAURUS
    a crease: The old lady has wrinkles in her face.
    2 a small problem: The more they study the plan for the sports center, the more new wrinkles they find.
    3 to iron out the wrinkles: to solve any remaining problems: The basic financial plan was approved, but the accountants met to iron out the wrinkles that remained.
wrist
wrist
  1. n. the flexible joint attaching the human hand to the forearm: I always wear my watch on my left wrist.
wristwatch
wristwatch
  1. n. -watches a watch worn on the wrist: My wristwatch is run by a small battery.
writ
writ
  1. n. (in law) a legal document issued by a court: The judge issued a writ ordering the woman to pay a fine for putting garbage in the street.
write-down
write-down
  1. n. (in accounting) a lowering of the price or cost of goods,
    THESAURUS
    a devaluation: Each year we take a write-down of what we did not sell.
write-in
write-in
  1. adj. referring to voting for a candidate who is not listed on the ballot by writing in his or her name there: He was a write-in candidate for President and got many votes.
write-off
write-off
  1. n.
    1 s.t. that is ruined: After the fire, their house was a write-off.
    2 (in business) a subtraction of s.t.'s value from income: The interest payments on a house loan can be a write-off when figuring out income taxes.
write-up
write-up
  1. n. a description, article (in a newspaper, magazine, etc.): There was a write-up on the New Year's Eve party in today's newspaper.
write
write
  1. v. wrote or written , writing, writes
    1 [I;T] to present ideas in words, such as on paper or electronically: He has to write a term paper for his history class.
    2 [I;T] to create literary works: She writes novels for a living.
    3 [I;T] to communicate with s.o. in writing: I wrote (a letter) to my brother about my new job.
    4 phrasal v. insep. [I] to write in or away for s.t.: to request s.t. by letter or mail: He wrote in for concert tickets.
    5 phrasal v. sep. [T] to write s.o. or s.t. off: to pay no attention to, ignore, dismiss: I write off his comments as stupid.||I write them off. See: write-off.
    6 phrasal v. sep. [T] to write s.t. down: a. to write on paper: I wrote down my friend's new address.||I wrote it down. b. (in business) to make s.t. less valuable,
    THESAURUS
    to devalue an asset: We wrote down old inventory. See: write-down.
    7 phrasal v. insep. [T] to write s.t. out: to copy completely: She wrote out her recipe for lemon cake.||She wrote it out.
    8 phrasal v. sep. [T] to write s.t. up: to describe, esp. in a newspaper: A reporter wrote up our baseball team's win in the newspaper.|| He wrote it up.
writer
writer
  1. n.
    1 s.o. who writes: The writer of the letter expresses herself well.
    2 a person who makes a living by writing: He is a writer of fiction.
    THESAURUS
    writer
    1 an author | originator
    2 an author, a novelist | playwright, poet.
writhe
writhe
  1. v. [I] writhed, writhing, writhes to twist and turn in great pain: After being run over by a car, the snake writhed on the road.
writing
writing
  1. n. [U]
    1 the act of expressing ideas in words: The writing of the US Constitution took many months.
    2 the occupation or activity of a writer: The author of this book moved from medicine to writing as a career.
    3 handwriting: Can you read her messy writing?
    THESAURUS
    writing
    1 drafting, composition.
written
written
  1. past part. of write
wrong-headed
wrong-headed
  1. adj. holding on to mistaken ideas: He is a wrong-headed boy who insists on taking drugs.
wrong
wrong
  1. adj.
    1 incorrect, mistaken: The price marked on those shoes is wrong.
    2 related to bad behavior, not right: It was wrong of him to cheat you.n.
    1 a mistake or bad action: The boy broke his sister's toy because she broke his, but two wrongs don't make a right.
    2 to right a wrong: to correct s.t. unjust or morally bad: Politicians promise to right the wrongs of society.adv.
    1 in a wrong way, incorrectly: I wrote down the address wrong, so I could not find your house.
    2 to go wrong: to make a mistake: The boy is in trouble with the law, and his parents wonder where they went wrong in raising him.
    3 to go wrong with: to stop working: Nothing went wrong with the car today. -adv. wrongly.
wrongdoing
wrongdoing
  1. n. [U] an act of breaking the law: The police try to prevent people from too much wrongdoing. -n. [C] wrongdoer.
wrote
wrote
  1. past tense of write
wrought
wrought
  1. adj.
    1 made, esp. by hammering: We have a wrought iron gate in front of our house.
    2 wrought up: upset, disturbed: He became wrought up when he heard the bad news.
wrought iron
wrought iron
  1. n. [U] iron hammered into shapes when still hot: The wrought iron gate in front of our house is painted black.
wrung
wrung
  1. past tense & past part. of wring wrung out: very tired, (syns.) exhausted, fatigued: We were wrung out after a day in the hot sun.
wry
wry
  1. adj. wrier, wriest humorous, esp. in an ironic, dry manner: He has a wry sense of humor. -adv. wryly; -n. [U] wryness.
x-ray
x-ray
  1. n.
    1 a type of strong light that passes through the body and makes a picture of bones and other body parts
    2 a photograph taken with x-rays —v. [T] to photograph using x-rays: A doctor x-rayed my broken ankle.
x-ray therapy
x-ray therapy
  1. n. [C;U] the use of x-rays in treating disease: X-ray therapy can stop the growth of cancer. See: chemotherapy.
xylophone
xylophone
  1. n. a musical instrument made of two rows of bars, each sounding a different note when hit with light wooden hammers
y'all
y'all
  1. pron.infrml.contr. of you all

    USAGE NOTE: Y'all is used to mean you all by many people in the southern part of the USA (South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, etc.). In other parts of the USA, people are more likely to say you all, you guys, or all of you to refer to two or more people.
yacht
yacht
  1. n. an expensive boat used for pleasure or racing —v. [I] to sail in a yacht: They yacht in the summer. yachtsman
yachtsman
yachtsman
  1. n. -men a man who loves to sail, esp. in a yacht
yack
yack
  1. v.slang [I] to talk about everyday life, (syn.) to chitchat: They yack on the phone every day.
yackety-yack
yackety-yack
  1. v.slang [I] to talk or chat a lot: They yackety-yack for hours without getting tired.
yahoo
yahoo
  1. n.infrml. a stupid person: That yahoo nearly hit me with his car!exclam. of excitement: Yahoo! I won the prize!
yak
yak
  1. n. a long-haired wild ox
yam
yam
  1. n. a plant with a root,
    THESAURUS
    a sweet potato: Some people eat yams with their turkey for Thanksgiving dinner.
yammer
yammer
  1. v. [I]
    1 to chatter, talk loudly
    2 to complain, (syn.) to whine: That person yammers about how difficult life is. -n. [U] yammering.
yank
yank
  1. v. [I;T] to give a strong, sharp pull on s.t.: He yanked a fish from the water.n.
    1 a strong pull: He gave his fishing line a yank.
    2 Yank infrml. short for Yankee, a person from the USA, esp. a soldier from one of the two world wars: The Yanks invaded France in World War II.
yap
yap
  1. n.slang the mouth: He is a loudmouth who has his yap open all the time.v. [I] yapped, yapping, yaps to make loud talk or noise: That little dog yaps all night. -n. [U] yapping.
yard
yard
  1. n.
    1 a length of three feet or 36 inches (0.91 meter): a yard of cloth
    2 an area usu. behind or in front of a house: The children went outside to play in the yard. See: inch.
    THESAURUS
    yard
    2 a garden, the grounds.
yard sale
yard sale
  1. n. the sale of unwanted household items, such as old lamps and tables, in a person's yard: We bought a beautiful old table at a yard sale for $10! See: garage sale, USAGE NOTE.
yardage
yardage
  1. n. [U] a general measure of length and width: We measured the yardage of rug needed to cover the office floor.
yardstick
yardstick
  1. n.
    1 a ruler 36 inches (0.91 meter) long
    2 fig. any measure of performance or results: A 10% profit after taxes is widely seen as a yardstick for making money in a business.
yarmulke
yarmulke
  1. n. a small cap worn by religious Jews: I wear a yarmulke on top of my head when I go to the synagogue.
yarn
yarn
  1. n. [C;U]
    1 threads of wool or other material wound into thicker thread: Wool yarn is used to make sweaters.
    2 infrml.fig. a long story: The old soldier was spinning yarns about his wartime experiences.
yaw
yaw
  1. v. [I] (said of boats and spacecraft) to lean to one side: The ship yawed before changing direction.
yawn
yawn
  1. v. [I] to open the mouth to show that one is tired or bored: She yawned at midnight because she was very tired.
yea
yea
  1. exclam. wonderful, (syn.) hooray: Yea! We won the game!adv. yes: to vote yea
yeah
yeah
  1. adv.slang yes, indeed See: yes, USAGE NOTE.
year-round
year-round
  1. adj. yearlong, continuing throughout the year: Tennis, swimming, and golf are year-round activities in Florida.
year
year
  1. n.
    1 a time period of 12 months or 365 days: He worked in Japan for a year.
    2 an annual date: the year 2001, 1939, or 1995adv. years: a long time: That big project will take years to complete.
yearbook
yearbook
  1. n. usu. a book for high school students that records important events: A high school yearbook has pictures of graduating students.
yearling
yearling
  1. n. a cow or horse that is one but not two years old: The farmer puts his yearlings in the barn.
yearlong
yearlong
  1. adj. continuing through a year: In the state of Washington, rain is a yearlong happening.
yearly
yearly
  1. adv. during or at the end of a 12-month period: Americans must file their taxes yearly.
yearn
yearn
  1. v. [I] to feel a strong desire or need for s.t. or s.o., (syn.) to long for: He yearns for a better life.||She yearns for affection (a loved one, a pet dog, etc.). -n. [C;U] yearning.
yeast
yeast
  1. n. [U] the part of a plant (a fungus) that causes chemical change (fermentation) with many uses, such as in making cheeses, wine, beer, and some breads: The best yeast for making sourdough bread is found in San Francisco. -adj. yeasty.
yeh
yeh
  1. adv.slang yes, indeed See: yes, USAGE NOTE.
yell
yell
  1. v. [I]
    1 to shout: He yelled to a friend across the street.
    2 to cheer: We yell when our team scores a goal.
    3 to complain: to yell about a high repair bill
    4 to express anger: The mother yelled at her child to behave.n. a shout of recognition, applause, complaint, anger, or disapproval -n. [U] yelling.
yellow
yellow
  1. n. [U] a primary color, such as the yellow of a lemon —adj.infrml.pej. afraid, (syn.) cowardly: He is yellow and won't fight for his rights.
yellow fever
yellow fever
  1. n. [U] a disease of the tropics carried by mosquitoes and causing a yellowing of the skin, fever, and vomiting: Medicine has helped stop yellow fever in many countries.
yelp
yelp
  1. v. [I] n. to make a sharp cry, to yip: A dog yelps in pain (or) lets out a yelp.
yeoman
yeoman
  1. n. -men
    1 originally, an English farmer who owned and worked his own land, (syn.) a freeholder
    2 a naval petty officer
    3 a good, dependable worker or service: to work dependably and well: When the hurricane damaged our roof, our neighbor did yeoman's duty and helped me repair it.
yeow
yeow

  1. 1 exclam. of pain: Yeow! I burned my finger.
    2 exclam. of joy or surprise: Yeow! I've found the answer!
yep
yep
  1. adv.slang yes, indeed See: yes, USAGE NOTE.
yes
yes
  1. adv.
    1 (used to express agreement) affirmatively: Would you like to go? Yes, I would.
    2 very much so, indeed: Would you like to drive my new car? Oh, yes, I would!

    USAGE NOTE: The use of yes, yes, sir, and yes, ma'am is formal. Yeah, yeh, uh-huh, mm-hmm, yep, and yup are informal, and commonly used in everyday conversation: "Do you know Ann?" "Uh-huh." "Have you seen her today?" "Mm-hmm." "Will she be at the meeting?" "Yup." The body language for yes is a small, forward nod of the head.
yes man
yes man
  1. n. men a person who agrees with everything his or her boss says: The owner doesn't like yes men; he wants people to say what they think.
yesterday
yesterday
  1. adv. the day before today: It happened yesterday.n. recently, in the recent past: It seems like only yesterday (or) just yesterday that we talked, but it was a month ago.
yesteryear
yesteryear
  1. n. in years past: Some people like to talk about the good old days of yesteryear.
yet
yet
  1. adv.
    1 now, presently: Don't go yet.
    2 up to now, up to the present time: The mail has not arrived yet (or) as yet.
    3 in the future, still: The mail may yet arrive before we leave.conj. nonetheless, still: He said that he would pay, yet he didn't.
yield
yield
  1. v.
    1 [T] to produce s.t. of value: Her work yielded results.||Our farm yields 20 bushels of wheat per acre.
    2 [T] to earn money, such as dividends or interest: That savings account (bond, stock, investment, etc.) yields 8%.
    3 [I;T] to agree to, to give in: to yield to s.o.'s demands
    4 [I;T] to surrender, relinquish: to yield control of the government (company, army, etc.)n. [C;U]
    1 production of various kinds: an increase on crop yield of 20%
    2 earnings of various kinds: a bond yield of 10%
yip
yip
  1. v. [I] n. to make a sharp cry or bark,
    THESAURUS
    to yelp: A puppy yips in pain (or) lets out a yip.
yipe
yipe
  1. or yipes exclam. of pain or surprise: Yipe! I hurt my foot!
yipe
yipe
  1. or yipes exclam. of pain or surprise: Yipe! I hurt my foot!
yippee
yippee
  1. exclam. of triumph or happiness: Yippee, I just won the lottery!
yo-yo
yo-yo
  1. n.
    1 a toy that spins up and down on a string moved by the hand
    2 slang a jerk, an ineffectual person: My boss is a real yo-yo!v.fig.infrml. [I] to move up and down: The price of oil yo-yoed for months.
yodel
yodel
  1. v. [I] to sing in a high voice from the back of the throat: The cowboy yodels for fun.
yoga
yoga
  1. n. [U] exercises done to perfect the body and mind: She learned yoga in order to relax.
yogurt
yogurt
  1. n. [U] a thick, creamy food made from milk and available plain or fruit flavored: People eat yogurt for meals or as a dessert or snack.
yoke
yoke
  1. n.
    1 a piece of wood fit around the necks of cattle to pull wagons and farm equipment (plows, etc.)
    2 fig. a sign of slavery: to live under the yoke of slaveryv. yoked, yoking, yokes
    1 [T] to fit with a yoke: the farmer yoked oxen to a plow.
    2 fig. [I;T] to be joined very closely with s.o. or s.t.: I'm so busy at work that I feel yoked to my desk.
yokel
yokel
  1. n.pej. an ordinary country person,
    THESAURUS
    a country bumpkin: That guy is a yokel; he is not good enough for her.
yolk
yolk
  1. n. [C;U] the yellow part of an egg: The yolk in a chicken's egg is bright yellow.
yonder
yonder
  1. adj.old usage over there, in the distance: Cowboys talk about stolen horses in yonder canyon.n. the distance, the heavens: Pilots talk about flying in the wild, blue yonder.
yore
yore
  1. n.frml. old usage the past: In the days of yore, kings and queens ruled many lands.
you
you
  1. pron. the person or persons being spoken to: Do you like my new hat?||What do you in the audience think of the speaker's talk?
you all
you all
  1. pron.infrml. both of you or all of you: I'm so glad to see you all. See: y'all.
you'd
you'd
  1. contr. of
    1 you would: You'd be better off going tomorrow.
    2 you had: You'd better go now before it rains.
you'll
you'll
  1. contr. of
    1 you will: You'll receive it tomorrow.
    2 you shall: You'll report that robbery to the police!
you're
you're
  1. contr. of you are: You're going with me, aren't you?
you've
you've
  1. contr. of you have: You've made me feel better.
young
young
  1. n. -er, -est
    1 youth in general: The young in Europe love American music.
    2 children, offspring, usu. of animals: Most animals take care of their young for only a short time.adj.
    1 not old, of few years: young children
    2 youthful, spirited: to look (feel, act) young
    3 inexperienced, immature: That child is too young to understand right from wrong.
young adult
young adult
  1. n.adj. a person approx. 12-18 years old,
    THESAURUS
    a youth: Many young adults in our town work after school and on weekends. See: juvenile; teenager; youth, 1.
youngster
youngster
  1. n. a young girl or boy older than a baby and younger than a teenager: That couple has two youngsters, ages eight and ten.
your
your
  1. strong form/ poss.pron. belonging to the person being spoken to: Is this your hat (car, project, son, etc.)?
yours
yours
  1. poss. pron. possessed by the person or persons being spoken to: Is that car yours?
yourself
yourself
  1. reflexive pron. -selves related to the person(s) being spoken to: Are you doing the work yourself (or) yourselves, or having others do it?
youth
youth
  1. n.
    1 [U] young people: The youth of today are worried about jobs.
    2 [C] a young man: a youth involved in a crime
youthful
youthful
  1. adj. typical of the young: He has youthful good looks.
    THESAURUS
    youthful boyish, girlish.
yow
yow
  1. exclam.var. of yeow, expressing joy, surprise, or pain: Yow! I hurt my foot!
yowl
yowl
  1. v. [I;T] n. to cry out,
    THESAURUS
    to howl: That dog yowls at night; it let out a yowl at 4:00 A.M.
yucky
yucky
  1. adj.slang -ier, -iest
    1 offensive, disgusting: That food tastes yucky.
    2 dirty: Shoes covered with mud look yucky.
    THESAURUS
    yucky
    1 icky, gross infrml.
    2 filthy.
yuk
yuk
  1. v.slang yukked, yukking, yuks: to yuk it up: to laugh: Those kids yuk it up all the time.
yum-yum
yum-yum
  1. exclam. tasty, delightful: Yum-yum! This food tastes great!
yummy
yummy
  1. adj.slang -mier, -miest good tasting: This chocolate cake tastes yummy.
yup
yup
  1. adv.slang yes, indeed See: yes, USAGE NOTE.
zany
zany
  1. adj. -nier, -niest funny in behavior, like a clown: That actor does zany things, such as making funny faces.
zap
zap
  1. v.slang [T] zapped, zapping, zaps
    1 to kill with heavy gunfire
    2 to criticize severely: The newspapers zapped that movie; they said it was really bad.
    3 to stop the sound on a TV: I zap the sound when the commercials come on TV. -n. zapper.
zeal
zeal
  1. n. [U] a strong desire and hard work, esp. in a political or religious movement, (syn.) great enthusiasm: Her zeal to help poor people has made their lives better.
zealous
zealous
  1. adj. having a strong desire to do s.t., (syn.) enthusiastic: He is zealous about going to church everyday. -adv. zealously.
zebra
zebra
  1. n. -bras or -bra a horse-like animal with broad, white and black stripes: Lions like to eat zebras.
zenith
zenith
  1. n.
    1 the highest point in a curve or orbit: The sun is at its zenith around noontime.
    2 the highest point of s.t.: She is a top lawyer, and her career is at its zenith now.
zephyr
zephyr
  1. n.frml.litr. a light, pleasant breeze: A cooling zephyr feels good on a hot day.
zeppelin
zeppelin
  1. n. a large airship, (syn.) blimp: Zeppelins carried passengers in the l920s.
zero
zero
  1. n. -ros or -roes
    1 the mathematical symbol (0) that means "nothing"
    2 32 degrees below the freezing point on the Fahrenheit temperature scale, or the freezing point on the Celsius temperature scale
    3 nothing, the lack of s.t.: All our work came to zero when our computers stopped working. adj. characterized by a total lack of s.t.: zero growth in sales phrasal v. insep. [T] to zero in on s.t.: to find out s.t. exactly, (syn.) to pinpoint: The electrician (bookkeeper, doctor, etc.) zeroed in on the exact cause of the problem.
    THESAURUS
    zero n.
    3 naught, zilch slang.
zest
zest
  1. n. [U] a feeling of enthusiasm, (syn.) gusto: She has a zest for life. -adj. zestful.
zigzag
zigzag
  1. n.v. [I] -zagged, -zagging, -zags to run (move, fly) to the left then right in a generally forward direction: A soldier zigzagged to escape from enemy fire.
    THESAURUS
    zigzag v. to weave (in and out).
zilch
zilch
  1. n.slang
    1 [U] nothing, zero: a product whose profit is zilch
    2 [C] a dull person who does nothing: That guy is a zilch; he never works.
zinc
zinc
  1. n. [U] a basic metal with many practical uses, esp. as an alloy: The abbreviation for zinc is Zn.
zing
zing
  1. n.infrml. [U] liveliness, enthusiasm, (syn.) vitality: She's a dancer with a lot of zing. v.
    1 [I] to travel at high speed: The baseball zinged past his head.
    2 [T] to criticize: He zinged me by saying I was stupid. -adj. zingy.
zinger
zinger
  1. n.slang a biting remark or criticism: The sales manager shoots zingers at his sales representatives for not selling enough.
zip
zip
  1. v. zipped, zipping, zips
    1 [T] to open, close, or fasten with a zipper: She zipped up her jacket.
    2 [I] to travel or move rapidly: Cars zipped by on the highway. n.
    1 abbr. for Zip Code
    2 infrml.fig. enthusiasm: My mother has a lot of zip. -adj. zippy.
    THESAURUS
    zip v.
    2 to speed, flash (by). —n.
    2 vigor, vitality, energy.
zipper
zipper
  1. n. a metal or plastic fastener with teeth, used to open and close clothes, bags, etc.: Jeans have zippers in the front.
zit
zit
  1. n.slang a red sore spot on the skin, esp. a large one, (syn.) a pimple: He gets zits on his face from eating too much junk food.
zodiac
zodiac
  1. n. a circular picture divided into 12 equal periods with names and signs related to the placement of stars and planets, often used in astrology to tell what a person's life will be like: The zodiac shows that a person born between November 22 and December 21 is called a Sagittarius.
zombie
zombie
  1. n.
    1 an imaginary person who turns into a monster and rises from the dead with great strength and the desire to do evil: Horror movies feature zombies and other monsters.
    2 infrml.fig. a person who acts like a walking dead person, esp. from being very tired: He stayed up all night at a party, and the next day he was a zombie.
zone
zone
  1. n. an area of land or sky marked by a government, business, or person for a special purpose: The city passed a law to create a business zone on some empty land. v. [T] zoned, zoning, zones to say that an area is a zone: The city zoned the land for business. -adj. zonal.
    THESAURUS
    zone n. a district, sector, quarter. zone -n. an area of land or sky marked by a government, business, or person for a special purpose: The city passed a law to create a business zone on some empty land. _v. zoned, zoning, zones to say that an area is a zone: The city zoned the land for business.-adj. zonal.
zonked
zonked
  1. adj.slang
    1 very tired, nearly asleep from alcohol, drugs, or overwork
    2 to be zonked out: He is zonked out from drinking and lack of sleep.
zoo
zoo
  1. n.
    1 a place where animals are displayed in cages, (syn.) a zoological garden
    2 infrml.fig. a place of confusion and often bad behavior: The sale in the department store was a zoo, with people pushing each other to get cheap clothing.
zoological garden
zoological garden
  1. n.frml. a park where people can see animals in cages and fenced off areas: The New York Zoological Garden is a delight, esp. for city children. See: zoo, 1.
zoology
zoology
  1. n. [U]
    1 the science of animals
    2 a course or courses in the study of animal life: He studied zoology in college before he became a veterinarian. -n. zoologist; -adj. zoological.
zoom
zoom
  1. v.
    1 [I] to move quickly (fly an airplane, drive a car): A plane zooms into the air on takeoff.
    2 [I] to dive down, (syn.) to swoop: A jet fighter zoomed down on the enemy.
    3 [T] to zoom in on s.t.: to move a camera picture in closely: A cameraman zoomed in on the fire with a zoom lens. n. 1 quick movement
    2 the sound made by a speeding object zucchini
zucchini
zucchini
  1. n. -ni or -nis a long, round, green-skinned vegetable related to the squash: He ate meat with potatoes and zucchini as the vegetables.
A-1
A-1
  1. or A Number One adj. the best, excellent: That movie (restaurant, person, etc.) is A Number One.
A-OK
A-OK
  1. exclam. all right, yes: Shall we leave now? A-OK, let's go!adj. great, terrific: How are you? I'm A-OK.
A, a
A, a
  1. n. A's, a's or As, as,
    1 the first letter of the English alphabet
    2 the highest grade: I got an A on my history exam.
à la carte
à la carte
  1. adj.adv. (French for) ordering each dish separately instead of a complete meal: I ordered roast chicken and a vegetable à la carte, but no salad or dessert.
à la mode
à la mode
  1. adj. served with ice cream: I love apple pie à la mode.
A.D.
A.D.
  1. abbr. of anno Domini; (Latin for) the year of Jesus Christ's birth: The Spanish tried to invade England in 1588 A.D. See: B.C.
A-1
A-1
  1. or A Num@ber One -adj. the best, excellent: That movie (restaurant, person, etc.) is A Number One.
Achilles' heel
Achilles' heel
  1. n. fig. (from Greek mythology) a person's major weakness: He can't stand pressure; that is his Achilles' heel.
Adam's apple
Adam's apple
  1. n. the bump in the front of the throat, usu. seen in men: His Adam's apple moves up and down when he swallows.
Amen
Amen
  1. exclam. (in religion) an expression of approval or ending to a prayer: After saying a prayer, she said "Amen."
American
American
  1. n. a person native to North, Central, or South America: She is a Latin American.adj. related to the Americas: The Central American beaches are very beautiful.
Americana
Americana
  1. n. objects, stories, places, etc., typical of the USA, its history, and its people: The covered bridges of New England are examples of Americana.
Americanism
Americanism
  1. n. a saying or expression found only in American English: The expression of surprise "Well, I'll be darned!" is an Americanism.
Americanize
Americanize
  1. v. [I;T] to become similar to people in the USA in appearance or character: The Iranian woman no longer wears robes but wears dress suits and even wears jeans on the weekend. She's been Americanized.
Americas
Americas
  1. n.pl. North, Central, and South America: Representatives from the Americas met in Mexico City for a conference.
Anglo-Saxon
Anglo-Saxon
  1. n.adj. a person of English heritage or one of the Germanic peoples (the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes) that invaded England in the fifth and sixth centuries: "Beowulf," probably written in the eighth century, is the best known piece of Anglo-Saxon literature.
Anglo
Anglo
  1. n. -glos a white-skinned North American not of Hispanic or French heritage: Anglos have opened businesses throughout Latin America. See: white. —prefix Anglo- related to the British: An Anglo-American economic conference will take place in London next month.
Anglophile
Anglophile
  1. n. a person who likes and admires England and English people or things: As an Anglophile, he collects memorabilia of the British Royal Family and travels often to England.
Anglophone
Anglophone
  1. n. a native speaker of English, whether British, North American, Australian, or New Zealander: As an Anglophone in Japan, his English language skills were widely sought.
Antichrist
Antichrist
  1. n.
    1 (in the Christian religion) the term used for the enemy who is against Christ and all Christians in the last days before the Second Coming of Christ
    2 antichrist: an evil enemy: During the war, the media portrayed the leader of the enemies as a type of antichrist.
April
April
  1. n. the fourth month of the year, the month between March and May: April has 30 days.
April Fools' Day
April Fools' Day
  1. n. the first day of April, celebrated in some countries by people playing tricks on each other: A person called me to say that I had won a million dollars, and then he said, "April Fool!"
Arabic
Arabic
  1. n. [U] the major language of the Arab world: Millions of people speak Arabic.
Armageddon
Armageddon
  1. n.fig. the final great battle that would destroy the world: For many years, people thought that Armageddon would happen between the USA and Russia. See: apocalypse.
Asian
Asian
  1. adj. related to Asia: Products of Asian manufacture are sold worldwide.n. a person from Asia: She is an Asian from India.

    USAGE NOTE: Compare Asian and Oriental. In the USA, most people use Asian to refer to people, places, or things from countries such as Japan, Korea, and Indonesia on the continent of Asia: There are ten Asian students in my class.||Several million Asians live in Los Angeles. Oriental is more commonly used to describe rugs and art: My mother has a blue Oriental rug in her living room.
Asiatic
Asiatic
  1. adj. related to the Asian continent, Asian: The boat sank in Asiatic waters.
Astroturf
Astroturf
  1. n.TM [U] tough, man-made ground covering used instead of grass: The playing fields of many sports stadiums are covered with Astroturf.
Atlantic
Atlantic
  1. n.adj. the ocean located between Europe and Africa on the east side and North and South America on the west: The Atlantic (or) Atlantic Ocean was first crossed by the Scandinavians 1,000 years ago.
August
August
  1. n. the eighth month of the year, between July and September: We go on vacation in the mountains in August to escape the heat.
Aztec
Aztec
  1. n. a member of a central Mexican people who declined after the Spanish conquest, starting in 1519: The Aztecs are noted for their advanced civilization.adj. related to the Aztecs: Aztec pyramids hold many wonders of their civilization.
ABC
ABC
  1. n. ABC's
    1 the alphabet: A child in school must learn his/her ABC's.
    2 fig. the basics of an activity: In business, you have to learn the ABC's of profit and loss.
    3 as easy as ABC: s.t. simple, not difficult: "No problem! Those instructions are as easy as ABC."
AC
AC

  1. 1 abbr. of alternating current: Household electricity in the USA is AC.
    2 abbr. for air conditioner: Will you turn on the AC?
AM
AM
  1. abbr. for amplitude modulation, n. a type of radio and television sound signal, AM radio (as opposed to FM): AM radio uses amplitude modulation of its signal. See: frequency modulation.
AWOL
AWOL
  1. adj. adv. abbr. for absent without leave: The soldier was AWOL over the weekend.||The soldier had gone AWOL over the weekend.
B, b
B, b
  1. n. B's, b's or Bs, bs
    1 the second letter of the English alphabet
    2 the academic grade below an A, which is the highest: She received a B on her exam.
B movie
B movie
  1. n. a poorly made film, usu. older and cheaply produced: Ronald Reagan starred in many B movies.
B.C.
B.C.
  1. abbr. Before Christ, the years before the birth of Christ in the Christian calendar: The great Roman Emperor Augustus was born in 63 B.C. See: A.D.
B.O.
B.O.
  1. abbr. for body odor
B.S.
B.S.
  1. abbr. for a Bachelor of Science degree, a type of four-year college degree: She graduated with a B.S. in physics.
Band-Aid™
Band-Aid™
  1. n.
    1 a small, selfadhesive bandage: He put a Band-Aid over a cut on his finger.
    2 infrml.fig. a small solution to a big problem: The government passed new laws against drug dealers, but that is only a Band-Aid solution that won't work.
Big Brother
Big Brother
  1. n. a dictator,
    THESAURUS
    an oppressive state: People who live in countries with cruel leaders often feel that Big Brother is watching them.
Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights
  1. n. (in USA) rights given by law, such as freedom of speech, freedom to meet publicly, etc.: The Bill of Rights is part of the Constitution.
Boy Scouts
Boy Scouts
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. an international organization for boys, 11 years or older, to develop character and outdoor skills See: Brownies; Cub Scouts; Girl Scouts.
Breathalyzer™
Breathalyzer™
  1. n. a device that measures the amount of alcohol in a person's breath to determine the amount of alcohol in his/her blood: Police officers use Breathalyzers™ to identify drunk drivers.
British thermal unit
British thermal unit
  1. n. abbr. BTU a unit of measurement for heat: The ability of air conditioners to cool is measured in BTUs.
Brownie points
Brownie points
  1. n.pl.infrml. approval of s.o. in authority (boss, teacher, etc.) by doing something to please him or her: He finished the report early to get some Brownie points with his boss.
Brussels sprouts
Brussels sprouts
  1. n.pl. small green vegetables similar to cabbage
BBQ
BBQ
  1. n.abbr. for barbecue
BTU
BTU
  1. abbr. of British thermal unit
C,c
C,c
  1. n. C's, c's, or Cs, cs
    1 the third letter of the English alphabet
    2 a school grade below B and above D: She got a C on her exam.
    3 C: the Roman numeral for 100
Caesar
Caesar
  1. n.
    1 the title given to many Roman emperors: Augustus was the first Roman emperor to use the title "Caesar."
    2 infrml. a self-important man who demands that others do what he says: The owner behaves like a little Caesar with his employees.
Catch-22
Catch-22
  1. n.adj. a problem for which the only possible solution is another problem: The manager told her she couldn't get a job unless she had experience. How was she going to get experience if she couldn't get a job? It was a Catch-22.
Catholic
Catholic
  1. n.adj. of or belonging to the Roman Catholic Church, one of the branches of the Christian religion: She is <adj.> Catholic (or) a <n.> Catholic. –n. [U] Catholicism.
Caucasian
Caucasian
  1. n.adj. a white person: The criminal was a male Caucasian.
Celsius
Celsius
  1. n. a system of measuring temperature that places the boiling point of water (at ground pressure) at 100 degrees, and the freezing point at 0 degrees,
    THESAURUS
    centigrade: Many parts of the world use Celsius in measuring temperature. See: Fahrenheit.
Chanukah
Chanukah
  1. n. var. of Hanukkah Hanukkah or Chanukah -n. an eight day Jewish festival in December celebrating the rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem: My family lights one candle each night on the menorah in part of our celebration of Hanukkah.
Chicano
Chicano
  1. n.adj. -nos a person of Mexican descent living in the USA: Many Chicanos live in southern California. -n. adj. (woman) Chicana.
Chief Executive
Chief Executive
  1. n. the President of the USA
Chief Justice
Chief Justice
  1. n. the top judge: The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court hands down the court's decisions.
Chinatown
Chinatown
  1. n. a neighborhood or area in a city (not in China) populated mainly by Chinese: We had dinner in a restaurant in Chinatown.
Christian
Christian
  1. adj.
    1 related to Jesus Christ and his religious teachings
    2 of Christianity, its churches, beliefs, etc. —n. a believer in Christianity: He became a Christian at age 17.
Christmas
Christmas
  1. or Christmas Day n.
    1 (in Christianity) Christ's birthday, celebrated on December 25th: She spends Christmas (Day) with her family.
    2 Christmas Day and the days just before and after it: They're going skiing for a week at Christmas(time).
Christmas tree
Christmas tree
  1. n. a natural or artificial pine tree decorated with lights and colorful ornaments: Many American Christians put up Christmas trees in their houses in December.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
  1. n. the time from evening to 12 midnight on December 24th: Many Christians go to church on Christmas Eve.
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo
  1. n. May 5, a celebration of the defeat of the French military in Mexico in 1862: Mexicans and Mexican-Americans celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
Cinderella
Cinderella
  1. n.
    1 a poor girl who marries a prince in a famous fairy tale
    2 a girl or woman who succeeds after a period of difficulty: Hers is a real Cinderella story; she came from a small farm town and later married the richest man in New York.
Coast Guard
Coast Guard
  1. n. a type of navy responsible for guarding a country's coast(s) from invasion, helping people in trouble on water, and enforcing laws at sea: The Coast Guard helicopter saved a man whose boat had sunk.
Cub Scouts
Cub Scouts
  1. n.pl. a division of the Boy Scouts for boys ages eight through ten: He joined the Cub Scouts because he likes to go camping. See: Brownies.
CD
CD
  1. n.abbr. for
    1 certificate of deposit
    2 compact disc: I bought two new CDs today, one with classical music and the other with rock. See: certificate of deposit. certificate of deposit or CD -n. an official document from a bank that shows how much money you gave them, the amount of interest they pay you, and the period of time that they will keep the money: I have most of my savings in certificates of deposit (or) CD's at Citibank. compact disc or CD -n. a disc used to record music, other sounds, images, and other information that is read by a laser: We use compact discs to play music on our stereo.
CEO
CEO
  1. n. abbr. for Chief Executive Officer
CFO
CFO
  1. n.abbr. for Chief Financial Officer
CIA
CIA
  1. abbr. for Central Intelligence Agency, a branch of the US government that secretly gathers information about other countries: The CIA has its agents in nearly every country of the world.
COLA
COLA
  1. n.abbr. for cost of living adjustment: an increase in wages and pensions usually given each year
CPA
CPA
  1. abbr. for certified public accountant: My CPA did my federal income tax return. CPA abbr. for certified public accountant: My CPA did my federal income tax return.
D-Day
D-Day
  1. n.
    1 the invasion of France on June 6, 1944, by the Allied forces in World War II
    2 fig. a day when a decisive event is going to happen, esp. a major battle: Today is D-Day, because the unions must come to an agreement with management or the business will be closed.
D, d
D, d
  1. n. D's, d's, or Ds, ds
    1 the fourth letter of the English alphabet
    2 the symbol the Romans used for 500 See: Roman numeral.
D.A.
D.A.
  1. abbrev. for district attorney: Dave Deakin is the D.A. in our county.
D.C.
D.C.
  1. -n.
    1 abbr. for District of Columbia, location of U.S. capital city of Washington
    2 infrml. short for Washington, D.C.: He's planning a trip to D.C.
Dacron™
Dacron™
  1. n. [U] artificial fiber used widely in the manufacture of clothes: These shirts don't have to be ironed because they are made of Dacron.
Dark Ages
Dark Ages
  1. n.pl. in Europe, the period between the fall of the Roman Empire (in the 5th century A.D.) and the 10th century A.D.: During the Dark Ages, most people had little education, money, or property.
Day-Glo™
Day-Glo™
  1. n. bright fabrics, plastics, and other materials that glow in a striking way: The boy's Day-Glo pink T-shirt shocked his parents.
Dear John letter
Dear John letter
  1. n. a letter from a girlfriend or wife ending the relationship: My girlfriend wrote me a Dear John letter and moved to Argentina.
December
December
  1. n. the 12th and last month of the year: Christmas comes on December 25.
Deepfreeze™
Deepfreeze™
  1. n.
    1 a type of refrigerator in which food is frozen and stored
    2 to go into a Deepfreeze or deep freeze: to be stopped and left waiting, become frozen and ineffective: The boss stopped the project, and it went into a deep freeze.
Democrat
Democrat
  1. n. in the USA, a member of the Democratic Party: She has voted Democrat all her life. See: Republican.
Dixie
Dixie
  1. n.infrml. the southern part of the USA, esp. the Confederate States: I want to leave New York and go home to Dixie.
Dixieland jazz
Dixieland jazz
  1. n. [U] a type of jazz with a fast beat: Dixieland jazz is played all over the country.
Dolby System™
Dolby System™
  1. n. a noise filter system that improves recorded sound: That movie theater has a Dolby System so the audience enjoys better sound quality.
Don Juan
Don Juan
  1. n. a great lover, a womanizer: He loves the ladies; he's a Don Juan.
Dow-Jones average
Dow-Jones average
  1. n. a number based on the stock prices of 30 big US companies to show how the New York stock market is performing: The newscaster said that the Dow-Jones average closed at a new high today.
Down's syndrome
Down's syndrome
  1. n. a birth defect characterized by lowered intelligence, shortened roundness of body and facial features: That child with Down's syndrome has a loving relationship with his parents.
Dr.
Dr.
  1. abbr. of doctor
Dutch
Dutch
  1. n. [U] adj. to go Dutch: to go out together socially, with each person paying his or her own way: Whenever they have a date, they always go Dutch.
DC
DC
  1. abbr. for direct current See: AC. DC or D.C. n.
    1 abbr. for District of Columbia, location of U.S. capital city of Washington
    2 infrml. short for Washington, DC: He's planning a trip to DC.
DDT
DDT
  1. n. [U] a strong chemical used to kill insects in order to increase crops: The use of DDT is against the law in many places, because it is dangerous to the environment.
DUI
DUI
  1. adj. abbr. for driving under the influence (of alcohol or drugs): Some police departments use roadblocks to stop drivers who may be DUI.
DVD
DVD
  1. abbr. for digital versatile disc, a type of videodisc or compact disc (CD) that holds a large amount of music, video, text, and other information: The DVD version of that movie includes interviews with the director and actors.
DWI
DWI
  1. adj. abbr. for driving while intoxicated: In this state, the first time you are caught DWI, you can lose your driver's license for 90 days.
E, e
E, e
  1. n. E's, e's or Es, es the fifth letter of the English alphabet
East Indies
East Indies
  1. n. a name once used for India, Indonesia, and much of Southeast Asia: Fifteenth-century explorers were looking for new trade routes to the East Indies.
Easter
Easter
  1. n. the Christian religious holiday celebrating Jesus Christ's return to life: Christians go to church on Easter.
Eastern Hemisphere
Eastern Hemisphere
  1. n. the half of the earth that includes Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia
Eastern Standard Time
Eastern Standard Time
  1. n.abbr. EST [U] used in the part of the world that is in the fifth time zone to the west of Greenwich, England: Miami, New York, and the rest of eastern North America are on Eastern Standard Time.||The President's speech will be televised at 7:00 P.M. EST.
éclair
éclair
  1. n. a long pastry filled with cream and covered with chocolate: I had a cup of coffee and a chocolate éclair for dessert.
élan
élan
  1. n. [U] (French for) liveliness and enthusiasm,
    THESAURUS
    flair: My lab partner does everything with élan; he wears nice clothes and eats at great restaurants. See: esprit de corps.
English muffin
English muffin
  1. n. a round yeasty bread usu. cut and toasted in halves: For breakfast, I had eggs and an English muffin.
Eskimo
Eskimo
  1. n.adj. -mos one of the people native to Alaska and northern Canada, an Inuit: She is an Eskimo from Alaska.
Esq.
Esq.
  1. abbr. for Esquire, used in the USA after a lawyer's name in writing: The memo to the lawyer was addressed "To: John Smith, Esq."
Europe
Europe
  1. n. the world's sixth largest continent: Spain, Germany, and Greece are countries in Europe.
European
European
  1. n. a native of Europe: He is a European.adj.
    1 related to Europe: Many Americans admire European culture.
    2 European plan: a hotel room rate that does not include meals
ECG
ECG
  1. or EKG n.abbr. of electrocardiogram
EFL
EFL
  1. abbr. for English as a Foreign Language: She taught EFL in Portugal for 21 years before returning to her home in the USA.
ELT
ELT
  1. abbr. for English Language Teaching
ER
ER
  1. n.abbr. of emergency room ER -n. abbr. of emergency room
ERA
ERA
  1. n.abbr. for Equal Rights Amendment
ESL
ESL
  1. abbr. for English as a Second Language: He teaches ESL to students in a high school.
ESP
ESP
  1. abbr. for extrasensory perception
F, f
F, f
  1. n. F's, f's or Fs, fs
    1 the sixth letter of the English alphabet
    2 abbr. a failing grade: He was shocked when he received an F on the exam. See: Fahrenheit.
Fahrenheit
Fahrenheit
  1. adj. a system of measuring temperature in which water freezes at 32° and boils at 212°: The temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon; it's really hot! See: Centigrade; Celsius.
Far East
Far East
  1. n. the countries of eastern Asia: I travel on business to the Far East once a year.
Father's Day
Father's Day
  1. n. a day honoring fathers, held on the third Sunday in June: We celebrated Father's Day by bringing Dad breakfast in bed.
February
February
  1. n. the second month of the year, between January and March: In February, everyone in New York is sick of the winter and wants a vacation in the sun.
Fed
Fed
  1. n.
    1 short for the Federal Reserve System: The Fed lowered interest rates again.
    2 short for a federal agent: The feds are investigating that labor union. See: Federal Reserve System.
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Federal Bureau of Investigation
  1. n. See: FBI.
Fido
Fido
  1. n. a dog's name: In many American stories the dog's name is Fido.
First World
First World
  1. n. [U] the industrialized and wealthy countries of the world: Represen-tatives of the First World held an economic conference in Paris. See: Third World.
First World War
First World War
  1. n. World War I: Germany and Italy were on opposing sides in the First World War.
Food and Drug Administration
Food and Drug Administration
  1. n. abbr. FDA in the USA, the government agency that checks the safety of food, medicine, and medical procedures: The FDA has recently approved a new drug for the treatment of AIDS.
Formica™
Formica™
  1. n. a hard plastic used as surface material, such as on tables and countertops: Formica provides good protection against burns and stains.
Fourth of July
Fourth of July
  1. n. (in USA) Independence Day: The Fourth of July is a day of great celebration across the United States.
French dressing
French dressing
  1. n. [C;U] (in USA)
    1 vinegar and oil mixed together, often with herbs for salads
    2 a pinkish, creamy salad dressing: French dressing tastes delicious on a fresh salad.
French fries
French fries
  1. n.pl. strips of potatoes deep-fried in fat: Americans love hamburgers with French fries.
French kiss
French kiss
  1. n. kisses a kiss where one partner's tongue enters the other's mouth: He gave her a French kiss.
Freudian
Freudian
  1. n. a therapist who is a follower of Sigmund Freud's theory of psychoanalysis: He is a strict Freudian.adj.
    1 related to the psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud
    2 Freudian slip: a word or phrase, said accidentally, that reveals a feeling the speaker is unaware of: The husband made a Freudian slip by calling his wife by his mother's name.
Friday
Friday
  1. n.
    1 the sixth day of the week between Thursday and Saturday in the weekly calendar
    2 Thank God it's Friday!: An expression that people who are tired of working use to express relief that the weekend is near.
Frisbee™
Frisbee™
  1. n.
    1 a flat round disk made usu. of plastic, tossed back and forth between players
    2 the game of Frisbee™: We played Frisbee™ at the beach.
Fu Manchu mustache
Fu Manchu mustache
  1. n. a style of mustache that hangs down on either side of the mouth: He looks very mysterious with his dark glasses and Fu Manchu mustache.
FBI
FBI
  1. n.abbr. for Federal Bureau of Investigation in USA, the government agency that investigates crimes in which a national law has been broken: The FBI discovered that the man was selling military secrets to a foreign government.

    USAGE NOTE: People usu. refer to government agencies such as the FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) by their initials because their names are so long. Others are the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), EPA (Environmen-tal Protection Agency), and IRS (Internal Revenue Service).
FDA
FDA
  1. n. abbr. See: Food and Drug Administration.
FM
FM
  1. n. short for frequency modulation: My FM radio plays wonderful music.
FORTRAN
FORTRAN
  1. n. a computer programming language used mainly for scientific purposes: She needed to learn FORTRAN for her research.
FYI
FYI
  1. abbr. of For Your Information: FYI, today's meeting will be at 10:00, not 9:30.
G-string
G-string
  1. n.infrml. a small covering worn over the sex organs
G7
G7
  1. n.pl. [U] short for the Group of Seven, the richest nations of the world: the USA, Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan: The heads of state of G7 countries meet every year to discuss world problems, especially economic ones.
G, g
G, g
  1. n. G's, g's or Gs, gs the seventh letter of the English alphabet
Gatorade™
Gatorade™
  1. n. a flavored drink made to replace chemicals in the body (water, sugar, potassium, etc.) lost through exercise: After a fast game of tennis in the summer, I drink Gatorade.
General Assembly
General Assembly
  1. n.
    1 the main group of members of the United Nations: The General Assembly met to hear the Russian President speak.
    2 the law-making group in some US states
Geneva Convention
Geneva Convention
  1. n. a set of rules followed by some countries about the treatment of people hurt or taken prisoner during war: Most nations follow the Geneva Convention in wartime.
German shepherd
German shepherd
  1. n. a type of strong, large dog with a blackish-brown coat: The German shepherd is often used as a police dog.
Gesundheit
Gesundheit
  1. n.exclam. (German for) health; Bless you! (said to s.o. after he or she sneezes to wish them good health): My friend sneezed, and I said, "Gesundheit!" and she said, "Thank you."
Girl Scout
Girl Scout
  1. n. a member of the Girl Scouts, an international organization that trains girls in character building and healthy activities: His daughter joined the Girl Scouts and loves to go camping.
Godspeed
Godspeed
  1. n.frml.old usage good luck, usu. when one is leaving on a journey: I wish you Godspeed in your journey into the jungle.
Golden Rule
Golden Rule
  1. n. a rule that you should treat others as you would like to be treated yourself: Some people try to live by the Golden Rule.
Good Book
Good Book
  1. n. the Christian Bible
Good Friday
Good Friday
  1. n. (in the Christian religion) the day that Christ died; the Friday before Easter
Good Samaritan
Good Samaritan
  1. n. a person who helps another in trouble: We had a car accident and a Good Samaritan stopped and took us to the hospital.
Gothic
Gothic
  1. adj.
    1 related to the Goths, an ancient Germanic tribe: Gothic warriors invaded Rome.
    2 a style of European architecture used in the 12th and 16th centuries: Notre Dame in Paris is a Gothic cathedral.
    3 gothic: related to a romantic type of literature with isolated, mysterious settings: Many gothic novels are set in castles in France.
Grammy
Grammy
  1. n. -mys or -mies a small statue awarded each year for excellence in many areas of the recording industry, mainly for music: Aretha Franklin has won many Grammys.
(the) Great Depression
(the) Great Depression
  1. n. an economic disaster in the USA during the 1930s characterized by falling prices, high unemployment, and a big decrease in business activity: Many banks and businesses failed during the Great Depression.
Green Beret
Green Beret
  1. n. a member of a special US Army commando unit: Green Berets parachuted behind enemy lines.
Groundhog Day
Groundhog Day
  1. n. in the USA, February 2, when, according to tradition, if a groundhog comes out of its hole and sees its shadow, there will be six more weeks of bad weather, or, if it does not see its shadow, there will be an early spring (good weather)
GI
GI

  1. 1 abbr. See: Government Issue.
    2 GI's or GIs a soldier in the US Army: My father was a GI in World War II.
GMAT
GMAT
  1. n.abbr. for Graduate Management Admissions Test, a test students must pass for admission to graduate-level business colleges
GNP
GNP
  1. n.abbr. of Gross National Product
GOP
GOP
  1. short for Grand Old Party, the Republican Party in US politics
GPA
GPA
  1. abbr. for grade point average
H-bomb
H-bomb
  1. n. the hydrogen bomb: The H-bomb is a powerful weapon.
H, h
H, h
  1. n. H's, h's or Hs, hs the eighth letter of the English alphabet
Heimlich maneuver
Heimlich maneuver
  1. n. a technique to clear s.t. blocking a person's windpipe by a sharp upward movement into the abdomen: The dinner guest was choking, and a waiter did the Heimlich maneuver and saved him.
Highness
Highness
  1. n. a form of address to royal family members: Her Royal Highness, the Queen of England, visited the U.S. President.
Hippocratic oath
Hippocratic oath
  1. n. the oath that medical doctors take as a code of conduct: Hippocrates wrote the Hippocratic oath in the fifth century B.C.
Hispanic
Hispanic
  1. n. a Latino, person of Latin American or Spanish descent: Hispanics come from all over the world to New York.adj. related to Spanish-speaking Latin America
Hollywood
Hollywood
  1. n. a Los Angeles suburb and the center of the USA's film industry: Hollywood is a symbol of glamour and excitement.
House of Representatives
House of Representatives
  1. n. the lower legislative house of Congress in the USA and of many state legislatures: Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years.
HDTV
HDTV
  1. abbr. for high-definition television with extremely clear pictures and wide screens
HMO
HMO
  1. abbr. for health maintenance organization
I, i
I, i
  1. n. I's, i's or Is, is 1 the ninth letter of the English alphabet for the Internet: an iPhone™ 3 fig. to dot the i's and cross the t's: to agree on small details: The agreement is nearly final, except that we have to dot a few i's and cross a few t's.pron. first-person singular, used in speaking or writing to refer to oneself: I wish I could stay longer.
I, i
I, i
  1. n. I's, i's or Is, is 1 the ninth letter of the English alphabet for the Internet: an iPhone™ 3 fig. to dot the i's and cross the t's: to agree on small details: The agreement is nearly final, except that we have to dot a few i's and cross a few t's.pron. first-person singular, used in speaking or writing to refer to oneself: I wish I could stay longer.
I'm
I'm
  1. contr. of I am: I'm a doctor.
Impressionism
Impressionism
  1. n. [U] a late nineteenth-century style of painting (mostly French) that used strokes of color to create effects of light: Monet helped to begin Impressionism with his painting of a sunrise. -n. [C] impressionist; -adj. impressionistic.
Independence Day
Independence Day
  1. n. in the USA, July 4, the holiday marking independence from Great Britain (also called the Fourth of July): We celebrate Independence Day with fireworks and a cookout.
Indian
Indian
  1. n.
    1 a person born in India or with parents from India: Many Indians practice the Hindu religion.
    2 a person related to any of the original people of America,
    THESAURUS
    Native American: Her father is an Indian, a member of the Cherokee tribe.adj. related to Indians: Indian restaurants serve spicy foods with curry and rice.||Navajo and Cherokee Indians are two different groups of people.

    USAGE NOTE: Christopher Columbus was looking for India when he reached the Americas, which is why the native populations were called Indians. The preferred term for American Indians is Native Americans.
Indian summer
Indian summer
  1. n. [C;U] a warm period in the late autumn: Sometimes Halloween (October 31) falls during Indian summer, and we can wear costumes with no coats.
Indo-European
Indo-European
  1. n.adj. related to languages spoken in Europe and parts of Asia: He speaks Arabic, but he wants to learn an Indo-European language.
Internet
Internet
  1. n. [U] a huge computer network of electronic mail and information, used by millions of people and organizations all over the world: On my business trip, I used the Internet to receive a note from my boss and send a birthday message to my daughter. See: E-mail; information superhighway; World Wide Web, USAGE NOTE.
Irish coffee
Irish coffee
  1. n. [C;U] a hot drink made of coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar, topped with whipped cream: He likes an Irish coffee after a nice meal.
Irish setter
Irish setter
  1. n. a breed of dog with long, silky, brownish-red fur
Iron Curtain
Iron Curtain
  1. n.fig. the political and philosophical barriers or separation between Communist countries and democracies that began after World War II and ended in 1989 with the fall of the Berlin Wall: She lived behind the Iron Curtain in Poland all her life, so she didn't know about Western political systems.
Ivy League
Ivy League
  1. n. in the USA, eight northeastern universities known for strong academics, competing sports teams, tradition, and wealth; they are Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania, and Yale: My father played football in the Ivy League when he was at Yale.adj. having to do with the Ivy League, usu. meaning a fine education, traditional behavior, and wealth: He acts like an Ivy League snob, but he never graduated from high school.
ID or ID card
ID or ID card
  1. n. abbr. for identity card: a card, such as a driver's license, often with a photograph, that gives personal information, such as one's name, age, and address: She needed an ID showing that she was 21 before she could buy the wine.
    THESAURUS
    ID or ID Card identification, documents, records | driver's license, passport.
IOU
IOU
  1. n.abbr. of I owe you, a written promise to pay back money: I loaned my friend $100, and he gave me an IOU.
    THESAURUS
    IOU a note, bill, promissory note.
IPA
IPA
  1. See: International Phonetic Alphabet.
IRA
IRA
  1. abbr. for
    1 Individual Retirement Account that permits one to save money for retirement without paying tax until the money is taken out
    2 Irish Republican Army
IRS
IRS
  1. abbr. for Internal Revenue Service, the USA's national tax collection agency: The IRS sent me a letter saying I had made a mistake on my tax form.
IT
IT
  1. abbr. for information technology
J, j
J, j
  1. J's, j's or Js, js n. the tenth letter of the English alphabet
Jack Frost
Jack Frost
  1. n. an imaginary man associated with frost and cold weather: It is so cold outside that Jack Frost is biting my nose; it's all red.
Jane Doe
Jane Doe
  1. n.
    1 a name used for an imaginary average woman
    2 a woman with no known name: The dead woman was a Jane Doe. See: John Doe.
January
January
  1. n. the first month of the year: It started to snow in January.
Jaycees
Jaycees
  1. n.pl. abbr. of Junior Chamber of Commerce (an organization for young adults): Jaycees encourage young people to start businesses.
Jeep™
Jeep™
  1. n. a type of strongly built car made to travel over rough ground: We drove our Jeep up a mountain road.
Jell-O™ or jello
Jell-O™ or jello
  1. n. a light dessert made of gelatin, usu. with a fruit flavor: orange-flavored Jell-O
Jew
Jew
  1. n.
    1 a member of the Jewish faith
    2 a person of Jewish descent: The religion of the Jews is Judaism. -adj. Jewish.
John Doe
John Doe
  1. n.
    1 a name used for an imaginary average man
    2 a name used for a man who has no known name or identity: The police captured a thief who would not give his name, so they called him John Doe. See: Jane Doe.
John Hancock
John Hancock
  1. n.
    1 lit. a signer of the USA's Declaration of Independence
    2 fig.a signature
    3 infrml.fig. to put or sign your John Hancock: to sign a document with your name: The contract is ready; just put your John Hancock on it.
Johnny-come-lately
Johnny-come-lately
  1. n. -lies a person who joins a cause or adopts a fashion (trend, idea, etc.) after it is well established, a latecomer: Everyone uses computers, and he is just now starting to learn; he's a Johnny-come-lately.
Johnny-on-the-spot
Johnny-on-the-spot
  1. n. an eager, helpful person: The television salesman became ill, so his helper was Johnny-on-the-spot and sold many TVs for him.
Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
  1. n.pl. in the USA, a group of military officers in charge of the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines, located in Washington, DC: The Joint Chiefs of Staff make important military decisions.
Judgment Day
Judgment Day
  1. n.
    1 in some religions, the end of the world, the day when God judges all people as good or bad
    2 fig.the day when a very important event takes place: Tomorrow is judgment day for me, because I will know whether I passed my final exams.
July
July
  1. n. the seventh month of the year, between June and August: In the USA, Independence Day is July 4.
June
June
  1. n. the sixth month of the year, between May and July: My birthday is in June.
Junior Chamber of Commerce
Junior Chamber of Commerce
  1. n. See: Jaycees.
Jupiter
Jupiter
  1. n. the fifth planet from the sun: Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system.
K, k
K, k
  1. n. K's, k's or Ks, ks 1 the 11th letter of the English alphabet
    2 sing.infrml. 1,000: That house costs $100K (or) $100k ($100,000).
    3 (in computers) abbr. of kilobyte: He has an old computer with 640k of memory.
    4 kilometer: She entered a 10K road race.
Kleenex™
Kleenex™
  1. n. -nexes a brand of soft paper tissue: People use Kleenex to wipe their eyes (nose, glasses, etc.).
Koran
Koran
  1. n. the sacred scriptures of Islam: Muslims believe that the Koran contains the things that Allah told Mohammed.
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
  1. also KKK or the Klan n. a secret society whose members think white people are superior, located mainly in the southern USA: The KKK is devoted to having white Christian people rule the world.
KO
KO
  1. n. abbr. for knockout: The boxing match ended with a tenth round KO.v. [T] to hit s.o., esp. a boxer, so hard that the person loses consciousness: The boxer was KOed in the 10th round.
L, l
L, l
  1. n. L's, l's or Ls, ls
    1 the 12th letter of the English alphabet
    2 in Roman numerals, the symbol for 50
    3 L-shaped: in the form of an L: The building is L-shaped, with a long wing for offices and the short wing for the entrance area.
Labor Day
Labor Day
  1. n. in the USA and Canada, a holiday observed on the first Monday in September in honor of workers: Labor Day is the last big holiday of summer.
Latin America
Latin America
  1. n. the countries of Central and South America: Spanish is the main language spoken in Latin America.
La.ti.no, na
La.ti.no, na
  1. n. [C] a Latin-American man or boy (.no) or woman or girl (.na), esp. one living in the USA: Maria started a club for Latinas interested in careers in science.
Laundromat™
Laundromat™
  1. n. a selfservice laundry,
    THESAURUS
    launderette: The Laundromat is crowded with people washing their clothes.
Little League
Little League
  1. n. a group of children's baseball teams supported by local families and businesses: Our son plays in the Little League.
LPN
LPN
  1. n. See: licensed practical nurse.
LSD
LSD
  1. n. [U] abbr. for lysergic acid diethylamide, a powerful drug that makes people see things in strange ways: In the 1960s, many young people experimented with LSD.
M, m
M, m
  1. n. M's, m's or Ms, ms
    1 the 13th letter of the English alphabet
    2 the Roman numeral for 1,000: The printer printed 5M copies of the book.
Machiavellian
Machiavellian
  1. adj. related to getting and keeping power, esp. by tricking others: That politician uses Machiavellian methods to stay in office.
Mafia
Mafia
  1. n. a violent, criminal organization most active in Italy and the USA: The Mafia is said to control the casinos in many big cities.
Magic Marker™
Magic Marker™
  1. n. a type of thick, felt-tip pen used to mark a text, draw a picture, or write in big letters: We used a Magic Marker at our meeting to write our ideas on a board so everyone could see. See: marker, 2.
Magna Carta (Great Charter)
Magna Carta (Great Charter)
  1. n. a document signed by King John of England in 1215 guaranteeing certain civil rights to all citizens: The Magna Carta has been used as the model for many other modern constitutions.
Main Street
Main Street
  1. n. the principal street and business center of a town: The bank, post office, and library are all on Main Street in our town. adj. typical of ordinary America and Americans: Cars made by Ford and Chevrolet are as Main Street as you can find.
major league
major league
  1. n.
    1 (in baseball) the highest-level organization of teams in professional baseball: He plays baseball in the major league.
    2 fig. in the major league(s): a high level of success or importance in a field: In her important new job, she's really in the major leagues now. -adj. major-league.
March
March
  1. n. the third month of the year, between February and April: A common expression about the weather in March is, "March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb."
Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
  1. n. the Tuesday before the beginning of Lent and a time of carnival in many countries: Mardi Gras in New Orleans is a big party with dancing, music, and fun.
Marine Corps
Marine Corps
  1. n. a branch of the US military known for its toughness and heroism: My sister is an officer in the Marine Corps.
Mars
Mars
  1. n. the fourth planet in the solar system, between Earth and Jupiter: Space vehicles have explored Mars.
Marxism
Marxism
  1. n. a type of communism based on the writings of Karl Marx that sees the struggle between social classes as a major cause of historical change: Marxism was developed in 19th-century Europe. -n.adj. Marxist.
May
May
  1. the fifth month of the year, between April and June: In the Northern Hemisphere, May is a month of springtime.
Mayflower
Mayflower
  1. n. the name of a ship that brought early European colonizers, the Pilgrims, to North America in 1620: Her family came to New England on the Mayflower.
McCarthyism
McCarthyism
  1. n. the act of accusing people of doing something wrong without solid evidence; named for Senator Joe McCarthy who falsely accused many people of being Communists in the 1950s: McCarthyism caused many newspaper and film writers to lose their jobs.
McCoy
McCoy
  1. n.infrml.fig. the real McCoy: an expression that describes s.t. genuine: Those gold coins are the real McCoy; they are worth a lot of money.
Mecca
Mecca
  1. n.
    1 a city in western Saudi Arabia considered the most holy city to Muslims: Religious pilgrims visit Mecca each year.
    2 fig. a place that attracts people: Paris is a mecca for tourists who love food, history, and culture.
Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
  1. n. the USA's highest military award for great bravery in combat: Winners of the Medal of Honor are national heroes.
Medicaid
Medicaid
  1. n. [U] in the USA, a health-care program for poor people paid for by public funds: Medicaid provides millions of people with medical care that they could not afford without the program.
Medicare
Medicare
  1. n. [U] in the USA, a government-funded public health care program for the elderly: Medicare provides doctor and hospital care for old people.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day
  1. n. in the USA, a national holiday on the last Monday in May in remembrance of people killed in wars and other dead: People often visit cemeteries and decorate their relatives' graves on Memorial Day.
Mercury
Mercury
  1. n. [U] the closest planet to the sun: The surface of Mercury is very hot in the daytime.
Middle Ages
Middle Ages
  1. n.pl. used with a sing.v. the medieval period of history from the fall of Rome in 476 A.D. to approx. 1450: The Middle Ages lasted for about 1,000 years.
Middle America
Middle America
  1. n.fig. people who are middle-class and who reflect typical American culture and attitude: The President visited Kansas and Iowa to learn what Middle America thinks of his policies.
Middle East or Mideast
Middle East or Mideast
  1. n. countries located from the southern and eastern Mediterranean, east to Iran: The Middle East was home to many ancient civilizations.
Midwest
Midwest
  1. n. short for the Middle West of the USA, the middle northwestern states of the USA, from Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana in the east to Kansas and Nebraska in the west: The Midwest is known for its farmland and industries. -n. Midwesterner.
Milky Way
Milky Way
  1. n. the galaxy of 100 billion stars in which our sun and Earth are located: On a clear night, you can see part of the Milky Way in the sky.
Monday
Monday
  1. n. the day of the week between Sunday and Tuesday: Many people do not like to go to work on Mondays after having the weekend off.
Morse code
Morse code
  1. n. a system of communication that uses dots and dashes to replace letters of the alphabet: Morse code uses signals to send messages.
Mother's Day
Mother's Day
  1. n. in USA, a holiday on the second Sunday in May that honors mothers: I sent flowers to my mother for Mother's Day.
Mother Goose
Mother Goose
  1. n. the imaginary author of a collection of children's rhymes in 18th-century England: Children have loved Mother Goose poems for centuries.
Mother Nature
Mother Nature
  1. n. a term for nature and its power: The powerful storms that Mother Nature sends across land and sea cause much damage.
Mr.
Mr.
  1. abbr. for Mister Messrs. : Mr. Jones is here to see you.
Mr. Right
Mr. Right
  1. n.infrml. a nickname for the perfect man: Mary Jane finally met Mr. Right and they got married.
Mrs.
Mrs.
  1. abbr. for Mistress Mmes. a courtesy title before the name of a married woman: Mrs. Jones visited the doctor. See: Ms., USAGE NOTE.
Ms.
Ms.
  1. abbr. for Miss or Mrs., a title for a woman that does not indicate marital status: Ms. Smith is the director of accounting here.

    USAGE NOTE: Use of the title Ms. avoids mistakenly calling a married woman Miss or a single woman Mrs. Many people prefer Ms. because it does not refer to marital status, as Mr. does not for men.
Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law
  1. n.infrml. the idea that if s.t. can go wrong, it will go wrong: I had a very important meeting and Murphy's Law was working; my car got a flat tire and I forgot to bring my briefcase.
Muzak™
Muzak™
  1. n. prerecorded music played in hotels and elevators, etc: Our hotel has Muzak playing in the lobby to relax the guests.
MD
MD
  1. abbr. for Doctor of Medicine: Jerry Christopher, MD
MPH
MPH
  1. abbr. for miles per hour: The speed limit is 55 MPH.

    USAGE NOTE: Said as "miles per hour," not "MPH."
MTV
MTV
  1. abbr. for music television, a cable television station featuring pop, rock, and dance music videos: I saw Madonna's new video on MTV last night.
N, n
N, n
  1. N's, n's or Ns, ns the 14th letter of the English alphabet
Native American
Native American
  1. adj. of or related to American Indians: Native American history||a Native American poet n. an American Indian: She's a Native American, born and brought up in Tucson, Arizona. See: Indian, USAGE NOTE.
Nazi
Nazi
  1. n. -zis a member of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, the political party headed by Adolf Hitler that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945 adj. related to the Nazis: a Nazi submarine -n. [U] Nazism or Naziism.
New Testament
New Testament
  1. n. the section of the Bible that contains the earliest Christian writings, including the story of the life of Christ: In his speech, he made several references to the New Testament. See: Old Testament.
New World
New World
  1. n. the Western Hemisphere (North, Central, and South America): Columbus sailed to the New World from Spain.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day
  1. n. January 1: We relax on New Year's Day. See: resolution, 3.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve
  1. n. the evening up to 12 midnight of December 31: We're going to attend a party on New Year's Eve. CULTURE NOTE: The most well-known New Year's Eve celebration in the USA takes place in Times Square in New York City. Thousands of people gather at midnight to watch a ball of lights slowly fall down the side of a large building. People everywhere watch on TV.
Nirvana
Nirvana
  1. n.
    1 (in Hinduism and Buddhism) the state of spiritual perfection in which one has no needs or desires: How does one reach Nirvana?
    2 a state of great happiness and complete contentment: When she listened to the beautiful music, she was in nirvana.
Nobel Prize
Nobel Prize
  1. n. an annual prize awarded in the physical sciences, medicine, economics, literature, and for contributions to peace: She won the Nobel Prize in chemistry.
North Pole
North Pole
  1. n. the northernmost point on earth and the land that surrounds it: The scientist joined a research team stationed at the North Pole.
Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
  1. n. the part of the world that is north of the equator
November
November
  1. n. the eleventh month of the year: November has 30 days.
Novocain™
Novocain™
  1. n. a painkiller used by dentists: I was given Novocain when my tooth was pulled.
NASA
NASA
  1. abbr. for National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the agency of the US federal government responsible for space exploration
NASDAQ
NASDAQ
  1. abbr. for National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations, an organization that provides a marketplace for the sale of stocks for mostly newer and smaller companies See: stock market, Wall Street.
NATO
NATO
  1. abbr. for North Atlantic Treaty Organization, an association of North American and European countries formed for military defense
NBA
NBA
  1. abbr. for National Basketball Association, an affiliation of all the men's professional basketball teams and players in the USA: Michael Jordan was one of the best NBA players ever. See: WNBA.
NFL
NFL
  1. abbr. for National Football League, an organization of the professional USA football teams and players: Joe Montana was a famous NFL player. See: Super Bowl.
NOW
NOW
  1. n. abbr. for National Organization for Women, an organization in the USA dedicated to promoting the interests and protecting the rights of women
O, o
O, o
  1. n. O's, o's or Os, os
    1 the 15th letter of the English alphabet
    2 s.t. shaped like an O: Doughnuts and circles are O-shaped.
    3 zero (esp. in saying numbers): My telephone number is 456-00 (oh-oh) 22.
October
October
  1. n. the 10th month of the year: October is harvest time in many parts of the USA.
Old Glory
Old Glory
  1. n.fig. the flag of the USA: Each professional baseball game starts with a salute to Old Glory.
Old Testament
Old Testament
  1. n. the Holy Scripture of the Jews, the first part of the Christian Scripture, containing ancient Hebrew writings: The Old Testament is the longer of the two parts of the Christian Bible. See: New Testament.
Old World
Old World
  1. n. Europe with parts of Asia and North Africa: Greek and Roman civilizations were part of the Old World.
Olympic Games
Olympic Games
  1. or Olympics -n. pl.
    1 the international sports competitions held every four years: The Olympics always draw huge crowds of spectators.
    2 the original ancient Greek games: This Greek vase shows a scene from the ancient Olympics.

    USAGE NOTE: The Special Olympics is an international sports competition for mentally challenged children and adults. There is an international Special Olympics competition every two years.
OD
OD
  1. v. [I] n.abbr.slang OD'd or ODed, OD'ing, OD's
    1 to overdose on, take too much of a drug: The addict OD'd on heroin; he took an OD.
    2 to take too much of s.t.: I really OD'd on that chocolate cake; I feel sick.
or
or
  1. conj.
    1 referring to choices or alternatives: You can go today or tomorrow.
    2 if not,
    THESAURUS
    otherwise: Take care of your car or else you'll have problems.
    3 introducing a word with the same meaning: I'll have half a dozen, or six, of those.
    4 or so: more or less,
    THESAURUS
    approximately: The car cost $19,000 or so.
P,p
P,p
  1. n. P's, p's or Ps, ps the 16th letter of the English alphabet
P.O.
P.O.
  1. abbr. for post office
P.O. Box
P.O. Box
  1. n. See: post office box.
P.S.
P.S.
  1. abbr. of postscript, a message added after a person's signature at the bottom of a letter or other communication: P.S. Send my love to everyone in your family.
Pablum™
Pablum™
  1. n. [U]
    1 a light, bland cereal made to feed babies
    2 pablum: anything that is weak and dull, esp. writing: The stories in that book are pablum.
Pacific Rim
Pacific Rim
  1. n. [U] the countries in Asia and in North and South America, whose land borders on the Pacific Ocean, such as Japan, China, Korea, the USA, Canada, and Latin American countries, all frequently viewed as an economic group: Trees cut down in Canada are shipped to Japan to make lumber, then the lumber is shipped to the USA to build houses as part of the businesses connected together in the Pacific Rim.
Palm Sunday
Palm Sunday
  1. n. a Christian holiday on the Sunday before Easter: On Palm Sunday, they went to church.
Pan-American
Pan-American
  1. adj. related to or involving North, Central, and South America: Interested countries held a Pan-American conference on economic problems.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease
  1. n. [U] an illness in the body's nervous system that causes weakness and shaking in the arms and legs: Parkinson's disease is a problem for many old people.
Passover
Passover
  1. n. [U] a Jewish holiday that celebrates the Jews' release from captivity in Egypt and return to their homeland: She always goes home to celebrate Passover with her parents.
Ph.D.
Ph.D.
  1. n.abbr. for Doctor of Philosophy, an advanced university degree above a master's degree: She has a Ph.D. in English from Berkeley. See: M.A., USAGE NOTE.
Pigmy
Pigmy
  1. n. -mies See: Pygmy.
Ping-Pong™
Ping-Pong™
  1. n. See: table tennis.
Pisces
Pisces
  1. n. the 12th sign of the zodiac
Plexiglas™
Plexiglas™
  1. n. a transparent, hard material used often as a substitute for plate glass, such as for windowpanes: The Plexiglas™ windows in the airplane won't shatter or crack.
Polaris
Polaris
  1. n. the North Star: For centuries, sailors navigated by looking at Polaris.
Polaroid™
Polaroid™
  1. n. a type of camera that develops its own pictures in seconds: He used a Polaroid™ to take pictures at the party.
Pope
Pope
  1. n. the head of the Roman Catholic Church: The Pope lives in the Vatican in Rome.
Popsicle™
Popsicle™
  1. n. a type of sweetened, fruit-flavored crushed ice, frozen onto one or two sticks: In summer, an orange Popsicle tastes very refreshing.
Populism
Populism
  1. n. [U] an American political philosophy of dedication to the interests of ordinary people with a minimum amount of government interference: Populism, with its emphasis on individual freedom, is a very American approach to politics. -n.adj. Populist.
President's Day
President's Day
  1. n. the third Monday in February, observed as a holiday in the US in honor of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington
Pulitzer Prize
Pulitzer Prize
  1. n. a yearly award in the USA for the best writing in newspapers, novels, poetry, etc.: She won the Pulitzer Prize for best news reporting on a newspaper.
Purple Heart
Purple Heart
  1. n. a military medal awarded to US soldiers wounded in action: That soldier was wounded in the leg and got the Purple Heart.
Pygmy
Pygmy
  1. n. -mies a member of several African, Asian, and Philippine peoples shorter than 59 inches or 1.5 meters: Many Pygmies live in rain forests near the equator.
Pyrex™
Pyrex™
  1. n.adj. a type of glass that can stand heat in an oven: She heated soup in a Pyrex dish in the microwave oven.
PC
PC
  1. n. PCs or PC's abbr. for personal computer: I have a PC at home and one at the office. See: desktop computer; laptop computer. personal computer or PC -n. a small, compact computer that can easily be moved, designed mainly for home use politically correct or PC -adj. conforming to progressive attitudes, such as supporting the rights of women, ethnic minorities, and homosexuals, and avoiding language that might offend such groups: He was careful to use politically correct language, using terms like "mail carrier" rather than "mailman" and "chairperson" rather than "chairman."-n. [U] political correctness.
PDA
PDA
  1. abbr. for personal digital assistant n. a small, handheld computer used as a notepad, address book, calendar, cell phone, and for e-mail: My PDA fits easily in my briefcase.
PMS
PMS
  1. n. abbr. for premenstrual syndrome
POW
POW
  1. n. abbr. for prisoner of war
PR
PR
  1. abbr. for public relations
Q-tip™
Q-tip™
  1. n. a little rod with a small amount of soft cotton wrapped around both ends: A Q-tip™ can be used to clean inside your ear.
Q & A
Q & A
  1. n.adj.abbr. of Question and Answer: The politician held a Q & A session for the voters.
Q, q
Q, q
  1. n. Q's, q's or Qs, qs the 17th letter of the English alphabet See: know, 6, mind, 6.
R & R
R & R
  1. n. [U] Rest and Relaxation, a vacation See: R, 3.
R, r
R, r
  1. n. R's, r's or Rs, rs
    1 the 18th letter of the English alphabet: Many Spanish speakers roll their R's.
    2 the three R's: short for the three basic educational skills of reading, (w)riting, and (a)rithmetic: School children must learn the three R's.
    3 R & R: infrml.short for Rest and Relaxation, a vacation: I worked hard all winter, and now it is time for two wonderful weeks of R & R in the country.
R.N.
R.N.
  1. abbr. for registered nurse: My sister is an R.N. See: registered nurse, USAGE NOTE.
Ramadan
Ramadan
  1. n. in Islam, the ninth month of the year, during which nothing is eaten during daylight hours: Ramadan ends with a holy day of feasting.
Rd.
Rd.
  1. abbr. for Road: His address is 21 Fordham Rd. See: street, USAGE NOTE.
Red Cross
Red Cross
  1. n. an international organization for relief of human pain and suffering and for im-provement in public health: The Red Cross is organized in over 100 countries to help provide better health care.
Republican
Republican
  1. n.adj. one of two major political parties in the USA: Every four years, the Republicans (or) Republican party choose a candidate to run for the presidency. See: Democratic Party, USAGE NOTE.

    USAGE NOTE: The US political system is basically a two-party system; most elected officials belong to either the Republican or Democratic party. Other parties are called third parties, but candidates from these parties are rarely elected. Sometimes the Republican party is referred to as the GOP which stands for the Grand Old Party. The symbol of the Republican party is an elephant; the Democrat's symbol is a donkey.
Rev.
Rev.
  1. abbr. for Reverend: Rev. Allen is the minister at that church.
Rhodes scholar
Rhodes scholar
  1. n. a person given a scholarship to Oxford University in England and funded by the deceased Cecil Rhodes: To be a Rhodes scholar is a great honor.
Riesling
Riesling
  1. n. a white wine made from the Riesling variety of grapes, often produced in the Rhine area of Germany: A light Riesling wine tastes good with fish.
(the) Roaring 20s
(the) Roaring 20s
  1. n. a period of time (the 1920s) in the USA that saw rapid changes in the country's econmic, scientific, social, and moral outlook: During the Roaring 20s, the first round-the-world airplane flights took place and American women were finally allowed to vote.
Robin Hood
Robin Hood
  1. n.
    1 the leader of a robber band, romanticized in English ballads and literature since the 15th century for stealing from the rich to help the poor
    2 fig. any person who takes from the rich to help the poor: The new president is a Robin Hood who raised taxes heavily on the rich.
Roller Derby™
Roller Derby™
  1. n. a contest on roller skates between two teams where each team tries to have one team member go ahead of the other team by at least one time around the rink: A Roller Derby is fun to watch as opponents knock each other down.
Roman
Roman
  1. adj. related to ancient or modern Rome, the Roman Empire, or its people: The Roman Empire stretched for thousands of miles from Rome.n.pl. Romans: the Roman people: The Romans were proud of the roads and cities they built.
Roman numeral
Roman numeral
  1. n. any of the symbols used by the Romans to indicate numbers: In Roman numerals, M=1,000, D=500, C=100, L=50, X=10, V=5, and I=1.
Romano
Romano
  1. n. [U] a lightcolored, strong-tasting hard cheese: I like a slice of Romano with my apple pie.
Romanticism
Romanticism
  1. n. [U] an artistic movement of the late 18th century that was popular in Europe: The beauty of nature and human feelings were important ideas in Romanticism. -n. Romanticist.
Romeo
Romeo
  1. n.
    1 a character in Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet: Romeo loved Juliet enough to die for her.
    2 fig. a man who is very popular with women: He is a real Romeo, always surrounded by many women!
Roquefort
Roquefort
  1. n. [U] a white French cheese with blue mold and a strong taste: A little Roquefort tastes wonderful at the end of a meal.
Russian dressing
Russian dressing
  1. n. [U] a salad dressing made of mayonnaise, ketchup, and often small pieces of pickles: Russian dressing tastes good on a green salad.
Russian roulette
Russian roulette
  1. n. [U] a dangerous game in which one bullet is placed in a six-shooter revolver, the cylinder is spun around, the gun is pointed at one's head, and the trigger is pulled; if the bullet falls in line, the player kills himself: In some James Bond TM movies, characters play Russian roulette.
Rx
Rx
  1. n.abbr. for prescription or remedy, medicine: My doctor gave me an Rx for my high blood pressure.
REM
REM
  1. n. short for Rapid Eye Movement, a type of sleep whereby one dreams and the eyeball moves quickly: Doctors believe that REM is very important for a good night's sleep.
RIP
RIP
  1. abbr. for rest in peace
ROTC
ROTC
  1. n. short for Reserve Officer's Training Corps, a program in which students receive training as army officers: He earned some money for college in ROTC.
RSVP
RSVP
  1. abbr. (French for) please respond: In the letter asking us to come to a party, she wrote, "RSVP by Monday."

    USAGE NOTE: RSVP appears on an invitation to a party, wedding, or other event when the host needs to know how many people will be coming: You should RSVP by sending a letter or calling the person who sent you the invitation. Another common abbreviation on invitations is BYOB. This stands for Bring Your Own Bottle and means that if you want to drink alcoholic drinks, you may bring them, but the host will not provide them. Both of these abbreviations are sometimes used like words: When I RSVPed for her party, she told me it was BYOB.
RV
RV
  1. n. abbr. for recreational vehicle.
S,s
S,s
  1. n. S's, s's or Ss, ss the 19th letter of the English alphabet
S.O.B.
S.O.B.
  1. n.vulg.abbr. for son of a bitch, an unkind, bad person, usu. a man: That S.O.B. hit my car and drove away.
Sabbath
Sabbath
  1. n. the last day of the week, the day of rest and worship: Christians observe the Sabbath on Sunday.
Salvation Army
Salvation Army
  1. n. an international Christian organization that uses military titles and terms, known for helping the poor
Santa Claus
Santa Claus
  1. n. the imaginary old man with a white beard in a red suit who brings children presents at Christmas: My little girl left milk and cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Satan
Satan
  1. n. the Devil, the enemy of God and ruler of Hell -n. satanism.
Saturday
Saturday
  1. n. the seventh day of the week, between Friday and Sunday
Scotch
Scotch
  1. n. a type of whiskey made in Scotland: I drink Scotch and water with ice.
Scripture
Scripture
  1. n.
    1 [C;U] a part of the Bible: I read the Scriptures every day.
    2 The Holy Scripture or The Holy Scriptures: the Bible
Seder
Seder
  1. n. Seders or Sedarim a Jewish service and dinner on the first and sometimes second night of Passover
Semite
Semite
  1. n. a member or descendant of any of the Middle Eastern Semitic tribes or peoples
September
September
  1. n. the ninth month of the year, between August and October
Siamese cat
Siamese cat
  1. n. a short-haired cat with blue eyes and light gray and black fur
Siamese twins
Siamese twins
  1. n.pl. twins that are born joined together and at times share body parts
South Pole
South Pole
  1. n. the southernmost part of the earth's north-south axis
Spanish onion
Spanish onion
  1. n. a common onion with yellow skin
Star-Spangled Banner
Star-Spangled Banner
  1. n. the national song (anthem) of the USA
Statue of Liberty
Statue of Liberty
  1. n. the huge statue of a woman holding a torch, standing on an island near the southern tip of Manhattan in New York City; a very famous symbol of freedom in the USA, and a popular tourist spot
Stone Age
Stone Age
  1. n. the very beginning of human life and culture, millions of years ago
Sunbelt
Sunbelt
  1. n. [U] the southern and southwestern United States, from California to Florida, where warm weather is prevalent: Our parents retired to the Sunbelt in San Diego.
Sunday
Sunday
  1. n.
    1 the first day of the week, between Saturday and Monday, regarded by most Christians as the Sabbath, the day of worship and rest: We spend Sundays in the park.
    2 [C;U] Sunday school: religious teaching for children, usu. held while their parents attend church service
Superman
Superman
  1. n. the fictional cartoon character of great powers: Superman wears a red cape and a large "S" on his chest.
Supreme Court
Supreme Court
  1. n. the highest court in the US system of justice, located in Washington, DC.
SOP
SOP
  1. n.abbr. of standard operating procedure, a usual way of doing s.t.: Everybody must be searched by guards before entering the building; the search is SOP.
SOS
SOS
  1. abbr. for save our ship, a call for help: The sinking ship sent an SOS over the radio.||The company is failing, so they sent an SOS to investors.
SUV
SUV
  1. abbr. for sport utility vehicle
T bill
T bill
  1. n. short for Treasury bill: T bills are a very safe investment.
T,t
T,t
  1. n. T's, t's or Ts, ts
    1 the 20th letter of the English alphabet
    2 to suit s.o. to a T: to complement s.o.'s personality or interests perfectly: As s.o. who likes teenagers, John finds that teaching high school suits him to a T.
Taurus
Taurus
  1. n. a constellation of stars called "the Bull"; the second sign of the zodiac: The constellation Taurus is located in the Northern Hemisphere.
Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day
  1. n. a national holiday of celebration giving thanks for all good things [observed in the USA on the fourth Thursday of November and in Canada on the second Monday of October]: We had a turkey and pumpkin pie for dinner on Thanksgiving Day. See: pilgrim, USAGE NOTE.
Thursday
Thursday
  1. n. the fifth day of the week, coming between Wednesday and Friday: On Thursdays, she takes a course after work.
Tom, Dick, and Harry
Tom, Dick, and Harry
  1. n. [U] an expression meaning everybody, ordinary men: She is a snob and won't speak to just any Tom, Dick, and Harry.
Treasury bond
Treasury bond
  1. n. USA government's long-term securities of ten years or more issued in minimum denominations of $1,000
Treasury note
Treasury note
  1. n. USA government's intermediate-term securities of one to ten years: Some dealers prefer Treasury notes because they mature sooner than bonds, but carry a higher rate than bills.
Tuesday
Tuesday
  1. n. the third day of the week, between Monday and Wednesday
TB
TB
  1. abbr. of tuberculosis
TGIF
TGIF
  1. abbr. for Thank God It's Friday, an expression of tiredness and relief that the weekend of rest and relaxation starts the next day: Every Friday, someone in my office will say, "TGIF, I'm exhausted!"
TLC
TLC
  1. n.infrml.abbr. of tender loving care: Patients in hospitals need lots of TLC.
TNT
TNT
  1. n. [U] abbr. of trinitrotoluene, an explosive: Workers used TNT to make holes in rock.
TQM
TQM
  1. n. abbr. of total quality management TQM -n. abbr. of total quality management
TV
TV
  1. infrml.abbr. for television: We watch the evening news on TV. television or TV -n.
    1 [U] the sending of images and sound via the airwaves or cable to a television set: Most major sports events are shown on television.
    2 [C] a box-like device that receives and displays pictures and sound: My favorite show is on television tonight.
    3 the industry that creates programs to show on television See : boob tube TV infrml. abbr. for television: We watch the evening news on TV.
TV dinner
TV dinner
  1. n. a frozen, packaged meal that is heated and eaten
U-turn
U-turn
  1. n. a 180° turn: He was heading north and then made a U-turn and headed south.
U, u
U, u
  1. n. U's, u's or Us, us
    1 the 21st letter of the English alphabet
    2 s.t. shaped like a U See: U-turn.
U.N.
U.N.
  1. n.abbr. the United Nations: The U.N. funds many projects for peace throughout the world.
U.S.
U.S.
  1. [U]-n. abbr. of the United States (of America)
Uncle Sam
Uncle Sam
  1. n. a nickname for the US government: We pay our taxes every year to Uncle Sam.
Union Jack
Union Jack
  1. n. the British flag: A ship flies the Union Jack to show that it is from England.
United Nations
United Nations
  1. n.pl. used with a sing. v. an international organization founded and headquartered in New York City in 1945: The United Nations promotes cooperation and peace among nations. See: U.N.
Uranus
Uranus
  1. n. the seventh planet from the sun: Uranus is quite far from the sun.
UFO
UFO
  1. n. UFOs abbr. for Unidentified Flying Object, a space vehicle from another planet: People often mistake shooting stars for UFOs.
URL
URL
  1. n. abbr. for Uniform Resource Locator, (in computers) the groups of letters and symbols that make up an Internet address: Our URL is www.learnenglish.com.
V-neck
V-neck
  1. n.adj. a sweater, pullover, or other garment with the neckline shaped downward in a "V": In winter, he wears a V-neck sweater and a warm coat.
V-shaped
V-shaped
  1. adj. shaped in the form of a "V": a dress with a V-shaped neckline
V sign
V sign
  1. n. a victory sign, usu. given by extending the index and second fingers of the hand skyward: The winner gave a V sign as she left the sports stadium.
V,v
V,v
  1. n. 1 the 22nd letter of the English alphabet
    2 the Roman numeral for five adj. shaped like a "V": He raised two fingers in the air and made the V sign for victory.
Vatican
Vatican
  1. n. the governmental seat of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope in Rome: Millions of tourists visit the Vatican each year.
Venus
Venus
  1. n. the second planet from the sun: Venus is between Mercury and Earth.
Veterans Day
Veterans Day
  1. n. a holiday in November honoring the war veterans in the USA, traditionally celebrated on November 11: We watched the Veterans Day parade.
Visa#
Visa#
  1. n. the name of a popular credit card: When she travels, she charges her expenses on her Visa.
VD
VD
  1. old usage abbr. for venereal disease: He's got VD. See: STD.
VIP
VIP
  1. n.abbr. for very important person: She is a VIP in the government who works closely with the President.
W, w
W, w
  1. n. W's, w's or Ws, ws the 23rd letter of the English alphabet
Wall Street
Wall Street
  1. n.
    1 a street in New York's financial district: The New York Stock Exchange is located on Wall Street.
    2 fig. a symbol of money, power, and influence in the USA: When things go wrong on Wall Street, the whole nation suffers.
(the) Web
(the) Web
  1. [U] n.infrml. short for the World Wide Web (in computers): The Web is a great place to find useful information.
Wednesday
Wednesday
  1. n. the day of the week between Tuesday and Thursday
Western
Western
  1. adj. of or belonging to the West: Western clothes include cowboy hats and boots.n. a story, movie, etc. about cowboys, Native Americans, etc. in the western USA: The old Westerns are still popular movies today.
Western hemisphere
Western hemisphere
  1. n. the half of the earth that includes North and South America
Westerner
Westerner
  1. n. s.o. from or living in the western part of a country: He is a Westerner who now lives in Miami.
White House
White House
  1. n.
    1 in the USA, the President's house in Washington, DC.
    2 a symbol of the US government and its President: The White House announced its choice for Secretary of State.
Who's Who
Who's Who
  1. n. a list of important people in a profession, country, or other area: She is in the Who's Who of national political leaders.
Windbreaker™
Windbreaker™
  1. n. a light jacket: It's a cool day, so I'll wear my Windbreaker.
World Cup™
World Cup™
  1. n. the prize given annually by FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association) to the world cup champion soccer team: Spain won the World Cup™ in 2010.
World Series
World Series
  1. n. Series [U] the North American baseball championship: The World Series winner must win four of a possible seven games in the series.
World War I
World War I
  1. n. the great war (1914-1918) between the Allies (USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, Japan, et al.) and Germany, Austria, Hungary, et al.
World War II
World War II
  1. n. the great war (1939-1945) between the Allies (USA, Canada, Great Britain, France, et al.) and the Axis (Germany, Japan, et al.)
WNBA
WNBA
  1. abbr. for Women's National Basketball Association, an affiliation of all USA women's professional basketball teams and players: The WNBA was founded in 1997. See: NBA.
X-rated
X-rated
  1. adj. in the USA, a rating for films that have nude sex scenes and often obscene language: Children under the age of 17 cannot buy tickets for X-rated movies.
X, x
X, x
  1. n. X's, x's or Xs, xs
    1 the 24th letter of the English alphabet 2 a substitute for a signature: People who can't write will often mark an X on a document in place of their names.
    3 a mark for a location: X marks the spot on the map where I live.
    4 the Roman numeral for ten —v. [T] to cross out with an X: She X'd out a paragraph in the letter. See: ex, X-rated.
    THESAURUS
    X, x n.
    2 a cross. —v. to delete, remove.
Xmas
Xmas
  1. n.infrml.abbr. for Christmas: This year I will spend the Xmas holidays with my family.

    USAGE NOTE: Xmas is used in informal writing but is not used in speaking.
XL
XL
  1. abbr. for extra large size: The label of that coat says its size is XL.
XXL
XXL
  1. abbr. for extra, extra large size: Clothing with an XXL label is for very big people.
Y, y
Y, y
  1. n. Y's, y's or Ys, ys
    1 the 25th letter of the English alphabet
    2 the Y: n. abbr. for YMCA, the Young Men's Christian Association, or YWCA, the Young Women's Christian Association: He lives in a room at the Y.
Yankee
Yankee
  1. n.
    1 an American, as called by some foreigners: My wife is from England and I am American. She calls me a Yankee.
    2 a northerner in the US Civil War: The Yankees invaded the South.
    3 a member of one of New York's professional baseball teams
Yellow Pages
Yellow Pages
  1. n. in the USA, a book that lists the telephone numbers and addresses of businesses and professionals arranged by their goods or services: If you need to find a doctor, look under "Physicians" in the Yellow Pages.
    THESAURUS
    Yellow Pages a phone directory, telephone directory.
Yiddish
Yiddish
  1. n. [U] a language based on German and spoken throughout the world by some Jewish people: The jeweler on 47th Street in New York City speaks Yiddish and five other languages.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur
  1. n. the Day of Atonement: Yom Kippur is the holiest of Jewish holidays.
Yorkshire pudding
Yorkshire pudding
  1. n. a tradi-tional pastry made with milk, flour, and eggs: Yorkshire pudding is browned on the outside and served with roast beef.
Yuletide
Yuletide
  1. n.frml. [U] Christmas time: People go to parties during the Yuletide season.
YMCA
YMCA
  1. n.abbr. for Young Men's Christian Association. See: Y.
YWCA
YWCA
  1. n.abbr. for Young Women's Christian Association: She has a room at the YWCA.
Z, z
Z, z
  1. n. Z's, z's or Zs, zs
    1 the 26th letter of the English alphabet
    2 pl.fig.infrml. a sign for sleep: I am tired; I am going to bed now to get some Z's.
Zip Code
Zip Code
  1. n. in the USA, five numbers or nine numbers added to addresses on letters and other items that indicate their location for postal delivery: The Zip Code of our office in New York is 10019 or 10019-6845.