1.easier English Basic Dictionary Pre-Int PDF

EASIER
ENGLISH
BASIC
DICTIONARY
SECOND EDITION
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EASIER
ENGLISH
BASIC
DICTIONARY
SECOND EDITION
Preface
This dictionary contains the most frequently used words in English and provides the
basic vocabulary needed for everyday communication by anyone starting to learn the
language. It is especially useful for elementary and pre-intermediate students of all
ages and would be suitable for those working towards an elementary level English
examination such as KET or PET.
Each word is individually defined, and no words, not even adverbs, are given with-
out a definition. Examples are included for many words to provide patterns for the
user’s own production of English sentences.
Each word, including compound words and phrasal verbs, has its own easy-to-find
main entry in bold type. Each word has a pronunciation in the International
Phonetic Alphabet. Common phrases and idioms associated with the main term are
shown in bold type and separately defined within the entry.
The meanings of the main common senses of each word are given clearly and sim-
ply, using a limited and easily understood vocabulary. Meanings are grouped
together by their part of speech.
Extra help is offered in Notes at the end of some entries. These include warnings
about words which can confused with each other, unusual inflected forms and
regularly collocating prepositions. The major differences in US and British
spelling are noted.
A useful companion to this dictionary is Easier English Basic Synonyms which
compares and contrasts words with similar meanings, showing the similarities and
differences in usage.
Symbols
쐽 before a new part of speech
쑗 before examples
왍 before a phrase or collocation
앳 before an idiom
쒁 a definition of the word will be found at the place indicated
쏡 extra information will be found at the place indicated
Pronunciation
The following symbols have been used to show the pronunciation of the main
words in the dictionary.
Stress has been indicated by a main stress mark ( ) and a secondary stress
mark ( ). Note that these are only guides, as the stress of the word changes
according to its position in the sentence.
Vowels Consonants
back b buck
ɑ harm d dead
ɒ stop ð other
a type d jump
aυ how f fare
aə hire gold
aυə hour h head
ɔ course j yellow
ɔ annoy k cab
e head l leave
eə fair m mix
e make n nil
eυ go ŋ sing
word p print
i keep r rest
i happy s save
ə about ʃ shop
 fit t take
ə near tʃ change
u annual θ theft
u pool v value
υ book w work
υə tour x loch
' shut measure
z zone
Basic.fm Page 1 Friday, January 16, 2004 3:10 PM
A
a1 /e/, A noun the first letter of the alpha-
a
very able manager. 쑗 There are special

bet, followed by B 쑗 Do you mean ‘de- activities for able children.
pendant’ spelt with an ‘a’ or ‘depend- about /əbaυt/ preposition 1. referring to
about
ent’ with an ‘e’? 앳 from A to Z com- something 쑗 He told me all about his
pletely, all the way through operation. 쑗 What do you want to speak
a2 /ə, e/, an /ən, n/ article 1. one 쑗 an
a
to the doctor about? 2. 왍 to be about to

enormous hole 쑗 a useful guidebook 쑗 do something to be going to do some-
She’s bought a new car. 쑗 I want a cup thing very soon 쑗 We were about to go
of tea. 쑗 We had to wait an hour for the home when you arrived. 3. not exactly 쑗
bus. (NOTE: an is used before words I’ve been waiting for about four hours.
beginning with a, e, i, o, u and with h if 쑗 She’s only about fifteen years old. 앳
the h is not pronounced: an apple or how about? 1. what do you think
an hour. a is used before words begin- about? 쑗 We can’t find a new chairper-
ning with all other letters and also be- son for the club – What about Sarah? 2.
fore u where u is pronounced /ju
/ : a would you like a cup of tea? 앳 while
useful guidebook) 2. for each or to each you’re about it at the same time as the
쑗 Apples cost £1.50 a kilo. 쑗 The car thing you are doing 쑗 While you’re
was travelling at 50 kilometres an hour. about it, can you post this letter?
쑗 He earns £100 a day. above /əbv/ preposition 1. higher than
above
abandon /əbndən/ verb 1. to leave 쑗 The plane was flying above the
abandon
someone or something in an unkind way clouds. 쑗 The temperature in the street

쑗 The dog had been abandoned by its was above 30 degrees. 쑗 At prices
owner. 2. to give up or stop doing some- above £20, nobody will buy it. 2. older
thing 쑗 The company has decided to than 쑗 If you are above 18, you have to
abandon the project. 쑗 We abandoned pay the full fare. 3. louder than 쑗 I
the idea of setting up a London office. couldn’t hear the telephone above the
noise of the drills.
abbreviation /əbri
vieʃ(ə)n/ noun a
abbreviation
abroad /əbrɔ
d/ adverb in or to another
abroad
short form of a word
country 쑗 They’ve gone abroad on holi-

ability /əblti/ noun 1. a natural tenden-
ability

day. 쑗 I lived abroad for three years.
cy to do something well 쑗 I admire his
absence /bsəns/ noun the fact of be-
absence
ability to stay calm in difficult situa-

tions. 쑗 We can develop their natural ing away from a place 쑗 She did not ex-
abilities. (NOTE: The plural is abilities.) plain her absence from the meeting. 쑗
왍 I’ll do it to the best of my ability I’ll The former president was sentenced in
do it as well as I can 2. the fact of being his absence. 왍 in the absence of be-
clever 쑗 suitable for different levels of cause someone or something is not there
쑗 In the absence of the chairman, his
ability (NOTE: no plural)
deputy took over. 쑗 In the absence of
able /eb(ə)l/ adjective 1. 왍 to be able to
able
any official support, we had to raise our

do something to be capable of some- own funds.
thing or have the chance to do some-
absent /bsənt/ adjective not there
absent
쑗
thing 쑗 They weren’t able to find the
house. 쑗 Will you be able to come to the Ten of the staff are absent with flu.
absolute /bsəlu
t/ adjective com-
absolute
meeting? 2. good at doing something, or

good at doing many things 쑗 She’s a plete or total
absolutely 2 accompany
absolutely adverb 1. /bsəlu
tli/ com- little gift. 2. to say ‘yes’ or to agree to
absolutely
pletely 쑗 I am absolutely sure I left the something 쑗 She accepted the offer of a
keys in my coat pocket. 2. /bsəlu
tli/
job in Australia. 쑗 I invited her to come
yes, of course 쑗 Did you build it your- with us and she accepted. (NOTE: Do not
self? – Absolutely! confuse with except.)
acceptable /əkseptəb(ə)l/ adjective
acceptable
absorb /əbzɔ
b/ verb 1. to take in
absorb

something such as a liquid 쑗 The water good enough to be accepted, although

should be absorbed by the paper. 쑗 Salt not particularly good 쑗 Fighting in the
absorbs moisture from the air. 2. to re- street is not acceptable behaviour. 쑗
duce a shock 쑗 The car’s springs are Smoking is becoming less socially ac-
supposed to absorb any shock from the ceptable. 쑗 A small gift of flowers would
road surface. be very acceptable. 쑗 The offer is not
acceptable to the vendor.
absurd /əbs
d/ adjective completely
absurd
access /kses/ noun a way of reaching

access
unreasonable or impossible to believe 쑗

It’s absurd to expect you will win the lot- a place 쑗 The concert hall has access
tery if you only buy one ticket. for wheelchairs. 쑗 At present there is no
access to the site. 왍 to have access to
abuse1 /əbju
s/ noun 1. rude words 쑗
abuse

something to be able to reach a place,
The people being arrested shouted meet a person, or obtain something 쑗
abuse at the police. 2. very bad treat- I’ll have access to the studio day and
ment 쑗 the sexual abuse of children 쑗 night. 쑗 The company has access to
She suffered physical abuse in prison. substantial funds. 쐽 verb to get infor-
(NOTE: [all senses] no plural) mation from a computer 쑗 She tried to
abuse2 /əbju
z/ verb 1. to treat some-
abuse
access the address list.

one very badly, usually physically or accident /ksd(ə)nt/ noun 1. an un-
accident
sexually 쑗 She had been abused as a pleasant thing which happens and caus-
child. 2. to make the wrong use of some- es damage or injury 쑗 He lost his leg in
thing 쑗 He abused his position as fi- an accident at work. 쑗 She was involved
nance director. 3. to say rude things in a car accident and had to go to hos-
about someone 쑗 The crowd noisily pital. 2. something that happens unex-
abused the group of politicians as they pectedly 쑗 Their third baby was an ac-
entered the building. cident. 왍 by accident without being
academic /kədemk/ adjective 1. re-
academic
planned or expected 쑗 He found the

lating to study at a university 쑗 Mem- missing papers by accident.
bers of the academic staff received a let- accidental /ksdent(ə)l/ adjective
accidental
ter from the principal. 2. only in theory, happening without being planned or ex-
not in practice 쑗 It is only of academic pected 쑗 an accidental meeting 쑗 acci-
interest. 쐽 noun a university teacher 쑗 dental damage 쑗 His death was not ac-
All her friends are academics. cidental.
accelerate /əkseləret/ verb to go fast-
accelerate
accidentally /ksdent(ə)li/ adverb

accidentally
er 쑗 Don’t accelerate when you get to without being planned or expected

traffic lights. accommodation /əkɒmədeʃ(ə)n/
accommodation
accent /ksənt/ noun 1. a particular

accent
noun a place to live or somewhere to

way of pronouncing something 쑗 He stay for a short time 쑗 Are you still look-
speaks with an American accent. 2. the ing for accommodation? 쑗 Visitors have
stronger or louder part of a word or sen- difficulty in finding hotel accommoda-
tence 쑗 In the word ‘letter’ the accent is tion during the summer. (NOTE: In Brit-
on the first syllable. 3. a mark over a let- ish English, accommodation has no
ter showing a particular way of pro- plural.)
nouncing it 쑗 Café has an accent on the accompany /əkmp(ə)ni/ verb 1. to
accompany
‘e’. go with someone or something 쑗 She

accept /əksept/ verb 1. to take and keep
accept
accompanied me to the door. 2. to play

a present 쑗 We hope you will accept this a musical instrument while someone
accomplish 3 action
else plays another instrument or sings 쑗 acid /sd/ noun a chemical substance
acid
She sang and was accompanied on the that is able to dissolve metals
piano by her father. (NOTE: accompa-
acknowledge /əknɒld"/ verb 1. to
acknowledge
nied by someone or something)

say that something has been received 쑗
accomplish /əkmplʃ/ verb to do
accomplish

She didn’t acknowledge receiving my
something successfully 쑗 You won’t ac- letter. 2. to accept that something is true
complish anything by arguing. 쑗 She acknowledged that she had seen
according to /əkɔ
dŋ tu
/ preposi- me there.
according to
tion 1. as someone says or writes 쑗 The acknowledgement /əknɒld"mənt/

acknowledgement
washing machine was installed accord- noun a letter or note sent to say that
ing to the manufacturer’s instructions. something has been received
쑗 According to the police, the car was
acorn /ekɔ
n/ noun the fruit of an oak
acorn
going too fast. 2. in agreement with tree

rules or a system 쑗 Everything went ac-
acquaintance /əkwentəns/ noun a
acquaintance
cording to plan or schedule. 3. in rela-
tion to 쑗 The teachers have separated person you know slightly 쑗 She has
the children into classes according to many acquaintances in the travel indus-
their ages. try but no real friends.
acquire /əkwaə/ verb to become the
acquire
account /əkaυnt/ noun 1. same as

account

bank account 2. 왍 I was worried on owner of something 쑗 She has acquired

her account I was afraid something a large collection of old books.
across /əkrɒs/ preposition 1. from one
across
might happen to her 앳 on account of
because of, due to 쑗 The trains are late side to the other 쑗 Don’t run across the
on account of the fog. 쑗 We don’t use the road without looking to see if there is
car much on account of the price of pet- any traffic coming. 2. on the other side
rol. 앳 take something into account of 쑗 He saw her across the street. 쐽 ad-
to consider something 쑗 We have to take verb from one side to the other 쑗 The
the weather into account. 앳 on no ac- river is only twenty feet across. 쑗 The
count not at all stream is very narrow – you can easily
accurate /kjυrət/ adjective correct in
accurate
jump across.
act /kt/ noun 1. something which is
act
all details 쑗 Are the figures accurate? 쑗

We asked them to make an accurate done 쑗 He thanked her for the many
copy of the plan. acts of kindness she had shown him over
accurately /kjυrətli/ adverb correct-
accurately
the years. 2. a part of a play or show 쑗
ly 쑗 The weather forecast accurately Act 2 of the play takes place in the gar-
predicted the storm. den. 3. a short performance 쑗 The show
includes acts by several young singers.
accuse /əkju
z/ verb to say that some-
accuse

4. a law passed by Parliament 쑗 an act
one has done something wrong 쑗 The to ban the sale of weapons 쐽 verb 1. to
police accused her of stealing the mon- do something 쑗 You will have to act
ey. (NOTE: You accuse someone of a quickly if you want to stop the fire. 쑗 She
crime or of doing something.) acted in a very responsible way. 왍 to act
achieve /ətʃi
v/ verb to succeed in do-
achieve
as someone or something to do the

ing something after trying very hard 쑗 work of someone or something 쑗 The
Have you achieved all your aims? 쑗 The thick curtain acts as a screen to cut out
company has achieved great success in noise from the street. 2. to behave in a
the USA. particular way 쑗 She’s been acting very
achievement /ətʃi
vmənt/ noun
achievement

strangely. 앳 to get your act together
something which has been done suc- to organise yourself properly 쑗 If they
cessfully 쑗 She is very modest about her don’t get their act together, they’ll miss
achievements. 쑗 Coming sixth was a their train.
action /kʃən/ noun 1. the fact of doing
action
great achievement, since he had never

entered the competition before. something 쑗 We recommend swift ac-
active 4 address
tion to prevent the problem spreading. 쑗 ad /d/ noun an advertisement (informal )
ad
What action are you going to take to 쑗 If you want to sell your car quickly,
prevent accidents? 왍 out of action not put an ad in the paper.
working 쑗 The car has been out of ac- adapt /ədpt/ verb 1. to change some-
adapt
tion for a week. 2. something that is thing to be suitable for a new situation 쑗
done 쑗 They’ve shown their commit- She adapted the story for TV. 쑗 The car
ment by their actions. 3. a movement 쑗 has been adapted for disabled drivers.
Avoid sudden actions that could alarm 2. to change your behaviour to fit into a
the animals. 4. the things that happen in new situation 쑗 We’ll all have to learn
a performance such as a play or film 쑗 to adapt to the new system.
The action of the play takes place in a adaptable /ədptəb(ə)l/ adjective
adaptable
flat in London. 5. a case in a law court able to change or be changed easily to

where someone tries to get money from deal with new situations or uses
someone else 쑗 to bring an action for
add /d/ verb 1. to make a total of num-
add
damages against someone

bers 쑗 If you add all these numbers to-
active /ktv/ adjective 1. involved in
active
gether it should make fifty. (NOTE: Add-

an activity or activities, especially in an ing is usually shown by the sign + : 10
energetic way 쑗 He didn’t play an ac- + 4 = 14.) 2. to join one thing to another
tive part in the attack on the police sta- 쑗 Interest is added to the account
tion. 쑗 My grandmother is still very ac- monthly. 쑗 Add two cupfuls of sugar. 쑗
tive at the age of 88. 2. (of a volcano) Put a teabag into the pot and add boil-
exploding or likely to explode 쑗 Scien- ing water. 쑗 By building the annexe,
tists think the volcano is no longer ac- they have added thirty rooms to the ho-
tive. 3. the form of a verb which shows tel. 3. to say or to write something more
that the subject is doing something 쑗 I have nothing to add to what I put in
(NOTE: If you say ‘the car hit him’ the my letter. 쑗 She added that we still owed
verb is active, but in ‘he was hit by the her some money for work she did last
car’ it is passive.) month.
activity /ktvti/ noun 1. the act or
activity

add up phrasal verb to make a total 왍
fact of being active 2. something that the figures do not add up the total is
someone does to pass time pleasantly 쑗 not correct
addition /ədʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. someone or
addition
Children are offered various holiday ac-
tivities – sailing, windsurfing and wa- something added to something else 쑗

ter-skiing. (NOTE: The plural in this the latest addition to the family 쑗 He
showed us the additions to his collection
sense is activities.)
of paintings. 2. the act of adding figures
actor /ktə/ noun a person who acts in
actor
to make a total 쑗 You don’t need a cal-

the theatre, in films or on TV culator to do a simple addition. 왍 in ad-
actress /ktrəs/ noun a woman who
actress
dition to as well as 쑗 There are twelve
acts in the theatre, in films or on TV registered letters to be sent in addition
(NOTE: Many women prefer to call to this parcel. 앳 in addition as well 앳
themselves actors rather than actress- in addition to as well as 쑗 There are
es.)
twelve registered letters to be sent in ad-
dition to this parcel.
actual /ktʃuəl/ adjective real
actual
쑗 It additional /ədʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective in-

additional
looks quite small but the actual height is cluded as well as what there is already
5 metres. 쑗 Her actual words were much
address /ədres/ noun 1. a set of details
address
stronger.
of the number of a house, the name of a
actually /ktʃuəli/ adverb really
actually
쑗 It street and the town where someone lives

looks quite small, but actually it is over or works 쑗 What is the doctor’s ad-
5 metres high. 쑗 He said he was ill, but dress? 쑗 Our address is: 1 Cambridge
actually he wanted to go to the football Road, Teddington, Middlesex. 2. the set
match. of letters, symbols and numbers that
address book 5 advantage

identify someone’s email account 쐽 admission that she had taken the money
verb 1. to write details such as some- led to her arrest.
one’s name, street and town on a letter admission fee /ədmʃ(ə)n fi
/ noun
admission fee
or parcel 쑗 That letter is addressed to an amount of money paid to go into a

me – don’t open it! 2. to speak or write place such as a museum
to someone 쑗 Please address your ques-
admit /ədmt/ verb to allow someone to
admit
tions to the information office. 쑗 Teach-
ers are not normally addressed as ‘Sir’ go in to a place 쑗 Children are admitted
here. 3. to make a formal speech to a free, but adults have to pay. 쑗 This ticket
group 쑗 The chairman addressed the admits three people. (NOTE: admits –
meeting. admitting – admitted) 왍 to admit (to)
doing something to say that you have
address book /ədres bυk/ noun a
address book

done something wrong 쑗 They admitted
notebook or computer file in which you stealing the car.
can record people’s names, home ad-
adopt /ədɒpt/ verb 1. to take someone
adopt
dresses, telephone numbers and email
addresses legally as a son or daughter 쑗 They have

adopted a little boy. 2. to decide to start
adequate /dkwət/ adjective 1.
adequate
using something 쑗 The book has been

enough for a purpose 쑗 We don’t have adopted for use in all English classes. 쑗
adequate supplies for the whole journey. We need to adopt a more flexible ap-
쑗 His salary alone is barely adequate. proach.
2. only just satisfactory
adore /ədɔ
/ verb to like someone or
adore
adhesive /ədhi
sv/ adjective able to
adhesive
something very much

stick to things 쐽 noun a substance adult /dlt/ noun a fully-grown person
adult
which sticks things together 쐽 adjective 1. fully grown 쑗 an adult ti-

adjacent /əd"es(ə)nt/ adjective very
adjacent
ger 2. relating to a mature person or

close to or almost touching something 쑗 people 쑗 adult fiction
My office is in an adjacent building. advance /ədvɑ
ns/ verb to move for-
advance
adjective /d"ktv/ noun a word

adjective
ward 쑗 The police slowly advanced

which describes a noun 쑗 In the phrase across the square. 쐽 noun 1. a move-
‘a big black cloud’, ‘big’ and ‘black’ ment forwards 쑗 The police have made
are both adjectives. some advances in their fight against
adjust /əd"st/ verb to make a slight
adjust

crime. 쑗 The team made an advance
change to something 쑗 I need to adjust into their opponents’ half. 2. money
this belt a bit. 왍 to adjust to something paid as a loan or as a part of a payment
to become used to something 쑗 How are to be made later 쐽 adjective done before
you adjusting to being a parent? something happens 쑗 She made an ad-
vance payment of £3000. 앳 in advance
admiration /dməreʃ(ə)n/ noun re-
admiration

earlier than the time something happens
spect for someone or something 쑗 You must phone in advance to make
admire /ədmaə/ verb to consider
admire

an appointment. 쑗 They asked us to pay
someone or something with approval 쑗 £200 in advance.
advanced /ədvɑ
nst/ adjective which
advanced
He was admired for his skill as a violin-
ist. 쑗 We admired the view from the bal- is studied at a higher level 쑗 He’s stud-
cony. ying advanced mathematics. 쑗 She’s
admission /ədmʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act
admission

studying for an advanced degree.
advantage /ədvɑ
ntd"/ noun some-
advantage
or fact of being allowed to go in to a
place 쑗 Admission to the exhibition is thing which will help you to be success-
free on Sundays. 쑗 My friend was re- ful 쑗 Being able to drive a car is an ad-
fused admission to the restaurant be- vantage. 쑗 Knowledge of two foreign
cause he was not wearing a tie. 왍 no ad- languages is an advantage in this job. 쑗
mission no one can enter 2. a statement She has several advantages over the
saying that something bad is true 쑗 Her other job candidates. 앳 to take advan-
adventure 6 afraid
tage of something to profit from ral: use some advice or, for one item, a
something 쑗 They took advantage of the piece of advice)
cheap fares on offer. 앳 to take advan- advise /ədvaz/ verb 1. to suggest to
advise
tage of someone to get something un- someone what they should do 쑗 He ad-
fairly from someone 앳 to (good or vised her to save some of the money. 2.
best) advantage in a way that helps to tell someone officially that something
someone or something appear especial- has happened (formal ) 쑗 They advised
ly good 쑗 She used her knowledge of us that the sale of the house had been
Italian to good advantage. completed.
adventure /ədventʃə/ noun a new, ex-
adventure
adviser /ədvazə/, advisor noun some-

adviser

citing and dangerous experience 쑗 I one who helps people to make decisions
must tell you about our adventures in about what to do
the desert.
aerial /eəriəl/ noun a piece of equipment
aerial
adverb /dv
b/ noun a word which
adverb
for receiving radio or TV signals

applies to a verb, an adjective, another
aeroplane /eərəplen/ noun a vehicle
aeroplane
adverb or a whole sentence 쑗 In the sen-

which flies in the air, carrying passen-
tence ‘He walked slowly, because the
gers or goods
snow was very thick.’ both ‘slowly’ and
affair /əfeə/ noun 1. something which is
affair
‘very’ are adverbs.
relevant to one person or group of peo-

adverse /dv
s/ adjective (of condi-
adverse
ple only 쑗 That’s his affair – it’s nothing

tions) unpleasant and unwanted 쑗 an
to do with me. 쑗 It’s an affair for the po-
adverse reaction 쑗 adverse effects
lice. 쑗 His business affairs were very
advert /dv
t/ noun same as adver-
advert
complicated. 2. a sexual relationship

tisement with someone who is not your husband
advertise /dvətaz/ verb to make
advertise
or wife 쑗 He’s having an affair with his

sure that people know that something is boss’s wife. 3. an event 쑗 The party is
for sale, or that something is going to just a family affair. 4. an event or situa-
happen 쑗 The company is advertising tion that shocks people 쑗 The whole
for secretaries. 쑗 Did you see that the sorry affair was on the front page of the
restaurant is advertising cheap meals newspapers for days. 쐽 plural noun af-
on Sundays? 쑗 I saw this watch adver- fairs situations or activities relating to
tised in the paper. public or private life
affect /əfekt/ verb to have an influence
affect
advertisement /ədv
tsmənt/ noun
advertisement

an announcement which tries to make on someone or something 쑗 The new

sure that people know that something is regulations have affected our business.
for sale, or that something is going to 쑗 Train services have been seriously af-
happen fected by the strike.
affection /əfekʃən/ noun a feeling of
affection
advertising /dvətazŋ/ noun the act

advertising

of making sure that people know that liking someone, especially a friend 쑗
something is for sale, or that something She always spoke of him with great af-
is going to happen 쑗 The company has fection.
afford /əfɔ
d/ verb to have enough mon-
afford
increased the amount of money it spends
on advertising. 쑗 They spent millions on ey to pay for something 쑗 How will you
the advertising campaign. afford such an expensive holiday? 왍 be
advice /ədvas/ noun an opinion that
advice

unable to afford, can’t afford to be un-
someone gives you about what you able to accept something because it
should do 쑗 He went to the bank manag- might cause you a problem 쑗 I can’t af-
er for advice on how to pay his debts. 쑗 ford a delay of more than three weeks.
afraid /əfred/ adjective 1. frightened of
afraid
They would not listen to the doctor’s ad-
vice. 쑗 My grandfather gave me a very something or someone 쑗 I am afraid of

useful piece of advice. 쑗 His mother’s snakes. 쑗 He is too afraid to climb the
advice was to stay in bed. (NOTE: no plu- ladder. 2. 왍 to be afraid (that) to be
after 7 agreement
sorry to say 쑗 I’m afraid that all the aged /ed"d/ adjective with the age of 쑗
aged
1
cakes have been sold. 쑗 You can’t see a girl aged nine 쑗 She died last year,
the boss – I’m afraid he’s ill. 쑗 Have aged 83.
you got a pocket calculator? – No, I’m
aged2 /ed"d/ adjective very old 쑗 an
aged
afraid not.
aged man
after /ɑ
ftə/ preposition 1. following or
after
agency /ed"ənsi/ noun an office which

agency
next in order to 쑗 If today is Tuesday,

the day after tomorrow is Thursday. 쑗 represents another firm 쑗 an advertising
They spoke one after the other. 쑗 What’s agency
the letter after Q in the alphabet? 왍 af- agenda /əd"endə/ noun a list of points
agenda
ter you you go first 2. later than 쑗 We for discussion 왍 what’s on the agenda?
arrived after six o’clock. 쑗 We don’t let what are we going to discuss? 쐽 a set of
the children go out alone after dark. 쐽 things that someone plans to do 왍 top of
conjunction later than a time 쑗 After the your agenda what someone wants most
snow fell, the motorways were blocked. 쑗 A holiday is top of my agenda at
쑗 Phone me after you get home. (NOTE: present.
after is used with many phrasal verbs: agent /ed"ənt/ noun a person who
agent
to look after, to take after, etc.) 앳 af- works for or represents someone else 쑗
ter all 1. in spite of everything 쑗 Every- Our head office is in London but we
thing was all right after all. 2. the fact is have an agent in Paris.
쑗 He should be OK; after all, he is
aggression /ə'reʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling
aggression
eighteen now.
of anger against someone that is ex-

afternoon /ɑ
ftənu
n/ noun the time
afternoon

pressed, especially in physical force 왍
between midday and the evening 쑗 He an act of aggression an attack on some-
always has a little sleep in the after- one
noon. 쑗 There is an afternoon flight to
aggressive /ə'resv/ adjective ready
aggressive
Paris. 쑗 Can we meet tomorrow after-
noon? to attack someone

aggressively /ə'resvli/ adverb as if
aggressively
afterwards /ɑ
ftəwədz/ adverb later 쑗
afterwards

We’ll have lunch first and go shopping wanting to attack someone

afterwards. ago /ə'əυ/ adverb in the past 쑗 He
ago
again /ə'en/ adverb 1. another time 쑗 phoned a few minutes ago. 쑗 This all
again
He had to take his driving test again. 왍 happened a long time ago. (NOTE: ago
again and again several times, usually always follows a word referring to
in a firm or determined way 쑗 The po- time.)
lice officer asked the same question agree /ə'ri
/ verb 1. to say yes or give
agree
again and again. 2. back as you were permission 쑗 After some discussion he
before 쑗 Although I like going on holi- agreed to our plan. (NOTE: You agree to
day, I’m always glad to be home again. or on a plan.) 2. to say or show that you
against /ə'enst/ preposition 1. so as to
against
have the same opinion as someone else

touch 쑗 He was leaning against the 쑗 Most of the group agreed with her
wall. 쑗 She hit her head against the low suggestion.
doorway. 2. in opposition to 쑗 England agreement /ə'ri
mənt/ noun 1. the act
agreement
is playing against South Africa tomor- or fact of thinking the same 쑗 to reach
row. 쑗 It’s hard cycling uphill against an agreement or to come to an agree-
the wind. 쑗 They went against his ad- ment on salaries 쑗 Agreement between
vice. the two sides is still a long way off. 왍
age /ed"/ noun the number of years
age
they are in agreement with our plan

which you have lived 쑗 She is thirty they agree with our plan 쑗 We discussed
years of age. 쑗 He looks younger than the plan with them and they are in
his age. 쐽 plural noun ages a very long agreement. 2. a contract 쑗 to draw up or
time (informal ) 쑗 I’ve been waiting here to draft an agreement 쑗 We signed an
for ages. 쑗 It took us ages to get served. agreement with the Italian company.
ahead 8 alive
ahead /əhed/ adverb 1. in front 쑗 Our has a fleet of ten aircraft. (NOTE: The
ahead
team was losing, but now we are ahead plural is aircraft: one aircraft, six air-
again. 쑗 Run on ahead and find some craft.)
seats for us. 쑗 You need to go straight airfare /eəfeə/ noun the amount of mon-
airfare
ahead, and then turn left. 2. in future 쑗 ey a passenger has to pay to travel on an
My diary is filled with appointments for aircraft
six weeks ahead. 3. before 쑗 We try to air force /eə fɔ
s/ noun a country’s mil-
air force
fill the vacancies at least three weeks itary air organisation

ahead. 앳 ahead of /əhed ɒv/ 1. in
airline /eəlan/ noun a company which
airline
front of 쑗 Ahead of us was a steep hill.

쑗 They ran on ahead of the others. 2. in takes people or goods to places in air-
a future time 쑗 You have a mass of work craft 쑗 The airline has been voted the
ahead of you. 3. before (informal ) 쑗 most popular with business travellers. 쑗
They drafted in extra police ahead of the He’s an airline pilot.
airplane /eəplen/ noun US an aircraft
airplane
international match.
aid /ed/ noun 1. help, especially money, airport /eəpɔ
t/ noun a place where air-
airport
aid
food or other gifts given to people living craft land and take off 쑗 You can take
in difficult conditions 쑗 aid to the earth- the underground to the airport. 쑗 We
quake zone 쑗 an aid worker (NOTE: This are due to arrive at Heathrow Airport at
meaning of aid has no plural.) 왍 in aid midday.
of in order to help 쑗 We give money in alarm /əlɑ
m/ noun 1. a loud warning
alarm
aid of the Red Cross. 쑗 They are collect- sound 쑗 An alarm will sound if someone
ing money in aid of refugees. 2. some- touches the wire. 왍 to raise the alarm
thing which helps you to do something to warn everyone of danger 2. same as
쑗 kitchen aids 쐽 verb 1. to help some- alarm clock 쐽 verb to frighten some-
thing to happen 2. to help someone one 쑗 I don’t want to alarm you, but
aim /em/ noun what you are trying to do there’s a police car parked outside your
aim
쑗 His aim is to do well at school and house.

then go to university. 쑗 One of our aims alarm clock /əlɑ
m klɒk/ noun a clock
alarm clock
is to increase the speed of service. 쐽 which rings a bell to wake you up

verb 1. to plan to do something 쑗 We album /lbəm/ noun 1. a large book 2.
album
aim to go on holiday in June. 2. to point a collection of songs on a CD, cassette

a gun at someone or something 쑗 He or record
was aiming or aiming a gun at the po-
alcohol /lkəhɒl/ noun a substance in
alcohol
liceman.
drinks such as beer or wine that can
air /eə/ noun 1. a mixture of gases which
air
make people drunk 쑗 They will not

cannot be seen, but which is all around serve alcohol to anyone under the age of
us and which every animal breathes 쑗 18.
His breath was like steam in the cold air.
alcoholic /lkəhɒlk/ adjective relat-
alcoholic
2. the air the space around things and

ing to alcohol
above the ground 쑗 He threw the ball up
alert /əl
t/ adjective watching or listen-
alert
into the air. (NOTE: These meanings of
air have no plural.) 쐽 adjective refer- ing carefully, ready to notice something
alike /əlak/ adjective very similar 쐽 ad-
alike
ring to a method of travelling or sending
goods using aircraft 쑗 new air routes 왍 verb in a similar way 쑗 My sister and I
by air in an aircraft 쑗 I don’t enjoy trav- just don’t think alike. 쑗 The change will
elling by air. 쑗 It’s quicker to send the affect rich and poor alike.
letter by air. 쐽 verb to make a room or alive /əlav/ adjective 1. living 쑗 He was
alive
clothes fresh by giving them more air 쑗 still alive when he was rescued from the
Let’s open the windows to air the room. burning building. 쑗 When my grandfa-
aircraft /eəkrɑ
ft/ noun a vehicle which
aircraft
ther was alive, there were no supermar-

flies in the air 쑗 The passengers got into kets. (NOTE: not used in front of a noun:
or boarded the aircraft. 쑗 The airline the fish is alive but a live fish.) 2. lively
all 9 alphabetical
쑗 The holiday village really comes alive Jack has been my closest ally in the
at night. 왍 to come alive to become campaign.
busy and active ally2 /əla/ verb 왍 to ally yourself with
ally
all /ɔ
l/ adjective, pronoun everything or or to someone to join forces with some-
all
everyone 쑗 They all or All of them like one 쑗 The unions have allied them-
coffee. 쑗 All trains stop at Clapham selves with the opposition. (NOTE: allies
Junction. 쑗 Did you pick all (of) the to- – allying – allied)
matoes? 쑗 Where are all the children? almost /ɔ
lməυst/ adverb nearly
almost
쑗
쐽 adverb 1. completely 쑗 The ground London is almost as far from here as
was all white after the snow had fallen. Paris. 쑗 She’s almost as tall as I am. 쑗
쑗 I forgot all about her birthday. 2. 왍 all She’ll eat almost anything. 쑗 Hurry up,
by yourself all alone 쑗 You can’t do it it’s almost time for the train to leave.
all by yourself. 쑗 I’m all by myself this alone /ələυn/ adjective 1. with no one
alone
evening – my girlfriend’s gone out. 앳 all else 쑗 She lives alone with her cats. 쑗
along right from the beginning 앳 all at He was all alone in the shop. 2. only 쑗
once suddenly 앳 all in 1. tired out 2. She alone knew the importance of the
including everything 앳 all of a sudden message. 쐽 adverb without other people
suddenly 앳 all over 1. everywhere over 쑗 We don’t let the children go out alone
something 2. finished 앳 all right well 쑗 after dark. 쑗 I don’t like travelling
She was ill yesterday but she’s all right alone. 앳 leave alone 1. not to disturb
now. 앳 all the same in spite of this 쑗 someone 쑗 Leave your sister alone,
I’m not really keen on horror films, but she’s trying to read. 2. to stop touching
I’ll go with you all the same. or playing with something 쑗 Leave the
allergic /əl
d"k/ adjective suffering cat alone, it doesn’t like being stroked.
allergic
from or referring to an allergy 왍 to be 쑗 Leave those keys alone, the noise is

allergic to to react badly to a substance annoying me. 앳 to go it alone to do
쑗 Many people are allergic to grass pol- something, especially a business activi-
len. 쑗 She is allergic to cats. ty, without help from anyone
along /əlɒŋ/ preposition 1. by the side
along
allergy /ləd"i/ noun a bad reaction to

allergy

a substance which makes you sneeze, or of 쑗 He has planted fruit trees along
makes your skin itch, e.g. 쑗 She has an both sides of the garden path. 쑗 The riv-
allergy to household dust. 쑗 The baby er runs along one side of the castle. 2. in
has a wheat allergy. a straight forward direction 쑗 She ran
along the pavement. 쑗 Walk along the
allow /əlaυ/ verb to let someone do
allow

street until you come to the post office. 쑗
something 쑗 She allowed me to borrow I was just driving along when I caught
her book. 쑗 Smoking is not allowed in sight of my brother. 3. to a place 쑗 John
the restaurant. 쑗 You are allowed to came along after about five minutes. 쑗
take two pieces of hand luggage onto the Is it ok if I bring a friend along?
plane. aloud /əlaυd/ adverb in a voice which
aloud
allowance /əlaυəns/ noun 1. an

allowance
can be easily heard

amount of money paid to someone reg- alphabet /lfəbet/ noun a series of let-
alphabet
ularly 쑗 a weekly allowance 2. an ters in a specific order, e.g. A, B, C, etc

amount of money which you are al- 쑗 G comes before H in the alphabet. 쑗
lowed to earn without paying tax on it 3. If you’re going to Greece on holiday,
왍 to make allowances for to take some- you ought to learn the Greek alphabet.
thing into account 쑗 You must make al- alphabetical /lfəbetk(ə)l/ adjec-
alphabetical
lowances for his age. tive relating to the alphabet 왍 in alpha-

ally1 /la/ noun 1. a country which
ally
betical order in order of the first letter

works together with another, especially of each word 쑗 The words in the dic-
in a war (NOTE: The plural is allies.) 2. tionary are in alphabetical order. 쑗 Sort
someone who is willing to support you out the address cards into alphabetical
in something you want to achieve 쑗 order of the people’s names.
already 10 amount
already /ɔ
lredi/ adverb before now or hot in tropical countries. 3. frequently,
already
before the time mentioned 쑗 I’ve al- especially when someone finds it an-
ready done my shopping. 쑗 It was al- noying 쑗 She’s always asking me to
ready past ten o’clock when he arrived. lend her money.
am /əm, m/ 1st person present singular
am
also /ɔ
lsəυ/ adverb in addition to some-
also
thing or someone else that has been of be

mentioned 쑗 He’s a keen cyclist and his a.m. /e em/ adverb before midday 쑗 I
a.m.
sister also likes to cycle when she can. 쑗 have to catch the 7 a.m. train to work
She sings well and can also play the vi- every day. 쑗 Telephone calls made be-
olin. (NOTE: also is usually placed before 6 a.m. are charged at the cheap
fore the main verb or after a modal or rate. (NOTE: a.m. is usually used to
auxiliary verb.) show the exact hour and the word
alter /ɔ
ltə/ verb to become different, or o’clock is left out)
alter
amazement /əmezmənt/ noun great

amazement
make something different, especially in
small ways or in parts only 쑗 They surprise 쑗 To his amazement he won

wanted to alter the terms of the contract first prize.
after they had signed it. 쑗 The shape of amazing /əmezŋ/ adjective 1. very
amazing
his face had altered slightly. surprising 쑗 It was amazing that she
alteration /ɔ
ltəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the
alteration
never suspected anything. 2. extremely

act of becoming different or of making interesting and unusual 쑗 It was an
something different 2. something that amazing experience, sailing so far from
has been, or needs, changing 쑗 She land at night.
made some alterations in the design. ambition /mbʃ(ə)n/ noun a wish to
ambition
alternate1 /ɔ
lt
nət/ adjective every do something special 쑗 His great ambi-
alternate
other one 쑗 We see each other on alter- tion is to ride on an elephant.

nate Sundays. ambulance /mbjυləns/ noun a van
ambulance
alternate2 /ɔ
ltənet/ verb to keep which carries sick or injured people to
alternate
changing from one particular position or hospital 쑗 When she fell down the stairs,
state to another her husband called an ambulance.
alternative /ɔ
lt
nətv/ adjective 1. in American /əmerkən/ adjective relat-
American
alternative
place of something else 쑗 If the plane is ing to America or to the United States
full, we will put you on an alternative among /əmŋ/, amongst /əmŋst/
among
flight. 쑗 Do you have an alternative so- preposition 1. surrounded by or in the

lution? 2. following a different way middle of 쑗 He was standing among a
from usual 쐽 noun something which crowd of tourists. 2. between a number
you do instead of something else 쑗 Now of people in a group 쑗 Let’s share the
that she’s ill, do we have any alternative cake among us. 3. in addition to other
to calling the holiday off? people or things 쑗 Jack was there,
although /ɔ
lðəυ/ conjunction in spite among others.
although
of the fact that 쑗 Although it was freez- amount /əmaυnt/ noun a quantity of
amount
ing, she didn’t put a coat on. 쑗 I’ve nev- something such as money 쑗 The amount
er been into that shop although I’ve of- in my bank account has reached £1000.
ten walked past it. 쑗 We spent a large amount of time just
altogether /ɔ
ltə'eðə/ adverb taking
altogether

waiting. 왍 a certain amount some but
everything together 쑗 The food was £10 not a lot 쑗 Painting the house will take
and the drinks £5, so that makes £15 al- a certain amount of time.
together. 쑗 The staff of the three shops amount to phrasal verb 1. to make a
come to 200 altogether. total of 쑗 My year’s savings amount to
always /ɔ
lwez/ adverb 1. every time less than £1000. 2. to be similar or equal
always
쑗 She is always late for work. 쑗 Why to something 쑗 I think what he said
does it always rain when we want to go amounts to a refusal to take part. 3. 왍 to
for a walk? 2. all the time 쑗 It’s always amount to the same thing to mean the
amuse 11 annoying
same, to be the same 쑗 Whether he took not straight 쑗 The shop front is at an an-
cash or free holidays, it all amounts to gle to the road.
angrily /ŋ'rli/ adverb in an angry
angrily
the same thing. 쑗 The remaining prob-

lems don’t amount to much. way 쑗 He shouted angrily when the
amuse /əmju
z/ verb 1. to make some- children climbed over the fence.
amuse
one laugh 쑗 This story will amuse you. angry /ŋ'ri/ adjective upset and an-
angry
왍 to amuse yourself to play or get noyed, and sometimes wanting to harm

pleasure from what you are doing 쑗 The someone 쑗 The shopkeeper is angry
children amused themselves quietly with the children because they broke his
while their parents talked. 2. to make window. 쑗 He gets angry if the post is
the time pass pleasantly for someone 쑗 late. 쑗 I am angry that the government
How can we amuse the children on the is doing nothing to prevent crime. 쑗
journey? When the cashier still hadn’t arrived at
amusement /əmju
zmənt/ noun 1. a midday the boss got even angrier.
amusement
feeling of pleasure caused by something (NOTE: angrier – angriest)

that is funny 2. 왍 to someone’s amuse- animal /nm(ə)l/ noun a living thing
animal
ment making someone feel pleasure in that moves independently 쑗 I love hav-
a funny situation 쑗 Much to her amuse- ing animals as pets. (NOTE: animal may
ment, the band played ‘Happy Birthday include humans in scientific contexts.)
to you!’. 3. a way of passing the time ankle /ŋkəl/ noun the part of the body
ankle
pleasantly 쑗 They had planned several where your leg joins your foot
visits for the guest’s amusement.
anniversary /nv
s(ə)ri/ noun the
anniversary
amusing /əmju
zŋ/ adjective funny
amusing

same date as an important event that
an /ən, n/ 쏡 a
an
happened in the past

analysis /ənləss/ noun a close exam- announce /ənaυns/ verb to say some-
analysis announce
ination of the parts or elements of something officially or in public 쑗 He an-

thing 쑗 job analysis 쑗 to make an anal- nounced his resignation. 쑗 She an-
ysis of the sales or a sales analysis 쑗 to nounced that she would be standing for
carry out an analysis of the market po- parliament.
tential (NOTE: The plural is analyses /ə
announcement /ənaυnsmənt/ noun a
announcement
nlsi
z/.) statement made in public 쑗 The manag-
ancient /enʃənt/ adjective very old, or ing director made an announcement to
ancient
belonging to a time long ago 쑗 He was the staff. 쑗 There were several an-
riding an ancient bicycle. nouncements concerning flight chang-
and /ən, ənd, nd/ conjunction used to
and
es.
annoy /ənɔ/ verb to make someone feel
annoy
join two words or phrases 쑗 All my un-
cles and aunts live in the country. 쑗 The slightly angry or impatient 쑗 Their rude
children were running about and sing- behaviour really annoyed us.
ing. 쑗 Come and sit down next to me. annoyance /ənɔəns/ noun a feeling of
annoyance
(NOTE: and is used to say numbers af- being slightly annoyed 쑗 There was a
ter 100: ‘seven hundred and two tone of annoyance in her voice.
(702)’) 앳 and so on, and so forth, annoyed /ənɔd/ adjective slightly an-
annoyed
and so on and so forth with other gry or impatient 쑗 He was annoyed with
similar things 쑗 He talked about plants, his neighbour who had cut down one of
flowers, vegetables, and so on. his trees. 쑗 I was annoyed to find some-
anger /ŋ'ə/ noun a feeling of being
anger
one had stolen my mobile phone.

very annoyed 쑗 He managed to control annoying /ənɔŋ/ adjective making
annoying
his anger. 쑗 She couldn’t hide the anger you angry or impatient 쑗 I find it very
she felt. annoying that the post doesn’t come be-
angle /ŋ'əl/ noun a corner where two
angle
fore 10 o’clock. 쑗 How annoying! I for-

lines meet 쑗 She planted the tree in the got to buy the milk. 쑗 The baby has an
angle of the two walls. 앳 at an angle annoying cough which won’t go away.
annual 12 anywhere
annual /njuəl/ adjective happening do something 쑗 In his anxiety to get
annual
once a year 쑗 The village fair is an an- away quickly, he forgot to lock the door.
nual event. 쑗 I get annual interest of 6% anxious /ŋkʃəs/ adjective 1. nervous
anxious
on my savings account. and very worried about something 쑗

another /ənðə/ adjective, pronoun 1. She’s anxious about the baby. 2. keen to
another
one more 쑗 I’d like another cake, do something 쑗 The shopkeeper is al-
please. 쑗 Would you like another? 2. a ways anxious to please his customers.
different one 쑗 He’s bought another car. anxiously /ŋkʃəsli/ adverb in a nerv-
anxiously
쑗 She tried on one dress after another, ous, worried way 쑗 They are waiting
but couldn’t find anything she liked. 쒁 anxiously for the results of the exam.
each other any /eni/ adjective, pronoun 1. it doesn’t
any
answer /ɑ
nsə/ noun 1. something that
answer
matter which 쑗 I’m free any day next

you say or write when someone has week except Tuesday. 2. (usually in
asked you a question 쑗 The answer to questions or negatives) a small quanti-
your question is yes. 쑗 I knocked on the ty 쑗 Have you got any money left? 쑗 Is
door but there was no answer. 왍 in an- there any food for me? 쑗 Would you like
swer to as a reply to 쑗 I am writing in any more to eat? 쑗 Will any of your
answer to your letter of October 6th. 2. friends be there? 3. 왍 not…any none 쑗
the act of picking up a telephone that is I don’t like any of the paintings in the
ringing 쑗 I phoned his office but there exhibition. 쑗 There isn’t any food left –
was no answer. 쐽 verb 1. to speak or they’ve eaten it all. 쑗 Can you lend me
write words to someone who has spoken some money? – sorry, I haven’t got any.
to you or asked you a question 쑗 He anybody /enibɒdi/ pronoun same as
anybody
never answers my letters. 쑗 When he anyone

asked us if we had enjoyed the meal we
anymore /enimɔ
/, any more adverb
anymore
all answered ‘yes’. 2. 왍 to answer the
phone to speak and listen to a telephone 왍 not … anymore no longer 쑗 We don’t

caller 쑗 His mother usually answers the go there anymore.
phone. 왍 to answer the door to open anyone /eniwn/ pronoun any person
anyone
the door to someone who knocks or at all 쑗 Anyone can learn to ride a bike.
rings the bell 쑗 No-one answered the 왍 anyone else any other person 쑗 Is
door though I knocked twice. there anyone else who can’t see the
ant /nt/ noun a small insect that lives in
ant
screen?
anything /eniθŋ/ pronoun 1. it doesn’t
anything
large groups
antibiotic /ntibaɒtk/ noun a sub-
antibiotic

matter what 쑗 You can eat anything you
stance which kills harmful organisms want. 쑗 Our dog will bite anything that
such as bacteria moves. 2. (in questions or negatives)
something 쑗 Did you do anything inter-
antique /nti
k/ noun an old and valu-
antique

esting at the weekend? 쑗 Did you hear
able object 쑗 He collects antiques. 쐽 anything make a noise during the night?
adjective old and valuable 쑗 an antique 쑗 Has anything happened to their plans
Chinese vase for a long holiday? 쑗 Do you want any-
antiseptic /ntseptk/ noun a sub-
antiseptic
thing more to drink?

stance which prevents infection 쐽 ad- anyway /eniwe/ adverb despite some-
anyway
jective preventing infection 쑗 an anti- thing else 쑗 I’m not supposed to drink
septic dressing during the daytime, but I’ll have a beer
antonym /ntənm/ noun a word
antonym
anyway. 쑗 I think it’s time to leave – an-

which means the opposite of another yway, the last bus is at 11.40.
word anywhere /eniweə/ adverb 1. it does
anywhere
anxiety /ŋzaəti/ noun 1. nervous

anxiety
not matter where 쑗 Put the chair any-

worry about something 쑗 Her anxiety where. 2. (in questions or negatives)
about her job prospects began to affect somewhere 쑗 I can’t see your wallet an-
her health. 2. the state of being keen to ywhere. 쑗 Did you go anywhere at the
apart 13 apple
weekend? 쑗 Is there anywhere where I money to continue their work. 2. 왍 to
can sit down? appeal against a verdict to make a le-
apart /əpɑ
t/ adverb 1. separated 쑗 The
apart

gal request for a court to look again at a
two villages are about six miles apart. 2. decision 쑗 He has appealed against the
in separate pieces 쑗 He took the watch sentence. 3. 왍 to appeal to someone to
apart. 앳 apart from except for 쑗 Do attract someone 쑗 These CDs appeal to
you have any special interests apart the teenage market. 쑗 The idea of work-
from your work? 쑗 I’m feeling fine, ing in Australia for six months appealed
apart from a slight cold. to her.
appealing /əpi
lŋ/ adjective 1. attrac-
appealing
apartment /əpɑ
tmənt/ noun a sepa-
apartment
rate set of rooms for living in 쑗 She tive 쑗 The design has proved appealing
shares an apartment with a friend. to our older customers. 2. wanting help
ape /ep/ noun a large monkey
ape
or support 쑗 The child gave her an ap-
pealing look as she got up to leave.
apologise /əpɒləd"az/, apologize
apologise

(NOTE: only used before a noun)
verb to say you are sorry 쑗 He shouted
appear /əpə/ verb 1. to start to be seen
appear
at her and then apologised. 쑗 She apol-
ogised for being late. 쑗 A ship appeared through the fog. 2. to

apology /əpɒləd"i/ noun an act of indi-
apology

seem 쑗 There appears to be a mistake.
쑗 He appears to have forgotten the time.
cating that you are sorry (NOTE: The
쑗 She appeared rather cross. 3. to play
plural is apologies.) 쐽 plural noun
apologies a statement indicating that a part in a film or play or take part in a
you are sorry, especially if you cannot TV programme 쑗 She appears regularly
attend a meeting 쑗 My apologies for be- on TV. 4. to come to a law court 쑗 He
ing so late. 쑗 Please give the chairman appeared in court, charged with murder.
appearance /əpərəns/ noun 1. the
appearance
my apologies.
apostrophe /əpɒstrəfi/ noun a print-

apostrophe

way that someone or something looks 쑗
ing sign (’), either showing that a letter You could tell from his appearance that
has been left out, e.g. weren’t, or after a he had been sleeping rough. 2. the fact
noun to show possession, e.g. Ben’s of being present somewhere, especially
coat or the girls’ coats unexpectedly 쑗 The appearance of a
teacher caused them to fall silent. 왍 to
apparatus /pəretəs/ noun scientific
apparatus
put in an appearance to go somewhere

or medical equipment
where other people are for a short time
apparent /əprənt/ adjective 1. easy
apparent

3. the beginning of something new 쑗 the
to see or accept as true 쑗 It was appar- rapid appearance of mobile phone
ent to everyone that she was annoyed. 2. shops all over the country 쑗 They were
possibly different from what something worried by the sudden appearance of a
seems to be 쑗 There is an apparent mis- red rash. 4. an occasion when someone
take in the accounts. is performing in a film or play or on TV
apparently /əprəntli/ adverb accord- 쑗 This is her second appearance in a
apparently
ing to what you have seen or heard 쑗 film.

Apparently she took the last train home appetite /ptat/ noun a need or wish
appetite
and then disappeared. 쑗 He didn’t come to eat 쑗 Going for a long walk has given
to work today – apparently he’s got a me an appetite. 쑗 He’s not feeling well
cold. and has lost his appetite.
appeal /əpi
l/ noun 1. an act of asking
appeal
applause /əplɔ
z/ noun the act of clap-
applause

for help 쑗 The police have made an ap-
peal for witnesses. 쑗 The hospital is ping your hands together several times
launching an appeal to raise £50,000. to show that you liked a performance
apple /p(ə)l/ noun a common fruit that
apple
2. an attractive quality 쑗 the strong ap-

peal of Greece as a holiday destination is hard, round and sweet, and grows on
쐽 verb 1. 왍 to appeal for something to a tree 쑗 Don’t eat apples that are not
ask for something 쑗 They appealed for ripe – they’ll make you ill.
appliance 14 are
appliance /əplaəns/ noun a machine approach /əprəυtʃ/ noun 1. the fact of
appliance approach
such as a washing machine or cooker coming nearer 쑗 With the approach of

used in the home winter we need to get the central heat-
applicant /plkənt/ noun a person
applicant
ing checked. 2. a way which leads to
who applies for something 쑗 job appli- something 쑗 The approaches to the city
cants 쑗 Applicants for licences must fill were crowded with coaches. 3. a way of
in this form. dealing with a situation 쑗 His approach
to the question was different from hers.
application /plkeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
application

쐽 verb to come near 쑗 The plane was
the process of putting something on approaching the airport when the lights
something else 쑗 Several applications went out.
of the cream will be necessary. 2. the
appropriate /əprəυpriət/ adjective
appropriate
process or act of applying for a job 쑗 He
wrote a letter of application. 쑗 We’ve suitable for a particular situation 쑗 That

received dozens of applications for the skirt is not really appropriate for gar-
job of barman. dening. 쑗 We leave it to you to take ap-
propriate action.
application form /plkeʃ(ə)n fɔ
m/
application form
approval /əpru
v(ə)l/ noun the act of
approval
noun a form which has to be filled in to

apply for something agreeing 쑗 The committee gave their

approval to the scheme. 쑗 Does the
apply /əpla/ verb 1. 왍 to apply for a
apply

choice of colour have your approval or
job to ask for a job 쑗 She applied for a meet with your approval?
job in the supermarket. 쑗 He’s applying
approve /əpru
v/ verb 1. to agree to
approve
for a job as a teacher. 2. to put some-

something officially 쑗 The committee
thing on 쑗 Wait until the first coat of
approved the scheme. 2. 왍 to approve
paint is dry before you apply the second.
of something to think something is
3. 왍 to apply to to affect or to be rele-
good 쑗 He doesn’t approve of loud mu-
vant to 쑗 This rule only applies to peo-
sic.
ple coming from outside the EU. (NOTE:
approximately /əprɒksmətli/ adverb
approximately
applies – applying – applied)
not exactly 쑗 It takes approximately 35

appoint /əpɔnt/ verb to give someone
appoint
minutes to get to the city centre from

a job 쑗 He was appointed (as) manager here.
or to the post of manager. 쑗 We want to
April /eprəl/ noun the fourth month of
April
appoint someone to manage our sales

department. (NOTE: You appoint a per- the year, the month after March and be-
son to a job.) fore May 쑗 Her birthday is in April. 쑗
We went on holiday last April. (NOTE:
appointment /əpɔntmənt/ noun 1.
appointment

April 5th or April 5: say ‘the fifth of
an agreed time for a meeting 쑗 I want to April’ or ‘April the fifth’ or in US English
make an appointment to see the doctor. ‘April fifth’.)
쑗 She was late for her appointment. 왍
aptitude /pttju
d/ noun a natural
aptitude
on her appointment as manager when
she was made a manager 2. the process ability that can be developed further
arch /ɑ
tʃ/ noun a round structure form-
arch
of being given a job 3. a job 쑗 We are

going to make three new appointments. ing a roof or entrance 쐽 verb to make
appreciate /əpri
ʃiet/ verb to recog-
appreciate

something round like an arch 쑗 The cat
nise the value of something 쑗 Shoppers arched her back and started spitting.
architect /ɑ
ktekt/ noun a person who
architect
always appreciate a bargain. 쑗 Cus-

tomers don’t appreciate having to wait designs buildings
architecture /ɑ
ktektʃə/ noun the de-
architecture
to be served.
apprentice /əprents/ noun a young
apprentice

sign of buildings
are /ə, ɑ
/ 1st person plural present of be.
are
person who works as an assistant to a

skilled person in order to learn from 2nd person singular present of be. 2nd
them 쑗 He’s started work as a plumb- person plural present of be. 3rd person
er’s apprentice. plural present of be
area 15 arrange
area /eəriə/ noun 1. a space 쑗 The whole not armed. 쑗 Armed guards surrounded
area
area round the town hall is going to be the house. 2. involving weapons 쑗 the
rebuilt. 쑗 We always sit in the ‘no smok- armed struggle between the two groups
ing’ area. 2. a measurement of the space 3. ready for use as a weapon 쑗 The de-
taken up by something, calculated by vice is already armed. 앳 armed with
multiplying the length by the width 쑗 provided with 쑗 Armed with picnic bas-
The area of the room is four square me- kets, towels and cameras, we set off for
tres. 쑗 We are looking for a shop with a the beach.
sales area of about 100 square metres. armed forces /ɑ
md fɔ
sz/, armed
armed forces
3. a part of a town or country 쑗 Our services /ɑ

md s
vsz/ plural noun
house is near the commercial area of the the army, navy and air force of a country
town. 쑗 The factory is in a very good army /ɑ
mi/ noun all the soldiers of a
army
area for getting to the motorways and country, trained for fighting on land 쑗
airports. 왍 the London area the part of He left school at 16 and joined the army.
England around London 쑗 Houses in 쑗 An army spokesman held a news con-
the London area are more expensive ference. (NOTE: The plural is armies.)
than elsewhere in the country.
aroma /ərəυmə/ noun a pleasant smell
aroma
argue /ɑ
'ju
/ verb to discuss without
argue
of something you can eat or drink 쑗 the

agreeing, often in a noisy or angry way
aroma of freshly baked bread
쑗 They argued over the prices. 쑗 She
arose /ərəυz/ past tense of arise
arose
argued with the waiter about the bill. 쑗
around /əraυnd/ preposition 1. going

around
I could hear them arguing in the next
room. (NOTE: You argue with someone all round something 쑗 She had a gold
about or over something.) chain around her neck. 쑗 The flood wa-
argument /ɑ
'jυmənt/ noun a situa- ter was all around the village. 2. close to
argument
tion in which people discuss something or in a place or area 쑗 Is there a bus stop
without agreeing 쑗 Nobody would back around here? 3. in various places 쑗 We
her up in her argument with the boss. 왍 have lots of computers around the office.
to get into an argument with someone 4. not exactly 쑗 It will cost around
to start to argue with someone 쑗 He got £200. 쑗 Around sixty people came to the
into an argument with the taxi driver. meeting. 쐽 adverb 1. in various places
쑗 Papers were lying around all over the
arise /əraz/ verb to start to appear 쑗
arise
The problem arose in the planning de- floor. 쑗 The restaurants were all full, so
partment. (NOTE: arises – arising – we walked around for some time. 2. in a
arose /ərəυz/ – arisen /ərzən/)

position that is fairly near 쑗 We try not
to talk about it when she’s around. 쑗 It’s
arithmetic /ərθmətk/ noun calcula-
arithmetic

the only swimming pool for miles
tions with numbers, especially as a sub- around. 3. in existence 쑗 She’s one of
ject studied at school the best eye surgeons around. 쑗 The new
arm /ɑ
m/ noun 1. the part of the body
arm
coins have been around for some weeks

which goes from the shoulder to the now.
hand 쑗 He held the parcel under his arrange /ərend"/ verb 1. to put in or-
arrange
arm. 쑗 She tripped over the pavement der 쑗 The chairs are arranged in rows.
and broke her arm. 2. the part of a chair 쑗 The books are arranged in alphabeti-
which you can rest your arms on 쑗 He cal order. 쑗 The ground floor is ar-
put his coffee cup on the arm of his ranged as an open-plan area with a lit-
chair. 쐽 verb to give weapons to 쑗 The tle kitchen at the side. 2. to make a plan
police were armed with guns. 앳 arm in for something 쑗 Let’s arrange to meet
arm with arms linked together 쑗 They somewhere before we go to the theatre.
walked down the street arm in arm. 쑗 The tour has been arranged by the
armchair /ɑ
mtʃeə/ noun a chair with
armchair
travel agent. 쑗 She arranged for a taxi

arms to meet him at the airport. 쑗 I’ve ar-
armed /ɑ
md/ adjective 1. provided with
armed
ranged with my mother that she will

weapons 쑗 Most British policemen are feed the cat while we’re away. (NOTE:
arrangement 16 as
You arrange for someone to do some- the Museum of Modern Art. 2. the ob-
thing; you arrange for something to be jects that are created in this way
done; or you arrange to do something.
artery /ɑ
təri/ noun a tube carrying
artery
Note also arranges – arranging – ar- blood from the heart around the body.
ranged.) Compare vein (NOTE: The plural is ar-
arrangement /ərend"mənt/ noun 1.
arrangement

teries.)
the process of putting things in order 쑗
article /ɑ
tk(ə)l/ noun 1. a report in a
article
the arrangement of the pictures in a

book 2. the process of making plans for newspaper 쑗 Did you read the article on
an event 쑗 All the arrangements for the skiing in yesterday’s paper? 2. an object
wedding were left to the bride’s mother. or thing 쑗 Several articles of clothing
were found near the road. 3. a word
arrest /ərest/ verb (of the police) to
arrest

used before a noun to show whether you
catch and hold someone who has broken are referring to a particular or general
the law 쑗 The police arrested two men example of something. The definite arti-
and took them to the police station. 쑗 cle is ‘the’ and the indefinite article is
He ended up getting arrested as he tried ‘a’ or ‘an’.
to leave the country. 쑗 She was arrested
artificial /ɑ
tfʃ(ə)l/ adjective not nat-
artificial
for stealing. 쐽 noun the act of holding
someone for breaking the law 쑗 The po- ural 쑗 She was wearing artificial pearls.
lice made several arrests at the demon- artificially /ɑ
tfʃ(ə)li/ adverb in a
artificially
stration. 왍 under arrest held by the po-

way that is not natural

lice 쑗 After the fight, three people were
artist /ɑ
tst/ noun a person who is
artist
under arrest.
skilled in making works of art such as
arrival /ərav(ə)l/ noun 1. the act of
arrival
paintings 쑗 She collects paintings by

reaching a place 쑗 We announce the ar-

19th-century artists.
rival of flight AB 987 from Tangiers. 쑗
as /əz, z/ conjunction 1. because 쑗 As
as
We apologise for the late arrival of the

14.25 express from Edinburgh. 쑗 The you can’t drive, you’ll have to go by bus.
time of arrival is 5 p.m. 왍 on arrival 쑗 As it’s cold, you should wear an over-
when you arrive 쑗 On arrival at the ho- coat. 2. at the same time that something
tel, members of the party will be allocat- else happens 쑗 As he was getting into
ed rooms. 2. a person who has arrived 쑗 the bath, the telephone rang. 쑗 The little
He’s a new arrival on our staff. 쐽 plural girl ran into the road as the car was
noun arrivals the part of an airport that turning the corner. 3. in the same way 쑗
deals with passengers who are arriving Leave everything as it is. 쐽 preposition
arrive /ərav/ verb to reach a place 쑗
arrive

1. in a particular job 쑗 She had a job as
They arrived at the hotel tired out. 쑗 a bus driver. 2. because of being a par-
The train from Paris arrives in London ticular type of person 쑗 As a doctor, he
at 5 p.m. (NOTE: You arrive in a town or has to know the symptoms of all the
in a country but at a place. Note also: common diseases. 3. in a particular way
arrives – arriving – arrived.) 쑗 She was dressed as a nurse. 쑗 They
treated him as a friend of the family. 앳
arrogant /rə'ənt/ adjective very
arrogant
as from from a particular time 쑗 as

proud in an unpleasant way 쑗 He’s such from next Friday 앳 as if, as though in
an arrogant young man. 쑗 What an ar- the same way as 앳 as…as used in com-
rogant way to treat customers! parisons 쑗 She is nearly as tall as I am.
arrow /rəυ/ noun 1. a weapon made of
arrow
쑗 I can’t run as fast as you. 앳 as well in

a piece of wood with a sharp point 2. a addition to something or someone else
printed sign ➙ which points to that has been mentioned 쑗 She came to
something have tea and brought her sister as well.
art /ɑ
t/ noun 1. the practice of creating
art
쑗 We visited the castle and swam in the

objects, e.g. by painting, drawing or pool as well. 앳 as well as in addition to
sculpture 쑗 She is taking art lessons. 쑗 or together with 쑗 He has a cottage in
When you’re in Washington, don’t miss the country as well as a flat in town. 쑗
ascend 17 assistant
As well as being a maths teacher, he is a assassinate /əssnet/ verb to kill a
assassinate
part-time policeman. famous person, especially for political

ascend /əsend/ verb to go up 쑗 The reasons 쑗 Do you remember the day
ascend
balloon rapidly ascended to 3000m. when the President was assassinated?

ash /ʃ/ noun 1. a grey dust left after assemble /əsemb(ə)l/ verb 1. (espe-
ash assemble
something has burnt (NOTE: no plural in cially of people) to come together in a

this sense) 2. a type of tree that grows place, or to be brought together by
in the northern part of Europe someone 쑗 We’ll assemble outside the
ashamed /əʃemd/ adjective embar-
ashamed

hotel by the coach at 9 a.m. 쑗 They as-
rassed and sorry for something that you sembled a panel of experts to renew the
have done or not done project. 2. (especially of people) to
come together in a place, or to be
aside /əsad/ adverb to one side 쑗 He
aside

brought together by someone, especial-
took me aside and whispered in my ear. ly formally or in an ordered way 쑗 We’ll
앳 aside from except for 쑗 Aside from a
assemble outside the hotel at 9 a.m. 쑗
minor infection, his health had been re- They assembled a panel of experts to re-
markably good. 쑗 I’ve got to read these new the project.
three articles, and that’s aside from all
assembly /əsembl/ noun 1. a meeting
assembly
my regular work.
2. the process of putting the pieces of

ask /ɑ
sk/ verb 1. to put a question to get
ask
something together to make it complete

information 쑗 She asked a policeman
assess /əses/ verb 1. to consider some-
assess
the way to the hospital. 쑗 Joe went to
the station to ask about cheap tickets. 쑗 thing or someone in order to make a
Ask the assistant how much the shoes judgment or decision about it 쑗 It’s hard
cost. 2. to put a question to get someone to assess how difficult it will be to make
to do something 쑗 Ask your father to the necessary changes. 2. to consider
teach you how to drive. 쑗 Can I ask you someone’s achievement or progress in
not to make so much noise? 3. to invite order to decide if it is satisfactory 쑗 Stu-
someone to an event or to do something dents are regularly assessed by their
쑗 We asked them to our party. 쑗 She teachers and feedback. 3. to calculate an
asked me to go skiing with her. amount to be paid 쑗 The cost of the new
building is assessed at £1 million.
ask for phrasal verb to say that you
assignment /əsanmənt/ noun a piece
assignment
want something 쑗 Someone came into
the shop and asked for the manager. of work that has to be done in a specific
ask out phrasal verb to ask someone to time 쑗 My literature assignment has to
go out with you, e.g. to a restaurant or to be finished by Wednesday. 쑗 He was
the cinema 쑗 Bill wants to ask my sister given the assignment of reporting on the
out. war.
assist /əsst/ verb to help someone 쑗
assist
asleep /əsli
p/ adjective sleeping 쑗 He
asleep
was asleep and didn’t hear the fire He assists me with my income tax forms.
alarm. 쑗 They were lying asleep on the 쑗 I will be assisted in my work by Jackie
ground. 왍 to fall asleep to begin to sleep Smith. (NOTE: You assist someone in
aspect /spekt/ noun 1. a way of con-
aspect
doing something or with something.)
assistance /əsst(ə)ns/ noun help
assistance
sidering something such as a situation 쑗

or a problem 쑗 There are several as- He asked if he could be of any assist-
pects of the problem to be considered ance. 쑗 She will need assistance with
before I can decide. 2. the direction in her luggage. 쑗 He was trying to change
which a building or piece of ground fac- the wheel when a truck driver offered
es his assistance.
aspirin /sprn/ noun 1. a common assistant /əsst(ə)nt/ noun a person
aspirin assistant
drug, used in the treatment of minor ill- who helps someone as part of their job
nesses to reduce pain 2. a pill that con- 쑗 His assistant makes all his appoint-
tains aspirin ments.
associate 18 attached
associate /əsəυsiet/ verb to connect
1 ishing amount of money buying Christ-
associate
different people or things in your mind mas presents.

쑗 I always associate that book with the at /ət, t/ preposition 1. used for show-
at
wonderful holiday when I first read it. 왍 ing time 쑗 We’ll meet at eleven o’clock.
to be associated with to be connected 쑗 You must put your lights on when you
with or involved in something drive at night. 쑗 At the weekend, we
associate2 /əsəυsiət/ noun a person
associate

went to see my mother. 쑗 We went to
who works in the same business as Paris at Easter. 2. used for showing
someone else place 쑗 Meet us at the post office. 쑗
She’s got a job at the supermarket. 쑗
association /əsəυsieʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
association

He’s not at home, he’s at work. 3. used
an official group of people or a group of for showing speed 쑗 The train was trav-
companies in the same trade 쑗 an asso- elling at 200 kilometres an hour. 4.
ciation offering support to victims of showing direction 쑗 She threw her slip-
street violence 쑗 the Association of Brit- per at the TV. 5. showing cause 쑗 She
ish Travel Agents 2. a connection laughed at my old coat. (NOTE: at is of-
formed in the mind between things 쑗 ten used after verbs, e.g. to look at, to
For some people, a black cat has an as- point at.)
sociation with luck. 쑗 Manchester has
ate /et, et/ past tense of eat
ate
strong family associations for him. 3. 왍

athlete /θli
t/ noun a person who takes
athlete
in association with together with 쑗 The

guidebook is published in association part in sports especially those such as
with the local tourist board. 쑗 This pro- running
gramme is brought to you in association athletic /θletk/ adjective referring to
athletic
with British Airways. 앳 in association athletics

with together with 쑗 The guidebook is athletics /θletks/ noun organised
athletics
published in association with the local sports such as running which are com-
tourist board. 쑗 This programme is petitions between individuals (NOTE: no
brought to you in association with Brit- plural)
ish Airways.
atlas /tləs/ noun a book of maps
atlas
assume /əsju
m/ verb 1. to imagine or
assume

(NOTE: The plural is atlases.)
believe that something is true 쑗 Let’s atmosphere /tməsfə/ noun the air
atmosphere
assume that he is innocent. 쑗 I assume around the Earth 쑗 The atmosphere sur-
you have enough money to pay for the rounds the Earth to a height of several
meal? 2. to take on something such as a hundred kilometres. 쐽 the air in a partic-
job or responsibility 쑗 When she was ular place 쑗 The room had a hot stuffy
twenty-one, she assumed complete con- atmosphere. 쐽 noun a general feeling 쑗
trol of the family business. 쑗 He has as- The atmosphere in the office was tense.
sumed responsibility for fire safety. 쑗 I like the friendly atmosphere at our
asthma /smə/ noun a medical condi-
asthma
college.
tion in which someone suffers breathing atom /təm/ noun the smallest part of a
atom
difficulties, often because a particular chemical element that can exist inde-
substance has a bad effect on his or her pendently
body
atomic /ətɒmk/ adjective relating to
atomic
astonish /əstɒnʃ/ verb to surprise

astonish

the energy produced if an atom is split
someone very much 쑗 His success in apart
maths astonished his teacher – he never attach /əttʃ/ verb to fasten something
attach
came to any of her classes. to something else 쑗 The gate is attached

astonished /əstɒnʃt/ adjective very
astonished

to the post. 쑗 I am attaching a copy of
surprised 쑗 We were astonished to learn my previous letter.
that the head teacher had left. attached /əttʃt/ adjective having a
attached
astonishing /əstɒnʃŋ/ adjective

astonishing
strong liking for someone or something

very surprising 쑗 They spent an aston- 쑗 She’s very attached to her old dog.
attack 19 August
attack /ətk/ noun 1. the act of trying to ical attention. 3. the position of a sol-
attack
hurt someone or something 쑗 They dier, standing straight, with heels to-
made an attack on the town. 왍 under at- gether and looking straight ahead 쑗 The
tack in the situation of being attacked 쑗 guards stood to attention at the entrance
The town is under attack from rebel of the palace. 앳 for the attention of
guerrillas. 2. a criticism 쑗 He launched words written on a letter to show that it
an attack on the government. 3. a sud- is intended for a particular person to
den return of a particular illness 쑗 She deal with it 앳 to attract (someone’s)
had an attack of malaria. 쐽 verb to try attention to make someone notice
to hurt someone or to hit someone 쑗 someone or something 쑗 The new play
Three men attacked her as she walked has attracted a lot of press attention or
home. 쑗 The old lady was attacked by attention in the press.
muggers. attitude /ttju
d/ noun 1. a way of
attitude
attacker /ətkə/ noun a person who at-

attacker
thinking 쑗 What is the government’s at-

tacks someone or something 쑗 Can you titude to the problem? 2. the position of
describe your attacker? your body, e.g. standing or sitting 쑗 His
attempt /ətempt/ noun to try to do
attempt

portrait shows him in a thoughtful atti-
something, especially something diffi- tude.
cult 쑗 She attempted to lift the box onto attract /ətrkt/ verb to make someone
attract
the table. 왍 an attempt on someone’s want to come to a place or want to be-

life the action of trying to kill someone come involved in something such as a
쐽 verb to try to do something, especially business 쑗 The shops are lowering their
something difficult 쑗 I’ll attempt anoth- prices to attract more customers. 쑗 The
er trip to collect the books when my car exhibition attracted hundreds of visi-
has been repaired. 쑗 She attempted to tors. 쑗 We must see if we can attract
lift the box onto the table. more candidates for the job.
attend /ətend/ verb 1. to be present at
attend
attraction /ətrkʃən/ noun 1. a reason

attraction

an event 쑗 Twenty-five people attended for liking someone or something 쑗 The

the wedding. 쑗 They organised a meet- flat’s main attraction is its closeness to
ing, but only one or two people attend- the centre of town. 2. something which
ed. 2. to listen carefully 쑗 Students attracts people 쑗 The Tower of London
should attend carefully to the teacher’s is a great tourist attraction.
instructions.
attractive /ətrktv/ adjective 1.
attractive
attendant /ətendənt/ noun a person on

attendant

pleasant to look at 쑗 They found the
duty in a public place such as a museum mountain scenery very attractive. 쑗
attention /ətenʃən/ noun 1. the act of
attention

She’s an attractive woman. 2. having
concentrating on what you are doing 쑗 features which people like 쑗 There are
Don’t distract the driver’s attention. 쑗 some attractive bargains in the sale. 쑗
Please give the talk on safety proce- The rival firm made him a very attrac-
dures your full attention. 왍 to pay at- tive offer.
tention to to concentrate on something
audience /ɔ
diəns/ noun the people
audience
and think about it carefully 쑗 Pay atten-

tion to the instructions in the leaflet. 왍 watching a performance, e.g. at a theatre
Don’t pay any attention to something or cinema or on television, or listening
you can ignore something 쑗 Don’t pay to a radio programme 쑗 Members of the
any attention to what she says – she’s audience cheered. (NOTE: Takes a sin-
making it up. 2. special care, help or ex- gular or plural verb.)
August /ɔ
'əst/ noun the eighth month
August
tra work 쑗 The garden is large and

needs a lot of attention. 쑗 The children of the year, the month after July and be-
were quiet and shy but responded well to fore September 쑗 My birthday is in Au-
the special attention they were given. 왍 gust. 쑗 I left my job last August. 쑗 The
medical attention treatment by doctors letter is dated 15 August. (NOTE: Au-
and nurses 쑗 That cut needs urgent med- gust 15th or August 15: say ‘August
aunt 20 aware
the fifteenth’ or ‘the fifteenth of August’ gether and dividing by the number of
or in US English ‘August fifteenth’.) different quantities added 쑗 the average
aunt /ɑ
nt/ noun the sister of your mother
aunt
for the last three months or the last three
or father, or the wife of an uncle 쑗 She months’ average 쑗 The temperature has
lives next door to my aunt. 쑗 Say good- been above the average for the time of
bye to Aunt Anne. year. 쐽 adjective 1. ordinary or typical
쑗 It was an average working day at the
author /ɔ
θə/ noun a writer 쑗 She is the
author
office. 쑗 Their daughter is of above av-

author of a popular series of children’s
erage intelligence. 왍 above or below
books.
average more or less than is usual or
authority /ɔ
θɒrti/ noun 1. power to
authority

typical 2. not very good 쑗 Their results
do something 쑗 He has no authority to were only average. 3. calculated by di-
act on our behalf. (NOTE: no plural) 2. viding the total by the number of quan-
an organisation that has control over tities 쑗 His average speed was 30 miles
something 쑗 The education authority per hour. 쐽 verb to be as an average 쑗
pays teachers’ salaries. (NOTE: The plu- Price increases have averaged 10% per
ral is authorities.) annum.
automatic /ɔ
təmtk/ adjective 1.
automatic
avoid /əvɔd/ verb 1. to keep away from

avoid

working by itself 쑗 There is an automat- someone or something 쑗 Travel early to

ic device which cuts off the electric cur- avoid the traffic jams. 쑗 Aircraft fly high
rent. 2. done without thinking about it to avoid storms. 2. to try not to do some-
very much 쑗 She gave the receptionist thing 쑗 He’s always trying to avoid tak-
an automatic smile as she passed. 3. ing a decision. (NOTE: You avoid some-
based on an agreement or existing situa- thing or avoid doing something.) 3. to
tion 쑗 an automatic fine for parking try to prevent something from happen-
automatically /ɔ
təmtkli/ adverb
automatically

ing 쑗 I want to avoid discussing details
1. by a machine, without people having at this stage. 쑗 How can we avoid a
to do anything 2. without thinking about row?
it very much 쑗 I signed the bill automat-
awake /əwek/ adjective not asleep
awake
쑗
ically. 쐽 as a result of an agreement or
existing situation 쑗 The company auto- It’s 2 o’clock and I’m still awake. 쐽 verb
matically retires people at 60. 1. to wake someone up 쑗 He was awok-
en by the sound of the telephone. (NOTE:
automobile /ɔ
təməbi
l/ noun espe-
automobile
awake in this meaning only occurs in

cially US a car the passive.) 2. to wake up 쑗 He awoke
autumn /ɔ
təm/ noun the season of the
autumn
when he heard them knocking on the

year between summer and winter 쑗 In door. 쑗 They awoke to find a fox in their
autumn, the leaves turn brown. 쑗 We tent. (NOTE: awakes – awaking –
went on a walking holiday last autumn. awoke /əwəυk/ – has awoken)

쑗 I’ll be starting my new job in the au-

award /əwɔ
d/ noun something such as
award
tumn term.
a prize or a gift of money that is given to

auxiliary /ɔ
'zliəri/ noun a person
auxiliary

someone 쑗 a design award 쑗 He re-
who helps other workers (NOTE: The ceived an award of £1000. 쑗 The school
plural is auxiliaries.) has been nominated for a technology
available /əveləb(ə)l/ adjective able to
available
award. 쐽 verb to give someone some-

be obtained 쑗 The tablets are available thing such as a prize, a degree or diplo-
from most chemists. ma, money or a contract to do work 쑗
avenue /vənju
/ noun a wide street in He was awarded first prize. 쑗 She was
avenue
a town, often with trees along the side awarded £10,000 in damages.
average /v(ə)rd"/ noun 1. the stand- aware /əweə/ adjective knowing some-
average aware
ard that is usual or typical 쑗 The journey thing 쑗 I’m not aware of any problem. 쑗
time today was much slower than the Is he aware that we have to decide
bus company’s average. 2. a total calcu- quickly? 왍 not that I am aware of not
lated by adding several quantities to- as far as I know 쑗 Has there ever been
away 21 axe
an accident here before? – Not that I am awfully /ɔ
f(ə)li/ adverb very (informal )
awfully
aware of. 쑗 It’s awfully difficult to contact her.

away /əwe/ adverb 1. at a particular
away
awkward /ɔ
kwəd/ adjective 1. embar-
awkward

distance or time 쑗 The nearest shop is

rassing or difficult to deal with 쑗 awk-
three kilometres away. 2. not here,
somewhere else 쑗 The managing direc- ward questions 2. difficult to use or deal
tor is away on business. 쑗 My assistant with because of shape, size or position
is away today. 3. (in sports) at your op- 쑗 The handle’s a very awkward shape.
ponents’ sports ground 쑗 Our team is 3. not convenient 쑗 Next Thursday is
playing away next Saturday. 4. (as em- awkward for me – what about Friday?
phasis, after verbs) without stopping 쑗 awoke /əwəυk/ past tense of awake
awoke
The birds were singing away in the gar-

awoken /əwəυkən/ past participle of
awoken
den.
awake
awful /ɔ
f(ə)l/ adjective very bad or un-
awful
axe /ks/ noun a tool with a heavy sharp

axe
pleasant 쑗 She felt awful about missing

the party. 쑗 He’s got an awful cold. 쑗 metal head, used for cutting through
Turn off the television – that pro- something 쐽 verb to get rid of some-
gramme’s awful! thing or someone
B
b /bi
/, B noun the second letter of the al-
b
back up phrasal verb 1. to help or sup-

phabet, between A and C port someone 쑗 Nobody would back her
baby /bebi/ noun 1. a very young child
baby
up when she complained about the serv-
쑗 Most babies start to walk when they ice. 쑗 Will you back me up in the vote?
are about a year old. 쑗 I’ve known him 2. to make a car go backwards 쑗 Can
since he was a baby. 2. a very young an- you back up, please – I want to get out
imal 쑗 a baby rabbit (NOTE: The plural of the parking space.
background /bk'raυnd/ noun 1. the
background
is babies. If you do not know if a baby

is a boy or a girl, you can refer to it as part of a picture or view which is behind
it: The baby was sucking its thumb.) all the other things that can be seen 쑗
The photograph is of a house with
back /bk/ noun 1. the part of the body
back
mountains in the background. 쑗 His

which is behind you, between the neck white shirt stands out against the dark
and top of the legs 쑗 She went to sleep background. Compare foreground 왍 in
lying on her back. 쑗 He carried his son the background while other more obvi-
on his back. 쑗 Don’t lift that heavy box, ous or important things are happening 2.
you may hurt your back. 2. the opposite the experiences, including education
part to the front of something 쑗 He and family life, which someone has had
wrote his address on the back of the en- 쑗 He comes from a working class back-
velope. 쑗 She sat in the back of the bus ground. 쑗 Her background is in the res-
and went to sleep. 쑗 The dining room is taurant business. 3. information about a
at the back of the house. 쐽 adjective 1. situation 쑗 What is the background to
on the opposite side to the front 쑗 He the complaint?
knocked at the back door of the house. 쑗
backward /bkwəd/ adverb US same
backward
The back tyre of my bicycle is flat. 2. (of

money) owed from an earlier date 쑗 as backwards
backwards /bkwədz/ adverb from
backwards
back pay 쐽 adverb 1. towards the back

of something 쑗 She looked back and the front towards the back 쑗 Don’t step
waved at me as she left. 2. in the past 쑗 backwards. 쑗 ‘Tab’ is ‘bat’ spelt back-
back in the 1950s 3. in the state that wards. 왍 backwards and forwards in
something was previously 쑗 Put the tel- one direction, then in the opposite direc-
ephone back on the table. 쑗 She tion 쑗 The policeman was walking
watched him drive away and then went backwards and forwards in front of the
back into the house. 쑗 She gave me back bank.
the money she had borrowed. 쑗 I’ll bacon /bekən/ noun meat from a pig
bacon
phone you when I am back in the office. which has been treated with salt or
(NOTE: Back is often used after verbs: smoke, usually cut into thin pieces
to give back, to go back, to pay
bacteria /bktəriə/ plural noun very
bacteria
back, etc.) 쐽 verb 1. to go backwards,

small living things, some of which can
or make something go backwards 쑗 He cause disease (NOTE: The singular is
backed or backed his car out of the ga-
bacterium.)
rage. 2. to encourage and support a per-
bacterial /bktəriəl/ adjective caused
bacterial
son, organisation, opinion or activity,
sometimes by giving money 쑗 Her col- by bacteria 쑗 a bacterial infection

bad /bd/ adjective 1. causing problems,
bad
leagues were willing to back the propos-

al. 앳 to put someone’s back up to an- or likely to cause problems 쑗 Eating too
noy someone much fat is bad for your health. 쑗 We
badge 23 ban
were shocked at their bad behaviour. 2. balance in three instalments. 쑗 The bal-
of poor quality or skill 쑗 He’s a bad ance outstanding is now £5000. 쐽 verb
driver. 쑗 She’s good at singing but bad 1. to stay or stand in position without
at playing the piano. 3. unpleasant 쑗 falling 쑗 The cat balanced on the top of
He’s got a bad cold. 쑗 She’s in a bad the fence. 2. to make something stay in
temper. 쑗 I’ve got some bad news for position without falling 쑗 The waiter
you. 쑗 The weather was bad when we balanced a pile of dirty plates on his
were on holiday in August. 4. serious 쑗 arm.
He had a bad accident on the motorway. balcony /blkəni/ noun 1. a small flat
balcony
(NOTE: worse /w

s/ – worst /w
st/) area that sticks out from an upper level
badge /bd"/ noun a small sign attached
badge
of a building protected by a low wall or

to someone’s clothes to show something by posts 쑗 The flat has a balcony over-
such as who someone is or what compa- looking the harbour. 쑗 Breakfast is
ny they belong to served on the balcony. 2. the upper rows
badly /bdli/ adverb 1. not well or suc-
badly
of seats in a theatre or cinema 쑗 We
cessfully 쑗 She did badly in her driving booked seats at the front of the balcony.
test. 2. seriously 쑗 He was badly injured (NOTE: The plural is balconies.)
bald /bɔ
ld/ adjective having no hair
bald
in the motorway accident. 3. very much

쑗 His hair badly needs cutting. (NOTE: where there used to be hair, especially
badly – worse /w
s/ – worst /w
st/) on the head 쑗 His grandfather is quite
bag /b'/ noun 1. a soft container made bald. 쑗 He is beginning to go bald.
bag
of plastic, cloth or paper and used for ball /bɔ

l/ noun 1. a round object used in
ball
carrying things 쑗 a bag of sweets 쑗 He playing games, for throwing, kicking or

put the apples in a paper bag. 2. same as hitting 쑗 They played in the garden with
handbag 쑗 My keys are in my bag. 3. a an old tennis ball. 쑗 He kicked the ball
suitcase or other container used for into the goal. 2. any round object 쑗 a
clothes and other possessions when ball of wool 쑗 He crumpled the paper
travelling 쑗 Have you packed your bags up into a ball. 3. a formal dance 쑗 We’ve
yet? got tickets for the summer ball. 앳 to
baggage /b'd"/ noun cases and bags start the ball rolling to start something
baggage
which you take with you when travel- happening 쑗 I’ll start the ball rolling by
ling introducing the visitors, then you can in-
bake /bek/ verb to cook food such as
bake
troduce yourselves. 앳 to play ball to
bread or cakes in an oven 쑗 Mum’s bak- work well with someone to achieve
ing a cake for my birthday. 쑗 Bake the something 쑗 I asked them for a little
pizza for 35 minutes. more time but they won’t play ball. 앳 to
have a ball to enjoy yourself a lot 쑗 You
baker /bekə/ noun a person whose job
baker
can see from the photos we were having

is to make bread and cakes 왍 the bak- a ball.
er’s a shop that sells bread and cakes 쑗
ballet /ble/ noun 1. a type of dance,
ballet
Can you go to the baker’s and get a loaf

of brown bread? given as a public entertainment, where
dancers perform a story to music 2. a
balance /bləns/ noun 1. the quality of
balance
performance of this type of dance 쑗 We

staying steady 쑗 The cat needs a good went to the ballet last night.
sense of balance to walk along the top of
balloon /bəlu
n/ noun 1. a large ball
balloon
a fence. 왍 to keep your balance not to
fall over 왍 to lose your balance to fall which is blown up with air or gas 2. a
down 쑗 As he was crossing the river on very large balloon which rises as the air
the tightrope he lost his balance and inside it is heated, sometimes with a
fell. 2. an amount of money remaining container attached for people to travel in
in an account 쑗 I have a balance of £25 쐽 verb to increase quickly in size or
in my bank account. 3. an amount of amount
ban /bn/ noun an official statement
ban
money still to be paid from a larger sum

owed 쑗 You can pay £100 now and the which says that people must not do
banana 24 bare
something 쑗 There is a ban on smoking bank account /bŋk əkaυnt/ noun
bank account
in cinemas. 쐽 verb to say officially that an arrangement which you make with a
people must not do something 쑗 She bank to keep your money safely until
was banned from driving for three you want it 왍 to open a bank account
years. (NOTE: bans – banning – to start keeping money in a bank 쑗 He
banned) opened a bank account when he started
banana /bənɑ
nə/ noun a long yellow, his first job.
banana
slightly curved fruit which grows in hot bank holiday /bŋk hɒlde/ noun a
bank holiday
countries public holiday when most people do not

band /bnd/ noun 1. a group of people go to work and the banks are closed
band
who play music together 쑗 The soldiers bar /bɑ

/ noun a long piece of something
bar
marched down the street, following the hard 쑗 The yard was full of planks and
band. 쑗 My brother’s in a rock band. 2. metal bars. 쐽 a solid piece of a sub-
a group of people who do something to- stance such as chocolate or soap 쐽 noun
gether 쑗 Bands of drunken football fans a place where you can buy and drink al-
were wandering around the streets. 3. a cohol 쑗 Let’s meet in the bar before din-
narrow piece of something 쑗 Her hair ner. 쐽 preposition except 쑗 All of the
was tied back with a red band. 4. a long suppliers replied bar one. 쑗 All bar two
thin mark of a particular colour 쑗 a of the players in the team are British. 쐽
black tee-shirt with a broad band of yel- verb 1. to block something 쑗 The road
low across the front 5. a range of things was barred by the police. 쑗 The path is
taken together 쑗 He’s in the top salary barred to cyclists. 2. 왍 to bar someone
band. 쑗 We’re looking for something in from doing something to prevent
the £10 – £15 price band. someone officially from doing some-
bandage /bndd"/ noun a cloth for thing 쑗 He was barred from playing
bandage
putting around an injured part of the football for three months. (NOTE: bars –
body 쑗 The nurse put a bandage round barring – barred)
his knee. 쑗 His head was covered in barbecue /bɑ
bkju
/ noun 1. a metal
barbecue
bandages. grill for cooking food on out of doors 쑗

bang /bŋ/ noun a sudden noise like that
bang
Light the barbecue at least half an hour

made by a gun 쑗 The car started with a before you start cooking. 2. food cooked
series of loud bangs. 쑗 There was a on a barbecue 쑗 Here is a recipe for
bang and the tyre went flat. 쐽 verb to hit chicken barbecue. 3. a meal or party
something hard, so as to make a loud where food is cooked out of doors 쑗 We
noise 쑗 He banged (on) the table with had a barbecue for twenty guests. 쑗
his hand. 쑗 Can’t you stop the door They were invited to a barbecue. 쐽 verb
banging? to cook something on a barbecue 쑗 Bar-
bank /bŋk/ noun 1. a business which
bank
becued spare ribs are on the menu. 쑗
holds money for people, and lends them She was barbecuing sausages for lunch
money 쑗 I must go to the bank to get when it started to rain.
bare /beə/ adjective 1. not covered by
bare
some money. 쑗 She took all her money

out of the bank to buy a car. 쑗 How clothes or shoes 쑗 He walked on the
much money do you have in the bank? 2. beach in his bare feet. 쑗 I can’t sit in the
land along the side of a river 쑗 He sat on sun with my arms bare. 2. without any
the river bank all day, trying to catch kind of cover 쑗 They slept on the bare
fish. 쑗 There is a path along the bank of floorboards. 쑗 They saw the bare bones
the canal. 3. a long pile of earth, sand, of dead animals in the desert. 3. without
snow or other substance 쑗 The road was leaves 쑗 bare branches 4. with just what
blocked by banks of snow blown by the is really needed and nothing extra 쑗 We
wind. 쐽 verb to store money in a bank 쑗 only took the bare essentials when we
I banked the cheque as soon as it ar- went travelling. 쑗 She thought £100 was
rived. 쑗 Have you banked the money the bare minimum she would accept.
yet? (NOTE: Do not confuse with bear.)
barely 25 bass
barely /beəli/ adverb almost not 쑗 She thing else to use something as a model
barely
barely had enough money to pay for her for something else 쑗 The book is based
ticket. 쑗 He barely had time to get on her mother’s life. 쑗 His theory was
dressed before the police arrived. 쑗 The based on years of observations.
noise is barely tolerable. baseball /besbɔ
l/ noun 1. an Ameri-
baseball
bargain /bɑ
'n/ noun 1. something can game for two teams of nine players,
bargain
bought more cheaply than usual 쑗 The in which a player hits a ball with a long,
car was a real bargain at £500. 2. an narrow bat and players from the other
agreement between two people or team try to catch it 2. the hard ball used
groups of people 왍 into the bargain as in playing baseball
well as other things 쑗 The plane was -based /best/ suffix 1. produced or de-
-based
late and they lost my suitcase into the veloped from 쑗 a milk-based dessert 2.
bargain. 쐽 verb to discuss the terms of living or working at a particular place 쑗
an agreement or sale 앳 more than or a London-based company
not what you bargained for different,
basement /besmənt/ noun a floor in a
basement
usually worse, than you had expected building below ground level
bargain on phrasal verb to expect
basic /besk/ adjective very simple, or
basic
something 쑗 I hadn’t bargained on it at the first level 쑗 Being able to swim is

being so wet. 쑗 She’s bargaining on a basic requirement if you are going ca-
someone dropping out so that she can noeing. 쑗 Knowledge of basic Spanish
take their place. will be enough for the job.
bark /bɑ
k/ noun 1. the hard outer layer
bark
basically /beskli/ adverb considering

basically
of a tree 2. the loud sound a dog makes

쑗 The dog gave a bark as we came into
only the most important information
the house. and not the details 쑗 Basically, he’s fed
up with his job.
barn /bɑ
n/ noun a large farm building
barn
basin /bes(ə)n/ noun 1. same as wash-

basin
for storing produce or for keeping ani-

mals or machinery basin 2. a large or small bowl, especial-
ly one for holding or mixing food items
barrel /brəl/ noun 1. a container with
barrel
basis /bess/ noun 1. the general facts

basis
curved sides for storing liquid 쑗 a bar-

rel of beer 쑗 a wine barrel 2. the tube of on which something is based 쑗 What is
a gun out of which a bullet is fired the basis for these proposals? 왍 on the
basis of based on 쑗 The calculations are
barrier /briə/ noun 1. a bar or fence
barrier
done on the basis of an exchange rate of

which blocks a passage 쑗 He lifted the 1.6 dollars to the pound. 2. the general
barrier and we drove across the border. terms of an agreement 쑗 She is working
2. an action or problem that makes it dif- for us on a temporary basis. 쑗 Many of
ficult for something to happen the helpers at the hospice work on a vol-
base /bes/ noun 1. the bottom part of
base
untary basis. (NOTE: The plural is bas-

something 쑗 The table lamp has a flat es /besi
z/.)
base. 2. a place where you work from 쑗
basket /bɑ
skt/ noun a container made
basket
He lives in London but uses Paris as his

of thin pieces of wood, wire or fibre wo-
base when travelling in France. 3.
ven together
something from which something else
basketball /bɑ
sktbɔ
l/ noun a game
basketball
develops or is produced 쑗 The report

will provide a good base from which to played by two teams of five players who
develop ideas. 쐽 verb to use something try to throw the ball through an open net
or somewhere as a base 쑗 The company hung high up at each end of the playing
is based in Paris. 쑗 The theory is based area
on research done in Russia. 왍 to be bass /bes/ noun 1. a male singer with a
bass
based at or in to have a particular place low-pitched voice 2. a guitar with a low-

as your main home or place of work 쑗 pitched sound 쐽 adjective relating to a
She’s based at head office or in Edin- low-pitched voice or music 쑗 He has a
burgh. 왍 to base something on some- pleasant bass voice. Compare tenor
bat 26 beam
bat /bt/ noun 1. a piece of wood used 쑗
His last years were spent battling
bat
for hitting a ball 쑗 a baseball bat 쑗 a against cancer.

cricket bat 2. a small animal with skin bay /be/ noun 1. an area along a coast
bay
flaps like wings that flies at night and where the land curves inwards 쑗 a shel-
hangs upside down when resting tered bay 2. a marked or enclosed area
bath /bɑ
θ/ noun 1. a large container in used for a particular purpose 쑗 a bay
bath
which you can sit and wash your whole marked ‘Reserved Parking’
body 쑗 There’s a washbasin and a bath be /b, bi
/ verb 1. used for describing a
be
in the bathroom. (NOTE: The plural is person or thing 쑗 Our house is older
baths /bɑ
θs/) 2. 왍 to have a bath to than yours. 쑗 She is bigger than her
wash your whole body in a bath 쐽 verb brother. 쑗 Lemons are yellow. 쑗 The
to wash yourself or someone else in a soup is hot. 쑗 Put on your coat – it is
bath 쑗 She’s bathing the baby. 쑗 Do you cold outside. 쑗 I’m cold after standing
prefer to bath or shower? (NOTE: Do not waiting for the bus. 쑗 Are you tired after
confuse with bathe. Note also: baths your long walk? 2. used for showing age
– bathing /bɑ
θŋ/ – bathed /bɑ
θt/.) or time 쑗 He’s twenty years old. 쑗 She
bathe /beð/ verb 1. to go into water to will be two next month. 쑗 It is nearly ten
bathe
swim or wash 쑗 Thousands of people o’clock. 쑗 It is time to get up. 쑗 Septem-

come to bathe in the Ganges. 2. to wash ber is the beginning of autumn. 3. used
a cut or damaged part of the body care- for showing price 쑗 Onions are 80p a
fully 쑗 A nurse bathed the wound on his kilo. 쑗 The cakes are 50p each. 쑗 My
arm. 3. US to have a bath 쑗 I just have car was worth £10,000 when it was new.
enough time to bathe before my dinner 4. used for showing someone’s job 쑗
guests arrive. (NOTE: Do not confuse His father is a bus driver. 쑗 She wants to
with bath. Note also: bathes /beðz/ – be a teacher. 5. used for showing things
bathing /beðŋ/ – bathed /beðd/.) such as size, weight, height, 쑗 He’s
bathroom /bɑ
θru
m/ noun 1. a room
bathroom
1.70m tall. 쑗 The room is three metres
in a house with a bath, a washbasin and square. 쑗 Our house is ten miles from
usually a toilet 쑗 The house has two the nearest station. 6. to add up to 쑗
bathrooms. 2. US a room containing a Two and two are four. 7. used for show-
toilet 쑗 Where’s the bathroom? 쑗 Can I ing that someone or something exists or
use your bathroom, please? is in a particular place 쑗 There was a
crowd of people waiting for the shop to
battery /bt(ə)ri/ noun an object that
battery
open. 쑗 There were only two people left

fits into a piece of electrical equipment on the bus. 쑗 Where are we? 쑗 There’s
to provide it with electric energy 쑗 My your hat! (NOTE: I am; you are;
calculator needs a new battery. 쑗 The he/she/it is; we/you/they are; being;
battery has given out so I can’t use my I/he/she/it was; we/you/they were;
radio. 쑗 My mobile phone has a re- has been; negative: is not usually
chargeable battery. isn’t; are not usually aren’t; was not
battle /bt(ə)l/ noun 1. an occasion
battle
usually wasn’t; were not usually wer-

when large groups of soldiers fight each en’t.)
other using powerful weapons 쑗 Many beach /bi
tʃ/ noun an area of sand or
beach
soldiers died in the first battle of the small stones by the edge of the sea
war. 쑗 Wellington won the Battle of Wa-
beak /bi
k/ noun the hard part of a bird’s
beak
terloo. 2. an attempt to prevent some-

thing unpleasant and difficult to deal mouth
beam /bi
m/ noun 1. a long block of
beam
with 쑗 the government’s constant battle

against crime 쑗 He lost his battle wood or metal which supports a struc-
against cancer. 쐽 verb 왍 to battle ture, especially a roof 쑗 You can see the
against to try to prevent something un- old beams in the ceiling. 2. a ray of light
pleasant and difficult to deal with 쑗 She 쑗 The beam from the car’s headlights
had to battle against the other members shone into the barn. 쑗 Beams of sun-
of the board to get the project approved. light came through the coloured glass.
bean 27 before
쐽 verb to give a big happy smile 쑗 The became /bkem/ past tense of be-
became
little girl beamed at him. come

bean /bi
n/ noun a seed or the long thin because /bkɒz/ conjunction for the
bean because
pod of various different plants, that is reason that follows 쑗 I was late because
cooked and eaten I missed the train. 쑗 The dog’s wet be-
cause he’s been in the river. 왍 because
bear /beə/ noun a large wild animal cov-
bear
of as a result of 쑗 The plane was de-

ered with fur 쐽 verb 1. to carry or sup- layed because of bad weather.
port something 쑗 The letter bore a Lon-
become /bkm/ verb 1. to change to
become
don postmark. 쑗 Will this branch bear
my weight? 2. to accept something bad something different 쑗 The sky became

or unpleasant in a calm way 쑗 She bore dark and the wind became stronger. 쑗
the bad news bravely. (NOTE: bears – They became good friends. 쑗 As she got
bearing – bore /bɔ
/ – has borne older she became rather deaf. 쑗 It soon
/bɔ
n/) 왍 be unable to bear someone became obvious that he didn’t under-
or something to strongly dislike some- stand a word of what I was saying. 2. to
one or something 쑗 I can’t bear the start to work as 쑗 He wants to become a
smell of cooking fish. doctor. (NOTE: becomes – becoming
– became – has become)
beard /bəd/ noun the hair growing on a
beard
bed /bed/ noun 1. a piece of furniture for

bed
man’s chin and cheeks 쑗 a long white sleeping on 쑗 Lie down on my bed if
beard you’re tired. 2. a piece of ground for
beat /bi
t/ noun a regular pattern of
beat
particular plants to grow in 쑗 a straw-

sound 쑗 The patient’s heart has a regu- berry bed 쑗 a rose bed 3. the ground at
lar beat. 쑗 They danced to the beat of the bottom of water 쑗 a river bed
the drums. 쐽 verb 1. to make a regular bedroom /bedru
m/ noun a room
bedroom
sound 쑗 His heart was still beating where you sleep 쑗 My bedroom is on the
when the ambulance arrived. 쑗 Her first floor. 쑗 The hotel has twenty-five
heart beat faster as she went into the in- bedrooms. 쑗 Shut your bedroom door if
terview. 2. to hit something or someone you want to be quiet.
hard 쑗 He was beaten by a gang of bee /bi
/ noun an insect which makes
bee
youths. 3. to win a game against another honey, and can sting you
player or team 쑗 They beat their rivals
beef /bi
f/ noun meat from a cow 쑗 roast
beef
into second place. 쑗 Our football team

beef 쑗 beef stew
beat France 2 – 0. 쑗 They beat us by 10
been /bi
n/ past participle of be
been
goals to 2. 쑗 We beat the Australians at

beer /bə/ noun 1. an alcoholic drink
beer
cricket last year. (NOTE: beats – beat-

ing – beat – has beaten) made from grain and water 쑗 Can I have
a glass of beer? (NOTE: no plural) 2. a
beautiful /bju
tf(ə)l/ adjective 1.
beautiful
glass or bottle of beer 쑗 Three beers,

physically very attractive 쑗 We have
please.
three beautiful daughters. 2. pleasant or
beetle /bi
t(ə)l/ noun an insect with
beetle
enjoyable 쑗 What beautiful weather for

a walk. hard covers that protects its folded
wings
beautifully /bju
tf(ə)li/ adverb in a
beautifully
before /bfɔ
/ preposition earlier than 쑗
before
very pleasing way

They should have arrived before now. 쑗
beauty /bju
ti/ noun 1. the quality of
beauty
You must be home before 9 o’clock. 쑗 G

being beautiful 쑗 an object of great comes before H in the alphabet. 쐽 con-
beauty 쑗 the beauty of the tall trees junction earlier than 쑗 The police got
against the background of the blue lake there before I did. 쑗 Think carefully be-
2. a beautiful woman or a beautiful fore you start to answer the exam ques-
thing 쑗 At 18 she was a real beauty. 쑗 tions. 쑗 Wash your hands before you
Look at these apples, they’re real beau- have your dinner. 쑗 Before you sit down,
ties. can you switch on the light? 쐽 adverb
beg 28 belong
earlier 쑗 I didn’t see him last week, but his colleagues were behind his decision.
I had met him before. 쑗 Why didn’t you 쑗 We’re behind you! 쐽 adverb 1. at the
tell me before? back 쑗 He was first, and the rest of the
beg /be'/ verb 1. to ask for things like
beg
runners were a long way behind. 2. later
money or food 쑗 She sat begging on the than you should be 쑗 I am behind with
steps of the station. 쑗 Children were my correspondence. 쑗 The company has
begging for food. 2. to ask someone in fallen behind schedule with its deliver-
an emotional way to do something or ies.
being /bi
ŋ/ noun 1. a person 2. a living
being
give something 쑗 His mother begged

him not to go. 쑗 He begged for more thing, especially one that is not easily
time to find the money. (NOTE: begs – recognised 3. a spiritual or magical
begging – begged) force 쑗 He dreamt he was being sup-
begin /b'n/ verb to start doing some-
begin
ported by supernatural beings. 4. a state
of existing 왍 to come into being to start

thing 쑗 The children began to cry. 쑗 She

has begun to knit a red pullover for her to exist 쑗 The association came into be-
father. 쑗 The house is beginning to ing in 1946.
belief /bli
f/ noun a strong feeling that
belief
warm up. 쑗 His surname begins with an
S. 쑗 The meeting is due to begin at ten something is true 쑗 his firm belief in the
o’clock sharp. (NOTE: begins – begin- power of law 쑗 her strong belief in God
ning – began – has begun) 왍 to be- believe /bli
v/ verb 1. to be sure that
believe
gin again to start a second time 쑗 She something is true, although you can’t
played a wrong note and had to begin prove it 쑗 People used to believe that the
again. earth was flat. 쑗 Don’t believe anything
beginner /b'nə/ noun a person who is
beginner
he tells you. 2. used when you are not

starting to learn something or do some- absolutely sure of something 쑗 I don’t
thing 쑗 The course is for absolute be- believe we’ve met. 쑗 I believe I have
ginners. 쑗 I can’t paint very well – I’m been here before.
just a beginner. bell /bel/ noun 1. a metal object shaped
bell
beginning /b'nŋ/ noun the first part

beginning
like a cup which makes a ringing noise

쑗 The beginning of the film is rather when hit by a piece of metal inside it 쑗
boring. They rang the church bells at the wed-
begun /b'n/ past participle of begin
begun

ding. 2. any object designed to make a
ringing noise, especially one that uses
behalf /bhɑ
f/ noun 왍 on behalf of
behalf

electricity 쑗 The alarm bell rings if you
someone, on someone’s behalf acting touch the door. 쑗 The postman rang the
for someone 쑗 She is speaking on behalf door bell. 쑗 You ought to have a bell on
of the trade association. 쑗 He was cho- your bicycle. 앳 to ring a bell or any
sen to speak on the workers’ behalf. bells to sound familiar or remind you of
behave /bhev/ verb to act in a certain
behave
something 쑗 Does the name Forsyth

way with someone 쑗 He behaved very ring a bell?
pleasantly towards his staff. 쑗 She was belly /beli/ noun the stomach and intes-
belly
behaving in a funny way. tines (informal ) (NOTE: The plural is

behaviour /bhevjə/ noun a way of
behaviour
bellies.)
doing things 쑗 His behaviour was quite belong /blɒŋ/ verb 1. to be kept in the
belong
natural. 쑗 Local people complained usual or expected place 쑗 That book be-
about the behaviour of the football fans. longs on the top shelf. 2. to be happy to
behind /bhand/ preposition 1. at the
behind
be somewhere or with a group of people

back of 쑗 They hid behind the door. 쑗 I 쑗 Within a week in my new job I felt I be-
dropped my pen behind the sofa. 쑗 He longed. 3. 왍 to belong to someone to be
was second, only three metres behind the property of someone 쑗 Does the car
the winner. 2. responsible for 쑗 The po- really belong to you? 4. 왍 to belong to
lice believe they know who is behind the an organisation to be a member of an
bombing campaign. 3. supporting 쑗 All organisation 쑗 They still belong to the
below 29 best
tennis club. 5. 왍 to belong with to be a bridge and watched the river flowing
part of or connected to something else 쑗 beneath.
These knives belong with the set in the beneficial /benfʃ(ə)l/ adjective hav-
beneficial
kitchen. ing a helpful effect

below /bləυ/ adverb lower down benefit /benft/ noun an advantage 쑗
below
쑗
benefit
Standing on the bridge we looked at the What benefit would I get from joining
river below. 쑗 These toys are for chil- the club? 쐽 verb 1. to be useful to some-
dren of two years and below. 쐽 preposi- one 쑗 The book will benefit anyone who
tion lower down than 쑗 The temperature is planning to do some house repairs. 2.
was below freezing. 쑗 In Singapore, the 왍 to benefit from or by something to
temperature never goes below 25°C. 쑗 get an advantage from something 쑗
Do not write anything below this line. 쑗 Tourists will benefit from improved
These tablets should not be given to transport links. 쑗 Older people can ben-
children below the age of twelve. 쑗 Can efit from free bus passes. (NOTE: bene-
you see below the surface of the water? fits – benefitting – benefitted)
belt /belt/ noun a strap which goes round bent /bent/ adjective curved or twisted 쑗
belt bent
your waist to hold up a skirt or trousers These nails are so bent we can’t use
쑗 She wore a skirt with a bright red belt. them.
berry /beri/ noun a small round fruit
berry
bench /bentʃ/ noun a long seat for sev-

bench
eral people 쑗 We sat down on one of the with several small seeds inside (NOTE:
park benches. The plural is berries. Do not confuse
with bury.)
bend /bend/ noun a curve in something
bend
beside /bsad/ preposition at the side

beside
such as a road or a pipe 쑗 Don’t drive

of someone or something 쑗 Come and

too fast, there’s a sudden bend in the
sit down beside me. 쑗 The office is just
road. 쑗 The pipe under the sink has an
beside the railway station. 앳 it’s be-
awkward bend in it. 쐽 verb 1. to move
side the point it’s got nothing to do
your shoulders and head into a lower
with the main subject 쑗 Whether or not
position 쑗 He bent to pick up the little
the coat matches your hat is beside the
girl. 쑗 You can reach it if you bend to the
point – it’s simply too big for you.
left. 2. to have the shape of a curve 쑗
besides /bsadz/ preposition as well
besides
The road bends suddenly after the
bridge. (NOTE: bends – bending – as 쑗 They have two other cars besides
bent /bent/) the big Ford. 쑗 Besides managing the
shop, he also teaches in the evening. 왍
bend down phrasal verb to move to a besides being or doing something in
lower position, so that your head is low- addition to being or doing something 쐽
er than your waist 쑗 He bent down to adverb used for adding another stronger
pick up the little girl. reason for something 쑗 I don’t want to
bend over phrasal verb to move to a go for a picnic – besides, it’s starting to
different or a lower position 쑗 You can rain.
read it if you bend over to the left. 쑗 best /best/ adjective better than anything
best
Bend over till you can touch your toes. else 쑗 She’s my best friend. 쑗 He put on
앳 to bend over backwards for his best suit to go to the interview. 쑗
someone or to do something to do What is the best way of getting to Lon-
everything you can to help someone 쑗 don from here? 쐽 noun the thing which
Their friends bent over backwards for is better than anything else 쑗 The pic-
or to support the family after the acci- ture shows her at her best. 쐽 adverb in
dent. the most effective or successful way 쑗
beneath /bni
θ/ preposition under 쑗
beneath
The engine works best when it’s warm.

There are dangerous rocks beneath the 쑗 Oranges grow best in hot countries. 쑗
surface of the lake. 쑗 The river flows Which of you knows London best? 앳 all
very fast beneath the bridge. 쐽 adverb the best best wishes for the future 앳 as
underneath (formal ) 쑗 They stood on the best you can in the best way you can,
bet 30 bicycle
even though this may not be perfect 앳 to she’s got flu. 쑗 It would be better if you
do your best to do as well as you can phoned your father now.
앳 to make the best of something to between /btwi
n/ preposition 1. with
between
take any advantage you can from some- people or things on both sides 쑗 There’s
thing 앳 to make the best of a bad job only a thin wall between his office and
to accept a bad situation cheerfully 앳 to mine, so I hear everything he says. 쑗
the best of someone’s ability as well Don’t sit between him and his girl-
as possible 쑗 I’ll help you to the best of friend. 2. connecting two places 쑗 The
my ability. 앳 to the best of my knowl- bus goes between Oxford and London.
edge as far as I know 앳 best regards, 3. in the period after one time and be-
best wishes a greeting sent to someone fore another 쑗 I’m in a meeting between
쑗 Give my best wishes to your father. 10 o’clock and 12. 쑗 Can you come to
bet /bet/ noun a sum of money which is
bet
see me between now and next Monday?
risked by trying to say which horse will 4. within a range between two amounts
come first in a race or which side will or numbers 쑗 The parcel weighs be-
win a competition 쑗 He placed a bet on tween four and five kilos. 쑗 Cherries
his friend’s horse but lost when the cost between £2 and £3 per kilo. 5. used
horse came last. 쑗 I’ve got a bet on Bra- for comparing two or more things 쑗
zil to win the next World Cup. 쐽 verb to Sometimes it’s not easy to see a differ-
risk money by saying which horse you ence between blue and green. 쑗 She
think will come first in a race or which could choose between courses in Ger-
team will win a competition 쑗 He bet man, Chinese or Russian. 6. among 앳
me £10 the Prime Minister would lose between you and me speaking pri-
the election. 쑗 She bet £30 on the hors- vately 앳 in between with things on
both sides 쑗 There’s only a thin wall be-
es. (NOTE: bets – betting – bet) 앳 I bet
tween his bedroom and mine, so I hear
(you) (that) or I’ll bet (you) (that) I’m
everything he says on the phone.
sure that 쑗 I bet you she’s going to be
beware /bweə/ verb to be careful about
beware
late
something that might be dangerous or

better /betə/ adjective 1. good when
better
cause a problem 쑗 Beware of cheap im-

compared to something else 쑗 The itations. 쑗 You need to beware of being
weather is better today than it was yes- persuaded to spend more than you can
terday. 쑗 His latest book is better than afford.
the first one he wrote. 쑗 She’s better at
beyond /bjɒnd/ preposition 1. further
beyond
maths than English. 쑗 Brown bread is
better for you than white. 쑗 We will shop away than 쑗 The post office is beyond
around to see if we can get a better the bank. 2. outside the usual range of
price. 2. healthy again 쑗 I had a cold something 쑗 The delivery date is be-
last week but I’m better now. 쑗 I hope yond our control. 쑗 I can’t accept new
your sister will be better soon. 쐽 adverb orders beyond the end of next year. 왍 be-
more successfully than something else yond someone’s means too expensive
쑗 She sings better than her sister. 쑗 My
for someone to buy 쑗 I’d love to buy a
sports car, but I think it would be beyond
old knife cuts better than the new one. 왍
my means. 3. later than 쑗 The party
to think better of something to decide
went on beyond midnight.
that something is not a good idea 쑗 He
Bible /bab(ə)l/ noun 1. the holy book of
Bible
was going to drive to London, but

thought better of it when he heard the the Christian religion 2. an important
traffic report on the news. 앳 for the and useful reference book 쑗 She keeps
better in a way which makes a situation an old French recipe book in the kitchen
less unpleasant or difficult 쑗 Her atti- – it’s her bible.
bicycle /bask(ə)l/ noun a vehicle with
bicycle
tude has changed for the better since we

reviewed her responsibilities. 앳 had two wheels which you ride by pushing
better or would be better it would be on the pedals 쑗 He goes to school by bi-
sensible to 쑗 She’d better go to bed if cycle every day. 쑗 She’s going to do the
bid 31 bit
shopping on her bicycle. 쑗 He’s learn- the demand for payment. (NOTE: bins –
ing to ride a bicycle. binning – binned)
bid /bd/ noun 1. an offer to buy some- bind /band/ verb 1. to tie someone’s
bid bind
thing at a particular price 쑗 His bid for hands or feet so they cannot move 쑗
the painting was too low. 2. an attempt They bound her arms with a rope. 2. to
to do something 왍 she made a bid for tie something or someone to something
power she tried to seize power 쐽 verb to else 쑗 Bind the sticks together with
make an offer to buy something at an strings. 쑗 They bound him to the chair
auction 쑗 He bid £500 for the car. with strips of plastic. 3. to force some-
(NOTE: bids – bidding – bid) one to do something 쑗 The contract
binds him to make regular payments. 4.
big /b'/ adjective of a large size 쑗 I don’t
big
to put a cover on a book 쑗 The book is

want a small car – I want a big one. 쑗 bound in blue leather. (NOTE: binds –
His father has the biggest restaurant in binding – bound – has bound)
town. 쑗 I’m not afraid of him – I’m big-
biologist /baɒləd"st/ noun a scientist
biologist
ger than he is. 쑗 We had a big order
from Germany. (NOTE: big – bigger – who does research in biology

biology /baɒləd"i/ noun the study of
biology
biggest)
bike /bak/ noun a bicycle (informal )

bike
쑗 living things
bird /b
d/ noun 1. an animal with wings
bird
He goes to school by bike. 쑗 If the

weather’s good, we could go for a bike and feathers, most of which can fly 2. a
ride. young woman (informal; usually used
bill /bl/ noun 1. a piece of paper showing
bill
by men and sometimes regarded as
the amount of money you have to pay offensive by women)
birth /b
θ/ noun the occasion of being
birth
for something 쑗 The total bill came to

more than £200. 쑗 Ask the waiter for the born 쑗 He was a big baby at birth. 왍 by
bill. 쑗 Don’t forget to pay your gas bill. birth according to the country some-
2. same as beak 쑗 The bird was picking one’s parents come from 쑗 He is French
up food with its bill. 3. a proposal by birth. 왍 to give birth to a baby to
which, if passed by parliament, behave a baby 쑗 She gave birth to a boy
comes law 쑗 Parliament will consider last week.
the education bill this week. 쑗 He has birthday /b
θde/ noun the date on
birthday
drafted a bill to ban the sale of guns. 4. which someone was born 쑗 April 23rd
US a piece of paper money 쑗 a 10-dol- is Shakespeare’s birthday. 쑗 My birth-
lar bill day is on 25th June. 쑗 What do you want
billion /bljən/ noun 1. one thousand for your birthday?
billion
million 쑗 The government raises bil- biscuit /bskt/ noun a small flat, usual-
biscuit
lions in taxes each year. 2. one million ly sweet, hard cake (NOTE: The US term
million (dated ) 3. a great many 쑗 Bil- for a sweet biscuit is cookie)
lions of Christmas cards are sent every bit /bt/ noun 1. a little piece 쑗 He tied the
bit
year. (NOTE: In American English billion bundle of sticks together with a bit of
has always meant one thousand mil- string. 쑗 Would you like another bit of
lion, but in British English it formerly cake? 2. the smallest unit of information
meant one million million, and it is still that a computer system can handle 쐽
sometimes used with this meaning. verb 쏡 bite 앳 to bits 1. into little pieces
With figures it is usually written bn: 2. very much 쑗 thrilled to bits 앳 to
$5bn say ‘five billion dollars’.) come or fall to bits to fall apart 쑗 The
bin /bn/ noun 1. a container for putting
bin
chair has come to bits. 앳 to take some-

rubbish in 쑗 Don’t throw your litter on thing to bits to take something apart in
the floor – pick it up and put it in the bin. order to repair it 쑗 He’s taking my old
2. a container for keeping things in 쑗 a clock to bits. 앳 a bit a little 쑗 The paint-
bread bin 쐽 verb to throw something ing is a bit too dark. 쑗 She always plays
away into a rubbish bin 쑗 He just binned that tune a bit too fast. 쑗 Let him sleep
bite 32 blanket
a little bit longer. 쑗 Can you wait a bit? blame /blem/ noun criticism for having
blame
I’m not ready yet. 쑗 Have you got a done something wrong 쑗 I’m not going
piece of wood a bit bigger than this one? to take the blame for something I didn’t
앳 for a bit for a short period of time 쑗 do. 왍 to get the blame for something to
Can you stop for a bit? I’m getting tired. be accused of something 쑗 Who got the
bite /bat/ verb 1. to cut someone or blame for breaking the window? – Me,
bite
something with your teeth 쑗 The dog of course! 왍 to take the blame for
tried to bite the postman. 쑗 She bit a something to accept that you were re-
piece out of the pie. 2. (of an insect) to sponsible for something bad 쐽 verb 왍 to
make a small hole in your skin which blame someone for something, to
turns red and itchy 쑗 She’s been bitten blame something on someone to say
by a mosquito. (NOTE: bites – biting – that someone is responsible for some-
bit /bt/ – has bitten /bt(ə)n/) 쐽 thing 쑗 Blame my sister for the awful
noun 1. a small amount of food that you food, not me. 쑗 He blamed the accident
cut with your teeth in order to eat it 쑗 on the bad weather. 왍 I don’t blame
She took a big bite out of the sandwich. you I think you’re right to do that 쑗 I
왍 a bite or a bite to eat a small meal 2. don’t blame you for being annoyed,
a place on someone’s body where it has when everyone else got a present and
been bitten you didn’t. 왍 you have only yourself to
bitter /btə/ adjective 1. not sweet 쑗
bitter
blame no one else is responsible for
This black coffee is too bitter. 2. angry what happened 쑗 You have only yourself
because something is not fair 쑗 She was to blame if you missed the chance of a
very bitter about the way the company free ticket. 왍 to be to blame for to be re-
treated her. 3. causing great disappoint- sponsible for something 쑗 The manager
ment or unhappiness 쑗 a bitter winter is to blame for the bad service.
blank /blŋk/ adjective not containing
blank
night 쑗 a bitter wind coming from the

Arctic 쑗 Losing her job was a bitter any information, sound or writing, e.g.
blow. 쑗 She took a blank piece of paper and
bitterly /btəli/ adverb strongly 쑗 He
bitterly
drew a map. 쑗 Have we got any blank
bitterly regrets what he said. videos left? 쐽 noun an empty space, es-
pecially on a printed form, for some-
bitterness /btənəs/ noun 1. a bitter
bitterness
thing to be written in 쑗 Just fill in the

taste 2. angry feelings 쑗 His bitterness blanks on the second page – age, occu-
at being left out of the England team pation, etc. 앳 to go blank to be unable
was very obvious. to remember something 쑗 I went blank
black /blk/ adjective 1. having a very
black
when they asked what I was doing last

dark colour, the opposite to white 쑗 a Tuesday. 쑗 When he asked for my work
black and white photograph 쑗 He has phone number, my mind just went blank.
black hair. 2. belonging to a race of peo- blank out phrasal verb 1. to cross out
ple with dark skin, whose families are or cover a piece of writing 쑗 The sur-
African in origin name had been blanked out. 2. to try to
blackboard /blkbɔ
d/ noun a dark
blackboard
forget something deliberately 쑗 She

board which you can write on with blanked out the days or the memory of
chalk, especially on the wall of a class- the days immediately after the car
room (NOTE: now often called a ‘chalk- crash.
board’) blanket /blŋkt/ noun 1. a thick cover
blanket
blade /bled/ noun 1. a sharp cutting part

blade
which you put over you to keep warm 쑗

쑗 the blades of a pair of scissors 쑗 Be He woke up when the blankets fell off
careful – that knife has a very sharp the bed. 쑗 She wrapped the children up
blade. 2. a thin leaf of grass 3. one of the in blankets to keep them warm. 2. a
long flat parts that spin round on some thick layer 쑗 a blanket of leaves 쑗 A
aircraft engines or to keep a helicopter blanket of snow covered the fields. 쑗
in the air The motorway was covered in a blanket
blankly 33 blow
of fog. 3. a barrier to protect something able to see, especially for a short time 쑗
쑗 a blanket of secrecy 쐽 adjective af- She was blinded by the bright lights of
fecting everything or everyone 쑗 a blan- the oncoming cars.
ket ban on smoking blindness /blandnəs/ noun the state
blindness
blankly /blŋkli/ adverb not showing

blankly
of not being able to see 쑗 The disease

any reaction or emotion 쑗 When the can cause blindness. (NOTE: Some peo-
teacher asked him about his homework ple avoid this term as it can cause of-
he just stared at her blankly. fence and prefer visual impairment.)
blast /blɑ
st/ noun 1. an explosion 쑗 blink /blŋk/ noun to close your eyes and
blast blink
Several windows were shattered by the open them again very quickly 쑗 The
blast. 2. a strong current of wind 쑗 an sudden flash of light made him blink. 쐽
icy blast from the north 3. a sharp loud verb (of lights) to go on and off 쑗 The
sound from a signal or whistle 쑗 Three alarm light is blinking.
blasts of the alarm means that passen- block /blɒk/ noun 1. a large building 쑗
block
gers should go on deck. 쐽 verb to de- They live in a block of flats. 2. a large
stroy with a bomb or bullets 쑗 The bur- piece 쑗 Blocks of ice were floating in the
glars blasted their way into the safe. 쑗 river. 3. something that prevents some-
They blasted their way out of the police thing happening 쑗 a block on making
trap. payments 왍 to put a block on some-
blaze /blez/ verb to burn or shine strong-
blaze
thing to stop something happening 4.

ly 쑗 The fire was blazing. 쑗 The sun same as blockage 1 5. US a section of
blazed through the clouds. 쐽 noun a buildings surrounded by streets 쑗 He
large bright fire 쑗 The house was lives two blocks away. 쐽 verb to prevent
burned down in the blaze. something from passing along some-
bleed /bli
d/ verb to lose blood 쑗 His
bleed
thing 쑗 The pipe is blocked with dead
chin bled after he cut himself shaving. 쑗 leaves. 쑗 The crash blocked the road for
He was bleeding heavily from his hours.
blockage /blɒkd"/ noun 1. something
blockage
wound. (NOTE: bleeds – bleeding –

bled /bled/) which prevents movement 쑗 There’s a
blend /blend/ noun something, especial-
blend
blockage further down the drain. 2. the
ly a substance, made by mixing differ- state of being blocked
blood /bld/ noun the red liquid that
blood
ent things together 쑗 different blends of

coffee 쐽 verb 1. to mix things together flows around the body
쑗 Blend the eggs, milk and flour togeth- blossom /blɒs(ə)m/ noun 1. the mass
blossom
er. 2. (of colours) to go well together 쑗 of flowers that appears on trees in the
The grey curtains blend with the pale spring 쑗 The hedges are covered with
wallpaper. hawthorn blossom. 쑗 The trees are in
bless /bles/ verb to make something holy
bless
full blossom. 2. a single flower 쐽 verb to

by prayers 쑗 The church was blessed by produces flowers 쑗 The roses were blos-
the bishop. (NOTE: blesses – blessing soming round the cottage door.
– blessed /blest/) 앳 to be blessed blouse /blaυz/ noun a woman’s shirt
blouse
with to experience happiness or good

blow /bləυ/ verb 1. (of air or wind ) to
blow
things 쑗 They were blessed with two

healthy children. 앳 bless you said move 쑗 The wind had been blowing
when someone sneezes hard all day. 2. to push air out from your
mouth 쑗 Blow on your soup if it’s too
blew /blu
/ past tense of blow
blew
hot. (NOTE: blows – blowing – blew –

blind /bland/ adjective not able to see 쑗 has blown) 왍 to blow your nose to
blind
He went blind in his early forties. blow air through your nose into a hand-
(NOTE: Some people avoid this word as kerchief, especially if you have a cold 쑗
it can cause offence and prefer terms She has a cold and keeps having to blow
such as visually impaired or partially her nose. 쐽 noun 1. a knock or hit with
sighted.) 쐽 verb to make someone un- the hand 쑗 He received a blow to the
blue 34 bodyguard
head in the fight. 2. a shock, which 2. almost rude 쑗 His blunt manner often
comes from bad news 쑗 The election re- upset people.
sult was a blow to the government. bluntly /blntli/ adverb in a direct way
bluntly
blow away phrasal verb 1. to go away that may upset people

by blowing 쑗 His hat blew away. 2. to blurred /bl
d/ adjective not clearly seen
blurred
make something go away by blowing 쑗 쑗 The paper printed a blurred photo-

The wind will blow the fog away. graph of the suspect.
blow down phrasal verb 1. to make blush /blʃ/ verb to go red in the face be-
blush
something fall down by blowing 쑗 Six cause you are ashamed or embarrassed
trees were blown down in the storm. 2. 쑗 She blushed when he spoke to her.
to fall down by blowing 쑗 The school
board /bɔ
d/ noun 1. a long flat piece of
board
fence has blown down.

something such as wood 쑗 The floor of
blow off phrasal verb to make some- the bedroom was just bare boards. 2. a
thing go away by blowing 쑗 The wind blackboard or chalkboard 쑗 The teacher
blew his hat off. wrote on the board.
blow out phrasal verb to make some-
boast /bəυst/ verb 1. to have something
boast
thing go out by blowing 쑗 She blew out

good 쑗 The house boasts a large garden
the candles on her birthday cake. and pond. 쑗 The town boasts an 18-hole
blow over phrasal verb 1. (of a storm golf course. 2. to say how good or suc-
or a difficult situation) to end 쑗 We hope cessful you are 쐽 noun the act of talking
the argument will soon blow over. 2. to about things that you are proud of 쑗
knock something down by blowing 쑗 Their proudest boast is that they never
The strong winds blew over several surrendered.
trees. boat /bəυt/ noun a small vehicle that
boat
blow up phrasal verb 1. to make some- people use for moving on water 쑗 They
thing get bigger by blowing into it 쑗 He sailed their boat across the lake. 쑗 They
blew up balloons for the party. 쑗 Your went to Spain by boat. 쑗 When is the
front tyre needs blowing up. 2. to de- next boat to Calais? 앳 in the same
stroy something by making it explode 쑗 boat in the same difficult situation 쑗
The soldiers blew up the railway bridge. Don’t expect special treatment – we’re
3. to make a photograph bigger 쑗 The all in the same boat.
article was illustrated with a blown-up body /bɒdi/ noun 1. the whole of a per-
body
picture of the little girl and her stepfa- son or of an animal 쑗 He had pains all
ther. over his body. (NOTE: The plural is bod-
blue /blu
/ adjective of the colour of the
blue
ies.) 2. the main part of an animal or

sky 쑗 He wore a pale blue shirt. 쑗 They person, but not the head and arms and
live in the house with the dark blue door. legs 쑗 She had scars on the arms and
쐽 noun the colour of the sky 쑗 Is there upper part of her body. (NOTE: The plu-
a darker blue than this available? 앳 out ral is bodies.) 3. the body of a dead per-
of the blue suddenly 쑗 Out of the blue son or animal 쑗 The dead man’s body
came an offer of a job in Australia. was found in the river. 쑗 Bodies of in-
blues /blu
z/ plural noun sad songs from
blues
fected cows were burnt in the fields. 4.
the southern US 쑗 Bessie Smith, the the main structure of a vehicle 쑗 The
great blues singer. factory used to make car bodies. 5. the
main part of something 쑗 You’ll find the
blunder /blndə/ noun a big mistake,
blunder
details in the body of the report. (NOTE:

often one that causes a lot of embarrass- The plural is bodies.) 6. the thickness
ment 쑗 A dreadful blunder by the goal- of hair 쑗 The shampoo will give your
keeper allowed their opponents to hair body. (NOTE: no plural)
score. bodyguard /bɒdi'ɑ
d/ noun 1. a per-
bodyguard
blunt /blnt/ adjective 1. not sharp 쑗 He

blunt
son who guards someone 쑗 The man

tried to cut the meat with a blunt knife. was stopped by the president’s body-
boil 35 booking
guards. 2. a group of people who guard bombing /bɒmŋ/ noun an occasion
bombing
someone 쑗 He has a bodyguard of six when someone attacks a place with a

people or a six-man bodyguard. bomb or bombs 쑗 bombings in centre of
boil /bɔl/ verb 1. (of water or other
boil
major cities 쑗 a bombing raid by enemy

liquid ) to form bubbles and change into aircraft
steam or gas because of being heated 쑗 bone /bəυn/ noun one of the solid pieces
bone
Put the egg in when you see that the wa- in the body, which make up the skeleton
ter’s boiling. 쑗 Don’t let the milk boil. 2. 쑗 He fell over and broke a bone in his
to heat a liquid until it changes into leg. 쑗 Be careful when you’re eating fish
steam 쑗 Can you boil some water so we – they have lots of little bones.
can make tea? 3. to cook food such as
bonfire /bɒnfaə/ noun a fire made out-
bonfire
vegetables or eggs in boiling water 쑗 doors

Boil the potatoes in a large pan. 쐽 noun
bonnet /bɒnt/ noun 1. the metal cover
bonnet
an infected swelling 쑗 He has a boil on

the back of his neck. over the front part of a car, covering the
engine 쑗 He lifted up the bonnet and
boiling /bɔlŋ/ adjective 1. which has
boiling
looked at the steam pouring out of the

started to boil (i.e. for water, at 100°C) engine. 2. a hat with strings that tie un-
쑗 Put the potatoes in a pan of boiling
der the chin
water. 2. also boiling hot very hot 쑗 It
bonus /bəυnəs/ noun 1. extra money 쑗
bonus
is boiling in this room.

Sales staff earn a bonus if they sell more
bolt /bəυlt/ noun 1. a long piece of metal
bolt
than their target. 2. an advantage 쑗 It

with a screw, fastened with a round was a bonus that the plane arrived ear-
piece of metal called a nut 쑗 The legs of ly, as we were able to catch an earlier
the table are secured to the top with bus home. (NOTE: The plural is bonus-
bolts. 2. a long piece of metal which you es.) 왍 added bonus an additional ad-
slide into a hole to lock a door 쑗 She vantage 쑗 I prefer this job and it’s an
pulled back the bolts. 3. 왍 to make a added bonus that I can walk to work.
bolt for it to run away 쑗 When the
bony /bəυni/ adjective 1. thin, so that
bony
guards weren’t looking two prisoners

tried to make a bolt for it. 쐽 verb 1. to the bones can be seen easily 쑗 She was
run fast suddenly 쑗 The horse bolted. 2. riding a bony horse. 쑗 He grabbed her
to run away from someone or something arm with his bony hand. 2. (of fish) with
쑗 When the boys saw him coming, they many bones 쑗 I don’t like kippers,
bolted. 3. to fasten something with a they’re usually too bony. (NOTE: bonier
bolt 쑗 He bolted the door when he went – boniest)
to bed. 쑗 The tables are bolted to the book /bυk/ noun 1. sheets of printed pa-
book
floor. 앳 to make a bolt for something per attached together, usually with a
to rush towards something 쑗 At the end stiff cover 쑗 I’m reading a book on the
of the show everyone made a bolt for the history of London. 쑗 He wrote a book
door. 앳 to make a bolt for it to run about butterflies. 2. sheets of paper to
away from someone or something 쑗 write or draw on, attached together in a
When the guards weren’t looking two cover. 쒁 exercise book, notebook,
prisoners tried to make a bolt for it. sketchbook 쐽 verb to reserve a place,
bomb /bɒm/ noun a weapon which ex-
bomb
a seat, a table in a restaurant or a room
plodes, and can be dropped from an air- in a hotel 쑗 We have booked a table for
craft or placed somewhere by hand 쑗 tomorrow evening. 왍 to book someone
The bomb was left in a suitcase in the on or onto a flight to order a plane tick-
middle of the station. 쑗 They phoned to et for someone else 쑗 I’ve booked you
say that a bomb had been planted in the on the 10 o’clock flight to New York.
booking /bυkŋ/ noun an arrangement
booking
main street. 쑗 Enemy aircraft dropped

bombs on the army base. 쐽 verb to drop to have something such as a seat, hotel
bombs on something 쑗 Enemy aircraft room or a table in a restaurant kept for
bombed the power station. you
boom 36 bottled
boom /bu
m/ noun 1. a sudden increase
boom
was born in Scotland. 쑗 She was born in

in the amount of money being earned in 1989. 쑗 The baby was born last week.
a country or region, or by a business 쑗 borne /bɔ
n/ past participle of bear
borne
The economy is improving and everyone

borrow /bɒrəυ/ verb 1. to take some-
borrow
is forecasting a boom for next year. 2. a

loud deep noise, like the sound of an ex- thing for a short time, usually with the
plosion 쑗 There was such a loud boom permission of the owner 쑗 She bor-
that everyone jumped. 쐽 verb 1. to in- rowed three books from the school li-
crease 쑗 The economy is booming. 쑗 brary. 쑗 He wants to borrow one of my
Sales to Europe are booming. 2. to make CDs. 2. to take money for a time, usual-
a loud deep noise 쑗 His voice boomed ly from a bank 쑗 Companies borrow
across the square. from banks to finance their business. 쑗
She borrowed £100,000 from the bank
boot /bu
t/ noun a strong shoe which
boot
to buy a flat. Compare lend

covers your foot and your ankle or the
boss /bɒs/ noun the person in charge, es-
boss
lower part of your leg 쑗 long black rid-

ing boots 쑗 walking boots 쑗 ankle boots pecially the owner of a business 쑗 If you
want a day off, ask the boss. 쑗 I left be-
boot up phrasal verb 1. to make a com-
cause I didn’t get on with my boss.
puter start 2. (of a computer ) to be start- (NOTE: The plural is bosses.)
ed up and made ready for use
both /bəυθ/ adjective, pronoun two peo-
both
border /bɔ
də/ noun 1. an imaginary
border
line between countries or regions 쑗 ple or things together 쑗 Hold onto the
They crossed the border into Switzer- handle with both hands. 쑗 Both my
land. 쑗 The enemy shelled several bor- shoes have holes in them. 쑗 Both her
der towns. 쑗 He was questioned by the brothers are very tall. 쑗 She has two
border guards. 2. a pattern around the brothers, both of them in Canada. 쑗 She
edge of something 쑗 I don’t like the pink and her brother both go to the same
border on the scarf. 3. a patch of soil at school. 쑗 I’m talking to both of you.
the side of a path or an area of grass bother /bɒðə/ noun trouble or worry 쑗
bother
where flowers or bushes are planted 쐽 We found the shop without any bother. 쑗
verb to be along the edge of something It was such a bother getting packed that
쑗 The path is bordered with rose bushes. we nearly didn’t go on holiday. 쐽 verb
쑗 The new houses border the west side 1. to make someone feel slightly angry,
of the park. especially by disturbing them 쑗 It both-
border on phrasal verb same as bor- ers me that everyone is so lazy. 쑗 Stop
der verb bothering me – I’m trying to read. 2. 왍
bore /bɔ
/ noun a dull person who is not
bore
to bother to do something to take the
very interesting 쑗 I don’t want to sit next time or trouble to do something 쑗 Don’t
to him, he’s such a bore. 쐽 verb to make bother to come with me to the station –
a hole in something 쑗 Bore three holes I can find my way easily.
bottle /bɒt(ə)l/ noun 1. a tall plastic or
bottle
close together.
bored /bɔ
d/ adjective not interested in
bored
glass container for liquids, usually with
what is happening 쑗 You get very bored a narrow part at the top 쑗 He opened two
having to do the same work every day. 쑗 bottles of red wine. 쑗 She drank the wa-
I’m bored – let’s go out to the club. ter straight out of the bottle. 쑗 He
bought his wife a bottle of perfume on
boredom /bɔ
dəm/ noun the state of
boredom
the plane. 2. confidence (informal ) 쑗 He

being bored hasn’t got the bottle to do it. 쐽 verb to
boring /bɔ
rŋ/ adjective not interesting
boring
put in bottles 쑗 The wine is bottled in

쑗 I don’t want to watch that TV pro- Germany. 쑗 Only bottled water is safe
gramme – it’s boring. to drink.
born /bɔ
n/ verb to come out of your bottled /bɒt(ə)ld/ adjective sold in bot-
born bottled
mother’s body and begin to live 쑗 He tles

bottom 37 brain
bottom /bɒtəm/ noun 1. the lowest after the other. 2. the front part of a ship
bottom
point 쑗 The ship sank to the bottom of 쐽 verb 1. to bend your body forward as
the sea. 쑗 Turn left at the bottom of the a greeting or sign of respect 쑗 He bowed
hill. 쑗 Is there any honey left in the bot- to the queen. 2. to bend your head for-
tom of the jar? 2. the far end 쑗 Go down wards 쑗 She bowed her head over her
to the bottom of the street and you will books.
see the station on your left. 쑗 The shed bowl /bəυl/ noun 1. a wide, round con-
bowl
is at the bottom of the garden. 3. the part tainer for something such as food or wa-
of the body on which you sit 쑗 Does my ter 쑗 Put the egg whites in a bowl and
bottom look big in these trousers? 쐽 beat them. 2. the food or liquid con-
plural noun bottoms the lower part of a tained in a bowl 쑗 He was eating a bowl
set of clothes 쑗 He was wearing just his of rice. 쑗 A bowl of hot thick soup is just
track suit bottoms. 쐽 adjective lowest 쑗 what you need in this cold weather. 쐽
The jam is on the bottom shelf. 쑗 He was verb 1. (especially in cricket) to throw a
standing on the bottom rung of the lad- ball to a batsman 왍 to bowl someone
der. (out) to throw the ball to someone and
bought /bɔ
t/ past tense and past partici- hit his or her wicket 2. (in a game of
bought
ple of buy bowls) to roll a bowl along the ground to

bounce /baυns/ noun 1. a movement of
bounce
try to get close to the target
box /bɒks/ noun 1. a container made of
box
something such as a ball when it hits a

surface and moves away again 쑗 He hit wood, plastic, cardboard or metal, with
the ball on the second bounce. 2. energy a lid 쑗 The cakes came in a cardboard
쑗 She’s always full of bounce. 쐽 verb to box. 2. a container and its contents 쑗 He
spring up and down or off a surface 쑗 took a box of matches from his pocket. 쑗
The ball bounced down the stairs. 쑗 He He gave her a box of chocolates for her
kicked the ball but it bounced off the birthday. 쐽 verb to fight by punching,
post. 쑗 In this game you bounce the ball especially when wearing special thick
against the wall. gloves 쑗 He learnt to box at a gym in the
bound /baυnd/ noun a big jump 쐽 ad-
bound
East End.
boxing /bɒksŋ/ noun a sport in which
boxing
jective 1. very likely 쑗 They are bound

to be late. 2. obliged 쑗 He felt bound to two opponents fight each other in a
help her. 쑗 He is bound by the contract square area wearing special thick gloves
he signed last year. 3. tied up 쑗 a bundle boy /bɔ/ noun 1. a male child 쑗 A boy
boy
of old letters bound with pink ribbon 쑗 from our school won the tennis match. 쑗
The burglars left him bound hand and I knew him when he was a boy. 2. a son
foot. 쐽 verb to make a big jump, or 쑗 Her three boys are all at university. 3.
move fast suddenly 쑗 She bounded into 왍 the boys men who are friends, or who
the room. 쑗 He bounded out of his chair. play sport together (informal )
쑗 The dog bounded into the bushes. 앳
boyfriend /bɔfrend/ noun a young or
boyfriend
bound for on the way to 쑗 a ship bound

for the Gulf older man that someone is having a ro-
mantic relationship with 쑗 She’s got a
boundary /baυnd(ə)ri/ noun an imagi-
boundary
new boyfriend. 쑗 She brought her boy-

nary line or physical barrier separating friend to the party.
two things 쑗 Their behaviour crossed
bra /brɑ
/ noun a piece of women’s un-
bra
the boundary between unkindness and

cruelty. 쑗 The white fence marks the derwear worn to support the breasts
bracelet /breslət/ noun a piece of jew-
bracelet
boundary between the two gardens.

bow /baυ/ noun 1. the act of bending
bow
ellery worn around your wrist or arm
brain /bren/ noun 1. the nerve centre in
brain
your body forwards as a greeting or sign

of respect 쑗 He made a deep bow to the the head, which controls all the body 2.
audience. 왍 to take a bow to stand on a intelligence 왍 to use your brain to
stage and bend forwards to thank the au- think sensibly 왍 she’s got brains, she’s
dience 쑗 The actors took their bows one got a good brain she’s intelligent
brainy 38 break
brainy /breni/ adjective very intelligent bravely /brevli/ adverb in a brave way
brainy bravely
(informal ) (NOTE: brainier – brainiest) bravery /brevəri/ noun the ability to

bravery
brake /brek/ noun a part of a vehicle

brake
do dangerous or unpleasant things with-

used for stopping or making it go more out being afraid 쑗 We admired her brav-
slowly 쑗 Put the brake on when you go ery in coping with the illness. 쑗 He won
down a hill. 쑗 The brakes aren’t work- an award for bravery.
ing! 쐽 verb to slow down by pressing a bread /bred/ noun food made from flour
bread
vehicle’s brakes 쑗 The driver of the lit- and water baked in an oven 쑗 Can you
tle white van braked, but too late to get a loaf of bread from the baker’s? 쑗
avoid the dog. She cut thin slices of bread for sand-
branch /brɑ
ntʃ/ noun 1. a thick part of
branch
wiches.
a tree, growing out of the main part 쑗 breadth /bredθ/ noun 1. a measurement
breadth
He hit his head against a low branch. 2. of how wide something is 쑗 The breadth
a local office of an organisation 쑗 He’s of the piece of land is over 300m. 2. the
the manager of our local branch of fact of being full or complete 쑗 His an-
Lloyds Bank. 쑗 The store has branches swers show the breadth of his knowl-
in most towns in the south of the coun- edge of the subject. 앳 the length and
try. 3. one part of something larger 쑗 breadth of something everywhere in
Genetics is a branch of biology. 쑗 I’m a place 쑗 We walked the length and
not in contact with the Irish branch of breadth of the field but found no mush-
my family. 4. a section of a road, railway rooms.
line or river that leads to or from the
break /brek/ verb 1. to make something
break
main part 쐽 verb to divide into two or

more parts divide into pieces accidentally or delib-
erately 쑗 He dropped the plate on the
brand /brnd/ noun a product with a
brand
floor and broke it. 쑗 She broke her leg

name, made by a particular company 쑗 when she was skiing. 쑗 Break the choc-
a well-known brand of soap 쐽 verb to olate into four pieces. 2. to divide into
describe someone or something public- pieces accidentally 쑗 The clock fell on
ly as bad 쑗 He was branded as a thief. 쑗 the floor and broke. 3. to fail to carry out
The minister was publicly branded a the terms of a contract or a rule 쑗 The
liar in the newspaper. company has broken its agreement. 왍 to
brand name /brnd nem/ noun the
brand name
break a promise not to do what you had

official name of a product promised to do 쑗 He broke his promise
brand-new /brnd nju
/ adjective and wrote to her again. 4. 왍 to break it
brand-new
completely new or to break the news to someone to tell

brass /brɑ
s/ noun 1. a shiny yellow
brass
someone bad news 쑗 We will have to
metal used for making things such as break it to her as gently as possible.
some musical instruments and door han- (NOTE: Do not confuse with brake.
dles 쑗 The doctor has a brass name Note also breaks – breaking – broke
plate on his door. 2. musical instru- /brəυk/ – has broken /brəυkən/.) 쐽
ments made of brass, such as trumpets noun 1. a short pause or rest 쑗 There
or trombones 쑗 the brass section of the will be a 15-minute break in the middle
orchestra 쑗 He has composed several of the meeting. 왍 without a break with-
pieces of music for brass. out stopping 쑗 They worked without a
brave /brev/ adjective not afraid of do-
brave
break. 왍 to take a break to have a short
ing unpleasant or dangerous things 쑗 It rest 쑗 We’ll take a break now, and start
was very brave of him to dive into the again in fifteen minutes. 2. a short holi-
river to rescue the little girl. (NOTE: day 쑗 a winter break 앳 to break your
braver – bravest) 쐽 verb to accept un- journey to stop travelling for a while
pleasant or dangerous conditions in or- before going on 쑗 We’ll break our jour-
der to achieve something 쑗 We braved ney in Edinburgh.
the Saturday crowds in the supermarket break down phrasal verb 1. (of a ma-
because we needed bread and milk. chine) to stop working 쑗 The lift has
breakable 39 breeze
broken down again. 쑗 The car broke on the motorway. 쑗 A breakdown truck
down and we had to push it. 2. to show came to tow us to the garage.
breakfast /brekfəst/ noun the first
breakfast
all the items that are included in a total

separately 쑗 Can you break down this meal of the day 쑗 I had a boiled egg for
invoice into travel costs and extras? 3. breakfast. 쑗 She didn’t have any break-
to become upset and start crying 쑗 fast because she was in a hurry. 쑗 The
When she got her results she just broke hotel serves breakfast from 7.30 to 9.30
down. 4. to separate a substance into every day.
breast /brest/ noun 1. one of two parts
breast
small parts, or to become separated 쑗

Enzymes break down the food. 5. to fail on a woman’s chest which produce milk
쑗 Their relationship quickly broke 2. meat from the chest part of a bird 쑗
down when he lost his job. 쑗 The discus- We bought some chicken breasts to make
sions seem likely to break down over the a stir-fry.
amount of money being offered. breath /breθ/ noun air which goes into
breath
break in phrasal verb 1. 왍 to break in, and out of the body through the nose or
to break into a building to use force to mouth 쑗 We could see our breath in the
get into a building 쑗 Burglars broke cold air. 왍 out of breath, gasping for
into the office during the night. 2. to in- breath having difficulty in breathing 쑗
terrupt something that is happening 쑗 He was out of breath after running all
I’m sorry to break in, but I need to speak the way to the station. 왍 to hold your
to Mr McGregor urgently. breath to keep air in your lungs, e.g. in
break into phrasal verb to start doing order to go under water 쑗 She held her
something 쑗 When they saw the photos, breath under water for a minute. 왍 to
they broke into laughter. take a deep breath to breathe in as
much air as you can 앳 to take some-
break off phrasal verb 1. to make
one’s breath away to surprise some-
something come off by breaking 쑗 He one very much 쑗 The beautiful view just
broke a piece off his pie and gave it to took our breath away. 앳 under your
the dog. 2. to come off by breaking 쑗 breath quietly 쑗 He swore under his
The handle broke off the cup in the dish- breath. 앳 don’t hold your breath
washer. 쑗 Several branches broke off in don’t expect it to happen 쑗 He said he’ll
the wind. 3. to stop something suddenly pay us next month, but don’t hold your
쑗 He broke off in the middle of his story. breath!
쑗 They broke off the discussions. 왍 to
breathe /bri
ð/ verb to take air into the
breathe
break it off to end a relationship 쑗 They lungs or let it out 쑗 Relax and breathe in
were going to get married, but she and then out slowly. 왍 to breathe deep-
broke it off. ly to take a lot of air into the lungs 왍
break out phrasal verb 1. to start 쑗 breathing down someone’s neck al-
War broke out between the countries in ways watching and judging what some-
the area. 2. to escape 쑗 Three prisoners one is doing
broke out of jail. breathless /breθləs/ adjective finding
breathless
break up phrasal verb 1. to divide into it difficult to breathe

pieces 쑗 The oil tanker was breaking up
breed /bri
d/ noun a group of animals or
breed
on the rocks. 2. (of a meeting) to end 쑗 plants specially developed with features
The meeting broke up at 3 p.m. that make it different from others of the
breakable /brekəb(ə)l/ adjective that
breakable
same type 쐽 verb 1. to produce young

can break easily animals 쑗 Rabbits breed very rapidly. 2.
breakdown /brekdaυn/ noun 1. a sit- to keep animals which produce young
breakdown
uation in which someone cannot contin- ones 쑗 They breed sheep for the meat
ue to live normally any more because and the wool. (NOTE: breeds – breed-
they are mentally ill or very tired 2. a ing – bred /bred/)
breeze /bri
z/ noun a slight wind 쑗 A
breeze
situation in which a machine or vehicle

stops working 쑗 We had a breakdown cool breeze is welcome on a hot day like
brick 40 brown
this. 쐽 verb to walk around looking very stepped out into the brilliant sunshine.
pleased with yourself 쑗 He breezed into 3. very good (informal ) 쑗 The way the
the meeting carrying a cup of coffee. information is displayed on this website
breeze through phrasal verb to do is brilliant.
bring /brŋ/ verb to come with someone
bring
something without any difficulty 쑗 She

breezed through the tests in an hour. or something to this place 쑗 She brought
brick /brk/ noun a hard block of baked the books to school with her. 쑗 He
brick
clay used for building brought his girlfriend home for tea. 쑗
bride /brad/ noun a woman who is get-
bride
Are you bringing any friends to the par-
ting married or has just married ty? (NOTE: brings – bringing –
brought /brɔ
t/)
bridge /brd"/ noun 1. a road or path
bridge
built over a road or river so that you can bring up phrasal verb 1. to look after
walk or drive from one side to the other and educate a child 쑗 He was born in
2. a connection or helpful link between the USA but brought up in England. 쑗
two things 쑗 A shared interest can be a He was brought up by his uncle in Scot-
bridge between old and young. land. 2. to mention a problem 쑗 He
brought up the question of the noise.
brief /bri
f/ adjective short 쑗 He wrote a
brief
brink /brŋk/ noun the brink the time

brink
brief note of thanks. 쑗 The meeting was

when something is about to happen 왍 on
very brief. 앳 in brief in a few words, or
the brink of (doing) something about
without giving details 쑗 We have food
to achieve something 쑗 The company is
for only a few days; in brief, the situa-
on the brink of collapse. 쑗 She was on
tion is very serious.
the brink of a nervous breakdown.
briefcase /bri
fkes/ noun a case for
briefcase
British /brtʃ/ adjective relating to the

British
carrying papers or documents

United Kingdom 쑗 a British citizen 쑗
briefly /bri
fli/ adverb 1. for a short time
briefly
the British army 쑗 The British press re-

2. in a few words, or without giving de- ported their death in a plane crash in
tails Africa. 쑗 The ship was flying a British
bright /brat/ adjective 1. full of light or
bright
flag.
sunlight 쑗 a bright day 쑗 a bright room broad /brɔ
d/ adjective very wide 쑗 a
broad
왍 bright sunshine or sunlight strong broad river 쒁 breadth

clear light from the sun 2. (of a colour ) broadcast /brɔ
dkɑ
st/ noun a radio or
broadcast
very strong 쑗 They have painted their TV programme 쑗 The broadcast came
front door bright orange. 3. a young live from the award ceremony.
person who is bright is intelligent 쑗
broke /brəυk/ adjective with no money
broke
Both children are very bright. 쑗 She’s

the brightest student we’ve had for (informal ) 쐽 past tense of break
broken /brəυkən/ adjective 1. in pieces
broken
many years. 4. clear and sunny 쑗 There

will be bright periods during the after- 쑗 She tried to mend the broken vase. 2.
noon. 5. happy and pleasant 쑗 She gave not working 쑗 We can’t use the lift be-
me a bright smile. cause it’s broken.
brightly /bratli/ adverb 1. in a strong brooch /brəυtʃ/ noun a piece of jewel-
brooch
brightly
clear light or colour 쑗 A children’s book lery fixed onto clothes with a pin (NOTE:
with brightly painted pictures. 쑗 The The plural is brooches.)
brother /brðə/ noun a boy or man who
brother
streets were brightly lit for Christmas.

2. cheerfully 쑗 She smiled brightly as has the same mother and father as some-
she went into the hospital. one else 쑗 My brother John is three
brightness /bratnəs/ noun 1. strong
brightness
years older than me. 쑗 She came with
clear light 2. strong colour her three brothers.
brought /brɔ
t/ past tense and past parti-
brought
brilliant /brljənt/ adjective 1. extreme-

brilliant
ly clever 쑗 He’s the most brilliant stu- ciple of bring

dent of his year. 쑗 She had a brilliant brown /braυn/ adjective 1. with a colour
brown
idea. 2. (of light) strong and clear 쑗 She like earth or wood 쑗 She has brown hair
bruise 41 bull
and blue eyes. 쑗 It’s autumn and the the contents of a bucket 쑗 They threw
leaves are turning brown. 2. with skin buckets of water on the fire. 쐽 verb to
made dark by the sun 쑗 He’s very brown pour with rain (informal ) 쑗 It’s bucket-
– he must have been sitting in the sun. ing down outside.
bruise /bru
z/ noun a dark painful area bud /bd/ noun a place where a new
bruise bud
on the skin, where you have been hit 쑗 shoot or flower will grow from on a
She had bruises all over her arms. 쐽 plant 쑗 It was spring and the buds on
verb to make a bruise on the skin by be- the trees were beginning to open.
ing hit or by knocking yourself on
budget /bd"t/ noun an amount of
budget
something 쑗 She bruised her knee on

money that can be spent on something 쑗
the corner of the table.
There isn’t enough money in the house-
brush /brʃ/ noun 1. a tool made of a
brush
hold budget to pay for a new carpet. 쐽

handle and hairs or wire, used for doing verb to plan how you will spend money
things such as cleaning or painting 쑗 in the future 쑗 It would be helpful if you
You need a stiff brush to get the mud off learnt to budget. 쑗 They are having to
your shoes. 쑗 She used a very fine brush budget carefully before going on holi-
to paint the details. 쑗 He was painting day.
the front of the house with a large brush.
bug /b'/ verb to make someone feel
bug
(NOTE: The plural is brushes.) 2. the

act of cleaning with a brush 쑗 She gave slightly angry, especially for a long time
the coat a good brush. 3. a short argu- (informal ) 쑗 I can’t remember his name,
ment or fight with someone 쑗 He’s had and it’s really bugging me! (NOTE: bug-
several brushes with the police recently. ging – bugged)
build /bld/ verb 1. to make something by
build
쐽 verb 1. to clean with a brush 쑗 He

brushed his shoes before going to the of- putting its parts together 쑗 The house
fice. 쑗 Always remember to brush your was only built last year. 쑗 They are
teeth before you go to bed. 2. to go past planning to build a motorway across the
something touching it gently 쑗 She field. 2. to develop something 쑗 He built
brushed against me as she came into the his business from scratch. 쑗 We need to
café. build a good team relationship. (NOTE:
brush off phrasal verb 1. to clean builds – building – built /blt/)
builder /bldə/ noun a person who
builder
something off with a brush 쑗 He

brushed the mud off his boots. 2. to ig- builds buildings
nore something because it is not very building /bldŋ/ noun 1. something
building
important 쑗 So far he has managed to such as a house, railway station or facto-

brush off all the complaints about his ry which has been built 쑗 The flood
work. washed away several buildings. 쑗 His
brush up phrasal verb to learn more office is on the top floor of the building.
about something 쑗 You’ll need to brush 2. the action of constructing something
up your English if you want to get a job 쑗 The building of the tunnel has taken
as a guide. many years.
bubble /bb(ə)l/ noun a ball of air or
bubble
built /blt/ past tense and past participle

built
gas contained in a liquid or other sub-

of build
stance 쑗 Bubbles of gas rose to the sur-
bulb /blb/ noun 1. a round part of some
bulb
face of the lake. 쑗 He blew bubbles in

his drink. 쐽 verb to make bubbles, or plants, which stays under the ground,
have bubbles inside 쑗 The porridge was and from which leaves and flowers grow
bubbling in the pan. 쑗 She planted spring bulbs all round the
bucket /bkt/ noun 1. an open contain-
bucket
house. 2. a glass ball which gives elec-
er with a handle, used mainly for carry- tric light 쑗 I need to change the bulb in
ing liquids 쑗 Throw the water down the the table lamp.
bull /bυl/ noun a male animal of the cow
bull
drain and pass the empty bucket back to

me. 쑗 He filled a bucket from the tap. 2. family
bullet 42 bus
bullet /bυlt/ noun a piece of metal that
bullet
at a special price 쑗 The word-processing

you shoot from a gun 쑗 He loaded his package is bundled with the computer.
gun with bullets. 쑗 Two bullets had been bungalow /bŋ'ələυ/ noun a house
bungalow
fired. with only a ground floor

bullet point /bυlt pɔnt/ noun a print- burden /b
d(ə)n/ noun 1. a heavy load
bullet point burden
ed symbol like a circle before an item in 쑗 He relieved her of her burden. 2.

a list something that is hard to deal with 쑗 I
bully /bυli/ noun a person who often
bully
think he finds running the office at his
hurts or is unkind to other people 쑗 He’s age something of a burden.
burger /b
'ə/ noun same as hamburg-
burger
a bully, he’s always trying to frighten

smaller children. (NOTE: The plural is er
bullies.) 쐽 verb to be unkind to some- burglar /b
'lə/ noun a person who
burglar
one often 쑗 She was bullied by the other tries to get into a building to steal things
children in school. (NOTE: bullies – burn /b
n/ noun a burnt area of the skin
burn
bullying – bullied)
or a surface 쑗 She had burns on her face
bump /bmp/ noun 1. a slight knock
bump
쑗 and hands. 쑗 There’s a burn on the edge

The boat hit the landing stage with a of the table where he left his cigarette. 쐽
bump. 2. a raised area 쑗 Drive slowly, verb 1. to destroy or damage something
the road is full of bumps. 3. a raised area by fire 쑗 All our clothes were burnt in
on your body, where something has hit the fire. 쑗 The hotel was burnt to the
it 쑗 He has a bump on the back of his ground last year. 쑗 I’ve burnt the toast
head. 쐽 verb to hit something or a part again. 2. to feel painful, or to make
of the body 쑗 He’s crying because he something feel painful 쑗 The sun and
bumped his head on the door. wind burnt his face. 3. to damage part of
bun /bn/ noun a small round piece of
bun
the body by heat 쑗 She burnt her finger
bread or a cake 쑗 The burgers are on the hot frying pan. 4. to be on fire 쑗
served in a bun. 쑗 These buns are too All the trees were burning. (NOTE:
sweet and sticky. burns – burning – burnt or burned –
has burnt or burned)
bunch /bntʃ/ noun 1. a group of things
bunch
burnt /b
nt/ adjective destroyed or
burnt
taken together 쑗 He carries a bunch of

keys attached to his belt. 쑗 He brought damaged by fire or heat
burst /b
st/ verb to break open or ex-
burst
her a bunch of flowers. 2. a group of

people 쑗 I work with a nice bunch. 쑗 My plode suddenly, or cause something to
friends are a mixed bunch. (NOTE: The break open or explode suddenly 쑗 A wa-
plural is bunches.) 3. several fruits at- ter main burst in the High Street. 쑗
tached to the same stem 쑗 a bunch of When she picked up the balloon it burst.
grapes 쑗 a bunch of bananas (NOTE: bursts – bursting – burst –
has burst) 쐽 noun 1. a sudden loud
bundle /bnd(ə)l/ noun 1. a parcel of
bundle
sound 쑗 There was a burst of gunfire

things wrapped up or tied up together 쑗 and then silence. 쑗 Bursts of laughter
A bundle of clothes was all she owned. came from the office. 2. a sudden effort
쑗 He produced a bundle of papers tied
or activity 쑗 She put on a burst of speed.
up with green string. 쑗 She left her 쑗 In a burst of energy he cleaned the
clothes in a bundle on the floor. 2. a set whole house.
of things sold or presented together 쑗 a
bury /beri/ verb to put someone or some-
bury
bundle of software 쐽 verb 1. to put

things somewhere quickly without be- thing into the ground 쑗 He was buried
ing careful 쑗 He bundled the papers in the local cemetery. 쑗 Squirrels often
into a drawer. 쑗 She bundled the chil- bury nuts in the autumn. (NOTE: buries
dren off to school. 쑗 The police bundled – burying – buried)
bus /bs/ noun a large motor vehicle
bus
him into the back of their van. 2. to sell

a software programme at the same time which carries passengers 쑗 He goes to
as you sell hardware, both sold together work by bus. 쑗 She takes the 8 o’clock
bush 43 by
bus to school every morning. 쑗 We butterfly /btəfla/ noun an insect with
butterfly
missed the last bus and had to walk large brightly coloured wings which
home. flies during the day
buttocks /btəks/ plural noun the part
buttocks
bush /bυʃ/ noun a small tree

bush
쑗 a small
bush with red berries 쑗 An animal was of the body on which you sit
button /bt(ə)n/ noun 1. a small, usual-
button
moving in the bushes. (NOTE: The plural

is bushes.) ly round piece of plastic, metal or wood
that you push through a hole in clothes
business /bzns/ noun 1. the work of
business
to fasten them 쑗 The wind is cold – do

buying and selling things 쑗 They do a up the buttons on your coat. 쑗 A but-
lot of business with France. 쑗 She works ton’s come off my shirt. 2. a small round
in the electricity business. 왍 on busi- object which you push to operate some-
ness working 쑗 The sales director is in thing such as a bell 쑗 Press this button
Holland on business. 2. a company 쑗 to call the lift. 쑗 Push the red button to
She runs a photography business. 쑗 He set off the alarm. 쐽 verb to fasten some-
runs a secondhand car business. (NOTE: thing with buttons 쑗 He buttoned (up)
The plural is businesses.) 3. some- his coat because it was cold.
thing that affects a particular person 왍 buttonhole /bt(ə)nhəυl/ noun a hole
buttonhole
it’s none of your business it’s nothing which a button goes through when it is
to do with you fastened 쑗 You’ve put the button in the
/bznəsp
s(ə)n/
businessperson
businessperson
wrong buttonhole.
buy /ba/ verb to get something by paying
buy
noun a person who works in business,

or who runs a business money for it 쑗 I bought a newspaper on
busy /bzi/ adjective 1. working on or
busy
my way to the station. 쑗 She’s buying a
flat. 쑗 She bought herself a pair of ski
doing something 쑗 He was busy mend-
boots. 쑗 What did you buy your mother
ing the dishwasher. 쑗 I was too busy to
for her birthday? (NOTE: buys – buy-
phone my aunt. 쑗 The busiest time for ing – bought /bɔ
t/)
shops is the week before Christmas. 2.
buyer /baə/ noun a person who buys
buyer
full of people 쑗 The shops are busiest

during the week before Christmas. 3. (of things
buzz /bz/ noun a noise like the sound
buzz
a phone line) being used by someone

else, so you cannot get an answer when made by a bee 쑗 the buzz of an electric
you call 쑗 His phone’s been busy all saw in the garden next door 쐽 verb to
day. make a noise like a bee 쑗 Wasps were
buzzing round the jam.
but /bət, bt/ conjunction used for show-
but
by /ba/ preposition 1. near 쑗 The house

by
ing a difference 쑗 He is very tall, but his is just by the bus stop. 쑗 Sit down here
wife is quite short. 쑗 We would like to by me. 2. not later than 쑗 They should
come to your party, but we’re doing have arrived by now. 쑗 You must be
something else that evening. 쐽 preposi- home by eleven o’clock. 쑗 It must be fin-
tion except 쑗 Everyone but me is al- ished by Friday. 3. used for showing the
lowed to go to the cinema. 쑗 They had means of doing something 쑗 Send the
eaten nothing but apples. parcel by airmail. 쑗 Get in touch with
butcher /bυtʃə/ noun a person who pre-
butcher
the office by phone. 쑗 They came by car.
pares and sells meat 쑗 She caught a cold by standing in the
rain. 쑗 You make the drink by adding
butter /btə/ noun a yellow fat made
butter
champagne to orange juice. 쑗 She paid

from the cream of milk, used on bread by cheque, not by credit card. 4. used for
or for cooking 쑗 Fry the mushrooms in showing the person or thing that did
butter. (NOTE: no plural: some butter ; a something 쑗 a painting by Van Gogh 쑗
knob of butter) 쐽 verb to spread butter a CD recorded by our local group 쑗
on something 쑗 She was busy buttering ‘Hamlet’ is a play by Shakespeare. 쑗
slices of bread for the sandwiches. The postman was bitten by the dog. 쑗
bye 44 bye
She was knocked down by a car. 5. used verb past 쑗 She drove by without seeing
for showing amounts 쑗 We sell toma- us.
toes by the kilo. 쑗 Eggs are sold by the bye /ba/, bye-bye /ba ba/ interjection
bye
dozen. 쑗 Prices have been increased by goodbye (informal )

5%. 쑗 They won by 4 goals to 2. 쐽 ad-
C
c /si
/, C noun the third letter of the alpha- café /kfe/ noun a small restaurant
c café
bet, between B and D selling drinks or light meals 쑗 We had a

snack in the station café.
cab /kb/ noun 1. a taxi 쑗 He took a cab
cab
cage /ked"/ noun a box made of wire or

cage
to the airport. 쑗 Can you phone for a

cab, please? 쑗 Cab fares are very high with metal bars for keeping birds or an-
in New York. 2. a separate part of a large imals in 쑗 The rabbit got out of its cage.
cagey /ked"i/ adjective not wanting to
cagey
vehicle for a driver 쑗 The truck driver

climbed into his cab and started the en- share information (informal ) 쑗 They’re
gine. being very cagey about their relation-
ship. (NOTE: cagier – cagiest)
cabbage /kbd"/ noun a vegetable
cabbage
cake /kek/ noun food made by mixing

cake
with large pale green or red leaves fold-

flour, eggs and sugar, and baking it 쑗 a
ed into a tight ball
piece of cherry cake 쑗 She had six can-
cabin /kbn/ noun 1. a small room on
cabin
dles on her birthday cake. 쑗 Have an-

a ship 쑗 We booked a first-class cabin other slice of Christmas cake.
on the cruise. 2. the inside of an aircraft calculate /klkjυlet/ verb to find the
calculate
쑗 The aircraft is divided into three sep- answer to a problem using numbers 쑗
arate passenger cabins: first-class, The bank clerk calculated the rate of ex-
business and tourist. 3. a small hut 쑗 He change for the dollar. 쑗 He calculated
has a cabin by a lake where he goes fish- that it would take us six hours to finish
ing. the job.
cabinet /kbnət/ noun 1. a piece of calculation /klkjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
cabinet calculation
furniture with shelves 쑗 a china cabinet a series of numbers that you obtain
2. a committee formed from the most when you are calculating something 쑗
important members of a government 쑗 According to my calculations, we have
The cabinet met at 10 o’clock this morn- enough fuel left to do only twenty kilo-
ing. 쑗 There’s a cabinet meeting every metres. 2. the act of calculating
calculator /klkjυletə/ noun a small
calculator
Tuesday morning.
electronic machine for doing calcula-
cable /keb(ə)l/ noun 1. a wire for car-
cable
tions
rying electricity or electronic signals 쑗
calendar /klndə/ noun a set of pages
calendar
He ran a cable out into the garden so

that he could use the lawnmower. 쑗 showing the days and months of the
They’ve been digging up the pavements year
calf /kɑ
f/ noun 1. a young cow or bull 2.
calf
to lay cables. 2. a thick rope or wire 쑗

The ship was attached to the quay by ca- the back part of someone’s leg between
bles. 3. same as cable television the ankle and the knee (NOTE: The plural
is calves /kɑ
vz/. The meat from a calf
television /keb(ə)l tel
cable television
cable
is veal.)
v"(ə)n/, cable TV /keb(ə)l ti
vi
/
call /kɔ
l/ verb 1. to say something loudly
call
noun a television system where the sig-

to someone who is some distance away
nals are sent along underground cables
쑗 Call the children when it’s time for
cactus /kktəs/ noun a plant with
cactus
tea. 2. to telephone someone 쑗 If he

thorns which grows in the desert (NOTE: comes back, tell him I’ll call him when
The plural is cactuses or cacti I’m in the office. 쑗 Mr Smith is out –
/kkta/.) shall I ask him to call you back? 쑗 Call
callbox 46 can
the police – the shop has been burgled! 쐽 verb
to make someone, or a situation,
쑗 Can you call me a cab, please? 3. to more peaceful
wake someone 쑗 Call me at 7 o’clock. calm down phrasal verb 1. to become
4. to give someone or something a name quieter and less annoyed 쑗 After shout-
쑗 They’re going to call the baby Sam. 쑗 ing for some minutes he finally calmed
His name is John but everyone calls him down. 2. to make someone quieter 쑗
Jack. 쑗 What do you call this computer She stroked his hand to try to calm him
programme? 5. to be called to have as down.
a name 쑗 Our cat’s called Felix. 6. to calmly /kɑ
mli/ adverb in a way that is
calmly
visit someone or somewhere 쑗 We not anxious or excited

called at the house, but there was no one
came /kem/ past tense of come
came
there. 쐽 noun 1. a telephone conversa-

camel /km(ə)l/ noun a desert animal
camel
tion, or an attempt to get in touch with

someone by telephone 쑗 Were there any with long legs and one or two large
calls for me while I was out? 왍 to make round raised parts on its back
a (telephone or phone) call to make camera /km(ə)rə/ noun a piece of
camera
contact with and speak to someone on equipment for taking photographs 쑗 He

the telephone 쑗 She wants to make a took a picture of the garden with his new
call to Australia. 왍 to take a call to an- camera. 쑗 Did you remember to put a
swer the telephone 2. a telephone call or film in your camera?
short conversation to wake someone 쑗 camp /kmp/ noun a place where people
camp
He asked for an early morning call. 왍 I live in tents or small buildings in the
want a call at 7 o’clock I want someone open air 쑗 We set up camp halfway up
to wake me at 7 o’clock 3. a visit to the mountain. 쐽 verb to spend a period
someone’s home or place of work 쑗 The of time in a tent 쑗 They camped for a
doctor made three calls on patients this week by the side of the lake. 쐽 to go
morning. 왍 to make a call to visit some- camping to spend a holiday in a tent 쑗
one or somewhere, especially on busi- We go camping in Sweden every sum-
ness 앳 on call available for duty mer.
call off phrasal verb to decide not to do campaign /kmpen/ noun 1. an or-
campaign
something which had been planned ganised attempt to achieve something 쑗

call on phrasal verb 1. to visit someone a publicity campaign 쑗 an advertising
쑗 She called on her mother to see how campaign 쑗 He’s organising a cam-
she was. 2. to ask someone to do some- paign against the new motorway. 쑗 The
thing 쑗 The police have called on every- government’s planning an anti-smoking
one to watch out for the escaped campaign. 2. an organised military at-
prisoner. tack 쑗 Napoleon’s Russian campaign of
call round phrasal verb same as call 1812 쐽 verb to work in an organised
verb 6 쑗 The whole family called round way to achieve something 쑗 The group
to see if she was better. has been campaigning for the banning
of landmines. 쑗 They campaign against
callbox /kɔ
lbɒks/ noun a public tele-
callbox
nuclear reactors.
phone box 쑗 I’m phoning from the call-
can /kn/ noun a round metal container
can
box outside the station. (NOTE: The plu-

ral is callboxes.) for food or drink 쑗 He opened a can of
lemonade. 쑗 Empty beer cans were all
calm /kɑ
m/ adjective 1. not anxious or
calm
over the pavement. 쑗 She opened a can

excited 쑗 Keep calm, everything will be of beans. 쒁 tin 쐽 modal verb 1. to be
all right. 2. not violent or rough 쑗 The able to do something 쑗 He can swim
sea was perfectly calm and no one was well but he can’t ride a bike. 쑗 She can’t
seasick. (NOTE: calmer – calmest) 쐽 run as fast as I can. 쑗 Can you remem-
noun a period of quiet 쑗 The calm of the ber what the doctor told us to do? 쑗 I
Sunday afternoon was broken by the can’t bear to watch any longer. 2. to be
sound of jazz from the house next door. allowed to do something 쑗 Children un-
canal 47 capital
der 18 can’t drive cars. 쑗 He says we cane /ken/ noun 1. a strong stem of a
cane
can go in. 쑗 The policeman says we plant, especially of tall thin plants like
can’t park here. 3. to ask politely 쑗 Can bamboo 쑗 a raspberry cane 2. a walk-
we come in, please? 쑗 Can you shut the ing stick cut from the stem of some
door, please? (NOTE: The negative is types of plant 쑗 She was leaning heavily
cannot, usually can’t. The past tense on a cane as she walked up the path.
is could, could not, usually couldn’t. cannot /knɒt/ 쏡 can
cannot
Can and could are only used with oth-

canoe /kənu
/ noun a boat with two
canoe
er verbs, and are not followed by the
word to.) 쐽 verb to put food in cans pointed ends, which is moved forwards
(NOTE: cans – canning – canned) by one or more people using long pieces
of wood 쑗 She paddled her canoe
canal /kənl/ noun an artificial river
canal
across the lake. 쐽 verb to travel in a ca-

made between rivers or lakes or from
noe 쑗 They canoed down the river.
the sea, originally for moving cargo
(NOTE: canoes – canoeing – canoed)
cancel /knsəl/ verb to stop something
cancel
can’t /kɑ
nt/ 쏡 can
can’t
which has been planned 쑗 The singer

canvas /knvəs/ noun a thick cloth for
canvas
was ill, so the show had to be cancelled.

(NOTE: cancels – cancelling – can- making things such as tents, sails or
celled) shoes 쑗 He was wearing a pair of old
cancellation /knsəleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
cancellation

canvas shoes. (NOTE: The plural is can-
vases.)
the act of cancelling something 쑗 The
cap /kp/ noun 1. a flat hat with a flat
cap
event is subject to cancellation if the

weather is bad. 2. a seat, ticket or ap- hard piece in front 쑗 a baseball cap 쑗
pointment which is available again bean officer’s cap with a gold badge 2. a
cause the person who bought it cannot lid which covers something 쑗 a red pen
use it 쑗 If we have a cancellation for with a black cap 쑗 Screw the cap back
next week I’ll call and let you know. on the medicine bottle.
cancer /knsə/ noun a serious disease capability /kepəblti/ noun the prac-
capability
cancer
affecting different parts of the body in tical ability to do something 쑗 We have

which cells grow in a way which is not the capability to produce a better ma-
usual chine than this.
candidate /knddet/ noun 1. a per- capable /kepəb(ə)l/ adjective able to
capable
candidate
son who applies for a job 쑗 We inter- work well and to deal with problems 쑗
viewed six candidates for the post of as- She’s an extremely capable manager. 왍
sistant manager. 2. a person who has en- capable of able to do something 쑗 The
tered for an examination 쑗 Candidates car is capable of very high speeds. 쑗
are given three hours to complete the ex- She isn’t capable of running the confer-
am. 3. a person who is taking part in an ence without help.
election or competing for a prize 쑗 She capacity /kəpsti/ noun 1. an amount
capacity
accompanied the candidate round the which something can hold 쑗 This barrel
constituency. 4. someone or something has a larger capacity than that one. 쑗
that is likely to be chosen for or be The cinema was filled to capacity. 왍 to
something 쑗 a city that is a candidate work at full capacity to do as much
for the next Olympics work as possible 2. the situation that
candle /knd(ə)l/ noun a stick of wax someone is in or the job they have 왍 act-
candle
with a string in the centre, which you ing in his capacity as manager acting
burn to give light as a manager 왍 speaking in an official
candy /kndi/ noun 1. US a sweet food
candy
capacity speaking officially
capital /kpt(ə)l/ noun 1. the main
capital
made with sugar 쑗 Eating candy is bad

for your teeth. (NOTE: no plural in this city of a country, usually where the gov-
sense) 2. one piece of this food 쑗 She ernment is 쑗 The capital is in the east-
bought a box of candies. (NOTE: The ern part of the country. 쑗 Madrid is the
plural in this sense is candies.) capital of Spain. 2. money which is in-
captain 48 careless
vested 쑗 a company with £10,000 capi- of cards a period of playing with a spe-
tal or with a capital of £10,000. 3. also cial set of cards
capital letter a letter written as A, B, C, cardboard /kɑ
dbɔ
d/ noun thick card,
cardboard
D, etc., rather than a, b, c, d, etc. often used for making boxes (NOTE: no
captain /kptn/ noun 1. a person in plural: some cardboard; a piece of
captain
charge of a team 쑗 The two captains cardboard)

care /keə/ noun 1. serious and careful at-
care
shook hands at the beginning of the

match. 2. a person in charge of a ship or tention 쑗 He handled the glass with
aircraft 쑗 The captain greeted us as we great care. 왍 to take care to be very
came on board. 쑗 Captain Smith is fly- careful 쑗 Take care when you cross the
ing the plane. 3. a rank in the army road. 쑗 He took great care with the box
above a lieutenant and below a major of glasses. 쑗 Take care not to be late. 2.
(NOTE: When used as a title before a looking after someone 쑗 the care of the
surname, it is spelt with a capital letter elderly 왍 to take care of someone to
and is often written as Capt.) look after someone 쑗 Will you take care
of the children for the weekend for me?
capture /kptʃə/ verb 1. to take some-
capture
쐽 verb to be worried 쑗 I don’t care if my

one as a prisoner 쑗 Four soldiers were car is dirty. 쑗 She cares a lot about the
captured in the attack. 2. to take some- environment. 앳 someone couldn’t
thing by force, especially in war 쑗 They care less used to show that someone
captured the enemy capital very quickly. does not worry at all about something 쑗
car /kɑ
/ noun 1. a small private motor
car
Paul couldn’t care less about what we

vehicle for carrying people 쑗 He drove think – he’s got his own plans.
his car into the garage. 쑗 He goes to his care for phrasal verb 1. to like some-
office every morning by car. 2. US a car- one or something 쑗 I don’t care for this
riage of a railway train 쑗 Is there a res- music very much. 쑗 I met her once, but
taurant car on the train? I didn’t much care for her. 쑗 Would you
caravan /krəvn/ noun a vehicle
caravan
care for another cup of coffee? 2. to

which you can live in, especially on hol- look after people 쑗 Nurses cared for the
iday, and which, if small enough, can be injured people after the accident. 쑗
attached to a car and pulled along 쑗 We People who have to care for their elder-
got stuck behind a caravan on a narrow ly relatives need extra help.
career /kərə/ noun the work someone
career
road. 쑗 We rent a caravan near the
beach every summer. does throughout their life 쑗 She is start-

ing her career as a librarian. 쑗 He gave
card /kɑ
d/ noun 1. a flat piece of stiff
card
up his career as a civil servant and

paper with a picture on one side, which
bought a farm.
you can send with a message 쑗 They
careful /keəf(ə)l/ adjective 1. showing
careful
sent us a card from Italy. 쑗 How much

does it cost to send a card to Australia? attention to details 쑗 We are always very
쒁 postcard 2. a piece of stiff paper, careful to include the most recent infor-
folded so that a message can be written mation. 쑗 The project needs very care-
inside 쑗 She sent me a lovely card on my ful planning. 2. taking care not to make
birthday. 3. a piece of stiff paper with a mistakes or cause harm 쑗 Be careful not
picture or pattern on it, used to play to make any noise – the baby is asleep.
games 4. a piece of stiff paper with your 쑗 She is very careful about what she
name and address printed on it 쑗 He eats.
carefully /keəf(ə)li/ adverb with great
carefully
gave me his business card. 쑗 I’ve lost

my membership card. 5. a piece of stiff care or thought 쑗 The holiday had been
plastic used for payment 쑗 Do you want carefully planned or planned carefully.
to pay cash or by card? 쐽 plural noun careless /keələs/ adjective without any
careless
cards the entertainment of playing care or thought 쑗 He is careless about

games with a special set of cards with his work. 쑗 He made several careless
numbers or patterns on them 왍 a game mistakes when he took his driving test.
carelessly 49 cassette
carelessly /keələsli/ adverb without
carelessly
carry out phrasal verb to do some-

taking care or thinking carefully thing, especially something that has
carelessness /keələsnəs/ noun the been planned 쑗 Doctors carried out
carelessness
fact of being careless or not thinking tests on the patients. 쑗 The police are
carefully carrying out a search for the missing
caretaker /keətekə/ noun a person
caretaker
man.
cartoon /kɑ
tu
n/ noun 1. a film made
cartoon
who looks after a building
of moving drawings 쑗 I like watching

cargo /kɑ
'əυ/ noun goods carried on a
cargo
Tom and Jerry cartoons. 2. a funny, of-

ship or a plane
ten political, drawing in a newspaper
caring /keərŋ/ adjective kind and help-
caring
carve /kɑ
v/ verb 1. to cut up a large
carve
ful 쑗 a very caring person

piece of meat at a meal 쑗 Who’s going
car park /kɑ
pɑ
k/ noun a public place
car park
to carve the chicken? 2. to make a shape

where you can leave a car when you are by cutting stone or wood 쑗 He carved a
not using it bird out of wood.
carpet /kɑ
pt/ noun thick material for
carpet
case /kes/ noun 1. a box with a handle,

case
covering floors 쑗 He spilt his coffee on for carrying things such as your clothes
our new cream carpet. when travelling 쑗 She was still packing
carriage /krd"/ noun 1. one of the her case when the taxi came. 쑗 The cus-
carriage
vehicles that are joined together to make toms made him open his case. 쒁 suit-
a train 쑗 Where’s the first-class carriage case 2. a special box for an object 쑗
on this train? 2. a vehicle, especially an Put the gun back in its case. 쑗 I’ve lost
old-fashioned one, that is pulled by a my red glasses case. 3. a large box for a
horse 3. the cost of carrying goods, or set of goods to be sold 쑗 He bought a
the action of carrying goods 쑗 Carriage case of wine. 4. a situation, or a way in
is 15% of the total cost. 쑗 How much do which something happens 쑗 a case of
they charge for carriage? having made a poor choice 쑗 In many
carried /krd/ past tense and past par-
carried
cases, we cannot find the owner of the
ticiple of carry goods. 왍 in that case if that happens or
if that is the situation 쑗 There is a strike
carries /kriz/ 3rd person singular
carries
on the underground – In that case,

present of carry you’ll have to take a bus. 5. same as
carrot /krət/ noun 1. a vegetable with
carrot
court case 앳 in case because some-

a long orange root 2. something good thing might happen 쑗 It’s still sunny, but
that persuades you to do something I’ll take my umbrella just in case. 앳 in
(informal ) 쑗 He was offered the carrot any case 1. whatever may happen 쑗
of a big pay rise to take on the new We could move the cabinet upstairs or
project. into the dining room, but in any case
carry /kri/ verb 1. to take something we’ll need some help. 2. used to add
carry
and move it to another place 쑗 There something to a statement

was no lift, so they had to carry the beds cash /kʃ/ noun money in coins and
cash
up the stairs. 쑗 The plane was carrying notes, not in cheques 쑗 We don’t keep
120 passengers. 쑗 That suitcase is too much cash in the office. 쑗 I’d prefer to
heavy for me to carry. 2. (of sound ) to use up my spare cash, rather than pay
be heard at a distance 쑗 The sound of the with a credit card.
bells carries for miles. (NOTE: carries – cash in phrasal verb to make money
carrying – carried) 앳 to get carried from something 쑗 The company cashed
away to become emotional or excited
in on the huge interest in computer
carry on phrasal verb to continue do- games.
ing something 쑗 When the teacher came cassette /kəset/ noun a plastic case
cassette
in, the students all carried on talking. 쑗 containing magnetic tape which can be
They carried on with their work right used for listening to words or music, or
through the lunch hour. recording sounds 쑗 Do you want it on
cast 50 ceiling
cassette or CD? 쑗 He bought a cassette seems such a good deal, but there must
of folk songs. 쑗 We recorded the poems be a catch in it somewhere.
onto a cassette. catch up phrasal verb to move to the
cast /kɑ
st/ noun all the actors in a play
cast
same level as someone who is in front of

or film 쑗 The film has a large cast. 쐽 you
verb to choose actors for a play or film catching /ktʃŋ/ adjective (of an ill-
catching
쑗 In his first film, he was cast as a sol- ness) likely to spread from one person
dier. (NOTE: casts – casting – cast) to another
castle /kɑ
s(ə)l/ noun a large building
castle
category /kt'(ə)ri/ noun one of the

category
with strong walls built in the past for groups that people, animals or things are
protection in war 쑗 The soldiers shut the divided into in a formal system 쑗 We
castle gate. grouped the books into categories ac-
casually /k"jυəli/ adverb in an infor-
casually
cording to subject. (NOTE: The plural is

mal way 쑗 He casually mentioned that categories.)
he had got married last Saturday.
caterpillar /ktəplə/ noun a small
caterpillar
cat /kt/ noun an animal with soft fur

cat
long insect with many legs, which de-

and a long tail, kept as a pet velops into a butterfly 쑗 Caterpillars
catalogue /kt(ə)lɒ'/ noun a list of have eaten most of the leaves on our
catalogue
things for sale or in a library or museum trees.

쑗 an office equipment catalogue 쑗 Look cathedral /kəθi
drəl/ noun the largest
cathedral
up the title in the library catalogue. 쐽 and the most important church in an
verb to make a list of things that exist area
somewhere 쑗 She spent months cata-
cattle /kt(ə)l/ plural noun animals
cattle
loguing the novelist’s correspondence.

such as cows and bulls which farmers
catch /ktʃ/ verb 1. to take hold of
catch
keep for milk or meat

something moving in the air 쑗 Can you
caught /kɔ
t/ past tense and past partici-
caught
catch a ball with your left hand? 쑗 He

managed to catch the glass before it hit ple of catch
the floor. 2. to take hold of something 쑗 cause /kɔ
z/ noun 1. something which
cause
She caught him by the sleeve as he makes something else happen 쑗 What is
turned away. 쑗 As he slipped, he caught the main cause of traffic accidents? 쑗
the rail to stop himself falling. 3. to get The police tried to find the cause of the
hold of an animal, especially in order to fire. 2. an aim, organisation or idea
kill and eat it 쑗 He sat by the river all which people support 쑗 She is fighting
day but didn’t catch anything. 쑗 Our cat for the cause of working mothers. 쐽
is no good at catching mice – she’s too verb to make something happen 쑗 The
lazy. 4. to get on a vehicle such as a bus, accident caused a traffic jam on the mo-
plane or train before it leaves 쑗 You will torway. 쑗 The sudden noise caused her
have to run if you want to catch the last to drop the cup she was carrying.
bus. 쑗 He caught the 10 o’clock train to
cautious /kɔ
ʃəs/ adjective not willing
cautious
Paris. 5. to get an illness 쑗 He caught a

to take risks 쑗 She’s a very cautious
cold from his colleague. 6. to find some-
driver.
one doing something wrong 쑗 She
cave /kev/ noun a large underground
cave
caught the boys stealing in her shop. 쑗

The police caught the burglar as he was hole in rock or earth
climbing out of the window. 7. to hear CD
CD abbr compact disc 쑗 You can get it on

something 쑗 I didn’t quite catch what CD.
you said. (NOTE: catches – catching –
cease /si
s/ verb to stop, or to stop doing
cease
caught /kɔ
t/ – has caught) 쐽 noun 1.
the action of taking and holding a ball as something (formal )
ceiling /si
lŋ/ noun the solid part of a
ceiling
it moves through the air 쑗 He made a

marvellous catch. 쑗 I dropped an easy room that is above you 쑗 He’s so tall, he
catch. 2. a hidden disadvantage 쑗 It can easily touch the ceiling. 쑗 He paint-
celebrate 51 certainly
ed the kitchen ceiling. 쑗 The bedroom cream centres 쑗 They planted a rose
has a very low ceiling. bush in the centre of the lawn. 쑗 The
celebrate /selbret/ verb to have a par-
celebrate
town centre is very old. 2. a large build-
ty, or do special things because some- ing containing several different sections
thing good has happened, or because of 쑗 an army training centre 3. an impor-
something that happened at a particular tant place for something 쑗 Nottingham
time in the past 쑗 Our team won, so is the centre for the shoe industry. 쐽
we’re all going out to celebrate. 쑗 They verb 1. to put something in the middle 쑗
celebrated their wedding anniversary Make sure you centre the title on the
with their children. page. 2. to concentrate on something 쑗
celebration /selbreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
celebration

Our report centres on some aspects of
party or festival 쑗 We had my birthday the sales team.
century /sentʃəri/ noun one hundred
century
celebration in the local pub. 쑗 After our

team won, the celebrations went on late years (NOTE: The plural is centuries.
into the night. 2. the activity of celebrat- The number of a century is always one
ing something 쑗 a time of celebration 왍 more than the date number, so the pe-
in celebration of something as an act riod from 1900 to 1999 is the 20th cen-
of celebrating something 쑗 an exhibi- tury, and the period starting in the year
tion in celebration of the opening of the 2000 is the 21st century.)
new gallery
cereal /səriəl/ noun 1. a food made
cereal
cell /sel/ noun 1. a small room in a build-

cell
from wheat or similar plants and eaten

ing such as a prison or monastery 쑗 He for breakfast 쑗 How much milk do you
was arrested and spent the night in the want on your cereal? (NOTE: Do not
police cells. 2. the basic unit of a living confuse with serial.) 2. a grain crop
thing 쑗 You can see the blood cells such as wheat or corn
clearly under a microscope. (NOTE: Do
ceremony /serməni/ noun an impor-
ceremony
not confuse with sell.)

tant official occasion when something
cellar /selə/ noun an underground room
cellar
special is done in public 쑗 They held a

or rooms under a house
short ceremony to remember the victims
cement /sment/ noun grey powder
cement

of the train crash. 앳 to stand on cere-
used in building, which is mixed with mony to be formal and not relaxed 앳
water and dries hard 쑗 He was mixing without ceremony in an informal and
cement to make a path round the house. often impolite way
cemetery /semət(ə)ri/ noun an area of
cemetery
certain /s
t(ə)n/ adjective 1. sure
certain
ground where the bodies of dead people about something 쑗 Are you certain that
are buried (NOTE: The plural is ceme-
you locked the door? 쑗 I’m not certain
teries.)
where she lives. 2. definitely going to
cent /sent/ noun US a small coin of
cent
happen 쑗 Our team is certain to win the

which there are 100 in a dollar (NOTE: prize. 3. some 쑗 There are certain
Do not confuse with sent, scent. Cent things I feel I need to say to you. 쑗 Cer-
is usually written c in prices: 25c, but tain plants can make you ill if you eat
not when a dollar price is mentioned: them. 앳 to make certain that to do
$1.25.) something in order that something else
center /sentə/ noun, verb US spelling
center
will definitely happen 쑗 He put the

of centre money in his safe to make certain that
central /sentrəl/ adjective 1. in the mid- no one could steal it.
central
dle of something 쑗 The hall has one certainly /s

t(ə)nli/ adverb 1. of
certainly
central pillar. 2. conveniently placed for course (after a question or order ) 쑗

shops and other facilities 쑗 His offices Can you give me a lift to the station? –
are very central. Certainly. 쑗 Tell him to write to me im-
centre /sentə/ noun 1. the middle of
centre
mediately. – Certainly, sir. 쑗 Give me a

something 쑗 chocolates with coffee kiss. – Certainly not! 2. definitely 쑗 She
certificate 52 championship
certainly impressed the judges. 쑗 He room (NOTE: Now often preferred to
certainly knows how to score goals. ‘blackboard’.)
certificate /sətfkət/ noun an official challenge /tʃlnd"/ noun 1. a diffi-
certificate challenge
document which proves or shows some- cult test of someone’s skill or strength 쑗
thing 쑗 She has been awarded a certifi- It’s a difficult job, but I enjoy the chal-
cate for swimming. 쑗 He has a certifi- lenge. 왍 to pose a challenge to some-
cate of competence in English. one to be extremely difficult to do 쑗
chain /tʃen/ noun 1. a series of metal
chain
Getting the piano up the stairs will pose
rings joined together 쑗 She wore a gold a challenge to the helpers. 2. an invita-
chain round her neck. 쑗 He stopped tion to something such as a fight or com-
when the chain came off his bike. 2. a se- petition 쑗 Our team accepted the chal-
ries of businesses such as shops, restau- lenge to play another game. 3. an action
rants or hotels which belong to the same that shows there are doubts about the
company 쑗 a chain of hotels or a hotel truth, accuracy or legality of something
chain 쑗 a chain of shoe shops 쐽 verb to 쑗 a challenge over the ownership of the
attach with a chain 쑗 I chained my bike property 쐽 verb 1. to accept an invita-
to the fence. tion to a contest 2. to ask someone to
prove that they are right 쑗 When chal-
chair /tʃeə/ noun 1. a piece of furniture
chair
lenged, he admitted that he had seen her

with a back, which you can sit on 쑗 He get into a car. 쑗 The committee’s con-
pulled up a chair and started to write. 쑗 clusions have been challenged by other
These chairs are very hard. 2. the per- experts. 앳 to take up the challenge 1.
son who is in charge of a meeting 쑗 to accept an invitation to a contest 쑗
Please address all your comments to the Our team took up the challenge to play
chair. 왍 in the chair the position of con- another game. 2. to decide to prove that
trolling what happens at a meeting 쑗 you are right about something or able to
Mrs Smith was in the chair for our first do something difficult 쑗 She decided to
meeting. 쐽 verb to be the person con- take up the challenge of being the first
trolling what happens at a meeting 쑗 woman to complete the course.
The meeting was chaired by Mrs Smith.
challenged /tʃlnd"d/ adjective 1.
challenged
chairman /tʃeəmən/ noun the person

chairman
unable to do a particular activity easily,

who controls what happens at a meeting
especially because of physical or mental
쑗 Mrs Jones was the chairman at the
disadvantages 2. not having a particular
meeting. (NOTE: The plural is chair-
quality (humorous) 쑗 a scientifically
men. Many people prefer to say chair
challenged (=not accurate according to
or chairperson because chairman
science) account of the new cancer
suggests that the person is a man.)
treatment
chairperson /tʃeəp
s(ə)n/ noun the
chairperson
champion /tʃmpiən/ noun 1. the best

champion
person who controls what happens at a

meeting one in a particular competition 쑗 a
champion swimmer 쑗 He’s the world
chairwoman /tʃeəwυmən/ noun a
chairwoman
champion in the 100 metres. 쑗 Their

woman who controls what happens at a dog was champion two years running.
meeting (NOTE: The plural is chair- 2. a person who strongly supports some-
women.) thing or someone 쑗 a champion of free
chalk /tʃɔ
k/ noun 1. a type of soft white city centre transport 쐽 verb to support
chalk
rock 2. a stick of a hard white or col- something or someone strongly 쑗 They

oured substance used for writing on a have been championing or championing
board, e.g. in a classroom 쑗 He wrote the cause of children’s rights for many
the dates up on the board in coloured years.
chalk. championship /tʃmpiənʃp/ noun a
championship
chalkboard /tʃɔ
kbɔ
d/ noun a dark
chalkboard
contest to find who is the champion 쑗

board which you can write on with The tennis championship was won by a
chalk, especially on the wall of a class- boy from Leeds.
chance 53 characteristic
chance /tʃɑ
ns/ noun 1. a possibility 쑗 money which you get back when you
chance
There is little chance of rain in August. have given more than the correct price 쑗
쑗 What are their chances of survival in So that’s £1.50 change from £5. 쑗 The
this weather? 왍 a chance of doing shopkeeper gave me the wrong change.
channel /tʃn(ə)l/ noun 1. a frequency
channel
something a possibility of doing some-

thing 2. an opportunity 쑗 I’ve been band for radio or TV or a station using
waiting for a chance like this for a long this band 쑗 We’re watching Channel 4.
time. 쑗 The trip was a good chance for 쑗 Shall we watch the new show on the
us to meet old friends. 왍 a or the chance other channel? 2. a way in which infor-
to do something an opportunity to do mation or goods are passed from one
something 쑗 I wish I’d had the chance place to another 쑗 The request will have
to visit South Africa. 3. luck or accident to be processed through the normal
쑗 The satisfactory outcome owed more channels. 3. a narrow passage along
to chance than to good planning. 쑗 It which water can flow 4. a piece of water
was pure chance that we met at the sta- connecting two seas 쑗 the English
tion. 앳 by chance in a way that was not Channel 쐽 verb to send something in a
planned or expected 쑗 It was quite by particular direction 쑗 They are channel-
chance that we were travelling on the ling their funds into research. (NOTE:
same bus. 앳 by any chance perhaps 쑗 channels – channelling – chan-
Have you by any chance seen my glass- nelled. The US spelling is channeling
es? – channeled.)
change /tʃend"/ verb 1. to become dif- chaos /keɒs/ noun a state of confusion
change chaos
ferent, or make something different 쑗 쑗 There was total chaos when the elec-
She’s changed so much since I last saw tricity failed.
her that I hardly recognised her. 쑗 Liv- chap /tʃp/ noun a man (informal ) 쑗
chap
ing in the country has changed his atti- He’s a really nice chap. 쑗 I bought it
tude towards towns. 2. to become differ- from a chap at work.
ent 쑗 London has changed a lot since chapel /tʃp(ə)l/ noun 1. a room used
chapel
we used to live there. 쑗 He’s changed so as a church, e.g. in a hospital or airport

much since I last saw him. 3. to put on 2. a part of a large church 쑗 the west
different clothes 쑗 I’m just going up- chapel of the cathedral 쑗 The west
stairs to change or to get changed. 쑗 Go chapel of the cathedral is dedicated to
into the bathroom if you want to change St Teresa.
your dress. 4. to use or have something
chapter /tʃptə/ noun a division of a
chapter
in place of something else 쑗 You ought

to change your car tyres if they are book 쑗 The first chapter is rather slow,
worn. 쑗 Can we change our room for but after that the story gets exciting. 쑗
one with a view of the sea? 쑗 She’s re- Don’t tell me how it finishes – I’m only
cently changed her job or changed jobs. up to chapter three.
character /krktə/ noun 1. the part of
character
5. to give one country’s money for an-

other 쑗 I had to change £1,000 into dol- a person which makes them behave dif-
lars. 쑗 We want to change some travel- ferently from all others 쑗 He has a
ler’s cheques. 쐽 noun 1. an occasion on strong, determined character. 2. a per-
which something is changed 쑗 There son in a play or novel 쑗 The main char-
was a sudden change of plan. 쑗 We’ve acter in the film is an old woman with a
seen a lot of changes over the years. 2. fascinating history. 3. a person with par-
something different 쑗 We usually go on ticular qualities 쑗 He’s an interesting
holiday in summer, but this year we’re character. 왍 quite a or a real character
taking a winter holiday for a change. 쑗 an interesting and unusual person 쑗 My
A change of scenery will do you good. 쑗 first head teacher was quite a character.
characteristic /krktərstk/ adjec-
characteristic
A glass of water is a nice change after
all that coffee. 3. money in coins 쑗 I tive typical 쑗 You can recognise her by
need some change for the parking meter. her characteristic way of walking. 쑗
쑗 Have you got change for a £5 note? 4. The shape is characteristic of this type
charge 54 cheat
of flower. (NOTE: something is charac- by the village and surrounding area. 2.
teristic of something) 쐽 noun a typical to use magic on someone or something
feature 쑗 The two cars have very similar 쑗 The fairy charmed the trees to grow
characteristics. golden fruit.
charming /tʃɑ
mŋ/ adjective attrac-
charming
charge /tʃɑ
d"/ noun 1. money which
charge
you have to pay 쑗 There is no charge for tive

charter /tʃɑ
tə/ noun a legal document
charter
delivery. 쑗 We make a small charge for

rental. 2. a claim by the police that giving rights or privileges to a public or-
someone has done something wrong 쑗 ganisation, a group of people, or a town
He was in prison on a charge of trying 쑗 a shoppers’ charter 쑗 The university
to shoot a neighbour. 3. a sudden rush received its charter in 1846. 쐽 verb to
towards someone or something, espe- hire an aircraft, bus or boat for a partic-
cially as part of an attack 쑗 The police ular trip 쑗 We chartered a boat for a day
stood firm against the charge of the trip to the island.
crowd. 4. a statement that someone has chase /tʃes/ verb 1. to go after someone
chase
done something bad or wrong 쑗 I com- in order to try to catch him or her 쑗 The
pletely reject the charge that I had these postman was chased by a dog. 쑗 They
facts before I made the decision. 쐽 verb chased the burglars down the street. 2.
1. to ask someone to pay 쑗 The restau- to find out how work is progressing in
rant charged me £10 for two glasses of order to try to speed it up 쑗 We are try-
wine. 쑗 How much did the garage ing to chase the accounts department
charge for mending the car? 2. (of the for your cheque. 쑗 I will chase up your
police) to say that someone has done order with the production department.
something wrong 쑗 She was charged 쐽 noun an occasion on which you run
with stealing the jewels. 3. to attack after someone to try to catch them 쑗 He
someone while running 쑗 The police was caught after a three-hour chase
charged the rioters. 쑗 If the bull charg- along the motorway. 왍 to give chase to
es, run as fast as you can for the gate! 4. run after someone in order to try to catch
to run quickly and without care 쑗 The him or her 쑗 The robbers escaped and
children charged into the kitchen. 5. to the police gave chase.
put electricity into a battery 쑗 You can chase up phrasal verb to find out how
charge your phone battery overnight. 앳 work is progressing in order to try to
in charge of something in control of speed it up 쑗 I’ll chase it up for you on
something 쑗 Who’s in charge here? 쑗 Monday.
He was put in charge of the sales de- chat /tʃt/ noun an informal, friendly
chat
partment. 앳 to take charge of some- talk 쑗 She likes to drop in for a cup of
thing to start to be responsible for coffee and a chat. 쑗 I’d like to have a
something 쑗 She took charge of the chat with you about your work.
class while the teacher was out of the
cheap /tʃi
p/ adjective not costing a lot
cheap
room.
of money 쑗 I want to buy a cheap radio.
charity /tʃrt/ noun an organisation
charity
쑗 Why do you go by bus? – Because it’s

which collects money to help the poor cheaper than the train. 쑗 Buses are the
or to support some cause 쑗 a medical cheapest way to travel. 쐽 adverb at a
charity (NOTE: The plural is charities.) low price 쑗 I bought them cheap in the
charm /tʃɑ
m/ noun 1. attractiveness
charm
쑗
local market.
cheaply /tʃi
pli/ adverb 1. without
cheaply
the charm of the Devon countryside 쑗

She has great personal charm. 2. an ob- spending much money 쑗 cheaply made
ject which is supposed to have magical furniture 쑗 You can live quite cheaply if
powers 쑗 She wears a lucky charm you don’t go out to eat in restaurants. 2.
round her neck. 쐽 verb 1. to attract at a low price 쑗 They were selling the
someone, or to make someone pleased last few bottles cheaply.
쑗 He always manages to charm some- cheat /tʃi
t/ verb to act unfairly in order
cheat
one into helping him. 쑗 I was charmed to be successful 쑗 They are sure he
check 55 chest
cheated in his exam, but can’t find out cheer up phrasal verb to become hap-
how he did it. 쐽 noun a person who acts pier, or make someone happier 쑗 I’m
unfairly in order to win 쑗 I won’t play sure I’ll cheer up once the treatment is
cards with him again, he’s a cheat. over. 쑗 She made him a meal to try to
check /tʃek/ noun 1. an examination or cheer him up. 왍 cheer up! stop being
check
test 쑗 The police are carrying out unhappy 쑗 Cheer up! It’ll all be over to-
checks on all cars. 쑗 A routine check of morrow.
the fire equipment. 2. US (in a restau- cheerful /tʃəf(ə)l/ adjective 1. happy
cheerful
rant) a bill 쑗 I’ll ask for the check. 쐽 2. pleasant 쑗 a cheerful smile 쑗 a bright
verb 1. to make sure 쑗 I’d better check cheerful room
with the office if there are any messages cheese /tʃi
z/ noun a solid food made
cheese
for me. 쑗 Did you lock the door? – I’ll from milk 쑗 At the end of the meal we’ll
go and check. 2. to examine something have cheese and biscuits.
to see if it is satisfactory 쑗 You must
chef /ʃef/ noun a cook in a restaurant
chef
have your car checked every 10,000

chemical /kemk(ə)l/ noun a substance
chemical
miles. 앳 in check under control

check in phrasal verb 1. (at a hotel ) to
which is formed by reactions between
chemicals 쑗 rows of glass bottles con-
arrive at a hotel and sign for a room 쑗
taining chemicals 쑗 Chemicals are
He checked in at 12.15. 쑗 We checked
widely used in farming and medicine. 쐽
into our hotel and then went on a tour of
adjective relating to chemistry 쑗 If you
the town. 2. (at an airport) to give in add acid it sets off a chemical reaction.
your ticket to show you are ready to take
chemist /kemst/ noun 1. a person who
chemist
the flight 쑗 Please check in two hours

before your departure time. prepares and sells medicines 쑗 Ask the
check out phrasal verb 1. (at a hotel )
chemist to give you something for the
pain. 2. a scientist who studies chemical
to leave and pay for a room 쑗 We’d bet-
substances
ter check out before breakfast. 2. to see
chemistry /kemstri/ noun the science
chemistry
if something is all right 쑗 I thought I

heard a noise in the kitchen – I’ll just go of chemical substances and their reac-
and check it out. tions 쑗 She’s studying chemistry at uni-
check-in /tʃek n/ noun 1. also check-
check-in
versity. 쑗 He passed his chemistry ex-
in desk a place where passengers give
am.
cheque /tʃek/ noun a form asking a
cheque
in their tickets and bags for a flight 쑗

Where’s the check-in? 2. the procedure bank to pay money from one account to
of dealing with passengers before a another 쑗 I paid for the jacket by
flight 쑗 Check-in starts at 4.30pm. cheque. 쑗 He made out the cheque to Mr
Smith. 쑗 He’s forgotten to sign the
checkout /tʃekaυt/ noun a cash desk in
checkout
cheque.
a supermarket where you pay for the
cherry /tʃeri/ noun a small sweet red or
cherry
goods you have bought 쑗 There were

huge queues at the checkouts. black fruit with a single hard seed in the
middle, which grows on a tree
cheek /tʃi
k/ noun 1. the part of the face
cheek
chess /tʃes/ noun a game for two people

chess
on each side of the nose and below the

eye 쑗 a baby with red cheeks 2. rude- played on a board with sixteen different-
ness 쑗 He had the cheek to ask for more shaped pieces on each side (NOTE: no
money. 쑗 I didn’t like his cheek. (NOTE: plural)
chest /tʃest/ noun 1. the top front part of
chest
no plural in this sense)

cheekily /tʃi
kli/ adverb in a rude way
cheekily
the body, where the heart and lungs are
쑗 If you have pains in your chest or if
cheeky /tʃi
ki/ adjective rude (NOTE:
cheeky
you have chest pains, you ought to see a

cheekier – cheekiest) doctor. 쑗 The doctor listened to the pa-
cheer /tʃə/ noun a shout of praise or en-
cheer
tient’s chest. 쑗 She was rushed to hospi-

couragement 쑗 When he scored the goal tal with chest wounds. 쑗 He has a 48-
a great cheer went up. inch chest. 2. a measurement around the
chew 56 choice
top part of the body just under the arms gloom 쑗 The death of the bride’s father
쑗 What’s his chest size or measure- cast a chill over the wedding. 쐽 verb to
ment? 3. a piece of furniture, like a large cool 쑗 He asked for a glass of chilled
box orange juice. 왍 chilled to the bone very
chew /tʃu
/ verb to use your teeth to
chew
cold (informal ) 쑗 They were chilled to
make something soft, usually so that the bone when they came back from
you can swallow it 쑗 You must chew their walk over the moors.
chilly /tʃli/ adjective quite cold (NOTE:
chilly
your meat well, or you will get pains in

your stomach. 쑗 The dog was lying in chillier – chilliest)
front of the fire chewing a bone. chimney /tʃmni/ noun a tall brick tube
chimney
chick /tʃk/ noun a baby bird, especially

chick
for taking smoke away from a fire

a baby hen chin /tʃn/ noun the front part of the bot-
chin
chicken /tʃkn/ noun 1. a bird kept for tom jaw 쑗 She suddenly stood up and hit
chicken
its eggs and meat 쑗 Chickens were run- him on the chin.
ning everywhere in the farmyard. china /tʃanə/ noun things such as cups
china
(NOTE: The plural is chickens.) 2. meat and plates made of decorated fine white
from a chicken 쑗 We’re having roast clay (NOTE: no plural)
chicken for lunch. 쑗 Would you like an- chip /tʃp/ noun 1. a long thin piece of
chip
other slice of chicken? 쑗 We bought potato fried in oil 쑗 He ordered chicken

some chicken sandwiches for lunch. and chips. 왍 fish and chips a traditional
(NOTE: no plural: some chicken; a British food, obtained from special
piece of chicken; a slice of chicken) shops, where portions of fish fried in
chief /tʃi
f/ adjective most important 쑗
chief
batter are sold with chips 2. US a thin

He’s our chief adviser. 쑗 What is the slice of potato or other food, fried till
chief cause of accidents in the home? 쐽 crisp and eaten cold as a snack 쑗 a pack-
noun 1. the person in control of a group et of potato or corn chips 3. a small
of people or a business 쑗 He’s been piece of something hard, such as wood
made the new chief of the finance de- or stone 쑗 Chips of wood flew all over
partment. 2. the leader of a specific the studio as he was carving the statue.
group of people who share a culture and 4. a small piece of silicon able to store
social system data, used in a computer 쐽 verb to break
chiefly /tʃi
fli/ adverb mainly 쑗 The a small piece off something hard 쑗 He
chiefly
town is famous chiefly for its cathedral. banged the cup down on the plate and
child /tʃald/ noun 1. a young boy or girl
child
chipped it. (NOTE: chips – chipping –
쑗 There was no TV when my mother was
chipped) 앳 to have a chip on your
a child. 쑗 A group of children were play- shoulder to feel constantly annoyed
ing on the beach. 2. a son or daughter 쑗 because you feel you have lost an ad-
Whose child is that? 쑗 They have six vantage 쑗 He’s got a chip on his shoul-
children – two boys and four girls. 쑗 We der because his brother has a better job
have two adult children. (NOTE: The than he has.
chocolate /tʃɒklət/ noun 1. a sweet
chocolate
plural is children.)
childhood /tʃaldhυd/ noun the time
childhood
brown food made from the crushed
when someone is a child seeds of a tropical tree 쑗 a bar of choc-
olate 쑗 Her mother made a chocolate
childish /tʃaldʃ/ adjective 1. silly or
childish
cake. 2. a single sweet made from choc-

foolish 2. like a child olate 쑗 There are only three chocolates
children /tʃldrən/ plural of child
children
left in the box. 3. a drink made from

chill /tʃl/ noun 1. a short illness causing
chill
chocolate powder and milk 쑗 I always
a feeling of being cold and shivering 쑗 have a cup of hot chocolate before I go
You’ll catch a chill if you don’t wear a to bed. (NOTE: no plural except for
coat in this cold weather. 2. coldness 쑗 sense 2)
choice /tʃɔs/ noun 1. something which
choice
The sun came up and soon cleared away

the morning chill. 3. an atmosphere of is chosen 쑗 Paris was our first choice
choir 57 circle
for our holiday. 2. the act of choosing chop off phrasal verb to cut something
something 쑗 You must give customers off, e.g. with an axe or knife
time to make their choice. 3. a range of chop up phrasal verb to cut something
things to choose from 쑗 The store has a into pieces
huge choice of furniture. 왍 I hadn’t any chore /tʃɔ
/ noun a piece of routine
chore
choice, I had no choice there was noth- work, e.g. cleaning in a house, that you
ing else I could do 쐽 adjective (of food ) have to do 쑗 household chores
specially selected 쑗 choice meat 쑗
chorus /kɔ
rəs/ noun 1. a part of a song
chorus
choice peaches
which is repeated later in the song 쑗
choir /kwaə/ noun a group of people
choir
Everybody join in the chorus! (NOTE:

who sing together 쑗 He sings in the The plural is choruses.) 2. a group of
school choir. people who sing together 쑗 All the
choke /tʃəυk/ verb 1. to stop breathing
choke
members of the chorus were on the
properly because something such as a stage.
chose /tʃəυz/ past tense of choose
chose
piece of food is blocking the throat 쑗

Don’t talk with your mouth full or you’ll chosen /tʃəυz(ə)n/ past participle of
chosen
choke. 쑗 He choked on a piece of bread choose

or a piece of bread made him choke. 2. Christian /krstʃən/ adjective relating
Christian
to block something such as a pipe 쑗 The to the religion based on the teachings of
canal was choked with weeds. 3. to Jesus Christ 쐽 noun a person who be-
squeeze someone’s neck so that they lieves in the teachings of Jesus Christ
cannot breathe 쑗 He felt the tight collar and in Christianity
was choking him. 왍 to choke someone
Christmas /krsməs/ noun a Christian
Christmas
to death to squeeze someone’s throat

until they die 4. to find it hard to speak festival on December 25th, celebrated
because of emotion as the birthday of Jesus Christ, when
presents are given
choose /tʃu
z/ verb 1. to decide which
choose
church /tʃ
tʃ/ noun a building where
church
you want 쑗 Have you chosen what you Christians go to pray (NOTE: The plural
want to eat? 쑗 They chose him as team is churches.)
leader. 쑗 Don’t take too long choosing a
cigarette /s'əret/ noun a roll of very
cigarette
book to read on holiday. 쑗 There were
several good candidates to choose from. thin paper containing tobacco, which
쑗 You must give customers plenty of
you can light and smoke 쑗 a packet or
time to choose. 2. to decide to do one pack of cigarettes 쑗 The room was full
thing when there are several things you of cigarette smoke.
cinema /snmə/ noun a building where
cinema
could do 쑗 In the end, they chose to go

to the cinema. 쒁 choice (NOTE: choos- you go to watch films 쑗 We went to the
es – choosing – chose /tʃəυz/ – has cinema on Friday night to see a French
chosen /tʃəυz(ə)n/) film.
circle /s
k(ə)l/ noun 1. a line forming a
circle
chop /tʃɒp/ noun a piece of meat with a

chop
bone attached 쑗 We had lamb chops for round shape 쑗 He drew a circle on the
dinner. 쐽 verb 1. to cut something blackboard. 2. anything forming a
roughly into small pieces with a knife or round shape 쑗 The children sat in a cir-
other sharp tool 쑗 He spent the after- cle round the teacher. 쑗 The soldiers
noon chopping wood for the fire. 2. 왍 to formed a circle round the prisoner. 3. a
chop and change to do one thing, then group of people or a society 쑗 She went
another 쑗 He keeps chopping and to live abroad and lost contact with her
changing and can’t make his mind up. old circle of friends. 쑗 He moves in the
highest government circles. 4. a row of
(NOTE: chops – chopping –
seats above the stalls in a theatre 쑗 We
chopped)
got tickets for the upper circle. 쐽 verb to
chop down phrasal verb to cut down a make circular movements 쑗 Large birds
tree with an axe were circling above the dead animals.
circuit 58 classic
circuit /s
kt/ noun 1. a fixed or regular citizen /stz(ə)n/ noun a person who
circuit citizen
way of travelling from one place to an- comes from a particular country or has
other for a particular activity 쑗 a famil- the same right to live there as someone
iar speaker on the lecture circuit 2. a who was born there 쑗 All Australian cit-
path on which competitions take place izens have a duty to vote. 쑗 He was born
쑗 a race circuit 3. a trip around some- in Germany, but is now a British citizen.
thing 쑗 His first circuit of the track was city /st/ noun a large town 쑗 busy city
city
very slow. 4. the path that electricity streets 쑗 Traffic is a problem in big cit-
flows around ies. 왍 the city centre the central part of
circular /s
kjυlə/ adjective 1. round in a town 쑗 He has an office in the city cen-
circular
shape 쑗 a circular table 2. sent to a tre.

number of people 쑗 The company sent a civil /sv(ə)l/ adjective 1. relating to
civil
circular letter to all employees. (NOTE: general public life rather than to the
only used before a noun) 쐽 noun a doc- armed forces 쑗 He left the air force and
ument with one or just a few pages sent became a civil airline pilot. 2. polite 쑗
to a number of people to inform them She wasn’t very civil to the policeman.
about something 3. in court, relating to cases brought by
circulate /s
kjυlet/ verb 1. to send one person against another, as opposed
circulate
something round to various people 쑗 to being brought by the police because it

They circulated a new list of prices to all is criminal
their customers. 2. to move round 쑗 claim /klem/ noun 1. an occasion on
claim
Blood circulates round the body. 쑗 which someone asks for money 쑗 His
Waiters circulated round the room car- claim for a pay increase was turned
rying trays of drinks. 3. vi to talk to dif- down. 2. a statement of something
ferent people at a party 쑗 Let’s talk later which you believe to be true but have no
– I’ve got to circulate. proof 쑗 His claim that the car belonged
circulation /s
kjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. to him was correct. 쐽 verb to state, but
circulation
the act of circulating 쑗 The circulation without any proof 쑗 He claims he never
of the new price list to all departments received the letter. 쑗 She claims that the
will take several days. 2. the movement car belongs to her.
of blood around the body 쑗 Rub your clap /klp/ verb to beat your hands to-
clap
hands together to get the circulation go- gether to show you are pleased 쑗 At the
ing. 쑗 He has poor circulation. end of her speech the audience stood up
circumference /səkmf(ə)rəns/ noun
circumference

and clapped. 쑗 He clapped his hands
the distance round the outside edge of a together in delight. (NOTE: claps –
circle, an object or an area 쑗 We walked clapping – clapped)
class /klɑ
s/ noun 1. a group of children
class
the dog around the circumference of the

field. or adults who go to school or college to-
circumstance /s
kəmstəns/ noun
circumstance
gether 쑗 There are 30 children in my
the set of conditions that affect a situa- son’s class. 2. a lesson 쑗 What did you
tion 쑗 The circumstances surrounding learn in your history class today? 3.
the crash led us to believe it was not an people of a particular group in society 쑗
accident. (NOTE: usually plural) 왍 in or The college encourages applications
under the circumstances if a particular from different social classes. 4. a group
set of conditions exist 쑗 It’s hard to do of things, animal or people that share
a good job under these circumstances. some features 쑗 Different standards ap-
쑗 In different circumstances, I’d have ply to the five different classes of service
been willing to stay longer. 왍 due to cir- you can pay for. 5. a particular level of
cumstances beyond someone’s con- quality 쑗 Always buy the best class of
trol because of something which some- product. 쑗 These peaches are Class 1.
classic /klsk/ noun a great book, play
classic
one has no power to change 쑗 The show

had to be cancelled due to circumstanc- or piece of music 쑗 ‘The Maltese Fal-
es beyond our control. con’ is a Hollywood classic. 쑗 We have
classical 59 clerical
to study several classics of English liter- cleaner /kli
nə/ noun 1. a machine
cleaner
ature for our course. 쐽 adjective 1. (of which removes dirt 쑗 a carpet cleaner
a style) elegant and traditional 쑗 The 2. a person who cleans a building such
classic little black dress is always in as a house or an office 쑗 The cleaners
fashion. 쑗 The style of the new hotel didn’t empty my wastepaper basket.
building is classic, simple and elegant.
cleaning /kli
nŋ/ noun 1. the action of
cleaning
2. based on Ancient Greek or Roman ar-

making something clean 쑗 Cleaning the
chitecture 3. typical 쑗 It was a classic
house after the party took hours. 2.
example of his inability to take deci-
clothes which are going to be sent for
sions.
dry-cleaning or which have been re-
classical /klsk(ə)l/ adjective 1. ele-
classical
turned after dry-cleaning 쑗 Could you

gant and based on the Ancient Greek or collect my cleaning for me after work
Roman style 쑗 a classical eighteenth tonight?
century villa 2. referring to Ancient
clear /klə/ adjective 1. with nothing in
clear
Greece and Rome 쑗 classical Greek lit-

the way 쑗 You can cross the road – it’s
erature 3. referring to traditional serious
clear now. 쑗 From the window, she had
music 쑗 a concert of classical music
a clear view of the street. 2. easily un-
/klsfkeʃ(ə)n/
classification
classification derstood 쑗 She made it clear that she

noun a way of arranging things into cat- wanted us to go. 쑗 The instructions on
egories the computer screen are not very clear.
classify /klsfa/ verb to arrange 쑗 Will you give me a clear answer – yes
classify
things into groups 쑗 The hotels are clas- or no?

sified according to a system of stars. clear away phrasal verb to take some-
(NOTE: classifies – classifying – thing away completely
classified) clear off phrasal verb to go away
classroom /klɑ
sru
m/ noun a room in (informal )
classroom
a school where children are taught 쑗 clear out phrasal verb 1. to empty
When the teacher came into the class- something completely 쑗 Can you clear
room all the children were shouting. out your bedroom cupboard? 2. to leave
clause /klɔ
z/ noun a paragraph in a le-
clause
somewhere quickly (informal ) 쑗 It’s
gal document 쑗 According to clause six, time for me to clear out of here com-
payments will not be due until next year. pletely. 왍 Clear out! used to tell some-
one to leave (impolite)
claw /klɔ
/ noun a nail on the foot of an
claw
clear up phrasal verb 1. to tidy and

animal or bird 쑗 The dog dug a hole clean a place completely 쑗 The cleaners
with its claws. refused to clear up the mess after the of-
clay /kle/ noun thick heavy soil 쑗 The
clay
fice party. 2. (of an illness) to get better

soil in our garden has a lot of clay in it. 쑗 He has been resting, but his cold still
clean /kli
n/ adjective 1. not dirty 쑗
clean
hasn’t cleared up.
clearly /kləli/ adverb 1. in a way which
clearly
Wipe your glasses with a clean handker-

chief. 쑗 The bedrooms must be spotless- is easily understood or heard 쑗 He
ly clean. 쑗 Tell the waitress these cups didn’t speak clearly, and I couldn’t
aren’t clean. 2. not used 쑗 Take a clean catch the address he gave. 2. obviously
sheet of paper. 쑗 The maid forgot to put 쑗 He clearly or Clearly he didn’t like
clean towels in the bathroom. 쐽 verb to being told he was too fat.
take away the dirt from something 쑗 She clergy /kl
d"i/ plural noun priests
clergy
was cleaning the car when she saw the

clerical /klerk(ə)l/ adjective 1. refer-
clerical
damage.
ring to office work 쑗 A clerical error
clean up phrasal verb to make every- made the invoice £300.00 when it
thing clean and tidy, e.g. after a party 쑗 should have been £3000.00. 쑗 He’s
It took us three hours to clean up after looking for part-time clerical work. 2.
her birthday party. referring to clergy 쑗 The newspaper sto-
clerk 60 closed
ry has been talked about in clerical cir- clockwise /klɒkwaz/ adjective, ad-
clockwise
cles. verb moving in a circle from left to

clerk /klɑ
k/ noun a person who works in right, in the same direction as the hands
clerk
an office of a clock 쑗 Turn the lid clockwise to

tighten it. 쑗 He was driving clockwise
clever /klevə/ adjective able to think
clever
and learn quickly 쑗 Clever children can round the ring road when the accident
took place.
usually do this by the time they are eight
clone /kləυn/ noun an exact genetic copy
clone
years old.
cleverly /klevəli/ adverb in a clever
cleverly
of an animal or plant 쑗 A cutting pro-
way duces a clone of a plant. 쑗 This sheep
was the first mammal to survive as a
click /klk/ noun a short sharp sound 쑗
click
clone. 쐽 verb to create an exact genetic

She heard a click and saw the door han- copy of an individual animal or plant 쑗
dle turn. 쐽 verb to make a short sharp Biologists have successfully cloned a
sound 쑗 The cameras clicked as the film sheep.
star came out on to the steps. 쑗 He
close1 /kləυs/ adjective 1. very near, or
close
clicked his fingers to attract the waiter’s

attention. just next to something 쑗 Our office is
close to the station. 쑗 This is the closest
client /klaənt/ noun a person who pays
client
I’ve ever been to a film star! 2. near in

for a service time 쑗 My birthday is close to Christ-
cliff /klf/ noun a high, steep area of rock
cliff
mas. 쐽 adverb 1. very near 쑗 Keep

usually by the sea close by me if you don’t want to get lost.
climate /klamət/ noun the general
climate
쑗 Go further away – you’re getting too
weather conditions in a particular place close. 쑗 They stood so close or so close
쑗 The climate in the south of the country together that she felt his breath on her
is milder than in the north. cheek. 쑗 The sound came closer and
closer. (NOTE: closer – closest) 2. very
climb /klam/ verb 1. to go up or down
climb
near in time 쑗 The conference is getting

something using arms and legs 쑗 The very close. 쐽 noun a short road, espe-
cat climbed up the apple tree. 쑗 The cially of houses 쑗 They live in Briar
boys climbed over the wall. 쑗 He es- Close.
caped by climbing out of the window. 2.
close2 /kləυz/ verb 1. to shut
close
to go higher 쑗 The road climbs to 500 m 쑗 Would

above sea level. 쑗 House prices have you mind closing the window? 쑗 He
started to climb again. closed his book and turned on the TV. 2.
to come to an end 쑗 The meeting closed
clinic /klnk/ noun 1. a medical centre
clinic
with a vote of thanks. (NOTE: closes –

for particular treatment or advice 쑗 an
closing – closed) 쐽 noun an end, the
eye clinic 2. a private hospital
final part 쑗 The century was drawing to
clip /klp/ noun a small object that holds
clip
a close.
things together 쑗 a paper clip 쐽 verb to
close down phrasal verb 1. to shut a
attach things with a clip 쑗 She clipped
the invoice and the cheque together and business permanently 2. (of a business)
put them in an envelope. (NOTE: clips – to shut permanently
closed /kləυzd/ adjective 1. changed
closed
clipping – clipped)
from being open by being covered or
cloak /kləυk/ noun a long type of coat
cloak
blocked 쑗 Make sure all the windows

which hangs from the shoulders and has
and doors are tightly closed. 쑗 She sat
no sleeves 쑗 She wore a long cloak of
quietly with closed eyes. 쑗 The object
black velvet.
was in a closed box. 2. not doing busi-
clock /klɒk/ noun an object which ness 쑗 The shop is closed on Sundays. 쑗
shows the time 쑗 Your clock is 5 min- The office will be closed for the Christ-
utes slow. 쑗 The office clock is fast. 쑗 mas holidays. 쑗 There was a ‘closed’
The clock has stopped. sign hanging in the window.
closely 61 coach
closely /kləυsli/ adverb with a lot of at-
closely
ground. 2. 왍 to club together (of sever-

tention 쑗 She studied the timetable very al people) to contribute money jointly 쑗
closely. 쑗 The prisoners were closely They clubbed together and bought a
guarded by armed soldiers. yacht. (NOTE: clubs – clubbing –
clubbed)
closeness /kləυsnəs/ noun the fact of
closeness
clue /klu
/ noun information which helps
clue
being close to something

close-up /kləυs p/ noun a photograph
close-up
you solve a mystery or puzzle 쑗 The de-
taken very close to the subject 왍 in tective had missed a vital clue. 쑗 I don’t
close-up taken very close to the subject understand the clues to this crossword.
앳 to not have a clue to not know
쑗 a photo of the leaf in close-up
something 쑗 The police still haven’t a
cloth /klɒθ/ noun 1. soft material made
cloth
clue who did it. 쑗 I don’t have a clue

from woven fibres 쑗 Her dress is made how to get there.
of cheap blue cloth. 쑗 This cloth is of a
clumsy /klmzi/ adjective tending to
clumsy
very high quality. 2. a piece of material

used for cleaning 쑗 He wiped up the break things or knock things over
milk with a damp cloth. 3. a piece of ma- (NOTE: clumsier – clumsiest) 쐽 not
terial which you put on a table to cover expressed or done in a good way 쑗 a
it 쑗 The waiter spread a white cloth clumsy apology 쑗 a clumsy attempt to
over the table. hide the situation
cluster /klstə/ noun a group of objects
cluster
clothes /kləυðz/ plural noun things

clothes
which you wear to cover your body and or people that are close together 쑗 a
keep you warm, e.g. trousers, socks, brooch with a cluster of pearls 쑗 He
shirts and dresses 쑗 The doctor asked photographed a cluster of stars.
clutch /kltʃ/ verb to grip something
clutch
him to take his clothes off. 쑗 The chil-

dren haven’t had any new clothes for tightly 쑗 She clutched my arm as we
years. 왍 with no clothes on naked stood on the edge of the cliff. 쐽 noun a
clothing /kləυðŋ/ noun clothes 쑗 a
clothing
tight grip 쑗 She felt the clutch of his fin-
major clothing manufacturer 쑗 Take gers on her sleeve. 쐽 plural noun
plenty of warm clothing on your trip to clutches the power that a person or
Iceland. (NOTE: no plural: some cloth- group has over someone else 쑗 You
ing; a piece of clothing) can’t escape the clutches of your family
so easily. 왍 in the clutches of, in some-
cloud /klaυd/ noun a white or grey mass
cloud
one’s clutches under the control of 쑗

of drops of water floating in the air 쑗 We want to avoid spending too much
Look at those grey clouds – it’s going to and falling into the clutches of the bank
rain. 쑗 The plane was flying above the or the bank’s clutches.
clouds.
coach /kəυtʃ/ noun 1. a large bus for
coach
cloudy /klaυdi/ adjective 1. with clouds

cloudy
travelling long distances 쑗 They went on

쑗 The weather was cloudy in the morn- a tour of southern Spain by coach. 쑗
ing, but cleared up in the afternoon. 2. There’s an coach service to Oxford eve-
not clear 쑗 The liquid turned cloudy ry hour. 2. one of the vehicles for pas-
when I added the flour. (NOTE: cloudier sengers that is part of a train 쑗 The first
– cloudiest) four coaches are for London. 3. a person
club /klb/ noun 1. a group of people
club
who trains sports players 쑗 The coach

who have the same interest or who form told them that they needed to spend
a team 쑗 a youth club 쑗 I’m joining a more time practising. 쑗 He’s a profes-
tennis club. 쑗 Our town has one of the sional football coach. (NOTE: The plural
top football clubs in the country. 2. a is coaches.) 쐽 verb 1. to train sports
stick for playing golf (NOTE: A golf people 쑗 She was coached by a former
club can either mean the place where Olympic gold medallist. 2. to give pri-
you play golf, or the stick used to hit the vate lessons to someone in a particular
ball.) 3. a large heavy stick 쐽 verb 1. to sport, subject or activity 쑗 He coaches
hit with a club 쑗 She was clubbed to the young footballers.
coal 62 collect
coal /kəυl/ noun a hard black substance
coal
coiled itself up in the basket. 쑗 The sail-

which produces heat when burnt or coiled the ropes neatly.
coin /kɔn/ noun a piece of metal money
coin
coarse /kɔ
s/ adjective 1. consisting of
coarse
large pieces 쑗 coarse grains of sand 2. 쑗 This machine only takes 20p coins.
cold /kəυld/ adjective 1. with a low tem-
cold
rough and hard 쑗 coarse cloth

perature 쑗 They say that cold showers
coast /kəυst/ noun parts of a country
coast
are good for you. 쑗 The weather turned

that are by the sea 쑗 After ten weeks at
colder in January. 쑗 It’s too cold to go
sea, Columbus saw the coast of Ameri-
for a walk. 쑗 If you’re hot, have a glass
ca. 쑗 The south coast is the warmest
of cold water. 쑗 Start eating, or your
part of the country.
soup will get cold. 쑗 He had a plate of
coat /kəυt/ noun 1. a piece of clothing
coat
cold beef and salad. 2. not friendly 쑗 He

which you wear on top of other clothes got a very cold reception from the rest of
when you go outside 쑗 a winter coat 2. the staff. 쑗 She gave him a cold nod.
a layer of something 쑗 a coat of paint 쑗 (NOTE: colder – coldest) 쐽 noun 1. an
a thick coat of dust 3. the fur of an ani- illness which makes you blow your nose
mal 쑗 These dogs have thick shiny 쑗 He caught a cold from his colleague.
coats. 쑗 My sister’s in bed with a cold. 쑗 Don’t
cocoa /kəυkəυ/ noun 1. a brown choc-
cocoa
come near me – I’ve got a cold. 2. a cold
olate powder ground from the seeds of a outdoor temperature 쑗 He was in the
tree, used for making a drink 쑗 a tin of cold waiting for a bus. 쑗 These plants
cocoa 쑗 cocoa powder 2. a drink made can’t stand the cold.
coldly /kəυldli/ adverb in an unfriendly
coldly
with cocoa and hot water or milk (NOTE:

no plural) way
code /kəυd/ noun 1. secret words or a collapse /kəlps/ verb 1. to fall down
code collapse
system agreed as a way of sending mes- suddenly 쑗 The roof collapsed under
sages 쑗 We’re trying to break the ene- the weight of the snow. 2. to fail sudden-
my’s code. 쑗 He sent the message in ly 쑗 The company collapsed with
code. 2. a system of numbers or letters £25,000 in debts. 3. to fall down uncon-
which mean something 쑗 The code for scious 쑗 He collapsed after the mara-
Heathrow Airport is LHR. 쑗 What is the thon. 쐽 noun 1. a sudden fall 쑗 The col-
code for phoning Edinburgh? 3. a set of lapse of the old wall buried two work-
laws or rules of behaviour 쑗 The hotel men. 2. a sudden fall in price 쑗 the
has a strict dress code, and people collapse of the dollar on the foreign ex-
wearing jeans are not allowed in. change markets 3. the sudden failure of
a company 쑗 They lost thousands of
coffee /kɒfi/ noun 1. a hot drink made
coffee
pounds in the collapse of the bank.

from the seeds of a tropical plant 쑗
collar /kɒlə/ noun 1. the part of a piece
collar
Would you like a cup of coffee? 쑗 I al-

ways take sugar in coffee. 2. a cup of of clothing which goes round your neck
coffee 쑗 I’d like a white coffee, please. 쑗 I can’t wear this shirt – the collar’s
쑗 Three coffees and two teas, please. too tight. 쑗 She turned up her coat col-
lar because the wind was cold. 쑗 He has
coffee shop /kɒfi ʃɒp/ noun a small
coffee shop
a winter coat with a fur collar. 2. a

restaurant serving drinks and light leather ring round the neck of a dog or
meals cat 쑗 The cat has a collar with her name
coffin /kɒfn/ noun a long box in which
coffin
and address on it.

a dead person is placed before being colleague /kɒli
'/ noun a person who
colleague
buried works with you, e.g. in the same compa-

coil /kɔl/ noun a roll of rope, or one loop
coil
ny or office 쑗 His colleagues gave him

in something twisted round and round 쑗 a present when he got married. 쑗 She
The sailors stacked the rope in coils on was a colleague of mine at my last job.
the deck. 쐽 verb to twist around some- collect /kəlekt/ verb 1. to bring things
collect
thing or into a coil 쑗 The snake had or people together, or to come together
collection 63 come
쑗
We collected information from all the children were given crayons and told to
people who offered to help. 쑗 A crowd colour the trees green and the earth
collected at the scene of the accident. 2. brown.
to get things and keep them together 쑗 coloured /kləd/ adjective in colour 쑗
coloured
Your coat is ready for you to collect from a coloured postcard 쑗 a book with col-
the cleaner’s 쑗 The mail is collected oured illustrations
from the postbox twice a day. 쑗 I must
-coloured /kləd/ suffix with a particu-
-coloured
collect the children from school at 4 lar colour 쑗 She was wearing a cream-
p.m. 3. to buy things or bring things to-
coloured shirt.
gether as a hobby 쑗 He collects stamps
colourful /kləf(ə)l/ adjective 1. with
colourful
and old coins. 4. to gather money to give

to an organisation that helps people 쑗 bright colours 쑗 She tied a colourful silk
They’re collecting for Oxfam. scarf round her hair. 2. full of excite-
ment and adventure 쑗 a colourful ac-
collection /kəlekʃən/ noun 1. a group
collection
count of life in Vienna before the First

of things that have been brought togeth- World War
er 쑗 He showed me his stamp collection.
column /kɒləm/ noun 1. a tall post, es-
column
쑗 The museum has a large collection of

Italian paintings. 2. money which has pecially one made of stone 2. a narrow
been gathered 쑗 We’re making a collec- block of printing on a page such as in a
tion for Oxfam. newspaper 쑗 ‘Continued on page 7, col-
umn 4.’ 3. a regular article in a newspa-
college /kɒld"/ noun a teaching insti-
college
per 쑗 She writes a gardening column for

tution for adults and young people 쑗
the local newspaper. 4. a series of num-
She’s going on holiday with some bers, one written or printed under the
friends from college. 쑗 He’s studying other 쑗 to add up a column of figures 쑗
art at the local college. 쑗 The college li-
Put the total at the bottom of the col-
brary has over 20,000 volumes.
umn.
collide /kəlad/ verb to bump into
collide
comb /kəυm/ noun an object with long

comb

something 쑗 The car collided with a

pointed pieces that you pull through
bus. your hair to make it straight 쑗 Her hair
collision /kəl"(ə)n/ noun 1. an occa-
collision

is in such a mess that you can’t get a
sion when someone or something hits comb through it. 쐽 verb to smooth your
against something accidentally 쑗 Two hair with a comb 쑗 She was combing
people were injured in the collision be- her hair in front of the mirror.
tween a lorry and the bus. 왍 in collision
combination /kɒmbneʃ(ə)n/ noun
combination
with involved in hitting into 쑗 She was

several things joined or considered to-
in collision with a bike. 2. a disagree- gether 쑗 A combination of bad weather
ment or difference 쑗 a collision of ideas
and illness made our holiday a disaster.
colon /kəυlɒn/ noun 1. the main part of
colon
come /km/ verb 1. to move to or to-

come
the part inside your body that removes wards a place 쑗 Come and see us when
waste 쑗 The intestines are divided into
you’re in London. 쑗 The doctor came to
two parts: the small intestine and the see him yesterday. 쑗 Some of the chil-
large intestine or colon. 2. a printing dren come to school on foot. 쑗 Don’t
sign (:) make any noise – I can hear someone
color /klə/ noun, verb US spelling of
color
coming. 쑗 Come up to my room and

colour we’ll talk about the problem. 2. to hap-
colour /klə/ noun 1. the shade which
colour
pen 쑗 How did the door come to be

an object has in light, e.g. red, blue or open? 3. to occur 쑗 What comes after R
yellow 쑗 What colour is your bath- in the alphabet? 쑗 P comes before Q. 쑗
room? 쑗 I don’t like the colour of the What comes after the news on TV?
carpet. 쑗 His socks are the same colour (NOTE: comes – coming – came
as his shirt. 2. not black or white 쑗 The /kem/ – has come) 앳 how come?
book has pages of colour pictures. 쐽 why?, how? 쑗 How come the front door
verb to add colour to something 쑗 The was unlocked?
comedy 64 commercial
come across phrasal verb to find relax 쑗 She made herself comfortable in
something by chance 쑗 I came across the chair by the fire.
comfortably /kmftəbli/ adverb in a
comfortably
this old photo when I was clearing out a

drawer. soft, relaxed or relaxing way 쑗 If you’re
come along phrasal verb to go with sitting comfortably, I’ll explain to you
someone 쑗 If you walk, the children can what we have to do. 쑗 Make sure you’re
come along with us in the car. comfortably dressed because it is rather
come back phrasal verb to return 쑗 cold outside.
comic /kɒmk/ noun 1. a children’s
comic
They left the house in a hurry, and then

had to come back to get their passports. magazine with pictures and stories 2. a
쑗 They started to walk away, but the po- person who tells jokes to make people
liceman shouted at them to come back. laugh 쑗 a well-known TV comic 쐽 ad-
come in phrasal verb to enter a place jective intended to make people laugh,
come off phrasal verb 1. to stop being especially as a performance 쑗 a comic
attached 쑗 The button has come off my poem
comical /kɒmk(ə)l/ adjective strange
comical
coat. 쑗 I can’t use the kettle, the handle

has come off. 2. to be removed 쑗 The or silly in a way that makes people laugh
paint won’t come off my coat. 쑗 He looked rather comical wearing his
come on phrasal verb to hurry 쑗 Come dad’s jacket.
coming /kmŋ/ adjective which is
coming
on, or we’ll miss the start of the film.

come out phrasal verb 1. to move out- about to happen 쑗 The newspaper tells
side 쑗 Come out into the garden, it’s you what will happen in the coming
beautifully hot. 2. to be removed 쑗 The week in parliament.
ink marks won’t come out of my white comma /kɒmə/ noun a punctuation
comma
shirt. 쑗 Red wine stains don’t come out mark (,) showing a break in a sentence
easily.
command /kəmɑ
nd/ noun an order 쑗
command
come to phrasal verb 1. to add up to a Don’t start until I give the command. 쑗
particular amount 쑗 The bill comes to The general gave the command to at-
£10. 2. to become conscious again 쑗 tack. 왍 in command of in control of 쑗
When he came to, he was in hospital. They are not fully in command of the sit-
comedy /kɒmədi/ noun 1. entertain-
comedy
uation. 쐽 verb 1. to order someone to do

ment which makes you laugh 2. a play something 쑗 He commanded the troops
or film which makes you laugh (NOTE: to open fire on the rebels. 2. to be in
The plural is comedies.) charge of a group of people, especially
comfort /kmfət/ noun 1. something
comfort
in the armed forces 쑗 He commands a
which helps to make you feel happier 쑗 group of volunteer soldiers.
comment /kɒment/ noun 1. words
comment
It was a comfort to know that the chil-

dren were safe. 쑗 The long-awaited let- showing what you think about some-
ter gave me some comfort. 2. the state of thing 쑗 His comments were widely re-
being comfortable 쑗 They live in great ported in the newspapers. 쑗 The man
comfort. 쑗 You expect a certain amount made a rude comment accompanied by
of comfort on a luxury liner. 쑗 She com- some very offensive gestures. 2. discus-
plained about the lack of comfort in the sion about a particular issue 쑗 The scan-
second-class coaches. 쐽 verb to make dal aroused considerable comment in
someone feel happier 쑗 She was com- the press. (NOTE: no plural in this mean-
forting the people who had been in the ing) 쐽 verb to say what you think about
accident. something 쑗 The minister refused to
comfortable /kmf(ə)təb(ə)l/ adjec-
comfortable
comment. 쑗 The judges commented that
tive 1. soft and relaxing 쑗 These shoes the standard had been very high.
commercial /kəm
ʃ(ə)l/ adjective 1.
commercial
aren’t very comfortable. 쑗 There are
more comfortable chairs in the lounge. relating to business 쑗 He is a specialist

2. 왍 to make yourself comfortable to in commercial law. 2. used for business
commit 65 comparative
purposes and not private or military pur- communication /kəmju
nkeʃ(ə)n/
communication
poses 쑗 The company makes commer- noun the act of passing information on
cial vehicles such as taxis and buses. to other people 쑗 Email is the most rap-
(NOTE: [all adjective senses] only used id means of communication. 쑗 There is
before nouns) 쐽 noun an advertisement a lack of communication between the
on television 쑗 Our TV commercial at- head teacher and the other members of
tracted a lot of interest. staff. 쐽 plural noun communications
commit /kəmt/ verb 1. to carry out a
commit

1. a system of sending information be-
crime 쑗 The gang committed six robber- tween people or places 쑗 an improved
ies before they were caught. 쑗 He said communications network 쑗 Telephone
he was on holiday in Spain when the communications have been restored. 2.
murder was committed. 2. to promise, or the ways people use to give information
make someone promise, something or or express their thoughts and feelings to
to do something 쑗 Under my contract I each other 쑗 There’s been a breakdown
committed to work for them three days a in communications between the agen-
week. 쑗 The agreement commits us to cies dealing with the case.
community /kəmju
nti/ noun a group
community
check the machine twice a month. 쑗
They didn’t want to commit £5000 all at of people living in one area 쑗 The local
once. (NOTE: commits – committing – community is worried about the level of
committed) violence in the streets.
compact disc /kɒmpkt dsk/ noun
compact disc
commitment /kəmtmənt/ noun a

commitment
promise to do something such as pay a hard, round piece of plastic which can
money 쑗 He has difficulty in meeting his hold a large amount of music or compu-
commitments. ter information 쑗 I usually get Dad a
CD for his birthday. Abbreviation CD
committee /kəmti/ noun an official
committee
companion /kəmpnjən/ noun a per-

companion
group of people who organise or discuss
things for a larger group 쑗 The company son who is with someone 쑗 She turned
has set up a committee to look into to her companion and said a few words.
company /kmp(ə)ni/ noun 1. an or-
company
sports facilities. 쑗 Committee members

will be asked to vote on the proposal. ganisation that offers a service or that
buys and sells goods 쑗 She runs an elec-
common /kɒmən/ adjective happening
common
trical company. 쑗 He set up a computer

often, or found everywhere and so not
company. 쑗 It is company policy not to
unusual 쑗 It’s very common for people
allow smoking anywhere in the offices.
to get colds in winter. 쑗 The plane tree
(NOTE: usually written Co. in names:
is a very common tree in towns.
Smith & Co. The plural is companies
commonly /kɒmənli/ adverb often
commonly
in this sense.) 2. the fact of being to-

common sense /kɒmən sens/ noun
common sense
gether with other people 쑗 I enjoy the
the ability to make sensible decisions company of young people. 왍 in compa-
and do the best thing ny with, in the company of with 쑗 She
went to Paris in company with or in the
commotion /kəməυʃ(ə)n/ noun noise
commotion

company of three other girls from col-
and confusion lege. 3. a group of people who work to-
communicate /kəmju
nket/ verb 1.
communicate

gether 쑗 a theatre company
comparative /kəmprətv/ adjective
comparative
to send or give information to someone
쑗 Although she is unable to speak, she to a certain extent, when considered

can still communicate using her hands. next to something else 쑗 Judged by last
쑗 Communicating with our office in year’s performance it is a comparative
London has been transformed by email. improvement. 쐽 noun the form of an ad-
2. to be good at sharing your thoughts or jective or adverb showing an increase in
feelings with other people 쑗 He finds it level or strength 쑗 ‘Happier’, ‘better’
difficult to communicate with his chil- and ‘more often’ are the comparatives
dren. of ‘happy’, ‘good’ and ‘often.’
compare 66 complaint
compare /kəmpeə/ verb 1. to look at The case falls within the competence of
compare
two things side by side to see how they the tribunal. 쑗 This is outside the com-
are different 쑗 Compare the front with petence of this court.
the back. 쑗 The colour of the paint was competent /kɒmpt(ə)nt/ adjective 1.
competent
compared to the sample. 2. 왍 to com- efficient 쑗 She is a very competent man-

pare something to something else to ager. 2. legally or officially able to do
say how something is like something something 쑗 The organisation is not
else 쑗 He compared his mother’s home- competent to deal with this case.
made bread to a lump of wood.
competition /kɒmpətʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
competition
comparison /kəmprs(ə)n/ noun the

comparison
an event in which several teams or peo-

act of comparing two or more things 쑗
ple compete with each other 쑗 France
He made a comparison of the different
were the winners of the competition. 쑗
methods available. 쑗 This year, July
He won first prize in the piano competi-
was cold in comparison with last year. 왍
tion. (NOTE: The plural in this sense is
there is no comparison between them
competitions.) 2. a situation in busi-
one is much better than the other
ness in which one person or company is
compass /kmpəs/ noun an object
compass
trying to do better than another 쑗 Our

with a needle that points to the north 쑗 main competition comes from the big
They were lost in the mountains without supermarkets. 3. people or companies
a compass. who are trying to do better than you 쑗
compensate /kɒmpənset/ verb to
compensate
We have lowered our prices to try to

make a bad thing seem less serious or beat the competition. 쑗 The competition
unpleasant 쑗 The high salary compen- is or are planning to reduce their prices.
sates for the long hours worked. 왍 to (NOTE: singular in this sense, but can
compensate someone for something to take a plural verb)
pay someone for damage or a loss 쑗 competitive /kəmpettv/ adjective 1.
competitive
They agreed to compensate her for dam- liking to win competitions 쑗 He’s very
age to her car. 쑗 The airline refused to competitive. 2. having a business advan-
compensate him when his baggage was tage, especially by being cheaper 쑗
lost. competitive prices 쑗 We must reduce
/kɒmpənseʃ(ə)n/
compensation
compensation
costs to remain competitive.
noun 1. something that makes some-
competitor /kəmpettə/ noun 1. a per-
competitor
thing bad seem less serious or unpleas-
ant 쑗 Working in the centre of London son who enters a competition 쑗 All the
has its compensations. 쑗 Four weeks’ competitors lined up for the start of the
holiday is no compensation for a year’s race. 2. a company which competes
work in that office. 2. payment for dam- with another in the same business 쑗 Two
age or loss 쑗 The airline refused to pay German firms are our main competi-
any compensation for his lost luggage. tors.
complain /kəmplen/ verb to say that
complain
compete /kəmpi
t/ verb to try to win a
compete

race or a game 쑗 He is competing in something is not good or does not work

both the 100 and 200 metre races. 왍 to properly 쑗 The shop is so cold the staff
compete with someone or something have started complaining. 쑗 They are
to try to be more successful than some- complaining that our prices are too
one or something in an activity, espe- high. (NOTE: You complain to someone
cially in business 쑗 We have to compete about something or that something is
with a range of cheap imports. not good enough.)
competence /kɒmpt(ə)ns/ noun 1. complaint /kəmplent/ noun 1. an oc-
competence complaint
the quality of being able to do a job or casion when someone says that some-
task well enough 쑗 Does she have the thing is not good enough or does not
necessary competence in foreign lan- work properly 쑗 She sent her letter of
guages? 2. the quality of being legally complaint to the directors. 쑗 You must
suitable or qualified to do something 쑗 file your complaint with the relevant de-
complete 67 conceited
partment. 2. an illness 쑗 She was admit- facturer of computer components 쑗
ted to hospital with a kidney complaint. Each section of the plan is broken down
complete /kəmpli
t/ adjective 1. with
complete

into separate components. 쐽 adjective
all its parts 쑗 He has a complete set of forming part of something larger
the new stamps. 2. finished 쑗 The build- compose /kəmpəυz/ verb to write
compose
ing is nearly complete. (NOTE: used af- something, thinking carefully about it 쑗
ter a verb) 3. used for emphasis 쑗 The He sat down to compose a letter to his
trip was a complete waste of money. 쐽 family. 쑗 It took Mozart only three days
verb 1. to finish something 쑗 The build- to compose his fifth piano concerto.
ers completed the whole job in two days.
composition /kɒmpəzʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
composition
2. to fill in a form 쑗 When you have
completed the application form, send it something which has been composed,
to us in the envelope provided. e.g. a poem or piece of music 쑗 We will
now play a well-known composition by
completely /kəmpli
tli/ adverb totally
completely

Dowland. 2. an essay or piece of writing
쑗 The town was completely destroyed in on a special subject 쑗 We had three
the earthquake. 쑗 I completely forgot hours to write a composition on ‘pollu-
about my dentist’s appointment. tion’.
complex /kɒmpleks/ adjective compli-
complex
/kɒmpaυnd/ adjective
compound
compound
cated 쑗 This really is a complex prob- made up of several parts 쑗 The word
lem. 쐽 noun 1. a group of buildings 쑗 ‘address book’ is a compound noun. 쐽
The council has built a new sports com- noun 1. a chemical made up of two or
plex. 2. a worry or an unreasonable fear more elements 쑗 Water is a compound
쑗 He has a complex about going bald.
of two gases, oxygen and hydrogen. 2.
complicated /kɒmplketd/ adjective
complicated
buildings and land enclosed by a fence

difficult to understand, with many small 쑗 Soldiers were guarding the prison
details 쑗 It is a complicated subject. 쑗 compound. 쑗 Guard dogs patrol the
It’s all getting too complicated – let’s compound at night.
try and keep it simple. 쑗 Chess has quite
compulsory /kəmplsəri/ adjective
compulsory
complicated rules. 쑗 The route to get to

essential, or required by a rule or law 쑗

our house is rather complicated, so I’ll
a compulsory charge for admission 쑗 It
draw you a map.
is compulsory to complete all pages of
complication /kɒmplkeʃ(ə)n/ noun
complication

the form.
1. something that causes difficulties 2.
computer /kəmpju
tə/ noun an elec-
computer
an illness occurring because of or dur-
ing another illness 쑗 She appeared to be tronic machine which processes and
getting better, but complications set in. keeps information automatically, and
(NOTE: usually plural) which can be used for connecting to the
Internet and sending emails 왍 on com-
compliment1 /kɒmplmənt/ noun a
compliment
puter kept in a computer 쑗 All our com-

nice thing that you say to someone pany records are on computer.
about their appearance or about some-
computing /kəmpju
tŋ/ noun the use
computing
thing good they have done 쑗 I’ve had so
many compliments about my new hair- of computers

style today! conceal /kənsi
l/ verb 1. to hide some-
conceal
compliment2 /kɒmplment/ verb to thing or put it where it cannot be seen 쑗

compliment
praise someone or tell them how nice He tried to conceal the camera by
they look 쑗 I would like to compliment putting it under his coat. 2. to prevent
the chef on an excellent meal. 쑗 She someone from discovering some infor-
complimented me on my work. (NOTE: mation 쑗 He concealed the fact that he
Do not confuse with complement.) had a brother in prison.
component /kəmpəυnənt/ noun a conceited /kənsi
td/ adjective think-
component conceited
small part of something larger, especial- ing that you are better, more intelligent,
ly a small piece of a machine 쑗 a manu- or more talented than other people 쑗
concentrate 68 condition
He’s the most conceited and selfish per- people thought after the information
son I’ve ever known. session.
concentrate /kɒnsəntret/ verb to concerning /kəns
nŋ/ preposition
concentrate concerning
give your careful attention to something about; on the subject of (formal ) 쑗 He

쑗 The exam candidates were all concen- filled in a questionnaire concerning hol-
trating on their questions when the elec- idays. 쑗 I’d like to speak to Mr Robin-
tricity went off. son concerning his application for in-
concentration
concentration /kɒnsəntreʃ(ə)n/

surance. 쑗 Anyone with information
noun 1. the act of thinking carefully concerning this person should get in
about something 쑗 A loud conversation touch with the police.
concert /kɒnsət/ noun an occasion on
concert
in the next room disturbed my concen-

tration. 쑗 His concentration slipped and which music is played in public 쑗 I
he lost the next two games. 2. a lot of couldn’t go to the concert, so I gave my
things together in one area 쑗 the con- ticket to a friend.
conclude /kənklu
d/ verb 1. to end; to
conclude
centration of computer companies in the
south of Scotland 쑗 The concentration come to an end 쑗 He concluded by

of wild animals round the water hole thanking all those who had helped ar-
makes it easy for lions to catch their range the exhibition. 쑗 The concert con-
prey. cluded with a piece by Mozart. 2. to
concept /kɒnsept/ noun an idea about
concept
come to an opinion from the informa-
something or about how something tion available 쑗 The police concluded
works 쑗 I’ll quickly explain the basic that the thief had got into the building
concepts of safe working in this environ- through the broken kitchen window.
conclusion /kənklu
"(ə)n/ noun 1. the
conclusion
ment. 쑗 The concept of punctuation and
grammar is completely foreign to her. 쑗 end of something 쑗 At the conclusion of

Our children have absolutely no con- the trial all the accused were found
cept of tidiness. guilty. 2. an opinion which you reach af-
concern /kəns
n/ verb 1. to have a
concern

ter thinking carefully 쑗 She came to or
particular thing as a subject 쑗 The film reached the conclusion that he had
concerns children growing up in the found another girlfriend. 쑗 What con-
1950s. 왍 to concern yourself with clusions can you draw from the evi-
something to deal with something 쑗 dence?
concrete /kɒŋkri
t/ noun a mixture of
concrete
You needn’t concern yourself with

cleaning the shop. 2. to make someone a grey powder called cement, and sand,
worry 쑗 It concerns me that he is always used in building 쑗 Concrete was invent-
late for work. 쐽 noun 1. worry 쑗 She’s ed by the Romans. 쑗 The pavement is
a cause of great concern to her family. made of slabs of concrete. 쐽 adjective
2. interest 쑗 My main concern is to en- 1. made of concrete 쑗 a concrete path 2.
sure that we all enjoy ourselves. 쑗 The firm or definite, rather than vague 쑗 The
teachers showed no concern at all for police are sure he is guilty, but they have
the children’s safety. 3. a company or no concrete evidence against him. 쑗 I
business 쑗 a big German chemical con- need to see some concrete proposals
cern very soon. 3. referring to something
with a physical structure 쑗 A stone is a
concerned /kəns
nd/ adjective 1.
concerned
concrete object.
worried 쑗 She looked concerned. 쑗 I
condemn /kəndem/ verb 1. to say
condemn
could tell something was wrong by the
concerned look on her face. 쑗 We are strongly that you do not approve of
concerned about her behaviour – do something 쑗 She condemned the police
you think she is having problems at for their treatment of the prisoners. 2. to
school? 2. involved in or affected by sentence a criminal 쑗 She was con-
something 쑗 I’ll speak to the parents demned to death.
condition /kəndʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a state
condition
concerned. 3. showing interest in some-
thing 쑗 I’m concerned to know what that something or someone is in 쑗 The

conduct 69 conflict
car is in very good condition. 쑗 He was a group or society 쑗 The annual confer-
taken to hospital when his condition got ence of the Electricians’ Union. 쑗 2000
worse. 2. something which has to be people attended the conference on ge-
agreed before something else is done 쑗 netic engineering.
They didn’t agree with some of the con- confess /kənfes/ verb to admit that you
confess
ditions of the contract. 쑗 One of condi- have committed a crime or done some-
tions of the deal is that the company thing wrong 쑗 He confessed to six bur-
pays all travel costs. 앳 on condition glaries. 쑗 She confessed that she had
that only if 쑗 I will come on condition forgotten to lock the door.
that you pay my fare.
confession /kənfeʃ(ə)n/ noun a state-
confession
conduct1 /kɒndkt/ noun a way of be-

conduct
ment in which someone admits they

having 쑗 His conduct in class is becom- have committed a crime or done some-
ing worse. 쑗 Her conduct during the tri- thing wrong 쑗 The prisoner said his
al was remarkably calm. confession had been forced from him by
conduct2 /kəndkt/ verb 1. to do
conduct

the police. 쑗 I was surprised by her con-
something in an organised or particular fession of ignorance about the correct
way (formal ) 쑗 I don’t like the way they procedures to follow. 쑗 I have a confes-
conduct their affairs. 쑗 They are con- sion to make – I forgot to send the
ducting an experiment into the effect of cheque.
TV advertising. 왍 to conduct yourself confidence /kɒnfd(ə)ns/ noun 1. a
confidence
to behave in a particular way 쑗 I was im- feeling of being sure about your own or
pressed by the calm way in which she someone else’s abilities 쑗 The staff do
conducted herself. 쑗 The children con- not have much confidence in their man-
ducted themselves well during the long ager. 쑗 I have total confidence in the pi-
speeches. 2. to direct or take someone to lot. 쑗 He hasn’t got much confidence in
a place 쑗 The guests were conducted to himself. 2. the fact of being secret 앳 in
their seats. 3. to direct the way in which confidence as a secret 쑗 He showed
a musician or singer performs 쑗 The or- me the report in confidence.
chestra was conducted by a Russian
confident /kɒnfd(ə)nt/ adjective sure
confident
conductor. 4. to allow electricity or heat

to pass through 쑗 Copper conducts that you or something will be successful
electricity very well. 쑗 I am confident (that) the show will go
off well. 쑗 She’s confident of doing well
conductor /kəndktə/ noun 1. the per-
conductor
in the exam.
son who sells tickets on a bus 2. the per-
confidential /kɒnfdenʃəl/ adjective
confidential
son who directs the way an orchestra
plays 3. a metal or other substance secret or private 쑗 This information is

through which electricity or heat can strictly confidential.
pass 쑗 Copper is a good conductor but confidently /kɒnfdəntli/ adverb in a
confidently
plastic is not. way which shows that you are confident

cone /kəυn/ noun a shape which is round 쑗 She walked confidently into the inter-
cone
at the base, rising to a point above 쑗 He view room.

rolled the newspaper to form a cone. confirm /kənf
m/ verb to say that
confirm
confer /kənf
/ verb 1. to discuss 쑗 The something is certain 쑗 The dates of the
confer
leader of the Council conferred with the concerts have been confirmed by the
Town Clerk. 2. to give something such pop group’s manager. 쑗 The photo-
as a responsibility, legal right or honour graph confirmed that the result of the
to someone (formal ) 쑗 the powers con- race was a dead heat. 쑗 We have been
ferred on the council by law told that she left the country last month
conference /kɒnf(ə)rəns/ noun 1. a
conference
– can you confirm that?
conflict1 /kɒnflkt/ noun 1. a strong
conflict
large meeting where people who are in-

terested in the same thing come together disagreement or argument 2. fighting 쑗
쑗 The organisation holds an annual The government is engaged in armed
conference in Brighton. 2. a meeting of conflict with rebel forces. 왍 to come
conflict 70 conscious
into conflict with someone to start to brating a special occasion 쑗 a congrat-
disagree strongly with someone 쑗 They ulations card 쑗 Congratulations –
soon came into conflict over who should you’re our millionth customer! 쑗 Con-
be in charge. gratulations on passing your exam! 쑗
conflict2 /kənflkt/ verb to disagree The office sent him their congratula-
conflict
with someone or something 쑗 His ver- tions on his wedding.

conjunction /kənd"ŋkʃən/ noun 1. a
conjunction
sion of events conflicts with that of his
partner. word which connects different sections

confuse /kənfju
z/ verb 1. to make of a sentence. ‘and’ and ‘but’ are con-
confuse
junctions. 2. 왍 in conjunction with

someone feel that they cannot under-

stand something 쑗 She was confused by someone or something together with
all the journalists’ questions. 2. to mix someone or something 쑗 The icy road in
things or people up 쑗 The twins are so conjunction with fog made driving very
alike I am always confusing them. 쑗 I difficult.
connect /kənekt/ verb 1. to join one
connect
always confuse him with his brother –
they are very alike. thing to another 쑗 The computer should

confused /kənfju
zd/ adjective unable
confused

have been connected to the printer. 쑗
to understand or to think clearly 쑗 I’m a Connect the two red wires together. 2. to
bit confused – did we say 8 p.m. or 8.30? make it possible for a telephone or a
쑗 Grandmother used to get rather con- computer to be used for communicating
fused in her old age. with others 쑗 Has the telephone been
connected yet?
confusing /kənfju
zŋ/ adjective diffi-
confusing
connection /kənekʃən/ noun 1. a rela-

connection
cult to understand 쑗 They found the in-
structions on the computer very confus- tionship between things 쑗 There is a

ing. definite connection between smoking
and lung cancer. 2. a bus, train or plane
confusion /kənfju
"(ə)n/ noun 1. a
confusion
state of not knowing what to do or how which you catch after getting off anoth-
er means of transport 쑗 My train was
to decide something 쑗 Her reply just
created more confusion over who was late and I missed my connection to Bir-
responsible. 왍 in confusion not able to mingham. 3. a particular way of com-
municating remotely 쑗 a low connec-
decide what is happening or what to do
tion charge 쑗 Is there a reliable phone
쑗 He was looking at the letter in great
confusion. 2. a state in which things are connection? 4. a point at which two dif-
not organised in the correct way or are ferent pieces of equipment join 쑗 There
not clear 쑗 There were scenes of confu- is a loose connection somewhere. 쐽 plu-
ral noun connections people you
sion at the airport when the snow
stopped all flights. know 쑗 He has business connections in
Argentina, 앳 in connection with relat-
congratulate /kən'rtʃυlet/ verb 1.
congratulate

ing to 쑗 I’m writing in connection with
to tell someone that you are very your visit.
pleased that they have been successful 쑗
conquer /kɒŋkə/ verb 1. to defeat peo-
conquer
I want to congratulate you on your pro-

motion. 2. to give someone your best ple by force 쑗 The Romans had con-
quered most of Europe. 2. to change a
wishes on a special occasion 쑗 He con-
negative emotion or type of behaviour
gratulated them on their silver wedding
successfully 쑗 I eventually conquered
anniversary. (NOTE: You congratulate
my fear of flying.
someone on something.)
conscience /kɒnʃəns/ noun a feeling
conscience
congratulation /kən'rtʃυleʃ(ə)n/

congratulation
that you have done right or wrong

noun praise for someone who has done
conscientious /kɒnʃienʃəs/ adjec-
conscientious
well 쑗 His grandparents sent him a let-
ter of congratulation on passing his de- tive working carefully and well 쑗 She’s
gree. 쐽 plural noun congratulations a very conscientious worker.
conscious /kɒnʃəs/ adjective awake
conscious
an expression of good wishes to some-

one who has done well or who is cele- and able to know what is happening
consciously 71 construction
around you 쑗 She was conscious during considerable /kənsd(ə)rəb(ə)l/ ad-
considerable
the minor operation on her toe. 왍 a con- jective fairly large 쑗 He lost a consider-
scious decision a decision which you able amount of money at the horse race.
have thought carefully about 쑗 Refusing considerably /kənsd(ə)rəbli/ adverb
considerably
the offer was a conscious decision on to a fairly large extent

his part. 쑗 He made a conscious deci-
/kənsdəreʃ(ə)n/
consideration
consideration
sion to try to avoid her in future.

noun 1. careful thought 쑗 We are giving
consciously /kɒnʃəsli/ adverb in a de-
consciously
serious consideration to the possibility

liberate or active way 쑗 I wasn’t con- of moving the head office to Scotland. 왍
sciously ignoring her – I just didn’t no- to take something into consideration
tice her. 쑗 He doesn’t consciously re- to think about something when making
member locking the door. a decision 쑗 The age of the children has
to be taken into consideration. 왍 under
consciousness /kɒnʃəsnəs/ noun
consciousness
consideration being thought about 쑗

the fact of being conscious 왍 to lose The matter is under consideration. 2.
consciousness to become unconscious something which has an effect on a de-
consecutive /kənsekjυtv/ adjective
consecutive
cision 쑗 The safety of the children is

following one after the other more important than all other consider-
ations.
consequence /kɒnskwəns/ noun 1.
consequence
considering /kənsd(ə)rŋ/ conjunc-

considering
something which happens because of
something else 쑗 If we lose this order, tion, preposition used to say that one
the consequences for the firm will be thing affects another 쑗 He plays the vi-
disastrous. 쑗 Smoking has serious olin extremely well, considering he’s
health consequences. 2. importance only five. 쑗 He ought to be more grate-
ful, considering the amount of help you
(formal ) 왍 of no consequence not im-
have given him.
portant 쑗 What he thinks about the situ-
consonant /kɒnsənənt/ noun a letter
consonant
ation is of no consequence. 앳 as a con-

sequence as a result 쑗 We queued for representing a sound which is produced
two hours in the rain, and as a conse- by partly stopping the air going out of
quence all of us got colds. the mouth
constable /knstəb(ə)l/ noun a police
constable
conservation /kɒnsəveʃ(ə)n/ noun

conservation
officer of the lowest rank

the careful use of things such as energy
constant /kɒnstənt/ adjective not
constant
or natural resources 쑗 The company is

spending more money on energy conser- changing or stopping 쑗 The constant
vation. noise of music from the bar next door
drives me mad. 쐽 noun a number or
conservative /kəns
vətv/ adjective
conservative

thing which does not change 쑗 Death
not wanting to change 쑗 He has very and taxes are the only constants in life.
conservative views. 쑗 The speed of light is a scientific con-
consider /kənsdə/ verb 1. to think
consider

stant.
constantly /kɒnstəntli/ adverb all the
constantly
carefully about something 쑗 Please

consider seriously the offer which we time
are making. 쑗 We have to consider the construct /kənstrkt/ verb to build
construct
position of the children. 2. to think 쑗 Do something 쑗 The wings are constructed

you consider him the right man for the of aluminium. 쑗 The airport was con-
job? 쑗 She is considered (to be) one of structed in 1995.
the best lawyers in town. 3. 왍 all things construction /kənstrkʃən/ noun 1.
construction
considered used for saying that you the act of building 쑗 The construction of
have thought about all aspects of a situ- the new stadium took three years. 왍 un-
ation, including the bad ones 쑗 All der construction being built 쑗 The new
things considered, the party went off airport is still under construction. 2.
quite well. something which has been built
consult 72 contestant
consult /kənslt/ verb 1. to ask some- container /kəntenə/ noun an object
consult container
one for advice 쑗 He consulted his bank such as a box or bottle which holds
about transferring his account. 2. to something else 쑗 We need a container
look at something to get information 쑗 for all this rubbish. 쑗 The gas is shipped
After consulting the map they decided to in strong metal containers.
go north. contemporary /kəntemp(ə)rəri/ ad-
contemporary
consultant /kənsltənt/ noun 1. an jective of the present time 쑗 contempo-

consultant
expert who gives advice 쑗 His tax con- rary art 쐽 noun a person who lives at
sultant advised him to sell the shares. 2. the same time as someone 쑗 Shake-
a senior hospital doctor who is an expert speare and his contemporaries 쑗 He is
in a particular medical condition or ill- one of my contemporaries from school.
ness 쑗 We’ll make an appointment for contender /kəntendə/ noun a person
contender
you to see a consultant. who takes part in a competition, espe-

consume /kənsju
m/ verb 1. to eat or
consume

cially someone who is likely to win 쑗
drink something 쑗 The guests consumed He’s a definite contender for the world
over a hundred hamburgers. 2. to use title.
content1 /kɒntent/ noun the amount of
content
something up 쑗 The world’s natural re-

sources are being consumed at an something which is contained in a sub-
alarming rate. 쑗 The new car consumes stance 쑗 Dried fruit has a higher sugar
about half the amount of petrol of an or- content than fresh fruit. 쐽 plural noun
dinary car. contents 1. things which are inside
something 쑗 The contents of the bottle
consumer /kənsju
mə/ noun a person
consumer
spilled onto the carpet. 2. the list of

or company that buys goods or services chapters in a book, usually printed at the
쑗 Consumers are buying more from su-
beginning
permarkets and less from small shops. 쑗
content2 /kəntent/ adjective happy
content
Gas consumers are protesting at the in-
crease in prices. with what is happening in your life 왍

content to happy to 쑗 She was content
contact /kɒntkt/ noun 1. an act of
contact
to sit in the sun and wait. 왍 content

touching 쑗 Avoid any contact between with satisfied with 쑗 If you are not con-
the acid and the skin. 쑗 Anyone who has tent with the way the car runs, bring it
been in physical contact with the patient back and we will look at it again. 쐽
must consult their doctor immediately. noun a feeling of satisfaction 왍 to your
2. the act of communicating with some- heart’s content as much as you want 쑗
one 쑗 We don’t have much contact with You can play the piano to your heart’s
our old friends in Australia. 왍 to get in content. 쑗 Living by the sea, they can go
contact with someone to write to some- sailing to their heart’s content.
one or talk to them on the telephone 쐽
contented /kəntentd/ adjective satis-
contented
verb to write to someone or talk to them
on the telephone 쑗 He tried to contact fied and happy

contest1 /kɒntest/ noun any event or
contest
his office by phone. 쑗 Can you contact

the ticket office immediately? situation in which people compete with
each other 쑗 an international sports
contain /kənten/ verb 1. to hold an
contain
contest 쑗 Only two people entered the

amount, or to have an amount inside 쑗 leadership contest.
The bottle contains acid. 쑗 The enve-
contest2 /kəntest/ verb 1. to compete
contest
lope contained a cheque for £1,000. 쑗 A
barrel contains 250 litres. 쑗 I have lost with other people to achieve a position
a briefcase containing important docu- 쑗 There are four candidates contesting
ments. 2. to limit or prevent something the championship. 2. to say that you dis-
harmful or unpleasant 쑗 The army tried agree with what is written in a legal doc-
to contain the advance of the enemy ument
contestant /kəntestənt/ noun a per-
contestant
forces. 쑗 The party is attempting to con-
tain the revolt among its members. son who takes part in a competition 쑗
context 73 contribution
The two contestants shook hands before 1
/kɒntrkt/ noun a legal
contract
contract
the match. agreement 쑗 I don’t agree with some of
context /kɒntekst/ noun the other
context
the conditions of the contract. 왍 under

words which surround a particular word contract bound by the conditions of a
in a piece of writing and which help to contract 쑗 The company is under con-
show its meaning 쑗 Even if you don’t tract to a French supermarket.
know what a word means, you can contract2 /kəntrkt/ verb 1. to be-
contract
sometimes guess its meaning from the come smaller 쑗 Metal contracts when it
context. 왍 taken out of context show- gets cold, and expands when it is hot. 2.
ing only part of what someone said or to make an official agreement to do
wrote, so that the meaning is changed 쑗 some work 쑗 to contract to supply spare
My words have been taken out of context parts or to contract for the supply of
– I said the book was ‘one of the best’ spare parts
not ‘the best’ I’d read.
contradict /kɒntrədkt/ verb 1. to say
contradict
continent /kɒntnənt/ noun one of the

continent
that what someone else says is not true

seven large land areas in the world, e.g. 쑗 They didn’t dare contradict their
Africa or Europe mother. 2. to be different from what has
Continent /kɒntnənt/ noun the main
Continent
been said before 쑗 What you have just
land area of Europe, as compared with said contradicts what you said yester-
the islands of the United Kingdom 쑗 day.
contrast1 /kɒntrɑ
st/ noun a differ-
contrast
They go to the Continent on holiday

each year, sometimes to France, some- ence between two things 쑗 the contrast
times to Switzerland. 왍 on the Conti- in weather between the north and the
nent in the main part of Europe south of the country 쑗 The two cities are
continental /kɒntnent(ə)l/ adjective
continental

in sharp contrast. 왍 in contrast to as
1. referring to a continent 2. referring to opposed to 쑗 He is quite short, in con-
or typical of Europe excluding the Unit- trast to his sister who is very tall. 쑗 The
ed Kingdom north of the country is green and wood-
ed in contrast to the south which is dry
continual /kəntnjuəl/ adjective 1.
continual

and sandy.
happening many times in a period of
contrast2 /kəntrɑ
st/ verb to be obvi-
contrast
time 쑗 We have experienced a period of
continual change. 2. happening fre- ously different from 쑗 His formal letter
quently in a way that is annoying 쑗 The contrasted with his friendly conversa-
tion on the telephone.
computer has given us continual prob-
contribute /kəntrbju
t/ verb 1. to
contribute
lems ever since we bought it.
help something to happen 쑗 The gov-

continue /kəntnju
/ verb to go on do-
continue
ernment’s policies have contributed to a

ing something or happening 쑗 He con-
feeling of anxiety among teachers. 2. to
tinued working, even though everyone
give money to help to pay for some-
else had gone home. 쑗 The engine con-
thing, especially when other people are
tinued to send out clouds of black
also giving 쑗 We were asked to contrib-
smoke. 쑗 The meeting started at 10 a.m.
ute to a charity. 쑗 Everyone was asked
and continued until 6 p.m. 쑗 The show
to contribute to the receptionist’s leav-
continued with some children’s dances.
ing present.
continuous /kəntnjυəs/ adjective
continuous
contribution /kɒntrbju

ʃ(ə)n/ some-
contribution

without stopping or without a break 쑗 thing that someone does to help some-
She has been in continuous pain for thing to happen 쑗 I want to thank you
three days. 쑗 A continuous white line on for your enormous contribution to the
the road means that you are not allowed success of the project. 쐽 noun some-
to overtake. thing, usually money, given to help to
continuously /kəntnjυəsli/ adverb
continuously
pay for something 쑗 She makes monthly

without a break contributions to the Red Cross.
contributor 74 copper
contributor /kəntrbjυtə/ noun a per- cook /kυk/ noun a person who gets food
contributor cook
son or organisation that contributes to ready 쑗 He worked as a cook in a pub

something during the summer. 쐽 verb to get food
control /kəntrəυl/ noun 1. the fact of ready for eating, especially by heating it
control
keeping someone or something in order 쑗 It’s my turn to cook the dinner tonight.
or being able to direct them 쑗 He lost 쑗 How do you cook cabbage?
control of his business and resigned. 쑗 cooker /kυkə/ noun a large piece of
cooker
The club is under the control of three kitchen equipment, used for cooking
people. 2. the ability to get people to do food
what you want 쑗 The teacher has no
cookie /kυki/ noun 1. usually US a
cookie
control over the class. 쐽 verb 1. to keep

something in order, to direct or limit small, flat hard sweet cake 쑗 She bought
something 쑗 The police couldn’t control a packet of cookies. (NOTE: The British
the crowds. 쑗 There was nobody there English term is biscuit.) 2. a computer
to control the traffic. 쑗 We must try to file sent to your computer by a website
control the sales of foreign cars. 쑗 The when you visit it. It stores information
government controls the price of meat. about you which can be used when you
2. 왍 to control a business to have the next visit the website.
power to direct the way a business is run cool /ku
l/ adjective 1. cold in a pleasant
cool
쑗 The business is controlled by a com- way, or colder than you would like or
pany based in Luxembourg. (NOTE: than you expect 쑗 It was hot on deck but
controls – controlling – controlled) cool down below. 쑗 Wines should be
controlled /kəntrəυld/ adjective kept
controlled
stored in a cool cellar. 쑗 It gets cool in

under control the evenings in September. 2. not friend-
convenient /kənvi
niənt/ adjective ly or not enthusiastic 쑗 I got a cool re-
convenient
not causing any practical problems 쑗 ception when I arrived half an hour late.
Six o’clock in the morning is not a very 쑗 Their proposal got a cool response. 왍
convenient time for a meeting. 쑗 A bank to be cool towards someone to be un-
draft is a convenient way of sending friendly to someone or unenthusiastic
money abroad. about something 쑗 She was rather cool
conveniently /kənvi
niəntli/ adverb
conveniently

towards me last time we met. 쑗 My col-
in a convenient way leagues were cool towards the plan un-
fortunately. 3. calm 쑗 The nurses re-
conventional /kənvenʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ ad-
conventional

mained cool and professional. 4. fash-
jective ordinary or usual 쑗 For your in- ionable (informal ) 쑗 They thought it was
terview it’s best to wear a conventional cool to wear white trainers. 5. good
suit. (informal ) 쑗 a cool party 쑗 a really cool
conversation /kɒnvəseʃ(ə)n/ noun
conversation

idea (NOTE: cooler – coolest) 쐽 verb
an occasion on which two or more peo- to make something cool; to become cool
ple talk to each other about something 쑗 쑗 She boiled the jam for several hours
We had a long conversation with the and then put it aside to cool. 쐽 noun 1.
bank manager. 쑗 Why did he suddenly a colder area which is pleasant 쑗 After
change the subject of the conversation? the heat of the town centre, it is nice to
convict1 /kɒnvkt/ noun a criminal
convict
sit in the cool of the garden. 2. the state

who has been sent to prison 쑗 The po- of being calm 쑗 As soon as the reporters
lice are searching for two escaped con- started to ask her questions she lost her
victs. cool. 앳 to be cool with something to
convict2 /kənvkt/ verb to prove in
convict

be satisfied with something (informal ) 쑗
court that someone is guilty 쑗 She was We can go tomorrow – I’m cool with
convicted of theft. that.
convinced /kənvnst/ adjective very copper /kɒpə/ noun a reddish metal
copper
convinced
certain 쑗 She’s convinced that she’s which turns green when exposed to air
right. 쑗 Copper is a good conductor of elec-
copy 75 costume
tricity. 쑗 The end of the copper wire the corner 1. to go from one street into
should be attached to the terminal. another by turning left or right 쑗 She
copy /kɒp/ noun 1. something made to
copy
turned the corner into the main street. 2.
look the same as something else 쑗 This to get better after being ill or in a diffi-
is an exact copy of the painting by Pi- cult situation 쑗 Our business affairs
casso. 2. a particular book or newspaper seem to have turned the corner.
쑗 Where’s my copy of today’s ‘Times’? corporate /kɔ
p(ə)rət/ adjective relat-
corporate
쑗 I lent my old copy of the play to my ing to a company 쑗 Corporate responsi-

brother and he never gave it back. bility rests with the whole management.
(NOTE: [all noun senses] The plural is 쑗 Corporate profits are down this year.
copies.) 쐽 verb 1. to make something
corporation /kɔ
pəreʃ(ə)n/ noun a
corporation
which looks like something else 쑗 He
stole a credit card and copied the signa- large company 쑗 Working for a big cor-
ture 2. to do what someone else does poration can be rather impersonal.
correct /kərekt/ adjective 1. without
correct
(NOTE: copies – copying – copied)
cord /kɔ
d/ noun a strong thin rope 쑗
cord
any mistakes 쑗 You have to give correct
Pull the cord to open the parachute. 쑗 answers to all the questions if you want
In an emergency, pull the cord to stop to win first prize. 쑗 If the information
the train. you gave us is correct, we can finish the
work by Thursday. 2. right according to
core /kɔ
/ noun the central part of an ob-
core
ject 왍 the core of an apple, an apple rules or standards 쐽 verb to take away
core the hard part in the middle of an mistakes in something 쑗 You must try to
apple, containing the seeds 쐽 the most correct your driving mistakes, or you
basic or essential part of something 쑗 will never pass the test. 쑗 The computer
Lack of resources is the core of the prob- keeps switching itself off – can you cor-
lem. 쐽 adjective most important 쑗 rect this fault?
correction /kərekʃən/ noun 1. an ac-
correction
These are the core points of the report.
왍 core values the things that a group of tion that makes something correct 쑗 He
people think are most important 쑗 Hon- made a few small corrections to the let-
esty and reliability are among our core ter. 2. the process of correcting some-
values. thing 쑗 We drew up a timetable for the
cork /kɔ
k/ noun 1. a small solid tube,
cork
correction of minor faults.
used for closing wine bottles 2. the very correctly /kərektli/ adverb without
correctly
light bark of a type of tree, used for making any mistakes

making corks and other things 쑗 She
corridor /kɒrdɔ
/ noun a long narrow
corridor
placed little cork mats on the table to

stop the wine glasses marking it. 쐽 verb passage 쑗 The ladies’ toilet is straight
to put a cork into a bottle ahead at the end of the corridor.
cost /kɒst/ noun a price which you have
cost
corn /kɔ
n/ noun 1. cereal plants such as
corn
wheat or barley 쑗 a field of corn 2. to pay for something 쑗 What is the cost
maize, a cereal crop which is grown in of a return ticket to London? 쑗 Compu-
many parts of the world 왍 corn on the ter costs are falling each year. 쐽 verb to
cob the part of maize that has the seeds, have as a price 쑗 Potatoes cost 20p a ki-
boiled and served hot, with butter and lo. 쑗 Petrol seems to cost more all the
salt time. (NOTE: costs – costing – cost –
has cost) 앳 at all costs no matter
corner /kɔ
nə/ noun a place where two
corner
walls, streets or sides meet 쑗 The bank what happens 쑗 At all costs, we have to
is on the corner of London Road and be in Trafalgar Square by 12 o’clock. 앳
New Street. 쑗 Put the plant in the corner to cost an arm and a leg to be very
of the room nearest the window. 쑗 The expensive 쑗 The repairs to his car cost
number is in the top right-hand corner him an arm and a leg.
costume /kɒstju
m/ noun a set of
costume
of the page. 쑗 The motorbike went

round the corner at top speed. 앳 to turn clothes worn by an actor or actress 쑗
cosy 76 country
The costumes for the film are magnifi- count /kaυnt/ verb 1. to say numbers in
count
cent. order, e.g. 1, 2, 3, 4 쑗 She’s only two and

cosy /kəυzi/ adjective comfortable and
cosy
she can count up to ten. 쑗 Count to five
warm 쑗 An open log fire always makes and then start running. 2. to find out a
a room feel cosy. 쑗 She wrapped herself total 쑗 Did you count how many books
up in a blanket and made herself cosy on there are in the library? 3. to include
the sofa. (NOTE: cosier – cosiest) when finding out a total 쑗 There were
sixty people on the boat if you count the
cottage /kɒtd"/ noun a little house in
cottage
children. 쑗 Did you count my trip to

the country 쑗 We have a weekend cot- New York as part of my expenses? 왍 not
tage in the mountains. 쑗 My mother counting not including 쑗 There are
lives in the little cottage next to the post three of us, not counting the baby. 쑗 We
office. have three computers, not counting the
cotton /kɒtən/ noun 1. fibres made into old ones that don’t work any more. 4. to
cotton
thread from the soft seed heads of a be important 쑗 Your appearance counts
tropical plant 2. cloth made of cotton 쑗 for a lot in an interview. 쐽 noun 1. the
I bought some blue cotton to make a action of counting or of adding 2. a large
skirt. 쑗 He was wearing a pair of cotton amount of something, calculated scien-
trousers. tifically 쑗 Today there is a high pollen
count. 앳 to lose count to no longer
cough /kɒf/ noun the act of making a
cough
have any idea of a particular number 쑗 I

noise by sending the air out of your tried to add up all the sales figures but
lungs suddenly, e.g. when you are ill 쑗 lost count and had to start again. 쑗 I’ve
Take some medicine if your cough is lost count of the number of times he’s
bad. 쑗 He gave a little cough to attract left his umbrella on the train.
the waitress’s attention. 쐽 verb to make
a noise by sending air out of your lungs count on phrasal verb to be sure that
suddenly, e.g. because you are ill 쑗 The someone will do something
counter /kaυntə/ noun 1. a long flat
counter
smoke from the fire made everyone

cough. 쑗 People with colds usually surface in a shop for showing goods for
cough and sneeze. sale, or in a bank for passing over mon-
ey 쑗 She put her bag down on the coun-
could /kəd, kυd/ modal verb 1. was or
could
ter and took out her cheque book. 쑗 The

would be able to 쑗 The old lady fell cheese counter is over there. 2. a small
down and couldn’t get up. 쑗 You could round disc used in games 쑗 You’ve
still catch the train if you ran. 2. was al- thrown a six – you can move your coun-
lowed to 쑗 The policeman said he could ter six places. 쑗 She placed a pile of
go into the house. 3. used in asking counters on the board. 쐽 verb to act or
someone to do something 쑗 Could you reply in an opposing way 쑗 The adverts
pass me the salt, please? 쑗 Could you are designed to counter familiar opin-
shut the window? 4. might 쑗 The new ions about of home and family. 쐽 to re-
shopping centre could be finished by ply in a way that opposes what has been
Christmas. 5. used in making a sugges- said 쑗 He accused her of laziness and
tion 쑗 You could always try borrowing she countered with a list of complaints
money from the bank. (NOTE: The nega- about his own behaviour.
tive is could not, or in speaking, usu- country /kntri/ noun 1. an area of land
country
ally couldn’t. Note also that could is which is has borders and governs itself
the past of can; could is only used in 쑗 the countries of the EU 쑗 Some Afri-
front of other verbs and is not followed can countries voted against the plan.
by the word to.) (NOTE: The plural in this sense is
council /kaυnsəl/ noun 1. an elected
council
countries.) 2. land which is not in a

committee 2. an official group chosen to town 쑗 He lives in the country. 쑗 We
work on or advise about a specific sub- went walking in the country. 쑗 Road
ject 쑗 a council set up to promote the travel is difficult in country areas.
arts in the eastern region (NOTE: no plural in this sense)
countryside 77 crack
countryside /kntrisad/ noun land tell the court what you saw when you
countryside
which is not in a town 쑗 the beautiful opened the door. 왍 to take someone to
English countryside in spring 쑗 The court to arrange for someone to come to
countryside is in danger of being cov- a court to end an argument 2. an area
ered in new houses. (NOTE: no plural) where sports such as tennis or basket-
county /kaυnti/ noun a district that has
county
ball are played 쑗 The tennis courts are
some powers of government over local behind the hotel. 왍 to be on court to be
matters (NOTE: The plural is counties.) playing tennis 3. a group of people liv-
ing round a king or queen
couple /kp(ə)l/ noun 1. two things to-
couple
court case /kɔ
t kes/ noun a legal ac-
court case
gether 2. two people together 쑗 They

are a charming couple. 쑗 Several cou- tion or trial
courtyard /kɔ
tjɑ
d/ noun a small
courtyard
ples strolled past hand in hand. 쐽 verb

1. to connect two different things 쑗 square area surrounded by buildings
High tides coupled with strong winds cousin /kz(ə)n/ noun the son or
cousin
caused flooding along the coast. 2. to daughter of your uncle or aunt

join two machines together 쑗 Couple cover /kvə/ noun 1. something that
cover
the trailer to the back of the truck. 앳 a you put over something else to protect it
couple of 1. two 쑗 They’ve got a cou- or keep it clean 쑗 Keep a cover over
ple of children. 2. a few 쑗 The film last- your computer when you are not using
ed a couple of hours. it. 쑗 Put a cover over the meat to keep
coupon /ku
pɒn/ noun a piece of paper
coupon
the flies off. 2. the front and back of a

which is used in place of money or in book or magazine 쑗 She read the book
place of a ticket from cover to cover. 3. a place where
courage /krd"/ noun the ability to
courage
you can hide or shelter 쑗 They ran for
deal with a dangerous or unpleasant sit- cover when it started to rain. 왍 under
uation 쑗 She showed great courage in cover under a roof, not in the open air 쑗
attacking the burglar. 쑗 I didn’t have the If it rains the meal will be served under
courage to disagree with him. (NOTE: no cover. 왍 to take cover to find a place to
plural) shelter from something such as rain 쑗 It
course /kɔ
s/ noun 1. a series of lessons
course
started to rain and they took cover un-
쑗 I’m taking a maths course. 쑗 She’s
der a tree. 쑗 When the robbers started
going on a painting course. 쑗 The hotel shooting, the policeman took cover be-
offers weekend courses in a variety of hind a wall. 쐽 verb 1. to put something
subjects. 2. a series of medical treat- over something else to keep it clean 쑗
ments 쑗 He’s taking a course of antibi- You should cover the furniture with
otics. 3. a separate part of a meal 쑗 a sheets before you start painting the ceil-
five-course meal 쑗 The first course is ing. 2. to hide something 쑗 He covered
soup, and then you can have either fish the hole in the ground with branches. 쑗
or roast lamb. 4. the direction in which She covered her face with her hands. 3.
someone or something, especially a ve- to travel a certain distance 쑗 They made
hicle, is moving in, or will move in 앳 in good progress, covering twenty miles a
due course after a certain amount of
day.
cow /kaυ/ noun a large female farm ani-
cow
time 쑗 If you study for several years at

college, in due course you will get a de- mal, kept to give milk 쑗 a field of cows
gree. 쑗 Put a coin in the slot and in due 쑗 The farmer was milking a cow.
coward /kaυəd/ noun a person who is
coward
course the machine will produce a tick-

et. 앳 in the course of during a period not brave
of time 쑗 He’s got much richer in the crack /krk/ noun 1. a sharp sound 쑗 the
crack
course of the last few years. crack of a whip 쑗 The crack of a twig
court /kɔ
t/ noun 1. a room with a judge
court
behind her made her turn round. 2. a

who tries criminals, sometimes with a long thin break in a surface 쑗 A crack
jury 쑗 The court was packed for the appeared in the ceiling. 쑗 Her ring fell
opening of the murder trial. 쑗 Please down a crack in the floorboards. 쑗 The
crafty 78 credit
field is so dry it is full of cracks. 쐽 verb creak /kri
k/ verb to make a squeaky
creak
1. to make a sharp sound 쑗 A twig noise 쐽 noun a noise like that of wood
cracked as he stepped on it. 2. to make moving 쑗 She heard a creak on the
a long thin break in something 쑗 The stairs and sat up in bed. (NOTE: Do not
stone cracked the glass. confuse with creek.)
crafty /krɑ
fti/ adjective good at getting cream /kri
m/ noun 1. the thick yellow
crafty cream
the things you want, often in a way that part of milk, full of fat 쑗 I like strawber-
is not completely honest (NOTE: craftier ries and cream. 2. any soft smooth sub-
– craftiest) stance used, e.g. for cleaning or for pro-
cramped /krmpt/ adjective too small
cramped
tecting the skin 쑗 face cream 쑗 shaving
or too close together 쑗 On some planes, cream 쑗 shoe cream 쐽 adjective of a
the seats are very cramped. yellow-white colour 쑗 He was wearing
a cream shirt. 쑗 Do you like our new
crane /kren/ noun a tall metal piece of
crane
cream carpet?
equipment for lifting heavy things 쑗
crease /kri
s/ noun 1. a mark made in
crease
The container slipped as the crane was

lifting it onto the ship. cloth by ironing 쑗 Trousers should have
a crease in front. 2. a mark made by
crash /krʃ/ noun 1. an accident where
crash
folding accidentally 쑗 She ironed his

vehicles are damaged 쑗 He was killed in shirts to remove the creases. 쐽 verb to
a train crash. 쑗 None of the passengers make folds accidentally in something 쑗
was hurt in the coach crash. 쑗 His car After two hours in the car, my skirt was
was badly damaged in the crash. 2. a badly creased and had to be pressed.
loud noise when something falls over 쑗
create /kriet/ verb to make or invent
create
The ladder fell down with a crash. 쑗
There was a loud crash in the kitchen. 쐽 something 쑗 a government scheme

verb 1. (of vehicles) to hit something which aims at creating new jobs for
and be damaged 쑗 The bus crashed into young people
creation /krieʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the act of
creation
a wall. 쑗 The plane crashed six kilome-
tres from the airport. 2. to fall, making a making or inventing something 쑗 Our
loud noise 쑗 The wall came crashing aim is the creation of new jobs for young
down. 쑗 The ladder crashed onto the unemployed people. 2. something
floor. which has been made, especially some-
thing artistic or unusual
crate /kret/ noun 1. a large wooden box
crate
creature /kri
tʃə/ noun 1. an animal,
creature
쑗 The dinner set arrived safely, careful-

ly packed in a wooden crate. 2. a con- especially one that you don’t know a
tainer for bottles 쑗 a beer crate 쑗 The name for 쑗 Lift any stone and you’ll find
office orders a crate of milk every day. all sorts of little creatures underneath.
쑗 We try not to harm any living crea-
crawl /krɔ
l/ verb 1. to move around on
crawl
ture. 쑗 Some sea creatures live in holes

your hands and knees 쑗 The baby has in the sand. 2. an imaginary animal or
just started to crawl. 2. to travel along living being
slowly 쑗 The traffic was crawling
credit /kredt/ noun 1. praise for some-
credit
along. 쐽 noun 1. a very slow speed 쑗

The traffic on the motorway was re- thing which is well deserved 쑗 The pro-
duced to a crawl. 2. a swimming style fessor took all the credit for the inven-
where each arm goes over your head in tion. 쑗 To his credit, he owned up imme-
turn 쑗 He won the 100m crawl. (NOTE: diately. 2. the length of time given to
no plural) pay for something 쑗 We give purchasers
six months’ credit. 3. the side of an ac-
crayon /kreɒn/ noun a coloured wax
crayon
count showing money that you have got

stick, used especially by children for or which is owed to you 쑗 We paid in
drawing £100 to the credit of Mr Smith. 쐽 plural
crazy /krezi/ adjective not sensible 쑗 It
crazy
noun credits the list of people who

was a crazy idea to go mountain-climb- helped to make a film or TV programme
ing in sandals. 쑗 Her name appears in the credits. 쐽
credit card 79 crop

verb to pay money into an account 쑗 to sunny 쑗 It was a beautiful crisp morn-
credit an account with £100 or to credit ing, with frost glinting on the grass. 쑗
£100 to an account She could see her breath in the crisp
credit card /kredt kɑ
d/ noun a plas-
credit card
mountain air.
criterion /kratəriən/ noun the stand-
criterion
tic card which allows you to borrow
money and to buy goods without paying ard by which things are judged 쑗 Does
for them immediately the candidate satisfy all our criteria?
creep /kri
p/ verb 1. to move around qui- critic /krtk/ noun 1. a person who ex-
creep critic
etly 쑗 They crept softly down the stairs. amines something and comments on it,
2. to move slowly 쑗 The traffic was especially a person who writes com-
creeping along the motorway because ments on new plays and films for a
of the fog. (NOTE: creeps – creeping – newspaper 쑗 She’s the TV critic of The
crept) Times. 쑗 The film was praised by all the
crew /kru
/ noun the people who work on critics. 2. a person who says that some-
crew
a vehicle such as boat or aircraft 쑗 The thing is bad or wrong 쑗 The chairman
lifeboat rescued the crew of the sinking tried to answer his critics at the meet-
ship. 쑗 The plane was carrying 125 pas- ing.
critical /krtk(ə)l/ adjective 1. danger-
critical
sengers and a crew of six.

cricket /krkt/ noun 1. a game played
cricket
ous and difficult 쑗 With the enemy at-
between two teams of eleven players us- tacking on all sides, our position was
ing bats and a hard ball 쑗 We haven’t becoming critical. 2. extremely impor-
played much cricket this year – the tant 쑗 He made a critical decision to
weather has been too bad. 쑗 We are go- break off the negotiations. 3. very seri-
ing to a cricket match this afternoon. 2. ous 쑗 The pilot of the plane was in a
awake and able to know what is happen- critical condition last night. 쑗 The hos-
ing around you pital said that her condition was criti-
cal. 4. criticising someone or something
cried /krad/ past tense and past partici-
cried
쑗 The report was highly critical of the

ple of cry
minister.
cries /kraz/ 3rd person singular present
cries
criticise /krtsaz/, criticize verb to

criticise
of cry
say that something or someone is bad or
crime /kram/ noun 1. illegal behaviour
crime
wrong 쑗 She criticised their lack of in-

쑗 We must try to reduce the levels of terest and enthusiasm. 쑗 The design of
crime in the inner cities. 쑗 The govern- the new car has been criticised.
ment is trying to deal with the problem
criticism /krtsz(ə)m/ noun an unfa-
criticism
of crime on the streets or with the street

crime problem. 2. a specific illegal act 쑗 vourable comment or comments 쑗
More crimes are committed at night There was a lot of criticism of the gov-
than during the daytime. ernment’s plan.
crocodile /krɒkədal/ noun a large rep-
crocodile
criminal /krmn(ə)l/ adjective refer-

criminal
ring to illegal acts 쑗 the criminal justice tile which lives in or near rivers and
system 쑗 Stealing is a criminal offence. lakes and eats other animals 쑗 Croco-
쐽 noun a person who commits a crime
diles lay on the banks of the river wait-
ing for the animals to come to drink.
crisis /krass/ noun a serious situation
crisis
crooked /krυkd/ adjective bent, not

crooked
where decisions have to be taken very

quickly 쑗 an international crisis 쑗 a straight 쑗 That picture is crooked.
crop /krɒp/ noun plants such as vegeta-
crop
banking crisis
crisp /krsp/ adjective 1. (of food ) hard,
crisp
bles or cereals grown for food 쑗 The
able to be broken into pieces and mak- bad weather has set the crops back by
ing a noise when you bite it 쑗 These bis- three weeks. 쑗 We had a wonderful crop
cuits are not crisp any more, they have of potatoes or a wonderful potato crop
gone soft. 쑗 Pick an apple off the tree, this year.
they’re really very crisp. 2. cold and crop up phrasal verb to happen sud-
cross 80 crunch
denly (informal ) or her head 쐽 verb 1. to make someone
cross /krɒs/ verb 1. to go across some-
cross
king or queen by placing a crown on his
thing to the other side 쑗 She just crossed or her head 쑗 The Queen was crowned
the road without looking to see if there in Westminster Abbey. 2. to be a very
was any traffic coming. 2. to put one good end to a set of things that happen
thing across another 쑗 He crossed his 쑗 He crowned his career by winning a
arms and looked annoyed. 쑗 She sat gold medal. 왍 to crown it all used to re-
down and crossed her legs. 쑗 The road fer to the last of several bad things to
crosses the railway line about 10 km happen 쑗 To crown it all, he lost his car
from here. 쐽 noun a shape made where keys.
crucial /kru
ʃ(ə)l/ adjective extremely
crucial
one line has another going across it, es-

pecially one which forms the symbol of important 쑗 It is crucial that the story
the Christian Church 쑗 Write your name be kept out of the papers.
where I have put a cross. 쑗 There is a cruel /kru
əl/ adjective making a person
cruel
cross on the top of the church tower. 쐽 or animal suffer 쑗 Don’t be so cruel! 쑗
adjective angry 쑗 The teacher will be You must not be cruel to your new pup-
cross with you for missing school. 쑗 py. 쑗 It was cruel of him to mention her
Don’t be cross – the children were only weight problem. (NOTE: crueller – cru-
trying to help. ellest)
cross off, cross out phrasal verb to cruelty /kru
əlti/ noun the act of being
cruelty
draw a line through something which cruel

has been written to show that it should
cruise /kru
z/ noun a holiday consisting
cruise
not be there
crossing /krɒsŋ/ noun 1. an occasion
crossing
of a long journey in a ship, stopping at
of going across to the other side of an different places 쑗 When he retired they
area of water 쑗 How long is the crossing went on a cruise round the Mediterrane-
from England to Germany? 2. a place an. 쐽 verb to go in a boat from place to
where you go across safely 쑗 Cars have place 쑗 They spent May cruising in the
to take care at the railway crossing. Aegean Sea. 쑗 The ship cruised from is-
land to island.
crossword /krɒsw
d/ noun a puzzle
crossword
crumb /krm/ noun a small piece that

crumb
where small squares have to be filled

with letters to spell words has broken off some dry food such as
bread, cake or biscuits
crouch /kraυtʃ/ verb to bend down low
crouch
crumble /krmbəl/ verb to break up

crumble
쑗 He crouched in the bottom of the boat.

쑗 She crouched down to talk to the into small pieces, or to break something
child. up into small pieces 쑗 If you make it too
dry it will just crumble when you eat it.
crowd /kraυd/ noun a very large number
crowd
쑗 He picked up a lump of dry earth and

of people together 쑗 A crowd of school- crumbled it between his fingers.
children went past. 쑗 Someone in the
crunch /krntʃ/ verb 1. to bite some-
crunch
crowd outside the cinema shouted a

warning. 쑗 Let’s get an early train home thing hard, making a loud noise 쑗 She
to avoid the crowds after work. 쐽 verb was crunching an apple when the phone
to group together 쑗 All the rugby fans rang. 2. to crush something dry 쑗 The
crowded into the pub. 쑗 The children snow crunched under his boots. 쐽 noun
were crowding round their teacher. 1. the sound of something dry being
crushed 2. a situation when something
crowded /kraυdd/ adjective full of a
crowded
must happen or be decided (informal ) 쑗

large number of people 쑗 The town gets The crunch will come when the firm has
very crowded during the holiday sea- no cash to pay the wages. 왍 if or when
son. 쑗 The stands were crowded before it comes to the crunch if or when a
the game started. point of decision is reached 쑗 When it
crown /kraυn/ noun a round metal deco-
crown
came to the crunch, the other side

ration that a king or queen wears on his backed down.
crust 81 curl
crust /krst/ noun 1. a hard outer layer culture /kltʃə/ noun 1. activities in-
crust culture
that covers something softer 2. the hard volving things such as music, art and lit-
outside layer of bread 쑗 You can cut the erature 쑗 He is taking a course in Rus-
crusts off the sandwiches. 3. the layer of sian culture. 2. a country’s way of think-
pastry on top of a pie 4. the outer layer ing or behaving 쑗 Is a TV in every home
of the Earth really what we want from Western cul-
cry /kra/ verb 1. to have tears coming out
cry
ture?
of your eyes 쑗 The baby cried when her cunning /knŋ/ adjective clever at
cunning
mother took away her toys. 쑗 Cutting up achieving something, especially by

onions makes me cry. 쑗 Many people tricking people 쑗 a cunning plan 쑗 It
were crying when they left the cinema. was cunning of her to ask him to help, as
2. to call out 쑗 ‘Hello there,’ she cried. it flattered him. 쐽 noun cleverness in
(NOTE: cries – crying – cried) 쐽 noun acting to achieve something 쑗 He
1. a loud shout 쑗 a cry of pain 쑗 No one showed cunning in his attempts to hide
heard her cries for help. 2. a sound his mistake.
made by a bird or other animal (NOTE:
cup /kp/ noun 1. a small bowl with a
cup
The plural is cries.)

handle, used for drinking from 쑗 She
crystal /krstəl/ noun a solid chemical
crystal
put out a cup and saucer for everyone.

substance with a regular shape 쑗 The 2. the liquid in a cup 쑗 He drank two
salt formed crystals at the bottom of the cups of coffee. 쑗 Can I have a cup of
jar. tea? 3. a large silver or gold container
cube /kju
b/ noun 1. (in geometry) a
cube
given as a prize for winning a competi-

shape like a box, where all six sides are tion 쑗 He has won three cups for golf.
squares of the same size 쑗 The design cupboard /kbəd/ noun a piece of fur-
cupboard
for the library consists of a series of niture with shelves and doors 쑗 Put the
cubes. 2. something shaped like a cube jam in the kitchen cupboard. 쑗 She
쑗 He put two cubes of sugar in his tea.
painted the cupboard doors white.
쑗 The ice cubes chinked in the glasses.
cure /kjυə/ noun something which
cure
3. (in mathematics) the result when a

number is multiplied by itself twice 쑗 makes a disease better 쑗 Doctors are
27 is the cube of 3. still trying to find a cure for colds. 쐽
verb to make a patient or a disease better
cucumber /kju
kmbə/ noun a long
cucumber
쑗 I don’t know what’s in the medicine,

dark green vegetable used mainly in sal-
ads but it cured my cough very fast.
curious /kjυəriəs/ adjective 1. wanting
curious
cuddle /kd(ə)l/ verb to put your arms

cuddle
round someone and hold them close to to know things 쑗 I’m curious to know
you 쑗 The little girl was cuddling her what happened at the meeting. 2. unusu-
teddy bear. 쑗 There was a last chance to al or strange 쑗 We found a curious ob-
cuddle in the taxi that took them to the ject that turned out to be an old kitchen
airport. 쐽 noun an act of putting your tool. 쑗 It’s curious that no one knew
arms round someone and holding them where he lived.
close to you 쑗 She picked up her daugh- curl /k
l/ verb to twist, or make some-
curl
ter and gave her a cuddle. thing twist 쑗 My hair curls naturally. 쑗
culprit /klprt/ noun a person or thing
culprit
Some plants have stems that curl round
that is responsible for a crime, or for other plants. 쐽 noun 1. a piece of hair
something which has gone wrong which grows in a twist 쑗 The little girl
looked lovely with her golden curls. 2. a
cultural /kltʃ(ə)rəl/ adjective relating
cultural
curved shape of a particular substance 쑗

to culture 쑗 His cultural interests are a curl of smoke
very wide-ranging – from Mexican art
to 12th-century Greek paintings. 쑗 curl up phrasal verb to bend your body
There will be cultural activities availa- into a round shape 쑗 She curled up in
ble such as a visit to the museum. the chair and went to sleep.
curly 82 cut
curly /k
li/ adjective with natural 쑗
The road curves round the side of the
curly
curves or twists 쑗 curly hair mountain.

currency /krəns/ noun the money curved /k
vd/ adjective with a rounded
curved
currency
used in a specific country 쑗 I want to shape

change my pounds into French curren- cushion /kυʃ(ə)n/ noun a bag filled
cushion
cy. with something soft, e.g. feathers, for

current /krənt/ adjective 1. relating to sitting or leaning on 쑗 Put a cushion be-
current
the present time 쑗 What is the current hind your back if you find your chair is
state of the report – will it be finished on too hard. 쐽 verb to make soft something
time? 쑗 Who is the current prime minis- which could be hard or painful 쑗 The
ter of Japan? 쑗 Do you have a current bushes cushioned his fall. 왍 to cushion
timetable? – mine is out of date. 2. somebody or something from some-
widely accepted at the present time or at thing to protect someone or something
a particular time 쑗 current ideas about from the bad effects of something 왍 to
how to treat children 쑗 The idea that the cushion the blow or the shock to re-
world was flat was current in the Middle duce the bad effect of something that
Ages. 쐽 noun 1. a flow of water or air 쑗 happens 쑗 She made no attempt to cush-
Don’t go swimming in the river – the ion the blow, but just told them straight
current is very strong. 쑗 A warm wester- out that they had all lost their jobs.
ly current of air is flowing across the custom /kstəm/ noun 1. something
custom
country. 쑗 Vultures circle in rising cur- that people usually do, or have done for
rents of warm air. 2. a flow of electricity a long time 쑗 the local custom of deco-
쑗 Switch the current off at the mains. rating the wells in spring 쑗 It’s their
currently /krəntli/ adverb at the custom to invite all their neighbours to a
currently
present time 쑗 He is currently the man- party at New Year. 2. the use of a shop
ager of our Paris office. 쑗 We are cur- or restaurant 쑗 If the assistants are rude
rently in the process of buying a house. to me again I will take my custom else-
curriculum /kərkjυləm/ noun 1. the
curriculum

where. 왍 to lose someone’s custom to
set of subjects studied in school 쑗 I am experience a situation in which a regular
very glad that music and drama have customer goes to another place of busi-
been added to the curriculum. 2. the ness, e.g. a restaurant or shop 쑗 The lit-
parts of a particular subject that are tle shops will lose a lot of custom when
studied (NOTE: [all senses] The plural is the new supermarket opens.
customary /kstəməri/ adjective usu-
customary
curriculums or curricula.)
curriculum vitae /kərkjυləm vi
ta/
curriculum vitae

al (formal ) 쑗 He handled the situation
noun full form of CV with his customary efficiency. 쑗 It’s cus-
tomary to give taxi drivers a tip.
curry /kri/ noun an Indian food pre-
curry
customer /kstəmə/ noun 1. a person

customer
pared with spices 쑗 I would like a mild

curry, please. 쑗 We ordered chicken who buys something in a shop or restau-
curry and rice. (NOTE: The plural is cur- rant, or from another business 쑗 The
ries.)
shops are lowering their prices to at-
tract more customers. 쑗 Customers can
cursor /k
sə/ noun a small flashing
cursor
order by post on or the Internet. 쑗 His

line on a computer screen which shows bar is always full of customers. 2. a per-
where the next character will appear son who uses a service such as a train 쑗
curtain /k
t(ə)n/ noun 1. a long piece
curtain
We apologise to customers waiting on

of cloth hanging in front of a window 쑗 Platform 5 for the late arrival of their
Can you close the curtains, please? 2. a train.
long piece of cloth hanging in front of cut /kt/ verb 1. to divide, reduce or re-
cut
the stage at a theatre move something using a sharp tool, e.g.

curve /k
v/ noun a line that is bent like
curve
a knife or scissors 쑗 The meat is very

part of a circle 쑗 the curve of the coast tough – I can’t cut it with my knife. 쑗 He
line 쐽 verb to be in the shape of a curve needs to get his hair cut. 쑗 There were
cutlery 83 cylinder
six children, so she cut the cake into six something from something larger 쑗 She
pieces. 2. to damage the skin with some- cut an advertisement out of the newspa-
thing sharp 쑗 She cut her finger on the per. 2. to remove a part of something
broken glass. 쑗 He cut himself while larger 쑗 We had to cut out all the extras
shaving. 3. to reduce the size of some- from our order because they cost too
thing 쑗 We are trying to cut the number much. 3. to stop doing or eating some-
of staff. 쑗 Accidents have been cut by thing 쑗 She’s decided to cut out sweet
10%. 쑗 The article is too long, so I things so as to lose weight. 왍 cut it out!
asked the author to cut 500 words.
stop doing that! (informal ) 앳 to be cut
(NOTE: cuts – cutting – cut – has cut)
out for something to be ideally suited
쐽 noun 1. a place which bleeds when
for something 쑗 I don’t think he’s cut
your skin has been broken 2. a mark
made in a surface by something sharp 3. out for an office job.
the sudden lowering of the amount of cut up phrasal verb to make something
something 쑗 price cuts 쑗 large cuts in into small pieces by cutting it 쑗 She cut
spending 쑗 a cut in working hours 4. a the old towel up into little pieces. 쑗 Can
share of something such as profits 쑗 you cut up the meat for the children?
cutlery /ktləri/ noun knives, forks and
cutlery
Each salesperson gets a cut of what is

sold for cash. spoons (NOTE: no plural)
CV /si
vi
/ noun a summary of some-
CV
cut back phrasal verb to reduce spend-

ing 쑗 We are having to cut back on staff one’s qualifications and experience. Ab-
costs. breviation curriculum vitae
cycle /sak(ə)l/ noun 1. a period during
cycle
cut down phrasal verb to make a tree

fall down with a tool such as a saw 쑗 He which something develops and then re-
cut the tree down or cut down the tree. turns to its starting point 쑗 Global
cut off phrasal verb 1. to take away a warming is starting to affect the natural
small part of something using a sharp cycle of the seasons. 쑗 The washing ma-
tool such as a knife 쑗 She cut off a little chine broke down in the middle of its cy-
piece of string. 쑗 He cut off two slices of cle. 2. a bicycle 쐽 verb to travel on a bi-
ham. 2. to stop someone from being cycle 쑗 It’s hard to cycle into the wind.
with someone else, or from or reaching (NOTE: cycles – cycling – cycled)
cyclist /saklst/ noun a person who
cyclist
a place 쑗 She was cut off from her

friends by a crowd of policemen. 쑗 The rides a bicycle
village was cut off by the snow. cylinder /slndə/ noun an object
cylinder
cut out phrasal verb 1. to remove shaped like a tube closed at both ends
D
d /di
/, D noun the fourth letter of the al-
d
damp walls. 쐽 verb to wet something

phabet, between C and E slightly
dance /dɑ
ns/ noun 1. a way of moving
dance
dad /dd/ noun a father

dad
in time to music 쑗 She teaches dance or

daily /deli/ adjective happening every
daily
is a dance teacher. 쑗 We learnt a new

day 쑗 daily newspapers such as the
dance today. 쑗 Scottish dances are very
Times and the Daily Mail 쑗 The cooker
has been in daily use for ten years. 쑗 lively. 2. an entertainment where people
There’s a daily flight to Washington. 쐽 can dance 쑗 The club is holding a New
adverb every day 쑗 We can deliver milk Year’s dance. 쑗 They met at a youth club
daily. 왍 twice daily on two occasions dance. 쐽 verb 1. to move in time to mu-
every day 쐽 noun a newspaper pub- sic 쑗 There he is – he’s dancing with
lished every weekday (NOTE: The plural that tall girl. 쑗 She often goes to discos
is dailies.) but never dances. 2. to move or jump
around happily 쑗 She danced into the
dairy /deəri/ adjective referring to or in-
dairy
room and announced she’d got the job.

volved in producing milk and things 쑗 The football fans were dancing in the
made from it such as cream or butter 쑗 streets.
dairy products 쑗 dairy cattle
dancer /dɑ
nsə/ noun a person who
dancer
dam /dm/ noun a wall which blocks a

dam
dances
river to make a lake 쑗 After the heavy
danger /dend"ə/ noun the possibility
danger
rain people were afraid the dam would

burst. 쐽 verb to block a river with a wall of something bad happening, e.g. dam-
쑗 When they built the power station, the age, failure or getting hurt 쑗 When it
river had to be dammed. (NOTE: dams – rains, there’s a danger of flooding. 쑗
damming – dammed) The terrorist was described as a danger
damage /dmd"/ noun 1. the break-
damage
to national security. 쑗 There’s no dan-
ing or physical spoiling of something 쑗 ger he’ll find out. 쑗 We were warned of
The storm did a lot of damage. 쑗 It will the dangers of travelling alone in the
take us months to repair the damage to desert. 앳 in danger /n dend"ə/ like-
the restaurant. 쑗 The fire caused dam- ly to be harmed or damaged 쑗 Get an
age estimated at £100,000. 2. emotional ambulance – her life is in danger. 쑗 I
harm done to a person 쑗 I hope the ex- don’t think the children are in any dan-
perience of the crash won’t cause the ger. 쑗 The whole building was in danger
children lasting damage. 쐽 verb 1. to of catching fire. 앳 out of danger not
break or partially destroy something 쑗 likely to die 쑗 She was very ill, but she’s
A large number of shops were damaged off the danger list now.
in the fire. 쑗 These glasses are easily /dend"ərəs/ adjective
dangerous
dangerous
damaged. 2. to affect someone or some- likely to cause injury or damage 쑗 Be
thing in a negative way careful – that old staircase is danger-
damaged /dmd"d/ adjective broken ous! 쑗 Police warned the public not to
damaged
or spoiled in some way 쑗 a damaged approach the man as he was dangerous.

book 쑗 Children are warned that it is danger-
damp /dmp/ adjective slightly wet 쑗
damp
ous to go out alone at night.
dangerously /dend"ərəsli/ adverb in
dangerously
She’d just had a shower and her hair

was still damp. 쑗 The cellar has cold a dangerous way
dare 85 day
dare /deə/ verb 1. to be brave enough to home to watch the football on television.
dare
do something 쑗 I wouldn’t dare say no 쑗 She dashed into a shop so that he

– I might lose my job. 왍 I dare say very wouldn’t see her.
probably 쑗 I dare say you’re right. 왍 to data /detə/ noun information involving
data
dare not do something to not be brave figures or results of studies 쑗 The data
enough to do something 쑗 I daren’t go is stored in our main computer. 쑗 We
any faster. 2. to try to make someone do spent months gathering data on hospital
something dangerous or unusual in or- waiting times. 쑗 The data shows that, on
der to see how brave they are 쑗 I dared average, flowering takes place after two
him to go the meeting in his pink track- weeks. (NOTE: Data is often used with a
suit. 쑗 I dare you to jump across that singular verb, except in scientific con-
stream. 3. used for telling someone how texts: The data is easily available.)
angry you are 쑗 Don’t you dare do that database /detəbes/ noun a large
database
again! 쑗 How dare you look in my desk amount of information stored in a com-
drawers! puter in a way that allows particular
dark /dɑ
k/ adjective 1. with little or no
dark
pieces of information to be found easily

light 쑗 The sky turned dark and it start- date /det/ noun 1. the number of a day
date
ed to rain. 쑗 Can you switch the light in a month or year, or a day when some-
on? It’s getting too dark to see. 쑗 In thing will happen or has happened 쑗 Put
Scotland in the summer it gets dark very today’s date on the document. 쑗 What’s
late. 2. not a light colour 쑗 Her eyes are the date next Wednesday? 쑗 The dates
dark. 쑗 She was wearing a dark blue of the exhibition have been changed. 쑗
coat. (NOTE: darker – darkest) The date of the next meeting has been
darkness /dɑ
knəs/ noun the fact of
darkness
fixed for Wednesday, June 10th. 쑗 Do

not having any light 왍 the building was you remember the date of your girl-
in complete or total darkness there friend’s birthday? 2. a small sweet
were no electric lights on in the building brown fruit 쐽 verb 1. to write the date
darling /dɑ
lŋ/ noun 1. a name used to
darling
on something 쑗 The letter was dated 15
talk to someone you love 쑗 Darling! June. 쑗 You forgot to date the cheque. 2.
I’m back from the shops. 2. a lovable 왍 to date from or back to to exist since
person 쑗 Be a darling and fetch me the 쑗 This house dates from or dates back to
newspaper. the 17th century.
daughter /dɔ
tə/ noun a female child of
daughter
dart /dɑ
t/ noun 1. a small heavy arrow
dart
with plastic feathers, used for playing a parent 쑗 They have two sons and one
the game of darts 쑗 Each player takes a daughter. 쑗 My daughter Mary goes to
turn to throw his or her three darts. 2. the local school.
dawn /dɔ
n/ noun the beginning of a day,
dawn
darts a game in which players throw

small arrows at a round board on a wall, when the sun rises 쑗 We must set off for
each trying to make their arrow stick the Pyramids at dawn, so you’ll have to
closest to the middle 쐽 verb to move get up very early. 쐽 verb (of day) to be-
quickly 쑗 The little boy darted across gin 쑗 The day of the cricket match
the street. dawned wet and windy.
dash /dʃ/ noun 1. a small line in writ- day /de/ noun 1. a period of time lasting
dash day
ing or printing, showing a space or sep- 24 hours 쑗 There are 365 days in a year
arating items 쑗 The reference number is and 366 in a leap year. 쑗 New Year’s
one four six dash seven (146–7). 2. a Day is on January 1st. 쑗 They went on a
sudden movement towards a place 쑗 ten-day tour of southern Spain. 쑗 I
There was a mad dash to buy tickets. 쑗 spoke to him on the phone the day be-
While the policeman wasn’t looking she fore yesterday. 쑗 We are planning to
made a dash for the door. (NOTE: The meet the day after tomorrow. 2. the peri-
plural is dashes.) 쐽 verb to hurry od from morning until night, when it is
somewhere 쑗 I can’t stop now – I must light 쑗 She works all day in the office,
dash to catch the last post. 쑗 I dashed and then looks after the children in the
daylight 86 debt
evening. 쑗 It took the workmen four 쐽 verb 1. 왍 to deal in something to buy
days to build the wall. and sell something 쑗 She deals in car-
daylight /delat/ noun light that you
daylight
pets and rugs imported from India. 2. to
see during the daytime 왍 in broad day- give out playing cards to players 쑗 It’s
light openly, in the middle of the day 쑗 my turn to deal. 쑗 He dealt me two aces.
Three men robbed the bank in broad (NOTE: deals – dealing – dealt /delt/)
daylight. deal with phrasal verb to do what is
daytime /detam/ noun the period of necessary to complete a job or solve a
daytime
light between morning and night 쑗 I problem 쑗 The job involves dealing
watched a lot of daytime television when with the public. 쑗 Leave it to the filing
I lost my job. clerk – he’ll deal with it. 쑗 We will deal
dazzle /dz(ə)l/ verb to shine a strong
dazzle
with your order as soon as we can. 쑗
light in someone’s eyes so that they can- The government has to deal with the
not see for a moment 쑗 She was dazzled problem of teenage crime.
dealer /di
lə/ noun a person who buys
dealer
by the lights of the cars coming towards

her. and sells things
dead /ded/ adjective 1. not alive any dealt /delt/ past tense and past participle
dealt
dead
more 쑗 His parents are both dead. 쑗 of deal

Dead fish were floating in the water. 2. dear /də/ adjective 1. well liked or loved
dear
complete 쑗 There was dead silence in 쑗 She’s a very dear friend of mine.
the exam room. 쑗 The train came to a (NOTE: dearer – dearest) 2. 왍 Dear
dead stop. 3. not working 쑗 We tried to James or Dear Julia used at the begin-
start the car but the battery was dead. 4. ning of a letter to a friend or someone
not lively, not exciting 쑗 Seaside towns you know quite well 왍 Dear Sir or
can be quite dead in winter. 쐽 adverb 1. Madam used at the beginning of a letter
completely 쑗 He was dead tired after to a man or woman whom you do not
his long walk. 2. exactly 쑗 You’re dead know 3. costing a lot of money 쑗 Fresh
right. 쑗 The train arrived dead on time. fruit is always dearer in the winter. 쑗
deadly /dedli/ adjective likely to kill
deadly
That restaurant is too dear for me.

living things 쑗 The terrorists turned the (NOTE: dearer – dearest) 쐽 interjec-
car into a deadly weapon. tion used when something has gone
deaf /def/ adjective not able to hear, or
deaf
slightly wrong 쑗 Oh dear! It’s started to
having difficulty in hearing 쑗 My rain. 쑗 Dear me! Is that how late it is! 쐽
grandma is going deaf. 쑗 He’s deafer noun a way of referring to someone you
than he used to be. (NOTE: Some people like 쑗 Did you have a good day, dear?
death /deθ/ noun 왍 to death completely
death
avoid this term as it can cause offence

and prefer hearing-impaired.) (informal ) 쑗 He was bored to death sit-
deafening /def(ə)nŋ/ adjective so
deafening
ting watching football on television. 쑗 I
loud as to make you unable to hear am sick to death of always having to do
the housework.
deafness /defnəs/ noun the state of be-
deafness
debate /dbet/ noun 1. a discussion 쑗

debate
ing deaf (NOTE: no plural)
deal /di
l/ noun 1. 왍 a good or great deal
deal
After his talk the professor had a lively
much 쑗 He’s feeling a good deal better debate with the students. 2. a formal dis-
after two days off work. 쑗 She didn’t say cussion ending with a vote 쑗 a debate
a great deal. 왍 a good or great deal of on increasing student fees 쐽 verb 1. to
a lot of 쑗 He made a good deal of money consider or discuss a subject 쑗 We sat in
from his business. 쑗 There’s a great deal the rain and debated what to do next. 2.
of work still to be done. 2. a business to discuss something formally before
agreement or contract 쑗 We’ve signed a coming to a decision
debt /det/ noun money owed to someone
debt
deal with a German firm. 쑗 They did a

deal to supply envelopes. 쑗 The sales di- 쑗 After her great success, she was able
rector set up a deal with a Russian bank. to repay all her debts. 왍 to be in debt to
decade 87 deep
owe money 쑗 He is in debt to the tune of declare /dkleə/ verb to state something
declare
£2,500. officially 쑗 The Senator declared his in-

decade /deked/ noun a period of ten
decade
tention to run for President. 쑗 She was

years 쑗 during the last decade of the declared dead on arrival at hospital.
decline /dklan/ noun the fact of going
decline
20th century
decay /dke/ noun the natural process

decay

downwards 쑗 Sales figures have gone
of going bad or of becoming damaged, into a sharp decline. 쐽 verb 1. to refuse
e.g. when things are not looked after or to turn down an invitation or offer 쑗
properly 쑗 The government has plans to She declined their request. 쑗 He de-
deal with inner city decay. 쑗 Tooth declined to come to lunch. 2. to become
cay is especially bad in children who eat weaker 쑗 He declined rapidly after he
sweets. 쑗 You must treat the wood to went into hospital. 3. to become less in
prevent decay. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb numbers or amount 쑗 Our sales de-
to go bad or to become damaged in this clined over the last year. 쑗 The fish pop-
way 쑗 Sugar makes your teeth decay. 쑗 ulation has declined sharply.
decorate /dekəret/ verb 1. to put paint
decorate
The jungle path was blocked by decay-

ing branches. or new paper on the walls in a room 쑗
deceive /dsi
v/ verb to make someone
deceive

She can’t come to the phone – she’s dec-
believe something which is not true 쑗 orating the kitchen. 2. to cover some-
They had tried to deceive me, but I real- thing with pretty or colourful things to
ised just in time. make it look attractive or to celebrate an
occasion 쑗 The streets were decorated
December /dsembə/ noun the twelfth
December

with flags.
and last month of the year, after Novem-
decoration /dekəreʃ(ə)n/ noun the
decoration
ber and before January 쑗 She was born

act of decorating a place 쑗 She is in

last December. 쑗 His birthday is on De-
charge of the decoration of the church
cember 25 – Christmas Day! 쑗 They al-
for the wedding.
ways go on a skiing holiday in Decem-
decrease1 /di
kri
s/ noun the fact of
decrease
ber. 쑗 Today is December 6th. 쑗 The

cheque was dated December 6. (NOTE: becoming less 쑗 a decrease in traffic 쑗
December 6th or December 6: say Sales show a 10% decrease on last year.
‘the sixth of December’ or ‘December 쑗 There has been a decrease of 20% in
the sixth’ or in US English ‘December applications to join the club. 왍 to be on
sixth’.) the decrease to be becoming less 쑗
Road accidents are on the decrease.
decide /dsad/ verb to make up your
decide
decrease2 /dkri

s/ verb to become less
decrease
mind to do something 쑗 Have you de-
cided which restaurant to go to? 쑗 They 쑗 The number of road accidents is de-
decided to stay at home and watch TV. creasing. 쑗 Applications to join have
decreased by 20%.
decide against phrasal verb to make
deed /di
d/ noun an act, especially a
deed
up your mind not to do something 쑗 She

decided against spending her money on brave one 쑗 stories of great deeds per-
a new car. formed during the war
deep /di
p/ adjective 1. going a long way
deep
decimal /desm(ə)l/ noun a number in a

decimal
system based on ten 쑗 Three-quarters down 쑗 The water is very deep in the
expressed as a decimal is 0.75. middle of the river. 쑗 This is the deepest
lake in North America. 쑗 In the shallow
decision /ds"(ə)n/ noun an occasion
decision
end of the pool, the water is deep

of making up your mind to do some- enough to cover your feet. 쒁 depth 2.
thing going a long way under the ground 쑗 a
deck /dek/ noun a floor of a ship or bus
deck
deep mine 3. (of a voice) low, not high

쑗 I’ll stay on deck because I’m feeling 쑗 Who’s been sitting on my chair? said
seasick. 쑗 Let’s go up to the top deck – Father Bear in his deep voice. (NOTE:
you can see the sights better from there. deeper – deepest) 쐽 adverb a long
deeply 88 deliberate
way down 쑗 The mine goes deep under define /dfan/ verb to explain some-
define
the sea. thing clearly or to give the meaning of

deeply /di
pli/ adverb very much 쑗 We
deeply
something 쑗 How would you define the

deeply regret having to make so many word ‘environmental’? 쑗 The memo
people redundant. tried to define the way in which the two
departments should work together.
deer /də/ noun a wild animal, the male
deer
definite /def(ə)nət/ adjective very sure

definite
of which has long horns called antlers

(NOTE: Do not confuse with dear. The 쑗 I need a definite answer. 쑗 He was
plural is deer; the female is a doe, the quite definite that he had seen the girl at
male is a stag, the young are fawns. the bus stop.
definitely /def(ə)nətli/ adverb certain-
definitely
Note also that the meat from a deer is

called venison.) ly 쑗 I’ll definitely be there by 7 o’clock.
쑗 Are you coming? – Definitely not!
defeat /dfi
t/ noun the loss of a fight,
defeat
definition /defnʃ(ə)n/ noun an ex-

definition
game or vote 쑗 The Government suf-
fered a defeat in Parliament last night. planation of the meaning of a word 쑗

쑗 It was the team’s first defeat for two Look up the definition of ‘democracy’ in
years. 쐽 verb to succeed against some- the dictionary.
one in a fight, game or vote 쑗 The ruling degree /d'ri
/ noun 1. a unit for meas-
degree
party was heavily defeated in the presi- uring temperature or angles, shown by
dential election. 쑗 Our team has not the symbol (°) 쑗 an angle of eighty de-
been defeated so far this season. 쑗 The grees 쑗 The temperature of the water is
proposal was defeated by 10 votes to 3. above 20°. (NOTE: With figures, degree
defence /dfens/ noun 1. protection is usually written as the symbol °: 25°
defence
against something such as attack or in- Celsius.) 2. a qualification from a uni-

fection 쑗 Several people ran to her de- versity 쑗 She has a degree in mathemat-
fence when she was attacked. 쑗 These ics from Oxford. 3. a small amount of
tablets offer some defence against the something such as an emotion 쑗 I ap-
disease. 2. protection provided by the proached the animal with some degree
armed forces 쑗 Some countries spend of fear.
delay /dle/ noun the length of time by
delay
more on defence than on education. 3.
(in games) a part of a team whose job is which something is late 쑗 There will be
to protect the goal 쑗 The England de- a delay of ten minutes before the meet-
fence came under attack from the other ing starts. 쑗 We are sorry for the delay
team’s forwards. 4. (in a law court) the in replying to your letter. 쐽 verb 1. to
lawyers acting on behalf of the accused make someone or something late 쑗 The
person train has been delayed by fog. 쑗 He was
defend /dfend/ verb to protect a person
defend

delayed because his taxi had an acci-
or place that is being attacked 쑗 They dent. 2. to put something off until later
brought in extra troops to defend the city 쑗 We will delay making a decision until
against attack. we see the result of the election. 쑗 The
company has delayed payment of all in-
defense /dfens/ noun US spelling of
defense

voices.
defence
deliberate1 /dlb(ə)rət/ adjective 1.
deliberate
deficiency /dfʃ(ə)nsi/ noun not

deficiency

done on purpose 쑗 It was a deliberate
enough of something needed to make attempt to spoil her birthday party. 2.
someone or something healthy or com- slow and thoughtful in speaking or do-
plete 쑗 Their diet has a deficiency of ing something 쑗 She has a very deliber-
iron or has an iron deficiency. ate way of signing her name.
deficit /defst/ noun an amount by deliberate2 /dlbəret/ verb to discuss
deficit deliberate
which something is less than it should or think carefully about something 쑗

be 쑗 The company announced a two- The council were deliberating all morn-
million-pound deficit in its accounts. ing. 쑗 I’ll need some time to deliberate
deliberately 89 department
on the possible ways of solving the prob- The plural is democracies.) 2. a sys-
lem. tem of government in which politicians
deliberately /dlb(ə)rətli/ adverb on
deliberately

are elected by the people 쑗 The people
purpose 쑗 It was an accident – I didn’t want democracy, not a dictatorship.
democratic /deməkrtk/ adjective
democratic
hit her deliberately. 쑗 He deliberately
left the cage door open. relating to democracy 쑗 They promised

delicate /delkət/ adjective 1. made
delicate
to restore democratic government.
demonstrate /demənstret/ verb to
demonstrate
from materials that are thin and light

and easily damaged 쑗 a delicate china show something 쑗 This incident demon-
vase 2. likely to get ill 쑗 Little babies strates how little he has changed. 쑗 He
are very delicate. 쑗 She was a delicate demonstrated how the machine worked.
child. demonstration /demənstreʃ(ə)n/
demonstration
delicious /dlʃəs/ adjective tasting

delicious
noun 1. the act of showing how some-

very good 쑗 Can I have another piece of thing works 쑗 Can you give me a dem-
that delicious cake? onstration the new machine? 2. a crowd
delight /dlat/ noun pleasure 쑗 Their
delight

of people who are protesting against
singing was a pure delight. 쑗 The news something 쑗 We went to a demonstra-
was greeted with delight by the waiting tion in Trafalgar Square. 쑗 They staged
crowd. 왍 to take (great) delight in demonstrations against the government
something to enjoy something 쐽 verb in several towns.
den /den/ noun 1. a place where an ani-
den
to give great pleasure to someone 쑗 His

speech delighted the audience. 왍 to de- mal hides away 쑗 a lion’s den 2. a small
light in something to enjoy something room where you can hide away to work
쑗 She delights in teasing her little broth- 쑗 Dad’s in his den, so don’t disturb him.
er. dense /dens/ adjective 1. very thick 쑗
dense
delighted /dlatd/ adjective very

delighted
Dense fog closed the airport. 2. with a

pleased lot of trees or plants 쑗 They tried to find
delightful /dlatf(ə)l/ adjective very
delightful

their way through dense forest. 3. con-
pleasant 쑗 What a delightful show of taining a lot of information 쑗 I find it
flowers! difficult to read through 100 pages of
dense text. (NOTE: denser – densest)
deliver /dlvə/ verb to bring something
deliver
dent /dent/ noun a mark that curves in-

dent
to someone 쑗 Has today’s newspaper

been delivered? 쑗 He delivered the let- wards, especially in metal, made by hit-
ter himself so as to save buying a stamp. ting something 쑗 Someone has made a
dent in my car door. 쐽 verb to make a
delivery /dlv(ə)ri/ noun the act of
delivery
mark like this in something 쑗 He backed

bringing something to someone 쑗 There

into a tree and dented the car.
is no charge for delivery within the Lon-
dentist /dentst/ noun a person whose
dentist
don area. 쑗 Use the back entrance for

deliveries. 쑗 The next delivery will be job is to look after and provide treat-
on Thursday. ment for your teeth
deny /dna/ verb to state that something
deny
demand /dmɑ
nd/ noun 1. the act of
demand

asking for something 쑗 a demand for is not true 쑗 You were there, weren’t
payment 쑗 Her latest demands are quite you? – Don’t deny it! 쑗 She denied that
unreasonable. 2. the need for particular she had ever seen him. 쑗 He flatly de-
goods or services 쑗 We can’t sell the nied stealing the car. (NOTE: denies –
book, because there is no demand for it. denying – denied)
depart /dpɑ
t/ verb to go away from a
depart
쑗 We cannot keep up with the demand
for our services. 쐽 verb to ask firmly for place 쑗 The coach departs from Victoria
something 쑗 I demand an explanation. Coach Station at 09.00.
democracy /dmɒkrəsi/ noun 1. a department /dpɑ
tmənt/ noun 1. a
democracy department
country governed by politicians who section of a large company 쑗 He is in

have been elected by the people (NOTE: charge of the marketing department. 쑗
department store 90 deserve

Write to the complaints department account 쑗 She deposited £100 in her
about the service. 2. one of the sections current account. 쑗 The cheque arrived
of the government 쑗 the Department for at long last, and I deposited it immedi-
Education and Skills 쑗 the Department ately.
of Transport 3. a part of a large shop 쑗 depressed /dprest/ adjective so un-
depressed
If you want cheese you’ll need to go to happy that you are not able to enjoy life,
the food department. 쑗 You will find especially over a long period of time 쑗
beds in the furniture department. She’s been feeling depressed since the
department store /dpɑ
tmənt stɔ
/
department store
accident.
noun a large shop with several different depressing /dpresŋ/ adjective mak-
depressing
sections ing you feel sad or unhappy

departure /dpɑ
tʃə/ noun the act of
departure
depth /depθ/ noun a measurement of

depth

leaving a place 쑗 The departure time is how deep something is 쑗 The depth of
3 o’clock. 쑗 The plane’s departure was the lake is 20m. 쑗 The submarine dived
delayed by two hours. to a depth of 200m.
depend /dpend/ verb 1. to happen only
depend
deputy /depjυti/ noun 1. a person who

deputy

because of something else happening makes decisions when the manager or

first 쑗 The success of the book will de- boss is away 쑗 She’s acting as deputy
pend on the publicity campaign. 쑗 I while the managing director is in hospi-
can’t be sure that we will come to lunch tal. 2. a person who helps someone in
– it depends on what time we get home their job 쑗 He appointed her as his dep-
from the party the night before. 왍 it (all) uty.
depends it is not certain (informal ) 쑗
derive /drav/ verb to get something
derive
We may go to France on holiday, or
Spain, it all depends. 2. 왍 to depend on from something 쑗 The local people de-
someone or something to be sure that rive a good deal of pleasure from watch-
someone will do what they say they will ing the tourists.
describe /dskrab/ verb to say or write
describe
do, or that something will happen as ex-
pected 쑗 You can’t depend on Jack – what someone or something is like 쑗

he’s always too busy to help. 쑗 You can Can you describe the car which hit the
depend on her to do her best. 쑗 The old lady? 쑗 She described how the bus
company depends on government suddenly left the road. 쑗 He described
grants. the mugger as a tall man with a black
dependent /dpendənt/ adjective 1.
dependent

beard. 쑗 The police asked him to de-
needing money from someone else in scribe what happened.
description /dskrpʃən/ noun the act
description
order to live 쑗 She has five dependent
relatives. 2. needing someone else’s of saying or writing what something or

help in order to live or succeed 쑗 The someone is like
patients become very dependent on the desert1 /dezət/ noun a very dry area of
desert
hospital staff. 3. caused or affected by the world, usually covered with rocks or
something 쑗 The success of the project sand (NOTE: Do not confuse with des-
is dependent on getting a government sert.)
grant.
desert2 /dz
t/ verb 1. to leave the
desert
deposit /dpɒzt/ noun 1. money kept

deposit

armed forces without permission 2. to
in a bank 쑗 Her deposits in the bank had leave someone in a difficult situation
grown over the years. 2. a particular
deserted /dz
td/ adjective with no
deserted
amount of money that you give some-
one as a first payment for something ex- people 쑗 We walked around the desert-
pensive 쑗 She had to pay a deposit on ed town.
deserve /dz
v/ verb to earn some-
deserve
the watch. 쑗 Can you leave £50 as de-
posit? 쑗 I paid a 30% deposit and don’t thing because of what you have done 쑗
have to pay anything more for six He didn’t deserve to win because he
months. 쐽 verb to put money into a bank cheated. 쑗 I’ve been on my feet all day
design 91 determination
– I think I deserve a sit-down. 쑗 He de- not confuse with desert. The word
serves a holiday. dessert is mainly used in restaurants.
design /dzan/ noun a plan or drawing
design

At home, this part of the meal is usual-
of something, before it is made or built ly called the sweet or afters or pud-
쑗 Here are the designs for the book cov- ding.)
er. 쑗 The architect has produced the de- destination /destneʃ(ə)n/ noun the
destination
signs for the new opera house. 쐽 verb to place to which a person or vehicle is go-
draw plans for the shape or appearance ing 쑗 We reached our destination at
of something before it is made or built 쑗 eight o’clock. 쑗 The destination is
He designed the new university library. shown on the front of the bus.
쑗 She designs garden furniture.
destroy /dstrɔ/ verb to damage some-
destroy
designer /dzanə/ noun an artist who

designer

thing so badly that it no longer exists 쑗
plans the shape or appearance of things The bomb destroyed several buildings.
such as goods, clothes or rooms 쑗 A lot of private property was de-
desire /dzaə/ noun something that
desire
stroyed in the war.

you want very much 쑗 It’s difficult to
destruction /dstrkʃən/ noun the ac-
destruction
satisfy the public’s desire for informa-

tion of destroying something 쑗 the de-
tion. 쑗 She had a sudden desire to lie
struction of the village by enemy bombs
down and go to sleep. 쐽 verb to want
쑗 The volcano caused enormous de-
something (formal ) 쑗 Most of us desire
a large comfortable home. struction. (NOTE: no plural)
detail /di
tel/ noun a small piece of in-
detail
desk /desk/ noun a table, often with

desk
drawers, used for writing 쑗 He put the formation 쑗 Send in your CV including
papers away in his desk drawer. 쑗 She full details of your past experience. 쑗
was sitting at her desk when the tele- Can you give me further details of when
phone rang. the accident took place? 쑗 I can’t make
out the details in the photo because the
despair /dspeə/ noun a feeling that a
despair

light is bad. 쑗 The policeman noted
situation is so bad that there is nothing down the details of the incident. 쐽 verb
you can do to make it better 쑗 When he to list all the facts or items 쑗 He detailed
lost his job and his girlfriend left him, he the work which had to be done. 앳 in de-
was filled with despair. 왍 the depths of tail with as much information as possi-
despair a situation where there is com- ble 쑗 The catalogue lists all the furni-
plete lack of hope 쐽 verb to give up all
ture in detail. 쑗 Please describe the cir-
hope of achieving something 쑗 After
cumstances of the accident in as much
two months in the jungle, he despaired
detail as possible.
of ever being rescued.
detailed /di
teld/ adjective giving a lot
detailed
desperate /desp(ə)rət/ adjective 1.

desperate
having a strong need for something that of details 쑗 We need a detailed list of the
you are not able to get, and feeling very items which have been stolen. 쑗 The po-
worried because you do not know how lice issued detailed descriptions of the
to solve the problem 쑗 Food ran out and two men.
detective /dtektv/ noun a police of-
detective
the people were becoming desperate. 2.
urgent 쑗 There is a desperate need for ficer whose job is to try to find out who
medical supplies. committed crimes 쑗 Detectives have in-
despite /dspat/ preposition although terviewed four suspects.
despite
something happened or was done 쑗 De- determination
determination /dt
mneʃ(ə)n/

spite the wet weather we still enjoyed noun a strong wish to do something, and
our holiday. not to let anyone stop you doing it 쑗
dessert /dz
t/ noun a sweet dish at
dessert
They admired his determination to win

the end of a meal 쑗 The meal will end the prize. 쑗 The government needs to
with a dessert of strawberries and show more determination in its fight
cream. 쑗 What’s for dessert? (NOTE: Do against street crime.
determined 92 die
/dt
mnd/ number using the buttons on a telephone
determined
determined adjective
having a strong wish to do something, 쑗 To call the police you must dial 999.
and not letting anyone prevent you from 쑗 Dial 9 to get an outside line. (NOTE:
doing it 쑗 She’s a very determined dials – dialling – dialled. The US
young woman, and will go far. 쑗 He had spelling is dialing – dialed.)
a very determined expression on his dialect /daəlekt/ noun a variety of a
dialect
face as he entered the ring. 쑗 She is de- language spoken in a particular area 쑗
termined to win the prize. They were speaking in a local dialect.
develop /dveləp/ verb 1. to grow and
develop
diameter /damtə/ noun the distance

diameter

change 쑗 Eventually, a caterpillar will across the centre of a circle

develop into a butterfly. 2. to make
diamond /daəmənd/ noun 1. a very
diamond
something larger 쑗 She cycles in order

to develop her calf muscles. 3. to get an hard, clear, precious stone 쑗 He gave
illness 쑗 She developed a cold at the her a diamond ring. 쑗 Diamonds spar-
weekend. 4. to plan and build something kled on her crown. 2. one of the red sets
쑗 They are planning to develop the site in a pack of cards, shaped like a square
as an industrial estate. 쑗 The company leaning to one side 쑗 He held the ten of
is developing a chain of motorway serv- diamonds. (NOTE: The other red suit is
ice stations. hearts; clubs and spades are the
black suits.)
development /dveləpmənt/ noun 1.
development
diary /daəri/ noun a description of what

diary
growth 쑗 The development of the em-

bryo takes place rapidly. 2. the planning has happened in your life day by day 쑗
and production of a new product 쑗 The He kept a diary for years. 쑗 She kept a
development of new pesticides will take diary of the places she visited on holi-
some time. 3. the act of planning and day. (NOTE: The plural is diaries.)
building on an area of land 쑗 the devel- dice /das/ noun a small block with a dif-
dice
opment of property on the site of the ferent number of spots on each side,
former docks 4. a group of buildings used for playing games 쑗 Shake the dice
that have been built together at the same in the cup and then throw them onto the
time 쑗 a new housing development board. (NOTE: The plural is dice.)
device /dvas/ noun a small tool or
device
dictionary /dkʃən(ə)ri/ noun a book

dictionary

piece of equipment that is useful for a which lists words in alphabetical order,
particular purpose 쑗 He invented a de- giving their meanings or translations
vice for fixing tops on bottles. 쑗 The en- into other languages (NOTE: The plural
gineers brought in a device for taking is dictionaries.)
samples of soil. 앳 to be left to your
did /dd/ past tense of do
did
own devices to be allowed to do what-

die /da/ verb 1. to stop living
die
ever you want 쑗 His

diagonal /da'ən(ə)l/ adjective (of a
diagonal

mother died last year. 쑗 She died in a
line) going straight from one corner to car crash. 쑗 If you don’t water the
another 쑗 He drew a diagonal line on plants they’ll die. 쒁 death (NOTE: dies –
the floor. 쑗 Areas of the map shaded dying – died) 2. 왍 dying for or to
with diagonal lines indicate cultivated wanting something very much 쑗 We’re
land. 쐽 noun a diagonal line dying for a cold drink. 쑗 I’m dying to
read his book.
diagram /daə'rm/ noun a plan or ac-
diagram
curate drawing 쑗 She drew a diagram to die away phrasal verb to become less
show how to get to her house. 쑗 The noisy
book gives a diagram of the circulation die down phrasal verb to get less
of the blood. strong 쑗 The wind began to die down. 쑗
dial /daəl/ noun a round face of a meas-
dial
The government is waiting for the street
uring instrument or a old type of tele- protests to die down.
phone 쑗 The pilot sits in front of a dis- die out phrasal verb to disappear grad-
play of dials. 쐽 verb to call a telephone ually
diet 93 dinosaur
diet /daət/ noun 1. the kind of food you ging in the garden all morning. 쑗 They
diet
eat 쑗 He lives on a diet of bread and dug a big hole in the ground. 쑗 The pris-
beer. 쑗 These people are healthier than oners dug a tunnel to try to escape.
us because their diet is so simple. 2. the (NOTE: digging – dug – has dug)
practice of eating only certain types of dig up phrasal verb 1. to find some-
food, either in order to become thinner thing by digging 쑗 We dug up a Roman
or to cure an illness 쑗 The doctor told coin in the garden. 2. to break a solid
her to follow a strict diet. 쐽 verb to eat surface by digging 쑗 The workmen had
less food or only one sort of food 쑗 He to dig the road up to mend the water
dieted for two weeks before going on main.
holiday. digest /dad"est/ verb 1. to break down
digest
differ /dfə/ verb 1. not to be the same as

differ
food in the stomach 쑗 I find this meat

something else 쑗 The two machines dif- difficult to digest. 2. to think about
fer considerably – one has an electric something and understand it fully 쑗
motor, the other runs on oil. 왍 to differ Give me time to digest this news.
from to be different from 쑗 This car dif- digestion /dad"estʃən/ noun the
digestion
fers from the earlier model. 쑗 Their process by which food is broken down
business differs from ours in one impor- in the stomach
tant aspect. 2. if people differ, they have
digital /dd"t(ə)l/ adjective 1. storing
digital
different opinions from each other 쑗

Our views on education differ. 쑗 Their information in an electronic form 쑗 a
accounts of what happened differ in sev- digital radio 2. (of a clock or watch)
eral ways. 왍 I beg to differ I do not showing the time as a set of numbers
dim /dm/ adjective (of light) weak 쑗 The
dim
agree
difference /df(ə)rəns/ noun a way in
difference
lights grew dimmer. (NOTE: dimmer –
which two things are not the same 쑗 dimmed) 쐽 verb to make a light less
Can you tell the difference between an bright 쑗 They dimmed the cabin lights
apple and a pear with your eyes shut? 쑗 before takeoff. (NOTE: dims – dimming
What is the difference in price between – dimmed)
dime /dam/ noun US a coin that is worth
dime
these two cars?

different /df(ə)rənt/ adjective not the
different
ten cents
dimension /damenʃən/ noun the ex-
dimension
same 쑗 Living in London is very differ-
ent from living in the country. 쑗 I went tent of a problem 쑗 the international di-
to three different clothes shops but I mension of the refugee problem 쑗 The
couldn’t find anything in my size. 쑗 He task is taking on huge dimensions.
looks different now that he has a beard. dining room /danŋ ru
m/ noun a
dining room
difficult /dfk(ə)lt/ adjective not easy

difficult
room in a house or hotel where you usu-

to do or achieve 쑗 Finding a parking ally eat. 쒁 bathroom, bedroom, living
space is difficult on Saturdays. 쑗 I find room
it difficult to work when I’m tired. dinner /dnə/ noun 1. the main meal of
dinner
difficulty /dfk(ə)lti/ noun 1. 왍 to the day, usually eaten in the evening 쑗

difficulty
have difficulty with or in doing some- We were having dinner when the tele-
thing to find it hard to do something 쑗 phone rang. 쑗 Would you like to come to
She has difficulty in paying the rent. 왍 dinner on Saturday? 쑗 What are we
with difficulty not easily 쑗 She walks having for dinner? or What’s for din-
with difficulty. 2. a problem 쑗 The diffi- ner? 2. a formal evening meal 쑗 The
culty is that nobody in the group can club is organising a dinner and dance
drive. 쑗 He is in financial difficulties. 쑗 on Saturday.
She went swimming in the rough sea and dinosaur /danəsɔ
/ noun a large crea-
dinosaur
got into difficulties. (NOTE: The plural is ture that existed on the Earth millions of
difficulties.) years ago 쑗 At the time when dinosaurs
dig /d'/ verb to make a hole in the
dig
roamed the land, England was covered

ground with a spade 쑗 She’s been dig- with tropical forests.
dip 94 disappointed
dip /dp/ noun 1. a sudden drop in an area rector to win an Oscar? Compare pro-
dip
of land 쑗 Watch out – there’s a dip in the ducer

dirt /d
t/ anything that makes something
dirt
road which makes it difficult to see ap-

proaching cars. 2. a cold sauce into dirty 쑗 a washing powder that removes
which you can dip biscuits or raw vege- even the worst kinds of dirt 쐽 noun
tables 쑗 a bowl of cheese dip 쐽 verb 왍 mud; earth 쑗 Children were playing in
to dip something into something to put the dirt. 쑗 His clothes were covered with
something quickly into a liquid 쑗 She dirt from handling potatoes.
dipped the biscuit into her coffee. 쑗 She dirty /d
ti/ adjective 1. not clean 쑗
dirty
dipped her hand into the stream. (NOTE: Playing rugby gets your clothes dirty. 쑗
dips – dipping – dipped) Someone has to wash all the dirty
diploma /dpləυmə/ noun a document
diploma
plates. 2. not honest, or not done ac-

which shows that a person has reached a cording to the rules (NOTE: dirtier –
certain level of skill in a subject dirtied) 쐽 verb to make something dirty
(NOTE: dirties – dirtying – dirtied)
direct /darekt/ adjective straight, with-
direct
disabled /dseb(ə)ld/ adjective not

disabled
out any changes of direction or stops 쑗
What’s the most direct way of getting to able to use part of your body, e.g. be-
London? 쐽 verb 1. to aim something to- cause of long-term illness 쑗 an associa-
wards a point 쑗 I hope you’re not direct- tion for disabled riders 쑗 The car crash
ing that gun at me! 2. to say something left him permanently disabled.
to a particular person 쑗 He directed his disadvantage /dsədvɑ
ntd"/ noun
disadvantage
remarks to the manager. 3. to tell some- something which makes someone or

one how to get to a place 쑗 Can you di- something less likely to succeed 쑗 Her
rect me to the nearest post office? 쐽 ad- main disadvantage is her lack of experi-
verb straight, without stopping 쑗 The ence. 쑗 It was a disadvantage not to be
plane flies direct to Anchorage. able to get to the airport quickly. 쑗
direction /darekʃən/ noun the point
direction

There are certain disadvantages to leav-
towards which you are going 쑗 You are ing at 5.30 in the morning.
disagree /dsə'ri
/ verb to say that
disagree
going in the wrong direction if you want
to get to the station. 쑗 The post office is you do not have the same opinion as
in the opposite direction. 쐽 plural noun someone else 쑗 We all disagreed with
directions instructions on how to do the chairperson. 쑗 They disagreed
something 앳 in all directions every- about what to do next.
where 쑗 The wind was blowing bits of disagreement /dsə'ri
mənt/ noun
disagreement
old newspapers in all directions. an argument 쑗 They had a disagreement

directly /darektl/ adverb 1. straight, about who should sit in the front row. 쑗
directly
without anything or anyone between 쑗 Nothing could be decided because of the

This door opens directly into the kitch- disagreement between the chair and the
en. 쑗 She reports directly to the manag- treasurer.
ing director himself. 2. soon 쑗 I’ll be disappear /dsəpə/ verb 1. to sudden-
disappear
with you directly. 쐽 conjunction as soon ly not be seen any more 쑗 He hit the ball
as 쑗 I will write the letter directly I get hard and it disappeared into the bushes.
home. 쑗 The two boys disappeared on their
director /darektə/ noun 1. a person
director

way home from school. 2. to leave a
who is in charge of all of, or part of, a place, often suddenly and without peo-
company 쑗 The sales director gave a re- ple noticing or knowing where you have
port on sales to date. 쑗 There are four gone 쑗 Where have the kids disap-
directors on the board of the company. peared to? 쑗 Half the guests have disap-
2. a person who organises the making of peared already.
disappointed /dsəpɔntd/ adjective
disappointed
a film or play, e.g. giving instructions to
the actors, or dealing with the lighting sad, because things have not happened
or sound 쑗 Who was the first female di- as you hoped 쑗 She is disappointed with
disappointing 95 disgust
her exam results. 쑗 He was disappoint- 쑗
The firm discovered some errors in
ed because his ticket didn’t win a prize. the accounts. 쑗 We discovered that the
쑗 You should have seen the disappoint- estate agent had sold the house twice.
ed expression on his face. discovery /dskv(ə)ri/ noun 1. the act
discovery
disappointing /dsəpɔntŋ/ adjec-

disappointing
of finding something new or learning

tive making you sad because things have something for the first time 쑗 her dis-
not happened as you hoped covery that someone had been in her
disappointment /dsəpɔntmənt/
disappointment

house while she was away 쑗 They con-
noun 1. a feeling of sadness that you get gratulated him on his discovery of a new
when things have not happened as you planet. 2. a new thing which has been
hoped 쑗 She tried hard not to show her found 쑗 Look at his latest discovery –
disappointment. 쑗 To his great disap- an antique oak table which he found in
pointment, he didn’t win anything on the a barn. (NOTE: The plural is discover-
lottery. (NOTE: no plural in this sense) ies.)
discuss /dsks/ verb to talk about a
discuss
2. something that disappoints someone
쑗 It was a disappointment to his parents serious matter or problem 쑗 The point of

when he failed his exam. 쑗 After many the meeting is to discuss how to save
disappointments she finally won a prize. money. 쑗 They spent hours discussing
disapprove /dsəpru
v/ verb to show
disapprove

the details of the wedding.
discussion /dskʃ(ə)n/ noun an oc-
discussion
that you do not think something is good
쑗 The head teacher disapproves of casion on which people talk about a se-
members of staff wearing jeans to rious matter or problem 쑗 Most prob-
school. lems can be solved by discussion. 쑗 The
next programme will feature a discus-
disaster /dzɑ
stə/ noun a very bad ac-
disaster
sion between environmental experts on

cident 쑗 The disaster was caused by fog
climate change. 쑗 She had a heated dis-
. 쑗 Ten people died in the air disaster. 쑗
cussion with the bus driver.
We’re insured against natural disasters
disease /dzi
z/ noun a serious illness
disease
such as hurricanes and earthquakes.
쑗 Hundreds of people caught the dis-

disastrous /dzɑ
strəs/ adjective ex-
disastrous
ease. 쑗 It is a disease that can be treated

tremely bad
with antibiotics.
disc /dsk/ noun a round flat object 쑗
disc
disgraceful /ds'resf(ə)l/ adjective

disgraceful
The setting sun was a huge orange disc which people should be ashamed of
on the horizon. 쒁 disk
disguise /ds'az/ noun a set of clothes
disguise
discipline /dspln/ noun 1. the prac-

discipline
or something such as false hair or glass-

tice of keeping people under control 쑗 es that a persons wears to make them
The tour leaders are trying to keep dis- look like someone else 쑗 I didn’t recog-
cipline among the teenagers. 쑗 We need nise him as he was wearing a disguise.
to enforce stricter discipline in the 왍 in disguise dressed to look like some-
school. (NOTE: no plural in this sense) one else 쑗 The tramp turned out to be a
2. a subject that people study 쑗 biology policeman in disguise. 쐽 verb 1. to
and other related disciplines 쐽 verb to dress someone or yourself so as to look
punish someone 쑗 As a result of the in- like someone else 쑗 He entered the
vestigation, one employee was dis- country disguised as a fisherman. 쑗 She
missed and three were disciplined. 쑗 wore a wig to disguise her hair. 2. to
She was disciplined for swearing at her make something look or sound different
supervisor.
disgust /ds'st/ noun 1. a feeling of
disgust
disco /dskəυ/ noun a place or party

disco
dislike that is so strong that you feel an-

where people dance to pop music gry or slightly ill 쑗 Seeing the dead an-
(NOTE: The plural is discos.) imals filled her with disgust. 2. a strong
discover /dskvə/ verb to find some-
discover
feeling of annoyance 쑗 To my disgust,

thing new or to learn something for the the examiner passed my friend and
first time 쑗 Who discovered penicillin? failed me. 왍 in disgust showing that you
dish 96 distant
are upset and annoyed 쑗 She walked out missed as being quite impractical. 쑗 All
of the interview in disgust. 쐽 verb to his suggestions were dismissed by the
give someone a strong feeling of dislike MD. 3. 왍 to dismiss an employee to re-
or disapproval 쑗 The smell of cooking move an employee from a job 쑗 He was
disgusted her. 쑗 The greediness of these dismissed for being late. 쑗 When they
people disgusts me. found him taking money from the petty
dish /dʃ/ noun 1. a large plate for serv-
dish
cash he was dismissed instantly.
disobey /dsəbe/ verb not to obey
disobey
ing food 쑗 She carefully arranged the
slices of meat on a dish. 2. food pre- someone or something 쑗 She would

pared in a particular way 쑗 We are try- never disobey her parents.
ing a new Mexican dish. 3. a round aer- display /dsple/ noun a show, an exhi-
display
ial, shaped like a plate, used to get sig- bition 쑗 a display of local crafts 쑗 They
nals from satellites (NOTE: The plural is have a fine display of Chinese porce-
dishes.) lain. 쐽 verb to put something in a dis-
dish out phrasal verb to give some- play 쑗 She is displaying her collection
thing out, especially in large quantities of Persian carpets at the antiques fair.
dispute /dspju
t, dspju
t/ noun an
dispute
(informal ) 쑗 He dished out a piece of
bread and a bowl of soup to anyone who argument 쑗 He tried to mediate in the
asked for it. dispute. 쑗 There was some dispute over
dishonest /dsɒnst/ adjective not
dishonest

who would pay the bill. 쐽 verb to say
honest that you strongly believe that something
is not true or correct 쑗 I dispute her ver-
dishonestly /dsɒnstli/ adverb not
dishonestly
sion of what happened. 쑗 There is no

honestly 쑗 They were accused of dis- disputing the fact that Sarah is the best
honestly obtaining bank loans. player.
disk /dsk/ noun a round flat piece of
disk
dissatisfied /dsstsfad/ adjective

dissatisfied
metal in a plastic case, used in comput- not satisfied 쑗 We were dissatisfied with
ers to record information 쑗 How much the service we got from our bank.
data do these disks hold? 쒁 disc
dissolve /dzɒlv/ verb to make a solid
dissolve
dislike /dslak/ noun 1. a feeling of not

dislike

substance become part of a liquid 쑗 Dis-
liking something or someone 쑗 She had solve the sugar in half a litre of boiling
a great dislike of noisy parties. 2. some- water. 쑗 The powder should dissolve in
thing which you do not like 쑗 We try to warm water.
take account of the likes and dislikes of
distance /dstəns/ noun 1. the space
distance
individual customers. 쐽 verb not to like

from one point to another 쑗 The furthest
something or someone 쑗 He particular- distance I have travelled by train is 800
ly disliked the way they spoke to her. 쑗 I km. 쑗 The hotel is only a short distance
dislike it when the people behind me at away. 왍 within walking distance near
the cinema start whispering. 쑗 My fa- enough to walk to 쑗 The hotel is within
ther dislikes having to get up early on walking distance of the town centre. 2. 왍
Monday mornings. from a distance seen from some way
dismay /dsme/ noun great disappoint-
dismay
away 쑗 From a distance, the mountain

ment 쑗 To the dismay of the supporters, looks like a sleeping animal. 왍 in the
the team played extremely badly. 쐽 verb distance a long way away 쑗 I caught
to make someone very upset or shocked sight of the mountain in the distance. 쑗
쑗 His reaction to her letter dismayed We could hear guns firing in the dis-
her. 쑗 She was dismayed to find that her tance. 쐽 verb 왍 to distance yourself
passport had been stolen. from to show that you do not agree with
dismiss /dsms/ verb 1. to tell some- someone or something
dismiss
one that they can leave 쑗 At the end of distant /dstənt/ adjective far away 쑗
distant
the interview he dismissed her with a We could hear the sound of distant gun-
brief ‘good afternoon’. 2. to refuse to fire. 왍 distant relative a relative who is
consider an idea 쑗 Her plan was dis- not a member of the immediate family 쑗
distinct 97 divorce
She’s a very distant relative – her wobbling. 3. to change the order or ar-
grandfather was my grandmother’s rangement of something 쑗 The police
cousin. told us that nothing must be disturbed in
distinct /dstŋkt/ adjective 1. separate
distinct

the bedroom.
쑗 There are two distinct varieties of this disturbance /dst
bəns/ noun an oc-
disturbance
plant. 쑗 They keep their printing works casion on which someone is disturbed 쑗
quite distinct from their publishing com- I need to work somewhere where there
pany. 2. that you can clearly see, hear or won’t be any disturbance.
feel 쑗 I got the distinct impression that
ditch /dtʃ/ noun a long narrow hole cut
ditch
he was carrying a gun. 쑗 Did you notice into the ground for taking away water 쑗
the distinct tone of anger in his voice? After the storm, the ditches were full of
distinction /dstŋkʃən/ noun 1. a dif-
distinction

rainwater. 쑗 He fell into the ditch beside
ference 쑗 There is a distinction between the road. (NOTE: The plural is ditches.)
being interested in politics and joining a
dive /dav/ verb to jump into water head
dive
political party. 2. the highest mark

available in an examination 쑗 She got a first 쑗 He dived in and swam across the
pool under water.
distinction in her exam.
diver /davə/ noun 1. a person who
diver
distinctly /dstŋktli/ adverb clearly

distinctly
dives 쑗 the Australian Olympic diver 2.

distinguish /dstŋ'wʃ/ verb to see or
distinguish

a person who swims under water, espe-
hear clearly, or to see details 쑗 We could cially as a job 쑗 Police divers searched
easily distinguish houses on the other the canal.
side of the lake. 쑗 I could distinguish at
divide /dvad/ verb 1. to cut something
divide
least two birds calling to each other.
into parts 쑗 The cake was divided

distract /dstrkt/ verb to attract
distract

among the children. 쑗 How can you di-
someone’s attention when they should vide the cake into thirteen pieces? 쑗 The
be doing something else 쑗 The noise of two companies agreed to divide the
the planes is bound to distract the stu- market between them. 쑗 Our open-plan
dents. office is divided up with low partitions.
distress /dstres/ noun a sad or painful
distress

2. to calculate how many times one
feeling which is very strong 쑗 I don’t number fits in another 쑗 Ten divided by
want to cause the family any distress. 쑗 two gives five. (NOTE: Dividing is usu-
The whole family was in distress at ally shown by the sign ÷ : 10 ÷ 2 = 5:
grandmother’s death. 쐽 verb to make say ‘ten divided by two equals five’.
someone very sad and worried 쑗 The Note also divides – dividing – divid-
news of her grandmother’s death dis- ed.)
tressed her very much.
division /dv"(ə)n/ noun 1. an impor-
division
distribute /dstrbju

t/ verb to share
distribute

tant part of a large organisation 쑗 The
something between people 쑗 She dis- sales division employs twenty people. 쑗
tributed part of her money to the poor. 쑗 She is the head of the production divi-
The flight attendants came round, dis- sion. 2. a calculation, where one figure
tributing immigration forms to non-EU is divided by another 쑗 My little sister is
passengers. 쑗 I’ll distribute the list to just learning how to do division.
all the committee members.
divorce /dvɔ
s/ noun a legal separation
divorce
district /dstrkt/ noun an area or re-

district
of a husband and wife where each is free

gion 쑗 It’s a district of the town well to marry again 쑗 Her parents are get-
known for its Italian restaurants. ting a divorce. 쑗 Since their divorce,
disturb /dst
b/ verb 1. to interrupt
disturb
they have both married again. 쐽 verb 1.

what someone is doing 쑗 Sorry to dis- to break off a marriage legally 쑗 They
turb you but there’s a phone call. 쑗 divorced last year. 2. to separate from
Don’t disturb your mother – she’s rest- your husband or wife 쑗 She divorced
ing. 2. to make someone feel worried 쑗 her husband and married the man next
It disturbed me to see that the wheel was door.
divorced 98 doctor
divorced /dvɔ
st/ adjective no longer
divorced

ness with. 9. to succeed, to continue 쑗
married 쑗 They’re both divorced, with She’s doing very well in her new job. 쑗
children from their previous marriages. He did badly in the interview. 쑗 How’s
your business doing? 10. to finish cook-
dizzy /dzi/ adjective having a feeling
dizzy
ing something 쑗 The carrots aren’t

that you might fall down, and that eve- done yet. 11. to be satisfactory 쑗 Will
rything seems to turn round 쑗 Can we this size do? 12. used when greeting
stop the car, please, I feel dizzy. 쑗 After someone 쑗 How do you do? (NOTE: I
standing in the sun, he became dizzy do; you do; he/she/it does /dz/;
and had to lie down. 쑗 She has started they do; doing – did /dd/ – has done
having dizzy spells. (NOTE: dizzier – /dn/; negative: do not usually don’t
dizziest) /dəυnt/; does not usually doesn’t
/dz(ə)nt/; did not usually didn’t
DJ
DJ abbr 1. dinner jacket 2. disc jockey

/ddn(ə)t/) 앳 that will do that’s
do /du
/ verb 1. used with other verbs to
do
enough 앳 to make do with to accept

make questions 쑗 Does this train go to
something which is not as good as you
London? 쑗 Did the doctor give you any wanted 쑗 The ordinary plates are all
medicine for your cough? 쑗 Where do dirty, so we will have to make do with
they live? 쑗 What did you find there? 2. paper ones.
used with other verbs and ‘not’ to make
the negative 쑗 They didn’t laugh at the do away with phrasal verb to get rid of
film. 쑗 It doesn’t matter any more. 쑗 His something
parents don’t live in London. 3. used to do up phrasal verb 1. to attach some-
make a verb stronger 쑗 Can I sit down? thing 쑗 He’s still a baby and he can’t do
– Please do! 쑗 Why don’t you work his buttons up properly. 쑗 Can you do
harder? – I do work hard! 쑗 Why didn’t up the zip at the back of my dress? 2. to
you tell me? – I did tell you! 4. used in repair something and make it like new 쑗
place of another verb in short answers to They bought an old cottage and did it
questions using the word ‘do’ 쑗 Do you up. 쑗 He’s looking for an old sports car
live in London? – Yes I do. 쑗 But your to do up.
parents don’t live there, do they? – No do with phrasal verb 1. to be related or
they don’t. 쑗 Does the green colour connected to 쑗 It has nothing to do with
show? – Yes it does. 쑗 Did you go to the us. 쑗 It is something to do with my new
concert after all? – Yes I did. 5. used in book. 2. to put something somewhere 쑗
place of another verb at the end of a What have you done with the newspa-
question or statement 쑗 The Russians per? 3. to need something 쑗 After that
live here, don’t they? 쑗 It looks very long walk I could do with a cup of tea. 쑗
nice, doesn’t it? 쑗 It doesn’t rain a lot in The car could do with a wash.
Spain, does it? 쑗 Can you run as fast as
do without phrasal verb not to have
he does? 쑗 He speaks German better
something, to manage without some-
than I do. 쑗 She asked me to close the
thing
door but I’d already done so. 쑗 They got
dock /dɒk/ noun 1. 왍 the docks a har-
dock
to the pub before we did. 6. telling

someone not to do something 쑗 Don’t bour where ships are loaded and unload-
throw away that letter! 쑗 Don’t put your ed 쑗 Cars should arrive at the docks 45
coffee cups on the computer! 7. with minutes before sailing time. 쑗 We used
nouns ending in -ing 쑗 She’s doing the to go down to the docks to watch the
shopping. 쑗 He always does the wash- ships come in. 2. a place in a law court
ing-up. 쑗 She was doing the ironing. 8. where the prisoner sits 쑗 She was in the
to work at something, to arrange some- dock, facing charges of theft. 쐽 verb (of
thing or to clean something 쑗 She’s do- a ship) to arrive in a port 쑗 The ship
ing her hair. 쑗 Have you done the dishes docked at 17.00. 쑗 The cruise liner will
yet? 쑗 I can’t do today’s crossword. 쑗 dock in Bermuda.
doctor /dɒktə/ noun a person whose job
doctor
What have you been doing all day? 쑗

They’re a difficult company to do busi- is to look after people who are ill 쑗 I
document 99 double
have a ten o’clock appointment to see countries can be shown by the initial
the doctor. 쑗 If you have pains in your letter of the country: Can$ (Canadian
chest, you ought to see a doctor. 쑗 He dollar) Aus$ (Australian dollar).)
went to the doctor’s last Friday. dolphin /dɒlfn/ noun a large animal
dolphin
document1 /dɒkjυmənt/ noun 1. a

document
with a long nose, that lives in the sea

piece of paper with something official (NOTE: A group of them is a school of
or important printed on it 쑗 File all the dolphins.)
documents away carefully as we may dome /dəυm/ noun a round roof shaped
dome
need them again. 쑗 Please read this like half of a ball

document carefully and sign at the bot-
domestic /dəmestk/ adjective 1. re-
domestic
tom of page two. 2. a separate file in a

computer 쑗 The letter was saved as a lating to the home 쑗 She hated having to
do all the domestic work. 2. inside a
Word document.
country 쑗 Sales in the domestic market
document2 /dɒkjυment/ verb to note
document

have risen. 쐽 noun a servant in a house
something in official writing 쑗 Cases of (old ) 쑗 When the fire broke out all the
this disease are well documented in Af- domestics ran into the house to rescue
rica. the furniture.
/dɒkjυment(ə)ri/
documentary
documentary
donate /dəυnet/ verb to give some-
donate
noun a film which shows facts about a thing, especially money, to a charity or
real subject 쑗 Did you see the documen- similar organisation 쑗 He donated a lot
tary about hippos last night? 쐽 adjec- of money to a charity for the homeless.
tive referring to documents
done /dn/ past participle of do
done
dodge /dɒd"/ noun a clever trick 쑗 He

dodge
donkey /dɒŋki/ noun a farm animal

donkey
told me a dodge to avoid paying on the

Underground. 쐽 verb 1. to avoid some- with long ears, used for riding or pulling
carts
thing, to get out of the way 쑗 He ran
don’t /dəυnt/ 쏡 do
don’t
across the street, dodging the traffic. 쑗

door /dɔ
/ noun 1. a solid piece of wood,
door
She dodged behind a parked car hoping

he wouldn’t see her. 2. to avoid doing plastic or metal which closes an en-
something you should do, in a dishonest trance 쑗 He went into his office and
way 쑗 to dodge payment of your TV li- locked the door behind him. 쑗 She
cence fee opened the car door and hit a passing
does /dz/ 3rd person singular present of cyclist. 2. used to show where a building
does
do is in a street 쑗 They live a few doors

away from us.
doesn’t /dz(ə)nt/ 쏡 do
doesn’t
dot /dɒt/ noun 1. a small round spot 쑗 A

dot
dog /dɒ'/ noun an animal kept as a pet,

dog
blue tie with white dots. 2. a printing

or used for hunting 쑗 Can you take the
sign (.) used in email addresses 쑗 My
dog out for a walk? 쑗 Police with dogs
email address is jane@supertek.com
were hunting the gang of escaped pris-
(say ‘Jane at Supertek dot com’). 쐽 verb
oners.
1. to mark with a spot 2. to be or be put
doing /du
ŋ/ present participle of do
doing
in many different parts 쑗 Vases of flow-

doll /dɒl/ noun a child’s toy which looks
doll
ers dotted the room. 쑗 The wall was dot-

like a baby ted with notices. (NOTE: dots – dotting
dollar /dɒlə/ noun 1. the money system
dollar
– dotted)
double /db(ə)l/ adjective 1. containing
double
used in the United States 쑗 a 5-dollar

bill 쑗 The country spends millions of two of something 쑗 The word ‘immeas-
dollars on defence. 쑗 There were two urable’ is spelt with a double ‘m’. 쑗 The
dollars to the pound. 2. a similar money invoice number is six double five double
system used in many other countries 쑗 one. 2. with two parts, for two people 쑗
What is the price in Australian dollars? double doors 쑗 a double bed 3. twice
(NOTE: usually written $ before figures: the size of that which is considered nor-
$250. The currencies used in different mal 쑗 She asked for a double portion of
double figures 100 drain

ice cream. 쐽 plural noun doubles ten- downstairs to see what it was. 쑗 I left my
nis game for two people on either side 쐽 cup of coffee downstairs. 쐽 adjective on
verb to multiply something by two 쑗 the ground floor of a building 쑗 The
Think of a number and then double it. house has a downstairs bedroom. 쑗 You
double figures /db(ə)l f'əz/ plural
double figures
can use the downstairs loo. 쐽 noun the
noun the numbers with two figures, ground floor of a building 쑗 The down-
from 10 to 99 stairs has three rooms. 쑗 The down-
stairs of the house is larger than the up-
doubt /daυt/ noun 1. not being sure 쑗
doubt
stairs. Compare upstairs

Everyone sometimes has doubts about
what they really want to do. 왍 to cast downwards /daυnwədz/ adverb to-
downwards
doubt on something to make people wards the bottom

feel less sure about something 쑗 He cast doze /dəυz/ verb to sleep a little
doze
쑗 She
doubt on the whole proposal. 2. 왍 no dozed for a while after lunch. 쐽 noun a
doubt certainly 쑗 No doubt they will be short sleep
asking for more money soon. 왍 in doubt
dozen /dz(ə)n/ noun 1. 쑗 I need a doz-
dozen
not yet known or definite, or not yet sure

쑗 The result of the game was in doubt en eggs for this recipe. 쑗 We ordered
until the last minute. 쑗 I’m in doubt two dozen (= 24) chairs. 왍 a dozen
about whether I should take the job or twelve 왍 half a dozen six 쑗 half a dozen
not. 쐽 verb not to be sure of something apples 2. 왍 dozens of a lot of 쑗 Dozens
쑗 I doubt whether he will want to go to of people visited the exhibition. 쑗 I’ve
the funeral. 쑗 I doubt her honesty. 쑗 Did been to New York dozens of times.
you ever doubt that we would win? Dr
Dr abbr doctor
doubtful /daυtf(ə)l/ adjective not sure
doubtful
draft /drɑ
ft/ noun a rough plan of a doc-
draft
that something is right or good, or not ument 쑗 He quickly wrote out a draft of
likely 쑗 I am doubtful about whether we the agreement. 쑗 It’s not the final ver-
should go. 쑗 It is doubtful whether the sion, it’s just a draft. 쐽 verb to draw up
race will take place because of the snow. a rough plan of something
down /daυn/ preposition 1. towards the
down
draft in phrasal verb to ask someone to

bottom of 쑗 He fell down the stairs and
broke his leg. 쑗 The ball ran down the do something 쑗 The Boy Scouts were
hill. 2. away from where the person drafted in to dig the garden.
drag /dr'/ verb to pull something heavy
drag
speaking is standing 쑗 He went down

the road to the shop. 쑗 The police sta- along the ground 쑗 She dragged her
tion is just down the street. 쐽 adverb 1. suitcase across the floor. 쑗 The police
towards the bottom, towards a lower po- dragged the men away from the gate.
sition 쑗 Put the box down in the corner. (NOTE: drags – dragging – dragged)
쑗 I looked in the cellar, but there’s no 쐽 noun a boring thing, which stops you
one down there. 2. in writing 쑗 Did you doing things you really want to do 쑗 It’s
note down the number of the car? 쑗 The a drag, having to write all the Christmas
policeman took down her address. 3. cards.
used for showing criticism 쑗 Down with drag on phrasal verb (of time or an
the government! 쑗 Down with exams! event) to seem to pass slowly 쑗 The
(NOTE: Down is often used with verbs, dinner party seemed to drag on for
e.g. to go down, to fall down, to sit hours.
down, to lie down.)
drain /dren/ noun a pipe for carrying
drain
downhill /daυnhl/ adverb towards the

downhill

waste water away 쑗 In the autumn the
bottom of a hill 쑗 The road goes down- drains get blocked by leaves. 쑗 We had
hill for a while and then crosses the riv- to phone the council to come and clear
er. the blocked drain. 쐽 verb to remove a
downstairs /daυnsteəz/ adverb on or
downstairs
liquid from something 쑗 Boil the pota-

to the lower part of a building 쑗 He toes for ten minutes, drain and leave to
heard a noise in the kitchen and went cool.
drama 101 dress

drama /drɑ
mə/ noun 1. a serious per- keep my cheque book in the top drawer
drama
formance in a theatre 쑗 a new TV drama of my desk.

series about life in Glasgow 쑗 The drawing /drɔ
ŋ/ noun 1. a picture that
drawing
‘Globe’ has put on an unknown Eliza- has been drawn 쑗 I’ve bought an old
bethan drama. 쑗 I’m reading a book on drawing of the church. 2. the activity or
19th-century French drama. 쑗 She’s a skill of making pictures with a pencil or
drama student or She’s studying drama. pen 쑗 He studied drawing in Rome.
2. a series of serious and exciting events
drawn /drɔ
n/ adjective tired and ill 쑗
drawn
쑗 a day of high drama in the court 쑗 the

drama of the rescue by helicopter 쑗 He She looked drawn after spending all
always makes a drama out of every- night with her sick baby. 쐽 past partici-
thing. ple of draw
dread /dred/ noun great fear 쑗 The
dread
dramatic /drəmtk/ adjective sudden,

dramatic
unexpected and very noticeable 쑗 the sound of her voice filled him with dread.
dramatic moment in the film, when the 쑗 She has a dread of meeting him in the
dinosaurs start to attack them 쑗 The street. 왍 in dread of being very afraid of
door was thrown open and she made a 쑗 They lived in constant dread of being
dramatic entrance. 쑗 The TV news arrested. 쐽 verb to fear something very
showed dramatic pictures of the disas- much 쑗 I’m dreading taking my driving
ter. test. 쑗 She dreads her weekly visit to the
doctor.
drank /drŋk/ past tense of drink
drank
dreadful /dredf(ə)l/ adjective very bad

dreadful
draught /drɑ
ft/ noun a flow of cool air
draught
into a room 쑗 Don’t sit in a draught. or unpleasant 쑗 What a dreadful film!

dreadfully /dredf(ə)li/ adverb ex-
dreadfully
draw /drɔ
/ noun 1. a game or competi-
draw
tion which ends with both teams having tremely¸ in a way that is not good or
the same number of points 쑗 The match pleasant
dream /dri
m/ noun a story or series of
dream
was a draw: 2–2. 2. a competition in

which the winner is chosen by a person events that you think about while you
who takes a ticket out of a container are sleeping 쑗 She had a dream about
with a name on it 쑗 The draw is held on big pink elephants. 쐽 verb to experience
Saturdays. 쑗 We are holding a draw to a story or series of events while you are
raise money for the local hospital. 쐽 sleeping 쑗 He was dreaming of white
verb 1. to make a picture with a pen or sand and a blue tropical sea. 쑗 I dreamt
pencil 쑗 He drew a picture of the house. about you last night. 쑗 Last night I
쑗 She’s drawing a pot of flowers. 2. not dreamt I was drowning. (NOTE: dreams
to have a winner in a game 쑗 The teams – dreaming – dreamed or dreamt
drew 2 – 2. 3. to pull curtains open or /dremt/) 쐽 adjective referring to some-
closed 쑗 She drew the curtains and let thing that is the best you could have 쑗
in the sun. 쑗 Can you draw the curtains They found their dream house in a small
– I don’t want anyone to see us in here. town by the sea. 쑗 Select your dream
(NOTE: draws – drawing – drew /dru
/ team for the World Cup.
– has drawn /drɔ
n/)
dress /dres/ noun a piece of clothing
dress
draw up phrasal verb 1. (of a vehicle) usually worn by women or girls, cover-
to come close and stop 쑗 As I was standing the body and part or all of the legs 쑗
ing at the bus stop, a car drew up and She was wearing a blue dress. (NOTE:
the driver asked if I wanted a lift. 2. to The plural is dresses.) 쐽 verb 1. to put
write down something, e.g. a plan 쑗 clothes on someone 쑗 She dressed her
They have drawn up a plan to save mon- little girl all in blue. 2. to get dressed
ey. 쑗 Have you drawn up a list of people to put clothes on yourself 쑗 He got up,
you want to invite to the party? got dressed and left the house. 3. to
drawer /drɔ
ə/ noun a part of a desk or
drawer
clean an injury and cover it with a band-

cupboard like an open box which slides age 쑗 The nurse will dress the cut on
in and out when you pull its handle 쑗 I your knee.
dressed 102 driver

dressed /drest/ adjective wearing
dressed
drink up phrasal verb to drink all of a

clothes 쑗 I can’t come down to see the liquid 쑗 The baby drank all her milk up.
visitors – I’m not dressed yet. 쐽 쑗 Come on, drink up – we’re leaving
dressed in wearing a particular colour now.
or type of clothing 쑗 She was dressed drip /drp/ noun a small drop of water 쑗
drip
all in black. 쑗 He was dressed in a tee- There’s a hole in the tent – a drip just
shirt and shorts. fell on my nose. 쐽 verb 1. (of a liquid ) to
dressing /dresŋ/ noun 1. a sauce for
dressing
fall in small drops 쑗 Water was slowly

salad 2. a cover for an injury 쑗 The dripping from the ceiling. 2. (of e.g. a
dressings need to be changed every tap) to produce small drops 쑗 I must fix
hour. that tap – it’s dripping. (NOTE: drips –
drew /dru
/ past tense of draw
drew
dripping – dripped)
drive /drav/ noun 1. a journey, especial-
drive
dribble /drb(ə)l/ verb 1. to let liquid

dribble
flow slowly out of an opening, especially in a car 쑗 Let’s go for a drive into the
ly out of your mouth 쑗 The baby drib- country. 쑗 The baby gets sick on long
bled over her dress. 2. (of a liquid ) to drives. 쑗 It’s a four-hour drive to the
flow slowly out of an opening 쑗 Ketch- coast. 2. a part of a computer which
up dribbled onto the tablecloth. 3. to makes a disk work 쑗 The disk is stuck in
kick a football along as you are running, the drive. 쐽 verb to make a motor vehi-
or to move a ball along with one hand as cle travel in a certain direction 쑗 I never
you are running learnt to drive. 쑗 He was driving a lorry
when the accident happened. 쑗 She was
dried, drier, dries, driest /drad,
dried, drier, dries, driest
driving to work when she heard the

draə, draz, draəst/ 쏡 dry news on the car radio. (NOTE: drives –
drill /drl/ noun 1. a tool for making holes driving – drove /drəυv/ – has driven
drill
in a hard substance such as wood or /drv(ə)n/) 앳 to drive someone cra-

metal 쑗 He used an electric drill to zy or mad to have an effect on someone
make the holes in the wall. 2. the action so that they become very annoyed
of practising marching, especially in the (informal ) 쑗 The noise is driving me
armed forces 쑗 New recruits spend mad. 쑗 All this work is driving her cra-
hours practising their drill. 쐽 verb 1. to zy.
use a drill to make a hole in something drive away phrasal verb 1. to ride
쑗 Check how solid the wall is before you
away in a motor vehicle 쑗 The bank
drill a hole in it. 쑗 He drilled two holes
robbers leapt into a car and drove away
for the screws. 2. to do military practice
at top speed. 2. to take someone away in
쑗 The soldiers were drilling on the pa-
rade ground. 3. to teach someone some- a motor vehicle 쑗 The children were
thing by making them do or say it many driven away in a police car.
times drive back phrasal verb to go back or
to come back in a motor vehicle 쑗 We
drink /drŋk/ noun 1. an amount of liquid
drink
were driving back to London after a day

such as water, juice, tea or coffee which out.
you swallow 쑗 If you’re thirsty, have a
drink of water. 쑗 She always has a hot drive off phrasal verb 1. to move away
drink before she goes to bed. 2. an alco- in a motor vehicle 쑗 The bank robbers
holic drink 쑗 Would you like a drink? 쑗 leapt into a car and drove off at top
Come and have a drink. 쑗 I’ll order speed. 2. to force someone or something
some drinks from the bar. 쐽 verb to to go away 쑗 They drove off the attack-
swallow liquid 쑗 He drank two glasses ers with shotguns.
driver /dravə/ noun a person who
driver
of water. 쑗 What would you like to

drink? 쑗 Do you want something to drives a vehicle such as a car or train 쑗
drink with your meal? (NOTE: drinks – He’s got a job as a bus driver. 쑗 The
drinking – drank /drŋk/ – has drivers of both cars were injured in the
drunk /drŋk/) accident.
driving 103 duck

driving /dravŋ/ adjective (of rain or hol. 쐽 verb to give a person or animal a
driving
snow) blown horizontally by the wind 쑗 drug, or put a drug in their food or drink,
They were forced to turn back because to make them unconscious 쑗 They
of the driving rain. 쐽 noun the action of drugged him and took him away in a
driving a motor vehicle 쑗 Driving in the car. 쑗 The dog’s food had been drugged
centre of London can be very frustrat- with something to make him sleep.
ing. 쑗 She’s taking driving lessons. (NOTE: drugs – drugging – drugged)
driving licence /dravŋ las(ə)ns/ drum /drm/ noun 1. a large round mu-
drum
driving licence
noun a permit which allows someone to sical instrument which you hit with a
drive a vehicle on public roads stick 쑗 He plays the drums in the band.
drizzle /drz(ə)l/ noun light rain 쑗 A
drizzle
2. a large barrel or container shaped like
thin drizzle was falling so we took our a cylinder 쑗 oil drums 쐽 verb 1. to play
umbrellas. 쐽 verb to rain a little 쑗 It’s on a drum 2. to hit something frequently
쑗 He drummed his fingers on the table.
drizzling outside, so you need a rain-
coat. (NOTE: drums – drumming –
drummed)
drop /drɒp/ noun a small amount of liq-
drop
uid which falls 쑗 Drops of rain ran drum into phrasal verb 왍 to drum
down the windows. 쐽 verb 1. to fall or something into someone to make
let something fall 쑗 He dropped the someone learn something 쑗 My grand-
glass and it broke. 쑗 The plate dropped father drummed it into me that I had to
onto the floor. 2. to decrease 쑗 Prices be polite to customers.
drunk /drŋk/ adjective excited or ill
drunk
are dropping. 쑗 Take a warm pullover,

because at night the temperature can from drinking too much alcohol 쑗 Do
drop quite sharply. 3. to let someone get you think she was drunk? 쑗 It doesn’t
off a bus or car at a place 쑗 I’ll drop you take much for me to get drunk. 쐽 noun a
at your house. 쑗 The bus dropped her at person who is drunk 쐽 past participle of
the school. (NOTE: drops – dropping – drink
dry /dra/ adjective 1. not wet
dry
dropped) 쑗 Don’t
drop in phrasal verb to call on some- touch the door – the paint isn’t dry yet.
one, to visit someone 쑗 The soil is dry because it hasn’t
drop off phrasal verb 1. to fall asleep 쑗 rained for weeks. 2. (of wine) not sweet
She dropped off in front of the TV. 쑗 It 쑗 A dry white wine is served with fish.
took me ages to drop off. 2. to let some- (NOTE: drier – driest) 쐽 verb 1. to be-
one get off a bus or car at a place 쑗 come dry 쑗 The clothes are drying in
Where would you like me to drop you the sun. 쑗 Leave the dishes beside the
off? sink to dry. 2. to wipe something until it
is dry 쑗 If I wash up, can you dry or dry
drought /draυt/ noun a long period
drought
the dishes for me? 쑗 He dried himself

when there is no rain and when the land
with a towel. (NOTE: dries – drying –
is dry
dried)
drove /drəυv/ past tense of drive
drove
dubious /dju
biəs/ adjective thinking
dubious
drown /draυn/ verb to die by being una-

drown
that something might not be true or

ble to breathe in water 쑗 He drowned in good 쑗 Everyone else seems to believe
a shallow pool. her story, but personally I’m dubious
drudgery /drd"əri/ noun hard boring
drudgery
about it. 쑗 I’m dubious about getting in-

work 쑗 Most of the work in the office is volved.
sheer drudgery. duck /dk/ noun 1. a common water bird
duck
drug /dr'/ noun 1. a medicine 쑗 They

drug
쑗 Let’s go and feed the ducks in the

have found a new drug for people with park. (NOTE: The male is a drake, the
arthritis. 2. an illegal substance which female a duck and the young are
affects people physically or mentally ducklings.) 2. the meat of this bird 쑗
when they take it 쑗 The customs are We’re having roast duck for dinner. 쐽
looking for such things as drugs or alco- verb to lower your head quickly to avoid
due 104 dying

hitting something 쑗 He ducked as he duplicate1 /dju
plkət/ adjective made
duplicate
went through the low doorway. as a copy of something 쑗 Put the dupli-
due /dju
/ adjective 1. expected 쑗 When
due
cate invoices in the file. 쐽 noun a copy
is the baby due? 쑗 We are due to leave 쑗 She sent the invoice and filed the du-
London Airport at 5 o’clock. 쑗 The plicate.
duplicate2 /dju
plket/ verb 1. to
duplicate
plane is due to arrive at 10.30 or is due

at 10.30. 왍 due for likely to happen 쑗 make a copy of a document such as a let-
We’re due for a thunderstorm after all ter 쑗 She duplicated the letter and put
this hot weather. 2. owed 쑗 This pay- the copy into a file. 2. to do again some-
ment is due now. 쐽 adverb straight 쑗 thing which has already been done 쑗
The plane flew due west. 쐽 noun what is Keep a note of where you got to – I don’t
deserved 왍 to give someone their due want to duplicate your work.
to be fair to someone 쑗 To give him his during /djυərŋ/ preposition while
during
due, he works very hard. 앳 in due something is going on 쑗 Conditions

course later were bad during the war.
due to /dju
tu
/ preposition because of dust /dst/ noun a thin layer of dry dirt 쑗
due to dust
쑗 The trains are late due to fog. The room had never been cleaned –
there was dust everywhere. 쑗 A tiny
dug /d'/ past tense and past participle of
dug
speck of dust got in my eye. (NOTE: no

dig
plural) 쐽 verb to remove dust from
dull /dl/ adjective 1. not exciting or in-
dull
something 쑗 Don’t forget to dust the

teresting 쑗 The story is rather dull. 쑗 Chinese bowls carefully.
What’s so interesting about old church- dustbin /dstbn/ noun a large contain-
dustbin
es? – I find them dull. 2. (of weather ) er for rubbish, kept outside a house
grey and cloudy 쑗 a dull rainy day 3. (of dusty /dsti/ adjective covered with
dusty
colours) not bright 쑗 They painted the

dust (NOTE: dustier – dustiest)
sitting room a dull green.
duty /dju
ti/ noun 1. something which
duty
dumb /dm/ adjective unable to speak

dumb
you are legally or morally expected to

(NOTE: Some people avoid this term do 쑗 We have a duty to inform the au-
because it causes offence and prefer thorities about what we saw. 2. 왍 on
to say speech impaired.) duty doing official work which you
dummy /dmi/ noun a plastic object, have to do in a job 쑗 He’s on duty from
dummy
given to a baby to suck in order to stop 9.00 to 6.00. 쑗 She’s been on duty all
it from crying 쑗 The baby sat sucking a day. 3. a tax which has to be paid 쐽 plu-
dummy. (NOTE: The plural is dum- ral noun duties different jobs that have
mies.) to be done as part of your official work
쑗 One of his duties is to see that the
dump /dmp/ noun a large area where
dump
main doors are locked at night.

rubbish is taken 쑗 Take your rubbish to
duty-free /dju
ti fri
/ adjective, ad-
duty-free
the municipal dump. 쐽 verb 1. to put

something heavy on the ground, espe- verb sold with no tax to be paid 쑗 He
cially in a careless way 쑗 She just bought a duty-free watch at the airport
dumped her suitcases in the hall. 2. to or he bought the watch duty-free.
duvet /du
ve/ noun a bag full of feath-
duvet
throw something away, to get rid of

something 쑗 Someone has dumped an ers, used as a covering for a bed
dying /daŋ/ present participle of die
dying
old pram in the car park.

E
e /i
/, E noun the fifth letter of the alpha- earn /
n/ verb to be paid money for
e earn
bet, between D and F working 쑗 He earns £20,000 a year. 쑗

each /i
tʃ/ adjective every 쑗 Each five How much does a bus driver earn?
each
pound note has a number. 쑗 He was earring /ərŋ/ noun a piece of jewellery
earring
holding a towel in each hand. 쑗 Each worn attached to part of the ear
one of us has a separate office. 쐽 pro-
earth /
θ/ noun 1. also Earth the planet
earth
noun 1. every person 쑗 They have two

houses each. or Each of them has two on which we live 쑗 The Earth goes
houses. 쑗 She gave them each five round the sun once in twenty-four hours.
pounds or She gave them five pounds 2. soil, a soft substance in which plants
each or She gave each of them five grow 쑗 Put some earth in the plant pot
pounds. 2. every thing 쑗 Each of the and then sow your cucumber seeds.
earthquake /
θkwek/ noun an occa-
earthquake
books has three hundred pages or The

books have three hundred pages each. sion on which the earth shakes, caused
each other /i
tʃ ðə/ pronoun the oth-
each other
by movement of the earth’s surface
er one of two people or of two things 쑗 (NOTE: also called simply a quake)
They were shouting at each other. 쑗 We ease /i
z/ noun a lack of difficulty 쑗 He
ease
always send each other presents on our won the first round with the greatest of
birthdays. 쑗 The boxes fit into each oth- ease. 쑗 The bottle has a wide mouth for
er. ease of use. 쐽 verb to make less painful
eager /i
'ə/ adjective wanting to do 쑗 A couple of aspirins should ease the
eager
something very much pain.

eagerly /i
'əli/ adverb in a way that easily /i
zli/ adverb 1. without any dif-
eagerly easily
shows that you want something very ficulty 쑗 I passed my driving test easily.
much 쑗 I can easily get there by 9 o’clock. 2.
ear /ə/ noun one of the parts on either
ear
a lot (for emphasis before compara-
side of your head which you hear with 쑗 tives or superlatives) 쑗 Her work was
Rabbits have long ears. 쑗 Have you easily better than yours. 쑗 He is easily
washed behind your ears? the tallest man in the team. 쑗 Our shop
is easily the biggest in the High Street.
earlier /
liə/ adjective relating to a time
earlier
east /i
st/ noun 1. the direction of where
east
before now or before a time being men-

tioned 쑗 an earlier version of the book the sun rises 쑗 The sun rises in the east
쑗 I’ll try to catch an earlier train. 쐽 ad- and sets in the west. 쑗 Germany is to the
verb before now or before a time being east of France. 쑗 The wind is blowing
mentioned 쑗 Can’t you come any earli- from the east. 2. the part of a country
er than Tuesday? 쑗 I tried to phone ear- which is to the east of the rest 쑗 The east
lier but you were out. of the country is drier than the west. 쐽
early /
l/ adverb 1. before the usual
early
adjective relating to the east 쑗 The east
time 쑗 The plane arrived five minutes coast is the coldest part of the country.
쐽 adverb towards the east 쑗 The kitchen
early. 쑗 We must get up early tomorrow
morning if we want to catch the first windows face east, so we get the morn-
boat to France. 2. at the beginning of a ing sun. 쑗 Drive east along the motor-
period of time 쑗 We went out early in way for twenty miles.
Easter /i
stə/ noun a Christian festival,
Easter
the evening. 쑗 The snow came early in

the year. in March or April, celebrating the occa-
eastern 106 educational

sion on which Christ died and then came economy /kɒnəm/ noun 1. the way in
economy
back to life again which a country makes and uses money,

eastern /i
st(ə)n/ adjective from, of or
eastern
or the financial state of a country 쑗 The
in the east 쑗 Bulgaria is part of Eastern country’s economy is in ruins. 2. some-
Europe. 쑗 The best snow is in the east- thing you do to avoid wasting money or
ern part of the mountains. materials 쑗 She tried to make a few
economies like buying cheaper brands
easy /i
zi/ adjective not difficult, or not
easy
of washing-up liquid.
needing a lot of effort 쑗 The test was
edge /ed"/ noun 1. a side of something
edge
easier than I expected. 쑗 My boss is

very easy to get on with. flat 쑗 He put his plate down on the edge
of the table. 쑗 She lay down on the roof
eat /i
t/ verb 1. to put food into your
eat
and looked over the edge. 쑗 Can you

mouth and swallow it 쑗 I’m hungry – is stand this coin on its edge? 쑗 The axe
there anything to eat? 쑗 We haven’t eat- has a very sharp edge. 2. an imaginary
en anything since breakfast. 쑗 The chil- line where an area ends 쑗 He lived in a
dren ate all the sandwiches. 쑗 Eat as house at the edge of the forest. 쑗 The
much as you like for £5.95! 쑗 You’ll get factory is built right on the edge of the
thin if you don’t eat. 2. to have a meal 쑗 town.
He was still eating his breakfast when I edible /edb(ə)l/ adjective which is
edible
arrived. 쑗 We are eating at home to- good enough or safe to eat

night. 쑗 Have you eaten yet? (NOTE:
edit /edt/ verb 1. to be in charge of a
edit
eats – eating – ate /et/ – has eaten

/i
t(ə)n/) newspaper or magazine 쑗 He edited the
‘Sunday Express’ for more than twenty
eat out phrasal verb to have a meal in years. 2. to prepare a book for publish-
a restaurant ing by doing such things as correcting
eat up phrasal verb to eat everything 쑗 mistakes 쑗 I am editing a volume of
She ate it all up in a matter of seconds. 20th-century poetry. 3. to prepare some-
쑗 Come on, eat up – it’s time to go. thing such as a film to make it ready to
echo /ekəυ/ noun a sound which is re-
echo
be shown 쑗 Once the film has been ed-

peated such as when you shout in a ited it will run for about 90 minutes.
place such as a tunnel 쑗 We could hear editor /edtə/ noun 1. a journalist in
editor
the echo of voices in the tunnel. 쑗 If you charge of a newspaper or part of a news-
go to the Whispering Gallery in the paper 쑗 He wrote to the editor of ‘The
dome of St Paul’s Cathedral you can Times’ asking for a job. 쑗 She is the
hear the echo very clearly. (NOTE: The sports editor of the local paper. 2. a per-
plural is echoes.) 쐽 verb 1. (of sound ) son who edits books
to make an echo 쑗 Their voices echoed
educate /edjυket/ verb to teach some-
educate
down the tunnel. 2. to repeat 쑗 The

newspaper article echoed the opinions one in a school or college, or give them
put forward in the minister’s speech. information that they need 쑗 She was
educated in Switzerland. 쑗 We need to
(NOTE: echoes – echoing – echoed)
educate young people about the dangers
economic /i
kənɒmk/ adjective 1.
economic
of alcohol.
relating to the economy 쑗 I don’t agree educated /edjυketd/ adjective hav-
educated
with the government’s economic policy. ing been to school and university
쑗 The government has introduced con-
education /edjυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun the
education
trols to solve the current economic cri-
sis. 쑗 The country enjoyed a period of system of teaching, or of being taught 쑗

economic growth in the 1980s. 2. not Our children deserve the best educa-
costing much money 쑗 The flat is let at tion. 쑗 We spent a lot of money on his
an economic rent. 쑗 It is hardly eco- education, and he’s got a job as a dust-
nomic for us to run two cars. 3. using man!
educational /edjυkeʃ(ə)nəl/ adjec-
educational
money well 쑗 It is hardly economic for
us to run two cars. tive relating to education, teaching and

effect 107 either

schools 쑗 This game for 3 to 5 year-olds eighteen /eti
n/ noun the number 18
eighteen
is very educational. 쑗 a campaign to 쑗 There are eighteen people in our

improve educational standards. dance class. 쑗 He will be eighteen
effect /fekt/ noun a result or influence
effect

(years old) next week. 쑗 The train
쑗 The cuts in spending will have a seri- leaves at eighteen twenty (18:20).
ous effect on the hospital. 쑗 The cream eighteenth /eti
nθ/ adjective relating
eighteenth
has had no effect on her rash. 쑗 The ef- to number 18 in a series 쑗 The eight-
fects of the shock took some time to wear eenth of April or April the eighteenth
off. 앳 with effect from starting from (April 18th). 쑗 Today’s the seventeenth,
(formal ) 쑗 Prices will be increased by so tomorrow must be the eighteenth. 쑗
10% with effect from January 1st. That’s the eighteenth invoice we’ve sent
effective /fektv/ adjective 1. which
effective

out today. 쑗 It’s his eighteenth birthday
produces the required result 쑗 His meth- next week. 쐽 noun number 18 in a series
od of keeping the children quiet is very 쑗 A lot of people have called me today –
effective. 쑗 Advertising on TV is a very she’s the eighteenth.
eighth /etθ/, 8th adjective relating to
eighth
effective way of selling. 2. which takes

effect 쑗 an order which is effective from number 8 in a series 쑗 The eighth of
January 1st February or February the eighth (Feb-
ruary 8th). 쑗 His eighth birthday is next
effectively /fektvli/ adverb in a way
effectively
which produces a good result 쑗 The Monday. 쐽 noun number eight in a se-
floodlighting worked very effectively. ries 쑗 He’s the eighth in line to the
throne. 쑗 King Henry the Eighth (Henry
effectiveness /fektvnəs/ noun the
effectiveness

VIII) had six wives. (NOTE: eighth is
ability to produce an effective result usually written 8th in dates: April 8th,
efficient /fʃ(ə)nt/ adjective able to
efficient

1999; September 8th, 1866 (American
work well and do what is necessary style is September 8, 1866), say ‘the
without wasting time, money or effort 쑗 eighth of September’ or ‘September
He needs an efficient assistant to look the eighth’ (American style is ‘Septem-
after him. 쑗 The new system of printing ber eighth’); with names of kings and
invoices is very efficient. queens, eighth is usually written VIII:
King Henry VIII, say: ‘King Henry the
efficiently /fʃ(ə)ntli/ adverb in an ef-
efficiently

Eighth’.)
ficient way
eightieth /etiəθ/, 80th adjective relat-
eightieth
effort /efət/ noun the use of the mind or

effort
ing to number 80 in a series 쑗 Granny’s

body to do something 쑗 He’s made a eightieth birthday is next week. 쐽 noun
big effort to learn Spanish. 쑗 Lifting the number 80 in a series 쑗 We’ve had a lot
box took considerable physical effort. 쑗 of letters – this is the eightieth.
She’s already written to three addresses
eighty /eti/ noun the number 80 쑗 It’s
eighty
in an effort to contact the owner. 쑗

about eighty miles from London to Do-
Thanks to her efforts, we have collected
ver. 쑗 She’s eighty (years old). 왍 the
more than £10,000 for the children’s
eighties the numbers between 80 and 89
hospital.
either /aðə, i
ðə/ adjective, pronoun
either
egg /e'/ noun 1. a round object with a

egg
1. one or the other 쑗 You can use either

hard shell, produced by a female bird or, computer – it doesn’t matter which. 쑗 I
e.g. snake, in which a baby bird devel- don’t like either of them. 2. each of two;
ops 쑗 The owl laid three eggs in the both 쑗 There are trees on either side of
nest. 쑗 Turtles lay their eggs in the sand. the road. 쑗 Some people don’t take sug-
2. a chicken’s egg, used as food 쑗 You ar in their coffee, some don’t take milk,
need three eggs to make this cake. and some don’t take either. 쐽 adverb
eight /et/ noun the number 8
eight
쑗 He ate used with two negatives to show that

eight chocolates. 쑗 The little girl is two people or things are similar in some
eight (years old). 쑗 I usually have way 쑗 He isn’t Irish and he isn’t Scot-
breakfast before eight (o’clock). tish either. 쑗 She doesn’t want to go,
elastic 108 elsewhere

and I don’t want to go either. 쑗 The re- and doesn’t have any electricity. (NOTE:
port wasn’t on the TV news, and it no plural)
wasn’t on the radio either. electronic /elektrɒnk/ adjective us-
electronic
elastic /lstk/ noun a material which

elastic

ing electricity and very small parts
stretches 쑗 You’ll need to sew this piece which affect the electric current which
of elastic onto the ballet shoes. 쐽 adjec- passes through them 쑗 an electronic ad-
tive able to stretch and contract 쑗 She dress book 쑗 My car has an electronic
was wearing tight shorts made of some ignition.
elastic material. electronics /elektrɒnks/ noun the
electronics
elbow /elbəυ/ noun the joint in the mid-

elbow
science of the movement of electricity
dle of your arm 쑗 He sat with his elbows in electronic equipment
element /elmənt/ noun 1. a basic
element
on the table. 쑗 She nudged him with her

elbow. chemical substance 2. a basic part of
something 쑗 I think we have all the ele-
elderly /eldəli/ adjective a more polite
elderly
ments of a settlement. 3. a natural envi-

word than "old" used for describing
someone who has had a long life 쑗 An ronment 쑗 The vicar is in his element
when he’s talking about cricket. 4. a part
elderly man sat down beside her. 쑗 My
of a piece of equipment which makes,
mother is now rather elderly and
e.g. water hot 쑗 I think the element has
doesn’t drive any more.
burnt out.
elect /lekt/ verb to choose someone by
elect
elephant /elfənt/ noun a very large

elephant

voting 쑗 She was elected MP for the African or Indian animal, with large
town. 쑗 The president is elected for a ears, a trunk and two long teeth called
term of four years. 쑗 The chairman is ‘tusks’
elected by the members of the commit-
elevator /elvetə/ noun US a machine
elevator
tee.
for moving people up or down from
election /lekʃən/ noun the process of
election

floor to floor inside a building 쑗 Take
choosing by voting 쑗 After the election, the elevator to the 26th floor.
the crowds were dancing in the streets.
eleven /lev(ə)n/ noun the number 11 쑗
eleven
쑗 The next item on the agenda is the

When you’re eleven (years old) you will

election of a new treasurer for the club.
go to secondary school. 쑗 Come and see
electric /lektrk/ adjective 1. worked
electric
me at eleven (o’clock).
by electricity 쑗 Is your cooker electric eleventh /lev(ə)nθ/, 11th adjective re-
eleventh
or gas? 쑗 He plays an electric guitar. 쑗 lating to number 11 in a series 쑗 The

He cut the wood with an electric saw. 쑗 eleventh of July/July the eleventh (July
She gave me an electric toothbrush for 11th). 쑗 Today’s the tenth, so tomorrow
Christmas. 2. making or carrying elec- must be the eleventh. 쑗 That’s the elev-
tricity 쑗 Don’t touch those electric enth complaint we’ve received this
wires. 쑗 Electric plugs in the USA are week. 쑗 It’s his eleventh birthday next
different from those in Britain. month.
electrical /lektrk(ə)l/ adjective relat-
electrical
else /els/ adverb other (used after pro-

else
ing to electricity 쑗 a shop selling elec- nouns) 쑗 What else can I say? 쑗 Every-
trical appliances 쑗 The college offers one else had already left. 쑗 Who else
courses in electrical engineering. 쑗 was at the meeting? 앳 or else or if not
They are trying to repair an electrical 쑗 We could do it now, or else wait till
fault. John comes. 쑗 You must have a ticket, or
electricity /lektrsti/ noun energy
electricity

else you will be thrown off the train by
used to make light, heat, or power 쑗 We the inspector.
elsewhere /elsweə/ adverb some-
elsewhere
haven’t paid the electricity bill this
month. 쑗 The electricity was cut off this where else, in another place 쑗 This shop
morning. 쑗 The heating is run by elec- doesn’t stock maps, so you’ll have to try
tricity. 쑗 The cottage is in the mountains elsewhere.
email 109 empty

email /i
mel/, e-mail /i
mel/ noun 1. emphasis on his age. 쑗 She banged the
email
a system of sending messages from one table for emphasis as she spoke. 2. how
computer to another, using telephone loud your voice is when you pronounce
lines 쑗 You can contact me by phone or a word or phrase 쑗 Everyone noticed the
email if you want. 쑗 I’ll give you my emphasis he put on the word ‘peace’.
email address. 2. a message sent by (NOTE: The plural is emphases.)
email 쑗 I had two emails from him this emphasise /emfəsaz/, emphasize
emphasise
morning. 쐽 verb to send a message to verb to show how important you feel
someone using email 쑗 I emailed him something is, by saying it more loudly
about the meeting. or slowly 쑗 Please emphasise that the
embarrass /mbrəs/ verb to make meeting must start on time. 쑗 He em-
embarrass
someone feel uncomfortable in front of phasised the importance of everyone

other people, e.g. by talking about working together. 쑗 She kept on empha-
something that they would prefer other sising the same point over and over
people not to know about again.
embarrassed /mbrəst/ adjective empire /empaə/ noun several separate
embarrassed empire
uncomfortable or ashamed, and not countries ruled by a central government

knowing what to do 쑗 She gave an em- 쑗 We’re
studying the history of the Brit-
barrassed laugh, and said she had for- ish Empire. 쑗 The Soviet empire cov-
gotten to bring the present. 쑗 He was so ered a huge area from the Pacific Ocean
embarrassed that he turned bright red. to the middle of Europe.
embarrassing /mbrəsŋ/ adjective
embarrassing
employ /mplɔ/ verb 1. to give some-

employ
making a person feel embarrassed 쑗 It one regular paid work 쑗 He is employed

was very embarrassing when he told as a gardener by the duke. 쑗 She is em-
everyone about my mistake. ployed in the textile industry. 2. to use
embryo /embriəυ/ noun the first state something (formal ) 쑗 If we were to em-
embryo
of a living organism 쑗 a human embryo ploy more up-to-date methods, would

emerge /m
d"/ verb 1. to come into
emerge

we make more money? 쑗 How can we
existence as something 쑗 It was only af- best employ our free time on Sunday?
employee /mplɔi
/ noun a person
employee
ter the election that he emerged as party
leader. 2. to become known 쑗 It soon who is employed 쑗 The company has

emerged that the Prime Minister knew decided to take on twenty new employ-
nothing about what was happening. ees.
emergency /m
d"ənsi/ noun a dan- employer /mplɔə/ noun a person or
emergency employer
gerous situation such as a fire or an ac- organisation that gives work to people
cident, where decisions have to be taken and pays them 쑗 Her employer was a
quickly 쑗 Phone for an ambulance – Hong Kong businessman. 쑗 The car fac-
this is an emergency! tory is the biggest employer in the area.
emotion /məυʃ(ə)n/ noun a strong
emotion
employment /mplɔmənt/ noun reg-

employment
feeling 쑗 Hatred and love are two of the ular paid work
most powerful emotions. 쑗 He tried to
empty /empti/ adjective with nothing
empty
hide his emotions when he made his

speech. inside, or with no people present 쑗
When we opened it, the box was empty.
emotional /məυʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective
emotional

쑗 Take an empty pot and fill it with soil.
causing you to feel emotion, or showing 쑗 The fridge is empty – we’ll have to go
emotion 쑗 Saying goodbye was an emo- out to eat. 쑗 The ski resorts are empty
tional time for us all. 쑗 The music made because there is no snow. (NOTE: empti-
her feel very emotional and she started er – emptiest) 쐽 verb to make some-
to cry. thing empty 쑗 She emptied the clothes
emphasis /emfəss/ noun 1. the act of
emphasis
out of the suitcase. 쑗 He emptied the

showing the importance of something, bottle into the sink. 쑗 They emptied the
usually in speech 쑗 Don’t put too much contents of the petty cash box into a bag.
enable 110 engineer

(NOTE: empties – emptying – emp- ryone fighting on the floor. 쑗 The con-
tied) cert should end at about 10 o’clock. 쑗
enable /neb(ə)l/ verb to make it possi- The game ended in a draw. 앳 in the end
enable
ble for someone to do something 쑗 The finally, at last 쑗 In the end the teacher
dictionary should enable you to under- let him go home. 쑗 In the end the shop
stand English better. (NOTE: enables – had to call in the police. 앳 to make
enabling – enabled) ends meet to have just enough money
to live on 쑗 I’m having trouble making
enclose /nkləυz/ verb 1. to put some-
enclose
ends meet.
thing inside an envelope with a letter 쑗
I am enclosing a copy of our current end up phrasal verb to finish in a par-
catalogue. 쑗 Please find our cheque en- ticular situation
endeavour /ndevə/ verb to try very
endeavour
closed herewith. 2. to put a wall or fence
round an area of land 쑗 The garden is hard to do something (formal ) 쑗 He en-

enclosed by high brick walls. deavoured to contact her by both phone
enclosed /nkləυzd/ adjective sur-
enclosed

and fax. (NOTE: The US spelling is en-
rounded on all sides 쑗 an enclosed deavor.)
ending /endŋ/ noun the way a story
ending
space
encounter /nkaυntə/ verb to meet
encounter

finishes 쑗 I like films which have a hap-
someone or something 쑗 On the journey py ending. 쑗 He told us so much of the
we encountered several amusing peo- story that we could guess the ending.
enemy /enəmi/ noun a person or coun-
enemy
ple. 쑗 I have never encountered such

hospitality anywhere else. try that is not on friendly terms with an-
encourage /nkrd"/ verb 1. to make
encourage

other, and may try to harm them 쑗 Did
it easier for something to happen 쑗 your husband have many enemies?
Leaving your credit cards on your desk (NOTE: The plural is enemies.)
energetic /enəd"etk/ adjective active
energetic
encourages people to steal or encourag-
es stealing. 2. to help someone to do and lively

something by giving them confidence 쑗 energy /enəd"i/ noun 1. the force or
energy
He encouraged me to apply for the job. strength of a person 쑗 He used up a lot

쑗 I always felt encouraged by his inter- of energy rushing around doing the
est in what I was doing. Christmas shopping. 쑗 She put all her
encyclopedia /nsakləpi
diə/, ency- energies into her art gallery. 2. a power
encyclopedia
clopaedia noun 1. a reference book which makes something work 쑗 the use
containing articles on many subjects of of atomic energy or nuclear energy to
human knowledge, usually presented in make electricity 쑗 We try to save energy
alphabetical order 2. a reference book by switching off the lights when the
containing articles on a single subject, rooms are empty.
arranged usually in alphabetical order 쑗 engine /end"n/ noun 1. a machine
engine
a gardening encyclopedia 쑗 the ency- which powers or drives something 쑗

clopedia of sport The car may need a new engine, I’m
end /end/ noun 1. the last part of some-
end
afraid. 쑗 Early industrial equipment
thing 쑗 She tied the two ends of the rib- was powered by steam engines. 2. a ve-
bon together. 쑗 The telephone rang and hicle which pulls a train 쑗 The engine
I missed the end of the TV programme. broke down and the train was stuck in
쑗 Go down to the end of the road and the tunnel.
then turn right. 왍 to come to an end to engineer /end"nə/ noun 1. a person
engineer
be finished 쑗 The work should come to who looks after and repairs technical
an end next month. 2. the final part of a equipment 쑗 There are not enough tele-
period of time 쑗 Can you wait until the phone engineers in the area. 쑗 The pho-
end of the week? 쐽 verb when some- tocopier’s broken down again – we’ll
thing ends, it reaches the point when it have to call the engineer. 2. a person
stops happening 쑗 The film ends with a whose job is to design mechanical, elec-
wedding. 쑗 The meeting ended with eve- trical or industrial equipment
engineering 111 entertain

engineering /end"nərŋ/ noun the enjoyable /nd"ɔəb(ə)l/ adjective giv-
engineering enjoyable
science or study of the design of techni- ing pleasure

cal equipment 쑗 The college offers enjoyment /nd"ɔmənt/ noun pleas-
enjoyment
courses in electrical engineering. ure

England /ŋlənd/ noun a country in the
England
enlarge /nlɑ
d"/ verb to make some-
enlarge
southern part of the island of Great Brit- thing bigger 쑗 Could you enlarge this
ain, the largest country in the United photograph?
Kingdom 쑗 How long does it take to
enormous /nɔ
məs/ adjective of an
enormous
cross from England to France? 쑗 A lot extremely large size 쑗 The ballroom is
of Scottish people live in England. absolutely enormous. 쑗 He ate an enor-
(NOTE: the word England is often used
mous lunch.
instead of Britain, and this is a mistake,
enormously /nɔ
məsli/ adverb very
enormously
as England is only one part of Great
Britain; note also the capital: London; much

enough /nf/ adjective as much as is
enough
people: the English; language: Eng-
lish; currency: pound sterling) needed 쑗 Have you got enough money
English /ŋ'lʃ/ adjective relating to
English
for your fare or to pay your fare? 쑗
England 쑗 the beautiful English coun- There isn’t enough light to take photo-
tryside 쑗 Is the English weather really graphs. 쐽 pronoun as much of some-
as bad as it is made out to be? 쑗 I think thing as is needed 쑗 I had £20 in my
she is English, although she speaks with purse to pay the taxi, but it wasn’t
an Australian accent. (NOTE: English is enough. 쑗 Have you all had enough to
often used instead of British. This is a eat? 쐽 adverb as much as is needed 쑗
mistake as England is only one part of This box isn’t big enough for all these
Great Britain. Do not say the English books. 쑗 He doesn’t work fast enough.
ensure /nʃυə/ verb to make sure of
ensure
Prime Minister, say the British Prime
Minister.) 쐽 noun the English language something 쑗 When taking a shower,

as a subject of study in school or univer- please ensure that the shower curtain is
sity 쑗 She’s good at maths but not so inside the bath. (NOTE: ensures – en-
good at English. 쑗 As well as teaching suring – ensured)
English, he also teaches drama. 쑗 Mr enter /entə/ verb 1. to go into or to come
enter
Smith is our English teacher. 쑗 She into a place 쑗 He took off his hat as he
gives English lessons at home in the entered the church. 쑗 Did they stamp
evenings. 쑗 There are twenty students in your passport when you entered the
my English class. country? 2. to decide to take part in a
Englishman /ŋ'lʃmən/ noun a man race or competition 쑗 She has entered
Englishman
from England (NOTE: The plural is Eng- the 2,000 metres. 3. to write information
lishmen.) on a book or a form, or to type informa-
tion into a computer system 쑗 We will
Englishwoman /ŋ'lʃwυmən/ noun
Englishwoman
just enter your name and address on the

a woman from England (NOTE: The plu-
computer. 쐽 noun the key on a keyboard
ral is Englishwomen.)
which you press when you have finished
enhance /nhɑ
ns/ verb to increase the
enhance
keying something, or when you want to

value or power of something 쑗 Slot in start a new line 쑗 To log on to the sys-
this new memory board to enhance your tem, type your password and press enter.
computer memory. 쑗 He took drugs to 쒁 entrance, entry
enhance his performance as an athlete. entertain /entəten/ verb 1. to per-
entertain
enjoy /nd"ɔ/ verb to get pleasure from

enjoy
form, e.g. by telling stories to people or

something 쑗 Have you enjoyed the hol- making them laugh 쑗 He entertained us
iday so far? 쑗 When he asked them if with stories of his life in the army. 쑗 The
they had enjoyed the film they all an- tourists were entertained by the local
swered ‘no’. 쑗 She doesn’t enjoy sailing dance troupe. 2. to have someone as a
because it make her seasick. guest and offer them a meal and drinks,
entertainer 112 equipment

and sometimes a place to sleep 쑗 envious /enviəs/ adjective feeling or
envious
They’re entertaining some Swedish showing in an unhappy way that you

friends this evening. would like to have something that some-
entertainer /entətenə/ noun a person one else has
entertainer
who entertains people, especially as a environment /nvarənmənt/ noun

environment
job the land, the water, the air and the build-
entertainment /entətenmənt/ noun ings which are around us, and the condi-
entertainment
things such as films and shows that peo- tions in which we live 쑗 The environ-
ple enjoy watching 쑗 She sang for their ment in the office is not good for con-
entertainment. 쑗 There’s not much en- centrated work. 쑗 The pollution
tertainment in the village – the nearest produced by the factory is causing long-
cinema is 25km away. term damage to the environment.
environmental /nvarənment(ə)l/
environmental
enthusiasm /nθju

ziz(ə)m/ noun
enthusiasm

great interest and liking 쑗 We succeed- adjective relating to the environment 쑗

ed, thanks to the enthusiasm and hard measures taken to protect against envi-
work of a small group of members. 쑗 ronmental pollution 쑗 She’s joined an
She showed a lot of enthusiasm for our environmental group.
envy /envi/ noun an unhappy feeling
envy
new project.
enthusiastic /nθju
zistk/ adjec-
enthusiastic

that you would like to have something
tive showing great interest and approval which someone else has 쑗 Her beautiful
쑗 The editor was very enthusiastic long dark hair filled us all with envy. 쐽
about my book. 쑗 There were enthusias- verb to have the unhappy feeling that
tic cheers at the end of the performance. you would like to have something that
someone else has 쑗 I don’t envy him
entire /ntaə/ adjective whole 쑗 We
entire
with a job like that! (NOTE: envies – en-

spent the entire day gardening. 쑗 The vying – envied)
entire cast came on the stage and bowed
enzyme /enzam/ noun a protein pro-
enzyme
to the audience.
duced by living cells which makes other
entirely /ntaəli/ adverb completely 쑗
entirely

substances change, as when digestion
I agree with you entirely. 쑗 This is an takes place
entirely separate problem.
equal /i
kwəl/ adjective having exactly
equal
entrance /entrəns/ noun a door for go-

entrance
the same amount as something else 쑗

ing in 쑗 She was sitting at the entrance His share is equal to mine. 쑗 Male and
to the museum. 쑗 Let’s meet at the side female employees must have equal pay.
entrance, near the café. 쑗 The two sticks are of equal length or
entrant /entrənt/ noun a person who
entrant
are equal in length. 쐽 verb 1. to be ex-

takes part in a race, examination or com- actly the same as 쑗 His time for the 100
petition 쑗 There are over a thousand en- metres equals the existing record. 2. to
trants for the race. give a particular result 쑗 Two plus two
entry /entri/ noun 1. the act of going equals four. 쑗 Ten take away four equals
entry
into a place 쑗 The sign on the door said six. (NOTE: equals – equalling –
‘No Entry’. 2. the door or opening equalled. The US spelling is equaling
where you go into a place 쑗 The entry to – equaled.) 쐽 noun a person who is on
the cave was blocked by rocks. 3. a piece the same level as someone else 쑗 I don’t
of information in a such as a dictionary, consider him your equal. 쑗 We’re all
or in a computer system 쑗 She looked up equals here.
equally /i
kwəli/ adverb in exactly the
equally
the entry on ‘roses’ in the gardening en-

cyclopaedia. same way 쑗 They are all equally guilty.
envelope /envələυp/ noun a folded pa- 쑗 Here men and women are paid equal-
envelope
per cover for sending letters in 쑗 She ly badly. 쑗 They were both equally re-
wrote the address on the envelope and sponsible for the mistake.
sealed it. 쑗 She wrote down all the in- equipment /kwpmənt/ noun all the
equipment
formation on the back of an envelope. things such as tools, arms and machines
error 113 Europe

which are needed for something 쑗 He 1823. 쑗 We need to establish a good
brought all his camera equipment with working relationship with our col-
him. 쑗 Do you really need all this equip- leagues. 2. to discover or prove some-
ment for a short climb? (NOTE: no plu- thing 쑗 If only the police could establish
ral: for one item say a piece of equip- where the car was parked that evening.
ment.) 쑗 It’s difficult to establish what her rea-
error /erə/ noun something that is
error
sons are for resigning.
establishment /stblʃmənt/ noun
establishment
wrong, especially a mistake in writing
or speaking 쑗 There isn’t a single error 1. the act of creating something 쑗 She
in the whole document. 쑗 The waiter helped them with the establishment of
made an error in calculating the bill. the local drama society. (NOTE: no plu-
erupt /rpt/ verb (of a volcano) to
erupt

ral in this sense) 2. a business; an or-
throw out fire and other very hot sub- ganisation 쑗 It’s an establishment which
stances 쑗 The volcano last erupted in imports radios from China. 쑗 He runs
1968. an important teaching establishment.
Establishment, the /stblʃmənt/
Establishment, the
escape /skep/ noun the act of getting

escape

away from prison or from a difficult sit- noun the most important people in soci-
uation 쑗 There were three escapes from ety, especially those who are in authori-
this jail last year. 쑗 A weekend by the ty 쑗 He spent a lot of his life fighting
sea was a wonderful escape from the of- against the Establishment.
estate /stet/ noun 1. a large area of
estate
fice.
especially /speʃ(ə)li/ adverb 1. used

especially

land belonging to one owner 쑗 He owns
for showing that something is the case a 250-acre estate in Norfolk. 2. a group
to a great degree 쑗 This suitcase is espe- of houses on one piece of land, usually
cially heavy. 2. used for showing that all built at the same time
estimate1 /estmət/ noun a calculation
estimate
something is more important or true 쑗

She does get tired, especially on school or guess which shows the amount of
day. something you think there is, or its
essay /ese/ noun a piece of writing on
essay
worth or cost 쑗 I wasn’t in when they
a specific subject 쑗 a collection of the came to read the gas meter, so this bill is
writer’s most famous essays 쑗 For our only an estimate. 쑗 Your estimate of two
homework, we have to write an essay on dozen visitors proved to be correct. 왍
pollution. she gave me a rough estimate she gave
me an approximate calculation
essential /senʃəl/ adjective which is
essential
estimate2 /estmet/ verb to calculate

estimate
very important or which you must have

쑗 You can survive without food for some or guess how much you think something
time, but water is essential. 쑗 It is essen- will cost or is worth 쑗 I estimate that it
tial that we get the delivery on time. 쐽 will cost £100,000. 쑗 He estimated
noun a thing which is very important or costs at £50,000.
etc. /etsetərə/, etcetera adverb and so
etc.
which you cannot do without 쑗 Sun
cream is an essential in the desert. 쑗 on, and other things like this 쑗 Fruit
We’ve got all the basic essentials – food, such as oranges, bananas, etc.
water and fuel. euro /jυərəυ/ noun the unit of money
euro
essentially /senʃəli/ adverb used for

essentially
used by most countries in the European

saying what is the most true, or the most Union 쑗 Many articles are priced in eu-
important fact 쑗 My new job is essen- ros. 쑗 What’s the exchange rate for the
tially not so very different from my old euro? (NOTE: written Ä before num-
one. 쑗 Although he’s essentially a kind bers: Ä250: say: ‘two hundred and fifty
man, he does lose his temper sometimes. euros’)
establish /stblʃ/ verb 1. to create Europe /jυərəp/ proper noun 1. the
establish Europe
something, to set something up 쑗 The continent of Europe, the part of the

business was established in Scotland in world to the west of Asia, extending
European 114 evil

from Russia to Ireland 쑗 Most of the my brother? 쑗 Have you ever been to
countries of Western Europe are mem- Germany?
bers of the EU. 2. the same area, but not evergreen /evə'ri
n/ noun a tree
evergreen
including the UK 쑗 Holidays in Europe which keeps its leaves all winter 쑗 Holly
are less popular than last year. and other evergreens can be used as
European /jυərəpi
ən/ adjective re-
European
decorations in winter.
lating to Europe every /evri/ adjective 1. each 쑗 It rained
every
evaluate /vljuet/ verb to make a every day during the holidays. 쑗 We

evaluate
judgement about something after think- have a party every New Year’s Day. 쑗
ing carefully about it 쑗 The students Every Wednesday, he goes for a swim in
were asked to evaluate the usefulness of the local pool. 쑗 Every house in the
the lessons. street has a garden. 2. with a particular
amount of time or distance in between 쑗
evaluation /vljueʃ(ə)n/ noun the
evaluation
The medicine is to be taken every four

act of evaluating something, or the
hours. 쑗 Have your car checked every
judgement made in this way (NOTE: no
10,000 kilometres.
plural)
everybody /evribɒdi/ pronoun same as
everybody
evaporate /vpəret/ verb (of liquid )

evaporate

everyone
to turn into steam by being heated 쑗 Wa-
everyone /evriwn/ pronoun all the
everyone
ter gradually evaporates from the soil.

people involved in a particular situation
even /i
v(ə)n/ adjective 1. flat, level 쑗
even
쑗 Everyone has to die some day. 쑗 If

The road has a smooth, even surface. 2. everybody is here, we can start. 쑗 Eve-
not changing 쑗 They kept up an even ryone must show their passport. (NOTE:
pace for miles. 쑗 The temperature is an everyone and everybody are fol-
even 28° all through the day. 쐽 adverb lowed by they, their, themselves,
used for showing surprise or making an etc., but the verb stays singular: Is eve-
expression stronger 쑗 He doesn’t even ryone enjoying themselves? Not eve-
like strawberries. 쑗 Even the cleverest rybody likes pop music, do they?) 왍
businessperson can make mistakes. 쑗 everyone else all the other people 쑗
She’s tall, but her sister is even taller. Only Maggie could come – everyone
evening /i
vnŋ/ noun the late part of
evening
else was too busy.

the day, when it starts to get dark 쑗 I everything /evriθŋ/ pronoun 1. all
everything
saw her yesterday evening. 쑗 The acci- things 쑗 Did you bring everything you
dent took place at 8.30 in the evening. 쑗 need? 쑗 The burglars stole everything
We arrived in London at breakfast time, of value. 쑗 Everything he says annoys
having left New York the previous me. 2. things in general 쑗 Everything
evening. 쑗 We always go to a restaurant was dark in the street. 쑗 Everything is
on Sunday evenings. 쑗 They took an under control.
evening flight to Madrid. 쑗 The evening
everywhere /evriweə/ adverb in all
everywhere
meal is served from 7.30 to 10.30.

places 쑗 There were papers lying about
evenly /i
v(ə)nli/ adverb in an equal
evenly
everywhere. 쑗 We’ve looked everywhere

way for the key and can’t find it.
event /vent/ noun something important
event
evidence /evd(ə)ns/ noun a fact which

evidence
which happens 쑗 the events leading up proves that something really exists or
to the war 쑗 A baby’s first birthday is has happened 쑗 The bloodstains on his
always a very happy event. coat were clear evidence of the crime. 쑗
eventually /ventʃuəli/ adverb in the Scientists are looking for evidence of
eventually
end 쑗 After weeks of hesitation he even- life on Mars. 쑗 There is no evidence that
tually decided to sell the cottage. he was ever there.
evident /evd(ə)nt/ adjective obvious
evident
ever /evə/ adverb at any time (used with

ever
evil /i
v(ə)l/ adjective morally very bad
evil
negatives and in questions) 쑗 Nothing

ever happens here. 쑗 Did you ever meet 쑗 She’s considered to be an evil woman.
ex- 115 exchange

쑗
His evil intentions were evident as example /'zɑ
mpəl/ noun something
example
soon as he locked the door. chosen to show something 쑗 This is a

ex- /eks/ prefix used for showing that a good example of French architecture of
ex-
person used to have a particular job or the eleventh century. 왍 to set an exam-
relationship 쑗 an ex-soldier 쑗 Tom’s my ple to do things well or properly your-
ex-boyfriend. self, so that other people can copy you 쑗
exact /'zkt/ adjective completely ac-
exact

He sets everyone a good example by get-
ting into the office before 8.00 every
curate, with no more or no less 쑗 What
is the exact time of arrival? 쑗 Could you morning. 왍 to make an example of
repeat the exact words she used? 쑗 The someone to punish someone so that oth-
salesgirl asked me if I had the exact ers will learn not to do what that person
sum, since she had no change. did 쑗 Her teacher made an example of
her by making her miss the class trip.
exactly /'zktli/ adverb not more, not
exactly
exceed /ksi
d/ verb to go beyond
exceed
less 쑗 That comes to exactly ten dollars
and fifty cents. 쑗 The time is exactly something 쑗 The car was exceeding the
16.24. speed limit. 쑗 Our expenses have ex-
ceeded our income for the first time. 쑗
exaggerate /'zd"əret/ verb to
exaggerate

Did the UN troops exceed their man-
make things seem, e.g. worse, better, date?
bigger than they really are 쑗 The wide
excellent /eksələnt/ adjective very
excellent
black belt exaggerates her small waist.

쑗 She exaggerated the importance of my good 쑗 We had an excellent meal in a
contribution. Chinese restaurant. 쑗 Her handwriting
is excellent – it is much clearer than
exam /'zm/ noun same as examina-
exam

mine.
tion 쑗 The exam was very difficult –
except /ksept/ preposition not includ-
except
half the students failed. 쑗 She passed all
her exams. ing 쑗 She’s allowed to eat anything ex-

cept milk products. 쑗 Everyone was sick
examination /'zmneʃ(ə)n/ noun
examination
on the boat, except (for) me. 쑗 VAT is

1. an occasion on which someone looks levied on all goods except books, news-
at something to see if it works properly, papers, food and children’s clothes. 쐽
or to see if something is wrong 쑗 He conjunction other than; apart from 쑗 He
had to have an X-ray examination. 쑗 doesn’t do anything except sit and
The examination of the car showed that watch football on the TV. 쑗 Everything
its brakes were faulty. 2. a written or went well, except that James was sick. 쑗
spoken test 쑗 The examination was very Everyone enjoyed the birthday party,
difficult – half the students failed. 쑗 He except (that) there wasn’t enough to eat.
did badly in his English examination. 쑗 (NOTE: [all senses] Do not confuse with
She came first in the final examination accept.)
for the course. (NOTE: often shortened
exception /ksepʃən/ noun something
exception
to exam in this sense)
that is not included 쑗 All the students

examine /'zmn/ verb 1. to look
examine
failed, with one exception. 쑗 Are there

carefully at something to see what is in
any exceptions to the rule?
it, or what it is like 쑗 The doctor exam-
exceptionally /ksepʃən(ə)li/ adverb
exceptionally
ined her throat. 쑗 We will have to exam-
ine the shop’s scales to see if they show to a very great degree, often so great as
the correct weight. 쑗 The customs offi- to be surprising
cials wanted to examine the inside of the exchange /kstʃend"/ verb to give
exchange
car. 쑗 The water samples were exam- one thing and to get another thing back
ined in the laboratory. 2. to test a stu- 쑗 The footballers from the two teams ex-
dent 쑗 They examined everyone in changed shirts at the end of the match.
mathematics and computer skills. 쐽 noun the act of giving one thing for
examiner /'zmnə/ noun a person
examiner
another 쑗 the exchange of rings during

who conducts an exam the wedding ceremony
excited 116 expectation

excited /ksatd/ adjective lively and cise every day if you want to lose
excited
happy because you think something weight.

good is going to happen 쑗 She’s excited exercise book /eksəsaz bυk/ noun a
exercise book
at or by the thought of going on holiday. notebook with lines on each page for
쑗 The children are excited because it’s writing school work in
the Christmas holidays. 쑗 What’s every- exhausted /'zɔ
std/ adjective very
exhausted
one so excited about? 쑗 It was lovely to tired 쑗 I’m exhausted after running
see the children’s happy and excited three miles. 쑗 They staggered back
faces. home very late, with three exhausted
excitement /ksatmənt/ noun the
excitement
children.
feeling of being excited 쑗 What’s all the exhibition /eksbʃ(ə)n/ noun a public
exhibition
excitement about? 쑗 The children are show of things such as paintings or

always in a state of excitement before flowers 쑗 The exhibition is open from
the holidays. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 쑗 We stood in line for
exciting /ksatŋ/ adjective 1. making
exciting
half an hour waiting to get into the Pi-

you feel excited 쑗 The news about the casso exhibition.
house is really exciting. 2. (of, e.g. a exist /'zst/ verb to be real or present 쑗
exist
film or an experience) full of activity, When I was a child, colour TV didn’t ex-
sometimes making you a little scared ist. 쑗 I don’t believe the document exists
because you do not know what is going – I think it has been burnt.
to happen 쑗 I couldn’t sleep after
existence /'zstəns/ noun the state of
existence
watching an exciting film on TV.

being a real thing; life 쑗 Is there any-
exclaim /ksklem/ verb to say some-
exclaim

thing which proves the existence of life
thing loudly and suddenly on Mars? 쑗 They lived a miserable ex-
exclude /ksklu
d/ verb not to include
exclude
istence in a little coal mining town.

someone or something 쑗 Damage by existing /'zstŋ/ adjective in opera-
existing
fire is excluded from the insurance poli- tion at this moment 쑗 Can we modify
cy. 쑗 Don’t exclude his name from your the existing structure in some way? 쑗
list. Existing regulations do not allow the
excuse1 /kskju
s/ noun a reason given sale of food in the street.
excuse
for doing something wrong, or for not exit /e'zt/ noun a way out of a building
exit
doing what was expected 쑗 His excuse 쑗 The customers all rushed towards the
for not coming was that he forgot the exits when the fire alarm rang.
date. expand /kspnd/ verb to increase the
expand
excuse2 /kskju

z/ verb to forgive
excuse
size or extent of something 쑗 We have

someone for making a small mistake 쑗 plans to expand our business.
Please excuse my arriving late like this. expect /kspekt/ verb 1. to think or to
expect
execute /ekskju
t/ verb 1. to kill
execute
hope that something is going to happen

someone as a punishment 쑗 The gov- 쑗 We expect him to arrive at any mo-
ernment’s political enemies were exe- ment or he is expected at any moment. 2.
cuted. 2. to do something that has been to think or guess that something is the
planned or agreed (formal ) 쑗 As part of case 쑗 I expect you are tired after your
the test, drivers are asked to execute an long train journey. 3. to think that it is
emergency stop. 3. in computing, to car- right that someone should do something
ry out instructions 쑗 Press ENTER to 쑗 He expects me to do all the house-
execute the program. work. 4. to be waiting for someone 쑗 I
exercise /eksəsaz/ noun practice in
exercise
can’t talk for long – we’re expecting vis-
using physical or mental powers 쑗 She itors.
expectation /ekspekteʃ(ə)n/ noun
expectation
does her piano exercises every morning.
왍 to take exercise to do physical move- hope; a feeling that something will hap-
ments, like walking or running, in order pen 쑗 She lived up to all our expecta-
to keep fit 쑗 You should take some exer- tions. 쑗 We thought our team would do
expected 117 export

well, but in the end they exceeded all our asthma. 쑗 The laboratory does not ex-
expectations. periment on live animals.
expected /kspektd/ adjective 1. expert /eksp
t/ adjective 1. knowing a
expected expert
which you think or hope will happen 2. lot about a subject 쑗 They can give you
due to arrive 쑗 Our guests are expected expert advice on DIY. 2. 왍 expert at do-
at 10 o’clock. ing something very good at doing
expedition /ekspdʃ(ə)n/ noun a
expedition

something 쑗 I’m not very expert at mak-
journey to explore a place 쑗 He set off ing pastry. 쐽 noun 1. a person who
on an expedition to the South Pole. knows a great deal about a subject 쑗 a
leading expert in tropical medicine or
expense /kspens/ noun an amount of
expense

on tropical diseases 쑗 A rose expert was
money that you have to pay 쑗 I can’t af- the judge at the flower show. 2. a person
ford the expense of a holiday just now. 쑗 who is very good at doing something 쑗
The expense of running a household an expert plumber 쑗 He’s an expert at
seems to increase every week. getting the children to go to bed.
expensive /kspensv/ adjective cost-
expensive
explain /ksplen/ verb 1. to give rea-

explain

ing a lot of money 쑗 Fresh vegetables sons for something 쑗 Can you explain
are more expensive in winter. 쑗 Send why the weather is cold in winter and
your furniture to Australia by sea – it warm in summer? 2. to make something
would be much too expensive by air. clear 쑗 He tried to explain the new pen-
experience /kspəriəns/ noun 1.
experience
sion scheme to the staff. 쑗 She explained

knowledge obtained by working or liv- what had happened, but the manager
ing in various situations 쑗 I have no ex- still thought she had tried to steal the
perience of travelling in the desert. 쑗 watch.
You must write down the full details of explanation /ekspləneʃ(ə)n/ noun a
explanation
your past experience in your CV. 쑗 reason for something 쑗 The police offic-
Some experience of selling is required er asked him for an explanation of why
for this job. (NOTE: no plural in this the stolen car was in his garage. 쑗 The
sense) 2. something that happens to company has given no explanation for
you 쑗 Going to the top of the Eiffel Tow- the change of plan.
er was a wonderful experience. 쑗 He
explode /kspləυd/ verb (of bombs,
explode
wrote a book about his experiences in
the desert. 쐽 verb to live through some- etc.) to blow up 쑗 A bomb exploded in a
thing 쑗 I’m surprised she’s so cheerful crowded train.
explore /ksplɔ
/ verb to travel and dis-
explore
after all she experienced in hospital. 쑗 I
have experienced a great deal of pleas- cover place and things that you have not
ure and frustration in my career. 쑗 He is seen before 쑗 It is a part of the jungle
experiencing sharp pains in his tooth. which has never been explored before. 쑗
experienced /kspəriənst/ adjective
experienced

We spent our holidays exploring Hol-
good at something because you have land by canal.
explosion /kspləυ"(ə)n/ noun an oc-
explosion
learnt a lot from particular experiences
you have had 쑗 She’s a very experi- casion on which something such as a
enced doctor. 쑗 He’s the most experi- bomb explodes 쑗 Several explosions
enced member of our staff. 쑗 The police were heard during the night as the army
are experienced in crowd control. occupied the city.
experiment1 /kspermənt/ noun a explosive /kspləυsv/ noun a sub-
experiment explosive
scientific test; a way of finding out stance used for destroying things by
about something 쑗 to carry out scientif- making them explode 쑗 Tests revealed
ic experiments 쑗 We’re offering our cus- traces of explosive on his hands. 쑗 The
tomers free samples as an experiment. box contained explosives. 쑗 Police ex-
experiment2 /ksperment/ verb to
experiment

plosives experts defused the bomb.
export1 /ekspɔ
t/ noun the business of
export
carry out a scientific test 쑗 They are ex-

perimenting with a new treatment for selling products in other countries 쑗
export 118 eye

They make cars for export. 쑗 There is a external /kst
n(ə)l/ adjective on the
external
big export trade in wine. 쐽 a product outside 쑗 The external walls of the
sent to a foreign country to be sold 쑗 house are quite solid. 쑗 Her injuries
The country’s major export is tea. 쑗 Ex- were all external.
ports to Africa have increased by 25%. extinct /kstŋkt/ adjective 1. (of a type
extinct
export2 /kspɔ

t/ verb to send goods to
export
of animal or plant) no longer in exist-

a foreign country for sale 쑗 The compa- ence, because all of the same kind have
ny exports half of what it produces. died 쑗 These birds are in danger of be-
express /kspres/ verb to show
express

coming extinct. 2. ((of a volcano)) no
thoughts or feelings in words, pictures longer active 쑗 The mountain is an ex-
or actions 쑗 He expressed his gratitude tinct volcano.
extra /ekstrə/ adjective more than usu-
extra
in a short speech. 쑗 His paintings ex-

press his inner thoughts. 쑗 His grief was al; additional 쑗 We need an extra four
expressed in fierce anger and constant teachers or four extra teachers for this
activity. 쐽 noun a fast train 쑗 We took course. 쑗 The charge for delivery is ex-
the express from London to Glasgow. tra. 쑗 Staff get extra pay for working on
Sundays.
expression /kspreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
expression
/kstrɔ
d(ə)nərəli/

extraordinarily
extraordinarily
word, or group of words 쑗 ‘Until the
cows come home’ is an expression adverb extremely 쑗 Her action was ex-
which means ‘for a very long time’. 2. a traordinarily brave.
extraordinary /kstrɔ
d(ə)n(ə)ri/ ad-
extraordinary
look on a person’s face which shows a
feeling 쑗 His expression showed how jective 1. wonderful 쑗 Seeing her again
miserable he was. 쑗 Everyone noticed gave him an extraordinary thrill. 쑗 A
the expression of surprise on her face. 3. peacock’s feathers are quite extraordi-
the act of expressing thoughts and feel- nary. 2. very unusual 쑗 It’s extraordi-
ings nary weather for June.
extreme /kstri
m/ adjective 1. very
extreme
extend /kstend/ verb 1. to stretch

extend

something out 쑗 She extended both great 쑗 The device is made to withstand
arms in welcome. 2. to cover a particular extreme cold. 쑗 He showed extreme re-
are area of land 쑗 The grounds of the luctance to get involved. 2. considered
house extend over two hectares. 3. to unreasonable by some people 쑗 He
make something longer or bigger 쑗 We holds extreme views.
extremely /kstri
mli/ adverb to a very
extremely
are planning to extend our garden. 쑗
The company has extended my contract great degree 쑗 It was extremely hot in
for another two years. August. 쑗 The film is extremely long,
and some people left before the end. 쑗 It
extension /kstenʃən/ noun 1. the act
extension
of extending something 쑗 My visa has is extremely difficult to spend less than

$50.00 a day on meals in New York.
expired, so I have applied for an exten-
eye /a/ noun 1. the organ in the head
eye
sion. 2. a telephone in an office which is

connected to the company’s main line 쑗 which you see with 쑗 He has brown
Can you get me extension 21? 쑗 The eyes. 쑗 Close your eyes and count to ten
manager is on extension 23. while we all hide. 쑗 I’ve got a bit of dust
in my eye. 2. a small hole in the end of a
extensive /kstensv/ adjective cover-
extensive

needle, through which the thread goes 앳
ing a large area or amount 쑗 The to catch someone’s eye to look at
grounds of the house are very extensive. someone who is looking at you 쑗 She
쑗 The church roof needs extensive re- caught his eye and nodded towards the
pair work. door. 앳 to keep an eye on someone
extent /kstent/ noun the degree, size or
extent
or something to watch someone or

area of something 쑗 The extent of the something carefully to see that it is safe
earthquake damage was only revealed 쑗 Can you keep an eye on the house
later. 쑗 He opened up the map to its full while we are away? 앳 to keep an eye
extent. out for someone or something to
eyebrow 119 eyesight

watch to see if someone or something is eyelash /alʃ/ noun one of the hairs
eyelash
available or nearby 쑗 I must keep an eye growing round the edges of your eyes
out for Seville oranges to make some (NOTE: The plural is eyelashes.)
marmalade. 쑗 Can you keep an eye out eyelid /ald/ noun a piece of skin which
eyelid
for the traffic warden while I go into the covers the eye
bank?
eyesight /asat/ noun the ability to see
eyesight
eyebrow /abraυ/ noun the line of hair

eyebrow
above each of your eyes

F
f /ef/, F noun the sixth letter of the alpha- it is surprising 쑗 Have you seen John re-
f
bet, between E and G cently? – as a matter of fact I met him

yesterday.
fabric /fbrk/ noun cloth used for
fabric
factor /fktə/ noun 1. a thing which has

factor
making things such as clothes and cur-

tains 쑗 The curtains are made of an ex- influence or importance 쑗 The key fac-
pensive fabric. tor is the price. 쑗 The crucial factor for
fabrication /fbrkeʃ(ə)n/ noun an
fabrication

the success of the village fair is the
invented story that is not true 쑗 The weather. 2. one of the numbers which
newspaper story was a complete fabri- produce a certain other number when
cation from start to finish. multiplied 쑗 Four and two are factors of
eight.
face /fes/ noun 1. the front part of your
face
factory /fkt(ə)ri/ noun a building

factory
head 쑗 Don’t forget to wash your face

before you go to the party. 2. the front where things are made in large quanti-
part of something 쑗 a clock face 쑗 She ties using machines 쑗 She works in a
put the photograph face down on the shoe factory. 쑗 He owns a furniture fac-
desk. 쐽 verb to have the face or front to- tory. 쑗 The factory makes computer ter-
wards 쑗 Can everyone please face the minals. (NOTE: The plural is factories.)
fade /fed/ verb 1. to lose colour 쑗 The
fade
camera? 쑗 The house faces north. 앳 to

show your face to come to or be in a more you wash your jeans, the more
place where there are other people 쑗 Af- they’ll fade. 쑗 This teeshirt has faded in
ter what he said about my mother he the sun. 2. to become less bright or light
doesn’t dare show his face here. 쑗 As the light faded, bats came out in
face up to phrasal verb to accept an the garden. 쑗 The light from the torch
unpleasant situation and try to deal with began to fade as the batteries ran out. 쑗
it The islands faded away into the dis-
facility /fəslti/ noun 1. an ability to do
facility

tance. 3. to become less noisy 쑗 The
something easily 쑗 She has a facility for sound of the music faded away.
fail /fel/ verb 1. not to succeed 쑗 The ex-
fail
languages. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a means

of doing something 쑗 We offer facilities amination was very difficult – half the
for payment. 3. a large building that en- students failed. 쑗 He passed in maths,
ables people to do or have something 쑗 but failed his English exam. 쑗 She failed
We have opened our new warehouse fa- in her attempt to become an MP. 2. not
cility. (NOTE: The plural is facilities.) to do something 쑗 The car failed to stop
fact /fkt/ noun 1. something such as a
fact
at the red light. 쑗 She failed to notify the
piece of information that is true 쑗 He tax office of her change of address. 3.
faced up to the fact that he wasn’t fit not to work properly 쑗 The brakes
enough for the race. 쑗 Did you check all failed and he couldn’t stop the car. 앳 if
the facts before you wrote the article? 2. all else fails if you can’t do anything
왍 in fact, in actual fact really; the truth else 쑗 If all else fails you can always
is that 쑗 He told the police he had seen borrow my car.
failure /feljə/ noun 1. a situation in
failure
a man steal a car but in fact he made the

whole story up. 쑗 It rained a lot last which something stops working 쑗 The
month – in fact it rained all month. 왍 as accident was caused by brake failure. 쑗
a matter of fact actually; used for say- The failure of the plane’s engine caused
ing what is really true, especially when the crash. 2. an occasion on a person or
faint 121 falsehood

event is not successful 쑗 His attempts to faithful old dog 쑗 We must be faithful to
balance on one leg were a complete fail- father’s last wishes.
ure. 3. a person who does not succeed at fake /fek/ noun something which is
fake
things 쑗 I’m no good at anything – I’m made or designed to look like some-
a failure. thing else that is, e.g. more valuable 쑗
faint /fent/ adjective difficult to see or
faint
That picture isn’t by Picasso, it’s a fake.

hear 쑗 We could just see the faint outline 쐽 adjective not real 쑗 She was wearing
of a man in the fog. 쑗 They could hear a a fake fur coat.
faint tapping under the wreckage. 쐽
fall /fɔ
l/ verb to drop to a lower level 쑗
fall
verb to become unconscious for a short

time 쑗 She fainted when she saw the Snow fell all night 쑗 The pound has fall-
blood. en against the dollar. 쑗 She fell down
the stairs. 쑗 He fell off the ladder. 쑗 Did
fair /feə/ adjective 1. (of hair or skin)
fair
he fall into the river or did someone

light-coloured 쑗 Her hair is quite fair. 쑗 push him? (NOTE: falls – falling – fell
Those with fair skin should use a strong- /fel/ – has fallen) 쐽 noun 1. the proc-
er sun cream. 2. right, giving someone ess of going to a lower level 쑗 a wel-
what they deserve 쑗 That’s not fair – come fall in the price of oil 쑗 the fall in
you must let other children play with the the exchange rate 2. the act of losing
ball too. 쑗 It isn’t fair if you go on holi- your balance 쑗 He had a fall and hurt
day when we have so much work to do. his back. 쑗 She had a bad fall while ski-
쐽 noun 1. a group of machines for riding.
ing on and stalls where you can win
things, set up in one place for a short fall back on phrasal verb to do or use
time 쑗 The fair is coming to the village something only after all other things
for the Easter Bank Holiday. 2. an exhi- have failed
bition for selling and advertising goods fall behind phrasal verb to be late in
쑗 We are going to the car fair tomorrow. doing something
(NOTE: Do not confuse with fare.) fall down phrasal verb 1. to drop to the
fairly /feəli/ adverb 1. in a way that is
fairly
ground 쑗 She fell down and hurt her
right; giving people what they deserve 쑗 knee. 2. (of a building) to become bro-
She complained that she had not been ken down through age 쑗 The place has
treated fairly in the interview. 2. to some been deserted for so long it’s falling
degree 쑗 I’m fairly certain I have seen down.
this film before. 쑗 She had been working fall off phrasal verb to become fewer 쑗
there a fairly short time. 쑗 The hotel is The number of customers starts to fall
fairly close to the centre of town. (NOTE: off after 4 o’clock.
The order of words for fairly and quite fall out phrasal verb 1. to drop to the
is different: He’s a fairly good worker ground after having been in something
but He’s quite a good worker.) 쑗 We put cushions on the floor next to
fairness /feənəs/ noun a tendency or
fairness
the bed in case she fell out. 2. to have an

ability to do things in a fair way 쑗 Eve- argument 쑗 They fell out over the bill
ryone acknowledged her fairness in for drinks.
dealing with staff complaints. fall over phrasal verb to fall down after
fairy /feəri/ noun a small imaginary
fairy
having been upright

creature who can perform magic (NOTE: fall through phrasal verb not to take
The plural is fairies.) place as planned
false /fɔ
ls/ adjective not real; designed
false
faith /feθ/ noun 1. belief or trust

faith
I 쑗
don’t have much faith in these new to look like something real 쑗 a set of
teaching methods. 2. a religious belief 쑗 false nails
We must respect people of other faiths. falsehood /fɔ
lshυd/ noun a lie (liter-
falsehood
faithful /feθf(ə)l/ adjective (of a per-

faithful
ary) 쑗 It appears that he had told sever-

son or an animal ) trusting or loyal 쑗 his al falsehoods under oath.
familiar 122 fashion

familiar /fəmliə/ adjective heard or here. 쑗 How far away is Paris from Lon-
familiar
seen before; that you know 쑗 The dog don? 쑗 The road was blocked by cars as
wagged its tail as it heard its master’s far as we could see. 2. used with com-
familiar voice at the door. 쑗 He looked paratives to mean ‘much’ 쑗 It is far
round the room, and saw a couple of fa- cheaper to go by bus than by train. 쑗
miliar faces. Restaurant food is far nicer than the
family /fm(ə)li/ noun 1. a group of
family
food at college. 쐽 adjective a long way
people who are related to each other, es- away; distant 쑗 The shop is at the far
pecially mother, father and children 쑗 end of the High Street. (NOTE: far – far-
ther /fɑ
ðə/ or further /f
ðə/ - far-
The Jones family are going on holiday
thest /fɑ
ðəst/ or furthest /f
ðəst/)
to Spain. 쑗 He grew up in a big family.
fare /feə/ noun a price which you have to
fare
2. a group of animals or plants which

are closely related 쑗 Lions and tigers pay for a journey 쑗 Rail fares have been
are members of the cat family. (NOTE: increased by 10%. 쑗 The tourist-class
The plural is families. When family is fare is much less than the first class one.
used to mean a group of people it can 쑗 If you walk to work, you will save £5
take a singular or plural verb: The fam- a week on bus fares. (NOTE: Do not con-
ily were out.) fuse with fair.)
farewell /feəwel/ interjection, noun
farewell
famine /fmn/ noun a very serious

famine
lack of food goodbye 쑗 It’s time to say farewell. 쐽

adjective (of an event) at which you say
famous /feməs/ adjective known to
famous
goodbye 쑗 We gave a farewell party for

many people, especially most people in
our neighbours who were going to live
a place or country 쑗 a famous depart-
in Canada.
ment store 쑗 He’s a famous footballer. 쑗
far from /fɑ
frɒm/ adverb not at all 쑗
far from
This tea shop is famous for its cakes.

The food here is far from cheap.
fan /fn/ noun 1. a piece of equipment
fan
farm /fɑ
m/ noun an area of land used for
farm
for moving air to make people or things

cooler 쑗 We put electric fans in the of- growing crops and raising animals 쑗 He
fice to try to keep cool. 2. an enthusiastic runs a pig farm. 쑗 We’re going to work
supporter of something or someone, e.g. on a farm during the holidays. 쑗 You
a team or a pop group 쑗 There was a can buy eggs and vegetables at the farm
crowd of fans waiting for him outside shop. 쐽 verb to grow crops or raise ani-
the theatre. mals on a farm 쑗 He farms dairy cattle
in Devon.
fancy /fnsi/ verb 1. to want to have
fancy
farmer /fɑ
mə/ noun a person who man-
farmer
something (informal ) 쑗 I fancy an ice

cream – anyone else want one? 쑗 Do ages or owns a farm
farming /fɑ
mŋ/ noun the work of
farming
you fancy sharing a taxi to the airport?

2. to like someone in a sexual way 쑗 I’m managing a farm, e.g. growing crops or
sure that guy fancies you. (NOTE: fan- keeping animals for sale
cies – fancying – fancied) 쐽 adjec- fascinate /fsnet/ verb to make
fascinate
tive attractive or decorated 쑗 He wore a someone very interested

fancy tie to the party.
fascinating /fsnetŋ/ adjective
fascinating
fantastic /fntstk/ wonderful 쑗 We

fantastic

very interesting 쑗 A microscope gives
had a fantastic time on holiday. 쐽 ad- you a fascinating glimpse of life in a
jective strange; like a dream 쑗 His sto- drop of water. 쑗 The book gives a fasci-
ries are full of fantastic creatures. nating description of London in the
fantasy /fntəsi/ noun an invented sto-
fantasy
1930s. 쑗 It was fascinating to hear her

ry 쑗 Her story of meeting a rich man in talk about her travels in India.
Paris was pure fantasy. (NOTE: The plu- fashion /fʃ(ə)n/ noun the most popu-
fashion
ral is fantasies.) lar style at a particular time 쑗 It was the

far /fɑ
/ adverb 1. a certain distance away
far
fashion then to wear your hair very

쑗 The railway station is not far from short. 쑗 She always follows fashion.
fashionable 123 fax

fashionable /fʃ(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adjective your fault – if you hadn’t stayed in bed
fashionable
1. of a style which is popular at a partic- all morning we would be at the seaside

ular time 쑗 These loose trousers are re- by now. 2. an instance of something not
ally fashionable at the moment. 2. pop- working properly 쑗 The invoice was
ular with rich or glamorous people 쑗 wrong because of a computer fault. 쑗
She lives in the fashionable West End of The engineers are trying to mend an
London. 쑗 It’s a fashionable restaurant electrical fault. 3. a mistake in serving
for film stars and journalists. in tennis 쑗 He served two double faults.
앳 at fault having made a mistake 쑗 The
fast /fɑ
st/ adjective 1. quick 쑗 I just love
fast
driving fast cars. 쑗 She was driving in shop is at fault if they sent you the wrong
the fast lane of the motorway. 2. not table.
faulty /fɔ
lti/ adjective 1. not working
faulty
stopping anywhere 쑗 This is the fast

train to London. 3. (of a clock) to show correctly or not made correctly 쑗 The
a time which is later than the correct lights are flickering – there must be a
time 쑗 Your watch is fast. 쐽 adverb 1. faulty connection somewhere. 2. with
quickly 쑗 Walk faster if you want to mistakes in planning or judgment 쑗 a
catch up with the children in front. 쑗 faulty argument
Don’t go so fast – you almost hit that favor /fevə/ noun, verb US spelling of
favor
man on the zebra crossing. 2. tightly favour

fixed in a particular position 쑗 The win-
favorable /fev(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adjective US
favorable
dow was stuck fast and I couldn’t open

it. 쐽 verb to eat nothing for religious or spelling of favourable
health reasons 쑗 Many people fast dur- favorite /fev(ə)rət/ noun, verb US
favorite
ing Lent. 쑗 He fasted for a week. spelling of favourite

fasten /fɑ
s(ə)n/ verb to close or attach
fasten
favour /fevə/ noun 1. a friendly act

favour
something tightly 쑗 Please fasten your done to help someone 쑗 Can I ask a fa-
seatbelts. 쑗 These shoes fasten with a vour – will you look after my bike while
buckle.
I’m in the post office? 2. approval or
fastener /fɑ
s(ə)nə/ noun an object
fastener
popularity 쑗 She tried to win the favour

which fastens something such as a piece of the committee. 쐽 verb 1. to like or
of clothing prefer something 쑗 The managers fa-
fat /ft/ adjective having too much flesh vour moving to a bigger office. 2. to
fat
or weighing too much 쑗 Two fat men got make things easier for someone 쑗 The
out of the little white car. 쑗 You’ll have conditions favour Australian bowlers.
to eat less – you’re getting too fat. 쑗 favourable /fev(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adjective
favourable
He’s fatter than me. 쐽 noun a part of good

meat which is yellowish-white 쑗 If you
favourite /fev(ə)rət/ adjective which
favourite
don’t like the fat, cut it off.

you like best 쑗 Which is your favourite
fatal /fet(ə)l/ adjective which causes
fatal
TV programme? 쐽 noun 1. something

death 쑗 There were three fatal accidents or someone you like best 쑗 Which ice
on this road last year. cream is your favourite? 쑗 This game is
father /fɑ
ðə/ noun a man who has a son
father
a favourite with the children. 쑗 The

or daughter 쑗 Ask your father if he will singer was a favourite in the fifties. 2.
lend you his car. 쑗 She is coming to tea someone who is treated better than other
with her mother and father. people by a particular person 쑗 She was
faucet /fɔ
st/ noun US an object always her father’s favourite.
faucet
which, when you twist it, lets liquid or fax /fks/ noun a copy of a document or
fax
gas come out picture sent to someone using telephone

fault /fɔ
lt/ noun 1. the fact of making a
fault
lines 쑗 Post it to me, or send a fax. 쑗

mistake or of being to blame for some- Can you confirm the booking by fax? 쐽
thing going wrong 쑗 It isn’t my fault if verb to send a document or picture by
there’s nothing in the fridge. 쑗 It’s all telephone 쑗 I will fax the design to you
fear 124 feeling

or I will fax you the design as soon as it Washington. 쑗 Federal law is more im-
is ready. portant than state law. 2. relating to a
fear /fə/ noun the feeling of being afraid
fear
system where a group of states exist un-
쑗 Fear of the dark is common in small der a central government 쑗 the former
children. 쑗 She has no fear of heights. 쐽 Federal Republic of Germany
fed up /fed p/ adjective feeling bored
fed up
verb to be afraid of something (formal )

쑗 What do you fear most? and unhappy (informal )
feast /fi
st/ noun 1. a very large meal for fee /fi
/ noun money paid to someone
feast fee
a group of people, especially one eaten such as a doctor or lawyer for work done
to celebrate a special occasion 2. a spe- 쑗 Private school fees are very high. 쑗
cial religious day 쑗 Today is the Feast of The lawyer’s fee for two days’ work was
St Nicholas. more than I earn in a month!
feat /fi
t/ noun an particularly difficult feeble /fi
b(ə)l/ adjective 1. physically
feat feeble
act weak, especially because of illness or

feather /feðə/ noun one of many light
feather
age 쑗 He gave a feeble wave with his
soft parts which cover a bird’s body hand. 쑗 The voice on the phone sounded
feeble. (NOTE: feebler – feeblest) 2.
feature /fi
tʃə/ noun 1. a part of the face
feature
not strong or able to be seen or heard

such as the nose or mouth 쑗 His unusual well 쑗 She replied in a feeble voice.
features make him easy to recognize. 2.
feed /fi
d/ verb 1. to give food to a person
feed
an important part or aspect of something

쑗 The main feature of the castle is its or an animal 쑗 I’d better just feed the
huge tower. 3. an important story or ar- baby before we go out. 쑗 Could you feed
ticle in a TV news programme or in a the cat while we’re away? 2. (of a baby
newspaper 쑗 a feature on nuclear pow- or young animal ) to take milk from its
er 쑗 Did you see the feature on St Pe- mother 쑗 Please don’t disturb the baby
tersburg? 쐽 verb 1. to have someone as while she’s feeding. (NOTE: feeds –
the main performer of a film, a TV pro- feeding – fed /fed/ – has fed)
gramme or a play 쑗 The film featured feedback /fi
dbk/ noun information
feedback
Charlie Chaplin as the tramp. 쑗 The or comments about something which

circus features Russian clowns. 2. to has been done
have something as the most important feel /fi
l/ verb 1. to touch something, usu-
feel
part 쑗 The tour features a visit to the ally with your fingers 쑗 Feel how soft
Valley of the Kings. 쑗 The next pro- the bed is. 2. to seem soft, cold, etc.,
gramme will feature a discussion be- when touched 쑗 The bed feels hard. 쑗
tween environmental experts. 3. to ap- The stone floor felt cold. 3. to experi-
pear as the main actor in, or as the sub- ence something with your body or mind
ject of a film or a TV programme 쑗 She 쑗 Did you feel the table move? 쑗 I felt
has featured in many TV series. the lift go down suddenly. 쑗 Do you feel
February /februəri/ noun the second
February
warmer now that you’ve had a cup of

month of the year, between January and tea? 쑗 They felt happy when they saw
March 쑗 My birthday is in February. 쑗 that all was well. 쑗 By twelve o’clock
He died on February 17th. 쑗 We are she was feeling hungry. (NOTE: feels –
moving to new offices next February. feeling – felt /felt/ – has felt)
(NOTE: February 17th: say ‘the seven- feel for phrasal verb to be sympathetic
teenth of February’ or ‘February the towards someone
seventeenth’, or in US English ‘Febru-
feel up to phrasal verb to be strong or
ary seventeenth’.)
well enough to do something
fed /fed/ past tense and past participle of
fed
feeling /fi
lŋ/ noun something which
feeling
feed you think you know 쑗 I had a feeling

federal /fed(ə)rəl/ adjective 1. relating
federal
that this strange man knew who I was. 쐽

to the central government of the United feelings someone’s emotions 쑗 I didn’t
States 쑗 Most federal offices are in want to hurt her feelings.
feet 125 fiftieth

feet /fi
t/ plural of foot few /fju
/ adjective, noun not many
feet few
쑗
fell /fel/ past tense of fall
fell
She has very few friends at work. 쑗 We
go to fewer concerts than last year.
fellow /feləυ/ noun 1. a man 쑗 A young
fellow
fib /fb/ noun a lie about something unim-

fib
fellow came up to me and asked me the

portant (informal ) 쑗 That was a little fib,
time. 쑗 Who’s that fellow with a beard?
wasn’t it?
2. a person who belongs to the same
fibre /fabə/ noun 1. a small thread of
fibre
group 쑗 I was OK on the boat, but sev-

eral of my fellow passengers were sick. material 쑗 From the fibres left at the
scene of the murder, the police could
felt /felt/ noun a thick material made of
felt
work out what the murderer had been

wool fibres pressed together wearing. 2. thin threads in foods such as
female /fi
mel/ adjective 1. relating to
female
vegetables and bread, which cannot be

women or girls 쑗 a female athlete 2. re- digested, but which helps food to pass
lating to the sex of an animal, insect or through your body 쑗 You need to eat
bird which gives birth to young or pro- more fibre.
duces eggs 쑗 a female kitten 3. relating fiction /fkʃən/ noun novels 쑗 fiction
fiction
to a flower which produces seeds writers such as Graham Greene 쑗 To

feminine /femnn/ adjective like a
feminine
find the latest novels you must look in

woman or suitable for a woman 쑗 Her the fiction section of the library. (NOTE:
long white silk dress was very feminine. no plural)
fence /fens/ noun a type of wall made of field /fi
ld/ noun 1. a piece of ground on
fence field
wood or wire, used to keep people or an- a farm, used for keeping animals or
imals in or out of a place 쑗 The fence growing crops 쑗 a field of potatoes 쑗
was blown down. 쑗 The boys looked The sheep are in the field. 2. a piece of
through the hole in the fence. 쑗 The ground for playing a game 쑗 a football
builders put up a fence round the con- field 쑗 The two teams ran onto the field.
struction site. fierce /fəs/ adjective very angry and
fierce
ferocious /fərəυʃəs/ adjective wild likely to attack 쑗 Watch out – that dog
ferocious
and angry 쑗 a ferocious dog looks fierce.

fiercely /fəsli/ adverb strongly 쑗 She is
fiercely
ferry /feri/ noun a boat which carries

ferry
cars and trucks or people across a fiercely independent.

stretch of water 쑗 We are going to take fifteen /ffti
n/ noun the number 15 쑗
fifteen
the night ferry to Belgium. 쑗 There’s a There are fifteen players in a rugby
ferry across the Rhine here. team. 쑗 She’s fifteen (years old). 쑗
festival /festv(ə)l/ noun 1. a religious
festival
Come and see me in fifteen minutes. 쑗

celebration which is celebrated at the The train leaves at nine fifteen (9.15).
fifteenth /ffti
nθ/ adjective relating to
fifteenth
same time each year and is usually a
public holiday 쑗 The tour will visit number 15 in a series 쑗 the fifteenth of
Hong Kong for the Lantern Festival. 2. July or July the fifteenth (July 15th). 쑗
an event, often lasting several days, That’s the fifteenth phone call I’ve made
where entertainment is provided 쑗 We this morning. 쑗 It will be her fifteenth
saw some excellent plays at the Edin- birthday next week. 쐽 noun number 15
burgh Festival this year. in a series 쑗 Our house is the fifth on the
fetch /fetʃ/ verb to go to a place and
fetch
right.
bring someone or something back 쑗 It’s fifth /ffθ/ adjective relating to number 5
fifth
your turn to fetch the children from in a series 쑗 The fifth of May or May the
school. 쑗 Can you fetch me the atlas? fifth (May 5th). 쑗 It’s his fifth birthday
fever /fi
və/ noun a state in which the
fever
tomorrow. 쐽 noun one part of five equal
body’s temperature is higher than nor- parts
fiftieth /fftiəθ/ adjective relating to
fiftieth
mal 쑗 You must stay in bed until the fe-

ver goes down. number 50 in a series 쐽 noun the
fifty 126 finance

number fifty in a series 쑗 He’s fiftieth on water. 쑗 She was filling the boxes with
the waiting list. presents. 쑗 The bucket filled slowly.
fifty /ffti/ noun the number 50 fill out phrasal verb to write in all the
fifty
쑗 My
mother made fifty pots of jam. 쑗 He’s empty spaces on a form 쑗 Could you
fifty (years old). please fill out this form?
fill up phrasal verb to make something
fight /fat/ noun 1. an occasion on which
fight
completely full; to become completely

people try to hurt each other or knock
full 쑗 He filled the bottle up with fresh
each other down 쑗 He got into a fight
water.
with boys who were bigger than him. 쑗
film /flm/ noun 1. moving pictures
film
Fights broke out between the demon-

strators and the police. 2. a situation in shown at a cinema or on TV 쑗 Have you
seen this old Laurel and Hardy film? 쑗
which people do everything they can to
stop something from happening 쑗 a We’ve seen the film already on TV. 2. a
roll of material which you put into a
fight against the new developments 쐽
camera to take photographs or to record
verb 1. to be involved in a situation in
moving pictures 쑗 I must buy another
which people try to hurt each other or
film before the wedding. 쑗 Do you want
knock each other down 쑗 Rival gangs
a colour film or a black and white one?
fought in the street. 2. to do everything
3. a thin layer of something 쑗 A film of
you can try to stop something from hap-
grease had formed on the walls around
pening 쑗 We are committed to fighting
the oven. 쐽 verb to take pictures of
crime. 쑗 Doctors are fighting to control
something or someone with a camera 쑗
the disease. (NOTE: fights – fighting –
Security cameras filmed him robbing
fought /fɔ
t/ – has fought)
the bank. 쑗 ‘Star Wars’ was filmed in
figure /f'ə/ noun 1. a written number,
figure
1977.
e.g. 35 쑗 I can’t read the figure on the filthy /flθi/ adjective very dirty 쑗 Your
filthy
order – is it 250? 쑗 He added up the fig- hands are absolutely filthy! (NOTE: filth-
ures on the bill. 쑗 Cheques have to be ier – filthiest)
made out in both words and figures. 쒁
fin /fn/ noun a thin part on the body of a
fin
double, single 2. the shape of a person

fish which sticks out and helps it to
쑗 the figures at the front of the painting
swim 쑗 From the beach they could see a
쑗 We could see some figures through the
shark’s fin in the sea.
mist. 쐽 verb especially US to consider
final /fan(ə)l/ adjective last; coming at
final
or think something 쑗 I figure the costs

will be high. 쑗 We figured that you’d be the end 쑗 This is your final warning – if
late because of the show. 쑗 Had you fig- your work doesn’t improve you will
ured on being there before two o’clock? have to go. 쑗 The competition is in its fi-
nal stages. 쐽 noun the last competition
figure out phrasal verb to try to think in a series between several teams or
of an answer to a problem 쑗 Try to fig- competitors 쑗 I thought they would win
ure out the answer yourself, instead of a couple of rounds, but I never imagined
asking someone else. they would get to the final.
file /fal/ noun 1. a metal tool used for
file
finally /fan(ə)li/ adverb at last; in the

finally
making rough surfaces smooth 쑗 Use a end 쑗 The police finally cleared up the
file to round off the edges of the metal. 2. mystery. 쑗 The little boy finally turned
a container similar to an envelope, used up in Edinburgh.
for keeping documents in 쑗 When you
finance /fanns/ noun money, espe-
finance
have finished with the papers, put them cially money which belongs to the pub-
back in the file. 쑗 The police have a file lic or to a company 쑗 How are you go-
on him. 3. a set of information held in a ing to raise the finance for the project?
computer 쑗 Type the name of the file 쑗 My finances are in a poor state at the
and then press ‘enter’. moment. 쐽 verb to provide money for
fill /fl/ verb to make something full; to
fill
something 쑗 How are you going to fi-

become full 쑗 He filled the bottle with nance your course at university if you
financial 127 first

don’t have a grant? 쑗 The redevelop- finish /fnʃ/ verb 1. to do something
finish
ment of the city centre is being financed completely 쑗 Haven’t you finished your
locally. homework yet? 쑗 Tell me when you’ve
financial /fannʃəl/ adjective relating finished reading the paper. 쑗 You can’t
financial
to money 쑗 What is our financial posi- go out until you’ve finished doing the
tion? 쑗 The company has got into finan- washing up. 2. to come to an end 쑗 The
cial difficulties. game will finish at about four o’clock.
find /fand/ verb 1. to see where some- finish up phrasal verb 1. to be some-
find
thing hidden or lost is after looking for where in the end 쑗 We got lost and fin-
it 쑗 I found a £2 coin behind the sofa. 쑗 ished up miles from our hotel. 2. to eat
Did she find the book she was looking something completely 쑗 You must finish
for? 2. to discover something which was up all your vegetables.
fir /f
/ noun 왍 fir tree a tree with needle-
fir
not known before 쑗 No one has found a

cure for the common cold yet. (NOTE: shaped leaves 쑗 Fir trees are often used
finds – finding – found /faυnd/) as Christmas trees.
fire /faə/ noun 1. something which is
fire
find out phrasal verb to discover infor-

mation 쑗 I found out something very in- burning and gives off heat 쑗 They burnt
teresting last night. 쑗 Where can I find the dead leaves on a fire in the garden.
out about my family’s history? 2. something which heats 쑗 We have an
fine /fan/ adjective 1. (of the weather ) electric fire in the living room. 3. an
fine
dry and sunny 쑗 We’ll go for a walk to- emergency in which something such as
morrow if the weather stays fine. 쑗 Let’s a building burns 쑗 They lost all their be-
hope it’s fine for the village fair next longings in the fire. 4. shooting with
week. 2. well; healthy 쑗 I was ill in bed guns 쑗 The soldiers came under fire. 쐽
yesterday, but today I’m feeling fine. 3. verb 1. to shoot a gun 쑗 The gunmen
with no problems 쑗 How are things at fired at the police car. 쑗 We could hear
home? – Fine! 4. acceptable 쑗 It’s fine guns firing in the distance. 2. to tell
to wear casual clothes for this meeting. someone that they must leave their job
5. very thin or very small 쑗 Use a sharp because of something wrong they have
pencil if you want to draw fine lines. 쑗 I done 쑗 She was fired for being late.
can’t read the notice – the print is too fireplace /faəples/ noun a hole in the
fireplace
fine. 쐽 adverb satisfactorily or well 쑗 wall of a room where you can light a fire
It’s working fine. 쐽 noun money which for heating
you have to pay as a punishment for firework /faəw
k/ noun a small tube
firework
having done something wrong 쑗 I had holding chemicals which will shine
to pay a £25 fine for parking in a No brightly or explode when lit
Parking area. 쐽 verb to make someone
firm /f
m/ adjective 1. solid or fixed 쑗
firm
pay money as a punishment for having

done something wrong 쑗 He was fined Make sure that the ladder is firm before
£25 for parking on double yellow lines. you climb up. 쑗 My back hurts – I think
I need a firmer mattress. 2. strong; like-
finger /fŋ'ə/ noun 1. one of the parts at
finger
ly to change 쑗 There is no firm evidence

the end of your hand, sometimes not in- that he stole the money. 쑗 She is a firm
cluding the thumb 쑗 He wears a ring on believer in hard work. 쐽 noun a busi-
his little finger. 쑗 He pressed the button ness or company 쑗 When he retired, the
with his finger. 2. one of the parts of a firm presented him with a watch. 쑗 The
glove that cover the fingers 쑗 I must firm I work for was taken over last year.
mend my glove – there’s a hole in one of
firmly /f
mli/ adverb in a firm way
firmly
the fingers. 쑗 Gloves without fingers are

firmness /f
mnəs/ noun 1. the quality
firmness
called ‘mittens’. 3. a piece of food

shaped like a finger 쑗 a box of chocolate of being strong or firm 2. determination
fingers first /f
st/ noun number 1 in a series 쑗
first
fingernail /fŋ'ənel/ noun the hard

fingernail
Our house is the first on the left. 쐽 ad-

thin part covering the end of a finger jective relating to number 1 in a series 쑗
first aid 128 flash

That was the first time I ever saw him. five /fav/ noun the number 5
five
(NOTE: As a number can be written

fix /fks/ verb 1. to fasten or to attach one
fix
1st.) 쐽 adverb 1. at the beginning 쑗 She

thing to another 쑗 Fix one end of the
came first in the exam. 2. before doing cord to the tree and the other to the
anything else 쑗 Wash your hands first, fence. 2. to organise a time for some-
and then you can eat. 앳 at first at the thing such as a meeting 쑗 We’ll try to fix
beginning 쑗 At first he didn’t like the a time for the meeting. 3. to repair some-
work, but later he got used to it. 앳 first thing 쑗 The telephone people are com-
come, first served dealing with things
ing to fix the telephone. 쑗 Someone’s
such as requests in the order in which coming to fix the telephone this after-
they are received 쑗 Applications will be noon. 쑗 Can you fix the dishwasher? 쑗
dealt with on a first come, first served
Does anyone know how to fix the photo-
basis.
copier?
first aid /f
st ed/ noun the help given
first aid
fixed /fkst/ adjective attached firmly 쑗

fixed
to a person who is hurt before a doctor

or the emergency services arrive The sign is fixed to the post with nails.
fizzy /fzi/ adjective full of small balls of
fizzy
first-class /f
st klɑ
s/ adjective 1.
first-class
very good quality 쑗 You can get a first- gas (NOTE: Drinks which are not fizzy
class meal in that hotel. 2. using the are still. A drink which is no longer
most expensive seats on a plane or train fizzy is flat.)
flag /fl'/ noun a piece of brightly col-
flag
쑗 Can I have a first-class return to Par-

is, please? oured material with the symbol of a
fish /fʃ/ noun an animal which lives in
fish
country or an organisation on it 쑗 The
water and swims; it has fins and no legs, French flag has blue, red and white
쑗 I sat by the river all day and only stripes. 쑗 The ship was flying the British
caught two little fish. 쐽 verb to try to flag. 쑗 The flags were blowing in the
catch a fish 쑗 We often go fishing in the wind.
flake /flek/ noun 1. a small, very thin
flake
lake. 쑗 They fished all day but didn’t

catch anything. piece of something 쑗 The paint came off
fishing /fʃŋ/ noun the sport or indus- in little flakes. 2. a small piece of snow
fishing
try of catching fish which falls from the sky 쑗 Snow fell in
large soft flakes all night.
fist /fst/ noun a tightly closed hand
fist
flame /flem/ noun a brightly burning

flame
fit /ft/ noun a sudden sharp attack of ill-

fit
ness, or of an emotion such as anger 쑗 part of a fire, or the light that burns on a
She had a coughing fit or a fit of cough- candle 쑗 Flames could be seen coming
ing. 쑗 In a fit of anger he threw the plate out of the upstairs windows.
flap /flp/ noun a flat part which is at-
flap
across the kitchen. 쑗 She’s having one

of her periodic fits of efficiency. 쐽 ad- tached to an object and has a special
jective healthy and having a lot of phys- type of fastening allowing it to move up
ical energy 쑗 He isn’t fit enough to go and down 쑗 The pilot tested the wing
back to work. 쑗 You’ll have to get fit if flaps before taking off. 쐽 verb to move
you’re going to run in that race. 쐽 verb up and down like a bird’s wing 쑗 Flags
to be the right size or shape 쑗 He’s were flapping in the breeze. 쑗 The
grown so tall that his jackets don’t fit swans stood by the edge of the water,
him any more. 쑗 These shoes don’t fit flapping their wings. (NOTE: flaps –
me – they’re a size too small. (NOTE: fits flapping – flapped)
– fitting – fitted) flash /flʃ/ noun 1. a short sudden burst
flash
fitness /ftnəs/ noun 1. being physical-

fitness
of light 쑗 Flashes of lightning lit up the

ly fit 쑗 She does fitness exercises every sky. 2. a piece of equipment used for
morning. 쑗 Physical fitness is important making a bright light, allowing you to
in the marines. 2. being suitable 쑗 take photographs in the dark 쑗 People
Doubts were expressed about her fitness sometimes have red eyes in photos taken
for the job. with a flash. 쐽 verb 1. to light up quick-
flat 129 flop

ly and suddenly 쑗 Lightning flashed all flimsy /flmzi/ adjective likely to break
flimsy
around. 2. to move or to pass by quickly because of being badly made 쑗 The

쑗 The champion flashed past to win in shelter was a flimsy construction of
record time. branches covered with grass and leaves.
flat /flt/ adjective 1. level, not sloping fling /flŋ/ verb to throw something care-
flat fling
or curved 쑗 a house with a flat roof 2. lessly and with a lot of force 쑗 He flung
(of a battery) with no electric power left the empty bottle into the sea. (NOTE:
쑗 The car wouldn’t start because the flings – flinging – flung)
battery was flat. 쐽 noun a set of rooms float /fləυt/ verb 1. to lie on the top of a
float
on one floor, usually in a building with liquid 쑗 Dead fish were floating in the
several similar sets of rooms 쑗 They live river. 2. to put something on the top of a
in the block of flats next to the under- liquid 쑗 He floated a paper boat on the
ground station. 쑗 Their flat is on the lake.
ground floor.
flock /flɒk/ noun a group of similar ani-
flock
flatten /flt(ə)n/ verb to make flat

flatten
mals together 쑗 a flock of birds 쑗 A

flatter /fltə/ verb to praise in order to flock of sheep were grazing on the hill-
flatter
please them 쑗 Just flatter the boss a bit, side. (NOTE: flock is usually used with
tell him how good his golf is, and he’ll sheep, goats, and birds such as hens
give you a rise. or geese. For cattle, the word to use is
herd.) 쐽 verb to move in large numbers
flavor /flevə/ noun, verb US spelling of
flavor
쑗 Tourists flocked to see the changing of

flavour the guard. 쑗 Holidaymakers have been
flavour /flevə/ noun a particular taste 쑗
flavour
flocking to the resorts on the south

The tomato soup had an unusual fla- coast.
vour. 쑗 What flavour of ice cream do flood /fld/ noun a large amount of water
flood
you want? 쐽 verb to add things such as over an area of land which is usually dry
salt or pepper to food, to give it a special 쑗 The floods were caused by heavy rain.
taste 쑗 soup flavoured with herbs 쑗 Use 쐽 verb 1. to cover something with water
rosemary to flavour lamb. 쑗 They are going to build a dam and
flee /fli
/ verb to run away from some-
flee
flood the valley. 쑗 Fields were flooded

thing 쑗 As the fighting spread, the vil- after the river burst its banks. 쑗 He for-
lage people fled into the jungle. 쑗 She got to turn the tap off and flooded the
tried to flee but her foot was caught in bathroom. 2. to become covered with
the rope. (NOTE: Do not confuse with water 쑗 She left the tap on and the bath-
flea. Note also: flees – fleeing – fled room flooded. 3. to come in large num-
/fled/.) bers 쑗 The office was flooded with com-
fleeting /fli
tŋ/ adjective lasting for a
fleeting
plaints. or Complaints came flooding
very short time only 쑗 She only caught into the office.
floor /flɔ
/ noun 1. the part of a room on
floor
a fleeting glimpse of the princess.

which you walk 쑗 He put the books in a
flesh /fleʃ/ noun 1. a soft part of the body
flesh
pile on the floor. 쑗 If there are no empty

covering the bones 2. a soft part of a
chairs left, you’ll have to sit on the floor.
fruit 쑗 a melon with pink flesh (NOTE:
2. all the rooms on one level in a build-
no plural) 앳 in the flesh not on TV or
ing 쑗 The bathroom is on the ground
in photographs, but here and now 쑗 It
floor. 쑗 His office is on the fifth floor. 쑗
was strange to see the TV newsreader in
There is a good view of the town from
the flesh.
the top floor.
flew /flu
/ past tense of fly
flew
flop /flɒp/ noun something that is not

flop
flight /flat/ noun a journey in a plane 쑗

flight
successful 쑗 His new play was a com-

Go to gate 25 for flight AB198. 쑗 All plete flop and closed after only ten per-
flights to Paris have been cancelled. 쑗 formances. 쑗 The film was a big hit in
She sat next to me on a flight to Mon- New York but it was a flop in London. 쐽
treal. verb 1. to fall or sit down suddenly, with
flour 130 fond

your body relaxed 쑗 She got back from quickly 쑗 His daughter is already two –
the sales and flopped down on the sofa. how time flies!
2. to be unsuccessful 쑗 The play was a
flying /flaŋ/ adjective flying in the air
flying
big hit on Broadway but it flopped in 쑗 flying ants 쐽 noun the act of travel-
London. (NOTE: flops – flopping – ling in a plane 쑗 He has a fear of flying.
flopped)
foam /fəυm/ noun a mass of small bub-
foam
flour /flaυə/ noun wheat grain crushed to

flour
powder, used for making food such as bles 쑗 This soap makes a large amount
bread or cakes of foam.
fog /fɒ'/ noun a thick mist made up of
fog
flourish /flrʃ/ verb 1. to grow well; to

flourish
be successful 쑗 Palms flourish in hot many tiny drops of water

countries. 2. to wave something in the fold /fəυld/ noun a piece of something
fold
air 쑗 She came in with a big smile, flour- such as cloth or skin which hangs down
ishing a cheque. loosely 쑗 She wanted the surgeon to re-
flow /fləυ/ verb to move along smoothly move the folds of skin under her chin. 쐽
flow
쑗 The river flows into the sea. 쑗 Traffic verb to bend something such as a piece
on the motorway is flowing smoothly. 쐽 of paper so that one part is on top of the
noun the movement of things such as other 쑗 Fold the piece of paper in half.
liquid or air, or of people 쑗 She tried to 쑗 He folded the newspaper and put it
stop the flow of blood with a tight band- into his briefcase.
age. 쑗 There was a steady flow of visi- folder /fəυldə/ noun an envelope made
folder
tors to the exhibition. of thin card or plastic and used for hold-
flower /flaυə/ noun the colourful part of
flower
ing papers
a plant, which attracts insects and pro-
folk /fəυk/ noun people (NOTE: Folk
folk
duces fruit or seeds 쑗 a plant with

bright yellow flowers 왍 in flower cov- takes a plural verb. The plural form
ered with flowers 쑗 Go to Japan when folks is also used.)
follow /fɒləυ/ verb 1. to come after or
follow
the cherry trees are in flower. 쐽 verb to

produce flowers 쑗 a plant which flowers behind someone or something 쑗 What
in early summer 쑗 The cherry trees letter follows B in the alphabet? 쑗 The
flowered very late this year. dog followed me all the way home. 2. to
flown /fləυn/ past participle of fly
flown
walk or drive behind someone, e.g. in
order to see where they are going 쑗 I
flu /flu
/ noun a common illness like a
flu
had the impression I was being fol-

bad cold, often with a high temperature lowed. 3. to do what someone tells you
fluid /flu
d/ noun a liquid 쑗 You need to
fluid
to do 쑗 She followed the instructions on

drink plenty of fluids in hot weather. the tin of paint. 쑗 He made the cake fol-
flung /flŋ/ past tense and past participle lowing a recipe in the newspaper. 앳 fol-
flung
of fling low suit to do what someone else does

fly /fla/ noun a small insect with wings
fly
쑗 She jumped into the pool and every-
which eats food and spreads diseases 쑗 one else followed suit.
follower /fɒləυə/ noun a supporter
follower
He tried to kill the fly with a newspaper.

쑗 Cover the food to protect it from flies.
following /fɒləυŋ/ adjective which
following
쐽 verb 1. to move through the air using

comes next 쑗 They arrived on Friday
wings 쑗 When the cat came into the
and the following day she became ill. 쑗
garden, the birds flew away. 쑗 Some
Look at the following picture. 쐽 prepo-
birds fly to Africa for the winter. 2. to
sition after 쑗 Following his death, his
travel in a plane 쑗 I’m flying to China
next week. 쑗 He flies across the Atlantic son sold the family house.
fond /fɒnd/ adjective liking someone or
fond
twice a month. 3. to be quick 쑗 I must fly

if I want to get home by 6 o’clock. something 쑗 I’m fond of my sister’s
(NOTE: flies – flying – flew /flu
/ – has children. 쑗 Michael’s very fond of play-
flown /fləυn/) 앳 time flies time passes ing golf.
fondly 131 forehead

fondly /fɒndli/ adverb in a way which for /fə, fɔ
/ preposition 1. showing the
fondly for
shows you are fond of someone or purpose or use of something 쑗 This

something plastic bag is for the apples. 쑗 What’s
food /fu
d/ noun things which you eat 쑗
food
that key for? 2. showing the occasion on
This hotel is famous for its good food. 쑗 which or the reason why something is
Do you like German food? given 쑗 What did you get for your birth-
day? 쑗 What did you win for coming
foolish /fu
lʃ/ adjective showing a lack
foolish
first? 3. showing the person who re-

of intelligence or good judgment 쑗 That ceives something 쑗 There was no mail
was a rather foolish thing to do. 쑗 I felt for you this morning. 쑗 I’m making a
rather foolish. cup of tea for my mother. 4. showing
foot /fυt/ noun 1. the part at the end of
foot
how long something takes 쑗 He has
your leg on which you stand 쑗 She has gone to France for two days. 쑗 We’ve
very small feet. 쑗 Watch out, you trod on been waiting here for hours. 5. showing
my foot! 왍 on foot walking 쑗 They com- distance 쑗 You can see for miles from
pleted the rest of the journey on foot. 2. the top of the hill. 쑗 The motorway goes
the bottom part; the end 쑗 There is a for kilometres without any service sta-
door at the foot of the stairs. 쑗 There are tions. 6. showing where someone or
traffic lights at the foot of the hill. 쑗 something is going 쑗 Is this the plane
Sign the document at the foot of the for Edinburgh? 쑗 When is the next bus
page. 3. a unit of measurement equal to for Oxford Circus? 7. in the place of
about 30 centimetres 쑗 The table is four someone 쑗 Can you write this letter for
foot or four feet long. 쑗 She’s almost six me?
forbid /fəbd/ verb to tell someone that
forbid
foot tall. 쑗 I’m five foot seven (5’ 7"). 쒁
inch (NOTE: The plural is feet. As a they are not allowed to do something 쑗
measurement foot often has no plural The staff are forbidden to use the front
form: six foot tall; three foot wide. With entrance. (NOTE: forbids – forbidding
numbers foot is also often written with – forbade /fəbd/ – forbidden /fə

the symbol ’ a 6’ ladder ; he is 5’ 6: say bd(ə)n/)

‘he’s five foot six’.)
force /fɔ
s/ noun 1. strength or power 쑗
force
football /fυtbɔ
l/ noun 1. a game
football
The force of the wind blew tiles off the

played between two teams of eleven roof. 쑗 The police had to use force to re-
players with a round ball which can be strain the crowd. 2. an organised group
kicked or headed, but not carried 쑗 They of people 쑗 He served in the police
went to a football match. 쑗 The children force for twenty years. 쐽 verb to make
were playing football in the street. 쑗 someone do something 쑗 He was forced
Let’s have a game of football. 쑗 He to stop smoking. 쑗 You can’t force me to
spends all his time watching football on go if I don’t want to.
TV. 쑗 He’s got a new pair of football
forecast /fɔ
kɑ
st/ noun what you
forecast
boots. 2. a ball used for kicking; the ball think will happen in the future 쑗 His
used in the various games of football 쑗 forecast of sales turned out to be com-
They were kicking a football around in pletely accurate. 쐽 verb to say what will
the street. happen in the future 쑗 They are fore-
footballer /fυtbɔ
lə/ noun a person
footballer
casting storms for the south coast. 쑗

who plays football They forecast a rise in the number of
footprint /fυtprnt/ noun a mark left by
footprint
tourists. (NOTE: forecasts – forecast-
someone’s foot on the ground 쑗 They ing – forecast)
foreground /fɔ
'raυnd/ noun a part of
foreground
followed the footprints in the snow to

the cave. a picture which seems nearest the front
footstep /fυtstep/ noun a sound made forehead /fɔ
hed/ noun the part of the
footstep forehead
by a foot touching the ground 쑗 We front of the head above the eyes and be-
heard soft footsteps along the corridor. low the line of the hair
foreign 132 fortune

foreign /fɒrn/ adjective not from your 쑗 She’s in the third form. 쐽 verb 1. to sit
foreign
own country 쑗 There are lots of foreign or stand with others so as to make a par-
medical students at our college. ticular shape 쑗 The children formed a
foreigner /fɒrnə/ noun a person who
foreigner
circle. 쑗 Form a queue here, please. 2.
does not come from the same country as 왍 formed of made of 쑗 The team is
you formed of ex-students.
formal /fɔ
m(ə)l/ adjective 1. done ac-
formal
forest /fɒrst/ noun a large area covered

forest
with trees 쑗 The country is covered with cording to certain rules 쑗 The formal
opening ceremony was performed by
thick forests. 쑗 In dry weather there’s a
the mayor. 2. serious in style; suitable
danger of forest fires. 쑗 In winter bears
for special or official occasions 쑗 ‘Good
come out of the forest to search for food.
afternoon’ is a formal way of saying
forever /fɔ
revə/, for ever /fər evə/
forever

‘Hello’ in the afternoon.
adverb 1. always in the future 쑗 I will
formally /fɔ
məli/ adverb according to
formally
love you forever. 2. a very long time 쑗 It rules; done or spoken in a serious way
took us forever to get to the hotel.
formation /fɔ
meʃ(ə)n/ noun the act
formation
forget /fə'et/ verb 1. not to remember 쑗

forget

of forming something 쑗 The formation
He’s forgotten the name of the restau- of ice occurs at temperatures below ze-
rant. 쑗 I’ve forgotten how to play chess. ro.
쑗 She forgot all about her doctor’s ap-
former /fɔ
mə/ adjective referring to a
former
pointment. 2. to leave something behind

쑗 When he left the office he forgot his person’s or a thing’s job or position at an
car keys. (NOTE: forgets – forgetting – earlier time 쑗 a former army officer 쑗
forgot /fə'ɒt/ – has forgotten /fə

The former champion came last in the
'ɒtən/) race.
formerly /fɔ
məli/ adverb at an earlier
formerly
forgive /fə'v/ verb to stop being angry

forgive
with someone 쑗 Don’t worry about it – time 쑗 He was formerly head of our de-
I forgive you! 쑗 Will she ever forgive me partment.
fort /fɔ
t/ noun a strong army building
fort
for forgetting her birthday? (NOTE: for-

gives – forgiving – forgave /fə'ev/
which can be defended against enemy
– has forgiven) attacks 쑗 The soldiers rode out of the
fort. 쑗 He was posted to a fort in the
forgot /fə'ɒt/ past tense of forget
forgot
desert.
forgotten /fə'ɒt(ə)n/ past participle of
forgotten
forth /fɔ
θ/ adverb forwards
forth

forget
fortieth /fɔ
təθ/ adjective relating to
fortieth
fork /fɔ
k/ noun an object with a handle
fork
the number 40 in a series 쑗 her fortieth

at one end and several sharp points at birthday 쑗 He came fortieth and last in
the other, used for picking up food and the race. 쑗 It’s her fortieth birthday to-
putting it in your mouth 쑗 Don’t try to morrow.
eat Chinese food with a knife and fork.
fortnight /fɔ
tnat/ noun two weeks
fortnight
쑗 It’s polite to use a fork to eat cake –

don’t use your fingers. 쐽 verb to be- (NOTE: not used in US English)
fortunate /fɔ
tʃənət/ adjective having
fortunate
come two parts 쑗 The railway line forks

at Crewe and one branch goes to the better things happen to you than happen
coast. to other people 쑗 You are very fortunate
form /fɔ
m/ noun 1. an official paper
form
to have such a lovely family.
fortunately /fɔ
tʃənətli/ adverb by
fortunately
with spaces, in which you are asked to

write information such as your name good luck 쑗 Fortunately, he had remem-
and address ? Could you please fill in bered to take an umbrella. 쑗 He was
this form with your details? 2. a state or late getting to the airport, but fortunate-
condition 쑗 Their team wasn’t in top ly the flight had been delayed.
form and lost. 왍 in good form in a good fortune /fɔ
tʃən/ noun 1. a large
fortune
mood; well 쑗 She’s in good form today. amount of money 쑗 He won a fortune
3. a class, usually in a secondary school on the lottery. 쑗 She made a fortune on
forty 133 fracture

the stock market. 쑗 She left her fortune fouled inside the penalty box so the ref
to her three children. 2. what will hap- gave a penalty.
pen in the future 쑗 She claims to be able found /faυnd/ verb to establish some-
found
to tell your fortune using cards. thing; to begin something 쑗 The busi-
forty /fɔ
ti/ noun the number 40 쑗 She’s ness was founded in 1900. 쐽 past tense
forty
forty (years old). 쑗 He has more than and past participle of find
forty pairs of shoes. 왍 forties the num- foundation /faυndeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the
foundation
bers between 40 and 49 act of establishing something or of set-

forward /fɔ
wəd/ adjective confident 쑗
forward
ting something up 쑗 Ever since its foun-
She was always very forward as a child. dation in 1892, the company has been a
쐽 adverb 1. in the direction that some- great success. 2. a charitable organisa-
one or something is facing 쑗 She bent tion which provides money for certain
forward to hear what he had to say. 쑗 projects 쑗 a foundation for educational
He took two steps forward. 쑗 The po- research
fountain /faυntn/ noun an object or a
fountain
liceman made a sign with his hand and

the cars began to go forward. 2. towards structure with a pump which makes a
the future 쑗 We need to do some forward stream of water come out, usually found
planning. 왍 to look forward to some- in a street or a large garden
thing to think happily about something four /fɔ
/ noun the number 4 쑗 A square
four
which is going to happen 쑗 I’m looking has four corners. 쑗 He’s four (years
forward to my holidays. 쑗 He isn’t look- old). 쑗 I have an appointment with the
ing forward to his exams. 쑗 I’m looking doctor at four (o’clock).
forward to seeing her again. 쐽 noun a fourteen /fɔ
ti
fourteen
player in a team whose job is to attack 쑗 There are fourteen houses in our
the other side 쑗 The England defence street. 쑗 He’s fourteen (years old) next
came under attack from the other team’s week.
forwards.
fourteenth /fɔ
ti
nθ/ adjective, noun
fourteenth
forwards /fɔ
wədz/ adverb in the di-
forwards
relating to the number 14 in a series 쑗

rection that someone or something is She came fourteenth in the race. 쑗 The
facing 쑗 She bent forwards to hear what fourteenth of July or July the fourteenth
he had to say. 쑗 He took two steps for- (July 14th). 쑗 It was her fourteenth
wards. 쑗 The policeman made a sign birthday yesterday.
with his hand and the cars began to go
fourth /fɔ
θ/ adjective referring to 4 쑗
fourth
forwards.
the fourth of October or October the
fossil /fɒs(ə)l/ noun the mark of an ani-
fossil
fourth (October 4th) 쑗 This is the fourth

mal or plant left in a rock, formed over time he’s had to go to hospital this year.
millions of years 쑗 It’s her fourth birthday tomorrow. 쐽
fought /fɔ
fought
number 14 in a series 쑗 I’ve had so
ple of fight many letters – this is the fourteenth.
fox /fɒks/ noun a wild animal with red-
fox
foul /faυl/ adjective 1. smelling or tasting

foul
dish fur and a long thick tail (NOTE: The

unpleasant 쑗 A foul-smelling drain ran
plural is foxes.)
down the centre of the street. 2. very un-
fraction /frkʃən/ noun 1. (in mathe-
fraction
pleasant 쑗 What foul weather we’re

having! 쑗 The boss has been in a foul matics) a unit that is less than a whole
temper all day. 쐽 noun an action which number 쑗 0.25 and 0.5 are ¼ and ½ ex-
is against the rules of a game 쑗 The ref- pressed as fractions. 2. a small part of
eree gave a free kick for a foul on the something 쑗 Only a fraction of the sto-
goalkeeper. 쑗 Look at the action replay len money was ever found.
fracture /frktʃə/ noun a break, espe-
fracture
to see if it really was a foul. (NOTE: Do

not confuse with fowl.) 쐽 verb to do cially in a bone 쑗 The X-ray showed up
something to another player which is the fracture clearly. 쐽 verb to break a
against the rules of a game 쑗 He was bone 쑗 He fractured his leg in the acci-
fragile 134 fridge

dent. 쑗 They put her fractured leg in ever the river did not freeze over. 쑗 It’s
plaster. so cold that the lake has frozen solid. 2.
fragile /frd"al/ adjective made from to make food very cold so that it does
fragile
materials that are easily broken 쑗 Be not decay 쑗 We froze the raspberries we
careful when you’re packing these picked this morning. 3. to become very
plates – they’re very fragile. cold 쑗 The forecast is that it will freeze
tonight. 쑗 Put a hat on or you’ll freeze!
fragment /fr'mənt/ noun a small
fragment
(NOTE: freezes – freezing – froze

piece 쑗 When digging on the site of the
/frəυz/ – has frozen)
house they found fragments of very old
freezer /fri
zə/ noun a piece of equip-
freezer
glass.
frail /frel/ adjective physically weak, es-
frail
ment like a large box, which is very cold
pecially because of age 쑗 His grand- inside, used for freezing food and keep-
mother is now rather frail. ing it frozen
freezing /fri
zŋ/ adjective very cold
freezing
frame /frem/ noun a border around

frame
something such as a pair of glasses, a French /frentʃ/ adjective referring to

French
picture, a mirror or a window 쑗 He has France 쐽 noun the language spoken in

glasses with gold frames. 쑗 I think the France
frame is worth more than the painting.
/fri
kwənsi/ noun the
frequency
쐽 verb to put a frame round a picture 쑗 frequency

The photograph has been framed in red. number of times that something hap-
pens over a particular period of time 쑗
free /fri
/ adjective 1. not costing any
free
The government is becoming alarmed at

money 쑗 Send in four tokens from cere- the frequency of accidents in the con-
al boxes and you can get a free toy. 쑗 I struction industry. (NOTE: no plural)
got a free ticket for the exhibition. 2. not
frequent /fri
kwənt/ adjective happen-
frequent
busy; available 쑗 Will you be free next

Tuesday? 쑗 There is a table free in the ing or appearing often 쑗 He was a fre-
corner of the restaurant. 쑗 Do you have quent visitor to the library. 쑗 Skin can-
any free time next week? 3. able to do cer is becoming more frequent. 쑗 How
what you want; not forced to do any- frequent are the planes to Birmingham?
thing 쑗 He’s free to do what he wants. 4. frequently /fri
kwəntli/ adverb often
frequently
not in prison or a cage 쑗 After six years 쑗 The ferries don’t run as frequently in
in prison he’s a free man again. 왍 to set the winter. 쑗 She could frequently be
someone or something free to allow seen walking her dog in the park.
someone to leave prison, or to let an an-
fresh /freʃ/ adjective 1. not used or not
fresh
imal out of a cage 쑗 The young birds

were raised in the zoo and then set free dirty 쑗 I’ll get you a fresh towel. 2.
in the wild. 쐽 verb to release someone made recently 쑗 a basket of fresh rolls 쑗
who is trapped 쑗 It took the fire service Let’s ask for a pot of fresh coffee. 3. new
some time to free the passengers in the and different 쑗 The police produced
bus. (NOTE: frees – freeing – freed) some fresh evidence. 4. (of food ) not in
a tin or frozen 쑗 Fresh fruit salad is bet-
freedom /fri
dəm/ noun 1. the state of
freedom
ter than tinned. 쑗 Fresh vegetables are

being free, rather than being forced to difficult to get in winter.
stay somewhere or being in prison 쑗
Friday /frade/ noun the fifth day of the
Friday
She felt a sense of freedom being in the

country after working all week in the week, the day between Thursday and
city. 쑗 His lawyer pleaded for his cli- Saturday 쑗 We all had a meal together
ent’s freedom. 2. the state of being al- last Friday. 쑗 We always go to the cine-
lowed to do what you want 쑗 They are ma on Friday evenings. 쑗 We normally
trying to restrict our freedom of move- have our meetings on Fridays. 쑗 Friday
ment. is a day of rest for Muslims. 쑗 Today is
freeze /fri
z/ verb 1. (of a liquid ) to be-
freeze
Friday, June 20th.
fridge /frd"/ noun a kitchen machine for
fridge
come solid because of the cold 쑗 The

winter was mild, and for the first time keeping things cold 쑗 The fridge is emp-
fried 135 frozen

ty – we must buy some more food. 쑗 tance 쑗 It is not far from here to the rail-
Shall I put the milk back in the fridge? way station. 5. showing difference 쑗
fried /frad/ past tense and past participle
fried
Can you tell butter from margarine? 쑗
of fry 쐽 adjective cooked in oil or fat His job is totally different from mine. 6.
friend /frend/ noun a person that you
friend
showing a cause 쑗 He died from the in-
juries he received in the accident. 쑗 He
know well and like 쑗 She’s my best
suffers from angina. 쑗 She suffers from
friend. 쑗 We’re going on holiday with
coughs every winter.
some friends from work.
front /frnt/ noun a part of something
front
friendly /frendli/ adjective pleasant and

friendly
kind, wanting to make friends 쑗 Don’t which is furthest forward 쑗 The front of
be frightened of the dog – he’s very the house is on London Road. 쑗 She
friendly. 쑗 We’re not on friendly terms spilt coffee down the front of her dress.
with the people who live next door. 쐽 adjective which is in front 쑗 She sat
(NOTE: friendlier – friendliest) in the front seat, next to the driver. 앳 in
front further forwards 쑗 Her mother sat
friendship /frendʃp/ noun the state of
friendship
in the back seat and she sat in front. 앳

being friends 쑗 He formed several last- in front of someone or something
ing friendships at school. before or further forwards than some-
fries /fraz/ 3rd person singular present
fries
thing 쑗 Don’t stand in front of the car –

of fry it may start suddenly. 쑗 There are six
fright /frat/ noun fear people in front of me in the queue. 쑗 You
fright
frighten /frat(ə)n/ verb to make some-

frighten
can park your car in front of the shop.
one afraid 쑗 Take off that horrible mask front door /frnt dɔ
/ noun the main
front door
– you’ll frighten the children. 쑗 The cat door to a house or building

has frightened all the birds away.
frost /frɒst/ noun 1. a white covering on
frost
frightened /fratn(ə)d/ adjective afraid

frightened
the ground that appears when the tem-

쑗 The frightened children ran out of the perature is below freezing 쑗 The garden
building. was white with frost. 2. an occasion on
frightening /frat(ə)nŋ/ adjective
frightening
which the temperature outside is below

making you feel afraid 쑗 a frightening freezing 쑗 There was a hard frost last
sound of footsteps in the corridor 쑗 He night. 쑗 There’s a touch of frost in the
had a frightening thought – what if no air. 쑗 A late frost can damage young
one heard his cries for help? plants.
frog /frɒ'/ noun a small greenish-brown
frog
frown /fraυn/ verb to make lines in the

frown
animal with long legs, which jumps, and skin on your forehead because you are
lives both on land and in water 쑗 He concentrating or worried 쑗 He frowned
kept some tadpoles in a jar hoping they as he tried to do the calculation. 쐽 noun
would turn into frogs. 쑗 Can you hear pulling your eyebrows together as a sign
the frogs croaking round the pond? that you are angry or worried 쑗 Take
from /frəm, frɒm/ preposition 1. away
from
that frown off your face – everything’s

2. showing the place where something going to be all right.
starts or started 쑗 He comes from Ger- frown on phrasal verb to disapprove of
many. 쑗 The bees went from flower to something 쑗 The teachers frown on
flower. 쑗 We’ve had a letter from the singing in the corridors. 쑗 The company
bank. 쑗 He read the book from begin- frowns on people who bring food into
ning to end. 쑗 Take three from four and the office.
you get one. 쑗 I took a book from the
froze /frəυz/ past tense of freeze
froze
pile on his desk. 3. showing the time

frozen /frəυz(ə)n/ past participle of
frozen
when something starts or started 쑗 I’ll

be at home from 8 o’clock onwards. 쑗 freeze 쐽 adjective 1. very cold 쑗 Come
The hours of work are 9.30 to 5.30, from inside – you must be frozen out there. 2.
Monday to Friday. 쑗 From now on I’m at a temperature below freezing point 쑗
going to get up early. 4. showing dis- We went skating on the frozen lake.
fruit 136 funnel

fruit /fru
t/ noun a food that grows on through town dressed as a gorilla. 쑗
fruit
trees or plants, which is often eaten raw Why did you do that? – Just for the fun
and is usually sweet 쑗 You should eat of it! 앳 to make fun of someone, to
five pieces of fruit or vegetables every poke fun at someone to laugh at
day. 쑗 He has six fruit trees in his gar- someone 쑗 Don’t make fun of her –
den. she’s trying her best. 쑗 He poked fun at
the Prime Minister.
fry /fra/ verb to cook something in oil or
fry
function /fŋkʃən/ noun 1. a party, or a

function
fat 쑗 Fry the onions over a low heat so

that they don’t burn. 쑗 Fry the eggs in gathering of people 쑗 We have two wed-
some fat. (NOTE: fries /fraz/ – frying – ding functions in the main restaurant
fried /frad/) this weekend. 쑗 The Prime Minister
busy up with official functions all week.
frying pan /fraŋ pn/ noun an open
frying pan
2. the work done by someone or some-

pan with low sides, used for frying thing 쑗 The function of a goalkeeper is
fuel /fju
əl/ noun a substance such coal,
fuel
to stop the ball going into the net. 쑗

gas, oil, petrol or wood which can be What’s the function of that red switch?
burnt to give heat or power 쑗 What fuel 쐽 verb to work 쑗 The computer is still
do you use to heat the house? 쑗 We ran functioning well after years of use.
out of fuel on the motorway. fund /fnd/ noun an amount of money
fund
fulfil /fυlfl/ verb to complete something

fulfil
intended for a particular purpose 쑗 She

in a satisfactory way 쑗 He died before contributes to a pension fund. 쐽 verb to
he could fulfil his ambition to fly a provide money for a special purpose 쑗
plane. 쑗 We are so busy that we cannot We have asked the government to fund
fulfil any more orders before Christmas. the building of the new library. 쑗 The
(NOTE: fulfilling – fulfilled. The US company is funding her manager’s
spelling is fulfill.) course.
full /fυl/ adjective 1. with as much inside fundamental /fndəment(ə)l/ adjec-
full fundamental
as is possible 쑗 Is the box full? 쑗 The tive basic; essential 쑗 The fundamental
bag is full of potatoes. 쑗 We couldn’t get difference between us is that I apologise
on the first bus because it was full. 쑗 All for my mistakes and you don’t. 쑗 Good
the hotels were full. 2. complete 쑗 You air quality is fundamental for children’s
must give the police full details of the health.
accident. 쑗 Write your full name and funds /fndz/ noun money which is
funds
address at the top of the paper. 쐽 adverb available for spending 쑗 He started a
completely 쑗 The story has never been course at college and then ran out of
told in full. funds. 쑗 The company has the funds to
full stop /fυl stɒp/ noun a punctuation set up the research programme. 쑗 Funds
full stop
mark like a small dot, showing the end are available to get the project off the
of a sentence or an abbreviation ground.
fully /fυli/ adverb completely 쑗 He was funeral /fju
n(ə)rəl/ noun a ceremony
funeral
fully
fully aware that he had made a mistake. at which a dead person is buried or cre-
쑗 She still hasn’t fully recovered from mated 쑗 The church was packed for her
her accident. 쑗 The hotel is fully booked funeral. 쑗 The funeral will take place on
for the Christmas week. 쑗 When fully Friday morning.
grown, an elephant can weigh several fungus /fŋ'əs/ noun a plant which has
fungus
tons. no green leaves or flowers and which

fun /fn/ noun enjoyment from an activi- lives on decaying matter or on other
fun
ty 쑗 Having to stay in bed on my birth- plants (NOTE: The plural is fungi

day is not much fun. 왍 to have fun to en- /fŋ'a/.)
joy yourself 쑗 We had a lot of fun on the funnel /fn(ə)l/ noun a tube with a wide
funnel
river. 왍 for fun as a joke or for enjoy- opening and a narrow tube, used when
ment 쑗 She poured water down his neck pouring liquids from one container into
for fun. 쑗 Just for fun, he drove the car another
funny 137 future

funny /fni/ adjective 1. making people ther information about your salary. 쑗
funny
laugh 쑗 He made funny faces and all the Please send me further details of holi-
children laughed. 쑗 That joke isn’t fun- days in Greece.
ny. 2. strange 쑗 She’s been behaving in furthest /f
ðəst/ adverb, adjective at
furthest
a funny way recently. 쑗 There’s a funny or to the greatest distance 쑗 Some of the
smell in the bathroom. (NOTE: funnier – staff live quite close to the office – James
funniest) lives furthest away. 쑗 The furthest dis-
fur /f
/ noun the soft covering of an ani- tance I have ever flown is to Hong Kong.
fur
mal’s body 쑗 This type of cat has very fury /fjυəri/ noun very strong anger 쑗
fury
short fur. 쑗 She was wearing a fur coat. He shouted at us in fury.

쑗 Have you got any fur-lined boots?
fuse /fju
z/ noun a small piece of wire in
fuse
(NOTE: Do not confuse with fir.)

an electrical system which breaks if too
furious /fjυəriəs/ adjective very angry
furious
much power tries to pass through it, so

furniture /f
ntʃə/ noun objects in, preventing further damage 쑗 The plug
furniture
e.g. a house or an office such as tables, has a 13-amp fuse. 쑗 If the lights go out,
chairs, beds and cupboards 쑗 The bur- the first thing to do is to check the fuses.
glars stole all our office furniture. 쑗 You fuss /fs/ noun unnecessary excitement
fuss
should cover up all the furniture before or complaints 쑗 What’s all the fuss
you start painting the ceiling. (NOTE: no about?
plural: some furniture; a lot of furniture;
future /fju
tʃə/ noun a time which has
future
a piece of furniture)
not yet happened 쑗 What are his plans
furry /f
ri/ adjective covered with fur
furry
for the future? 쑗 You never know what

further /f
ðə/ adverb at or to a greater
further
the future will bring. 쑗 Can you imagine

distance 쑗 Can you all move further what London will be like in the future?
back – I can’t get you in the picture. 쑗 쐽 adjective which is coming; which has
The police station is quite close, but the not happened yet 쑗 They are spending
post office is further away. 쑗 Edinburgh all their time preparing for their future
is further from London than Newcastle. retirement. 쑗 I try to save something
쐽 adjective more 쑗 The bank needs fur- each week for future expenses.
G
g /d"i
/, G noun the seventh letter of the gle match between two opponents or
g
alphabet, between F and H two opposing teams 쑗 Everyone wanted

gadget /'d"t/ noun a small useful
gadget
to watch the game of football. 쑗 Do you
tool want a game of snooker? 쑗 Our team
have won all their games this year. 3. a
gain /'en/ verb 1. to achieve something,
gain
single session in an activity or sport

or get it with some work or effort 쑗 The such as tennis or cards 쑗 She’s winning
army gained control of the country. 쑗
by six games to three. 4. wild animals
She gained some useful experience and birds such as deer, rabbits and
working for a computer company. 2. (of pheasants, which are killed for sport or
a clock or watch) to move ahead of the
food 쐽 plural noun Games a large or-
correct time 쑗 My watch gains five min- ganised sports competition 쑗 the Olym-
utes a day. 쐽 noun 1. an increase in pic Games
weight, quantity or size 쑗 There was no
gang /'ŋ/ noun 1. a group of criminals
gang
gain in weight over three weeks 2. ben-

efit or profit 쑗 He doesn’t do the job for 쑗 a drugs gang 2. a group of young peo-
financial gain. ple who do things together, especially
galaxy /'ləksi/ noun an extremely
galaxy
one that causes trouble 쑗 Gangs of foot-
large group of stars 쑗 There are vast ball fans wandered the streets after the
numbers of galaxies in the universe. match. 3. a group of workers 쑗 Gangs of
(NOTE: The plural is galaxies.) men worked all night to repair the rail-
way track.
Galaxy, the /'ləksi/ noun the large
Galaxy, the
gap /'p/ noun a space between two

gap
group of stars and planets that the Earth

forms part of things or in the middle of something 쑗
gale /'el/ noun a very strong wind
gale
There’s a gap between the two planks. 쑗
The sheep all rushed through the gap in
gallery /'ləri/ noun 1. 왍 (art) gallery
gallery
the hedge.
a place where objects such as pictures
gape /'ep/ verb 1. to open your mouth
gape
and sculptures are shown to the public

2. the highest rows of seats in a theatre wide in surprise or shock 2. to be wide
or cinema 쑗 We managed to get two open 쑗 The entrance to the cave gaped
seats in the gallery. (NOTE: The plural is before us.
galleries.) garage /'rd", 'rɑ
"/ noun 1. a
garage
gallon /'lən/ noun a measure of quan-

gallon
building where you can keep a car 쑗 He

tity of liquid, equal to 4.55 litres 쑗 The put the car into the garage overnight. 쑗
car was empty and I had to put in seven She drove the car out of the garage. 쑗
gallons of petrol. Don’t forget to lock the garage door. 쑗
gallop /'ləp/ verb to go fast, especial- The hotel has garage space for thirty
gallop
ly on horseback 쑗 The riders galloped cars. 2. a place where petrol is sold and
through the woods. 쑗 He galloped where cars are repaired or sold 쑗
through his lecture. 쐽 noun the fastest Where’s the nearest garage? I need
running speed of a horse 쑗 The horse some petrol. 쑗 I can’t drive you to the
went off at a gallop. station – my car is in the garage for re-
game /'em/ noun 1. an activity in
game
pair. 쑗 You can hire cars from the ga-
which people compete with each other rage near the post office.
garbage /'ɑ
bd"/ noun 1. nonsense 쑗
garbage
using skill, strength or luck 쑗 She’s not

very good at games like chess. 2. a sin- I don’t believe a word of what he said –
garden 139 generation

it’s just garbage. (NOTE: no plural) 2. people for the new project. 3. to under-
(mainly US) household waste stand from what someone has told you
garden /'ɑ
d(ə)n/ noun an area of land
garden
쑗 I gather that his father is in hospital.
near a house, used for growing such 쑗 We gather he has left the office. 4. to
things as vegetables and flowers 쑗 We pick plants, flowers or fruit 쑗 The chil-
grow all the vegetables we need in the dren were gathering blackberries. 쑗
back garden. 쑗 Your sister’s outside, sit- The grape harvest has been gathered.
gave /'ev/ past tense of give
gave
ting in the garden.

gardener /'ɑ
d(ə)nə/ noun a person gay /'e/ adjective 1. attracted to people
gardener gay
who looks after a garden either as a hob- of the same sex, or relating to people
by or as a job like this 쑗 It’s a club where gay men and
gardening /'ɑ
d(ə)nŋ/ noun the activ-
gardening
women meet. 쑗 They met in a gay bar. 2.
ity of looking after a garden bright and lively (dated ) 쑗 The houses
along the street are all painted in gay
garlic /'ɑ
lk/ noun a round white vege-
garlic
colours. 쐽 noun a person who is attract-

table with a strong smell, which can be ed to someone of the same sex 쑗 a club
separated into sections and used to give for gays
flavour to food
gaze /'ez/ verb to look steadily 쑗 She
gaze
gas /'s/ noun 1. a chemical substance

gas
gazed into his eyes. 쑗 He stood on the

which has no form and which becomes cliff, gazing out to sea. 쐽 noun a steady
liquid if it is cooled 쑗 Air is made up of look 쑗 She refused to meet his gaze.
several gases, mainly nitrogen and oxy-
gear /'ə/ noun 1. equipment for a partic-
gear
gen. 쑗 Rubbish gives off a type of gas

called methane as it rots. 2. a chemical ular purpose 쑗 He took all his climbing
substance which is burnt to make heat, gear with him. 쑗 She was carrying her
e.g. for cooking painting gear in a rucksack. 2. clothing
for a particular purpose 쑗 She was
gasoline /'səli
n/ noun US a liquid,
gasoline
putting on her tennis gear. 3. a part of an

made from petrol, used to drive a car en- engine that makes it possible to change
gine (NOTE: usually shortened to gas) the amount of work the engine has to do
gasp /'ɑ
sp/ verb to take a short deep
gasp
to turn the wheels

breath 쑗 He gasped when he saw the gene /d"i
n/ noun a set of chemicals in a
gene
bill. 쐽 noun a sudden loud breath that cell which carries information about
you take when you are surprised or in features that are passed from parent to
pain 쑗 She gave a gasp when she saw child
the face at the window.
general /d"en(ə)rəl/ adjective not spe-
general
gate /'et/ noun 1. a low outside door

gate
cific; covering a wide range of subjects

made of bars of wood or metal 쑗 Shut 쑗 He had a good general education, but
the gate – if you leave it open the sheep didn’t specialise in any particular field.
will get out of the field. 쑗 There is a 쐽 noun an army officer of high rank 쑗
white gate leading into the garden. 2. a He has only recently been promoted to
door which leads to an aircraft at an air- general. 앳 in general normally 쑗 In
port 쑗 Flight AZ270 is now boarding at general, the weather is warmer in the
Gate 23. south.
gather /'ðə/ verb 1. to bring things or
gather
generally /d"en(ə)rəli/ adverb usually

generally
people together 쑗 He gathered his pa- 쑗 The office is generally closed between
pers together after the lecture. 쑗 She Christmas and the New Year.
has been gathering information on the
generate /d"enəret/ verb to produce
generate
history of the local school. 2. (especially

of people) to come together in one something such as power 쑗 We use wind
place, or be brought together by some- to generate electricity.
generation /d"enəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
generation
one 쑗 Groups of people gathered out-
side the Parliament building. 쑗 They the production of something such as

gathered together a team of experienced power 쑗 the generation of electricity
generous 140 get

from waves 2. all people born at about German /d"
mən/ adjective referring
German
the same time 쑗 The 1960s generation to Germany or its inhabitants 쐽 noun 1.
had an easier life than we did. 쑗 Many the language spoken in Germany, Aus-
people of my father’s generation cannot tria and parts of Switzerland and Italy 2.
understand computer technology. 3. a person from Germany
members of a family born at about the gesture /d"estʃə/ noun a movement of
gesture
same time 4. a series of machines made a part of the body such as the hands to
at about the same time 쑗 They are devel- show feeling 쑗 She made a slight ges-
oping a new type of engine for the next ture of impatience with her hand. 쐽 verb
generation of aircraft. to make a movement with your hands 쑗
generous /d"en(ə)rəs/ adjective 1.
generous
He gestured to the audience to sit down.

giving more money or presents than get /'et/ verb 1. to receive something 쑗
get
people usually do 쑗 Thank you! You’re We got a letter from the bank this morn-
so generous! 2. large 쑗 a generous helping. 쑗 She gets more money than I do. 2.
ing of pudding 왍 to get to a place or situation to arrive
generously /d"en(ə)rəsli/ adverb in a at a place or situation 쑗 We only got to
generously
generous way the hotel at midnight. 쑗 When does your

genetics /d"ənetks/ noun the science
genetics

train get to London? 쑗 The plane gets to
and study of the way genes are involved New York at 4 p.m. 쑗 When you get to
in passing features from parents to chil- my age you’ll understand! 3. to start to
dren be in a particular state 쑗 I’m getting too
old for rugby. 쑗 He’s got much fatter
genre /"ɒnrə/ noun a type of something
genre
over the last year or so. 쑗 The sun got

artistic such as art, literature or theatre 쑗 hotter and hotter. 쑗 The carpet’s getting
the three main literary genres of prose, dirty. 4. to have something done 쑗 I
poetry and drama must get my suit cleaned. 쑗 We got the
gentle /d"ent(ə)l/ adjective 1. soft and car mended in time to go on holiday. 5.
gentle
kind 쑗 The nurse has gentle hands. 2. to make someone do something 쑗 Can
not very strong 쑗 After a little gentle you get them to mend the brakes? 쑗 I’ll
persuasion, she agreed to the plan. 쑗 He try and get her to bring some CDs.
gave the door a gentle push. 3. not very (NOTE: gets – getting – got /'ɒt/ –
steep 쑗 There is a gentle slope down to has got or gotten)
the lake. (NOTE: gentler – gentlest) get going phrasal verb to start doing
gentleman /d"ent(ə)lmən/ noun a
gentleman
something, or to leave 쑗 Come on, let’s
man, especially a well-behaved or up- get going!
per-class man 쑗 He’s such a gentleman; get across phrasal verb 1. to manage
he always opens the door for me. to cross something 쑗 They got across
the river on rafts. 2. to make someone
gently /d"entli/ adverb 1. softly and
gently
carefully 쑗 He gently put the blanket understand something 쑗 I’m trying to

over her. 2. not steeply 쑗 The path rises get across to the people in the office that
gently to the top of the hill. they all have to work harder. 쑗 We just
can’t seem to get our message across.
genuine /d"enjun/ adjective real; true
genuine
get along phrasal verb to manage 쑗

쑗 The painting was not a genuine Picas- She got along quite well when her moth-
so. 쑗 A genuine leather purse will cost a er was away on holiday. 쑗 We seem to
lot more than that. get along very happily without the tele-
geography /d"iɒ'rəfi/ noun the study
geography
phone. 쑗 How are you getting along?

of the earth’s surface, its climate and the get around phrasal verb 1. to move
plants and animals that live on it from place to place 쑗 Since he had his
germ /d"
m/ noun an organism which accident he gets around on two sticks. 2.
germ
causes disease 쑗 Wash your hands after (of news) to be heard by a lot of people
emptying the dustbin so you don’t 쑗 The news soon got around that they
spread any germs. were married.
get rid of 141 giggle

get at phrasal verb to reach something something 쑗 They got over the wall into
쑗 You’ll need to stand on a chair to get the garden. 2. to recover from an illness
at the jam jar on the top shelf. 쑗 He’s got over his flu.
get away phrasal verb to escape 쑗 The get through phrasal verb 1. to manage
robbers got away in a stolen car. to go through something 쑗 The cows got
get back phrasal verb 1. to return 쑗 through the hole in the fence. 2. to be
They got back home very late. 쑗 When successful 쑗 He got through his exams,
did they get back from the cinema? 2. to so he is now a qualified engineer.
get something again which you had be- get up phrasal verb 1. to get out of bed
fore 쑗 I got my money back after I had 쑗 He went to bed so late that he didn’t
complained to the manager. get up until 11 o’clock. 2. to make
get down phrasal verb 1. to go back someone get out of bed 쑗 You must get
down onto the ground 쑗 The cat everyone up by 7.30 if we are going to
climbed up the tree and couldn’t get leave on time. 3. to stand up 쑗 When he
down. 쑗 He got down off the ladder. 2. had finished his meal, he got up and
to bring something down 쑗 Can you get walked out of the room.
get rid of
my suitcase down for me? get rid of 쏡 rid

get in phrasal verb 1. to go inside a ghost /'əυst/ noun an image of a dead
ghost
place or a vehicle 쑗 Get in! – the train’s person which some people believe they
going to leave. 쑗 The burglars must have seen 쑗 They say the house is haunt-
have got in through the bathroom win- ed by the ghost of its former owner. 쑗
dow. 2. to arrive home or at the office 쑗 Her face is white – she looks as if she
What time did you get in last night? 쑗 has seen a ghost.
Because of the train strike, we didn’t get giant /d"aənt/ noun (in fairy tales and
giant
in until eleven o’clock. 3. to ask some- myths) a very large man 쑗 a story about
one to come to do a job 쑗 We’ll get a a giant who lived in a castle at the top of
builder in to mend the wall. a mountain 쐽 adjective very large 쑗
get into phrasal verb to go inside a He’s grown a giant cabbage. 쑗 They are
place or a vehicle 쑗 They got into the planning to build a giant car factory in
back of the car. 쑗 I was just getting into South Wales.
bed when the phone rang. 쑗 The bur-
giddy /'di/ adjective feeling that every-
giddy
glars got into the building through a

thing is turning round, and that you
window on the ground floor.
could lose your balance (NOTE: giddier
get off phrasal verb to come down – giddiest)
from or out of a form of transport such
gift /'ft/ noun 1. a present; something
gift
as a car, bus, train or plane 쑗 She got off

her bicycle at the red light. 쑗 If you given to someone 쑗 The wedding gifts
want the post office, you should get off were displayed on a table. 쑗 She was
at the next stop. 쑗 You have to get off the wrapping up gifts to put under the
train at South Kensington. Christmas tree. 2. a natural ability for
doing something well 쑗 She has a gift
get on phrasal verb 1. to go onto a
for making people feel welcome. 쑗 He
form of transport such as a car, bus, train has a gift for maths.
or plane 쑗 They got on the bus at the
gifted /'ftd/ adjective with a special
gifted
bank. 쑗 The policeman got on his bike

and rode away. 2. to become old 쑗 He’s talent 쑗 He was a gifted musician.
gigantic /d"a'ntk/ adjective ex-
gigantic
getting on and can’t work as hard as he
used to. tremely large

get out phrasal verb to go out of a giggle /''(ə)l/ noun a little laugh, often
giggle
place or a vehicle 쑗 The bus stopped showing you are embarrassed 쐽 verb to
and the driver got out. 쑗 The burglars laugh like this 쑗 When she saw her
got out through the front door. mother’s hat she started to giggle. 쑗 The
get over phrasal verb 1. to climb over class giggled at his accent.
ginger 142 glimpse

ginger /d"nd"ə/ noun a plant whose
ginger
way and let us go camping by ourselves.

root has a sharp burning taste and is glad /'ld/ adjective pleased
glad
쑗 Aunt
used in cooking 쑗 Fry the meat with Jane was glad to get your postcard. 쑗
spring onions and slices of ginger. 쑗 After shopping all day, she was glad to
Add a pinch of powdered ginger to the find somewhere to sit down.
cake mixture. 쐽 adjective (of hair ) or-
gladly /'ldli/ adverb with great pleas-
gladly
ange in colour 쑗 She has ginger hair

and green eyes. 쑗 A ginger cat lay ure
glance /'lɑ
ns/ noun a quick look 쑗 She
glance
sleeping in the sun.

giraffe /d"rɑ
f/ noun a large African
giraffe

gave him an admiring glance. 쐽 verb to
animal with a very long neck look quickly 쑗 He glanced over his
shoulder to see who was following him.
girl /'
l/ noun a female child 쑗 a crowd
girl
쑗 She glanced suspiciously at the wait-

of girls waiting at the bus stop 쑗 They er. 앳 at a glance after a quick look at
have four children – two boys and two something 쑗 At a glance, I’d say these
girls. 쑗 My sister goes to the local girls’ rugs are Chinese.
school.
glare /'leə/ noun 1. a very bright light 쑗
glare
girlfriend /'
lfrend/ noun a girl or
girlfriend
The glare of the sun on the wet road

woman that someone is having a roman- blinded me. 2. an angry look 쑗 He gave
tic relationship with 쑗 He’s broken up her a glare and walked on. 쐽 verb to
with his girlfriend. look angrily 쑗 She glared at me and
give /'v/ verb 1. to pass something to
give
went on reading her book.

someone 쑗 Give me another envelope, glass /'lɑ
s/ noun 1. a hard, smooth ma-
glass
please. 쑗 Can you give me some infor- terial which you can see through, used
mation about holidays in Greece? 2. to to make things such as windows, vases
send or pass something to someone as a and bowls 쑗 a bowl made of glass or a
present 쑗 We gave her flowers for her glass bowl 쑗 They found some very old
birthday. 쑗 What are you going to give pieces of glass in the earth. (NOTE: no
him when he gets married? 쑗 We gave plural) 2. a container to drink out of,
ten pounds to the Red Cross. 3. to do usually made of glass 쑗 She put the
something to someone or something 쑗 dirty glasses in the dishwasher. 쑗 We
He gave me a broad smile. 쑗 He gave took plastic wine glasses on the picnic.
her a kiss. 쑗 She gave the ball a kick. 4. (NOTE: The plural is glasses.) 3. the
to organise something such as a party 쑗 liquid contained in a glass 쑗 She asked
They gave a reception for the visiting for a glass of water. 쑗 He was so thirsty
Foreign Minister. 쑗 We gave a party to he drank three glasses. 쑗 Add a glass of
celebrate her twenty-first birthday. red wine to the sauce. (NOTE: The plural
(NOTE: gives – giving – gave /'ev/ – is glasses.) 쐽 plural noun glasses two
has given /'v(ə)n/) plastic or glass lenses in a frame which
give back phrasal verb to hand some- you wear in front of your eyes to help
thing back to someone you see better 쑗 She has to wear glasses
give in phrasal verb to agree to do for reading. (NOTE: no singular: for one
something that you had refused to do item, say ‘a pair of glasses’.)
earlier glide /'lad/ verb to move in a smooth
glide
give up phrasal verb to stop doing way 쑗 Skaters were gliding across the
something 쑗 She’s trying to give up ice. 쑗 A bird went gliding past.
smoking. glimpse /'lmps/ noun a quick sight of
glimpse
give way phrasal verb 1. to let some- something 쑗 We caught a glimpse of the
one go first 쑗 Give way to traffic com- princess as she drove past. 쑗 There was
ing from the right. 2. to break under a a brief glimpse of the sun during the af-
heavy weight 쑗 The chair gave way ternoon. 쐽 verb to catch sight of some-
when he sat on it. 3. to stop opposing one or something 쑗 We only glimpsed
something 쑗 In the end, our dad gave the back of her head as she was leaving.
glitter 143 go
glitter /'ltə/ verb to shine brightly with motorbike to go. 4. to fit 쑗 It’s too big to
glitter
small points of light, as the stars in the go into the box. 쑗 This case won’t go
sky seem to shine 쑗 The jewels in her into the back of the car. 5. to be placed
crown were glittering in the light of the 쑗 The date should go at the top of the
candles. 쑗 Her eyes glittered hopefully letter. 6. to become 쑗 Her face went red
as she spoke. from sitting in the sun. 쑗 He went pale
global /'ləυb(ə)l/ adjective 1. relating
global
and rushed out of the room. 쑗 You have
to the whole world 쑗 We offer a global to shout, my father’s going deaf. 쑗 She’s
parcel delivery service. 2. relating to the going grey, but it suits her. 7. to happen
whole of something 쑗 We are carrying in a particular way 쑗 The party went
out a global review of salaries. very well. 쑗 Things are going badly at
work. 8. to make a particular sound 쑗
globe /'ləυb/ noun 1. 왍 the globe the
globe
The balloon landed on a candle and

world 쑗 He is trying to be the first per- went ‘pop’. 쑗 Do you remember the
son to fly round the globe in a balloon. song that goes: ‘There’s no place like
2. a map of the world on a ball 쑗 He home’? (NOTE: goes – going – went
spun the globe round and pointed to /went/ – has gone /'ɒn/) 쐽 noun a try;
Canada. an attempt 쑗 He won the lottery at the
gloomy /'lu
mi/ adjective 1. unhappy
gloomy
first go. 쑗 She had three goes at the test

쑗 She was gloomy about her chances of and still didn’t pass. 쑗 We’ll give it one
passing the exam. 쑗 He’s very gloomy more go, and if the car doesn’t start I’ll
about his job prospects. 2. dark 쑗 a call the garage.
gloomy Sunday afternoon in November go ahead phrasal verb to take place as
(NOTE: gloomier – gloomiest) planned 쑗 The project went ahead even
glossy /'lɒsi/ adjective shiny
glossy
쑗 the though there were not enough staff.

glossy coat of a horse (NOTE: glossier go away phrasal verb to leave
– glossiest) go back phrasal verb to return
glove /'lv/ noun a piece of clothing
glove
go back on phrasal verb not to do

worn on your hand what has been promised
glow /'ləυ/ verb to shine in a dull way 쑗 go down phrasal verb to go to a lower
glow
The logs glowed in the fireplace. 쑗 Her level 쑗 There are thirty-nine steps
face glowed with pride. 쐽 noun a soft which go down to the beach. 쑗 Be care-
bright light 쑗 the warm glow of the fire ful when going down the hill. 쑗 After
glue /'lu
/ noun a substance which sticks
glue
having a rest in her bedroom, she went
things together 쑗 She spread the glue down to the hotel bar. 쑗 Prices have
carefully onto the back of the poster. 쑗 gone down.
The glue on the envelope doesn’t stick go in phrasal verb to enter a place 쑗
very well. 쐽 verb to stick things together You don’t need to knock – just go in.
쑗 He glued the label to the box. go in for phrasal verb to take an exam-
gnaw /nɔ
/ verb to bite something again
gnaw
ination
and again go into phrasal verb 1. to enter a place
쑗 She went into the bedroom. 2. to ex-
go /'əυ/ verb 1. to move from one place
go
to another 쑗 The plane goes to Frank- amine something; to look at something

furt, then to Rome. 쑗 She is going to carefully 쑗 The bank wants to go into
London for the weekend. 쑗 It’s time the the details of his account.
children went to bed. 쑗 He has gone to go off phrasal verb 1. to go to another
work in Washington. 쑗 They are going place 쑗 He went off to look for a parking
on a tour of southern Spain. 쑗 She was space. 쑗 She went off muttering some-
going downstairs when she fell. 2. to thing about buying cheese. 2. (of an
leave 쑗 Get your coat, it’s time to go. 쑗 alarm) to start making its noise 쑗 The
The last bus goes at half past two. 3. to burglar alarm went off in the middle of
work 쑗 Can you phone the garage? – the night. 3. to explode 쑗 The bomb
the car won’t go. 쑗 He’s trying to get his went off when there were still lots of
goal 144 good

god /'ɒd/ noun a being with special pow-
god
people in the building. 쑗 Fireworks

were going off everywhere on Bonfire ers that humans do not have, who is be-
Night. lieved in and worshipped by some peo-
go on phrasal verb 1. to continue 쑗 ple 쑗 Bacchus was the Roman god of
Please go on, I like hearing you sing. 쑗 wine.
God /'ɒd/ noun the spiritual Christians,
God
They went on working in spite of the

fire. 쑗 She went on speaking for two Jews and Muslims believe in and wor-
hours. 2. to happen 쑗 What’s been go- ship 쑗 Do you believe in God? 쑗 We
ing on here? pray to God that the children will be
go out phrasal verb 1. to leave a build- found alive. 쐽 interjection used for
ing 쑗 I don’t go out often at night. 쑗 He showing that you are surprised or an-
forgot to lock the door when he went noyed 쑗 God, what awful weather! 쑗
out. 2. not to be burning or lit any more My God, have you seen how late it is?
쑗 The fire went out and the room got goddess /'ɒdes/ noun a female god
goddess
cold. 쑗 All the lights in the building sud- (NOTE: The plural is goddesses.)
denly went out. goes /'əυz/ 3rd person singular present
goes
go round phrasal verb 1. to turn 쑗 The of go

merry-go-round went round and round. going /'əυŋ/ present participle of go
going
2. to visit a place 쑗 You’ll need at least

going to /'əυŋ tu
/ phrase used for
going to
two hours to go round the museum. 3. to

be enough for a particular number of showing future 쑗 We’re going to win. 쑗
people 쑗 There wasn’t enough ice I hope it’s going to be fine tomorrow. 쑗
When are you going to wash your hair?
cream to go round all twelve of us.
쑗 He’s going to be a great tennis player
go up phrasal verb 1. to go to a higher
when he’s older. 쑗 Is she going to sing
place 쑗 Take the lift and go up to the at the concert?
fourth floor. 2. to increase; to rise to a
gold /'əυld/ noun a very valuable yel-
gold
higher level 쑗 The price of bread has

gone up. low-coloured metal 쑗 That ring isn’t
go with phrasal verb to match some- made of gold. 쑗 Gold is worth more
thing 쑗 Blue shoes won’t go with a than silver. 쑗 He wears a gold ring on
green dress. 쑗 Red wine goes best with his little finger. (NOTE: no plural: some
gold, a bar of gold) 쐽 adjective of the
meat.
colour of gold 쑗 a gold carpet
go without phrasal verb not to have
golden /'əυld(ə)n/ adjective coloured
golden
something which you usually have 쑗

We often went without lunch. like gold; made from gold 쑗 She has
goal /'əυl/ noun 1. (in games) two posts
goal
beautiful golden hair.
golf /'ɒlf/ noun a game played on a large
golf
between which you have to send the ball

to score a point 쑗 He was unlucky to open course, by hitting a small ball into
miss the goal with that shot. 2. (in 18 separate holes with a variety of clubs,
games) a point scored by sending the using as few attempts as possible 쑗 He
ball between the posts 쑗 He scored a plays golf every Saturday. 쑗 Do you
goal before being sent off. 쑗 Our team want a game of golf?
scored three goals. 3. an aim 쑗 Our goal gone /'ɒn/ past participle of go
gone
is to open a new pizza restaurant every good /'υd/ adjective 1. sensible, enjoya-
good
month. 쑗 He achieved his goal of be- ble or of a high standard 쑗 We had a

coming a millionaire before he was thir- good breakfast and then started work. 쑗
ty. Did you have a good time at the party?
goalkeeper /'əυlki
pə/ noun a player
goalkeeper
쑗 It would be a good idea to invest in

who stands in front of the goal to stop these shares. 쑗 Her Spanish is better
the ball going in than his. 2. skilful; clever 쑗 He’s good
goat /'əυt/ noun a small farm animal
goat
at making things out of wood. 쑗 She’s

with horns and a beard, giving milk and good with her hands. 쑗 He is good at
wool 쑗 a herd of goats football. 3. well-behaved 쑗 Be a good
goodbye 145 grand

girl and I’ll give you a sweet. 쑗 Have grab /'rb/ verb 1. to pick something up
grab
you been good while we’ve been away? suddenly 쑗 He grabbed his suitcase and
쐽 noun an advantage or a benefit 쑗 The ran to the train. 2. to get something
medicine didn’t do me any good. 쑗 He quickly (informal ) 쑗 Let’s grab some
decided to give up smoking for the good lunch before the meeting starts. (NOTE:
of his health. 쑗 What’s the good of hav- grabs – grabbing – grabbed)
ing a big garden if you don’t like gar- graceful /'resf(ə)l/ adjective moving
graceful
dening? 쑗 Governments should work in a smooth and beautiful way 쑗 She

for the good of the people. crossed the stage with graceful steps. 쑗
goodbye /'υdba/ noun, interjection
goodbye
We admired the swimmer’s graceful

used when leaving someone 쑗 Say strokes across the pool.
goodbye to your teacher. 쑗 Goodbye! grade /'red/ noun 1. a level of quality 쑗
grade
We’ll see you again on Thursday. (NOTE: I always buy grade 2 eggs. 쑗 What
often shortened to bye) grade of vegetables do you sell most of?
good evening /'υd i
vnŋ/ interjec- 2. an examination mark 쑗 She got top
good evening
tion used as a greeting when meeting grades in maths. 3. US a class in school

someone or sometimes when leaving 쑗 students in fifth grade 쑗 She’s a fifth-
someone in the evening grade student. 쐽 verb to sort things ac-
cording to size or quality 쑗 a machine
good-looking /'υd lυkŋ/ adjective
good-looking
for grading fruit 쑗 Hotels are graded

(of a person) having an attractive face 쑗 with two, three, four or five stars. 앳 to
His sister is a very good-looking girl. 쑗 make the grade to succeed; to do well
He’s not especially good-looking.
gradual /'rd"uəl/ adjective which
gradual
good morning /'υd mɔ

nŋ/ interjec-
good morning
changes a little at a time

tion used when meeting someone, or
gradually /'rd"uəli/ adverb little by
gradually
sometimes when leaving someone in the

little 쑗 His condition improved gradual-
morning
ly day by day. 쑗 She gradually learnt
goods /'υdz/ plural noun 1. things that
goods
how to deal with customers’ complaints.

are produced for sale 쑗 The company graffiti /'rəfi
ti/ noun words which
graffiti
sells goods from various European have been written or painted on walls in
countries. 2. possessions; things which public places
you own 쑗 She carried all her worldly
graft /'rɑ
ft/ noun very hard work that
graft
goods in a bag.
needs a lot of physical energy (informal )
gossip /'ɒsp/ noun stories or news
gossip
쑗 She has succeeded through sheer hard

about someone, which may or may not graft.
be true 쑗 Have you heard the latest gos- grain /'ren/ noun 1. a crop such as
grain
sip about Sue? 쐽 verb to talk about peo- wheat or corn 쑗 a field of grain 쑗 the
ple’s private lives 쑗 They spent hours grain harvest 2. a very small piece 쑗 a
gossiping about the people working in grain of sand
the office.
gram /'rm/, gramme noun a unit of
gram
got /'ɒt/ past tense and past participle of

got
weight; there are 1000 grams in a kilo-

get gram (NOTE: usually written g after fig-
govern /'v(ə)n/ verb to rule a country
govern
ures: 50 g.)
쑗 The country is governed by three gen- grammar /'rmə/ noun 1. the rules of
grammar
erals. a language 쑗 I’m finding Russian gram-

government /'v(ə)nmənt/ noun the
government
mar very difficult. 쑗 He’s been learning

people or a political party which rules a English for years, and still makes basic
country 쑗 The president asked the lead- grammar mistakes. 2. a book of rules of
er of the largest party to form a new a language 쑗 I’ll look it up in my new
government. 쑗 The government controls German grammar.
grand /'rnd/ adjective 1. big and im-
grand
the price of bread. 쑗 He has an impor-

tant job in the government. portant 쑗 his grand plan for making a
grandad 146 grease

lot of money 2. impressive 쑗 We went to graph /'rɑ
f/ noun a chart showing how
graph
a very grand wedding. amounts rise and fall in the form of a

grandad /'rndd/ noun 1. a grandfa- line
grandad
ther (informal ) 2. a common name used grasp /'rɑ

sp/ noun an understanding 쑗
grasp
for addressing a grandfather She has a good grasp of physics. 쐽 verb

grandchild /'rntʃald/ noun a child to understand something 쑗 They didn’t
grandchild
of a son or daughter (NOTE: The plural is seem to grasp my meaning.

grandchildren /'rntʃldrən/.) grass /'rɑ
s/ noun a low green plant,
grass
granddaughter /'rndɔ
tə/ noun the
granddaughter
which is eaten by sheep and cows in

daughter of a son or daughter fields, or used in gardens to cover the
grandfather /'rnfɑ
ðə/ noun the fa-
grandfather

area that you walk or sit on 쑗 The grass
ther of your mother or father 쑗 Tomor- is getting too long – it needs cutting.
grate /'ret/ noun a metal frame for
grate
row is grandfather’s hundredth birth-

day. 쑗 My grandfather always tells us holding coal in a fireplace 쐽 verb to
fascinating stories about his childhood. make something into small pieces by
(NOTE: often called grandad or grand- rubbing against a grater 쑗 She grated
pa by children) nutmeg over the pudding. 쑗 Sprinkle
grandma /'rnmɑ
/ noun 1. a grand-
grandma
grated cheese over your pasta. 쑗 We
mother (informal ) 2. a common name made a salad of grated carrots and
used for addressing a grandmother spring onions. (NOTE: Do not confuse
with great.)
grandmother /'rnmðə/ noun the
grandmother
grateful /'retf(ə)l/ adjective feeling

grateful
mother of your mother or father 쑗 It will

be grandmother’s ninetieth birthday that you want to thank someone for
next month. 쑗 My grandmother taught something that they have done for you 쑗
me how to make bread. (NOTE: often We are most grateful to you for your
called gran or granny or grandma or help.
grave /'rɑ
v/ noun a hole in the ground
grave
nan by children)
grandpa /'rnpɑ
/ noun 1. a grandfa-
grandpa
where a dead person is buried 쑗 At the
ther (informal ) 2. a common name used funeral, the whole family stood by the
for addressing a grandfather grave. 쐽 adjective serious 쑗 She looked
at him with a grave expression. (NOTE:
grandparent /'rnpeərənt/ noun the
grandparent
graver – gravest)
mother or father of one of your parents
gravity /'rvti/ noun the force which
gravity
grandson /'rnsn/ noun the son of a

grandson
pulls things towards the ground 쑗 Ap-

son or daughter
ples fall to the ground because of the
granny /'rni/ noun 1. a grandmother
granny
earth’s gravity.
(informal ) 2. a common name used for
gravy /'revi/ noun sauce made from
gravy
addressing a grandmother
the juices of cooked meat (NOTE: no plu-
grant /'rɑ
nt/ noun an amount of money
grant
ral)
given to help someone to pay for some-
gray /'re/ noun, adjective US spelling
gray
thing, or to live while they are doing

something such as studying 쑗 Not many of grey
graze /'rez/ noun a slight skin injury 쑗
graze
students get a full grant. 쑗 My grant

only pays for a few books. 쑗 We have He had a graze on his knee. 쐽 verb (of
applied for a grant to plant trees by the animals) to feed on grass 쑗 The sheep
side of the road. 쐽 verb to give someone were grazing on the hillside.
something, especially officially grease /'ri
s/ noun 1. thick oil 쑗 Put
grease
(formal ) 쑗 The council has granted the some grease on the hinge. 2. fat that
school permission to build a new hall. comes from meat when it is cooked 쐽
grape /'rep/ noun a small green or red
grape
verb to cover with oil 쑗 Don’t forget to

fruit which grows on low plants, often grease the wheels. 쑗 She greased the
used to make wine pan before cooking the eggs.
greasy 147 ground

greasy /'ri
si/ adjective covered with grief when the council refused to renew
greasy
oil or grease 쑗 He wiped his greasy their grant.

hands on a piece of rag. 쑗 I don’t like grill /'rl/ noun a part of a cooker where
grill
the chips they serve here – they’re too food is cooked under the heat 쑗 Cook
greasy. (NOTE: greasier – greasiest) the chops under the grill. 쐽 verb to cook
great /'ret/ adjective 1. large 쑗 She was
great
something in this part of the cooker 쑗
carrying a great big pile of sandwiches. We’re having grilled sardines for dinner.
grim /'rm/ adjective 1. serious and not
grim
쑗 The guide showed us into the Great

Hall. 2. important or famous 쑗 the smiling 쑗 His expression was grim. 쑗
greatest tennis player of all time 쑗 New He gave a grim laugh and went on
York is a great city. 쑗 Picasso was a working. 2. grey and unpleasant 쑗 The
great artist. 3. wonderful; very good 쑗 town centre is really grim.
We had a great time at the party. 쑗 What grimy /'rami/ adjective covered with
grimy
did you think of the film? – It was great! old dirt that is difficult to remove 쑗 The
쑗 It was great of you to help. 쑗 It was furniture was broken and the windows
great that they could all get to the pic- were grimy.
nic.
grin /'rn/ verb to smile widely 쑗 He
grin
greatly /'retli/ adverb very much

greatly
grinned when we asked him if he liked

greedy /'ri
di/ adjective wanting more his job. (NOTE: grins – grinning –
greedy
food or other things than you need grinned) 쐽 noun a wide smile 쑗 She
(NOTE: greedier – greediest) gave me a big grin.
grind /'rand/ verb 1. to crush some-
grind
green /'ri
n/ adjective 1. of a colour like
green
the colour of grass 쑗 He was wearing a thing to powder 쑗 to grind coffee 2. to

bright green shirt. 쑗 They painted the rub surfaces together (NOTE: grinds –
door dark green. 쑗 Go on – the traffic grinding – ground /'raυnd/)
grip /'rp/ noun a firm hold 쑗 He has a
grip
lights are green. 2. relating to, interest-

ed in or concerned about the environ- strong firm grip. 쑗 These tyres give a
ment 쑗 She’s very worried about green better grip on the road surface. 쐽 verb
issues. 쑗 He’s a leading figure in the 1. to hold something tight 쑗 She gripped
green movement. 쐽 noun 1. a colour the rail with both hands. 2. to be very in-
like grass 쑗 The door was painted a very teresting to someone 쑗 The story
dark green. 2. an area of public land gripped me from the first page. (NOTE:
covered with grass in the middle of a grips – gripping – gripped)
village 쑗 They were playing cricket on groove /'ru
v/ noun a wide line cut into
groove
the village green. a surface

greet /'ri
t/ verb to meet someone and
greet
gross /'rəυs/ adjective total; with noth-

gross
say hello ing taken away 쑗 What’s your gross sal-

greeting /'ri
tŋ/ noun the words that ary? 쐽 adverb with nothing taken away
greeting
people say to each other when they meet 쑗 His salary is paid gross.
ground /'raυnd/ noun 1. the surface of
ground
grew /'ru
/ past tense of grow
grew
the earth 쑗 The factory was burnt to the

grey /'re/ noun a colour that is a mixture
grey
ground. 쑗 There were no seats, so we

of black and white 쑗 He was dressed all had to sit on the ground. 쑗 She lay down
in grey. 쐽 adjective of a colour that is a on the ground and went to sleep. 2. soil
mixture of black and white 쑗 Her hair or earth 쑗 You should dig the ground in
has turned quite grey. 쑗 She was wear- the autumn. 쑗 The house is built on wet
ing a light grey suit. 쑗 Look at the grey ground. 쑗 It has been so dry that the
clouds – I think it is going to rain. ground is hard. 3. an area of land used
grief /'ri
f/ noun a feeling of great sad-
grief
for a special purpose 쑗 a football

ness 앳 to come to grief to have an ac- ground 쑗 a sports ground 쑗 a cricket
cident; to fail 쑗 His horse came to grief ground 쑗 a show ground 쐽 plural noun
at the first fence. 쑗 The project came to grounds 1. a large area of land around
ground floor 148 guide

a big house or institution 쑗 The police grumble /'rmbəl/ to complain in a
grumble
searched the school grounds for the bad-tempered way, especially regularly
weapon. 쑗 The village fair is held in the and often about unimportant things 쑗
grounds of the hospital. 2. reasons 쑗 He’s always grumbling about the music
Does he have any grounds for com- from the flat above.
plaint? 쑗 What grounds have you got guarantee /'rənti
/ noun 1. a legal
guarantee
for saying that? document in which someone states that

ground floor /'raυnd flɔ
/ noun a something is going to happen 쑗 The
ground floor
floor in a building which is level with travel agent could not give a guarantee
the street that we would be accommodated in the
hotel mentioned in the brochure. 2. a
group /'ru
p/ noun 1. a number of peo-
group
promise 쑗 I can’t give you any guaran-

ple together 쑗 a group of houses in the tee of success. 쐽 verb to give a firm
valley 쑗 Groups of people gathered in promise that something will work, that
the street. 쑗 She is leading a group of something will be done 쑗 I can guaran-
businessmen on a tour of Italian facto- tee that the car will give you no trouble.
ries. 쑗 There are reduced prices for 쑗 We can almost guarantee good weath-
groups of 30 and over. 2. a way of clas- er in the Caribbean at this time of year.
sifying things 쑗 These drugs belong to (NOTE: guarantees – guaranteeing –
the same group. 3. people playing music guaranteed)
together 쑗 He plays in a jazz group. 쑗
guard /'ɑ
d/ noun 1. a person who pro-
guard
She’s the lead singer in a pop group.

tects, often a soldier 쑗 Security guards
grow /'rəυ/ verb 1. (of plants) to live and
grow
patrol the factory at night. 2. the man in

develop 쑗 There was grass growing in charge of a train 쑗 The guard helped my
the middle of the road. 쑗 Roses grow put my bike into his van. 쐽 verb to watch
well in our garden. 2. to make plants someone or somewhere carefully to pre-
grow 쑗 He grows all his vegetables in vent attacks or escapes 쑗 The prison is
his garden. 쑗 We are going to grow guarded at all times. 앳 to be on your
some cabbages this year. 3. to become guard to try to be ready for an unpleas-
taller or bigger 쑗 He’s grown a lot taller ant surprise 쑗 You always have to be on
since I last saw him. 쑗 The profit has your guard against burglars.
grown to £1m. 쑗 The town’s population guerrilla /'ərlə/, guerilla noun a sol-
guerrilla
is growing very fast. (NOTE: grows – dier who is not part of a regular national
growing – grew /'ru
/ – grown army
/'rəυn/) guess /'es/ noun an attempt to give the
guess
grow up phrasal verb to become an right answer or amount 쑗 Go on – make

adult a guess! 쑗 At a guess, I’d say it weighs
growing /'rəυŋ/ adjective 1. becom-
growing
about 10 kilos. 쐽 verb to try to give the

ing bigger in size or amount 2. becom- right answer or amount 쑗 I would guess
ing stronger or more extreme 쑗 growing it’s about six o’clock. 쑗 Neither of them
fear of war guessed the right answer. 쑗 He guessed
right. 쑗 I’ve bought you a present – shut
grown /'rəυn/ adjective full size 쑗 What
grown
your eyes and guess what it is.

silly behaviour from a grown man!
guest /'est/ noun 1. a person who is in-
guest
growth /'rəυθ/ noun an increase in size

growth
vited to come to your home or to an

쑗 the rapid growth of the population event 쑗 We had a very lively party with
since 1980 쑗 They measured the tree’s dozens of guests. 쑗 None of the guests
growth over the last fifty years. left the party early. 2. a person staying
grubby /'rbi/ adjective so dirty as to
grubby
in a hotel 쑗 Guests are requested to va-
be unpleasant 쑗 A grubby little boy cate their rooms before midday.
guidance /'ad(ə)ns/ noun advice
guidance
asked for money. 쑗 He was wearing a

guide /'ad/ noun 1. a person who shows
guide
grubby old shirt. (NOTE: grubbier –

grubbiest) you the way 쑗 They used local farmers
guidebook 149 gym

as guides through the forest. 2. a person him dead. 2. a small piece of equipment
who shows tourists round a place 쑗 The which you hold in your hand to spray a
guide showed us round the castle. 쑗 The substance such as paint or glue 쑗 A
museum guide spoke so fast that we spray gun gives an even coating of
couldn’t understand what she was say- paint. 앳 to jump the gun to start too
ing. 3. a book which gives information quickly 쑗 The new law comes into effect
쑗 a guide to Athens 쑗 a guide to the but- in a month’s time, but some shops have
terflies of Europe 쐽 verb 1. to show already jumped the gun.
someone the way to somewhere 쑗 She gunman /'nmən/ noun a man armed
gunman
guided us up the steps in the dark. 2. to with a gun 쑗 The gunman pulled out a
show tourists round a place 쑗 He guided revolver and started shooting. (NOTE:
us round the castle and told us about its The plural is gunmen.)
history.
gut /'t/ noun the tube in which food is
gut
guidebook /'adbυk/ noun a book

guidebook
with information about a place digested as it passes through the body 쑗

He complained of a pain in the gut.
guilty /'lti/ adjective 1. who has com-
guilty
guts /'ts/ plural noun courage

guts
mitted a crime 쑗 He was found guilty of

murder. 쑗 The jury decided she was not (informal ) 쑗 She had the guts to tell the
guilty. 2. feeling unhappy because you boss he was wrong.
have done something wrong 쑗 I feel gutter /'tə/ noun 1. the side of a road
gutter
very guilty about not having written to where water can flow 쑗 Pieces of paper
you. (NOTE: guiltier – guiltiest) and leaves were blowing about in the
guitar /'tɑ
/ noun a musical instrument gutter. 2. an open pipe under the edge of
guitar
with six strings, played with the fingers a roof for catching rain 쑗 It rained so
쑗 He plays the guitar in a pop group. hard the gutters overflowed.
gulf /'lf/ noun an area of sea partly sur- guy /'a/ noun 1. a man (informal ) 쑗 She
gulf guy
rounded by land 쑗 the Gulf of Mexico married a guy from Texas. 쑗 The boss is
gum /'m/ noun 1. glue 쑗 She spread a very friendly guy. 쑗 Hey, you guys,
gum
gum on the back of the photo and stuck come and look at this! 2. a model of a
it onto a sheet of paper. 2. the flesh man burnt on Bonfire Night, November
around the base of your teeth 쑗 Brush- 5th 쑗 The children are collecting
ing your teeth every day is good for your clothes to make a guy. 쑗 Penny for the
gums. 쐽 verb to stick something with guy!
glue 쑗 She gummed the pictures onto a gym /d"m/ noun 1. a place with special
gym
sheet of paper. (NOTE: gums – gum- equipment, or a large hall as in a school,

ming – gummed) for indoor sports and physical training 쑗
gun /'n/ noun 1. a weapon which
gun
I go to the gym twice a week to exercise.

shoots bullets 쑗 The robber pulled out a 2. physical exercises, especially as an
gun. 쑗 She grabbed his gun and shot activity at school
H
h /etʃ/, H noun the eighth letter of the al- way there! 쑗 The post office is about
h
phabet, between G and I halfway between the station and our

habit /hbt/ noun something that
habit
house.
hall /hɔ
l/ noun 1. a room just inside the
hall
someone does regularly 쑗 He has the

habit of biting his fingernails. entrance to a house, where you can
had /əd, həd, hd/ past tense and past
had
leave your coat 쑗 Don’t wait in the hall,
participle of have come straight into the dining room. 쑗
She left her umbrella in the hall. 2. a
hail /hel/ noun frozen rain 쑗 I thought
hail
large room where large numbers of peo-

the hail was going to break the wind- ple can come together 쑗 The children
screen. 쐽 verb to fall as frozen rain 쑗 It have their dinner in the school hall.
hailed for ten minutes and then the sun
halt /hɔ
lt/ noun a complete stop 쐽 verb
halt
came out.
to stop something 쑗 The cars halted
hair /heə/ noun 1. a mass of long fibres
hair
when the traffic lights went red. 쑗 We

growing on your head 쑗 She has long are trying to halt experiments on live
brown hair or her hair is long and animals.
brown. 쑗 She always brushes her hair
halve /hɑ
v/ verb to reduce something by
halve
before washing it. 쑗 You must get your

hair cut. 쑗 He’s had his hair cut short. half 쑗 Because the town has no cash, its
쑗 Use some hair spray to keep your hair
budget has been halved.
ham /hm/ noun meat from a pig which
ham
in place. 2. one of the fibres growing on

the body of a human or animal 쑗 Waiter, has been treated, e.g. with salt 쑗 She cut
there’s a hair in my soup! 쑗 The cat has three slices of ham. 쑗 We had a ham and
left hairs all over the cushion. 쑗 He’s tomato salad. 쑗 She had a ham sand-
beginning to get some grey hairs. wich for lunch.
hairdresser /heədresə/ noun a person hamburger /hmb
'ə/ noun a piece
hamburger
hairdresser
who cuts and washes your hair of minced beef grilled and served in a
hairstyle /heəstal/ noun the way in
hairstyle
toasted roll
hammer /hmə/ noun a tool with a
hammer
which your hair has been cut or ar-

ranged heavy head for knocking nails 쑗 She hit
half /hɑ
f/ noun 1. one of two parts which
half
the nail hard with the hammer. 쐽 verb 1.
are the same in size 쑗 She cut the orange to knock something such as a nail into
in half. 쑗 One half of the apple fell on something such as a piece of wood with
the carpet. 쑗 Half of six is three. 2. (in a hammer 쑗 It took him a few minutes to
sport) one of two parts of a match 쑗 Our hammer the tent pegs into the ground. 2.
team scored a goal in the first half. 쑗 We to hit something hard, as with a hammer
쑗 He hammered the table with his fist. 쑗
thought we were going to win, and then
they scored in the final minutes of the She hammered on the door with her
second half. stick.
hand /hnd/ noun 1. the part of the body
hand
half past /hɑ

f pɑ
st/ phrase 30 min-
half past
utes after an hour at the end of each arm, which you use
for holding things 쑗 She was carrying a
half-term /hɑ
f t
m/ noun a short hol-
half-term
cup of tea in each hand. 쑗 She held out

iday in the middle of a school term her hand, asking for money. 왍 they
halfway /hɑ
fwe/ adverb in the mid-
halfway
walked along hand in hand they

dle 쑗 Come on, we’re more than half- walked holding each other by the hand
handbag 151 hard

2. one of the two long parts on a clock handy /hndi/ adjective practical and
handy
which move round and show the time. useful 앳 to come in handy to be useful
The minute hand is longer than the hour 쑗 The knife will come in handy when we
hand. 쐽 verb to pass something to are camping.
someone 쑗 Can you hand me that box? hang /hŋ/ verb to attach one thing to
hang
쑗 She handed me all her money. 앳 to

another so that it does not touch the
give or lend someone a hand with
ground 쑗 Hang your coat on the hook
something to help someone with
behind the door. 쑗 He hung his umbrella
something 쑗 Can you lend a hand with
over the back of his chair. 쑗 We hung the
moving the furniture? 쑗 He gave me a
painting in the hall. 쑗 The boys were
hand with the washing up. 앳 to shake
hanging upside down from a tree.
hands to hold someone’s hand to show
(NOTE: hangs – hanging – hung
you are pleased to meet them or to show
/hŋ/)
that an agreement has been reached 쑗
The visitors shook hands and the meet- hang around phrasal verb to wait in a
ing started. certain place without doing anything
hand in phrasal verb to give something much
to someone such as a teacher or a police- hang on phrasal verb to wait 쑗 If you
man 쑗 We handed in the money we had hang on a few minutes you will be able
found. to see her.
happen /hpən/ verb 1. to take place 쑗
happen
hand over phrasal verb to give some-

thing to someone 쑗 She handed over all The accident happened at the traffic
the documents to the lawyers. lights. 쑗 How did the accident happen?
쑗 Something happened to make all the
handbag /hndb'/ noun a small bag
handbag
which a woman carries to hold small buses late. 쑗 He’s late – something must
things such as money or make-up have happened to him. 2. 왍 to happen
to someone or something to have an ef-
handicap /hndikp/ noun 1. a phys-
handicap
fect on someone or something 쑗 What’s

ical or mental condition which makes happened to his brother since he left
ordinary activities difficult (dated ) 2. school? 앳 as it happens, as it hap-
something which puts you at a disad- pened completely by chance 쑗 As it
vantage 쑗 Not being able to drive is a happens I have the car today and can
handicap in this job. give you a lift. 쑗 It so happened that my
handkerchief /hŋkətʃf/ noun a
handkerchief
wife bumped into her at the supermar-

piece of cloth or thin paper for wiping ket.
your nose (NOTE: The plural is hand- happily /hpli/ adverb in a happy way
happily
kerchiefs or handkerchieves.)
happiness /hpinəs/ noun a feeling of
happiness
handle /hnd(ə)l/ noun a part of some-

handle
being happy
thing which you hold in your hand to
happy /hpi/ adjective 1. (of people)
happy
carry something or to use something 쑗 I

turned the handle but the door didn’t very pleased 쑗 I’m happy to say we’re
open. 쑗 Be careful, the handle of the fry- getting married next month. 쑗 I’m so
ing pan may be hot. 쑗 The handle has happy to hear that you are better. 쑗
come off my suitcase. 쑗 He broke the She’s very happy in her job. 2. (of
handle off the cup. 쐽 verb to move by events) pleasant 쑗 It was the happiest
hand 쑗 Be careful when you handle the day of my life.
bottles of acid. harbour /hɑ
bə/ noun a place where
harbour
handsome /hns(ə)m/ adjective a boats can come and tie up 쑗 The ship
handsome
handsome man or boy has an attractive came into harbour last night.
face 쑗 Her boyfriend is very handsome. hard /hɑ
d/ adjective 1. not soft 쑗 If you
hard
(NOTE: usually used of men rather than have back trouble, you ought to get a
women) hard bed. 쑗 The ice cream is rock hard
handwriting /hndratŋ/ noun writ-
handwriting
or hard as a rock. 쑗 The cake she made

ing done by hand is so hard I can’t bite into it. 2. not easy
hardly 152 head

쑗 Some of the questions were very hard. thing 쑗 She had a hatred of unfair treat-
쑗 It’s hard to stay happy when bad ment.
things happen. 쐽 adverb 1. strongly 쑗 haul /hɔ
l/ verb to pull something with
haul
He hit the nail hard. 쑗 It’s snowing very effort 쑗 They hauled the boat up onto
hard. 2. with a lot of effort 쑗 They the beach.
worked hard to finish the order on time.
have /həv, əv, hv/ verb 1. to own
have
쑗
She always tries hard. 앳 it’s hard to
say it’s difficult to know 쑗 It’s hard to
something 쑗 She has a lot of money. 쑗
say if it’s going to rain or not. They have a new green car. 쑗 She has
long dark hair. 쑗 The house has no tele-
hardly /hɑ
dli/ adverb almost not 쑗 Do
hardly
phone. 쑗 Do you have a table for three,

you know her? – Hardly at all. 쑗 We please? 2. to take or eat something 쑗
hardly slept a wink last night. 쑗 She Have you had any tea? 쑗 She has sugar
hardly eats anything at all. in her coffee. 쑗 They had a meal of
hardware /hɑ
dweə/ noun tools and
hardware
bread and cheese. 쑗 She had her break-

pans used in the home 쑗 I bought the fast in bed. 3. to play a game of some-
paint in a hardware shop. thing 쑗 They had a game of tennis. 쑗 I
harm /hɑ
m/ noun damage done to peo- had a long walk. 4. to arrange for some-
harm
ple or animals 쑗 He didn’t mean to do thing to be done for you 쑗 I must have
any harm or He meant no harm. 쑗 my hair cut. 쑗 She’s having the house
There’s no harm in having a little drink painted. 5. used to form the present and
before you go to bed. 쐽 verb to physical- past perfect form of verbs 쑗 Have they
ly affect something or someone in a bad finished their work? 쑗 She has never
way 쑗 Luckily, the little girl was not been to Paris. 쑗 They had finished sup-
harmed. 쑗 The bad publicity has per when we arrived. 쑗 I haven’t seen
harmed our reputation. him for two days. 쑗 If she had asked me
harmful /hɑ
mf(ə)l/ adjective which
harmful
I would have said no. 6. used to intro-
causes damage duce good wishes to someone 쑗 Have a
nice day! 쑗 Have a good trip! (NOTE:
harmless /hɑ
mləs/ adjective which
harmless
has – having – had)

does not upset or hurt anyone
have got phrasal verb 1. to own some-
harsh /hɑ
ʃ/ adjective 1. severe 쑗 The
harsh
thing 쑗 She’s got dark hair. 쑗 Have you

prosecutor asked for a harsh sentence to
got a table for three, please? 쑗 They’ve
fit the crime. 2. rough 쑗 He shouted in a
got a new green car. 쑗 The house hasn’t
harsh voice.
got a telephone. 쑗 They haven’t got
harvest /hɑ
vst/ noun picking crops 쑗
harvest
enough to eat. 2. used to mean ‘must’ 쑗

The corn harvest is in August. 쐽 verb to Why have you got to go so early? 쑗
pick crops 쑗 The corn will be ready to She’s got to learn to drive.
harvest next week. 쑗 They have started hay /he/ noun dried grass used to feed
hay
harvesting the grapes in the vineyard. animals such as cows

has /əz, həz, hz/ 3rd person singular
has
he /hi, hi
/ pronoun referring to a man or
he
present of have boy, and some animals 쑗 He’s my broth-

hat /ht/ noun a piece of clothing which
hat
er. 쑗 He and I met in Oxford. 쑗 He’s eat-

you wear on your head 쑗 Take your hat en all my pudding. 쑗 Don’t be fright-
off when you go into a church. 쑗 He’s ened of the dog – he won’t hurt you. 쒁
bought a Russian fur hat for the winter. him, his (NOTE: When it is the object,
hate /het/ verb to dislike someone or
hate
he becomes him: He hit the ball or The

something very much 쑗 I think she ball hit him. When it follows the verb to
hates me, but I don’t know why. 쑗 I hate be, he usually becomes him: Who’s
being late. 쐽 noun a very strong feeling that? – It’s him, the man who borrowed
of not liking someone 쑗 Her eyes were my knife.)
full of hate. head /hed/ noun 1. the top part of the
head
hatred /hetrd/ noun a very strong

hatred
body, where your eyes, nose, mouth and

feeling of not liking someone or some- brain are 쑗 He says he can relax by
headache 153 heating

standing on his head. 쑗 She hit her head heap /hi
p/ noun a pile 쑗 a heap of coal
heap
on the cupboard door. 2. your brain; in- 쑗 Step over that heap of rubbish. 쐽 verb
telligence 쑗 She has a good head for fig- to pile things up 쑗 A pile of presents
ures. 쑗 He tried to do the sum in his were heaped under the Christmas tree.
head. 쑗 If we all put our heads together 쑗 Boxes were heaped up on the station
we might come up with a solution. 3. the platform.
first place 쑗 An old lady was standing at
hear /hə/ verb 1. to notice sounds with
hear
the head of the queue. 쑗 His name

comes at the head of the list. 4. the most your ears 쑗 He heard footsteps behind
important person 쑗 She’s head of the him. 쑗 You could hear the sound of
sales department. 쑗 The head waiter church bells in the distance. 쑗 I heard
showed us to our table. 5. one person, or her drive up in the car. 쑗 Can you hear
one animal, when counting 쑗 She count- him singing in the bath? 2. to listen to
ed heads as the children got onto the something 쑗 Did you hear the talk on
coach. 쑗 There are fifty head of sheep in the radio? 쑗 I heard it on the BBC news.
the flock. 쐽 verb to go towards some- 3. to get information 쑗 I hear he’s got a
thing 쑗 She headed immediately for the new job. 쑗 Have you heard that the
manager’s office. 쑗 The car headed east manager has resigned? 쑗 We have not
along the motorway. 쑗 He’s heading to- heard from them for some time. (NOTE:
wards the Channel ports. 쑗 She’s head- hears – hearing – heard /h
d/)
ing for trouble. 앳 to shake your head hearing /hərŋ/ noun the ability to hear
hearing
to move your head from side to side to 쑗 Bats have a very sharp sense of hear-
mean ‘no’ 쑗 She asked him if he wanted ing. 쑗 She has hearing difficulties.
any more coffee and he shook his head. (NOTE: no plural)
headache /hedek/ noun a pain in your
headache
heart /hɑ
t/ noun 1. a main organ in the
heart
head 쑗 I’ve got a bad headache. body, which pumps blood around it 쑗
headline /hedlan/ noun words in large
headline
She isn’t dead – her heart’s still beating.

letters on the front page of a newspaper 쑗 The doctor listened to his heart. 쑗 He
쑗 Did you see the headlines about the has had heart trouble for years. 2. your
accident? feelings and emotions 쑗 My heart sank
headquarters /hedkwɔ
təz/ noun the
headquarters
when I realised that he hadn’t read my

main offices of a large organisation 쑗 letter. 3. a centre or middle 쑗 The res-
Several people were arrested and taken taurant is in the heart of the old town. 4.
to police headquarters. Abbreviation one of the red sets in a game of cards,
HQ with a symbol shaped like a heart 쑗 My
head teacher /hed ti
tʃə/ noun a man
head teacher
last card was the ten of hearts. (NOTE:
or woman who is in charge of a school The other red suit is diamonds; clubs
and spades are the black suits.)
heal /hi
l/ verb to make someone or
heal
heat /hi
t/ noun 1. the state of being hot
heat
something healthy again, or to become

healthy again 쑗 She claims to be able to 쑗 The heat of the sun made the ice
heal people through touch. 쑗 This cream melt. 2. the amount of heat pro-
should help the wound to heal. (NOTE: duced by an oven or heating system 쑗
Do not confuse with heel.) Cook the vegetables over a low heat. 3.
health /helθ/ noun the fact of being well
health
one part of a sports competition 쑗 There
or being free from any illness 쑗 He has are two heats before the final race. 쐽
enjoyed the best of health for years. 쑗 verb to make something hot 쑗 Can you
Smoking is bad for your health. heat the soup while I’m getting the table
healthy /helθi/ adjective 1. not ill 쑗
healthy
ready? 쑗 The room was heated by a
He’s healthier than he has ever been. 2. small electric fire. 쑗 Heat the milk to
making you stay fit and well 쑗 the room temperature.
heating /hi
tŋ/ noun a way of keeping
heating
healthiest place in England 쑗 She’s

keeping to a healthy diet. (NOTE: a place such as a house or an office
healthier – healthiest) warm
heaven 154 helpful

heaven /hev(ə)n/ noun a beautiful helicopter /helkɒptə/ noun an aircraft
heaven helicopter
place believed by some people to be with a set of large flat blades on top that
where good people go after death 쑗 She spin round, making it rise straight up in
believes that when she dies she will go the air
to heaven. 앳 for heaven’s sake an ex- hell /hel/ noun 1. a place where some
hell
pression showing you are annoyed, or people believe bad people are sent after
that something is important 쑗 What are they die 쑗 Medieval pictures show hell
you screaming for? – It’s only a little as a burning place. 2. a very unpleasant
mouse, for heaven’s sake. 쑗 For heav- place or experience 쑗 It’s hell working
en’s sake try to be quiet, we don’t want in the office these days. 3. used to em-
the guards to hear us! 앳 good heavens phasise what you are saying (informal )
an expression showing you are sur- 쑗 What the hell’s been going on here? 쑗
prised 쑗 Good heavens! It’s almost 10 Am I going to lend you £50? Am I hell!
o’clock! (NOTE: Using expressions that include
heavily /hevli/ adverb 1. with force 쑗
heavily
the word hell is offensive to some peo-

He sat down heavily on the little chair. ple.)
2. to a great extent; very much 쑗 The he’ll /hil, hi
l/ short form he will
he’ll
company was heavily criticised in the

hello /hələυ/ interjection used as a greet-
hello
press. 쑗 She is heavily in debt. 쑗 It
rained heavily during the night. ing 쑗 She called hello from the other
side of the street. 쑗 Hello Mary! I’m
heavy /hevi/ adjective 1. weighing a lot
heavy
glad to see you. 쑗 When you see her, say

쑗 This suitcase is so heavy I can hardly hello to her from me. (NOTE: also
lift it. 쑗 She’s heavier than I am. 2. in spelled hallo, hullo.)
large amounts 쑗 There has been a heavy
helmet /helmt/ noun a solid hat used as
helmet
demand for the book. 쑗 There was a

heavy fall of snow during the night. 쑗 a protection
help /help/ noun 1. something which
help
The radio says there is heavy traffic in

the centre of town. 왍 to be a heavy makes it easier for you to do something
smoker to smoke a lot of cigarettes 왍 to 쑗 She was washing the floor with the
be a heavy drinker to drink a lot of al- help of a big mop. 쑗 Do you need any
cohol help with moving the furniture? 쑗 She
finds the word-processor a great help in
hedge /hed"/ noun a row of bushes
hedge
writing her book. 쑗 Her assistant is not

planted and kept in an even shape to
much help in the office – he can’t type or
form a screen round a field or garden 쑗
drive. 2. the act of making it easier for
There is a thick hedge round the church-
someone to do something 쑗 People
yard.
were calling for help from the ruins of
heel /hi
l/ noun 1. the back part of the
heel
the house. 쑗 The nurses offered help to

foot 쑗 After walking, she got sore heels. people injured in the accident. 쐽 verb to
2. the back part of a sock or shoe 쑗 He’s make it easier for someone to do some-
got a hole in the heel of his sock. 쑗 She thing 쑗 He helped the old lady up the
always wears shoes with high heels or steps. 쑗 The government wants to help
high-heeled shoes. small businesses. 쑗 Your father can help
height /hat/ noun 1. a measurement of
height
you with your homework. 쑗 One of my
how high something is or how tall some- friends helped me move the piano into
one is 쑗 The height of the bridge is only the bedroom.
helper /helpə/ noun a person who helps
helper
three metres. 2. the highest point 쑗

looking down on the city from the someone do a particular job or task, es-
heights around 3. a time of great activity pecially without being paid
쑗 It is difficult to find hotel rooms at the
helpful /helpf(ə)l/ adjective useful or
helpful
height of the tourist season. giving help to someone 쑗 She made

held /held/ past tense and past participle
held
some helpful suggestions. 쑗 They were

of hold very helpful when we moved house.
helping 155 high

helping /helpŋ/ noun an amount of The manager wrote to me herself. 쑗 Did
helping
food for one person 쑗 The helpings in your sister enjoy herself? 쑗 She’s too
this restaurant are very small. 쑗 Chil- young to be able to dress herself.
dren’s helpings are not as large as those hesitate /heztet/ verb to be slow to
hesitate
for adults. speak or make a decision 쑗 He hesitated

helpless /helpləs/ adjective not able to for a moment and then said ‘no’. 쑗
helpless
do anything to make a bad situation bet- She’s hesitating about whether to ac-
ter cept the job.
hen /hen/ noun an adult female chicken hiccup /hkp/, hiccough noun 1. a
hiccup
hen
쑗 The hens were scared by the fox. 쑗 sudden high sound that you sometimes
Look, one of the hens has laid an egg! make in your throat, e.g. if you have
hence /hens/ adverb in the future 쑗 Five
hence
been eating too quickly 쑗 She had an at-
months hence, the situation should be tack of hiccups. 쑗 He got the hiccups
better. from laughing too much. 2. a small thing
which goes wrong 쑗 There has been a
her /ə, hə, h
/ object pronoun referring
her
slight hiccup in the delivery of our sup-

to a female 쑗 There’s a parcel for her in plies. 쐽 verb to make a hiccup 쑗 She
reception. 쑗 Did you see her? 쑗 He told patted him on the back when he sudden-
her to go away. 쐽 adjective belonging ly started to hiccup. 쑗 He hiccupped so
to a female, a ship or a country 쑗 Some- loudly that everyone in the restaurant
one has stolen all her luggage. 쑗 Have stared at him. (NOTE: hiccups – hic-
you seen her father? 쑗 The dog doesn’t cupping – hiccupped)
want to eat her food. 쑗 France is help-
hidden /hd(ə)n/ adjective which can-
hidden
ing her businesses to sell more abroad.

not be seen or found easily 쑗 There’s a
herb /h
b/ noun a plant used to give fla-
herb
hidden safe in the wall behind his desk.

vour to food, or as a medicine 쑗 They say there’s some hidden treasure
herd /h
d/ noun a group of animals, es-
herd
in the castle.
pecially cows 쑗 Herds of cattle were hide /had/ verb 1. to put something
hide
grazing on the hillside. (NOTE: The where no one can see or find it 쑗 She hid
word herd is usually used with cattle; the presents in the kitchen. 쑗 They kept
for sheep, goats, and birds, the word to some gold coins hidden under the bed.
use is flock.) 쑗 Someone has hidden my car keys. 2.
here /hə/ adverb 1. in this place 쑗 I’ll sit
here
to put yourself where no one can see or

here in the shade and wait for you. 쑗 find you 쑗 They hid in the bushes until
Here are the keys you lost. 쑗 I’ll put the the police car had gone past. 쑗 Quick!
book down here next to your computer. Hide behind the door! (NOTE: hides –
쑗 They have been living here in England hiding – hid /hd/ – has hidden
for a long time. 2. to this place 쑗 Come /hd(ə)n/)
here at once! 쑗 Can you bring the chairs hideous /hdiəs/ adjective extremely
hideous
here, please? 쑗 Here comes the bus! 앳 unpleasant to look at 쑗 Where did she
here you are take this 쑗 Here you are, get that hideous dress?
today’s newspaper!
hiding /hadŋ/ noun a situation in
hiding
hero /hərəυ/ noun 1. a brave man 쑗 The

hero
which you have put yourself where no

hero of the fire was the man who man- one can find you 쑗 He stayed in hiding
aged to rescue the children from an up- for three days until the soldiers left the
stairs room. 2. the main male character village. 쑗 They decided to go into hiding
in something such as a book, play or for a time until the police called off their
film 쑗 The hero of the story is a little search.
boy. (NOTE: The plural is heroes.)
high /ha/ adjective 1. far above other
high
hers /h
z/ pronoun belonging to her 쑗
hers
things 쑗 Everest is the highest mountain

That watch is hers, not mine. in the world. 쑗 The new building is 20
herself /əself, həself/ pronoun used
herself
storeys high. 쑗 The kitchen has a high

for referring back to a female subject 쑗 ceiling. 쑗 The door is not high enough
highly 156 hit

for us to get the wardrobe into the bed- 쑗
That hinge squeaks – it needs some
room. 쒁 height (NOTE: High is used oil. 쑗 They lifted the door off its hinges.
with figures: the mountain is 1,000 me- hint /hnt/ noun 1. something you say
hint
tres high. High also refers to things that reveals information in an indirect
that are a long way above the ground: way 쑗 He didn’t give a hint as to where
a high mountain, high clouds. For peo- he was going on holiday. 2. a piece of
ple and narrow things like trees use advice or a suggestion 쑗 She gave me
tall: a tall man.) 2. large in quantity 쑗 some useful hints about painting furni-
the high level of unemployment in the ture. 쑗 I don’t know what to give her for
country 쑗 He earns a high income. 쑗 her birthday – have you any hints? 쐽
High prices put customers off. 쑗 The car verb to say something in a way that
shakes when going at high speeds. 쑗 makes people guess what you mean 쑗
The price of petrol is higher every year. She hinted that her sister was pregnant.
쐽 adverb above; up in the air 쑗 The sun
hip /hp/ noun the part of the body where
hip
rose high in the sky. 쑗 The bird flew your legs join your waist 쑗 The tailor
higher and higher. (NOTE: higher – measured him round the hips. 쐽 adjec-
highest) tive very fashionable (slang) 쑗 That’s a
highly /hali/ adverb used before some
highly
very hip shirt she’s wearing.

adjectives to mean ‘very well’ 쑗 highly hire /haə/ verb 1. (of a borrower ) to pay
hire
priced meals 쑗 The restaurant has been money to use something for a time 쑗
highly recommended. 쑗 Their employ- She hired a car for the weekend. 쑗 He
ees are not very highly paid. was driving a hired car when the acci-
highway /hawe/ noun a main public
highway
dent happened. 2. to employ someone to

road 쑗 A footbridge was built over the work for you 쑗 We’ve hired three more
highway. sales assistants. 쑗 They hired a small
company to paint their offices. 쐽 noun
hijack /had"k/ verb to take control of
hijack
the act of paying money to rent some-

a vehicle by force 쑗 The men hijacked thing such as a car, a boat or a piece of
the lorry and left the driver by the road. equipment
쑗 They hijacked an aircraft and ordered
his /z, hz/ adjective belonging to him 쑗
his
the pilot to fly to Moscow.

He’s lost all his money. 쑗 Have you met
hilarious /hleəriəs/ adjective very
hilarious
his mother? 쑗 Our dog wants his food.

funny 쑗 I thought the play was hilari- 쐽 pronoun belonging to him 쑗 That
ous. watch is his, not mine.
hill /hl/ noun a piece of high land historical /hstɒrk(ə)l/ adjective re-
hill historical
(informal ) 쑗 The hills are covered with lating to history 쑗 He likes books of his-
spring flowers. 쑗 If you climb to the top torical interest.
of the hill you will get a good view of the history /hst(ə)ri/ noun 1. the study of
history
valley. the past 쑗 He is studying Greek history.

him /m, hm/ object pronoun referring
him
쑗 She failed her history exam. 쑗 She
to a male 쑗 Tell him there’s a letter wait- teaches history at London University. 2.
ing for him. 쑗 Have you spoken to him a book which tells the story of what hap-
today? 쑗 That’s him! – The man with pened in the past 쑗 He wrote a history of
the beard. the French Revolution.
hit /ht/ noun someone or something that
hit
himself /mself, hmself/ pronoun

himself
is very popular, e.g. a song, a film or a

used for referring back to a male subject performer 쑗 The song rapidly became a
쑗 I was served by the manager himself.
hit. 쑗 The play was a West End hit. 쑗
쑗 The doctor has got flu himself. 쑗 Did
She was a hit with the old people’s club.
your brother enjoy himself? 쐽 verb 1. to knock something or some-
hinge /hnd"/ noun a piece of metal used
hinge
one 쑗 The car hit the tree. 쑗 She hit him

to hold something, e.g. a door, window on the head with a bottle. 쑗 She hit the
or lid, so that it can swing open and shut ball so hard that we couldn’t find it. 쑗 I
hoard 157 hold-up

hit my head on the cupboard door. 2. to to keep someone inside 쑗 The prisoners
cause someone to realise something 쑗 It were held in police cells overnight.
suddenly hit her that now she was di- (NOTE: holds – holding – held /held/)
vorced she would have to live alone. 왍 to hold your breath to keep air in
(NOTE: hits – hitting – hit) your lungs, e.g. in order to go under wa-
hit back phrasal verb 1. to hit someone ter 쑗 She held her breath under water
who has hit you 쑗 They hit him so hard for a minute. 쑗 We’re all holding our
that he was unable to hit back. 2. to do breath to see if he wins a gold medal. 쐽
something as a reaction to something 쑗 noun 1. the bottom part of a ship or an
When the supermarket chain lowered aircraft, in which goods or luggage are
their prices, the other chains hit back by stored 쑗 You can’t take all that luggage
lowering prices too. 쑗 He hit back at the with you – it has to go in the hold. 2. the
inspectors, saying that their report was act of keeping something tightly in your
biased. hand 쑗 He lost his hold on the ladder. 쑗
Keep tight hold of the bag, we don’t
hoard /hɔ
d/ noun a store of something
hoard
want it stolen. 왍 to get hold of someone

such as food or money, which has been
to manage to contact someone by tele-
collected 쑗 They discovered a hoard of
phone 쑗 I tried to get hold of the doctor
gold coins in the field. 쐽 verb to buy and
but he was out.
store supplies of something essential
that you think you will need in a crisis 쑗 hold on phrasal verb 1. to hold some-
Everyone started hoarding fuel during thing tightly 쑗 She held on to the rope
the strike. with both hands. 쑗 Hold on to your
hobby /hɒbi/ noun an enjoyable activity
hobby
purse in the crowd. 쑗 Hold on tight,
which you do in your spare time (NOTE: we’re turning! 2. to wait 쑗 Hold on a
The plural is hobbies.) moment, I’ll get my umbrella. 쑗 Do you
want to speak to the manager? Hold on,
hockey /hɒki/ noun a team game played
hockey
on grass, where you try to hit a small I’ll find him for you.
ball into your opponents’ goal using a hold out phrasal verb 1. to move
long stick which is curved at the end 쑗 something towards someone 쑗 Hold out
He played in the hockey team at school. your plate to be served. 쑗 He held out
his hand but she refused to shake it. 2. to
hoist /hɔst/ verb to lift something or
hoist
someone using special equipment or a manage to be strong enough 쑗 The cas-

lot of force 쑗 The box was hoisted up on tle held out for ten weeks against a huge
a rope. 쑗 It’s time to hoist the flag. enemy army.
hold up phrasal verb 1. to lift someone
hold /həυld/ verb 1. to keep something or
hold
or something 쑗 He held up his hand. 쑗

someone tight, especially in your hand
He held the little boy up so that he could
쑗 She was holding the baby in her arms.
쑗 She held her ticket between her teeth
see the procession. 2. to support some-
as she was carrying suitcases in both thing 쑗 The roof is held up by those pil-
hands. 쑗 Hold tight – the machine is go- lars. 3. to make someone or something
ing to start. 쑗 He held the bag close to late 쑗 The planes were held up by fog. 쑗
his chest. 2. to be large enough to con- Government ministers are holding up
tain a certain quantity of things or peo- the deal. 4. to use a gun to make some-
ple 쑗 The bottle holds two litres. 쑗 The one give up all their money 쑗 Six gun-
box will hold four pairs of shoes. 쑗 Will men held up the security van.
hold-up /həυld p/ noun 1. a delay; an
hold-up
the car hold eight people? 쑗 The plane

holds 250 passengers. 3. to make an occasion on which something is later
event happen 쑗 They are holding a party than planned 쑗 Long hold-ups are ex-
for their wedding anniversary. 쑗 The pected because of road works on the
meeting will be held next Tuesday in the motorway. 쑗 There’s been a hold-up
town hall. 4. to own something 쑗 She and the goods won’t arrive till next
holds a valid driving licence. 쑗 He week. 2. an occasion on which a person
holds the record for the 2000 metres. 5. with a gun steals money from someone
hole 158 hood

쑗 The gang carried out three hold-ups is Birmingham. 쑗 Send the letter to my
in the same day. home address, not to my office.
homework /həυmw
k/ noun work
homework
hole /həυl/ noun an opening or a space in

hole
something 쑗 You’ve got a hole in your which you take home from school to do
sock. 쑗 We all peeped through the hole in the evening 쑗 Have you finished your
in the fence. 쑗 Rabbits live in holes in maths homework? 쑗 I haven’t got any
the ground. homework today, so I can watch TV.
(NOTE: no plural)
holiday /hɒlde/ noun 1. a period when
holiday
honest /ɒnst/ adjective 1. telling the

honest
you do not work, and sometimes go and

stay in a different place 쑗 When are you truth 쑗 He was honest with the police
taking your holiday or When are you and told them what he had done. 2.
planning to go on holiday? 쑗 He’s go- tending to tell people the truth; treating
ing to Spain on holiday. 쑗 We always people fairly 쑗 I wouldn’t buy a car
spend our holidays in the mountains. 쑗 from that garage – I’m not sure they’re
How many days’ holiday do you have completely honest.
honestly /ɒnstli/ adverb 1. in an open
honestly
each year? 2. a day on which most peo-

ple do not work because of laws or reli- and honest way 2. used to express a feel-
gious rules 쑗 The office is closed for the ing of being annoyed 쑗 Honestly, you
Christmas holiday. might have told me sooner!
honesty /ɒnsti/ noun the quality of be-
honesty
hollow /hɒləυ/ adjective with a hole in-

hollow
side 쑗 a hollow log 쑗 If you tap the box ing honest 쑗 I admire him for his hones-
it sounds hollow. ty in saying the job was too difficult for
him.
holy /həυli/ adjective relating to religion
holy
honey /hni/ noun a sweet substance

honey
or the church 쑗 They went to ask a holy

produced by bees 쑗 I like honey on
man his advice.
toast. 쑗 Greek cakes are often made
home /həυm/ noun 1. the place where
home
with honey.
you live or where your parents live 쑗 honeymoon /hnimu
n/ noun a holi-
honeymoon
Their home is a flat in the centre of Lon- day taken immediately after a wedding
don. 쑗 Will you be at home tomorrow 쑗 They went on their honeymoon to
evening? 쑗 When do you leave home for Corsica.
work in the morning? 쑗 I like to go
honor /ɒnə/ noun, verb US spelling of
honor
home for the holidays. 왍 to make your-

self at home to behave as if you were in honour
honour /ɒnə/ noun 1. the practice of
honour
your own home 쑗 He lay down on my

sofa, opened a bottle of beer, and made acting according to what you think is
himself at home. 2. a house 쑗 They are right 쑗 He’s a man of honour. 2. some-
building fifty new homes on the edge of thing that you are proud of 쑗 It is an
the village. 3. a house where people are honour for me to be invited here today.
looked after 쑗 My aunt has moved to an 쐽 verb 1. to show your respect for
old people’s home. 4. 왍 at home (in someone 쑗 to honour the dead 2. to give
sports) on the local sports ground 쑗 someone an award to show that you re-
Our team is playing at home next Satur- spect them 쑗 He was honoured by the
day. 쐽 adverb towards the place where university. 3. to do what you promised 쑗
you usually live 쑗 We’ve got to go home He honoured the agreement and gave
now. 쑗 He usually gets home by 7 the staff a pay rise.
o’clock. 쑗 Don’t send it – I’ll take it hood /hυd/ noun 1. a loose piece of
hood
home with me. 쑗 If you don’t want to clothing to cover your head 쑗 He has a
walk, you can always take the bus home. blue coat with a hood. 2. a folding roof
(NOTE: used without a preposition: He on something such as a car or pram 쑗
went home or She’s coming home.) 쐽 Let’s put down the hood, it’s very hot. 3.
adjective referring to where you live or US a metal cover for the front part of a
where you were born 쑗 My home town car, covering the engine 쑗 He lifted the
hoof 159 hot

hood to see what was wrong with the which you blow into 쑗 a piece of music
motor. for horn and orchestra
hoof /hu
f/ noun the part of the foot of a horrible /hɒrb(ə)l/ adjective extremely
hoof horrible
horse, cow and many other animals unpleasant 쑗 The victims of the fire had
(NOTE: The plural is hooves /hu
vz/.) horrible injuries. 쑗 He’s a horrible little
boy. 쑗 We had a horrible meal at the
hook /hυk/ noun 1. a bent piece of metal
hook
restaurant.
for hanging things on 쑗 Hang your coat
horrified /hɒrfad/ adjective fright-
horrified
on the hook behind the door. 2. a very

small piece of thin bent metal, attached ened or shocked
to a line for catching fish 쑗 The fish ate horror /hɒrə/ noun the fact or feeling of
horror
the worm but didn’t swallow the hook. being very frightened 쑗 He couldn’t
hop /hɒp/ verb 1. to jump on one leg
hop
쑗 hide his horror at hearing the news. 쑗

He hurt his toe and had to hop around She has a horror of spiders. 쑗 Everyone
on one foot. 2. (of a bird or animal ) to watched in horror as the planes collid-
jump with both feet together 쑗 Magpies ed.
were hopping across the grass. 쑗 The horse /hɔ
s/ noun a large animal used for
horse
frog hopped onto the lily pad. (NOTE: riding or for pulling vehicles 쑗 She was
hops – hopping – hopped) 쐽 noun 1. riding a black horse. 쑗 The coach was
a little jump 쑗 Magpies walk in a series pulled by six white horses. 쑗 He’s out on
of little hops. 2. a short flight 쑗 It’s only his horse every morning.
a short hop from London to Paris. hospital /hɒspt(ə)l/ noun a place
hospital
hope /həυp/ verb to want and expect

hope
where sick or hurt people are looked af-

something to happen 쑗 We all hope our ter 쑗 She was taken ill at work and sent
team wins. 쑗 She’s hoping she will soon to hospital. 쑗 When is she due to go into
be able to drive a car. 쑗 I hope it doesn’t hospital? 쑗 He was in hospital for sev-
rain. 쐽 noun the fact of wanting and ex- eral days after the accident.
pecting something to happen 쑗 Our host /həυst/ noun 1. a person who has
host
only hope is that she will get better invited guests 쑗 The host asked his
soon. 쑗 They have given up all hope of guests what they wanted to drink. 2. the
rescuing any more earthquake victims. landlord of a hotel or inn, also some-
hopeful /həυpf(ə)l/ adjective confident
hopeful
times of a restaurant 3. the person who

that something will happen 쑗 We are introduces and talks to the guests on a
hopeful that the company will accept TV or radio show 쑗 He had been a host
our offer. on a Saturday evening TV show. 4. 왍 a
hopeless /həυpləs/ adjective 1. unlike-
hopeless
host of a large number of 쑗 We face a
ly to get better; impossible to improve 쑗 host of problems. 쐽 verb 1. to act as host
The invoices are in a hopeless mess. 2. at a party 쑗 The company hosted a re-
not at all skilful at something 쑗 She’s ception for two hundred guests. 2. to be
hopeless at tennis. 쑗 He’s hopeless the centre where something takes place
쑗 Barcelona hosted the Olympic
when it comes to mending cars.
Games. 3. to organise and manage web-
horizon /həraz(ə)n/ noun the line in
horizon

sites for other people
the distance where the earth and the sky
hostage /hɒstd"/ noun a person who
hostage
meet
is captured and held by someone or an
horizontal /hɒrzɒnt(ə)l/ adjective
horizontal
organisation, which threatens to kill him

flat; level with the ground or her unless their demands are met 쑗
horn /hɔ
n/ noun 1. a sharp pointed bone
horn
Three of the hostages will be released
growing out of an animal’s head 쑗 That tomorrow. 앳 1. 2. 쑗 He was held hos-
bull’s horns look very dangerous. 2. a tage for more than a year by the rebels.
hot /hɒt/ adjective 1. very warm; with a
hot
piece of equipment on a car that makes

a loud noise to warn people of some- high temperature 쑗 The weather is very
thing 3. a metal musical instrument hot in June, but August is the hottest
hot dog 160 humor

month. 쑗 If you’re too hot, take your How do you switch off the cooker? 쑗
coat off. 쑗 Plates should be kept hot be- Can you tell me how to get to the rail-
fore serving the meal. 쒁 heat 2. (of way station from here? 쑗 I don’t know
food ) full of spices, giving you a burn- how he does it. 2. showing or asking
ing feeling in your mouth 쑗 This curry about things such as the age, size or
is particularly hot. 쑗 He chose the hot- quantity of something 쑗 How big is
test dish on the menu. their house? 쑗 How many people are
hot dog /hɒt dɒ'/ noun a snack consist-
hot dog
there in your family? 쑗 She showed us
ing of a hot sausage in a long piece of how good she was at skiing. 쑗 How old
bread is your little boy? 쑗 How far is it to the
church? 3. showing surprise 쑗 How
hotel /həυtel/ noun a building where
hotel
cold it is outside! 쑗 How different it is

travellers can rent a room for the night, from what I remember!
eat in a restaurant or drink in a bar 쑗
however /haυevə/ adverb but 쑗 We
however
They are staying at the Grand Hotel. 쑗
I’ll meet you in the hotel lobby. 쑗 All the never go out on Saturdays – however,
hotel rooms in the town are booked. this week we’re going to a wedding. 쐽
conjunction in whatever way 쑗 Do it
hour /aυə/ noun a period of time which
hour
however you like.

lasts 60 minutes 쑗 The train journey
howl /haυl/ verb to make a long loud high
howl
takes two hours. 쑗 It’s a three-hour

flight to Greece. 쑗 The train travels at sound like a wolf 쑗 The wolves howled
over 150 miles an hour. outside the cabin. 쑗 The wind howled in
house1 /haυs/ noun 1. a building in
house
the chimney. 쐽 noun a long loud cry 쑗
which someone lives 쑗 He has bought a Howls of disappointment came from the
house in London. 쑗 He has a small flat fans.
hug /h'/ noun the act of putting your
hug
in town and a large house in the country.

쑗 All the houses in our street look the arms round someone and holding them
same. 2. a part of a Parliament 쑗 The close to you 쑗 She ran to the little girl
British Parliament is formed of the and gave her a hug. 쐽 verb to throw
House of Commons and the House of your arms around someone 쑗 The play-
Lords. 쑗 The American Congress is ers hugged each other when the goal
formed of the House of Representatives was scored. (NOTE: hugs – hugging –
and the Senate. hugged)
house2 /haυz/ verb to provide a place for huge /hju
d"/ adjective of a very large
house huge
someone or something to stay or be kept size 쑗 Huge waves battered the ship. 쑗
쑗 His collection of old cars is housed in The concert was a huge success. 쑗 Fail-
a barn. 쑗 We have been asked if we can ing the test was a huge disappointment
house three students for the summer for him.
term. (NOTE: houses – housing – hum /hm/ verb 1. to make a low sound
hum
housed) like a bee 쑗 Bees were humming around

household /haυshəυld/ noun the peo-
household
the hive. 2. to sing without words 쑗 If

ple living together in a house you don’t know the words of the nation-
housework /haυsw
k/ noun the work al anthem, you can always hum the tune.
housework
of keeping a house clean (NOTE: no plu- (NOTE: hums – humming – hummed)

human /hju
mən/ adjective relating to
human
ral)
housing /haυzŋ/ noun houses 쑗 Pub- people
housing
lic housing has to meet certain stand- humble /hmbəl/ adjective feeling or
humble
ards. acting as if you are not as important as

hover /hɒvə/ verb to hang in the air other people 쑗 Seeing how much work
hover
without moving forward 쑗 flies hover- she does for charity makes me feel very
ing over the surface of a pool humble. (NOTE: humbler – humblest)
how /haυ/ adverb 1. showing or asking humor /hju
mə/ noun US spelling of
how humor
the way in which something is done 쑗 humour

humorous 161 hyphen

humorous /hju
mərəs/ adjective fun- ry up with the food – we’re getting hun-
humorous
ny in a quiet way, making people smile gry.

rather than laugh 쑗 humorous stories 쑗 hunt /hnt/ verb 1. 왍 to hunt for some-
hunt
Some of her comments were rather hu- thing to search for something 쑗 We’re
morous. hunting for a cheap flat. 쑗 The police
humorously /hju
mərəsli/ adverb in a
humorously
are hunting for the driver of the car. 2.

humorous to chase wild animals for food or sport
쑗 Our cat is not very good at hunting
humour /hju
mə/ noun 1. the ability to
humour
make situations seem funny 쑗 He has a mice. 쑗 They go to Scotland every year
good sense of humour. 쑗 She has abso- to hunt deer. (NOTE: You hunt animals,
lutely no sense of humour. 쑗 Want to but you hunt for things.) 쐽 noun a
meet male, aged 30 – 35, with a good search 쑗 The hunt for new offices has
sense of humour (GSOH). 2. a general just started.
hunter /hntə/ noun a person who
hunter
feeling or mood 쑗 I am in no humour to

talk about holidays just now. 쑗 His good hunts animals
humour lasted until the end of the party.
hurricane /hrkən/ noun a tropical
hurricane
hump /hmp/ noun 1. a raised part on

hump
storm with strong winds and rain (NOTE:

the back of a person or animal 쑗 Arabi- In the Far East called a typhoon; in
an camels have only one hump, while the Indian Ocean called a cyclone.)
Bactrian camels have two. 2. a small
hurry /hri/ verb to go somewhere or do
hurry
raised part in the ground 쑗 They have

built humps in the road to slow down the something fast 쑗 She hurried across the
traffic. room. 쑗 You’ll have to hurry if you want
to catch the last post. 쑗 There’s no need
hundred /hndrəd/ noun the number
hundred
to hurry – we’ve got plenty of time.

100 쑗 The church is over a hundred (NOTE: hurries – hurrying – hurried)
years old. 쑗 My grandfather will be a
hundred next month. 쑗 Do I have to tell hurry up phrasal verb to go or do
you a hundred times to stop that noise? something faster 쑗 Hurry up – we’ll be
(NOTE: In numbers hundred does not late for the film. 쑗 Can’t you get the
change and is followed by and when cook to hurry up? I’m getting hungry!
hurt /h
t/ verb to have pain, or to cause
hurt
reading: 491 = four hundred and nine-

ty-one; 102 = a hundred and two. Note someone to feel pain 쑗 My tooth hurts.
also: a hundred and one (101), three 쑗 No one was badly hurt in the accident.
hundred and six (306) but the hun- 쑗 Where did you hurt yourself? (NOTE:
dred and first (101st), the three hun- hurts – hurting – hurt)
dred and sixth (306th), etc.) 앳 hun- husband /hzbənd/ noun a man to
husband
dreds of very many 쑗 Hundreds of whom a woman is married 쑗 Her hus-

birds were killed by the cold weather. 쑗
band is Scottish. 쑗 He’s the doctor’s
Hundreds of people caught flu last win-
husband.
ter. 쑗 They came in their hundreds to
hut /ht/ noun a small rough wooden
hut
visit the grave.

house
hundredth /hndrədθ/ adjective relat-
hundredth
hygiene /had"i
n/ noun the science of
hygiene
ing to number 100 in a series 쑗 Tomor-

row is his hundredth birthday. being and keeping things clean
hygienic /had"i
nk/ adjective clean
hygienic
hung /hŋ/ past tense and past participle

hung
of hang and safe because all germs have been

hungry /hŋ'ri/ adjective feeling that
hungry
destroyed
hyphen /haf(ə)n/ noun a printing sign
hyphen
you need to eat 쑗 You must be hungry

after that game of football. 쑗 I’m not (-) used to show that two words are
very hungry – I had a big lunch. 쑗 Hur- joined
I
i /a/, I noun the ninth letter of the alpha- identity /adentti/ noun someone’s
i identity
bet, between H and J name and personal details 쑗 He

I1 /a/ pronoun used by a speaker when
I
changed his identity when he went to
talking about himself or herself 쑗 She work for the secret services.
idle /ad(ə)l/ adjective not doing any-
idle
said, ‘I can do it’, and she did it. 쑗 He

told me I could go home early. 쑗 She thing 쑗 He’s the idlest man I know – he
and I come from the same town. 쑗 I said never does any work at all.
I was going to be late. (NOTE: When it is if /f/ conjunction 1. showing what might
if
the object of a verb, I becomes me: I happen 쑗 If it freezes tonight, the paths
gave it to him – he gave it to me; I hit will be slippery tomorrow. 쑗 If I’m in
him – he hit me. When it follows the London, I’ll come and see you. 쑗 If he
verb be, I usually becomes me: Who is had told me you were ill, I’d have come
it? – It’s me!) to see you in hospital. 쑗 If I won the lot-
I /a/ noun the Roman numeral for one or
I
2 tery, I would take a long holiday. 2. used
first 쑗 King Charles I in asking questions 쑗 Do you know if
the plane is late? 쑗 I was wondering if
ice /as/ noun water which is frozen and
ice
you would like to have some tea.

has become solid 쑗 When water freezes,
ignorance /'nərəns/ noun a state of
ignorance
it turns into ice. 쑗 Would you like ice in

your drink? (NOTE: no plural: some ice, not knowing 왍 to keep someone in ig-
a lump of ice) norance of something not to tell some-
one about something 쑗 The soldiers
ice cream /as kri
m/ noun a frozen
ice cream
were deliberately kept in ignorance of

sweet food made from cream and fruit, the dangers facing them.
chocolate, nuts, etc.
ignorant /'nərənt/ adjective not
ignorant
icy /asi/ adjective covered with ice 쑗 Be

icy
knowing anything
careful, the pavement is icy. ignore /'nɔ
/ verb not to notice some-
ignore
idea /adə/ noun a thought which you

idea
one or something deliberately 쑗 She ig-

have about something nored the red light and just drove
ideal /adəl/ adjective perfect; extreme-
ideal

straight through. 쑗 When we met he just
ly suitable 쑗 This is the ideal site for a ignored me.
factory. 쑗 The cottage is an ideal place ill /l/ adjective sick; not well 쑗 Stress can
ill
for birdwatching. make you ill. 쑗 If you’re feeling ill you

identical /adentk(ə)l/ adjective ex-
identical

ought to see a doctor. 왍 to fall ill to be-
actly the same 쑗 The twins wore identi- come ill 쑗 She fell seriously ill and we
cal clothes for the party. 쑗 Their politi- thought she was going to die. 왍 to be
cal opinions are identical. taken ill to become ill suddenly 쑗 He
was taken ill while on holiday in
identify /adentfa/ verb 1. to recog-
identify

Greece.
nise a person or thing and to be able to
illegal /li
'(ə)l/ adjective against the
illegal
say who or what they are 쑗 Can you
identify what sort of rock this is? 쑗 She law 쑗 It is illegal to serve alcohol to
was able to identify her attacker. 2. to people under 16.
illegally /li
'əli/ adverb in an illegal
illegally
state that something belongs to you 쑗
Each person was asked to identify his or way

illness /lnəs/ noun a medical condition
illness
her baggage. (NOTE: identifies – iden-

tifying – identified) which makes you unwell 쑗 She devel-
illustrate 163 imply

oped a serious illness. 쑗 A lot of the staff will receive immediate attention. 2.
are absent because of illness. (NOTE: closest, or right next to you 쑗 He had to
The plural is illnesses.) share his book with his immediate
illustrate /ləstret/ verb to put pictures
illustrate
neighbour.
immediately /mi
dətli/ adverb very
immediately
into a book 쑗 The book is illustrated
with colour photographs of birds. soon, or very soon after an event 쑗 He

illustration /ləstreʃ(ə)n/ noun a pic-
illustration

got my letter, and wrote back immedi-
ture in a book 쑗 The book has 25 colour ately. 쑗 As soon as he heard the news he
illustrations. immediately phoned his wife.
immoral /mɒrəl/ adjective not follow-
immoral
image /md"/ noun 1. a picture of

image

someone or something 쑗 I want the por- ing the usual principles of good behav-
trait to be a faithful image of my mother. iour
impact1 /mpkt/ noun 1. a strong ef-
impact
2. a picture produced by something such

as a mirror or a computer 쑗 The mirror fect 쑗 The TV documentary had an
throws an image onto the paper. 쑗 Can strong impact on the viewers. 2. an in-
this software handle images in that for- stance of two things coming together
mat? 쑗 Can you adjust the projector? with force 쑗 The car was totally
The image on the screen is out of focus. crushed by the impact of the collision. 왍
imaginary /md"n(ə)ri/ adjective
imaginary

on impact as soon as contact is made 쑗
not real; part of a story The plane burst into flames on impact
with the ground.
imagination /md"neʃ(ə)n/ noun
imagination
impact2 /mpkt/ verb 왍 to impact on

impact
the ability to think of things that are not
part of your own immediate life 쑗 She something to have a strong effect on
let her imagination run riot in her sto- something 쑗 The fall in the value of the
ries for children. currency will impact strongly on busi-
nesses.
imagine /md"n/ verb to think of
imagine
impatience /mpeʃ(ə)ns/ noun a lack

impatience
something that is not part of your own
immediate life 쑗 Imagine yourself sit- of the ability to wait for things in a calm
ting on a beach in the hot sun. 쑗 She way
impatient /mpeʃ(ə)nt/ adjective una-
impatient
thought she had heard footsteps, and
then decided she had imagined it. ble to wait for something in a calm way;
imitate /mtet/ verb to copy some-
imitate
in a hurry to do something 쑗 We were all
thing or someone 쑗 The company imi- impatient for the film to start. 쑗 He’s
tates its competitors by making very very impatient with anyone who works
similar products. 쐽 to behave as some- slowly.
impatiently /mpeʃ(ə)ntli/ adverb in
impatiently
one else does, often to make other peo-
ple laugh 쑗 He made us all laugh by im- an impatient way

itating the head teacher’s way of walk- implication /mplkeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
implication
ing. the possible effect of an action 쑗 What

imitation /mteʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a copy
imitation
will be the implications of the election

made of something 2. an act of copying results for public spending? 2. with the
someone’s behaviour in order to make fact of being involved in a crime or
other people laugh 쑗 She does a very something that is morally wrong 쑗 The
good imitation of the Queen. 쐽 adjec- newspaper revealed his implication in
tive made to appear to be something else the affair of the stolen diamonds. 3. a
more valuable 쑗 a necklace of imitation suggestion that something such as a crit-
pearls 쑗 The bag is made of imitation icism is true although it has not been ex-
leather. pressed directly 쑗 I resent the implica-
immediate /mi
diət/ adjective 1. very
immediate

tion that I knew anything about the re-
soon 쑗 He wrote an immediate letter of port in advance.
imply /mpla/ verb to suggest some-
imply
complaint. 쑗 You didn’t expect an im-
mediate reply, did you? 쑗 Your order thing without saying it directly 쑗 He im-
impolite 164 inch

plied that he knew where the papers had service will improve. 쑗 It poured down
been hidden. 쑗 The lawyer implied that all morning, but in the afternoon the
the witness had not in fact seen the acci- weather improved a little.
dent take place. (NOTE: implies – im-
improvement /mpru
vmənt/ noun 1.
improvement
plying – implied)
a process of becoming better, or of mak-
impolite /mpəlat/ adjective rude; not
impolite

ing something better 쑗 There has been
polite no improvement in the train service
import /mpɔ
t/ verb to bring goods into
import
since we complained. 2. a change that

a country 쑗 The company imports tele- you make so that something is better
vision sets from Japan. 쑗 This car was than before 쑗 They carried out some im-
imported from France. provements to the house. 쑗 We are plan-
importance /mpɔ
təns/ noun the fact
importance

ning some home improvements such as a
of being important 쑗 Do not attach too new kitchen. 쑗 The new software is a
much importance to what he says. 쑗 The great improvement on the old version.
bank attaches great importance to the in /n/ preposition, adverb 1. used for
in
deal. showing place 쑗 He lives in the country.

important /mpɔ
tənt/ adjective 1.
important
쑗 In Japan it snows a lot during the win-

having a great effect; mattering very ter. 쑗 She’s in the kitchen. 쑗 He’s still in
much 쑗 It’s important to be in time for bed. 쑗 Don’t stand outside in the pour-
the interview. 쑗 I have to go to London ing rain. 2. at home, in an office, at a
for an important meeting. 쑗 He left a file station 쑗 Is the boss in? 쑗 He isn’t in
containing important papers in the taxi. yet. 쑗 My husband usually gets in from
2. (of a person) in a high position 쑗 He work about now. 쑗 The train from Bir-
has an important job. 쑗 She’s an impor- mingham is due in at 6.30. 3. used for
tant government official. 쑗 He was pro- showing time 쑗 In autumn the leaves
moted to a more important position. turn brown. 쑗 On holiday there was
impossible /mpɒsb(ə)l/ adjective nothing to do in the evenings. 쑗 She was
impossible
which cannot be done 쑗 It’s impossible born in 1999. 쑗 He ate his meal in five
to do all this work in two hours. 쑗 Get- minutes. 쑗 We went for a skiing holiday
ting skilled staff is becoming impossible. in January. 4. used for showing time in
impress /mpres/ verb to make some-
impress

the future 쑗 I’ll be back home in about
one feel admiration or respect 쑗 Her two hours. 쑗 She should arrive in twenty
rapid response to the request impressed minutes’ time. 5. fashionable 쑗 This
her boss. 쑗 She was impressed by his year, short skirts are in. 6. used for
skill with the paintbrush. 쑗 The military showing a state or appearance 쑗 He was
government organised the display to im- dressed in black. 쑗 She ran outside in
press the neighbouring states. her dressing gown. 쑗 We’re in a hurry.
쑗 The words are set out in alphabetical
impression /mpreʃ(ə)n/ noun an ef-
impression
order.
fect on someone’s mind 쑗 Blue walls
inability /nəblti/ noun the state of
inability
create an impression of coldness. 쑗 The
exhibition made a strong impression on being unable to do something 쑗 His in-

her. ability to make decisions causes prob-
impressive /mpresv/ adjective im-
impressive

lems.
pressing people 쑗 He had a series of im- inch /ntʃ/ noun a measure of length
inch
pressive wins in the chess tournament. 쑗 equal to 2.54 centimetres 쑗 a three-and-

The government staged an impressive a-half-inch disk 쑗 Snow lay six inches
display of military hardware. deep on the ground. 쑗 She is five foot six
improve /mpru
v/ verb 1. to make inches tall (5’6’’). 쒁 foot (NOTE: The
improve
something better 쑗 We are trying to im- plural is inches. With numbers inch is
prove our image with a series of TV usually written with the symbol ": a 3½’’
commercials. 2. to get better 쑗 The gen- disk; He is 5’ 9’’.; say: ‘a three and a
eral manager has promised that the bus half inch disk’, ‘He’s five foot nine’)
incident 165 indoor

incident /nsd(ə)nt/ noun 1. some- independence /ndpendəns/ noun
incident independence
thing which happens, especially some- 1. freedom from rule by another country
thing unpleasant 쑗 Last year six hun- 쑗 The colony achieved independence
dred incidents of oil pollution were re- ten years ago. 쑗 Scotland is aiming for
ported. 2. a violent action or independence in the next few years. 2. a
disturbance that occurs somewhere 쑗 state of not needing help from anyone
There were several incidents during the else 쑗 She’s eighteen and is looking for-
demonstration. ward to a life of independence from her
incidentally /nsdent(ə)li/ adverb
incidentally
family.
used for mentioning something new in a independent /ndpendənt/ adjective
independent
conversation 1. free, not ruled by anyone else 쑗 Slov-

include /nklu
d/ verb to count some-
include

enia has been independent since 1991.
one or something along with others 쑗 2. not owned by a group, not controlled
The waiter did not include service in the by the state 쑗 The big chains are forcing
bill. 쑗 The total is £140, not including the independent shops to close down. 3.
insurance and handling charges. 쑗 not needing help from anyone else 쑗
There were 120 people at the wedding if She’s eighteen and wants to be inde-
you include the children. pendent of her family.
including /nklu
dŋ/ preposition tak-
including
index /ndeks/ noun 1. a list, usually in

index

ing something together with something alphabetical order, showing the pages
else 쑗 The total comes to £25.00 includ-
on which different subjects appear in a
ing VAT.
book 쑗 Look up the references to Lon-
income /nkm/ noun an amount of
income
don in the index. (NOTE: The plural in

money which you receive, especially as this sense is indexes) 2. a regular re-
pay for your work 쑗 Their weekly in- port which shows rises and falls in
come is not really enough to live on. things such as prices and unemployment
incorrect /nkərekt/ adjective wrong,
incorrect
쑗 The economic indices look very prom-

not correct ising at the moment. (NOTE: The plural
increase1 /nkri
s/ noun an instance of
increase

in this sense is indices)
something becoming larger 쑗 an in- indicate /ndket/ verb to show some-
indicate
crease in tax or a tax increase 쑗 an in- thing 쑗 Can you indicate the position of
crease in the cost of living the enemy camp on this map? 쑗 The lat-
increase2 /nkri
s/ verb 1. to rise or to est figures indicate a fall in the number
increase
grow 쑗 The price of oil has increased of unemployed men.

twice in the past year. 2. to make a level indignant /nd'nənt/ adjective feel-
indignant
or amount higher 쑗 The boss increased ing offended or angry because of an un-
her salary. 쑗 Rail fares have been in- fair situation 쑗 I was really indignant
creased by 10%. when I found out how much my col-
increased /nkri
st/ adjective larger or
increased

league earned.
higher than before 쑗 These increased
indirectly /ndrektli/ adverb not di-
indirectly
rail fares mean that we cannot afford to
travel so much. rectly

individual /ndvd"uəl/ noun a single
individual
increasingly /nkri

sŋli/ adverb more
increasingly

and more 쑗 He found it increasingly dif- person 쑗 We welcome private individu-

ficult to keep up with the workload at the als as well as groups. 쐽 adjective sin-
office. 쑗 His future with the company gle, for a particular person 쑗 We treat
looks increasingly doubtful. each individual case on its merits. 쑗 We
provide each member of the tour group
indeed /ndi
d/ adverb (for emphasis)
indeed
with an individual itinerary.

really 쑗 Thank you very much indeed
indoor /ndɔ
/ adjective inside a build-
indoor
for inviting me to stay. 쑗 They have been

very kind indeed to their daughter. ing 쑗 an indoor swimming pool
indoors 166 initial

indoors /ndɔ
z/ adverb inside a build- fluence of alcohol. 쐽 verb to make
indoors
ing 쑗 Let’s go indoors. 쑗 Mum was in- someone or something change 쑗 She
doors, reading. was deeply influenced by her old teach-
industrial /ndstriəl/ adjective relat-
industrial

er. 쑗 The moon influences the tides. 쑗
ing to the production of goods 쑗 The The price of oil has influenced the price
Midlands is the main industrial region of industrial goods.
inform /nfɔ
m/ verb to tell someone
inform
in Britain.
industry /ndəstri/ noun the production

industry
something officially 쑗 Have you in-
of goods and the provision of services, formed the police that your watch has
or the companies involved in this activi- been stolen? 쑗 I regret to inform you
ty 쑗 Oil is a key industry. 쑗 The car in- that your father has died. 쑗 We are
dustry has had a good year. 쑗 The gov- pleased to inform you that your offer
ernment is helping industry to sell more has been accepted.
informal /nfɔ
m(ə)l/ adjective 1. re-
informal
products abroad. 쑗 The tourist industry
brings in a lot of foreign currency. laxed, not formal 쑗 Dress casually – the
(NOTE: The plural is industries.) party will be informal. 쑗 The guide gave
infamous /nfəməs/ adjective famous
infamous
us an informal talk on the history of the
for being bad or unpleasant 쑗 Tourists castle. 2. (of language) used when talk-
were warned not to go near the infa- ing to friends and family
information /nfəmeʃ(ə)n/ noun a
information
mous back street moneychangers.
infant /nfənt/ noun a young baby

infant
set of facts about something 쑗 She
couldn’t give the police any information
infatuation /nftjueʃ(ə)n/ noun a
infatuation

about how the accident happened. 쑗
sudden strong feeling of love for some- She gave me a very useful piece or bit of
one, especially someone you do not information. 쑗 For further information,
know very well or someone who does please write to Department 27.
not love you
informed /nfɔ
md/ adjective having a
informed
infect /nfekt/ verb to pass on a disease

infect
lot of information, or having the latest

or infection to someone 쑗 He was in- information
fected with the disease when he was
infuriate /nfjυəriet/ verb to make
infuriate
abroad on holiday.
someone very angry 쑗 Slow service in

infection /nfekʃən/ noun a disease
infection
restaurants always infuriates him.

which spreads from one person to an-
ingenious /nd"i
niəs/ adjective very
ingenious
other 쑗 Her throat infection keeps com-
ing back. 쑗 He was sneezing and clever 쑗 It was an ingenious plan.

ingredient /n'ri
diənt/ noun a materi-
ingredient
spreading infection to other people in
the office. 쑗 She seems to catch every lit- al or substance which you use to make
tle infection there is. something 쑗 Make sure you’ve got all
infectious /nfekʃəs/ adjective (of an
infectious

your ingredients together before you
illness or an emotion such as fear ) start cooking.
inhabit /nhbt/ verb to live in a place
inhabit
likely to be passed from one person to
another 쑗 This strain of flu is highly in- inhabitant /nhbt(ə)nt/ noun a per-
inhabitant
fectious. 쑗 He’s a great music teacher son who lives in a particular place
and his enthusiasm for jazz is very infec-
initial /nʃ(ə)l/ adjective first 쑗 The in-
initial
tious.
itial stage of the project went off
infinitive /nfntv/ noun the basic
infinitive

smoothly. 쑗 My initial reaction was to
form of a verb, usually shown with ‘to’ say ‘no’. 쑗 He started the business with
influence /nfluəns/ noun the ability to
influence
an initial sum of £500. 쐽 verb to write

change someone or something; an effect the first letters of your name on a docu-
쑗 He has had a good influence on the ment to show you have read and ap-
other staff in the department. 쑗 The in- proved it 쑗 Can you initial each page of
fluence of the moon on the tides. 쑗 He the contract to show that you have ap-
was charged with driving under the in- proved it? 쑗 Please initial the agree-
initially 167 instance

ment at the place marked with an X. various branches is fed automatically
(NOTE: initials – initialling – ini- into the head office computer.
tialled) inquiry /nkwaəri/ noun 1. a formal in-
inquiry
initially /nʃ(ə)li/ adverb at the begin- vestigation into a problem 쑗 a govern-

initially
ning 쑗 Initially we didn’t like the new ment inquiry into the police force 쑗 A
flat, but we have got used to it now. public inquiry will be held about plans
initiative /nʃətv/ noun a decision
initiative

to build another airport. 2. a question
which is intended to solve a problem 쑗 about something 쑗 I refer to your in-
The government has proposed various quiry of May 25th. 쑗 All inquiries
initiatives to get the negotiations mov- should be addressed to this department.
쑗 He made an inquiry about trains to
ing again.
Edinburgh. (NOTE: also spelt enquiry.
injection /nd"ekʃən/ noun the act of
injection

The plural is inquiries.)
putting a liquid into the body using a insect /nsekt/ noun a small animal
insect
needle 쑗 The doctor gave him a flu in- with six legs and a body in three parts 쑗
jection. A butterfly is a kind of insect. 쑗 Insects
injure /nd"ə/ verb to cause pain or
injure
have eaten the leaves of the cabbages. 쑗

damage to a part of the body 쑗 He in- She was stung by an insect.
jured his back playing rugby. 쑗 He was insert1 /ns
t/ verb to put something
insert
badly injured in a car accident. inside something else 쑗 She inserted

injured /nd"əd/ noun hurt 쑗 The in-
injured
another sentence into the letter. 쑗 He in-

jured girl had fallen off her bike. serted each leaflet into an envelope. 쑗
injury /nd"əri/ noun damage to your
injury
Insert a coin into the slot.
insert2 /ns
t/ noun a paper which is
insert
body 쑗 He never really recovered from

his football injury. 쑗 She received se- put inside something 쑗 The invitation
vere back injuries in the accident. card had an insert with a map showing
(NOTE: The plural is injuries.) how to get to the hotel.
inside /nsad/ adverb in a house or oth-
inside
ink /ŋk/ noun the liquid in a pen

ink
He 쑗
has ink marks on his shirt. 쑗 The ink er building 쑗 Come on inside – it’s cold
won’t come off the tablecloth. 쑗 She in the street. 쑗 It rained all afternoon,
wrote comments on his work in red ink. so we just sat inside and watched TV. 쑗
Is there anyone there? – The house
inland /nlənd/ adverb away from the
inland
seems quite dark inside. 쐽 preposition

coast of a country 쑗 If you go inland in 쑗 There was nothing inside the bottle.
from the port, you soon get into the for-
쑗 She was sitting inside the car, reading
est.
a book. 쑗 I’ve never been inside his of-
inn /n/ noun a small hotel
inn
fice.
inner /nə/ adjective inside 쑗 Go insist /nsst/ verb to state firmly 쑗 He
inner insist
through that arch and you will come to insisted that he had never touched the
the inner courtyard. 쑗 Heat is conduct- car. 쑗 She insisted that she should be
ed from the inner to the outer layer of paid compensation for the delay.
the material. inspect /nspekt/ verb to look at some-
inspect
innocent /nəs(ə)nt/ adjective not thing closely 쑗 She inspected the room
innocent
guilty 쑗 He was found to be innocent of to see if it had been cleaned properly.

the crime. 쑗 In English law, the accused inspector /nspektə/ noun a senior of-
inspector
is always presumed to be innocent until ficial who examines something closely

he is proved to be guilty. install /nstɔ
l/ verb to put a piece of
install
innovative /nəvetv/ adjective new

innovative
equipment into the place where it will

in a way that has not been tried before 쑗 operate 쑗 It took the plumber a week to
a very innovative design install the new central heating system.
input /npυt/ noun information that is instance /nstəns/ noun an example 쑗
input instance
put into a computer 쑗 The input from the There have been several instances of
instant 168 interest

bullying in our local school. 쑗 In this in- insult1 /nslt/ noun a rude word said to
insult
stance, we will pay for the damage. 앳 or about a person 쑗 That is an insult to
for instance as an example 쑗 Why the government. 쑗 The crowd shouted
don’t you take up a new sport – golf, for insults at the police.
instance? insult2 /nslt/ verb to say rude things
insult
instant /nstənt/ noun a moment or sec-

instant
about someone 쑗 He was accused of in-

ond 쑗 For an instant, he stood still and sulting the president’s wife.
watched the policemen. 쐽 adjective im- insulting /nsltŋ/ adjective rude 쑗
insulting
mediate 쑗 A savings account can give I’m used to hearing insulting things
you instant access to your money. about my business.
instantly /nstəntli/ adverb so soon af-
instantly
insurance /nʃυərəns/ noun an agree-

insurance
ter an event that no time appears to have ment with a company by which you are
passed in between paid money for loss or damage in return
instead /nsted/, instead of adverb in for regular payments of money 쑗 Do
instead
place of 쑗 We haven’t any coffee – you have insurance for your travel?
would you like some tea instead? 쑗 If intelligence /nteld"əns/ noun 1. the
intelligence
you can’t go, can I go instead? 쑗 I’m ability to think and understand 쑗 His in-
going instead of him, because he’s ill. 쑗 telligence is well above average. 2. in-
Instead of stopping when the police of- formation provided by the secret servic-
ficer shouted, he ran away. es 쑗 Intelligence gathered by our net-
institute /nsttju
t/ noun an organisa- work of agents is very useful to us in
institute
tion set up for a special purpose 쑗 They planning future strategy.

intelligent /nteld"ənt/ adjective able
intelligent
are proposing to set up a new institute of
education. 쑗 She goes to the research to understand and learn things very well
institute’s library every week. 쑗 He’s the most intelligent child in his
institution /nsttju
ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an
institution

class.
intense /ntens/ adjective very strong
intense
organisation or society set up for a spe-
cial purpose 쑗 A prison is an institution or extreme 쑗 There was a period of in-

which houses criminals. 2. a permanent tense activity to try to finish the work be-
custom 쑗 British institutions such as fore they went on holiday. 쑗 She had an
cream teas and the royal family 쑗 The intense period of study before the ex-
lottery has rapidly become a national ams.
institution. 3. the process of setting intention /ntenʃən/ noun an aim or
intention
something up 쑗 the institution of legal plan to do something 쑗 I have no inten-

action against the president tion of going to the party. 쑗 The fans
instruct /nstrkt/ verb to show some-
instruct

came with the deliberate intention of
one how to do something (formal ) 쑗 We making trouble.
were all instructed in the use of the fire interest /ntrəst/ noun 1. special atten-
interest
safety equipment. tion to something 쑗 She takes a lot of in-

instruction /nstrkʃən/ noun 1. a
instruction

terest in politics. 쑗 He has no interest in
statement telling someone what they what his sister is doing. 쑗 Why doesn’t
must do 2. something which explains he take more interest in local affairs? 2.
how something is to be done or used 쑗 a thing that you enjoy doing 쑗 Her main
She gave us detailed instructions how to interest is canoeing. 쑗 List your special
get to the church. interests on your CV. 3. a payment made
to someone who lends money 쑗 Deposit
instructor /nstrktə/ noun a teacher,
instructor

accounts pay more interest. 쑗 How
especially of a sport much interest do I have to pay if I bor-
instrument /nstrυmənt/ noun a piece
instrument
row £1000? 쐽 verb to attract someone 쑗

of equipment or a tool 쑗 The technical He’s particularly interested in old cars.
staff have instruments which measure 쑗 Nothing seems to interest him very
the flow of electricity. much. 쑗 The book didn’t interest me at
interested 169 interview

all. 쑗 He tried to interest several com- language 쑗 His brother knows Greek, so
panies in his new invention. he will interpret for us.
interested /ntrəstd/ adjective with a /nt
prteʃ(ə)n/
interested interpretation
interpretation
personal interest in something 쑗 He’s noun 1. a meaning 쑗 A poem can have

interested in old churches. 쑗 She’s in- many interpretations. 쑗 The book puts
terested in crime fiction. quite a different interpretation on the
interesting /ntrəstŋ/ adjective at-
interesting
meaning of the rule. 2. the act of trans-
tracting your attention; enjoyable 쑗 lating what someone is saying into a dif-
There’s an interesting article in the ferent language 3. a way of playing a
newspaper on European football. 쑗 She piece of music 쑗 Two of the young mu-
didn’t find the TV programme very in- sicians were praised for their interpre-
teresting. 쑗 What’s so interesting about tations of Bach.
old cars? – I find them dull. interrupt /ntərpt/ verb to start talk-
interrupt
interfere /ntəfə/ verb 왍 to interfere ing when someone else is talking 쑗 Ex-
interfere
in or with something to get in the way cuse me for interrupting, but have you
of something, to be involved in some- seen the office keys anywhere?
thing in such a way that it does not work interruption
interruption /ntərpʃən/

noun
well 쑗 His mother is always interfering something that interrupts or stops you
in his private life. 쑗 Stop interfering from working
with the TV controls.
interval /ntəv(ə)l/ noun 1. a period of
interval
interference /ntəfərəns/ noun 1. an

interference
time between two events or points in

involvement with someone else’s life or time 쑗 There will be bright intervals
business 쑗 His parents’ interference in
during the morning, but it will rain in
his travel plans annoyed him. 2. a noise the afternoon. 쑗 There will be a short
which affects radio or TV programmes
interval during which the table will be
interjection /ntəd"ekʃən/ noun an
interjection

cleared. 2. a period of time between two
exclamation, a word used to show an acts in a play 쑗 Anyone arriving late
emotion such as surprise won’t be allowed in until the first inter-
intermittent /ntəmt(ə)nt/ adjective val.
intermittent
stopping and starting in an irregular way interview /ntəvju

/ noun 1. a conver-
interview
쑗 Intermittent showers are expected sation between a famous or interesting

over the weekend. person and a journalist, broadcast on ra-
internal /nt
n(ə)l/ adjective inside dio or TV, or printed in a newspaper 쑗
internal
international /ntənʃ(ə)nəl/ adjec-

international

She gave an interview to the Sunday
tive between countries 쑗 an internation- magazine. 2. a formal meeting in which
al conference on the environment 쑗 an one or more people ask you questions to
important international company 쐽 find out if you are suitable for some-
noun a sportsperson who has played for thing such as a particular job or a course
his or her country’s team against anoth- at university 쑗 We asked six candidates
er country 쑗 There are three England for interview. 쑗 He’s had eight inter-
internationals in our local team. views, but still no job offers. 쑗 When
will you attend your first interview? 쐽
Internet /ntənet/ noun an international
Internet
verb 1. to ask a famous or interesting

network allowing people to exchange person questions about themselves and
information on computers using tele- their work in order to publish or broad-
phone lines 쑗 We send messages over cast what they say 쑗 The journalist in-
the Internet to hundreds of users of our terviewed the Prime Minister. 2. to meet
products. 쑗 He searched the Internet for a person who is applying for something
information on cheap plane tickets. such as a job or a place on a university
(NOTE: also called simply the Net) course, to see if he or she is suitable 쑗
interpret /nt
prt/ verb to translate
interpret
We interviewed ten candidates, but did

what someone is saying into a different not find anyone we liked.
into 170 Irish

into /ntə, ntυ, ntu
/ preposition 1. investigate /nvest'et/ verb to try to
into investigate
used for showing movement towards the find out about something 쑗 The detec-
inside 쑗 She went into the shop. 쑗 He tive is investigating the details of the
fell into the lake. 쑗 Put the cards back case. 쑗 We are investigating the possi-
into their box. 쑗 You can’t get ten peo- bility of going to live abroad.
ple into a taxi. 쑗 We all stopped talking investigation /nvest'eʃ(ə)n/ noun
investigation
when he came into the room. 쑗 The bus a close examination 쑗 a police investi-
is going into the town centre. 2. hitting gation into the causes of the crash
against something 쑗 The bus drove into
invisible /nvzb(ə)l/ adjective which
invisible
a lamp post. 3. used for showing a
change 쑗 The tadpole changed into a cannot be seen 쑗 The message was writ-
frog. 쑗 Water turns into steam when it is ten in invisible ink and hidden inside the
heated. 4. used for showing that you are pages of a book.
dividing something 쑗 Try to cut the cake invitation /nvteʃ(ə)n/ noun a letter
invitation
into ten equal pieces. or card, asking someone to do some-

introduce /ntrədju
s/ verb to tell
introduce

thing or go somewhere 쑗 He received
someone another person’s name when an invitation to his sister’s wedding. 쑗
they meet for the first time 쑗 He intro- She had an invitation to dinner.
invite /nvat/ verb to ask someone to do
invite
duced me to a friend of his called Anne.
쑗 She introduced me to her new teacher. something, especially to come to a so-

introduction /ntrədkʃən/ noun 1. a
introduction

cial event such as a party 쑗 We invited
part at the beginning of a book which two hundred people to the party. 쑗 She
describes the subject of the book 쑗 Read invited us to come in. 쑗 She’s been invit-
the introduction which gives an expla- ed to talk to the club.
invoice /nvɔs/ noun a note sent to ask
invoice
nation of the book’s layout. 2. a book

which gives basic information about a for payment for services or goods 쑗 Our
subject 쑗 He’s the author of an intro- invoice dated November 10th has still
duction to mathematics. not been paid. 쑗 They sent in their in-
invent /nvent/ verb 1. to create a new
invent

voice six weeks late. 쑗 Ask the sales as-
process or a new machine 쑗 She invent- sistant to make out an invoice for £250.
involve /nvɒlv/ verb 1. to include
involve
ed a new type of computer terminal. 쑗
Who invented this indexing system? 2. someone or something in an activity or

to make up an excuse 쑗 When she asked situation 쑗 a competition involving
him why he was late he invented some teams from ten different countries 쑗 We
story about the train not arriving. want to involve the local community in
invention /nvenʃən/ noun 1. the act of
invention

the decision about the bypass. 쑗 Mem-
creating a new process or a new ma- bers of the local council are involved in
chine 쑗 The invention of computers was the company which has won the con-
made possible by developments in elec- tract for the new road. 2. to make an ac-
tronics. 2. a machine or process that tivity necessary 쑗 Going to Cambridge
someone has invented from here involves taking a bus and then
the train.
inventor /nventə/ noun a person who
inventor
inwards /nwədz/ adverb towards the

inwards
invents new processes or new machines

inside 쑗 These doors open inwards.
invest /nvest/ verb 1. to use your mon-
invest
Ireland /aələnd/ noun a large island

Ireland
ey for buying things such as property or

shares in a company, so that you will forming the western part of the British
make a profit 쑗 She was advised to in- Isles, containing the Republic of Ireland
vest in government bonds. 쑗 He invested and Northern Ireland 쑗 These birds are
all his money in a fish-and-chip restau- found all over Ireland.
Irish /arʃ/ adjective referring to Ireland
Irish
rant. 2. to spend money on something

which you believe will be useful 쑗 We 쑗 The Irish Sea lies between Ireland and
have invested in a new fridge. Britain.
iron 171 itself

iron /aən/ noun 1. a common grey metal it /t/ pronoun 1. used to refer to some-
iron it
쑗 The old gates are made of iron. (NOTE: thing which has just been mentioned 쑗
no plural in this sense: some iron, What do you want me to do with the
lumps of iron, pieces of iron) 2. an ob- box? – Put it down. 쑗 Where’s the box?
ject with a flat metal bottom, which is – It’s here. 쑗 She picked up a potato and
heated and used to make clothes smooth then dropped it on the ground. 쑗 I put
after washing 쑗 Don’t leave the iron my book down somewhere and now I
there – it will burn the clothes. 쑗 If your can’t find it. 쑗 Where’s the newspaper?
iron is not hot enough it won’t take the – It’s on the chair. 2. used for talking
creases out. 쐽 verb to make cloth about the weather, the date or time or
smooth using an iron 쑗 She was ironing another situation 쑗 Look! – It’s snow-
shirts when the telephone rang. 쑗 Her ing. 쑗 It’s miles from here to the railway
skirt doesn’t look as if it has been station. 쑗 Is it the 30th today? 쑗 It’s al-
ironed. most impossible to get a ticket at this
irresponsible /rspɒnsb(ə)l/ adjec- time of year. 쑗 What time is it? – It’s ten
irresponsible
tive acting or done in a way that shows a o’clock. 쑗 It’s dangerous to use an elec-
lack of good sense tric saw when it’s wet. (NOTE: It’s = it is
irritable /rtəb(ə)l/ adjective easily an-
irritable
or it has. Do not confuse with its.)
IT
noyed 쑗 He was tired and irritable, and IT abbr information technology

snapped at the children.
itch /tʃ/ noun a place on the skin where
itch
irritate /rtet/ verb to make someone

irritate
you want to scratch 쑗 I’ve got an itch in

feel angry or impatient 쑗 It irritates me the middle of my back that’s driving me
when the trains run late. mad! (NOTE: The plural is itches.) 쐽
irritation /rteʃ(ə)n/ noun a feeling
irritation
verb to make someone want to scratch 쑗

of being annoyed and impatient 쑗 She The cream made his skin itch more than
watched with irritation as he tried to fix before.
the wheel again. item /atəm/ noun a thing shown in a list
item
is /z/ 3rd person singular present of be

is
쑗 We are discussing item four on the

island /alənd/ noun a piece of land agenda. 쑗 Please find enclosed an order
island
with water all around it 쑗 They live on a for the following items from your cata-
little island in the middle of the river. 쑗 logue. 쑗 I couldn’t buy several items on
The Greek islands are favourite holiday the shopping list because the shop had
destinations. sold out.
issue /ʃu
/ noun 1. an occasion when its /ts/ adjective belonging to ‘it’
issue its
쑗 I
something is officially given out 쑗 The can’t use the car – one of its tyres is flat.
issue of identity cards has been delayed. 쑗 The company pays its staff very badly.
2. a newspaper or magazine which is (NOTE: Do not confuse with it’s.)
published at a particular time 쑗 We
it’s /ts/ short for it is, it has
it’s
bought the January issue of the maga-

itself /tself/ pronoun 1. used for refer-
itself
zine. 쐽 verb 1. to make something avail-
able for use 쑗 The new set of stamps will ring back to a thing or an animal 쑗 The
be issued next week. 2. to give some- dog seems to have hurt itself. 쑗 The
thing out officially 쑗 Each soldier was screw had worked itself loose. 2. used
issued with a gun. 3. to come out 쑗 for emphasis 쑗 If the plug is all right
Smoke began to issue from the hole in there must be something wrong with the
the ground. computer itself.
J
j /d"e/, J noun the tenth letter of the al- ary. (NOTE: January 26th or January
j
phabet, between I and K 26: say ‘the twenty-sixth of January’ or

‘January the twenty-sixth’; American
jab /d"b/ verb to suddenly push some-
jab
English: ‘January twenty-sixth’.)

thing with a sharp object 쑗 He jabbed
jar /d"ɑ
/ noun a container for food such
jar
the piece of meat with his fork. 쑗 She

jabbed me in the back with her umbrel- as jam, usually made of glass 쑗 There
la. (NOTE: jabs – jabbing – jabbed) was some honey left in the bottom of the
jar. 쑗 Use a jam jar for the water you
jack /d"k/ noun 1. a tool for raising
jack
collect.
something heavy, especially a car 쑗 I
jargon /d"ɑ
'ən/ noun a special type of
jargon
used the jack to lift the car up and take

the wheel off. 2. (in playing cards) the language used by a trade or profession
card with the face of a young man, with or a particular group of people 쑗 People
a value between the queen and the ten 쑗 are confused by computers because they
I won because I had the jack of hearts. don’t understand the jargon.
jaw /d"ɔ
/ noun the bones in the face
jaw
jacket /d"kt/ noun a short coat 쑗 He

jacket
was wearing a blue jacket and brown which hold the teeth and form the mouth
jazz /d"z/ noun a type of music with a
jazz
trousers. 쑗 Take your jacket off if you

are hot. 쑗 This orange jacket shows up strong rhythm, and in which the players
in the dark when I ride my bike. often make the music up as they play;
jazz was first played in the southern
jail /d"el/ noun a prison 쑗 She was sent
jail
United States
to jail for three months. 쐽 verb to put
jealous /d"eləs/ adjective feeling an-
jealous
someone in prison 쑗 He was jailed for

six years. noyed because you want something
which belongs to someone else 쑗 John
jam /d"m/ noun 1. a sweet food made
jam
was jealous of Mark because all the

by boiling fruit and sugar together 쑗 Do girls fancied him. 쑗 She was jealous of
you want jam or honey on your bread? his new car. 쑗 Her new boyfriend is very
쑗 We made jam with the fruit in the gar-
handsome – I’m jealous!
den. 쑗 Have you any more jam – the jar
jeans /d"i
nz/ plural noun trousers made
jeans
is empty? 2. a situation in which too

many things block something 쑗 a traffic of a type of strong cotton, often blue 쑗
jam 쑗 There is a paper jam in the print- She came into the office in jeans. 쑗 He
er. 쐽 verb 1. (of machines) to stick and bought a new pair of jeans.
jelly /d"eli/ noun a type of sweet food
jelly
not be able to move 쑗 Hold on – the pa-

per has jammed in the printer. 2. to made with fruit, which shakes when you
force things into a small space 쑗 Don’t touch it or move it 쑗 The children had
try to jam all those boxes into the car fish fingers and chips followed by jelly
boot. 쑗 The switchboard was jammed and ice-cream. (NOTE: The plural is jel-
with calls. (NOTE: jams – jamming – lies.)
jammed) jerk /d"
k/ noun a sudden sharp pull 쑗
jerk
January /d"njuəri/ noun the first

January
He felt a jerk on the fishing line. 쐽 verb
month of the year, followed by February to suddenly pull something hard, often
쑗 He was born on January 26th. 쑗 It’s causing pain or injury 쑗 He jerked the
his birthday on January 26. 쑗 We never rope.
jersey /d"
zi/ noun 1. a warm piece of
jersey
go on holiday in January because it’s

too cold. 쑗 We all went skiing last Janu- clothing which covers the top part of
jet 173 journey

your body and your arms 쑗 She was join /d"ɔn/ verb 1. to come together
join
쑗
knitting a pink jersey for the new baby. Go on for about two hundred metres,
2. a special shirt worn by a member of a until the road joins the motorway. 쑗 The
sports team 쑗 After every game the two rivers join about four kilometres be-
players swapped jerseys with the other yond the town. 2. to become a member
team. of a club or other organisation 쑗 After
jet /d"et/ noun 1. a long narrow stream of
jet
university, he is going to join the police.
liquid or gas 쑗 A jet of water put out the 쑗 She joined the army because she
flames. 2. an aircraft with jet engines 쑗 wanted to travel. 3. to do something
Jets flew low overhead. with someone 쑗 We’re going to have a
cup of coffee – would you like to join us?
jet engine /d"et end"n/ noun an en-
jet engine
쑗 Won’t you join us for a game of golf?

gine which gets its power from a stream
joint /d"ɔnt/ noun 1. a place where
joint
of gas
bones come together and can move,
jewel /d"u
əl/ noun a valuable stone
jewel
such as the knee or the elbow 쑗 Her el-

such as a diamond bow joint hurt after her game of tennis.
jewellery /d"u
əlri/ noun things that
jewellery
2. a large piece of meat, especially for
you wear as decoration round your cooking in an oven 쑗 The joint of lamb
neck, fingers, etc., made from things was very tender. 쑗 We all sat round the
such as valuable stones, gold and silver table while Father carved the joint. 쐽
쑗 The burglar stole all her jewellery. adjective combined, with two or more
(NOTE: no plural) things connected together
joke /d"əυk/ noun a thing said or done to
joke
jigsaw /d"'sɔ
/ noun 왍 jigsaw puzzle
jigsaw
a picture made of shaped pieces of wood make people laugh 쑗 She poured water
or cardboard that you have to try to fit down his neck as a joke. 쑗 They all
together 쑗 As it’s raining, let’s stay in- laughed at his jokes. 쑗 He told jokes all
doors and try to do this huge jigsaw of evening.
journal /d"
n(ə)l/ noun a book where
journal
the Houses of Parliament.

you write details of things that have
job /d"ɒb/ noun 1. regular work which
job
happened which you want to remember

you get paid for 쑗 She’s managed to get
쑗 He kept a journal during his visit to
a job in the local supermarket. 쑗 When
China. 쑗 She wrote a journal of the
the factory closed, hundreds of people
gradual progress of her illness.
lost their jobs. 2. a specific piece of
journalism /d"
n(ə)lz(ə)m/ noun the
journalism
work 쑗 Don’t sit down, there are a cou-

ple of jobs I want you to do. 쑗 He does profession of writing for newspapers or
all sorts of little electrical jobs around magazines, or reporting on events for ra-
the house. 3. difficulty (informal ) 쑗 I dio or TV
had a job trying to find your house. 쑗 journalist /d"
n(ə)lst/ noun a person
journalist
What a job it was getting a hotel room at who writes for newspapers or maga-
the time of the music festival! zines, or reports on events for radio or
jog /d"ɒ'/ verb 1. to run fairly slowly, es-
jog
TV 쑗 Journalists asked the policeman

pecially for exercise 쑗 He jogged along some very awkward questions. 쑗 Film
the river bank for two miles. 쑗 She was stars were greeted by journalists from
listening to her personal stereo as she around the world at the première of the
was jogging. 2. to push someone or new film.
something slightly 쑗 Someone jogged journey /d"
ni/ noun an occasion
journey
my elbow and I spilt my drink. (NOTE: when you travel somewhere, usually a
jogs – jogging – jogged) 앳 to jog long distance 쑗 It’s at least two days’
someone’s memory to make someone journey from here. 쑗 They went on a
remember something 쑗 The police are train journey across China. 쑗 She has a
hoping that the film from the security difficult journey to work every day – she
camera will jog people’s memories. has to change buses twice.
joy 174 justify

joy /d"ɔ/ noun very great happiness jumper /d"mpə/ noun a warm piece of
joy jumper
쑗
The birth of our baby son filled us with clothing, usually made of wool, which
joy. covers the top part of your body and
judge /d"d"/ noun 1. a person whose
judge
your arms
junction /d"ŋkʃən/ noun a place
junction
job is to make legal decisions in a court

of law 쑗 He was convicted for stealing, where railway lines or roads meet 쑗 Go
but the judge let him off with a small as far as the next junction and you will
fine. 2. a person who decides who see the library on your right. 쑗 Leave
should win a competition 쑗 The three the motorway at Junction 5.
judges of the beauty contest couldn’t
June /d"u
n/ noun the sixth month of the
June
agree. 쐽 verb to make decisions in situ-

ations such as a court of law or a compe- year, between May and July 쑗 June 17
tition 쑗 He was judged guilty. 쑗 Her 쑗 Last June we had a holiday in Cana-
painting was judged the best and she da. (NOTE: June 17th or June 17: say
won first prize. ‘June the seventeenth’ or ‘the seven-
teenth of June’ or in US English: ‘June
judgment /d"d"mənt/, judgement
judgment
seventeenth’.)
noun 1. a legal decision by a judge or
jungle /d"ŋ'əl/ noun an area of thick
jungle
court 쑗 We will appeal against the judg-

ment. 2. the ability to make good deci- tropical forest which is difficult to travel
sions 쑗 He trusted his wife’s judgment through
in everything. junior /d"u
niə/ adjective intended for
junior
jug /d"'/ noun a container with a han-

jug
younger children 쑗 She sings in the jun-

dle, used for pouring liquids ior choir. 쑗 He plays for the junior hock-
juice /d"u
s/ noun a liquid from fruit,
juice
ey team.
vegetables or meat 쑗 They charged me junk /d"ŋk/ noun useless articles, rub-
junk
£1 for two glasses of orange juice. 쑗 She bish 쑗 Don’t keep that – it’s junk. 쑗 You
had a glass of grapefruit juice for break- should throw away all that junk you
fast. keep under your bed. (NOTE: no plural)
juicy /d"u
si/ adjective full of juice
juicy
just /d"st/ adverb 1. exactly

just
쑗 Is that
(NOTE: juicier – juiciest) too much sugar? – No, it’s just right. 쑗
July /d"υla/ noun the seventh month of
July
Thank you, that’s just what I was look-

the year, between June and August 쑗 ing for. 쑗 Just how many of students
July 23 쑗 We went to Spain last July. 쑗 have got computers? 쑗 What time is it?
July is always one of the busiest months – It’s just seven o’clock. 쑗 He’s just fif-
for holidays. (NOTE: July 23rd or July teen – his birthday was yesterday. 2.
23: say ‘July the twenty-third’ or ‘the showing the very recent past 쑗 The train
twenty-third of July’; American Eng- has just arrived from Paris. 쑗 She had
lish: ‘July twenty-third’.) just got into her bath when the phone
jump /d"mp/ noun a sudden movement rang. 3. only 쑗 We’re just good friends,
jump
up or down into the air 쑗 The jump was nothing more. 쑗 I’ve been to Berlin just
higher than she thought and she hurt once.
her leg. 쐽 verb 1. to go suddenly into justice /d"sts/ noun fair treatment in
justice
the air from or towards the ground 쑗 law 쑗 Justice must always be seen to be
Quick, jump on that bus – it’s going to done.
Oxford Circus! 쑗 The horse jumped
justify /d"stfa/ verb to show that
justify
over the fence. 쑗 She jumped down from

the chair. 2. to make a sudden move- something is fair, to prove that some-
ment because you are frightened 쑗 She thing is right 쑗 How can you justify
jumped when I came up behind her qui- spending all that money? 쑗 How can
etly. 쑗 When they fired the gun, it made you justify your behaviour? (NOTE: jus-
me jump. tifies – justifying – justified)
K
k /ke/, K noun the eleventh letter of the
k
쑗
He kept out of the quarrel. 쑗 Try to
alphabet, between J and L keep out of trouble with the police.
keen /ki
n/ adjective very sensitive 쑗 keep up with /ki
p p wð/ phrasal
keen
Bats have a keen sense of hearing. verb to go at the same speed as someone
(NOTE: keener – keenest) 쑗 My foot hurts, that’s why I can’t keep
keep /ki
p/ verb 1. to continue to have
keep
up with the others. 쑗 His salary hasn’t
something 쑗 Can I keep the newspaper kept up with the cost of living.
kerb /k
b/ noun the stone edge of a path
kerb
I borrowed from you? 쑗 I don’t want

that book any more, you can keep it. 쑗 along the side of a road
ketchup /ketʃəp/ noun a type of tomato
ketchup
The police kept my gun and won’t give it

back. 2. to continue to do something 쑗 sauce
The clock kept going even after I kettle /ket(ə)l/ noun a container used for
kettle
dropped it on the floor. 쑗 He had to keep boiling water

smiling so that people would think he
key /ki
/ noun 1. a shaped piece of metal
key
was pleased. 쑗 Keep quiet or they’ll

that you use to open a lock or to start a
hear you. 쑗 Luckily the weather kept
car 쑗 I can’t start the car, I’ve lost the
fine for the fair. 쑗 The food will keep
key. 쑗 Where did you put the front door
warm in the oven. 3. to have or to put
key? 2. one of the moving parts which
something in a particular place 쑗 I keep
you push down with your fingers on a
my car keys in my pocket. 쑗 Where do
typewriter, a computer or a musical in-
you keep the paper for the laser printer?
strument such as a piano 쑗 The ‘F’ key
4. to make someone or something stay
always sticks. 쑗 There are 64 keys on
in a place or state 쑗 It’s cruel to keep an-
the keyboard. 3. a system of musical
imals in cages. 쑗 I was kept late at the
tones 쑗 This piece of music is written in
office. 쑗 They kept us waiting for half an
the key of F major. 쐽 adjective most im-
hour. 쑗 We put the plates in the oven to
portant 쑗 The key person in the team is
keep them warm. 5. to stay 쑗 Keep close
the goalkeeper. 쑗 The key person in the
to me. (NOTE: keeps – keeping – kept
company is the sales manager. 쑗 Oil is
/kept/)
a key industry.
keep down phrasal verb 1. to keep at a keyboard /ki
bɔ
d/ noun a set of keys
keyboard
low level 쑗 Keep your voice down, the on something such as a computer or pi-
police will hear us! 2. to bend down in ano 쑗 She spilled her coffee on the com-
order to hide from someone 쑗 Keep puter keyboard. 쑗 He practises on the
down behind the wall so that they won’t keyboard every day. 쐽 verb to put infor-
see us. mation into a computer using a key-
keep off phrasal verb not to walk on board 쑗 She was keyboarding the fig-
something 쑗 Keep off the grass! ures.
keep on phrasal verb to continue to do kick /kk/ noun 1. the act of hitting some-
kick
something 쑗 Keep on trying! thing with your foot 쑗 The goalkeeper

keep out phrasal verb 1. to stop some- gave the ball a kick. 2. a feeling of ex-
one going in 쑗 We put up notices telling citement 쑗 He gets a kick out of watch-
people to keep their dogs out of the field ing a football match on TV. 쐽 verb to hit
where the lambs are. 2. not to go in 쑗 something with your foot 쑗 He kicked
There were ‘Keep Out!’ notices round the ball into the net. 쑗 She kicked her lit-
the building site. 3. not to get involved tle brother.
kid 176 knife

kid /kd/ noun 1. a child (informal ) the queen in value 쑗 He knew he could
kid
쑗
There were a few school kids on their bi- win when he drew the king of spades.
cycles. 쑗 They’re married with two kids. kingdom /kŋdəm/ noun 1. the land
kingdom
2. a young goat 쐽 verb to make some- ruled over by a king or queen 쑗 England
one believe something which is not true is part of the United Kingdom. 쑗 He
쑗 Are you kidding? 쑗 She tried to kid me gave her a book of fairy stories about a
that she’d had an accident. (NOTE: kids magic kingdom. 2. a part of the world of
– kidding – kidded) nature 쑗 the animal kingdom
kidnap /kdnp/ verb to take someone kiss /ks/ noun the act of touching some-
kidnap kiss
away illegally and keep them prisoner one with your lips to show that you are
(NOTE: kidnaps – kidnapping – kid- pleased to see them or that you like them
napped) 쑗 She gave the baby a kiss. 쐽 verb to
kidney /kdni/ noun one of a pair of or- touch someone with your lips to show
kidney
gans in animals that clean the blood and that you are pleased to see them or that
remove waste from it you like them 쑗 She kissed her daughter
and walked away. 쑗 They kissed each
kill /kl/ verb to make someone or some-
kill
other goodbye.
thing die 쑗 Sixty people were killed in
kit /kt/ noun clothes and personal equip-
kit
the plane crash. 쑗 A long period of dry

weather could kill all the crops. ment, usually kept in a bag 쑗 Did you
bring your tennis kit?
kilo /ki
ləυ/ abbr kilogram (NOTE: The
kilo
kitchen /ktʃn/ noun a room where you

kitchen
plural is kilos.)
can cook food 쑗 She put the meat down
kilogram /klə'rm/ noun a measure
kilogram
on the kitchen table. 쑗 If you’re hungry,

of weight equal to one thousand grams have a look in the kitchen to see if
(NOTE: written kg after figures: 20kg) there’s anything to eat.
kilometre /kləmi
tə/ noun a measure
kilometre
kite /kat/ noun a toy made of light wood

kite

of distance equal to one thousand me- and paper or cloth which is flown in the
tres wind on the end of a string 쑗 He was fly-
kind /kand/ adjective friendly and help-
kind
ing his kite from the top of the hill.

ful 쑗 It’s very kind of you to offer to kitten /kt(ə)n/ noun a young cat
kitten
help. 쑗 How kind of you to invite him to

knack /nk/ noun an ability or tendency
knack
your party! 쑗 You should always be kind

to little children. 쑗 He’s a kind old gen- to do something, often something
tleman. 쐽 noun a type 쑗 A butterfly is a wrong (informal ) 쑗 She has a knack for
kind of insect. 쑗 We have several kinds talking to strangers. 쑗 He has this knack
of apples in our garden. 쑗 We discussed of accidentally offending people.
knee /ni
/ noun 1. the part on your body
knee
all kinds of things. 앳 of a kind similar

쑗 The three sisters are three of a kind. 앳 where the upper and the lower leg join,
it’s nothing of the kind that’s not cor- where your leg bends 쑗 She sat the child
rect at all 앳 kind of in a certain way on her knee. 쑗 He was on his knees
(informal ) 쑗 I was kind of annoyed looking under the bed. 2. the part of a
when she told me that. pair of trousers that covers the knee 쑗
kindness /kandnəs/ noun 1. the qual-
kindness
My jeans have holes in both knees.
kneel /ni
l/ verb to go down on your
kneel
ity of being kind 쑗 She was touched by

his kindness. 2. a kind act knees (NOTE: kneels – kneeling –
kneeled or knelt /nelt/)
king /kŋ/ noun 1. a man who governs a
king
knew /nju
/ past tense of know
knew
country by right of birth 쑗 The king and

knife /naf/ noun an instrument used for
knife
queen came to visit the town. (NOTE:

king is spelt with a capital letter when cutting, with a sharp metal blade fixed
used with a name or when referring to in a handle 쑗 Put out a knife, fork and
a particular person: King Henry VIII.) spoon for each person. 쑗 You need a
2. (in cards) the card with the face of a sharp knife to cut meat. (NOTE: The plu-
man, coming before the ace and after ral is knives.) 쐽 verb to injure someone
knit 177 knuckle

using a knife 쑗 He was knifed in the knot /nɒt/ noun 1. one or more pieces of
knot
back during the fight. (NOTE: knifes – string, rope, or other fibre, twisted and
knifing – knifed) fastened together 쑗 Boy Scouts are sup-
knit /nt/ verb to make cloth out of wool posed to be able to tie knots. 쑗 Is the
knit
by joining threads together using two knot of my tie straight? 2. a measure of

long needles 쑗 My mother is knitting me the speed of a ship, or of the wind 쑗 The
a pullover. 쑗 She was wearing a blue ship was doing 22 knots when she hit the
knitted hat. (NOTE: knits – knitting – rocks. 쑗 There’s a wind speed of 60
knit or knitted) knots.
knives /navz/ plural of knife know /nəυ/ verb 1. to have learned some-
knives know
knob /nɒb/ noun 1. a rounded handle that thing, to have information about some-
knob
you turn, e.g. on a door or drawer 쑗 To thing 쑗 Do you know how to start the
open the door, just turn the knob. 2. a computer? 쑗 He didn’t know she had
round object which you turn to operate died. 쑗 How was I to know she wasn’t
a radio or TV, etc. 쑗 Turn the knob to in- his wife? 쑗 You knew it would be expen-
crease the volume. sive. 쑗 Do you know the Spanish for
knock /nɒk/ noun a sound made by hit-
knock
‘one – two – three’? 쑗 His secretary
ting something 쑗 Suddenly, there was a doesn’t know where he is. 2. to have met
knock at the door. 쐽 verb to hit some- someone 쑗 I know your sister – we were
thing 쑗 Knock twice before going in. 쑗 at school together. 쑗 I used to know a
You’ll need a heavy hammer to knock man called Peter Jones who worked in
that nail in. your company. 3. to have been to a place
often 쑗 I know Paris very well. 쑗 She
knock down phrasal verb 1. to make doesn’t know Germany at all. (NOTE:
something fall down 쑗 They are going knows – knowing – knew /nju
/ –
to knock down the old house to build a has known)
factory. 2. to hit someone or something
knowledge /nɒld"/ noun the general
knowledge
쑗 She was knocked down by a car. 3. to

facts or information that people know 쑗
reduce a price 쑗 They knocked the price
No encyclopedia can contain all human
down to £50.
knowledge.
knock out phrasal verb to hit someone
known /nəυn/ past participle of know
known
so hard that they are no longer con-

scious 쑗 She was knocked out by a blow knuckle /nk(ə)l/ noun a part where
knuckle
on the head. two bones join in a finger

L
l /el/, L noun the twelfth letter of the al- was cancelled because of lack of funds.
l
phabet, between K and M (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb not to have

enough of something 쑗 The sales staff
label /leb(ə)l/ noun a note attached to
label
lack interest.
something to give information about,
ladder /ldə/ noun an object made of
ladder
e.g. its price, its contents or someone’s

name and address 쑗 She stuck a label on several bars between two posts, used for
the parcel. 쑗 The price on the label is climbing up to high places 쑗 The ladder
£25.00. 쐽 verb to put a label on some- was leaning against the wall. 쑗 He was
thing 쑗 All the goods are labelled with climbing up a ladder. 쑗 She got down off
the correct price. (NOTE: labels – label- the ladder.
lady /ledi/ noun a polite way of refer-
lady
ling – labelled. The US spelling is la-

beling – labeled.) ring to a woman 쑗 There are two ladies
labor /lebə/ noun, verb US spelling of
labor
waiting to see you.
laid /led/ past tense and past participle of
laid
labour
laboratory /ləbɒrət(ə)ri/ noun a place
laboratory

lay
lain /len/ past participle of lie verb 2
lain
where scientific experiments, testing

lake /lek/ noun an area of water sur-
lake
and research are carried out 쑗 She’s

working in the university laboratories. rounded by land 쑗 Let’s take a boat out
쑗 All our products are tested in our own on the lake. 쑗 We can sail across the
laboratories. (NOTE: The plural is labo- lake. 쑗 The hotel stands on the shores of
ratories.) Lake Windermere.
labour /lebə/ noun 1. work, especially lamb /lm/ noun 1. a young sheep 쑗 In
labour lamb
hard work 쑗 Does the price include the spring, the fields are full of sheep and
cost of labour? 2. the people who do their little lambs. 2. meat from a lamb or
work 쑗 Cheap labour is difficult to find. sheep 쑗 a leg of lamb 쑗 roast lamb
3. the process of giving birth to a baby 쑗 (NOTE: no plural in this sense)
She went into labour at home, and her lamp /lmp/ noun an object which pro-
lamp
husband drove her to the hospital. 쑗 She duces light 쑗 The hall is lit by large
was in labour for 12 hours. 쐽 verb 1. to electric lamps.
work hard 쑗 They laboured night and land /lnd/ noun earth, as opposed to
land
day to finish the project in time. 2. to do water 쑗 They were glad to be back on
something with difficulty 쑗 She la- (dry) land again after two weeks at sea.
boured across the room to me. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to arrive on the
lace /les/ noun 1. a thin strip of material
lace
ground, or on another surface 쑗 The

for tying up a shoe or other piece of flight from Amsterdam has landed. 쑗 We
clothing 쑗 His laces kept coming un- will be landing at London Airport in five
done. 쑗 She’s too little to be able to do minutes. 쑗 The ducks tried to land on
up her laces herself. 2. cloth made with the ice.
open patterns of threads, like a net 쑗 a land up phrasal verb to end in a place
lace tablecloth 쑗 Her wedding dress (informal ) 쑗 I got the wrong train and
was trimmed with lace. (NOTE: no plural landed up in Scotland.
in this sense) landing /lndŋ/ noun 1. (especially of
landing
lack /lk/ noun the fact that you do not

lack
aircraft) an instance of arriving on the

have something 쑗 The children are suf- ground or on a surface 쑗 The plane
fering from a lack of food. 쑗 The project made a smooth landing. 2. a flat area at
landlady 179 later

the top of a set of stairs 쑗 She was wait- Why has she got an office which is larg-
ing for me on the landing. er than mine?
landlady /lndledi/ noun a woman largely /lɑ
d"li/ adverb mainly, mostly
landlady largely
from whom you rent a place to live 쑗 쑗 His farm is largely grazing land. 쑗
You must pay your rent to the landlady The price rises are largely due to in-
every month. (NOTE: The plural is land- creased demand.
ladies.) laser /lezə/ noun an instrument which
laser
landlord /lndlɔ
d/ noun a man or
landlord
produces a concentrated beam of light;

company from whom you rent property lasers can be used to cut through hard
such as a house, room or office 쑗 Tell materials, and to carry out some medical
the landlord if your roof leaks. 쑗 The operations
landlord refused to make any repairs to last /lɑ
st/ adjective 1. coming at the end
last
the roof. of a list, line or period of time 쑗 The

landmark /lndmɑ
k/ noun a building
landmark
post office is the last building on the

or large object on land which you can right. 쑗 The invoice must be paid by the
see easily 쑗 The statue is a famous land- last day of the month. 2. most recent 쑗
mark. She’s been ill for the last ten days. 쑗 The
last three books I read were rubbish. 쐽
landscape /lndskep/ noun 1. the ap-
landscape
adverb 1. at the end 쑗 Out of a queue of

pearance of the countryside 쑗 the beau-
twenty people, I was served last. 쑗 I’ll
tiful landscape of the West Country 2. a
print the labels last. 2. most recently 쑗
painting of a country scene 쑗 He col-
When did you see her last? 쑗 She was
lects 18th century English landscapes.
looking ill when I saw her last or when I
lane /len/ noun 1. a narrow road, often in
lane
last saw her. 쐽 verb to continue for

the country 쑗 a lane with hedges on some time 쑗 The fine weather won’t
both sides 2. a part of a road for traffic last. 쑗 Our holidays never seem to last
going in a particular direction or at a very long. 쑗 The storm lasted all night.
certain speed 쑗 Motorways usually have 쑗 The meeting lasted for three hours. 앳
three lanes on either side. 쑗 One lane of last but one the one before the last one
the motorway has been closed for re- 쑗 My last car but one was a Rolls
pairs. Royce.
language /lŋ'wd"/ noun a way of late /let/ adjective 1. after the usual or
language late
speaking or writing used in a country or expected time 쑗 The plane is thirty min-
by a group of people 쑗 We go to English utes late. 쑗 It’s too late to change your
language classes twice a week. 쑗 She ticket. 쑗 Hurry or you’ll be late for the
can speak several European languages. show. 쑗 We apologise for the late arriv-
lap /lp/ noun 1. the part of your body
lap
al of the plane from Amsterdam. 2. at the
from your waist to your knees when you end of a period of time 쑗 The traffic was
are sitting 쑗 She listened to the story, bad in the late afternoon. 쑗 He moved to
sitting in her father’s lap. 2. one turn London in the late 1980s. 3. a word used
round a racetrack 쑗 He’s finished lap 23 instead of ’dead’ in order to be polite 쑗
– only two laps to go! 쐽 verb 1. (of ani- His late father was a director of the
mals) to drink with the tongue 쑗 The company. (NOTE: only used before a
dog lapped the water in the pond. 2. to noun in this meaning)
lately /letli/ adverb during recent days
lately
go so fast that you are one whole lap

ahead of another person in a race 쑗 The or weeks
winner had lapped three other runners. later /letə/ adverb at a time after the
later
(NOTE: laps – lapping – lapped) present; at a time after a time which has
large /lɑ
d"/ adjective big 쑗 She ordered
large
been mentioned 쑗 The family came to

a large cup of coffee. 쑗 Our house has live in England and she was born a
one large bedroom and two very small month later. 쑗 Can we meet later this
ones. 쑗 How large is your garden? 쑗 evening?
latest 180 lead

latest /letst/ adjective the most recent of parliament 쑗 Parliament has passed
latest
(informal ) 쑗 Have you seen his latest a law against the ownership of guns.
film? 쑗 He always drives the latest mod- lawful /lɔ
f(ə)l/ adjective allowed by the
lawful
el car. 쑗 The latest snow reports are law (formal ) 쑗 Their behaviour was
published each day in the papers. 앳 at perfectly lawful.
the latest no later than the time stated law-making /lɔ
mekŋ/ noun the
law-making
쑗 I’ll ring back before 7 o’clock at the process of making laws

latest.
lawn /lɔ
n/ noun a part of a garden cov-
lawn
latter /ltə/ adjective 1. used for refer-

latter
ered with short grass

ring to the second of two people or
lawyer /lɔ
jə/ noun a person who has
lawyer
things mentioned 2. towards the end of

the period of time mentioned 쑗 I’m busy studied law and can advise you on legal
on Monday and Tuesday, but I’ll be free matters 쑗 If you are arrested you have
during the latter part of the week. the right to speak to your lawyer.
lay /le/ verb 1. to put something down
lay
laugh /lɑ
f/ noun a sound you make
laugh
when you think something is funny 쑗 flat 쑗 He laid the papers on the table. 쑗
He’s got a lovely deep laugh. 쑗 ‘That’s A new carpet has been laid in the dining
right,’ she said with a laugh. 쐽 verb to room. 2. 왍 to lay the table to arrange
make a sound to show you think some- knives, fork, spoons, plates and glasses
thing is funny 쑗 He was very good last on a table for a meal 쑗 The table is laid
night – he had everyone laughing at his for four people. 3. (of birds, turtles,
jokes. 쑗 She fell off the ladder and eve- etc.) to produce an egg 쑗 The hens laid
ryone laughed. three eggs. (NOTE: lays – laying – laid)
layer /leə/ noun an amount of a sub-
layer
laughter /lɑ
ftə/ noun the sound or act
laughter
of laughing 쑗 As soon as he opened his stance that lies on a flat surface 쑗 She
mouth, the audience burst into laughter. put a layer of chocolate on the cake,
(NOTE: no plural)
then one of cream.
layout /leaυt/ noun a design, e.g. of a
layout
launch /lɔ
ntʃ/ noun 1. the act of start-
launch
ing off a boat or a spacecraft 쑗 The garden or a book

laziness /lezinəs/ noun the state of be-
laziness
launch of the new car went off success-

fully. 쑗 The rocket launch has been de- ing lazy
lazy /lezi/ adjective not wanting to do
lazy
layed by two weeks. 2. the act of starting

off the sale of a new product 쑗 The any work 쑗 She’s just lazy – that’s why
launch of the new car went off success- the work never gets done on time. 쑗 He
fully. 쐽 verb 1. to put a boat into the wa- is so lazy he does not even bother to
ter, especially for the first time and with open his mail. (NOTE: lazier – laziest)
a lot of ceremony 쑗 The Queen lead1 /led/ noun 1. a very heavy soft met-
lead
launched the new ship. 2. to send a al 쑗 Tie a piece of lead to your fishing
spacecraft into space 쑗 The spacecraft line to make it sink. 2. the black part in
was launched from Cape Kennedy. 3. to the middle of a pencil
start selling a new product 쑗 We’re
lead2 /li
d/ noun 1. an electric wire which
lead
launching the new perfume just before

joins a machine to the electricity supply
Christmas.
쑗 The lead is too short to go across the
laundry /lɔ
ndri/ noun 1. clothes that
laundry
room. 2. first place during a race 쑗 He

need to be washed 쑗 Please put any went into the lead or he took the lead. 쑗
laundry into the bag provided. (NOTE: Who’s in the lead at the halfway mark?
no plural) 2. a place where clothes are 쑗 She has a lead of 20m over her near-
washed 쑗 The hotel’s sheets and towels est rival. 3. a long piece of leather or
are sent to the laundry every day. (NOTE: other material used to hold a dog 쑗 All
The plural is laundries.) 앳 do the dogs must be kept on a lead in the park.
laundry to wash clothes 쐽 verb 1. to be in first place during a
law /lɔ
/ noun one of the rules governing
law
race or match 쑗 Our side was leading at

a country, usually in the form of an act half time. 쑗 They were leading by three
leader 181 leave

metres. 2. to go in front to show some- their plans to be leaked to the press. 쑗
one the way 쑗 She led us into the hall. We found that the sales director was
3. (of a path or road ) to go in a particu- leaking information to a rival company.
lar direction 쑗 The road leads you to the lean /li
n/ adjective 1. (of a person) thin
lean
top of the hill. 4. to be the main person 쑗 He’s a lean athletic man. 2. (of meat)
in a group 쑗 She is leading a group of with little fat 쑗 a slice of lean bacon 쐽
businesswomen on a tour of Chinese verb to be in or to put into a sloping po-
factories. (NOTE: leads – leading – led sition 쑗 The ladder was leaning against
/led/) the shed. 쑗 She leant her bike against
lead up to phrasal verb to happen in a the wall. 쑗 He leaned over and picked
way that makes something else impor- up the cushion. 쑗 It’s dangerous to lean
tant happen 쑗 the events that led up to out of car windows. (NOTE: leans –
the First World War leaning – leaned or leant /lent/)
leader /li
də/ noun a person who is in
leader
lean on phrasal verb 1. to try to force

charge of an organisation such as a po- someone to do what you want 쑗 They
litical party 쑗 He is the leader of the La- leant on him to get him to agree. 2. to
bour Party. 쑗 The leader of the con- depend on someone 쑗 If things get diffi-
struction workers’ union. cult she always has her father to lean
leadership /li
dəʃp/ noun 1. the abili-
leadership
on.
ty to manage or direct others 쑗 We think leap /li
p/ verb to jump 쑗 He leapt over
leap
he has certain leadership qualities. 2. the ditch. 쑗 She leapt with joy when she
the position of a leader 쑗 Under his heard the news. 쑗 He leapt into the train
leadership the party went from strength as it was leaving. (NOTE: leaps – leap-
to strength. 3. a group of leaders of an ing – leaped or leapt /lept/)
organisation 쑗 The leadership was
learn /l
n/ verb 1. to find out about
learn
weaker after the president’s resignation.

something, or about how to do some-
leading /li
dŋ/ adjective most impor-
leading
thing 쑗 He’s learning to ride a bicycle.

tant 쑗 He took the leading role in the
쑗 We learn French and German at
play.
school. 2. to hear news 쑗 Her boss
leaf /li
f/ noun one of the flat green parts
leaf
learned that she was planning to leave

of a plant 쑗 The leaves of the trees turn the company. 쑗 How did you come to
brown or red in autumn. 쑗 Caterpillars learn about the product? 쑗 We learnt of
have eaten the leaves of the roses. his death only yesterday. (NOTE: learns
(NOTE: The plural is leaves /li
vz/.) – learning – learnt /l
nt/ or learned)
leaflet /li
flət/ noun a sheet of paper, of-
leaflet
learner /l
nə/ noun a person who is
learner
ten folded, giving information learning how to do something 쑗 The

league /li
'/ noun a group of sports clubs
league
evening swimming classes are specially

which play matches against each other for adult learners. 쑗 The new dictionary
쑗 He plays for one of the clubs in the lo- is good for advanced learners of Eng-
cal football league. lish.
leak /li
k/ noun 1. a hole in an object
leak
least /li
st/ adjective used for describing
least
where liquid or gas can escape 쑗 I can the smallest amount 쑗 This car uses by
smell gas – there must be a gas leak in far the least petrol. 쐽 adverb less than
the kitchen. 2. an occasion on which se- everyone or everything else 쑗 I liked
cret information is given to the public 쑗 that part of the book least. 쑗 He was the
She was embarrassed by the leak of the least conceited man she had ever met.
news. 쑗 The leak of the report led to the
leather /leðə/ noun the skin of certain
leather
minister’s resignation. 쐽 verb 1. (of liq-

uid or gas, etc.) to flow away, to escape animals used to make things such as
from its container 쑗 Water must have shoes and bags 쑗 a leather bag 쑗 My
been leaking through the ceiling for shoes have leather soles.
leave /li
v/ verb 1. to go away from a
leave
days. 2. to pass on secret information to

the public 쑗 Governments don’t like place 쑗 She left home at 9 o’clock this
lecture 182 legitimate

morning. 쑗 When they couldn’t find you go towards the church. 2. (in poli-
what they wanted, they left the shop. 쑗 tics) relating to people with left-wing
Eurostar leaves Waterloo for Brussels opinions 쑗 His politics are left of centre.
every day at 8.25. 쑗 When does the next Compare right 쐽 noun the side towards
bus leave for Oxford? 2. to forget to take the left 쑗 Remember to drive on the left
something with you 쑗 I left my tooth- when you are in Britain. 쑗 The school is
brush at home. 3. to allow something to on the left as you go towards the town
stay in a certain condition 쑗 Did you centre. 쑗 She was sitting on the chair-
leave the light on when you locked up? man’s left. 쐽 adverb towards the left 쑗
쑗 Yesterday she left the iron on, and Go straight ahead and turn left at the
burnt a hole in the ironing board. 쑗 traffic lights.
Someone left the door open and the dog left-hand /left hnd/ adjective on the
left-hand
got out. 4. to produce a mark that re- left side 쑗 The book is in the left-hand
mains 쑗 The coffee left a stain on the ta- drawer of his desk. 쑗 In England cars
blecloth. 5. not to take something 쑗 drive on the left-hand side of the road.
Leave some pizza for your brother. 6. to
left-handed /left hndd/ adjective
left-handed
choose to stop being in a relationship

with someone 쑗 She’s left her husband. using the left hand more often than the
7. not to do something, so that someone right for doing things 쑗 She’s left-hand-
else has to do it 쑗 She went out leaving ed, so we got her a left-handed cup for
me all the washing up to do. (NOTE: her birthday.
leaves – leaving – left /left/) left-wing /left wŋ/ adjective in poli-
left-wing
leave behind phrasal verb to not take tics, relating to people who believe that
someone or something with you money and property should be shared
leave out phrasal verb to forget some- more equally
leg /le'/ noun 1. one of the parts of the
leg
thing or someone
lecture /lektʃə/ noun a talk on a partic- body with which a person or animal
lecture
ular subject given to people such as stu- walks 쑗 The bird was standing on one
dents 쑗 She gave a lecture on Chinese leg, asleep. 쑗 Some animals can’t stand
art. 쑗 Are you going to the lecture this on their back legs. 쑗 She fell down the
evening? 쑗 The lecture lasted thirty steps and broke her leg. 2. one of the
minutes, and then there was time for parts of a chair or table which touch the
questions. 쐽 verb 1. to give a lecture on floor 쑗 The table has four legs. 3. a leg
something 쑗 He will lecture on Roman of an animal used for food 쑗 roast leg of
history next Thursday. 2. to teach a sub- lamb 쑗 Would you like a chicken leg? 앳
ject, by giving lectures 쑗 She lectures on to pull someone’s leg to try to make
history at Birmingham University. someone believe something that is not
lecturer /lektʃərə/ noun 1. a person
lecturer
true for a joke 쑗 Don’t worry, she will
who gives a talk on a particular subject get here on time – I was only pulling
쑗 This week’s lecturer is talking about
your leg.
legal /li
'(ə)l/ adjective 1. allowed by
legal
modern art. 2. a teacher in a university

or college 쑗 He has been a lecturer in the law 쑗 It’s legal to drive at 17 years
biology for five years. old in the UK 2. relating to the law
led /led/ past tense and past participle of legally /li
'əli/ adverb according to the
legally
led
lead law
ledge /led"/ noun a narrow flat part legislation /led"sleʃ(ə)n/ noun
ledge legislation
which sticks out from a cliff or a build- laws, written rules which are passed by
ing Parliament and applied in the courts
left /left/ adjective 1. relating to the side legitimate /ld"tmət/ adjective fair
left legitimate
of the body which has the hand that and reasonable, or allowed by the law 쑗
most people do not use for writing 쑗 I They have legitimate concerns about the
can’t write with my left hand. 쑗 The post project. 쑗 He acted in legitimate de-
office is on the left side of the street as fence of his rights.
lemon 183 level

lemon /lemən/ noun a pale yellow fruit Spanish lessons at home in the evenings.
lemon
with a sour taste 쑗 Oranges are much 2. something which you learn from ex-
sweeter than lemons. perience and which makes you wiser 쑗
lend /lend/ verb to let someone use some-
lend
He’s learnt his lesson, he now knows
thing for a certain period of time 쑗 He you shouldn’t take such big risks with
asked me if I would lend him £5 till money.
let /let/ verb 1. to allow someone to do
let
Monday. 쑗 I lent her my dictionary and

now she won’t give it back. Compare something 쑗 He let her borrow his car.
borrow (NOTE: lends – lending – lent 쑗 Will you let me see the papers? 2. to
/lent/) allow someone to use a house or office
length /leŋθ/ noun 1. a measurement of
length
in return for payment 쑗 We’re letting
how long something is from end to end our cottage to some friends for the
쑗
The table is at least twelve feet in weekend. (NOTE: lets – letting – let) 앳
length. 2. a long piece of something 쑗 let me see used when you need time to
She bought a length of curtain material think about something 쑗 Let me see
in the sale. 쑗 We need two lengths of what I can do for you.
piping for the new central heating sys- let go phrasal verb to stop holding on
tem. to something
lens /lenz/ noun a curved piece of glass let in phrasal verb to allow to come in
lens
or plastic, used for looking through to let off phrasal verb 1. to make some-
make things clearer or bigger 쑗 My eye- thing such as a gun or bomb fire explode
sight is not very good, and I have to 쑗 They let off fireworks in the town cen-
have glasses with strong lenses. 쑗 It tre. 2. to not punish someone severely 쑗
looks as if the camera lens was He was charged with stealing, but the
scratched. (NOTE: The plural is lenses.) judge let him off with a fine.
lent /lent/ past tense and past participle of let up phrasal verb to do less, to be-
lent
lend come less 쑗 The snow didn’t let up all

less /les/ adjective, pronoun a smaller
less
day. 쑗 She’s working too hard – she
amount (of) 쑗 You will get thinner if you ought to let up a bit.
letter /letə/ noun 1. a piece of writing
letter
eat less bread. 쑗 The total bill came to

less than £10. 쑗 She finished her home- sent from one person to another to pass
work in less than an hour. 쑗 He sold it on information 쑗 There were two letters
for less than he had paid for it. 쐽 adverb for you in the post. 쑗 Don’t forget to
not as much 쑗 I like that one less than write a letter to your mother to tell her
this one. 쑗 The second film was less in- what we are doing. 쑗 We’ve had a letter
teresting than the first. 쑗 I want a car from the bank manager. 2. one of the
which is less difficult to drive. 쐽 prepo- signs which make up the alphabet, a
sition with a certain amount taken away sign used in writing which corresponds
쑗 We pay £10 an hour, less 50p for in- to a certain sound 쑗 Z is the last letter of
surance. 앳 more or less almost 쑗 I’ve the alphabet. 쑗 I’m trying to think of a
more or less finished painting the kitch- word with ten letters beginning with A
en. and ending with R. 앳 to the letter ex-
lessen /les(ə)n/ verb to become less, or
lessen
actly as shown or stated 쑗 They followed
to make something become less 쑗 his instructions to the letter.
lettuce /lets/ noun a plant with large
lettuce
Wearing a seat belt lessens the risk of

injury. (NOTE: Do not confuse with les- green leaves which are used in salads
son.) (NOTE: no plural except when referring
lesson /les(ə)n/ noun 1. a period of
lesson
to several plants: a row of lettuces)
level /lev(ə)l/ noun 1. a position relating
level
time, especially in school, when you are

taught something 쑗 He went to sleep to height or amount 쑗 I want to lower
during the French lesson. 쑗 We have six the level of our borrowings. 쑗 The water
lessons of history a week. 쑗 She’s taking reached a level of 5m above normal dur-
or having driving lessons. 쑗 He gives ing the flood. 2. a floor in a building 쑗
lever 184 light

Go up to the next level. 쑗 The toilets are lie down phrasal verb to put yourself in
at street level. 쐽 adjective 1. flat, even a flat position, e.g. on a bed
쑗 Are these shelves level, or do they
life /laf/ noun 1. the period during which
life
slope to the left? 2. equal, the same 쑗 At

you are alive 쑗 He spent his whole life
half-time the scores were level.
working on the farm. 2. the fact of being
lever /li
və/ noun an object like a bar,
lever
a living person 쑗 Life is a precious

which helps you to lift a heavy object, or thing; don’t waste it. 3. living things 쑗
to move part of a machine 쑗 We used a Is there life on Mars?
pole as a lever to lift up the block of
lift /lft/ noun 1. a machine which takes
lift
stone. 쑗 Lift the lever, then push it down

again to make the machine work. people up or down from one floor to an-
other in a building 쑗 Take the lift to the
liberal /lb(ə)rəl/ adjective not strict,
liberal
tenth floor. 쑗 Push the button to call the

willing to accept other people’s views 쑗
lift. 쑗 Your room is on the fifteenth floor,
The liberal view would be to let the teen-
agers run the club themselves. so you may wish to use the lift. 2. a ride
in a car that you give to someone 쑗 She
library /labrəri/ noun 1. a place where
library
gave me a lift to the station. 쐽 verb to

books are kept, especially ones which take something, often off the ground,
you can borrow 쑗 He forgot to take his and put it in a higher position 쑗 My
books back to the library. 쑗 You can’t briefcase is so heavy I can hardly lift it.
keep it, it’s a library book. 2. a collec- 쑗 He lifted the little girl up so that she
tion of things such as books or records 쑗 could see the procession.
He has a big record library. (NOTE: The
light /lat/ noun 1. brightness, the oppo-
light
plural is libraries.)
site of darkness 쑗 I can’t read the map
licence /las(ə)ns/ noun a document
licence
which gives official permission to own by the light of the moon. 쑗 There’s not
something or to do something 쑗 She has enough light to take a photo. 2. a piece
applied for an export licence for these of electrical equipment which gives
paintings. light 쑗 Turn the light on – I can’t see to
read. 쑗 It’s dangerous to ride a bicycle
licensed /las(ə)nst/ adjective given
licensed
with no lights. 쑗 In the fog, I could just

official permission to do something see the red lights of the car in front of
lick /lk/ verb to make a gentle movement
lick
me. 쐽 verb to start to burn, to make

with your tongue across the surface of something start to burn 쑗 He is trying to
something 쑗 You shouldn’t lick the plate get the fire to light. 쑗 Can you light the
when you’ve finished your pudding. 쑗 candles on the birthday cake? 쑗 He
They licked their lips when they saw the couldn’t get the fire to light. 쑗 Light a
cakes. candle – it’s dark in the cellar. (NOTE:
lid /ld/ noun a covering for a container, lights – lighting – lit /lt/) 쐽 adjective
lid
sometimes with a handle 쑗 Where’s the 1. not heavy 쑗 I can lift this box easily –
lid for the black saucepan? 쑗 He man- it’s quite light or it’s as light as a feath-
aged to get the lid off the jam jar. er. 쑗 You need light clothing for tropical
lie /la/ verb 1. to say something which is
lie
countries. 쑗 She’s just been ill, and can
not true 쑗 She was lying when she said only do light work. 2. pale 쑗 He was
she had been at home all evening. 쑗 He wearing a light green shirt. 쑗 I prefer a
lied about the accident. (NOTE: in this light carpet to a dark one. 3. having a lot
sense: lies – lying – lied) 2. to be in a of light so that you can see well 쑗 The
flat position 쑗 Six soldiers lay dead on big windows make the kitchen very
the ground. 쑗 The dog spends the light. 쑗 It was six o’clock in the morning
evening lying in front of the fire. (NOTE: and just getting light. 앳 to cast or
lies – lying – lay – lain) 쐽 noun some- throw light on something to make
thing that is not true 쑗 That’s a lie! – I something easier to understand 쑗 The
didn’t day that! 쑗 Someone has been papers throw light on how the minister
telling lies about her. reached his decision.
lighten 185 link

lighten /lat(ə)n/ verb 1. to make or be-
lighten
she could go out. 쑗 The treasurer wants

come less dark 쑗 You can lighten the to limit the amount we spend on flowers.
room by painting it white. 쑗 The sky limited /lmtd/ adjective which has a
limited
lightened as dawn broke. 2. to become limit

less heavy, or to make something be- limp /lmp/ verb to walk in a way which
limp
come less heavy 쑗 I’ll have to lighten is affected by having an injured leg or
my suitcase – it’s much too heavy. foot 쑗 After the accident she limped
lightning /latnŋ/ noun a flash of elec- badly. 쐽 noun a way that someone
lightning
tricity in the sky in a storm 쑗 The storm walks, when one leg hurts or is shorter
approached with thunder and lightning. than the other 쑗 His limp has improved
since his operation. 쐽 adjective soft, not
like /lak/ preposition 1. similar to, in the
like
strong 쑗 All we had as a salad was two

same way as 쑗 He’s like his mother in
limp lettuce leaves. 쑗 He gave me a limp
many ways, but he has his father’s nose.
handshake. 쑗 She went limp and we had
쑗 Like you, I don’t get on with the new
to give her a glass of water.
boss. 쑗 The picture doesn’t look like him
line /lan/ noun 1. a long thin mark 쑗 She
line
at all. 쑗 He can swim like a fish. 쑗 It

tastes like strawberries. 쑗 What’s that drew a straight line across the sheet of
record? – it sounds like Elgar. 2. used paper. 쑗 Parking isn’t allowed on yel-
for asking someone to describe some- low lines. 쑗 The tennis ball went over
thing 쑗 What was the weather like when the line. 2. a row of written or printed
you were on holiday? 쑗 What’s he like, words 쑗 He printed the first two lines
her new boyfriend? 쐽 verb 1. to have and showed them to me. 쑗 Can you read
pleasant feelings about someone or the bottom line on the chart? 3. a long
something 쑗 Do you like the new man- row of people or things 쑗 We had to
ager? 쑗 She doesn’t like eating meat. 쑗 stand in (a) line for half an hour to get
How does he like his new job? 쑗 No one into the exhibition. 쑗 The line of lorries
likes driving in rush hour traffic. 쑗 In stretched for miles at the frontier. 4. a
the evening, I like to sit quietly and read wire along which telephone messages
the newspaper. 2. to want 쑗 Take as are sent 쑗 The snow brought down the
many apples as you like. 앳 would like telephone lines. 쑗 Can you speak louder
used for telling someone what you want – the line is bad. 앳 to draw the line at
in a polite way 쑗 I’d like you to meet one to refuse to do something 쑗 I don’t mind
of our sales executives. 쑗 I’d like to go having a cup of coffee with the boss, but
to Paris next week. I draw the line at having to invite him
for a meal at home.
likely /lakli/ adjective probably going
likely
to happen 쑗 It’s likely to snow this line up phrasal verb to stand in a line 쑗
weekend. 쑗 He’s not likely to come to Line up over there if you want to take
the party. 쑗 Is that at all likely? (NOTE: the next boat.
linen /lnn/ noun a strong cloth made
linen
likelier – likeliest)
from natural fibres 쑗 a linen tablecloth
liking /lakŋ/ noun a feeling of enjoy-
liking
쑗 He bought a white linen suit.

ing something 쑗 She has a liking for
lining /lanŋ/ noun material sewn onto
lining
chocolate. 쑗 This drink is too sweet for

my liking. the inside of something such as a piece
of clothing 쑗 You’ll need a coat with a
limb /lm/ noun a leg or arm
limb
쑗 He was warm lining if you’re going to Canada

lucky not to break a limb in the accident. in winter. 쑗 She has a pair of boots with
limit /lmt/ noun the furthest point be-
limit
a fur lining.
link /lŋk/ noun 1. something which con-
link
yond which you cannot go 쑗 We were

never allowed to go beyond the limits of nects two things or places 쑗 The Chan-
the garden. 쑗 What’s the speed limit on nel Tunnel provides a fast rail link be-
this road? 쐽 verb not to allow some- tween England and France. 2. one of the
thing to go beyond a certain point 쑗 Her rings in a chain 쑗 a chain with solid
parents limited the number of evenings gold links 쐽 verb 1. to join things to-
lion 186 liver

gether 쑗 They linked arms and walked have any literature on holidays in
down the street. 쑗 All the rooms are Greece? (NOTE: no plural)
linked to the main switchboard. 쑗 Eu- litre /li
tə/ noun a unit of measurement
litre
rostar links London and Paris or Brus- for liquids, equal to 1000 millilitres
sels. 2. to be related in some way 쑗 His (NOTE: usually written l or L after fig-
salary is linked to the cost of living. ures: 25 l, say ‘twenty-five litres’.)
lion /laən/ noun a large wild yellowish-
lion
litter /ltə/ noun 1. rubbish on streets or

litter
brown animal of the cat family (NOTE: in public places 쑗 The council tries to
The female is a lioness and the young
keep the main street clear of litter.
are cubs.)
(NOTE: no plural in this sense) 2. a
lip /lp/ noun one of the two pink or red
lip
group of young animals born at one time

parts forming the outside of the mouth 쑗 쑗 She had a litter of eight puppies.
Put some cream on your lips to stop
little /lt(ə)l/ adjective 1. small
little
쑗 They
them getting sore.
have two children – a baby boy and a lit-
liquid /lkwd/ noun a substance such as
liquid
tle girl. (NOTE: no comparative or su-

water, which flows easily and which is perlative forms in this sense) 2. not
neither a gas nor a solid 쑗 You will need much 쑗 We drink very little milk. 쑗 A TV
to drink more liquids in hot weather. 쐽 uses very little electricity. 쑗 He looked
adjective in a form which flows easily 쑗 at it for a little while. (NOTE: little –
a bottle of liquid soap less – least /li
st/) 쐽 adverb not much;
list /lst/ noun a number of things such as
list
not often 쑗 It’s little more than two
names or addresses, written or said one miles from the sea. 쑗 We go to the cine-
after another 쑗 We’ve drawn up a list of ma very little these days.
people to invite to the party. 쑗 He was little by little /lt(ə)l ba lt(ə)l/ ad-
little by little
ill, so we crossed his name off the list. 쑗 verb gradually

The names on the list are in alphabeti-
live1 /lav/ adjective 1. living, not dead 쑗
live
cal order. 쐽 verb to say or to write a

number of things one after the other 쑗 There are strict rules about transporting
live animals. 2. carrying electricity 쑗
The contents are listed on the label. 쑗
She listed the ingredients on the back of Don’t touch the live wires. 3. not record-
an envelope. 쑗 The catalogue lists twen- ed; being broadcast at the same time as
ty-three models of washing machine. events take place 쑗 a live radio show 쐽
adverb at the same time as events take
listen /ls(ə)n/ verb to pay attention to
listen
place 쑗 The show was broadcast live.

someone who is talking or to something
live2 /lv/ verb 1. to have your home in a
live
which you can hear 쑗 Don’t make a

noise – I’m trying to listen to a music place 쑗 They have gone to live in
programme. 쑗 Why don’t you listen to France. 쑗 Do you prefer living in the
what I tell you? 앳 to listen out for country to the town? 쑗 He lives next
something to wait to see if you hear
door to a film star. 쑗 Where does your
something 쑗 Can you listen out for the daughter live? 2. to be alive 쑗 King
telephone while I’m in the garden? Henry VIII lived in the 16th century. 쑗
The doctor doesn’t think she will live
lit /lt/ past tense and past participle of
lit
much longer.
light
live on phrasal verb to use food or
liter /li
tə/ noun US spelling of litre
liter
money to stay alive 쑗 They lived on

literary /lt(ə)rəri/ adjective relating to bread and water for two weeks.
literary
lively /lavli/ adjective very active

lively
literature
literature /lt(ə)rətʃə/ noun 1. books or
literature
(NOTE: livelier – liveliest)
liver /lvə/ noun 1. a large organ in the
liver
writing, especially when considered to

be of high quality 쑗 She’s studying Eng- body which helps you to process food
lish and American literature. 2. written and cleans the blood 2. animal’s liver
information about something 쑗 Do you used as food 쑗 I’ll start with chicken liv-
living 187 long

er pâté. 쑗 He looked at the menu and or- lock /lɒk/ noun a part of a door or con-
lock
dered liver and bacon. tainer such as a box, used for fastening
living /lvŋ/ adjective having the signs
living
it so that you can only open it with a key
such as breathing or growing of not be- 쑗 She left the key in the lock, so the bur-
ing dead 쑗 Does she have any living rel- glars got in easily. 쑗 We changed the
atives? 쐽 noun money that you need for locks on the doors after a set of keys
things such as food and clothes 쑗 He were stolen. 쐽 verb 1. to close a door or
earns his living by selling postcards to a container such as a box, using a key 쑗
tourists. I forgot to lock the safe. 쑗 We always
lock the front door before we go to bed.
living room /lvŋ ru
m/ noun (in a
living room
2. to fix something or to become fixed in

house or flat) a comfortable room for a certain position 쑗 The wheels sudden-
sitting in ly locked as he went round the corner.
lizard /lzəd/ noun a small animal with a
lizard
lock up phrasal verb 1. to close a

long tail and rough skin building by locking the doors 쑗 He al-
load /ləυd/ noun a number of heavy ob- ways locks up before he goes home. 쑗
load
jects which are carried in a vehicle such She was locking up the shop when a
as truck 쑗 The lorry delivered a load of man walked in. 2. to put someone in
bricks. 쐽 verb 1. to put something, espe- prison 쑗 They locked him up for a week.
loft /lɒft/ noun the top part of a house
loft
cially something heavy, into or on to a

vehicle such as a truck or van 쑗 They right under the roof 쑗 They converted
loaded the furniture into the van. 2. to their loft into a bedroom.
put bullets into a gun, or a film into a log /lɒ'/ noun a thick piece of a tree 쑗 He
log
camera 쑗 They loaded their guns and brought in a load of logs for the fire.
hid behind the wall. 3. to put a program
loneliness /ləυnlinəs/ noun 1. a feel-
loneliness
into a computer 쑗 Load the word-

ing of sadness you can get from being
processing program before you start
alone 쑗 After his wife died it took him a
keyboarding.
long time to get over his feelings of lone-
loaf /ləυf/ noun bread made in a large
loaf
liness. 2. the state of being alone 쑗 He

round shape, which you can cut into was attracted by the loneliness of the
slices before eating it 쑗 He bought a hotel, all by itself on the top of the cliff.
loaf of bread at the baker’s. 쑗 We eat lonely /ləυnli/ adjective 1. feeling sad
lonely
about 10 loaves of bread per week. because of being alone 쑗 It’s odd how
loan /ləυn/ noun 1. a thing lent, especial-
loan
lonely you can be in a big city full of

ly an amount of money 쑗 He bought the people. 2. (of a place) with few or no
house with a £100,000 loan from the people around 쑗 The cliff top is a lonely
bank. 2. the act of lending something to place at night. 쑗 We spent the weekend
someone 쑗 I had the loan of his car for in a lonely cottage in the Welsh hills.
three weeks. (NOTE: lonelier – loneliest)
long /lɒŋ/ adjective 1. not short in length
long
local /ləυk(ə)l/ adjective relating to a

local
place or district near where you are or 쑗 a long piece of string 쑗 The Nile is the
where you live 쑗 She works as a nurse longest river in the world. 쑗 My hair
in the local hospital. 쑗 The local paper needs cutting – it’s getting too long. 2.
comes out on Fridays. 쑗 She was for- not short in time 쑗 What a long pro-
merly the headmistress of the local gramme – it lasted almost three hours.
school. 쑗 They’ve been waiting for the bus for a
long time. 쑗 We don’t approve of long
locate /ləυket/ verb to find the position
locate

holidays in this job. 3. used for asking
of something 쑗 Divers are trying to lo- about an amount of time 쑗 How long is
cate the Spanish galleon. it before your holiday starts? 쐽 adverb
location /ləυkeʃ(ə)n/ noun a place or
location
a long time 쑗 Have you been waiting

position 쑗 The hotel is in a very central long? 쑗 I didn’t want to wait any longer.
location. 쑗 Long ago, before the war, this was a
long-term 188 lot

wealthy farming area. 쐽 noun a long Look up the word in the dictionary if
time 왍 before long in a short time 쑗 you don’t know what it means.
She’ll be boss of the company before loop /lu
p/ noun a curve formed by a
loop
long. 왍 for long for a long time 쑗 He piece of something such as string, which
wasn’t out of a job for long. 쐽 verb to crosses over itself 쑗 To tie your laces,
want something very much 쑗 I’m long- start by making a loop.
ing for a cup of tea. 쑗 Everyone was
loose /lu
s/ adjective 1. (of a garment)
loose
longing to be back home. 앳 as long as,

so long as provided that, on the condi- not tight 쑗 Wear loose trousers and a
tion that 쑗 I like going on picnics as teeshirt for the dance class. (NOTE:
long as it doesn’t rain. 앳 no longer not looser – loosest) 2. not attached to an-
any more 쑗 I no longer have that car. ything 쑗 The front wheel is loose and
needs tightening. 쑗 Once he was let
long-term /lɒŋ t
m/ adjective
long-term
loose, the dog ran across the park.

planned to last for a long time
loosen /lu
s(ə)n/ verb to make some-
loosen
loo /lu
/ noun a toilet or a room in which
loo
thing less tight 쑗 He loosened his shoe-

there is a toilet (informal ) laces and relaxed.
look /lυk/ noun the act of seeing some-
look
lord /lɔ
d/ noun 1. a man who has a high
lord
thing with your eyes 쑗 Have a good

social rank 쑗 He was born a lord. 쑗
look at this photograph and tell me if
Powerful lords forced King John to sign
you recognise anyone in it. 쑗 We only
the Magna Carta. 2. an expression of
had time for a quick look round the
surprise or shock 쑗 Good lord! I didn’t
town. 쐽 verb 1. to turn your eyes to see
realise it was so late!
something 쑗 I want you to look carefully
lorry /lɒri/ noun a large motor vehicle
lorry
at this photograph. 쑗 Look in the res-

taurant and see if there are any tables for carrying goods
free. 쑗 If you look out of the office win- lose /lu
z/ verb 1. to put or drop some-
lose
dow you can see our house. 쑗 He thing somewhere and not to know where
opened the lid of the box and looked in- it is 쑗 I can’t find my wallet – I think I
side. 2. to appear to be 쑗 I went to see lost it on the train. 쑗 If you lose your
her in hospital and she looks worse. 쑗 ticket you’ll have to buy another one. 2.
Those pies look good. 쑗 It looks as if it not to have something any longer 쑗 We
may snow. 쑗 He looks much older than lost money on the lottery. 3. not to win 쑗
forty. We lost the match 10 – 0. 쑗 Did you
look after phrasal verb to take care of win? – No, we lost. (NOTE: loses – los-
someone or something ing – lost /lɒst/) 앳 to lose your way
look back phrasal verb to turn your to not know where you are or which di-
head to see what is behind you 쑗 He rection to go in 쑗 They lost their way in
looked back and saw a police car was the fog on the mountain.
loss /lɒs/ noun 1. the state of no longer
loss
following him.
look for phrasal verb to search for having something 쑗 He was very un-
something, to try to find something happy at the loss of his house. 쑗 The
look into phrasal verb to try to find out loss of a child is almost unbearable to a
about a matter or problem parent. 2. money which you have spent
look out phrasal verb to be careful 쑗 and have not got back through earnings
Look out! – the car is going backwards! 쑗 Companies often make losses in their
look out for phrasal verb to try to see first year of operations.
lost /lɒst/ past tense and past participle of
lost
or find someone or something 쑗 We’re

looking out for new offices because ours lose
are too small. 쑗 I’ll look out for his sis- lot /lɒt/ noun 왍 a lot of, lots of a large
lot
ter at the party. number or a large quantity 쑗 There’s

look up phrasal verb to try to find lots of time before the train leaves. 쑗
some information in a book 쑗 I’ll look What a lot of cars there are in the car
up his address in the telephone book. 쑗 park! 쑗 I’ve been to the cinema quite a
lottery 189 lung

lot recently. 쑗 She’s feeling a lot better low /ləυ/ adjective not high 쑗 She hit her
low
now. 쑗 Lots of people are looking for head on the low branch. 쑗 The town is
jobs. 앳 the lot everything 쑗 That’s the surrounded by low hills. 쑗 We shop
lot – there’s nothing left. 쑗 There were around to find the lowest prices. 쑗 The
old pots and books and newspapers – engine works best at low speeds. 쑗 The
we sold the lot for £50. 쑗 We picked 2 ki- temperature here is too low for oranges
los of beans and ate the lot for dinner. to grow. 쑗 Sales were lower in Decem-
lottery /lɒtəri/ noun a game of chance in
lottery
ber than in November. 쐽 adverb to-
which tickets with numbers on are sold wards the bottom; not high up 쑗 The
with prizes given for certain numbers plane was flying too low – it hit the
(NOTE: The plural is lotteries.) trees.
lower /laυə/ adjective not as high 쑗
lower
loud /laυd/ adjective very easy to hear 쑗

loud
Can’t you stop your watch making such They booked a cabin on the lower deck.
a loud noise? 쑗 Turn down the radio – 쐽 verb to make something go down 쑗
it’s too loud. 쐽 adverb loudly 쑗 I can’t They lowered the boat into the water.
loyal /lɔəl/ adjective who supports
loyal
sing any louder. 쑗 She laughed out loud

in church. someone or something for along time
without changing 쑗 Dogs are very loyal
loudly /laυdli/ adverb in a way which is
loudly
to their owners.
easy to hear
loyalty /lɔəlti/ noun the quality of be-
loyalty
loudness /laυdnəs/ noun the state of

loudness
ing loyal
being loud, being noisy
luck /lk/ noun something, usually good,
luck
lounge /laυnd"/ noun a comfortable

lounge
which happens to you 쑗 The bus is emp-

room for sitting in 쑗 Let’s go and watch ty – that’s a bit of luck! 앳 bad luck used
TV in the lounge. for telling someone that you feel sorry
love /lv/ noun 1. a strong feeling of lik-
love
that they were not successful 앳 good

ing someone or something very much 쑗 luck used for telling someone that you
his love for his children 쑗 I had never hope they will be successful
felt true love like this before. 왍 to be in luckily /lkli/ adverb used for showing
luckily
love to love someone or to love each that you think an event was lucky
other 쑗 They seem to be very much in lucky /lki/ adjective 1. having good
lucky
love. 쑗 I told her I was in love with her. things happening to you, especially if
왍 to fall in love with someone to start they are unexpected 쑗 He’s lucky not to
to feel very strong affection for some- have been sent to prison. 쑗 How lucky
one 쑗 They fell in love at first sight. 2. you are to be going to Spain! 2. bringing
(in games such as tennis) a score of good luck 쑗 Fifteen is my lucky number.
zero points 쑗 She lost the first set six – (NOTE: luckier – luckiest)
love (6–0). 쐽 verb 1. to have strong feel-
luggage /l'd"/ noun suitcases or
luggage
ings of affection for someone or some-

thing 쑗 ‘I love you!,’ he said. 쑗 She bags for carrying your clothes and other
loves little children. 쑗 The children love things when travelling
lump /lmp/ noun a piece of something,
lump
their teacher. 2. to like something very

much 쑗 We love going on holiday by the often with no particular shape 쑗 a lump
seaside. 쑗 I’d love to come with you, but of coal 쑗 a lump of sugar
I’ve got too much work to do. lunch /lntʃ/ noun the meal eaten in the
lunch
lovely /lvli/ adjective 1. very pleasant

lovely
middle of the day 쑗 Come on – lunch
to look at 쑗 She looks lovely in that will be ready soon. 쑗 We always have
dress. 쑗 There’s a lovely garden behind lunch at 12.30. 쑗 We are having fish and
the house. 2. pleasant or enjoyable 쑗 I chips for lunch. 쑗 I’m not hungry so I
had a lovely time on holiday. 쑗 It was don’t want a big lunch. 쑗 The restaurant
lovely to have all those visitors when I serves 150 lunches a day.
lung /lŋ/ noun one of two organs in the
lung
was in hospital. (NOTE: lovelier – love-

liest) chest with which you breathe
luxury 190 lying

luxury /lkʃəri/ noun 1. great comfort 쑗 sary 쑗 She often buys little luxuries for
luxury
He lived a life of great luxury. 쑗 A hot dessert on Friday nights. (NOTE: The
bath is a real luxury after two weeks plural in this sense is luxuries)
camping in the mountains. 2. a thing lying /laŋ/ present participle of lie
lying
which is pleasant to have, but not neces-

M
m /em/, M noun the thirteenth letter of the some people believe they have, which
m
alphabet, between L and N makes them able to make impossible

machine /məʃi
n/ noun a piece of
machine

things happen 쑗 She claimed to be a
equipment that uses power 쑗 We have witch and able to perform magic.
magician /məd"ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a wiz-
magician
bought a machine for putting leaflets in
envelopes. 쑗 There is a message on my ard 쑗 Merlin was the great magician in

answering machine. 쑗 She made her medieval legends. 2. a conjuror 쑗 They
dress on her sewing machine. 쑗 The hired a magician to entertain the chil-
washing machine has broken and flood- dren at the party.
magnet /m'nt/ noun a piece of metal
magnet
ed the kitchen.
machinery /məʃi
nəri/ noun machines
machinery

which attracts iron and steel 쑗 She has a
in general 쑗 The factory has got rid of a Mickey Mouse which sticks to the fridge
lot of old machinery. (NOTE: no plural: door with a magnet.
magnetic /m'netk/ adjective which
magnetic
some machinery, a piece of machin-
ery) attracts metal

mad /md/ adjective 1. having a serious magnificent /m'nfs(ə)nt/ adjec-
mad magnificent
medical condition which affects the tive very impressive or beautiful

brain (offensive) 2. silly or crazy 쑗 Eve- mail /mel/ noun 1. letters which are de-
mail
ryone thought he was mad to try to cross livered or which are sent 쑗 The mail
the Atlantic in a rowing boat. 3. very an- hasn’t come yet. 쑗 The receipt was in
gry (informal ) 쑗 She’s mad at or with this morning’s mail. 2. a service provid-
him for borrowing her car. 쑗 He was ed by the post office 쑗 We sent the par-
hopping mad when they told him his car cel by sea mail. 쑗 It’s cheaper to send
had been stolen. (NOTE: madder – the order by surface mail than by air.
maddest) 앳 to drive someone mad main /men/ adjective most important 쑗
main
to make someone crazy or upset 쑗 The The main thing is to get to work on time.
noise is driving her mad. 쑗 Their main factory is in Scotland. 쑗
madam /mdəm/ noun 1. a polite way
madam
January is the main month for skiing

of addressing a woman, often used by holidays. 쑗 A car will meet you at the
people who are providing a service such main entrance.
as waiters or shop assistants 쑗 After you, mainly /menli/ adverb most often 쑗 We
mainly
madam. 쑗 Can I help you, madam? 2. sell mainly to businesses. 쑗 People

used when writing a letter to a woman mainly go on holiday in the summer.
whom you do not know 쑗 Dear Madam
maintain /menten/ verb 1. to make
maintain
made /med/ past tense and past partici-

made
something stay the same 쑗 We like to

ple of make maintain good relations with our cus-
magazine /m'əzi
n/ noun a large
magazine
tomers. 2. to keep something in good

thin book with a paper cover, which is working order 쑗 The boiler needs to be
published regularly 쑗 The gardening regularly maintained. 3. to continue to
magazine comes out on Fridays. state something as a fact 쑗 Throughout
magic /md"k/ noun 1. tricks such as the trial he maintained that the car was
magic
making things appear and disappear, not his.

major /med"ə/ adjective important 쑗
major
performed by an entertainer called a

‘magician’ 쑗 The magician made a rab- Smoking is a major cause of lung can-
bit appear in his hat. 2. a power that cer. 쑗 Computers are a major influence
majority 192 mane

on modern industrial society. 쑗 Many whole story up.
small roads are blocked by snow, but the makeup /mekp/ noun substances,
makeup
major roads are open. 쐽 noun a rank of e.g. face powder and lipstick, which
an officer in the army below colonel 쑗 A people put on their face to make it more
major came up in a truck with six sol- beautiful or change their appearance in
diers. (NOTE: also used as a title before some way 쑗 She wears no makeup apart
a surname: Major Smith) from a little eye shadow. 쑗 He spent
majority /məd"ɒrti/ noun 1. the larger hours over his makeup for the part of the
majority
part of a group 쑗 The majority of the monster.

making /mekŋ/ present participle of
making
members of the club don’t want to

change the rules. 2. a number of voters make
which is larger than half 쑗 She was male /mel/ adjective relating to the sex
male
elected with a majority of 10,000. 3. the which does not give birth to young 쑗 A
age when you become legally adult male deer is called a stag. (NOTE: Do
make /mek/ verb 1. to put something to-
make
not confuse with mail.)

gether or build something 쑗 He made a mammal /mm(ə)l/ noun a type of an-
mammal
boat out of old pieces of wood. 쑗 These imal which gives birth to live young and
knives are made of steel. 2. to get some- feeds them with milk
thing ready 쑗 She is making a Christ- man /mn/ noun a male human being 쑗
man
mas cake. 쑗 Do you want me to make That tall man is my brother. 쑗 There’s a
some tea? 3. to add up to a total 쑗 Six young man at reception asking for Mr
and four make ten. 4. to give someone a Smith. (NOTE: The plural is men
feeling 쑗 The smell of curry makes me /men/.) 쐽 verb to provide staff to work
hungry. 쑗 The rough sea made him feel something 쑗 The switchboard is
sick. 쑗 Looking at old photographs manned all day. 쑗 She sometimes mans
made her sad. 쑗 He made himself com- the front desk when the receptionist is
fortable in the armchair. 5. to force ill. (NOTE: mans – manning –
someone to do something 쑗 His mother manned)
made him clean his room. 쑗 The teacher
manage /mnd"/ verb to be in charge
manage
made us all stay in after school. 쑗 I

of something 쑗 She manages all our of-
can’t make the car go any faster. 쑗 What fices in Europe. 쑗 We want to appoint
on earth made you do that? (NOTE: someone to manage the new shop.
makes – making – made /med/) 앳 to
management /mnd"mənt/ noun 1.
management
make sense 1. to be understood 쑗 The

message doesn’t make sense. 2. to be a a group of people who direct workers 쑗
good idea 쑗 It makes sense to put a little The management has decided to move to
money into your savings account every new offices. 2. the practice of directing
week. and controlling work 쑗 He’s taking a
course in management. 쑗 If anything
make for phrasal verb to go towards a goes wrong now it’s just a case of bad
place 쑗 The army was making for the management.
capital. 쑗 As soon as the film started,
manager /mnd"ə/ noun 1. the per-
manager
she made straight for the exit. son in charge of a department in a shop
make out phrasal verb 1. to be able to or in a business 쑗 The bank manager
see clearly 쑗 Can you make out the wants to talk about your account. 쑗 The
house in the dark? 2. to claim some- sales manager organised a publicity
thing which is probably not true 쑗 The campaign. 쑗 She’s the manager of the
English weather isn’t really as bad as it shoe department. 2. a person in charge
is made out to be. 쑗 She tries to make of a sports team 쑗 The club have just
out that she’s very poor. sacked their manager.
make up phrasal verb to invent a story mane /men/ noun the long hair on the
mane
쑗 He said he had seen a man climbing neck of a lion or horse (NOTE: Do not
into the house, but in fact he made the confuse with main.)
manner 193 marry

manner /mnə/ noun a way of behav- March /mɑ
tʃ/ noun the third month of
manner March
ing 쑗 She has a very unpleasant man- the year, between February and April
ner. 쑗 The staff don’t like the new man- (NOTE: March 6th or March 6: say
ager’s manner. ‘March the sixth’ or ‘the sixth of March’
manufacture /mnjυfktʃə/ verb to or in US English: ‘March sixth’.)
manufacture
make products for sale 쑗 We no longer margarine /mɑ

d"əri
n/ noun a sub-
margarine
manufacture tractors here. stance made from animal or vegetable

manufacturer /mnjυfktʃərə/ oil which is used instead of butter
manufacturer
noun a person or company producing margin /mɑ

d"n/ noun a white space at
margin
industrial products the edge of a page of writing 쑗 Write

many /meni/ adjective 1. a large number your comments in the margin. 쑗 We left
many
of things or people 쑗 Many old people a wide margin so that you can write
live on the south coast. 쑗 So many peo- notes in it.
ple wanted rooms that the hotel was marine /məri
n/ adjective referring to
marine
booked up. 쑗 She ate twice as many the sea 쑗 marine plants and animals
cakes as her sister did. 2. asking a ques-
mark /mɑ
k/ noun 1. a small spot of a
mark
tion 쑗 How many times have you been

different colour 쑗 The red wine has
to France? 쑗 How many passengers
made a mark on the tablecloth. 쑗 She
were there on the plane? 쐽 pronoun a
has a mark on her forehead where she
large number of people 쑗 Many of the
hit her head. 2. the points given to a stu-
students knew the lecturer when he was
dent 쑗 She got top marks in English. 쑗
a student himself. 쑗 Many would say
What sort of mark did you get for your
that smoking should be banned in all
homework? 쑗 No one got full marks –
public places.
the top mark was 8 out of 10. 쐽 verb 1.
map /mp/ noun a drawing which shows
map
to make a mark on something 2. to cor-

a place, e.g. a town, a country or the rect and give points to work 쑗 The
world, as if it is seen from the air 쑗 teacher hasn’t finished marking our
Here’s a map of Europe. 쑗 The village homework. 쑗 Has the English exam
where they live is so small I can’t find it been marked yet?
on the map. 쑗 Show me on the map
market /mɑ
kt/ noun a place where
market
where the mountains are. 쑗 They lost

their way because they’d forgotten to products, e.g. fruit and vegetables, are
take a map. sold from small tables, often in the open
air 쑗 We buy all our vegetables and fish
marathon /mrəθ(ə)n/ noun a race,
marathon
at the market. 쑗 Market day is Saturday,

often run on roads in a city, covering a so parking will be difficult.
distance of 42 kilometres 쑗 She’s train-
marketing /mɑ
ktŋ/ noun the meth-
marketing
ing for the New York marathon.

ods used by a company to encourage
marble /mɑ
b(ə)l/ noun a very hard
marble
people buy a product

type of stone which can be polished so
marriage /mrd"/ noun 1. the state of
marriage
that it shines 쑗 The entrance hall has a

marble floor. 쑗 The table top is made being legally joined as husband and
from a single slab of green marble. wife 쑗 A large number of marriages end
in divorce. 쑗 She has two sons by her
march /mɑ
tʃ/ noun the act of walking
march
first marriage. 2. a wedding, the cere-

so that your legs move at exactly the mony of being married 쑗 They had a
same times as everyone else’s, especial- simple marriage, with just ten guests.
ly by soldiers 쑗 The soldiers were tired
married /mrid/ adjective joined as
married
after their long march through the

mountains. 쐽 verb 1. to walk in this way husband and wife 쑗 Are you married or
쑗 The guards marched after the band. 쑗 single? 쑗 Married life must suit him –
We were just in time to see the soldiers he’s put on weight.
marry /mri/ verb 1. to make two peo-
marry
march past. 2. to walk in a protest march

쑗 Thousands of workers marched to the ple husband and wife 쑗 They were mar-
parliament building. ried in church. 2. to become the hus-
marsh 194 may

band or wife of someone 쑗 She married the football match on TV. 쑗 He won the
the boy next door. (NOTE: marries – last two table tennis matches he played.
marrying – married) 앳 to get mar- 2. a small piece of wood with a one end
ried to someone to be joined as hus- which catches fire when you rub it
band and wife in a ceremony 쑗 They’re against a special surface 쑗 He bought a
getting married next Saturday. packet of cigarettes and a box of match-
marsh /mɑ
ʃ/ noun an area of wet land
marsh
es. 쑗 She struck a match and lit a can-
(NOTE: The plural is marshes.) dle. 쐽 verb to fit or to go with something
쑗 The yellow wallpaper doesn’t match
masculine /mskjυln/ adjective suit-
masculine
the bright green carpet.

able for or typical of a man 쑗 She had a
mate /met/ noun 1. a friend, especially
mate
very masculine hair style.

a man’s friend 쑗 He’s gone down to the
mask /mɑ
sk/ noun something which
mask
pub with his mates. 2. one of a pair of

covers or protects your face 쑗 The bur- people or animals, especially where
glars wore black masks. 쑗 He wore a these can produce young together 쐽
mask to go diving. verb (of animals) to breed 쑗 A mule is
mass /ms/ noun 1. a large number or
mass
the result of a donkey mating with a

large quantity of things 쑗 Masses of horse.
people went to the exhibition. 쑗 A mass material /mətəriəl/ noun 1. something
material
of leaves blew onto the pavement. 쑗 I which can be used to make something 쑗
have a mass of letters or masses of let- You can buy all the materials you need
ters to write. 2. a Catholic church serv- in the DIY shop. (NOTE: The plural is
ice 쑗 She’s a strict Catholic and goes to materials.) 2. cloth 쑗 I bought three
mass every week. 쐽 adjective involving metres of material to make curtains. 쑗
a large number of people 쑗 They found What material is your coat made of?
a mass grave on the hillside. 쑗 The (NOTE: no plural) 3. facts or information
group is organising a mass protest to 쑗 She’s gathering material for a TV
parliament. programme on drugs. (NOTE: no plural)
massive /msv/ adjective very large
massive
mathematics /mθəmtks/, maths

mathematics
쑗 He had a massive heart attack. 쑗 The /mθs/ noun the science of numbers
company has massive losses. 쑗 A mas- and measurements
sive rock came hurtling down the moun-
matter /mtə/ noun 1. a problem or dif-
matter
tainside towards them.

ficulty 쑗 What’s the matter? 쑗 This is a
mast /mɑ
st/ noun 1. a tall pole on a ship
mast
matter for the police. 2. a concern or

which carries the sails 쑗 The gale was business 쐽 verb to be important 쑗 It
so strong that it snapped the ship’s mast. doesn’t matter if you’re late. 쑗 His job
2. a tall metal structure for broadcasting matters a lot to him. 쑗 Does it matter if
TV, radio or mobile phone signals 쑗 we sit by the window?
They have put up a television mast on mattress /mtrəs/ noun a thick pad
mattress
top of the hill. forming the part of a bed that you lie on
master /mɑ
stə/ verb to become skilled
master
maximum /mksməm/ adjective the

maximum
at something 쑗 She has mastered the art greatest possible 쑗 What is the maxi-
of TV newscasting. 쑗 Although he mum number of guests the hotel can
passed his driving test some time ago, take? 쐽 noun the greatest possible
he still hasn’t mastered the art of motor- number or amount 쑗 The maximum we
way driving. are allowed to charge per person is £10.
mat /mt/ noun a small piece of some-
mat
(NOTE: The plural is maximums or

thing such as carpet, used as a floor cov- maxima.) 왍 at the maximum not more
ering 쑗 Wipe your shoes on the mat bethan 쑗 We can seat 15 at the maximum.
fore you come in. may /me/ modal verb 1. it is possible 쑗
may
match /mtʃ/ noun 1. a single occasion

match
If you don’t hurry you may miss the

when two teams or players compete train. 쑗 Take your umbrella, they say it
with each other in a sport 쑗 We watched may rain. 쑗 Here we are sitting in the
May 195 meat

bar, and he may be waiting for us out- he mean me when he was talking about
side. 2. it is allowed 쑗 Guests may park fat old men? 쑗 What do you mean when
in the hotel car park free of charge. 쑗 you say she’s old-fashioned? 2. to show
You may sit down if you wish. 3. asking or represent something 쑗 His family
questions politely 쑗 May I ask you a means a lot to him. 쑗 When a red light
question? 쑗 May we have breakfast ear- comes on it means that you have to stop.
ly tomorrow as we need to leave the ho- 쑗 ‘Zimmer’ means ‘room’ in German.
tel before 8 o’clock? (NOTE: means – meaning – meant
May /me/ noun the fifth month of the
May
/ment/)
year, after April and before June 쑗 Her meaning /mi
nŋ/ noun what some-
meaning
birthday’s in May. 쑗 Today is May 15th. thing represents 쑗 If you want to find the
쑗 She was born on May 15. 쑗 We went meaning of the word, look it up in a dic-
on holiday last May. (NOTE: May 15th tionary. 쑗 The meaning of a red light is
or May 15: say ‘the fifteenth of May’ or pretty clear to me.
‘May the fifteenth’ or in US English: means /mi
nz/ noun 1. a way or method
means
‘May fifteenth’.) of doing something 쑗 Is there any

maybe /mebi/ adverb possibly, per-
maybe
means of sending the message to Lon-

haps 쑗 Maybe the next bus will be the don this afternoon? 쑗 Do we have any
one we want. 쑗 Maybe you should ask a means of copying all these documents
policeman. 쑗 Maybe the weather fore- quickly? 쑗 The bus is the cheapest
cast was right after all. 왍 maybe not means of getting round the town. 왍 by
possibly not 쑗 Are you coming? – May- means of by using something 쑗 He got
be not. her money by means of a trick. 2. money
mayor /meə/ noun a person who is cho- 쑗 They don’t have the means to buy a
mayor
sen as the official head of a town, city or flat in London.

local council meanwhile /mi
nwal/ adverb during
meanwhile
me /mi
/ pronoun used by the person who this time 쑗 She hid under the table –
me
is speaking to talk about himself or her- meanwhile, the footsteps were coming
self 쑗 give me that book 쑗 Could you nearer.
give me that book, please? 쑗 I’m shout- measure /me"ə/ noun a piece of equip-
measure
ing as loud as I can – can’t you hear ment which shows the size or quantity
me? 쑗 She’s much taller than me. 쑗 of something 쐽 verb 1. to be of a certain
Who is it? – It’s me! 쑗 Can you hear size or quantity 쑗 a package which
me? 쑗 She’s taller than me. measures or a package measuring 10cm
meadow /medəυ/ noun a large field of by 25cm 쑗 How much do you measure
meadow
grass round your waist? 쑗 The table measures

meal /mi
l/ noun an occasion when peo-
meal
four foot long by three foot wide. 2. to
ple eat food, or the food that is eaten 쑗 find out the length or quantity of some-
Most people have three meals a day – thing 쑗 She measured the window for
breakfast, lunch and dinner. 쑗 You sleep curtains. 쑗 He measured the size of the
better if you only eat a light meal in the garden.
measurement /me"əmənt/ noun a
measurement
evening. 쑗 When they had finished their

evening meal they watched TV. 쑗 You quantity or size, found by measuring 쑗
can have your meals in your room at a He took the measurements of the room.
small extra charge. 쑗 The piano won’t go through the door
mean /mi
n/ adjective 1. not liking to
mean
– are you sure you took the right meas-
spend money or to give people things 쑗 urements? 쑗 The measurements of the
Don’t be mean – let me borrow your car. box are 25cm x 20cm x 5cm.
meat /mi
t/ noun food from an animal or
meat
쑗 She’s very mean with her money. 2.

nasty or unpleasant 쑗 He played a mean bird 쑗 Can I have some more meat,
trick on his mother. 쑗 That was a mean please? 쑗 Would you like meat or fish
thing to say. 쐽 verb 1. used when you for your main course? 쑗 I like my meat
have not understood something 쑗 Did very well cooked.
mechanical 196 mess

mechanical /mknk(ə)l/ adjective swimming while the other members of
mechanical
relating to machines 쑗 Engineers are the family sat on the beach. 쑗 Three
trying to fix a mechanical fault. members of staff are away sick.
medal /med(ə)l/ noun a round metal ob- membership /membəʃp/ noun 1. the
membership
medal
ject, made to represent an important oc- state of belonging to a group 쑗 I must

casion or battle, and given to people remember to renew my membership. 쑗
who have performed well Membership costs £50 a year. 2. the
medical /medk(ə)l/ adjective relating
medical
members of a group 쑗 The club has a
to medicine 쑗 She’s a medical student. membership of five hundred. 쑗 The
쑗 The Red Cross provided medical help.
membership voted to go on strike.
memorise /meməraz/, memorize
memorise
medicine /med(ə)s(ə)n/ noun 1. a drug

medicine
taken to treat a disease 쑗 If you have a verb to learn something thoroughly so

cough you should take some cough med- that you know and can repeat all of it
memory /mem(ə)ri/ noun 1. (in peo-
memory
icine. 쑗 The chemist told me to take the

medicine four times a day. 쑗 Some ple) the ability to remember 쑗 He recit-
cough medicines make you feel sleepy. ed the poem from memory. 2. an event
2. the study of diseases and how to cure that you remember 쑗 We have a lot of
or prevent them 쑗 He went to university happy memories of our time in France.
to study medicine. (NOTE: no plural in 3. (in computers) the capacity for stor-
this sense) ing information 쑗 This computer has a
medium /mi
diəm/ adjective middle,
medium
much larger memory than the old one.
men /men/ plural of man
men
average 쑗 He is of medium height.

meet /mi
t/ verb 1. to come together with mend /mend/ verb to make something
meet mend
someone 쑗 He met her at the railway work which has a fault 쑗 She’s trying to
station. 쑗 We’ll meet for lunch before mend the washing machine.
we go to the cinema. 2. to come together mental /ment(ə)l/ adjective relating to
mental
쑗 Several streets meet at the Arc de Tri- the mind 쑗 I’ve lost my calculator –
omphe. 쑗 If you draw a diagonal line how’s your mental arithmetic?
from each corner of a square to the op-
mentally /ment(ə)li/ adverb concern-
mentally
posite corner, the two lines will meet in

ing the brain 쑗 mentally ill
the centre. 3. to get to know someone 쑗
mention /menʃən/ verb to refer to
mention
I’ve never met your sister. – Come and

meet her then! 쑗 Have you met our sales something 쑗 The press has not men-
manager? – Yes, we have already met. tioned the accident. 쑗 Can you mention
(NOTE: meets – meeting – met /met/) to everyone that the date of the next
meeting has been changed?
meeting /mi
tŋ/ noun an occasion on
meeting
menu /menju
/ noun 1. a list of food
menu
which people come together, especially

in order to discuss something 쑗 The next available in a restaurant 쑗 The lunch
meeting of the club will be on Tuesday. menu changes every week. 쑗 Some dish-
쑗 There were only four people at the es are not on the menu, but are written
committee meeting. on a blackboard. 2. a list of choices
available on a computer program
melon /melən/ noun a large round fruit
melon
merely /məli/ adverb simply, only 쑗

merely
which grows on a plant which grows

near the ground I’m not criticising you – I merely said I
would have done it differently.
melt /melt/ verb to change from a solid to
melt
mess /mes/ noun dirt or disorder 쑗 We

mess
a liquid by heating, or to cause a solid to

do this 쑗 If the sun comes out your had to clear up the mess after the party.
snowman will melt. 쑗 The heat of the 쑗 The milk bottle broke and made a
sun melted the road. 쑗 Glass will melt at mess on the floor.
very high temperatures. mess up phrasal verb to spoil some-
member /membə/ noun a person who thing 쑗 I’m sorry we can’t come – I
member
belongs to a group 쑗 The two boys went hope it doesn’t mess up your arrange-
message 197 mighty

midday /mdde/ noun twelve o’clock
midday
ments.
message /mesd"/ noun information in the middle of the day

message
which is sent to someone 쑗 I will leave middle /md(ə)l/ adjective in the centre;
middle
a message with his secretary. 쑗 Can you halfway between two ends 쑗 They live
give the director a message from his in the middle house, the one with the
wife? 쑗 We got his message by e-mail. green door. 앳 in the middle 1. in the
messenger /mesnd"ə/ noun a person centre 쑗 She was standing in the middle
messenger
who brings a message of the road, trying to cross over. 쑗 Chad

met /met/ past tense and past participle of
met
is a country in the middle of Africa. 2.
meet halfway through a period of time 쑗 We
were woken in the middle of the night by
metal /met(ə)l/ noun a material, such as
metal
a dog barking. 쑗 We were just in the

iron, which can carry heat and electrici- middle of eating our supper when they
ty and is used for making things 쑗 a called. 쑗 His telephone rang in the mid-
metal frying pan 쑗 These spoons are dle of the meeting. 쑗 The house was
plastic but the knives are metal. built in the middle of the eighteenth cen-
meter /mi
tə/ noun 1. a piece of equip-
meter
tury.
ment for counting how much of some- middle class /md(ə)l klɑ
s/ noun a
middle class
thing such as time, water or gas has been social or economic group of people who
used 쑗 He came to read the gas meter. 2. usually have more than enough money
US spelling of metre to live on, and who often own their own
method /meθəd/ noun a way of doing
method
property
something 쑗 We use the most up-to-date midnight /mdnat/ noun twelve
midnight
manufacturing methods. 쑗 What is the o’clock at night 쑗 I must go to bed – it’s

best method of payment? after midnight. 쑗 We only reached the
metre /mi
tə/ noun a standard measure-
metre
hotel at midnight.
ment of length, equal to 100 centimetres might /mat/ noun strength 쑗 She pulled
might
mice /mas/ plural of mouse

mice
at it with all her might, and still could

microchip /makrəυtʃp/ noun a very
microchip
not move it. 쑗 All the might of the armed
small part, used in computers, with elec- forces is displayed during the National
tronic connections on it Day parade. 쐽 modal verb 1. it is possi-
ble 쑗 Take an umbrella – it might rain.
microphone /makrəfəυn/ noun a
microphone
쑗 If he isn’t here, he might be waiting

piece of electrical equipment used for
making someone’s voice louder, or for outside. 쑗 I might call in to see you to-
recording sound 쑗 He had difficulty in morrow if I have time. 쑗 That was a stu-
making himself heard without a micro- pid thing to do – you might have been
phone. killed! 쑗 They might win, but I wouldn’t
bet on it. 2. should (have done) 쑗 You
microscope /makrəskəυp/ noun a
microscope
might try and stay awake next time. 왍 he

piece of equipment which makes things might have done something to help it
look much bigger than they really are, would have been better if he had done
allowing you to examine things which something to help 왍 you might have
are very small told me I wish you had told me 쑗 You
microscopic /makrəskɒpk/ adjec-
microscopic
might have told me you’d invited her as

tive extremely small, or so small that well. 3. making a request politely 쑗
you need to use a microscope to see it Might I have another cup of tea? (NOTE:
microwave /makrəwev/ noun a
microwave
The negative is might not, usually
small oven which cooks very quickly mightn’t. Note also that might is al-
using very short electric waves 쑗 Put ways used with other verbs and is not
the dish in the microwave for three min- followed by to.)
mighty /mati/ adjective having a lot of
mighty
utes. 쐽 verb to cook something in a mi-

crowave 쑗 You can microwave those po- force or strength (literary) 쑗 With one
tatoes. mighty heave he lifted the sack onto the
migrate 198 miniature

lorry. 쑗 All she could remember was just slipped my mind. 쑗 I think about her
getting a mighty blow on the head, and night and day – I just can’t get her out
then everything went black. (NOTE: of my mind. 쑗 My mind went blank as
mightier – mightiest) soon as I saw the exam paper. 왍 to bear
migrate /ma'ret/ verb to move from
migrate

in mind to remember something that
one place to another as the weather be- might change a decision 쑗 Bear in mind
comes warmer or colder that it takes 2 hours to get there. 쑗 Bear
me in mind when you’re looking for
mild /mald/ adjective 1. not severe 쑗
mild
help. 쐽 verb 1. to be careful, to watch

There was some mild criticism, but gen-
out 쑗 Mind the steps – they’re slippery!
erally the plan was welcomed. 쑗 He had
쑗 Mind you get back early. 쑗 Mind the
a mild heart attack and was soon back plate – it’s hot! 2. to worry about 쑗
to work again. 2. not strong-tasting 쑗
Don’t mind me, I’m used to working
We’ll choose the mildest curry on the with children. 3. to look after someone
menu.
or something for someone, or while the
mile /mal/ noun a measure of length,
mile
owner is away 쑗 Who will be minding

equal to 1.61 kilometres 쑗 The car can’t the house while you’re on holiday? 쑗
go any faster than sixty miles per hour. Have you got anyone to mind the chil-
쑗 The line of cars stretched for three dren when you start work? 4. to be an-
miles from the road works. noyed by something 쑗 Nobody will
military /mlt(ə)ri/ adjective relating mind if you’re late. 쑗 There aren’t
military
to the armed forces 쑗 The two leaders enough chairs, but I don’t mind stand-
discussed the possibility of military in- ing up. 앳 never mind don’t worry 쑗
tervention. 쑗 Military spending has fall- Never mind – you’ll get another chance
en over the past three years. to enter the competition next year.
milk /mlk/ noun a white liquid produced mindful /mandf(ə)l/ adjective remem-
milk mindful
by some female animals to feed their bering or thinking about something

young, especially the liquid produced carefully when doing something 쑗 He is
by cows 쑗 Do you want milk with your mindful of his responsibilities as a par-
coffee? 쑗 Can we have two glasses of ent, even though his job often takes him
milk, please? 쑗 Don’t forget to buy away from home. 쑗 You should be mind-
some milk, there’s none in the fridge. ful of the risks you are taking in not fol-
mill /ml/ noun 1. a small machine for
mill
lowing the guidelines.
turning seeds into powder 쑗 There is a mine /man/ pronoun belonging to me 쑗
mine
pepper mill on the table. 2. a large fac- That book is mine. 쑗 Can I borrow your
tory 쑗 a paper mill bike, mine’s been stolen. 쑗 She’s a great
millimetre /mlmi
tə/ noun one of a
millimetre
friend of mine. 쐽 noun a deep hole in the
thousand parts of a metre (NOTE: usually ground from which substances such as
written mm after figures: 35mm. The coal are taken 쑗 The coal mine has
US spelling is millimeter.) stopped working after fifty years. 쑗 He
million /mljən/ noun the number
million
has shares in an African gold mine.
miner /manə/ noun a person who
miner
1,000,000 쑗 The population of Great

Britain is just over 58 million. works in a mine (NOTE: Do not confuse
millionaire /mljəneə/ noun a person
millionaire

with minor.)
mineral /mn(ə)rəl/ noun a substance,
mineral
who has more than a million pounds or

a million dollars (NOTE: To show the such as rock, which is dug out of the
currency in which a person is a million- earth, or which is found in food 쑗 What
aire, say ‘a dollar millionaire’, ‘a ster- is the mineral content of spinach? 쑗 The
ling millionaire’, etc.) company hopes to discover valuable
mind /mand/ noun the part of the body
mind
minerals in the mountains.
miniature /mntʃə/ adjective much
miniature
which controls memory and reasoning

쑗 His mind always seems to be on other smaller than the usual size 쑗 He has a
things. 쑗 I’ve forgotten her name – it miniature camera.
minimum 199 miss

minimum /mnməm/ adjective small- you wait for a minute and see if the den-
minimum
est possible 쑗 The minimum amount you tist is free?

can save is £25 per month. 쑗 The mini- minute2 /manju
t/ adjective extremely
minute
mum age for drivers is 18. 쐽 noun the small 쑗 A minute piece of dust must
smallest possible amount 쑗 We try to have got into the watch.
keep expenditure to a minimum. 쑗 She
miracle /mrək(ə)l/ noun 1. a very
miracle
does the bare minimum of study, just

enough to pass her exams. lucky event 쑗 It was a miracle she was
not killed in the accident. 2. an event
minister /mnstə/ noun 1. the member
minister
which you cannot explain, and which

of a government in charge of a depart- people believe happens by the power of
ment 쑗 The inquiry is to be headed by a God 쑗 She went to the shrine and was
former government minister. 쑗 He was cured – it must have been a miracle.
the Minister of Defence in the previous
mirror /mrə/ noun a piece of glass with
mirror
government. 2. a clergyman
a metal backing which reflects an image
ministry /mnstri/ noun a government
ministry
쑗 They looked at themselves in the mir-

department 쑗 He works in the Ministry ror.
of Defence. (NOTE: The plural is minis-
mischief /mstʃf/ noun behaviour, es-
mischief
tries. In the UK and the USA, impor-

tant ministries are also called depart-
pecially by children, which causes trou-
ments: the Department of Work and
ble
mischievous /mstʃvəs/ adjective a
mischievous
Pensions, the Commerce Depart-

ment.) mischievous person enjoys annoying
minor /manə/ adjective not very seri-
minor
people and causing trouble 쑗 He’s a
ous or important 쑗 It was just a minor very mischievous little boy. 쑗 She had a
injury. 쑗 She has a minor role in the mischievous look in her eyes.
miserable /mz(ə)rəb(ə)l/ adjective 1.
miserable
film. 쑗 He played a minor part in the

revolution. (NOTE: Do not confuse with very sad 쑗 He’s in a very miserable
miner.) 쐽 noun a person under the age state of mind. 쑗 She’s really miserable
of 18, who is not considered to be an since her boyfriend left her. 2. (of
adult 쑗 We are forbidden to serve alco- weather ) bad or unpleasant 쑗 What
hol to minors. miserable weather – will it ever stop
raining?
minority /manɒrti/ noun 1. a number
minority
misery /mzəri/ noun great unhappi-

misery
or quantity which is less than half of a

total 쑗 A large minority of members vot- ness
ed against the proposal. 2. the period miss /ms/ verb 1. not to hit something
miss
when a person is less than 18 years old that you are trying to hit 쑗 He missed
쑗 During the king’s minority the coun- the target. 쑗 She tried to shoot the rab-
try was ruled by his uncle. bit but missed. 2. not to see, hear or no-
minus /manəs/ preposition 1. reduced
minus
tice someone or something 쑗 We missed

by 쑗 Ten minus eight equals two (10 – 8 the road in the dark. 쑗 I missed the arti-
= 2). 쑗 Net salary is gross salary minus cle about books in yesterday’s evening
tax and National Insurance deductions. paper. 쑗 I arrived late, so missed most
2. below 쑗 It was minus 10 degrees (- of the discussion. 3. not to catch some-
10°) outside. thing that you are trying to catch 쑗 He
tried to catch the ball but he missed it. 쑗
minute1 /mnt/ noun 1. one of 60 parts
minute
She missed the last bus and had to walk

of an hour 쑗 There are sixty minutes in
home. 쐽 noun an instance of not hitting
an hour, and sixty seconds in a minute.
something that you are trying to hit 쑗
쑗 The doctor can see you for ten min-
He hit the target twice and then had two
utes only. 쑗 The house is about ten min-
misses.
utes’ walk or is a ten-minute walk from
the office. 2. a very short space of time miss out on phrasal verb not to enjoy
쑗 I’ll be ready in a minute. 쑗 Why don’t something because you are not there
Miss 200 modern

Miss /ms/ noun a polite title given to a
Miss
ter.
girl or woman who is not married 쑗 mixed /mkst/ adjective 1. made up of
mixed
Have you met Miss Jones, our new sales different things put together 쑗 I’ll have
manager? 쑗 The letter is addressed to the mixed salad, please. 2. not com-
Miss Anne Smith. (NOTE: used before a pletely for or against an idea 쑗 The re-
surname, or a first name and sur- action to the proposal has been rather
name) mixed – some people approve, but oth-
missile /msal/ noun a weapon which
missile
ers disapprove.
mixture /mkstʃə/ noun 1. a number of
mixture
is sent or thrown 쑗 They think the plane

was brought down by an enemy missile. things mixed together 쑗 a mixture of
쑗 They threw missiles at the police. flour, fat and water 2. something made
up of different types of thing 쑗 His lat-
missing /msŋ/ adjective lost, which is
missing
not there 쑗 I’m looking for my missing est paintings are a strange mixture of
car keys. 쑗 They found there was a lot of shapes and colours.
moan /məυn/ noun a low sound made by
moan
money missing. 쑗 The police searched

everywhere for the missing children. someone who is in pain or upset 쑗 The
rescue team could hear moans from un-
mission /mʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an aim or
mission
der the wreckage. 쑗 When she read the

purpose for which someone is sent 쑗 news she gave a loud moan. 쐽 verb to
The students were sent on a mission to make a low sound as if you are in pain 쑗
find the best place to camp. 2. a group of I could hear someone moaning in the
people sent somewhere with a particular bathroom. 쑗 They could hear someone
aim 쑗 a United Nations peace mission 쑗 moaning in the cellar.
Several firms took part in a business
mob /mɒb/ noun a large number of peo-
mob
mission to Japan. 쑗 A rescue mission

was sent out into the mountains. ple behaving in a noisy, angry or uncon-
trolled way 쑗 An angry mob surged to-
mist /mst/ noun tiny drops of water that
mist
wards the factory gates.

hang in the air 쑗 Early morning mist
mobile /məυbal/ adjective able to
mobile
covered the fields.

move or be moved 쑗 a mobile library 쐽
mistake /mstek/ noun an act or belief
mistake

noun 1. a mobile phone 쑗 I’ll call him
that is wrong 쑗 There are lots of mis- on his mobile. 쑗 He gave me the number
takes in this essay. 쑗 You’ve made a mis- of his mobile. 2. an object made of small
take – my name is David, not John. 쐽 pieces of metal, card etc., which when
verb to not understand or not realise hung up move around with the move-
something 쑗 There’s no mistaking him, ments of the air 쑗 They bought a mobile
with his red hair and purple anorak. of clowns to hang over the baby’s cot.
(NOTE: mistakes – mistaking – mis- mobile phone /məυbal fəυn/ noun a
mobile phone
took /mstυk/ – has mistaken /ms

small telephone which you can carry
tekən/) 앳 by mistake as an accident around
쑗 They sent the wrong items by mistake.
model /mɒd(ə)l/ noun 1. a small ver-
model
쑗 By mistake she put my letter into an

envelope for the chairman. 쑗 We took sion of something larger 쑗 The exhibi-
the wrong bus by mistake. 쑗 He put my tion has a model of the new town hall. 쑗
coat on by mistake in the cloakroom. He spends his time making model
planes. 2. a person who wears new
mix /mks/ verb 1. to combine things
mix
쑗 clothes to show them to customers 쑗 He

She made the cake by mixing eggs and used only top models to show his de-
flour. 2. to come together and become a signs during the London Fashion Week.
different substance 쑗 Oil and water do
modern /mɒd(ə)n/ adjective referring
modern
not mix.
to the present time 쑗 It is a fairly mod-
mix up phrasal verb to think that a per- ern invention – it was patented only in
son or thing is someone or something the 1980s. 쑗 You expect really modern
else 쑗 I always mix her up with her sis- offices to have air-conditioning systems.
modest 201 mood

modest /mɒdst/ adjective not telling monitor /mɒntə/ noun the screen of a
modest monitor
other people about your achievements 쑗 computer, or a small television screen

He was very modest about his gold med- used for checking what is happening 쑗
al. My computer has a colour monitor. 쑗
modify /mɒdfa/ verb to change some-
modify
Details of flight arrivals and departures
thing to suit a different situation 쑗 The are displayed on monitors around the
design was modified to make the car airport. 쐽 verb to check or to watch
faster. over the progress of something 쑗 Doc-
tors are monitoring her heart condition.
module /mɒdju
l/ noun a part of some-
module
쑗 How do you monitor the performance

thing such as a course of study, which is of the sales staff?
made up of various sections 쑗 The sci-
monk /mŋk/ noun a man who is a mem-
monk
ence course is made up of a series of

modules. ber of a religious group who live togeth-
er in a monastery, away from other peo-
moist /mɔst/ adjective slightly wet, of-
moist
ple (NOTE: The equivalent women are

ten in a pleasant way 쑗 To clean the ov- nuns.)
en, just wipe it with a moist cloth. 쑗 The
monkey /mŋki/ noun a tropical animal
monkey
cake should be moist, not too dry.

which lives in trees and normally has a
moisture /mɔstʃə/ noun small drops
moisture
long tail 쑗 Monkeys ran up the trees

of water in the air or on a surface (NOTE: looking for fruit.
no plural)
monster /mɒnstə/ noun a strange and
monster
mole /məυl/ noun 1. a small animal with

mole
frightening animal 쑗 The Loch Ness

soft dark grey fur, which lives under the Monster is said to be a large dinosaur. 쑗
ground 2. a small dark spot on the skin She drew a picture of a green monster
쑗 She has a little mole on her cheek. 쑗 with purple horns and huge teeth. 쐽 ad-
The doctor removed a mole from the jective very large 쑗 Look at the monster
back of her hand. cabbage Dad’s grown in the garden. 쑗
molecule /mɒlkju
l/ noun the small-
molecule
What a monster sandwich!
month /mnθ/ noun one of the twelve
month
est unit in a substance that can exist by

itself parts that a year is divided into 쑗 De-
moment /məυmənt/ noun a very short
moment
cember is the last month of the year. 쑗
time 쑗 Can you please wait a moment – What day of the month is it today? 쑗
the doctor is on the phone? 쑗 I only saw There was a lot of hot weather last
her for a moment. 앳 in a moment in a month, in fact it was hot all month long.
short time from now 쑗 She’s taken a month’s holiday to visit
her parents in Australia. 쑗 We haven’t
Monday /mnde/ noun the first day of
Monday
had any homework for months.

the working week, the day between
monthly /mnθli/ adjective, adverb
monthly
Sunday and Tuesday 쑗 Some stores are

shut on Mondays. 쑗 She had to go to the happening every month 쑗 He is paying
doctor last Monday. 쑗 The 15th is a for his car by monthly instalments. 쑗
Sunday, so the 16th must be a Monday. My monthly salary cheque is late. 쑗 She
gets paid monthly.
money /mni/ noun 1. coins or notes
money
monument /mɒnjυmənt/ noun a

monument
which are used for buying things 쑗 How

much money have you got in the bank? stone, building or statue, built in memo-
쑗 He doesn’t earn very much money. 쑗 ry of someone who is dead 쑗 They put
We spent more money last week than in up a monument to the people from the
the previous month. 쑗 We ran out of village who died in the war.
mood /mu
d/ noun the way you are feel-
mood
money in Spain and had to come home

early. 2. the type of coins and notes used ing at a particular time 쑗 Wait until she’s
in a country 쑗 I want to change my Brit- in a good mood and then ask her. 쑗 The
ish pounds into Mexican money. 3. 왍 to boss is in a terrible mood this morning.
make money to make a profit 쑗 Her mood changed as soon as she
moon 202 motion

opened the letter. 쑗 A mood of gloom morning /mɔ
nŋ/ noun the first part of
morning
fell over the office. the day, before 12 o’clock 쑗 Every

moon /mu
n/ noun an object in the sky
moon
morning he took his briefcase and went
like a planet which goes round the Earth to the office. 쑗 Tomorrow morning we
and shines at night 쑗 The first man will be meeting our Japanese agents. 쑗
walked on the moon in 1969. 쑗 The Have you read the morning paper? 쑗 If
moon is shining very brightly tonight. 쑗 we want to be in Paris for lunch you
There’s no moon because it’s cloudy. have to get the early morning train.
mortal /mɔ
t(ə)l/ adjective 1. human
mortal
moonlight /mu
nlat/ noun the light
moonlight
and therefore bound to die 쑗 He suffered

from the moon 쑗 We could see the path
a mortal blow in the fight. 2. causing
clearly in the moonlight.
death 쑗 a mortal wound
moor /mυə/ noun a large area of poor
moor
mosque /mɒsk/ noun a building where

mosque
land covered with grass and small bush- Muslims meet for prayer
es 쑗 The horsemen galloped across the
mosquito /mɒski
təυ/ noun a small
mosquito
moor. 쑗 The Lake District is wild coun-
try, full of moors and forests. 쐽 verb to flying insect which bites people and an-
attach a boat to something 쑗 The boat imals and sucks their blood
most /məυst/ adjective the largest
most
was moored to the river bank. 쑗 He

moored his boat with a piece of rope. number of 쑗 Most people go on holiday
in the summer. 쑗 He spends most eve-
moral /mɒrəl/ adjective 1. relating to
moral
nings watching TV. 쑗 Most apples are

right and wrong behaviour 쑗 Judges sweet. 쐽 pronoun a very large number
have a moral obligation to be impartial. or amount 쑗 Most of the work was done
쑗 He refused to join the army on moral
by my wife. 쑗 She spent most of the
grounds. 2. relating to good behaviour 쑗 evening on the phone to her sister. 쑗 It
She’s a very moral person. 쐽 noun rained for most of our holiday. 쑗 Most
something which you can learn from a of the children in the group can ride
story 쑗 There must be a moral in this bikes. 쐽 adverb used with adjectives
somewhere. 쑗 The moral of the story is and ‘the’ for making the superlative
that if you always tell lies, no one will form 쑗 She’s the most intelligent child
believe you when you tell the truth. in the class. 쑗 The most important thing
morally /mɒrəli/ adverb according to
morally
if you are a sales representative is to be

the principles of correct human behav- able to drive a car. (NOTE: Most is used
iour to form the superlative of adjectives
which do not take the ending -est.)
more /mɔ
/ adjective extra, which is add-
more
mostly /məυstli/ adverb 1. usually,

mostly
ed 쑗 Do you want any more tea? 쑗

There are many more trains during the most often 쑗 We sometimes go to
week than at the weekend. 쐽 adverb France for our holidays, but we mostly
used with adjectives to make the com- stay in Britain. 2. almost all 쑗 The staff
parative form 쑗 The dog was more are mostly women of about twenty.
moth /mɒθ/ noun a flying insect similar
moth
frightened than I was. 쑗 She is much

more intelligent than her sister. 쑗 The to a butterfly, but which has brown
dinner was even more unpleasant than I wings and flies mainly at night
had thought it would be. 쐽 pronoun an mother /mðə/ noun a woman who has
mother
extra thing or amount 쑗 Is there any children 쑗 He’s twenty-two but still
more of that soup? 쑗 £300 for that suit lives with his mother. 쑗 Her mother’s a
– that’s more than I can afford! 쑗 We’ve dentist. 쑗 Mother! There’s someone
only got nine men, we need two more to asking for you on the telephone.
make a football team. motion /məυʃ(ə)n/ noun the act of
motion
moreover /mɔ
rəυvə/ adverb in addi-
moreover
moving 쑗 The motion of the ship made

tion 쑗 Its freezing cold, and moreover him feel ill. 앳 in motion moving 쑗 Do
you’re too young to go out in the dark. not try to get on or off while the train is
motive 203 Mrs

in motion. 앳 to set something in mo- mouth1 /maυθ/ noun 1. the opening in
mouth
tion to make something start to happen your face through which you take in
쑗 Now that we have planning permis- food and drink, and which has your
sion for the new sports hall, we can set teeth and tongue inside 쑗 It’s not polite
things in motion to get the foundations to talk with your mouth full. 쑗 He
laid. snored because he slept with his mouth
motive /məυtv/ noun a reason for do- open. 쑗 The cat was carrying a mouse
motive
ing something 쑗 The police are trying to in its mouth. 2. a wide or round entrance
find a motive for the murder. 쑗 The mouth of the cave is hidden by
motor /məυtə/ noun the part of a ma-
motor
bushes. 쑗 The train came out of the
chine which makes it work 쑗 The model mouth of the tunnel. 쑗 New York is built
plane has a tiny electric motor. on the mouth of the Hudson river.
(NOTE: The plural is mouths /maυðz/.)
motorbike /məυtəbak/ noun a motor-
motorbike
mouth2 /maυð/ verb to speak without

mouth
cycle
making any sound 쑗 She mouthed ‘No’
motorcycle /məυtəsak(ə)l/ noun a
motorcycle
across the room.

type of large bicycle driven by a motor
move /mu
v/ noun a change in position
move
motorway /məυtəwe/ noun a road

motorway
쑗 The police were watching every move

with several lanes, on which traffic can he made. 쐽 verb 1. to change the place
travel at high speeds of something 쑗 Move the chairs to the
mount /maυnt/ verb 1. to climb on to
mount
side of the room. 쑗 Who’s moved my

something; to climb up something 쑗 drink? 쑗 He moved his hand to show he
They mounted their horses and rode off. had heard. 2. to change your position 쑗
쑗 He mounted the stairs two at a time. 쑗 Some animal was moving about outside
The car turned, mounted the pavement, the tent. 쑗 The only thing moving was
and hit a wall. 2. to increase 쑗 Tension the tip of the cat’s tail. 앳 on the move
is mounting as the time for the football moving 쑗 After I’ve been on the move
final approaches. all day I just want to get home and go to
mountain /maυntn/ noun a very high
mountain
bed.
movement /mu
vmənt/ noun an act of
movement
piece of land, rising much higher than

the land which surrounds it 쑗 Everest is moving, not being still 쑗 There was
the highest mountain in the world. 쑗 hardly any movement in the trees. 쑗 All
Every weekend we go climbing in the you could see was a slight movement of
Scottish mountains. the tiger’s tail.
mountainous /maυntnəs/ adjective movie /mu
vi/ noun especially US a
mountainous movie
with many high mountains 쑗 It is a cinema film 쑗 We watch a movie most

mountainous region, and very difficult weekends.
for tanks and artillery. 쑗 Parts of Scot- moving /mu
vŋ/ adjective making you
moving
land are very mountainous. feel emotion 쑗 a moving story 쑗 The fu-
mouse /maυs/ noun 1. a small animal
mouse
neral was very moving.

with a long tail, often living in holes in MP
MP abbr member of parliament (NOTE:

the walls of houses 쑗 I saw a mouse sit- The plural is MPs /em pi
z/.)
ting in the middle of the kitchen floor. 쑗
Mr /mstə/ noun the polite title given to a
Mr
Our cat is good at catching mice. (NOTE:

The plural is mice /mas/.) 2. a piece of man 쑗 Mr Jones is our new sales man-
computer equipment which is held in ager. 쑗 Here are Mr and Mrs Smith. 쑗
the hand and moved across a flat sur- (at the beginning of a letter) Dear Mr
face, used to control activity on the Smith, . (NOTE: used before a surname,
screen 쑗 You can cut, paste and copy us- sometimes with both the first name
ing the mouse. 쑗 Using the mouse, move and surname)
Mrs /msz/ noun the title given to a mar-
Mrs
the mouse pointer to the start button and

click twice. 쑗 Click twice on the mouse ried woman 쑗 Mrs Jones is our manag-
to start the program. er. 쑗 (at the beginning of a letter) Dear
Ms 204 musician
Mrs Jones, . (NOTE: used before a sur- munch /mntʃ/ verb to eat noisily some-
munch
name, sometimes with both the first thing such as an apple or raw carrot,
name and surname.) with a regular movement of your mouth
Ms /məz, mz/ noun (at the beginning of
Ms
murder /m
də/ noun the act of deliber-
murder
a letter ) a way of referring to a woman ately killing someone 쑗 The murder was
without saying whether or not she is committed during the night. 쑗 She was
married (NOTE: Ms is used with a sur- accused of murder. 쑗 They denied the
name, sometimes with both the first murder charge. 쐽 verb to kill someone
name and surname.) deliberately 쑗 He was accused of mur-
much /mtʃ/ adjective a lot of
much
쑗 with dering a policeman.

murderer /m
dərə/ noun a person
murderer
much love from Aunt Mary 쑗 How much

sugar do you need? 쑗 I never take much who has committed a murder
money with me when I go on holiday. 쑗 murmur /m
mə/ noun a low sound of
murmur
She eats too much meat. 쐽 adverb a lot people talking 쑗 There was a murmur of
쑗 He’s feeling much better today. 쑗 It’s
voices in the hall. 쐽 verb to speak very
much less cold in the south of the coun- quietly 쑗 She murmured something and
try. 쑗 Does it matter very much? 쑗 closed her eyes.
Much as I like her, I don’t want to share
muscle /ms(ə)l/ noun one of the part
muscle
an office with her. 쐽 pronoun a lot 쑗 He

didn’t write much in his exam. 쑗 Much of the body which makes other parts
of the work has already been done. move 쑗 He has very powerful arm mus-
cles.
mud /md/ noun wet earth
mud
museum /mju
zi
əm/ noun a building
museum
muddy /mdi/ adjective full of mud;

muddy
which you can visit to see a collection of

covered with mud (NOTE: muddier – valuable or rare objects 쑗 The museum
muddiest) has a rich collection of Italian paint-
mug /m'/ noun a large cup with a han- ings. 쑗 The Natural History Museum is
mug
dle 쑗 She passed round mugs. 쐽 verb to always very popular with school parties
attack and steal from someone in the who go to see the dinosaurs.
street 쑗 She was mugged as she was mushroom /mʃru
m/ noun a round
mushroom
looking for her car keys. 쑗 She’s afraid white or brown fungus which can be
of going out at night for fear of being eaten 쑗 Do you want fried mushrooms
mugged. 쑗 The gang specialises in mug- with your steak? 쑗 She ordered a mush-
ging tourists. (NOTE: mugs – mugging room omelette. (NOTE: Fungi which are
– mugged) poisonous are called toadstools.)
multiple /mltp(ə)l/ adjective involv-
multiple
music /mju
zk/ noun 1. the sound
music
ing many people or things 쑗 She was made when you sing or play an instru-
taken to hospital suffering from multiple ment 쑗 Do you like Russian music? 쑗
injuries. She’s taking music lessons. 쑗 Her music
multiply /mltpla/ verb to calculate
multiply
teacher says she plays the violin very
the result when several numbers are well. 2. written signs which you read to
added together a certain number of play an instrument 쑗 Here’s some mu-
times 쑗 Square measurements are cal- sic, see if you can play it on the piano. 쑗
culated by multiplying length by width. He can play the piano by ear – he
쑗 Ten multiplied by five gives fifty. doesn’t need any music.
musical /mju
zk(ə)l/ adjective relat-
musical
(NOTE: multiplies – multiplying –

multiplied.) ing to music 쑗 Do you play any musical
mumble /mmbəl/ verb to speak in a
mumble
instrument?
musician /mjυzʃ(ə)n/ noun a person
musician
low voice which is not clear 쑗 He mum-
bled an excuse and left the room. 쑗 She whose job is to play music 쑗 a group of
mumbled something about the tele- young musicians playing the street 쑗
phone and went to the back of the shop. The actors applauded the group of mu-
Muslim 205 myth

sicians who had played during ‘Twelfth have left it on the train; negative: can’t
Night’. have: I can’t have left it on the train.
Muslim /mυzlm/ adjective relating to
Muslim
Note also that must is only used with
the religion of the prophet Muhammad other verbs and is not followed by to.)
쐽 noun a person who follows the reli- 쐽 noun something important 쑗 When in
gion of the prophet Muhammad Florida, a trip to the Everglades is a
must.
must /məst, mst/ modal verb 1. it is
must
my /ma/ adjective belonging to me 쑗 Is

my
necessary that 쑗 You must go to bed be-

fore eleven, or your mother will be an- that my pen you’re using? 쑗 Have you
gry. 쑗 We mustn’t be late or we’ll miss seen my glasses anywhere? 쑗 We went
the last bus. 쑗 You must hurry up if you skiing and I broke my leg.
want to see the TV programme. 쑗 Must myself /maself/ pronoun used for re-
myself
you really go so soon? (NOTE: The neg- ferring back to ‘I’ 쑗 I hurt myself climb-
ative is mustn’t, needn’t. Note also ing down the ladder. 쑗 It’s true – I saw
the meanings: mustn’t = not allowed; it myself. 쑗 I enjoyed myself a lot at the
needn’t = not necessary: we mustn’t party.
be late; you needn’t hurry) 2. used for mysterious /mstəriəs/ adjective
mysterious
showing that you think something is which cannot be explained

very likely 쑗 I must have left my brief-
mystery /mst(ə)ri/ noun something
mystery
case on the train. 쑗 There is someone

knocking at the door – it must be the that cannot be explained 쑗 The police fi-
postman. 쑗 You must be wet through af- nally cleared up the mystery of the miss-
ter walking in the rain. (NOTE: The neg- ing body. 쑗 It’s a mystery how the box
ative is can’t: It can’t be the doctor. came to be hidden under her bed.
The past tense is had to: I must go to (NOTE: The plural is mysteries.)
myth /mθ/ noun an ancient story about
myth
the dentist, Yesterday I had to go to the

dentist; negative: didn’t have to. The gods 쑗 poems based on the myths of
perfect tense is must have: I must Greece and Rome
N
n /en/, N noun the fourteenth letter of the place 쐽 adjective belonging to a coun-
n
alphabet, between M and O try 쑗 The tiger is native to India.

natural /ntʃ(ə)rəl/ adjective 1. ordi-
natural
nail /nel/ noun 1. a small thin metal ob-

nail
ject which you use for attaching two nary, not unusual 쑗 Her behaviour at
pieces of a hard material such as wood the meeting was quite natural. 쑗 It’s
쑗 Hit the nail hard with the hammer. 쑗 natural to worry about your first baby.
You need a hammer to knock that nail in. 2. coming from nature, and not pro-
2. the hard part at the end of your fingers duced or caused by people 쑗 Do you
and toes 쑗 She painted her nails red. 쐽 think the colour of her hair is natural?
verb to attach something with nails 쑗 쑗 Yes, she’s a natural blonde. 쑗 The in-
He nailed the notice to the door. quest decided that he died from natural
causes.
naked /nekd/ adjective not wearing
naked
naturally /ntʃ(ə)rəli/ adverb of

naturally
clothes 쑗 The little children were play-

ing in the river stark naked. 쑗 A naked course 쑗 Naturally the top team beat the
man was standing on the balcony. bottom team. 쑗 Do you want to watch
the game? – Naturally!
name /nem/ noun a way of calling
name
nature /netʃ*ə/ noun 1. plants and ani-

nature
someone or something 쑗 Hello! My

name’s James. 쑗 What’s the name of the mals 쑗 We must try to protect nature and
shop next to the post office? 쐽 verb to the environment. 2. the character of a
call someone or something by a name 쑗 person, thing, animal 쑗 He has a very
They named him Nicholas. 쑗 They have aggressive nature.
naughty /nɔ
ti/ adjective (usually of a
naughty
a black cat named Jonah.

narrow /nrəυ/ adjective not wide 쑗
narrow
child ) a naughty child causes trouble
Why is your bicycle seat so narrow? 쑗 and is not obedient 쑗 Children who are
We went down a narrow passage to the naughty should be punished. 쑗 It was
shop. 쐽 verb to become less wide 쑗 The very naughty of you to put glue on your
road narrows suddenly, and there is daddy’s chair. (NOTE: naughtier –
hardly enough room for two cars to naughtiest)
navy /nevi/ noun a military force which
navy
pass.
nasty /nɑ
sti/ adjective unpleasant
nasty
fights battles at sea 쑗 He left school and
joined the navy. 쑗 The navy has many
nation /neʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a country 쑗
nation
ships. 쐽 adjective 왍 navy (blue) of a

the member nations of the EU 2. the dark blue colour 쑗 She was wearing a
people living in a country 쑗 The whole navy skirt. 쑗 He’s bought a navy blue
nation was shocked by the terrible pullover.
events.
near /nə/ adverb, preposition, adjective
near
national /nʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective belong-

national
1. close to, not far away from 쑗 Our

ing to a country 쑗 This is in our national house is near the post office. 쑗 Bring
interest. 쑗 The story even appeared in your chair nearer to the table. 쑗 He
the national newspapers. 쑗 We need to lives quite near or quite near here. 쑗
protect our national culture. Which is the nearest chemist’s? 2. soon,
native /netv/ noun 1. a person born in
native
not far off in time 쑗 Her birthday is on

a place 쑗 She’s a native of Cornwall. 2. December 21st – it’s quite near to
something such as a flower or a bird, Christmas. 쑗 Can you phone again
which has always been in a particular nearer the day and I’ll see if I can find a
nearby 207 neither

few minutes to see you? 쐽 verb to get There’s no need for you to wait – I can
closer to a place or time 쑗 We’re near- find my own way.
ing the end of the year.
needle /ni
d(ə)l/ noun 1. a long thin
needle
nearby /nəba/ adverb, adjective not

nearby
sharp object with a hole at one end, used

far away 쑗 He lives just nearby. 쑗 They for sewing 쑗 This needle hasn’t got a
met in a nearby restaurant. very sharp point. 쑗 You must try to put
nearly /nəli/ adverb almost
nearly
쑗 He’s the piece of wool through the hole in the

nearly 18 – he’ll be going to university needle. 왍 knitting needle a thin pointed
next year. 쑗 The film lasted nearly three plastic or metal stick used for knitting 2.
hours. 쑗 The book isn’t nearly as good a long thin sharp piece of medical
as the last one I read. 쑗 Hurry up, it’s equipment, used for putting medicine
nearly time for breakfast. 쑗 We haven’t into your body 3. a small thin part on a
got nearly enough time to get to London. piece of equipment, which points to
neat /ni
t/ adjective tidy, without any
neat
something such as a number 쑗 He
mess 쑗 a blouse with a neat lace collar looked at the dial and saw the needle
쑗 Leave your bedroom neat and tidy. 쑗
was pointing to zero. 4. one of the thin
Her handwriting is very neat. leaves of a pine tree 쑗 She had lots of
pine needles stuck in her hair.
necessarily /nesserli/ adverb which
necessarily
negative /ne'ətv/ noun developed

negative
cannot be avoided 쑗 Going to Newcas-

tle from here necessarily means chang- film with an image where the light parts
ing trains twice. are dark and dark parts light 쑗 Don’t
touch the negatives with your dirty fin-
necessary /ness(ə)ri/ adjective which
necessary
gers. 쐽 adjective showing that some-

has to be done 쑗 Don’t phone me in the thing is not there 쑗 Her blood test was
evening unless it’s absolutely necessary.
negative.
쑗 Is it necessary to finish the work to-
negotiation /n'əυʃieʃ(ə)n/ noun
negotiation
day?
the process of discussing something

neck /nek/ noun 1. a part which joins
neck
neighbor /nebə/ noun US spelling of

neighbor
your head to your body 쑗 She was sit-

ting in a draught and got a stiff neck. 쑗 neighbour
The mayor wears a gold chain round his neighbour /nebə/ noun 1. a person
neighbour
neck. 2. the part of a piece of clothing who lives near you 쑗 He doesn’t get on
which goes round your neck 쑗 I can’t with his neighbours. 2. a person who is
wear this shirt – the neck is too tight.
sitting next to you 쑗 Help yourself and
necklace /nekləs/ noun a piece of jew-
necklace
then pass the plate on to your neigh-

ellery which you wear round your neck bour. 3. another person (old ) 쑗 ‘Love of
need /ni
d/ verb 1. to require something,
need
your neighbour’ is one of the essentials
or have to have something 쑗 We shall of Christian doctrine.
need some euros for our holiday in neighbouring /nebərŋ/ adjective
neighbouring
Spain. 쑗 Painting needs a lot of skill. 쑗 which is close to you (NOTE: The US
I need someone to help me with the spelling is neighboring.)
cooking. 2. to want something 쑗 Does
neither /naðə, ni
ðə/ adjective, pro-
neither
anyone need any more coffee? 쐽 modal

verb used with other verbs meaning to noun not either of two people or things
be necessary 쑗 Need you make so much 쑗 Neither car or neither of the cars
noise in the bath? 쑗 Need you go now? passed the test. 쑗 Neither sister is dark
쑗 The living room needs painting or or neither of the sisters is dark. 쐽 ad-
needs to be painted. 쑗 You don’t need to verb not either; used for showing that a
come if you have a cold. 쑗 The police negative statement applies to two things
need to know who saw the accident. 쑗 or people 쑗 He doesn’t eat meat and
You needn’t bother waiting for me. 쐽 neither does his wife. 쑗 She isn’t fat but
noun what is necessary or wanted 쑗 neither is she really very thin.
nephew 208 next

nephew /nefju
/ noun a son of your sis- within an office are usually networked
nephew
ter or brother, or a son of your husband’s and share resources.

or wife’s brother or sister never /nevə/ adverb not at any time; not
never
nerve /n
v/ noun 1. one of the fibres in
nerve
ever 쑗 We’ll never forget that restau-

your body which take messages to and rant. 쑗 I’ve never bought anything in
from the brain 쑗 Nerves are very deli- that shop although I’ve often been in-
cate and easily damaged. 2. over-confi- side it. 쑗 He never eats meat.
dence or rude behaviour 쑗 He’s got a nevertheless /nevəðəles/ adverb al-
nevertheless
nerve to ask for a day off, when he was though a particular situation exists 쑗 I
away all last week. 3. the ability to keep know it is raining, but nevertheless I’d
your fear under control in order to like to go for a walk along the beach. 쑗
achieve something 쑗 It takes a lot of She had a cold, but went to the meeting
nerve to disagree with your friends. 쑗 nevertheless.
He went over to speak to her but at the
new /nju
/ adjective 1. made very recent-
new
last minute he lost his nerve.

ly, or never used before 쑗 Put some new
nervous /n
vəs/ adjective 1. worried
nervous
paper in the printer. 쑗 The new version

and easily frightened 쑗 She gets nerv- of the software is now available. 2.
ous if she is alone in the house at night. which arrived recently 쑗 There are two
쑗 He’s nervous about driving in Lon-
new secretaries in the office. 3. com-
don. 2. referring to the nerves 쑗 the pletely different from what was before
nervous system 쑗 We need someone with new ideas. 쑗
nervousness /n
vəsnəs/ noun a state
nervousness
They put some new wallpaper in the

of worry and tension bedroom.
nervous system /n
vəs sstəm/
nervous system
news /nju
z/ noun spoken or written in-
news
noun the system of nerves in the body formation about what has happened 쑗
nest /nest/ noun a structure built by
nest
What’s the news of your sister? 쑗 She

birds, and by some animals and insects, told me all the latest news about the of-
to lay their eggs in 쑗 an ants’ nest 쑗 The fice. 쑗 He was watching the 10 o’clock
birds built their nests among the trees. 쑗 news on TV. 쑗 I don’t want to hear any
The blackbirds have laid three eggs in bad news.
their nest. newspaper /nju
zpepə/ noun a set of
newspaper
net /net/ noun 1. a woven material with

net
loose folded sheets of paper, containing

large holes 쑗 A long skirt made of pink news of what has happened, especially
net. 2. a piece of this material used for a in the last 24 hours 쑗 He was so ab-
special purpose 쑗 a fishing net 3. same sorbed in his newspaper that he didn’t
as Internet 쐽 adjective after all pay- notice that the toast had burnt. 쑗 We
ments such as tax have been considered saw your picture in the local newspaper.
쑗 That figure is net, not gross. 쑗 The newspapers are full of news of the
network /netw
k/ noun 1. a system of
network
election.
things such as roads or railways con- New Year’s Day /nju
jəz de/ noun
New Year’s Day
necting different places 쑗 the British 1st January

rail network 쑗 a satellite TV network 쑗
New Year’s Eve /nju
jəz i
v/ noun
New Year’s Eve
There is a network of tunnels under the

castle. 2. a system of computers which 31st December
next /nekst/ adjective, adverb 1. coming
next
are connected together 쑗 How does this

network operate? 쑗 You can book at any after in time 쑗 On Wednesday we go to
of our hotels throughout the country us- Paris, and the next day we travel to Italy.
ing our computer network. 3. a group of 쑗 First you put the eggs into a bowl and
people connected with each other 쑗 His next you add some sugar. 쑗 Don’t forget
rapidly developing network of contacts to give me a call when you’re next in
in government. 쐽 verb to connect two or town. 쑗 Next week is the start of our hol-
more computers in order to allow them iday. 쑗 The next time you go to the su-
to exchange information 쑗 Workstations permarket, can you get some coffee? 2.
nibble 209 noise

nearest in place 쑗 The ball went over the ninetieth /nantiəθ/, 90th adjective re-
ninetieth
fence into the next garden. 쑗 She took lating to number 90 in a series 쑗 It’s his
the seat next to mine. 쐽 pronoun the ninetieth birthday tomorrow. 쐽 noun
thing or person following 쑗 After two number ninety in a series 쑗 I’ve had so
buses went past full, the next was almost many calls – this is the ninetieth.
empty. 쑗 I’ll be back from holiday the ninety /nanti/ noun number 90 쑗 My
ninety
week after next. 쑗 (asking the next per- old aunt will be ninety (years old) next
son in the queue to come) Next, please! week and her husband is ninety-two:
nibble /nb(ə)l/ verb to take small bites
nibble
they are both in their nineties.

from something 쑗 She was nibbling a ninth /nanθ/, 9th adjective relating to
ninth
biscuit. 쑗 The mice have nibbled into number 9 in a series 쑗 You’re the ninth
the flour sacks. person in the queue. 쐽 noun number
nice /nas/ adjective 1. pleasant, enjoya- nine in a series 쑗 A lot of people have
nice
ble 쑗 We had a nice time at the seaside. cancelled – he’s the ninth.
쑗 If the weather’s nice let’s have a pic- no /nəυ/ adjective, adverb 1. used for
no
nic. 쑗 The nicest thing about the town is giving a negative answer 쑗 I asked my
that it is on the sea. 2. pleasant, polite 쑗 mother if we could borrow her car but
That wasn’t a very nice thing to say. 쑗 she said ‘no’. 쑗 Do you want another
Try and be nice to your grandfather. cup of coffee? – No, thank you. 2. not
(NOTE: nicer – nicest) any 쑗 There’s no milk left in the fridge.
nickname /nknem/ noun a short or 쑗 We live in a little village, and there’s
nickname
informal name given to someone 쑗 Her no post office for miles around. 쑗 We
real name’s Henrietta, but everyone had no reply to our fax. 앳 no entry you
calls her by her nickname ‘Bobbles’. 쐽 may not go in this way 앳 no exit you
verb to give a nickname to someone 쑗 may not go out this way 앳 no parking
He was nicknamed ‘Camel’ because of you may not park 앳 no smoking you
his big nose. may not smoke
nobody /nəυbədi/ pronoun same as no
nobody
niece /ni
s/ noun a daughter of a brother
niece
or sister, or a daughter of your hus- one

nocturnal /nɒkt
n(ə)l/ adjective re-
nocturnal
band’s or wife’s brother or sister
night /nat/ noun the time when it is dark

night
lating to the night 쑗 The nocturnal hab-
쑗 It’s dangerous to walk alone in the its of the badger.
nod /nɒd/ verb to move the head slightly
nod
streets at night. 쑗 Burglars got into the

office during the night. 쑗 He is on night up and down, meaning ‘yes’ 쑗 When he
duty three days a week. 쑗 They’re plan- asked her if she understood, she nodded
ning to have a night out tomorrow. (her head ). 쑗 He nodded to show his
nightmare /natmeə/ noun a very
nightmare
agreement. (NOTE: The opposite is to
frightening dream 쑗 I had a nightmare shake your head, meaning ‘no’. Note
that I was drowning. also: nods – nodding – nodded.) 쐽
noun a movement of the head up and
nine /nan/ noun the number 9 쑗 She’s
nine
down, meaning ‘yes’ 쑗 He gave me a

nine (years old) tomorrow. 쑗 The shop nod as I came in.
opens at 9 o’clock.
noise /nɔz/ noun 1. a loud or unpleasant
noise
nineteen /nanti
n/ noun the number
nineteen

sound 쑗 The workmen are making such
19 쑗 He’s nineteen (years old) tomor- a lot of noise that we can’t use the tele-
row. phone. 쑗 Let’s not invite the children – I
nineteenth /nanti
nθ/, 19th adjective
nineteenth
can’t stand noise. 2. a sound 쑗 The baby

relating to number 19 in a series 쑗 It’s made a little gurgling noise. 쑗 Is there
his nineteenth birthday tomorrow. 쑗 anything the matter with the washing
The nineteenth of August or August the machine? It’s making a funny noise. 쑗
nineteenth (August 19th). 쐽 noun There was a noise of running water in
number nineteen in a series 쑗 He’s the the bathroom. 쑗 He woke up when he
nineteenth in the queue. heard a noise in the kitchen. 쑗 Don’t
noisily 210 nose

make a noise – the guards might hear normally /nɔ
m(ə)li/ adverb usually
normally
쑗
you. The bus is normally late. 쑗 She doesn’t
noisily /nɔzli/ adverb making a lot of
noisily
normally drink wine.
north /nɔ
θ/ noun the direction to your
north
noise
noisy /nɔzi/ adjective who or which
noisy
left when you are facing the direction in
which the sun rises 쑗 There will be snow
makes a lot of noise 쑗 a crowd of noisy
in the north of the country. 쑗 It’s cold
little boys 쑗 Unfortunately, the hotel
when the wind blows from the north. 쐽
overlooks a noisy crossroads. (NOTE:
adjective relating to the north 쑗 We
noisier – noisiest)
went on holiday to the north coast of
none /nn/ pronoun 1. not any
none
쑗 How Scotland. 쑗 The north side of our house

many dogs have you got? – None. 쑗 Can never gets any sun. 쑗 When the north
you buy some milk? We’ve none left in wind blows, you can expect snow. 쐽 ad-
the fridge? 쑗 A little money is better verb towards the north 쑗 They were
than none at all. 2. not one 쑗 None of travelling north at the time. 쑗 Go north
my friends smokes. 쑗 None of the group for three miles and then you’ll see the
can speak Chinese. road to London. 쑗 Our office windows
face north.
nonsense /nɒnsəns/ noun silly ideas 쑗
nonsense
north-east /nɔ
θ i
st/ adverb the di-
north-east
I’m too fat – nonsense! 쑗 He talked a lot

of nonsense. 쑗 It’s nonsense to expect rection between north and east 쑗 They
people to pay money for that. (NOTE: no were travelling north-east at the time. 쑗
plural) Go north-east for three miles and then
you’ll come to our village. 쑗 Our office
non-stop /nɒn stɒp/ adjective which
non-stop
windows face north-east. 쐽 noun the

does not stop 쑗 a non-stop train to Paris part of a country to the north and east 쑗
쑗 They took a non-stop flight to Austral- The North-East of England will have
ia. 쑗 All our flights to Toronto are non- snow showers. 쑗 It’s cold when the wind
stop. 쐽 adverb without stopping 쑗 The blows from the north-east.
planes flies to Hong Kong non-stop. 쑗
northern /nɔ
ð(ə)n/ adjective relating
northern
They worked non-stop to finish the job to the north 쑗 Northern countries have
on time. more rain. 쑗 They live in the northern
noon /nu
n/ noun twelve o’clock in the
noon
part of the country.

middle of the day north-west /nɔ
θ west/ adverb the di-
north-west
no one /nəυ wn/ pronoun no person 쑗 rection between west and north 쑗 They
no one
We met no one we knew. 쑗 No one here were travelling north-west at the time. 쑗
takes sugar in their tea. 쑗 There was no- Go north-west for a few miles and then
body in the café. 쑗 Nobody wants to do you’ll come to our house. 쐽 noun the
her job. 왍 no one else no other person 쑗 part of a country to the north and west 쑗
No one else’s child behaved as badly as The North-West of England is wetter
ours on the plane! than the east coast. 쑗 We can expect
rain when the wind blows from the
nor /nɔ
/ conjunction and not
nor
쑗 ‘I don’t north-west. 쑗 The old castle stood to the

want to go’ – ‘Nor me!’ 쑗 I did not meet north-west of the cathedral.
him that year nor in subsequent years. 쑗
nose /nəυz/ noun a part of the body on
nose
I never went there again, nor did my

wife. 쒁 neither your face which you breathe through
and smell with 쑗 He has a cold, and his
normal /nɔ
m(ə)l/ adjective usual or ex-
normal
nose is red. 쑗 Dogs have wet noses. 쑗

pected 쑗 We hope to restore normal She’s got flu – her nose is running. 쑗
service as soon as possible. 쑗 Look at Don’t wipe your nose on your sleeve,
the rain – it’s just a normal British sum- use a tissue. 앳 under his, her, etc.
mer. 쑗 What’s the size of a normal very nose in front of him, her, etc. 쑗 I
swimming pool? 쑗 At her age, it’s only did it under his very nose and he didn’t
normal for her to want to go to parties. notice a thing.
nostril 211 novice

nostril /nɒstrl/ noun one of the two pinned up a notice about the staff tennis
nostril
holes in your nose, which you breathe match. 2. an official warning that some-
through thing has to be done, or that something
not /nɒt/ adverb used with verbs to show
not
is going to happen 쑗 They gave us five
the negative 쑗 A service charge is not minutes’ notice to leave the office. 쑗 If
included. 쑗 It isn’t there. 쑗 She can’t you want to resign, you have to give a
come. 쑗 He didn’t want any meat. 쑗 We month’s notice. 쑗 The train times were
couldn’t go home because of the fog. 쑗 changed without notice. 쐽 verb to see
Don’t you like coffee? 앳 not exactly 1. and take note of something 쑗 I wore one
not completely 쑗 Was it a disaster? – blue and one white sock all day and no-
Not exactly a disaster, but it didn’t go body noticed. 쑗 I didn’t notice you had
very well. 쑗 It’s not exactly the colour I come in. 쑗 Did you notice if John was
wanted. 2. used for emphasising a nega- sitting next to Sarah? 앳 at short notice
tive 쑗 He’s not exactly pleased at hav- with very little warning 쑗 It had to be
ing to pay out so much money. 앳 done at short notice. 쑗 The bank man-
not…either and not…also 쑗 She
ager will not see anyone at such short
doesn’t eat meat, and she doesn’t eat notice. 앳 until further notice until dif-
fish either. 쑗 It wasn’t hot, but it wasn’t ferent instructions are given 쑗 You must
very cold either. 앳 not only…but also pay £200 on the 30th of each month un-
not just this…but this as well 쑗 The film til further notice.
noticeable /nəυtsəb(ə)l/ adjective
noticeable
wasn’t only very long, but it was also

very bad. which is easily noticed
notion /nəυʃ(ə)n/ noun an idea 쑗 She
notion
note /nəυt/ noun 1. a few words that you

note
write to tell someone something or to has this strange notion that she ought to
help you to remember something 쑗 She be a TV star.
notorious /nəυtɔ
riəs/ adjective well
notorious
made a few notes before she gave her
speech. 쑗 She made a note of what she known for bad qualities, or for doing
needed to buy before she went to the su- bad things
permarket. 쑗 He left us a note before he noun /naυn/ noun (in grammar ) a word
noun
went out. 2. a piece of paper money 쑗 I which can be the subject or object of a
tried to pay with a £10 note. 3. a musical verb and is used to refer to a person,
sound, or a written sign representing a thing or animal 쑗 nouns such as ‘brick’
musical sound 쑗 He can’t sing high and ‘elephant’ 쑗 In ‘the cat caught a
notes. 쐽 verb to write down something mouse’, ‘cat’ and ‘mouse’ are both
in a few words 쑗 The policeman noted nouns.
in his notebook all the details of the ac- novel /nɒv(ə)l/ noun a long story with
novel
cident. 앳 to take note of to pay atten- imaginary characters and events 쑗

tion to 쑗 We have to take note of public ‘Pickwick Papers’ was Dickens’ first
opinion. major novel. 쐽 adjective new and unu-
notebook /nəυtbυk/ noun a small
notebook
sual 쑗 Visiting New York is a novel expe-

book for making notes 쑗 The policeman rience for me.
wrote down the details in his notebook. November /nəυvembə/ noun the elev-
November
nothing /nθŋ/ pronoun not anything

nothing
enth month of the year, the month after

쑗 There’s nothing interesting on TV. 쑗 October and before December 쑗 No-
She said nothing about what she had vember 5 쑗 Today is November 5th. 쑗
seen. 쑗 There’s nothing more we can do. She was born in November. 쑗 We never
앳 for nothing free, without having to go on holiday in November. (NOTE: No-
pay 쑗 We’re friends of the woman run- vember 5th or November 5: say ‘No-
ning the show and she got us in for noth- vember the fifth’ or ‘the fifth of Novem-
ing. ber’ or in US English: ‘November fifth’.)
notice /nəυts/ noun 1. a piece of writ- novice /nɒvs/ noun a person who has
notice novice
ing giving information, usually put in a very little experience or skill, e.g. in a
place where people can see it 쑗 He job or sport 쑗 He’s still a novice at row-
now 212 nut

ing. 쑗 A competition like this is not for numb /nm/ adjective not able to feel
numb
novices. things that you touch 쑗 The tips of his

now /naυ/ adverb at or around this point fingers went numb. 쑗 His hands were
now
in time 쑗 I can hear a train coming now. numb with cold.

쑗 Please can we go home now? 쑗 The number /nmbə/ noun 1. a sign that
number
flight is only two hours – he ought to be represents an amount 쑗 13 is not a lucky

in Berlin by now. 쑗 Now’s the best time number. 쑗 They live on the opposite side
for going skiing. 쑗 A week from now of road at number 49. 쑗 Can you give
we’ll be sitting on the beach. 쐽 interjec- me your telephone number? 쑗 A
tion showing a warning 쑗 Now then, number 6 bus goes to Oxford Street. 쑗
don’t be rude to the teacher! 쑗 Come on Please quote your account number. 2. a
now, work hard! 쑗 Now, now! Nobody quantity of people or things 쑗 The
wants to hear you crying. 앳 now and number of tickets sold was disappoint-
then from time to time, not continuous- ing. 쑗 A large number of children or
ly 앳 until now, up to now until this large numbers of children will be sitting
point in time 쑗 Until now, I’ve never the exam. 쑗 There were only a small
had to see a doctor. number of people at the meeting. 쐽 verb
nowhere /nəυweə/ adverb not in or to
nowhere
to give something a number 쑗 The raffle

any place 쑗 My wallet was nowhere to tickets are numbered 1 to 1000. 쑗 I refer
be found. 쑗 Where are you going? – No- to our invoices numbered 234 and 235.
where. 쑗 There is nowhere else for them 쑗 All the seats are clearly numbered.
to live. 앳 to get nowhere not to have numerous /nju
m(ə)rəs/ adjective
numerous
any success 쑗 I rang six shops to try and very many 쑗 He has been fined for
find a spare part, but got nowhere. speeding on numerous occasions.
nuclear /nju
kliə/ adjective relating to
nuclear
nun /nn/ noun a woman member of a re-

nun
energy made from parts of atoms 쑗 a

nuclear power station ligious group who live together (NOTE:
Do not confuse with none. Note: the
nude /nju
d/ adjective not wearing
nude
equivalent men are monks.)

clothes, especially in situations where
nurse /n
s/ noun a person who looks af-
nurse
people are expected to wear some

clothes 쑗 Nude sunbathing is not alter sick people (woman or man) 쑗 She
lowed on this beach. 쑗 She has ap- has a job as a nurse in the local hospi-
peared nude on stage several times. tal. 쐽 verb to look after people who are
ill 쑗 When she fell ill her daughter
nudge /nd"/ noun a little push, usually
nudge
nursed her until she was better.

with the elbow 쑗 She gave me a nudge
nursery /n
s(ə)ri/ noun a school for
nursery
to wake me up. 쐽 verb to give a little

push, usually with the elbow 쑗 He very young children, or a place where
nudged me when it was my turn to very young children are looked after 쑗
speak. My sister went to a nursery every day
nuisance /nju
s(ə)ns/ noun a thing
nuisance
from the age of 18 months. (NOTE: The
which annoys people 앳 to make a nui- plural is nurseries.)
nut /nt/ noun 1. a dry fruit with a hard
nut
sance of yourself to do something an-

noying 쑗 The children made a nuisance shell, that grows on trees 2. a metal ring
of themselves running round the restau- which screws on a bolt to hold it tight 쑗
rant and throwing bits of bread. Screw the nut on tightly.
O
o /əυ/, O noun the fifteenth letter of the al- er than the other 쑗 The screen is an ob-
o
phabet, between N and P long, approximately 30cm by 40cm.

oak /əυk/ noun 1. a type of large tree observation /ɒbzəveʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
oak observation
which loses its leaves in winter 쑗 a for- the act of observing 쑗 By careful obser-
est of oak trees 쑗 Oaks produce thou- vation, the police found out where the
sands of acorns each year. 2. wood from thieves had hidden the money. 2. a re-
this tree 쑗 an oak table mark 쑗 He made several observations
obedient /əbi
diənt/ adjective doing about the government.
obedient
what you are told to do 쑗 Our old dog is observe /əbz

v/ verb 1. to follow or to
observe
very obedient – he always comes when obey something such as a law, rule or
you call him. custom 쑗 His family observes all the re-
obese /əυbi
s/ adjective someone who
obese

ligious festivals strictly. 쑗 The local
is obese is so fat that it is dangerous for laws must be observed. 2. to watch
their health something with a lot of attention 쑗 They
obey /əbe/ verb to do what someone observed and recorded all the changes
obey
tells you to do 쑗 If you can’t obey orders carefully. 3. to make a remark 쑗 I mere-
you shouldn’t be a policeman. 쑗 Every- ly observed that the bus was late as usu-
one must obey the law. al.
object1 /ɒbd"ekt/ noun 1. a thing 쑗 obtain /əbten/ verb to manage to get
object obtain
They thought they saw a strange object something 쑗 She obtained a copy of the
in the sky. 2. an aim 쑗 Their object is to will. 쑗 He obtained control of the busi-
take control of the radio station. 3. a ness.
noun, pronoun or phrase which follows
obvious /ɒbviəs/ adjective clear; easily
obvious
directly from a verb or preposition 쑗 In

the phrase ‘the cat caught the mouse’, seen 쑗 It’s obvious that we will have to
the word ‘mouse’ is the object of the pay for the damage. 쑗 It was obvious to
verb ‘caught’. everyone that the shop was not making
any money.
object2 /əbd"ekt/ verb to say that you
object
obviously /ɒbviəsli/ adverb clearly

obviously
do not like something or you do not 쑗

want something to happen 쑗 He object- Obviously we will need to borrow vari-
ed that the pay was too low. ous pieces of equipment.
objective /əbd"ektv/ adjective con- occasion /əke"(ə)n/ noun 1. 왍 a spe-
occasion
objective
sidering things from a general point of cial occasion a special event such as a
view and not from your own 쑗 You must wedding 쑗 The baby’s first birthday
be objective when planning the future of was a special occasion. 2. a happening,
your business. 쐽 noun an aim 쑗 Our a time when something happens 쑗 She
long-term objective is to make the com- claimed that she hadn’t seen anything
pany financially sound. 쑗 The company on that particular occasion. 앳 on occa-
has achieved its main objectives. sion from time to time 쑗 On occasion,
obligation /ɒbl'eʃ(ə)n/ noun some- we spend a weekend in the country.
obligation
thing that you must do, e.g. for legal rea- occasional /əke"(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective
occasional
sons 쑗 You have an obligation to attend happening sometimes, but not very of-
the meeting. ten 쑗 He was an occasional visitor to
oblong /ɒblɒŋ/ noun a shape with two my parents’ house. 쑗 We make the occa-
oblong
pairs of equal sides, one pair being long- sional trip to London.
occasionally 214 of course

occasionally /əke"(ə)nəli/ adverb is October 18th. 쑗 Last October we
occasionally
sometimes, not very often 쑗 Occasion- moved to London. (NOTE: October 18th
ally he has to work late. 쑗 We occasion- or October 18: say ‘October the eight-
ally go to the cinema. eenth’ or ‘the eighteenth of October’; in
occupation /ɒkjυpeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
occupation

US English: ‘October eighteenth’.)
octopus /ɒktəpəs/ noun a sea animal
octopus
the act of taking control of a place, or

the fact of being in such a situation 쑗 the with eight long arms called ‘tentacles’
occupation of the country by enemy sol- (NOTE: The plural is octopuses.)
diers 쑗 The city had been under enemy odd /ɒd/ adjective 1. unusual and not
odd
occupation for a week. 2. a job, posi- normal 쑗 It’s odd that she can never re-
tion, employment 쑗 What is her occu- member how to get to their house. 쑗 He
pation? 쑗 His main occupation is run- doesn’t like chocolate – Really, how
ning a small engineering works. odd! 2. 왍 odd numbers numbers such
occupied /ɒkjupad/ adjective 1. be-
occupied
as 17 or 33 which cannot be divided by

ing used 쑗 All the rooms in the hotel are two 쑗 The buildings with odd numbers
occupied. 쑗 All the toilets are occupied, are on the opposite side of the street. 3.
so you’ll have to wait. 2. busy 쑗 The (of an amount) almost, not exact or ac-
manager is occupied just at the moment. curate 쑗 She had 200 odd records in
쑗 Keeping a class of 30 little children cardboard boxes 4. one forming part of
occupied is difficult. a pair 5. done only rarely or occasional-
occupy /ɒkjυpa/ verb 1. to live in or ly 쑗 I’ve only been to the odd concert in
occupy
work in 쑗 They occupy the flat on the the last few years. 쑗 On the odd occa-
first floor. 쑗 The firm occupies offices in sions I’ve met him, he’s seemed very
the centre of town. 2. (of time, thoughts nice.
or attention) to use or fill 쑗 Dealing odour /əυdə/ noun a smell, especially
odour
with the office occupies most of my time. an unpleasant smell 쑗 the odour of rot-
3. to keep someone busy 쑗 Could you ten eggs (NOTE: The US spelling is
occupy him for five minutes while I odor.)
wrap his present? (NOTE: occupies –
of /əv, ɒv/ preposition 1. used for show-
of
occupying – occupied)
ing a connection 쑗 She’s the sister of the
occur /ək
/ verb 1. to happen 쑗 When
occur

girl who you met at the party. 쑗 Where’s
did the accident occur? 2. to come to the top of the jam jar? 쑗 What are the
your mind 쑗 Did it never occur to you names of Henry VIII’s wives? 2. used
that she was lying? (NOTE: occurs – for showing a part or a quantity 쑗 a litre
occurring – occurred) of orange juice 쑗 How much of the cloth
ocean /əυʃ(ə)n/ noun a very large area
ocean
do you need? 쑗 Today is the sixth of

of sea surrounding the large areas of March. 쑗 There are four boys and two
land on the Earth 쑗 Ocean currents can girls – six of them altogether. 쑗 Half of
be very treacherous. the staff are on holiday. 3. used for giv-
o’clock /əklɒk/ adverb used with num- ing a specific age, amount, etc 쑗 The
o’clock
bers to show the time 쑗 Get up – it’s 7 school takes children of ten and over. 쑗
o’clock. 쑗 We never open the shop be- He earns a salary of over £30,000. 4.
fore 10 o’clock. 쑗 By 2 o’clock in the showing position, material, cause 쑗 He
morning everyone was asleep. (NOTE: lives in the north of the town. 쑗 The
O’clock is only used for the exact jumper is made of cotton. 쑗 She died of
hour, not for times which include min- cancer. (NOTE: Of is often used after
utes. It can also be omitted: We got verbs or adjectives: to think of, to be
home before eight. or We got home fond of, to be tired of, to smell of, to be
before eight o’clock.) afraid of, etc.)
October /ɒktəυbə/ noun the tenth of course /əv kɔ
s/ adverb 1. used to
October of course
month of the year, between September say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ more strongly 쑗 Are
and November 쑗 October 18 쑗 Do you you coming with us? – Of course I am!
ever go on holiday in October? 쑗 Today 쑗 Do you want to lose all your money?
off 215 OK
– Of course not! 2. used for stating evening. 쑗 We bought some new office
something that is not surprising 쑗 He is furniture. 쑗 Dad has his office at the top
rich, so of course he lives in a big house. of the house.
off /ɒf/ adverb, preposition 1. showing officer /ɒfsə/ noun a person who holds
off officer
movement or position away from a an official position 쑗 The customs offic-

place 쑗 We’re off to the shops. 쑗 The of- er asked me to open my suitcase.
fice is just off the main road. 쑗 They official /əfʃ(ə)l/ adjective 1. relating to
official
spent their holiday on an island off the an organisation, especially one which is
coast of Wales. 쑗 The children got off part of a government or some other au-
the bus. 쑗 Take your boots off before you thority 쑗 He left official papers in his
come into the house. 2. away from work car. 쑗 We had an official order from the
쑗 She took the week off. 쑗 It’s my day off local authority. 쑗 He represents an offi-
today. 쑗 Half the staff are off with flu. 3. cial body. 2. done or approved by some-
not switched on 쑗 Is the TV off? one in authority 쑗 She received an offi-
off and on /ɒf ənd ɒn/ adverb not con- cial letter of explanation. 쑗 The strike
off and on
tinuously, with breaks in between was made official by the union head-
offence /əfens/ noun 1. the state of be-
offence

quarters. 쐽 noun a person holding a rec-
ing offended 쑗 He took offence when I ognised position 쑗 They were met by an
said he looked bigger than before. 2. a official from the embassy. 쑗 I’ll ask an
crime, an act which is against the law 쑗 official of the social services depart-
He was charged with committing an of- ment to help you.
officially /əfʃ(ə)li/ adverb 1. in an offi-
officially
fence. 쑗 Since it was his first offence, he
was let off with a fine. cial way 쑗 He has been officially named
as a member of the British team. 쑗 She
offend /əfend/ verb 1. to be or to go
offend
has been officially named as our repre-

against public opinion, someone’s feel-
sentative at the meeting. 2. according to
ings 쑗 He offended the whole village by
what is said in public 쑗 Officially, you
the article he wrote in the paper. 쑗 That
are not supposed to go in through this
wallpaper offends my sense of taste. 2.
door, but everyone does. 쑗 Officially he
to commit a crime 쑗 He was released
knows nothing about the problem, but
from prison and immediately offended
unofficially he has given us a lot of ad-
again.
vice about it.
offense /əfens/ noun US spelling of of-
offense
often /ɒf(ə)n/ adverb on many occa-

often

fence sions 쑗 I often have to go to town on

offensive /əfensv/ adjective 1. un-
offensive

business. 쑗 Do you eat beef often? 쑗
pleasant 쑗 What an offensive smell! 2. How often is there a bus to Richmond?
not polite; rude 쑗 The waiter was quite 앳 every so often from time to time 쑗
offensive. We go to the cinema every so often.
offer /ɒfə/ noun a suggestion to some- oil /ɔl/ noun 1. a liquid taken from plants
offer oil
one that you will give them something and animals, which flows smoothly and
or do something for them 쑗 He turned is used in cooking 쑗 Cook the vegeta-
down her offer to drive him to the sta- bles in hot oil. 2. a thick mineral liquid
tion. 쑗 She accepted his offer of a job in found mainly underground and used as a
Paris. 쐽 verb to suggest doing some- fuel or to make something move
thing for someone or giving someone smoothly 쑗 The door squeaks – it needs
something 쑗 She offered to drive him to some oil. 쑗 Some of the beaches are
the station. 앳 on offer which has been covered with oil. 쑗 The company is
offered 쑗 There are several good holi- drilling for oil in the desert.
day bargains on offer. OK /əυke/, okay interjection 1. used for
OK
office /ɒfs/ noun a room or building

office
answering ’yes’ to a question 쑗 Would

where you do work such as writing, tel- you like a coffee? – OK! 2. used for
ephoning and working at a computer 쑗 starting to talk about something after a
I’ll be working late at the office this pause 쑗 ‘It’s ten o’clock’ – ‘OK, let’s
old 216 only

get going’. 쐽 adjective all right 쑗 He central heating was off, so he kept his
was off ill yesterday, but he seems to be coat on in the house. 2. operating 쑗
OK now. 쑗 Is it OK for me to bring the Have you put the kettle on? 쑗 The heat-
dogs? ing is on. 쑗 She left all the lights on. 쑗
old /əυld/ adjective 1. having had a long
old
She turned the engine on. 쑗 He switched
life 쑗 My uncle is an old man – he’s the TV on. 3. being shown or played 쑗
eighty-four. 쑗 She lives in an old peo- What’s on at the theatre this week?
ple’s home. 2. having existed for a long on and off /ɒn ənd ɒf/ adverb not con-
on and off
time 쑗 He collects old cars. 쑗 Play tinuously but with breaks in between
some old music, I don’t like this modern
once /wns/ adverb 1. one time 쑗 Take
once
stuff. 쑗 She’s an old friend of mine. 3.

relating to something which has been the tablets once a day. 쑗 The magazine
used for a long time 쑗 Put on an old comes out once a month. 쑗 ‘How many
shirt if you’re going to wash the car. 쑗 times did you go to the cinema last
He got rid of his old car and bought a year?’ – ‘Only once’. 2. at a time in the
new one. 4. used with a number to talk past 쑗 Once, when it was snowing, the
about someone’s age 쑗 He’s six years car skidded into a ditch. 쑗 He’s some-
old today. 쑗 How old are you? one I knew once when I worked in Lon-
don. 쐽 conjunction as soon as 쑗 Once
old-fashioned /əυld fʃ(ə)nd/ ad-
old-fashioned
he starts talking you can’t get him to

jective no longer in fashion 쑗 She wore stop. 쑗 Once we’ve moved house I’ll
old-fashioned clothes. give you a phone call. 앳 once and for
olive /ɒlv/ noun a small black or green
olive
all finally 쑗 I’ll tell you once and for all

fruit from which oil is made for use in ‘stop talking!’. 쑗 The government wants
cooking 쑗 Olives are grown in Mediter- to eradicate poverty once and for all. 앳
ranean countries like Spain, Greece and once in a while from time to time 쑗 It’s
Italy. 쑗 Which do you prefer – green or nice to go and have an Indian meal once
black olives? in a while.
omit /əυmt/ verb to leave something
omit
one /wn/ noun 1. the number 1 쑗 One

one
out 쑗 She omitted the date when she plus one makes two. 쑗 Our grandson is
signed the contract. one year old today. 쑗 His grandmother
on /ɒn/ preposition 1. on the top or sur- is a hundred and one. 2. a single item 쑗
on
face of something 쑗 Put the box down Have a toffee – oh dear, there’s only one
on the floor. 쑗 Flies can walk on the left! 쐽 pronoun a single thing 쑗 All the
ceiling. 2. hanging from 쑗 Hang your china plates were dirty so we made do
coat on the hook. 3. showing movement with 쑗 Which hat do you like best – the
or place 쑗 A crowd of children got on black one or the red one? 쑗 One of the
the train. 쑗 The picture’s on page three. staff will help you carry the box to your
쑗 The post office is on the left-hand side car. 쑗 I’ve lost my map – have you got
of the street. 4. doing something 쑗 I one? 쑗 Small cars use less petrol than
have to go to Germany on business. 쑗 big ones.
We’re off on holiday tomorrow. 5. refer-
onion /njən/ noun a round, strong-
onion
ring to a time, date or day 쑗 The shop is

tasting vegetable which is made up of
open on Sundays. 쑗 We went to see my
many layers
mother on my birthday. 6. a means of
only /əυnli/ adjective without others of
only
travel 쑗 You can go there on foot – it

only takes five minutes. 쑗 She came on the same type 쑗 Don’t break it – it’s the
her motorbike. 7. using an instrument or only one I’ve got. 쐽 adverb 1. with no
machine 쑗 He played some music on the one or nothing else 쑗 We’ve only got ten
piano. 쑗 The song is available on CD. 쑗 pounds between us. 쑗 This lift is for staff
He was on the telephone for most of the only. 2. as recently as 쑗 We saw her only
morning. 쑗 The film was on TV last last week. 쑗 Only yesterday the bank
night. 쐽 adverb 1. being worn 쑗 Have phoned for information. 쐽 conjunction
you all got your wellingtons on? 쑗 The but, except 쑗 I would have arrived on
onto 217 opposition

time, only the train was late. 앳 only opinion /əpnjən/ noun what someone
opinion
just almost not 앳 only too very much thinks about a subject 쑗 Ask the lawyer
onto /ɒntə, ɒntυ, ɒntu
/ preposition for his opinion about the letter. 쑗 In my
onto
on or to something 쑗 The speaker went opinion, we should wait until the weath-
up onto the platform. 쑗 The door opens er gets warmer before we go on holiday.
directly onto the garden. 쑗 Turn the box 쑗 Tell me what in your opinion we
onto its side. should do.
open /əυpən/ adjective 1. not shut 쑗 opponent /əpəυnənt/ noun 1. a person
open opponent
The safe door is open. 쑗 Leave the win- or group which is against something 쑗
dow open – it’s very hot in here. 2. avail- Opponents of the planned motorway
able for use by or the enjoyment of the have occupied the site. 2. (in boxing, an
public 쑗 Is the supermarket open on election, etc.) a person who fights
Sundays? 쑗 The show is open from 9 someone else 쑗 His opponent in the
a.m. to 6 p.m. 쑗 The competition is open election is a local councillor. 쑗 He
to anyone over the age of fifteen. 쐽 verb knocked out his last three opponents.
1. to make something open 쑗 Can you opportunity /ɒpətju
nti/ noun a
opportunity
open the door for me, I’m trying to carry chance allows you to do something 쑗
these heavy boxes? 쑗 Don’t open the When you were in London, did you have
envelope until tomorrow. 2. to start do- an opportunity to visit St Paul’s Cathe-
ing something, to start a business 쑗 A dral? 쑗 I’d like to take this opportunity
new restaurant is going to open next to thank all members of staff for the
door to us. 쑗 Most shops open early in work they have done over the past year.
the morning. oppose /əpəυz/ verb 1. to put yourself
oppose
opener /əυp(ə)nə/ noun a piece of

opener
against someone in an election 쑗 She is

equipment for opening things such as opposing him in the election. 2. to try to
tins or bottles prevent something happening 쑗 Several
opening /əυp(ə)nŋ/ noun 1. an occa-
opening
groups oppose the new law.

sion or time at which something opens opposed to /əpəυzd tu
/ adjective not
opposed to
쑗 The opening of the exhibition has agreeing with 쑗 He is opposed to the

been postponed. 쑗 The office opening government’s policy on education.
times are 9.30 to 5.30. 2. a hole or space opposite /ɒpəzt/ preposition on the
opposite
쑗 The cows got out through an opening

other side of, facing 쑗 I work in the of-
in the wall. fices opposite the railway station. 쑗 She
opera /ɒp(ə)rə/ noun a performance on
opera
sat down opposite me. 쐽 adjective

a stage with music in which the words which is on the other side 쑗 The shop’s
are sung and not spoken not on this side of the street – it’s on the
operate /ɒpəret/ verb 1. to make opposite side. 쑗 Her van hit a tree on the
operate
something work 쑗 He knows how to op- opposite side of the road. 쑗 Her van was
erate the machine. 쑗 She is learning hit by a lorry going in the opposite di-
how to operate the new telephone rection. 쐽 noun something which is
switchboard. 2. to treat a patient by cut- completely different 쑗 ‘Black’ is the op-
ting open the body 쑗 She was operated posite of ‘white.’ 쑗 She’s just the oppo-
on by Mr Jones. 쑗 The surgeon decided site of her brother – he’s tall and thin,
she would have to operate on the pa- she’s short and fat. 쑗 He likes to say one
tient. thing, and then do the opposite.
operation /ɒpəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. an opposition /ɒpəzʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the
operation opposition
organised activity carried out to achieve act of opposing something 쑗 There was
a specific aim 쑗 The rescue operation a lot of opposition to the company’s
was successful. 2. a medical treatment, plans to build a supermarket. 2. (in pol-
usually involving cutting open a per- itics) the party or group which opposes
son’s body 쑗 She’s had three operations the government 쑗 The leader of the op-
on her leg. 쑗 The operation lasted al- position rose to speak. 쑗 The party lost
most two hours. the election and is now in opposition.
optician 218 organised

optician /ɒptʃ(ə)n/ noun a person who someone to do something 쑗 They or-
optician
tests your eyes and sells glasses dered the protesters out of the building.
option /ɒpʃən/ noun a choice 쑗 One op-
option
쑗 The doctor ordered him to take four
tion would be to sell the house. 쑗 The weeks’ holiday. 2. (of a customer ) to
tour offers several options as half-day ask for something to be served or to be
visits. sent 쑗 They ordered chicken and chips
and some wine. 쑗 I’ve ordered a new
or /ɔ
/ conjunction 1. used for joining two
or
computer for the office. 쑗 They ordered

parts of a sentence which show two pos- a Rolls Royce for the managing director.
sibilities 쑗 You can come with us in the
ordinary /ɔ
d(ə)n(ə)ri/ adjective not
ordinary
car or just take the bus. 쑗 Do you prefer

tea or coffee? 쑗 Was he killed in an ac- special 쑗 I’ll wear my ordinary suit to
cident or was he murdered? 쑗 The film the wedding. 쑗 They lead a very ordi-
starts at 6.30 or 6.45, I can’t remember nary life. 앳 out of the ordinary unusu-
which. 2. used for showing that you are al or different 쑗 Their flat is quite out of
not sure about an amount 쑗 Five or six the ordinary.
organ /ɔ
'ən/ noun 1. a part of the body
organ
people came into the shop. 쑗 It costs

three or four dollars. with a special function, such as the heart
oral /ɔ
rəl/ adjective spoken rather than
oral
or liver 쑗 He was badly injured and
written down 쑗 There is an oral test as some of his organs had stopped func-
well as a written one. tioning. 2. a musical instrument which
is often played in churches with one or
orange /ɒrnd"/ noun a sweet, brightly
orange
more keyboards and many pipes

coloured Mediterranean fruit 쑗 roast
through which air is pumped to make a
duck and orange sauce 쑗 She had a
sound 쑗 She played the organ at our
glass of orange juice and a cup of coffee
wedding.
for breakfast. 쐽 adjective of the colour
organic /ɔ
'nk/ adjective relating to
organic
of an orange 쑗 That orange tie is awful.
쑗 She wore a dark orange dress. living things

organisation /ɔ
'ənazeʃ(ə)n/, or-
organisation
orbit /ɔ
bt/ noun the curved path of
orbit

something moving through space 쑗 The ganization noun 1. the act of arranging
rocket will put the satellite into orbit something 쑗 The organisation of the
round the earth. 쐽 verb to move in a meeting is done by the secretary. 2. an
curved path round something 쑗 The sat- organised group or institution 쑗 He’s
ellite orbits the earth once every five chairman of an organisation which
hours. looks after blind people. 쑗 International
relief organisations are sending sup-
orchestra /ɔ
kstrə/ noun a large group
orchestra
plies.
of musicians who play together 쑗 the
organisational /ɔ
'əna
organisational
London Symphony Orchestra
order /ɔ
də/ noun 1. an instruction to
order
zeʃ(ə)n(ə)l/, organizational adjec-
tive relating to the way in which some-
someone to do something 쑗 He shouted
orders to the workmen. 쑗 If you can’t thing is organised
organise /ɔ
'ənaz/, organize verb 1.
organise
obey orders you can’t be a soldier. 2. (of

a customer ) the act of asking for some- to arrange something 쑗 She is responsi-
thing to be served or to be sent 쑗 We’ve ble for organising the meeting. 쑗 We or-
had a large order for books from Russia. ganised ourselves into two groups. 쑗
쑗 She gave the waitress her order. 3. a The company is organised in three sec-
special way of organising things accord- tions. 2. to put into good order 쑗 We
ing to date, alphabet, etc 쑗 Put the in- have put her in charge of organising the
voices in order of their dates. 4. 왍 in or- city archives.
organised /ɔ
'ənazd/, organized ad-
organised
der to used for showing why something

is done 쑗 She called out all their names jective 1. (of a person) working effi-
in order to check who was there. 쑗 He ciently and according to a plan 2. (of an
looked under the car in order to see if activity) planned carefully, and involv-
there was an oil leak. 쐽 verb 1. to tell ing many different people or elements
organiser 219 outer

organiser /ɔ
'ənazə/, that you expect something to happen or
organiser
organizer
noun a person who arranges things to be the case 쑗 She ought to pass her
origin /ɒrd"n/ noun where something
origin
driving test easily. 쑗 He left his office at
or someone comes from 쑗 What is the six, so he ought to be home by now.
origin of the word ‘taboo’? 쑗 His family (NOTE: The negative is ought not,
has French origins. shortened to oughtn’t. Note also that
ought is always followed by to and a
original /ərd"ən(ə)l/ adjective 1. new
original
verb in the infinitive.)

and interesting 쑗 The planners have
ounce /aυns/ noun a measure of weight,
ounce
produced some very original ideas for

the new town centre. 2. not a copy 쑗 equal to 28 grams (NOTE: usually writ-
They sent a copy of the original invoice. ten oz after figures: 3oz of butter, say
쑗 He kept the original receipt for refer- ‘three ounces of butter’)
ence. 쐽 noun a thing from which other our /aυə/ adjective belonging to us 쑗 Our
our
things are copied 쑗 Send the police a office is near the station. 쑗 Our cat is
copy, but make sure you keep the origi- missing again. 쑗 Two of our children
nal. caught flu. (NOTE: Do not confuse with
originally /ərd"ən(ə)l/ adverb in the
originally
hour.)
beginning 쑗 Originally it was mine, but ours /aυəz/ pronoun a thing or person
ours
I gave it to my brother. 쑗 The family that belongs to us 쑗 That house over

originally came from France in the 18th there is ours. 쑗 Friends of ours told us
century. that the restaurant was good. 쑗 Can we
ornament /ɔ
nəmənt/ noun a small ob-
ornament
borrow your car, because ours is being

ject used as decoration 쑗 There’s a row serviced? (NOTE: Do not confuse with
of china ornaments on the mantelpiece. hours.)
other /ðə/ adjective, pronoun 1. a dif-
other
ourselves /aυəselvz/ pronoun to for

ourselves
ferent person or thing 쑗 We went swim- referring back to the subject pronoun
ming while the other members of the ‘we’ 쑗 We all organised ourselves into
group sat and watched. 쑗 I don’t like two teams. 쑗 We were enjoying our-
chocolate cakes – can I have one of the selves when the police came.
others? 쑗 I’m fed up with that restau-
out /aυt/ adverb 1. away from inside
out
rant – can’t we go to some other place? 쑗

2. second one of two 쑗 He has two cars How did the tiger get out of its cage? 쑗
– one is red, and the other one is blue. 쑗 She pulled out a box of matches. 쑗 Take
One of their daughters is fat, but the the computer out of its packing case. 2.
other is quite thin. 쐽 pronoun 왍 others not at home 쑗 No one answered the
other people or things 쑗 I’ll have to ask phone – they must all be out.
the others if they agree. 쑗 Are there any outcome /aυtkm/ noun a result 쑗 The
outcome
others in the box? outcome of the match was in doubt until

otherwise /ðəwaz/ adverb 1. apart
otherwise
the final few minutes. 쑗 What was the

from something just mentioned 쑗 Your outcome of the appeal?
little boy can be noisy sometimes, but outdoor /aυtdɔ
/ adjective in the open
outdoor
otherwise he’s an excellent pupil. 2. if air

not, or else 쑗 Are you sure you can come
outdoors /aυtdɔ
z/ adverb in the open
outdoors
on Tuesday? – Otherwise I’ll have to
give the tickets to someone else. air, not inside a building 쑗 The ceremo-
ought /ɔ
t/ modal verb 1. it would be a
ought
ny is usually held outdoors. 쑗 Why don’t
good thing to 쑗 You ought to go swim- we take our coffee outdoors and sit in
ming more often. 쑗 You ought to see the the sun? 쑗 The concert will be held out-
doctor if your cough doesn’t get better. doors if the weather is good. (NOTE: You
쑗 He oughtn’t to eat so much – he’ll get
can also say out of doors.)
outer /aυtə/ adjective on the outside 쑗
outer
fat. 쑗 The travel agent ought to have

told you the hotel was full before you Though the outer surface of the pie was
went on holiday. 2. used for showing hot, the inside was still cold.
outfit 220 overlap

outfit /aυtft/ noun a set of clothes, of- from the top of 쑗 He fell over the cliff. 쑗
outfit
ten worn for a particular purpose 쑗 She She looked over the edge of the balcony.
bought a new outfit for the wedding. 쑗 4. during 쑗 Over the last few weeks the
For the fancy dress party she wore a weather has been cold and wet. 쑗 Let’s
nurse’s outfit. discuss the problem over lunch. 5. more
outing /aυtŋ/ noun a short trip 쑗 The
outing
than 쑗 Children over 16 years old have
children went on an outing to the sea- to pay full price. 쑗 The car costs over
side. £40,000. 쑗 We had to wait for over two
hours. 쐽 adverb 1. down from being up-
outline /aυtlan/ noun a line showing
outline
right 쑗 The bottle fell over and all the

the outer edge of something 쑗 He drew contents poured out. 쑗 She knocked
the outline of a car on the paper. over the plant pot. 쑗 He leaned over and
out of date /aυt əv det/ adjective 1.
out of date
picked up a pin from the floor. 2. more

without recent information 2. no longer than 쑗 Children of 16 and over pay full
in fashion 쑗 Flared trousers are rather price. 쑗 There are special prices for
out of date. groups of 30 and over. 3. not used, left
outside /aυtsad/ noun the outer sur-
outside
behind 쑗 Any food left over after the
face or the part which is not inside 쑗 He meal can be given to the poor. 쐽 adjec-
polished the outside of his car. 쑗 The tive finished 쑗 Is the match over yet? 쑗
apple was red and shiny on the outside, When the civil war was over everyone
but rotten inside. 쐽 adjective which is had more food to eat.
overall /əυvərɔ
l/ adjective covering or
overall
on the outer surface 쑗 The outside walls
of the house are made of brick. 쐽 ad- taking in everything 쑗 The overall im-
verb not inside a building 쑗 It’s beauti- pression was favourable.
ful and warm outside in the garden. 쑗 overcome /əυvəkm/ verb 1. to deal
overcome
The dog’s all wet – it must be raining with a difficult situation 쑗 Do you think
outside. the drugs problem can ever be over-
outstanding /aυtstndŋ/ adjective come? 2. to make someone helpless 쑗
outstanding
excellent or of a very high standard or She was overcome by fear. 쑗 Two people
quality 쑗 an antique Chinese vase of were overcome by smoke. 3. to gain vic-
outstanding quality 쑗 Her performance tory over an enemy 쑗 The army quickly
was outstanding. overcame the invaders. (NOTE: over-
outwards /aυtwədz/ adverb towards
outwards
comes – overcoming – overcame
the outside or away from the centre or /əυvəkem/ – has overcome)

overgrown /əυvə'rəυn/ adjective (of

overgrown
starting point
oval /əυv(ə)l/ noun a long round shape

oval
e.g. a garden) covered with plants and
similar to an egg, but flat 쐽 adjective long grass because of not being looked
with this shape 쑗 The pie was cooked in after
overhead /əυvəhed/ adverb above
overhead
an oval bowl.
oven /v(ə)n/ noun a metal box with a

oven
you 쑗 Look at that plane overhead.
overhear /əυvəhə/ verb to hear acci-
overhear
door, used for cooking 쑗 Don’t put that
plate in the oven – it’s made of plastic. dentally something which you are not
쑗 Supper is cooking in the oven. 쑗 Can meant to hear 쑗 I couldn’t help over-
you look in the oven and see if the meat hearing what you said just then. (NOTE:
is cooked? overhears – overhearing – over-
heard /əυvəh
d/)
over /əυvə/ preposition 1. above or high-
over

overlap1 /əυvəlp/ verb to cover part

overlap
er than 쑗 He put a blanket over the bed.

쑗 Planes fly over our house every of something else 쑗 Try not to let the
minute. 쑗 The river rose over its banks. pieces of wallpaper overlap. (NOTE:
2. on the other side or to the other side 쑗 overlaps – overlapping – over-
Our office is just over the road from the lapped)
bank. 쑗 He threw the ball over the wall. overlap2 /əυvəlp/ noun an amount
overlap
쑗 The children ran over the road. 3. by which something overlaps

overlook 221 ozone

overlook /əυvəlυk/ verb not to notice owing to /əυŋ tu
/ preposition because
overlook owing to
something 쑗 She overlooked several of 쑗 The plane was late owing to fog.
mistakes when she was correcting the
owl /aυl/ noun a large bird which hunts
owl
exam papers.
small animals, mainly at night
overseas1 /əυvəsi
z/ adverb in or to a
overseas
own /əυn/ adjective belonging to you

own
foreign country 쑗 He went to work over-

seas for some years. 쑗 Sue’s gone over- alone 쑗 I don’t need to borrow a car – I
seas for a few weeks. have my own car. 쑗 He has his own book
shop. 쐽 noun 왍 on my or his or her, etc
overseas2 /əυvəsi
z/ adjective relating
overseas
own alone 쑗 He built the house all on

to foreign countries 쑗 Overseas sales his own. 쑗 I’m on my own this evening
are important for our company. – my girlfriend’s gone out with her fam-
overtake /əυvətek/ verb to go past
overtake

ily. 쐽 verb to have or to possess 쑗
someone travelling in front of you There’s no sense in owning a car, since
(NOTE: overtakes – overtaking – there’s nowhere to park.
overtook – has overtaken)
owner /əυnə/ noun a person who owns
owner
overweight /əυvəwet/ adjective hav-

overweight
something 쑗 The police are trying to

ing a body that weighs too much find the owner of the stolen car. 쑗 Insur-
owe /əυ/ verb 1. to be in a situation where
owe
ance is necessary for all house owners.

you will have to pay someone money,
oxygen /ɒksd"ən/ noun a common gas
oxygen
either because you have borrowed some

from them, or because you have bought which is present in the air and is essen-
something from them 쑗 He still owes tial for plant and animal life
ozone /əυzəυn/ noun a harmful form of
ozone
me the £50 he borrowed last month. 2.

to feel that something should be done 쑗 oxygen, which is found in the atmos-
He owes her an apology. 쑗 I owe my sis- phere and which is poisonous to humans
ter a letter. when concentrated
P
p /pi
/, P noun the sixteenth letter of the goods are sold 쑗 Instructions for use are
p
alphabet, between O and Q printed on the package. 3. a set of goods

pace /pes/ noun 1. the distance covered
pace
or services offered together at one time
by one step 쑗 Walk thirty paces to the 쑗 a software package
package holiday /pkd" hɒlde/
package holiday
north of the stone. 쑗 Step three paces

back. 2. speed 쑗 The car was travelling noun a holiday where everything in-
at quite a pace. 쐽 verb to measure by cluding a hotel, food and travel is ar-
walking 쑗 He paced out the distance be- ranged and paid for before you leave
tween the tree and the house. packaging /pkd"ŋ/ noun 1. paper,
packaging
pack /pk/ noun 1. a set of things put to- cardboard or plastic used to wrap goods
pack
gether in a box 쑗 He bought a pack of 쑗 The boxes are sent in plastic packag-
chewing gum. 2. a set of playing cards 쑗 ing. 2. the act of wrapping of goods 쑗
a pack of cards 쑗 Shuffle the pack. 3. a The packaging is all done by machines.
group of wild animals together 쑗 a pack packed /pkt/ adjective 1. full of peo-
packed
of wild dogs 4. a bag which you can car- ple 쑗 The restaurant was packed and
ry on your back 쑗 Will you be able to there were no free tables. 2. put in a con-
manage this walk with a heavy pack on tainer 쑗 a packed lunch
your back? 쐽 verb 1. to put things into
packet /pkt/ noun a small bag, parcel
packet
a suitcase ready for travelling 쑗 The

or box 쑗 a packet of cigarettes 쑗 a pack-
taxi’s arrived and she hasn’t packed her et of soup
suitcase yet. 쑗 I’ve finished packing, so
pad /pd/ noun 1. a soft cushion which
pad
we can start. 쑗 He packed his tooth-

brush at the bottom of the bag. 2. to put protects a person or thing from some-
things in containers ready for sending 쑗 thing 쑗 Put a pad of cotton on your
The books are packed in boxes of twenty. knee. 2. a set of sheets of paper attached
쑗 Fish are packed in ice. 3. to put a lot together 쐽 verb to walk softly with reg-
of people or things into something 쑗 ular steps 쑗 The tiger was padding up
How can you pack ten adults into one and down in its cage. (NOTE: pads –
tent? 쑗 The streets are packed with padding – padded)
padlock /pdlɒk/ noun a small lock
padlock
Christmas shoppers. 쑗 The supermarket

shelves are packed with fruit and vege- with a hook 쑗 The gate is fastened with
tables. a padlock.
page /ped"/ noun a side of a sheet of pa-
page
pack off phrasal verb to send someone

away (informal ) 쑗 We’ve packed the per used in a book, newspaper or maga-
children off to their grandparents for zine 쑗 It’s a short book, it only has 64
the summer holidays. pages. 쑗 The crossword is on the back
pack up phrasal verb 1. to put things page. 쑗 Start reading at page 34. 쑗
into a box before going away 쑗 They Look at the picture on page 6. (NOTE:
packed up all their equipment and left. With numbers the word the is left out:
2. to stop working 쑗 I’ll pack up now on the next page but on page 50.) 쐽
and finish the job tomorrow morning. verb to call someone by radio, over a
package /pkd"/ noun 1. a parcel
package
loudspeaker, etc. 쑗 Mr Smith isn’t in his
which has been wrapped up for sending office at the moment – I’ll page him for
쑗 There was a package for you in the you.
paid /ped/ past tense and past participle
paid
post. 쑗 We mailed the package to you

yesterday. 2. a box or bag in which of pay
pail 223 paper

pail /pel/ noun an old-fashioned word clean pair of trousers. 쑗 Where’s my
pail
for a bucket (NOTE: Do not confuse with pair of green shorts? 쑗 This pair of scis-
pale.) sors is blunt.
pal /pl/ noun a friend (informal )
pal
pain /pen/ noun a feeling in your body

pain
of being hurt or ill 쑗 If you have a pain palace /pls/ noun a large building
palace
in your chest, you ought to see a doctor. where a king, queen, president, etc.,
쑗 She had to take drugs because she lives
could not stand the pain. 쑗 I get pains in pale /pel/ adjective 1. light-coloured 쑗
pale
my teeth when I eat ice cream. What colour is your hat? – It’s a pale
painful /penf(ə)l/ adjective hurting,
painful
blue colour. 2. not looking healthy, with

causing pain 쑗 She got a painful blow a white face 쑗 She’s always pale and
on the back of the head. 쑗 I have very that worries me. 쑗 When she read the
painful memories of my first school. letter she went pale. (NOTE: paler – pal-
painstaking /penztekŋ/ adjective est. Do not confuse with pail.)
painstaking
palm /pɑ
m/ noun 1. the soft inside sur-
palm
(of a person) done slowly and carefully

in order to avoid mistakes 쑗 The design face of your hand 쑗 She held out some
is the result of years of painstaking ef- crumbs in the palm of her hand and the
fort. birds came and ate them. 2. a tall tropi-
paint /pent/ noun a coloured liquid
paint
cal tree with long leaves 쑗 an oasis sur-
which you use to give something a col- rounded by date palms 쑗 The boy
our or to make a picture 쑗 We gave the climbed a coconut palm and brought
ceiling two coats of paint. 쑗 I need a down a nut.
two-litre tin of green paint. 쑗 The pan /pn/ noun a metal cooking contain-
pan
paint’s coming off the front door. (NOTE: er with a handle 쑗 Boil the potatoes in a
no plural) 쐽 verb 1. to cover something pan of water. 쑗 She burnt her hand on
with paint 쑗 We got someone in to paint the hot frying pan. 쒁 frying pan,
the house. 쑗 They painted their front saucepan
door blue. 쑗 She painted her toenails panel /pn(ə)l/ noun 1. a flat piece of
panel
bright red. 2. to make a picture of some- something such as wood or metal,

thing using paint 쑗 She painted a pic- which forms part of something 쑗 Un-
ture of the village. 쑗 He’s painting his screw the panel at the back of the wash-
mother. 쑗 The sky is not easy to paint. ing machine. 2. a group of people who
paintbrush /pentbrʃ/ noun a brush
paintbrush
answer questions or who judge a com-

used to put paint on something (NOTE: petition 쑗 She’s on the panel that will
The plural is paintbrushes.) interview candidates for the post.
painter /pentə/ noun 1. a person who panic /pnk/ noun sudden great fear 쑗
painter panic
paints something such as a house 쑗 The The forecast of flooding caused panic in
painter is coming next week to paint the towns near the river. 쐽 verb to become
kitchen. 2. a person who paints pictures very frightened 쑗 Don’t panic, the fire
쑗 He collects pictures by 19th-century engine is on its way. (NOTE: panics –
French painters. panicking – panicked)
painting /pentŋ/ noun 1. the act of pant /pnt/ verb to breathe fast 쑗 He was
painting pant
putting paint on something or of making red in the face and panting as he crossed
pictures with paint 쑗 Painting and dec- the finishing line.
orating is my trade 2. a picture done paper /pepə/ noun 1. thin, often white,
paper
with paints 쑗 Do you like this painting material, which you write on, and which
of the old church? is used for wrapping or to make books,
pair /peə/ noun 1. two things taken to-
pair
newspapers and magazines 쑗 He got a

gether 쑗 a pair of socks 쑗 a pair of letter written on pink paper. 쑗 I need an-
gloves 쑗 She’s bought a new pair of other piece of paper or sheet of paper to
boots. 2. two things joined together to finish my letter. 쑗 There was a box of pa-
make a single one 쑗 I’m looking for a per handkerchiefs by the bed. (NOTE: no
parade 224 partly

plural for this meaning: some paper, a leave your car somewhere while you are
piece of paper, a sheet of paper) 2. a not using it 쑗 You can park your car in
newspaper 쑗 I buy the paper to read on the street next to the hotel. 쑗 You mus-
the train every morning. 쑗 My photo tn’t park on a double yellow line.
was on the front page of today’s paper. parking /pɑ
kŋ/ noun the act of leav-
parking
쑗 Our local paper comes out on Fri- ing a car somewhere when you are not
days. 쑗 The Sunday papers are so big using it
that it takes me all day to read them.
parliament /pɑ
ləmənt/ noun a group
parliament
(NOTE: The plural is papers.) 3. an

exam 쑗 The English paper was very dif- of elected representatives who decide
ficult. (NOTE: The plural is papers.) on the laws of a country 쑗 Parliament
has passed a law forbidding the sale of
parade /pəred/ noun a public display
parade

these drugs.
of soldiers 쑗 A sergeant inspects the
parrot /prət/ noun a brightly coloured
parrot
men before they go on parade.

tropical bird with a large curved beak 쑗
paragraph /prə'rɑ
f/ noun a section
paragraph
He keeps a green parrot in a cage in his

of several written sentences starting on a living room.
new line 쑗 to answer the first paragraph
part /pɑ
t/ noun 1. a piece or section 쑗
part
of your letter or paragraph one of your

Parts of the film were very good. 쑗 They
letter 쑗 Please refer to the paragraph
live in the downstairs part of a large
headed ‘Shipping Instructions’. house. 쑗 They spend part of the year in
parallel /prəlel/ adjective (of lines)
parallel
France. 2. a person that an actor plays,

which are side by side and remain the e.g. in a play or film 쑗 He played the
same distance apart without ever touch- part of Hamlet. 왍 to take part in some-
ing 쑗 Draw two parallel lines three mil- thing to join in an activity 쑗 They all
limetres apart. 쑗 The road is parallel to took part in the game. 쑗 Did he take
or with the railway. part in the concert? 쐽 verb to separate
parcel /pɑ
s(ə)l/ noun something that is
parcel
or move apart 쑗 The curtains parted

wrapped in paper and sent by post 쑗 The and the show began.
postman has brought a parcel for you. 쑗 part with phrasal verb to give or sell
The parcel was wrapped up in brown something to someone 쑗 He refused to
paper. 쑗 If you’re going to the post of- part with his old bicycle.
fice, can you post this parcel for me? participle /pɑ
tsp(ə)l/ noun a word
participle
pardon /pɑ
d(ə)n/ noun the act of for- formed from a verb, used either to form
pardon
giving someone 쐽 verb to forgive some- perfect or progressive forms or as an ad-

one for having done something wrong 쑗 jective or noun. The present participle
Pardon me for interrupting, but you’re of ‘to go’ is ‘going’ and the past partici-
wanted on the phone. 쑗 Please pardon ple is ‘gone’.
my rudeness in not answering your call particle /pɑ
tk(ə)l/ noun a very small
particle
earlier. piece
parent /peərənt/ noun 1. a father or particular /pətkjυlə/ adjective spe-
parent
particular
mother 2. an organisation which owns cial, referring to one thing or person and
or rules another 쑗 Our parent company to no other 쑗 The photocopier only
is based in Switzerland. works with one particular type of paper.
parents /peərənts/ noun your mother particularly /pətkjυləli/ adverb spe-
parents particularly
and father 쑗 His parents live in Man- cially 쑗 I particularly asked them not to
chester. 쑗 Did your parents tell you I walk on the lawn. 쑗 It’s a particularly
had met them in London? difficult problem. 쑗 He isn’t particular-
park /pɑ
k/ noun an open space with
park
ly worried about the result.
partly /pɑ
tli/ adverb not completely 쑗
partly
grass and trees 쑗 Hyde Park and Re-

gents Park are in the middle of London. The house is partly furnished. 쑗 I’m
쑗 You can ride a bicycle across the park only partly satisfied with the result. 쑗
but cars are not allowed in. 쐽 verb to We’re selling our house in London,
partner 225 past

partly because we need the money, but passenger /psnd"ə/ noun a person
passenger
also because we want to move nearer to who is travelling, e.g. in a car, bus, train
the sea. or plane, but who is not the driver or one
partner /pɑ
tnə/ noun 1. a person who of the people who works on it 쑗 His
partner
plays games or dances with someone 쑗 car’s quite big – it can take three pas-
Take your partners for the waltz. 쑗 Sally sengers on the back seat. 쑗 The plane
is my usual tennis partner. 2. a person was carrying 104 passengers and a
with whom you are in a relationship, es- crew of ten.
pecially one you live with 쑗 We invited passing /pɑ
sŋ/ adjective 1. existing
passing
him and his partner for drinks. 3. a per- for a short time only 쑗 It’s just a passing
son who owns and works in a business fashion. 2. which is going past 쑗 The
together with one or more others 쑗 He driver of a passing car saw the accident.
became a partner in a firm of solicitors. passion /pʃ(ə)n/ noun a very strong
passion
partnership /pɑ
tnəʃp/ noun a busi-
partnership
feeling of love, especially sexual love 쑗

ness relationship between two or more He couldn’t hide the passion he felt for
people in which the risks and profits are her.
shared according to a letter of agree- passive /psv/ adjective allowing
passive
ment between the partners things to happen to you and not taking
party /pɑ
ti/ noun a special occasion
party
any action yourself 쑗 He wasn’t one of

when several people meet, usually in the ringleaders, he only played a pas-
someone’s house, in order to celebrate sive role in the coup. 쐽 noun the form of
something such as a birthday 쑗 We’re a verb which shows that the subject is
having a party on New Year’s Eve. 쑗 being acted upon (NOTE: If you say ‘the
Our family Christmas party was a dis- car hit him’ the verb is active, but ‘he
aster as usual. 쑗 She invited twenty was hit by the car’ is passive.)
friends to her birthday party. passport /pɑ
spɔ
t/ noun an official
passport
pass /pɑ
s/ noun (in football, etc.) the act
pass
document allowing you to travel from

of sending the ball to another player 쑗 one country to another 쑗 If you are go-
He sent a long pass across the field and ing abroad you need to have a valid
Smith headed it into goal. 쐽 verb 1. to passport. 쑗 We had to show our pass-
move something towards someone 쑗 ports at customs. 쑗 His passport is out
Can you pass me the salt, please? 쑗 He of date.
passed the ball back to the goalkeeper. password /pɑ
sw
d/ noun a secret
password
2. to be successful in a test or examina- word which you need to know to be al-

tion 쑗 He passed in English, but failed lowed to do something such as use a
in French. 쑗 She passed her driving test particular computer
first time!
past /pɑ
st/ preposition 1. later than, af-
past
pass out phrasal verb to become un- ter 쑗 It’s past the children’s bedtime. 쑗
conscious for a short time 쑗 He passed It’s ten past nine (9.10) – we’ve missed
out when he saw the blood. the TV news. 2. passing in front of
pass round phrasal verb to hand something 쑗 If you go past the bank,
something to various people 쑗 She you’ll see the shop on your left. 쑗 She
passed the box of chocolates round the walked past me without saying any-
table. thing. 쑗 The car went past at at least 60
passage /psd"/ noun 1. a long nar-
passage
miles an hour. (NOTE: Past is used for

row space with walls on either side 쑗 times between o’clock and the half-
She hurried along the passage. 쑗 hour: 3.05 = five past three; 3.15 = a
There’s an underground passage be- quarter past three; 3.25 = twenty-five
tween the two railway stations. 2. a sec- past three; 3.30 = half past three. For
tion of a piece of writing 쑗 She quoted times after half past see to. Past is
passages from the Bible. 쑗 I photocop- also used with many verbs: to go
ied a particularly interesting passage past, to drive past, to fly past, etc.) 쐽
from the textbook. adjective happening in a time which his
pasta 226 pavement

finished 쑗 He has spent the past year patience /peʃ(ə)ns/ noun the quality
patience
working in France. 쑗 The time for talk- of being patient 쑗 With a little patience,
ing is past – what we need is action. 쐽 you’ll soon learn how to ride a bike. 쑗 I
noun the time before now 쑗 In the past don’t have the patience to wait that
we always had an office party just belong.
fore Christmas. patient /peʃ(ə)nt/ adjective the ability
patient
pasta /pstə/ noun an Italian food

pasta
to wait a long time without getting an-

made of flour and water, and sometimes noyed 쑗 You must be patient – you will
eggs, cooked by boiling, and eaten with get served in time. 쐽 noun a sick person
oil or sauce (NOTE: no plural: some pas- who is in hospital or who is being treat-
ta, a bowl of pasta; note that pasta ed by a doctor, dentist, psychiatrist, etc.
takes a singular verb: the pasta is very 쑗 There are three other patients in the
good here) ward. 쑗 The nurse is trying to take the
paste /pest/ noun 1. a thin liquid glue 쑗
paste
patient’s temperature.
patiently /peʃ(ə)ntli/ adverb without
patiently
Spread the paste evenly over the back of

the wallpaper. 2. soft food 쑗 Mix the getting annoyed
flour, eggs and milk to a smooth paste. 쑗 patrol /pətrəυl/ noun 1. the act of keep-
patrol
Add tomato paste to the soup. 쐽 verb to ing guard by walking or driving in one
glue something such as paper 쑗 She direction and then back again 쑗 They
pasted a sheet of coloured paper over make regular patrols round the walls of
the front of the box. 쑗 He pasted the the prison. 쑗 He was on patrol in the
postcards into his scrapbook. 쒁 cut centre of town when he saw some youths
pastry /pestri/ noun a mixture of flour,
pastry
running away from a bank. 2. a group of
fat and water, used to make pies 쑗 She people keeping guard 쑗 Each time a pa-
was in the kitchen making pastry. trol went past we hid behind a wall. 쐽
verb to keep guard on a place by walk-
pat /pt/ noun a gentle touch with the
pat
ing or driving up and down 쑗 Armed se-

hand 쑗 I didn’t hit her – I just gave her curity guards are patrolling the ware-
a little pat. 쐽 verb to give someone or house. (NOTE: patrols – patrolling –
something a pat 쑗 He patted his pocket patrolled)
to make sure that his wallet was still
pattern /pt(ə)n/ noun 1. instructions
pattern
there. (NOTE: pats – patting – patted)

앳 to pat someone on the back to
which you follow to make something 쑗
praise someone 앳 a pat on the back She copied a pattern from a magazine to
praise 쑗 The committee got a pat on the knit her son a pullover. 2. a design of
back for having organised the show so something, e.g. lines or flowers, repeat-
well. ed again and again on cloth, wallpaper,
etc. 쑗 She was wearing a coat with a
patch /ptʃ/ noun 1. a small piece of
patch
pattern of black and white spots. 쑗 Do

material used for covering up a hole, you like the pattern on our new carpet?
e.g. in clothes 쑗 His mother sewed a
pause /pɔ
z/ noun a short stop during a
pause
patch over the hole in his trousers. 2. a

period of activity such as work 쑗 He
small area of something 쑗 They built a
read his speech slowly, with plenty of
shed on a patch of ground by the railway
pauses. 쑗 Take a short pause after every
line. 쑗 There’s a patch of rust on the car
100 steps. 쐽 verb to stop or rest for a
door.
short time before continuing 쑗 She
path /pɑ
θ/ noun a narrow track for walk-
path
paused for a second to look at her

ing 쑗 There’s a path across the field. 쑗 watch.
Follow the path until you get to the sea. pavement /pevmənt/ noun 1. a hard
pavement
pathetic /pəθetk/ adjective making

pathetic
path for people to walk on at the side of

you feel either sympathy or a lack of re- a road 쑗 Walk on the pavement, not in
spect 쑗 He made a pathetic attempt at a the road. 쑗 Look out; the pavement is
joke. 쑗 She looked a pathetic figure covered with ice! 2. US a hard road sur-
standing in the rain. face
paw 227 peg

paw /pɔ
/ noun the foot of an animal such peak /pi
k/ noun 1. the top of a mountain
paw peak
as a cat or dog 쑗 The bear held the fish 쑗 Can you see that snow-covered peak
in its paws. in the distance? 2. the highest point 쑗
The team has to reach a peak of fitness
pay /pe/ noun the money you receive for
pay
before the match. 쑗 The graph shows

working 쑗 They’re on strike for more the peaks and troughs of pollution over
pay. 쑗 I can’t afford luxuries on my mis- the last month. 3. the front part of a cap,
erable pay. 쐽 verb 1. to give someone which sticks out 쑗 He wore a white cap
money for something 쑗 How much did with a dark blue peak.
you pay for your car? 쑗 We pay £100 a
peanut /pi
nt/ noun a nut which grows
peanut
week in rent. 쑗 Please pay the waiter for

your drinks. 쑗 She paid him £10 for his under the ground in a shell
pear /peə/ noun a fruit like a long apple,
pear
old bike. 2. to give money to someone

for doing something 쑗 We pay secretar- with one end wider than the other
ies £10 an hour. 쑗 I paid them one pearl /p
l/ noun a valuable round white
pearl
pound each for washing the car. 쑗 I’ll jewel formed inside an oyster 쑗 She
pay you a pound to wash my car. (NOTE: wore a string of pearls which her grand-
You pay someone to wash the car mother had given her.
before he or she washes it, but you pebble /peb(ə)l/ noun a small round
pebble
pay someone for washing the car af- stone

ter he or she has washed it. pays –
peculiar /pkju
liə/ adjective strange 쑗
peculiar
paying – paid /ped/)

There’s a peculiar smell coming from

pay back phrasal verb to give some- the kitchen. 쑗 It’s peculiar that she nev-
one money which you owe them 쑗 He er opens the curtains in her house.
borrowed £10 last week and hasn’t paid pedal /ped(ə)l/ noun 1. an object
pedal
me back. worked by the foot to make a machine

pay up phrasal verb to pay all the mon- operate 쑗 If you want to stop the car put
ey which you owe 쑗 The tourist paid up your foot down on the brake pedal. 2. a
quickly when the taxi driver called the flat rest which you press down on with
police. your foot to make a bicycle go forwards
payment /pemənt/ noun the fact of 쑗 He stood up on the pedals to make the
payment
giving money for something 쑗 I make bike go up the hill. 쐽 verb to make a bi-
regular monthly payments into her ac- cycle go by pushing on the pedals 쑗 He
count. 쑗 She made a payment of had to pedal hard to get up the hill.
£10,000 to the solicitor. (NOTE: pedals – pedalling – ped-
alled)
pea /pi
/ noun a climbing plant of which
pea
pedestrian /pədestriən/ noun a person

pedestrian
the round green seeds are eaten as vege-
tables who walks, rather than drives along, in a

street 쑗 Two pedestrians were also in-
peace /pi
s/ noun 1. the state of not be-
peace
jured in the accident.

ing at war 쑗 The UN troops are trying to peel /pi
l/ noun the outer skin of a fruit or
peel
keep the peace in the area. 쑗 Both sides a vegetable 쑗 Throw the banana peel
are hoping to reach a peace settlement. into the rubbish bin. 쑗 This orange has
2. a calm quiet state 쑗 Noisy motorcy- got very thick peel. (NOTE: no plural) 쐽
cles ruin the peace and quiet of the vil- verb to take the outer skin off a fruit or
lage. a vegetable 쑗 He was peeling a banana.
peaceful /pi
sf(ə)l/ adjective enjoyable
peaceful
쑗 If the potatoes are very small you can

because there is very little noise or ac- boil them without peeling them.
tivity 쑗 We spent a peaceful afternoon peer /pə/ noun a member of the a high
peer
by the river. social class in the UK 쑗 Peers sit in the

peach /pi
tʃ/ noun a sweet fruit with a House of Lords.
peach
peg /pe'/ noun 1. a small wooden or met-

peg
large stone and very soft skin 쑗 We had

peaches and cream for dessert. al object used for holding something in
pen 228 performance

place 쑗 The children hang their coats on as a vegetable 쑗 We had stuffed peppers
pegs in the cloakroom. 쑗 They used no for lunch.
nails in building the roof – it is all held per /p
, pə/ preposition for each 쑗 I
per
together with wooden pegs. 2. 왍 clothes can’t cycle any faster than fifteen miles
peg little wooden clip, used to attach per hour. 쑗 Potatoes cost 10p per kilo. 쑗
wet clothes to a washing line 쐽 verb to We paid our secretaries £10 per hour.
attach something with a peg 쑗 She
perceive /pəsi
v/ verb to notice or real-
perceive
pegged the washing out on the line.
(NOTE: pegs – pegging – pegged) ise something 쑗 The changes are so

slight that they’re almost impossible to
pen /pen/ noun an object for writing
pen
perceive with the naked eye. 쑗 I per-

with, using ink 쑗 I’ve lost my red pen – ceived a worsening in his condition dur-
can I borrow yours? 쑗 If you haven’t got ing the night.
a pen you can always write in pencil.
per cent /pə sent/, percent noun out of
per cent
penalty /pen(ə)lti/ noun a punishment

penalty
each hundred 쑗 Fifty per cent of staff

쑗 The maximum penalty for this offence
are aged over 40. (NOTE: The symbol %
is two years’ imprisonment. (NOTE: The is used after numbers: 50%.)
plural is penalties.)
percentage /pəsentd"/ noun an
percentage
pencil /pensəl/ noun an object for writ-

pencil
amount considered in relation to 100 쑗

ing or drawing with, made of wood,
A low percentage of the population vot-
with a long piece of black or coloured
ed. 쑗 ‘What percentage of businesses
material through the middle
are likely to be affected?’ – ‘Oh, about
penny /peni/ noun the smallest British
penny
40 per cent’.
coin, one hundredth of a pound 쑗 It cost
perfect1 /p
fkt/ adjective 1. good in
perfect
£4.99, so I paid with a £5 note and got a

penny change. 쑗 I came out without my every way 쑗 Your coat is a perfect fit. 쑗
Don’t change anything – the room is
purse and I haven’t got a penny on me.
perfect as it is. 2. completely suitable 쑗
(NOTE: The plural is pennies or pence.
She’s the perfect secretary. 쑗 George
Pennies is used to refer to several
would be perfect for the job of sales-
coins, but pence refers to the price. In
man. 쑗 I was in a perfect position to see
prices, pence is always written p and
what happened.
often said as /pi
/ : This book only
perfect2 /pəfekt/ verb to make some-
perfect
costs 60p.: say ‘sixty p’ or ‘sixty
pence’.) 앳 not have a penny not have thing new and perfect 쑗 She perfected a
any money process for speeding up the bottling sys-
pension /penʃən/ noun money paid
pension
tem.
perfectly /p
fktli/ adverb very well 쑗
perfectly
regularly, e.g. to someone who has re-

tired from work 쑗 He has a good pen- That dress fits you perfectly.
sion from his firm. 쑗 She finds her pen- perform /pəfɔ
m/ verb 1. to do an ac-
perform
sion is not enough to live on. tion 쑗 She performed a perfect dive. 쑗
people /pi
p(ə)l/ noun men, women or
people
It’s the sort of task that can be per-

children considered as a group 쑗 There formed by any computer. 2. to do some-
were at least twenty people waiting to thing such as acting, dancing or singing
see the doctor. 쑗 So many people want- in public 쑗 The dance group will per-
ed to see the film that there were queues form at the local theatre next week. 쑗
every night. 쑗 A group of people from The play will be performed in the village
our office went to Paris by train. hall.
pepper /pepə/ noun 1. a strong-tasting performance /pəfɔ
məns/ noun 1. the
pepper performance
powder used in cooking, made from the way in which someone or something
whole seeds of a plant (black pepper) or works, e.g. how successful they are or
from seeds with the outer layer removed how much they achieve 쑗 We’re looking
(white pepper) 쑗 Add salt and pepper to for ways to improve our performance. 쑗
taste. (NOTE: no plural in this sense) 2. After last night’s miserable perform-
a hollow green, red or yellow fruit used ance I don’t think the team is likely to
performer 229 phase

reach the semi-finals. 2. a public show Smoking is not permitted in under-
for entertainment 쑗 The next perform- ground stations. (NOTE: permits – per-
ance will start at 8 o’clock. 쑗 There are mitting – permitted)
three performances a day during the person /p
s(ə)n/ noun a man or wom-
person
summer. an 쑗 The police say a person entered the

performer /pəfɔ
mə/ noun a person
performer

house by the window. 쑗 His father’s a
who gives a public show in order to en- very interesting person. 앳 in person
tertain people used to emphasise that someone is phys-
perfume /p
fju
m/ noun 1. a liquid ically present 쑗 Several celebrities were
perfume
which smells nice, and which you put at the first night in person.
on your skin 2. a pleasant smell, espe- personal /p
s(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective 1. be-
personal
cially of flowers 쑗 the strong perfume of longing or referring to a particular per-

the roses son or people 쑗 They lost all their per-
perhaps /pəhps/ adverb possibly 쑗
perhaps
sonal property in the fire. 2. private; that

Perhaps the train is late. 쑗 They’re late you would not like to discuss with most
– perhaps the snow’s very deep. 쑗 Is it people 쑗 Can I ask you a personal ques-
going to be fine? – Perhaps not, I can tion? 쑗 That’s personal – I’d rather not
see clouds over there. answer that.
period /pəriəd/ noun 1. an amount of personality /p
sənlti/ noun 1.
period personality
time 쑗 She swam under water for a character 쑗 He has a strange personali-
short period. 쑗 The offer is open for a ty. 2. a famous person, especially a TV
limited period only. 쑗 It was an unhap- or radio star 쑗 The new supermarket is
py period in her life. 2. the time during going to be opened by a famous sporting
which a lesson is given in school 쑗 We personality.
have three periods of English on Thurs-
persuade /pəswed/ verb to get some-
persuade
days.
one to do what you want by explaining

periodic /pəriɒdk/ adjective repeat-
periodic

or asking 쑗 She managed to persuade
ed after a regular period of time 쑗 peri- the bank manager to give her a loan. 쑗
odic attacks of the illness 쑗 We carry After ten hours of discussion, they per-
out periodic reviews of the company’s fi- suaded him to leave.
nancial position.
pest /pest/ noun 1. a plant, animal or in-
pest
permanent /p
mənənt/ adjective
permanent
sect which causes problems 쑗 Many

lasting or intended to last, for ever 쑗 He farmers look on rabbits as a pest. 2. a
has found a permanent job. 쑗 She is in person who annoys someone 쑗 That lit-
permanent employment. 쑗 They are liv- tle boy is an absolute pest – he won’t
ing with her parents temporarily – it’s stop whistling.
not a permanent arrangement.
pet /pet/ noun an animal kept in the home
pet
permanently /p
mənəntli/ adverb
permanently
쑗 The family has several pets – two cats,

for ever; always
a dog and a hamster.
permission /pəmʃ(ə)n/ noun the free-
permission
petal /pet(ə)l/ noun the colourful part of

petal
dom which you are given to do some-

thing by someone in authority 쑗 You a flower
petrol /petrəl/ noun a liquid used as a
petrol
need permission from the boss to go into

the storeroom. 쑗 He asked the manag- fuel for engines 쑗 This car doesn’t use
er’s permission to take a day off. very much petrol. 쑗 The bus ran out of
permit1 /p
mt/ noun an official paper petrol on the motorway. 쑗 Petrol prices
permit
which allows you to do something 쑗 are lower at supermarkets. (NOTE: no

You have to have a permit to sell ice plural: some petrol, a litre of petrol)
cream from a van. phase /fez/ noun a stage in the develop-
phase
permit2 /pəmt/ verb to allow someone

permit
ment of something 쑗 The project is now

to do something 쑗 This ticket permits in its final phase. 쑗 It’s a phase she’s
three people to go into the exhibition. 쑗 going through and hopefully she will
philosophy 230 pick

grow out of it. 쑗 I’m sure dyeing his hair photography /fətɒ'rəfi/ noun the
photography
green is just a phase. practice of taking pictures on sensitive

philosophy /flɒsəfi/ noun 1. the study
philosophy

film with a camera
phrasal verb /frez(ə)l v
b/ noun a
phrasal verb
of the meaning of human existence 쑗

He’s studying philosophy. 2. a general type of verb which has two or three
way of thinking 쑗 My philosophy is that parts, which together have a meaning
you should treat people as you would different from that of the main verb,
want them to treat you. such as ‘tell off’, ‘look after’ and ‘put
phone /fəυn/ noun a telephone
phone
쑗 If
up with’
phrase /frez/ noun a short sentence or
phrase
someone rings, can you answer the

phone for me? 쑗 She lifted the phone group of words 쑗 Try to translate the
and called the ambulance. 쐽 verb to whole phrase, not just one word at a
speak to someone using a telephone 쑗 time. 쑗 I’m trying to remember a phrase
Your wife phoned when you were out. 쑗 from ‘Hamlet’.
Can you phone me at ten o’clock tomor- physical /fzk(ə)l/ adjective relating
physical
row evening? 쑗 I need to phone our of- to the human body 쑗 The illness is men-
fice in New York. tal rather than physical. 쑗 He has a
phone back phrasal verb to reply by strong physical attraction for her.
telephone; to call again 쑗 The manager physically /fzkli/ adverb 1. relating
physically
is out – can you phone back in about fif- to the body 쑗 I find him physically very
teen minutes? 쑗 She phoned back three attractive. 쑗 One of the children is phys-
minutes later to ask me my address. ically handicapped. 2. relating to the
phone book /fəυn bυk/ noun a book
phone book
laws of nature 쑗 It is physically impos-

which gives the names of people and sible to get a piano into that little car.
physics /fzks/ noun the study of
physics
businesses in a town in alphabetical or-

der, with their addresses and phone things such as heat, light and sound, and
numbers the way in which they affect objects 쑗
phone call /fəυn kɔ
l/ noun an occa-
phone call
She teaches physics at the local college.
쑗 It’s a law of physics that things fall
sion on which you speak to someone by
telephone down to the ground and not up into the
sky.
phone number /fəυn nmbə/ noun a
phone number
piano /pinəυ/ noun a large musical in-

piano
series of numbers that you press on a tel- strument with black and white keys
ephone to contact a particular person which you press to make music 쑗 She’s
photo /fəυtəυ/ noun a photograph; a
photo
taking piano lessons. 쑗 She played the

picture taken using a camera 쑗 Here’s a piano while her brother sang.
photo of the village in the snow. 쑗 I’ve pick /pk/ verb 1. to choose something 쑗
pick
brought some holiday photos to show The captain picks the football team. 쑗
you. (NOTE: The plural is photos.) She was picked to play the part of the
photograph /fəυtə'rɑ
f/ noun a pic-
photograph
victim’s mother. 쑗 The Association has

ture taken with a camera 쑗 I’ve found an picked Paris for its next meeting. 2. to
old black and white photograph of my take fruit or flowers from plants 쑗
parents’ wedding. 쑗 She’s trying to take They’ve picked all the strawberries. 쑗
a photograph of the cat. 쑗 He kept her Don’t pick the flowers in the public gar-
photograph in his wallet. 쑗 You’ll need dens. 앳 take your pick choose which
two passport photographs to get your one you want 쑗 We’ve got green, red
visa. 쐽 verb to take a picture with a and blue balloons – just take your pick!
camera 쑗 She was photographing the pick up phrasal verb 1. to take some-
flowers in the public gardens. thing that is lying on a surface and lift it
photographer /fətɒ'rəfə/ noun a per- in your hand 쑗 She dropped her hand-
photographer
son who takes photographs, especially kerchief and he picked it up. 쑗 He bent
as a job down to pick up a pound coin which he
picnic 231 pink

pill /pl/ noun medicine in solid form,
pill
saw on the pavement. 2. to learn some-

thing easily without being taught 쑗 She usually in a small round shape 쑗 Take
never took any piano lessons, she just two pills before breakfast.
pillow /pləυ/ noun a cloth bag full of
pillow
picked it up. 쑗 He picked up some Ger-

man when he was working in Germany. soft material which you put your head
3. to give someone a lift in a vehicle 쑗 on in bed
We will pick you up from the hotel. 쑗 pilot /palət/ noun a person who flies a
pilot
Can you send a taxi to pick us up at sev- plane or other aircraft 쑗 He’s training to
en o’clock? be an airline pilot. 쑗 He’s a helicopter
picnic /pknk/ noun a meal eaten out- pilot for an oil company.
picnic
pin /pn/ noun a small thin sharp metal

pin
doors away from home 쑗 If it’s fine,

let’s go for a picnic. 쑗 They stopped by object with a round piece at the top,
a wood, and had a picnic lunch. 쐽 verb used for fastening things such as pieces
to eat a picnic 쑗 People were picnicking of cloth or paper 쑗 She fastened the rib-
on the bank of the river. (NOTE: picnics bons to her dress with a pin before sew-
– picnicking – picnicked) ing them on. 쐽 verb to attach something
with a pin 쑗 She pinned up a notice
picture /pktʃə/ noun a drawing, a
picture
about the meeting. 쑗 He pinned her

painting or a photograph 쑗 She drew a photograph on the wall. 쑗 He pinned
picture of the house. 쑗 The book has the calendar to the wall by his desk.
pages of pictures of wild animals. 쑗 She (NOTE: pins – pinning – pinned)
cut out the picture of the President from
pinch /pntʃ/ noun 1. the action of
pinch
the magazine.
squeezing something between your fin-
pie /pa/ noun meat or fruit cooked in a
pie
ger and thumb 쑗 He gave her arm a

pastry case 쑗 For pudding, there’s apple pinch. 2. a small quantity of something
pie and ice cream. 쑗 If we’re going on a held between finger and thumb 쑗 Add a
picnic, I’ll buy a big pork pie. pinch of salt to the boiling water. (NOTE:
piece /pi
s/ noun a bit of something or
piece
The plural is pinches.) 쐽 verb 1. to

one of a number of similar things 쑗 squeeze something tightly, using the fin-
Would you like another piece of cake? 쑗 ger and thumb 쑗 Ow! You’re pinching
I need two pieces of black cloth. me! 2. to steal something, especially
something that is not very valuable
pierce /pəs/ verb to make a hole in
pierce
(informal ) 쑗 Someone’s pinched my

something pen!
piercing /pəsŋ/ adjective (of a pine /pan/ noun 1. 왍 pine (tree) a type
piercing
pine
sound ) unpleasantly high and loud 쑗 of evergreen tree with needle-shaped

They suddenly heard a piercing cry. 쑗 leaves 쑗 They planted a row of pines
He let out a piercing yell. along the edge of the field. 2. wood from
pig /p'/ noun a pink or black farm ani-
pig
a pine tree 쑗 We’ve bought a pine table
mal with short legs kept for its meat for the kitchen. 쑗 There are pine cup-
(NOTE: Fresh meat from a pig is called
boards in the children’s bedroom. 쐽
verb 왍 to pine for something to feel sad
pork. Bacon, gammon and ham are
because you do not have something any
types of smoked or cured meat from a
more 쑗 She’s miserable because she’s
pig.)
pining for her cat.
pigeon /pd"ən/ noun a fat grey bird
pigeon
pineapple /panp(ə)l/ noun a large

pineapple
which is common in towns sweet tropical fruit, with stiff leaves

pile /pal/ noun a large mass of things 쑗
pile
with sharp points on top

Look at that pile of washing. 쑗 The pile pink /pŋk/ adjective pale red or flesh
pink
of plates crashed onto the floor. 쑗 The coloured 쑗 Your cheeks look pink and
wind blew piles of dead leaves into the healthy now. 쐽 noun a pale red colour 쑗
road. 쑗 He was carrying a huge pile of The bright pink of those flowers shows
books. clearly across the garden.
pint 232 plane

pint /pant/ noun a liquid measure, equal plain /plen/ adjective 1. simple and not
pint plain
to 0.568 of a litre complicated 쑗 We put plain wallpaper

pipe /pap/ noun 1. a tube, especially one in the dining room. 쑗 The outside is dec-
pipe
that carries a liquid or a gas from one orated with leaves and flowers, but the
place to another 쑗 He’s clearing a inside is quite plain. 2. easy to under-
blocked pipe in the kitchen. 쑗 The water stand 쑗 The instructions are written in
came out of the hole in the pipe. 2. a plain English. 3. obvious 쑗 It’s perfect-
tube for smoking tobacco, with a small ly plain what he wants. 쑗 We made it
bowl at one end in which the tobacco plain to them that this was our final of-
burns fer. 4. a more polite word than "unattrac-
pit /pt/ noun 1. a deep dark hole in the tive", used for describing a person 쑗 His
pit
ground 쑗 They dug a pit to bury the rub- two daughters are rather plain. 쐽 noun
bish. 2. a mine; a place where substanc- a flat area of country 쑗 a broad plain
es such as coal are dug out of the ground bordered by mountains (NOTE: Do not
쑗 My grandfather spent his whole life confuse with plane.)
working down a pit. plainly /plenli/ adverb 1. in a way that
plainly
pitch /ptʃ/ noun 1. the ground on which

pitch
is easy to see 쑗 He’s plainly bored by

a game is played 쑗 I’ll time you, if you the French lesson. 쑗 Plainly, the plan is
run round the football pitch. 쑗 The pitch not working. 2. clearly 쑗 It is plainly
is too wet to play on. 쑗 He kept the ball visible from here. 쑗 The sounds of a vi-
the whole length of the pitch and scored. olent argument could be heard plainly
(NOTE: The plural is pitches.) 2. the from behind the door. 3. without much
level of a period of anger or excitement decoration 쑗 plainly-decorated wallpa-
쑗 Excitement was at fever pitch. 쐽 verb per
to put up a tent 쑗 They pitched their tent
plan /pln/ noun 1. an organised way of
plan
in a field by the beach.

doing things 쑗 He made a plan to get up
pity /pti/ noun a feeling of sympathy for
pity
earlier in future. 쑗 She drew up plans

someone who is in a bad situation 쑗
for the village fair. 왍 according to plan
Have you no pity for the homeless? 쐽
verb to feel sympathy for someone 쑗 I in the way it was arranged 쑗 The party
pity those children. (NOTE: pities – pit- went off according to plan. 2. a drawing
ying – pitied) 앳 what a pity used for showing how something is arranged 쑗
showing that you are disappointed, or Here are the plans for the kitchen. 쑗 The
for showing that you feel sympathy for fire exits are shown on the plan of the of-
someone who is disappointed fice. 쐽 verb 1. to arrange how you are
going to do something 쑗 She’s busy
pizza /pi
tsə/ noun an Italian food, con-
pizza
planning her holiday in Greece. 2. to in-

sisting of a flat round piece of bread
tend to do something 쑗 They are plan-
cooked with things such as cheese, to-
ning to move to London next month. 쑗
matoes and onions on top
We weren’t planning to go on holiday
place /ples/ noun 1. where something
place
this year. 쑗 I plan to take the 5 o’clock

is, or where something happens 쑗 flight to New York. (NOTE: plans –
Here’s the place where we saw the planning – planned)
cows. 쑗 We found a nice place for a pic-
plane /plen/ noun 1. an aircraft with
plane
nic. 2. where something is usually kept

쑗 Make sure you put the file back in the wings 쑗 When is the next plane for
right place. 3. a seat 쑗 I’m keeping this Glasgow? 쑗 How are you getting to
place for my sister. 쑗 I’m sorry, but this Paris? – We’re going by plane. 쑗 Don’t
place has been taken. 4. a position in a panic, you’ve got plenty of time to catch
race 쑗 The British runners are in the your plane. 쑗 He was stuck in a traffic
first three places. 쐽 verb to put some- jam and missed his plane. 2. a tool with
thing somewhere 쑗 The waitress placed a sharp blade for making wood smooth
the teapot on the table. 쑗 Please place 쑗 He smoothed off the rough edges with
the envelope in the box. a plane.
planet 233 pleased

planet /plnt/ noun 1. one of the ob- at a station, to help passengers get on or
planet
jects in space which move round the off the trains easily 쑗 Crowds of people
Sun 쑗 Is there life on any of the planets? were waiting on the platform. 쑗 The
쑗 Earth is the third planet from the Sun. train for Liverpool will leave from plat-
2. the planet the planet Earth 쑗 an en- form 10. 2. a high wooden floor for
vironmental disaster which could affect someone to stand on when they are
the whole planet speaking in public 쑗 The main speakers
plank /plŋk/ noun a long flat piece of
plank
sat in a row on the platform.
play /ple/ noun a story which is acted in
play
wood used in building

planning /plnŋ/ noun the act or prac-
planning
a theatre or on TV 쑗 Did you see the
tice of making plans 쑗 The trip will play on TV last night? 쑗 We went to the
need very careful planning. 쑗 The National Theatre to see the new play. 쑗
project is still in the planning stage. Two of Shakespeare’s plays are on the
list for the English exam. 쐽 verb 1. to
plant /plɑ
nt/ noun 1. a living thing
plant
take part in a game 쑗 He plays rugby for

which grows in the ground and has
the university. 쑗 Do you play tennis? 2.
leaves, a stem and roots 쑗 He planted a
to make music on a musical instrument
row of cabbage plants. 쑗 Sunflower
or to put a recording on a machine such
plants grow very tall. 2. a large factory
as a CD player 쑗 He can’t play the vio-
쑗 They are planning to build a car plant
lin very well. 쑗 Let me play you my new
near the river. 쐽 verb to put a plant in
Bach CD. 3. to enjoy yourself 쑗 When
the ground 쑗 We’ve planted two pear
you’ve finished your lesson you can go
trees and a peach tree in the garden.
out to play. 쑗 He doesn’t like playing
plaster /plɑ
stə/ noun 1. a mixture of
plaster
with other children.

sand and a white substance called
play back phrasal verb to listen to
‘lime’, which is mixed with water and
used for covering the inside walls of something which you have just recorded
player /pleə/ noun 1. a person who
player
houses 쑗 The flat hasn’t been decorated

yet and there is still bare plaster in most plays a game 쑗 You only need two play-
of the rooms. 2. a white substance which ers for chess. 쑗 Rugby players have to
becomes hard when it dries, used to cov- be fit. 쑗 Four of the players in the op-
er a broken arm or leg and hold it in posing team are ill. 2. a person who
place 쑗 He had an accident skiing and plays a musical instrument 쑗 a famous
now has his leg in plaster. 3. 왍 sticking horn player
playground /ple'raυnd/ noun a
playground
plaster adhesive tape used for covering

small wounds 쑗 She put a piece of stick- place, at a school or in a public area,
ing plaster on my cut. where children can play
plastic /plstk/ noun a strong material pleasant /plez(ə)nt/ adjective enjoya-
pleasant
plastic
made from chemicals, used to make ble or attractive 쑗 What a pleasant gar-
many things 쑗 We take plastic plates den! 쑗 How pleasant it is to sit here un-
when we go to the beach. 쑗 The super- der the trees!
market gives you plastic bags to put please /pli
z/ interjection used when you
please
your shopping in. 쑗 We cover our gar- are making a polite request or accepting
den furniture with plastic sheets when it an offer 쑗 Can you close the window,
rains. (NOTE: no plural: a bowl made of please? 쑗 Please sit down. 쑗 Can I have
plastic) a ham sandwich, please? 쑗 Do you want
plate /plet/ noun 1. a flat round dish for
plate
some more tea? – Yes, please! Compare

putting food on 쑗 Put one pie on each thank you 쐽 verb to make someone
plate. 쑗 Pass all the plates down to the happy or satisfied 쑗 She’s not difficult to
end of the table. 2. a flat piece of some- please. 왍 please yourself do as you like
thing such as metal or glass 쑗 The den- 쑗 Shall I take the red one or the green
tist has a brass plate on his door. one? – Please yourself.
platform /pltfɔ
m/ noun 1. a high flat pleased /pli
zd/ adjective happy 쑗
platform pleased
structure by the side of the railway lines We’re very pleased with our new house.
pleasure 234 poetry

쑗 I’m pleased to hear you’re feeling bet- stone 쑗 She bought a pound of plums to
ter. 쑗 He wasn’t pleased when he heard make a pie.
his exam results. plumber /plmə/ noun a person whose
plumber
pleasure /ple"ə/ noun a pleasant feel-

pleasure
job is to install or repair things such as

ing 쑗 His greatest pleasure is sitting by water pipes and heating systems
the river. 쑗 It gives me great pleasure to plump /plmp/ adjective (of a person)
plump
be able to visit you today. 앳 with pleas- slightly fat in an attractive way 쑗 He’s a
ure used for saying that you are happy short man with a plump red face. 쑗 Is
to do something for someone 쑗 I’ll do she pregnant or is she just plumper than
the job with pleasure. she was?
plenty /plenti/ noun a large quantity 쑗
plenty
plunge /plnd"/ verb 1. to throw your-

plunge
You’ve got plenty of time to catch the self into water 쑗 He plunged into the
train. 쑗 Plenty of people complain river to rescue the little boy. 2. to fall
about the bus service. 쑗 Have you got sharply 쑗 Share prices plunged on the
enough bread? – Yes, we’ve got plenty. news of the devaluation.
(NOTE: no plural)
plural /plυərəl/ adjective, noun (in
plural
plot /plɒt/ noun 1. a small area of land,

plot
grammar ) (which is) the form of a word

e.g. used for building or for growing showing that there is more than one 쑗
vegetables 쑗 They own a plot of land Does ‘government’ take a singular or
next to the river. 쑗 The plot isn’t big plural verb? 쑗 What’s the plural of
enough to build a house on. 2. the basic ‘mouse’? 쑗 The verb should be in the
story of a book, play or film 쑗 The novel plural after ‘programs’.
has a complicated plot. 쑗 I won’t tell
plus /pls/ preposition 1. added to 쑗 His
plus
you the plot of the film – I don’t want to

spoil it for you. 3. a secret plan to do salary plus bonus comes to more than
something illegal or wrong 쑗 They £30,000. (NOTE: In calculations plus is
hatched a plot to hold up the security usually shown by the sign + : 10 + 4 =
van. 14: say ‘ten plus four equals fourteen’.)
2. more than 쑗 houses valued at
pluck /plk/ verb 1. to pull out feathers
pluck
£200,000 plus
from a bird 쑗 Ask the butcher to pluck
pocket /pɒkt/ noun a small bag sewn
pocket
the pheasants for you. 2. to pull and let

go of the strings of a guitar or other mu- into the inside of a piece of clothing
sical instrument, in order to make a such as a coat, in which you can keep
sound 쑗 He was gently plucking the things such as money or keys 쑗 She
strings of his guitar. looked in all her pockets but couldn’t
find her keys. 쑗 He was leaning against
plug /pl'/ noun 1. a flat round rubber
plug
a fence with his hands in his pockets.

object which covers the hole in a bath or
pod /pɒd/ noun a long green case in
pod
sink 쑗 Can you call reception and tell

them there’s no plug in the bath? 쑗 She which some small vegetables such as
pulled out the plug and let the water peas or beans grow 쑗 Mangetout peas
drain away. 2. an object attached to the are eaten in their pods.
poem /pəυm/ noun a piece of writing
poem
end of a wire, which you push into a

hole in the wall to make a piece of elec- with words carefully chosen to sound
trical equipment work 쑗 The vacuum attractive or interesting, set out in lines
cleaner is supplied with a plug. usually of a regular length which some-
plug in phrasal verb to connect a piece times end in words which sound the
of electrical equipment to an electricity same 쑗 He wrote a long poem about an
supply by pushing the plug into a hole in old sailor. 쑗 The poem about the First
the wall 쑗 The computer wasn’t World War was set to music by Britten.
poet /pəυt/ noun a person who writes
poet
plugged in – that’s why it wouldn’t

work. poems
plum /plm/ noun a gold, red or purple poetry /pəυtri/ noun poems in general
plum poetry
fruit with a smooth skin and a large 쑗 Reading poetry makes me cry. 쑗 This
point 235 polite

is a good example of German poetry. other things 쑗 She poked about in her
(NOTE: no plural) desk to see if she could find the papers.
point /pɔnt/ noun 1. a sharp end of
point
왍 to poke out of somewhere to appear
something long 쑗 The point of my pencil through a hole or small space 쑗 A red-
has broken. 쑗 The stick has a very sharp faced man poked his head out of the
point. 2. a particular place 쑗 The path window. 쑗 A red handkerchief was pok-
led us for miles through the woods and ing out of his pocket. 앳 to poke fun at
in the end we came back to the point someone or something to laugh at
where we started from. 쑗 We had someone or something in an unkind
reached a point 2,000m above sea level. way 쑗 He poked fun at the maths teach-
3. a particular moment in time 쑗 From er. 쑗 She poked fun at his odd hat.
that point on, things began to change. 쑗 pole /pəυl/ noun a long wooden or metal
pole
At what point did you decide to resign? stick

4. a meaning or reason 쑗 The main point
Pole /pəυl/ noun a person from Poland
Pole
of the meeting is to see how we can con-

police /pəli
s/ noun the people whose
police
tinue to run the centre without a grant.
왍 there’s no point there’s no good rea- job is to control traffic, to try to stop
son for doing something 쑗 There’s no crime and to catch criminals 쑗 The po-
point in asking them to pay – they ha- lice are looking for the driver of the car.
ven’t any money. 왍 what’s the point? 쑗 The police emergency number is 999.
why? 쑗 What’s the point of doing the 쑗 Call the police – I’ve just seen some-
same thing all over again? 5. a score in one drive off in my car.
a game 쑗 Their team scored three policeman
policeman /pəli
smən,
pə
points. 쑗 In rugby, a try counts as five li

swυmən/ noun a man who is an or-
points. 쐽 verb to aim a gun or your fin- dinary member of the police (NOTE: The
ger at something 쑗 The teacher is point- plural is policemen.)
ing at you. 쑗 It’s rude to point at people.
police officer /pəli
s ɒfsə/ noun a
police officer
쑗 Don’t point that gun at me – it might
go off. 쑗 The guide pointed to the map to member of the police

policy /pɒlsi/ noun decisions on the
policy
show where we were. 앳 it’s beside the

point it’s got nothing to do with the way of doing something 쑗 government
main subject 쑗 Whether or not the coat policy on wages or government wages
matches your hat is beside the point – policy 쑗 It is not our policy to give de-
it’s simply too big for you. tails of employees over the phone. 쑗
pointed /pɔntd/ adjective with a People voted Labour because they liked
pointed
sharp point at one end 쑗 a pointed stick their policies.

polish /pɒlʃ/ noun a substance used to
polish
poison /pɔz(ə)n/ noun a substance

poison
which kills you or makes you ill if it is make things shiny 쑗 Wash the car thor-
swallowed or if it gets into the blood 쑗 oughly before you put the polish on. 쐽
There’s enough poison in this bottle to verb to rub something in order to make
kill the whole town. 쑗 Don’t drink that – it shiny 쑗 He polished his shoes until
it’s poison. they shone.
poisonous /pɔz(ə)nəs/ adjective able Polish /pəυlʃ/ adjective relating to Po-
Polish
poisonous
to kill or harm people or animals with land 쑗 The Polish Army joined in the
poison manoeuvres. 쐽 noun the language spo-
poke /pəυk/ noun a quick push with a
poke
ken in Poland 쑗 I know three words of
finger or something sharp 쑗 He got a Polish. 쑗 You will need an English-
poke in the eye from someone’s umbrel- Polish phrasebook if you’re visiting
la. 쐽 verb to push something or some- Warsaw.
polite /pəlat/ adjective pleasant to-
polite
one quickly with a finger or with some-
thing sharp 쑗 He poked the heap with wards other people, not rude 쑗 Sales
his stick. 왍 to poke about for some- staff should be polite to customers.
thing to search for something among (NOTE: politer – politest)
politely 236 portable

politely /pəlatli/ adverb in a polite way poor /pɔ
/ adjective 1. with little or no
politely poor
쑗 Ask the lady politely if you can have a money 쑗 The family is very poor now
sweetie. that both parents have no work. 쑗 This
politeness /pəlatnəs/ noun the prac-
politeness

is one of the poorest countries in Africa.
tice of being polite 2. of not very good quality 쑗 Vines can
grow even in poor soil. 쑗 They were
political /pəltk(ə)l/ adjective refer-
political

selling off poor quality vegetables at a
ring to government or to party politics 쑗 cheap price. 쑗 She’s been in poor health
I don’t want to get involved in a political for some months. 3. used for showing
argument. 쑗 She gave up her political you are sorry 쑗 Poor old you, having to
career when she had the children. stay at home and finish your homework
politician /pɒltʃ(ə)n/ noun a person
politician
while we go to the cinema. 쑗 My poor

who works in politics, especially a legs, after climbing up the mountain!
member of parliament 쑗 Politicians
pop /pɒp/ noun a noise like a cork com-
pop
from all parties have welcomed the re-

port. ing out of a bottle 쑗 There was a ‘pop’
as she lit the gas. 쐽 verb 1. to go some-
politics /pɒltks/ plural noun the ideas
politics
where quickly 쑗 I’ll just pop down to

and methods used in governing a coun- the town. 쑗 He popped into the chem-
try 쐽 noun the study of how countries ist’s. 쑗 I’m just popping round to Jane’s.
are governed 쑗 He studied politics and 쑗 I’d only popped out for a moment. 2.
economics at university. (NOTE: takes a to put something somewhere quickly
singular verb) (informal ) 쑗 Pop the pie in the micro-
pollen /pɒlən/ noun a yellow powder on
pollen
wave for three minutes. (NOTE: pops –

the stamens of a flower which touches popping – popped)
part of a female flower and so creates popular /pɒpjυlə/ adjective liked by a
popular
seeds lot of people 쑗 The department store is

polluted /pəlu
td/ adjective made
polluted
popular with young mothers. 쑗 The

dirty South Coast is the most popular area for
pollution /pəlu
ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the proc-
pollution

holidays.
ess of making the environment dirty 쑗 popularity /pɒpjυlrti/ noun the fact
popularity
Pollution of the atmosphere has in- of being liked by a lot of people

creased over the last 50 years. 2. chem-
population /pɒpjυleʃ(ə)n/ noun the
population
icals and other substances that harm
people and the environment 쑗 It took six number of people who live in a place 쑗
months to clean up the oil pollution on The population of the country is 60 mil-
the beaches. 쑗 The pollution in the cen- lion. 쑗 Paris has a population of over
tre of town is so bad that people have three million.
pork /pɔ
k/ noun fresh meat from a pig,
pork
started wearing face masks.

pond /pɒnd/ noun a small lake
pond
eaten cooked (NOTE: no plural. Note
also that salted or smoked meat from a
pony /pəυni/ noun a small horse (NOTE:
pony
pig is ham or bacon.)

The plural is ponies.)
port /pɔ
t/ noun 1. a place along a coast
port
pool /pu
l/ noun 1. a very small lake
pool
쑗
where boats can stop, or a town with a
He dived in and swam across the moun-
place like this 쑗 a fishing port 쑗 The
tain pool. 쑗 We looked for shrimps in
ship is due in port on Tuesday. 쑗 We left
the rock pools. 2. a large bath of water
port at 12.00. 2. an opening in a compu-
for swimming in 쑗 an outdoor pool 쑗 a
heated pool 쑗 We have a little swimming ter for plugging in an attachment 쑗 a
pool in the garden. 쑗 He swam two mouse port
portable /pɔ
təb(ə)l/ adjective which
portable
lengths of the pool. 3. a game rather like

snooker, where you hit balls into pock- can be carried 쑗 He used his portable
ets using a long stick called a ‘cue’ 쑗 We computer on the plane. 쑗 Portable
were playing pool in the bar. phones won’t work in the Underground.
portion 237 post office

portion /pɔ
ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a part 쑗 This possible /pɒsb(ə)l/ adjective able to
portion possible
is only a small portion of the material be done 쑗 She agreed that the changes
we collected. 쑗 Our carriage was in the were possible.
rear portion of the train. 2. an amount of possibly /pɒsbli/ adverb 1. perhaps 쑗
possibly
food, usually for one person 쑗 The por- The meeting will possibly finish late. 쑗
tions in that restaurant are tiny. 쑗 Ask January had possibly the worst snow-
the waiter if they serve children’s por- storms we have ever seen. 2. used with
tions. ‘can’ or ‘can’t’ to make a phrase strong-
portrait /pɔ
trt/ noun a painting or
portrait
er 쑗 You can’t possibly eat 22 pancakes!

photograph of a person 쑗 He has paint- 쑗 How can you possibly expect me to do
ed a portrait of the Queen. 쑗 Old por- all that work in one day?
post /pəυst/ noun 1. a long piece of
post
traits of members of the family lined the

walls of the dining room. wood or metal put in the ground 쑗 The
posh /pɒʃ/ adjective expensive and at-
posh
fence is attached to concrete posts. 쑗
tractive; suitable for special occasions 쑗 His shot hit the goalpost. 2. a job 쑗 He
I decided I’d better wear my poshest applied for a post in the sales depart-
ment. 쑗 We have three posts vacant. 쑗
frock to the wedding. 쑗 We ate in a real-
They advertised the post in ‘The Times’.
ly posh restaurant.
3. letters and parcels that are sent and
position /pəzʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place
position
received 쑗 The morning post comes

where someone or something is 쑗 From around nine o’clock. 쑗 There were no
his position on the roof he can see the cheques in this morning’s post. 쑗 Has
whole of the street. 쑗 The ship’s last the post arrived yet? 4. the system of
known position was 200 miles east of sending letters and parcels 쑗 It is easier
Bermuda. 2. a job 쑗 The sales manager to send the parcel by post than to deliver
has a key position in the firm. 쑗 He’s go- it by hand. 쐽 verb to send a letter or par-
ing to apply for a position as manager. cel 쑗 Don’t forget to post your Christ-
쑗 We have several positions vacant. 3. a mas cards. 쑗 The letter should have ar-
situation or state of affairs 쑗 What is the rived by now – we posted it ten days
company’s cash position? ago.
postbox /pəυstbɒks/ noun a box into
postbox
positive /pɒztv/ adjective 1. certain

positive
or sure 쑗 I’m positive I put the key in my which you can put letters, which will
pocket. 쑗 Are you positive he said six then be collected and sent on by the post
o’clock? 2. (in a test) showing that the office
postcard /pəυstkɑ
d/ noun a piece of
postcard
person tested has a particular condition

쑗 The cancer test was positive. card often with a picture on one side,
possess /pəzes/ verb to own some-
possess

which you send to someone with a short
message on it
thing 쑗 They possess several farms in
postcode /pəυstkəυd/ noun a series of
postcode
the south of the country. 쑗 He lost all he

possessed in the fire. letters and numbers given at the end of
an address, to help the people whose job
possession /pəzeʃ(ə)n/ noun the fact
possession
is to sort letters
of owning something 쑗 When he
poster /pəυstə/ noun a large notice,
poster
couldn’t keep up the mortgage payments

the bank took possession of the house. picture or advertisement stuck on a wall
postman /pəυstmən/ noun a person
postman
possibility /pɒsblti/ noun the fact

possibility
of being likely to happen 쑗 Is there any who delivers letters to houses (NOTE:
possibility of getting a ticket to the The plural is postmen.)
show? 쑗 There is always the possibility post office /pəυst ɒfs/ noun a build-
post office
that the plane will be early. 쑗 There is ing where you can do such things as
no possibility of the bank lending us any buying stamps, sending letters and par-
more money. cels and paying bills 쑗 The main post
postpone 238 power

office is in the High Street. 쑗 There are say ‘twenty-six pounds, six pounds’.)
two parcels to be taken to the post office. 2. a unit of money used in Britain and
postpone /pəυspəυn/ verb to change
postpone

several other countries 쑗 He earns more
the time or date of an event so that it will than six pounds an hour. 쑗 The price of
happen a later date or time 쑗 The meet- the car is over £50,000 (fifty thousand
ing has been postponed until next week. pounds). 쑗 He tried to pay for his bus
ticket with a £20 note (twenty-pound
pot /pɒt/ noun 1. a glass or china contain-
pot
note). (NOTE: pound is usually written

er, usually without a handle 쑗 The plant
£ before figures: £20, £6,000: say
is too big – it needs a bigger pot. 쑗 She
‘twenty pounds, six thousand pounds’.
made ten pots of strawberry jam. 쒁 tea-
With the word note, pound is singular:
pot 2. a deep metal container with a
twenty pounds but a twenty-pound
long handle, used for cooking 쑗 Do I
note.) 쐽 verb 1. to hit something hard 쑗
have to wash all the pots and pans by
hand? He pounded the table with his fist. 2. to
smash something into little pieces 쑗 The
potato /pətetəυ/ noun a common
potato

ship was pounded to pieces by heavy
white or yellow root vegetable which waves.
grows under the ground 쑗 boiled pota-
pour /pɔ
/ verb 1. to make a liquid flow
pour
toes 쑗 mashed potatoes 쑗 roast pota-

toes 쑗 Do you want any more potatoes? 쑗 The waiter poured water all over the
쑗 We’re having roast lamb and potatoes table. 쑗 He poured the wine into the
for Sunday lunch. glasses. 쑗 She poured water down his
neck as a joke. 2. to flow out or down 쑗
potential /pətenʃəl/ adjective possible
potential
Clouds of smoke poured out of the

쑗 He’s a potential world champion. 쑗
house. 쑗 There was a sudden bang and
The potential profits from the deal are smoke poured out of the engine. 쑗 Water
enormous. 쐽 noun the possibility of de- was pouring through the ceiling.
veloping into something useful or valu-
able 쑗 The discovery has enormous po- pour down phrasal verb to rain very
tential. 쑗 She doesn’t have much experi- hard 쑗 Don’t go out without an umbrel-
ence, but she has a lot of potential. 쑗 la – it’s pouring down.
poverty /pɒvəti/ noun the fact of being
poverty
The whole area has great potential for

economic growth. poor 쑗 He lost all his money and died in
pottery /pɒtəri/ noun 1. a place where
pottery
poverty. 쑗 Poverty can drive people to
pots are made 쑗 There are several local crime.
potteries where you can buy dishes. 쑗 I powder /paυdə/ noun a substance like
powder
bought this vase from the pottery where flour with very small dry grains 쑗 The
it was made. (NOTE: The plural in this drug is available in the form of a white
sense is potteries.) 2. objects such as powder. 쑗 This machine grinds pepper
pots and plates, made of clay 쑗 There’s corns to powder.
a man in the market who sells local pot-
power /paυə/ noun 1. the ability to con-
power
tery. 쑗 She brought me some Spanish

trol people or events 쑗 He is the official
pottery as a present. leader, but his wife has all the real pow-
pouch /paυtʃ/ noun 1. a small bag for
pouch
er. 쑗 I haven’t the power or it isn’t in my

carrying objects such as coins 쑗 She power to ban the demonstration. 2.
carried the ring in a small leather pouch physical force 쑗 They use the power of
round her neck. 2. a bag in the skin in the waves to generate electricity. 쑗 The
front of some animals, where the young engine is driven by steam power. 3. elec-
are carried 쑗 The kangaroo carries its tricity used to drive machines or devices
young in its pouch. (NOTE: The plural is 쑗 Turn off the power before you try to
pouches.) repair the TV set. 4. political control 쑗
pound /paυnd/ noun 1. a measure of
pound
During the period when he was in pow-

weight, equal to about 450 grams (NOTE: er the country’s economy was ruined. 5.
pound is usually written lb after fig- a powerful country 쑗 China is one of the
ures: It weighs 26lb.; Take 6lb of sugar : great powers.
powerful 239 preparation

powerful /paυəf(ə)l/ adjective having a something or someone 쑗 The mayor
powerful
lot of force, influence or capability 쑗 praised the firemen for their efforts in
This model has a more powerful engine. putting out the fire.
쑗 The treasurer is the most powerful pray /pre/ verb to speak to God or some
pray
person in the organisation. 쑗 The raft other religious being, asking for some-
was swept away by the powerful cur- thing or saying thank you for something
rent. 쑗 This is the most powerful per- 쑗 Farmers prayed for rain.
sonal computer on the market.
prayer /preə/ noun the words that some-
prayer
practical /prktk(ə)l/ adjective 1. re-

practical
one says when they are speaking to God

ferring to real actions and events rather 쑗 She says her prayers every night be-
than ideas or plans 쑗 She needs some fore going to bed. 쑗 They said prayers
practical experience. 쑗 I need some for the sick.
practical advice on how to build a wall.
precious /preʃəs/ adjective 1. worth a
precious
2. possible or sensible 쑗 It isn’t practi-

cal to plug the computer into the same lot of money 쑗 a precious stone 2. of
socket as the TV. 쑗 Has anyone got a great value to someone 쑗 All her pre-
more practical suggestion to make? 쑗 cious photographs were saved from the
You need practical clothing for camp- fire. 쑗 The memories of that holiday are
ing. 쑗 We must be practical and not try very precious to me.
anything too ambitious. precise /prsas/ adjective exact
precise
쑗 We
practically /prktkli/ adverb almost need to know the precise measurements
practically
쑗 Practically all the students passed the of the box. 쑗 At that precise moment my
test. 쑗 The summer is practically over. 쑗 father walked in. 쑗 Can you be more
His suit is such a dark grey it is practi- precise about what the men looked like?
cally black. precisely /prsasli/ adverb exactly
precisely
쑗
practice /prkts/ noun 1. the act of
practice
The train arrived at 12.00 precisely. 쑗 I

doing something, as opposed to think- don’t know precisely when it was, but it
ing about it or planning it 2. a repeated was about three months ago. 쑗 How,
activity done so that you can improve 쑗 precisely, do you expect me to cope with
You need more practice before you’re all this work?
ready to enter the competition. 쑗 He’s at predict /prdkt/ verb to say what will
predict
football practice this evening. 쑗 The happen 쑗 The weather forecasters have
cars make several practice runs before predicted rain. 쑗 He predicted correctly
the race. 3. a way of doing something, that the deal would not last. 쑗 Every-
especially a way that is regularly used 쑗 thing happened exactly as I had predict-
It’s a standard practice for shops to ed.
open late one day a week for staff train-
prefix /pri
fks/ noun a group of letters
prefix
ing. 쑗 It’s been our practice for many

years to walk the dogs before breakfast. put in front of another to form a new
쐽 verb US spelling of practise 앳 in word (NOTE: The plural is prefixes.)
practice when something is done or pregnant /pre'nənt/ adjective (of a
pregnant
carried out 쑗 The plan seems very inter- woman or female animal ) carrying a
esting, but what will it cost in practice? developing baby inside the body 쑗
practise /prkts/ verb 1. to do some- Don’t carry heavy weights when you’re
practise
thing many times in order to become pregnant. 쑗 She hasn’t told her family
better at it 쑗 He’s practising catching yet that she’s pregnant. 쑗 There are
and throwing. 2. to work as a doctor, three pregnant women in my office.
dentist or lawyer 쑗 He’s officially re- preparation /prepəreʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
preparation
tired but still practises part-time. the things that you do in order to get
praise /prez/ noun admiration, the act
praise
ready for something 쑗 The preparations

of showing approval 쑗 The rescue team for the wedding went on for months. 쑗
earned the praise of the survivors. 쐽 We’ve completed our preparations and
verb to express strong approval of now we’re ready to start. 2. a substance
prepare 240 pressure

which has been mixed 쑗 a chemical ager. 2. a formal occasion on which
preparation something is given to someone 3. a for-
prepare /prpeə/ verb 1. to get some- mal occasion on which someone tells
prepare
thing ready 쑗 We have prepared the hall other people about their work 쑗 The
for the school play. 쑗 I have some company made a presentation of the
friends coming to dinner and I haven’t services they could offer.
presently /prez(ə)ntli/ adverb 1. soon
presently
prepared the meal. 2. to get ready for

something 쑗 He is preparing for his ex- 쑗 I’ll be there presently. 쑗 He’ll be mak-
am. 쑗 You’d better prepare yourself for ing a speech presently. 2. US now, at the
some bad news. present time 쑗 He’s presently working
prepared /prpeəd/ adjective ready 쑗
prepared

for a chemical company. 쑗 She’s pres-
Be prepared, you may get quite a shock. ently in England. 쑗 What is presently
쑗 Six people are coming to dinner and being done to correct the problem?
I’ve got nothing prepared. preserve /prz
v/ verb 1. to look after
preserve
preposition /prepəzʃ(ə)n/ noun a something and keep it in the same state
preposition
word used with a noun or pronoun to 쑗 Our committee aims to preserve the
show place or time wildlife in our area. 쑗 The doctors’ aim
presence /prez(ə)ns/ noun 1. the fact
presence
is to preserve the life of the unborn
of being present 쑗 The presence of both child. 쑗 They would like to preserve
his wives in court was noted. 쑗 Your their own alphabet rather than use the
presence is requested at a meeting of the Roman one. 2. to treat something so that
committee on June 23rd. 2. an effect you it does not decay 쑗 Meat can be pre-
have on other people 쑗 The general has served in salt. 쑗 Freezing is a common
a commanding presence. method of preserving meat.
president /prezd(ə)nt/ noun the head
president
present1 /prez(ə)nt/ noun 1. some-

present
thing which you give to someone, e.g. of a republic 쑗 President Bush was
on their birthday 쑗 I got a watch as a elected in 2000. 쑗 The French president
Christmas present. 쑗 How many birth- came on an official visit. (NOTE: also
day presents did you get? 쑗 Her col- used as a title before a surname: Pres-
leagues gave her a present when she got ident Wilson)
presidential /prezdenʃəl/ adjective
presidential
married. 2. the time we are in now 쑗
The novel is set in the present. 3. the relating to a president

form of a verb showing that the action is press /pres/ noun newspapers taken as a
press
happening now 쑗 The present of the group 쑗 The election wasn’t reported in
verb ‘to go’ is ‘he goes’ or ‘he is going’. the British press. 쑗 There has been no
쐽 adjective at a place when something mention of the problem in the press.
happens there 쑗 How many people were (NOTE: no plural) 쐽 verb to push some-
present at the meeting? 앳 at present thing 쑗 Press ‘12’ for room service.
now 쑗 The hotel still has some vacan- pressure /preʃə/ noun 1. something
pressure
cies at present. 앳 for the present for which forces you to do something 쑗
now 쑗 That will be enough for the
Pressure from farmers forced the minis-
present. ter to change his mind. 왍 to put pres-
present2 /przent/ verb 1. to give
present

sure on someone to do something to
something formally to someone as a try to force someone to do something 쑗
present 쑗 When he retired after thirty They put pressure on the government to
years, the firm presented him with a build a new motorway. 2. the force of
large clock. 2. to introduce a show on something such as air which is pushing
TV or radio 쑗 She’s presenting a pro- or squeezing 쑗 There is not enough
gramme on gardening. pressure in your tyres. 앳 under pres-
presentation /prez(ə)nteʃ(ə)n/
presentation
sure feeling that you are being forced to

noun 1. the act of giving something to do something 쑗 He did it under pres-
someone 쑗 The chairman will make the sure. 쑗 We’re under pressure to agree to
presentation to the retiring sales man- a postponement.
pretend 241 principal

pretend /prtend/ verb to make some- prickle /prk(ə)l/ noun a sharp point on
pretend prickle
one believe something that is not true 쑗 a plant or animal

He got into the house by pretending to pride /prad/ noun 1. a pleasure in your
pride
be a telephone engineer. 쑗 She pretend- own ability or possessions 쑗 He takes

ed she had flu and phoned to say she great pride in his garden. 2. a feeling of
was having the day off. respect for yourself that is sometimes
pretty /prti/ adjective 1. a pretty wom-
pretty
too strong, making you behave wrongly

an or girl has a face that is quite attrac- 쑗 His pride would not let him admit that
tive 쑗 Her daughters are very pretty. he had made a mistake.
(NOTE: prettier – prettiest. Usually priest /pri
st/ noun a person who carries
priest
pretty is used of things or girls, not of out formal religious duties

boys or men.) 2. quite pleasant to look
primary /praməri/ adjective main, ba-
primary
at 쑗 That’s a pretty necklace. 쐽 adverb

fairly (informal ) 쑗 The patient’s condi- sic 쑗 Our primary concern is the safety
tion is pretty much the same as it was of our passengers.
primary school /praməri sku
l/
primary school
yesterday. 쑗 I’m pretty sure I’m right. 쑗

You did pretty well, considering it was noun a school for children up to the age
the first time you had tried rock-climb- of eleven
ing. prime /pram/ adjective 1. most impor-
prime
prevent /prvent/ verb to stop some- tant 쑗 The prime suspect in the case is
prevent
thing happening 쑗 We must try to pre- the dead woman’s husband. 쑗 This is a
vent any more flooding. prime example of what is wrong with
previous /pri
viəs/ adjective happen-
previous
this country. 2. most likely to be chosen
ing or existing at an earlier time 쑗 The 쑗 She is a prime target for any kidnap-
letter was sent to my previous address. per.
쑗 The gang of workers had arrived the prime minister /pram mnstə/
prime minister
previous night and started work first noun the head of the government in
thing in the morning. 쑗 I had spent the Britain and other countries 쑗 the Aus-
previous day getting to know my way tralian Prime Minister or the Prime
round the town. Minister of Australia 쑗 She cut out the
previously /pri
viəsli/ adverb at a time picture of the Prime Minister from the
previously
before 쑗 This is my first train trip to newspaper. 쑗 The Prime Minister will
Paris – previously I’ve always gone by address the nation at 6 o’clock tonight.
plane. 쑗 The arrangements had been 쑗 He was determined to become prime
made six weeks previously. 쑗 At that minister before the age of 40. (NOTE:
time they were living in New York, and Use initial capitals when you are talk-
previously had lived in London. ing about a particular prime minister.)
prey /pre/ noun an animal eaten by an- prince /prns/ noun the son of a king or
prince
prey
other animal 쑗 Mice and small birds are queen

the favourite prey of owls. princess /prnses/ noun the daughter
princess
price /pras/ noun money which you of a king or queen 쑗 Once upon a time
price
have to pay to buy something 쑗 The a beautiful princess lived in a castle by

price of petrol is going up. 쑗 I don’t the edge of the forest. (NOTE: also used
want to pay such a high price for a hotel as a title before a name: Princess
room. 쑗 There has been a sharp in- Sophia. The plural is princesses.)
crease in house prices during the first principal /prnsp(ə)l/ adjective most
principal
six months of the year. important 쑗 The country’s principal

prick /prk/ verb to make a very small
prick
products are paper and wood. 쑗 She

hole with a sharp point in the outer layer played a principal role in setting up the
of something such as skin 쑗 She pricked organisation. 쐽 noun the head of a
her finger when she was picking roses. school or college 쑗 The principal wants
쑗 Prick the sausages before you fry to see you in her office. (NOTE: Do not
them to stop them from bursting. confuse with principle.)
principle 242 process

principle /prnsp(ə)l/ noun a general discuss with most people 쑗 You have no
principle
rule 쑗 the principles of nuclear physics right to interfere in my private affairs. 쑗

쑗 It is a principle in our system of jus- This is a private discussion between me
tice that a person is innocent until he is and my son. 앳 in private away from
proved guilty. other people 쑗 She asked to see the
print /prnt/ verb 1. to mark letters or
print
teacher in private.
prize /praz/ noun a reward given to
prize
pictures on paper with a machine, e.g. to

make a book 쑗 The book is printed di- someone who has won a competition 쑗
rectly from a computer disk. 쑗 We had He won first prize in the music competi-
five hundred copies of the leaflet print- tion. 쑗 He answered all the questions
ed. 2. to write capital letters or letters correctly and claimed the prize. 쑗 The
which are not joined together 쑗 Print prize was awarded jointly to the young
your name in the space below. 쐽 noun British and Russian competitors.
1. letters printed on a page 쑗 I can’t probable /prɒbəb(ə)l/ adjective likely
probable
read this book – the print is too small. 2. 쑗 It’s probable that the ship sank in a
a photograph 쑗 If you are not happy storm.
with your prints, we can guarantee a full probably /prɒbəbli/ adverb used for
probably
refund. saying that something is likely to hap-

print out phrasal verb to print informa- pen 쑗 We’re probably going to Spain for
tion from a computer through a printing our holidays. 쑗 My father is probably
machine 쑗 She printed out three copies going to retire next year. 쑗 Are you go-
of the letter. ing to Spain as usual this year? – Very
printer /prntə/ noun 1. a person or probably.
printer
problem /prɒbləm/ noun 1. something

problem
company that prints things such as

books and newspapers 쑗 The book has or someone that causes difficulty 쑗
gone to the printer, and we should have We’re having problems with the new
copies next week. 2. a machine for print- computer system. 왍 to solve a problem
ing documents to find an answer to a problem 쑗 The
printout /prntaυt/ noun paper printed
printout
police are trying to solve the problem of
with information from a computer how the thieves got into the house. 쑗 We
have called in an expert to solve our
prior /praə/ adjective before; previous
prior
computer problem. 2. a question in a

쑗 The house can be visited by prior ar-
test, especially in mathematics 쑗 Most
rangement with the owner.
of the students could do all the problems
priority /praɒrti/ noun 1. a right to be
priority

in the maths test. 앳 no problem used
first 쑗 Children have priority in the for giving an informal agreement to a
waiting list. 2. a thing which has to be request
done first 쑗 Finding somewhere to stay procedure /prəsi
d"ə/ noun 1. the way
procedure
the night was our main priority. in which something should be carried
prison /prz(ə)n/ noun a building where
prison
out 쑗 To obtain permission to build a

people are kept when they are being new house you need to follow the cor-
punished for a crime 쑗 The judge sent rect procedure. 2. a medical treatment 쑗
him to prison for five years. 쑗 His fa- a new procedure for treating burns
ther’s in prison for burglary. (NOTE: proceed /prəsi
d/ verb 1. to go further
proceed
Prison is often used without the article 쑗 He proceeded down the High Street
the.) towards the river. 2. to do something af-
prisoner /prz(ə)nə/ noun a person
prisoner
ter something else 쑗 The students then

who is in prison 쑗 The prisoners were proceeded to shout and throw bottles at
taken away in a police van. passing cars.
private /pravət/ adjective 1. which be- process /prəυses/ noun 1. the way in
private process
longs to one person, and is not available which something is done, or the fact of
to everyone 쑗 He flew there in his pri- it being done 쑗 a new process for ex-
vate jet. 2. that you would not like to tracting oil from coal (NOTE: The plural
procession 243 progress

is processes.) 2. 왍 in the process of medical profession 쑗 the teaching pro-
doing something while doing some- fession
thing 쑗 She interrupted me while I was professional /prəfeʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adjec-
professional
in the process of writing my report. 쑗 tive 1. relating to a profession 쑗 He

We were in the process of moving to keeps his professional life and his pri-
London when I had the offer of a job in vate life completely separate. 2. expert
Australia. 쐽 verb 1. to make goods from or skilled 쑗 They did a very professional
raw materials 쑗 The uranium has to be job in designing the new office. 3. (of
processed before it can be used in a nu- sportsmen) who is paid to play 쑗 a pro-
clear reactor. 2. to deal with a claim or fessional footballer 쐽 noun an expert 쑗
bill in the usual way 쑗 to process an in- Don’t try to deal with the problem your-
surance claim 쑗 Orders are processed self – get a professional in.
in our warehouse.
professor /prəfesə/ noun 1. the most
professor
procession /prəseʃ(ə)n/ noun a group

procession

of people walking in line, sometimes senior teacher in a particular subject at a

with music playing university 쑗 a professor of English 쑗 an
economics professor 2. the title taken by
produce1 /prədju
s/ verb 1. to show
produce

some teachers of music and art 쑗 She
something or bring something out of goes to Professor Smith for piano les-
e.g. your pocket 쑗 The tax office asked sons. (NOTE: used as a title before a
him to produce the relevant documents. name: Professor Smith.)
쑗 He produced a bundle of notes from
profit /prɒft/ noun money you gain
profit
his inside pocket. 쑗 The factory produc-

es cars and trucks. 2. to organise a play from selling something 쑗 The sale pro-
or film 쑗 She is producing ‘Hamlet’ for duced a good profit or a handsome prof-
the local drama club. 3. to make some- it.
thing, especially in a factory 4. to give program /prəυ'rm/ noun a set of in-
program
birth to young 쑗 Our cat has produced structions given to a computer 쑗 to load
six kittens. 5. to grow crops 쑗 The re- a program 쑗 to run a program 쑗 a
gion produces enough rice to supply the word-processing program 쐽 verb to
needs of the whole country. give instructions to a computer 쑗 They
produce2 /prɒdju
s/ noun things that
produce
program computers for a living. (NOTE:

have been grown in a garden or on a programs – programming – pro-
farm 쑗 vegetables and other garden grammed)
produce (NOTE: Do not confuse with
programme /prəυ'rm/ noun 1. a TV
programme
product.)
or radio show 쑗 We watched a pro-
producer /prədju
sə/ noun a company
producer

gramme on life in the 17th century. 쑗
or country which makes or grows some- There’s a football programme on after
thing 쑗 an important producer of steel 쑗 the news. 쑗 I want to listen to the phone-
The company is a major car producer. in programme at 9.15. 쑗 There are no
product /prɒdkt/ noun a thing which
product
good television programmes tonight. 쑗

is made in a factory 쑗 The government The programme gives a list of the ac-
is helping industry to sell more products tors. 2. a paper in a theatre or at a sports
abroad. (NOTE: Do not confuse with event, which gives information about
produce.) the show 쐽 verb to arrange programmes
production /prədkʃən/ noun 1. the
production

on TV or radio 쑗 The new chat show is
process of making of something 쑗 We programmed to compete with the gar-
are trying to step up production. 쑗 Pro- dening programme on the other chan-
duction will probably be held up by the nel.
strike. 2. organising a play or film 쑗 The progress1 /prəυ'res/ noun 1. a move-
progress
film is currently in production. ment forwards 쑗 We are making good

profession /prəfeʃ(ə)n/ noun work
profession
progress towards finishing the house.

which needs special training, skill or (NOTE: no plural) 2. 왍 in progress
knowledge 쑗 the legal profession 쑗 the which is happening or being done 쑗 The
progress 244 proposal

meeting is still in progress. 쑗 We still pronoun /prəυnaυn/ noun a word used
pronoun
have a lot of work in progress. instead of a noun, such as ‘I’, ‘you’,

progress2 /prəυ'res/ verb to develop ‘he’, ‘she’ and ‘it’
progress
or move forwards 쑗 Work on the new pronounce /prənaυns/ verb 1. to

pronounce
road is progressing slowly. speak sounds, especially in a particular

project1 /prɒd"ekt/ noun work planned way 쑗 How do you pronounce ‘Paris’ in
project
by students on their own 쑗 She asked French? 2. to state something officially

her teacher for some pointers to help 쑗 He was pronounced dead on arrival
her with her project. at hospital. 쑗 The priest pronounced
them man and wife.
project2 /prəd"ekt/ verb to send a pic-
project
/prənnsieʃ(ə)n/
pronunciation
ture onto a screen 쑗 The lecturer pro- pronunciation
jected slides of his visit to the Arctic. noun a way of saying words 쑗 What’s
projector /prəd"ektə/ noun a machine
projector

the correct pronunciation of ‘controver-
which sends pictures onto a screen sy’? 쑗 You should try to improve your
pronunciation by taking lessons from
promise /prɒms/ noun the act of say-
promise
native speakers.
ing that you will definitely do some-
proof /pru
f/ noun something which
proof
thing 쑗 But you made a promise not to

proves that something is true 쑗 The po-
tell anyone else and now you’ve told my
lice have no proof that he committed the
mother! 쑗 I’ll pay you back on Friday –
murder.
that’s a promise. 쐽 verb to give your
prop /prɒp/ noun a support or stick
prop
word that you will definitely do some-

thing 쑗 They promised to be back for which holds something up 쑗 I used a
supper. 쑗 You must promise to bring the piece of wood as a prop to keep the win-
computer back when you have finished dow open.
with it. 쑗 He promised he would look proper /prɒpə/ adjective right and cor-
proper
into the problem. 쑗 She promised the rect; in the way that things are normally
staff an extra week’s holiday but it never done 쑗 She didn’t put the sugar back
materialised. into its proper place in the cupboard. 쑗
promote /prəməυt/ verb 1. to give This is the proper way to use a knife and
promote
someone a better job 쑗 He was promot- fork. 쑗 The parcel wasn’t delivered be-
ed from salesman to sales manager. 2. to cause it didn’t have the proper address.
properly /prɒpəli/ adverb correctly 쑗
properly
make sure that people know about a

product or service, by advertising it 쑗 The accident happened because the ga-
There are posters all over the place pro- rage hadn’t fitted the wheel properly. 쑗
moting the new night club. 3. to encour- The parcel wasn’t properly addressed.
age something 쑗 The club’s aim is to property /prɒpəti/ noun 1. something
property
promote gardening. that belongs to a particular person 쑗 The

promotion /prəməυʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a
promotion
furniture is the property of the landlord.

move to a better job 쑗 He ruined his 쑗 The hotel guests lost all their property
chances of promotion when he argued in the fire. 쑗 The management is not re-
with the boss. 2. the process of advertis- sponsible for property left in the restau-
ing a new product 쑗 We’re giving away rant. 2. buildings and land 쑗 The family
small bottles of shampoo as a promo- owns property in West London. 쑗 A lot
tion. of industrial property was damaged in
prompt /prɒmpt/ adjective done imme-
prompt
the war. (NOTE: [all senses] no plural)
diately 쑗 Thank you for your prompt re- proportion /prəpɔ
ʃ(ə)n/ noun a part
proportion
ply. 쐽 verb to tell an actor words which of a whole 쑗 Only a small proportion of
he or she has forgotten 쑗 He had to be his income comes from his TV appear-
prompted in the middle of a long speech. ances.
promptly /prɒmptli/ adverb very soon proposal /prəpəυz(ə)l/ noun a plan
promptly proposal
after an event, in a way that is helpful or which has been suggested 쑗 The com-
efficient mittee made a proposal to rebuild the
propose 245 publication

clubhouse. 쑗 His proposal was accept- went to prison still protesting her inno-
ed by the committee. 쑗 She put forward cence.
a proposal but it was rejected. protester /prətestə/ noun a person
protester
propose /prəpəυz/ verb to make a sug- who protests in a public way about
propose
gestion 쑗 I propose that we all go for a something they don’t agree with 쑗 Sev-
swim. eral protesters stood outside the bank’s
offices handing out leaflets.
prosecute /prɒskju
t/ verb to bring
prosecute
proud /praυd/ adjective showing pleas-

proud
someone to court to answer a criminal

charge 쑗 People found stealing from the ure in what you or someone else has
shop will be prosecuted. done or in something which belongs to
you 쑗 We’re proud of the fact we did it
prospect /prɒspekt/ noun a future pos-
prospect
all without help from anyone else.

sibility 쑗 There is no prospect of getting proudly /praυdli/ adverb showing that
proudly
her to change her mind. 쑗 Faced with you are proud of something
the grim prospect of two weeks at home
prove /pru
v/ verb to show that some-
prove
he decided to go on holiday. 쐽 plural

noun prospects future opportunities, thing is true 쑗 The police think he stole
especially in your work 쑗 His job pros- the car but they can’t prove it. 쑗 I was
pects are very good. 쑗 What are our determined to prove him wrong or that
prospects of success in this business he was wrong. 쒁 proof (NOTE: proves –
deal? proving – proved)
proverb /prɒv
b/ noun a saying which
proverb
protect /prətekt/ verb to keep someone

protect

teaches you something
or something safe from harm or danger
provide /prəvad/ verb to supply some-
provide
쑗 The cover protects the machine
against dust. 쑗 The injection is sup- thing 쑗 Medical help was provided by
posed to protect you against the disease. the Red Cross. 쑗 Our hosts provided us
with a car and driver.
protection /prətekʃən/ noun shelter,
protection
provided (that) /prəvadd ðt/, pro-

provided

the process of being protected 쑗 The viding /prəvadŋ/ conjunction on

trees give some protection from the rain. condition that; as long as, so long as 쑗
쑗 The legislation offers no protection to
It’s nice to go on a picnic provided it
temporary workers. 쑗 The injection doesn’t rain. 쑗 You can all come to
gives some protection against cholera. watch the rehearsal providing you don’t
protein /prəυti
n/ noun a substance in
protein
interrupt.
food such as meat, eggs and nuts which prudent /pru
dənt/ adjective showing
prudent
is one of the elements in food which you good sense and using good judgement 쑗
need to keep your body working proper- It would be prudent to consult a lawyer
ly before you sign the contract.
protest1 /prəυtest/ noun a statement pub /pb/ noun a place where you can
protest
pub
saying that you object or disapprove of buy beer and other alcoholic drinks, and
something 쑗 The new road went ahead sometimes meals 쑗 I happened to meet
despite the protests of the local inhabit- him at the pub. 쑗 We had a sandwich
ants. 쑗 She resigned as a protest against and some beer in the pub.
the change in government policy. public /pblk/ adjective relating to the
public
protest2 /prətest/ verb 1. to say or people in general 쑗 The crown jewels
protest
show that you do not approve of some- are on public display in the Tower of
thing 쑗 After being stuck in the train for London. 쑗 It’s in the public interest that
twenty minutes, the passengers began to the facts should be known. 쐽 noun peo-
protest. 왍 to protest against something ple in general 쑗 The public have the
to object strongly to something 쑗 Eve- right to know what is going on.
publication /pblkeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1.
publication
ryone has protested against the increase
in fares. 2. to insist that something is the process of making something public

true, when others think it isn’t 쑗 She 쑗 The publication of the official figures
publicity 246 pupil

has been delayed. 2. a book or newspa- pull up phrasal verb 1. to bring some-
per which has been published 쑗 He thing closer 쑗 Pull your chair up to the
asked the library for a list of gardening window. 2. (of a vehicle) to stop 쑗 A car
publications. pulled up and the driver asked me if I
publicity /pblsti/ noun advertising
publicity
wanted a lift. 쑗 He didn’t manage to

which attracts people’s attention to pull up in time and ran into the back of
something 쑗 We’re trying to get public- the car in front.
ity for our school play. 쑗 The failure of pullover /pυləυvə/ noun a piece of
pullover
the show was blamed on bad publicity. clothing made of wool, which covers
publicly /pblkli/ adverb in public 쑗
publicly
the top part of your body

The Prime Minister publicly denied the pulse /pls/ noun a regular beat of your
pulse
accusations. heart 쑗 The doctor took his pulse. 쑗 Her

publish /pblʃ/ verb 1. to bring out a
publish
pulse is very weak.

book or newspaper for sale 쑗 The com- pump /pmp/ noun a machine for forc-
pump
pany publishes six magazines for the ing liquids or air into something 쑗 a bi-
business market. 쑗 We publish diction- cycle pump 쐽 verb to force in something
aries for students. 2. to make something such as liquid or air with a pump 쑗 Your
publicly known 쑗 The government has back tyre needs pumping up. 쑗 The
not published the figures yet. heart pumps blood round the body.
publisher /pblʃə/ noun a person or
publisher
punch /pntʃ/ noun 1. a blow with the

punch
company that produces books or news- fist 쑗 She landed two punches on his
papers for sale head. 2. a metal tool for making holes 쑗
pudding /pυdŋ/ noun 1. a sweet dish at
pudding
The holes in the belt are made with a

the end of the meal 쑗 I’ll have ice cream punch. (NOTE: The plural is punches.)
for my pudding. 2. a sweet cooked food 쐽 verb 1. to hit someone with your fist
puddle /pd(ə)l/ noun a small pool of
puddle
쑗 He punched me on the nose. 2. to
water, e.g. on the ground after it has make holes in something with a punch 쑗
rained The conductor punched my ticket.
punctual /pŋktʃuəl/ adjective on time
punctual
pull /pυl/ verb to move something to-

pull
wards you or after you 쑗 Pull the door 쑗 He was punctual for his appointment
to open it, don’t push it. 쑗 The truck was with the dentist.
punctuation /pŋktʃueʃ(ə)n/ noun
punctuation
pulling a trailer. 쑗 She pulled an enve-
lope out of her bag. the practice of dividing up groups of

pull off phrasal verb 1. to take off a words using special printed symbols
puncture /pŋktʃə/ noun a hole in a
puncture
piece of clothing by pulling 쑗 He sat

down and pulled off his dirty boots. 2. to tyre 쑗 I’ve got a puncture in my back
succeed in doing something very good, tyre. 쐽 verb to make a small hole in
especially if it is unexpected 쑗 The deal something 쑗 The tyre had been punc-
will be great for the company, if we can tured by a nail.
punish /pnʃ/ verb to make someone
punish
pull it off.
pull out phrasal verb 1. to take some- suffer because of something they have
thing out by pulling 쑗 They used a rope done 쑗 The children must be punished
to pull the car out of the river. 2. to drive for stealing apples. 쑗 The simplest way
a car away from the side of the road 쑗 to punish them will be to make them pay
He forgot to signal as he was pulling for the damage they caused.
out. 쑗 Don’t pull out into the main road punishment /pnʃmənt/ noun a
punishment
until you can see that there is nothing treatment given to punish someone 쑗 As
coming. a punishment, you’ll wash the kitchen
pull over phrasal verb to drive a car to- floor.
wards the side of the road and stop 쑗 pupil /pju
p(ə)l/ noun 1. a child at a
pupil
The police car signalled to him to pull school 쑗 There are twenty-five pupils in
over. the class. 쑗 The piano teacher thinks
puppet 247 put

she is her best pupil. 2. a black hole in piano is too heavy to lift, so we’ll have
the central part of the eye, through to push it into the next room. 쑗 Did she
which the light passes 쑗 The pupil of the fall down the stairs or was she pushed?
eye grows larger when there is less light. put /pυt/ verb to place something some-
put
puppet /ppt/ noun a doll which

puppet
where 쑗 Did you remember to put the

moves, used to give a show milk in the fridge? 쑗 Where do you want
puppy /ppi/ noun a young dog 쑗 Our me to put this book? (NOTE: puts –
puppy
dog has had six puppies. (NOTE: The putting – put – has put)
plural is puppies.) put back phrasal verb to put some-
purchase /p
tʃs/ noun something
purchase
thing where it was before

that has been bought 쑗 She had difficul- put down phrasal verb 1. to place
ty getting all her purchases into the car. something lower down onto a surface 쑗
왍 to make a purchase to buy something He put his suitcase down on the floor
쑗 We didn’t make many purchases on beside him. 2. to kill an animal that is
our trip to Oxford Street. 쐽 verb to buy old or ill, painlessly using drugs 쑗 The
something 쑗 They purchased their car cat will have to be put down.
in France and brought it back to the UK put in phrasal verb 1. to place some-
purchaser /p
tʃsə/ noun a person
purchaser
thing inside something 쑗 I forgot to put

who buys something in my pyjamas when I packed the case.
pure /pjυə/ adjective 1. not spoiled by
pure
2. to fix something such as a system or

being mixed with other things or sub- a large piece of equipment in place so
stances of a lower quality 쑗 a bottle of that it can be used 쑗 The first thing we
pure water 쑗 a pure silk blouse 쑗 a pure have to do with the cottage is to put in
mountain stream 2. total, complete 쑗 central heating.
This is pure nonsense. 쑗 It is pure extor- put off phrasal verb 1. to arrange for
tion. 쑗 It is pure spite on his part. 쑗 It something to take place later 쑗 We have
was by pure good luck that I happened put the meeting off until next month. 2.
to find it. (NOTE: purer – purest) to take someone’s attention so that they
purple /p
p(ə)l/ adjective blue-red in
purple
cannot do things properly 쑗 Stop mak-

colour 쑗 The sky turned purple as night ing that strange noise, it’s putting me off
approached. 쑗 His face was purple with my work. 3. to say something that makes
fury. 쐽 noun a blue-red colour 쑗 They someone decide not to do something 쑗
painted their living room a deep purple. He told a story about cows that put me
purpose /p
pəs/ noun an aim or plan off my food. 쑗 I was going to see the
purpose
쑗 The purpose of the meeting is to plan film, but my brother said something
the village fair. which put me off.
purse /p
s/ noun a small bag for carry- put on phrasal verb 1. to place some-
purse
ing money 쑗 I know I had my purse in thing on top of something, on a surface

my pocket when I left home. 쑗 She put 쑗 Put the lid on the saucepan. 쑗 He put
her ticket in her purse so that she his hand on my arm. 쑗 Put the suitcases
wouldn’t forget where it was. down on the floor. 2. to dress yourself in
pursue /pəsju
/ verb to go after some-
pursue

a certain piece of clothing 쑗 I put a
one in order to try to catch him or her clean shirt on before I went to the party.
(formal ) 쑗 The police pursued the stolen 쑗 Put your gloves on, it’s cold outside.
car across London. 쑗 The boys fled, 쑗 Put on your wellies if you’re going
pursued by their older brother. out in the rain. 3. to switch something
push /pυʃ/ noun the action of making
push
on 쑗 Can you put the light on, it’s get-
something move forwards 쑗 Can you ting dark? 쑗 Put on the kettle and we’ll
give the car a push? – It won’t start. 쐽 have some tea.
verb to make something move away put out phrasal verb 1. to place some-
from you or in front of you 쑗 We’ll have thing outside 쑗 Did you remember to
to push the car to get it to start. 쑗 The put the cat out? 2. to switch something
puzzle 248 pyramid

off 쑗 He put the light out and went to put up with phrasal verb to accept
bed. someone or something unpleasant 쑗 I
put up phrasal verb 1. to attach some- don’t think I can put up with that noise
thing to a wall, to attach something high any longer.
puzzle /pz(ə)l/ noun 1. a game where
puzzle
up 쑗 I’ve put up the photos of my family

over my desk. 쑗 They are putting up you have to find the answer to a problem
Christmas decorations all along Regent 쑗 I can’t do today’s crossword puzzle. 2.
Street. 2. to build something 쑗 They put something that is hard to understand 쑗
up a wooden shed in their garden. 3. to It’s a puzzle to me why they don’t go to
increase something, to make something live in the country. 쐽 verb to be difficult
higher 쑗 The shop has put up all its to understand 쑗 It puzzles me how the
prices by 5%. 4. to give someone a place robbers managed to get away.
to sleep in your house 쑗 They’ve missed pyramid /prəmd/ noun a shape with a
pyramid
the last train, can you put them up for square base and four sides rising to meet
the night? at a point
Q
q /kju
/, Q noun the seventeenth letter of quarter empty. 쑗 He paid only a quarter
q
the alphabet, between P and R of the normal fare because he works for
qualification /kwɒlfkeʃ(ə)n/ noun
qualification

the airline.
quay /ki
/ noun the part of a harbour or
quay
1. something necessary for a job, e.g.

proof that you have completed a partic- port where boats stop (NOTE: Do not
ular course of study 쑗 Does she have the confuse with key.)
right qualifications for the job? 2. queen /kwi
n/ noun 1. the wife of a king
queen
something which limits the meaning of 쑗 King Charles I’s queen was the
a statement, or shows that you do not
daughter of the king of France. 2. a
agree with something completely 쑗 I
woman who rules a country 쑗 The
want to add one qualification to the
Queen sometimes lives in Windsor Cas-
agreement: if the goods are not deliv-
tle. 쑗 Queen Victoria was queen for
ered by the 30th of June, then the order
many years. (NOTE: queen is spelt with
will be cancelled. 3. success in a test or
a capital letter when used before a
competition which takes you on to the
name or when referring to a particular
next stage 쑗 She didn’t reach the neces-
person: Queen Elizabeth I.) 3. in the
sary standard for qualification.
game of chess, the second most impor-
qualify /kwɒlfa/ verb to attach condi-
qualify
tant piece, after the king 쑗 In three

tions to something 쑗 I must qualify the moves he had captured my queen.
offer by saying that your proposals still
query /kwəri/ noun a question
query
have to be approved by the chairman. 쑗 She

(NOTE: qualifies – qualifying – quali- had to answer a mass of queries about
fied) the tax form. (NOTE: The plural is que-
ries.)
quality /kwɒlti/ noun 1. how good
quality
question /kwestʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a sen-

question
something is 쑗 We want to measure the

air quality in the centre of town. 쑗 There tence which needs an answer 쑗 The
are several high-quality restaurants in teacher couldn’t answer the children’s
the West End. (NOTE: no plural) 2. some- questions. 쑗 Some of the questions in
thing which is part of a person’s charac- the exam were too difficult. 쑗 The man-
ter 쑗 She has many good qualities, but ager refused to answer questions from
unfortunately is extremely lazy. 쑗 What journalists about the fire. 2. a problem
qualities do you expect in a good sales- or matter 쑗 The question is, who do we
man? (NOTE: The plural is qualities.) appoint to run the shop when we’re on
quantity /kwɒntti/ noun how much of
quantity
holiday? 쑗 The main question is that of
something there is (NOTE: The plural is cost. 쑗 He raised the question of moving
quantities.) to a less expensive part of town. 쐽 verb
to ask questions 쑗 The police ques-
quarrel /kwɒrəl/ noun an occasion
quarrel
tioned the driver for four hours. 앳 in

when people argue about something 쑗 question under discussion 쑗 Please
They have had a quarrel and aren’t keep to the matter in question.
speaking to each other. 쑗 I think the
question mark /kweʃtʃən mɑ
k/
question mark
quarrel was over who was in charge of

the cash desk. noun a sign (?) used in writing to show
quarter /kwɔ
tə/ noun one of four
quarter
that a question is being asked
questionnaire /kwestʃəneə/ noun a
questionnaire
equal parts of something 쑗 She cut the
pear into quarters. 쑗 The jar is only a printed list of questions given to people
queue 250 quote

to answer, usually questions about what quietly up to the window. 쑗 She shut the
they like or what they buy door quietly behind her.
quit /kwt/ verb 1. to leave something
quit
queue /kju
/ noun a line of people or
queue
things such as cars, waiting one behind such as a job or a place and not return 쑗
the other for something 쑗 There was a When the boss criticised her, she quit. 쑗
queue of people waiting to get into the I’m fed up with the office, I’m thinking
exhibition. 쑗 We joined the queue at the of quitting. 2. US to stop doing some-
entrance to the stadium. 쐽 verb to stand thing 쑗 Will you quit bothering me! 쑗
in a line and wait for something 쑗 We He quit smoking. (NOTE: quits – quit-
spent hours queuing for tickets. (NOTE: ting – quit or quitted)
quite /kwat/ adverb 1. to some degree 쑗
quite
queues – queuing – queued)

quick /kwk/ adjective done with speed
quick
It’s quite a long play. 쑗 She’s quite a
or in a short time 쑗 I’m trying to work good writer. 쑗 The book is quite amus-
out the quickest way to get to the Tower ing but I liked the TV play better. 2. to a
of London. 쑗 We had a quick lunch and great degree 쑗 You’re quite mad to go
then went off for a walk. 쑗 He is much walking in a snowstorm. 쑗 He’s quite
quicker at calculating than I am. 쑗 I am right. 쑗 I don’t quite understand why
not sure that going by air to Paris is you want to go China.
quiz /kwz/ noun a game where you are
quiz
quicker than taking the train.

asked a series of questions 쑗 She got all
quickly /kwkli/ adverb very fast, with-
quickly
the questions right in the quiz. 쑗 They

out taking much time 쑗 He ate his sup- organised a general knowledge quiz.
per very quickly because he wanted to (NOTE: The plural is quizzes.)
watch the match on TV. 쑗 The firemen
quotation /kwəυteʃ(ə)n/ noun the
quotation
came quickly when we called 999.
words of one person which are repeated

quiet /kwaət/ adjective 1. without any
quiet
by another person 쑗 The article ended

noise 쑗 a house in a quiet street 쑗 I wish with a quotation from one of Churchill’s
the children would be quiet. – I’m trying speeches.
to work. 2. with no great excitement 쑗 quote /kwəυt/ noun a quotation 쑗 I need
quote
We had a quiet holiday by the sea. 쑗 It’s some good quotes from his speech to put
a quiet little village. 쑗 The hotel is in the into my report. 쐽 verb to repeat what
quietest part of the town. someone has said or written 쑗 He start-
quietly /kwaətli/ adverb without mak-
quietly
ed his speech by quoting lines from

ing any noise 쑗 The burglar climbed Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’.
R
r /ɑ
/, R noun the eighteenth letter of the ing air waves 쑗 They got the news by ra-
r
alphabet, between Q and S dio. 쑗 We always listen to BBC radio

rabbit /rbt/ noun a common wild an-
rabbit
when we’re on holiday. 2. a machine
imal with grey fur, long ears and a short which sends out and receives messages
white tail 쑗 The rabbit ran down its using air waves 쑗 Turn on the radio –
hole. 쑗 She keeps a pet rabbit in a cage. it’s time for the weather forecast. 쑗 I
heard the news on the car radio. 쑗
race /res/ noun a competition to see
race
Please, turn the radio down – I’m on the

which person, animal or vehicle is the phone.
fastest 쑗 She was second in the 200 me-
radius /rediəs/ noun 1. a line from the
radius
tres race. 쑗 The bicycle race goes round

the whole country. 쐽 verb 1. to run fast centre of a circle to the outside edge 쑗
쑗 They saw the bus coming and raced to We were all asked to measure the radius
the bus stop. 쑗 He snatched some of the circle. 2. the distance in any direc-
watches from the shop window and then tion from a particular central point 쑗
raced away down the street. 2. to run People within a radius of twenty miles
with someone in order to find out who is heard the explosion. 쑗 The school ac-
fastest 쑗 I’ll race you to see who gets to cepts children living within a two-mile
school first. radius. (NOTE: The plural is radii or ra-
diuses.)
rack /rk/ noun a frame for holding
rack
rag /r'/ noun a piece of torn cloth 쑗 He

rag
things, e.g. letters, tools or suitcases 쑗

He put the envelope in the letter rack on used an old oily rag to clean his motor-
his desk. bike.
rage /red"/ noun sudden extreme anger
rage
racket /rkt/ noun 1. a light frame

racket
with tight strings, used for hitting the 쑗 Her face was red with rage. 쐽 verb to
ball in games 쑗 She bought a new tennis be violent 쑗 The storm raged all night.
racket at the start of the summer season. raid /red/ noun a sudden attack; a sud-
raid
쑗 She asked if she could borrow his den visit by the police 쑗 Robbers car-
badminton racket for the tournament. 2. ried out six raids on post offices during
a loud noise (informal ) 쑗 Stop that rack- the night. 쑗 Police carried out a series
et at once! 쑗 The people next door make of raids on addresses in London. 쐽 verb
a terrible racket when they’re having a to make a sudden attack on a place 쑗
party. The police raided the club. 쑗 We caught
radiator /redietə/ noun 1. a metal ob- the boys raiding the fridge.
radiator
ject, usually fixed to a wall, which is rail /rel/ noun 1. a straight metal or
rail
filled with hot water for heating a room wooden bar 쑗 The pictures all hang
쑗 Turn the radiator down – it’s boiling from a picture rail. 쑗 Hold onto the rail
in here. 쑗 When we arrived at the hotel as you go down the stairs. 쑗 There is a
our room was cold, so we switched the heated towel rail in the bathroom. 2.
radiators on. 2. a metal container filled one of two parallel metal bars on which
with cold water for preventing a car en- trains run 쑗 Don’t try to cross the rails
gine from becoming too hot 쑗 The radi- – it’s dangerous. 3. the railway, a system
ator overheated causing the car to of travel using trains 쑗 Six million com-
break down. muters travel to work by rail each day. 쑗
radio /rediəυ/ noun 1. a method of
radio
We ship all our goods by rail. 쑗 Rail

sending out and receiving messages us- travellers are complaining about rising
railway 252 rash

fares. 쑗 Rail travel is cheaper than air South America 쑗 The cowboys returned
travel. to the ranch each evening. 쑗 They left
railway /relwe/ noun a way of travel-
railway
the city and bought a ranch in Colora-
ling which uses trains to carry passen- do.
rang /rŋ/ past tense of ring
rang
gers and goods 쑗 The railway station is

in the centre of town. 쑗 The French rail- range /rend"/ noun 1. a choice or series
range
way system has high-speed trains to all of things which are available 쑗 We have
major cities. a range of holidays at all prices. 쑗 I am
rain /ren/ noun drops of water which fall
rain
looking for something in the £20–£30

from the clouds 쑗 The ground is very price range. 2. a distance which you can
dry – we’ve had no rain for days. 쑗 Yes- go; a distance over which you can see or
terday we had 3cm of rain or 3cm of rain hear 쑗 The missile only has a range of
fell here yesterday. 쑗 If you have to go 100 km. 쑗 The police said the man had
out in the rain take an umbrella. 쑗 All been shot at close range. 쑗 The optician
this rain will help the plants grow. 쐽 told her that her range of vision would
verb to fall as drops of water from the be limited. 3. a series of buildings or
clouds 쑗 As soon as we sat down and mountains in line 쑗 There is a range of
took out the sandwiches it started to outbuildings next to the farmhouse
rain. 쑗 Look at the clouds, it’s going to which can be converted into holiday
rain. cottages. 쑗 They looked out at the vast
rainbow /renbəυ/ noun a shape like mountain range from the plane window.
rainbow
half a circle which shines with many 쐽 verb 왍 to range from include all
colours in the sky when it is sunny and types between two limits 쑗 The sizes
raining at the same time range from small to extra large. 쑗 Holi-
days range in price from £150 to £350
raincoat /renkəυt/ noun a coat which
raincoat
per person. 쑗 The quality of this year’s

keeps off water, which you wear when it
examination papers ranged from excel-
is raining
lent to very poor.
rain forest /ren fɒrst/ noun a thick
rain forest
rank /rŋk/ noun an official position in

rank
forest which grows in tropical regions

where there is a lot of rain the army, the police force or a similar
organisation 쑗 She rose to the rank of
raise /rez/ verb 1. to put something in a
raise
captain.
higher position or at a higher level 쑗 He
rapid /rpd/ adjective done very quick-
rapid
picked up the flag and raised it over his

head. 쑗 Air fares will be raised on June ly or happening very quickly 쑗 There
1st. 2. to mention a subject which could has been a rapid rise in property prices
be discussed 쑗 No one raised the sub- this year. 쑗 The rapid change in the
ject of politics. 쑗 The manager tried to weather forced the yachts to turn for
prevent the question of pay being raised. home.
rapidly /rpdli/ adverb quickly
rapidly
3. to obtain money 쑗 The hospital is try-

ing to raise £2m to finance its building rare /reə/ adjective not usual or common
rare
programme. 쑗 Where will he raise the 쑗 It’s very rare to meet a foreigner who
money from to start up his business? 4. speaks perfect Chinese. 쑗 Experienced
to look after a child 쑗 She was raised by sales staff are rare these days. 쑗 The
her aunt in Canada. (NOTE: raises – woodland is the habitat of a rare species
raising – raised) of frog. (NOTE: rarer – rarest)
rally /rli/ noun a large meeting of
rally
rarely /reəli/ adverb almost never 쑗 I

rarely
members of a group or political party 쑗 rarely buy a Sunday newspaper. 쑗 He is

We are holding a rally to protest against rarely in his office on Friday afternoons.
the job cuts.
rash /rʃ/ noun a mass of red spots on
rash
ran /rn/ past tense of run

ran
your skin, which stays for a time and

ranch /rɑ
ntʃ/ noun a farm where horses
ranch
then disappears 쑗 She had a rash on her

or cows are kept, especially in North or arms. 쐽 adjective done without think-
rat 253 reader

ing carefully or sensibly 쑗 It was a bit some meat from my plate. 쑗 He’s quite
rash of him to suggest that he would pay tall enough to reach the tool cupboard.
for everyone. 쑗 Can you reach me down the suitcase
rat /rt/ noun a small furry animal like a
rat
from the top shelf? 2. to arrive at a place
large mouse which has a long tail and 쑗 We were held up by fog and only
can carry disease reached home at midnight. 쑗 The plane
reaches Hong Kong at midday. 쑗 We
rate /ret/ noun 1. a number shown as a
rate
wrote to tell her we were coming to visit,

proportion of another 2. how frequently but the letter never reached her. 3. to get
something is done or how often some- to a certain level 쑗 The amount we owe
thing happens 쑗 a sharp increase in the the bank has reached £100,000.
country’s birth rate 쑗 His heart was
react /rikt/ verb to do or to say some-
react
beating at a rate of only 59 per minute.
3. a level of payment 쑗 He immediately thing as a result of something that some-

accepted the rate offered. 쑗 Before we one else does or says 쑗 How will he re-
discuss the project further, I would like act when we tell him the news? 쑗 When
to talk about the rates of payment. 쑗 she heard the rumour she didn’t react at
Their rate of pay is lower than ours. 4. all.
speed 쑗 At the rate he’s going, he’ll be reaction /rikʃən/ noun 1. a thing done
reaction
there before us. 쑗 If you type at a steady or said as a result of something else 쑗
rate of 70 words per minute you’ll finish His immediate reaction to the news was
copying the text today. to burst into laughter. 쑗 There was a
rather /rɑ
ðə/ adverb to a slight degree very negative reaction to the proposed
rather
쑗 Their house is rather on the small building development. 2. a process of

side. 쑗 Her dress is a rather pretty chemical change 쑗 A chemical reaction
shade of blue. takes place when the acid is added.
ratio /reʃiəυ/ noun an amount of some- read /ri
d/ verb 1. to look at and under-
ratio read
thing measured in relation to another stand written words 쑗 She was reading
amount 쑗 the ratio of successes to fail- a book when I saw her. 쑗 What are you
ures 쑗 Our athletes beat theirs by a ra- reading at the moment? 쑗 We’re read-
tio of two to one (2:1). (NOTE: The plural ing about the general election. 2. to
is ratios.) look at and understand written music 쑗
rattle /rt(ə)l/ verb to make a repeated
rattle
She can play the piano by ear, but can’t
noise like two pieces of wood hitting read music. 3. to understand the mean-
each other 쑗 The wind made the win- ing of data from something such as a
dows rattle. computer disk or a piece of electronic
equipment 쑗 My PC cannot read these
raw /rɔ
/ adjective not cooked 쑗 Don’t be
raw
old disks. 쑗 The scanner reads the code

silly – you can’t eat raw potatoes! 쑗 We on each product. 4. to speak the words
had a salad of raw cabbage and toma- of something which is written 쑗 The
toes. 쑗 Sushi is a Japanese dish of raw chairman read a message from the pres-
fish. 쑗 They served the meat almost raw. ident during the meeting. 쑗 She reads a
ray /re/ noun a beam of light or heat 쑗 A
ray
story to the children every night. 쑗 Can

ray of sunshine hit the window pane and you read the instructions on the medi-
lit up the gloomy room. cine bottle? – The print is too small for
razor /rezə/ noun an instrument with a me. (NOTE: reads – reading – read)
razor
very sharp blade for removing hair from read aloud, read out phrasal verb to
the face or body speak the words you are reading
reach /ri
tʃ/ noun how far you can reader /ri
də/ noun 1. a person who
reach reader
stretch out your hand 쑗 Keep the medi- reads, especially a person who reads
cine bottle out of the reach of the chil- regularly or who reads a particular
dren. 쐽 verb 1. to stretch out your hand newspaper or type of book 쑗 a message
in order to touch or take something 쑗 from the editor to all our readers 쑗
She reached across the table and took She’s a great reader of science fiction.
reading 254 reasonable

2. a school book to help children to The plural is realities.) in reality in
앳
learn to read 쑗 The teacher handed out fact 쑗 She always told people she was
the new readers to the class. 쑗 I remem- poor, but in reality she was worth mil-
ber one of my first readers – it was lions.
about pirates. really /rəli/ adverb 1. in fact
really
쑗 The
reading /ri
dŋ/ noun 1. the act of look-
reading
building really belongs to my father. 2.

ing at and understanding written words used to show surprise 쑗 She’s not really
쑗 Reading and writing should be taught French, is she? 쑗 She doesn’t like ap-
early. 2. an occasion when someone ples. – Really, how strange! 쑗 Did you
speaks the words of something which is really mean what you said?
written 쑗 They gave a poetry reading in
rear /rə/ noun the part at the back 쑗 The
rear
the bookshop.
rear of the car was damaged in the acci-
ready /redi/ adjective 1. prepared for
ready
dent. 쑗 They sat towards the rear of the

something 쑗 Hold on – I’ll be ready in cinema. 쐽 adjective at the back 쑗 The
two minutes. 쑗 Are all the children children sat in the rear seats in the car.
ready to go to school? 쑗 Why isn’t the 쑗 He wound down the rear window. 쐽
coach here? – The group are all ready verb 1. to look after animals or children
and waiting to go. 2. available and suit- as they are growing up 쑗 They rear
able to be used or eaten 쑗 Don’t sit horses on their farm. 쑗 They stopped
down yet – the meal isn’t ready. 쑗 Is my rearing pigs because of the smell. 2. to
dry cleaning ready yet? rise up, or to lift something up 쑗 A rhino
real /rəl/ adjective 1. not false or artifi- suddenly reared up out of the long
real
cial 쑗 Is that watch real gold? 쑗 That grass. 쑗 The walls of the castle reared
plastic apple looks very real or looks up before them.
just like the real thing. 쑗 He has a real reason /ri
z(ə)n/ noun 1. a thing which
reason
leather case. 2. used for emphasising explains why something has happened
something 쑗 That car is a real bargain 쑗 The airline gave no reason for the
at £300. 쑗 Their little girl is going to be plane’s late arrival. 쑗 The boss asked
a real beauty. 쑗 Wasps can be a real him for the reason why he was behind
problem on picnics. 쑗 There’s a real with his work. 2. the ability to make sen-
danger that the shop will be closed. 3. sible judgments 쑗 She wouldn’t listen to
which exists in the world, not only in reason. 쐽 verb to think or to plan some-
someone’s imagination or in stories 쑗 thing carefully and sensibly 쑗 He rea-
She believes fairies are real. soned that any work is better than no
realise /rəlaz/, realize verb 1. to un- work, so he took the job. 쑗 If you take
realise
derstand clearly something that you did the time to reason it out, you’ll find a so-
not understand before 쑗 He didn’t real- lution to the problem. 앳 it stands to
ise what he was letting himself in for reason it is reasonable 쑗 It stands to
when he said he would paint the house. reason that he wants to join his father’s
쑗 We soon realised we were on the firm. 앳 to see reason to see that some-
wrong road. 쑗 When she went into the one’s argument is right or reasonable 쑗
manager’s office she did not realise she She was going to report her neighbours
was going to be sacked. 2. to make to the police, but in the end we got her to
something become real 쑗 After four see reason. 앳 within reason to a sensi-
years of hard work, the motor racing ble degree, in a sensible way 쑗 The chil-
team realised their dream of winning the dren get £5 pocket money each week,
Grand Prix. 쑗 By buying a house by the and we let them spend it as they like,
sea he realised his greatest ambition. within reason.
reality /rilti/ noun situations which reasonable /ri
z(ə)nəb(ə)l/ adjective
reality reasonable
are real and not imaginary 쑗 the grim 1. sensible 쑗 The manager of the shop
realities of life in an industrial town 쑗 was very reasonable when she tried to
He worked hard, and his dreams of explain that she had left her credit cards
wealth soon became a reality. (NOTE: at home. 2. not expensive 쑗 The hotel’s
rebel 255 recognise

charges are quite reasonable. 쑗 The res- catalogue. 쑗 The changes are recent –
taurant offers good food at reasonable they were made only last week.
prices. recently /ri
s(ə)ntli/ adverb only a
recently
rebel1 /reb(ə)l/ noun a person who short time ago 쑗 I’ve seen him quite a
rebel
fights against a government or against lot recently. 쑗 They recently decided to

those who are in authority 쑗 The rebels move to Australia.
fled to the mountains after the army reception /rsepʃən/ noun 1. the way
reception
captured their headquarters. 쑗 He con- in which people react to something that

siders himself something of a rebel be- happens or to someone who arrives 쑗
cause he wears his hair in a ponytail. The committee gave the proposal a fa-
rebel2 /rbel/ verb to fight against some-
rebel

vourable reception. 쑗 The critics gave
one or something 쑗 The peasants are re- the play a warm reception. 2. the place
belling against the king’s men. 쑗 The in a hotel where guests go when they ar-
class rebelled at the idea of doing extra rive or leave, e.g. to get the key to their
homework. (NOTE: rebels – rebelling – room 쑗 Let’s meet at reception at 9.00
rebelled) am tomorrow. 3. a place in a large build-
ing where visitors go when they arrive
recall1 /ri
kɔ
l/ noun the act of asking
recall
and say who they have come to see 쑗

for products to be returned, or the act of There’s a parcel waiting for you in re-
ordering someone to return 쑗 The recall ception. 4. a big party held to welcome
of the faulty goods caused the manufac- special guests 쑗 He hosted a reception
turers some serious 3problems. for the prince. 5. the quality of the
recall2 /rkɔ
l/ verb 1. to remember
recall
sound on a radio or the sound and pic-

something 쑗 I don’t recall having met ture of a TV broadcast 쑗 Perhaps you’d
her before. 쑗 She couldn’t recall any de- get better reception if you moved the
tails of the accident. 2. (of a aerial.
manufacturer ) to ask for products to be receptionist /rsepʃənst/ noun a per-
receptionist
returned because of possible faults 쑗 son in a place such as a hotel or doctor’s

They recalled 10,000 washing machines office who meets visitors and answers
because of a faulty electrical connec- the telephone
tion. 쑗 They have recalled all their 2001 recipe /resəpi/ noun instructions for
recipe
models as there is a fault in the steering. cooking food 쑗 I copied the recipe for
3. to tell a government official to come leek soup from the newspaper. 쑗 You
home from a foreign country 쑗 The can buy postcards with recipes of local
United States recalled their representa- dishes.
tives after the military coup.
reckon /rekən/ verb 1. to calculate
reckon
receipt /rsi
t/ noun a piece of paper
receipt

something or to estimate something 쑗
that shows you have paid for something We reckon the costs to be about £25,000.
or shows you have received something 쑗 We reckon we’ll be there before lunch.
쑗 We can’t give you your money back if 2. to have an opinion about something
you don’t have a receipt. or to make a judgment about something
receive /rsi
v/ verb 1. to get something 쑗 I reckon we should have stayed at
receive
which has been sent 쑗 We received a home.

parcel from the supplier this morning. 쑗 recognisable /rekə'nazəb(ə)l/ ad-
recognisable
We only received our tickets the day be- jective who can be recognised
fore we were due to leave. 쑗 The staff recognise /rekə'naz/, recognize
recognise
have not received any wages for six verb 1. to know someone or something
months. 2. to meet or to welcome a vis- because you have seen him or her or it
itor 쑗 The group was received by the before 쑗 He’d changed so much since I
mayor. last saw him that I hardly recognised
recent /ri
s(ə)nt/ adjective something
recent
him. 쑗 He didn’t recognise his father’s

which is recent took place not very long voice over the phone. 쑗 Do you recog-
ago 쑗 We will mail you our most recent nise the handwriting on the letter? 2. to
recognition 256 reduce

admit something that has gone wrong or the concert. 2. a musical instrument that
is bad 쑗 I recognise that we should have you play by blowing 쑗 Like most chil-
acted earlier. 3. to approve of some- dren, I learnt to play the recorder at
thing or someone officially 쑗 The lan- school.
guage school has been recognised by recording /rkɔ
dŋ/ noun 1. the action
recording
the Ministry of Education. 쑗 She is rec- of putting sounds or images onto some-
ognised as an expert in the field of ge- thing such as a film, tape or disc 쑗 the
netics. 4. to express praise for some- recording of a video 쑗 The recording
thing which has been done 쑗 They rec- session starts at 3pm. 2. music or
ognised her years of service. speech which has been recorded 쑗 Did
recognition /rekə'nʃ(ə)n/ noun
recognition
you know there was a new recording of

praise expressed for something that the concerto?
someone has done 쑗 In recognition of recover /rkvə/ verb 1. to feel healthy
recover
his services he was given a watch. again after being ill 쑗 Has she recovered
recommend /rekəmend/ verb 1. to
recommend
from her operation? 2. to get back

tell someone that it would be good to do something which has been lost or stolen
something 쑗 I would recommend that 쑗 You must work much harder if you
you talk to the bank manager. 쑗 This want to recover the money you invested
restaurant was recommended by a in your business. 쑗 She’s trying to re-
friend. 2. to praise something or some- cover damages from the driver of the
one 쑗 She was highly recommended by car.
her boss. 쑗 I certainly would not recom- recovery /rkv(ə)ri/ noun 1. the proc-
recovery
mend Miss Smith for the job. 쑗 Can you ess of becoming healthy again after be-
recommend a good hotel in Amsterdam? ing ill 쑗 She made a quick recovery and
record1 /rekɔ
d/ noun 1. a success in
record
is now back at work. 2. the act of getting

sport which is better than any other per- back something which has been lost or
formance 쑗 She holds the world record stolen 쑗 The TV programme led to the
for the 100 metres. 쑗 He broke the world recovery of all the stolen goods. 쑗 We
record or he set up a new world record are aiming for the complete recovery of
at the last Olympics. 쑗 The college team the money invested.
is trying to set a new record for eating recreation /rekrieʃ(ə)n/ noun enjoy-
recreation
tins of beans. 2. written evidence of able activities that people do for fun 쑗
something which has happened 쑗 We The park is used for sport and recrea-
have no record of the sale. 3. a flat tion.
round piece of usually black plastic on
rectangle /rektŋ'əl/ noun a shape
rectangle
which sound is stored 쑗 She bought me

an old Elvis Presley record for Christ- with four sides and right angles at the
mas. 쑗 Burglars broke into his flat and corners, with two long sides and two
stole his record collection. 앳 off the short sides
recycle /ri
sak(ə)l/ verb to process
recycle
record in private and not to be made
public 쑗 She spoke off the record about waste material so that it can be used
her marriage. again
record2 /rkɔ
d/ verb 1. to report some- red /red/ adjective coloured like the col-
record red
thing or to make a note of something 쑗 our of blood 쑗 She turned bright red
First, I have to record the sales, then I’ll when we asked her what had happened
post the parcels. 2. to put sounds or im- to the money. 쑗 Don’t start yet – the
ages onto something such as a film, tape traffic lights are still red. 쐽 noun a col-
or disc 쑗 The police recorded the whole our like the colour of blood 쑗 I would
conversation on a hidden tape-recorder. like a darker red for the door. 쑗 Don’t
쑗 This song has been badly recorded. start yet – the traffic lights are still on
recorder /rkɔ
də/ noun 1. an instru-
recorder

red.
reduce /rdju
s/ verb to make some-
reduce
ment which records sound 쑗 My tape re-
corder doesn’t work, so I can’t record thing smaller or less 쑗 The police are
reduction 257 regard

fighting to reduce traffic accidents. 쑗 reform /rfɔ
m/ noun the act of chang-
reform
Prices have been reduced by 15 per ing something in order to make it better
cent. 쑗 I’d like to reduce the size of the 쑗 The government is planning a series
photograph so that we can use it as a of reforms to the benefit system. 쐽 verb
Christmas card. 1. to change something in order to make
reduction /rdkʃən/ noun the act of
reduction

it better 쑗 They want to reform the edu-
making something smaller in size or cational system. 2. to stop committing
number 쑗 Price reductions start on 1st crimes, or to stop having bad habits and
August. 쑗 The company was forced to to become good 쑗 After her time in pris-
make job reductions. on she became a reformed character. 쑗
He used to drink a lot, but since he got
reef /ri
f/ noun a long line of rocks just
reef
married he has reformed.

above or below the surface of the sea 쑗 refreshing /rfreʃŋ/ adjective some-
refreshing
The yacht hit a reef and sank. thing which is refreshing makes you
refer /rf
/ verb 1. to be about some-
refer
feel fresh or full of energy again 쑗 I had

thing or someone 쑗 Do you think he was a refreshing drink of cold water. 쑗 A re-
referring to me when he said some staff freshing shower of rain cooled the air.
would have to leave? 2. to look into refrigerator /rfrd"əretə/ noun an
refrigerator
something for information 쑗 He re- electrical machine used in the kitchen

ferred to his diary to see if he had a free for keeping food and drink cold 쑗
afternoon. 3. to pass a problem to some- There’s some orange juice in the refrig-
one to decide 쑗 We have referred your erator. (NOTE: often called a fridge)
complaint to our head office. 쑗 He was refugee /refjυd"i
/ noun a person who
refugee
referred to an ear specialist by his GP. has left his or her country because of
(NOTE: refers – referring – referred) war or because the government did not
referee /refəri
/ noun (in sports) a per-
referee
like allow his or her religious or politi-

son who makes sure that a game is cal beliefs
played according to the rules 쑗 When refusal /rfju
z(ə)l/ noun an act of say-
refusal
fighting broke out between the players, ing that you do not accept something 쑗
the referee stopped the match. 쑗 The ref- His refusal to help was unexpected. 쑗
eree sent several players off. Did you accept? – no! I sent a letter of
reference /ref(ə)rəns/ noun an act of
reference
refusal.
refuse1 /rfju
z/ verb 1. to say that you
refuse
mentioning something or someone 쑗
She made a reference to her brother-in- will not do something 쑗 His father re-
law. 쑗 The report made no reference to fused to lend him any more money. 쑗 He
the bank. 앳 with reference to concern- asked for permission to see his family,
ing something 쑗 With reference to your but it was refused. 2. 왍 the car refused
letter of May 25th. to start the car would not start 쑗 Once
again this morning the car refused to
refill1 /ri
fl/ verb to fill a container that
refill
start.
has become empty 쑗 The waiter refilled
refuse2 /refju
s/ noun rubbish and
refuse
our glasses. 쑗 We stopped twice to refill

the car on the way to Scotland. things which are not wanted 쑗 Please
put all refuse in the bin. 쑗 Refuse collec-
refill2 /ri
fl/ noun another amount of a
refill
tion on our road is on Thursdays. (NOTE:

drink that you have finished 쑗 Your no plural)
glass is empty – can I get you a refill? regard /r'ɑ
d/ noun 1. care or concern
regard
reflect /rflekt/ verb to send back light,

reflect
for something 쑗 She had no regard for

heat or an image of something 쑗 a pic- the safety of her children. 2. an opinion
ture of snow-capped mountains reflect- of someone 쑗 He is held in high regard
ed in a clear blue lake 쑗 The light re- by his staff. 3. 왍 regards best wishes 쑗
flected on the top of the car. 쑗 White She sends her (kind) regards. 쑗 Please
surfaces reflect light better than dark give my regards to your mother. 쐽 verb
ones. to have an opinion about someone 쑗 She
region 258 relation

is highly regarded by the manager. 앳 as rehearsal /rh
s(ə)l/ noun a practice
rehearsal
regards relating to 쑗 As regards the of a play or concert before the first pub-
cost of the trip, I’ll let you know soon lic performance
what the final figure is. 앳 with regard
reign /ren/ noun a period when a king,
reign
to relating to 쑗 With regard to your re-

quest for extra funds. queen or emperor rules 쑗 during the
reign of Elizabeth I 쐽 verb to rule 쑗
region /ri
d"ən/ noun a large area of a
region
Queen Victoria reigned between 1837

country 쑗 The South-West region is well and 1901. 쑗 She reigned during a peri-
known for its apples. od of great prosperity. (NOTE: Do not
regional /ri
d"(ə)nəl/ adjective relating
regional
confuse with rain.)

to a region 쑗 The recession has not af- reject1 /rd"ekt/ verb 1. to refuse to ac-
reject
fected the whole country – it is only re- cept something 쑗 She rejected my sug-
gional. 쑗 After the national news, here gestion that we changed our plans. 쑗
is the regional news for the South West. The proposals for the new project were
register /red"stə/ noun 1. a list of
register
rejected. 2. to refuse to accept some-

names 쑗 I can’t find your name in the thing because it is not satisfactory 쑗
register. 쑗 His name was struck off the Poles shorter than the standard size are
register. 2. a book in which you sign rejected.
your name 쑗 Please sign the hotel reg-
reject2 /ri
d"ekt/ noun something
reject
ister when you check in. 쐽 verb to write

a name officially in a list 쑗 If you don’t which is not accepted because it is not
satisfactory
register, we won’t be able to get in touch
relate /rlet/ verb 1. to be concerned
relate
with you. 쑗 Babies have to be registered
with the registrar as soon as they are with something 쑗 The regulations relate
born. to the movement of boats in the harbour.
regret /r'ret/ noun the feeling of being
regret

2. to tell a story 쑗 It took him half an
sorry that something has happened 쑗 I hour to relate what had happened.
related to /rletd tυ/ adjective 1. be-
related to
have absolutely no regrets about what
we did. 쐽 verb to be sorry that some- longing to the same family as 쑗 Are you
thing has happened 쑗 I regret to say that related to the Smith family in London
you were not successful. 쑗 I regret the Road? 2. connected in some way with 쑗
trouble this has caused you. 쑗 We regret The disease is related to the weakness of
the delay in the arrival of our flight from the heart muscle. 쑗 There are several
Amsterdam. (NOTE: regrets – regret- related items on the agenda.
ting – regretted)
relating to /rletŋ tu
/ adverb relat-
relating to
regular /re'jυlə/ adjective 1. done at

regular
ing to or connected with 쑗 documents

the same time each day 쑗 His regular relating to the sale of the house
train is the 12.45. 쑗 The regular flight to
relation /rleʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a member
relation
Athens leaves at 06.00. 2. usual or
standard 쑗 The regular price is £1.25, of a family 쑗 All my relations live in

but we are offering them at 99p. Canada. 쑗 Laura’s no relation of mine,
she’s just a friend. 2. a link between two
regularly /re'jυləli/ adverb on most
regularly
things 쑗 Is there any relation between

occasions 쑗 She is regularly the first his appointment as MD and the fact that
person to arrive at the office each morn- his uncle owns the business? 왍 in rela-
ing. tion to relating to or connected with 쑗
regulation /re'jυleʃ(ə)n/ noun an of-
regulation
Documents in relation to the sale. 쐽 plu-

ficial rule about how to do something 쑗 ral noun relations the way that people
safety regulations 쐽 plural noun regu- or organizations behave towards each
lations laws or rules controlling some- other 쑗 We try to maintain good rela-
thing 쑗 The restaurant broke the fire tions with our customers. 쑗 Relations
regulations. 쑗 Safety regulations were between the two countries have become
not being properly followed. tense.
relationship 259 remarkably

relationship /rleʃ(ə)nʃp/ noun 1. a An aspirin should bring relief. 쑗 He
relationship
close friendship, especially one in breathed a sigh of relief when the police
which two people are involved in a ro- car went past without stopping. 쑗 What
mantic or sexual way with each other 쑗 a relief to have finished my exams! 2.
She decided to end the relationship help for people in a difficult or danger-
when she found he had been seeing oth- ous situation 쑗 The Red Cross is organ-
er women. 2. the way that people or or- ising relief for the flood victims.
ganizations behave towards each other relieved /rli
vd/ adjective glad to be
relieved
쑗 We try to have a good working rela- rid of a problem

tionship with our staff. 3. a link or con- religion /rld"ən/ noun a belief in gods
religion
nection 쑗 There is a proven relationship or in one God 쑗 Does their religion help
between smoking and lung cancer. them to lead a good life? 쑗 It is against
relative /relətv/ noun a person who is
relative
my religion to eat meat on Fridays.

related to someone 쑗 We have several religious /rəld"əs/ adjective relating
religious
relatives living in Canada. 쑗 He has no to religion 쑗 There is a period of reli-

living relatives. gious study every morning.
relatively /relətvli/ adverb to some ex-
relatively
reluctant /rlktənt/ adjective not will-

reluctant
tent 쑗 The children have been relatively ing to do something 쑗 He seemed reluc-
free from colds this winter. 쑗 We are tant to help.
dealing with a relatively new company. reluctantly /rlktəntli/ adverb not
reluctantly
relax /rlks/ verb to rest from work or

relax

willingly
to be less tense 쑗 They spent the first rely
rely verb
week of their holiday relaxing on the
beach. 쑗 Guests can relax in the bar be- rely on phrasal verb to believe or know
fore going to eat in the restaurant. 쑗 that something will happen or that
Just lie back and relax – the injection someone will do something 쑗 We can
won’t hurt. rely on him to finish the work on time. 쑗
Can these machines be relied on?
relaxed /rlkst/ adjective not upset or
relaxed
remain /rmen/ verb 1. to continue to

remain
nervous 쑗 Even if he failed his test, he’s

be in a particular place or state, with no
still very relaxed about the whole thing.
changes 쑗 We expect it will remain fine
relaxing /rlksŋ/ adjective which
relaxing

for the rest of the week. 쑗 She remained
makes you less tense behind at the office to finish her work. 2.
release /rli
s/ verb 1. to stop holding to be left 쑗 Half the food remained un-
release
something, or to stop keeping someone eaten and had to be thrown away. 쑗 Af-
prisoner 쑗 Pull that lever to release the ter the accident not much remained of
brakes. 쑗 The hostages were released the car.
last night. 2. to make something public remainder /rmendə/ noun what is
remainder
쑗 The government has released figures left after everything else has gone 쑗
about the number of people out of work. What shall we do for the remainder of
relevant /reləv(ə)nt/ adjective if some- the holidays?
relevant
thing is relevant, it has something to do remark /rmɑ

k/ noun something that
remark
with the thing being mentioned 쑗 Which someone says 쑗 I heard his remark even
is the relevant government department? if he spoke in a low voice. 쐽 verb to no-
쑗 Can you give me the relevant papers? tice and comment on 쑗 She remarked on
쑗 Is this information at all relevant? how dirty the café was.
reliable /rlaəb(ə)l/ adjective which remarkable /rmɑ
kəb(ə)l/ adjective
reliable remarkable
can be relied on or which can be trusted very unusual 쑗 She’s a remarkable

쑗 It is a very reliable car. 쑗 The sales woman. 쑗 It’s remarkable that the bank
manager is completely reliable. has not asked us to pay back the money.
relief /rli
f/ noun 1. the pleasant feeling remarkably /rmɑ
kəbli/ adverb to an
relief remarkably
you get when pain has stopped or when unusually great degree, or in an unusual
you are no longer nervous or worried 쑗 way 쑗 She remained remarkably calm.
remedy 260 replacement

remedy /remədi/ noun a thing which
remedy
ing to a new home, new office, etc. 쑗 a

may cure an illness or may solve a prob- removal van
lem 쑗 It’s an old remedy for hayfever. remove /rmu
v/ verb to take some-
remove
remember /rmembə/ verb to bring thing away 쑗 You can remove his name
remember
back into your mind something which from the mailing list. 쑗 The waitress re-
you have seen or heard before 쑗 Do you moved the dirty plates and brought us
remember when we got lost in the fog? some tea.
쑗 My grandmother can remember see- renowned /rnaυnd/ adjective known
renowned
ing the first television programmes. 쑗 and admired by many people 쑗 the re-
She can’t remember where she put her nowned Italian conductor 쑗 Rome is re-
umbrella. 쑗 I don’t remember having nowned as the centre of Catholicism.
been in this hotel before. 쑗 I remember
rent /rent/ noun money paid to live in a
rent
my grandmother very well. 쑗 Did you

remember to switch off the kitchen flat or house or to use an office or car 쑗
light? (NOTE: You remember doing Rents are high in the centre of the town.
something which you did in the past; 쑗 The landlord asked me to pay three
you remember to do something in months’ rent in advance. 쐽 verb to pay
the future.) money to use a house, flat, office or car
쑗 He rents an office in the centre of
remind /rmand/ verb to make some-
remind

town. 쑗 He rented a villa by the beach
one remember something 쑗 Now that for three weeks.
you’ve reminded me, I do remember see-
repair /rpeə/ verb to make something
repair
ing him last week. 쑗 Remind me to book
the tickets for New York. 쑗 She remind- work which is broken or damaged 쑗 I
ed him that the meeting had to finish at dropped my watch on the pavement, and
6.30. I don’t think it can be repaired. 쑗 She’s
trying to repair the washing machine. 쑗
remote /rməυt/ adjective 1. far away
remote

The photocopier is being repaired. 쐽
from towns and places where there are noun the act of making something
lots of people 쑗 The hotel is situated in which is broken or damaged work again
a remote mountain village. 2. not very 쑗 His car is in the garage for repair. 쑗
likely 쑗 There’s a remote chance of The hotel is closed while they are carry-
finding a cure for his illness. 쑗 The posing out repairs to the kitchens.
sibility of him arriving on time is re-
repeat /rpi
t/ verb to say something
repeat
mote. (NOTE: remoter – remotest)
again 쑗 Could you repeat what you just

remote control /rməυt kəntrəυl/
remote control
said? 쑗 He repeated the address so that

noun a small piece of electronic equip-
the policeman could write it down. 쑗
ment which you use for controlling She kept on repeating that she wanted to
something such as a TV or CD player
go home.
from a distance
repeatedly /rpi
tdli/ adverb very
repeatedly
remotely /rməυtli/ adverb 1. very

remotely

many times, often so many that it is an-

slightly, or not even very slightly 쑗 I’m
noying
not remotely interested in meeting him.
replace /rples/ verb to put something
replace
2. at a great distance from a town 쑗 a re-
motely situated farm 3. without direct back where it was before 쑗 Please re-
physical contact 쑗 They were able to set place the books correctly on the shelves.
the controls remotely. replacement /rplesmənt/ noun 1. a
replacement
removal /rmu
v(ə)l/ noun 1. taking
removal
thing which is used to replace some-

something or someone away 쑗 the re- thing 쑗 An electric motor was bought as
moval of the ban on importing comput- a replacement for the old one. 2. the act
ers 쑗 Refuse collectors are responsible of replacing something with something
for the removal of household waste. 쑗 else 쑗 The mechanics recommended the
The opposition called for the removal of replacement of the hand pump with an
the Foreign Secretary. 2. the act of mov- electric model.
replicate 261 research

replicate /replket/ verb to do or make reptile /reptal/ noun a cold-blooded
replicate reptile
something in exactly the same way as animal which has skin covered with
before scales and which lays eggs
republic /rpblk/ noun a system of
republic
reply /rpla/ noun 1. an answer, espe-

reply
cially to a letter or telephone call 쑗 We government in which elected represent-

wrote last week, but haven’t had a reply atives have power and the leader is an
yet. 쑗 We had six replies to our adver- elected or nominated president 쑗
tisement. (NOTE: The plural is replies.) France is a republic while Spain is a
2. 왍 in reply as an answer 쑗 In reply to monarchy.
my letter, I received a fax two days later. reputation /repjυteʃ(ə)n/ noun an
reputation
쑗 She just shook her head in reply and opinion that people have of someone 쑗
turned away. 쐽 verb to give or send an He has a reputation for being difficult to
answer to something such as a message deal with. 쑗 His bad reputation won’t
or letter 쑗 He never replies to my letters. help him find a suitable job.
쑗 We wrote last week, but he hasn’t re-
request /rkwest/ noun asking for
request
plied yet. 쑗 He refused to reply to ques-

something 쑗 Your request will be dealt
tions until his lawyer arrived. (NOTE: re-
with as soon as possible. 쐽 verb to ask
plies – replying – replied)
for something politely or formally 쑗 I
report /rpɔ
t/ noun a description of
report
am enclosing the leaflets you requested.

what has happened or what will happen 쑗 Guests are requested to leave their
쑗 We read the reports of the accident in keys at reception. 앳 on request if
the newspaper. 쑗 Can you confirm the asked for 쑗 ‘catalogue available on re-
report that the council is planning to quest’
sell the old town hall? 쐽 verb to go require /rkwaə/ verb to need some-
require
somewhere officially, or to say that you thing 쑗 The disease requires careful
have arrived somewhere 쑗 to report for nursing. 쑗 Writing the program requires
work 쑗 Candidates should report to the a computer specialist.
office at 9.00.
required /rkwaəd/ adjective which
required
reporter /rpɔ
tə/ noun a journalist
reporter

must be done or provided 쑗 We can cut
who writes reports of events for a news- the wood to the required length. 쑗 We
paper or for a TV news programme can’t reply because we don’t have the
represent /reprzent/ verb 1. to speak
represent

required information.
or act on behalf of someone or of a requirement /rkwaəmənt/ noun
requirement
group of people 쑗 He asked his solicitor what is necessary 쑗 It is a requirement

to represent him at the meeting. 2. to of the job that you should be able to
mean something, or to be a symbol of drive.
something g 쑗 The dark green on the
rescue /reskju
/ verb to save someone
rescue
map represents woods.

from a dangerous or difficult situation 쑗
representative /reprzentətv/ ad-
representative
When the river flooded, the party of

jective typical of all the people or things tourists had to be rescued by helicopter.
in a group 쑗 The sample isn’t represent- 쑗 The company nearly collapsed, but
ative of the whole batch. 쐽 noun a per- was rescued by the bank. 쐽 noun the ac-
son who represents, who speaks on be- tion of saving someone or something in
half of someone else 쑗 He asked his so- a difficult or dangerous situation 쑗 No
licitor to act as his representative. 쑗 one could swim well enough to go to her
Representatives of the workforce have rescue.
asked to meet the management. research /rs
tʃ/ noun scientific study
research
reproduce /ri
prədju
s/ verb to make
reproduce
which tries to find out facts 쑗 The com-

a copy of something 쑗 His letters have pany is carrying out research to find a
been reproduced in the biography. 쑗 It cure for colds. 쑗 The research laborato-
is very difficult to reproduce the sound ry has come up with encouraging re-
of an owl accurately. sults. 쑗 Our researches proved that the
resent 262 responsibility

letter was a forgery. 쐽 verb to study patients had no resistance to disease. 쑗
something in order to find out facts 쑗 Skiers crouch down low to minimise
Research your subject thoroughly be- wind resistance. 쑗 There was a lot of re-
fore you start writing about it. sistance to the new plan from the local
resent /rzent/ verb to feel annoyed be-
resent

residents.
resolve /rzɒlv/ (formal ) verb to strong-
resolve
cause of something that you think is un-
fair 쑗 She resents having to do other ly decide to do something 쑗 We all re-

people’s work. solved to avoid these mistakes next time.
resentment /rzentmənt/ noun the
resentment

쐽 noun a strong decision to do some-
feeling of being angry and upset about thing 쑗 The head teacher encouraged
something that someone else has done 쑗 him in his resolve to go to university.
resource /rzɔ
s/ noun a source of sup-
resource
The decision caused a lot of resentment
among local people. ply for what is needed or used 쑗 finan-

reservation /rezəveʃ(ə)n/ noun the
reservation

cial resources 쑗 The country is rich in
act of booking something, e.g. a seat or oil, minerals and other natural resourc-
table 쑗 I want to make a reservation on es.
respect /rspekt/ noun admiration for
respect
the train to Plymouth tomorrow
evening. someone 쑗 No one deserves more re-

spect than her mother for the way she
reserve /rz
v/ verb to book a seat or a
reserve
coped with the bad news. 쑗 He showed

table 쑗 I want to reserve a table for four
people. 쑗 Can you reserve two seats for very little respect for his teacher. 쐽 verb
me for the evening performance? 쑗 to admire someone, especially because
of his or her achievements or status 쑗
We’re very busy this evening. Have you
reserved? 쐽 noun an amount kept back Everyone respected her for what she
in case it is needed in the future 쑗 Our did.
respectable /rspektəb(ə)l/ adjective
respectable
reserves of coal were used up during the
winter. 앳 in reserve waiting to be used considered by people to be good, and

쑗 We’re keeping the can of petrol in re- deserving to be respected 쑗 She’s mar-
serve. rying a very respectable young engi-
neer. 쑗 I don’t want to bring up my chil-
reservoir /rezəvwɑ
/ noun a large,
reservoir
dren here, it is not a respectable area.

usually artificial, lake where drinking
respond /rspɒnd/ verb 1. to give a re-
respond
water is kept for supplying a city
ply 쑗 She shouted at him, but he didn’t

resident /rezd(ə)nt/ noun a person
resident
respond. 2. to show that you like or ap-

who lives in a place, e.g. a country or a prove of something 쑗 I hope the public
hotel 쑗 You need an entry permit if will respond to our new advertisement.
you’re not a resident of the country. 쑗 쑗 The government has responded to
Only residents are allowed to park their pressure from industry.
cars here. 쐽 adjective who lives perma-
response /rspɒns/ noun something
response
nently in a place 쑗 There is a resident
caretaker. that you do or say as a reaction to some-

thing 쑗 There was no response to our
resign /rzan/ verb to give up a job 쑗
resign

call for help. 쑗 The changes provoked
He resigned with effect from July 1st. 쑗 an angry response from customers. 왍 in
She has resigned (her position) as fi- response to something as an answer or
nance director. reaction to something 쑗 In response to
resist /rzst/ verb to oppose or fight
resist
the United Nations’ request for aid, the

against something 쑗 He resisted all at- government has sent blankets and tents.
tempts to make him sell the house. 쑗 responsibility /rspɒnsblti/ noun
responsibility
Bands of guerrillas resisted doggedly in 1. the position of someone who must

the mountains. 쑗 They resisted the ene- look after or deal with something 쑗 The
my attacks for two weeks. management accepts no responsibility
resistance /rzstəns/ noun opposition
resistance
for customers’ property. 쑗 There is no

to or fighting against something 쑗 The responsibility on his part for the poor
responsible 263 return

results. 쑗 Who should take responsibili- restore /rstɔ
/ verb to repair something
restore
ty for the students’ welfare? 2. some- and make it seem new again 쑗 The old
thing that someone is responsible for house has been restored and is now
responsible /rspɒnsb(ə)l/ adjective open to the public.
responsible
restrain /rstren/ verb to prevent or try

restrain
1. looking after something and so likely
to be blamed if something goes wrong 쑗 to stop someone doing something 쑗 It

He is not responsible for the restaurant took six policemen to restrain him. 왍 to
next door to his hotel. 쑗 Customers are restrain yourself to keep your temper
responsible for all breakages. 쑗 He is under control 쑗 Next time, I won’t re-
responsible for a class of 25 children. 왍 strain myself: I’ll tell him exactly what I
responsible to someone under the au- think of him.
thority of someone 쑗 She’s directly re- restrict /rstrkt/ verb to limit someone
restrict
sponsible to the sales manager. 2. (of a or something 쑗 You are restricted to two
person) reliable and able to be trusted to bottles per person.
be sensible
result /rzlt/ noun 1. something which
result
rest /rest/ noun 1. a period of being quiet

rest
happens because of something else 쑗

and peaceful, being asleep or doing What was the result of the police inves-
nothing 쑗 All you need is a good night’s tigation? 왍 as a result (of something)
rest and you’ll be fine again tomorrow. because of something 쑗 There was a
쑗 We took a few minutes’ rest and start- traffic jam and as a result, she missed
ed running again. 쑗 I’m having a well- her plane. 2. the final score in a game,
earned rest after working hard all week. the final marks in an exam, etc. 쑗 She
2. what is left 쑗 Here are the twins, but isn’t pleased with her exam results. 쑗 I
where are the rest of the children? 쑗 I had great fun making the rug but I’m
drank most of the milk and the cat drank only partly happy with the result. 쑗 He
the rest. 쑗 Throw the rest of the food listened to the football results on the ra-
away – it will go bad. (NOTE: Rest dio.
takes a singular verb when it refers to
retire /rtaə/ verb 1. to stop work and
retire
a singular: Here’s the rest of the milk;

take a pension 쑗 He will retire from his
Where’s the rest of the string? The rest
job as manager next April. 쑗 She’s retir-
of the money has been lost. It takes a
ing this year. 2. to make an employee
plural verb when it refers to a plural:
stop work and take a pension 쑗 They de-
Here are the rest of the children;
cided to retire all staff over 50.
Where are the rest of the chairs? The
retreat /rtri
t/ verb to pull back from a
retreat
rest of the books have been lost.) 쐽
verb 1. to spend time relaxing or not us- battle 쑗 Napoleon retreated from Mos-
ing energy 쑗 Don’t disturb your father – cow in 1812. 쐽 noun the act of pulling
he’s resting. 쑗 They ran for ten miles, back an army from a battle 쑗 The ar-
rested for a few minutes, and then ran my’s retreat was swift and unexpected.
return /rt
n/ noun 1. the act of going
return
on again. 2. to lean something against
something 쑗 She rested her bike against or coming back to a place 쑗 It snowed
the wall. on the day of her return from Canada. 쑗
restaurant /rest(ə)rɒnt/ noun a place
restaurant
I’ll come and see you on my return. 2.
where you can buy and eat a meal 쑗 I the key on a keyboard which you press
don’t want to stay at home tonight – let’s when you have finished keying some-
go out to the Italian restaurant in the thing, or when you want to start a new
High Street. 쑗 She’s was waiting for me line 쑗 To change directory, type C: and
at the restaurant. press return. 쐽 verb 1. to come back or
go back 쑗 When she returned from
restful /restf(ə)l/ adjective which
restful
lunch she found two messages waiting

makes you feel calm and relaxed for her. 쑗 When do you plan to return to
restless /restləs/ adjective too nerv-
restless
Paris? 2. to give or send something back

ous, worried or full of energy to keep 쑗 The letter was returned to the sender.
still 앳 many happy returns of the day
reveal 264 rhythm

greetings said to someone on his or her Whoever reviewed her latest book, obvi-
birthday ously didn’t like it. 2. to examine some-
reveal /rvi
l/ verb to show or mention
reveal

thing in a general way 쑗 The bank will
something which was hidden 쑗 He re- review our overdraft position at the end
vealed his ignorance about cars. 쑗 An of the month. 쑗 Let’s review the situa-
unexpected fault was revealed during tion in the light of the new develop-
the test. 쑗 The X-ray revealed a brain ments. 3. US to study a lesson again 쑗
tumour. You must review your geography before
the exam.
revenge /rvend"/ noun the act of pun-
revenge
revise /rvaz/ verb 1. to study a lesson

revise
ishing someone in return for harm he or
she has caused you 쑗 They attacked the again 쑗 There isn’t enough time to re-
police station in revenge for the arrest of vise before the exam. 쑗 I’m revising for
three members of the gang. 쑗 All the my history test. 2. to change something
time he spent in prison, his only thought or make something correct 쑗 He is re-
was of revenge. 쑗 He had his revenge in vising the speech he is due to give this
the end, when her car broke down and evening. 쑗 These figures will have to be
she had to phone for help. revised, there seems to be a mistake.
revision /rv"(ə)n/ noun the action of
revision
reverse /rv
s/ adjective opposite to
reverse
the front 쑗 The reverse side of the carpet revising something

is made of foam rubber. 쑗 The condi- revolting /rvəυltŋ/ adjective ex-
revolting
tions are printed on the reverse side of tremely unpleasant, often so unpleasant
the invoice. 왍 in reverse order back- as to make you feel ill 쑗 a revolting
wards 쑗 They called out the names of smell
the prize-winners in reverse order. 쐽
revolution /revəlu
ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a vi-
revolution
noun 1. the opposite side 쑗 Didn’t you
read what was on the reverse of the la- olent attempt to get rid of a government
bel? 2. a car gear which makes you go or ruler 쑗 He led an unsuccessful revo-
backwards 쑗 Put the car into reverse lution against the last president. 2. a
and back very slowly into the garage. 쑗 change in the way things are done 쑗 a
The car’s stuck in reverse! 쐽 verb 1. to revolution in data processing
make something do the opposite 쑗 The reward /rwɔ
d/ noun money given to
reward
page order was reversed by mistake. 쑗 someone for work done or as a prize for
Don’t try to reverse the trend, go along finding something, or for information
with it. 2. to make a car go backwards 쑗 about something 쑗 When she took the
Reverse as far as you can, then go for- purse she had found to the police station
ward. 쑗 Be careful not to reverse into she got a £25 reward. 쑗 He is not inter-
that lamppost. ested in money – the Olympic gold med-
review /rvju
/ noun 1. written com-
review
al will be reward enough. 쐽 verb to give

ments on something, e.g. a book, play or someone money as a prize for finding
film, published in a newspaper or maga- something, or for doing something 쑗 He
zine 쑗 Did you read the review of her was rewarded for finding the box of pa-
latest film in today’s paper? 쑗 His book pers. 쑗 All her efforts were rewarded
got some very good reviews. 2. a month- when she won first prize.
ly or weekly magazine which contains
rhyme /ram/ noun the way in which
rhyme
articles of general interest 쑗 His first

some words end in the same sound 쑗
short story appeared in a Scottish liter-
Can you think of a rhyme for ‘taught’?
ary review. 3. an examination of several
쐽 verb 왍 to rhyme with something to
things together 쑗 The company’s annu-
end with the same sound as another
al review of each department’s perform-
ance. 쐽 verb 1. to read a book, see a word 쑗 ‘Mr’ rhymes with ‘sister’
rhythm /rð(ə)m/ noun a strong regular
rhythm
film, etc., and write comments about it

in a newspaper or magazine 쑗 Her exhi- beat in music or poetry 쑗 They stamped
bition was reviewed in today’s paper. 쑗 their feet to the rhythm of the music.
rib 265 ring

rib /rb/ noun one of 24 curved bones answer every time. 쑗 He says the an-
rib
which protect your chest 쑗 He fell down swer is 285 – quite right! 쑗 Is the station
while skiing and broke two ribs. clock right? 쑗 Is this the right train for
ribbon /rbən/ noun a long thin piece of
ribbon
Manchester? 쒁 all right 2. on the same
material for tying things or used as dec- side as the hand which most people use
oration to write with 쑗 In England cars don’t
drive on the right side of the road. 쑗 The
rice /ras/ noun the seeds of a tropical
rice
keys are in the top right drawer of my

plant which are cooked and eaten 쑗 She desk. 쑗 He was holding the suitcase in
only had a bowl of rice for her evening his right hand. 쐽 noun the side opposite
meal. (NOTE: no plural: some rice, a to the left 쑗 When driving in France re-
bowl of rice, a spoonful of rice) member to keep to the right. 쑗 When
rich /rtʃ/ adjective 1. who has a lot of
rich
you get to the next crossroads, turn to

money 쑗 If only we were rich, then we the right. 쑗 Who was that girl sitting on
could buy a bigger house. 쑗 He never the right of your father? 쑗 Go straight
spends anything, and so he gets richer ahead, and take the second road on the
and richer. 2. made with a lot of cream, right. 쐽 adverb 1. directly, or in a
butter, or eggs 쑗 This cream cake is too straight line 쑗 Instead of stopping at the
rich for me. crossroads, he drove right on across the
rid /rd/ adjective 왍 to get rid of some- main road and 쑗 To get to the police sta-
rid
thing to throw something away 쑗 Do tion, keep right on to the end of the road,
you want to get rid of that old bookcase? and then turn left. 쑗 Go right along to
쑗 We have been told to get rid of twenty the end of the corridor, you’ll see my of-
staff. 쑗 She doesn’t seem able to get rid fice in front of you. 2. exactly 쑗 The pub
of her cold. is right at the end of the road. 쑗 The
phone rang right in the middle of the TV
ride /rad/ noun a pleasant trip, e.g. on a
ride
programme. 쑗 She stood right in front of

horse or a bike or in a car 쑗 Does any-
the TV and no one could see the screen.
one want to come for a bike ride? 쑗 Can
3. towards the right-hand side 쑗 To get
I have a ride on your motorbike? 쑗 He
to the station, turn right at the traffic
took us all for a ride in his new car. 쑗
lights. 쑗 Children should be taught to
The station is only a short bus ride from
look right and left before crossing the
the college. 쐽 verb to go on a horse, on
road. 쐽 interjection agreed, OK 쑗
a bike, etc. 쑗 He rode his bike across the
Right, so we all meet again at 7 o’clock?
road without looking. 쑗 She’s never rid-
right-hand /rat hnd/ adjective on
right-hand
den (on) an elephant. 쑗 My little sister

is learning to ride, but she’s frightened the right side
right-handed /rat hndd/ adjective
right-handed
of big horses. (NOTE: rides – riding –

rode /rəυd/ – ridden /rd(ə)n/) using the right hand more often than the
rider /radə/ noun a person who rides 쑗
rider
left for things like writing and eating
right-wing /rat wŋ/ adjective be-
right-wing
The rider of the black horse fell at the

first fence. 쑗 Motorcycle riders must longing or relating to the conservative
wear helmets. political parties
ridiculous /rdkjυləs/ adjective ex- rigid /rd"d/ adjective stiff and not
ridiculous rigid
tremely silly or unreasonable bending much

rifle /raf(ə)l/ noun a gun with a long rim /rm/ noun 1. the edge of something
rifle rim
barrel which you hold with two hands, round, like a wheel or a cup 쑗 The rim
against your shoulder 쑗 The gunman of the glass is chipped. 2. a frame of a
was on a roof with a rifle. 쑗 He was pair of spectacles 쑗 He wears glasses
shooting at a target with an air rifle. with steel rims.
right /rat/ adjective 1. correct 쑗 She ring /rŋ/ noun 1. a round object, espe-
right ring
didn’t put the bottles back in the 쑗 cially a piece of jewellery 쑗 She has a
You’re right – the number 8 bus doesn’t gold ring in her nose. 쑗 He wears a ring
go to Marble Arch. 쑗 She gave the right on his little finger. 2. a circle of people
rinse 266 road

or things 쑗 The teacher asked the chil- get to the top of the hill. 쑗 Salaries are
dren to sit in a ring round her. 3. the increasing to keep up with the rise in the
noise of an electric bell 쑗 There was a cost of living. 쑗 The recent rise in inter-
ring at the door. 4. a space where a cir- est rates has made mortgages more ex-
cus show takes place or where a boxing pensive. 쐽 verb to go up 쑗 The sun al-
match is held 쑗 The horses galloped ways rises in the east. 쑗 The road rises
round the ring the ring. 쑗 The ringmas- steeply for a few miles. 쑗 Prices have
ter came into the ring with his top hat been rising steadily all year. 쑗 If you
and whip. 쐽 verb 1. to make a sound open the oven door, the cake won’t rise
with a bell 쑗 The postman rang the properly. (NOTE: rises – rising – rose
doorbell. 쑗 Is that your phone ringing? /rəυz/ – risen /rz(ə)n/)
2. to telephone someone 쑗 He rang me
risk /rsk/ noun a possible bad result
risk
쑗
to say he would be late. 쑗 Don’t ring to-
morrow afternoon – the office will be There is not much risk of rain in August.
쑗 The risk of going blind is very remote.
closed. 쑗 Don’t ring me, I’ll ring you.
쑗 There is a financial risk attached to
(NOTE: rings – ringing – rang /rŋ/ –
rung /rŋ/) 앳 to ring a bell to remind this deal. 쑗 At the risk of looking fool-
someone of something 쑗 The name ish, I’m going to ask her to come out
rings a bell. 쑗 Does the name Arbuthnot with me. 쐽 verb to do something which
ring any bells? may possibly harm you 쑗 The fireman
risked his life to save her. 쑗 He risked
ring up phrasal verb to speak to some- all his savings on buying the bookshop.
one using a telephone
risky /rski/ adjective which is danger-
risky
rinse /rns/ verb to put things covered

rinse
ous (NOTE: riskier – riskiest)

with soap or dirty things into clean wa-
rival /rav(ə)l/ adjective who competes
rival
ter to remove the soap or the dirt 쑗 Rinse

the dishes before putting them on the 쑗 Two rival companies are trying to win
draining board to dry. 쐽 noun the act of the contract. 쑗 Is this the rival product
washing something in clean water to get you were talking about? 쑗 Simon and I
rid of soap 쑗 Give your shirt a good are friends but we play for rival teams.
rinse. 쐽 noun a person or a company that com-
riot /raət/ noun noisy and usually vio-
riot
petes 쑗 Do you know if he has any ri-
lent behaviour by a crowd of people 쑗 vals? 쑗 We keep our prices low to un-
The protesters started a riot. dercut our biggest rival. 쑗 We keep our
prices low to compete with our rivals.
rip /rp/ noun a tear in cloth 쑗 He lost the
rip
river /rvə/ noun a large mass of fresh

river
race because of a rip in his sail. 쐽 verb

1. to tear something roughly 쑗 I ripped water which runs across the land and
my sleeve on a nail. 쑗 She ripped open goes into the sea or into a large lake 쑗
the parcel to see what he had given her. London is on the River Thames. 쑗 The
쑗 The old bathroom is being ripped out river is very deep here, so it’s dangerous
and new units put in. 2. to go through to swim in it. (NOTE: With names of riv-
something violently 쑗 The fire ripped ers, you usually say the River: the Riv-
through the building. (NOTE: rips – rip- er Thames; the River Amazon; the Riv-
ping – ripped) er Nile.)
road /rəυd/ noun a hard surface which
road
ripe /rap/ adjective ready to eat or to be

ripe
picked 쑗 Don’t eat that apple – it isn’t vehicles travel on 쑗 The road to York
ripe yet. goes directly north from London. 쑗
Drivers must be careful because roads
ripple /rp(ə)l/ noun a little wave 쑗 Even
ripple
are icy. 쑗 Children are taught to look

a little stone thrown into the water will both ways before crossing the road. 쑗
make ripples. 쑗 In the desert, the wind Our office address is: 26 London Road.
creates ripples on the sand. (NOTE: often used in names: London
rise /raz/ noun a movement or slope up-
rise
Road, York Road, etc., and usually

wards 쑗 There is a gentle rise until you written Rd: London Rd, etc.)
roar 267 room

roar /rɔ
/ verb to make a deep loud noise let paper or a toilet roll 2. a very small
roar
쑗
He roared with laughter at the film. 쑗 loaf of bread for one person, sometimes
The lion roared and then attacked. cut in half and used to make a sandwich
roast /rəυst/ verb to cook food over a fire
roast
쑗 a bowl of soup and a bread roll 쐽 verb
or in an oven 쑗 You can either roast pi- 1. to make something go forward by
geons or cook them in a casserole. 쐽 ad- turning it over and over 쑗 He rolled the
jective which has been roasted 쑗 What a ball to the other player. 2. to go forward
lovely smell of roast meat! 쑗 We had by turning over and over 쑗 The ball
roast chicken for dinner. rolled down the hill. 쑗 My pound coin
rob /rɒb/ verb to attack and steal from
rob
has rolled under the piano. 3. to make
someone (NOTE: robs – robbing – something move on wheels or rollers 쑗
robbed) The table is fitted with wheels, just roll
it into the room. 쑗 The patient was
robber /rɒbə/ noun a person who at-
robber
rolled into the operating theatre ten

tacks and steals from someone minutes ago. 4. to turn something flat
robot /rəυbɒt/ noun a machine which is
robot
over and over 쑗 He rolled the poster

designed to work like a person automat- into a tube.
ically
roller /rəυlə/ noun 1. a heavy round ob-
roller
rock /rɒk/ noun 1. a large stone or a large

rock
ject which rolls, e.g. one used for mak-

piece of stone 쑗 The ship was breaking ing lawns or cricket pitches flat 쑗 The
up on the rocks. 2. a hard pink sweet ground is so bumpy, you’ll need a roller
shaped like a stick, often with the name to flatten it. 쑗 They used the roller just
of a town printed in it, bought mainly by before the match started. 2. a plastic
tourists 쑗 a stick of Brighton rock 3.
tube used for rolling hair into curls
rock music loud popular music with a
romantic /rəυmntk/ adjective 1. full
romantic
strong rhythm 쑗 Rock is the only music
he listens to. 쐽 verb to move from side of mystery and love 쑗 romantic music 쑗
to side, or to make something move The atmosphere in the restaurant was
from side to side 쑗 The little boat rocked very romantic. 2. used to describe some-
in the wake of the ferry. 쑗 The explosion thing, often a literary or artistic style,
rocked the town. which is based on personal emotions or
rocket /rɒkt/ noun 1. a type of space
rocket
imagination 쑗 His style is too romantic
vehicle that looks like a tall tower 2. a for my liking. 쑗 She has a romantic view
type of firework which flies up into the of life.
sky 쑗 We stood in the square and roof /ru
f/ noun 1. a part of a building
roof
watched the rockets lighting up the sky. which covers it and protects it 쑗 The cat
3. a type of bomb which is shot through walked across the roof of the green-
space at an enemy 쑗 They fired a home- house. 쑗 She lives in a little cottage with
made rocket into the police station. a thatched roof. 2. the top of the inside
rod /rɒd/ noun a long stick 쑗 You need
rod
of the mouth 쑗 I burnt the roof of my

something rigid like a metal rod to hold mouth drinking hot soup. 3. the top of a
the tent upright. vehicle, e.g. a car, bus or lorry 쑗 We had
rode /rəυd/ past tense of ride to put the cases on the roof of the car.
rode
role /rəυl/ noun 1. a part played by some- room /ru

m/ noun 1. a part of a building,
role room
one in a play or film 쑗 He plays the role divided from other parts by walls 쑗 The
of the king. 2. the purpose of someone or flat has six rooms, plus kitchen and
something in real life 쑗 He played an bathroom. 쑗 We want an office with at
important role in getting the project off least four rooms. 2. a bedroom in a hotel
the ground. (NOTE: Do not confuse with 쑗 Your room is 316 – here’s your key. 쑗
roll.) His room is just opposite mine. 3. space
roll /rəυl/ noun 1. a tube of something for something 쑗 The table is too big – it
roll
which has been turned over and over on takes up a lot of room. 쑗 There isn’t
itself 쑗 a roll of fax paper 쑗 a roll of toi- enough room in the car for six people. 쑗
root 268 routine

We can’t have a piano in our flat – there ing the new kitchen will be roughly
just isn’t enough room. £25,000.
root /ru
t/ noun 1. a part of a plant which round /raυnd/ adjective 1. with a shape
root round
goes down into the ground, and which like a circle 쑗 In Chinese restaurants,
takes nourishment from the soil 쑗 I’m you usually sit at round tables. 2. with a
not surprised the plant died – it has shape like a sphere 쑗 Soccer is played
hardly any roots. 2. the part of a hair or with a round ball, while a Rugby ball is
a tooth which goes down into the skin 쑗 oval. 쑗 People used to believe that the
He pulled her hair out by the roots. Earth was flat, not round. 쐽 adverb,
rope /rəυp/ noun a very thick cord 쑗
rope
preposition 1. in a circular way or
You’ll need a rope to pull the car out of movement 쑗 The wheels of the lorry
the ditch. 쑗 The burglar climbed down went round and round. 쑗 The Earth
from the balcony on a rope. 쐽 verb to tie goes round the Sun. 쑗 He was the first
together with a rope 쑗 The climbers person to sail round the world single-
roped themselves together. 쑗 We roped handed. 쑗 We all sat round the table
the sofa onto the roof of the car. chatting. 쑗 He ran down the street and
disappeared round a corner. 2. towards
rose /rəυz/ noun a common garden flow-
rose
the back 쑗 She turned round when he

er with a strong pleasant smell 쑗 He tapped her on the shoulder. 쑗 Don’t
gave her a bunch of red roses. 쑗 These look round when you’re driving on the
roses have a beautiful scent. 쐽 past motorway. 3. from one person to anoth-
tense of rise er 쑗 They passed round some papers for
rot /rɒt/ verb to decay 쑗 The wooden
rot
everyone to sign. 쑗 Can you pass the

fence is not very old but it has already plate of cakes round, please? 4. in vari-
started to rot. 쒁 rotten (NOTE: rots – ous places 쑗 They spent the afternoon
rotting – rotted) going round the town.
rotate /rəυtet/ verb to turn round or
rotate
round up phrasal verb to gather people

turn something round an axis like a or animals together 쑗 The secret police
wheel rounded up about fifty suspects and took
rotten /rɒt(ə)n/ adjective 1. decayed 쑗
rotten
them off in vans. 쑗 She rounded up the
The apple looked nice on the outside, children and took them into the muse-
but inside it was rotten. 쑗 Don’t walk on um. 쑗 The farmer is out in the fields
that plank, I think it is rotten. 2. unpleas- rounding up his sheep.
roundabout /raυndəbaυt/ noun 1. a
roundabout
ant 쑗 I had a rotten time at the party –

no one would dance with me. 쑗 We had place where several roads meet, and
rotten weather on holiday. traffic has to move in a circle 쑗 When
rough /rf/ adjective 1. not smooth 쑗
rough
you get to the next roundabout, turn
Rub down any rough edges with sand- right. 2. a heavy wheel which turns, and
paper. 2. not very accurate 쑗 I made which children ride on in a park 쑗 The
some rough calculations on the back of children all ran to get on the rounda-
an envelope. 3. not finished, or with no bout. 쑗 A small child fell from the
details 쑗 He made a rough draft of the roundabout and hurt his leg badly. 3. (in
new design. 4. not gentle 쑗 Don’t be a fairground ) a large machine in a fair-
rough when you’re playing with the ground which turns round and plays
puppy. music, usually with horses to sit on
which move up and down
roughly /rfli/ adverb 1. in a way that is
roughly
route /ru
t/ noun a way to be followed to
route
not gentle enough 쑗 Don’t play so

roughly with the children. 쑗 The men get to a destination 쑗 We still have to de-
threw the boxes of china roughly into the cide which route we will take.
routine /ru
ti
n/ noun the usual, regular
routine
back of their van. 2. approximately 쑗
There were roughly one hundred people way of doing things 쑗 He doesn’t like
in the audience. 쑗 Ten euros make his daily routine to be disturbed. 쑗 A
roughly six pounds. 쑗 The cost of build- change of routine might do you good. 쐽
row 269 run

adjective done as part of a regular pat- rugby /r'bi/, rugby football /r'bi
rugby
tern of activities 쑗 He went to the doctor fυtbɔ

l/ noun a type of football played
for a routine examination. with an oval ball which is thrown as well
row1 /rəυ/ noun a line of things, side by as kicked
row
side or one after the other 쑗 He has a ruin /ru

n/ verb to spoil something
ruin
row of cabbages in the garden. 쑗 They completely 쑗 The rain spoiled our pic-
pulled down an old house to build a row nic.
of shops. 쑗 I want two seats in the front rule /ru
l/ noun a strict order telling peo-
rule
row. ple the way to behave 쑗 There are no

row2 /raυ/ noun (informal ) 1. a serious
row
rules that forbid parking here at night.

argument 쑗 They had a row about who 쑗 According to the rules, your ticket
was responsible for the accident. 2. a must be paid for two weeks in advance.
loud noise 쑗 Stop making that dreadful 쐽 verb to govern or to control a place or
row! a people 쑗 The president rules the coun-
royal /rɔəl/ adjective relating to a king try according to very old-fashioned
royal
or queen principles.
ruler /ru
lə/ noun 1. a person who gov-
ruler
rub /rb/ verb to move something across

rub
the surface of something else 쑗 He erns 쑗 A ruler should be fair. 쑗 He’s the
rubbed his hands together to get them ruler of a small African state. 2. a long
warm. 쑗 These new shoes have rubbed piece of wood or plastic with measure-
against my heel and given me a blister. ments marked on it, used for measuring
쑗 The cat rubbed herself against my and drawing straight lines 쑗 You need a
legs. (NOTE: rubs – rubbing – rubbed) ruler to draw straight lines.
run /rn/ verb 1. to go quickly on foot 쑗
run
rub out phrasal verb to remove a pen-

cil mark with a rubber When she heard the telephone, she ran
rubber /rbə/ noun 1. a strong sub-
rubber
upstairs. 쑗 Children must be taught not
stance that bends easily, made from the to run across the road. 쑗 She’s running
sap of a tropical tree 쑗 Car tyres are in the 200 metre race. 2. (of buses,
made of rubber. 쑗 Many years ago, we trains, etc.) to be operating 쑗 All under-
visited a rubber plantation in Malaysia. ground trains are running late because
2. a piece of rubber used for removing of the accident. 쑗 This bus doesn’t run
pencil marks 쑗 He used a rubber to try on Sundays. 3. (of vehicles) to work 쑗
to rub out what he had written. He left his car in the street with the en-
gine running. 쑗 My car’s not running
rubbish /rbʃ/ noun 1. waste, things
rubbish
very well at the moment. 4. to direct the

which are no use and are thrown away 쑗 way an organisation operates 쑗 He runs
We had to step over heaps of rubbish to a chain of shoe shops. 쑗 I want someone
get to the restaurant. 2. worthless non- to run the sales department for me when
sense 쑗 Have you read his new book? – I’m away on holiday. 쑗 He runs the lo-
It’s rubbish! 쑗 He’s talking rubbish, cal youth club. 쑗 The country is run by
don’t listen to him. (NOTE: no plural) the army. 5. to drive someone by car 쑗
rude /ru
d/ adjective not polite and likely
rude
Let me run you to the station. 6. (of

to offend people 쑗 Don’t point at people liquid ) to flow somewhere 쑗 The river
– it’s rude. 쑗 The teacher asked who runs past our house. (NOTE: runs – run-
had written rude words on the board. 쑗 ning – ran – run) 쐽 noun 1. the act of
He was rude to the teacher. going quickly on foot, usually as a sport
rudely /ru
dli/ adverb in a rude way 쑗 She entered for the 10-mile run. 쑗 I
rudely
rug /r'/ noun 1. a small carpet 쑗 This

rug
always go for a run before breakfast. 쑗
beautiful rug comes from the Middle You must be tired out after that long run.
East. 2. a thick blanket, especially one 2. a score of 1 in cricket 쑗 He made 45
used when travelling 쑗 Put a rug over runs before he was out.
your knees if you’re cold. 쑗 We spread run away phrasal verb to escape or to
rugs on the grass to have our picnic. go away fast 쑗 They were running away
rung 270 rut

from the police. 쑗 She ran away from in the running to be a candidate for
school when she was 16. 쑗 The young- something 쑗 Three people are in the
sters ran away to Paris. running for the post of chairperson. 앳
run into phrasal verb 1. to go into a to be out of the running to no longer
place fast 쑗 She ran into the street, be a candidate for something 쑗 She’s
shouting ‘Fire!’. 2. to go fast and hit out of the running for the job in France.
runway /rnwe/ noun a track on which
runway
something, usually in a vehicle 쑗 He

didn’t look where he was going and ran planes land and take off at an airport
into an old lady. 쑗 The bus turned the rural /rυərəl/ adjective relating to the
rural
corner too fast and ran into a parked countryside 쑗 Rural roads are usually
van. 3. to amount to something 쑗 Costs fairly narrow. 쑗 We live quite close to a
have run into thousands of pounds. 쑗 town but the country round us still looks
Her income runs into five figures. 4. to very rural.
find someone by chance 쑗 I ran into
rush /rʃ/ noun a fast movement 쑗 There
rush
him again in a café on the South Bank.

was a rush of hot air when they opened
run out phrasal verb to have nothing
the door. 쑗 There has been a rush to
left of something 쑗 The car ran out of change pounds to euros. 쑗 When the
petrol on the motorway. 쑗 I must go to film ended there was a rush for the toi-
the supermarket – we’re running out of lets. 쐽 verb to hurry, to go forward fast
butter. 쑗 The ambulance rushed to the acci-
run over phrasal verb to knock some- dent. 쑗 Crowds of shoppers rushed to
one down by hitting them with a vehicle the shops on the first day of the sales.
쑗 She was run over by a taxi. 쑗 The car
rustle /rs(ə)l/ verb to make a soft noise
rustle
ran over a dog.

rung /rŋ/ noun one of the bars on a lad-
rung
like dry surfaces rubbing against each
der 쑗 Put your foot on the bottom rung other 쑗 Her long skirt rustled as she sat
to hold the ladder steady. 쐽 past partici- down. 쑗 Don’t rustle the newspaper
ple of ring when the radio is on, I can’t hear it
properly. 쐽 noun the noise of dry leaves
runner /rnə/ noun a person or horse
runner
or pieces of paper rubbing together 쑗

running in a race 쑗 My horse came in Listen to the rustle of the dry leaves in
last of seven runners. 쑗 There are the hedge.
30,000 runners in the London Mara-
rusty /rsti/ adjective covered with rust
rusty
thon.
쑗 She tried to cut the string with a pair
running /rnŋ/ adjective 왍 for three
running
days running one day after another for of rusty old scissors. 쑗 He has a rusty
three days 쑗 The company have made a old fridge in his front garden. (NOTE:
profit for six years or the sixth year run- rustier – rustiest)
rut /rt/ noun a deep track made in soft
rut
ning. 쐽 noun 1. the activity of running,

as a sport or a leisure activity 2. the ac- earth by the wheels of vehicles 쑗 The
tion of managing 쑗 I now leave the run- front wheel of the car was stuck in a
ning of the firm to my daughter. 앳 to be deep rut.
S
s /es/, S noun the nineteenth letter of the safety /sefti/ noun 1. the fact of being
s safety
alphabet, between R and T safe 쑗 The police tried to ensure the

sack /sk/ noun a large bag made of
sack
safety of the public. 쑗 I am worried
strong cloth or paper, used for carrying about the safety of air bags in cars. 2. 왍
heavy things 쑗 He hurt his back lifting for safety in order to make something
up the sack of potatoes. 쐽 verb to force safe 쑗 Put the money in the office safe
someone to leave his or her job 쑗 He for safety. 쑗 Keep a note of the numbers
was sacked because he was always late of your traveller’s cheques for safety.
said /sed/ past tense and past participle of
said
for work.
say
sad /sd/ adjective not happy 쑗 He’s sad
sad
sail /sel/ noun a piece of cloth which

sail
because the holidays have come to an

end. 쑗 What a sad film – everyone was catches the wind and drives a boat along
crying. 쑗 Reading his poems makes me 쑗 The wind dropped so they lowered the
sad. 쑗 It was sad to leave the house for sail and started to row. 쑗 They hoisted
the last time. 쑗 He felt sad watching the the sail and set out across the Channel.
boat sail away. 쑗 It’s sad that he can’t 쐽 verb 1.
to travel on water 쑗 The ship
come to see us. (NOTE: sadder – sad- was sailing towards the rocks. 쑗 We
dest) were sailing east. 쑗 He was the first per-
son to sail across the Atlantic single-
saddle /sd(ə)l/ noun 1. a rider’s seat
saddle
handed. 쑗 She’s planning to sail round

on a bicycle or motorbike 2. a rider’s
the world. 2. to leave a harbour 쑗 The
seat on a horse 쑗 He leapt into the sad-
ferry sails at 12.00.
dle and rode away.
sailing /selŋ/ noun travel in a ship
sailing
sadly /sdli/ adverb 1. in a sad way 쑗

sadly
sailor /selə/ noun a person who works

sailor
She smiled sadly. 2. used for saying that

something makes you sad 쑗 Sadly, John on a ship 쑗 The sailors were washing
couldn’t join us for my birthday party. down the deck of the ship.
sake /sek/ noun 왍 for the sake of some-
sake
sadness /sdnəs/ noun a feeling of be-

sadness
ing very unhappy thing, for something’s sake for certain

reasons or purposes, or because of
safe /sef/ adjective not in danger, or not
safe
something 쑗 They gave the children

likely to be hurt 쑗 In this cave, we sweets, just for the sake of a little peace
should be safe from the thunderstorm. 쑗 and quiet. 쑗 The muggers killed the old
All the children are safe, but the school lady, just for the sake of £20. 왍 for the
was burnt down. 쑗 Is it safe to touch this sake of someone, for someone’s sake
snake? 쐽 noun a strong box for keeping because you want to help someone or to
things such as documents, money or please someone 쑗 Will you come to the
jewels in 쑗 Put your valuables in the ho- party for my sake? 쑗 The president de-
tel safe. 쑗 The burglars managed to cided to resign for the sake of the coun-
open the safe. try. 왍 for old times’ sake in order to re-
safely /sefli/ adverb without being hurt
safely
member a relationship or activity from

쑗 The rescue services succeeded in get- the past 쑗 We always send them a
ting all the passengers safely off the Christmas card, just for old times’ sake.
burning train. 쑗 We were shown how to 왍 for heaven’s sake, for goodness’
handle explosives safely. 쑗 ‘Drive safe- sake used for showing you are annoyed
ly!’ she said as she waved goodbye. or worried 쑗 What’s all the fuss? It’s
salad 272 Saturday

only a little scratch, for heaven’s sake. 쑗 sample 쑗 Try a sample of the local
For goodness’ sake try to be quiet, we cheese. 쑗 He gave a blood sample. 쑗 We
don’t want wake everyone! interviewed a sample of potential cus-
salad /sləd/ noun a mixture of cold
salad
tomers.
sand /snd/ noun a mass of very small
sand
vegetables eaten raw, or a meal that in-

cludes such a mixture 쑗 a chicken salad bits of rock found on beaches and in the
sandwich 쑗 We found some ham, toma- desert 쑗 a beach of fine white sand 쑗 the
toes and lettuce in the fridge, and made black sand beaches of the Northern
ourselves a salad. coast of New Zealand
sandal /snd(ə)l/ noun a light shoe
sandal
salary /sləri/ noun payment for work,

salary
especially in a professional or office job with an open top

쑗 She started work at a low salary, but sandwich /snwd"/ noun a light meal
sandwich
soon went up the salary scale. 쑗 I expect made with two pieces of bread with oth-
a salary increase as from next month. er food between them 쑗 She ordered a
sale /sel/ noun 1. the act of selling
sale
cheese sandwich and a cup of coffee. 쑗
something 쑗 The sale of the house pro- What sort of sandwiches do you want to
duced £200,000. 쑗 The shop only take for your lunch? 쑗 I didn’t have a
opened this morning and we’ve just big meal – just a sandwich with some
made our first sale. 2. an occasion when beer in the pub.
sang /sŋ/ past tense of sing
sang
things are sold at cheaper prices 쑗

There’s a sale this week in the depart- sank /sŋk/ past tense of sink
sank
ment store along the High Street. 쑗 I sat /st/ past tense and past participle of
sat
bought these plates for £1 in a sale. 쑗 sit

The sale price is 50% of the normal
satellite /stəlat/ noun 1. an object in
satellite
price.
space which goes round the Earth and
salesperson /selzp
s(ə)n/ noun a
salesperson

sends and receives signals, pictures and
person who sells goods in a shop data 쑗 The signals are transmitted by
salt /sɔ
lt/ noun a white substance that
salt
satellite all round the world. 2. an object

you put on food to make it taste better or like a planet which goes round a planet
put on roads to make snow or ice melt 쑗 The Moon is the only satellite of the
salute /səlu
t/ noun a movement which
salute

Earth.
satisfaction /stsfkʃən/ noun a
satisfaction
expresses respect or recognition, espe-
cially the movement of putting your feeling of comfort or happiness 쑗 After

right hand up to touch the side of your finishing his meal he gave a deep sigh of
forehead 쑗 The officer returned the sol- satisfaction. 쑗 I get no satisfaction from
dier’s salute. 쐽 verb to give a salute to telling you this – you’re fired.
someone 쑗 Ordinary soldiers must sa- satisfactory /stsfkt(ə)ri/ adjec-
satisfactory
lute their officers. tive good enough, or quite good

same /sem/ adjective, pronoun 1. be- satisfied /stsfad/ adjective accept-
same satisfied
ing, looking, sounding, etc. exactly ing that something is enough, is good or
alike 쑗 These two beers taste the same. is correct
쑗 You must get very bored doing the satisfy /stsfa/ verb to make some-
satisfy
same work every day. 쑗 She was wear- one pleased with what he or she has re-
ing the same dress as me. 쑗 This book is ceived or achieved 쑗 The council’s deci-
not the same size as that one. 2. showing sion should satisfy most people. 쑗 Our
that two or more things are in fact one 쑗 aim is to satisfy our customers. (NOTE:
They all live in the same street. 쑗 Should satisfies – satisfying – satisfied)
we all leave at the same time? 쑗 Our Saturday /stəde/ noun the sixth day
Saturday
children go to the same school as theirs. of the week, the day between Friday and
sample /sɑ
mpəl/ noun a small part
sample
Sunday 쑗 He works in a shop, so Satur-

which is used to show what the whole is day is a normal working day for him. 쑗
like 쑗 a sample of the cloth or a cloth We go shopping in London most Satur-
sauce 273 scared

days. 쑗 Saturday is the Jewish day of of wood in half. (NOTE: saws – sawing
rest. 쑗 Today is Saturday, November – sawed – has sawn /sɔ
n/)
15th. 쑗 The 15th is a Saturday, so the say /se/ verb 1. to speak words 쑗 What’s
say
16th must be a Sunday. 쑗 We arranged she saying? – I don’t know, I don’t un-
to meet up on Saturday. derstand Dutch. 쑗 She says the fee is £3
sauce /sɔ
s/ noun a liquid with a partic- per person. 쑗 Don’t forget to say ‘thank
sauce
ular taste, poured over food 쑗 ice cream you’ after the party. 쑗 The weather fore-
with chocolate sauce 쑗 We had chicken cast said it was going to rain and it did.
with a barbecue sauce. 쑗 The waitress 쑗 I was just saying that we never see
put a bottle of tomato sauce on the table. James any more. 2. to give information
in writing 쑗 The letter says that we owe
saucepan /sɔ
spən/ noun a deep metal
saucepan
the bank £200. 쑗 The notice says that

cooking pan with a lid and a long handle
you are not allowed to walk on the
saucer /sɔ
sə/ noun a shallow dish grass. (NOTE: says /sez/ – saying –
saucer
which a cup stands on said /sed/)

sausage /sɒsd"/ noun a food which is saying /seŋ/ noun a phrase which is
sausage saying
a tube of skin full of a mixture of meat often used to describe an aspect of eve-
and spices ryday life
save /sev/ verb 1. to stop something scale /skel/ noun 1. the size of a smaller
save scale
from being damaged 쑗 We managed to form of something compared to the real

save most of the paintings from the fire. size 쑗 a map with a scale of 1 to
2. to keep things such as money, food or 100,000 쑗 a scale model of the new
other articles so that you can use them town centre development 쑗 The archi-
later 쑗 If you save £10 a week, you’ll tect’s design is drawn to scale. 2. a
have £520 at the end of a year. 쑗 They measuring system in which there are
save old pieces of bread to give to the several levels 쑗 The Richter scale is
ducks in the park. 쑗 He saves bits of used to measure earthquakes.
scar /skɑ
/ noun a mark left on the skin
scar
string in case he may need them later. 3.

not to waste something such as time or after a wound has healed 쑗 He still has
money 쑗 By walking to work, he saves the scars of his operation. 쐽 verb 1. to
£25 a week in bus fares. 쑗 She took the leave a mark on the skin after a wound
parcel herself so as to save the cost of has healed 쑗 His arm was scarred as a
postage. 쑗 If you have your car checked result of the accident. 2. to affect some-
regularly it will save you a lot of ex- one’s feelings badly 쑗 The bullying she
pense in the future. 쑗 Going by air saves received at school has scarred her for
a lot of time. 4. to stop someone from life. (NOTE: scars – scarring –
being hurt or killed 쑗 The firefighters scarred)
saved six people from the burning scarce /skeəs/ adjective if something is
scarce
house. 쑗 How many passengers were scarce, there is much less of it than you
saved when the ferry sank? 5. to store need 쑗 This happened at a period when
information on a computer disk 쑗 Don’t food was scarce. 쑗 Good designers are
forget to save your files when you have getting scarce.
finished working on them.
scare /skeə/ verb to make someone feel
scare
saving /sevŋ/ noun the act of using

saving
fear 쑗 The thought of travelling alone

less of something 쑗 We are aiming for a across Africa scares me. 쑗 She was
10% saving in fuel. 쐽 suffix which uses scared by the spider in the bathroom. 쐽
less 쑗 energy-saving light bulbs noun a fright 쑗 What a scare you gave
saw /sɔ
/ past tense of see 쐽 noun a tool me – jumping out at me in the dark like
saw
with a long metal blade with teeth along that!

its edge, used for cutting 쑗 He was cut- scared /skeəd/ adjective feeling or
scared
ting logs with a saw. 쐽 verb to cut some- showing fear 쑗 Don’t be scared – the
thing with a saw 쑗 She was sawing snake is harmless. 쑗 She was too scared
wood. 쑗 You will need to saw that piece to answer the door. 쑗 I’m scared at the
scarf 274 score

idea of driving in London’s rush-hour he was sixteen, he left school and joined
traffic. 쑗 She looked round with a the army. 쑗 Which school did you go to?
scared expression. 2. a section of a college or university 쑗
scarf /skɑ
f/ noun a long piece of cloth
scarf
The school of medicine is one of the
which is worn round your neck to keep largest in the country. 쑗 She’s studying
yourself warm 쑗 Take your scarf – it’s at law school. 쐽 verb to train someone
snowing. (NOTE: The plural is scarves in a particular skill
/skɑ
vz/.) science /saəns/ noun the study of nat-
science
scatter /sktə/ verb 1. to throw some-

scatter
ural physical things 쑗 She took a sci-
thing in various places 쑗 The crowd ence course or studied science. 쑗 We
scattered flowers all over the path. 2. to have a new science teacher this term. 쑗
run in different directions 쑗 When the He has a master’s degree in marine sci-
police arrived, the children scattered. ence.
scientific /saəntfk/ adjective relat-
scientific
scene /si
n/ noun 1. a place where some-
scene

ing to science 쑗 We employ hundreds of

thing has happened 쑗 It took the ambu-
people in scientific research. 쑗 He’s the
lance ten minutes to get to the scene of
director of a scientific institute.
the accident. 쑗 A photographer was at
scientist /saəntst/ noun a person
scientist
the scene to record the ceremony. 2. a

short part of a play or film 쑗 Did you who studies a science, often doing re-
like the scene where he is trying to climb search 쑗 Scientists have not yet found a
up the skyscraper? 쑗 It was one of the cure for the common cold. 쑗 Space sci-
funniest scenes I have ever seen. entists are examining the photographs
of Mars.
scenery /si
nəri/ noun 1. the features of
scenery
scissors /szəz/ plural noun a tool for

scissors
the countryside 쑗 the beautiful scenery

of the Lake District 2. the objects and cutting things such as paper and cloth,
backgrounds on a theatre stage that made of two blades attached in the mid-
make it look like a real place 쑗 They dle, with handles with holes for the
lowered the scenery onto the stage. 쑗 In thumb and fingers 쑗 These scissors
between the acts all the scenery has to aren’t very sharp. 쑗 Have you got a pair
be changed. (NOTE: no plural) of scissors I can borrow?
scoop /sku
p/ noun 1. a deep round
scoop
scent /sent/ noun 1. a pleasant smell of

scent
spoon with a short handle, for serving

a particular type 쑗 the scent of roses in
soft food such as ice cream 쑗 You must
the cottage garden 2. perfume 쑗 That
wash the scoop each time you use it. 2.
new scent of yours makes me sneeze.
a portion of soft food such as ice cream
(NOTE: Do not confuse with cent,
쑗 I’ll have one scoop of strawberry and
sent.)
one scoop of vanilla, please. 쐽 verb to
sceptical /skeptk(ə)l/ adjective think-
sceptical
lift something or someone up in a single

ing that something is probably not true quick movement 쑗 She scooped up the
or good 쑗 You seem sceptical about his babies into her arms and ran upstairs. 쑗
new plan. 쑗 I’m sceptical of the need for He scooped all the newspapers off the
these changes. floor.
scheme /ski
m/ noun a plan for making scooter /sku
tə/ noun 1. a child’s two-
scheme
scooter
something work 쑗 She joined the com- wheeled vehicle which is pushed along
pany pension scheme. 쑗 He has thought with one foot while the other foot is on
up some scheme for making money very the board 2. a vehicle like a small mo-
quickly. torbike with a platform for the feet 쑗
school /sku
l/ noun 1. a place where stu- She dodged through the traffic on her
school
dents, usually children, are taught 쑗 scooter.

score /skɔ
/ noun the number of goals or
score
Our little boy is four, so he’ll be going to

school this year. 쑗 Some children start points made in a match 쑗 The final
school younger than that. 쑗 What did score in the rugby match was 22–10. 쑗
the children do at school today? 쑗 When I didn’t see the beginning of the match –
Scot 275 scrub

what’s the score? 쐽 verb to make a goal been scratched. 3. to rub a part of the
or point in a match 쑗 They scored three body which itches with your fingernails
goals in the first twenty minutes. 쑗 She 쑗 He scratched his head as he wondered
scored sixty-five! what to do next. 쑗 Stop scratching – it
Scot /skɒt/ noun a person from Scotland
Scot
will make your rash worse!
scream /skri
m/ noun a loud cry of pain
scream
Scotch /skɒtʃ/ adjective used for refer-

Scotch
ring to some things, especially food and or excitement 쑗 He let out a scream of
drink, from Scotland pain. 쐽 verb to make a loud cry of pain
Scotland /skɒtlənd/ noun a country to
Scotland
or excitement 쑗 People on the third
the north of England, forming part of floor were screaming for help. 쑗 They
the United Kingdom 쑗 He was brought screamed with pain. 쑗 She screamed at
up in Scotland. 쑗 Scotland’s most fa- the class to stop singing.
screen /skri
n/ noun 1. a flat surface
screen
mous export is whisky.

Scots /skɒts/ adjective Scottish 쑗 ‘Not which acts as protection against some-
Scots
proven’ is a decision in Scots Law. thing, e.g. fire or noise 쑗 a screen deco-
rated with flowers and birds 쑗 The
Scottish /skɒtʃ/ adjective relating to
Scottish
Scotland hedge acts as a screen against the noise

from the motorway. 2. a flat glass sur-
scramble /skrmbəl/ verb 1. to climb
scramble
face on which a picture is shown 쑗 a

using your hands and knees 쑗 He computer screen 쑗 a TV screen 쑗 I’ll
scrambled up the steep bank. 2. to hurry call the information up on the screen. 3.
to do something 쑗 They scrambled to a flat white surface on which things
get a seat. such as films or slides are shown 쑗 a
scrap /skrp/ noun 1. a little piece 쑗 a
scrap
cinema complex with four screens 쑗

scrap of paper 쑗 There isn’t a scrap of We’ll put up the screen on the stage. 쐽
evidence against him. 쑗 She is collect- verb to show a film in a cinema or on
ing scraps of cloth to make a quilt. 2. TV 쑗 Tonight’s film will be screened
waste materials 쑗 to sell a car for scrap half an hour later than advertised.
쑗 The scrap value of the car is £200. 쐽
screw /skru
/ noun a type of nail which
screw
verb 1. to throw something away as use-

you twist to make it go into a hard sur-
less 쑗 They had to scrap 10,000 faulty
face 쑗 I need some longer screws to go
spare parts. 2. to give up or stop work-
ing on a plan 쑗 We’ve scrapped our through this thick plank. 쑗 The plate
plans to go to Greece. (NOTE: scraps – was fixed to the door with brass screws.
쐽 verb 1. to attach something with
scrapping – scrapped)
screws 쑗 The picture was screwed to the
scrape /skrep/ verb 1. to scratch some-
scrape
wall. 2. to attach something by twisting

thing with a hard object which is pulled 쑗 He filled up the bottle and screwed on
across a surface 쑗 She scraped the paint the top. 쑗 Screw the lid on tightly.
off the door. 쑗 He fell off his bike and
scribble /skrb(ə)l/ verb 1. to make
scribble
scraped his knee on the pavement. 2. to

remove something from the surface of marks which don’t have any meaning 쑗
something 쑗 She scraped the paint off The kids have scribbled all over their
the door. bedroom walls. 2. to write something
hurriedly and badly 쑗 She scribbled a
scratch /skrtʃ/ noun 1. a long wound
scratch
few notes in the train.

on the skin 쑗 Put some antiseptic on the
scrub /skrb/ verb to clean something
scrub
scratches on your arms. 2. a long mark

made by a sharp point 쑗 I will never be by rubbing it with a brush 쑗 a well-
able to cover up the scratches on the car scrubbed kitchen table 쑗 Scrub your fin-
door. 쐽 verb 1. to make a long wound on gernails to get rid of the dirt. (NOTE:
the skin 쑗 His legs were scratched by scrubs – scrubbing – scrubbed) 쐽
the bushes along the path. 2. to make a noun 1. an area of land with a few small
mark on something with a sharp point 쑗 bushes 쑗 They walked for miles through
I must touch up the car where it has the scrub until they came to a river. 2.
sculpture 276 second-class

the action of scrubbing 쑗 After a game driver’s seat. 쑗 Can we have two seats
of rugby you will need a good scrub. in the front row? 쑗 Our kitchen chairs
sculpture /sklptʃə/ noun a piece of
sculpture
have wooden seats. 쑗 Bicycle seats are
art that is a figure carved out of stone or narrow. 앳 to take a seat to sit down 쑗
wood or made out of metal Please take a seat, the dentist will see
you in a few minutes. 쑗 Please take your
sea /si
/ noun an area of salt water be-
sea
seats, the play is about to begin. 쑗 All

tween continents or islands which is
large but not as large as an ocean 쑗 the seats on the bus were taken so I had
Swimming in the sea is more exciting to stand.
second /sekənd/ noun 1. one of sixty
second
than swimming in a river. 쑗 The sea’s

too rough for the ferries to operate. 쑗 parts which make up a minute 쑗 I’ll give
His friends own a house by the sea. 쑗 you ten seconds to get out of my room. 쑗
The North Sea separates Britain from They say the bomb will go off in twenty
Denmark and Germany. seconds. 2. a very short time 쑗 Please
seagull /si
'l/ noun a large white sea
seagull
wait a second. 쑗 Wait here, I’ll be back

bird in a second. 3. the thing which is
number 2 in a series 쑗 Today is the sec-
seal /si
l/ noun a large animal with short
seal
smooth fur which eats fish and lives ond of March or March the second
near or in the sea 쐽 verb to close some- (March 2nd). 쑗 The Great Fire of Lon-
thing tightly 쑗 a box carefully sealed don took place when Charles the Sec-
with sticky tape ond (Charles II) was king. (NOTE: In
dates second is usually written 2nd or
search /s
tʃ/ noun the action of trying
search
2: August 2nd, 1932, 2 July, 1666

to find something 쑗 Our search of the (American style is July 2, 1666), say
flat revealed nothing. 쑗 They carried ‘the second of July’ or ‘July the second’
out a search for the missing children. 쑗 (American style is ‘July second’). With
I did a quick search on the Internet for
names of kings and queens second is
references to Proust. 쐽 verb 1. to exam-
usually written II: Queen Elizabeth II
ine something or someone very careful-
(say ‘Queen Elizabeth the Second’).)
ly 쑗 The police searched the house but
쐽 adjective 1. coming after the first and
didn’t find any weapons. 쑗 She was
stopped and searched by customs. 2. to before the third 쑗 February is the sec-
look carefully to try to find something 쑗 ond month of the year. 쑗 It’s his second
The police searched the house for weap- birthday next week. 쑗 Women’s clothes
ons. 왍 to search for someone or some- are on the second floor. 쑗 That’s the
thing to try to find someone or some- second time the telephone has rung
thing 쑗 The police searched for the while we’re eating. 2. next after the
missing children. 쑗 I searched the Inter- longest, best, tallest etc. (followed by a
net for references to Ireland. superlative) 쑗 This is the second long-
est bridge in the world. 쑗 He’s the sec-
seaside /si
dsad/ noun an area near
seaside
ond highest paid member of staff.

the sea where people go to have a holi-
secondary /sekənd(ə)ri/ adjective less
secondary
day
season /si
z(ə)n/ noun 1. one of four
season
important
second-class /sekənd klɑ
s/ adjec-
second-class
parts of a year 쑗 Autumn is her favourite

season. 2. a part of the year when some- tive, adverb 1. less expensive and less
thing usually happens 쑗 The tourist sea- comfortable than first-class 쑗 I find sec-
son is very long here – from March to ond-class hotels are perfectly adequate.
September. 쑗 The football season lasts 쑗 We always travel second-class be-
from September to May. 쑗 London is cause it is cheaper. 2. less expensive and
very crowded during the school holiday slower than the first-class postal service
season. 쑗 A second-class letter is cheaper than
seat /si
t/ noun a chair or similar object
seat
a first-class. 쑗 Send it second-class if it

which you sit on 쑗 He was sitting in the is not urgent.
secrecy 277 seem

secrecy /si
krəsi/ noun the fact of be- see /si
/ verb 1. to use your eyes to notice
secrecy see
ing secret or keeping something secret something 쑗 Can you see that tree in the
secret /si
krət/ adjective not known
secret
distance? 쑗 They say eating carrots
about by other people 쑗 There is a se- helps you to see in the dark. 쑗 We ran
cret door into the cellar. 쐽 noun some- because we could see the bus coming. 2.
thing which other people do not know to watch something such as a film 쑗 I
about 쑗 Have I told you my secret? don’t want to go to the cinema this week,
I’ve seen that film twice already. 쑗 We
secretary /sekrət(ə)ri/ noun a person
secretary
saw the football match on TV. 3. to un-

who does work such as writing letters, derstand something 쑗 I can’t see why
answering the phone and filing docu-
they need to borrow so much money. 쑗
ments for someone (NOTE: The plural is
You must see that it’s very important for
secretaries.)
everything to be ready on time. 쑗 Don’t
secretive /si
krətv/ adjective liking to
secretive
you see that they’re trying to trick you?

keep things secret 쑗 She’s very secretive 쑗 I see – you want me to lend you some
about her holiday plans. money. 4. to visit someone, e.g. a lawyer
secretly /si
krətli/ adverb without any- or doctor 쑗 If your tooth aches that bad-
secretly
one knowing ly you should see a dentist. 쑗 He went to

section /sekʃən/ noun a part of some-
section
see his bank manager to arrange a
thing which, when joined to other parts, mortgage. (NOTE: sees – seeing – saw
makes up a whole 쑗 the brass section of /sɔ
/ – seen /si
n/)
the orchestra 쑗 the financial section of see off phrasal verb to go to the airport
the newspaper 쑗 He works in a com- or station with someone who is leaving
pletely different section of the organisa- on a journey
tion. see through phrasal verb 1. to see
sector /sektə/ noun 1. a part of the from one side of something to the other
sector
economy or of the business organisation 쑗 I can’t see through the window – it’s
of a country 쑗 All sectors of industry so dirty. 2. not to be tricked by some-
suffered from the rise in the exchange thing or someone 쑗 Won’t they quickly
rate. 쑗 Computer technology is a boom- see through such a poor excuse? 쑗 He
ing sector of the economy. 2. a part of a pretended he was helping me, but I soon
circle between two lines drawn from the saw through him.
centre to the outside edge 쑗 The circle see to phrasal verb to arrange some-
had been divided into five sectors. thing or make sure that something is
secure /skjυə/ adjective firmly fixed 쑗 done
secure
seed /si
d/ noun a part of a plant which is
seed
Don’t step on that plank, it’s not secure.

쐽 verb to be successful in getting some- formed after the flowers die and from
thing important 쑗 He secured the sup- which a new plant will grow 쑗 a packet
port of a big bank. 쑗 They secured a val- of carrot seed 쑗 Sow the seeds in fine
uable new contract. earth. 쑗 Can you eat pumpkin seeds?
securely /skjυəli/ adverb in a secure seek /si
k/ verb to look for someone or
securely seek
way something (formal ) 쑗 The police are

security /skjυərti/ noun 1. safety or
security

seeking a group of teenagers who were
protection against harm 쑗 There were in the area when the attack took place.
worries about security during the (NOTE: seeks – seeking – sought
prince’s visit. 쑗 Security in this office is /sɔ
t/ – has sought)
seem /si
m/ verb to give the appearance
seem
nil. 쑗 Security guards patrol the factory

at night. 2. a thing given to someone of being something 쑗 She seems to like
who has lent you money and which is or It seems that she likes her new job. 쑗
returned when the loan is repaid 쑗 He Everyone seemed to be having a good
uses his house as security for a loan. 쑗 time at the party. 쑗 The new boss seems
The bank lent him £20,000 without se- very nice. 쑗 It seems to me that the par-
curity. cel has gone to the wrong house. 쑗 It
seize 278 sensation

seemed strange to us that no one an- to someone 쑗 He sold out to his partner
swered the phone. and retired. 3. to give in to a group of
seize /si
z/ verb to grab something and influential people 쑗 The environmental
seize
hold it tight 쑗 She seized the bag of group has accused the government of
sweets in both hands and would not let selling out to the oil companies.
go. sell up phrasal verb to sell a business 쑗
seldom /seldəm/ adverb not often
seldom
He sold up and retired.
semicolon /semikəυlɒn/ noun a
semicolon
(NOTE: Note the word order when sel-
dom is at the beginning of a phrase: punctuation mark (;) used to separate

you seldom hear or seldom do you two parts of a sentence and also used to
hear) show a pause
semi-final /semi fan(ə)l/ noun one of
semi-final
select /slekt/ verb to choose something

select
or someone carefully 쑗 She looked the last two matches in a competition,

carefully at the shelves before selecting the winners of which go into the final
a book. 쑗 He was selected for the Eng- game
senate /senət/ noun the upper house of
senate
land squad. 쑗 Selected items are re-

duced by 25%. the legislative body in some countries 쑗
selection /slekʃən/ noun 1. a range 쑗
selection

She was first elected to the Senate in
There is a huge selection of hats to 2001.
senator /senətə/ noun a member of a
senator
choose from. 2. a thing which has or

things which have been chosen 쑗 a se- senate (NOTE: written with a capital let-
lection of our product line 쑗 a selection ter when used as a title: Senator Jack-
of French cheeses son)
send /send/ verb 1. to make someone or
send
self /self/ noun your own person or char-

self
acter 쑗 She was ill for some time, but something go from one place to another
now she’s her old self again. 쑗 She’s not 쑗 My mother sent me to the baker’s to
her usual happy self today – I think buy some bread. 쑗 I was sent home from
she’s got something on her mind. (NOTE: school because I had a headache. 쑗 He
The plural is selves.) sent the ball into the net. 쑗 The firm is
sending him out to Australia for six
selfish /selfʃ/ adjective doing things
selfish
months. 2. to use the postal services to

only for yourself and not for other peo- get something to someone 쑗 The office
ple sends 200 Christmas cards every year. 쑗
sell /sel/ verb 1. to give something to
sell
Send me a postcard when you get to

someone for money 쑗 He sold his house Russia. 쑗 Send the letter by air if you
to my father. 쑗 She sold him her bicycle want it to arrive next week. 쑗 Send your
for next to nothing. 쑗 We managed to donations to the following address.
sell the car for £500. 쑗 The shop sells (NOTE: sends – sending – sent
vegetables but not meat. 2. to be sold 쑗 /sent/)
Those packs sell for £25 a dozen. 쑗 Her send for phrasal verb to ask someone
latest book is selling very well. (NOTE: to come
sells – selling – sold /səυld/)
senior /si
niə/ adjective 1. older
senior
쑗 the
sell off phrasal verb to sell goods senior members of the tribe 2. more im-
quickly and cheaply to get rid of them 쑗 portant, e.g. in rank 쑗 A sergeant is sen-
At the end of the day the market stalls ior to a corporal. 쑗 My senior col-
sell off their fruit and vegetables very leagues do not agree with me.
cheaply. sensation /senseʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a gen-
sensation
sell out phrasal verb 1. to sell every eral feeling 쑗 I felt a curious sensation
item of a particular type 쑗 Have you got as if I had been in the room before. 2. a
the dress in a size 12? – No, I’m afraid physical feeling 쑗 She had a burning
we’ve sold out. 쑗 We’re selling out of sensation in her arm. 3. a thing or per-
these hats fast. 2. US to sell a business son that causes great excitement 쑗 The
sense 279 serious

new ballet was the sensation of the sea- 쑗
Can you give us two separate invoic-
son. es?
sense /sens/ noun 1. one of the five separate2 /sepəret/ verb 1. to divide
sense separate
ways in which you notice something people or things 쑗 The employees are
(sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) 쑗 He separated into permanent and tempo-
may be 93, but he still has all his senses. rary staff. 쑗 The teacher separated the
쑗 His senses had been dulled by the class into two groups. 2. to keep people
drugs he was taking. 쑗 Dogs have a or things apart 쑗 The police tried to sep-
good sense of smell. 2. a meaning 쑗 He arate the two gangs. 쑗 Is it possible to
was using ‘bear’ in the sense of ‘to car- separate religion and politics?
ry’. 3. the fact of being sensible 쑗 At separately /sep(ə)rətli/ adverb indi-
separately
least someone showed some sense and vidually, rather than together or as a
tried to calm the situation. 쑗 She didn’t group
have the sense to refuse. 쑗 I thought
September /septembə/ noun the ninth
September
Patrick would have had more sense than
that. month of the year, between August and

October 쑗 September 3 쑗 The weather
senseless /sensləs/ adjective done for
senseless
is usually good in September. 쑗 Her

no good reason 쑗 a senseless attack on
birthday is in September. 쑗 Today is
a little old lady 쑗 It’s senseless to buy
September 3rd. 쑗 We always try to take
clothes you don’t need, just because
a short holiday in September. (NOTE:
they are in the sales.
September 3rd or September 3: say
sensible /sensb(ə)l/ adjective 1.
sensible
‘September the third’ or ‘the third of

showing good judgment and wisdom 쑗 September’ or in US English ‘Septem-
Staying indoors was the sensible thing ber third’.)
to do. 쑗 Try and be sensible for once! 2.
sequence /si
kwəns/ noun a series of
sequence
(of shoes) strong and comfortable for

walking, rather than fashionable things which happen or follow one after
the other 쑗 The sequence of events
sensitive /senstv/ adjective 1. easily
sensitive
which led to the accident.

upset 쑗 She’s a very sensitive young
sergeant /sɑ
d"ənt/ noun a non-com-
sergeant
woman. 쑗 Some actors are extremely

sensitive to criticism. 2. which measures missioned officer in the army, or an of-
very accurately 쑗 a very sensitive light ficer of low rank in the police (NOTE:
meter also used as a title before a surname:
Sergeant Jones)
sent /sent/ past tense and past participle
sent
serial /səriəl/ noun a story that is

serial
of send
sentence /sentəns/ noun 1. a series of
sentence
broadcast on TV or radio in separate
words put together to make a complete parts 쑗 an Australian police serial
statement, usually ending in a full stop (NOTE: Do not confuse with cereal.)
series /səri
z/ noun 1. a group of
series
쑗 I don’t understand the second sen-

tence in your letter. 쑗 Begin each sen- things which come one after the other in
tence with a capital letter. 2. a judgment order 쑗 We had a series of phone calls
of a court 쑗 He was given a six-month from the bank. 2. TV or radio pro-
prison sentence. 쑗 The judge passed grammes which are broadcast at the
sentence on the accused. 쐽 verb to give same time each week 쑗 There’s a new
someone an official legal punishment 쑗 wildlife series starting this week. (NOTE:
She was sentenced to three weeks in The plural is series.)
prison. 쑗 He was sentenced to death for serious /səriəs/ adjective 1. not funny
serious
murder. or not joking 쑗 a very serious play 쑗

separate1 /sep(ə)rət/ adjective not to-
separate
He’s such a serious little boy. 쑗 Stop

gether or attached 쑗 They are in sepa- laughing – it’s very serious. 쑗 He’s very
rate rooms. 쑗 The house has one bath- serious about the proposal. 쑗 The doc-
room with a separate toilet. 쑗 The dogs tor’s expression was very serious. 2. im-
were kept separate from the other pets. portant and possibly dangerous 쑗 There
seriously 280 settee

was a serious accident on the motorway. service in Northern Ireland. 6. a reli-
쑗 The storm caused serious damage. 쑗 gious ceremony 쑗 My mother never
There’s no need to worry – it’s nothing misses the nine o’clock service on Sun-
serious. 3. carefully planned 쑗 The days. 7. (in games like tennis) the ac-
management is making serious attempts tion of hitting the ball first 쑗 She has a
to improve working conditions. very powerful service. 쐽 verb to keep a
seriously /səriəsli/ adverb 1. in a seri-
seriously
machine in good working order 쑗 The
ous way 쑗 She should laugh more – she car needs to be serviced every six
mustn’t always take things so seriously. months.
2. to a great extent 쑗 The cargo was se- session /seʃ(ə)n/ noun the time when
session
riously damaged by water. 쑗 Her moth- an activity is taking place 쑗 All these
er is seriously ill. long sessions in front of the computer
seriousness /si
riəsnəs/ noun the fact
seriousness
screen are ruining my eyesight.

of being serious set /set/ noun a group of things which go
set
servant /s
vənt/ noun a person who is
servant
together, which are used together or

paid to work for a family 쑗 They employ which are sold together 쑗 He carries a
two servants in their London home. 쑗 set of tools in the back of his car. 쑗 The
Get it yourself – I’m not your servant! six chairs are sold as a set. 쐽 verb 1. to
serve /s
v/ verb 1. to give food or drink put something in a special place 쑗 She
serve
to someone 쑗 She served the soup in set the plate of biscuits down on the ta-
small bowls. 쑗 Just take a plate and ble next to her chair. 2. to fix something
serve yourself. 쑗 Has everyone been 쑗 When we go to France we have to set
served? 2. to go with a dish 쑗 Fish is our watches to French time. 쑗 The price
served with a white sauce. 쑗 You usually of the new computer has been set at
serve red wine with meat. 3. to help a £500. 3. to make something happen 쑗
customer, e.g. in a shop 쑗 Are you being He went to sleep smoking a cigarette
served? 쑗 The manager served me him- and set the house on fire. 쑗 All the pris-
self. 쑗 Will you serve this lady next, oners were set free. 쑗 I had been wor-
please? 4. (in games like tennis) to start ried about her, but her letter set my mind
the game by hitting the ball 쑗 She at rest. 4. when the sun sets, it goes
served two faults in a row. 쑗 He served down 쑗 The sun rises in the east and
first. sets in the west. (NOTE: sets – setting
service /s
vs/ noun 1. a facility which
service
– set) 쐽 adjective ready 쑗 We’re all set
the public needs 쑗 Our train service to for a swim. 쑗 My bags are packed and
London is very bad. 쑗 The postal serv- I’m all set to leave. 쑗 Her latest novel is
ice is efficient. 쑗 The bus service is very set to become the best-selling book of
irregular. 쑗 The hotel provides a laun- the year.
dry service. 2. the act of serving or help- set off phrasal verb 1. to begin a trip 쑗
ing someone in a shop or restaurant 쑗 We’re setting off for Germany tomor-
The food is good here, but the service is row. 쑗 They all set off on a long walk af-
very slow. 쑗 The bill includes an extra ter lunch. 2. to start something
10% for service. 쑗 Is the service includ- happening 쑗 They set off a bomb in the
ed? 쑗 The bill does not include service. shopping centre. 쑗 If you touch the wire
3. a regular check of a machine 쑗 The it will set off the alarm. 쑗 Being in the
car has had its 20,000-kilometre serv-
same room as a cat will set off my asth-
ice. 4. a group of people working to-
ma.
gether 쑗 the ambulance service 5. a
time when you work for a company or set out phrasal verb to begin a journey
organisation or in the armed forces 쑗 쑗 The hunters set out to cross the moun-
Did he enjoy his service in the army? 쑗 tains. 쑗 We have to set out early tomor-
She did six years’ service in the police. row.
settee /seti
/ noun a long seat with a
settee
쑗 He was awarded a gold watch for his
long service to the company. 쑗 He saw soft back where several people can sit
setting 281 sexually

setting /setŋ/ noun the background for that is number 7 in a series 쑗 Today is
setting
a story 쑗 The setting for the story is June the seventh or the seventh of June
Hong Kong in 1935. (June 7th). 2. one of seven equal parts
settle /set(ə)l/ verb 1. to arrange or /sevəntiəθ/
settle seventieth
seventieth adjective
agree something 쑗 Well, I’m glad every- number 70 in a series 쑗 It’s his seventi-
thing’s settled at last. 쑗 Have you set- eth birthday next week 쑗 He came sev-
tled the title for the new film yet? 쑗 It entieth out of a hundred. 쐽 noun the
took six months of negotiation for the thing that is number 70 in a series
union and management to settle their seventy /sev(ə)nti/ noun the number
seventy
differences. 2. to place yourself in a 70 쑗 She will be seventy (years old) on

comfortable position 쑗 She switched on Tuesday. 쑗 That shirt cost him more
the television and settled in her favour- than seventy dollars.
ite armchair. 3. to fall to the ground, or
several /sev(ə)rəl/ adjective, pronoun
several
to the bottom of something, gently 쑗

Wait for the dust to settle. 쑗 A layer of more than a few, but not a lot 쑗 Several
mud settled at the bottom of the pond. buildings were damaged in the storm. 쑗
settle down phrasal verb 1. to place We’ve met several times. 쑗 Several of
yourself in a comfortable position 쑗 Af- the students are going to Italy. 쑗 Most of
the guests left early but several stayed
ter dinner, she likes to settle down in a
on till midnight.
comfortable chair with a good book. 2.
severe /svə/ adjective 1. very strict 쑗
severe
to change to a calmer way of life with-
out many changes of house or much He was very severe with any child who
travelling 쑗 He has worked all over the did not behave. 쑗 Discipline in the
world, and doesn’t seem ready to settle school was severe. 2. having a very bad
down. 쑗 She had lots of boyfriends, and effect 쑗 The government imposed se-
then got married and settled down in vere financial restrictions on importers.
Surrey. 쑗 The severe weather has closed several
seven /sev(ə)n/ noun the number 7 쑗
seven
main roads. (NOTE: severer – sever-
There are only seven children in his est)
class. 쑗 She’s seven (years old) next severely /svəli/ adverb 1. strictly
severely
쑗
week. 쑗 The train is supposed to leave She was severely punished for being
at seven (o’clock). late. 2. to a great extent 쑗 a severely in-
seventeen /sev(ə)nti
n/ noun the jured survivor 쑗 Train services have
seventeen
number 17 쑗 He will be seventeen been severely affected by snow.

(years old) next month. 쑗 The train sew /səυ/ verb to attach, make or repair
sew
leaves at seventeen sixteen (17.16). something by using a needle and thread

seventeenth /sev(ə)nti
nθ/ adjective,
seventeenth
(NOTE: Do not confuse with sow. Note

noun number 17 in a series 쑗 Today is also: sews – sewing – sewed – sewn
October the seventeenth or the seven- /səυn/.)
teenth of October (October 17th). 쑗 Q is sex /seks/ noun 1. one of two groups,
sex
the seventeenth letter of the alphabet. 쑗 male and female, into which animals
It’s his seventeenth birthday next week. and plants can be divided 쑗 They’ve had
쑗 He came seventeenth out of thirty. 쐽
a baby, but I don’t know what sex it is. 2.
noun the thing that is number 17 in a se- physical activity which, between a man
ries 쑗 Today is October the seventeenth and a woman, could cause a baby to de-
or the seventeenth of October (October velop 쑗 a film full of sex and violence 쑗
17th). Sex was the last thing on her mind.
seventh /sevənθ/ adjective, noun
seventh
sexual /sekʃuəl/ adjective relating to

sexual
number 7 in a series 쑗 His office is on

the seventh floor. 쑗 It’s her seventh the activity of having sex 쑗 Their rela-
birthday on Saturday. 쑗 What is the sev- tionship was never sexual.
sexually /sekʃυəli/ adverb in a sexual
sexually
enth letter of the alphabet? 쑗 She came

seventh in the race. 쐽 noun 1. the thing way
shabby 282 sharpen

shabby /ʃbi/ adjective (of clothes) red with shame. 쑗 To my shame, I did
shabby
used about clothes which are of poor nothing to help.

quality or look worn out 쑗 He wore a shampoo /ʃmpu
/ noun 1. liquid
shampoo
shabby coat with two buttons missing. soap for washing your hair or for wash-
shade /ʃed/ noun 1. a variety of a par- ing things such as carpets or cars 2. the
shade
ticular colour 쑗 Her hat is a rather pret- action of washing the hair 쑗 She went to
ty shade of green. 2. a dark place which the hairdresser’s for a shampoo.
is not in the sun 쑗 Let’s try and find shape /ʃep/ noun the form of how
shape
some shade – it’s too hot in the sun. 쑗 something looks 쑗 A design in the shape
The sun’s so hot that we’ll have to sit in of a letter S. 쑗 The old table was a funny
the shade. shape. 쐽 verb to make into a certain
shadow /ʃdəυ/ noun a dark place be- form 쑗 He shaped the pastry into the
shadow
hind an object where light is cut off by form of a little boat.

the object 쑗 In the evening, the trees shaped /ʃept/ adjective with a certain
shaped
cast long shadows across the lawn. 쑗 shape

She saw his shadow move down the hall. share /ʃeə/ noun a part of something that
share
쑗 They rested for a while, in the shadow is divided between two or more people
of a large tree. 쑗 Did he get his share of the prize? 쑗
shaft /ʃɑ
ft/ noun 1. the long handle of a
shaft
Take your share of the cake and leave

tool such as a spade 쑗 The shaft of the me the rest. 쑗 She should have paid her
spade was so old it snapped in two. 2. a share of the food bill. 쑗 There’s a lot of
thin beam of light 쑗 Tiny particles of work to do, so everyone must do their
dust were dancing in a shaft of sunlight. share. 쐽 verb 1. also share out to di-
3. a deep hole connecting one place to vide up something among several peo-
another 쑗 The shaft had become blocked ple 쑗 Let’s share the bill. 쑗 In her will,
with rubbish. her money was shared out among her
shake /ʃek/ verb to move something
shake
sons. 2. to use something which some-

from side to side or up and down 쑗 one else also uses 쑗 We share an office.
Shake the bottle before pouring. 쑗 The 쑗 We shared a taxi to the airport.
house shakes every time a train goes shark /ʃɑ
k/ noun a large dangerous fish
shark
past. 쑗 His hand shook as he opened the which lives in the sea and can kill peo-
envelope. (NOTE: shakes – shaking – ple
shook /ʃυk/ – shaken) sharp /ʃɑ
p/ adjective 1. with an edge or
sharp
shall /ʃəl, ʃl/ modal verb 1. used to

shall
point which can easily cut or pass

make the future tense 쑗 We shall be out through something 쑗 For injections, a
on Saturday evening. 쑗 I shan’t say an- needle has to have a very sharp point. 쑗
ything – I shall keep my mouth shut! 쑗 The beach is covered with sharp stones.
Tomorrow we shan’t be home until after 쑗 This knife is useless – it isn’t sharp
10 o’clock. 2. used to show a suggestion enough. 2. sudden and great 쑗 There
쑗 Shall we open the windows? 쑗 Shall I was a sharp drop in interest rates. 쑗 The
give them a ring? (NOTE: shall is mainly road makes a sharp right-hand bend. 쑗
used with I and we. The negative is He received a sharp blow on the back of
shan’t /ʃɑ
nt/. The past tense is his head. 쑗 We had a sharp frost last
should, should not usually shoul- night. 3. bitter 쑗 Lemons have a very
dn’t.) sharp taste. 4. quick to notice things 쑗
shallow /ʃləυ/ adjective not far from He has a sharp sense of justice. 쑗 She
shallow
top to bottom 쑗 Children were playing has a sharp eye for a bargain. 쑗 He’s
in the shallow end of the pool. 쑗 The riv- pretty sharp at spotting mistakes. 쐽 ad-
er is so shallow in summer that you can verb 1. exactly 쑗 The coach will leave
walk across it. the hotel at 7.30 sharp. 2. suddenly, at
shame /ʃem/ noun the feeling you have
shame
an angle 쑗 The road turned sharp right.
sharpen /ʃɑ
pən/ verb to make some-
sharpen
when you know you have done some-

thing bad or wrong 쑗 She went bright thing sharp
shave 283 shift

shave /ʃev/ noun the act of cutting off shelf /ʃelf/ noun a flat piece of wood at-
shave shelf
the hair on your face with a razor 쑗 He tached to a wall or in a cupboard on

decided to have a shave before going which things can be put 쑗 He put up or
out to dinner. 쐽 verb 1. to cut off the built some shelves in the kitchen. 쑗 The
hair on your face with a razor 쑗 He cut shelves were packed with books. 쑗 Put
himself shaving. 2. to cut the hair on that book back on the shelf. 쑗 Can you
your head or, on a part of your body, so reach me down the box from the top
that it is very short 쑗 I didn’t recognise shelf? 쑗 The plates are on the top shelf
him with his head shaved. in the kitchen cupboard. (NOTE: The
plural is shelves.)
she /ʃi
/ pronoun used for referring to a
she
shell /ʃel/ noun 1. the hard outside part

shell
female person, a female animal and

sometimes to cars, ships and countries 쑗 which covers some animals such as
She’s my sister. 쑗 She and I are going on snails or tortoises 쑗 The children spent
holiday to France together. 쑗 I’m angry hours collecting shells on the beach. 2.
with her – she’s taken my motorbike. 쑗 the hard outside part of an egg or a nut
She’s a sweet little cat, but she’s no 쑗 I found a big piece of shell in my ome-
good at catching mice. 쑗 The customs lette. 3. a metal tube which is fired from
officers boarded the ship when she a gun and explodes when it hits some-
docked. (NOTE: When it is the object, thing 쑗 A shell landed on the hospital.
shelter /ʃeltə/ noun 1. protection 쑗 We
shelter
she becomes her: She hit the ball or

the ball hit her. When it follows the verb stood in the shelter of a tree waiting for
to be, she usually becomes her: the rain to stop. 쑗 On the mountain
Who’s that? – It’s her, the girl we met there was no shelter from the pouring
yesterday.) rain. 왍 to take shelter to go somewhere
for protection 쑗 When the gunmen start-
shed /ʃed/ noun a small wooden building
shed
ed to shoot we all took shelter behind a

쑗 They kept the mower in a shed at the
wall. 2. a structure or building which
bottom of the garden. 쐽 verb to lose protects you from bad weather or dan-
something which you are carrying or ger 쑗 People stood in the bus shelter out
wearing 쑗 In autumn, the trees shed of the rain as they waited for the bus to
their leaves as soon as the weather turns come. 쐽 verb to go somewhere for pro-
cold. 쑗 A lorry has shed its load of wood tection 쑗 Sheep were sheltering from the
at the roundabout. 쑗 We shed our snow beside the hedge.
clothes and dived into the cool water.
shelves /ʃelvz/ plural of shelf
shelves
(NOTE: sheds – shedding – shed)

sheriff /ʃerf/ noun US an official in
sheriff
sheep /ʃi
p/ noun a common farm ani-
sheep
charge of justice in a particular part of a

mal, which gives wool and meat 쑗 a state 쑗 the sheriff of Orange County
flock of sheep 쑗 The sheep are in the
shield /ʃi
ld/ noun a large plate held in
shield
field. (NOTE: The plural is sheep.)

one hand, carried by people such as po-
sheer /ʃə/ adjective 1. used for empha-
sheer
lice as a protection 쑗 The policemen

sizing something 쑗 It was sheer heaven cowered behind their plastic shields. 쐽
to get into a hot bath after skiing. 쑗 She verb to protect someone or something
was crying out of sheer frustration. 쑗 from being reached or seen 쑗 He tried to
It’s sheer madness to go out without a shield her from the wind.
coat in this weather. 2. very steep 쑗 It
shift /ʃft/ noun a change of something
shift
was a sheer drop to the beach below. such as position or direction 쑗 The com-
sheet /ʃi
t/ noun 1. a large piece of thin
sheet
pany is taking advantage of a shift in the

cloth which is put on a bed, either to lie market towards higher priced goods. 쑗
on or to cover you 쑗 She changed the There has been a shift of emphasis from
sheets on the bed. 2. a large flat piece of opposition to partnership. 쑗 I don’t un-
something such as paper, metal, ice or derstand this shift in attitude. 쐽 verb to
plastic 쑗 Can you give me another sheet change position or direction 쑗 We’ve
of paper? shifted the television from the kitchen
shin 284 shopping

into the dining room. 쑗 My opinion has shocking /ʃɒkŋ/ adjective very un-
shocking
shifted since I read the official report. pleasant, which gives someone a sudden
shin /ʃn/ noun the front part of your leg
shin
surprise
below the knee 쑗 He scraped his shin shoe /ʃu
/ noun a piece of clothing
shoe
climbing over the wall. 쑗 They kicked which is worn on your foot 쑗 She’s
him in the shins. bought a new pair of shoes. 쑗 He put his
shine /ʃan/ verb 1. to be bright with
shine
shoes on and went out. 쑗 Take your
light 쑗 The sun is shining and they say shoes off if your feet hurt. (NOTE: The
it’ll be hot today. 쑗 She polished the ta- plural is shoes.)
shone /ʃɒn/ past tense and past participle
shone
ble until it shone. 쑗 The wine glasses

shone in the light of the candles. 쑗 Why of shine
do cats’ eyes shine in the dark? 쑗 The shook /ʃυk/ past tense of shake
shook
moon shone down on the waiting crowd.

shoot /ʃu
t/ noun a new growth of a
shoot
2. to make light fall on something 쑗 He

shone his torch into the cellar. (NOTE: plant, growing from a seed or from a
shines – shining – shone /ʃɒn/) branch 쑗 One or two green shoots are
already showing where I sowed my let-
shiny /ʃani/ adjective which shines
shiny
tuces. 쑗 After pruning, the roses will

(NOTE: shinier – shiniest) send out a lot of strong new shoots. 쐽
ship /ʃp/ noun a large boat for carrying verb 1. to fire a gun 쑗 Soldiers were
ship
passengers and goods on the sea 쑗 She’s shooting into the woods. 2. to hit or kill
a fine ship. 쑗 How many ships does the a person or animal by firing a gun 쑗 One
Royal Navy have? 쑗 The first time we of the robbers was shot by a policeman
went to the United States, we went by when he tried to run away. 쑗 We went
ship. (NOTE: A ship is often referred to out hunting and shot two rabbits. 3. to
as she or her.) go very fast 쑗 When the bell rang she
shot down the stairs. 쑗 He started the
shirt /ʃ
t/ noun a light piece of clothing
shirt
engine and the car shot out of the ga-

which you wear on the top part of the rage. 4. in some sports, to aim a ball at
body 쑗 The teacher wore a blue suit and the goal 쑗 He shot, and the ball bounced
a white shirt. 쑗 When he came back off the post. (NOTE: shoots – shooting
from the trip he had a suitcase full of – shot /ʃɒt/)
dirty shirts. 쑗 It’s so hot that the work-
shop /ʃɒp/ noun a place where you can
shop
ers in the fields have taken their shirts

off. buy things 쑗 Quite a few shops are open
on Sundays. 쑗 I never go to that shop –
shiver /ʃvə/ verb to shake with cold or
shiver
it’s much too expensive. 쑗 The sweet

fear 쑗 She shivered in the cold night air. shop is opposite the fire station. 쐽 verb
쑗 He was coughing and shivering, so to look for and buy things in shops 쑗
the doctor told him to stay in bed. 쐽 She’s out shopping for his birthday
noun the action of shaking because of present. 쑗 Mum’s gone shopping in
feeling cold or frightened town. 쑗 They went shopping in Oxford
shock /ʃɒk/ noun a sudden unpleasant
shock
Street. 쑗 Do you ever shop locally?

surprise 쑗 It gave me quite a shock when (NOTE: shops – shopping –
you walked in. 쑗 He’s in for a nasty shopped)
shock. 왍 in a state of shock reacting shopkeeper /ʃɒpki
pə/ noun a person
shopkeeper
badly to a sudden unpleasant surprise 쑗 who owns a shop

She was in a state of shock after hearing shopping /ʃɒpŋ/ noun 1. the activity
shopping
of the accident. 쐽 verb to give someone of buying things in a shop 쑗 We do all

a sudden unpleasant surprise 쑗 The con- our shopping at the weekend. 쑗 He’s
ditions in the hospital shocked the in- gone out to do the weekly shopping. 2.
spectors. things which you have bought in a shop
shocked /ʃɒkt/ adjective having an un-
shocked
쑗 Put all your shopping on the table. 쑗

pleasant surprise She was carrying two baskets of shop-
shore 285 show

ping. (NOTE: no plural: some shopping, enough money I should like to buy a new
a lot of shopping) car.
shore /ʃɔ
/ noun land at the edge of the shoulder /ʃəυldə/ noun the part of the
shore shoulder
sea or a lake 쑗 She stood on the shore body at the top of the arm 쑗 The police-
waving as the boat sailed away. man hurt me on the shoulder. 쑗 Look
short /ʃɔ
t/ adjective 1. not long 쑗 Have
short
over your shoulder, he’s just behind you.
shout /ʃaυt/ noun a loud cry 쑗 She gave
shout
you got a short piece of wire? 2. (of dis-

tance) not far 쑗 She only lives a short a shout and dived into the water. 쑗 Peo-
distance away. 쑗 The taxi driver wanted ple came running when they heard the
to take me through the high street, but I shouts of the children. 쐽 verb to make a
told him there was a shorter route. 쑗 loud cry or to speak very loudly 쑗 They
The shortest way to the railway station stamped on the floor and shouted. 쑗 I
is to go through the park. 3. (of time) not had to shout to the waitress to get
lasting a long time 쑗 He phoned a short served. 쑗 They were shouting greetings
time ago. 쑗 We had a short holiday in to one another across the street.
June. 쑗 She managed to have a short shove /ʃv/ noun a sudden push 쑗 She
shove
sleep on the plane. 4. not tall 쑗 He is gave the car a shove and it rolled down
only 1m 40 – much shorter than his the hill. 쐽 verb to push someone or
brother. something roughly 쑗 He shoved the pa-
shortage /ʃɔ
td"/ noun the fact that
shortage
pers into his pocket. 쑗 Stop shoving –

you do not have something you need 쑗 there’s no more room on the bus.
a shortage of skilled staff 쑗 During the show /ʃəυ/ noun 1. an exhibition 쑗 The
show
war, there were food shortages. Hampton Court Flower Show opens to-
shortly /ʃɔ
tli/ adverb soon
shortly
morrow. 쑗 She has entered her two cats

shot /ʃɒt/ noun 1. the action of shooting
shot
for the local cat show. 2. a play or other
쑗 The police fired two shots at the car. 쑗 performance which is on at a theatre 쑗
Some shots were fired during the bank ‘Cats’ is a wonderful show. 쑗 We’re go-
robbery. 2. a kick or hit to try to score a ing to a show tonight. 쑗 The show starts
goal 쑗 He kicked but his shot was at 7.30, so let’s have dinner early. 쐽
stopped by the goalkeeper. 쐽 past tense verb 1. to let someone see something 쑗
and past participle of shoot He wanted to show me his holiday pho-
tos. 쑗 She proudly showed me her new
should /ʃυd/ modal verb 1. used in giv-
should
car. 쑗 You don’t have to show your pass-

ing advice or warnings for saying what
port when you’re travelling to Ireland.
is the best thing to do 쑗 You should go
2. to point something out to someone 쑗
to the doctor if your cough gets worse. 쑗
Show me where the accident happened.
I should have been more careful. 쑗 She
쑗 He asked me to show him the way to
shouldn’t eat so much if she’s trying to
the railway station. 쑗 The salesman
lose weight. 쑗 Should I ask for more cof-
showed her how to work the photocopi-
fee? 쑗 Why should I clean up your
er. 쑗 My watch shows the date as well as
mess? (NOTE: Ought to can be used in-
the time. 3. to be seen, or to be obvious
stead of should.) 2. used to say what
쑗 The repairs were badly done and it
you expect to happen 쑗 If you leave now
shows. 쑗 Her rash has almost disap-
you should be there by 4 o’clock. 쑗
peared and hardly shows at all. (NOTE:
Their train should have arrived by now.
shows – showing – showed –
쑗 There shouldn’t be any more prob-
shown /ʃəυn/) 앳 on show arranged
lems now. (NOTE: Ought to can be
for everyone to see 쑗 Is there anything
used instead of should.) 3. used to
new on show in this year’s exhibition?
show a possibility 쑗 If the President
should die in office, the Vice-President show off phrasal verb 1. to show how
automatically takes over. 쑗 I’ll be in the much better than other people you think
next room should you need me. 4. same you are 쑗 Don’t watch her dancing
as would (dated ) 쑗 We should like to about like that – she’s just showing off.
offer you our congratulations. 쑗 If I had 2. to let a lot of people see something
shower 286 shut

shrivel /ʃrv(ə)l/ verb to make the sur-
shrivel
which you are proud of 쑗 He drove past

with the radio on very loud, showing off face of something become dry and
his new car. creased, or to become like this (NOTE:
show up phrasal verb 1. to do some- shrivels – shrivelling – shrivelled)
thing which shows other people to be shrunk /ʃrŋk/ past participle of shrink
shrunk
worse than you 쑗 She dances so well

shuffle /ʃf(ə)l/ verb 1. to walk drag-
shuffle
that she shows us all up. 2. to be seen

ging your feet along the ground 쑗 He
clearly 쑗 When I ride my bike at night I shuffled into the room in his slippers. 2.
wear an orange jacket because it shows to mix the playing cards before starting
up clearly in the dark. 3. to come to or a game 쑗 I think he must have done
arrive in a place (informal ) 쑗 We invited something to the cards when he was
all our friends to the picnic but it rained shuffling them.
and only five of them showed up.
shut /ʃt/ adjective not open 쑗 Some
shut
shower /ʃaυə/ noun 1. a slight fall of

shower
rain or snow 쑗 In April there’s usually a shops are shut on Sundays, but most big
mixture of sunshine and showers. 쑗 stores are open. 쑗 We tried to get into
There were snow showers this morning, the museum but it was shut. 쑗 She lay
but it is sunny again now. 2. a piece of with her eyes shut. 쑗 Come in – the door
equipment in a bathroom, usually fixed isn’t shut! 쐽 verb 1. to close something
high up on the wall, which sends out which is open 쑗 Can you please shut the
water to wash your whole body 3. an oc- window – it’s getting cold in here. 쑗
casion when you wash your body with a Here’s your present – shut your eyes
shower 쑗 She went up to her room and and guess what it is. 2. to close for busi-
had a shower. 쑗 He has a cold shower ness 쑗 In Germany, shops shut on Sat-
every morning. 쑗 You can’t take a show- urday afternoons. 쑗 The restaurant
er now, there’s no hot water. 쐽 verb to shuts at midnight. (NOTE: shuts – shut-
wash yourself under a shower 쑗 He ting – shut)
showered and went down to greet his shut down phrasal verb 1. to close
guests. completely 쑗 The factory shut down for
shown /ʃəυn/ past participle of show the holiday weekend. 2. to switch off an
shown
shrank /ʃrŋk/ past tense of shrink

shrank
electrical system 쑗 They had to shut
down the factory because pollution lev-
shred /ʃred/ noun a long narrow piece
shred
els were too high.

torn off something 쑗 She tore his news-
shut in phrasal verb to lock someone
paper to shreds. 쑗 The curtains were on
inside a place
the floor in shreds. 쐽 verb 1. to tear or
cut paper into long thin pieces, which shut off phrasal verb 1. to switch
can then be thrown away or used as something off 쑗 Can you shut off the
packing material 쑗 They sent a pile of water while I mend the tap? 2. to stop
old invoices to be shredded. 쑗 She told access to 쑗 We can shut off the dining
the police that the manager had told her room with folding doors. 쑗 The house is
to shred all the documents in the file. 2. shut off from the road by a high wall.
to cut something into very thin pieces 쑗 shut out phrasal verb 1. to lock some-
Here’s a utensil for shredding vegeta- one outside a place 쑗 I was shut out of
bles. 쑗 Add a cup of shredded carrot. the house because I’d left my keys in-
(NOTE: shreds – shredding – shred- side. 쑗 If the dog keeps on barking
ded) you’ll have to shut him out. 2. to stop
shrink /ʃrŋk/ verb 1. to make smaller 쑗
shrink
light getting inside, or to stop people
The water must have been too hot – it’s seeing inside 쑗 Those thick curtains
shrunk my shirt. 2. to get smaller 쑗 My should shut out the light from the chil-
shirt has shrunk in the wash. 쑗 The mar- dren’s room. 쑗 A high wall shuts out the
ket for typewriters has shrunk almost to view of the factory. 3. to stop thinking
nothing. (NOTE: shrinks – shrinking – about something 쑗 Try to shut out the
shrank /ʃrŋk/ – shrunk /ʃrŋk/) memory of the accident.
shutter 287 sign

shut up phrasal verb 1. to close some- road. 쑗 She sat to one side of the fire-
thing inside a place 쑗 I hate being shut place. 5. one of two parts separated by
up indoors on a sunny day. 2. an impo- something 쑗 She jumped over the fence
lite way of telling someone to stop talk- to get to the other side. 쑗 In the UK,
ing or to stop making a noise 쑗 Tell cars drive on the left-hand side of the
those children to shut up – I’m trying to road. 6. a sports team 쑗 The local side
work. 쑗 Shut up! – we’re tired of listen- was beaten 2 – 0. 7. the part of the body
ing to your complaints. 쑗 Once he starts between the top of the legs and the
shoulder 쑗 I can’t sleep when I’m lying
talking it’s impossible to shut him up.
on my right side. 쑗 The policemen stood
shutter /ʃtə/ noun 1. a folding wooden
shutter
by the prisoner’s side. 쑗 They all stood

or metal cover for a window 쑗 Close the side by side. 쐽 adjective which is at the
shutters if the sunlight is too bright. 2. side 쑗 There is a side entrance to the
the part of a camera which opens and shop. 쑗 Can you take that bucket round
closes very quickly to allow the light to to the side door?
go on to the film 쑗 He released the shut-
sidewalk /sadwɔ
k/ noun US a pave-
sidewalk
ter and took the picture.

ment 쑗 A girl was walking slowly along
shy /ʃa/ adjective nervous and afraid to
shy
the sidewalk. 쑗 We sat at a sidewalk

speak or do something 쑗 He’s so shy he café.
sat in the back row and didn’t speak to
sideways /sadwez/ adverb to the side
sideways
anyone.
or from the side 쑗 Crabs walk sideways.
sick /sk/ adjective 1. not in good health
sick
쑗 Take a step sideways and you will be

쑗 He’s been sick for months. 쑗 We have able to see the castle. 쑗 If you look at the
five staff off sick. 2. 왍 to be sick to bring post sideways you’ll see how bent it is.
up food from the stomach into the
sigh /sa/ noun a long deep breath, show-
sigh
mouth 쑗 The last time I ate oysters I was

sick all night. 왍 to feel sick to feel ill being feelings such as sadness or showing
cause you want to bring up food from that you feel tired 쑗 She gave a deep
the stomach 쑗 When I got up this morn- sigh and put the phone down. 쑗 You
ing I felt sick and went back to bed. 쑗 could hear the sighs of relief from the
The greasy food made her feel sick. 3. 왍 audience when the hero was saved. 쐽
to make someone sick to make some- verb to breathe with a sigh 쑗 He sighed
one very annoyed 쑗 All my friends earn and wrote out another cheque.
sight /sat/ noun 1. the sense that is the
sight
more than I do – it makes me sick! 4. in-

volving subjects or behaviour that many ability to see 쑗 My grandfather’s sight
people are upset or offended by 쑗 a sick isn’t very good any more. 2. the fact of
joke 쐽 noun the contents of the stomach being able to see something 쑗 He can’t
when they come out through the mouth stand the sight of blood. 쑗 We caught
(informal ) sight of an eagle up in the mountains. 쑗
side /sad/ noun 1. one of the four parts
side
She kept waving until the car disap-
which with the top and bottom make a peared from sight. 쑗 The fog cleared
solid object such as a box 쑗 Stand the and the mountains came into sight. 쑗
box upright – don’t turn it onto its side. They waved until the boat was out of
2. one of the two parts which with the sight. 3. something, especially some-
front and back make a building 쑗 The thing famous, which is interesting to see
garage is attached to the side of the 쑗 They went off on foot to see the sights
house. 3. one of the surfaces of a flat ob- of the town. 쑗 The guidebook lists the
ject 쑗 Please write on both sides of the main tourist sights in Beijing. (NOTE: Do
paper. 4. one of two or more parts or not confuse with site.)
sign /san/ noun 1. a movement of the
sign
edges of something 쑗 Our office is on

the opposite side of the street to the hand which means something 쑗 He
bank. 쑗 London’s Heathrow Airport is made a sign to us to sit down. 2. some-
on the west side of the city. 쑗 The hitch- thing such as a drawing or a notice
hikers were standing by the side of the which advertises something 쑗 The shop
signal 288 simply

has a big sign outside it saying ‘for lence as she came in. 쑗 There will be a
sale’. 쑗 A ‘no smoking’ sign hung on the minute’s silence at 11 o’clock.
wall. 3. something which shows that silent /salənt/ adjective not talking or
silent
something is happening or has hap- making any noise 쑗 He kept silent for
pened 쑗 There is no sign of the rain the whole meeting. 쑗 This new washing
stopping. 쑗 The economy is showing machine is almost silent. 쑗 They showed
signs of improvement. 쑗 The police can some old silent films.
find no sign of how the burglars got into silk /slk/ noun cloth made from fibres
silk
the office. 쑗 He should have arrived by produced by insects 쑗 She was wearing
now, but there’s no sign of him. 4. a a beautiful silk scarf. 쑗 I bought some
printed character 쑗 the pound sign (£) 쑗 blue silk to make a dress.
the dollar sign ($) 쐽 verb to write your
silly /sli/ adjective stupid in an annoy-
silly
name in a special way on a document to

show that you have written it or that you ing way 쑗 Don’t be silly – you can’t go
have approved it 쑗 Sign on the dotted to the party dressed like that! 쑗 She
line, please. 쑗 The letter is signed by the asked a lot of silly questions. 쑗 Of all
managing director. 쑗 A cheque is not the silly newspaper articles that must be
valid if it has not been signed. the silliest. (NOTE: sillier – silliest)
silver /slvə/ noun a precious white met-
silver
signal /s'n(ə)l/ noun 1. a sign or

signal
al often used for making jewellery 쑗

movement which tells someone to do Gold is worth more than silver. 쑗 How
something 쑗 I’ll give you a signal to much is an ounce of silver worth? 쐽 ad-
start singing. 2. a piece of equipment jective of a shiny white colour, like sil-
used to tell someone to do something 쑗 ver 쑗 The car has been resprayed with
The signal was at red so the train had to silver paint. 쑗 She wore silver sandals
stop. 쐽 verb to make signs to tell some- to match her handbag.
one to do something 쑗 The driver sig-
similar /smlə/ adjective very much
similar
nalled to show that he was turning right.

쑗 She signalled to me that we were run-
like someone or something but not ex-
actly the same 쑗 The two cars are very
ning out of time. (NOTE: signals – sig-
similar in appearance. 쑗 Our situation
nalling – signalled. The US spelling
is rather similar to yours.
is signaling – signaled.)
similarity /smlrti/ noun being
similarity
signature /s'ntʃə/ noun a name writ-

signature
similar (NOTE: The plural is similari-

ten in a special way by someone to show ties.)
that a document has been officially ac-
similarly /smləli/ adverb in a similar
similarly
cepted 쑗 He found a pile of cheques on

his desk waiting for his signature. 쑗 Her way 쑗 All these infections must be treat-
signature doesn’t look like her name at ed similarly. 쑗 He always writes a nice
thank you letter, and similarly so does
all. 쑗 The shopkeeper looked very
his sister.
closely at her signature and compared it
simple /smpəl/ adjective 1. easy to do
simple
with the one on the credit card.

or understand 쑗 The machine is very
significant /s'nfkənt/ adjective im-
significant

simple to use. 2. not unusual, special or
portant or noticeable 쑗 It is highly sig- complicated 쑗 They had a simple meal
nificant that everyone else was asked to of bread and soup. 쑗 It’s a very simple
the meeting, but not the finance director. pattern of lines and squares.
쑗 There has been a significant improve-
simply /smpli/ adverb 1. in a simple
simply
ment in his condition.

way 쑗 He described very simply how
silence /saləns/ noun a situation which
silence
the accident had happened. 쑗 She al-

is quiet, without any noise 쑗 I love the ways dresses very simply. 2. only 쑗 He
silence of the countryside at night. 쑗 did it simply to annoy everyone. 쑗 She
The crowd of tourists waited in silence. gave a new look to the room simply by
쑗 The mayor held up his hand and asked painting one wall red. 3. used for em-
for silence. 쑗 There was a sudden si- phasis 쑗 Your garden is simply beauti-
since 289 site

ful. 쑗 It’s simply terrible – what shall we sank in 30m of water. 쑗 The paper boat
do? floated for a few minutes, then sank. 쑗
since /sns/ preposition during the peri-
since
You should tie a piece of lead to your
od after 쑗 She’s been here since Mon- fishing line to make it sink. 2. to fall sud-
day. 쑗 We’ve been working non-stop denly 쑗 She was so upset that she just
since four o’clock – can’t we have a sank into an armchair and closed her
rest? 쐽 conjunction 1. during the period eyes. 쑗 My heart sank when I heard the
after 쑗 He has had trouble borrowing news. (NOTE: sinks – sinking – sank
money ever since he was rude to the /sŋk/ – sunk /sŋk/)
sip /sp/ noun the act of drinking a small
sip
bank manager. 쑗 Since we got to the ho-

tel, it has rained every day. 2. because 쑗 amount 쑗 She took a sip of water, and
Since he’s ill, you can’t ask him to help went on with her speech. 쐽 verb to drink
you. 쑗 Since it’s such a fine day, let’s go something taking only a small amount
for a walk. 쐽 adverb during the period at a time 쑗 The girl was sipping her
until now 쑗 She phoned on Sunday and drink quietly. (NOTE: sips – sipping –
we haven’t heard from her since. 쑗 He sipped)
left England in 1990 and has lived sir /s
/ noun 1. a polite way of speaking
sir
abroad ever since. to a man, e.g. a man who is a customer

sincere /snsə/ adjective very honest
sincere

in a shop 쑗 Would you like a drink with
and real, not false or pretended your lunch, sir? 쑗 Please come this way,
sir. 2. 왍 Dear Sir a polite way of begin-
sincerely /snsəli/ adverb honestly or
sincerely
ning a letter to a man you do not know

really
3. the title given to a baronet or knight
sing /sŋ/ verb to make music with your
sing
siren /sarən/ noun a piece of equip-

siren
voice 쑗 She was singing as she worked. ment which makes a loud warning sig-
쑗 Please sing another song. 쑗 He al- nal
ways sings in the bath. 쑗 She sang a fun-
sister /sstə/ noun 1. a girl or woman
sister
ny song about elephants. 쑗 The birds

were singing in the garden. (NOTE: who has the same father and mother as
sings – singing – sang /sŋ/ – sung someone else 쑗 His three sisters all look
/sŋ/) alike. 쑗 My younger sister Louise works
in a bank. 쑗 Do you have any sisters? 2.
singer /sŋə/ noun a person who sings
singer
a senior female nurse in charge of a

single /sŋ'(ə)l/ adjective 1. one alone
single
ward 쑗 The sister told me my son was

쑗 He handed her a single sheet of paper. getting better. (NOTE: The male equiva-
쑗 There wasn’t a single person I knew at lent is charge nurse.)
the party. 쑗 The single most important sit /st/ verb 1. to be resting with your
sit
fact about him is that he has no money. bottom on something 쑗 Mother was sit-
2. for one person only 쑗 Have you got a ting in bed eating her breakfast. 2. (of a
single room for two nights, please? 쑗 bird ) to rest on something 쑗 The robin
We prefer two single beds to a double always comes and sits on the fence when
bed. 3. not married 쑗 She’s twenty-nine I’m digging. (NOTE: sits – sitting – sat
and still single. 쑗 Are there any single /st/)
men on the course? sit down phrasal verb to sit on a seat
singular /sŋ'jυlə/ adjective showing
singular
sit up phrasal verb 1. to sit with your

that there is only one thing or person 쑗 back straight 쑗 Sit up straight! 2. to
‘She’ is a singular pronoun. move from a lying to a sitting position 쑗
sink /sŋk/ noun a fixed container for wa- He’s too weak to sit up. 쑗 He sat up in
sink
ter in which you wash things such as bed to eat his breakfast. 3. to delay go-
dishes in a kitchen 쑗 The sink was piled ing to bed or to go to bed later than usual
high with dirty dishes. 쑗 He was wash- 쑗 We sat up playing cards until 2 a.m.
ing his hands at the kitchen sink. 쐽 verb site /sat/ noun 1. a place where some-
site
1. to go down to the bottom of something is or will be 쑗 This is the site for
thing such as water or mud 쑗 The ferry the new factory. 2. a place where some-
sitting room 290 skill

thing happened, or where something size swimming pool. 쑗 He takes size ten
once existed 쑗 This was the site of the in shoes. 쑗 What size collars do you
Battle of Hastings in 1066. 쑗 They’re take? 쑗 The size of the staff has doubled
trying to locate the site of the old Roman in the last two years.
fort. sizzle /sz(ə)l/ verb to make a sound like
sizzle
sitting room /stŋ ru

m/ noun a com-
sitting room
food cooking in oil or fat

fortable room in a house for sitting in skate /sket/ noun a boot with a blade at-
skate
situation /stʃueʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. the

situation
tached to the bottom which you wear for

position which someone or something is sliding over ice 쑗 a pair of skates 쐽 verb
in because of things which have hap- to move wearing skates 쑗 She skated
pened 쑗 What’s your opinion of the across the frozen lake. (NOTE: skates –
company’s present situation? 쑗 I won- skating – skated)
der how she got herself into this situa- skateboard /sketbɔ
d/ noun a board
skateboard
tion? 2. a place where something is 쑗 with two pairs of wheels underneath,

The hotel is in a very pleasant situation which you stand on to move about
by the sea.
skeleton /skelt(ə)n/ noun all the
skeleton
six /sks/ noun the number 6 쑗 He’s six

six
bones which make up a body 쑗 They

(years old). 쑗 We’re having some people found the skeleton of a rabbit in the gar-
round for drinks at six (o’clock). 쑗 den shed. 쑗 He demonstrated joints us-
There are only six chocolates left in the ing the skeleton in the biology lab.
box – who’s eaten the rest?
skeptical /skeptk(ə)l/ adjective US
skeptical
sixteen /sksti
sixteen

spelling of sceptical
쑗 He’ll be sixteen next month. 쑗 The
sketch /sketʃ/ noun a rough quick draw-
sketch
train leaves at seventeen sixteen

(17.16). ing 쑗 He made a sketch of the church. 쐽
verb to make a rough quick drawing of
sixteenth /sksti
nθ/ adjective number
sixteenth

something 쑗 She was sketching the old
16 in a series 쑗 She came sixteenth in church. 쑗 He sketched out his plan on
the race. 쑗 Her sixteenth birthday is on the back of an envelope.
Tuesday. 쐽 noun the thing that is
sketchbook /sketʃbυk/ noun a book
sketchbook
number 16 in a series 쑗 Today is July the

sixteenth or the sixteenth of July (July of drawing paper for sketching
ski /ski
/ noun one of two long flat ob-
ski
16th).
sixth /sksθ/ adjective number 6 in a se-
sixth
jects which are attached to your boots
ries 쑗 His office is on the sixth floor. 쑗 for sliding over snow 쑗 We always hire
What is the sixth letter of the alphabet? skis when we get to the ski resort. 쑗
쑗 Tomorrow is her sixth birthday. 쐽 Someone stole my new pair of skis. 쐽
noun 1. the thing that is number 6 in a verb to travel on skis 쑗 The mountain
series 쑗 Today is September the sixth or rescue team had to ski to the site of the
the sixth of September (September 6th). avalanche. 쑗 We skied down to the bot-
2. one part of six equal parts 쑗 Ten min- tom of the slope without falling. 쑗 She
utes is a sixth of an hour. broke her arm skiing. (NOTE: skis – ski-
ing – skied)
sixtieth /skstəθ/ adjective number
sixtieth
skiing /ski
ŋ/ noun the sport of sliding
skiing
sixty in a series 쑗 his sixtieth birthday 쐽

noun the thing that is number sixty in a on skis
skilful /sklf(ə)l/ adjective showing a lot
skilful
series
sixty /sksti/ noun the number 60 쑗
sixty
of skill
skilfully /sklfυli/ adverb in a skilful
skilfully
She’s sixty (years old). 쑗 Over sixty

players took part in the competition. way 쑗 It was difficult but he did it very
size /saz/ noun the measurements of
size
skilfully.
skill /skl/ noun the ability to do some-
skill
something, or how big something is 쑗

Their garage is about the same size as thing well as a result of training or expe-
our house. 쑗 The school has an Olympic rience 쑗 Portrait painting needs a lot of
skilled 291 slaughter

skill. 쑗 This job will help you develop skyscraper /skaskrepə/ noun a very
skyscraper
management skills. tall building

skilled /skld/ adjective 1. able to do slab /slb/ noun a flat square or rectan-
skilled
slab
something well, using a particular skill gular block of stone or concrete

쑗 She’s a skilled therapist. 쑗 We need
slack /slk/ adjective 1. not pulled tight
slack
skilled programmers. 2. needing a par- or not fitting tightly 쑗 The wind had
ticular skill 쑗 nursing and other skilled dropped and the sails were slack. 쑗 The
professions ropes are slack – pull on them to make
skillful /sklf(ə)l/ adjective US spelling
skillful
them tight. 2. not busy 쑗 Business is

of skilful slack at the end of the week. 쑗 January
skim /skm/ verb 1. to remove things is always a slack period for us.
skim
floating on a liquid 쑗 Skim the soup to slam /slm/ verb 1. to bang a door shut
slam
remove the fat on the surface. 2. to move 쑗 When he saw me, he slammed the
quickly over the surface of something 쑗 door in my face. 2. to shut with a bang 쑗
Flies skimmed across the surface of the The door slammed and I was locked out.
lake. (NOTE: skims – skimming – 3. to move, or to hit something, with
skimmed) great force 쑗 The car slammed into a
skin /skn/ noun 1. the outer surface of
skin
tree. 쑗 He slammed his fist on the desk.
the body 쑗 The baby’s skin is very (NOTE: slams – slamming –
smooth. 2. the outer surface of a fruit or slammed)
vegetable 쑗 This orange has a very thick slang /slŋ/ noun popular words or
slang
skin. 쑗 You can cook these new potatoes phrases used by certain groups of peo-
with their skins on. ple, but which are not used in formal sit-
skinny /skni/ adjective too thin to be
skinny
uations 쑗 Don’t use slang in your essay.
attractive 쑗 A tall skinny guy walked in. 쑗 Slang expressions are sometimes dif-
쑗 She has very skinny legs. (NOTE: skin- ficult to understand.
slant /slɑ
nt/ noun a slope 쑗 The garden
slant
nier – skinniest)
skip /skp/ verb 1. to run along partly is on a slant, which makes cutting the
skip
hopping and partly jumping 쑗 The chil- lawn difficult. 쐽 verb to slope 쑗 The
dren skipped happily down the lane. 2. path slants down the side of the hill. 쑗
to jump over a rope which you turn over The picture seems to be slanting to the
your head 쑗 The boys played football right.
slap /slp/ noun a blow given with your
slap
and the girls were skipping. 3. to miss

part of something (informal ) 쑗 She hand flat 쑗 She gave him a slap in the
skipped the middle chapters and went face. 쐽 verb 1. to hit someone or some-
on to read the end of the story. 쑗 I’m not thing with your hand flat 쑗 She slapped
hungry, I’ll skip the pudding. (NOTE: his face. 2. to hit someone or something
skips – skipping – skipped) gently with your open hand as a sign of
skirt /sk
t/ noun a piece of clothing
skirt
friendship 쑗 They all slapped him on the
worn by women over the lower part of back to congratulate him. (NOTE: slaps
the body from the waist down 쑗 She – slapping – slapped)
slash /slʃ/ verb to make a long cut in
slash
started wearing jeans to work, but was

told to wear a skirt. something with a knife, often violently
skull /skl/ noun the bones which are
skull
쑗 He slashed the painting with a kitchen
joined together to form the head knife.
slate /slet/ noun a thin piece of this
slate
sky /ska/ noun a space above the earth

sky
which is blue during the day and where stone used to cover a roof 쑗 The slates
the moon and stars appear at night 쑗 were already piled up on the roof ready
What makes the sky blue? 쑗 It’s going to for fixing.
slaughter /slɔ
tə/ noun 1. the killing of
slaughter
be a beautiful day – there’s not a cloud

in the sky. 쑗 The wind carried the glider many people 쑗 the terrible slaughter of
high up into the sky. innocent people in the riots 2. the killing
sleek 292 slope

of animals 쑗 These lambs will be ready slides of her last trip. 쑗 There will be a
for slaughter in a week or so. 쐽 verb 1. slide show in the village hall. 쐽 verb to
to kill many people or animals at the move smoothly over a slippery surface
same time 쑗 Thousands of civilians 쑗 The drawer slides in and out easily. 쑗
were slaughtered by the advancing ar- The car slid to a stop. 쑗 The children
my. 2. to kill animals for their meat were sliding on the ice when it broke.
sleek /sli
k/ adjective smooth and shiny
sleek
(NOTE: slides – sliding – slid /sld/)
slight /slat/ adjective not very big or no-
slight
쑗 the cat’s sleek coat 쑗 After dinner we

walked across the sleek lawns to the riv- ticeable 쑗 a slight difference 쑗 She
er. wasn’t the slightest bit nervous.
sleep /sli
p/ verb to rest with your eyes slightly /slatli/ adverb to only a small
sleep slightly
closed in an unconscious state 쑗 She extent 쑗 He was only slightly hurt in the
never sleeps for more than six hours car crash. 쑗 The American bank is of-
each night. 쑗 He slept through the fering a slightly better interest rate. 쑗 I
whole of the TV news. 쑗 Don’t make any only know him slightly.
noise – Daddy’s trying to sleep. (NOTE: slim /slm/ adjective with a body that is
slim
sleeps – sleeping – slept /slept/) thin in an attractive way 쑗 How do you

sleepy /sli
pi/ adjective feeling ready to manage to stay so slim? 쑗 She looks
sleepy
go to sleep 쑗 The children had a busy slimmer in that dress. (NOTE: slimmer –
day – they were very sleepy by 8 o’clock. slimmest) 쐽 verb to eat less food, or
쑗 The injection will make you feel eat only special foods, in order to be-
sleepy. 쑗 If you feel sleepy, don’t try to come thin 쑗 She started slimming be-
drive the car. 쑗 Sitting in front of the TV fore her summer holidays. (NOTE: slims
made him sleepier and sleepier. (NOTE: – slimming – slimmed)
sleepier – sleepiest) slime /slam/ noun a slippery substance,
slime
sleet /sli
t/ noun snow mixed with rain 쑗 which covers surfaces
sleet
The temperature fell and the rain turned slimy /slami/ adjective covered with
slimy
to sleet. something that is unpleasant and slip-

sleeve /sli
v/ noun the part of a piece of pery 쑗 Watch out, the rocks are slimy. 쑗
sleeve
clothing which covers your arm 쑗 The What’s this slimy mess at the bottom of
sleeves on this shirt are too long. 쑗 He the fridge? (NOTE: slimier – slimiest)
was wearing a blue shirt with short slip /slp/ verb 1. to push something with-
slip
sleeves. out being seen 쑗 The postman slipped

slender /slendə/ adjective long and the letters through the letter box. 쑗 He
slender
thin, or tall and slim 쑗 slender fingers 쑗 slipped the keys into his pocket. 2. to go
a slender flower stem 쑗 a girl with a quickly 쑗 I’ll just slip down to the post
slender figure office with this letter. (NOTE: slips –
slipping – slipped) 쐽 noun a small,
slept /slept/ past tense and past participle
slept
often careless mistake 쑗 Don’t worry

of sleep
about that. It was just a slip. 쑗 He made
slice /slas/ noun a thin piece cut off
slice
a few slips in his calculations.

something to eat 쑗 Can you cut some
slippers /slpəz/ noun light comforta-
slippers
more slices of bread? 쑗 Have a slice of

ble shoes worn indoors 쑗 They put their
chocolate cake. 쑗 Would you like anoth-
slippers on when they come into the
er slice of chicken? 쐽 verb to cut some-
house.
thing into thin pieces 쑗 She stood at the
slippery /slp(ə)ri/ adjective so smooth
slippery
table slicing the joint for lunch.

that one can easily slip and fall
slide /slad/ noun 1. a slippery metal or
slide
slit /slt/ noun a long cut or narrow open-

slit
plastic structure for children to slide

down 쑗 There are swings and a slide in ing 쑗 She peeped through a slit in the
the local playground. 2. a small piece of curtains.
slope /sləυp/ noun a surface or piece of
slope
film which can be shown on a screen 쑗

She put the screen up and showed us the ground that has one end higher than the
slot 293 smoke

other 쑗 The land rises in a gentle slope intelligent 쑗 It was smart of her to note
to the church. 쑗 They stopped halfway the car’s number plate. 쐽 verb if some-
down the slope. 쐽 verb to have one end thing smarts, it hurts with a burning
higher than the other 쑗 The road slopes feeling 쑗 The place where I burnt my
down to the sea. hand is still smarting.
slot /slɒt/ noun a long thin hole 쑗 A coin smash /smʃ/ verb 1. to break into piec-
slot smash
has got stuck in the slot of the parking es 쑗 He dropped the plate and it
meter. 쑗 Put the system disk into the slot smashed to pieces. 2. to break some-
on the front of your computer. thing into pieces, often using force or
slow /sləυ/ adjective 1. needing a long
slow
violence 쑗 Demonstrators smashed the
time to do something 쑗 Luckily, the car windows of police cars. 3. to do better
was only going at a slow speed. 쑗 She is than the previous best performance 쑗
the slowest walker of the group. 쑗 The She smashed the world record. 쑗 Six
company is very slow at answering my records were smashed at the Olympics.
letters. 쑗 Sales got off to a slow start but 4. to hit against something violently 쑗
picked up later. 2. showing a time which The train smashed into the car. 쑗 The
is earlier than the right time 쑗 The office crowd smashed through the railings.
smell /smel/ noun 1. the sense that al-
smell
clock is four minutes slow.

slow down phrasal verb 1. to go more lows you to be aware of something
slowly 쑗 The van had to slow down as it through your nose 쑗 Animals have a
came to the traffic lights. 쑗 Please slow better sense of smell than humans. 쑗
down, I can’t keep up with you. 2. to These dogs have a very keen sense of
make something go more slowly 쑗 The smell and can sniff out even a minute
snow slowed the traffic down on the mo- quantity of drugs. 2. something which
torway. you can sense with your nose 쑗 I love
slowly /sləυli/ adverb at a slow speed 쑗
slowly
the smell of coffee. 쑗 She noticed a smell
Luckily, the car was going very slowly of gas downstairs. 쐽 verb 1. to notice
the smell of something 쑗 Can you smell
when it hit the fence. 쑗 The group
walked slowly round the exhibition. 쑗 gas? 쑗 Wild animals can smell humans.
쑗 My nose is blocked – I can’t smell an-
Speak more slowly so that everyone can
understand. ything. 2. to make a smell 쑗 I don’t like
cheese which smells too strong. 쑗
sly /sla/ adjective good at doing secret or
sly
What’s for dinner? – it smells very

slightly dishonest things good! 쑗 There’s something which
smack /smk/ verb to hit someone or smells funny in the bathroom. 쑗 It smelt
smack
something with your hand flat 쑗 She of gas in the kitchen. 3. to bring your
smacked the little girl for being rude. 쐽 nose close to something to smell it 쑗
noun an act of hitting someone, espe- She bent down to smell the snowdrops.
cially a child, with your hand flat 쑗 If (NOTE: smells – smelling – smelled
you pull the cat’s tail you’ll get a smack. or smelt /smelt/)
small /smɔ
l/ adjective not large in size smile /smal/ noun an act of turning your
small smile
or amount 쑗 Small cars are more eco- mouth up at the corners to show that you
nomical than large ones. 쑗 The house is are pleased 쑗 The dentist gave me a
too big for us, so we’re selling it and friendly smile. 쑗 She had a big smile as
buying a smaller one. 쑗 She only paid a she told them the good news. 쐽 verb to
small amount for that clock. 쑗 The show that you are pleased by turning
guidebook isn’t small enough to carry in your mouth up at the corners 쑗 That girl
your pocket. 쑗 These trousers are al- has just smiled at me. 쑗 Everyone smile
ready too small for him. please – I’m taking a picture!
smart /smɑ
t/ adjective 1. having a neat smoke /sməυk/ noun a white, grey or
smart smoke
appearance 쑗 A smart young man asked black substance produced by something

me if he could use my mobile phone. 쑗 that is burning 쑗 The restaurant was full
He looked very smart in his uniform. 2. of cigarette smoke. 쑗 Clouds of smoke
smooth 294 sneak

were pouring out of the upstairs win- the spare parts over the border. 2. to
dows. 쑗 Two people died from inhaling take something into or out of a place se-
toxic smoke. 쑗 Smoke detectors are fit- cretly and dishonestly 쑗 The knives
ted in all the rooms. 쐽 verb 1. to pro- were smuggled into the prison by a
duce smoke 쑗 Two days after the fire, someone visiting a prisoner. 쑗 We’ll
the ruins of the factory were still smok- never know how they smuggled the let-
ing. 2. to breathe in smoke from some- ter out.
thing such as a cigarette 쑗 Everyone snack /snk/ noun a light meal, or a
snack
was smoking even though the signs said small amount of food eaten between
‘no smoking’. 쑗 She doesn’t smoke
meals 쑗 We didn’t have time to stop for
much. 쑗 You shouldn’t smoke if you a proper lunch, so we just had a snack
want to play football. (NOTE: smokes –
on the motorway.
smoking – smoked)
snag /sn'/ noun a little problem which
snag
smooth /smu
ð/ adjective 1. with no
smooth
bumps or rough parts 쑗 the smooth sur- prevents you from doing something 쑗
face of a polished table 쑗 The baby’s We’ve run into a snag: there are no
skin is very smooth. 쑗 Velvet has a flights to the island on Sundays. 쑗 The
smooth side and a rough side. 2. with no only snag is that he’s not a very good
sudden unpleasant movements 쑗 Dirt in driver.
snail /snel/ noun a small animal which
snail
the fuel tank can prevent the smooth

running of the engine. 쑗 We had a very moves slowly along the ground, which
smooth ride. has a soft body and a spiral-shaped shell
smoothly /smu
ðli/ adverb in a smooth on its back
smoothly
way snake /snek/ noun a long thin animal

snake
smoothness /smu
ðnəs/ noun the
smoothness
which has no legs and moves along the

state of being smooth 쑗 The fabric has ground by wriggling 쑗 Is this snake safe
all the smoothness of a baby’s skin. 쑗 to handle?
The smoothness of the ride makes up for
snap /snp/ noun a photograph taken
snap
the high fare.

quickly (informal ) 쑗 She showed me an
smother /smðə/ verb 1. to kill some-
smother
old black-and-white snap of the house.

one by stopping them from breathing 쑗 쑗 He took a lot of snaps of his children.
They took the kittens and smothered 쐽 adjective sudden 쑗 They carried out a
them. 쑗 Never put a pillow over some- snap check or a snap inspection of the
one’s face – you may smother them! 2. passengers’ luggage. 쑗 The government
to cover something completely 쑗 a called a snap election. 쐽 verb 1. to
chocolate cake simply smothered in break sharply with a dry noise 쑗 He
cream 쑗 The firemen put out the fire by snapped a branch off the bush. 2. to
smothering it with foam. break and make a loud high noise 쑗 The
smudge /smd"/ noun a dirty mark 쑗
smudge
handle snapped off. (NOTE: snaps –

There is a smudge on the top corner of snapping – snapped)
the photograph. 쑗 He had a black
snarl /snɑ
l/ verb to growl angrily 쑗 The
snarl
smudge on his cheek. 쐽 verb to make a

dirty mark, e.g. by rubbing ink which is leopard snarled as he approached its
not dry 쑗 Don’t touch the print with cage. 쑗 ‘Take your money, and get out’
your wet hands, or you’ll smudge it. he snarled. 쐽 noun an angry growl 쑗 As
she opened the door of the cage she
smug /sm'/ adjective pleased about
smug
heard a snarl.
something, especially your own
snatch /sntʃ/ verb to grab something
snatch
achievements, in a way that is annoying

(NOTE: smugger – smuggest) suddenly and quickly 쑗 He came beside
smuggle /sm'(ə)l/ verb 1. to take
smuggle
her on his bike and snatched her hand-
goods into a country secretly and ille- bag.
sneak /sni
k/ verb to go somewhere qui-
sneak
gally 쑗 They tried to smuggle cigarettes

into the country. 쑗 We had to smuggle etly without being seen 쑗 She sneaked
sneer 295 sob

into the room. 쑗 The burglar sneaked up snuggle /sn'(ə)l/ verb to curl your
snuggle
to the house, hidden by the trees. body into a warm comfortable position
sneer /snə/ noun an unpleasant smile 쑗 쑗
They snuggled under their blankets.
sneer
so /səυ/ adverb 1. showing how much 쑗

so
He held the whip in his hand and looked

at her with a sneer. 쐽 verb to give some- It’s so cold that the lake is covered with
one a sarcastic smile or to speak in a ice. 쑗 We liked Greece so much that
contemptuous way 쑗 He sneered at her we’re going there again on holiday next
attempts to speak French. 쑗 You shoul- year. 쑗 The soup was so salty that I
dn’t sneer at her clothes – they’re by the couldn’t eat it. 2. also 쑗 She was late
best designers and are very expensive. and so was I. 쑗 The children all caught
sneeze /sni
z/ noun the uncontrolled ac-
sneeze
flu, and so did their teacher. 쑗 I like ap-
tion of blowing air suddenly out through ples. – So do I. 쑗 He’s a good cook and
your mouth and nose because of an irri- so is his wife. 쑗 The teacher will be late
tation inside your nose 쑗 Coughs and and so will everyone else. 3. showing
sneezes spread diseases. 쐽 verb to make that the answer is ‘yes’ 쑗 Does this train
a sneeze 쑗 The smell of roses makes me go to London? – I think so. 쑗 Was your
sneeze. car completely smashed? – I’m afraid
so. 쑗 Will you be coming to the party? –
sniff /snf/ noun the act of breathing in
sniff
I hope so! 쑗 Are they going to be at the

air through your nose 쑗 The dog gave a meeting? – I suppose so. 쐽 conjunction
sniff at the plate before licking it. 쑗 He and this is the reason why 쑗 It was
gave a little sniff and walked out of the snowing hard so we couldn’t go for a
shop. 쐽 verb to breathe in air through walk. 쑗 She’s got flu so she can’t come
your nose 쑗 He sniffed and said ‘I can to the office. 앳 so what what does it
smell fish and chips’. 쑗 The customs in- matter?
spection is very strict, a dog is taken
soak /səυk/ verb 1. to put something in a
soak
round to sniff (at) each bag and suit-

liquid for a time 쑗 Dry beans should be
case.
soaked in cold water for 24 hours. 2. to
snooker /snu
kə/ noun a game for two
snooker
become very wet, or to make something

players played on a table with twenty- very wet 쑗 I forgot my umbrella and got
two balls of different colours which you soaked. 쑗 The rain soaked the soil.
hit with a long thin stick soaking /səυkŋ/ adjective, adverb
soaking
snore /snɔ
/ noun a loud noise which
snore
very wet 쑗 Don’t let the dog into the

someone who is sleeping produces in kitchen – he’s soaking or he’s soaking
his or her nose and throat 쑗 His snores wet.
kept her awake. 쐽 verb to make a snore soap /səυp/ noun a substance which you
soap
쑗 I can’t get to sleep because my hus- wash with, made from oils and usually
band snores. with a pleasant smell 쑗 There’s no soap
snow /snəυ/ noun water which falls as left in the bathroom. 쑗 I’ve put a new
snow
light white pieces of ice in cold weather bar of soap in the kitchen. (NOTE: no
쑗 Two metres of snow fell during the plural: some soap, a bar or a cake or a
night. 쑗 The highest mountains are al- piece of soap)
ways covered with snow. 쑗 Children soar /sɔ
/ verb 1. to go up very quickly 쑗
soar
were out playing in the snow. 쑗 We went Food prices soared during the cold
for a skiing holiday and there was hard- weather. 2. to fly high up into the sky 쑗
ly any snow. 쐽 verb to fall as snow 쑗 The rocket went soaring into the night
Look – it’s started to snow! 쑗 It snowed sky. (NOTE: Do not confuse with sore.)
all day, and the streets were blocked. 쑗 sob /sɒb/ verb to cry, taking short breaths
sob
It hardly ever snows here in March. like hiccups 쑗 She lay sobbing on the
(NOTE: The verb snow is always used bed. 쑗 The little girl sobbed herself to
with the subject it.) sleep. (NOTE: sobs – sobbing –
snug /sn'/ adjective warm and com-
snug
sobbed) 쐽 noun a short breath like a

fortable (NOTE: snugger – snuggest) hiccup, made by someone who is crying
soccer 296 solid

쑗
You could hear the sobs as she lay on software do you use? Compare hard-
her bed. 쑗 He gave a sob, and put the ware (NOTE: no plural)
phone down. soggy /sɒ'i/ adjective wet and soft to an
soggy
soccer /sɒkə/ noun a game played be-

soccer
unpleasant degree (NOTE: soggier –

tween two teams of eleven players with soggiest)
a round ball which can be kicked or hit soil /sɔl/ noun the earth in which plants
soil
with the head, but not carried (NOTE: grow 쑗 Put some soil in the plant pot
The game is called football in most and then sow your flower seeds. 쑗 This
countries, but is generally called soc- soil’s too poor for growing fruit trees. 쑗
cer in the USA to distinguish it from The farm has fields of rich black soil.
American football.)
solar /səυlə/ adjective relating to the
solar
social /səυʃ(ə)l/ adjective relating to

social
sun (NOTE: The similar word relating to

people as a group, or to human society the moon is lunar and to the stars is
in general 쑗 an area with very serious stellar.)
social problems
sold /səυld/ past tense and past participle
sold
socially /səυʃ(ə)li/ adverb 1. in a

socially
of sell
friendly situation 쑗 I know her from
soldier /səυld"ə/ noun a member of an
soldier
work but I’ve never met her socially. 쑗

They get on very well socially. 2. with army 쑗 Here’s a photograph of my fa-
respect to other people or society 쑗 the ther as a soldier. 쑗 We were just in time
socially unacceptable behaviour of to see the soldiers march past. 쑗 Enemy
some football fans 쑗 These policies are soldiers blew up the bridge. 쑗 The chil-
socially divisive. dren are playing with their toy soldiers.
sole /səυl/ adjective only; belonging to
sole
society /səsaəti/ noun 1. a large group

society
of people, usually all the people living one person 쑗 Their sole aim is to make
in a country, considered as an organised money. 쑗 She was the sole survivor from
community 쑗 a free and democratic so- the crash. 쑗 I have sole responsibility
ciety 쑗 a member of society 쑗 Society for what goes on in this office. 쐽 noun 1.
needs to be protected against these the underneath side of your foot 쑗 He
criminals. (NOTE: no plural) 2. a club or tickled the soles of her feet. 2. the main
association of people who have the underneath part of a shoe, but not the
same interests 쑗 He belongs to the local heel 쑗 These shoes need mending – I’ve
drama society. (NOTE: The plural is so- got holes in both soles. (NOTE: Do not
cieties.) confuse with soul.)
solemn /sɒləm/ adjective 1. serious and
solemn
sock /sɒk/ noun a piece of clothing worn

sock
on your foot inside a shoe 쑗 a pair of formal 쑗 The doctor looked very solemn
socks and shook his head. 쑗 At the most sol-
emn moment of the ceremony someone’s
sofa /səυfə/ noun a long comfortable
sofa
mobile phone rang. 2. which should be

seat with a soft back treated as very serious 쑗 He made a sol-
so far /səυ fɑ
/ adverb until now
so far
emn promise never to smoke again.

soft /sɒft/ adjective 1. which moves eas- solicitor /səlstə/ noun a lawyer who
soft solicitor
ily when pressed 쑗 I don’t like soft seats gives advice to members of the public
in a car. 쑗 Do you like soft ice cream? 2. and acts for them in legal matters
not loud 쑗 When she spoke, her voice solid /sɒld/ adjective 1. hard and not
solid
was so soft that we could hardly hear liquid 쑗 a solid lump of fat 쑗 She is al-
her. 쑗 Soft music was playing in the lowed some solid food. 2. firm or strong
background. 3. not bright 쑗 Soft lighting 쑗 Is the table solid enough to stand on?
makes a room look warm. 쑗 His wealth is built on a solid base of
software /sɒftweə/ noun computer
software
property and shares. 3. not hollow 쑗

programs which are put into a computer Cricket is played with a solid ball. 4.
to make it work, as opposed to the com- made only of one material 쑗 The box is
puter itself 쑗 What word-processing made of solid silver. 쐽 noun a hard sub-
solo 297 soon

stance which is not liquid 쑗 Many solids how we must get back home by 6
melt when heated and become liquids. o’clock.
solo /səυləυ/ noun a piece of music someone /smwn/ pronoun a person
solo someone
played or sung by one person alone 쑗 who is not identified or referred to in

She played a violin solo. (NOTE: The particular way 쑗 Can someone answer
plural is solos.) 쐽 adjective done by the phone? 쑗 I know someone who can
one person alone 쑗 a piece for solo fix your car. 쑗 I need someone tall who
trumpet 쑗 She gave a solo performance can reach the top shelf for me. 왍 some-
in the Albert Hall. 쑗 He crashed on his one else an extra person, or a different
first solo flight. person 쑗 I’ve got four volunteers al-
solution /səlu
ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a way of
solution

ready, but I still need someone else. 쑗 If
solving a problem 쑗 It took us weeks to Jo is ill, could someone else help you?
somersault /sməsɔ
lt/ noun a move-
somersault
find a solution. 2. a mixture of a solid

substance dissolved in a liquid 쑗 Bathe ment in which you roll over, head first 쑗
your eye in a weak salt solution. He did a couple of somersaults on the
solve /sɒlv/ verb to find an answer to a
solve
mat.
something /smθŋ/ pronoun 1. a
something
problem or question 쑗 The loan will

solve some of his financial problems. 쑗 thing which is not identified or referred
He tried to solve the riddle. to in particular 쑗 There’s something soft
some /səm, sm/ adjective, pronoun 1.
some
at the bottom of the bag. 쑗 Something’s
a certain number of 쑗 Some young driv- gone wrong with the TV. 쑗 Can I have
ers drive much too fast. 쑗 Some books something to drink, please? 쑗 There’s
were damaged in the fire. 쑗 Some days something about her that I don’t like. 2.
it was so hot that we just stayed by the an important thing 쑗 Come in and sit
swimming pool all day. 쑗 Can you cut down, I’ve got something to tell you.
some more slices of bread? 쑗 She sometimes /smtamz/ adverb on
sometimes
bought some oranges and bananas. 쑗 some occasions but not on others 쑗
We’ve just picked some strawberries. 2. Sometimes the car starts easily, and
a certain amount of 쑗 Can you buy some sometimes it won’t start at all. 쑗 She
bread when you go to town? 쑗 Can I sometimes comes to see us when she’s in
have some more coffee? 쑗 Her illness is town on business.
of some concern to her family. 3. used
somewhat /smwɒt/ adverb to a fairly
somewhat
for referring to a person or thing you

great degree (formal )
cannot identify (followed by a singular
somewhere /smweə/ adverb in or at
somewhere
noun) 쑗 Some man just knocked on the

door and tried to sell me a magazine. 쑗 a place which is not identified 쑗 I left
I read it in some book I borrowed from my umbrella somewhere when I was in
the library. 쑗 We saw it in some shop or London. 쑗 Let’s go somewhere else, this
other in Regent Street. 4. relating to a pub is full. 쑗 His parents live some-
period of time or a distance 쑗 Don’t where in Germany.
wait for me, I may be some time. 쑗 Their son /sn/ noun a male child 쑗 They have
son
house is some way away from the rail- a large family – two sons and four
way station. daughters. 쑗 Her son has got married at
somebody /smbədi/ pronoun 1.
somebody
last. 쑗 Their youngest son is in hospital.

same as someone 2. someone who is song /sɒŋ/ noun a set of words which are
song
considered to be important sung, usually to music 쑗 She was sing-

some day /sm de/ adverb at a time in
some day
ing a song in the bath. 쑗 The group’s

the future that is not specified 쑗 Some latest song has just come out on CD. 쑗
day I’ll get round to cleaning out the ga- The soldiers marched along, singing a
rage. song.
somehow /smhaυ/ adverb by some soon /su
n/ adverb in a short time from
somehow soon
means that are not yet known 쑗 Some- now 쑗 Don’t worry, we’ll soon be in Ox-
sooner 298 sow

ford. 쑗 It will soon be time to go to bed. interesting according to what I’ve
쑗 The fire started soon after 11 o’clock. heard. 쐽 adverb deeply 쑗 The children
sooner /su
nə/ adverb earlier 쑗 Can’t
sooner
were sound asleep when the police
we meet any sooner than that? came.
soup /su
p/ noun a liquid food which
soup
soprano /səprɑ

nəυ/ adjective relating
soprano
to a high-pitched woman’s singing you eat hot from a bowl at the beginning
voice 쑗 She sings soprano in the local of a meal, usually made from meat, fish
choir. 쐽 noun a woman with a high- or vegetables 쑗 We have onion soup or
pitched singing voice 쑗 The sopranos mushroom soup today. 쑗 Does anyone
are too feeble – I can hardly hear them. want soup? 쑗 A bowl of hot soup is al-
(NOTE: The plural is sopranos.) ways welcome on a cold day. 쑗 If you’re
hungry, open a tin of soup.
sore /sɔ
/ adjective rough and swollen or
sore
sour /saυə/ adjective with a sharp bitter

sour
painful 쑗 He can’t play tennis because

he has a sore elbow. taste 쑗 If the cooked fruit is too sour, you
sorry /sɒri/ adjective feeling unhappy,
sorry
can add some sugar. 쑗 Nobody likes
ashamed or disappointed about some- sour milk.
source /sɔ
s/ noun a place where some-
source
thing 쐽 interjection used to excuse

yourself 쑗 Sorry! I didn’t see that table thing comes from 쑗 I think the source of
had been reserved. 쑗 Can I have anoth- the infection is in one of your teeth. 쑗
er mint, please? – sorry, I haven’t any The source of the river is in the moun-
left. tains. 쑗 You must declare income from
sort /sɔ
t/ noun a type 쑗 There were all
sort
all sources to the tax office.
sorts of people at the meeting. 쑗 I had sourness /saυənəs/ noun the state of
sourness
an unpleasant sort of day at the office. 쑗 being sour

What sorts of ice cream have you got? 쑗
south /saυθ/ noun 1. the direction facing
south
Do you like this sort of TV show? 쐽 verb

to arrange things in order or groups 쑗 towards the sun at midday 쑗 Look south
The apples are sorted according to size from the mountain, and you will see the
before being packed. 쑗 The votes are city in the distance. 쑗 The city is to the
sorted then counted. south of the river. 쑗 The wind is blowing
from the south. 2. the part of a country
sought /sɔ
sought
to the south of the rest 쑗 The south of the

ple of seek country is warmer than the north. 쑗 She
soul /səυl/ noun the spirit in a person,
soul
went to live in the south of England. 쐽

which is believed by some people to go adjective relating to the south 쑗 The
on existing after the person dies 쑗 Do south coast is popular for holidaymak-
you believe your soul lives on when your ers. 쑗 Cross to the south side of the riv-
body dies? 쑗 From the depths of his soul er. 쐽 adverb towards the south 쑗 Many
he longed to be free. (NOTE: Do not con- birds fly south for the winter. 쑗 The river
fuse with sole.) flows south into the Mediterranean.
sound /saυnd/ noun something which southern /sð(ə)n/ adjective of the
sound southern
you can hear 쑗 Sounds of music came south 쑗 The southern part of the country
from the street. 쑗 I thought I heard the is warmer than the north.
sound of guns. 쑗 Please can you turn
souvenir /su
vənə/ noun a thing
souvenir
down the sound on the TV when I’m on

the phone? 쑗 She crept out of her bed- bought to remind you of the place where
room and we didn’t hear a sound. 쐽 you bought it
sow /səυ/ verb to put seeds into soil so
sow
verb 1. to make a noise with something

쑗 Sound your horn when you come to a that they become plants 쑗 Peas and
corner. 쑗 They sounded the alarm after beans should be sown in April. 쑗 Sow
two prisoners escaped. 2. to seem to be the seed thinly in fine soil. (NOTE: Do
the case 쑗 It sounds as if he’s made an not confuse with sew. Note also: sows
unfortunate choice. 쑗 The book sounds – sowing – sowed – sown /səυn/.)
space 299 specialist

space /spes/ noun 1. an empty place be- sparkle /spɑ
k(ə)l/ verb to shine bright-
space sparkle
tween other things 쑗 There’s a space to ly 쑗 Her jewels sparkled in the light of
park your car over there. 쑗 Write your the candles. 쑗 His eyes sparkled when
name and reference number in the space he heard the salary offered.
at the top of the paper. 2. an area which speak /spi
k/ verb 1. to say words 쑗 She
speak
is available for something 쑗 His desk spoke to me when the meeting was over.
takes up too much space. 3. also outer 쑗 He walked past me without speaking.
space the area beyond the earth’s at- 쑗 He was speaking to the postman when
mosphere 쑗 exploring outer space 쑗 I saw him. 쑗 The manager wants to
space vehicles speak to you about sales in Africa. 2. to
spade /sped/ noun 1. a tool with a wide
spade
be able to say things in a particular lan-
square blade at the end of a long handle, guage 쑗 We need someone who can
used for digging or moving something speak Russian. 쑗 He speaks English
such as soil or sand 2. a similar small with an American accent. 쑗 You will
plastic tool, used by children 쑗 The chil- have to brush up your Japanese as my
dren took their buckets and spades to mother speaks hardly any English.
the beach. (NOTE: speaks – speaking – spoke
/spəυk/ – has spoken /spəυkn/) 앳 to
spaghetti /spə'eti/ noun long thin
spaghetti

speak your mind to say exactly what
strips of pasta, cooked and eaten with a you think
sauce
speak out phrasal verb to make your
span /spn/ noun the width of wings or
span
opinions or feelings known strongly

of an arch 쑗 Each section of the bridge speak up phrasal verb to speak louder;
has a span of fifty feet. 쐽 verb to stretch to say what you have to say in a louder
across space or time 쑗 Her career voice 쑗 Can you speak up please – we
spanned thirty years. 쑗 A stone bridge can’t hear you at the back!
spans the river. (NOTE: spans – span- speaker /spi
kə/ noun 1. a person who
speaker
ning – spanned) speaks 쑗 We need an English speaker to

spare /speə/ adjective available but not
spare
help with the tour. 2. a loudspeaker 쑗

being used 쑗 I always take a spare pair One of the speakers doesn’t work.
of shoes when I travel. 쐽 plural noun spear /spə/ noun a long pointed throw-
spear
spares spare parts or pieces used to ing stick, formerly used as a weapon 쑗
mend broken parts of a car or other ma- They kill fish with spears. 쐽 verb to push
chine 쑗 We can’t get spares for that something sharp into something to catch
make of washing machine. 쑗 It’s diffi- it 쑗 Spearing fish is not easy. 쑗 She
cult to get spares for the car because managed to spear a sausage on the bar-
they don’t make this model any more. 쐽 becue with her fork.
verb to give something or to do without special /speʃ(ə)l/ adjective having a
special
something 쑗 Can you spare your assist- particular importance or use 쑗 This is a
ant to help me for a day? 쑗 Can you very special day for us – it’s our twenty-
spare about five minutes to talk about fifth wedding anniversary. 쑗 He has a
the problem? 쑗 If you have a moment to special pair of scissors for cutting met-
spare, can you clean the car? al.
spark /spɑ
k/ noun a little flash of fire or
spark
specialise /speʃəlaz/, specialize

specialise
of light 쑗 Sparks flew as the train went verb 1. to study one particular subject 쑗
over the junction. 쐽 verb 1. to send out At university, she specialised in marine
sparks or to make electric sparks 2. to biology. 2. to produce one thing in par-
make something start 쑗 The proposed ticular 쑗 The company specialises in
closure of the station sparked anger electronic components.
amongst travellers. 쑗 The shooting of
specialist /speʃəlst/ noun 1. a person
specialist
the teenager sparked off a riot.

who knows a lot about something 쑗 You
spark off phrasal verb same as spark should go to a tax specialist for advice.
verb 2 2. a doctor who specialises in a certain
species 300 spin

branch of medicine 쑗 He was referred The wicked witch cast a spell on the
to a heart specialist. princess.
species /spi
ʃi
z/ noun a group of liv- spelling /spelŋ/ noun the correct way
species spelling
ing things such as animals or plants in which words are spelt

which can breed with each other 쑗 Sev- spelt /spelt/ past tense and past participle
spelt
eral species of butterfly are likely to be- of spell

come extinct.
spend /spend/ verb 1. to pay money 쑗 I
spend
specific /spəsfk/ adjective relating to

specific

went shopping and spent a fortune. 쑗
something in particular 쑗 Can you be Why do we spend so much money on
more specific about what you’re trying food? 2. to use time doing something 쑗
to achieve? 쑗 I gave specific instruc- He wants to spend more time with his
tions that I was not to be disturbed. 쑗 Is family. 쑗 She spent months arguing with
the money intended for a specific pur- the income tax people. 쑗 Don’t spend
pose? too long on your homework. 쑗 Why
specifically /spəsfkli/ adverb partic- don’t you come and spend the weekend
specifically
ularly 쑗 I specifically said I didn’t want with us? (NOTE: spends – spending –
a blue door. 쑗 The advertisement is spe- spent /spent/)
cifically aimed at people over 50. sphere /sfə/ noun an object which is
sphere
specimen /spesmn/ noun an exam- perfectly round like a ball 쑗 The earth is
specimen
ple of something 쑗 The bank asked for not quite a perfect sphere.
a specimen signature for their records. spice /spas/ noun a substance made
spice
spectator /spektetə/ noun a person from the roots, flowers, seeds or leaves
spectator
who watches an event like a football of plants, which is used to flavour food
match or a horse show 쑗 Add a blend of your favourite spices.
쑗 You need lots of different spices for In-
speech /spi
tʃ/ noun 1. a formal talk
speech
dian cookery.
given to an audience 쑗 She made some
spider /spadə/ noun a small animal
spider
notes before giving her speech. 쑗 He

wound up his speech with a story about with eight legs which makes a web and
his father. 쑗 Who will be making the eats insects
spike /spak/ noun a piece of metal or
spike
speech at the prize giving? 2. the ability

to say words, or the act of saying words wood wit ha sharp point 쑗 The wall was
쑗 His speech has been affected by brain topped with a row of metal spikes.
damage. 쑗 Some of these expressions spill /spl/ verb to pour a liquid or a pow-
spill
are only used in speech, not in writing. der out of a container by mistake 쑗 That
speed /spi
d/ noun the rate at which
speed
glass is too full – you’ll spill it. 쑗 He

something moves or is done 쑗 The spilt soup down the front of his shirt. 쑗
coach was travelling at a high speed She dropped the bag and some of the
when it crashed. 쑗 The speed with flour spilled out onto the floor. (NOTE:
which they repaired the gas leak was in- spills – spilling – spilled or spilt
credible. 쐽 verb to move quickly 쑗 The /splt/) 쐽 noun the act of pouring a liq-
ball sped across the ice. (NOTE: speeds uid by accident 쑗 The authorities are
– speeding – sped /sped/ or speed- trying to cope with the oil spill from the
ed) tanker.
spell /spel/ verb to write or say correctly spin /spn/ verb 1. to move round and
spell spin
the letters that make a word 쑗 W-O-R-R- round very fast 쑗 The earth is spinning
Y spells ‘worry’ 쑗 How do you spell in space. 쑗 The plane was spinning out
your surname? 쑗 We spelt his name of control. 2. to make something turn
wrong on the envelope. (NOTE: spells – round and round 쑗 The washing ma-
spelling – spelled or spelt /spelt/ – chine spins the clothes to get the water
has spelled or has spelt) 쐽 noun out of them. 쑗 He spun the wheel to
words which are intended to have a make sure it turned freely. 3. (of a
magic effect when they are spoken 쑗 spider ) to make a web 쑗 The spider has
spine 301 spoon

spun a web between the two posts. into the pool with a loud splash. 쑗 Lis-
(NOTE: spins – spinning – spun ten to the splash of the waves against the
/spn/) 쐽 noun the turning movement rocks. 쐽 verb 1. (of liquid ) to make a
of a ball as it moves 쑗 He put so much noise when something is dropped into it
spin on the ball that it bounced side- or when it hits something 쑗 I missed the
ways. 쑗 He jammed on the brakes and ball and it splashed into the pool. 쑗 The
the car went into a spin. rain splashed against the windows. 2. to
spin out phrasal verb to make some- make someone wet by sending liquid on
thing last as long as possible to him or her 쑗 The car drove past
spine /span/ noun 1. a series of bones
spine
through a puddle and splashed my trou-
joined together from your skull down sers. 3. to move through water, making
the middle of your back 쑗 He injured a noise 쑗 He splashed his way through
his spine playing rugby. (NOTE: The the shallow water to the rocks. 쑗 The lit-
bones in the spine are the vertebrae.) tle children were splashing about in the
2. a sharp part like a pin, on a plant, an- paddling pool.
splendid /splendd/ adjective extreme-
splendid
imal or fish 쑗 Did you know that lemon

trees had spines? 3. the back edge of a ly good or impressive
book, which usually has the title printed split /splt/ verb 1. to divide something
split
on it 쑗 The title and the author’s name into parts 쑗 He split the log into small
are printed on the front of the book and pieces with an axe. 2. to divide or come
also on the spine. apart 쑗 My trousers were too tight – they
spiral /sparəl/ noun a shape which is split when I bent down. 쑗 After they lost
spiral
twisted round and round like a spring 쑗 the election, the party split into various
He drew a spiral on the sheet of paper. factions. (NOTE: splits – splitting –
쐽 adjective which twists round and split)
round 쑗 A spiral staircase leads to the spoil /spɔl/ verb 1. to change something
spoil
top of the tower. which was good so that it is no longer

spirit /sprt/ noun 1. the mental attitude good 쑗 We had such bad weather that
spirit
which controls how someone behaves our camping holiday was spoilt. 쑗 Half
generally 쑗 She has a great spirit of fun. the contents of the warehouse were
쑗 He had an independent spirit. 2. feel- spoiled by floodwater. 2. to be too kind
ings which are typical of a particular oc- to someone, especially a child, so that
casion 3. the part of a person that is said he or she sometimes becomes badly be-
to still exist after death 4. alcohol (NOTE: haved 쑗 You’ll spoil that child if you al-
usually plural) ways give in to him. 쑗 Grandparents are
spiritual /sprtʃuəl/ adjective relating
spiritual
allowed to spoil their grandchildren a
to the spirit or the soul 쑗 The church’s little. (NOTE: spoils – spoiling – spoilt
main task is to give spiritual advice to /spɔlt/ or spoiled)
spoke /spəυk/ past tense of speak
spoke
its members.
spite /spat/ noun 1. bad feeling 쑗 They spoken /spəυkən/ past participle of
spite spoken
sprayed his car with white paint out of speak

spite. 2. 왍 in spite of although some- sponge /spnd"/ noun 1. a soft material
sponge
thing happened or was done 쑗 In spite of full of small holes used to make things
all his meetings, he still found time to like cushions 쑗 The sofa has sponge
ring his wife. 쑗 We all enjoyed our- cushions. 2. a sea animal with a skeleton
selves, in spite of the awful weather. 쐽 which is full of holes 쑗 Diving down
verb to annoy someone on purpose 쑗 into the Red Sea you could see sponges
He did it to spite his sister. on the sea floor. 쐽 verb to wipe clean
spiteful /spatf(ə)l/ adjective full of a with a sponge 쑗 He sponged the kitchen
spiteful
nasty feelings against someone table.

splash /splʃ/ noun a sound made when spoon /spu
n/ noun an object used for
splash spoon
something falls into a liquid or when a eating liquids and soft food, or for stir-
liquid hits something hard 쑗 She fell ring food which is being cooked, with a
sport 302 spun

handle at one end and a small bowl at spread /spred/ verb 1. to arrange some-
spread
the other, 쑗 Use a spoon to eat your thing over a wide area 쑗 Spread the pa-
pudding. 쑗 We need a big spoon to serve per flat on the table. 2. to move over a
the soup. wide area 쑗 The fire started in the top
sport /spɔ
t/ noun a game or games in- floor and soon spread to the roof. 쑗 The
sport
volving physical activity and competi- flu epidemic spread rapidly. 3. to cover
tion 쑗 Do you like watching sport on a surface with a layer of something 쑗
TV? 쑗 The world of sport is mourning She spread a white cloth over the table.
the death of the racing driver. 쑗 The 쑗 He was spreading butter on a piece of
only sport I play is tennis. 쑗 She doesn’t bread. (NOTE: spreads – spreading –
play any sport at all. spread) 쐽 noun 1. the action of moving
over a wide area 쑗 Doctors are trying to
spot /spɒt/ noun 1. a coloured mark,
spot
check the spread of the disease. 2. a soft

usually round 쑗 Her dress has a pattern food consisting of meat, fish or cheese,
of white and red spots. 쑗 He wore a blue which you can spread on something
tie with white spots. 2. a particular place such as bread 쑗 As snacks, they offered
쑗 This is the exact spot where the queen
us water biscuits with cheese spread.
died. 3. a small round mark or pimple on
spring /sprŋ/ noun 1. the season of the
spring
the skin 쑗 She suddenly came out in

spots after eating fish. 쐽 verb to notice year between winter and summer 쑗 In
something or someone 쑗 The teacher spring all the trees start to grow new
didn’t spot the mistake. 쑗 We spotted leaves. 쑗 We always go to Greece in the
him in the crowd. (NOTE: spots – spot- spring. 쑗 They started work last spring
ting – spotted) or in the spring of last year and they still
haven’t finished. 2. a wire which is
spotless /spɒtləs/ adjective complete-
spotless
twisted round and round and which goes

ly clean, with no dirty marks at all back to its original shape after you have
spout /spaυt/ noun a tube on a container
spout
pulled it or pushed it 쑗 The mattress is

which is shaped for pouring liquid out so old the springs have burst through
of the container 쑗 You fill the kettle the cover. 쑗 There’s a spring to keep the
through the spout. 쑗 Cut here and pull door shut. 3. a place where a stream of
out to form a spout. water rushes out of the ground 쑗 The
sprain /spren/ verb to damage a joint of
sprain
town of Bath was built in Roman times
the body by twisting it suddenly and vi- around hot springs. 쐽 verb to move sud-
olently 쑗 He sprained his ankle jumping denly 쑗 Everyone sprang to life when
over the fence. 쐽 noun a condition the officer shouted. 쑗 The door sprang
where a joint is injured because of a sud- open without anyone touching it. (NOTE:
den violent movement 쑗 He is walking springs – springing – sprang
with a stick because of an ankle sprain. /sprŋ/ – has sprung /sprŋ/)
sprinkle /sprŋkəl/ verb to put small
sprinkle
sprang /sprŋ/ past tense of spring

sprang
amounts of a liquid or powder over a

sprawl /sprɔ
l/ verb to lie with your arms
sprawl
surface by shaking
and legs spread out 쑗 He sprawled in his
sprint /sprnt/ verb to run very fast over
sprint
armchair and turned on the TV. 쑗 The

boy on the bike hit her and sent her a short distance 쑗 I had to sprint to
sprawling. catch the bus. 쑗 She sprinted down the
track.
spray /spre/ noun a mass of tiny drops
spray
sprout /spraυt/ noun a new shoot of a

sprout
of liquid 쑗 The waves crashed against

the sea wall sending spray over the plant 쑗 The vine is covered with new
road. 쑗 She uses a nasal spray to clear sprouts. 쐽 verb to produce new shoots 쑗
her catarrh. 쐽 verb to send out liquid in Throw those old potatoes away, they’re
fine drops 쑗 He sprayed water all over starting to sprout. 쑗 The bush had be-
the garden with the hose. 쑗 They gun to sprout fresh green leaves.
spun /spn/ past participle of spin
spun
sprayed the room with disinfectant.

spurt 303 stab

spurt /sp
t/ verb 1. 왍 to spurt out to carpet. (NOTE: squats – squatting –
spurt
come out in a strong jet 쑗 Oil spurted squatted)

out of the burst pipe. 2. to run fast sud- squeak /skwi
k/ noun a quiet high
squeak
denly 쑗 He spurted past two runners sound like the sound that a mouse
and came in first. 쐽 noun a strong flow makes 쑗 You can tell when someone
of liquid 쑗 They tried to block the spurts comes into the garden by the squeak of
of water coming out of the pipe. the gate. 쐽 verb to make a squeak 쑗
spy /spa/ noun a person who is paid to That door squeaks – the hinges need oil-
spy
try to find out secret information about ing.

the enemy or a rival group 쑗 He was ex- squeal /skwi
l/ noun a loud high noise 쑗
squeal
ecuted as a Russian spy. (NOTE: The The children let out squeals of delight
plural is spies.) 쐽 verb to work as a spy when they saw the presents under the
(NOTE: spies – spying – spied) 왍 to Christmas tree. 쑗 The car turned the
spy on someone to watch someone in corner with a squeal of tyres. 쐽 verb to
secret, to find out what they are plan- make a loud high-pitched noise 쑗 She
ning to do 쑗 We discovered that our squealed when she heard she had won
neighbours had been spying on us. first prize. 쑗 As the car turned the cor-
squalid /skwɒld/ adjective a squalid
squalid
ner its tyres squealed.
squeeze /skwi
z/ noun the act of press-
squeeze
room or building is dirty and unpleasant

쑗 The prisoners are kept in squalid con- ing or crushing 쑗 I gave her hand a
ditions. squeeze. 쐽 verb 1. to press on some-
square /skweə/ noun 1. a shape with
square
thing or to press or crush something like
four equal sides and four right-angled a fruit or a tube to get something out of
corners 쑗 The board on which you play it 쑗 She squeezed my arm gently. 쑗 He
chess is made up of black and white squeezed an orange to get the juice. 쑗
squares. 쑗 Graph paper is covered with She squeezed some toothpaste out onto
small squares. 2. an open space in a her brush. 2. to force something, or to
town, with big buildings all round 쑗 The force your own body, into a small space
hotel is in the main square of the town, 쑗 You can’t squeeze six people into that
opposite the town hall. 쑗 Red Square is little car. 쑗 More people tried to squeeze
in the middle of Moscow. 3. a number on the train even though it was full al-
that is the result of multiplying another ready. 쑗 The cat managed to squeeze
number by itself 쑗 9 is the square of 3. through the window.
squirrel /skwrəl/ noun a small red or
squirrel
쐽 adjective 1. shaped like a square, with

four equal sides and four right-angled grey wild animal with a large tail which
corners 쑗 You can’t fit six people round lives in trees and eats nuts 쑗 The squir-
a small square table. 쑗 An A4 piece of rel sat up on a branch nibbling a nut. 쑗
paper isn’t square. 2. multiplied by it- Squirrels hoard nuts for the winter.
self squirt /skw
t/ verb to send out a thin
squirt
squash /skwɒʃ/ verb to crush or to powerful flow of liquid 쑗 Don’t squirt

squash
squeeze something 쑗 Hundreds of pas- so much washing-up liquid into the

sengers were squashed into the train. 쑗 bowl. 쑗 She squeezed the tube hard and
He sat on my hat and squashed it flat. 쐽 masses of toothpaste squirted out.
noun a fast game for two players played St abbr 1. street 2. saint
St
in an enclosed court, with a small, stab /stb/ verb to push a sharp knife
stab
squashy rubber ball and light, long-han- with force into someone or something 쑗
dled rackets 쑗 He plays squash to un- He was stabbed in the chest. (NOTE:
wind after a day at the office. 쑗 Let’s stabs – stabbing – stabbed) 쐽 noun
play a game of squash. a deep wound made by the point of a
squat /skwɒt/ verb to move your body
squat
knife 쑗 He died of stab wounds. 앳 to

close to the ground so that you are sit- have a stab at something to try to do
ting on your heels 쑗 She squatted on the something 쑗 I’m keen to have a stab at
floor, trying to get the stains out of the driving the tractor.
stable 304 stammer

stable /steb(ə)l/ adjective which does one on the switchboard. 쐽 noun the
stable
not change 쑗 The hospital said his con- movement of someone who is stagger-
dition was stable. 쐽 noun a building for ing 쑗 He walked with a noticeable stag-
keeping a horse 쑗 My horse is not in his ger.
stable, who’s riding him? stain /sten/ noun a mark which is diffi-
stain
stack /stk/ noun a pile or heap of cult to remove, e.g. ink or blood 쑗 It is
stack
things one on top of the other 쑗 a stack difficult to remove coffee stains from the
of books and papers 쐽 verb to pile tablecloth. 쑗 There was a round stain on
things on top of each other 쑗 The skis the table where he had put his wine
are stacked outside the chalet. 쑗 She glass. 쐽 verb to make a mark of a differ-
stacked up the dirty plates. 쑗 The ware- ent colour on something 쑗 If you eat
house is stacked with boxes. those berries they will stain your teeth.
쑗 His shirt was stained with blood.
stadium /stediəm/ noun a large build-
stadium
stair /steə/ noun one step in a series of

stair
ing where crowds of people watch sport,

with seats arranged around a sports field steps, going up or down inside a build-
(NOTE: The plural is stadiums or sta- ing 쑗 He was sitting on the bottom stair.
dia.) staircase /steəkes/ noun a set of stairs
staircase
staff /stɑ
f/ noun all the people who
staff
which go from one floor in a building to

work in a company, school, college, or another
other organisation 쑗 She’s on the school stake /stek/ noun a strong pointed piece
stake
staff. 쑗 Only staff can use this lift. 쑗 A of wood or metal, pushed into the
quarter of our staff are ill. 쑗 That firm ground to mark something, or to hold
pays its staff very badly. 쑗 He joined the something up 쑗 They hammered stakes
staff last Monday. 쑗 Three members of into the ground to put up a wire fence. 쑗
staff are away sick. (NOTE: staff refers The apple trees are attached to stakes.
to a group of people and so is often fol-
stale /stel/ adjective food which is stale
stale
lowed by a verb in the plural.)

is old and no longer fresh
stage /sted"/ noun 1. a raised floor, es-
stage
stalk /stɔ
k/ noun the stem of a plant
stalk
pecially where the actors perform in a

theatre 쑗 The pop group came onto the which holds a leaf, a flower or a fruit 쑗
stage and started to sing. 2. one of sev- Roses with very long stalks are more ex-
eral points of development 쑗 the differ- pensive. 쐽 verb to stay near someone
ent stages of a production process 쑗 The and watch him or her all the time, espe-
first stage in the process is to grind the cially in a way that is frightening or up-
rock to powder. 3. a section of a long setting 쑗 She told the police that a man
journey 쑗 Stage one of the tour takes us was stalking her. 쑗 The hunters stalked
from Paris to Bordeaux. 쐽 verb to put on the deer for several miles.
stall /stɔ
l/ noun a place in a market
stall
or arrange a play, a show, a musical or

other performance or event 쑗 The exhi- where one person sells his or her goods
bition is being staged in the college li- 쑗 He has a flower stall at Waterloo Sta-
brary. tion. 쑗 We wandered round the market
stagger /st'ə/ verb 1. to walk in way
stagger
looking at the stalls. 쐽 verb (of a car en-
that is not steady or controlled, almost gine) to stop unintentionally, often
falling down 쑗 She managed to stagger when trying to drive off without acceler-
across the road and into the police sta- ating 쑗 If he takes his foot off the accel-
tion. 쑗 Three men staggered out of the erator, the engine stalls. 쑗 The car
pub. 2. to surprise someone very much stalled at the traffic lights and he
쑗 I was staggered at the amount they couldn’t restart it.
stammer /stmə/ verb to repeat
stammer
charge for service. 3. to arrange some-

thing such as holidays or working hours, sounds when speaking, e.g. because of
so that they do not all begin and end at feeling nervous 쑗 He stammers badly
the same time 쑗 We have to stagger the when making speeches. 쑗 She rushed
lunch hour so that there is always some- into the police station and stammered
stamp 305 star

out ‘he’s – he’s – he’s after me, he’s got the room all the children should stand
– got – a knife’. 쐽 noun a speech prob- up. 쑗 He stood up to offer his seat to the
lem that involves hesitating and repeat- old lady.
ing sounds when speaking 쑗 Because of stand up for phrasal verb to try to de-
his stammer he was shy and reserved at fend someone or something in a diffi-
school. cult situation 쑗 He stood up for the
stamp /stmp/ noun 1. a little piece of
stamp
rights of children.
paper with a price printed on it which stand up to phrasal verb 1. to oppose
you stick on a letter to show that you someone bravely 쑗 No one was pre-
have paid for it to be sent by post 쑗 a pared to stand up to the head of depart-
first-class stamp 쑗 She forgot to put a ment. 2. to be able to resist difficult
stamp on the letter before she posted it. conditions 쑗 A carpet in a shop has to
쑗 He wants to show me his stamp col- stand up to a lot of wear.
lection. 2. a mark made on something 쑗 standard /stndəd/ noun 1. the level
standard
The invoice has the stamp ‘received with of quality something has 쑗 The stand-
thanks’ on it. 쑗 The customs officer ard of service in this restaurant is very
looked at the stamps in his passport. 쐽 high. 쑗 This piece of work is not up to
verb 1. to mark something with a stamp your usual standard. 2. an excellent
쑗 They stamped my passport when I en- quality which something or someone is
tered the country. 2. to walk, or to put expected to achieve 쑗 This product does
your feet down, with loud or forceful not meet our standards. 쑗 She has set a
steps 쑗 They stamped on the ants to kill standard which it will be difficult to
them. 쑗 He was so angry that he match. 3. a large official flag 쑗 The roy-
stamped out of the room. al standard flies over Buckingham Pal-
stand /stnd/ verb 1. to be upright on
stand
ace. 쐽 adjective 1. usual, not special 쑗

your feet and not sitting or lying down 쑗 She joined on a standard contract. 쑗
She stood on a chair to reach the top You will need to follow the standard pro-
shelf. 쑗 They were so tired they could cedure to join the association. 2. on a
hardly keep standing. 쑗 If there are no tall pole
seats left, we’ll have to stand. 쑗 Don’t stank /stŋk/ past tense of stink
stank
just stand there doing nothing – come

staple /step(ə)l/ noun a piece of wire
staple
and help us. 2. to be upright 쑗 Only a

few houses were still standing after the which is pushed through papers and
earthquake. 쑗 The jar was standing in bent over to hold them together 쑗 He
the middle of the table. 3. to accept used some scissors to take the staples
something bad that continues 쑗 The of- out of the papers. 쐽 verb to fasten pa-
fice is filthy – I don’t know how you can pers together with a staple or with sta-
stand working here. 쑗 She can’t stand ples 쑗 Don’t staple the cheque to the or-
all this noise. 쑗 He stopped going to der form.
star /stɑ
/ noun 1. a bright object which
star
French lessons because he couldn’t

stand the teacher. (NOTE: stands – can be seen in the sky at night like a very
standing – stood /stυd/) 쐽 noun distant bright light 쑗 On a clear night
something which holds something up 쑗 you can see thousands of stars. 쑗 The
The pot of flowers fell off its stand. pole star shows the direction of the
North Pole. 2. a shape that has several
stand for phrasal verb to have a mean-
points like a star 쑗 Draw a big star and
ing 쑗 What do the letters BBC stand
colour it red. 3. a famous person who is
for? very well known to the public 쑗 football
stand out phrasal verb to be easily stars 쑗 Who is your favourite film star?
seen 쑗 Their house stands out because it 쐽 verb to appear as a main character in
is painted pink. 쑗 Her red hair makes a film or play 쑗 She starred in ‘Gone
her stand out in a crowd. with the Wind’. 쑗 He has a starring role
stand up phrasal verb to get up from in the new play. (NOTE: stars – starring
sitting 쑗 When the teacher comes into – starred)
stare 306 stay

stare /steə/ verb to look at someone or tax office. 앳 in a state 1. in a very un-
stare
something for a long time 쑗 She stared happy, worried or upset condition 쑗
sadly out of the window at the rain. 쐽 She’s in such a state that I don’t want to
noun a long fixed look 쑗 He gave her a leave her alone. 쑗 He was in a terrible
stare and walked on. state after the phone call. 2. in a dirty or
bad condition 쑗 Look at the state of
start /stɑ
t/ noun the beginning of some-
start
your trousers. 쑗 They left our flat in a

thing 쑗 Building the house took only six
terrible state.
months from start to finish. 쑗 Things
statement /stetmənt/ noun 1. some-
statement
went wrong from the start. 쑗 Let’s forget

all you’ve done up to now, and make a thing that is spoken or written publicly
fresh start. 쐽 verb 1. to begin to do 쑗 a statement about or on the new pro-
something 쑗 The babies all started to cedures 쑗 She refused to issue a state-
cry or all started crying at the same ment to the press. 2. a written document
time. 쑗 He started to eat or he started from a bank showing how much money
eating his dinner before the rest of the is in an account
station /steʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a place
station
family. 쑗 Take an umbrella – it’s start-

ing to rain. 쑗 When you learn Russian, where trains stop and passengers get on
you have to start by learning the alpha- or off 쑗 The train leaves the Central
bet. 2. (of a machine) to begin to work Station at 14.15. 쑗 This is a fast train –
쑗 The car won’t start – the battery must it doesn’t stop at every station. 쑗 We’ll
be flat. 쑗 The engine started beautifully. try to get a sandwich at the station buf-
앳 to start with first of all 쑗 We have fet. 2. a large main building for a service
lots to do but to start with we’ll do the 쑗 The fire station is just down the road
washing up. from us. 쑗 He was arrested and taken to
start off phrasal verb 1. to begin 쑗 the local police station.
stationary /steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ adjective
stationary
We’ll start off with soup and then have

a meat dish. 2. to leave on a journey 쑗 not moving (NOTE: Do not confuse with
You can start off now, and I’ll follow stationery.)
stationery /steʃ(ə)n(ə)ri/ noun things
stationery
when I’m ready.

startle /stɑ
t(ə)l/ verb to make someone
startle
such as paper, envelopes, pens and ink

suddenly surprised which you use for writing (NOTE: no
starve /stɑ
v/ verb not to have enough
starve
plural. Do not confuse with station-
food 쑗 Many people starved to death in ary.)
statue /sttʃu
/ noun a solid image of a
statue
the desert.
person or animal made from a substance
state /stet/ noun 1. the way something
state
such as stone or metal

or someone is at a specific time 쑗 The
status /stetəs/ noun 1. social impor-
status
children are in a state of excitement. 쑗

They left the flat in a terrible state. 쑗 tance when compared to other people 쑗
She’s not in a fit state to receive visitors. He has a low-status job on the Under-
2. the government of a country 쑗 We all ground. 쑗 His status in the company has
pay taxes to the state. 쑗 The state should been rising steadily. 2. a general posi-
pay for the upkeep of museums. 3. an in- tion
dependent country 쑗 The member states stay /ste/ verb 1. not to change 쑗 The
stay
of the European Union. 4. one of the temperature stayed below zero all day.
parts into which some countries are di- 쑗 In spite of the fire, he stayed calm. 쑗 I
vided 쑗 the State of Arizona 쑗 New won’t be able to stay awake until mid-
South Wales has the largest population night. 2. to stop in a place 쑗 They came
of all the Australian states. 쐽 verb to for lunch and stayed until after mid-
give information clearly 쑗 Please state night. 쑗 I’m rather tired so I’ll stay at
your name and address. 쑗 It states in the home tomorrow. 쑗 He’s ill and has to
instructions that you must not open the stay in bed. 3. to stop in a place as a vis-
can near a flame. 쑗 The document states itor 쑗 They stayed two nights in Edin-
that all revenue has to be declared to the burgh on their tour of Scotland. 쑗
steadily 307 stew

Where will you be staying when you’re steer /stə/ verb to make a vehicle go in
steer
in New York? 쑗 My parents are staying a particular direction 쑗 She steered the
at the Hotel London. car into the garage.
stem /stem/ noun the tall thin part of a
stem
stay up phrasal verb not to go to bed

steadily /stedli/ adverb regularly or plant which holds a leaf, a flower or a
steadily
continuously fruit 쑗 Trim the stems before you put the

flowers in the vase.
steady /stedi/ adjective 1. firm and not
steady
step /step/ noun 1. a movement of your

step
moving or shaking 쑗 You need a steady

hand to draw a straight line without a foot when walking 쑗 I wonder when the
baby will take his first steps. 쑗 Take a
ruler. 쑗 He put a piece of paper under
step sideways and you will be able to see
the table leg to keep it steady. 2. contin-
the castle. 2. a regular movement of feet
uing in a regular way 쑗 There is a steady at the same time as other people 3. one
demand for computers. 쑗 The car was stair in a set of stairs 쑗 There are two
doing a steady seventy miles an hour. 쑗 steps down into the kitchen. 쑗 I counted
She hasn’t got a steady boyfriend. 75 steps to the top of the tower. 쑗 Be
(NOTE: steadier – steadiest) 쐽 verb to careful, there’s a step up into the bath-
keep something firm 쑗 He put out his room. 4. an action which is done or has
hand to steady the ladder. (NOTE: to be done out of several 쑗 The first and
steadies – steadying – steadied) most important step is to find out how
steak /stek/ noun 1. a thick piece of
steak
much money we can spend. 쐽 verb to

meat, usually beef 쑗 He ordered steak move forwards, backwards or sideways
and chips. 쑗 I’m going to grill these on foot 쑗 He stepped out in front of a bi-
steaks. 2. a thick piece of a big fish 쑗 A cycle and was knocked down. 쑗 She
grilled salmon steak for me, please! stepped off the bus into a puddle. 쑗
(NOTE: Do not confuse with stake.) Don’t step back, there’s a child behind
you. (NOTE: steps – stepping –
steal /sti
l/ verb 1. to take and keep
steal
stepped) 앳 in step moving your feet at

something that belongs to another per- the same rate as everybody else 쑗 I tried
son without permission 쑗 Someone to keep in step with him as we walked
tried to steal my handbag. 쑗 He was ar- along. 쑗 The recruits can’t even march
rested for stealing cars. 2. to move qui- in step. 앳 out of step moving your feet
etly 쑗 He stole into the cellar and tried at a different rate from everyone else 쑗
to find the safe. (NOTE: Do not confuse One of the squad always gets out of step.
with steel. Note also: steals – steal- 앳 to take steps to to act to encourage
ing – stole /stəυl/ – stolen /stəυlən/) or prevent something 쑗 We should take
steps to encourage female applicants. 쑗
steam /sti
m/ noun the substance like
steam
The museum must take steps to make

clouds which comes off hot or boiling sure that nothing else is stolen.
water 쑗 Clouds of steam were coming
stereo /steriəυ/ noun a machine which
stereo
out of the kitchen.

plays music or other sound through two
steel /sti
l/ noun a strong metal made
steel
different loudspeakers 쑗 I bought a new

from iron and carbon 쑗 Steel knives are pair of speakers for my stereo. 왍 in ster-
best for the kitchen. 쑗 The door is made eo using two speakers to produce sound
of solid steel. stern /st
n/ adjective serious and strict
stern
steep /sti
p/ adjective 1. which rises or
steep
쑗 The judge addressed some stern

falls quickly 쑗 The car climbed the words to the boys.
steep hill with some difficulty. 쑗 The stew /stju
/ noun a dish of meat and veg-
stew
steps up the church tower are steeper etables cooked together for a long time
than our stairs at home. 2. very sharply 쑗 This lamb stew is a French recipe. 쐽
increasing or falling 쑗 a steep increase verb to cook food for a long time in liq-
in interest charges 쑗 a steep fall in share uid 쑗 Stew the apples until they are
prices completely soft.
stick 308 stitch

stick /stk/ noun 1. a thin piece of wood unable to move easily because of dam-
stick
쑗 He jabbed a pointed stick into the aged joints 쑗 Arthritis accompanied by

hole. 쑗 I need a strong stick to tie this a certain amount of stiffness in the
plant to. 2. a thin branch of a tree 3. an- joints. 2. the quality of being stiff 쑗 The
ything long and thin 쑗 carrots cut into stiffness of the material makes it unsuit-
sticks 쐽 verb 1. to attach something able for a dress.
with glue 쑗 Can you stick the pieces of still /stl/ adjective not moving 쑗 Stand
still
the cup together again? 쑗 She stuck the still while I take the photo. 쑗 There was
stamp on the letter. 쑗 They stuck a post- no wind, and the surface of the lake was
er on the door. 2. to be fixed or not to be completely still. 쐽 adverb 1. continuing
able to move 쑗 The car was stuck in the until now or until then 쑗 I thought he
mud. 쑗 The door sticks – you need to had left, but I see he’s still there. 쑗 They
push it hard to open it. 쑗 The cake will came for lunch and were still sitting at
stick if you don’t grease the tin. 쑗 He the table at eight o’clock in the evening.
was stuck in Italy without any money. 3. 쑗 Weeks afterwards, they’re still talking
to push something into something 쑗 He about the accident. 2. in spite of every-
stuck his hand into the hole. 쑗 She stuck thing 쑗 It wasn’t sunny for the picnic –
her finger in the jam to taste it. 쑗 She still, it didn’t rain. 쑗 He still insisted on
stuck the ticket into her bag. 쑗 She stuck going on holiday even though he had
a needle into her finger. 4. to stay in a broken his leg.
place 쑗 Stick close to your mother and stimulus /stmjυləs/ noun an encour-
stimulus
you won’t get lost. 5. to accept some- agement or incentive that leads to great-
thing bad that continues 쑗 I don’t know er activity
how she can stick working in that office.
sting /stŋ/ noun a wound made by an in-
sting
쑗 I’m going, I can’t stick it here any

longer. (NOTE: sticks – sticking – sect or plant 쑗 Bee stings can be very
painful. 쑗 Have you anything for wasp
stuck /stk/) 앳 to stick together to
stay together 쑗 If we stick together they stings? 쐽 verb 1. to wound someone
with an insect’s or plant’s sting 쑗 I’ve
should let us into the club.
been stung by a wasp. 쑗 The plants
stick out phrasal verb 1. to push some- stung her bare legs. 2. to give a burning
thing out 2. to be further forward or fur- feeling 쑗 The antiseptic may sting a lit-
ther away from something 쑗 Your tle at first. (NOTE: stings – stinging –
wallet is sticking out of your pocket. 쑗 stung /stŋ/)
The balcony sticks out over the road. stink /stŋk/ (informal ) noun a very un-
stink
sticker /stkə/ noun a small piece of pa-

sticker
pleasant smell 쑗 the stink of cigarette

per or plastic which you can stick on smoke 쐽 verb to make an unpleasant
something to show a price, as a decora- smell 쑗 The office stinks of gas. (NOTE:
tion or to advertise something stinks – stinking – stank /stŋk/ –
sticky /stki/ adjective 1. covered with stunk /stŋk/)
sticky
something which sticks like glue 쑗 My stir /st

/ verb to move a liquid or powder
stir
fingers are all sticky. 쑗 This stuff is ter- or something which is cooking, to mix it
ribly sticky – I can’t get it off my fingers. up 쑗 He was stirring the sugar into his
2. with glue on one side so that it sticks coffee. 쑗 Keep stirring the porridge, or
easily (NOTE: stickier – stickiest) it will stick to the bottom of the pan.
stiff /stf/ adjective 1. which does not (NOTE: stirs – stirring – stirred)
stiff
move easily 쑗 The lock is very stiff – I stirring /st

rŋ/ adjective making you
stirring
can’t turn the key. 쑗 I’ve got a stiff neck. feel strong emotions, especially pride or
쑗 She was feeling stiff all over after run- enthusiasm
ning in the race. 2. with hard bristles 쑗 stitch /sttʃ/ noun 1. a little loop of
stitch
You need a stiff brush to get the mud off thread made with a needle in sewing or
your shoes. with knitting needles when knitting 쑗
stiffness /stfnəs/ noun 1. having mus-
stiffness
She used very small stitches in her em-

cle pains after doing exercise, or being broidery. 쑗 Very fine wool will give you
stock 309 stop

more stitches than in the pattern. 2. a (i.e. 12 stone 10 pounds). (NOTE: no plu-
small loop of thread used by a surgeon ral in this sense: He weighs ten stone.
to attach the sides of a wound together In the USA, human body weight is al-
to help it to heal 쑗 She had three stitches ways given only in pounds.)
in her arm. 쑗 Come back in ten days’ stony /stəυni/ adjective made of lots of
stony
time to have the stitches removed. 쐽 stones 쑗 They walked carefully across
verb to attach something with a needle
the stony beach.
and thread 쑗 She stitched the badge to
stood /stυd/ past tense and past partici-
stood
his jacket.
ple of stand
stock /stɒk/ noun 1. a supply of some-
stock
stool /stu
l/ noun a small seat with no
stool
thing kept to use when needed 쑗 I keep

a good stock of printing paper at home. back 쑗 When the little girl sat on the pi-
쑗 Our stocks of food are running low. 쑗 ano stool her feet didn’t touch the floor.
The factory has large stocks of coal. 2. a stoop /stu
p/ verb to bend forward 쑗 She
stoop
liquid made from boiling bones in wa- stooped and picked something up off the
ter, used as a base for soups and sauces carpet. 쑗 I found him standing at the ta-
쑗 Fry the onions and pour in some
ble, stooped over a spreadsheet.
chicken stock. 쐽 verb to keep goods for
stop /stɒp/ verb 1. not to move any more
stop
sale in a shop or warehouse 쑗 They

don’t stock this book. 쑗 We try to stock 쑗 The motorcycle didn’t stop at the red
the most popular colours. lights. 쑗 This train stops at all stations
to London Waterloo. 2. to make some-
stocking /stɒkŋ/ noun a long light
stocking
thing not move any more 쑗 The police-

piece of women’s clothing which covers man stopped the traffic to let the lorry
all of a leg and foot back out of the garage. 쑗 Stop that boy!
stole /stəυl/ past tense of steal
stole
– he’s stolen my purse. 3. not to do

stolen /stəυlən/ past participle of steal
stolen
something any more 쑗 The office clock
has stopped at 4.15. 쑗 At last it stopped
stomach /stmək/ noun 1. a part of the
stomach
raining and we could go out. 쑗 She

body shaped like a bag, into which food spoke for two hours without stopping. 쑗
passes after being swallowed and where We all stopped work and went home. 쑗
it continues to be digested 쑗 I don’t The restaurant stops serving meals at
want anything to eat – my stomach’s up- midnight. 4. 왍 to stop someone or
set or I have a stomach upset. 쑗 He has something (from) doing something to
had stomach trouble for some time. 2. make someone or something not do
the front of your body between your something any more 쑗 The rain stopped
chest and your waist 쑗 He had been us from having a picnic. 쑗 How can the
kicked in the stomach. police stop people stealing cars? 쑗
stone /stəυn/ noun 1. a very hard mate-
stone
Can’t you stop the children from making

rial, found in the earth, used for building such a noise? 쑗 The plumber couldn’t
쑗 All the houses in the town are built in stop the tap dripping. 5. to stay as a vis-
the local grey stone. 쑗 The stone carv- itor in a place 쑗 They stopped for a few
ings in the old church date from the 15th days in Paris. 쑗 I expect to stop in Rome
century. 쑗 Stone floors can be very cold. for the weekend. (NOTE: stops – stop-
(NOTE: no plural: some stone, a piece ping – stopped) 쐽 noun 1. the end of
of stone, a block of stone) 2. a small something, especially of movement 쑗
piece of stone 쑗 The children were play- The police want to put a stop to car
ing at throwing stones into the pond. 쑗 crimes. 2. a place where you break a
The beach isn’t good for bathing as it’s journey 쑗 We’ll make a stop at the next
covered with very sharp stones. 3. a service station. 3. a place where a bus or
British measure of weight equal to 14 train lets passengers get on or off 쑗 We
pounds or 6.35 kilograms 쑗 She’s trying have been waiting at the bus stop for
to lose weight and so far has lost a stone twenty minutes. 쑗 There are six stops
and a half. 쑗 He weighs twelve stone ten between here and Marble Arch.
stopper 310 strap

stopper /stɒpə/ noun an object that you changing 쑗 She drank the milk straight
stopper
put into the mouth of a bottle or jar to out of the bottle. 쑗 The cat ran straight
close it across the road in front of the car. 쑗 He
store /stɔ
/ noun a shop, usually a big
store
looked me straight in the face. 쑗 The
shop 쑗 You can buy shoes in any of the plane flies straight to Washington.
straighten /stret(ə)n/ verb to make
straighten
big stores in town. 쑗 Does the store

have a food department? 쐽 verb 1. to something straight
keep food etc. to use later 쑗 We store straightforward /stretfɔ
wəd/ ad-
straightforward
(away) all our vegetables in the garden jective easy to understand or carry out 쑗
shed. 2. to keep something in a compu- The instructions are quite straightfor-
ter file 쑗 We store all our personnel ward.
records on computer. strain /stren/ noun 1. nervous feelings
strain
storey /stɔ
ri/ noun a whole floor in a
storey
caused by a busy or difficult situation 쑗

building Can she stand the strain of working in
storm /stɔ
m/ noun a high wind and very
storm
that office? 2. a variety of a living thing
bad weather 쑗 Several ships got into dif- 쑗 They are trying to find a cure for a
ficulties in the storm. 쑗 How many trees new strain of the flu virus. 쑗 He crossed
were blown down in last night’s storm? two strains of rice to produce a variety
which is resistant to disease. 쐽 verb 1.
stormy /stɔ
mi/ adjective when there
stormy
to injure part of your body by pulling

are storms 쑗 They are forecasting too hard 쑗 He strained a muscle in his
stormy weather for the weekend. (NOTE: back or he strained his back. 쑗 The ef-
stormier – stormiest) fort strained his heart. 2. to make great
story /stɔ
ri/ noun 1. a description that
story
efforts to do something 쑗 They strained

tells things that did not really happen to lift the piano into the van. 3. to pour
but are invented by someone 쑗 The book liquid through a sieve to separate solid
is the story of two children during the parts in it 쑗 Boil the peas for ten minutes
war. 쑗 She writes children’s stories and then strain.
about animals. 2. a description that tells strange /strend"/ adjective 1. not usual
strange
what really happened 쑗 She told her sto- 쑗 Something is the matter with the en-
ry to the journalist. (NOTE: The plural is gine – it’s making a strange noise. 쑗 She
stories.) told some very strange stories about the
stout /staυt/ adjective 1. (of a person)
stout
firm she used to work for. 쑗 It felt

quite fat 쑗 He has become much stouter strange to be sitting in the office on a
and has difficulty going up stairs. 2. (of Saturday afternoon. 쑗 It’s strange that
material ) strong or thick 쑗 Take a few no one spotted the mistake. 2. which
sheets of stout paper. 쑗 Find a stout you have never seen before or where
branch to stand on. you have never been before 쑗 I find it
stove /stəυv/ noun a piece of equipment difficult getting to sleep in a strange
stove
for heating or cooking room. 쑗 We went to Korea and had lots

of strange food to eat.
straight /stret/ adjective 1. not curved
straight
stranger /strend"ə/ noun 1. a person

stranger
쑗 a long straight street 쑗 The line isn’t

straight. 쑗 She has straight black hair. 쑗 whom you have never met 쑗 He’s a
Stand up straight! 2. not sloping 쑗 Is the complete stranger to me. 쑗 Children are
picture straight? 쑗 Your tie isn’t told not to accept lifts from strangers. 2.
straight. 쐽 adverb 1. in a straight line, a person in a place where he or she has
not curving 쑗 The road goes straight never been before 쑗 I can’t tell you how
across the plain for two hundred kilome- to get to the post office – I’m a stranger
tres. 쑗 She was sitting straight in front here myself.
strap /strp/ noun a long flat piece of
strap
of you. 2. immediately 쑗 Wait for me

here – I’ll come straight back. 쑗 If there material used to attach something 쑗
is a problem, you should go straight to Can you do up the strap of my bag for
the manager. 3. without stopping or me? 쑗 I put a strap round my suitcase to
strategy 311 stretch

make it more secure. 쐽 verb to fasten 2. used with names 쑗 What’s your office
something with a strap 쑗 He strapped address? – 16 Cambridge Street. 쑗 Ox-
on his rucksack. 쑗 The patient was ford Street, Bond Street and Regent
strapped to a stretcher. 쑗 Make sure the Street are the main shopping areas in
baby is strapped into her seat. (NOTE: London. (NOTE: When used in names,
straps – strapping – strapped) street is usually written St: Oxford St.)
strategy /strtəd"i/ noun the deci-
strategy
strength /streŋθ/ noun the fact that

strength
sions you make about how you are go- something or someone is physically
ing to do something 쑗 Their strategy is strong 쑗 She hasn’t got the strength to
to note which of their rival’s models lift it. 쑗 You should test the strength of
sells best and then copy it. 쑗 The gov- the rope before you start climbing.
ernment has no long-term strategy for
strenuous /strenjuəs/ adjective re-
strenuous
dealing with crime. (NOTE: The plural is

strategies.) quiring a lot of physical effort or energy
쑗 The doctor has told him to avoid
straw /strɔ
/ noun 1. dry stems and
straw
leaves of crops, used for animals to strenuous exercise. 쑗 It’s a very strenu-
sleep on 쑗 You’ve been lying on the ous job.
stress /stres/ noun 1. nervous strain
stress
ground – you’ve got bits of straw in your

hair. 쑗 The tractor picked up bundles of caused by an outside influence 쑗 the
straw and loaded them onto a truck. 2. a stresses of working in a busy office 쑗
thin plastic tube for sucking up liquids 쑗 She’s suffering from stress. 2. the force
She was drinking orange juice through or pressure on something 쑗 Stresses in-
a straw. side the earth create earthquakes. 쐽
strawberry /strɔ
b(ə)ri/ noun a com- verb to put emphasis on something 쑗 I
strawberry
mon soft red summer fruit which grows must stress the importance of keeping
on low plants (NOTE: The plural is the plan secret.
strawberries.) stretch /stretʃ/ verb 1. to spread out for
stretch
stray /stre/ verb to move away from the

stray
a great distance 쑗 The line of cars

usual or expected place 쑗 The sheep stretched for three miles from the acci-
strayed onto the golf course. 쑗 The chil- dent. 쑗 The queue stretched from the
dren had strayed too far and couldn’t door of the cinema right round the cor-
get back. 쐽 noun a pet animal which is ner. 쑗 White sandy beaches stretch as
lost or without a home 쑗 We have two far as the eye can see. 2. to push out
female cats at home and they attract all your arms or legs as far as they can go 쑗
the strays in the district. 쐽 adjective 1. The cat woke up and stretched. 쑗 The
not where it should be 쑗 He was killed monkey stretched out through the bars
by a stray bullet from a sniper. 2. ((of a and grabbed the little boy’s cap. 3. to
pet animal)) lost or without a home 쑗 pull something out so that it becomes
We found a stray cat and brought it loose, or to become loose by pulling 쑗
home. Don’t hang your jumper up like that –
stream /stri
m/ noun 1. a small river 쑗
stream
you will just stretch it. 쑗 These trousers

Can you jump across that stream? 2. a are not supposed to stretch. 쐽 noun 1. a
number of things which pass in a contin- long piece of land, water or road 쑗
uous flow 쑗 Crossing the road is diffi- Stretches of the river have been so pol-
cult because of the stream of traffic. 쑗 luted that bathing is dangerous. 2. a
We had a stream of customers on the long period of time 쑗 For long stretches
first day of the sale. 쑗 Streams of refu- we had nothing to do. 앳 at a stretch
gees tried to cross the border. without a break 쑗 He played the piano
street /stri
t/ noun 1. a road in a town,
street
for two hours at a stretch. 앳 to stretch

usually with houses on each side 쑗 It is your legs to go for a short walk after
difficult to park in our street on Satur- sitting for a long time 쑗 In the coffee
day mornings. 쑗 Her flat is on a noisy break I went out into the garden to
street. 쑗 The school is in the next street. stretch my legs.
strict 312 structure

strict /strkt/ adjective 1. which must be strip /strp/ noun a long narrow piece of
strict strip
obeyed 쑗 I gave strict instructions that something 쑗 He tore the paper into
no one was to be allowed in. 쑗 The rules strips. 쑗 Houses are to be built along
are very strict and any bad behaviour the strip of land near the church. 쐽 verb
will be severely punished. 2. expecting to take off your clothes 쑗 Strip to the
people to obey rules 쑗 Our parents are waist for your chest X-ray. 쑗 He
very strict with us about staying up late. stripped down to his underpants. (NOTE:
strips – stripping – stripped)
strictly /strktli/ adverb in a strict way
strictly
stripe /strap/ noun a long line of colour

stripe
쑗 All staff must follow strictly the proce-

dures in the training manual. 쑗 He has an umbrella with red, white
and blue stripes.
stride /strad/ noun a long step
stride
쑗 In
strive /strav/ verb to try very hard to do
strive
three strides he was across the room and

out of the door. 쐽 verb to walk with long something, especially over a long period
steps 쑗 He strode into the room. 쑗 We of time 쑗 He always strove to do as well
could see him striding across the field to as his brother. 쑗 Everyone is striving for
take shelter from the rain. (NOTE: a solution to the dispute. (NOTE: striv-
strides – striding – strode /strəυd/) ing – strove /strəυv/ – has striven
/strv(ə)n/)
strike /strak/ noun the stopping of work
strike
strode /strəυd/ past tense of stride

strode
by workers because of lack of agree-

stroke /strəυk/ noun 1. a serious medi-
stroke
ment with management or because of

orders from a trade union 쑗 They all vot- cal condition in which someone sudden-
ed in favour of a strike. 쑗 A strike was ly becomes unconscious because blood
avoided at the last minute. 쐽 verb 1. to has stopped flowing normally to the
stop working because of disagreement brain 쑗 He was paralysed after his
with management 쑗 The workers are stroke. 쑗 She had a stroke and died. 2.
striking in protest against bad working the act of hitting something such as a
conditions. 2. to hit something hard 쑗 ball 쑗 It took him three strokes to get the
He struck her with a bottle. 쑗 She struck ball onto the green. 3. a style of swim-
her head on the low door. 쑗 He struck a ming 쑗 She won the 200m breast stroke.
match and lit the fire. 3. (of a clock) to 쐽 verb to run your hands gently over
ring to mark an hour 쑗 The clock had something or someone 쑗 She was strok-
just struck one when she heard a noise ing the cat as it sat in her lap.
in the corridor. 4. to come to someone’s strong /strɒŋ/ adjective 1. who has a lot
strong
mind 쑗 A thought just struck me. 쑗 It of strength 쑗 I’m not strong enough to
suddenly struck me that I had seen him carry that box. 2. which has a lot of
somewhere before. (NOTE: strikes – force or strength 쑗 The string broke –
striking – struck /strk/) we need something stronger. 쑗 The wind
string /strŋ/ noun 1. a strong thin fibre
string
was so strong that it blew some tiles off
used for tying up things such as parcels the roof. 3. having a powerful smell,
쑗 This string isn’t strong enough to tie taste or effect 쑗 I don’t like strong
up that big parcel. 쑗 She bought a ball cheese. 쑗 You need a cup of strong black
of string. 쑗 We’ve run out of string. coffee to wake you up. 쑗 There was a
(NOTE: no plural in this sense: some strong smell of gas in the kitchen. 쒁
string; a piece of string) 2. one of the strength
strongly /strɒŋli/ adverb in a strong
strongly
long pieces of fibre or wire on a musical

instrument which makes a note when way
you hit it 쑗 a guitar has six strings 쑗 He strove /strəυv/ past tense of strive
strove
was playing the violin when one of the

struck /strk/ past tense and past partici-
struck
strings broke. 3. one of the strong pieces

of fibre which form the flat part of a ten- ple of strike
structure /strktʃə/ noun a building or
structure
nis racket 쑗 One of the strings has

snapped. something else that is built
struggle 313 stutter

struggle /str'(ə)l/ noun a fight 쑗 Af- your photographic stuff is still in the
struggle
ter a short struggle the burglar was ar- back of my car. 쐽 verb 1. to push some-
rested. 쐽 verb to try hard to do something into something to fill it 쑗 He
thing difficult 쑗 She’s struggling with stuffed his pockets full of peppermints. 쑗
her maths homework. 쑗 She struggled The £20 notes were stuffed into a small
to carry all the shopping to the car. plastic wallet. 2. to put small pieces of
stubborn /stbən/ adjective deter-
stubborn
food such as bread, meat or herbs inside
mined not to change your mind 쑗 He’s meat or vegetables before cooking them
so stubborn – he only does what he 쑗 We had roast veal stuffed with mush-
wants to do. rooms.
stuffy /stfi/ adjective without any
stuffy
stuck /stk/ past tense and past participle

stuck
of stick fresh air 쑗 Can’t you open a window, it’s

so stuffy in here? (NOTE: stuffier –
student /stju
d(ə)nt/ noun a person
student
stuffiest)
who is studying at a college, university
stumble /stmbəl/ verb 1. to almost
stumble
or school 쑗 All the science students

came to my lecture. 쑗 She’s a brilliant fall by hitting your foot against some-
student. 쑗 Two students had to sit the thing 쑗 He stumbled as he tried to get
exam again. down the stairs in the dark. 2. to make
studio /stju
diəυ/ noun 1. a room
studio
mistakes when reading aloud or speak-
where an artist paints 쑗 She uses this ing 쑗 She stumbled a little when had to
room as a studio because of the good read the foreign words.
stump /stmp/ noun 1. a short piece of
stump
light. 2. a place where things such as

films or broadcasts are made 쑗 And something left sticking up, such as the
now, back to the studio for the latest main stem of a tree that has been cut
news and weather report. 쑗 They spent down 쑗 After cutting down the trees, we
the whole day recording the piece in the need to get rid of the stumps. 2. one of
studio. 3. a very small flat for one per- the three sticks placed in the ground in
son, usually one room with a small cricket 쑗 The ball hit the stumps and the
kitchen and bathroom 쑗 You can rent a last man was out.
studio overlooking the sea for £300 a stun /stn/ verb 1. to make someone be-
stun
week in high season. (NOTE: The plural come unconscious with a blow to the
is studios.) head 쑗 The blow on the head stunned
study /stdi/ noun the work of examin-
study
him. 2. to shock someone completely 쑗

ing something carefully to learn more She was stunned when he told her that
about it 쑗 The company asked the con- he was already married. (NOTE: stuns –
sultant to prepare a study into new pro- stunning – stunned)
duction techniques. 쑗 The review has
stupid /stju
pd/ adjective 1. not very
stupid
published studies on the new drug.

intelligent 쑗 What a stupid man! 2. be-
(NOTE: The plural is studies.) 쐽 verb 1.
having in a way that is not sensible 쑗 It
to learn about a subject at college or uni-
was stupid of her not to wear a helmet
versity 쑗 He is studying medicine be-
when riding on her scooter. 쑗 He made
cause he wants to be a doctor. 쑗 She’s
several stupid mistakes.
studying French and Spanish in the
sturdy /st
di/ adjective well made and
sturdy
modern languages department. 2. to

look at something carefully 쑗 She was not easily damaged (NOTE: sturdier –
studying the guidebook. (NOTE: studies sturdiest)
– studying – studied) stutter /sttə/ noun a speech problem
stutter
stuff /stf/ noun 1. a substance, especial-

stuff
where you repeat the sound at the begin-

ly something unpleasant 쑗 You’ve got ning of a word several times 쑗 He is tak-
some black stuff stuck to your shoe. 2. ing therapy to try to cure his stutter. 쐽
equipment or possessions 쑗 Dump all verb to repeat the same sounds when
your stuff in the living room. 쑗 Take all speaking 쑗 He stuttered badly when
that stuff and put it in the dustbin. 쑗 All making his speech.
style 314 success

style /stal/ noun 1. a way of doing must be sent to me immediately they ar-
style
something, especially a way of design- rive.

ing, drawing or writing 쑗 The room is subsequently /sbskwəntli/ adverb
subsequently
decorated in Chinese style. 쑗 The paint- happening later or following something

ing is in his usual style. 쑗 That style was which has already happened 쑗 I subse-
fashionable in the 1940s. 2. a fashiona- quently discovered that there had been a
ble way of doing things 쑗 She always mistake.
dresses with style. 쑗 They live in grand substance /sbstəns/ noun a solid or
substance
style. 쒁 hairstyle liquid material, especially one used in

subject /sbd"kt/ noun 1. the thing
subject
chemistry 쑗 A secret substance is added

which you are talking about or writing to the product to give it its yellow colour.
about 쑗 He suddenly changed the sub- 쑗 Toxic substances got into the drinking
ject of the conversation. 쑗 The newspa- water.
per has devoted a special issue to the substantial /səbstnʃəl/ adjective 1.
substantial
subject of pollution. 2. an area of knowl- large or important 쑗 She was awarded

edge which you are studying 쑗 Maths is substantial damages. 쑗 He received a
his weakest subject. 쑗 You can take up substantial sum when he left the compa-
to five subjects at ‘A’ Level. 3. 왍 to be ny. 쑗 A substantial amount of work re-
the subject of to be the person or thing mains to be done. 2. large enough to sat-
talked about or studied 쑗 The painter isfy someone 쑗 We had a substantial
Chagall will be the subject of our lec- meal at the local pub. 3. solid or strong
ture today. 쑗 Advertising costs are the 쑗 This wall is too flimsy, we need some-
subject of close examination by the au- thing much more substantial.
ditors. 4. (in grammar ) a noun or pro-
subtract /səbtrkt/ verb to take one
subtract
noun which comes before a verb and
shows the person or thing that does the number away from another (NOTE: Sub-
action expressed by the verb 쑗 In the tracting is usually shown by the minus
sentence ‘the cat sat on the mat’ the sign – : 10 – 4 = 6: say ‘ten subtract
word ‘cat’ is the subject of the verb four equals six’.)
subtraction /səbtrkʃən/ noun the
subtraction
‘sat’.
subject matter /sbd"kt mtə/

subject matter
act of subtracting one number from an-
noun the subject dealt with in some- other
suburb /sb
b/ noun an area on the
suburb
thing such as a book or TV programme

submarine /sbməri
n/ noun a special
submarine
edge of a town where there are houses
type of ship which can travel under wa- and shops but not usually factories or
ter 쑗 The submarine dived before she other large industries
subway /sbwe/ noun 1. an under-
subway
was spotted by enemy aircraft. 쐽 adjec-

tive under the water 쑗 a submarine ground passage along which people can
pipeline walk, e.g. so that they do not have to
submit /səbmt/ verb to give something
submit

cross a busy road 쑗 There’s a subway
for someone to examine 쑗 You are re- from the bus station to the shopping cen-
quested to submit your proposal to the tre. 2. US an underground railway sys-
planning committee. 쑗 He submitted a tem 쑗 the New York subway 쑗 It will be
claim to the insurers. 쑗 Reps are asked quicker to take the subway to Grand
to submit their expenses claims once a Central Station. (NOTE: The London
month. (NOTE: submits – submitting – equivalent is the tube or Under-
submitted) 쐽 to accept that someone ground.)
succeed /səksi
d/ verb to do well or to
succeed
has the power to make you do some-
thing you don’t want to do make a lot of profit 쑗 His business has
subsequent /sbskwənt/ adjective
subsequent
succeeded more than he had expected.
success /səkses/ noun 1. the fact of
success
which comes later (formal ) 쑗 The rain
and the subsequent flooding disrupted achieving what you have been trying to
the match. 쑗 All subsequent reports do 쑗 She’s been looking for a job in a li-
successful 315 suitable

brary, but without any success so far. 2. thing to have an illness or a fault 쑗 She
the fact that someone does something suffers from arthritis. 쑗 The company’s
well 쑗 Her photo was in the newspapers products suffer from bad design. 쑗 Our
after her Olympic success. 쑗 The new car suffers from a tendency to overheat.
car has not had much success in the sufficient /səfʃ(ə)nt/ adjective as
sufficient
Japanese market. (NOTE: The plural is much as is needed 쑗 Does she have suf-
successes.) ficient funds to pay for her trip? 쑗 There
successful /səksesf(ə)l/ adjective
successful

isn’t sufficient room to put the big sofa
who or which does well 쑗 He’s a suc- in here. 쑗 Allow yourself sufficient time
cessful business man. 쑗 She’s very suc- to get to the airport.
cessful at hiding her real age. 쑗 Their
suffix /sfks/ noun letters added to the
suffix
trip to German proved successful.

end of a word to make another word.
successfully /səksesf(ə)li/ adverb
successfully

Compare prefix (NOTE: The plural is
achieving what was intended suffixes.)
such /stʃ/ adjective 1. of this type 쑗
such
sugar /ʃυ'ə/ noun a substance that you

sugar
The police are looking for such things as use to make food sweet 쑗 How much
drugs or stolen goods. 왍 no such (per- sugar do you take in your tea? 쑗 Can
son or thing) a person or thing like that you pass me the sugar, please?
is not in existence 쑗 There is no such
suggest /səd"est/ verb to mention an
suggest
day as April 31st. 쑗 Someone was ask-
ing for a Mr Simpson but there is no idea to see what other people think of it
such person working here. 2. very; so 쑗 The chairman suggested that the next
much 쑗 There was such a crowd at the meeting should be held in October. 쑗
party that there weren’t enough chairs What does he suggest we do in this
to go round. 쑗 It’s such a shame that case?
she’s ill and has to miss her sister’s suggestion /səd"estʃən/ noun an idea
suggestion
wedding. 앳 such as used for giving an that you mention for people to think
example 쑗 Some shops such as food about 쑗 We have asked for suggestions
stores are open on Sundays. from passengers. 쑗 The company acted
suck /sk/ verb 1. to hold something upon your suggestion. 쑗 Whose sugges-
suck
with your mouth and pull at it with your tion was it that we should go out in a
tongue 쑗 The baby didn’t stop sucking boat? 쑗 I bought those shares at the
his thumb until he was six. 2. to have stockbroker’s suggestion.
something in your mouth which makes suit /su
t/ noun 1. a set of pieces of cloth-
suit
your mouth produce water 쑗 He bought ing made of the same cloth and worn to-
a bag of sweets to suck in the car. gether, e.g. a jacket and trousers or skirt
sudden /sd(ə)n/ adjective which hap-
sudden
쑗 A dark grey suit will be just right for

pens very quickly or unexpectedly 쑗 the interview. 쑗 The pale blue suit she
The sudden change in the weather was wearing was very chic. 2. one of the
caught us unprepared. 쑗 The bus came four sets of cards with the same symbol
to a sudden stop. 쑗 His decision to go to in a pack of cards 쑗 Clubs and spades
Canada was very sudden. 앳 all of a are the two black suits and hearts and
sudden suddenly 쑗 All of a sudden the diamonds are the two red suits. 쐽 verb
room went dark. 1. to look good when worn by someone
suddenly /sd(ə)nli/ adverb quickly 쑗 Green usually suits people with red
suddenly
and giving you a shock 쑗 The car in hair. 쑗 That hat doesn’t suit her. 2. to be
front stopped suddenly and I ran into the convenient for someone 쑗 He’ll only do
back of it. 쑗 Suddenly the room went it when it suits him to do it. 쑗 Thursday
dark. 쑗 She suddenly realised it was al- at 11 o’clock will suit me fine.
ready five o’clock. suitable /su
təb(ə)l/ adjective which
suitable
suffer /sfə/ verb 1. to receive an injury

suffer
fits or which is convenient 쑗 I’m look-

쑗 He suffered multiple injuries in the ing for a suitable present 쑗 We adver-
accident. 2. 왍 to suffer from some- tised the job again because there were
suitcase 316 support

no suitable candidates. 쑗 A blue dress the 16th must be a Sunday. 쑗 Today is
would be more suitable for an interview. Sunday, November 19th.
suitcase /su
tkes/ noun a box with a sunk /sŋk/ past participle of sink
suitcase sunk
handle which you carry your clothes in sunlight /snlat/ noun the light which
sunlight
when you are travelling comes from the sun (NOTE: no plural)
sulk /slk/ verb to show you are annoyed sunny /sni/ adjective 1. with the sun
sulk sunny
by not saying anything 쑗 They’re sulk- shining 쑗 Another sunny day! 쑗 They
ing because we didn’t invite them. forecast that it will be sunny this after-
sum /sm/ noun 1. a quantity of money
sum
noon. 2. where the sun often shines 쑗
쑗 He only paid a small sum for the car. We live on the sunny side of the street. 쑗
쑗 A large sum of money was stolen from Their sitting room is bright and sunny,
his safe. 쑗 We are owed the sum of £500. but the dining room is dark. (NOTE: sun-
2. a simple problem in mathematics 쑗 nier – sunniest)
sunrise /snraz/ noun the time when
sunrise
She tried to do the sum in her head. 3.

the total of two or more numbers added the sun comes up in the morning
together 쑗 The sum of all four sides will sunset /snset/ noun the time when the
sunset
give you the perimeter of the field. sun goes down in the evening
summary /sməri/ noun a short de- sunshine /snʃan/ noun a pleasant
summary
sunshine
scription of what has been said or writ- light from the sun (NOTE: no plural)
ten, or of what happened, without giving super /su
pə/ adjective very good
super
all the details 쑗 She gave a summary of (dated )

what happened at the meeting. 쑗 Here’s
superlative /sυp
lətv/ adjective ex-
superlative
a summary of the book in case you don’t
have time to read it. (NOTE: The plural is tremely good 쑗 He’s a superlative goal-
summaries.) keeper. 쐽 noun the form of an adjective
or adverb showing the highest level
summer /smə/ noun the hottest season
summer
when compared with another 쑗 ‘Big-

of the year, between spring and autumn gest’ is the superlative of ‘big.’
쑗 Next summer we are going to Greece.
supermarket /su
pəmɑ
kt/ noun a
supermarket
쑗 The summer in Australia coincides

large store selling mainly food and
with our winter here in England. 쑗 I ha-
goods for the house, where customers
ven’t any summer clothes – it’s never
serve themselves and pay at a checkout
hot enough here.
supervisor /su
pəvazə/ noun a per-
supervisor
summit /smt/ noun the top of a

summit
son whose job is making sure that other

mountain 쑗 It took us three hour’s hard people are working well
climbing to reach the summit.
supper /spə/ noun the meal which you
supper
sun /sn/ noun 1. a very bright star round

sun
eat in the evening

which the earth travels and which gives
supply /səpla/ noun a store of some-
supply
light and heat 쑗 The sun was just rising

when I got up. 쑗 I’ll try taking a photo- thing which is needed 쑗 We have two
graph now that the sun’s come out. 2. weeks’ supply of coal. (NOTE: The plural
is supplies.) 쐽 verb to provide some-
the light from the sun 쑗 I’d prefer a ta-
ble out of the sun. 쑗 She spent her whole thing which is needed 쑗 Details of ad-
holiday just sitting in the sun. dresses and phone numbers can be sup-
plied by the store staff. 쑗 He was asked
sunburnt /snb
nt/ adjective (of the
sunburnt
to supply a blood sample. (NOTE: sup-

skin) damaged or made red by the sun plies – supplying – supplied) 앳 in
Sunday /snde/ noun the seventh day
Sunday
short supply not available in large
of the week, the day between Saturday enough quantities to meet people’s
and Monday 쑗 Last Sunday we went on needs 쑗 Fresh vegetables are in short
a picnic. 쑗 Most shops are now open on supply during the winter.
support /səpɔ
t/ noun 1. an object or
support
Sundays. 쑗 Can we fix a lunch for next
Sunday? 쑗 The 15th is a Saturday, so structure which stops something from

supporter 317 surprise

falling 쑗 They had to build wooden sup- don, not Oxford? 쑗 They’ll surely com-
ports to hold up the wall. 2. help or en- plain about the amount of work they
couragement 쑗 We have had no finan- have to do.
cial support from the bank. 3. an act of surf /s
f/ noun 1. a mass of white foam
surf
encouraging and helping someone, or of coming onto a beach on large waves 쑗

agreeing with their plans 쑗 The chair- The surf is too rough for children to
man has the support of the committee. 쑗 bathe. 2. waves breaking along a shore
She spoke in support of our plan. 쐽 verb 쐽 verb to ride on large waves coming
1. to hold something up to stop it falling onto a beach on a surf board 쑗 I’d like to
down 쑗 The roof is supported on ten be able to surf. 쑗 It’s too dangerous to
huge pillars. 2. to provide money to go surfing today.
help someone or something 쑗 We hope
surface /s
fs/ noun the top part of
surface
the banks will support us during the de-

velopment period. 3. to encourage something 쑗 When it rains, water col-
someone or something 쑗 Which football lects on the surface of the road. 쑗 The
team do you support? 쑗 She hopes the surface of the water was completely
other members of the committee will still. 쑗 He stayed a long time under wa-
support her. ter before coming back to the surface. 쑗
Dinosaurs disappeared from the surface
supporter /səpɔ
tə/ noun a person
supporter
of the earth millions of years ago. 쐽

who encourages someone or something
verb to come up to the surface 쑗 The
쑗 It sounds a good idea to me – I’m sur-
captain gave orders for the submarine
prised it hasn’t attracted more support-
to surface. 쑗 His fear of failure has sur-
ers.
faced again.
suppose /səpəυz/ verb 1. to think
suppose
surgeon /s
d"ən/ noun a doctor who
surgeon

something is likely to be true or to hap-

performs medical operations
pen 쑗 Where is the secretary? – I sup-
surgery /s
d"əri/ noun 1. treatment of
surgery
pose she’s going to be late as usual. 쑗 I

suppose you’ve heard the news? 쑗 What disease in which doctors cut into or re-
do you suppose they’re talking about? 쑗 move part of the body 쑗 She had sur-
Will you be coming to the meeting this gery to straighten her nose. 쑗 The pa-
evening? – I suppose I’ll have to. 쑗 I tient will need surgery to remove the
don’t suppose many people will come. scars left by the accident. (NOTE: no plu-
2. (showing doubt) what happens if? 쑗 ral in this sense) 2. a room where a doc-
Suppose it rains tomorrow, do you still tor or dentist sees and examines patients
want to go for a walk? 쑗 He’s very late 쑗 I phoned the doctor’s surgery to make
– suppose he’s had an accident? 쑗 Sup- an appointment. (NOTE: The plural is
pose I win the lottery! surgeries.)
sure /ʃυə/ adjective without any doubt 쑗 surname /s
nem/ noun the name of
sure surname
Is he sure he can borrow his mother’s someone’s family, shared by all people
car? 쑗 I’m sure I left my wallet in my in the family
coat pocket. 쑗 It’s sure to be cold in surprise /səpraz/ noun 1. the feeling
surprise
Russia in December. 쑗 Make sure or be you get when something happens which
sure that your computer is switched off you did not expect to happen 쑗 He ex-
before you leave. 쐽 adverb mainly US pressed surprise when I told him I’d lost
meaning yes 쑗 Can I borrow your car? my job. 쑗 To his great surprise, a lot of
– sure, go ahead! 쑗 I need someone to people bought his book. 쑗 What a sur-
help with this computer program – sure, prise to find that we were at school to-
I can do it. gether! 2. an unexpected event 쑗 They
surely /ʃυəli/ adverb of course, certain-
surely
baked a cake for her birthday as a sur-

ly (used mostly in questions where a prise. 쑗 What a surprise to see you
certain answer is expected ) 쑗 Surely again after so long! 쐽 verb to make
they can’t expect us to work on Sun- someone surprised 쑗 It wouldn’t sur-
days? 쑗 But surely their office is in Lon- prise me if it rained. 쑗 What surprises
surprised 318 swarm

me is that she left without saying good- survivor /səvavə/ noun a person who
survivor
bye. is still alive after an experience such as

surprised /səprazd/ adjective feeling
surprised

an accident, attack or serious illness
suspect1 /səspekt/ verb 1. 왍 to sus-
suspect
or showing surprise 쑗 She was sur-
prised to see her former boyfriend at the pect someone of doing something to
party. 쑗 We were surprised to hear that think that someone may have done
he’s got a good job. something wrong 쑗 I suspect him of be-
ing involved in the robbery. 쑗 They were
surprising /səprazŋ/ adjective which
surprising

wrongly suspected of taking bribes. 2. to
you do not expect 쑗 There was a sur- think that something is likely 쑗 I sus-
prising end to the story. 쑗 Wasn’t it sur- pect it’s going to be more difficult than
prising to see the two sisters together we thought at first. 쑗 We suspected all
again? 쑗 It’s hardly surprising she along that something was wrong.
doesn’t want to meet you again after
suspect2 /sspekt/ noun a person who
suspect
what you said.

is thought to have committed a crime 쑗
surrender /sərendə/ noun giving in to
surrender
The police arrested several suspects for

an enemy because you have lost 쑗 the questioning. 쐽 adjective 1. which is not
surrender of the enemy generals 쐽 verb reliable 쑗 Such high figures for exports
to accept that you have been defeated by look a bit suspect to me. 2. which might
someone else 쑗 Our troops were sur- be dangerous or illegal 쑗 a suspect
rounded by the enemy and were forced package
to surrender. suspense /səspens/ noun nervous ex-
suspense
surround /səraυnd/ verb to be all

surround

citement experienced while waiting for
round something or someone 쑗 The something to happen or for someone to
house is surrounded by beautiful coun- do something
suspicious /səspʃəs/ adjective which
suspicious
tryside. 쑗 The President has surrounded
himself with experts. seems to be wrong, dangerous or con-

nected with a crime 쑗 The police found
survey1 /s
ve/ noun 1. a way of find-
survey
a suspicious package on the station

ing out about something by asking peo- platform. 쑗 We became suspicious when
ple questions 2. the careful examination we realised we hadn’t seen him for three
of a building to see if it is in good days.
enough condition
swallow /swɒləυ/ verb to make food or
swallow
survey2 /səve/ verb 1. to ask people

survey

liquid pass down your throat from your
questions to get information about mouth to the stomach 쑗 He swallowed
something 쑗 Roughly half the people we his beer and ran back to the office. 쑗
surveyed were in favour of the scheme. She swallowed hard and knocked on the
쑗 They’re surveying the site. 2. to meas- door to the interview room.
ure land in order to produce a plan or swam /swm/ past tense of swim
swam
map 쑗 They’re surveying the area where

swan /swɒn/ noun a large white water
swan
the new runway will be built.

bird with a long curved neck
survival /səvav(ə)l/ noun the state of
survival
swap /swɒp/ verb to exchange some-

swap

continuing to exist 쑗 The survival of the thing for something else 쑗 Can I swap
crew depended on the supplies carried my tickets for next Friday’s show? 쑗
in the boat. 쑗 The survival rate of ba- Let’s swap places, so that I can talk to
bies has started to fall. Susan. 쑗 After every game the players
survive /səvav/ verb to continue to be
survive

swapped jerseys with the other team.
alive after an experience such as acci- (NOTE: swaps – swapping –
dent, attack or serious illness 쑗 It was swapped)
swarm /swɔ
m/ noun a large group of
swarm
such a terrible crash, it was miracle that

anyone survived. 쑗 He survived a mas- insects flying around together 쑗 A
sive heart attack. swarm of flies buzzed around the meat.
sway 319 swing

sway /swe/ verb 1. to move slowly and What’s on the menu for sweet? 쑗 I’m
sway
smoothly from side to side 쑗 The crowd afraid I haven’t made a sweet. 쑗 I won’t
swayed in time to the music. 쑗 The palm have any sweet, thank you, just some
trees swayed in the breeze. 2. to have an coffee. 앳 to have a sweet tooth to like
influence on someone 쑗 The committee sweet food 쑗 He’s very fond of puddings
was swayed by a letter from the presi- – he’s got a real sweet tooth!
dent. sweetness /swi
tnəs/ noun a state of
sweetness
swear /sweə/ verb 1. to make a serious being sweet

swear
public promise 쑗 He swore he wouldn’t swell /swel/ verb to become larger, usu-
swell
touch alcohol again. 쑗 The witnesses ally because of an illness or injury 쑗

swore to tell the truth. 2. to shout offen- Her feet started to swell. (NOTE: swells
sive or rude words 쑗 They were shouting – swelling – swollen /swəυlən/ –
and swearing at the police. 쑗 Don’t let swelled) 왍 to swell (up) to become
me catch you swearing again! (NOTE: larger or to increase in size 쑗 She was
swears – swearing – swore – sworn) bitten by an insect and her hand swelled
앳 I could have sworn I was complete- (up).
ly sure 쑗 I could have sworn I put my swelling /swelŋ/ noun a condition
swelling
keys in my coat pocket. where liquid forms in part of the body,

sweat /swet/ noun drops of salt liquid
sweat
making that part swell up

which come through your skin when swept /swept/ past tense and past parti-
swept
you are hot or when you are afraid 쑗 Af- ciple of sweep
ter working in the vineyard he was
swerve /sw
v/ verb to move suddenly
swerve
drenched with sweat. 쑗 He broke out

into a cold sweat when they called his to one side 쑗 They think the car swerved
name. 쐽 verb to produce sweat 쑗 He ran to the left and hit a wall. 쑗 She had to
up the hill, sweating and red in the face. swerve to avoid the bicycle.
swift /swft/ adjective very fast 쑗 Their
swift
sweater /swetə/ noun a thick piece of

sweater
clothing with sleeves that covers your phone call brought a swift response
upper body from the police.
swim /swm/ verb to move in the water
swim
sweatshirt /swetʃ
t/ noun a thick
sweatshirt
cotton shirt with long sleeves using your arms and legs to push you
along 쑗 She can’t swim, but she’s taking
sweep /swi
p/ verb 1. to clear up dust
sweep
swimming lessons. 쑗 She swam across

and dirt from the floor with a brush 쑗 the English Channel. (NOTE: swims –
Have you swept the kitchen floor yet? 2.
swimming – swam /swm/ – swum
to move quickly 쑗 She swept into the /swm/) 쐽 noun an occasion when you
room with a glass of wine in her hand. 쑗 swim 쑗 What about a swim before
The party swept to power in the general breakfast? 쑗 It’s too cold for a swim.
election. 쑗 A feeling of anger swept
swimmer /swmə/ noun a person who
swimmer
through the crowd. (NOTE: sweeps –

sweeping – swept /swept/) is swimming
swimming /swmŋ/ noun the activity
swimming
sweet /swi
t/ adjective 1. tasting like
sweet
sugar, and neither sour nor bitter 쑗 or sport of moving through water using
These apples are sweeter than those your arms and legs
swing /swŋ/ verb to move, or move
swing
green ones. 2. very kind or pleasant 쑗

He sent me such a sweet birthday card. something, from side to side or forwards
쑗 It was sweet of her to send me flowers. and backwards, while hanging from a
쑗 What a sweet little girl! 쑗 How sweet central point 쑗 She picked up the baby
of you to help me with my luggage! 쐽 and swung him round and round. 쑗 He
noun 1. a small piece of sweet food, swung up and down on the garden
made with sugar 쑗 She bought some swing. 쑗 A window swung open and a
sweets to eat in the cinema. 쑗 He likes man looked out. (NOTE: swings –
to suck sweets when he is driving. 2. swinging – swung /swŋ/) 쐽 noun a
sweet food eaten at the end of a meal 쑗 seat held by two ropes or chains, to sit
switch 320 system

on and move backwards and forwards, symbol /smbəl/ noun a sign, letter,
symbol
usually outdoors 쑗 She sat on the swing picture or shape which means some-
and ate an apple. thing or shows something 쑗 The crown
switch /swtʃ/ noun a small object
switch
was the symbol of the empire. 쑗 The ol-

which you push up or down to stop or ive branch is a symbol of peace. 쑗 Pb is
start a piece of electrical equipment 쑗 the chemical symbol for lead.
The switch to turn off the electricity is in
sympathetic /smpəθetk/ adjective
sympathetic
the cupboard. 쑗 There is a light switch
by the bed. 쐽 verb 1. to do something showing that you understand someone’s

different suddenly 쑗 We decided to problems
/smpəθaz/, sympa-
sympathise
switch from gas to electricity. 2. to sympathise

change or exchange something 쑗 Let’s thize verb to show that you understand
switch places. 쑗 He switched flights in someone’s problems 쑗 I sympathise
Montreal and went on to Calgary. 쑗 The with you, my husband snores too. 쑗 I get
job was switched from our British facto- back pains, and I sympathise with all
ry to the States. fellow sufferers.
switch off phrasal verb to make an sympathy /smpəθi/ noun a feeling of
sympathy
piece of electrical equipment stop 쑗 understanding for someone else’s prob-

Don’t forget to switch off the TV before lems, or after someone’s death 쑗 We re-
you go to bed. 쑗 She forgot to switch her ceived many messages of sympathy
car lights off or switch off her car lights. when my wife died. 쑗 He had no sympa-
쑗 The kettle switches itself off automat-
thy for his secretary who complained of
ically when it boils. being overworked.
switch on phrasal verb to make a piece
symptom /smptəm/ noun 1. a change
symptom
of electrical equipment start 쑗 Can you

switch the radio on – it’s time for the in the body, showing that a disease is
evening news. 쑗 When you put the light present 쑗 He has all the symptoms of
on in the bathroom, the fan switches it- flu. 2. a visible sign which shows that
self on automatically. something is happening 쑗 Rubbish eve-
swollen /swəυlən/ past participle of rywhere on the pavements is a symptom
swollen
swell 쐽 adjective much bigger than of the economic crisis facing the bor-
usual ough.
swoop /swu
p/ verb to come down synonym /snənm/ noun a word
swoop synonym
quickly 쑗 The planes swooped (down) which means almost the same as anoth-
low over the enemy camp. er word
swop /swɒp/ noun, verb same as swap
swop
syrup /srəp/ noun a sweet liquid

syrup
쑗 To
sword /sɔ
d/ noun a weapon with a han-
sword
make syrup, dissolve sugar in a cup of

dle and a long sharp blade boiling water.
swore /swɔ
/ past tense of swear
swore
system /sstəm/ noun 1. a group of

system
swum /swm/ past participle of swim

swum
things which work together 쑗 the sys-

swung /swŋ/ past tense and past parti-
swung
tem of motorways or the motorway sys-

ciple of swing tem 쑗 the London underground railway
syllable /sləb(ə)l/ noun a whole word system 2. a way in which things are or-
syllable
or part of a word which has one single ganised 쑗 I’ve got my own system for
sound dealing with invoices.
T
t /ti
/, T noun the twentieth letter of the al- 3. to go with someone or something to
t
phabet, between S and U another place 쑗 He’s taking the children

table /teb(ə)l/ noun 1. a piece of furni-
table
to school. 쑗 They took the car to the ga-
ture with a flat top and legs, used to eat rage. 쑗 We took a taxi to the hotel. 4. to
or work at 쑗 We had breakfast sitting steal something 쑗 Someone’s taken my
round the kitchen table. 쑗 He asked for watch. 5. to go away with something
a table by the window. 쑗 She says she which someone else was using 쑗 Some-
booked a table for six people for 12.30. one has taken the newspaper I was read-
2. a list of numbers, facts, or informa- ing. 쑗 Who’s taken my cup of coffee? 6.
tion set out in an organised way to use or occupy something 쑗 Sorry, all
these seats are taken. 7. to do a test 쑗
tablecloth /teb(ə)lklɒθ/ noun a cloth
tablecloth

You must go to bed early because you’ll
which covers a table during a meal be taking your exams tomorrow morn-
tablet /tblət/ noun a small round pill
tablet
ing. 쑗 She had to take her driving test

taken as medicine 쑗 Take two tablets be- three times before she finally passed. 8.
fore meals. to accept something 쑗 If they offer you
table tennis /teb(ə)l tens/ noun a the job, take it immediately. 9. to do cer-
table tennis
game similar to tennis, but played on a tain actions 쑗 We took our holiday in
large table with a net across the centre, September this year. 쑗 She’s taking a
with small round bats and a very light shower after going to the beach. 쑗 She
white ball took a photograph or took a picture of
the Tower of London. 쑗 She needs to
tackle /tk(ə)l/ verb 1. to try to deal
tackle
with a problem or job 쑗 You can’t tackle take a rest. 10. to need a certain amount
of time or number of people 쑗 It took
a job like changing the central heating
system on your own. 쑗 You start clean- three strong men to move the piano. 쑗
ing the dining room and I’ll tackle the They took two days or it took them two
washing up. 2. (in football, etc.) to try to days to get to London. 쑗 When he wants
get the ball from an opposing player 쑗 to watch a TV programme it never seems
He was tackled before he could score. 쐽 to take him long to finish his homework.
(NOTE: takes – taking – took /tυk/ –
noun equipment 쑗 He brought his fish-
taken /tek(ə)n/)
ing tackle with him.
tail /tel/ noun 1. a long thin part at the
tail
take away phrasal verb 1. to remove
end of the body of an animal or bird, something or someone 쑗 Take those
which can move 쑗 All you could see was scissors away from little Nicky – he
a slight movement of the cat’s tail. 쑗 could cut himself. 쑗 The ambulance
The dog rushed up to him, wagging its came and took her away. 쑗 The police
tail. 2. an end or back part of something took away piles of documents from the
쑗 The tail of the queue stretched round office. 2. to subtract one number from
the corner and into the next street. 쑗 I another (NOTE: Take away is usually
prefer to sit near the tail of the aircraft. shown by the sign – : 10 – 4 = 6: say
take /tek/ verb 1. to lift and move some-
take
‘ten take away four equals six’.)
thing 쑗 She took the pot of jam down take off phrasal verb 1. to remove
from the shelf. 쑗 The waiter took the ta- something, especially your clothes 쑗 He
blecloth off the table. 2. to carry some- took off all his clothes or he took all his
thing to another place 쑗 Can you take clothes off. 쑗 Take your dirty boots off
this cheque to the bank for me, please? before you come into the kitchen. 쒁 hat
takeaway 322 tape

talkative /tɔ
kətv/ adjective liking to
talkative
2. to make an amount smaller 쑗 He took

£25 off the price. 3. (of a plane) to leave talk a lot, or sometimes too much
the ground 쑗 The plane took off at 4.30. tall /tɔ
l/ adjective high, usually higher
tall
take over phrasal verb 1. to start to do than normal 쑗 the tallest building in
something in place of someone else 쑗 London 쑗 Can you see those tall trees
Miss Black took over from Mr Jones on over there? 쑗 He’s the tallest boy in his
May 1st. 쑗 When our history teacher class. 쑗 How tall are you? – I’m 1 metre
was ill, the English teacher had to take 68 centimetres. 쑗 His brother is over six
over his classes. 쑗 The Socialists took feet tall. (NOTE: taller – tallest. Tall is
over from the Conservatives. 2. to buy a used with people and thin things like
business by buying most of its shares 쑗 trees or skyscrapers; for things which
The company was taken over by a big are a long way above the ground use
group last month. high: high clouds, a high mountain.)
tame /tem/ adjective a tame animal can
tame
take up phrasal verb 1. to fill a space

or time 쑗 This settee takes up too much live with people because it is no longer
room. 쑗 Being in charge of the staff wild 쑗 Don’t be afraid of that fox – he’s
sports club takes up too much of my perfectly tame.
tan /tn/ noun a brownish-yellow colour
tan
time. 2. to remove something which was

on a floor or other low surface 쑗 You of the skin after being in the sun 쑗 She
will need to take up the rugs if you want got a tan from spending each day on the
to polish the floor. beach. 쐽 verb to get brown from being
takeaway /tekəwe/ noun a shop
takeaway
in the sun 쑗 She tans easily – just half an
where you can buy cooked food to eat hour in the sun and she’s quite brown.
somewhere else 쑗 There’s an Indian (NOTE: tans – tanning – tanned)
tank /tŋk/ noun 1. a large container for
tank
takeaway round the corner. 쑗 We had a

Chinese takeaway. 쐽 noun, adjective a liquids 쑗 How much oil is left in the
hot meal that you buy in a shop and eat tank? 2. an army vehicle which is cov-
somewhere else 쑗 We had a takeaway ered in strong metal, has tracks instead
Chinese meal. of wheels and has powerful guns 쑗
taken /tekən/ past participle of take
taken
Tanks rolled along the main streets of
the town.
tale /tel/ noun a story (literary) 쑗 A tale
tale
tap /tp/ noun an object which you turn

tap
of princesses and wicked fairies. in order to let liquid or gas come out of
talent /tlənt/ noun an ability or skill 쑗
talent
a pipe 쑗 He washed his hands under the

Her many talents include singing and tap in the kitchen. 쐽 verb to hit some-
playing the piano. thing gently 쑗 She tapped him on the
talented /tləntd/ adjective with a lot
talented
knee with her finger. 쑗 A policeman
of talent tapped him on the shoulder and arrested
him. (NOTE: taps – tapping – tapped)
talk /tɔ
k/ verb to say things
talk
쑗 I didn’t
tape /tep/ noun 1. a long narrow piece of
tape
understand what he was talking about.

cloth or plastic 쑗 She stitched tape
쑗 We must talk to the neighbours about
along the bottom of the sleeves to stop it
their noisy dog – it kept me awake again
fraying. 2. 왍 magnetic tape special
last night. 쐽 noun 1. a conversation or a
plastic tape on which sounds and pic-
discussion 쑗 We had a little talk, and
tures can be recorded, also used for re-
she agreed with what the committee had
cording computer data 쐽 verb 1. to
decided. 쑗 I had a long talk with my fa-
record something on tape or on video 쑗
ther about what I should study at uni-
The whole conversation was taped by
versity. 2. a lecture about a subject 쑗 He
the police. 쑗 I didn’t see the programme
gave a short talk about the history of the
because I was at work, but I’ve taped it.
town.
2. to attach something with sticky tape
talk over phrasal verb to discuss some- 쑗 She taped up the box before taking it
thing to the post office.
target 323 tear

target /tɑ
't/ noun 1. an object which two teas and two cakes, please? 3. the
target
you aim at, e.g. with a gun 쑗 His last dried leaves of a tropical plant used to
shot missed the target altogether. 쑗 She make a warm drink 쑗 We’ve run out of
hit the target three times in all. 2. some- tea, can you put it on your shopping
thing which you intend to achieve list? 4. a meal eaten in the late afternoon
task /tɑ
sk/ noun something, especially a
task
or early evening 쑗 The children have
piece of work, that has to be done 쑗 He had their tea.
teach /ti
tʃ/ verb to show someone how
teach
had the unpleasant task of telling his

mother about it. to do something 쑗 She taught me how to
taste /test/ noun 1. the sense on your
taste
dance. 쑗 He teaches maths in the local
tongue that allows you to be aware of school. (NOTE: teaches – teaching –
the flavour of something when you put taught /tɔ
t/)
teacher /ti
tʃə/ noun a person who
teacher
it in your mouth 쑗 I’ve got a cold, so

I’ve lost all sense of taste. 2. a flavour of teaches, especially in a school 쑗 Mr
something that you eat or drink 쑗 The Jones is our maths teacher. 쑗 The
pudding has a funny or strange taste. 쑗 French teacher is ill today. 쑗 He trained
Do you like the taste of garlic? 쑗 This as a primary school teacher. 쒁 pet
milk shake has no taste at all. 쐽 verb 1. teaching /ti
tʃŋ/ noun the work of be-
teaching
to notice the taste of something with ing a teacher or of giving lessons 쑗 The
your tongue 쑗 Can you taste the onions report praised the high standard of
in this soup? 쑗 She’s got a cold so she teaching at the college. 쑗 He was work-
can’t taste anything. 2. to have a certain ing in a bank, but has decided to go into
flavour 쑗 This cake tastes of soap. 쑗 teaching instead.
What is this green stuff? – It tastes like team /ti
m/ noun 1. a group of people
team
cabbage. 쑗 The pudding tastes very who play a game together 쑗 There are
good. 3. to try food or drink to see if you eleven people in a football team and fif-
like it 쑗 Would you like to taste the teen in a rugby team. 쑗 He’s a fan of the
wine? 쑗 She asked if she could taste the local football team. 쑗 Our college team
cheese before buying it. played badly last Saturday. 2. a group of
tasty /testi/ adjective with a pleasant
tasty
people who work together 쑗 They make

taste (NOTE: tastier – tastiest) a very effective team. 쑗 In this job you
taught /tɔ
taught
have to be able to work as a member of

ple of teach a team.
tax /tks/ noun money taken by the gov- teapot /ti
pɒt/ noun a container which
tax teapot
ernment to pay for government services is used for making tea in

쑗 The government is planning to intro- tear1 /tə/ noun a drop of salt water
tear
duce a tax on food. 쑗 You must pay your which forms in your eye when you cry
tax on the correct date. 쑗 The newspa- 쑗 Tears were running down her cheeks.
per headline says ‘TAXES TO GO UP’. 왍 in tears crying 쑗 All the family were
taxi /tksi/ noun a car which you can in tears. 왍 to burst into tears to sud-
taxi
hire with a driver 쑗 Can you call a taxi denly start crying
to take me to the airport? 쑗 Why aren’t tear2 /teə/ verb 1. to make a hole in
tear
there any taxis at the station today? 쑗 something by pulling 쑗 He tore his trou-
There are no buses on Sunday after- sers climbing over the fence. 쑗 My coat
noons, so we had to take a taxi to the is torn – can it be mended? 2. to pull
party. (NOTE: also often called a cab something into small pieces 쑗 He tore
and sometimes taxicab) the letter in half. 쑗 She tore up old news-
tea /ti
/ noun 1. a drink made from hot
tea
papers to pack the cups and saucers.

water which has been poured onto the (NOTE: tears – tearing – tore /tɔ
/ –
dried leaves of a tropical plant 쑗 Can I torn /tɔ
n/) 쐽 noun a place where
have another cup of tea or some more something has a hole in it from being
tea? 쑗 I don’t like tea – can I have coffee torn 쑗 Can you mend the tear in my
instead? 2. a cup of tea 쑗 Can we have jeans?
tease 324 temple

tease /ti
z/ verb to say or do something clearly. 쑗 He watched the stars using a
tease
to annoy someone on purpose 쑗 He telescope in his back garden.

teased her about her new haircut. 쑗 television /telv"(ə)n/ noun 1. sound
television
Stop teasing that poor cat. and pictures which are sent through the
teaspoon /ti
spu
n/ noun a small air or along cables and appear on a spe-
teaspoon
spoon for stirring tea or other liquid 쑗 cial machine 쑗 television programmes
Can you bring me a teaspoon, please? 쑗 We don’t watch television every night.
technical /teknk(ə)l/ adjective relat-
technical
쑗 Is there any football on television to-
ing to industrial processes or practical night? 2. a piece of electrical equipment
work 쑗 Don’t bother with the technical which shows television pictures 쑗 I
details of how the machine works, just switched off the television before going
tell me what it does. 쑗 The instructions to bed. (NOTE: Television is often writ-
are too technical for the ordinary per- ten or spoken as TV /ti
vi
/.)
tell /tel/ verb 1. to communicate some-
tell
son to understand.
technique /tekni
k/ noun a way of do-
technique

thing to someone, e.g. a story or a joke
ing something 쑗 He developed a new 쑗 She told me a long story about how
technique for processing steel. 쑗 She she got lost in London. 쑗 I don’t think
has a specially effective technique for they are telling the truth. 2. to give in-
dealing with complaints from custom- formation to someone 쑗 The policeman
ers. told them how to get to the post office. 쑗
He told the police that he had seen the
technology /teknɒləd"i/ noun the use
technology

accident take place. 쑗 Don’t tell my
or study of industrial or scientific skills mother you saw me at the pub. 쑗 No-
쑗 We already have the technology to
body told us about the picnic. 3. 왍 to tell
produce such a machine. 쑗 The govern- someone what to do to give someone
ment has promised increased support instructions 쑗 The teacher told the chil-
for science and technology. dren to stand in a line. 쑗 Give a shout to
teenager /ti
ned"ə/ noun a young per-
teenager
tell us when to start. 4. to notice some-

son aged between 13 and 19 쑗 She thing 쑗 He can’t tell the difference be-
writes stories for teenagers. tween butter and margarine. 쑗 You can
teeshirt /ti
ʃ
t/, T-shirt noun a light tell he is embarrassed when his face
teeshirt
shirt with a round neck and no buttons goes red. (NOTE: tells – telling – told
or collar, usually with short sleeves /təυld/)
teeth /ti
θ/ plural of tooth temper /tempə/ noun the state of be-
temper
teeth
telephone /telfəυn/ noun a machine

telephone
coming angry 쑗 You have to learn to
which you use to speak to someone who control your temper. 쑗 He has a violent
is some distance away 쑗 I was in the temper. 쑗 She got into a temper.
temperature /temprtʃə/ noun 1. heat
temperature
garden when you called, but by the time

I got to the house the telephone had measured in degrees 쑗 The temperature
stopped ringing. 쑗 She lifted the tele- of water in the swimming pool is 25°. 쑗
phone and called the ambulance. 쐽 verb Temperatures in the Arctic can be very
to call someone using a telephone 쑗 low. 쑗 I can’t start the car when the tem-
Your wife telephoned when you were perature is below zero. 쑗 Put the ther-
out. 쑗 Can you telephone me at ten mometer in the patient’s mouth – I want
o’clock tomorrow evening? 쑗 I need to to take her temperature. 2. an illness
telephone our office in New York. (NOTE: where your body is hotter than normal 쑗
Telephone is often shortened to She’s off work with a temperature. 쑗
phone: phone call, phone book.) The doctor says he’s got a temperature
telescope /telskəυp/ noun a piece of
telescope
and has to stay in bed.
temple /tempəl/ noun a building for
temple
equipment for looking at objects which

are very far away, consisting of a long worship, usually Hindu or Buddhist, or
tube with a series of lenses in it 쑗 With ancient Greek or Roman 쑗 We visited
a telescope you can see the ships very the Greek temples on the islands.
temporarily 325 terrific

temporarily /temp(ə)rerəli/ adverb hall was tense as everyone waited for
temporarily
for a short time only the result of the vote. 쐽 noun the form of
temporary /temp(ə)rəri/ adjective ex-
temporary
a verb which shows the time when the
isting or lasting only for a limited time action takes place
tension /tenʃən/ noun 1. nervous or
tension
쑗 She has a temporary job with a con-

struction company. 쑗 This arrangement worried feelings 쑗 Tension built up as
is only temporary. we waited for the result. 2. feelings of
tempt /tempt/ verb to try to persuade
tempt
anger or hate between countries or races
쑗 There is tension in the area caused by
someone to do something, especially
something pleasant or wrong 쑗 Can I fighting between tribes. 3. the state of
tempt you to have another cream cake? being tight 쑗 You need to adjust the ten-
쑗 They tried to tempt him to leave his
sion in your tennis racket.
tent /tent/ noun a shelter made of cloth,
tent
job and work for them.

ten /ten/ noun the number 10 쑗 In the
ten
held up by poles and attached to the
market they’re selling ten oranges for ground with ropes
tenth /tenθ/ adjective number 10 in a se-
tenth
two dollars. 쑗 She’s ten (years old) next

week. 쑗 The next plane for Paris leaves ries 쑗 That’s the tenth phone call I’ve
at 10 (o’clock) in the evening. had this morning. 쑗 She came tenth in a
tend /tend/ verb 1. to look after some-
tend
national competition. 쐽 noun the thing
thing 쑗 His job is to tend the flower beds that is number 10 in a series 쑗 the tenth
in front of the town hall. 2. 왍 to tend to of April or April the tenth (April 10th)
term /t
m/ noun 1. one of the parts of a
term
do something to be likely to do some-

thing 쑗 She tends to lose her temper school or university year 쑗 The autumn
very easily. term ends on December 15th. 쑗 Next
tendency /tendənsi/ noun the way in
tendency
term I’ll be starting to learn the piano.
which someone or something is likely to 2. a word or phrase which has a particu-
act 쑗 The photocopier has a tendency to lar meaning 쑗 He used several technical
break down if you try to do too many terms which I didn’t understand. 쑗
copies at the same time. 쑗 He has an un- Some people use ‘darling’ as a term of
fortunate tendency to sit in a corner and affection.
terminal /t
mn(ə)l/ noun a building at
terminal
go to sleep at parties.
tender /tendə/ adjective 1. (of food )
tender
an airport where planes arrive or leave 쑗
easy to cut or chew 쑗 a plate of tender The flight leaves from Terminal 4. 쐽 ad-
young beans 쑗 The meat was so tender, jective referring to the last period of a
you hardly needed a knife to cut it. 2. serious illness that will lead to death 쑗
showing love 쑗 The plants need a lot of The condition is terminal.
terrace /terəs/ noun 1. a flat outdoor
terrace
tender loving care. 3. painful when

touched area which is raised above another area
tennis /tens/ noun a game for two or
tennis
쑗 The guests had drinks on the terrace
four players who use rackets to hit a ball before going in to dinner. 2. a row of
over a net 쑗 He’s joined the local tennis similar houses connected together
terrible /terb(ə)l/ adjective very bad 쑗
terrible
club. 쑗 Would you like a game of tennis?

tenor /tenə/ adjective with a high pitch,
tenor
We shouldn’t have come to this party –
similar to that of a tenor 쑗 He plays the the music’s terrible. 쑗 There was a ter-
tenor saxophone. 쑗 He has a pleasant rible storm last night.
terribly /terbli/ adverb 1. very 쑗 I’m
terribly
tenor voice. Compare bass 쐽 noun a

man who sings with the highest male terribly sorry to have kept you waiting.
voice 쑗 The tenors start the song, fol- 쑗 The situation is terribly serious. 2. in
lowed by the sopranos. a very bad way 쑗 The farmers suffered
tense /tens/ adjective nervous and wor-
tense
terribly from drought.
terrific /tərfk/ adjective 1. extremely
terrific
ried 쑗 I always get tense before going to
an interview. 쑗 The atmosphere in the good 쑗 We had a terrific time at the par-
terrify 326 that

ty. 2. very big or loud 쑗 There was a ter- than /ðən, ðn/ conjunction used to
than
rific bang and the whole building col- show a comparison 쑗 It’s hotter this
lapsed. week than it was last week. 쐽 preposi-
terrify /terfa/ verb to make someone
terrify
tion used to link two parts of a compari-
very frightened 쑗 The sound of thunder son 쑗 His car is bigger than mine. 쑗 She
terrifies me. (NOTE: terrifies – terrify- was born in London, so she knows it bet-
ing – terrified) ter than any other town. 쑗 You can’t get
more than four people into this lift. 쑗
territory /tert(ə)ri/ noun 1. a large area
territory
It’s less than five kilometres to the near-

of land 쑗 They occupied all the territory est station.
on the east bank of the river. 2. land
thank /θŋk/ verb to say or do some-
thank
which belongs to a country 쑗 A group of

thing that shows you are grateful to
soldiers had wandered into enemy terri-
tory. 3. an area which an animal or bird someone for doing something for you 쑗
thinks belongs only to it 쑗 Animals of- She thanked the policeman for helping
ten fight to defend their territories. her to cross the street. 쑗 Don’t forget to
thank Aunt Ann for her present.
(NOTE: The plural is territories.)
thanks /θŋks/ noun a word showing
thanks
terror /terə/ noun great fear 쑗 They live

terror
that you are grateful 쑗 We sent our

in constant terror of terrorist attacks. thanks for the gift. 쑗 We did our best to
terrorist /terərst/ noun a person who
terrorist
help but got no thanks for it. 쑗 The com-

practises terrorism 쑗 Terrorists hijacked mittee passed a vote of thanks to the
a plane and told the pilot to fly to Rome. school for having organised the meet-
쐽 adjective referring to terrorism 쑗 Ter- ing. 쑗 Many thanks for your letter of the
rorist attacks have increased over the 15th. 쐽 interjection used to show you
last few weeks. are grateful 쑗 Do you want some more
tea? – No thanks. I’ve had two cups al-
test /test/ noun 1. an examination to see
test
ready. 쑗 Anyone want a lift to the sta-

if you know something 쑗 We had an
tion? – Thanks, it’s a long walk from
English test yesterday. 쑗 She passed her
here.
driving test. 2. an examination to see if
thanks to /θŋks tu
/ preposition used
thanks to
something is working well 쑗 The doctor

will have to do a blood test. 쑗 It is a for saying that someone or something is
good test of the car’s ability to brake responsible for something or to blame
fast. 쐽 verb 1. to find out how well for something
thank you /θŋk ju
/ interjection
thank you
someone can do something or how well

someone knows something 쑗 The showing that you are grateful 쑗 Thank
teacher tested my spoken German. 2. to you very much for your letter of the
examine someone or something to see if 15th. 쑗 Did you remember to say thank
everything is working well 쑗 We need to you to your grandmother for the
test your reactions to noise and bright present? 쑗 Would you like another piece
lights. 쑗 He has to have his eyes tested. of cake? – No thank you, I’ve had
쑗 She tested her new car in the snow. enough. 쐽 noun something that you do
text /tekst/ noun the written parts of a
text
or say to show you are grateful 쑗 Let’s
document or book, not the pictures 쑗 say a big thank you to the people who
It’s a book for little children, with lots of organised the show.
that /ðt/ adjective used to show some-
that
pictures and very little text.

thing or someone that is further away or
textbook /tekstbυk/ noun a book
textbook
in the past 쑗 Can you see that white

which students use to learn about the house on the corner over there? 쑗 Do
subject they are studying you remember the name of that awful
text message /tekst mesd"/ noun a
text message
hotel in Brighton? Compare this (NOTE:

message sent by telephone, using short The plural is those.) 쐽 pronoun some-
forms of words, which appear on the thing or someone that is further away 쑗
screen of a mobile phone That’s the book I was talking about. 쑗
thaw 327 then

Do you know who that is sitting at the for referring to a thing in general 쑗
next table? 쑗 Is that the one? – Yes, There’s nothing interesting on the tele-
that’s it. Compare this 쐽 relative provision tonight. 쑗 She refuses to use the
noun used to give more information telephone. 쑗 The streets are crowded at
about someone or something just men- lunchtime. 쑗 Both sisters play the flute.
tioned 쑗 Where is the parcel that she 4. meaning something special 쑗 It’s the
sent you yesterday? 쑗 Can you see the shop for men’s clothes. 쑗 She’s the doc-
man that sold you the ticket? 쑗 There’s tor for children’s diseases. 쑗 That’s not
the suitcase that you left on the train! the Charlie Chaplin, is it? 5. used to
(NOTE: When it is the object of a rela- compare 쑗 The more he eats the thinner
tive clause, that can sometimes be left he seems to get. 쑗 The sooner you do it
out: Where’s the letter he sent you? the better. 쑗 This is by far the shortest
Here’s the box you left in the bedroom. way to London. 쑗 She’s the tallest per-
When it is the subject, that can be re- son in the office.
placed by which or who: a house that theater /θətə/ noun US spelling of the-
theater
has red windows or a house which has atre

red windows; the man that stole the
theatre /θətə/ noun a building in which
theatre
car or the man who stole the car.) 쐽

conjunction used after verbs like ‘say’ plays are shown 쑗 I’m trying to get tick-
or ‘think’ and adjectives like ‘glad’ or ets for the theatre tonight. 쑗 What is the
‘disappointed’, and after ‘so’ or ‘such’ play at the local theatre this week? 쑗
쑗 The restaurant was so expensive that We’ll have dinner early and then go to
we could only afford one dish. 쑗 It the theatre.
their /ðeə/ adjective belonging to them 쑗
their
rained so hard that the street was like a

river. 쑗 We had such a lot of work that After the film, we went to their house for
we didn’t have any lunch. 쑗 There was supper. (NOTE: Do not confuse with
such a long queue that we didn’t bother there, they’re.)
waiting. 쑗 They told me that the manag- theirs /ðeəz/ pronoun the one that be-
theirs
er was out. 쑗 I don’t think they knew longs to them 쑗 Which car is theirs – the
that we were coming. 쑗 I’m glad that the Ford? 쑗 She’s a friend of theirs. 쑗 The
weather turned out fine. (NOTE: That is girls wanted to borrow my car – theirs
often left out: He didn’t know we were wouldn’t start.
coming; It’s so hot in here we all want
them /ðəm, ðem/ pronoun 1. referring to
them
a drink of water.) 쐽 adverb to such a de-

gree 쑗 You must remember him, it’s not people or things that have been men-
all that long ago that we had a drink tioned before 쑗 Do you like cream
with him. 쑗 His new car is not really cakes? – No, I don’t like them very
that big. much. 쑗 There’s a group of people wait-
ing outside. – Tell them to come in. 쑗
thaw /θɔ
/ noun a time of warm weather
thaw
She saw her friends and asked them to

which makes snow and ice melt 쑗 The help her. 2. referring to a single person,
thaw came early this year. 쐽 verb to used instead of him or her 쑗 If someone
melt 쑗 The ice is thawing on the village phones, ask them to call back later.
pond.
theme /θi
m/ noun the main subject of a
theme
the /ðə/; before a vowel /ð/ article 1.

the
book or article 쑗 The theme of the book

meaning something in particular, as op- is how to deal with illness in the family.
posed to ‘a’ 쑗 Where’s the book you
themselves /ðəmselvz/ pronoun re-
themselves
brought back from the library? 쑗 That’s
the cat from next door. 쑗 The town cen- ferring to the same people or things that
tre has been made into a pedestrian are the subject of the verb 쑗 Cats always
zone. 2. used with something of which spend a lot of time cleaning themselves.
only one exists, e.g. in the names of 쑗 It’s no use going to the surgery – the
places 쑗 an expedition to the Antarctic doctors are all ill themselves.
then /ðen/ adverb 1. at that time in the
then
쑗 A spacecraft landed on the moon. 쑗

The sun came up over the hills. 3. used past or future 쑗 He had been very busy
theory 328 think

up till then. 쑗 Ever since then I’ve reform? – They’re traffic wardens. 쑗 The
fused to eat oysters. 쑗 We’re having a children played in the sun and they all
party next week. – What a pity! I’ll be in got sunburnt. 2. referring to people in
Scotland then. 2. after that 쑗 We all sat general 쑗 They say it’s going to be fine
down, and then after a few minutes the this weekend. (NOTE: When it is the ob-
waiter brought us the menu. 쑗 It was a ject, them is used instead of they: We
busy trip – he went to Greece, then to It- gave it to them; The police beat them
aly and finally to Spain. with sticks; also when it follows the
theory /θəri/ noun 1. an explanation of
theory
verb to be: Who’s that? – It’s them!)
they’re /ðeə/ short form they are (NOTE:
they’re
something which has not been proved

but which you believe is true 쑗 I have a Do not confuse with their, there.)
theory which explains why the police thick /θk/ adjective 1. bigger than usual
thick
never found the murder weapon. 2. a when measured from side to side 쑗 He
careful scientific explanation of why cut a slice of bread which was so thick it
something happens 쑗 Galileo put for- wouldn’t go into the toaster. 쑗 The walls
ward the theory that the earth turns of the castle are three metres thick. 쑗
round the sun. 3. a statement of general Some oranges have very thick skins. 쑗
principles which may not apply in prac- He took a piece of thick rope. 2. growing
tice 쑗 In theory the treatment should close together 쑗 They tried to make their
work, but no one has ever tried it. way through thick jungle. 쑗 The field
(NOTE: The plural is theories.) was covered with thick grass. 3. (of a
there /ðeə/ adverb 1. in that place liquid ) which cannot flow easily 쑗 If the
there
쑗 Is
that black van still there parked outside paint is too thick add some water. 쑗 A
the house? 쑗 Where have you put the bowl of thick soup is just what we need
tea? – There, on the kitchen counter. 2. on a cold day like this.
to that place 쑗 We haven’t been to the thief /θi
f/ noun a person who steals
thief
British Museum yet. – Let’s go there to- (NOTE: The plural is thieves /θi
vz/.)
morrow. 쑗 Have you ever been to Chi- thigh /θa/ noun the part at the top of the
thigh
na? – Yes, I went there last month. 3. leg between your knee and your hip
used when giving something to some-
thin /θn/ adjective 1. not fat 쑗 The table
thin
one 쑗 There you are: two fish and chips

and a pot of tea. (NOTE: Do not confuse has very thin legs. 쑗 He looks too thin –
with their, they’re.) 쐽 pronoun used he should eat more. 2. not thick 쑗 a
usually before the verb when the real plate of thin sandwiches 쑗 The book is
subject follows the verb 쑗 There’s a lit- printed on very thin paper. 쑗 The parcel
tle door leading onto the patio. 쑗 was sent in a thin cardboard box. 3. (of
There’s someone at the door asking for a liquid ) which flows easily, often be-
you. 쑗 There are some pages missing in cause of containing too much water 쑗
my newspaper. 쑗 Were there a lot of All we had for lunch was a bowl of thin
people at the cinema? 쑗 There seems to soup. 쑗 Add water to make the paint
have been a lot of rain during the night. thinner.
thing /θŋ/ noun 1. an object 쑗 Can you
thing
therefore /ðeəfɔ
/ adverb for this rea-
therefore
son 쑗 I therefore have decided not to see that black thing in the pan of soup?
쑗 What do you use that big blue thing
grant his request. 쑗 They have reduced
their prices, therefore we should reduce for? 2. something in general 쑗 They all
ours if we want to stay competitive. just sat there and didn’t say a thing. 쑗
The first thing to do is to call an ambu-
thermometer /θəmɒmtə/ noun an in-
thermometer

lance. 쑗 That was a stupid thing to do!
strument for measuring temperature
think /θŋk/ verb 1. to consider some-
think
these /ði
z/ plural of this
these
thing 쑗 We never think about what peo-

they /ðe/ pronoun 1. referring to people
they
ple might say, we always do what we

or things 쑗 Where do you keep the think is right. 2. to have an opinion 쑗 I
spoons? – They’re in the right-hand think London is a nicer town to live in
drawer. 쑗 Who are those people in uni- than Frankfurt. 쑗 Everyone thinks we’re
third 329 those

mad to go on holiday in December. 쑗 can drive a car. 쑗 She’ll be thirteen next
The weather forecasters think it’s going Monday.
to rain. 쑗 The gang is thought to be thirteenth /θ
ti
nθ/ adjective number
thirteenth
based in Spain. 3. to make a plan to do 13 in a series 쑗 It’s her thirteenth birth-

something 쑗 We’re thinking we might day on Monday. 쐽 noun the thing that is
open an office in New York. (NOTE: number 13 in a series 쑗 The thirteenth
thinks – thinking – thought /θɔ
t/) 앳 of September or September the thir-
to think twice to consider very careful- teenth (September 13th).
ly 쑗 Think twice before you sign that
thirtieth /θ
təθ/ adjective number 30
thirtieth
contract. 쑗 I’d think twice about spend-

ing all the money you’ve saved. in a series 쑗 her thirtieth birthday
(NOTE: With dates thirtieth is usually
think about phrasal verb 1. to have
written 30th: May 30th, 1921; June
someone or something in your mind 쑗 I 30th, 1896 (American style is June 30,
was just thinking about you when you 1896): say ‘the thirtieth of June’ or
phoned. 쑗 All she thinks about is food. ‘June the thirtieth’ (American style is
2. to have an opinion about something 쑗 ‘June thirtieth’).) 쐽 noun the thing that
What do you think about the govern- is number 30 in a series
ment’s plans to increase taxes?
thirty /θ
ti/ noun the number 30 쑗 He’s
thirty
think of phrasal verb 1. to consider a

thirty (years old). 쑗 Over thirty people
plan in your mind 쑗 We are thinking of
complained. 왍 they are both in their
going to Greece on holiday. 2. to have
thirties they are both aged between 30
an opinion about something 쑗 What do and 39 years old 왍 the (nineteen-) thir-
you think of the government’s plans to ties (1930s) the period from 1930 to
increase taxes? 쑗 I didn’t think much of 1939
the play. 쑗 She asked him what he
this /ðs/ adjective, pronoun used to
this
thought of her idea. 앳 to think better

of something to change your mind show something which is nearer or in
about something 쑗 He was going to pay the present, in contrast to something
the whole cost himself, and then thought else 쑗 This is the shop I was telling you
better of it. about. 쑗 I prefer these earrings to those
ones. 쑗 I saw him on the train this morn-
think up phrasal verb to invent a plan
ing. 쑗 My mother is coming for tea this
or new idea afternoon. 쑗 I expect to hear from him
third /θ
d/ adjective 1. number 3 in a se-
third
this week. (NOTE: The plural is these.)

ries 쑗 She came third in the race. 쑗 The 쐽 adverb so much 쑗 I knew you were
cake shop is the third shop on the right. going to be late, but I didn’t expect you
쑗 It will be her third birthday next Fri- to be this late.
day. 2. next after the longest, best, tall-
thorn /θɔ
n/ noun a thin pointed part on
thorn
est etc. (followed by a superlative) 쑗

This is the third tallest building in the some plants 쑗 Most roses have thorns.
thorough /θrə/ adjective 1. dealing
thorough
world. 쑗 He’s the third most senior

member of staff. 쐽 noun 1. the thing that with everything very carefully 쑗 The
is number three in a series 쑗 Her birth- police have carried out a thorough
day is on the third of March or March search of the woods. 2. used for empha-
the third (March 3rd). 2. one of three sis 쑗 They made a thorough mess of it.
equal parts of something 쑗 A third of the 쑗 It was a thorough waste of time.
airline’s planes are jumbos. 쑗 Two- thoroughly /θrəli/ adverb 1. in a
thoroughly
thirds of the staff are part-timers. complete and careful way 쑗 We

thirsty /θ
sti/ adjective feeling that
thirsty
searched the garden thoroughly but

you want to drink 쑗 It’s so hot here that couldn’t find his red ball. 2. used for
it makes me thirsty. emphasis 쑗 I’m thoroughly fed up with
thirteen /θ
ti
thirteen

the whole business.
those /ðəυz/ plural of that
those
쑗 He’s only thirteen (years old), but he

though 330 throughout

though /ðəυ/ adverb, conjunction 1. threaten /θret(ə)n/ verb to warn that
though threaten
used for mentioning something that you are going to do something unpleas-
makes something else seem surprising ant, especially if someone does not do
쑗 Though tired, she still kept on run- what you want 쑗 She threatened to go to
ning. 쑗 We don’t employ a computer the police. 쑗 The teacher threatened her
programmer, though many companies with punishment.
do. 2. but 쑗 It is unlikely though possi- threatening /θret(ə)nŋ/ adjective
threatening
ble. 앳 as though as if 쑗 His voice suggesting that something unpleasant

sounded strange over the telephone, as will happen
though he was standing in a cave. 쑗
three /θri
/ noun the number 3 쑗 She’s
three
That shirt doesn’t look as though it has

been ironed. 쑗 It looks as though there only three (years old), so she can’t read
is no one in. yet. 쑗 Come and see me at three
(o’clock). 쑗 Three men walked into the
thought /θɔ
t/ past tense and past parti-
thought
bank and pulled out guns. (NOTE: three

ciple of think 쐽 noun an idea which you (3) but third (3rd))
have when thinking 쑗 He had an awful
threw /θru
/ past tense of throw (NOTE:
threw
thought – suppose they had left the bath-

room taps running? Do not confuse with through.)
thrill /θrl/ noun a feeling of great excite-
thrill
thoughtful /θɔ
tf(ə)l/ adjective 1.
thoughtful
ment 쑗 It gave me a thrill to see you all

thinking about something a lot 쑗 He
again after so many years. 쑗 I experi-
looked thoughtful, and I wondered if
enced the thrill of sailing near to a wa-
there was something wrong. 2. being
terfall. 쐽 verb to make someone very
sensitive to what other people want 쑗 It
excited 쑗 We were thrilled to get your
was very thoughtful of you to come to
letter.
see me in hospital.
thrilling /θrlŋ/ adjective which makes
thrilling
thousand /θaυz(ə)nd/ noun the

thousand
you very excited

number 1,000 쑗 We paid two hundred
throat /θrəυt/ noun 1. the tube which
throat
thousand pounds for the house

(£200,000). 쑗 Thousands of people had goes from the back of your mouth down
their holidays spoilt by the storm. the inside of your neck 쑗 I’ve got a sore
throat. 쑗 She got a fish bone stuck in her
thousandth /θaυzənθ/ adjective
thousandth
throat. 2. your neck, especially the front

number 1,000 in a series 쑗 The tourist part 쑗 He put his hands round her throat
office gave a prize to their thousandth and pressed hard.
visitor.
through /θru
/ preposition 1. across to
through
thrash /θrʃ/ verb to defeat another per-

thrash
the inside of something 쑗 The bullet

son or team easily (informal ) 쑗 She ex- went straight through the door. 쑗 She
pects to be thrashed by the champion. looked through the open door. 쑗 Cold
thread /θred/ noun a long piece of cot-
thread
air is coming in through the hole in the

ton, silk, or other fibre 쑗 A spider spins wall. 쑗 The street goes straight through
a thread to make its web. 쑗 Wait a mo- the centre of the town. 쑗 She pushed the
ment, there’s a white thread showing on needle through the ball of wool. 2. dur-
your coat. ing a period of time 쑗 They insisted on
threat /θret/ noun a warning to someone
threat
talking all through the film. 쑗 Snow ac-
that you are going to do something un- cumulated through the winter. 쐽 adverb
pleasant, especially if he or she does not going in at one side and coming out of
do what you want 쑗 Her former hus- the other side 쑗 Someone left the gate
band had been making threats against open and all the sheep got through.
throughout /θruaυt/ preposition, ad-
throughout
her and the children. 쑗 The police took
the threat to the Prime Minister very se- verb in all or several parts of 쑗
riously. 쑗 Do you think they will carry Throughout the country floods are caus-
out their threat to bomb the capital if we ing problems on the roads. 쑗 Heavy
don’t surrender? snow fell throughout the night.
throw 331 tickle

throw /θrəυ/ verb to send something tropical storm accompanied by thunder
throw
through the air 쑗 How far can he throw and lightning 쑗 He was woken by the
a cricket ball? 쑗 They were throwing sound of thunder. 쐽 verb to make a loud
stones through car windows. 쑗 She noise in the air following lightning 쑗 It
threw the letter into the wastepaper bas- thundered during the night.
ket. 쑗 He was thrown into the air by the thunderstorm /θndəstɔ
m/ noun a
thunderstorm
blast from the bomb. (NOTE: throws – storm with rain, thunder and lightning
throwing – threw /θru
/ – thrown Thursday /θ
zde/ noun the day be-
Thursday
/θrəυn/) tween Wednesday and Friday, the fourth

throw away phrasal verb to get rid of day of the week 쑗 Last Thursday was
something which you do not need any Christmas Day. 쑗 Shall we arrange to
more meet next Thursday? 쑗 Today is Thurs-
throw out phrasal verb 1. to push day, April 14th. 쑗 The club meets on
someone outside 쑗 When they started to Thursdays or every Thursday. 쑗 The
fight, they were thrown out of the res- 15th is a Wednesday, so the 16th must be
taurant. 2. to get rid of something which a Thursday.
you do not need 쑗 I’m throwing out this thus /ðs/ adverb 1. in this way 쑗 The
thus
old office desk. two pieces fit together thus. 쑗 She is

throw up phrasal verb to let food come only fifteen, and thus cannot vote. 2. as
up from your stomach and out through a result 쑗 She is only fifteen, and thus is
your mouth (informal ) 쑗 The cat threw not able to take part in the over-sixteens
up all over the sofa. competition.
thrust /θrst/ verb to push something
thrust
tick /tk/ noun 1. a sound made every sec-

tick
somewhere suddenly and hard 쑗 He ond by a clock 쑗 The only sound we

thrust the newspaper into his pocket. 쑗 could hear in the room was the tick of
She thrust the documents into her brief- the grandfather clock. 2. a mark written
case. (NOTE: thrusts – thrusting – to show that something is correct 쑗 Put
thrust) 쐽 noun the act of suddenly a tick in the box marked ‘R’. 쐽 verb 1.
pushing something strongly 쑗 He was to mark something with a tick to show
killed with a thrust of his opponent’s that you approve 쑗 Tick the box marked
sword. ‘R’ if you require a receipt. 2. to make a
thud /θd/ noun a dull, heavy noise 쑗 His
thud
quiet regular sound noise like a clock 쑗

head hit the ground with a sickening All you could hear was the clock ticking
thud. 쑗 They could hear the thud of the in the corner of the library. 쑗 Watch out!
guns in the distance. 쐽 verb to make a That parcel’s ticking!
dull noise 쑗 A stone thudded into the ticket /tkt/ noun 1. a piece of paper or
ticket
wall behind him. (NOTE: thuds – thud- card which allows you to travel 쑗 They
ding – thudded) won’t let you get onto the train without
thumb /θm/ noun a part on the side of
thumb
a ticket. 쑗 We’ve lost our plane tickets –

your hand that looks like a short thick how can we get to Chicago? 2. a piece
finger 쑗 The baby was sucking its of paper which allows you to go into a
thumb. 쑗 How she cried when she hit place, e.g. a cinema or an exhibition 쑗
her thumb with the hammer! Can I have three tickets for the 8.30
thump /θmp/ noun a dull noise 쑗 There show please? 쑗 We tried several thea-
thump
was a thump from upstairs as if someone tres but there were no tickets left any-
had fallen out of bed. 쐽 verb to hit where.
someone hard with your fist 쑗 He tickle /tk(ə)l/ verb 1. to touch someone
tickle
rushed up to the policeman and started in a sensitive part of the body in order to
thumping him on the chest. 쑗 She make him or her laugh 쑗 She tickled his
thumped him on the back when he toes and made him laugh. 2. to cause a
choked. slight uncomfortable feeling on the skin
thunder /θndə/ noun a loud noise in
thunder
of part of the body, or to have that feel-

the air following a flash of lightning 쑗 a ing
tide 332 time

tide /tad/ noun the regular rising and tilted the barrel over to get the last
tide
falling movement of the sea 쑗 The tide drops of beer out.

came in and cut off the children on the timber /tmbə/ noun wood cut ready for
timber
rocks. 쑗 The tide is out – we can walk building 쑗 These trees are being grown
across the sand. to provide timber for houses. (NOTE: no
tidily /tadli/ adverb in a tidy way plural: for one item say a piece of tim-
tidily
tidy /tadi/ adjective with everything ar-

tidy
ber)
time /tam/ noun 1. a particular point in
time
ranged in the correct way or in an organ-

ised way 쑗 I want your room to be com- the day shown in hours and minutes 쑗
pletely tidy before you go out. 쑗 She put What time is it or what’s the time? 쑗
her clothes in a tidy pile. Can you tell me the time please? 쑗 The
tie /ta/ noun 1. a long piece of coloured
tie
time is exactly four thirty. 쑗 Departure
cloth which men wear round their necks times are delayed by up to fifteen min-
under the collar of their shirts 쑗 He’s utes because of the volume of traffic. 왍
wearing a blue tie with red stripes. 쑗 to tell the time to read the time on a
They won’t let you into the restaurant if clock or watch 쑗 She’s only three so she
you haven’t got a tie on. 2. a result in a can’t tell the time yet. 2. the hour at
competition or election where both which something usually happens 쑗 The
sides have the same score 쑗 The result closing time for the office is 5.30. 쑗 It’s
was a tie and the vote had to be taken must be nearly time for dinner – I’m
again. 쐽 verb 1. to attach something hungry. 쑗 Is it time for the children to go
with string, rope or twine 쑗 The parcel to bed? 3. an amount of hours, days,
was tied with a little piece of string. 쑗 weeks, months or years 쑗 There’s no
He tied his horse to the post. 쑗 The bur- need to hurry – we’ve got plenty of time.
glars tied his hands behind his back. 2. 쑗 Do you have time for a cup of coffee?
to have the same score as another team 쑗 He spent all that time watching the
in a competition 쑗 They tied for second TV. 쑗 If the fire alarm rings, don’t waste
place. (NOTE: ties – tying – tied) time putting clothes on – run out of the
hotel fast. 4. a certain period 쑗 We ha-
tiger /ta'ə/ noun a large wild animal of
tiger
ven’t been to France for a long time. 쑗

the cat family which is yellow with We had a letter from my mother a short
black stripes and lives mainly in India time ago. 5. a particular moment when
and China (NOTE: The female is a ti- something happens 쑗 They didn’t hear
gress.) anything as they were asleep at the time.
tight /tat/ adjective 1. fitting too closely
tight
쑗 By the time the ambulance arrived the

쑗 These shoes hurt – they’re too tight. 2. man had died. 쑗 You can’t do two things
holding firmly 쑗 Keep a tight hold of the at the same time. 6. a period when
bag, we don’t want it stolen. things are pleasant or bad 쑗 Everyone
tighten /tat(ə)n/ verb to make some- had a good time at the party. 쑗 We had
tighten
thing tight, or to become tight an awful time on holiday – the hotel was
tightly /tatli/ adverb in a tight way
tightly
dreadful, and it rained solidly for ten
days. 7. one of several moments or peri-
till /tl/ preposition, conjunction up to the
till
ods when something happens 쑗 I’ve

time when 쑗 I don’t expect him to be seen that film on TV four times already.
home till after nine o’clock. 쑗 They 쑗 That’s the last time I’ll ask them to
worked from morning till night to finish play cards. 쑗 Next time you come, bring
the job. 쑗 We worked till the sun went your swimming things. 8. the rhythm of
down. 쐽 noun a drawer for keeping cash a piece of music 쑗 It’s difficult keeping
in a shop 쑗 There was not much money time in a modern piece like this. 쑗 He
in the till at the end of the day. tapped his foot in time to the music. 쐽
tilt /tlt/ verb 1. to slope 쑗 The shelf is tilt-
tilt
verb to count something in hours, min-

ing to the right. 쑗 You’ll have to change utes and seconds 쑗 I timed him as he ran
places – the boat is tilting. 2. to put round the track. 쑗 Don’t forget to time
something in a sloping position 쑗 He the eggs – they have to cook for only
timetable 333 title

three minutes. 앳 find time /fand tin opener /tn əυp(ə)nə/ noun an ob-
tin opener
tam/ to do something even though you ject used for opening tins of food
are busy 쑗 In the middle of the meeting
tiny /tani/ adjective very small 쑗 Can I
tiny
he still found time to phone his girl-

have just a tiny bit more pudding? 쑗 The
friend. 쑗 We must find time to visit the
spot is so tiny you can hardly see it. 쑗
new staff sports club. 앳 for the time
She lives in a tiny village in the Welsh
being temporarily 쑗 We will leave the
mountains. (NOTE: tinier – tiniest)
furniture as it is for the time being. 앳 in
tip /tp/ noun 1. the end of something
tip
… time after a particular period from

now 쑗 We’re going on holiday in four long 쑗 She touched the page with the
weeks’ time. 앳 to take time to need a tips of her fingers. 쑗 He poked the dog
certain amount of time 쑗 It didn’t take with the tip of his walking stick. 2. mon-
you much time to get dressed. 쑗 Don’t ey given to someone who has provided a
hurry me, I like to take my time. service 쑗 The service hasn’t been very
timetable /tamteb(ə)l/ noun a printed
timetable
good – should we leave a tip for the
list which shows the times at which waiter? 쑗 The staff are not allowed to
something such as classes in school or accept tips. 3. advice on something
trains leaving will happen 쑗 We have which could bring you a benefit 쑗 He
two English lessons on the timetable to- gave me a tip about a horse which was
day. 쑗 According to the timetable, there likely to win. 쑗 She gave me a tip about
should be a train to London at 10.22. 쐽 a cheap restaurant just round the corner
verb to arrange the times for something from the hotel. 4. a place where rubbish
to happen 쑗 You are timetabled to speak from houses is taken to be thrown away
쑗 I must take these bags of rubbish to
at 4.30.
the tip. 쐽 verb 1. to pour something out
tin /tn/ noun 1. a silver-coloured soft
tin
쑗 He picked up the box and tipped the

metal 쑗 Bronze is a mixture of copper contents out onto the floor. 쑗 She tipped
and tin. 쑗 There have been tin mines in all the food out of the bag. 2. to give
Cornwall since Roman times. 2. a metal money to someone who has helped you
container in which food or another sub- 쑗 I tipped the waiter £1. 쑗 Should we tip
stance is sold and can be kept for a long the driver? (NOTE: tips – tipping –
time 쑗 I’ll just open a tin of soup. 쑗 She tipped)
bought three tins of cat food. 쑗 We’ll
tiptoe /tptəυ/ verb to walk quietly on
tiptoe
need three tins of white paint for the

ceiling. 3. any metal box 쑗 Keep the bis- the tips of your toes 쑗 She tiptoed into
cuits in a tin or they’ll go soft. 쑗 She the room and looked at the baby. (NOTE:
puts her spare coins into a tin by the tel- tiptoes – tiptoeing – tiptoed)
tired /taəd/ adjective 1. feeling that you
tired
ephone.
tingle /tŋ'əl/ noun a feeling like a lot
tingle
want to sleep 쑗 I’m tired – I think I’ll go
of small sharp things sticking into your to bed. 쑗 If you feel tired, lie down on
skin 쑗 It didn’t hurt, I just felt a tingle in my bed. 2. feeling that you need rest 쑗
my leg. 쑗 We felt a tingle of excitement We’re all tired after a long day at the of-
as we queued for the roller coaster. 쐽 fice. 앳 tired out feeling very tired or
verb to have a sharp prickling feeling 쑗 needing a rest
tiring /taərŋ/ adjective which makes
tiring
‘Are your fingers tingling?’ asked the

doctor. 쑗 It will tingle when I put the an- you tired
tiseptic on your cut. tissue /tʃu
/ noun a soft paper hand-
tissue
tinkle /tŋkəl/ noun a noise like the ring-

tinkle
kerchief 쑗 There is a box of tissues be-

ing of a little bell 쑗 the gentle tinkle of side the bed.
cow bells in the distance 쐽 verb to make title /tat(ə)l/ noun 1. the name of some-
title
a little ringing noise 쑗 The little bell tin- thing, e.g. a book, play, painting or film
kled as she went into the shop. 쑗 He’s almost finished the play but
tinned /tnd/ adjective preserved and
tinned
hasn’t found a title for it yet. 2. a word

sold in a tin such as Dr, Mr, Professor, Lord, Sir or
to 334 tongue
Lady put in front of a name to show an sticks together with string. 쑗 Do you
honour or a qualification think you can stick the pieces of the cup
to /tə, tυ, tu
/ preposition 1. showing di-
to
together again? 쑗 If you add all the fig-
rection or place 쑗 They went to the po- ures together, you’ll get the total sales.
lice station. 쑗 Do you know the way to 쑗 We’ve had three sandwiches and three
the beach? 쑗 The river is to the north of beers – how much does that come to all
the town. 쑗 Everyone take one step to together?
toilet /tɔlət/ noun 1. a bowl with a seat
toilet
the right, please. 2. showing a period of

time 쑗 The office is open from 9.30 to on which you sit to get rid of waste from
5.30, Monday to Friday. 쑗 She slept your body 쑗 There is a shower and toi-
from 11.30 to 8.30 the following morn- let in the bathroom. 2. a room with a toi-
ing. 3. showing time in minutes before let bowl in it 쑗 The ladies’ toilet is at the
an hour 쑗 Get up – it’s five to seven end of the corridor. 쑗 The gents’ toilets
(6.55). 쑗 The train leaves at a quarter to are downstairs and to the right. 쑗
eight (7.45). (NOTE: To is used for times There’s a public toilet at the railway
between the half hour and o’clock: station.
3.35 = twenty-five to four; 3.45 = a told /təυld/ past tense and past participle
told
quarter to four; 3.55 = five minutes to of tell

four. For times after the hour see
tomato /təmɑ
təυ/ noun a small round
tomato
past.) 4. showing a person or animal

red fruit used in salads and cooking 쑗
that receives something 쑗 Take the book
Tomatoes cost 30p per kilo. 쑗 We had a
to the librarian. 쑗 Pass the salt to your salad of raw cabbage and tomatoes. 쑗
grandfather. 쑗 You must be kind to cats.
Someone in the crowd threw a tomato at
5. showing a connection or relationship
the speaker on the platform. (NOTE: The
쑗 They lost by twelve to nine. 쑗 There
plural is tomatoes.)
are four keys to the office. 쑗 In this class
tomorrow /təmɒrəυ/ adverb on to the
tomorrow
there are 28 children to one teacher.
day after today 쑗 Are you free for lunch

toast /təυst/ noun pieces of bread which
toast
tomorrow? 쑗 I mustn’t forget I have a

have been heated at a high temperature dentist’s appointment tomorrow morn-
until they are brown 쑗 Can you make ing. 쑗 We are going to an Italian restau-
some more toast? 쑗 She asked for rant tomorrow evening. 쐽 noun the day
scrambled eggs on toast. after today 쑗 Today’s Monday, so to-
tobacco /təbkəυ/ noun the dried
tobacco

morrow must be Tuesday. 쑗 Tomorrow
leaves of a plant used to make cigarettes is our tenth wedding anniversary.
and cigars, and for smoking in pipes
ton /tn/ noun a measure of weight equal
ton
(NOTE: no plural)
to 2240 pounds 쑗 a ship carrying 1000
today /təde/ noun this day 쑗 Today’s
today

tons of coal
her sixth birthday. 쑗 What’s the date to-
tone /təυn/ noun a way of saying some-
tone
day? 쑗 There’s a story in today’s news-

thing, or of writing something, which
paper about a burglary in our road. 쐽 shows a particular feeling 쑗 His tone of
adverb on this day 쑗 He said he wanted
voice showed he was angry. 쑗 She said
to see me today, but he hasn’t come yet. hello in a friendly tone of voice. 쑗 You
toddler /tɒdlə/ noun a child who has
toddler
could tell from the tone of his letter that

just learnt to walk he was annoyed.
toe /təυ/ noun one of the five parts like
toe
tongue /tŋ/ noun 1. the long organ in

tongue
fingers at the end of the foot 쑗 She trod your mouth which can move and is used
on my toe and didn’t say she was sorry. for tasting, swallowing and speaking 쑗
together /tə'eðə/ adverb 1. doing
together
The soup was so hot it burnt my tongue.

something with someone else or in a 2. a language (literary) 쑗 They spoke to
group 쑗 Tell the children to stay togeth- each other in a strange foreign tongue.
er or they’ll get lost. 쑗 Why don’t we all 쑗 It was clear that English was not his
go to the cinema? 2. joined with some- native tongue. 왍 mother tongue or na-
thing else or with each other 쑗 Tie the tive tongue the language which you
tonight 335 totally

spoke when you were a little child 쑗 She top off the jar, and see what’s inside. 쑗
speaks English very well, but German is She forgot to screw the top back on the
her mother tongue. bottle. 4. a piece of clothing covering
tonight /tənat/ adverb, noun the night
tonight

the upper part of the body 쑗 She wore
or the evening of today 쑗 I can’t stop – jeans and a yellow top. 쐽 adjective 1. in
we’re getting ready for tonight’s party. the highest place 쑗 The restaurant is on
쑗 I’ll be at home from eight o’clock to- the top floor of the building. 쑗 Jams and
night. 쑗 I don’t suppose there’s any- marmalades are on the top shelf. 2. best
thing interesting on TV tonight. 쑗 She’s one of the world’s top tennis
players. 앳 on top of /ɒn tɒp ɒv/ 1. on
tonne /tn/ noun a measure of weight
tonne
the top surface of 쑗 He put the book

equal to 1,000 kilograms down on top of the others he had
too /tu
/ adverb 1. more than necessary 쑗
too
bought. 2. in addition to 쑗 On top of all

There are too many people to fit into the my office work, I have to clean the house
lift. 쑗 I think we bought too much bread. and look after the baby.
쑗 It’s too hot for us to sit in the sun. 2.
topic /tɒpk/ noun the subject of a dis-
topic
(often at the end of a clause) also 쑗

cussion or conversation 쑗 Can we move
She had some coffee and I had some too.
on to another topic?
쑗 She comes from Scotland too.
topple /tɒp(ə)l/ verb 쑗 He lost his bal-
topple
took /tυk/ past tense of take

took
ance and toppled forwards.

tool /tu
l/ noun an object which you hold
tool
in your hand to do specific work, e.g. a topple over phrasal verb to fall down
torch /tɔ
tʃ/ noun a small electric light
torch
hammer or a spade 쑗 a set of tools for

mending the car that you can carry 쑗 Take a torch if
you’re going into the cave. 쑗 I always
tooth /tu
θ/ noun one of a set of hard
tooth
white objects in the mouth which you carry a small torch in the car.
tore /tɔ
/ past tense of tear
tore
use to bite or chew food 쑗 Children

must learn to clean their teeth twice a torn /tɔ
n/ past participle of tear
torn
day. 쑗 The dentist took one of her teeth

tortoise /tɔ
təs/ noun a reptile covered
tortoise
out. (NOTE: The plural is teeth /ti

θ/.)
with a hard shell which moves very
toothbrush /tu
θbrʃ/ noun a small
toothbrush
slowly on land and can live to be very

brush which you use to clean your teeth old
(NOTE: The plural is toothbrushes.)
toss /tɒs/ verb 1. to throw something up
toss
toothpaste /tu
θpest/ noun a soft
toothpaste
into the air 쑗 He tried to toss the pan-

substance which you spread on a tooth-
cake and it fell on the kitchen floor. 쑗
brush and then use to clean your teeth
She tossed me her car keys. 2. to move
(NOTE: no plural: some toothpaste, a
something about 쑗 The waves tossed the
tube of toothpaste)
little boat up and down. 쑗 The horse
top /tɒp/ noun 1. the highest place or
top
tossed its head. 쐽 noun 1. the act of

highest point of something 쑗 He throwing something into the air 2. a
climbed to the top of the stairs and sat sharp movement of the head up and
down. 쑗 The bird is sitting on the top of down 쑗 With a toss of its head, the horse
the apple tree. 쑗 There is a roof garden galloped off.
on top of the hotel. 쑗 Look at the photo-
total /təυt(ə)l/ adjective complete or
total
graph at the top of page four. 쑗 Man-

chester United are still at the top of the whole 쑗 The expedition was a total fail-
league table. 왍 to feel on top of the ure. 쑗 Their total losses come to over
world to feel very healthy or very happy £400,000. 쐽 noun the whole amount 쑗
2. the flat upper surface of something 쑗 The total comes to more than £1,000.
totally /təυt(ə)li/ adverb used for em-
totally
a birthday cake with sugar and fruit on

top 쑗 Do not put coffee cups on top of phasis 쑗 The house was totally de-
the computer. 쑗 The desk has a black stroyed in the fire. 쑗 I had totally forgot-
top. 3. a cover for a container 쑗 Take the ten that I had promised to be there. 쑗 He
touch 336 trade

disagrees totally with what the first tractor to give us a tow to the nearest
speaker said. garage. (NOTE: Do not confuse with
touch /ttʃ/ noun 1. the sense that al-
touch
toe.)
towards /təwɔ
dz/ preposition 1. in the
towards
lows you to be aware of something with
the fingers 쑗 The sense of touch be- direction of 쑗 The crowd ran towards
comes very strong in the dark. 2. the act the police station. 쑗 The bus was travel-
of passing of news and information 왍 to ling south, towards London. 쑗 The ship
get in touch with someone to contact sailed straight towards the rocks. 2. near
someone 쑗 I’ll try to get in touch with in time 쑗 Do you have any free time to-
you next week. 3. a gentle physical con- wards the end of the month? 쑗 The exhi-
tact 쑗 I felt a light touch on my hand. 4. bition will be held towards the middle of
a very small amount 쑗 He added a few October. 3. as part of the money to pay
touches of paint to the picture. 쑗 There’s for something 쑗 He gave me £100 to-
a touch of frost in the air this morning. wards the cost of the hotel. 4. in relation
쐽 verb 1. to feel something with your to 쑗 She always behaved very kindly to-
fingers 쑗 The policeman touched him on wards her father.
the shoulder. 쑗 Don’t touch that cake – towel /taυəl/ noun a large piece of soft
towel
it’s for your mother. 2. to be so close to cloth for drying something, especially
something that you press against it 쑗 your body 쑗 There’s only one towel in
His feet don’t touch the floor when he the bathroom. 쑗 After washing her hair,
sits on a big chair. 쑗 There is a mark on she wound the towel round her head. 쑗
the wall where the sofa touches it. I’ll get some fresh towels.
touching /ttʃŋ/ adjective making
touching
tower /taυə/ noun a tall structure 쑗 The

tower
you feel emotion, especially affection or castle has thick walls and four square
sympathy 쑗 I had a touching letter from towers.
my sister, thanking me for my help when
town /taυn/ noun a place, larger than a
town
she was ill.

village, where people live and work,
tough /tf/ adjective 1. (of meat) diffi-
tough
with houses, shops, offices, factories

cult to chew or to cut 쑗 My steak’s a bit
and other buildings 쑗 There’s no shop in
tough – how’s yours? 2. requiring a lot
our village, so we do our shopping in
of physical effort, or a lot of bravery or
the nearest town. 쑗 They moved their of-
confidence 쑗 She’s very good at taking
fice to the centre of town.
tough decisions. 쑗 You have to be tough
toy /tɔ/ noun a thing for children to play
toy
to succeed in business.
tour /tυə/ noun a holiday or journey in
tour
with 쑗 We gave him a box of toy soldiers
which you visit various places 쑗 There for Christmas. 쑗 The children’s toys are
are so many tours to choose from – I all over the sitting room floor.
trace /tres/ noun something which
trace
can’t decide which one to go on. 쑗 She

gave us a tour round the old castle. 쐽 shows that something existed 쑗 The po-
verb to go on holiday, visiting various lice found traces of blood in the kitchen.
places 쑗 They toured the south of 쐽 verb to find where someone or some-
France. thing is 쑗 They couldn’t trace the letter.
쑗 The police traced him to Dover.
tourist /tυərst/ noun a person who
tourist
track /trk/ noun a rough path 쑗 We fol-

track
goes on holiday to visit places away

from their home 쑗 The tourists were lowed a track through the forest. 쐽 verb
talking German. 쑗 There were parties of to follow someone or an animal 쑗 The
tourists visiting all the churches. 쑗 Tra- hunters tracked the bear through the
falgar Square is always full of tourists. forest. 쑗 The police tracked the gang to
tow /təυ/ verb to pull something behind a
tow
a flat in south London.
trade /tred/ noun the business of buying
trade
vehicle 쑗 The motorways were crowded

with cars towing caravans. 쑗 They and selling goods 쑗 Britain’s trade with
towed the ship into port. 쐽 noun the ac- the rest of Europe is up by 10%. 쐽 verb
tion of pulling something 쑗 We got a to buy and sell goods, to carry on a busi-
trademark 337 transfer

ness 쑗 The company has stopped trad- The burglars left in a red sports car, and
ing. 쑗 They trade in furs. a police car was soon on their trail. 2. a
trademark /tredmɑ
k/, trade name
trademark
path or track 쑗 Keep to the trail other-
/tred nem/ noun a particular name, wise you will get lost. 쐽 verb 왍 to trail
design, etc., which has been registered behind someone to follow slowly after
by the manufacturer and which cannot someone 쑗 She came third, trailing a
be used by other manufacturers 쑗 Acme long way behind the first two runners. 쑗
is a registered trademark. 쑗 Their The little children trailed behind the
trademark is stamped on every item they older ones.
trailer /trelə/ noun 1. a small goods ve-
trailer
produce.
tradition /trədʃ(ə)n/ noun beliefs, sto-
tradition

hicle pulled behind a car 쑗 We carried
ries and ways of doing things which are all our camping gear in the trailer. 2.
passed from one generation to the next US a van with beds, a table, and wash-
쑗 It’s a family tradition for the eldest ing facilities, which can be towed by a
son to take over the business. 쑗 Accord- car 3. parts of a full-length film shown
ing to local tradition, the queen died in as an advertisement for it 쑗 We saw the
this bed. trailer last week, and it put me off the
film.
traditional /trədʃ(ə)n(ə)l/ adjective
traditional
train /tren/ noun a railway vehicle con-

train
done in a way that has been used for a

long time 쑗 On Easter Day it is tradi- sisting of an engine and the coaches it
tional to give chocolate eggs to the chil- pulls 쑗 The train to Paris leaves from
dren. 쑗 Villagers still wear their tradi- platform 1. 쑗 Hundreds of people go to
tional costumes on Sundays. work every day by train. 쑗 The next
train to London will be in two minutes.
traditionally /trədʃ(ə)nəli/ adverb ac-
traditionally
쑗 To get to Glasgow, you have to change

cording to tradition trains at Crewe. 쐽 verb 1. to teach

traffic /trfk/ noun cars, buses and
traffic
someone or an animal how to do a par-

other vehicles which are travelling on a ticular activity 쑗 She’s being trained to
street or road 쑗 I leave the office early be a bus driver. 쑗 The dogs are trained
on Fridays because there is so much to smell and find illegal substances. 2.
traffic leaving London. 쑗 The lights to become fit by practising for a sport 쑗
turned green and the traffic moved for- He’s training for the 100 metres. 쑗
ward. 쑗 Rush-hour traffic is worse on She’s training for the Olympics.
Fridays. trained /trend/ adjective who has been
trained
traffic jam /trfk d"m/ noun a situ-

traffic jam
through a course of training

ation where cars, buses and other vehi- trainer /trenə/ noun a person who
trainer
cles cannot move forward on a road be- trains an athlete 쑗 His trainer says he’s
cause there is too much traffic, because in peak condition for the fight. 쐽 plural
there has been an accident or because of noun trainers light sports shoes
roadworks
training /trenŋ/ noun 1. the activity of
training
tragedy /trd"ədi/ noun 1. a serious

tragedy
learning a skill 쑗 The shop is closed on

play, film, or novel which ends sadly 쑗 Tuesday mornings for staff training. 쑗
Shakespeare’s tragedy ‘King Lear’ is There is a short training period for new
playing at the National Theatre. 2. a staff. 2. the activity of practising for a
very unhappy event 쑗 Tragedy struck sport
the family when their mother was killed transfer
in a car crash. (NOTE: The plural is transfer verb 1. to move something or

tragedies.) someone to another place 쑗 The money
will be transferred directly to your bank
tragic /trd"k/ adjective very sad 쑗 a
tragic
account. 쑗 She transferred her passport

tragic accident on the motorway from her handbag to her jacket pocket.
trail /trel/ noun 1. tracks left by an ani-
trail
쑗 He’s been transferred to our New

mal or by a criminal 쑗 We followed the York office. 2. to change from one type
trail of the bear through the forest. 쑗 of travel to another 쑗 When you get to
transform 338 treasure

London airport, you have to transfer each year. 쑗 The visitors will be trans-
onto an internal flight. (NOTE: trans- ported to the factory by helicopter.
fers – transferring – transferred) trap /trp/ noun an object used for catch-
trap
transform /trnsfɔ
m/ verb to change
transform

ing an animal 쑗 We have a mouse in the
the appearance or character of someone kitchen so we will put down a trap. 쐽
or something completely 쑗 The outside verb to catch or hold someone or some-
of the building has been transformed by thing 쑗 Several people were trapped in
cleaning. 쑗 The book has transformed the wreckage of the plane. 쑗 He was
my views on medical care. trapped on video as he entered the bank.
(NOTE: traps – trapping – trapped)
translate /trnslet/ verb to put writ-
translate
travel /trv(ə)l/ noun the action of

travel
ten or spoken words into another lan-

guage 쑗 Can you translate what he moving from one country or place to an-
said? 쑗 He asked his secretary to trans- other 쑗 Air travel is the only really fast
late the letter from the German agent. 쑗 method of going from one country to an-
She translates mainly from Spanish into other. 쐽 verb to move from one country
English, not from English into Spanish. or place to another 쑗 He travels fifty
miles by car to go to work every day. 쑗
translation /trnsleʃ(ə)n/ noun writ-
translation

He has travelled across the United
ing or speech which has been translated States several times on his motorbike. 쑗
쑗 I read Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’ in The bullet must have travelled several
translation. 쑗 She passed the transla- metres before it hit the wall. (NOTE:
tion of the letter to the accounts depart- travels – travelling – travelled. The
ment. US spelling is traveling – traveled.)
transparent /trnsprənt/ adjective traveller /trv(ə)lə/ noun 1. a person
transparent traveller
which you can see through 쑗 The meat who travels 쑗 travellers on the 9 o’clock
is wrapped in transparent plastic film. train to London 쑗 Travellers to France
are experiencing delays because of the
transplant1 /trnsplɑ
nt/ noun 1. the
transplant
dock strike. 2. a person who has no fixed

act of replacing a damaged organ or part home and who travels around the coun-
of the body with a part from another try 쑗 The fields were full of hippies and
body, or with a part from somewhere travellers.
else on the same body 쑗 He had a heart
tray /tre/ noun a flat board for carrying
tray
transplant. 2. an organ or piece of tissue

which is transplanted 쑗 The kidney food, and things like glasses, cups and
transplant was rejected. saucers 쑗 He had his lunch on a tray in
his bedroom. 쑗 She bumped into a wait-
transplant2 /trnsplɑ
nt/ verb 1. to
transplant

ress who was carrying a tray of glasses.
move a plant from one place to another treacherous /tretʃərəs/ adverb 1.
treacherous
쑗 You should not transplant trees in the

dangerous 쑗 There are treacherous
summer. 2. to replace a damaged organ reefs just offshore. 쑗 Black ice is making
or other body part with a healthy part 쑗 the roads very treacherous. 2. not to be
They transplanted a kidney from his trusted 쑗 His treacherous behaviour led
brother. to the loss of the town to the enemy.
transport1 /trnspɔ
t/ noun the move-
transport
tread /tred/ verb to step or to walk 쑗 She

tread
ment of goods or people in vehicles 쑗 trod on my toe and didn’t say she was
Air transport is the quickest way to trav- sorry. 쑗 Watch where you’re treading –
el from one country to another. 쑗 Rail there’s broken glass on the floor. (NOTE:
transport costs are getting lower. 쑗 treads – treading – trod /trɒd/ – trod-
What means of transport will you use to den /trɒd(ə)n/) 쐽 noun the top part of
get to the hotel? a stair or step which you stand on 쑗 The
transport2 /trnspɔ
t/ verb to move
transport

carpet on the bottom tread is loose. 쑗
goods or people from one place to an- Metal treads are noisy.
other in a vehicle 쑗 The company trans- treasure /tre"ə/ noun jewels, gold, or
treasure
ports millions of tons of goods by rail other valuable things 쑗 the treasures in
treat 339 triumph

the British Museum 쑗 They are diving in triangle /traŋ'əl/ noun a shape with
triangle
the Caribbean looking for pirates’ three straight sides and three angles 쑗
treasure. The end of the roof is shaped like a tri-
treat /tri
t/ noun a special thing which angle.
treat
gives pleasure 쑗 It’s always a treat to sit tribe /trab/ noun a group of people with
tribe
down quietly at home after a hard day in the same race, language and customs 쑗
the shop. 쐽 verb 1. to deal with some- She went into the jungle to study the jun-
one or something 쑗 She was badly treat- gle tribes.
ed by her uncle. 쑗 It you treat the staff trick /trk/ noun a clever act to deceive or
trick
well they will work well. 쑗 He didn’t confuse someone 쑗 The recorded sound
treat my suggestion seriously. 2. to give of barking is just a trick to make bur-
medical help to a sick or injured person glars think there is a dog in the house. 쐽
쑗 After the accident some of the passen-
verb to deceive someone 쑗 We’ve been
gers had to be treated in hospital for tricked, there’s nothing in the box.
cuts and bruises. 쑗 She is being treated
trickle /trk(ə)l/ verb to flow slowly or
trickle
for rheumatism.
gently 쑗 Water trickled out of the cave.
treatment /tri
tmənt/ noun 1. a way of
treatment
tricky /trki/ adjective requiring a lot of

tricky
behaving towards something or some-

one 쑗 The report criticised the treat- skill, patience or intelligence 쑗 Getting
ment of prisoners in the jail. 쑗 What the wire through the little hole is quite
sort of treatment did you get at school? tricky.
tried /¯(,`./`/ past tense and past participle
tried
2. a way of looking after a sick or in-

jured person 쑗 He is having a course of of try
heat treatment. 쑗 The treatment for skin tries /traz/ 3rd person singular present
tries
cancer is very painful. of try

tree /tri
/ noun a very large plant, with a
tree
trigger /tr'ə/ noun the part of a gun

trigger
thick trunk, branches and leaves 쑗 The that you pull to fire it 쑗 He pointed the
cat climbed up an apple tree and gun at her and pulled the trigger.
couldn’t get down. 쑗 In autumn, the
trim /trm/ verb to cut something to make
trim
leaves on the trees in the park turn

brown and red. 쑗 He was sheltering unit tidy 쑗 Ask the hairdresser to trim your
der a tree and was struck by lightning. beard. (NOTE: trims – trimming –
trimmed) 쐽 adjective 1. cut short to
tremble /trembəl/ verb to shake be-
tremble
give a tidy appearance 쑗 She always

cause you are cold or afraid, or worried keeps her hedges trim. 2. slim and fit 쑗
by something 쑗 She was trembling with He keeps himself trim by going for a
cold. 쑗 I tremble at the thought of how long walk every day. (NOTE: trimmer –
much the meal will cost. trimmest)
tremendous /trmendəs/ adjective
tremendous
trip /trp/ noun a short journey 쑗 Our trip

trip

very big 쑗 There was a tremendous ex- to Paris was cancelled. 쑗 We’re going
plosion and all the lights went out. 쑗 on a trip to the seaside. 쐽 verb to catch
There’s tremendous excitement as we your foot in something so that you al-
wait for the election result. most fall down 쑗 She tripped as she was
trend /trend/ noun a general tendency 쑗
trend
coming out of the kitchen with a tray of

There is a trend away from small local food. (NOTE: trips – tripping –
food stores. 쑗 The government studies tripped)
economic trends to decide whether to trip over phrasal verb to catch your
raise taxes or not. foot in something so that you fall 쑗 She
trial /traəl/ noun 1. a court case held be-
trial
was running away from him when she

fore a judge 쑗 The trial will be heard tripped over.
triumph /tramf/ noun a great victory
triumph
next week. 2. the act of testing some-

thing 쑗 The new model is undergoing its or great achievement 쑗 They scored a
final trials. triumph in their game against the
triumphant 340 T-shirt

French. 쑗 The bridge is a triumph of he’s been married twice? 쒁 truth 2.
modern engineering. faithful or loyal 쑗 an expression of true
triumphant /tramfənt/ adjective
triumphant

love 쑗 She’s a true friend. 앳 to come
happy or proud because you have won true to happen as was predicted 쑗 Her
trod /trɒd/ past tense of tread
trod
forecast of bad storms came true. 앳 true
to life like things really are
trodden /trɒd(ə)n/ past participle of
trodden
truly /tru
li/ adverb used for emphasis 쑗
truly
tread
He truly believes that was what hap-
trolley /trɒli/ noun a small vehicle on
trolley
pened. 쑗 I’m truly grateful for all your

wheels which is designed to be pushed help. 쑗 Do you love me, really and tru-
쑗 They put the piano onto a trolley to ly?
move it out of the house.
trumpet /trmpt/ noun a brass musical
trumpet
troop /tru
p/ noun a large group of peo-
troop
instrument which is played by blowing,

ple 쑗 She took a troop of schoolchildren with three parts which you press with
to visit the museum. 쐽 plural noun your fingers 쑗 He plays the trumpet in
troops soldiers 쑗 Enemy troops occu-
the school orchestra. 쑗 She practises
pied the town. the trumpet in the evenings.
tropical /trɒpk(ə)l/ adjective relating
tropical
trunk /trŋk/ noun 1. the thick stem of a

trunk
to hot countries 쑗 In tropical countries

it is always hot. tree 쑗 Ivy was climbing up the trunk of
the oak tree. 2. an elephant’s long nose
trot /trɒt/ noun the action of running with
trot
3. a large box for storing or sending

short regular steps, like a horse does 쑗 clothes 쑗 They sent a trunk of clothes in
Let’s start today’s exercises with a short advance to the new house.
trot round the football field. 쐽 verb to
trust /trst/ verb to be confident that
trust
run with short regular steps 쑗 We’ve got

no butter left, so I’ll trot off to the shop someone is reliable 쑗 You can trust his
to buy some. 쑗 She trotted down the instructions – he knows a lot about com-
path to meet us. (NOTE: trots – trotting puters. 쑗 I wouldn’t trust him farther
– trotted) than I could kick him. 쐽 noun a belief
that something will work well or that
trouble /trb(ə)l/ noun problems or
trouble
someone will do something 쑗 Don’t put

worries 쑗 The trouble with old cars is too much trust in his navigating skills.
that sometimes they don’t start. 쑗 The
truth /tru
θ/ noun things which are true 쑗
truth
children were no trouble at all. 쑗 We are

having some computer trouble or some Do you think he is telling the truth? 쑗
trouble with the computer. 쐽 verb to The police are trying to work out the
make someone feel worried 쑗 I can see truth about what happened. 쑗 I don’t
that there’s something troubling him. think there is any truth in his story.
truthful /tru
θf(ə)l/ adjective 1. who al-
truthful
trousers /traυzəz/ plural noun clothes

trousers
which cover your body from the waist ways tells the truth 쑗 She’s a very truth-
down, each leg separately 쑗 He tore his ful child. 2. giving true facts 쑗 To be
trousers climbing over the fence. 쑗 She truthful, I’m not quite sure where we
was wearing a red jumper and grey are. 쑗 The young man gave a truthful
trousers. 쑗 He bought two pairs of trou- account of what happened.
sers in the sale. try /tra/ verb to make an effort to do
try
truck /trk/ noun a goods vehicle used something 쑗 You have to try hard if you
truck
for carrying heavy loads (informal ) 쑗 want to succeed. (NOTE: tries – trying –
Trucks thundered past the house all tried) 쐽 noun an attempt to do some-
night. 쑗 They loaded the truck with thing 쑗 She’s going to have a try at wa-
bricks. ter skiing. 쑗 He had two tries before he
true /tru
/ adjective 1. correct according
true
passed his driving test. (NOTE: The plu-
to facts or reality 쑗 What he says is sim- ral is tries.)
T-shirt /ti
ʃ
t/ noun another spelling of
T-shirt
ply not true. 쑗 It’s quite true that she

comes from Scotland. 쑗 Is it true that teeshirt 쑗 She was wearing jeans and a
tube 341 turn

T-shirt. 쑗 No wonder you’re cold if you some of the tunes for the musical. 쑗 She
went out in just a T-shirt. walked away whistling a little tune.
tube /tju
b/ noun 1. a long pipe for car- tunnel /tn(ə)l/ noun a long passage un-
tube tunnel
rying liquids or gas 쑗 He was lying in a der the ground 쑗 The Channel Tunnel
hospital bed with tubes coming out of links Britain to France. 쑗 The road
his nose and mouth. 쑗 Air flows down round Lake Lucerne goes through six
this tube to the face mask. 2. a soft con- tunnels. 쑗 They are digging a new tun-
tainer for a soft substance like tooth- nel for the underground railway.
paste, which you squeeze to get the sub- turkey /t
ki/ noun a large farm bird,
turkey
stance out 쑗 I forgot to pack a tube of similar to a chicken but much bigger, of-
toothpaste. 쑗 I need a tube of glue to ten eaten at Christmas 쑗 We had roast
mend the cup. 쑗 She bought a tube of turkey and potatoes. 쑗 Who’s going to
mustard. 3. (in London) the under- carve the turkey?
ground railway system 쑗 It’s quicker to
Turkey /t
ki/ noun a country in the
Turkey
take the tube to Oxford Circus than to go eastern Mediterranean, south of the
by bus. 쑗 You’ll have to go by bus be- Black Sea (NOTE: capital: Ankara; peo-
cause there’s a tube strike.
ple: the Turks; language: Turkish;
tuck /tk/ verb to put something careful-
tuck
currency: Turkish lira)

ly into a narrow or small place 쑗 She
turn /t
n/ noun 1. a change of direction,
turn
tucked the blanket around the baby. 쑗

especially of a vehicle 쑗 The bus made
He tucked the note into his shirt pocket.
a sudden turn to the left. 2. a road which
tuck in phrasal verb 1. to fold some- leaves another road 쑗 Take the next turn
thing carefully around someone or on the right. 쐽 verb 1. to go round in a
something and push the ends in 쑗 She circle 쑗 The wheels of the train started
tucked the baby in or She tucked the to turn slowly. 쑗 Be careful – the ma-
blanket in (around the baby). 2. to start chine goes on turning for a few seconds
eating enthusiastically 쑗 The food’s after it has been switched off. 2. to make
ready, everyone can tuck in. 쑗 We all something go round 쑗 Turn the handle
tucked in to a huge lunch. to the right to open the safe. 3. to change
tuck up /tk p/ to push the edge of direction 쑗 Turn left at the next traffic
the bedclothes around someone to keep lights. 쑗 The car turned the corner too
them warm 쑗 By eight o’clock the chil- fast and hit a lamppost. 쑗 The path
dren were all tucked up in bed. turns to the right after the pub. 4. to
Tuesday /tju
zde/ noun the second move your head or body so that you face
Tuesday
day of the week, the day between Mon- in another direction 쑗 Can everyone
day and Wednesday 쑗 I saw him in the turn to look at the camera, please. 5. to
office last Tuesday. 쑗 The club always change into something different 쑗
meets on Tuesdays. 쑗 Shall we meet next Leaves turn red or brown in the autumn.
Tuesday evening? 쑗 Today is Tuesday, 쑗 When he was fifty, his hair turned
April 30th. 쑗 The 15th is a Monday, so grey.
the 16th must be a Tuesday. 쑗 We went turn into phrasal verb 1. to change to
to the cinema last Tuesday. become something different 쑗 The
tug /t'/ verb to give something a sudden
tug
witch turned the prince into a frog. 쑗

hard pull 쑗 He tugged on the rope and a We are planning to turn this room into a
bell rang. (NOTE: tugs – tugging – museum. 2. to change direction and go
tugged) 쐽 noun a sudden pull 쑗 He felt into something 쑗 We went down the
a tug on the line – he had caught a fish! main road for a short way and then
tumble /tmbəl/ verb to fall 쑗 He tum- turned into a little lane on the left.
tumble
bled down the stairs head first. 쑗 She turn round phrasal verb to move your
arrived home late after the party and head or body so that you face in another
just tumbled into bed. direction
tune /tju
n/ noun a series of musical turn back phrasal verb to turn round
tune
notes which have a pattern 쑗 He wrote and go back in the opposite direction
turning 342 twirl

turn down phrasal verb to refuse week. 쑗 He came twelfth out of two hun-
something which is offered 쑗 She has dred in the competition. 쐽 noun the
turned down a job or turned a job down thing that is number 12 in a series 쑗 To-
in the town hall. day is September the twelfth or the
turn off phrasal verb 1. to make a piece twelfth of September (September 6th).
twelve /twelv/ noun the number 12 쑗
twelve
of electrical equipment stop working 쑗

Don’t forget to turn the TV off when you She’s twelve (years old) tomorrow. 쑗
go to bed. 쑗 Turn off the lights or turn Come round for a cup of coffee at twelve
the lights off – father’s going to show o’clock. 쑗 There are twelve months in a
his holiday films. 2. to leave a road you year.
are travelling on 쑗 Here’s where we twentieth /twentəθ/ adjective number
twentieth
turn off. 20 in a series 쑗 She was twentieth out of

turn on phrasal verb to make a piece of twenty in the race. 쑗 It’s her twentieth
electrical equipment start working 쑗 birthday on Wednesday. 쐽 noun the
Can you turn the light on or turn on the thing that is number 20 in a series 쑗 To-
light – it’s too dark to read. day is December the twentieth or the
turn over phrasal verb to roll over 쑗 twentieth of December (December
The lorry went round the corner too fast 20th).
and turned over. 쑗 Their boat turned twenty /twenti/ noun the number 20 쑗
twenty
over in the storm. She’s twenty (years old) next week. 쑗

turn up phrasal verb 1. to arrive 쑗 The They have over twenty pets. (NOTE:
food was spoiled because half the guests twenty-one (21), twenty-two (22)
didn’t turn up until nine o’clock. 쑗 He etc., but twenty-first (21st), twenty-
turned up unexpectedly just as I was second (22nd), etc.) 왍 he’s in his
leaving the office. 2. to be found in a twenties he is between 20 and 29 years
particular place 쑗 The police searched old 왍 the (nineteen) twenties (1920s)
everywhere, and the little girl finally the years from 1920 to 1929
turned up in Edinburgh. 쑗 The keys twice /twas/ adverb two times 쑗 Turn it
twice
turned up in my trouser pocket. 3. to off – I’ve seen that programme twice al-
make something louder or stronger 쑗 ready. 쑗 Twice two is four, twice four is
Can you turn up the radio or turn the ra- eight. 쑗 I’m fifteen, she’s thirty, so she’s
dio up – I can’t hear it. 쑗 Turn up the twice as old as I am.
gas or turn the gas up, the potatoes
twig /tw'/ noun a little branch of a tree
twig
aren’t cooked yet.

or bush 쑗 There is a bud at the end of
turning /t
nŋ/ noun a road which goes
turning
each twig. 쑗 The bird made its nest of

away from another road
twigs and leaves.
tutor /tju
tə/ noun a teacher, especially
tutor
twilight /twalat/ noun a time when the

twilight
a person who teaches only one student

light is weak, between sunset and night
or a small group of students 쑗 His first
twin /twn/ adjective, noun one of two
twin
job was as private tutor to some Ger-

man children. 쐽 verb to teach a small babies born at the same time to the same
group of students (formal ) 쑗 She earns mother 쑗 he and his twin brother 쑗
extra money by tutoring foreign students She’s expecting twins.
in English. twinkle /twŋkəl/ verb (of stars or
twinkle
TV /ti
vi
/ noun a television 쑗 They
TV
eyes) to shine with a little moving light

watch TV every night. 쑗 The TV news is 쑗 His eyes twinkled as he showed the
usually at nine o’clock. 쑗 Some chil- children the sweets he had bought. 쑗 We
dren’s TV programmes are very dull. 쑗 could see the lights of the harbour twin-
The daughter of a friend of mine was on kling in the distance.
TV last night. twirl /tw
l/ verb 1. to twist something
twirl
twelfth /twelfθ/ adjective number 12 in

twelfth
round in your hand 쑗 I wish I could twirl

a series 쑗 It’s her twelfth birthday next a baton like those girls in the proces-
twist 343 tyre

sion. 2. to spin round 쑗 Models twirled write with a computer or typewriter 쑗
round on the catwalk. Please type your letters – your writing’s
twist /twst/ verb 1. to wind something so bad I can’t read it. 쑗 She only typed
twist
round something 쑗 She twisted the two lines and made six mistakes.
string round a piece of stick. 2. to turn in typewriter /tapratə/ noun a machine
typewriter
different directions 쑗 The path twisted which prints letters or numbers on a

between the fields. piece of paper when keys are pressed
two /tu
/ noun the number 2 쑗 There are
two
typical /tpk(ə)l/ adjective having the

typical
only two peppermints left in the box. 쑗

His son’s only two (years old), so he usual qualities of a particular group or
can’t read yet. 쑗 She didn’t come home occasion 쑗 Describe a typical day at
until after two (o’clock). school. 쑗 He’s definitely not a typical
tying /taŋ/ present participle of tie
tying
bank manager.
tyre /taə/ noun a ring made of rubber
tyre
type /tap/ noun a group of people, ani-

type
mals or things that are similar to each which is put round a wheel 쑗 Check the
other 쑗 This type of bank account pays pressure in the car tyres before starting
10% interest. 쑗 What type of accommo- a journey. 쑗 They used an old tyre to
dation are you looking for? 쐽 verb to make a seat for the garden swing.
U
u /ju
/, U noun the twenty-first letter of uncomfortable /nkmftəb(ə)l/ ad-
u uncomfortable
the alphabet, between T and V jective not comfortable 쑗 What a very

ugly /'li/ adjective unpleasant to look
ugly
uncomfortable bed! 쑗 Plastic seats are
at 쑗 What an ugly pattern! 쑗 The part of very uncomfortable in hot weather.
uncommon /nkɒmən/ adjective
uncommon
the town round the railway station is
even uglier than the rest. (NOTE: uglier strange or unusual

uncommunicative /nkə
uncommunicative
– ugliest)
UK
UK abbr United Kingdom 쑗 Exports from mju

nkətv/ adjective not saying
the UK or UK exports rose last year. much, or not answering people
uncomplicated /nkɒmplketd/
uncomplicated
umbrella /mbrelə/ noun a round

umbrella

adjective easy to deal with or under-

frame covered with cloth which you
stand 쑗 In children’s books, the writing
hold over your head to keep off the rain
should be clear and uncomplicated. 쑗
쑗 Can I borrow your umbrella? 쑗 As it
The procedure is relatively quick and
was starting to rain, he opened his um-
uncomplicated.
brella. 쑗 The wind blew my umbrella in-
unconscious /nkɒnʃəs/ adjective in
unconscious
side out.
a physical condition in which you are

unable /neb(ə)l/ adjective not able to
unable

not aware of what is happening 쑗 He
do something 쑗 I regret that I am unable was found unconscious in the street. 쑗
to accept your suggestion. 쑗 She was She was unconscious for two days after
unable to come to the meeting. (NOTE: the accident.
be unable to is a rather formal way of
uncontrolled /nkəntrəυld/ adjec-
uncontrolled
saying can’t.)
tive which has not been controlled

unattractive /nətrktv/ adjective
unattractive
under /ndə/ preposition 1. in or to a

under

not attractive 쑗 Her husband is a rather place where something else is on top or
unattractive man. 쑗 The house is unat- above 쑗 We all hid under the table. 쑗
tractive from the outside. My pen rolled under the sofa. 2. less
unbearable /nbeərəb(ə)l/ adjective
unbearable
than a number 쑗 It took under two

so bad that you cannot accept it or deal weeks to sell the house. 쑗 The train goes
with it to Paris in under three hours. 쑗 Under
unbelievable /nbli
vəb(ə)l/ adjec-
unbelievable

half of the members turned up for the
tive which is difficult to believe meeting. 쑗 The old table sold for under
£10.
unbreakable /nbrekəb(ə)l/ adjec-
unbreakable
underground1 /ndə'raυnd/ adverb

underground
tive which cannot be broken

under the ground 쑗 The ordinary rail-
uncertain /ns
t(ə)n/ adjective not
uncertain

way line goes underground for a short
sure, or not decided 쑗 She is uncertain distance. 쑗 Worms live all their life un-
whether to accept the job. 쑗 He’s uncer- derground. 쐽 adjective built under the
tain about what to do next. 쑗 Their ground 쑗 There’s an underground pas-
plans are still uncertain. sage to the tower. 쑗 The hotel has an un-
uncle /ŋk(ə)l/ noun a brother of your derground car park.
uncle
father or mother 쑗 He was brought up underground2 /ndə'raυnd/ noun a

underground
by his uncle in Scotland. 쑗 We had a railway in a town, which runs under the
surprise visitor last night – old Uncle ground 쑗 Thousands of people use the
Charles. underground to go to work. 쑗 Take the
underline 345 unfriendly

underground to go to Oxford Circus. 쑗 undo /ndu
/ verb to open something
undo
It’s usually quicker to get across town which is tied or fastened 쑗 The first
by underground. (NOTE: The London thing he did on getting home was to
Underground is often called the Tube. undo his tie. 쑗 Undo your top button if
In the United States, an underground your collar is too tight. (NOTE: undoes
railway is called a subway.) /ndz/ – undid /ndd/ – undone

/ndn/)
underline
underline verb to write a line under a
word or figure 쑗 He wrote the title and undress /ndres/ verb to take your
undress
then underlined it in red. clothes off

underneath /ndəni
θ/ preposition undressed /ndrest/ adjective having
underneath
undressed
under 쑗 She wore a long green jumper just taken off your clothes 쑗 The chil-
underneath her coat. 쑗 Can you see if dren are getting undressed ready for
my pen is underneath the sofa? 쐽 ad- bed. 쑗 Are you undressed yet?
verb under 쑗 He put the box of books uneasy /ni
zi/ adjective nervous and
uneasy
down on the kitchen table and my sand- worried (NOTE: uneasier – uneasiest)
wiches were underneath!
unemployed /nmplɔd/ adjective
unemployed
understand /ndəstnd/ verb 1. to

understand

without a job 쑗 The government is en-
know what something means 쑗 Don’t couraging unemployed teenagers to ap-
try to talk English to Mr Yoshida – he ply for training grants.
doesn’t understand it. 2. to have sympa-
/nmplɔmənt/
unemployment
thy for someone 쑗 She’s a good teacher unemployment
– she really understands children. 3. to noun a lack of work 쑗 The unemploy-

know why something happens or how ment figures or the figures for unem-
something works 쑗 I can easily under- ployment are rising.
uneven /ni
v(ə)n/ adjective not
uneven
stand why his wife left him. 쑗 I still
don’t understand how to operate the smooth or flat

unexpected /nkspektd/ adjective
unexpected
new laser printer. (NOTE: understands
– understanding – understood which is surprising and not what was

/ndəstυd/) expected 쑗 We had an unexpected visit
understanding /ndəstndŋ/ noun
understanding

from the police. 쑗 His failure was quite
1. the ability to understand something 쑗 unexpected.
unexpectedly /nkspektdli/ ad-
unexpectedly
My understanding of how the Internet
works is severely limited. 2. sympathy verb in an unexpected way

for someone else and their problems 쑗 unfair /nfeə/ adjective not fair 쑗 It’s
unfair
The boss showed no understanding unfair to expect her to do all the house-
when she told him about her financial work while her sisters don’t lift a finger
difficulties. 쑗 The aim is to promote un- to help.
derstanding between the two countries.
unfairly /nfeəli/ adverb in an unfair
unfairly
3. a private agreement 쑗 We reached an

understanding with the lawyers. 쑗 The way

unfairness /nfeənəs/ noun lack of
unfairness
understanding was that we would all go
to the office after lunch. 쐽 adjective justice or fairness

sympathetic 쑗 His understanding atti- unfortunate /nfɔ
tʃ(ə)nət/ adjective
unfortunate
tude was much appreciated. which makes you sad 쑗 It was very un-
underwater /ndəwɔ
tə/ adjective fortunate that she couldn’t come to see
underwater
below the surface of the water 쑗 How us.

long can you stay underwater? 쑗 He unfortunately /nfɔ
tʃ(ə)nətli/ ad-
unfortunately
dived and swam underwater for several verb which you wish was not true 쑗 Un-
seconds. 쑗 She goes on holiday to the fortunately the train arrived so late that
Red Sea to do underwater photography. she missed the meeting.
underwear /ndəweə/ noun clothes unfriendly /nfrendli/ adjective not
underwear unfriendly
worn next to your skin under other acting like a friend (NOTE: unfriendlier
clothes (NOTE: no plural) – unfriendliest)
ungrateful 346 unnecessary

ungrateful /n'retf(ə)l/ adjective not
ungrateful

team. 쑗 They were united in their desire
grateful to improve their working conditions.
universal /ju
nv
s(ə)l/ adjective
universal
unhappily /nhpli/ adverb in a sad

unhappily
way which is understood or experienced by

everyone in the world 쑗 There is a uni-
unhappy /nhpi/ adjective sad, not
unhappy
versal hope for peace in the region.

happy 쑗 He’s unhappy in his job be-
universe /ju
nv
s/ noun all space and
universe
cause his boss is always criticising him.

쑗 She looked very unhappy when she everything that exists in it, including the
came out of the hospital. 쑗 The children earth, the planets and the stars
had an unhappy childhood. (NOTE: un- university /ju
nv
sti/ noun an edu-
university
happier – unhappiest) cational institution where students study

unhealthy /nhelθi/ adjective not for degrees and where students and
unhealthy
healthy, especially often ill 쑗 I thought teachers do research 쑗 You need to do

her face was an unhealthy colour. well at school to be able to go to univer-
(NOTE: unhealthier – unhealthiest) sity. 쑗 My sister is at university. (NOTE:
The plural is universities.)
uniform /ju
nfɔ
m/ noun special
uniform
unkind /nkand/ adjective acting in an

unkind
clothes worn by all members of an or-
ganisation or group 쑗 He went to the unpleasant way to someone 쑗 It was un-

fancy dress party dressed in a police- kind of him to keep talking about her
man’s uniform. 쑗 Who are those people weight. (NOTE: unkinder – unkindest)
in French army uniform? 쑗 What colour unkindness /nkandnəs/ noun the
unkindness
is her school uniform? 쑗 The holiday action of treating someone unpleasantly

camp staff all wear yellow uniforms. unless /ənles/ conjunction except if 쑗
unless
unimportant /nmpɔ
t(ə)nt/ adjec-
unimportant
Unless we hear from you within ten

tive not important days, we will start legal action. 쑗 I think
union /ju
njən/ noun the state of being
union
they don’t want to see us, unless of
joined together, or the process of joining course they’re ill.
together 쑗 We support the union of these unlike /nlak/ adjective, preposition 1.
unlike
various groups under one umbrella or- totally different from 쑗 He’s quite un-
ganisation. like his brother. 2. not normal or typical
unique /ju
ni
k/ adjective different to unlikely /nlakli/ adjective 1. not like-
unique unlikely
anything else and therefore the only on ly 쑗 It’s unlikely that many people will
of its type 쑗 The stamp is unique, and so come to the show. 2. which is probably
is worth a great deal. 쑗 He’s studying not true 쑗 He trotted out some unlikely
the unique vegetation of the island. excuse about how his train ticket had
unit /ju
nt/ noun 1. one part of some-
unit
been eaten by the dog.
unlimited /nlmtd/ adjective with
unlimited
thing larger 쑗 If you pass three units of
the course you can move to the next lev- no limits

el. 2. one piece of furniture which can unload /nləυd/ verb to remove a load
unload
be matched with others 쑗 The kitchen is from a vehicle

designed as a basic set of units with
unlock /nlɒk/ verb to open something
unlock
more units which can be added later. 3.
the amount used to measure something which was locked

unluckily /nlkli/ adverb with bad
unluckily
쑗 Kilos and pounds are units of weight.
4. a single number less than ten 쑗 63 has luck

six tens and three units. unlucky /nlki/ adjective not lucky, or
unlucky
unite /ju
nat/ verb to join together into
unite
bringing bad luck (NOTE: unluckier –

a single body unluckiest)
united /ju
natd/ adjective joined to- unnecessary /nnesəs(ə)ri/ adjective
united unnecessary
gether as a whole 쑗 Relief workers from which is not needed, or which does not
various countries worked as a united have to be done 쑗 It is unnecessary for
unoccupied 347 upset

you to wear a suit to the party. 쑗 She up /p/ adverb 1. in or to a high place 쑗
up
makes a lot of unnecessary phone calls. Put your hands up above your head. 쑗
unoccupied /nɒkjυpad/ adjective
unoccupied
What’s the cat doing up there on the

not being used by anyone cupboard? (NOTE: up is often used af-
unpack /npk/ verb to take things out ter verbs: to keep up, to turn up.) 2. to
unpack
of cases in which they were sent or car- a higher position 쑗 His temperature
ried went up suddenly. 쑗 The price of petrol
unpleasant /nplez(ə)nt/ adjective
unpleasant

seems to go up every week. 3. not in bed
쑗 The children were still up when they
not pleasant 쑗 There’s a very unpleas-
ant smell in the kitchen. 쑗 Try not to be should have been in bed. 쑗 They stayed
unpleasant to the waitress. up all night watching films on TV. 쑗 He
got up at six because he had an early
unreasonable /nri
z(ə)nəb(ə)l/ ad-
unreasonable

train to catch. 쑗 It’s past eight o’clock –
jective not reasonable or fair you should be up by now. 4. completely,
unselfish /nselfʃ/ adjective thinking
unselfish

entirely 쑗 The puddles dried up quickly
only of other people in the sun. 5. happening in an unpleas-
unsightly /nsatli/ adjective very un- ant or dangerous way 쑗 Something’s up
unsightly
pleasant to look at 쑗 She has an unsight- – the engine has stopped! 쐽 preposition
ly scar on her face. 1. in or to a high place 쑗 They ran up the
unsuccessful /nsəksesf(ə)l/ adjec-
unsuccessful

stairs. 쑗 She doesn’t like going up lad-
tive which does not succeed ders. 2. along 쑗 Go up the street to the
traffic lights and then turn right. 쑗 The
unsuitable /nsu
təb(ə)l/ adjective
unsuitable
house is about two hundred metres up

not suitable
the road. 앳 what’s up? what’s the mat-
unsure /nʃυə/ adjective not sure 쑗 She
unsure

ter?
was unsure whether to go to work or to
upon /pɒn/ preposition 1. on
upon
stay at home. 쑗 I’m unsure as to which 쑗 The

route is the quickest. church was built upon a grassy hill. 2.
untidy /ntadi/ adjective not tidy
untidy

likely to happen soon 쑗 The summer
holidays will soon be upon us again.
(NOTE: untidier – untidiest)
upper /pə/ adjective higher or further
upper
untie /nta/ verb to open something

untie
which is tied with a knot (NOTE: unties up 쑗 The upper slopes of the mountain
– untying – untied) are covered in snow. 쑗 He had a rash on
his right upper arm.
until /ntl/ conjunction up to the time
until
upright /prat/ adjective straight up 쑗

upright
when 쑗 She was perfectly well until she

ate the strawberries. 쑗 He blew his He got dizzy as soon as he stood up-
whistle until the police came. 쐽 prepo- right. 쑗 Put the backs of your seats into
sition, conjunction up to the time when the upright position for landing. 쑗 She
쑗 I don’t expect to be back until after ten picked up the vase and placed it upright
o’clock. 쑗 Until yesterday, I felt very on the table.
well. upset1 /pset/ adjective very worried or
upset
untrue /ntru

/ adjective not true
untrue

unhappy 쑗 His parents get upset if he
unusual /nju
"υəl/ adjective not nor- comes home late. 쐽 verb 1. to make
unusual
mal or expected 쑗 It is unusual to have someone worried or unhappy 쑗 Don’t

rain at this time of year. 쑗 She chose a upset your mother by telling her. 2. to
very unusual colour scheme for her sit- knock something over 쑗 He upset all
ting room. the coffee cups. (NOTE: upsets – up-
unwell /nwel/ adjective in a bad state setting – upset)
unwell
of health (NOTE: not used before a upset2 /pset/ noun 1. an unexpected

upset
noun: the baby was unwell but a sick defeat 쑗 There was a major upset in the
baby) tennis tournament when the number
unwilling /nwlŋ/ adjective not want-
unwilling
three seed was beaten in the first round.

ing to do something 2. a slight illness because of something
upside down 348 usually

you have eaten or drunk 쑗 a stomach use1 /ju
z/ verb 1. to take something
use
upset such as a tool and do something with it

upside down /psad daυn/ adverb 쑗
Did you use a sewing machine to
upside down
with the top underneath 쑗 Don’t turn make your curtains? 쑗 The car’s worth
the box upside down – all the papers quite a lot of money – it’s hardly been
will fall out. 쑗 The car shot off the road used. 쑗 Do you know how to use a com-
and ended up upside down in a ditch. 쑗 puter? 쑗 Can I use this knife for cutting
Bats were hanging upside down from meat? 2. to take a substance and do
the branches. something with it 쑗 Don’t use the tap
water for drinking. 쑗 Does this car use
upstairs /psteəz/ adverb on or to the
upstairs
much petrol? 쑗 Turn down the heating –

upper part of something, e.g. a building

we’re using too much gas.
or bus 쑗 She ran upstairs with the letter.
use2 /ju
s/ noun 1. a purpose 쑗 Can you
use
쑗 I left my glasses upstairs. 쑗 Let’s go

upstairs onto the top deck – you can see find any use for this piece of cloth? 2.
London much better. 쐽 adjective on the the fact of being used 쑗 The coffee ma-
upper floors of a building 쑗 We have an chine has been in daily use for years. 3.
upstairs kitchen. 쑗 We let the one of the 왍 to make use of something to use
upstairs offices to an accountant. something 쑗 You should make more use
of your bicycle.
up to date /p tə det/, up-to-date
up to date
used /ju
zd/ adjective which is not new
used
adverb with the latest information 쑗 I

keep myself up to date on the political 쑗 a shop selling used clothes
situation by reading the newspaper eve- used to /ju
zt tu
/ showing that some-
used to
ry day. thing happened often or regularly in the

upwards /pwədz/ adverb towards the
upwards
past 쑗 There used to be lots of small
top 쑗 The path went upwards for a mile shops in the village until the supermar-
then levelled off. ket was built. 쑗 When we were children,
we used to go to France every year for
urban /
bən/ adjective 1. relating to
urban
our holidays. 쑗 The police think he used

towns 쑗 They enjoy an urban lifestyle. to live in London. 쑗 He used not to
2. living in towns 쑗 The urban fox has smoke a pipe. (NOTE: The forms used in
become a menace in parts of London. the negative and questions: He used
urge /
d"/ noun a strong wish to do
urge
to work in London, He didn’t use to

something 쑗 She felt an urge to punch work in London or He used not to work
him on the nose. 쐽 verb to advise some- in London, Didn’t he use to work in
one strongly to do something 쑗 He London?)
urged her to do what her father said. 쑗 useful /ju
sf(ə)l/ adjective who or
useful
I would urge you to vote for the propos- which can help you do something 쑗 I
al. 쑗 Our lawyer urged us to be careful find these scissors very useful for open-
and avoid breaking the law. ing letters. 쑗 She’s a very useful person
urgent /
d"ənt/ adjective which is im-
urgent
to have in the office.

portant and needs to be done quickly 쑗 useless /ju
sləs/ adjective which is not
useless
He had an urgent message to go to the useful

police station. 쑗 She had an urgent op-
user /ju
zə/ noun a person who uses a
user
eration. 쑗 The leader of the council

called an urgent meeting. 쑗 This parcel tool or a service 쑗 We have mailed the
is urgent and needs to get there tomor- users of our equipment about the possi-
row. ble design fault.
usual /ju
"uəl/ adjective done or used
usual
us /əs, s/ object pronoun meaning me

us
and other people 쑗 Mother gave us each on most occasions 쑗 She took her usual
50p to buy ice cream. 쑗 Who’s there? – bus to the office. 쑗 Is it usual for him to
It’s us! 쑗 The company did well last arrive so late?
usually /ju
"uəli/ adverb in most cases
usually
year – the management have given us a

bonus. or on most occasions
utensil 349 utilise

utensil /ju
tens(ə)l/ noun a tool or ob- utilise /ju
tlaz/, utilize verb to use
utensil utilise
ject used when cooking 쑗 knives, bowls something (formal ) 쑗 He’s keen to uti-
and other kitchen utensils lise his programming skills.
V
v /vi
/, V noun the twenty-second letter of overnight. 쐽 verb to consider something
v
the alphabet, between U and W as being valuable 쑗 She values her

V /vi
/ noun the Roman numeral for five
V
friendship with him.
van /vn/ noun a covered goods vehicle
van
or fifth 쑗 King George V

vacant /vekənt/ adjective empty and
vacant
쑗 A delivery van ran into the back of my
available for you to use 쑗 There are six car. 쑗 Our van will call this afternoon to
rooms vacant in the new wing of the ho- pick up the goods.
vanish /vnʃ/ verb to disappear sud-
vanish
tel. 쑗 Is the toilet vacant yet?

vacation /vəkeʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. espe-
vacation

denly 쑗 The magician made the rabbit
cially US a holiday 쑗 The family went vanish.
variation /veərieʃ(ə)n/ noun a change
variation
on vacation in Canada. 2. a period
when the universities and law courts are from one state or level to another 쑗 The
closed 쑗 I’m spending my vacation variation in colour or the colour varia-
working on a vineyard in Italy. tion is because the cloth has been dyed
vague /ve'/ adjective with no details
vague
by hand. 쑗 The diagram shows the var-
iations in price over a period of six
vain /ven/ adjective very proud of your
vain
months.
appearance or achievements 쑗 He’s al-
variety /vəraəti/ noun 1. differences 쑗
variety
ways combing his hair – he’s very vain.
(NOTE: Do not confuse with vein.) Her new job, unlike the old one, doesn’t
lack variety. 2. a different type of plant
valid /vld/ adjective 1. which can be
valid
or animal in the same species 쑗 Do you

lawfully used for a particular time 쑗
have this new variety of rose? 쑗 Is this a
Travellers must have a valid ticket be-
new variety of potato?
fore boarding the train. 쑗 I have a sea-
various /veəriəs/ adjective several dif-
various
son ticket which is valid for one year. 쑗

He was carrying a valid passport. 2. ferent 쑗 The shop sells goods from var-
which is acceptable because it is true 쑗 ious countries. 쑗 I’ll be out of the office
That is not a valid argument or excuse. today – I have to see various suppliers.
vary /veəri/ verb 1. to be different in dif-
vary
쑗 She made several valid points in her

speech. ferent situations, or change within cer-
valley /vli/ noun a long piece of low
valley
tain limits 쑗 The temperature varies
land through which a river runs 쑗 Fog from 8 degrees C at night to 18 degrees
forms in the valleys at night. 쑗 A lot of C during the day. 2. to be different 쑗
computer companies are based in the Prices of flats vary from a few thousand
Thames Valley. pounds to millions. (NOTE: varies –
varying – varied)
valuable /vljυəb(ə)l/ adjective 1.
valuable
vase /vɑ
z/ noun a container used for cut
vase
worth a lot of money 쑗 Be careful, that

glass is valuable! 쑗 The burglars stole flowers, or simply for decoration
vast /vɑ
st/ adjective extremely big, of-
vast
everything that was valuable. 2. useful

or helpful 쑗 She gave me some very val- ten extremely wide 쑗 vast differences in
uable advice. price 쑗 A vast ship suddenly appeared
value /vlju
/ noun an amount of mon- out of the fog.
value
ey which something is worth 쑗 the fall vegetable /ved"təb(ə)l/ noun a plant

vegetable
in the value of the yen 쑗 He imported which is grown to be eaten but which is
goods to the value of £500. 쑗 Items of not usually sweet 쑗 We grow potatoes,
value can be deposited in the hotel safe carrots and other sorts of vegetables in
vegetarian 351 vigilant

the garden. 쑗 The soup of the day is veg- go very quickly when we were on holi-
etable soup. 쑗 Green vegetables are a day. 쐽 adjective used to make a noun
good source of dietary fibre. stronger 쑗 He did his very best to get
vegetarian /ved"teəriən/ noun a
vegetarian

tickets. 쑗 The scene takes place at the
person who eats only fruit, vegetables, very beginning of the book.
vessel /ves(ə)l/ noun a ship 쑗 Vessels
vessel
bread, eggs, etc., but does not eat meat,

and sometimes not fish 쑗 a range of from all countries crowded into the har-
vegetarian dishes 쑗 Our children are all bour.
vegetarians. via /vaə/ preposition through 쑗 We
via
vehicle /vi
k(ə)l/ noun a machine
vehicle
drove to London via Windsor. 쑗 We are

which carries passengers or goods, e.g. sending the payment via our office in
a car or bus 쑗 a three-wheeled vehicle 쑗 London. 쑗 The shipment is going via the
Goods vehicles can park at the back of Suez Canal.
the building. vibration /vabreʃ(ə)n/ noun a fast
vibration
vein /ven/ noun a small tube in the body

vein
and continuous shaking movement

which takes blood back to the heart 쑗 vicious /vʃəs/ adjective cruel and vio-
vicious
The veins in her legs are swollen. (NOTE: lent 쑗 a vicious attack on an elderly
Do not confuse with vain.) lady
verb /v
b/ noun a word which shows an
verb
victim /vktm/ noun a person who is at-

victim
action, being or feeling, such as ‘to hit’ tacked or who is in an accident 쑗 The
or ‘to thank’ victims of the train crash were taken to
verbal /v
b(ə)l/ adjective spoken and
verbal
the local hospital. 쑗 She was the victim

not written down 쑗 She gave me a ver- of a violent attack outside her front
bal account of what had happened. 쑗 It door. 쑗 Earthquake victims were housed
was a verbal agreement between the two in tents.
of us. victory /vkt(ə)ri/ noun the fact of win-
victory
verdict /v
dkt/ noun a decision made
verdict
ning something, e.g. a battle, a fight or a

in a court game 쑗 the American victory in the Ol-
verse /v
s/ noun 1. a group of lines ympics 쑗 They won a clear victory in the
verse
which form a part of a song or poem 쑗 general election. 쑗 The guerrillas won a
We sang all the verses of the National victory over the government troops.
Anthem. 쑗 She read the first verse to the (NOTE: The plural is victories.)
class. 2. poetry 쑗 He published a small video /vdiəυ/ noun 1. a machine which
video
book of verse. (NOTE: no plural in this records TV programmes 쑗 Don’t forget

sense) to set the video for 8 p.m. before you go
version /v
ʃ(ə)n/ noun 1. a description
version
out. 2. a magnetic tape on which you

of what happened as seen by one person can record TV programmes or films for
쑗
The victim told her version of events playing back on a television set 쑗 She
to the jury. 2. a type of something, e.g. a bought a box of blank videos. (NOTE:
work of art or model of car 쑗 This is the The plural is videos.)
film version of the novel. 쑗 He bought view /vju
/ noun 1. what you can see
view
the cheapest version available. from a certain place 쑗 You can get a
vertical /v
tk(ə)l/ adjective standing
vertical
good view of the sea from the church

or rising straight up 쑗 He drew a few tower. 쑗 We asked for a room with a sea
vertical lines to represent trees. 쑗 We view and were given one looking out
looked at the vertical cliff and wondered over the bus depot. 2. a way of thinking
how to climb it. about something 쑗 In his view, the gov-
very /veri/ adverb used to make an ad-
very
ernment ought to act now.
vigilant /vd"lənt/ adjective staying
vigilant
jective or adverb stronger 쑗 It’s very hot

in the car – why don’t you open a win- very aware of possible danger 쑗 The
dow? 쑗 Can you see that very tall pine disease particularly affects young chil-
tree over there? 쑗 The time seemed to dren, so parents must remain vigilant.
village 352 vocabulary

village /vld"/ noun a small group of check the program for viruses. (NOTE:
village
houses in the country, like a little town, The plural is viruses.)

often with a church, and usually some visible /vzb(ə)l/ adjective which can
visible
shops 쑗 They live in a little village in the be seen

Swiss Alps. 쑗 The village shop sells just visibly /vzbli/ adverb in a way which
visibly
about everything we need. everyone can see

vine /van/ noun a climbing plant which
vine
vision /v"(ə)n/ noun 1. your ability to

vision
produces grapes see 쑗 After the age of 50, the vision of

vinegar /vn'ə/ noun a liquid with a
vinegar
many people begins to fail. 2. a thing

sour taste, usually made from wine, which you imagine 쑗 He had visions of
used in cooking and for pickling himself stuck in London with no pass-
violence /vaələns/ noun action which
violence
port and no money. 쑗 She had visions of
is intended to hurt someone 쑗 Acts of vi- him being arrested for drug smuggling.
visit /vzt/ noun a short stay with some-
visit
olence must be punished.

violent /vaələnt/ adjective 1. very
violent
one or in a town or a country 쑗 They had
strong 쑗 The discussion led to a violent a visit from the police. 쑗 We will be
argument. 쑗 A violent storm blew all making a short visit to London next
night. 2. using force to hurt people 쑗 week. 쑗 The manager is on a business
Her husband was a very violent man. visit to China. 쐽 verb to stay a short
time with someone or in a town or coun-
violently /vaələntli/ adverb 1. with
violently
try 쑗 I am on my way to visit my sister

physical force, often with the intention in hospital. 쑗 They are away visiting
of hurting 쑗 This horse threw him vio- friends in the north of the country. 쑗 The
lently onto the ground. 쑗 She hurled the group of tourists are going to visit the
bottle violently across the table. 2. with glass factory. 쑗 He spent a week in Scot-
great feeling 쑗 She violently rejected the land, visiting museums in Edinburgh
accusations made against her. 쑗 He re- and Glasgow.
acted violently to the injection. 쑗 The
visitor /vztə/ noun a person who
visitor
oysters made her violently sick.

comes to visit 쑗 How many visitors
violin /vaəln/ noun a musical instru-
violin

come to the museum each year? 쑗 We
ment with strings that hold under your had a surprise visitor yesterday – the
chin and play with a bow bank manager!
virtual /v
tʃuəl/ adjective almost 쑗
virtual
vital /vat(ə)l/ adjective extremely im-

vital
The company has a virtual monopoly of portant 쑗 It is vital that we act quickly.
French wine imports. 쑗 His grandfather 쑗 Oxygen is vital to human life.
has become a virtual recluse. vitamin /vtəmn/ noun an essential
vitamin
virtually /v
tʃuəli/ adverb almost 쑗
virtually
substance which is found in food and is

These shirts have been reduced so much needed for growth and health
that we’re virtually giving them away. 쑗 vivid /vvd/ adjective 1. very bright 쑗
vivid
It’s virtually impossible to get tickets for vivid yellow sunflowers 쑗 the vivid col-
the concert. ours of the Mediterranean beach 2. rep-
virtual reality /v
tʃυəl rilti/ noun
virtual reality
resenting real events clearly 쑗 She has a

the simulation of a real-life scene or real vivid imagination. 쑗 I had a really vivid
events on a computer dream last night. 쑗 She gave a vivid ac-
virus /varəs/ noun 1. a very small liv-
virus
count of her experiences at the hands of
ing thing that causes disease by living in the kidnappers.
vocabulary /vəυkbjυləri/ noun 1. all
vocabulary
the bodies of people or animals 쑗 Scien-
tists have isolated a new flu virus. 쑗 the words used by a person or group of
Shingles is caused by the same virus as persons 쑗 specialist legal vocabulary 쑗
chickenpox. 2. a part of a computer pro- She reads French newspapers to im-
gram which is designed to destroy files prove her French vocabulary. 2. a print-
on someone else’s computer 쑗 You must ed list of words 쑗 There is a German-
voice 353 voyage

English vocabulary at the back of the school relies on volunteers to help with
book. (NOTE: The plural is vocabular- the sports day. 쑗 The information desk
ies.) is manned by volunteers. 쐽 verb to offer
voice /vɔs/ noun a sound made when to do something without being paid or
voice
you speak or sing 쑗 I didn’t recognise being forced to do it 쑗 He volunteered

his voice over the telephone. 쑗 The to collect the entrance tickets. 쑗 Will an-
chairman spoke for a few minutes in a yone volunteer for the job of washing
low voice. up?
vote /vəυt/ noun the act of marking a pa-
vote
volcano /vɒlkenəυ/ noun a mountain

volcano
which lava, ash and gas may flow out of per, holding up your hand, etc., to show
from time to time (NOTE: The plural is your opinion or to show who you want
volcanoes.) to be elected 쑗 How many votes did you
volume /vɒlju
m/ noun 1. the amount
volume
get? 쑗 There were only ten votes against
of sound 쑗 She turned down the volume the plan. 쐽 verb to mark a paper, to hold
on the radio. 쑗 He drives with the car up your hand, etc., to show your opinion
radio on at full volume. 2. the amount or to show who you want to be elected 쑗
which is contained inside something 쑗 Fifty per cent of the people voted in the
What is the volume of this barrel? 3. one election. 쑗 We all voted to go on strike.
voter /vəυtə/ noun a person who votes
voter
book, especially one in a series 쑗 Have

you read the third volume of his history or who has the right to vote
of medieval Europe? vowel /vaυəl/ noun one of the five let-
vowel
voluntary /vɒlənt(ə)ri/ adjective 1.

voluntary
ters, a, e, i, o and u, which represent

done because you want to do it, and sounds made without using the teeth,
done without being paid 쑗 Many retired tongue or lips (NOTE: The letters repre-
people do voluntary work. 2. done will- senting sounds which are not vowels
ingly, without being forced 쑗 He made are consonants. Note also that in
a voluntary contribution to the fund. some languages ‘y’ is a vowel.)
volunteer /vɒləntə/ noun a person voyage /vɔd"/ noun a long journey,
volunteer voyage
who offers to do something without be- especially by ship or spacecraft 쑗 the

ing paid or being forced to do it 쑗 The voyages of Sir Francis Drake
W
w /db(ə)lju
/, W noun the twenty-third was woken by the telephone. 쑗 I banged
w
letter of the alphabet, between V and X on her door, but I can’t wake her. 쑗 He
wade /wed/ verb to walk through water
wade
asked to be woken at 7.00. 2. to stop
쑗 They waded into the sea. sleeping 쑗 He woke suddenly, feeling
drops of water falling on his head.
wag /w'/ verb to move something from
wag
(NOTE: wakes – waking – woke

side to side or up and down 쑗 The dog /wəυk/ – woken)
ran up to him, wagging its tail. 쑗 The
grandmother wagged her finger at the wake up phrasal verb 1. to stop some-
little boy who was picking the flowers. one’s sleep 쑗 He was woken up by the
(NOTE: wags – wagging – wagged) sound of the dog barking. 2. to stop
wage /wed"/, wages /wed"z/ noun
wage
sleeping 쑗 She woke up in the middle of
money paid, usually in cash each week, the night, thinking she had heard a
to a worker for work done 쑗 The compa- noise. 쑗 Come on, wake up! It’s past ten
ny pays quite good wages. 쑗 She is o’clock. 쑗 He woke up to find water
earning a good wage or good wages in coming through the roof of the tent.
Wales /welz/ noun a country to the west
Wales
the pizza restaurant.

wagon /w'ən/ noun a railway truck
wagon
of England, forming part of the United
used for carrying heavy loads Kingdom 쑗 There are some high moun-
tains in North Wales. 쒁 Welsh (NOTE:
waist /west/ noun 1. the narrow part of
waist
capital: Cardiff; people: the Welsh;

the body between the bottom of the languages: Welsh, English)
chest and the hips 쑗 She measures 32
walk /wɔ
k/ verb 1. to go somewhere on
walk
inches round the waist or has a 32-inch

waist. 2. the part of a piece of clothing, foot 쑗 The baby is ten months old, and
e.g. a skirt, trousers or dress, that goes is just starting to walk. 쑗 She was walk-
round the middle of your body 쑗 The ing along the high street on her way to
waist of these trousers is too small for the bank. 쑗 We walked slowly across the
me. (NOTE: Do not confuse with bridge. 쑗 The visitors walked round the
waste.) factory. 왍 to walk someone home to go
with someone who is walking home 쑗 It
wait /wet/ verb to stay where you are,
wait
was getting late, so I walked her home.

and not do anything until something 2. to take an animal for a walk 쑗 He’s
happens or someone comes 쑗 Wait here gone to walk the dog in the fields. 쑗 She
while I call an ambulance. 쑗 They had walks her dog every morning. 쐽 noun 1.
been waiting for half an hour in the rain a usually pleasant journey on foot 쑗
before the bus finally arrived. 쑗 Wait a Let’s all go for a walk in the park. 2. a
minute, my shoelace is undone. 쑗 Don’t distance which you cover on foot 쑗 It’s
wait for me, I’ll be late. only a short walk to the beach. 쑗 It’s
waiter /wetə/ noun a man who brings
waiter
only five minutes’ walk from the office to

food and drink to customers in a restau- the bank or the bank is only a five min-
rant utes’ walk from the office.
waitress /wetrəs/ noun a woman who
waitress
wall /wɔ
l/ noun a structure made from
wall
brings food and drink to customers in a things such as bricks or stones, built up
restaurant (NOTE: The plural is wait- to make one of the sides of a building, of
resses.) a room or to surround a space 쑗 The
wake /wek/ verb 1. to stop someone’s
wake
walls of the restaurant are decorated

sleep 쑗 The telephone woke her or she with pictures of film stars. 쑗 There’s a
wallet 355 wash

clock on the wall behind my desk. 쑗 He ary. 2. pleasant and friendly 쑗 We had a
got into the house by climbing over the warm welcome from our friends. 쑗 She
garden wall. has a really warm personality. 쐽 verb to
wallet /wɒlt/ noun a small flat leather
wallet
make something hotter 쑗 Come and
case for carrying things such as credit warm your hands by the fire. 쑗 I’ll
cards and banknotes in your pocket warm some soup.
warmth /wɔ
mθ/ noun the fact of being
warmth
wallpaper /wɔ
lpepə/ noun paper
wallpaper
with different patterns on it, covering warm or feeling warm 쑗 It was cold and
the walls of a room 쑗 The wallpaper rainy outside, and he looked forward to
was light green to match the carpet. the warmth of his home.
warn /wɔ
n/ verb 1. to inform someone
warn
wander /wɒndə/ verb to walk around

wander
without any particular aim 쑗 They wan- of a possible danger 쑗 Children are
dered round the town in the rain. warned not to play on the frozen lake. 쑗
want /wɒnt/ verb 1. to hope that you will
want
The group was warned to look out for
do something, that something will hap- pickpockets. 쑗 The guide warned us that
pen, or that you will get something 쑗 there might be snakes in the grass. 2. to
She wants a new car for her birthday. 쑗 inform someone that something is likely
Where do you want to go for your holi- to happen 쑗 The railway has warned
days? 쑗 He wants to be a teacher. 2. to that there will be a strike tomorrow. 쑗
ask someone to do something 쑗 The The weather forecast warned of storms
manager wants me to go and see him. 쑗 in the English Channel. (NOTE: You
I want those windows painted. 3. to warn someone of something, or warn
need something 쑗 With five children, someone that something may hap-
what they want is a bigger house. 쑗 You pen.)
warning /wɔ
nŋ/ noun news about a
warning
want to take some rest.

war /wɔ
/ noun a period of fighting be-
war
possible danger 쑗 He shouted a warn-
tween countries 쑗 Millions of soldiers ing to the children. 쑗 The government
and civilians were killed during the war. issued a warning about travelling in
쑗 In 1914 Britain was at war with Ger- some countries in the area. 쑗 Each
many or Britain and Germany were at packet of cigarettes has a government
war. health warning printed on it. 쐽 adjec-
tive which informs about a danger 쑗
ward /wɔ
d/ noun a room or set of rooms
ward
Red warning flags are raised if the sea

in a hospital, with beds for patients 쑗 is dangerous. 쑗 Warning notices were
The children’s ward is at the end of the put up round the building site.
corridor. 쑗 She was taken into the acci-
wary /weəri/ adjective aware of a possi-
wary
dent and emergency ward.

ble problem with someone or something
wardrobe /wɔ
drəυb/ noun a tall cup-
wardrobe
쑗 I am very wary of any of his ideas for

board in which you hang your clothes 쑗 making money. (NOTE: warier – wari-
He moved the wardrobe from the land- est)
ing into the bedroom.
was /wəz, wɒz/ past tense of be
was
warehouse /weəhaυs/ noun a large

warehouse
wash /wɒʃ/ verb to clean something us-

wash
building where goods are stored 쑗 Our

goods are dispatched from the central ing water 쑗 Cooks should always wash
warehouse to shops all over the country. their hands before touching food! 쑗 I
warm /wɔ
m/ adjective 1. fairly hot 쑗
warm
must wash the car before we go to the
The temperature is below freezing out- wedding. 쑗 The moment I had washed
side but it’s nice and warm in the office. the windows it started to rain. 쑗 His
쑗 The children tried to keep warm by
football shirt needs washing. 쐽 noun
playing football. 쑗 Are you warm the action of cleaning, using water 쑗
enough, or do you want another blan- The car needs a wash. 쑗 He’s in the
ket? 쑗 This coat is not very warm. 쑗 The bathroom, having a quick wash.
winter sun can be quite warm in Febru- wash up phrasal verb to clean objects
washbasin 356 wave

such as dirty cups, plates, knives and watches) 2. the activity of watching
forks with water 쑗 It took us hours to something carefully 쑗 Visitors should
wash up after the party. 쑗 My brother’s be on the watch for pickpockets. 쑗 Keep
washing up, while I’m sitting watching a watch on the potatoes to make sure
the TV. they don’t burn. (NOTE: no plural)
washbasin /wɒʃbes(ə)n/ noun a con- watch out phrasal verb to be careful 쑗
washbasin
tainer for holding water for washing the Watch out! there’s a car coming!
water /wɔ
tə/ noun the liquid which
water
hands and face, which has taps and is

usually attached to the wall of a bath- falls as rain and forms rivers, lakes and
room seas. It makes up a large part of the bod-
washing /wɒʃŋ/ noun clothes which ies of living creatures, and is used for
washing
have been washed, or which are ready to drinking and in cooking; also in indus-
be washed 쑗 Put the washing in the trial processes. 쑗 Can we have three
washing machine. 쑗 She hung out the glasses of water please? 쑗 Cook the
washing to dry. vegetables in boiling water. 쑗 Is the tap
water safe to drink? 쑗 The water tem-
washing machine /wɒʃŋ məʃi
n/
washing machine
perature is 60°. (NOTE: no plural: some

noun a machine for washing clothes
water ; a drop of water) 쐽 verb to pour
(NOTE: A machine for washing plates
water on the soil round a plant to make
and cutlery is a dishwasher.)
it grow 쑗 Because it is hot we need to
wasp /wɒsp/ noun an insect which has
wasp
water the garden every day. 쑗 She was

black and yellow bands of colour round watering her pots of flowers.
its body and which can sting
waterfall /wɔ
təfɔ
l/ noun a place
waterfall
waste /west/ noun 1. an unnecessary

waste
where a stream falls down a steep drop

use of time or money 쑗 It is a waste of
waterlogged /wɔ
təlɒ'd/ adjective
waterlogged
time asking the boss for a rise. 쑗 That

computer is a waste of money – there waterlogged ground is full of water, so
are plenty of cheaper models. 2. things the surface stays wet for a long time 쑗
which are no use and are thrown away 쑗 After so much rain, the waterlogged golf
Put all your waste in the rubbish bin. 쐽 course had to be closed. 쑗 Most plants
verb to use more of something than you cannot grow in waterlogged soil.
waterproof /wɔ
təpru
f/ adjective
waterproof
need 쑗 Don’t waste time putting your

shoes on – jump out of the window now. which does not let water go through 쑗
쑗 We turned off all the heating so as not waterproof clothing 쑗 These boots
to waste energy. (NOTE: wastes – wast- aren’t waterproof – my socks are soak-
ing – wasted) 쐽 adjective useless and ing wet.
ready to be thrown away 쑗 Waste prod- wave /wev/ noun 1. a raised mass of wa-
wave
ucts should not be dumped in the sea. 쑗 ter on the surface of the sea, a lake or a
Recycle all your waste paper. river 쑗 Waves were breaking on the
watch /wɒtʃ/ verb 1. to look at and no-
watch
rocks. 쑗 Watch out for big waves on the

tice something 쑗 Did you watch the TV beach. 쑗 The sea was calm, with hardly
news last night? 쑗 We went to the sports any waves. 2. an up and down move-
ground to watch the football match. 쑗 ment of your hand 3. a regular curve on
Everyone was watching the children the surface of hair 쑗 His hair has a nat-
dancing. 2. to look at something care- ural wave. 4. a sudden increase in some-
fully to make sure that nothing happens thing 쑗 A wave of anger surged through
쑗 Watch the saucepan – I don’t want the the crowd. 쐽 verb 1. to move up and
potatoes to burn. 쑗 Can you watch the down in the wind 쑗 The flags were wav-
baby while I’m at the hairdresser’s? 쐽 ing outside the town hall. 2. to make an
noun 1. an object like a little clock up and down movement of the hand
which you wear on your wrist 쑗 She when saying ‘hello’, ‘goodbye’ or for
looked at her watch impatiently. 쑗 What attracting attention 쑗 They waved until
time is it? – my watch has stopped. the car was out of sight. 쑗 They waved
(NOTE: The plural in this sense is goodbye as the boat left the harbour. 왍
waver 357 wear

to wave to someone to signal to some- way up /we p/ noun a way in which
way up
one by moving your hand up and down something stands

쑗 When I saw him I waved to him to
we /wi
/ pronoun used by someone
we
cross the road.

speaking or writing to refer to himself or
waver /wevə/ verb to be unable to de-
waver
herself and others 쑗 He said we could

cide what to do 쑗 He is still wavering go into the exhibition. 쑗 We were not al-
about whether or not to leave the com- lowed into the restaurant in jeans. 쑗 We
pany. had a wonderful holiday – we all en-
wax /wks/ noun a solid substance made
wax
joyed ourselves enormously. (NOTE:

from fat or oil, used for making things When it is the object we becomes us:
such as candles and polish 쑗 She We gave it to him; He gave it to us.
brought a tin of wax polish and started When it follows the verb to be, we usu-
to polish the furniture. ally becomes us: Who is it? – It’s us!)
weak /wi
k/ adjective 1. not strong 쑗 Af-
weak
way /we/ noun 1. the direction in which

way
something can be found or in which ter his illness he is still very weak. 쑗 I
someone or something is going 쑗 Do don’t like weak tea. 2. not effective 쑗 a
you know the way to the post office? 쑗 weak leader 쑗 a weak argument 3. not
The bus is going the wrong way for the having knowledge or skill 쑗 She’s
station. 쑗 She showed us the way to the weaker at science than at maths. 쑗
railway station. 쑗 They lost their way French is his weakest subject. (NOTE:
and had to ask for directions. 쑗 I’ll lead weaker – weakest. Do not confuse
the way – just follow me. 2. the means of with week.)
doing something 쑗 My mother showed wealth /welθ/ noun a large amount of
wealth
me the way to make marmalade. 쑗 Isn’t money and property which someone
there any other way of making it? 쑗 He owns 쑗 His wealth was acquired in
thought of a way of making money business. (NOTE: no plural)
quickly. 쑗 The way she said it implied it
wealthy /welθi/ adjective (of a person)
wealthy
was my fault. 3. 왍 to make your way to

very rich (NOTE: wealthier – wealthi-
go to a place with some difficulty 쑗 Can
est)
you make your way to passport control?
weapon /wepən/ noun an object such
weapon
쑗 He made his way to the tourist infor-

mation office. 4. the distance between as a gun or sword, which you fight with
one place and another 쑗 The nearest 쑗 nuclear weapons 쑗 The crowd used
bank is quite a long way away. 쑗 He’s iron bars as weapons.
got a long way to go before he qualifies wear /weə/ verb 1. to have something
wear
as a doctor. 5. a path or road which goes such as clothes or jewellery on your

somewhere 쑗 Our neighbours across body 쑗 What dress are you wearing to
the way. 쑗 I’ll walk the first part of the the party? 쑗 When last seen, he was
way home with you. 6. a particular di- wearing a blue raincoat. 쑗 She’s wear-
rection from here 쑗 a one-way street 쑗 ing her mother’s earrings. 쑗 She wears
Can you tell which way the wind is her hair very short. 2. to damage some-
blowing? 쑗 This way please, everybody! thing or make it thin through using it 쑗
7. a space where someone wants to be or I’ve worn a hole in the heel of my sock.
which someone wants to use 쑗 Get out (NOTE: wears – wearing – wore /wɔ
/
of my way – I’m in a hurry. 쑗 It’s best to – worn /wɔ
n/)
keep out of the way of the police for a
moment. 쑗 I wanted to take a short cut, wear out phrasal verb 1. to use some-
but there was a lorry in the way. thing so much that it becomes broken
and useless 쑗 Walking across the USA,
way in /we n/ noun an entrance
way in
he wore out three pairs of boots. 2. 왍 to

way out /we aυt/ noun an exit 쑗 This wear yourself out to become very tired
way out
is the way out of the car park. 쑗 He through doing something 쑗 She wore
couldn’t find the way out in the dark. herself out looking after the old lady.
weather 358 welcome

weather /weðə/ noun conditions out- next week. 쑗 I go to the cinema at least
weather
side, e.g. if it is raining, hot, cold or sun- once a week. (NOTE: Do not confuse
ny 쑗 What’s the weather going to be like with weak.)
today? 쑗 If the weather gets any better, weekend /wi
kend/ noun Saturday and
weekend
then we can go out in the boat. Sunday, or the period from Friday
weave /wi
v/ verb 1. to make cloth by evening to Sunday evening 쑗 We’re go-
weave
twisting fibres over and under each oth- ing to the coast for the weekend. 쑗 Why
er 쑗 The cloth is woven from the wool of don’t you come to spend next weekend
local sheep. 쑗 The new weaving ma- with us in the country? 쑗 At weekends,
chines were installed last week. 2. to we try to spend time in the garden.
make something by a similar method, weekly /wi
kli/ adjective, adverb which
weekly
but using things such as very thin pieces happens or is published once a week 쑗
of wood or the dried stems of plants 쑗 We have a weekly paper which tells us
She learnt how to weave baskets. (NOTE: all the local news. 쑗 The weekly rate for
weaves – weaving – wove /wəυv/ – the job is £250. 쑗 Are you paid weekly
woven /wəυvən/) or monthly?
web /web/ noun 1. a net spun by spiders weigh /we/ verb 1. to measure how
web
weigh
쑗 The garden is full of spiders’ webs in heavy something or someone is 쑗 Can

autumn. 2. 왍 the web the thousands of you weigh this parcel for me? 쑗 They
websites and webpages within the Inter- weighed his suitcase at the check-in
net, which users can visit desk. 쑗 I weighed myself this morning.
webpage /webped"/ noun a single file 2. to have a particular weight 쑗 This
webpage
of text and graphics, forming part of a piece of meat weighs 100 grams. 쑗 How
website much do you weigh? 쑗 She only weighs
website /websat/ noun a collection of
website
40 kilos.
weight /wet/ noun 1. how heavy some-
weight
pages on the Web which have been pro-

duced by one person or organisation and thing is 쑗 What’s the maximum weight
are linked together of parcel the post office will accept? 2.
wedding /wedŋ/ noun a marriage cer-
wedding
how heavy a person is 쑗 His weight is
emony, when two people are officially less than it was a year ago. 3. something
made husband and wife 쑗 This Saturday which is heavy 쑗 If you lift heavy
I’m going to John and Mary’s wedding. weights like paving stones, you may hurt
your back. (NOTE: Do not confuse with
wedge /wed"/ noun a solid piece of
wedge
wait.)
something such as wood, metal or rub-
weird /wəd/ adjective strange in a way
weird
ber in the shape of a V 쑗 Put a wedge

under the door to hold it open. that makes you feel nervous or fright-
ened
Wednesday /wenzde/ noun the day
Wednesday
welcome /welkəm/ verb 1. to greet

welcome
between Tuesday and Thursday, the

third day of the week 쑗 She came for tea someone in a friendly way 쑗 The staff
last Wednesday. 쑗 Wednesdays are al- welcomed the new assistant to the office.
쑗 When we arrived at the hotel we were
ways busy days for us. 쑗 Can we meet
next Wednesday afternoon? 쑗 Wednes- welcomed by a couple of barking guard
day the 24th would be a good date for a dogs. 2. to be pleased to hear news 쑗 I
meeting. 쑗 The 15th is a Tuesday, so the warmly welcome the result of the elec-
16th must be a Wednesday. tion. 쑗 I would welcome any sugges-
tions as to how to stop the water seeping
weed /wi
d/ noun a wild plant that you
weed
into the basement. (NOTE: welcomes –

do not want in a garden or crop welcoming – welcomed) 쐽 noun the
week /wi
k/ noun a period of seven days,
week
action of greeting someone 쑗 There was

usually from Monday to Sunday 쑗 not much of a welcome from the staff
There are 52 weeks in the year. 쑗 The when we arrived at the hotel. 쐽 adjec-
firm gives us two weeks’ holiday at tive met or greeted with pleasure 쑗 They
Easter. 쑗 It’s my aunt’s 80th birthday made me very welcome. 앳 you’re wel-
welfare 359 what

come! a reply to ‘thank you’ 쑗 Thanks language spoken in Wales 쑗 Welsh is
for carrying the bags for me – you’re used in schools in many parts of Wales.
welcome! went /went/ past tense of go
went
welfare /welfeə/ noun the act or prac- were /wə, w

/ 1st person plural past of
welfare
were
tice of providing the things which peo- be. 2nd person plural past of be. 3rd
ple need and which help them to be person plural past of be
healthy 쑗 The club looks after the wel- west /west/ noun the direction in which
west
fare of the old people in the town. 쑗 The the sun sets 쑗 The sun sets in the west
government has taken measures to re- and rises in the east. 쑗 We live in a vil-
form the welfare system. lage to the west of the town. 쑗 Their
well /wel/ adverb 1. in a way that is satis-
well
house has a garden that faces west or a

factory 쑗 He doesn’t speak Russian very west-facing garden. 쐽 adjective in or to
well. 쑗 Our business is small, but it’s the west 쑗 She lives on the west coast of
doing well. 쑗 Is the new computer work- the United States. 쑗 The west part of the
ing well? 2. very much 쑗 He got back town is near the river. 쐽 adverb towards
from the office late – well after eight the west 쑗 Go west for about ten kilo-
o’clock. 쑗 You should go to the Tower of metres, and then you’ll come to the na-
London – it’s well worth a visit. 쑗 There tional park. 쑗 The river flows west into
were well over sixty people at the meet- the ocean.
western /westən/ adjective from or in
western
ing. 쑗 She’s well over eighty. 쐽 adjec-

tive healthy 쑗 She’s looking well after the west 쑗 Great Britain is part of West-
her holiday! 쑗 The secretary’s not very ern Europe. 쑗 The Western part of Can-
well today – she’s had to stay off work. ada has wonderful scenery.
쑗 It took him some weeks to get well af- wet /wet/ adjective 1. covered in water or
wet
ter his flu. 쐽 interjection used for start- other liquid 쑗 She forgot her umbrella
ing a sentence 쑗 Well, I’ll show you and got wet walking back from the
round the house first. 쑗 Well now, we’ve shops. 쑗 The chair’s all wet where he
done the washing up so we can sit and knocked over his beer. 쑗 The baby is wet
watch TV. 쐽 noun a very deep hole dug – can you change her nappy? 2. raining
in the ground with water or oil at the 쑗 The summer months are the wettest
bottom 앳 as well also 쑗 When my aunt part of the year. 쑗 There’s nothing I like
comes to stay she brings her two cats better than a wet Sunday in London. 3.
and the dog as well. 쑗 You can’t eat fish not yet dry 쑗 Watch out! – the paint’s
and chips and a meat pie as well! 앳 as still wet. (NOTE: wetter – wettest)
well as in addition to 쑗 Some newsa- whale /wel/ noun a very large creature
whale
gents sell groceries as well as newspa- that lives in the sea 쑗 You can take a
pers. 쑗 She ate a slice of cheesecake as boat into the mouth of the river to see
well as two scoops of ice cream. 앳 well the whales.
done used for praising someone for what /wɒt/ adjective asking a question 쑗
what
their success 쑗 Well done, the England What kind of music do you like? 쑗 What
team! 쑗 Well done to all of you who type of food does he like best? 쐽 pro-
passed the exam! noun 1. the thing which 쑗 Did you see
well-known /wel nəυn/ adjective
well-known
what was in the box? 쑗 What we like to

known by a lot of people do most on holiday is just to visit old
churches. 2. asking a question 쑗 What’s
well-paid /wel ped/ adjective earning
well-paid
the correct time? 쑗 What did he give

a good salary
you for your birthday? 쑗 What hap-
Welsh /welʃ/ adjective relating to Wales
Welsh
pened to his car? (NOTE: When what

쑗 We will be going climbing in the used to ask a direct question, the verb
Welsh mountains at Easter. 쐽 noun 1. 왍 is put before the subject: What’s the
the Welsh the people of Wales 쑗 The time? but not when it is used in a state-
Welsh are proud of their heritage. 쑗 The ment: They don’t know what the time
Welsh are magnificent singers. 2. the is.) 쐽 adverb showing surprise 쑗 What
whatever 360 whether

a huge meal! 쑗 What beautiful weather! 쐽 conjunction 1.
at the time that 쑗
쐽 interjection showing surprise 쑗 What! When he was young, the family was liv-
did you hear what he said? 쑗 I won the ing in London. 쑗 When you go on holi-
lottery! – What! day, leave your key with the neighbours
whatever /wɒtevə/ pronoun 1. it does
whatever

so they can feed the cat. 쑗 Do you re-
not matter what (form of ‘what’ used for member the day when we all went for a
emphasis; in questions) 쑗 You can picnic in the park? 쑗 Let me know when
have whatever you like for Christmas. 쑗 you’re ready to go. 2. after 쑗 When the
She always does whatever she feels like speaker had finished, he sat down. 쑗
doing. 쑗 I want that car whatever the Wash up the plates when you’ve finished
price. 2. used instead of ‘what’ for em- your breakfast. 3. even if 쑗 The sales-
phasis in questions 쑗 ‘I’ve sold the car.’ man said the car was worth £5,000
‘Whatever for?’ 쑗 Whatever made him when he really knew it was worth only
do that? 쑗 Whatever does that red light half that.
whenever /wenevə/ adverb at any time
whenever
mean?
wheat /wi
t/ noun a plant of which the
wheat
that 쑗 Come for tea whenever you like.
grain is used to make flour (NOTE: no 쑗 We try to see my mother whenever we
plural) can or whenever possible.
where /weə/ adverb 1. (asking a ques-
where
wheel /wi
l/ noun 1. a round object on
wheel
which a vehicle such as a bicycle, a car tion) in what place, to what place 쑗
or a train runs 쑗 The front wheel and the Where did I put my glasses? 쑗 Do you
back wheel of the motorbike were both know where the restaurant is? 쑗 Where
damaged in the accident. 쑗 We got a flat are the knives and forks? 쑗 Where are
tyre so I had to get out to change the you going for your holiday? 2. in a place
wheel. 2. any similar round object in which 쑗 Stay where you are and don’t
which turns 쑗 a steering wheel 쑗 gear move. 쑗 They still live in the same house
wheels 쐽 verb to push something along where they were living twenty years ago.
which has wheels 쑗 He wheeled his mo- 쑗 Here’s where the wire has been cut.
torbike into the garage. 쑗 She was (NOTE: After where used to ask a direct
wheeling her bike along the pavement. question, the verb is put before the
쑗 The waiter wheeled in a sweet trolley. subject: Where is the bottle? but not
wheelbarrow /wi
lbrəυ/ noun a
wheelbarrow
when it is used in a statement: He
large container with one wheel at the doesn’t know where the bottle is.)
whereas /weərz/ conjunction if you
whereas
front and two handles, used by people
such as builders and gardeners for push- compare this with the fact that 쑗 He
ing heavy loads around likes tea whereas she prefers coffee.
wheelchair /wi
ltʃeə/ noun a chair on wherever /weərevə/ adverb 1. to or in
wheelchair wherever
wheels which people who cannot walk any place 쑗 You can sit wherever you
use to move around 쑗 a special entrance want. 쑗 Wherever we go on holiday, we
for wheelchair users never make hotel reservations. 쑗 The
when /wen/ adverb at what time (asking
when
police want to ask her questions, wher-
a question) 쑗 When is the last train for ever she may be. 2. used instead of
Paris? 쑗 When did you last go to the ‘where’ for emphasis 쑗 Wherever did
dentist? 쑗 When are we going to get you get that hat?
whether /weðə/ conjunction 1. used to
whether
paid? 쑗 Since when has he been wear-

ing glasses? 쑗 I asked her when her mean ‘if’ for showing doubt, or for
friend was leaving. (NOTE: After when showing that you have not decided
used to ask a direct question, the verb something 쑗 Do you know whether
is put before the subject: When does they’re coming? 쑗 I can’t make up my
the film start?; When is he coming? but mind whether to go on holiday now or
not when it is used in a statement: He later. 2. used for referring to either of
doesn’t know when the film starts.; two things or people 쑗 All employees,
They can’t tell me when he is coming.) whether managers or ordinary staff,
which 361 who

must take a medical test. (NOTE: Do not company produces thousands of bottles
confuse with weather.) of whisky every year. (NOTE: The plural
which /wtʃ/ adjective, pronoun 1. (ask- is whiskies.)
which
ing a question) what person or thing 쑗 whisper /wspə/ verb to speak very qui-
whisper
Which dress are you wearing to the etly, so that only the person you are talk-
wedding? 쑗 Which boy threw that ing to can hear 쑗 He whispered instruc-
stone? 2. (only used with things, not tions to the other members of the gang.
people) that 쑗 The French restaurant 쑗 She whispered to the nurse that she
which is next door to the office. 쑗 wanted something to drink. 쐽 noun a
They’ve eaten all the bread which you quiet voice, or words spoken very quiet-
bought yesterday. ly 쑗 She spoke in a whisper.
while /wal/ conjunction 1. at the time
while
whistle /ws(ə)l/ noun 1. a high sound

whistle
that 쑗 He tried to cut my hair while he made by blowing through your lips
was watching TV. 쑗 While we were on when they are almost closed 쑗 She gave
holiday someone broke into our house. a whistle of surprise. 쑗 We heard a
쑗 Shall I clean the kitchen while you’re whistle and saw a dog running across
having a bath? 2. showing difference 쑗 the field. 2. a simple instrument which
He likes meat, while his sister is a vege- makes a high sound, played by blowing
tarian. 쑗 Everyone is watching TV, 쑗 He blew on his whistle to stop the
while I’m in the kitchen making the din- match. 쐽 verb 1. to blow through your
ner. 3. although (formal ) 쑗 While there lips to make a high sound 쑗 They
may still be delays, the service is much marched along, whistling an Irish song.
better than it used to be. 쐽 noun a short 쑗 He whistled for a taxi. 2. to make a
time 쑗 It’s a while since I’ve seen him. high sound using a small metal instru-
앳 in a while in a short time, soon 쑗 I’ll ment 쑗 The referee whistled to stop the
be ready in a while. match.
whine /wan/ verb 1. to make a loud high
whine
white /wat/ adjective of a colour like

white
noise 쑗 You can hear the engines of the snow or milk 쑗 A white shirt is part of
racing cars whining in the background. the uniform. 쑗 A white car will always
쑗 The dogs whined when we locked look dirty. 쑗 Her hair is now completely
them up in the kitchen. 2. to complain in white. 쑗 Do you take your coffee black
a loud high voice that annoys other peo- or white? 쐽 noun 1. a person whose
ple 쑗 She’s always whining about how skin is pale 쑗 Whites are in the minority
little money she has. (NOTE: Do not con- in African countries. 2. a white part of
fuse with wine. Note also: whines – something 쑗 the white of an egg 쑗 The
whining – whined.) whites of his eyes were slightly red. 3. a
whip /wp/ noun a long, thin piece of
whip
white wine 쑗 A glass of house white,

leather with a handle, used to hit ani- please.
mals to make them do what you want 쑗 white lie /wat la/ noun a lie about
white lie
The rider used her whip to make the something unimportant, especially a lie
horse run faster. 쐽 verb to hit someone told in order not to upset someone
or an animal with a whip 쑗 He whipped (informal )
the horse to make it go faster. (NOTE:
who /hu
/ pronoun 1. (asking a ques-
who
whips – whipping – whipped)

tion) which person or persons 쑗 Who
whirl /w
l/ verb to turn round quickly 쑗
whirl
phoned? 쑗 Who are you talking to? 쑗

She put on her new skirt and whirled
Who spoke at the meeting? 2. the person
around for every one to see. 쑗 The chil- or the people that 쑗 The men who came
dren’s paper windmills whirled in the yesterday morning work for the electric-
wind.
ity company. 쑗 Anyone who didn’t get
whiskey /wski/ noun Irish or Ameri-
whiskey
tickets early won’t be able to get in. 쑗

can whisky There’s the taxi driver who took us
whisky /wski/ noun an alcoholic drink,
whisky
home last night. (NOTE: After an object,

made in Scotland from barley 쑗 The who can be left out: There’s the man I
whoever 362 will

saw at the pub. When who is used to very wide at this point. 2. including
ask a direct question, the verb is put many things 쑗 The shop carries a wide
after ‘who’ and before the subject: range of imported goods. 쑗 She has a
Who is that man over there?, but not wide knowledge of French painting. 쒁
when it is used in a statement: I don’t width 쐽 adverb as far as possible, as
know who that man is over there. much as possible 쑗 She opened her eyes
When who is used as an object, it is wide. 쑗 The door was wide open so we
sometimes written whom /hu
m/ but just walked in.
this is formal and not common: the widely /wadli/ adverb 1. by a wide
widely
man whom I met in the office; Whom range of people 쑗 It is widely expected
do you want to see?) that he will resign. 2. over a wide area 쑗
whoever /hu
evə/ pronoun (emphatic
whoever

Contamination spread widely over the
form of ‘who’) no matter who, anyone area round the factory. 쑗 She has trav-
who 쑗 Whoever finds the umbrella can elled widely in Greece.
keep it. 쑗 Go home with whoever you widow /wdəυ/ noun a woman whose
widow
like. husband has died and who has not mar-

whole /həυl/ adjective all of something
whole
ried again
쑗 She must have been hungry – she ate
width /wdθ/ noun 1. a measurement of
width
a whole apple pie. 쑗 We spent the whole

something from one side to another 쑗 I
winter in the south. 쑗 A whole lot of
need to know the width of the sofa. 쑗
people went down with flu. 쐽 noun all of
The width of the garden is at least forty
something 쑗 She stayed in bed the
feet or the garden is at least forty feet in
whole of Sunday morning and read the
width. 2. the distance from one side to
newspapers. 쑗 The whole of the north of
another of a swimming pool 쑗 She
the country was covered with snow. 쑗
swam three widths easily.
Did you watch the whole of the pro-
wife /waf/ noun a woman who is mar-
wife
gramme? (NOTE: Do not confuse with

hole.) 쐽 adverb in one piece 쑗 The ried to a man 쑗 I know Mr Jones quite
birds catch small fish and swallow them well but I’ve never met his wife. 쑗 They
whole. both came with their wives. (NOTE: The
whom /hu
m/ 쏡 who
whom
plural is wives /wavz/.)
wig /w'/ noun false hair worn on the
wig
whose /hu
z/ pronoun 1. (asking a
whose
question) which belongs to which per- head

wild /wald/ adjective 1. living naturally,
wild
son 쑗 Whose is that car? 쑗 Whose book

is this? 쑗 Whose money was stolen? 2. not with people as a pet 2. very angry or
of whom 쑗 the family whose house was very excited 쑗 He will be wild when he
burgled 쑗 the man whose hat you bor- sees what I have done to the car. 쑗 The
rowed 쑗 the girl whose foot you trod on fans went wild at the end of the match.
(NOTE: Do not confuse with who’s.) 3. not thinking carefully 쑗 She made a
why /wa/ adverb 1. for what reason 쑗 few wild guesses, but didn’t find the
why
Why did he have to phone me in the mid- right answer. 쑗 They had the wild idea
dle of the TV film? 쑗 I asked the ticket of walking across the Sahara. 쐽 adverb
collector why the train was late. 2. giv- without any control 쑗 The crowds were
ing a reason 쑗 She told me why she running wild through the centre of the
couldn’t go to the party. 3. agreeing town.
with a suggestion 쑗 ‘Would you like wildlife /waldlaf/ noun birds, plants
wildlife
some lunch?’ ‘Why not?’ and animals in their natural conditions

wicked /wkd/ adjective very bad 쑗
wicked
will /wl/ modal verb 1. used to form the

will
What a wicked thing to say! 쑗 It was future tense 쑗 The party will start soon.
wicked of them to steal the birds’ eggs. 쑗 Will they be staying a long time? 쑗 We
wide /wad/ adjective 1. which measures
wide
won’t be able to come to tea. 쑗 If you

from side to side 쑗 The table is three ask her to play the piano, she’ll say
foot or three feet wide. 쑗 The river is not ‘no’. 2. used as a polite way of asking
willing 363 winter

someone to do something 쑗 Will every- waist. 쑗 She wound the string into a
one please sit down? 쑗 Will someone ball. (NOTE: winds – winding –
close the curtains? 쑗 (formal) Won’t wound /waυnd/)
you sit down? 3. used for showing that wind up phrasal verb 1. to turn a key to
you are keen to do something 쑗 Don’t make a machine work 쑗 When did you
call a taxi – I’ll take you home. 쑗 The wind up the clock or wind the clock up?
car will never start when we want it to. 2. to turn a key to make something go up
쑗 Don’t worry – I will do it. (NOTE: the
쑗 Wind up your window if it starts to
negative: will not is usually written rain. 3. to be in a situation at the end of
won’t /wəυnt/. The past is: would,
a period (informal ) 쑗 They wound up
negative: would not, usually written
owing the bank thousands of pounds.
wouldn’t. Note also that will is often
window /wndəυ/ noun 1. an opening
window
shortened to ’ll: he’ll = he will) 쐽 noun

1. someone’s desire that something will in a surface such as a wall or door,
happen 왍 against your will without which is filled with glass 쑗 a seat by the
your agreement 쑗 He was forced to pay window 쑗 I looked out of the kitchen
the money against his will. 2. a legal window and saw a fox. 쑗 It’s dangerous
document by which a person gives in- to lean out of car windows. 쑗 The bur-
structions about what should happen to glar must have got in through the bath-
his or her property after he or she dies 쑗 room window. 2. any of several sections
He wrote his will in 1984. 쑗 According of a computer screen on which informa-
to her will, all her property is left to her tion is shown 쑗 Open the command win-
children. 쑗 Has she made a will yet? 앳 dow to see the range of possible com-
at will whenever someone wants to 쑗 mands.
windy /wndi/ adjective when a strong
windy
Visitors can wander around the gardens

at will. wind is blowing (informal ) (NOTE:
windier – windiest)
willing /wlŋ/ adjective keen to help 쑗
willing
wine /wan/ noun an alcoholic drink

wine
Is there anyone who is willing to drive

the jeep? 쑗 I need two willing helpers to made from grapes 쑗 We had a glass of
wash the car. French red wine. 쑗 Two glasses of white
wine, please. 쑗 Should we have some
win /wn/ verb 1. to beat someone in a
win
white wine with the fish?

game, or be first in a race or competition
wing /wŋ/ noun 1. one of the two parts
wing
쑗 I expect our team will win tomorrow.

쑗 The local team won their match yes- of the body, which a bird or butterfly
terday. 쑗 She won the race easily. 2. to etc. uses to fly 쑗 The little birds were
get something as a prize 쑗 She won first flapping their wings, trying to fly. 쑗
prize in the art competition. 쑗 He won Which part of the chicken do you prefer:
two million pounds on the lottery. 쑗 a leg or a wing? 2. one of the two flat
She’s hoping to win a new car in a com- parts sticking from the side of an air-
petition in the paper. (NOTE: wins – craft, which hold the aircraft in the air 쑗
winning – won /wn/) 쐽 noun the act He had a seat by the wing, so could not
of winning a game, race or competition see much out of the window.
쑗 The local team has only had two wins wink /wŋk/ verb to shut and open one
wink
so far this year. 쑗 We’re disappointed, eye quickly, as a signal 쑗 She winked at
we expected a win. him to try to tell him that everything was
wind1 /wnd/ noun air moving outdoors
wind
going well.
쑗 winner /wnə/ noun 1. a person who
winner
The wind blew two trees down in the

park. 쑗 There’s no point trying to use an wins something 쑗 The winner of the
umbrella in this wind. 쑗 There’s not a race gets a silver cup. 2. something
breath of wind – the sailing boats aren’t which is successful 쑗 His latest book is
moving at all. a winner.
wind2 /wand/ verb to twist round and winter /wntə/ noun the coldest season
wind winter
round 쑗 He wound the towel round his of the year, the season between autumn
wipe 364 woman

and spring 쑗 It’s too cold to do any gar- hands were blue with cold. 쑗 Half the
dening in the winter. 쑗 We’re taking a people in the office are ill with flu.
winter holiday in Mexico. within /wðn/ preposition inside an
within
wipe /wap/ verb to clean or dry some-

wipe
area or period of time 쑗 The house is

thing with a cloth 쑗 Wipe your shoes within easy reach of the station. 쑗 We
with a cloth before you polish them. 쑗 are within walking distance of the shop.
Use the blue towel to wipe your hands. 쑗 I must go back for a another check
wire /waə/ noun 1. a thin piece of metal
wire
within three months. 쑗 They promised to
or metal thread 쑗 He used bits of wire to deliver the sofa within a week.
attach the apple tree to the wall. 쑗 The without /wðaυt/ preposition 1. not
without
chip basket is made of woven wire. 2. 왍 with 쑗 They came on a walking holiday
(electric) wire thin metal thread along without any boots. 쑗 She managed to
which electricity flows, usually covered live for a few days without any food. 쑗
with coloured plastic 쑗 The wires seem He was stuck in Germany without any
to be all right, so there must be a prob- money. 쑗 They were fined for travelling
lem with the computer itself. without tickets. 2. not doing something
wisdom /wzdəm/ noun general com- 쑗 She sang for an hour without stop-
wisdom
mon sense and the ability to make good ping. 쑗 They lived in the hut in the forest
decisions without seeing anybody for weeks.
wise /waz/ adjective having intelligence witness /wtnəs/ noun 1. a person who
witness
wise
and being sensible 쑗 It was a wise deci- sees something happen or who is
sion to cancel the trip. 쑗 I don’t think present when something happens 쑗 The
it’s wise to keep all that money in the witness happened to be outside the
house. house when it was burgled. 2. a person
wish /wʃ/ noun 1. what you want to hap-
wish
who is present when someone signs a
pen 2. a greeting 쑗 Best wishes for the document 쑗 The contract has to be
New Year! 쑗 Please give my good wish- signed in front of two witnesses. 쑗 His
es to your family. (NOTE: The plural is sister signed as a witness. 쐽 verb to be
wishes.) 쐽 verb 1. to want something present when something happens, and
to happen 쑗 She sometimes wished she see it happening 쑗 Did anyone witness
could live in the country. 쑗 I wish you the accident?
witty /wti/ adjective clever and funny 쑗
witty
wouldn’t be so unkind! 2. to hope some-

thing good will happen 쑗 She wished She gave a witty and entertaining
him good luck in his interview. 쑗 He speech. (NOTE: wittier – wittiest)
wished me a Happy New Year. 쑗 Wish wives /wavz/ plural of wife
wives
me luck – it’s my exam tomorrow. wobble /wɒb(ə)l/ verb to move from

wobble
witch /wtʃ/ noun a woman believed to

witch
side to side in a way that is not smooth

have magic powers (NOTE: The plural is or steady 쑗 The children made the jelly
witches.) wobble in their bowls. 쑗 Don’t wobble
with /wð, wθ/ preposition 1. showing
with
the table when I’m pouring coffee.

that things or people are together 쑗 She woke /wəυk/ past tense of wake
woke
came here with her mother. 쑗 My sister

woken /wəυk(ə)n/ past participle of
woken
is staying with us for a few days. (NOTE:

wake
with is used with many adjectives and
wolf /wυlf/ noun a wild animal like a
wolf
verbs: to agree with, to be pleased

with.) 2. something which you have 쑗 large dog, which usually lives in groups
The girl with fair hair. 쑗 They live in the in the forest 쑗 At night the wolves came
house with the pink door. 3. showing and howled outside the hut. (NOTE: The
something which is used 쑗 He was plural is wolves.)
woman /wυmən/ noun an adult female
woman
chopping up wood with an axe. 쑗 Since

his accident he walks with a stick. 쑗 The person 쑗 The manager is an extremely
crowd attacked the police with stones experienced woman. 쑗 There are very
and bottles. 4. because of 쑗 Her little few women in government. 쑗 There are
won 365 work

more and more women bus drivers. promise which you have made 왍 to give
(NOTE: The plural is women /wmn/.) your word to promise 쑗 He gave his
won /wn/ past tense and past participle
won
word that the matter would remain con-
of win fidential. 왍 to keep your word to do
what you promised to do 쑗 He kept his
wonder /wndə/ verb 1. to want to
wonder
word, and the cheque arrived the next

know something 쑗 I wonder why the day. 왍 to take someone’s word for it to
room has gone quiet. 쑗 If you don’t ring accept what someone says as being true
home, your parents will start wondering 쑗 OK, I’ll take your word for it. 앳 to
what has happened. 2. to think about have a word with someone to speak
something 쑗 I wonder how I can earn to someone 쑗 I must have a word with
more money. 쑗 He’s wondering what to the manager about the service. 쑗 The
do next. 3. asking a question politely 쑗 salesgirl had made so many mistakes, I
We were wondering if you would like to had to have a word with her. 앳 without
come for dinner on Saturday. a word without saying anything 쑗 She
wonderful /wndəf(ə)l/ adjective ex-
wonderful
went out of the room without a word. 앳

tremely good or enjoyable 쑗 They had a word for word exactly as it is said or
wonderful holiday by a lake in Sweden. written 쑗 Tell me what he said word for
쑗 The weather was wonderful for the word. 쑗 A word-for-word translation of-
whole holiday. 쑗 You passed your driv- ten doesn’t make any sense.
ing test first time? – Wonderful! word processing /w
d prəυsesŋ/
word processing
wood /wυd/ noun 1. a hard material

wood
noun using a computer to produce,

which comes from a tree 쑗 The kitchen check and change texts, reports and let-
table is made of wood. 쑗 She picked up ters etc.
a piece of wood and put it on the fire. 쑗
word processor /w
d prəυsesə/
word processor
A wood floor would be just right for this

noun 1. a small computer which is used
room. (NOTE: no plural: some wood, a
to produce texts, reports and letters etc.
piece of wood) 2. an area in which
쑗 She offered to write the letter for me
many trees are growing together 쑗 The
on her word processor. 쑗 You can use
path goes straight through the wood. 쑗
my word processor to type your letter if
Their house is on the edge of a wood.
you like. 2. a word-processing program
(NOTE: The plural is woods. Do not
which allows you to create texts, edit
confuse with would.)
them and print them
wooden /wυd(ə)n/ adjective made out
wooden
wore /wɔ
/ past tense of wear
wore
of wood 쑗 In the market we bought little

work /w
k/ noun 1. things that you do
work
wooden dolls for the children.

wool /wυl/ noun 1. long threads of twist-
wool
using your strength or your brain 쑗
ed animal hair, used to make clothes or There’s a great deal of work still to be
carpets etc. 쑗 The carpet is made of done on the project. 쑗 There’s too much
wool. 쑗 I need an extra ball of wool to work for one person. 쑗 If you’ve fin-
finish this pullover. 2. the hair growing ished that piece of work, there’s plenty
on a sheep 쑗 The sheep are sheared and more to be done. 쑗 Cooking for two
the wool sent to market in early summer. hundred people every day is hard work.
2. a job done regularly to earn money 쑗
woolly /wυli/ adjective made out of
woolly
He goes to work every day on his bicy-

wool 쑗 She wore a woolly hat. cle. 쑗 Work starts at 9 a.m. and finishes
word /w
d/ noun 1. a separate piece of
word
at 5 p.m. 쑗 Her work involves a lot of

language, either written or spoken 쑗 travelling. 쑗 He is still looking for work.
This sentence has five words. 쑗 He al- 3. something which has been made,
ways spells some words wrongly, such painted or written by someone 쑗 the
as ‘though’. 2. something spoken 쑗 She complete works of Shakespeare 쑗 An
passed me in the street but didn’t say a exhibition of the work of local artists. 쐽
word. 쑗 I’d like to say a few words about verb 1. to use your strength or brain to
Mr Smith who is retiring today. 3. a do something 쑗 I can’t work in the gar-
worker 366 worse

den if it’s raining. 쑗 He’s working well works
works plural noun 1. the moving parts of

at school, we’re very pleased with his a machine 쑗 I looked inside the clock
progress. 쑗 Work hard and you’ll soon and there seems to be dust in the works.
get a better job. 2. to have a job 쑗 She 2. a factory 쑗 The steel works will be
works in an office in London. 쑗 He used closed next week for the Christmas hol-
to work in his father’s shop. 쑗 She had idays. 쐽 the works everything
to stop working when her mother was (informal ) 쑗 They built a conservatory
ill. 3. (of a machine) to run 쑗 The com- with a fountain, automatic lighting, a
puters aren’t working. 쑗 The machine barbecue – the works!
works by electricity. 4. to make a ma-
workshop /w
kʃɒp/ noun a very
workshop
chine run 쑗 She works the biggest print- small factory where things are made or
ing machine in the factory. 쑗 Do you repaired
know how to work the microwave? 5. to
world /w
ld/ noun the earth on which
world
be successful 쑗 His plan worked well. 쑗

Will the plan work? 쑗 If the cough med- we live 쑗 Here is a map of the world. 쑗
icine doesn’t work, you’ll have to see a She flew round the world twice last year.
doctor. 쑗 He has to travel all over the world on
business. 쑗 A round-the-world ticket al-
work out phrasal verb 1. to solve a
lows several stopovers.
problem by looking at information or
worm /w
m/ noun a small thin animal
worm
calculating figures 쑗 I’m trying to work

out if we’ve sold more this year than which has no arms or legs and lives in
last. 왍 to work out at something to the soil 쑗 Birds were pecking at the soil
amount to an amount 쑗 The total works for worms.
worn /wɔ
n/ past participle of wear
worn
out at £10.50 per person. 2. to succeed

쑗 Everything worked out quite well in worn out /wɔ
n aυt/ adjective very
worn out
the end. 왍 to work something out to tired 쑗 He was worn out after the game
find a successful way of solving a prob- of rugby. 쑗 She comes home every
lem 3. to do exercises 쑗 He works out evening, worn out after a busy day at the
every morning in the gym. office.
worker /w
kə/ noun 1. a person who
worker
worried /wrid/ adjective unhappy be-

worried
works 쑗 She’s a good worker. 쑗 He’s a cause you think something bad will hap-
fast worker. 2. a person who works in a pen or because something bad has hap-
particular job 쑗 The factory closed pened 쑗 He had a worried look on his
when the workers went on strike. 쑗 Of- face. 쑗 She’s looking worried. 쑗 I’m
fice workers usually work from 9.30 to worried that we may run out of petrol.
5.30.
worry /wri/ verb to make someone feel
worry
working /w
kŋ/ adjective relating to a
working
anxious 쑗 She’s always looks so tired,

job or to work 쑗 the working population and that worries me. (NOTE: worries –
of a country 쑗 The unions have com- worrying – worried) 쐽 noun 1. some-
plained about working conditions in the thing that makes you anxious 쑗 Go on
factory. 쑗 He came to the party in his holiday and try to forget your worries.
working clothes. 쐽 noun a way or ways (NOTE: The plural is worries.) 2. the
in which something works 쑗 The work- state of being anxious 쑗 She is a great
ings of a car engine are a complete mys- source of worry for her family. (NOTE:
tery to him. 쑗 I wish I could understand no plural)
the workings of local government!
worse /w
s/ adjective 1. less good than
worse
working class /w

kŋ klɑ
s/ noun a
working class
something else 쑗 It rained for the first

group in society consisting of people week of our holidays, and the second
who work with their hands, usually week was even worse. 쑗 I think this film
earning wages not salaries is worse than the one I saw last week. 쑗
workman /w
kmən/ noun a man who
workman
Both children are naughty – but the little

works with his hands (NOTE: The plural girl is worse than her brother. 2. more ill
is workmen.) 쑗 He’s much worse since he started tak-
worship 367 wrestle

ing his medicine. 쐽 adverb not as well 쑗 would often bring us flowers. 5. used
He drives badly enough but his sister following a condition 쑗 I’m sure that if
drives even worse. they could come, they would. 쑗 I
worship /w
ʃp/ verb 1. to praise and
worship
would’ve done it if you had asked me to.
쑗 If she were alive, she would or she’d
respect God 쑗 The ancient peoples wor-
shipped stone statues of their gods. 2. to be a hundred years old today. 쑗 If it
take part in a church service 쑗 They snowed we would or we’d go skiing.
worship regularly in the local church. (NOTE: The negative would not is usu-
(NOTE: worships – worshipping – ally written wouldn’t. Note also that
worshipped) would is often shortened to ’d she’d be
a hundred, he’d stay at home. Note
worst /w
st/ adjective worse than any-
worst
also that would is only used with other

thing else 쑗 I think this is the worst film verbs and is not followed by to)
he’s ever made. 쐽 adverb less well than
would rather phrasal verb to prefer
anything or anyone else or than at any
wound1 /wu
nd/ noun a cut made on
wound
other time 쑗 It’s difficult to say which

team played worst. 쑗 She works worst someone’s body, usually in fighting 쐽
when she’s tired. 쐽 noun a very bad verb 1. to hurt someone badly by cutting
thing 쑗 This summer is the worst for fif- into their flesh 쑗 Two of the gang were
ty years. wounded in the bank robbery. 2. to hurt
someone’s feelings 쑗 She was deeply
worth /w
θ/ adjective 1. 왍 to be worth
worth
wounded by what he said.

to have a certain value or price 쑗 This
wound2 /waυnd/ past tense and past par-
wound
ring’s worth a lot of money. 쑗 Gold is

ticiple of wind
worth more than silver. 쑗 The house is
worth more than £250,000. 2. 왍 to be wove /wəυv/ past tense of weave
wove
worth doing something to find some- woven /wəυv(ə)n/ past participle of

woven
thing good or helpful to do 쑗 It’s worth weave

taking a map with you, as you may get wrap /rp/ verb to cover something by
wrap
lost in the little streets. 쑗 His latest film putting something over it 쑗 She
is well worth seeing. 쑗 The old castle is wrapped the parcel in paper. (NOTE:
well worth visiting or is well worth a wraps -wrapping – wrapped) 쐽 noun
visit. 쐽 noun a value 쑗 Its worth will in- 1. a type of shawl that is put round the
crease each year. 쑗 She lost jewellery of shoulders or the top part of the body 쑗
great worth in the fire. 쑗 Can you give She pulled her wrap closer around her.
me twenty pounds’ worth of petrol? 2. a piece of material used to cover
would /wυd/ modal verb 1. used as a po-
would
something 쑗 Remove the wrap before

lite way of asking someone to do some- putting the dish in the microwave.
thing 쑗 Would you please stop talking? wrapping /rpŋ/ noun the paper or
wrapping
쑗 Would someone please tell me where plastic used to wrap something up

the library is? 쑗 Would you like some
wreck /rek/ noun 1. a ship which has
wreck
more tea? 2. used as the past of ‘will’ 쑗

He said he would be here for lunch. 쑗 been sunk or badly damaged 쑗 Divers
She hoped she would be well enough to have discovered the wreck on the sea-
come. 쑗 He wouldn’t go even if I paid bed. 쑗 The wreck of the ‘Mary Rose’
him. 3. used as the past of ‘will’, show- was found in the sea near Southampton.
ing something which often happens 쑗 2. anything which has been damaged
He would bring his dog with him, even and cannot be used 쑗 The police towed
though we asked him not to. 쑗 My hus- away the wreck of the car. 쑗 Their house
band forgot my birthday again this year is now a total wreck. 쐽 verb to damage
– he would! 4. used for showing some- something very badly 쑗 The ship was
thing which often happened in the past wrecked on the rocks in the storm. 쑗 The
쑗 Every morning she would go and feed bank was wrecked by the explosion.
wrestle /res(ə)l/ verb to fight with
wrestle
the chickens. 쑗 He would always be

there waiting outside the station. 쑗 They someone to try to throw him to the
wriggle 368 wrung

ground 쑗 The President’s guards wres- something
tled with the demonstrators. writer /ratə/ noun a person who writes
writer
wriggle /r'(ə)l/ verb to twist from side

wriggle
books or articles
to side 쑗 The baby wriggled in her fa- writing /ratŋ/ noun something which
writing
ther’s arms. 쑗 The worm wriggled back is written 쑗 Please don’t phone, reply in
into the soil. writing. 쑗 Put everything in writing,
wring /rŋ/ verb to twist something, espe-
wring
then you have a record of what has been

cially to get water out of it 쑗 Wring the done.
face cloth (dry) after you have used it. 쑗 written1 /rt(ə)n/ adjective which has
written
He wrung out his shirt before putting it been put in writing

to dry. (NOTE: wrings – wringing – written2 /rt(ə)n/ past participle of
written
wrung /rŋ/)
write
wrinkle /rŋkəl/ noun a fold in the skin
wrinkle
wrong /rɒŋ/ adjective 1. not correct

wrong
쑗
쑗 She had an operation to remove wrin-
He gave three wrong answers and failed
kles round her eyes. the test. 쑗 That’s not the right time, is it?
wrinkled /rŋkəld/ adjective full of
wrinkled
– No, the clock is wrong. 쑗 You’ve come

lines or creases to the wrong house – there’s no one
wrist /rst/ noun the joint between the called Jones living here. 쑗 I must have
wrist
arm and the hand pressed the wrong button. 2. not suitable
write /rat/ verb 1. to put words or num-
write
쑗 You came just at the wrong time, when
bers on paper etc. using a pen, pencil, we were bathing the children. 쑗 She was
computer etc. 쑗 She wrote the address wearing the wrong sort of dress for a
on the back of an envelope. 쑗 Write the wedding. 3. not working properly 쑗
reference number at the top of the letter. There is something wrong with the tele-
2. to write a letter and send it to some- vision. 4. morally bad 쑗 It’s wrong to
one 쑗 She writes to me twice a week. 쑗 talk like that about her. 쑗 Cheating in
Don’t forget to write as soon as you get exams is wrong. 5. making someone
to your hotel. 3. to be the author of a worried 쐽 adverb badly 쑗 Everything
book or music etc. 쑗 He wrote a book on went wrong yesterday. 쑗 She spelt my
keeping tropical fish. 쑗 Didn’t you know name wrong.
wrongly /rɒŋli/ adverb not correctly
wrongly
she used to write for the ‘Sunday

Times’? (NOTE: writes – writing – wrote /rəυt/ past tense of write
wrote
wrote /rəυt/ – written /rt(ə)n/) wrung /rŋ/ past tense and past participle
wrung
write down phrasal verb to write of wring

XYZ
x /eks/, X noun the twenty-fourth letter of when you are tired or bored 쑗 He went
x
the alphabet, between W and Y 쐽 sym- on speaking for so long that half the
bol 1. a multiplication sign 쑗 3 x 3 = 9. people at the meeting started yawning
(NOTE: say ‘three times three equals or started to yawn.
nine’) 2. showing size 쑗 The table top is yeah /jeə/ interjection yes
yeah
24 x 36cm. (NOTE: say ‘twenty-four by

year /jə/ noun 1. a period of time lasting
year
thirty-six centimetres’)
X /eks/ noun the Roman numeral for ten
X
twelve months, from January 1st to De-
or tenth cember 31st 쑗 Columbus discovered
America in the year 1492. 쑗 Great cele-
X-ray /eks re/ noun 1. a type of radia-
X-ray
brations which took place in the year

tion that doctors use for taking photo- 2000. 쑗 Last year we did not have any
graphs of the inside of your body 쑗 The holiday. 쑗 Next year she’s going on hol-
X-ray examination showed the key was iday in Australia. 쑗 The weather was
inside the baby’s stomach. 쑗 The X-ray very bad for most of the year. 왍 all year
department is closed for lunch. 2. a pho-
round working or open for the whole
tograph taken with X-rays 쑗 The X-ray
year 쑗 The museum is open all year
showed that the bone was broken in two
round. 2. a period of twelve months
places. 쑗 They will take an X-ray of his
leg. 쑗 She was sent to hospital for an X- from a particular time 쑗 We spent five
ray. 쐽 verb to take an X-ray photograph years in Hong Kong. 쑗 He died two hun-
of someone 쑗 There are six patients dred years ago today. 쑗 She’ll be eleven
waiting to be X-rayed. 쑗 They X-rayed years old tomorrow. 쑗 How many years
my leg to see if it was broken. have you been working for the compa-
ny?
y /wa/, Y noun the twenty-fifth letter of
y
yell /jel/ verb to shout very loudly 쑗 The

yell
the alphabet, between X and Z

yacht /jɒt/ noun 1. a sailing boat used for
yacht
policeman yelled to her to get out of the
pleasure and sport 2. a large comforta- way.
yellow /jeləυ/ adjective of a colour like
yellow
ble boat with a motor 쑗 She spent her

holiday on a yacht in the Mediterrane- that of the sun or of gold 쑗 His new car
an. is bright yellow. 쑗 She’s wearing yellow
yard /jɑ
d/ noun 1. a measurement of sandals. 쑗 At this time of year the fields
yard
length, equal to 0.914 metres 쑗 The po- are full of yellow flowers. 쐽 noun the
lice station is only yards away from colour of the sun or gold 쑗 Do you have
where the fight took place. 쑗 Can you any hats of a lighter yellow than this
move your car a couple of yards as it is one?
blocking the entrance to our garage? 2. yes /jes/ adverb a word showing that you
yes
an area of concrete at the back or side of agree with someone, accept something,
a house 쑗 We keep our bikes in the yard. or give permission for something 쑗
yarn /jɑ
n/ noun a long piece of wool
yarn
They asked her if she wanted to come

used in knitting or weaving 쑗 She sells and she said ‘yes’. 쑗 Anyone want more
yarn from the wool of her sheep. coffee? – Yes, please. 쑗 You don’t like
yawn /jɔ
n/ verb to open your mouth living in London? – Yes I do! 쑗 Didn’t
yawn
wide and breathe in and out deeply you work in Scotland at one time? – Yes,
yesterday 370 zoom

I did. 쑗 I need a clear answer – is it your /jɔ
/ adjective belonging to you 쑗 I
your
‘yes’ or ‘no’? hope you didn’t forget to bring your

yesterday /jestəde/ adverb, noun the
yesterday
toothbrush. 쑗 This letter is for your

day before today 쑗 Yesterday was brother.
March 1st so today must be the 2nd. 쑗 yours /jɔ
z/ pronoun belonging to you 쑗
yours
She came to see us yesterday evening. This is my car – where’s yours? 쑗 My

yet /jet/ adverb now, before now, or until
yet
car’s in the garage, can I borrow yours?

now 쑗 Has the manager arrived yet? 쑗 yourself /jəself/ pronoun relating to
yourself
I haven’t seen her yet this morning. 쑗 ‘you’ as a subject 쑗 Why do you wash
Don’t throw the newspaper away – I ha- the car yourself, when you could easily
ven’t read it yet. 쐽 conjunction however take it to the car wash? 쑗 Watch out for
쑗 He’s very small and yet he can kick a the broken glass – you might hurt your-
ball a long way. 쑗 It was starting to self. 쑗 I hope you are all going to enjoy
snow, and yet he went out without a yourselves. (NOTE: The plural is your-
coat. selves.)
yield /ji
ld/ noun the quantity of a crop or youth /ju
θ/ noun 1. a young man
yield youth
쑗
a product produced from a plant or from Gangs of youths were causing trouble in
an area of land 쑗 What is the normal the village. 쑗 A youth, aged 16, was ar-
yield per hectare? 쐽 verb 1. to produce rested for possessing drugs. 2. a period
a result 쑗 Their researches finally yield- when you are young, especially the time
ed the information they were looking for. between being a child and being an
2. to produce a crop or a product 쑗 This adult 쑗 In his youth he was a great trav-
variety of rice can yield up to 2 tonnes eller. 쑗 I haven’t done that since the
per hectare. 쑗 The North Sea oil depos- days of my youth!
its yield 100,000 barrels a month. 3. to z /zed/, Z noun US the last and twenty-
z
do or agree to do something that you sixth letter of the alphabet

have been trying not to do
zap /zp/ verb (informal ) 1. to hit or kill
zap
yolk /jəυk/ noun the yellow part inside an

yolk
someone 2. to shut down the television

egg using the remote control (NOTE: zaps –
you /jυ, ju
/ pronoun 1. referring to
you
zapping – zapped)
someone being spoken to 쑗 Are you zero /zərəυ/ noun 1. the number 0 쑗 To
zero
ready? 쑗 You look tired, you should rest make an international call you dial zero
a bit. 쑗 If I give you my address will you zero (00), followed by the number of the
give me yours? 쑗 Hello, how are you? 쑗 country. 2. the temperature at which wa-
Are you both keeping well? 2. referring ter freezes 쑗 The temperature stayed be-
to anyone 쑗 You never know when you low zero for days. 3. nothing at all 쑗
might need a penknife. 쑗 You have to be They lost ten – zero. (NOTE: The plural is
very tall to be a policeman. (NOTE: You zeros.)
is both singular and plural.)
zigzag /z'z'/ adjective used to de-
zigzag
young /jŋ/ adjective not old

young
쑗 She’s scribe a line which turns one way, then

very young, she’s only six. 쑗 He became the opposite way 쑗 There are zigzag
Prime Minister when he was still a lines painted at pedestrian crossings to
young man. 쑗 My little brother’s much show that cars must not stop there.
younger than me or than I am. 쑗 In the
zone /zəυn/ noun an area 쑗 Police cars
zone
afternoon there are TV programmes for

very young children. 쑗 This is where are patrolling the inner city zones.
zoo /zu
/ noun a place where wild ani-
zoo
your Daddy lived when he was young. 쐽

noun young animals or birds 쑗 Animals mals are kept, and where people can go
fight to protect their young. to see them
youngster /jŋstə/ noun a young per- zoom /zu
m/ verb to go very fast 쑗 Cars
youngster zoom
son 쑗 My grandparents don’t under- were zooming past me on the motorway.

stand today’s youngsters.
SUPPLEMENT
Irregular Verbs
Verb Past tense Past participle
arise arose arisen
awake awoke awoken
be was, were been
bear bore borne
beat beat beaten
become became become
begin began begun
bend bent bent
bet bet bet
bid bid bid
bind bound bound
bite bit bitten
bleed bled bled
blow blew blown
break broke broken
breed bred bred
bring brought brought
broadcast broadcast broadcast
build built built
burn burnt, burned burnt, burned
burst burst burst
buy bought bought
cast cast cast
catch caught caught
choose chose chosen
come came come
cost cost cost
creep crept crept
cut cut cut
deal dealt dealt
dig dug dug
do did done
draw drew drawn
dream dreamed, dreamt dreamed, dreamt
drink drank drunk
drive drove driven
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
feed fed fed
feel felt felt
fight fought fought
find found found
flee fled fled
fling flung flung
fly flew flown
forbid forbade forbidden
forecast forecast forecast
forget forgot forgotten
forgive forgave forgiven
freeze froze frozen
get got got, (US) gotten
give gave given
go went gone
grind ground ground
grow grew grown
hang hung hung
have had had
hear heard heard
Irregular Verbs
hide hid hidden
hit hit hit
hold held held
hurt hurt hurt
keep kept kept
kneel knelt, kneeled knelt, kneeled
knit knit, knitted knit, knitted
know knew known
lay laid laid
lead led led
lean leant, leaned leant, leaned
leap leapt, leaped leapt, leaped
learn learnt, learned learnt, learned
leave left left
lend lent lent
let let let
lie lay lain
light lit lit
lose lost lost
make made made
mean meant meant
meet met met
mistake mistook mistaken
overcome overcame overcome
overhear overheard overheard
overtake overtook overtaken
pay paid paid
put put put
quit quit quit
read read read
ride rode ridden
ring rang rung
rise rose risen
run ran run
saw sawed sawn
say said said
see saw seen
seek sought sought
sell sold sold
send sent sent
set set set
sew sewed sewed, sewn
shake shook shaken
shed shed shed
shine shone shone
shoot shot shot
show showed shown
shrink shrank shrunk
shut shut shut
sing sang sung
sink sank sunk
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
slide slid slid
smell smelt, smelled smelt, smelled
sow sowed sown
speak spoke spoken
speed sped sped
Irregular Verbs
spell spelt, spelled spelt, spelled
spend spent spent
spill spilt, spilled spilt, spilled
spin span spun
split split split
spoil spoilt, spoiled spoilt, spoiled
spread spread spread
spring sprang sprung
stand stood stood
steal stole stolen
stick stuck stuck
sting stung stung
stink stank stunk
stride strode strode
strike struck struck
strive strove striven
swear swore sworn
sweep swept swept
swell swelled swelled, swollen
swim swam swum
swing swung swung
take took taken
teach taught taught
tear tore torn
tell told told
think thought thought
throw threw thrown
thrust thrust thrust
tread trod trodden
understand understood understood
undo undid undone
upset upset upset
wake woke woken
wear wore worn
weave wove woven
win won won
wind wound wound
wring wrung wrung
write wrote written
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1.easier English Basic Dictionary Pre-Int PDF

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very able manager. 쑗 There are special

to the doctor about? 2. 왍 to be about to

someone or something in an unkind way clouds. 쑗 The temperature in the street

short form of a word

country 쑗 They’ve gone abroad on holi-

ability to stay calm in difficult situa-

any official support, we had to raise our

meeting? 2. good at doing something, or

something such as a liquid 쑗 The water good enough to be accepted, although

access / kses/ noun a way of reaching

unreasonable or impossible to believe 쑗

access the address list.

planned or expected 쑗 He found the

accidentally /ks dent(ə)li/ adverb

er 쑗 Don’t accelerate when you get to without being planned or expected

accent / ksənt/ noun 1. a particular

noun a place to live or somewhere to

‘e’. go with someone or something 쑗 She

accompanied me to the door. 2. to play

nied by someone or something)

tion 1. as someone says or writes 쑗 The acknowledgement /ək nɒld"mənt/

going too fast. 2. in agreement with tree

cording to plan or schedule. 3. in rela-

account /ə kaυnt/ noun 1. same as

bank account 2. 왍 I was worried on owner of something 쑗 She has acquired

might happen to her 앳 on account of

all details 쑗 Are the figures accurate? 쑗

as someone or something to do the

great achievement, since he had never

flat in London. 5. a case in a law court able to change or be changed easily to

damages against someone

gether it should make fifty. (NOTE: Add-

Children are offered various holiday ac-

tivities – sailing, windsurfing and wa- something added to something else 쑗

to make a total 쑗 You don’t need a cal-

쑗 It additional /ə dʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective in-

쑗 It street and the town where someone lives

address book 5 advantage

or parcel 쑗 That letter is addressed to an amount of money paid to go into a

tions to the information office. 쑗 Teach-

dresses, telephone numbers and email

addresses legally as a son or daughter 쑗 They have

using something 쑗 The book has been

something very much

which sticks things together 쐽 adjective 1. fully grown 쑗 an adult ti-

ger 2. relating to a mature person or

adjective / d"ktv/ noun a word

ward 쑗 The police slowly advanced

He was admired for his skill as a violin-

or fact of being allowed to go in to a

adviser /əd vazə/, advisor noun some-

for receiving radio or TV signals

adverb or a whole sentence 쑗 In the sen-

‘very’ are adverbs.

relevant to one person or group of peo-

ple only 쑗 That’s his affair – it’s nothing

complicated. 2. a sexual relationship

or wife 쑗 He’s having an affair with his

an announcement which tries to make on someone or something 쑗 The new

advertising / dvətazŋ/ noun the act

access /kses/ noun a way of reaching

accidentally /ksdent(ə)li/ adverb

accent /ksənt/ noun 1. a particular

tion 1. as someone says or writes 쑗 The acknowledgement /əknɒld"mənt/

account /əkaυnt/ noun 1. same as

쑗 It additional /ədʃ(ə)nəl/ adjective in-

adjective /d"ktv/ noun a word

adviser /ədvazə/, advisor noun some-

advertising /dvətazŋ/ noun the act

agency /ed"ənsi/ noun an office which

allergy /ləd"i/ noun a bad reaction to

allowance /əlaυəns/ noun 1. an

amazement /əmezmənt/ noun great

anxiety /ŋzaəti/ noun 1. nervous

apostrophe /əpɒstrəfi/ noun a print-