Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

abundant adjective FORMAL

more than enough
an abundant supply of food
There is abundant evidence that cars have a harmful effect on the environment.
Cheap consumer goods are abundant (= exist in large amounts) in this part of the world.

accumulate verb
1. [T] to collect a large number of things over a long period of time
As people accumulate more wealth, they tend to spend a greater proportion of their incomes.
The company said the debt was accumulated during its acquisition of nine individual
businesses.
We've accumulated so much rubbish over the years.
2. [I] to gradually increase in number or amount
A thick layer of dust had accumulated in the room.
If you don't sort out the papers on your desk on a regular basis they just keep on
accumulating.

accurate adjective
correct, exact and without any mistakes
an accurate machine
an accurate description
The figures they have used are just not accurate.
Her novel is an accurate reflection of life in post-war Spain.
We hope to become more accurate in predicting earthquakes.

accustomed adjective
1. familiar with something
She quickly became accustomed to his messy ways.
I'm not accustomed to being treated like this.
2. FORMAL usual
She performed the task with her accustomed ease.

acquire verb [T ]
to get something
He acquired the firm in 1978.
I was wearing a newly/recently acquired jacket.
I seem to have acquired (= have got although I don't know how) two copies of this book.
During this period he acquired a reputation for being a womanizer.

adamant adjective
impossible to persuade, or unwilling to change an opinion or decision
[+ that] I've told her she should stay at home and rest but she's adamant that she's coming.

adequate adjective
enough or satisfactory for a particular purpose
Have we got adequate food for twenty guests?
I didn't have adequate time to prepare.
It's not by any means a brilliant salary but it's adequate for our needs.
The council's provision for the elderly is barely adequate (= is not enough).
[+ to infinitive] Will future oil supplies be adequate to meet world needs?

adjacent adjective FORMAL

very near, next to, or touching

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

They work in adjacent buildings.

They lived in a house adjacent to the railway.

adjust verb CHANGE

1. [T] to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective, or suitable
If the chair is too high you can adjust it to suit you.
As a teacher you have to adjust your methods to suit the needs of slower children.
2. [T] to arrange your clothing to make yourself look tidy
She adjusted her skirt, took a deep breath and walked into the room.

advantage noun
1. [C or U] a condition giving a greater chance of success
The advantage of booking tickets in advance is that you get better seats.
Despite the twin advantages of wealth and beauty, she did not have a happy life.
[+ to infinitive] It would be to your advantage (= It would improve the situation for you) to
agree to his demands.
For a goalkeeper, it's a great advantage to have big hands.
His height and reach give him a big advantage over (= make him better than) other boxers.
UK FORMAL "Do you know how old I am?" "I'm afraid you have the advantage of me there (=
you know the answer but I do not)."
2. take advantage of sth
to use the good things in a situation
I thought I'd take advantage of the sports facilities while I'm here.
3. take advantage of sb/sth
DISAPPROVING to treat someone badly in order to get something good from them
I think she takes advantage of his good nature.
I know she's offered to babysit any time but I don't want her to think we're taking advantage
of her.
4. [U] the word used in tennis when a player has won the point after deuce
Advantage Miss Williams!

adverse adjective [before noun ]

having a negative or harmful effect on something
The match has been cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.
They received a lot of adverse publicity/criticism about the changes.
So far the drug is thought not to have any adverse effects.

advocate verb [T ]
to publicly support or suggest an idea, development or way of doing something
[+ -ing verb] She advocates taking a more long-term view.
He advocates the return of capital punishment.

aggregate noun [C or U ]
something formed by adding together several amounts or things; a total
They purchased an aggregate of 3000 shares in the company.
Snowflakes are loose aggregates of ice crystals.
Arsenal lost the second game, but got through to the final on aggregate (= adding together the
goals in both matches).

aggressive adjective
1. behaving in an angry and violent way towards another person
Men tend to be more aggressive than women.
If I criticize him, he gets aggressive and starts shouting.
2. determined to win or succeed and using forceful action to achieve victory or success
an aggressive election campaign

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

aggressive marketing tactics

Both players both won their first-round matches in aggressive style.

allocate verb [T ]
to give something to someone as their share of a total amount, for them to use in a particular
way
The government is allocating £10 million for health education.
[+ two objects] As project leader, you will have to allocate people jobs/allocate jobs to people.
It is not the job of the investigating committee to allocate blame for the disaster/to allocate
blame to individuals.

alternative noun [C ]
something that is different from something else, especially from what is usual, and offering the
possibility of choice
an alternative to coffee
There must be an alternative to people sleeping on the streets.
I'm afraid I have no alternative but to ask you to leave (= that is what I have to do).

amateur adjective
1. taking part in an activity for pleasure, not as a job
an amateur astronomer/boxer/historian
He was an amateur singer until the age of 40, when he turned professional.
2. relating to an activity, especially a sport, where the people taking part do not receive money
amateur athletics

ambiguous adjective
having or expressing more than one possible meaning, sometimes intentionally
His reply to my question was somewhat ambiguous.
The wording of the agreement is ambiguous.
The government has been ambiguous on this issue.

ambitious adjective
1. having a strong wish to be successful, powerful or rich
an ambitious young lawyer
He's very ambitious for his children (= He wants them to be successful).
2. If a plan or idea is ambitious, it needs a great amount of skill and effort to be successful or be
achieved
She has some ambitious expansion plans for her business.
The government has announced an ambitious programme to modernize the railway network.
The original completion date was over-ambitious, so we have had to delay the opening by six
months.

amend verb [T ]
to change the words of a text, especially a law or a legal document
MPs were urged to amend the law to prevent another oil tanker disaster.
In line 20, 'men' should be amended (= changed) to 'people'.
Until the constitution is amended, the power to appoint ministers will remain with the
president.

ample adjective ENOUGH

1. more than enough
You'll have ample opportunity to ask questions after the talk.
There's ample evidence that the lawyer knew exactly what she was doing.
They had ample warning of the factory closure.

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

annual adjective [before noun ]

happening once every year, or relating to a period of one year
an annual event/visit/holiday
annual income/salary/profit
Companies publish annual reports to inform the public about the previous year's activities.

anomaly noun [C or U ] FORMAL

a person or thing that is different from what is usual, or not in agreement with something else and
therefore not satisfactory
Statistical anomalies can make it difficult to compare economic data from one year to the next.
The anomaly of the social security system is that you sometimes have more money without a
job.

antagonize , UK USUALLY antagonise verb [T ]

to make someone dislike you or feel opposed to you
It's a very delicate situation and I've no wish to antagonize him.

arbitrary adjective CHANCE

1. based on chance rather than being planned or based on reason
arbitrary decision-making
What guided your choice of destination or was it arbitrary?

arduous adjective
difficult, needing a lot of effort and energy
an arduous climb/task/journey

assuage verb [T ] FORMAL

to make unpleasant feelings less strong
The government has tried to assuage the public's fears.

assume verb [T ] ACCEPT

1. to accept something to be true without question or proof
[+ (that)] I assumed (that) you knew each other because you went to the same school.
Let's assume (that) they're coming and make plans on that basis.
[+ to infinitive] We can't assume the suspects to be guilty simply because they've decided to
remain silent.
We mustn't assume the suspects' guilt.

attitude noun OPINION

1. [C or U] a feeling or opinion about something or someone, or a way of behaving that is
caused by this
It's often very difficult to change people's attitudes.
[+ that] She takes the attitude that children should be allowed to learn at their own pace.
He has a very bad attitude to/towards work.
He seems to have undergone a change in/of attitude recently, and has become much more
co-operative.
I don't like your attitude (= the way you are behaving).
That boy has a real attitude problem (= behaves in a way that makes it difficult for other
people to have a relationship with him or work with him).

attribute noun [C ]
a quality or characteristic that someone or something has
Organizational ability is an essential attribute for a good manager.

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

augment verb [T ] FORMAL

to increase the size or value of something by adding something to it
He would have to find work to augment his income.

benefit noun [C or U ]
1. a helpful or good effect, or something intended to help
The discovery of oil brought many benefits to the town.
One of the many benefits of foreign travel is learning how to cope with the unexpected.
He's had the benefit of an expensive education and yet he continues to work as a waiter.
I didn't get/derive (much) benefit from school.
With the benefit of hindsight (= Helped by the knowledge since learned) it is easy for us to
see where we went wrong.
SLIGHTLY FORMAL She drinks a lot less now, to the benefit of her health as a whole.
2. the money given by the government to people who need financial help, for example because
they cannot find a job
MAINLY UK unemployment benefit
I'm on benefit at the moment.

berate verb [T ] FORMAL

to criticize or speak in an angry manner to someone
As he left the meeting, he was berated by angry demonstrators.
Doctors are often berated for being poor communicators, particularly when they have to give
patients bad news.

bestow verb [T often passive ] FORMAL

to give something as an honour or present
The Chancellorship of the University was bestowed upon her in 1992.
The George Cross is a decoration that is bestowed on British civilians for acts of great bravery.

blemish noun
1. [C] a mark on something that spoils its appearance
freckles, scars and other minor skin blemishes
2. [C or U] a fault in a person's character
Is any politician's record without blemish on this issue?

boast verb SPEAK PROUDLY

1. [I or T] DISAPPROVING to speak too proudly or happily about what you have done or what you
own
He didn't talk about his exam results in case people thought he was boasting.
Parents enjoy boasting about their children's achievements.
[+ that] They boasted that they had never lost a single game.

boost verb [T ]
to improve or increase something
The theatre managed to boost its audiences by cutting ticket prices.
Share prices were boosted by reports of the President's recovery.
I tried to boost his ego (= make him feel more confident) by praising his cooking.

brash adjective DISAPPROVING

1. (of people) showing too much confidence and too little respect
a brash young banker
2. (of clothes) too bright and colourful
Don't you think that suit's a bit brash for a funeral?

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

brief adjective SHORT IN TIME

1. lasting only a short time or containing few words
His acceptance speech was mercifully brief.
I had a brief look at her report before the meeting.
It'll only be a brief visit because we really haven't much time.
After a brief spell/stint in the army, he started working as a teacher.
The company issued a brief statement about yesterday's accident.
2. used to express how quickly time goes past
For a few brief weeks we were very happy.

brusque adjective
quick and rude in manner or speech
His secretary was rather brusque with me.

cacophony noun [S ]
an unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
What a cacophony!
As we entered the farmyard we were met with a cacophony of animal sounds.

cease verb [I or T ] SLIGHTLY FORMAL

to stop something
Whether the protests will cease remains to be seen.
The company has decided to cease all UK operations after this year.
[+ to infinitive] Workplace nurseries will cease to be liable for tax.

censure noun [U ] FORMAL

strong criticism or disapproval
His dishonest behaviour came under severe censure.

chronological adjective
Give me the dates in chronological order.

clarify verb [T ] EXPLAIN

1. to make something clear or easier to understand by giving more details or a simpler explanation
Could you clarify the first point please? I don't understand it completely.
The position of all shareholders will be clarified next month when we finalize our proposals.

coalesce verb [I ] FORMAL

If two or more things coalesce, they come or grow together to form one thing or system.

coerce verb [T ] FORMAL

to persuade someone forcefully to do something which they are unwilling to do
The court heard that the six defendants had been coerced into making a confession.

cognizant adjective FORMAL

Unfortunately, we were not cognizant of (= did not know about) the full facts.

cohesion noun [U ] (ALSO cohesiveness) FORMAL

when the members of a group or society are united
social/national cohesion
The lack of cohesion within the party lost them votes in the election.

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

coincide verb [I ]
1. to happen at or near the same time
I timed my holiday to coincide with the children's school holiday.
If the heavy rain had coincided with an extreme high tide, serious flooding would have
resulted.
2. to be the same or similar
Our views coincide on a range of subjects.
If our schedules coincide, we'll go to Spain together.

collapse verb FALL

1. [I] to fall down suddenly because of pressure or having no strength or support
Thousands of buildings collapsed in the earthquake.
The chair collapsed under her weight.
FIGURATIVE He thought his whole world had collapsed when his wife died.
2. [I] If someone collapses, they fall down because they are ill or weak
He collapsed and died of a heart attack.
3. [I or T] to fold something into a smaller shape, usually so it can be stored, or (especially of
furniture) to fold in this way
All chairs collapse for easy storage.

collide verb [I ]
(especially of moving objects) to hit something violently
The two vans collided at the crossroads.
It was predicted that a comet would collide with one of the planets.

commitment noun
1. [C or U] when you are willing to give your time and energy to something that you believe in,
or a promise or firm decision to do something
her commitment to left-wing politics/the cause of feminism/the company
She is known chiefly for her commitment to nuclear disarmament.
I'd like to thank the staff for having shown such commitment.
Try the product out in the comfort of your own home with absolutely no commitment to buy!
2. [C] something that you must do or deal with that takes your time
family/work commitments
I've got too many commitments at the moment to do an evening class.
Children are such a commitment.

community noun [C + sing/pl verb ]

1. the people living in one particular area or people who are considered as a unit because of their
common interests, social group or nationality
He's well-known in the local community.
There's a large black/white/Jewish community living in this area.
Her speech caused outrage among the gay community.
Drug trafficking is a matter of considerable concern for the entire international community (=
all the countries of the world).
There's a real sense of community (= caring and friendly feeling) in this neighbourhood.
2. SPECIALIZED a group of animals or plants that live or grow together
3. the community
the general public
Unlike the present government, we believe in serving the community.

conceal verb [T ]
to prevent something from being seen or known about; to hide something
The listening device was concealed in a pen.
I tried to conceal my surprise when she told me her age.

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 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

It was said that the police concealed vital evidence.

Is there something you're concealing from me?

concur verb [I ] (-rr-) FORMAL

1. to agree with someone or have the same opinion as someone else
The new report concurs with previous findings.
[+ that] The board concurred that the editor should have full control over editorial matters.
[+ speech] "I think you're absolutely right, " concurred Chris.
2. If two or more events concur, they happen at the same time.

conflict noun [C or U ]
1. an active disagreement between people with opposing opinions or principles
There was a lot of conflict between him and his father.
It was an unpopular policy and caused a number of conflicts within the party.
His outspoken views would frequently bring him into conflict with the president.
2. fighting between two or more groups of people or countries
We wish to avoid conflict between our countries if at all possible.

constrain verb [T often passive ]

to control and limit something
The country's progress was constrained by a leader who refused to look forward.

contemplate verb [I or T ]
to spend time considering a possible future action, or to consider one particular thing for a long
time in a serious and quiet way
[+ -ing verb] I'm contemplating going abroad for a year.
You're not contemplating a change of job, are you?
It's too awful/horrific/dangerous to contemplate.

continuously adverb
You can't work continuously for six hours without a break!

contradict verb [I or T ]
(of people) to state the opposite of what someone else has said, or (of one fact or statement) to
be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong
If you're both going to lie, at least stick to the same story and don't contradict each other!
[R] He kept contradicting himself when we were arguing - I think he was a bit confused.
How dare you contradict (me)!
Recent evidence has tended to contradict established theories on this subject.

contribute verb [I or T ]
1. to give something, especially money, in order to provide or achieve something together with
other people
Aren't you going to contribute towards Jack's leaving present?
Come to the meeting if you feel you have something to contribute.
Her family have contributed £50,000 to the fund.
2. to write articles for a newspaper, magazine or book
She contributes to several magazines.

convey verb [T ] COMMUNICATE

1. to express a thought, feeling or idea so that it is understood by other people
His poetry conveys a great sense of religious devotion.
If you see James, do convey my apologies (to him).
[+ question word] I tried to convey in my speech how grateful we all were for his help.

© Cambridge University Press 2008

 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

You don't want to convey the impression that we're not interested.

copious adjective
in large amounts; more than enough
They drank copious amounts of wine.
He took copious notes during the lecture.

core noun IMPORTANT PART

1. [S or U] the basic and most important part of something
The basic lack of government funding is at the core of the problem.
2. core value/belief/issue, etc.
a value, belief, etc. which is basic and more important than any other
The final status negotiations would focus on the core issues of the peace process.
3. core business/operations/activities
the most important or largest part of a company's business activities, which it depends on in
order to continue trading
The company's core operations include entertainment and aviation.
4. core curriculum/subjects/courses
the most important parts of a course of study, that all students must do

corrode verb [I or T ]
If metal corrodes, or if something corrodes it, it is slowly damaged by something such as rain or
water
Steel tends to corrode faster in a salty atmosphere, such as by the sea.

cumbersome adjective
awkward because of being large, heavy or not effective
cumbersome equipment
cumbersome bureaucracy

curriculum noun [C ] (plural curricula or curriculums)

the group of subjects studied in a school, college, etc.
the school curriculum

data noun [U + sing/pl verb ]

information, especially facts or numbers, collected to be examined and considered and used to
help decision-making, or information in an electronic form that can be stored and processed by
a computer
The data was/were collected by various researchers.
Now the data is/are being transferred from magnetic tape to hard disk.

debilitate verb [T ] FORMAL

to make someone or something physically weak
Chemotherapy exhausted and debilitated him.

decay verb [I or T ]
to (cause something to) become gradually damaged, worse or less
Sugar makes your teeth decay.
The role of the extended family has been decaying for some time.
Pollution has decayed the surface of the stonework on the front of the cathedral.
the smell of decaying meat

deceive verb [T ]

© Cambridge University Press 2008

 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

1. to persuade someone that something false is the truth; to keep the truth hidden from
someone for your own advantage; to trick
The company deceived customers by selling old computers as new ones.
The sound of the door closing deceived me into thinking they had gone out.
2. deceive yourself
[R] to refuse to accept the truth
She thinks he'll come back, but she's deceiving herself.

decipher verb [T ]
to discover the meaning of something written badly or in a difficult or hidden way
Can you decipher the writing on this envelope?

declaration noun [C ] ANNOUNCEMENT

1. an announcement, often one that is written and official
Members of Parliament must make a declaration of their business interests.
As witnesses to the accident, we were asked to make written declarations of what we had
seen.
The company made a declaration of intent to follow an equal opportunities policy.

decline verb GO DOWN

1. [I] to gradually become less, worse, or lower
His interest in the project declined after his wife died.
The party's popularity has declined in the opinion polls.
FORMAL The land declines sharply away from the house.

endeavour UK , US endeavor verb [I + to infinitive ]

to try to do something
Engineers are endeavouring to locate the source of the problem.

endeavour UK , US endeavor noun [C or U ]

an attempt to do something
In spite of our best endeavours, it has proven impossible to contact her.
Crossing the North Pole on foot was an amazing feat of human endeavour.
artistic endeavour

exude verb [T ] FEELING

1. If you exude love, confidence, pain, etc., you show that you have a lot of that feeling
She just exudes confidence.

exude verb [T ] LIQUID/SMELL

2. to produce a smell or liquid substance from inside
Some trees exude from their bark a sap that repels insect parasites.

hurray exclamation (ALSO hooray , ALSO hurrah)

used to express excitement, pleasure or approval
You won? Hurray!
Hurray! It's time to go home.

irrespective adverb
without considering; not needing to allow for
The legislation must be applied irrespective of someone's ethnic origins.

© Cambridge University Press 2008

 Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

luscious adjective TASTY

1. having a pleasant sweet taste or containing a lot of juice
luscious ripe figs

luscious adjective ATTRACTIVE

2. INFORMAL (of a woman) very sexually attractive
a luscious blonde
3. (of an area of countryside) very green and attractive
luscious landscapes

mastery noun [U ] CONTROL

1. complete control of something
her mastery of the situation

mastery noun [U ] SKILL

2. If someone has a mastery of something, they are extremely skilled at it
her mastery of the violin

profuse adjective
produced or given in large amounts
She was admitted to St Mary's Hospital with profuse bleeding.
The company accepted blame and sent us profuse apologies.

rhapsody noun [C ]
1. SPECIALIZED a piece of music which has no formal structure and which expresses powerful
feelings
Rachmaninov's 'Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini'
2. FORMAL a speech or piece of writing that contains powerful feelings and enthusiasm

the rudiments plural noun

the simplest and most basic facts about a subject or activity
It only took me an hour to learn/pick up the rudiments of skiing.

scorch verb BURN

1. [I or T] to (cause to) change colour with dry heat, or to burn slightly
The iron was too hot and he scorched the shirt.
The surrounding buildings were scorched by the heat of the explosion.

skiing noun [U ]
the activity or sport of moving on skis
a skiing trip/instructor

taint verb [T ]
to spoil something, especially food or blood, by adding a harmful substance, or to spoil people's
opinion of someone
His reputation was permanently tainted by the financial scandal.

vagaries plural noun FORMAL

unexpected and uncontrollable events or changes which have an influence on a situation
The success of the event will be determined by the vagaries of the weather.
She had her own style and was not influenced by the vagaries of fashion.

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